CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWD) said on August 3 that a North Korea-linked adversary injected a malicious dependency into at least 131 Mastra AI framework packages on npm (Node Package Manager). Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) owns GitHub, which acquired npm in 2020 and operates the registry at the center of the attack chain.
This was a developer-supply-chain breach with unusually efficient distribution. Stolen maintainer credentials let the attacker publish poisoned Mastra versions tagged as the latest releases. The malicious easy-day-js dependency then ran during installation, exposing developer machines and build pipelines to credential theft and remote code execution. CrowdStrike found that 87% of identified software-registry threats in the first half of 2026 involved npm packages.
Image by Tawanda Razika from Pixabay
Microsoft's role cuts both ways. GitHub controls the registry infrastructure, and its advisory database powers npm audit, so repeated account takeovers increase the burden to harden publishing and dependency scanning. Yet Microsoft's own June 17 investigation identified more than 140 affected Mastra packages and detailed detections across Defender Antivirus, Defender for Endpoint and Defender XDR. The same incident that creates reputational risk for npm also gives Microsoft another reason to sell integrated security.
The more direct demand read-through belongs to CrowdStrike. Its fiscal Q1 2027 revenue grew 26% to $1.39 billion, while annual recurring revenue rose 24% to $5.51 billion. Hedge-fund ownership also increased to 79 portfolios at the end of Q1 2026 from 67 in Q4 2025, according to Insider Monkey's database. The valuation is the restraint: a roughly $190 billion market value equals about 32 times CrowdStrike's $5.91 billion to $5.96 billion fiscal-year revenue guidance. The business must sustain growth near the mid-20% range for that multiple to remain comfortable.

#NASDAQ

The Seattle Seahawks signed running back TJ Harden to a one-year contract on Wednesday. Ian Rapoport was first on it at 1:34 p.m. PST.
Harden went undrafted in April after a four-year college career with UCLA and SMU. He signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent and participated in their offseason activities until Monday, when they released him to make room for defensive tackle Travis Bell. Cleveland now has five running backs after releasing Harden, but the Seahawks have seven after adding him.
Measuring in at 6'0 2/8", 218, Harden profiles as a physical runner with good contact balance. He was only a three-star recruit out of high school due to limited speed and agility, but still good enough in the competitive California Southern Section to convince UCLA to take a chance on him. Just two years ago, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy praised his ability to execute a well-rounded fullback role, "taking stress off the tight end" in pass protection in addition to running and catching when need be.
Harden won't threaten Jadarian Price's reps as the most explosive back in the offense, but all the short-yardage backs have a new competitor to stave off. If he can stand out in pass protection, he can push the rest of the depth chart during training camp and preseason. If the fullback role is truly in the works, though, maybe it's just a short-term Robbie Ouzts replacement.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks sign UDFA rookie RB TJ Harden

#harden #ucla #backs

When NBA free agency opened several weeks ago, the Los Angeles Lakers quickly lost LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard and Jaxson Hayes. Once their new-look roster started to take shape, they still had a big hole at one of their starting forward positions, and there was some hope that they would retain forward Rui Hachimura.
However, Hachimura opted to join the Los Angeles Clippers, a team that is clearly on a downward trajectory, instead. The Clippers aren't exactly the faux-contenders they were a few years ago, especially now that star forward Kawhi Leonard is apparently on his way out, pending a trade to the Toronto Raptors, and that Paul George, James Harden and Ivica Zubac are long gone.
But Hachimura, via ClutchPoints, raved about the Clippers organization and said that he's "so happy" to be a member of the team.
"I'm just so happy," Hachimura said. "The Clippers are an amazing organization. Even when talking to other NBA players, they always rave about how great the Clippers organization is. It's truly a player-first team, you know. They take care of their players while having that winning mentality. The Clippers are a young team. A year ago, they were called the oldest team in the league, but they've transitioned to a younger generation especially with Kawhi Leonard getting traded. Joining them right as they build this next generation is huge for me, and I'm incredibly excited."
The Clippers are now built around Darius Garland, whom they acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers for Harden, and rookie Keaton Wagler, who was the No. 5 pick in June's draft. They may miss the playoffs again this coming season, but Hachimura also cited a couple of other reasons for choosing them.

