標籤: Emerges

The Sacramento Kings were expected to be the winner of the 2026 NBA Draft lottery, putting them in a position to land one of the four top-tier prospects available. With the club finishing 7th overall, the draft targets changed significantly.

According to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports, many around the league “widely believe” the Kings are targeting Arkansas Razorbacks point guard Darius Acuff Jr. with the seventh overall selection.

RELATED: Sacramento Kings join big man in free agency

• Darius Acuff stats (ESPN): 23.5 ppg<6.4 apg<3.1 rpg, 48.4% FG, 2.5 3pm per game, 44% 3pt

It should come as no surprise that Sacramento is in the market for a point guard. This has been an issue plaguing the franchise since All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox was traded away. The organization’s hope was that the lottery would turn out in their favor and that they would have elite chances of their choice among the top three.

Instead, by selecting seventh overall, Sacramento will likely take a top guard who hasn’t already been snatched up. That group of prospects is headlined by Acuff, Arizona guard Brayden Burries and Illinois guard Keaton Wagler.

RELATED: Kings linked to bizarre trade for superstar

Acuff, who turns 20 in November, earned SEC Player of the Year honors last season and received unanimous first-team All-American honors as a freshman. Sam Veseni of The Athletic called Acuff potentially “the most polished freshman guard prospect ever.”

The 6-foot-2 guard’s shot creation, ability to get to the paint and passing ability all give him the potential to become a high-level contributor offensively. However, he is also seen as one of the worst guards in the 2026 NBA Draft.

In an era where NBA teams have shown greater reservations about making long-term commitments to undersized guards who struggle defensively, drafting Acuff appears to go against that thinking.

Potentially, Sacramento could draft Acuff and then re-sign Russell Westbrook to serve as a mentor for the rookie this upcoming season. At best, he could develop into a Deron Williams-archetype player.

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

The Cleveland Browns have one of the most intriguing quarterback rooms in the NFL at the moment, making for an interesting position battle that will last all summer. While NFL training camp is still a few months away, it appears the Browns have an early leader in the quarterback competition.

during an appearance on sports center This weekend, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported that Deshaun Watson has “hit it out” with Browns head coach Todd Monken and some around the league believe he could win the starting job.

“He’s already been a factor on the practice field. I’m told he’s worked with Todd Monken, who has an offensive concept, some elements that Watson has run in the past and has gotten the best of them…Talking to people around the league, he believes Watson can ultimately earn this job.”

Jeremy Fowler on Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns QB competition

Watson, who turns 31 in September, last played in the regular season on Oct. 20, 2024. He has recovered from two Achilles tears and it appears his NFL career is in danger of being over by 2025.

This set the stage for Shadure Sanders, who was viewed as the early favorite to be named the Browns’ starting quarterback in 2026. Although he did not play well in his rookie season, posting an 18.9 ESPN QBR with a 7-10 TD-INT line, there was optimism he would improve with a revamped supporting cast in Cleveland.

However, Fowler’s reporting supports what Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot has said in recent weeks. In late April, she wrote for Cleveland.com that Watson had the “inside track” to winning the contest.

Regardless of who is named the Browns’ starting quarterback for Week 1, we’ll likely see both Watson and Sanders on the field in 2026. Given how both of them have performed in Cleveland, there’s also a real possibility that Dillon Gabriel will get some opportunities 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

Jimmie Johnson’s racing team Legacy Motor Club is set to expand next year, adding a third charter for the 2027 Cup Series season. With the new seat available, it appears that the team’s search for its wheelman is over.

According to Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, Legacy’s year-long search for a third chartered driver is “effectively over” and the team is now focusing on 23XI Racing’s Riley Herbst to get behind the wheel in 2027.

Read more: NASCAR prospects whose stock is rising

Riley Herbst, age 27, became a full-time Cup Series driver with 23XI in the No. 35 car last season. He struggled in his rookie year, failing to record a single top 10 finish, while posting one of the worst average starting positions (26.97) and average finishing position (26.39) among full-time Cup drivers.

He has performed much better in 2026. Through 12 races, Herbst’s average starting position (20.25) and average finishing position (22.67) have improved significantly. Herbst earned his first top-10 finish (Daytona 500) since 2023, and he has finished in the top 20 four times this year.

Herbst also brings other qualities that probably have significant importance to the heritage. First of all, he has proven to be an excellent teammate to Tyler Reddick this season through his work in leading Tyler Reddick to victory at Daytona and in the sim.

