Report: Alex Cora at odds with Red Sox front office
The Boston Red Sox have traded Rafael Devers, but the problems and dysfunction may not be finished in the organization.
A new story by Joon Lee of Yahoo Sports shed light on the many issues that led to the Red Sox trading Devers to the San Francisco Giants in a shocking move on Sunday. In it, Lee notes that there are ongoing issues between manager Alex Cora and the front office, particularly chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.
Cora and Breslow “have not seen eye-to-eye” on the team’s direction, according to Lee. Cora wants to win now, while Breslow is more focused on trying to position the organization for long-term success. Cora’s recent willingness to bench top prospects like Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony for platoon matchups is seen as an indication of his own mindset being at odds with Breslow’s.
Red Sox coaches also feel that player development at the lower levels of the organization is not what it should be, and that players are not being taught proper fundamentals in the minor leagues. The Red Sox lead the league with 64 errors as of Monday.
Breslow has even alienated some within his own front office. Former scouting supervisor Carl Moesche was fired after the 2024 season after referring to Breslow as a “f—ing stiff” on a Zoom meeting that he thought had ended.
There were some signals that Cora and Breslow were not on the same page even earlier this season. Cora publicly stated that there had been no discussions about asking Devers to play first base following Triston Casas’ season-ending injury. Days later, it emerged that the Red Sox front office had asked Devers to do just that, a request Devers balked at.
Cora has won a World Series as Red Sox manager and is clearly valued highly by ownership. One has to wonder if he and the team’s current front office ethos can coexist long-term.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s longtime teammate makes prediction about his future
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s longtime Milwaukee Bucks teammate thinks that he is going … absolutely nowhere.
Bucks forward Bobby Portis appeared Monday on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back.” During the episode, Portis made a definitive prediction about Antetokounmpo’s future. Portis predicted that Antetokounmpo will be “staying put” with the Bucks.
“When you’ve been on a team for a decade-plus, and when you’ve done so much for a city—lowkey, like, basketball in Milwaukee wasn’t really a thing until Giannis became who he is,” said Portis, per HoopsHype. “So when you put that much effort into a franchise, that much trust and belief, and you’ve been loyal for so long … I just feel like he bleeds green, man. No matter what’s reported, no matter what might come to the threshold.
“So me personally? Nah, man. I don’t really see any movement happening,” Portis added. “I think he’s staying put with the Bucks.”
Portis and Antetokounmpo have been teammates in Milwaukee since 2020. That stretch included winning the 2021 NBA championship together with the Bucks.
While the former NBA MVP Antetokounmpo still has two more guaranteed years left under contract, speculation over his future has reached a fever pitch in recent weeks. Some contributing factors to all the buzz have been the Bucks losing in the first round for a third straight year and Damian Lillard now looking doubtful for next season after suffering an Achilles tear.
That said, the tea leaves now seem to be leaning in favor of Antetokounmpo sticking around in Milwaukee (especially if you believe the reports from the last few days). Portis, who has a decision to make of his own with a $13.4 million player option for next year, is among those who believe that Antetokounmpo is simply standing pat.
Michigan lands former 4-star QB in transfer portal
The Michigan Wolverines were plagued by poor quarterback play for much of the 2024 season. They are clearly determined to avoid that problem in 2025.
The Wolverines confirmed Monday that former 4-star recruit Jake Garcia will transfer to Michigan for the 2025 season. Garcia is a graduate transfer, but is expected to have two years of eligibility remaining.
Welcome to Ann Arbor, @JakeGarcia14! 〽️ pic.twitter.com/J4fwBoo2Ze
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) June 16, 2025
Garcia was a highly-touted quarterback prospect in the class of 2021. He originally planned to sign with USC, but wound up decommitting and landed with Miami instead. In two seasons there, he completed 81 of 131 passes for 949 yards with 7 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He spent a year on the bench at Missouri before winding up at East Carolina, where he struggled to the tune of 8 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as the team’s starter in 2024.
Michigan worked very hard to successfully flip top recruit Bryce Underwood from LSU. He will probably get the chance to start, and Garcia profiles as a more experienced depth option in the event that Underwood proves unready.
The Wolverines are coming off an 8-5 season, but they did beat Ohio State for the fourth consecutive season. Expectations will be higher in 2025, though they will have to start the season without their head coach on the sideline.
