Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James trended for a vicious dunk against the Houston Rockets on Monday. But now a potential future venture seems to be looming over them.

James’s dream of becoming an NBA owner suffered a major setback on Wednesday. James’ partnership with Fenway Sports Group is eyeing Las Vegas for a new expansion franchise. But according to Joe Warden and Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, FSG is ready to expand.

Price is a big factor, with the expected cost “reportedly demanding an expansion fee of up to $8 billion per team.”

This still leaves a major dent in James’ ownership vision as the league continues expansion talks.

What’s next for Lakers’ LeBron James amid ownership blowback?

The Athletic further noted how “FSG was long expected to be James’ primary financial backer in his stated desire to own an NBA team.” But the sudden move makes it “less likely” that James will pursue franchise ownership.

Fenway Sports Group has partnered with James with the Miami Heat since 2011. The group owns the Boston Red Sox of the English Premier League and soccer club Liverpool.

James’s net worth is estimated at $1.4 billion, leading fans to believe that he has enough wealth to own a team. But if he continues to own a sports franchise he will need to join a team of investors.

The four-time NBA champion would also have to retire to run the ownership. The 41-year-old James is currently unsure about playing in 2026-27.

Newcastle United are accelerating plans to secure a new long-term goalkeeper ahead of a crucial summer transfer window.

According to Sacha Tavolieri, speaking through the sky, Newcastle have made solid progress in their pursuit of RC Lens goalkeeper Robin Riser.

Newcastle have now placed the 21-year-old firmly on their shortlist after months of extensive scouting work.

Internally, the club’s recruitment department has fully approved Riser’s profile. They see him as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in Europe.

Why has Robin Riser convinced Newcastle’s recruitment team?

His appeal is clear. Standing at a height of 1.93 metres, Riser provides the physical presence that Premier League clubs demand, with strong possession and aerial dominance in his own area.

Newcastle’s coaching staff have also been impressed by his calm, confident footwork, a key requirement in modern possession-based systems.

Talks begin as Lens considers sale for €30-40 million

Behind the scenes, initial contact has already been established between the two parties.

Tavolieri reports that Riser’s representatives have already held discussions with Newcastle’s ownership group PIF to find out the structure of a potential summer move. Their interest is said to be genuine and initial exchanges have been positive.

Lenses are aware of the situation and are ready for a potential sale. Lens values ​​Riser at between €30-40 million, the latter reflecting both his current level and rising market value.

While the fee would represent a significant investment, it is in line with Newcastle’s long-term strategy to secure a first-choice goalkeeper in the future.

What this means for Newcastle’s long-term plans

The Magpies continue to build a team capable of competing in the Premier League and Europe. Newcastle have made strengthening goaltending a strategic priority.

The riser is now seen as a serious target. Both clubs expect discussions to intensify as the summer transfer window approaches. Although the deal is still in the early stages, Newcastle’s intentions have become clear as the summer window approaches.

With talks expected to intensify, Robin Riser is fast emerging as one of Newcastle’s most interesting transfer targets this summer.

magpies also have Odysseus Vlachodimos On their books, and he has performed excellently for Sevilla. This could be a good option, although he may want to be the first choice.

🇳🇱Kees Smit | “Newcastle is after him”

➡️ Magpies are chasing €60m signing
➡️ There is a possibility of price reduction
➡️ Jorge Mendes brought in for a secure deal
💬Tim Krul is #NUFC Interesthttps://t.co/xDLiBPlLEb

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 17 March 2026

The devastating knee injury that ended Auston Matthews’ season has sparked all kinds of controversy around the NHL. Multi-time offense Radko Gudas received a controversial five-game suspension, and also the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. Matthews’ agent and now Connor McDavid has also weighed in on his latest controversial decision.

But for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Matthews himself, the bigger questions now concern the player’s health and his future in Toronto.

Insider Elliotte Friedman gives us the latest on Matthews and his knee:

The Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews are still hopeful he won’t need surgery. He probably won’t find out for a week or two, but he hopes he won’t need to. The main thing here is that, even if he does need surgery, there is no concern at this time that he will be moved into next season (to recover).

How will this poor season affect Auston Matthews’ future with the Leafs?

But while the Maple Leafs are going through a reset/retool/rebuild or whatever R-word you want to call this summer, Friedman suggests this time away from the rink will give Matthews time to think about all of this, and where he fits into it.

It also lets Matthews know how he feels about things. A lot has happened in a short time in Toronto since he was last asked how he felt about things in early February. Since he won’t be playing anymore, he’ll have time to think about it, and they’ll have time to talk to him about it. And I think over the next few months we’ll get a better idea of ​​how everyone feels about Matthews and the overall future of the Maple Leafs.

And while the captain has yet to respond to the other big talking point around all of this — how no teammate on the ice came to his defense after the violent assault at the hands of Gudas — Friedman says this will at least impact the team in other ways.

“There’s no question in my mind that, internally, it will have an impact on the future and the building of the team… There were words like ’embarrassed’ and ‘apoplectic’ about how everyone felt about that situation.”

Matthews finished the 2025–26 season with the worst statistics of his 10-year NHL career. Only 27 goals (two years ago he had 69) and 53 points in 60 games.

Newcastle United may eventually face renewed transfer interest in Bruno Guimaraes, but the midfielder has already made it clear that any serious discussions about his future will have to wait until after the 2026 World Cup.

The Brazilian remains one of the central figures in Eddie Howe’s team. Since arriving from Lyon for around £40m (€47m) in January 2022, Guimaraes has become a leader and one of the team’s most consistent performers.

It was only last season that he again performed strongly in midfield, combining ball progression with defensive work and creativity. According to FBref data, the 26-year-old ranked among Newcastle’s top players for progressive passes and passing into the final third, underscoring his importance in the team structure.

However, the next phase of his career is already starting to attract attention, as reported espn brazil.

Contract talks put on hold until after World Cup

Guimaraes’ current contract with Newcastle runs until June 2028. The agreement also includes the possibility of a one-year extension through 2029, but that option requires mutual approval.

As we covered at the timeNewcastle have recently invited representatives of the player to sit down and discuss a possible renewal. Still, the midfielder’s stance appears clear.

His priority is to recover, get back on the field and prepare for the World Cup with Brazil. Because of this, he does not plan to discuss a contract extension or a potential transfer until after the tournament.

