LeBron James has cryptic message about facing Steph Curry again
LeBron James and Steph Curry went the entire season without playing against each other, and James is using that fact to once again raise questions about his own future.
Curry did not play in Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers as the Golden State Warriors manage his right knee injury. That meant the two never actually suited up against each other this season. That did not stop James from reflecting on their previous meetings, which he called a “pleasure” and an “honor.”
“We don’t know what the future holds,” James said, via Chris Cwik of Yahoo Sports. “We don’t know if we’ll get the opportunity to play against each other or how many more times we get to play against each other.”
The obvious implication is that James might not play another season, though that is seen as less likely than the alternative. There is also the chance that injuries could derail future meetings, which is what happened this season. Perhaps the most intriguing possibility, however, is that James and Curry do not face off anymore because they wind up on the same team, though that also seems unlikely.
James and Curry have had many memorable clashes over the years. It would be enjoyable to see them face off once more, though James might just be using this opportunity to tease people about his potential retirement some more.
Toaster strudel trash talk: Josh Hokit’s cringe-fest steals UFC spotlight
Josh Hokit, an undefeated heavyweight prospect and former NFL player, has dominated headlines during UFC 327 fight week in Miami for all the wrong reasons.
Scheduled to face Curtis Blaydes on Saturday night, the rising contender opted for theatrical antics aimed at generating viral moments rather than focusing on the matchup itself.
At the ceremonial weigh-in, Hokit seized Joe Rogan’s microphone, danced with the ring card girls, and delivered nonsensical lines such as “Don’t twist my noodle, toy poodle” and “I’m going to toast him like a toaster strudel,” only to be met with boos from the crowd.
He later appeared on the scale in a feigned state of terror, trembling and claiming he felt too small against Blaydes. Additional stunts included provoking altercations with other fighters and switching personas backstage.
Fighters and fans have largely rejected the approach.
Blaydes dismissed Hokit as a “Colby Covington wannabe” chasing clips instead of developing genuine skills, warning that such efforts “are going to come back and bite you in the ass.”
Dana White has also voiced disapproval, while online reactions describe the behavior as cringeworthy and overly forced.
As an up-and-comer, Hokit risks alienating the very audience and peers whose respect he needs most. While attention-seeking tactics can boost visibility, they appear to be backfiring, overshadowing his potential inside the Octagon.
Brittney Griner lands seven-figure with Connecticut Sun
Brittney Griner has signed a seven-figure contract with the Connecticut Sun, marking one of the notable deals as the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement takes effect and free agency opens.
The agreement was first reported by the team’s sideline reporter, Terrika Foster-Brasby, and confirmed by other outlets on Friday.
The 35-year-old center, standing 6-foot-9, brings a decorated resume to Connecticut in what will be the franchise’s final season before relocating to Houston in 2027.
A 10-time All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Griner was the first overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury in 2013. She helped lead that team to the 2014 WNBA title and has earned three Olympic gold medals with Team USA, along with multiple All-WNBA honors and blocking titles.
Griner gained international attention in 2022 after being detained in Russia for nearly 10 months on drug charges before her release in a prisoner exchange.
She returned to the court in 2023 and spent the 2025 season with the Atlanta Dream, where she averaged career lows of 9.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while contributing to a surprising playoff run.
The move follows Jackie Young’s one-year, $1.19 million deal with the Las Vegas Aces, the league’s first million-dollar contract under the new CBA, which significantly boosts player salaries.
Griner is expected to provide veteran leadership to the Sun’s young core.
Coco Gauff claps back at hairstyle critics: ‘I won’t apologize’
Tennis star Coco Gauff ended a month-long social media hiatus to respond to negative comments about her natural hair in a recent Miu Miu advertising campaign.
The 22-year-old two-time Grand Slam champion, who is preparing to defend her French Open title, shared an eight-minute TikTok video addressing the backlash that followed the photoshoot.
