Important dates for the NFL offseason
The NFL Scouting Combine kicks off this week starting on Monday. Teams will travel from all over the country to get a front-row seat at prospects ahead of the NFL Draft. The Los Angeles Rams’ front office won’t be in attendance. There are still plenty of key offseason dates to keep in mind.
Let’s pick our head up for a moment and see what all is on the horizon for the Rams:
NFL Scouting Combine
February 23rd to March 2nd
While Rams brass won’t be putting prospects through the paces, they will still gather valuable intel into medical issues that could remove players from their draft board entirely. The combine is also an important time to gather intel on pending free agents, trade targets, and their potential price tags.
Franchise tag deadline
March 4th
LA doesn’t have a likely candidate for the franchise tag this year. Who other teams decide to tag could shape the overall free agent class and alter the Rams’ plans.
Free Agency – legal tampering
March 9th to March 11th
Starting at noon eastern time, unrestricted free agents can enter contract negotiations with new teams. The Rams may use this period to gauge price tags for their own players on expiring contracts and decide whether they can or want to retain them.
The new league year begins on March 11th and reported signings from the tampering period can then become official. Trades also can be reported but not official until March 11th at noon.
Offseason workouts begin
April 20th
This is the date for teams with returning head coaches. Franchises with new coaching staffs start earlier on April 6th. Signed free agents will first join the team at this point.
NFL Draft
April 23rd to April 25th
The Rams will enjoy two first round picks on the opening night on Thursday. They’ll be active on the final two days as well. The event is held in Pittsburgh, PA this year.
Lakers honor Pat Riley with statue next to Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, halftime ceremony at Celtics game
For decades, Pat Riley has been the architect of the Miami Het.
But he's a Los Angeles Lakers legend whose likeness was set in perpetuity Sunday with a statue outside of Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers unveiled the statue prior to Sunday's home game against the rival Boston Celtics. It fittingly stands between statues of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with whom Riley won four NBA championships as the head coach of the "Showtime" Lakers.
With a host of Lakers icons watching, the curtain was lifted, and Riley's statue emerged from a flurry of purple and gold confetti. The statue is positioned with Riley holding up his right hand in a fist, his trademark signal for Johnson to deliver a pass to Abdul-Jabbar for a sky hook.
A Lakers icon forever enshrined. Congrats, Coach 💛 pic.twitter.com/pn8bGJtAs1
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 22, 2026
An inscription on the base of the statue features a quote that Riley attributed to his father, Leon Riley:
“There will come a time when you are challenged, and when that time comes, you must plant your feet. You must stand firm. You must make a point. About who you are, what you do, and where you come from. When that time comes, you do it.”
Lakers legends among icons to honor Riley
Riley was among the "Showtime" Lakers royalty present for the unveiling alongside Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, A.C. Green, Bob McAdoo, Kurt Rambis, Norm Nixon and Byron Scott.
Dwyane Wade, who won three NBA championships under Riley's leadership with the Heat, was also in attendance. As was notable "Showtime"-era Lakers fan Michael Douglas, who gave a speech about his friendship with Riley.
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss, whose father, Jerry Buss, hired Riley, hosted the ceremony.
“Even though Pat hasn't worked here for more than three decades, those remain Laker principles in large part because of him," Buss said." That's why it was so important to us to recognize Pat with this statue right here in the heart of downtown L.A.”
When the statue was unveiled, Riley smiled and offered a thumbs up in approval.
The celebration of Riley continued at halftime of Sunday's game with Johnson emceeing a midcourt ceremony in front of a sold-out crowd.
"I was born to be a Laker in 1970 at the Forum with these guys right here," Riley said when Johnson handed him the mic, while pointing to the aforementioned former Lakers in the building who were lined up behind him at halfcourt.
The man known for as much for his fashion sense as his basketball acumen, then had jokes.
"And of all of them, there's only one who has shown me true respect today, and that's James Worthy, who has a tie on," Riley continued. "Everybody's got a little too casual — $2,000 fine for everybody."
Pat Riley says hes giving everybody a $2,000 fine for not wearing a suit and tie (James Worthy was the only one safe) 💀 pic.twitter.com/VW3FQWICJp
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 23, 2026
To be fair to Jamaal Wilkes, Wilkes also had a tie on.
Riley, who wore many hats with the Lakers including player and broadcaster before taking over as head coach, then reflected on his time with the team.
"I had the opportunity to meet, to be with, to play with to coach to broadcast, to be a traveling secretary and to be a head coach of this team. And it's the greatest honor I've ever had."
Walker Kessler free agency update is great news for Lakers
Walker Kessler free agency update is great news for Lakers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Walker Kessler was linked to the Los Angeles Lakers on last season’s trade market, but a trade never came to fruition.
Although the same occurred during this year’s trade season, the dynamic 7-foot-2 Utah Jazz center remains a player analysts and insiders believe could eventually land with the Lakers. Based on a recent free agency report regarding Kessler, the Lakers could be in great shape to secure Kessler’s services this summer.
“Here's what I'll tell you: the Jazz have a number in mind. I think they are comfortable in the $25 million per range, and Walker Kessler and his reps at CAA believe he's worth much, much more than that," ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said on Feb. 11.
"Now, some options have disappeared. But I'm just telling you, that's going to be a potentially very tense and extended restricted free agency process."
If Kessler and the Jazz are unable to reach a new deal (he’s in the final year of his four-year, $13.37 million rookie contract), Los Angeles should be prepared to steal the Auburn product from Utah by paying him what he’s worth.
It isn’t far-fetched to suggest Kessler will be an All-Star in the foreseeable future, as his smooth touch around the rim and elite shot-blocking chops have been on full display in the big leagues.
