Kyrie Irving accused of ghosting the Cavaliers’ championship team reunion
Kyrie Irving apparently could not be bothered to link up with his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammates.
Earlier this week, veteran NBA big man Kevin Love posted an awesome photo of a golf-course reunion that he had with several of his old teammates on the 2016 champion Cavaliers. Love posed with LeBron James, J.R. Smith, Channing Frye, and Tristan Thompson in an apparent celebration of the 10-year anniversary of that NBA title win (with Richard Jefferson also present in some other group shots).
That said, many fans were wondering where the Dallas Mavericks star Irving was. Irving was an integral part of that team as well and formed a famous Big Three together with James and Love.
In an Instagram comment on Wednesday, the retired ex-Cavaliers guard Smith responded to a fan who suggested that Irving was not invited to the reunion. Smith said that Irving was very much invited … but completely ghosted his former teammates.
“Missing none,” said Smith. “[Kyrie] was invited and ghosted us all. So stop with that bs.”
“Why do you hate Kyrie bro” pic.twitter.com/jCzmBGVWg9
— Wizely (@Wizelycook) June 17, 2026
Irving played for the Cavaliers from the start of his NBA career in 2011 until 2017, making four All-Star teams and one All-NBA team while in Cleveland. He also memorably hit the championship-clinching three-pointer in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.
But Irving eventually grew frustrated with his role on the Cavaliers and asked out in 2017 in the hopes of finding his own team (ultimately getting traded to the Boston Celtics). Irving is known as an extremely unpredictable personality, and the claim that he ghosted his former teammates is not all that surprising (particularly since Irving did not even receive a tribute video after his departure from Cleveland).
Fans are thrilled about MLB’s big change to the Home Run Derby
The Home Run Derby is finally getting out of its own way.
Major League Baseball is implementing a big-time change to the Home Run Derby beginning with this year’s competition at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa. They are formally ditching the clock that had become a staple of every HR Derby since 2015, according to a report on Wednesday by Evan Drellich of The Athletic.
Drellich adds that MLB will now be using a “swings” system in which each hitter gets 20 swings in the first round and 15 swings in each of the second and third rounds. Additionally, the Home Run Derby will reportedly allow for players to keep on swinging during the last pitch of every round until they do not homer.
Fans universally agreed that the decision by MLB was a major positive. Many took to social media to express their glowing approval.
That’s a W the clock to me was always unnecessary
— (@proclubmember) June 18, 2026
THE REAL HR DERBY IS BACK LFG!!! pic.twitter.com/XNBTLp2mT3
—2025 WORLD SERIES CHAMPS (@jgutierrez55) June 18, 2026
— Moving Unit (@MovingUnit_) June 18, 2026
this is the way it should be
— Mets2026 (@Mets2026) June 18, 2026
Major League Baseball first implemented the clock-based system for the Home Run Derby during commissioner Rob Manfred’s first year in charge in an apparent attempt to speed the pace of the competition and prevent players from taking too many pitches. But the pendulum eventually swung too far in the other direction with players now rushing to beat the clock, thus resulting in heavier fatigue and a vastly inferior viewing product for fans (with the broadcast often having to cut away from home runs before they even landed).
MLB might still be modernizing the Home Run Derby in some other regards. But it looks like the decision to finally return the competition to its roots in a sense is a major win for baseball fans.
Shohei Ohtani’s blistered hand looked nasty during his season-worst start
Shohei Ohtani was seeing red during Wednesday’s start … literally.
The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Ohtani took the mound on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. But Ohtani definitely had to overcome some adversity during the game at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif.
Ohtani ended up giving up a season-worst four earned runs on seven hits and one walk. He also managed a modest five strikeouts but was particularly bad in the fourth inning.
The back-to-back reigning NL MVP Ohtani allowed all four of his earned runs in that fourth inning. After he finally retired the side, the issue for Ohtani became apparent.
Television cameras showed Ohtani walking back to the dugout with a bloody middle finger from a nasty blister on his pitching hand. The blood had even dripped onto Ohtani’s uniform at one point.