Kristaps Porzingis linked with trade to Western Conference team
The Boston Celtics may move on from Kristaps Porzingis this offseason, and one Western Conference team may be at the front of the queue for him.
The Phoenix Suns have been doing “background work” on a Porzingis trade, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. The Suns also have some interest in Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner in free agency, suggesting the organization is determined to get a big man this summer.
The Phoenix Suns have been doing their homework on Kristaps Porziņģis, per @JakeLFischer
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 16, 2025
“I’ve also heard that Phoenix has done some background work on Kristaps Porziņģis with Boston known to be exploring its trade options up and down the roster. Sources say you can likewise… pic.twitter.com/fFUxSIn8ms
The Suns are likely to look very different next season, with Kevin Durant likely on the way out. That will force the team to find a way to remain competitive while building around Devin Booker while also confronting the reality that Bradley Beal’s contract likely makes him immovable. The best way to do that is probably to get a player who can pose a threat on the interior.
The Celtics might not want to trade Porzingis, and have certainly been warned against it. However, they may have no realistic choice but to trim payroll for next season if they do not want to risk becoming extremely expensive.
Porzingis played in 42 games last season, averaging 19.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for Boston. The 29-year-old has one year remaining on his current contract.
Ippei Mizuhara reports to federal prison after delay
Ippei Mizuhara has officially begun his federal prison sentence.
Mizuhara, the disgraced former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, is now in federal prison in Pennsylvania, Tisha Thompson of ESPN reported Monday. The 40-year-old Mizuhara was ordered to surrender to federal authorities by Monday and is now in custody at Federal Correctional Institution Allenwood Low, a low-security prison in Allenwood, Pa.
Thompson notes that Mizuhara was initially supposed to report to prison in March but that a federal judge granted the delay. The exact reasons for the delay remain under seal.
In February of this year, Mizuhara was sentenced to 57 months in prison on federal tax and bank fraud charges after pleading guilty to the charges last year. Mizuhara embezzled an estimated $17 million from Ohtani’s bank accounts and allegedly used the funds to pay off an illegal bookie. Earlier this year, an audio recording emerged of Mizuhara impersonating Ohtani during a phone call to a bank in an attempt to push through a sizable wire transfer from one of Ohtani’s accounts.
Mizuhara is also facing possible deportation to Japan upon the conclusion of his prison term. Meanwhile, Matthew Bowyer, a bookmaker tied to the Mizuhara case, has since pled guilty to federal charges as well.
The delay in Mizuhara’s report date to prison makes for some interesting timing. Namely, Mizuhara is beginning his federal prison sentence on the exact same day that Ohtani is slated to make his return as a pitcher after an absence of nearly two years.
Aroldis Chapman could play for strange country in World Baseball Classic
Cuban native Aroldis Chapman is considering taking part in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, potentially as a player for very surprising country.
The Boston Red Sox reliever told Alejandro Rodriguez of SwingCompleto that he has been approached by Great Britain to play for the country in the WBC. Chapman said he would consider the offer, though he wants to see how his free agency progresses this winter before fully committing.
“I did not give them 100% certainty about whether I will play,” Chapman said, via Mike Rosenstein of NESN. “Remember that I will be a free agent next season and I don’t know what will happen. But I told them that I am available to be on the roster and that before giving a definite yes about playing, I need to wait for my next season in free agency to unfold.”
Chapman added that he was also informally approached by the United States about playing for them, but never received an official invitation.
How is Chapman eligible to play for Great Britain? His paternal grandparents migrated to Cuba from Jamaica, which is a former British colony and remains part of the Commonwealth.
Chapman defected from Cuba in 2009 and is banned from playing internationally for the island nation. He has said in the past that he would not play for Cuba again even if he were reinstated.
The Great Britain team typically consists of players from the Bahamas, as well as Americans of British descent. Chapman would certainly be a high-profile recruit for a squad that, in past WBC appearances, gained more attention for their celebrations than for their on-field play.
Kevin Durant’s top choice reportedly does not want him
The Kevin Durant sweepstakes have reportedly been narrowed down to just a few teams, but it does not sound like the 15-time All-Star’s top choice is among them.