Equally important for a relatively new team like Legacy, Herbst also brings funding. The Herbst family owns a vast chain of convenience stores, and Driver has a long-term relationship with Monster Energy. Combine all this with the improvements he has made this year, and it is easy to see why he is a top candidate to join the Legacy Motor Club next season.

The domino effect of joining Riley Herbst’s legacy

All of Legacy’s pursuit comes as it secured a third charter in the Cup Series for the 2027 season, creating a domino effect that will impact many top teams. Both 23XI and RFK Racing are affected by the move.

RELATED: Chase Contender Could Lose Chartered Status in 2027

The above charter is leased to RFK this season and is being used for Ryan Preece. RFK is also in a tough spot as all three of its drivers—Preece, Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski—are in contract years. Even if all three drivers are re-signed, there is currently no viable path for the team to acquire a third charter.

Since RFK deals with the loss of a chartered car, 23XI has its own vacancy. Fortunately for the team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, NASCAR’s top prospect Corey Haim is set to replace Herbst next season. Widely regarded as the top prospect in NASCAR, Heim’s arrival should give 23XI a chance to establish itself as the third-best team in the Cup Series.

RELATED: When Corey Heim Can Race Full-Time for 23XI Racing

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

A new report suggests that if Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts doesn’t have a big season in 2026, sports officials think it will be his last season in the City of Brotherly Love.

In just six seasons, Hurts has already solidified his place as one of the best signal callers to ever wear an Eagles uniform. After taking over the starting job in his sophomore season (2021), the second-round pick went to the Pro Bowl three times and led the team to two Super Bowl trips, including a win and MVP honors in 2024.

Yet it hasn’t always been easy for Hurts in Philadelphia. He has had to deal with several different offensive coordinators over the course of his career, and has been more resistant to being pushed out of his comfort zone to the point of frustrating teammates and the organization this past season.

However, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Hurts has been “as open as we can” to new methods of offense this off-season, with Sean Mannion preparing to call up players in 2026. Additionally, he has worked extensively with receiver DeVonta Smith and veteran Elijah Moore in recent months.

Jalen Hurts will be on the trade block next year if he doesn’t improve in 2026

Still, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of pressure on the QB after his downfall last season. Hurts has something to prove in 2026, and if he can’t have a bounce-back year, some around the game think this will be his last year with the Eagles.

When an AFC official asked Fowler if Philly could move him next year if the offense struggled, he said, “I feel bad.” “The player is becoming polarized, and as his running ability begins to decline, his value will also decline. And [Eagles general manager Howie Roseman] Will always be active in finding solutions.”

Fowler says Philadelphia would lose $2.9 million in salary cap space if he is traded before June 1, 2027. But if he is dealt after June 1, they will save $21.4 million on the cap for that year. Similar to the situation going on with AJ Brown and expectations that they are waiting until June 1 to trade him.

Philadelphia Eagles QB predicts a big season in 2026

However, a personal evaluator who spoke to Fowler believes Jalen Hurts is destined for a big season. This could give the QB an advantage if he pushes for a contract extension after the season.

“I think he’ll play well,” the NFC personnel evaluator said. “He’s had so many different coordinators over the years that he’ll be able to adjust to the changes, and if the running game comes back into form, he’ll throw it in nicely over the top.”

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

A surprising report claims an unlikely Western Conference team is the “preferred destination” of Milwaukee Bucks great Giannis Antetokounmpo.

While the NBA world is focused on the playoffs that began last week, we are also just a few weeks away from the start of the offseason. And there will be no bigger story this summer than Antetokounmpo’s future.

After hearing offers before February’s NBA trade deadline, the Bucks are expected to more seriously consider trade packages with better offers and more teams involved in the offseason. However, the 10-time All-Star is expected to play a major role wherever he ends up. So, finding out her favorite places is equally a big story.

Antetokounmpo’s interest in the New York Knicks is well-founded as Gotham is a beloved stop in the offseason. The Golden State Warriors were one of the teams that pursued him most aggressively over the winter, and the Miami Heat are also expected to pursue the two-time NBA MVP. Those teams are viewed as favorites because of their location and their ability to compete with Antetokounmpo next year.

However, this week, a completely unexpected contender emerged. According to PHNX Sports NBA insider Flex from Jersey, the Phoenix Suns are a “preferred destination” for the future Hall of Famer.

