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Caitlin Clark will make her WNBA All-Star Weekend debut by participating in the 3-Point Contest on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. She will compete against notable players including Kelsey Plum, Sonia Citron, former contest winner Sabrina Ionescu, and defending champion Allisha Gray for the three-point title. Defending champion Allisha Gray will also participate in the Skills Challenge on the same night. She will face Natasha Cloud, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Erica Wheeler, and Courtney Williams in this event, which features a timed obstacle course testing dribbling, passing, and various shooting skills. Both the 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge are scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Friday, preceding Saturday's All-Star Game. The Skills Challenge field includes three of the league's top four assists leaders: Williams, Diggins-Smith, and Cloud. Wheeler returns after missing last year's event due to flight issues. Gray enters the 3-Point Contest ranked fourth in the WNBA for three-pointers made this season, behind only Rhyne Howard, Kayla McBride, and fellow competitor Plum. She made history last year by becoming the first Atlanta Dream player to win an All-Star event and the first WNBA player to win both the 3-point contest and skills challenge. Gray won the 2024 3-point contest with a score of 22-for-40. To defend her 3-point title, Gray must outperform Sabrina Ionescu, who set a single-round record by going 37-for-40 to win the 2023 contest. Ionescu, who skipped the 2024 event while preparing for the Olympics, is shooting 30.9% from three-point range this season for the New York Liberty. Caitlin Clark, who set a WNBA rookie record with 122 three-pointers last season, declined to participate in the 2024 competition, citing a need for a break after transitioning directly from college. The reigning Rookie of the Year hopes her participation in the 2025 contest will help her bounce back from an injury-plagued second season where she is shooting just 28.9% from behind the arc. Sonia Citron enters the 3-Point Contest as the lone rookie participant. She has made 36.3% of her three-point attempts while averaging 6.2 attempts per game as a starter for the Washington Mystics.
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A fan was ejected from Tuesday's Indiana Fever versus Connecticut Sun WNBA game at TD Garden after allegedly touching Sun guard Saniya Rivers, as reported by Sun sideline reporter Terrika Foster-Brasby. The incident occurred in the second quarter. Security escorted the fan, who was wearing an Indiana Fever jersey, out of the arena. The ejection followed a timeout, as Rivers was preparing to inbound the ball. She instead engaged in a conversation with WNBA officials about an event that seemingly happened just prior. Based on the officials' conversation with Rivers, a fan sitting courtside near the Sun bench was identified and subsequently removed. Social media reports (specifically from @TheNextHoops) indicated the fan was escorted out after reportedly saying something to or touching Rivers before she could inbound the basketball, prompting Rivers to alert the referees. Announcers on the ESPN broadcast briefly mentioned the fan incident but did not provide specific details about what transpired between Rivers and the fan. The report suggests further clarification on the incident might be provided after the game.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder faced criticism from Fox Sports' Craig Carton, who labeled Chet Holmgren's recent contract extension as potentially the "dumbest contract ever signed in the history of the NBA." This criticism emerged despite Holmgren playing a pivotal role in the Thunder's NBA Championship run. However, analysis of the contract details reveals potential flaws in Carton's argument. The Thunder secured Holmgren on a five-year, $250 million max rookie extension. Crucially, while teammates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have designated player clauses allowing their salaries to rise to 30% of the salary cap if they earn MVP, Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), or All-NBA honors, Holmgren's deal is fixed at the standard 25% of the cap regardless of future accolades. This fixed structure is viewed as a significant financial advantage for the Thunder. Given their existing high-end financial commitments, locking Holmgren at 25% provides payroll stability and avoids potential future salary spikes, potentially making the deal "an absolute steal" in coming years. Holmgren's performance supports the Thunder's investment. Before a right iliac wing fracture in late November, he was averaging 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game, showing All-Star and All-NBA potential. Even after a four-month injury absence, his defense remained elite; he ranked third in defensive rating among playoff players logging over 20 minutes per game and held Myles Turner to 37.7% shooting in the NBA Finals. The article concludes that based on his trajectory, Holmgren is likely to achieve All-Star selections, All-NBA honors, and potentially DPOY recognition. Should these accomplishments occur, the fixed 25% max contract will prove to be a major bargain for the Thunder compared to the potential 30% escalators in his teammates' deals.
