Dalvin Cook, a free agent after his release from the Minnesota Vikings this month, has an interest in teaming up with DeAndre Hopkins on his next team.

Speaking Monday on "The Adam Schefter Podcast," Cook said of Hopkins (also a free agent who remains unsigned), "If we end up on the same roster, that would be something epic for the NFL."

Cook, who played six seasons for the Vikings, turns 28 in August and was set to take up $14.1 million in Minnesota's cap space for 2023. After trade talks simmered, the Vikings released the star running back.

Hopkins, 31, has been assessing his options as well since his release from the Arizona Cardinals last month. The star wide receiver visited with the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots last week.

"I know his mindset, and I done play against D-Hop a numerous amount of times," Cook told Schefter. "When I been with D-Hop, we done chill together, we done been around each other like, and it's like I kind of see the person that he is like, he want to win and that's what my mind at to.

"I want to go win. Like I said, the money gonna come and that's going to happen. But like as far as going to lift that [Vince Lombardi] Trophy up, he got the same mindset as me."

The Miami Dolphins, Cook's hometown team, are expected to have an interest in signing him, sources told Schefter last week, but coach Mike McDaniel danced around the question when it was posed to him last week during his club's minicamp.

"March 3, 1983, the day I was born. Now, we take a closer look at that date, and that, in fact, was not yesterday," McDaniel told reporters, referring to the notion that he wasn't born yesterday. "You're not gonna get this guy. I'm Year 2."

Cook, a second-round draft pick in 2017, surpassed 1,500 touches in his career last season, despite struggling to stay on the field during his early years. His rookie season ended after four games because of a torn ACL, and an assortment of other injuries cost him between two and five games in each of the next four seasons. A chronic shoulder injury ultimately forced him to wear a harness for long stretches of his career.

He nevertheless managed to produce four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2019 to 2022 and scored a combined 29 rushing touchdowns during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He also proved to be an effective receiver, averaging 42 receptions per season after his rookie year.

Hopkins, meanwhile, had 64 catches for 717 yards and three touchdowns last season for the Cardinals, and has six 1,000-yard seasons on his résumé.

"Everybody knows who D-Hop is," Cook said, calling him a "dynamic player." "You know what you're getting out of D-Hop, and you know what he going to bring to your roster. It's the same for me. Like you know -- the film speaks for itself -- I don't really got to do too much like, you know, talking about who Dalvin Cook and DeAndre Hopkins is.

"But we haven't talked. And he was one of those guys that I was going to reach out to, because, like, I know he got the same mindset as me, like we trying to go win. We're trying to go on the roster and trying to go contend."

Hopkins played in Arizona for three seasons, after seven with the Houston Texans. His best season for the Cardinals was his first, when he totaled 1,407 and six touchdowns on 115 catches in 2020.

"If we can get up on the same roster and be on the same team, that will be the beauty of the situation," Cook said.

Joining forces in Miami would seem like a reach, considering the Dolphins, fresh off a playoff appearance last season, have wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle as Tua Tagovailoa's top targets.

Cook could fit in nicely in that offense, but McDaniel last week did take the opportunity to laud the running backs on his current roster.

"Overall, very happy with the way they've practiced, very happy with their competitive camaraderie," McDaniel said. "They are all trying to be the best, but they're not doing it in spite of each other and they recognize that each one of them can help them get better, so it's been a cool camp for them."

In a 24-16 win over the Dolphins last season, Cook sealed the win with a 53-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Son Heung-Min has announced his intention to stay at Tottenham despite receiving a lucrative offer to join Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad.

ESPN revealed on Monday that the 30-year-old had become the latest high-profile player to be targeted by Saudi clubs with Al Ittihad offering the forward a four-year deal worth €30 million ($32.7m) per season.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

A source close to negotiations suggested the Saudi side were preparing an opening bid of €60m ($65.4m) plus bonuses but Tottenham indicated they were unwilling to listen to offers for the South Korea forward.

Speaking on Tuesday, Son moved to dampen speculation over a transfer by reiterating his commitment to Spurs.