Giannis wants to go to the Phoenix Suns?

“Giannis definitely wants to live in Phoenix and it is a preferred destination,” he wrote in a post on X. “That’s because of Matt Ishbia, Devin Booker and what they’re building!”

However, the podcast co-host and contributor added a surprising element to the left-field claim. “I can’t believe the Sun would suddenly destroy things,” he wrote. “Got to understand! They love the situation they’re in.”

After being one of the biggest disappointments in the NBA last season, the Suns have let go of head coach Mike Budenholzer, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. The changes worked, and under new head coach Jordan Ott they went from winning 36 games in 2024–25 to 45 this season. His defense has improved, and he has upside.

Booker and Antetokounmpo could be a bad pairing if the Suns had assets the Bucks were interested in, and the NBA superstar really wanted to go to the desert.

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

It looks like the New York Mets have another interesting prospect who could soon replace Kodai Senga in the starting rotation.

Heading into the 2026 MLB season, Mets decision makers were hopeful that Senga had resolved the issues that led to last year’s disastrous finish. After posting a 5.25 ERA in August, he finished the 2025 season with a 0–3 record and a 6.18 ERA in September. However, during spring training this year, Senga’s fastball was dominant, and he seemed to recapture his All-Star form.

To start the new season, he allowed four runs in less than 12 innings in starts against the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants. It seemed like the ace pitcher was back. Then the wheels fell from its last two wires. Over 5.2 innings against the Chicago Cubs and Athletics, he gave up 14 hits, four homers and 14 runs scored.

It feels like it’s September all over again and the Mets brass should seriously consider a change as they are mired in a miserable losing streak closing in on their 10th straight. Fortunately, the club has some interesting options in its minor league system.

The New York Mets have three options to replace Kodai Senga in Triple-A

Jonah Tong was the best pitcher at any level in the Minors last year. Although he showed his inexperience in his debut at the end of 2025, the team is still ahead of his potential. Christian Scott is fully healthy after missing last season due to Tommy John surgery, and he’s looked strong in Triple-A this year. However, there is also a third option.

Top-10 Mets prospect Zack Weninger has taken some big development steps over the past year. Last season in Double-A, he went 12-6 with a 2.92 ERA and 147 strikeouts in 135.2 innings. He continued that momentum this spring, and though he didn’t make the big league roster, he has gotten off to a fast start in Triple-A. He is 1-1 with a 1.88 ERA and 15 Ks in 14.1 innings in three starts.

According to SNY Mets minor league specialist Joe DeMaio, Weninger has a fastball that has touched 97 mph, a swing-and-miss splitter, a cutter, a sinker, a gyro slider, and he has also mastered throwing a curveball at times.

The options are good, and the Mets have three good options ready whenever they want to take Senga out of the rotation.

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

This weekend opened the door for “Stone Cold” Steve Austin to make an intriguing appearance at WrestleMania 42.

The idea of ​​Austin appearing on WWE content always generates a large amount of interest due to his fan base, and that’s rare. Since his sudden retirement in 2003, the wrestling icon has made only sporadic appearances for the brand after serving as general manager for a few months in the same year.

However, he made his spectacular return to the ring four years ago in a surprise “battle” with Kevin Owens in the Night 1 main event of WrestleMania 38. Since then he has appeared on WWE broadcasts only twice. at last year’s WWE Hall of Fame and again to make the stadium gate announcement on Night 2.

Last month there were rumors that he might appear on Monday Night Raw for the 3:16 Celebration. He didn’t. He will be at WWE World this weekend for a meet and greet session. But it’s still unclear whether he’ll be free to appear at WrestleMania on Saturday or Sunday.

Well, now there is hope. According to BodySlam+, rumors are circulating that Steve Austin will be backstage during WrestleMania. They admit that their appearance on the show is not confirmed and that they may be attending to meet some old friends. However, it would be a huge waste if he didn’t hop on an ATV and get in the ring to do something.

With John Cena set to host both nights, a fun face-off between the two retired icons could make for a very fun moment this weekend.

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

While the perception was that merging WWE and UFC under one umbrella would lead to even greater growth for both companies, more evidence continued to emerge regarding their negative impact on their parent company’s products.

There is a surprising amount of crossover between WWE and UFC. Many fans of both brands watch both products. Many wrestlers have tried their hand at mixed martial arts, and several former UFC stars have made the move to pro wrestling.

