With tonight’s draw, Inter Miami cut the gap on Nashville SC by just a single point after the conference leaders fell to Toronto FC this matchday. The Florida club now sits on 44 points, nine points behind the Eastern Conference leader, as their realistic chances of contending for the Supporters’ Shield slip away, though they remain on track to secure an MLS playoff spot.

Inter Miami’s primary goal remains claiming the Supporters’ Shield while mathematical possibilities endure, though the MLS postseason represents the most critical phase of the campaign. They still have nine matchdays left to achieve their objective.

Inter Miami’s draw featuring Messi’s contribution

Awaiting Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez to officially take charge of the squad in the coming days, Inter Miami endured a difficult start to the match. The Chicago Fire managed to open the scoring in the eighth minute through Lewandowski, who headed home a cross from the left wing to make it 1-0 with his seventh goal since arriving in MLS.

However, Inter Miami responded early in the second half with a goal generated by Messi‘s left foot. The Argentine star executed a corner kick to the penalty spot, where Casemiro rose to place a precise header off the right post, beating goalkeeper Christopher Brady.

Crucial matchup ahead for Inter Miami

Up next for Inter Miami is what stands as likely one of their most crucial fixtures of the season, offering a direct opportunity to close the gap and make up ground on Nashville.

Inter Miami will return to MLS action on Saturday, Sept. 12, when they face Nashville SC—the same club that handed them a 4-1 blowout just a few weeks ago.

Before Denver takes on the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Week 1, Nix talked about why having a new offensive coordinator might make things tougher on the Chiefs in the season opener, via Romi Bean of CBS News Colorado. “I think it’s tougher on them for sure because you just don’t know necessarily his style,” Nix said.

“I’ve been around Davis for a few years, understanding what he likes, doesn’t like, the kind of style he’s gonna call the game with and stuff like that. Overall, I think it’s tougher for them to respond and adjust. At the end of the day, professional football is professional football, everybody seems to be doing similar things. They’re gonna play man or zone, we’re gonna run or pass, it’s really easy once you get down to it. It’ll be a cool little match to see Davis, his first game calling plays against arguably one of the better DCs in the league.”

Nix seeking redemption

Nix missed that AFC Championship loss a season ago with an ankle injury, leaving him hungry after returning and getting healthy this offseason. The Broncos have a ton of continuity on their roster and even added explosive wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to give Nix another elite weapon on the outside.

Nix was asked in a press conference about the wait after practice on Wednesday. “I think every year when you start, there’s gonna be things, we haven’t been playing for five, six months. There’s gonna be things to get back and get going again. But when I was out there against Green Bay it was kind of like a carry over of last season,” Nix said.

Nix looked good versus the Packers, completing 6-of-9 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown while leading scoring drives in both of his series. Head coach Sean Payton saw enough to keep Nix out of the preseason finale against the Vikings.

Those in-game adjustments will be key against a Chiefs team coming off a disappointing 6-11 NFL season after appearing in five Super Bowls during the Patrick Mahomes era. For Nix, he sounds ready to roll, treating this like another game, though there is no doubt the winner will take the early driver’s seat in the AFC West.

Adding a humorous note to the situation, NFL insider Ian Rapoport shared a funny quote from Mayfield regarding the negotiations via X, formerly Twitter. “Apparently, they engaged in talks last week that I did not know about,” Mayfield stated during his press conference.

Now that Mayfield has secured his continuity with the Buccaneers through the 2029 season, the focus officially shifts back to returning to the playoffs. The Buccaneers missed the postseason last year for the first time since 2019 due to a late-season slump that allowed the Carolina Panthers to claim the division title. With Mayfield under a new contract and fully recovered, Tampa Bay is expected to return to the top of the NFC South.

What Mayfield has delivered

Since replacing Tom Brady in 2023 on a one-year prove-it deal, Mayfield has thrown for 12,237 yards and 95 touchdowns, won two division titles, and earned two consecutive Pro Bowl selections.

Mayfield, who was selected first overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by Cleveland, earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his first two seasons in Tampa while guiding the Buccaneers to consecutive NFC South titles.

He experienced an up-and-down 2025 campaign marked by multiple injuries, but returns in 2026 motivated him to help Tampa Bay qualify for the playoffs. He was an MVP candidate during the first half of last season when the team started 6-2, but he struggled with injuries and saw his performance dip.

Expecting a strong start

The 2026 NFL season will begin with a trip to Cincinnati to face the Bengals. The Buccaneers have another AFC North road trip to Maryland to take on the Baltimore Ravens. They will face Cincinnati’s division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, at Raymond James Stadium, hoping to start in the best possible way.

In a post across his main social media channels, Ronaldo shared an image from the victory alongside the caption “Hard work pays off.” While it could refer to his recovery and rest phase following the 2026 World Cup, it could easily serve as an indirect reminder that he should still be considered for such individual awards.

Ronaldo remains effective and continues to score as fans have grown accustomed to seeing him do so. Against Abha, he converted a trademark goal: connecting with a fine cross into the box, Cristiano rose above everyone else to direct a header toward the far post that proved unstoppable for the opposing goalkeeper.

Getting closer to 1,000 goals

With the goal, Cristiano Ronaldo clears his path forward, as the Portuguese star now has 979 career strikes. He sits just 21 goals away from becoming the first player in history to register 1,000 completely verified and video-documented goals.

This statistical precision sets him apart from past legends like Brazil’s Romario or Pele, who claimed to have surpassed 1,000 goals without possessing a reliable audiovisual record for each of their achievements.

Breakdown of Ronaldo’s 979 official goals

At 41 years old, as he continues to demonstrate his quality and why he is already one of the sport’s greatest legends, the Portuguese star’s FIFA-sanctioned goals are distributed across the Portugal national team and his respective professional clubs as follows:

• Real Madrid (Spain): 450 goals
• Portugal: 146 goals
• Manchester United (England): 145 goals
• Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia): 132 goals
• Juventus (Italy): 101 goals
• Sporting CP (Portugal): 5 goals
• CAREER TOTAL: 979 goals

Inter Miami are coming off a 2-2 draw against Atlanta United in their last outing. Before that, they thrashed CF Montreal 7-1 and suffered a 1-2 defeat to Toronto. The Herons remain near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Messi did not score in the last match, but he netted four goals in the blowout win against Montreal, keeping him atop the league’s scoring chart with 18 goals.

The Chicago Fire enter the match on a seven-game unbeaten streak in MLS play. In their last appearance, they played to a 4-4 draw against Toronto, following a 2-2 draw against the Seattle Sounders and a 2-1 victory over Orlando City. The squad managed by Gregg Berhalter currently sits third in the Eastern Conference.

Inter Miami confirmed lineup

Hoyos is dealing with injury issues within the squad and will be without key players Tadeo Allende, Micael, Sergio Reguilon, Lujan, and Mateo Silvetti. As a result, the manager will have to get creative when building his starting XI.

Inter Miami confirmed lineup: Dayne St. Clair; Ian Fray, Yannick Bright, Maximiliano Falcon, Fricio Caicedo; Rodrigo De Paul, Casemiro, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, German Berterame, Luis Suarez.

Chicago Fire confirmed lineup

Gregg Berhalter also faces notable absences in his squad, with Mueller, Mbokazi, and Franco ruled out due to injury. Nevertheless, a great match is expected, led by Robert Lewandowski, whose magic remains intact.

Chicago Fire confirmed lineup: Christopher Brady; Jonatha Dean, Noah Allen, Jack Elliott, Andrew Gutman; Anton Jonsson Saletros, Dje D’Avilla, Maren Haile-Selassie, Robin Lod; Philip Zinckernagel, Robert Lewandowski.

With the goal, Cristiano moves a bit closer on the goalscoring table, but he faces a competitor who is well ahead of the field in Ivan Toney, who already has eight goals in the Saudi Pro League in just six matches.

CR7 has work to do if he wants to contend for the league’s top scorer title, but his capabilities are well known, especially with the season just getting underway. However, time will tell how things progress, particularly with the now-41-year-old forward as age begins to factor in.

How many career goals does CR7 have and how close is he to 1,000?

With his latest strike against Abha in domestic play, fans ask a major question: how many goals does Cristiano Ronaldo have? The Portuguese forward’s official career tally reached 979 goals, an extraordinary record spanning his time with various clubs and the Portugal national team.

Analyzing CR7’s current numbers, the path to the landmark milestone is closer than ever: the striker sits just 21 goals away from reaching the golden 1,000-goal mark; meanwhile, he was snubbed from the Ballon D’Or list.

If he maintains his recent scoring pace for Al-Nassr, the historic milestone appears to be only a matter of time for world soccer’s all-time leading goalscorer.

What’s next for Al-Nassr and Ronaldo?

Al-Nassr will look to chase success this season with Ballon d’Or nominee Sadio Mane and a still-vital Ronaldo. The next step for the club is a Saudi Pro League matchup against Al-Khaleej on Saturday, Sept. 12, followed by the start of their AFC Champions League campaign against Al Ain on Tuesday, Sept. 15.

