Cooper Flagg’s NBA soft launch showed the spotlight fits just fine

Damian Lillard has signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, which includes a player option for the 2027-28 season and a no-trade clause, while he recovers from a torn Achilles that will sideline him for the 2025-26 season. After requesting a trade, Lillard was moved to the Milwaukee Bucks, who utilized the waive-and-stretch provision on his contract, allowing him to potentially reunite with the Blazers in the future. Need More Context? 🔎

Over 40 WNBA players, including stars like Nneka Ogwumike and Breanna Stewart, participated in collective bargaining negotiations with the WNBPA, amid stalled talks over salary increases and revenue sharing as the current CBA nears expiration. WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson described the discussions as challenging yet spirited, with another meeting to be scheduled soon. Need More Context? 🔎

Damian Lillard signed a three-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers after receiving offers from numerous teams, including Boston and Minnesota. His decision was significantly influenced by his desire to be close to his children, and he is expected to miss the entire upcoming season due to an Achilles injury; he now joins LeBron James as the only NBA players with a full no-trade clause. Need More Context? 🔎