Durant is owed $54.7 million in the final year of his contract next season. A report over the weekend claimed Durant would only be willing to sign a long-term extension with three teams: the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets. The Spurs may not be a legitimate suitor for Durant, however, as a separate report said the Heat, Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves are the finalists for him.
During a Monday appearance on ESPN’s “NBA Today,” Marc Spears said the team Durant most wants to play for is not interested in the 36-year-old. That team is the New York Knicks.
“K.D. wanted the New York Knicks. He wanted to go there. The Knicks have no interest in bringing him in, which probably makes Knicks nation probably quite interested in why not,” Spears said. “I think these three choices (the Heat, Rockets and Timberwolves) are by default. He definitely doesn’t want to go to Minnesota.”
Spears added that Durant has some concern that the Suns are seeking too big of a return in trade talks.
“I think there is some fear from him and (agent) Rich Kleiman that they’re hoping there’s gonna be respect at Kevin’s age to give him what he wants, rather than try to trade him like he’s 31 years old, which he’s not anymore,” Spears said. “I think they’re trying to get a major haul, but they’re hoping that they work with him and get it done.”
Marc Spears:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) June 16, 2025
"KD wanted the New York Knicks. The Knicks have no interest in bringing him in"
"There is some fear from him and Rich Kleiman that they're hoping that there's going to be respect at Kevin's age to give him what he wants rather than try to trade him like he's 31" pic.twitter.com/bzWLWq1j4e
Durant is said to want nothing to do with the Timberwolves, even though they just went to the Western Conference Finals. That does not necessarily mean Minnesota will bow out of the sweepstakes, as they could make the best offer in hopes that they win a title next year and/or Durant changes his mind about signing an extension.
Durant has been linked to the Knicks for years. He claimed a while back that the thought of being the player who saves their tortured franchise does not appeal to him, but maybe this year’s Eastern Conference Finals run changed his mind.
Report: Knicks eyeing trade for ex-Defensive Player of the year
Tom Thibodeau may be gone, but the New York Knicks are still apparently focused heavily on defense.
The Knicks view Memphis Grizzlies All-Star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. as a “dream pairing” in their frontcourt alongside Karl-Anthony Towns, Kris Pursiainen of ClutchPoints reported on Monday. Pursiainen further notes that at least one key member of the Knicks’ front office has long been interested in Jackson as a trade target.
A 25-year-old ex-lottery pick, Jackson is about to enter the final season of his contract with the Grizzlies at $23.4 million. Memphis also just traded away Desmond Bane to an Eastern Conference contender over the weekend, potentially signaling the beginning of a rebuild.
Jackson’s resume speaks for itself at this point. He is already a two-time All-Star as well as a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Jackson has twice led the league in blocked shots and is fairly durable as well, appearing in 74 games this season.
The Knicks currently have Mitchell Robinson as their starting center. But Robinson’s health is always a question, and he is almost a complete non-factor outside the paint. By contrast, Jackson is a 35.1 percent career three-point shooter (hitting 37.5 percent of his threes this year) and also has the agility to switch onto guards on the defensive perimeter. That would indeed make Jackson an ideal fit next to the defensively-uneven five-time All-Star Towns.
There are some doubts as to whether the Grizzlies are actually entertaining the possibility of a Jackson trade. But it seems like the Knicks, who once employed Jackson’s father (Jaren Jackson Sr.) as an assistant coach for their G League affiliate, may at least be looking to try their luck on that front.
South Carolina QB claims he turned down $8 million transfer offer
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers should be pretty popular among the school’s fans for an impressive show of loyalty this offseason.
Sellers’ father Norris admitted that the South Carolina quarterback received a 2-year, $8 million NIL offer from an unidentified school to try to tempt the quarterback into transferring from the Gamecocks. Both Sellers and his father agreed, however, that the right thing to do was to stick with his current school.
“He was offered all kinds of crazy numbers,” Norris Sellers told Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. “I told him he could say, I’m gonna stay or I’m gonna go. By my two cents: It was to get into college on a scholarship, play ball, get our degree and go on about our business. This NIL deal came later. We didn’t come here to make money. We came here to get our education, play ball, and with schools calling, we’re not gonna jump ship because they’re offering more than what we’re getting. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
The quarterback had a simpler explanation.
