Disney+ will launch WandaVision in December as the first of several MCU-geared TV series, which will (if all goes as planned) help propel Phase 4 into theaters — whenever that can happen. Obviously, release dates for Black Widow, The Eternals, and Shang-Chi all moved to 2021, and Disney+ is still working on finishing Falcon and the Winter Solder production, but WandaVision‘s vibes so far suggest that it won’t disrupt the planned flow (though it might add mutants). Last year, D23 footage promised a Marvel entry like we’ve never seen before — this looked like a not-at-all-subtle homage to The Dick Van Dyke Show and Bewitched with some The Outer Limits tossed into the mix — and the series trailer has reflected that feel.
Essentially, Wanda and Vision will be throwing back to campy 1950 classic sitcoms, and as a new Entertainment Weeklyfeature revealed, the show leaned right into a live studio audience for laughs. The piece contains a lot of cool tidbits, like how Paul Bettany was painted blue instead of red when they shot black-and-white segments, and Kevin Feige has explained why he decided to do the sitcom thing. As it turns out, he’s a diehard-sitcom guy who loves to watch Nick and Nite-style stuff on MeTV before work each day, and it helps him escape the news:
“I would get ready for the day and watch some old sitcom because I couldn’t take the news anymore. Getting ready to go to set over the last few years, I kept thinking of how influential these programs were on our society and on myself, and how certainly I was using it as an escape from reality where things could be tied up in a nice bow in 30 minutes.”
It sure sounds like WandaVision might make 2020 feel a little more tolerable, if Feige’s approach works out. As far as format goes, Teyonah Parris, who portrays the grown version of Captain Marvel‘s Monica Rambeau, told EW that the show feels like “six Marvel movies packed into what they’re presenting as a sitcom.” So, it’s a limited series, but there will be many other MCU shows, including Loki shenanigans to come.
WandaVision also stars Kat Dennings, Randall Park, and Kathryn Hahn. Expect a debut sometime in December.
This week was dominated by the uncertainty of the election, but pop musicians were still hard at work on the best new pop music. Latin superstar Maluma tapped The Weeknd for a chilled-out remix, Benee gave another teaser of her upcoming debut album, and Kim Petras joined a virtual K-Pop group for a buoyant tune.
Colombian singer Maluma earned Uproxx’s best new pop stamp of approval this week when he called upon The Weeknd for a slow-burning remix of his lovelorn single “Hawaí.” About the song, Maluma recently said: “This is one of my favorite tracks. […] It was one of the few songs I recorded before COVID. And it’s a very real song, very from the heart, with good lyrics, and good content. Truth is, I get bored of the same old reggaeton. It’s good to add lyrical content to the songs.”
Benee — “Happen To Me”
Breakout New Zealand singer Benee is just a week away from releasing her debut album, Hey U, X. The singer has already offered a handful of singles as a preview for her anticipated effort and this week, Benee returned once again with the earnest song “Happen To Me.” Over watery guitar tones, Benee sings of her anxiety and depression manifesting in irrational fears, like a worry that she’ll prematurely pass in a plane crash and or get caught in a spontaneous fire.
K/DA — “Villain” Feat. Kim Petras, Madison Beer
K/DA is a virtual K-Pop group composed of four characters in the popular video game League Of Legends and this week, the four digital singers were joined by Kim Petras. In their electrifying tune, Petras and her fellow pop stars sing of playing mind games in a relationship.
Monsta X — “Love Killa”
K/DA weren’t the only K-Pop group to release music this week. Highly-prolific boy band Monsta X shared Fatal Love this week, their third project released this year alone. The record arrived with the irresistible track “Love Killa,” which sees the six-piece showing off their dark side over a twisted beat.
Amy Allen x Pink Sweat$ — “What A Time To Be Alive”
While Amy Allen has spent a good portion of her musical career behind the scenes writing recognizable pop tunes for some of today’s biggest stars like Harry Styles and Selena Gomez, the singer has recently begun pivoting to her solo career. Tapping Pink Sweat$ for the soulful tune “What A Time To Be Alive,” Allen said: “This song is a call to action and a cry for help. It’s a song about what we’re leaving to future generations, asking what we’re doing to ensure a more beautiful, more safe and more sustainable planet.”
Baby Queen — “Want Me”
After signaling the beginning to a strong career with a handful of early singles, UK’s Baby Queen has finally released her debut EP Medicine. “I started to write bitterly about the world that I had perceived whilst being here in London, and the way that it had changed me, and the narcissist I had become,” she said about her inspirations. “I got obsessed with these identities that we cultivate online; the front stage self and the backstage self, who you actually are and who you pretend to be.”
Little Mix — “Confetti”
Pop group Little Mix are no strangers to crafting effortlessly-catchy tunes and this week, the four-piece added even more effervescent songs to their catalog with their sixth studio album Confetti. The record is filled with accessible bops and the shimmering title track is no exception as the song stands as a showcase of each singers’ powerhouse vocals.
