Notable update emerges on Rob Pelinka amid Lakers drama
Rob Pelinka is apparently smiling through the metaphorical fire going on around him right now.
The Los Angeles Lakers GM Pelinka is “excited” about the team’s incoming new ownership and thinks that the change is a “good thing,” Pete Zayas of The Athletic reported this week on an episode of the “Lakers Collective” podcast. Zayas does add though that Pelinka’s position may be “less safe” than it previously was.
This news comes with the Lakers undergoing a major up top right now. Majority owner Mark Walter just agreed in principle last week to sell a controlling stake in the team to an ownership group led by Bob Iger and Josh Kushner.
But then the subsequent bombshell news broke earlier this week that the Buss family (who had originally sold the controlling stake to Walter in 2025) had decided by a 5-1 vote to sell their remaining 17.8 percent minority stake in the team. Jeanie Buss, who is still currently the governor of the Lakers, did not agree to sell and is apparently ready to fight her siblings in court.
As for Pelinka, 56, he has been the GM of the Lakers since 2017. He was a Jeanie Buss hire through and through, currying favor with her as the former agent for the late Lakers icon Kobe Bryant.
Pelinka, who was also later given the additional title of Lakers president of basketball operations, helped lead the team to the 2020 NBA championship and later orchestrated the franchise-altering trade acquisition of Luka Doncic in 2025. But previous reports had already suggested that Pelinka was on thin ice in L.A., which could now easily be the case once again if Iger and Kushner decide that they want to make their own GM hire.
Bad news emerges for Angel Reese’s brother Julian
Julian Reese is finding himself as collateral damage this week.
The Washington Wizards power forward Reese was traded away by the team on Wednesday. Reese was sent to the Denver Nuggets as part of a multi-team sign-and-trade deal headlined by Peyton Watson going to the Cleveland Cavaliers (read the full details here).
But Reese will not ultimately end up with the Nuggets. Shams Charania of ESPN reports that Denver is expected to waive Reese off his two-way deal.
The 23-year-old Reese, younger brother of WNBA star Angel Reese, went undrafted in 2025 but eventually landed a two-way contract with Washington last season. He put up some respectable numbers in a semi-extended run for the tanking Wizards, averaging 11.8 points and 10.5 rebounds over 30.9 minutes per game.
But Reese, a University of Maryland product, also displayed some moments of immaturity during his time in the nation’s capital. Most notably, Reese got a flagrant foul during a game in April after elbowing an opponent in the face (see the video here).
Now Reese will have to start all over again after being traded by the Wizards and being (presumably) waived by the Nuggets as well. Undersized for a big man at 6-foot-9 and also lacking a three-point shot and overall offensive polish, Reese may to have rely on his motor and his athleticism as selling points for a potential new team.
Peyton Watson lands with a surprise team in free agency
The Peyton Watson saga is officially over.
The restricted free agent forward Watson is headed to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Shams Charania of ESPN reported on Wednesday. Watson is making the move as part of a sign-and-trade with the Denver Nuggets (his previous team), the LA Clippers, and the Washington Wizards.
As part of the deal, Watson is also agreeing to a new four-year, $88 million contract with the Cavaliers (which also comes with a player option in the fourth year and a trade kicker). Here are the full terms of the deal, per Charania.
-Cavaliers: Receive Watson, Cam Whitmore
-Nuggets: Receive unprotected 2031 first-round draft pick (from Cleveland), 2032 second-round draft pick (via Sacramento), Julian Reese
-Clippers: Receive Max Strus
-Wizards: Receive Tre Mann, 2027 second-round draft pick (from Clippers), cash
Watson, 23, was an NBA champion with the Nuggets in 2023 and came into the league with a pro-ready defensive skillset at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan. But Watson then managed to post his best career season offensively as well, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in 2025-26.
Denver had offered Watson a modest contract to return (especially after Watson reportedly pulled a weak move on them last postseason). But Watson held out for longer and was ultimately able to get more money from Cleveland.
As such, Watson (who was originally expected to land with a different team instead) comes out as a big winner as do the Cavaliers, who suddenly get a talented young two-way wing and can now focus on re-signing former MVP James Harden as well. Meanwhile, the Nuggets come away as losers in this deal as they are now officially without one of their most important rotation forwards from last year (though they did manage to avoid losing Watson for nothing).
