LeBron James biggest name to watch at start of NBA free agency; Paraguay stun Germany in World Cup
This is an article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, the ultimate guide to every day in sports. You can sign up to get it in your inbox every weekday morning here.
🏀 Five things to know Tuesday
- The Grizzlies traded Ja Morant to the Trail Blazers. Morant's tumultuous tenure with Memphis is over. The Grizzlies reportedly sent the former No. 2 overall pick to the Trail Blazers in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. In his first four seasons with the Grizzlies, Morant won Rookie of the Year and was named an All-Star twice. Injuries and off-court issues have derailed Morant since then, making him an interesting buy-low candidate. But were the Trail Blazers the right team to do that buying? Sam Quinn questioned Portland's strategy in his trade grades.
- Paraguay eliminated German in a shocking upset. Four-time World Cup winner Germany is leaving the tournament much earlier than expected this year. Paraguay stunned the Germans with a win via penalty shootout after playing to a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes. Paraguay will now crash the Round of 16 party and will take on the winner of France vs. Sweden. On the whole, it was a terrific day of soccer as Brazil rallied past Japan for a dramatic win in the 95th minute. At night, the Netherlands and Morocco went to penalty kicks with the Morrocans pulling off yet another round of 32 upset.
- The Lions have released Terrion Arnold following his arrest. In the wake of his arrest on kidnapping and armed robbery charges, Arnold has been released by the Lions. Over the past two seasons, Arnold became a key cog in Detroit's secondary, starting in 22 games while appearing in 24. In that time, he defended 18 passes and recorded an interception. As the Lions try to fill the large void in their defensive backfield, Rasul Douglas and Tre'Davious White are just two potential replacements.
- Victor Hovland beat Scottie Scheffler in a playoff to win the Travelers Championship. Monday's playoff between Hovland and Scheffler lasted just one hole as the former notched a birdie to win the tournament. Meanwhile, Scheffler missed a three-foot putt that would have extended the playoff. This win was Hovland's eighth on the PGA Tour, and the loss was another frustrating finish for Scheffler in a year that has been full of them.
- Malik Beasley was indicted on illegal sports gambling charges. Exactly one year ago, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Beasley was under investigation for gambling, including placing prop bets on NBA games. That investigation led to Beasley and fellow ex-NBA player Ed Davis being indicted on illegal gambling charges. Beasley and Davis are now the fifth and sixth current or former NBA players who have been indicted on federal gambling charges, with Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups among the others.
🏀 Do not miss this: LeBron James enters free agency
NBA free agency officially begins today, and as every rumor and signing rolls in, our team will provide analysis in our 2026 NBA free agency tracker.
For the first time since 2018, LeBron James is on the market, and that could lead to the formation of a dynamic duo in the Bay Area. Could James team up with Steph Curry and the Warriors?
With rumors swirling that Golden State might have something up its sleeve as it looks to acquire James and Anthony Davis, Draymond Green did his part to make that dream a reality when he declined a $27.7 million player option in a surprising contract decision.
So, do the rumblings about James and Warriors have legs? Our team of NBA experts logged their landing spot predictions for the biggest names on the free agency and trade markets. Robby Kalland could easily see LeBron and Steph joining forces.
- Kalland: "There's more than just a little smoke right now regarding the Warriors' plans to bring in LeBron and Anthony Davis. Perhaps there's some 4D chess at play here, but I'm inclined to believe this, largely because I find it hard to imagine any other team has real reason to pursue Anthony Davis as aggressively as the Warriors. Reuniting with AD and playing with Stephen Curry would be extremely appealing to LeBron, and they can all relive the glory days of Team USA's past while trying to chase one last postseason run."
OK, but if James and the Lakers do part ways, where does that leave Bronny?
James might be the biggest name on the market, but he's not the only impact player who could be in for a change of scenery. The Jalen Duren sweepstakes is heating up, and Zion Williamson is one of several stars on the trade block this summer.
⚾ Mets fail MLB's first half
We're already halfway through the MLB regular season, and the first 81 games went much better for some teams than others. In the NL, the Braves and Dodgers have rolled. The Mets have flailed -- or in this case, failed.
Our MLB experts handed out first-half grades for each NL team, and it didn't take long to fill out the Mets' report card. Hitting and pitching -- two core elements in the game of baseball -- have been a constant struggle all year. As Mike Axisa explains, the Mets haven't looked further away from a World Series at any point in Steve Cohen's tenure as owner.
- Axisa: "They're near the bottom of the league offensively. The rotation started out shaky and has completely fallen apart over the last few weeks. Even some touted prospects in the minors have taken a step back. When Steve Cohen bought the team in 2020, he said he would consider it a disappointment if the Mets didn't win the World Series within 3-5 years. Well, this is now Year 6 of the Cohen era, and they're going to have to sell at the deadline. An unmitigated disaster from the top on down."
If it's any consolation for the Mets, they aren't the only New York baseball team enduring adversity. The Yankees are 3-8 in their last 11 games, and the offense has completely vanished. Aaron Judge can't return soon enough.
👍👎 The best (and not-so-best) of the rest
- Bengals coach Zac Taylor is on one of the hottest seats in the NFL this season.
- Tom Brady isn't exactly sugarcoating the Raiders' disastrous 2025 campaign.
- The Red Wings are among six ideal landing spots for Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski.
- Derrick Henry plummeted in Pete Prisco's Top 100 NFL player ranking.
- The Valkyries are suddenly leapfrogging contenders in the WNBA Power Rankings.
- Former 5-star QB Jackson Arnold may be facing his last chance at UNLV.
- Nebraska RB Mekhi Nelson was arrested and charged with aggravated battery.
- Arch Manning's development is one of six burning questions from the Manning Passing Academy.
- Incoming Kansas star Tyran Stokes goes No. 1 overall in our early 2027 NBA mock draft.
- Monday Night Raw loaded up two monstrous matches for SummerSlam.
📺 What we're watching Tuesday
🎾 Wimbledon: First round, 6 a.m. on ESPN
⚽ World Cup: Ivory Coast vs. Norway, 1 p.m. on Fox
⚽ World Cup: France vs. Sweden, 5 p.m. on Fox
⚾ Tigers at Yankees, 7 p.m. on TBS
🏀 Commissioner's Cup championship: Aces at Liberty, 7 p.m. on Prime Video
⚽ World Cup: Mexico vs. Ecuador, 9 p.m. on Fox
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
