AI-assisted summary
• Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks is uncertain, but he has not requested a trade.
• Recent reports suggest Antetokounmpo is evaluating his options, but this aligns with previous statements.

Maybe the Milwaukee Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo before the 2025-26 season opens.

Maybe they don’t.

The NBA has seen too much – it hasn’t even been six months since the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic – to predict Antetokounmpo’s future with 100% certainty.

But until Antetokounmpo asks for a trade, the Bucks aren’t exploring a trade. And as now, Antetokounmpo hasn’t asked for a trade.

Otherwise, it’s just static – background noise in the NBA ecosystem’s insatiable need for rumors.

Why is this a topic in doldrums of the NBA’s offseason? ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania appeared on one of the network’s TV shows Monday, Aug. 4 and said, ‘There is nothing set in stone about whether Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to stay in Milwaukee or whether he wants to leave elsewhere. He’s been evaluating his future his entire offseason. … he’s open-minded about whether his best fit is in Milwaukee or is it a trade elsewhere.’

When the NBA’s preeminent newsbreaker teases a nugget like that – ‘ohhh, maybe there’s another blockbuster trade coming the NBA’ – it gets attention.

But as Charania noted, what he said Monday was almost identical to what he said about Antetokounmpo’s future in May.

Don’t get me wrong, Antetokounmpo’s future is a big deal. He has spent his 12-year career with Milwaukee and has won an NBA championship and two MVPs with the Bucks. Last season, he finished third in MVP voting and was named to the All-NBA first team for the seventh consecutive season.

At 30 years old, Antetokounmpo remains one of the best players in the league with prime years ahead. Naturally, he wants to win another title. He knows that isn’t easy especially in today’s NBA. More and more teams are getting better and improving their title chances. Heck, winning the Eastern Conference’s Central Division is difficult with Indiana, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Detroit and Chicago.

Antetokounmpo should be evaluating his future. In fact, if he weren’t evaluating his future, I’d be concerned. But until he asks for a trade, Milwaukee isn’t trading him. And there’s a real good chance he doesn’t ask for a trade – at least not before the season starts.

The 2025 Little League Softball World Series continued with elimination games Tuesday, with the losing teams from the previous two days playing with a chance to compete in Wednesday’s slate.

The Southwest regionteam from Tulsa, Oklahoma, edged the Southeast squad from Lake Mary, Florida, on Monday, Aug. 4, while the Mid-Atlantic girls from Pennsylvania proved to be a juggernaut in their game against the West region team from Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Pitt County, North Carolina, continues to represent for the tournament’s host state, collecting a second consecutive win, while the team from Iwate, Japan, showed why its country is a powerhouse in all levels of softball with a victory over the squad from Canada.

The Day 3 schedule featured four win-or-go-home games, beginning at 10 a.m. ET.

In the first game on Tuesday, Washington won the tournament’s first elimination game with a resounding win over California. Brazil was the next team to advance after its triumph over Canada. Indiana defeated Czechia then Florida defeated Connecticut to round out the day’s action.

Here’s what went down at the Little League Softball World Series on Tuesday:

Little League Softball World Series scores today

• Purple Bracket: Washington 10, California 0
• Orange Bracket: Brazil 10, Canada 1
• Orange Bracket: Indiana 4, Czechia 0
• Purple Bracket: Florida 9, Connecticut 0

FINAL: Florida 9, Connecticut 0

Pitching. Offense. Defense.

Florida showed the ability to do it all in a 9-0 victory over Connecticut in elimination play and it will face Washington at 1 p.m. ET Wednesday on ESPN2.

Florida reliever Cayden Hugh had eight strikeouts in three innings and starter Sam Bradley had four strikeouts in three innings while they limited Connecticut to two hits. Florida, by contrast, banged out eight hits and Rachel Lester and Brynn Fieser had two RBIs apiece.

Florida pitching, offense sizzling

Florida starter Sam Bradley allowed just one hit and struck out four in three innings before she gave way to reliever Cayden Hugh. A gamble? Apparently not. Hugh promptly struck out three of four Connecticut hitters she faced in retiring the side. Then, in the top of the fifth, Florida scored three more runs and extended its lead to 7-0.

Florida extends lead over Connecticut

In the top of the fourth, Connecticut pitcher Maeve Eagleson recorded her fifth strikeout of the game. But Florida extended its lead to 4-0 when it scored on a fielding error.

