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As is an annual tradition in the NBA now, the Toronto Raptors are at the center of trade rumors amid a disappointing start to the season, as many around the league wonder if this will finally be the year they trade Pascal Siakam and/or OG Anunoby.

Those two have come up in trade rumors for a few years now, but with Toronto not taking any steps forward under a new coach in Darko Rajakovic so far this season and both Anunoby and Siakam set to enter free agency this summer, it stands to reason that they would be more serious about trade talks this year. As for the top suitors for those two, Shams Charania reports three playoff hopefuls are going to be in the mix: Atlanta, Indiana, and Sacramento.

As Charania notes, the belief around the league is that Siakam is the more likely of the two to get traded. The difficulty in moving Siakam is he has All-Star/All-NBA potential but is not playing at his highest level this season and his camp made clear this summer he won’t be interested in signing an extension with a team that trades for him. That holds up his value on the market as an expiring that you aren’t guaranteed to keep beyond this season, and if he’s viewed potentially as just a rental, he’s unlikely to fetch as strong a return as Toronto surely wants. Anunoby, similarly, is highly valued by the Raptors and is expected to decline his player option for free agency, and if he is viewed as not a sure thing to sign long-term for a team trading for him, his value will also be lessened on the trade market.

It is a difficult position for the Raptors, but one they put themselves in by continuing to refuse trade offers in a misguided belief that Anunoby, Siakam, and Scottie Barnes (who is untouchable, per Shams) could all fit together and just needed a new system. That hasn’t been the case, which comes as little surprise to many observers, considering all three want to operate in similar areas of the floor and have overlapping skillsets. Now the question is whether Masai Ujiri, who is notoriously demanding in trade talks, is willing to recognize the situation and take a potentially lesser deal than he’d like under ideal circumstances for either Siakam or Anunoby, or if he will continue to ask for more than teams are willing to part with and risk losing another player (or two) in free agency this summer as happened with Fred VanVleet last offseason.

Atlanta was well-known as a Siakam suitor this summer, but could never get a deal across the finish line. Both they and the Raptors are off to disappointing starts to this season and that might be the right impetus for them to get back to talks and have a bit more urgency to get something done. The Pacers and Kings are both enjoying solid starts to this season but could be in the market for upgrades on the wing, looking to pair Siakam with a dynamic point guard — either De’Aaron Fox or Tyrese Haliburton — and hoping that unlocks his best play. Of those three, the Hawks seem like the most likely team to be willing to make a big shakeup given they’ve stumbled out of the gates this year, while Indiana and Sacramento will have to debate the pros and cons of making a considerable offer given the positive locker room vibes both are riding right now.

Rootin’ tootin’ Lauren Boebert enjoys a good night on the town, which is all well and good (it is the holiday season, after all) unless it has to do with Beetlejuice. She was in the Big Apple over the weekend to enjoy a GOP event for the New York Young Republican Club, and an afterparty led to Boebert hanging out with George Santos. He, of course, recently was ejected from the House and has claimed to be making a killing on Cameo in the aftermath. That includes silly videos that were the result of a Jimmy Kimmel prank, and Page Six reports that Santos has been bragging up a storm:

The source said Santos was telling guests at the party Saturday night that “he took 140 orders yesterday at $599 per order” for the Cameo fan videos.

That’s $83,860 in just a day.

Santos also recently told a right-wing outlet that he’s made more in one week doing Cameo videos than he made in Congress. No one knows, of course, if he is telling the truth, but the IRS is probably listening, so yeah, that could get awkward later. In the meantime, Page Six has a photo of Boebert and Santos posing together. She looks kinda thrilled to be photographed with her disgraced ex-colleague, and the two let the good times roll:

Also at the eatery, we hear that Boebert “was a ball of energy” and “loves the New York vibe,” a witness said.

“She was having a blast hanging with her bestie … she and George are like two peas in a pod.”

The party went ’til the sun came up, we hear. Owner Dave Goodside’s popular restaurant is known as a powerhouse political hangout.

As well, Santos reportedly denied that he bought pizza for everyone in the joint. I guess he didn’t want to party that hard.