DeMar DeRozan’s contract demands have been revealed
DeMar DeRozan is hoping to play for a little bit more than the veteran’s minimum next season.
The six-time NBA All-Star forward DeRozan wants exception money from a new team, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald reported on Wednesday. Jackson notes that DeRozan has drawn interest from the Miami Heat but adds that the Heat would like to save their exception money.
When it comes to DeRozan’s status, that would mean that he is holding out for the midlevel exception, the biannual exception, or the room exception. The non-taxpayer’s midlevel (for teams below the first apron of the luxury tax) is worth roughly $15 million for next season, and the taxpayer’s midlevel (for teams in between the first and second aprons) is worth about $6 million. Teams in the second apron have no access to any of these exceptions.
The biannual exception (worth roughly $5.5 million for next season) is also available for only teams over the salary cap but under the first apron. Meanwhile, the room exception is available exclusively for teams operating below the salary cap and is worth an estimated $9.4 million for next season.
As for DeRozan, now 37 years old, his veteran’s minimum for next season would be worth about $3.9 million. But because DeRozan is holding out for than that, it could explain why he is still unsigned in free agency (combined with his mileage, his lack of three-point shooting, and his ball-dominant style of play).
The Heat, who are currently perched in the first apron of the luxury tax, only have access to the taxpayer’s midlevel exception. As such, this fellow veteran All-Star looks like a more realistic option for them instead while DeRozan could ultimately try to find a team under the first apron in order to max out his potential payday for 2026-27.
Hakeem Olajuwon’s son includes Texas Tech, Kansas State as finalists
12-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Fame inductee Hakeem Olajuwon is one of the most decorated players in the history of the game, and now his son is trying to follow in his footsteps.
Malik Olajuwon is a four-star recruit in the Class of 2027, and he revealed his six finalists, according to Joe Tipton of On3.
- SMU
- Texas Tech
- Kansas State
- Virginia Tech
- Minnesota
- TCU
Malik is originally from Texas, but he is currently playing in Florida for IMG Academy.
His brother, Aziz, is a four-star from the Class of 2026 who signed with Stanford. So, if Malik goes to SMU, it could be an Olajuwon battle with both sons at ACC schools.
Malik, unlike his dad, is a shooting guard and is listed at 6-foot-4, and he turned 18 years old in June as he is set to begin his final high school season.
Malik Olajuwon also had offers from big-name programs including Wake Forest, Auburn and UNLV before narrowing his list down to six schools.
Malik has official visits scheduled for Texas Tech on September 18, SMU on September 25, Minnesota on October 8, Kansas State on October 16, and Virginia Tech on October 23, so a decision is likely to come some time after all of those visits come to an end.
Malik will begin his final season at IMG Academy sometime in November.
Art Briles reveals what changed his mind about taking the Texas job
Art Briles spent 13 seasons as a college football head coach and put together a respectable 9-65 record during his time at Houston and Baylor.
As it turns out, Briles admitted he almost took the Texas Longhorns job after the 2013 season, but he revealed what made him change his mind.
“I mean I was there,” Briles said, via Brett McMurphy of On3. “If we’d won our bowl game, I would have left Baylor 100%. It was done for me because I’m a (state of) Texas guy and (my son) Kendal played there. So it made sense.”
That 2014 Fiesta Bowl is a memorable one where No. 15 UCF stunned No. 6 Baylor, 52-42. Blake Bortles threw three touchdowns and ran for another for UCF, and Bryce Petty had 356 yards with five total touchdowns for Baylor.
Just a few days after the Fiesta Bowl, Texas decided to name Charlie Strong as the head coach, so the timeline fits with what Art Briles said.
However, as Briles said, that loss made him change his mind, and he stayed another two seasons at Baylor, going 11-2 and 10-3 before being fired in May 2016.
Briles has bounced around since, spending a season in Italy with Guelfi Firenze, then two seasons at Mount Vernon High School in Texas and currently serving as a head coach at Eastern New Mexico University, a Division II program.
Wings announce tough Azzi Fudd injury blow in rookie season
The Dallas Wings selected Azzi Fudd at No. 1 overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft, pairing her with former UConn Huskies teammate Paige Bueckers.
