The Philadelphia 76ers have locked up one of the NBA's top young stars - and in the process have created their own version of a Big Three.
All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey agreed to a five-year, $204million maximum contract extension with the 76ers on Monday, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
The deal was reported hours after Philadelphia and nine-time All-Star Paul George agreed to a reported four-year, $212million maximum contract.
With 2022-23 NBA MVP Joel Embiid, Maxey and George teaming up together, the 76ers will be looking to overtake the Eastern Conference from the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics.
Maxey, 23, is coming off a breakout year in his fourth pro season, averaging career highs of 25.9 points, 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds while being named to his first All-Star team. He ranked 10th in the NBA in 3-pointers made per game with an average of 3.0 and was named the league's Most Improved Player.
He stepped up his game in this year's play-offs, averaging 29.8 points, 6.8 assists and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 40.0 per cent from 3-point range, but the 76ers were eliminated in the first round by the New York Knicks in six games.
The Sixers have been one of the NBA's top teams during the regular season over the last several years, but have been unable to get over the hump in the play-offs.
The team has reached the play-offs in seven straight years but has failed to advance beyond the second round during that period.
Over the last seven seasons, Philadelphia has the NBA's fourth-highest winning percentage during the regular season (.625), but unlike the three teams that have achieved better records in that span - the Milwaukee Bucks (.656), Celtics (.650) and Denver Nuggets (.632) - the 76ers are without an NBA title.
While the Celtics are still the team to beat in the East, the 76ers' chances of dethroning them have seemingly improved with their recent signings.
Paul George has agreed to a four-year, $212million maximum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The deal, which was reported Monday by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, can't officially be signed until the NBA's moratorium on signings is lifted on Saturday.
The move to Philadelphia was reported by multiple sources Sunday after George informed the Los Angeles Clippers his plans to leave the team after five seasons. The nine-time All-Star declined a $48.7 million player option for the 2024-25 season on Saturday.
The addition of George to a 76ers team which already includes 2022-23 NBA MVP Joel Embiid and fellow All-Star Tyrese Maxey, now makes Philadelphia a serious contender to compete with the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics for Eastern Conference supremacy. The 76ers also reached a deal with Maxey on Monday, giving the sharpshooter a five-year, $204million maxim contract extension.
Philadelphia has found post-season success to be elusive in recent seasons, as the 76ers have reached the play-offs in seven straight years but have failed to advance beyond the second round during that period.
Los Angeles, which had a Big Three of its own in George, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, also has a history of setbacks in the play-offs, losing in the first round each of the past two years while missing the post-season entirely in 2021-22.
The Clippers acquired George from Oklahoma City in July 2019 by orchestrating a blockbuster trade in which they gave the Thunder five first-round picks as well as future All-Star Shai GIlgeous-Alexander. Leonard signed with Los Angeles that same summer to help turn the Clippers into one of the Western Conference's more consistently successful teams, though their winning ways often did not extend to the post-season.
George often battled injuries - his 74 games played this past season were his most in any of his five seasons in Los Angeles - but maintained an elite level of play when healthy. The 34-year-old averaged 23 points, six rebounds and 4.5 assists per game during his tenure with the Clippers while shooting just under 40 per cent from 3-point range.
Colombia are like a "stone in the shoe" for Brazil at the Copa America, so says Bruno Guimaraes.
Brazil face Colombia in their final Group D match on Tuesday.
The Selecao, who drew 0-0 with Costa Rica but subsequently thrashed Paraguay 4-1, sit second in the group, two points behind Colombia, who have won both of their matches.
Indeed, Nestor Lorenzo's team are on a 25-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
But Guimaraes is eager to put a stop to that exceptional form.
"Colombia are a stone in our shoe which we're going to try to get out of our way in the next game," said the Newcastle United midfielder.
"They have a lot of players who can decide things individually, they're a very physical team, good to play against. This is the Brazilian national team shirt we are talking about.
"It's going to be a great test for us, a great game that we want to win to finish first (in the group). That's what is required when you wear Brazil's shirt."