Sterling defense aids Florida

Florida still leads 3-0 headed into the bottom of the third and that’s thanks in part to its defense. In the bottom of the second, third baseman Alana Luu backhanded a smash and threw out Connecticut’s Kali Ann Reinhold at first. Connecticut’s Reagan Klein then was thrown out trying to stretch a double into a triple. And in the first inning, catcher Addison Bono threw out Connecticut’s Maeve Eagleson at second

Florida jumps on top, 3-0

Florida broke open a scoreless tie in the top of the second when left fielder Rachel Lester blasted a two-run triple that sailed over the right fielder’s head. Lester then scored on a safety squeeze to put Florida ahead of Connecticut, 3-0.

FINAL: Indiana 4, Czechia 0

Indiana leaned on their strong pitching all game long. Grace Fiore was relentless in the final three innings, allowing only two baserunners. She nearly got out of the final frame with no runners left on base after a long review to see whether or not a stolen base attempt was successful.

Regardless, Indiana’s shutout was a testament to their strong pitching. Their three-run fourth inning only added to what was a dominant performance already.

Indiana will face Brazil in the next round, who defeated Canada 10-1 earlier today.

Nickels, Fiore continue working together

After Fiore pitched a scoreless fourth inning thanks to solid defense from Nickels, the two continued showing out for Indiana, recording a pair of hits to lead off the bottom of the fourth. Nickels’ hit would drive in Fiore and Nickels would come home just moments later via a single from Scarlett Renn coupled with an errant throw from the Czechia defense.

Indiana has extended their lead, up four runs going into the fifth.

Indiana swaps pitchers for the 4th

Despite an outstanding outing from their starter, Indiana has moved to Grace Fiore for the final three frames, hoping to stay alive. Through three innings, Czechia had been limited on the basepaths, getting barely an opportunity to score at all. With that in mind, this is a bold move from the Indiana coaching staff.

Fiore had good defense behind her for her first frame, with third baseman Kennedy Nickels recording all three outs (one grounder, two pop-ups) despite hurting her ankle on the first play. It remains 1-0 Indiana.

Indiana holds 1-0 lead over Czechia after 2 innings

Indiana has five hits through two at bats but still just a 1-0 lead to show for it. Czechia has been held without a hit thus far. Indiana pitcher Briley Mercer now has four strikeouts.

Indiana takes early 1-0 lead on Czechia

Indiana has jumped out to a 1-0 lead after the first inning in the third elimination game of Day 3 at the Little League Softball World Series. Indiana strung together three hits and a walk to get on the scoreboard in the bottom-half of the inning.

FINAL: Brazil 10, Canada 1

Brazil closes out its 10-1 win over Canada to advance to another elimination game on Wednesday, August 6. Brazil will play the winner of today’s elimination game between Czechia and the Central region representative from Floyds Knobs, Indiana. That matchup is coming up next in Greenville, North Carolina. Canada’s Little League Softball World Series run comes to an end with today’s loss.

Brazil adds to lead in sixth inning

Brazil loaded the bases again in the top of the sixth inning and Dani Fugisaki, Brazil’s pitcher, cleared them with a three-run triple that has turned this competitive elimination game into a blowout. Three-straight hits ignited a five-run inning and Brazil’s lead is 10-1 as Canada gets set for its final at-bat.

Brazil gets a 1-2-3 inning vs. Canada

Brazil is three outs away from its elimination game over Canada after recording a 1-2-3 bottom of the fifth inning. The two teams head to the sixth inning with Brazil still leading 5-1 thanks to three hits, four Canada errors and a few too many walks.

Brazil blows open game vs. Canada

Brazil loaded the bases without the ball ever leaving the infield in the top of the fifth inning and then plated two runs on one play in which a Canada wild pitch turned into an errant throw to third base. Brazil tacked on two more runs during the rally on two infield singles.

Brazil’s lead is now 5-1 with Canada due up in the bottom of the fifth inning. Brazil had been 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position after loading the bases twice before in the game and leaving seven runners on base.

Brazil, Canada go to fifth inning in tight game

Brazil and Canada couldn’t do any damage to one another in the fourth inning. Canada heads to the fifth inning with the 2-1 lead it built in the first inning. Canada is switching pitchers for the second-to-last at bat of the game.

