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Boston Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu had a two home run night, but it was one of the most unique combinations ever as he did something that hadn’t been done in an MLB game in nearly 67 years.

Abreu had an inside-the-park home run against the Cincinnati Reds before he hit a typical homer later in the contest − in grand fashion.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Abreu took Joe La Sorsa’s pitch to center field in the deep corner of Fenway Park. The ball bounced off the wall and took a long bounce along the warning track. Abreu turned on the jets after the wild ricochet, with no Reds player in the vicinity of the ball. The ball was eventually grabbed, but by the time it got to Elly De La Cruz in the shallow part of the outfield, Abreu was sliding home for the inside-the-park homer.

It was the first inside-the-park homer for a Red Sox player at Fenway Park since Jacoby Ellsbury had one on Sept. 19, 2011.

Abreu had another big moment in the bottom of the eighth. With the bases loaded, he hit a moonshot into the Red Sox bullpen for a grand slam.

Wilyer Abreu’s historic home run day

Abreu became the sixth MLB player to hit an inside-the-park home run and grand slam in the same game, according to MLB’s Sarah Langs, citing the Elias Sports Bureau. It’s the first time it’s been done since Roger Maris accomplished the feat on Aug. 3, 1958.

Abreu’s grand slam capped off a 13-6 win over Cincinnati for Boston. He had two home runs and five RBIs on the night.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Quarterback Jake Retzlaff is facing a potential suspension for being found in violation of BYU’s honor code.

Retzlaff plans to transfer from the Cougars’ program — according to a report from ESPN — to avoid what would ‘likely’ be a seven-game suspension from the university.

Retzlaff was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at his home, per a civil lawsuit filed in May. Retzlaff’s lawyer, Mark Baute, denied the allegations. The woman who accused Retzlaff withdrew her civil suit on Monday, June 30, per ESPN.

Regardless of the status of the suit, having sexual relations outside of marriage is against the BYU honor code — meaning Retzlaff would still be subject to punishment from the university for being found in violation.

Here’s what you need to know about the BYU honor code, and how it has affected athletes in the past:

What is BYU honor code?

The BYU honor code is a code of conduct to which all members of BYU — faculty, administration, staff and students — voluntarily adhere.

The university, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, mandates that associates of the university ‘conduct their lives in accordance with the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ’ and ‘strive to maintain the highest standards in their personal conduct regarding honor, integrity, morality, and consideration of others.’

Per BYU, students must:

Maintain an Ecclesiastical Endorsement, including striving to deepen faith and maintain gospel standards
Be honest
Live a chaste and virtuous life, including abstaining from sexual relations outside marriage between a man and a woman. Living a chaste and virtuous life also includes abstaining from same-sex romantic behavior.
Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, vaping, marijuana, and other substance abuse
Participate regularly in Church services
Respect others, including the avoidance of profane and vulgar language
Obey the law and follow campus policies, including the CES Dress and Grooming standards
Encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code and Dress and Grooming standards.

Notable BYU players who have violated honor code

In 2004, BYU officials dismissed or suspended four football players due to actions during an off-campus party, which included alcohol and extramarital sex. Two additional players were placed on probation.

Brandon Davies is another notable example found to be in violation of BYU’s honor code. He was suspended in early March of his the 2010-11 men’s basketball season for having premarital sex with his girlfriend. BYU was ranked No. 3 in the Coaches Poll at the time.

He was later reinstated by the team as a junior, and played two more seasons for the Cougars — seasons in which he was named to the All-West Coast Conference team. He went undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Running back Jamaal Williams was forced to sit out the 2015 college football season after an honor code violation in which he said he had a girl in his dorm room. Williams opted to stick with the Cougars rather than transfer and proceeded to become a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Retzlaff in 2024 guided BYU to an 11-2 record, including an Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado. He completed 57.9% of his passes for 2,947 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while also rushing for 417 yards and six touchdowns in his first season a full-time starter.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Many senators failed to get their amendments across the finish line during the chamber’s vote-a-rama on Monday, leaving the future of President Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ uncertain.

Two key failures came from Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, with the former proposing a plan that would have boosted funding for rural hospitals and the latter calling for further cuts to Medicaid. 

Collins and Cornyn were far from the only lawmakers who had amendments fail, however. Here are some details on some of the unsuccessful efforts, plus one that succeeded with nearly unanimous support.

Rural hospital funding

Collins’ amendment would have doubled funding for rural hospitals from $25 billion to $50 billion over the next 10 years, and it would have allowed a larger number of medical providers to access the funds.