While this Brazil squad is lacking superstars, Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo certainly add a sprinkle of stardust up top.
And Guimaraes believes the pair are comparable to two Selecao greats.
"Vini and Rodrygo are our Ronaldo and Ronaldinho," he said, as quoted by AS.
"Back in the days I was in love with Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka. We want to bring that back with Vini and Rodrygo."
Colombia beat Brazil 2-1 in World Cup qualifying last year, with Luis Diaz scoring a brace.
And Lorenzo, whose side are already sure of their place in the quarter-finals, understands how much another victory over the nine-time Copa America champions would mean to the country.
"I know our fans are excited and who am I to [question] people's emotions," he said.
"We are also excited, so let's enjoy it."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brazil - Vinicius Junior
Vinicius scored twice in Brazil's rout of Paraguay. Since the end of the 2022 World Cup, the Madrid star has scored three goals and provided three assists across all competitions and friendlies for his country.
He will be the player Colombia have to keep under lock and key at Levi's Stadium.
Colombia - James Rodriguez
James Rodriguez has recorded three assists so far at this tournament.
Since 2011, only Lionel Messi has provided more assists in a single edition of the Copa America (five in 2021 and four in 2016).
MATCH PREDICTION: BRAZIL WIN
Despite Colombia's excellent form, Opta's model is backing Brazil.
The Selecao, runners-up in 2021, have gone nine group stage matches without a defeat in the Copa America (six wins, three draws), marking their second-longest unbeaten streak in this phase, surpassed only by 10 unbeaten games between 1993 and 1999 (10 wins).
After seven matches without a win against Brazil in all competitions (three draws, four losses), Colombia defeated them in their last encounter, and are seeking consecutive victories against the Selecao for the first time in their history.
Brazil's defence will have to be wary, especially from set-pieces. Colombia have scored three headed goals in their two matches so far. Since these records began in 2011, no team have scored four or more goals via headers in a single edition of the competition.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Brazil - 50.9%
Colombia - 25.5%
Draw - 23.6%
Georgia's Euro 2024 breakout star Georges Mikautadze has joined Metz on a permanent basis but could yet be sold on, with West Ham, Newcastle United and other clubs reportedly interested.
Mikautadze enjoyed an excellent campaign with the major tournament debutants, who reached the last 16 but were beaten 4-1 by Spain on Sunday.
He scored three goals in the group stage, two of them from the penalty spot, and remains joint-top of the competition's goalscoring charts, alongside Germany's Jamal Musiala and Slovakia's Ivan Schranz.
The 23-year-old's strikes came from a total of 2.26 expected goals (xG) – currently the second-highest figure at the tournament behind Kai Havertz's 3.7.
His conversion rate of 50% (six shots taken), meanwhile, is the fourth-best of all players to have scored multiple goals at the competition, behind Niclas Fullkrug and Jude Bellingham (66.7%) and Schranz (60%).
Mikautadze played for Metz's youth teams before re-joining on loan from Ajax in January, in a deal containing a €10million purchase clause.
He scored 13 goals in 20 Ligue 1 appearances but was unable to prevent Metz from being relegated, losing a play-off to Saint-Etienne as the teams swapped places.
While Metz have taken up their option to make Mikautadze their player, his stay may not be a long one.
Reports suggest he could yet be sold on for a profit, with the likes of West Ham, Newcastle, Borussia Dortmund, Napoli and Monaco credited with an interest.
It is believed a fee of around €20m (£16m) could be enough to prise him away from the Stade Saint-Symphorien.
Kevin De Bruyne confirmed he was likely to stay at Manchester City for the upcoming season but said "it's hard to say what will happen" after that.
De Bruyne has one year left on his current contract but has been the subject of interest Saudi Pro League clubs in recent months.
The Belgian has enjoyed a glittering nine-year spell at City since joining from Wolfsburg in 2015, winning six Premier League titles, the Champions League, five EFL Cups, two FA Cups and the Club World Cup.
