標籤: rumor

Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme has responded to claims he wants to target Manchester CityErling Haaland if he is elected.

Today Sport Cover Comments from RiquelmeWhen asked directly about a move for Haaland should he take charge at Real Madrid.

presidential campaign

For those who do not know, Enrique Riquelme intends to challenge Florentino Pérez for the presidency of Real Madrid this year.

He is currently preparing his candidacy, which will need endorsement and approval by Saturday to challenge the President.

His current focus is on that, but reports in Spain are already linking him to bigger plans to potentially succeed the election.

Manchester City on target

Sport Witness covered a similar report yesterday. It adds that Riquelme not only wants to appoint Jurgen Klopp as manager, but also sign Erling Haaland from Manchester City.

In fact, he and his team are reportedly in contact with Haaland representatives to discuss a possible move.

Now, speaking at the Cox shareholder meeting (he’s the company’s chairman), he’s been asked directly about those rumors. And he has not shied away from the idea of ​​signing the Manchester City striker.

“That’s the most enjoyable part after whether someone runs (for election) or not,” he said.

“The best players should be at Real Madrid. They always have been. The best will always want to come; this is the best club. So we need a candidacy that brings back transparency and good governance to attract talent, so that talent wants to come.

“Talents have to come to Real Madrid. The greatest club in history must have the best talents, and we have to provide the right conditions so that people feel comfortable within the club. So, yes, of course, all the talents in the world will be welcomed at Real Madrid.”

A new rumor about WWE’s plans in the coming weeks and months makes the recent release of the Wyatt Six and the Motor City Machine Guns even more silly.

In April, WWE surprised wrestling fans when they decided to part ways with approximately 30 performers across Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and their developmental system. There were several surprise departures, but one that shocked many was the entire faction known as the Wyatt Six and TNA/Impact legends, the Motor City Machine Guns.

His exit seemed to reflect the company’s disinterest in tag wrestling as WWE fans have become more aware over the years. However, apparently, the promotion is planning to invest in tag wrestling again soon.

WWE plans to rebuild the tag team division

According to False Finish, “WWE is currently trying to help rebuild the tag team division from within, while also looking at the possibility of signing tag teams from other promotions in the near future.”

Obviously, the report should be taken with a grain of salt. However, if there is any truth to the news that WWE decided to cut ties with former tag champions like Wyatt Six, MCMG, and The New Day – who decided to leave after they asked to take a pay cut – it now seems pretty silly.

For tag wrestling fans, the report is good news, and WWE has some very talented teams on its stacked roster. But if they really invested in rebuilding the division, they seriously damaged it with their release last month.

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

After he was surprisingly fired by the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, a new report has revealed a pair of teams that may soon request an interview with the Hall of Famer.

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

Kidd led the team to the NBA Finals two years ago, and despite having four years and $40 million left on his contract after signing an extension through 2024, NBA insider Marc Stein claims that the new Mavs head of basketball operations, Masai Ujiri, wanted a “clean slate” after taking the job a few weeks ago.

It now means that a respected head coach, who was a great player as a player, is available to NBA teams, with or without an opening. Still, it’s quite possible that the 53-year-old takes a break and waits for the first opportunity to emerge after stints with the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Mavericks.

Could the Magic and Trail Blazers make Jason Kidd their next coach?

If he does interview, Steen pointed to a pair of teams that would make sense as landing spots for Kidd — first, the Orlando Magic. An NBA insider claims the team had serious interest in Kidd ahead of the 2021 season. And the same top decision-makers — head of basketball operations Jeff Weltman and top adviser John Hammond — who loved him then still hold those roles.

Another possible option for Kidd may surprise some people. “Kidd also has a long-standing relationship with Tom Dundon, the new owner of the Portland Trail Blazers, who has deep ties to Dallas.” The billionaire made his fortune in Big D, and the 10-time All-Star is a basketball legend in the city. So it makes sense that they have crossed each other’s paths over the years and formed a friendship.

Possibly the biggest obstacle to Kidd going to Portland is that all reports claim Dundon is looking to hire a new head coach on the cheap. The former Mavericks head coach is probably well out of his price range. However, with $40 million still coming his way, Kidd might be willing to take a discount for a friend and take a Trail Blazers team with a good young core.

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

A new report sheds light on some coaches the Dallas Mavericks could soon target to replace former head coach Jason Kidd.

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 dropped a bomb on the basketball world. And that was the firing of their head coach after five seasons on the job.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Kidd led the team to the NBA Finals two years ago, and has four years and $40 million left on his contract after signing an extension through 2024. The new Mavs head of basketball operations, Masai Ujiri, wanted a “clean slate” after taking the job a few weeks ago.

Micah Nouri is among potential targets to become the next Dallas Mavericks coach

The talented executive isn’t rushing into making a move, so he likely has multiple candidates in mind to lead the franchise. Late Tuesday night, Steen offered up a pair of assistants who would likely be on Ujiri’s candidate list.

As Steen noted, both have been linked to various head coaching jobs in recent years and come from two elite teams in the Western Conference. It’s also possible that Ujiri goes after more proven candidates like Billy Donovan, Jeff Van Gundy and Tom Thibodeau, who have all been linked to the Orlando Magic job in recent days.

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

The Chicago Bulls are reportedly considering going after the 2025-26 Coach of the Year contender who is still under contract with the Western Conference playoff team.

After a 31–51 finish and fourth consecutive loss on the season, Billy Donovan decided to step down from his role as head coach of the Bulls. Now, following the installation of a new head of basketball operations in Bryson Graham and his spot at No. 4 in the NBA Draft set, NBA insider Jake Fisher claims the team is expected to “accelerate” the search for Donovan’s replacement.

With the Bulls coming on strong from the start, the team is casting a wide net in its search for its next head coach. Interestingly, this may also include buying and selling of coaches from the West. Fisher reports that Chicago is expected to formally request an interview with Portland Trail Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter.

The seven-year NBA veteran was put in a very difficult situation after taking over as head coach of the Trail Blazers when his predecessor Chauncey Billups was arrested for his role in a federal gambling investigation, one game into the season.

The first-time head coach did an impressive job guiding Portland to their first winning record (42-40) and the playoffs since 2020-21. Additionally, former Washington Wizards lottery pick Deni Avdija went from being a good player to a legitimate All-Star in 2025-26 under Splitter’s watch. The 41-year-old Brazilian deserves a lot of credit for the work he did last season, yet new Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon didn’t appreciate it.

Dundon have been searching for a new coach for several months and are reportedly looking for a new coach at a budget rate. Splitter is still under contract with Portland for one more season. Therefore, unless the Trail Blazers want to release him from his deal, the Bulls will have to trade for the coach’s rights if they want to make him their next head coach.

Still, despite the ongoing search for his replacement, Fisher reports, “Whispers were spreading on Monday [Splitter getting the full-time job] This cannot be denied now.” An NBA insider suggests this may be the reason why Portland declined Chicago’s request for an interview.

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

A new rumor suggests the recently fired head coach is the favorite to get a similar start with the Orlando Magic. And the strange thing is that he too was appointed to this job two decades ago.

After blowing a 3–1 lead in their opening-round playoff matchup against the Detroit Pistons, Magic management decided that the team needed a new voice leading their locker room and bench in 2026–27. Still, it won’t be easy to replace former head coach Jamahl Mosley after playing a leading role in building the team into a playoff contender.

The organization has been linked to several experienced coaches to replace Mosley. However, according to NBA insider Jake Fisher, there appears to be a strong contender for the position. “Coaching insiders across the league landscape are operating under the belief that former Bulls coach Billy Donovan has an excellent chance to land the position.”

Fisher said the former Chicago Bulls head coach “has been talking with Magic president Jeff Weltman and will soon have an in-person meeting with the Orlando chief executive”. Donovan resigned from his role with the Bulls last month following a 31-51 finish and a fourth consecutive loss in Chicago. His record as a coach in the NBA is 469-413.

The former Florida Gators coach was hired as head coach of the Magic in 2007, before he reneged on the deal and returned to the Gators. He eventually jumped to the NBA eight years later with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Jeff Van Gundy is also a contender for the head coach position of Orlando Magic

While Donovan appears to be a strong contender to become the next head coach of the Magic, it is not a done deal. Another experienced coach with a strong resume who Fisher claims is in the running for the job is former New York Knicks and Houston Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy.

He left coaching in 2007 and remained a favorite on-air voice for the NBA on ESPN for several years. However, after 16 years, he was let go by the network in 2023. Since then, he has been a consultant for the Boston Celtics and is currently an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he has earned praise.

Van Gundy’s career record as a head coach is 430–318. His peak came when he led the Knicks for seven seasons, leading them to the playoffs six times, including their last trip to the Finals in 1999.

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

A new report reveals a surprising reason why this will likely be TJ Watt’s final season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Watt is going to go down as one of the greatest players ever in a franchise that has had a lot of players. In his nine seasons in the Steel City, Watt has been to the Pro Bowl every season except his rookie year, is a four-time All-Pro, and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors when he posted a ridiculous 22.5 sacks in 2021.

He already leads the franchise in sacks and QB hits, and could take the No. 1 spot in forced fumbles and tackles for loss this season. He’s a Steelers legend. However, as great as his performances have been, including playing a key role in six trips to the playoffs, all good things come to an end. And this could be Watt’s last year in Pittsburgh, even though he has two more years on his contract after 2026.

Teams think TJ Watt could hit the trade block next spring

On Thursday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the team wants to retain linebacker Nick Herbig after he made more progress in 2025 and posted 7.5 sacks in a part-time role. He’s only 24 years old, and another good season will make him a top free agent target for many teams next spring. However, the Steelers have already invested a lot of money in Watt and Alex Highsmith.

Something will have to give if the Steelers want to sign Herbig to a new long-term deal, and an NFL insider claims teams around the league believe Watt will be the odd man out and could hit the trade block next year.

Trading Watt would upset many Steelers fans. However, Fowler has a point, and it would be smart to move on from the future Hall of Famer while his value is still high and before he suffers age-related decline. Still, if Herbig doesn’t show much growth this season, it will certainly change opinions on a potential Watt trade.

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

Mick Foley is set to have his WWE Legends deal expire next month, and AEW has taken notice.

Multiple sources told The Takedown on SI that AEW has expressed “genuine” interest in working with Foley this year. The scope of any potential involvement is unknown, and it is unclear whether AEW will sign or make a one-time appearance.

A source told the outlet that while they had no direct knowledge of Foley coming to Double or Nothing, they wouldn’t be surprised if there was pressure to use him on the show if a deal could be made. Double or Nothing is set for Flushing, NY, about an hour from where Foley grew up on Long Island. MJF is ready to put the onus on Darby Allin for the AEW World Championship in the main event.

Foley announced earlier this year that he would let his WWE Legends deal expire in June, citing his opposition to TKO’s relationship with WWE and the current administration. WWE Legends contracts do not prevent talents from working for other companies, but they do place restrictions on royalties, merchandising, and the use of their likeness.

