Joshua Valdez Articles - Page 4

The Washington Wizards snapped a six-game losing streak on Monday night, and the best part is that one of their young building blocks was a main catalyst. Bilal Coulibaly had one of his better performances of the season in Washington’s (10-47) 107-99 win over the Brooklyn Nets, scoring 20 points (7-14 FG, 3-4 3 PT) […]

The NBA seems to be listening to the long-standing criticisms of referees being too harsh with foul calls. There was a time when they would call techs for seemingly nothing, but the league office admitted wrongdoing with Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson’s recent incidents. It rescinded the technical foul called on Durant with 1:25 left […]

Rebuilding requires bravery, and the Washington Mystics’ new front office showed that by trading two-time All-Star Ariel Atkins to the Chicago Sky on Sunday night. The club legend was a centerpiece of Washington’s 2019 championship team, but moving on makes sense. The Sky sent the Mystics the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA […]

The Washington Mystics will be just fine if their players take their current momentum into the regular season. Aaliyah Edwards, Jade Melbourne, and others have all represented the franchise well the past few weeks. Edwards made it all the way to the final round in the inaugural Unrivaled 1-on-1 Tournament as an eighth seed. The […]

The Washington Wizards are still adjusting after swapping Kyle Kuzma for Khris Middleton in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 5. Middleton has only played one game with the Wizards (9-46) so far, but he’s already made an impression in the locker room. Bilal Coulibaly said that the former NBA champion “is great” […]

The new-look Washington Wizards learned plenty about both their veterans and youngsters in their 104-101 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. Khris Middleton was a centerpiece of those revelations in his first game with his new team. The 33-year-old scored 12 points (4-10 FG, 1-4 3 PT) with five rebounds, two assists, and […]

The New York Yankees made one of the biggest changes in franchise history on Friday by nixing their no-beard rule, right after Clay Holmes left to their cross-town rival in free agency. The New York Mets hurler didn’t expect the Bronx Bombers to announce the change at this time, via Newsday’s Tim Healey. “There’s always […]

Free agent quarterback Jameis Winston might be the funniest athlete alive. The 2015 No. 1 overall pick told a story about the transition from him to Tom Brady as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ signal-caller in 2020, via Barstool Sports’ Will Compton. Hilarious story about @Jaboowins thinking that a TB12 facility was randomly getting built in […]

The Washington Wizards (9-45) have relied on accomplished veterans to lead their young core since last season, and Khris Middleton is one of the newest examples of that. However, the former NBA champion won’t limit himself to the mentorship role. Middleton opened up about his intentions with the Wizards after Wednesday night’s practice, via Bowie […]

The Philadelphia Phillies have one of the most recognizable rosters in baseball, loaded with big names like Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Trea Turner. However, the players on the margins sometimes make the difference come October, as unexpected contributors can take the team over the hump. They will now be even more important given Philadelphia’s […]

The Washington Wizards have one of the deepest G League teams in the league, and that’s why they continue to shuffle the bottom of their NBA roster. Only nine days after signing Jaylen Nowell to a 10-day contract, they released him and signed fellow Capital City Go-Go star Erik Stevenson to a 10-day on Monday, […]

San Diego Padres star Manny Machado has had almost as many injuries as on-field accomplishments, but he’s finally turned a corner. For now, at least. Machado joked about the last time he felt completely healthy, via The Sporting Tribune’s Marty Caswell. Manny Machado on what it means to be full healthy and addition of Nick […]

Although the Washington Wizards didn’t have any All-Stars this season, their three Rising Stars displayed the organization’s progress on the national stage. Sophomore guard Bilal Coulibaly, No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr, and No. 14 overall pick Bub Carrington each had their moments in the Castrol’s Rising Stars game on Friday, and Sarr also shined […]

The New York Jets are officially going in a new direction at quarterback, as they announced on Thursday that they won’t bring back Aaron Rodgers. Now, the organization finds itself in a familiar position of trying to figure out who it’ll acquire at the game’s most important position. Other than Rodgers, the Jets’ only quarterback […]

