Washington
Wizards, Lakers Trade Connection Continues to Grow
The Washington Wizards are widely expected to be active in trade discussions leading up to the 2024-25 NBA trade deadline. One player to keep a close eye on will be veteran center Jonas Valanciunas.
With that in mind, the Los Angeles Lakers have been heavily connected as a team that could try to acquire Valanciunas from the Wizards at some point this year.
Once again, the Lakers have been connected as a possible trade suitor for the Washington big man. Of course, any trade involving Valanciunas could not be completed until after December 15th.
Michael Saenz of Sir Charles In Charge has listed Valanciunas as a starting-caliber center that Los Angeles could look to pursue via an in-season trade.
“Throughout the offseason, Jonas Valanciunas has been a player consistently linked to the Los Angeles Lakers. On paper, he seems like a natural fit next to Anthony Davis. But after signing a free-agency deal with the Washington Wizards this summer, a path to the Lakers could be complicated,” Sanez wrote.
“Valanciunas is not eligible to be traded until December 15. If the Lakers are willing to wait that long, he could very much hit the trade block again before the deadline.”
There is no guarantee that the Wizards will look to trade Valanciunas. Depending on how the team starts the season, they could look to compete in the Eastern Conference and he will be a big part of that goal.
During the 2023-24 NBA season with the New Orleans Pelicans, Valanciunas ended up playing in all 82 regular season games. He averaged 14.5 points per game to go along with 11.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists. In addition to those averages, he shot 55.9 percent from the floor.
Should Washington struggle to begin the year, Valanciunas would almost certainly be placed on the trade block. If the Lakers haven’t found another option by that time, they could pursue a deal.
Expect to hear a ton of rumors surrounding the Wizards this season. They have quite a few possible trade chips on their roster and Valanciunas will be one of the most popular.
Make sure you bookmark Washington Wizards on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
Washington
Man charged with shooting co-worker in Washington Heights
A 26-year-old man had an argument with a co-worker before allegedly fatally shooting the colleague in Washington Heights, prosecutors said Friday.
Bobby Martin, who was charged with first-degree murder Thursday, made his first appearance Friday in Cook County court.
Martin, is accused of killing his co-worker, Antoine Alexander, 32, in a parking lot at 9411 S Ashland Ave about 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, according to Chicago police.
Prosecutors said Martin and Alexander worked together at an armed security company and got into a verbal altercation inside the guard shack on Tuesday afternoon. During the altercation, prosecutors said Alexander removed his bullet proof vest and threw it to the ground. A witness, another co-worker, then told the defendant and the victim to take the altercation outside.
After stepping outside, the defendant pulled his firearm and fired one shot into the victims abdomen, prosecutors said. The victim’s firearm was holstered at the time of the argument and the shooting. The defendant fled the scene and came into contact with another co-worker, whom he told that he had just shot Alexander.
Alexander was then taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead.
Martin was arrested by authorities three blocks from his home approximately 20 minutes after the shooting, prosecutors said.
Martin was detained and will appear in court again on March 17, authorities said.
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Washington
Washington Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury announces she’s pregnant
Trinity Rodman signs record deal with Washington Spirit
USWNT forward Trinity Rodman signed a three-year deal with the NWSL’s Washington Spirit. The deal makes Rodman the highest-paid female footballer in the world.
unbranded – Sport
Washington Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury has announced that she and her husband Matt are expecting a baby in July.
The couple made the announcement in a video on the Spirit’s social media channels, holding a baby goalkeeper jersey on the pitch at Audi Field.
Kingsbury becomes the most recent Spirit star to go on maternity leave, following defender Casey Krueger, midfielder Andi Sullivan and forward Ashley Hatch.
Sullivan gave birth to daughter Millie in July, while Hatch welcomed her son Leo in January.
Krueger announced she was pregnant with her second child in October.
Kingsbury has served as the Spirit’s starting goalkeeper since 2018, and has been named the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year twice (2019 and 2021).
The 34-year-old has two caps with the U.S. women’s national team, and was named to the 2023 World Cup roster.
The club captain will leave a major void for the Spirit, who have finished as NWSL runner-up in back-to-back seasons.
Sandy MacIver and Kaylie Collins are expected to compete for the starting role while Kingsbury is on maternity leave.
The Spirit kick off their 2026 campaign on March 13 against the Portland Thorns.
Washington
Washington state board awards Yakima $985,600 loan for Sixth Avenue project design
YAKIMA, Wash. — Yakima could soon take a major step toward redesigning Sixth Avenue after the Washington State Public Works Board awarded the city a $985,600 loan.
The loan was approved for the design engineering phase of the Sixth Avenue project. The funding can also be used along Sixth Avenue for utility replacement and updated ADA use.
The Yakima City Council must decide whether to accept the award. If the council accepts it, the city’s engineering work will move forward with the design of Sixth Avenue.
The cost of installing trolley lines is excluded from the plan. The historic trolleys would need to raise the funds required to add trolley lines.
The award is scheduled to be discussed during next week’s City Council meeting.
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