Paul George agrees to join 76ers; Caitlin Clark, Angel Reyes break multiple records; Joey Logano wins 5OT race

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💰 Good morning to everyone, but especially to…

NBA Free Agents

If you want to make life-changing money in an instant, you can win the lottery or become an NBA free agent. The free agency period officially began on Sunday, and the money is already flying.

Paul George He is going back to the Eastern Conference because he has agreed 76ers, Four-year, $212 million deal to join Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia. The 76ers hope George, who began his career in Indiana before moving to Oklahoma City and Los Angeles, can be the missing piece that can lead this trio to their first NBA Finals.

But don’t feel too bad Shear , james harden He’s already signed a deal to stay in LA. $70 million over the next two seasons — as long as he wants to stay through the 2025-26 season. The second year of the contract is reportedly a player option, so Harden could be back in the free agent pool again next summer.

Kentavious Caldwell-PopeTwo-time NBA champion David Wayne also has more money in his bank account than before. Nuggets And Caldwell-Pope is headed to play a key role on the 2023 championship team, Magic on one Three-year deal worth $66 million,

Another big name-veteran chris paulwho was pardoned Warrior before his $30 million guarantee kicks inIt was a difficult time for Paul, but he quickly got back on his feet. Paul will reportedly sign with Spurs He is ready to join for $11 million Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio.

Here are some other notable signings that broke when free agency began on Sunday:

• Piston star Cade Cunningham Free agency will not be invaded After getting a bag worth $226 million,
• Jonas Valanciunas 2015: He won a $30 million contract with the Boston Bruins. Wizards,
• Heat are keeping kevin love The contract is worth approximately $8 million.
• Nazi Marshal going Mavericks The deal is worth three years, $27 million.

While these are some big numbers, there are even bigger numbers to come as some of the top free agents still haven’t signed.

But let’s go back to George for a minute. Our Sam Quinn Some concerns that come with PG-13 in the city of brotherly love,

• Quinn: “The primary question here is lifestyle. Forget about moving from coast to coast. Philadelphia fans are some of the craziest in all of sports. The Clippers go largely unnoticed in Los Angeles because the Lakers are so much more popular. That’s not happening with the 76ers.”

Another star who could move on is Warriors veteran Clay Thompson. Quinn Explored a few different free agency options Same for Thompson.

Keep track of every step of the free agent frenzy with our NBA free agency tracker.

👍 Honorable Mention

⛳ And not so good morning…

Akshay Bhatia

Normally, a second-place finish would be cause for celebration for the 22-year-old golfer, but this was a bittersweet ending. Akshay Bhatia At the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Bhatia entered the field on Sunday as one of the favourites to win the tournament, and had a chance to at least make it to the playoffs with the tournament winner. Cam Davis,

Bhatia and Davis were tied at 18-under on the 72nd hole, but then things changed for Davis. Bhatia just had to avoid a three-putt on the final hole, and he was still alive in the fight for the tournament title.

Unfortunately, Bhatia missed the short par putt, giving Davis the win. Bhatia received an “A-” grade from our own Kyle Porter in his Rocket Mortgage Classic leaderboard grade, but he’ll have nightmares about that missed opportunity for some time.

• Porter: “Despite his few mistakes, he finished tied with Davis at 18 under and hit his approach to 32 feet. After a questionable lag putt to 4 feet, Bhatia missed his par putt – which would have put him in the Rocket Mortgage Classic playoffs – and instead three-putted for the first time all week.”

Behind Davis, the leaderboard was crowded at the end of the tournament, with four golfers tied for second place.

1. Cam Davis (-18)
T-2. Akshay Bhatia (-17)
T-2. Min Woo Lee (-17)
T-2. Davis Thompson (-17)
T-2. Aaron Rae (-17)

👎 Not so honorable mentions

🏀 Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark make WNBA history

This WNBA rookie class has already made quite an impact, and two of the league’s biggest stars shone again yesterday. angel reese And Caitlin Clarke Both created history in their own ways.

In just half a season as a professional player, Reese has accomplished something no other WNBA player has ever been able to do. Skylost 70-62 lynxReese had 10 points and 16 rebounds, recording her 10th consecutive double-double, This is the longest streak in WNBA history.That puts it in some very elite company.

1. angel reese10 (2024)
2. Candace Parker9 (2015)
T-3. Sylvia Fowles8 (2012)
T-3. Sylvia Fowles8 (2011)

Meanwhile, Clarke continued to display her excellent level of play, and she was performing well all afternoon. Fever‘s 88-82 comeback win MercuryClark finished the game with 12 assists, giving him 129 assists on the season, surpassing everyone else. Julie Allemand selected for franchise’s rookie recordIt only took Clark 20 games.

The scary part for the rest of the league? Maybe he’s not done with it yet.

• Clark is now just 72 assists away from the all-time single-season assists record (201) for all Fever players.
• The freshman is on track to break the WNBA’s all-time freshman assists record of 225.

It makes you wonder what they will be able to do throughout the rest of the year and in the seasons to come.

😲 Joey Logano wins the Ally 400 in historic five overtimes

When the drivers got into their cars for the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway, they probably didn’t expect to go to a record five overtimes and 331 laps, but that’s exactly what happened.

Denny Hamlin looked like he would make it to Victory Lane in the final laps of the race, but a caution flag with two laps remaining completely upended the race. A series of chaotic restarts followed, leading to a NASCAR record five overtimes.

After the first of four overtime restarts, there were multiple car accidents, which made the race even longer. The race leaders faced tough decisions regarding fuel, and Logano rolled the dice by staying out rather than pitting.

The decision worked out well for him, and he was able to drive his car across the finish line with the fuel gauge on “E”. After the marathon, Logano attributed his victory to his car’s mileage.

• Logano: “We had the win going through (Turn) 4 and then the caution came out, and I thought, ‘Oh my God,’ but you can’t pit. You have to go for it. Man, it was close. But we have to give a lot of credit to the Roush Yates (engine), not only for increasing the horsepower but also increasing the fuel mileage. That’s what won today.”

After several drivers fell behind in the final stages of the race, here’s how the top five drivers performed in the Ally 400.

1. #22 – Joey Logano
2. #71 – Zane Smith (R)
3. #45 – Tyler Reddick
4. #41 – Ryan Preece
5. #17 – Chris Buescher

📺 What we’re looking forward to on Monday

⚽ Euro 2024 — France vs Belgium12 p.m. on FS1
EURO 2024 — PORTUGAL VS SLOVENIAon Fox at 3 p.m.
Copa America – Bolivia vs. Panamaat 9 p.m. on FS2
Copa America–USA vs. Uruguayat 9 on FS1
🏀Wings on the Stormon NBA TV at 10 p.m.