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Deadspin | Timberwolves G Ayo Dosunmu questionable vs. Nuggets Apr 23, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) talks with a reporter after the game with the Denver Nuggets at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu is listed as questionable with a sore right calf for Thursday’s Game 6 of the Western Conference first-round series versus the Denver Nuggets in Minneapolis. Dosunmu is a late addition to the injury report for the Timberwolves, who hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 7, if necessary, is Saturday in Denver. A late-season acquisition via trade from Chicago, Dosunmu emerged as the hero in Game 4 after star Anthony Edwards (knee) and backcourt mate Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) exited due to injury. Dosunmu scored 43 points, bookended by performances of 25 and 18 points, respectively, in Games 3 and 5. Edwards and DiVincenzo are ruled out for Thursday’s game for Minnesota, however guard Bones Hyland was made available for the contest despite dealing with left knee soreness. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Timberwolves #Ayo #Dosunmu #questionable #Nuggets

Deadspin | Timberwolves G Ayo Dosunmu questionable vs. Nuggets
Deadspin | Timberwolves G Ayo Dosunmu questionable vs. Nuggets Apr 23, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) talks with a reporter after the game with the Denver Nuggets at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu is listed as questionable with a sore right calf for Thursday’s Game 6 of the Western Conference first-round series versus the Denver Nuggets in Minneapolis. Dosunmu is a late addition to the injury report for the Timberwolves, who hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 7, if necessary, is Saturday in Denver. A late-season acquisition via trade from Chicago, Dosunmu emerged as the hero in Game 4 after star Anthony Edwards (knee) and backcourt mate Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) exited due to injury. Dosunmu scored 43 points, bookended by performances of 25 and 18 points, respectively, in Games 3 and 5. Edwards and DiVincenzo are ruled out for Thursday’s game for Minnesota, however guard Bones Hyland was made available for the contest despite dealing with left knee soreness. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Timberwolves #Ayo #Dosunmu #questionable #NuggetsApr 23, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) talks with a reporter after the game with the Denver Nuggets at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu is listed as questionable with a sore right calf for Thursday’s Game 6 of the Western Conference first-round series versus the Denver Nuggets in Minneapolis.

Dosunmu is a late addition to the injury report for the Timberwolves, who hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 7, if necessary, is Saturday in Denver.


A late-season acquisition via trade from Chicago, Dosunmu emerged as the hero in Game 4 after star Anthony Edwards (knee) and backcourt mate Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) exited due to injury. Dosunmu scored 43 points, bookended by performances of 25 and 18 points, respectively, in Games 3 and 5.

Edwards and DiVincenzo are ruled out for Thursday’s game for Minnesota, however guard Bones Hyland was made available for the contest despite dealing with left knee soreness.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Timberwolves #Ayo #Dosunmu #questionable #Nuggets

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Apr 23, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) talks with a reporter after the game with the Denver Nuggets at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu is listed as questionable with a sore right calf for Thursday’s Game 6 of the Western Conference first-round series versus the Denver Nuggets in Minneapolis.

Dosunmu is a late addition to the injury report for the Timberwolves, who hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 7, if necessary, is Saturday in Denver.

A late-season acquisition via trade from Chicago, Dosunmu emerged as the hero in Game 4 after star Anthony Edwards (knee) and backcourt mate Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) exited due to injury. Dosunmu scored 43 points, bookended by performances of 25 and 18 points, respectively, in Games 3 and 5.

Edwards and DiVincenzo are ruled out for Thursday’s game for Minnesota, however guard Bones Hyland was made available for the contest despite dealing with left knee soreness.