#angeles

76ers' Jaylen Brown asks fans for help after attending Donovan Mitchell's wedding appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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Related: 76ers' LeBron James wanted no part of Jaylen Brown's wild championship plan
Related: 76ers' Dean Wade pinpoints Tyrese Maxey-James Harden similarities

#related #brown #source #live

Byron Scott believes James Harden prevented LeBron James from joining the Cavaliers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
James Harden is still a free agent, but everyone believes that he is headed back to the Cleveland Cavaliers on a long-term deal. They were much better when he joined the Cavs from the Los Angeles Clippers, and they reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018.
Of course, the Cavs got swept, but it was a step in the right direction. Some of the players and fans thought they could've gotten LeBron James for a third stint in free agency, but it did not work out, as he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Now that LeBron is with the 76ers, people are speculating about the reasons why he didn't join the other teams in the running to sign him. Cleveland was among them, which would have been a poetic ending to LeBron's career because he is an Ohio native, and he already had two stints in Cleveland with a championship in the second.
Since they have a talented roster with Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers are always a team that can threaten anyone. They reached the Conference Finals, and they are on a positive trajectory despite the loss in the postseason.

#cleveland #conference #since

Defensive tackle Travis Bell won a championship in the UFL this year and he will now try to make the Browns.
The team announced Bell's signing on Monday morning. Running back T.J. Harden was waived in a corresponding move.
Bell had 32 tackles, four tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for Louisville during the UFL regular season. He added seven tackles and two tackles for loss in the playoffs.
Prior to the UFL move, Bell spent time with several NFL teams after being drafted by the Bears in the seventh round in 2023. He played in two games for the Falcons that season and had two tackles.

#tackles #fumble #Monday

Cavaliers linked to Mavericks' $64M versatile PF with Finals experience, Jonathan **** inga Plan B originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are still trying to solidify their starting lineup as nothing has been finalized with Jonathan **** inga. Cleveland has been aggressively pursuing **** inga ever since officially missing out on LeBron James.
Kuminga is an intriguing young prospect with plenty of room to grow. The biggest obstacle, however, is the contract he is demanding.
"Jonathan **** inga is demanding a salary in free agency exceeding $20 million annually, per The Athletic. **** inga prefers a sign-and-trade from the Hawks over leaving outright, simply due to the added financial implications. The Cavaliers and Lakers are the finalists for **** inga," NBA reporter Evan Sidery posted.
The Cavaliers hope to insert **** inga into the starting lineup alongside James Harden and Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland is continuing to work toward a contract agreement, and the two sides met last week.

#cavaliers #jonathan

Unsurprisingly, the Cleveland Cavaliers need to add another forward to the roster in the wake of LeBron James going to the Philadelphia 76ers. It seems that the signing of Mario Hezonja is not the only transaction the Cavaliers are pursuing.
In a segment on NBA Today, ESPN's Shams Charania noted that "DeMar DeRozan has interest from Cleveland". Charania also mentioned that "Miami, Denver and Cleveland are among the teams interested in DeMar DeRozan".
The Sacramento Kings bought out DeRozan earlier this month. DeRozan will turn 37 by the time the season tips off in October. Age hasn't hindered his ability to be a microwave scorer and availability averaging 18.4 points while shooting 49.7% from the field in the 77 games played this past season.
The Cavaliers clearly need wing talent after Dean Wade signed with the 76ers and Keon Ellis signed with the Brooklyn Nets. DeRozan projects as a more awkward fit for Cleveland's roster given that he has been the primary scoring option for the majority of his career. The unknown of how he will find his spots on a team with the ball primarily in James Harden and Donovan Mitchell is yet to be seen.
A clear benefit for the Cavaliers in a DeRozan addition would be the pressure to the rim DeRozan provides, as well as being a sufficient scorer without support. The warts of the acquisition would be that DeRozan has never established a consistent outside shot.