Faouzia — “Minefields” Feat. John Legend
Though Faouzia has yet to release a full-length project, the singer has already caught the attention of many big names in music. This week, the singer released the heart-tugging John Legend collaboration “Minefields,” which also features Charlie Puth on piano. “I’d love for listeners to get what they need from my voice,” Faouzia said in a statement. “If they feel healed or happy, that would be amazing. I hope it’s a safe place for them. I’m just a normal girl trying to be the best version of myself and help others do the same. I care a lot.”
Elio — “Hurts To Hate Somebody”
Earlier this year, Elio released her debut EP U And Me, But Mostly Me, but the singer wasn’t finished. After sharing a deluxe version of the record, Elio returns to offer yet another single. “Hurts To Hate Somebody” is Elio’s jaunty confession of how difficult it can be to let go of anger.
Kylie Minogue — “Real Groove”
This week, veteran pop star Kylie Minogue made her sparking return with her fifteenth studio album Disco. Offering a guiding light in difficult times, the record features Kylie’s recognizably breezy vocals over disco-inspired instrumentals.
Some of the artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
For the unfamiliar, the “screwed-and-chopped” style of remix was pioneered by the late DJ Screw and is when a song/album (usually hip-hop) is slowed down and edited so it sounds like the original version trudging through cold molasses. Moonlight director Barry Jenkins is a fan of these productions, and he included a screwed-and-chopped version of Jidenna’s “Classic Man” in the aforementioned film. Now, in a year that has been full of unexpected news, Jenkins has made a screwed-and-chopped version of the classic Wilco album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (in collaboration with The Chopstars).
The album has been renamed Yankee Purple Foxtrot, and as one would expect, the whole album has been made to sound like a much woozier version of the original. Jenkins wrote on Twitter, “NOBODY asked for this BUT… in a world where Jeff Tweedy and the boyz was from Houston, TX… @candlestickem, @OGRONC and me present YANKEE PURPLE FOXTROT. Some Americana for the timeline given recent events. The #YeehawAgenda is alive and well.”
NOBODY asked for this BUT… in a world where Jeff Tweedy and the boyz was from Houston, TX… @candlestickem, @OGRONC and me present YANKEE PURPLE FOXTROT
Now that Drake is no longer hiding the world from his kid, fans can’t get enough of Adonis doing adorable things, from getting dressed up on his first day of school (preschool, that is) to Drake and Nicki Minaj plotting play dates for their sons. Adonis’ mom Sophie Brussaux also occasionally shares photos and videos of the three-year-old to her social media as well, including the latest one that has fans going crazy in the comments as Adonis mimics his mom’s yoga poses.
Drake may be wishing for a little of his kid’s flexibility right now. He recently posted a photo of his leg propped up on a pillow with a brace once again wrapped around his knee. Whether from a result of a “Toosie Slide” gone wrong or an injury sustained while winning his rec league championship, it looks like his knee will keep him sidelined for the rest of 2020 — although considering his plans to have his next album Certified Lover Boy ready to go in 2021, the timing might just work out in his favor, as so many things often do.
The now 34-year-old Torontonian expects fans to hate on the album regardless of the time he’s spent perfecting it but considering his decade-long dominance of pop culture, Adonis’ dad will probably be okay — although maybe he should take up yoga, too.
With the 2020 NBA Draft finally nearing, mock draft season is roaring, with opinions and projections from every corner of the basketball world. For the most part, mock drafts aim to be as accurate as possible, especially as the draft itself gets closer. After all, big boards are really where evaluators are able to differentiate themselves with opinions on prospects that might vary from the consensus and/or what is reasonably likely to actually take place.
However, DIME releases one mock draft each cycle that isn’t trying to be a projection, and we’ve arrived. This mock draft is one writer’s view of what every team, within reason, should do with their selection, following that train of thought down the board from No. 1 through No. 30. Practically speaking, the draft isn’t likely to fall this way but, sometimes, you have to mix it up, and that is doubly true in this never-ending draft cycle.
With all of that out of the way, let’s begin with the Wolves at the top of the heap.
Ball is the No. 1 player on my board. That doesn’t mean it was a total no-brainer to suggest him at this spot, but none of my top prospects are perfect fits in Minnesota. Ball and D’Angelo Russell is anything but an ideal backcourt combination but, since I’m making the decisions, the move would be to simply take the best player and Russell quite frankly isn’t good enough to deter the Wolves from doing that. As you’ll see momentarily, there are teams that should definitely consider trading their pick, and the Wolves are high on that list. If they don’t, I’d take Ball.
2. Golden State Warriors – Anthony Edwards (G, Georgia)
The real answer to the question of what I think the Warriors should do is “trade the pick.” I just want to make that very clear. Golden State is in a different position than any other team near the top of the lottery and, while it may be tempting to reach for a player that would be a great theoretical fit (i.e. Deni Avdija, Tyrese Haliburton or even Onyeka Okongwu), Edwards is the highest remaining player on my board. Is he a perfect player? Absolutely not, but one of the concerns I would have about Edwards is what happens if he’s asked to be the No. 1 option on a team. For the Warriors, that isn’t the concern, and he would be able to grow within a strong ecosystem. Beyond that, the Warriors might want to trade this pick later, and Edwards is probably the player that can hold his trade value more so than any other prospect remaining.