Through 30 games, Fudd is averaging 13.1 points per game, but her rookie season will come to an end after the Wings announced a tough injury blow on Wednesday.
The Wings announced that Fudd was set to undergo an “arthroscopic procedure to address ongoing right knee soreness,” which will put an end to her season.
Dallas Wings rookie guard Azzi Fudd will undergo an arthroscopic procedure to address ongoing right knee soreness, the team announced today. Fudd will have the procedure done in Connecticut early next week and will begin rehabbing immediately. With less than five weeks remaining…
— Dallas Wings PR (@DallasWingsPR) August 19, 2026
The Wings selected Fudd instead of Notre Dame star Olivia Miles in a bit of a puzzling move. However, reports had surfaced previously that Bueckers and Fudd were dating.
Fudd got off to a bit of a slow start before scoring 24 points against the New York Liberty on May 24, and she followed that up with a 22-point outing four days later against the Las Vegas Aces.
Still, Fudd played heavy minutes for the Wings, averaging 31.7 per contest, which is third on the team. She also won the WNBA 3-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend.
The Wings entered Wednesday with a 20-16 record, which would have them as the 8th seed in the playoff bracket and facing off against Miles and the Minnesota Lynx.
Buccaneers player who had 2 sacks in a preseason game could return to college
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jack Pyburn is currently in training camp, but he is making a run at trying to return to the NCAA in a surprising twist.
On Wednesday, Pyburn filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in hopes of seeking a preliminary injunction to return to play college football.
This comes after the 2022 recruiting class was 2022 granted another year of college eligibility.
New: Former #LSU Edge Jack Pyburn and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers DE filed a lawsuit today against the NCAA seeking a preliminary injunction that would give him the option to return to college. Sources tell me, @mzenitz, & @chris_hummer. https://t.co/hSwRHcRBhT pic.twitter.com/xzwwbkbxvH
— AYS Sports (@AYSSPORTS) August 19, 2026
A Louisiana judge granted a temporary restraining order for Pyburn and several other players to be able to return to college.
That means they can enter the transfer portal and search for a new school.
NEWS: A judge in Louisiana has granted a group that includes 16 football player –including several in NFL training camps this summer — a restraining order to allows them to return to college sports this season, per me and @DanMurphyESPN. pic.twitter.com/fUMzBolvbp
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 19, 2026
Pyburn began his college career with the Florida Gators before joining the LSU Tigers for the 2025 season. He went undrafted but was scooped up by the Buccaneers.
However, Pyburn had two tackles and two sacks in the Buccaneers’ preseason opener against the New York Jets.
LSU’s Jack Pyburn had two sacks in his NFL debut 💪🏽🐯🏴☠️👀 pic.twitter.com/8Zfni9hXMc
— Carter Bryant (@PowerHourLSU) August 15, 2026
There are other complications for Pyburn, especially because he has a contract with Tampa Bay and they hold his rights.
This Jack Pyburn story is complicated, but the Bucs have his NFL rights from a signed contract. He got a $15,000 signing bonus, but him leaving the Bucs would likely void his $100k in guaranteed salary. Whenever he returned to NFL, Bucs would have his rights. His agents have not…
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 19, 2026
Some others who were granted the TRO include Ole Miss safety Wydett Williams and SMU RB TJ Harden, as well as James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick, who spent time in NFL minicamps with the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns.
Trevon Diggs could finally face Stefon Diggs after Seahawks signing
Stefon and Trevon Diggs have played 18 seasons combined in the NFL, yet they have never faced each other in a regular-season game.
On Wednesday, the Seattle Seahawks signed Trevon Diggs to a deal, which comes one day after bringing him in for a visit.
As such, that could set up the first-ever showdown between the Diggs brothers, which would come in Week 3 when the Seahawks face the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. It’s also a homecoming of sorts since the brothers grew up primarily in Montgomery County.
This is pretty cool: the #Seahawks play at the #Commanders Week 3, as Trevon Diggs and Stefon Diggs will battle it out back home in the DMV — full circle where it all started. 🫡🫡 https://t.co/Heh2UGcnq4 pic.twitter.com/XESlJN6eUs
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 19, 2026
The Commanders signed Stefon Diggs at the beginning of August after the four-time Pro Bowl WR drew interest from a handful of NFL teams.
