speculation

DeAndre Hopkins Cut Sparks Multi-Team Speculation

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The DeAndre Hopkins saga has written its newest chapter. After months of speculation that the Cardinals could trade or otherwise offload the veteran wide receiver, the Cardinals finally cut him. As a result, the Cardinals will eat $22.9 million in dead cap and Hopkins will become an unrestricted free agent. Hopkins had initially missed the start of the Cardinals’ OTAs as his status remained in limbo.

After serving a six-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy, Hopkins played in nine games last season. He racked up 757 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Cardinals went 4-13. He was traded to the Cardinals in 2020 by the Texans. In three seasons with the Cardinals, he recorded 2696 yards and 17 touchdowns. However, he will now be able to pursue the team of his choice.

Multiple Teams Interested In Hopkins

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 27: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after catching a touch down pass against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Hopkins’ sudden free agency has sparked a lot of interest around the league. Among the teams interested are the Bills, Patriots, and Ravens. Hopkins, who last rushed for 1000 yards in 2020, would find very different fortunes. He could be the final piece the Bills need in their near-Sisyphean quest to reach a Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Hopkins would bring a veteran calm to somewhat-embattled Mac Jones. However, the Ravens are an intriguing prospect given their already very full receiver room.

Meanwhile, social media has also floated the possibility of the Chiefs making a play for the veteran wideout. Like the Ravens, the Chiefs have a very full receiver room. However, the Chiefs are missing that X-factor standout downfield. As for the Cardinals, they will now roll with Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore, and 2023 third-round draft pick Michael Wilson. Recently, Hopkins gave an interview in which he listed the top quarterbacks he would like to play under. At the top of that list was the Bills’ Josh Allen as well as the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts. Where do you think Hopkins will land? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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Kyrie Irving Asks Fans To Stop Free Agency Speculation

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It’s that time of the NBA season when trade rumors begin to swirl. There are just three teams left in the playoffs and 27 teams trying to figure out their offseason plans. Along with that, there is a wealth of pending free agents including James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Khris Middleton, and Kyrie Irving. NBA fans should strap in for what will be a blockbuster offseason.

Kyrie Irving is an intriguing prospect on the free agent market. Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks to play alongside Luka Dončić. However, the Mavericks opted to choose rebuilding over playoff contention. It’s unclear whether the Mavericks will pursue Irving but of course, his pending freedom has led to rampant speculation of where Kyrie could be heading.

Kyrie Irving Tries To Shut Down Speculation

Irving, however, does not appear to be a fan of all the rumors. “Stop mentioning me on Twitter. All you fanbases, stop mentioning me right now. It is still the Western Conference and Eastern Conference Finals. Excuse me, Denver already made it to the Finals and we’re still waiting on Boston or Miami but can y’all please leave me out of this? Please, can I just be with my family in peace? I got people at my dinner table discussing what my free agency plans are. Stop that, y’all think it’s funny but please stop that. I actually like having peace of mind when I’m at the crib. I see all your ats and mentions…and I’m just as excited as y’all are but y’all gotta chill though,” Irving said on Instagram Live.

There is a wide variety of rumors swirling about Kyrie, who is linked to so many teams. It’s unlikely that Kyrie will be interested in a rebuilding project, hence why he appears to be leaving Dallas. However, it appears that Kyrie would much rather enjoy the ride, as opposed to doomscrolling on Twitter. However, when actual news of Kyrie’s next move breaks, we’ll have it here on HotNewHipHop.

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Speaker Knockerz’s Mother Reflects On Her Son’s Death

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Speaker Knockerz’s mother, Mesha Wilson, addressed the various theories surrounding her son’s tragic 2014 death during an appearance on the Drea O Show, published on Monday. She says that “95 percent” of reports she’s seen regarding his death have been inaccurate.

“I’ve learned a lot, you know, listening to and reading some of the things that people say,” Wilson said during the discussion. “It’s like, whatever they put out in the media that people believe in and then when I see some of the things that they say, it’s not true at all. Like, 95 percent of the things that they say is not true. My son did not die of any type of drug substance or anything like that and he did not have a heart attack. I just want to clear that up. That’s not what happened to him.”

Speaker Knockerz’s Mom On The “Drea O Show”

Wilson further added that ‘“none of the stuff that they’re saying out there is the truth.” “When the toxicology came back, those things were not there,” Wilson said. She noted that she’s not fully ready to talk about “that portion” of his life. Elsewhere during the discussion, Wilson reflected on her son’s life, the time he spent with his father, and much more.

The full interview was released on the nine-year anniversary of Speaker Knockerz’s death. The up-and-coming rapper was found dead in his garage in his South Carolina home at just 19 years old in March 2014. Foul play was not suspected and an autopsy from the time showed no signs of trauma. In the end, his death was ruled as being from natural causes. Despite his short career, Speaker Knockerz created an impactful legacy with his music. He was best known for his songs “RICO Story,” as well as “Lonely,” and more. The last song he released prior to his death was “Erica Kane,” which received a music video release posthumously. Tons of rappers have shown love for Speaker Knockerz since his passing including Lil Uzi Vert, Denzel Curry, Tee Grizzley, Kevin Gates, and more. Check out the music video for “Lonely” below.

The “Lonely” Music Video

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Ashanti Reportedly Caught Wearing Nelly’s Chain, Fans Speculate On Another Romance

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Ashanti and Nelly might be reigniting their romance after ten years separated, or at least that’s what fans say based on a chain. Moreover, social media speculated on the couple reuniting after fans noticed both of them wearing a similar chain. Furthermore, a fan page of the couple posted a picture of Ashanti wearing a thick, shiny, and silver Cuban link chain. In fact, it looks eerily similar to one that the “Hot In Here” rapper often wears. As such, many warned the singer and actress of straying back into the relationship after he apparently “betrayed” him based on her testimony.

Still, it’s not like the two completely stayed out of each other’s lives, and recent run-ins fueled reunion rumors before this was even a factor. For example, they were recently spotted clubbing after their Nashville concert in early February this year. Meanwhile, back in December of 2022, they performed together for a Christmas concert in Glendale, Arizona. In fact, many people noted their intimate stage chemistry as they performed, which got hopeful fans excited for their reconciliation.

Nelly & Ashanti Turn Heads With Matching Chains

Even with all that fresh excitement, some fans didn’t take too kindly to these rumors. “Girl he wasted your time before he will do it again…” one social media user expressed. “They do look good together though, but no.” Another pointed out that maybe some things are just left up to fate. “Chile soulmates are a thing,” they expressed. Despite shippers expressing their happiness, it didn’t filter out the notably cautionary messages that frequented social media discussions. “She’s in his chain,” another user expressed. “I liked them together but sometimes it’s best to leave people in your past.”

While they didn’t say much about why they broke up back in 2013, they dated since their music careers started. Fans were all the more curious when Ashanti expressed that Nelly “betrayed” her in a 2015 interview. Since then, they reconciled and spoke pretty vaguely about what happened, so clearly not much is set in stone. Regardless, come back to HNHH for the latest on Ashanti, Nelly, and their potential romantic rekindling.

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