“I’ve been playing football all of my life for free,” LaNorris said. “I’ve built relationships here, my family’s here, my brother’s here. There’s no reason for me to go someplace else and start over.”
Sellers is viewed as a potential first-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft if he goes pro. As a freshman, he threw for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns, and rushed for 674 yards and seven more scores.
The $8 million figure is a huge number considering what some other quarterbacks got when they transferred this past spring. Credit to Sellers for staying loyal and deciding that the best thing for his development is to continue it with his current coaches and teammates.
Gage Wood had savage 6-word reaction to his no-hitter
Arkansas pitcher Gage Wood on Monday threw just the third no-hitter in College World Series history, but he still had one regret after his dominant performance.
Wood struck out a College World Series record 19 batters in the Razorbacks’ 3-0 win over Murray State in what was an elimination game at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb. The right-hander nearly threw a perfect game, but he hit Murray State infielder Dom Decker with a pitch in the eighth inning.
During an on-field interview with ESPN after the game, Wood was asked to describe his emotions following the best performance of his young career. The junior had a blunt response.
“I shouldn’t have hit the guy,” Wood said.
“You just threw the 3rd no hitter in the history of this event. How do you describe your emotions?”
— Chris Marler (@VernDumbquist) June 16, 2025
“I shouldn’t have hit the guy.” – Gage Wood
What a fkin legend 😂😂😂 #WPS #CWS pic.twitter.com/ukHgyw7J4B
That is the type of bulldog mentality that had Wood throwing 98 mph in the ninth inning when he was well over 100 pitches.
Wood also hit Murray State pinch hitter Nico Bermeo in the elbow at the start of the ninth, but the umpires reviewed the play and determined that Bermeo had leaned into the pitch. The call was overturned from a hit-by-pitch to an out. Wood then struck out the final two Murray State batters to finish the no-hitter.
Wood is right that he could have had a perfect game with a little more control, but that does not take anything away from his outing. He has now cemented his place in the College World Series history books, and Arkansas is moving is still playing for a national championship.
Gage Wood goes nuts with 19-strikeout no-hitter in College World Series
Gage Wood is an absolute monster for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Wood on Monday threw the third no-hitter in the history of the College World Series. He did so in a 3-0 win over Murray State in what was an elimination game at the event at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb.
Wood not only pitched a no-hitter, but he was so dominant he struck out 19 batters and nearly threw a perfect game. Wood hit Dom Decker on the foot with a breaking ball in the 8th inning to spoil the perfect game. He also hit another Murray State batter in the elbow in the 9th inning, but the umpires reviewed the play and determined the batter had leaned into the pitch. They overturned it from a hit-by-pitch and made it an out.
Gage Wood allowed a hit-by-pitch in the 8th inning for the only baserunner.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 16, 2025
He also hit a Murray State batter to start the 9th, but that was overturned (and counted as the 17th strikeout) after review, to the surprise of the ESPN crew. ⚾️📺🎙️ #MCWS pic.twitter.com/2KvWwJSajR
The no-hitter was the first at the College World Series in 65 years. The most recent was thrown by Oklahoma State’s Jim Wixson against UNC in 1960. Before that, Jim Ehrler from Texas threw one in 1950 against Tufts.
Wood had a great comment during his postgame interview, saying “I shouldn’t have hit that guy.” That showed how much he focuses on being as good as possible.
Wood entered the game 3-1 with a 5.02 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 28.2 innings. He just made his stats for the season look a whole lot better.
Browns considering surprising QB plan for 2025
The consensus is that the Cleveland Browns simply have too many quarterbacks on the roster right now to carry them all into the 2025 season. The team, however, might feel differently about that.
The Browns are considering keeping all four of their healthy quarterbacks on the roster this season, according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. The move is under consideration because the group is relatively affordable, costing roughly $7.6 million in total cap space.
The Browns are also aware that they still do not have a clear long-term solution at quarterback. If either Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel flash potential next season, they could wind up with a surplus of quarterback assets, leaving them in a better position or with a valuable trade chip.
This would be an unorthodox decision, as it is virtually unheard of for a modern NFL team to keep four healthy quarterbacks on the roster. The Browns, however, might not contend this year, and feel they might as well try to win games while assessing what they have for the future. Keeping all of them might be their best chance to do that.
Veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are the two quarterbacks viewed as most likely to start. Rookies Sanders and Gabriel both have a chance, too, though one of the two has yet to show much during offseason work.
Philip Fulmer’s grandson announces his college commitment
JP Peace, the grandson of former Tennessee Volunteers head coach Philip Fulmer, announced his college commitment on Monday. He chose a fitting school.
Peace announced via social media that he has committed to the Vols.
“I’m 100% committed to the University of Tennessee!!!” Peace announced in a post on X.
I’m 100% committed to the University of Tennessee!!! #GBO @Vol_Football @coachjoshheupel @WilliamInge1 @CoachTimBanks @samspiegs @ChadSimmons_ @AustinPriceless @5StarPreps @GregBiggins @On3Recruits @Rivals @LamarBrown15 @BC0027 @JamieHolbrook99 @CharlesPetrone @matt_ray_ pic.twitter.com/U2q19oLa9Z
— JP Peace (@JPPeace08) June 16, 2025
Peace is listed at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, which is really good size for a kid who is only going to be a junior at Knoxville West in the fall. He plays linebacker and already has been clocked at 4.50 in the 40-yard dash.
4.50 40💨 pic.twitter.com/Qlx66wwwYn
— JP Peace (@JPPeace08) May 24, 2025
Peace had scholarship offers from Florida State, Virginia Tech, Kentucky and Vanderbilt, among other programs. In a video Peace shared on his X profile in May, you can see his incredible closing speed on display as he was able to chase down running backs without issue.
Spring Scrimmage 2025!
— JP Peace (@JPPeace08) May 10, 2025
Number:9
Position:Inside LB pic.twitter.com/cquyUKjqzZ
Peace’s ties to Tennessee run deep. His grandfather Philip was an offensive lineman for Tennessee before becoming a highly successful head coach of the program from 1992-2008. Peace’s father Robert was a linebacker for the Vols from 2000-2003. Robert later married Fulmer’s daughter Courtney.
Clippers hire former NBA Executive of the Year
The LA Clippers are adding another cook to their kitchen.
Ex-Sacramento Kings general manager Monte McNair is joining the front office of the Clippers in an advisor role, Shams Charania of ESPN reported on Monday. The move comes just two months after McNair and the Kings agreed to part ways after four-and-a-half years together.
McNair became the GM for Sacramento in Sept. 2020. He had his moments with the team, namely, building the 2022-23 Kings that earned the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2006 and their first division title since 2003. But McNair also had some forgettable moves, including trading away Tyrese Haliburton (who is now in the NBA Finals with the Indiana Pacers) and getting a fairly underwhelming return earlier this year in trading away De’Aaron Fox.
Also a longtime former front office figure for the Houston Rockets (from 2007-20), McNair won NBA Executive of the Year with the Kings in 2023. McNair did have some big reported issues with Sacramento owner Vivek Ranadive though, and now he is returning to a more complementary role in the front office of the Clippers.
The Clippers, who are currently led by president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, are facing an interesting offseason themselves. They improbably won 50 games this season but then lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Denver Nuggets. Now the Clippers have to decide how to better complement their roster around an aging James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
In recent days, the Clippers have been linked to a potential major swing on the trade market. Now they are adding McNair to the mix to help them navigate the road ahead.
Ja Morant’s status with Grizzlies revealed amid blockbuster trade
Ja Morant’s backcourt partner was just traded away, but it doesn’t look like Morant himself is next up on the chopping block.
The Memphis Grizzlies still plan to build around their All-Star guard Morant as well as standout center Jaren Jackson Jr, Shams Charania of ESPN reported on Monday. Charania notes that the Grizzlies are “signaling privately” that those are their plans, even after their trade over the weekend of guard Desmond Bane.
Memphis just dealt Bane, a 20-ppg scorer at 26 years old, to an Eastern Conference playoff team in exchange for a package heavy on future draft picks. The move led many to believe that the Grizzlies, who were swept out of the first round of the playoffs this year, might be launching a full-scale rebuild.
The former All-NBA selection Morant is probably the best asset left on the Memphis roster, especially since he is still only 25 and has another three years remaining on his contract. There have also been signs in recent months that the Grizzlies’ patience is wearing thin with Morant, who is often injured and who regularly makes the news for unsavory reasons.
