The summer of Boston and of fathers and sons is expected to get more clarity over the coming weeks as NBA free agency kicks off Sunday, just days after the draft was completed.The champion Celtics won't be too impacted by free-agent departures, while other teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors each have key decisions ahead.Here is where the top NBA free agents could land in advance of the 2024–25 season:LEBRON JAMES, Los Angeles Lakers (player option)Bronny James is now a member of the Lakers after he was selected in the second round Thursday, and any chance his famous father would leave the organization is long gone. LeBron James still figures to opt out of his current deal, but only to come to terms on a new multi-year contract with the Lakers and play for his friend and former podcast partner JJ Redick in 2024–25. When or if the James-James duo actually hits the court together remains to be seen.PAUL GEORGE, Los Angeles Clippers (player option)The Clippers are set to open a new arena in the fall, which is not unrelated to their situation with George. The Clippers intend to be a winner in their new digs, and George supplies offensive consistency for the road ahead. The expectation is that George will be on the move, but only 10 miles to the south as he remains with the Clippers and opens shop in a new building. The Rockets, Warriors, 76ers or Magic could have a say about that.TYRESE MAXEY, Philadelphia 76ers (restricted free agent)Following an impressive season that earned Maxey the NBA Most Improved Player award, the guard is not likely to go anywhere. Maxey’s breakout season included 25.9 points and 6.2 assists per game. The Sixers figure to show their appreciation to a player who made the departure of James Harden easy to bear.DEMAR DEROZAN, Chicago Bulls (unrestricted free agent)Finally, a player who figures to be on the move. DeRozan turns 35 this summer, so an extended deal has its risks, but the guard scored 24.0 points per game with 5.3 assists, so it isn’t as if production is on the decline. If George does happen to move on, perhaps to Philadelphia, DeRozan will replace him in his hometown with the Los Angeles Clippers. Other suitors: 76ers, Lakers, Magic.KLAY THOMPSON, Golden State Warriors (unrestricted free agent)Having already made over $200 million during his NBA career, it figures to be more about comfort level than breaking the bank for Thompson, who has been a star, has gone through the heartbreak of injury, and has come out on the other side. Thompson is not the athlete he once was, but he would have his best chance of reaching maximum productivity by staying with the team that knows him best in the Bay Area.ISAIAH HARTENSTEN, New York Knicks (unrestricted free agent)If there was any hope the Knicks would be able to re-sign Hartenstein, it likely went away when Nicolas Claxton reportedly agreed to a four-year, $100 million deal to remain with the Brooklyn Nets. Hartenstein is now in line for something similar, at least annually, and the Knicks don’t appear to have the financial flexibility to match. Suitors reportedly include Magic and Thunder.JAMES HARDEN, Los Angeles Clippers (unrestricted free agent)Give credit to Harden for realizing a team need amid his move to the Clippers last season and diving into a playmaker role, even after saying he is a system unto himself. Harden averaged 16.6 points with 8.5 assists over 72 games at age 34. But he took 11.4 shots per game, his lowest since 2012–13, while still shooting 38.1 percent from 3-point range. Still, guards hold many of the cards in this free agent class, and the Spurs, Magic or Pelicans could come calling.KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE, Denver Nuggets (player option)A two-time champion with two different teams, Caldwell-Pope showed his value in Denver, scoring 10.1 points per game last season and shooting 41.5 percent from 3-point range in two seasons for the Nuggets. With a cluster of stars getting paid in Denver, Caldwell-Pope looks set to depart, just like Bruce Brown did last offseason. Suitors: Magic, 76ers.TOBIAS HARRIS, Philadelphia 76ers (unrestricted free agent)During six productive seasons in Philadelphia, Harris averaged 17.6 points and 6.6 rebounds, just above his career marks. But the soon-to-be 32-year-old averaged 9.0 points during a season-ending six-game playoff series against the Knicks. A dip in pay is expected, and it likely will come from a new team. Suitors: Mavericks, Pistons, Spurs, Pelicans, Jazz.D’ANGELO RUSSELL, Los Angeles Lakers (player option)Tag Russell as another player with a solid regular season—even dynamic at times—that showed far too little in the playoffs. Russell could be set to depart Los Angeles, five months after he was originally set to be on the way out. He went on a scoring tear just before the trade deadline to save his spot in L.A., but his playoff effort was lacking. It still might be enough to secure a new deal with the team. Outside suitors include the Spurs, Magic and Rockets.
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Torino have completed the signing of Afriyie Acquah on a four-year deal, with the Ghana international ending his fruitless two-year stay at Hoffenheim.
The 23-year-old midfielder moved to Hoffenheim from Palermo in 2013 but never featured for the Bundesliga side, instead returning to Italy for a second loan spell at Parma as well as a stint at Sampdoria.
While Acquah had two years left to run on his deal at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Torino have moved to sign the Ghanaian until 2019.
Acquah s form for Parma in recent seasons saw him named in Ghana s squads for the 2014 World Cup as well as the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
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Fabinho nears Manchester City move
Monaco full-back Fabinho is reportedly set to join Premier League giants Manchester City, .
The Citizens aim to recruit the Brazilian defender as a long-term successor to Pablo Zabaleta and they are believed to be in advanced talks with the player s employers.