(Via Page Six)

Rootin’ tootin’ Lauren Boebert enjoys a good night on the town, which is all well and good (it is the holiday season, after all) unless it has to do with Beetlejuice. She was in the Big Apple over the weekend to enjoy a GOP event for the New York Young Republican Club, and an afterparty led to Boebert hanging out with George Santos. He, of course, recently was ejected from the House and has claimed to be making a killing on Cameo in the aftermath. That includes silly videos that were the result of a Jimmy Kimmel prank, and Page Six reports that Santos has been bragging up a storm:

The source said Santos was telling guests at the party Saturday night that “he took 140 orders yesterday at $599 per order” for the Cameo fan videos.

That’s $83,860 in just a day.

Santos also recently told a right-wing outlet that he’s made more in one week doing Cameo videos than he made in Congress. No one knows, of course, if he is telling the truth, but the IRS is probably listening, so yeah, that could get awkward later. In the meantime, Page Six has a photo of Boebert and Santos posing together. She looks kinda thrilled to be photographed with her disgraced ex-colleague, and the two let the good times roll:

Also at the eatery, we hear that Boebert “was a ball of energy” and “loves the New York vibe,” a witness said.

“She was having a blast hanging with her bestie … she and George are like two peas in a pod.”

The party went ’til the sun came up, we hear. Owner Dave Goodside’s popular restaurant is known as a powerhouse political hangout.

As well, Santos reportedly denied that he bought pizza for everyone in the joint. I guess he didn’t want to party that hard.

(Via Page Six)

In June, Offset alleged that Cardi B, his wife of six years, cheated on him. Cardi B denied it, throwing insults Offset’s way in the process. The following month, they dropped “Jealousy,” a track from Offset’s Set It Off album featuring Cardi B, leading people to believe that their public spat had been promotional material.

But it hasn’t been smooth sailing post-“Jealousy.” In September, Cardi B had to shut down more cheating rumors. Last week, fans noticed that Cardi B and Offset had unfollowed each other on Instagram, and on Sunday, December 10, Cardi B spoke out again — only this time, she didn’t deny breakup speculation.

Why Did Cardi B And Offset Break Up?

During an Instagram Live on December 10 (as captured by Pop Crave), Cardi B confirmed she is single and “have been single for a minute.” Read her full comments (and see the video) below:

“I don’t know if you guys been getting clues from me from Lives or my Stories, when I put some certain music or find my unfollowings. When it comes for today’s events and stuff, I don’t know if it’s — I don’t think it’s true. I don’t care to find out because I have been single for a minute now. But I have been afraid to like — not afraid. I just don’t know how, like, to tell the world. But I feel like today has been like a sign.

“The last time I got on Live, I kind of wanted to tell you guys, but I didn’t know how to tell you, so I was like, I changed my mind. But it has been like this for a minute now, and I just took it as a sign. So, I wanna start 2024, like, fresh, open. I don’t know, I’m curious for a new life — for a new beginning. And yeah, I’m excited.”

As for “today’s events,” Cardi B was likely referring to Blueface alleging in a since-deleted post that Chrisean Rock “f*cked Cardi B’s husband a couple of weeks ago.” Offset replied, “I ain’t never talk [to] or touch that lady. Real talk man you need some help!”

At this point, we have no idea why exactly Cardi B and Offset broke up — not that it’s any of our business. Maybe Cardi will provide more details on her forthcoming (and very long-awaited) next album due “next year,” as she told Andy Cohen in September.

Cardi B and Offset privately married in September 2017 and share two children, Kulture and Wave. Catch up on the many twists and turns of their relationship here.

Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

In June, Offset alleged that Cardi B, his wife of six years, cheated on him. Cardi B denied it, throwing insults Offset’s way in the process. The following month, they dropped “Jealousy,” a track from Offset’s Set It Off album featuring Cardi B, leading people to believe that their public spat had been promotional material.

But it hasn’t been smooth sailing post-“Jealousy.” In September, Cardi B had to shut down more cheating rumors. Last week, fans noticed that Cardi B and Offset had unfollowed each other on Instagram, and on Sunday, December 10, Cardi B spoke out again — only this time, she didn’t deny breakup speculation.

Why Did Cardi B And Offset Break Up?