Brazil strikes out the side to close out third inning

Brazil will take a 2-1 lead on Canada into the fourth inning at the Little League Softball World Series after Brazil pitcher Dani Fugisaki struck out all three batters she faced in the bottom of the third inning. There are currently more runs than hits in the game. Canada is sticking with pitcher Arielle Prescott after she found a groove to close the top of the third inning.

Canada pitcher Arielle Prescott escapes trouble

Canada pitcher Arielle Prescott has been dealing with control issues that have also included several illegal pitches called by the home plate umpire. After loading the bases in the top of the first inning, she loaded them again in the top of the third inning. But this time, she successfully escaped the inning without giving up any more runs, dealing out a couple key strikeouts along the way.

It’s 2-1 Brazil as Canada bats in the bottom of the third inning.

Brazil jumps out to early lead on Canada

Canada walked the first three batters in the top of the first inning and Brazil took advantage of a couple miscues in the field to take a 2-0 lead on just one hit. Canada then came back by manufacturing a run in the bottom-half of the inning. It’s 2-1 Brazil as Canada comes to bat in the bottom of the second inning.

Brazil vs. Canada in elimination game underway

Brazil and Canada will attempt to stave off elimination in the second game of Day 3 at the Little League Softball World Series. Canada is represented by a team from Quebec and got the country’s first win at the LLWS in its opening game against Czechia before losing to Japan. Brazil, representing Latin America from Sao Paolo, is 0-1 in Greenville, North Carolina thus far and will bat first.

FINAL: Washington 10, California 0

Washington gets its first win in the Little League Softball World Series since 2018, according to ESPN. Overall, Washington had 10 hits to go along with those 10 runs while California was kept scoreless for the second straight LLSWS game and finished with only one hit and committed four errors. Washington’s Penelope Gahan (4 2/3 innings, one hit, three strikeouts) kept California off the scoreboard along with Camryn Brown (1 1/3 innings, one walk).

Washington tacks on another run

Phoebe Banks’ RBI-ground out, scoring Anna Yoo, increases Washington’s lead to 10-0 after the top of the sixth inning. Last chance for California coming up.

Penelope Gahan’s day in the circle is done

Gahan, who only gave up one hit, to the last batter she faced, California’s Mila McKay, leaves with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Gahan was perfect through four innings. Camryn Brown is the new pitcher for Washington and she gets her first batter to ground out to end the inning. 9-0 Washington after five innings.

Washington squanders a one-out single

Penelope Gahan, who is pitching a gem for Washington, got a one-out single but the Northwest Region champions can’t capitalize on that any more. After the top of the fifth inning it is still a 9-0 Washington lead.

California goes quietly in the fourth inning

A fly out, a strikeout and a ground out made this a short inning for California. Washington leads 9-0 after four innings.

Washington increases lead over California as the Little League run-rule approaches

Washington loaded the bases with no outs and the proceed to inch closer to the 10-run rule, which would end the game early. However, Washington’s Anya Miller got a sacrifice fly to push Washington’s lead to 9-0 and that’s all for the Northwest Region champions. The game will go at least five innings now as Washington leads by a hefty margin after the top of the fourth inning.

A flawless inning, yet again for Washington’s Penelope Gahan

California goes three-up, three-down with a pop up, a fly out and a ground out to end the bottom of the third inning.

Washington playing station-to-station softball

Washington loaded the bases with consecutive walks and then Daphnee Calsyn’s RBI-single pushed the lead to 4-0 and Liliana Delgado gets her second hit of the day, an RBI-single for a 5-0 lead. A fielding error, allowing another run to score, and Camryn Brown’s two-run single turned this into a big inning. 8-0 Washington after top of third inning.

California kept off the scoreboard again

Washington’s Penelope Gahan is cruising. She struck out the first batter for California in the bottom of the second inning and then got back to back ground outs. Still, 3-0, Washington after two innings.

Washington makes some miscues on the bases

Washington’s second inning started off promising with a walk and a single. But some baserunning errors, a 1-5-3-6 double play, and making the last out of the inning at third base doomed this potential rally.

California goes down 1-2-3 in the first inning

Washington’s Penelope Gahan induced three straight ground outs to make it a very quick inning.