This approach reflects his current focus. Guimaraes wants the next stage of his career to be decided in peace rather than in a season where international football dominates the calendar.

Newcastle’s stance on potential suitors

Behind the scenes, Newcastle already have an outline in mind for how they will handle future interests.

If major European clubs outside England come forward – sides like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Barcelona – then the club would be more open to negotiations. In those circumstances, Newcastle would not want to block the player’s ambitions.

The situation will change if another Premier League team tries to sign him.

Manchester United Has often been linked with Guimaraes, and Newcastle would likely take a very tough approach in that scenario. Allowing a key midfielder to join a domestic rival will be viewed very differently to a move abroad.

Barcelona have already tested Newcastle’s resolve

The interest in Guimaraes is not imaginary. This has happened once before also.

During the 2023–24 period, Barcelona came close to signing the midfielder. The Spanish side proposed a package of €65m plus €15m in bonuses, which could potentially reach €80m (£69m).

The move did not go ahead as the player himself chose to remain at Newcastle at the time. it is fair to say he loves the club.

That decision cemented his relationship with the club, which is still strong. Guimaraes is not pushing for any moves and is completely focused on returning to action.

So the situation remains stable for Newcastle at the moment. Yet once the World Cup is over, talks about his long-term future are expected to resume.

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has learned a lot this season. Amid a stellar 2025-26 season that led to his Rookie of the Year candidacy, Flagg recorded his 25th 20+ point game in a 138-135 loss against the Cleveland Cavs on Friday. This set a new NBA record, surpassing Hall of Fame guard Kobe Bryant’s record for most 20+ point games by a teenager.

flag Reflecting on her rookie season During his postgame media availability following Friday’s three-point loss to the Cavs, according to AB Jones of DLLS Sports.

“I’ve learned a lot about myself throughout this year. About the game of basketball. About the people around me,” Flagg said. “I feel like I’ve learned a lot about life. It’s been a big year of learning for me, and I’ve had to mature a lot. So it’s been a good year.”

Cooper Flagg says he not only learned a lot during his up-and-down rookie season with the Mavericks, but also matured a lot throughout the year.

“Throughout this year I’ve learned a lot about myself. About the game of basketball. About the people around me. I think I’ve… pic.twitter.com/RYKgfOzjPG

– Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) 14 March 2026

Cooper finished with 25 points on 8-for-16 shooting, five assists and four rebounds.

Mark Stein at Cooper Flag in ROTY Race

In a tight MVP race with the Hornets’ Kon Knueppel, Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg’s chances to win the award remain strong, but is there more that can be done to improve his chances? NBA insider Marc Stein recently addressed that very question by looking at the Mavericks’ chances of winning the lottery.

Additionally, the Hornets have emerged as a playoff team, and Knueppel is a key part of that. As Steen said, with the Mavericks’ season coming to an end, Flagg’s chances of winning Rookie of the Year may remain bleak, according to The All-NBA Podcast.

“The Mavs have 18 games left, and the truth is, if they can go 0-18, that would be the best thing for them. That’s the way the system is,” Steen said on the All-NBA Podcast. “The way the system is structured, the best thing for the Mavs is to lose, and lose royally, and that’s obviously not going to be great if you’re chasing Rookie of the Year.”

The Mavs will face the Cavs in a rematch on Sunday.

Jose Bordalas has played down any talks over his future amid reports of interest from Crystal Palace. He has insisted that he is “completely focused” on Getafe.

Several outlets have linked the Getafe boss with a move to Crystal Palace ahead of the summer.

Oliver Glassner is expected to leave Selhurst Park at the end of the season.

The Eagles are already looking for a replacement. But Bordalas’ latest comments send a strong message about where his focus lies right now.

“I don’t look to the future; I look to the present. My focus is entirely on the match at the Metropolitano and the team.” He told AS.

“I’m not worried about my future. Atletico is a team that always improves when it changes its team because the players on the bench are at the same level or even better.”

Why is Crystal Palace being linked to Bordalas?

Bordalas has been named as a potential Crystal Palace candidate in several reports.

A report on 16 December^th from various sourcesreported that Bordalas was the leading candidate for Crystal Palace. He is currently set to become a free agent himself as his current deal expires at that time.

From here the rumor started spreading. Bordalas are reportedly held in high regard in the Crystal Palace hierarchy.

Journalists then directly questioned Bordalas on the rumors the next day. However, he refused to say anything on the matter at that time. It is a stance he clearly maintains.

Getafe president Angel Torres publicly rejected the idea at his Christmas party, prompting Bordalás to respond.

Would Bordalas’s style work at Crystal Palace?

While Bordalas has publicly distanced himself from speculation, Palace’s interest reflects the club’s quest for a tactically disciplined, high-intensity coach – qualities the Getafe boss is known for.

The biggest question is not whether Crystal Palace appreciate Bordalas, but whether supporters will accept the dramatic stylistic change his appointment will bring.

While both like defensive tenacity, Glasner is a modern, progressive coach while critics have labeled Bordalas an ‘anti-football’ expert.

It would mean a big change for Crystal Palace this summer if they look in Bordalas’s direction following Glasner’s departure.

MIAMI – It’s been days since Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo made history by scoring 83 points against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night, causing a lot of buzz in the sports world. As much as there is a part of the debate that questions the ethics of the 83 points scored by the Heat captain in Adebayo, no one can take away that historic night from the big man, as he spoke about the future of this type of game.

Speaking after Miami’s 112-105 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, extending the team’s winning streak to seven, he would talk about the attention he is getting because of his 83-point outing, the second-highest scoring game in history.

Having only surpassed Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points in 1962 and Kobe Bryant’s 81 points in 2006, Adebayo may be feeling like he doesn’t think “anyone will ever do that again.”

“I mean, you’re surrounded by eyes, because everybody wants to see if you can do it again, which is crazy, because I don’t think anybody will do it again, but you just have to turn the page,” Adebayo said after recording 21 points and eight rebounds against the Bucks. “You see people yelling 83 at you, and you just start living in the moment. And then, usually when you get into the game, you kind of forget where you are and lose yourself throughout the game.”

Bam Adebayo is in the spotlight after scoring 83 points on Tuesday:

“You’re surrounded by eyes because everyone wants to see you do it again, which is crazy, I don’t think anyone will do it again, but you just have to turn the page…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/FzvEX9T8I3

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 13 March 2026

Heat’s Bam Adebayo on ’emotional rollercoaster’

While Adebayo celebrates scoring 83 points despite the polarizing reaction from the Heat center, he will talk about continuing the performance as he leads the team to wins.