In the campaign promoting the Vivant leather bag, Gauff appeared on her backyard tennis court wearing a preppy red polo and navy technical skirt. She opted for minimal makeup and styled her 4C hair in a natural bun, a choice she explained was intentional to avoid damage from slicking it back.
Critics focused heavily on her unpolished appearance, prompting Gauff to temporarily delete her social media accounts after she encountered thousands of unkind remarks.
Gauff made clear she would not apologize for her look.
“I’m not gonna apologize for the way that my hair looked, because there are other girls who had the exact same hair as me, and I just wanted them to feel represented that your hair is literally fine the way it is,” she said in the video.
Gauff noted that her natural texture was deemed suitable for a high-fashion brand.
“If my 4C hair is good enough for that, yours is good enough to do whatever it is you need it to do,” she said.
The American player acknowledged feeling down for a couple of days but emphasized resilience. She encouraged young Black girls with kinky hair to embrace their choices, pointing out that those who criticize natural presentations often reveal their own insecurities.
“Do what you want to do with your hair,” she advised, underscoring that both minimal and expressive styles hold beauty.
Gauff, a prominent advocate for self-acceptance, returns her focus to the clay-court season while reminding fans that confidence outweighs online judgment. Her response has drawn supportive reactions from many followers who praised her authenticity.
Georgia basketball player arrested in Bulldogs’ latest vehicular case
Georgia basketball freshman Kareem Stagg was arrested Wednesday in Oconee County after authorities clocked him driving 87 MPH in a 65 MPH zone on Ga. 316.
The 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward from Chesapeake, Va., was alone in a 2023 Tesla Model Y at the time of the stop. Stagg told the officer he did not have his physical license but expected a paper copy to arrive by mail.
He presented a Georgia driver’s course certificate and acknowledged knowing that his learner’s permit required a licensed driver over 21 to accompany him.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office charged Stagg with speeding and driving without a valid license. He was released from custody later that afternoon after posting bonds totaling $1,245.
The University of Georgia athletics department issued a statement saying it was aware of the charges and actively gathering additional information. As this remains an ongoing legal matter, the program declined further comment.
“We are aware of the charges and are actively gathering additional information. As this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not be providing further comment at this time,” the school said in a statement, via the New York Post.
Stagg averaged 4.8 points and 2.4 rebounds in 33 games as a freshman, including nine starts. He recently announced his return for the 2026-27 season.
The incident marks another in a series of vehicular issues involving Bulldogs athletes.
In February, linebackers Chris Cole and Darren Ikinnagbon were arrested after both were clocked driving 105 MPH on the Athens perimeter loop, facing charges of reckless driving, speeding and, in one case, following too closely.
Other 2025 incidents included wide receiver Nitro Tuggle cited at 107 MPH, offensive lineman Marques Easley involved in a crash and later suspended, and offensive lineman Nyier Daniels arrested on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly fleeing police.
These add to more than 20 documented driving-related cases involving Georgia football players since the fatal January 2023 crash that killed offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy.
JJ Redick admits rivals eager to face injury-hit Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers enter the final weekend of the 2025-26 NBA regular season in a vulnerable position, short-handed due to significant injuries.
With star guard Luka Doncic sidelined by a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and key contributor Austin Reaves out with a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury, the team sits at 51-29, holding the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference.
They trail the Denver Nuggets by one game for third place and sit one game ahead of the Houston Rockets. Los Angeles owns the tiebreaker over both clubs.
Coach JJ Redick acknowledged the challenging optics as the Lakers hosted the Phoenix Suns on Friday — a game they dominated, 101-73 — and prepared to face the Utah Jazz on Sunday.
“I’m sure everybody wants to play us,” Redick said, via ESPN. “Let’s get that out there, like, everybody wants to play us.”
Redick noted that rival teams are eyeing potential second-round matchups and have begun resting key players.
“[Teams] are in a position where they can start looking forward to potential second-round matchups as well,” he said. “We can’t be concerned with all of that.”
