Tyrese Haliburton throwing out first pitch at Wrigley Field before Brewers-Cubs game as a 'free agent' baseball fan

Tyrese Haliburton throwing out first pitch at Wrigley Field before Brewers-Cubs game as a 'free agent' baseball fan

Tyrese Haliburton is one highly paid professional athlete who has turned down the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Indiana Pacers star had been invited by both the Dodgers and Chicago Cubs to throw out a ceremonial first pitch this season and the Wisconsin native opted to accept the pregame honor from the team closer to his Midwestern roots.

Haliburton, a two-time NBA All-Star, will throw out the first pitch before Thursday’s NL Central matchup at Wrigley Field between the Milwaukee Brewers and Cubs.

“I got asked by both, I had to pick one,” Haliburton told Fieldhouse Files reporter Scott Agness. “And the Cubs just made more sense.”

There’s a bit more backstory to Haliburton throwing out the first pitch in a game involving the Brewers. Haliburton was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Brewers were his hometown MLB team. Yet he accepted an invitation to throw out the first pitch for Milwaukee’s division rival, separated by 90 miles on Interstate 94.

“I’m not really welcome in Wisconsin as much these days,” Haliburton said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on April 30, 2025.

Haliburton claims that the Brewers rescinded an invitation to throw out the first pitch at American Family Field last year after he hit the game-winning shot in overtime to eliminate the Milwaukee Bucks from the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs.

The Pacers won the series in five games and eventually advanced to the NBA Finals, where they lost in seven games to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Haliburton sustained an Achilles tendon rupture that cost him the 2025-26 season.

After the Brewers apparently rescinded their invitation, Haliburton trolled the team by wearing Cubs and Dodgers jerseys on the sideline during Pacers games last season. He says he’s “a free agent” in terms of fan allegiances.

“I was a Brewers fan and then I was supposed to throw the first pitch last summer, and they X’ed that after the playoff series,” he told McAfee. “So I said, ‘You know what? I’m no longer a Brewers fan.'”

After Thursday’s first pitch, Haliburton will presumably get back to preparing for the 2026-27 NBA season. In the lead-up to the Pacers advancing to the NBA Finals, he averaged 18.6 points and 9.2 assists while shooting 39% on 562 3-point attempts.

by Editor

More details pour out about NBA findings in Clippers, Kawhi Leonard salary cap circumvention case

More details pour out about NBA findings in Clippers, Kawhi Leonard salary cap circumvention case

The initial headlines were shocking: Five first-round picks taken away, Steve Ballmer suspended for a year, head of basketball operations Lawrence Frank suspended for six months, a $30 million fine. The loss of all those first-round picks is as close to an organizational death sentence as the NBA can hand out.

How the league got to the point Commissioner Adam Silver felt he had to bring the hammer down is detailed in the 36-page summary of the Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz report (the law firm that did the actual investigation for the league).

How we got here

That report starts with something reported here and elsewhere: That when Kawhi Leonard was a free agent in 2019, his business manager Dennis Robertson — “Uncle Dennis” as he is more commonly known (now suspended from league business for five years) — asked the Raptors, Lakers, Clippers and every other team that reached out with wild requests, such as buying him a house or car, partial team ownership, and no-show endorsement deals. The NBA investigated at the time but found nothing, and the report agrees that the Clippers did nothing at that time.

However, less than a year later in the spring of 2020 (at the height of the pandemic), Robertson was putting pressure on the Clippers to, in the words of the report, “facilitate off-court business opportunities for Mr. Leonard.” The report went on to say Ballmer told Robertson, “he and Clippers’ personnel were all ‘collective workers to try to help [Mr. Leonard] achieve his financial goals,’ and Ms. Zucker assured Mr. Robertson that Mr. Ballmer would ‘follow through on his promise.'”

The Clippers knew Leonard had a looming contract extension (which he ultimately signed in August of 2021), and so Robertson had some leverage.

How does the report know all this? Because Frank took (and retained) detailed notes from a meeting that involved him, Ballmer, Zucker and Robertson. Frank left a paper trail.