It’s one thing to be on a hot streak, but Jordan Poole has two 40-plus point games within the last few days. The Washington Wizards’ leader showed out during his 42-point (15-29 FG, 6-15 3 PT) outing vs. the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, giving him momentum heading into the All-Star Break. Poole was on […]

The Washington Mystics hit the reset button this offseason after a 14-26 campaign that saw them miss the playoffs for the second time in four years. Out are general manager Mike Thibault and head coach Eric Thibault, and in are Jamila Wideman and Sydney Johnson to fill those respective positions. The Mystics introduced the latter […]

Super Bowl LIX was forgettable from the Kansas City Chiefs’ perspective, as they got routed 40-22 by the Philadelphia Eagles. However, star tight end Travis Kelce also had to witness his partner Taylor Swift get bullied by Eagles fans and President Donald Trump. Swift got booed when she was shown on the jumbotron at the […]

The Houston Rockets (33-20) are already fifth in the Western Conference, and soon they’ll get even stronger. Forward Jabari Smith Jr. (fractured hand), who’s been out since Jan. 3, is targeting a return date of Feb. 21 vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves, via NBA insider Chris Haynes. Sources: Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (fractured hand) — […]

Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley has finally reached the NFL mountaintop, winning the Super Bowl and the Offensive Player of the Year award. However, the dynamic running back isn’t satisfied with beating the Kansas City Chiefs. Barkley also wants to excel on the golf course. “If I don’t break 80 this offseason… I gotta give […]

The Washington Wizards (9-44) lost 131-121 to the San Antonio Spurs (23-28) at home, but forget about the final score. The Wiz Kids took more baby steps, and that’s what counts. All nine of Washington’s players scored in double figures, which is the first time in franchise history that it’s had at least nine hoopers […]

The New York Knicks (34-18) got outclassed in every facet of the game during their 131-104 loss to the Boston Celtics (37-16) on Saturday, but especially rebounding. The Knicks lost the battle of the boards 48-30, and Jalen Brunson is focused on moving forward after the embarrassing effort. The two-time All-Star opened up about the […]

The Indiana Fever signed Katie Lou Samuelson to a two-year, $355,00 deal last year, but the sharpshooting forward will wear a different jersey next season. She and the Fever have agreed to a buyout, via the team’s social media. “We have mutually parted ways with forward Katie Lou Samuelson,” it announced. “Wishing you all the […]

The Philadelphia Eagles embarrassed the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, and they couldn’t have done it without their architect. General Manager Howie Roseman made sure before the season started that head coach Nick Sirianni had an elite roster, even if their payroll skyrocketed. That’s why the symbolism of Roseman dancing […]

New Washington Wizards guard Marcus Smart (recently traded) didn’t play in the team’s 125-11 home loss to the Atlanta Hawks (25-28) on Saturday night, but he introduced himself to the fanbase anyway. The 30-year-old was the first player to talk to the media after the game, showing up to the interview room in street clothes. […]

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski will unexpectedly take part in NBA All-Star festivities, although his commute will be convenient. The 21-year-old will replace injured Oklahoma City Thunder Cason Wallace (shoulder) at the Castrol Rising Stars game, which will be held at the Warriors’ Chase Center, via NBA PR. Podziemski is averaging 9.4 points on […]

The Washington Wizards are filling their open two-way roster spot after they traded Jared Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. Former Brooklyn Nets guard Jaylen Martin now joins the fold, via HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. The 21-year-old is averaging 16.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 steals in the G League this season. While […]

The Washington Wizards cooked with grease at the trade deadline, and now they’re sitting pretty with a stash of future assets. The best part is that they didn’t give up much for two first-round picks, AJ Johnson, and more. Here’s a complete summary of the action: Outgoing players (Position, Name, Traded To, Outgoing Salary) F […]