The 60-year-old has not wrestled since 2012, but has remained active on the independent scene through appearances. He appeared for The Sandman’s retirement match in GCW during WrestleMania week in Las Vegas. His last WWE on-camera appearance came in 2023, when he announced the qualifier candidates for the Iron Survivor Challenge on NXT Deadline. Previously, he served as the general manager of Monday Night Raw from 2016 to early 2017.

Foley was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013 and is a three-time WWF Champion, having worked for WWE, WCW, ECW, TNA, and promotions throughout his career throughout his career. AEW already has several veterans under contract and Foley could be next.

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

Philadelphia Eagles star receiver AJ Brown leaving Philly seems less like an “if” and more like a ticking game clock. And once he hits the trade block, half the league will be lining up to play. Even after watching Brown burn on the game’s biggest stage, the Kansas City Chiefs and Andy Reid would clearly love to add that kind of firepower to the offense.

Talk of Casey potentially making a move for the Browns has intensified, and on paper, it looks like a cheat code. But that’s probably where the discussion of fantasy football should stop. Reid has built the Chiefs into a dynasty by leaning into a team-first culture, maximizing players’ roles and keeping the locker room ego-free. Putting a high-maintenance alpha receiver in that system could spoil the chemistry that has helped Kansas City stack up to Lombardi.

Patrick Mahomes could get a massive WR upgrade if Chiefs hire AJ Brown

SportsBoom’s NFL insider Jason La Canfora listed the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars as potential trade destinations for AJ Brown.

“For example, the Chiefs were tied to several top receivers going into the draft,” La Canfora noted, “but instead they spent the first two days solidifying Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.”

Still, Casey adding a true WR1 makes a lot of sense. The Chiefs are trying to get back into full dynasty mode, and this could be Travis Kelce’s final trip to the Hall of Fame. Additionally, Kansas City will want to take some pressure off Patrick Mahomes as he tries to recover from ACL and LCL injuries he suffered last December.

Brown may no longer be the shiny new rookie, but the man still moves the chains like few receivers in football. He’s physical, explosive and ridiculously reliable — exactly the kind of weapon that can turn Mahomes’ offense into a weekly fireworks show. Right now, Rashee Rice is the only proven wideout on the depth chart. Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton and rookie Cyrus Allen still have a lot to prove before anyone can crown them reliable playmakers. The addition of a battle-tested star like Brown immediately raises KC’s ceiling.

Meanwhile, in Philly, the writing is beginning to appear on the wall. The Browns reportedly want out after contract talks with the Philadelphia Eagles stalled, and the team drafting top receiver Makai Lemon has only fueled trade discussions. With Devonta Smith already locked in as a cornerstone piece, Brown suddenly looks a lot more dynamic than untouchable.

A new rumor suggests that the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks will eventually be joined by a fourth NBA team in Texas. But it won’t be a new team at all, and instead, Portland Trail Blazers fans will be heartbroken.

Aside from the ongoing playoffs and the upcoming NBA Draft, one of the biggest stories in the league’s offices is on expansion. With the NFL raking in the big bucks with 32 teams, the world’s top basketball league is also looking to squeeze more money out of its massive fan base.

All indications are that the league will add two more teams in the next few years, and they will likely be in Las Vegas and the returning Seattle SuperSonics. Even with those additions, it still means California remains the state with the most NBA teams – the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings.

However, according to Bill Oram of the Oregonian, Texas, the state with the most land area in the union, may soon join California with four teams in the National Basketball Association.

Could the Portland Trail Blazers be moved to Austin, Texas?

What’s interesting about Oram’s comment is that Dundon is the majority owner of the Carolina Hurricanes and Trail Blazers. The NBA reporter is not suggesting that the billionaire would buy another team — nor could he. And that’s not to say Dundon would sell his stake in the Trail Blazers less than a decade after purchasing it. No, he’s insisting he’ll take the Trail Blazers to Austin.

Such a move would be heartbreaking for basketball fans in the Northwest, especially since they are likely to get the SuperSonics back after relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008. However, considering how long it took to get two more teams in the NBA, two more teams seems a long way away after that.

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

Sami Zayn didn’t want a standard heel turn – and according to a new backstage report, he made that clear to WWE creative when the conversation happened.

The Self-Made Pro revealed during a Self-Made session that when the creative direction on SmackDown began to move toward a more traditional heel role, Zane pushed back internally, arguing for something more layered and unexpected instead.

The report stated, “He really didn’t want to be a heel, and he argued with the creatives, ‘Hey, why don’t we tell a subtle story here?’ “Because he told them, ‘I don’t think I’m a bad guy. I think my relationship with the fans is evolving, but I’m not necessarily a bad guy.'”

Zayn has been equally transparent publicly about the approach he took towards his character. Speaking to the Toronto Sun, he dismissed suggestions that he had simply turned heel.

Zayn said, “I disagree with your statement – ​​I’ve completely turned heel. I guess I’m just trying to play it a little differently.” He also explained the thinking behind the direction he is proposing. “I had this idea of ​​doing a little bit of a change to the character that would be a little bit outside the box and divide the audience a little bit.”

The backstage reports roughly match those public comments. Rather than WWE turning them into clean-cut heels, this approach is intentionally designed to leave audience reactions open-ended – allowing fans to decide for themselves how to feel about what they’re watching.

If the San Francisco 49ers thought their patience with Brandon Aiyuk would soon turn into a trade, a new report explains why they’re fooling themselves.

After the 2023 season, it looked like Aiyuk was going to become one of the top stars in the NFL and one of the faces of the 49ers roster. Boy, it seems like a long time ago. In the two years since his breakout season, the relationship between team and receiver has been downright dramatic.

First, he was late to the start of the 2024 season because he was holding out for a new long-term contract. He got it, but then he tore his ACL seven games into that campaign. Yet, instead of taking the field last season, Aiyuk sat out the entire 2025 season due to ongoing differences with the organization. That made divorce a guarantee this offseason.

However, rather than trade the talented but problematic receiver and move on, general manager John Lynch is under the impression that if he is patient, he will find a team that would be willing to give Aiyuk something rather than lose him for nothing. Well, it looks like that’s not going to happen, and according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Lynch just needs to pull the trigger on his release.

Graziano says the 49ers may choose to wait a few more months and hope a team becomes desperate. But considering the financial cost and draft pick value, no team is going to waste any money on a deal when they can get him for a much lower price with a little patience.

If the 49ers are looking petty, they may have to wait well into the preseason to finally cut the 28-year-old.

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

Kawhi Leonard’s days as a Los Angeles Clipper are done. one way or another.

We are still waiting for the NBA’s decision on how to punish the Clippers for the alleged ‘cap rigging’ scandal. This could potentially void Leonard’s contract (with one year remaining on $50 million). But even if not, it appears that Kawhi’s trade from La La Land is certain this summer.

Rumors have been flying around in recent weeks, but the latest information from insider Sean Deveney seems to put the nail in Kawhi’s coffin in LA.

According to a source close to Deveney, the Clippers will “move into a rebuild” this summer based on securing the No. 5 pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

“I think you’ll see that they really move forward with rebuilding this summer, and they can probably get it done relatively quickly.”

The Clips got a huge lead on that young move before the trade deadline. They added exciting young backcourt players Benedict Mathurin, 23, of the Indiana Pacers, and Darius Garland, 26, of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He moved ahead of veterans Ivica Zubac and James Harden in the process.

Next, a perfect move to stay young in a trade to send Leonard to a team that needs a veteran superstar with championship credentials.

3 teams named as top summer contenders for Kawhi Leonard

Devenney specifically names three teams that are renowned as prime contenders for superstar-hunting Leonard:

• Miami Heat
• new York Knicks
• Golden State Warriors

The Warriors attempted to trade for any big star they could acquire at the deadline, with rumored targets including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi. They’ll try again this summer, potentially on all three fronts.

Brett Siegel of Clutch Points writes, “Trading for a big-name star is extremely relevant for owner Joe Lacob and the Warriors.”

All three teams are also in the running in the Giannis sweepstakes, but Kawhi will also be a target.

Leonard returned to the top of his game last season. He proved that even at the age of 34, after years of injury troubles, he can still be one of the top players in the NBA. Kawhi averaged a career-high 27.9 points along with 6.4 boards and 3.6 assists per game in 65 games.

He is a two-time Finals MVP, in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs and in 2019 with the Toronto Raptors.

Danhausen’s mystery partner at WWE Backlash in Tampa this Saturday could be about to generate the wrong kind of reaction from fans.

Brian Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer wrote on If the rumor turns out to be true, it’s a reveal that won’t go down well with audiences who are tired of celebrity presence in the company.

That framing tells its own story. The betting odds at Backlash place Punk as the favorite to become Danhausen’s partner at -200, with Joe Hendry at +200, Mr. Iguana at +300, and Jelly Roll at +400. A crowd expecting a punk hit, but getting jelly rolls instead, could have a bad reaction at Amalie Arena on Saturday night.

Before Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42, there were plans for Jelly Roll to team with Rhodes at Backlash in a tag match against Orton and Pat McAfee.

That program fell apart when McAfee opted out of the program following negative fan reaction to his inclusion at WrestleMania, and Orton has not appeared on WWE programming since this event, amid reports that he was struggling with physical problems on the show.

With the original tags matching the table, it appears that Jelly Roll’s involvement has been redirected to the Danhausen program. Whether that creative pivot satisfies viewers who have been waiting to learn who Danhausen’s partner is, but the contrast between CM Punk’s revelations and Jelly Roll’s revelations may backfire.

A new rumor claims that one of the new candidates for the Minnesota Vikings general manager job is a man who failed miserably at the same job for a different team a few years ago.

Despite firing former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in January, the Vikings are still looking for a replacement. Executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski had to lead the front office not only through free agency in March, but also during last month’s NFL Draft.

Nevertheless, there is still an interim tag on his spot, and the organization is set to conduct a new round of interviews to find a person to officially take over for Adofo-Mensah for the long term. On Wednesday, multiple sources revealed some new candidates for the job, including San Francisco 49ers assistant GM RJ Gillen. However, another name came up for the wrong reasons.

Minnesota Vikings interview with Dave Ziegler

Former Las Vegas Raiders GM Dave Ziegler is also among the executives set to interview with the Vikings soon. Ziegler has been an assistant GM for the Tennessee Titans since last year, and was a senior personnel advisor for the New Orleans Saints in 2024.

These opportunities came after he was fired midway through his second season with the Raiders. After being hired by Las Vegas ahead of the 2022 season, they hired longtime New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as their head coach. It was a disastrous decision, as both were fired in November of 2023 after the Raiders posted a 9-16 record with the pair overseeing the roster.

