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Star goalie Sergei Bobrovsky headlines NHL free agency after 2 Stanley Cup runs

NHL: Florida Panthers at Pittsburgh Penguins

Apr 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) looks on against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Alberti-Imagn Images

Mark Alberti-Imagn Images

The goaltender known as “Bob” is on the verge of changing places once more in his illustrious NHL career.

Sergei Bobrovsky is the most intriguing player available when free agency opens Wednesday after backstopping the Florida Panthers to Stanley Cup championships in 2024 and ‘25. Also a two-time Vezina Trophy winner as the league’s top goalie, Bobrovsky turns 38 just before next season begins and could be the final piece for a contender looking for help at the most important position in hockey.

Florida in two days traded for Akira Schmid from Vegas and Jacob Markstrom from New Jersey to fill its needs in the crease and pave the way for Bobrovsky’s exit. Bobrovsky is expected to have no shortage of suitors, with the Devils, reigning champion Carolina Hurricanes and the Edmonton Oilers — who lost to him and the Panthers in each final — all looking for help in net.

With the salary cap getting another record increase to $104 million per team, price tags will be high.

“There’s always the danger of July 1st where you make you make a mistake and you’re immediately regretting it in a year or so,” San Jose general manager Mike Grier said. “July 1 is always a tricky time for general managers and organizations, so this year even more so.”

The top free agents available:

Forwards

Teams looking for wingers have a variety of options at different ages.

Anders Lee heads to the market ahead of his 37th birthday later this week after spending more than a decade with the New York Islanders since making his debut in 2013. Three-time Cup champion Patrick Kane is also available after spending the past three years with Detroit.

Matias Maccelli was not tendered a qualifying offer by Toronto, so he is available ahead of turning 26 in October. Eeli Tolvanen is a free agent at 27.

Anthony Mantha is coming off setting career highs with 33 goals, 31 assists and 64 points with Pittsburgh at 31. Boone Jenner is 33, not likely to return to Columbus and could fit the bill for a contender that wants to add leadership and depth.

Defensemen

Rasmus Andersson could be in for a significant payday if Vegas is not able to work out a deal to bring him back. After the Golden Knights acquired him from Calgary in January, the 29-year-old Swede skated over 23 minutes a game on their run to the Cup final.

John Carlson is another right-handed shooter, and at 36 he brings title-winning experience from his 16-plus seasons in Washington. Carlson helped Anaheim reach the second round of the playoffs after the Capitals traded him to the Ducks. He is expected to seek a return to the East Coast — which may come with Carolina after the Hurricanes traded for his rights over the weekend.

Hard-hitting Jacob Trouba is a candidate to benefit from a fresh start free of the contract that played a role in the New York Rangers sending him to Anaheim in December 2024.

Like Mantha, Ryan Shea had a breakout season with the Penguins with 35 points and is line for a big raise from the $900,000 he had been making.

Goaltenders

Whoever loses out on the Bobrovsky sweepstakes will go shopping at a lower price range.

Stuart Skinner, who was on the losing end of those finals with the Oilers, is among the options and is in his late 20s. So is Daniil Tarasov, who was Bobrovsky’s backup last season in Florida.

The prospect of Winnipeg trading three-time Vezina winner and 2024-25 MVP Connor Hellebuyck could also shake up the market.

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Winnipeg's Kevin Cheveldayoff Becomes NHL's Longest-Tenured GM After Doug Armstrong Steps Down

With Doug Armstrong officially stepping down as general manager of the St. Louis Blues, the NHL's longest-tenured general manager title now belongs to Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, the only man who has ever held that role in the Jets' modern era.

Armstrong's time as Blues GM came to an end as of July 1, with former Blues forward Alexander Steen taking over as the club's new general manager. Armstrong will remain with the organization as president of hockey operations through 2029. 

His tenure in St. Louis was one of the most decorated in recent NHL history, highlighted by the Blues' first Stanley Cup championship in 2019, but his departure clears the way for a new era in St. Louis and reshuffles the hierarchy of the league's longest-serving front office executives in the process.

Cheveldayoff has led the Jets since June 8, 2011, when he was hired to build the hockey club that was relocating from Atlanta to Winnipeg ahead of the 2011-12 season. Fifteen years later, he remains the only general manager the Jets 2.0 era has ever known, a run of organizational continuity that is virtually unheard of in professional hockey.