“Former Steelers HC Mike Tomlin says the best team he coached was the 2015 Steelers, who went 10-6 and lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Broncos in the Divisional Round,” The 33rd Team posted on X. Tomlin revealed that fact in an interview with The Today Show on NBC.

Tomlin stepped down from the Steelers after the 2025 campaign. Many Steelers fans wanted him fired, but Pittsburgh’s front office expressed that they were hoping to keep him on for another season. Tomlin left the Steelers after appearing in two Super Bowls. He won the Super Bowl during the 2008 season by defeating the Arizona Cardinals, while Pittsburgh lost the Super Bowl a few years later to the Green Bay Packers.

The team Tomlin named

Tomlin chose the 2015 Steelers as his best team. The choice comes as a surprise, given that his 2008 squad won the Super Bowl and the 2010 team reached the championship game before losing to the Green Bay Packers. The 2015 team fell in the Divisional Round and failed to win the AFC North.

The former head coach noted that he chose the 2015 team due to its overall roster talent. The team’s major obstacle was injuries, as both Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown missed the Divisional Round game against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

Their absences dealt a severe blow and placed the offense in a difficult situation against Denver. Martavis Bryant led the team in both rushing and receiving during the 23-16 loss. Fitzgerald Toussaint served as the primary replacement for Bell, recording 12 carries.

Bell appeared in only six games that season due to a suspension and an NFL season-ending knee injury, while Brown posted the best year of his career, accumulating 1,834 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Fans will remember Brown’s injury in the Wild Card Round, when Cincinnati Bengals defender Vontaze Burfict delivered a brutal hit to his head. That entire sequence allowed the Steelers to win the game in the final moments following a series of defensive penalties.

ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel reported in late August that Butler would miss the first few months of the 2026-27 season after suffering an injury against the Miami Heat in January. However, Siegel reported that Butler has experienced no setbacks or limitations in his rehabilitation, with some indications that he could be progressing ahead of schedule, though without a firm timeline.

“Even so, sources have told ClutchPoints that Butler has not had any setbacks or limitations to this point in his recovery process,” Siegel wrote. “There have been minor hints that he is ahead of schedule and could return to the court sooner than many would’ve initially expected, but again, Golden State has not officially put a firm date on a range of when he could return.”

Best-case scenario for Butler’s return

For the Warriors, an early return for Butler would be the ideal outcome, but they are unwilling to rush him back. However, Siegel reported that Christmas Day against the Denver Nuggets has surfaced in conversations as a possible best-case scenario.

“The best estimate one could give at this time for Butler’s return would realistically be sometime in January or February 2027,” Siegel wrote. “Whether or not he returns sooner will be fully dependent on his progress and the Warriors’ medical staff consistently evaluating him early in the season.”

The Warriors went 46-22 in NBA regular-season games with Butler in the lineup before his injury, illustrating the impact he has made since joining Golden State. His absence adds another question to a team dealing with health concerns surrounding its veteran core, underscoring Butler’s true importance on the roster.

Butler’s notable progress

ESPN‘s Anthony Slater provided further details on Tuesday, reporting that Butler has gradually increased his on-court workload throughout the summer and delivered encouraging results in recent strength tests.

“Butler has been slowly increasing his on-court work while traveling the globe this summer, and the most recent strength tests on his right ACL recovery have shown notable progress, according to league sources,” Slater wrote.

Butler is expected to participate only in individual court and strength work when Golden State opens training camp in approximately a month, according to Slater. He still faces extensive rehabilitation before receiving clearance for full-contact work, with Slater also describing a January or February return as an optimistic target.

According to Marca, Messi reached an agreement in principle to acquire ownership of Eldense, a Spanish Segunda Division team. The purchase marks his presence as a businessman in Spain, strengthening his position following his acquisition of UE Cornella earlier this year, a team in Catalonia’s Tercera Federacion. Messi would acquire 100% of the shares without third-party intervention.

Messi reached an agreement with the current owners of CD Eldense to become the majority shareholder of the Alicante club. If completed, the deal could be formalized in the coming days once final legal and contractual procedures conclude.

Where Messi’s new headquarters would be

Eldense are based in Elda, Alicante, and play their home matches at Nuevo Pepico Amat, a stadium with a capacity of approximately 5,800 spectators. They currently have around 3,500 season ticket holders.

If completed, Leo Messi would take a new step off the pitch by taking control of a professional club while continuing his career as a soccer player and his life after retirement in mind.

The club’s current situation

An international investment group of Colombian origin, led by businessman Juan Carlos Trujillo, took over Eldense after buying the club from Pascual Perez in October 2015. Rumors also circulated in recent months regarding Argentine Ricardo Beni’s intention to acquire the club for around 12 million euros. But now Messi’s name has returned with massive force.

On the pitch, Eldense dismissed manager Claudio Barragan last Monday, making him the first manager fired in the Segunda Division. The team has collected only two points in four league matches and has not yet named a new manager.

The opening goal for Real Madrid stemmed from a defensive error by the visitors. Yann Bisseck lost possession on the way out; Brahim Diaz, who started in place of Bernardo Silva and Arda Guler, provided a one-touch assist, and Mbappe beat Alessandro Bastoni in a one-on-one to open the scoring.

With his goal against Inter, Mbappe reached 71 Champions League goals, tying fellow Real Madrid icon Raul Gonzalez for fifth on the all-time list. Notably, Mbappe achieved the mark in 99 matches compared to Raul’s 142.

69 goals behind Cristiano Ronaldo

Four historic names still stand ahead of him: Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi, and all-time leader Cristiano Ronaldo, who sits at 140 goals. A 69-goal gap still separates Mbappe from Ronaldo, leaving a long road ahead.

Here is how the top UEFA Champions League goalscorers stand following the Frenchman’s strike:

• 140: Cristiano Ronaldo (POR, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus)
• 129: Lionel Messi (ARG, Barcelona, PSG)
• 109: Robert Lewandowski (POL, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona)
• 90: Karim Benzema (FRA, Lyon, Real Madrid)
• 71: Raul Gonzalez (ESP, Real Madrid, Schalke)
• 71: Kylian Mbappe (FRA, Monaco, PSG, Real Madrid)

Mbappe standing out as the star

Despite a period of uncertainty for Real Madrid last season, Mbappe continued to excel and demonstrate why he is among the top players on the planet, even finishing as the top scorer. Before kick-off, Mbappe received his award from Luis Figo for finishing as last season’s tournament top scorer with 15 goals.

In Jose Mourinho’s return, Mbappe will continue to play a central role, with the Champions League serving as the ideal stage. Inter shot themselves in the foot again before the half-hour mark, with Martinez attempting a Cruyff turn in his own box, only for Federico Valverde to poke the ball away from him and into the net. Real Madrid ended up winning the game 2-1.

The Portuguese midfielder will miss the match due to a suspension. In his last appearance wearing a Manchester City jersey, Silva received a red card against Real Madrid and is carrying the ban over into this match, which has a live stream, TV channel, and a kickoff time.

On the other hand, the Turkish midfielder received a red card after arguing with the referee in last season’s final match against Bayern Munich. He will miss this clash, representing a key absence for Mou, as he had been starting.

How Silva and Guler received their red cards

Bernardo was sent off in his final match of the competition and must now serve the penalty in his European debut as a Real Madrid player. The incident occurred against the Merengues when the Portuguese committed a handball near the line, earning a direct red card in an elimination tie that ended with Real Madrid advancing and the Citizens being knocked out.

Guler was sent off for two bookable offenses after the final whistle at Allianz Arena following a heated confrontation with match referee Slavko Vincic, who had shown Eduardo Camavinga a red card a few minutes earlier.

Real Madrid’s midfield issues

The suspensions of Guler, Bernardo, and Camavinga limit Mourinho’s options to construct his central midfield against Inter. Speculation points toward Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham, and Brahim Diaz starting in the middle, although the presence of Tchouameni or playing time cannot be ruled out.

Mourinho will have to deploy an unprecedented midfield, at least compared to the options he relied on at the start of the season. The simultaneous loss of three players reduces his margin of choice right before facing an opponent as demanding as Inter Milan.

The challenge lies in finding a combination capable of responding from the opening minute at Santiago Bernabeu against Inter. Without Guler, Camavinga, or Bernardo, other figures will need to step up to cover a unit severely impacted ahead of the continental opener.

Madrid took the lead through Mbappe after a defensive mistake saw Yan Bisseck lose possession, allowing Brahim Diaz to assist Mbappe with a first-time pass. The second goal also came from an error, this time from the goalkeeper, who took too long to release the ball, allowing Federico Valverde to press, get a touch and score for Madrid.

Inter tried to level the match, eventually finding a goal through Carlos Augusto in the 77th minute after several attempts to score. An assist from Lautaro Martinez brought the Italian side closer, but Madrid held on in the final minutes to preserve the result.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo took to X, formerly Twitter, on Monday and reported that offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak told reporters Kittle was “looking good,” providing the strongest public indication yet that the star tight end could suit up in Melbourne alongside Bosa.