#derozan #james #need #season

League sources, who spoke on the condition anonymity to discuss ongoing negotiations, said what the Lakers are prepared to offer Atlanta in a trade is underwhelming, whereas Cleveland has potentially more appealing trade pieces. The Cavs have been linked to possible trades of veteran forward Max Strus ($16 million) and point guard Dennis Schröder ($14 million). To execute a sign-and-trade transaction, Cleveland must remain under the NBA's first salary apron of roughly $209 million, which is why James Harden remains unsigned.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: To execute a sign-and-trade transaction, Cleveland …

#trade #cleveland

Anthony Slater: Do you see the number on that graphic, $27.7 million dollars? Draymond Green gave that back under the ******* umption that if it comes down to it he can get somewhere near that back from the Warriors. It was to give flexibility to go try to chase LeBron. If they were to get LeBron, that could get him maybe a multi-year deal at a lower number, but still financial security. To answer your question, there's been some speculation, hey, maybe he could follow LeBron to another place. LeBron's having trouble getting more than the minimum out there. So, Draymond Green if he were to follow LeBron would have to take the minimum and I mentioned that number $27.7 million because that's a lot more than $3.9 million. And I know Draymond Green. He likes 27.7 million a lot more than 3.9.
YouTube
Anthony Slater: Do you see the number on that graphic, $27.7 million dollars? Draymond Green gave that back under the ******* umption that if it comes down to it he can get somewhere near that back from the Warriors. It was to give flexibility to go try to chase LeBron. If they were to get LeBron, that could get him maybe a multi-year deal at a lower number, but still financial security. To answer your question, there's been some speculation, hey, maybe he could follow LeBron to another place. LeBron's having trouble getting more than the minimum out there. So, Draymond Green if he were to follow LeBron would have to take the minimum and I mentioned that number $27.7 million because that's a lot more than $3.9 million. And I know Draymond Green. He likes 27.7 million a lot more than 3.9. — 7/24/2026 YouTube
NBA commissioner Adam Silver may regret calling out LeBron James to decide where he will play next season. Four-time NBA champion Draymond Green said that Silver urging James to make a decision soon might only make him take longer to announce it. “Adam saying that is not going to speed up LeBron’s decision at all,” Green said on the “Draymond Green Show.” “If I know Bron well, if anything, it may slow his decision down a little more because that’s just how Bron is. — 7/22/2026 New York Post
As sources described to the California Post, multiple teams — and players — throughout the league are in a holding pattern until James makes his decision. It’s why James Harden remains an unrestricted free agent after declining his $42.3 million player option with the Cavaliers over three weeks ago with the expectation he’d re-sign with Cleveland on a new deal. It’s why Draymond Green remains an unrestricted free agent after declining his $27.7 million player option with the Warriors, with the expectation he’d re-sign with Golden State on a new deal. — 7/22/2026 New York Post

#green #million #number #deal

Grassroots sports clubs across Shropshire say they are struggling to keep their pitches alive because of the hot, dry weather.
Telford Hornets Rugby Club are one of many who said the pitches they play on are dying because spending to irrigate would cost them thousands of pounds, money which they do not have.
Since 15 June, most of England has recorded less than 10mm of rain, which has meant many clubs are praying for a sustained downpour.
The club's chairman, Neil Thomas, said they have had to learn strategies to keep their pitches in as good condition as possible, so they can continue playing on them.
As many sport teams return from their off-season, players are faced with the prospect of playing on hardened pitches, which physiotherapists say increase the chances of soft tissue injuries.