Washington takes the early lead on California

Liliana Delgado got the offense started with an RBI-double over the left fielder’s head and then Camryn Brown added a two-run single. After the top of the first inning, Washington leads 3-0.

It’s elimination day at the Little League Softball World Series

First up, it is Washington versus California, with each team trying to extend its stay at the LLSWS in Greenville, North Carolina.

How to watch 2025 Little League Softball World Series

The 2025 Little League Softball World Series will be broadcast on ESPN platforms, with the championship game airing on ABC. Games will also be available to stream on ESPN+.

• Dates: Aug. 3-10
• TV: ESPN | ESPN2 | ABC
• Stream: ESPN+
• Location: Greenville, North Carolina

Catch the Little League Softball World Series on ESPN+

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 3 schedule

Tuesday, Aug. 5

• Game 9: (Purple Bracket) Northwest region: Mill Creek, Washington vs. West region: Westchester-Del Rey (Los Angeles), 10 a.m. ESPN2
• Game 10: (Orange Bracket) Latin America region: São Paulo, Brazil vs. Canada region: Repentigny, Quebec, 1 p.m. ESPN+
• Game 11: (Orange Bracket) Europe-Africa region: Prague, Czechia vs. Central region: Floyds Knobs, Indiana, 4 p.m. ESPN+
• Game 12: (Purple Bracket) New England region: Guilford, Connecticut vs. Southeast Region: Lake Mary, Florida, 7 p.m. ESPN2

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 2 results

Monday, Aug. 4

• Game 5: (Orange Bracket) North Carolina region: Pitt County, North Carolina 5, Central region: Floyds Knobs, Indiana 3
• Game 6: (Purple Bracket) Southwest Region: Tulsa, Oklahoma 2, Southeast Region: Lake Mary, Florida, 1
• Game 7: (Purple Bracket) Mid-Atlantic: Johnstown, Pennsylvania 9, West region: Westchester-Del Rey Los Angeles 0
• Game 8: (Orange Bracket) Asia-Pacific region: Iwate, Japan 6, Canada region: Repentigny, Quebec 1

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 1 results

Sunday, Aug. 3

• Game 1: (Purple Bracket) Southeast region: Lake Mary, Florida 9, Northwest region: Mill Creek, Washington 2
• Game 2: (Orange Bracket) North Carolina region: Pitt County, North Carolina 4, Latin America region: São Paulo, Brazil 3
• Game 3: (Orange Bracket) Canada region: Repentigny, Quebec 5, Europe-Africa region: Prague, Czechia 4
• Game 4: (Purple Bracket) Mid-Atlantic region: Johnstown, Pennsylvania 2, New England Region: Guilford, Connecticut 1

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The Los Angeles Chargers are adding a familiar face to the fold ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

Veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen agreed to a one-year deal with the Chargers on Tuesday, Aug. 5, according to multiple reports.

Allen, 33, spent the first 11 seasons of his career playing for the Chargers and recorded 10,530 receiving yards with them, second-most in franchise history behind Antonio Gates’ 11,841. He was traded to the Chicago Bears ahead of the 2024 campaign before returning to Los Angeles for the upcoming season.

Allen recorded 70 catches for 744 yards and seven touchdowns last season in Chicago, and finished second on the team in targets (121) behind only DJ Moore (140). What can be expected of him in 2025? Here’s a look at how the veteran might fit in on Los Angeles’ wide receiver depth chart.

Chargers WR depth chart

The Chargers released their first unofficial depth chart before news broke that they were signing Allen. It isn’t clear exactly where the veteran fits into the pecking order, but he might battle with second-round rookie Tre’ Harris for a top-three receiver job behind Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.

Below is a look at where Allen could land within the top-listed receivers on Los Angeles’ depth chart.

• Ladd McConkey*
• Quentin Johnston*
• Keenan Allen
• Jalen Reagor
• Derius Davis
• Tre’ Harris
• KeAndre Lambert-Smith

The Chargers have a relatively young receiver room to which Allen adds much-needed experience. The only question is whether he will win a top-three receiver job – which would make him likely to play a plurality of the team’s offensive snaps – or whether he will serve as an experienced super-sub off the bench.

Allen’s status may depend on the type of shape he is and how ready some of the Chargers’ young receivers, like Harris and fellow rookie Lambert-Smith, are to make an impact. The second- and fifth-round rookies figure to climb the depth chart as the preseason continues.

