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The Seattle Storm (13-9) will play against the Golden State Valkyries (10-11) on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast locally on CW Seattle, KPIX+, and KMAX 31. Viewers can watch the WNBA season through Fubo, with select games also available on Prime Video. Officially licensed team merchandise is offered by Fanatics for fans. Injury updates include Katie Lou Samuelson of the Storm being out for the season due to a knee injury, while the Valkyries report no injuries. Tickets for WNBA games are available for purchase on Vivid Seats.
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The Memphis Grizzlies signed restricted free agent Santi Aldama to a three-year, $52.5 million contract. The deal is front-loaded, paying Aldama $18.49 million in the first year and $17 million in the second year. The third year (2027/28) is a team option worth $17 million. The Grizzlies finalized a three-year, $27.66 million contract with Ty Jerome, utilizing the full room exception. Jerome's contract includes a third-year player option and a 15% trade kicker. Memphis also signed Cam Spencer to a four-year contract worth approximately $10.4 million. Spencer will receive $2,537,989 in the first year (using cap room), followed by minimum salaries for the remaining three years. The first three seasons are fully guaranteed, while the fourth year (2028/29) is a team option.
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Tennessee Basketball is finalizing a loaded preseason schedule, including two exhibition games. Sources indicate the Vols are working on a road exhibition game at Michigan in October and will host Duke in an exhibition at Food City Center on October 26. This follows an NCAA rule change in January allowing two exhibitions against any four-year schools. Tennessee played exhibitions against Indiana (loss) last October and at Michigan State (win) in 2023. Historically, Tennessee holds an 8-8 record against Duke, winning the most recent matchup in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. They haven't hosted Duke since 1976. Against Michigan, the Vols are 5-7 and have lost the last four meetings, including three NCAA Tournament games (2011, 2014, 2022). The regular season opens on November 3rd against Mercer. Tennessee will then participate in the Players Era tournament in Las Vegas from November 24-27, facing Rutgers, Houston, and a third team. December starts with a road game at Syracuse in the ACC-SEC Challenge on December 2nd. Further non-conference games include Illinois in Nashville on December 6th, Louisville at home on December 16th (completing a home-and-home series), Gardner-Webb at home on December 21st, and South Carolina State at home on December 30th.
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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed league expansion during comments on Tuesday night, clarifying that it is currently a "curiosity" rather than a concrete plan. He stated the league needs to "do the work" to evaluate whether expansion beyond 30 teams is beneficial ("additive"), considering economic impact, competitive balance, and national footprint. Silver emphasized assessing potential markets' desire for a team and their infrastructure capabilities. The analysis identifies three primary cities frequently discussed as potential NBA expansion locations, envisioning a move to 32 teams. Seattle is presented as the most obvious choice, with fans longing for the return of the Supersonics since their 2008 relocation. Arguments for Seattle include its position as the 20th largest US media market (larger than nine current NBA teams), proven ability to support professional sports (highlighting the NHL's sellout Kraken), and the emotional appeal of restoring a historic franchise. Las Vegas is described as inevitable ("when not if"), likely within the next five years, driven by strong financial potential. Silver himself has referred to it as the potential "31st franchise." The city's embrace of the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces (top attendance) demonstrates existing local fan support beyond just tourism. Placing an expansion team in Vegas, rather than relocating an existing team, is seen as preferable, capitalizing on its status as a major tourist destination to boost visiting team attendance. Mexico City represents a significant international opportunity for the NBA, tapping into Mexico's surging basketball interest, including a reported 25% year-over-year viewership jump (2022-2023), making it a top 10 international market. It would become the NBA's largest city by population. While the massive population suggests strong support potential, the main hurdle identified is establishing the necessary infrastructure. Despite the logical appeal, Mexico City is viewed as less realistic for near-term expansion compared to Seattle or Vegas, noting the NFL's prolonged but unrealized efforts there.