During an Instagram Live on December 10 (as captured by Pop Crave), Cardi B confirmed she is single and “have been single for a minute.” Read her full comments (and see the video) below:

“I don’t know if you guys been getting clues from me from Lives or my Stories, when I put some certain music or find my unfollowings. When it comes for today’s events and stuff, I don’t know if it’s — I don’t think it’s true. I don’t care to find out because I have been single for a minute now. But I have been afraid to like — not afraid. I just don’t know how, like, to tell the world. But I feel like today has been like a sign.

“The last time I got on Live, I kind of wanted to tell you guys, but I didn’t know how to tell you, so I was like, I changed my mind. But it has been like this for a minute now, and I just took it as a sign. So, I wanna start 2024, like, fresh, open. I don’t know, I’m curious for a new life — for a new beginning. And yeah, I’m excited.”

As for “today’s events,” Cardi B was likely referring to Blueface alleging in a since-deleted post that Chrisean Rock “f*cked Cardi B’s husband a couple of weeks ago.” Offset replied, “I ain’t never talk [to] or touch that lady. Real talk man you need some help!”

At this point, we have no idea why exactly Cardi B and Offset broke up — not that it’s any of our business. Maybe Cardi will provide more details on her forthcoming (and very long-awaited) next album due “next year,” as she told Andy Cohen in September.

Cardi B and Offset privately married in September 2017 and share two children, Kulture and Wave. Catch up on the many twists and turns of their relationship here.

Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The ongoing RICO trial against Young Thug and YSL was unexpectedly suspended due to a stabbing at Fulton County Jail. The victim was one of Young Thug’s co-defendants Shannon Stillwell, according to local news, with Judge Ural Glanville telling the jury, “We had a medical issue come up with one of our participants, so we’re going to recess for the day.”

Fulton County Jail has had a well-publicized recent history of violence, with a capacity of just 1,125 inmates and a population nearly three times that at 3,000. A November report counted 10 inmate deaths this year alone, making Fulton one of the nation’s deadliest. In fact, Young Thug and Gunna paid bail for 30 inmates in 2021 so they could go home and be with their families after being held on minor charges but being unable to pay their bonds.

Thug and Gunna both repeatedly requested bond hearings in the lead-up to the trial, only to be denied each time, with prosecutors arguing they were a danger to the community and a flight risk. Gunna eventually accepted a plea deal in which he pled guilty to being part of a gang in exchange for time served. While it’s clear the prosecution wants to use plea deals like Gunna’s as evidence that YSL is a gang rather than a music label, some fans (and peer artists) remain convinced Gunna “snitched” for his reduced sentence — even though they maintain, like the defense, that YSL is not a gang (and thus, Gunna wouldn’t have anything to tell in the first place, right?).

Young Thug is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The ongoing RICO trial against Young Thug and YSL was unexpectedly suspended due to a stabbing at Fulton County Jail. The victim was one of Young Thug’s co-defendants Shannon Stillwell, according to local news, with Judge Ural Glanville telling the jury, “We had a medical issue come up with one of our participants, so we’re going to recess for the day.”

Fulton County Jail has had a well-publicized recent history of violence, with a capacity of just 1,125 inmates and a population nearly three times that at 3,000. A November report counted 10 inmate deaths this year alone, making Fulton one of the nation’s deadliest. In fact, Young Thug and Gunna paid bail for 30 inmates in 2021 so they could go home and be with their families after being held on minor charges but being unable to pay their bonds.

Thug and Gunna both repeatedly requested bond hearings in the lead-up to the trial, only to be denied each time, with prosecutors arguing they were a danger to the community and a flight risk. Gunna eventually accepted a plea deal in which he pled guilty to being part of a gang in exchange for time served. While it’s clear the prosecution wants to use plea deals like Gunna’s as evidence that YSL is a gang rather than a music label, some fans (and peer artists) remain convinced Gunna “snitched” for his reduced sentence — even though they maintain, like the defense, that YSL is not a gang (and thus, Gunna wouldn’t have anything to tell in the first place, right?).

Young Thug is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Some hyper-specific TV history was made on Sunday: Lifetime aired its first Christmas movie with a sex scene.

A Cowboy Christmas Romance stars Jana Kramer as Lexie Crenshaw, a big-city real estate agent who — you’ll never believe it — returns to her small hometown around the holidays. While there, she meets a Yellowstone-like rancher named Coby (Adam Senn), who she has to convince to sell his property. Would you believe these mismatched opposites fall for each other?

