PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 29: Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on November 29, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Nuggets defeated the Suns 130-112. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cavaliers fans and fans across the country.
It’s time for another poll. Today we want to know whether Fear the Sword readers prefer Jonathan Kuminga or Peyton Watson as trade targets for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Please make an account and go to our feed posts to vote.
Both Kuminga and Watson have been linked to the Cavs this summer. Cleveland is reportedly showing interest in the two 23-year-old wings as they would fill a glaring hole on the roster.
The Cavs are searching for a way to recoup some of their wing depth after losing Dean Wade to the Philadelphia 76ers this summer. They also lost Keon Ellis to the Brooklyn Nets. This leaves Cleveland with few options to play the wing.
Mario Hezonja is a worthy but unproven fit at small forward.
Hence, the need for a trade.
The assets required to get either Kuminga or Watson are similar. The Cavs would need to sign-and-trade in both scenarios, likely meaning Max Strus or Dennis Schroder are involved. The Denver Nuggets reportedly want at least one first-round pick attached for Watson — raising the price compared to Atlanta.
Watson is a more complete player who translates to winning basketball. Cleveland could plug-and-play Watson as a 3-and-D forward with little to no issues.
Kuminga isn’t as straightforward. He comes with more raw potential, but isn’t as polished or consistent as Watson. Though his upside as an on-ball creator feels higher at this stage of his career. It’s unclear if Kuminga can ever reach that potential, however.
It might be splitting hairs to determine which player is a better fit in Cleveland. That’s why we wanted to hear your opinion. Vote in our poll and leave a comment explaining your decision. We’ll react to the results later this week in a follow-up story.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 8: New York Knicks logo on the court before the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 8, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Jim Poorten/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The New York Knicks will enter their championship defense without one of the executives who helped build their title-winning roster we all came to enjoy and love.
Knicks senior vice president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas is leaving the organization after four seasons in New York.
Rosas announced his departure through an Instagram post celebrating New York’s first NBA championship in 53 years and describing his work with the franchise as complete.
“Celebrating an NBA Championship and the successful completion of our New York chapter with FAMILIA,” Rosas wrote. “Fulfilling the vision of bringing a championship back to New York after 53 years is a legacy I’ll always be proud to have helped build.”
Rosas also reflected on helping create a roster that connected with New York and the Knicks fanbase.
“Being part of assembling a team that represented the city, connected with its fans, and brought people together was one of the most meaningful and cherished parts of this journey,” Rosas wrote.
The 48-year-old thanked the organization while acknowledging the difficulties involved in completing the Knicks’ long-term, title-winning plan.
“All love to my Knicks family,” Rosas wrote. “The peaks and valleys, the sacrifices, and our relentless commitment to making this plan a reality made the achievement even sweeter. Grateful for every moment of this legendary milestone.”
The Knicks initially hired Rosas as a senior basketball consultant in February 2022. He was promoted to senior vice president in September 2023 and worked alongside team president Leon Rose and senior adviser William Wesley.
Given his role as Senior VP and being the closest thing to a general manager — the Knicks don’t have a GM proper — in New York alongside Rose, Rosas had a major impact in the Knicks’ draft process (both choosing players and dealing them, as well as draft picks) for much of his tenure in Manhattan. No, the Knicks have not drafted a superstar nor a hidden gem buried late in a second round, but they convinced Pacome Dadiet to sign for less money than usual to then facilitate the KAT trade, traded for Tyler Kolek, Ariel Hukporti, and Kevin McCullar, Mo Diawara on draft night, and lastly picked Tyler Nickel and Jack Kayil after a flurry of moves in this year’s draft.
While Rose deserves his flowers and then some, Rosas was also a key figure in some of the most impactful transactions the Knicks pulled off (and did not) during the last few seasons.
All the way back in 2022, in a whiff some folks saw as yet another failure by the Knicks, Rosas couldn’t complete a trade for then-Jazz franchise player Donovan Mitchell. A few years later, and thanks at least partially to not landing DoMi and retaining some of the assets that would have gone the other way, Rosas was the man behind the Karl-Anthony Towns trade. Marc Stein reported Rosas was the leading executive pushing the rest of the Knicks brass to attempt a trade for the then-Wolves star.
“Mission accomplished. On to the next chapter. Knicks in 5. Kings of New York. It Is Written,” Rosas finished.