A report broke in late March claiming that Morant and the Grizzlies were at odds, particularly after the firing of head coach Taylor Jenkins. Just a few days ago, Morant made a high-profile change to his representation as well.
Nevertheless, Morant, who averaged 23.2 points and 7.3 assists per game, is eligible for a new two-year extension with Memphis this summer. While it remains to be seen if the Grizzlies will actually offer it to Morant, they at least sound content with potentially keeping the explosive point guard around for the remainder of his current contract.
NBA Finals making cool change for Game 5
The NBA Finals are making a cool change ahead of Monday’s Game 5 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
ABC is planning to air the pregame introductions for each team’s starting lineup. This reportedly will be the first time that is done since 2013.
What’s the big deal with this matter? There were widespread complaints that the NBA Finals lacked any sort of special feeling that should reflect the importance of the series. Fans noted there were no representations of the Larry O’Brien Trophy on the court or on the jerseys of players. They mentioned the lack of pregame introductions that could help build up excitement. All in all, the NBA Finals did not seem distinguished from any other game.
The NBA listened to the complaints and added a small Larry O’Brien Trophy sticker to the court for Game 2, but that effort was mocked. Now ABC is planning to air the pregame starter introductions.
The good news is the NBA is listening to feedback from its fans and trying to adjust for the better. They were probably motivated to make the changes after the TV viewership ratings for Game 1 of the series were low.
The Finals are tied 2-2, and the teams have alternated wins. If that trend keeps, that would mean it’s the Pacers’ turn to get a victory. This game is particularly critical. When a series is tied at two, the winner of Game 5 goes on to win the series 74 percent of the time.
Aaron Rodgers’ family reportedly has surprising stance on QB’s marriage
Aaron Rodgers has revealed very little about the woman he says he married at some point this year, and even the quarterback’s own family has reportedly questioned whether he is telling the truth.
Rodgers has been spotted wearing a band on his left ring finger this offseason. When asked about the ring during his first public comments as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, the four-time NFL MVP said he has been married for “a couple months.”
According to a Monday report from Josh Boswell and Steve Helling of the Daily Mail, several of Rodgers’ family members and friends were surprised to hear that the 41-year-old has a wife, who is apparently named Brittani. Some people close to Rodgers are even questioning whether there was actually a wedding, according to the Daily Mail.
No one has been able to track down any public records that indicate Rodgers got married, though that does not necessarily mean there was no wedding. Some family members reportedly suspect Rodgers and his mystery girlfriend may have had some sort of symbolic ceremony and are not in a legally binding marriage.
A separate report from the Daily Mail last week noted that Rodgers’ brother, Jordan Rodgers, was not at Aaron’s wedding and barely knows anything about the quarterback’s new wife. Jordan and his wife JoJo Fletcher are said to only know what they have heard about Brittany from Aaron and Jordan’s parents.
The relationship between Aaron and his brother Jordan, an ESPN college football analyst, has been strained for years. Jordan had hoped Aaron would come to his wedding in 2016, but that did not happen.
Rumors suggested that Rodgers’ relationship with the rest of his family became strained as a result of one of his famous exes.
Rodgers said during an April appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he was in a “serious relationship” and had some off-field things consuming him. In a different interview with McAfee last December, Rodgers said he had a girlfriend named Brittani. We are unsure of the exact spelling of the woman’s name, but Rodgers specified that she was “Brittani with an ‘I’” when he brought it up.
It would hardly be a surprise if Rodgers got married without inviting any of his family or close friends, but apparently some people who know him are skeptical that it actually happened.
Kevin Durant has no interest in playing for 1 interested team
One of Kevin Durant’s interested suitors is going to be disappointed with the Phoenix Suns star’s stance toward playing for them.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday that Durant has no interest in playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. That would likely rule the Timberwolves out of any
“I’m told Durant has no desire to be in Minnesota with the Timberwolves,” Charania said. “How does that shape how the Minnesota Timberwolves and other teams that could have interest but are outside of his preferred list decide to move forward with these Durant discussions?”
