Press "Enter" to skip to content

Posts published in “Basketball”

NBA announces 2025 All-Star Game reserves

After announcing the 2025 All-Star Game starters, the NBA release the names for the reserves in this years All-Star Game.

NBA, “Seven players from each conference have been selected by the NBA’s head coaches as reserves for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 16 at Chase Center in San Francisco. The new four-team, three-game mini-tournament will air at 8 ET on TNT.

In selecting the All-Star Game reserves, each NBA head coach voted for seven players in his conference – two guards, three frontcourt players and two additional players at any position. The head coaches were not permitted to vote for players from their own team.”

Eastern Conference reserves:

  • Damian Lillard – Milwaukee Bucks
  • Darius Garland – Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Jaylen Brown – Boston Celtics
  • Cade Cunningham – Detroit Pistons
  • Tyler Herro – Miami Heat
  • Evan Mobley – Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Pascal Siakam – Indiana Pacers

Western Conference reserves:

  • Anthony Edwards – Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Anthony Davis – Los Angeles Lakers
  • James Harden – LA Clippers
  • Jaren Jackson Jr. – Memphis Grizzlies
  • Alperen Sengun – Houston Rockets
  • Jalen Williams – Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs

The 2025 NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 16 at Chase Center in San Francisco.

Caitlin Clark declines NBA All-Star Invitation

It looks like Caitlin Clark has settled on making the WNBA her priority, since the Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark has declined an invitation to participate in the NBA All-Star weekend’s highly anticipated 3-point shootout. Clark’s decision, as confirmed by her representatives at Excel Sports, underscores her commitment to the WNBA and her desire to make her 3-point contest debut at the WNBA All-Star game in Indianapolis this summer.

Kelsey Mitchell resigns with the Indiana Fever

It looks like Indiana will have it’s core player for this year as Kelsey Mitchell resigns with the Fever. This will be Mitchell’s 8th season with the franchise, who drafted her as the second overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft.

NBA announces All-Star Starters

We are just less than a month away from the NBA All-Star, as previously announced, the starters are composed of three frontcourt players and two guards from each conference have been named starters for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 16 at Chase Center in San Francisco.

Eastern Conference starters:

  • Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
  • Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
  • Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Western Conference starters:

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
  • Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
  • Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
  • LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

This is how the starters are determined;

Fans accounted for 50% of the vote to determine the NBA All-Star Game starters, while current NBA players and a media panel accounted for 25% each.

The reserves for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game will be revealed by the end the month. Seven players will be named for each conference: two guards, three frontcourt players and two additional players at any position. NBA head coaches will select the reserves.

After the reserves are announced, the 24 NBA All-Star selections will be divided evenly into three eight-player teams.

Netflix releases the Official Trailer of “Court of Gold”

Witness the drama unfold in Court of Gold with an unfiltered look at Team USA, France, Serbia, and Canada as they compete for gold, highlighting the intense competition as international basketball has caught up to the U.S. For the first time ever, top men’s basketball medal contenders are granting behind-the-scenes access at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. See the drama and personal stakes in the quest to dethrone the U.S., showcasing these four countries’ battle for Olympic Gold.

I can definitely say that this documentary will put the drama behind every game and every team.

Caitlin Clark made 50 threes out of 54 on her Birthday Workout

It’s Caitlin Clark’s 23rd Birthday, while we know there will be celebration later, she in the lab cooking and she was cooking!

In a video (below) posted by @IndianaFever on their official X account, Caitlin Clark can be seen working on her three-points shot and like what the caption says, she made 50 three-point shot out of the 54 shot.

After the workout, Indiana Fever Coaching staff and Front office surprised her with a Birthday song!

Taylor Swift and Caitlin Clark watching Chiefs game, Together!

From ESPN;

From @NFL;

Taylor Swift and Caitlin Clark watching Chiefs game in the same box!

Caitlin Clark a big Chiefs fans since childhood and a known Swiftie, now she’s watching a Chiefs Playoff game with Taylor Swift!