3. Charlotte Hornets – Killian Hayes (G, Ulm)
This is where the “what I would do” concept gets to be quite interesting. If the Hornets drafted James Wiseman, I’d have no problem with that. In fact, they probably will if he’s available here. If I was in charge, though, I’d be aiming for creation upside and Hayes is also my highest-rated player available. I know Devonte Graham enjoyed a strong 2019-20 season, but Hayes could play with him and, moreover, Graham isn’t the kind of player that would make me change my draft plan.
4. Chicago Bulls – Isaac Okoro (G/F, Auburn)
Taking Okoro requires me to stray slightly from my board, as Onyeka Okongwu would be the “best player available” choice. I do think that Chicago should see what they have in Wendell Carter, and there isn’t a big gap here anyway. Okoro is the best perimeter defender in the draft and, while the shooting questions are real, I believe in his skill set on both ends.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers – Onyeka Okongwu (C, USC)
Okoro and Okongwu could flip and it would be fine for both teams. That’s worth noting. With that said, Okongwu isn’t a “need” pick for a team that has Andre Drummond and Kevin Love but, if we’re being honest, the next good Cavs team probably isn’t going to include that frontcourt pairing. Okongwu is one of the safest players in the class, and he also has upside on both ends. Moreover, the Cavs desperately need someone that can defend, and he can bring stability through that lens.
6. Atlanta Hawks – Devin Vassell (G/F, Florida State)
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If the draft actually broke this way (and it probably won’t!), the Hawks should be trying to move down. In fact, Atlanta should probably be evaluating that option anyway but, given the way that I view this range of the draft, there isn’t a no-brainer pick for the Hawks. Vassell gets the nod as my highest-rated perimeter player available, but he does feel like at least a slight reach at No. 6 compared to the consensus, particularly with newfound concerns about his shooting motion. That aside, Vassell is a plug-and-play wing with 3-and-D equity, and he’d help the Hawks.
7. Detroit Pistons – Obi Toppin (F/C, Dayton)
There isn’t an obvious choice for the Pistons with Hayes off the board, and Detroit isn’t my favorite landing spot for my top remaining guard in Tyrese Haliburton. As such, new general manager Troy Weaver goes the “best available” route with Toppin, even with Blake Griffin on the roster. It might seem strange to do so but, if we’re being honest, Griffin is very unlikely to be on the next good Pistons team and, while center could be a need, I’d prefer re-signing Christian Wood alongside Toppin to drafting James Wiseman and needing to move on from Wood as a result. Toppin’s defense is going to be an issue, but his offensive package is perhaps the most intriguing in the entire draft, and perhaps he can learn some tricks of the NBA trade from Griffin before Detroit moves on from their best player.
8. New York Knicks – Kira Lewis (G, Alabama)
I have Tyrese Haliburton rated higher than Kira Lewis. Why, then, is Lewis heading to New York? Well, I really, really like Haliburton for teams that already have lead creators and the Knicks… do not. The worst thing to do with Haliburton is to try to make him be a lead ball-handler, whereas Lewis is actually capable of carrying that load. I don’t think Lewis is going to be an All-Star, but he’d give the Knicks a real point guard option and, even as a two-year college player, Lewis is the same age as the one-and-done freshmen.
9. Washington Wizards – James Wiseman (C, Memphis)
Obviously, this isn’t likely to happen. Wiseman is probably going in the top three and, even if he falls a bit, somebody will snatch him before he falls all the way to No. 9. I’m a bit lower on Wiseman, mostly because of questions with his offensive ceiling and the value of pure centers in the modern game, but he does project as a quality starter at the center position. You probably need to play drop coverage with him defensively, and I think Wiseman needs to focus on being a center on offense rather than floating on the perimeter, but the total package is obviously strong enough to justify this investment. The Wizards don’t have a long-term starter at center (with apologies to Thomas Bryant) and Wiseman would help a defense that is in serious need of assistance.
This is a (much) softer landing spot for Haliburton than the Knicks or Pistons would be. In Phoenix, Devin Booker is the No. 1 offensive option and, with Ricky Rubio still on the roster, Haliburton can take his time getting acclimated. Honestly, there is a ton to love about Haliburton, with his off-the-charts basketball IQ at the top of the list. He can shoot, he can pass, he can make plays defensively and, if you don’t ask him to put pressure on the opposition with penetration, there is a path to huge success.
11. San Antonio Spurs – Deni Avdija (F, Maccabi Tel Aviv)
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Avdija falling this far is (very) unlikely and, again, this is a reminder that this particular mock is driven my brain alone. It would be a lot of fun for the Spurs, though, and Avdija is a very Spurs-y player. My concerns with Avdija are largely upside-based, as he doesn’t have a single great skill to really bolster his play on either end. Avdija is a jack-of-all-trades guy, though, and I’d trust the Spurs to maximize his talents.
