1 former NBA All-Star is almost certain to be traded
One former NBA All-Star is seen as virtually certain to be traded this offseason.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant “couldn’t be more available” in trade talks, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Teams are reluctant to make a deal for Morant, however, due to the two remaining years on his contract.
“If Ja had one year left on his contract, I think he would have been traded months ago,” Windhorst said. “That is a reasonable risk. He is super motivated to have a big-time year. But he’s got two years on his contract. If you trade for him and it doesn’t work out, you’re left with an unpalatable amount of risk.
“I don’t know how it’s going to work out, but I just can’t see him playing for the Grizzlies again.”
Ja Morant is “flagrantly available” in trade talks, but his 2-year contract is making teams hesitant to take on the risk, per @WindhorstESPN
— NBA Base (@TheNBABase) June 25, 2026
"I just can't see him playing for the Grizzlies again."
(Via @UnSportsESPN) pic.twitter.com/yyN6nTXyFW
A Morant trade has been regularly rumored for months, even though nothing has actually happened yet. He has roughly $87 million left on his contract. As Windhorst noted, that is worth it if he can regain All-NBA status or something close to it, but it is an expensive flop if not.
Injuries limited Morant to 20 games last season and have been an ongoing issue for the guard. More concerningly, his numbers were down in 2024-25, as he averaged just 19.5 points per game even when he was healthy. He could certainly benefit from a change of scenery, though the risks are obvious.
One team seems to have emerged as the frontrunner for Morant, even though no deal has been done yet.
Dalton Rushing responds after showing up Shohei Ohtani
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing had a bit of a meltdown during Wednesday’s game after he showed up Shohei Ohtani.
Rushing was catching Ohtani Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn., but things went awry in the second inning. The two got crossed up on a pitch which led to a run, and later in the inning, Ohtani challenged a pitch that was called a ball. Rushing visibly reacted to the challenge and shook his head in disapproval, but Ohtani turned out to be right.
Shohei's had enough of these non-challenges from Rushing. pic.twitter.com/K1uFNycp7t
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 25, 2026
After the inning, manager Dave Roberts, first baseman Freddie Freeman, and team mental skills coach Brent Walker could all be seen sitting with Rushing in the dugout. The catcher was definitely being hard on himself and even slapped himself in the head a few times.
Dalton Rushing is not pleased with himself pic.twitter.com/nidYX2jhZm
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 25, 2026
“I didn’t do a great job start to finish. It was pretty embarrassing. Thankfully he’s as good as he is and he can take control of a game,” Rushing told reporters after the game. “They always have my back. It’s embarrassing that I need support like that. I’m a grown man.”
On top of his obvious issues with Ohtani, Rushing went 0-for-4 at the plate with three strikeouts. The 25-year-old has been pressed into regular catching duty since Will Smith went on the IL, but is just 2 for his last 20 at the plate.
This is not the first time Rushing’s grasp of the strike zone has shown itself to be lacking. He has also caused controversy this season through some of the things he has said and done to opposing players. Now that he crossed a line with his own teammates, one has to wonder if he will get the message and tone things down moving forward.
Austin Reaves’ girlfriend captures the moment he learned about his historic contract
Austin Reaves just hit a hole-in-one in life.
Reaves will continue his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers for years to come after securing a massive contract extension with the Western Conference franchise on Wednesday.
Apparently, Reaves learned that the deal had been agreed to while he was out on the golf course. His girlfriend, Jenna Barber, snapped a photo of him lying on the grass, seemingly in disbelief over the contract his agents pulled off.
Here is the photo from one of the best days of Reaves’ life.
This photo was taken by his girlfriend, capturing Reaves’ reaction on the golf course Wednesday. “That's the picture of a dude that gets more opportunities to win a chip in L.A.,” the source close to Reaves told ESPN. https://t.co/IrWbxlXwX0
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 24, 2026
Reaves reportedly landed a 4-year, $185 million deal to stay with the Lakers. It is the largest contract ever awarded to an undrafted player. To pave the way for the deal, Reaves declined his $14.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season and is now set to continue building his legacy with the Lakers.