BTW. Kansas City Chiefs won the game!

Watch the First 2 Games of Unrivaled Basketball

It was the first day and first two games of Unrivaled Basketball. So far, it was more than I expected!

First game was between Mist against the Lunar Owls, the second game was between the Rose and Vinyl.

Below are the players for each team.

Mist

  • Jewell Loyd
  • Courtney Vandersloot
  • DiJonai Carrington
  • Rickea Jackson
  • Breanna Stewart
  • Aaliyah Edwards

Lunar Owls

  • Skylar Diggins-Smith
  • Courtney Williams
  • Allisha Gray
  • Cameron Brink
  • Napheesa Collier
  • Shakira Austin

Rose

  • Chelsea Gray
  • Brittney Sykes
  • Kahleah Copper
  • Lexie Hull
  • Angel Reese
  • Azurá Stevens

Vinyl

  • Arike Ogunbowale
  • Jordin Canada
  • Rhyne Howard
  • Rae Burrell
  • Aliyah Boston
  • Dearica Hamby

Kings overpowered the Warriors in a lopsided game (129 – 99)

After winning 2 in a row, the Warriors fell to the Kings, 129 – 99, Sunday evening. It was a dominant show of force by the Kings leading as much as 39 points. Seven Kings player scored in double digits points led by Malik Monk with 26 points and 12 assists, followed by Domantas Sabonis’ 22 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists. Kings PG De’Aaron Fox missed the game due to a bruised muscle he got from their last game against the
Memphis Grizlies.

Malik Monk even had a nasty monster jame late in the 3rd qtr with Kings enjoying a 24 points lead.

Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins are the two bright spots in the Warriors bench scoring 26 points and 18 points, respectively. The Kings will host the Miami Heat Tuesday night, then the Warriors will face the same Miami Heat for their last game of their 6 game homestand, Wednesday night.

Warriors wins 2 in a row and win without Steph Curry

After losing again to the Cavs, the Warriors manage to recover by winning their next two games;

against the the Philadelphia 76ers – 139-105;

Stephen Curry had 30 points and made all eight of his 3-point attempts, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 139-105 on Thursday night.

Golden State led 35-19 after the first quarter and extended a 16-point halftime lead to 25 at the end of the third quarter.

Curry had 24 points by the end of the third quarter after going 6 of 6 from 3-point range. He made consecutive 3-pointers early in the fourth to put the Warriors up by 30 and left the game as both coaches emptied their benches minutes later.

Jonathan Kuminga added 20 points off the bench.

And against the Memphis Grizzlies – 121-113;

Andrew Wiggins scored 24 points, Dennis Schroder added 17 and the undermanned Golden State Warriors held off the Memphis Grizzlies 121-113 on Saturday night in the latest testy matchup between the rivals.

Lindy Waters III scored 16 with four 3-pointers off the bench on a night the Warriors missed Stephen Curry along with fellow guards Brandin Podziemski and Gary Payton II.

The Warriors will have a 2 games homestand against the Kings this Monday and Miami on Wednesday, then it will be a 4 road games against Detroit, Indiana, Toronto and Minnesota. They can win at least 3 and at most 5 of their next 6 games.

Cavs routs Warriors by making 8 three-pointers in the third quarter (113 – 95)

This was supposed to be a revenge game by the Warriors after the Cavs gave them one of their worst loss early in the season but it looks like little has changes, since the Cavs gave the Warriors another beating.

Unlike the first game, it was a competitive first half with an 8-point lead by the Cavs at the start of the 3rd qtr. Then Cleveland went on a 20 to 5 run creating a 22-points lead and basically ending the game with still 7:43 mins time left in the 3rd.

Donovan Mitchell lead the Cavs in their 3rd qtr run making 5 three-points, he ended the game with 23 points and 4 assists. Darius Garland lead the team with 25 points and 8 assists. Jarrett Allen added 12 points and 9 rebounds, including a nasty dunk in the 4 mins mark of the 3rd qtr.

