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The Detroit Pistons enter the upcoming season with only one new draft addition: Chaz Lanier, selected in the early second round. This occurred after the team lost its first-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves due to playoff outcomes and the loss of draft pick protection. The Pistons' interest in Lanier was widely known prior to the draft, as the high-volume three-point shooter from Tennessee was viewed as a logical fit for the team. They ultimately chose him with their sole pick, earning approval from franchise legend Isiah Thomas. Thomas publicly compared Lanier to former NBA All-Star Allan Houston, specifically praising Lanier's shooting style during a Summer League broadcast, noting similarities in their smooth strokes and even pointing out that Lanier wears Houston's former number 20. Allan Houston, also a Tennessee standout, was drafted by the Pistons in 1993 and played his first three NBA seasons in Detroit before signing with the New York Knicks, where he spent nine seasons. Houston averaged 17 points per game with 40% three-point shooting across 839 regular-season games and 19 points with 42% three-point shooting in playoff appearances. While acknowledging Lanier has significant development ahead to reach Houston's two-time All-Star level, Thomas's comparison is considered solid, especially within the Detroit context. Lanier transferred to Tennessee after four seasons at North Florida, averaging 18 points per game and shooting 40% from three-point range in 38 games during his final collegiate season.
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Restricted free agent Josh Giddey has been in Las Vegas but has not attended Chicago Bulls Summer League games. Despite this, there are no indications that contract negotiations between Giddey and the Bulls have become contentious. Giddey had lunch with Bulls head coach Billy Donovan in Las Vegas, and his agent was scheduled to meet with team executives during the week. Contract talks face a significant gap, with Giddey reportedly seeking around $30 million per year while the Bulls prefer a figure closer to $20 million per year. Although bridging this gap may take time, multiple sources anticipate that Giddey and the Bulls will eventually reach an agreement on a new contract. Additional NBA free agent notes include the possibility of a reunion between Cameron Payne and the Phoenix Suns. Unverified speculation also mentions a potential sign-and-trade scenario sending Giddey to the Memphis Grizzlies.
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The Denver Nuggets lost their third Summer League game 101-97 to the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, blowing a halftime lead and remaining winless. Turnovers (24) were a major factor in the loss. More notably, forward Hunter Tyson was benched after two poor performances where he shot 9-for-28. Tyson, a 2023 second-round pick on the final year of his rookie contract (with a club option for 2026-27), has struggled to make an impact during his time with the Nuggets despite making the 2023 Summer League First Team. His poor Summer League showing raises questions about his future with the team. While a bad Summer League isn't necessarily career-ending (Jalen Pickett improved significantly after a brutal performance last year and earned backup minutes), Tyson's situation is precarious. The Nuggets now have an open roster spot and an open two-way slot. With the executive who drafted him (Calvin Booth) gone, and the team likely to use the roster spot on a veteran free agent, Tyson could be cut. Rookie DaRon Holmes II, the other Nuggets player on an NBA contract participating in Summer League, had a solid game with a double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds), two steals, and two made three-pointers.
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The Los Angeles Lakers, prioritizing defense despite having stars LeBron James and Luka Dončić, are actively seeking affordable defensive role players within the NBA's restrictive second-apron rules. An opportunity emerged when the Charlotte Hornets waived forward Josh Okogie after failing to trade him before his contract guarantee deadline. Okogie is recognized as one of the league's top defensive guards but carries significant offensive limitations. His career shooting percentages—29.9% from three-point range and 40.6% overall—suppressed his market value. However, he showed recent improvement, hitting 34.8% from three last season and 38.1% in 25 games before joining Charlotte. For the Lakers, Okogie would primarily serve as a regular-season wing defender, playing 10-12 minutes per game to preserve starters' energy. While not a playoff difference-maker, he offers rotational flexibility: his presence could ease trading players like Jarred Vanderbilt or Gabe Vincent by absorbing minutes, and he provides coach JJ Redick another situational option. Offensively, any contribution would be a bonus, especially with James and Dončić creating opportunities. Ultimately, signing Okogie is considered a low-risk move. If the Lakers view him as having more upside than current options like Shake Milton or Jordan Goodwin, acquiring him would be a straightforward decision given his defensive prowess and potential fit.