“Nick Bosa ready to go while #49ers OC Klay Kubiak tells reporters George Kittle is looking good as well. Two key players on track to play on Thursday. Or Friday. Whatever.” Kittle participated in the 49ers’ first Melbourne practice Monday, including individual work, as San Francisco prepared for Thursday night’s opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

What happened to George Kittle

The seven-time Pro Bowl selection tore his right Achilles tendon on Jan. 11 during San Francisco‘s 23-19 road victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card game. He underwent surgery three days later, and the 49ers activated him from the injured list on Aug. 23 before the trip to Australia.

A Week 1 appearance would put the veteran tight end back on the field roughly eight months after the injury. Kubiak’s update, however, does not represent an official injury designation or guarantee that Kittle will handle his usual workload.

Bosa’s return

The same update also brought encouraging news regarding pass rusher Nick Bosa. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said Bosa will play despite managing patellar tendinitis in his surgically repaired knee. Bosa did not participate in the open team portion of Monday’s practice.

49ers fans can feel a sense of relief knowing that Kittle, one of their most vital players, is close to returning. Joined by Bosa — whose status was previously clouded by uncertainty — both are expected to play despite lingering discomfort.

According to Telemundo’s Veronica Brunatti, Argentina are beginning to finalize their schedule and opponents for the upcoming FIFA window. The AFA is negotiating with Burkina Faso to face them on Oct. 3 and Benin on Oct. 6, with both matches expected to be played in Argentina.

Initially, the opponents and venues were expected to be announced on Monday; however, confirmation was pushed to Wednesday. Additionally, the AFA is still waiting for a ruling from world soccer’s governing body to determine whether the matches will receive official Class A friendly designation.

In pursuit of quality friendlies

The AFA is managing suspensions for three players following incidents in the 2026 World Cup final: Leandro Paredes with a 10-match ban, Nahuel Molina with seven, and Thiago Almada with one. The sanctions were approved by FIFA following a request from the AFA so they can be served during Class A friendlies or official commitments.

A key point is that FIFA does not automatically guarantee that matches played in Argentina will be classified as Class A friendlies. If they are not approved as such, the three players will not serve their match bans. To avoid that scenario, the intention is to hold the FIFA window in Argentina.

The potential matchups against the African nations would also maintain a recent trend for Argentina. In 2026, the Albiceleste already faced Mauritania and Zambia in friendlies played before the World Cup, securing victories in both matches.

Will Messi be involved?

Everything points to Messi no longer being involved in these matches due to his retirement. However, the only remaining possibility is that the opportunity is used to host a farewell for Messi, giving him the chance to play one final match with the team.

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter stopped by The Pat McAfee Show and gave the latest update on what Nacua’s discipline may or may not look like. “I think there’s a real possibility that Puka Nacua doesn’t face any discipline this season… He’s gonna be out there against the San Francisco 49ers,” Schefter said, per Pat McAfee on X, formerly Twitter.

Nacua is currently involved in controversy. Off-field concerns started to ramp up for Nacua throughout last season with the Rams, some of which stemmed from a livestream with Twitch streamer N3on, among other controversies. Additionally, he has built up a considerable injury history over the years, which the team will certainly be keeping an eye on heading into this season.

Nacua’s presence is key

However, when he is on the field, Nacua is one of the NFL’s premier wide receivers, using a lethal combination of speed, athleticism, and skill with his hands to shred opposing defenses and give the Rams one of the most explosive passing games in the NFL, led by reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford.

The Rams are considered favorites to win the Super Bowl this season, largely thanks to major offseason trades for Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie, and having Nacua on the field will undoubtedly help achieve that goal.

Nacua’s availability would keep the centerpiece of the Rams’ passing attack on the field in one of the most unusual Week 1 settings in NFL history. The 25-year-old led the league with 129 receptions last season, finishing with 1,715 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns while earning First-Team All-Pro honors.

The Rams have spent weeks preparing for the possibility of the league stepping in prior to the season opener. Schefter’s latest update, however, points to Nacua traveling to Melbourne without a suspension and potentially playing the entire season without facing one.

According to Connor Hughes of SNY, Slayton was being considered a healthy scratch because the Giants planned to field Beckham. Releasing Slayton provides him with the opportunity to find another team. As expected, Beckham remained the priority.

The Giants kept Beckham on their initial 53-man roster. While the name naturally draws attention, the final preseason game provided a simple football justification: Beckham finished with three catches for 53 yards against the Jets. John Harbaugh noted afterward that he had done enough to earn a spot on an NFL roster. The Giants agreed, keeping a veteran receiver who can still find space and make plays down the field.

A conviction-driven decision

Nobody expects Beckham to replicate his 2014 form. With Malik Nabers, Darnell Mooney, and Malachi Fields around him, Beckham does not have to carry the entire passing game. His value lies in the role he can fill when defenses tilt coverage toward the top options. A veteran receiver who knows how to uncover on third down or make a tough catch near the sideline has a place on a roster, even without 100 targets.

The Giants kept five receivers on the depth chart. Five is a tight room, meaning every spot had to justify itself. Beckham beat out other options because the staff saw enough in his preseason work to keep him around.

Despite his release, Slayton made it clear that Beckham remains fit and ready to demonstrate his level in the NFL, adding that his experience can make him a key player in crucial moments.

Beckham “still has juice” to deliver big plays, according to Slayton. “I think he’s shown that,“ Slayton said on ESPN. “He can still play for sure.” The tables turned as Slayton was cut, while Beckham remains with the franchise.

Speaking to DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN, Stroud was candid in speaking about the question marks that surround his future with Houston if another disappointing season is recorded. “Pressure is a privilege,” Stroud said. “I’m excited. I’ve always been challenged in my career. I’ve always had to persevere through things, and I think this is something that I’m grateful for. I didn’t wake up and forget how to play football.”

Additionally, Stroud gave insight into the last few months and how he is “proud” of himself heading into 2026. “I have things that I want back and mistakes that I made. But truly, God has worked through my shortcomings. If I was perfect, I wouldn’t be able to be coachable or have the fear of God. So I’m glad that I have made mistakes,” Stroud said.

Stroud unbothered by criticism

Stroud is aware that comments and criticism will always be present, and what matters most is learning to handle them while reinforcing the mindset that pressure is a privilege.

“People are quick to use Twitter,” Stroud said. “I focus on me. I can’t control [social media], so why would I care?… So the more opinions people have, the more opportunity that I have to prove who I am.”

Contract extension in doubt

Stroud’s contract rumors hit a wall with the general manager’s response. Nick Caserio responded to the report that Stroud turning down an extension would have paid him $50 million in the NFL, according to a post on X by Luis Ortiz.

“I’m not gonna comment on anything contractually,” Caserio said. “We’ve never done that before. We’ve had good discussions, I’d say, with his representatives. Like we do with a lot of different players. So, at some point there’s an agreement put in place, great. If not, then it’s something we’ll probably address in the offseason.”

There are several doubts and growing criticisms surrounding the potential contract extension. It does seem a little odd that Stroud would turn away from the $50 million offer, according to Sports Illustrated.

“Five quarterbacks are making $51 to $53 million a season,” Jared Koch wrote. “And five are making $55 million a season: Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, and Matt Stafford. Just two creep into that $60 million-plus range: Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott.” And while he has shown flashes of what he is capable of, he is not yet at Mahomes’ level.

Even Shanahan himself was expressive and demonstrated some concern about the NFL moving one of the Los Angeles Rams’ home games to Australia, per reporter David Lombardi.

“Shanahan said he was initially disappointed that NFL ‘let the Rams off the hook’ by taking away a 49ers’ ‘home game’ at SoFi Stadium. But after being in Melbourne for a few days, Shanahan feels ‘it won’t be much different here’ — he expects 49ers’ fan dominance in MCG,” Lombardi wrote.

A tough adjustment heading to Australia

When asked about the injury report before the Rams clash, the 49ers head coach made a hilarious yet technically correct reference, making it clear that traveling to Australia involves complicated details.

“Because we are technically in the future, and the Rams are in the present, I don’t have to talk about injuries until tomorrow,” he said, prompting a chuckle from reporters.

Australia is around 12 hours or more ahead of the U.S. Though both countries cover a vast area of land and use multiple time zones, the time difference ranges between 12 and 19 hours. That shift is giving the 49ers’ head coach a hard time keeping track of days and dates across both countries.

“We’re a little confused with when I look at my clock and it says the time, and then I try to see my family’s time, and it says the time, but it says yesterday,” he said via Reuters. “I don’t get how that’s possible. So I feel like I’m in the future. Then also when we play on our Friday, which I think is a Thursday in the U.S., we’re such creatures of habit. So I call today Tuesday. No, wait, sorry, I call today Wednesday, which is the first day we put in the game plan,” Shanahan added.

Adams remains one of the NFL’s top receivers even when he is not at 100% on the field, with one Rams insider calling him “uncoverable” during training camp. However, Adams is not made of steel, as evidenced by his recent injury struggles.

When asked by reporter Nate Atkins of The Athletic about a recent knee issue, Adams offered an unforgettable response that provided insight into his mindset entering his 13th NFL season. “I’m an old a** man,” Adams told Atkins, adding that he feels “pretty good” going into Thursday.

