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Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty are about to begin their WNBA title defense, with the 2025 season commencing on Friday.
The Liberty will play their season opener on Saturday versus fellow heavyweight Las Vegas Aces this Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
But before that huge matchup right out of the gate, Ionescu shared a message on social media, expressing her excitement to the start of another chapter in her WNBA career.
“Year 6New York… Let’s get it!” Ionescu wrote while also adding an emoji of the Statue of Liberty.
The post also featured four photos of Ionescu in different poses.
Ionescu’s fingerprints were all over the Liberty’s 2024 championship season. During that campaign, the former Oregon Ducks star averaged 18.2 points, 6.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds.
She had a down year in terms of shooting efficiency, as she made just 39.4 percent of their field goal attempts and 33.3 percent of her takes from behind the arc, but positive regression could be on her side in her sixth year in the WNBA.
That doesn’t sound good for Liberty’s rivals, including the Aces, who lost to the Liberty in the WNBA semifinals last season.
Aside from Ionescu, the Liberty are also going to rely heavily on other stars like Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones.
Ionescu perfectly complements the formidable frontcourt tandem of Stewart and Jones, and that basketball symbiosis will be on display again, beginning this Saturday versus the Aces, who are also looking for a good start to their 2025 campaign.
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TODAY'S BEST
Steelers Are In Position To Make Interesting Trade For 2023 First Rounder To Strengthen Defense
The Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off an upset victory at home on Sunday over the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts came into the Steel City riding high, boasting one of the most complete offenses and teams in the NFL. The Steelers were three-point home underdogs, but the game quickly started going Pittsburgh’s way. The defense forced six takeaways from the Colts’ offense, and the Steelers held on to win 27-20, sending a statement across the league. Now, with the trade deadline hitting on November 4th, all eyes are on contenders to see what moves they might make at the last minute as they try to improve their rosters for the crucial stretch of the 2025 season. Steelers General Manager Omar Khan has made it clear through his history of bold moves that he will always bang the phones if he sees a chance to strengthen the roster. With the Steelers in such a unique spot this season with Aaron Rodgers only in town for 2025, timing is critical. The focus has largely been on acquiring another weapon for Rodgers, but on Monday, Steelers insider Brian Batko revealed another potential target. He mentioned former 2023 first-round pick and New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks as a possible trade option in his article for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. With the Steelers showing defensive dominance on Sunday and the trade deadline approaching, fans and pundits alike are watching closely to see if Khan can pull off another impactful move before the critical stretch of the season. "One of the more intriguing ideas is to offer a change of scenery for Giants cornerback Deonte Banks, a 2023 first-round pick who visited the Steelers before that draft and has been benched at times this year for a 2-7 team," Batko said on Monday. Like Batko mentioned, Banks was a player the Steelers had interest in back during the 2023 NFL Draft when he was coming out of Maryland. Banks is now in a unique situation with the Giants, where he has lost his footing on the depth chart and the team is not competitive. That means they could be sellers, and Banks could become an option for Pittsburgh. Another intriguing idea from Batko is Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen, but because the Seahawks are now contenders, acquiring him could be trickier. "Riq Woolen, the speedy 6-4 cornerback who has reportedly fallen out of favor in Seattle, would be fun but might be needed for a Seahawks team that’s put itself in contender territory," Batko said. There are all sorts of directions that Khan and the Steelers front office can go. With the Steelers sitting at 5-3 and in first place in the AFC North, the time is now to leave no stone unturned and figure out how to maximize the 2025 season with Rodgers. Khan could try and add a wide receiver to this roster but it also sounds like a defensive trade is also on the table. Steelers Are In A Rare Spot The Steelers are in a rare position this season where a smart move could have an immediate impact. With a veteran quarterback like Rodgers leading the offense, even one addition on either side of the ball could shift momentum in the critical final stretch. The front office has shown a willingness to be aggressive in the past, and with the trade deadline looming, they have a window to make a statement. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if Khan can identify the right pieces without sacrificing future flexibility. Whether it’s shoring up the secondary with a cornerback like Banks or adding another weapon for Rodgers, the next few days could define how competitive Pittsburgh is in the AFC this year. What trades do you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers make before the trade deadline hits on November 4th?
Brad Marchand Reportedly Refused Trade to Different Team Before Joining Panthers
** Author’s Note: We’re working to get verification and footage of the comments from Marchand. This report comes from multiple social accounts that claim they heard the remarks firsthand. According to a report by @j_vmess on social media, former Boston Bruins captain and now Florida Panthers veteran star Brad Marchand shared a surprising story during Pantherfest this weekend. Apparently, he confirmed that he was nearly traded at the NHL trade deadline to a different team. He refused that trade, which led him to joining the Florida Panthers. Revealing that the Bruins moved him to a different NHL club, Marchand said he told the team he would not accept a trade there and would refuse to report if dealt. Ultimately, the Bruins pivoted and traded Marchand to Florida. Marchand went on to win a Stanley Cup with the team and re-sign there this past offseason as a free agent. @flatcatsandrats added to the report, noting that according to Marchand, the deal came together just before the deadline closed. “I got traded to another team about an hour before the deadline,” Marchand is said to have told fans. “When they called me, I said no — I wasn’t going.” Marchand didn’t specify which team had acquired his rights; the assumption is that the Los Angeles Kings had expressed serious interest. Marchand has reportedly noted in previous interviews that he wasn’t interested in playing for the Kings or on the West Coast. So too, back in June, Elliotte Friedman wrote that the Kings thought they had a trade for Marchand completed. At the time of Friedman’s article, Marchand was weighing his free agency options, Friedman explained: “Florida is first up, obviously, with the advantage of already being a perfect fit and good state taxes. If he doesn’t stay, Toronto and Utah are expected to be among the serious pursuers. Utah has indicated it is not crazy about term, Toronto could prefer to stretch it out, but, watching him in the final, who wouldn’t want him? Los Angeles (who had a deal with Boston, only to find out Marchand wanted Florida), New Jersey, Washington, etc., etc., he can fit anywhere.” “This was the only team I was coming to,” suggested another person who cited Marchand’s comments this weekend. It was common knowledge that teams were interested in Marchand at the deadline, but knowing that a trade had been finalized and that Marchand was the one who squashed it is an added wrinkle.