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Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post, a 2023 second-round draft pick, transitioned from dominating the G League to making an immediate NBA impact late in his rookie season. After averaging 10.4 points on 39.3% three-point shooting in his first five meaningful games, he earned a starting role—including 14 regular-season starts and two playoff appearances—while matching up against stars like LeBron James and Luka Dončić. Post recently shifted focus to chess at Las Vegas' Chesstival, a pro-am event co-hosted by Magnus Carlsen and Derrick Rose. Initially scheduled for NBA Summer League, he instead competed in the tournament's "head and hand" team format, partnering with Indian grandmaster Tania Sachdev. They reached the semifinals before losing to the duo of Tony Snell and Fabiano Caruana. In the subsequent singles blitz tournament for NBA players, Post exacted revenge by defeating Snell in the third round. He then clinched the championship by checkmating Harrison Ingram in the finals, securing the title of Chesstival's inaugural blitz tournament champion—a stark contrast to his high-pressure NBA experiences.
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The adidas Anthony Edwards 1 Low basketball shoe is set to release in a new "Preloved Lime" colorway. This release follows the Minnesota Timberwolves' failure to reach the NBA Finals, meaning Anthony Edwards' second signature shoe (AE2) remains unrevealed for now. Inspired by Edwards' dedication and hard work, the "Preloved Lime" colorway features a vibrant Preloved Lime upper contrasted by Core Black elements on the TPU containment system, heels, and tongues, with Pure Teal branding accents. The Anthony Edwards 1 Low "Preloved Lime" will be available for purchase on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 3:00 a.m. EST. It will retail for $110 in adult sizes on adidas.com, select adidas stores, and select retailers. The shoe incorporates several performance technologies: a generative TPU support wing for stability and mid-foot breathability, new Light Boost cushioning for energy return without added weight, and an enlarged herringbone outsole for superior traction. While the eventual release of the adidas Anthony Edwards 2 is anticipated, the first signature model continues its successful run, inspiring self-belief and showcasing adidas Basketball's innovative design and technology.
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At the NBA Summer League, a young Denver Nuggets fan wearing a Jamal Murray jersey approached Minnesota Timberwolves player Anthony Edwards, who was sitting courtside to watch his team. Someone informed Edwards that the fan was a Nuggets supporter, which was presented as a caution against being overly friendly, likely in jest. Edwards responded quickly and lightheartedly, stating, "It's all good," and adding, "I be busting their a--." This exchange was captured in a clip and shared on social media, sparking discussion. The clip invites two possible reactions: dismissing it as a trivial Summer League moment or questioning whether Edwards should make such a boastful claim. To evaluate his statement, evidence from recent NBA seasons is considered. Historically, the Timberwolves swept the season series against the Nuggets last year, and the year before, they defeated Denver in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. However, in the prior season, the Nuggets beat Minnesota in the postseason and went on to win the championship, which remains the only title for either franchise. The author argues that the championship title holds greater significance than regular-season wins, especially since Edwards has not yet reached an NBA Finals despite being discussed as a face of the league. This positions the incident as an ideal mid-July debate topic for basketball fans.
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New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu has confirmed her participation in the upcoming WNBA three-point contest. She informed the New York Post that she will compete in the event this Friday as part of the WNBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis. Ionescu will be joined by Washington Mystics rookie Sonia Citron as the first two officially announced participants for the contest. This marks Ionescu's second appearance; she previously won the contest in 2023 by setting a WNBA and NBA single-round record with 37 points in the final round. She also notably faced the Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry in the 2024 NBA three-point contest, losing by just three points. Statistically this season, Ionescu is shooting a career-low 32.4% from three-point range, while Citron is shooting 36.3%. There is significant speculation that Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will also participate, which would be her first appearance in the event. Clark previously declined an invitation to the NBA's contest earlier this year, reportedly because she wanted her first three-point contest to be at the WNBA All-Star event in Indianapolis. The three-point contest is scheduled for Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, followed by the All-Star game on Saturday night. Both Ionescu and Citron are on Caitlin Clark's team for the All-Star game and will face a team led by Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier.