‘Rural providers, especially our rural hospitals and nursing homes, are under great financial strain right now, with many having recently closed and others being at risk of closing,’ Collins said prior to the vote. ‘This amendment would help keep them open and caring for those who live in rural communities.’

Collins said the bill was something of an olive branch to Democrats, who had criticized the cuts to Medicaid involved in the megabill. Her amendment would also have raised tax rates for individuals who make more than $25 million per year and couples who make more than $50 million.

‘They’ve complained repeatedly about the distribution in this bill, of Medicaid cuts hurting individuals, rural hospitals, and tax cuts being extended for people who are wealthy, and yet when I tried to fix both those problems, they took a very hypocritical approach,’ Collins said.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., argued Collins’ amendment was merely putting a ‘Band-Aid on an amputation.’

Expanded Medicaid cuts

Cornyn was joined by Sens. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and John Barrasso, R-Wyo., in pushing an amendment cutting an additional $313 billion in Medicaid funding on Monday.

The trio said they were pushing to limit the growth of Medicaid, and they had been confident the adjustment would pass. All three were seen entering Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s office on Monday as it became clear the amendment lacked support.

The base bill already cuts some $930 billion in funding for Medicaid, leading many of the trio’s colleagues to balk at further cuts.

‘It just seems like we’ve taken it as far as I’m comfortable taking it,’ said Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.V., regarding trims to Medicaid.

Boosting deductibles for teachers

Kennedy had proposed an amendment that would have allowed teachers to deduct $600 in school supplies that they pay for out of pocket each year.

The proposal ultimately failed in a 46-54 vote.

Child tax credit enhancement

Bennet proposed an amendment that would have increased both the amount and availability of the child tax credit included in the megabill, but it failed to garner enough support.

The Senate rejected Bennet’s proposal in a 22-78 vote.

Clearing the way for state AI laws

One amendment that did succeed was a measure that killed a provision in the bill that would have placed a 10-year moratorium on state AI regulations.

The original version of the bill would have forced states to choose between enforcing AI regulations or accepting federal funding to expand broadband internet access. Sens. Edward Markey, D-Ma., and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., joined Sen. Maria Cantwell in sponsoring the amendment.

‘The Senate came together tonight to say that we can’t just run over good state consumer protection laws,’ Cantwell said Monday. ‘States can fight robocalls, deepfakes and provide safe autonomous vehicle laws. This also allows us to work together nationally to provide a new federal framework on Artificial Intelligence that accelerates U.S. leadership in AI while still protecting consumers.’

The Senate passed the amendment in an overwhelming 99-1 vote.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., was the sole vote opposing the measure.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

Google on Monday announced a partnership with Commonwealth Fusion Systems, or CFS, a private company spun off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which marks the tech giants first commercial commitment to fusion.

The company unveiled plans to buy 200 megawatts of clean fusion power from what CFS describes as the world’s first grid-scale fusion power plant, known as ARC, based in Chesterfield County, Virginia.

ARC is expected to come online and generate 400 megawatts of clean, zero-carbon power in the early 2030s, which is enough energy to power large industrial sites or roughly 150,000 homes, according to CFS. The agreement also gives Google the option to purchase power from additional ARC plants.

Google, which has invested in CFS since 2021, said it also increased its stake in the Devens, Massachusetts-based company.

Google and CFS did not disclose the financial terms.

“We’re excited to make this longer-term bet on a technology with transformative potential to meet the world’s energy demand, and support CFS in their effort to reach their scientific and engineering milestones needed to get there,” Michael Terrell, head of advanced energy at Google, said in a statement.

Fusion is a process that takes light atomic nuclei and heats them to over 100 million degrees Celsius. At these temperatures, the fuel becomes a plasma, which eventually causes the nuclei to fuse and release significant amounts of energy. The energy is then captured to create carbon-free electricity.

CFS is one of many firms racing to achieve commercial-scale fusion energy and Google has invested in others. Earlier this month, Google announced continued funding for TAE Technologies, a California-based fusion energy company.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

June is typically the quietest month on the NFL calendar – for whatever that’s worth. But Monday offered further proof that America’s favorite sports league never really goes dormant, the final day of the month coming with quite the exclamation point as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins completed a trade as notable as any that’s occurred this offseason.

CB Jalen Ramsey and TE Jonnu Smith are headed to the Steel City, while FS Minkah Fitzpatrick returns to South Florida eight years after the Fins took him with the 11th selection of the 2018 draft. The teams also swapped Day 3 picks of the 2027 draft, Miami upgrading with a fifth-rounder in exchange for a seventh-rounder.