#many #keep #telford #Rugby

You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters.
(Bloomberg) -- The US Treasury Department has expressed concern over a number of high-profile tax strategies touted by Wall Street that it says may be "too good to be true."
Officials told an industry gathering on Tuesday morning in New York the department considers that some of these products may be abusive, and said it is actively evaluating the tools available to address them.
However, they stopped short of announcing new guidelines, saying instead they "expect a serious dialogue with the market before positions harden" and investors are placed at more risk.
The strategies under scrutiny include so-called 351 conversions, box-spread exchange-traded funds, products that offset ordinary income, and funds that avoid dividend income by flipping between other ETFs. Speaking at a Wall Street Tax ***** ociation seminar, Kevin Salinger, deputy ***** istant secretary for tax policy at the Treasury, and Erika Nijenhuis, senior counsel, said the department has no wish to over-engineer rules, but it cannot ignore a market developing around transactions with results Congress did not appear to intend.

#wealthmanagement #market

The Charlotte Hornets have been linked with interest in Schroder, league sources told HoopsHype. It's worth noting that Hornets executive Jeff Peterson is said to still be a fan of Schroder dating back to their time together in Atlanta.
HoopsHype
Since Cleveland's season ended in a Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals, sources say the team has had discussions about the possibility of trading Max Strus and Dennis Schroder. Strus is set to make $16.6 million in the final year of his contract. Schroder is still owed nearly $31 million over the next two seasons. Those moves would help Cleveland's salary cap situation. If the Cavs get below the punitive aprons, they could also theoretically orchestrate a sign-and-trade for James. — 6/30/2026 Cleveland Plain Dealer
Meanwhile, as the Cavaliers navigate James Harden's return and Wade's free agency, Cleveland's Max Strus and Dennis Schroeder have been mentioned in trade talks with the franchise currently projected over the second apron. — 6/28/2026 HoopsHype

#strus #hornets #sources

Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged last week the league office can't finish the schedule until LeBron James chooses a destination. That's real power. James Harden remains unsigned while the Cleveland Cavaliers wait on yet another LeBron decision. The futures of other veterans like Draymond Green and Jonathan ****** inga remain murky because of him. Summer League is over. This is usually around the time the league goes into hibernation, when coaches and executives take their well-deserved vacations and get away from business for most of August. LeBron is now encroaching on that time as well.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Summer League is over. This is usually around the time …

#lebron #summer #well

Liverpool have done the sensible thing and told Inter Milan to come back with proper money. According to talkSPORT, the Serie A club have seen a second approach for Curtis Jones knocked back, this time worth around £27m through intermediaries, after an earlier £21.6m offer was already dismissed.
That tells you two things straight away. First, Inter want the player. Second, Liverpool are not in the mood to negotiate against themselves. The asking price is £30m, and with Jones still a useful squad option, homegrown, and entering what should be his peak years, there is no obvious reason for Liverpool to blink first.
The key detail here is the club's reaction. Liverpool reportedly saw the first proposal as "derisory" and "dismissed the second approach out of hand". That language matters. It suggests irritation as much as caution, and it suggests the valuation has now hardened rather than softened.
Jones is understood to be open to leaving Anfield this summer, and Inter have tracked him for months after another offer was rebuffed in January. Even so, Liverpool's position is clear. If the bid does not reach £30m, they are prepared to keep him. In fact, the report says they would even be comfortable letting his contract run down and allowing him to leave on a free next summer rather than accepting a cut-price deal now.
That may sound extreme, but it is often the right call when the market undervalues a player. Jones may not be a guaranteed starter, but replacement cost matters. You are not buying a credible Premier League midfielder, developed in-house, for peanuts.

