“I believe that there is a handshake agreement between DeMar DeRozan and the Sacramento Kings,” reporter Allen Stiles said on Sactown Sports 1140. “If Jonathan Kuminga is acquired by Sacramento, the Kings will get their butts in gear as far as getting DeRozan to another team.”

It’s no secret that Sacramento is one of the most likely landing spots for Kuminga, whose future in Golden State remains uncertain. The 22-year-old forward doesn’t appear interested in staying, given the limited role he’s had under coach Steve Kerr in recent seasons.

On top of that, Kuminga is seeking a long-term, high-value contract — ideally from a team that can offer him a more prominent role. The Kings have emerged as one of the leading candidates alongside the Phoenix Suns.

If Kuminga does join Sacramento, Stiles speculated that it could trigger a domino effect, sending DeRozan to the Miami Heat. “You just take Terry Rozier, two seconds, and it’s essentially a salary dump,” the Sactown Sports 1140 host reasoned.

“There are people in this space — they never want to lose a trade or the perception of losing a trade,” Stiles added. “Obviously you’re not getting a player back that’s as good as DeMar DeRozan, but DeMar DeRozan gets to go to a contender, and you’re gonna get money that’s eventually gonna come off the books — if Terry Rozier even plays.”

In that scenario, the Kings would part ways with a high-level player in DeRozan and receive Rozier plus a pair of second-round draft picks. On the surface, that doesn’t look like a great return, but with Kuminga already in place, it could be part of a larger long-term strategy.

Rozier is under contract for one more season, earning $26,643,031 during the 2025–26 NBA campaign, according to Spotrac. The Kings would need to carry that cap hit for one year, but after that, they’d gain significant financial flexibility — opening the door to build a roster centered around Kuminga.

Meanwhile, the move would be a major boost for the Heat. Rozier hasn’t had a significant impact lately. He started the 2024–25 season as an important piece of the team but quickly fell out of favor with coach Erik Spoelstra. Adding DeRozan to a core that includes Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, and Bam Adebayo could give Miami a compelling new dynamic.

Just a few weeks after Messi’s camp denied having had contact with Barcelona regarding a potential tribute, Laporta gave an interview to Mundo Deportivo in which he confirmed that the club does, in fact, plan to honor him — and at a very special moment.

“From the very beginning, during the whole process of Leo’s exit from Barça, we’ve always said the same: the most beautiful thing would be to inaugurate the new Spotify Camp Nou with a tribute to Leo Messi,” the president said. “I hope it happens. It would be very special.”

Laporta also confirmed that conversations around the tribute have already begun. “I’m sure the family has heard about it — talks have already taken place, and it’s something we’d be delighted to do,” he said. However, he made it clear that Messi’s own wishes and availability will play a key role: “It’s also something that depends on Leo and the family.”

Barcelona’s stadium renovation

Barcelona have undertaken a major renovation of their stadium, similar to what Real Madrid did with the Santiago Bernabeu in recent seasons. The work began after the end of the 2022–23 La Liga season and has now entered its final stages after more than two years of development.

The last match Los Blaugranas played at Camp Nou was in May 2023. For the past two seasons, the team has played its home games at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic, with the aim of returning to their historic home for the early stages of the 2025–26 season.

Initially, Laporta had announced that the new stadium would open on August 10 during the annual Trofeu Joan Gamper. However, that plan had to be scrapped because construction won’t be completed in time.

Still, Barcelona remain intent on holding a major event to mark the reopening of Camp Nou — and the possibility of having Lionel Messi there for a tribute would make it even more meaningful for the club.

Messi’s numbers with Barcelona

Messi made his debut for Barcelona on October 16, 2004, in a match against Espanyol at just 17 years old. He quickly became a key figure for the team and never left the starting lineup again. With Pep Guardiola’s arrival and Ronaldinho’s departure in the summer of 2008, Messi inherited the No. 10 jersey and became the focal point of Barcelona’s attacking system — a role he maintained until his departure in 2021.

Over his 17 seasons with the Catalan side, Messi broke nearly every possible club record. He is Barcelona’s all-time leader in appearances (778), goals (672), assists (269), and trophies (34), including 4 UEFA Champions League titles and 10 La Liga championships.

“Rodrigo is a player I’ve admired for many years,” Beckham said in an interview shared on Inter Miami’s official website. “As a leader he has brought so much to the teams he has played for – especially with his national team Argentina.”

After praising De Paul’s impact on the international stage in recent years, the English legend spoke about what the 31-year-old midfielder will bring to the Herons on the field. “He brings experience, passion and quality to our team and to our city,” he said.

But the main reason Beckham expressed excitement about having the Argentine star at his club is the stature De Paul has earned over the course of his career. “I’m excited to welcome another World Cup winning player not just to Inter Miami, but also to MLS.”

Now Javier Mascherano’s team will feature three World Cup champions on the pitch at the same time. In addition to De Paul, there’s obviously Lionel Messi. Both were crowned world champions with Argentina at Qatar 2022 and have built a strong partnership both on and off the field. The third is Sergio Busquets, who won the World Cup with Spain in South Africa in 2010.

Which other World Cup winners have played in MLS?

Currently, Inter Miami are one of just two MLS teams with a World Cup-winning player on their roster. The other is Los Angeles FC, who feature goalkeeper Hugo Lloris — champion with France in Russia 2018 and runner-up in Qatar 2022.

But over the years, other players with similar status have also featured in the league. Lloris’ former teammate at Los Angeles was Olivier Giroud, who played there between 2024 and 2025 after also winning the 2018 World Cup with France. Until last year, another Argentine World Cup winner from Qatar — Tiago Almada — played for Atlanta United. The young midfielder also holds the unique distinction of being the only player in history to win the World Cup while playing for an American club.

Other notable examples from previous eras include Germans Bastian Schweinsteiger (Chicago Fire) and Lothar Matthaus (NY MetroStars); Brazilians Kaka (Orlando City), Kleberson (Philadelphia Union), and Denilson (FC Dallas); and of course Pele, who ended his career with the New York Cosmos in 1980 — well before the creation of MLS.

Kuminga has spent weeks in a state of uncertainty, surrounded by rumors of interest from other teams but without any concrete developments. At the same time, the Warriors continue to weigh the possibility of signing the young forward to a new deal.

While Jonathan now appears open to continuing his career elsewhere, that wasn’t necessarily the case a few months ago. “Obviously Kuminga and his representation, they had ambitious thoughts about what it could be. I’ve been told that they would have taken five years for $150 million if it was ever on the table,” NBA insider Anthony Slater recently revealed on ESPN. “It wasn’t on the table.”

Slater then explained why Golden State never moved forward with such an offer. “Part of the reason the Warriors didn’t necessarily want to put an offer on the table and never actually did put a firm sign on the dotted line type offer on the table is because it would have poison-pilled his contract,” the reporter said.

It’s clear Kuminga doesn’t hold significant on-court value for the Warriors. Head coach Steve Kerr has not assigned him a major role, as the forward started just 10 of the 47 games he played last season. In the playoffs, he started only once in eight games.

However, as a potential trade chip, the 22-year-old player could be a valuable asset. “They were very much in flexibility mode because they wanted to be able to trade him,” Slater added. “If you sign him to that deal, he’s nearly impossible to trade.”

In line with that thinking, the ESPN reporter revealed that Golden State nearly pulled the trigger last season: “They almost traded him for Kevin Durant.” That move was reportedly considered ahead of the trade deadline, but ultimately it was Jimmy Butler who landed in San Francisco and became a key addition to the squad.

Still, the possibility of adding Durant in exchange for Kuminga was appealing not only to the Warriors, but to Jonathan himself. “You could argue whether it’s better that they got Butler or Durant, but I’ll tell you, Jonathan Kuminga wouldn’t mind being right now an extended member of the Phoenix Suns,” Slater said.

Although that opportunity has passed — with Jimmy Butler now in Golden State and Kevin Durant in Houston — Phoenix remains a potential destination for the 2021 seventh overall Draft pick. In fact, the Suns and the Sacramento Kings are still considered the two teams most interested in Kuminga.

“I believe that LeBron James’ well-chronicled fondness for playing at Madison Square Garden makes it unwise to say he’ll never be a Knick,” said reporter Marc Stein recently, referring to where the four-time NBA champion’s career could head in the future.

Stein was quick to point out an obstacle to that possibility — not related to LeBron’s interest, but rather New York’s plans. “I believe that it is far more difficult to gauge the Knicks’ willingness to bring him in,” the reporter admitted. “But I’m just saying: I will never rule out the possibility of No. 23 becoming a Knick someday. Because he is said to love The Garden that much.”

Indeed, LeBron has repeatedly expressed how much he enjoys playing at Madison Square Garden. One of the most recent examples came in February 2024, when he scored 24 points in the Lakers’ 113–105 win over the Knicks. After the game, he shared an Instagram story captioned: “My absolute favorite playground,” alongside emojis of the Statue of Liberty and an apple.

His numbers at MSG are also impressive. He’s played there 32 times in his career and holds a 23–9 record, averaging 28.0 points, 7.4 assists, and 6.9 rebounds. He’s also one of the few players in NBA history to score 50 or more points multiple times at Madison Square Garden as a visitor — joining the ranks of legends like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, and James Harden.

LeBron has been linked to the Knicks before

Speculation about LeBron James joining the New York Knicks isn’t new. Earlier in his career, he came close, as he acknowledged in a 2024 interview shared by reporter Dave McMenamin on his X account.

“During my free agency period in 2010, it was one of the teams that I looked at,” James admitted. “So I’ve had that thought in my career.” At the time, he was preparing to leave Cleveland in search of a more competitive team, and the Knicks were among the options he considered — though he ultimately signed with the Miami Heat, where he won his first two NBA championships.

Now, the landscape is very different. At 40 years old and with one more season left on his deal with the Lakers, it doesn’t seem likely that LeBron James would join the Knicks right now. But once his contract in L.A. expires next summer, the picture could change. Adding to the intrigue, New York now has Mike Brown as head coach — the same coach who led James in Cleveland from 2005 to 2010.

As part of their preseason training camp in Austria, Al Nassr faced TSV St. Johann, a third-division team from the European country, marking the team’s first minutes of soccer under coach Jorge Jesus.

Ronaldo was neither in the starting eleven nor among the substitutes for Saturday’s match, but his absence wasn’t due to a tactical decision by the head coach. It was a matter of planning. The Portuguese forward only joined the team’s training sessions on Friday and is not yet in optimal condition to take the field, so the decision was made to avoid unnecessary risks.

This situation arose because Cristiano was granted extended leave by Al Nassr after finishing his previous season later than the rest of the squad, having taken part in the UEFA Nations League where Portugal were crowned champions.

How did Al Nassr perform in their first friendly?

Despite being without their biggest star, Al Nassr had no trouble securing a dominant 5-2 victory over TSV St. Johann. Sadio Mane, Abdulrahman Ghareeb, Mohamed Simakan, Abdulmajeed Al-Sulaiheem, and an own goal by a St. Johann scored for the Saudi club.

The starting lineup head coach Jorge Jesus chose for his debut match at the helm of Al Nassr was: Bento; Awad Aman, Nader Al-Sharari, Mohamed Simakan, Sultan Al-Ghanam; Abdulrahman Ghareeb, Angelo Gabriel, Marcelo Brozovic, Saad Haqawi; Sadio Mane, Wesley Gassova.

When could Cristiano Ronaldo make his preseason debut?

Al Nassr’s next friendly will be against a more competitive opponent than TSV St. Johann. On Wednesday, they’ll face Toulouse at Untersberg-Arena in the city of Grodig, Austria. With more training sessions under his belt and in a more motivating environment, it’s possible Cristiano Ronaldo will see his first preseason action then.

Following that matchup, Al Nassr have at least two more friendlies on the schedule. The first is next Saturday, August 2, against Sheffield United of England’s Championship, followed by a clash with Almeria of Spain on Sunday, August 10. All of this serves as preparation for the official start of the season, beginning with a match against Al Ittihad in the semifinals of the Saudi Super Cup.

“Any team, including the MLS All Star team in this case, would want Messi playing in it… so this puts MLS in this awkward situation of having their marquee player not playing in their marquee game, and by contract violation,” said Alexi Lalas on his State of the Union podcast.

“This is a contractual obligation, and MLS and Inter Miami are paying you a boatload of money, and Apple for that matter, are paying you a boatload of money,” added the two-time World Cup participant with the USMNT. “You signed the contract. If you did not like the contract at the time, you should have changed it… And if you can’t, then don’t sign the contract if you’re not going to live up to it.”