On a day when the winners and losers are usually reserved for Wimbledon, we’ve got quite a few more to sort through …

WINNERS

Jalen Ramsey

Not only did the three-time All-Pro engineer his departure from Miami, the Steelers also gave Ramsey a $1.5 million raise – he’ll be paid $26.6 million in 2025, according to ESPN and the NFL Network. He jumps to a team seemingly in better position to contend as he heads into the 10th season of his exceptional pro career, and – as a defensive back – it certainly doesn’t hurt to play behind a pass rush that includes T.J. Watt (presumably), Cam Heyward an Alex Highsmith, among others.

TRADE GRADES: Report cards for Steelers, Dolphins following blockbuster

Aaron Rodgers and Arthur Smith

The Steelers’ new quarterback and offensive coordinator, respectively, welcome another weapon with the arrival of Jonnu Smith. Whether it was his protection, body, age or scheme (and maybe all of the above), Rodgers spent much of last season getting the ball out quickly and throwing down the seams in the intermediate part of the field – which means Jonnu Smith could get a steady of diet balls. And he should hit the ground running given this will be his third stint playing for Arthur Smith, who also coached him in Tennessee and Atlanta and now has another component for his attack on whom he can rely.

Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan

Much has been made of the fact that Tomlin, who’s about to embark on his 19th season as Pittsburgh’s head coach has never suffered a losing season … nor has the man who took the Steelers to the Super Bowl twice in his first four years won a playoff game since the 2016 postseason. But you can’t accuse him or Khan, entering his fourth season as general manager, of operating conservatively in recent months. Monday’s deal follows the long-awaited signing of Rodgers and trade for WR DK Metcalf plus the departure of WR George Pickens in recent months, among other moves. TBD whether a more aggressive approach translates into a deeper playoff run, but it does seem to indicate a shifting mindset for a team that might up hosting a very eventful draft in 2026 – regardless of what happens in 2025, which is likely to be Rodgers’ final ride.

DK Metcalf

All due respect to Robert Woods, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek and others, but Metcalf remains the only bona fide wideout threat on this roster – though it’s still worth wondering if Khan makes a run at an unsigned veteran like Keenan Allen or Amari Cooper. Regardless, Smith instantly provides a genuine threat in the intermediate part of the field – one who will doubtless make opposing safeties think twice about shading too far toward Metcalf on the boundary and should consequently create more opportunities for a player who averaged 121 targets during his six seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.

De’Von Achane

Speaking of target share, barring the acquisition of an established pass-catching tight end – and that could still happen – it’s not immediately clear who gets the bulk of the 111 Smith had for the Dolphins in 2024. Regardless, Achane (his 78 receptions last season trailed only Smith and WR Tyreek Hill for the Dolphins), a running back whose speed is especially frightening when he has space to operate, figures to benefit. And given QB Tua Tagovailoa’s penchant to get the ball out quickly − per Next Gen Stats, his average time to throw, 2.42 seconds, was the fastest among qualifying quarterbacks in 2024 − Achane seems particularly likely to see more balls coming his way. And, for what it’s worth, Achane may also have to run the ball more, too – out of necessity – though he does seem to be a guy where less volume means more big plays, his touches more than doubling to 281 in 2024, though his yards per fell by more than 2 yards.

Jonnu Smith

Not only does he get to team up with Rodgers while joining a scheme he’s intimately familiar with, the veteran tight end gets his contract extended through the 2026 season, during which he stands to make $12 million.

LOSERS

Jonnu Smith?

He’s coming off a career year, his 88 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns for the Dolphins last season rendering Smith one of the most productive tight ends in the league. As well as he should fit into Pittsburgh’s offense, Smith is highly unlikely to ever approach those numbers again with this team (he never caught more than 50 passes in a season during his other hitches with Arthur Smith). But at least the Steelers have already handsomely rewarded Jonnu Smith, who signed a two-year, $8.4 million deal with Miami last year.

Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward

As much as Arthur Smith fancies double- and triple-tight sets, Jonnu Smith’s arrival is going to cut significantly into the playing time for Pittsburgh’s three other tight ends. Washington is mostly a glorified tackle, so his role and snap count may not change all that much. But Freiermuth’s numbers seem like to suffer and Heyward, the younger brother of team captain Cam Heyward, could even find himself on the roster bubble.

Minkah Fitzpatrick

It’s rare to see a Round 1 pick dealt midway through his second season, but Fitzpatrick wanted out of Miami in 2019 – he didn’t feel like his abilities and role with the team aligned – yet now he’s reunited with GM Chris Grier, who drafted him in the first place. Miami certainly had a hole to fill in its lineup after losing S Jevon Holland in free agency this year, so Fitzpatrick certainly helps from that standpoint. But he’ll no longer get to leverage a Watt-led pass rush. And despite being a five-time Pro Bowler, including each of the past three seasons, Fitzpatrick hasn’t been producing the big plays that forged his reputation years ago – generating just one turnover, total, since the start of the 2023 campaign.