Looks as though Shohei Ohtani was dealing with the blister on his middle finger in that 4-run inning https://t.co/jVoOO3EA7U
— Adrian Medina (@AdrianMedina_16) June 17, 2026
Blood splatter from Shohei Ohtani’s blister is apparent on the pantleg. https://t.co/zXH3LZCfuV
— Adrian Medina (@AdrianMedina_16) June 17, 2026
Ohtani exited as a pitcher after six innings and 91 pitches thrown. But he was buoyed by enough run support and ended up earning the victory as the Dodgers defeated the Rays by a final score of 5-4.
The 31-year-old Ohtani has notably struggled with blisters while pitching in the past, even dating back to the early part of his tenure with the Los Angeles Angels. Wednesday’s blister did not derail him too badly though, and Ohtani now holds an impressive season-long record of 7-2 with a 1.47 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP through 12 starts.
NBA champion Knicks make a decision on visiting the White House
The New York Knicks are ready to for their close-up with President Donald J. Trump.
The newly-minted NBA champion Knicks plan to visit President Trump at the White House, owner James Dolan revealed Wednesday during an appearance on WFAN in New York. Dolan said that the team had already received the invitation to visit, which they accepted.
“We just did receive an invitation from the White House, which we accepted,” said Dolan, per Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today. “We still have to figure out the details, et cetera, but yes, of course.
“He is a friend,” Dolan said of President Trump. “I’ve known him for 30 years and I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House.”
Trump notably has yet to host a single defending NBA champion team during either of his two terms in office. The Golden State Warriors (2017 and 2018) and the Toronto Raptors (2019) both decided not to visit, and the Los Angeles Lakers (2020) were unable to at the time due to COVID-19 protocols. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder (2025) also skipped out on a White House visit earlier this year due to a notable reason.
But Trump is indeed close friends with Dolan, and even attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y. as Dolan’s guest. Though Trump was booed heavily by the MSG crowd as the Knicks went on to lose to the San Antonio Spurs that game for the only time in the Finals, he will now finally be getting his visit from a defending NBA champion, courtesy of his friend and fellow New Yorker Dolan.
Warriors’ expected free agent contract offer for LeBron James is revealed
The grass might not necessarily be greener for LeBron James if he ends up leaving the Los Angeles Lakers this summer.
The Golden State Warriors would be ready to offer James the full non-taxpayer midlevel exception of $15.1 million for next season, Anthony Slater of ESPN reported Wednesday. Slater notes that the Warriors could also theoretically tack on a second-season player option as part of the deal.
However, Golden State has reportedly received intel that suggests James will simply be returning to the Lakers instead, and thus they are plotting out their offseason under that premise. You can read Slater’s full report on the situation here.
James, now 41 years old, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He made $52.6 million last year and does not appear to be willing to take that drastic of a paycut, especially after averaging a 21-6-7 line for the Lakers last season.
Meanwhile, the Warriors are the outside team that have mentioned in closest connection to James if the four-time NBA MVP decides to leave Los Angeles this season. There was even a report last week claiming that James was intrigued by the possibility of teaming up with Steph Curry in Golden State.
But the Warriors, who are already just $26 million under the second apron of the luxury tax with all of their pre-existing contract commitments for next season, are limited financially in how they can entice James. As such, the most plausible outcome is still James simply deciding to run it back for one more year with the Lakers (especially given the major step that he took to that effect in recent days).
Tyrese Haliburton’s fiancée Jade Jones speaks on death of friend at her bachelorette party
Jade Jones is breaking her silence this week on the tragic death of her close friend Makenzi Kern.
In a post to Instagram on Wednesday, Jones, the fiancée of Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, issued a lengthy tribute to her late friend Kern. Jones said that Kern “was truly a light in this world” and “a once-in-a-lifetime kind of friend.”
Additionally, Jones shared a number of her photos together with Kern over the years and said that Kern had been “there for all of our moments since the day I met Tyrese.” Take a look at Jones’ full tribute post.
Kern, 26, died in St. Barth’s on June 8 while attending Jones’ bachelorette party on the island. According to a report, Kern’s family does not believe that foul play, drugs, or alcohol played a role in her death (read the full details here).
Jones and Kern were both cheerleaders at Iowa State University. Meanwhile, Haliburton also played his college ball at Iowa State from 2018-20.
The two-time NBA All-Star Haliburton has been in a relationship with Jones since 2019, and the couple announced their engagement last year in a viral post. Haliburton and Jones had scheduled their wedding for Aug. 1 of this year, but it remains unclear if they will proceed with that date in the wake of Kern’s tragic passing.
