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wolves This may have been the last time the door was publicly closed on Rodrigo Gomes’ move. However, recent developments in Portugal have made the picture increasingly complex. This is especially true tottenham Now entering the scene.

last summer, report from portugal Wolves are said to view the winger as part of their long-term plans. But since then a lot of water has flowed under the bridge. Wolves are headed for another squad makeover for next season’s Championship campaign.

The fact is that Rodrigo Gomes finished the season with five goals in 27 appearances for Wolves, playing just over 1,100 minutes in all competitions during his first year in English football. This is an interesting output.

in that respect, game Now it is claimed that Spurs are also keeping an eye on the 22-year-old player. Additionally, Rodrigo has avoided giving any guarantees about staying at Molineux following relegation from the Championship.

That combination has instantly changed the mood regarding the player’s future.

The exit is taking shape

Until now, most of the noise was around Rodrigo Gomes Interest from Portuguese clubs. The increased level of attention around Tottenham reflected in the story could lead to a very different market landscape later in the summer.

Speaking about his future, the Portugal U21 international admitted he still hasn’t decided what’s next.

“I still haven’t spoken to my agent. If I stay, I promise to give everything to help Wolves return to the Premier League.” He said.

In Portugal, he “If” This was immediately interpreted as leaving the door open for a possible move.

tottenham link gains weight

The emergence of Tottenham is the latest news here. Indeed Spurs are expected to look for more attacking depth this summer, particularly players who can operate in multiple roles.

Rodrigo Gomes fits that profile quite naturally. He is still only 22, can play wide or deep on the flank, and already has experience in both Portuguese football and the Premier League.

Even despite relegation, Wolves reportedly still strongly believe its long-term potential.

Wolves may soon face pressure

For now, Wolves are still expected to try to hold a strong line. Last year, the club refused to sell Rodrigo Gomes and would only consider an “irresistible” offer. However, demotion always changes the dynamics around a team.

If Premier League clubs start to make more of a push – and with Tottenham’s name now linked to the player making sense here – Wolves could find themselves under increasing pressure before the window closes.

Rodrigo’s own comments have already added uncertainty to the situation, even if he has stopped short of actively pushing for the door.

When asked about the search for a replacement for Jason Kidd, new Dallas Mavericks team president Masai Ujiri made a comment that should scare Florida and Michigan basketball executives.

Before the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers squared off in a wild Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals inside Madison Square Garden, the Mavericks shocked the basketball world when reports surfaced that they had fired their head coach after five seasons.

While the 53-year-old has suffered consecutive losing seasons, he was blindsided by the Luka Doncic trade two years ago and has had to deal with major injuries to his top veterans over the past two seasons. Additionally, Kidd signed a new multi-year extension that will pay him $40 million over the next four years after leading Dallas to the NBA Finals two years ago.

However, according to a report from NBA insider Marc Stein, Ujiri wanted a “clean slate” after taking over the top executive position a few weeks ago.

Now, speculation has emerged about who new team president and general manager, Mike Schmitz, will be their next head coach. On Wednesday, Ujiri gave an interesting answer to that question when asked by a member of the Dallas media.

“It’s an open search … we have a very open mind,” Ujiri said. “We’re going to look everywhere. Try everything possible, and we’ll really see what’s best for this organization. First-time, veteran, college, European, everywhere. Whatever is best for this organization going forward.”

Could the Mavericks target Dusty Mays or Todd Golden?

The assumption may be that Ujiri would prefer an experienced NBA head coach or top assistant in the league. However, he’s apparently open to all options, and that could include Florida’s Todd Golden and Michigan’s Dusty May.

Is there a possibility of going to the NBA? No, but it should not be dismissed. Especially when both have national championships in their resumes. What else is left to prove?

Dallas will do well with Ujiri in charge. Which means stability. The Mavericks also boast the future face of the NBA in Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg. If May and Golden had to leave cushy jobs in college, they would both be attractive to them.

