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NBA trade rumors: LaMelo and Lonzo Ball teaming up? How Cavaliers’ apron issues could lead to Hornets deal

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The Lonzo Ball trade has been a swing and a miss for the Cleveland Cavaliers. After winning 64 games a year ago, Cleveland determined that it needed to both improve its point-of-attack defense and find a bench ball-handler to replace departing free agent Ty Jerome. It hoped to address both needs in one move with Ball. But after a resurgent season in Chicago last year, he’s struggled mightily for the Cavaliers.

Now the Cavaliers have seemingly replaced him in their rotation with Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder. They are around $14 million above the second-apron line, and are seemingly motivated to get below it in order to both save money on their payroll this year and ensure that their 2033 first-round pick is not frozen moving forward. In other words, the Cavaliers would probably love to dump Ball and his $10 million salary. We fortunately have a very capable and sympathetic dumping ground seemingly waiting in the wings.

The Charlotte Hornets have $14.4 million in room below the luxury-tax line, giving them plenty of space to absorb money before the 3 p.m. ET NBA trade deadline on Thursday. They have a full roster of 15 players, but could easily waive someone deep on their bench if need be. They have their full $14.1 million mid-level exception at their disposal, which they could use to absorb a contract of Ball’s size. Oh yeah, and they employ his younger brother, star guard LaMelo Ball, one of the faces of their resurgence this season.

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Five NBA trade deadline bold predictions: Knicks make a blockbuster, Cavs shake things up, big names stay put

Brad Botkin

Five NBA trade deadline bold predictions: Knicks make a blockbuster, Cavs shake things up, big names stay put
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All of this lines up quite nicely, and according to Jake Fischer, the Cavaliers and Hornets have indeed held preliminary conversations about a Ball trade that would help Cleveland get below the second apron before Thursday’s deadline.

While such a move would mostly be a financially motivated trade with perhaps some minor draft capital attached, the deal would have broader implications in Charlotte. Earlier this season, there were rumors that LaMelo Ball and the Hornets may be headed for a split. By trading for Ball’s brother, the Hornets would be signifying their renewed commitment to LaMelo as they’ve gone from cellar dweller to legitimate postseason sleeper. The Hornets are the hottest team in the NBA as the deadline hits. They’re still five games below .500 (23-28), but they’ve won seven games in a row and are now just one game back of the Hawks for the East’s final play-in spot.

The bigger question here, though, is if the Hornets would fulfill LaVar Ball’s dream of seeing all three of his sons, including LiAngelo Ball, play on the same NBA team. It’s something he’s talked about quite a bit:

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  • In 2017, LaVar Ball pushed for all three seasons to play together on the Lakers, right after they drafted Lonzo No. 2 overall. “The chemistry they have, you’ve seen it already. That’s why I see that far ahead: All three of my boys on the Lakers at the same time,” Ball said. “Put them together and watch what they do. It’ll be magic.”
  • In 2018, LaVar laid out a plan for his three sons to unite in free agency, rather than with the Lakers. “I want all three boys to play for the Lakers,” LaVar told Donatas Urbonas, a Lithuanian journalist. “But if that does not happen, I’m telling you the story what’s gonna happen first. If they don’t take Gelo this year, I bring back Gelo here to play with Melo for two years. Lonzo will be on his third year, and I let every NBA team know that Lonzo is not going to re-sign with the Lakers but will go to any team that will take all of my three boys. That’s my plan.”
  • In 2020, Ball guaranteed a championship if his three sons played together for the Hornets after they drafted LaMelo. “Get all three of them, I guarantee they win a championship. Folks don’t understand that.”

So, the $10 million question here: would the Hornets sign LiAngelo, unite all three brothers and fulfil LaVar’s prophecy? Sadly, that is probably unlikely. While LiAngelo has played 31 games for the Greensboro Swarm, Charlotte’s G-League affiliate, he retired from basketball last August to focus on his music career after the success of his song “Tweaker.” The last professional game he played came in spring of 2024, for Astros de Jalisco in Mexico. In other words, his playing days are likely over. But hey, two out of the three ain’t bad.

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‘Best he’s played’ – Michael Carrick praises Kobbie Mainoo after Cole Palmer battle in Man United win

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Kobbie Mainoo was outstanding for Man Utd in their win at Chelsea and Michael Carrick was delighted with his return from injury.

Michael Carrick praised Kobbie Mainoo’s performance in Manchester United’s win against Chelsea and said it was the best the academy graduate had played in his dozen games in charge.

Mainoo only trained briefly on Thursday and Friday before being thrown back into the side at Stamford Bridge, but he produced an outstanding display, particularly without the ball.

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Carrick felt the 20-year-old showed both sides to his game in the 1-0 win and praised him for the composure he showed, while his duel with fellow Manchester-born youngster Cole Palmer was one of the game’s key battles.

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“I thought that was the best Kobbie has played, certainly since I’ve been back here. To step up and put so many phases to his game or sides to his game tonight,” said Carrick.

“I thought he looked so composed, so calm, had a really good presence about him, defended well. Not easy when you’ve got really good players in and around you and it was a good battle between him and Cole Palmer.