Cincinnati Bearcats issue statement on claim from Brendan Sorsby’s agent
The drama involving Brendan Sorsby is not ending anytime soon.
The former Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback transferred to Texas Tech, but the two sides parted ways after a back-and-forth situation due to Sorsby’s gambling problems.
On Wednesday, Sorsby’s agent, Ron Slavin, said that Cincinnati was aware of Sorsby’s gambling problems. However, Cincinnati quickly issued a statement shutting that down.
Cincinnati athletics statement in response to assertions by Brendan Sorsby agent Ron Slavin about UC allegedly knowing that he was gambling while a Bearcat: pic.twitter.com/uo6rswTpsR
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) June 17, 2026
Here is what Sorsby’s agent said on Wednesday, via Griffin McVeigh of On3.
“If anybody should be questioned or catching heat, it should be Cincinnati,” Slavin said. “Because they knew for two years and never said anything or didn’t do anything about it. That’s the part of the story that gets lost.”
Slavin said that everybody at Texas Tech has been “very supportive” throughout the process.
“The people at Tech have been great, very supportive,” Slavin said. “Joey McGuire, I think, is one of the best human beings on the planet. A lot of head coaches are transactional. He is not. They didn’t do anything wrong here.”
The decision to part ways with Sorsby allows him to declare for the NFL Supplemental Draft in July. The expectation around league circles is that Sorsby will be selected in the draft, which would make him the first player chosen since 2019.
Tiago Splitter had a cryptic answer about leaving the Blazers
The Chicago Bulls hired Tiago Splitter as their new head coach on Monday.
Splitter led the Portland Trail Blazers to a 42-39 record after taking over for Chauncey Billups, who was arrested in October as part of a gambling investigation.
On Wednesday, Splitter spoke to the media in Chicago, and when asked why he left Portland, he had a short, cryptic answer.
“I really want to leave that behind,” Splitter said.
Tiago Splitter asked about what led to his departure from the Blazers.
— Ryan Clarke (@RyanTClarke) June 17, 2026
“I really want to leave that behind.” #RipCity pic.twitter.com/dn8pmI62Mr
The Blazers also have been searching for a new coach, and Splitter was among one of the candidates there after leading Portland to the playoffs this past season.
Splitter’s comments sure are interesting. The Blazers have been in headlines negatively recently, largely because of owner Tom Dundon making efforts to save money in several ways.
One such move included laying off 50 long-time employees in a decision to save some cash. However, it remains to be seen if Splitter’s departure was because of Dundon’s moves or because of something else inside the organization.
Dundon is also the owner of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, who just won the Stanley Cup Finals over the Vegas Golden Knights.
Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori remains a finalist for the Dallas Mavericks and Trail Blazers opening after Splitter left for Chicago.
LeBron James’ former Cavaliers teammate could be coming to the Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James are reportedly negotiating a new deal before the start of NBA free agency.
While nothing is done yet, NBA insider Marc Spears said on Wednesday that he is hearing that James is “likely coming back” to LA. However, he also said Kevin Love, James’ former teammate on the Cleveland Cavaliers, could also be coming to the Lakers.
“And also I’m hearing that one of his old teammates from Cleveland, Kevin Love, could likely be joining the Lakers too,” Spears said. “I could see those two guys being reunited there.”
"I'm hearing that [LeBron's] likely coming back [to the Lakers]. … Kevin Love could likely be joining the Lakers too."@MarcJSpears gives some insight on what could be next for LeBron 🏀 pic.twitter.com/EV1Qwqiixf
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 17, 2026
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said that James’ focus right now is on getting a deal done to return to the Lakers. The bigger question is about how much the Lakers will pay James, especially with Austin Reaves headed for restricted free agency.
Love, on the other hand, is an interesting piece to the puzzle. After leaving the Miami Heat, Love joined the Utah Jazz and played just 37 games last season, averaging 16.6 minutes per game in a reserve role.
The timing of Spears’ report is quite something, especially with Love and James being spotted in a photo on a golf course with Channing Frye, JR Smith, and Tristan Thompson in what is a Cavaliers 2016 NBA title reunion.
Love played college basketball at UCLA before being selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008.
This year’s NBA free agency negotiation period begins on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.