12. Sacramento Kings – Patrick Williams (F, Florida State)
The Kings are… a challenge. Williams is near the top of my board, but I’d consider other options and this isn’t a clear choice in the way that some others are. I do think Sacramento has a gem in De’Aaron Fox, but there is real uncertainty next to him with Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic on the roster. Then, you have the Marvin Bagley III conundrum, and Harrison Barnes is still here making big money. Williams is a best player available choice, but he also checks a lot of boxes the Kings could use, with strong physical tools and defensive projection.
13. New Orleans Pelicans – Tyrese Maxey (G, Kentucky)
Maxey is both the highest-rated player remaining for me, and a fit that I would enjoy at No. 13 overall. It has to be said that the Jrue Holiday trade talks could impact everything for New Orleans but, if Jrue was on the team, I’d almost like Maxey even more. Regardless, Maxey is a potent secondary ball-handler who can get his own shot, create a little bit for others, and defend both guard spots. He’s underrated after a so-so season at Kentucky but, if you look at his pre-college sample, Maxey should be a lottery pick.
14. Boston Celtics (via Memphis) – Aleksej Pokusevski (F/C, Olympiacos B)
Rather than projecting trades (because that is a fruitless and largely impossible exercise), we’ll act as if the Celtics are going to make all three first round picks they currently possess. To be clear, no one believes Boston is actually going to do that but, if the Celtics did hang on to No. 14, No. 26 and No. 30, it would make all the sense in the world for Danny Ainge to aim for upside here. Pokusevski might flame out, but he has upside that no prospect in this range can match, and the Celtics have the roster setup to bring him along slowly.
15. Orlando Magic – RJ Hampton (G, New Zealand Breakers)
The Magic are in a weird spot as a team that probably needs to rebuild (again), but may not want to do so. Selecting Hampton wouldn’t cure all of their ills, but he is a lottery-level talent if things break right. Orlando isn’t exactly set in terms of perimeter creation and, if nothing else, there is reason to believe that Hampton could be an explosive offensive player at the next level.
16. Portland Trail Blazers – Josh Green (G/F, Arizona)
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Green actually isn’t the top player remaining on my board here, but the Blazers need someone that can defend wings. As you’ll see momentarily, Aaron Nesmith could be in consideration but, while he would be a lot of fun with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum offensively, I trust his defense a little bit less. Green is certainly a riskier play given his downside offensively, but I’m in favor of taking swings on wing players that could be impactful starters. Green fits that description.
The Wolves certainly need defense, and you could flip Green and Nesmith, leaving both teams happy. However, Minnesota already has Jarrett Culver and Josh Okogie, with Nesmith adding an element of potentially elite wing shooting. I’m actually a bit higher on Nesmith as a player with the potential to be solid defensively and, even if I don’t think there is much on-ball equity to speak of, Nesmith is one of the best three-point shooters in the class. That helps to raise his floor.
18. Dallas Mavericks – Cole Anthony (G, North Carolina)
This quite a fall for Anthony, at least when compared to preseason hype. Many believed Anthony could be in the mix for No. 1 overall but, after a struggle in Chapel Hill, he might not be a guaranteed top-20 selection. As an on-ball creator, Anthony’s star has really fallen, but I tend to actually think that his supporting traits (off-ball shooting, defense, etc.) are underrated at this stage. In Dallas, he would give the Mavericks someone with lead guard skills to pair with Luka Doncic, all without the workload that could sink a young guard. It’s a nice fit and a good value.
19. Brooklyn Nets (via Philadelphia) – Saddiq Bey (F, Villanova)
Bey isn’t terribly appealing to a young team that isn’t trying to win now, which might scare teams in the lottery and just outside of it. Brooklyn is firmly not in that position. While the Nets could go the other way and aim for ceiling because they don’t have a ton of “needs,” Bey is one of the only guys in this range that could conceivably contribute to a playoff team as a rookie. He can definitely provide spacing and, if you buy his defense at all, a top-20 slot is appropriate.
20. Miami Heat – Malachi Flynn (G, San Diego State)
I’m in on Flynn and I’m not a believer in Kendrick Nunn. Because Nunn isn’t “the guy” at point guard in my view, Miami needs a succession plan, even if Goran Dragic returns on a short-term deal. That leads to many projecting the Heat to nab a point guard and, while Flynn isn’t the consensus choice through that lens, I love his pick-and-roll acumen and well-rounded arsenal. He probably isn’t a star, but he can guard a little bit, provide quality offensive creation and fit into Miami’s overall ethos.
21. Philadelphia 76ers (via Oklahoma City) – Grant Riller (G, Charleston)
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Philadelphia just needs someone that can run a pick-and-roll. It is possible, or even likely, that Riller is always a bad defensive player, and that does matter. With the Sixers, though, that weakness could be mitigated given the surrounding talent, and Riller is quite easily the best perimeter creation prospect available in this range. He was a dynamic scorer with off-the-charts efficiency in college, and Riller can give Philadelphia some juice immediately. You just need to have a plan for the other end.
Bane is just good at basketball. After months of Draft Twitter yelling about the virtues of Bane, the mainstream is catching up and Bane seems to be a projected first-round pick as a result. That is a small victory, but a fruitful one for Bane, who is worthy of the praise. He is one of the draft’s most functional and potent shooters, with some passing equity and the ability to defend with strength and acumen. Denver could use another shooter and another body on the wing, with Bane checking both boxes.