Messi and Alba’s decision to skip the All-Star Game reportedly had to do with prioritizing rest, following several intense weeks of play with minimal recovery time. However, this choice ultimately backfired, as Inter Miami will now be without them for a critical clash against Eastern Conference leaders Cincinnati.

Beyond the sporting implications—which are undoubtedly significant in this controversy—Lalas emphasized how the situation reflects poorly on everyone involved. “It’s a bad look for Messi. I think it’s a bad look for MLS,” said the former player. “Messi, as awesome as he is, it doesn’t mean that he is not worthy of criticism.”

Landon Donovan also shared his thoughts on Messi

In addition to Alexi Lalas, another former U.S. soccer star commented on the All-Star Game controversy. “From the League’s perspective this is really frustrating because you have your best player, your partners want him there, the owners want him there, the sponsors want him there, the fans want him there, the other guys on the MLS All-Star team want the chance to play with Messi – that’s a dream for them,” said Landon Donovan in a post on the official Instagram account of Unfiltered Soccer.

The former American forward also spoke about the potential consequences of Messi’s absence and the resulting suspension. “From Lionel Messi’s standpoint, I can understand why he didn’t want to come,” said Donovan. “Inter Miami and the league are trying to renegotiate, so that he stays here – his contract is up at the end of the season. So this becomes a really challenging situation.”

What’s next for Messi?

Head coach Javier Mascherano will need to find alternatives to replace two of his top players in Saturday’s match against FC Cincinnati at Chase Stadium. Once that game is behind them, Inter Miami will shift focus to the Leagues Cup, where they will make their debut Wednesday night against Atlas of Mexico. Messi is expected to play in that match and, as always, will be the center of attention. The Herons will then face Necaxa and Pumas as they aim to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

Love was unexpectedly included in a three-team deal between the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, and Utah Jazz in early July. In that move, John Collins was sent to LA and Norman Powell to Miami, while Kyle Anderson joined Love in heading to Utah.

During a live stream for Bleacher Report, NBA insider Jake Fischer made it clear that Love is expected to agree to a buyout with the Jazz in the near future, which would free him up to sign with another team, although it remains uncertain exactly when that will happen.

“Pretty much all these buyouts this summer have only been determined and finalized when the team gives an agent permission to have conversations with other teams,” the reporter clarified. “And the buyout doesn’t typically really get figured out until that next situation is fully determined.”

Fischer then put himself in the 36-year-old center’s shoes and analyzed the scenario. “If you’re Kevin Love, if you’re giving up a guaranteed situation, you know, veteran minimum salary, I don’t think you’re going to sign the check or sign the paperwork to give up guaranteed millions of dollars until you have your next situation lined up,” Jake speculated.

Given this scenario, it’s likely we’ll have to wait a bit longer for the situation between Love and the Utah Jazz to be resolved. But that hasn’t stopped speculation about the 2016 NBA champion’s future from already gaining traction.

Having spent time with high-profile teams—most notably alongside LeBron James in Cleveland and later with the Miami Heat—the center doesn’t seem eager to join a lower-profile organization. That preference may also extend to the city where he chooses to live next.

“With Kevin Love, to my understanding, he really only wants to be in the big glamour markets,” Jake Fischer explained during the same broadcast. “I do think it would mostly be something along the lines of Kevin Love going to a New York or a Los Angeles type of situation. So, we’ll see if that can materialize for him.”

If those are indeed Love’s preferred destinations, the options are fairly limited. In New York, it would be either the Knicks or the Brooklyn Nets, while in LA, the choices would be the Lakers or the Clippers.

Three of those four teams appear to be gearing up for serious contention in the upcoming NBA season, making them attractive landing spots for Kevin. However, at the same time, they don’t seem to have an urgent need for a player with Love’s particular skill set.

Inter Miami began teasing the signing on Friday afternoon, posting on social media an image of a button labeled “RDP” (Rodrigo De Paul’s initials) with the phrase “engine start” lighting up like a car ignition.

A few hours later, they announced the signing with a post on social media, along with a statement on their official website where they revealed the details of the deal. “De Paul will initially join the Club on loan through the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season; the deal includes an option to make the transfer permanent through the 2029 MLS season,” Inter Miami stated.

With the addition of Rodrigo De Paul, head coach Javier Mascherano gains a high-quality, experienced option in midfield to pair with Sergio Busquets. He’ll also have strong depth with players like Federico Redondo, Benjamin Cremaschi, and Yannick Bright.

Inter Miami’s projected lineup with De Paul

Although De Paul spent much of his early professional career as an attacking midfielder—with Racing Club, Valencia, and later Udinese—his role with the Argentina national team shaped him into a player defined by work rate and tactical discipline. In recent years, he has become the perfect complement to defensive midfielders, and that’s likely the role he’ll take on in Miami alongside Sergio Busquets.

With that in mind, assuming an ideal scenario in which coach Mascherano has the full roster healthy and available, a possible starting lineup for Inter Miami would be: Oscar Ustari; Marcelo Weigandt, Tomas Aviles, Maximiliano Falcon, Jordi Alba; Tadeo Allende, Rodrigo De Paul, Sergio Busquets, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez.

Atletico Madrid say goodbye to De Paul

At the same time Inter Miami announced the signing of the midfielder, his former club shared a farewell on social media: “Rodrigo De Paul says goodbye to Atletico Madrid and will continue his professional career at Inter Miami. We wish you all the best in this new professional challenge, Rodri!”

De Paul joined the Spanish side in the summer of 2021 from Udinese in a deal worth over $40 million. In his four seasons there, the Argentine midfielder made 186 appearances, scoring 14 goals and providing 26 assists. However, he was unable to win any titles during his time with the club.

CR7 had been granted special permission by new head coach Jorge Jesus to miss the early stages of preseason. He linked up with his teammates this week in Austria, just days before their opening friendly matches of the summer.

Now back in full training with Al Nassr, Ronaldo shared an upbeat message on his official Instagram and X accounts. “It starts now. Eyes on the future. We are all in!” wrote the Portuguese forward, alongside a series of images showing him and teammates going through physical drills.

Within just a few hours, the post racked up more than 2 million likes on Instagram and over 200,000 on X. Thousands of fans took the opportunity to wish him luck as he enters his fourth season in Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo’s Al Nassr preseason schedule

During their time in Europe, Al Nassr will play several friendlies that will help head coach Jorge Jesus begin shaping his squad while players continue working toward peak physical and competitive form. Their first test will come this Saturday against TSV St. Johann, a club that plays in Austria’s third division.

Starting next Wednesday, the challenges will become more serious for the Saudi side. That day, they’ll face Toulouse from France, followed by matches against Sheffield United (August 2) and Almeria (August 10). Al Nassr’s first official game of the season is scheduled for August 19, when they face Al Ittihad in the semifinals of the Saudi Super Cup.

A strong rival ahead for Cristiano Ronaldo?

While Al Nassr continue their European tour, other Saudi Pro League clubs are also preparing to make a splash this season. According to Sports Illustrated, Al Hilal are one of the teams interested in signing Alexander Isak, one of the Premier League’s breakout stars.

Isak has been outstanding in recent seasons with Newcastle, scoring 62 goals in 109 matches between 2022 and 2025. However, his time with the club may be coming to an end, and several teams are rumored to be in pursuit. Alongside Al Hilal, reports suggest Liverpool are also monitoring his situation.

“Lionel is very upset like everyone at the club because they won’t be able to play tomorrow,” Mas said during a press conference Friday afternoon in Miami. “What we have to do as a club is come together as one and face what’s coming, starting with tomorrow’s game and next week’s Leagues Cup.”

Mas went on to emphasize Messi’s reaction once more. “Messi is upset about today’s decision,” he said, while also speculating: “Will it have an impact on (Messi’s) perception on the league and its rules? No doubt.” Still, Jorge tried to remain optimistic. “I hope it doesn’t have a long-term impact,” he added.

The timing of MLS’s decision is critical in the broader context of the 38-year-old superstar’s future. Messi’s contract with Inter Miami runs through the end of the current season in December, and there’s still no official word on an extension. While Mas has publicly expressed confidence that both sides will reach an agreement, time is ticking and nothing has been finalized.

How did Messi learn about the MLS suspension?

During the same press conference, Jorge Mas explained how Messi was informed of the news. “We were informed a few hours ago… We found out about the suspension while the club was training, and I decided to come speak on behalf of the club to avoid any missteps in defending Jordi and Messi,” said the owner.

“He was told after training,” Mas explained about Messi. “The reaction was as expected, it wasn’t a positive reaction—they want to compete, they want to play games, especially tomorrow’s,” he added, referring to the match Messi and Alba will miss against FC Cincinnati on Saturday night at Chase Stadium.

What will Inter Miami do without Messi and Alba?

Saturday’s match is a crucial one for Inter Miami, as they face the leaders of the Eastern Conference. Cincinnati hold a 7-point lead in the standings and is the only team to beat the Herons in their last seven matches. During that stretch, the Herons have won six games and only lost once—3-0 in Ohio last week. That makes the suspensions of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba a major problem for head coach Javier Mascherano, who will now be without arguably his two best players.

When Alba has been unavailable, the usual replacement at left-back has been Noah Allen. However, the 21-year-old defender has been sidelined for nearly a month with a muscle injury he suffered in late June against Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Given that situation, one possible solution is to shift right-footed defenders Gonzalo Lujan or Marcelo Weigandt to the opposite side.

To replace Messi, Mascherano will have to decide whether to bring in another forward—possibly Fafa Picault—and stick with the same tactical shape, or to add another midfielder, likely Benjamin Cremaschi. In that case, playing with three central players instead of two could give wide midfielders Telasco Segovia and Tadeo Allende more freedom to contribute in attack.

According to Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard, the Warriors are not willing to part with Kuminga unless it’s in a deal that brings back full value. They know that, even though he hasn’t played a major role recently under Steve Kerr, the forward is one of the most promising talents in the league, and they want to maximize his value in any potential trade.

That’s why they’re not in a rush to resolve the situation. One possible outcome is that the player signs a contract with Golden State at some point this summer and begins the season with the team, with the idea of exploring a deal with another franchise before the February 12, 2026 trade deadline.

But that’s not all there is to it. “There’s another reason why the Warriors don’t want to give Kuminga away for less than his full trade value: Like every other smart team, they’re trying to maintain every asset they’ve got so they’re ready once and if the Giannis Antetokounmpo market heats up,” wrote Kawakami.

What’s Giannis’ situation in Milwaukee?

For months, speculation has swirled about Antetokounmpo potentially leaving Milwaukee for the first time in his career—especially given the weakened state of the Bucks’ roster and how difficult it currently seems to imagine them competing at the highest level in the Eastern Conference.

Still, Milwaukee’s front office remains optimistic about Giannis’ future. “We have no indication that anything is really changing as far as our relationship with the player we think is the best in the world,” an executive recently told Keith Smith of Spotrac.

And, according to Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard, the Warriors don’t necessarily believe the Greek Freak is about to leave the Bucks—or even that he will at all. But they’re still holding onto an asset that could become extremely valuable if that scenario ever comes to pass.

What additions will the Warriors make to their roster?

Golden State is the only NBA team that hasn’t made any roster moves so far this offseason. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not preparing for the upcoming campaign. It’s all but certain that Al Horford will join the Warriors in the near future, and it’s also likely that De’Anthony Melton will come with him.

The uncertainty surrounding Kuminga has delayed those announcements, along with other possibilities. Seth Curry is one of the names mentioned as a potential addition to the roster, but he’s not the only one. “And who could the Warriors be looking at? I’ve heard rumbles about the return of Gary Payton II, who remains unsigned,” said Kawakami.

In comments shared by reporter Keith Smith of Spotrac, a front office executive from Milwaukee made the organization’s stance clear regarding what lies ahead for Giannis in the near term. “We have no indication that anything is really changing as far as our relationship with the player we think is the best in the world,” he said.

The executive also discussed how the Bucks are preparing for next season, after making several significant roster moves aimed at boosting their chances in the Eastern Conference: “We rebuilt on the fly, in a really challenging situation, but we think we did it as well as it could be done.”

That optimism about Antetokounmpo’s future is similar to the tone struck by Bucks president Peter Feigin just days ago, when he even laughed off rumors about the Greek star’s potential departure. “We kind of laugh internally — it’s where we’ve been for 10 years… Giannis loves Milwaukee, Milwaukee loves Giannis. We’re in a good place and we feel great about it. It’s business as usual,” Feigin said.

