The aftermath of New York Knicks Finals win, combined with the upcoming NBA draft and free agency, has become a discourse on the overall nature of roster building. Will more teams take the Knicks path? Are draft picks still valuable?Its an interesting question and one that has infiltrated conversations with a number of front office executives. From an outsiders perspective, the copycat nature of sports (in which the NBA is not exempt) dictates at least the pursuit of some shared elements of success, especially considering how the Knicks assembled their core. Outside of Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, who was acquired through free agency, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns all arrived via trades.I think everyones curious to see how teams view picks now because theres more teams in the lottery now, said one executive. The odds are even flatter. Ill be shocked if more teams are open to moving picks.In truth, the value of picks and draft capital as a whole is a complicated relationship that depends on where teams find themselves within the contention ecosystem, their financial health and roster crunches.Take Oklahoma City, for example. This time last year, Aaron Wiggins was coming off a productive postseason with 300 minutes under his belt, a key cog in their Finals run. The decision to reportedly move him now for a pair of second-round picks in 2030 and 2032 which saves the Thunder around $60 million in tax savings for a player that had quietly fallen down the pecking order is smart business. Taking additional steps and declining team options for Kenrich Williams and Lu Dort, slated to earn a combined $24 million in 2026-27, would offer even more financial flexibility.Somewhere between being eliminated in the Western Conference finals and now, the Thunders brass saw the looming tax bill, identified a fine player in a vacuum but an overflow in reality, and pulled the trigger. In this instance, the cost of business, a pair of second-round picks, becomes incredibly valuable. Wiggins new team, the Hawks, are able to get their hands on a premier floor spacer at a relatively low cost all while helping the Thunder save millions.That template, which could become more prevalent over the coming weeks for teams, including Cleveland, another conference finalist, also offers a reminder of the sliding scale between contending and not. And while Wiggins is used as a case study, its a larger scope than role players. Some executives believe that unprotected picks now have considerably more upside, even if they belong to middle-of-the-pack teams, which should yield more movement. Others think that future negotiations will have even tighter restrictions/protections on said picks, thus incentivizing teams to hoard as many as possible.Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown waiting for resolutionAs the Milwaukee Bucks continue to attempt to extract as much possible value from a Giannis Antetokounmpo deal with the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat having emerged as the two preferred destinations for the former MVP and champion the directional dysfunction, one angle that has irked Antetokounmpo and is a catalyst for his impending exit, still remains.Theyve run into the issue they probably anticipated in that now Giannis has one year left [on his current contract], one executive said. At the deadline, there were more teams interested because they would have had him for this years playoffs and next year. Now, teams are more reluctant to give up more if Giannis is unwilling to commit long term.Given that the Celtics offer is contingent on Jaylen Browns inclusion despite a denial which has amused rival executives theres an increasing sense that not only is Brown comfortable with the idea of leaving Boston and being traded to Milwaukee, but is hoping to find a resolution over the next 48 hours, league sources say.And, for much of how these last months have gone within Milwaukees front office, the buck (no pun intended) stops with them. Do they prefer the Heats package, with the likes of Tyler Herro, young talent and draft capital, or the Celtics package, which would land them an All-NBA two-way superstar in his prime? The clock is ticking.Rockets open for business?Another trickle-down effect from the Finals is further clarity from teams eliminated in earlier rounds. When the Houston Rockets traded for Kevin Durant last July, there was an internal belief that a team that had won 52 games, developed and added a Hall of Fame talent in Durant would take the next step. What wasnt accounted for were season-ending injuries to Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, two integral parts of a team predicated on manipulating possessions or a roster that had an incomplete makeup.An in-depth analysis of both the Western Conference finals and the NBA Finals revealed that Houston is a ways away from the upper echelon of teams, both in their own conference and the league as a whole. Such a reflection has influenced how they approach the open market, taking more of a wholesale approach than simply the run it back mantra previously held. Rival teams that have contacted the Rockets recently have been informed that 23-year-old Amen Thompson is the only near untouchable on the roster, league sources tell Yahoo Sports. Houston isnt actively shopping its All-Stars or other key members, sources say, but are merely expressing more of a willingness to listen than at previous junctures. Concerning Thompson, who will be entering his fourth season and is expected to command a lucrative extension, Houstons brass has already communicated its intentions and plans to continue talks following the draft. The Rockets also wish to retain 3-and-D wing Tari Eason, team sources say despite outside interest from Los Angeles, Brooklyn and a number of teams that have gauged Houstons willingness in sign-and-trade scenarios.The Rockets deepened understanding of their current standing also lends itself to a potential trade of veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who signed a four-year, $53 million deal last offseason. Finney-Smith averaged career lows in minutes, points, rebounds, field-goal percentage and 3-point percentage while dealing with lingering issues stemming from surgery on his left ankle a year ago. Houston, which has plans to reshape its bench, hopes to dive into the free agent market and would need to clear room with Finney-Smiths contract being the most team-friendly to do so. Finney-Smith has registered reasonable interest around the league, sources say, with the understanding that he should return to full strength by next season.Teams looking to trade up in the draftCharlotte, armed with picks Nos. 14 and 18, is believed to be exploring avenues to move up, sources say, along with Chicago at No. 15 (which also own the 4th pick) and Memphis at No. 16 (which also owns the 3rd overall selection). Because of the gulf in talent between the likely lottery picks and the remainder of the draft, a number of teams in the back third of the first round have expressed an eagerness to escape that region, sources say, whether by making an attempt to move up or trading out of the round altogether. Previous chatter elsewhere in the lottery that the Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings were open to moving (5th, 6th and 7th, respectively) is being met with skepticism ahead of Tuesdays draft.