–Field Level Media

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New Hulk Hogan documentary works hard to defend a racist <div id="zephr-anchor"><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">One of the most-watched shows on Netflix currently is <em>Hulk Hogan: Real American</em>, a four-part documentary series that sets out with the premise it’s going to unpack the complicated, messy nature of Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan), using it as a lens by which we can see all heroes as the flawed individuals they really are. Sadly, it once again fails in its primary task, following in the footsteps of 2024’s <em>Mr. McMahon</em> to turn out another WWE-sanctioned, selective version of history, which gently dips its toe into the promise of being genuine, before recoiling once more to present a sanitized version of history.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Across its nearly five hours of run time we’re presented with a version of Hogan which routinely positions the man as a victim. Whether it’s the era he grew up in, his upbringing, the pressures of being a star, or coping with time passing him by — it always stops just short of Hogan ever accepting that he was a trash human being for almost the entirety of his life, who caused damage both personally and professionally that can’t be erased simply because he says he was “saved” in 2023.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Hogan did steroids because <em>everyone</em> was doing them.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Hogan was a racist because that’s just the time he grew up in.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Hogan destroyed the careers of other wrestlers because he knew what was best for business.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Hogan lied in court, but it was only to protect a friend.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Hogan suggested to a Rolling Stone writer that he might murder his ex-wife Linda, and her new boyfriend like O.J. Simpson — but it was only because he was drinking a beer and thought the reporter was his friend.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Time, and time, and time again Hogan is let off the hook by the documentary. It sets up reprehensible story after reprehensible story, tantalizingly getting close to the truth — only to have Hogan hand-wave away with a fleeting excuse, never to be expounded again. It continually gives its subject the last word, rarely bringing in anyone else to counter his points or debate them. There’s also the incredible sins of omission, parts of Hogan’s entire life or career that aren’t even mentioned to ensure the best possible version of the wrestler remains.</p></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd51 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><ul class="duet--article--unordered-list _1nfb3k4i feuejx0 ls9zuh1"><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">It’s never mentioned that a huge part of Hulk Hogan’s continued stardom in the 1980s was due to ratting out Jessie Ventura’s attempt to unionize the WWE locker room, earning him tremendous brownie points with Vince McMahon for helping him suppress worker rights.</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Hogan’s professional jealousy and creative control in WCW are barely touched on, which helped collapse the company.</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Hogan’s time in TNA in barely mentioned.</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Hogan’s entire second marriage, which lasted 11 years was glossed over — instead presented as him being single from when he divorces his first wife Linda in 2007, until he remarried in 2023.</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Brook Hogan, his eldest daughter, is not featured in the documentary at all — which is notable, because she publicly distanced herself from her father over concerns with his third wife.</span></li><li class="feuejx1"><span class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">There’s no mention that Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker was funded by Peter Thiel, who specifically used is as a tool to bankrupt the company.</span></li></ul></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">In addition, the documentary is quick to shame Linda Hogan for dating a man 30 years her junior immediately following the couple’s divorce, spending almost 10 minutes mocking her decision — but later presents Hogan’s third wife as a savior character, despite being 25 years Hogan’s junior when they were married. This is par for the course when Hogan is allowed to outwardly lie without being fact-checked, like his assertion that Arsenio Hall’s career was thanks to him calling in favors — clearly used as a rhetorical technique to present Hogan as not being racist.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It’s only fair to question the continued motivations of these made-for-Netflix “documentaries” by WWE, and the standards they’re being held to. <em>Hulk Hogan: Real American</em> follows in the spiritual footsteps of both <em>Mr. McMahon</em>, and <em>WWE: Unreal</em> for being narrow, barely-sourced or fact-checked examinations of professional wrestling, written, executed, and organized through WWE production. Each instance is less an attempt to document a story or time, instead trying to reshape history through WWE’s lens and leave it as a living record — which is extremely suspect in light of the $500M a year deal between WWE and Netflix to air <em>Monday Night Raw</em>.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">In the end you need to accept these for what they are: Somewhat interesting, but tightly curated. They exist to ensure WWE never looks bad, the only stories mentioned are those which have been approved for airing, and they all result in being glorified puff pieces with <em>just</em> enough critique to have a veneer of impartiality that doesn’t really exist.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">As long as Netflix keeps accepting this schlock to broadcast, we’re never going to get real stories of professional wrestling.</p></div></div> #Hulk #Hogan #documentary #works #hard #defend #racist

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Two held for IPL betting in UP’s Jhansi; Rs 8 crore digital transactions detected <div id="content-body-70926171" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Two people were arrested for allegedly running an online betting racket during Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, with digital transactions worth over Rs 8 crore detected on their mobile phones, police said on Thursday.</p><p>Acting on a tip-off, a team from Sipri Bazar police station raided a house in Mahendrapuri Colony and arrested Anshuman (40) and Abhishek Pathak (31), SP City Preeti Singh said.</p><p>The accused were operating the betting racket from the premises, taking bets on various aspects of IPL matches such as wickets, runs and overs, she said.</p><p>Four mobile phones recovered from them showed online transactions involving digital coins exceeding Rs 8.05 crore, police said, adding that cash of over Rs 5,000 was also seized.</p><p>Police have also frozen around Rs 1.80 lakh lying in nine bank accounts linked to the accused, Singh said.</p><p>During questioning, the duo revealed that they were working in association with a man identified as Ravi Kushwaha, a resident of Pathoriya, who is believed to be the main accused and is currently absconding, police added.</p><p>A case has been registered under relevant sections of law, and efforts are underway to trace the main accused, they said.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 30, 2026</p></div> #held #IPL #betting #UPs #Jhansi #crore #digital #transactions #detected