Father time advances, but the level remains

Despite being 33 years old, Adams continues to prove he is among the best at his position. He failed to reach 1,000 yards in a season for the first time in six years last season, but he made the most of his time on the field with 14 touchdown receptions during a year in which Matthew Stafford was named MVP with the Rams.

Head coach Sean McVay recently said Adams inspires him on every play, solidifying the receiver as one of the team’s most valuable assets heading into a year with Super Bowl aspirations.

The Rams are one of the most experienced teams in the NFL in key areas, ranging from quarterback Stafford to defensive lineman Aaron Donald and receiver Adams. The return of Donald is expected to revitalize the defense, while the Rams feature an excellent mix of veterans and youth on offense.

The Rams need a healthy Adams to reach their goals, as he remains a vital piece. Although age has recently taken its toll with more injuries, the Rams maintain plenty of confidence in him alongside Stafford.

As the Rams get ready to open their season against the 49ers in Australia this week, the status of Nacua received an update that leaves him on track to play in Week 1 despite his situation, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

“Rams WR Puka Nacua, who has been dealing with psoas soreness and also could be facing potential discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy for previous off-the-field behavior, is expected to play in Week 1 vs. the 49ers, per HC Sean McVay,” Schefter posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Nacua’s situation

Currently, a lawsuit has been filed against Nacua. It is alleged that Nacua bit a woman and her friend, in addition to making antisemitic comments during the incident.

Nacua voluntarily entered a rehabilitation facility to improve his behavior. Meanwhile, the psoas injury — affecting a deep core muscle connecting the lumbar spine to the femur — allows walking and bend.

The biggest concern remains a potential suspension. He has been involved in several incidents, including live streaming from the locker room, which violates NFL rules. The NFL continues to investigate Nacua and could sanction him under its personal conduct policy.

Nacua’s performance

Nacua has put up strong production for the Rams. Over the last three seasons, he has played in 44 games, recording 313 receptions for 4,191 yards and 19 touchdowns. Last year, he recorded 129 receptions for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also adding one rushing touchdown.

Tight end George Kittle made the trip to Melbourne, Australia, for the game and has practiced with the intention of playing despite lingering concerns about a torn Achilles suffered in January. Kittle is one of the 49ers’ most dynamic receivers and is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game on San Francisco’s Week 1 injury report.

However, amid the uncertainty, the 49ers made a key roster move. San Francisco announced it has signed tight end Brayden Willis to its practice squad, adding depth at a position of need. “The San Francisco 49ers today announced they have signed TE Brayden Willis to the team’s practice squad,” the franchise said.

What Willis could bring

Willis has played three seasons in the NFL, all of them with the 49ers from 2023 to 2025. He has appeared in 23 games and has not recorded any yards or a catch on offense, but he has chipped in on special teams with 10 tackles for coach Kyle Shanahan’s team.

Willis, who played his college ball with the Oklahoma Sooners, was selected by San Francisco in the seventh round (247th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft and has lived up to his selection so far as a depth piece on a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

A likely return for Kittle

After cutting Willis, it serves as a great sign for Kittle‘s presence against the Rams. This is exciting news for the 49ers, as Kittle is a huge part of their offense. Whether he will be placed on a restriction remains unknown, but the possibility of him playing is still a great sign for San Francisco.

Willis has made $2 million throughout his career up to this point. The 49ers are hoping to start the season on the right foot with a win over the Rams, and getting Kittle back on the field would be huge for their chances.

Josh McDaniels took the blame for the team’s poor showing in the Super Bowl last season. “They out-everythinged us in the game,” McDaniels said on Sunday, per Patriots reporter Andrew Callahan.

McDaniels also said to “start with him not doing a good enough job” when specifically asked about New England’s pass protection during the Super Bowl. In that matchup, the Patriots were completely outplayed and will look to learn from their mistakes.

Failures on offense

The Patriots failed to protect quarterback Drake Maye during the Super Bowl. Seattle sacked him six times and kept him under constant pressure. Offensive line struggles plagued New England throughout the playoffs, resulting in Maye being sacked 20 times in the postseason.

As a result, the Patriots made a strong effort to rebuild their offensive line this offseason. They signed Alijah Vera-Tucker from the Jets in free agency and drafted Caleb Lomu in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Patriots can be viewed as a much more complete team, especially compared to their performance in the Super Bowl. New England also added key offensive pieces, acquiring AJ Brown via trade and signing Romeo Doubs to upgrade their receiving corps.

Patriots fans pushing the revenge narrative should have reason to be optimistic that they can compete with the Seahawks in Week 1. A rematch could give New England a valuable boost to kick off the regular season.

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the Patriots already have a clear picture of their replacements. “Henderson (ankle) is not present in the portion of Sunday’s practice open to the media. He hasn’t practiced since Aug. 24. If he is unavailable, Lan Larison and/or Hassan Haskins would likely be elevated from the practice squad to join Rhamondre Stevenson and Corey Kiner.“

On Saturday, head coach Mike Vrabel hinted that Henderson could return to practice, but that never came to fruition, and the same was true on Sunday. The Patriots will release their first injury report of the season later in the day, but for now, Henderson’s Week 1 status continues to be in doubt.

Stevenson’s opportunity

Stevenson would have been the clear-cut starter regardless, just as he was last NFL season when he played 46 snaps in the opener to Henderson’s 25. Stevenson said he came out of training camp feeling great physically. His knack for blitz pickup has earned him the highest degree of confidence from the coaching staff, with coach Mike Vrabel saying Saturday that “the way he finished last year was exciting.”

“I love the way that Rhamondre protects,” Vrabel said early in training camp. “If you have backs that can pick up pressure, it’s one thing to be able to get over there and know where the pressure is coming from. It’s another [thing] to go block them.”

Henderson’s impact

Henderson totaled 911 yards on 180 carries (5.1 yards per carry) in the 2025 regular season, with nine touchdowns. He became the first player in team history to have four 50-yard runs or rushing touchdowns in a single season, while adding nine receptions for 35 yards and one touchdown.

Henderson has missed three consecutive practices, though it seems likely he plays in Seattle. Hassan Haskins and Corey Kiner appear to be next on the list, while Lan Larison wore a scout team jersey today, according to Andrew Callahan of NBC.

Silvetti suffered shoulder discomfort once again and had to leave the match between Inter Miami and Atlanta United just six minutes after coming on. The Argentine had returned to action following an injury that had kept him off the pitch.

He suffered a left shoulder dislocation during the match against Atletico San Luis in the Leagues Cup. After a recovery period, he returned to group training a few days ago and earned the opportunity to log minutes in MLS.

Silvetti replaces Luis Suarez and exits six minutes later

Silvetti entered in the 39th minute of the second half to replace Luis Suarez and appeared to have the chance to get back to playing. However, his return proved short-lived.

Just six minutes later, the Argentine felt pain in his shoulder once again and had to leave the pitch for Inter Miami. His place was taken by Daniel Pinter, leaving Silvetti with renewed concern over another issue in the same area.

Silvetti initially suffered a dislocated left shoulder in early August. The forward entered a recovery process following the injury and has finally stepped back onto the pitch.

Inter Miami drop key points

The Herons had the perfect opportunity to pick up points after Nashville drew 0-0 against New York City, halting their winning streak. It was Inter Miami’s chance to close the gap, but following the draw, Nashville remained at 53 points while Inter Miami sat at 43 — 10 points behind.

ESPN NBA reporter Marc J. Spears explained why Simmons could stay in Sacramento for more than just one season, noting that the Aussie is “a pretty loyal guy,” adding that “I think he’d want to stay” if it turned out to be a nice fit between the player and team.

“I think Sacramento offers an opportunity to not only play but to be supported. You go to Sacramento, it’s about basketball. You go to Sacramento, I put their fans up with anybody in the world, in terms of the NBA. They eat, sleep, drink (basketball),” Spears said.

Simmons has interesting potential to stay

Given that Simmons only received a veteran minimum contract, the financial burden is not heavy if he does not perform for the team. But if he plays well, this could be an excellent contract for Sacramento, as Simmons is an exceptional defensive player who can also contribute points, passes, and rebounds, proving to be a very complete player.

Everyone knows shooting has never been Simmons’ strong suit, but if he can offer solid defense for the Kings and also contribute leadership on and off the court, this could be a good fit between the team and the player.

Simmons was a three-time All-Star during his four seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers (2017-18 to 2020-21). However, he has only played 108 games since the end of the 2020-21 season, as a series of injuries has kept him sidelined for long periods.

Ben Simmons last played in the 2024-25 NBA season with the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets, averaging 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per game across 51 games (24 starts).

The 24-year-old signal-caller gave the Seahawks credit for winning the title last season but appears solely focused on playing the Week 1 contest against Seattle, without paying attention to ‘revenge’ narratives.

“Drake Maye says this isn’t a revenge game for the Patriots,” Mark Daniels of MassLive reported. “They won the big one,” Maye said, making it clear that while they will give their best, there is no feeling of revenge, as they are aware it does not carry the same weight as a Super Bowl.