“An emotional roller coaster, and understand why,” Adebayo said. “But obviously to be able to move on to the next game, get a win, and approach it in a different way. It wasn’t 83 tonight, it was 21, so if anyone is upset? I don’t care, but we got the W, that’s all that matters.”

Bam Adebayo speaks on the “emotional rollercoaster” of the past few days.

“It wasn’t 83 tonight. It was 21, I don’t care if anyone is upset, but I got the W, so that’s what matters…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/jRqOAAoOZmZ

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 13 March 2026

Adebayo and Miami now look to extend their win streak to eight as they visit the Orlando Magic on Saturday night.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Luka Vuckovic has refused to talk about his future after this season.

Last summer, the Croatia international arrived at the club after Spurs agreed a £12 million move [€13.9m] Deal with Hajduk Split in September 2023.

Before joining the Premier League team, he had loan spells at Radomiak Radom and KVC Westerlo. In late August, Tottenham let the defender join Hamburg SV on a season-long loan deal.

The temporary move to the Bundesliga has helped the centre-back continue his rise, and the statistics support it.

Last season, he played 2,971 minutes in 36 matches for the Belgian club and scored seven goals. This came from an xG [expected goals] Of 3.56. He has 1,980 minutes in 22 matches for Hamburg so far, scoring five goals at a 3.96 xG.

The defensive performance of Tottenham players has also improved compared to last season. The stats below are per game and the first is for Hamburg and the second is his stats from Westerlo.

• Intercept: 1.1 – 0.8
• Tackle: 0.7 – 0.8
• Dribble past: 0.2 – 0.4
• Clearance: 8.7 – 5.6

The 19-year-old received six yellow cards and one red card for Jupiler Pro League side and has only five yellow cards with Hamburg.

Vuckovic is attracting interest

Hamburg have signed him on loan with no purchase clause. Therefore, he will have to return to the north London club after this season, where his contract is till 2030.

It is no surprise that the young player’s rapid development is attracting the interest of several top clubs such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Earlier this week, Vuckovic’s Agent Pini Zahavi said A decision on his future will be made at the end of this season.

“I can provide an update in exactly two months,” He said.

image Now I have spoken to the Croatian about his future at Tottenham, who are struggling in the Premier League. Spurs are 16th in the table, one point ahead of 18th-placed West Ham United.

When asked if he would return if Tottenham were relegated from the Championship, he said: “I can’t and won’t say anything about it or about the future in general. I’m their player and my contract is until 2030.”

Vuckovic has already won five man of the match awards this season. His continued rise has brought him media attention in England, Germany, Croatia and across Europe.

When asked how he keeps his feet on the ground, he talked about supporting Tottenham.

“I try not to think too much about it and not read too much on social media. I also have a psychologist employed by Tottenham. She helps me a lot. Of course, it used to be in person, but now it’s over the phone. She gives me good advice on how to deal with certain things. For example, how to react to unexpected events, “ Vuckovic explained.

Why should Tottenham keep him?

The club’s immediate focus is to ensure they remain in the Premier League. Decisions on the Croatian’s short- and medium-term future need to be clarified in the summer.

This will be done upon his return to London, following a successful loan spell with the Bundesliga side.

Vuckovic’s contract expires in 2030 and Igor Tudor’s [contract until the end of this season] The successor must decide on his Tottenham future.

Spurs may regret letting him leave in the summer, especially permanently. Given his development so far and his potential, Tottenham should do everything they can to keep him.

He could come through on another loan to Hamburg, at least until the winter window. The defender has repeatedly said that he wants to play with his brother, who is also at HSV. Mario is serving a doping ban until the end of this year, and another small loan will fulfill the family’s wish.

The Detroit Pistons are trying to get back on track after going through a recent slump that saw them lose four straight games. They stopped the bleeding by beating the Brooklyn Nets 138-100 on Tuesday.

The Pistons are 7-5 since the showdown with the Charlotte Hornets in February, which some believe has sharpened the team’s focus. The incident could have been much worse and could have completely derailed Detroit’s campaign.

But lessons were learned and the Pistons are now trying to move on. Duncan Robinson admitted in “The Young Man and the Three” that he regretted not trying to stop Isaiah Stewart from entering the court.

“I couldn’t stop it, but I hate not seeing him on the court. So if I could have done something to stop him from getting to Miles (Bridges), but he had obviously made up his mind, there was nothing I was going to do in that moment,” Robinson said.

Fans mocked the 31-year-old shooter for running away and doing nothing during the brawl. To some, Robinson let down his teammates.

He said he understands the story being spread, but said his teammates always support him.

“I think Stu and my teammates know I ride for them. Obviously, it’ll be a little different than how Stu rides for his teammates. I’m also going to be authentically me, okay? In that moment, I got caught. It felt bad. Honestly, it did. It didn’t feel like I was down for that reason,” Robinson said.

“Next time, I’m going to catch someone. At least fake it, get in the way. But I thought it was like helping Bill Nye with a science project. Like he’s taken care of it, you know what I mean?”

The brawl led to heavy sanctions, with Stewart and Jalen Duren being suspended for seven games and two games, respectively. Meanwhile, Bridges and Moussa Diabate were both suspended for four games.

The Pistons won that game 110–104. Robinson had 18 points on 8-0f-10 shooting, three rebounds and four assists.

After almost two full years of patience, the New Orleans Pelicans are finally getting an extended look at the version of Dejounte Murray they thought former EVP David Griffin was getting. If the past several weeks are any indication, the foundation of the franchise’s future is being built on the shoulders of the 29-year-old. Joe Dumars can’t deny how much James Borrego’s groundwork is starting to take shape on what has looked like a completely different team over the last 10 games.

The interim head coach has been generous with the praise lately, and made sure to give Murray plenty of credit. With the atmosphere they have established on both ends, the Pelicans are beginning to establish the habits needed to consistently compete in the Western Conference. For a franchise that has long sought stability, the emergence of a clear identity led by a fiery, disruptive All-Star offers a glimpse of what the future could look like.

New Orleans hasn’t seen anything like this since Jrue Holiday headed to the Portland Trail Blazers. Murray’s game-changing attitude was arguably never more evident than in Brandon Ingram’s recent win over the beleaguered Toronto Raptors.