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Deadspin | Calais Campbell’s brother charged in mother’s murder Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) stands on the field prior to a game against the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images Ciarre Campbell faces murder and aggravated assault charges in the death of his mother, Nateal Campbell, according to Fulton County (Ga.) police records. Ciarre Campbell, 41, is the older brother of NFL defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who has played 18 seasons with multiple teams. The family issued a statement on Tuesday confirming Nateal Campbell’s death. Police records said the 71-year-old woman’s body was discovered in her home in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood and that her throat was cut. Ciarre Campbell’s defense attorney, Jay Abt, issued a statement to WSBTV.com on Wednesday. “We vigorously protest his innocence. We look forward to his day in court. I’m honored to defend him and, most importantly, the Campbell family, I’m asking on their behalf that the public respect their privacy at this time,” Abt said. Calais Campbell, 39, was a second-round pick out of Miami in 2008. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals and is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and the 2019 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year. In partnership with his mother, he launched the Charles Richard Campbell (CRC) Foundation focused on “inspiring youth to chase their dreams.” Campbell signed a one-year, .5 million contract in April to play his 19th NFL season in 2026 with the Baltimore Ravens. He has recorded 117 sacks and 960 tackles in 278 games (259 starts). –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Calais #Campbells #brother #charged #mothers #murderDec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) stands on the field prior to a game against the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Ciarre Campbell faces murder and aggravated assault charges in the death of his mother, Nateal Campbell, according to Fulton County (Ga.) police records.

Ciarre Campbell, 41, is the older brother of NFL defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who has played 18 seasons with multiple teams.

The family issued a statement on Tuesday confirming Nateal Campbell’s death. Police records said the 71-year-old woman’s body was discovered in her home in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood and that her throat was cut.


Ciarre Campbell’s defense attorney, Jay Abt, issued a statement to WSBTV.com on Wednesday.

“We vigorously protest his innocence. We look forward to his day in court. I’m honored to defend him and, most importantly, the Campbell family, I’m asking on their behalf that the public respect their privacy at this time,” Abt said.

Calais Campbell, 39, was a second-round pick out of Miami in 2008. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals and is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and the 2019 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year. In partnership with his mother, he launched the Charles Richard Campbell (CRC) Foundation focused on “inspiring youth to chase their dreams.”

Campbell signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract in April to play his 19th NFL season in 2026 with the Baltimore Ravens. He has recorded 117 sacks and 960 tackles in 278 games (259 starts).


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Calais #Campbells #brother #charged #mothers #murder">Deadspin | Calais Campbell’s brother charged in mother’s murder Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) stands on the field prior to a game against the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images Ciarre Campbell faces murder and aggravated assault charges in the death of his mother, Nateal Campbell, according to Fulton County (Ga.) police records. Ciarre Campbell, 41, is the older brother of NFL defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who has played 18 seasons with multiple teams. The family issued a statement on Tuesday confirming Nateal Campbell’s death. Police records said the 71-year-old woman’s body was discovered in her home in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood and that her throat was cut. Ciarre Campbell’s defense attorney, Jay Abt, issued a statement to WSBTV.com on Wednesday. “We vigorously protest his innocence. We look forward to his day in court. I’m honored to defend him and, most importantly, the Campbell family, I’m asking on their behalf that the public respect their privacy at this time,” Abt said. Calais Campbell, 39, was a second-round pick out of Miami in 2008. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals and is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and the 2019 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year. In partnership with his mother, he launched the Charles Richard Campbell (CRC) Foundation focused on “inspiring youth to chase their dreams.” Campbell signed a one-year, .5 million contract in April to play his 19th NFL season in 2026 with the Baltimore Ravens. He has recorded 117 sacks and 960 tackles in 278 games (259 starts). –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Calais #Campbells #brother #charged #mothers #murder

The Los Angeles Lakers are fully committed to building around Luka Doncic with LeBron James departing in free agency. Doncic has been clamoring for the team to add a talented young center, and the Lakers delivered on Wednesday afternoon with an incredibly bold deal that mortgages four years of draft control for an effective if often injured big man.

The Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Kessler, who was a restricted free agent, has agreed to a four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers that includes a player option in the final season.

