Fresh off a historic 60-win season, the Detroit Pistons have an enviable salary cap situation.

But still limited by league restrictions and small-market spending habits, they might need to make some hard decisions this offseason.

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NBA free agency begins on June 30, and the Pistons have starters Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris both entering the market, Duren as a restricted free agent and Harris as an unrestricted player. The team has the ability to sign both players and stay under the first apron, but it might affect how Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon can approach signing a big-time free agent, navigating next year’s trade deadline and planning for future seasons.

No matter how Langdon approaches this offseason, however, his team’s financial flexibility gives him plenty of options to make improvements.

Here’s the breakdown of Detroit’s salary cap situation:

SANKOFA: How Trajan Langdon can earn ‘A’ grade, crush Detroit Pistons offseason

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All numbers per Spotrac as of June 18.

• Pistons 2026-27 active cap: $135.5 million.

• Space to salary cap threshold: $24.5 million.*

• Space to luxury tax threshold: $65.5 million.

• Space to first apron: $72.5 million.

• Space to second apron: $85.5 million.

*Excluding $103.4 million in cap holds, not guaranteed spending for upcoming season.

The Pistons currently have a little over $135 million committed to 10 players for the upcoming season, which puts them in the bottom-5 of NBA teams in terms of active spending. About $50 million of that committed salary will go to star point guard Cade Cunningham, but beyond that, the Pistons don’t have anyone on the books making more than $16 million next season.

That gives the Pistons a lot of room to work with heading into next season, but how much room is dependent on the team’s willingness to spend. For example, the Pistons have a little under $66 million to spend before they hit the luxury tax threshold, which will cost the Pistons an increasing amount of tax for each dollar they spend above that mark. They also have $72.5 million to spend before they hit the first apron, which not only has tax implications, but also competitive implications, with teams over the first apron barred from using certain levers to sign and trade for players.

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The second apron, $85.5 million away, is even more punitive, with only two NBA teams currently in that realm as free agency approaches (Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder). Considering the Pistons have never even sniffed the first apron since the second apron was implemented in 2023, it’s fair to assume Detroit won’t be approaching the furthest threshold.

So as long as Pistons owner Tom Gores is willing to exceed the luxury tax threshold, we’ll call the first apron a hard cap for Detroit in the upcoming season, giving them at most $72.5 million to work with according to Spotrac.

How much can the Pistons upgrade with that money?

Pistons free agents to sign

Langdon has already indicated his intention to sign Duren and an eagerness to negotiate with Harris, the two biggest upcoming Pistons free agents.

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If the Pistons stick to that commitment, then Duren would most likely be the most expensive contract the Pistons hand out this offseason. Our Pistons insider Omari Sankofa II thinks the Pistons would be agreeable to a five-year, $200 million deal, with the contract likely back-loaded to take advantage of a presumably rising salary cap after each season.

That would lock up the center for many years but also could realistically take up half of Detroit’s spending room for the 2026-27 season. That would leave plenty of room for the Pistons to keep the current roster intact and sign Harris, projected at $19 million per season according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. But if they want to sign Duren, sign Harris and extend star defender Ausar Thompson before he hits free agency next season (with the contract projected at 5 years, $135 million according to Spotrac), it will cost them a little more than they might be willing to spend.

To re-sign Duren, Harris and extend Thompson likely means going into the first apron or shedding salary via trades. The most realistic trade options would be shooter Duncan Robinson (making $15.9 million next season), center Isaiah Stewart ($15 million) or guard Caris LeVert ($14.8 million). Stewart might have the most value on an expiring deal, but he also might have the most value to the Pistons among those three as the team’s longest-tenured player and key bench piece.

And that doesn’t even consider what salary additions the Pistons would consider in a big-time trade, say for Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving or New Orleans Pelicans point guard Trey Murphy III. Murphy’s contract ($27 million in 2026-27) comes cheaper than Irving’s ($39.5 million), but that means the Pistons would have to give up more in draft capital to acquire Murphy than they would for Irving. That might not be ideal for a team that has found recent success developing a their drafted players like Cunningham, Duren and Thompson.

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All-in-all, Langdon has many options to improve the Pistons with salary room heading into free agency. But his choices aren’t unlimited, which means Detroit might have to make some sacrifices to build a title-contending roster for next season.

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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons 2026 free agency salary cap space

FILE – Alex Eala celebrates after a match in the Berlin Open. She beat Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina to reach the semifinals. –BERLIN OPEN PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala returned to the top 30 in the WTA rankings ahead of her debut at the Bad Homburg Open on Monday.

