Last summer, the San Antonio Spurs thought they had the Los Angeles Lakers right where they wanted them. L.A. had the inside track to sign LeBron James as a free agent on July 1. But the belief around the league was that James wouldn't come to the Lakers by himself and spend the last years of his prime babysitting their young roster.

The Spurs thought it was a moment of maximum leverage from which to trade Kawhi Leonard, and they wanted everything the Lakers could offer. Not a couple of the Lakers' young players and draft picks. All of them.

The Lakers had spent five years building their team through the lottery and felt good about how they had reshaped their roster. They had held on to their young players when Paul George was traded. When Jimmy Butler was traded. When DeMarcus Cousins was traded. Were they really going to part with all of them now? Could they sign James without that second star in place?

The Lakers held firm. James came anyway, banking on the Lakers getting him a co-star in a trade or via free agency in the summer of 2019. Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors and won an NBA title.

The Pelicans' trade demands in exchange for Anthony Davis were nearly identical to the Spurs' requests for Leonard. Their pressure points, leverage and even the young players involved were virtually the same.

But the Lakers were in a very different place this time around. The NBA is in a very different place this time around. Because two of the top free agents about to hit the market -- Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant -- just suffered catastrophic injuries that will keep them out all or most of next season. A third, Leonard, just won his second Finals MVP, and the Lakers' chances for even getting a meeting with him on July 1 seemed to be dimming. And a fourth, Kyrie Irving, just fired his agent and has been increasingly linked to the Brooklyn Nets.

That's virtually the entire top tier of this summer's vaunted free-agent class essentially coming off the Lakers' board. All of which made Davis the top player that the Lakers had the chance to acquire this summer.

The Lakers couldn't leave things to the whims of free agency anymore. Not with James hitting his mid-30s and the pressure on controlling owner Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka reaching a fevered pitch following the embarrassing resignation and media tour from former team president Magic Johnson.

Sure, Pelinka could've cut some of the tension at his news conference on draft night by making fun of himself for the fake Heath Ledger story that ESPN's Baxter Holmes revealed last month.

But the only way for Pelinka to truly relieve some of the pressure on himself and the franchise was to acquire a superstar at any cost. The Lakers simply could not afford to miss on this trade and free agency again.

Which is exactly what the Pelicans were banking on. And exactly why this trade couldn't happen until everyone set egos, and hurt feelings from February, aside.

Now, calling those discussions in February "negotiations" is a bit of a stretch. The Pelicans were never serious about dealing with the Lakers then. They didn't like being forced into this position by Davis and his representative, Rich Paul. And they probably weren't going to let former general manager Dell Demps make this big of a decision anyway.

So the Lakers -- really just Johnson, because Demps wouldn't talk to Pelinka -- would call and Demps would write names on the board without giving them any feedback. Those names would leak publicly and do damage to the Lakers' team chemistry. But eventually, Johnson and the Lakers got the hint and stopped banging up against what had become an incredibly self-destructive wall.

Everyone involved in those failed trade discussions got hurt.

The Pelicans' season tanked. The Lakers imploded. Demps was fired. Johnson quit, then threw everyone under the bus. Lakers coach Luke Walton left. James, Paul, Pelinka and Buss endured months of withering criticism. Davis was booed by the home fans, taken off promotional materials and criticized for some suspect fashion choices.

It was bad business for both sides. And when everyone came up for air and surveyed the damage, both sides realized there was still a hell of a deal to make if they could get over themselves.

Said one source close to the negotiations, "The biggest difference this time was David Griffin [the new Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations]. He wasn't involved before. He could negotiate frankly and fairly."

For the Lakers, this is a massive gamble, with Davis hitting free agency next summer. He is a better player -- and probably a healthier one -- than Dwight Howard was in 2012, when the Lakers took a similar chance and got massively burned for it. Again, this is what the Lakers do. Chasing superstars is part of their DNA. Add in the pressure of maximizing this three-year window with a still-in-his-prime James and this was an automatic reflex for them. Plus, the Lakers still have up to $32.5 million in cap space this summer. Adding Davis is probably the best pitch they can make to free agents.

