Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has signed a record-breaking $180m contract and is preparing to lead a reshaped roster following the departure of LeBron James.
The undrafted guard agreed to the four-year deal, which stands as the most lucrative of its kind in NBA history.
He opted to take slightly less than the initial $185m on offer, affording the historic franchise crucial financial flexibility to pursue future signings.
Adjusting to life without James
The most glaring change for the upcoming season will be the absence of James, who departed in free agency following an eight-year stint in California.
“I don’t know if I’ve honestly processed it yet,” Reaves said of his former team-mate’s exit.
“Starting the season without him being on the team is going to be different for me.”
The shooting guard admitted the four-time NBA champion had been a constant presence throughout his professional career.
“He’s kind of all I’ve ever known. Just him being around, joking around, acting like he’s 15, but that’s his decision and I got nothing but love and respect for him.”
A new partnership with Doncic
Following a massive roster overhaul, the offensive burden will now fall heavily on the newly-paid star and marquee team-mate Luka Doncic.
The pair have developed a strong bond off the court, frequently discussing their shared passion for golf.
“Luka is one of my best friends on this planet,” Reaves added.
“He sends me videos of his golf swing and asks me what he can do to get better, and I tell him I’m not a coach.”
Rebuilding the supporting cast
The Lakers’ front office has completely revamped the supporting cast, moving on from established playoff starters including Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, and Rui Hachimura.
A fresh group of recruits has already gathered in Las Vegas to scrimmage, featuring Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, and centre Walker Kessler.
“The pieces that are coming in, I’m very excited about and I’m happy to get started today and see where it goes,” Reaves said.
The playmaker is particularly familiar with the 7ft 2in Kessler, having previously played alongside the imposing big man for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup.
“He’s a big, goofy dude that just enjoys life and has fun. Obviously, you see what he does basketball-wise and how he impacts the game.”
Former striker Troy Deeney has urged England manager Thomas Tuchel to drop left-back Nico O’Reilly for Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta.
The Three Lions secured a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Norway to set up the mouth-watering tie.
However, Deeney believes tactical changes are essential if the team is to successfully halt Lionel Messi’s title defence.
Spence backed to stop Messi
The talkSPORT pundit feels the Manchester City defender has underperformed and should be replaced by Djed Spence.
Deeney compared the youngster’s underwhelming tournament displays to those of Arsenal winger Noni Madueke.
“By the way, he’s [Nico O’Reilly] been getting away with murder,” Deeney said.
“I would probably have to go Djed Spence just to match him. And say to Djed Spence, ‘Just follow him. If he goes inside, go inside.'”
O’Reilly has featured in all six of the national team’s fixtures during this tournament.
In contrast, Spence has also made six appearances but has only been trusted from the start on two occasions.
Predictions of a comfortable victory
Despite his concerns over the left flank, the former Watford captain remains highly optimistic about the overall result.
England have historically struggled against elite opposition, never having defeated a top-four ranked nation at a major tournament.
Yet the outspoken pundit has completely reversed his earlier prediction that the European side would come unstuck against the South Americans.
“I actually think we batter them. Like 2-0, comfortable,” he declared.
“I’ve watched Argentina all the way through – they are older, they’re all over the place at the back, their centre midfielders are absolutely not controlling the game.”
Jude Bellingham will likely be crucial to exploiting those perceived weaknesses on Wednesday night.
The dynamic midfielder currently ranks among the tournament’s top statistical performers and proved vital in the recent quarter-final victory.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is set to remain in north London to defend their Premier League title, dismissing recent reports of an impending transfer to Turkish side Galatasaray.
Media outlets in Turkey had claimed the Norwegian international reached an agreement with the Super Lig club after his agent was reportedly spotted in Istanbul.
However, representatives clarified that his agent, Bjorn Kvarme, was actually in the United States supporting Norway during their recent World Cup campaign.
Contract talks expected
Sources close to the midfielder insist he remains completely settled at the Emirates Stadium and is eager to extend his stay.
The club hierarchy are expected to open discussions over a new contract with their influential playmaker in the near future.
Arsenal executives are reportedly delighted with his impact both on and off the pitch during their recent title-winning campaign.
Overcoming injury setbacks
The former Real Madrid prospect endured a difficult season physically, battling two separate shoulder issues alongside a recurring knee problem.
These setbacks restricted him to 36 appearances across all competitions last year, forcing him to miss 21 matches.
Despite facing fierce internal competition from Eberechi Eze, the Scandinavian star remained a pivotal figure whenever fit to play.
Arteta retains full faith
Manager Mikel Arteta has continually dismissed any speculation regarding a change in leadership at the club.
“Our captain is unbelievable, I love him,” Arteta previously stated.