The game ahead between Patriots vs Seahawks

While it may not be a revenge game for the third-year veteran, Patriots fans will certainly want payback in Week 1 after the team was defeated 29-13 in the Super Bowl.

Maye led the Patriots to the Super Bowl in just his second season in the NFL. Expectations are high this year, especially after the front office acquired star receiver AJ Brown, who already expressed his excitement about playing with Maye.

The receiving corps was revamped overall, as Romeo Doubs signed with the club as a free agent, providing Maye with plenty of options for the 2026-27 season.

The Patriots’ season opener against the Seahawks will mark the first time since 2012 that the league holds its first official game on a Wednesday. Following this game, Drake Maye and his teammates will not play again until Sept. 20 in a Week 2 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, giving the club a mini bye week to start the new year.

The weather protocol is very clear in these cases — a rule that was even implemented in the 2026 World Cup — triggering immediately whenever lightning is detected within an 8-mile radius (approximately 13 kilometers) around the stadium.

To give an idea of how long it can take, a 30-minute countdown timer begins. Every time a new lightning strike occurs within the 8-mile radius, the wait time resets completely to 30 minutes. The match cannot resume until 30 continuous minutes pass without electrical activity in the area.

The most impacted matches by weather delays in MLS

Among the most extreme and memorable cases of severe weather disruptions in MLS history is Real Salt Lake vs. LAFC (March 2024): A match that suffered multiple interruptions almost immediately after kickoff due to an extreme combination of winds, nearby electrical strikes, and an intense snowstorm accumulating on the pitch at America First Field, forcing constant temporary suspensions.

Another case is LA Galaxy vs. LAFC (2023). The highly anticipated Los Angeles derby, set to break attendance records at the Rose Bowl, had to be postponed entirely before kickoff due to a severe weather alert and dangerous thunderstorms in the area.

Inter Miami and their most affected matches

Inter Miami have experienced several notable weather delay episodes due to frequent thunderstorms in Florida, but among the most memorable is Inter Miami vs Orlando City (Leagues Cup 2023). This Clasico del Sol suffered one of the most severe and chaotic initial delays.

Kickoff was scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET, but a heavy downpour with electrical activity over DRV PNK Stadium forced the match to be delayed by more than two and a half hours, finally starting at 10:35 p.m.

And a very recent one also in the Leagues Cup: Inter Miami vs Atletico de San Luis (Leagues Cup 2026). Unlike other delays that occur before kickoff, this game at Nu Stadium suffered a direct interruption mid-match. In the 68th minute, while Inter Miami were leading 4-2 (with a brace from Lionel Messi), lightning strikes forced play to be stopped.

Maye is expected to be a key player once again as the Patriots look to establish themselves as a dominant team in the AFC East. However, with the start of the 2026 NFL season drawing closer, he is focused on helping his teammates improve rather than chasing personal accolades.

“I’m focused on leaping each and every day,” he responded via CLNS Media when asked about making a leap from his year two performance to his third. “I’m trying to get better. How can I get better? And the more you get better each and every day, I feel like whatever you guys call a leap, whatever happens, happens. Trying to trump 14-3…that would be a big leap for us. We have to take it one week at a time; I’m looking for our team to make a leap, really, instead of me.”

Maye as a key piece

Since he arrived in the NFL, his performance has shown steady upward progress. Selected by the Patriots with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of North Carolina, Maye has already demonstrated what he is capable of doing.

He had a tremendous campaign in 2025 (rookie season), completing 72% of his passes (354 of 492) for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns while throwing just eight interceptions.

He also added 450 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 103 carries, and he ultimately earned Second-Team All-Pro honors and his second Pro Bowl selection. So far in his NFL career, he has amassed 6,670 passing yards with 46 touchdowns and a 69.8 percent completion rate.

What’s next for the Patriots and Maye

Maye will begin his second full season as the Patriots’ starting quarterback in one of the NFL’s most demanding environments. The Patriots visit the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday, opening what many view as a revenge game of sorts in Mike Vrabel’s second season, featuring a nationally televised rematch of Super Bowl XLIX.

Inter Miami are coming off the debut of a new head coach last matchday against Montreal, handing them an historic 7-1 blowout at Nu Stadium in Kily Gonzalez’s first game on the bench.

Atlanta United sit 13th in the MLS Eastern Conference and are coming off a 2-0 loss to Charlotte. They will look to pick up valuable points against the second-place side, who also need the points to catch Nashville.

Inter Miami confirmed lineup

The pink side will look to capitalize on home-field advantage to secure three key points in the fight to stay at the top of the Eastern Conference. With Messi as the main attacking weapon, the Herons face a consistently demanding opponent looking to pull off a road upset.

Inter Miami confirmed lineup: Dayne St. Clair; Fricio Caicedo, Maximiliano Falcon, Casemiro, Ian Fray; Telasco Segovia, Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul; German Berterame, Luis Suarez, and Lionel Messi.

Atlanta United confirmed lineup

Gerardo “Tata” Martino will manage Atlanta United from the opposing bench and face Lionel Messi once again in an official match. The coach previously managed Messi with the Argentina national team and during his time at Inter Miami. The match will feature a reunion between the two, this time with Martino leading the visiting team.

Atlanta confirmed lineup: Lucas Hoyos; Elias Baez, Junior Alonso, Paulo Diaz, Tomas Jacob; Aleksey Miranchuk, William Reilly, Tristan Muyumba, Cooper Sanchez; Miguel Almiron, and Breel Embolo.

Brown and Maye took part in an interview with Devin McCourty on NBC. When asked about playing with Maye, Brown did not hesitate to show his praise for the young star quarterback.

“He’s such a great guy. He always takes the blame for every little thing. I’m like, ‘Drake, it’s OK. It’s not that deep.’ He’s incredible! Fun to play with. I can’t wait,” Brown said.

An exciting duo for the Patriots

AJ Brown and Drake Maye have high expectations for the 2026 season. The Patriots count on them to elevate the offense to another level and contend for a Super Bowl once again, especially as they share their first season.

Brown is looking for a resurgent season following an inconsistent 2025 campaign with the Eagles. He caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. He has reached 1,000 or more receiving yards in four consecutive years, seeking to match his 2022 and 2023 form when he surpassed 1,400 receiving yards.

Maye stood out during the 2025 season, leading the way to a 14-3 regular-season record. He completed 354 passes for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions, while adding 103 carries for 450 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

The Patriots’ return

New England secured the second seed in the AFC after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos. However, they were unable to crown themselves champions, losing to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60.

The New England Patriots’ NFL campaign will open on the road with a special matchup. They face the Seahawks in a Super Bowl rematch, set to kick off on Sept. 9.

Parsons was recently asked who he thinks will lead the league in sacks this season, and he named Will Anderson Jr. “That Houston team, they set the standard of how football is played. I tip my hat to them. I think Will Anderson Jr. is going to lead the league in sacks this year, 18 sacks. This is the year he really breaks out,” Parsons said on Bleacher Report.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Anderson led the league in sacks, and with the help he has on the defensive line, somebody is bound to have a good season. Anderson could very well be that player, having already shown glimpses of what he can do last season.

Another stat Anderson already leads

Anderson is not only aiming to lead the league in sacks, according to Parsons, but it is also a fact that he is one of the highest-paid edge rushers in the NFL — another reason why expectations surrounding him are so high.

The position has handed out a lot of money to players in recent years, with 29 edge rushers currently set to make at least $16 million per season in average annual salary, led by Anderson, who is earning an average of $50 million per season.

Anderson Jr. has company on the list of the top-paid edge rushers in the NFL. The Packers’ Micah Parsons ranks second at $46.5 million per season, with the Detroit Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson third at $45 million per season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ T.J. Watt is fourth among the highest-paid NFL edge rushers with an average salary of $41 million per year. Danielle Hunter comes in fifth with a salary of $40.1 million per season.

The Texans’ other top options

Outside of Anderson, the Texans have Danielle Hunter, Sheldon Rankins, Jadeveon Clowney and others to pick up the load, and they’ll be causing problems for offenses this season.

The Texans have the chance of being one of the better teams in the AFC this season, but it may come down to how they perform on offense. With a few injuries hurting them on that side of the ball last season, they weren’t able to find much of a rhythm, but they did just enough to stay in the fold.

According to Marcelo Palacios of TyC Sports, Carlos Tevez will have his farewell match in December. Aiming to officially close his playing career, the former striker will host the event at La Bombonera before the end of the year. More than five years after his retirement, Tevez will finally receive his tribute on the pitch of Boca, his boyhood club.

The event is set to feature a lineup of global stars, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo among those invited. In addition to sharing the pitch and forming lethal partnerships with both players — playing alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United and Messi with Argentina — Tevez is a close friend of both superstars. As a result, both are expected to attend the tribute match at La Bombonera, with the main attraction being the chance to see them on the same team.

Preparations underway

According to the report, Tevez has already spoken with Boca president Juan Roman Riquelme, who gave his approval for the match to take place at La Bombonera, the most iconic venue of Tevez’s career.