The former Oklahoma Sooners star did not hear his name called during the 2021 NBA Draft before signing a two-way contract with the Lakers.
From there, Reaves capitalized on every opportunity that came his way. Over the last two seasons, he averaged 21.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists, while shooting 37% from 3-point distance and emerging as one of the Lakers’ primary scoring options behind LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
LaMelo Ball stunningly traded to Western Conference team
LaMelo Ball is headed to the Western Conference.
The Charlotte Hornets pulled the trigger on a trade Thursday, sending the talented point guard to the Minnesota Timberwolves, via Shams Charania of ESPN.
Ball and Josh Green are both going to Minnesota in exchange for big man Naz Reid, a protected first-pick in 2033, three first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030, plus three second-round picks in 2029, 2032 and 2033.
BREAKING: The Charlotte Hornets are trading star guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033), sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/lkhXBWHCrA
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2026
Charania provided some sort of a trailer for this blockbuster trade just after the conclusion of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, when he reported that the Hornets are engaged in trade talks centered on Ball. It did not take long before the actual trade happened, with Ball about to start a new chapter in his NBA career.
With the Timberwolves, Ball will be running a formidable partnership with four-time NBA All-Star Anthony Edwards. This trade also puts the No. 1 and No. 3 picks in the 2020 NBA Draft not just on the same team but on the same backcourt. With Ball, the Timberwolves finally get a real solution at point guard. Green, meanwhile, is throwaway in the transaction, given his expiring contract.
In six seasons with the Hornets, Ball averaged 20.8 points, 7.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds through 303 games (208 starts).
Kahleah Copper appears to get back at Sophie Cunningham with a pointed gesture
Kahleah Copper knew exactly what to do after the Phoenix Mercury defeated Sophie Cunningham and the Indiana Fever on Wednesday.
Two days after losing to the Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., the Mercury returned to the same venue and edged Indiana, 111-109.
There was some drama going into that contest, as Caitlin Clark was called for a technical foul in the previous meeting on Monday after a heated exchange with Mercury veteran DeWanna Bonner. Sophie Cunningham also got into it with Bonner, comically pointing her finger at her former Fever teammate while Bonner, in contrast, appeared visibly enraged.
Here is a look at that moment.
Sophie Cunningham and DeWanna Bonner get into it next!pic.twitter.com/Ku8LNurCwr
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) June 23, 2026
After Wednesday’s game, Copper seemingly tried to pull off the same move in sarcastic fashion when she saw a camera while making her way to the locker room.
Kahleah Copper after tonight's win vs. the Fever
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) June 25, 2026
(via @PhoenixMercury) pic.twitter.com/6x3PlY0EVo
Whatever Copper meant with that gesture, it was what she did on the court that hurt Cunnigham and the Fever the most. The 31-year-old guard dropped 28 points, going 6/10 from the floor, while benefiting from her several trips to the free throw line, where she went 15/16.
Meanwhile, Cunningham did not have a great night, scoring only 5 points and committing 3 turnovers.
Copper may have the last laugh here, but the two teams will meet anew in just a couple of weeks on July 10 at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., giving Cunningham and the Fever a chance to take the bragging rights back.
Video: Caitlin Clark takes a painful shot to the throat during a wild sequence
It was another rough day in the office for Caitlin Clark.
During Wednesday’s game between the Indiana Fever and the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., Caitlin Clark appeared to take a shot to the throat from Mercury star Alyssa Thomas.
It happened with 6:52 left in the second quarter, as Clark went to the ground while trying to get close to the basket. Thomas and teammate DeWanna Bonner ended up on top of the former Iowa Hawkeyes star, with Thomas’ arm appearing to make contact with Clark’s neck. Thomas even stepped over the Fever guard.
Surprisingly, no foul was called, and play continued.
Here is a look at that sequence.
Alyssa Thomas with the punch to Caitlin Clark’s throat
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) June 25, 2026
No foul on the play pic.twitter.com/aX7p5CtiGO
This latest incident further fuels the notion that Clark has a big target on her back around the WNBA. Frustration is also growing within the Fever over the treatment Clark is receiving from officials, who did not call a foul on Thomas for the play.