Son is quoted by Korean football reporter Sungmo Lee as saying: "I have many things to do in the Premier League. Money doesn't matter to me now, and the pride of playing football, to play in my favourite league is important. I want to play more for Tottenham in the Premier League. I'll prepare well when I'm back to Spurs."

The source suggested there was some optimism Son could be tempted into a move to Al Ittihad given the club have already agreed a deal to sign France striker Karim Benzema with Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante expected to follow imminently on another free transfer.

However, Son is under contract at Tottenham until 2025 and therefore negotiating a deal would have meant overcoming Spurs' reluctance to sell. But regardless, the player himself has stated his desire to remain in north London.

Inter Miami CF are planning for Lionel Messi to make his debut on July 21 in a Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul, owner Jorge Mas told reporters Monday.

Messi, 35, said earlier this month he intends to sign for Miami after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, although a deal remains to be finalised.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

In a wide-ranging interview with a small group of reporters, including the Miami Herald, managing owner Mas said the club will not get direct subsidy from the MLS and that "no rules are being changed to incorporate Messi on to Inter Miami's roster."

Miami plan for Messi, who is on holiday in Rosario, to make his debut at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, against Mexican side Cruz Azul on July 21.

Mas said Miami are preparing for Messi's arrival, which includes work on increasing the capacity of their stadium to 22,000 by adding approximately 3,000 seats. Security for players will be enhanced both for home and away games.

"As you may recall, Argentina trained in Miami before they flew over to Doha [for 2022 World Cup], where we had an opportunity to see some of the Messi mania at our doors on an everyday basis during practice. So, we're very prepared. We've been getting ready for this," Mas said.

The Argentina captain said last week that he is "eager and ready to face this new challenge" after turning down offers to move to Barcelona and Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.

Mas said he believes Messi's arrival will be a game changer for Major League Soccer and encouraged other owners to "seize the moment."

"I think there will always be a 'before and after Messi' when we talk about the sport in the United States," he said. "I cannot overemphasise the magnitude of this announcement. Having the world's greatest player here is something that is significant for our league, and for the football ecosystem in the United States ... Lionel Messi is coming to this country to win cups and make a difference.

"I think it's incumbent upon myself and my partners in the league, the other owners, to seize the moment."

New England Patriots cornerback Jack Jones was arraigned on weapons charges in East Boston Municipal Court on Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty, posted $30,000 cash bail, and is next scheduled to appear in court Aug. 18 for a probable cause hearing.

Prosecutors said authorities at Boston's Logan Airport found a glock box with two guns and ammunition inside a bag with Jones' name on it.

Jones, 25, was charged with two counts of the following offenses: possession of a concealed weapon in a secure area of the airport, possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm and possession of a large capacity feeding device.

Two of the counts against Jones carry mandatory minimum prison sentences of 2½ years if he is indicted and later convicted. Two other counts carry mandatory minimum sentences of 18 months if he is indicted and later convicted.

"He had no intention of bringing any guns into Logan Airport that day. He had no intention of bringing any guns on to an airport that day," Jones' attorney, Rosemary Scapicchio, said outside the courtroom. "I expect the evidence is going to show that he had no knowledge of what was going on."

Scapicchio also took aim at coverage of Jones' arrest.

"It's the social media, and the media, who have turned him into a thug, who have labeled him a thug, with no evidence whatsoever," she said. "Because he's a young Black man, all of a sudden, he's a thug. That's what happened here. It's disrespectful to Mr. Jones and every other Black man in America. This is the institutional racism we deal with every day in the court system. ...

"That label that was attached to him through social media almost got him fired, and it was completely unfounded."

The Aug. 18 court date for Jones comes one day before the Patriots are scheduled to visit the Green Bay Packers in the preseason. The Patriots are scheduled to practice in Wisconsin with the Packers leading up to the game on Aug. 16 and 17.

"All Mr. Jones wants to do is play football. He doesn't want to be a distraction at all," Scapicchio said. "He wants to support his family and play football. ...