Shams: "I'm told Kevin Durant has no desire to be in Minnesota with the Timberwolves"
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) June 16, 2025
No KD-Ant duo anymore pic.twitter.com/4SxnaO3LLc
Charania added that the Suns have been in active discussions with the Timberwolves, as well as the Miami Heat and Houston Rockets. Those are not necessarily the three teams Durant would be most interested in signing a contract extension with.
The Timberwolves could still try and trade for Durant, but they would run the risk of him leaving after one season in free agency. The Suns are known to be working with Durant and his manager, Rich Kleiman, to find a trade partner that is acceptable to all involved. One has to wonder if the Suns will stop engaging Minnesota if Durant does not want to go there.
The Timberwolves had also tried to acquire Durant at the trade deadline in February, but nothing came of it then. From their perspective, the move looks like a longshot now as well.
Giants WR reveals change in playing with Russell Wilson
One New York Giants wide receiver has already noticed a difference in practicing with quarterback Russell Wilson.
Veteran receiver Darius Slayton threw some shade at the team’s previous quarterbacks when noting that Wilson has energized his wide receivers during offseason camps. Slayton said that sometimes, wide receivers running deep routes are rewarded by Wilson, when that was not necessarily the case with previous quarterbacks.
“There’s certain plays where the ball’s designed to go certain places. In his head, he might be in the huddle and go ‘Hey, you’ve got the post here, but you’re not dead,’” Slayton said. “A lot of times, you might run a post corner, whatever different concepts, and the guy underneath always gets the ball. When you’re the guy running deep, you’re just kind of running for love. He’ll be like, ‘Hey, alert here, if the safety drops, I’ll give it to you,’ and he’s done it multiple times over camp.
“You’re going to run anyways, but it gives you a little extra juice. I could really get the ball right here.”
Darius Slayton on the mentality change at Giants QB w/ Russell Wilson.
— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) June 16, 2025
"A lot of the times you'd run a vertical concept and the ball keeps going underneath, underneath, but Russ will alert you "hey if the safety drops, I'll get you the ball" and he's actually done it a lot in… pic.twitter.com/1uTwK0mNCb
Slayton probably isn’t trying to criticize the likes of Daniel Jones, but there does seem to be a different energy in camp with Wilson. Jones’ inability to push the ball down the field was a major storyline for the Giants last season, so one can understand why it would be exciting to be working with a more aggressive quarterback in Wilson.
Slayton was already enthusiastic about the Wilson signing. He seems even happier with it now that they’ve had the chance to play together.
David Ortiz has strong reaction to Rafael Devers trade
Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz has shared his reaction to the Rafael Devers trade, and he believes the stunning move should serve as a warning to other star players.
The Red Sox traded Devers to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday for what most view as an underwhelming package of MLB players and prospects. In an interview with Yancen Pujols on Monday, Ortiz was asked for his thoughts on the blockbuster deal. He suggested Devers was traded because of the slugger’s ego.
Ortiz’s interview was in Spanish, but it was translated by reporter Marcos Grunfeld.
“No one is indispensable on a team. The only way to become indispensable is by doing things the right way, all the way around,” Ortiz said. “You need to be available. I think that marked the end of the relationship between the Red Sox and Devers.
“You have to be smart. A player’s worst enemy is his ego. And guess what teams do with your ego? They buy it.”
David Ortiz to @YancenPujols in Spanish: “No one is indispensable on a team. The only way to become indispensable is by doing things the right way, all the way around. You need to be available. I think that marked the end of the relationship between the Red Sox and Devers. You… https://t.co/fLhvxsVZ3g
— Marcos Grunfeld 🇮🇱 (@TheBeatwriter) June 16, 2025
The remarks from Ortiz are particularly notable because he had worked directly with Devers. Big Papi was spotted with Devers during spring training, and the belief was that the three-time World Series champion would help Devers with the transition from third base to designated hitter.
Like Devers, Ortiz was 28 when he became a full-time DH. Devers was openly unhappy when the Red Sox moved him to DH after signing Gold Glove-winning third baseman Alex Bregman, and Devers even suggested he might request a trade.
The relationship between Devers and the Red Sox only worsened after the team asked him to play first base following Triston Casas’ season ending injury.
Had Devers been more receptive to Ortiz’s advice, it is possible he would still be with the Red Sox. Perhaps he wanted to be traded, which would explain why the Hall of Famer could not get through to him.
