When LeBron James decided to join the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million contract, he locked in some interesting NBA history, becoming the player to take the biggest pay cut ever. After shattering the record for most points scored in a career, as well as most 1st Team All-NBAs, most All-Star appearances and most consecutive games scoring double-digit points, the biggest pay cut in NBA history doesn't quite have the same level of aura, but even then, it's more history made by the Akron native.HoopsHypeThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: LeBron James takes biggest pay cut ever in NBA history in Philadelphia

Regardless, James went from making an astronomical $52.63 million in his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers, 2025-26, to earning just $3.88 million this upcoming season in Philadelphia, for a pay cut of $48.75 million, now the largest in NBA history.HoopsHypeThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: James went from making an astronomical $52.63 million

Another player new to the Top 5 in this distinction, like James, is veteran swingman Khris Middleton, who signed a three-year, $17.61 million contract this offseason to rejoin the Washington Wizards. Middleton's new deal will pay him $5.59 million next season, after his previous deal had him earning $35.09 million last year, for a pay cut of $29.50 million, now the fourth-largest ever.HoopsHypeThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Middleton's new deal will pay him $5.59 million next

ESPN's Anthony Slater provided an update on Jimmy Butler's recovery from ACL surgery during Wednesday's episode of "NBA Today," relaying what people close to the Warriors forward have observed in recent weeks. "I've talked to people that have been around Jimmy Butler recently," Slater said. "They say he's a little over five months from the ACL surgery. He's turned the corner a little bit in the last few weeks. He still can't run unrestricted -- sprint in a full line -- but they feel like he's making progress."NBC Sports Bay AreaThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: "I've talked to people that have been around Jimmy

When LeBron James decided to join the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million contract, he locked in some interesting NBA history, becoming the player to take the biggest pay cut ever. After shattering the record for most points scored in a career, as well as most 1st Team All-NBAs, most All-Star appearances and most consecutive games scoring double-digit points, the biggest pay cut in NBA history doesn't quite have the same level of aura, but even then, it's more history made by the Akron native.HoopsHypeThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: LeBron James takes biggest pay cut in NBA history

NEW YORK The same issue that has relegated Juan Soto to a designated hitter role ended his night prematurely on Friday night.Soto was removed from the Mets' contest with the Dodgers before an at-bat in the bottom of the sixth inning with left calf soreness, the club announced.Since the second half began, Soto has spent four of his six games in the DH position. He sat in Wednesday's series finale with the Brewers to receive an extra day of rest after he partook in the All-Star Game festivities one week prior in Philadelphia.Soto drew two walks before he departed Friday's game and was replaced by Jorge Polanco with the Mets and Dodgers locked in a 1-1 tie. He also left the club's series opener out of the break against the Phillies on July 16 with the same malady.The Mets now have a full complement of outfielders back since Luis Robert Jr. returned earlier in the week from a three-month stint on the injured list with a herniated disc in his back.This season, Soto is slashing .283/.408/.539 with 21 home runs, 52 RBI and 46 runs. He missed roughly two weeks in early April with a low-grade calf strain in his right calf.Check back for more updates on Juan Soto's status following Friday's early exit.This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Juan Soto leaves Mets' game vs Dodgers with calf soreness

Yes, Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett is practicing as he tries to get a contract that pays him like a starter, not a backup. But he's not really practicing.As noted by Darren Urban of the team's official website, Brissett "isnt participating in 11-on-11 drills yet."That's surely a direct result of his dissatisfaction with a deal he signed under the impression that he wouldn't be the team's QB1. Now that he's the presumptive Week 1 starter, he's seeking an adjustment.The current range for veteran starters begins in the low $20 millions and stretches into the $60 millions. With Brissett currently at $6.5 million per year, triple that to $19.5 million and call it a day.He'd be the lowest-paid veteran starter, while still making much more than he's due to make.And it would help get him as ready as he can be with a new coaching staff and a new offense. Which is even more critical, given that the Cardinals are in a division with three Super Bowl contenders.Who would have thought that the Cardinals would long for the days that they were the which-doesn't-belong-and-why fifth team in the NFC East?