Everything suggests that the deal taking Fabinho to the Etihad will be finalised next week, with Monaco set to earn a substantial fee in the process.
The Principality club finally purchased the defender s contract in May after he had spent two years on loan at Stade Louis II.
Fabinho largely impressed ever since he joined the club from Rio Ave and was at times used as a holding midfielder in addition to playing at right-back.
The 21-year-old, who …
Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has offered his services to hometown club Everton as he looks to secure a move away from Loftus Road, according to the Mirror.
The boyhood Toffees fan is so keen to secure a move to Goodison Park that he has offered to take a fifty per cent pay cut on his £70,000 per week wages.
Barton is currently with Harry Redknapp’s side having spent a year on loan with Ligue 1 side Marsielle, and could feature in the Hoops opening game of the season against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
However, the 30 year old has made contact with Everton manager Roberto Martinez to see if he would be willing to sign him.
The controversial player was linked with a move to the Blue half of Merseyside on a number of oc…
Arsenal are considering a January bid for Spartak Moscow midfielder Romulo, Russian media outlet .
It is no secret the Gunners are on the lookout for a new defensive midfielder and they look set to rekindle the interest in their long-term target.
According to Izvestia, Arsenal are ready to offer €12 million for the Brazilian, as well as send one of their hot prospects on a season-long loan to Spartak.
And while the Russian side are not looking to sell the player who is slowly returning to form after a serious knee injury, it is believed that they would accept proposals in the region of €16 million, which is double the amount that they paid for him back in July 2012.
Having been plagued with numerous injuries since arriving in Moscow, Romulo only mana…
Liverpool have finally sealed the signing of forward Christian Benteke from Aston Villa after a lengthy pursuit of the Belgium international.
The 24-year-old has agreed a long-term contract at Anfield after impressing with Villa, where he scored 49 goals in 101 appearances.
It is thought Benteke s release clause was £32.5 million, which would make him the second most expensive player in Liverpool s history after Andy Carroll.
I came here to win trophies, Benteke told the club s official website. I came here to reach some great goals with the team.
I m very happy to be part of the Liverpool family now and I will do everything to make them happy and work hard for them and my team-mates.
It is the latest transfer in a busy window for manager …
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Looking to build on what has been a real purple patch, Manchester City will welcome Crystal Palace to an empty Etihad on Sunday night.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, managing to come past what was a resilient Brighton side earlier in the week, the mood in Manchester City s camp should be at a real high. Securing a 1-0 win against the Seagulls on home soil and still holding a game in hand over both Liverpool and Manchester United, Pep Guardiola s side have played themselves into the title chase. Skyrocketing their way up the table and also managing to secure their spot in the final of this year s EFL Cup, Pep Guardiola s men find themselves enjoying a seven-match winning run across all formats. In fact, not tasting defeat sinc…
Paul Pogba can make the difference for Manchester United and help them win the Premier League title this season, according to club legend Wayne Rooney.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer s side overcame an early deficit to defeat Fulham 2-1 on Wednesday, a result that moved them back to the top of the table.
While Manchester City and Leicester City are just two points adrift – and defending champions Liverpool are six back with a game in hand Rooney feels his former side have the strength in depth to last the distance.
United s all-time leading scorer pointed to Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani helping to add a winning mentality to the squad, though Rooney feels Pogba is key to their hopes of success.
Over the last few years Man United haven t been r…
Ecuador have won the opening match of the 2009 South American Under-20 Championships, beating Peru 2-1 thanks to two first half goals from Joao Rojas.
Rojas, who plays his club football for Technico Universitation, first headed home in the fourth minute and added another to double the lead in the 21st.
Peru forward Juan Barros converted a penalty kick in the 27th minute to give Peru new hope.
In the second half, Peru did manage to create more chances than in the first but Ecuador keeper Manuel Mendoza, who celebrated his 20th birthday, made several good saves to defend his side s lead.
As a result, Ecuador now lead in Group A, which also consists of Argentina, hosts Venezuela and Colombia.
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Robinho’s future with Manchester City remains uncertain with the player attracting interest from Barcelona.
The Brazilian forward has been linked on a number of occasions with a move to Barcelona, and the player himself has hinted at his desire to play for the Catalans at some point in the future.
Manchester City and Barcelona officials will reportedly meet in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to resume talks about Robinho s move to the Nou Camp.
The European champions want to take the Brazil international to the Nou Camp in the January window and will put three options on the table.
The first is a six-month loan, including a small fee and Barca paying his £160,000 a week wages, with the option of permanent deal with Barca next July.
The second i…
Paris Saint-Germain surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 versus Bastia and miss the chance to move level with Ligue 1 leaders Marseille.
Julian Palmieri s outstanding volley from the edge of the penalty area – his first goal since November 2012 – gave Bastia the lead for the first time in the second half, before he added a second in the final minute as they climbed out of the bottom three.
The first-half goal flurry began early as Lucas Moura and Adrien Rabiot both took advantage of slack Bastia defending to put the visitors two goals ahead.
Any hopes of a routine triumph were thwarted by two lapses in concentration as Ryad Boudebouz converted a penalty after Gregory van der Wiel had handled, and Francois Modesto headed home a late corner.
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