Basketball

Wembanyama, Spurs reportedly agree on five-year extension that could top $250 million

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, Jul. 10, 2026

Victor Wembanyama has signed what will be the richest contract in San Antonio Spurs history, a five-year extension that could exceed $250 million if the player option in the final season is picked up, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Friday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the financial figures were not disclosed by either side. The Spurs, who went to the NBA Finals this past season behind the all-NBA centre and unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, announced that Wembanyama had signed, simply saying the sides agreed on “a multi-year contract extension.”

"Spurs family, I’m here to stay," Wembanyama wrote on social media Friday. “Whatever it takes."

The agreement comes at a discount; Wembanyama could have agreed to a deal that would have topped $300 million over five years — but chose a lesser amount to help give the Spurs flexibility going forward with their young core and in anticipation of the contracts some of those budding stars will be eligible for in coming years, the person said.

Advertise With Us

Weather

WEATHER ALERT Jul. 13, 6 AM: 27°c Cloudy with wind Jul. 13, 12 PM: 28°c Cloudy with wind

Brandon MB

25°C, Windy

Full Forecast

Basketball

Kawhi Leonard attends a press conference where former teammate Kyle Lowry signed a one-day contract to retire as a Toronto Raptor, in Toronto, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Legal expert weighs in on Raptors-Clippers trade for Kawhi Leonard being paused

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Legal expert weighs in on Raptors-Clippers trade for Kawhi Leonard being paused

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Friday, Jul. 10, 2026

TORONTO - A Toronto-based legal expert says he was surprised by the latest twist in the Toronto Raptors-Los Angeles Clippers trade saga.

The Raptors and Clippers announced in separate statements on Thursday that a proposed trade that would bring all-star forward Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto has been put on hold following the outcome of an investigation by the NBA into Leonard's 2024 contract with L.A. Both statements said that the Raptors would assume the risk of any potential penalties that come out of the investigation.

Russell Sanders, a partner at Aird and Berlis, said he was taken aback by the deal being paused.

"I was frankly shocked. I would have thought that was an issue that would have been vetted internally on both sides before the transaction was announced," said Sanders, who is a member of the firm's sports and entertainment groups.

Read

Friday, Jul. 10, 2026

Basketball

Toronto Raptors sign free-agent centre Nate Bittle

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Toronto Raptors sign free-agent centre Nate Bittle

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Friday, Jul. 10, 2026

TORONTO - The Toronto Raptors have signed free-agent centre Nate Bittle, the NBA club announced Friday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The seven-foot, 250-pound Bittle averaged a team-high 16.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.8 blocks and 31.1 minutes in 25 games as a fifth-year senior at Oregon last season.

He shot .465 (145/312) from the field and scored in double figures in 23 NCAA games, including scoring more than 20 points eight times.

Read

Friday, Jul. 10, 2026

Basketball

Bobcats sign CEGEP transfer Manikoglu

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

Bobcats sign CEGEP transfer Manikoglu

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Thursday, Jul. 9, 2026

The Brandon University Bobcats lost two big pieces of their offence this year. They’re hoping Noah Manikoglu can help replace some of it.

The Montreal native has transferred to the Bobcats men’s basketball team for the 2026-27 Canada West season following three years at the CEGEP Division 1 level.

“This has been the goal for pretty much my whole career, being able to play university and push my potential as far as I can go,” Manikoglu said.

“It’s going to be great. It’s going to be a fun change, especially getting away from the Quebec league and seeing the rest of Canada.”

Read

Thursday, Jul. 9, 2026

Basketball

Toronto Raptors put Kawhi Leonard trade on hold pending NBA investigation

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Toronto Raptors put Kawhi Leonard trade on hold pending NBA investigation

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Thursday, Jul. 9, 2026

TORONTO - The Toronto Raptors say they have put their proposed trade for Kawhi Leonard on hold after the NBA said the team would assume the risk of any outcome from the league's ongoing investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers.

The proposed deal would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a 2027 pick swap and two second-round picks to the Clippers for Leonard.

The NBA opened an investigation in September following allegations first reported by journalist Pablo Torre that Leonard signed a US$28-million "no-show" endorsement deal with Aspiration, an environmental financial technology company, that required no work beyond remaining with the Clippers.

Aspiration later entered bankruptcy after its co-founder, Joe Sanberg, was charged with fraud, though Leonard has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

Read

Thursday, Jul. 9, 2026

Basketball

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson (12) looks to shoot a basket against Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, April 10, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/ Karen Warren)

Toronto Raptors sign Kyle Anderson, veteran forward joins seventh NBA team

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Toronto Raptors sign Kyle Anderson, veteran forward joins seventh NBA team

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 8, 2026

TORONTO - The Toronto Raptors have signed forward Kyle Anderson, the NBA club announced Wednesday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The six-foot-eight, 230-pound veteran from Fairview, N.J., averaged 6.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, one steal and 19.8 minutes in 43 games with Utah, Memphis and Minnesota last season.

