Netanyahu Is Just the Latest to Nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

Netanyahu Is Just the Latest to Nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, hands U.S. President Donald Trump a letter he said he sent to the Nobel Peace Prize committee to nominate Trump, during a dinner at the White House on July 7, 2025. Credit - Andrew Harnik—Getty Images Donald Trump has ticked many boxes in his life and career: husband (three times), father (of five), (multi-)billionaire, President (twice). But he's made clear that there's one title he really wants but is yet to achieve: Nobel Peace Prize winner. "They will never give me a Nobel Peace Prize," he told reporters at the White House in February as he hostedIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "It's too bad. I deserve it, but they will never give it to me." In a gesture of support, Netanyahu, duringhis latest visit to the White House on Monday, presented Trump with a copy of a letter he said he sent to the Nobel Prize committee. "It's nominating you for the Peace Prize, which is well-deserved. And you should get it," Netanyahu said. "Wow," Trump responded, holding the paper Netanyahu presented him. "Coming from you, in particular, this is very meaningful. Thank you very much Bibi." The Nobel Peace Prize has been given nearly every year since 1901 to one or more individuals or groups deemed by a Norwegian committee to have done "the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses." Recent past recipients have includedJapanese anti-nuclear-weapon organization Nihon Hidankyo,Iranian human rights advocate Narges Mohammadi, andPhilippine champion of democracy and freedom of the press Maria Ressa. Trump has been fixated on the Nobel Peace Prize for years, in particular since the bestowal of the award on then-President Barack Obama during his first year in office in 2009—a move even many Obama supporters questioned and the Nobel committee secretary wouldlater express regret about. In 2013, after it was reported that Obamatoldaides, referring to drone strikes, "Turns out I'm really good at killing people. Didn't know that was gonna be a strong suit of mine," Trumptweeted: "Can Oslo retract prize?" "He saw that Obama got the Nobel Peace Prize and felt if Obama got it for not doing anything, why should he not get it?" Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton told theNew York Timesin March. "If I were named Obama I would have had the Nobel Prize given to me in 10 seconds," Trumpsaidduring his reelection campaign last October. "He got the Nobel Prize. He didn't even know what the hell he got it for. Remember, he got elected. Well so did I. He got elected and they announced he was getting the Nobel Prize." "He got the Nobel Prize for doing nothing, for getting elected, but I got elected too," Trump added. "I'm just saying that there's a lot of unfairness in this world." Trump has at times sounded resigned to the fact that he may never receive the prize that's eluded him. As recently as last month, hepostedon Truth Social, after announcing the brokering of a treaty between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda: "I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize for this, I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize for stopping the War between India and Pakistan, I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize for stopping the War between Serbia and Kosovo, I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize for keeping Peace between Egypt and Ethiopia (A massive Ethiopian built dam, stupidly financed by the United States of America, substantially reduces the water flowing into The Nile River), and I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize for doing the Abraham Accords in the Middle East which, if all goes well, will be loaded to the brim with additional Countries signing on, and will unify the Middle East for the first time in 'The Ages!' No, I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize no matter what I do, including Russia/Ukraine, and Israel/Iran, whatever those outcomes may be, but the people know, and that's all that matters to me!" Critics have balked at Netanyahu's nomination of Trump. Former National Security Council spokesman during the Obama Administration Tommy Vietorpostedon X: "Obviously this is pathetic a-- kissing and a PR stunt, but I'd imagine that the folks who award the Nobel Peace Prize aren't the biggest Netanyahu fans." Netanyahu currentlystands accusedof war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel's 21-month (and ongoing) military campaign in Gaza, which has led to the deaths of more than 50,000 Palestinians, according toestimates. But Netanyahu is not the first to formally nominate Trump for the honor—and likely won't be the last. According to the Nobel Foundation, nominators canincludeany head of state, national-level politician, professors of various humanities and social science disciplines, directors of peace research or foreign policy institutes, former laureates, and more, though the organization doesn't confirm or publicize nominations. Last month, Pakistanannouncedthat it had nominated Trump "in recognition of his decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership during the recent India-Pakistan crisis." Pakistan,like many countries, is currently negotiating with the Trump Administration in effort to achieve a trade deal and avoid high tariffs. Meanwhile, India has denied that the U.S. played a role in mediating theborder conflict. Also in June, Rep. Buddy Carter (R, Ga.)saidthat he had nominated Trump "in recognition of his historic role in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Iran and preventing the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism, Iran, from obtaining a nuclear warhead." Iran hasthreatened to leave the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weaponsafter Trump authorizedU.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilitiesbefore announcing thecease-fire between Israel and Iran. Carter joins fellow Republican congressmembersDarrell Issaof California, who said he nominated Trump in March, andClaudia Tenneyof New York, who said she nominated Trump in January 2024. These nominations were submitted either before or after the February deadline for consideration for this year's prize, for which there are338 nomineesand the recipient will be announced in October. But Anat Alon-Beck, an Israeli-born law professor at Case Western Reserve University,told Axiosshe submitted a nomination of Trump before the deadline. "By securing the release of hostages, standing firm against antisemitism, and fostering historic agreements that bring stability to the world's most volatile regions, [Trump] has once again demonstrated why he is a deserving recipient," Alon-Beck wrote. Oleksandr Merezhko, a Ukrainian politician, also said he nominated Trump in November,writing: "It is my belief that Trump has made considerable contributions to world peace, and that he can make more in the future." However, in June, hewithdrewthe nomination, saying he "lost any sort of faith and belief" in the U.S. President to secure peace between Russia and Ukraine. Trump has also previously been nominated bya Finnish member of the European Parliament in 2020,a group of Australian professors in 2020, a far-right Norwegian lawmaker in2018and2020, former Japanese Prime MinisterShinzo Abein2019, andan unidentified American in 2016. In 2020, Trumptolda crowd in Michigan: "You know it's an amazing thing. I don't say this out of ego, but I was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. And I have to tell you, that's sort of a big thing." "All of them--Netanyahu, Putin, the sultans and princes--have solved the least difficult puzzle to solve on the planet,"criticizedformer Obama senior adviser David Axelrod on X after Netanyahu announced his nomination of Trump on Monday. "With Trump, lavish flattery and blandishments will get you everywhere!" Contact usatletters@time.com.