However, the speculation has persisted in part due to Antetokounmpo’s own comments, which lacked clarity when he spoke about his future with the Bucks in an interview with Speed. “We’ll see… probably,” the power forward said.

This uncertainty was further fueled by reports from NBA insider Shams Charania, who indicated there could be a real chance that the 2024–25 season was Giannis’ last with the Bucks. “For the first time in his career, he is open-minded about whether his best fit is remaining in Milwaukee – or playing elsewhere,” the ESPN reporter said.

Antetokounmpo’s ambition to seriously compete for another NBA title remains the primary factor behind all the speculation. The Bucks have struggled to provide that opportunity lately, having suffered three consecutive first-round playoff exits in the past three seasons.

In the meantime, Giannis has another challenge on the horizon outside the NBA, as he prepares to represent Greece in EuroBasket beginning August 27. It will be the sixth major tournament of his career with the national team, following appearances in two EuroBasket competitions, two FIBA World Cups, and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“LAFC have already presented their initial proposal to Heung-min Son as the new star of their project,” transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano wrote Thursday on his official X account.

The news comes as a major surprise considering Son’s status in European soccer. The South Korean forward has been one of the Premier League’s most recognizable faces over the past decade, earning that reputation with standout performances for Tottenham Hotspur since joining the club in 2015.

Given how important Son has been to the team over the years, Tottenham are expected to show him a high level of respect regarding his future. “Spurs will let Son decide about his next step,” Romano noted—an important detail, especially as the forward signed a contract extension earlier this year through June 30, 2026.

Apparently, Son first wants to understand where he stands under the club’s new head coach. “Decision up to Son as he will speak to Thomas Frank and clarify his future as soon as possible,” Romano added.

How did Son perform last season with Tottenham?

Son joined Tottenham in 2015 after impressing in the Bundesliga with Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen. Since then, he has been a consistent key figure for Spurs—and that continued during the 2024–25 campaign. He made 46 appearances across the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and UEFA Europa League.

In those matches, Son was typically a starter and recorded 11 goals and 12 assists. However, a foot injury sidelined him during the decisive stretch of the season, and upon returning, he played only limited minutes—including as a substitute in the club’s biggest game of the year, the Europa League final win over Manchester United. That trophy is the only title Son has won in his 10 years at Tottenham.

What can LAFC offer Son?

Currently, LAFC sit fifth in the Western Conference standings with 36 points—seven behind leaders San Diego FC. They’re in playoff position for now and continue to be one of the most competitive teams in the league. In fact, they were one of just three American clubs that earned a place in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

If Son accepts LAFC’s offer, he would reunite with a former Tottenham teammate: Hugo Lloris. The French goalkeeper played alongside him from 2015 to 2023 in the Premier League before moving to MLS last season. Additionally, Los Angeles is home to the largest Korean community in the United States, offering Heung-min a welcoming environment for his first experience outside of Europe.

Son would join a growing list of soccer stars who have made the move to MLS in recent years. That group is led by Lionel Messi, who is joined at Inter Miami by Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets—as well as the nearly finalized arrival of Rodrigo De Paul. Hugo Lloris, Hirving Lozano, and Miguel Almiron are also part of that list.

In a 2014 conversation with English icon Rio Ferdinand, Henry named Messi the best player in the world, calling him “a freak” because of his extraordinary talent with the ball at his feet.

To explain that, the World Cup winner with France in 1998 recalled a moment from their training days at Barcelona. “We were playing 7 vs 7, in a space that is not that short, from halfway line to the goal line… The bosses sometimes don’t call the fouls on training. He was like, ‘What? It’s not a foul?’ He would run, go to the goalkeeper and say, ‘Give me the ball,’” Henry began.

“This is Barcelona’s training. So if he wants to go all the way, he has to pass Yaya Toure, Busquets, Puyol, Rafa Marquez,” Henry continued, and then, gesturing with his hand, showed how Messi dribbled past all of them: “1-0. I don’t know a lot of people that can do that. In my career, I didn’t see that.”

The story left Ferdinand equally impressed. “That is like school football. That’s what you would have done at school, that’s what I’ve done at school,” said the former Manchester United player. “But he’s playing world-class players.” Henry responded: “That’s my point, and he’s making us look like we’re not there.”

Years later, in his book My Autobiography, Ferdinand recalled that conversation and added more detail. “Thierry said: ‘Can Ronaldo do that?’ I said, ‘Well, I’ve never seen him do that.’ Thierry played with Zidane and Ronaldinho but they never did anything like that. He said: ‘That’s when I knew Messi was different to anyone we’ve ever seen.’”

Henry compares Messi with Ronaldo

In the same conversation, Henry explained what gives Messi an edge over Cristiano. “I respect Ronaldo a lot. I respect the amount of work he puts into the game, the amount of dedication he has. Ronaldo had to work really hard to reach the top,” said the French star. “With Leo, it seems natural.”

Thierry then elaborated on Messi’s unique qualities. “Although Leo works a lot… You see a guy that is kind of a gift. What he does is unheard of, I mean, I don’t know if we’ll see that ever again,” said the French legend. “That’s the difference, because the mentality and the way they play is the same for me. They just want to be the man at any time.”

How did Henry do playing with Messi?

Thierry Henry arrived at Barcelona in 2007 after several dominant seasons with Arsenal, where he was arguably the best player in the Premier League. In Spain, he joined a star-studded squad that included Ronaldinho, Xavi Hernandez, and Andres Iniesta. Still, Messi—only 20 years old at the time—was beginning to make his mark.

During Henry’s three seasons at Barcelona, he witnessed Messi’s rise from a supporting role alongside Ronaldinho to becoming the team’s No. 10 and a Ballon d’Or winner. In the three years they played together, Henry and Messi won seven titles, including the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League.

However, NBA insider Brian Windhorst has now shared insight into James’ situation. “A lot has changed for LBJ in the last year. A year ago, the Lakers were offering him a multi-year deal with a player option, drafted and guaranteed Bronny a long-term deal, and LBJ was offering to give up money to work with free agents,” the reporter wrote in a post on his Threads account.

“Now Luka is centerpiece of franchise and the transition has shocked and strained everyone and they’re all dealing with the new reality. That’s playing out partially in real time and in some public,” Windhorst added, highlighting the contrast between the dynamics of last season and the current situation.

Still, the NBA insider made it clear what LeBron reportedly wants to do with his career at this point. “At the end of the day, I think LBJ wants to be a Laker,” said Windhorst.

The Lakers’ view on LeBron

Just as LeBron’s reported desire to stay could ease his relationship with the franchise, the Lakers’ stance on entering another NBA season with James on the roster also seems aligned.

Just a few days ago, Keith Smith of Spotrac shared a conversation he had with an executive, who explained the Lakers’ reaction to LeBron’s decision to opt into the 2025–26 season: “Whenever you sign a player to a deal with an option, you willingly give them the control to initially guide the situation… For LeBron, he had a player option and made his decision to opt in. We’re just happy that he’s still a Laker.”

Rumors of a possible James departure

These reports point to a much calmer outlook than what seemed to be taking shape just weeks ago. Even the rumors of a potential LeBron exit this summer have quieted down. “LeBron’s on the Lakers. I’ve heard it’s kind of gotten quiet now after it was the talk of Summer League,” reporter Zach Lowe said on The Bill Simmons Podcast. “There doesn’t seem to be like a clean solution either way. Everyone’s saying we should expect them to be on the Lakers.”

The Warriors are planning a roster overhaul to address weaknesses exposed during the previous campaign and have reportedly shown interest in players like Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton. However, they are also considering a move that would carry particular significance for Steph.

“They want some extra shooting. Another name I’m hearing with mutual interest is Seth Curry actually, as a potential bench shooting option, with a family tie,” reporter Anthony Slater said on ESPN Thursday.

Seth is, of course, Stephen’s younger brother. The two have been in the NBA concurrently since the younger Curry joined the Memphis Grizzlies in 2013, but they have never played on the same team. Now, at age 34 and set to begin his 12th NBA season, the guard could have the opportunity to join Golden State.

Seth Curry’s recent performance

Last year, Seth Curry appeared in 68 games with the Charlotte Hornets, starting in 14. He averaged 6.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists—modest numbers reflecting limited impact during the regular season.

However, the guard led the league in three-point shooting percentage, finishing at .456. That remains Seth’s biggest strength, as he currently ranks 7th on the list of NBA career 3-point field goal percentage leaders, with an impressive .4329.

That list is topped by Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, who posted a .4540 mark during his playing days. Behind him are Hubert Davis, Luke Kennard, Drazen Petrovic, Joe Harris, and Jason Kapono. Stephen Curry is currently 13th on that list, with a .4232 percentage.

The Warriors are also targeting Horford and Melton

Beyond their reported interest in Seth Curry, the Warriors have placed significant focus on a center. “Al Horford, who you hear is also mulling retirement, if he’s not on the roster next year, it’s a big miss by the Warriors. Because that’s in their plans, they need a stretch five,” Slater said.

As for the need to add a perimeter defender, Golden State also seems clear on its top target. “There is mutual interest in a reunion with De’Anthony Melton, who played only six games with them last year before he torn ACL, but he was a really good fit. Steph Curry likes him,” added the NBA insider.

The Herons will make their debut in the competition next Wednesday, July 30, facing Atlas from Mexico at Chase Stadium. Three days later, also at home, they will take on Necaxa. For that match, there will be a broadcast dedicated entirely to following Messi throughout the game.

According to AS, this will be part of a joint initiative between MLS, Apple TV (which holds the league’s broadcasting rights), and TikTok. Through that platform, users will be able to watch the “Player Spotlight Messi” live, ensuring they don’t miss a moment of what Leo does on the field.

This won’t be the first time Messi finds himself under the spotlight in this way, as a similar initiative took place last year during the MLS playoff series between Inter Miami and Atlanta United. On that occasion, more than 6 million people reportedly tuned in to watch the Argentine superstar. Building on that success, the plan now is to offer this feature during multiple matches this year as well.

Inter Miami’s schedule

Before shifting focus to the Leagues Cup, Inter Miami have one more MLS match ahead. It will take place this Saturday at Chase Stadium against Cincinnati, the team that defeated them 3-0 just a week ago. This matchup could prove crucial for the Herons, as their opponents are currently leading the Eastern Conference and hold a 7-point advantage, although they’ve played three more matches.

Once that game is behind them, head coach Javier Mascherano will be able to fully focus on the Leagues Cup. Their debut will be Wednesday night in Miami against Atlas, who currently sit in fourth place in the Liga MX standings. Three days later, they’ll face Necaxa and then close out the initial stage against Pumas on Wednesday, August 6.

What is the format of the Leagues Cup?

This year marks the fifth edition of the Leagues Cup, and the format has evolved each season. This time, there are 36 participating clubs: all Liga MX teams and the top 18 from MLS 2024.

In the initial phase, each team will play three matches against opponents from the other league, with results counted in two standings tables—East and West. The top four teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, leading to the final between the last two clubs standing.

Unlike in past years, this edition features fewer teams, which will shorten the tournament’s duration. Starting from the quarterfinals, games will be played midweek. This scheduling will allow both domestic leagues to continue without disruption, avoiding calendar conflicts.

“If I had to choose one guy? I would say Kareem,” Frazier said in a 2008 interview with Slam Magazine. It’s a logical pick from the Knicks icon, who spent years going up against Abdul-Jabbar in battles against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers.

During that stretch, Abdul-Jabbar won one NBA title with the Bucks in 1971 and five league MVPs. He later captured five more championships with the Lakers between 1980 and 1988, along with a sixth MVP award—by then, Frazier had already retired.

Clyde praised Kareem’s dominance across all aspects of the game: “He won at every level. He dominated in this game. He has six rings. He has the scoring title without even trying,” Frazier said, before comparing him to another Lakers legend, Wilt Chamberlain. “If he had Wilt’s mindset, he would have had 50K points. He was very team-oriented in what he did.”

Frazier says Jordan isn’t the GOAT

Frazier has repeatedly made it clear that he doesn’t place Michael Jordan at the top of the all-time list. Instead, he’s often highlighted legends from earlier eras, while pointing to what he sees as media-driven bias surrounding the Chicago Bulls legend.

“He had exposure. At the time Jordan played, the NBA was bigger than football. Ratings were higher than football. That’s why they say he is the greatest,” Clyde said during a 2024 appearance on The Buster Show.