Both are well paid in their current jobs. Will Dallas match that number? Perhaps. Firing Kidd with so much money remaining on his contract shows that Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont isn’t afraid to spend big to make the changes he wants at Ujiri. If they feel May or Golden are the right options, Dumont will likely spend big money again to land them.

While Mays or Golden are unlikely to leave for the Mavericks, Ujiri’s comments should give Michigan and Florida fans a little concern until the new college basketball preseason begins.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

New Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka has begun his very busy offseason. It started with a stroke of luck and winning the draft lottery. His next move was to fire head coach Craig Berube. Could a player like William Nylander be on the docket next?

Insider Chris Johnson said on his podcast Tuesday that everyone except their captain is at the negotiating table.

One of the things that other teams have told me is that the message that has come from the Leafs front office is that they are willing to discuss any player on their roster, except for Auston Matthews. They’re willing to listen to you talk about any player except Matthews.

Wait… does this mean William Nylander is available? Obviously it is so.

“I found it interesting that they were willing to listen to a lot of players who maybe, in the past, were not in the previous administration.”

Even MLSE CEO Keith Pelley publicly identified Nylander, along with Matthews, as the ‘foundational pieces’ he believed the Maple Leafs to have.

However, we must keep in mind that Nylander has a full no-move clause, so it’s not like Chayka could send him out as they see fit. But this is the first time, as CJ said, that the Leafs have ever suggested (even indirectly, in this case) that Nylander might be available.

If this becomes a thing, Toronto could land a big deal for a player of Willey’s caliber. He had three consecutive 40-goal seasons this year, and although he dropped off significantly, down to only 30 goals, he was limited to 65 games. He had not missed a game of an 82-game schedule for three years prior to this.

Nylander has six years remaining at an $11.5 million cap hit. Not that any club trading for him would get a team-friendly deal by any means, but at least, it’s cost certainty in an era where the salary cap is constantly rising, and who knows where the contracts are going to go.

If Matthews is the only ‘untouchable’, who else are the Leafs listening to?

But Nylander isn’t the only name Chayka would like to hear. Based on the ‘only Matthew is untouchable’ parameters, that list can now extend to Matthew Nease and Easton Cowan, among others.

The story could still change regarding how Toronto’s new front office feels about Matthews. They are working on meeting the Captain face-to-face in Arizona in the next little while. The big question we have about that meeting will be: Who should interview whom?

Jalen Brunson has added to his legacy as one of the greatest players in New York Knicks history over the past few weeks. However, some new comments on Wednesday highlight why Carmelo Anthony was so bad for the franchise during his time in Gotham.

The Knicks have felt like a team of destiny this month. After being down two games to one in their quarterfinal series against the Atlanta Hawks, they have pulled off a historic victory by winning seven consecutive games and securing their spot in the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals.

This is the second consecutive year the team has reached the conference finals and Brunson has played a huge role in their success. This includes reaching the playoffs every year since New York arrived in 2022. In that time, he has shocked the NBA world and emerged as a perennial All-Star and the best closer in the game.

Still, part of what makes Brunson so beloved by Knicks fans is that he is a humble star who is team-first. He proved this once again on Wednesday. During a press conference with the NYC media, Brunson was asked about his teammates recently taking more shots and not demanding the ball like many stars. His answer was simple and excellent.

Brunson said, “One, I’m not a star. Two, I want to win.”

Carmelo Anthony can’t hold a candle to Jalen Brunson in NYC

That kind of selfless and humble nature hasn’t been seen from a top Knicks star in a very long time. decade. and was one of Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony’s seven seasons in New York. Still, as good as Anthony was, he was not as impactful a player as Brunson.

During his seven seasons in New York, the 10-time All-Star led the Knicks to the playoffs only three times. In four of those years, they had a losing record, including a 17–65 mark when they played only 40 games in 2014–15. And while they made the playoffs, New York got the furthest trip to the semi-finals. Brunson has done this in at least every season he has been with the team. Plus, he took a discounted rate when he signed his extension through 2024.

Anthony was a great player and a great scorer, but his me-first, ball-hogging style was great for his numbers but bad for his teammates and the Knicks’ championship hopes. While New York fans celebrated the return of the Brooklyn-born kid, his seven years playing inside Madison Square Garden were mostly disappointing. And they led the franchise to seven consecutive losing seasons.