The Warriors struggled to find any rhythm in the third quarter, both offensively and defensively. Steph Curry was limited by the Cavaliers to just 11 points and was scoreless in the second quarter. Jonathan Kuminga led the Warriors with 18 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Trayce Jackson-Davis with 16 points and 16 rebounds. The Warriors have lost 13 of their last 17 games, after starting the season 12-3. They are currently tied with the San Antonio Spurs for 9th/10th place.

Cleveland will visit the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night, while the Golden State will hosts Philadelphia this Thursday evening.

Today is Lebron James 40th Birthday!

In honor of LeBron’s 40th birthday, check out his top 40 career plays!

Depending on who you ask, he is considered one of the best to have ever played the game.

Warriors win over Suns behind Jonathan Kuminga’s 34 points

It was the Warriors’ second win in 8 games, including a heartbreaking loss on Christmas Day. Jonathan Kuminga powered the Warriors from the bench with 34 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. This is Kuminga’s second game scoring 34 points, his career high, which he set against the Clippers last Friday.

Stephen Curry added 22 points, making 4 shots from beyond the arc, with 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis both added 16 points, with Jackson-Davis grabbing 10 rebounds. Dennis Schroder, playing his 6th game as a Warriors scored 11 points, who have been struggling since being traded to Golden State.

On the Phoenix side, Kevin Durant lead the team with 31 points and 6 rebounds, Bradley Beal added 28 points and 5 rebounds. The Suns are missing the services of Devin Booker, who was out due to groin soreness.

Golden State will face Cleveland this Monday evening, while the Suns will host the Grizzlies on New Year’s eve.

NBA OG’s – LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant

Over the summer, the legendary trio of LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant teamed up for the first time, as members of the USA Basketball squad at the 2024 Olympics. During their Olympic run, they sat down in Lille, France for an exclusive conversation about how their careers have intertwined over the years, what they admire about each other’s games and their take on the next generation of NBA stars.

Arguably, 3 of Basketball’s Greatest Talents!

We may never see an NBA era like this!

Caitlin Clark named AP Female Athlete of the Year

After being honored as TIME’s Athlete of the Year, Indiana Fever and WNBA Superstar Caitlin Clark is named Associated Press’ Female Athlete of the Year, which was due to “her impact on and off the court.”

Doug Feinberg, reporting for AP;

A group of 74 sports journalists from The Associated Press and its members voted on the award. Clark received 35 votes, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles was second with 25 and boxer Imane Khelif was third, getting four votes.

Clark is only the fourth women’s basketball player to be honored as the female athlete of the year since it was first presented in 1931, joining Sheryl Swoopes (1993), Rebecca Lobo (1995) and Candace Parker (2008, 2021).

To think, this is just her 1st year in the WNBA!

I recommend that you read the entirety of the AP article, which explains why she got the award.

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announces Candidates for the Class of 2025

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame just announced the candidates for the Class of 2025, these includes Carmelo Anthony, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Dwight Howard, Doc Rivers and more.

You can find the complete list of eligible candidates from the official statement of Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

A quick look at the list, here are notable names;

  • Carmelo Anthony – Top 10 in the NBA All Time Scoring Leader, 10× NBA All-Star, NBA scoring champion, NBA All-Rookie First Team, NBA 75th Anniversary Team, Olympic bronze medal and 3x Olympic Gold medal
  • Sue Bird – 4× WNBA champion, 13× WNBA All-Star, 5× All-WNBA First Team, 5× EuroLeague champion and 5x Olympic Gold medal
  • Maya Moore – 4× WNBA champion, WNBA Finals MVP, WNBA MVP, 6× WNBA All-Star, 5× All-WNBA First Team, WNBA steals leader, WNBA scoring leader, WNBA Rookie of the Year and 2x Olympic Gold medal
  • Dwight Howard – NBA champion, 8× NBA All-Star, 5× All-NBA First Team, 3× NBA Defensive Player of the Year, 4× NBA All-Defensive First Team, NBA All-Defensive Second Team, NBA All-Rookie First Team, 5× NBA rebounding leader and 2× NBA blocks leader.
  • Doc Rivers – NBA champion, NBA Cup champion, NBA Coach of the Year and 4× NBA All-Star Game head coach
  • Lisa Bluder – 5× Big Ten tournament champion, 2× Big Ten regular season champion, 4× MVC tournament champion, 3× MVC regular season champion and 3× Big Ten Coach of the Year.
  • Marc Gasol – NBA champion, 3× NBA All-Star, All-NBA First Team, NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Liga ACB champion and FIBA EuroCup winner.