“They talk about Jordan, how many times he’s scored 50, 60 points,” the Knicks legend added. “38 times? Wilt Chamberlain did that like 138 times… Who saw Wilt Chamberlain? How many people are alive that saw him play? It’s the same thing with the Heisman trophy; the guys on the West Coast weren’t winning it because we were sleeping. In the East, when they’re playing, the people that vote are sleeping.”

Frazier compares Jordan with Russell, Chamberlain and Robertson

In the same conversation, Frazier expanded on why he believes Jordan falls short of other all-time greats in certain key areas. “I always say, what’s the criteria,” he asked. “If you’re talking about the most dominant, Wilt Chamberlain. The guy has all the records. You’re talking about versatility, Oscar Robertson, a guy who almost averaged a triple-double almost for his whole career. You talk about winning, it’s Bill Russell. The man has 13 world championships,” Clyde explained.

“Michael Jordan is not the leading scorer in the history of the game. He’s not the winningest player in the history of the game. He’s not the most versatile player in the history of the game. How could you say he’s the greatest player?” Frazier concluded.

Frazier defends Wilt Chamberlain’s legacy

Though he named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the greatest ever, Frazier has always spoken highly of Wilt Chamberlain. In a 2000 interview with Slam Magazine, he pushed back against the notion that Chamberlain’s lack of championships should hurt his legacy. “Some have suggested that Wilt was not the greatest player ever because he only won two titles, as opposed to Jordan’s six. This is simply unfair,” Walt said.

He then pointed to the unique challenges Wilt faced during his prime: “If it weren’t for the Celtics dynasty, Wilt would likely have ended up with nine rings,” Frazier argued. “Jordan had no true rival.”

The remarkable career of Walt Frazier

Frazier’s opinion carries weight given the impact he had during his playing days. Selected with the fifth overall pick in the 1967 Draft, the point guard launched a storied career with the Knicks that included the franchise’s only two championships, in 1970 and 1973.

After 10 seasons in New York—where he earned seven All-Star selections, four All-NBA First Team honors, and seven All-Defensive First Team nods—Clyde finished his career with two seasons on the Cleveland Cavaliers before retiring in 1979 at age 34.

Since then, he’s received numerous accolades: his No. 10 jersey was retired by the Knicks, he was named to the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987.

Reports suggest Keon Ellis is a name drawing interest from both the Lakers and the Warriors as a potential piece to help navigate what is expected to be a demanding 2025–26 campaign. The Sacramento Kings guard has stood out primarily for his defensive abilities, particularly as a point-of-attack defender.

Last season, Ellis appeared in 80 of 82 games, starting in just 28. He averaged 24.4 minutes on the court, contributing 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. His most impressive stat came on defense, where he averaged 1.5 steals per game—ranking among the top 30 players in the league in that category.

According to Forbes‘ Evan Sidery, “the Warriors recently expressed interest in Keon Ellis.” However, talks have reportedly stalled, as Sacramento appears reluctant to part ways with the young guard. “The Kings have kept (Ellis) off limits in ongoing sign-and-trade negotiations involving Jonathan Kuminga.”

Sacramento’s proposal in talks with Golden State reportedly included Devin Carter and Dario Saric, along with multiple second-round picks—a package not considered sufficient to acquire the 22-year-old forward.

Meanwhile, the Warriors continue to explore options to reinforce their roster, with a focus on acquiring both a big man and a guard. “My expectation is that one way or the other, the Warriors are going to end up with both (Al) Horford and (De’Anthony) Melton on their roster,” NBA insider Marc Stein said recently.

The Lakers’ chances of landing Keon Ellis are reportedly tied to a potential trade involving point guard Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick, according to the X account Mamba Forever. However, that move now seems less likely following the recent arrival of Marcus Smart, whose presence already marks a significant defensive upgrade for the Lakers.

In addition to Smart, the Lakers addressed a major need at center by acquiring Deandre Ayton this offseason. They’ve also added Jake LaRavia—most recently with the Sacramento Kings—and Adou Thiero, who was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets and later sent to Los Angeles as part of the Kevin Durant trade to the Houston Rockets.

“Jannik Sinner has reappointed Umberto Ferrara as his fitness coach with immediate effect,” the 23-year-old player’s management stated in a press release on Wednesday. “Umberto has played an important role in Jannik’s development to date, and his return reflects a renewed focus on continuity and performance at the highest level.”

Ferrara had previously worked with Sinner until a doping-related case earlier this year led to a suspension. In that incident, Sinner explained that a positive test result stemmed from a spray that physio Giacomo Naldi gave Ferrara to treat a hand wound, which ultimately reached the player during a massage.

The tribunal accepted that explanation, although the ruling was later appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Following a hearing, a settlement was reached, resulting in a relatively lenient three-month suspension, from February to May.

After the case, Sinner ended his working relationship with both Ferrara and Naldi, opting instead to bring in Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio, who had previously worked with Novak Djokovic. However, Sinner decided to part ways with them ahead of his debut at Wimbledon.

Sinner’s upcoming challenges

In the same statement, Sinner’s team emphasized that the choice to bring Ferrara back had to do with the season’s key challenges in mind: “The decision has been made in alignment with Jannik’s management team as part of ongoing preparations for upcoming tournaments, including the Cincinnati Open and US Open.”

Sinner has already withdrawn from the Toronto Masters 1000, joining Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic in skipping the tournament. That means his next appearance will be at the Cincinnati Open—a pivotal event for the Italian. He won the title there in 2024, while Alcaraz was eliminated in the round of 32, so Sinner will need a strong showing to maintain his lead in the ATP Rankings.

And that’s not all. As noted in the statement from Sinner’s management, the US Open follows the Masters 1000 in Ohio. The year’s final Grand Slam carries added importance for Jannik, as he was also the 2024 US Open champion—meaning those points will be crucial for him in the weeks ahead.

“Kylian Mbappe will be Real Madrid’s new number 10,” journalist Fabrizio Romano reported Wednesday on his X account. The decision comes after the No. 10 shirt was vacated following the departure of Luka Modric, who had worn it since 2017.

The Croatian midfielder joined Madrid in 2012 from Tottenham Hotspur and wore No. 19 for his first five years with the club. After James Rodriguez left and freed up the No. 10, Modric took it over, wearing it for the last time during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025—his final tournament with the Spanish side before his move to AC Milan.

As a result, Mbappe will give up the No. 9 jersey he wore during his first year in Spain. That number served him well: across La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Champions League, and Club World Cup, Kylian appeared in 59 matches in his debut season with Real Madrid, scoring 44 goals and registering 5 assists.

Confirming the number change, Mbappe posted a brief message on his official X account Wednesday: “10,” he wrote, a clear sign of what’s to come at Real Madrid. The post received over 140,000 likes in just over an hour, along with thousands of replies.

Mbappe chooses a different path than Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo also wore the No. 9 shirt during his first season with Real Madrid. When he arrived from Manchester United in 2009, the No. 7 jersey still belonged to club legend Raul Gonzalez, forcing Ronaldo to choose an alternate number. A year later, after Raul’s departure to Schalke 04, Ronaldo was able to claim his preferred number.

For Mbappe, the No. 9 was never a natural fit—he had only worn it briefly during his early career with AS Monaco. So it makes sense that he would switch at the first opportunity. Unlike Cristiano, however, he won’t take the No. 7 shirt (currently held by Vinicius Junior), but will opt for the No. 10—a number he’s worn in the past.

What numbers has Mbappe worn?

During his early years at AS Monaco, Mbappe rotated through several shirt numbers. He made his debut in 2015 wearing No. 39 and, between then and his departure in 2017, also wore the 33, 29, 13, 11, 9, and 10.

At Paris Saint-Germain, the No. 10 was unavailable—assigned to Neymar Jr., who arrived in the same transfer window—so Mbappe initially wore No. 29. He later switched between the 17, 14, and eventually settled on No. 7.

For the French national team, Mbappe has long worn the No. 10 jersey. It was with that number that he starred at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where he delivered his first major international performance and helped lead France to the title. Now, he’ll wear the same number for both club and country.

Other stars who have worn Real Madrid’s No. 10 jersey

Beginning next season, Kylian Mbappe will join a distinguished list of players who have had the honor of wearing Real Madrid’s No. 10. Notable names include Ferenc Puskas (after whom FIFA named its annual best goal award), Michael Laudrup, Clarence Seedorf, Luis Figo, Wesley Sneijder, and Mesut Ozil.

The 31-year-old guard was formally presented in Los Angeles and discussed what he expects from this new chapter in his career. “I think we can compete,” he said, according to ESPN. “Our ceiling is high. I think there’s no ceiling. I think if we all lock in and come and do what we’re supposed to do, we can have a real good shot at it.”

However, Smart admitted that not everyone will be happy to see him wearing the purple and gold—particularly fans of the Boston Celtics. When asked how he expects them to react to seeing him in a Lakers jersey on opening night, he was blunt: “I can definitely say that I’m expecting a lot of boos, I’m expecting a lot of hate. And it’s OK, I understand it.”

Marcus spent the majority of his career with the Celtics, who selected him with the 6th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. He remained there for nearly a decade before being traded to Memphis in the summer of 2023. After an underwhelming year and a half with the Grizzlies, and a brief stint with the Washington Wizards, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year is hoping this next stop marks the beginning of something special.

“I’m very motivated,” Smart said. “The last two years for me was, in my eyes, a disappointment. Injuries kind of stopped me and held me back.” Indeed, he appeared in just 20 of 82 games during his first year in Memphis, and only played 34 games total last season between the Grizzlies and the Wizards.

Smart reflects on playing for the Lakers

Back in 2014, the Lakers considered selecting Smart in the NBA Draft, but ultimately chose Julius Randle with the 7th pick. “Like I told my wife and my family, everything happens for a reason. And it’s funny that 12 years ago, I could have been here and now it’s full circle and I’m here,” Marcus reflected.

As for his goals this season, the guard was clear. “Just to be me,” he said. “Come in and do what I do and that’s a tenacious defender, just bringing the intensity that I bring, my leadership, my basketball IQ, as well. But just being the pest that I’ve always been.”

The Celtics–Lakers rivalry

When Marcus Smart mentions the boos and hate from Boston fans, he’s referencing the storied rivalry between the Lakers and the Celtics—arguably the most iconic in NBA history. These are the two most decorated franchises in the league, with a rich history of NBA Finals matchups spanning decades.

From Boston’s dominance in the 1960s led by Bill Russell, to the 1980s when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird revolutionized the league, and more recently the 2008 and 2010 Finals, each era has added a new layer to the Celtics–Lakers rivalry.

On Wednesday, the Catalan side confirmed the signing via its official channels: “FC Barcelona and Manchester United have reached an agreement for the loan of the player Marcus Rashford until 30 June 2026. The agreement also establishes an option to buy the English forward.”

The announcement was also shared by Rashford on his personal Instagram account, where Garnacho replied. “Let’s gooooo,” wrote the Argentine winger, along with two saluting face emojis, expressing his excitement for his former teammate’s new destination.

Garnacho’s reaction drew attention not just because of his relationship with Rashford—whom he played alongside at Old Trafford from 2022 to 2024—but also because it fueled speculation about his own future. Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano highlighted the comment and noted that this comes “while he’s also prepared to leave Man United this summer.”

Garnacho reportedly turned down chance to play with Ronaldo

Alejandro Garnacho has repeatedly spoken about his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, which is evident in his playing style and goal celebrations that often mimic the Portuguese star. The two shared a brief stint at Manchester United before Ronaldo’s departure to Saudi Arabia at the end of 2022.

This summer, rumors emerged suggesting that Garnacho could join Al Nassr for the upcoming season. But according to Mundo Deportivo, the young winger declined the opportunity, prioritizing staying in Europe to maintain top-level competition—especially with his place in the Argentina squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 still uncertain.

In this context, head coach Ruben Amorim excluded Garnacho from Manchester United’s squad for their U.S. tour, which kicks off Saturday with a friendly against West Ham United. With his exit from the club appearing imminent, clubs reportedly interested in signing him include Tottenham, Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Atletico Madrid.

Garnacho’s numbers

Since making his professional debut in April 2022 at just 17 years old, Garnacho has played 144 matches for Manchester United across the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Champions League, and Europa League, scoring 26 goals.

For much of his three-year spell with the Red Devils, Alejandro was seen as one of the club’s brightest young talents—performances that eventually earned him a call-up to the Argentina national team. He made his official debut in June 2023 and secured a spot in the 2024 Copa America, where Argentina were crowned champions. However, in subsequent call-ups, he has fallen out of favor with head coach Lionel Scaloni.