Brunson has excelled since day one and he is still only 29 years old. So even bigger seasons and potentially the Knicks’ first championship since 1973 could be ahead. Fans should appreciate the three-time All-Star as much as possible because superstars like him don’t come around often.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

There is no doubt that Shawn Strickland is one of the best 185-pound fighters on the planet. Because of the impressive resume he has built inside the Octagon, he deserves the top spot in our UFC middleweight rankings.

The 30-7 star has victories over some of the best middleweights of the last decade, including division legend Israel Adesanya. Additionally, seven of his losses inside the UFC have come against elite talents, including future Hall of Famers Alex Pereira and Kamaru Usman.

However, a major reason for their rise to fame, or rather infamy, is the lack of a filter between their brain and mouth. Fight fans are accustomed to bold hot takes from competitors. But Strickland lets fly with any and all ideas about social issues on media programs and social media. And in many instances, they provoked serious reactions because of how controversial they were.

Ahead of his return in the championship main event of UFC 328 this weekend, we take a look at some of Strickland’s most outrageous and controversial opinions.

Shawn Strickland doesn’t want women in the workforce

UFC fans have discovered over the years that the former middleweight champion is conservative in many of his views on society. This includes the roles of men and women in society, and in 2023, he stated that he would prefer women to stay at home and have children rather than be part of the American workforce.

“We need to go back to getting women out of the workforce, and maybe that’s where we went wrong, guys. We let women vote, no offense. Think about America before you let women vote… You let these women into the workforce, now we make less money, you’ve got kids raising themselves on TikTok, we need to go back to like 1942, maybe 1958, after dealing with the Germans. We let women in. “Needs to be put back in the kitchen.”

Sean Strickland hated Bad Bunny’s performance in the Super Bowl

One of the biggest stories of 2026 was music mega-star Bad Bunny – one of the most downloaded artists of all time – performing during the Super Bowl. The February demonstration became the most watched demonstration ever. But leading up to a fight against Anthony Hernandez in February, Strickland offered some anti-gay views on the NFL’s decision.

“I think they all gathered around a table and said, ‘You know, guys, how can we ruin this game? How can we make it gay? Why don’t we bring in a gay alien who doesn’t speak English and have him perform?'”

Bunny is Puerto Rican, which makes him a US citizen because Puerto Rico is a US commonwealth.

Shawn Strickland shows no love for women’s MMA

Next weekend will bring the most valuable promotion and a big first for Netflix. A mixed martial arts event headlined by female MMA legends Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. However, the middleweight title contender is not a fan of the upcoming bout between the 39-year-old and the 44-year-old.

“Ronda Rousey is going to steamroll her, and we’ll just see two middle-aged women going through menopause fight each other. I don’t know. I’m not interested in that. Who gives a s***?”

Sean Strickland wants opponent to die in cage?

Strickland has expressed a number of bizarre views on life and death over the years. However, the most controversial was a comment from five years ago in which he toyed with the idea of ​​ending an opponent’s life in the cage. This should have raised big red flags with the UFC brass.

“I would love nothing more than to beat someone up in the ring. Nothing more. That would make me extremely happy. I would also own that ***… Be a sociopath, it’s fun!”

The rise before UFC 328

On Saturday night, Strickland will get his second chance to become middleweight champion when he faces current title holder Khamzat Chimaev. It was always expected that the tension between the two foul-mouthed fighters would increase as we get closer to UFC 328.

The first salvo in trash talk came last week when Strickland suggested he might pull out a gun if Chimaev and his friends tried to confront him before their fight.

“I’ll just pull out my gun, and I can shoot him. If you come at me with three Chechen guys who don’t speak English, I’ll pull out my gun, and I’ll shoot each one of you.”

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Auston Matthews could be the biggest story of the 2026 NHL offseason. After a difficult season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, there are rumors that Matthews may request a trade to a different team. However, what does the Toronto superstar think about his future in the organization?

