The Best of the Day: March 10th, 2021

The ‘Best of the Day’ is a daily PSO original series showcasing the most significant stories, highlights, and facts going on in the land of the NFL, NBA, & MLB every day. Get a recap on EVERYTHING that happened on 3/10 here.

NFL teams made moves by releasing a number of big-name players to save money with free agency around the corner. With the news that San Antonio is looking to trade LaMarcus Aldridge, the Spurs will finally be entering a full rebuild a few years removed from one of the greatest runs in team sports history. Also, Memphis teammates Ja Morant and Jonas Valanciunas showed out vs. Washington to begin the NBA’s second half, and the NFL lowered the salary cap for just the second time ever due to the pandemic.

Here is the best of the day from March 10, 2021:

Story of the Day

Major NFL releases take place as free agency begins in exactly a week

A number of NFL teams made moves to free up cap space as a result of the 2021 salary cap lowering to $182.5M from $198.2M last season. With free agency coming up, some notable names found themselves searching for new homes after being released by their former teams.

A few contenders released multiple impact players to free up cap space, starting in New Orleans, where the cap-strapped Saints saved $17M by releasing both WR Emmanuel Sanders ($4M) and LB Kwon Alexander ($13M). Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills released both WR John Brown ($7.6M) and DL Quinton Jefferson ($6.5M) to save $14.1M. The Tennessee Titans released two players in their secondary, as CB Malcolm Butler ($10.2M) and S Kenny Vaccaro ($3.9) were both let go as well, saving $14.1M.

Saints releasing LB Kwon Alexander, WR Emmanuel Sanders in cost-cutting moves (per @RapSheet)https://t.co/daAhnKo3G6 pic.twitter.com/xXniEgJcRi
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 10, 2021

Bills cap with releases:
John Brown: Save $7.6M
Quinton Jefferson: Save $6.5M

Total savings of $14.1M. Only dead cap is $1.6M for Brown. None for Jefferson.
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) March 10, 2021

Other notable players that were released included Dolphins LB Kyle Van Noy ($9.8M) after just one season in Miami, and Arizona Cardinals CB Robert Alford ($7.5M), who hasn’t played since the 2018 season. Two respectable O-Lineman were also cap casualties as the New York Giants cut RG Kevin Zeitler ($9.6M) and the Minnesota Vikings parted ways with LT Riley Reiff ($11M).

Miami had ~$172m of salary-cap liabilities — so just $8m of 2021 room — and releasing Kyle Van Noy saves them $9.8m.

He was Miami's second-highest 2021 cap hit ($13.9m) behind Byron Jones — 12.9% pressure rate was above average, but apparently not worth that financial hit
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) March 2, 2021

Related: Stories of the Day

Takeaway of the Day

SAN ANTONIO SPURS’ REBUILDING PROCESS IS IN FULL EFFECT

For 22 straight seasons under Gregg Popovich, the Spurs made the postseason. That ended after the shortened 2019-20 season and their old dynasty is now a distant memory. Tim Duncan has been elected to the Hall of Fame, Manu Ginobili will likely soon join him as the greatest 6th man of all-time, and Tony Parker went to Charlotte before calling it a career himself. Not to mention, Kawhi Leonardwas traded to Toronto.

While the greatest coach of all-time is still in Texas, none of the pieces that were a part of their championship run are still there. Patty Mills is the only player on the roster with championship experience as he was a quality backup PG during what might end up being Pop’s final championship season in 2014.

The Spurs added veteran All-Stars such as LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMar DeRozan, and Rudy Gay since then to keep their contending ways alive, while also focusing on what they’ve always focused on: homegrown talent. Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, and Kawhi were all part of Popovich’s Spurs since the day they were drafted. Now that they’re gone, it’s time to draft and develop new players.

For the 2020-21 Spurs, those players are Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson, Lonnie Walker, Derrick White, and 2020 1st Rd Pick Devin Vassell. On Wednesday, the team announced it will be parting ways with LaMarcus Aldridge. DeRozan and Gay are likely next as the Spurs rebuilding process goes into full effect and the NBA’s longest-tenured HC now faces the biggest challenge of his coaching career since fully taking over the role in 1997.

COLORS KEY | FULL SPURS OUTLOOK

Breaking: The Spurs are working on trade scenarios with LaMarcus Aldridge and have been engaged on several fronts, sources tell @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/lf3YmVhOw3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 11, 2021

How did Lonnie Walker get this to fall? 😮#CenterCourt pic.twitter.com/Ze4n5SAjE8
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 11, 2021

Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day

Highlight of the Day

Ja was dropping dimes in D.C.

This dish from Ja 👀 pic.twitter.com/xMqGwgaNHn
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 11, 2021

Related: NBA Highlights

Player of the Day

C Jonas Valanciunas, MEM (W v.WAS): 29 PTS (12-21 FG | 0-2 3P), 3 AST, 20 REB, 4 BLK, 0 STL, 2 TO

#PlayerOfTheDay (3/10/21) - C Jonas Valanciunas, MEM

TOP FACTS:
- 1st player with 25+ PTS/20+ REB/4+ BLK in MEM history
- 2nd most GP (4) of 20+ PTS & 20+ REB in Grizz history
- Season-high 29 PTS, 20 REB, 4 BLK vs. DC

KEY STATS:
29 PTS, 20 REB, 4 BLK, 3 AST, 12-21 FG (57%) https://t.co/JbkfgKvxnd
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) March 11, 2021

Related: Players of the Day