Brittney Griner sentenced to nine years in Russian prison, Bronny could spend 2023 in the Australian NBL, and the Lakers, Knicks, and Jazz have been involved in blockbuster trade talks involving Donovan Mitchell and Russell Westbrook!

Enjoy the weekend!

BRITTNEY GRINER

Brittney Griner Sentenced to Nine Years in Russian Prison

As most know Brittney Griner, WNBA star, was arrested in Russia on drug charges in February. The Russian Federal Customs Service found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in Griner's luggage. These charges can lead up to 10 years in prison but Russian officials sentenced Griner to 9 years on top of a $1 million ruble ($16,301) fine. Griner’s legal team argued during the hearing on August 2 that the forensic expert who examined this cartridge-like product made some type of technical and procedural error. Following the prosecution and sentencing of Griner, the Biden Administration made an offer to try to sway Russian officials to release Griner as well as Paul Whelan who has been in Russian custody since 2018 on accusations of acting as a spy for the United States. Whelan was sentenced to 16 years in Russian prison for espionage and having a USB drive of classified information. The offer the US Government made for the release of Griner and Whelan was for Russian arms dealer and trafficker Viktor Bout. Bout is serving a 25 year sentence for supplying weapons to a terrorist organization with the conspiracy to “kill Americans.” We will keep up to date with this situation as it continues to unfold.

BRONNY JAMES

Bronny Could Spend 2023 in Australian NBL

Bronny has been mysterious in his approach to the 2024 NBA Draft which brings speculation on what the high school star plans on doing following his graduation this year. The Athletic’s Joe Vardon, has made some possibilities for the young prodigy. The obvious and traditional route of going to college and playing basketball, time with G-League Ignite, or taking a gap year and playing in the NBL, Australian Basketball League. Lebron has had some quotes in the past saying how he'd want his son Bronny to play at Duke. But before Duke fans get too excited, there's a catch. He said this and furthered the quote by saying he wanted Bronny to play under Coach K, who as we know is retired. It seems as if Bronny wants the quickest path to the NBA but the final line is that the development for Bronny is the key factor.

BLOCKBUSTER TRADE RUMOR

Lakers, Knicks, and Jazz Involved in Blockbuster Trade Talks with Donovan Mitchell and Russell Westbrook!

There have been rumors swirling around the Lakers, Knicks, and Jazz regarding a potential move that can bring young star guard Donovan Mitchell to the Garden and Russell Westbrook to Utah. The focal point for the Jazz in this scenario is to acquire as much draft capital as feasibly possible as well as buying out the contract of Russell Westbrook. Naturally for the state of the Jazz, this idea of acquiring as many draft assets as possible is a step in the right direction for the organization, who hasn't made it past the Western Conference Semis since the 2006-2007 season. In previous talks around the young star in Utah, the Jazz have asked for three players and six draft selections from the Knicks in exchange for Mitchell. Some names that have been involved with these trade scenarios other than Russell Westbrook and Donovan Mitchell are Patrick Beverley, Jordan Clarkson, Malik Beasley, and Bojan Bogdanovic. Donovan Mitchell can be the spark the Knicks have been looking for and is a nice compliment to their already young star studded backcourt featuring Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett. Mitchell averaged 25.9 ppg, 5.3 assists, while alsshooting 44.8% from the field.

THE RUMOR MILL

An Indiana couple spent 20 years turning a high-school basketball gym into a home. They're listing it for $299,000 and the agent says 'it smells like a gym'.

UConn Huskies women's basketball star Paige Bueckers to miss 2022-2023 season after tearing ACL

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