The endorsements

Within a few months of that meeting, Gillian Zucker, the president of business operations for the Clippers (now suspended for a year), set up connections for Robertson and Leonard with Daktronics, Boingo Wireless and Lockton insurance (this was in addition to a previous introduction to Aspiration).

The claim to innocence Ballmer and the Clippers make is that they introduced the sides — all three within six days in June at the height of the pandemic — but had no dealings with the endorsements beyond that. These were team sponsors, and there is no direct link showing Ballmer/Clippers paid any of the endorsers (including defunct green bank Aspiration) telling them to pass the money along to Leonard.

The report lays out how the Clippers operated in a much more old-school, mafia-style way. The Clippers were in levels of negotiations to do major business with these companies (Daktronics built the Halo Board in the Intuit Dome, for example), but first they wanted to introduce the companies to their good friend Kawhi Leonard and his business partner, and maybe there was a way you guys could connect. There were some dealings in between, but essentially these companies set up endorsement deals with Leonard (for a total of $18 million, according to the report) and not long after, those companies had more direct business with the Clippers coming their way.

In the report, Zucker said those emails were introductions made because the companies requested it. Investigators were not buying it. The report says there was no evidence that all three companies requested meetings with Leonard within days of each other at a time the NBA season was suspended due to COVID. By September, all three companies had endorsement deals with Leonard. The report says Daktronics believed that “failing to enter into a commercial relationship with Leonard could jeopardize its ability to win the bid for the Intuit Dome.”

That there were four companies tied to this matters. The max the NBA can fine a team for salary cap circumvention is $7.5 million per case, but combine the four and you get to the $30 million figure.

It’s worth noting that while Leonard released a statement (on social media and through his new agent) essentially saying he didn’t know anything about this, the report details that he was hands-on with parts of the Aspiration endorsement. However, getting Leonard and the NBPA on board meant the league could keep this from going to a neutral arbitrator, as the players’ union could have demanded (under the terms of the CBA). That would have both dragged this out and opened a door for Ballmer and the Clippers to fight the penalties and findings internally. Now, it’s likely headed to court.

Could the Clippers get some of those first-round picks back? Sure. The NBA did that the last time they came down hard on a franchise for cap circumvention, the Joe Smith case with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Eventually, they got two of their last five picks back, but they also didn’t fight the punishment and largely kept a low profile, essentially getting rewarded for good behavior. That doesn’t sound like the direction Ballmer’s heading.

by Editor

Ranking the top 25 NBA free agents set to hit the 2027 market

Ranking the top 25 NBA free agents set to hit the 2027 market

As the NBA calendar churns, and as teams look ahead to next season, some of the more interesting storylines extend beyond that.

But, as always in the NBA, player movement and free agency are big draws, so it’s never too early to look ahead to the free agent class of players who may be available during the 2027 offseason. The interesting thing with NBA contracts is that there are multiple levers that could lead to a player being available on the open market.

The simplest are expiring contracts that make players unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, allowing them to sign wherever they choose.

Then there are players who will enter player options or team options. A player option gives the player the right to exercise a one-year term under a salary set during negotiations of the player’s current contract. The team option allows the team to exercise the right to retain the player.

There are also restricted free agents, but it has increasingly become a rarity for opposing teams to snatch away key contributors, since the player’s current team has the option to match an offer sheet. In this case, the player’s current team has all the leverage.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the USA TODAY Sports Top 25 free agents for the 2027 offseason, broken down by their contractual status:

Top 2027 NBA unrestricted free agents

9. Luguentz Dort (Atlanta Hawks)

Guard; 278.3 ppg, 1.2 apg, 3.6 rpg in 69 games

He saw a pretty sizable drop in shooting efficiency across the board, and that hurts his case for a long-term deal. He’s a defensive stopper, but a bounce back on offense with the Hawks will be required for a big payday.

8. Fred VanVleet (Houston Rockets)

Guard; 3214.1 ppg, 5.6 apg, 3.7 rpg in 60 games (2024-25)

The Rockets suffered last season when VanVleet missed the entire season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and he should stabilize the point guard position this year.