Reason Devin Booker is changing his jersey number revealed
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker has spent his entire NBA career in Arizona, and he has worn the No. 1 jersey since his days in college with the Kentucky Wildcats.
However, Booker is making a switch and changing to No. 15 going forward. Rumors swirled about the change on Wednesday morning, but ESPN’s Shams Charania confirmed the decision later in the afternoon.
Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is changing his jersey from No. 1 to No. 15, honoring his USA Basketball uniform and the college number of his father, Melvin, per ESPN sources.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 17, 2026
Booker’s father, Melvin, wore No. 15 while he played college basketball for the Missouri Tigers from 1990 to 1994. Melvin also had a short run in the NBA, spending time with each of the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors.
Devin Booker has previously worn the No. 15 jersey while playing for Team USA, so he is going to rock that number with the Suns beginning in the 2026-27 season.
Booker has also long discussed his idol, Kobe Bryant. The Los Angeles Lakers legend also changed his jersey number from No. 8 to No. 24 during his career, and now Booker is making the switch after 11 seasons in the league.
Booker has made the All-Star team five times in his 11-year career. Now, Booker is switching things up ahead of his 12th season in the NBA.
NBA insider sheds light on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade timeframe
For quite some time, the 2026 NBA Draft has been viewed as a soft deadline for the Milwaukee Bucks to get a trade done involving Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The draft begins on June 23 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., but NBA insider Chris Haynes isn’t sure a deal is done by that time.
“From what I’m hearing, this can drag on into free agency,” said Chris Haynes on Sirius XM. “This could drag on until July. The Bucks are not operating that that is the ‘deadline.’”
“I still do ultimately believe he will be moved this offseason, but I’m not certain as I was before that it will be done before the draft,” Haynes added.
Chris Haynes on Giannis:
— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) June 17, 2026
“From what I’m hearing this could drag on into free agency. This could drag on until July…. Boston seems a little bit from what I’m hearing and gauging, Boston doesn’t seem a promising destination…. I do still believe he will be moved this offseason… pic.twitter.com/8HXIJisTGw
The Boston Celtics have emerged as a potential landing spot, although Haynes says that doesn’t “seem like a promising destination.”
The Miami Heat have long been viewed as the favorites, and reports stated recently that Antetokounmpo is “focused” on landing with Miami.
However, according to Haynes’ reporting, it could be some time before the Bucks trade Antetokounmpo, and the NBA Draft is only a few days away.
Brendan Sorsby’s ex-coach sends message to NFL teams ahead of Supplemental Draft
Former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is officially headed to the NFL’s Supplemental Draft in July.
Texas Tech and Sorsby parted ways after a series of trials and investigations that led to heavy criticism after he was granted an injunction to play following the NCAA’s initial eligibility ruling due to gambling on his own team’s games.
Sorsby is widely expected to go in the Supplemental Draft, and he would be the first player taken in it since 2019. With questions swirling about Sorsby, his former coach at Cincinnati, Scott Satterfield, had a message for teams inquiring about the quarterback.
“He’s very talented, has great size, can run, can throw,” Satterfield said, via ESPN.
Satterfield said every NFL team reached out previously when it looked like Sorsby was going to declare for the NFL Draft, although he decided to stay and transfer to Texas Tech.
Now, NFL scouts and GMs are calling Satterfield to ask about Sorsby, more from a “more on a personal level” after the news came out regarding the gambling.
Teams bidding on Sorsby in the Supplemental Draft do so using draft picks, and whoever has the highest bid lands Sorsby but forfeits that round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said teams view Sorsby as a first-round talent, but he projects to be given a second-round bid due to the events that have taken place.
Golden Knights hire new head coach just days after Stanley Cup loss
The Vegas Golden Knights lost the Stanley Cup Finals to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games, and they didn’t take long to move on from head coach John Tortorella .
The Golden Knights’ quest for a Stanley Cup title ended with a 3-0 loss in Game 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights announced on Tuesday that Tortorella would not return in 2026. Tortorella had been named the coach after Vegas fired Bruce Cassidy with just eight games remaining in the regular season.
Vegas on Wednesday announced that it has promoted Ryan Craig to head coach. Craig served as the head coach of the Henderson Silver Knights, Vegas’ affiliate in the American Hockey League.