According to Mister Only Tennis, a stats-focused account on X, Sinner now holds one of the highest point totals recorded in the ATP Rankings over the past 35 years. In fact, since 1990, he is only the fifth player to accumulate this many points.

At the moment, Jannik leads the standings with 12,030 points, boosted by the 1,600 he earned with his Wimbledon title. That gives him a clear advantage over second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, who lost 700 points after failing to defend his 2024 Wimbledon title and now sits at 8,600.

To find a player who reached a similar point total, one has to go back to 2016. That year, Novak Djokovic racked up points from his titles at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2015, and followed them with wins at the Australian Open and Roland Garros in 2016. As the reigning champion of all four Grand Slams, he hit a staggering 16,950 points—a number no one else has matched before or since.

Roger Federer came close in 2006 when he won the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, while finishing runner-up at Roland Garros. That run earned him 15,495 points. Rafael Nadal was near that mark in 2009, reaching 15,390 points. Completing the list is Andy Murray, who peaked at 12,685 points in 2016.

How do the ATP Rankings work?

The ATP Rankings are a points-based system that ranks all professional tennis players based on their performances in official ATP Tour events over the past 12 months. Players earn a set number of points depending on how far they advance in a tournament and how important that event is, with points dropping off after 52 weeks.

The Grand Slam tournaments (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and US Open) carry the most weight, awarding 2,000 points to the winner. Next in importance are the Masters 1000 events and the ATP Finals. After that, a player’s best seven results from ATP 500s, ATP 250s, and Challenger events are also counted.

Sinner’s dominant run

To reach his current total of 12,030 points, Jannik Sinner has delivered a dominant stretch of tennis over the past year. And it’s worth noting that he’s doing it despite missing three months of competition—from February to May—due to a suspension following a positive doping test.

Sinner’s surge is largely driven by his performances at the Grand Slams: he is the reigning champion at three of the four majors. It began with his 2024 US Open title, followed by wins at the 2025 Australian Open and Wimbledon, along with a runner-up finish at Roland Garros. He also captured titles at three other important events that still count toward his ranking: the Cincinnati Masters 1000, the Shanghai Masters 1000, and the Nitto ATP Finals.

“Who is the hardest guy I’ve had to guard? Kyrie Irving,” T.J. McConnell said without hesitation during a recent appearance on the Christian Kuntz Podcast. “It’s just, it’s a tough place to be mentally, guarding Kyrie.”

The Indiana Pacers guard was born just two days after Irving, in March 1992, and entered the league a few years later, meaning their careers have largely run parallel. And until Kyrie joined Dallas in 2023, they had always competed as rivals in the Eastern Conference—facing each other countless times over the years.

Based on that firsthand experience, McConnell explained what it’s like to guard Irving. “You’re on an island,” T.J. said. “And you just don’t know what he’s gonna do. You can force him one way, but he still ends up getting the way you don’t want him to go.”

Irving’s greatest strength, according to McConnell

During the same conversation, McConnell highlighted what he considers Irving’s most defining skill in the NBA. “His handle is impeccable. He’s got the greatest handle I’ve seen,” said the Indiana guard. “And he can really shoot it, like he’s fast.”

One of the podcast hosts added, “He has the best handles of all time.” McConnell didn’t hesitate to agree: “I would have to say yes.” However, to avoid sparking debates or comparisons with past legends, he added: “I don’t want to talk about the whole era thing. But like, the best handle I’ve ever played against? Easily him, yeah.”

When will Irving return to the court?

Irving underwent surgery on his left knee on March 26. Since then, he has embarked on a long recovery process that is expected to keep him sidelined through the early months of the 2025–26 NBA season. Initial speculation suggested the 33-year-old guard might be ready by early 2026, but Irving himself has worked to temper expectations.

“I don’t want to make any predictions on when I’m going to be back,” Kyrie said during a recent Twitch stream about his comeback with the Dallas Mavericks. “I just want to be back a hundred fifty thousand percent better. So I’m taking my time right now to really get healthy. I’m taking my time to really get my body right, other parts or portions of my body right and really just enjoy this recovery process, man.”

Based on those comments, it’s safe to assume Irving may miss a significant portion of the regular season, with a possible return closer to the playoff push. That’s why the Dallas Mavericks signed a high-level guard like D’Angelo Russell and may also look to give a playmaking role to Cooper Flagg.

On Tuesday, the X account of Etienne Catalan shared a post confirming that Chris Paul will wear jersey No. 3 this season — the same number he wore during his first stint with the Clippers from 2011 to 2017.

Unexpectedly, that post received a response from another NBA star: Trae Young. From his official account, the Atlanta Hawks guard shared a direct message aimed at Clippers leadership. “Retire it during the farewell tour,” wrote Young, including a fire emoji alongside his words.

Within a few hours, Trae’s comment had received more than 2,800 likes from users who supported the idea. Among the replies, many Clippers fans took the opportunity to encourage Young to consider joining the team in the future.

Which numbers have the Clippers retired?

If Trae Young’s suggestion became reality, it would mark a unique moment in NBA history. The Clippers are the only team in the league that has never retired a jersey number in honor of an iconic player in franchise history, meaning Chris Paul would be the first.

The only number currently unavailable to Clippers players is No. 6. That jersey was officially retired league-wide by the NBA in August 2022 in tribute to Bill Russell, Boston Celtics legend and the winningest player in league history with 11 championships.

What role will Chris Paul have with the Clippers?

Trae Young, like many others, seems to be assuming that Paul’s career is nearing its end — and that this season may be the final one for the veteran guard. Based on recent reports regarding the conditions of Paul’s return, that assumption may be accurate.

Chris Paul is expected to adapt to an unusual role during this stint with the Clippers, likely serving as the team’s third option at point guard. James Harden clearly holds the starting spot, while Kris Dunn remains the primary backup.

According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst, Paul “is not gonna have guaranteed playing time… There are going to be nights where James Harden and their backup Kris Dunn get the minutes at point guard and Chris Paul might not play at all.” However, the guard appears to have accepted the situation in order to stay close to his family in California — and to be part of a roster with legitimate championship aspirations.

“Whenever you sign a player to a deal with an option, you willingly give them the control to initially guide the situation. But this notion that a player option gives the player all of the power is pretty silly,” began an anonymous executive, in a conversation shared by Keith Smith of Spotrac.

“If they opt out, the team is then a partner in re-signing them or not. If they opt in, then the team is a partner in whatever happens next too,” he added. “For LeBron, he had a player option and made his decision to opt in. We’re just happy that he’s still a Laker.”

These comments come amid continued speculation about the future of the four-time NBA champion. It’s still unclear whether this upcoming season will be James’ final one as a professional, and even after opting into his contract, rumors persisted about a possible departure to another team.

However, so far no franchise has clearly taken concrete steps toward acquiring the forward for the upcoming season. In fact, according to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, some teams, like the New York Knicks, have shown a lack of interest in making that kind of move involving James.

The Lakers are building to contend this year

According to reports, one of the key differences between the Lakers and LeBron involved the goals of both sides. James, aware that his time in the NBA is running out, is firmly focused on winning a fifth title. But the Los Angeles team appeared to be more focused on the future.

However, so far this offseason, the Lakers have made moves that significantly improved their roster. The addition of Deandre Ayton was key in addressing the lack of a quality center — a problem that plagued them all of last season. They also brought in Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart, giving head coach JJ Redick more options.

With these changes, the Lakers appear much better equipped to compete in the NBA and, in turn, offer LeBron James a more encouraging outlook regarding the team’s chances in the Western Conference.

The Luka Doncic situation

In the same conversation with Spotrac, the Lakers executive also spoke about the possibility of extending Luka Doncic’s contract. “We aren’t even allowed to do that until next month (August 2nd), so it’s a bit early to talk about that,” he explained. “But Luka and his reps know how we feel about him. They’ve known that since we’ve traded for him. This will hopefully be a long, long partnership between Luka and us.”

The event in Canada is set to begin this Sunday, July 27, and will run nearly two weeks, ending on Thursday, August 7. That timeline posed a clear scheduling issue for the ATP Tour’s top stars, especially after the physical and emotional demands of Wimbledon—and with the US Open fast approaching.

After pulling out of the 2025 Canadian Open, Alcaraz, Sinner, and Djokovic are expected to return for the Cincinnati Open, scheduled from August 7 to 18. That appearance will leave them with a full week of rest before the US Open kicks off on August 24.

At the Masters 1000 event in Ohio, Sinner and Alcaraz will naturally enter as top seeds and title favorites. That status is driven not only by their ATP Rankings (currently No. 1 and No. 2, respectively), but also by recent form—having faced off in the finals of both Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

The race for No. 1 between Alcaraz and Sinner

Sinner’s decision to withdraw from Toronto won’t have a major impact on his ATP Rankings position. In 2024, he exited the tournament in the quarterfinals after losing to Andrey Rublev, earning just 200 points—hardly a critical loss for the Italian star.

Alcaraz, on the other hand, didn’t play in Canada in 2024 either, so he’s not defending any points there this year. While his absence won’t cost him, it also represents a missed opportunity to close the gap with Jannik.

The real battle will take place in Cincinnati, which explains why both stars prioritized that event, even at the expense of skipping Toronto. In 2024, Sinner captured the title in Ohio, while Alcaraz suffered a surprising exit in the Round of 32. That dynamic sets up a high-stakes scenario: Sinner will need a strong showing to maintain his lead, while Alcaraz has a golden opportunity to gain ground.

What did Alcaraz say about his Toronto withdrawal?

Carlos Alcaraz announced his decision to sit out this year’s Masters 1000 in Canada through a post on his official X account. “After many consecutive weeks of competition without rest, I will not be able to play in Toronto this year. I have small muscles issues and I need to recover physically and mentally for what comes next,” he explained. “To the tournament and to my fans in Canada I am very sorry, I will see you next year!”

According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst, Paul agreed to join the Clippers fully aware that he’ll likely have a secondary role throughout the season. “From what I understand, he’s not gonna have guaranteed playing time,” said the ESPN reporter.

As one of the best guards of this century, CP3 has spent the past two decades as a key piece on every team he’s played for—except during his stint with the Golden State Warriors, when he played a secondary role behind Stephen Curry. In fact, even at his age, he played all 82 games last season with the San Antonio Spurs.

Now, however, in Los Angeles, he might be facing a situation he’s never dealt with before. “There are going to be nights where James Harden and their backup Kris Dunn get the minutes at point guard and Chris Paul might not play at all, which is something you’ve never seen from him before,” Windhorst added.

Indeed, during the 2024–25 season, Harden played a vital role for head coach Tyronn Lue, becoming the team’s leader in average minutes played (39.4) and ranking ninth in the league overall. That importance also showed in his numbers, as he averaged 18.7 points, 9.1 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game. Dunn, meanwhile, averaged 21.9 minutes per game.

Reports indicate that Chris Paul was made aware of his expected role before agreeing to join the Clippers, and he accepted those terms—even if it means ending his NBA career in a way that contrasts with his prime years.

“He has understood that. He understands that he’s gonna be in that spot that he hasn’t,” Windhorst explained, before detailing the reasons Paul still chose to take the opportunity. “He wants to be on a competitive team in the market; he wants to play near his family.”

Another key element in Paul’s return to Los Angeles is his reunion with Harden. The two were teammates on the Houston Rockets from 2017 to 2019, and at the time, there were rumors of a poor relationship between them—some even speculating that Paul’s departure was partly due to that dynamic.

Still, even if those issues did exist and were as significant as rumored, they appear to be in the past. “There had to be an understanding with James Harden,” Brian Windhorst confirmed. “He and James Harden didn’t have the greatest relationship when they were in Houston a few years ago, but Harden is on board with this signing. They went to him with it first.”

If those matters were indeed addressed and everyone is aligned, Chris Paul’s arrival could be a valuable addition for the Clippers, given his talent and experience. And both he and Harden are motivated by a shared goal—capturing their first NBA championship, a mission that could unify their efforts moving forward.

Late in the 2024–25 campaign, several teams lost key stars to injury. The Indiana Pacers will be without Tyrese Haliburton for an extended period, and the same will suffer the Boston Celtics with Jayson Tatum. Damian Lillard, already set for a lengthy absence, was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks and returned to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Asked whether these changes improved Miami’s chances in the East, Spoelstra was direct. “You can’t think that just because there have been some changes in rosters or some injuries that, ‘Oh, now we have a chance.’ That’s kind of a loser’s mentality,” he said in a recent interview with The Miami Herald.

