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Left-handed starting pitcher Blake Snell is in his tenth major-league season after making his debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016. Snell spent time with the San Diego Padres, then signed a deal with the San Francisco Giants after the 2023 season, which he later opted out of to enter free agency in 2024. The 32-year-old veteran signed a five-year, $182 million contract this offseason with the Los Angeles Dodgers after an exceptional 2024 campaign. Snell earned such a lucrative contract thanks to his outstanding career to date, which includes two Cy Young Awards and an All-Star appearance. Over 213 career starts, he owns a 77–58 record, a 3.18 ERA and 1,372 strikeouts. Snell was placed on the injured list on April 6 (retroactive to April 3) with left shoulder inflammation after experiencing discomfort during a bullpen session; he had made only two starts for the Dodgers before the injury. After four minor-league rehab outings, manager Dave Roberts announced on Sunday that Snell is expected to rejoin the rotation next week. With his return looming, the Dodgers have decided to shift to a six-man rotation but now face a decision on right-hander Dustin May’s roster status. May returned to a full-time starting role for the first time in two seasons and has struggled. On Sunday against the Boston Red Sox, May allowed four runs in five innings of work, and he entered the start with an ERA of 4.73. May’s name has surfaced in trade rumors, and he is a candidate to potentially be moved to the bullpen. He is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
This year’s NBA offseason could see a lightning strike in the near future. The Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus has suggested a new, three-team trade between the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets that would send LeBron James, alongside his son Bronny James, to Dallas in a dramatic, yet significant deal to reshape all three teams’ futures. Here’s why. LeBron James to the Dallas Mavericks LeBron James opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 NBA season. However, James’ decision was met with skepticism by several NBA executives. Some NBA insiders expected James, 40, to opt out and sign a one-plus-one deal. The decision drove chatter of possible discontent and a potential end to his Lakers run. James holds one of the NBA’s rare no-trade clauses. Therefore, James can decide where he would land. Multiple NBA insiders have said that the Dallas Mavericks are high on James’ list. Joining the Mavericks would allow James to reunite with Kyrie Irving, join forces with Anthony Davis again, and play under Jason Kidd, who served as an assistant coach during the Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship run. James, Mavericks Outlook LeBron James is 40 years old and will turn 41 on December 30, 2025. However, James is still playing like a top-tier NBA player. If the Dallas Mavericks acquire James, the Mavericks could receive star power, shot creation, and veteran leadership. A Mavericks goal appears to be winning while the team’s NBA championship window is still open. The Mavericks would receive LeBron James (via Lakers), Bronny James (via Lakers), Drew Timme (via Nets), Tyrese Martin (via Nets), a $1.8 million trade exception, and a $1.1 million trade exception. The Mavericks could benefit from a solid core of James, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg and Dereck Lively II. The Lakers would receive Daniel Gafford (via Mavericks), PJ Washington (via Mavericks), Naji Marshall (via Mavericks), Caleb Martin (via Mavericks), Jaden Hardy (via Mavericks), a 2030 Los Angeles Lakers second-round pick (via Nets), a 2031 Los Angeles Lakers second-round pick (via Nets) and a $24.1 million trade exception. The Lakers could start the Luka Doncic era. The Brooklyn Nets would receive Dalton Knecht (via Lakers), Maxi Kleber (via Lakers), Olivier-Maxence Prosper (via Mavericks) and Dwight Powell (via Mavericks). The Nets would serve as a facilitator, as the team would acquire assets while helping two contenders shift money around, and perhaps cash considerations. Final Thoughts It’s highly unlikely that LeBron James will be traded to the Dallas Mavericks. However, nothing can be ruled out. The NBA world saw the Luka Doncic trade to the Los Angeles Lakers this past February, and if they’re old enough to remember, the Jason Kidd trade to the Phoenix Suns in December 1996. If and when James is traded to Dallas, James’ presence can help the Mavericks succeed. James can help improve team chemistry, instill confidence in the team, and build a winning culture. James can play multiple positions as a forward, but a huge concern would be James’ declining gameplay and shooting stats.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback and former Iowa State star Brock Purdy is gaining more chemistry with his tight end, George Kittle. This offseason, Purdy bought a house in Nashville, Tennessee, making it easier to get to Kittle's compound for extra training. “With Brock down there, it’s really fun,” Kittle said. “They give us a list of routes that they want us to focus on, and for us to be able to run 20, 30, 40 routes, two to three days a week, that helps me. So when we get back and we show up here, it’s not like we are running routes for the first time and have that rust.” Kittle is coming off a great 2024 season, where he hauled in 78 receptions for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns. “Obviously, got some work with Kittle, Mason Pline,” Purdy said. “Obviously at George’s place it’s just a bunch of tight ends and everything, but really good work that we got, so I was excited about that.” Kittle has been Purdy's top target since he became the starting quarterback. In the 2024 season, Purdy completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 3,864 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Purdy has been an efficient passer since his time with the Cyclones. In his senior season with Iowa State, Purdy completed 71.7 percent of his passes for 3,188 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. With the extra offseason work, Purdy and Kittle have strengthened their connection, and they should have a great 2025 season. Read More Iowa State Cyclones Coverage
The Vancouver Canucks clearly need an upgrade down the middle, and now Trevor Beggs has hinted they may have significant interest in Buffalo's Josh Norris. This past season saw plenty of movement at the trade deadline, and while some moves paid off big, others did not, with a great example of the latter being Josh Norris acquired by the Buffalo Sabres. The talented yet injury prone centre was a key piece in a move that sent Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators, and while the Sabres had hopes of turning his career around, thus far, the injuries have struck again as he played in just three games after being acquired. With the team looking to push back into playoff contention, they may grow impatient with Norris, and given the Vancouver Canucks desires to upgrade down the middle, it's no surprise that they've now been linked to the 26-year old. Because he's good friends and a former college roommate of Quinn Hughes, Josh Norris will always be on the trade-market radar for Canucks fans. Norris only played three games with the Sabres before getting injured following the trade deadline. If he gets off to a subpar start in Buffalo, an organization that has missed the playoffs for 14 straight years can't afford to be patient with an injury-riddled 26-year-old, can they? That speculation comes from Locked on Canucks host Trevor Beggs, who believes that Norris' talent and his connection to Quinn Hughes make him an ideal trade candidate for the Canucks, a team that have undergone plenty of roster turnover in recent times. If Norris stays healthy and the Sabres start well, it's unlikely that they'll want to move him after he combined for 35 points in 56 games a year ago, but if that doesn't happen, don't be surprised to see Vancouver try and buy low on him.
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