Lexie also falls into a pile of hay in the history-making sex scene.

Technically, the flirtation begins with Coby lifting Lexie up onto a kitchen counter so they can make out, but when they’re interrupted, they find sexy solitude in a barn. Coby dramatically takes off his shirt in front of an impressed Lexie (“Merry Christmas to me”), who is sitting on the dirty, hay-covered ground. He moves her to what looks like a massage table, but just as they’re ready to knock (cowboy) boots, the action cuts to the next morning. Even the Helen Lovejoys that make up the Parents Television Council wouldn’t be able to find anything objectionable about A Cowboy Christmas Romance.

“When I saw the stuff in the kitchen,” A Cowboy Christmas Romance writer Sarah Drew told Entertainment Weekly about the scene, “I was like, ‘Exactly what I wrote. You nailed it. You guys are in it. I am thrilled.’ I had it written in my stage direction: He hoists her onto the countertop. He moves things out of the way. Like, go in there. Go in!”

You can watch the “Yellowstone meets Bridgerton“ scene here.

(Via Entertainment Weekly)

Some hyper-specific TV history was made on Sunday: Lifetime aired its first Christmas movie with a sex scene.

A Cowboy Christmas Romance stars Jana Kramer as Lexie Crenshaw, a big-city real estate agent who — you’ll never believe it — returns to her small hometown around the holidays. While there, she meets a Yellowstone-like rancher named Coby (Adam Senn), who she has to convince to sell his property. Would you believe these mismatched opposites fall for each other?

Lexie also falls into a pile of hay in the history-making sex scene.

Technically, the flirtation begins with Coby lifting Lexie up onto a kitchen counter so they can make out, but when they’re interrupted, they find sexy solitude in a barn. Coby dramatically takes off his shirt in front of an impressed Lexie (“Merry Christmas to me”), who is sitting on the dirty, hay-covered ground. He moves her to what looks like a massage table, but just as they’re ready to knock (cowboy) boots, the action cuts to the next morning. Even the Helen Lovejoys that make up the Parents Television Council wouldn’t be able to find anything objectionable about A Cowboy Christmas Romance.

“When I saw the stuff in the kitchen,” A Cowboy Christmas Romance writer Sarah Drew told Entertainment Weekly about the scene, “I was like, ‘Exactly what I wrote. You nailed it. You guys are in it. I am thrilled.’ I had it written in my stage direction: He hoists her onto the countertop. He moves things out of the way. Like, go in there. Go in!”

You can watch the “Yellowstone meets Bridgerton“ scene here.

(Via Entertainment Weekly)

Leave the World Behind is now streaming on Netflix, and viewers have been taking to social media to voice one very specific complaint about the apocalyptic thriller starring Julia Roberts: It’s too damn long.

Directed by Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail, the film centers on Roberts and Ethan Hawke as a husband and wife whose vacation is disrupted by Mahershala Ali bearing news of terrifying cyberattack. While the premise has a compelling hook, even positive reviews for Leave the World Behind that this thing is long. With a runtime of two hours and 21 minutes, viewers seem to think the film could’ve used some editing even if they mostly liked it.

“Enjoyed this year’s Xmas apocalypse from Netflix (Leave the World Behind),” Chris Humphreys wrote. “A small film, with a real sense of foreboding. As all too common, too long.”

“It’s a suspenseful, engaging view that was perhaps stretched a lil too long,” MALI wrote. “It will grow on you, and then you might get tired of it. However, it’s worth the watch cuz the performance was brilliant.”

Other people were not so generous as the “too long” complaints were even more viscerally noted in the negative reviews:

“Just finished that Leave the World Behind movie and I’m so mad,” Victoria tweeted. “Like what happened. It was so long too lmao.”

You can see more reactions below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

Amanda (Academy Award winner Julia Roberts) and her husband Clay (Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke), rent a luxurious home for the weekend with their kids, Archie (Charlie Evans) and Rose (Farrah Mackenzie). Their vacation is soon upended when two strangers — G.H. (Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha’la Herrold) — arrive in the night, bearing news of a mysterious cyberattack and seeking refuge in the house they claim is theirs.

Leave the World Behind is available for streaming on Netflix.