In this week’s Injury Report, James Wood exits Monday’s contest with an apparent oblique issue. The Rays add reinforcements after Shane McClanahan landed on the injured list with a back injury. And Kyle Harrison is set to return this week following a successful rehab appearance. All that and more as we cover the latest relevant injury news around the league.
⚾️ Baseball is back! MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.
James Wood (side)
Wood was replaced in the field in the eighth inning of Monday’s contest against the Phillies with an oblique issue following a swing in the sixth inning. Nationals manager Blake Butera said after the game that Wood would undergo an MRI on his left side. The fear here is an oblique injury that could lead to a multi-week absence. Fantasy managers will want to keep an eye out for an update on Tuesday. The 23-year-old outfielder has been one of the most productive hitters in the game, slashing .265/.393/.535 with 30 homers, 100 runs scored, 73 RBI, and 17 steals across 535 plate appearances.
McClanahan was removed three innings into his start against the Rangers last Thursday with lower back tightness. The Rays placed him on the 15-day injured list with mid-back tightness the following day. President of baseball operations Erik Neander called the injury “pretty minor” with hopes that he’ll miss just a couple of starts. It makes sense for the Rays to take a cautious approach as they sit at the top of the AL East standings, especially after acquiring Freddy Peralta from the Mets. McClanahan has pitched well in his first season back since 2023, posting a 3.09 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 91 strikeouts over 99 innings.
Matt Chapman (abdomen)
Casey Schmitt (knee)
Chapman appeared to be getting close to a return from an abdomen injury that’s kept him sidelined since early July. He apparently still has trouble running and underwent an MRI on Monday after meeting with team doctors. We should know more in the coming days. Meanwhile, Schmitt’s season is likely over after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The 27-year-old infielder had enjoyed a breakout campaign before the injury, slashing .271/.301/.483 with 21 homers over 409 plate appearances.
Kyle Harrison (forearm)
Harrison made a rehab start with High-A Wisconsin on Thursday and tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings on 68 pitches. He allowed one hit, walked three, and struck out five. The 24-year-old left-hander came out of it feeling good, passing his final hurdle before he’s activated from the injured list. Out since July 11 with left forearm tightness, he’ll end his absence this week with a return against the Pirates on Wednesday or Thursday. With Harrison returning and Dustin May joining the team in a trade with the Cardinals, Milwaukee could deploy a six-man rotation to keep starters fresh for a playoff run.
Brendan Donovan (groin)
Donovan has wrapped up a minor league rehab assignment and is set to be activated from the injured list on Tuesday for Seattle’s series opener against the Tigers. The 29-year-old infielder has been sidelined since mid-May with a groin injury. He’s been limited to just 25 games, hitting .274/.386/.452 with three homers over 101 plate appearances.
Dalton Rushing (arm)
Rushing was scratched from Sunday’s lineup against the Red Sox with an arm injury that the team deemed minor at the time. But Rushing was also out of Monday’s lineup against the Cubs while the Dodgers added catching depth with Ben Rortvedt at the trade deadline. Shortly after, Rushing was placed on the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Meanwhile, Will Smith is still likely a couple of weeks away from returning after resuming baseball activities just last week. Smith has been sidelined since early June with a neck injury.
Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow)
Fantasy managers can probably give up any hope of Schwellenbach making an impact this season. The 26-year-old right-hander said on Friday that he remains optimistic that he’ll make his season debut in September. He has a couple of bullpen sessions left before he advances to facing hitters. At that rate, he’d likely be cleared for a rehab assignment in mid-to-late August and would likely require at least a few starts before joining the Braves. Schwellenbach hasn’t pitched in the majors since June 28, 2025, dealing with elbow issues.
Blake Snell (elbow)
Tyler Glasnow (back)
Snell made his third rehab start last Wednesday with Low-A Ontario, striking out nine over four scoreless innings. He’s set to make one final rehab start on Tuesday, aiming to throw 75 pitches in a final tune-up before joining the Dodgers rotation. The 33-year-old left-hander made one start this season for Los Angeles before undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow in May. He’ll join a Dodgers rotation that just added Tarik Skubal as the team loads up for another deep playoff run. And Glasnow isn’t too far behind Snell. He’s set to make his first rehab start with Low-A Ontario on Tuesday after completing a pair of live batting practice sessions. The 32-year-old right-hander has been sidelined since May 6 with back issues. He’ll likely need a few outings before a potential return later in August.
