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The Atlanta Dream hope to have an impactful 2025 draft class despite the fact they didn't have a first-round pick this spring. One rookie, though, has already not made the Dream roster.
The Dream announced Monday the team has waived rookie forward DeYona Gaston. Her release comes just eight days after the Dream added Gaston to their organization.
Atlanta signed Gaston to a training camp contract on April 27.
During the 2024-25 college season, Gaston averaged a career-high 22.3 points per game in 29 contests for the Auburn Tigers. The scoring average set a new program high in Auburn women's basketball history.
She also averaged 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1.0 block and 0.9 assists per game during the 2024-25 season.
Prior to this past season, Gaston spent four years with the Texas Longhorns. Over four campaigns, she averaged nine points with 4.6 rebounds in 106 games.
Her best statistical season with the Longhorns came during her junior year in 2022-23. Gaston posted 12.1 points and 5.8 rebounds with 1.1 assists in 36 games.
The Atlanta Dream have waived forward DeYona Gaston. pic.twitter.com/rHNc84K2GJ
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) May 5, 2025
In addition to Gaston, the Dream signed undrafted rookies Emani Jefferson and Maria Gakdeng to training camp contracts in April. The guard and forward remain in Atlanta training camp.
The Dream didn't possess a first-round selection in the 2025 WNBA Draft. But the team selected South Carolina guard Te-Hina PaoPao at No. 18 overall in the second round and Ohio State guard Taylor Thierry at No. 36 overall in the third round.
The Dream will host the Indiana Fever in their preseason home opener on May 10. Atlanta will open the regular season on the road against the Washington Mystics on May 16.
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New Brittney Griner Photo Is the Talk of WNBA on Monday
WNBA star Brittney Griner did her part to lead the Atlanta Dream to an upset victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday. Griner was one of the standout WNBA players of the weekend posting a season-high 22 points, four rebounds and three assists versus the Lynx. Atlanta's win ended Minnesota's impressive 14-game home winning streak. After playing her first 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, Griner signed with the Dream this offseason. Brittney Griner's Stats Are Down But the Dream Are Winning Games While Griner's stats are down from some of her All-Star seasons of the past, Atlanta is stacking up wins since adding the center as the franchise sits at 15-10 through the first 25 games and looks to be among the WNBA contenders. Griner is averaging 11 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in 23 starts for the Dream this season. “The business part is always tough,” Griner said, per Clutch Points. “Tough conversations, especially when you've been somewhere so long where it just feels like family. "It's hard to have those tough conversations, but it's all love. I'm happy for them. I'm happy for myself as well. So everything all worked out.” In addition to the Dream's win, an epic photo of Griner also emerged from Sunday's game. Griner is seen below doing her best Michael Jordan impression by pulling out her own version of MJ's shoulder shrug. The WNBA Named Brittney Griner the Top Performer for the Dream-Lynx Game The WNBA also took notice of Griner's performance against the Lynx, naming the star the Top Performer from the game. "BG was cookin’ with grease today," the WNBA account detailed on X. "She went off for a season-high 22 PTS on 61.5 FG% to help the @AtlantaDream hand the Lynx their first home loss of the season!"
Liverpool Are the Transfer Market Winners With Luis Díaz Sale
Luis Díaz’s move to Bayern Munich for a reported €75 million (around £65.5 million, including add-ons) wasn’t just a blockbuster summer transfer; it was a prime example of Liverpool playing the market smartly. While fans might feel watching the Colombian winger leave after three impactful years at Anfield, the reality is that the Reds cashed in at the right time, on their own terms. Bayern’s earlier bid of €67.5 million was turned down, but when Díaz made it clear he was ready for a new challenge, and Liverpool saw contract extension talks stalling, they took control of the situation. The club chose to sell at full market value rather than risk losing a valuable asset for less down the line. In today’s climate, getting top dollar for a player pushing 30 with no new deal in sight is no small achievement. They signed him from Porto in January 2022 for £37.5 million, rising to £50 million with add-ons. The sale now not only brings in profit but also helps Liverpool enhance their galactic transfer window even further. The Reds Played This Window Like Pros Liverpool has had a busy, record-breaking summer of high spending, with over £300 million spent on fresh faces like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Hugo Ekitike. Those names don’t come cheap, but while many clubs overextend during rebuilds, Liverpool has kept things tidy on the financial front. Offloading Díaz, along with departures like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Caoimhin Kelleher, and Jarell Quansah, has brought in nearly £125 million in total, helping to balance their books and avoid falling foul of FFP regulations. Liverpool found the sweet spot between emotion and economics in a transfer market where clubs either panic-buy or cling onto stars for too long. No Room For Stalemates Let’s not forget, this wasn’t just about money. Behind the scenes, Díaz’s future was uncertain for months. Liverpool made two attempts to extend his contract, but neither went anywhere. Sources close to the player had hinted at his decision to leave as early as summer 2024, especially after his stock rose following a strong 2023/24 campaign. Bayern came knocking with a better deal in July 2025, and the writing was on the wall. The club’s decision to leave Díaz out of the pre-season friendly against AC Milan, despite no injury concerns, was a clear sign that things were moving quickly. Rather than drag the saga out and risk it affecting the dressing room, Liverpool acted decisively. A Big Departure, But Vision Remains Since his Liverpool debut, Díaz has made 148 appearances, scoring 40+ goals and providing around 23 assists. He was electric, unpredictable, and crucial for the club during the 2024-25 season, notching 17 goals and eight assists in 50 games as the Reds lifted the Premier League title. He offered more than just stats; his flair on the left wing, defensive work rate, and ability to change games were undeniable. Liverpool has a long history of letting stars go when the timing is right, and this move feels consistent with that tradition. A Squad Ready To Evolve With Díaz gone and Darwin Núñez also rumored to be on his way out, Liverpool’s front line is undergoing a reshuffle. The likes of Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, and new boy Ekitike give Slot plenty to work with, but the real excitement lies in the club’s pursuit of Alexander Isak. The Newcastle striker is being lined up as a potential record-breaking signing, with Liverpool preparing a huge bid to bring the Swedish international to Anfield, and they’re thinking of breaking the British transfer record for the second time in a single window. Isak has reportedly rejected offers from Saudi Arabia, making Liverpool his preferred destination. The Díaz funds could prove vital in landing him, proof that Liverpool aren’t just cashing in, they’re already preparing the next chapter.