Eala jumped five spots to world No. 30 following a blistering campaign in the WTA 500 Berlin Open, where she reached the semifinals. She moved just a spot shy of matching her career-high ranking of No. 29 last March.

READ: Alex Eala riding high ahead of Bad Homburg debut vs Elise Mertens

The 21-year-old Eala looks to continue her giant-slaying ways starting against former world No. 12 Elise Mertens of Belgium in the round of 32 late Monday night.

Beating Mertens could likely pit Eala against four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka in the second round before a potential quarterfinals duel with French Open champion Mirra Andreeva.

Other top players like Polish world No. 3 and top seed Iga Swiatek and Czech powerhouse Linda Noskova are also in the WTA 500 tournament.

Noskoa, who reached a new career-high ranking of world No. 10, dispatched Eala , 6-2, 6-4, in the Berlin Open semis early Sunday.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India’s teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi revealed how a timely conversation with his coach helped him overcome a difficult phase and return to his destructive best in the Tri-Series final against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla.The 15-year-old smashed a breathtaking 94 off just 29 balls, including the fastest List A half-century in history off only 11 deliveries, as India A thrashed Sri Lanka A by 66 runs to lift the title.But the record-breaking knock came after a lean run in the tournament and mounting scrutiny over his form and temperament following an on-field altercation during India A’s previous meeting with Sri Lanka A.“When runs were not coming, I sat down with Hrishi [Hrishikesh Kanitkar] sir to discuss a few things and he gave me a free hand to play freely,” Sooryavanshi told Sportstar after the final.“These conditions were slightly different, so it threw some challenges initially. So, I was trying too hard, but wasn’t able to execute the plans. That’s when he told me, ‘tu apna natural game khel, zyada soch mat’ (you play your natural game and don’t think too much about anything else). That motivated me and I continued to back myself and I’m happy that things worked out well,” the teenager said.

‘There was no pressure on me’

Coming into the summit clash, Sooryavanshi had managed only 117 runs in four innings and had struggled to convert starts on the slower surfaces in Sri Lanka.However, the left-hander insisted that pressure never entered his mind despite the criticism surrounding him.“There was no pressure on me,” Sooryavanshi said. “When I walked out to bat, the idea was to execute what I had planned for in the first ten overs and then take it forward. It worked…”His astonishing assault effectively settled the contest inside the first ten overs. India A raced to 132 in just nine overs before eventually posting 377/9. Sri Lanka A were then bowled out for 311 in 47.1 overs.

Sri Lanka captain hails Sooryavanshi

Sri Lanka A skipper Sahan Arachchige admitted that Sooryavanshi’s blitz put his side on the back foot immediately.“Sooryavanshi played a brilliant innings. We managed the innings nicely thereon but let it slide in the last two overs,” Arachchige said.“When we are chasing a big score, top order can fall cheaply. It happens. Young guys have played well, seniors have scored too. It’s been a good tournament,” he added.With an India T20 debut awaiting later this month, Sooryavanshi’s latest masterclass served as another reminder that even during difficult periods, trusting his natural instincts remains his greatest strength.

Two-time US Open winner Wyndham Clark admitted he was in a “negative, dark place” after missing the cut at Oakmont a year ago and taking his frustrations out on a locker in the historic clubhouse.

The American caused controversy when he damaged a century-old locker at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania at last year’s US Open.

The 32-year-old felt Sunday’s victory at Shinnecock Hills, which added to his 2023 major breakthrough at LA Country Club, had redeemed him 12 months on.

But he said it had been a tough time for him.

“After what happened at Oakmont was obviously the lowest point,” he said, with his world ranking having fallen from a career-high third to 29 after missing the cut a year ago.

“People probably didn’t see what happened after, but you know, it was a really tough two, three days for me.

“I was in a dark place, didn’t really go outside much. It was a really, negative, dark place.

“At that moment I just felt a lot of my career, world ranking, reputation, everything just dwindling. That’s a terrible feeling.

“I would say in that moment I definitely didn’t think I’d be here this year doing this.

“But I did a lot of work in the off-season on my golf swing, on the things I needed to do. I would say as this year, I started hitting it better and started seeing the results, then yeah, I started gaining my confidence.”

Results have been trending in the right direction and after winning the CJ Cup in May he finished third at The Memorial and joint-11th at the Canadian Open immediately before arriving on Long Island.