It even got worse for Clark later in the contest, as she exited the game in the second half after a dangerous closeout from Phoenix defender Valeriane Ayayi after a 3-point attempt. Ayayi was called for a foul, but it was not upgraded to a flagrant one.
Clark managed to come up with a solid production despite the game’s physicality, scoring 19 points on 5/9 shooting from the floor and 6/6 from the foul line, but she was unable to help her team down the stretch. Phoenix took the win, 111-109, to even the regular-season series at 1-1.
Todd Monken sent a warning to Lamar Jackson after Browns hire
Lamar Jackson and Todd Monken used to go to war together with the Baltimore Ravens. That will no longer be the case, beginning in the 2026 NFL season, with Monken accepting a job to become the head coach of the Ravens’ AFC North rivals Cleveland Browns.
With Monken staying in the division, he is guaranteed to face his former team at least twice each season going forward, and that involves finding ways to slow down the ultra-talented Jackson, who received a friendly warning from the former Baltimore offensive coordinator.
After he was hired by the Browns, Monken said Jackson congratulated him via text. Monken appreciates the gesture, but he also knows it is now a different world for both of them.
“Then I said, ‘go f— yourself,’” Monken said of his reply to the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, via Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun. “We are going to blitz you every third down. He laughed.”
Following a stint with the Georgia Bulldogs’ coaching staff, Monken returned to the NFL in 2023 to become the Ravens’ offensive coordinator. Under Monken, Jackson won his second MVP. Now, the 60-year-old Browns head coach will look to give Cleveland a spark — but without the luxury of having a quarterback of Jackson’s caliber.
Monken and his Browns are scheduled to take on the Ravens in Week 6 of the 2026 season at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Then in Week 16, the Ravens will host Cleveland at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md.
Lions’ Terrion Arnold facing a possible life sentence after arrest for armed robbery
Terrion Arnold is facing the possibility of life in prison after officially being implicated this week on some troubling charges.
The Detroit Lions cornerback Arnold was arrested on Wednesday night on four charges of kidnapping and four charges of armed robbery, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said in a statement that the charges for Arnold carry a potential sentence of up to life in prison.
Birkett adds that Arnold’s arrest comes hours after two defendants in the case agreed to plea deals in court. Arnold is said to have surrendered voluntarily on Wednesday and remained at Orient Road Jail in Tampa, Fla. as of the time of publication.
You can read Birkett’s full report on the situation here.
“There is no credible evidence linking Mr. Arnold to these allegations,” Arnold’s representation Denise White, the CEO of EAG Sports Management, said in a statement. “Instead, the government appears to be relying on testimony from multiple convicted felons who have admitted their own involvement and may have substantial incentives to shift blame in an effort to lessen their sentences. Mr. Arnold looks forward to his day in court and is confident that the judicial process will lead to his ultimate vindication.”
We first learned back in February that Arnold had been linked to an armed robbery and kidnapping in Florida that allegedly served as retaliation for a pair of earlier robberies that had occurred at Arnold’s rental home. A court order claimed that Arnold and a group of friends planned out the robbery in an effort to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of stolen goods that purportedly been stolen from an Airbnb that Arnold was renting (full details here).
The 23-year-old Arnold was Detroit’s first-round draft pick in 2024 (No. 24 overall). A product of the University of Alabam, Arnold appeared in just eight total games last season due to a shoulder injury, finishing with 31 combined tackles, eight passes defended, and one interception.
Mets fans bust out a harsh chant during the team’s awful 6-error game
New York Mets fans are really going through it right now.
The Mets’ downward slide continued on Wednesday with back-to-back losses in a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs. Combined with a loss to the Cubs the night before as well, the three-game series sweep dropped the Mets to a brutal 34-46 on the season.
During the second leg of the doubleheader at Citi Field in Queens, N.Y., Mets fans decided to cope by serenading their team with a harsh chant. With the Mets already facing all but certain defeat in the ninth inning, the crowd busted out into a loud refrain of “Pete Alonso!”
Here is the video.
The Mets are falling to 12 games under .500 in late June and the crowd is chanting “PETE ALONSO” pic.twitter.com/AJOwj8iibU
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 25, 2026
Wednesday’s second loss for the Mets (by a final score of 10-5) proved to be one of their very worst performances of the season. The Mets made six total errors over the course of the game, many of which were on routine plays.
The Mets have committed SIX errors tonight… pic.twitter.com/arGejpQIQD
— Mets'd Up Podcast (@MetsdUp) June 25, 2026
As for Alonso, the five-time All-Star, he was a Met from 2019-25 before leaving in free agency this past offseason to sign with the Baltimore Orioles. While the 38-44 O’s are not too much better themselves this year, Alonso is probably feeling vindicated that he did not stick around for one of the most pitiful Mets seasons in quite some time.
LaMelo Ball is being linked to 2 teams amid bombshell trade news
LaMelo Ball may stunningly be in his final hours as a member of the Charlotte Hornets.
The Hornets are now engaged in trade talks on their star point guard Ball, Shams Charania of ESPN reported on Wednesday. Charania adds that multiple teams are strongly pursuing Ball and that Ball could potentially end up being traded within “the next 24-to-48 hours.”
In the wake of the news, veteran NBA writer Marc Stein reported that two teams in particular have trade interest in Ball. Those two teams are the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Toronto Raptors.
Ball, still only 24, just completed his sixth season as a member of the Hornets. While his numbers did take a hit in 2025-26 (20.1 points and 7.1 assists per game), the oft-injured Ball managed to play in a fairly impressive 72 games and also helped lead Charlotte to a play-in tournament berth for the first time since 2022.
That said, we have been hearing for close to a year now that the Hornets might be considering moving on from Ball. An unflattering report emerged last fall about Ball’s allegedly poor work ethic, and another one surfaced months later claming that Ball was having issues with Charlotte head coach Charles Lee.
The Timberwolves’ dire need for a point guard has been well-documented, and Ball (a fellow 2020 draftee just like Minnesota star Anthony Edwards) might be the best trade option left with Kyrie Irving and Ja Morant already having been crossed off their list. The Raptors may also be looking for an upgrade at PG to Immanuel Quickley, so it looks like the engines are getting revved up for the former All-Star Ball (who is still owed roughly $43.5 million per year through 2029).
Report: Lakers are very open to 1 LeBron James sign-and-trade scenario
The Los Angeles Lakers may have found a viable LeBron James exit strategy.
The Lakers are “very open” to the possibility of one sign-and-trade scenario that would involve sending James to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported Wednesday during a radio appearance. Windhorst says that the Lakers are eyeing the possibility of acquiring Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen in such a move, even adding that the Lakers would “kill” to get Allen.
James, 41, is an unrestricted free agent this NBA offseason. While that makes him free to sign with any team that he chooses, James would greatly benefit from a sign-and-trade since it could get him the most amount of money from a team that otherwise might not have the financial flexibility to give him a large contract outright.
The Cavaliers, James’ beloved former team, certainly fit that billing as a team that already has the NBA’s highest overall payroll on their books for 2026-27 (an estimated at $218.1 million). The Lakers obviously have a major incentive for such an arrangement too since they would be getting a quality piece back in exchange for James leaving (as opposed to just losing him for nothing).
Allen, the 28-year-old former All-Star, is indeed that quality piece as well. As a fearsome shot-blocker who is also known for his athleticism and pristine touch around the rim, Allen would be an ideal pick-and-roll fit alongside Lakers superstar Luka Doncic.
Cleveland lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the New York Knicks this past season and may need to do something far more dramatic than simply running it back in order to realistically compete for an NBA title. The possibility of a third stint by James with the Cavaliers has been rumored for several months now, and it may all depend on whether or not Cleveland actually wants him back at this point.
Isaiah Stewart gets traded by the Pistons to a Western Conference team
The Beef Stew era in Detroit is officially over.