“We want to compete at the highest level regardless of who’s out there. That’s been our mindset. We’re not ducking any kind of competition,” the coach added. “If you want to accomplish something great, you’re going to have to beat great teams anyway.”

The Heat have lessons to learn from last year

During the 2024–25 season, the Miami Heat made headlines more for their conflicts with Jimmy Butler and his eventual departure to the Golden State Warriors than for their performance on the court. That clearly affected the team’s results, as they finished eighth in the standings with a 37–45 record and were quickly eliminated in the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers after qualifying through the play-in tournament.

Spoelstra pointed out that one key to the team’s struggles was their performance in close games and blown double-digit leads. “That can change the trajectory of your season if you handle those moments of truth better,” he said. “You change that dynamic, and then everything looks different.”

A new version of Miami

Now the Heat appear to have a clearer direction. With Bam Adebayo established as the team’s leader and Tyler Herro showing strong form, they have a solid foundation. Add to that the expectations for what Andrew Wiggins can contribute now that he’s fully integrated into the squad, plus the arrival of Norman Powell after a strong season with the Los Angeles Clippers.

“You can feel the energy, you can feel the excitement building,” Spoelstra said optimistically. “It doesn’t have to be all there right now. But look, it’s happening organically. I feel it myself, the staff feels it, the players feel it.”

Alexander Hack had scored the opener for the hosts at Red Bull Arena in the 14th minute of the first half, taking advantage of a poor reaction from goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo and the defenders after a corner kick.

However, just 10 minutes later, Messi rescued Inter Miami with a brilliant assist to Jordi Alba. Soon after, he delivered another superb pass to the Spanish left-back, who this time set up Telasco Segovia to make it 2–1 with a subtle touch. Segovia himself extended the lead near the end of the first half with a well-placed strike.

Messi’s goals

After a first half in which Messi led Inter Miami as a playmaker and distributed assists, he showed his scoring side after the break. In the 60th minute, Sergio Busquets delivered a brilliant pass that left him one-on-one with goalkeeper Carlos Coronel. Messi didn’t miss—he rounded the keeper and scored into an open net.

Fifteen minutes later, it was Luis Suarez who provided the assist with a cross into the box. The Argentine forward controlled the ball with his chest, beat a defender, and fired home the team’s fifth goal with a powerful left-footed strike.

Messi leads MLS in goals in 2025

Lionel Messi’s two goals on Saturday against New York Red Bulls add to an already remarkable list of performances this season. He has scored twice in six of his last seven appearances for Inter Miami—the only exception being last Wednesday’s 3–0 loss to CF Cincinnati.

Thanks to that incredible run, Messi has climbed to the top of the MLS scoring charts. He now leads the league with 18 goals, surpassing Nashville’s Sam Surridge, who had been the top scorer with 17. Behind them are Cincinnati’s Evander (15), Philadelphia Union’s Tai Baribo (14), and Sporting Kansas City’s Dejan Joveljic (13).

The Herons are trying to make up lost ground in Major League Soccer after their participation in the Club World Cup left them with several games in hand and trailing in the standings. Following Wednesday’s loss to FC Cincinnati, they fell further behind the Philadelphia Union, the Eastern Conference leaders.

Given that context, things didn’t start well for Inter Miami on Saturday. They quickly fell behind after a 14th-minute goal by Alexander Hack, who capitalized on a corner kick and a poor reaction from the goalkeeper and defenders.

But that early setback didn’t affect Lionel Messi’s mindset. He immediately took on the responsibility of leading the team, stepping into the role of playmaker. In the 24th minute, he picked up the ball in the attacking half and delivered a brilliant assist to Jordi Alba, who found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Carlos Coronel and made no mistake.

That stunning pass instantly brought back memories of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Messi was instrumental in Argentina’s title run. In particular, it drew parallels to his assist to Nahuel Molina for the opener against the Netherlands, when he threaded the ball through a crowd of defenders.

Another brilliant pass from Messi

Alba’s goal seemed to spark Inter Miami, who completed the comeback almost immediately. Just three minutes after the equalizer, another pass from Messi found Alba in a perfect position inside the box. This time, however, the Spanish left-back chose to set up Telasco Segovia, who needed only a subtle touch to score.

With the 2–1 lead, Javier Mascherano’s team took full control of the match and faced little pressure from New York RB. In fact, during the remainder of the first half, they had several chances to extend the lead—something Segovia eventually did with a precise right-footed shot.

Messi sets impressive record

With his performance on Saturday, Lionel Messi became the first player in Inter Miami history to reach 30 assists. It’s an impressive milestone considering the short time the Argentine star has been with the club—he arrived just two years ago and has played 67 matches since then.

However, some clarification is needed. This statistic follows Major League Soccer’s criteria, which count not only direct assists but also so-called “secondary assists.” These are passes made not to the goal scorer, but to the player who provides the assist—and they must meet certain conditions. “The pass must contribute significantly and directly to the goal, requiring a reasonable amount of skill, vision, and accuracy,” MLS rules state.

According to reporter Chris Fedor, the future of Dean Wade remains uncertain. The Cavaliers are interested in keeping him, but due to salary cap constraints, they may be forced to let him go if they want to avoid falling into the NBA’s second tax bracket.

The 28-year-old power forward/center is entering the final year of a three-year deal with Cleveland, earning roughly $6.6 million. However, he may not finish out the contract with the team. “The current belief is Wade likely wouldn’t return,” Fedor wrote.

During the 2024–25 season, Wade started in 30 of the 59 games he played for the Cavaliers. He recorded career highs in rebounds (4.2) and assists (1.3) over his six seasons in the NBA. However, his scoring output remains modest at 5.4 points per game, close to his career-best of 6.0 in 2020–21.

Despite being a useful contributor, the Cavs clearly do not view Wade as a core piece. Given their potential need to trim salary to stay under the cap, he appears to be one of the likely candidates to be moved.

In this context, Wade may have a future with another franchise, as there’s reported interest from teams in both conferences. According to Hoops Wire, the Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte Hornets, and Washington Wizards are considered the most likely suitors.

Among them, the Mavs have reportedly “been fans for a few years,” according to Fedor. Though they already have several frontcourt players—such as Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and Dwight Powell—they could benefit from Wade’s defensive versatility and depth.

At this stage, however, no concrete offers appear to have materialized. “Several opposing scouts have told… that their general managers have an interest in Wade — and could make a run at him now that the free agency dust has cleared. The scouts did not know if those GMs had yet called the Cavs,” Hoops Wire reported, suggesting this story is just beginning to unfold.

“James Harden has allowed the Clippers to go after players this offseason,” said team president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, according to reporter Ohm Youngmisuk on X. “Harden restructured his deal, giving Clippers cap space to get Bradley Beal and Brook Lopez and second-year of his deal allows Clippers to have max cap space if needed.”

At this stage of his career, Harden’s top priority is clearly being part of a team that can compete deep into the playoffs and help him finally win an elusive NBA title. That’s why the 35-year-old guard is willing to make sacrifices for the good of the team.

And that’s not all. Harden also played a significant role in the recruitment of Beal, helping persuade him to join the Clippers. “Mark Bartelstein, Bradley Beal’s agent, talked to everyone in the Clippers organization, including a 30-minute conversation with James Harden,” Frank revealed, according to Youngmisuk.

Harden’s competitive drive seems to have resonated with Beal, who is also searching for his first championship after a disappointing stint with the Phoenix Suns. The Clippers president said Beal’s final decision to accept the offer and move to Los Angeles came down to his desire “to win and win big.”

Clippers closely monitoring Chris Paul

In the same conversation, Lawrence Frank was asked about the possibility of Chris Paul returning to the Clippers, where he played from 2011 to 2017. “What I’d say about Chris is he’s a great player, he’s a great Clipper. He obviously possesses some of the qualities we just referenced,” the president said.

Head coach Tyronn Lue still has two open roster spots, and the franchise appears intent on filling one with a player known for playmaking and ballhandling—traits that align perfectly with CP3. That led Frank to add: “Of course, we’re strongly strongly considering him.”

Clippers optimistic about the future

So far, the Los Angeles Clippers have added size and power with the arrivals of Brook Lopez and John Collins, along with shooting and ballhandling through Bradley Beal. They may also soon add the experience and basketball IQ of Chris Paul.

All of these assets, combined with what the team already had last season—James Harden, a healthy Kawhi Leonard, and an increasingly dominant Ivica Zubac—could make the Clippers serious contenders in the Western Conference.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Spanish giants plan to offer Thibaut Courtois a contract extension next month that would keep him at the club until June 30, 2027—even though his current deal is still valid for another year. The move stands out given the goalkeeper’s age: 33.

In recent years, Real Madrid have maintained a strict policy of not offering contract extensions longer than one year to players over the age of 30. The rationale behind this is to protect the club’s interests against the risks associated with long-term deals for aging players, such as injuries or dips in performance.

The last time Los Merengues made an exception of this kind was in November 2016, when they signed Cristiano Ronaldo to a five-year contract just before his 32nd birthday. That deal, however, was not completed in full, as the Portuguese forward transferred to Juventus in mid-2018 for a fee of over $100 million.

Stars whose contract renewals became complicated at Real Madrid

In the nine years between Cristiano Ronaldo’s extension and this reported offer to Thibaut Courtois, many over-30 players faced Real Madrid’s rigid contract policy—and not all situations ended the same way.

One of the most emblematic cases was that of Sergio Ramos. Despite being one of the most important players in the club’s history, he was forced to leave in 2021 due to disagreements over the terms of his renewal. Reports indicated he wanted a two-year extension, while president Florentino Perez was unwilling to budge. The dispute ended with Ramos leaving for Paris Saint-Germain at the age of 35.

Luka Modric and Toni Kroos also reflect Real Madrid’s firm stance in these negotiations. Both were key players for more than a decade, but after turning 30, they had to renew their contracts on a year-by-year basis until their eventual departures. Kroos retired in 2024, while Modric left this summer to continue his career with AC Milan.

Courtois’ importance to Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s willingness to make an exception for Courtois underscores the goalkeeper’s importance to the team. He joined the club in 2018 from Chelsea in a deal worth around $40 million. Since then, he has played 282 matches and won 14 trophies, including three La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League titles.

In a June 2025 conversation with Bill Simmons, Rivers pointed to the Chicago Bulls of the 1990s as the gold standard on defense. “Listen, I played against all of them. And that one year with the Bulls, Ron Harper, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Michael Jordan. I mean, those are four elite, elite, elite defenders. I don’t think there was a better defensive team than that with their size and quickness,” Doc said.

Rivers was referring to the 1995–96 season, which was his final year in the NBA before retiring at age 35 with the San Antonio Spurs. That season, Chicago captured the NBA title with a performance many still consider the best in league history.

The Bulls dominated the regular season with a 72–10 record—a league-best at the time until the Golden State Warriors went 73–9 in 2016. That championship also marked the start of Chicago’s second three-peat, following their first run from 1991 to 1993.

Rivers breaks down the Bulls’ defense

Rivers elaborated on what made that Chicago team stand out defensively. “One of the things that the Bulls did that I don’t think any other team has ever done in the history of the game is the way they trap,” he explained.

“The Bulls would actually send a guy to the sideline, and as a guard, I remember this. You thought, ‘Okay, now I can beat him down the sideline,’ but the guy guarding you actually beat you to the sideline, and then you would turn your back, and there’s another defender, and you’re basically in the web,” added the Bucks coach. “No one’s ever been able to do that, trapping in the frontcourt. They did it in the backcourt. They did it all the time.”

While crediting the system, Rivers also highlighted the mastermind behind it. “That was Phil,” he said, referring to head coach Phil Jackson. But he emphasized that the players executed it to perfection. “They had four pit bulls that could get away with it and I’ve never seen a team do that.”

Rivers highlights other top defensive teams

In the same conversation, Doc Rivers also acknowledged other teams with elite defensive credentials. First among them was one he coached: “Our 2008 Celtics were tough,” he said, referencing the Boston team that won the NBA championship by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals.

Surprisingly, Rivers placed the current Oklahoma City Thunder in similar defensive territory. The Thunder went on to win the 2024–25 NBA title, and Rivers drew comparisons between them and that legendary Bulls squad: “This team is similar. They rival it a little bit.”

Francisco Cerundolo reached the semifinals of the ATP 250 event in Bastad, Sweden, on Friday after picking up wins over Mariano Navone and Damir Dzumhur. With those results, the Argentine improved his 2025 clay record to 21–9.