De Bruyne is currently away at Euro 2024 with Belgium preparing for their last-16 tie with France on Monday, and said he aims to get his future sorted once the tournament is over.
"I've read a lot of headlines, but I haven't spoken to anyone," De Bruyne told HLN, via The Athletic.
"I hope I can last a few more years. Everyone knows I'm under contract at City for another year. And that I haven't talked to anyone yet. I assume there will be talks with City in the next few months.
"If not, I will have to look for something else. But it's hard to say what will happen. My summer will be very quiet. I will enjoy my holidays. And then I will return to City."
De Bruyne had to make do with a more limited role as City won their fourth consecutive Premier League title, with a five-month injury lay-off restricting him to just 26 appearances in all competitions.
He still managed six goals and 18 assists in his reduced role as he remains a key part of Pep Guardiola's side, but the midfielder admitted a lucrative contract offer could sway his thinking further down the line.
"Look, I have more than enough money. I know that well enough," De Bruyne added. "If a silly amount is offered later, then that's not for me.
"That's for all my family, my friends, my children, my great-grandchildren, my children's neighbours."
The T20 World Cup came to a thrilling conclusion over the weekend, with India clinching their second title by beating South Africa.
Rohit Sharma's side claimed a seven-run win over the Proteas in Barbados on Saturday.
Virat Kohli turned on the style at just the right time, while Jasprit Bumrah starred with the ball.
But what about the standout statistics when looking back at the tournament as a whole?
Afghanistan duo top the charts
Afghanistan were the unlikely semi-finalists as they finished second in Group 1 of the Super 8s, ahead of Australia.
And their deep run owed much to the form of Rahmanullah Gurbaz with the bat and Fazalhaq Farooqi with the ball.
Gurbaz finished as the tournament's top scorer, with 281 runs across his eight innings - an average of 35.12. He had a strike rate of 124.33 and a high score of 80, hitting three half-centuries and plundering 16 sixes and 18 fours.
India captain Rohit was second on the list, 24 runs back (257), with Australia's Travis Head third with 253, though they both boasted a better strike rate than Gurbaz (156.7 and 158.38 respectively).
Farooqi, meanwhile, took a tournament-leading 17 wickets, a tally he shared with India's Arshdeep Singh.
However, while Singh went for 215 runs from his 30 overs, Farooqi conceded just 160 runs from his 25.2 overs, for a bowling economy of 6.31.
Farooqi also finished with the best figures for a single match, taking 5-9 against Uganda on June 3.
India's hero Bumrah, meanwhile, finished with figures of 15-124, while South Africa paceman Anrich Nortje took 15-201.
Pooran the entertainer
West Indies could not get over the line in their home tournament, but that was not for the efforts of Nicholas Pooran, who proved to be the World Cup's great entertainer.
If Pooran was involved, you could bet there would be fun, as he smashed 17 sixes across his seven innings.
He also claimed the tournament's highest score, with his 98 from just 53 balls against Afghanistan on June 17, as the Windies set the highest score of the competition (218-5).
That knock included a remarkable eight maximums, so essentially half of Pooran's total.
Australia's Head struck the most fours (26), while South Africa skipper Aiden Markram was the one to avoid in the field when hitting big.
Markram took eight catches in nine matches, leading the tournament ahead of Harry Brook, Tristen Stubbs and Glenn Maxwell (all seven).
Records tumble in the final
Kohli smashed 76 runs from 59 balls in the final, helping India reach 176-7 - that is the highest score in a men's T20 World Cup final.
India's former captain had managed just 75 runs combined across his previous seven innings before the final, but came into form at the right time.
However, he bowed out of the shortest format having become just the third player to score more than 50 runs in multiple men's T20 World Cup finals, after Marlon Samuels and Kumar Sangakkara.
Yet South Africa looked all set to claim the trophy as they started the chase brilliantly, with Heinrich Klaasen reaching 50 from just 23 deliveries.
It is the fastest half-century in a men's T20 World Cup final, with Klaassen overtaking the previous record, set by Mitchell Marsh in 2021, by eight balls.