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Stanley Pringle has signed with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, taking control of his future. In the PBA Finals, Mo Tautuaa expressed frustration over a late offensive interference call that nullified his potential go-ahead basket in Game 1. The PBA league office upheld the call upon review. Consequently, TNT claimed victory in the PBA Finals opener after the review overturned the basket. Despite the loss, the San Miguel Beermen stated their focus is on redemption, not on ending TNT's Grand Slam bid. In collegiate sports, the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) welcomed the UAAP's openness to potentially including golf as a sport. In the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, La Salle, UP, UST, and NU all secured victories against NCAA teams in the quarterfinals. La Salle specifically defeated UST to secure the tournament's top seed heading into the next round, while UP gained momentum before the quarterfinals. La Salle remained unbeaten, and NU secured the final spot in the Filoil semifinals. NU also finished as the runner-up in the BLIA Cup. The NCAA is set to return to the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The league is also ushering in a new era with significant format changes under "NCAA 101," introducing group stages, play-in tournaments, and expanded playoffs. San Beda celebrated a double championship in the general championships, while LPU turned over hosting duties for the next season to Mapua.
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The New York Knicks continue their search for an associate head coach without securing a hire as the NBA summer league enters its second week, facing complications including an issue involving Darvin Ham. The Knicks expressed interest in Ham, the former head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. However, according to The Post, Ham's current team, the Milwaukee Bucks, informed him that he could not join the Knicks because the move would be considered lateral. A person involved in the process described the decision as standard procedure, stating, "It’s just the way it’s done."
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An insider has made a bold prediction regarding the Boston Celtics' upcoming 2025-26 season, described as tumultuous with significant ongoing roster movement expected to continue throughout the offseason. Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens provided a major update on superstar Jayson Tatum, confirming the 27-year-old is likely to miss most, if not all, of the upcoming campaign. Despite this, the Celtics organization and fans are confident Tatum is doing everything possible to return. Amid the unpredictable roster changes, a major free agent acquisition discussed his decision to sign with Boston, indicating that the opportunities presented by the Celtics' new-look roster were unique and not available elsewhere. In other news, Celtics player Jaylen Brown stated that he believes he hasn't yet shown his best in the NBA. Twitter updates included: Jordan Walsh being ejected after a scuffle with Pelle Larsson; Walsh subsequently apologizing to Brad Stevens and the front office for the incident, noting it was out of character, while coach Joe Mazzulla expressed his approval; and former Celtics forward Drew Peterson agreeing to a two-way NBA deal with the Charlotte Hornets, reuniting him with coach Charles Lee.
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Persistent rumors suggest Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James might want a trade, although he hasn't publicly requested one. Despite the Lakers' current challenges, finding a championship-contending team for him via trade is considered difficult. However, the Golden State Warriors are frequently mentioned as a top potential destination, offering the possibility of pairing James with Stephen Curry. Last Word on Sports proposed the idea of a Lakers-Warriors trade involving James, calling it the "best trade option" for Golden State on and off the court. They described a James-Curry pairing as a "dream scenario" for players and fans. Such a trade would likely require the Warriors to send Andrew Wiggins to the Lakers for salary matching, but James is viewed as a superior player who could also potentially help develop Jonathan Kuminga. While acknowledging it might be an "elusive dream," the report states "nothing is certain." These rumors gained traction when it was reported during the trade deadline that the Golden State Warriors had inquired about James's availability. ESPN's Shams Charania stated the Warriors were "legitimately calling about every All-Star player," including James, Kevin Durant, and Jimmy Butler, as they are "dead set" on finding another star to play alongside Stephen Curry. While it doesn't appear the Warriors made a formal offer, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst reported that the Warriors and other teams considered making offers for James after an Eastern Conference executive expressed conviction James wanted out of Los Angeles. Specifically, the Warriors, who had also tried to trade for James in the 2023-24 season, revisited the possibility. No trade materialized, but the report indicates future discussions remain possible.