He shot 53 per cent from the field and scored in double figures in seven games, including a season-high 22 points off the bench in Utah's Jan. 1 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Anderson also appeared in eight playoff games with the Timberwolves.

Read

Wednesday, Jul. 8, 2026

Basketball

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) fouls Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) during Game 2 of the NBA Finals in Toronto on June 2, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Timeline: Kyle Lowry’s biggest moments with the Toronto Raptors

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Timeline: Kyle Lowry’s biggest moments with the Toronto Raptors

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 7, 2026

TORONTO - Kyle Lowry is retiring after a 20-year NBA career that included nine seasons with the Toronto Raptors, six all-star selections and the franchise's first NBA championship.

Here is a look at some of the defining moments from Lowry's Raptors career.

July 2012: The Raptors acquired Lowry from Houston in a trade that sent Gary Forbes and a protected future first-round draft pick the other way. Then-general manager Bryan Colangelo described him as bringing "toughness, grit and playmaking" to Toronto.

May 4, 2014: He scored a game-high 28 points in Game 7 of Toronto's first-round series against Brooklyn, but Paul Pierce blocked his buzzer-beating attempt in a 104-103 loss. The image of Lowry lying on the Air Canada Centre court became one of the defining moments of his Raptors career.

Read

Tuesday, Jul. 7, 2026

Learn more about Advertising solutions

Basketball

Former Toronto Raptors and now LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, right, receives his 2019 NBA championship ring from Raptors' Kyle Lowry prior to NBA basketball action in Toronto on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Toronto Raptors welcome Lowry ‘home’ for retirement announcement

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

Toronto Raptors welcome Lowry ‘home’ for retirement announcement

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 7, 2026

TORONTO - Kyle Lowry, the Raptors, Toronto and Canada were a perfect fit. Now they'll be linked forever.

Lowry signed a one-day contract with the Raptors and announced his retirement on Tuesday in a ceremony at OVO Athletic Centre, the team's practice facility. Former teammate Kawhi Leonard sat in the front row as Toronto worked to finalize a trade to reacquire the 2019 Finals MVP.

Lowry started his career with the Memphis Grizzlies and then the Houston Rockets before landing in Toronto, where his bulldog-like tenacity immediately clicked with his Raptors teammates and fans.

"I think the city and the country, they go on guys that play hard," said Lowry on a raised podium on the Raptors' practice courts. "It was a hockey town, it's a hockey place. Hard work, play through anything, and I think that was a connection.

Read

Tuesday, Jul. 7, 2026

Basketball

Toronto Raptors hosting news conference with ‘special guest’ on Tuesday morning

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Toronto Raptors hosting news conference with ‘special guest’ on Tuesday morning

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Monday, Jul. 6, 2026

TORONTO - The Toronto Raptors will be holding a news conference Tuesday morning with a "special guest."

General manager and executive vice-president Bobby Webster will be joined by the VIP for the "milestone team announcement."

The Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly agreed to a blockbuster deal to bring two-time NBA Finals MVP back to Toronto, a transaction that should be finalized sometime this week.

Longtime Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry, who was part of the 2019 championship team with Leonard, has also reportedly been considering retirement.

Read

Monday, Jul. 6, 2026

Basketball

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, left, reaches over Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

AP sources: Leonard heading back to Raptors in Clippers deal

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

AP sources: Leonard heading back to Raptors in Clippers deal

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2026

Kawhi Leonard is headed back to the Toronto Raptors, after they struck a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers to reunite with the player who led their run to the 2019 NBA championship, a person with knowledge of the talks said Tuesday.

The Raptors are sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a pick swap to the Clippers for Leonard, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade has not received the required league approval.

Leonard spent one season in Toronto, and that was the year the Raptors won their lone title. He turned 35 on Monday but is coming off the highest-scoring season of his career, averaging 27.9 points for the Clippers in 65 games.

Leonard is a seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, a two-time NBA champion (also having won in 2014 with San Antonio) and is generally considered one of the game's top defensive players.

Read

Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2026

Basketball

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, right, shoots as Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

AP source: Leonard returns to Raptors in blockbuster trade with Clippers

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

AP source: Leonard returns to Raptors in blockbuster trade with Clippers

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2026

TORONTO - Kawhi Leonard is headed back to the Toronto Raptors after they struck a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers to reunite with the player who led their run to the 2019 NBA championship, a person with knowledge of the talks told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The price is hefty. Shams Charania of ESPN, who first reported the proposed deal, said the Clippers will acquire Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a pick swap in 2027 and two second-round picks.

