NBA free agency is, for the most part, complete.

Players have signed, the dust has settled and teams are headed toward a few quiet weeks of summer vacation. Yet, there are four very solid players — forward Jonathan Kuminga (Warriors) and guards Josh Giddey (Bulls), Cam Thomas (Nets) and Quentin Grimes (76ers) — who are each still without contracts.

Kuminga, Giddey, Thomas and Grimes were ranked seventh, ninth, 11th and 15th, respectively, in USA TODAY Sports’ original ranking of Top 25 players available this cycle.

So, why are they still available?

Well, for one, each is a restricted free agent, meaning that their most recent team can match any offer sheet the player would sign with any other franchise. But there are several other market factors impacting their status.

Here’s an explainer on why these talented restricted free agents remain unsigned:

What’s the difficulty with restricted free agency?

Restricted free agency is a lever that limits a player’s self-determination in free agency. In an ideal scenario on the player side, the player can seek his so-called market value in negotiations with other teams — often using potential suitors as leverage plays to get the most recent team to pay up. If a team declines to match the offer sheet, then the player will join the other franchise courting him.

But this was always going to be a tough offseason for players looking to get paid.

In simplest terms, there was not a lot of available cap space, as teams increasingly look to avoid luxury taxes and dipping into the punitive apron triggers. And because teams who were active in the opening days of free agency seemingly wanted to avoid the uncertainty of extending an offer sheet to a player who might not ultimately be available, the market shifted toward unrestricted free agents.

The issue of available salary cap space is magnified even further, now that teams mostly have their rosters set, leaving very little budget for these talented players. That depressed market, therefore, gives the most recent teams a massive advantage in negotiations.

In essence, the teams with the rights to these restricted free agents are negotiating only against themselves, meaning they have increased leverage, and no real urgency to offer massive contracts — at least in the short term.

The player, however, also has the option to accept his team’s qualifying offer, thus playing out the final season of his rookie contract. Then, at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, the player would become an unrestricted free agent. This would give the player the option to take a short-term loss — playing under a contract that is well below market value — to later enter the market unencumbered, just one year later.

Jonathan Kuminga

Still only 22 years old, Kuminga has had an uneven career with the Warriors, since the team selected him seventh overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. Kuminga flashed potential in the 2023-24 season as a versatile wing scorer who could slash and get to the rim, but he ultimately lost his spot in the rotation last season, particularly when Golden State traded for Jimmy Butler. Kuminga averaged 15.3 points per game last season — which was down from 16.1 the year previous — but the decline in his efficiency and shooting percentage (45.4%, down from his career-high 52.9% in 2023-24) is most concerning.

The case for Golden State to re-sign Kuminga: He’s an athletic player with tons of potential, and the Warriors will need his youth to maximize what the team has left with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green each in their mid-30s.

The case against: Although their working relationship appears to be on solid footing, Steve Kerr has, at times, seemingly lacked trust in Kuminga, particularly to close out games. Although Kuminga has flashed potential, he remains somewhat unproven, so justifying a lucrative deal may be challenging.

Josh Giddey

Giddey is approaching triple-double territory for a season. In 2024-25 — his fourth season in the NBA and first with the Bulls — the 6-8 guard averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists and shot 46.5% from the field and 37.8% on 3-pointers. In the final 15 games of the season, Giddey averaged 20.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 9.7 assists.

The case for Chicago to re-sign Giddey: It’s difficult to find that kind of production, and that’s why Giddey is seeking a lucrative long-term contract. He’s just 22 years old and is the kind of player who can help win games with his scoring, passing and rebounding. The Bulls also gave up Alex Caruso to acquire Giddey.

The case against: Patrick Williams’ five-year, $90 million deal stings, and Chicago’s hesitancy to give Giddey a big contract stems from the front office’s decision on Williams’ deal. There are optics involved, and the Bulls’ front office needs the appearance of “winning” a negotiation — or at least not looking like they screwed up.