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During their time together on the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving was asked by a reporter about LeBron James potentially serving as a "parental role" in the locker room, referencing Tristan Thompson's prior description of LeBron as a "great father." Irving appeared visibly stunned by the question, responding with awkward laughter before pivoting to praise LeBron’s leadership and professional mentorship. However, he firmly clarified boundaries by stating, "I only have one father," emphasizing that while LeBron was an on-court influence, he did not seek life guidance from him. Nearly ten years later, Irving revisited the viral moment while streaming as a content creator. Alongside his actual father, Drederick Irving, he recreated the scene and explicitly addressed the original question. Kyrie repeatedly affirmed, "I only have one father, Drederick Irving," and criticized the reporter’s inquiry as "crazy," noting LeBron was only seven years his senior. He added, "No disrespect, bro, but that was a crazy ass question," expressing relief at finally reframing the narrative with his biological father present.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder secured max contract extensions for their core trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren during the summer, aiming to build a championship dynasty. NBA Insider Zach Lowe reported on his podcast that Chet Holmgren's extension is a straightforward five-year deal taking up 25% of the salary cap, without any performance-based escalators. This contrasts with initial reports suggesting it could reach $250 million and means Jalen Williams' contract likely includes such escalators. Lowe cited sources who had seen Holmgren's contract directly. Lowe emphasized Holmgren's significant offensive potential, stating he is "just scratching the surface." He also highlighted the Thunder's exceptional positioning to manage the NBA's strict salary cap rules, specifically the second apron and repeater tax, calling them "the bar" for navigating these financial constraints. Because Holmgren's contract lacks escalators, its total value will be lower than the initially reported $250 million figure, saving the Thunder approximately $10.1 million.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder have committed to significant offseason spending, totaling $877.21 million in new contracts, with the majority ($822 million+) going to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren. While max extensions for Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams were widely expected, Holmgren's max deal ($250 million) faced skepticism from some due to his injury history and recent playoff shooting struggles. Fox Sports' Craig Carton strongly criticized Holmgren's contract during a discussion on "Breakfast Ball," labeling it potentially "the dumbest contract ever signed in the history of the NBA" and asserting Holmgren is not a "$50 million a year player." Carton implied Holmgren rode his teammates' coattails to the 2025 NBA Championship. However, the article counters Carton's view by detailing Holmgren's pivotal role in the Thunder's championship victory. Despite poor shooting in the Finals (12.3 PPG, 39.5% FG, 15.8% 3PT), Holmgren led the series in rebounding (8.9 RPG) and played exceptional defense, notably holding Myles Turner to 37.7% shooting and a negative plus-minus. He anchored the Thunder's historic defense, led the entire NBA playoffs in plus-minus (+169), and set a Game 7 Finals record with five blocks. Furthermore, Holmgren achieved this after returning from a four-month injury absence just two months before the playoffs, requiring him to shake off rust during the high-pressure title run. The article argues that even if this playoff run was Holmgren's career-worst performance, he was still a key reason for the championship. It concludes that signing Holmgren to the max extension was the right move for OKC, emphasizing his value extends far beyond offensive statistics, which Carton seemingly ignored.