Redick stressed the need for internal resolve amid uncertainty over the final seeding, which could land between Nos. 3 and 5.
“Again, I’ll say what I told the team yesterday,” he said, “we have to figure out the formula and the belief for this group to be successful. And so, that’s our focus for tonight, and that’s going to be our focus on Sunday.”
Despite the absences, the Lakers maintain a competitive stance, relying on depth and focus to close the season strong. Their performance in these final contests could shape a difficult but winnable first-round playoff path.
Brandin Podziemski hilariously fulfilled Warriors fan’s wishes after 2 years
One Golden State Warriors fan account stayed dormant since 2024, waiting for Brandin Podziemski to fulfill his scoring destiny. The account was brought back to life on Friday night.
In November 2024, a Podziemski fan account on X named “Podziemski’s Gravity” claimed it would no longer post until the Santa Clara product put up 30 points in a single game. The poster was likely reacting in frustration, given the Podziemski had been having a rough start to the 2024-25 campaign at the time.
The attention the post attracted continued to snowball the longer Podziemski went without scoring 30 points.
“Not tweeting until Podz scores 30,” the account wrote on November 25, 2024.
Not tweeting until Podz scores 30 pic.twitter.com/PrO1tJ5VBQ
— Podziemski’s Gravity (@currysnotafraud) November 25, 2024
The post got so popular that it has been viewed nearly 30 million times as of writing.
The account stayed true to its word. It posted zero times until Friday, when Podziemski scored exactly 30 points in a 124-118 loss to the Sacramento Kings. His 30-piece came with appropriate drama, as Podz hit the mark after splitting a pair of free throws with 4.5 seconds left.
The fan posted again using an appropriate mean depicting himself coming back to life.
https://t.co/3a3D1jCmFo pic.twitter.com/WheysDhczO
— Podziemski’s Gravity (@currysnotafraud) April 11, 2026
Podziemski himself was well aware of what was at stake with his free throws. He acknowledged to reporters during his postgame press conference that the “Podziemski’s Gravity” account could finally start posting again.
“The account can be activated now,” the Warriors guard said, referring to the account after the game.
MY GOAT KNOWS MEE 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/GDBv6Nj7dZ
— Podziemski’s Gravity (@currysnotafraud) April 11, 2026
Podziemski got close to scoring 30 several times before finally breaking through against the Kings. He had scored 20 or more points 25 times since the tweet was posted, up until his 30-point performance on Friday.
3 unexpected players became first NBA trio to record triple-doubles in same game
Three players etched their names in NBA triple-double history Friday. Most casual fans would not be able to name them, even if they were given multiple guesses.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Jahmai Mashack and Utah Jazz wings John Konchar and Bez Mbeng each recorded triple-doubles in the Jazz’s 147-101 drubbing at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The three NBA benchwarmers became the first trio to ever record triple-doubles in the same game.
Jahmai Mashack, John Konchar and Bez Mbeng each had a triple-double, making tonights Grizzlies vs. Jazz game the first to feature 3 players each with a triple-double 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AgD7LjLnRH
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) April 11, 2026
Mashack technically recorded a quadruple-double, but not the good kind. He tallied 13 points, 15 rebounds, 14 assists, and had 10 turnovers across 38 minutes. Konchar and Mbeng both notched their triple-doubles while coming off the Jazz bench.
What would have been an otherwise amazing record felt like another indictment against the current NBA lottery rules. Utah and Memphis were both playing their third-stringers in what was a game both tanking teams were probably hoping to lose. Mashack was a game-worst -46 despite contributing a triple-double.
Imagine if the feat was done by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in a hard-fought contest against Victor Wembanyama. LeBron James turning back the clock to match Luka Doncic with a triple-double against old pal Russell Westbrook would have been special, too.
The moment would have been celebrated as a highlight of the season. Instead, the feat happened in a game that had the same energy as most competitive runs at your local YMCA.
