NBA free agency has dawned. Ask conventional wisdom, though, and she’d just as soon tell anyone dreaming of big movement this offseason to hit the snooze button again.Whether Malik Monk (Sacramento) and Pascal Siakam (Indiana) set a trend by re-signing with their teams early in free agency remains to be seen.Still, the landscape is surely altered because teams can negotiate with their players one day after the NBA Finals conclude. There are also various wrinkles to the league salary cap. Second apron, anyone?In any event, big names abound. The following players are available, by definition: Let’s take a look at some headliners.LeBron James, Los Angeles LakersDoes James want to take his talents elsewhere this summer? He can do so by opting out of a $51 million player option in Los Angeles (deadline: June 29). The Lakers’ recent hiring of his erstwhile podcast pal, J.J. Redick, as coach and the swelling conjecture over LA drafting James’ son, Bronny, this week make a relocation seem unlikely, though.Should James opt out, he’d be a more than safe bet to stay put. Reports already indicate the Lakers have a three-year maximum extension in the works.Paul George, Los Angeles ClippersAnother Crypto.com Arena tenant, another big opt-out decision. George hasn’t pulled the trigger on a $48.8 million player option, and the Clippers would be foolish not to covet his services again.George shined from the floor and as a defender before another early playoff exit for the Clippers. A number of organizations also itching for a postseason breakthrough, namely the New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers, could be suitors. OKC, for one, could use a stabilizing veteran to complement its youthful core.Recent trends in the LA front office suggest George might have to settle for a bit less money than the absolute max. His yearning to get back to his SoCal home base five years ago may suggest he’d be all right with that.Isaiah Hartenstein, New York KnicksWe’ve heard about the player options; now onto the unrestricted-free-agent variety.Hartenstein reinforced his worth during the Knicks’ run to the Eastern Conference second round as he filled a void left by injuries to fellow big men Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson. But taking on a starting role as a fill-in doesn’t guarantee the same security the following season.Randle and Robinson’s return to health might signal a decrease in minutes for Hartenstein, who knows he can be a top big in the league. A shift in conferences and cultures might be afoot, as Oklahoma City craves an increased post presence and possesses the cap space to get a deal done.DeMar DeRozan, Chicago BullsThe master of the midrange has been a rock for the middling Bulls the past three seasons, averaging at least 32.4 points while missing no more than eight games.Despite Chicago’s perpetual standing in the playoff bubble, DeRozan has consistently expressed his interest in staying with the Bulls. However, reports that he turned down a lucrative, two-year extension last season and undoubted overtures from surefire contenders seem like hints toward change. Klay Thompson, Golden State WarriorsIt’s bittersweet for many in the Bay Area to ponder, but the Warriors were slow to renegotiate with the Splash Brother during the regular season as the franchise shifts further from its glory days.Thompson played in 77 games on the heels of recent devastating injury woes but connected on a mere 38.7 percent of his 3-pointers, the second-lowest accuracy of his career.OKC’s aforementioned cap space and veteran void could make him a candidate to stay in the West. The Orlando Magic, contenders in the jumble for top-four seeding in the East, might loom as a change-of-pace suitor for similar reasons.
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Hull City manager Steve Bruce praised match-winner Matty Fryatt after he scored both goals in the 2-0 FA Cup win at Southend United.
The Premier League outfit were given a tough test against a Southend side managed by former boss Phil Brown, the man who had led them into the top-flight in 2008, but an upset rarely looked likely.
Michael Timlin did hit the crossbar for the hosts, but Fryatt eventually took centre stage with a 63rd-minute opener, before adding another solo effort in stoppage time.
Bruce told BBC Radio 5Live: Matty Fryatt got injured in his very first game for me, he was out for 13 months and then went out on loan but since then he s been excellent for me.
He showed what a good player he is. His second goal was outstanding. I always say, wh…
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AS Roma are set to welcome Empoli to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday evening, in what will be a game withing the fourth round of the 2023/24 season in the Serie A.
With three rounds played, neither of these teams is currently where they want to be, both sitting in the relegation zone, Roma in 18th with a single point, Empoli at the bottom and yet to move their tally off the starting line.
AS Roma
Things obviously aren t looking good for Jose Mourinho and his team. The controversial Portuguese expert led the Giallorossi to the Europa Conference League glory in the first-ever edition of the competition, as well as the Europa League final last season, but despite those fine achievements, he s likely to find himself under pre…
Chelsea striker Samuel Eto o has accused Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola of being a coward when the two were at Barcelona.
The Cameroon international played under Guardiola at the La Liga giants in 2008-09, but said the Spaniard barely spoke to him.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic labelled Guardiola a coward in his autobiography, which was released last year.
Eto o said the 43-year-old often communicated to him through other players because he was afraid.