Cavaliers legend believes LeBron James will have a huge impact if he does come home originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
LeBron James' next team has been one of the biggest stories of the offseason so far. At 41, he remains one of the most sought-after players in the league. It is proof that his longevity is the best the NBA has ever seen.
Plenty of teams are interested in getting him, but it seems like a third Cleveland Cavaliers stint is waiting. This has led to people within the Cavs organization getting excited for another LeBron homecoming.
The Cavaliers had a shaky 2025-26 season, which was doubly disappointing because they were hailed as preseason favorites alongside the New York Knicks.
Considering the Knicks won the championship, it was yet another disappointing run for the Cavs, who were left in the dust. After trading for James Harden in the middle of the season, expectations got bigger, but they were embarrassed in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Knicks.

The aortic tear that likely caused the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham is a medical emergency that can rapidly kill.
The aorta is our largest artery, like a highway that arches up from the heart and then curves back down through the abdomen — carrying oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body as other arteries branch off from it.
What doctors call an aortic dissection happens when a tear in its inner lining lets blood rapidly leak between its other layers, according to the American Heart ******* ociation. That reduces blood flow to vital organs, and sometimes can lead to a rupture that pours blood into surrounding tissues. It often can be caused by an aortic aneurysm, a weakened spot on the artery that can bulge like a balloon.
Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol that in turn stiffens arteries — called atherosclerosis — and smoking. It's more common in older people but also can be caused by certain genetic conditions in younger people.
A preliminary medical examiner's report shared by Graham's office said the aortic dissection was related to artery hardening.

Cavaliers' Kenny Atkinson drops strong ex-Laker LeBron James hint amid free agency rumors originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The biggest free agent this summer is undoubtedly LeBron James, as he has put the entire NBA on hold while making his decision. James is entering his 24th NBA season and could potentially be playing for his fourth different team of his career.
James is weighing all of his options and wants to join a contender with a legitimate chance to win a championship. He informed the Lakers at the beginning of free agency that he would not be returning to Los Angeles.
"LeBron James will return for an unprecedented 24th season in the NBA -- but it won't be with the Los Angeles Lakers. James has informed the Lakers that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Shams Charania on Tuesday," ESPN wrote.
A reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers has become a legitimate possibility due to the team's current situation. One of the biggest factors is that James Harden is reportedly waiting to finalize a deal to help create an opportunity for James to join Cleveland. However, ESPN's Brian Windhorst believes James could be headed elsewhere.

There is no doubt that the 2025-26 season was Nico O'Reilly's breakout campaign. The Manchester City youngster continued on from his impressive form at the back end of the 2024-25 season to become a key player for his team last season. In the process, Nico O'Reilly earned himself a spot in England's World Cup squad. As England have progressed to the semi-final stage of the competition, O'Reilly has played a key role for his country. While other players, such as Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, have rightly gotten the headlines and plaudits, Nico O'Reilly's play at left-back has been crucial to Thomas Tuchel's side's run during the World Cup.
Throughout their World Cup campaign, England have dealt with injuries at the back. Predictably, Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento went down injured on the eve of the tournament. He was withdrawn from England's squad and replaced by Trevor Chalobah. Reece James and John Stones have also suffered injury issues and Jarrell Quansah was suspended for two matches after being sent off in England's dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico in their epic Round of 16 clash. Thomas Tuchel has had to cobble together solutions at right-back. Meanwhile, at left-back, Nico O'Reilly has quietly had an impressive tournament for England.
Nico O'Reilly has been a steady presence at left-back for his country. He has started five of England's six matches and his performances have been exactly what Thomas Tuchel had required. O'Reilly has been solid defensively, as his size and athleticism have been important for his team. He has also gotten forward well, although the goals haven't come yet for the Manchester City youngster. However, with Nico O'Reilly's habit of stepping up in big moments, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him score a crucial goal for England in their semi-final clash against Argentina. Speaking of Argentina a huge test awaits England and Nico O'Reilly and it is one that O'Reilly will have to be fully prepared for.
Up next for England is their arch rival Argentina in the second semi-final of this summer's World Cup. Thomas Tuchel's side will be hoping to avoid a similar fate to the England teams of 1986 and 1998 where Argentina eliminated them. Standing in England's way is a tough and battle-hardened Argentina side led by Lionel Messi. Messi has starred at the World Cup and has scored eight goals so far at the tournament. To qualify for the World Cup final, England have to find a way to subdue Messi and Nico O'Reilly will likely have an important role in that process.
Lionel Messi tends plays a free role in the final third for Argentina and he picks his moments as to when he clicks into gear. Often, Messi cuts in from the right to inflict maximum damage. If the Argentinian legend does this against England, it will be up to Nico O'Reilly to an extent, with help from his teammates, to quell the influence of Argentina's match-winner. There is no doubt that the Manchester City youngster knows the size of the task ahead