Shohei Ohtani snatches Ichiro Suzuki record vs. Rangers
Shohei Ohtani continues to carry the Japanese torch with pride since Ichiro Suzuki left MLB for good.
The Los Angeles Dodgers slugger hit a seemingly inconsequential single in the bottom of the 5th inning of Friday’s contest against the Texas Rangers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. The hit came with a man on first and one out, but failed to result in any additional runs for the home team.
What Ohtani did achieve was a new record for a Japanese-born MLB player. His hit got him on base for the 44th consecutive game, dating back to last season. The hit broke a tie with Suzuki for the longest on-base streak by a player hailing from Japan.
Shohei Ohtani extends his on-base streak to 44 games, passing Ichiro Suzuki for the longest streak by a Japanese-born player in MLB history! pic.twitter.com/Axy8zv9sbD
— MLB (@MLB) April 11, 2026
Suzuki went on his record-setting 43-game streak with the Seattle Mariners back in 2009, which will likely sit in second place for quite some time.
Shohei also wrestled away a different record from Ichiro in 2024, when Ohtani’s 59 stolen bases became the most ever by a Japanese-born player. Ohtani surpassed Suzuki’s 56 stolen bases tallied in 2001.
Friday wasn’t a great day for Suzuki’s legacy. Aside from losing a record that few would have thought would ever be matched, he also had his Mariners statue break as it was being unveiled.
Mark Jones’ plan after leaving ESPN revealed
Veteran announcer Mark Jones is leaving the ESPN booth behind, but he isn’t hanging up his headset just yet.
Jones announced on Friday that Sunday’s game between the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics at TD Garden will be his last on the call for ESPN. He shared the news in a heartfelt post on Instagram.
“Sunday’s Magic at Celtics game will be the last event I work for ESPN,” Jones wrote.
“It’s been a memorable journey these decades with the ABC/ESPN family, but I have decided that it’s time to move on. From the day Dennis Swanson hired me in 1990 and working with the best producer in the business Kim Belton, until today I will forever be grateful for the many friends and colleagues along the way.
“As I move on to my next chapter I believe my best work is yet to come. I’ll be out there cookin’ hotter than fish grease!”
Jones joined ESPN 36 years ago. The Canadian on-air talent started as the host of ESPN’s weekly “NBA Today” show before eventually moving to the broadcast booth.
According to the Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson, Jones will continue to call games for the Sacramento Kings. Per the report, Jones plans to maintain the post for “a long, long time.” He also expressed gratitude for how warmly both the Kings organization and its fans have received him.
Jones would not commit to whether he would become the Kings’ full-time play-by-play announcer. He previously worked on a part-time basis, with his ESPN call-ups taking priority over Sacramento’s games.
Jones began serving as the Kings’ primary play-by-play man in November 2020. He took over for longtime Sacramento announcer Grant Napear, who was fired for a political remark he made to ex-Kings star DeMarcus Cousins.
Former Jets QB Browning Nagle dies at 57
Former New York Jets quarterback Browning Nagle has died after a lengthy battle with colon cancer.
Louisville, Nagle’s alma mater, announced the tragic news on Friday. Nagle was 57.
We are saddened by the passing of Browning Nagle, former Fiesta Bowl MVP quarterback and Louisville great.
— Louisville Football (@LouisvilleFB) April 10, 2026
His leadership on the field and passion for the game left a lasting mark on our program.
Our thoughts are with his loved ones and teammates during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/06FGVTppyw
The Jets also honored Nagle with a post of their own.
We're saddened to announce the passing of Browning Nagle.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) April 10, 2026
Sending our love to the Nagle family 💚
The Jets made Nagle the 34th overall selection in the 1991 NFL draft. He famously went one pick after Hall of Fame QB Brett Favre, whom the Jets were looking to trade up for before the Falcons chose him.
After serving as a third-string quarterback during his rookie season, Nagle took over for Ken O’Brien as the Jets’ starter in 1992. He threw for 2,280 yards with 7 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, with New York going 3-10 across his 13 starts.