Trevon Diggs also had a tryout with the Detroit Lions earlier in August, but the Seahawks have a need for some secondary help.
The only time the Diggs brothers played against each other was in the 2022 and 2023 Pro Bowl Games.
That should change this season, assuming they are both healthy and active in Week 3 when the Seahawks face the Commanders.
AJ Brown had one word when asked if he’s talked to Jalen Hurts since being traded
AJ Brown has been a member of the New England Patriots for just over two months after he was traded by the Philadelphia Eagles.
On Wednesday, the Patriots hosted the Eagles for a joint prctice session, and Brown was asked if he had any conversations with quarterback Jalen Hurts since the trade.
Brown had a simple, one-word answer: “No.”
Has A.J. Brown talked to Jalen Hurts since the trade?
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 19, 2026
Brown: “No.”
The writing had been on the wall for an A.J. Brown trade for the entire offseason, and things finally got done in June due to the salary cap help.
As for Brown’s relationship with Hurts, that was a complicated situation. Brown threw Hurts under the bus in October after a missed deep ball during a game.
Then, a report surfaced in the spring that Hurts was holding back the offense, with other teammates repportedly expressing their frustratuon with the quarterback.
Hurts then had a viral moment when he took a sip after being asked a question about Brown this offseason.
#Eagles QB Jalen Hurts picked up a drink as he was being asked about AJ Brown…
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 27, 2026
“Picked the right question to sip on, huh?” 😅
Hurts later added: “There’s an ‘if’ — obviously, it’s been a lingering thing. But nothing can replace all the greatness that we achieved together.” pic.twitter.com/9lFrUh26w3
There seems to be plenty of drama between these two sides. The Patriots and Eagles face each other in the second preseason game on Saturday, although it remains to be seen how much either star will play.
Fans are saying the same thing after the latest Chargers injury
The Los Angeles Chargers’ injury curse continues, and the regular season hasn’t even started yet.
Center Tyler Biadasz, who signed a three-year, $30 million deal this summer, left practice early on a cart on Tuesday in a joint session with the San Francisco 49ers.
On Wednesday, it was reported that Biadasz would be “out indefinitely” after suffering an ACL injury, and fans reacted after another brutal injury blow for LA.
Chargers really can’t catch a break at all https://t.co/NTNKs5bon1
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) August 19, 2026
The Chargers can’t go one offseason without a catastrophic injury https://t.co/5om0sVbyEs
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) August 19, 2026
This is a big blow to a team that sadly has been through big OL injuries before. Biadasz is not only a really good athlete at the center spot, but is super intelligent. It was a great pick up by L.A. that sadly sounds over before it can be seen on the field. https://t.co/o7sln4fgic
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 19, 2026
The Chargers suffering a catastrophic injury to their offensive line is your annual reminder that summer is almost over. https://t.co/SpKbMcNrQ3
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) August 19, 2026
This O line just cannot catch a break https://t.co/YbUx5H41y2
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) August 19, 2026
Damn bro the Chargers just get snake bitten by injuries every year. Investigate that medical staff or something https://t.co/7NfsI9V2jB
— Shady Individual (@Yrral___) August 19, 2026
Last summer, star offensive lineman Rashawn Slater suffered an injury in training camp that forced him to miss the entire season.
Fellow OL Joe Alt played just six games in 2025 due to a series of injuries, and Najee Harris played just three games due to a season-ending torn Achilles suffered in September.
For now, the obvious replacement is Jake Slaughter, the Chargers’ second-round pick in 2026.
15-year WNBA veteran plans to retire after season
Nneka Ogwumike is finishing up her 15th season in the WNBA, and it turns out that this one will be her last.
During an episode of “Boardroom Talk” with Taylor Rooks, Ogwumike revealed that this will be her final season in the league.
“I feel very fulfilled with the 15 years that I’ve been able to play and compete at such a high level, and I’m prud to say that I’m retiring from the WNBA,” Ogwumike said. “Even though I didn’t know what kind of player that I could be in this league, I never thought that I would play this long. Never thought that would be the type of player that I’d play this long.”