Cavs' Meleek Thomas making name for himself already at NBA Summer League as James Harden remains free agent originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Meleek Thomas wasn't taken in the 2026 NBA Draft until the second round, No. 34 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He's already making it look like the Cavs might've gotten a steal.
On Sunday, Thomas had his second high-scoring game of NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, this time dropping 30 points.
He looked much like the bucket-getter he was already believed to be when he was at Arkansas:

There is some increasing speculation that LeBron James is definitely heading back to the Cleveland Cavaliers and that it is only a matter of time before he makes an official decision. Some NBA fans even seem to think that he may wait until after the final game of the World Cup, which will take place on July 19, to make an announcement so that he can ensure he gets the most attention possible.
But there is also considerable doubt that James could win the NBA championship with the Cavaliers. A number of people around the league recently expressed their cynicism that the 41-year-old is the right man to put the Cavaliers over the top, with one scout even saying, "They don't want another old guy."
Sports commentator Colin Cowherd said that if Cleveland adds James, it will become slow and defensively challenged.
"LeBron (James) will make you the worst defensive team," Cowherd said. "Slowest player in the NBA last year was James Harden. He's a Cav. You know the second-slowest player? LeBron James, if he goes to Cleveland. They'll be the worse team in terms defensively, and they weren't very good last year, even with rim protection.
"... Slow is not what you need in the NBA. Youth, speed, and athleticism is."

JOHANNESBURG, July 9 (Reuters) - Groups of anti-immigration South Africans seized foreigners from their homes in Johannesburg on Thursday and handed them to police in a hardening of protests that have ‌sown fear in communities and strained ties with some countries.
In Johannesburg's Alexandra township, a Reuters ‌reporter saw protesters breaking down doors and entering houses where they believed undocumented immigrants were hiding.
They escorted the people to police vans where they were taken away, including a woman and a small child from Malawi. Another man who was apprehended by the marchers told Reuters he was in the country legally.
"I am a ZEP holder," said the Zimbabwean national, Total Mhlanga, referring to the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit which allows tens of thousands of nationals to live ‌and work in South Africa.
In Soweto, ⁠anti-immigrant protesters marched through town wielding sticks and flags, with plans to go search for undocumented immigrants. Several of the flyers for Thursday's protests advertised a "peaceful march" followed ⁠by "door to door". Another march took place in Durban on the east coast.

Q: Ira, compare the starting fives as they stand now on the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Miami Heat and tell us which team you think LeBron James would fit the best on? – Barry, Deerfield Beach.
A: In terms of overall talent, Philadelphia would trump the field you mention, with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, V.J. Edgecombe and Dean Wade. The Cavaliers certainly would be close with Donovan Michell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and, say, Jaylon Tyson or Max Strus. But when it comes to fit, the best role that suits LeBron James' game at age 41 would be the Heat, where he could play as unquestioned ballhandler and playmaker, while being able to avoid overtaxing defensive ******* ignments, with teammates such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell in place to handle such dirty work. Now, if you're asking where he might have the best chance to win, that would be with the 76ers if Joel Embiid can stay healthy in the playoffs. But that's a big "if."
Submit your "Ask Ira" question here!
Q: The talent of LeBron James would be nice but the documentary baggage and everything that goes with it, not so much. I really enjoyed the Big Three era, but honestly as a Heat fan, I'd really like this to be the Giannis Antetokounmpo/Bam Adebayo era. – Douglas.
A: While the outside concern of a LeBron James "Last Dance" is appreciated, the NBA, and pro sports in general, are a world of potential distractions, between the type of documentary you mention and the non-stop influence of social media. But teams also are built better than ever to handle such supposed distractions. NBA teams have staffer after staffer after staffer ******* ignment to deal with such elements. You don't avoid greatness over concerns of distractions.