Nagle played one more season with the Jets before having brief stints with the Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons.
Nagle’s football career highlight came during the final game of his three-year run at Louisville. He caught the attention of draft scouts with his 451 passing yards at the 1991 Fiesta Bowl, which earned him MVP honors in the 34-7 win over Alabama.
Dianna Russini under ‘probe’ after photos with Mike Vrabel surface
Dianna Russini’s employer is reportedly looking deeper into her controversial weekend getaway with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
The seasoned reporter was spotted getting pretty cozy with Vrabel at a boutique hotel in Arizona. Photos obtained by Page Six showed Russini and Vrabel holding hands, hugging, and relaxing poolside, seemingly without other companions at the luxury resort.
Russini said in a statement that the photos failed to capture the larger “group of six people who were hanging out during the day.” According to Front Office Sports’ Ryan Glasspiegel, The Athletic, Russini’s employer, is reportedly “pressing for proof” that there were others with them.
The FOS report comes days after The Athletic’s executive editor, Steven Ginsberg, publicly issued a statement supporting Russini, claiming the photos were “misleading” and “lack essential context.” Apparently, Ginsberg and his team also want some of that “essential context.”
Russini argued that media members and team personnel regularly spend time together away from the field or the locker room, and her resort trip with Vrabel was simply one of those instances.
The photographer who took the photos and sold them to Page Six was said to be asking for thousands of dollars in exchange. The photographer first approached TMZ, which reportedly turned down the opportunity to publish the photos first.
Both Russini and Vrabel are married with children.
Report: Celtics could break up their core this offseason
The pressure may suddenly be on for the Boston Celtics this postseason.
Boston could potentially break up their core of star forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown this summer, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported this week on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back.” Mannix does add however that such a scenario may come to fruition only if a) the Celtics suffer an early playoff exit and b) if Boston can get Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo out of it.
Sam Amick says the Celtics could look at trading Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown for Giannis:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 10, 2026
“If they get bounced in the 2nd round… they're gonna look at the landscape.”
(via @RunItBackFDTV) pic.twitter.com/cIgAhhWJcT
The Celtics have recently been linked to Antetokounmpo, who is widely expected to (finally) get traded by the Bucks this summer. Thus, one of Brown or Tatum would effectively have to be included for salary-match purposes.
Brown, 29, and Tatum, 28, have been co-stars in Boston since 2017. They also already survived some past breakup rumors to lead the Celtics to a 2022 NBA Finals berth followed by a 2024 NBA championship.
But both players will now be making over $57 million each next season, and Tatum is still working his way back into form after a 2025 Achilles rupture (averaging 21.8 points per game on career-low shooting numbers of 41.1 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from three since returning). As such, the Celtics may have to make a difficult decision if a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber becomes available this offseason.
Of course, the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo is older than both Celtics stars and is also making $58.5 million next season with a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28. Meanwhile, Boston sits at 54-28 on the year (No. 2 in the East), and they even have some prominent analysts giving them a chance to win it all. With that in mind, there is a strong argument for Boston to simply retain their core for next season and upgrade around the fringes instead.
Mavericks may pull a shocker with their new GM hire
The Dallas Mavericks could be taking a page out of the book of Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics.
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd is “very interested” in becoming the team’s new general manager, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported this week on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back.” Mannix added that Kidd is “very well-respected” in Dallas and is also “very well-liked by ownership.”
The Mavericks are looking for a new full-time GM after firing Nico Harrison last November (with Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi serving as Dallas’ co-interim GMs in the meantime). A couple of weeks ago, we heard that there were four particular candidates emerging for the Mavericks GM job.
As for Kidd, 53, he has served as Dallas’ head coach since 2021. Over that span, he has gone 204-204 (.500) but did lead the Mavericks to a Western Conference Finals berth in 2022 followed by an NBA Finals berth in 2024.