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“So we had to be right at it tonight, but Kobbie just showed so much quality and composure in a tough environment, really, in the end. Showed us what he can do.”

Mainoo had started Carrick’s first 10 games in charge, but he missed Monday’s defeat to Leeds with a minor injury and wasn’t able to complete a full training session before being thrown back into the side against Chelsea.

“Kobbie didn’t train an awful lot, really. He only did a little, really, a little bit on Thursday and a little bit more yesterday, so it wasn’t an awful lot, so again credit to him for stepping in into that one,” added Carrick.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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How many points Man United still need to guarantee Champions League qualification

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Manchester United are on the verge of confirming their return to the Champions League following a dogged victory over Chelsea

Manchester United could guarantee themselves Champions League football for next season against Liverpool in two weeks after winning at Chelsea. Michael Carrick’s side put in a tremendous display on Saturday night to leave Stamford Bridge with all three points and stretch the gap from sixth-placed Chelsea to double-figures.

Just five games of the 2025/26 season remain and United are in an excellent position to seal a return to Europe’s top-club competition as they sit 10 points clear of the Blues. Wins against Brentford and Liverpool at Old Trafford in their next two fixtures will actually seal Champions League football for next season, regardless of what Chelsea do.

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Liam Rosenior’s side can close the gap before United next play as they face Brighton in just a few days with that game brought forward due to their involvement in the FA Cup semi-finals.

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However, defeat on the south coast will make their task that much more difficult with United subsequently closer to the Champions League.

Fernandes was asked about playing in that competition again after the 1-0 victory with his mindset clear despite the fact that United are all but back in Europe’s top-club competition.

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He told TNT Sports: “I feel three points closer, that’s it. Now we have another game that we have to win. We know that we need points to get that place secured and we’re going to do everything we can to get it as quickly as possible.”

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On the same topic, Carrick said: “There’s a gap in the league [to being outside Champions League places]. It wasn’t so much that but the enjoyment of the win.

“Coming here is tough, we have found it hard over the years and to have that moment in the end, they are the ones you want to remember. We won’t get carried away but we will enjoy the result tonight.”

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Sunday, May 3 is the earliest date United can seal that achievement and to do so potentially at the expense of Liverpool would be quite satisfying.

Arne Slot’s side face Everton in the Merseyside Derby on Sunday and follow that up with another big derby away to United. They also take on fourth-placed Aston Villa in their penultimate fixture of the campaign.

Such a challenging fixture schedule, alongside Chelsea’s poor form, could open the door for any of Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton, Everton, Sunderland or Fulham.

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Liverpool are seven points clear of the latter, with their victory last weekend only increasing that margin, but dropping points is still entirely possible over the coming weeks.

Given how unpredictable the top-five race looks set to be, United will be grateful that they have opened up a significant gap and can confirm their seat back at the European table by winning their next two home games.

If the worst-case scenario does play out, and results don’t go their way elsewhere, United would still just need to beat Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Brighton.

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All Neverness to Everness Codes (April 2026)

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There were a few Neverness to Everness codes revealed during the official release livestream for the game. The upcoming open-world RPG from Hotta Studio will require you to obtain various resources that you will require to upgrade and build your characters. These codes can be used to obtain such items, making your journey into Hethereau a bit easier.

This article will cover the Neverness to Everness Codes and how you can claim them.


All Neverness to Everness codes and their rewards

Here is a list of all active Neverness to Everness codes that you can redeem in the game:

  • NTENOWTOENJOY: Annulith x100, Beetle Coin x6000, Light Dye x5, Rising Hunter Guide x5
  • NTENANALLYGO: Annulith x100, Beetle Coin x6000, Colorless Dye x5, Senior Hunter Guide x5
  • NTE0429: Annulith x100, Beetle Coin x12000, Chaotic Dye x2, Elite Hunter Guide x5

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These are the Neverness to Everness livestream codes that you can claim for a limited-time. The rewards will be available till May 13, 2026, and the codes will expire at 23:59 (UTC+8) on the same day.

Codes (Image via Hotta Studio)Codes (Image via Hotta Studio)
Codes (Image via Hotta Studio)

Here is a countdown timer till the codes expire, barring you from redeeming the in-game rewards such as Annulith, which will likely be the gacha currency:

Do keep in mind that these rewards can only be obtained for a limited-time, so make sure to redeem them when Neverness To Everness releases on April 29, 2026.


How to redeem the Neverness To Everness codes

The Neverness to Everness livestream showcased how you can activate and redeem the codes. Here is a detailed explanation on how to do so:

  • Log in to the game and tap the Menu on the top-right corner.
  • Locate the three dots […] and tap on it
  • Select the Redeem Code option
  • Past the Neverness to Everness codes in the dialog box and redeem

Do keep in mind that you will need to unlock the in-game mailing system to receive the rewards. You will need to complete the prologue and progress the story for a bit to unlock this function. Once you do, you can claim the codes and earn the various rewards, including Annulith and other in-game resources.

The redemption option will only work via the in-game method, as was showcased during the special launch preview livestream. This article will be updated in case the developers make an official redemption portal that you can access using your browser.

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