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The news covers various lifestyle, entertainment, and wellness topics including Saina Nehwal's seven dietary practices for maintaining peak physical fitness. Cinema halls are reviving nostalgic experiences through strategic re-releases of classic films. A list of eight college degrees projected to have high job placement rates in 2025 is highlighted for career planning. A DIY guide for creating Korean-inspired hair serum to promote hair growth is featured. Nine specific foods known to reduce cancer risk are identified for health-conscious readers. Fatima Sana Shaikh's floral fashion ensembles are showcased, referencing her role in 'Aap Jaisa Koi'. Top ten stylish looks inspired by Hina Khan's fashion choices are presented. Ahaana Krishna's fashion moments featuring floral patterns and soft-colored outfits are spotlighted. Ten motivational quotes are curated for Monday inspiration to boost productivity. Glamorous photographs of actress Meenakshi Chaudhary are featured in a style segment.
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The Phoenix Suns have been active in retooling their roster this offseason following their failure to make the playoffs last season, focusing their rebuild around star player Devin Booker. Key offseason moves include trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, acquiring Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets, and drafting Khaman Maluach, Koby Brea, and Rasheer Fleming. A major move was signing Devin Booker to a two-year, $145 million contract extension last week, a record-setting deal that locks him with the Suns for the foreseeable future, demonstrating their commitment to building around him and returning to contention. Suns legend Charles Barkley, appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, commented on the massive extension, calling Booker "the luckiest dude in the world" for getting paid "$70M a year to dribble a stupid basketball." Barkley, known for criticizing NBA player contracts since retirement, believes Booker should be extremely happy. The extension keeps Booker with the Suns through the 2029-30 season, highlighting his loyalty to the franchise despite their recent struggles.
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Lithuanian basketball player Rokas Jokubaitis addressed his future with Maccabi Tel Aviv during a media session while training with Lithuania's senior national team for EuroBasket 2025. When asked about his current situation with the Israeli club, Jokubaitis stated, "We will see in a few days," explaining he had been instructed not to discuss it but hinted news might arrive soon. Jokubaitis was previously linked to a move to FC Bayern Munich, but Maccabi Tel Aviv officially denied those rumors. Instead, reports suggested he might sign a contract extension with Maccabi that includes an improved salary. Jokubaitis confirmed there had been "no contact at all" with the New York Knicks, the NBA team holding his rights, during the offseason. He also ruled out participating in the NBA Summer League again. He was originally drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder 34th overall in 2021 before being traded to the Knicks. Jokubaitis is part of Lithuania's preliminary squad for EuroBasket 2025. Lithuania will compete in Group B during the preliminary round in Tampere, Finland, facing Great Britain, Montenegro, Germany, Finland, and Sweden between August 27 and September 3. The top four teams from the group will advance to the single-elimination knockout stage in Riga, Latvia, running from September 6 to 14.
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The Memphis Grizzlies and second-year guard Cam Spencer initially agreed to a two-year, $4.5 million fully guaranteed contract last month, following his strong performance on a two-way contract during his rookie season. This agreement was reported by ESPN's Shams Charania but was never officially announced by the franchise. The Grizzlies and Spencer later renegotiated the terms, resulting in a new four-year, $10.5 million contract. According to Charania, this deal includes three fully guaranteed seasons, granting Spencer an extra year of guaranteed money and the team an option to extend him for a fourth season. This restructuring may indicate that Spencer is expected to compete for a rotation spot off the bench in the upcoming season. Last season, in 25 games, he averaged 4.2 points, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 rebounds while shooting 41.5% from the field.