The Detroit Pistons have traded controversial big man Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies, Shams Charania of ESPN reported on Wednesday. Charania adds that the Pistons will be getting three second-round picks back from the Grizzlies in exchange for Stewart.
Originally a Detroit first-round pick in 2020 (No. 16 overall), Stewart slowly made a name for himself with his physicality and his rambunctiousness on the court. Stewart, 25, became widely known as perhaps the single most confrontational player in the NBA and did everything from trying to fight LeBron James to getting arrested for punching an opponent in the arena tunnels before a game.
This past season for the No. 1 seed Pistons, Stewart played a meaningful role off the bench, averaging 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in only 22.7 minutes per game. But Stewart’s tendencies still managed to get the best of him at times, most notably when he was suspended for punching an opponent from a headlock position during a wild February melee.
Undersized for a big man at 6-foot-8, Stewart is making $15 million next season and has a $15 million team option for 2027-28 as well. Thus, this looks like a pure salary dump move by the Pistons and could also signal a strong commitment to bringing back restricted free agent center Jalen Duren later this summer.
As for the Grizzlies, they are looking for a new identity down low, especially after trading away former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. a few months ago. While he may be a little bit rough around the edges, Stewart will now be getting a chance to bring Memphis back to their “Grit N Grind” culture of old.
Update emerges on Rafael Devers’ future amid drama with the Giants
Rafael Devers appears to have fully worn out his welcome with a second MLB team.
The San Francisco Giants would like to trade away the three-time All-Star infielder Devers ahead of the Aug. 3 deadline, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported Wednesday during an appearance on “SportsCenter.” Passan adds though that the Giants will be out of luck because there are “no takers at this point” for Devers.
San Francisco originally acquired the lefty-hitting Devers, 29, in a trade with the Boston Red Sox just over a year ago. But Devers has proven to be an abject nightmare for the Giants ever since then.
Despite making $27 million this season, Devers is batting .238 with an underwhelming .732 OPS. While he does have 11 home runs and 37 RBIs through 78 games, that is far from the value that the Giants envisioned getting when they first traded for Devers.
To make matters worse, Devers is also causing some internal drama right now for San Francisco. Over the weekend, Devers sparked a major headache when the team attempted to pinch-run for him in the ninth inning of a close game. Devers then compounded the mistake days later by lashing out at the media upon being asked about the incident.
The bad news for the Giants is that they are now 32-46 on the season, which is tied for the second-worst in Major League Baseball. The even worse news is that Devers is still signed for the next seven seasons (through 2033) and will be making $28.5 million a year over that span. Between his poor production, his diva behavior, and his bloated long-term contract, Devers has become the albatross that the Giants likely won’t be able to get rid of (no matter how hard they try).
Report: 1 All-Star trade target would block a move to the Yankees
One All-Star pitcher apparently does not want a second tour of duty in The Bronx.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray is a hot trade candidate ahead of the Aug. 3 MLB deadline. However, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported on Wednesday that there is one particular team that Gray will not be going to — the New York Yankees.
Heyman says that Gray, who has a full no-trade clause in his contract, would block any potential move to the Yankees. The righty pitcher “did not have a great experience in New York,” Heyman adds.
Gray, 36, pitched for the Yankees for two seasons from 2017-18. Those marked two of the worst seasons of his big-league career as Gray went 15-16 with a 4.51 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP in New York. Gray also spoke out late last year on how he never wanted to be a Yankee (having initially arrived in a trade from the then-Oakland Athletics).
A three-time career All-Star selection otherwise, Gray is now enjoying a standout season with the rival Red Sox. He has gone 9-1 with a 2.95 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP with 66 strikeouts over 14 total starts. On top of that, Gray is under contract for next season as well under a mutual option.
The Red Sox as a whole continue to toil though, and they are the worst team in their division this season at 32-46. If the team does decide to cash out on Gray at the trade deadline, he will not be going to the Yankees and may instead end up on this other club that pursued him in the past.
J.B. Bickerstaff rips Trail Blazers over controversial coaching decision
The Portland Trail Blazers ended their head coaching search on Tuesday when they hired Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori.