That said, Kidd clearly has longstanding interest in front-office work. He once made a power play to lead basketball operations with the Brooklyn Nets back in 2014 and later served as the de facto GM of the Milwaukee Bucks (eventually clashing with the team over personnel decisions).
The wild card for Dallas will be if this Hail Mary candidate can be lured in to serve as their new lead executive. But it is starting to look like a very real possibility that Kidd could potentially move from the Mavericks bench to the Mavericks front office, which would also create a frenzy leaguewide by opening up another NBA coaching job.
Colts seek to trade former Pro Bowl defensive back
The Indianapolis Colts and their top slot corner are heading for a breakup.
The Colts have mutually agreed to seek a trade for cornerback Kenny Moore II, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move comes with Moore entering the last season of his contract.
While Moore did not confirm that his time with Indianapolis is at an end, he did tell ESPN’s Stephen Holder that “it’s all love” with the Colts.
Moore has spent his entire career with the Colts after entering the league as an undrafted free agent. He developed into a steady part of the team’s secondary and was a consistent starter for the bulk of his career. He also received a Pro Bowl nod in 2021.
The Colts already have Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward at cornerback, with both on big contracts. That made Moore expendable, as his role has been reduced and the Colts would like to get that money off their books.
Moore, 30, played in 14 games last season, though only as a part-time starter. He had one interception and two forced fumbles for the Colts to go with six passes defended.
Jaylen Brown got roasted over his pitch to win MVP
Jaylen Brown is not seen as a frontrunner in the NBA MVP race, but that has not stopped him from making his case to win the award. Unfortunately for him, nobody is buying it.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne asked Brown in an interview if he thinks he should be the MVP this year. Brown’s response was not exactly convincing.
“Analytically, probably not, honestly,”Brown said. “But I put my blood, sweat, and tears into this season on the court, from a performance standpoint. Doing what my team needs me to do on both ends of the court, and also from a leadership standpoint, galvanizing guys, getting everyone on the same page in the midst of uncertainty to help keep us in contention at the top of the league. Analytics don’t quantify who I am and who my spirit is.”
Jaylen Brown on whether he believes he's the MVP:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) April 9, 2026
"Analytically probably not…the analytics don't quantify who I am and who my spirit is" pic.twitter.com/HM2xF5CHX9
That reasoning did not land, and Brown was mocked for what many saw as a desperate argument.
I’m using this quote if I do bad on an exam https://t.co/zmOzmT45su
— Pranav Sriraman (@PranavSriraman) April 9, 2026
This gotta be the worst mvp case of all time. https://t.co/LEZSYZknDi
— 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐲 (@_shayza) April 9, 2026
So am i eligible to be voted MVP? Cause in spirit i really am the best
— Nikola Nedeljković (@NoLimitsNBA) April 9, 2026
We’re taking personality and spirit into mvp now!
— Jacob (@jgutierrez357) April 9, 2026
Brown has been great all season. He is averaging 28.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game for the Celtics, and kept them near the top of the Eastern Conference even with Jayson Tatum missing the bulk of the season. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still seen as the leader in the MVP race due to his scoring prowess on the league’s best team.
Whatever the case, Brown can take solace in the fact that at least one person seems to be backing him for MVP. He will not win, though, and he seems to know it.
Darvin Ham is being linked to 1 NBA head coaching job
Darvin Ham may soon be back as a frontman.
The Milwaukee Bucks lead assistant coach Ham has emerged as a candidate for the head coaching job of the New Orleans Pelicans, NBA writer Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson reported this week. Ham is reportedly viewed as a “strong motivator” as the Pelicans look to find a new full-time head coach.
New Orleans fired head coach Willie Green last November after a 2-10 start to the season. Assistant coach James Borrego then took over as the interim head coach of the Pelicans.
However, Borrego has gone just 24-44 (.353) during his time in charge of New Orleans. As such, Robinson adds that the Pelicans are “unlikely” to hire Borrego as their full-time coach after the season.