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The WNBA midseason player rankings by ESPN focus solely on current season performance, leading to the exclusion of typically ranked players who haven't played at least half their team's games (like Jonquel Jones and Kahleah Copper) and the inclusion of rookies this time. Napheesa Collier (Forward, Minnesota Lynx, Preseason rank: 2) tops the list for the first time. She leads the league in scoring by a significant margin and is a strong contender for both MVP and repeating as Defensive Player of the Year. Her performance has established her as the league's best player and the Lynx as the best team. A'ja Wilson (Center, Las Vegas Aces, Preseason rank: 1) demonstrated her superstar status with a dominant 34-point, 16-rebound performance in a crucial win over Golden State upon returning from a wrist injury. Alyssa Thomas (Forward, Phoenix Mercury, Preseason rank: 5) is excelling in Phoenix's system, leading the league in assists and shooting a career-high percentage. Her play is a major reason for the Mercury's surprising success, including their high three-point volume and strong defense. Breanna Stewart (Forward, New York Liberty, Preseason rank: 3) has been remarkably consistent, scoring in double figures nearly every game. She is a top-five player in win shares and a foundational piece for the Liberty, despite her three-point shooting slump. Sabrina Ionescu (Guard, New York Liberty, Preseason rank: 7) is averaging a career-high in scoring, demonstrating her ability to take over games offensively. Her intensity and efficiency have been vital for the injury-impacted Liberty. Allisha Gray (Guard, Chicago Sky, Preseason rank: 23) is having a breakout season under a new coach, averaging career highs in scoring, rebounding, and assists. She is shooting 42% from three-point range and earned her first All-Star start, positioning herself for potential All-WNBA honors.
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The Memphis Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, and four first-round draft picks (2025, 2026, 2028, 2030). Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant expressed shock upon learning of the trade, initially believing it was fake. He stated the move was best for both teams, believing Bane is the missing piece for the talented Orlando Magic and complements players like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. CBS Sports ranked the Bane acquisition as the No. 2 move of the offseason, highlighting him as the perfect scoring and shooting threat Orlando needed, especially for kick-outs when Banchero and Wagner drive. While losing Bane, the Grizzlies secured a five-year maximum contract extension worth approximately $240 million (with a 2029-30 player option) for star player Jaren Jackson Jr. Morant strongly endorsed the extension, calling Jackson Jr. the heart of Memphis and the team, though he admitted he didn't understand the salary cap details and thought Jackson deserved even more. Morant also commented on the incoming players. He emphasized the importance of veteran presence Caldwell-Pope brings, particularly for his defensive prowess and mentorship value for the Grizzlies' young players. He noted that playing next to a playmaker like himself could help Caldwell-Pope return to his previous shooting form after a dip last season. The team also bought out Cole Anthony's contract to create additional salary cap space. Caldwell-Pope's potential role includes offering key leadership and possibly mentoring young player Jaylen Wells as Memphis develops its next generation of talent.
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Diana Taurasi is recognized as one of the WNBA's biggest stars, significantly impacting the league's direction. She spent her entire professional career with the Phoenix Mercury after being drafted by them in 2004, achieving numerous accomplishments including championships and record-breaking performances. Her legendary status with the Mercury is cemented, and her jersey retirement is anticipated. Taurasi's journey began during her highly successful college career at UConn. In the 2003-04 season, she led the Huskies to a 31-4 record, starting with a nine-game win streak before suffering losses to Duke and Notre Dame. UConn cruised through the NCAA tournament, defeating teams like Auburn, Penn State, and Minnesota, ultimately winning the championship by beating Tennessee in a rematch of the previous year's final. During that championship 2003-04 season, Taurasi averaged 16.2 points, 4.9 assists, and 1.5 steals, earning her second Most Outstanding Player award. The previous season (2002-03), where UConn lost only one game, she averaged 17.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.2 blocks, winning her first Most Outstanding Player award after beating Tennessee in the final. Taurasi's college success translated to the WNBA. Although it took a few seasons for the Mercury to reach the playoffs after drafting her, they won a championship early in her career. She led the team through many successful seasons thereafter. Now that her playing days are over, the Mercury organization aims to carry on her winning tradition with their current talented roster, which is performing at a high level and has the potential to win another championship.