7. CJ McCollum (Atlanta Hawks)

Guard; 3418.7 ppg, 3.9 apg, 3.3 rpg in 76 games

His introduction into the Hawks — first as a reserve and then as a closer in the playoffs — shows McCollum is still adaptable and has the ability to assimilate into a system. His defense is an issue, as is his age, but he’s a solid veteran presence who can lift an offense.

6. Jimmy Butler (Golden State Warriors)

Forward; 3620.0 ppg, 4.9 apg, 5.6 rpg in 38 games

He will be coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament and turns 37 Sept. 14, but Butler can still be a playmaker when healthy. Butler also coasts at times during the regular season before turning it on in the playoffs; while that may frustrate fans, at his age, it’s just a prudent approach. Either way, it’s reasonable to expect some type of slowdown, given that he’ll be 38 at the start of the 2027-28 season.

5. Tyler Herro (Milwaukee Bucks)

Guard; 2620.5 ppg, 4.1 apg, 4.8 rpg in 33 games

He’s a three-level scorer who has focused extensively on his efficiency metrics, and he’s a player who has deftly handled being involved in trade talks throughout his career. Yet, it’s unclear if the Bucks view Herro as a long-term piece, and this season will be telling. Either way, his significant limitations on defense can make him something of a liability when opposing teams target him.

4. RJ Barrett (Toronto Raptors)

Guard; 2619.3 ppg, 3.3 apg, 5.3 rpg in 57 games

He had his best season (and postseason), so he’s poised to cash in on a solid deal if his production stays the same. And, despite having seven NBA seasons under his belt, he only just turned 26 in June.

3. Michael Porter Jr. (Brooklyn Nets)

Forward; 2824.2 ppg, 3.0 apg, 7.1 rpg in 52 games

His usage rate jumped up more than 10 percentage points to a career high 30.5% in his first season with the Nets, but he registered only a moderate drop in efficiency metrics. He’s a plus rebounder and thrives on the perimeter, but he’ll need help to lead a team to competitive play.

2. Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)

Guard; 3826.6 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.6 rpg in 43 games

Set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this upcoming season, it’s tough to envision Curry anywhere but Golden State. Despite his age, he remains a lethal shooter and one of the tougher players to guard because of his off-ball movement and quick release.

1. Kawhi Leonard (Toronto Raptors)

Forward; 3527.9 ppg, 3.6 apg, 6.4 rpg in 65 games

When he’s available and healthy, Leonard is among the best two-way players in the NBA. The specter of the NBA investigation into alleged salary cap circumvention is no longer hanging over Leonard’s head, so his trade to the Raptors should be resolved soon.

Notable mention: Zach LaVine (Kings), Cameron Johnson (Nuggets), Miles Bridges (Suns), Saddiq Bey (Pelicans), Miles McBride (Knicks), Donte DiVincenzo (Timberwolves), Max Strus (Clippers)

Top 2027 NBA free agents: player options

12. Paul George (Boston Celtics)

Guard/forward; 36; $56.6 million player option for 2027-2817.3 ppg, 3.6 apg, 5.3 rpg in 37 games

Availability and a dropoff in production are the big concerns, though perhaps George could revive his career in Boston, where he should have the green light to shoot from the perimeter. But he’ll have a choice to make — to either secure that lucrative one-year salary for 2027-28, or to opt out instead for a multi-year agreement.

11. Brandon Ingram (Los Angeles Clippers)

Forward; 28; $41.9 million player option for 2027-2821.5 ppg, 3.7 apg, 5.6 rpg in 77 games

This is another interesting case because he’s still in his prime, though the Clippers may not view him as a long-term fixture (assuming the trade for Kawhi Leonard does go through).

10. Dejounte Murray (New Orleans Pelicans)

Guard; 29; $30.8 million player option for 2027-2816.7 ppg, 6.4 apg, 5.4 rpg in 14 games

He looked solid in his small-sample return late in the season from a ruptured Achilles tendon, and he is an excellent two-way guard option with some size. A big year could prompt him to decline his option for a more lucrative, long-term deal.

9. Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)

Guard; 36; $14.1 million player option for 2027-2824.9 ppg, 7.1 apg, 4.7 rpg in 58 games (2024-25)

It’s no sure thing to come off an Achilles tendon rupture, especially as a player of his age. But Lillard is still one of this generation’s all-time shooters, and his style of play should allow for sustained production. Yet, given his desire to return to Portland, it feels like Lillard is there for the long-term.

8. Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Center; 34; $38 million player option for 2027-2810.9 ppg, 1.7 apg, 11.5 rpg in 76 games

He is still a dominant defensive force and has been the anchor for the Timberwolves. Though Gobert is offensively limited, there is a demand for rim protectors, though he may want one more chance to ink a lucrative, long-term deal.

7. Anthony Davis (Washington Wizards)

Center; 33; $62.8 million player option for 2027-2820.4 ppg, 2.8 apg, 11.1 rpg in 20 games

This will be an interesting case because, on the open market, Davis won’t see the type of payday available to him through the option. So this will test whether he sees Washington as a longer-term option. Either way, availability and durability concerns continue to prevent Davis from being a dominant force.

6. Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks)

Guard; 34; $42.4 million player option for 2027-2824.7 ppg, 4.6 apg, 4.8 rpg in 50 games (2024-25)

He missed all of last season as he recovered from his torn anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in March 2025, so it will be interesting to see how he responds this season. Still, he should remain one of the best ball-handlers in the NBA and a player who can operate in the tightest of spaces. The complicated element in this is that the Mavericks are rebuilding and may have a different timeline to consider.

5. LeBron James (Philadelphia 76ers)

Forward; 41; $4.1 million player option for 2027-2820.9 ppg, 7.2 apg, 6.1 rpg in 60 games

At this point of his career, his best asset is his ability to create plays for others, especially in transition. But by taking the deal James signed this offseason with the Sixers, it was clear this was not about money. He wants to compete for championships, and it’s hard to see James — who is extremely calculated and measured in his career choices — to upend his career once more. Given his age, his workload will need to be managed cautiously.

4. Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets)

Forward; 37; $46.1 million player option for 2027-2826.0 ppg, 4.8 apg, 5.5 rpg in 78 games

He might be the best pure scorer of this generation, and he still has plenty of offense left to offer, especially with his size and shooting ability. There was the issue of an alleged burner and some potential concerns in the locker room, but Durant has been searching for an elusive third NBA title.

3. Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks)

Center; 30; $61 million player option for 2027-2820.1 ppg, 3.0 apg, 11.9 rpg in 75 games

He showed how versatile he can be when the Knicks altered their offense mid-postseason to run distribution through Towns. He boasts deep shooting range, can pass and rebound and can step up his defensive effort when he wants. He’s in his prime, but foul trouble and some occasional inconsistent stretches can crop up.

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Miami Heat)

Forward; 31; $62.8 million player option for 2027-2827.6 ppg, 5.4 apg, 9.8 rpg in 36 games

He didn’t hand-pick the Heat to not eventually sign a long-term extension there. Because of the trade, he won’t be extension eligible until early January. Either way, he is an offensive force and one of the elite stars in the sport. Nagging calf injuries, however, are a concern worth monitoring.

1. Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)

Center; 31; $62.8 million player option for 2027-2827.7 ppg, 10.7 apg, 12.9 rpg in 65 games

The three-time Most Valuable Player remains the most gifted offensive player on the planet, with his low-post footwork and elite vision and passing ability. He and the Nuggets will almost certainly work out a massive max contract, worth north of $359 million, but Denver needs to find ways to keep Jokić happy with a competitive roster.

Notable mention: Jrue Holiday (Trail Blazers), Jalen Green (Suns), Julius Randle (Nets), Ty Jerome (Grizzlies), Bennedict Mathurin (Pelicans)

Top 2027 NBA free agents: team options

4. Santi Aldama (Dallas Mavericks)

Center; 25; $17 million team option for 2027-2814.0 ppg, 2.9 apg, 6.7 rpg in 43 games

Aldama, a 7-foot, versatile scorer who has improved every season he has been in the league, could be a nice asset for the Mavericks, or any team he’d join. Size and shooting range are his best assets.

