{"id":773127,"date":"2026-07-01T10:54:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T10:54:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/773127\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T10:54:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T10:54:10","slug":"we-have-a-world-cup-favorite-plus-2-nba-stars-on-the-move","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/773127\/","title":{"rendered":"We have a World Cup favorite, plus 2 NBA stars on the move"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Pulse Newsletter \ud83d\udce3 | This is The Athletic\u2019s daily sports newsletter. Sign up here<\/a> to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox.<\/p>\n

Good morning! I respect your trade value. Coming up:\u00a0<\/p>\n

World Cupdate: Bonjour, goals<\/p>\n

Space runs short today, but soccer remains compelling enough for the top spot. Let\u2019s do three points for three matches:\u00a0<\/p>\n

1. France is probably winning the whole thing.
Les Bleus looked effortless in a 3-0 rout of Sweden yesterday, and it\u2019s difficult to imagine any other team in this tournament outclassing them. Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 scored twice, which gives him the record for knockout-round goals scored in World Cup history. Just look at this filth from his first strike:<\/p>\n

Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 aparece en el momento indicado para abrir el marcador y darle la ventaja a su selecci\u00f3n con una gran definici\u00f3n. \u00a1Revive el gol el partido! presentado por @BankofAmerica<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/njXbq1db92<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Behind Mbapp\u00e9, the French look unstoppable<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

2. Mexico might be unbeatable at Azteca.
What could\u2019ve been the best game of the night was instead a show of force for Mexico in a 2-0 win<\/a> over Ecuador. Maybe it was the hotel disruption<\/a> the night before. Maybe it was the rain delay. And maybe it was this absolute laser from Juli\u00e1n Qui\u00f1ones, which gave the home team a 1-0 lead and sent the entire stadium into a frenzy:<\/p>\n

What a goal from Juli\u00e1n Qui\u00f1ones and Mexico \ud83d\udd25 pic.twitter.com\/Oqo9tx2jkr<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

It was a feisty night on the pitch, too, as Ecuador\u2019s Piero Hincapie earned a red card<\/a> for covering his mouth.\u00a0<\/p>\n

3. Erling Haaland, always on time.
The superstar was in the right place at the right time, as he always seems to be<\/a>, to put an 86th-minute winner into the net to help Norway skate through to the round of 16 with a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast. Next up: Brazil<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s keep moving:<\/p>\n

Eras, Ended: Two NBA stars on the move\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Adam Pantozzi \/ NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The names are still big enough to blink brightly in our basketball brains: LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard are playing for new teams next season. These two have combined for six NBA championships and six Finals MVPs. This is a big deal \u2026 right?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Before we get to context, let\u2019s recap what actually happened:\u00a0<\/p>\n

After eight years in Los Angeles, James \u2014 in somewhat of a surprise \u2014 informed the Lakers he will play elsewhere next season. The 41-year-old is still an elite NBA player, which is still an absurd reality to consider. But the Lakers are building around Luka Don\u010di\u0107 and Austin Reaves. Makes enough sense. It will be fascinating to see where James plays in his final 1-2 seasons. Warriors? Timberwolves? Wild card? We\u2019ve identified six contenders<\/a>. Either way, his Lakers story closes without a Hollywood ending<\/a>.
\nIn more concrete news, the Clippers have agreed to trade Leonard back to Toronto, where he won a title in his lone season with the Raptors, in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Grady Dick and a bevy of picks. The Raptors win this deal<\/a> on paper (for now), and as Eric Koreen writes, it puts a hilarious finish<\/a> to one of the most unique NBA stories in modern history. In L.A., Leonard was both excellent and never able to bring the Clippers where they wanted to go. There was also the whole Aspiration scandal<\/a>, which remains unsettled.
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Ron Jenkins \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Toronto is intriguing with Leonard in tow. James will certainly improve whatever team he joins, but durability \u2014 even for the player who\u2019s been an ironman for his unparalleled career \u2014 is a concern. These two have rings, but are also a combined 76 years old. So \u2026 are we overreacting to these moves?\u00a0<\/p>\n

I asked Zach Harper, author of The Bounce<\/a>, for a vibe check on both of these:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcac \u201cFor LeBron, whatever he decides, it will truly be about what makes him happiest to finish his career. That\u2019s kind of poetic in a way?\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOn Kawhi: It\u2019s funny how quickly he wanted to get out of Toronto back in 2019. Seven years later, it just takes $126 million over two years at 35 years old to make him feel comfortable there.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Make sure to read Zach throughout this offseason stretch. Let\u2019s keep moving:<\/p>\n