Officially official ⚔️
— NHL (@NHL) June 17, 2026
Ryan Craig has been named the new head coach of the @GoldenKnights! pic.twitter.com/vM0qkHLzeq
During Craig’s three seasons in Henderson, the Silver Knights saw their win total increase every season. This year, they made the postseason with a 39-21-12 record before losing to the Colorado Eagles in the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Craig has familiarity with Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon. Craig played five seasons with the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings, and that was when McCrimmon was the team’s owner and GM.
Tortorella’s contract with Vegas was going to end on June 30, so it’s not too surprising to see the Golden Knights make another change.
Tortorella made headlines when he guaranteed a Game 7 would take place. His proclamation fell short as Vegas went scoreless in the Game 6 loss on Sunday.
Luka Doncic has a free agency request for the Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have some big decisions to make this offseason, and superstar Luka Doncic isn’t hiding what he wants on this roster.
With free agency around the corner, Doncic revealed what he wants the Lakers to add.
“I think mainly shooters and a big man who can run the pick-and-roll and jump so I can pass to him,” Doncic said during an interview with Gigantes del Basket during the Jordan Brand’s “The One” Madrid stop.
“I think I always need shooters around me because I usually get double-teamed a lot, so I think I need shooters,” Doncic added. “And some centers who can jump high and block shots.”
The Lakers are facing a big decision regarding LeBron James, although it was reported that the two sides are negotiating ahead of the free agency period. LA also has to figure out whether or not they can afford to keep Austin Reaves, who is expected to get a massive offer sheet in free agency.
The Lakers’ postseason run came to an end with a 4-0 series loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals, although Doncic missed the entire playoff run due to an injury.
At the end of the day, LA would be wise to listen to Doncic’s request and put players around him that fit his desires, especially if James and Reaves don’t return in 2026.
Jaguars’ long snapper makes NFL history with new contract
Some teams value a good long snapper more than others, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are now investing heavily at the position.
On Wednesday, the Jaguars agreed to a new contract extension with long snapper Ross Matiscik, giving him a two-year deal worth $3.8 million, according to Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Matiscik now becomes the highest-paid long snapper in NFL history.
The #Jaguars are signing long snapper Ross Matiscik to a 2-year extension worth $3.8M in new money, per me and @MikeGarafolo. The NFL’s new highest-paid long snapper.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 17, 2026
Matiscik has made 3 straight Pro Bowls. Now paid like it in a deal done by Jonathan Perzley of @SPORTSTARSNYC. pic.twitter.com/VPoScczQvr
The San Francisco 49ers gave long snapper Taybor Pepper a new extension this offseason as well, giving him $1.5 million guaranteed at signing.
However, Matiscik has set a new benchmark at the position, and he is coming off three straight Pro Bowl seasons for the Jaguars.
Matiscik had a message for the fans after inking the new extension on Wednesday.
https://t.co/Ehu5eVIvXI pic.twitter.com/0PmCFSv697
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) June 17, 2026
Matiscik spent five seasons at Baylor and played linebacker as well as long snapper. He went undrafted but has spent his entire career with the Jaguars since coming into the league, and now they are rewarding the Pro Bowler.
WNBA announces big change beginning in 2027
The WNBA is making changes to its schedule beginning in the 2027 season.
On Wednesday, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that the schedule will increase from 44 games to 50 games beginning next season.
“Demand for the WNBA has never been greater, and expanding to a 50-game regular season reflects the extraordinary momentum we are seeing across the league,” Engelbert wrote in the official release.
“This move reflects our commitment to growing the game and creating more opportunities for fans to watch the best players in the world and experience the extraordinary talent and competition that define the WNBA.”
The league also has the option to expand to 52 games beginning in 2029, according to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou.
The league also has the option to expand to 52 regular season games beginning in 2029
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) June 17, 2026
Prior to the season, there were extensive CBA talks that finally came to an end and allowed the season to be played.
Now, Engelbert is adding six games to the slate for the regular season, and there could be more changes in the future regarding the schedule.
The NFL also switched from a 16-game regular season to a 17-game regular season, and the WNBA is following suit in an effort to continue banking on the growing popularity of the sport.
Maple Leafs have hired a new head coach
The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially decided on their next head coach.