But while his form may have been good the reception he received from fans in the final round was not as favourable, with every mistake cheered and resulting in local police intervening to eject a couple who were felt to have crossed the line.

“They definitely didn’t want me to win. It’s pretty rare in an Open Championship or a major to have fans kind of boo against your shots or cheer for bad shots,” said Clark, who was playing alongside crowd favourite Scottie Scheffler as he chased the career grand slam.

“That was tough. But I’m proud of myself that I battled through. I mean, things really could have gotten away from me.

“I’ve played now a Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup on foreign soil, and it kind of had that atmosphere a little bit.

“I sure hope it closes the door on it. I figured in my mind that this would maybe be the last time just because it’s one year removed.

“I’ll probably always get them, but I hope I don’t become the heel of the PGA.”

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah (10) celebrates his goal with teammate Mostafa Ziko (11) during the World Cup Group G soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Mohamed Salah scored the go-ahead goal and Egypt went on to defeat New Zealand 3-1 on Sunday night and secure its first-ever World Cup win.

Salah celebrated his 68th international goal by pumping his fist before he was mobbed by his teammates in the 67th minute, to the thrill of the red-clad Pharaohs fans in the sellout crowd at BC Place Vancouver.

When Salah was subbed off in the 85th minute he was treated to a standing ovation.

READ: World Cup: Germany beats Ivory Coast 2-1 advances to KO phase

Egypt moved to the top of the standings in Group G with the win, but was not yet assured a spot in the knockout round. The Pharaohs will play a deciding game against Iran on Friday in Seattle, needing at least a draw to advance.

Egypt is making its fourth World Cup appearance after missing the field in Qatar four years ago. Salah scored a pair of goals in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Finn Surman put New Zealand in front in the 15th minute with a flying header off a corner kick delivered by Instagram sensation Tim Payne. It was the third international goal for the 6-foot-3 defender who plays for the Portland Timbers in MLS.

Omar Marmoush dropped a free kick off to Salah in the 35th minute but it went just wide and bent into the side netting.

Egypt turned up the pressure coming out of the half and Mostafa Zico broke through with equalizer, finding space between Surman and Payne for a header that goalkeeper Max Crocombe got a hand on but couldn’t stop in the 58th minute. Zico celebrated by gesturing for the fans in the crowd to cheer.

READ: World Cup: Japan routs Tunisia, 4-1, in 1000th  men’s match

Salah took a back-heel pass from Zico for his goal, which puts him just one away from tying his coach Hossam Hassan for the national team’s all-time scoring lead. Trezeguet’s diving header wrapped up scoring for Egypt in the 82nd.

Egypt’s Hamdy Fathy was subbed off late in the first half after an apparent injury away from the ball. He was replaced by Ramy Rabia.

In the opener against Belgium, Emam Ashour scored the early goal for Egypt but then Romelu Lukaku subbed into the match and caused chaos in the box, resulting in an own goal for a 1-1 draw.

New Zealand twice took the lead against Iran in their group opener, only to cede it for a 2-2 draw in the end. Elijah Just scored both goals for the All Whites.

New Zealand previously appeared at the World Cup in 2010 and drew all three of its games.

Iran and Belgium played to a scoreless draw earlier in the day in Inglewood, California, giving both teams two straight draws at the tournament. New Zealand returns to Vancouver on Friday to face Belgium.

Lamine Yamal was the centre of attention before kick-off and remained the main talking point long after the final whistle as Spain delivered a commanding 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Atlanta.

The 18-year-old forward returned to action after limited minutes in Spain’s opening draw with Cape Verde, having only recently recovered from a hamstring injury sustained in April. Head coach Luis de la Fuente had insisted his careful handling of the teenager was part of a long-term plan, and that patience quickly paid off.

From the moment Yamal stepped onto the pitch, the atmosphere shifted. Thousands of fans wore his name, while every appearance on the big screen triggered loud cheers inside the stadium. Even before touching the ball, he had already lifted the occasion.

Once involved in play, he took complete control of the attacking rhythm. Spain, criticised for lacking urgency in their previous match, looked sharp, direct and confident from the start, with Yamal driving much of their forward momentum.

The breakthrough came midway through the first half and fittingly involved the teenager. A low ball was driven across the face of goal, and Yamal arrived at the back post to slide home his first World Cup goal, sending the Atlanta crowd into celebration.

From that moment, Spain never looked back. Their movement, passing and intensity overwhelmed Saudi Arabia, who struggled to cope with the pace and creativity of the Spanish attack.