After the Maple Leafs finished the 2025–26 NHL season, Matthews commented on his future in Toronto. The comments certainly indicate that nothing is guaranteed.

“I can’t predict the future,” Matthews said. “There have to be steps taken. They’re going to hire new leadership in management and things like that. So, I don’t really know. Like I said, I can’t really predict the future.”

Instead of committing to the Maple Leafs, Matthews decided to step down. Toronto has some decisions to make and it could affect the 28-year-old’s future in the organization.

Why Auston Matthews would request a trade from Toronto

The speculation with Mathews is not going to end any time soon. After missing the playoffs for the first time in his career, the Maple Leafs star could be traded to a new team if he requests a trade. Currently, Matthews has two years left on his four-year contract with a $13.25 million cap hit. However, what would be the outcome of a potential trade request?

There are questions about Toronto’s future in the NHL. Following the firing of general manager Brad Treliving at the end of the season, there is a void in the Maple Leafs’ management. This has led to questions about the team’s direction and whether it will return to the Stanley Cup playoffs any time soon. If this is a rebuild, Matthews may want out.

Additionally, Toronto has only won two playoff series since Matthews was drafted in 2016. Despite the talent on the roster, the Maple Leafs have not made the Eastern Conference Finals since 2002. It is shocking to see a team with so much talent fail to meet the expectations set around the NHL.

Matthews said he “loves” being captain of the Maple Leafs; However, he did not give a definitive answer on whether Toronto is where he wants to play. It may ultimately depend on the new leadership, their direction and whether Matthews believes he can win a Stanley Cup Final in Toronto.

If not, Matthews could request a trade from the Maple Leafs as early as this summer.

READ MORE: Auston Matthews linked to surprise NHL team amid trade rumors

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work may also…More about Austin Konensky

The drama at Chelsea over Enzo Fernandez’s comments has now calmed down, with his agent admitting his client was wrong.

Top Mercato has a special offer today with Javier Pastore Regarding Fernandez’s situation at Chelsea and efforts to clear the air at Stamford Bridge.

According to the Argentine, peace has now been restored to the club.

An interview created a storm

Enzo Fernandez is currently suspended by Chelsea following an interview that aired while he was on international duty with Argentina.

The Chelsea midfielder admitted that he could see himself staying in Madrid and would like to move to the Spanish city at some point.

Then came those comments Reports in recent weeks have linked him with a move to Real Madrid. Inside Chelsea, his comments were deemed disrespectful and poorly timed, with Liam Rosenior insisting the 25-year-old had crossed a line.

Fernandez was then suspended for their next two matches, causing him to miss the FA Cup win over Port Vale and the upcoming clash with Manchester City.

His agent, Javier Pastore, initially described the decision as fair. He then hinted that Fernandez may consider a move after the 2026 World Cup. However, now his tone has changed.

Agent says no problem

Speaking to Top Mercato at FedEx’s ‘Move Like a Pro’ event in Paris, Javier Pastore revealed that direct talks with Chelsea helped set everything in motion.

“We have already talked about this in recent days,” he said.

“He made these statements without any intention of causing problems at Chelsea. He is the captain, one of the leaders of the team, and he has shown his best form on the pitch this season. He was simply talking about a city.

“Then in a short period of time there were a lot of interviews where he talked about his future. The media mixed things up and started saying he was going to leave Chelsea. There is absolutely nothing to it.”

Pastor stepped forward and confirmed that Chelsea, Enzo and their camp have aligned their positions.

“We are on the same thing with Chelsea. We made peace between Chelsea and the player yesterday and the day before yesterday. There was never really any problem. We have cleared the situation.”

internal apology

According to the pastor, Enzo Fernandez now understands the impact of his words and has apologized internally.

He said, “Whatever happened, happened. We explained to the player that even though he did nothing wrong, he should not have said that.”

“He’s only 25. He’s still young, he still has things to learn. We explained to the club that he said it without any malice, that he made a mistake. He naturally apologized to the club, his teammates, the coach, the sporting director, everyone. We’re all on the same page. We just had to clear up the misunderstanding.”

