NCAAF

2026 five-star DT Lamar Brown commits to LSU

Shocker. LSU keeps another elite in-state — this one from Baton Rouge — recruit home. The Tigers have rarely missed out on local talent, a pivotal reason for the program’s staying power near the top of the sport.

Brown can theoretically play both ways, but he’ll surely be forced to either the interior offensive line or defensive tackle. Either way, 2026’s No. 5 player should make a huge impact for LSU.

NBA

Thunder sign SF Jalen Williams to five-year, $287 million contract extension

This deal is worth up to $287 million. We weren’t immediately informed of this extension’s true amount because insiders like Shams Charania schmooze with agents to make contracts look as good as possible. It’s bad for sports.

Anyway, this agreement was widely expected, with the only notable factor being Williams not securing a player option for the fifth season. Paolo Banchero did receive one, but the Magic forward is a slightly better player than Williams, so it’s understandable. Also, Banchero is Orlando’s franchise player; Williams obviously is not the face of the Thunder.

Handing out this extension was a no-brainer, but like Chet Holmgren’s recent deal, it’ll handicap the franchise’s team-building efforts in the future. That’s fine, though. Oklahoma City is the prohibitive favorite to repeat, and Williams is a big reason why.

Grade: A-

Wizards sign C Tristan Vukcevic to two-way contract

Another year, another season of the Wizards signing Vukcevic to a two-way deal. I completely get it. The 22-year-old was a second-round pick for Washington in 2023, and his game has improved over time.

Vukcevic averaged 9.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game last season. There’s certainly a chance of the center having a future with the Wizards beyond this year.

Grade: A

MLB

Orioles receive:
2025 No. 37 overall pick

Rays receive:
RP Bryan Baker

This is a good move for both clubs. Baltimore adds a valuable draft selection during a lost season and Tampa Bay adds a potent reliever.

The draft pick, which falls in the Competitive Balance round, will boost a declining Orioles farm system. That, of course, is due to the graduation of several top prospects in recent years. Those young players haven’t all panned out, which is partly why the veteran Baker is being dealt.

Baker, 30, is controllable through the 2028 season, a factor prioritized by the Rays. He holds a 3.52 ERA this season, but his advanced metrics suggest the righty has been even better than that. At 50-43, expect Tampa Bay to maneuver the trade market more as July carries on.

Orioles Grade: A-

Rays Grade: B