This is a stunning price to pay for a big man at first blush. The Lakers now have a defensive anchor to play alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, while the Jazz recouped a tremendous amount of future draft capital to continue their rebuild. Let’s grade this deal for both sides.

Lakers grade for Walker Kessler trade

Kessler is one of the better rim protectors in the NBA when he’s healthy. He just hasn’t been healthy very often. Kessler only played five games last season as he recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He’s only met the NBA’s 65-game threshold for award eligibility one time in his four-year career, and that came as a rookie. Utah’s tanking shenanigans contributed to Kessler missing games, but he’ll need to stay on the court and play at an elite level for this deal to work out for the Lakers.

Kessler has two main strengths as a player: rebounding and blocking shots. He averages 4.5 blocks per 100 possessions for his career, an elite number. He also led the NBA in offensive rebound rate back in the 2024-25 season, when he posted a wild 16.6 percent o-board rate in 58 games. He’s a fantastic defensive rebounder as well, which plays into his reputation as one of the game’s top defensive bigs.

Kessler’s offense is a much bigger question outside of generating extra possessions on the glass. He’s a total non-shooter from three-point range with 17 made threes in 201 career games, however he did make six threes in five games last season before the injury. He’s a career 54 percent free throw shooter, making him one of the NBA’s worst from the foul line. He can finish dunks and putbacks inside, and that’s about it. He hasn’t added much value as a passer throughout his career, either.

This is the Lakers’ big swing to build a championship team around Luka. Los Angeles obviously needed a strong defensive center to pair with two weak defenders in Doncic and Reaves, and they paid a massive price to get one. Usually a trade like this returns a superstar. Instead, the Lakers acquired someone who fits the team well but doesn’t have the production you typically associate with this type of trade.

Big men are getting huge deals all around the NBA this summer, and Kessler’s is the most jarring yet. The four-year, $130 million contract feels fair for both sides. The amount of draft capital given up to get him is what’s so surprising.

The Lakers way overpaid in my view. It could work out for them because Kessler is really good at protecting the rim and cleaning the glass if he stays healthy, but it’s hard to see how this elevates LA into championship contention, and they don’t have many assets left to keep building the team.

Jazz grade for Walker Kessler trade

Talk about a sell-high trade. It’s amazing the Jazz were able to get this type of return for Kessler after he only played five games last season. He’s not an elite center in my view, but the Jazz certainly got elite value back for him.

Utah is set up so well for the future now. They have No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson as their new franchise star alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey. I honestly don’t think losing Kessler makes Utah that much worse for next season given all their front court depth. They are now stocked with assets to continue to build out the team as Peterson reaches his prime.

This is an amazing move for the Jazz. They robbed the Lakers blind. If Peterson reaches his ceiling, Utah will be set up to be a Western Conference contender for years to come. Their ascent should start this season with what looks like a play-in team at least.