The numbers over that stretch paint a picture of a franchise that has built itself into a consistent contender. Since taking over in the 2011-12 season, the Jets have compiled a 610-438-111 regular season record, good for the 11th-best mark in the NHL over that span and tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for tenth-best team defence with a 2.80 goals-against average per game. 

Offensively, the Jets have ranked 13th in the league during that stretch with a 2.96 goals per game average, figures that reflect a franchise that has prioritized defensive structure while gradually building out its offensive depth.

Much of that success traces back to Cheveldayoff's ability to identify and develop elite talent through the draft. He drafted Mark Scheifele, Adam Lowry, Jacob Trouba, Connor Hellebuyck, Nikolaj Ehlers, Josh Morrissey, Kyle Connor and Dylan Samberg, and oversaw their development into key pieces of the franchise's core.

What separates Cheveldayoff's tenure from many of his contemporaries, however, is not just the ability to find that talent but the capacity to build a culture and an environment that convinced those players to stay. Scheifele, Hellebuyck, Morrissey and Connor have all committed to long-term futures in Winnipeg, a feat that is particularly notable given the market challenges that come with playing in a smaller Canadian city.

The Jets advanced to the Western Conference Final for the first time in franchise history in 2018 and won the Presidents trophy in the 2024-25 season with a 56-win campaign. That sustained competitiveness has allowed the Jets to make the playoffs in seven of the last nine seasons, cementing their standing as one of the league's perennial contenders rather than a boom-and-bust franchise.

With Armstrong's departure, Cheveldayoff is now the NHL's longest-tenured general manager, a milestone that speaks to both his track record and the trust True North Sports and Entertainment has placed in him over a decade and a half of building the franchise from the ground up. 

Whether his next chapter brings the one prize that has so far eluded him and the Jets, a Stanley Cup, will be the defining question of an already remarkable run at the helm of one of the NHL's most loyally supported franchises.

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Former Sharks Prospect Daniil Gushchin Set to Become UFA

There were a number of former San Jose Sharks who didn’t receive a qualifying offer from their new teams ahead of Monday’s deadline. The last name to trickle through the pipeline was former Sharks prospect Daniil Gushchin who was traded to the Colorado Avalanche last summer. 

Gushchin was unable to crack the Avalanche’s roster and spent another season at the American Hockey League level, this time with the Colorado Eagles. In 49 games with the Eagles, the Russian winger scored 18 goals, a career-low, and 32 points. He also failed to record a point in three playoff games.

As free agency approaches, the Avalanche opted not to retain his rights by not tendering Gushchin a qualifying offer. As a result, the 24-year-old forward will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. 

Despite being undersized and having a poor season in Colorado, Gushchin does have the potential to provide depth scoring at the NHL level if he can find a way to get back on track. With that being said, it’s far from a guarantee that he reaches that potential.

Heading into the summer, it’ll be interesting to see if Gushchin can find a new team to give him an opportunity in North America or if he opts to head back to his native Russia.

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Former Sharks Forward Re-Signs in Philadelphia

Former San Jose Sharks forward Carl Grundstrom will be staying with the Philadelphia Flyers organization for the 2026-27 season.

On Tuesday morning, insider Darren Dreger reported that Grundstrom had signed a one-year contract extension with the Flyers worth $1 million, just a single day before Grundstrom hit the open market.

Grundstrom, who spent just one season with the Sharks before being traded to the Flyers, spent the majority of the 2025-26 season in the NHL, but also had some stints in the American Hockey League as well.

The 28-year-old winger appeared in 47 games for the Flyers last season, scoring nine goals and tallying a total of 13 points. At the AHL level, he scored six goals and 15 points in 19 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. 

With the Flyers looking to establish themselves as a perennial playoff team in a very difficult Metropolitan Division, Grundstrom will be able to provide valuable depth as the season goes on.

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Who are the top NHL unrestricted free agents as free agency opens July 1?

Sergei Bobrovsky helped the Florida Panthers win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles before the team missed the playoffs last season. The goalie had one of the worst seasons of his career as the Panthers dealt with major injuries.

Now, he's heading to free agency. Bobrovsky, 37, reportedly had been seeking more years than the Panthers wanted to give him, so Florida traded for Jacob Markstrom on Tuesday, June 30, a day after acquiring goalie Akira Schmid.