Tua Tagovailoa

Smith led Miami with 88 catches last season. Now a quarterback who’s eager to distribute the ball but is also prone to concussions, has lost his security blanket. Maybe this will make more sense down the line, but for right now …?

Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel

Miami’s GM and head coach, respectively, seem to have authored a transaction that doesn’t exactly smack of ‘win now’ – though it was clear they had to move on from Ramsey, who was ready to depart. And much as Steelers fans might be desperate for postseason success, the Dolphins haven’t won a playoff game since 2000 − the longest drought in the league. Owner Stephen Ross gave his leadership a vote of confidence after last season’s 8-9 finish but also said “(C)ontinuity in leadership is not to be confused with an acceptance that status quo is good enough. We will take a hard look at where we have fallen short and make the necessary changes to deliver our ultimate goal of building and sustaining a winning team that competes for championships.’

Hard to see how this trade cools the other kind of Florida heat Grier and McDaniel, who have now lost four team captains this offseason, are trying to beat. And the reaction one of their former players, RB Raheem Mostert, had to the trade speaks (to some level) on how things could unfold …

Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, (Shedeur Sanders?)

After the Baltimore Ravens recently signed CB Jaire Alexander, the AFC North now welcomes another elite corner with the arrival of Ramsey, a Pro Bowler in seven of his nine NFL seasons. It’s certainly not the most welcome development for the division’s high-profile quarterbacks.

Darius Slay, Joey Porter Jr. and Beanie Bishop Jr.

It remains to be seen how Pittsburgh’s lineup shakes out, specifically as to whether Ramsey, always a fantastic ball hawk, gets a look at free safety or not. But that seems unlikely given a trade of this magnitude – and especially so since the Steelers have experienced players like Miles Killebrew and Juan Thornhill available to step into Fitzpatrick’s role. And if Ramsey does remain at corner, it begs the question of what happens to recently signed Slay and Porter, a second-round pick in 2023. All of them play predominantly on the outside, Ramsey’s 185 snaps in the slot last season nearly double the total of Slay, who spent 2024 in Philadelphia, and Porter combined in 2024. But is a 30-year-old star going to live in the slot, which was typically manned by Bishop, an undrafted rookie in 2024? It’s a very solid bet that Ramsey will operate however he’s most comfortable in 2025, and then the others fall into place as circumstances dictate – which may or not benefit them from an individual perspective.

AFC contenders?

Are the Steelers suddenly a bona fide Super Bowl 60 threat? That will likely be primarily dictated by whatever version of Rodgers they’re getting. But adding Ramsey and Smith also undoubtedly makes a team that’s qualified for postseason four of the past five seasons more formidable. And even if Pittsburgh doesn’t complete its “Stairway to Seven” in 2025, the Steelers are starting to increasingly look like a team that could ambush one of the conference favorites – Kansas City, Buffalo, Baltimore – along the way while getting Tomlin that next playoff win he’s been awaiting for nearly a decade.

Los Angeles Rams

The presumed favorites to reacquire Ramsey’s services – he played 3½ seasons in LA, starting in 2019, and was a key performer for the Super Bowl 56 champions in 2021 – a team that may have the best chance to dislodge the Eagles on the NFC side of the bracket in 2025 couldn’t find a way to broker a reunion. Doesn’t mean the defending NFC West titlists aren’t still a clear and present danger to the reigning Super Bowl champions but sure seems like adding a familiar star like Ramsey would have nicely furthered the cause.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The NBA’s free agency period began Monday evening, June 30, with several notable names expected to be available on the market.

Free agency will provide teams with the opportunity to reshape and retool their rosters to take one step closer to their respective NBA championship aspirations.

Several big-name players who had the potential to become free agents are no longer expected to be available. That list includes Lakers star LeBron James, Clippers standout James Harden and Timberwolves forward Julius Randle.

Centers Myles Turner and Al Horford are among the top unrestricted players on the market as of Sunday evening. Chris Paul, Tyus Jones and Josh Giddey are expected to be among the top unrestricted guards available.

Malik Beasley also could be among the list of notable guards, but instead will be the subject of another storyline after it was reported he is being investigated for gambling on NBA games.

Gary Trent Jr. returning to Bucks

Milwaukee retains another member of the 2024-25 team with the re-signing of Gary Trent Jr. He will sign a two-year, $7.5 million deal that includes a player option to return to Milwaukee, Shams Charania reports.