Guardiola has never had the courage to say things in front of me. He passed by the players, Eto o told beIN Sports.
Xavi told me they wanted me to stay but I had to talk to Pep. I say Never, if you do not respect me, I do not respect you.’
Eto o said that while Guardiola greeted him when he was …
Women’s world champions Spain have been plunged into further chaos after players refused call-ups to their latest squad.
Fifteen World Cup winners were included in the squad for the Nations League games against Sweden and Switzerland, despite saying they would boycott international duty.
A group of 81 players, including all 23 members of the World Cup squad, indicated three weeks ago that they would not play for Spain again while Luis Rubiales remained Spanish football federation (RFEF) president as a result of his behaviour at the final.
Rubiales caused a huge controversy after kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso – who has been left out of the latest squad – on the lips during the medal ceremony following the team’s 1-0 victory over England. Hermoso insists…
Metz coach Albert Cartier has agreed a two-year contract extension with the club after securing their return to Ligue 1.
The former Metz defender has enjoyed plenty of success since returning to the Stade Saint-Symphorien for a second stint as manager in 2012.
After winning the Championnat National at the first attempt, the 53-year-old then oversaw Metz s charge to the Ligue 2 title in 2013-14, as they won the division by 11 points from Lens.
And having taken Metz back to the top tier for the first time since their relegation in 2008, Cartier has agreed a new deal to keep him under contract until 2016.
Albert Cartier is perfectly integrated into the new FC Metz wanted by the president of Les Garnets, read a statement on the club s website.
It was natural …
Crashing out of the Champions League earlier in the month at hands of , Manchester United once again find themselves in the midst of another rut.
In a battle to clinch a much-needed top-four finish this season, it is also becoming clearer that Ralf Rangnick will not be handed the job at Old Trafford on a permanent basis past the summer.
With another piece of silverware once again off the table this year, the former Premier League champions could also see a host of their big-name stars also head for the exit.
Expecting quite the squad overhaul ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, we have taken a look at a handful of Manchester United aces who could be making their final appearances at Old Trafford.
Paul Pogba
Having to settle for a spot on the bench as United …
Watford have confirmed they have re-signed Adrian Mariappa on a three-year contract.
Mariappa was a free agent after being released by Crystal Palace at the end of the 2015-16 Premier League season having only made seven appearances in all competitions.
Prior to his three-year stint at Selhurst Park, Mariappa made 247 appearances for Watford and was voted the club s 2011/12 Player of the Season.
The 29-year-old defender, who can play anywhere across the back line, has also made 38 international appearances for Jamaica, featuring at the 2016 Gold Cup.
It s official, fans! Adrian Mariappa is back!
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Italy head coach Giampiero Ventura is willing to embrace the gamble of starting Alessio Romagnoli against Spain on Thursday.
The 2010 world champions face the Azzurri at Juventus Stadium in their second qualifying match for the World Cup finals in Russia.
Italy triumphed 2-0 when the sides met in the last 16 at Euro 2016, but experienced defender Giorgio Chiellini who scored the opener on that day in Paris is suspended for Thursday s encounter.
Romagnoli, 21, missed AC Milan s dramatic 4-3 Serie A win over Sassuolo on Sunday with a minor injury complaint, but Ventura is prepared to hand him his senior Italy debut from the start in Turin.
If Romagnoli plays, it will be just one small step towards the future, he said on Wednesday. He s a young player wit…
Cypriot side APOEL Nicosia have announced the signing of former Liverpool full-back John Arne Riise on their official website.
The Norway international arrives at the club as a free agent with his deal at Craven Cottage having expired back in May.
Riise has signed a two-year deal with the Cypriot champions, who will face Barcelona, Ajax and Paris Saint Germain in Champions League Group F.
The 33-year-old began his career at Aalesund and went on spend four years at Monaco before signing for Liverpool in 2001.
Riise enjoyed a great deal of success during his time at Anfield, making 234 Premier League appearances and scoring 49, while helping the Reds win the 2004/2005 Champions League trophy.
The Norwegian footballer left Liverpool in the summer o…
Shakhtar Donetsk winger Bernanrd has emerged as a transfer target for Serie A giants Inter Milan.
The Brazilian hot-shot is out of contract at the end of the current season and as a free agent fits perfectly into Inter Milan’s plans for next summer.
Nerazzurri are under pressure to meet the strict Financial Fair Play regulations and are likely to base their entire summer transfer strategy on free agents.
Highly rated Brazilian winger Bernard is definitely one of the players Inter Milan are looking at. Bernard’s agent Adriano Spadoto has welcomed the interest from one of Italy’s biggest clubs.
“Bernard is a player who is ready to play in any European league. It’s always good that there’s interest in him but we’re deciding his future at the m…