Of the new candidates for the Vikings GM job, for better or worse, he is the only one with previous experience at that position in the NFL.

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

A new report suggests that Masai Ujiri will make the first big move as the Dallas Mavericks’ new president of basketball operations, trading away, arguably, their best player before next season’s NBA trade deadline.

After several weeks of rumors and speculation, Mavericks governor and majority owner Patrick Dumont made a major breakthrough in his search for a new team president when he hired Ujiri last week. And the former Toronto Raptors president brings an impressive resume to Dallas.

During his tenure at North, Ujiri made seven consecutive playoff appearances. His first Eastern Conference Finals appearance (2016). First NBA Finals appearance (2019), and the franchise’s first championship in 2019. However, it is difficult to stay at the top for long, and he was forced out of his role last year after a couple of disappointing seasons.

Ujiri has shown a talent for drafting and development and making bold trades to take his teams a step forward. Dallas fans will surely be wondering what moves he can make to lift the Mavericks out of the bottom of the standings and back into playoff contention.

Although it may not come this summer, a new report suggests a specific big-time trade will take place during the season.

Are the Dallas Mavericks planning on trading Kyrie Irving before next season’s trade deadline?

On Wednesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Wu reported how Ujiri’s priority will be building a better roster around young star Cooper Flagg. However, that endgame won’t include top star Kyrie Irving.

The 34-year-old nine-time All-Star missed the entire 2025-26 season after suffering an ACL injury in March 2025. Hopefully the extra recovery time will allow him to make an immediate impact next season. However, he is on a very different timeline than what the organization thinks about the 19-year-old Flagg and his journey to lead the Mavericks back to relevance.

That’s why Ujiri would surely find a new home for the future Hall of Famer and earn more draft assets to build a winning team around Flagg.

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

A new rumor reveals how much it would cost the Cleveland Cavaliers to make a blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, and the front office should make it happen.

After blowing a 2-0 lead and surviving the seven-game series against the Toronto Raptors, the Cavaliers will look to pick up a road win in Game 2 of their series against the Detroit Pistons tonight. Their performance against the Raptors and their 111–101 Game 1 loss has NBA analysts not confident that the Cavs will upset the No. 1 seed Pistons in this series.

That’s why there’s already speculation about what the Cavaliers will do this summer. While James Harden is enjoying his time in Cleveland, many expect him to opt out of the final year of his deal to receive a new multi-year contract from the Cavs or the highest bidder. There are also rumors that if Donovan Mitchell does not sign an extension this offseason, the team could consider trading him with one year left on his deal.

Even if Mitchell returns, this is an expensive roster that has never gone beyond the second round of the playoffs. If they don’t upset Detroit, change is coming, and it could be in the form of a trade for Milwaukee Bucks veteran Giannis Antetokounmpo. But does Cleveland have the trade chips to make a deal? It appears that they do.

Cleveland Cavaliers trade cost for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Marc Stein reports, “The Cavaliers contacted the Bucks about Giannis before the deadline and were told it would take Evan Mobley and all of Cleveland’s available draft capital to make it happen.” “It’s a business creation that Mobley’s leaders would probably scoff at, but it’s a move that no shortage of rival executives I’ve discussed it with have said they would do.”

Giving up future draft picks (perhaps more than five) for an aging great who is having trouble staying healthy is a huge risk. However, in an era where you can’t trade first-round picks in consecutive seasons and upcoming NBA lottery rules improvements, it could be worse.

If the Cavaliers hold on to Mitchell, this is now a must-win team. A healthy Antetokounmpo could easily become the winning star they seem to be lacking. The Cavs could also go away for a season, and if that doesn’t work, let both Mitchell and Antetokounmpo walk in free agency and start from scratch. Either way, they should seriously consider that trade if it’s still on the negotiating table this summer.

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

A new report doesn’t seem to be good news for LA Knight’s future in WWE.

Knight has become a major fan-favorite in the company because he was able to overcome the obstacles that came before him. Despite being a star in TNA and NXT, when Knight originally came to the main roster in 2022, his character was completely changed, and he was renamed Max Dupree.

It seemed like he would be the latest legend to be ruined due to Vince McMahon’s different approach to established talent. However, when the WWE founder began to lose control of the company and Paul “Triple H” Levesque took a larger role in the company, Knight was allowed to return to his regular persona and given more opportunities.

While he was initially used mostly as an advanced talent, his charisma was undeniable, and he emerged as one of the notable baby faces on the roster in 2024. However, despite fans’ hopes that he will eventually win a world title, Knight is out of the main event picture as we approach the summer of 2026.

More worrying news emerged this week when BodySlam+ reported that Knight was involved in a feud with former Heavyweight Champion Gunther following WrestleMania 42. However, as fans saw on last week’s edition of SmackDown, the “Career Killer” made a surprise appearance and attacked Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. To raise a quarrel over the blue brand.

Could LA Knight be the next WWE Star Cut?

Leading up to the April mega-event, rumors surfaced that Knight was being considered for a major feud with Brock Lesnar. Of course, he went to super-prospect Oba Femi instead. This would now be the second feud with an elite talent to be eliminated.

Two weeks ago, WWE eliminated 23 veterans and prospects, including all of the Wyatt Six as well as Aleister Black and Zelina Vega. It was also revealed that some of the reductions were “age related”. Additionally, it was revealed over the weekend that TKO has asked for several performers to be cut from the roster, and this played a role in veterans Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods leaving the company.

Considering his age (43) and one more big fight, LA Knight should be concerned about his place in the company as he is making good money after reportedly agreeing to a new contract two years ago. According to BodySlam+, Knight is still with the company. But fans will surely wonder how long this will last if she isn’t added to a major storyline soon.

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

Kairi Sane has not severed her ties with WWE yet.

Brian Alvarez reports that within WWE, there is belief that Sane could appear this Saturday at Backlash in Tampa, Florida to provide some resolution to her ongoing storyline with IYO SKY and Asuka, despite being exempt from the company’s WrestleMania 42 roster cuts. Whether such an appearance would be a one-off or signal something else has not been made clear.

“Within WWE, it is felt that there is a greater than 50% chance that Kairi will appear at Backlash to at least finish that storyline,” Alvarez wrote to his subscribers on X.

A singles match between Sky and Asuka is scheduled for Saturday’s Backlash PLE at Amalie Arena in Tampa. Before her release, Sane was at the center of the storyline of that match, torn between the two as Asuka attempted to intimidate her into proving her loyalty to SKY.

Her absence from that program’s resolution was one of the more puzzling aspects of her release, and the internal belief that she might still appear in Backlash shows just how incomplete the creative thread is.

Sane was among the 25 talents released by WWE on April 24 during the roster cuts following WrestleMania 42, and given both her level of talent and her active role in the ongoing program, her release was considered one of the more surprising decisions in that wave.

Fan reaction was swift and vocal, with the hashtag VivantCarry flooding social media in the days following the announcement. AJ Styles was among those who publicly stated that he was shocked by the news.

This was Cena’s second stint with WWE. Following her departure in 2021, she spent time in Japan working primarily for Stardom and NJPW before returning to WWE in 2023, winning the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships with Asuka as the Kabuki Warriors during that second run.

Recent reports are clearing the way for a monster trade that has Kevin Durant returning to the Golden State Warriors and Jimmy Butler returning to the Houston Rockets.

On Friday night, the Rockets saw their promising season come to a very disappointing end with a Game 6 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs. What made their elimination more troubling is that they could not beat a Lakers team that was without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for most of the series.

Still, this shouldn’t come as a complete shock. Something was going wrong with the Rockets team for several months. And it seemed like it all started with All-Star Weekend drama amid speculation that Durant had a Burner X account where he mocked his Houston teammates.

Most believed it was a foolish situation that would be quickly forgotten in the locker room. However, a new report from The Athletic’s William Guillory and Sam Amick adds to the debate that the All-Star Game allegations were a problem in the locker room and worsened because they were never formally addressed by the future Hall of Famer.

“Multiple league sources with close ties to Rockets players indicated that the social media situation was a significant distraction that was never resolved internally,” the report reveals. “…Privately, league sources said [Durant’s] The teammates agreed to keep the matter at home while they focused on basketball. It is unclear whether Durant ever made it clear to his associates whether the account was his or not.

Should the Houston Rockets consider trading Kevin Durant this summer?

All of this begs the question: Should the Rockets trade Durant this summer because he seems like a bad mix on a team that was on a massive upward trend before he arrived a year ago? The Guillory and Amick report provides reasons why this is unlikely. They gave him a waiver on the extension and opted to come to Houston. Plus, when Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams suffered season-ending injuries, the Rockets probably always had a ceiling.

Still, there have been major body language problems with this group for several months, and they’ve never come close to reaching the potential expected by most basketball pundits. Before things get worse, it may be wise to seek divorce instead of withdrawing. But where could the Rockets send Durant, and what could they get back?

Why trading Jimmy Butler for Kevin Durant makes sense

The danger in moving Durant is that Houston gave up a lot to get him. Can they really get the same value to chase the title in 2026-27? This limits the options significantly, but leaves an interesting idea. Trading Durant to the Warriors for Jimmy Butler.

It’s well established that the Warriors are eager to reunite with Durant after the 16-time All-Star helped lead them to three consecutive Finals trips – two wins – during his three seasons in California. The team has been searching for a superstar for the last two years and bringing back the devil they know, not the devil they don’t know.

Plus, while Butler was good in Golden State, we know for a fact that Durant is a better fit there. Especially if coach Steve Kerr returns next season. Additionally, a case can be made that Butler would be a better fit in Houston under Ime Udoka. A defensive-minded coach like Erik Spoelstra and Butler were fantastic with him in Miami.

The biggest issue is that the soon-to-be 37-year-old is trying to bounce back from a torn ACL. It would be understandable if the Rockets weren’t interested in two veterans potentially coming off ACL tears (VanVleet) next season. But matching the money in a trade in a Durant for Butler swap is far easier than most potential deals.

If Golden State is willing to give up a future first-round pick to sweeten the pot, it would be an offer Houston should seriously consider. A lineup of Kristaps Porzingis, Draymond Green, Durant, Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski, and Alpern Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Butler, Amen Thompson and VanVleet looks very good for the Warriors.

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

Former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL may debut in WWE soon.

Sources have indicated to BodySlam that EVIL is expected to debut soon following his recent signing with the company, with tonight’s NXT emerging as a possibility given the mysterious storyline currently ongoing on the brand.

PWInsider first confirmed the signing last week, noting that WWE has yet to publicly acknowledge the deal. A follow-up report from PWInsider also revealed that EVIL is currently listed internally on WWE’s diverse roster – the same category used for legends and injured talent – ​​suggesting that the company has not yet decided which brand he will be assigned to. That picture is probably about to change.