Bobrovsky is the top goalie available in a once-spectacular crop of free agents that has been whittled down with extensions signed by Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, Jack Eichel, Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe, Kyle Connor, Evgeni Malkin, Darren Raddysh and Alex Tuch.

Here are the top 10 NHL free agents as of 4 p.m. ET on June 30:

More: NHL trades live updates: Panthers acquire Jacob Markstrom and other deals

When does NHL free agency start?

NHL free agency will open at noon ET on Wednesday, July 1.

Who are the top NHL unrestricted free agents?

10. Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes

The goalie got the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup Final before an injury kept him out for the final three games of Carolina's run. Current cap hit: $2.75 million.

9. Patrick Kane, Detroit Red Wings

The 2007 No. 1 pick became the top U.S.-born scorer in 2025-26. He has topped 50 points the last two seasons. Current cap hit: $3 million.

8. Anders Lee, New York Islanders

He had been the Islanders' captain since 2018 and is usually good for 20-plus goals, though he had 19 in 2025-26. Current cap hit: $7 million.

7. Mason Marchment, Columbus Blue Jackets

He struggled with the Seattle Kraken after an offseason trade, but his trade to Columbus revived his season with 32 points in 39 games. He's also an agitator. Current cap hit: $4.5 million.

6. Anthony Mantha, Pittsburgh Penguins

He's the third-highest-scoring player on the free agent list with 64 points after he signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh. Will a general manager be tempted to think he can do that again, or only look at his subpar production before that? Current cap hit: $2.5 million.

5. Viktor Arvidsson, Boston Bruins

The forward bounced back from a couple subpar seasons and had 25 goals and 54 points after being traded to Boston. Current cap hit: $4 million.

4. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

The NHL's all-time leading goal scorer is expected to either re-sign with the Capitals or retire. Otherwise, he would lead this list. He scored 32 goals at age 40. Current cap hit: $9.5 million.

3. Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers

The goalie won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles and owns two Vezina Trophies. He'll be 38 next season. Current cap hit: $10 million.

2. Rasmus Andersson, Vegas Golden Knights

The defenseman was traded to the Golden Knights this past season by the Flames. He can provide offense with one 50-point season and others topping 40 points, including 47 points in 2025-26. He had an average playoffs. Current cap hit: $4.55 million.

1. John Carlson, Anaheim Ducks

Carlson totaled 60 points in 71 games between the Capitals and the Ducks after his shocking trade. The Hurricanes acquired his rights and the ability to negotiate with him early.  Current cap hit: $8 million.

Others to watch: Mats Zuccarello, Vladimir Tarasenko, Boone Jenner, Daniil Tarasov, Jacob Trouba

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who are the top NHL unrestricted free agents as free agency opens July 1?

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NFL teams shoot their shot with free agent LeBron James after Lakers exit

LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers and will instantly become the top available player in NBA free agency.

James will have no shortage of interest as he prepares to change teams for the first time since he initially signed with the Lakers in 2018.

And that will include suitors from outside of the NBA, as a couple of NFL teams proved with social media posts following news of James' imminent departure.

LEBRON JAMES LANDING SPOTS: Where legend could play after Lakers exit

The Jacksonville Jaguars wasted little time throwing their hat into the mix for James. Their social media team posted a meme suggesting their interest in the 22-time All-Star less than two hours after ESPN's Shams Charania first reported that James was leaving the Lakers.

Shortly thereafter, the Green Bay Packers posted a Photoshop edit of James wearing a Packers uniform on their social media accounts.

"Heard he's a free agent," Green Bay's post read.

Of course, the Jaguars and Packers were merely joking, as each knows James, 41, won't be switching sports at this point in his storied career.

That said, their posts provide a reminder that James was once considered a potential football star. James was an All-State receiver during his sophomore and junior seasons at St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School before switching his focus to basketball full-time.

James flirted with the idea of playing football at times, even after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Notably, he received offers to work out for the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks during the 2011 NFL lockout, as he told The Athletic in 2021.

"I always think about it," James said regarding a potential career in football.

James – who was 26 at the time of the lockout – also opined he would have made either team had he gone through with the tryouts, which he ultimately decided against.

