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Revisiting the 4 biggest recent WNBA midseason trades  The WNBA trade deadline is just around the corner — coming up on Sunday at 2 pm ET — and while activity has historically been pretty limited in the days leading up to the deadline, that’s begun to change as of late.But, over the past few years, midseason transactions have become more commonplace. As the deadline nears, let’s take a look at which transactions proved successful, and which ones didn’t.NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces (2025)The Aces traded for NaLyssa Smith last June, and she ended up being the missing piece in their title run. Smith, who had begun the year with the Dallas Wings, immediately became an impact player alongside A’ja Wilson in Las Vegas.In the first half of the year in Dallas, she had averaged 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while shooting just 42.1% from the field. But in the final 27 games of the season with Las Vegas, Smith bumped that average to 8.2 points on 55.6% shooting. This season, she is averaging 11.8 points on a scorching-hot 66.7% shooting.Smith was traded to the Wings in exchange for the Aces’ 2027 first-round draft pick; how impactful that player ends up being remains to be seen. Regardless, because the move resulted in a title, it’ll be hard to argue that it’s unsuccessful in any way.DiJonai Carrington to the Minnesota Lynx (2025) The Minnesota Lynx traded for DiJonai Carrington ahead of the trade deadline, in exchange for Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson and a 2027 second-round draft pick. Carrington fit seamlessly — she averaged 8.6 points off the bench, while shooting 45.5% from beyond the arc in 11 regular-season games. But in the second game of the playoffs, she suffered a left mid-foot sprain that ruled her out of the rest of the playoffs.Ultimately, the Lynx lost to the Mercury in the Semi-Finals. But it made sense for them to go out and pursue Carrington, since Miller wasn’t playing, Samuelson was out for the season, and a championship appeared within each.Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun (2024)The Sun went all-in ahead of the 2024 playoffs, and while it didn’t pan out, it made sense to go all-in at the time. Connecticut went on to lose in Game 5 of the Semi-Finals, but Mabrey gave them a boost through that playoffs and very well could have been the missing piece to a title.The Sun received Mabrey and a 2025 second-round draft pick in exchange for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, a 2025 first-round draft pick, and the right to swap 2026 first-round picks. Mabrey had a career year for Connecticut last season, but ultimately walked away in free agency to join the Toronto Tempo.In hindsight, the 2024 midseason trade didn’t pan out for the Sun and cost them crucial draft capital. But, considering that the Sun were one of the WNBA’s best teams, and DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, and Brionna Jones were all potentially going to depart in the offseason, it made sense for them to go all-in ahead of the 2024 playoffs and add a talented scorer to a veteran group eager to win a franchise-first title.Myisha Hines-Allen to the Minnesota Lynx (2024) The Lynx traded for then-Washington Mystics forward Myisha Hines-Allen ahead of the 2024 playoffs, in exchange for Olivia Epoupa, forward Sika Koné, and a second-round pick in the 2026 WNBA draft.Hines-Allen joined Minnesota to help bolster the frontcourt ahead of their Finals run. She averaged 4 points and 3.3 rebounds off the bench in 10 playoff games that season, but ultimately fell out of the rotation. The former Louisville star didn’t end up being the missing piece for the Lynx, who fell to the New York Liberty in the Finals.But, like the Marina Mabrey trade, it made sense for a championship contender to make a move in hopes of bolstering their roster in the short-term.Which championship contenders will look to add a final piece to their roster ahead of the trade deadline? It worked out for the Aces last year, and other teams may increasingly follow suit.  #Revisiting #biggest #WNBA #midseason #trades

Revisiting the 4 biggest recent WNBA midseason trades

The WNBA trade deadline is just around the corner — coming up on Sunday at 2 pm ET — and while activity has historically been pretty limited in the days leading up to the deadline, that’s begun to change as of late.

But, over the past few years, midseason transactions have become more commonplace. As the deadline nears, let’s take a look at which transactions proved successful, and which ones didn’t.

NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces (2025)

The Aces traded for NaLyssa Smith last June, and she ended up being the missing piece in their title run. Smith, who had begun the year with the Dallas Wings, immediately became an impact player alongside A’ja Wilson in Las Vegas.

In the first half of the year in Dallas, she had averaged 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while shooting just 42.1% from the field. But in the final 27 games of the season with Las Vegas, Smith bumped that average to 8.2 points on 55.6% shooting. This season, she is averaging 11.8 points on a scorching-hot 66.7% shooting.

Smith was traded to the Wings in exchange for the Aces’ 2027 first-round draft pick; how impactful that player ends up being remains to be seen. Regardless, because the move resulted in a title, it’ll be hard to argue that it’s unsuccessful in any way.

DiJonai Carrington to the Minnesota Lynx (2025)

The Minnesota Lynx traded for DiJonai Carrington ahead of the trade deadline, in exchange for Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson and a 2027 second-round draft pick. Carrington fit seamlessly — she averaged 8.6 points off the bench, while shooting 45.5% from beyond the arc in 11 regular-season games. But in the second game of the playoffs, she suffered a left mid-foot sprain that ruled her out of the rest of the playoffs.

Ultimately, the Lynx lost to the Mercury in the Semi-Finals. But it made sense for them to go out and pursue Carrington, since Miller wasn’t playing, Samuelson was out for the season, and a championship appeared within each.

Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun (2024)

The Sun went all-in ahead of the 2024 playoffs, and while it didn’t pan out, it made sense to go all-in at the time. Connecticut went on to lose in Game 5 of the Semi-Finals, but Mabrey gave them a boost through that playoffs and very well could have been the missing piece to a title.

The Sun received Mabrey and a 2025 second-round draft pick in exchange for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, a 2025 first-round draft pick, and the right to swap 2026 first-round picks. Mabrey had a career year for Connecticut last season, but ultimately walked away in free agency to join the Toronto Tempo.

In hindsight, the 2024 midseason trade didn’t pan out for the Sun and cost them crucial draft capital. But, considering that the Sun were one of the WNBA’s best teams, and DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, and Brionna Jones were all potentially going to depart in the offseason, it made sense for them to go all-in ahead of the 2024 playoffs and add a talented scorer to a veteran group eager to win a franchise-first title.

Myisha Hines-Allen to the Minnesota Lynx (2024)

The Lynx traded for then-Washington Mystics forward Myisha Hines-Allen ahead of the 2024 playoffs, in exchange for Olivia Epoupa, forward Sika Koné, and a second-round pick in the 2026 WNBA draft.

Hines-Allen joined Minnesota to help bolster the frontcourt ahead of their Finals run. She averaged 4 points and 3.3 rebounds off the bench in 10 playoff games that season, but ultimately fell out of the rotation. The former Louisville star didn’t end up being the missing piece for the Lynx, who fell to the New York Liberty in the Finals.

But, like the Marina Mabrey trade, it made sense for a championship contender to make a move in hopes of bolstering their roster in the short-term.

Which championship contenders will look to add a final piece to their roster ahead of the trade deadline? It worked out for the Aces last year, and other teams may increasingly follow suit.

#Revisiting #biggest #WNBA #midseason #trades

The WNBA trade deadline is just around the corner — coming up on Sunday at 2 pm ET — and while activity has historically been pretty limited in the days leading up to the deadline, that’s begun to change as of late.

But, over the past few years, midseason transactions have become more commonplace. As the deadline nears, let’s take a look at which transactions proved successful, and which ones didn’t.

NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces (2025)

The Aces traded for NaLyssa Smith last June, and she ended up being the missing piece in their title run. Smith, who had begun the year with the Dallas Wings, immediately became an impact player alongside A’ja Wilson in Las Vegas.

In the first half of the year in Dallas, she had averaged 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while shooting just 42.1% from the field. But in the final 27 games of the season with Las Vegas, Smith bumped that average to 8.2 points on 55.6% shooting. This season, she is averaging 11.8 points on a scorching-hot 66.7% shooting.

Smith was traded to the Wings in exchange for the Aces’ 2027 first-round draft pick; how impactful that player ends up being remains to be seen. Regardless, because the move resulted in a title, it’ll be hard to argue that it’s unsuccessful in any way.

DiJonai Carrington to the Minnesota Lynx (2025)

The Minnesota Lynx traded for DiJonai Carrington ahead of the trade deadline, in exchange for Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson and a 2027 second-round draft pick. Carrington fit seamlessly — she averaged 8.6 points off the bench, while shooting 45.5% from beyond the arc in 11 regular-season games. But in the second game of the playoffs, she suffered a left mid-foot sprain that ruled her out of the rest of the playoffs.

Ultimately, the Lynx lost to the Mercury in the Semi-Finals. But it made sense for them to go out and pursue Carrington, since Miller wasn’t playing, Samuelson was out for the season, and a championship appeared within each.

Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun (2024)

The Sun went all-in ahead of the 2024 playoffs, and while it didn’t pan out, it made sense to go all-in at the time. Connecticut went on to lose in Game 5 of the Semi-Finals, but Mabrey gave them a boost through that playoffs and very well could have been the missing piece to a title.

The Sun received Mabrey and a 2025 second-round draft pick in exchange for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, a 2025 first-round draft pick, and the right to swap 2026 first-round picks. Mabrey had a career year for Connecticut last season, but ultimately walked away in free agency to join the Toronto Tempo.

In hindsight, the 2024 midseason trade didn’t pan out for the Sun and cost them crucial draft capital. But, considering that the Sun were one of the WNBA’s best teams, and DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, and Brionna Jones were all potentially going to depart in the offseason, it made sense for them to go all-in ahead of the 2024 playoffs and add a talented scorer to a veteran group eager to win a franchise-first title.

Myisha Hines-Allen to the Minnesota Lynx (2024)

The Lynx traded for then-Washington Mystics forward Myisha Hines-Allen ahead of the 2024 playoffs, in exchange for Olivia Epoupa, forward Sika Koné, and a second-round pick in the 2026 WNBA draft.

Hines-Allen joined Minnesota to help bolster the frontcourt ahead of their Finals run. She averaged 4 points and 3.3 rebounds off the bench in 10 playoff games that season, but ultimately fell out of the rotation. The former Louisville star didn’t end up being the missing piece for the Lynx, who fell to the New York Liberty in the Finals.

But, like the Marina Mabrey trade, it made sense for a championship contender to make a move in hopes of bolstering their roster in the short-term.

Which championship contenders will look to add a final piece to their roster ahead of the trade deadline? It worked out for the Aces last year, and other teams may increasingly follow suit.

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#Revisiting #biggest #WNBA #midseason #trades

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making  When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.  #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8  Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026  #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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