Trent is coming off one of his best seasons as a pro. He played in a career-high 74 games and averaged 11.1 points per game off the bench, including a 41.6% mark from 3-point land. He also tied a franchise playoff record when he made nine 3-pointers in Game 3 of the first round series against the Indiana Pacers.

76ers add Trendon Watford

Philadelphia is adding an emerging forward in Trendon Watford. He will sign a two-year, $5.3 million deal with the 76ers, Shams Charania reports. A reserve most of his career, Watford had a breakout campaign in 2024-25 despite missing most of the first half of the season. He averaged a career-high 10.2 points per game.

Taurean Prince staying in Milwaukee

The Bucks will keep Taurean Prince on a two-year, $7.1 million deal, according to Shams Charania. He played 80 games for Milwaukee last season, the most he’s played since 2017-18. He averaged 8.2 points and 3.6 rebounds and gets to stay with assistant Darvin Ham, who he was with when Ham was coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Prince also reportedly has a player option for the second season.

Charlotte Hornets bring back Mason Plumlee

Mason Plumee is headed back to the Queen City, signing a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the Charlotte Hornets, Shams Charania reports. Plumlee played for the Hornets from 2021-23 before he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Luke Kennard joining Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta continues to make moves with the addition of Luke Kennard. The Hawks will sign the wing to a one-year, $11 million deal, according to Shams Charania.

Kennard spent the past two and a half seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies and solidified himself as one of the best sharpshooters in the league. He shot 43.3% from 3-point land during the 2024-25 season, ninth best in the NBA. He has shot at least 40% from beyond the arc the past five seasons, including when he was a league-high 44.9% from 3 in 2021-22.

Tyus Jones heads to Orlando

After starting 58 games for the Phoenix Suns last season, Jones is headed to an Eastern Conference contender in the Orlando Magic on a one-year, $7 million deal, per Shams Charania. Jones has averaged more than 10 points per game in each of the last three seasons.

Atlanta gives $60 million to Nickeil Alexander-Walker

A solid scoring option off the bench for Minnesota, the Atlanta Hawks have acquired Nickeil Alexander-Walker via a sign-and-trade on a four-year, $62 million deal, per Shams Charania. In just his seventh year in the league, Alexander-Walker is already joining his fifth team, but his first in the Eastern Conference.

In return, the Timberwolves are acquiring a 2027 second-round pick (via Cleveland) and cash.

Ty Jerome leaves Cavs for Grizzlies

Three years, $28 million. That’s the deal for sought-after guard Ty Jerome, who will be moving to Tennessee to play with the Memphis Grizzlies, per Shams Charania.

Jerome was an elite shooter last season, nearly joining the 50-40-90 club (52% FG, 44% 3PT, 87% FT) during the regular season, playing vital minutes for the Cavaliers. He played a major role in the Cavaliers earning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, and is a massive addition for a Grizzlies’ team that just locked up Jaren Jackson Jr. long-term.

Brook Lopez returns to Los Angeles

Former NBA champion Brook Lopez, 37, is headed back to the City of Angels, this time as a member of the Clippers after signing a two-year, $18 million deal, per Shams Charania. Lopez spent the 2017-18 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, then spent the next seven seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, playing a sizable role on the 2021 championship team.

Lopez will likely serve as a bench option for the Clippers behind Ivica Zubac.

Pistons lock up Caris LeVert

Clint Capela returns to Houston

After five seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, free agent big man Clint Capela is returning to the Houston Rockets on a fully guaranteed, three-year, $21.5 million deal, per Shams Charania.

Capela played in just 55 games last season, his fewest since the COVID-shortened 2020 season. He spent most of last year battling a series of injuries.

Dennis Schroder to Sacramento

Early reports indicated that the Sacramento Kings were looking to add veteran guards this offseason. Well, they’ve begun with the addition of Dennis Schroder, per The Athletic’s Fred Katz. Though details of the agreement are still unknown, there have been reports that Sacramento’s guard hunt will not end there. The Kings are also interested in adding Russell Westbrook to the fold for the 2025-26 season.

$41 million for Luke Kornet

The San Antonio Spurs have added depth behind Victor Wembanyama, adding center Luke Kornet, part of the Boston Celtics’ 2024 championship team, to a four-year, $41 million deal, per Shams Charania.

Given the uncertainty regarding Wembanyama’s blood clot in his shoulder, adding Kornet provides a bit of an immediate safety blanket, even though Wembanyama is considered likely to recover before the start of next year.

