Aug 24 (Reuters) - Michael Saylor's Strategy set aside about $1.6 billion in cash to fund future treasury operations, ‌including potential bitcoin purchases and share buybacks, the ‌company disclosed in a regulatory filing on Monday.
The world's largest corporate buyer of bitcoin dubbed the liquidity pool "USD Cash," which will be different from a reserve it set up earlier to fund dividends on its preferred stock and interest on its ‌outstanding debt.
The new cash ⁠pool will have more flexible uses and could be used for bitcoin purchases, share buybacks ⁠and other corporate events.
It could also give Strategy more flexibility to navigate bitcoin market downturns, allowing it to maintain cash on hand, while continuing to pursue its bitcoin-buying strategy.
The move ‌comes after a robust week for bitcoin, which gained a little over 13% in the last five sessions after U.S. President Donald Trump urged Congress to pass legislation establishing clear rules for digital ******* ets.

#cash #strategy #fund

Home equity loans, HELOCs and cash-out refinances are three popular ways to borrow money, using your home as collateral.
A cash-out refinance replaces your existing mortgage at today's rate, while home equity loans and HELOCs involve taking on a separate debt that leaves your current mortgage rate untouched.
With all three, the amount you can borrow will depend on the amount of equity (ownership stake) you have in your home.
If you bought or refinanced between 2020 and 2022 and locked in a primary mortgage rate below where rates sit today, a HELOC or home equity loan can protect that low rate. If your rate is at or above today's average, a cash-out refinance may actually improve your terms.
Homeowners are sitting on a record $18 trillion in home equity, but which option makes sense — and at what rate — depends on one thing: whether your current mortgage rate is better or worse than what's available today. "Choosing between a home equity loan, HELOC or cash-out refinance isn't a one-size-fits-all decision," says Tim Choate, founder and CEO of Red Awning, a platform for short-term vacation rental owners and property managers. "Each option has unique characteristics that align with different financial needs, risk profiles, and flexibility requirements."

#mortgage

Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) shares climbed 7.9% to close at $125.08 on August 19 as gold gained more than 2% and traded near $4,516 per ounce. The gold rally coincided with Treasury bond buybacks, lower yields and a weaker dollar. Whether historically elevated bullion prices can continue outrunning higher mining costs is now the central question.
Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) realized an average gold price of $4,414 per ounce in the second quarter. However, attributable gold production declined to 1.29 million ounces from 1.48 million ounces a year earlier. That combination leaves the company with exceptional commodity-price leverage but less support from production growth.
Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) generated $2.2 billion of free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, and ended June with $9.0 billion of cash, $13.0 billion of liquidity and $3.4 billion of non-GAAP net cash. The balance sheet gives management substantial flexibility to return capital without sacrificing investment in its mines.
Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) also had $4.3 billion remaining under its $6.0 billion share-repurchase authorization. Continued buybacks at a time of strong cash generation could amplify the per-share benefit of elevated gold prices.
Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) has considerable sensitivity to further bullion gains. Newmont's 2026 sensitivity ***** ysis estimates that every $100-per-ounce change in gold prices affects pretax revenue and costs by approximately $505 million. Second-quarter realized pricing exceeded Newmont's non-GAAP gold by-product all-in sustaining costs of $1,621 per ounce by approximately $2,793 per ounce.

#newmont #prices #costs

Jessica Alba showed off her workout sartorial agenda with a sculpted post-workout photo. The actress took to social media on August 24 to share a mirror selfie from her home gym.
The 45-year-old rocked a burgundy athleisure set featuring a micro sports bra and figure-hugging, high-waisted leggings. Jessica accessorized with layered gold necklaces and a pair of matching stud earrings. Her brunette locks were swept back into a low bun and she opted for a makeup-free complexion with a glowing base.
Jessica's toned figure is courtesy of her fitness regime that blends high-intensity workouts with flexibility exercises. In 2024, Jessica's personal trainer Ramona Braganza told Shape the actress enjoys Iyengar yoga, which focuses on holding poses longer. "She finds it very beneficial for stretching her body out," said Ramona.
Jessica Alba wore a burgundy workout set (@ Instagram)
"I attribute my athletic body to the martial arts, gymnastics, dance, and strength training I did while filming Dark Angel. That's made me strong and really set the bar," Jessica told Shape. "If you can just do it two or three times a week, a little bit of exercise whether it's yoga or going for a walk or cycling class or something...go for it," she also explained to E! News.