"I would have tried out, but I would have made the team," James said. "One thing about it, I don't mind working for something, so if I would have had to try out for the Cowboys or the Seahawks, or if I'd have stayed home and went back home to Cleveland, I'd have tried (out), but I would have made the team. I just know what I'm capable of doing on the football field. Especially at that age."

James' potential as a football star will remain a great "what if," but there's little doubt he made the right decision playing in the NBA

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL teams shoot their shot with free agent LeBron James after Lakers exit

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Blues To Buy Out Drouin If Unclaimed On Waivers

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues will buy out Jonathan Drouin's contract if the forward goes unclaimed on waivers.

Drouin, 31, has one year remaining on his contract with a $4 million cap hit after being acquired from the New York Islanders on March 6 as part of the Brayden Schenn trade.

With Alexander Steen set to officially take over as Blues general manager on Wednesday after the Blues introduced the 42-year-old at a press conference on Tuesday, it will go down as the first buyout by the Blues since before Doug Armstrong took over as GM in 2010.

“Obviously a tough decision. We waited a lot,” Steen said. “I think ‘Dru’ is a very defined player and at the end of the day, we didn’t feel like we were going to provide him with a position to excel, so we landed at that decision.”

The Blues will but themselves some cap space, and under the current structure in the CBA, are responsible to pay 2/3 of Drouin's remaining salary.

If Drouin, who had a goal and two assists in nine games in St. Louis, goes unclaimed, the Blues will owe him $1,333,333 million over the next two seasons.

Asked whether this was to give more of a defined role to someone like Otto Stenberg, a first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Steen said, " What our management group is really high on is internal competition, so we’ll be looking at everything. We’re happy with where our team’s positioned right now, but that would be something that we’d explore if it presented itself to us. This is going to be a highly-competitive camp."

Blues Qualify McMichael, Place Drouin On Waivers, Don't Issue QO's To Berggren, KesselBlues Qualify McMichael, Place Drouin On Waivers, Don't Issue QO's To Berggren, KesselDeadline to qualify restricted free agents was 4 p.m. (CT) Monday; players can become UFAs on Wednesday
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LeBron James exits Lakers as Buss, Magic praise his legacy

As LeBron James departs the Los Angeles Lakers, two of the franchise's key figures – Jeanie Buss and Magic Johnson – shared their thoughts on the impact he's had the club.

“LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history,’’ wrote Buss, the team’s governor and controlling executive. “We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers – including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold. We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off. He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family.’’

Magic Johnson also had a key role in the Lakers signing LeBron James in 2018.

"I want to thank LeBron James and his super agent Rich Paul for taking a meeting with me back in 2018 when I was President of the Lakers and deciding to sign with us,'' Johnson wrote. " He created a whole new era for the Lakers, including leading us to an NBA Championship in 2020 and all the milestones he surpassed in a Lakers jersey. I’ll always love and be grateful for him and wish him all the best in the next phase of his life, on and off the court!"

LeBron leaves Lakers: LeBron James breaks silence on leaving Lakers, 'Hope I made a few proud'

The Lakers had failed to make the playoffs for five straight seasons before James arrived. The Lakers ended that drought in James’ second season with the team and reached the postseason in seven of his last seasons with the Lakers.

Luka Doncic, who joined the Lakers midway through the 2024-25 season, posted a photo of himself and James hugging with the caption: “An honor to play with and learn from you @kingjames.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James exits Lakers as Buss, Magic praise his legacy

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Report: Maple Leafs Adding Patrick Kane In Free Agency Seems Unlikely

There has been plenty of talk and noise regarding right winger Patrick Kane and the Toronto Maple Leafs as a potential destination for him this off-season. Those discussions were kick-started when 2026 first overall pick Gavin McKenna revealed that Kane had messaged him after being drafted and that he was his hockey idol growing up.

However, Chris Johnston on TSN's early version of Insider Trading reported that it seems unlikely that the Maple Leafs and Kane would become a marriage this summer.

"It doesn't seem to be like that's actually something that's likely to materialize," Johnston reported on Tuesday. "I'm not sure that's a good fit as some people have said."

Along with that report, Johnston added that there should be multiple teams lining up for Kane's services, possibly including his hometown Buffalo Sabres or even a return to the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Nonetheless, though Kane seems interested in testing out what the free-agent market looks like in his favor, Johnston doesn't believe the Maple Leafs will be among the front-runners to land the three-time Stanley Cup champion.