That’s why when the two global giants merged and went public under the umbrella of TKO Group Holdings in 2023, it seemed like a perfect business match. However, while the companies are again posting strong numbers in 2026, there are also clear signs that TKO’s interference and some of the strategies instituted by the parent company are hurting WWE and UFC’s potential.

Over the past few years, WWE fans have become frustrated with TKO decision makers like CEO Ari Emmanuel meddling in the company’s creative process.

Emanuel has been supportive of board member Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s inconsistent and confusing appearances on WWE content in 2024 and 2025. He was reportedly the one behind using Travis Scott in the lead up to WrestleMania 41, then the rapper dropped out and was never seen again. And this year, he is reportedly the driving force as to why Pat McAfee was included in the main event storyline of Night 1 WrestleMania between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton.

WrestleMania 42 ticket sales still lag behind last year’s event

However, the biggest disappointment for WWE since the merger has been the company’s pricing of tickets and merchandise. This is actually an initiative from TKO, and it’s going to have a huge impact on the biggest event of the year.

There have been reports for weeks about slow sales for this month’s WrestleMania 42 card. Well, with the event taking place this weekend, it looks like it will be a significantly weaker performance than last year’s show in the same building. According to the This year there are 45,767 seats in the fray.

However, last year in the same building, there were a sellout of 58,538 for Night 1 and 60,103 for Night 2. This is a big difference despite there being a better card at this year’s event. It seems like holding the event in Las Vegas for the second year in a row was a terrible idea, and the cost makes it much less attractive to people in the area this time.

UFC 327 grosses half of previous events in Miami?

Still, WWE isn’t the only country to be affected by the negative impact of TKO. UFC fans have become angry at how poor the events have become as the promotion features cards almost every weekend. Moreover, the talent pool in the company has also reduced.

A big reason for the lack of star power in the UFC is the company’s move away from pay-per-view to its $7.7 billion streaming deal with Paramount. Their business model for 20 years was built on PPVs and giving points upon purchases to top fighters. Since there is no longer any option, the company is not willing to pay the same rates for specific stars.

This is why Jon Jones is not going to return to the company. Conor McGregor still doesn’t have a fight scheduled for 2026, and Ronda Rousey is making her MMA comeback on Netflix for the most valuable promotion instead of inside the Octagon.

Well, it seems like the changes made by the TKO merger have caused the UFC’s weaker product to cause fans in Florida to lose interest in spending big bucks to go to an event in person. According to X Account MMA Joy, the gate for last weekend’s UFC 327 at Miami’s Kasia Center was $6.5 million.

The promotion reportedly made more than $11 million for UFC 314, $12 million for UFC 287 and $14 million for UFC 299 at the same venue. So the fallout from UFC 327 this year was massive.

This week brought two more big pieces of evidence that TKO remains bad for WWE and the UFC.

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

UConn will have a number of holes to fill in the college basketball transfer portal over the next two weeks, and an intriguing option who could help replace Braylon Mullins is now available.

2025-26 was another big year for Dan Hurley’s Huskies team. While they faltered over the last two months of the season and had their doors blown by St. John’s in the Big East Tournament, the program once again proved why it is built to win championships during the NCAA Tournament.

In the tournament, his talent-rich roster recorded big wins over powerhouses Michigan State, Duke and Illinois en route to the national championship game. Although they fell short of winning Michigan’s third championship in five years, the Huskies were again an elite group last season.

Unfortunately, they are set to lose some key players this offseason. Big men Alex Karban and Tyrese Reed Jr. are both departing seniors. And the star of their Elite 8 win over Duke, Braylon Mullins, is likely to declare for the NBA Draft, where he will likely be selected in the top 20. This gives UConn a lot of work to do in the transfer portal and a lot of numbers to make up.

Should UConn target CJ Anthony in the transfer portal?

However, an interesting alternative is not available and is already in play in stores, closer to CT. “Iona senior G CJ Anthony is in the portal, and the school is working to help him get a waiver for a 5th year,” a source told college basketball insider Adam Zagoria.

After three disappointing seasons in Cincinnati, Anthony redshirted in 2024-25 and then took his talents to Iona in the transfer portal a year early. With the Gaels, he had a successful season as he averaged 14.3 points, 5.4 assists and an impressive 1.6 steals a night.

