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The Indiana Pacers have been exploring potential trades involving Buddy Hield since before the season, and they have finally found a suitor.
Hield has been traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports. Indiana will receive Marcus Morris, Furkan Korkmaz and three second-round draft picks in the deal.
Hield has been on the trade block since extension talks with the Pacers broke down last offseason. His role has been reduced this season as the Pacers try to develop their younger players.
In 52 games, Hield has averaged 12.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Those numbers are his lowest since he joined the Pacers via a trade with the Sacramento Kings midway through the 2021-22 season.
Joel Embiid will miss an extended period after undergoing a knee procedure, but the Sixers are hoping he is back in time for the playoffs. The sharpshooting Hield should be a nice addition down the stretch and into the postseason.
More must-reads:
- 76ers choosing to remain optimistic over Joel Embiid's injury
- Report: Pistons eyeing Sixers' Tobias Harris
- The 'Most career 20-assist games' quiz
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The 'Most made three-pointers by NBA season' quiz
Happy 24th birthday to Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards! The first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has lived up to the billing so far in his young NBA career, taking the Timberwolves from a 23-win team in his rookie season to back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances. While Ant-Man hasn't been able to make to the NBA Finals yet, he has already earned himself a reputation as a giant slayer in the postseason, topping Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, and Steph Curry in his playoff career. Which brings us to today's quiz. Edwards came into the NBA as a freak athlete, but has since added a dangerous three-point shot to his game, leading the NBA with 320 made triples in 2024-25. With that being said, how many of the league leaders in three-pointers made for every season since then can you name in five minutes? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!
Steelers Fans Watch As Stephen A. Smith Destroys George Pickens In Epic Rant: 'Pick Up A Book'
Now, the Steelers’ wide receiver room is in an interesting spot. With Pickens gone, Metcalf is the clear number one option, but there are questions about who will step up behind him. Meanwhile, Pickens seems to be enjoying his time in Dallas. He has taken a few subtle jabs at the Steelers, suggesting he is in a better place and even praising the Cowboys for their Super Bowl history. His comments have raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. One person who wasn’t impressed was ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. During a passionate segment on First Take, Smith ripped into Pickens for his remarks about the Cowboys being a Super Bowl team. He reminded Pickens that the Steelers are the more successful franchise and questioned whether the receiver understood what he was saying. Smith didn’t hold back, calling on Pickens to "pick up a book" and making it clear that he found the comments not only disrespectful, but uninformed. "Let me pause for a second and look in the camera for a second at George Pickens," Smith said. "I like George Pickens. He can ball, and I am sorry that he is gone from the Steelers and has now been contaminated by that Dallas Cowboys fan base." Pickens’ comments were very interesting. It’s no secret he feels a certain way about how the Steelers traded him. He’s been trying to keep a positive mindset about his new situation in Dallas, but it’s clear he’s made it a priority to throw in a few subtle jabs. Pickens said he understands the camaraderie in Dallas more than he ever did with the Steelers. He also claimed the Cowboys are synonymous with Super Bowls, which was a controversial statement considering the Steelers have more championships all-time than Dallas. "Here’s the deal," Smith said. "George Pickens, do you have any idea? When you talk about the Super Bowl and the Cowboys, you do understand that the Steelers are the more successful franchise. Did you know that? Did you know that? Do you understand what the he** you are saying? I mean, my God, you talk about a brother who needs to pick up a book. I am sorry, but I just have to call him out on that." Smith made it very clear that he thinks Pickens is a great football player and that he’s still a fan of his, even though he’s no longer on the Steelers. When you consider what Pickens was able to accomplish during his three seasons in Pittsburgh, it’s impressive. He played in one of the worst offenses in the NFL, yet he still managed to produce and deliver some truly exciting moments despite the team’s struggles. Steelers Fans Still Curious About George Pickens Now he finds himself in a much better offensive situation in Dallas, but from a franchise and team standpoint, the Cowboys are in a worse position than the Steelers. That’s why Pickens’ recent comments didn’t make much sense and why Smith felt the need to call him out during his epic rant. Many Steelers fans remain divided on the Pickens trade. Although he’s no longer in Pittsburgh, a lot of fans will continue to keep tabs on how he performs with the Cowboys. Whether out of frustration, curiosity, or lingering support, Pickens' journey in Dallas will be closely watched by Steeler Nation.