#jessica #shape #high

Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) and Marvell Technology (NASDAQ: MRVL) are eerily similar companies. Both of them produce networking equipment for data centers, but they have also launched custom AI chip businesses with a few critical customers. Custom AI chips are likely to grow in popularity, as they can offer superior cost performance to traditional GPU-based training.
This primes both stocks to benefit as these units become more popular. But which one is the better buy? I think there's one metric that settles the debate.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
To date, most training and inference has been performed on graphics processing units (GPUs), mostly made by Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA). GPUs are incredible computing units, and are great for a wide variety of workloads. The amount of flexibility that Nvidia has designed into its computing unit is amazing, but if a GPU only sees one workload type during its whole service life, then this flexibility is wasted. GPUs are still necessary in the computing landscape, as there are several reasons why GPUs should still be utilized; however, custom AI chips could provide better performance in some areas.
Custom AI chips are known as ASICs, application-specific integrated circuits. ASICs are nothing new, but their application to AI is. By building a computing chip around a workload rather than the other way around, designers can optimize and make these products efficient and cost-effective. This leads to more computing power at a lower cost, often outperforming GPU-based computing.

#custom

Interested in Sandisk Corporation? Here are five stocks we like better.
Sandisk, Phillips 66 and MetLife have collectively added $27 billion in new share-repurchase authorization.
Each company enters the buyback discussion from a different backdrop, spanning AI storage, refining and insurance.
Investors now have to consider how cash generation, valuation and industry conditions could shape the impact of those buybacks.
Several industry giants that have seen impressive share price performance in 2026 recently made big-time buyback announcements. Share repurchases can do more than reduce share counts—they can also signal that management sees enough cash-flow strength and balance-sheet flexibility to keep returning capital after a strong run.

#Share

Coach Mark Pope and the Kentucky basketball team received a big boost over the weekend with the announcement that Mark Mitchell would be transferring to the Wildcats. The forward averaged 18 points and 5 rebounds per game last season, and was one of the SEC's best players.
Thanks to a Kentucky court ruling on Friday, Mitchell is currently eligible for the 2026-27 season and will play for Kentucky. The NCAA is likely to appeal the ruling, however.
If he plays, he's obviously a talented forward who can impact games, and even dominate if needed. More importantly, he brings versatility to the roster, and allows Pope to mix up the lineups, giving him flexibility to go with different personnel depending on the matchup.
Mitchell will likely be the starting power forward in most lineups, but there are many ways Pope could move the guys around him. Here are some of the possibilities.
Zoom Diallo

#season

HONG KONG, Aug 24 (Reuters) - The term "flexible employment" has gone viral in China after a prominent economics professor described gig work as a form of "welfare", drawing widespread public anger and highlighting deep ‌anxieties over job insecurity.
Zhang Dandan, a professor of economics and deputy dean at Peking University's National School ‌of Development, made the remarks during a discussion on social protection for gig workers, on the popular financial show "Let's Talk" last week.
She argued that from the perspective of labour economics, "flexibility itself is a form of welfare."
While regular employees trade schedule flexibility for pensions and other benefits, flexible workers enjoy greater control over their time at the cost of weaker social protections, Zhang said.
The comments triggered a fierce backlash over the weekend, with social media users accusing Zhang of being oblivious to the harsh ‌realities of the gig economy.

#economics #form #welfare #flexibility

Aug 24 (Reuters) - Michael Saylor's Strategy set aside about $1.6 billion in cash to fund future treasury operations, ‌including potential bitcoin purchases and share buybacks, the ‌company disclosed in a regulatory filing on Monday.
The world's largest corporate buyer of bitcoin dubbed the liquidity pool "USD Cash," which will be different from a reserve it set up earlier to fund dividends on its preferred stock and interest on its ‌outstanding debt.
The new cash ⁠pool will have more flexible uses and could be used for bitcoin purchases, share buybacks ⁠and other corporate events.
It could also give Strategy more flexibility to navigate bitcoin market downturns, allowing it to maintain cash on hand, while continuing to pursue its bitcoin-buying strategy.
The move ‌comes after a robust week for bitcoin, which gained a little over 13% in the last five sessions after U.S. President Donald Trump urged Congress to pass legislation establishing clear rules for digital ***** ets.