With Riquelme’s green light, the former player’s circle began organizing the details for an event expected to gather numerous stars from Argentine and international soccer.

The plan is to invite around 60 players who shared a squad with Tevez across the various stages of his extensive career. Choosing La Bombonera was essential given his history at the stadium, where he played 279 official matches, scored 94 goals, and delivered 56 assists.

During his time there, he won 11 titles, including international trophies such as the 2003 Copa Libertadores, 2003 Intercontinental Cup, and 2004 Copa Sudamericana. Domestically, he won the league title in 2003, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2020, as well as the 2015 Copa Argentina, 2018 Supercopa Argentina, and 2020 Copa de la Liga.

Unfinished business for Tevez

A proper farewell match remained unfinished business for Carlos Tevez since announcing his retirement in June 2022. His last official appearance came in a Boca shirt in 2021 before stepping away to evaluate his future.

After retiring as a player, Tevez transitioned into coaching. He managed Rosario Central, Independiente, and Talleres, which was his most recent managerial role before becoming available again.

Now, while waiting for a new opportunity to return to the bench, Tevez decided to move forward with the tribute match to formally close out one of the most decorated careers in Argentine soccer history.

Simmons and the Kings have agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million free-agent contract, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Marc J. Spears reported Friday, citing agents Max Wiepking, Sean Tribe, and Ryan Arney.

Simmons didn’t play in the NBA during the 2025-26 NBA season. His last appearance came on April 29, 2025, during the Los Angeles Clippers’ first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets — basically a year since he last played in the NBA.

Ben Simmons’ unfortunate path

Simmons was the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016, but he sat out the entire 2016-17 season due to a foot injury. When he finally got on the court, he lived up to the hype, winning the 2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year and making the NBA All-Star Game each of the next three seasons.

But that’s where the two-time All-Defensive First Team selection’s career derailed. Following a rough playoff series with the Sixers to end the 2021 season, Simmons made his intentions known that he had no interest in playing in Philadelphia anymore, so he held out.

Philadelphia eventually traded him the following February to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that brought back James Harden. Simmons played 90 games over parts of three seasons with the Nets before they waived him in February 2025. He then signed with the Clippers and finished the year with them.

Expected role on the team

In Sacramento, Simmons is expected to back up point guard Darius Acuff Jr. and be able to contribute at several positions. To give an idea of what he can bring, during the 2024-25 season, Simmons played for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 5 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 51 games. Over 383 NBA regular-season games, he has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.5 steals.

Green reacted to the NBA punishment handed down on the Clippers during The Draymond Green Show. “Five first-round picks — that is, including the picks that the Clippers just picked up in a trade from Cleveland with Darius Garland and James Harden. That includes all of the assets that they’ve acquired. If I’m not mistaken, it includes some of the picks from the Zubac trade as well,” Green said.

“That’s where the hammer is dropped. It’s crippling for a franchise — for an organization. Especially a franchise that just went through a six-to-seven-year period of thinking they’re right there with the possibility of winning.”

The Clippers will suffer the consequences

Green focused heavily on the long-term fallout for the franchise, pointing out everything they had built up to this point and everything they lost due to these poor decisions. He recognized that the Clippers will likely go through one of the hardest periods in their history for a long time.

“And now, you’re in a space where you have to reset — just got a top-5 pick in Keaton Wagler. And all of a sudden, you have to do that with losing five first-round draft picks. It may stick the Clippers in purgatory for a long time to come.”

Green believes the added pressure left in the wake of Leonard‘s no-show endorsement deal leaves the Clippers and their players in a tough position ahead of the 2026-27 season.

“It makes you think what certain players like Darius Garland — how are they going to look at being in this place now? A coach like Ty Lue, how does he look at being in this place now? It’s going to dampen the vibe around the Clippers,” Green added.

Speaking with reporters, Allen commented on the team’s decision to keep four tight ends on the roster. “I think you’ll see TEs have to (play FB role).. I think it puts a bind on defenses.. It messes with some rules. Whatever gives us an advantage in the run or pass game.. The 4 TEs we have are very smart and can do what they’re asked to do,” Allen said.

The tight ends tasked with delivering on offense are Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes, and Keleki Latu. All four have earned Allen’s full confidence and will play crucial roles around him.

Josh Allen’s ongoing Super Bowl motivation

Allen remains driven by the goal to reach a Super Bowl rather than settling for contender status where big-game pressure has previously taken a toll. For the quarterback, that internal drive extends back to his early football journey.

“Having zero offers out of high school, and still playing with that little chip that I have,” Allen said. “Going into the season, blank slate — we’re all 0-0. It’s a new season. I’m just trying to enjoy this game that I love.”

The Bills continue practice this week, with another session scheduled for Wednesday, as they ramp up toward their season opener against the Houston Texans on September 13.

Coaching staff and front office maintain high expectations

Head coach Joe Brady and the front office also met with the media, projecting strong confidence in the group. Brady, entering his first NFL season as head coach after four years on the Bills’ staff, noted that expectations remain unchanged.

“There’s not a person in this room or this city or wherever that has higher expectations, and I’m always asking them myself,” Brady said. The external pressure comes especially after team owner Terry Pegula pointed to what he called the “proverbial playoff wall” facing the franchise.

“We’ve been a steady contender. We didn’t win the division last year, but we still made the postseason,” general manager Brandon Beane said. “We’re excited about this team and excited about what’s still coming together. I’m not going to sit up here and make any crazy predictions; we haven’t even played a game.”

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins released Gronowski from the practice squad. With Gronowski gone, Miami now has three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, while the practice squad is now full.

The team previously released Cam Miller—who played at UM and SMU—and traded Quinn Ewers, who served as the team’s backup last year, to the Jacksonville Jaguars. That leaves Malik Willis as the starter, followed by newly acquired backup Kyle McCord and Brady Cook.

Dolphins announce practice squad moves

The Miami Dolphins filled out their practice squad Tuesday with the addition of eight players, though only one of them was with the team during training camp.

The Dolphins announced the signings of ILB Liam Anderson, EDGE Clelin Ferrell, EDGE Amari Gainer, DL Jordan Miller, WR Will Sheppard, CB Jaylin Simpson, DL Mazi Smith, and TE Tre Watson.

The additions feature two former first-round picks, Smith and Ferrell. Those eight players join the group the Dolphins added to the practice squad on Monday, a list composed entirely of players the team had previously waived.

Perhaps surprisingly, the Dolphins did not re-sign any of the players waived Monday to make space for roster additions, including cornerback Ethan Bonner, tackle Marques Cox, receiver AJ Henning, defensive end Max Llewellyn, and guard/tackle Josh Priebe. It remains possible that those players simply wanted to move on and pursue other opportunities in the NFL.

According to Argentine transfer market expert Cesar Luis Merlo, Allen will leave Inter Miami and join Chicago Fire for $3 million. The departure raises questions for the Herons as they manage defensive shortcomings and injury issues across the roster, and Messi‘s spectacular performance is not enough.

With the move, the 22-year-old defender ends his tenure with Inter Miami to begin a new chapter at the club alongside Robert Lewandowski, where he is expected to secure an important role.

Chicago bolsters defensive unit

Chicago Fire recognized one of their weak spots and decided to reinforce the backline. Along with the addition of Allen, they also brought in Norwegian international Andreas Hanche-Olsen.

Mainz 05 have officially confirmed the departure of Hanche-Olsen to MLS side Chicago Fire. The 29-year-old center-back leaves the Rheinhessen club with immediate effect after three-and-a-half years at the MEWA Arena. Hanche-Olsen has reportedly signed a long-term contract with Chicago.

The transfer comes shortly after the defender found himself outside Mainz’s immediate plans at the beginning of the new campaign. Hanche-Olsen was omitted from the matchday roster for the club’s opening two competitive fixtures and subsequently explored the possibility of leaving before the transfer deadline. Mainz have received a fee for the 3.5 million euro-valued defender, though the exact amount has not been disclosed.

Expectations rise for Chicago

The Chicago Fire are third in the Eastern Conference with 37 points and on track for a second-straight Audi MLS Cup Playoffs trip. With these key additions—bringing in international experience with Hanche-Olsen alongside Allen, who knows what it takes to win an MLS championship—the squad will look to make a deep postseason run.

According to Jose Armando of Deporte Total, Silvetti has returned to on-field training after suffering an injury that kept him out for nearly a month. Silvetti’s return could prove vital for the tempo of the attack.

German Berterame is also available, providing key options either as substitutes or starters to sustain the high-pressing style that Inter Miami demands and Messi and Suarez don’t contribute so much to—a tactical approach in which Silvetti was fundamental.

What happened to Silvetti

Silvetti suffered a dislocated left shoulder in early August during a Leagues Cup match against Atletico San Luis. The forward entered a recovery process following the injury and has finally stepped back onto the pitch.

What lies ahead for Messi and Inter Miami

The Herons return to action this Saturday, September 5, when they face Atlanta United in a clash that could prove pivotal in defining their Major League Soccer (MLS) title aspirations.