News to Know\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Robert Prange \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Williams loses in three sets
Serena Williams\u2019 singles comeback at Wimbledon is over after just one match, a three-set loss to Maya Joint yesterday. Williams both looked rusty and like herself across the course of the match, but a late comeback was not enough to stay the 20-year-old Joint. I thought Ava Wallace\u2019s capture of the moment was perfect<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In other Wimbledon news: American Ben Shelton, the No. 4 seed on the men\u2019s side, is out after a stunning first-round upset against Finland\u2019s Otto Virtanen. Shelton\u2019s serve, a strength, bit him<\/a>.<\/p>\n

NFL clears Sorsby \u2026 for next year
The Brendan Sorsby saga appears to be over, for now, as the NFL sent a memo to teams yesterday stating the former Texas Tech quarterback would not sue the league to play in 2026, instead opting to wait a year and prepare for the 2027 NFL Draft. Is this actually over? Until 2027, I guess, but I\u2019ve thought it was over multiple times over the last two months. See more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mendes under investigation
New Zealand police are investigating allegations of rape against Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes, who has started all three of the team\u2019s matches in the World Cup thus far. Mendes is accused of raping a woman in March during a FIFA event in New Zealand, and the news here is Mendes\u2019 identification; The Athletic previously reported on the investigation into an unnamed player back in May. Read our full story here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

More news:<\/p>\n

Late-breaking NHL news last night: Zach Werenski, the reigning Norris Trophy winner, vetoed a trade<\/a> to Columbus.
\nThe Liberty are Commissioner\u2019s Cup champs for the second time after beating a shorthanded Las Vegas team last night. Read our full story from New York<\/a>.
\nAlso in the W: Alyssa Thomas, recently suspended for a flagrant foul on Caitlin Clark, called out commissioner Cathy Engelbert after receiving online threats. Good reporting in here<\/a>.
\nRed Sox first baseman Willson Contreras was ejected last night after a confrontation with Nationals starter Cade Cavalli that led to benches clearing. More inside<\/a>.
\nWhile other NBA news heats up, chatter about Celtics star Jaylen Brown is dying down. Sam Amick reported yesterday his market isn\u2019t what Boston hoped it would be. Woof<\/a>.
\nGuardians rookie Cooper Ingle made a routine catch last night and tossed the ball into the stands. There were two outs<\/a>.
\nThe Premier Lacrosse League just closed a $100 million funding round. Wow<\/a>.\u00a0
\nThe Supreme Court upheld state bans on trans athletes. Read our full story<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf0\u00a0Find more news here 24\/7<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Watch Guide<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa Tennis: Wimbledon
6 a.m. \u2013 noon ET on ESPN
With Serena gone from the singles bracket, we can focus on everyone else. Both No. 1 seeds \u2014 Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner \u2014 play early this morning. Just have it on in the background if you\u2019re busy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa World Cup: Round of 32
Noon \u2013 8 p.m. ET on Fox, FS1 and Telemundo
A most anticipated day, starting with England-DR Congo at noon and ending with the U.S. versus Bosnia and Herzegovina at 8 p.m. Christian Pulisic is ready to play<\/a> for the Americans, who have also undergone brainwave testing<\/a> to prepare for penalty kicks. Sure.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Belgium and Senegal play the middle match, which might be our closest of the day. Strap in and find a couch, bar or stadium seat.<\/p>\n

Pulse Picks<\/p>\n

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A victim in all the rapid transformation MLB has undergone the last few years? The minor-league system, as Brittany Ghiroli reported in a great piece today, has been turned on its head in ways you wouldn\u2019t expect. Make time for this<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I also adored this story on Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai, who initially struggled to adapt in his first MLB season. He\u2019s having a good time now, thanks to prolonged bows and a\u00e7ai bowls<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Southwest Conference is fondly remembered around these parts, although its demise is over 30 years old. As Sam Khan wrote yesterday, the SWC also foreshadowed the future of college football<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Our story on Willson Contreras\u2019 roller-coaster two-inning stretch<\/a> Monday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Most-read on the website yesterday: Mexico-Ecuador live blog<\/a>. The World Cup has been very, very popular.<\/p>\n