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Incoming Indiana University basketball guard Aleksa Ristic delivered another strong performance during the FIBA U20 Eurobasket in Heraklion, Greece. Playing for Serbia in the round of 16 against Ukraine on Wednesday, the 6-foot-4 guard recorded 12 points and 11 assists, contributing significantly to Serbia's 75-61 victory. Ristic also registered one steal and one block during his 31 minutes on the court, though he committed four turnovers. Serbia improved its tournament record to 4-0 with the win and advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will face Spain on Thursday. Offensively, Ristic shot 4-for-11 from the field, including 2-for-5 from beyond the three-point line. He was perfect from the free-throw line, making both of his attempts. Serbia outscored Ukraine by 13 points while Ristic was playing. Through four games at the tournament in Greece, Ristic is averaging 13.3 points and 7.8 assists in 30 minutes per game. He has been efficient from the foul line, making 11 of his 13 free-throw attempts. The 19-year-old Serbian is expected to join the IU basketball roster after the conclusion of the FIBA U20 Eurobasket tournament, which wraps up this Sunday.
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At the NBA Summer League, a young Denver Nuggets fan wearing a Jamal Murray jersey approached Minnesota Timberwolves player Anthony Edwards, who was sitting courtside to watch his team. Someone informed Edwards that the fan was a Nuggets supporter, which was presented as a caution against being overly friendly, likely in jest. Edwards responded quickly and lightheartedly, stating, "It's all good," and adding, "I be busting their a--." This exchange was captured in a clip and shared on social media, sparking discussion. The clip invites two possible reactions: dismissing it as a trivial Summer League moment or questioning whether Edwards should make such a boastful claim. To evaluate his statement, evidence from recent NBA seasons is considered. Historically, the Timberwolves swept the season series against the Nuggets last year, and the year before, they defeated Denver in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. However, in the prior season, the Nuggets beat Minnesota in the postseason and went on to win the championship, which remains the only title for either franchise. The author argues that the championship title holds greater significance than regular-season wins, especially since Edwards has not yet reached an NBA Finals despite being discussed as a face of the league. This positions the incident as an ideal mid-July debate topic for basketball fans.
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Devin Booker signed a contract extension with the Phoenix Suns, keeping him under contract through 2029 and ending speculation among some Detroit Pistons fans about a potential move. This extension adds $133 million to his existing four-year, $220 million deal, securing his future with the Suns until at least the 2030 offseason. Former NBA player Brandon Jennings expressed continued interest in Booker joining the Pistons, despite the extension. After observing the Pistons' core players supporting their team at the Las Vegas Summer League, Jennings posted on social media: "This is going to be a good team next year. If they can get Devin Booker somehow mannnnn," suggesting Booker could elevate the team. Booker, who is from Michigan and occasionally shows support for Detroit's non-Pistons teams, has consistently reaffirmed his commitment to Phoenix as the Suns' franchise player. His long-term extension solidifies his role as the face of the franchise. Contractually, Booker cannot be traded under any circumstances until January 10, 2026. The Suns have made it clear they are fully invested in retaining their four-time All-Star for the foreseeable future, effectively removing him as a feasible target for the Pistons.
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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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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 provided content appears to be website navigation elements and section headers for a sports news platform, specifically focused on football (soccer) and the Premier League. It lists common sections found on such a site: Top News, Podcasts, Connections: Sports Edition, Premier League (with sub-sections for Home, Teams, Scores & Schedule, Standings, Fantasy), The Athletic FC Newsletter, and Podcasts again. The most prominent piece of content highlighted is a specific feature or article titled "Palmer's Superstar Moment," suggesting a focus on a player named Palmer achieving a significant performance or recognition. Overall, the content outlines the structure of the platform and highlights a featured story about a player's notable achievement.