23. Utah Jazz – Jalen Smith (C/F, Maryland)
The Jazz are in an interesting spot. They don’t “need” another big necessarily, but it’s certainly a spot in which Utah could upgrade if the right player was available. Smith could provide them with a backup center that can potentially function with Rudy Gobert, and that comes back to Smith being a plus shooter as a combo big. It’s hard to find the best spot for him, but this is a low-risk choice.
24. Milwaukee Bucks (via Indiana) – Theo Maledon (G, ASVEL)
Speaking of teams that aren’t drafting for need… the Bucks! Maledon is an interesting player to monitor, because he’s a combo guard with impressive offensive potential but also limited defensive acumen right now. How does he differentiate himself from more well-known college players? Well, he was solidly efficient in the second-best league in the world, and Maledon can play in the backcourt with different kinds of players, including Eric Bledsoe.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Denver) – Tyrell Terry (G, Stanford)
Oklahoma City’s No. 1 building block is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, so this might seem like a curious fit. However, I like that partnership, with Terry’s shooting and the fact that Gilgeous-Alexander has the length to defend both guard spots. The Thunder should simply be taking the best player available with how clean their books are moving forward, and Terry makes a lot of sense as someone who can grow alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, Darius Bazley, Lu Dort and a bunch of future draft picks.
26. Boston Celtics – Xavier Tillman (C, Michigan State)
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I have Tillman even higher than this on my big board, and the Celtics get a great value. Despite modest size, Tillman is a center, and there could be a little bit of crossover with Grant Williams in Boston. Still, he’s the best player available, and Tillman is (very) high on the list of rookies that could be functional rotation players immediately. He’s a brick wall defensively, he can pass on the short roll, and buzz about his improving jump shot is percolating in basketball circles. Regardless, Tillman was an excellent college player and his basketball IQ, combined with his strength and skill, should bridge the gap to a long NBA career.
27. New York Knicks (via LA Clippers) – Isaiah Joe (G/F, Arkansas)
This might seem high for Joe, with mainstream boards projecting him in the second round. Still, there is a pretty easy projection for Joe as a high-volume three-point sniper that can be a solid-or-better defensive player. He’s a bit raw, but the flashes are tremendous, and the Knicks could absolutely use a bomber to pair with RJ Barrett and, in this mock, Kira Lewis on the perimeter.
28. Los Angeles Lakers – Tre Jones (G, Duke)
The Lakers actually have a bunch of guards, at least if they bring the band back from their title-winning squad. At the same time, Jones gives them on-ball defensive juice (a la Alex Caruso) with the ability to potentially transform into a competent, starting-level point guard if things go according to plan. He isn’t a high-upside offensive prospect, but Jones knows what to do in running an offense and, with his defensive abilities, he’s a first-round talent at a position where the Lakers might need a boost in the not-too-distant future.
29. Toronto Raptors – Precious Achiuwa (C/F, Memphis)
This is much, much later than most have Achiuwa projected. I get that. I would also say that there are a few places before this in which I’d seriously consider taking him. Selfishly, though, I’d love to see him in a developmental situation that I trust, and that is certainly the case in Toronto. I firmly believe Achiuwa’s best future comes as a small-ball center, and Nick Nurse can figure out a way to utilize him properly, especially in taking advantage of his intriguing defensive potential.
30. Boston Celtics (via Milwaukee) – Jaden McDaniels (F, Washington)
As noted previously, the Celtics could do just about anything if, for some reason, they used all three picks. McDaniels was once seen as a lottery lock and, even after a really challenging season at Washington, he still has fans in the league. I like his defense a lot more than his offense, but the Celtics don’t have a huge need for offensive creation. I also trust Boston’s developmental approach, and McDaniels would be best served in a situation like that.
Roblox has been around since 2006, and the online game platform has picked up steam over the past few years (especially among younger players). It has experienced even more growth during the coronavirus pandemic. The platform has apparently become a large enough stage for one of music’s biggest stars: Lil Nas X has announced that he will be performing a livestream concert in Roblox.
He shared a teaser video on Twitter and wrote, “I’ve been working hard with Roblox to create this incredible VIRTUAL LIVE CONCERT EXPERIENCE! WE GOT VIDEOS & A PERFORMANCE you don’t want to miss coming this weekend!” He also noted on the Roblox website, “Hey everybody! It’s me, Lil Nas X. Join me for a one-of-a-kind, immersive concert experience built exclusively on Roblox. Get ready for a crazy show with some of my favorite songs, the debut performance of my new single, and more.”
I’ve been working hard with Roblox to create this incredible VIRTUAL LIVE CONCERT EXPERIENCE! WE GOT VIDEOS & A PERFORMANCE you don’t want to miss coming this weekend! #RobloxPresentsLNXpic.twitter.com/JGuL0cUGX0
The show is set to kick off on November 14 at 1 p.m. ET. Before that, on November 13 at 4 p.m. PT, there will be some pre-show events including a Q&A session, “exclusive behind-the-scenes,” and a scavenger hunt. There will also be limited edition gear for players’ avatars, like a cowboy hat and more.