Allen’s presence shouldn’t have a major impact on McConkey, who will remain Los Angeles’ No. 1 receiver after generating 82 catches, 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie. That said, it will be worth monitoring which of them plays primarily in the slot, as both played a majority of their snaps inside last season (Allen 52.8%, McConkey 63.8%).

It’s also worth noting the Chargers kept seven receivers on its 53-man roster entering the 2025 NFL season, so Los Angeles could keep all seven of the receivers listed above. Brenden Rice might end up being the player most impacted by Allen’s signing, as the 2024 seventh-round pick now faces increased competition for a roster spot.

Other receivers battling for spots within the Chargers organization include Dez Fitzpatrick, Jaylen Johnson, JaQuae Jackson, Luke Grimm and Dalevon Campbell.

The Connecticut Sun’s reported move to Boston has hit a snag.

News broke Aug. 2 an investment group led by Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca reached a deal with the Mohegan Tribe to purchase the Sun for a record $325 million, with plans to relocate the franchise to Boston as soon as 2027. But USA TODAY Sports confirmed Tuesday that Pagliuca’s bid wasn’t presented to the WNBA Board of Governors, who ultimately approves the sale. Front Office Sports first to reported the news.

The WNBA does not distinguish between teams relocating and expansion, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The league’s Board of Governors, not existing team owners, select the cities the WNBA will operate in. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to speak publicly.

In a statement, the WNBA said ‘no groups from Boston applied for a team’ during the expansion bidding process that took place in Jan. 2025. Teams that weren’t awarded a franchise ‘have priority over Boston.’

In addition to paying $325 million to purchase the Sun, Pagliuca and his group pledged to contribute $100 million for a new practice facility in Boston with plans to have the team play home games at TD Garden, home of the NBA’s Celtics and the NHL’s Boston Bruins, according to the Boston Globe. But Pagliuca released a statement that said ‘approval has not been obtained thus far, and we cannot proceed without it.’

‘Central to our proposal is enabling the Sun to play in larger capacity arenas in New England,’ Pagliuca wrote in his statement shared to social media on Sunday. ‘We believe our record-setting offer and deep commitment to growing the WNBA in the region that is home to the most passionate basketball fans in the nation will significantly benefit the league, the team, and all its fans.’

The Sun have sold out two a regular-season game at TD Garden in consecutive seasons, most recently when the Sun hosted Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on July 15, highlighting an active fan base in the area. TD Garden has a capacity of 19,000 for basketball games, compared to 10,000 at the Sun’s current home at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Pagliuca’s group isn’t the only party interested in purchasing the Sun. An investment group led by former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry reportedly made a bid for the team with plans to keep the Sun in Connecticut with home games to be played at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, the Hartford Courtant reported.

Similarly to Boston, the Hartford group didn’t apply for an expansion franchise in the recently completed bidding process and doesn’t have priority, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

The WNBA awarded Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030) expansion teams, bringing the league to 18 teams by 2030, following the additions of the Golden State Valkyries (2025), Toronto Tempo (2026) and Portland Fire (2026).

‘Each location was selected based on an analysis of market viability, committed long-term ownership groups, potential for significant local fan, corporate, media, and city and state support, arena and practice facilities, and community commitment to advancing the sport, among other factors,’ the WNBA said in June.

St Louis, Kansas City, Austin, Jacksonville, Nashville, Houston, Miami, Denver, Charlotte and Milwaukee also submitted bids for an expansion team, according to the Sports Business Journal, and would have priority. The league remains in ‘active conversations’ with cities that applied for a franchise, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert hinted Houston could be the next city to have a WNBA team. Following the league’s expansion announcement in June, Engelbert said the WNBA has ‘our eye on’ Houston because it has ‘such a strong history in this league,’ referencing the Houston Comets franchise (1997–2008).

‘We’ll stay tuned on that,’ Engelbert added.

The Mohegan Tribe purchased the Orlando Miracle for $10 million in 2003 and relocated the team to Connecticut.

The Sun have never won an WNBA championship, but have made four Finals appearances (2004, 2005, 2019, 2022) in franchise history. Connecticut has made the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons, representing the longest active postseason appearance streak in the league, but the Sun will likely miss the playoffs after starting the season 5-22.

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