Suns Rejected Massive Trade Offer From Pelicans During 2025 NBA Draft: Report
It has been a busy offseason for the Phoenix Suns as they have completely overhauled their roster after another disappointing season last year. Of course, the Suns have broken up their star trio of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal as they traded Durant to the Houston Rockets and bought out Beal’s contract. Now Booker is the only one remaining and it is clear that Phoenix is looking to build around him for the future after they gave him a massive two-year contract extension. For the Suns, they have added a ton of talent this offseason via trades, free agency and the draft with the headliners being Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Khaman Maluach and Mark Williams. During the draft, the Suns selected Maluach 10th overall with the pick they received from the Rockets in the Durant trade but they reportedly turned down an offer from another Western Conference team during the draft. According to The Athletic’s John Hollinger, the Suns turned down an unprotected 2026 first-round pick and the 23rd overall pick in the 2025 draft from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for the 10th pick. Of course, the Pelicans would later trade both picks they offered to the Suns for the 13th overall pick from the Atlanta Hawks that they used to select Derik Queen. This is a move that may haunt the Pelicans as they could end up being one of the worst teams in the NBA again next season due to the loaded West but it could also come back to hurt the Suns as well. For the Suns, it is clear that they have high hopes for Maluach but if they would have pulled off the trade with New Orleans and the Pelicans end up being a bottom feeder once again next season, they could have gotten the first pick in next year’s draft. Instead, the Hawks now own the Pelicans’ first-round pick next season and it remains to be seen whether not making this trade will come back to haunt the Suns in the future.
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Guardians executive opens up about Emmanuel Clase investigation, what comes next
CLEVELAND — Emmanuel Clase is officially off the trading block, and not for the reasons the Cleveland Guardians might have hoped. After Clase was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of MLB’s sports-betting investigation on Monday, Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti acknowledged that the high-profile closer wouldn't be a part of any trades before the upcoming MLB trade deadline later this week. "No," Antonetti responded to reporters on Monday afternoon when asked if Clase would potentially be traded. It's a blow to the Guardians, who likely could have received a loaded return had they chosen to move the 27-year-old right-hander. However, with MLB's investigation underway, Clase is now on leave until Aug. 31. It is Major League Baseball's second look at the franchise in terms of potential sports betting following Luis Ortiz being placed on the same kind of leave earlier in July. That means Cleveland is down two relievers, including Clase and his 24 saves posted so far this season. "I think what's important is that we understand what the reality is and figure out how do we move forward from here," Antonetti said. "That's really the focus. "Both guys won't be available to us in the near term, and we need to figure out a way to overcome that. It's not too dissimilar to the moment when players are injured and they're not available to us. We have to find the next group to step up and shoulder a load and find a way to win games. That's really what we're focused on." Antonetti also told reporters that the two relievers will be the last Cleveland players investigated for this type of potential infringement. "We've been informed by Major League Baseball. They were very clear to let us know that they don't expect any other players or staff members," Antonetti said. While Clase may not be off the trading list, Antonetti told reporters it was still very "active" in terms of other teams reaching out to the Guardians around the 6 p.m. (Eastern) Thursday trade deadline. "We're in constant dialogue with a lot of teams," Antonetti said. "We had a lot of dialogue up through this morning and certainly had dialogue over the last few hours. My expectation is that it will continue over the next few days." Antonetti didn't offer a timeline in terms of when Cleveland might hear official rulings from MLB on the investigations. "What I know is that the suspensions are in place through August 31 and then we'll have to see where things are happening," Antonetti said. "Obviously, for everyone, I think you'd prefer to have the clarity sooner rather than later. But I recognize it's a complicated issue and usually baseball has a number of steps they need to work through to complete that investigation." All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
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