Cam Thomas

Thomas can score. He averaged 24 points on 43.8% shooting from the field and 34.9% on 3s in 2024-25 — though he played in just 25 games due to a hamstring injury. The season before, he played in 66 games and averaged 22.5 points with similar shooting percentages (44.2%, 36.4%).

The case for Brooklyn to re-sign Thomas: On a rebuilding and mostly young team with a payroll that is manageable, Thomas is a proven scorer, and he could be valuable as a player in a trade at a later date.

The case against: NBA analyst Zach Lowe on his podcast said the consensus on Thomas was that he is an “empty calories ball hog.” Thomas objected, saying “This is most likely the same consensus (from) teams who can’t guard me and send double teams from jump ball.” Is Thomas a starter who can do more than get buckets on a quality team or a scoring spark off the bench? The answer isn’t clear.

Quentin Grimes

Grimes just turned 25 and proved he can be a reliable scorer in the 28 games he played with Philadelphia, after the Sixers acquired him ahead of the February trading deadline. Grimes scored 21.9 points per game with Philly, adding 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Granted, the 76ers were plagued with injuries and Grimes had an elevated role, but Grimes more than answered the call and is looking to cash in on that performance.

The case for Philadelphia to re-sign Grimes: The 76ers battled injury issues last season, and there’s no guarantee that this roster, with Paul George and Joel Embiid potentially still facing lingering issues, won’t face similar issues in 2025-26.

The case against: The Sixers have two of the worst contracts in the NBA in Paul George and Joel Embiid, so paying Grimes presents its own challenges. Plus, with Tyrese Maxey, second-year Jared McCain and rookie No. 3 overall selection VJ Edgecombe, the 76ers are already loaded at guard.

The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2025 NFL season planning to use Tyler Guyton as their full-time left tackle.

It briefly appeared Brian Schottenheimer’s club might have to pivot after the 2024 first-round pick was injured during Dallas’ training camp practice on Monday, July 28.

However, the Cowboys got some good news about the injury, as an MRI revealed Guyton avoided a torn ACL, which the team had initially feared.

Here’s what to know about Guyton’s injury:

Tyler Guyton injury update

Guyton suffered a bone fracture during Dallas’ practice Monday, ESPN’s Todd Archer reports. Originally, the 24-year-old was feared to have suffered a season-ending ACL tear, but an MRI revealed the ligament was intact.

Guyton is expected to be sidelined 4-6 weeks by the fracture. That might allow him to be ready for Week 1.

Guyton’s injury occurred late in Dallas’ practice on Monday. The second-year tackle was ‘rolled up during a pass play,’ per Archer.

Guyton remained on the ground for a couple of minutes after a play before he was able to get up and slowly walk to the locker room.

The Cowboys did not immediately provide an update about Guyton after Monday’s practice ended.

Who is Tyler Guyton’s backup?

In Guyton’s absence, the Cowboys will likely rely on Asim Richards to man the left tackle position. Richards, a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of UNC, played 177 snaps at left tackle for Dallas last season. He committed just one penalty and allowed one sack in his limited action.

Dallas also has sixth-round rookie Ajani Cornelius, free-agent signee Hakeem Adeniji and 2022 fifth-round pick Matt Waletzko on the roster at the position.

Guyton’s injury is the second significant one to a Dallas offensive lineman to start training camp. Veteran guard Rob Jones, who is competing with first-round rookie Tyler Booker to replace Zack Martin at right guard, told reporters he is expected to miss 2-3 months after breaking a bone in his neck.

Tyler Guyton stats

Guyton played in 15 games for the Cowboys as a rookie and made 11 starts. The Oklahoma product struggled with penalties, committing 18, and also allowed six sacks.

Guyton earned an overall grade of 49.4 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 73rd among 81 qualified tackles for the 2024 NFL season.

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders has proven to be a longtime master of marketing and endorsements, including his famous advertising deals with Nike, Aflac and California Almonds.