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Long-time Ole Miss basketball staffer Win Case departed the program in the off-season to become the associate head coach at Southern Miss under Jay Ladner. Case had been with Ole Miss since 2018, serving as the lead assistant under former head coach Kermit Davis and acting as interim head coach for the final five games of the 2023 season after Davis's dismissal. Under current head coach Chris Beard, Case held an off-court role as a special assistant. Beard praised Case's "great" work at Ole Miss, expressing happiness for his opportunity to return to full-time on-court coaching at Southern Miss while acknowledging Case's significant contributions to the program. Meanwhile, Louisville transfer guard Koren Johnson is currently recovering from a labrum injury that limited him to just two games last season. Four weeks into Ole Miss's summer program, Johnson is working separately with trainers, estimated at around 80% health by both himself and Coach Beard. Beard emphasized a cautious rehab approach, stating Johnson's return is a matter of "when," not "if," and noting Johnson's positive progress, including weight loss and strength gains. Johnson is expected to be cleared for full contact in August and fully healthy by the season opener in November. Beard expressed strong optimism about Johnson's potential fit and impact. He described Johnson as a competitive combo guard with a point-guard mentality, capable of driving and passing, understanding ball movement, and scoring. Beard highlighted Johnson's untapped competitive drive and potential to become a "great defensive player" who takes being scored on personally. He sees significant upside if Johnson can reach his best form within the team system, embracing values like discipline and unselfishness. Johnson stated he was drawn to Ole Miss by Beard's plan to utilize him similarly to former standout guard Sean Pedulla.
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The Boston Celtics (1-0) face the New York Knicks (0-1) in a Summer League game on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at 5:30 PM ET at Cox Pavilion. This is the second Summer League game for both teams. The Celtics won their first game against the Memphis Grizzlies 92-78 on Friday, while the Knicks lost their first game to the Detroit Pistons 104-86, also on Friday. The Celtics' Summer League roster includes 15 players: undrafted players, their three 2025 draft picks (Hugo Gonzalez - 28th pick, Amari Williams - 46th pick, Max Shulga - 57th pick), two-way players, and two players from last season's roster. Key returnees include third-year player Jordan Walsh and second-year player Baylor Scheierman. Miles Norris also returns after spending half of last season as a two-way player. Gonzalez is expected to be on the regular season roster, while Williams and Shulga are expected to sign two-way contracts. Charles Bassey emerged as a surprise standout in the Celtics' first game. The 2021 53rd pick, previously with Philadelphia and San Antonio, has overcome significant knee injuries (missed time in 2022 and tore his ACL in December 2023). Given the Celtics' frontcourt depth concerns, Bassey has an opportunity to earn a contract with the team. The Knicks' Summer League roster features Marjon Beauchamp, who has three years of NBA experience. Their 2024 first-round pick, Pacome Dadiet (25th pick), and second-round pick Ariel Hukporti (58th pick), a 7-foot center with potential to earn a backup role, are also highlighted. Anton Watson, originally drafted 54th by the Celtics in 2024 and signed to a two-way contract, was waived to sign Miles Norris and subsequently signed with the Knicks for Summer League. Matt Reynolds serves as the Celtics' Summer League head coach. Reynolds joined the Celtics as Video Coordinator in 2015 and has been an assistant coach since 2022. The Knicks' Summer League head coach is Jordan Brink, their Director of Player Personnel, known for holding the league's highest percentage rate of successful challenge calls. Possible starters for the Celtics are speculated to be the same as their first game: Max Shulga, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Amari Williams. For the Knicks, possible starters are Tyler Kolek, Kevin McCullar Jr., Marjon Beauchamp, Pacome Dadiet, and Ariel Hukporti, mirroring their opening game lineup. However, Summer League lineups can be unpredictable.
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The Phoenix Suns face an uncertain future following Kevin Durant's departure and the potential exit of Bradley Beal. While Devin Booker signed a historic two-year, $145 million extension keeping him with the team through 2029-30, the franchise's direction is unclear. Analyst Rob Perez (WorldWideWob) countered pessimism about the Suns being stuck in "basketball purgatory." He argued that Phoenix could undergo a rapid "reload" rather than a lengthy, painful rebuild. Perez cited examples like the Cleveland Cavaliers quickly recovering after LeBron James left and the Brooklyn Nets rebounding after trading for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Perez emphasized that committing such significant funds to Booker indicates the Suns won't embark on a traditional tanking rebuild, especially considering NBA rules discouraging player rest. He highlighted Booker's loyalty and resilience, noting the star guard has endured numerous coaches and difficult team situations throughout his tenure in Phoenix. Booker is seen as the emotional and structural anchor for the Suns in this post-superteam era, with the franchise's decision to build around him signaling a desire to remain competitive. However, not all share Perez's optimism, as concerns remain about the team's high payroll and limited draft assets, drawing increased scrutiny.