Full focus on Chelsea

Chelsea will now be hoping to put the incident aside soon as they focus on trying to get into the Champions League.

The blues are currently 6^th And entering the decisive phase of the season. With pressure mounting on Liam Rosenior, he needs to pull everyone in the same direction.

Enzo Fernandez has been a key player this season and his agent insists he is focused on getting Chelsea over the finish line.

He concluded, “Chelsea are fighting for their Champions League spot through the Premier League, which is very important for the club.”

“Enzo needs to play because he has the World Cup coming up. Chelsea need him because he is a key player for their team. We’ve talked; we’ve sorted everything out on both sides.

“Things are very clear. There is no dispute of any kind. Enzo still has six years left on his contract and we need to work together, which we are doing.”

🇦🇷From Argentina: Alejandro Garnacho moves from Chelsea to River Plate on one-year loan https://t.co/lnfgIg009E #cfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 7 April 2026

Explaining his joy in helping kids take their interest in football to a new level, Zeke Dobbins set himself up to go viral for the wrong reasons.

If not for some serious knee injuries during his NFL career, Denver Broncos running back JK Dobbins could be viewed as one of the better players at his position in the league. Unfortunately, he has only played 43 games since being selected in the second round by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Still, when he has been healthy, he has been an impact player on every team he has been on. But, football fans may be unaware of his interest in using the notoriety he has gained to make an impact off the field. That was the focus of a recent conversation with ESPN, as he talked about some of the work he did at a youth soccer camp in Mexico. However, the way he said it was not nice at all.

JK Dobbins stats (2025): 772 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns, 5.0 yards per carry

“I also like touching kids with different types of upbringings. I like touching kids who don’t have it as fortunate as others,” Dobbins said of his recent football camp appearance. “Mexico City was a great opportunity for me because I want to touch the children, I want to touch them. I want to be able to speak not only in English, but also in Spanish.”

Of course, Dobbins’ comments were harmless, and his work in expanding the game to different countries as well as working in disadvantaged communities should be commended. However, in an era where convicted and deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is a hot-button topic internationally, any comment about touching children will turn heads.

Not surprisingly, since the clip hit social media, it has garnered a lot of comments from the peanut gallery on those platforms, including Reddit, TikTok, and Instagram.

Dobbins’ agent and Broncos front office executives were understandably outraged when they learned of the poorly worded comments this week.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

After being selected with the 144th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft last year, Cleveland Browns quarterback Chedure Sanders finally earned the starting job and was selected to the Pro Bowl. However, recent comments from the front office suggest it could be an uphill battle to reclaim the starting job in 2026.

Speaking to reporters, including Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said it is “completely realistic” that the club will spend one of its picks in the 2026 NFL Draft on a quarterback.

RELATED: Cleveland Browns trade proposal nets team’s top WR

“Our inclination would be that if we add somebody to the quarterback room, it would be somebody that’s probably a young player. But I can’t tell for sure because I don’t know what happens over the next few weeks.

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry on potentially adding a QB

He also acknowledged that he has met with former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson and would like to spend more time meeting who many view as the second-best passer in the class.

Some believe Simpson will be a first-round pick in April. There is a possibility he could be available to Cleveland with the 24th overall pick, which they acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars, or they could move up from Round 2 (39th overall) to the end of Round 1 to try to land Simpson.

RELATED: Latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft

One thing Berry made very clear is that whichever young quarterback Cleveland brings in, he will “compete” for the starting job. If the Browns see someone whose skill set translates immediately to playing in Todd Monken’s offense, they are willing to draft him and allow him to compete for the starting quarterback in 2026.

This isn’t the only bad sign for Sanders’ hopes of becoming the Browns’ starting quarterback this season. If Berry proves himself performance-wise and outperforms Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, Berry would not rule out signing Deshaun Watson to a new deal.

While Sanders finished ahead of Gabriel on the Browns’ depth chart at the end of the season, a change at guard looks very likely. Watson will be given a real chance to earn the job, and it now seems plausible that another young quarterback could be added through the 2026 NFL Draft.