“He’s so good and he’ll continue to be the captain and continue to be so good.”
That sentiment is echoed throughout the dressing room, where teammates unanimously voted for the 25-year-old to retain the armband.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are reportedly preparing a formal offer for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes as they build for their 2026/27 title defence.
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has warned his side to expect a fierce challenge when they host an unbeaten Ireland in Saturday’s Nations Championship clash in Auckland.
Both nations enter the 08:10 BST fixture with perfect tournament records.
The All Blacks have confidently dispatched Italy and France, while their European visitors boast two bonus-point victories.
Andy Farrell’s men travel to Eden Park seeking a historic first victory at the venue, aiming to shatter the hosts’ remarkable 52-game unbeaten home streak.
Eden Park fortress under threat
The Auckland stadium has long been an impenetrable stronghold for the rugby giants.
New Zealand have not tasted defeat at the ground since France emerged victorious there in 1994.
However, the home manager insists his players will not be relying on historical dominance against a touring team currently enjoying a six-match winning run.
The hosts are also acutely aware of recent history, having lost a landmark series to the same opponents during their last tour of the country.
“There’s a healthy amount of respect for the Irish. We’re well aware of their ability and they’ll come in and genuinely believe they can beat us.”
The New Zealand tactician praised the visitors’ coaching setup and highlighted the technical proficiency of their forward pack.
“They are a good side and you have got to be patient in an effort to break them down.”
Targeting Gibson-Park
A key battleground this weekend will be the performance of New Zealand-born scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park.
The playmaker was instrumental in a recent tight 33-31 triumph over Australia before being rested for the subsequent clash with Japan.
Rennie acknowledged the profound influence of Leinster’s combinations on the national setup, singling out the number nine as a primary threat.
“Jamison’s a big part of their success. We need to make life difficult for him so he can’t play on the front foot and apply pressure that way.”
Liverpool have completed the signing of England goalkeeper Khiara Keating on a free transfer following the expiration of her Manchester City contract.
The 22-year-old reunites with manager Gareth Taylor, under whom she previously played during her time in Manchester.
This move follows reports in June that the highly-rated shot-stopper had rejected a contract extension at her former club.
Striving for greatness on Merseyside
A graduate of the City academy, the young talent helped her previous employers secure a second Women’s Super League title last season.
“[Liverpool is] such a big club and I think the women’s team is striving for greatness,” said Keating.
“I think the style of football that they play suits me and my position. They’re just going in the right direction and [it is] a project that I want to be part of.”
The international star becomes the Reds’ fourth major acquisition of the summer transfer window.
Competition and international ambitions
She faced stiff competition for the number one shirt from Japan’s Ayaka Yamashita last season, making just four WSL starts during a campaign that also yielded the Women’s FA Cup.
Despite limited domestic minutes, the standout prospect remains one of the country’s most promising goalkeepers.
England manager Sarina Wiegman called her up for June’s crucial Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine, although a concussion ultimately ruled her out.
Having been part of the triumphant Euro 2025 squad, the 22-year-old is determined to secure regular first-team football ahead of next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Reuniting with a familiar face
Liverpool boss Taylor was responsible for handing the promising star her WSL debut during a phenomenal 2023-24 breakout campaign.
At just 19 years old, she became the youngest goalkeeper in history to win the WSL Golden Glove award after keeping nine clean sheets.
The experienced shot-stopper also boasts Women’s Champions League pedigree, alongside previous short loan spells at AFC Fylde and Coventry United.
“The start of my career has been nothing but amazing. I’ve gained platforms and done brilliantly so far. But I needed that missing [piece of the] puzzle,” she added.
“I think Liverpool can be that – somewhere I’m playing week-in, week-out and I’m getting good game time, to play with a good team and win trophies.”
The Merseyside club actively sought a new primary goalkeeper after Jennifer Falk departed in May following a successful loan stint.
White House World Cup task force director Andrew Giuliani has backed England to win the 2026 tournament in the United States ahead of their semi-final against Argentina.
With the host nation eliminated, the American political figure has thrown his official support behind Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Giuliani believes an English triumph would provide a fitting narrative during the United States’ 250th-anniversary celebrations.
The Three Lions are currently preparing for a crucial clash with the reigning South American champions, knowing a victory will secure a final against either France or Spain.
Ending 60 years of hurt
The 40-year-old task force leader is fully aware of the historical weight carried by the European heavyweights.
“It’s been 60 years of hurt, I gather, for England, so that would be a beautiful victory for them if they won the tournament.”
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Giuliani stated that the squad remains one of the strongest contenders left in the competition.