But his new partnership is especially personal for him — and quite a bit different than the rest. After being diagnosed with bladder cancer and having his bladder removed in May, he’s partnered with Depend, the underwear brand for incontinence.

The parent company for the Depend brand, Kimberly-Clark, confirmed the partnership to USA TODAY Sports on July 28.

“Depend is proud to help millions of people live more confidently every day with comfort and protection they can trust – this includes Coach,” the company said in a statement. “Wearing Depend isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a badge of resilience. It takes real courage to face health challenges head-on. We champion and celebrate Coach’s strength to share his experience with the world which makes us proud to partner with, and support, him on this journey. Together, we know his voice will empower others to stand tall and help break the stigma that can come with wearing products like Depend.”

Sanders, 57, mentioned Depend at a news conference in Colorado on Monday July 28.

“I depend on Depend, if you know what I mean,” he said.  “I truly depend on Depend. I cannot control my bladder.”

The brand is often joked about as a sign of old age and embarrassing health issues involving problems going to the bathroom. Sanders appears to want to take the shame out of the issue by speaking about it publicly and promoting it.

‘I’m about to sexy ’em up,’ Sanders told former NFL receiver Michael Irvin in an interview posted July 28.

One doctor compared this to the way former First Lady Betty Ford helped raise awareness of breast cancer after she was diagnosed with it in 1974. It helped increase discussion of this form of cancer, bringing it out in the open and leading to more screenings.

“He seems like the ideal person to take something like this on,” said Adam Kibel, the urology department chair at Mass General Brigham in Massachusetts. “He’s got a lot of humor. He’s got… cred. People look at him and say, ‘That guy’s a winner.’”

There’s no word yet if Sanders also will strike a deal with a portable toilet company. But he did mention the issue Monday as part of his recovery process.

“I’m making a joke out of it, but it’s real, so if you see a Porta Potty on the sideline, it’s real, OK?” Sanders said.

Colorado begins preseason practice this week and opens the season Friday, Aug. 29 at home against Georgia Tech.

“I am thankful we have a relationship with Depend, and we’re making some other products, trying to make other products to help all of us through,” Sanders said at the news conference. “It’s been tremendous.”

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

Forward Cameron Brink is expected to make her return for the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday, July 29 in a home game vs. the Las Vegas Aces.

Brink, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, has not played since last season when she suffered an ACL injury in the 15th game of her rookie campaign.

She previously told reporters on July 26 that she was cleared to make her return but wanted to get some more practice with the team and be fully up to speed with everything before playing.

‘I’m really excited to be able to just go out there and do what I love,’ Brink told reporters.

There had been some indication that Brink was working her way closer to a return after she was spotted participating in parts of practice in recent weeks.

On Monday, July 28, Brink spoke with the Long Beach Press-Telegram’s John W. Davis and revealed that she is hopeful of being back on the court for the team’s next game.

‘I don’t know if I can say that, but yeah,’ Brink answered when asked if she planned on playing Tuesday. ‘It means the world. I am very excited, very humbled by this experience. It’s no easy thing to come back from.’

As of Monday, Brink’s status was listed as out. WNBA.com previously reported she was expected to play at some point in July. The game against the Aces would be the last contest before the Sparks’ Aug. 1 game.

On July 25, Brink was listed as “doubtful” on the Los Angeles injury report with a ‘left knee injury’ ahead of the Sparks’ road game against the New York Liberty. While she did not play in the game, it was the first time Brink had been listed as anything other than “out” this season.

Her first game back would put her in the lineup alongside All-Star guard Kelsey Plum, who was acquired in a trade with the Las Vegas Aces before the start of the 2025 season.

The Sparks are 11-14 overall as of July 28 and in 10th place in the standings. Only the top eight teams make the playoffs, and Los Angeles sits one game behind the eighth-place Washington Mystics.