Kevon Looney era in Golden State has come to an end

Longtime Golden State Warrior and three-time NBA champion Kevon Looney is leaving the West Coast for a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, per Shams Charania. Looney had been a starter for much of his last five years with Golden State before being relegated to a bench role in 2025, starting in only six games all of last season. Looney did still put up solid minutes though, averaging 15 minutes per game.

Jake LaRavia moves to Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers will reportedly sign Jake LaRavia to a two-year, $12 million deal, per Shams Charania. LaRavia has always been a strong three-point shooter, which could come in handy as part of a team that finished outside the top-ten in three-point percentage a year ago.

D’Angelo Russell reunites with Anthony Davis in Dallas

With Kyrie Irving nursing an ACL tear, the Dallas Mavericks have added some guard depth by signing D’Angelo Russell to a two-year, $13 million deal. Russell has experience playing with Davis, having each spent parts of the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Win-now Rockets continue to stack pieces

Days after they agreed to trade for Kevin Durant, the Rockets are bolstering their perimeter play — on both sides of the ball — by reportedly locking up forward Dorian Finney-Smith. ESPN reports the deal is worth four years and $53 million.

Pistons re-up with Paul Reed

After he stepped up in the playoffs with backup forward-center Isaiah Stewart sidelined with a right knee injury, Paul Reed became a valuable fill-in for the Pistons. Detroit is rewarding Reed with a two-year, $11 million deal to return to the team, per ESPN.

Grizzlies lock up key young players

The Grizzlies are continuing their roster overhaul. All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is expected to ink a renegotiated, five-year, max contract extension worth $248 million, according to ESPN. Jackson was on a favorable contract that he had outperformed.

Memphis’ trade of Desmond Bane helped clear up the cap space required to make this deal happen. The Grizzlies shipped him to the Magic, but then — following a separate trade with the Trail Blazers — drafted Cedric Coward at No. 11 overall. Coward essentially becomes a low-cost replacement for Bane. Another corresponding salary cap maneuver being made to accommodate the Jackson deal is a reported buyout to guard Cole Anthony, whom Memphis had just acquired in the Bane trade.

ESPN also reports that the Grizzlies also locked backup forward Santi Aldama to a three-year, $52.5 million deal.

A scorer set to unexpectedly hit the market

It’s not often that consistent, double-digit scorers hit the open market. But as the Utah Jazz continue to remake their roster, Jordan Clarkson has finalized a buyout, according to the Athletic, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Clarkson, 33, averaged 16.2 points, 3.7 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 37 games last season. Clarkson had carved out a role as Utah’s sixth man and became known for providing a scoring spark off the bench. Given his ability to score off the bench, Clarkson could draw interest from contenders looking to bolster their depth.

Veteran Nicolas Batum back for 18th season

Forward Nicolas Batum, a steady presence off the bench for the Los Angeles Clippers, will sign a two-year deal worth $11.5 million, per ESPN.

Nets to re-sign Day’Ron Sharpe

After locking up one of their reserve forwards earlier Monday in Ziaire Williams, the Nets moved to do the same for backup center, Day’Ron Sharpe. ESPN reports that Sharpe is set to sign on a two-year deal to keep him in Brooklyn, worth $12 million.

Joe Ingles to return to Timberwolves

Veteran forward Joe Ingles will be playing his 12th season in the NBA, returning to the Minnesota Timberwolves on a one-year contract worth $3.6 million, according to ESPN.

Knicks forward Josh Hart had a funny response to the news, writing: ‘Man someone tell him to go head and retire already’ in a social media post.

Ziaire Williams heading back to Brooklyn

Free agent forward Ziaire Williams is on the verge of signing a two-year, $12 million deal to return to the Brooklyn Nets, ESPN reports. Williams, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2021 draft, averaged 10 points and 4.3 rebounds in 63 games with the Nets last season.

DeAndre Ayton set to test market

Center DeAndre Ayton is finalizing a buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to ESPN, which will make him a free agent — and one of the more interesting players available.

Ayton was acquired by the Blazers in 2023 as part of a three-team trade with Phoenix and Milwaukee. He’s played in only 95 games in two seasons with Portland, averaging 15.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. As part of the contract he signed with the Suns, Ayton was scheduled to make $35.6 million next season.

When is NBA free agency? Dates, times and offseason schedule

NBA free agency officially began on Monday, June 30, at 6 p.m. ET. Teams and players can now start agreeing to the terms of a contract. Teams and players, however, will have to wait until July 6 for contracts to be officially signed.

The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports’ newsletter.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Perhaps sensing the shifting balance of power in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets swung a deal to keep pace.

Denver is sending forward Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 unprotected first-round draft pick to Brooklyn for Nets forward Cameron Johnson, a person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke under condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly disclose details of the deal prior to an official announcement.