Minnesota Vikings Concerned About Performance Of One Critical Position
The NFL preseason is a time for optimism—a chance for fans and coaches alike to dream about overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness. But for Minnesota Vikings fans, there’s one lingering issue that tempers any excitement year after year: the team’s ongoing struggle to find consistency at the kicker position. Now, as training camp unfolds, that familiar uncertainty has crept back in. The Vikings’ current kicker, Will Reichard, is facing scrutiny following a shaky camp performance that has reignited concerns about whether Minnesota can finally close the book on its long, frustrating history with kickers. Minnesota Vikings: A Rocky Start for Will Reichard in 2025 Struggles in Training Camp Will Reichard came to the Minnesota Vikings with high expectations. After being selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he was viewed as a potential long-term solution to the team’s troubles at kicker. For a brief moment early in his rookie season, it seemed like the Vikings had struck gold—Reichard began his career with a perfect 14-for-14 streak on field goals, including four impressive conversions from beyond 50 yards. But things began to unravel. A quad injury midway through the season disrupted his rhythm, keeping him sidelined for four games and impacting his performance upon his return. Over his final five games, Reichard made just 10 of 14 field goal attempts, missing key kicks that left fans uneasy. Fast forward to training camp in 2025, and Reichard’s form appears to still be a work in progress. Reports from camp have described misses on routine field goal attempts, including two inside 40 yards during a recent session. These struggles are especially concerning for a team that frequently finds itself involved in close games where field position and special teams play a pivotal role. Root Causes of Reichard’s Struggles Special teams coordinator Matt Daniels acknowledged earlier this offseason that Reichard’s exhaustive rookie year may have played a role in his late-season slide. “The guy basically played eleven straight months of football without a break,” Daniels said, referencing his college playoff games, Senior Bowl participation, and NFL pre-draft commitments. This demanding schedule, combined with the physical toll of an NFL season, may have contributed to the quad injury and subsequent dip in performance. But excuses, while understandable, won’t satisfy Vikings fans who’ve grown weary of the team’s perpetual kicking carousel. The NFL is an unforgiving league, and the clock is ticking for Reichard to prove he can handle the pressure that comes with being an NFL kicker. The Vikings’ Troubled History with Kickers A Legacy of Heartbreak For much of their history, the Minnesota Vikings have been haunted by a seemingly endless cycle of kicker-related heartbreak. From missed playoff kicks to ill-fated experiments with new talent, the team’s inability to find stability at the position has cost them dearly. One of the most infamous moments came during the 1998 NFC Championship Game, when Gary Anderson—who had been perfect all season—missed a critical field goal that ultimately contributed to the Vikings’ loss. More recently, a missed 27-yard field goal by Blair Walsh during the 2015 playoffs sent shockwaves through a stunned fanbase. These moments aren’t just isolated mistakes; they’ve cast a long shadow over the franchise, leaving kickers who wear the Vikings jersey under unparalleled scrutiny. High Expectations in a High-Pressure Role The psychological toll of being a Vikings kicker is difficult to overstate. For any player stepping into the role, the expectations are sky-high, and even minor errors are magnified. It’s a position where good performance is expected but rarely celebrated, and failure—however fleeting—can define a career. This legacy of intense pressure raises questions. How much of the Minnesota Vikings’ kicker struggles are physical, and how much is mental? With Reichard now under the microscope, the team must evaluate whether his training camp struggles are a short-term hiccup or indicative of deeper issues. What Comes Next for the Minnesota Vikings? Patience or Panic? The NFL preseason offers Reichard a chance to put his training camp woes behind him. Preseason games, while still lower-stakes than the regular season, are a litmus test for kickers. If Reichard can bounce back and deliver reliable performances, he could cement his spot as the team’s starter before Week 1. But if the struggles persist, the Vikings may be forced to revisit their options. With veteran free agents potentially available and camp cuts creating opportunities, Minnesota could bring in competition to push Reichard or provide a backstop in case things continue to go south. Fixing Fundamentals Some factors affecting Reichard’s performance may extend beyond his own capabilities. The kicking