So where does evil fit in? The NXT connection stems from last week’s episode of the brand, during which Tony D’Angelo was presented with a box containing the Japanese kanji for “war”. The delivery immediately led to speculation that EVIL may have been behind it, with many fans and observers pointing out the obvious similarities between the secret package and his arrival in WWE.

Others have suggested that the sender could be Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Meteor Sasaki, who is currently on tour in NXT. No confirmation of either theory has been provided, but the timing of the bodyslam’s imminent first report on The Tonight Show fuels EVIL speculation.

EVIL had a breakout moment in his career after betraying Los Ingobernables de Japon to join up with Bullet Club in 2020. He defeated Tetsuya Naito, retaining both the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships, a moment that marked a significant change in NJPW’s storytelling at the time.

His overall resume includes one IWGP Heavyweight Championship reign, one IWGP Intercontinental Championship reign, four NEVER Openweight Championship reigns, two IWGP Tag Team Championship reigns, and six NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship reigns. He left NJPW in January before his WWE contract was confirmed in late April. Japanese sources are expected to drop the EVIL ring name going forward, although WWE has not publicly confirmed any new name.

A new rumor has opened the door for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to make a bold move in Round 2 of the NFL Draft and find an interesting prospect to replace franchise veteran Mike Evans.

At the NFL Combine, Miami star Ruben Benn Jr. became a divisive figure when it was revealed that his arms were shorter than the standard for productive EDGE rushers in the NFL. Nevertheless, he was still viewed as a player who should go in the top 10 after playing a key role in the Hurricanes reaching the national championship game in January.

However, 14 teams, including the Miami Dolphins, pursued the talented EDGE rusher. But Tampa didn’t, and they may have gotten a better player than expected with the No. 15 overall pick. But it’s hard to be that lucky twice, and the team still needs to find a player to fill the big void left by six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans.

Could the Tampa Bay Buccaneers move up to draft Denzel Boston on Friday night?

Well, a new rumor presents the possibility for the Buccaneers to do just that as early as Round 2. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, “The San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and Buffalo Bills have received calls about potential trades at the top of Round 2 tonight, in what could be a busy trade night.”

The first selection of the trio of teams took place on Friday at Nos. 33, 34 and 35. Washington receiver Denzel Boston is still among the best players available. He has a very good start, good speed, is effective at winning jump balls and competitive pass battles, and is a problem in the red zone. The skills are quite similar to those of the Buccaneers legend.

Tampa Bay has the first pick in Round 2 at 46. So moving to the front of the line on Friday night would be a remarkable jump. However, with three teams willing to move back, there is an opportunity to land a very good prospect to pair with rising star Emeka Egbuka in the coming years.

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

A new rumor suggests that the Kansas City Chiefs will have an opportunity to move up in Round 2 of the NFL Draft and acquire the talented wide receiver they did not select in Round 1.

The chief was busy on Thursday night. They entered the night with not one, but two picks in Round 1. Selection No. 9 and 29 respectively. However, they were aggressive early on and actually moved up three spots in a trade with the Cleveland Browns. However, this was not meant to go after any offensive lineman or stud receiver. Instead, they drafted Trent McDuffie’s replacement in LSU cornerback Mansur Delaney.

Then, at age 29, they came to the rescue again when they used their pick on Clemson tackle Peter Woods. Going heavy on defense with their first two picks surprised some. Especially since Patrick Mahomes needs more weapons in the passing game, Travis Kelce is likely to retire after this season. Well, that opportunity may come as early as Friday night in Round 2.

Could the KC Chiefs move up to draft Denzel Boston on Friday night?

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, “The San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and Buffalo Bills have received calls about potential trades at the top of Round 2 tonight, in what could be a busy trade night.”

The first selection of the trio of teams took place on Friday at Nos. 33, 34 and 35. Washington receiver Denzel Boston is still among the best players available. He has a very good start, good speed, is effective at winning jump balls and competitive pass battles, and is a problem in the red zone. The Chiefs will love the skills he gets next season.

It will be interesting to see if they try to move up again, this time with their pick at 40, and go after the impact pass catcher they missed in the early rounds.

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

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE internally discussed a scenario in which CM Punk would retain the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42 before ultimately selecting Roman Reigns as champion.

The report clarifies that Reigns’ victory was always the long-term plan, but an alternate ending involving Punk was considered so seriously that it was discussed internally before being rejected.

Meltzer wrote, “Rengs was always going to emerge as champion because long-term plans were made for him at that position, including a title fight with Gunther.” “It was possible and clearly talked about that Punk could defeat Reigns and then lose the title at Backlash, so they would be ‘even’ when it was over, but Reigns would finish as champion as a way to protect Punk’s position. But in the end the decision was for Reigns to win here.”

Punk’s victory at WrestleMania, followed by a title loss at Backlash in Tampa on May 9, would leave both men tied in whatever happened next, reducing Punk’s blowout and ultimately leaving Las Vegas unchampioned. The fact that it was considered at all shows how well matched both options were at some point in the creative process, even if Reigns’ victory was always the likely decision.

In the night two main event of WrestleMania 42, Reigns defeated Punk with two spears in a match that lasted 30 minutes. At the press conference after the show, Reigns announced that he would be appearing throughout the summer. WWE wasted no time in setting up its next direction, setting up a showdown between Reigns and Jacob Fatu on that Monday show.

There is already an important program attached to the long-term picture beyond Fatu. Gunther has been identified as a key direction for Reigns’ title reign, which would be one of the best championship programs WWE could do, given the star power of both sides. With Reigns now confirmed as the centerpiece of the summer’s World Heavyweight Championship picture, the creative roadmap appears to be in place.

A new rumor has opened the door for the San Francisco 49ers or Kansas City Chiefs to land a Pro Bowl-level wide receiver, which they could actually use tonight during Round 1 of the NFL Draft.

Heading into this week’s NFL Draft, there has been an unusual amount of trade-related talk. With this year’s quarterback class being weak, teams ranked in the top 10 are more willing to trade down and acquire more draft assets this year or next.

However, there have also been reports of teams without a first rounder trying to get a selection tonight, or teams trying to add another pick late in Round 1. The Jacksonville Jaguars are a part of that group, and they’re clearly hanging on to a player they took late in Round 1 two years ago in order to make the selection on Thursday.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, “The Jaguars could try to lay the groundwork for a potential trade in the bottom of the first round. A potential lure could include receiver Brian Thomas Jr.”

An opportunity emerges for the 49ers or Chiefs to trade Brian Thomas Jr. tonight

There are four teams with late picks in Round 1 who would be interesting to see give up their selection for a one-time Pro Bowl. Those franchises are the San Francisco 49ers (Pick 27), Kansas City Chiefs (Pick 29), Buffalo Bills (Pick 26), and New England Patriots (Pick 31).

The Chiefs targeting Thomas Jr. makes sense as they also have the ninth pick on Thursday night, and are in desperate need of a legitimate receiver. In Kansas City, Thomas could bring the Chiefs’ offense back to the dominant power it was at the beginning of their dynasty.

With Brandon Aiyuk’s future in San Francisco in jeopardy, the 49ers giving up their only first-rounder for Thomas Jr. would be a smart decision. They might be waiting for this perfect opportunity before officially releasing the receiver.

The Bills and Patriots both have fits for Thomas Jr. However, a pair of AFC East teams heavily linked to an AJ Brown trade may hold their pick and wait until the Philadelphia Eagles star officially hits the open market, which is rumored to be after June 1.

Available after 2025, Thomas Jr. has shown he is not a good fit for head coach Liam Coen’s attack. In his rookie season, he earned Pro Bowl honors (1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns) and has a very affordable contract for the next two years.

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 New York Yankees classic jerseys are iconic in MLB circles, it seems like the team’s players are a little bored with the look and would like some alternatives.

There are only a few sports brands that are known not only nationally, but across the world. The Yankees are one of them. Caps and shirts bearing their branding are worn all over the world as the club has become synonymous with winning after bringing home 27 MLB championships.

The franchise is also one of the oldest in the United States, having first graced the diamond in 1903 as the New York Highlanders. Their famous pinstripes are almost as old and were introduced in 1912. It’s a vintage look that ownership loves, and they’re the only team in the league that doesn’t use alternate jerseys. Even their rivals for over 100 years, the Boston Red Sox, have alternate uniforms.

But times change. Last year, for the first time in nearly 50 years, the Yankees allowed their players to grow beards. It seems that the move in a more modern direction may have prompted New York’s players to request another major change for the team.

New York Yankees players want alternative road jerseys

According to The Athletic, “New York Yankees players recently showed off the team by wearing alternate jerseys for the first time in franchise history.”

Now, the pitch rarely had to stray far from their classic home pinstripes. Instead, a request was made to get different jersey options for road games. The Yankees have long worn gray uniforms with New York written on them for road games.

Furthermore, the pitch was not for them to indulge in the wild designs that other teams have used for the annual City Connect alternate jerseys. Instead, Yankees players asked for permission to use their navy batting practice jerseys as a substitute.

This seems like a reasonable request that doesn’t mess with their iconic home form and spice up a very boring presentation for road games. It will be interesting to see if the Steinbrenner family accepts their players’ petition.

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

If the New York Knicks don’t reach the NBA Finals this spring, a surprising rumor opens the door for them to get rid of Mike Brown without paying the $30 million remaining on his contract.

Despite being on the job for less than a year, Brown is feeling intense pressure in his first postseason as head coach of the Knicks. The former coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings was hired to lead the team ahead of Tom Thibodeau. However, they have won only two games more than last year, and they have disappointed fans more in 2025-26 than in the past few seasons.

Going into the campaign, most Knicks pundits felt the team would have to reach at least the NBA Finals for the coaches, executives, and players to keep their jobs. While firing a coach after one season is a rash move, questions have been raised about the team’s chemistry this season and the Browns’ decision not to adjust their system to get the most out of All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns.

Moving Brown would be costly as the team is still stuck with three years of the four-year, $40 million deal he signed over the summer. Plus, they still owe Thibodeau a three-year extension two summers ago. However, the team may be saved from trouble by an unexpected turn of events.

Can the Warriors save the NY Knicks from the big Mike Brown Bills?

Steve Kerr’s future as coach of the Golden State Warriors is uncertain as his contract is set to expire soon. According to San Francisco Standard Warriors reporter Tim Kawakami, Brown would be the top choice as a replacement if Kerr opts out.

But why would an elite franchise like Golden State bring in a coach who has been dumped by four teams? Well, Brown remains popular after six seasons in the organization as Kerr’s top assistant and interim coach on two occasions.

Knicks fans saw last season how difficult it is to get an interview and potentially get traded for a coach. However, if the franchise wants to move on from Brown and bring in someone like Billy Donovan, they certainly wouldn’t be asking for too much in a trade with the Warriors.

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

A new rumor claims that long before the Cincinnati Bengals traded for Dexter Lawrence, they were eyeing a deal for the star defensive lineman. However, the deal fell apart for a very special reason.

Last week, the Bengals shocked many in the NFL when they gave up their chance to make the 10th selection in this week’s NFL Draft to acquire defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants. The three-time Pro Bowler was disgruntled and was coming off a poor season, so many thought the Giants would be lucky if they got a second-rounder for his services.

Whether you like the cost of the trade or not, the Bengals are still significantly better off on defense for 2026. They desperately needed to do something, especially after losing Trey Hendrickson to division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens in free agency.

Reports indicate that the Lawrence trade came together quickly. So did the Bengals have someone else in mind to trade with their pick at No. 10? According to Essential Sports NFL insider Tony Pauline, the answer is yes.

The Cincinnati Bengals attempted to trade for Max Crosby.

“Sources told me that long before the Bengals traded the draft’s 10th pick to the Giants for Lawrence, the team had discussed trading that selection to the Las Vegas Raiders for Maxx Crosby. But the Bengals were unwilling to match the pair of first-round picks that the Ravens initially sent to Vegas for Crosby before a failed physical deal voided the deal.”

Landing the five-time Pro Bowler would have been a huge accomplishment and would have given Bengals fans hope of winning an AFC North title in 2026. Additionally, in addition to being an elite pass rusher who is still only 28 years old, he comes in at a reasonable rate and is set to make an average of $28 million through 2029.

After Crosby failed his physical, pundits claimed it would be difficult for Las Vegas to acquire two first-rounders in another deal this offseason. They were right.

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

A new rumor suggests that a pair of elite NBA coaches have already become the Portland Trail Blazers’ official replacements for Chauncey Billups.

There were dark clouds over the trail blazers They had their season hanging from day one when former head coach Billups was implicated in a wild POKEr-rigging plan. However, interim head coach Tiago Splitter did an impressive job controlling the drama. Leading them to a 42-40 record and their first trip to the playoffs since 2021.

A major reason for this is former Washington Wizards lottery pick Deni Avdija having a career year. The 25-year-old leads the team in scoring (24.2 ppg) and dropped 41 in their play-in win last week. His series with the San Antonio Spurs should be fun while it lasts, but either way, Splitter has earned the chance to keep his job permanently. However, it seems that hasn’t impressed his boss Tom Dundon.

The team’s new owner has developed a negative reputation among Blazers fans in just one month of his ownership, with some financially conservative – or cheap – decisions. They opted to save money by not having two-way players travel for their first two playoff games on the road. They will not be giving away free t-shirts for their home postseason matchups this week. And Dundon also reportedly doesn’t want to pay his next head coach more than $1.5 million annually.

Michael Malone and Tom Thibodeau turned down Trail Blazers jobs?

Additionally, he tried and failed to secretly search for a new head coach and general manager. According to The Athletic, Dundon once approached Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone as well as former New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau about becoming his next head coach.

Malone had to fill the same role in college for ACC powerhouse North Carolina. And the report said Thibodeau “is no longer a candidate.” The Trail Blazers still have a rebuilding roster with a lot of potential. Both have shown the ability to consistently turn a team into playoff contenders. However, each has an impressive resume, and $1.5 million per year wouldn’t even come close to securing their services.

One has to assume that if Dundon didn’t want to be paid more than that per year, both proven veteran NBA coaches immediately passed on the idea when the contract figures came out. While Dundon doesn’t seem to be impressed enough with Splitter to make him the full-time head coach, he does seem to be the best option for them.

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

A new rumor points to the All-Star being the Golden State Warriors’ top target this summer. However, there is one important hurdle that must be overcome first.

After entering the season as a secret contender in the West, injuries to Golden State’s top two players completely derailed their NBA Finals aspirations. Finishing the season with a 37-45 record and missing the playoffs guarantees that change is definitely coming for the Warriors this offseason.

Over the past few weeks, rumors and speculation have been rife that NBA greats like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard will be on the team’s radar. But who’s really at the top of their wish list? A new report has shed new light on that question.

“League sources say the Warriors were the team that most aggressively traded for the Clippers’ Leonard in the final stretch before the league’s Feb. 5 trade deadline, while the Clippers had already traded James Harden and Ivica Zubac that same week,” Mark Stein reported at Steinline.

Why will Kawhi Leonard be the Warriors’ top target this summer?

The Warriors reportedly made a play for James in a trade a few years ago. He has also been viewed as a top contender if he tests free agency this offseason. Golden State was reportedly very aggressive in looking for an Antetokounmpo trade even before the deadline.

If James does decide to retire this summer he will need to take a significant pay cut to play for the Warriors. While they will have more assets to offer this offseason, if their original trade package wasn’t enough to convince the Milwaukee Bucks in February, will it really be enough in a few months?

Leonard brings a lot of risk. But there is a real possibility that his contract could be voided, and he may be more willing than James to take a discounted rate to play for a contender. Or the Clippers may want to trade him. The cost to acquire the seven-time All-Star would be much lower than that of Antetokounmpo due to Leonard’s age and long injury history.

Considering how hard they were going after him before the trade deadline, it would make a lot of sense for Leonard to be the Warriors’ top target in the offseason. However, Steen noted a major obstacle in the pursuit of Leonard or any experienced star.

He wrote, “However, whether the Warriors re-emerge as a contender will depend on whether Steve Kerr returns as Golden State’s coach after 12 seasons.” “If Kerr is rehired as the coach of this team, it would be a very strong signal that the Warriors will try to assemble at least one more season of experienced players around Stephen Curry to try to compete. Conversely, if the two sides part ways, it could signal the beginning of a real Bay Area overhaul.”

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

Roman Reigns’ path after WrestleMania 42 is starting to take shape.

According to new information from BodySlam, both Gunther and Oba Femi are expected to be a part of Reigns’ upcoming feud as WWE plans the next phase of their top-tier rivalry following the event at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Gunther’s direction holds special significance given the additional sourcing behind it. Dave Meltzer confirmed on Wrestling Observer Radio that a program between Reigns and Gunther has been discussed internally as a major direction for the company moving forward, aligning with BodySlam’s reporting and suggesting that the idea has real traction behind the scenes rather than being early-stage speculation.

Gunther comes off the back of facing Seth Rollins on Night One at WrestleMania 42, and an event with Reigns would represent one of the most high-profile matchups WWE could do, given the star power of both sides. The two haven’t feuded in a long time, and with Reigns continuing to work at the top of the card, Gunther’s situation makes him the logical next target.

Meanwhile, Oba Femi has been one of WWE’s most aggressively rising stars over the past year. His WrestleMania 42 match against Brock Lesnar at Night 2 represented a test for the former NXT Champion, and a feud with Reigns would be the next step in establishing him as a legitimate top-tier presence on the main roster. Perhaps, WWE will also consider making him Reigns’ last challenger and potentially surpassing Reigns to win the title in the next months.

No timeline for any feuds has been publicly confirmed, and it is unclear in what order WWE moves these events. What the reporting indicates is that WWE already has a clear vision of how Reigns fits into the landscape beyond WrestleMania, with two of the company’s most interesting available opponents already identified as part of that picture.

A projected top 10 selection who would be a great replacement option for AJ Brown could fall right into the Philadelphia Eagles’ lap when they are on the clock in Round 1 of the NFL Draft.

One of the biggest storylines this offseason has been on the future of AJ Brown. Last season, the three-time Pro Bowler made no secret of his frustration with the team and how he was used in the offense. This led to obvious speculation that once the season ended, he could go on the trade block.

However, as we approach the end of April, Brown remains in Philadelphia. Most believe a trade hasn’t happened yet because it would cost Philadelphia far more in dead cap to move him before June 1. Assuming he is traded in a few months, it would make sense for the Eagles to find his replacement with a top pick in next week’s draft.

Philadelphia makes its pick at 23 in Round 1. This puts him outside the range of top wide receiver prospects in this year’s class. Or maybe not. Arizona State star Jordan Tyson has the widest selection range and floor among pass catchers this year, according to ESPN NFL expert Matt Miller.

Jordan Tyson could be available to the Eagles at pick No. 23

Miller wrote, “He missed 17 of the possible 51 games in which he could have played. Tyson’s most recent injury was a hamstring injury that has caused him to miss three games in 2025.” “Teams will have varying levels of acceptance with injuries, but because of this, Tyson is limited all over the place — and eight concussions heading into the 2024 season haven’t helped his stock either.

“If injury concerns prove valid he could come off the board early at No. 8 to the Saints or slip to No. 33 to the Jets.”

A few weeks ago, Tyson was in the news as the best pass catcher in this year’s draft. However, as teams get deeper into their evaluation process, his injuries are becoming a major issue. This makes him risky for the Eagles. But when he’s healthy, he’s extremely talented.

Tyson is a strong route runner, has size at 6 feet 2 inches and weighs over 200 pounds, has impressive upside to go up and receive passes, and is a great blocker for a receiver. In 2024, he posted 75 catches for 1,101 yards, 10 touchdowns and a 14.7 yards per catch average.

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

A new rumor suggests the Phoenix Suns will make a summer trade for the talented but troubled two-time All-Star to pair with Devin Booker next season.

The Suns’ season isn’t over yet, and if they can beat the Golden State Warriors in their play-in game tonight they have a chance to secure a playoff spot this month. However, if they are victorious, no one is expecting Phoenix to make a deep run in the postseason. Especially after they lost their first play-in game to the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this week.

No matter what happened Friday night, it was still a positive season for the Suns. Despite firing head coach Mike Budenholzer, trading Kevin Durant, and releasing Bradley Beal in the offseason, the team actually won nine more games under new head coach Jordan Ott. Still, more impactful talent is needed if this team is to take another step forward in 2026-27.

Will the Phoenix Suns pursue a Ja Morant trade this summer?

Under the leadership of owner Matt Ishbia, the Suns have shown a willingness to be bold in improving the team. Well, a new rumor suggests they may make a risky move to bring in an extremely talented player this offseason. According to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Phoenix is ​​emerging as the early favorite to make a summer trade for Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant. The other team is believed to be the Sacramento Kings.

The Suns lacked another meaningful player-creator this season. This forced Devin Booker to assume the role of not only their primary scorer, but their top facilitator. Morant will certainly ease the burden of both scoring and playmaking for Booker and could create a dangerous backcourt duo.

However, one comes with potential business risks. Morant’s value is at an all-time low, which is good for the Suns. But this is due to the off-court trouble he can cause and serious injury problems over the past few seasons. Many people associated with the sport felt that due to his injury problems he would never be able to return to the player he was.

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

A new NBA rumor reopens the door for the New York Knicks to go back to the blockbuster trade idea from a few years ago if they don’t reach the NBA Finals this spring.

There is a lot of pressure on Knicks head coach Mike Brown and his top stars heading into Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal matchup with the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night. In the eyes of the team management, this is a team that should compete for the NBA championship in a few weeks.

