Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte has landed a college coaching job
Ryan Lochte is one of the more decorated swimmers in United States Olympic history, and he is now making the transition to coaching.
Lochte, who has a total of 12 Olympic medals, has been hired as an assistant coach for the Missouri State swimming and diving team, the school announced.
Lochte trails only Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky in total medals (12), and he has six gold medals to his name.
Lochte also posted a video on Instagram explaining why he was taking the job.
It’s a big name added to the swimming and diving team at Missouri State.
According to Yanyan Li of Front Office Sports, the contract is from August to June of 2027, which will pay Lochte $34.10 per hour with an estimated value of $30,000, with the following incentives:
- $750 for an MVC men’s and women’s Conference Championship or Co-Championship
- $500 for each NCAA Championship individual qualifier
- $500 for each relay team that qualifies for the NCAA Championship
Front Office Sports also noted that Lochte’s girlfriend is from Springfield, Mo., where the college is located.
Lochte took part in four Olympic Games from 2004 until 2016, which were in Athens, Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro, respectively.
Lochte made headlines in December after he posted on Instagram that he was selling three of his Olympic gold medals.
Now, Ryan Lochte will begin his coaching career at Missouri State.
Report reveals why the Warriors could explore Jimmy Butler trade
The Golden State Warriors made it official by bringing back head coach Steve Kerr for another season.
However, a big question remains about the future of forward Draymond Green, who has an option this summer that he could exercise.
Suddenly, another player’s future hangs in the balance: Jimmy Butler. The Warriors star suffered a torn ACL in January, but a new report reveals why the Warriors could explore moving on from Butler in a trade this summer, according to Sam Amico of Hoops Wire.
“One situation to monitor involves Jimmy Butler. Sources tell Hoops Wire the Warriors could gauge Butler’s trade market this offseason as they evaluate the roster’s direction,” Amico wrote.
The Warriors had interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo at the deadline, and they should again show some interest in acquiring the Milwaukee Bucks superstar this summer.
If Butler is traded, it could land some assets that could be used in a deal for Antetokounmpo or another star, depending on what the Warriors want to do.
On the other hand, there are some obstacles. Butler is expected to be out until late in the 2026-27 season due to his torn ACL. He is also 36 years old and is owed $54.1 million next season and $56.8 million the year after, so it’s a big gamble for a team to take on.
Nonetheless, it seems to be something Golden State might explore this summer before free agency begins.
Agent Scott Boras has bold take on Tarik Skubal’s injury return
The Detroit Tigers are braced to be without ace pitcher Tarik Skubal for two to three months following elbow surgery, but his agent thinks that timeline might be too pessimistic.
In an appearance on ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” podcast, Scott Boras claimed that Skubal underwent a unique surgery to remove a bone chip in his left elbow. The unique procedure, which Boras referred to as the “Skubal scope,” was not as invasive as a typical arthroscopic surgery, and is supposed to shorten Skubal’s potential recovery time.
“(Dr. Neal ElAttrache) essentially went in and was able to see the particle extracted, and the consequence was it was almost like Tarik had had an injection because the needle’s so small. It allowed for (Skubal) to almost immediately return to a buildup,” Boras said. “It allows for a much more immediate beginning to rehab and to build up to pitch.”
THE SKUBAL SCOPE ⬇️
— ESPN Podcasts (@espnpodcasts) May 11, 2026
A new procedure… and a much faster return for the Tigers ace? 👀 @Buster_ESPN https://t.co/6eeNNVIHLg pic.twitter.com/gxVCV1W59W
ESPN’s Buster Olney noted that there is a belief in the Tigers’ clubhouse that Skubal could be back in early June. That would be well ahead of the usual two-to-three month timeline that such surgeries typically entail, and was also the expectation when it was determined that he needed the procedure.
The Tigers have been hit hard by injuries all season, but none is more consequential than Skubal’s. The reigning back-to-back Cy Young winner had a 2.70 ERA through seven starts this season.
Aaron Rodgers’ visit to Pittsburgh takes a strange turn
It was widely reported over the weekend that quarterback Aaron Rodgers was visiting Pittsburgh, but had no plans to meet with the Steelers. Now that story has another angle that makes it even weirder.
Rodgers’ visit to Pittsburgh came as a surprise to both the Steelers and his agent, David Dunn, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Schefter said on “The Pat McAfee Show” Monday that part of the reason there was no meeting with the team is because no one actually knew he would be there.