Nick Lodolo (blister)
Lodolo landed on the injured list before the All-Star break as his blister issues on his left index finger resurfaced. After throwing a bullpen session last week, he’s ready to start a minor league rehab assignment. The 28-year-old left-hander is aiming to throw 60 to 65 pitches in a start with Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday. Even when available, Lodolo hasn’t been nearly as effective this season, posting a 4.60 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts over 62 2/3 innings.
Jul 21, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Some quick grades for the Jays deadline day deals.
Kevin Gausman to the Cubs for Ty Southisene and Brett Bateman
Gausman’s having the poorest season of his five with the Jays, but still has a 102 ERA+, so he’s still a useful pitcher. And he could step it up in a pennant race. The Jays didn’t send any money along with Kevin.
Southisene was listed as the Cubs #10 prospect by Baseball America. He’s 21, and has played most of this season in High-A ball. hitting .326/.451/.372. I do like guys who get on half the time. But he has no power and I think pitchers will throw him more strikes as he moves up the ladder. He can play short or second. Could end up a utility players. Has some speed.
Bateman is #21 on MLB Pipeline’s list of Cub prospects. He’s a lefty bat, hitting .312/.430/.421 with 20 steals in Triple-A. Could be a lefty hitting Myles Straw-type. I’d imagine we’ll see him in Toronto before the end of the season.
Quick Grade: C. Not an overwhelming return for Gausman, but I don’t know that you could have hoped for much more.
Arjun Nimmala, Eddie Macheletti, and Angel Rivero to Angels for José Soriano
In the middle of all this selling, the Jays became buyers.
Soriano won’t be a free agent until 2029. He’s been a good pitcher for the Angels, with a 3.29 ERA and a 2.7 bWAR this year in 22 starts. Career, he has a 7.0 bWAR in 113 games 73 starts. He, Cease and Yesavage could be a very good threesome at the top of our rotation.
Nimmala is a very good prospect. I hate losing him, but you have to give up something to get a starter like Soriano.
Quick Grade: B. Depends on what Nimmala becomes.
Adam Macko to Rangers for Josh Smith and Josh Stephan
Macko has been on the highway from Toronto to Buffalo a lot. He’s been perfectly ok. Macko is out of options after this year.
Smith has had five years in the MLB. He’s played every position other than catcher and pitcher. In 2024 he had a 3.5 bWAR and in 2025 a 2.9 bWAR. This year hasn’t been as good, -0.6. He’s hitting .213/.299/.272. And he’s, more or less, major league average defensively where ever he’s played. We do seem to like utility infielders. If he can be the player he was the last couple of years, he would be useful. If not, he can’t be optioned.
Stephan is a 24-year-old RHP. He has a 5.44 ERA in Triple-A this year. He gets ground balls. He could have Macko’s job of bouncing between Buffalo and Toronto if all goes well.
Quick Grade: C. Macko’s value was that he had options, that changes next year. Smith either remembers how to hit or spends a lot of time in Buffalo.
Daulton Varsho to Astros for Spencer Arrighetti
Varsho was having a terrible season for the Jays. The team is sending some money to Houston as well. He’s a free agent at the end of the season.
Spencer Arrighetti is 27, a right-handed pitcher, who can’t be a free agent until 2030 and he still has an option year left. He was a sixth round pick in the 2021 draft. He’s in his third season in the majors. This year he has a 4.60 ERA in 17 starts. In 88 innings, he’s got 87 strikeouts, but 50 walks. Batters are hitting .215/.344/.360 against him. If Pete Walker can work a little magic and bring his walk rate down, he could be a decent back of the rotation starter. As we’ve seen this year, you can never have too much pitching.
Quick Grade: A. Turning two months of Varsho into a starting pitcher with three-years of control left is pretty good. If Walker can help him find the strike zone more, it would be a great trade.
Jeff Hoffman to the Twins for Dasan Hill, John Klein and Dameury Pena
Hoffman was not a fan favourite, had a very rough time as our closer, but was excellent since moving into the setup roles. It’s entirely possible that he will be great for the Twins. He is signed through next season.
The Twins pick up their second Jays reliever in a month, after getting Tommy Nance. They give up:
Hill, who Baseball America had as their #8 Twins prospect is a left-handed pitcher. He was their Competitive Balance pick in 2024 (the 69th overall pick). He walks too many, but struck out 35% of batters this year. If he can’t cut down the walk rate, well he could be a back of the pen reliever. If he does cut back, he could be a very good starting pitcher.