“Dejounte (against the Raptors) was phenomenal,” Borrego admitted. “Probably the best game I’ve seen him play, certainly these last two years (with the Pelicans). Just his fire, competitiveness, obviously making shots, defense, communication, leadership out there, he instills so much confidence and fight in this group, and everybody is rallying around it.”

Everyone can talk about abstract things in probability. However, there’s only one way to measure those enduring qualities over time, and Borrego believes Dejounte Murray’s upside has been contagious.

“I think it’s really the same blueprint that we saw. Physical, offensively, defensively, disruptive, a big physical team. That’s what we’re looking to build,” Borrego explained. “That’s the goal, to keep that identity for the rest of the season. We’ve built habits to get to this point. Now it’s about not giving up and carrying it forward, like letting it become the standard.”

“Obviously, it starts with Dejounte at the point of attack,” the coach said, “and everyone else getting in line.”

Taking more than a year to recover from a torn right Achilles tendon, which came on the heels of a fractured hand, was difficult. Murray (17.6 points, 5.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 26.4 minutes per game) is trying to make up for lost time by building some momentum, scoring in double figures and recording at least one steal in each of his first five appearances. The story goes beyond the statistics, which is why Borrego has praised Murray’s leadership for weeks.

Dejounte Murray Motors Pelican

After the Pelicans returned home from a six-game road trip and defeated the Washington Wizards 138–118 on March 8, Borrego specifically credited Murray for leading the team to victory. The tone set defensively has created a ripple effect throughout the roster, setting a standard that was previously elusive.

Borrego admitted, “These are always tough games when we come home after a road trip. And they can be trap games sometimes. So, I’m proud of our guys. They responded with the right mentality. I give Dejounte Murray a lot of credit.” “He had fire, juice. He was going to get us a win (over the Washington Wizards) anyway. His great reaction, his leadership.”

The standard, as Borrego describes it, is rooted in toughness and defensive disruption. It’s a style that fits Murray’s game perfectly. He led the NBA in assists with San Antonio during the 2021–22 season. Murray has always been at his best whenever allowed to impose himself physically in a game. In New Orleans, that role has come into focus.

It remains to be seen if the Pelicans can turn these final weeks into a foundation for next season. But for a franchise that has faced hardships, seeing Murray playing with such purpose is, at least, a reason to believe that the future looks bright given the record.

The Minnesota Vikings had no choice but to make a tough decision in the offseason, where they were $40 million over the 2026 salary cap. Several Pro Bowl veterans have been released from the team, including a pair of defensive tackles, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, signed in free agency last offseason. But the migration does not end here.

On Wednesday, the Vikings surprisingly also released Harrison Smith from the team. The potential future Hall of Fame safety is expected to either retire after 14 NFL seasons or re-sign in Minnesota at an even lower rate.

He is being processed as a cap casualty after June 1, saving approximately $1.3 million in cap space (exactly needed to sign Kyler Murray), but the Vikings “would welcome his return” according to Matthew Coler. Right now, he won’t take up a roster spot, but his absence leaves a massive void at the safety position next to Josh Metellus in Minnesota.

The Vikings always feared a possible retirement by Smith this offseason, and this could be a precursor to an eventual announcement. For now, the 37-year-old gets some time to decide whether he wants to boost his Hall of Fame resume or begin the next phase in his life, one that will hopefully involve fewer setbacks and injuries.

RELATED: Minnesota Vikings free agency: Ranking the 10 best QBs available

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has worked with many outstanding players in his career. Many of them are either in the conversation or on track for the Hall of Fame. 49ers general manager John Lynch has added another to the mix.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the 49ers have signed wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year contract. The same Evans who is tied with Jerry Rice as the only players with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

Even leaving the Buccaneers is a blow for Evans after spending all 12 seasons of his career in Tampa Bay. Still, the consequences of free agency can be strange, like Tom Brady leaving New England. Still, Evans takes his Super Bowl trophy from Tampa to San Francisco, where he will try to assemble another elite core to help increase his franchise’s Lombardi count.

When the time comes, we look forward to celebrating Mike’s final Hall of Fame career. pic.twitter.com/ZfaDqVqGAT

– Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) 9 March 2026

The 32-year-old six-time Pro Bowl receiver is coming off the least productive season of his career, as a collarbone fracture limited him to just eight games. He recorded 30 receptions for 368 yards and three touchdowns.

Still, Evans brings 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns to San Francisco. The potential future Hall of Famer is 21st on the NFL’s all-time receiving yards list. Another 1,000-yard season would move Evans to 12th all-time, just ahead of Hall of Famers James Lofton and Chris Carter.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 projections ahead of NFL free agency

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Barcelona could consider bringing Tottenham Hotspur’s Luka Vuckovic to La Liga after this season.

This is as of Monday’s edition sports worldO, who cover Barcelona’s stance on the possibility of signing the defender.

Last summer, Croatia international Hadjuk arrived at Tottenham after previously agreeing a deal with Split.

In late August, Spurs sent him on a season-long loan deal to Hamburg SV.

The centre-back made 24 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga team, scoring five goals and one assist and his excellent performances did not go unnoticed.

Vuckovic has repeatedly spoken about his desire to play alongside his brother Mario in Hamburg. The latter is at the German club but is serving a doping ban until November.

Barcelona’s interest in Tottenham’s man increased

three days ago, game witness Covered claims from Germany Hansi Flick’s side have held their first talks with their agent.

Later that day, we broadcast news From Spain that it will not be easy for Barça to take the 19-year-old away from Tottenham.

Mundo now report that Vuckovic is an option for the Spanish giants if Andreas Christensen decides to leave the Camp Nou. The 29-year-old Dane’s contract expires in June and he has been offered a two-year extension.

Should he turn it down, the Camp Nou side would look to sign a young defender, and that’s where Vuckovic comes into the picture.

Agent says situation will become clear in two months

The Croatian is under contract at the north London club until 2030. transfer marketIs valued at €40m while Mundo say he is worth around €60m.

Vuckovic’s representative Pini Zahavi has good relations with Barcelona and their president Joan Laporta. He also represents Flick and Robert Lewandowski. Mundo has aired the agent’s comments on the future of the player who is owned by Tottenham.

Asked about Barca’s approach, he said: “I can’t comment at the moment. The player is still from Hamburg and his full attention is there.”

“I can provide an update in exactly two months.”

Our opinion: Tottenham should keep Vuckovic

The defender is one of the brightest young talents in Europe and it is no surprise that big clubs are keeping an eye on him.

Last month, his compatriots, Ivan Rakitic urges him to sack Spurs As for Bayern Munich, who are also in the mix.

Vuckovic’s valuation is only going to increase and he could become one of the top defenders in the world in the near future. Therefore, it would be a mistake if Tottenham sold him in the summer.

Saving oneself from demotion is the absolute priority right now, he said. This will impact everything in the summer, including whether they can keep the Croatian or not.

There are changes coming to the San Francisco 49ers’ roster this offseason. Especially involving their receiving corps.

Whether it’s via release or trade, the 49ers have already revealed that former second-team All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has played his last snap with the team. Another top target, Jauan Jennings, is set for free agency. Three others, including Kendrick Bourne and Sky Moore, also will not be under contract next season.

However, recently Rick Stroud’s Tampa Bay Times There have been suggestions that the 49ers could be one of the teams that tries to sign Mike Evans. Nevertheless, he also mentioned that the Chargers, Commanders and Giants could also be in pursuit of a potential future Hall of Famer.

Evans has played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers his entire 12-year career. He has recorded 1,000-yard seasons in 11 of those years, with that cut short in 2025 after being limited to eight games due to injury. Evans and Hall of Fame veteran Jerry Rice are the only two players to have 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in their careers.

Now, the 32-year-old six-time Pro Bowler is looking to prove that he is still capable of being a top target, and the 49ers can certainly make him the focal point of their offense. First, they have to get ahead of the competition.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 projections ahead of NFL free agency

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Led by Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and head coach Steve Kerr, the Golden State Warriors remain competitive in the beleaguered Western Conference. All three feel that if their health remains favorable, they can compete with the NBA’s best like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets.

But one thing is becoming more real with each passing day: This era of Warriors basketball is nearing its end.

Stephen Curry, 37, has one year remaining on his deal after the 2025-26 season. Draymond Green, who turned 36 on Wednesday, has a player option for the 2026-27 season worth $27.7 million. And head coach Steve Kerr is coaching in the final year of his contract.

While Curry and Green are expected to be back with the Warriors next season, what does the future look like for head coach Steve Kerr?

Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. recently spoke in an extensive interview with Tim Kawakami, Bay Area writer for the San Francisco Standard and host of “The TK Show” on 95.7 The Game, which also touched on Kerr’s future as Warriors head coach.

That’s where Dunleavy Jr. says he envisions Kerr returning next season and beyond.

“Yeah, I don’t see why not,” Dunleavy Jr. responded. “I mean, I guess Steve [Kerr] Mentioned a desire to get to the end of the season and find out. I think things are going well for him. We’ll figure it out when it comes, but I think it’s interesting that for us internally the focus has been on Joe, among me. [Lacob]The players and Steve are really working on getting this thing right for the rest of the season. So, we haven’t given it too much thought.”

“But obviously, on a personal level, I love having Steve here. Yes, I would guess he’s our coach next year. But again, we’re going into absolute certainty, and a lot of it is in his court, so we’ll have to see.”

In his 12 seasons coaching the Warriors, Steve Kerr has compiled a 598–338 record (.639) in 936 regular season games and a 104–48 record (.684) in 152 playoff games.

In February 2024, Steve Kerr and the Warriors agreed to a record two-year, $35 million extension to retain him as head coach of the franchise.

Entering this season on an expiring deal, Kerr said he was not particularly concerned about signing a new deal before the end of the season.

“I’m very comfortable going into the season with a year remaining,” Kerr said. “I very much agree with this [general manager] mike [Dunleavy] And [owner] Who [Lacob]. We talked about this – there is no reason for discussion or concern. This is kind of the point in our relationship where we’ll see how it goes at the end of the year.

“I don’t expect any conversations during the season. Who knows — maybe it all comes up at some point, and they come up to me. But I’m not worried about it in the slightest. I don’t think about it. I just think it’s perfect for all of us.” [to wait]”

Through 61 games, the Warriors have a 31-30 record and are currently four games behind the seventh-seeded Phoenix Suns and just 1.5 games ahead of the eighth-seeded LA Clippers. According to Positive Residual, the Warriors have the fourth-toughest strength of schedule, behind the Pelicans, Blazers and Suns.

For the first time since Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James hosted “The Decision” to announce his contract with the Miami Heat, the future of the 22-time All-Star remains uncertain. Although his option to join the Heat was unclear at the time, staying with the Cleveland Cavs felt like a viable option, whereas this time it is different. Despite having the sixth-best record (37–24) in the Western Conference, the Lakers have not shown signs of a long-term commitment to James.

Given LeBron’s age, the second tax apron and the need to build a roster around Luka Doncic for the future, the Lakers will have to make some tough decisions in the summer. James, meanwhile, continues to play at a high level even at this stage of his career. LeBron, 41, played in his 22nd consecutive All-Star Game. Even at this old age his talent is not in question; However, which team will he play for in 2026-27.

Even if the Lakers can make an unexpected championship run this season, it’s hard to envision James’ NBA career heading into the sunset. There’s a lot left in the tank. A reunion with the Cleveland Cavs is a possibility, and would be a unique storybook for LeBron, who led the Cavs to their only championship in 2016.

With All-Stars Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and James Harden, James and the Cavs will emerge as favorites to win the Eastern Conference and NBA titles in 2027.

Lakers reported ‘Plan A’ for LeBron James’ future

If the Lakers can add another All-Star talent during the offseason to complement Luka Doncic and LeBron James, they are all in on that plan. According to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, Austin Reaves’ upcoming free agency will impact James’ future and whether the Lakers can find a team like the Bucks willing to agree to a package deal centered on their All-Star forward.

“The Lakers are one of the few teams this summer projected to have significant space under the cap to pursue top-tier free agents or pursue a star like Giannis Antetokounmpo via a lopsided trade,” Pincus wrote. “The $54-$80 million in cap room won’t be much if James returns to his $58 million max salary. Plan A for the Lakers appears to be to build around Luka Doncic, a young star, moving on from James, according to competition executives and player agents.

“Scouts across the league are skeptical that L.A. can defend well with a core of Austin Reeves, Doncic and James. Reeves is expected to opt out of his $14.9 million cap in his final year, so he may attempt to re-sign for closer to the maximum he can get (about a $41.5 million starting salary).”