Jul. 24The Cincinnati Bengals found a combination of cornerbacks that worked last year with Dax Hill and DJ Turner II solidifying themselves as the top two on the outside and Jalen Davis stepping in as an effective nickel.However, they also worked to improve the room with a couple of key additions this offseason, and whether that just improves the depth or impacts what the starting lineup looks like is still to be determined.The Bengals used a third-round pick on Tacario Davis, who brings elite length and could be a succession plan for either Hill or Turner.The two veterans are in contract years, and it seems unlikely the organization could keep both. Hill or Tacario Davis could be candidates to move inside if defensive coordinator Al Golden wants a way to get all three players on the field.It could take some time for Tacario Davis to acclimate, though, and there's no rush. Ja'Sir Taylor signed in free agency to compete with Davis, so Cincinnati has some options inside.Outside corners DJ Ivey and Josh Newton could be competing for a roster spot as well.Let's take a look at the past performances of the Bengals' current cornerbacks, and how they are expected to stack up in 2026 with help from some analysis and data from Pro Football Focus.This is the last in a series of pieces breaking down each position group for the Bengals before training camp begins July 29.Cornerbacks on the rosterProjected starters: Dax Hill, DJ Turner II, Jalen DavisReserves: Tacario Davis, DJ Ivey, Ja'Sir TaylorOthers in the mix: Josh Newton, Bralyn Lux, Jalen Kimber, Ceyair WrightHill by the numbers2025 stats: 88 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 10 missed tackles, 11 passes defended, 1 interception in 17 games, all starts.PFF grades for 2025: Hill ranked 49th of 114 cornerbacks in defense grade (64.9), 36th in coverage grade (67.7), 77th in pass rush grade (50.4) and 54th in run defense grade (60.0).PFF ranking for 2026: N/ATurner by the numbers2025 stats: 40 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 5 missed tackles, 2 interceptions, 18 passes defended, 1 fumble recovery in 17 games (16 starts)PFF grades for 2025: Turner ranked 19th of 114 cornerbacks in defense grade (73.3), sixth in coverage grade (78.1) and 105th in run defense grade (37.9).PFF rankings for 2026: N/AJalen Davis by the numbers2025 stats: 77 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1 pass defended, 1.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble in seven games, three startsPFF grades for 2025: Jalen Davis did not play enough snaps to qualify for a rankings but posted a defense grade of 65.5, pass rush grade of 85.4, coverage grade of 65.1 and run defense grade of 57.1.PFF ranking for 2026: N/AFurther analysisNo Bengals cornerbacks were among the top 20 when PFF.com put together its final rankings at the end of the 2025 season, though Turner might have been in the mix based on his overall defense and coverage grades.Turner was the team's most consistent cornerback, though he got a slow start with a poor training camp. He's now taking on a bigger leadership role in the Bengals' secondary and a near lock for the No. 1 cornerback spot. Turner received votes in ESPN's top 10 cornerbacks poll of NFL executives, coaches and scouts, but did not make the list.Hill came back from a 2024 ACL tear to impress and settled into a clear role last season after starting his NFL career as a free safety, then moving to slot corner and finally to the outside before his knee injury. He wants to stay put in that spot, but Tacario Davis' arrival once against brought Hill's role into question.Jalen Davis was thrown into action late last season and proved himself capable in the nickel role, but he hasn't shown it over the course of a full season yet. He'll need a standout preseason to maintain that spot. Ja'Sir Taylor has been a spot starter throughout his four NFL seasons, including just one start last year in an eight-game stint with the New York Jets. He saw a maximum of six starts in 2023 with the L.A. Chargers, but he also could challenge for the job in Cincinnati.If Tacario Davis makes the adjustment quickly and pans out as a rookie, the Bengals' depth at cornerback should be much better in 2026.