Inter Miami have accumulated 42 points through 22 regular-season matches and need to keep up the pace to close the gap on Nashville, who lead the standings with 52 points.

Over his last four matches, Lionel Messi has registered six goals and two assists, a dominant run that keeps him among the top individual performers in the MLS. Having Silvetti back as soon as possible will be critical for Inter Miami as the season continues.

After failing in their pursuit, Los Angeles is now understood to be looking to move another player in the opposite direction in the form of Jaden Hardy. Drafted in 2022 as the No. 37 pick by the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers’ “dream scenario” was sending Hardy to another team in the Kuminga deal, per Heavy’s Sean Deveney.

However, because that plan fell through, the franchise now simply wants to move on from him. How that unfolds remains to be seen, as Hardy originally arrived as part of the deal involving DeAndre Ayton in July.

Kuminga joins direct Western Conference rival

While the Lakers missed out on Kuminga, the after-effects are evidently still being felt. The former Golden State Warriors forward agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Timberwolves despite the Lakers being viewed as the favorites for a considerable amount of time.

What hurts most is that he joins a direct Western Conference competitor—a squad that has built itself up surprisingly fast for many after acquiring LaMelo Ball, followed by the addition of Kuminga to support leader Anthony Edwards.

The Lakers’ frontcourt need

The Lakers, needing frontcourt help after losing LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes and trading away DeAndre Ayton, aggressively pursued Kuminga and reportedly upped their offer to a three-year deal worth roughly $36 million (about $12 million annually).

Attention now turns to whether the Lakers plan to make one more move to bolster their frontcourt or if the squad will attempt to address the issue with what it already has—a difficult task for head coach JJ Redick ahead of the upcoming NBA season.

Pacheco’s placement on IR immediately raises questions about the running back depth chart and whether the room remains deep enough for the Lions to sustain a big season. The team expects strong performance out of its running backs, but doubts now arise with Pacheco sidelined. With Pacheco out, the running back depth chart features:

• Jahmyr Gibbs
• Sione Vaki
• Jacob Saylors
• Jabari Small

Potential return timeline for Pacheco

The move means Pacheco will miss Detroit’s first four games against the New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers. The earliest he could return would be Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 11. Detroit then has its bye in Week 6.

Pacheco originally went down with a sprained MCL during training camp. At the time, head coach Dan Campbell expressed optimism that he could be ready for Detroit’s regular-season opener.

Detroit signed Pacheco in March after trading David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, with the former Kansas City Chief expected to become the primary complement to Jahmyr Gibbs.

Pacheco spent his first four NFL seasons with Kansas City and enters 2026 with 2,537 rushing yards, 554 receiving yards, and 17 total touchdowns. He also brings two Super Bowl championships to a Lions team trying to make its own postseason run.

The 38-year-old guard fully intends to re-sign with the Warriors, according to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area. While working out a new deal with the club, Curry admitted that he and his representation will not allow contract talks to become a distraction for his teammates and that he wants to be part of the franchise for the rest of his career.

“There’s no question I want to be here the rest of my career, and I’m pretty sure that’s going to happen,” Curry said. “The deal and the contract stuff will happen at the right time, and we’re not letting it be a distraction from our preparation for the season, and the fact that the team we’re coming back with has a lot of familiarity.”

Curry expects contract extension

According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, Curry has always planned to sign a contract extension. The Warriors fully intend to re-sign the four-time NBA champion, with belief growing that Curry could follow in the footsteps of LeBron James and play well into his 40s.

“Many have questioned whether the Warriors’ inability to surround Curry with championship-level talent in recent years since their miraculous 2022 title run would result in him wanting to finish his career elsewhere,” Siegel wrote. “All of that talk is ‘nothing but nonsense,’ as one team source said while laughing when asked about whether Steph could leave… .

“The Warriors are Steph’s organization, just like how Dirk Nowitzki will always be remembered in the same sentence as the Dallas Mavericks, Tim Duncan with the San Antonio Spurs, and Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers. Curry will be on Golden State’s roster to begin the 2026-27 season, he will be on the roster to end the season, and he will retire in a Dubs uniform,” Siegel continued.

Siegel’s assessment rings true. Curry has proven to be one of the most loyal players in NBA history, spending his entire career with the franchise and helping push it forward even when the front office failed to build adequately around him. Ultimately, an end-of-career finish with the Warriors remains expected for the superstar who has stayed loyal throughout his entire journey.

Doncic previously led the Lakers’ Slovenia minicamp, embracing his new teammates ahead of the upcoming season. Based on the superstar’s initiative, Williams simply cannot wait to share the court with him.

“I can tell (Doncic’s) leadership. He wants to step up even more this year,” Williams said, via Benjamin Royer of The Orange County Register. “I’m excited, man. I’m really excited to play with him. And of course, when we’re playing basketball, it’s just he makes the game just so easy and looks so simple. He’s going to make my life a lot easier for sure.”

Ziaire Williams ready to capitalize on opportunity

For the new Lakers wing, the decision to sign with the franchise was a no-brainer, considering the impactful role he will fill and the significant opportunity to play in front of his loved ones.

“I just thought it was a great opportunity,” Williams said. “Being that big wing, versatile player that they needed, I just thought it was a great opportunity for me to be a Laker. Even if the same team was in New Orleans or Milwaukee, wherever – just the opportunity that was here and the team that they had, I just thought it was the best fit.”

Additionally, returning to his hometown of Los Angeles stood out as a major factor in joining the team. “And then just being back home in L.A. is the cherry on top,” Williams added. “Being able to play in front of my family and my friends, and I’m super excited.”

Ziaire Williams’ contract details and career progression

Williams signed a one-year, $2.85 million veteran’s minimum contract with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. He hit unrestricted free agency after the Brooklyn Nets declined the $6.25 million team option on his contract, clearing the way for him to sign with Los Angeles.

The 24-year-old played the best NBA season of his young career during the 2025-26 campaign. Averaging a career-best 10.2 points and 1.4 steals, Williams put together a breakout year in Brooklyn.

However, with less than two weeks remaining before the Giants open the regular season at home against the Dallas Cowboys, the team’s No. 1 wideout—who is returning from a torn ACL in his right knee—is not committing to an immediate return.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Nabers was noncommittal regarding any specific return date, whether for Week 1 or otherwise. While he feels great, he still faces several physical checkpoints before knowing he is completely ready.

Nabers focused on health and mental readiness

Nabers is focused on returning as soon as possible. Despite taking risks and feeling ready to play, head coach John Harbaugh may ultimately decide to protect his health rather than rush him onto the field.

“My mind is focused on playing the regular season: playing whenever that happens,” Nabers said following Monday’s practice. “There are still some things you have to check off the list to participate. I’m still going through that, still listening to the trainers, still listening to the doctors and sharing everything with them.”

Nabers prefers to keep those specific health checkpoints private, though he corrected himself during media availability, from feeling “pretty good” to “really good, honestly.” Still, lingering doubts remain over whether his progress is enough to put him in uniform when the Cowboys arrive in town on the night of September 13 for their debut in the 2026-26 NFL season.

“That’s going to be a decision made when the time comes,” Nabers added. “There are certain things that, as a football player, you have to mentally prepare before going into a game where everyone is watching you, so if you make a mistake it’s broadcast to everyone. Nobody really knows, so I want to be able to go out there and not make mistakes, and just be able to move all over the field and do what I do. I’m getting there, without a doubt. I’m getting there.”

According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, the organization will treat Berrios as a full member of the roster. “Harbaugh said Braxton Berrios is their punt returner and they’ll treat him like a member of the 53-man roster,” Duggan reported. “Just utilizing a roster tool by carrying him on the practice squad.”

The Giants cut Berrios on Sunday ahead of the deadline to trim rosters down to 53 players, doing so with a handshake agreement to bring him back. As a vested veteran, Berrios does not have to pass through waivers. That allowed the Giants to retain another player who might have otherwise missed the cut and been subject to waivers, where he could have been claimed by another team.

Harbaugh’s roster decisions

A complicated decision for Harbaugh centers on how to utilize Berrios alongside wide receiver Jalin Hyatt. Both Berrios and Hyatt were released during final cuts over the weekend, while veteran Odell Beckham Jr. earned a spot on the roster.

Hyatt, a third-round pick in 2023 who has struggled to gain traction in the NFL, was injured for most of the summer. He cleared waivers and returned to the practice field Monday wearing No. 13, while Beckham temporarily remained in No. 3.

Berrios is a veteran with a guaranteed contract who did not need to pass through the waiver process. He was released, knowing the Giants wanted to keep him as the primary punt returner. The team expects to elevate Berrios for the home opener and eventually incorporate him into the main roster.

Other players signed to the practice squad included receiver Dalen Cambre and quarterback Jake Haener. The 30-year-old Berrios signed a one-year contract as a free agent this NFL offseason. He has played in just 10 games over the past two years due to injuries and is entering his seventh professional season after previous stints with the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, and Houston Texans.

The last player to wear the number other than Messi was Franco Mastantuono. However, it appears unlikely that the number will permanently fall to the player currently with Fiorentina in Italy. Other attacking options are leading the race, starting with Liverpool number 10 Alexis Mac Allister.