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The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons defeated the La Salle Green Archers 83-78 in the semifinals of the Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup. UP battled back for most of the game, trailing by one point (72-73) with under two minutes remaining. Rey Remogat then hit a crucial three-pointer to put UP ahead 75-73 with one minute left. After a defensive stop, Remogat sank another three-pointer over Jacob Cortez, extending the lead to 78-73 with 23 seconds to go. Remogat, who had struggled earlier (1-of-11 from deep before the clutch shots), credited his coaches and teammates for maintaining confidence in him. Despite Vhoris Marasigan bringing La Salle within two points, Gerry Abadiano responded with a free throw and a fastbreak layup to push UP's lead back to 81-75. Although La Salle's Kean Baclaan hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to three, time ran out as Abadiano sealed the UP victory with two free throws. Remogat led UP with 14 points, while Abadiano and Jalen Stevens added 12 points each, helping UP overcome a 15-point first-half deficit (28-43). UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde emphasized the need for increased effort and energy after halftime. For La Salle, Jacob Cortez scored 16 points with six rebounds, and Kean Baclaan had 14 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. UP will face the National University (NU) Bulldogs in the Finals for the ECJ Perpetual Trophy. NU, the fourth seed with a 3-3 elimination round record, upset the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers 96-84 in the other semifinal. NU trailed by 14 points early in the third quarter but mounted a 29-11 run, fueled by 12 close-range points, to take a 72-68 lead late in the quarter. Head coach Jeff Napa stated the focus at halftime was simply to play their game and stick to their strengths in the second half. UST could only get as close as eight points down afterward, as NU leveraged their size advantage to dominate inside scoring (44-36 edge).
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The Detroit Pistons, lacking depth behind power forward Tobias Harris who is on an expiring contract next season, are anticipated to seek his replacement and could pursue a trade at next year's deadline, similar to their acquisition of Dennis Schroder last season which aided their playoff push. Potential targets include players approaching free agency in 2026 who could provide an impact for a potential Pistons playoff run. Among the options, Jarace Walker of the Indiana Pacers is noted. Following significant roster changes for the Pacers (including Tyrese Haliburton's injury and Myles Turner's departure in free agency), Walker's future is uncertain. The Pacers hold a team option on Walker by the end of October; if not picked up, he could become inexpensive depth for the Pistons, having averaged six points and three rebounds while shooting 40% from three-point range on limited attempts last season. The article also questions Pascal Siakam's situation with the Pacers, wondering if the team will pay him $45 million during a potential "gap year." While acknowledging Siakam's proven high-level performance, it expresses uncertainty about whether the Pistons would want his contract. Other potential power forward targets mentioned include Tari Eason of the Houston Rockets, who will face increased competition for minutes and is heading towards restricted free agency unless extended. Eason is seen as a culture fit aligned with Detroit's core timeline. P.J. Washington of the Dallas Mavericks is highlighted as a tough defender capable of playing both big man spots and spacing the floor, fitting a Pistons need. Although Washington is on an expiring contract and Dallas wants to win, underperformance could make him available via trade, potentially fitting into a Pistons trade exception.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder officially announced Chet Holmgren's contract extension on July 13th. This follows the July 9th report by Shams Charania that Holmgren agreed to a fully-guaranteed, five-year maximum rookie contract extension. According to Bobby Marks, the deal starts at 25% of the projected 2026/27 salary cap, estimated to be worth $240 million over five years. Holmgren, the second overall pick in the 2022 draft, overcame significant early career injuries. He missed the entire 2022/23 season with a foot injury. In the 2023/24 season, he started all games, averaging 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.3 blocks. A pelvic fracture limited him to 32 games in the following regular season (15.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 2.2 BPG), but he started all 23 playoff games (15.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.9 BPG), helping the Thunder win their first championship since relocating. Holmgren joins MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as Thunder players receiving max extensions. The team is also expected to pursue a max extension for forward Jalen Williams this offseason. Initial reports suggest Holmgren's deal likely does not include the "Rose Rule" language that could increase its value based on individual accolades. While Charania mentioned a potential value reaching $250 million, exceeding even the maximum projected cap increase scenario ($246.6M), this higher figure may be an approximation.
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Chet Holmgren has officially signed a contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, as confirmed by a public announcement. The news was shared via social media, highlighting a significant development for the team and player.