#strategy #corporate

Investors today must choose between the established social influence of Reddit (NYSE:RDDT) and the experimental computing potential of Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ:RGTI). Which of these tech-driven businesses represents the better addition to your portfolio?
Reddit uses its massive library of human conversation to drive advertising and licensing revenue. Rigetti develops advanced hardware designed to solve problems too complex for standard computers. This comparison explores whether you should favor a profitable community platform or a speculative leap into the next generation of digital infrastructure.
Reddit operates a vast platform of over 45,000 active communities where users share information and opinions. The company primarily makes money through digital advertising, but it also generates revenue by licensing its data to companies like Google parent Alphabet for training artificial intelligence. Customer concentration like this adds a layer of risk to the business, as its top ten largest advertisers accounted for approximately 21% of revenue in 2025.
Reddit experienced a significant financial transformation recently. In its 2025 fiscal year (FY), revenue reached $2.2 billion, representing growth of 69.4% compared to the previous year. The company also turned profitable, reporting net income of $529.7 million, which equals a net margin of 24.1%.
The company maintains a very strong liquidity position. As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio is zero, and the current ratio is 11.6x. A current ratio measures a company's ability to cover short-term debts with short-term ******* ets, with higher numbers suggesting more flexibility. Free cash flow, which is cash from operations minus capital expenditures, was $684.2 million in FY 2025. Note that stock-based compensation (SBC) represented 49.7% of operating cash flow, which inflates reported cash generation since SBC is a non-cash expense added back in the cash flow statement.

#flow #licensing

Hansi Flick revealed why he was "concerned" about Barcelona's first-half performance against Elche, as the Blaugrana went on to secure a dominant 0-5 win to kickstart their LaLiga campaign.
Much has been made of Barcelona's lack of an out-and-out striker, but finding the back of the net was not a problem for the clinical visitors on Sunday as they scored with five of their seven shots on target.
Raphinha and Fermín López both bagged braces, while Karim Adeyemi also found his way onto the scoresheet on his competitive debut for the club and Anthony Gordon registered two ***** ists on his first outing in Blaugrana.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Flick praised Raphinha's mindset and flexibility to play in any required position, explaining that "he's the player for me who is a good example for intensity, a good example for improving this and also to start the pressing.
"When he's doing this, the other players are following him and this is great. This, for me, is a captain."

#flick #hansi #elche #sunday

Juventus is set to start their new Serie A season under Luciano Spalletti with a match against the newly promoted Frosinone on Sunday, away from home.
Date: Sunday, 23rd August.
Kick-off: 5:30pm BST.
Venue: Stadio Benito Stirpe, Frosinone.
The capital club has no major injuries or suspensions to navigate, allowing Alvini full tactical flexibility to deploy his strongest possible XI.

#frosinone #luciano #date

When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Asante Samuel Jr., the move was largely viewed as an opportunistic depth addition to bolster the secondary. However, as training camp rolls on, the former second-round pick is quickly proving that his ceiling in Pittsburgh extends far beyond a traditional backup role.
Through the early weeks of camp in Latrobe and into the preseason opener, Samuel has put together a dominant stretch of play. His crisp coverage and knack for shutting down opposing receivers have sparked serious conversations about how the coaching staff can fit him onto the field alongside starters Joey Porter Jr. and Jamel Dean.
Speaking on the "Locked on Steelers" podcast, host Christopher Carter highlighted how Samuel's impressive performance gives defensive coordinators a unique blueprint to optimize their lineup.
"He has been lighting it up. He has been shutting it down. He had a great first preseason game," Carter noted. "He has the opportunity, in my opinion, to shake things up because he can be the guy that gives the Steelers confidence that, you know what, we got to put him at in the starting rotation somehow."
Rather than forcing Samuel into a rigid reserve position, Carter suggested that using him on the perimeter allows Pittsburgh to unleash three elite cover men simultaneously while unlocking greater scheme flexibility for veteran stars like Jalen Ramsey.