James and the Lakers defeated the Pelicans 110-101 on Tuesday.

Mariona Caldenti arrived at Arsenal in 2024, having previously spent a decade at Barcelona. The 29-year-old was arriving at the London club at the peak of his powers and has been successful for Arsenal.

This was reflected in his narrowly missing out on the 2025 Ballon d’Or. The Arsenal player finished second, beaten by her international teammate Etana Bonamati.

The pair have also played together for Barcelona, ​​know each other well and have a healthy rivalry.

Mark It features a feature celebrating Mariona Caldenti, as she sets to achieve 100 caps for Spain. He spoke at length to the Arsenal player on a variety of topics and how he sees his career from here on out.

The Spanish newspaper specifically picked the Ballon d’Or runner-up and wanted to know if there was any disappointment at losing. The race for first place was very close and some people believe that the person finishing ahead may feel unlucky.

In response, the Arsenal star said: “No, not at all. Obviously, it’s a very important award that we would all love to win, but Aitana (Bonamati) took it after an incredible season. I was happy for her and congratulated her. In the end, these individual awards are tough in a team sport with diverse tastes. I’m happy to win the Champions League in my first year in England and get other individual awards. Not winning the Ballon d’Or doesn’t change how proud I am of that season.

“Of course, it is very difficult, but I feel very good at Arsenal and even more confident than last year. I hope it will happen again. And if not this year, then next year, when there will be a tournament with the national team.”

Why is future transfer not an immediate concern?

On his future and a possible return to Spain, Mariona Caldenti said: “It’s hard to think about the future. I’m happy, satisfied, enjoying a different league. I don’t know where I’ll finish my career, but I still hope to play for a long time.

“It’s true that in football, when you turn 30, the perception of a player changes, but I have examples like Irene (Paredes) and Kim (Little) who prove that age is just a number.”

Now Arsenal will hope to continue his pursuit of the Ballon d’Or with top performances for him and the Spain national team.

Fellow Serbian basketball product and Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic discusses Nikola Topic’s debut with the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of Friday’s matchup at Paycom Center. Topic addressed the media for the first time since being diagnosed with testicular cancer last week. Jokic was thrilled to see Nikola begin his NBA career after such a scary setback.

jokic discussed the topic recent return With the Thunder, according to DNVR Nuggets.

Jokic said, “Of course, I played with him a little bit when he was with the national team. He’s a really good guy – really talented.” “He is the future of Serbian basketball. He is fighting for something that is probably more important – the most important – and he won it.”

Nikola Jokic on Nikola Topic:

“He is the future of Serbian basketball.”

“He’s fighting something that’s probably more important – most important – and he won it.” pic.twitter.com/EZyDAQcusL

– DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) 26 February 2026

Joc calling Topic the future of Serbian basketball is an eye-opening compliment, considering the Thunder rookie’s career is just getting started. He has also made impressive starts in leading the Thunder to wins against the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavs amid the absence of All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After losing their last nine games, SGA will look to bounce back for Friday’s contest against the Nuggets.

The defending champions fell to 5-4 without Gilgeous-Alexander. Topic averaged 3.2 points on 43.8% shooting, including 40% from deep, 2.0 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 10.6 minutes in five games for the Thunder.

Thunder appoint Nikola Topic to G League amid SGA withdrawal

The Thunder signed Nikola Topic on Friday to join their G League affiliate, the Blue. After Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed the last nine games, the Thunder decided Topic’s time would be better suited to getting more reps with the Blue.

The Thunder’s G League affiliate is in the midst of a four-game home stand at Paycom Center. Following Friday’s matchup against the Nuggets, the Thunder will embark on a three-game road trip.

Manchester City may not have him at the Etihad, but one of their group’s prospects is starting to make noise in Portugal.

20-year-old Spanish winger Alvaro Santos is currently impressing at FC Penafiel in the country’s second division – Liga Portugal 2. According to Portuguese newspaper to ballHe has become one of the faces of the club’s recent improvement.

Santos completed his development at Celta Vigo before moving to Belgium. There, he spent two seasons with Lommel SK – a club owned by City Football Group.

That detail matters. His move was not random scouting. This was part of the wider Manchester City Network strategy. The English champion group recognized him early and brought him into their structure.

At Lommel, he made 43 appearances, scoring three goals and adding one assist. The numbers were modest. However, reports about their potential were so strong that they remained within the CFG pathway.

This season, Penafiel secured him on loan to the Belgian side. This arrangement allows Manchester City to closely monitor his development while still giving the group regular senior football.

Performances are getting better

So far in 2025–26, Alvaro Santos has played 19 league matches, starting 18 of them. He has scored three goals and added two assists while playing over 1,500 minutes in Liga Portugal 2.

Primarily a natural winger, he is comfortable on both flanks. Still, observers say he looks most dangerous when starting on the left. From there, he attacks defenders directly, combining close control with pace.

The important thing is that he does not hesitate to take on his opponents. He can cut inside to shoot or drive to the byline to create. Additionally, he has shown the ability to operate as a second striker or in the pocket behind the centre-forward.

There are areas to refine. His off-the-ball intensity and defensive contributions could improve. Yet at just 20 years old, there is clearly room for growth.

What this means for Manchester City’s group

For Manchester City and City Football Group, this is exactly how the model is meant to work.

Young talents are identified early, placed in a development environment like Lommel, and then strategically moved up the league where they can gain minutes and responsibility.

If Santos continues this upward trend in Portugal, the next step could be another loan at a higher level – or even an integration into the more competitive CFG environment.

As of now, reports from Portugal remain positive. And in the Manchester City offices, Alvaro Santos’ files are likely to become increasingly detailed.

Bill Simmons made bold comments about Steve Kerr’s coaching career with the Golden State Warriors that includes a scenario with LeBron James.

Kerr has been the head coach of the Warriors since 2014, leading the franchise to four championships and six NBA Finals appearances during his tenure. However, times have been tough since the last title run in 2022, failing to advance beyond the second round and even missing the playoffs once.

Kerr hopes to compete for another championship with Golden State, which could include an offseason move to lure James away from the Los Angeles Lakers. However, if the scenario fails to come to fruition, Simmons provided his perspective on what will happen to Kerr’s time with the Warriors.