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The Chicago Sky defeated the Minnesota Lynx by six points at home on Saturday, setting up a quick rematch on Monday. Key performances came from Angel Reese (19 points, 11 rebounds), Ariel Atkins (27 points), and Kamilla Cardoso (17 points, 15 rebounds) to overcome Napheesa Collier and the Lynx. This marked only Minnesota's fourth loss of the season. Despite a slow start and ranking 12th out of 13 teams in net rating, the Sky have improved slightly, moving to a 7-13 overall record. Minnesota remains the top team in the standings but has suffered recent losses, including the Commissioner’s Cup Final against Indiana and Saturday's game. Oddsmakers favor the Lynx by 10.5 points for Monday's game as they seek revenge. Betting odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook) including spread, moneyline, and total are provided for the rematch. Napheesa Collier, the MVP favorite averaging 23.6 points per game on 52.0% shooting, has scored 21 and 26 points in two meetings against Chicago this season. The analyst favors Collier for another big game, citing Chicago's weak defense (11th in defensive rating, allowing the third-most points per game at 86.1). Although the Lynx outperform the Sky in most key metrics, Chicago has competed well against them this season. They lost the first meeting by only five points in Minnesota before winning on Saturday. Chicago also holds a strong 12-8 record against the spread, demonstrating an ability to cover large point spreads as underdogs.
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Kang LeeSeul played a pivotal role in South Korea's 78-76 victory over New Zealand during Day 2 of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025, marking her fifth appearance in the tournament. Before exiting late in the third quarter, she contributed 19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and six three-pointers, setting the tone for a hard-fought win that avenged Korea's narrow loss to New Zealand in 2023. This victory reignited Korea's hopes of returning to the top four and restored team pride. Kang expressed strong personal motivation for this game, driven by the 2023 defeat where New Zealand, for the first time in tournament history, prevented Korea from reaching the semi-finals. She reflected on the sting of that loss, stating, "They defeated us in the last tournament. Because of them, we fell outside of the top four teams," and emphasized her excitement about her new role as team captain, her first in her Asia Cup career since debuting in 2017. Reflecting on the 2023 shortcomings, Kang acknowledged, "In the last tournament, we did not really play well," and stressed the team's goal to achieve better results this year. Despite the lingering disappointment fueling their drive, she highlighted the need for consistent execution against all opponents, sharing, "Regardless of our opponents, we have to execute our plan and do what we practiced. We have to be confident throughout the tournament to reach the top four or higher." Kang's resilience, leadership, and clutch performance—including her shooting, defensive intensity, and composure under pressure—are crucial as Korea seeks redemption from the 2023 setback. Her ability to blend veteran experience with youthful energy anchors the squad, which now faces a competitive field including powerhouses like China, Japan, and Australia in their pursuit of renewed glory.
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In the first professional matchup between top draft picks Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, Clark and the Indiana Fever secured a decisive victory over Bueckers and the Dallas Wings, winning 102-83. Clark led the Fever with a strong all-around performance, contributing 14 points, 13 assists, and five steals. Teammates Kelsey Mitchell (20 points) and Natasha Howard (18 points, two steals) also delivered significant performances. Despite the loss, Paige Bueckers played well for the Wings, scoring 21 points along with four rebounds and four assists, continuing her standout Rookie of the Year campaign. However, her effort wasn't sufficient to counter the Fever, who improved their season record to 11-10. The loss dropped the Wings to a 6-16 record. The article notes that while this initial chapter in the anticipated Clark-Bueckers rivalry was somewhat one-sided, future matchups promise more excitement. It highlights the differing team contexts: the Fever spent the offseason building a contending roster around Clark, while the Wings are just starting their rebuild around Bueckers, a difference evident in Sunday's game. Despite the anticlimactic start, both players are recognized as young stars poised to lead the WNBA forward.