Just two months after Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl and a few weeks after his connection with Monken, it seems likely the second-year quarterback won’t see much of the field this fall.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Oh my god, the Jared McCann trade is the gift that keeps on giving to the Philadelphia 76ers; Not quite in the way many fans would have expected.

While the red, white and blue are improbably winning without their Big 3, thanks to the big play of a different random player in every outing, McCann is thriving in Oklahoma City, looking like the player Thunder fans saw during his rookie campaign but never thought would be on their team next season.

And the worst part? Mark Dangeault’s willingness to run plays through McCann highlighted how poorly the 76ers utilized the Duke sharpshooter during his sophomore season.

Discussing his experience with Thunder veterans setting screens for him, McCann said he always loved watching Joel Embiid screen for Tyrese Maxey in two-man games, but he rarely had that chance until landing in Oklahoma City.

“It’s crazy. When I was in Philly, I used to do this with Joel Tyrese, and I was like, ‘Dang, it’s really cool out there,'” McCain said, via Justin Martinez. “So it’s really fun to be able to be a part of it. Playing with Hart, J-Will and Chet, they’re all elite legends. I’m excited to play with them.”

Jared McCain asked if he had played with a big man who could make the screening a major play, like Isaiah Hartenstein:

“It’s crazy. When I was in Philly, I used to do this with Joel Tyrese and I was like ‘Dang, it’s really cool there.’ So to be able to be a part of it… pic.twitter.com/vTsyiC1P4u

– Justin Martinez (@Justintohoops) 17 March 2026

Now understandably, these comments did not sit well with many 76ers fans, who flooded Martinez’s comment section with demands for Nick Nurse’s job. Some called him incompetent, others suggested he should be “blown in the sun”, and others still took a step further, requesting a clean house, including president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and even the Harris Blitzer Group, which has long been the subject of ridicule for its cap-skirting tactics.

Will the 76ers get the last laugh? Technically, McCann is only averaging 11.4 points per game in Oklahoma City, or about four fewer points than his run in Philadelphia in 2024-25, but as he becomes more comfortable and his minutes continue to increase, that number will increase in no time, making any talk of “overselling” difficult to swallow.

On paper, Deandre Ayton has enjoyed a great start to life with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 12.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in 53 starts. Dig deeper, however, and the cracks begin to appear, mostly due to flaws on defense and Ayton’s refusal to become a role player on a roster loaded with offensive talent.

This was very evident in Ayton’s “They’re trying to make me Clint Capela” comment, which has drawn some harsh criticism from Miami Heat legend Udonis Haslem.

“I played with the Big 3, the other 12 of us didn’t have the role we wanted… and you’re no different than Deandre Ayton. Play your role and get your ring or not.”

– Udonis Haslem 👀

(via @NBAonPrime)pic.twitter.com/VG4O5jH1X5

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 6 March 2026

“For Deandre Ayton, we’re talking about buying in. That’s a losing mentality. If that’s what’s required of you to put your team in a position to win a championship, then you’ve got to buy in and do your part,” he said, according to a post on X by ClutchPoints, suggesting that Ayton needs to be more open to his team’s needs.

The Lakers need the No. 1 pick of the 2018 draft to become a rim-running, screen-setting center and play a less offensive role with primary scorers like LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

“I played with the Big 3, the other 12 of us didn’t have the role we wanted. Only three guys had the role they wanted. Everybody else had to fill a gap and play their role to get wins. And you’re no different than Deandre Ayton. Play your role and get your ring or not,” Haslem concluded, referencing his time playing with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James.

With Doncic orchestrating the offense and LeBron continuing to serve as one of the league’s most productive creators even early in his career, Los Angeles doesn’t need additional post-up scoring from its center. Instead, the offense requires vertical spacing, offensive rebounding, rim protection, and efficient finishing near the basket.

However, Ayton has a plus-minus of -65 since the All-Star break, primarily due to an erratic style of play with regular defensive lapses. His two-point performance against the Phoenix Suns also earned applause from Capela, who urged Ayton to be locked up because his team had two of the game’s best floor generals.

