Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Secures Historic Extension
It`s certainly a great time for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Just over a week after leading the Thunder to an NBA championship, he signed a four-year, $285 million supermax extension. This deal starts in the 2027-28 season.
- The contract boasts the highest average annual value in NBA history ($71.25M) and ranks third in total value, trailing only Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown`s deals.
- Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, was the league`s top scorer (32.7 PPG), earning MVP honors, and followed it up with an impressive playoff performance culminating in winning Finals MVP.
- He joins a select group of NBA legends – Michael Jordan, Shaquille O`Neal, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – as the only players to achieve this “Triple Crown” in a single season.
Other Positive Updates
- The Nuggets have notably enhanced their roster, as James Herbert points out.
- Darren Waller has ended his retirement and was subsequently traded by the Giants to the Dolphins. Waller also provided reasons for his initial retirement.
- The Browns have progressed towards securing a new stadium.
- Some teams are expected to significantly influence the MLB trade deadline.
- The Giants exercised Bob Melvin`s option for 2026.
- Certain MLB Draft prospects might be selected earlier than anticipated.
- A new era for college athletes` compensation has begun, coinciding with a significant surge in the NIL market.
- Tuesday also marked realignment day, with conference shifts impacting both football and basketball.
- Jeremiah Smith stated he will never lose to Michigan again.
- Peyton Manning was impressed by two particular college quarterbacks.
- Recent moves in the NHL offseason include K`Andre Miller`s trade to the Hurricanes and the Stars hiring Glen Gulutzan.
- Strategies for the Maple Leafs to address the gap left by the Mitch Marner trade have been discussed.
- Ilia Topuria is ranked number one in our latest UFC Pound-for-Pound list.
- Tonight`s soccer schedule includes the USMNT facing Guatemala in the Gold Cup semifinals and the USWNT playing Canada in a friendly match.
- USWNT star Lily Yohannes has transferred to OL Lyonnes.
- Expert predictions are available as Women`s Euro 2025 commences.
Wimbledon Upsets Shake the First Round
Tennis often presents unexpected outcomes, and several top seeds at Wimbledon experienced this firsthand in the opening round.
- Number 2 seed Coco Gauff, fresh off her French Open title, was defeated by Dayana Yastremska with scores of 7-6, 6-1. Gauff struggled with nine double faults, including a key one in the first set tiebreaker, and accumulated 29 unforced errors. She is yet to advance past the fourth round at Wimbledon. Gauff acknowledged feeling “mentally overwhelmed” by the quick transition from the French Open following her loss.
- Both the men`s and women`s number 3 seeds were eliminated. Alexander Zverev lost to Arthur Rinderknech in a match that spanned two days due to curfew, with a final score of 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4. Jessica Pegula was defeated by world number 116 Elisabetta Cocciaretto, 6-2, 6-3.
- Other top-10 seeds who fell included Lorenzo Musetti (men`s No. 7) and Zheng Qinwen (women`s No. 5).
Updates on all results and the tournament draw are being tracked.
Other Challenging Moments
- Just one day after agreeing to an extension, Jaren Jackson Jr. sustained a turf toe injury.
- Malik Beasley reportedly faced financial difficulties before the current federal gambling investigation.
- Lamar Jackson discussed a specific flaw in his own game.
- The USMNT discovered a drone flying over their practice session.
- Questions persist about when the Nationals might start achieving consistent wins.
- Yulia Putintseva requested the removal of a fan she described as `dangerous`.
- Legendary halftime performer Red Panda fell during her act and left the court in a wheelchair.
Bucks Make Major Moves: Sign Myles Turner, Waive Damian Lillard
The dynamic world of NBA free agency delivered two surprising developments from the highly watched Milwaukee Bucks: The team signed Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract and simultaneously waived Damian Lillard.
- Lillard, 34, suffered an Achilles tear in the first round against, coincidentally, the Pacers, Turner`s former team. Lillard is anticipated to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season.
