NBA MVP signs the league's biggest ever contract
This deal will make Gilgeous-Alexander the highest single-season average salary earner in NBA history, with earnings projected to reach nearly $79 million by the 2030-31 season.
The 26-year-old Canadian guard led the Thunder to their inaugural NBA championship and the league's best regular-season record.
Gilgeous-Alexander also swept major individual awards, including regular-season MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and the scoring title.
Thunder General Manager Sam Presti praised Gilgeous-Alexander's consistent improvement, positioning the team as contenders for years to come with their core players secured.
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The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
2025 BMW Championship prediction, best bets & golf odds: Maryland made to measure for McIlroy
Attentions turn to the Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland on Thursday when the BMW Championship gets underway, and Tommy Fleetwood will be hoping he can put the disappointment of last week behind him for the second event in the FedEx Cup play-offs. The world No. 15 went into the final round of the St Jude Championship with a one-stroke lead, but after bogeying the penultimate hole, he finished one behind Justin Rose and JJ Spaun, who went on to play the play-off. Rose was eventually victorious, extending Fleetwood's winless streak on the PGA Tour to 162 events. Could this week finally be the time he breaks his duck? Betting sites rated Fleetwood's chances pretty highly, and the only players with shorter BMW Championship odds are the usual suspects: Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele. BMW Championship Betting Preview: Scheffler to be the pick of the Americans The BMW Championship has only been held at Caves Valley once, and that was back in 2021, when Patrick Cantlay was victorious after beating Bryson DeChambeau in an epic six-hole playoff. The pair both carded second rounds of 60, finished four shots clear of the rest of the chasing pack. You can get 25/1 on golf betting sites on Cantlay winning again, but he's not had the best 2025, failing to win any of his last 17 tournaments and recording just four top 10 finishes. The course should suit Scheffler more than the one at TPC Southwind last week, where he still finished on 15 under in a tie for third. So far this year, the American has finished in the top ten in 14 of the 17 tournaments played and won four of them, including the PGA Championship and The Open. Unsurprisingly, 1/4 is the best price available on betting apps for him to finish in the top 10, but William Hill are offering 6/4 on him finishing as the top-ranked American. Well-rested McIlroy to reap rewards McIlroy opted to miss last week's St Jude Championship, and he will hope that the break will give him the edge over the rest of the field in Maryland. Power and accuracy off the tee could be key at Caves Valley which historically favours big-hitters who can find distance on the fairway and that is a key aspect to McIlroy's game. The Northern Irishman has also been gaining shots on the green this season with his putting helping him hole clutch pars and record low scores at major tournaments. McIlroy also finished fourth here back in 2021 propelled up the leaderboard by an opening-round score of 64, though shooting 70 on the Friday effectively ended his chances at a win. He's 14/1 to make another hot start and lead after the first round, but our preference is on him celebrating his fourth win of the year. Fleetwood to bounce back He might have been disappointed last week, but Fleetwood has had a consistent year so far, missing the cut just once in his 17 tournaments played. He has also finished in the top 10 six times and was runner-up at the Travelers Championship in New England back in June. Please gamble responsibly When having a bet, it's vital to practice responsible gambling. Betting can be addictive and it's important to stay in control of your betting. Never treat gambling as a way to make money, never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop. Gambling sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self-exclusion options, to help them stay in control. But if you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don't hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below.
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Major League baseball prospects who could be promoted to MLB in August
That's the day franchises can summon minor leaguers for their major league debuts, while still maintaining their rookie status for the 2026 season. And if a consensus top 100 prospect either wins Rookie of the Year next year or earns a top-three finish in MVP or Cy Young Award voting in their first three seasons, the club is awarded a prospect promotion incentive draft pick, slotted just after the first round of the following season's draft. A bit convoluted, yes, but just know that if a rash of blue chip prospects arrive this week, that's why. Here's a look at six of the most prominent potential arrivals: Samuel Basallo, C, Baltimore Orioles Orioles GM Mike Elias loves his draft picks and loves it even more when a recent draftee produces an extra pick and bonus pool money thanks to the PPI stipulation. That was the case with Gunnar Henderson, who debuted in August 2022 and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2023. Enter Basallo, who turns 21 Aug. 13. The 6-4 Dominican signee largely dominated Class AAA as a 20-year-old, with a .997 OPS, 23 homers and a 13.7% walk rate. While he still needs significant growth behind the plate - as all 20-ish catchers do - it behooves the Orioles to see what the bat can do before laying groundwork for 2026. And Basallo, Baseball America's No. 7 overall prospect, could be joined by Norfolk teammate Dylan Beavers. The outfielder, who turned 24 Aug. 11, posted a .948 OPS with 18 homers and 22 steals. Bryce Eldridge, 1B, San Francisco Giants At 6-7, 240, Eldridge represents the perennially power-starved Giants' best shot in years at producing a homegrown slugger. Still just 20, Eldridge was slowed by injury this year but has gotten going at Class AAA Sacramento, where he has 12 homers but also 50 strikeouts in 157 plate appearances. If recency bias matters, Eldridge should get summoned west on I-80: He's posted a .298/.388/.667 line his past 15 games, with seven home