4 hours ago
Warriors reportedly denied $285M deal that would have secured 76ers superstar LeBron James originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Golden State Warriors were one of the most aggressive teams pursuing LeBron James during his free agency process. James is entering his 24th NBA season, yet he was pursued like a young star entering his prime.
Instead, the 41-year-old veteran is nearing the end of his legendary career. The Warriors wanted to pair Stephen Curry and James together for the final years of their careers, and at one point, Golden State was even considered one of the favorites to land him.
"I would be stunned if he picked a team that wasn't Golden State or Cleveland," a Western Conference executive told FOS' Alex Schiffer.
The Warriors were right in the middle of the race for the four-time NBA champion but ultimately fell short. James decided to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, and a major factor in that decision was believed to be Philadelphia's acquisition of former Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown.
#james #golden #lebron #source
The Golden State Warriors were one of the most aggressive teams pursuing LeBron James during his free agency process. James is entering his 24th NBA season, yet he was pursued like a young star entering his prime.
Instead, the 41-year-old veteran is nearing the end of his legendary career. The Warriors wanted to pair Stephen Curry and James together for the final years of their careers, and at one point, Golden State was even considered one of the favorites to land him.
"I would be stunned if he picked a team that wasn't Golden State or Cleveland," a Western Conference executive told FOS' Alex Schiffer.
The Warriors were right in the middle of the race for the four-time NBA champion but ultimately fell short. James decided to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, and a major factor in that decision was believed to be Philadelphia's acquisition of former Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown.
#james #golden #lebron #source
3 days ago
Jonnu Smith is gone, clearing the way for Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth to once again resume his role as the team's top tight end in 2026. At least, that's what we're hoping for.
From now until the start of the regular season, we at Steelers Wire will be ***** yzing every player on the roster. Here's a look at Freiermuth and what could be in store for his 2026 season.
Height: 6-foot-five
Weight: 258 pounds
Age: 27 years old
#jonnu #wire
From now until the start of the regular season, we at Steelers Wire will be ***** yzing every player on the roster. Here's a look at Freiermuth and what could be in store for his 2026 season.
Height: 6-foot-five
Weight: 258 pounds
Age: 27 years old
#jonnu #wire
3 days ago
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Thursday the signing of four players from the 2026 First-Year Player Draft.
The newly signed players include second-round pick and shortstop Aiden Ruiz, third-round pick and right-handed pitcher DeCaro, fourth-round pick and outfielder Andruw Giles and 11th-round pick and left-handed pitcher Spencer Evans.
All four players will begin their professional careers ******* igned to the Florida Complex League. With these signings, the Pirates have now secured 15 of their 21 total selections from the 2026 draft class.
Ruiz was highly rated by Baseball America as the No. 31 prospect and by MLB Pipeline as the No. 32 prospect in the draft. Baseball America also tabbed him as the No. 10 high school player in the draft. Perfect Game recognized Ruiz as the top prospect in New York and the No. 9 prospect in the country.
During his senior year at the Stony Brook School in New York in 2026, Ruiz had a .403 batting average, a .547 on-base percentage and a .625 slugging percentage. He recorded six doubles, two triples, two home runs, 17 RBI, 21 walks and 23 stolen bases in 23 attempts, striking out only eight times in 95 plate appearances.
#york
The newly signed players include second-round pick and shortstop Aiden Ruiz, third-round pick and right-handed pitcher DeCaro, fourth-round pick and outfielder Andruw Giles and 11th-round pick and left-handed pitcher Spencer Evans.
All four players will begin their professional careers ******* igned to the Florida Complex League. With these signings, the Pirates have now secured 15 of their 21 total selections from the 2026 draft class.
Ruiz was highly rated by Baseball America as the No. 31 prospect and by MLB Pipeline as the No. 32 prospect in the draft. Baseball America also tabbed him as the No. 10 high school player in the draft. Perfect Game recognized Ruiz as the top prospect in New York and the No. 9 prospect in the country.