For the Pelicans, this could be a Herschel Walker-type haul for a player they were going to lose in a year. They essentially got three top-five lottery picks out of the deal, two of which already have gone through their NBA growing pains. Just the idea of Lonzo Ball throwing lobs to probable No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson is enough to bring fans back to the Smoothie King Center. Ball and Jrue Holiday might already be the best defensive backcourt in the NBA.

The Pelicans might be the rare team to trade a superstar in his prime and not have to rebuild. And this is before we know whether the Pelicans will keep the No. 4 pick or flip it for an established veteran.

Either way, the Lakers gave up a massive load of assets to acquire Davis that they'll either be lamenting for years to come like they did after the Howard and Steve Nash trades or celebrating their iron stomachs if Davis and James team up to restore the franchise to glory.

This is a legacy-defining move for Griffin. He mutually parted ways with the Cleveland Cavaliers after the 2017 season so he could run a franchise the way he wanted, without ownership interference. Griffin was so determined to do things on his terms this time, he passed on an opportunity and massive payday to run the New York Knicks two years ago, because he wasn't guaranteed full control of basketball operations.

Instead, Griffin spent his downtime in Sonoma, California, with his wife. They did a lot of wine tasting and enjoyed the region's world-class culinary scene. He hosted a sports talk show on SiriusXM.

The right opportunity would come. The right terms. And if it didn't, Griffin would just enjoy his life. When Pelicans owner Gayle Benson called this spring, Griffin got everything he wanted.

That's also the approach he took to the negotiations for this trade. The Boston Celtics were serious about trading for Davis, as well. They were willing to discuss young, talented players such as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, according to sources close to the negotiations. But the Celtics were never going to give up as much as the Lakers. And Boston didn't have a high draft pick this year to offer, because it simply hadn't gotten as lucky in the lottery as both L.A. and New Orleans.

And so, in a back room of the Hilton Chicago in May, Pelinka and Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry were together where the NBA draws the combinations of numbers for the draft lottery.

The winning combination is drawn first. So everyone knew right away that the Pelicans had won the rights to draft Williamson. But a few minutes later, the Lakers' number came up, as well, and they jumped to No. 4.

Both franchises knew their fortunes would be forever changed. On Saturday, those draft picks formed the bedrock upon which this blockbuster trade was built. For the Pelicans and the Lakers, it's a second chance to expose themselves to true risk -- and championship rewards.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Eighteen years after the Minnesota Twins took Joe Mauer with the first overall draft pick, the hometown star with the textbook left-handed swing was still having a hard time realizing his place among the franchise's all-time greats.

As Mauer's jersey number formally joined the seven others retired by the Twins on Saturday night, the six-time All-Star and three-time batting champion sounded as awestruck of his place in team history as on his first day of rookie ball.

"Wearing the No. 7 the past 15 years has been my absolute pleasure," Mauer said, his voice cracking as he paused to compose himself, "and being able to play my entire career in that number in front of my family, friends and fans here at home means more to me than any of you will ever know."

Though the Twins took the best record in the major leagues into their game against Kansas City, the sellout crowd on this night was more about the uniform retirement for Mauer, who was born and raised just across the Mississippi River in St. Paul and thus only played baseball for teams outside of the Twin Cities during his three-season stint in the minor leagues.

"He just thought of himself as a kid from St. Paul who was honored to play for his hometown Twins," said former teammate Justin Morneau, who spoke during the pregame ceremony that lasted about 45 minutes and featured a biographical montage starting with grainy home video of Mauer crushing tee balls with a remarkably smooth swing for a preschooler.

The Twins went all out for the occasion, as has been the organization's custom over years of commemorating the most decorated players and teams the franchise has had. They first surprised Mauer last Dec. 18 at a ceremony at his alma mater, Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, with the announcement his number would be permanently off limits. This week, the club unveiled a 72-page biographical coffee table book, "A Twin for the Ages," with net proceeds earmarked for the Minnesota Twins Community Fund.

