Miami, FL
Potential Pistons Target Eyeing ‘Bigger Payday’ Over Current Contract
With the 2024 NBA Draft in the rearview and free agency around the corner, the market is beginning to form as teams and players are making decisions on their player options. One member of the Miami Heat is banking on landing a more desirable offer on the open market, which could intrigue the Detroit Pistons.
Leading up to the draft, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported that Caleb Martin isn’t expected to return to the Heat by making $7.13 million next year. Instead, he prefers a “bigger payday.”
The Pistons are loaded with cap space this summer, and have an opportunity to make an intriguing offer or two for a big name in free agency. At this point, it seems some of the top-tier players are likely to look the other way when the Pistons come calling.
A lot of that has to do with the state of the Pistons. After achieving fewer than 15 wins last year, Detroit doesn’t have much intrigue to veterans such as Paul George and Klay Thompson, who are looking to contend for a title right away.
Perhaps, a player like Martin is willing to grow with a rebuilding franchise while earning a better deal after signing a multi-year contract with the Heat in 2022. Initially, Martin re-signed with Miami on a three-year deal, worth up to $20 million.
Last season, Martin had his best offensive season with Miami. Appearing in 64 games, he shot 43 percent from the field, averaging ten points per game. He also dished out two assists per outing. Both marked his career high. From three, Martin knocked down 35 percent of his attempts.
Martin’s NBA journey started as an undrafted prospect out of Nevada. He joined the Charlotte Hornets on a two-way contract, splitting time with the organization’s G League affiliate.
After spending two seasons with the Hornets, Martin was waived ahead of the 2021-2022 season. He was given another chance with the Heat, landing a two-way deal. Eventually, Martin became a rotational piece, averaging over 25 minutes per game.
With the Pistons in need of proven veterans to surround Cade Cunningham with, Martin could be an interesting free agency option.
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Miami, FL
Hundreds of Caribbean flights canceled, leaving travelers stranded at Miami International Airport
Travel disruptions continued Sunday at Miami International Airport after hundreds of flights to and from the Caribbean were canceled, leaving passengers stranded, separated from their luggage, and scrambling to salvage vacation plans.
The Federal Aviation Administration closed airspace in and around Venezuela following the reported capture of Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, triggering a ripple effect across Caribbean travel routes.
By Sunday, long lines had formed inside MIA as travelers waited hours to track down luggage that had been sent ahead — even though their flights never took off.
“As you can see, there’s a lot of people, and apparently thousands and thousands of bags,” said Jennifer Heimann, who was traveling from Tampa.
Heimann and her family were scheduled to sail on a catamaran in the British Virgin Islands. Their flight to St. Thomas was canceled, but their luggage still made the trip.
“They said, ‘Your bags are in St. Thomas,’ and I said, ‘Wait — our bags are there and we’re not?’” Heimann said. “We can’t even get a flight until Thursday, and they just sent the bags ahead.”
The family is now renting a car to drive back to Tampa and hoping their luggage eventually finds its way home.
Similar frustrations were echoed by other travelers across the terminal.
The Cookson family, traveling from Tyler, Texas, had their flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico canceled just before they were set to board a cruise.
“They’re shipping our bags out to the Caribbean and not allowing us to retrieve them,” said Pamela Cookson. “We don’t know when we’re going to get our luggage.”
American Airlines says it added six additional flights out of Miami, bringing the total to roughly two dozen extra flights and nearly 5,000 additional seats to help impacted customers. Even so, many passengers told CBS News Miami the earliest rebooking available wasn’t until Thursday.
Susan Daniel, traveling from Little Rock, Arkansas to St. Croix, said the delays forced her family to make last-minute arrangements.
“We had to Uber, leave our bags, get an Airbnb, then come back today, take another Uber, and stand in this long line just to hopefully get our bags and our computers — everything we need,” Daniel said.
Some travelers reported waiting hours in one line, only to be directed into another long wait for their luggage. Others tried to make the best of the situation.
“Guess we’re vacationing in Miami now for three days or something like that,” said Jake Boylin, who was traveling from St. Louis. “Then going back home and rescheduling the trip.”
The next unanswered question for many travelers: whether they’ll be reimbursed for canceled trips, hotels, and cruises.
Travel experts advise passengers to keep all receipts and documentation in case refunds or reimbursements become available.
Miami, FL
Venezuela supporters join Cuban Americans in Miami show of solidarity
Miami, FL
Miami-Dade sheriff’s deputy opens fire on vehicle after altercation during traffic stop, officials say
An investigation is underway in Northwest Miami-Dade after the sheriff’s office said a deputy opened fire after an altercation occurred during a traffic stop on Sunday night.
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, a deputy received an alert about a stolen vehicle Sunday evening and eventually located the vehicle in the area of NW 17th Avenue and NW 95th Street in West Little River and conducted a traffic stop.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said that as the deputy approached the vehicle, an altercation began, and the deputy opened fire, striking the vehicle.
That vehicle then fled the scene and was located nearby.
The sheriff’s office said a gun was located inside the vehicle, and the driver fled the scene.
That person is still at large as of early Monday morning, officials said.
The deputy was not injured in the incident, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).
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