Kessler, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury at the beginning of the year, averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game with the Jazz this season, shooting 70.3% from the field in five contests.
The Jazz’s inability to lock in their standout center for years to come could benefit the Lakers this summer.
More NBA: Bombshell Kawhi Leonard trade report is exciting news for Warriors
Sebastian Korda defeats Tommy Paul for Delray Beach Open championship
DELRAY BEACH — Tommy Paul had his “Founding Fathers’ fan club. Sebastian Korda had Florida Panthers superstar Aleksander Barkov.
Score one for hockey in an All-American Delray Beach Open final as Korda topped Paul, 6-4, 6-3 before 4,774 fans on Feb. 22 at the Delray Beach Tennis Center.
Korda, who grew up in Bradenton as son of tour great Petr, won his first Delray Beach Open title and flopped onto his back after winning match point in an epic game in which he trailed love-40 on his serve.
Entering the tournament unseeded and his ranking falling to 50 after a tough start to 2026, Korda, 25, was the better man in windswept conditions. He’s the sixth unseeded player to win the 34-year event.
“It’s amazing, especially with how everything was going on,’’ Korda said. “Crazy wind. Last game was love-40 down and somehow I came back and got some good serves in, trusted it and went after it. It‘s as satisfying as it can get winning a tournament when love-40 down. A lot of hard work mentally.’’
Barkov was in Korda’s player’s box. Of Czech Republic heritage, Korda played hockey until he was 11 and befriended Barkov, who is Swiss, when he first played Delray in 2021.
“(Barkov) watches more tennis than anyone on planet Earth,’’ Korda said after winning the ATP 250 event in one hour, 22 minutes. ““He’ll watch everything. He was here every single match and all my practices. He texts me all the time. I got to know him in 2021 when I played here. He’s been a great friend of mine. I want to get on the ice with him.’’
Paul, who lives in Boca Raton, still can’t find the whole answer at Delray as he has failed to win the tournament in six tries. But this was one was special, made so by “The Founding Fathers’’ – a group of three high school seniors from Donna Klein High in Boca Raton. Matthew, Alex, Chad cheered, chanted and sang during all of Paul’s matches.
The threesome led the rest of the crowd into a Paul chorus often – the one ditty heard aplenty (“You say Tommy, I say Paul. Tommy … Paul. Tommy … Paul”).
During the trophy presentation, Paul saluted the trio, who dress in Colonial-Era garb.
“They came out to every match no matter what and brought the energy,’’ said Paul, who was seeded 4th
Two years ago, Paul, 28, lost in the Delray final to his buddy Taylor Fritz. Paul looked more lost Sunday in the wind, often showing frustration when one of his lobs would sail many yards out due to a sudden current. When he got broken at 4-5 to give Korda the first set, the winds had picked up noticeably during that game. Bad timing.
“He handled the conditions better today and deserved to win,’’ Paul said. ”I’m pissed off for sure. I didn’t want that (second-place) trophy again. I thought I was playing really good tennis up to this last mach. I didn’t think I played great but started getting momentum late. He served his way out of trouble down love-40.’’
At that juncture, with nerves of steel, Korda pounded in a couple of aces, Paul flubbed one easy forehand off his frame and cracked a few others long. In general, Korda guided the ball precisely into play with more finesse amid the South Florida gusts.
“The secret is growing up in Florida,’’ said Korda, whose father rose to No. 2 in the world. "This is where I’ve played in my whole life – super windy. My dad said growing up to just put the ball in the court somehow. It doesn’t matter if it’s a slice or ugliest shot in the world. As long as it goes to the other side of the island, it’s all that matters.’’
Korda, who upset No. 2 seed Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, fell behind a break to start the second set. Paul pounced on Korda, breaking him immediately after winning a 30-shot rally with a crosscourt forehand winner.
But Korda broke right back and did so again for a 3-1 lead. The Bradenton resident got up 4-1 and withheld Paul’s furious rally in the last game that could’ve put the second set on serve.
Asked if he was ticked off at himself or the wind, Paul said, “I can’t be pissed at Mother Nature.’’
Paul had beaten upstart American Learner Tien in the Feb. 21 semifinals – a player that some feel has the tennis smarts to make it big with his lefty forehand.
“Tien’s amazing,’’ Paul said. “This younger generation of Americans, they don’t fear anything or us at all. It’s a great thing for them. Annoying for us. They came out ready to beat us everytime. They’re serious players.’’
Korda hadn’t won an ATP event since the 2024 Washington D.C. tournament that is a tuneup for the U.S. Open. Korda lost in the finals here in 2021. “My confidence is definitely going up,’’ Korda said. “It’s about being consistent. Years past, I haven’t been very consistent.’’
Said Paul, “He’s dealt with a lot of injuries and setbacks. It’s good to see him at this level.’’
Delray Beach Open future uncertain
This could be the second-to-last Delray tournament if things shake out a certain way.
An ATP official last month said the goal is to downsize the 250-point ATP events with an eye on shortening the schedule. There are three 250-point ATP events in the United States - Delray Beach and ones in Houston (indoor clay court before the European clay court season in spring) and Winston Salem, N.C.
The Delray Open drew 59,366 fans this week. With a swarm of players living in South Florida, it is tough to see Delray Beach getting the axe.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Delray Beach Open goes to unseeded Sebastian Korda over Tommy Paul
Titelkampf entschieden? BVB jubelt - und hinkt doch hinterher
Borussia Dortmund holt in Leipzig einen Punkt, der sich wie ein Sieg anfühlt - aber der Rückstand auf die Bayern wächst. Vor dem Duell mit den Münchnern scheint der Titel für die Dortmunder kaum noch in Reichweite.[mehr]