The Sparks will host the Aces on Tuesday, July 29 at 10 p.m. ET.

How did Cameron Brink get injured?

Brink tore the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in her left knee after she slipped while attempting to drive toward the basket during the first quarter of a game against the Connecticut Sun on June 18, 2024. 

The injury cut Brink’s rookie season short after just 15 games as a starter. She averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.

Brink was a three-time AP All-American at Stanford and was named to the first team during her senior season with the Cardinal. The Sparks selected her as the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft.

A Texas man facing felony stalking charges for sending sexually explicit and threatening messages via social media to WNBA star Caitlin Clark pleaded guilty on Monday, July 29 and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison by an Indiana judge.

Michael Lewis was arrested last January following an investigation that determined he traveled to Indianapolis with the intent to be in close proximity to Clark, who plays for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever. After being questioned by police about traveling from Texas to Indiana, Lewis continued to send messages to Clark.

Lewis, 55, received the maximum sentence for the felony charge, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office told The Indianapolis Star. He also has a no-contact order with Clark for the duration of the sentence and has agreed to stay away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse and all Indiana Fever events, according to court records.

Clark told police in an interview last January that ‘she has been very fearful since learning of the messages and that she has altered her public appearances and patterns of movement due to fear for her safety,’ according to the charging affidavit. ‘Clark stated that she has become very concerned for her safety after learning that Lewis was in Indianapolis. Clark also stated that she doesn’t know Lewis and has never responded to any of his messages or posts.’

An arrest affidavit for the case detailed more than 15 messages sent from Lewis’ X account to Clark, and many of the messages were sexually explicit or violent.

Police discovered Lewis’ messages in January had come from IP addresses at a Hilton Garden Inn near Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, as well as the downtown Indianapolis Public Library. Lewis’ presence in Indianapolis was concerning as he is Denton, Texas, resident, according to the affidavit.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department made contact with Lewis on Jan. 8 at his hotel room concerning the messages, according to police documents. Lewis said the posts that were threatening in nature were not from him and acknowledged, ‘this is just an imaginary relationship.’

Despite the initial encounter with law enforcement, the inappropriate messages from Lewis to Clark continued. The Marion County Prosecutors office announced Lewis’ arrest on Jan. 13.

‘No matter how prominent a figure you are, this case shows that online harassment can quickly escalate to actual threats of physical violence,’ Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a statement issued last January. ‘It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, which is why many don’t. In doing so, the victim is setting an example for all women who deserve to live and work in Indy without the threat of sexual violence.’

Clark has missed 13 games this season and is currently out with a right groin injury. The Fever (14-12) host the Mercury at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 30.

WWE continues to pay tribute to one of its icons, Hulk Hogan.

The wrestling company honored Hogan at the start of Monday Night Raw on July 28 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, four days after his death.

The Raw roster came out in the arena to kick off the show, with WWE chief content officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque speaking about Hogan’s impact of wrestling.

‘We lost one of the biggest and most globally recognized icons in the world. A man I grew up watching was fortunate enough to share the ring with and like so many of us were honored to call a friend,’ Levesque said. ‘He captivated millions of people and inspired them around the globe. We would not be standing here right now, all of us together, if it was not for him.’

The honorary 10-bell salute then rang as people in the crowd held up signs and chanted Hogan.

Also with the roster was Hogan’s son, Nick, and longtime friend and WCW collaborator Eric Bischoff.

A tribute video also played highlighting the biggest moments of his Hogan’s career, along with other moments outside of the ring.

It was the second tribute for Hogan after one was done at Friday Night SmackDown on July 25, the day after his death.

Hogan died at the age of 71 after he suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. Considered one of the biggest wrestling stars in history, he was a six-time WWE Champion and inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, in 2005 for himself and in 2020 as part of the New World Order.

COOPERSTOWN, NY — Dusty Baker, the future Hall of Fame manager who retired two years ago, is returning back to the dugout to manage Nicaragua in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, he told USA TODAY Sports.

