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The stat that could swing every NBA team's 2026-27 season
Confirmed
In Short: NBA icon LeBron James has signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, potentially altering the team's and league's dynamics for the 2026-27 season.
NBA icon LeBron James has signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, a move that could significantly impact the team's and the league's dynamics for the 2026-27 season.
James, the league’s leading scorer, opted to break away from the Los Angeles Lakers to join the 76ers, a decision that could shift the cultural and competitive landscape of the NBA.
The core remains in place for most teams, but no team has repeated as NBA champions in eight seasons, since the Golden State Warriors achieved the feat in 2018.
The NBA crew at USA TODAY Sports has prepared season previews for every team, highlighting the potential impact of James's move.
James's decision to join the 76ers is particularly noteworthy given the team's recent success and the potential for a strong core with James, Joel Embiid, and others.
The 76ers' signing of James could also influence other teams' strategies and free agency decisions, potentially reshaping the league's competitive balance.
In the NFL, Christian McCaffrey returned to full practice after dealing with muscle tightness and lower-body issues, indicating he is ready for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
McCaffrey's extensive injury history and recent careful management of his workload had raised questions about his readiness for the season.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed quarterback Baker Mayfield to a three-year, $165 million contract extension, securing his future with the team.
Mayfield's extension brings a new sense of urgency to the 2026 season, as the Buccaneers will not face the uncertainty of his impending free agency.
In the Premier League, Brighton's 3-0 win over Arsenal could have a significant impact on both teams' seasons.
The victory, which ended Arsenal's unbeaten start to the season, highlights the unpredictable nature of the league and the potential for upsets.
Background
Kamario Taylor's early success has Mississippi State optimistic for the future.
Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor is emerging as one of the early breakout stars of the college football season.
What's confirmed
- ESPN’s Zach Kram wrote about the statistic that could swing every NBA team’s 2026–27 season, and for the Wolves, that statistic is the number of regular-season minutes Edwards has played compared to Ball.
- Keep in mind, though, that Ball had been coming off a three-season stretch in which he played a total of 105 games.
- Of course, what’s most important is having Ball ready to go for what should be his first postseason run.
- Therefore, the new backcourt partners are both entering their seventh seasons.
What's still developing
- Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold lasted just five plays in the team’s season-opening Super Bowl rematch against the New England Patriots at home on Wednesday.
- The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, were recently the subject of a parody sketch in the season premiere episode of Saturday Night Live UK.
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have returned to the United Kingdom after spending a few years in the United States.
- After missing Monday’s practice in Melbourne, he returned to the field and eventually participated fully, an encouraging sign that the 49ers believe their star running back is ready for the physical demands of the season opener.
- Tampa Bay didn’t reach the playoffs last season, squandering a 6-2 start and finishing 8-9.
- Download the Straight Arrow app today to get the stories that matter free from manipulation, bias or agenda.™ “Following the United States and Israeli attacks on 28 February, the mission found reasonable grounds to believe the United States committed the war crime of launching indiscriminate attacks resulting in the loss of life or injury to civilians or damage to civilian objects,” the fact-finding team said in a statement.
- As Straight Arrow previously reported, the report stated the U.S. was targeting a nearby Iranian military base and that the school building was formerly a part of the military installation.
- Highlights: Brilliant Brighton batter Arsenal in shock first defeat as champions Premier League champions Arsenal were looking fairly unstoppable in the opening weeks of the season.
- A win over Brighton on Saturday would have given the Gunners a club-record equalling eighth consecutive win in all competitions to start the season.
- And their start to this season - unbeaten after five games and fourth in the table - is showing he is no one-season wonder as a manager.
- From near oblivion to Europe - Brighton celebrate 125th anniversary in style Cunha's late strike denies Fulham first league win of the season Seven years apart, United did the same thing twice hoping for different results - appointing a club legend who last managed in Britain in the Championship after a good start as caretaker boss.
- "Then we also conceded two or three goals but we have learned a lot in these eight weeks and this is good." Perfect 24 hours as Man City put pressure on Arsenal Brentford stay unbeaten as they put three past Chelsea Brighton and Brentford, two clubs who have never won a major trophy, have continued to impress this season.
Sources
- Dunking with Wolveslink
- USA Todaylink
- Newsweeklink
- Indulgexpresslink
- Bolaviplink
- Thepewterplanklink
- Sanlink
- BBClink
- CBS Sportslink
- Varietylink
- Basketnewslink
- Thescorelink
- Theclemsoninsiderlink
- Hottytoddylink
- WarpBeat — background on Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor Shines in Early 2026 Season link
- WarpBeat — background on Kamario Taylor Shines in Early 2026 Season link
- KENT HOOPS — video link