Apart from this, their fans yearning for championship also have high expectations from this expensive roster. However, it will not be easy to overtake the East’s elite, and there is a very real possibility that they fall short of their goal in these playoffs. If they don’t at least reach the NBA Finals, changes are coming to New York.

There will certainly be changes to the roster, and many NBA experts expect the team to continue pursuing Milwaukee Bucks veteran Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer. However, a different effective option may be available.

Is the door open for the New York Knicks to trade Donovan Mitchell this offseason?

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell is eligible for an extension this summer, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic. However, if he does not sign, “the organization will discuss the possibility of moving him, league sources said.”

Before Mitchell was traded to the Cavaliers four years ago, the Knicks were seen as a heavy favorite to acquire the New York native. The expectation was that he would be paired with big free agent Jalen Brunson. That was before the Knicks guard emerged as one of the game’s best. Having Brunson and Mitchell together in the backcourt could be a big problem for teams throughout the league.

Team president Leon Rose – if he keeps his job – cannot rule out going back to that original plan after their current failure. The big question is, does New York have the assets that would interest the Cavaliers in a potential trade?

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

In an ideal world, New York Giants decision-makers reportedly hope Jeremiah Love is still on the board when they make the No. 5 pick next week. However, if he doesn’t, they have three backup plans in mind.

There has been much speculation about what the Giants will do with the fifth overall selection in next week’s NFL Draft. Early mock drafts linked Big Blue to talented Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. And when new head coach John Harbaugh was asked about his choice to select him in Round 1, he even called him a potential Hall of Famer.

Still, while the coach is a fan of Downs, it seems a different player is at the top of his wish list. According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, “Coach Harbaugh and the Giants in particular are heavily dependent on Jeremiah Love. If he’s available, it’s hard to see them passing up that opportunity.”

New York Giants like to trade back in Round 1

There have been previous reports that, despite Cam Scatebo being there, the Giants brass were very interested in the Notre Dame running back and Heisman Trophy finalist. Unfortunately for New York, it looks likely that the Tennessee Titans will take him at No. 4. So what do they do if he’s no longer available?

According to Giants Insider, Downs and his OSU teammate Sonny Styles are the other players “highest on their radar” with the fifth overall selection. Still, a pick among the five is not considered an “ideal” scenario by Harbaugh and the front office.

“In an ideal world, the Giants would like to move back a few spots, add more picks (they have just two in the top 100), and draft a player like Caleb Downs. But that’s easier said than done,” Raanan reports.

In just less than a week, Giants fans will find out which direction the team goes with the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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

A New York Jets insider this week revealed the unexpected reason why the team prefers to use the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft on David Bailey instead of Arvel Reese.

After another disappointing season in 2025, the Jets are in good position heading into next week’s draft. While they don’t have the No. 1 overall pick at the event, they might as well as the Las Vegas Raiders are set to take quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top pick in Round 1. This allows the Jets to select the most talent-rich player available this year.

There is a lot of speculation about who that player will be. However, most mock drafts and expert opinions point to the Jets selecting Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey or his Ohio State counterpart Arvel Reese. The reason a lot of people are divided on them is the perception that Bayley is better right now, with Reese having a much better fit.

Well, it seems like the Jets’ decision makers aren’t thinking long term and want to get better immediately after a three-win season.

Do the New York Jets want David Bailey because he can make an impact quickly?

During a new appearance on the gang is all here podcast, Jets insider Brian Costello claimed that many around the NFL are convinced Bailey will be the choice for two reasons. First of all, Glenn is feeling the pressure of losing his job and needs a player who can be very good now, not later. The second reason is that Bailey is a “plug-and-play” talent. On the other hand, it is unclear where Reese will play in the NFL as an EDGE or outside linebacker.

Costello believes it would be a poor decision by Glenn and management to draft a player based on what they can do for them now rather than in the long term. However, this is the opinion of sources around the NFL as to how the Jets’ brain trust will view this incident.

Jets fans will find out which way the team goes during the first day of the 2026 NFL Draft next week.

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

A new rumor is pushing the Miami Heat towards a trade this summer for the star they need, but it’s not Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Heat are certain to see roster changes this offseason. While they were linked to several trades before the February deadline, the front office took a conservative approach and did not make any meaningful changes to the roster. They had to pay the price for this.

They barely made it to this year’s NBA Play-ins. In their first game of the tournament, they faced a red-hot Charlotte Hornets team and were defeated late in the fourth quarter. But they lost their lead and lost in overtime. The loss means Miami will miss playoff basketball for the first time since 2019. This won’t happen in South Beach.

Many will expect the Heat to push hard to trade for unhappy Milwaukee Bucks veteran Antetokounmpo this summer. However, it would be an expensive deal, and mortgaging the future is a serious risk for a 31-year-old whose body is breaking down after 13 seasons in the NBA and multiple playoff trips. However, there may soon be a better option.

Ja Morant’s time in Memphis has unofficially ended

On Thursday, ESPN’s Tim McMahon and Michael C. Wright reported that Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has reportedly “told players around the league and some of his former coaches that he is no longer playing for Memphis.” A major factor is his hard feelings toward the organization and some of his teammates, who he feels have ostracized him when he was suspended by the NBA three seasons ago.

There is certainly risk in acquiring Morant. He has suffered even more injuries than Antetokounmpo over the past few seasons, and there are questions about character. However, he is 26 years old, and reports last year claimed that some inside the Heat organization believed they could get him back to All-Star form with the help of their culture.

Additionally, with his trade value being lower, he will come at a much more reasonable rate. And with contracts locked in, Miami may not be forced to make money favors by giving up key players. If they can keep Tyler Herro out of the trade, the trio of him, Morant and Bam Adebayo could be a big problem in the East next season.

Miami is an organization that thinks long term. Antetokounmpo will be looking for an even bigger contract over the next few years while on a career decline. While Morant needs fixing, he has the potential to be a big star and a core member of their team for the next decade. He feels like he is a better fit for them.

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

A rare wrestling moment is reportedly being considered in WWE creative meetings when it comes to the planned matchup between Trick Williams and Sami Zayn next weekend at WrestleMania 42.

Over the past few weeks, the card for the two-night mega event has taken shape, and it’s being tipped to be possibly one of the best showcases of the company’s wrestling talent to date. One of the interesting matches on Night 2 is the Intercontinental Title clash between champion Zayn and NXT legend Williams.

This bout has emerged as one of the standout fights on the card due to the reaction both stars have received from fans in recent weeks. Despite Williams being a heel, her theme songs and charisma have made her one of the most popular artists on the roster since her debut late last year. As far as Zayn is concerned, it seems like fans are tired of his underdog personality and have become indifferent to him lately.

Additionally, Zayn has done some questionable things that are out of character for him in recent episodes of SmackDown. Well, it looks like these could be breadcrumbs towards a major change in his character at WrestleMania 42. However, he may not be the only one to switch sides in his match.

Rare double-turn planned for WrestleMania 42?

BodySlam+ is reporting that the WWE creative team has discussed the idea of ​​a double turn with Zayn and Williams at WrestleMania. Due to recent crowd reactions to their characters.

It is rare in the industry to have two artists together. The last time this happened in WWE was in WrestleMania 13. There was a turning point for both of them due to the great match between Bret Hart and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. This moment paved the way for him to become one of the most popular stars in WWE history.

The company’s decision-makers probably see Williams as a money-making machine by bringing him to light with so much fan interest as a heel.

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

St. John’s looks to be one of the most aggressive teams in the ongoing college basketball transfer portal, and a new rumor has them linking to another interesting player.

In the first two months of the 2025–26 season, there were doubts whether St. John’s would be able to play at the new standard they had set the year before. After a loss to Providence on January 3, their record stood at 14–5, and reaching the NCAA Tournament seemed anything but a sure thing.

However, after that setback, the Red Storm caught fire and won 22 of their next 24 games, including a big win over eventual tournament finalist UConn. But, with great success comes major departures, and St. John’s will have to fill the void left by the upcoming exits of stars and key rotation players Jubie Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins, Dillon Mitchell and Oziah Sellers.

Still, in the void era of college sports, the Johnnies are now a dominant player in college basketball, and Rick Pitino has quickly shown that he can attract notable talent to the portal. This week, they are already joined by Kansas State’s Flori Bidunga, Arizona State’s Massamba Diop and Kansas State transfer Abdi Bashir.

St. John’s in Search of the Robert Morris Star

Well, you can add another lesser-known but still interesting player to that list. According to college basketball insider Adam Zagoria, St. John’s is one of five teams scheduled to meet with 6-foot-8 Robert Morris transfer DeSean Goode this weekend. Other contenders for the West Virginia native also include Kentucky and Oklahoma.

Goode began his collegiate career at IU Indianapolis, then transferred to Robert Morris last year. Together with the colonialists, they took an important step forward towards development. Posting 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds. He shot 63% from the field, 76% from the line, and an excellent 57% from three – although that was only on two attempts a game.

Goode would be a great option to fill the role that Bryce Hopkins played this past season.

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

WWE is planning a celebrity tag team match for Backlash, which fans are sure to be eyeing given the inclusion of Pat McAfee in the company’s WrestleMania 42 plans.

According to Dave Meltzer in Friday’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the current plan for PLE is Randy Orton and Pat McAfee vs. Cody Rhodes and Jelly Roll, with multiple sources confirming that plans were still in place at press time.

Meltzer wrote, “McAfee will team with Orton against Rhodes and Jelly Roll coming off WrestleMania and have an important match at the Backlash PPV on 5/9, at least those are the plans that were confirmed to us by multiple people and were still in play at press time.”

Jelly Roll’s pairing with Rhodes is notable considering the country star’s current relationship with WWE. Jelly Roll has appeared at WWE events before and has a connection to the fanbase, making him a better fit for the WrestleMania season storyline than any casual celebrity. It also fits since Jelly is coming to the aid of a fellow babyface.

McAfee’s involvement in the story has not been without controversy. Reports earlier this week indicated that WWE has scaled back on parts of its creative plans following the negative reaction to McAfee being revealed as Orton’s ally.

Fightful reported that CM Punk’s comments on Raw reflected a change in direction that was not part of the plan since Friday McAfee was recently introduced into the angle. WWE is adjusting its approach to the storyline in real time, and the Backlash match reflects where these adjustments are currently pointing.

This angle is set to continue this Friday on SmackDown from San Jose. WWE has been advertising that Rhodes will answer to McAfee on the show, and McAfee revealed on Thursday that he will have a “big surprise” for the broadcast.

A new report reveals the possibility that the Miami Dolphins have the top pick in this month’s NFL Draft, and it’s sure to disappoint the team’s fans.

It’s been a very busy offseason for the Dolphins. After a 7–10 finish, ownership decided to dismantle the team’s leadership and brought in a new regime led by John-Eric Sullivan as general manager and Jeff Hafley as head coach. But that was just the beginning.