EXCLUSIVE: @nnekaogwumike is calling it a career after this season. pic.twitter.com/wrvFCQpGcK
— Boardroom (@boardroom) August 19, 2026
Ogwumike’s career accolades are very impressive. Here are her accomplishments so far:
- 2016 WNBA champion
- 2016 WNBA MVP
- 2012 Rookie of the Year
- WNBA All-Rookie Team
- 11-time WNBA All-Star
- 8-time All-WNBA
- 7-time WNBA All-Defensive Team
- WNBA 25th Anniversary Team
Ogwumike has also been the WNBPA president since 2016. Colin Salao of Front Office Sports added that she will continue to serve in that role until the next election. She will also be joining Project B’s inaugural season in January.
Her sister, Chiney, also had a message following the retirement announcement.
15 seasons! ✨ With you every step of the way… and it still feels like we’re just getting started! ❤️ Congrats to the best big sister in the world, @nnekaogwumike! 💐 pic.twitter.com/kRtbu2pCuU
— Chiney Ogwumike (@chiney) August 19, 2026
Ogwumike was the first overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2012 WNBA Draft, and she has spent all but two seasons with LA, with those years coming with the Seattle Storm in 2024 and 2025. She made her fifth straight WNBA All-Star team this season, and she is currently averaging 16.9 points with 8.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists this season.
The Sparks have a 12-23 record and are not in the playoff hunt, but it has been a spectaculr career for Nneka Ogwumike.
The Sparks’ final regular season game is scheduled for September 24 at home against the Golden State Valkyrie.
Phillies signing ex-Yankees All-Star amid playoff race
The Philadelphia Phillies are bringing in some starting pitching help just in time for the playoff push.
The Phillies and former New York Yankees All-Star Nestor Cortes agreed to a one-year deal on Wednesday, according to Robert Murray of Fansided.
Cortes underwent surgery on his throwing arm, but he has been working hard to get back and had drawn interest from other teams before signing with Philadelphia.
Nestor Cortes Jr. grinding away in pursuit of his next shot 👀 pic.twitter.com/x4FvnCnepB
— Bet105 (@bet_105) August 18, 2026
Cortes’ most notably was with the Yankees from 2021 through 2024, and he was named an All-Star in 2022 after recording a 12-4 record with a 2.44 ERA.
Cortes was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers prior to the 2025 season in the deal that sent reliever Devin Williams to New York. Then, the Brewers traded Cortes to the San Diego Padres at last year’s deadline in exchange for Brandon Lockridge.
Cortes made just two starts with Milwaukee due to injuries, and he started six games in the regular season for San Diego, going 1-3 with a 5.47 ERA before suffering the injury.
The Phillies are currently one game ahead of the Padres for the second National League Wild Card spot, and Murray added that Cortes could make it a six-man rotation in Philadelphia to extend the starters and keep them fresh going into the postseason chase.
Pat McAfee lands a new job within ESPN
Former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee continues to excel in his role with ESPN.
On Wednesday, ESPN announced that McAfee will join the crew on “Monday Night Countdown,” along with Scott Van Pelt, Jason Kelce, Marcus Spears and Jason McCourty.
McCourty replaces Ryan Clark, who was one of several layoffs by the company earlier in the summer.
ESPN is adding Pat McAfee to Monday Night Countdown as an analyst.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) August 19, 2026
He will join Scott Van Pelt, Jason Kelce, Marcus Spears, and Jason McCourty on the pregame show. pic.twitter.com/q70hS9dH4v
McAfee has seen quite the rise since retiring from the NFL in February 2017. Two weeks after retiring, McAfee started “Pat McAfee Show podcast.”
McAfee then joined ESPN in 2023, and he is also a part of “College GameDay.” In June, it was reported that the two sides were working towards a contract extension that would pay McAfee $60 million per year, although official has been agreed to as of Wednesday.
After the news came of the new role, McAfee reacted on X.
Man.. I’m hoping that’s not a real photo of me BUT..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 19, 2026
‘Tis an honor to be a part of MNF in any capacity. I hope I can be an asset as we start the journey to The Biggest Super Bowl of all time in LA on ESPN and ABC
College GameDay on Saturday.. Monday Night Countdown on Monday..… https://t.co/b1xlVF6XXH
ESPN has seen a big number of changes since merging with NFL Network. Some big names, such as Clark, were laid off, as well as Cam Newton and long-time ESPN voice Karl Ravech.
