CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Luis Garcia Jr. smiles and relaxes his head on third base after a triple.

Trade Season Kicks Ass Until They Sell Your Beautiful Son

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Kelsey Plum #10 of the Los Angeles Sparks talks with Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury after the game at Mortgage Matchup Center on June 13, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.

WNBA

Kelsey Plum Is Back At The Center Of A Head-Scratching Trade

Lauren Theisen

Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers takes off his cap after recording his 1,000th strikeout during the first inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park

The Dodgers Got Tarik Skubal

Giri Nathan

Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates after a play against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at State Farm Arena on January 7, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia

Lu Dort And Zaccharie Risacher Involved In Depressing Trade

Samer Kalaf

Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers defends Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of Game Five

Celtics Jettison Beloved Finals MVP For Lapsed Podcaster And Some Picks

LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts to a three-point basket during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets

LaMelo Ball Is Headed To Minnesota, Hopefully Not In His Car

Giannis Antetokounmpo Is A Heat

Barry Petchesky

OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 25: Brady Tkachuk #7 of the Ottawa Senators takes a break during a stoppage in play against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 25, 2026, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Everyone’s Mad About Brady Tkachuk Going To Florida

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 23: Defensive end Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns reacts as he warms up before an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Los Angeles Rams at Huntington Bank Field on August 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

What The Fuck Are The Rams Doing?

Boston, MA - April 15: Joe, a Western Lowland Gorilla, at the Franklin Park Zoo on April 15, 2026. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

This Is So Stupid

We Have A Gorilla Trade

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Flau'jae Johnson (L) of LSU poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (R) after being selected with the 8th pick in the first round by the Golden State Valkyries during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images)

Valkyries GM Declines To Explain Why She Traded Flau’jae Johnson For Two Second-Rounders

Tom Ley

Angel Reese lays on her back during a game

The Chicago Sky Cost Themselves Angel Reese

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 19: James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers looks on against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by)

James Harden’s Latest Trade Demand Isn’t About Basketball

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 27: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at State Farm Arena on December 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Trae Young

Trae Young Is A Casualty Of The Changing NBA

Ray Ratto

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 11: Jerry Jones attends the Premiere of Netflix's "America's Team: The Gambler And His Cowboys" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on August 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

What’s In Jerry Jones’s Head?

The Minnesota Twins Are Finished

Israel Daramola

Houston Wins The Latest Kevin Durant Sweepstakes

Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammates after defeating the New York Yankees in a shutout to sweep the series at Fenway Park on Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Red Sox Fans Chopped Up And Cooked On The Hot Stove

Desmond Bane #22 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 24, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

The Orlando Magic Have Acquired A Big Dog

Mikko Rantanen celebrates his goal with teammates

They Should Call Them The Dallas Even More Stars

Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks meets with head coach Pete Carroll in the third quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lumen Field on November 27, 2022 in Seattle, Washington.

Tom Brady’s Vision For The 2025 Raiders Looks An Awful Lot Like The 2023 Seahawks

The Luka Doncic Trade Needed Just Three Quarters To Go From Bad To Worse

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 2: Masai Ujiri President of the Toronto Raptors speaks during media day on October 2, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)

Masai Ujiri Continues His Baffling Wing Collection

of the Miami Heat looks down during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Kaseya Center on January 2, 2025.

The Warriors And Jimmy Butler Are Trying To Stop The Clock

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 01: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings go for a rebound in the first half at Golden 1 Center on December 01, 2024 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)