The 27-year-old Reds leader is a key piece for head coach Lionel Scaloni and has already accumulated 54 caps for the senior team, scoring seven goals since making his debut on September 5, 2019. Having debuted under Scaloni’s tenure, Mac Allister stands as one of the top candidates to take over the shirt.

Other options for Argentina

Enzo Fernandez represents another realistic alternative to fill the spot. At 25 years old, the midfielder is also a central figure for Scaloni, who brought him to the national team for the first time in September 2022, before he became a World Cup champion as a starter three months later. Fernandez currently sits at 49 caps and eight goals.

Third on the list is Nico Paz. The Como number 10 has just 11 caps and one goal for Argentina, though it would not be a surprise if he wore the jersey. During the 2026 World Cup, Paz wore number 18. Other names in the mix include Thiago Almada, who has gained prominence within the squad, and Lautaro Martinez, who already wears the number 10 for Inter Milan.

Other wearers of Argentina’s No.10 in the Messi era

Without Lionel Messi, the iconic number 10 for Argentina remains vacant for the first time since 2009. However, that does not mean other players have not worn the jersey in official competition over the last 17 years.

Seven players wore the shirt in World Cup Qualifiers during Messi’s absence, with Franco Mastantuono being the only one likely to continue receiving call-ups. The other six wearers were Sergio Aguero, Javier Pastore, Angel Di Maria, Ever Banega, Angel Correa, and Paulo Dybala.

A jersey with massive history

The number 10 jersey for Argentina represents far more than just Messi. Before him, it was worn by legendary figures such as Diego Maradona, Mario Kempes, Juan Roman Riquelme, and Ariel Ortega, among other icons.

However, Messi’s era raised the symbolic weight of the shirt even further. The star wore it through much of his 21 years with the national team as Argentina claimed major titles, including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as well as the 2021 and 2024 Copa America trophies.

On the show “Intrusos” on America TV in Argentina, a message sent by Celia Cuccittini was read live on air just minutes after Messi made his post announcing his departure from the national team.

“I am still crying. Even though we already knew, the whole family is very sad,” Celia wrote. “The important thing is that he is happy. His father always said, ‘What am I going to do when he doesn’t play anymore?’ and it all happened at once.”

Hidden message in Messi’s farewell letter

Messi surprised the soccer world by announcing his retirement from Argentina through a lengthy handwritten letter. However, a small detail in the manuscript did not go unnoticed and sparked widespread interpretation.

In one of the most crucial passages of the letter, Messi originally wrote the word “siento” (“I feel”) before crossing it out. The edit takes on added significance given what he wrote immediately afterward.

After scratching out “siento,” Messi replaced it with a much more rational and decisive phrase: “entiendo que es el momento” (“I understand it is time”). The shift between the two phrases clearly highlights how difficult the decision was for him to make.

Rather than stating he “feels” the time has come to step away, Messi chose to emphasize that he “understands” he must do so—a subtle difference on paper, but a massive insight into his emotional state when making the call.

Edwards will play a crucial role in enabling the franchise to succeed by balancing stardom and creating space for his teammates to shine—a commitment he has already demonstrated this summer.

Edwards has showcased his leadership through several key actions:

• Letting LaMelo Ball stay at his house immediately after the trade.
• Organizing and financing a team trip to France to get practice reps in with Rudy Gobert.
• Recruiting Jonathan Kuminga with a focus on defense.

Edwards excited to play with rebuilt roster

Edwards is reportedly “very pleased” with the moves made by the Timberwolves this offseason, an effort in which he had heavy involvement. Pivoting to a high-octane, guard-centric system, the team overhauled its roster around Edwards by flipping Julius Randle and Naz Reid for LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga.

The front office also bolstered the second unit by retaining Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland, locking down Jaylen Clark with an extension, and bringing in Trey Lyles.

“[Edwards] is very pleased with the Wolves offseason,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst told the “Hoop Collective” podcast. “Getting LaMelo, making this deal happen for Kuminga. If [Edwards’] extension was now, maybe he would be excited about this enough to sign it, maybe he thinks that LaMelo is going to be a perfect fit.”

Timberwolves chase Western Conference title

After back-to-back appearances in the NBA Western Conference Finals, the Timberwolves fell to the San Antonio Spurs in this year’s second round. However, the squad hopes injuries will not be a concern this coming season.

Injuries significantly impacted the playoff run, with Edwards playing through a bone bruise in his left knee, Donte DiVincenzo missing the entire series, and Ayo Dosunmu sidelined by a calf injury.

According to NBA insider Ryan Ward, the squad could look at the NBA veteran for its final addition of the 2026 offseason. “Kevin Love is an intriguing option, as he remains unsigned,” wrote Sports Illustrated’s Ryan Ward.

“There was speculation earlier in the summer that he’d finally come to Los Angeles after years of him being linked to the team if LeBron James returned to the Lakers, but obviously that didn’t happen. However, Love is still there for the taking. He’d provide some rebounding, scoring and shooting off the bench, along with giving the team some much-needed championship experience, which only Looney possesses at this point.”

Other options for the Lakers

The Lakers still need to trim their roster to comply with the NBA’s limit, but it can take it a step further. By trading or waiving players like Dalton Knecht, Jaden Hardy, and Bronny James, the squad could easily trim the roster while making room for an additional big man off the bench.

Kevin Love fits the mold, but several players could thrive in a similar role. “Other notable options include Dwight Powell, Bismack Biyombo, Drew Eubanks, Xavier Tillman, and Mason Plumlee,” Ward noted.

What Love can offer

At 37 years old, Kevin Love is no longer the All-Star he was in his prime, but reasons to believe he can still make a significant impact on the court. Beyond being a five-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection, and NBA champion, he brings maturity and a competitive culture to the locker room.

Last NBA season, across 37 games, he averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game while shooting 43.7% from the field. Even in a minor role, Love can provide a critical spark with his rebounding and floor spacing. At the very least, he can help mentor younger players like Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero.

Many have wondered about Kuminga’s position on the ascendant, young Western Conference squad. In an interview with “Run It Back,” Kuminga’s agent laid out how his client will fit with the team.

Turner explained that Kuminga was brought in with a clearly defined starting role right from the jump. “Yeah, this was a clear-cut… you’re coming in here to start at the four, with Melo, Ant, Jaden, JK, Rudy,” Turner said. “Obviously they have great young guys coming in too. You got Ayo, you got Terrence Shannon Jr., Donte when he comes back.”

On-court role and lineup dynamics

Questions remain regarding how Kuminga will function on the court and during training camp with his new teammates, particularly alongside dominant options like Ball and Anthony Edwards.

Turner explained how the Timberwolves view Kuminga’s role heading into camp, given how stacked the roster is. “I think on paper, this is obviously one of the most stacked teams. Going into camp, going into preseason, how are they viewing JK? Is he a starter? Is he more of an energy guy? What are they looking to use him for, playing with Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball? Obviously he’s 23 years old.”

Turner pointed out that this is the first time in Kuminga’s six-year NBA career that he enters a season already knowing he will start. During his tenure with the Golden State Warriors, his starting status was always in question under head coach Steve Kerr, a scenario that carried over during his time with the Atlanta Hawks.

“So they pitched a great, clear role,” Turner added. “And for JK going into year six, which it’s crazy it’s year six now, but he’s never got to come into the season going, ‘I know I’m the starter.’ That tailwind of just clear, ‘Hey man, you’re coming in here to start.’ Chris Finch did a great job explaining the role to him that he envisions and how they wanna play.”

Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, said his client now has more control over his future, which was not the case with the more valuable previous offers. During a recent conversation on “Run It Back” on FanDuel TV, Turner explained Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings are the teams he is eyeing for a potential move next summer.

“I would say on paper, next year for Jonathan Kuminga is a way better free-agency year for him,” Turner told Chandler Parsons. “There are a lot of teams with money, and if you have paid attention to the JK’s recruiting saga over the last few years, those teams that have been trying to sign and trade from (are) Sacramento and Chicago.”

Intriguing free-agency destinations

While Turner did not confirm that Kuminga will eventually move out of Minnesota, he did name the Sacramento Kings and the Chicago Bulls as the two teams that he would be looking at in the free agency that comes before the next season.

“These teams have a lot of money next year. Now I’m not saying that will necessarily (offer a trade, but) who knows. But the game board is set very, very well for JK for 2027, but you have to be able to get into that market,” Turner added.

To some, these may not sound like the most eye-catching options currently, but Kuminga expects to be the primary star of a franchise. Finding that role on a squad with established stars like Minnesota—featuring Kuminga and LaMelo Ball—remains difficult while also attempting to win a championship.

Contract flexibility and roster fit

“And if you have a team option, you could have as good a year as you want; you can’t get into that market,” Turner said. “So with a player option now, you decide if you want to be in that market, and that is a big, big deal in controlling your future earnings.”

Additionally, the roster fit for Kuminga is itself intriguing, given he will be starting alongside franchise icon Anthony Edwards, the newly signed LaMelo Ball, and Jaden McDaniels.