But from needing 30 runs from as many deliveries, South Africa collapsed, and India became the third team to win the T20 World Cup on multiple occasions, after West Indies and England.
Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury ahead of the first round.
The world number three was due to play Emina Bektas on Monday, but left the practice court early, with the All England Club organisers confirming she would not be participating.
She will now be replaced by Erika Andreeva, who lost to Sonay Kartal in the final round of qualifying.
Sabalenka retired from her Berlin quarter-final in June with the same issue, the first time she has ever done so in a professional match in her career, and later stated she was not "100% fit" or able to serve without pain.
The Belarusian is a two-time Grand Slam winner but has never won at Wimbledon, falling at the semi-final hurdle in both 2021 and 2023.
Sabalenka was looking to put a disappointing clay swing behind her, after suffering final defeats in Madrid and Rome before being knocked out in the quarter-final at the French Open.
Emma Raducanu has been handed an early boost ahead of her first match at Wimbledon after the withdrawal of Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Raducanu, who won the US Open in 2021 but is now ranked outside of the top 100, had been due to face world number 22 Alexandrova on Centre Court on Monday.
However, Alexandrova has withdrawn due to illness, meaning Raducanu will face lucky loser Renata Zarazua instead.
Mexico's Zarazua lost to Mccartney Kessler in qualifying last week, but now has another shot.
But Raducanu will be the big favourite as she aims to build on a solid grass-court swing.
The 21-year-old reached the semi-finals at the Nottingham Open, going down to eventual champion Katie Boulter, before claiming her first top-10 win when she beat Jessica Pegula at Eastbourne.
Raducanu will face Zarazua in the second match of the day on the All England Club's main court, after reigning men's champion Carlos Alcaraz takes on Mark Lajal.
Should Raducanu win, she will face either Elise Mertens or Nao Hibino in round two.
Newcastle United have confirmed the sales of youngsters Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson to Brighton and Nottingham Forest respectively.
The Magpies needed sales by the end of their accounting year (June 30) in order to comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR).
A breach of the PSR would likely have resulted in a points deduction in the 2024-25 campaign.
Numerous clubs were interested in Minteh, who thrived on loan at Feyenoord last season. A deal to Everton, which would have included Dominic Calvert-Lewin heading to St James' Park, was mooted, but Brighton have sealed the signing of the 19-year-old on a five-year contract.
Minteh, who has cost the Seagulls a reported £33million, scored 10 goals and provided five assists in 27 Eredivisie appearances for Feyenoord last season, while only five players in the Netherlands' top tier attempted more dribbles than his 123.
Anderson, meanwhile, has joined Forest, who along with Everton were hit with a points deduction last season for breaching the PSR.
The 21-year-old came through Newcastle's academy and made 55 appearances for the Magpies in all competitions.
Anderson has penned a five-year deal at the City Ground, with Newcastle recouping a reported £35m for the midfielder, who is yet to score a Premier League goal.
Goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, meanwhile, has moved from Forest to Newcastle in a separate transaction.
Newcastle also reportedly offered star winger Anthony Gordon to Liverpool as they desperately scrambled to bring their losses back within the allowed, £105m limit over a three-year period.
On Monday, reports emerged that Manchester United had struck a deal for a compensation package with Newcastle for their former sporting director Dan Ashworth, who had been on gardening leave since expressing his desire to join the Red Devils earlier this year.
Jaime Lozano is unsure over his future as Mexico coach after his team exited the Copa America with a whimper.
Mexico were the favourites to progress from Group B at the start of the tournament, yet instead the 2026 World Cup co-hosts find themselves as the biggest casualty so far.
Ecuador held out for a 0-0 draw on Sunday that sent them through at the expense of Mexico on goal difference.
And Lozano, who led Mexico to the Gold Cup title last year, conceded a decision on his future is out of his hands.
"Whenever an objective is not meant, there is certain discomfort and doubts, that's only natural, no matter who's here," Lozano said.
"But the players kept believing until the very end, that's not easy. It's not easy to play that strong union and the commitment that they showed ... over the whole tournament.