- Milwaukee utilized the stretch provision for Lillard, who had two years and nearly $113 million remaining on his contract. The team will now owe him approximately $22.6 million annually for the next five seasons, through 2029-30.
- Turner, 29, who has a player option for the fourth year of his deal, was ranked number 1 on Brad Botkin`s list of top 50 free agents. The center played for a decade in Indiana and has averaged 16.8 points over the last three seasons.
- Turner`s 156 successful three-pointers during that period rank him second among all centers, behind only Naz Reid and just ahead of Brook Lopez, who recently departed Milwaukee for the Clippers.
With ongoing trade speculation surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks` short-term prospects received a boost, as Sam Quinn notes in his analysis of winners and losers.
Quinn: `The Pacers appreciated having a shooting, rim-protecting big man, but the Bucks absolutely need one. … They acquired one of the very few big men in basketball who could realistically complement their best player. That star player reportedly played an active role in recruiting Turner, which should temporarily quiet rumors suggesting he might force a trade. … On Monday, the 2025-26 Bucks looked set for failure. Today, they have a glimmer of hope.`
However, the Bucks` long-term outlook is less favorable due to the financial commitment to a player no longer on the team. Even in the near term, the roster`s existing weaknesses mean Turner might not be enough to justify the moves. The overall strategy raises concerns.
Ultimately, Damian Lillard emerges as a significant winner, especially since he reportedly never wanted to join Milwaukee in the first place. The Bucks also failed to reach their desired level of success pairing Antetokounmpo with another superstar. Sam lists five potential landing spots for Lillard, but as Brad writes, the possibilities are wide open for him.
Botkin: `We could speculate endlessly, because while fitting a player earning fifty million dollars is challenging, Lillard potentially playing for a veteran minimum salary, or anything close to it, could represent the best talent-to-value ratio in NBA history. There isn`t a single team that wouldn`t desire him at that value. The choice is entirely his.`
Furthermore, Lillard`s Achilles injury wasn`t the only one influencing these decisions. Tyrese Haliburton`s injury contributed to the Pacers` reluctance to pay the luxury tax in 2025-26 (a season Haliburton will miss), which in turn led them not to make a sufficient offer to Turner, according to Jasmyn Wimbish.
This serves as another reminder of the NBA`s unpredictable nature. Just ten days prior, the Pacers were close to the NBA Finals. Today, they have lost a core player who wished to remain with the team.
Indiana Fever Claim Commissioner`s Cup Without Caitlin Clark
The Indiana Fever, known for their offensive strength with Caitlin Clark, demonstrated they possess the defensive capability to win championships even without her. Indiana secured the Commissioner`s Cup title, defeating the Lynx 74-59, while their superstar guard was sidelined with a groin strain.
- Indiana saw six players score in double digits, led by Natasha Howard with 16 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
- Howard`s crucial contribution was her exceptional defense on Napheesa Collier, who was limited to just 12 points on 6-for-18 shooting and committed five turnovers.
- Aari McDonald, who has joined the team multiple times this season amid Clark`s injury issues, scored 12 points efficiently on 5-of-6 shooting, and Sophie Cunningham added 13 points off the bench.
Indiana`s defensive performance was against a formidable opponent – the Lynx boast the league`s top offense and were ranked number 1 in Jack Maloney`s WNBA Power Rankings. The Fever held them to season lows in points (59) and field goal percentage (34.9%), preventing them from scoring for the final 8:13 of the first half.
Jack analyzed the game film to explain how Indiana elevated its defense to secure its first in-season tournament championship.
Sports Schedule: What to Watch Wednesday
- MLB: Cardinals at Pirates
- MLB: Padres at Phillies
- Soccer: USMNT vs. Guatemala (Gold Cup semifinals)
- Soccer: USWNT vs. Canada (Friendly)
- MLB: Yankees at Blue Jays
- MLB: Guardians at Cubs
- MLB: White Sox at Dodgers
Jasper Hawthorne