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The Los Angeles Lakers signed center Deandre Ayton on July 6th after he agreed to a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers. Ayton joined the Lakers on a two-year, $16.2 million contract, a significant discount compared to the $35.55 million he was scheduled to earn in the upcoming season. Prior to Ayton's availability, the Lakers were expected to sign two centers for a tag-team approach. One of the centers linked to them was veteran Brook Lopez, who played for the Milwaukee Bucks last season. However, Lopez, originally from the San Fernando Valley, signed with the Los Angeles Clippers instead. According to ESPN reporters, Lopez declined the Lakers (a team he played for in 2017-18) due to uncertainty surrounding LeBron James' future with the franchise. This uncertainty stems from LeBron James exercising his player option for the 2025-26 season on June 29th. On the same day, his agent, Rich Paul, issued a statement widely interpreted as opening the door for a potential trade request. Multiple reports suggest James and his camp have a strained relationship with the Lakers organization, with one claiming the team "would like to move on" from him. While James is likely to start the upcoming season with the Lakers, significant skepticism exists about whether he will remain with the team in the coming months.
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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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Bradley Beal is reportedly on his way out of the Phoenix Suns, and the team may have identified Koby Brea as a potential ideal replacement to develop alongside Devin Booker. While Brea is not the same caliber or type of player as Beal, the Suns are looking to rebuild around Booker and players like Brea might be a better fit. In his first two Summer League games, Brea showcased his exceptional three-point shooting. He hit 4 out of 5 threes in his debut and followed it up by making 4 of 6 attempts in the first half against the Atlanta Hawks. His comfort in seeking out his own shots off the ball was particularly notable, a skill the Suns need as they retool their roster. The Suns drafted Brea with the 41st pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and signed him to a two-way contract, making an immediate rotational role unlikely. However, his strong Summer League performance could accelerate efforts to upgrade his contract. Brea's off-ball movement and three-point shooting would have addressed a key weakness for last year's Suns, who struggled to generate consistent offense despite having Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. The redundancy of the "Big 3," all isolation-heavy scorers, limited the inclusion of other necessary skills like off-ball shooting. Brea's ability to create space for himself off the ball and hit threes is precisely what Phoenix needs now. This summer represents a chance for the Suns to revamp their roster after signing Booker to a record contract extension. While additions like Jalen Green (scoring), Dillon Brooks (defense), and centers Mark Williams, Khaman Maluach, and Nick Richards address other needs, the team still requires elite three-point shooting – Brea's standout skill. His rare shooting ability is evidenced by a 43.4% career three-point percentage over five college seasons, including 43.5% on high volume (5.9 attempts per game) in his final year at Kentucky. If Brea can hold up defensively, he projects as a perfect fit next to Booker. Although he is currently far from Beal's level as a player, his specific skill set aligns much better with the Suns' rebuilding goals around Booker.
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The Phoenix Suns have secured Devin Booker's long-term future amid significant offseason changes, including a new general manager/head coach and a roster likely without Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Booker signed a historic two-year, $145 million contract extension, ensuring his presence as the team shifts direction. ESPN insider Shams Charania reported that Booker is fully committed to the Suns' new approach, which emphasizes youth over veterans. Booker has been working out with new teammates like Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, and the entire team flew to Las Vegas to support him during his contract signing, highlighting strong camaraderie within the organization. Following trades for Brooks and Green from Houston, the Suns further bolstered their roster by drafting Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, and Koby Brea in the 2025 NBA Draft. In a statement after signing the extension, Booker expressed deep gratitude, calling Phoenix his home since being drafted a decade ago. He thanked owner Mat Ishbia, the organization, and fans, emphasizing pride in past accomplishments and hinting at more achievements to come.
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The Indiana Pacers, despite low expectations after their Eastern Conference Finals appearance, surprisingly reached the NBA Finals in the 2024-25 season, their first since 2000. However, they failed to win the championship, with Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles tear cited as a major factor. In a significant roster move, star center Myles Turner departed in free agency, signing a four-year, $107 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. Both Turner's decision to leave the Pacers and his choice of the Bucks as his destination were considered shocking within NBA circles. Speculation from an Eastern Conference scout and Clutch Points' Brett Siegel suggests potential internal friction within the Pacers organization might have contributed to Turner's departure. The decision not to retain Turner on a fair contract is viewed as potentially devastating for Indiana's future, especially with Haliburton confirmed to miss the entire upcoming 2025-26 regular season due to his Achilles rehab. With Haliburton sidelined, the Pacers are not expected to contend for another Finals appearance soon. The report concludes that while winning resolves issues, losing can create friction, making the Pacers a team to watch closely in the coming season.