byMario Satorik

in

July 08, 2025

Netanyahu Is Just the Latest to Nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

Netanyahu Is Just the Latest to Nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, hands U.S. President ...

Read More

Cuts to DHS watchdogs spark more questions as deportation efforts increase

Cuts to DHS watchdogs spark more questions as deportation efforts increase

Three months after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shut down three oversight offices, slashing staff from hundreds to a dozen, advocates and whistleblowers say the move gutted an already fragile accountability system. The oversight is crucial as at least 11 people have died in ICE custody since the start of the fiscal year, according to agency data and press releases. With months still left in the fiscal year, 2025 is already nearing the 12 deaths reported in all of fiscal year 2024 as the Trump administration continues its immigration enforcement push. Michelle Brané, a former Immigration Detention Ombudsman, which is an office providing neutral oversight of federal immigration detentions, said the true toll "could be much higher." "People's lives are at risk," she continued. The closures have significantly reduced internal oversight at a time when DHS is handling complex immigration operations. The departmentis also moving to open new detention sites, including one in the Everglades dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," which President Donald Trump vistedlast week. Private immigration detention contractors are also ramping up: CoreCivic is reopening the Dilley detention center and is expanding in four states, while GEO group is reactivating sites in Georgia and Newark, New Jersey. Advocates have raised alarm about the lack of accountability, citing inhumane conditions, medical neglect, and abuse in some federal detention facilities. "As the Trump administration is doubling down on immigration enforcement, and the number of people in custody is rapidly increasing, we should be increasing oversight, not eliminating it," said Katie Shepherd, one of the hundreds of employees affected by the cuts to oversight and one of dozens of previously anonymous whistleblowers who submitted a disclosure to Congress in May. Shepherd previously served as a senior policy adviser at the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL). Shepherd said, as far as she knows, she is concerned that meaningful oversight is not happening because there is now minimal expertise within the office "It's problematic in many different ways," said Shepherd. Shepherd said the office had more than 500 open investigations when she left. When asked about the number of ongoing investigations at the DHS' office for CRCL, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told CNN that the department remains "committed to civil rights" but claimed that "sadly the CRCL office actually undermined civil rights protections as well as basic federal law-enforcement. "All legally required functions are still being carried out—but in a more efficient and cost-effective way, and without compromising the department's core mission of securing the homeland," McLaughlin added. "Oversight offices continue to receive and open new complaints and investigations." In April, advocacy groups including Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, the Southern Border Communities Coalition and the Southern Border Communities Coalitionsuedthe Trump administration, arguing it was unlawfully eliminating oversight offices mandated by Congress. According to court documents, on March 21, 2025, hundreds of employees at the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CISOMB), and the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO) were suspended via mass email – effectively shutting the offices down. The Trump administration argues the offices have not been eliminated. By May 23, many employees were formally removed from their roles, leaving hundreds of unresolved complaints, including reports of medical neglect and wrongful deportation, according to court documents. Created by Congress over the last two decades, these offices were meant to provide independent oversight, investigate civil rights complaints, and ensure accountability inside DHS's sprawling immigration operations. The challengers argue that Trump's DHS is speaking out of both sides of its mouth—telling the court that the offices remain intact, while proposing budget cuts to eliminate them. In one filing, they cited the administration's budget request for fiscal year 2026, which recommends zeroing out funds for the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman because "the office is being dissolved." In arecent court filing, DHS argued that language around OIDO's dissolution in its FY2026 budget was meant as a recommendation from the president – not an indication of current or planned action by the office itself and that ultimately Congress has the last say. The agency argued the reference should not be interpreted as evidence that the reductions in force effectively shut down the office. "DHS remains committed to civil rights protections but must streamline oversight to remove roadblocks to enforcement," a department spokesperson said in a statement to CNN acknowledging the reduction in force efforts. "These reductions ensure taxpayer dollars support the Department's core mission: border security and immigration enforcement." The spokesperson said that the oversight offices "have obstructed immigration enforcement by adding bureaucratic hurdles and undermining DHS's mission," and "often function as internal adversaries that slow down operations rather than support them." "It seems like they're [the government] playing games," said Michelle Brané, former Ombudsman at OIDO, referring to the ongoing uncertainty and conflicting signals about whether the oversight offices are closing, reopening, or restructuring. In a sworn declaration to US District Judge Ana Reyes,DHS laid out its plans to rebuild three oversight offices that were effectively dismantled after mass layoffs this spring. But while DHS insists it is moving forward, critics say internal reshuffling tells a different story. Troup Hemenway, the acting officer for CRCL and a former Heritage Foundation Project 2025 leader, said DHS is pursuing a phased plan to restore operations using a mix of permanent hires and detailees. Each office would get leadership, caseworkers, and support staff, with contractors assisting CRCL during the transition. Still, Hemenway acknowledged that rebuilding would take time—and that, for now, the offices rely on short-term fixes. Challengers pointed out that Project 2025—the Heritage Foundation's policy roadmap for the next conservative presidency—explicitly calls for eliminating these oversight bodies. Hemenway alsosaidthat Ronald Sartini— now the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman — was brought in to reassess what duties the oversight offices should carry forward. Before that, he held several leadership roles at USCIS, including Chief of Staff in the Immigration Records and Identity Services Directorate. In his declaration, Sartini described the offices as "not the model of efficiency," citing mismanagement and overlapping responsibilities. But just before his testimony, DHS reassigned his deputy — apparently without his knowledge — leaving him as the only employee assigned to CISOMB, CRCL, and OIDO. Challengers say this underscores the disconnect between DHS's public plans and internal actions. They argue work at the offices remains stalled except for what Sartini can do alone, while DHS continues to state in official documents that the offices are being eliminated "in their entirety." Brané, who led OIDO for over nine months, said that even before the cuts, staffing was a major challenge. The office was created to conduct unannounced inspections, investigate detention complaints, and recommend oversight improvements across ICE and CBP facilities. Under Hemenway's restructuring plan, OIDO would have eight to ten employees: the Ombudsman, a deputy, five to seven caseworkers, and one person focused on reporting and support tasks. Brané said this would be insufficient—especially as the number of people in detention rises. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byMario Satorik