Finalists will be selected on Feb. 14 in San Francisco at NBA All-Star weekend, and the enshrinement class will be revealed on April 5 in San Antonio at the men’s NCAA Final Four.

Iowa Hawkeyes to retire Caitlin Clark’s No. 22 jersey on Feb 2, 2025

University of Iowa Athletics Department has announced that they will retire the iconic No. 22 of Hawkeye women’s basketball legend, Caitlin Clark on Feb. 2, 2025, at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

“I’m forever proud to be a Hawkeye and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball,” Clark said. “It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends and alumni. It will be a great feeling to look up in the rafters and see my jersey alongside those that I’ve admired for so long.”

Clark will be in attendance and the Hawkeyes will face Juju Watkins and the USC Women’s basketball team. The game is will air on FOX and the Hawkeye Radio Network.

Milwaukee Bucks wins the 2024 NBA Cup behind Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Triple-Double

Milwaukee Bucks win the 2024 NBA Cup behind a dominant game by Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo finished the game with a triple double, 26-point, 19-rebound and 10-assist. Damian Lillard added 23 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Bucks Assistant coach Darvin Ham and forward Taurean Prince, are members of the Los Angeles Lakers last season when they won the inaugural NBA Cup.

Giannis Antetokounmpo also won the MVP for the NBA Cup.

It was great win for the Bucks specially after starting the season with a 2-8 record, since then the Bucks are 12 – 3. Milwaukee Bucks will have at least 2 full days of rest before facing the Cavs, the number 1 team in the league this Friday evening.

Video – Interview of Caitlin Clark after being named by TIME’s Athlete of the Year

TIME Athlete of the Year Caitlin Clark shared her excitement for the future of the WNBA—and women’s sports as a whole—during a conversation with NBC sports producer and broadcaster Maria Taylor at the “A Year in TIME” event in New York on Dec. 11.

Coinciding with the release of TIME’s Person of the Year issue, the event also included a performance from TIME’s Icon of the Year, Elton John and a conversation with TIME’s CEO of the Year, Lisa Su.

Complete result of Golden State Valkyries 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft

The results of the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft presented by State Farm are as follows:

Player Former Team Pos Ht Yrs College/Country
Iliana Rupert Atlanta Dream C 6-4 3 France
Maria Conde Chicago Sky F 6-1 0 Florida State/Spain
Veronica Burton Connecticut Sun G 5-9 3 Northwestern
Carla Leite Dallas Wings G 5-9 0 France
Temi Fagbenle Indiana Fever C 6-4 4 USC/United Kingdom
Kate Martin Las Vegas Aces G 6-0 1 Iowa
Stephanie Talbot Los Angeles Sparks F 6-2 6 Australia
Cecilia Zandalisini Minnesota Lynx F 6-2 3 Italy
Kayla Thornton New York Liberty F 6-1 9 Texas-El Paso
Monique Billings* Phoenix Mercury F 6-4 7 UCLA
Julie Vanloo Washington Mystics G 5-8 1 Belgium

I’m not surprise that Kate Martin was picked up by the Golden State, it will be more beneficial for her to be with the Valkyries than stay with the Aces, since she will have more playing time with her new team. The shocking draft for me is Temi Fagbenle, since she’s been playing well and have good chemistry with Caitlin Clark, one could just assume that she will be protected by Indiana.