3. Ajay Mitchell (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Guard; 24; $2.9 million team option for 2027-2813.6 ppg, 3.6 apg, 3.3 rpg in 57 games

After Mitchell broke out last season, especially in the playoffs, when the Thunder suffered a number of injuries, this team option is a massive bargain for Oklahoma City. The Thunder will likely want to try to negotiate a long-term extension to show goodwill, because Mitchell could become a key — and young — piece in the Thunder’s identity. Luxury tax and apron issues are considerations, but Mitchell is certainly a player worth investing in. If he hits the market, he should command a nice payday.

2. Josh Hart (New York Knicks)

Forward; 31; $22.4 million team option for 2027-2812.0 ppg, 4.8 apg, 7.4 rpg in 66 games

He won’t wow you with his stats, but Hart is versatile and makes the types of winning plays that don’t necessarily show up on the box score. He’s an excellent rebounder and can stroke a decently reliable shot from the perimeter, though he has found his home in New York. He’s a key part of this core. Will salary issues force the Knicks to move on?

1. Norman Powell (Chicago Bulls)

Guard; 33; $22.6 million team option for 2027-2821.7 ppg, 2.5 apg, 3.5 rpg in 58 games

Coming off his first and only All-Star season with the Heat, Powell showed that he can be a steady scoring presence, even when taking on a larger role. But the Bulls are in something of a rebuild, so a veteran of Powell’s age might not fit their timeline.

Notable mention: Isaiah Stewart (Grizzlies), Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies), Isaiah Joe (Pistons), Jaylin Williams (Thunder)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ranking the top 25 NBA free agents set to hit the 2027 market

by Editor

SEC, NBA Seek Information From Daktronics On Kawhi Leonard

SEC, NBA Seek Information From Daktronics On Kawhi Leonard

The Securities and Exchange Commission and the NBA have both requested information from Daktronics regarding Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers, the company’s chief financial officer said Wednesday during an earnings call. It marked the first public confirmation that a government agency is examining the matter alongside the league.

“Let me now briefly address a matter that has been in the media concerning the NBA’s investigation of Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers in connection with the league’s collective bargaining agreement that many of you may have heard about,” said Daktronics CFO Howard Atkins. “As you might expect, we have received requests for information from the NBA. Additionally, the Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking information from us concerning the company and Mr. Leonard. We take these requests seriously and are cooperating. At this point, out of respect for the respective processes, we will not be providing further comment.”

The “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast reported last month that Leonard received millions of dollars through an undisclosed sponsorship arrangement with Daktronics, which manufactured the Halo video screen at the Clippers’ home arena. That report cited multiple anonymous sources connected to the team and the Intuit Dome project.

The NBA has been investigating the Clippers since last September over possible salary cap circumvention, an inquiry that began with a $28 million no-work sponsorship contract between Leonard and Aspiration, a now-bankrupt environmental company. Aspiration previously served as a jersey patch sponsor for the Clippers, and owner Steve Ballmer invested $60 million in the company between 2021 and 2023. The Clippers and Ballmer have repeatedly denied any rule violations.

The NBA hired law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to lead the investigation, though results have not been publicly released. The Athletic previously reported that the firm examined whether Leonard had an additional, previously unreported endorsement deal, and whether the Clippers covered expenses for Leonard without proper reimbursement.

In June, the Clippers agreed to trade Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. The deal remains on hold until the NBA’s findings and any potential punishment is announced.

by Editor

Russell Westbrook Joins Project B As Co-Founder, Chief Strategy Officer

Russell Westbrook Joins Project B As Co-Founder, Chief Strategy Officer

Russell Westbrook has joined Project B as a co-founder and chief strategy officer, giving the upstart basketball league its highest-profile addition yet. The nine-time NBA All-Star retired this summer at the age of 37 after an 18-year career.

Westbrook will take an equity stake in Project B and serve on its board of directors, though there is no indication he plans to play in the league, which is set to launch in early 2027.

“At every step of my career, what was most valuable to me was making sure everyone had a seat at the table,” said Westbrook. “With Project B, we’re challenging the norm and bringing a new vision to the intersection of premium sport, culture, and entertainment. We’re reimagining the experience with players not only as key value drivers, but also as shareholders and decision makers.”

Westbrook joins a growing executive group at Project B that includes Maverick Carter, longtime friend and business associate of LeBron James. Former WNBA champion Alana Beard serves as chief basketball officer, while former NBA player and executive Landry Fields joined this summer to oversee the league’s men’s division.