"We're grateful to the Patriots organization and to the leaders of the Patriots that they didn't believe and feed into what was happening on social media where people were saying he was trying to get the guns past security. Nothing could be further from the proof. I suggest we wait to hear all of the evidence before people jump to a conclusion."

A 2022 fourth-round draft choice out of Arizona State, Jones had his rookie season end in late December because of a team suspension for an unspecified violation of club rules. His agent, Jamal Tooson, described it as a miscommunication regarding Jones' rehabilitation from a knee injury.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick had said in March that the suspension was in the past, and Jones was lining up with the top unit at times in spring practices.

The 2022 team suspension marked a disappointing end to Jones' rookie season, one in which he had said he was hoping to put off-field issues from college in the past.

In all, Jones played in 13 games (two starts) and totaled 30 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He played 54% of the team's defensive snaps.

Jones began his college career at USC, was arrested for breaking into a restaurant in 2018 and a plea agreement reduced the initial felony charges to a second-degree misdemeanor charge of commercial burglary. After Jones was dismissed from USC due to academic issues, he transferred to Moorpark, a junior college. He ultimately landed at Arizona State, where in 2020, he was also suspended for fighting during practice.

Patriots director of player personnel Matt Groh endorsed Jones after the team picked him in the fourth round, saying: "We've spent a lot of time with Jack to try and get comfortable and understand the different situations ... and have a process in place to add him to our program."

The Patriots' lone comment on Jones' arrest came late Friday when a spokesperson said: "We have been notified that Jack Jones was arrested at Logan Airport earlier today. We are in the process of gathering more information and will not be commenting further at this time."

The Patriots' offseason program officially ended Friday.

Victor Wembanyama has arrived in the U.S. for the NBA draft.

The plane from France carrying Wembanyama -- who almost certainly will be taken by the San Antonio Spurs with the No. 1 pick in Thursday's draft -- arrived at Newark International Airport outside New York City on Monday.

And even before becoming an NBA star, he got his first official taste of NBA stardom.

Some fans knew what flight he was on and when the plane was landing, and many were waiting. Wembanyama cheerfully signed autographs, scrawling his name onto basketballs and Spurs jerseys -- some even with his name already on the back -- before making his way into a waiting vehicle.

"I don't know how they knew what flight I was on, but it's fun," Wembanyama said in a video distributed on the NBA's social media channels as he walked through the New Jersey airport, ducking his head to avoid some of the signage bolted to the terminal's ceiling. "It's different, seeing that you can have such impact on people."

It's the start of a hectic few days for the 19-year-old French phenom who long has been considered a generational prospect the likes of which hasn't been seen since LeBron James entered the league in 2003. Wembanyama is expected to appear at a pre-draft media availability Wednesday, then has the actual draft Thursday and likely will be in San Antonio sometime Friday.

The rest of his summer won't exactly be slow, either.

Wembanyama already has been announced as one of the expected participants in the inaugural NBA Con in Las Vegas, slated for July 7-9, which coincides with the start of summer league there, and he has said he wants to play for France in the Basketball World Cup, which will take place in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan starting in late August and running through Sept. 10.

Chris Paul said he was "surprised" by the reported trade that sent the future Hall of Fame point guard from the Phoenix Suns to the Washington Wizards, telling The New York Times in an interview published Monday that he found out about the news in a text from his son.

Paul also implied that Isiah Thomas, the former Detroit Pistons legend who is good friends with new Suns owner Mat Ishbia, was involved in the decision-making process.

"It's just -- it's tough," Paul told The New York Times. "Seriously, it is part of the business, and what you realize is that no one owes you anything. No matter how you are with them or what you do, you realize that in this business, nobody owes you anything, as it should be.

"But when it comes through and my son texts me, I realize that, you know, Mat and Isiah, I guess, just wanted to go in a different direction."

During his introductory news conference in February, Ishbia said the team had no plans to hire Thomas but didn't rule out a role for him in the future.

News of the trade that would send Bradley Beal to the Suns in exchange for Paul and Landry Shamet broke Sunday. The Wizards are fielding offers to possibly redirect Paul to another team, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. There's also the possibility Washington and Paul could agree to a contract buyout, allowing him to become a free agent, sources said.

"I don't know," Paul said of what he would like to happen next. "I really haven't had enough time to process it yet. Like seriously, because these things that happen affect more than just me."

Paul joined the Suns before the 2020-21 season and helped lead the team to its first NBA Finals appearance in 27 years. He averaged 13.9 points, 8.9 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals across 59 starts for Phoenix last season.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Mike Dunleavy Jr. is getting thrown into the fire as he takes on a new role as general manager.

The Golden State Warriors are amid a pivotal offseason that has already seen the departure of executive Bob Myers and Draymond Green declining his player option.

The NBA draft is four days away. Free agency follows closely after that.

But atop Dunleavy's to-do list this summer is bringing back Green, who declined his $27.6 million player option Monday morning and will enter unrestricted free agency, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

"We really want Draymond back," Dunleavy said at his introductory news conference Monday. "What he means in terms of this organization and this team, winning at the highest level, we feel like we have to have him.

It was expected Green would opt out; now he can talk with the Warriors as well as explore sign-and-trades and free agency.

"We will continue to talk to Golden State and explore all options," Paul told ESPN.

After the Warriors were eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the playoffs, Green told Andscape's Marc Spears that Myers' decision -- whether he returned as president and general manager or left -- would carry some weight on his contract decision. Though, it wouldn't be the only deciding factor.

Green acknowledged the unique relationship Myers held with players, as well as head coach Steve Kerr, and how very few league executives carry that trait. It's something Dunleavy will now try to take over.

"Did I interview other people? No, not really. We didn't go outside," Warriors owner and CEO Joe Lacob said on the hiring of Dunleavy. "We believe in continuity. We believe we have a really well-oiled machine, a well-running organization. Mike gets along fabulously with all the parties inside."

When it comes to roster construction or reconstruction, Dunleavy said he doesn't believe there are many decisions to make, but rather "things to consider."

Second to finding a new deal for Green is adding some "connectivity."

"The rest of the roster going on down the line is a group that probably needs to be better about playing together and connecting, so that's something we'll look to solve for this offseason," Dunleavy said. "By the way, that's not only externally, that's internally through working together and doing all that stuff."

He continued: "You look at the championship team with the Nuggets. Those guys were dialed in together. [In] 2022, that's how we were. We can get back to that feel, that standpoint, I think, given our talent, that's going to give us a chance to compete for a title."

Much of the disconnection throughout the Warriors last season stemmed from the training camp altercation between Green and Jordan Poole, which Kerr called at the time the franchise's biggest crisis during his tenure, and later said left a cloud over the season.

Green admitted that the altercation impacted his ability to be the vocal, and sometimes abrasive, leader who has energized Golden State in the past. He said he felt this prevented the team from being able to perform at its full capabilities.

But as the Warriors fight to find a new contract for Green, there is a strong belief that all parties would be able to move forward and have both Green and Poole on the team next season.

"We plan on having [Poole] four more years at least," Dunleavy said.

If the Warriors do look externally to address their needs, their first crack at bringing in new personnel will be at Thursday's draft.

There is a question of if the Warriors would want to bring in another young player while they still try to figure out the development plans of Poole, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, in addition to 2022 draft picks Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Ryan Rollins.

But that's something Dunleavy said the team would take stock of after the draft. After that, the Warriors will look to free agency to retool the roster.

In addition to Green, Donte DiVincenzo has a $4.7 million player option he must either pick up or decline by June 28. JaMychal Green and Andre Iguodala are both unrestricted free agents, though Iguodala said last season would be his last.

Anthony Lamb and two-way players Ty Jerome and Lester Quinones are restricted free agents.

"I think a lot can be made of all the challenges that are coming our way, whether it be an aging roster, the new CBA with some of the limitations there, anything else you can bring up," Dunleavy said. "We're aware of all those things, but we also feel like we're in a great place because we've got a competitive owner willing to spend, a group that's tied in, has good synergy, good processes, good, sound decision-making. We feel confident we can navigate it."