“When the report surfaced last week, that he was back in town visiting the Steelers, nobody in the organization knew about it, and his agent didn’t know about it,” Schefter said. “In fact, they said, flat out, it’s just not true.”
This is unreal. Schefter confirms Kaboly report. Steelers didn’t know Rodgers was coming to Pittsburgh. And get this. His agent didn’t know either. WTH is going on here??? pic.twitter.com/wDzQusSwl2
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) May 11, 2026
Rodgers loves to keep people guessing, but this is weird even for him. Why would Rodgers visit Pittsburgh without even his agent knowing? How did that information get out anyway? There are no clear answers, especially since original reports claimed he planned to sign a contract while in town. That, of course, did not happen.
For now, the Rodgers wait goes on. The Steelers start voluntary minicamp next week, which could be a key decision date for the quarterback. The conventional wisdom remains that he will ultimately return and play one more year with Pittsburgh, though.
Stephen A. Smith is pushing ESPN to bring back Shannon Sharpe
Stephen A. Smith is pushing ESPN to bring back Shannon Sharpe as one of his “First Take” debate partners.
Smith recently appeared on the “Out The Mud” podcast and revealed that he has made it clear to ESPN leadership that he wants Sharpe back on “First Take.” He added, however, that the final say does not belong to him.
“I’m always going to want him back. The company knows I want him back,” Smith said, via Brandon Contes of Awful Announcing. “Now, y’all going to do what y’all got to do because I’m the executive producer, but I’m not an executive VP of the company. I have bosses to answer to. They have to make that decision. But they already know I want him back. If we can get him back, I want him back, I ain’t apologizing for that to nobody. He was great for me. He was great to me, and I’m not gonna forget that. He was great for the show.”
Sharpe stepped away from ESPN roughly a year ago when he was accused of sexual misconduct. He eventually settled that lawsuit, but the network chose not to bring him back.
Sharpe has made it clear he would love to rejoin “First Take,” so it is obvious that the only people stopping it are top decision-makers at ESPN. In the meantime, he continues to host his “Club Shay Shay” podcast, but seems to know that a phone call from ESPN probably isn’t coming anytime soon.
Giants may already be willing to trade Rafael Devers
Rafael Devers may have worn out his welcome in San Francisco in less than a year.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale listed the San Francisco Giants as one of the teams to watch ahead of the MLB trade deadline, and Devers as a name that could be on the move. Nightengale wrote that the Giants would “love” to offload Devers and the remaining $226.5 million on his contract. He adds, however, that it is unlikely any other team would take on the deal.
The deal comes less than a year after the Giants landed Devers from the Boston Red Sox in a shocking trade. At the time, the Red Sox were roundly criticized for giving up on the player most saw as their best player after an early-season disagreement over his position.
As it turns out, the Red Sox may have known what they were doing. He hit .236 after moving to the Giants, and is hitting only .232 with four home runs to start the 2026 season. The Giants still owe the 29-year-old $226.5 million through 2033, and the production is absolutely not justifying the contract. It does not help that Devers did not look like he was in the best shape of his life when he arrived at spring training, either.
The Giants expected to contend this season, but are off to a 16-24 start and facing an increasingly hostile reception from fans. The roster, as constructed, has not worked, but they may be locked into it for a while because of immovable contracts like the one Devers has.
USC and Notre Dame may be ready to resume their rivalry
The USC-Notre Dame football rivalry may not be paused for long.
USC and Notre Dame are in active discussions to resume their annual football rivalry, according to Ryan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times. It is not clear when the game may return or what the terms would be, though Notre Dame is understood to be willing to play the game earlier in the season than before.
The Trojans and Fighting Irish have played annually nearly uninterrupted since 1926, but that streak will be broken starting in 2026. The major reason for the lack of an agreement was USC’s concern that a late-season loss to Notre Dame could negatively impact its College Football Playoff chances, while Notre Dame was, at that time, unwilling to play the game earlier in the season. Historically, the two sides have always played each other immediately after Thanksgiving.
The report cautions that it could still take several years for the rivalry to actually resume, and 2030 may be the earliest possible date. However, the fact that the sides are talking at all represents progress.
The fact that the rivalry paused at all was a source of great frustration for people associated with both schools. Those people still will not be happy with the interruption, but a brief pause is better than the rivalry ending completely.
NBA decides on further punishment for Victor Wembanyama
The NBA has already decided whether Victor Wembanyama will face any additional punishment for elbowing Minnesota’s Naz Reid during Sunday’s Game 4.
Wembanyama will not be suspended or fined for his flagrant-2 foul on Reid during Sunday’s game at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed on “The Pat McAfee Show” Monday.
.@Shamscharania joined the @PatMcAfeeShow to break the news that there will be no further discipline for Victor Wembanyama after being ejected in Game 4. pic.twitter.com/rG0QDMk28G
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 11, 2026
Wembanyama leveled Reid during the second quarter of Sunday’s Western Conference Semifinals game (video here). He was assessed a flagrant-2 foul, which is an automatic ejection.
There was immediate speculation after the game that Wembanyama might face further punishment for his actions. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson made it very clear that the team would find that unjustified, but other figures noted that there are certainly some NBA players that would probably be suspended for such a move. Ultimately, Wembanyama’s lack of a reputation or previous wrongdoing probably helped him here.
Minnesota went on to win Sunday’s game in comeback fashion to even up the series at 2. The pivotal Game 5 will take place in San Antonio on Tuesday.
Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy wounded in shooting
Missouri Tigers running back Ahmad Hardy is recovering after being shot early Sunday.
In a statement, Missouri said Hardy was the victim of a shooting at a concert in Mississippi early Sunday. Hardy underwent surgery and is in stable condition, but any timeline for his return to football activities “is unknown at this time.”
A statement from Mizzou Athletics on Ahmad Hardy pic.twitter.com/BnkcDIDSn7
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) May 11, 2026
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Hardy is “alert and moving around.” There is optimism that he will be able to play football again, though there is no timetable for when that might be.
Per an ESPN source, there’s optimism that Ahmad Hardy will play football again. How quickly he can return and the impact isn’t known. He’s alert today and moving around. https://t.co/YIr8uNmgI1
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 11, 2026
Hardy was a first-team All-SEC selection last season as a sophomore. The 20-year-old was second in FBS with 1,649 rushing yards last season, and was also a finalist for the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back.
Hardy played for UL Monroe before transferring to Missouri. He racked up 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns as a freshman.
Draymond Green has strong reaction to Victor Wembanyama’s ejection
Draymond Green had a strong reaction to those who feel that Victor Wembanyama was harshly punished for his actions in Sunday’s playoff game.
Wembanyama was ejected for elbowing Minnesota Timberwolves forward Naz Reid in the throat during Sunday’s Western Conference Semifinal Game 2 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. The severity of the foul (video here) has led to questions about whether he might be suspended for a crucial Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
One X user pointed out that if Green had done what Wembanyama did, people would be calling for a suspension. Green responded by taking it a step further.
“Y’all have called for my career for less,” Green wrote.
Y’all have called for my career for less. https://t.co/CUDr4X7yJK
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) May 11, 2026
Green, of course, has an extensive history that would factor into any hypothetical punishments. Wembanyama’s rap sheet is nowhere near as lengthy. On the other hand, it is fair to point out that Green would definitely not be getting the benefit of the doubt here.
It remains to be seen whether Wembanyama will face any further punishment for his actions. His team certainly thinks that would be unjust, but the NBA may feel differently.
Roddy White responds to Anthony Edwards’ shoutout
Anthony Edwards brandished a little bit of his football knowledge following the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 114-109 win on Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs.
During an interview following Minnesota’s victory in Game 4 of the Spurs series at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., Edwards was asked for his thoughts on teammate Ayo Dosunmu’s incredible catch in the clutch that helped the Timberwolves preserve the win.
Edwards, who was born in Georgia and played for the Georgia Bulldogs in college, gave former Atlanta Falcons star wide receiver Roddy White a shoutout by comparing Dosunmu to the four-time Pro Bowler.
White later saw Edwards’ postgame reaction and reciprocated the Timberwolves star’s homage.
“My favorite player he just built different. He bat clean up yall know what that mean,” White wrote in a post on X.
Edwards made White and every Timberwolves supporter proud with his performance in Game 4. He led all scorers with 36 points on 13/22 shooting from the field with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in 40 minutes. Minnesota got a big break with Spurs star Victor Wembanyama’s early ejection from the contest, but the Timberwolves nevertheless had to earn the win.
With their win, the Timberwolves tied their series against the Spurs at 2-2, with Game 5 coming up on Tuesday back at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Brandt Snedeker had an emotional moment after his first PGA Tour win since 2018
Brandt Snedeker waited a long time to get back to the top of a PGA Tour event. On Sunday, he finally did, winning the 2026 Myrtle Beach Classic at Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Shortly after eventual runner-up Mark Hubbard missed a putt that would have forced a playoff, 45-year-old Snedeker embraced his caddie, Heath Holt. It was an emotional moment that needed no words, conveying everything Snedeker felt about the win and the long journey it took to taste success again.
Here is a video of Snedeker’s emotional celebration.
An emotional victory for 45-year-old Brandt Snedeker.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 10, 2026
It's his first win since his mother passed away.
His caddie was there to embrace him right after he won ❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/70WnHvCHTG
Snedeker went 2,821 days without a PGA Tour win before topping the field at Myrtle Beach. His most recent victory before Sunday came at the 2018 Wyndham Championship. Snedeker also had an ugly start to his 2026 campaign, missing the cut in each of his first four starts and failing to crack the top 20 in any of his first three starts heading into the Myrtle Beach Classic.
“I feel amazing,” Snedeker said of his victory, via ESPN. “I feel so lucky to still be out here still doing what I love to do. To have a chance to win a golf tournament at my age and to be able to pull it out is something super special. I’m just so pumped.”
Snedeker finished the tournament carding an 18-under 266 to finish first and pocket $720,000.
Orioles pitcher’s gender reveal during a game is tough to beat
Baltimore Orioles reliever Anthony Nunez got the job done on the mound and more during Sunday’s series finale against the Athletics at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Md.
Nunez was called on by the Orioles to pitch in the eighth inning, with Baltimore holding a one-run lead.
He kept the Athletics at bay by tossing a scoreless frame, and while he was walking off the mound, he looked at one of MASN’s cameras and seemingly mouthed the words, “It’s a boy.”
You can watch that moment here.
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Anthony Nunez with the rare mid-inning gender reveal to his family watching at home. https://t.co/YMwvwoYGc7 pic.twitter.com/xTIPjTZUES
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 10, 2026
Orioles announcer Kevin Brown later gave a lowdown on Nunez’s gesture, which may have initially left many viewers confused. Apparently, Nunez took the opportunity to reveal that a family member is expecting a baby boy.
“Anthony is mouthing ‘it’s a boy’ for some family members,” Brown shared. “His brother and sister-in-law, Danny and Makayla Delgado, are expecting child No. 3. And that, folks, is one of the most creative gender reveals you’ll ever see. Anthony had the answer, Danny and Makayla did not know, and I hope that you two are watching.”
Baltimore won the game, 2-1, to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the A’s, with 24-year-old Nunez recording his sixth hold of the season.
Gender reveals in pro sports aren’t common, but they do happen from time to time. Recently, Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs helped a couple find out the gender of their baby before an NBA Playoffs game.
JJ Redick makes an emphatic statement about Deandre Ayton
There is clear frustration surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers, who have yet to solve the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Big man Deandre Ayton, for one, has caught plenty of heat for his play amid the second-round series against the reigning NBA champions, and he amplified concerns about his effort and effectiveness when he struggled to secure a rebound on consecutive plays.
But Lakers head coach JJ Redick is keeping his confidence high on Ayton, as he praised the former No. 1 draft pick heading into Game 4 of the Thunder series.
“I’ve been around DA for a season now. I know how special he is for our group to succeed. And I told him this morning, I said to him in the Houston series at one point he was the big part of the reason we were winning the series,” Redick told reporters on Monday, via Khobi Price of the California Post.
“He was a big part of the reason we won the series. I believe in him and he’s going to help us win tomorrow.”The Thunder have dominated Los Angeles on both ends of the floor on their way to securing a 3-0 series lead.
Oklahoma City has virtually won the series, as no team in NBA history has ever successfully come back from such a deficit. But if the Lakers are to prolong the series and keep their hopes of a playoff miracle alive, Ayton will definitely have to step it up. Through three games, he has averaged only 7.7 points on 39.3% shooting while grabbing 9.3 rebounds.