That puts Cerundolo second in the world for clay-court win totals this season, trailing only Carlos Alcaraz. The World No. 2 leads the ATP Tour in clay wins with an outstanding 22–1 record—one of the key reasons he remains near the top of the rankings.

The 22-year-old Spanish star has won five titles this season, three of them on clay: Monte-Carlo, Rome, and Roland Garros. His other titles came in Rotterdam (hard court) and Queen’s Club (grass). Alcaraz’s only loss on clay this year came in the Barcelona Open final, where he fell to Holger Rune. He missed the Madrid Open due to injury.

Cerundolo’s campaign has been more modest. He has yet to win a title in 2025, though he made a strong run to the final of the Argentina Open—on clay—where he lost to Joao Fonseca. He also had solid results in the BMW Open in Munich and at the Madrid Masters 1000, where he reached the semifinals.

Who are the top clay-court players this season?

While Carlos Alcaraz leads the ATP Tour in clay wins with a 22–1 record in 2025, Francisco Cerundolo is solidly in second with his 21–9 mark. Behind them is Lorenzo Musetti, who holds a 19–4 record and made a deep run to the final in Monte-Carlo. Further down is Alexander Zverev, who captured the title in Munich and holds an 18–7 record on the surface.

Cerundolo chasing first title of the year

Cerundolo previously won the Bastad title in 2022 and enters this weekend as the top seed and favorite. “I try to take it in a positive way,” he said, according to the ATP Tour’s official website. “If I’m the top seed here it’s because I’ve done pretty well during the year, so I take it as a compliment, not a pressure.”

After defeating Damir Dzumhur, the Argentine will face Luciano Darderi in Saturday’s semifinal. If he advances, he’ll play his second final of the season on Sunday, against the winner of Camilo Ugo Carabelli vs. Jesper De Jong.

According to Sport, Al Nassr are interested in signing Luis Diaz, one of the Premier League’s most dynamic wingers. Ronaldo’s influence appears to be central to the pursuit. “Cristiano wants the Colombian operating from the wing to deliver him the ball,” the Spanish outlet reported.

“Following his renewal, Cristiano has taken on greater influence in Al Nassr’s internal decisions. His opinions carry weight,” the report added. This suggests Ronaldo’s role now extends beyond leading on the pitch—he appears to hold sway in roster-building decisions as well.

This summer, the Saudi side lost one of its key forwards, Jhon Duran, who joined Fenerbahce of Turkey after just six months in the Pro League. Without the Colombian striker, Ronaldo has lost one of his top partners in attack—Duran scored 12 goals in 18 matches last season.

That departure underscores the club’s urgency to add another high-caliber forward. In fact, just days ago, there were also rumors linking Christian Pulisic to Al Nassr, although AC Milan’s sporting director Igli Tare insisted that keeping the American star remains a top priority for the Italian side.

How much is Luis Diaz worth?

Luis Diaz played a key role in Liverpool’s 2024–25 Premier League title run, finishing the season with 17 goals and 5 assists across 50 matches. However, recent reports suggest he is looking to leave England, with a move to Barcelona being his preferred option, despite interest from other clubs such as Bayern Munich.

One crucial factor in determining the Colombian winger’s next move is the transfer fee. Liverpool are reportedly willing to part ways with Diaz for €100 million (roughly $115 million), a price tag that neither Barcelona nor Bayern Munich are currently in a position to meet.

That’s where Al Nassr may have the edge. As demonstrated by Cristiano Ronaldo’s lucrative contract extension, money is not an issue for the Saudi club. They could realistically meet Liverpool’s asking price for Diaz. The obstacle, however, may lie elsewhere. “The Colombian forward has always prioritized staying in European soccer,” Sport reported.

Changes ahead for Al Nassr’s roster

A third-place finish in the 2024–25 Saudi Pro League led to a coaching change at Al Nassr, and could also result in several roster moves. With Jorge Jesus now in charge, speculation is mounting that a number of international stars may leave the club in the near future.

Aymeric Laporte, Marcelo Brozovic, Angelo, and Otavio are among the players rumored to be on their way out, as the club clears space for new signings that could strengthen the team and position them to compete for both domestic and international success.

During a Bleacher Report livestream, NBA insider Jake Fischer discussed the situation. “We are still anticipating the Kings to be bringing in another veteran guard and Ben Simmons is on that list of potential targets,” the reporter stated.

Sacramento has spent several weeks looking to strengthen its playmaking depth. That effort has already led to the signing of Dennis Schroder, who joined as a free agent after his stint with the Detroit Pistons. The team also added Isaiah Stevens on a two-way contract.

Simmons spent the final stretch of the 2024–25 season with the Los Angeles Clippers after being traded from the Brooklyn Nets. Under head coach Tyronn Lue, the 28-year-old guard appeared in 17 games, all off the bench, averaging 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. His role remained limited during the playoffs, where he played in five games and had minimal impact.

Other options on Sacramento’s radar

Ben Simmons isn’t the only candidate being considered by the Kings for the backup point guard role. Russell Westbrook was reportedly on their radar even before Schroder’s signing and remains in the mix. According to Jake Fischer, Malcolm Brogdon is also a potential target.

In the 2024–25 season, the Kings were one of the NBA’s oldest teams by average age—27.7 years—trailing only the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and Phoenix Suns.

And while the franchise moved on from several veteran players this offseason, including Jonas Valanciunas, Trey Lyles, and Jae Crowder, it’s clear Sacramento is now targeting players with not just proven NBA talent but also significant experience.

Simmons’ options

In addition to the reported interest from the Kings, the 2016 first overall pick apparently has another potential suitor. “For Ben Simmons the two teams we’re hearing for him still in the mix are Sacramento and New York,” Jake Fischer said.

The Knicks have also been mentioned this offseason as a team looking to add an experienced point guard. They’ve previously been linked to Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul, though those possibilities were downplayed by Hoops Wire reporter Sam Amico.

From August 27 to September 14, EuroBasket 2025 will take place—FIBA’s major tournament featuring Europe’s top national teams. Serbia have already qualified and are part of Group A alongside Latvia, Czech Republic, Turkey, Estonia, and Portugal.

Given that setup, the focus naturally turns to whether Jokic will choose to represent his country in the tournament. “Since the end of the Olympic Games in Paris, Serbia has been holding its breath waiting for one decision: According to Meridian Sport, the best basketball player in the world is close to making that decision,” wrote journalist Dorde Matic.

“Fans in Serbia have reason to be optimistic… Jokic is expected to soon give an official nod to the invitation from head coach Svetislav Pesic, with whom he has already spoken,” Matic added. “The plan is for the Serbian team—with the world’s best player—to go for European gold.”

If he confirms his participation in EuroBasket 2025, it would be the fifth time Nikola represents Serbia in a major tournament. He won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games and bronze in Paris 2024, and also played in the 2019 FIBA World Cup (where Serbia lost in the quarterfinals to Argentina) and EuroBasket 2022 (where they were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Italy).

While Jokic’s positive response would be welcome news for Serbian fans, it could also raise concern for the Denver Nuggets. That’s because their star player would be competing in a demanding, high-level tournament just weeks before the 2025–26 NBA season begins—potentially affecting his preseason preparation and conditioning.

All of this comes amid ongoing speculation about the future of the three-time NBA MVP. Just weeks ago, Jokic informed Denver of his decision to decline a contract extension offer, which, according to The Denver Post, was reportedly worth three years and close to $212 million.

While this news sparked concern among some fans, there’s currently no indication that Nikola is unhappy with his situation in Denver or considering a departure. It appears to be more of a financial strategy, delaying the extension to become eligible for a four-year deal worth nearly $300 million after the 2025–26 NBA season.

The Herons are in the middle of an intense stretch of games. They had postponed several MLS matches while competing in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and are now making up those games with multiple midweek fixtures. In fact, they’ve played four matches in just eleven days and still face a tough road test this Saturday against New York Red Bulls.

Managing rest for the team’s star players has become a critical issue—to avoid injuries and to maximize their performance in key moments of the season. In that context, two of the team’s most important players, Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, have been selected to take part in the upcoming All-Star Game next week.

Asked about this during Friday’s press conference, Mascherano was candid in his response. “Clearly, I would like them to be able to rest during the long week, after everything they’ve been through. But it’s not something that depends on me,” the head coach explained, according to Diario Ole.

“I have nothing to say. The players have been called up. I know how important the All-Star is in this league and in this country. As far as I know, there is no decision from the club. Everything is normal,” Mascherano added, suggesting that, although he sees the situation as less than ideal, Inter Miami will not take any steps to try and alter it.

When is the MLS All-Star Game?

The All-Star Game is set for next Wednesday, July 23, at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, with kickoff scheduled for 9 PM ET. The event will feature the top players from Major League Soccer taking on a select squad from Liga MX of Mexico.

Inter Miami will be represented by Messi and Alba, both selected through fan voting. Other players participating in the match include San Diego FC’s Hirving Lozano, LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna, FC Cincinnati’s Evander, and Vancouver Whitecaps’ Sebastian Berhalter.

What’s next for Messi and Inter Miami

Inter Miami’s next match is this Saturday against New York Red Bulls on the road, marking the end of a packed schedule that began on July 5. After that, the team will finally get a full week of rest before facing FC Cincinnati.

In between, as mentioned earlier, Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will travel to Austin to participate in the All-Star Game. Once those obligations are behind them, the Herons will begin their run in the Leagues Cup, opening against Atlas of Mexico on Wednesday, July 30, at Chase Stadium.

According to Mister Only Tennis, an X account known for detailed tennis stats, Alcaraz and Sinner now rank first and third, respectively, in terms of Grand Slam final win percentage in the Open Era, which began in 1968. This ranking includes only players who have reached at least five major finals.

It is topped by Australian legend Rod Laver, who posted an 83.3% success rate by winning five of six finals—Wimbledon 1968 and all four majors in 1969—losing only at Roland Garros in 1968. Notably, Laver also captured six additional major titles during the amateur era.

Tied with Laver at the top—excluding those amateur titles—is Alcaraz. The Spanish star has also won five of his first six Grand Slam finals (US Open 2022, Wimbledon 2023 and 2024, and Roland Garros 2024 and 2025), with his only loss coming at this year’s Wimbledon final.

Sinner sits just below with an 80% win rate in Grand Slam finals, having claimed titles at the Australian Open in 2024 and 2025, the US Open in 2024, and Wimbledon in 2025. His lone defeat came at Roland Garros earlier this year. In fact, Alcaraz and Sinner handed each other their first career losses in Grand Slam finals this season—evidence of the razor-thin margin between them at the top of the sport.

Another impressive benchmark for Sinner and Alcaraz

What makes these achievements even more impressive is the age of the two players. At just 23 and 22 years old, respectively, Sinner and Alcaraz are already cementing their place among tennis’s elite, posting statistics that compare favorably with some of the game’s all-time greats.

In addition to their Grand Slam finals efficiency, both players rank among the best in ATP Tour final win percentage since the start of the Open Era, based on players who have contested at least 25 finals.

Per Mister Only Tennis, Thomas Muster leads that list with an 81.6% mark (44–10), followed by Nikolay Davydenko at 75% (21–7). Alcaraz matches Davydenko’s percentage—though he has done so at a far younger age. Sinner follows closely with a 74.1% win rate (20–7). Others rounding out the top group include Thomas Enqvist (73.1%), Pete Sampras (72.7%), and Rod Laver (71.9%).

Lillard’s contract with Portland—three years and $42 million—includes a no-trade clause. That means the Oregon franchise cannot trade him to another team unless he personally approves the deal.

NBA insider Bobby Marks explained how the point guard is eligible for such an advantage. “Damian Lillard is allowed to have a no trade clause in his contract despite not playing with the Trail Blazers the past 2 years. Criteria: 8 years in the NBA, 4 years of accrued service with that particular team. Lillard earned this with Portland prior to being traded,” Marks wrote on his X account.

Indeed, Dame easily meets those requirements. He completed his 13th NBA season in 2024–25 with the Bucks, after being selected sixth overall in the 2012 Draft by the Blazers. He spent 11 seasons in Portland before being traded to Milwaukee in 2023.

LeBron James is the only other player with a no-trade clause

With this new contract in Portland, the 9-time NBA All-Star joins a very exclusive group. “Lillard joins the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James as the only NBA players with a true no-trade clause in their contracts,” wrote reporter Shams Charania for ESPN.