Here are the grades from the trade between the Denver Nuggets and Brooklyn Nets.

Cameron Johnson

Once seen as a key piece in the deal that sent Kevin Durant from the Nets to the Suns, Johnson had been languishing away on a Nets team that was still not close to competing in earnest. Since being traded to Brooklyn, the Nets won 71 out of a possible 196 games (.362 winning percentage) — including a sweep in the first round of the 2023 playoffs.

Now, Johnson goes to a 50-win team that took the eventual NBA champions to seven games in the conference semifinals and one that is two years removed from a title. With Nikola Jokić’s superb passing ability, Johnson, 29, should thrive.

He’s excellent with the ball in his hands and in pick-and-roll scenarios. Throwing him into the mix with Jokić and point guard Jamal Murray should only lead to a jump in production.

Grade: A

Denver Nuggets

In many ways, this is an interesting trade; both Porter and Johnson have similar skill sets. Both are excellent perimeter shooters and both are decent defenders. Both are signed for two more seasons, through the 2026-27 season. The biggest difference? Johnson is two years older but significantly cheaper.

According to Spotrac.com, Porter carries a cap hit of $79.1 million over the next two seasons. Johnson’s cap hit over that span is $44.1 million, or a difference of around $35 million.

This, essentially, gives the Nuggets far more roster flexibility, and they reportedly have already started to use it. Per ESPN, Denver brought back Bruce Brown — a plus defender who excelled during Denver’s championship season — on a one-year deal.

This season, the Nuggets lacked depth. Now, it’s a strength.

Grade: A-

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets these days are all about draft picks. They like to stash them. They like to draft with them. Just days after they made all five of their first-round selections, the Nets are taking on the added salary of Porter because of that 2032 unprotected first.

Porter is a better rebounder than Johnson, hauling in 7.0 boards per game, as opposed to Johnson’s 4.3. He’s a slightly more efficient scorer, though Porter tends to fall into streaky play.

This is trickier to grade for Brooklyn, because it all depends on what the franchise does with its picks. If the Nets can turn this unprotected 2032 pick into part of a trade package that nets a star, then it’s a home run. If they hold on to it and it leads to a lottery selection in seven years, it could be a home run.

If not? It could prolong the rebuild.

Grade: C+

Michael Porter Jr.

For a player who was part of a championship run and on one of the more consistent teams during his tenure there, Porter is going into a very different environment. The Nets are very clearly rebuilding and their focus right now is on developing their young players. Porter just turned 27 on Sunday, June 29, so he’s also very young. Still, even with the Eastern Conference entirely open, it’s hard to see the Nets threatening with their current roster — at least in the short term.

Grade: D

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The Florida Panthers have won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles and have been to the Final three years in a row.

If that doesn’t say start of a dynasty, general manager Bill Zito’s recent magic might have positioned the team for another run and more.

Zito had expressed confidence that he could sell his three key pending unrestricted free agents on a winning culture and get Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand re-signed.

Playoff MVP Bennett was first, agreeing to an eight-year, $64 million extension that was announced before the NHL draft. Then the team announced an eight-year deal for top-pairing defenseman and 2014 No. 1 overall pick Ekblad worth a reported $6.1 million a year on June 30. And reports emerged later in the day that Marchand, who scored 10 playoff goals after arriving in a trade, would be getting a six-year deal worth a little more than $5 million a year. His contract will run until he’s 43.

Zito vowed that the team would spend to the salary cap and it will. And all three are taking under-market contracts to stick around. Also important, they aren’t joining the Panthers’ rivals.

The Panthers now have Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe, Marchand, Anton Lundell, Seth Jones, Ekblad and Gustav Forsling signed through at least 2030.

Zito also made a recent trade for goaltender Daniil Tarasov, 26, who will get to learn under veteran Sergei Bobrovsky and possibly be the Panthers’ No. 1 goalie of the future.

The Panthers are like a family. Witness how captain Barkov made sure that all the first-time Stanley Cup winners got to lift the Cup before last year’s winners did.

That camaraderie is a key selling point. So is winning. And the Panthers have put themselves in position to do more.

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The league announced Monday, July 1 the starters for the 2025 All-Star Game, which has a blend of veteran and young stars that will be on the court for tip-off.

Notably making the list is Paige Bueckers, who will be an All-Star in her first season in the league. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft leads all rookies in scoring and assists, and has six games of at least 20 points in her young career. Joining Bueckers are three WNBA champions: three-time MVP A’ja Wilson, two-time MVP Breanna Stewart and three-time All-Star Sabrina Ionescu. Also on the list as a starter, the Seattle Storm’s Nneka Ogwumike, who earned her 10th All-Star selection, tying her for third-most in WNBA history.