#samuel #camp

Our ******* ysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here.
Revenue growth of 16.5% was primarily driven by a 10.9% increase in capacity PCDs following the addition of seven river vessels and two ocean ships.
Management attributes long-term margin expansion to a 'young fleet' strategy and identical ship designs, which simplify crew training, maintenance, and inventory management while maintaining consistent yields across itineraries.
Historically low water levels on the Danube and Rhine rivers created industry-wide challenges, but management utilized ship-swap capabilities and deployment flexibility to avoid cancellations.
The company is proactively issuing future cruise vouchers to affected guests to preserve brand loyalty, viewing this as a long-term investment despite the resulting financial impact in 2027 and 2028.

#management #revenue #pcds #danube

Following the Cleveland Cavaliers' swift and painful Eastern Conference finals exit at the hands of the eventual champion New York Knicks, an awkward offseason cloud hung eerily in the atmosphere. Not only was there a strong sense of doubt as to whether that iteration of the team could return to that stage from a basketball standpoint, but its future altogether was in question.
Three months later, at least one of those questions has been answered. Donovan Mitchell committed his future to the franchise, signing a four-year, $273 million extension. His running mate, James Harden, agreed to a three-year, $97 million fully guaranteed contract Thursday, sources told Yahoo Sports. And as of Wednesday night, another reinforcement arrived.
In the latest installment of the "Anything but the Knicks" campaign, the Cavaliers reportedly acquired restricted free-agent wing Peyton Watson in a sign-and-trade deal involving the Nuggets and Clippers. Sharpshooter Max Strus was sent to L.A.. and a 2031 unprotected first along with a 2032 second-rounder headed to Denver. Upon joining Cleveland, Watson will sign a four-year, $88 million contract.
(According to sources close to Harden, the veteran, having seen how rival teams in the conference had beefed up, is fully onboard with Watson's arrival and decided to delay his negotiations to give Cleveland the opportunity to upgrade its scoring and defense — while also keen to avoid a previous situation with the Clippers with non-guaranteed money on just a two-year deal.)
We'll get into what this all means for Cleveland shortly, but I can't quite grasp how fascinating this is from a Nuggets perspective. Typically, restricted free agents don't hold much leverage over their incumbent teams when it comes to negotiations (see Jalen Duren, Bennedict Mathurin, Tari Eason, the list goes on). But how and why Watson's situation played out differently is worth mentioning. The whispers of the 23-year-old's unhappiness with how Denver valued him, believing he should have been on par with teammate Christan Braun (earning $25 million annually) grew louder as the offseason dragged on, as well as the list of suitors eagerly waiting in the wings for an opportunity to capitalize. This, in conjunction with the Nuggets' limits on their financial flexibility and desire to generate some breathing room — thanks in large part to oddly matching a $12 million offer sheet for Spencer Jones and a realization of their own ceiling — created an environment in which Watson could land in a desired spot.

#knicks

WEST LAFAYETTE – You could argue Purdue football's most important need in the offseason was in the secondary.
The Boilermakers made a concerted effort to lure experienced power conference defensive backs from the transfer portal, adding size and depth more so than at any other position.
Now, defensive passing game coordinator Charles Clark and defensive coordinator Kevin Kane have the task of finding who will play and where they'll play.
There's a lot of versatility among the group, and cross-training guys at safety, corner, and nickel provides flexibility.
It's hard to imagine Purdue won't be better in the secondary a season after the Boilers ranked 117th nationally in points per game allowed. Purdue totaled four interceptions all last season, ranking last in the Big Ten.

#secondary #game #west

Crystal Palace have agreed a deal to sign Chelsea defender Axel Disasi on loan without an option to buy, according to Fabrice Hawkins.
The Eagles desperately needed reinforcement at the back following the sale of Maxence Lacroix to the Blues. He was a priority target.
Palace have now turned to the Frenchman to anchor the defence alongside Chris Richards and Jaydee Canvot. Talks are ongoing with the player and his representatives.
A dry loan also gives the South London club the flexibility to sign Raphael Le Guen, a young defender they have been chasing for weeks.
Disasi could be Palace's sixth summer signing after Dwight McNeil, Anan Khalaili, Zavier Gozo, Oscar Mingueza, and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