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The article highlights NBA legends like Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan who spent their entire Hall of Fame careers with one team, winning championships, as a model of loyalty and success. This context sets the stage for Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker, who recently agreed to a historic two-year, $145 million max extension, the richest annual salary in NBA history, keeping him with the Suns through the 2029-30 season. Booker, now in his 10th season, has expressed his desire to finish his career in Phoenix, appreciating his bond with the city. However, for his loyalty to be truly meaningful, the article emphasizes that the Suns must position themselves to win their first championship – a feat Booker helped them nearly achieve once. The Suns are currently undergoing a significant transition. After missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2020, they have traded away star power like Kevin Durant (with Bradley Beal also expected to leave) and overhauled their roster. Their new strategy focuses on toughness, length, and athleticism. Acquisitions include Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks (via the Durant trade), Mark Williams, and draft picks Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, and Koby Brea. While seen as an "OK start," the effectiveness of this new roster under first-year coach Jordan Ott remains uncertain, especially with limited draft assets, leaving the team's immediate future unpredictable and requiring patience. Booker earned Suns fans' loyalty by staying through difficult early years marked by very low win totals. His development was evident when, under coach Monty Williams and alongside Chris Paul in the 2020-21 season, he led a young Suns team on a surprising run to the NBA Finals (losing to Milwaukee). The following season, they set a franchise record with 64 wins, and Booker finished fourth in MVP voting, solidifying his status as a top NBA talent at just 25 years old.
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Nike and NBA player Devin Booker are moving forward with the next chapter of his signature shoe line, as mockups for the Nike Book 2 have been revealed. This follows the successful conclusion of the "chapter one" represented by the Nike Book 1. The Nike Book 1 is described as having been very successful despite initial criticism. It thrived due to its elite traction, solid rear-foot cushioning, and lock-in stability, achieving a timeless classic feel. Performance data supports its success: the Book 1 ranked fourth overall in minutes worn by NBA players during the season, accumulating 40,749 minutes, and was the single most worn shoe during the NBA Conference Finals. The Nike Book 2 faces high expectations following the Book 1. The author anticipates a similar pattern of initial skepticism turning into favoritism once people try the shoe. Technologically, the Book 2 will feature a mesh upper, Cushlon 3.0 midsole, forefoot Zoom Air, a herringbone-inspired outsole, and a ZoomX sockliner. Based on personal experience with the Book 1, the author highlights its excellent grip, ankle support (no sprains experienced), and characteristic squeaking noise during movement. Early behind-the-scenes information suggested the Book 2 would be similar to the first edition but with slight tweaks. The article compares leaked images to illustrate design evolution. The initial leak of the Book 1 looked significantly different from the final released version, with notable changes like a much larger Swoosh logo extending towards the heel. Consequently, the author cautions against reading too much into leaks. The leaked image of the Book 2 shows a silhouette very similar to the *leaked* Book 1, described as a low-cut sneaker with an identically sized Swoosh. The Nike Book 2 is expected to be released in Spring 2026 with a retail price of $145.