‘I’m excited,’ said Baker, a two-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner, who played 19 years and managed 26 years in Major League Baseball. ‘When they asked me, I thought about Roberto Clemente going there to help the country. I thought about Marcus Garvey. I know baseball is trying to get going in Nicaragua, and I want to help.’

Baker, who was approached about managing the U.S. team in 2023, said he didn’t want to leave the Houston Astros after winning the 2022 World Series. Now that he’s retired as MLB manager – working as a special advisor for the San Franciso Giants – he feels the time is right.

‘I considered managing in the WBC back then, but I just couldn’t leave my team,’ Baker said. “I didn’t think it was right to leave my team for two weeks in spring training. I was trying to win two World Series in a row.

‘So, now, the timing works great.’

Baker was contacted in December by Nicaragua general manager George Santiago and former Nicaragua manager Marvin Bernard. He consulted with his wife, Melissa, and son, Darren, who plays in the Washington Nationals organization, before accepting the position.

“It should be cool,” said Baker, the only manager in MLB history to lead five different franchises to division titles. “I know it will be a great life experience. I hope I can add to theirs, and they can add to mine.

“I’ve never been a part of the WBC, but everyone seems to enjoy it. I will as well. But let’s make it clear. I’m here to win.’

Baker, 76, is expected to be formally introduced as manager at a press conference in Nicaragua in August. He plans to include several of his former coaches, including Gary Pettis, Jacque Jones and Dan Firova. He also will have Bernard and Randall Simon on his staff. Benard, who will be the bench coach, is the sixth Nicaraguan-born player to reach the Major Leagues, and only the second position player.

Despite Baker returning to manage Nicaragua, he has no interest in coming out of retirement as a major league manager. Baker, who has won the seventh-most games in baseball history (2,183), is eligible to be on the Hall of Fame’s contemporary era ballot in December 2026, with the induction ceremony in July, 2027.

“I miss the camaraderie and the game,’’ Baker said, “but I don’t miss the verbal dodgeball twice a day. I don’t miss the travel and bickering between old school and new school and sabermetrics against experience.

“Besides, I don’t have to train for a long-distance race managing in the WBC. This will be a sprint. I can handle that. Now, I just have to brush up on my Spanish.’

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

Charles Barkley heard from the co-workers who don’t appear on screen during TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA’ as its future was in flux over the past year ‒ about how they were worried about paying their mortgage or for their children’s education if they were to lose this job.

The lingering uncertainty bothered the former NBA star, and it still bothers him now that TNT lost the broadcast rights to the NBA and ‘Inside the NBA’ is being licensed to ESPN beginning with the 2025-26 season.

Barkley blasted his bosses at TNT during an interview on Barstool Sports’ ‘Pardon My Take’ podcast released Monday because ‘they did an awful job keeping us abreast.’

‘We were playing golf in the middle of the playoffs and we were reading the internet to find out if we were going to get fired or not,’ Barkley said. ‘And I was like TNT, our bosses, they suck, plain and simple. Yo man, just tell us. Shoot us straight because these are real people. … And TNT never came to us like grown folks and said, ‘Hey guys, we’re probably going to lose the NBA,’ which we could have understood. But I thought they sucked. I told them they sucked because there’s a way you treat people.’

Barkley went on to reveal he found out TNT had licensed ‘Inside the NBA’ to ESPN through congratulatory text messages from current ESPN hosts and analysts like Scott Van Pelt, Elle Duncan, Brian Windhorst and former Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers as the news broke. Barkley said he only received a call from TNT executives about 90 minutes later.

‘I get a text from Scott Van Pelt, Brian Windhorst, Elle Duncan and Bob Myers welcoming me to the family. I’m like, ‘What family?’ ‘ Barkley recalled. ‘Then, about an hour and a half later, I get a call from TNT that the story broke. I said, ‘Well, you probably could have given us a head’s up. You’ve traded us to ESPN. We have to hear about it on the internet.’ I said, ‘That’s just not the way you do business.’ Ernie Johnson deserves, because he’s the godfather, Ernie Johnson should not hear he got traded from ESPN people or the internet.’