Fever’s Caitlin Clark is TIME’s Athlete of the Year

After a historic rookie season in the WNBA, Fever’s Caitlin Clark is named as Time’s Athlete of the Year. In the article, Clark talked about her journey from setting the new NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball scoring record to winning the WNBA Rookie of the Year. She also talked about her approach regarding fans and the game as well as “white privilege” and women’s basketball, also all the “controversies” surrounding her going to the WNBA.

The 6,000 plus word article is worth reading specially if you a fan of Caitlin Clark or Women’s Basketball as a whole.

Warriors beat Timberwolves behind Stephen Curry’s 30-point Game

The Golden State Warriors beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-106, behind Steph Curry’s 30 points, making 5 three-points, and 8 assists. Buddy Heild and Jonathan Kuminga added, 27 and 20 points, respectively.

After building an 11-point lead in the 4th qtr, Timberwolves made an 15 to 3 run to take a 1-point lead with 4:47 remaining in the game. But Curry assisted Jonathan Kuminga for a go-ahead dunk with 2:55 remaining. After making 2 free throws, Curry found Buddy Hield for a corner-three, creating a 6-point lead with 57.1 remaining.

Despite scoring only 6 points, Draymond Green, made a highlight-reel play, by driving past Rudy Gobert for a thunderous dunk, then followed it up with Curry’s signature “NIGHT NIGHT!” celebration. Green also grabbed 6 rebounds and dished out 7 assists.

Anthony Edwards lead the Timberwolves with 27 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, but only made 2 points in the 4th qtr. Julius Randle added 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Mike Conley scored 12 points.

The Warriors will visit the Rockets Wednesday night for the NBA Cup quarterfinals, while the Timberwolves will hosts the Lakers this Friday.

Miami Heat routed the Lakers in a 41-point victory (134 – 93)

The Miami Heat asserted their dominance over the Los Angeles Lakers tonight, securing a resounding 134-93 victory at the Kaseya Center.

It was a basketball clinic by the Heat as they score over the Lakers at will and at the sametime manage to stop the Lakers offense that held the LA-based team to their lowest scoring output of the season.

The Heat’s offensive efficiency was on full display, as they recorded 52-of-90 (57.8%) field goal, making 24 three-points shot and dishing out 42 assists, setting a new franchise record. Tyler Herro led the Heat with a game-high 31 points, making 9 three-points, while Jimmy Butler added 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.

On the defensive side, the Heat clamped down on the Lakers offense, forcing 13 turnovers, converting 18 points over those turnovers, and limiting their scoring opportunities by grabbing 52 rebounds. LeBron James lead the Lakers with 29 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell added 14 and 12 points, respectively, for the Lakers.

This is the worst lost by the Lakers this season and 6th loss in 8 games.

The Heat will host the Phoenix Suns on Friday, while the Lakers will close their four-game trip Atlanta, also this Friday evening.

Nuggets hands the Warriors 5th straight loss (119-115)

The Denver Nuggets gave the Golden State Warriors their 5th straight loss. Nikola Jokic scored 38 points, 10 rebounds and five steals, and helped the Nuggets overcome a 12 deficit by the Warriors, the team even managed to build a 12 point lead. The Warriors are now 12-8, after a 12-3 start of the season.

Nuggets Forwards Michael Porter Jr. added 22 points and Aaron Gordon had 15 points and nine rebounds. Jamal Murray added 12 point with 7 assists, and steal the ball Andrew Wiggins that could have tied the game or swing the momentum to the Warriors.

Stephen Curry lead the Warriors with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists, but is only 4 of 15 from beyond the arc and 8/23 from the field. Jonathan Kuminga scored 19 points, while Andrew Wiggins, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody each added 13 points. Draymond Green, did not play because of left calf tightness. You checkout the full box score here.