During his senior year at the Stony Brook School in New York in 2026, Ruiz had a .403 batting average, a .547 on-base percentage and a .625 slugging percentage. He recorded six doubles, two triples, two home runs, 17 RBI, 21 walks and 23 stolen bases in 23 attempts, striking out only eight times in 95 plate appearances.
#york
4 days ago
As NBA free agency dies down and the Summer League comes to an end, there’s less going on in the basketball world. Which means there’s going to be a lot more opinions and predictions. There have been countless blockbuster trades and signings this offseason, leaving people with plenty to talk about.
Undoubtedly, the biggest move of the offseason was Boston sending former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia in exchange for Paul George and a couple of second-round picks. The majority of **** ysts and talking heads have already written the Celtics off, but is it a bit premature?
MORE: 3 NBA teams who are most improved entering 2026-2027 season
People are acting like Boston moving on from Jaylen Brown is the end-all, be-all. Boston did downgrade at the shooting guard position, slotting an aging Paul George into his place, but they also improved in other areas.
Their most significant upgrade came at center. It’s no secret that Boston has been searching for a reliable, physical center. They have brought in several players, but none could meet their expectations. They finally signed Knicks center Mitchell Robinson this offseason in hopes that he can solve that issue.
#paul
Undoubtedly, the biggest move of the offseason was Boston sending former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia in exchange for Paul George and a couple of second-round picks. The majority of **** ysts and talking heads have already written the Celtics off, but is it a bit premature?
MORE: 3 NBA teams who are most improved entering 2026-2027 season
People are acting like Boston moving on from Jaylen Brown is the end-all, be-all. Boston did downgrade at the shooting guard position, slotting an aging Paul George into his place, but they also improved in other areas.
Their most significant upgrade came at center. It’s no secret that Boston has been searching for a reliable, physical center. They have brought in several players, but none could meet their expectations. They finally signed Knicks center Mitchell Robinson this offseason in hopes that he can solve that issue.
#paul
4 days ago
Hangin' em up?
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman suffered a lopsided unanimous decision loss to former Middleweight roost-ruler Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City last weekend (Sat., July 18, 2026) inside Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
While Usman had a strong fifth round, the former Welterweight champion was not very competitive with Du Plessis for most of the fight. He was rocked several times, struggled to close distance and was unable to consistently take the South African down to implement his wrestling game.
As it turns out, there may have been a pretty significant reason for that.
Usman was apparently compromised.
#plessis
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman suffered a lopsided unanimous decision loss to former Middleweight roost-ruler Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City last weekend (Sat., July 18, 2026) inside Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
While Usman had a strong fifth round, the former Welterweight champion was not very competitive with Du Plessis for most of the fight. He was rocked several times, struggled to close distance and was unable to consistently take the South African down to implement his wrestling game.
As it turns out, there may have been a pretty significant reason for that.
Usman was apparently compromised.
#plessis
5 days ago
Lukas Prock has found his future home.
The four-star quarterback from Princeton (N.J.) Hun School has committed to Indiana, giving Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers one of the nation's premier signal-callers in the 2028 class.
Prock, who ranks No. 68 in the 2028 Rivals Industry Ranking, chose Indiana over finalists Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State after a recruiting battle that accelerated throughout the summer.
Originally planning to wait until after his junior season, Prock ultimately decided there was no reason to delay once he became convinced Bloomington was the right fit.
"I kind of got serious about it the last month or so," Prock told Rivals. "I started to cut things down and lock in with a school so I wouldn't have to worry about it. I didn't want to rush it, and I don't think it's rushed at all."
#industry
The four-star quarterback from Princeton (N.J.) Hun School has committed to Indiana, giving Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers one of the nation's premier signal-callers in the 2028 class.
Prock, who ranks No. 68 in the 2028 Rivals Industry Ranking, chose Indiana over finalists Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State after a recruiting battle that accelerated throughout the summer.
Originally planning to wait until after his junior season, Prock ultimately decided there was no reason to delay once he became convinced Bloomington was the right fit.
"I kind of got serious about it the last month or so," Prock told Rivals. "I started to cut things down and lock in with a school so I wouldn't have to worry about it. I didn't want to rush it, and I don't think it's rushed at all."
#industry
