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Durant joins Houston in record-setting NBA trade

Durant joins Houston in record-setting NBA trade

BBC News6 hours ago
NBA star Kevin Durant has joined the Houston Rockets from the Phoenix Suns in a record-breaking trade deal involving seven teams.The move was first announced last month but was confirmed on Sunday when the league's new year officially started.The Atlanta Hawks, the Brooklyn Nets, the Golden State Warriors, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers are also involved in the deal, which involves 13 players and several future draft picks being exchanged.The previous record for the largest trade in NBA history was six teams, set last summer when Klay Thompson joined the Dallas Mavericks.Durant, 36, was named the 2014 Most Valuable Player, won two NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors, and is a 15-time All-Star.He also won four Olympic golds with the US basketball team."My time in Phoenix has come to an end," he posted on social media."All these stops along the journey have really impacted me in a positive way. Remember it's a world behind the scenes, and those who make things work in that space, work tirelessly to make our lives easier as players."I truly believe this NBA is a one big community. Much love to Arizona. Houston, Can't Wait!"Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said: "His skill level, love of basketball, and dedication to his craft have made him one of the most respected players of his generation, and my staff and I are excited to work with him."Houston finished second in the Western Conference last season but were knocked out of the play-offs in the first round."One of the greatest to ever play the game, we are grateful for the impact Kevin made on our organization and in our community," Phoenix general manager Brian Gregory said."As a member of the Suns, he climbed the scoring charts to become just the eighth player in NBA history to score 30,000 career points, and we wish him the best as he continues his career in Houston."
Who gets what in the seven-team deal?
Under the deal, Houston get Durant and 31-year-old Swiss centre Clint Capela from Atlanta - he started his career at the Rockets.From the Rockets, the Suns pick up 18-year-old South Sudanese centre Khaman Maluach, who was the 10th overall pick in June's NBA draft, as well as forward Dillon Brooks and guard Jalen Green. The Suns also get Atlanta wing Daeqwon Plowden, Minnesota forward Rasheer Fleming and Golden State guard Koby Brea, as well as two future draft picks.The Hawks, meanwhile, receive David Roddy, cash, and a 2031 draft pick swap from Houston.Brooklyn obtained two future second-round picks and sent a draft pick, forward Adou Thiero, to the Lakers.The Warriors obtained Australian forward Alex Toohey, who was initially drafted by the Suns, and guard Jahmai Mashack, the last pick in the draft for the Rockets.Minnesota landed two future draft picks from the Suns and 18-year-old Australian centre Rocco Zikarsky, a draft pick from the Lakers.
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Mexico tops USA in Gold Cup final as Pochettino decries ‘embarrassing' penalty no-call
Mexico tops USA in Gold Cup final as Pochettino decries ‘embarrassing' penalty no-call

The Guardian

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  • The Guardian

Mexico tops USA in Gold Cup final as Pochettino decries ‘embarrassing' penalty no-call

Mexico won the country's 10th Gold Cup title, successfully defending the trophy they won in 2023 with a 2-1 win over the United States in front of a raucous, pro-Mexico crowd in Houston, Texas on Sunday. West Ham midfielder Edson Álvarez scored the decisive goal in the second half, heading home the winner after the ball deflected off the head of John Vásquez. Álvarez's goal was initially ruled out for offside, but VAR intervened and determined that he was level with the last defender at the time Vásquez made contact, sparking jubilant celebrations on the field and in the stands. It also sparked an argument on the sideline from head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was incensed that a penalty had not been given at the other end 10 minutes earlier. In that play, Mexico defender Jorge Sánchez put his hand on the ball while falling after making a tackle on Max Arfsten's run into the penalty area. 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LeBron James gives strong two-word verdict on son Bronny's NBA Summer League performance for the Lakers
LeBron James gives strong two-word verdict on son Bronny's NBA Summer League performance for the Lakers

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

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LeBron James gives strong two-word verdict on son Bronny's NBA Summer League performance for the Lakers

LeBron James sent out a two-word message after his son - and teammate - Bronny put in a dominant display in his 2025 Summer League debut. Bronny took to the floor on Sunday night and scored 10 points in 11 minutes against the Miami Heat - including a stunning one-handed dunk in the first quarter. A clip of the incident went viral on social media as fans watched the second-year guard steal the ball off the Heat before transitioning into a fast break. The Lakers star drove down the court before launching himself into the air - just past the free throw line - and performing the impressive dunk. It was a moment that left some fans in awe and excited about the season ahead for Bronny - while dad LeBron clearly shared that sentiment. The NBA legend posted an Instagram story with a screenshot of the dunk along with the caption: 'Bronny showtime'. The 20-year-old heads into the new season after making 27 outings in his rookie season for the Lakers - where he averaged 2.3 points in 6.7 minutes per game. In his G League performances, however, Bronny averaged 21.9 points, 5.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds from his 11 games. The youngster, recently, offered a coy response when asked about the future of his father - who will become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Last week, LeBron officially opted into his $52.6million player option for the upcoming season but, by doing so, it raised questions about his future beyond 2025-26. When asked about LeBron's future, Bronny said: 'I said, 'I have no idea what you're talking about. 'I don´t really pay attention to that stuff. There´s a lot of stuff going around that I don´t pay attention to.' 'We don´t really talk about that much, but I think when stuff like that does come up, he just tells me to not worry about it, not even pay attention to it. 'Just lock in to what you have going on right now, and that's what's going to get me better and keep me focused. I think it's good that he tells me not to pay attention to that stuff.'

Cubs' bats, pitching on point in shutout of Cardinals
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Reuters

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Cubs' bats, pitching on point in shutout of Cardinals

July 7 - Matthew Boyd celebrated his All-Star Game selection by striking out nine batters in five innings as Chicago Cubs demolished the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 11-0 Sunday night. Fellow All-Star selection Kyle Tucker drove in three runs for the Cubs, who have won eight of their last 11 games. Seiya Suzuki contributed a double, home run and two RBIs to the outburst, while Nico Hoerner had three hits, three runs and an RBI and Reese McGuire drove in two. Boyd (9-3) allowed just three hits and a walk while winning his third straight start. Jordan Wicks threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings and Daniel Palencia retired the last two batters to complete the shutout. The Cardinals have lost five of their last six games to fall 6 1/2 games behind the National League Central-leading Cubs. St. Louis starter Erick Fedde (3-9) allowed three runs on two hits and four walks in 1 1/3 innings. Chicago took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Tucker walked, stole second and scored on Pete Crow-Armstrong's single. The Cubs knocked Fedde out of the game in the second inning. Hoerner hit a leadoff double and took third on a one-out wild pitch. After Fedde walked Matt Shaw and Ian Happ, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol summoned John King. Tucker greeted King with a two-run single to put Chicago up 3-0. The Cubs increased their lead to 8-0 in the third inning. Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson walked, then Hoerner hit a blooped single to load the bases. McGuire hit an RBI single to force another pitching change -- and the onslaught continued against reliever Matt Svanson. Shaw's fielder's choice grounder resulted in a run-producing throwing error. Happ hit an RBI groundout, Tucker hit a sacrifice fly, then Suzuki smacked an RBI double. Hoerner's RBI triple and McGuire's run-scoring grounder pushed Chicago's lead to 10-0 in the fourth inning. Suzuki's homer in the fifth inning made it 11-0. --Field Level Media

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