Klein is 24, a RHP. He’s has pitched 4.1 innings in the majors this year. In Triple-A, he has a 5.91 ERA this year, with 74 strikeouts in 64 innings (also 34 walks and 14 home runs). He looks like a middle reliever type. Hopefully, Pete can work a bit of magic with him.
Pena turns 21 September first. He’s playing mostly second base in A ball but sounds unlikely to stay in the middle infield. He’s hitting .300/.373/.362. Lots of walk, not many strikeouts, but not enough power to make it as an outfielder. Some speed, but seems a long shot to have a major league career.
Quick Grade: A. Honestly, getting Hill for Hoffman would be an A for me, if Klein can be a semi useful reliever that’s gravy.
Overall Quick Grade: B.
Of course, if Soriano pitches great and the Jays make run at a Wild Card spot, I’ll edit this to a A.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 03: Tim Tawa #13 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates with Ketel Marte #4 after hitting a three run home run against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning at Chase Field on August 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Record: 60-53. Pace: 86-76. Change on 2025: +6.
The resurrection of Brandon Pfaadt continues. The team won his seventh consecutive start since he came back from Reno. The pitcher should have a 7-0 record, if not for the Thompson/Sewald meltdown in Pittsburgh. He’ll have to settle for being 6-0 with a 1.55 ERA (40.2 IP and 7 ER), after going 6.2 innings tonight, allowing only an unearned run. To be fair, he did get some help from his defense, with a number of quite excellent plays. But that ERA is the best by a Diamondbacks starter across any seven-game span, since Zac Gallen’s figure of 1.16 (46.2 IP and 6 ER) in April-May 2023. I may just have made myself a little bit sad with that memory.
Tonight was definitely a contrast in opposites, with Pfaadt being remarkably efficient, in contrast to the Padres’ Michael King. It took Brandon only 31 pitches to record nine outs. 31 pitches into his outing, King was still working with two outs in the first. Arizona didn’t manage to score, but it was still a promising start against a man who had given them trouble in the past. Over five previous starts against the D-backs, covering 25.2 innings, King had a 1.05 ERA. But tonight spawned chances from the off. A pair of two-out walks were stranded in the first. Tim Tawa stood on third with one out in the next frame, then fell victim to the dreaded contact play. A Max Kepler double-play ended the third.
I do want to talk about a pair of quite terrible Diamondbacks challenges tonight (above). One came with one out in the top of the first inning by James McCann, on a pitch which was nowhere near the zone – 1.7” from the edge, according to the graphic. That left the D-backs down to just one challenge, two batters into the game. As a result, they – specifically, Ketel Marte – had to suffer some egregiously terrible calls by home-plate umpire Ramon De Jesus. Though the three most obviously blown ones didn’t impact the outcomes of the at-bat: Marte walked twice, and Nolan Arenado singled. However, Marte then decided to waste Arizona’s second challenge on an equally blatant strike.
Had this all led to a loss, I’d probably be more than the “slightly irritated” all of the above made me reach. In the fourth inning, the D-backs finally broke through against King. One of those Ketel walks led things off, and one out later, Adrian Del Castillo singled. Then, Tim Tawa blasted his fifth home-run of the year down the left-field line and into the home bullpen (below). It was one of Tawa’s three hits on the day, and his OPS is now higher than that of Max Kepler. Also on form tonight was James McCann, a late replacement in the line-up after Gabriel Moreno had to go off and give birth (or something – I was in the kitchen…). He had an RBI double plus a single, and is now batting .319 for the year.
Pfaadt continued to cruise through six innings, with a two-out double in the fifth the only time a Padres got past first base. But he was beginning to look a little rosy-cheeked, and Pfaadt connoisseurs will be aware, that often indicates he’s running out of gas. So it proved in the seventh. He allowed his first walk with one down, and a single followed one out later. A ball hit into the shortstop hole proved too difficult for Nolan Arenado, his throw sailing wide of Tawa, and putting the Padres on the board. Torey Lovullo had seen enough, and Pfaadt was lifted. His final line: 6.2 innings, with just five hits and a walk, and three strikeouts.