Here's what the Cavs can offer LeBron James in a contract, and how a trade might matter originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
LeBron James might come home to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers once again.
But if that's the plan for the free agent superstar, a few moves might have to happen first.
LeBron's contract with the Cavs will also depend on James Harden, who at the moment hasn't signed a new deal either.
And there could also be a trade that impacts how this plays out.

The simmering feud between Carson Hocevar and Zane Smith isn’t staying behind at Chicagoland Speedway.
With NASCAR confirming the two drivers will meet with series officials before Sunday’s Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway, Smith made it abundantly clear this week that his opinion of Hocevar hasn’t changed. If anything, it has only hardened.
Appearing on the “Racin’ With The Boys” podcast, the Front Row Motorsports driver revisited the growing rivalry that spilled over during last weekend’s Cup Series race and offered one of his strongest public criticisms yet of the Spire Motorsports driver.
The tension between the two drivers has been building for months.
Last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, contact between the pair on Lap 32 sent both cars into the outside wall. NASCAR reviewed the incident afterward and elected not to issue penalties, but the series will hold a meeting with both drivers before Sunday’s race at EchoPark Speedway.

"Let's get to one guy that played with the Cavs this past season, that is James Harden. He opted out of his deal with Cleveland. What can you tell us about his future with the Cavs?" Shams Charania: "James Harden will be going back to the Cavaliers just depending on how this shakes out with LeBron James and other upgrades the Cavs are able to make. He will be back, my understanding is on a multi-year deal. Whether that is a two-year deal, a three-year deal, a lot of that shakes out after the Cavs' offseason moves. But I am told James Harden, his reps are on the same page with the Cavs. They want to give the organization as much flexibility as possible to see what upgrades they can make, because they know there needs to be some level of upgrade on the roster, especially on the wings. So whether it is LeBron James, a guy like Jonathan ***** inga, this is a Cavs group led by Koby Altman, president of basketball operations, that is being aggressive here in the market, and that starts with LeBron James."
YouTube
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: James Harden, Cavaliers on same page as Cleveland pursues LeBron James and roster upgrades

Once again, it’s time to pass judgement prematurely. After all, I would have my basketball writer card revoked were I to not evaluate before the dust has fully settled: that’s why they pay me the modestly-sized bucks, I’m told. So, without further ado, the Winners and Losers of week one of 2026 NBA free agency.
Philadelphia 76ers It must feel strange for Sixers fans to be on the right side of one of these incredibly lopsided, head-scratching transactions. But here we are: Philadelphia may end up as the biggest winners of the week after somehow (!) landing 2026 MVP candidate, 2024 NBA finals MVP and bona fide second-team All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown in exchange for just two first-round picks, two second-rounders and Paul George – whose contract is widely regarded as one of the league’s worst. The 36-year-old, injury-prone former superstar is still owed roughly $110m over the next two seasons. At the time of writing, the Sixers remain in the LeBron James sweepstakes, but even if they strike out, they’re in terrific shape. A George-for-Brown swap gives them far more insurance against the inevitable Joel Embiid absences during the regular season, while adding a battle-tested champion to help shepherd Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe through the postseason and show them what it takes to reach the mountaintop. Additionally, after being unceremoniously dumped on a division rival for the basketball equivalent of a bag of chips, Brown will arrive about as motivated as possible heading into the 2026-27 campaign. Hats off to the Sixers’ brass for pulling off what looks like the biggest heist since Nico Harrison since Nico Harrison was employed.
Los Angeles Clippers Self-awareness is a virtue. The Clippers were going nowhere in a hurry, and as heartening as last season’s late push was, the Kawhi Leonard era had, by any reasonable measure, been an abject failure. The reckoning actually began before the offseason. At the trade deadline, the Clippers cut bait on James Harden, landing the much younger Darius Garland while adding draft capital. They also dealt longtime center Ivica Zubac for a package that ultimately yielded fifth overall pick Keaton Wagler. The housecleaning continued this summer when they sent Leonard back to his old home in Toronto, receiving a respectable haul of picks along with two intriguing younger pieces in Brandon Ingram and Gradey ****** . They even poached three-point sniper Rui Hachimura from the neighboring rival Lakers. In all likelihood, the Clippers won’t be very good next season. But now, what was once an empty cupboard of future ****** ets has been restocked, the foundations of a genuine rebuild are finally in place, and, a year after watching former Clipper-turned-trade-chip Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy, the franchise can at last start moving forward. That is, until tree-planting-gate is fully adjudicated.
LeBron James It is absolutely preposterous that the hottest commodity on the free-agent market is a