Needless to say, as Haslem has claimed, Ayton may need to embrace his new role with the Lakers, especially given the overall production their Big-3 is currently producing.

With new comments from head coach Marcus Freeman it seems like a move from Notre Dame to an NFL team is not a matter of if, but when.

One of the big stories in football late last year was Freeman’s flirtation with the NFL. During his five seasons in South Bend, the 40-year-old has emerged as one of the best coaches in the country and his resume includes a trip to the championship game. Obviously, his impressive success in his first head coaching role caught the attention of NFL executives.

As the league’s teams searched for potential candidates for their head coach positions in December, Freeman was linked to several jobs, including the New York Giants. It started to seem like leaving Notre Dame for a pro job was a real possibility. However, at the end of the month, Freeman announced that he was not going anywhere and had in fact received a new deal from the university.

Nevertheless, there are still rumors that soon, the benefits of becoming an NFL coach will be too much, and he will leave the Fighting Irish in a bad way. During a new interview this week, Freeman didn’t allay the fears of Notre Dame fans who were worried an exit was on the way.

Marcus Freeman Record: 43-12

On Thursday, Freeman told NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo to “never say never” on the idea of ​​jumping to the NFL, and that he “daydreams” about the idea with some regularity. Furthermore, he admitted that when he had introductory talks with teams in December, he used it to find out what franchises and executives wanted from prospective head coaches.

“If the time and opportunity is right, we’ll see what happens in the future,” Freeman said. However, he said he feels he has “the best job in America” ​​and feels fulfilled in his role.

Unfortunately for Notre Dame fans, several great coaches leading various top programs across the country have said the same thing and all left. Fighting Irish fans need to enjoy and appreciate Freeman while they have him, because a move to the NFL is going to happen; It’s just about how long it takes.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

ESPN NBA insider Tim McMahon publicly criticized Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert on Wednesday, accusing the four-time Defensive Player of the Year of “crying” about offensive touches following recent comments involving teammate Kyle Anderson.

Speaking on ESPN’s NBA Today, McMahon addressed Gobert’s comments and suggested the veteran center should focus on the role he has played in helping Minnesota find success this season.

“Rudy… who has the ball? Anthony Edwards has the ball. These are the same kind of comments that used to get under Donovan Mitchell’s skin at Utah. Now fortunately, the ant’s skin has gotten really thick. I mean, that kind of stuff blows up but Rudy, you guys are rolling. You don’t have to complain about not touching the ball. Protect the rim, like you did with four Defensive Player of the Year awards. Run the floor, set screens, roll. If you don’t touch the ball much, this is not the time to rock the boat.

McMahon’s comments came shortly after Gobert spoke about Anderson, who recently returned to the Timberwolves after signing with the team last week following a buyout from the Memphis Grizzlies.

“Rudy, you guys are rolling. You don’t have to complain about not touching the ball. Protect the rim, like you did to get four Defensive Player of the Year awards.”@BannedMacMahon On Rudy Gobert after his comments about Kyle Anderson as a guy who ‘wants to pass…’ pic.twitter.com/o8PIrbeal0

– NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) 4 March 2026

Gobert addressed Anderson’s playmaking ability after Minnesota’s 117-110 win over Memphis on Tuesday. While discussing what Anderson has added to the offense, Gobert made light-hearted comments about ball movement early on.

“I think just passing the ball…Yeah, somebody that wants to pass the ball to his teammates.”

NBA insider criticizes Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert after Kyle Anderson comments

Gobert later clarified that Anderson’s value went beyond that comment, emphasizing his ability to connect the offense and facilitate opportunities for others.

“But yes, he’s a coordinator. So, someone who makes plays for his teammates.”

Anderson spent parts of three seasons with the Timberwolves before departing for the Golden State Warriors. He was later traded to the Miami Heat last season, then transferred again in the offseason to the Utah Jazz, before Utah dealt him to the Memphis Grizzlies earlier this season. Following a buyout in Memphis, Anderson returned to Minnesota, giving the Timberwolves another experienced ball-handler and facilitator with All-Star guard Anthony Edwards.