More than 30 alumni of the team were on the attendance list, including 21 former teammates from Morneau to Torii Hunter to Joe Nathan to Johan Santana to Brad Radke. Six members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame were present, including Johnny Bench, to whom Mauer compared well early in his career when he was still a catcher before a concussion in 2013 forced a move to first base.

"Everyone we asked and the Twins asked came back," Mauer told reporters afterward. "That to me means everything."

Several of Mauer's former contemporaries around the major leagues recorded video tributes, too, from Albert Pujols to Justin Verlander to Ichiro Suzuki.

"For a catcher, I couldn't believe how friendly you were when I came to bat," Suzuki said.

The Twins even tracked down hip-hop star T.I. for a recorded greeting. Mauer used his hit "What You Know" as the walk-up song for his at-bats, and one of his gifts from the team was a gold-plated commemorative record signed by the artist. Another souvenir present: The actual home plate from his final game last Sept. 30, when he put on the catcher's gear on one last time in an emotional goodbye.

Tony Oliva (6), Tom Kelly (10), Kent Hrbek (14), Bert Blyleven (28) and Rod Carew (29), the five others still living with retired Twins numbers, were on hand. So were the son of the late Harmon Killebrew (3) and the son and daughter of the late Kirby Puckett (34).

With about 50 family members watching on the field, including his wife, Maddie, twin 5-year-old daughters, Emily and Maren, and 7-month-old son, Chip, Mauer joined his mother, Teresa, on the mound for the ceremonial first pitch to his father, Jake. The ball was high, but over the plate.

"I was real nervous. I hadn't thrown a ball in a while," Mauer said later. "I knew my dad wasn't as mobile as he used to be, so I wanted to make sure to get it in the area. To have them and my family and friends be a part of this weekend, it really means a lot."

NEW YORK -- Noah Syndergaard left his start for the New York Mets with a hamstring injury in the seventh inning of Saturday night's game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Syndergaard reached for his right hamstring after throwing a pitch. Mets manager Mickey Callaway and an athletic trainer went out to check on Syndergaard, who quickly walked off the field with a bit of a limp. He was later diagnosed with a strain and will be re-evaluated Sunday morning, Callaway said.

Robert Gsellman entered with New York leading 8-3. St. Louis scored three runs before the inning was over. The Mets held on to win 8-7.

"It was on that one pitch," Callaway said. "That deep in the game, if he feels anything, you get him out with a five-run lead."

Syndergaard threw 102 pitches. He was charged with five runs, four earned, and six hits in six-plus innings.

Syndergaard did not talk to reporters after the game.

"We really have no idea at this point," about the extent of the injury, Callaway said.

Earlier in the game, plate umpire Brian O'Nora left after getting hit in the groin by a foul ball. Matt Carpenter fouled off a pitch from Syndergaard in the third inning, and the ball bounced up and hit O'Nora. He staggered but stayed on his feet, and was checked by a Mets athletic trainer.

O'Nora, 56, initially remained in the game following a brief pause to gather himself. But a few pitches later, with Dexter Fowler at the plate, the veteran ump headed for the Mets' dugout in discomfort with his hand covering his mouth.

In April 2013, an intestinal tear forced O'Nora to make a sudden exit from a Phillies-Mets game at Citi Field.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

ATLANTA -- Atlanta Braves starter Sean Newcomb left Saturday's game after a scary scene in which he was hit in the back of the head by a line drive off the bat of Philadelphia's J.T. Realmuto.

Newcomb was checked by a trainer and walked off the field under his own power in the third inning, escorted by two trainers. After the game, a 6-5 Phillies win, Braves manager Brian Snitker said Newcomb passed the concussion protocol and will be monitored overnight.

"Hopefully he gets through the night, sleeps and nothing happens, and he wakes up and he comes in here good," Snitker said. "He's got a mark on his head. But even when he's out on the field, he's like, 'I know what happened; I didn't [pass] out or anything.' So we might've ... hopefully we dodged a bullet."