#palace #Chelsea #fabrice #hawkins

João Palhinha's future at Bayern Munich continues to move toward a potential exit, with Aston Villa reportedly emerging as the midfielder's priority destination.
According to GiveMeSport's Ben Jacobs (via iMiaSanMia), Aston Villa remains in talks with Bayern Munich over a deal for Palhinha. Discussions have continued despite Bayern Munich initially proposing a loan arrangement without any commitment to make the transfer permanent.
However, Villa now understands that Bayern Munich are looking for greater certainty. The club will either have to complete a permanent transfer this summer or agree to an obligation to buy as part of a loan deal.
Bayern Munich is reportedly asking for around €30 million for Palhinha, although there are suggestions that a deal could potentially be negotiated for slightly less than that figure. The situation could come down to how Aston Villa structures the deal. A loan with an obligation-to-buy could give Aston Villa more flexibility in the short term while providing Bayern Munich with the permanent transfer they are seeking.
Palhinha's time in Munich has not developed as many expected when Bayern Munich signed him from Fulham. With Bayern Munich looking to shape the squad for the 2026/27 season, his departure increasingly appears possible.

#bayern #villa #permanent

Danny Kanell and Dusty Dvoracek's SiriusXM show is ending, but both are getting fresh starts on the satellite radio platform.
According to On3's Brett McMurphy, Dusty and Danny In The Morning is ending its five-year run on Friday. However, neither host is leaving. Kanell will remain in the morning time slot and be paired with a new co-host, while Dvoracek moves to the afternoon slot. Per McMurphy, the move is due to Dvoracek's need for greater flexibility due to an increased role at ESPN.
Dvoracek has been seeing his star continually rise in recent years as a college football broadcaster with the Worldwide Leader. He's also become a fixture on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt. He's become one of the top college football **** ysts at ESPN, where he even called a College Football Playoff game in 2024. Awful Announcing readers put him and Dave Pasch at No. 5 overall in our most recent college football rankings.
Kanell spent several years at ESPN before joining SiriusXM. He's also an **** yst for CBS Sports and a co-host of the Cover 3 podcast. The former Florida State quarterback has developed a reputation for his strong ACC bias and hatred of all things SEC.
The post Danny Kanell, Dusty Dvoracek reportedly ending SiriusXM show appeared first on Awful Announcing.

#college #dvoracek #ending

The Eagles Communications department released an updated depth chart ahead of two days of joint practices and Saturday night's preseason game against the New England Patriots. DeVonta Smith, first-round pick Makai Lemon and Dontayvion Wicks are listed as the three starting wide receivers. Hollywood Brown is behind Smith, while Darius Cooper sits directly behind Wicks following a productive first two weeks of training camp.
The backup quarterback competition remains unsettled. Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee remain listed as co-backups behind Jalen Hurts, with rookie Cole Payton listed fourth. Joint practices and the second preseason game will give Dalton and McKee additional opportunities to create separation.
Defensively, Philadelphia lists a five-man front featuring Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt on the edges with Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo inside. Cooper DeJean is again listed as the starter at nickel cornerback and safety, reinforcing the flexibility that allows the Eagles to alter the packages based on personnel.
Riq Woolen and Quinyon Mitchell are the starting outside cornerbacks, while Andrew Mukuba occupies the other safety position. Britain Covey remains the top punt returner, and Will Shipley leads the kickoff-return group.
Position

#dalton

Dimension Energy has raised $857m in additional capital to accelerate the expansion of its distributed solar operations in the US.
The investment includes a $200m increase to Dimension Energy's corporate credit facility, led by Nuveen Energy Infrastructure Credit and funds and accounts managed by HPS Investment Partners.
The upsizing brings Dimension Energy's total corporate credit facility to $650m. It provides the company with further flexibility to advance its pipeline of distributed solar projects and move developments into the construction phase.
A further $657m in construction-to-term debt and tax equity financing has also been secured to support the buildout of 29 solar projects across New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Virginia. The combined capacity of these projects is 149MW.
Advantage Capital acted as tax equity investor, with the debt package coordinated primarily by First Citizens Bank, ING Capital, MUFG Bank and the National Bank of Canada. Fifth Third Bank participated as joint lead arranger.

#capital #credit #projects

The Cleveland Cavaliers are still keen on shedding salary to gain more financial flexibility even after recently trading away Denis Schroder. As reported by Marc Stein, "Cleveland remains in active search of a trade to send out Max Strus as Strus enters the final year of his current contract."
Strus is entering the final year of his current deal with the Cavaliers earning $16.7 million in 2026-27. Strus spent the bulk of this past season on the shelf due to a Jones fracture he suffered before training camp.
Strus suited up for 12 regular season games, including his debut, where he went 7-9 shooting (6-7 from three), ending with 24 points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Believeland shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homage's Cavs gear HERE.
With the trade of Schroder on Friday, the Cavaliers were able to shave $6.8 million off their books for next season. Finding a buyer for Strus could require attaching draft capital, given the amount owed to him next season.

