Daily Archives: August 20, 2026

Winners, losers from Peyton Watson trade to Cleveland Cavaliers

Trades in the second half of August are a rarity. Usually, at this point in the summer, teams wait until closer to training camp opens to make their moves. Not Denver and Cleveland, they agreed to a big trade on Wednesday. Peyton Watson had been looking for a sign-and-trade that got him paid and he found it with the Cavaliers. …

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Finalists named for MSU basketball transfer Jaxon Kohler, commitment expected soon

Michigan State basketball transfer Jaxon Kohler is reportedly down to two schools, with a decision expected as soon as Thursday afternoon. Jack Pilgrim of KSR reported on Thursday afternoon that the former Spartans star forward is now only considering BYU and Kentucky for his commitment. Kohler is seeking a fifth year of eligibility through a recently passed court injunction, meaning …

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Former Badgers star heading to 9th school in 9 years

One of the Wisconsin Badgers biggest transfer portal hits over the last few years was wing AJ Storr, who had significant interest in the portal after his freshman season at St. John’s. Wisconsin, believing he could break out after Storr averaged 8.8 points and shot over 40 percent from three, beat out several other teams and made him a focal …

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Arizona men’s basketball bounces back with dominant win over Ukraine national team

Anyone who panicked after Arizona men’s basketball dropped its opening game of the Lithuania tour in blowout fashion can take a deep breath. This team is going to be good. Arizona defeated the Ukrainian national team 107-85 on Thursday, a day after putting up an uncompetitive performance against the Lithuania ‘B’ team. Sophomore forward Ivan Kharchenkov scored 20 of his …

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James Harden returns to Cavaliers with new 3-year, $97 million deal

As expected, James Harden isn’t going anywhere. The 11-time All-Star agreed to a three-year, $97 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday, August 20, a person with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The deal includes a player option in the final season – 2028-29 – and a trade kicker. Advertisement The person spoke under the …

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Breaking down the Metro Conference men’s basketball schedule

The Metro Conference announced its 2026-27 men’s basketball conference schedule on Thursday in a press release. Each team will play 20 conference games and the top 10 teams will qualify for the Metro Conference Tournament in Atlantic City. As Mid-Major Madness reported earlier, the season’s opening game will be between Saint Peter’s and Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 2 in Riverdale. …

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Denver loses big in Watson trade, Cavs’ postseason potential + fantasy football draft tips with Justin Boone and Josh Norris

Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show Kevin O’Connor and Tom Haberstroh break down the trade sending Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The pair discusses the Nuggets’ lackluster offseason moves and their diminishing supporting cast around Nikola Jokic—is it finally time for him to ask for a trade? KOC & Tom also debate how this trade …

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Deon Thomas praises Brad Underwood and Illinois’ recent success

Illinois basketball’s all-time leading scorer, Deon Thomas, hopped on The Champaign Room podcast with Isaac Ambrose and Ethan Pavey to touch on head coach Brad Underwood’s recent success and highlight the bright future of Illinois athletics. Thomas emphasized the importance of last season’s Final Four run, noting that he himself had never been past the second round of the NCAA …

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James Harden finalizes new deal with the Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers have penned what should be there final “big move” of the offseason. After weeks of rumors around the framework of a James Harden deal, it was reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania that Harden and the Cavaliers have come to an agreement. The Cavaliers and Harden signed a three-year contract worth up to $97 million. The third year …

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UNC basketball announces loaded 2026-27 non-conference schedule

Longtime rivalries and high-profile neutral-site matchups highlight North Carolina’s 2026-27 men’s basketball non-conference schedule.  Key dates include a December 15 clash with NC State in Greensboro and a December 19 return to Madison Square Garden to face Kentucky, as part of a slate featuring five programs from last year’s NCAA Tournament. Advertisement The season marks the debut of Michael Malone …

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Where the Lakers’ minority shareholders stand on sale of the team

As the Buss siblings battle each other for the right to sell their minority stake in the Lakers, at least one of the other minority shareholder is sticking with the team. Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Los Angeles Times, is not selling his stake in the Lakers. Advertisement Soon-Shiong bought a 4% stake in the team from Magic Johnson …

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Illinois Basketball Offers Five-Star Big Man Bentley Lusakueno

The Illini coaching staff has been busy on the recruiting trail, setting up three visits for this fall. It’s no secret that Illinois will likely lose a lot of talent following this highly anticipated season, so the staff is leaning into the high school ranks and working hard to replace that production. The frontcourt is in desperate need of reinforcements …

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James Harden agrees to 3-year, $97M deal with Cavaliers

James Harden, the future Hall of Fame guard, has agreed to re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers for $97 million over the next three seasons, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The new contract also reportedly features a player option and a trade kicker. Advertisement Harden previously declined a $42.3 million option to return to the Cavs for the 2026-27 NBA season, …

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UNC Basketball to face NC State in December event in Greensboro

One of the byproducts of NC State and others voting to allow SMU, California, and Stanford into the ACC was the 18-team conference becoming pretty unwieldy. The conference tried a 20-game conference schedule in the beginning, but it ultimately became too much for schools and cost valuable out-of-conference matchups that would help both the bottom line and the NET rating …

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Cavaliers acquire Peyton Watson in multiteam deal, sign him to 4-year, $88 million contract

Peyton Watson, the No. 30 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, has agreed to a 4-year, $88 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers after a five-team trade, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Max Strus went from Cleveland to the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Denver Nuggets came away with Cleveland’s unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a 2023 Sacramento Kings …

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2026-27 Atlanta Hawks schedule deep dive

Last week, the NBA finally released its schedule for the 2026-27 NBA season. With its release, it allows everyone to map ahead what the 2026-27 season looks like for the Atlanta Hawks and identify where the good times or more challenging times lie across the 82 game-schedule. Immediately, there’s a key difference in this year’s edition of the schedule compared …

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One UCLA Transfer Could Have Much Bigger Role Than Expected

UCLA already has a very talented group of guards in the starting backcourt. Trent Perry and Jaylen Petty could be an incredibly electric duo, no doubt the main offensive threat. Azavier Robinson Brings Intensity to the Bruins However, Petty isn’t the only transfer guard who could make a difference for this team. Former Butler Bulldog Azavier Robinson has been impressive …

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Open Thread: The greatness of Tony Parker

I moved to San Antonio (technically back to San Antonio) from New York in the summer 2013. The Spurs had just been upset in the Finals. I immediately plunged into my fandom and embraced the team I grew up adoring. Somewhere over the next couple of years, the Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers. When they did, Bill Land and …

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