NFL reporter Tom Pelissero was also let go, although he just landed a job with Netflix.
All those changes, along with McAfee’s massive contract extension being in the works, led to the ex-Colts punter getting negative criticism, which was something he acknowledged recently.
Nonetheless, ESPN continues to work with Pat McAfee, and he will be a common voice during “Monday Night Countdown” beginning this season.
Nick Kyrgios opens up after positive cocaine test
Nick Kyrgios made the Wimbledon final in 2022 before losing to Novak Djokovic, but his career has derailed since then.
On Wednesday, Kyrgios shared a lengthy post on Instagram. In the post, he stated that he tested positive for cocaine. He has also been provisionally suspended.
“I wanted you to hear this from me first,” the post began. “I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine. I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it. I’m sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me. Above all, I’m sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I’m deeply disappointed in myself.”
Kyrgios continued with the post. After revealing the positive drug test results, he also had a shocking admission, saying the last few years have been difficult mentally and physically for the tennis star.
“I’m not going to make excuses, but I do want to give some context about where I’ve been,” he continued. “The last couple of years of injuries have taken a huge toll on me, both physically and mentally. My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do, and coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined.”
👀🚨 Nick Kyrgios on Instagram:
— Tennis Masterr (@tennismasterr) August 19, 2026
"I wanted you to hear this from me first.
I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine. I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it.
I’m sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close… pic.twitter.com/9i9XndXp8c
The 31-year-old has played just 10 singles matches on the ATP Tour since making the final at Wimbledon in 2022.
Kyrgios faces a ban of up to four years due to the positive cocaine test, according to the Associated Press.
OG Anunoby had a telling remark about the new-look 76ers
OG Anunoby and the New York Knicks are the team to beat in the 2026-27 NBA season, thanks to their shiny new crown. The Philadelphia 76ers are also considered among the chief contenders for the Larry O’Brien Trophy after a huge offseason by the Knicks’ Atlantic Division rivals, and Anunoby agrees that they will be a team to watch.
“Oh, I think they’ll be good. I think a lot of teams will be good,” the Knicks forward said when asked recently for his thoughts on the new-look Sixers squad.
Q: "How you feel about Philly next year?"
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) August 18, 2026
OG: "How I feel about who?"
Q: "Philly"
OG: "Philadelphia? Oh I think they'll be good. I think a lot of teams will be good so…” pic.twitter.com/atMwb2cTrF
The 76ers have loaded up this offseason, as they traded for Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown before winning the LeBron James sweepstakes. With Brown and James joining Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Joel Embiid, Philadelphia sent a strong message across the league.
However, judging from the way Anunoby answered the question, he doesn’t seem to be all that perturbed by the massive shift in the City of Brotherly Love.
The Knicks are not having as splashy an offseason as Philadelphia, but they still have their core intact, with Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and Anunoby in the fold.
The reigning NBA champions will also be the first team to put Philadelphia to the test next season, as they are scheduled to host James and the Sixers at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y., on Oct. 20.
Patrick Beverley explains why he’d take current NBA point guard over John Stockton
Patrick Beverley added, yet another one to his portfolio of wild takes.
During a recent episode of The Pat Bev Show, the former Houston Rockets guard laid out his case for choosing Portland Trail Blazers guard Ja Morant over Utah Jazz legend John Stockton.
“I’m going Ja Morant,” Beverley said before imagining how the Jazz would have fared against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s if Stockton was swapped for the high-flying Morant.
“You put Ja Morant on the Utah Jazz, that’s a different series,” Beverley said.
“What Ja Morant gonna do to Steve Kerr and what Ja Morant gonna do to Ron Harper,” Beverley continued. “Steve Kerr ain’t going to be able to get on the court.”
However, Beverley made sure to recognize Stockton’s greatness and even said he’s a big fan of the Basketball Hall of Famer.
John Stockton or Ja Morant?
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 18, 2026
“Ja Morant is running circles around John Stockton‘s ass… If you put Ja Morant on the Utah Jazz that’s a different series (with the Bulls)” -Pat Bev pic.twitter.com/IMJ4x3eopR
Stockton’s lack of athleticism and speed has always been used by observers against him, but those surely did not stop him from retiring as the league’s all-time leader in steals and assists, which continues to be the case over two decades since he last played in an NBA game.