How Patrick Kane Would Fit With The Maple Leafs If Acquired In Free AgencyHow Patrick Kane Would Fit With The Maple Leafs If Acquired In Free AgencyToronto Maple Leafs first overall pick Gavin McKenna revealed that Patrick Kane is one of his hockey idols. With that, the thought of Toronto pursuing Kane in free agency has surfaced. How would Kane fit in with the Maple Leafs?

Though Kane is 37 years old, he's proven to still be an offensive threat and a respectable point-producer in the NHL. In his past three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, he recorded great numbers considering where he is in his career and the major hip resurfacing surgery he went through in the summer of 2023.

This past year, Kane registered 16 goals and 57 points in 67 appearances for Detroit, while averaging 17:42 of ice time. He finished the year as the fifth-best scorer on his team.

Also, he showed no signs of slowing down at the end of the 2025-26 season. In fact, after the Olympic break, Kane posted eight goals and 25 points in his last 24 games of the year, averaging over a point per game. He was the second-highest scorer on the team in that span, only behind Alex DeBrincat's 11 goals and 28 points.

The 2015-16 Hart Trophy winner is coming off three straight one-year contracts, with his latest deal costing just $3 million against the salary cap.

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LeBron James next team odds 2026: Will LBJ join Stephen Curry, Draymond Green on Warriors? Reunion with Heat?

Let's begin with the obvious and recurring theme of every summer: The NBA offseason never disappoints.

The official word has come down from the camp of King James; LeBron will be continuing his basketball career somewhere other than the City of Angels…but where? Let's run through a few of the candidates and the odds courtesy of DraftKings. We are not considering salary caps or James' salary demands. Those issues quickly become non-issues once an NBA star's intentions become known.

LeBron James Next Team: Long Shots

Heat (+1000)

As desperate as Pat Riley may be to win another championship, it's a safe assumption LeBron's departure from South Beach burned a bridge that has yet to be repaired.

Mavericks (+3000)

A second act featuring LeBron and Kyrie is appetizing only because it worked once…a long time ago. Frankly, though, it feels like it would be way too much to put on first-year Head Coach Dusty May and even more importantly would set back the maturation of the cornerstone of this franchise's future, Cooper Flagg. Hard Pass.

Knicks (+3000)

There was a time not long ago that Knicks’ fans were begging LeBron to call Madison Square Garden home, but those days are ancient history now that Jalen Brunson has brought the Big Apple its first NBA Title since 1973.

Nets (+4000)

Rumors that Jaylen Brown winds up in Brooklyn. Believable. LeBron James to a team that is currently irrelevant in terms of winning a championship? Not a chance.

76ers (+5000)

Lebron James has played in 201 regular season games over the last three seasons. Joel Embiid has played in 96. Doubtful they could co-exist in the same locker room.

Clippers (+5000)

I like those odds better than the Nets but no way he goes from ShowTime to the other team in town. Just not his way.

LeBron James Next Team: Favorites

Cavaliers (+300)

Would be too good to have the King end his historic run with another championship in his hometown. Can that relationship work again, though? Like many a family, there were ups and downs during the first two marriages. Ohio is holding out hope the leaders in the clubhouse can’t find a way to put all the pieces together.

Warriors (-500)

A dream come true for Adam Silver, NBC, and all broadcasting partners of the Association. The rumor gaining traction by the moment has LeBron and Anthony Davis joining Draymond and Steph Curry for what would appear to be a final run. Yes, there will be aches and sore joints that will accompany what surely will be one of the oldest starting 5’s in the history of the NBA, but a tremendous opportunity for Advil, Motrin, Icy Hot or all of the above to tie their brand to what will be must watch TV all season.

The NBA offseason never disappoints.

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Kawhi Leonard trade grades for Raptors, Clippers blockbuster that returns legend to Toronto

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 19: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors against the Orlando Magic during Game Three of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at the Amway Center on April 19, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. The Raptors defeated the Magic 98 to 93. 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 Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Kawhi Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to one of the most improbable championships in NBA history back in 2019 during his only season with the franchise. Leonard would leave for the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency weeks later, and ever since both parties have failed to recoup the same level of success they enjoyed together.