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The San Antonio Spurs' offseason strategy centers on building around Victor Wembanyama while retaining veteran players who contributed to a 12-win improvement in 2024-25. This approach includes securing backcourt depth, with ESPN's Shams Charania reporting that point guard Jordan McLaughlin agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal to return to the team. McLaughlin, who split last season between the Spurs and Kings, will enter his seventh NBA campaign as a reserve guard. McLaughlin initially joined the Spurs in a February three-team trade with the Sacramento Kings and Chicago Bulls, which also brought star point guard De'Aaron Fox to San Antonio. Although he played sparingly as a third-string point guard last season, his veteran presence was valuable. Re-signing the 29-year-old ensures continuity in the backcourt, particularly with Chris Paul expected to depart in free agency, creating a succession plan where McLaughlin provides stability behind Fox and mentors young guards like Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. McLaughlin's role is projected to remain situational, with minutes fluctuating based on matchups and team health. In his 18 appearances with the Spurs last season, he averaged 2.5 points, 0.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.3 steals, and 0.5 three-pointers per game on 53.6% field goal, 45.0% three-point, and 100.0% free-throw shooting splits, while playing only 6.9 minutes per night. Despite this limited sample, his career averages—including 2.8 assists per game and 37.3% three-point shooting over six seasons—highlight his reliability as a facilitator and floor spacer, making him an ideal insurance policy for a team learning to close out games. The McLaughlin signing completes the Spurs' methodical roster moves. They began free agency by signing center Luke Kornet to a four-year, $40.7 million contract to bolster rim protection behind Wembanyama, followed by acquiring veteran stretch five Kelly Olynyk from the Washington Wizards. To create roster flexibility, the Spurs traded guards Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley, along with a 2026 second-round pick, facilitating McLaughlin's return while maintaining financial options. Currently, the Spurs have 13 players on standard NBA contracts and retain financial flexibility with a $3.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception and a $5.1 million biannual exception to fill their two remaining roster spots.
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The Oregon State women's basketball team will participate in the Island Division of the 2025 Paradise Jam tournament in the U.S. Virgin Islands during the Thanksgiving period. Their first game is against SEC opponent Vanderbilt on November 27 at 5 p.m. PT, broadcast on ESPN+. Their second game, on November 29 at 11:30 a.m. PT, will be against either Virginia Tech or BYU, depending on the result of a game between those two teams. The Oregon State men's basketball team was previously announced in May as also participating in the Paradise Jam event. This follows the women's team winning the West Coast Conference tournament title and making their 14th NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025. They return nine players and add six newcomers after finishing the 2024-2025 season with a 19-16 record. The team will join a newly reformed Pac-12 Conference in 2026. Oregon State's full 2025-2026 schedule is expected to be released at a later date.
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A'ja Wilson, a three-time MVP, has been ruled out for the Las Vegas Aces' game against the Washington Mystics on Thursday due to a right wrist injury sustained during Tuesday's game. Wilson underwent an MRI on Wednesday morning and was initially listed as questionable before being downgraded to out on Thursday morning. This season, Wilson had been averaging 21.9 points and nine rebounds per game before the injury. She previously missed three games due to concussion protocol, during which the Aces went 2-1. The Aces also lost Tuesday's game against the Liberty after Wilson exited early. The injury occurred six minutes into the second quarter when Wilson landed hard on her right arm and wrist after attempting a layup. She remained on the floor for several minutes surrounded by her team but managed to get up on her own. Wilson stayed in the game briefly for a few more possessions before heading to the locker room and was officially ruled out during halftime.
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The Miami Heat's withdrawal from trade discussions for Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal has created a significant opportunity for the Milwaukee Bucks. According to NBA insiders, exploratory talks between Miami and Phoenix collapsed, removing the Bucks' primary competitor for Beal's services. Multiple reports indicate the Suns are nearing a waiver-and-stretch buyout agreement with Beal, positioning Milwaukee to potentially acquire him as an ideal replacement for Damian Lillard. Despite recent performance declines, Beal averaged 17 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds this season and brings playoff experience that could fill Lillard's role without requiring major system changes. Beal's skills align well with Milwaukee's needs: his 38.6% three-point shooting complements Giannis Antetokounmpo's drives, while his secondary playmaking addresses the Bucks' point guard deficiency. His proven ability to coexist with ball-dominant stars like Devin Booker and Kevin Durant further enhances the fit. The timing favors Milwaukee, as Beal is two years younger than Lillard with fewer recent games missed. His finesse-based playing style projects better long-term durability for the aging Bucks core. Crucially, his playoff track record—22.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 49 career postseason games—offers the clutch production needed during Giannis' prime. Risks remain, including Beal's age (32) and poor percentile rankings in offensive (19th) and defensive (32nd) metrics this season. However, Milwaukee's history of championship-driven risks suggests they may pursue him, banking on their defensive structure maximizing his strengths.
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