Kerr troubled by new wave of star players evading contracts
For all of the excitement and buzz over an unprecedented free agency period, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is one very concerned NBA citizen.
Speaking on “The Warrior Podcast” posted Wednesday on the NBC Sports Bay Area website, the three-time NBA champion head coach called out transactions sparked by star players — like Anthony Davis maneuvering his way from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Los Angeles Lakers — as “bad for the league” and “a real problem.”
“I’m talking more about the Anthony Davis situation,” Kerr said. “Where a guy is perfectly healthy and has a couple years left on his deal and says, ‘I want to leave.’ That’s a real problem that the league has to address and that the players have to be careful with.
“When you sign on that dotted line, you owe your effort and your play to that team, to that city, to the fans. And then it’s completely your right to leave as a free agent. But if you sign the contract, then you should be bound to that contract.”
Davis had initially demanded a trade from the Pelicans with over a full season remaining on his existing contract, and although New Orleans did not immediately cave to his inseason request, this offseason Davis got his wish when he was dealt to L.A.
Kerr has an issue with Davis’ approach, while still under contract, as opposed to stars who have played out their contracts first before switching teams.
“What LeBron did, played out his contract. What Kevin did, both when he arrived at Golden State and when he left. You sign contracts, you play them out and you move on. That’s how it should be done,” Kerr said.
NFL
RAMSEY MAKES A STATEMENT ON ARRIVAL >> Jalen Ramsey crouched in the back of an armored truck, peered through a small window and waited for his introduction. The two-time Pro Bowl cornerback then flung open both doors, revealing dozens of phony money bags and a huge smile.
Ramsey put on quite a show as the Jacksonville Jaguars reported for training camp. The performance likely will serve as the start of a yearlong push for a new contract.
“It’s time to get this money, money,” the driver said into a megaphone as Ramsey exited the vehicle.
Ramsey is entering the final year of his $23.3 million rookie contract. The Jaguars exercised the fifth-year option in the deal, meaning he’s tied to the club for $13.7 million in 2020.
• Yannick Ngakoue did not report to Jaguars training camp. Ngakoue didn’t attend minicamp last month, either. The Maryland product and defensive end was the Jaguars’ thirdround selection in the 2016 draft. In 48 games (47 starts) over three seasons with the Jaguars, he has produced 29.5 sacks. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2017.
GORDON OFFICIALLY A HOLDOUT >> Melvin Gordon is officially a holdout as the Los Angeles Chargers get ready to begin training camp. The Chargers placed the running back on the reserve/did not report list as players went through physicals and meetings. Gordon is going into the final year of a rookie contract and will earn $5.6 million this season. PACKERS CUT VETERAN DT >> Green Bay released former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Mike Daniels after seven seasons, parting with one of its best players in a move that saves $8.31 million against the salary cap. Daniels was due to make $8.5 million this season in the final year of a four-year, $41 million contract extension. With Daniels off the books, the Packers are now $15.3 million under the salary cap.
TITANS’ LEWAN SAYS HE WILL BE SUSPENDED >> Taylor Lewan, Tennessee’s three-time Pro Bowl left tackle, said the NFL has suspended him for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancers.
• The Titans made Kevin Byard the NFL’s highest-paid safety with a contract extension hours before they report for training camp. Multiple reports said the five-year deal is worth $70.5 million with $31 million guaranteed.
NEWTON’S THROWING WILL BE MONITORED >> While Cam Newton has been medically cleared to throw at training camp following offseason shoulder surgery, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said the team’s training staff will closely monitor the quarterback’s reps, and coaches will script his plays daily.
“We have a plan,” Rivera said. “Obviously it will be structured around our installation. So the things that we have going on with our install will dictate what he does.”
BROWNS’ JOHNSON WILL REPORT, STILL WANTS TRADE >> Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson plans to report to training camp but his position on a trade remains.
Johnson wants out of Cleveland, but he’s found little sympathy around the Berea, Ohio, facility after sitting out offseason workouts. Quarterback Baker Mayfield called Johnson’s issues “self inflicted” and head coach Freddie Kitchens shook off questions about trading the backup to Nick Chubb.
“He wants to be traded. I want to win the lottery. It doesn’t matter,” Kitchens said. “He’s under contract. He’s a Cleveland Brown. He’s going to be used to the best of his ability in what benefits the team.”
SEAHAWKS ADD DL MITCHELL >> The Seattle Seahawks signed defensive tackle Earl Mitchell, providing depth at the position after a six-game suspension for Jarran Reed was announced. Also boosting the defensive line, end Ezekiel Ansah avoided the physically unable to perform list, meaning he is cleared for training camp after sitting out the entire offseason program during his recovery from shoulder surgery.
Mitchell, 31, spent the past two years with the 49ers, totaling 61 tackles (five for loss), one sack and six quarterback hits. He has 66 starts in 130 games across nine seasons with San Francisco, Miami and Houston.
Football
FORMER USC QB SANCHEZ TO JOIN ESPN >> Former USC star and New York Jets first-round pick Mark Sanchez is retiring from the NFL and joining ESPN as a college football analyst.
Sanchez played quarterback for USC from 2005-08, earning Rose Bowl MVP honors in his final college game. He was selected fifth overall in the 2009 NFL draft by the Jets and led them to the AFC championship game in each of his first two seasons. The 32-year-old also played for the Eagles, Cowboys and Washington in a 10-year NFL career. Sanchez replaces Mack Brown, who returned to coaching at North Carolina.
Soccer
U.S. WOMEN TO PLAY PORTUGAL TWICE IN VICTORY TOUR >> The world champion U.S. women’s team will play a pair of exhibitions against Portugal on its victory tour, on Aug. 29 at Philadelphia and five days later at St. Paul, Minnesota. The Americans open the tour on Aug. 3 against Ireland at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
The U.S. Soccer Federation said a pair of additional friendlies are planned for Oct. 3 and 6.
Swimming
MILAK BREAKS PHELPS’ 18-YEAR HOLD ON 200 BUTTERFLY RECORD >> Kristof Milak set the world record in the 200-meter butterfly, breaking the longstanding mark set by the legendary Michael Phelps. The 19-year-old from Hungary was clocked in 1 minute, 50.73 seconds at the world championships in Gwangju, South Korea, eclipsing Phelps’ record of 1:51.51.
“It’s a tremendous honor to beat such a great men’s world record,” Milak said afterward. “When I turned back and I saw the time, 1:50.73? All the pressure and tension just went off my back and all the joy came out.”