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The Chicago Sky, with a 7-13 record, pulled off a significant upset by defeating the heavily favored Minnesota Lynx (18-4) with a final score of 87-81 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The victory showcased the Sky playing their best basketball, embodying patience and persistence. Chicago established control early. After a competitive start, they ended the first quarter with an 8-0 run to lead 29-23, emphasizing good shots, ball security, rebounding, hustle, and strong defense, led by Ariel Atkins and Angel Reese. This dominance continued into the second quarter. Atkins scored effectively, particularly with floaters, while Reese contributed inside, from the free-throw line, and mid-range. Kamilla Cardoso controlled the paint and rebounded, and Rachel Banham added three 3-pointers. A 28-point second quarter gave the Sky a commanding 57-44 halftime lead. Despite Chicago maintaining their lead early in the third quarter, the Lynx mounted a fierce comeback. Kayla McBride hit threes, Courtney Williams made key mid-range shots, and Napheesa Collier played aggressively. A 19-8 Lynx run spanning the end of the third and start of the fourth quarters reduced Chicago's once 15-point lead to just two points. The Sky, however, refocused on their initial approach of patience and persistence, never relinquishing the lead. They secured the win behind outstanding performances: Ariel Atkins led all scorers with 27 points (57.1% FG) and 3 rebounds, heavily influencing the second quarter. Angel Reese recorded her eighth consecutive double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Kamilla Cardoso anchored the paint, and Rachel Banham provided crucial outside shooting. Towards the game's end, after a favorable call, Reese and Atkins shared an embrace, and Reese energized the ecstatic crowd. This victory stands as the Sky's biggest of the season.
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The Connecticut Sun and Los Angeles Sparks, two of the WNBA's bottom-three teams, face off Sunday in their first matchup this season, with predictions highlighting scoring props and a favorable spread for the visiting Sun. Tina Charles is projected to exceed 15.5 points, supported by her recent offensive surge—scoring 20 and 29 points in the last two games while taking 40 shots and 18 free throws. This aligns with the Sparks' defensive struggles: they allow the league's second-highest points per game (87.2), second-worst field goal percentage (44.9%), and third-most points in the paint (37.1), creating ideal conditions for Charles' interior dominance. Additional predictions include Kelsey Plum surpassing 18.5 points, bolstered by her 20.9-point home average at crypto.com Arena, and the Sun covering the +11.5 spread. Team statistics reveal both franchises' defensive woes: the Sun hold the worst defensive rating while the Sparks rank last overall. Connecticut is 3-17 straight up but 9-11 against the spread, including six covers in their last 10 games. Conversely, the Sparks are 6-14 straight up and 0-3 ATS in recent home games. Historical trends heavily favor Connecticut, who have won the last 10 head-to-head meetings. Injury reports note absences for the Sun's Marina Mabrey and the Sparks' Cameron Brink.