“I think he (LeBron James) either stays in L.A. or he goes to Golden State… It’s kind of tied to LeBron. If they don’t get LeBron, I think it’s up to Steve Kerr. I don’t have any inside information, but it would be the right kind of area for him, I’ll take a year, I’ll do some media, I’ll figure out if I want to keep coaching. I’m leaving it at that,” Simmons said. Said. Mark 1:04:20 of his podcast.

Steve Kerr, what’s next for the Warriors?

Steve Kerr has accomplished a lot with the Warriors, creating the NBA’s most recent dynasty in the modern era. However, the end of his time with the Warriors may be closer than he anticipated, especially if the team is unable to land LeBron James for next season.

Golden State has a 30–27 record on the season, finishing in eighth place in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers while trailing the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Warriors will look forward to their next matchup while on the road. They will face the New Orleans Pelicans on February 24, tip-off at 8 PM ET.

Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini is causing concern for Roma, who know ‘time is running out’ to renew his contract.

Roma Giallo Rossa covers the 29-year-old today. The Italian outlet published a report earlier this week stating that Tottenham have shown an interest in Pellegrini.

Sport Witness covered that report from Italy two days ago. It revealed that Tottenham were showing a keen interest in the midfielder. He was reportedly recommended by his interim coach Igor Tudor.

The assumption was that he is on Tottenham’s list for the summer as they keep an eye on free agents. Much of this was linked to Tudor, who could have pressed for a deal if the end of the season was put in place.

Tottenham’s interest in Pellegrini

However, Tottenham’s interest in Pellegrini is nothing new. Actually, back in August, Sport Witness covered the possibility of Spurs beating West Ham in their signing.

Roma Giallo Rossa has now added its information, stating that Pellegrini’s ‘marriage’ to Roma appears to be nearing its end. Renewal of his deal is ‘still a way off’ and no deal is in sight.

The possibility of him becoming a free agent in the summer is becoming a ‘reality’. Roma’s management is worried about this and now it has to take a decision. Either they hurry up for renewal or bid farewell to ‘one of the symbols of recent seasons’.

key to tudor future

If it’s the latter then Tottenham are set to capture him. Tudor greatly respects Pellegrini and considers him an ‘ideal candidate’ to strengthen his midfield.

However, Tottenham will have to give him a long-term deal before he can make an impact on their transfer strategy.

Meanwhile, Roma is watching and pondering. The Italian side knows that ‘time is running out’ to resolve the situation. The pressure on him has not been easy to handle due to interest from Spurs.

The Arizona Cardinals will have a different feel next season after firing Jonathan Gannon and hiring Mike LaFleur as their head coach. The Cardinals could also move on from franchise quarterback Kyler Murray this offseason.

If the Cardinals part ways with Murray, who has a $52.6 million cap hit in 2026, they will have to add another arm to their QB room. For now, Jacoby Brissett is ready to return, possibly even as the starter after a career year where he threw for 3,366 passing yards and 23 touchdowns in just 12 starts. The only other QB on the roster (besides Murray) is 2024 undrafted free agent signee Kedon Slovis.

Thus, it doesn’t matter if the Cardinals add another QB to the roster; It is a question of who, when and how.

However, now speculation has begun about the Cardinals signing Aaron Rodgers this offseason.

“Currently, it is believed that the Steelers will be the only viable option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2026. But what about the Cardinals? The most obvious link is offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. The Broncos hired him as head coach in 2022, at a time when it was believed the Packers would be willing to trade Rodgers.”

The future Hall of Fame QB’s ties to Arizona are strong. In addition to Hackett, Coach LaFleur’s brother, Matt, was Rodgers’ head coach for four seasons in Green Bay. Florio says the Rams (Mike LaFleur’s former team) kept Rodgers as their “Plan B” in case Matthew Stafford left last offseason.

Are those connections strong enough to keep Rodgers on a team that finished last in its division with a 3-14 record in 2025? We may find out soon, but the Steelers are expected to have mutual interest in bringing Rodgers back for another year, which could help raise the QB’s price in free agency.

RELATED: Miami Dolphins could make unprecedented move with Tua Tagovailoa

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Manchester United could get a boost in the battle for Kenneth Eichhorn as the youngster has made no decision on his future.

This is according to journalist Philip Hinz. He covers today’s 16-year-olds and the evolving battle for his signature.

The Hertha BSC youngster is one of Germany’s hottest rising prospects, with clubs across Europe competing for his signature this summer. Manchester United is one of them.

Sport Witness has covered his interest extensively. A report in November Add them to the race with Europe’s elite in what is likely to be an “unprecedented market” battle for the midfielder.

Manchester United ‘expressed interest’

Then came a report yesterday that put Manchester United in the fight once again. It says he has expressed interest in Eichhorn.

Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, Barcelona, ​​Manchester and Real Madrid are also in the mix. They are all keen as he could be signed for €10-12m this summer.

That report says Eichhorn will sit down with his family this summer and make a decision about his future. Now Hinge has given a similar report.

He says that the young midfielder has not yet taken any decision about his future. As a result, it is unclear what will happen to him.

According to their information, RB Leipzig are currently actively pursuing him. But many other teams are also in the race and the market is ‘important’ for them.

‘Significant’ transfer interest

To be clear on that point, he did not specifically name Manchester United. But other reports do so it’s safe to assume they’re in the mix.

Eichhorn, for his part, is currently focusing on recovering from a syndesmosis ligament injury. It appears he is postponing any talk about his future until the summer.

This could work in Manchester United’s favour. The fact that the youngster has yet to make a concrete choice at least gives him the chance to state his case further in the coming weeks and months.

West Ham United’s Lukasz Fabianski has revealed an approach from Everton last summer.

West Ham goalkeeper has given an interview WP SportowayFactory To discuss a range of topics including Everton.

He joined West Ham from Swansea City and left them as a free agent at the end of last season. Fabianski did not have a club until his return to the London team in September 2025.

David Moyes had a clear plan for Fabianski

Ahead of his return to West Ham, the Toffees attempted to sign him into David Moyes’ squad.

The Merseyside club’s manager knows the Pole well from his time at West Ham. He played 153 matches under Moyes, keeping 39 clean sheets.

Jordan Pickford is the first-choice goalkeeper for the Toffees, with Fabianski expected to be the backup.

Everton make offer to sign West Ham man

After West Ham released him, WP Sportowefakty asked the Pole whether he was close to retiring last summer.