Over the past few weeks, the team has adopted a strategy of additions and subtractions by trading Jaylen Waddle and Minkah Fitzpatrick and cutting Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb. This is a big change that comes with a lot of dead cap and serious limitations to fill those holes. That’s why the 2026 draft will be so important for Sullivan and Hafley in the first year. Especially his selection at 11th overall.

The team has been linked with a variety of players at that position. As we get closer to the event, projected top-five talents Carnell Tate and Caleb Downs are becoming realistic options for the Dolphins at 11. Anyone can fill the spots left by Hill, Waddle or Fitzpatrick. However, the new leadership of the team has a different player they would love to have.

Spencer Fano is the Miami Dolphins’ dream pick at No. 11 in the NFL Draft

ESPN’s Jordan Reed reports, “Sources tell me the Dolphins are big fans of Utah lineman Spencer Fano and will take him at No. 11 overall.” “The team likes his versatility, believing he can play any interior position or be a plug-and-play starter at right tackle.

“Austin Jackson is entering a contract year, and there are a lot of question marks about his durability. The new front office is leaning on selecting an offensive lineman to start his tenure, so this pairing makes a lot of sense,” he said.

Although getting an offensive lineman won’t get Dolphins fans excited – especially if Downs and Tate are still on the board at that point – Fano is an attractive prospect. He doesn’t look like it, but he is an impressive athlete for his position and was impressive during his tenure with the Utes. Additionally, he can play the two guard and tackle spots at a high level, and he took snaps as a center during the combine.

Taking Fano at No. 11 won’t garner wild cheers from Dolphins fans, but he could easily become a key building block for contending teams for years to come.

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

A new report has revealed that two Dallas Cowboys players would be willing to trade future draft assets to move up and take a pick in this month’s NFL Draft.

There are just over a week left in April, and that means the 2026 edition of the NFL Draft is just a few weeks away. Going into this year’s event, the Cowboys have a pair of picks in the top 20 due to their seven-win season last year and landing an additional first-rounder in a deal before the trade deadline.

Dallas has been linked to a variety of players, with picks 12 and 20 respectively. And acquiring two top 20 talents in this year’s class should be seen as a coup for a Cowboys team that is coming off back-to-back losing seasons. However, it also gives them some assets that they can use to get into the top 10 or maybe the top five.

As we get closer to the event, rumors continue to circulate that Dallas is willing to give up their Round 1 pick and possibly even more to take a player who can make an immediate difference in 2026. But who are the cowboys they love so much that they would take such a bold step? A new report highlights the top 10 prospects they’re big fans of.

The Cowboys are willing to trade up in the draft for Caleb Downs and Reuben Benn Jr.

“A trade remains a possibility, especially if they have a player on their board who is a little behind,” reports ESPN NFL expert Jordan Reed. “Safety Caleb Downs (Ohio State) and edge rusher Reuben Benn Jr. (Miami) are believed to be players the Cowboys will maneuver for, as Dallas reportedly views both as game changers with immediate impact on defense.”

Ben Jr. was a controversial figure at the NFL Combine due to his arms being short by NFL standards. However, the stud pass rusher was a key part of the Hurricanes team that reached the national championship game in January as he posted 9.5 sacks, 54 tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss.

Downs is viewed as one of the most NFL-ready players in this year’s class. Because of his impressive versatility at safety and very high football IQ.

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

A new report points to a “developmental” QB prospect the New York Jets are keeping a close eye on as a potential late-round pick in the NFL Draft.

The Jets QB situation has been a mess for over a decade. Since 2012, they have had countless different players under center, and the organization has used a lot of premium draft picks in an attempt to find a long-term fix for the position. The situation will remain the same in 2026 also.

A year ago, the Jets made a splash in free agency by signing former Chicago Bears starting QB Justin Fields. He was an unmitigated disaster that was finally dealt to the Kansas City Chiefs last month. This offseason, the team brought back former second-round pick Geno Smith in hopes of recapturing the form that made him a two-time Pro Bowler with the Seattle Seahawks.

This step is yet another solution to a problem that needs a permanent solution. Jets fans would like them to use a pick on a quarterback from this year’s draft class later this month. However, the signal-caller class is weak. So if they used the pick on a QB this month, it would be in their best interest to take a Day 3 project that they can develop from.

Are the NY Jets taking a hard stance on drafting Drew Allar?

Well, according to ESPN Jets insider Rich Cimini, it looks like the team has an interesting option in mind. “Fourth [round],” Cimini wrote when asked when the team might select a QB. “Keep an eye on Drew Allar (Penn State), who recently had a private workout at the Jets’ facility. He is a developmental prospect with big size (6-foot-5, 228 pounds) and arm strength.

Allard bypassed entry into last year’s NFL Draft to try to lead Penn State to a national championship last season. Unfortunately, the Nittany Lions were, arguably, the biggest disappointment in college football last year. They started the season 3–3, and head coach James Franklin was fired in October.

To make matters worse, the Ohio native suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 6. So he didn’t get a chance to improve his draft stock or give evaluators more tape to evaluate. However, entering the 2025 season, many football experts thought Allar had Round 1 potential due to his size and arm strength.

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

Most people assume the NBA will do something to stop the massive tanking going on at the bottom of the standings. However, a new report suggests there isn’t much traction in the league for potential reforms.

Tanking is nothing new in the NBA. However, the 2026 NBA Draft is projected to be one of the best prospect classes in years, with nearly a dozen teams fully embracing the strategy in the final two minutes of the season. It’s gotten to the point where teams like the Utah Jazz have even inserted healthy impact players in the fourth quarter to ensure a loss.

This has disappointed NBA fans and infuriated Commissioner Adam Silver. Now, preventing the 2026 fight from happening in future seasons is a top priority for the governors, and late last month, ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed three ideas to be presented at the next governors meeting in an effort to end the practice.

All three proposals expand the lottery to 18 teams and level the NBA lottery odds to varying degrees, and include other elements. Nevertheless, the trio of ideas is not gaining popularity in the game. “None of them have been embraced very warmly around the league,” sources told ESPN’s Anthony Slater.

General Manager explains why tanking works, even though it’s ugly

Slater’s new report details the current tanking drama and shows why many people associated with the idea hate the practice. This also includes coaches and players who want to improve their value before entering NBA free agency. However, while this practice is an ugly one, there are many around the game who feel it is a working formula, including one Western Conference general manager.

“These teams are doing a whole lot of work: sitting guys on fourth down, playing bad lineups analytically, setting up plays for bad shots,” the West GM told Slater. “Creativity is impressive, and I don’t blame them. It’s the best strategy for getting better.”

“Look at all the most promising teams in the league: the Oklahoma City Thunder, the San Antonio Spurs, the Detroit Pistons, the Houston Rockets, the Charlotte Hornets. After years of being bad and building on high picks. It’s painful but worthwhile.”

For NBA fans and those inside the league who hate the growing practice of tanking, it certainly doesn’t seem like there’s much momentum behind making serious improvements any time soon.

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

A new rumor has added a team to this summer’s Giannis Antetokounmpo trade pursuit that would be a major threat to the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The story of whether or not the Milwaukee Bucks will trade Antetokounmpo dominated the NBA news cycle in early 2026. Especially when reports surfaced that the team was listening to trade offers ahead of the February trade deadline. However, February 6 passed and the 10-time All-Star remained in Wisconsin.

Still, the expectation was that trading would resume this summer. It appears the matter is now at a standstill as Antetokounmpo and the team have clashed over his return to the court in the final weeks of the season. Well, just like before the deadline, the Knicks, Warriors, Timberwolves and many other teams are expected to be the top contenders for the two-time NBA MVP.

Those franchise offerings will be refined this summer. But will that be enough to defeat the Brooklyn Nets, because, according to the New York Post’s Brian Lewis, after appearing disinterested in pursuing a star player again, it is now certain that Brooklyn will “tell the Bucks their desired superstar this summer.”

What could the Brooklyn Nets offer in a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade?

From this year to 2030, the Nets have eight first-round selections. Which includes two pieces in 2027, 2028 and 2029. A lot of draft picks will be a key part of any offer Milwaukee accepts for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Brooklyn will have plenty of them in future years. Another priority for the Bucks will be adding young stars.

The Nets could offer Michael Porter Jr. one season remaining on his contract. He certainly has value after a career year in 2025-26. The big question is whether Milwaukee will see the value in players like Nic Claxton and the team’s five first-round selections from the 2025 class – Igor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf (26th), and Danny Wolf.

Furthermore, while Antetokounmpo wants to play in New York, he may not have any interest in joining a Nets franchise that is known for losing heavily throughout its history.

At the very least, the Nets should be a player in the Antetokounmpo trade market and could make a strong offer that should worry teams like the Knicks, Warriors and Timberwolves.

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

A new report has revealed who the Dallas Mavericks had top choices to replace Nico Harrison as general manager/team president and why they won’t land either of them.

The last 13 months have been tough for Mavericks fans. Last February, Dallas fans were completely stunned when the organization traded away top star Luka Doncic entering his prime. And for the Los Angeles Lakers no less. Since then the situation has become even worse.

Kyrie Irving tore his ACL shortly after the trade and has yet to return to the court. Anthony Davis, returning in blockbuster trade, could barely stay healthy – and was ultimately shipped to the Washington Wizards earlier this year. While they were fortunate to have the No. 1 pick in the draft and rising star Cooper Flagg, the team’s poor play early in the season was too much for the executive suite to handle, and Harrison was ousted as GM and president.

Since then, there has been much speculation as to who might replace the most hated man in Dallas basketball. On Wednesday, NBA insider Marc Stein offered a big update on the search that won’t actually start until the regular season ends, and the top names on the Mavericks’ wish list.

According to Stein, ownership has some “lofty ambitions” and is curious if it can lure away Oklahoma City’s Sam Presti, San Antonio’s RC Buford and Boston’s Brad Stevens. However, obtaining all three is close to impossible as they “are generally considered lifers with their respective franchises, who would not be costly to try to pry away. Strong only begins to describe the executive/team bond there.”

Dallas Mavericks interested in Golden State Warriors legend Bob Myers

Another big name linked to the Dallas opening is two-time Executive of the Year winner Bob Myers. However, the man who helped build the Golden State Warriors’ recent dynasty currently has an opportunity that seems too good to pass up.

“Myers currently has a highly lucrative job as President of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which requires him to provide high-level consulting for all pro sports franchises in the HBSE portfolio,” Stein wrote. “This includes the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers as well as the New Jersey Devils and Crystal Palace Football Club… Myers is also part of the hierarchy with the Josh Harris-owned Washington Commanders.”

Steen says landing Myers is considered a long shot, and he has already fielded interest from the Phoenix Suns and Atlanta Hawks.

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

A new rumor offers a surprising but exciting potential suitor to LeBron James on the free agent market this summer.