However, the Blazers’ decision isn’t going over well, and not because Nori isn’t a good candidate. Rather, Portland gave Nori a one-year deal with options for the second and third seasons. After the news surfaced, Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who is also the National Basketball Coaches Association president, called it a “slap in the face.”
“Coaching salaries have been increasing because the league understands and owners understand the value of quality coaching,” Bickerstaff said, via Tim MacMahon of ESPN. “So for a new guy to come in who doesn’t have that understanding and to go out and chop at the knees of coaches is a slap in the face to our value.”
Bickerstaff also said it is “extremely disappointing,” while adding that “it’s like someone’s taking advantage of your dream and devaluing what we feel like coaches have earned over the years.”
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch had a different thought from Bickerstaff, and he was excited for Nori to get an opportunity.
“There’s 30 of these jobs. They’re hard to get. They’re incredibly rewarding in a lot of different ways. I know he wasn’t focused on certainly money, but he was first focused on opportunity,” Finch said, via Tim MacMahon.
New Trail Blazers owner, Tom Dundon, has also caught heat for some cost-cutting moves, including mass layoffs recently. Now, they are giving Nori a one-year deal in an odd move.
The Los Angeles Angels gave new manager Kurt Suzuki a one-year deal prior to the season, although owner Arte Moreno insisted on doing so due to a potential work stoppage in 2027.
Nonetheless, Nori gets a chance to be a head coach, but it could be a short stint in Oregon if things don’t go well.
Brandon Aiyuk pumps up Commanders rumors with new video
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is not hiding his feelings about the Washington Commanders.
The Commanders have been linked to Aiyuk for some time, and he played at Arizona State with quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Over the weekend, Aiyuk posted a video on Instagram, saying, “Go Commanders! GO Commanders! Go Commanders!” On Wednesday, Aiyuk pumped up the rumors again with another video. This one showed the Commanders logo on a football with a caption that read, “The best team in the world.”
The latest IG video from Brandon Aiyuk shows him holding a football with a #Commanders logo on it.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 24, 2026
The caption at the bottom includes: “The best team in the world.”
Reminder: Aiyuk is still on the #49ers. https://t.co/xW2dKK6598 pic.twitter.com/EqduuObN64
Aiyuk’s situation has been never-ending. He hasn’t played since halfway through the 2024 season. In June, an arrest warrant was issued for a misdemeanor charge due to “exhibition of speed” with the WR.
Now, he once again publicly expresses what appears to be a desire to play with the Commanders. Earlier in June, Aiyuk posted a photo on his Instagram account wearing a Commanders hat, so he has left no secrets whatsoever about where he wants to end up.
Right now, Aiyuk’s future in the NFL is unclear, and only time will tell where he ends up.
Underrated tight end cashes in on $48 million contract
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts inked a new contract extension on Tuesday. Now, Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange is cashing in with a new deal.
On Wednesday, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that the Jaguars and Strange agreed to a three-year contract extension worth up to $48 million, and $25 million is guaranteed for the underrated tight end.
The #Jaguars and standout TE Brenton Strange have agreed to terms on a three-year extension worth up to $48 million, with $25 million guaranteed, per his agents Jim Ivler, JR Roggio, and Jon Perzley of @SPORTSTARSNYC. pic.twitter.com/SdU0ud7KR1
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 24, 2026
The Jaguars selected Strange in the second round at No. 61 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Penn State.
As a rookie, Strange had just five receptions in 14 games, and he had 40 catches in 17 regular-season games in his second season.
This past season, Strange became a more popular target as he had 46 receptions for 540 yards and 3 touchdowns, all of which were career-highs.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Strange’s impact goes “well beyond the box score,” which helped the Jaguars feel comfortable about paying him big money.
I’ve spoken to people with the #Jaguars about Brenton Strange’s impact, and I’ve heard plenty about how much they missed him in the offense during the 5 games he was out last year, 3 of which they lost.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 24, 2026
Still just 25 years old, his impact on the offense goes well beyond the box… https://t.co/wZEywgJOjz
That was also evident in Week 1 of the 2025 season as Strange had a massive block against the Carolina Panthers.