He revealed the offer from Everton and said that his former club Legia Warsaw had tried to sign him. Last year, Sports Witness Polish clubs covered The latter was rejected as an option for Fabianski.

“I had several offers from Everton for a second-choice goalkeeper, and inquiries from Legia, and I had a number of talks,” He said.

“However, my family and I decided that we did not want to go anywhere else. I remember the conversations I had with my family and the people at West Ham last season. I had assumed that I would play one more season and then say goodbye. I changed my mind somewhat last summer.”

The stopper has not made an appearance for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side this season and has been on the sidelines due to injury since September.

His contract expires at the end of this season and when asked if he had held talks over an extension with West Ham, Fabianski explained: “We have different priorities now. January was very busy for us in terms of transfer activity. We have to wait until the end of the season, then we will have a better idea of ​​where we are going.”

Aston Villa signed Samuel Illing-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea from Juventus in July 2024. The Villans sent both out on loan as Unai Emery did not consider them at Villa Park.

Illing-Junior had loan spells at Bologna and Middlesbrough during the 2024/25 season. Last summer, Aston Villa sent him on loan to West Bromwich Albion, and he failed to shine at The Hawthorns.

The winger scored one goal and failed to provide an assist in 24 matches in 1,290 minutes in all competitions for West Brom.

Aston Villa man’s ‘surprising’ loan move

Winter deadline day, witness the game Covered claims from Italy ‘Stunning coup’ for Pisa to sign the 23-year-old. The source described his temporary transfer as a shocking move.

Aston Villa-owned player completed a loan transfer to the Serie A team until the end of this season. Last weekend, he came off the bench to make his debut in Pisa’s 2–1 win over AC Milan.

On Tuesday, Pisa presented the Englishman and another January signing, Rosen Bozhinov, to local media. pisa football The comments made by the Villains man are Riley’s.

conversation with pisa

Illing-Junior revealed that he decided to join after talks with officials at the Italian club. He mentioned this when asked about negotiations with Pisa for the loan.

“It’s been great. We talked. I saw the opportunity, and knowing Serie A well, I saw a possibility. We are close to being together, we always have to think about it,” He said.

“I immediately talked to the director and the coach. I know the city well because it is very famous and I got into a top locker room. There is a good atmosphere there. It doesn’t feel like we are living in the situation we are in.”

When asked about his dry loan, Illing-Junior explained. “Right now, I’m just thinking game by game. I need to move forward and improve to help the team. First stay awake, then we’ll see. Everything can always change.”

This shows that he has not taken any decision about his future after this season.

Fabian Herzeler is under no pressure at Brighton & Hove Albion despite his current poor form.

This is according to Sportbild. The German newspaper reports that, internally, there are no concerns about Brighton dropping to 14^th Place.

Herzeler has faced increased criticism in recent weeks as Brighton have slipped down the Premier League table.

Brighton are currently without a win in their last six league matches and have only one win in their last 13 matches.

bad form of brighton

Those results have pushed them down to 14th after previously being in contention for Europe.

Recent results have increased the pressure, particularly a 1–0 home defeat to rivals Crystal Palace. What followed was a heavy 3–0 defeat to Liverpool in the FA Cup that certainly did not suit the German’s cause.

The team was also criticized by a small section of the domestic audience after the recent defeat. For his part, Herzeler has insisted that he does not feel any pressure from the club’s hierarchy at this time. This is also a term from Sportbild.

According to their information, there is ‘no doubt’ about the 32-year-old. This is despite poor form and questions over the team’s utilisation.

In fact, the focus is really on making that team better. This information regarding Herzeler’s future comes in the wake of a report regarding a new attempt from Cologne to sign Said El Mala.

Summer exit still possible

However, whether this is correct or not remains to be seen. Brighton will certainly be asking questions about Herzeler’s future given his slide.

Although there may be plans for immediate dismissal, they could just as easily be thinking about a summer separation.

This is something they have done in the past. Roberto De Zerbi left at the end of the first season after increasing pressure midway through the campaign. Such a strategy certainly fits into Brighton’s long-term planning and thinking.

However, for now, reports in Germany suggest that Herzeler is not in danger.

LOS ANGELES – When the smoke cleared and the dust settled, Los Angeles Lakers big man Jackson Hayes failed to advance to the final round of the Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend. After a combined score of 91.8 in the first round, Hayes was defeated by Miami Heat wing Keshad Johnson and San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant for the final dunk-off.

After the end of the Slam Dunk Contest, Jackson Hayes talked about whether or not he would participate in the Slam Dunk Contest again. As the oldest player in this year’s event, he hasn’t completely closed the door on another appearance, although that seems highly unlikely.

Hayes said, “This is my seventh year in the NBA, I’ll be in my eighth next year. You can see these young guys have more legs. I went up for my first dunk, I felt it right in my knees.” “I don’t think so. It was fun to do it and say I did it, but I don’t know. I’m not going to turn down the dunk contest completely, but probably not. I’d rather be in Hawaii right now.”

Each participant received two dunk attempts in the first round, with Hayes’ second attempt looking like it was a better option for him to advance. For his first dunk, he tried to take off from the free-throw line, but it appears he made a jump mistake and ended up flying just inside the line, which was essentially just a fastbreak dunk.

His second dunk really had people out of their seats when he threw the ball in front of him, tossed it in the air from one hand to the other, tossed it back to the other hand between his legs and dunked.

Jackson Hayes taps it towards him and goes between the legs for his second slam @To slam dunk 😤

Tap to watch: https://t.co/BpnjnxQ8vC pic.twitter.com/pBALENoNJ0

– NBA (@NBA) 15 February 2026

Hayes became the sixth Lakers player to participate in the Dunk Contest, following Michael Cooper, Antonio Harvey, Kobe Bryant, Shannon Brown and Dwight Howard, respectively. Bryant is the only Laker to win the Dunk Contest.

Hayes is really known for his in-game dunks this season, catching a lob from Luka Doncic and throwing down an impressive Eastbay dunk during the Lakers’ win against the Chicago Bulls on January 26.

This is Hayes’ third season with the Lakers after re-signing a one-year contract last offseason. He originally signed with the Lakers as a free agent in 2023 after four seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans.

This year, Hayes has appeared in 45 games, including seven starts, averaging a little over 17 minutes per game. He is averaging 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals while shooting 77.2 percent from the field.