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Morning Edition

June 16, 2025

Sunday saw two trades emerge from nowhere. First, Grizzlies star Desmond Bane was traded to the Magic. Then, hours after homering in a game against the Yankees, Red Sox cornerstone Rafael Devers was dealt to the Giants. We start with baseball, where Devers was moved only a few years after signing a 10-year, $313.5 million contract.

— Hannah Keyser [[link removed]] and David Rumsey [[link removed]]

Red Sox Trade Rafael Devers to Giants in Shocker [[link removed]]

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Just hours after he hit a home run to power the Boston Red Sox to a sweep over their perennial rival New York Yankees—and over a month before the Major League Baseball trade deadline—Rafael Devers has been traded to the San Francisco Giants, according to multiple reports.

In exchange, the Red Sox got pitchers Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison, and two prospects. The Giants will assume the entirety of the more than $250 million left on the contract, which runs through 2033.

Devers signed a 10-year, $313.5 million extension just two years ago that made him the face of the franchise. But he has publicly feuded with a new regime in the Red Sox front office this season and balked at moving from third base to designated hitter.

Devers, a three-time All-Star and one of the best left-handed power hitters in the game, played third base for the first eight seasons of his career (he ranked last in defensive runs saved in 2023 and 2024). In the offseason, the Red Sox traded for third baseman Alex Bregman and asked Devers to abdicate his defensive position to serve as designated hitter. Devers initially refused, hinting at a disconnect. By the end of spring training, he acquiesced and, despite a slow start to the season, was the Sox’s hottest hitter until the trade.

Tensions flared again when Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury, and Devers made it clear he would not return to the field. Devers told the media [[link removed]] that Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow had asked him explicitly to fill in at first, but that Devers refused because, “I don’t feel they stayed true to their word. They told me I was going to play this position, DH. Now they’re going back on that.”

“Now, they should do their jobs essentially and hit the market and look for another player,” Devers said at the time about the front office. And it seems they took his suggestion.

Along with Hicks and Harrison—who was supposed to start for the Giants on Sunday night baseball—the Red Sox received 2024 first-round pick James Tibbs and pitching prospect José Bello.

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NBA Offseason Begins During Finals As Magic Trade Huge Package For Bane [[link removed]]

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

There are still at least two NBA Finals games to be played [[link removed]] before this year’s champion is crowned, but a major trade on Sunday tipped off what could be a wild offseason for the league.

The Grizzlies agreed to trade guard Desmond Bane to the Magic for a huge haul: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, the No. 16 pick in this month’s NBA Draft, four first-round picks, and a first-round pick swap. Bane, the 30th pick in the 2020 draft, will be entering the second season of a five-year, $197 million max extension that runs through 2029. He’ll turn 27 later this month.

Memphis and Orlando both made the playoffs and were eliminated in the first round this past season, despite each having bottom-six payrolls [[link removed]]. The Grizzlies were the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and were swept by the Thunder. Orlando was the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference and lost 4–1 to the Celtics.

The Grizzlies were one of seven NBA teams to fire their coach this past cycle, and are now led by Tuomas Iisalo, who got the full-time job following a stint as interim coach after Taylor Jenkins was fired in April [[link removed]].

There could be more movement on the way for the Magic, as adding Bane now gives the franchise the eighth-highest projected payroll in the NBA [[link removed]] next season at $247.7 million. That would come with a massive luxury tax bill that Orlando is likely going to try to avoid.

Around the League

The Bane trade could be the first of many big NBA moves this summer.

Suns star Kevin Durant could be on his way to the fifth team of his career. Durant, 36, has one year and $54.7 million left on his contract. Should he be traded, his preferred destinations [[link removed]] include the Heat, Spurs, or Rockets, according to ESPN.

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly “open-minded” to leaving Milwaukee [[link removed]]. That uncertainty about his future was a factor in former Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry selling his stake [[link removed]] in the franchise in 2023.

Other stars who could potentially be on the move include Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, Suns guard Bradley Beal, Kings forward Zach LaVine, and Hawks guard Trae Young.

150–1 Longshot Spaun Wins Record U.S. Open Prize After Carnage at Oakmont [[link removed]]

USGA/Jason E. Miczek

PGA Tour journeyman J.J. Spaun defied the odds and won the U.S. Open to cash a record-tying $4.3 million winner’s check, which is nearly one quarter of what his career earnings were coming into the tournament.

Spaun, 34, had only won once before on the PGA Tour—the Valero Texas Open in 2022. Earlier this year, he finished second at the Players Championship after losing to Rory McIlroy in a playoff [[link removed]]. That result netted him $2.725 million, at the time the biggest tournament check of his career.

He came into the U.S. Open with $17.98 million in career earnings, as the No. 25-ranked golfer in the world. His pre-tournament betting odds were as high as 150–1 at some sportsbooks. That means betting $100 on Spaun before the U.S. Open began would have earned bettors $15,000.