Legendary "SportsCenter" anchor Linda Cohn is retiring this month after 34 years with ESPN.

The global Detox Support Supplement Market is poised for steady growth as consumers increasingly embrace preventive healthcare, holistic wellness, and natural supplementation. According to Fact.MR, the global detox support supplement market is projected to increase from USD 993.5 million in 2024 to approximately USD 1.84 billion by 2034, registering a CAGR of 6.3%...

The former UFC fighter - who previously beat rival Conor McGregor twice in recent years - took to social media shortly after being released to share a message with his followers.

For years, the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo debate has enthused and divided football purists.But with the Inter Miami star shining for Argentina at this summer's World Cup, with five goals from just two matches, there might not be anything left to argue about come the end of the tournament on July 19.Many thought Qatar 2022 would be Messi's final swansong. The way he illuminated that tournament, with seven goals, it was hard to see him ever scaling such dizzying heights again.Yet here we are, just two games in to this summer's tournament, and Messi's magic is mesmerising once more. Already a World Cup winner, he is playing with the shackles off and a smile on his face. With the 38-year-old in such fantastic form, Lionel Scaloni's team are serious contenders for glory once more.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayAgainst Algeria, in Argentina's first match, Messi was the star of the show. He scored a breathtaking hat-trick to blow their opponents away. Tears were shed for his father, Jorge Messi, who is struggling with his health.To mortal men, such a serious personal issue would have a profound effect on performance. But Messi, of course, is no mortal man.On Monday night, Austria were better than Algeria before them but still found no answer to his glittering genius.They were let off the hook early, with Messi spurning the chance to move ahead of Miroslav Klose in the World Cup goalscoring charts. The veteran missed a penalty after Lautaro Martinez was fouled inside the box, much to the surprise of everybody inside the Dallas Stadium.It didn't take long for him to atone for his error, however.Messi broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, producing a sumptuous, side-footed effort into the bottom corner. The finish came from just inside the box, with the Inter Miami footballer timing his run to perfection.LATEST SPORTS NEWS:Roy Keane hits out at England players after Thomas Tuchel comments at World CupLionel Messi becomes World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer after netting in Argentina and Austria matchAaron Ramsey poised to land first managerial job with EFL clubIt is exactly the type of goal that has come to define his career. Pace, poise and panache all rolled into one. Klose's record is no more. Messi is now the World Cup's highest-ever goalscorer instead.By the end of the match, he had moved two clear of his German rival.Messi played a brilliant pass to Julian Alvarez, whose effort was saved by Alexander Schlager in the Austria goal. The Inter Miami star, having drifted back into the fray, had five players in his way. After a shot was blocked, he then finished the rebound emphatically to spark wild celebrations around the ground.Even by the 38-year-old's exceptionally high standards, Messi is operating at a level above. His paranormal ability is clear for all to see.And come the end of this year's tournament, the gap between himself and Ronaldo looks likely to be wider than ever before.That isn't to throw shade at Ronaldo. For the Portugal star to be playing at this World Cup, at the grand age of 41, is a testament to his own talent and longevity. Yet based on what fans saw from the Al-Nassr star against DR Congo last Wednesday, he's already faded force.Ronaldo looked undeniably sluggish during that fixture, a shadow of the explosive, dynamic forward who once terrorised defenders in England, Spain and Italy.Against a resilient and physical DR Congo side, the 41-year-old was largely anonymous. The blistering pace that once defined his game has seemingly evaporated, replaced by a heavy-legged lethargy that left him looking completely isolated up front. He struggled to find pockets of space, his touches were uncharacteristically cumbersome, and he was repeatedly muscled off the ball with worrying ease. It was a stark, sobering performance that laid bare the cruel reality of Father Time.While Messi is rolling back the years and single-handedly orchestrating Argentina's push towards the business end of the tournament, Ronaldo looks like a man desperately fighting a losing battle against his own sporting mortality.He is simply no longer the player of old, entirely unable to dictate proceedings in the way his eternal rival still does with such effortless grace.The debate that has dominated football for nearly two decades was always built on their neck-and-neck brilliance.But as Messi continues to shine brighter than ever on the global stage, Ronaldo's light is undeniably dimming.If this World Cup was supposed to be their final, epic showdown, only one of them has truly turned up to the party.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

A group of current and former British Olympians and Paralympians back a proposed north of England bid to host the Games, claiming it has "a passion for sport like no other place".

Vasilije Micic scored 29 points and added 10 assists as Hapoel Tel Aviv beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 80-74 in Game 3 of the finals, cutting the series lead to 2-1 ahead of Game 4 on Tuesday.

Argentinien hat den perfekten Start in die WM hingelegt und im zweiten Gruppenspiel auch sterreich besiegt. Superstar Lionel Messi schreibt dabei Geschichte. [mehr]

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - In conjunction with the Minnesota Twins, the Cedar Rapids Kernels announce the following roster moves effective today. INF Marek ... - MWL Cedar Rapids Kernels

Aprs une balade face l'Algrie pour son entre en lice (3-0), l'Argentine s'est impose face l'Autriche (2-0) et s'est qualifie pour les 16e de finale. Auteur d'un doubl, Lionel Messi est devenu le meilleur buteur de l'histoire de la Coupe du monde, avec 18 buts. Retrouvez les meilleurs moments de la rencontre avec les comms RMC