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Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra expressed significant disappointment with center Kel'el Ware's underwhelming performance during the Summer League. Despite Ware becoming the Heat's starting center mid-season and earning second-team All-Rookie honors last year, and the organization valuing him highly enough to exclude him from a Kevin Durant trade offer, his play this summer has been a letdown. Spoelstra emphasized that Ware must urgently improve his professionalism, consistency, and daily approach, stating that the team has "bigger expectations" than normal growing pains for a young player. While acknowledging Ware's talent, Spoelstra stressed that standards won't lower and Ware must take ownership of improving his professionalism and consistency. Ware's performance statistics reflect the concerns. Through two California Classic games and one in Las Vegas, he averaged 12.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. However, he shot only 39.4% from the field and made just 1-of-10 three-point attempts. His plus-minus rating was a team-worst minus-21 in a recent loss to Atlanta. Ware himself acknowledged to reporters that he needs to improve his boxing out, defense, and finishing at the rim. The news content also includes strong fan reactions to the Heat's trade of Jimmy Butler. Many commenters view the trade negatively, arguing that acquiring Norman Powell and a rookie point guard (described as terrible and overmatched) is a significant downgrade from Butler. They characterize the return for Butler as getting mere "cents on the dollar," criticizing the move as driven by a reluctance to pay Butler while taking on Powell and Andrew Wiggins' contracts. Some specifically label it a "terrible trade" and a "huge L," citing Butler's positive impact on the Golden State Warriors' record late last season and questioning the value of the return pieces like Wiggins, Davion Mitchell, and future cap space. Critics further argue the trade signifies a decline for the Heat, suggesting they are now merely a "6 seed hope" in the Eastern Conference, which they equate to being a 14th-place team in the stronger Western Conference. While one comment suggests it's too early to judge the trade definitively ("the assets and fallout develops and time has elapsed"), the dominant sentiment among the included reactions is that the Butler trade was a major loss for Miami.
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The Washington Mystics face the Seattle Storm on Sunday, July 13th at 6 p.m. ET at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA. The game will be broadcast on ION. The Mystics enter the game with Georgia Amoore listed as out. The Storm have Lexie Brown listed as day-to-day and Katie Lou Samuelson out. Washington is playing well recently, climbing back to a .500 record at 10-10. Rookies Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron have both been named All-Stars, while Shakira Austin and Brittney Sykes are also performing well. The team has won five of their last seven games, including victories against Minnesota and two wins against Las Vegas. Seattle holds a 12-8 record and has won six of its last nine games. This road game is considered the toughest on the Mystics' schedule in the past two weeks, especially as they travel to Los Angeles afterwards. This matchup marks the first meeting between the two teams this season. They will play again in Washington D.C. on July 26th and a final time in D.C. on August 24th. The Mystics are considered significant underdogs for this game, given only about a 23% chance of winning.
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Cyprus defeated Armenia 65-58 in the FIBA U16 Women's EuroBasket 2025 Division C Final in Peja, Kosovo, securing their fifth Division C title, a new record. Cyprus dominated throughout, only trailing briefly early on. They built an eight-point lead in the first quarter and extended it to 38-27 by halftime after limiting Armenia to 10 points in the second quarter. Cyprus pushed their lead to 17 points early in the second half. Armenia mounted a late 6-0 run in the final period to reduce the deficit to single digits, but ran out of time for a full comeback. Angeliki Kyprianou led Cyprus with 19 points, supported by Katerina Shakalli's 18 points (including four three-pointers), 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Tournament MVP Evelina Demetriadi contributed 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals despite scoring only 4 points. Kelin Shajanian scored 22 points for Armenia. Albania retained the bronze medal, defeating Malta 61-57 in the Third Place Game. Albania overcame a 10-point deficit in the third quarter, led by Antea Filopati's all-around performance of 13 points, 10 assists, 9 steals, and 7 rebounds. In other classification games, Georgia secured fifth place by beating tournament hosts Kosovo 81-67, fueled by Ana Mestumrishvili's 24 points (matched by Kosovo's Anila Fazliu). Moldova claimed seventh place with a 55-33 victory over Gibraltar, highlighted by Eva Gorbunova's double-double of 12 points and 17 rebounds. The final standings and scores were: Cyprus 65-58 Armenia (Gold), Albania 61-57 Malta (Bronze), Georgia 81-67 Kosovo (5th), Moldova 55-33 Gibraltar (7th).