TNT officially lost its NBA rights in July 2024. The NBA announced a new 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal with ABC/ESPN, NBC and Amazon that goes into effect beginning with the 2025-26 season.

Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of TNT, agreed to a licensing deal in November 2024 that will allow ‘Inside the NBA’ to be broadcast on ESPN. The talent on the show ‒ Barkley, Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith ‒ will remain employees of TNT. Barkley has been on ‘Inside the NBA’ since 2000, 10 years after it debuted with Johnson as host and two years after Smith joined the show. O’Neal joined the regular cast in 2011.

ESPN, in its statement announcing the licensing agreement, said ‘the legendary Inside the NBA studio team will appear on ESPN and ABC surrounding high-profile live events, including ESPN’s pregame, halftime and postgame coverage of the NBA Finals on ABC, Conference Finals, NBA Playoffs, all ABC games after January 1, Christmas Day, opening week, the final week of the season and other marquee live events.’

Barkley, however, remains skeptical about how ESPN will handle the Emmy-winning show.

‘I’m happy it’s going on but it’s going to be interesting,’ Barkley said on the podcast about ‘Inside the NBA’ moving to ESPN. ‘It’s going to be different, but you know that’s the bad thing about it. We don’t know how it’s going to be different.’

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders offered an update on his health July 28, noting he’s looking forward to the 2025 season after a scare with bladder cancer.

Sanders, heading into his third season with the Buffaloes, missed notable time throughout spring practices due for an undisclosed health-related reason, which was revealed to be the bladder cancer. Sanders’ bladder was then removed and replaced, curing his cancer, he and his doctors said at a press conference.

Sanders said he ‘can’t pee like I used to pee,’ but is grateful to be continuing his coaching career, also noting he ‘always knew I was going to coach again.’

“I depend on Depend if you know what I mean,’ Sanders said. ‘I cannot control my bladder. So, I get up to go to the bathroom already 4-5 times a night. And I’m sitting there waking up like my grandson. We in the same thing. We got the same problem right now. We’re going through the same trials and tribulations.”

Sanders was accompanied by his doctor, Janet Kukreja, the director of urological oncology at University of Colorado Cancer Center, and Colorado football assistant athletic trainer Lauren Askevold at his news conference on Monday. His new bladder was constructed with parts of his intestine, he said Monday.

Sanders said Colorado’s sideline will also look a bit different in 2025 as he recovers from his health scare, with portable toilets being nearby.

‘I’ve built myself back up to where I’m able, I’m strong, I’m ready,’ Sanders said Monday. ‘I’m still probably about 12 pounds down, but I’m going to get that right and fill these overalls up like no other.’

Kukreja said the only difference for Sanders moving forward will be adjusting to ‘a new way of life,’ but that his outlook looks good as he continues coaching. Sanders said not returning to coaching wasn’t a thought during his cancer battle.

‘I was always going to coach,’ he said. ‘It was never in my spirit, in my heart, that god wouldn’t allow me to coach again. (I) never thought like that. It’s just that, I didn’t want to be running down to the hospital once a week when I got all this on my plate. … I was even like, ‘can they bring on the machines and put them in the office?”

Sanders has quite the challenge entering his third season at Colorado, as he must replace reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter Jr., who was the No. 2 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. He also has a new quarterback in either Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter or true freshman Julian Lewis, after his son, Shedeur Sanders, was selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns in April.

The Buffaloes will look to build on their 9-4 finish last season, with their coach healthy and back in the saddle following his extended absence from the program.

‘I’m so thankful to be back in Boulder, you have no idea,’ Sanders said. ‘But I never doubted, one bit, that I wouldn’t be.’