Project B was founded by two tech executives and has reportedly raised $5 billion. The league plans to barnstorm across Asia, Europe and South America, with games broadcast on YouTube.

“Sport has become this massive global asset class,” co-founder Grady Burnett told The Athletic last fall. “For the vast majority, the players have not participated in the economics of that, and they’ve sat on the outside of it. That is something that is frustrating to athletes, and is, as sort of the central resources, central IP within that business, the driver of it. We think it’s really important to start with equity.”

Project B has already signed several prominent players to its women’s division, including Nneka Ogwumike, Jonquel Jones, Alyssa Thomas and Sophie Cunningham, as the league continues building out its men’s roster.

by Editor

Khalifa Diop, Cavaliers Sign Four-Year, $9.26M Deal

Khalifa Diop, Cavaliers Sign Four-Year, $9.26M Deal

Khalifa Diop and the Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to a four-year, $9.26 million deal. The first season of the contract is fully guaranteed at $1.36 million.

Diop was the 39th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft.

Last season, Diop averaged3.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in 16.4 minutes across 47 games for Baskonia.

by Editor

Philadelphia signs Tacko Fall, Jameer Nelson Jr. to training camp contracts

Philadelphia signs Tacko Fall, Jameer Nelson Jr. to training camp contracts

The Philadelphia 76ers are bringing in some big names — and one literally big player — to training camp.

The 76ers announced Wednesday that they have signed Tacko Fall, Jameer Nelson Jr., and Saint Thomas to contracts.

Those are Exhibit 10 contracts, which are training camp contracts where a player can get a bonus (up to $85,000) if they sign to play with Philadelphia’s G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.

All three of Fall, Nelson and Thomas have two-way eligibility left, and the 76ers do have one open two-way contract spot they could give out if someone stands out in training camp.

Fall, the 7’6″ fan-favorite center, spent two seasons in Boston and one in Cleveland, but has been out of the NBA since 2022, playing overseas. He also played in the NBA All-Star Friday Night Celebrity Game last February in Los Angeles.

Nelson is the son of former NBA player and current 76ers Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jameer Nelson. He was in the Spurs’ training camp two years ago and then with their G League team, then in the Kings’ training camp last season and played for their G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings. Last season with Stockton, he averaged 19.9 points and 3.7 assists per game.

Thomas, a 6’7″ wing, was in training camp last season with Philadelphia and averaged 12.5 points and five rebounds a game for the Blue Coats when he played with them.

Unlike the NFL or other sports, there are very rarely training camp battles for a roster spot in the NBA, and in this case, Philadelphia’s roster is set. It has 14 players under contract for next season and plans to enter the season at that number, deciding whether to add a 15th player down the line.

by Editor

Best NBA free agents still available before start of 2026-27 season

Best NBA free agents still available before start of 2026-27 season

Victor Oladipo wants an NBA general manager to give him another chance, and he’s not the only former NBA All-Star still looking for work as the start of training camp approaches.

Unlike the other veterans that are still free agents trying to latch on with a team, Oladipo is now making his pitch in the public domain. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft recently published an open letter through The Players Tribune and insisted he’s ready to return to the league after several major injuries derailed his professional career.

“I believe my body is finally right,” Oladipo wrote. “I believe I still have GREAT (and more importantly WINNING) basketball in front of me. I believe I can be a valuable contributor to an NBA locker room. And what I’m asking for right now is an opportunity to prove it.”

Oladipo’s path back to the NBA remains difficult. He hasn’t played in the NBA since tearing the patellar tendon in his left knee in April 2023 during a playoff game with the Miami Heat. He hasn’t played more than 42 games in a season after suffering a ruptured quadriceps above his right knee in 2019.

But roster spots remain available, and several notable players are unsigned heading into the 2026-27 NBA season. Here’s a breakdown of the best NBA free agents still available:

NBA SEASON PREVIEW: Record projections for every team

F Jalen Duren

The Pistons’ 22-year-old restricted free agent has until Oct. 1 to accept a one-year qualifying offer from Detroit or agree to a multi-year extension if he wants to play in the NBA this season.