Trap rap pioneer T.I. is walking back earlier comments he made on Instagram Monday after a fan backlash connected his words to the recent shooting of King Von, who died from his injuries on Friday. T.I. tried to explain that he didn’t mean his post to refer to King Von and that he was just speaking generally. “I don’t speak ill of my allies,” he wrote today. “My last post had nothing to do with King Von.”
He continued, “Y’all grossly mistaken. I have no motive or intention to do harm or malice to cats I’m cool wit. My family’s hearts go out to them and I’ve expressed this to the people in his life that matter most in this situation. That’s all I’m concerned with.”
The original tweet was interpreted as a jab toward the Chicagoan King Von, who was shot during an altercation at an Atlanta lounge that escalated from a shoving match to a shootout, involving police Atlanta police officers and leaving three dead, including Von. “Atlanta is a beautiful progressive city filled with black excellence,” his original post read. “We uplift each other & win together. Stop coming here to kill each other. That sh*t is played out.” The caption, which read “Handle YOUR beefs in YOUR city,” prompted Von’s sister to lash out via her own Instagram story and even 50 Cent chimed in.
King Von was fresh off the release of his debut album Welcome To O-Block, released via Lil Durk’s Only The Family Entertainment just one week before his death. Meanwhile, T.I.’s own new album, The L.I.B.R.A., was released in October.
The free agent class of 2020 is a much different looking one than we had last summer when the league saw a number of stars change teams both through free agency and by way of trades. This offseason sees few bonafide stars available and the best players seem very likely to stay put, but there are plenty of good players on the market that could make for some intriguing upgrades for squads looking to vault into the conversation of playoff contenders.
Beyond the lack of top-end talent, there aren’t a lot of teams with significant cap space this offseason (even with the cap staying steady at $109 million), which further mutes the excitement for this crop of free agents as most all of the top teams will be shuffling around to do work on the margins with minimum contracts and filling exceptions, while the few teams with space are those currently well outside the contender circle. As such, expect to hear sign-and-trade chatter — it’s already begun with some like Davis Bertans — as teams look to get creative to upgrade their talent.
There’s also a hefty crop of players with player options that could really boost this class’ appeal, but until they opt out we are choosing to leave them off of this list, given the expectation with the financial uncertainty of the league right now is for those players to pick up their player options. That list includes DeMar DeRozan, Gordon Hayward, Tim Hardaway Jr., Andre Drummond, Evan Fournier, Otto Porter Jr., and Jerami Grant, all of whom would immediately be coveted targets this offseason should they choose to hit the market.
For now, we’ll move on with the unrestricted and restricted free agents, looking at the 20 players that top this year’s class that will be available on November 20.
1. Anthony Davis (UFA, Lakers): Davis is going to stick in L.A. barring something completely unforeseen, but he’s technically a free agent until pen hits paper and if he were to choose to shockingly move, it’s the one chance for a seismic shift of power in the league this offseason. That won’t happen and he’ll be back with LeBron to chase back-to-back titles in 2021.
2. Brandon Ingram (RFA, Pelicans): Given he’s a restricted free agent, it’d be a stunner to see the All-Star forward who flourished in New Orleans be allowed to go elsewhere this offseason. He should get a look at max money and the Pelicans will almost assuredly bring him back as a centerpiece of their young core alongside Zion Williamson.
3. Fred VanVleet (UFA, Raptors): Finally, the first real interesting player to watch when free agency opens later this month. VanVleet exists on that near All-Star level and will be looking to get paid as such. Whether Toronto is willing to do that remains to be seen, and if not he could have suitors like the Detroit Pistons who are very much in need of a point guard and are one of a few teams with significant cap space.
4. Danilo Gallinari (UFA, Thunder): Gallinari was terrific for the pleasantly surprising Thunder last season and he seems ready to move on to a contender. He’s said this offseason he will prioritize winning over another monster contract, but that, of course, has to be within reason. He’s an elite wing scorer in the NBA and that’s a skill that’s always in demand, so he’ll have plenty of teams calling on him, we’ll just have to see what kind of discount he’s actually willing to hand out to chase a title or if someone else will make an offer he can’t refuse.
5. Davis Bertans (UFA, Wizards): Bertans may be the most coveted free agent this year based on the number of teams that will express interest and the price tag he’s likely going to be available at. Make no mistake, the sharpshooter is going to cash in on his incredible 2019-20 campaign, but he seems like one of the most attainable players this year and there’s already the aforementioned sign-and-trade buzz happening as contenders drool over the prospects of adding one of the league’s best three-point shooters.
6. Bogdan Bogdanovic (RFA, Kings): The Kings are in a very interesting spot this summer as they could see both of their young shooting guards push to move elsewhere. Buddy Hield has made his position clear in hoping for a trade and Bogdanovic clearly thinks he’s worth more than what the Kings have been willing to offer in extension talks. We’ll see what the market says about the young wing, but if a team is willing to splurge a bit and put up a big offer, Sacramento may very well let him walk.
