Orlando Magic can't leave Sweeney to dry by sitting out free agency in July
The Orlando Magic can't sit out 2026 free agency
President Jeff Weltman needs to make some tweaks to aid his new head coach Sean SweeneyTony Mejia|
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Orlando MagicSean Sweeney is a rising coaching star and his introductory press conference was a hit, so I hope the Orlando Magic front office doesn’t hang him out to dry as July arrives and the NBA opens for business.
The new head coach can’t be the only fix the team has planned given all that went wrong over the last few months. That would be unfair on every level.
While it would set Sweeney up to play conquering hero in his first season, it would be like handing a new chef the same ingredients and run-down kitchen that forced the last guy to fail.
Predecessor Jamahl Mosley landed on his feet in New Orleans, where they’re known for great cuisine, fun times and have some nice pieces to work with. Orlando holds its own in all those categories and on paper, its personnel is better than what the Pelicans will have entering training camp. That doesn’t change the fact the Magic won’t have many new faces outside of the coaching staff unless moves are made over the next 10 days.
The Miami Heat added Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Washington Wizards drafted AJ Dybantsa No. 1 and hand the reins to Trae Young full-time. The Charlotte Hornets moved LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, but figure to rank among the league’s most prolific 3-point shooting teams, adding Naz Reid and Grayson Allen to a lineup that will include Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and Coby White. Within the Southeast, only the Atlanta Hawks are joining Orlando in bringing back essentially the same core, but they overachieved after dealing Young and won the division. Despite 45 wins, the Magic fell short of expectations.
Sometimes it’s great to run it back, but Sweeney is taking over on the heels of helping to coach in his second NBA Finals in three years. To be fair, no one but San Antonio has somebody like Victor Wembanyama on the roster, but the reason the Magic’s new 42-year-old leader became such a coveted name in the coaching market was that he hit the ground running in his first season after joining the Spurs following his run with the Dallas Mavericks. He instantly got results by designing and implementing a suffocating defensive game plan with the 7-foot-4 Defensive Player of the Year as the anchor.
Wembanyama isn’t along for Sweeney’s new ride, where he inherits an Orlando defense that fell off significantly in ‘25-’26 after a positive run under Mosley. Maybe all that’s needed is a new voice and a different scheme, but the front office making no changes isn’t ideal.
Check that, team president Jeff Weltman and GM Anthony Parker did make a move prior to Tuesday’s free agency window beginning, waiving one of their best defensive players in a cost-cutting move. Veteran Jonathan Isaac dealt with injuries and offensive inconsistency during his seven-season run that featured a couple of years lost to devastating knee injuries, but his defense off the bench did provide a positive spark once he got back to form in ‘23.
It remains to be seen whether forward/center Moe Wagner returns after his own injury-plagued season, or if fellow big man Goga Bitadze will indeed head elsewhere, but both are rumored possibilities. Centers Colin Castleton and Izaiyah Nelson, young players who played at Florida-based schools, may get a chance to contribute and should feature prominently during Summer League.
2023 lottery pick Jett Howard, who will turn 23 years old by the time training camp rolls around, is an unrestricted free agent.
Jamal Cain will be back, as will last season’s rookies, guard Jase Richardson and forward Noah Penda. With ‘24 first-rounder Tristan da Silva returning off a strong second season, there’s depth up front behind Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, who may or may not have been dangled in any talks to acquire Antetokounmpo.
Magic likely to use the same starters unless Suggs or Black are moved
So long as those two franchise pillars are healthy, Banchero and Wagner will start at the forward spots alongside center Wendell Carter Jr., the lone projected starter not signed through 2028-29, although the team will have the option to keep him entering that season.
Sixth man Anthony Black will be due a huge payday next offseason as long as his career trajectory continues, so maybe now is the time to move him in order to avoid matching a massive qualifying offer next season? Jalen Suggs is one of Orlando’s leaders, but another injury-plagued season, a poor playoff showing and Black’s emergence could leave him expendable if there’s a taker.
If the status quo prevails, Suggs, Black and Desmond Bane, who started all 82 regular-season games and every postseason contest, will handle the guard spots. Veteran Jevon Carter fit in nicely after signing in February, but he’ll need a new contract to stay put.
Sweeney’s arrival isn’t going to magically transform Orlando into a competent 3-point shooting team. That remains the team’s biggest weakness. If Moe Wagner bolts or Bitadze is dealt, the need for a quality 7-footer will arise. Adding another guard is a must to keep from putting too much on Richardson’s plate. Outside of the veteran minimum, there’s not much wiggle room.
It won’t be easy, but Weltman and Parker have to make some tweaks. Any move doesn’t have to come immediately, because it may ultimately work in the Magic’s favor to exercise patience and see who is available when free agency’s first round of musical chairs is complete.
At least a couple additions must be made to join Sweeney and a staff which already includes holdover Joe Prunty as new faces. Having a new voice is great, but coming off another disappointing season, the group dynamic must change too.
Published 35 minutes ago | Modified 29 minutes ago
TONY MEJIATony has covered the NBA since 2005, with stops at CBS Sports and Vegas Insider. He is a graduate of University of Central Florida.
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Ole Miss Transfer Portal Spotlight: LB Keaton Thomas
Ole Miss Transfer Portal Spotlight: LB Keaton Thomas
The Ole Miss Rebels added a veteran presence at linebacker during the offseason.Tanner Shapiro|
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Ole Miss RebelsThe Ole Miss Rebels had a strong linebacker room during their historic 2025 season, led by Suntarine Perkins, who returns for the 2026 campaign and T.J. Dottery, who transferred to LSU following former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge.