The Golden State Warriors will host the Rockets this Thursday evening, and the Nuggets will visit the Cleveland also this Thursday night. Golden State will also face the Rockets in the NBA Cup Quarterfinals.

UConn Star Paige Bueckers announces her own Player Edition Nike G.T. Hustle 3

UConn’s Paige Bueckers, who grew up wearing Nike, has made history by becoming the first NIL athlete to design and launch her own Nike Player Edition basketball sneaker, the Nike G.T. Hustle 3.

Nike;

Paige’s Nike G.T. Hustle 3 is meant to propel her performance during the final season of her illustrious collegiate career, leveraging Nike’s best basketball innovations in a silhouette that maximizes energy return from tip-off to buzzer.

Key to that performance is a forefoot Air Zoom unit and sewn-in Air Zoom strobel that create a double-stacked layer of Air underfoot for enhanced energy storage and return. The Air Zoom in the forefoot is partnered with a soft and resilient heel, along with a higher offset, to promote a smooth heel-to-toe transition. A Radial Knit upper, meanwhile, delivers zonal containment and support in a soft, lightweight and breathable package.

Paige’s Nike G.T. Hustle 3 will be in baby blue and lavender purple colorway. It also features an embroidered bucket adorns the right tongue, and a creative play on her surname — replacing “Bueckers” with “buckets” — takes over the right heel, and the phrase “Be You, Be Great” on left heel.

The Nike G.T. Hustle 3 Paige Bueckers Player Edition will be available December 7th on SNKRS and at select retail locations for $190.00

WNBA release full schedule for 2025 Regular Season will tip-off on May 16th

As early as today, the WNBA has release the full schedule of the full schedule of the 2025 Regular Season and it will start on May 16th.

Here are some of the notable dates/games for the coming season.

May 17th

  • Indiana vs Chicago – A well rested Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Two of the top rookies.
  • Las Vegas vs New York – A rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals.

June 27th

  • Indiana vs Dallas – Indiana’s ROTY Caitlin Clark will face-off Paige Bueckers, for the first time in the W, UConn Star Paige Bueckers is projected to be the No. 1 draft pick and expected to be in a Dallas unis.

2025 WNBA SCHEDULE: SEASON TIP OFF PRESENTED BY CARMAX

Day Date Visitor Home Local Time Eastern Time
Fri. May 16 Atlanta Washington 7:30 PM 7:30 PM
Fri. May 16 Minnesota Dallas 6:30 PM 7:30 PM
Fri. May 16 Los Angeles Golden State 7:00 PM 10:00 PM
Sat. May 17 Chicago Indiana 1:00 PM 1:00 PM
Sat. May 17 Las Vegas New York 3:00 PM 3:00 PM
Sat. May 17 Seattle Phoenix 7:00 PM 10:00 PM
Sun. May 18 Washington Connecticut 1:00 PM 1:00 PM
Sun. May 18 Minnesota Los Angeles 3:00 PM 6:00 PM
Mon. May 19 Seattle Dallas 7:00 PM 8:00 PM
Tue. May 20 Las Vegas Connecticut 7:00 PM 7:00 PM
Tue. May 20 Atlanta Indiana 7:00 PM 7:00 PM
Wed. May 21 Dallas Minnesota 7:00 PM 8:00 PM
Wed. May 21 Washington Golden State 7:00 PM 10:00 PM
Thu. May 22 Indiana Atlanta 7:30 PM 7:30 PM
Thu. May 22 New York Chicago 7:00 PM 8:00 PM
Fri. May 23 Connecticut Minnesota 6:30 PM 7:30 PM
Fri. May 23 Washington Las Vegas 7:00 PM 10:00 PM
Fri. May 23 Golden State Los Angeles 7:00 PM 10:00 PM
Fri. May 23 Phoenix Seattle 7:00 PM 10:00 PM

Additionally, WNBA teams can begin negotiating with free agents on Sunday, Jan. 21. Free agents can begin signing contracts with teams on Thursday, Feb. 1.