in

July 08, 2025

Cuts to DHS watchdogs spark more questions as deportation efforts increase

Cuts to DHS watchdogs spark more questions as deportation efforts increase Three months after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shut d...

Read More

Padres slugger Manny Machado gets his 2,000th career hit

Padres slugger Manny Machado gets his 2,000th career hit

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres gothis 2,000th career hitMonday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a sharp single off the glove of diving shortstop Geraldo Perdomo. The milestone hit came against starter Zac Gallen leading off the fourth inning. Machado received a standing ovation from the crowd at Petco Park, where he's been a fan favorite since joining the Padres in 2019. "Doing it in front of the home crowd definitely is a lot better, and hopefully there's more," Machado said afterSan Diego's 6-3 loss. The All-Star slugger singled to left field in the first for his 1,999th hit. Machado's third hit of the night was a homer against Kyle Backhus leading off the eighth, his 15th of the season and 357th of his career. Machado became the fifth active player and 297th all-time to reach the milestone. He is the 12th player to have 350 homers and 2,000 hits by his age-32 season. "It's special and an honor to be a part of that list," Machado said. "Definitely would have wanted the victory, but stepping away from that, it's pretty cool." He tipped his batting helmet to the crowd while standing on first base. "Wow, literally hats off. What an accomplishment," Padres manager Mike Shildt said. "We're happy for it. He earned it." Machado made his debut with Baltimore in 2012 and got 977 hits with the Orioles before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 18, 2018. He had 73 hits with the Dodgers before signing as a free agent with the Padres on Feb. 21, 2019. He has 950 hits with San Diego, which ranks fifth on the franchise list. Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn had 3,141 in his 20-season career. Machado was voted the starting third baseman for the National League All-Star team this year. ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

byMario Satorik

in

July 08, 2025

Padres slugger Manny Machado gets his 2,000th career hit

Padres slugger Manny Machado gets his 2,000th career hit SAN DIEGO (AP) — Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres gothis 2,000th career hitMon...

Read More

Running back James Cook, Bills motivated to get extension done

Running back James Cook, Bills motivated to get extension done

Running backs Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkleysigned contractextensions this offseason. Could James Cook be the next running back to ink a new deal? There's growing optimism Cook and theBillscan reach a contract agreement by training camp, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Both sides are motivated to get a deal done and have been in talks since the team's mandatory minicamp. Bills veterans report to training camp on July 22. "Everything is a business, so no hard feelings," Cook said last month at Buffalo's mandatory minicamp, via theteam's official website. "Everything gonna work how it's supposed to work." The Bills have rewarded extensions to multiple key players this offseason. Quarterback Josh Allen, defensive end Greg Rousseau, wide receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford have all signed extensions. Cook is in the final year of his rookie deal. He's due to make $5.2 million in base salary, perOver the Cap. Cook said in February on Instagram Live that he hoped his next contract would pay him an annual average of $15 million. However, the running back market has since gone up. Barkley's new extension made him the first $20-plus million (per year) running back in NFL history. Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $35.89 million contract as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Cook is coming off a second straight Pro Bowl season in which he tied an NFL-high with 16 rushing touchdowns. He's produced two consecutive seasons of at least 1,000 rushing yards and 1,200 yards from scrimmage. The Bills originally drafted Cook in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia. Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X@TheTylerDragon. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:James Cook, Bills motivated to get extension done

byMario Satorik

in

July 08, 2025

Running back James Cook, Bills motivated to get extension done

Running back James Cook, Bills motivated to get extension done Running backs Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkleysigned contractextensions this ...