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Despite winning the NBA title, the Oklahoma City Thunder may need to improve their shooting for next season. While their offseason has been quiet so far with minimal roster moves (trading Dillon Jones, signing Branden Carlson and Brooks Barnhizer to two-way deals) and optimism exists due to returning draft picks and Nikola Topic's recovery from injury, a potential weakness has been identified. The Thunder could face stagnation if they simply run back the same roster, a trend seen with other championship teams. Although their youth may help avoid this, addressing their biggest playoff flaw – inconsistent shooting – is crucial. During the regular season, Isaiah Joe provided reliable outside shooting but became unplayable in the playoffs due to defensive shortcomings. The team's 3-point performance plummeted from 6th in percentage and 10th in attempts during the regular season to just 33.8% in the playoffs. Acquiring elite shooters who also fit defensively might be difficult. However, the Thunder have alternatives: relying on internal development from their young players and the experience gained during their playoff run. This could lead to better shot selection and execution next postseason without needing major roster changes.
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The new NHL and NHLPA collective bargaining agreement, ratified on Tuesday, includes a provision allowing each NHL team to place one 19-year-old player from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) into the American Hockey League (AHL) per season. According to reports from insider Frank Seravalli, this new rule specifically excludes 18-year-old players. It is scheduled to take effect starting with the 2026-27 season when the new CBA officially begins. This CHL/AHL placement rule is one of several reported provisions in the agreement. Other anticipated changes include increasing the NHL regular season schedule to 84 games, reducing the maximum contract length by one year, and implementing a playoff salary cap.
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The Los Angeles Sparks started strong against the Minnesota Lynx but ultimately lost 91-82 at home. Despite the Sparks' initial burst, the Lynx demonstrated their league-leading dominance. Individually, Sparks All-Star Kelsey Plum performed well, scoring 17 points on 4-7 shooting. New acquisition Julie Vanloo also had a notable game, hitting five 3-pointers for 15 points. However, the Lynx, featuring MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier (17 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists), lived up to their top-record status. The game began with the Lynx taking a 7-2 lead. The Sparks responded with a surge of three-pointers from Rickea Jackson, Julie Allemand, and Plum, gaining a 13-7 edge and extending their lead to double figures after a Lynx timeout. The Lynx countered late in the quarter, with Collier dominating inside and Natisha Hiedeman scoring seven quick points to briefly regain the lead. A technical foul on Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve helped the Sparks end the first quarter ahead 26-22. The second quarter saw a dominant Lynx performance. They scored eight unanswered points until Vanloo hit a three. Minnesota continued to overwhelm the Sparks, forcing turnovers and scoring easily inside, outscoring LA 22-8 midway through the quarter. Exchanges of baskets gave the Lynx a 10-point halftime lead. The Sparks' struggles continued into the third quarter. An Azurá Stevens turnover led to a Lynx fastbreak, and Kayla McBride's three-pointer extended Minnesota's lead to 57-44.
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Kyrie Irving's lifestyle sneaker line with ANTA is gaining significant attention, highlighted by legendary rapper Lil Wayne posting a reaction video expressing admiration for the shoes and a desire to collaborate. Irving specifically gifted Lil Wayne the ANTA Hélà Style "Roots" in Brown. These casual shoes, designed exclusively for Irving, blend heritage, love, and versatility for everyday style, balancing elegance and impact. They are affordably priced at $125 and available for purchase in adult sizes on ANTA.com. Simultaneously, Irving's performance line is launching a new colorway. His second signature basketball shoe, the ANTA KAI 2, will be released in the "Sun" colorway on Friday, July 11, at Noon EST. Inspired by the orange glow of sunlight, the first light of the sun, and the pull of the moon, this design reflects Irving's philosophy of balance between humanity and nature. The performance basketball shoes are also priced at $125 and will be available on the ANTA website and at FEATURE. In celebration of the NBA Summer League, ANTA and FEATURE will host an exclusive event at the Encore in Las Vegas. This gifting suite, located in a three-bedroom duplex, will preview the ANTA KAI 2 "SUN". The elevated space will feature premium displays, immersive storytelling, and curated interactions for athletes, influencers, and media.