Former Spain defender César Azpilicueta praised the youngster’s natural ability, saying his creativity and confidence cannot be taught and improves with every game.

“He knows how to create chances, take on defenders and find space,” Azpilicueta said. “He is growing every single match.”

Yamal’s goal also placed him in elite company, making him one of the youngest scorers in World Cup history before turning 19, and among a very small group of teenagers to score in the competition.

Spain added further goals after the opener to complete a dominant 4-0 victory, underlining their attacking strength and tournament ambitions.

The comparisons to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to follow him, but former England striker Wayne Rooney stressed the importance of discipline and consistency if the teenager is to maintain his rise.

“What stands out is the responsibility he has already taken,” Rooney said. “At such a young age, he is already central to Spain’s plans.”

With another standout performance on the global stage, Yamal once again showed why he is being described as one of football’s brightest young stars, while Spain sent a strong message to the rest of the tournament with a performance full of intent and quality.

McDermott’s relationship with Queiroz goes back to 2011 and has spanned three different national teams with two spells at Iran as well as one at Qatar and now Ghana, but it was a mutual connection that got the ball rolling for the two to meet.

“Carlos was considering the Iran job in 2011 and my former head coach in the USL in America was Carlos’ long-term goalkeeper coach. I was already in the Middle East, working in Abu Dhabi for a club team and the conversations started. I met Carlos in Doha, we talked and myself and two other staff members joined Carlos and accepted the Iran job and that was the start of it,” he explained.

While he did not accompany Queiroz to Colombia or Egypt, instead taking over at the “mighty Glentoran” where he won an Irish Cup, McDermott did not hesitate in following him to Qatar and now to Ghana after a spell with League of Ireland First Division side Cobh Ramblers.

“Here we are again, another brilliant project with a brilliant football nation. It’s an opportunity I don’t think anyone can say no to, to work with the Ghana football team and Carlos again, it’s been brilliant.”

While many managers and their coaching staff have a few months to plan everything from travel to squad selection for the World Cup, Queiroz and McDermott did not have that luxury.

Appointed in April, they did not get to work with their full 26-man squad until the end of May, with just one full training session before a 1-1 friendly draw against Wales on 2 June and a flight to the US the next day.

“The logistics and travel were already in place, we tweaked them a little,” he said. “A big group of our players didn’t arrive until 30 May and we didn’t have a full training session until 31 May.

“We had two days, played Wales and flew the next day to the US. We had to submit our 26-man list before we even played Wales but the players have been brilliant to work with.”

Their last-minute preparations do not seem to have hampered things on the pitch, with Ghana beating Panama 1-0 in their opening Group L game in Toronto, courtesy of a 95th-minute winner from Caleb Yirenkyi.

McDermott has been impressed with how the squad has gelled off the pitch and their musical talents.

“When they are together, as you can see from social media, there is a bond and it’s new to me. I’ve been around the Middle East, Asia, Ireland and US and have had groups with good atmospheres but this, it’s hard to express it. I stand sometimes and just enjoy it,” he said.

“It was the night before we played Panama in the hotel and they have a tradition where the day before their first game after the training session they have a prayer and a song.

“The song went from the pitch and carried on to the 30-minute bus to the hotel and carried on to the hotel and once they got going they got going, it went on for an hour and a half. When you see the positive energy it gives them it’s nice. My foot started tapping!”

The Tkachuk brothers won gold with Team USA together, and now it appears they’ll be chasing a Stanley Cup together after a reported blockbuster trade on Father’s Day.

The Ottawa Senators are reportedly close to trading Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, where his brother, Matthew, stars, according to multiple reports.

The Panthers’ package for Brady is reportedly their first-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft as well as a 2029 first-round pick and a 2030 second-round pick.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators looks on during warmup before an NHL game against the Nashville Predators on Oct. 13, 2025, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. (André Ringuette/NHLI)

Brady, 26, was a trade candidate entering this offseason, as he has two years remaining on his seven-year, $57.5 million contract he signed with the Senators. He tallied 59 points last season (29 goals), helping the Senators get back to the playoffs.

The Senators also lost in the first round in 2025 to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

HURRICANES LEGEND TURNED COACH ROD BRIND’AMOUR MAKES HISTORY AS TEAM WINS STANLEY CUP OVER GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Unfortunately for Ottawa, they were swept by the eventual Stanley Cup-champion Carolina Hurricanes, which happens to be one of the teams he was willing to go to in a trade.