Read More

Cruz came back ‘as fast as humanly possible’ from Greece vacation after floods hit Texas, his office says

Cruz came back 'as fast as humanly possible' from Greece vacation after floods hit Texas, his office says

GOP Sen. Ted Cruz was on a pre-planned vacation in Greece with his family whendevastating floods hit central Texas, and he sought to travel back "as fast as humanly possible," his office said in a statement. "The Senator was already in the middle of preplanned family vacation travel overseas when the flooding occurred on July 4. Within hours, he spoke by phone with Governor (Greg) Abbott, Lt. Governor (Dan) Patrick, Texas Emergency Management Director Nim Kidd, and President (Donald) Trump, working to ensure that the maximum federal assets were available for search and rescue," Cruz's office said in a statement to CNN. "He and his team worked closely with local officials and with families of missing girls throughout that time. He promptly booked a flight back home. Given the time difference, he left Athens on Sunday morning and was back in Texas that night. And he was in Kerrville on the ground early Monday morning," the statement continued. A tourist in Athens toldthe Houston Chroniclehe spotted Cruz at about 6 p.m. in Athens, Greece – or about 11 a.m. ET and 10 a.m. in Kerrville – and snapped a photo, which was posted to social media. That was after Abbott issued a disaster declaration due to severe flooding that wasbelieved to have left at least 24 deadand many more missing. The death toll has since risen to more than 100 people. "I get it, he's on vacation," said the tourist, Michael Rocchio, who the Chronicle reported is not a Texan and is openly critical of Cruz's political beliefs. "But after what happened, vacation or not, you should have been back on a plane on his way back to Texas to deal with everything that was going on with those poor kids in the floodplain." Cruz has faced criticism previously for a vacation that came amid a natural disaster. In 2021, the Texas Republicansaid it was "obviously a mistake"to fly to Cancun, Mexico, as a winter disaster in his home state left millions without power or water. The Greece trip wasfirst reported by The Daily Beast. This story has been updated with additional details. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byMario Satorik

in

July 08, 2025

Cruz came back ‘as fast as humanly possible’ from Greece vacation after floods hit Texas, his office says

Cruz came back 'as fast as humanly possible' from Greece vacation after floods hit Texas, his office says GOP Sen. Ted Cruz was on a...

Read More

'We have to': Trump sending weapons to Ukraine after expressing disappointment with Putin

'We have to': Trump sending weapons to Ukraine after expressing disappointment with Putin

PresidentDonald Trumpsaid he was unhappy with Russian PresidentVladimir Putinand would be sending Ukraine more defensive weapons, days after the Pentagon said it would halt some shipments as it conducteda review of U.S. military stockpiles. "We're going to send some more weapons – we have to. They have to be able to defend themselves," Trump told reporters July 7 during a White House meeting with Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu. "They're getting hit very hard now. They're getting hit very hard. We're going to have to send more weapons – your defensive weapons, primarily." The Trump administration has worked for months without success to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Trump spoke with Putin last week and said afterward that the call did not result in any progress. Russiapummelled Kyivwith the largest drone attack of the war, killing one person, injuring at least 23 and damaging buildings across the capital hours afterTrump spoke to Putin, officials said. Trump said July 7 that he's "disappointed frankly that President Putin hasn't stopped." Trump recently held a closed-door meeting with Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyyat the NATO Summit in The Hague and said afterwards he would see if he could make additional Patriot missiles available to Ukraine. However, the Pentagon said last week that it was suspending the transfer of some weapons, including interceptors,as it assessesits readiness and future military assistance for Ukraine. The pause in weapons deliveries is part of a "capability review" to "ensure U.S. military aid aligns with our defense priorities," Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell told reporters at a July 2 briefing. Contributing:Cybele Mayes-Osterman,Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Donald Trump will send Ukraine weapons after he criticized Putin

byMario Satorik

in

July 08, 2025

'We have to': Trump sending weapons to Ukraine after expressing disappointment with Putin

'We have to': Trump sending weapons to Ukraine after expressing disappointment with Putin PresidentDonald Trumpsaid he was unhappy w...

Read More

NBA power rankings: How every team stacks up after draft and free agency

NBA power rankings: How every team stacks up after draft and free agency

The pace ofNBAfree agency has eased, with teams mostly settled headed into their summer vacations. Yet, there are still a few pieces out there, namely some intriguing restricted free agents who could sill move the needle. Bulls point guard Josh Giddey and Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga are the players who would most impact new teams, though Chicago and Golden State each have the chance to match any offer sheets prospective teams can offer those players. Damian Lillard (Achilles) is another name to watch, though any team that signs him wouldn't stand to benefit until next season. The biggest issue facing each of these players is that it's a depressed market, with few teams having adequate cap space to make additional moves. Here areUSA TODAY Sports' post-playoffs, post-draft, post-free agency NBA power rankings: The champs return the heart of their roster, andreached a long-term extensionwith2024-25 MVPand2025 Finals MVPShai Gilgeous-Alexander. Plus, the Thunder will get a chance to see how 2024 first-round pick Nikola Topic and 2025 first-round pick Thomas Sorber fit into the rotation. The Rockets shoved all their chips to the center of the table. Theyadded Kevin Durant, Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith, reached deals to bring back Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams, Aaron Holiday, Jeff Green and Jae'Sean Tate. Yes, they have to give up players (Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore) to make it happen. But it's obvious the organization thinks a title is doable. Trading Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn for Cam Johnson, bringing back Bruce Brown and getting Tim Hardaway Jr. elevates the Nuggets. The offseason will look even better if Jonas Valanciunas doesn't leave for Europe and stays with Denver. The Knicks reached a deal withMike Brown to be their new coach, and reached deals with Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, giving Brown and the Knicks much-needed depth for a team that is desperately trying to win its first championship in more than 50 years. Lonzo Ball adds backcourt depth, Larry Nance is a solid vet and reserve Sam Merrill comes back to Cleveland on a four-year deal. Losing Norman Powell's scoring hurts, but John Collins and Brook Lopez will help offset that, while helping defensively. James Harden and Nic Batum also signed new deal and with Kawhi Leonard the Clippers should again be a quality (though aging) team capable of another 50-win season. The Timberwolves made sure they retained Julius Randle and Naz Reid, but they did not keep Nickeil Alexander-Walker. It's a solid team led by Anthony Edwards, but enough to keep pace in the West? It's LeBron James and Luka Doncic — or Luke Doncic and LeBron James if you like reading NBA tea leaves — so that gives the Lakers a chance. They're hoping to get a motivated Deandre Ayton for a full season. The Celtics made financial decisions bytrading Kristaps PorzingisandJrue Holiday, but let's see how free agency unfolds and what the Celtics add beyond Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang in trades with Portland and Atlanta. The addition of Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson plus the return of Paul Reed mitigates the departures of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dennis Schorder. Detroit is still in the mix for other players, too, including Malik Monk. They're also hoping to return value on Chaz Lanier, the No. 37 pick in the June draft. It's a slow start to free agency as Jonathan Kuminga's restricted free agency lingers. Al Horford, another veteran, might be an addition who provides front-court help and extensive playoff experience. Losing Myles Turner hurts — especially to a conference and division rival in Milwaukee —Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles injurysustained in the NBA Finals leaves the Pacers down starters. Orlando acquired scoring and defense in the trade for Desmond Bane, signed Tyus Jones for backcourt depth, re-signed Moe Wagner and drafted Jase Richardson at No. 25 and Noah Penda at No. 32. The Magic are trying to return to the playoffs — and win a first-round series for the first time since 2010 behind Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. The Spurs were quiet in free agency — adding Luke Kornet to bolster front court depth — but they didn't need to be loud. They have a young and dynamic core, particularly at guard, with plenty of players who can feed Victor Wembanyama. The Grizzlies changed their roster, adding Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope via trade, and signing Ty Jerome and Jock Landale while giving Jaren Jackson Jr. a long-term extension. They're hoping 2025 first-round pick Cedric Coward can make an immediate contribution. The Bucks waived Damian Lillard and traded Pat Connaughton, but added Myles Turner, Gary Harris and Vasilije Micic and resigned Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis, Taurean Prince, Ryan Rollins, Jericho Sims and Gary Trent Jr. Will that produce enough to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy with the Bucks? The Hawks made solid moves:traded for Kristaps Porzingis, drafted Asa Newell and reached deals to get Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard. Is it enough to make a serious push for one of the top seeds in the East? Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg will be fun to watch, and the Mavs signed D'Angelo Russell to help while Kyrie Irving recovers from a knee injury. A bland start to free agency indicated the Heat were trying to cook up something and improve the roster. And they did,trading for Norman Powelland his scoring punch. The Bulls traded Lonzo Ball to Cleveland for Isaac Okoro, re-signed Tre Jones and draft Noa Essengue at No. 12 in June draft. But where does that leave them in the East? Can they get a long-term deal done with restricted free agent Josh Giddey? The 76ers built around the edges, re-signing Eric Gordon and Justin Edwards and signing Trendon Watford.Selecting VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 pickin the draft should be beneficial now and in the future. The Raptors' biggest loss in the offseason was losing longtime front office executive Masai Ujiri. But the Raptors should a roster that is more competitive with RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl and 2025 first-round lottery pick Collin Murray-Boyles. Based on their moves so far (bringing in Dennis Schroder), the Kings aren't ready to start a rebuild. The Suns lost Kevin Durantand Tyus Jones, and acquired Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Mark Williams. They are aiming to reach a deal with Devin Booker on a two-year, $150 million extension. Now, will they buy out Bradley Beal's contract, making him a free agent? The Wizards were active as they try to assemble a roster of young players who will be part of the future, and veterans who can help and create financial flexibility that will allow them to go after free agents in the summer of 2026. Washington traded for Cam Whitmore from Houston and drafted Tre Johnson No. 6 and also added C.J. McCollum and Kelly Olynyk. The Blazers certainly are big with three 7-footers (Donovan Clingan, Deandre Ayton, Yang Hansen), andthey traded for Jrue Holiday. The Pelicans are reshaping their roster under executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars. Through the draft, they landed Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, and via trades they landed Saddiq Bey and Jordan Poole, and via free agency they signed Kevon Looney. TheNetstraded for Michael Porter Jr. and Terance Mann, re-signed Day'Ron Sharpe and Ziaire Williams, and drafted five players inthe first round, including Egor Demin at No. 8. The Jazz are focused on a youth movement, so this free agency was just as much about shedding certain players than adding. The Hornets acquired Collin Sexton in a trade with Utah and Pat Connaughton in a trade with Milwaukee, and added Mason Plumlee, Tre Mann and Spencer Dinwiddie. Charlotte also had a solid draft (Kon Knueppel at No. 4, Liam McNeeley at No. 29 and Ryan Kalkbrenner at No. 34) in an attempt to boost its rebuild. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NBA power rankings: Post-free agency and draft team ratings

byMario Satorik

in

July 08, 2025

NBA power rankings: How every team stacks up after draft and free agency

NBA power rankings: How every team stacks up after draft and free agency The pace ofNBAfree agency has eased, with teams mostly settled head...

Read More