Minnesota continues to maintain strong momentum in the Western Conference heading into the 2025–26 season. The Timberwolves improved to 39-23 after Tuesday’s win over the Grizzlies and are currently in fourth place in the conference standings.

Gobert remains a central figure in the team’s defensive identity. Known for rim protection and rebounding, the French center has had a stellar career highlighted by four Defensive Player of the Year awards and multiple All-Star selections.

The Timberwolves will look to extend their current four-game winning streak when they host the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 pm ET as Minnesota continues a three-game homestand.

Some new comments from New York Mets Opening Day starter Freddy Peralta show he is the player and leader this team desperately needs.

The 2025 campaign for the NY Mets was one of the most disappointing in club history. After bringing back most of the roster that reached the NLCS in 2024 and adding MVP contender Juan Soto to the mix, expectations were high. When they looked like one of the best teams in baseball in the first half, it seemed like their grand plan was coming together.

They then lost in the second half and suffered a shocking collapse in the final month of the season. Missing the playoffs and leaving fans stunned. While there has been much discussion about what went wrong, a lack of unity in the locker room seems to be one of the biggest culprits. That is why the organization took several steps with a view to improving the morale of the clubhouse.

One of them was their blockbuster trade for former Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. The primary goal of the deal was to acquire a legitimate ace at the top of the rotation. However, another reason the NY Mets reportedly traded for the two-time All-Star is his reputation as an integrated and high-character player.

Peralta says NY Mets were the team he wanted to be traded to

On Wednesday, Peralta proved that with some great comments during an appearance foul zone podcast. When asked about his thoughts once he knew the trade was close, the 29-year-old revealed that he had a feeling he would be traded to the NY Mets, and “I wanted to come here. I’m not going to lie,” he said with a smile.

When players sign with the New York team, they always say the right things. However, businesses are different. So the fact that he wanted to end up in Gotham, and it brings a lot of his family together, is a huge positive sign about his mindset in his first season in the New York media pressure cooker.

Furthermore, he added some information that proves that he is very excited about becoming a mate in 2026. First, there’s the fact that he arrived early to spring training, which Peralta says he did specifically so he could bond with his new teammates.

Also, although he admits it was difficult, he gave up representing his country, the Dominican Republic, in the World Baseball Classic this month. This is because he is in the last year of his contract and debuting with a new team, so he looks to deliver another excellent season for himself and the NY Mets in 2026.

However, there are rumors that he and the team are getting closer to an extension. Either way, Peralta is already showing why he is the pitcher and leader the team desperately needed and he could be a key part of a huge turnaround this season.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Throughout almost his entire career, it seems as if LeBron James has been chasing the ghost that has been haunting his career in Michael Jordan. And perhaps the Los Angeles Lakers star is on his way to taking a page out of Jordan’s playbook by ending his career there with the Washington Wizards.

Now, this may be an exaggeration, and there are certainly no concrete indications that James is even considering a move to the Wizards. She is well settled in LA, as she and her family are living comfortably in the city. It is unlikely that James will move away from home at the end of his career.

Nonetheless, James gave a glowing review of the Wizards after their trade deadline, including acquiring his good friend Anthony Davis, which could be the first step toward an unexpected move to the nation’s capital.

“I’m interested to see what they do and how it all comes together. Obviously with AD we know the talent level is out of this world. And Trae, his ability to play the pick and roll game, his ability to shoot the ball, with his lob threat,” James said on the latest episode of the Mind the Game podcast.

“They have some pieces and I think for the first time in a few years we can say Washington has grabbed some pieces. So it will be interesting to see what happens.”

LeBron James showers love on Wizards’ youngsters

There really is something going on in the nation’s capital, and James is right that the time to invest in Wizards shares might be now.

“I love the young kid from France that’s on their team too, Sarr. We just played with him two weeks ago. Great touch, great feel for the game. Love the kid George, too. Young kid, um, very good player. And then also the rookie kid they got from Texas, Johnson, Trey Johnson,” James said.