#Walker #Kessler #trade #grades #Lakers #Jazz #sends #massive #picks #haul #Utah">Walker Kessler trade grades for Lakers, Jazz after LA sends massive picks haul to Utah The Los Angeles Lakers are fully committed to building around Luka Doncic with LeBron James departing in free agency. Doncic has been clamoring for the team to add a talented young center, and the Lakers delivered on Wednesday afternoon with an incredibly bold deal that mortgages four years of draft control for an effective if often injured big man.The Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Kessler, who was a restricted free agent, has agreed to a four-year, 0 million deal with the Lakers that includes a player option in the final season.This is a stunning price to pay for a big man at first blush. The Lakers now have a defensive anchor to play alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, while the Jazz recouped a tremendous amount of future draft capital to continue their rebuild. Let’s grade this deal for both sides.Lakers grade for Walker Kessler tradeKessler is one of the better rim protectors in the NBA when he’s healthy. He just hasn’t been healthy very often. Kessler only played five games last season as he recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He’s only met the NBA’s 65-game threshold for award eligibility one time in his four-year career, and that came as a rookie. Utah’s tanking shenanigans contributed to Kessler missing games, but he’ll need to stay on the court and play at an elite level for this deal to work out for the Lakers.Kessler has two main strengths as a player: rebounding and blocking shots. He averages 4.5 blocks per 100 possessions for his career, an elite number. He also led the NBA in offensive rebound rate back in the 2024-25 season, when he posted a wild 16.6 percent o-board rate in 58 games. He’s a fantastic defensive rebounder as well, which plays into his reputation as one of the game’s top defensive bigs.Kessler’s offense is a much bigger question outside of generating extra possessions on the glass. He’s a total non-shooter from three-point range with 17 made threes in 201 career games, however he did make six threes in five games last season before the injury. He’s a career 54 percent free throw shooter, making him one of the NBA’s worst from the foul line. He can finish dunks and putbacks inside, and that’s about it. He hasn’t added much value as a passer throughout his career, either.This is the Lakers’ big swing to build a championship team around Luka. Los Angeles obviously needed a strong defensive center to pair with two weak defenders in Doncic and Reaves, and they paid a massive price to get one. Usually a trade like this returns a superstar. Instead, the Lakers acquired someone who fits the team well but doesn’t have the production you typically associate with this type of trade.Big men are getting huge deals all around the NBA this summer, and Kessler’s is the most jarring yet. The four-year, 0 million contract feels fair for both sides. The amount of draft capital given up to get him is what’s so surprising.The Lakers way overpaid in my view. It could work out for them because Kessler is really good at protecting the rim and cleaning the glass if he stays healthy, but it’s hard to see how this elevates LA into championship contention, and they don’t have many assets left to keep building the team.Jazz grade for Walker Kessler tradeTalk about a sell-high trade. It’s amazing the Jazz were able to get this type of return for Kessler after he only played five games last season. He’s not an elite center in my view, but the Jazz certainly got elite value back for him.Utah is set up so well for the future now. They have No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson as their new franchise star alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey. I honestly don’t think losing Kessler makes Utah that much worse for next season given all their front court depth. They are now stocked with assets to continue to build out the team as Peterson reaches his prime.This is an amazing move for the Jazz. They robbed the Lakers blind. If Peterson reaches his ceiling, Utah will be set up to be a Western Conference contender for years to come. Their ascent should start this season with what looks like a play-in team at least. #Walker #Kessler #trade #grades #Lakers #Jazz #sends #massive #picks #haul #Utah

according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Kessler, who was a restricted free agent, has agreed to a four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers that includes a player option in the final season.

This is a stunning price to pay for a big man at first blush. The Lakers now have a defensive anchor to play alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, while the Jazz recouped a tremendous amount of future draft capital to continue their rebuild. Let’s grade this deal for both sides.

Lakers grade for Walker Kessler trade

Kessler is one of the better rim protectors in the NBA when he’s healthy. He just hasn’t been healthy very often. Kessler only played five games last season as he recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He’s only met the NBA’s 65-game threshold for award eligibility one time in his four-year career, and that came as a rookie. Utah’s tanking shenanigans contributed to Kessler missing games, but he’ll need to stay on the court and play at an elite level for this deal to work out for the Lakers.

Kessler has two main strengths as a player: rebounding and blocking shots. He averages 4.5 blocks per 100 possessions for his career, an elite number. He also led the NBA in offensive rebound rate back in the 2024-25 season, when he posted a wild 16.6 percent o-board rate in 58 games. He’s a fantastic defensive rebounder as well, which plays into his reputation as one of the game’s top defensive bigs.

Kessler’s offense is a much bigger question outside of generating extra possessions on the glass. He’s a total non-shooter from three-point range with 17 made threes in 201 career games, however he did make six threes in five games last season before the injury. He’s a career 54 percent free throw shooter, making him one of the NBA’s worst from the foul line. He can finish dunks and putbacks inside, and that’s about it. He hasn’t added much value as a passer throughout his career, either.

This is the Lakers’ big swing to build a championship team around Luka. Los Angeles obviously needed a strong defensive center to pair with two weak defenders in Doncic and Reaves, and they paid a massive price to get one. Usually a trade like this returns a superstar. Instead, the Lakers acquired someone who fits the team well but doesn’t have the production you typically associate with this type of trade.

Big men are getting huge deals all around the NBA this summer, and Kessler’s is the most jarring yet. The four-year, $130 million contract feels fair for both sides. The amount of draft capital given up to get him is what’s so surprising.

The Lakers way overpaid in my view. It could work out for them because Kessler is really good at protecting the rim and cleaning the glass if he stays healthy, but it’s hard to see how this elevates LA into championship contention, and they don’t have many assets left to keep building the team.

Jazz grade for Walker Kessler trade

Talk about a sell-high trade. It’s amazing the Jazz were able to get this type of return for Kessler after he only played five games last season. He’s not an elite center in my view, but the Jazz certainly got elite value back for him.

Utah is set up so well for the future now. They have No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson as their new franchise star alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey. I honestly don’t think losing Kessler makes Utah that much worse for next season given all their front court depth. They are now stocked with assets to continue to build out the team as Peterson reaches his prime.

This is an amazing move for the Jazz. They robbed the Lakers blind. If Peterson reaches his ceiling, Utah will be set up to be a Western Conference contender for years to come. Their ascent should start this season with what looks like a play-in team at least.

#Walker #Kessler #trade #grades #Lakers #Jazz #sends #massive #picks #haul #Utah">Walker Kessler trade grades for Lakers, Jazz after LA sends massive picks haul to Utah

The Los Angeles Lakers are fully committed to building around Luka Doncic with LeBron James departing in free agency. Doncic has been clamoring for the team to add a talented young center, and the Lakers delivered on Wednesday afternoon with an incredibly bold deal that mortgages four years of draft control for an effective if often injured big man.

The Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Kessler, who was a restricted free agent, has agreed to a four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers that includes a player option in the final season.

This is a stunning price to pay for a big man at first blush. The Lakers now have a defensive anchor to play alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, while the Jazz recouped a tremendous amount of future draft capital to continue their rebuild. Let’s grade this deal for both sides.

Lakers grade for Walker Kessler trade

Kessler is one of the better rim protectors in the NBA when he’s healthy. He just hasn’t been healthy very often. Kessler only played five games last season as he recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He’s only met the NBA’s 65-game threshold for award eligibility one time in his four-year career, and that came as a rookie. Utah’s tanking shenanigans contributed to Kessler missing games, but he’ll need to stay on the court and play at an elite level for this deal to work out for the Lakers.

Kessler has two main strengths as a player: rebounding and blocking shots. He averages 4.5 blocks per 100 possessions for his career, an elite number. He also led the NBA in offensive rebound rate back in the 2024-25 season, when he posted a wild 16.6 percent o-board rate in 58 games. He’s a fantastic defensive rebounder as well, which plays into his reputation as one of the game’s top defensive bigs.

Kessler’s offense is a much bigger question outside of generating extra possessions on the glass. He’s a total non-shooter from three-point range with 17 made threes in 201 career games, however he did make six threes in five games last season before the injury. He’s a career 54 percent free throw shooter, making him one of the NBA’s worst from the foul line. He can finish dunks and putbacks inside, and that’s about it. He hasn’t added much value as a passer throughout his career, either.

This is the Lakers’ big swing to build a championship team around Luka. Los Angeles obviously needed a strong defensive center to pair with two weak defenders in Doncic and Reaves, and they paid a massive price to get one. Usually a trade like this returns a superstar. Instead, the Lakers acquired someone who fits the team well but doesn’t have the production you typically associate with this type of trade.

Big men are getting huge deals all around the NBA this summer, and Kessler’s is the most jarring yet. The four-year, $130 million contract feels fair for both sides. The amount of draft capital given up to get him is what’s so surprising.

The Lakers way overpaid in my view. It could work out for them because Kessler is really good at protecting the rim and cleaning the glass if he stays healthy, but it’s hard to see how this elevates LA into championship contention, and they don’t have many assets left to keep building the team.

Jazz grade for Walker Kessler trade

Talk about a sell-high trade. It’s amazing the Jazz were able to get this type of return for Kessler after he only played five games last season. He’s not an elite center in my view, but the Jazz certainly got elite value back for him.

Utah is set up so well for the future now. They have No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson as their new franchise star alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey. I honestly don’t think losing Kessler makes Utah that much worse for next season given all their front court depth. They are now stocked with assets to continue to build out the team as Peterson reaches his prime.

This is an amazing move for the Jazz. They robbed the Lakers blind. If Peterson reaches his ceiling, Utah will be set up to be a Western Conference contender for years to come. Their ascent should start this season with what looks like a play-in team at least.

#Walker #Kessler #trade #grades #Lakers #Jazz #sends #massive #picks #haul #Utah
#Wimbledon #Sinner #cruises #straight #sets #victory #Borges">Wimbledon 2026: Sinner cruises to second round with straight sets victory over Borges iDefending champion Jannik Sinner progressed to the third round of Wimbledon with a straight sets victory over Portugal’s Nuno Borges on Centre Court on Wednesday.The World No.1 had to dig deep in the first round to overcome Miomir Kecmanovic in a five-set thriller but got past his opponent in the second round without much trouble to defeat Borges 7-6, 7-6, 6-4.Sinner will face fellow Italina Matteo Berretini in the third round.Published on Jul 01, 2026 #Wimbledon #Sinner #cruises #straight #sets #victory #Borges

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