"That decision about my future is not up to me."
Mexico had 19 shots but only got three on target, accumulating just 0.89 expected goals (xG) against Ecuador, who will face Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Ecuador coach Felix Sanchez said: "We know it is an unmatched opponent, and we know how tough it's going to be, but our players are happy that they've moved to the next round, and we'll see how that unfolds," he added.
"It is another final for us, and we will try to compete against the world's champion and the world's best team.
"I believe that our team is going to be extremely motivated with a very high morale and trying to play a good match.
"I have full confidence in our players. I know they are going to give their best as they've done in the three matches. We know how tough it is, but it is 11 against 11, and we're going to do whatever we can to win it."
Venezuela, meanwhile, stayed perfect by hammering already-eliminated Jamaica 3-0 in Austin.
They will take on Canada in the last eight.
Spain are the best side at Euro 2024, so says La Roja head coach Luis de la Fuente.
Tournament debutants Georgia were no match for Spain on Sunday, as De la Fuente's team ran out 4-1 victors in Cologne.
Spain accumulated 3.25 expected goals (xG) and allowed just 0.25 going the other way in another emphatic performance in which their youngsters Lamine Yamal and Nico Willams dazzled.
La Roja will now face hosts Germany in an enthralling quarter-final tie, but De la Fuente says they must hold no fear.
"We have a lot of confidence and a team with talent, quality and commitment.
"Being convinced of your ability is very important. I don't want to offend anyone but we have the best team at this tournament.
"Germany is a fantastic team, they have some of the best players in the world and they are very organised, very disciplined.
"But they will face a team that is very similar to them, very committed, very well organised, difficult to overcome, hungry with lots of ambition.
"I know it's the usual thing to say but in football it's the small details that will decide the match and what happens in the end."
Only Germany (10) have scored more goals at Euro 2024 so far than Spain (nine), while La Roja lead the way for non-penalty xG (8.9) and shots (72) - 35 of those attempts came against Georgia.
They have conceded just one goal at the tournament, with that being the own goal netted by Robin Le Normand against Georgia on Sunday.
Jamaica bowed out of the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America with a 3-0 defeat to Venezuela in their final Group B match on Sunday at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. This loss marked Jamaica’s third consecutive defeat in the tournament, concluding their participation without a win.
The match started with a glimmer of hope for Jamaica as Michael Hector, making his record-extending ninth Copa America appearance, struck on target in the sixth minute. However, the early optimism quickly faded as Venezuela began to assert their dominance.
Jamaican goalkeeper Jahmali Waite made a crucial save in the 42nd minute, deflecting a powerful shot from Darwin Machis to keep the score-line level at half time. Despite Waite’s efforts, Venezuela broke the deadlock early in the second half. Eduard Bello headed home a cross in the 49th minute to give Venezuela the lead.
The South American side doubled their advantage in the 56th minute when Salomon Rondon found the back of the net with a precise hit inside the box. Jamaica continued to search for their first goal of the match, with Kaheim Dixon coming close in the 77th minute, but his attempt was off target.
Venezuela sealed their victory in the 85th minute as Eric Ramirez scored their third goal, ensuring their place at the top of Group B. Jamaica had one final attempt from Alex Marshall in stoppage time, concluding their eight attempts on goal for the day.
Despite a valiant effort, Jamaica exits their third Copa America participation at the bottom of their group. The Reggae Boyz managed to score their first goal of the tournament on the second matchday through Michail Antonio but could not secure any points in their three group matches.
Aaron Judge hit his major league-leading 31st home run to back Gerrit Cole’s first victory of the season, and the New York Yankees defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 8-1 on Sunday to salvage a split in the four-game series.
Judge’s two-run shot in the first inning gave Cole an early lead, and the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner allowed one run and struck out six over five innings.
It was Cole’s third start after missing nearly the first three months of the season with right elbow inflammation.
Judge, meanwhile, ended another strong month after getting off to a slow start to 2024.
The 32-year-old slugger was hitting .207 with six home runs and 18 RBIs at the end of April before batting .361 with 14 homers and 27 RBIs in May to earn AL Player of the Month honours.
Judge remained red-hot in June, hitting .409 with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs.
Rangers rookie Langford hits for cycle against Orioles
Texas Rangers rookie Wyatt Langford hit for the cycle in an 11-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
The 22-year-old Langford, selected by the Rangers with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, hit a triple in the fourth inning, doubled in the fifth, singled in the sixth and blasted a three-run homer in the eighth to complete the first cycle in the majors this season.
Langford became the 12th player in franchise history to hit for the cycle and joined Oddibe McDowell in 1985 as the only Rangers rookies to accomplish the feat.
The defending World Series champion Rangers ended a six-game losing streak and prevented the first-place Orioles from winning a fifth straight contest.
Royals right-hander Lugo beats Guardians to become first in MLB to 11 wins
Seth Lugo pitched six scoreless innings and struck out 10 to become the first 11-game winner in the major leagues as the Kansas City Royals beat the AL-leading Cleveland Guardians 6-2.
Lugo improved to 11-2 with a 2.17 ERA in 18 starts in his first season with the Royals.
The 34-year-old right-hander has already set a career high in wins after entering 2024 with a 23-17 record and 4.01 ERA in 64 lifetime starts.
Lugo spent the majority of his first seven MLB seasons as a reliever with the New York Mets before solely being a starter with the San Diego Padres last year.
Kansas City moved to 47-39 after posting the second-worst record in the majors last season at 56-106.
The Royals have not finished over .500 since winning the World Series in 2015.
Paul George has informed the Los Angeles Clippers he will be joining another team, with the Philadelphia 76ers reportedly the leading candidate to land the coveted free agent.
The Clippers released a statement Sunday saying they were informed by George and his representatives of his plans to leave the team after five seasons. The nine-time All-Star declined a $48.7 million player option for the 2024-25 season on Saturday.
According to The Athletic, George will meet with the 76ers on Sunday night and is expected to make a decision shortly thereafter, with no other teams believed to be involved in the bidding for the veteran forward.
“Paul has informed us that he is signing his next contract with another team,” the Clippers announced. "Paul is a tremendous talent and an elite two-way player. We feel fortunate for the five years we spent with him.
We negotiated for months with Paul and his representative on a contract that would make sense for both sides, and we were left far apart. The gap was significant. We understand and respect Paul’s decision to look elsewhere for his next contract. We explored an opt-in and trade scenario, but it would have left us in a similar position under the new CBA, with very little asset value to justify the restrictions.
“We will miss Paul. At the same time, we’re excited by the opportunities we’ve now been afforded, including greater flexibility under the new CBA.
ESPN reports George was seeking a four-year extension and the Clippers were unwilling to budge beyond a contract similar to the three-year, $152 million deal the team awarded to fellow star Kawhi Leonard in January.
The Clippers acquired George from Oklahoma City in July 2019 by orchestrating a blockbuster trade in which they gave the Thunder five first-round picks as well as future All-Star Shai GIlgeous-Alexander. Leonard signed with Los Angeles that same summer to help turn the Clippers into one of the Western Conference's more consistently successful teams, though their winning ways often did not extend to the post-season.
Los Angeles reached the West finals during the 2021 play-offs but was ousted in six games by the Phoenix Suns, and the Clippers have not advanced past the first round in any of the last three seasons.
George often battled injuries - his 74 games played this past season were his most in any of his five seasons in Los Angeles - but maintained an elite level of play when healthy. The 34-year-old averaged 23 points, six rebounds and 4.5 assists per game during his tenure with the Clippers while shooting just under 40 per cent from 3-point range.
Armed with ample cap space, the 76ers are well positioned to make a big splash this off-season and potentially pair George with two other All-Stars, 2022-23 NBA MVP Joel Embiid and sharpshooter Tyrese Maxey, in an effort to challenge reigning NBA champion Boston in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia has also found post-season success to be elusive in recent seasons, as the 76ers have reached the play-offs in seven straight years but have failed to advance beyond the second round during that period.
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