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The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Golden State Valkyries 104-102 in a close game on Saturday. A'ja Wilson led the Aces with 34 points and 16 rebounds, while Jackie Young scored 30 points, including the team's final 10 points. With the score tied at 94 and 1:49 remaining, Jackie Young took control, scoring on the Aces' next five possessions. She hit a mid-range jumper for a 96-94 lead, followed by a driving layup to make it 98-94. Young then sealed the win by making two free throws on each of the Aces' next three possessions. Despite Young's offensive dominance, the Valkyries stayed close with late three-pointers. Cecilia Zandalasini hit one with 17 seconds left and Tiffany Hayes made another with 7 seconds left, cutting the deficit to 102-100. Young's final pair of free throws made it 104-100 before Kayla Thornton hit a long two-pointer for the Valkyries' final points. Young was perfect from the free-throw line, going 11-for-11 (she entered the game as an 89% shooter). Overall, the Aces made 30 of 35 free throws. Wilson, playing after injuring her wrist earlier in the week, made 12 of 16 shots and 9 of 12 free throws. Jewell Loyd added 15 points for Las Vegas. All five Golden State starters scored in double figures: Hayes and Janelle Salaun each had 16 points, Temi Fagbenle scored 13, Veronica Burton 11, and Kayla Thornton 10. Cecilia Zandalasini contributed 12 points off the bench. This was the expansion Valkyries' first game in Las Vegas; their head coach, Natalie Nakase, was an Aces assistant during their 2022 and 2023 championship seasons. Entering the game, the Valkyries held a 10-10 record, having won five of their previous eight games. The Aces improved to 10-11 after losing three of their last four. Looking ahead, Golden State hosts Phoenix on Monday, while Las Vegas plays at Dallas on Wednesday.
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The New York Liberty waived guard Marquesha Davis prior to their Sunday game against the Atlanta Dream, ending her tenure with the team after just over a season. Head coach Sandy Brondello acknowledged Davis didn't get many playing opportunities but improved significantly and believes she will get another opportunity elsewhere. Davis, the Liberty's most recent first-round pick (11th overall in 2024 out of Mississippi), struggled to secure a consistent role. She played only 111 total minutes across 29 appearances over two seasons, though she finished on a positive note, registering a plus-14 rating in her final two games. Her release coincides with the WNBA's contract guarantee deadline, where players remaining on rosters past 5 p.m. ET on Sunday would have their 2025 salaries fully guaranteed. This move creates just over $35,000 in salary cap space for the Liberty, representing a little more than half of Davis's 2025 salary. There remains a possibility Davis could return to New York on a seven-day contract later in the season. Davis was one of several players waived across the WNBA this weekend, including fellow 2024 first-round pick Alissa Pilli (Minnesota), veterans Mercedes Russell (Los Angeles) and Stephanie Talbot (Golden State), and Connecticut's Jaelyn Brown and Haley Peters. While Coach Brondello deferred transactional details to GM Jonathan Kolb, she confirmed the Liberty is actively monitoring the waiver wire. A key prospect of interest is Emma Meesseman, the 2019 WNBA Finals MVP and former teammate of Natasha Cloud, who recently performed well for Belgium in the EuroBasket women's competition.
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Bradley Beal's tenure with the Phoenix Suns is ending, with the Los Angeles Clippers emerging as his overwhelmingly obvious next destination. The Clippers have long been the favorites to acquire the 32-year-old guard, a position strengthened after they traded Norman Powell for John Collins, increasing their need for a ball-handling guard. While other teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves, have been linked to Beal, they are seen as unrealistic options. The Bucks solidified their guard rotation by adding Cole Anthony. The Timberwolves can only offer a minimum salary, cannot guarantee Beal a closing lineup spot, and have Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle ahead of him offensively. The Warriors' fit is questionable with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, leaving Beal's offensive role unclear and limited financially. The Lakers' fit is deemed nonsensical alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James, despite offering a $5.1 million exception. The Clippers present a clearer path to starting minutes for Beal. While James Harden and Kawhi Leonard would be the primary options, Leonard's injury history means Beal could often function as the second option, especially given the team's efforts to reduce Leonard's offensive load. Acquiring Beal also significantly benefits the Suns financially. Buying him out and stretching his contract would saddle Phoenix with nearly $20 million in dead money for years. Instead, every dollar Beal earns from his new team offsets the Suns' luxury-tax bill, meaning the higher his salary (like the Clippers' offer), the more Phoenix saves. Currently, the Clippers can offer more money ($5.3 million) than any other reported suitor. This financial advantage, combined with the on-court fit and the substantial relief it provides the Suns, makes the Clippers the clear frontrunner and most realistic destination for Beal.