#strus #schroder #here #year

Lakers predicted to part ways with Austin Reaves, sign $304M three-time MVP, NBA champion originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers are doing everything they can to make the right moves for the future while keeping Luka Dončić happy. It has been quite the journey since the Lakers traded for Dončić two years ago.
The Lakers have been disappointed by their last two playoff appearances. This free agency cycle, they were able to re-sign Austin Reaves to a massive contract.
"Reaves, who originally agreed to a four-year, $185 million extension with a player option on the final season, ended up inking a four-year, $180 million deal, league sources confirmed to ESPN. Reaves' decision, sources told ESPN, will give the Lakers more financial flexibility moving forward ," ESPN's Dave McMenamin wrote.
Dončić and Reaves have formed an excellent duo in the backcourt. The Lakers superstar has made it clear that he wants to win ever since arriving in Los Angeles.

#angeles #sign

Cavaliers receive brutal warning in pursuit of ex-Warriors NBA champion Jonathan ****** inga originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to make a few more splashes this summer before the team reports to training camp in about a month. Cleveland still has plenty of flexibility to get something done, especially with James Harden yet to sign a new contract.
The Cavaliers were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, and the organization has been looking for ways to improve the roster. One of their biggest targets has been NBA champion Jonathan ****** inga.
"The Cavaliers will meet with Jonathan ****** inga about working towards finalizing a potential sign-and-trade agreement soon, per Chris Fedor. Cleveland is a main finalist for ****** inga's services alongside the Lakers. ****** inga continues to seek a deal exceeding $20 million annually," NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
However, if the Cavaliers want to land ****** inga, they would have to complete a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks. Cleveland also needs to create additional financial flexibility. The Cavaliers already moved Dennis Schröder, but they are now trying to offload Max Strus.

#kuminga #jonathan #sign

Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney is one of the players that the Nets could sign to an contract extension if the franchise was inclined to keep him in the fold moving forward. When it comes to Brooklyn and how they approach the rest of its rebuild, every decision has to be weighed against what could be so it's fair to wonder if the Nets should extend Clowney.
Keith Smith of Spotrac recently put together a primer of every player that's eligible for an extension this offseason, broken into different aspects of how someone could be extended and when. For someone like Clowney, he is one of 22 players from the 2023 NBA Draft class that is eligible for rookie-scale extensions after San Antonio forward Victor Wembanyama signed his earlier this summer.
"Over the years, Brooklyn has taken care of some of their own drafted-and-developed players, while others haven't been extended. Clowney may be more in the latter camp, like Day'Ron Sharpe was before him," Smith wrote on Clowney earlier this summer when giving his prediction. Granted, Sharpe was re-signed by Brooklyn this offseason on a two-year, $20 million deal so it's fair to wonder if the Nets will go the same way with Clowney.
"The challenge for Clowney is that the rim-protecting, stretch-big archetype is still there, but it's also still unrealized," Smith continued with his prediction. "If he had shown just a bit more consistency on both ends, an extension might have come. As it is, the Nets will continue to prioritize flexibility and let things play out to restricted free agency in 2027."
Smith predicted earlier in the summer that Clowney would not be signed to his rookie-scale extension, but that doesn't mean that his future with Brooklyn ends after this season if an extension is not reached. Clowney, 22, is coming off the best season of his three-year career as he averaged 12.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 ***** ists per game while shooting 39.6% from the field and 32.9% from behind the three-point line last season for the Nets.

#Nets

Not the start that Paul Heckingbottom would have wanted or the terrific following down the M61 from the Preston faithful.
The damage was done long before the final whistle. Two goals conceded, three yellow cards collected, countless offside decisions and barely a meaningful save required from Bolton goalkeeper Jack Bonham painted a picture of a side completely out of sync.
A switch to a back four was perhaps forecast during the week, when Heckingbottom suggested that he wants this season's squad to have more flexibility. It's fair to say that a groundswell of fan opinion has been calling for it quite regularly in recent years.
But, on the evidence of the first half, the defensive unit looked uncertain, disconnected and vulnerable whenever Bolton turned possession over and drove forward.
Heckingbottom found the first-half display a difficult one to explain. He told me: "We gave ourselves a real mountain to climb. I felt it was just something as simple as their enthusiasm, their energy about being in this league and the crowd. It seemed to catch us cold."