Chargers give Justin Herbert a new tight end
The Los Angeles Chargers are welcoming a new tight end.
After nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns, tight end David Njoku will be wearing a different uniform after he agreed to a 1-year, $8 million contract with the Chargers, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network on Monday.
The Los Angeles Chargers are welcoming a new tight end.
After nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns, tight end David Njoku will be wearing a different uniform after he agreed to a 1-year, $8 million contract with the Chargers, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network on Monday.
Njoku is an intriguing addition to the Chargers’ Justin Herbert-led offense, which also has a new offensive coordinator in Mike McDaniel. The former Miami Dolphins tight end is coming off a down 2025 campaign that saw him miss several games because of knee injuries. In the 12 games he played in what turned out to be his final season in Browns colors, Njoku posted 293 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns on 33 receptions and 48 targets.
The Browns perhaps felt it was also the right time to part ways with the 29-year-old Njoku, as Harold Fannin Jr. showed plenty of promise in his 2025 rookie campaign.
With the Chargers, however, Njoku will be playing alongside another young and promising tight end in Oronde Gadsden, who had 664 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns on 49 catches and 69 targets through 15 games as a rookie in 2025.
Nike takes a subtle shot at the 76ers after playoff elimination
Nike added to the pain of the Philadelphia 76ers following the team’s exit from the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
After the 76ers’ 144–114 loss in Game 4 of their second-round series against the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pa., the official X account of Nike Basketball sent out a post honoring Jalen Brunson and company with a creative dig aimed at the Sixers.
“Always the home team,” the post’s caption read.
It is seemingly a reference to how Knicks fans took over the 76ers’ home in a closeout game.
The post’s accompanying photo also showed an image of Brunson celebrating along with the copy “TOO MUCH TO PROCESS.”
Always the home team. pic.twitter.com/CxjEjzypoJ
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) May 10, 2026
It doesn’t take much for a basketball fan to detect the double entendre.
“The Process” was a term coined during the 76ers’ time under then-general manager Sam Hinkie, when the team lost a significant number of games to improve its odds of landing top draft picks.
Philadelphia was totally outclassed by the Knicks from beginning to end. Of the 76ers’ four losses in the series, only Game 2 was decided by single digits.
The 76ers have issues to address in the offseason, which were magnified by New York in the series. Worrying about Nike’s harmless ribbing should be the least of their concerns.
Mitch Johnson doubles down on Victor Wembanyama’s elbow to Naz Reid
San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson was fully in Victor Wembanyama’s corner after the All-Star got ejected from Game 4 on Sunday night.
Wembanyama was disqualified in the second quarter of the Western Conference semifinals contest after hitting Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid with an elbow above the neck area (video here). The Frenchman was assessed a flagrant penalty 2 foul, and had to retreat to the locker room at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn.
Instead of brushing aside Wembanyama’s actions, Johnson spun the blame back to referees for not “protecting” his star center enough. The second-year head coach claimed Wembanyama has had to deal with an excessive level of physicality, which officials fail to assess properly due to Wemby’s physically imposing frame.
“I just think that the amount of physicality that people play with him, at some level, you have to protect yourself,” Johnson said with a disgruntled tone during his postgame press conference. “Every single play on every single part of the floor, people are trying to impose their physicality on him.
“I get it, we get it. That’s part of the game. He’s gotten chucked, he’s gotten pushed down in transition, running freely. All the stuff. He doesn’t complain one time. We don’t complain, cause we just come to play. We don’t really give a s–t.
“But at some stage, he should be protected. And if not, he’s going to have to protect himself.”
Johnson added that he does not believe there are any grounds for Wembanyama to be suspended for Game 5. He pointed to the incident having “zero intent,” and called the notion of further disciplining Wembanyama “ridiculous” beyond the ejection he served in Game 4.
Wembanyama finished with 4 points and 4 rebounds across 12 minutes of action in San Antonio’s 114-109 loss.
Anthony Edwards had a telling message for Dylan Harper to close out Game 4
Anthony Edwards still cannot resist talking some trash despite not being a hundred percent healthy.
The Minnesota Timberwolves star led his team to victory on Sunday night at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., besting the San Antonio Spurs 114-109 to tie their Western Conference semifinals series at 2-2. Edwards was Minnesota’s clear No. 1 option. He shot 13/22 from the floor for 36 points — more than double that of any other T-Wolves player in Game 4.