Ham, 52, served as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers for two seasons from 2022-24, leading the team to a Western Conference Finals berth in 2023 and an NBA Cup victory later that year as well. After Ham was fired by the Lakers with an overall record of 90-74 (.549), he joined the Bucks as the lead assistant under their head coach Doc Rivers.
There was some talk that Ham could potentially be the successor to Rivers in Milwaukee. But with the Bucks in the middle of a dysfunctional 31-49 season, they may opt to start anew and bring in a new head coach from outside the organization (perhaps this veteran name who was recently linked to the job). That would leave Ham free to pursue opportunities elsewhere, including the head coaching job in New Orleans.
Eagles make intriguing trade for young wide receiver
The Philadelphia Eagles are adding some help at wide receiver with the future of AJ Brown still up in the air.
The Eagles acquired wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a future fifth- and sixth-round pick, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Wicks will also sign a one-year, $12 million contract with Philadelphia after the deal.
Wicks hardly profiles as a replacement for Brown if the star wide receiver is traded. He is, however, a useful player at the position who could provide some valuable depth and potentially grow into a bigger role if something opens up.
Wicks flashed significant potential in his first season, catching 39 passes for 581 yards and four touchdowns. His numbers have largely leveled off since then, though he still has 11 career touchdowns in 46 games.
Even though Wicks profiles as a depth option and not a lead one, this deal will add to speculation that Brown has played his last game with the Eagles. Trade rumors have swirled for much of the offseason and a deal is reportedly seen as “inevitable,” though the Eagles are maintaining a significant asking price.
Ichiro Suzuki statue has big problem
The Seattle Mariners on Friday unveiled a statue of Ichiro Suzuki, only it had a big problem.
The Mariners had announced last year that they would be building a statue of Ichiro to be unveiled during the 2026 season. The team retired Suzuki’s jersey number 51 last year, and this year, they unveiled a statue of him ahead of their game against the Houston Astros at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Wash.
As a cover for the statue was removed, the bat broke.
We have a malfunction pic.twitter.com/4Ga4vvaIu5
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) April 10, 2026
Though the mishap was embarrassing, the Mariners’ social media team rolled with it.
“Breaking: We’ve updated tonight’s Ichiro Replica Statue giveaway,” they wrote in a post on X.
Breaking: We’ve updated tonight’s Ichiro Replica Statue giveaway. pic.twitter.com/EcFfkaAUd6
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 10, 2026
Their post showed a photo of Ichiro holding a broken bat. If they produced some bobblehead versions of that statue, it would probably become quite the collectible.
Ichiro came over to MLB from Japan for the 2001 season. He made an immediate impact and won both AL MVP and AL Rookie of the Year that season. He played 14 of his MLB seasons with the Mariners, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025. Even his election to the Hall of Fame came with a complication.
Joe Buck addresses his future at ESPN
Joe Buck is heading into the last year of his contract with ESPN, but that does not mean he is looking to go elsewhere.
In an interview with Richard Deitsch of Sports Business Journal, Buck made it clear that he wants to end his career at ESPN and has no interest in working anywhere else.
“If you reached through my computer screen right now and handed me a contract to continue my time at ESPN, I would sign it without even looking at it,” Buck said. “I’ve loved every second of it and I am hopeful that I’m at ESPN for the rest of my career. That’s as plain as I can say it and as honest as I can say it and maybe it’s stupid of me to say. If something gets thrown at me and I have to shift, I’ll shift. But I would be hopeful to stay right where I am until I’m finished.”
Buck had spent his entire career with FOX up until 2022, when he jumped to ESPN along with broadcast partner Troy Aikman. The two essentially seem to be a package deal at this point, and there is no indication that Aikman plans to walk away from the network anytime soon.
ESPN spent a long time trying to find a top play-by-play pairing for their NFL coverage, and finally got it right with Buck and Aikman. They might as well get this sorted out quickly, especially with the two set to call the Super Bowl for the network next year.