LeBron’s status as the only player with that privilege has been widely recognized, underscoring his unique standing in the league. Interestingly, until just a few days ago, there was one more player in that category. “Bradley Beal had one before coming to a buyout agreement with the Phoenix Suns earlier this week,” Charania clarified.

Can the Blazers compete in the West?

Lillard’s impact on the court won’t be immediate. The guard is currently in the early stages of recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, suffered in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. That means it will be some time before he’s ready to return to action.

Still, once he does, the Blazers will have far more visibility than they’ve had in recent years. During Lillard’s two-year absence, Portland missed the playoffs in the Western Conference—something that had also happened in the two seasons before he left. Their last deep run came in 2019, when they reached the Western Conference Finals before being swept by the Golden State Warriors.

With a healthy Dame, Portland fans may have reason to be optimistic as they look at a potential starting lineup featuring Lillard, potentially alongside Jrue Holiday, Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan.

During a recent episode of The Roommates Show with teammate Jalen Brunson, Hart recalled his first interaction with the Knicks’ new coach. “I was with the family and everybody, and we’re all at dinner, and I see a phone call,” he began.

“You know that Apple now has like a little ID joint. So I get the number calling. I’m like, ‘Who the hell is Michael Brown? I don’t know no Michael Brown, bro. I ain’t picking this up,’” Hart said, revealing he had momentarily forgotten the full name of his new boss.

The confusion is understandable—“Michael Brown” is a fairly common name, and the coach is typically referred to as “Mike.” Fortunately for Hart, someone else helped him realize his mistake.

“Then Matt just sitting there like, ‘Is that your new coach?’ I’m like, ‘Oh, hell. Uh, hello. Hey, what’s up? Hey, how you doing?’” the 30-year-old guard said. “I was about to let that one go to voicemail, but yeah. We connected.”

Hart’s expectations for the upcoming season

In the same conversation, Hart shared his early thoughts after speaking with Mike Brown. “I don’t really got a relationship with him. Obviously, he’s been a part of some great organizations and great teams, he’s extremely competitive, someone who I think will work well with the personality and the personnel that we have. So, it’s gonna be great,” said the guard.

Josh also highlighted the Knicks’ strengths. “Obviously, great depth, a lot of versatility, able to play big, small, fast, able to slow down the pace. So, it’s gonna be fun,” he said. However, he acknowledged that building the new group will take time: “I don’t think it’s gonna be something that’s built in one day because you’re going to have to mesh a new coaching style and a new play style, new teammates. But extremely excited.”

Hart recovering from offseason surgery

Josh Hart also made headlines this week after undergoing surgery to address an injury to his right ring finger sustained during the playoffs. His estimated recovery time is about six weeks, and he’s expected to be fully ready to rejoin the team when training camp opens ahead of the 2025–26 season.

On Thursday, Al Nassr resumed training at Al-Awwal Park with the goal of beginning work under new head coach Jorge Jesus, who arrived this summer following his stint with Al Hilal to replace Stefano Pioli.

Ronaldo was not on the list of players present at the first preseason session due to a special exemption. “Al Nassr has announced that Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Simakan will join the team’s training camp in Austria, following approval from the technical staff,” reported TheNassrZone on their X account.

Al Nassr played their last official match on May 26, a 3–2 loss to Al Fateh in the final Matchday of the Saudi Pro League. After that, Cristiano joined the Portugal national team, with whom he won the UEFA Nations League title in early June. Since then, CR7 has been enjoying his vacation and is set to join team training when the full squad arrives in Europe on Sunday, July 20.

In Austria, Al Nassr will continue their preseason preparations and play three friendly matches. They are then scheduled to travel to Portugal, where fans will have the opportunity to watch CR7 in two additional games.

The stars present at Al Nassr’s first training session

Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation is an exception, as the vast majority of the squad was present for Jorge Jesus’ first training session. That includes several international stars, some of whom still have uncertain futures with the club.

Reporter Abdulaziz Al-Asimi shared on his official X account that Otavio, Sadio Mane, Bento, Marcelo Brozovic, Wesley, Aymeric Laporte, and Angelo were all in attendance on Thursday. However, their continued presence at the Saudi club will depend on the new head coach’s assessment of the squad’s needs for the upcoming season.

When will Al Nassr play their next official match?

Once the friendly matches in Europe are complete, Al Nassr will wrap up their preseason and return to Saudi Arabia to prepare for the start of the 2025–26 season. Their first official match is scheduled for August 18, when they will face reigning Pro League champions Al Ittihad in the semifinals of the Saudi Super Cup.

“Many around the league are beginning to connect the dots that James may not sign another contract with the Lakers because he may not sign another contract at all,” wrote reporter Brett Siegel, offering a possible explanation for the 40-year-old forward’s recent career decisions.

Digging deeper into that theory, he later added: “Everyone knows that retirement is on the horizon for LeBron, and multiple agents, scouts, and rival team representatives shared with ClutchPoints that they believe James is gearing up to announce he will retire after the 2025–26 season.”

That possibility makes sense for several reasons. First, it would allow James to end his professional career while still performing at an elite level—being a key piece for his team, averaging over 20 points per game, and still being an All-Star.

But it also ties into the Lakers’ current situation. Reports have long suggested that the franchise is more focused on building a team for the next decade around Luka Doncic, rather than trying to win now—as LeBron understandably wants, given how little time he has left. “It is clear he isn’t happy with the way things are going with the Lakers, and this would be the best time for him to go out on his own terms,” Siegel explained.

The final records LeBron could break

That LeBron James is reportedly considering retirement not immediately, but after the upcoming season, could be related not only to his desire to keep playing but also to a few historic NBA milestones he’s close to breaking.

“Haven’t we always talked about Year 23 being his last?” ClutchPoints revealed from a conversation with a Western Conference scout. That number is no coincidence: no player in NBA history has played 23 seasons. The current record is 22, shared by LeBron and Vince Carter.

In addition, staying one more year would allow James to break the all-time record for most regular-season games played in league history. He currently ranks second with 1,562 games and needs 50 more to surpass Boston Celtics legend Robert Parish.

LeBron’s plans after retirement

For someone who has dedicated his entire life to basketball, the decision to retire involves more than just stepping away from the game. It also means finding a new pursuit to fill that void—and speculation exists on that front as well.

In the same conversation with that Western Conference source, ClutchPoints cited one possible project James may have in mind for his post-retirement life: “We are out here (in Las Vegas), and the worst-kept secret regarding expansion is that LeBron wants in on the team that will be coming here.”

“He outlined how the Clippers had embraced and helped him pivot in his career after disappointing runs in Brooklyn and Philadelphia damaged his reputation,” said NBA insider Brian Windhorst, referring to an alleged conversation Harden had with Beal to convince him to accept the move to Los Angeles.

According to this version, James showed Bradley how similar their situations had been prior to arriving at the Clippers. “Beal, coming off a disappointing run in Phoenix that had similarly stunted his value across the league, could relate,” added the ESPN reporter.

It’s not hard to see the parallels between the two players’ paths. Before arriving in Los Angeles, James Harden had reached superstar status with the Houston Rockets—going as far as being named league MVP in 2018—but later had disappointing stints with the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers.

That Brooklyn experience, in particular, is especially comparable to Beal’s time in Phoenix. Harden had gone there aiming to form a Big Three with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, but things didn’t work out as expected and he left after just one year.

Coincidentally, with Durant also involved, the Phoenix Suns made a similar attempt in 2023 when they brought together Devin Booker, KD, and Bradley Beal to try to replicate their 2021 campaign, which had taken them to the NBA Finals. However, that experiment didn’t go well either, and after just two seasons, the project was abandoned following a first-round playoff exit and then failing to make the postseason altogether.

Still, the references to their respective histories and similarities weren’t the only argument James Harden apparently used to convince Beal. The team’s playing style, the characteristics of his potential teammates, and their recent performances were also important factors.

“Harden sold Beal on the Clippers’ depth,” noted Windhorst, who also pointed to Harden using Norman Powell as an example, “who had a career-best season playing alongside Harden after replacing Paul George in the starting lineup last season.”

Indeed, Powell was a key piece in the Clippers’ lineup during the 2024–25 campaign. He played 60 games, all of them as a starter, and averaged 21.8 points—both career-highs since his NBA debut in 2015.

Now, with Norman Powell in the Miami Heat, the Clippers needed an experienced and high-quality shooting guard who can support Harden and Kawhi Leonard in their pursuit of that elusive NBA championship. And Bradley Beal appears to be a perfect fit for what they were looking for.

In a recent interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio, Atkinson spoke specifically about Evan Mobley and praised the progress the young forward made last season. “Evan had to stretch out his game a little. He’s no Eddie Johnson, but he’s getting there,” the coach began.

Breaking down aspects of Mobley’s evolving skill set, Atkinson added: “He shot 38 percent from three. You saw him in different ways, even shooting some off-the-dribble threes, and he can spread the floor.”

The forward clearly had his best NBA season yet. Mobley was a key piece for the Cavaliers and posted career highs in several categories, including points per game (18.5) and assists (3.2). His performance earned him his first All-Star selection, as well as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.

While Atkinson acknowledged Mobley’s strong numbers, he made it clear that the 23-year-old still has room to grow. “I think he’s gotta get stronger, right? But he’s 23. Everybody wants it now, but it’s gonna take some time.”

If he continues developing at this rate, Mobley could soon join the league’s elite. Atkinson made that prediction without hesitation: “Wait till this guy is 26 years old. I don’t wanna oversell it, but he’s gonna be an MVP candidate. I don’t see a world where that doesn’t happen.”

During the 2024–25 regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers were the top team in the Eastern Conference, finishing with an impressive 64–18 record. While they ultimately fell short in the playoffs—eliminated in the semifinals by the Indiana Pacers—their regular-season dominance highlighted the team’s long-term potential.

Mobley was a major contributor to Cleveland’s success, as Atkinson emphasized. But he wasn’t the only standout. Point guard Darius Garland also earned an All-Star nod thanks to his strong regular-season play, while Donovan Mitchell remained the team’s top star.

The 28-year-old shooting guard led Cleveland in scoring, averaging 24.0 points per game, along with 5.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds. His efforts earned him a fifth-place finish in MVP voting behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jayson Tatum.

If Kenny Atkinson’s bold prediction comes true and Evan Mobley reaches true superstar status in the coming years, his rise—combined with Mitchell’s elite production—could firmly establish the Cavaliers as contenders in the Eastern Conference for years to come.

For Santos, this was a crucial match given their difficult position in the league. After earning promotion to the top division at the end of 2024, they got off to a poor start in the tournament, and after the first 12 rounds, they found themselves in the relegation zone.

With just 3 wins, 2 draws, and 7 losses, Santos had only 11 points and were among the bottom four in the standings—a very concerning spot, even with a long road still ahead in the season. To make matters worse, they were facing Flamengo, who came into the match as co-leaders of the league with 27 points, alongside Cruzeiro.

However, Ney and his teammates put in a strong effort to close the gap between the two sides and delivered a solid performance at home. They managed to neutralize Flamengo’s main strengths and avoided major problems defensively. In fact, during the first half, Santos came closest to opening the scoring with a shot from Deivid Washington that narrowly missed the target.

Neymar delivers the win for Santos

Wednesday’s match marked Neymar’s return to the pitch after a lengthy absence. Following a muscle injury that kept him out of several early-season league matches as well as the most recent Brazil national team call-ups, the forward had only seen limited minutes in two matches between May and June, before the pause in Brazil’s Serie A due to the FIFA Club World Cup.

Against Flamengo, Ney looked fully recovered physically—so much so that he started the match and stayed on the field for the full 90 minutes. And not only that: in the closing minutes, he still had enough energy to make the difference.

In the 83rd minute, he received the ball inside the box, turned, dribbled past a defender, and when he found just enough space, scored the winning goal with a right-footed shot.

Neymar’s numbers with Santos

Injuries have been a recurring issue throughout Neymar’s career, and his second stint with Santos has been no exception. That’s why he’s only played 13 matches for the club this year across Serie A, the Campeonato Paulista, and the Copa do Brasil. Wednesday’s goal was just his fourth. He has also recorded three assists and one red card.

When will Neymar play next?

Following the break for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Brazil’s Serie A resumes with a demanding schedule. After Wednesday’s 1–0 win over Flamengo, Santos will have just three days of rest before facing Mirassol on the road this Saturday. Then, next Wednesday, they’ll return to Estadio Urbano Caldeira to host Internacional.