The Cincinnati Bengals found a combination of cornerbacks that worked last year with Dax Hill and DJ Turner II solidifying themselves as the top two on the outside and Jalen Davis stepping in as an effective nickel.However, they also worked to improve the room with a couple of key additions this offseason, and whether that just improves the depth or impacts what the starting lineup looks like is still to be determined.The Bengals used a third-round pick on Tacario Davis, who brings elite length and could be a succession plan for either Hill or Turner.The two veterans are in contract years, and it seems unlikely the organization could keep both. Hill or Tacario Davis could be candidates to move inside if defensive coordinator Al Golden wants a way to get all three players on the field.It could take some time for Tacario Davis to acclimate, though, and theres no rush. JaSir Taylor signed in free agency to compete with Davis, so Cincinnati has some options inside.Outside corners DJ Ivey and Josh Newton could be competing for a roster spot as well.Lets take a look at the past performances of the Bengals current cornerbacks, and how they are expected to stack up in 2026 with help from some analysis and data from Pro Football Focus.This is the last in a series of pieces breaking down each position group for the Bengals before training camp begins July 29.Cornerbacks on the rosterProjected starters: Dax Hill, DJ Turner II, Jalen DavisReserves: Tacario Davis, DJ Ivey, JaSir TaylorOthers in the mix: Josh Newton, Bralyn Lux, Jalen Kimber, Ceyair WrightHill by the numbers2025 stats: 88 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 10 missed tackles, 11 passes defended, 1 interception in 17 games, all starts.PFF grades for 2025: Hill ranked 49th of 114 cornerbacks in defense grade (64.9), 36th in coverage grade (67.7), 77th in pass rush grade (50.4) and 54th in run defense grade (60.0).PFF ranking for 2026: N/ATurner by the numbers2025 stats: 40 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 5 missed tackles, 2 interceptions, 18 passes defended, 1 fumble recovery in 17 games (16 starts)PFF grades for 2025: Turner ranked 19th of 114 cornerbacks in defense grade (73.3), sixth in coverage grade (78.1) and 105th in run defense grade (37.9).PFF rankings for 2026: N/AJalen Davis by the numbers2025 stats: 77 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1 pass defended, 1.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble in seven games, three startsPFF grades for 2025: Jalen Davis did not play enough snaps to qualify for a rankings but posted a defense grade of 65.5, pass rush grade of 85.4, coverage grade of 65.1 and run defense grade of 57.1.PFF ranking for 2026: N/AFurther analysisNo Bengals cornerbacks were among the top 20 when PFF.com put together its final rankings at the end of the 2025 season, though Turner might have been in the mix based on his overall defense and coverage grades.Turner was the teams most consistent cornerback, though he got a slow start with a poor training camp. Hes now taking on a bigger leadership role in the Bengals secondary and a near lock for the No. 1 cornerback spot. Turner received votes in ESPNs top 10 cornerbacks poll of NFL executives, coaches and scouts, but did not make the list.Hill came back from a 2024 ACL tear to impress and settled into a clear role last season after starting his NFL career as a free safety, then moving to slot corner and finally to the outside before his knee injury. He wants to stay put in that spot, but Tacario Davis arrival once against brought Hills role into question.Jalen Davis was thrown into action late last season and proved himself capable in the nickel role, but he hasnt shown it over the course of a full season yet. Hell need a standout preseason to maintain that spot. JaSir Taylor has been a spot starter throughout his four NFL seasons, including just one start last year in an eight-game stint with the New York Jets. He saw a maximum of six starts in 2023 with the L.A. Chargers, but he also could challenge for the job in Cincinnati.If Tacario Davis makes the adjustment quickly and pans out as a rookie, the Bengals depth at cornerback should be much better in 2026.

Former University of Cincinnati Bearcats receiver Chris Moore is signing with the Baltimore Ravens, according to a report via Twitter/X from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Moore played the first five seasons of his NFL career for the Ravens. Baltimore drafted Moore in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.Moore played last season for the Washington Commanders, and had 11 catches for 207 receiving yards with a touchdown over 14 games.In 2021, the Houston Texans signed Moore to a one-year deal.Moore had 119 catches for 2,301 yards with 26 touchdowns over four seasons with the Bearcats from 2012 to 2015.Moore's wife, Toria, grew up in Fairfield and was a co-captain of UC's dance team.This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Chris Moore, former UC Bearcats WR, to sign with Ravens | Report