NORTH KARELIA, Finland — Bears, wolves and moose still cross the frontier freely, but for the border guards patrolling this stretch of fields and forest, this is where NATO ends.
A line of wooden poles and painted markers cuts through the light green grass, separating Finland from Russia along the alliance's longest border with Moscow — 1,343 kilometers (835 miles) of increasingly militarized territory. The crossing has been closed since 2023, the year after the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On the other side lies land Finland lost to the Soviet Union when it was left to fight largely on its own in the early months of World War II.
Reporters from Axel Springer's Global Reporters Network traveled to three exposed stretches of Europe's eastern frontier — Finland's forested border with Russia, Poland's fortified line with Kaliningrad and Belarus and Lithuania's vulnerable edge near the Suwałki Gap — to see how ready NATO's frontline states are for the possibility that Moscow will attack the alliance.
What we observed was a continent racing to harden its eastern edge against a threat it can no longer ******* ume Washington will handle. As US President Donald Trump questions old security guarantees and looks to reduce America's military footprint in Europe, the countries closest to Russia are building fortifications, expanding reserves, buying tanks and drones and preparing for the possibility that the first days of any conflict may be theirs to fight largely alone.
Since his reelection in 2024, Trump has repeatedly called into question Washington's commitment to NATO's Article 5, the foundational clause under which an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all. The uncertainty only deepened after the war in Iran, when the president and his team threatened to reassess US membership in NATO in response to European allies' refusal to join the conflict.

LeBron James continues to keep the NBA world waiting as he decides on his next destination. While certain teams stand out as favorites, it appears he is taking his time and considering all his options.
A third stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers is on the table, and it is said that James could well and truly make another comeback to Ohio. A return home for James would arguably be the most storybook way for him to end his legendary career.
Twitter user and noted LeBron James confidant “Cuffs the Legend” shared his thoughts, calling out Cavaliers star James Harden.
“Gotta MOVE HARDEN!” he wrote. “He can’t win his individual matchups anymore.. especially against Big Body Brunson in the East.”
The man known as Cuffs has received shoutouts from the four-time NBA champ in the past and has made it clear he is in touch with James and his inner circle. The fact that he receives shoutouts from James on social media speaks volumes.

Clippers free agency tracker: Live signings, trades, news, updates and more in 2026 NBA offseason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Clippers are entering a key offseason.
On paper, they seem to want to get younger. They already traded away James Harden for Darius Garland during the season. Kawhi Leonard is in the rumors now, too. Free agency could provide some options for a solid team with cap ******* e, as well.
The Clippers often spend time as the understudy to the Lakers, and yeah, the Lakers have a lot going on, too.
Don't forget about the Clippers, though. Their moves this offseason could have wide-reaching implications.