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The Seattle Storm and Washington Mystics are both competing for WNBA playoff spots. The Storm have won seven of their last ten games, moving them to fourth place in the standings before Sunday's game. The Mystics, holding a 10-10 record and tied with several teams, have won six of their last ten games heading into their matchup against the Storm. Despite Seattle's strong form, a recent loss to the Connecticut Sun is noted as a potential concern against Washington's young, defensive team. Given the Mystics' poor road record (only three wins this season), the Storm are 6.5-point favorites. A betting analysis focuses on a player prop for Mystics' Shakira Austin, specifically whether she will score over or under 14.5 points. Austin averages 12.4 points per game and has only exceeded 14.5 points in six of her 17 appearances this season. Despite recovering from an early-season injury, the analysis predicts she will not reach this mark against the Storm's defense, ranked third in the league for scoring defense. Reasons cited include Austin's limited minutes (only one game over 30 minutes), her reliance on scoring in the paint rather than from three-point range, and the presence of Storm defenders Nneka Ogwumike and Ezi Magbegor. The expectation is that Austin will finish under 14.5 points. The betting recommendation is to fade the Washington Mystics' team total. Although the Mystics have won six of their last ten to stay in playoff contention, the analysis argues against them offensively facing the Storm defense on Sunday. Statistical trends point towards a low-scoring game, leading the bettor to specifically target the Mystics' team total as their best wager for the matchup.
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New UP Fighting Maroons player Rey Remogat delivered crucial late-game plays to secure an 83-78 victory over the previously unbeaten La Salle Green Archers in the FilOil Preseason Cup semifinals on Sunday, July 13, at the FilOil Centre in San Juan. With UP trailing 72-73, Remogat, a former UE star, hit a three-pointer with 59 seconds remaining to give UP a 75-73 lead. He followed this with another three-pointer with 23 seconds left, extending the lead to 78-73. UP captain Gerry Abadiano then sealed the win with an insurance basket and free throws. The win propels the defending champion Fighting Maroons into the tournament finals, where they will face the NU Bulldogs, who defeated UST in the other semifinal. Remogat finished the game with 14 points, including 3-of-13 shooting from the field, with 9 of those points coming in the decisive fourth quarter after scoring only 5 in the first three periods. UP head coach Goldwin Monverde noted Remogat processed the game well and is still adjusting within the team. Remogat stated his clutch performance was about repaying the trust given to him by the team, crediting teammates for encouraging him not to lose confidence in his shots during the game. Key contributions also came from Gerry Abadiano and Gani Stevens, who each scored 12 points. Francis Nnoruka provided significant support off the bench with 6 points and 16 rebounds, helping UP counter La Salle's strong frontcourt.