Toronto fired Craig Berube in May after two years at the helm, and now the Maple Leafs have hired Jim Hiller for his second stint with the franchise.
Jim Hiller has been named the 41st Head Coach in franchise history!
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) June 17, 2026
Hiller spent the past three seasons as the coach of the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings decided to fire him on March 1 following an ugly 8-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, and he finished with a combined 93-58-24 during his time in LA.
Hiller began his NHL coaching career in 2014, when he was hired to be an assistant for Mike Babcock with the Detroit Red Wings. Hiller then followed Babcock to Toronto and was an assistant there for four seasons before moving to take a job with the New York Islanders.
“I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to return to Toronto and lead the Maple Leafs,” Hiller said, via the official release. “This is a special organization with great players, passionate fans and high expectations. I’m looking forward to getting to work with our players and staff and doing everything we can to help this team reach its full potential.”
The Maple Leafs are hoping that Hiller can bring them back to the playoffs.
Baker Mayfield delivers an emphatic response to Buccaneers’ concern
Baker Mayfield doesn’t think he should change his approach amid concerns from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers about his safety on the field.
Following a report by Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times on Saturday, noting the Buccaneers’ concern that the quarterback might be neglecting his health on the field, Mayfield was asked about it by a reporter on Tuesday.
“I’ve started every single game last year — for the three years. So I don’t know if that should ever be a question,” Mayfield responded, via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.
This ties into Mayfield’s contract situation with the Buccaneers, who definitely want him to be healthy amid a potential contract extension.
He is entering the final season of his current 3-year, $100 million deal, which he signed in 2024. The former Heisman Trophy winner has a base salary of $10 million and a cap number of $39.975 million in 2026.
Having led Tampa Bay to two titles in the NFC South Division, Mayfield has the right to feel that he deserves a massive extension from the Buccaneers, who originally signed him to just a 1-year, $4 million contract in 2023.
In three seasons thus far with the Buccaneers, the 31-year-old Mayfield has passed for 12,237 yards and 95 touchdowns against 37 interceptions in 51 starts.
Kevin Love shares an incredible 2016 Cavaliers reunion photo
It has been almost 10 years since the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled off the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history, and LeBron James and some members of that squad have linked up across the pond for a reunion.
In a series of posts on Instagram Stories, former Cavs star forward Kevin Love showed several photos of him hanging out with Channing Frye, JR Smith, Tristan Thompson — and the man himself, LeBron James.
One of the photos showed all five of them lined up on the golf course.
The gang is back together for the 10-year anniversary of their 2016 NBA championship 👀 pic.twitter.com/3Y2ogniBlB
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 16, 2026
To refresh, the Cavs stunned Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals, coming back from a 3-1 series deficit to bring home Cleveland’s first (and still only) NBA championship.
It took a herculean effort from the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James to get the Cavaliers to overcome the seemingly insurmountable odds against Golden State, but they still wouldn’t have accomplished it without the contributions of his supporting cast.
Of the five in the photo, only James and Love are still active in the NBA, though both players are expected to hit free agency in the summer.
The Cavs’ Game 7 win over the Warriors during that 2016 title run will have its 10th anniversary on Friday.
Jack Eichel had an all-time quote addressing Golden Knights haters
Schadenfreude is widespread in the hockey world after the Vegas Golden Knights lost the 2026 Stanley Cup Final to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Golden Knights are one of the most hated teams in the NHL, so their downfall has given their detractors a reason to celebrate.
Vegas star center Jack Eichel, however, is not bothered by the way others are celebrating the team’s loss.
“I’ll say this. If you ask guys in the league, Vegas ain’t on people’s no-trade list,” the former No. 2 overall pick said during the Golden Knights’ media availability on Tuesday, via Scott Maxwell of the Daily Faceoff.
“So this is a place people want to be, and people want to play, and this is an organization that people want to be a part of.”
Vegas is still a relatively young franchise, having just finished its ninth season in the league. But over that span, the Golden Knights have drawn the ire of hockey fans for the way they conduct their business, including their decision to sign goalie Carter Hart early in the 2025–26 season after he and four other players were acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault case.
At the same time, the Golden Knights, despite their loss to Carolina, can be considered a successful franchise, as Vegas has made the playoffs in all but one season of its existence, reached the Stanley Cup Final three times, and won it once.