If Anthony wants to raise his profile with NBA Draft evaluators for next year, it would make sense to bring his talents from New York to Connecticut. It would also be nice for UConn to bring in an experienced guard who can make an impact but doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.

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

The NHL has been successful with its new expansion teams over the past few years. In 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights debuted and won their first Stanley Cup in 2023. Meanwhile, the Seattle Kraken make their 2021 debut and continue to push for another playoff berth. In fact, another city has emerged as an unexpected candidate.

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said that Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry spoke to him regarding a potential team in New Orleans, as reported by Frank Serravalli on The Big Show with Rusik & Rose. Landry reportedly said there is a group of investors in New Orleans that are “really interested” in joining the league.

This is a shocking report, as New Orleans is not a very popular destination for hockey. Actually, there are no permanent hockey rinks in the metro area. There’s Baton Rouge Zydeco and Monroe Moccasins in Louisiana, but nothing based on the Big Easy.

If the NHL expands by 30 teams, they will likely add two more organizations instead of just one. So, who else could be a potential candidate for NHL expansion?

Potential NHL expansion destinations beyond New Orleans

The NHL is considering expansion, but they won’t rush the process. A group in New Orleans has expressed a desire to bring a professional hockey team; However, what other cities could join the mix? Two more southern cities in the United States are also mentioned.

Houston and Atlanta are two more destinations mentioned beyond New Orleans. Houston has never had an NHL team, but has hosted minor league and World Hockey Association teams. Most notably, hockey legend Gordie Howe was a member of the Houston Eros during the 1970s.

Atlanta fielded two NHL teams, but they never lasted. The Flames were in Atlanta from 1972 to 1980 before moving to Calgary. Then, the Thrashers came to the city from 1999 to 2011 before becoming the Winnipeg Jets. Both cities would be good options for the NHL regarding expansion.

As far as Canada goes, one stands out among the rest. Quebec is a destination that fans want for an NHL team. Quebec’s last NHL team was the Nordiques, who played in the league from 1979 to 1995 before moving to Denver to become the Colorado Avalanche. The city also had the Bulldogs during the 1919–20 NHL season.

All four of these options would be excellent for the NHL. 32 teams likely to arrive soon; However, don’t be shocked to see New Orleans in the mix to become an NHL organization.

READ MORE: Alex Ovechkin’s 2026 retirement plans – NHL Insider shares update

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

A new report has fueled speculation that AJ Styles could finally be heading to AEW after retiring from WWE this week.

Following his career-ending loss to Gunther at the Royal Rumble last month, supporters of “The Phenomenal One” got the catharsis they wanted on this week’s edition of Monday Night Raw. They got a great highlight reel package. His teammates showered him with love and then The Undertaker surprised him with the news that he was being inducted into the 2026 class of the WWE Hall of Fame.

It was one of the best farewells WWE has ever given to a retiring performer. However, that hasn’t stopped speculation from die-hard AEW fans that he will eventually make the jump to a rival wrestling brand.

The assumption is that since his WWE contract is up, after he gets some much-needed time off as a full-time father, the wrestling itch will eventually return and he’ll scratch it in AEW. The No. 2 company in the world, a place where he has lots of friends, and a promotion with a boss who is his avowed fan.

However, this possibility seems even more unlikely after new comments from one-time Bullet Club and OC castmate Karl Anderson.

Is AJ Styles dealing with a serious neck injury?

“We get to the back, I said, ‘AJ! I didn’t know you were actually going to retire.’ He says, ‘Really!?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ What exactly do you mean, AJ?'” Anderson said on a new edition of his Talkin ‘n’ Shop podcast. “We haven’t talked. How do I know whether you are really going to retire or not?’

“And he said, ‘Man, I have to. My neck’s a pain in the ass. I’m beat up. It’s time,'” he said, recalling their conversation Monday night. “‘I want to help the next generation,’ and I say, ‘Well, I didn’t really believe it. So I just kept talking on my podcast about how you weren’t going to retire, and you’re going to go here, and you’re going to go there, and now, I have to eat a lot of crow, dude.'”

Apparently, AJ Styles may undergo surgery to fix whatever problem he has with his neck. However, after performing in sports for more than 25 years, the problem may become serious and require major surgery. This is something he may want to avoid during the months or years of rehabilitation.

Styles has made it clear that he wanted to retire before he was no longer able to compete at the level he desired. A serious neck injury a few months before his 49th birthday provides evidence as to why he is retiring from not just WWE but the industry as a whole.

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