The Washington Wizards-Kyle Kuzma marriage ended with Wednesday’s trade, but he has no hard feelings. The 29-year-old posted a statement in his “Kuz Kontrol” newsletter after Washington agreed to the deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. “DC, Thank You,” Kuzma titled the letter. “If this is my last chapter in D.C., just know—it was real,” the […]

The 2025 NBA trade deadline may have been the most consequential one ever, with the Luka Doncic and Jimmy Butler deals only the tip of the iceberg. Senior NBA insider Shams Charania is exhausted after covering the flurry of news, via ESPN. .@ShamsCharania after the trade deadline 😭 Wildest deadline in NBA history? pic.twitter.com/nvUlttZMSO — […]

It’s one thing to engineer a one-sided deal, but the Washington Wizards pulled off a heist just before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. Not only did they acquire a 2025 first-round pick from the Memphis Grizzlies, but they gave up little to get it. The full details are below, via NBA.com. Wizards get: Colby Jones Alex […]

The Washington Wizards reminded the NBA world on Thursday why it’s important to stockpile second-round draft choices. While the picks individually aren’t worth much, the value increases when teams acquire several. That’s what happened with the Wizards-76ers deal hours before the trade deadline. The full details are below, via ESPN’s Bobby Marks: Wizards receive: 2026 […]

The Washington Wizards were a young team coming into the season, but now they truly embody the “Wiz Kids” nickname. Hours after landing 20-year-old guard AJ Johnson in the Kyle Kuzma deal, they got fellow 20-year-old guard Sidy Cissoko in the Jonas Valanciunas trade. UPDATE: The Wizards waived Sissoko on Thursday, which opens a roster spot. […]

After months of rumors and speculation, the Washington Wizards finally dealt Kyle Kuzma on Wednesday. The full details are now out, via ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel. “[Milwaukee] Bucks get: F Kyle Kuzma, F Patrick Baldwin Jr., 2025 second-round pick (second-most favorable of WAS’ collection) Wizards get: F Khris Middleton, G AJ Johnson, MIL 2028 1st swap […]

Kyle Kuzma doesn’t want to fit in with the Washington Wizards’ rebuild, and the Milwaukee Bucks want to shed Khris Middleton’s salary. It makes sense for both parties to strike a deal ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. The two teams are in talks, via The Athletic’s Josh Robbins and David Aldridge. “Two league sources […]

The Dallas Mavericks claim that Luka Doncic’s conditioning issues and Anthony Davis’ elite defense were the main reasons behind the trade that shocked the world, but many fans aren’t buying it. That’s why Bill Simmons had some fun with conspiracy theories on his podcast this past Sunday. The famed journalist brought up the popular idea […]

De’Aaron Fox will forever be a Sacramento Kings legend after helping them end their NBA-record 16-year playoff drought in 2023. However, the San Antonio Spurs’ newest star will now gun for championship rings alongside Victor Wembanyama and Gregg Popovich after getting traded on Monday night. Fox posted an emotional farewell to the Kings on Tuesday, […]

For whatever reason, the stars always seem to align for the Los Angeles Lakers. Speaking of stars, the Purple and Gold’s trade for Luka Doncic on Sunday morning gives them one of the NBA’s best players for at least a year and a half. The five-time All-NBA First-Teamer also has a player option for 2026-27 […]

The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers made one of the most surprising moves ever just after midnight on Sunday with the Luka Doncic trade, and everyone except the man himself reacted. However, the newest Lakers superstar released a public statement about 18 hours later, via social media. “Dear Dallas, Seven years ago I came […]

The Baltimore Orioles will try to wash the taste of their premature playoff exit last season out of their mouths as soon as possible. Luckily, they’ll have “The Mountain” to aid that mission in 2025, via MASN’s Roch Kubatko. “There will be ramp up with Félix Bautista in spring training,” Kubatko reported. “Not typical full […]