7. Montrezl Harrell (UFA, Clippers): Your guess on Harrell’s market is as good as mine. The Sixth Man of the Year seemed destined to cash in big time this offseason until the playoffs rolled around and he was, at times, unplayable in the Nuggets series. Teams will have to figure out whether that’s because he’s just not a 16-game player or if that had more to do with the real-life circumstances that kept him away from the Bubble right up until the postseason. In any case, Harrell’s a fascinating player to watch this offseason to see who is willing to pay him and how much they’re willing to give him.
8. Goran Dragic (UFA, Heat): Miami will surely want the veteran point guard back on the roster for next season after what he did for them in the playoffs, but they have also made it their stated goal to have max cap space in 2021 to make a run at some of the stars that could come available then. That means if another team is willing to pony up a long-term deal for Dragic, he might have to move on from Miami and his buddy Jimmy Butler.
9. Joe Harris (UFA, Nets): Brooklyn has a ton of decisions to make this offseason as they look to position their roster for a run at the East crown now that Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant will both be healthy and back on the court. The first of those is whether they want to bring back their sharpshooting wing who would certainly fit well between Irving and Durant as a floor-spacer. Shooting is always in demand so he’ll have other suitors, but the Nets can likely give him more money than other contenders if they want. What they do with Harris will likely tell us what they plan to do with the rest of their guards and wings as they have a bit of a logjam with the likes of Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Caris LeVert, with Dinwiddie possibly available on the trade market.
10. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (UFA, Lakers): KCP made himself some money in the conference finals and NBA Finals as he was, oftentimes, the third best player on the floor for the Lakers. L.A. will surely be looking to keep him and it’s a good chance he sticks around with LeBron and company, but like the last time he hit the market, there will be others that make impressive offers to try and pry him away for his abilities as a shooter and defender.
11. Jae Crowder (UFA, Heat): Like KCP, Crowder made himself some money with his playoff performances for Miami as he shot the ball very well (something he did last time he was in a contract year as well) and his defensive reputation precedes itself. I think the difference in his shooting from Memphis to Miami further proved the importance of fit for Crowder, which is something he and prospective teams will have to keep in mind.
12. Christian Wood (UFA, Pistons): The 24-year-old big man finally got an opportunity for regular minutes in Detroit and is set to cash in on that big time. Wood was one of the most pleasant surprises of the season, as he stepped up in a major way for the injured Blake Griffin. Detroit, as mentioned earlier, has ample cap space but might chase a guard like VanVleet and Wood will be the best young big man on the market and should have some serious interest.
13. Serge Ibaka (UFA, Raptors): It was a resurgent year for Serge Ibaka in Toronto, as he flourished in the Raptors run to the conference semis. In that series with Boston, there were times where he was the one keeping them in games with his shooting and defense, and he vastly outplayed his frontcourt partner Marc Gasol in the seven-game set. The Raptors will have to decide if they’re going to re-rack things and push forward with another run as an East contender or turn attention a bit more to the future. How serious their pursuit of keeping Ibaka is will be telling in that regard.
14. Marcus Morris Sr. (UFA, Clippers): Both Morrii will be free agents this summer and Marcus is likely to get the most attention for what he did in New York and L.A. this year. He has become a terrific three-point shooter and teams love having that floor spacing option from the 3/4 spot that he gives you.
15. Jordan Clarkson (UFA, Jazz): Clarkson was extremely important for the Jazz this season, especially in the Bubble with Bojan Bogdanovic out, and he showed what he’s capable of as a sixth man for a playoff squad.
16. Paul Millsap (UFA, Nuggets): Millsap was uneven at times for Denver this season, but in the playoffs his defensive presence was huge for the Nuggets in their run to the conference finals. He’s entering a point of his career where his role will get a little more defined and a move to the bench is likely to come sooner than later, but he’s still a very capable defender, solid scorer, and a universally beloved presence in locker rooms.
17. Dario Saric (RFA, Suns): Saric has very firmly established what he is in the NBA, which is a very solid offensive player, likely best served in a bench role. He’s put up consistent production everywhere he’s been and is the sort of malleable talent that can find a fit in most any situation. There’s real value in that and one would think given his role in Phoenix’s 8-0 run in the Bubble, barring someone coming with a stunning offer, the Suns will likely have interest in bringing him back.
18. Tristan Thompson (UFA, Cavs): Tristan Thompson is only 29 years old, which seems almost impossible, but he’s still going to bring some serious value to a quality basketball team. He’s still very good on the glass and rolling to the rim, and can provide rim protection on the other end. It seems almost assured that his time in Cleveland is done, but he could be an exception level type target for contenders hoping to add some size, particularly those in the West knowing the Lakers will be standing in the way eventually.
19. Malik Beasley (RFA, Timberwolves): I’d expect the Wolves to keep Beasley around, but the young shooting guard flourished in Minnesota this season and despite some dubious goings on this offseason what he produced in his brief stint in Minnesota once given a green light and more opportunity was impressive. He’s a strong three-point shooter and showed the ability to be a very useful wing fit alongside D’Angelo Russell, at least offensively, in a short 14-game run with the Wolves.