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The article presents predictions for the July 10th WNBA matchup between the Washington Mystics and Las Vegas Aces at EagleBank Arena. The Mystics are looking to build on a win against Chicago, while the Aces aim to rebound from a loss to New York. The analysis leans towards a Washington victory, highlighting rookie Kiki Iriafen as a key factor. Iriafen, recently named an All-Star, is predicted to exploit the Aces' defensive weaknesses. She averages 12.2 points and 8.4 rebounds, with six double-doubles this season, including in her last two home games. The Aces present a favorable matchup for Iriafen. They allow the fourth-most rebounds per game (35.3 overall, 35.9 on the road) and the second-most points in the paint (37.3). Given Iriafen operates exclusively inside and excels as a rebounder and interior scorer, the prediction specifically recommends betting on her achieving a double-double at +290 odds. Further betting recommendations include taking the Mystics moneyline and the Under 158.5 points. Both teams hold identical 9-10 records. The Mystics are strong at home (6-3), while the Aces are 4-6 on the road and struggling against the spread (7-12 ATS).
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The Cleveland Cavaliers, restricted as a second apron team, are limited to signing players to veteran minimum deals unless they maneuver under the threshold. This makes them reliant on budget talent acquisitions. A potential option for frontcourt depth has emerged following a three-team trade. This deal sent John Collins to the Los Angeles Clippers, Norman Powell to the Miami Heat, and Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, plus a 2027 second-round pick to the Utah Jazz. Kevin Love's inclusion in the trade appears primarily to facilitate salary matching, a view reportedly shared by Love himself. Given the Utah Jazz are a young, rebuilding team, NBA insider Jake Fischer suggests Love is an obvious buyout candidate. Should Love be bought out by Utah, a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers is seen as a logical fit. Love won a championship with Cleveland and could provide meaningful backup big minutes, addressing a weakness exposed in the playoffs when the Cavs relied heavily on Dean Wade and Tristan Thompson. However, skepticism exists about a reunion. Hoops Wire's Sam Amico points to Love's reportedly unhappy departure from Cleveland, citing conflicts with former coach J.B. Bickerstaff and president Koby Altman. Amico also questions Love's current on-court value, arguing sentimentality shouldn't drive the decision. Amico's concerns are supported by Love's limited production last season, where he averaged only 5.3 points on 36% shooting in sparse minutes. Positively, he managed over 4 rebounds and nearly 1 assist per game in roughly 10 minutes per outing, while hitting nearly 36% of his three-pointers. This suggests he could still offer limited, impactful contributions for a team like Cleveland needing specific role minutes.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder have secured long-term contract extensions for their star trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams. Following Williams' newly announced five-year, $287 million max extension, the team has now committed over $750 million to retain this core group. Chet Holmgren reacted humorously to Williams' contract news on social media, quipping "Nah, dinner on u bud😂," referencing that Williams' deal is larger than his own recent max extension. This trio has rapidly transformed the Thunder into championship contenders, culminating in winning the franchise's first NBA title in Oklahoma City during the past season. Their development and chemistry over just three years proved highly successful. Williams earned his max extension through significant improvement, averaging 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in the regular season (69 appearances), earning All-NBA Third Team, All-Defensive Second Team, and an All-Star selection. He maintained strong playoff production (21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.4 steals), delivering key performances despite some struggles. With their championship core secured after consecutive Western Conference top-seed finishes, the Thunder are positioned for long-term dominance. While future roster adjustments are inevitable, they have young talent ready to step in, making them a continued major threat heading into next season as defending champions.