operation—the trio of kicker, holder, and long snapper—requires precision. Reports from training camp indicate the team is testing new holding candidates, which could add instability to Reichard’s attempts. Straightening out these technical aspects will be critical as the team evaluates its special teams unit. A Familiar Feeling for Fans For Vikings fans, anxiety over the kicker spot is nothing new. Every wide-left miss or low-pressure shank in camp feels like déjà vu, a reminder of past heartbreaks that are all too fresh in their minds. But while skepticism runs high, so does the cautious hope that this time—finally—the team may find a solution. Final Thoughts The Minnesota Vikings’ search for consistency at the kicker position remains an ongoing saga, with Will Reichard’s training camp struggles adding another chapter to a story that’s defined by frustration and unmet expectations. However, the preseason still offers hope—hope that Reichard can reset and realign before the stakes become real. For now, though, the Minnesota Vikings walk a tightrope. If Reichard can rise to the challenge, stabilize his form, and deliver when it matters most, he could put an end to years of uncertainty. But if the struggles continue, the team must act quickly to avoid letting special teams woes derail another season. For Vikings fans, all they can do is hold their collective breath—and hope history doesn’t repeat itself.
Five takeaways from the first college football Coaches Poll
The 2025 college football season is less than three weeks away. On Monday, the first edition of the US LBM Coaches Poll was released. Soon, the AP Poll will come out, which is just another sign that the season is approaching. Preseason polls and their relevance have become more of a hot topic in recent years, but they are a fun discussion point either way. Texas opens the season at No. 1, followed by Ohio State, Penn State, Georgia and Notre Dame in the top five. Nine SEC teams cracked the top 25. Six from the Big Ten were ranked, along with five from the Big 12 and three from the ACC. Here are five takeaways from the Preseason edition of the Coaches Poll. Pressure is on Texas, Penn State The Longhorns have felt like the preseason favorite throughout the offseason. Texas is the only team in college football to have reached the national semifinals two years in a row. Arch Manning is taking over as the starting quarterback and enters the season as the Heisman favorite, like his uncle once was. Peyton's team never won the national title, and he didn't win the Heisman. We'll see what Arch can do in what could be his only season as the starter, although a return for the 2026 season is certainly possible. In 2025, though, anything less than a national title will be considered a failure for Texas. The same can be said about Penn State. The Nittany Lions got 14 first-place votes and might have the best combination of talent and an experienced quarterback in Drew Allar. It's truly national championship or bust. A huge opening weekend for college football The first full Saturday of the college football season is Aug. 30, and that weekend will be loaded with incredible matchups, highlighted by No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Ohio State. No. 6 Clemson will also host No. 9 LSU in a battle of top-10 teams, while No. 5 Notre Dame will play No. 10 Miami on Aug. 31 in another top-10 matchup. These games will shape the season and give us an early clue about the College Football Playoff race. SEC superiority still exists among coaches Despite the Big Ten winning the last two national championships, it's clear that coaches still view the SEC as the better conference. Texas is ranked ahead of Ohio State. Nine SEC teams are ranked in the top 21, along with four of the top nine and six of the top 15. The Big Ten isn't far behind, especially if a program like Nebraska can get back into the top 25 consistently. That league has five of the top 14 teams, according to the Coaches Poll, so the gap has narrowed. However, the SEC, top to bottom, still gets more respect. Big 12 has quantity, not quality The Big 12 likes to think of itself as the deepest conference in college football. It's not. The Big Ten and SEC are, but after that, the league might have an argument with five teams ranked in the top 25. What it doesn't have is a national title contender. Arizona State is ranked 11th. After that, Kansas State is next at No. 20. The Big 12 season should be exciting. Multiple teams could make the College Football Playoff, but there isn't a national title contender in the conference unless something crazy happens. Murky at the top Five different teams received No. 1 votes in the Coaches Poll (Texas, Ohio State, Penn State, Georgia and Clemson). Texas got 41 percent of the votes, but there isn't a clear national title favorite heading into the season. The first Coaches' Poll reflected that.
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