Clark and Collier are the captains of the All-Star Game as the leading vote getters, and will draft their teams during ‘WNBA Countdown’ on July 8. They will select among the rest of the starters before picking from the 12 reserves. The reserves will be determined by the league’s head coaches, which will include three guards, five frontcourt players and four players at either position. The reserves will be announced on July 6.

The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game will be held July 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, on Clark and the Fever’s home court. The Game will be the centerpiece of All-Star weekend activities, which also includes the 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge on Friday, July 18.

HOW THE PLAYERS RANKED: WNBA All-Star Game voting results

2025 WNBA All-Star Game starters

Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever (2nd selection, captian)
Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx (5th selection, captain)
Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever (3rd selection)
Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings (1st selection
Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream (3rd selection)
Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty (4th selection)
Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm (10th selection)
Satou Sabally, Phoenix Mercury (3rd selection)
Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty (7th selection)
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces (7th selection)

When is WNBA All-Star Game 2025?

The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game take place July 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Date: Saturday, July 19
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Stream: ESPN+, Disney+

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The State Department has joined the pope in lashing out at the latest massacre of Christians in Nigeria, reportedly by Islamist Fulani ‘terrorists.’

Pope Leo XIV declared during a recent address to thousands at the Vatican that ‘some 200 people were murdered, with extraordinary cruelty’ on June 13 in Yelewata, in Nigeria’s Benue State.

Late Monday, a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital, ‘We strongly condemn these increasing attacks, including recent massacres in Benue state which primarily targeted Christian farming villages.’

‘Shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ (Arabic for ‘God is great’), they (the attackers) burnt the buildings and attacked people with guns and machetes,’ NGO Aid to the Church in Need wrote in a statement, adding that the militants ‘used fuel to set fire to the doors of the people’s accommodation before opening fire.’

The pope told the crowds in Rome that the majority of those ‘brutally killed’ in Yelewata had been sheltering in a Catholic sanctuary. ‘Most of the victims were internal refugees, who were hosted by a local Catholic mission,’ the pontiff stated. He added that he would pray for ‘security, peace and justice,’ particularly for ‘rural Christian communities of the Benue state who have been relentless victims of violence.’

Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian, according to Open Doors International’s 2025 World Watch List (WWL). Of the 4,476 Christians killed worldwide in WWL’s latest reporting period, 3,100 of those who died – 69% – were in Nigeria. 

Talking to Fox News Digital, a State Department spokesperson reinforced reports that the attacks on Christians are being carried out by Islamic militant groups. ‘The United States remains deeply concerned about the levels of violence in Nigeria, including the threats posed by terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa in northern Nigeria, and the impact that violence has on all communities in Nigeria.’

This year, Islamist militants have often attacked areas of Nigeria where the people are predominantly Christian. Benue State, where the latest massacre took place, is said to be 93% Christian. 

One Nigerian church leader, who asked to remain anonymous for his safety, told Fox News Digital just last month that what the attackers ‘want is to be sure that Islam [takes] over every part of these places. … And so they’re doing everything to make sure that Christianity is brought down and Islam is [the] established No. 1. They want to make sure that Sharia law (strict Islamic law) has taken over Nigeria.’

The State Department spokesperson appeared to back up this viewpoint, saying, ‘violent extremist groups target a wide range of civilians and military targets as part of their broader campaign against a secular state. The increase in violent Islamic extremism and repeated attacks against vulnerable communities in Nigeria must be addressed more effectively.’

A Nigerian bishop told Fox News Digital in June that he had been threatened and his home village murderously attacked after he appealed to lawmakers at a March congressional hearing for the killing of Christians to stop.

Bishop Wilfred Anagbe said that after he went to Washington to testify, ‘terrorist Jihadists’ killed 20 parishioners in four attacks in 10 days in his diocese, the area he is responsible for.

Now, the bishop is in hiding after several foreign embassies in Nigeria’s capital Abuja warned him of credible high-level official threats that ‘something might happen to him.’

The State Department spokesperson added, ‘We regularly urge the Government of Nigeria to intensify their efforts to protect civilians, enforce rule of law, and hold perpetrators accountable. The United States partners with the Government of Nigeria to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism capabilities, working together toward the elimination of terrorist organizations and their networks of support.’

The Nigerian government did not respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment. However, President Bola Tinubu visited Benue State this past week and told reporters, ‘Let’s fashion out a framework for lasting peace.’ 

The same day, in the same district, six more people were reported to have been killed.

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