The idea of Leonard returning to Toronto felt like it was never going to happen, but things can change fast in the NBA. Six years after they teamed up on an unforgettable run to the Larry O’Brien Trophy, Kawhi and Raptors are together again.

Toronto acquired Leonard from the Clippers in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one pick swap, and two second-round picks, according to Shams Charania. We’ll update this post when the exact details on the picks are announced.

The Raptors believe they can compete to win the East again with Leonard in tow. The Clippers are rebuilding. Let’s grade this trade for both sides.

Raptors grade for Kawhi Leonard deal

Toronto returned to the playoffs last year after three years in the wilderness, and pushing an eventual conference finalist in the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first-round. The Raptors mostly did it with defense, riding a top-5 unit to 46 wins while the offense was league-average. If Toronto wanted to improve this year, they had to boost the offense without sacrificing the defense, and they did exactly that by landing Leonard.

Kawhi immediately fixes a lot of Toronto’s biggest issues if he can stay healthy. He gives them half-court shot creation, three-point shooting, and another ferocious wing defender who can roam off the ball as his younger teammates take on tougher assignments. Leonard quietly had one of the best years of his career at 34 years old last season, putting up a career-best 43.3 points per 100 possessions while also rebounding the ball as well as ever. He graded out as the fifth-best player in the league last season by EPM, and finished even better than that in a lot of other all-in-one advanced metrics.

You don’t need a fancy algorithm to tell you Kawhi is really good at basketball when he’s on the floor. He’s a super efficient scorer from all three levels who doesn’t turn the ball over, rebounds well, and can still be a terror defensively. It’s pretty amazing that Toronto was able to land him without really giving up much value.

Ingram had a nice year last season, but he was absolutely not on a team-friendly contract with $82 million owed to him over the next two seasons. Dick has mostly been a bust. This is all about Toronto giving up two future first-round picks and a pick swap. You can argue the Raptors are mortgaging their future to chase a championship right now with Kawhi, but he’s worth it as long as he can stay on the floor. It’s wild that the Raptors gave up more draft capital to get Kawhi in 2026 than they did in 2018.

The only risk here for the Raptors comes with Kawhi’s looming contract extension. He’s 35, and obviously he has a long history of not being healthy before this past season. Judging this move in a vacuum, though, it’s a home run for Toronto. I don’t know why other possible contenders didn’t get in on the bidding.

Raptors grade: B+

Clippers grade for Kawhi Leonard deal

It’s understandable that the Clippers didn’t want to give Kawhi a contract extension, and that made trading him an easy choice. His value was never going to get higher than it is right now after a terrific season. I’m just not sure the Clippers got the best deal they could have.

The bidding for Kawhi seemed like it was a bit depressed because he indicated he was only willing to sign an extension with the Raptors or San Antonio Spurs. My response to that: who cares! Leonard is so good that other contenders should have been trying to trade for him. We’ve already seen him lead a championship run as a rental, and it might actually be a good thing for another team that he won’t take a contract extension right now if his body breaks down again. I think Denver, Boston, Detroit, Philly, and more should have gotten in on the bidding. The Raptors’ offer wasn’t that strong.

My guess is the Clippers flip Ingram either at the trade deadline or next summer as an expiring contract. The two first-round picks are the real prize here, and the Clippers did well to also get a future pick swap.

The Clippers’ future rests on the shoulders of No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler, with Darius Garland as a sub-headliner, and now they have more future assets to continue to build around them. LA has a lot of work to do, but getting out of the Kawhi business is a smart move because they couldn’t compete for a title with him. They did well in this trade for an expiring contract.

Clippers grade: A

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Canucks Sign Guillaume Brisebois To One-Year Contract Extension

The Vancouver Canucks have signed veteran defenceman Guillaume Brisebois to a one-year, two-way contract extension. 

A third-round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Brisebois has been with the Canucks' AHL-affiliate since the 2017-18 season, playing for both the Utica Comets (2017-18 to 2020-21) and Abbotsford Canucks (2021-22 to present). He is one of only three players drafted by the Canucks before 2016 still with the organization. 

Brisebois has served predominantly as a depth defender for the Canucks organization throughout his time with Vancouver. He made his NHL debut on February 14, 2019 against the Los Angeles Kings and scored his first-career NHL goal on March 14, 2023 versus the Dallas Stars. 