Three offseason trade targets for Blue Jays to add an impact bat
The Toronto Blue Jays and their fans are fresh off the most heartbreaking loss in franchise history. Putting the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers on the brink of elimination with two cracks to win the World Series at home, only to lose two nail-biters that each came down to the final out. It’s going to take a long time to get over it, if that’s even possible to do. However, they'll have to turn the page rather quickly because in just three days, the negotiating window for free agents expires, and all are free to sign wherever they so choose. Toronto will be busy in an attempt to retain the likes of star shortstop Bo Bichette and starting pitchers Shane Bieber, Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer. At the same time, the front office must be active in improving its roster from the outside, whether that’s via free agency or trade. While there are some intriguing names for the Blue Jays to target on the open market, given their needs, heading down the trade route could make the most sense. Here are three ideal trade targets for the Toronto Blue Jays to add an impactful left-handed bat to their lineup for 2025-26 and beyond: Oneil Cruz | Pittsburgh Pirates Cruz’s name popped up in trade rumors ahead of the deadline in August, and it’s fair to wonder if he still could be available if Pittsburgh gets the right offer. The 27-year-old has all of the tools to be one of the best hitters in baseball, standing at 6-foot-7, 240 pounds with extreme power and bat speed. His numbers last season (20 HRs, 61 RBI), while solid, didn't reflect his talent, but it's understandable given the lack of protection around him on the Pirates. In Toronto, Cruz could slot in behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bichette, immediately becoming the most dangerous left-handed hitter in a right-heavy lineup. Matt Wallner | Minnesota Twins The 39th overall pick back in 2019 may not publicly be on the trade block, but after its sell-off at the deadline, it doesn’t feel like anyone is untouchable in Minnesota. Like Cruz, Wallner, at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, has big-time power, and the Blue Jays saw that firsthand when he crushed three HRs and six RBI during their three-game series in Toronto in late August. He does have some swing and miss in his bat (.231 career average), but with how often the top of the Blue Jays lineup gets on base, all it takes is one swing for Wallner to put up a crooked number on the scoreboard. Jarren Duran | Boston Red Sox The 2024 All-Star Game MVP has been in constant trade discussions for over a year now, and it feels inevitable that he gets dealt out of Boston this winter. Duran had more of an up-and-down 2025 campaign, though he's displayed the ability to drive in runs (84 RBI) and has power with even more untapped potential. Combine that with his speed and athleticism, and you can see why so many teams would love to acquire him. Trading within the division is never easy, but the 29-year-old would be a perfect fit in the middle of Toronto's lineup, so it's something they should absolutely look into.
Mike Vrabel responds to accusation that Patriots simulated Falcons' snap on key fourth-quarter play
Eagles Reportedly Making Right Call With AJ Brown
The Philadelphia Eagles certainly have had an aggressive trade deadline. Philadelphia hasn't been messing around in the slightest and as of writing have acquired Michael Carter II, Jaire Alexander, and Jaelan Phillips. The reigning champs clearly are going all in, which makes all of the wild noise around star receiver AJ Brown even more outlandish. Seemingly all season to this point, there has been speculation about Brown's standing with the Eagles and that only intensified with him not getting the ball as much as expected early on this season. But, still, the noise hasn't made sense. Why would the reigning champs trade a player that gives them a better chance to win away? It hasn't made sense. FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer was asked about the possibility of a trade involving Brown on Sunday and acknowledged that teams have called, but emphatically said a deal isn't happening. "No," Glazer said when asked if Brown is going anywhere. "A couple of teams have asked about him but that is a hard no for AJ Brown. The receivers out there, like Jakobi Meyers, who the (Pittsburgh Steelers) called about earlier of the (Las Vegas Raiders). Rashid Shaheed, Calvin Ridley, those are names." The Eagles are making the right call The Eagles have arguably the most aggressive front office in football. But, there is no way to argue that the Eagles are a better team with Brown not on the roster. Sure, there have been a few social media posts that have raised eyebrows, but that's no reason to trade a guy and fortunately it doesn't sound like the Eagles are thinking that way right now at all. The Eagles are 6-2 and are in first place in the NFC East right now. The closest team to the Eagles in the division right now is the Dallas Cowboys, who are 3-4-1 on the season. If the season were to end today, the Eagles would be the No. 1 seed in the entire NFC. The idea of trading Brown has been odd from the jump, but it sounds like Philadelphia fans don't need to worry about that any longer.
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