TL;DR

Commanders add Von Miller; Lillard waived, eyed by contenders; Clark injured, All-Star status doubtful.

Highlights

• Commanders sign Von Miller (36) to a one-year deal, aiming to improve their pass rush after ranking 26th in four-man sacks last season 1.
• Damian Lillard, waived by the Bucks, becomes a free agent; Warriors, Celtics, and Lakers are pursuing him as he rehabs a torn Achilles 3.
• LeBron James will remain with the Lakers for 2025-26; no trade or buyout talks are ongoing 2.
• Caitlin Clark (Fever ) suffers a new groin injury, will miss next game, and is questionable for WNBA All-Star events 4.
• Juventus in talks for Marcus Rashford after nearing a deal for Jadon Sancho; both Manchester United players are available for transfer 12.
• Neymar scores late winner for Santos against Flamengo , impacting both relegation and title races in Brazil’s Série A 5.
• IFAB considers banning penalty rebounds and expanding VAR for the 2026 World Cup; changes could affect match outcomes and betting 11.
• Manny Pacquiao, 46, returns from retirement to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on July 19 7.
• NCAA places Memphis men’s basketball on two-year probation for academic fraud; vacated wins and financial penalties imposed 9.
• UEFA bans FK Arsenal Tivat for 10 years, issues lifetime bans and fines over match-fixing in European competition 19.
• Carlos Alcaraz advances to his third straight Wimbledon quarterfinal, extending his unbeaten run at the tournament to 18 matches 13.
• Atlético Madrid signs U.S. midfielder Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis for up to €32 million 18.

Commentary

Key player movement headlines the day: Von Miller’s arrival in Washington gives the Commanders a proven pass rusher as they look to build on last year’s NFC title game appearance 1. In the NBA, Damian Lillard’s waiver and subsequent free agency have sparked immediate interest from top contenders, but his Achilles rehab clouds the timing of any fantasy or betting impact 3. LeBron James’s continued presence in Los Angeles provides rare offseason stability for the Lakers’ roster and futures markets 2.

Injury news remains a central concern for fantasy and prop bettors. Caitlin Clark’s new groin injury sidelines her for at least one game and puts her WNBA All-Star participation in doubt, directly affecting DFS lineups and Fever team performance projections 4. On the soccer front, Juventus ’s pursuit of both Rashford and Sancho signals a potential overhaul that could shift Serie A and Premier League fantasy and transfer markets 12. Neymar’s late goal for Santos not only boosts their survival odds but also pressures Flamengo in the title race 5.

Regulatory and integrity issues are also in focus. IFAB’s proposed penalty rebound ban and expanded VAR coverage could alter scoring probabilities and match adjudication, with direct implications for betting models ahead of the 2026 World Cup 11. The NCAA’s sanctions on Memphis and UEFA’s decade-long ban for FK Arsenal Tivat underscore ongoing risks in college and European football, with immediate impacts on team eligibility and long-term reputational effects 919.

Manny Pacquiao’s return at age 46 is a notable event for boxing fans and oddsmakers, though age and layoff are key risk factors 7. Carlos Alcaraz continues to deliver at Wimbledon, reinforcing his status as the tournament favorite 13. Atlético Madrid’s acquisition of Johnny Cardoso adds depth to their midfield, with potential implications for La Liga projections 18.