Perkins is the leader of the defense, as he recorded 41 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception during the 2025 season. Perkins was a key factor in Ole Miss' victory over Georgia in the College Football Playoff, as his strip sack provided the Rebels with crucial momentum during a pivotal moment of the game.
New head coach Pete Golding added linebacker Keaton Thomas from Baylor, a player who adds veteran experience and an extremely hard hitting presence to the Rebels' 2026 roster.
Thomas Brings Much Needed Experience
The Rebels will rely on the experience of Thomas and Perkins in 2026, as they navigate a new nine game SEC schedule. The duo of Thomas and Perkins could potentially be one of the best linebacker duos in the SEC, and maybe even in the country.
Thomas put up impressive numbers in 2025, as he recorded 62 solo tackles, one sack, and one interception. In 2024, Thomas recorded 62 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one interception, while also scoring a touchdown against TCU on a scoop and score.
Golding and his staff may have found the perfect linebacker to replace the production of T.J. Dottery. The Jacksonville, Fl., native has big shoes to fill, as the Rebels have had many stout linebackers over the past four seasons.
Thomas has strong attributes, including very good speed for a linebacker and impressive hands for the position. Expect Thomas to be a huge contributor to the defense.
Ole Miss Building an Elite Linebacker Room for 2026
Not only did Pete Golding go out and get Keaton Thomas, but he also added transfer linebacker Luke Ferrelli, who will help round out the defense and maintain the style of play Golding wants heading into a new and important 2026 season.
The Rebels will also have a different defensive identity in the secondary, as they added several new faces at defensive back. If the Rebels’ defensive back room lives up to the hype, the linebacking group should be able to thrive in 2026.
Ole Miss was not very good against the run last season, as the Rebels allowed 4.1 yards per carry to opposing rushers during the 2025 season. The Rebels will look to rely on Keaton Thomas to help address that issue.
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Published 5 minutes ago
TANNER SHAPIROTanner Shapiro is a senior at the University of Mississippi pursuing a degree in journalism with a minor in marketing. He is a staff writer for The Daily Mississippian, covering basketball and contributing sports coverage for the campus community. Outside of journalism, Tanner enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending time with friends.
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Use Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS for $15 bonus on Ivory Coast-Norway, Mexico-Ecuador at 2026 World Cup
There are three more Round of 32 matches in the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, and that's three more chances for new users to deploy the Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS to get a $15 bonus after $15 in trades. Sign up for the Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS, trade $15 and receive your $15 bonus here:
SportsLine soccer expert Martin Green has revealed his picks and analysis for Norway vs. Ivory Coast, France vs. Sweden and Mexico vs. Ecuador, and we've taken his top soccer predictions to compile our best Tuesday Kalshi trades for World Cup 2026. Kalshi prices Norway at $0.65 per share to advance, while the Ivory Coast is trading at $0.36 per share.
For the full terms and conditions and how to claim the referral, read our Kalshi referral code review.
How to claim the Kalshi referral code
New users can use the Kalshi referral code to claim this offer. For those who haven't used Kalshi and want a $15 bonus, follow these steps below. Here's how to sign up.
- Click "CLAIM BONUS" on this page or click here.
- Sign up for a Kalshi account and make a deposit.
- Trade at least $15 in event contracts.
- Receive your $15 bonus regardless of the trade outcomes. The credit expires in 30 days and cannot be withdrawn.
After making the first $15 in trades with the Kalshi referral code, new users will be given a $15 bonus here:
Kalshi prediction markets to target on Tuesday
- Norway vs. Ivory Coast: Norway to win in regulation ($0.47 per share)
- France vs. Sweden: Both teams to score ($0.55 per share)
- Mexico vs. Ecuador: First half tie ($0.50 per share)
Norway vs. Ivory Coast: Norway to win in regulation ($0.47 per share)
"Norway's superior attacking firepower could make the difference in this game. They scored seven goals in their first two group stage games - a 4-1 win against Iraq and a 3-2 victory over Senegal - before resting 10 players for their 4-1 defeat to France this week," Green said. "The likes of Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard will now be fresh for this game, and they could lead their team to victory over Ivory Coast. The Ivorians beat Ecuador and Curaçao in the group stage, but they lost to Germany, and they could struggle against another strong European team." Trade Ivory Coast vs. Norway here with the Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS and get a $15 bonus after $15 in trades:
France vs. Sweden: Both teams to score ($0.55 per share)
"The defense has looked a little shaky at times, and France's midfield isn't as strong as Spain's or Portugal's, but the French attack is phenomenal. That gives them a great chance of outscoring any opponent -- especially a Sweden team that leaks goals," Green said. "Meanwhile, Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres, Yasin Ayari, and Anthony Elanga are dangerous in attack for Sweden, and they could cause problems for the French defense." Trade Sweden vs. France here with the Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS and get a $15 bonus after $15 in trades:
Mexico vs. Ecuador: First half tie ($0.50 per share)
"Everything points to a tense, low-scoring game between two evenly matched teams on Tuesday. Mexico's overall squad is probably the deeper of the two, but Ecuador boasts more star power in Chelsea's Caicedo, Paris Saint-Germain's Pacho and Arsenal's Piero Hincapié," Green said. "All three of Ecuador's group games were tied at halftime, and Mexico's last two were also tied at the break, 0-0 against South Korea and 0-0 against Czechia, which makes backing a halftime draw at -105 attractive. The first half could be tight and cagey." Trade Ecuador vs. Mexico here with the Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS and get a $15 bonus after $15 in trades:
Responsible risk management
It's a top priority for Kalshi to look out for its users. Kalshi equips every trader with accessible risk management tools that can be enabled at any given time, including risk management actions like trading break, voluntary opt-out, and a personalized funding cap.
Prediction Markets are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) - an independent agency of the U.S. federal government.
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