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New York Knicks player Karl-Anthony Towns took his girlfriend, Jordyn Woods, on a romantic trip to Paris. During their visit, the couple viewed Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa painting at the Louvre Museum at close proximity. On July 6, Woods shared details of their Louvre experience on Instagram, posting photos captioned, "it's not everyday you get to see the Mona Lisa this close!!!" Her post included an image showing both standing beside the artwork—an unusual feat during peak tourist season—and another of them posing outside the museum. Woods wore a white off-the-shoulder pantsuit for the outing, while Towns sported black shorts, a white T-shirt, a baseball cap, and basketball sneakers. Fans noted the couple appeared to have exceptional access, with comments highlighting the empty museum and speculating about private access. One remarked, "They rented the Louvre," while another referenced an "I got money money pass" due to the lack of crowds.
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The NBA 2K26 Las Vegas Summer League, the main offseason event, begins on July 17th and runs for 11 days, concluding with a championship game on July 20th. This tournament follows the completion of the California Classic and Salt Lake City summer leagues. The event will showcase top 2025 draft picks like Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and VJ Edgecombe, along with other recent draftees including Bronny James, Reed Sheppard, and Rob Dillingham, plus unsigned veterans seeking roster spots. After each team plays four preliminary games, the top four teams advance to the playoffs. Semifinals are scheduled for July 19th, with the championship on July 20th. The remaining 26 teams will play a fifth game between July 18th and 20th. ESPN analysts highlight key players to watch on each summer league team: Kobe Bufkin (Hawks) returns from shoulder surgery needing to solidify his place with Atlanta's new front office. Hugo Gonzalez (Celtics), Boston's lone 2025 first-rounder, enters a situation with potential wing minutes and an opportunity to develop his motor. Egor Demin (Nets), Brooklyn's top 2025 pick, is expected to be a primary on-ball playmaker where his passing vision should stand out. Kon Knueppel (Hornets), the 4th overall pick, will be the focal point for Charlotte, showcasing his excellent shooting and secondary playmaking ability. Matas Buzelis (Bulls) is also noted as a player to watch.
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Reports indicate significant changes for the Cebu Classic in the MPBL, with veteran sports journalist Snow Badua announcing a new owner will take over the controversial team. A major sponsor confirmed to CDN Digital that Cebuano businessman Samson Lato, a longtime behind-the-scenes supporter, is set to assume full control of the Cebu-based squad. This move follows ongoing team issues, including reported salary delays that led several players and staff to walk out. An anonymous source stated previous owner Voltaire Ora faced financial difficulties sustaining the team, prompting Lato's takeover. Alongside the ownership change, the team will undergo a rebrand, transitioning from the Cebu Classic to the Cebu Greats. Lato has experience building competitive teams, notably assembling the MJAS-Zenith Talisay City Aquastars roster that reached the 2021 Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Visayas leg finals, featuring players like Paolo Hubalde (who recently left the Classic), Patrick Cabahug, Reeve Ugsang, Joshua Dela Cerna, Jaymar Gimpayan, and Shane Menina. For the new Cebu Greats, the target roster includes prominent names such as Mac Tallo, Jun Manzo, and Paul Desiderio, all reportedly in negotiations. On the coaching side, Cebuano coach Junthy Valenzuela will reportedly replace Mike Reyes as head coach. The source added that the new team logo and jerseys are already being designed and will be announced soon. It remains unclear whether the Cebu Classic will finish the current MPBL season (where they hold a 4-11 record and are on a four-game losing streak) or if the Cebu Greats will take over immediately.
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Newlyweds and Japan B.League star Kiefer Ravena and beauty queen Diana Mackey revealed they suffered a miscarriage shortly after publicly announcing their pregnancy. The couple shared this heartbreaking news, along with reflections on their wedding day, in a candid interview with Boy Abunda. Diana described trying hard not to cry during her walk down the aisle at their wedding, mentioning Kiefer also cried. Kiefer joked he's usually a hard person to make cry, and they had bantered that Diana would restart her walk if he didn't shed a tear. During the interview, the host asked about Diana's baby bump, prompting the couple to disclose their loss. Diana revealed they lost the baby at seven weeks, just one or two weeks after announcing the pregnancy. Kiefer expressed their belief in God's plan and timing, stating the best outcome was Diana's current health. He added they hope to try again with God's grace, concluding "Life goes on."
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