runs and 24 RBIs. So long as San Francisco can handle an extra gust of wind from some swing-and-miss, no harm in dreaming of Eldridge and Rafael Devers sliding in between right-handers Matt Chapman and Willy Adames in that lineup. He could've been the top pick in the 2024 draft but slid to No. 7 and the Cardinals, who were thrilled to land such talent there. And Wetherholt has not disappointed, reaching Class AAA by July and hardly slowing his roll, with a .298/.414/478 line and 18 steals in 20 chances in 112 professional games. Now, the age-old quandary: Consistent playing time or a taste of the big leagues? Masyn Winn is entrenched at shortstop and a handful of multi-position types are also vying for at-bats in St. Louis. Wetherholt, a West Virginia product, has adjusted smoothly to every level; it will take a lot to force the issue, but if he's still unstoppable by the end of this month, it might be pragmatic to keep the ceiling off his ability. Owen Caissie, OF, Chicago Cubs So, just how confident are the Cubs in re-signing Kyle Tucker? The sterling trio of Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Tucker - along with DH Seiya Suzuki - leave no place for Caissie to play in Chicago, but he's probably scraped his head on the ceiling a few times at Class AAA Iowa. Caissie has played 218 games and taken 944 plate appearances at AAA the past two seasons, hit 40 homers and posted an .892 OPS. It would probably take an injury to get Caissie to Wrigley Field, but he's already on the 40-man roster. And Caissie could help both their pennant drive and their winter fortune telling should Tucker find greener pastures. Trey Yesavage, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays The Blue Jays have thoughtfully yet urgently nudged Yesavage through four levels this season, and now the 20th overall pick in 2024 has landed at Class AAA Buffalo - just as the big club sees the Boston Red Sox lurking four games out in the AL East. With Shane Bieber likely to join the rotation after one more rehab appearance, Yesavage may not be needed to start. But the deeper reaches of the Blue Jays' pen has been a revolving door and the club needs quality innings, regardless of role. Yesavage struck out an eye-opening 15 batters per nine innings at his three stops; should he keep that up at Buffalo, crossing the Peace Bridge to the Jays' bullpen is very much in play. Travis Bazzana, INF, Cleveland Guardians Like Yesavage, Bazzana just landed at Class AAA, after a promotion from AA Akron. And like Yesavage, Bazzana could provide a specific skill set to boost a team suddenly in the playoff picture. As a matter of course, we'll pump the brakes a bit: Bazzana, the No. 1 overall pick a year ago, missed two months with an oblique strain and has just 85 professional games under his belt. On the other hand, the Guardians' mix-and-match of middle infielders - Gabriel Arias (84 adjusted OPS), Daniel Scheeneman (98), Brayan Rocchio (68) and Angel Martinez (81) are all producing below league average at the plate. And Bazzana ended his Akron stint on a heater, with a .367 OBP and .779 OPS while reducing his K rate from his previous stint. Bazzana will surely be a favorite for 2026 AL Rookie of the Year. It might make sense to start banging that drum very soon.
Reuters
3 hours ago
- Reuters
Royals turn to Seth Lugo in bid to sweep Nationals
August 13 - If the Kansas City Royals are to make a serious final push at the postseason, star pitcher Seth Lugo likely needs to get back on track from a recent subpar stretch. The veteran right-hander has also had some issues against the Washington Nationals during his career. Looking to rebound from his worst outing of the season, Lugo will try solve the Nationals on Wednesday and help the Royals sweep this three-game home set. Since signing a two-year, $46 million extension to stay with Kansas City last month, Lugo (8-6, 3.46 ERA) is 1-1 with a 7.53 ERA in three starts, none of which lasted six innings. On Friday at Minnesota, the 35-year-old allowed season highs of seven runs and nine hits while lasting just four innings in the Royals' 9-4 loss. "I think you just flush that one," Lugo said. "I feel like even executed pitches were getting hit, mistakes we're getting hit. "It's not ideal." Especially with Kansas City a .500 club and chasing three teams to just to reach wild-card position in the American League in the final weeks of the season. However, the Royals are 10-4 over their past 14 home games. They have won four straight in Kansas City after outscoring Washington 15-9 during the first two games of a series that is kicking off a 10-game homestand. "For the offense, it's great. They build the confidence," Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. "There is a lot to like." This will be Lugo's 40th appearance against Washington, but he is just 1-4 with a 6.59 ERA in six starts vs. the Nationals. The most recent of those outings came in 2023, when he took a loss for the San Diego Padres after permitting three runs in five innings. The Nationals have lost 10 of 13 after allowing two home runs and six walks in each of the first two games of the series. "It's baseball and we got to do a better job of executing as group," said Washington infielder and ex-Royal Paul DeJong, who has three hits in the series but is 0-for-7 vs. Lugo. "There is no magic formula, it's just kinda feeding off each other." Scheduled Washington starter Jake Irvin (8-7, 4.90 ERA) will look to avoid a third straight losing decision after he yielded nine runs (eight earned) and 16 hits over 9 1/3 innings in his first two August starts. Four of those runs, three earned, came in 5 1 1/3 innings of the Nationals' 5-0 loss at San Francisco on Friday. Irvin is set for his first appearance against Kansas City, but he has faced some current Royals when they played for other teams. Kansas City's Jonathan India, who hit a two-run homer during the Royals' 8-5 victory on Tuesday, is 1-for-9 vs. Irvin. The right-hander has not faced Kansas City's Vinnie Pasquantino, who clubbed a three-run homer and recorded five RBIs on Tuesday. It was the third time this season that Pasquantino posted at least five RBIs in a game. Meanwhile, Washington All-Star James Wood had two hits and an RBI on Tuesday. He has eight hits and seven RBIs in his past four games. Dating to last season, Kansas City owns a 26-13 run advantage while winning five in a row against the Nationals. --Field Level Media