The first-round picks present potential risk for the Raptors, as they will come when the 35-year-old Leonard is likely retired and all-star Scottie Barnes is nearing the end of his prime.

And the oft-injured Leonard has never played more than 74 games in a season and missed the entire 2021-22 campaign.

Read

Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2026

Basketball

LeBron hits free agency: James not returning to Lakers, plans to play 24th season elsewhere

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

LeBron hits free agency: James not returning to Lakers, plans to play 24th season elsewhere

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2026

LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, which means another decision awaits.

A mere 16 years after his first famed “decision” — the one that saw him leave Cleveland for Miami — James is getting ready to change uniforms once again. He has told the Lakers that his eight-year run with them is over and that he'll play a record-extending 24th NBA season elsewhere.

James has made clear many times in recent years that more championships are his motivation, which means it's almost certain he'll pick a team that he believes can contend for an NBA title in 2027. Golden State is believed to be on his list, though there are certainly some who will wonder if reunions with Cleveland and Miami are possible. Or, perhaps, a new landing spot awaits such as San Antonio, where he could partner with 7-foot-4 global megastar Victor Wembanyama.

“I’ve done it all. I’ve seen it all,” James said when the Lakers' season ended in May — after what was his last game with the franchise. “Just being able to compete and trying to win championships, I think that’s a motivating factor.”

Read

Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2026

Basketball

Schmidt, Unrau win MHSAA awards

2 minute read Monday, Jun. 29, 2026

A pair of Westman students have been honoured with Manitoba Building Trades High School athlete of the year awards.

Annika Schmidt of Rivers Collegiate was named the female A winner after competing in volleyball, basketball, badminton and track and field in the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association (MHSAA).

Schmidt, who will attend Brandon University in the fall, served as captain of her volleyball and basketball teams.

She led her basketball team in scoring, and in volleyball, was named a provincial all-star, a graduating all-star and won the Players’ Choice Award at volleyball provincials.

Basketball

Brandon trio fall just short at Pan Am Cup

1 minute read Monday, Jun. 29, 2026

Brandon University Bobcats Ethan Baraniuk and Matt Siebenga and assistant coach Reece Wilson of Brandon finished second at the NORCECA men’s under-21 Pan American Cup in Guatemala on Monday after Canada fell 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-14) to the unbeaten United States in the gold-medal match in Guatemala City.

Canada, which beat Mexico 3-2 (22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 30-32, 15-10) in the semifinal, finished with a 4-1 record. Siebenga was named the tournament’s best blocker for most blocks, and Canada’s Tyson DeZutter was second best spiker and Matthew Brown was awarded top setting honours.

Costa Rica beat Mexico 3-1 in the bronze-medal game.

» The Brandon Sun

Basketball

FILE - Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) drives against San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) during the second half in Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in Portland, Ore, April 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

Portland is acquiring 2-time All-Star Ja Morant in a trade with Memphis, AP source says

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Portland is acquiring 2-time All-Star Ja Morant in a trade with Memphis, AP source says

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 2 minute read Monday, Jun. 29, 2026

Ja Morant is headed to Portland, after the Trail Blazers and Memphis agreed on a trade Monday that sees the Grizzlies starting anew and gives the two-time All-Star a chance to revive his career, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press.

Portland is sending Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to the Grizzlies as part of the deal, said the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade has not gotten the required league approvals.

ESPN first reported the agreement.

It’s a big swing by the Trail Blazers and could suggest Portland — with new owner Tom Dundon, whose Carolina Hurricanes just won the Stanley Cup — might not be done making moves. Morant adds to a logjam at point guard right now for Portland, with Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard and Scoot Henderson also on the current roster.

Read

Monday, Jun. 29, 2026

Basketball

Brandon University Bobcats forward Renee Dauphinais looks to pass the ball around Milica Gajic of the University of Calgary Dinos last season. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Bobcats draw favourable hoops schedule

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Bobcats draw favourable hoops schedule

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Friday, Jun. 26, 2026

Gil Cheung finally got his way.

When Canada West created a more cost-effective basketball travel schedule, it led to two years of the Brandon University Bobcats starting their basketball season with a challenging swing trip against Winnipeg and Manitoba.

This season, the Wesmen agreed to move their game up a week, so the Bobcats will open the season at home on Oct. 23 with just one game, then visit the Bisons the following weekend.

“It just didn’t seem fair that both teams get to load up on us and we have a one-day turnaround to play two of the top four teams in our conference,” Cheung said.

Read

Friday, Jun. 26, 2026

July 13, 2026

Notification Settings