20. Carmelo Anthony (UFA, Blazers): Alright, here is where I hedge things because, in all honesty, this year’s free agency class has a tier from about 14 on this list down where you could include a ton of people. Melo was terrific this year for Portland, playing at a high level offensively and giving them much needed help on the wing, an area they were very thin at. In this spot you could include any number of guys, such as (and in no particular order): Alec Burks, Hassan Whiteside, Aron Baynes, Justin Holiday, De’Anthony Melton, Jeff Teague, DJ Augustin, Langston Galloway, Markieff Morris, Derrick Favors, Nerlens Noel, Rajon Rondo, Mason Plumlee, or Jakob Poeltl.
All of those guys could find their way onto this list and it’s really dependent on team need, whether that be positional or whether they’re looking for veteran players or to add youth. For example, Rondo has immense value for the Lakers who would never consider swapping him out for, say, De’Anthony Melton, but for a team like Memphis or another young squad, they would probably prefer Melton to Rondo. So, yes, this is a top 20 for 2020 because it’s a pretty and round number, but really there’s about 20 guys who exist in just about the same middle tier after that top 10-15, pending player option decisions.
Zendaya made Emmys history by becoming the youngest person ever to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, beating the previous record-holder, Killing Eve‘s Jodie Comer, by two years. The 24-year-old Euphoria star told Timothée Chalamet, who she appears in Dune with, that it was a weird experience for probably obvious reasons.
“There were these people in hazmat suits that went around to all the nominees’ houses with awards. So basically if you won, you’d grab it quickly from them and have it. If you didn’t win, they’d just take it with them and leave,” she said (we know what this looks like thanks to Ramy Youssef). Zendaya didn’t have a full speech prepared, but “I was like, ‘OK, let me just write down a few little bullet points.’ Usually I would just go up there and say what’s in my heart, but everybody was like, ‘No, I think you should definitely write something down.’ But then I worried maybe that’s bad luck to have something prepared, because it’s like, I don’t know… So the day of, I just wrote a little thing down to have just in case. And that was very helpful. I was very nervous, but I’m glad my family was there.”
She didn’t need a speech. Her viral reaction said more than words could.
ABC
Chalamet also asked Zendaya to name her favorite memory from shooting Dune. “I guess it was the dance parties that I hosted in my room,” she answered, adding that Javier Bardem “popped in” one time. Throw some Momoa in there, and baby, you got a dance party going.
It would appear that Tucker Carlson, who recently stated that President Trump should ultimately blame himself for losing the election, is feeling salty about that same election now. He’s also not taking a balanced approach to covering the loss, unlike his colleague, Neil Cavuto, who yanked a lie-filled Trump campaign speech from Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany off the air on Monday. I do wonder if Cavuto and Tucker ever run into each other in the Fox news breakroom because, later that evening, Tucker made his stance clear. He came for CNN’s Jake Tapper, who’s spent a lot of on-air time fact-checking Trump’s baseless claims of widespread voter fraud.
At around 5:30 in the above video, Tucker takes issue with one of Tapper’s tweets, which acknowledged the precarious career situation that some Trump staffers might be feeling. (It’s notable that Sean Spicer has been warning about the difficulty of finding work after Trump, and Spicer only helped Trump spread lies about one election, which Trump complained about despite winning.) Tapper’s point was that spreading baseless conspiracies for a leader who’s acting like a dictator isn’t the greatest career move for the future, whether that’s in the private sector or government employment. Fair.
“I truly sympathize with those dealing with losing — it’s not easy,” Tapper tweeted. “But at a certain point one has to think not only about what’s best for the nation (peaceful transfer of power) but how any future employers might see your character defined during adversity.”
I truly sympathize with those dealing with losing — it’s not easy — but at a certain point one has to think not only about what’s best for the nation (peaceful transfer of power) but how any future employers might see your character defined during adversity.
Carlson only latched onto the first tweet, for which he began comparing Tapper to, uh, the Sicilian mafia:
“Got that? Your character is on trial here. Future employers, take note. In other words, accept Joe Biden now or you will never work again. Do what CNN tells you to do or good luck feeding your family. Did the Sicilian mafia ever make threats that explicit?”
The Fox News host then suggested that the FBI had hopped aboard the plan, and that they, along with CNN and the rest of the mainstream news, want to scare people into ignoring Trump’s (unsubstantiated) claims that he’s a victim of election-stealing.
That wasn’t all. At 6:50, above, Tucker then trashed a CNN ad that urged the nation to come together after Biden’s victory. “CNN released an ad commanding its viewers to accept Joe Biden as their lawful president and holy savior.” Well, someone ate his Wheaties before broadcast time last night.
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yelling about the virtues of Bane, the mainstream is catching up and Bane seems to be a projected first-round pick as a result. That is a small victory, but a fruitful one for Bane, who is worthy of the praise. He is one of the draft’s most functional and potent shooters, with some passing equity and the ability to defend with strength and acumen. Denver could use another shooter and another body on the wing, with Bane checking both boxes. 