#bolton #paul #bonham

BALTIMORE — With 8:53 remaining in the first quarter Saturday night, Eagles defensive tackle Ty Robinson exploded off the ball and knocked down Ravens guard Emery Jones Jr.'s arm and brought down quarterback Tyler Huntley for a sack.
Overall, the Eagles' 24-7 loss to the Ravens in the first preseason game represented an ugly night, but Robinson's performance was one of the few reasons Philadelphia can wake up feeling good today.
After a rough start in the NFL, Robinson said the sack was a sign his hard work is paying off.
"When you get a full offseason, I got to really learn a lot about my body and what needed to be worked on," Robinson said Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium. "A big part of that was mobility and flexibility. That was a big key focus for me. I always knew I had the strength. So, I mean, just being able to use those **** ets to help me perform on the field [is making a difference]."
After dismantling Jones' block with a cross-chop, Robinson reminded himself of what he already knew: He has the talent to play in the NFL and make an impact.

#robinson #Ravens #knew

Juraj Slafkovsky says money is no longer the priority for Montreal Canadiens players chasing their first Stanley Cup together.
The Canadiens have built a young core (youngest team in the NHL) around Slafkovsky ($7.6 million AAV), Nick Suzuki ($7.875 million), Cole Caufield ($7.85 million), Lane Hutson ($8.85 million) and Ivan Demidov ($9.15 million). Several players have accepted long-term deals that preserve flexibility around the roster.
Meanwhile, players around the NHL are signing contracts that exceed $15 million annually in 2026.
MORE: Canadiens legend Carey Price shares honest take on Montreal's young goalie duo
Speaking in Russian about Montreal's contract approach, Slafkovsky said the team's shared ambition matters more than individual earnings.

#canadiens #around #juraj #nick

The Baltimore Ravens placed veteran offensive tackle Kendall Lamm on the reserve/retired list Friday, ending his brief tenure with the organization.
Baltimore signed Lamm on Aug. 5 after Hakeem Adeniji was placed on the reserve/retired list. The Ravens hoped the 34-year-old could provide experience behind starting tackles Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten, but Lamm stepped away before appearing in a preseason game for the team.
Lamm played 11 NFL seasons after entering the league as an undrafted free agent from Appalachian State in 2015. He appeared for the Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee **** ans and Miami Dolphins, providing experience at both tackle positions. He spent the previous four seasons with Miami and appeared in 13 games last year.
His departure leaves Baltimore evaluating its tackle depth again. Carson Vinson enters his second season after being selected in the fifth round of the 2025 draft, while Gerad Lichtenhan and undrafted rookie Diego Pounds are also competing for reserve positions. Emery Jones Jr. offers additional flexibility as a guard-tackle option.
The Ravens have now placed two veteran tackles on the reserve/retired list since training camp began. Adeniji stepped away eight days after signing, and Lamm's stay lasted little more than a week.

#lamm #tackle #list

The Oklahoma Sooners enter the 2026 college football season without many question marks on the defensive side of the ball. The Sooners possess one of the best defensive units in the sport.
However, the question marks the team has usually have to do with depth at certain positions. Cornerback is a position where the Sooners feel confident. Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory are established starters and Jacobe Johnson has been a very good rotational player in his career. However, Oklahoma likes to be able to play four cornerbacks, and after losing Devon Jordan to the transfer portal, that leaves the fourth spot up for grabs.
Former Sooner All-American linebacker Teddy Lehman said that he thinks former Oklahoma preps star Trystan Haynes could be the guy to take that spot and get into the rotation.
"I really like Trystan Haynes," Lehman said on 'The Oklahoma Breakdown with Ikard and Lehman.' "I've seen some really good stuff from him."
Haynes' emergence would give Oklahoma another young, talented option in the secondary and allow the Sooners to keep their top cornerbacks fresh throughout the season. It would also give the coaching staff more flexibility with its defensive personnel and coverage packages.

#trystan