Though he spent most of the 2025-26 season injured, Brisebois did end up skating in nine games for Abbotsford, scoring a goal and an assists during this span of time. 

Brisebois was set to become a free-agent come July 1. 

Jan 3, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Guillaume Brisebois (55) handles the puck against the Nashville Predators in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Jan 3, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Guillaume Brisebois (55) handles the puck against the Nashville Predators in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

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Clippers trade Kawhi Leonard back to Raptors in franchise-shifting deal

All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard is on the move.

The Los Angeles Clippers traded the 14-year veteran to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one pick swap and two second-round picks ahead of the start to NBA free agency, according to multiple reports on Tuesday, June 30.

Leonard, 35, had expressed a desire to stay with the Clippers, with whom he first signed with as a free agent before the 2019-20 NBA season. However, the Clippers had been reluctant to make a long-term commitment to the seven-time All-Star.

Leonard averaged a career-high 27.4 points per game last season and finished seventh in the NBA MVP voting. However, the Clippers finished with a 42-40 record and lost to the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament.

Kawhi Leonard trade details

  • Raptors receive: Kawhi Leonard
  • Clippers receive: Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one pick swap and two second-round picks

Kawhi Leonard age

Kawhi Leonard turned 35 years old on June 29, 2026.

Kawhi Leonard contract

Leonard has one season left on his contract, which is scheduled to pay him $50.3 million.

The trade immediately makes him eligible to sign up to a two-year, $123.7 million extension with his new team, according to ESPN.

Kawhi Leonard's history with Raptors

This move reunites Leonard with the Raptors. Leonard played just one season in Toronto, but it was a memorable one.

After spending the first seven seasons of his pro career and winning a championship in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs, Leonard was traded to the Raptors in 2018. He led the team on a historic run to the franchise's first-ever NBA title, defeating the Warriors in six games in 2019.

Leonard was named the NBA Finals MVP for the second time in his career but left at the end of the season to sign with the Clippers.

What teams has Kawhi Leonard been on?

Kawhi Leonard has played for three teams during his 15-year NBA career. He played seven seasons with the San Antonio Spurs to start his career and then spent the 2018-19 season with the Toronto Raptors. He has played for the Los Angeles Clippers since the 2019-20 season.

Kawhi Leonard stats

Leonard averaged a career-best 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists with the Clippers during the 2025-26 season.

Kawhi Leonard Aspiration scandal

Though Leonard is leaving the Clippers, his legacy will remain behind in the form of the NBA's pending investigation into the franchise's conduct related to an endorsement deal Leonard signed after joining the Clippers. Leonard and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer have reportedly been interviewed as part of the investigation.

Leonard is alleged to have sign a no-show endorsement deal with Aspiration, a company that sponsored the Clippers, as a way to circumvent the NBA's salary cap and collective bargaining agreement. Though Ballmer has admitted to introducing Leonard to Aspiration's leaders, the Clippers have denied any allegations of illegal behavior concerning the NBA's CBA.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said at the NBA Finals that the league is close to wrapping up its investigation into the matter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clippers trade Kawhi Leonard back to Raptors in franchise-shifting deal

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Dallas Mavericks Exercise Ryan Nembhard’s Team Option

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 12: Ryan Nembhard #9 of the Dallas Mavericks walks backcourt during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at American Airlines Center on April 12, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks will exercise point guard Ryan Nembhard’s $2.2 million team option for the 2026-27 season, according to Marc Stein.

In his rookie season, he averaged 6.6 points on a shooting split of 41.5 field goal percentage/35.6 three-point percentage/80.6 free throw percentage, 5.3 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 19.5 minutes across 60 appearances. Nembhard set an NBA rookie record with 23 assists in Dallas’ 2025-26 season finale against the Chicago Bulls.

The floor leader will play for the Mavericks during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada, starting on July 9 against forward Graham Ike and the Golden State Warriors.

That wasn’t the only recent news regarding the Nembhard family. Both Ryan and Indiana Pacers combo guard Andrew Nembhard, plus Italy’s Reyer Venezia forward Kyle Witjer, were named to the Canadian Senior Men’s National Team’s 16-man training camp roster before the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

Canada will host Puerto Rico on July 3 and Jamaica on Jul 6 at the TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario.

At the conclusion of this third qualifying window for Canada, Ryan will then make his way to Sin City to join the Dallas organization.

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho