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Team USA will use a 12-man, window-specific roster against Chile and Colombia on August 27 and 31. This is not the roster for the 2027 World Cup: the immediate job is to navigate the second round of Americas qualifying and move closer to one of the region’s seven berths.
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Marc Stad has agreed to become the Timberwolves’ controlling owner by purchasing most of Marc Lore’s stake at a reported $4.5 billion valuation. The deal still needs NBA approval, Alex Rodriguez is staying, and the figure does not mean Stad paid $4.5 billion in cash.
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The Celtics have not announced plans to leave TD Garden or build an arena. Owner Bill Chisholm wants greater influence over the fan and player experience, but staying at the Garden remains his preferred outcome—and Boston’s lease runs through the 2035-36 season.
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James Harden gave up a $42.3 million option for one season to secure a reported three-year, $97 million agreement with Cleveland. The lower annual average helped the Cavaliers add Peyton Watson first, while a third-year player option and trade kicker give Harden valuable control and protection.
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Denver is adding DeMar DeRozan on a reported one-year, $3.9 million contract to create shots when Nikola Jokić or Jamal Murray cannot organize every possession. The low-cost gamble strengthens the Nuggets’ offense, but DeRozan is not a direct replacement for Peyton Watson’s defense and should not automatically displace Christian Braun from the starting lineup.
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Klay Thompson is expected to join Miami after clearing waivers because the Heat can give him a focused shooting role beside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. The fit is real, but it depends on treating the 36-year-old as a complementary floor-spacer rather than the two-way star he was in Golden State.
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Cleveland’s reported five-team trade turns Max Strus, Dennis Schröder, draft capital and cash into Peyton Watson and Cam Whitmore. Watson’s four-year, $88 million deal gives the Cavaliers the large two-way wing they wanted, but the unprotected 2031 first-round pick makes this a significant win-now bet. Whitmore’s smaller salary provides first-apron flexibility, though his health and roster status remain uncertain.
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