Brady also reportedly had the Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild on his list of teams he’d be willing to join, per TSN.

Brady Tkachuk and Matthew Tkachuk celebrate after the United States defeated Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

The Senators named Brady their team captain ahead of the 2021-22 season – the same year he signed his contract.

Now, Brady will look to bring the chemistry with his brother, leadership and physical play he showcased earlier this year at the Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina to the Panthers.

Brady played a pivotal role in helping Team USA capture gold over Team Canada in historic fashion during the Winter Olympics. He tallied three goals and five total points during the tournament.

Brady Tkachuk of the United States celebrates winning the gold medal during the men’s gold medal game against Canada at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Vitalii Kliuiev/Getty Images)

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The Panthers get a major upgrade on their roster following a year when they missed the playoffs after going 40-38-4. Florida won the Stanley Cup in back-to-back seasons before this past season, and the Panthers’ front office is clearly looking to run the table in the postseason again.

Getting Brady to not just team up with Matthew, but the rest of the talented roster in Sunrise, is a hot start to the offseason.

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Spain’s Lamine Yamal (19) celebrates with Mikel Oyarzabal after scoring a goal during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Lamine Yamal’s return sparked Spain’s World Cup into life as the European champions ran riot to beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Atlanta.

Making his first start in two months after a hamstring injury, Yamal ended La Roja’s long wait for a World Cup goal just 10 minutes in.

Mikel Oyarzabal then struck twice to put Luis de la Fuente’s men 3-0 up inside 24 minutes.

READ: World Cup: Cape Verde surprises in debut vs Spain

De la Fuente’s careful management of Yamal’s minutes continued as the Barcelona superstar was replaced at half-time before Hassan al-Tambakti’s own goal rounded off the scoring.

“We had to recover good feelings, correct a few things from the last game, but we need to keep improving if we want to achieve our target of getting to the final on July 19,” said De la Fuente.

Victory propels Spain to the top of Group H, which also saw Cape Verde holding Uruguay to a 2-2 draw.

Billed as one of the pre-tournament favorites, Spain got off to a slow start in a 0-0 draw against debutants Cape Verde.

A pedestrian performance despite dominating possession only highlighted the importance of Yamal to their quest to be world champions for a second time.

De la Fuente also warned his players had been “stung” by the criticism they faced following their opening result and they responded emphatically.

READ: World Cup 2026: How are the favorites shaping up?

Yamal’s return was one of four changes in total with Pedro Porro, Dani Olmo and Alex Baena also coming into the starting line-up.

After over 2,500 passes and 50 attempts at goal since their last World Cup goal, Spain finally found the net and fittingly Yamal made the breakthrough.

Pressure rises on Saudis

Oyarzabal found space in behind the Saudi defence and his low cross picked out the 18-year-old to slot in at the back post.

The Saudis held Uruguay 1-1 in their opening game but there was little evidence that the billions splashed to raise the level of their domestic league has aided the national team.

Coach Georgios Donis looked particularly irked that two of Spain’s goals came from corners.

Oyarzabal pounced on Aymeric Laporte’s flick-on to give the 2010 winners the breathing space they craved.

READ: Lamine Yamal waves Palestinian flag during title parade

Just three minutes later, the Real Sociedad forward volleyed home from Olmo’s header for his 14th international goal in his last 13 caps.

Oyarzabal was inches away from a first-half hat-trick when his audacious effort with the outside of his foot from a narrow angle came back off the crossbar.

But with the job done by half-time, De la Fuente could afford the luxury of replacing Yamal and Oyarzabal at the break.

“Had we had a different result, he (Yamal) would’ve played for longer but given the result and that the match was under control, we considered his contribution was enough for us to have him in the next game,” added De la Fuente.

The changes did not disrupt the waves of Spanish attack towards the Saudi goal, but the fourth also came via a corner.

Cucurella was afforded acres of space to shoot and although his effort was repelled by Mohammed al-Owais, the rebound deflected in off the unfortunate Tambakti.

To round off an ideal afternoon for De la Fuente on his 65th birthday, Nico Williams and Mikel Merino were afforded valuable minutes off the bench in the second period as they too get up to match speed after lengthy absences due to injury.

By contrast, the pressure is now on Donis to deliver in Saudi Arabia’s final group game against Cape Verde in Houston.

Victory will likely take the Arabian Falcons into the knockout stages for the first time since the World Cup was last in the United States 32 years ago.

Spain travel to Guadalajara next for the final group game against two-time winners Uruguay on Friday.