Newcomb told reporters that he "remembered the whole play," and that his head is sore.

"Just going to keep rolling -- I think I'm feeling pretty good," Newcomb said.

The ball was clocked at 102 mph and caromed off Newcomb's head and sailed into the netting behind the Phillies' dugout on the third-base side. Realmuto covered his mouth with both hands as he ran to first base on what went as a ground-rule double.

The play occurred in the third inning at SunTrust Park. Newcomb turned his head as the ball approached and knelt on the mound immediately after getting hit. Catcher Tyler Flowers had him stay down while a trainer and Snitker came out to tend to the left-hander.

Touki Toussaint came on in relief of Newcomb.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

The Seattle Mariners traded American League home run leader Edwin Encarnacion to the New York Yankees for cash considerations and minor league pitcher Juan Then on Saturday night.

The Mariners are including significant money on Encarnacion's contract, which includes a $20 million club option with a $5 million buyout for the 2020 season, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Then, a 19-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic, returns to the Mariners organization, from which the Yankees acquired him in 2017.

Encarnacion, 36, has hit 21 home runs this season in 65 games. The Dominican slugger has 18 career home runs at Yankee Stadium, his second most at any stadium that he has not previously called home, trailing only Fenway Park.

How he will slot into the Yankees' lineup remains to be seen. For now, it would appear he will figure in the rotation at designated hitter. It's a group that, of late, has included regulars Luke Voit and Gary Sanchez as well as Clint Frazier -- and any other player in need of a partial day off.

"There's always room for good players," manager Aaron Boone said, laughing, before the trade was officially announced. Boone admitted to hearing some "rumors" of the trade during the Yankees' 8-4 win win over the Chicago White Sox.

In a matter of days, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge could join the list of Yankees DHs, as they are wrapping up rehab assignments with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Stanton already is expected back in pinstripes Tuesday, when the Yankees take on the Tampa Bay Rays in the second game of a three-game home series.

"I don't know what he felt about his situation [in Seattle], but I think anybody's excited to come to the Yankees with the potential that we feel like we have this year," said Yankees starter J.A. Happ, Encarnacion's former teammate in Toronto. "He's going to fit right in with our lineup. Taking a little pressure off other guys is a good thing."

Encarnacion, who has missed Seattle's past three games because of back soreness, also could provide added depth at the corner infield positions, where he has played before, and where the Yankees have need.

Gio Urshela has come along as New York's primary third baseman in the wake of Miguel Andujar's season-ending shoulder injury in April, and Voit emerged in spring training as the starter at first base. Although slick-fielding infielder DJ LeMahieu will play both positions virtually weekly as part of a rotation now that shortstop Didi Gregorius is back from the injured list, there's really no one else behind Urshela and Voit.

First baseman Kendrys Morales was traded to the Yankees from Oakland last month, but he has struggled in his time in the Bronx. Including a three-hit game last Tuesday against the Mets, Morales is hitting just .194 this season.

Following that strong afternoon in the Subway Series, Morales was put on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain. Boone said earlier this weekend that the IL stint would be short.

But now with Morales out of the mix and his spot on the 40-man roster in apparent jeopardy, Encarnacion could be given his opportunities at first base. In Seattle this season, Encarnacion had split duties at first base and at DH, and he also played an inning at second base in a game in the Bronx last month. He hasn't played third since 2013.

However Encarnacion fits in the lineup, Happ believes he will be a perfect addition to the clubhouse.

"He doesn't say a lot, but he works hard and he's prepared," Happ said. "Those are some of the reasons I think he's going to really enjoy it here."

The trade largely was a surprise to Yankees fans, who have been vocal the past few weeks in asking for pitching help. With Yankees starters struggling with giving up the long ball in the first two games of this week's series in Chicago, that need has suddenly become more apparent.

