NBA 101

Tre Johnson, GG Jackson and other ‘silly season’ stars to roster

Our experts identify their favorite players to add in the final stretch of the NBA regular season, when lesser-known players often rise up.

Mike Evans calls decision to join the 49ers after 12 seasons in Tampa a 'no-brainer'

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The decision to leave Tampa Bay wasn’t easy for Mike Evans after he and his family built strong relationships with the Buccaneers and the community over 12 seasons.

Picking a new spot once he decided to leave was far easier for the star receiver. Evans dove into possible destinations before the start of free agency and made his final decision quickly on Monday after a video call with San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.

“I did my research on a lot of teams that I was looking at. I was looking at contenders, guys with good quarterbacks obviously,” Evans said Thursday. “So I was looking at here, Buffalo Bills, teams that needed a number one wide receiver. This was my number one spot on my own. And then I talked to John and Kyle and it solidified it for me. I’ve always been a fan of Kyle. He just talked about how he sees me in this offense and it just made me even happier. It was a no-brainer really after I got on the phone with him.”

After making more than $150 million in his career, Evans turned down a more lucrative offer from the Bucs, according to his agent, to sign with San Francisco on a relatively reasonable three-year contract worth up to $60.4 million with $16.3 million guaranteed.

Evans said a recruiting call from star tight end George Kittle was the final piece that led to his ultimate decision.

“I love money, obviously, like everybody else. But the money was not the biggest factor for me,” he said. “It was just football and something that I can be excited about. I’m super excited. Every time I come to Levi’s Stadium and I see how the crowd is and I’ll see the energy that they bring and the rich history of the San Francisco 49ers, it just excites me. So I feel like it’s given me a second wind in my career. That’s why I chose to come here.”

Evans is coming off an injury-filled 2025 season when he only played eight games and failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his 12-year career.

The Niners needed a proven receiver with the team planning to cut ties with Brandon Aiyuk after placing him on the reserve/left squad list last season after he stopped showing up to rehabilitate a knee injury that had sidelined him since October 2024. Aiyuk had signed a four-year, $120 million extension before the 2024 season but the $27 million that was guaranteed for the 2026 season had been voided.

Evans joins a receiving group that features 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall, veteran Demarcus Robinson and unproven young players Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins. Jauan Jennings, who was the team’s top wideout last season, is set to be a free agent.

Evans said he was impressed by San Francisco’s ability to go 12-5 and win a playoff game despite a litany of injuries to players like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Kittle, Pearsall and quarterback Brock Purdy among others.

“They always compete, even with the injuries last year.” he said. “I feel like they were one piece away and I think that I’m that piece. I look forward to coming here and proving that.”

Evans became the first player in NFL history to have at least 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first 11 seasons when he hit the mark in the 2024 season finale.

But he has been hampered by injuries the past two seasons, missing three games in 2024 and nine last season because of a hamstring injury and broken collarbone. Evans had only 30 catches for 368 yards and three TDs last season.

Evans has been a Pro Bowler six times and was twice a second-team All-Pro. He has 866 career catches for 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns. Evans ranks 10th all time in TD catches and his 11 seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving are second most ever to Jerry Rice’s 14.

“I always feel like I got to prove something,” Evans said. “I always felt like I can be better. I want to show that I’m still who people believe that I am, and that’s one of the best to ever do it.”

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

🏀 NBA All-Contract Team: Playoff contenders?

Could a roster built with only the best contracts in the league — no max or rookie deals allowed — reach the playoffs?

Sources: Doncic in custody battle for daughters

Lakers star Luka Dončić has separated from his fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, he told ESPN, and is in a custody battle over their two daughters, according to sources.

‘Wilt, me, then Kobe’: Adebayo scores 83 points

Bam Adebayo scored the most points since Wilt Chamberlain’s iconic 100-point game in 1962 as the Heat star went for 83 points in a blowout win over the Wizards.

Pippen’s personal memorabilia auctions for $6.2M

The jersey that Scottie Pippen wore in the famed “Flu Game” was among 71 lots from his personal collection that sold via Sotheby’s for over $6.2 million.

Celtics’ Brown ejected, then takes to social media

Celtics guard Jaylen Brown was ejected in the second quarter of Tuesday’s matchup at the Spurs after officials whistled him for back-to-back technical fouls.

Luka Doncic fined for making money sign towards refs

The NBA is taking action after Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic’s latest interaction with officials.

At the 4:35 mark of the third quarter in the Lakers’ 110-97 win over the New York Knicks on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena, Doncic attempted to draw a charge on Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara on a fast break, but no foul was called and the Knicks got a transition layup.

While still laying on the floor, Doncic rubbed his fingers together on both hands, making the universal money sign.

Two days later, Doncic has been fined $50,000 for “directing an inappropriate and unprofessional gesture toward a game official,” NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations James Jones announced via a statement released by the league on Tuesday.

Did Luka Doncic just signal what I think he signaled with his hands? 😬 pic.twitter.com/FKGgJpj5kd

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 8, 2026

This is the latest instance of Doncic butting heads with referees. On March 6, he received his 15th technical foul of the season, putting him just one call away from an automatic one-game suspension. He’s currently the player with the second-most technicals in the NBA, behind only Dillion Brooks.

Luka Doncic stats

Gesture aside, Doncic played as well as he has all season in Sunday’s game, scoring 35 points on 44% shooting with eight rebounds and four assists. His season averages are on par with his career numbers and his 32.5 points per game leads the NBA, positioning himself to win the scoring title and as a legitimate contender in the MVP race.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luka Doncic fined for making money gesture towards officials