Pitts’ extension with the Falcons was for three years and $54 million. Strange is now the fourth-highest-paid tight end by average annual value in the NFL, with George Kittle, Trey McBride and Pitts holding the top three spots.
Christian Pulisic gives injury update ahead of USA’s match vs. Turkiye
Team USA has gotten off to a 2-0 start in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And, the Americans defeated Australia in the second match, even without star Christian Pulisic.
Pulisic has been dealing with a lingering calf issue. He subbed out early in the first game against Paraguay before missing the Australia showdown.
On Wednesday, Pulisic dropped a positive update, saying he feels good and he should be out there on Thursday to face Turkiye at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif.
Christian Pulisic on his availability for selection vs Türkiye on Thursday 🇺🇸@JennyTaft spoke with @pulisic a day out from the final @USMNT group stage match pic.twitter.com/l7E6kaWQl6
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 24, 2026
Pulisic added, “Hopefully I’ll be able to play a part tomorrow,” but he did say it isn’t realistic to play all 90 minutes of the game.
Team USA has gotten off to a dominant 2-0 start with a 4-0 win over Paraguay and a 2-0 win over Australia as the Americans punched their ticket early to the Round of 32.
The start by Team USA has everybody buzzing, especially with them being the host nation. Even soccer legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hopped on the bandwagon, saying he believes Team USA can make a run for the title.
Team USA finishes Group D play against Turkiye on Thursday before the first Knockout stage match on Wednesday, July 1, although the opponent has not yet been determined.
Brian Kelly lands new job ahead of college football season
College football head coach Brian Kelly has reportedly landed a new job not even a year after being fired by the LSU Tigers.
However, Kelly’s new job isn’t as a coach, but instead, as a television analyst for the college football season.
According to Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports, Kelly will call games on CBS for the Mountain West Conference.
“CBS Sports has one Big Ten football game a week, as well as Mountain West rights. This season, Charles Davis is replacing Gary Danielson alongside Brad Nessler on Big Ten games at the network. Kelly is expected to be part of a three-man booth on Mountain West games on the broadcast network, one source said,” Glasspiegel wrote.
LSU fired Kelly in October after a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M in Baton Rouge. Kelly had a whopping $53 million buyout.
However, Kelly filed a lawsuit as LSU was trying to find a way to fire him for cause in an effort to erase some of the buyout money.
Since then, LSU hired Lane Kiffin as the new head coach and brought back Ed Orgeron in an assistant role, but Kelly has been left without a head coaching job at this moment.
Kelly has 22 years of head coaching experience with stops at Central Michigan, Cincinnati, and Notre Dame before going to LSU. Kelly has a combined 200-76 record, and he should at least bring a lot of insight into the television booth.
Pistons linked to another guard after Austin Reaves’ $185 million deal with Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers decided not to take any chances with Austin Reaves ahead of free agency. On Wednesday, Reaves and LA agreed to a four-year, $185 million deal. The Detroit Pistons were reportedly “maneuvering to make a real run” at signing Reaves, but the Lakers beat them to the punch.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, despite the Pistons’ pursuit of Reaves, Detroit is now shifting its focus elsewhere and attempting to land Tyler Herro.
Herro, the former Miami Heat sharpshooter, was part of the blockbuster trade that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Heat.
With Reaves now sure to stay in LA, as was long believed to be his clear preference, league sources say Detroit continues to express trade interest in Milwaukee's soon-to-be acquired Tyler Herro.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 24, 2026
The Bucks are expected to listen to offers but could also elect to keep Herro. https://t.co/KQ5oMhIe9M
The Pistons were linked to Herro before, although it was in the form of a potential three-team deal involving Antetokounmpo.
On Tuesday, however, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said that the plan “right now” is for the Bucks to keep Herro, although things can certainly change if Milwaukee is presented with a strong offer from another team such as Detroit.
Herro was born in Milwaukee, so the chance to play for his hometown team might be enticing. Still, the Pistons are set to make an attempt to change the Bucks’ minds and try to bring Herro to Detroit, especially with Reaves off the board.