Spaun, an American with Filipino and Mexican heritage, was the only player to finish the U.S. Open under par at Oakmont Country Club. One of the toughest courses in the world, it gave the best golfers on the planet fits in the final round—especially after a 1 hour, 39 minute rain delay that had fairways and greens soaked.

At -1, Spaun beat Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre (+1) by two strokes after draining a 64-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole. That capped a back-nine 32 (-3) for Spaun, who rebounded after a 40 (+5) on the front nine.

Had Spaun bogeyed the 72nd hole of the tournament to fall back into a tie with MacIntyre, a two-hole aggregate playoff would have been played on Monday morning. The U.S. Open has not gone to a playoff since 2008, when Tiger Woods defeated Rocco Mediate in a 19-hole Monday playoff to win his 14th major championship at Torrey Pines.

The U.S. Open offered a $21.5 million purse [[link removed]], the same as last year’s, but still the most money ever offered at one of golf’s four major championships. In addition to the $4.3 million winner’s check, Spaun also receives exemptions into the other three major championships for the next five years. He had only played in eight majors before this week, and his best result was tied for 23rd at the 2022 Masters.

Oakmont was hosting its record 10th U.S. Open, and as one of three “anchor sites” for the tournament, already has three more U.S. Opens on deck [[link removed]] in 2033, 2042, and 2049.

USMNT–Pulisic Drama Hits Gold Cup as FIFA’s Club World Cup Looms [[link removed]]

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The U.S. men’s national soccer team has begun its Gold Cup journey [[link removed]] this summer with plenty of drama on and off the field.

Ahead of Sunday’s opener against Trinidad and Tobago, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino took a shot at the team’s biggest star, Christian Pulisic, who was not permitted to play in two recent friendlies after opting not to play in the Gold Cup.

“Players need to listen and stick with our plan,” Pochettino said Saturday. “They cannot dictate the plan.”

Last week, Pulisic said he respected Pochettino’s decision but “didn’t understand it.”

In response to those remarks, Pochettino said he didn’t need players to understand his decisions. “When I signed my contract with the federation, I am the head coach,” he said. “I am not a mannequin.”

Summer Competition

The Gold Cup is being played at NFL and MLS stadiums across the U.S., and one in Vancouver, at the same time as the first edition of FIFA’s newly revamped Club World Cup [[link removed]].

The USMNT’s three Gold Cup group-play matches include stops in San Jose (PayPal Park), Austin (Q2 Stadium), and Dallas (AT&T Stadium).

NRG Stadium will host the tournament’s final on July 6. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., will host the Club World Cup final on July 13.

Inter Miami and Egyptian club Al-Ahly played out a scoreless draw at Hard Rock Stadium to kick off the Club World Cup Saturday night. The announced attendance was just 60,927. Lionel Messi played the entire game.

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Status Report Two Up, One Down One Push

Jeff Swinger-Imagn Images

Rory McIlroy ⬆⬇ The golfer shot 67 (three under par) on Sunday to finish the U.S. Open tied for 19th. After Saturday’s third round, he spoke to reporters and was asked about skipping some post-round sessions with the media at major championships this season. “I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do,” McIlroy said.

Baseballs ⬇ Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen has added fuel to speculation that MLB is using different baseballs this season than it did last year. “I was told by a rep for MLB that the balls are indeed different this year,” McCutchen wrote on X this weekend. Read more about the situation here [[link removed]].

Missouri ⬆ State Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a stadium funding bill for the NFL’s Chiefs and MLB’s Royals on Saturday, which was expected after the Missouri Legislature completed its approval of the bill [[link removed]] last week. Now, the issue is more firmly back in the hands of the teams.

Las Vegas Grand Prix ⬆ Formula One has extended its contract to run the race through 2027. November’s event will be the third running of the grand prix, after hype dropped somewhat in Year 2 [[link removed]].

Editors' Picks Caitlin Clark Return Draws Sellout 15 Hours After Pacers Finals Game [[link removed]]by Colin Salao [[link removed]]Fever TV ratings dropped significantly while Clark was out. U.S. Open Merch Pops Thanks to Oakmont’s Squirrel, Viral TikToks [[link removed]]by David Rumsey [[link removed]]There are more than 400,000 pieces of merchandise available at Oakmont. Swift-Eh? NHL Hopes Taylor’s Magic Touch Boosts the Stanley Cup Final [[link removed]]by Eric Fisher [[link removed]]The pop superstar got emotional about the Oilers’ overtime win Thursday. Question of the Day

Were you surprised when you saw the Desmond Bane trade happen during the NBA Finals?

Yes [[link removed]] No [[link removed]]

Friday’s result: 63% of respondents said they thought the PGA Tour has been mismanaged in recent years.

Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Events [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Shows [[link removed]] Written by David Rumsey [[link removed]] Edited by Or Moyal [[link removed]]

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