F Ben Simmons

The former No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft announced earlier this offseason that he’s attempting to make a comeback after spending last season out of the league. He last played for the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2024-25 campaign.

F Kevin Love

The 37-year-old spent last season mostly as a mentor on the bench after being traded to the rebuilding Utah Jazz in July 2025. Love could still potentially help a contender in a part-time role as a floor-spacing big man and there should be suitors if/when he decides to play this season.

G Bruce Brown

Brown’s return to Denver didn’t go as well as when he played for the franchise during its 2023 NBA championship run, and the do-everything, undersized role player has yet to find a new home this offseason. He shot a career-best 38.5% from 3-point range last season.

F Nicolas Batum

Though there has been offseason speculation Batum could go overseas to finish his professional career, the 37-year-old forward indicated in a recent overseas interview he’d like to remain in the NBA if possible.

G Seth Curry

The 36-year-old veteran got to play alongside his older brother, Stephen Curry, last season after the Golden State Warriors released him before the campaign began then re-signed him on Dec. 1, 2025.

F Ochai Agbaji

The former Kansas star is only one season removed from averaging more than 10 points and shooting nearly 40% from 3-point range as a two-way wing who started a majority of Toronto’s games. He didn’t catch on in Brooklyn after a mid-season trade last year.

G Gabe Vincent

The 30-year-old point guard has struggled to stay healthy since a breakthrough NBA Finals run with the Heat in 2023, and he’s coming off his least productive season since his rookie year.

F/C Dwight Powell

The 35-year-old Canadian could be an attractive option for teams still looking to add depth inside late. The Los Angeles Lakers (and a reunion with former Dallas Mavericks teammate Luka Dončić) have been mentioned as a potential landing spot.

F/C Kelly Olynyk

The 35-year-old was a member of the San Antonio Spurs during their run to the NBA Finals last year, though he averaged a career-low 8.6 minutes per game playing behind Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Best NBA free agents still available before start of 2026-27 season

by Editor

What awaits USWNT during 2027 Women’s World Cup qualification

What awaits USWNT during 2027 Women’s World Cup qualification

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JUNE 24: A general view as the screen displays messaging counting down to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Scotland and Brazil at Miami Stadium on June 24, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The 2027 Women’s World Cup is less than 11 months away as 32 teams will gather in Brazil for the tournament. For the United States women’s national team, it’s a chance to try and get back to being world champions after their title was snatched in 2023 after holding it for eight years. 

Now that the Women’s World Cup match schedule has been released, all attention is starting to shift towards qualification. But, what does the USWNT need to do to qualify for the Women’s World Cup?

We take a look at the road to the 2027 Women’s World Cup and what awaits the USWNT this fall.

The October international window is the final round of friendlies before the qualification tournament. The USWNT, ranked second in the FIFA world rankings, plays a pair of friendlies against Spain, the top ranked team and defending Women’s World Cup champions. It’s not only a huge pair of matches between the top two ranked teams in the world, but also a barometer test.

Then, the November-December international window is when the 2026 Concacaf W Championship will take place in Texas. The tournament serves as both Women’s World Cup qualifying and qualification for the 2028 Olympics. Eight teams (USA, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Haiti, and Panama) will compete in a single elimination tournament over the course of nine days in Mansfield, TX and Houston.

The quarterfinal round is the most important for the USWNT in terms of World Cup qualifying. Should they win their quarterfinal match against El Salvador on Nov. 27, the opening match of the tournament, they will qualify directly for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The four quarterfinal winners earn Concacaf’s direct bids to the tournament in Brazil.

Should the unexpected happen and the USWNT loses to El Salvador, they would still have a chance to qualify via a series of playoffs. The four quarterfinal losers will move to the play-in round, as Concacaf has two slots in the FIFA Women’s World Cup playoffs in February. To fill those slots, the four quarterfinal losers will play, with the winners moving onto the FIFA playoff. For the USWNT, should they be in the play-in round, they would face the loser of the Jamaica-Costa Rica quarterfinal.