At 41 years old, it is not guaranteed that James will return for a 24th NBA season this fall. It’s also possible he’ll retire if the Los Angeles Lakers surprisingly win the NBA championship this spring. Yet despite his recent strong play, most people don’t expect that to happen, so the 22-time All-Star has some big decisions to make this summer.

After this season, James will become a free agent. It’s very possible he returns to LA next season for his retirement tour. And in a new report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and Tim Bontemps, the Lakers are the favorites to retain his services for several reasons. However, NBA insiders also revealed a secret horse team to watch in the potential free agent sweepstakes.

Insiders claimed, “An interesting option brought up to ESPN by multiple sources was Denver, where a combination of three-time MVP Nikola Jokic could make for something extremely intriguing.” “‘Who is the only guy at his level in the league from a basketball IQ standpoint?’ a Western executive asked. ‘Go out there and team up with that guy.’

The Denver Nuggets would have a legitimate chance to sign LeBron James this summer

McMenamin and Bontemps said James’ move to the Denver Nuggets might appeal to the Lakers because it would open the door to a sign-and-trade opportunity that could bring LA players such as Peyton Watson or veteran forward Cameron Johnson. Plus, he explains why visiting the Mile High City might appeal to LeBron James.

“Denver pursued James in 2018 after he left Cleveland as a free agent, led by Nuggets president Josh Kroenke, who is his friend. The Nuggets have since added Jared Dudley, one of James’ friends, to the coaching staff,” he wrote. “After teaming up on the Lakers from 2019 to 2021, their relationship remains so strong that Dudley went to the visitors’ locker room at Ball Arena to see James after L.A. beat Denver on Jan. 20.”

The idea of ​​James and Jokic teaming up, even for one season, could lead to a very entertaining season in Denver. Joining the Nuggets would show that he really wants to win another championship. However, it would certainly be doubtful that he would take a retirement tour of Hollywood to play in Denver.

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

A new report suggests that many around the NBA are hoping to use the rumored option to end tanking, with the players union favoring instituting new ideas.

Tanking is nothing new in the NBA. However, with the 2026 NBA Draft projected to be one of the best prospect classes in many years, nearly a dozen teams have fully embraced the strategy in the final two minutes of the season. It’s gotten to the point where teams like the Utah Jazz have even inserted healthy impact players in the fourth quarter to ensure a loss.

This has disappointed NBA fans and infuriated Commissioner Adam Silver. Now, preventing the 2026 battle for the bottom tier from happening in future seasons is a top priority. This week, ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed three ideas to be presented at the next Board of Governors meeting in an effort to end the practice.

On Saturday, Jake Fisher provided new insight on what opinion is around the league on those three ideas. According to an NBA insider, two popular ideas are expected to be introduced, with the 10 teams left out of the play-ins all having an 8% chance at the No. 1 pick. “This perception was strong among many general managers and owners even before the Board of Governors convened,” Fisher wrote.

Many also liked the idea of ​​expanding the lottery to 18 teams to include play-in participants. Fisher also said that “the league has expectations.” [having 18 clubs] “Teams will be encouraged to remain competitive through the end of the regular season.”

NBAPA wants to use EPL model to encourage winning

The insider reports that the three ideas are just concepts, and the one the league decides to go with could be a blend of parts of the three pitches.

Fisher also said that if the 18-team idea is used, players would like to see “the 10-worst teams share a 7% chance at No. 1, rather than 8%. The top selection is shared with the other eight teams in the lottery at a 3.75% chance.”

Additionally, players would like to see the NBA copy the English Premier League model to encourage winning. In that setup, franchises “could get an additional $10 million slice of the league’s national television revenue depending on where teams finish from 1 to 30 in the standings.”

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 used to have 30 teams before expanding to 32 in the last decade. In 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights debuted and won their first Stanley Cup in 2023. Meanwhile, the Seattle Kraken head into 2021 as they continue to work toward their second playoff berth. However, the NHL is looking to expand even further, and two destinations have emerged.

As Jeff Marek reports at The Sheet, Atlanta and Houston are considered top-2 NHL expansion destinations. 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.

The city lost NHL teams twice due to poor performance on the ice, weak attendance, and ownership instability. They also faced financial losses, an inability to build a dedicated fan base, and management problems. However, could the third time be a charm?

Houston, meanwhile, 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. Despite not having an NHL team, Houston has always been mentioned as a potential expansion city.

The NHL won’t force an expansion to 34 teams, but it’s clearly something that could happen in the next few seasons. Thirty-two teams have been great for the game and hockey is growing even more in North America. If the league is to expand, it would make sense to bring in two new cities at the same time.

Houston and Atlanta have different hockey histories; However, both may find an NHL team in the next few years.

Read more: New rumor reveals NHL’s stance on play-in tournament for Stanley Cup Playoffs

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

The 2025-26 NHL season is winding down and the race for the playoffs is heating up. The Eastern Conference is in flux and the Detroit Red Wings are one point out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 84 points and 12 games remaining. Meanwhile, the Western Conference has been sluggish this season, with the Los Angeles Kings remaining the first team with 73 points and 12 games remaining.

However, could the NHL adopt a similar format to the NBA? The league has been linked to a possible play-in tournament after success in the NBA over the past few years. In fact, a new rumor has revealed the NHL’s stance on a play-in tournament for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman doesn’t believe a play-in tournament is a good idea, despite the influence of billionaires and hockey’s most powerful people, as reported by Darren Dreger on Barn Burner. The NBA’s play-in tournament has been a success; However, the fanbase has shown displeasure with this.

There are a number of reasons why a play-in tournament is a good and bad idea. More drama would be added to the tournament over which NHL teams would earn the final berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs. It will also give teams outside the top 8 places in each conference an additional opportunity to make one last attempt.

However, there are many negatives to this, as the NHL playoff race is competitive most every season. If the NHL implemented a play-in tournament, it would make no sense to have 82 regular season games moving forward. Also, a team that is not even close to the playoffs can earn a spot if it ranks well below other organizations.

For now, Bateman believes the play-in tournament is not a good idea, and it would not be shocking if it never came to fruition.

READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings almost got a different defenseman at the NHL trade deadline

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 rumor suggests that an elite prospect is generating a lot of momentum to land with teams like the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets or Washington Wizards as the No. 1 pick in June’s NBA Draft.

One of the biggest stories as we approach the end of the NBA regular season, for all the wrong reasons, is the race to the bottom of the standings. While the lottery was created to prevent franchises from having to take the top overall pick, there is a battle going on between the NBA’s worst teams to get the top pick in June.

While tanking is nothing new in the NBA, right now it is worse than most years because there is a very strong class of prospects declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft. So even if a team doesn’t get the No. 1 overall pick, a top-three selection could yield franchise-changing talent.

As we enter the final week of the season, the Pacers, Nets, and Wizards currently have the best chances (14% chance) to win the No. 1 pick. The NCAA Tournament is underway and the discussion is going on about who will be No. 1. And according to ESPN’s Jeremy Wu, it looks like it will be the same player whose team was eliminated in Round 1.

AJ DiBantsa the new favorite to go No. 1 in the 2026 NBA Draft?

“Based on conversations with sources around the NBA in recent weeks, the prospects are leaning toward AJ DiBuntsa as the No. 1 pick,” Wu wrote in a new Draft Stock Watch article.

Throughout the college basketball season, BYU’s freshman has been viewed as a potential No. 1 pick in June. He led the nation in scoring (25.5 points) and led the Cougars to a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately, they were eliminated by Texas in the opening round.

Until recently, Kansas star Darrin Peterson was viewed as the favorite to go first because of his NBA-ready game. Unfortunately, injuries and questions about his dedication to the Jayhawks have hurt his standing with many draft experts. Any one of these guys would be a great option if the Pacers, Nets or Wizards land the No. 1 pick.

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

A new rumor suggests it wasn’t the Philadelphia Eagles’ asking price for AJ Brown that prompted the Los Angeles Rams to trade for the star receiver.

After falling just short of reaching the Super Bowl in January, the LA Rams are primed to reach the big game next season. When he gave up first-, fifth- and sixth-round picks in next month’s NFL Draft for All-Pro Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie, he showed he wasn’t playing.

Yet he wasn’t the only proven star the front office was targeting in a trade. Various reports claimed that they were one of two teams showing strong interest in trading three-time Pro Bowler AJ Brown. However, they decide to retreat from their goal.

Most assumed that the asking price was the issue. The Eagles are reportedly looking for at least a first and second rounder at pass catcher. However, concerns about Brown’s health may actually be the real reason.

Are teams concerned about AJ Brown’s long-term sustainability?

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the LA Rams walked away from a potential deal because they were “scared” by what they saw in “preliminary medical research” conducted on the seven-year veteran.

Florio claimed in a new report, “They decided it was too much of an investment for a player of this age. Normal wear and tear. We’re not going to do that. But they were doing all this because if they get AJ Brown, they’ll trade Davante Adams.”

There is a belief around the league that if the Eagles don’t get what they are looking for, they could choose to keep Brown around for another season. However, there are others who feel that Philadelphia is putting themselves in a bad financial position by holding out on him, and waiting until after June 1 to make a trade.

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

According to a report from BodySlam, Gunther was originally planned to enter a program with Rey Mysterio that would have culminated with a match at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. Those plans are now in doubt following the rib injury Mysterio suffered in January, and it is currently unclear whether Gunther will compete at the event unless Mysterio is cleared in time.

There were calls to start the angle in the original creative direction after Gunther attacked Dragon Lee on the March 2 episode of WWE Raw. That attack was intended to serve as an inciting incident for a feud with Mysterio, but the injury has thrown that timeline into question. Gunther’s attack on Lee is his last appearance on television, leaving his WrestleMania status in limbo with less than five weeks until the event.

Mysterio’s injury occurred during a match with Austin Theory on the January 26 edition of Raw, during which he suffered fractured ribs. He competed in the Royal Rumble match the following Saturday, but has not wrestled since. In the weeks following, Mysterio has been appearing on commentary for AAA on Fox, including last Saturday’s broadcast of the first part of Rey de Reyes. His ring return timeline has not been publicly confirmed.

WrestleMania 42 will take place over two nights on April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The card already features Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship and Randy Orton challenging Cody Rhodes for the WWE title. Gunther, as one of Raw’s top stars and former World Heavyweight Champion, would be a notable absence from a card of that scale if an opponent could not be secured for him.

It remains to be seen whether WWE looks for an alternative opponent for Gunther or continues to hold out hope for Mysterio. Now that WrestleMania weekend is approaching, a decision will need to be made soon. One name worth keeping an eye on as a potential replacement for Mysterio is LA Knight, as it would give Gunther a notable name to work with, who hasn’t even had a match yet for Mania.

Considering the way WWE has been booking Gunther for almost a year, with names like Goldberg, AJ Styles and John Cena retiring, it seems unimaginable for him not to have a match at WWE’s biggest show of the year.