Stockton had outplayed and outsmarted several more athletic players and achieved far more than they did during his time in the league, which Beverley might have forgotten.
Quay Walker follows up a highlight play in practice with a vulgar gesture
Quay Walker is making his intensity felt at the Las Vegas Raiders’ joint practice with the Houston Texans, and it’s apparently gone over the top on Tuesday.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston described a wild moment during the joint practice, involving Walker, who is starting a new chapter in his pro career with the AFC West franchise.
After picking off Houston star quarterback CJ Stroud, Walker celebrated the play in a seemingly intense fashion, which later drew boos from fans watching the action.
“Raiders Quay Walker intercepts C.J. Stroud, spikes football near Woody Marks, draws taunting flag and then booed by Texans fans. He responded by flipping them off. Wild play,” Wilson shared via a post on X.
Walker is unlikely to change his ways or approach just because some fans did not like how he carried himself in practice, so the Raiders will have to expect more of the same from the former Georgia Bulldogs star linebacker.
This is hardly the first time that Walker turned heads with his fiery behavior on the field. He was once ejected from a game during his rookie season with the Green Bay Packers after shoving a Buffalo Bills player. In the same season, he was tossed from a contest for shoving a Detroit Lions staff member.
The 26-year-old Walker spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Packers, who opted to let him walk in free agency. The Raiders then scooped him up from the market, signing him to a 3-year, $40.5 million contract.
Pat Murphy reacts to Julio Rodriguez’s all-time blunder
Seattle Mariners star Julio Rodriguez did not have the proudest moment of his baseball career on Tuesday, as he committed one of the most embarrassing blunders in recent memory. But for what it’s worth, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy was not able to witness Rodriguez’s brain fart in real time at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wis.
During one of the craziest moments of the contest, Rodriguez threw the ball into the stands after making a catch in the outfield in the eighth inning, as he mistakenly thought there were already three outs when there were just two. That blunder led to the Brewers scoring their 20th and 21st runs in the game before finishing with a 22-0 victory.
Apparently, the game was so out of hand that Murphy was doing something else when Rodriguez’s brain froze.
“I was playing catch in hallway here with Jaxon [Murph’s son], so I could be guilty of that too,” the two-time National League Manager of the Year Award winner Murphy said after the game, via Pat Timlin of WISN 12 NEWS.
The good news for Rodriguez and the Mariners is that despite getting buried in an avalanche of runs in that game, it still counts as just one loss. Seattle can rebound from that historically absurd defeat Wednesday, when they give the ball to Bryce Miller.
As for the Brewers, they extended their winning streak to three games and improved their record to 78-48.
Patrick Kane got the most incredible reception at the Cubs-White Sox game
Patrick Kane is back in Chicago, and he felt the love of Windy City sports fans before Tuesday’s game between the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox.
Kane was in attendance for the second game of the Crosstown Series at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill., and threw the ceremonial first pitch. The future Hockey Hall of Famer was met with a heartwarming reception from fans, who gave him an ovation that lasted nearly a minute.
Here is the video of “Showtime’s” first pitch.
Patrick Kane threw out the first pitch at Cubs-White Sox and received almost a minute long standing o 🙌🔥
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) August 19, 2026
Kaner back in Chicago just feels right… @BRWalkoff pic.twitter.com/mLW2MdT5rY
The 37-year-old Kane appreciated the experience and the thunderous welcome from the fans.
“It was fun,” Kane told announcer Alex Faust and analyst Jeff Francoeur of MLB on TBS about his appearance on the mound, via NHL.com.
“Honestly, walking to the mound and hearing the cheers from the Chicago fans and being up there and having that moment with them, it is so special. Something I will never forget.”
Kane made waves in July, when he decided to bring his talents back to Chicago, signing a 2-year, $16 million contract to reunite with the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Blackhawks traded Kane to the New York Rangers in 2023 before he joined the Detroit Red Wings and spent three seasons in Hockeytown.
Kane is no longer the player he used to be when he won three Stanley Cup titles with the Blackhawks, but he still has enough gas in the tank to give the Connor Bedard-led squad a lift on offense.
Since his trade to the Rangers, Kane has scored 62 goals and dished out 113 assists through 208 games.