The rest of the 2026 Concacaf W Championship, in addition to crowning the region’s champion, will be used for Olympic qualifying. Since the 2028 Olympics will be hosted in Los Angeles, the USWNT has an automatic spot as hosts. The top three teams not named the United States at the Concacaf W Championship will also book their place in the 2028 Olympics.

For the USWNT, winning one match to directly qualify for the Women’s World Cup may seem like an easy thing, but the players cannot take it for granted. The team doesn’t have to look back that far to see what happens when there’s a slip-up in the qualification. In 2010, after losing to Mexico in the semifinals of the Concacaf W Championship, the USWNT needed a FIFA playoff win over Italy to qualify for the 2011 Women’s World Cup. 

Head coach Emma Hayes wants to leave no doubt and qualify directly this time around so attention can turn towards World Cup preparation. After the October friendlies against Spain are complete, the USWNT will focus on winning the Concacaf W Championship and booking tickets to Brazil in the process.

by Editor

Printable drafting cheat sheet for 2026 PPR fantasy football leagues

Printable drafting cheat sheet for 2026 PPR fantasy football leagues

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 11: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball during an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Hello all! Fantasy football is back for yet another year! Can you believe it? The NFL has been given the go-ahead for another season! This plucky upstart of a league may just make it after all. And as long as the NFL is still churning out football games, I’ll have my drafting tiers for all of you fake footballers. There is plenty of drafting software out there now that can help when you sit down to pick your team, but will they be FREE like my tiers? Will they! No. They probably won’t.

My tiers are like other tiers you’ll find out there in the wild, but these are in PDF form and are printable! This new fangled technology has disrupted the whole fantasy football market! I always draft from printed tiers because it’s easier to see the whole picture of the draft with all the positions and players on one page grouped into tiers of similar value. Give it a go!

September 1st update:

Josh Jacobs has been put on the exempt list by the league. How long he stays on it or how long a suspension might be is still unknown. We haven’t heard any reports that can lead us at this point. That means we need to be careful and only draft Jacobs if he falls far enough that our team won’t be hurt much if we have to drop him.

Marshawn Lloyd gets a big boost if Jacobs misses time. It is still tough to trust his health and the aforementioned unknown timeline for Jacobs. I have a feeling that someone will make the plunge for both backs earlier than I would.

Jordyn Tyson landed on the PUP list to start the season, making hi miss at least four games. This helps boost Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson, while Alvin Kamara didn’t land on the PUP list, but should miss some time to start the season. That should give Travis Etienne a head start in fantasy.

2026 Fantasy Draft Strategy

First off, I really want to grab two running backs from Tier 2. If I get the first or second pick, I’ll grab Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robinson. That gives me tremendous fantasy floor and upside and lets me go with the best pick between a wide receiver and running back.

Secondly, I love the first three tiers of wide receivers. After I get my two running backs, I want to go hard in grabbing wide receivers from Tier 3 or Tier 2 if any have fallen.

Thirdly, tight end is deep this year and I don’t feel the need to use a top pick on one of the true studs. I will most-likely grab someone from Tier 3. If I happen to miss all the TEs through Tier 3, I’ll probably grab two tight ends to stream, unless I have really short benches and then I’ll stream from the waiver wire.

Fourthly, I see quarterback as deep as well. Sure, I’d love Josh Allen, but I think the strategic move is to wait, especially in home leagues that often grab QBs early. Which QB I get will probably depend a lot on how the draft goes. If we get into the 6th or 7th round, and someone from Tier 2 has fallen, I’ll grab him. If not, I’ll feel pretty good about getting someone from Tier 4. Jaxson Dart, who is in Tier 4, has a caveat in that I want to make sure I have a usable backup for him, as he spends way too much time in the medical tent.

Fifthly, I almost always wait until the final two rounds for kicker and defense. This is tried and true and I stick by it, but, if somehow Brandon Aubrey falls far enough, and I’m in a league that only starts QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, FLEX, K, D/ST, then kicker takes up a decent portion of your total score each week. Aubrey is going to have some 20 point weeks and average in the double-digits. That can be an edge. Also, be sure to check kicker scoring. If they give you a big boost for 50 and 60 yard field goals, try to get Aubrey.

Lastly, have fun!

Google Doc: PPR Tiers

PDF: PPR Tiers

by Editor