Based on Edwards’ comments to Spurs rookie Dylan Harper during the fourth quarter, Ant-Man carried his team despite not having his usual explosive burst.
“I told [Dylan Harper] the last couple of possessions before the end of the game, if I would’ve had all my legs, he would’ve been dunked on,” Edwards shared during his postgame interview. “But he knew that. It’s all good, though.”
Anthony Edwards told Dylan Harper he would've dunked on him if his knee was healthy. 👏 pic.twitter.com/ijJwpccVln
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) May 11, 2026
Edwards was referring to a critical sequence as Minnesota trailed the Spurs 97-91 midway through the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves star bisected the paint and had the 6’6″ Harper waiting for him at the rim. Instead of rising up for a dunk like he normally would in such a scenario, Edwards hung in the air to miss a contested layup.
The 4-time All-Star has been hampered by injuries to both of his knees. He was already dealing with runner’s knee on his right leg entering the postseason before he hyperextended his left knee during the first round against the Denver Nuggets.
The fact that Edwards has played all four games of the series against the Spurs is already a marvel by its own right, whether or not he can put people on a poster yet. The knee looked perfectly fine as Edwards danced around defenders for 16 points in the fourth quarter of Game 4.
Wizards president had surprising admission after winning No. 1 pick
The Washington Wizards are reportedly not going all-in on AJ Dybantsa just yet.
The Wizards got blessed by the basketball gods on Sunday afternoon as they landed the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft lottery. In a draft loaded with top-end talent, many expect Dybantsa to be the favorite to have his name called first come June.
It’s not a foregone conclusion, however, that the Wizards will be the ones making that selection. According to NBA reporter Jake Fischer, who was present as the lottery combinations were being drawn, Wizards team president Michael Winger plans to “at least consider trading down.”
Per the report, Washington “will not rule out a move downward” depending on GM Will Dawkins’ evaluation of prospects, and the possibility that the team “determines there are two or three players” they could get in exchange.
There’s also the added wrinkle that the No. 2 pick went to the Utah Jazz, who have been linked to Dybantsa for years. Dybantsa played out his freshman season at BYU and also attended a Utah prep school before that.
With the Jazz getting ever so close to landing its most coveted player, Utah could conceivably offer Washington a massive offer to swap top-2 picks. The Wizards would still end up with Darryn Peterson or Cam Boozer, two players with first-overall-caliber talent, in such a scenario.
Of course, Winger may just be feeding reporters some generic corporate speak so as not to stir up any controversy ahead of the Wizards’ big moment in June.
Many see the least controversial move to be selecting Dybantsa, and for a franchise that is starved for franchise-altering talent, it’s hard to imagine Winger passing that up.
Pacers exec Kevin Pritchard has message for fans after his trade with Clippers backfired
Indiana Pacers team president Kevin Pritchard has addressed his team’s fan base following the results of the 2026 NBA draft lottery.
The Pacers were widely considered the biggest losers of Sunday afternoon’s lottery results. Indiana traded its top-4 protected 2026 first-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers at the February deadline in a deal that netted them center Ivica Zubac.
As fate would have it, the Pacers’ pick fell to fifth and was conveyed to the Clippers. The Pacers had a 52.2 percent chance to keep the pick, but the ping pong balls did not fall their way.
Pritchard felt the need to apologize moments after results of the lottery were made public.
“I’m really sorry to all our fans,” Pritchard wrote in a social media post. “I own taking this risk. Surprised it came up 5th after this year. I thought we were due some luck. But please remember – this team deserved a starting center to compete with the best teams next year. We have always been resilient.”
Indiana endured its worst season in franchise history by wins and losses this year, finishing with the second-worst record in the NBA at 19-63.
Zubac is a fine player whom the Pacers needed following the departure of Myles Turner during last free agency. But there’s an alternative universe where Indiana kept Zubac and also landed a franchise-altering prospect with one of the top-4 picks.
In this universe, Tyrese Haliburton could only post memes lamenting the loss of a pick that could have turned into another franchise cornerstone.
With the lottery results set in stone, the Pacers gave up a huge trade package to acquire Zubac. Aside from the No. 5 pick in the upcoming draft, the Clippers also received Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a 2029 first-round pick, and a second-round pick in the exchange.