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Victor Wembanyama is positioned not only to dominate on the NBA court but also to significantly impact fantasy basketball, potentially breaking all-time records. His unique combination of skills makes him exceptionally valuable in the fantasy realm, which rewards players who fill the stat sheet comprehensively. Offensively, Wembanyama is expected to elevate his game beyond his rookie season average of 24.6 points per game. With his initial experimental period over and the Spurs aiming for playoff contention, he is projected to become a more efficient and driven scorer. Analysts predict he could average between 26 to 30 points per game in the upcoming season, potentially placing him in the NBA's top 10 scorers. Wembanyama's fantasy value is further amplified by his extraordinary defensive production, particularly shot-blocking. Averaging an "absurd" 3.7 blocks per game through his first two seasons – a level of dominance unseen in decades – provides a massive boost in fantasy leagues where defensive stats are highly rewarded. This elite defense, combined with his scoring, rebounding, and playmaking, gives him an unparalleled advantage. Due to the relatively recent popularity of fantasy basketball, legendary players like Wilt Chamberlain never had their seasons recorded in fantasy metrics. Wembanyama now has the opportunity to set new, potentially unbreakable, fantasy records. Competing against stars like Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, he possesses all the necessary tools to establish himself as the best fantasy basketball player ever in the upcoming season.
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The Phoenix Suns are expected to finalize a buyout of guard Bradley Beal soon, following the precedent set by the Milwaukee Bucks' recent buyout of Damian Lillard's $113 million contract. NBA insider Fred Katz confirms the buyout is likely and imminent, despite a slight delay. Katz explained there is no major rush due to the current league calendar, but minor negotiations regarding the financial details are ongoing. Specifically, Beal must agree to give up $13.8 million to facilitate the Suns stretching his remaining $110 million owed over the next two seasons due to a specific CBA rule. Katz emphasized that both sides want the buyout to happen – the Suns wish to move on, and Beal understands he is not wanted and likely desires a fresh start where he feels valued. He views the current negotiations as regular hurdles that won't prevent the outcome. Beal's time with the Suns has been disappointing, marked by zero playoff wins in his two seasons despite the team acquiring him and Kevin Durant in the same offseason. While the Suns previously hesitated on a buyout due to its historical rarity and complexity, recent major buyouts involving Lillard and Deandre Ayton have made the option more viable in the current salary cap era. The article concludes that despite the significant financial cost, a buyout is desperately needed as Beal's fit with the team has been redundant and unsuccessful for nearly three seasons.
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Indiana Pacers President Kevin Pritchard announced that star guard Tyrese Haliburton will miss the entire 2025-2026 NBA season. Pritchard also stated he was very vocal about Haliburton playing through a strained calf during the NBA Finals and would not change that decision if given the chance again. This situation raises questions about the Pacers' outlook without Haliburton for the upcoming season. With Haliburton out and center Myles Turner departing in free agency, the Pacers have two significant openings in their starting lineup. The returning starters are Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith. The team acquired Jay Huff from the Timberwolves in an effort to help fill the void left by Turner's departure. The Pacers will rely on players like T.J. McConnell and Benedict Mathurin to take on expanded roles next season. The organization believes it made the correct decision to prioritize Haliburton's full recovery to return to his elite level, rather than rushing him back after a long layoff. They aim to take pressure off the upcoming season and focus on Haliburton's long-term health. The 2025-26 season is viewed as a period for developing younger talent and building team chemistry. The Pacers' front office is confident in their choice to allow Haliburton sufficient rehab time and is betting on the team's future success with him leading it upon his return. The organization anticipates Haliburton coming back stronger and the team being prepared for his return.
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The Atlanta Dream, featuring Allisha Gray, will play against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in a WNBA game on Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Viewers can watch the game live on Fubo. Caitlin Clark recently returned from a five-game injury absence. In her comeback game on Wednesday, she scored 10 points (4-12 shooting) as the Fever lost 80-61 to the Valkyries. Indiana has struggled this season, partly due to Clark missing significant time, but hopes to improve as she regains full strength. The Dream have won two of their last three games. They currently hold a 12-7 record, placing them three games ahead of the Fever in the Eastern Conference standings. Atlanta aims to extend their lead by handing Indiana its third consecutive loss. The article emphasizes this is a must-watch WNBA matchup. It promotes watching the game live via Fubo, including a free stream on ION, noting regional restrictions may apply and that compensation may be received for subscriptions or registrations made through site links.
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