Encarnacion has hit 284 of his 401 career home runs since the 2012 season, the most of any player in the league in that span, and is on his way to an eighth straight season of at least 30 homers. In the past seven, he's had at least 32 homers and 98 RBIs.

He was in his first season with Seattle after the Indians traded him for Carlos Santana and cash in December as part of a three-team trade that also saw Jake Bauers move from Tampa Bay to Cleveland.

Since November, the Mariners have offloaded a number of players in trades, including second baseman Robinson Cano, closer Edwin Diaz, shortstop Jean Segura, left-hander James Paxton, outfielder Jay Bruce, catcher Mike Zunino, outfielder Ben Gamel and relief pitcher Alex Colome.

Britain’s Steph Twell finishes fifth and says she will take some valuable lessons from the experience

Italy’s Yassine Rachik and Lilia Fisikovici of Moldova continued their winning ways in the RunCzech EuroHeroes Challenge series, taking the titles in Saturday evening’s Mattoni Olomouc Half Marathon in the Czech Republic.

In hot conditions, with the temperature around 30°C at the start of the race at 7pm local time, Rachik clocked 64:26 and Fisikovici 73:32 for clear victories.

That makes it three wins from three races for the pair in the EuroHeroes series, following their success in Karlovy Vary in May and Ceské Budejovice at the beginning of this month.

The four-race series was launched in 2018 with the support of European Athletics and aims to highlight new sporting heroes from the continent, as athletes claim points for their performances and can compete for a separate EuroHeroes ranking and prize structure.

Britain’s Steph Twell had been looking to use the IAAF Gold Label race as an opportunity to test herself and also gain some points in the IAAF world rankings. She finished fifth in 75:57 and although later saying that her race didn’t go to plan due to a few factors, the UK 10km road champion added that she will be able to take some valuable lessons from it moving into her future training and racing block as she works towards an autumn marathon.

Steph Twell finished fifth in 75:57 at this evening’s Mattoni Olomouc Half Marathon and says her race didn’t go to plan due to a few factors but adds that she will be able to take some valuable lessons from it moving into her future training and racing block. #OLhalf @RunCzech pic.twitter.com/wk6rauglAT

— Athletics Weekly (@AthleticsWeekly) June 15, 2019

Twell had led through 10km in 34:07, with Fisikovici 11 seconds behind. But the Moldovan half-marathon and marathon record-holder started to close the gap from around 12km before moving away for victory.

Ukraine’s Olha Kotovska was second in 74:35 and her compatriot Darya Mykhailova was third in 74:57. Matea Parlov finished fourth in 75:18.

“I tried to hold on to Stephanie, but I didn’t feel well at the eighth kilometre, so I was lagging behind,” said Fisikovici.

“From the twelfth kilometre I began to approach her again and at the end managed to speed up and win. I am so happy about my victory.”

Twell was returning to road race action after a stint of altitude training in St. Moritz and following recent PBs over both 10km (31:55) and the half-marathon (71:33).

“My race didn’t go to plan today for a few factors that were hard to ignore in my finals week’s taper,” she told AW.

“However, when I knew training had been going really well, I was too excited to turn the new EuroHeroes challenge down!

“I decided to run and in hindsight I shouldn’t have, but I’ll be able to look back on this race and take some valuable lessons from it moving into my future training and racing block. I hope to still use this race series again next year to support my goals.”

Read more: Steph Twell relishing Olomouc Half Marathon test

In the men’s race, London Marathon ninth-placer Rachik solo ran his way to success, with Ukraine’s Roman Romanenko securing second in 66:01 and Ireland’s Paul Pollock placing third in 66:12.

The top Czech runners were Vít Pavlišta in fifth with 68:09 and Marcela Joglová in ninth with 77:55.

“It was hard to run alone,” said Rachik, “and it wasn’t easy to fight with that heat, too.”

A total of 10,078 runners took part in the Mattoni Olomouc Half Marathon events, with 6481 in the main race and 3597 in the family run.

The fourth and final event in this year’s EuroHeroes Challenge will be the Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon, held on September 21.