“You know, if the United States can’t win on our 250th birthday, then a great storyline would be the English coming to America and winning during our anniversary celebrations.”
Praise for Kane and Bellingham
Giuliani singled out captain Harry Kane and midfielder Jude Bellingham as the key driving forces behind the pursuit of global glory.
The Real Madrid midfielder recently guided his country into the last four following a tense knockout victory over Norway.
However, the US adviser stressed that Bayern Munich’s prolific striker will be the primary reason for any ultimate success.
“Harry Kane is the number one goal scorer for the England team, and if they are going to win the tournament, he will be the main reason.”
He also urged former Chelsea manager Tuchel to continue instilling supreme confidence into his well-balanced squad.
Presidential golfing connection
The English captain is already a firm favourite of US President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to participate in Sunday’s trophy presentation.
Trump recently took to social media to praise the record-breaking forward, describing him as both a great player and an excellent person.
The pair share a personal connection, having played a round of golf together in Florida during 2024.
Kane previously described the unexpected invitation to join the President on the greens in Palm Beach as a highly surreal experience.
“His golf is pretty good to be honest with you.”
Current yellow jersey holder Tadej Pogacar has called for a complete overhaul of the cycling calendar to protect riders from the extreme summer heat currently affecting the Tour de France.
Stage nine of this year’s race, running from Malemort to Ussel, was shortened by 30km on Sunday due to a red heatwave alert in the Correze department.
Temperatures have consistently exceeded 30C and reached blistering highs of 40C since the Grand Depart in Barcelona.
Slovenian star suggests radical scheduling shift
The two-time defending champion believes the sport must adapt to increasingly severe weather conditions to prioritise athlete welfare.
“If I had the power I would change all the calendar and not race in July and August in hot places,” the Slovenian said.
“Maybe the next step is to start the stages earlier. You need to start at eight or nine, or even before.”
The general classification leader acknowledged the difficulty of such early starts but insisted the human body can adapt to waking up before dawn.
Wildfires and relentless intensity
Extreme weather has already severely disrupted the current edition of the race.
Stage three in the Pyrenees took place without spectators or the traditional publicity caravan due to massive wildfires in the surrounding areas.
The Professional Cyclists Association (CPA) has publicly backed the race leader’s stance regarding rider safety.
The riders’ union stressed that summer race start times must evolve to safeguard competitor health during grueling Grand Tours.
Peloton echoes safety concerns
Fellow competitors have voiced similar frustrations regarding the relentless heat and the dangerous logistical challenges it creates.
“It’s a fight to have water, ice and drinks between the cars, so for me it’s a good idea to shorten the stage,” said stage eight winner Tim Merlier.
Australian veteran Luke Durbridge noted that while the race is historically hot, the suffocating consistency of this current heatwave is highly exceptional.
“We’ve always had hot Tours de France, but this has been quite exceptional purely because it’s just been so consistent,” Durbridge explained.
He added that the relentless speed and intensity of modern racing leaves competitors with no easy days to recover from the sweltering conditions.
Tour de France leader Tadej Pogacar has urged organisers to completely revamp the cycling calendar and avoid summer racing to protect competitors from severe heatwaves.
Stage nine of this year’s race from Malemort to Ussel was shortened by 30km on Sunday following a red heatwave alert in the Correze department.
Temperatures have consistently exceeded 30C and peaked at 40C since the Grand Depart in Barcelona.
The extreme weather has already caused severe disruptions, with stage three in the Pyrenees taking place without spectators due to surrounding wildfires.
Extreme temperatures demand drastic changes
The Slovenian believes the sport must adapt to increasingly dangerous summer conditions to ensure athlete safety.
“In my opinion it’s a big topic to discuss but if I had the power I would change all the calendar and not race in July and August in hot places.”
The two-time reigning champion also proposed significantly earlier start times to avoid the brutal midday sun.
“You need to start at eight or nine, or even before.”
He suggested that professional athletes could adapt to 5:00 am wake-up calls if it meant preserving their physical health.
Riders and union echo safety concerns
The Professional Cyclists Association (CPA) has supported these demands, insisting that start times must evolve to protect competitors.
Recent stage winner Tim Merlier highlighted the constant struggle to stay hydrated while racing in relentless heat.
“It’s a fight to have water, ice and drinks between the cars, so for me it’s a good idea to shorten the stage.”
Australian veteran Luke Durbridge admitted that while the race has always experienced hot days, the current unbroken consistency of the heatwave is entirely exceptional.
Historically, the three-week Grand Tour is synonymous with July, testing the endurance of the world’s best cyclists across grueling mountain stages.
However, with modern racing speeds increasing and global temperatures climbing, the physical toll on the peloton is reaching unprecedented levels.