Juan Morillo took over, and disposed of Xander Bogaerts on three pitches, the last a 100 mph fastball. Morillo then worked around a leadoff single in the eighth. Arizona added a pair of insurance runs to make the score 5-1, one on McCann’s double mentioned above, and the other on a well-worked sacrifice fly off the bat of Jorge Barrosa. He was clearly hyped at getting the job done, and why not? But it wasn’t all good news. Corbin Carroll went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts in the leadoff spot, and some really bad choices. Over his last 30 games, a spell now covering 137 PA, he is hitting just .148. It’s the worst 30-game streak of his career.
Still, a four-run lead proved far more than adequate. New chairman of the closer committee, Brandyn Garcia, set down the Padres in order in the ninth, on 12 pitches – non-save situations apparently not proving an issue there. The win was an important one, over a wild-card rival and on a night where all the other active contenders won. It kept Arizona in a tie for the second wild-card spot with the Phillies, two games up on the Padres, who are now tied with the Marlins. The Diamondbacks are also “only” nine games back of the Dodgers in the NL West. Their lead in the division hadn’t been that small since June 27.
I also want to call out the Arizona defense. Ryan Waldschmidt had a lovely running catch in deep right center, and Max Kepler might have robbed a home-run at the wall in left. There was also an excellent double-play turned, and despite his error, Arenado also made a play worthy of a man with ten Gold Gloves. All told, a solid game for Arizona on all sides of the ball, and a welcome win after the understandable disappointment of the team’s limited moves at the trade deadline.
Click here for details, at Fangraphs.com Trade winds: Tim Tawa, +32% Trading partners: Pfaadt, +23%; Morillo, +15%
Trade deadline: Corbin Carroll, -7%
Comment of the thread to ercil, for an observation regarding Barrosa’s sacrifice fly:
Tomorrow night, it’ll be the same two teams in this best of four series, with the D-backs now having a very good chance of at least securing a split. Eduardo Rodriguez starts for Arizona, with another 6:40 pm first pitch.
Cycling legend on living with a stage 4 diagnosis, fundraising with Miguel Induráin and why Andy Burnham could be key to his ambition of helping others
Sir Chris Hoy arrives a couple of minutes late and the apologies roll from him. I don’t have a chance to tell the six‑time Olympic sprint cycling champion that waiting an hour for a star interviewee is more common. Hoy is already deep into a story about how he and his wife, Sarra, were walking here when an unknown man stopped him on the street in Glasgow.
The stranger had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer and he wanted to share what had happened to him and, I suspect, find new strength by talking to a compassionate public figure. Hoy has lived a full life with stage 4 cancer for nearly three years. He has also worked tirelessly to highlight the fact that prostate cancer kills more people in this country than any other disease while, at the same time, to offer a tangible sense of hope when there is horror for men, and their families, after a terminal diagnosis.
New York Knicks Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas sits on the bench before Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post)
A key Knicks executive is leaving the organization after helping to put together the squad that captured the franchise’s first NBA championship in 53 years.
Senior vice president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas is departing after four years with the Knicks, according to multiple reports on Monday night.
Rosas first joined the organization as a senior basketball consultant in February 2022 and was promoted to senior vice president in September 2023.
Knicks Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas sits on the bench before Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The exec hinted that he was moving on to the next chapter of his life when he posted photos on his Instagram account of himself with Knicks president Leon Rose and senior advisor William “Worldwide Wes” Wesley.
“Celebrating an NBA Championship and the successful completion of our New York chapter with FAMILIA,” Rosas wrote in the caption. “Fulfilling the vision of bringing a championship back to New York after 53 years is a legacy I’ll always be proud to have helped build. Being part of assembling a team that represented the city, connected with its fans, and brought people together was one of the most meaningful and cherished parts of this journey.
Knicks Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas, Executive Vice President William “World Wide Wes” Wesley and President Leon Rose sit in their seats during the first quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“All love to my Knicks family. The peaks and valleys, the sacrifices, and our relentless commitment to making this plan a reality made the achievement even sweeter. Grateful for every moment of this legendary milestone.
“Mission accomplished. On to the next chapter.”
Rosas worked for the Rockets before a short stint with the Mavericks as their general manager that lasted three months.
He then returned to the Rockets organization, where he remained for an additional six years.
The 48-year-old joined the Timberwolves front office in 2019, but was fired in 2021, reportedly after concerns about a consensual relationship with a staff member along with issues while working with then-Minnesota executive Sachin Gupta.
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 03: Kenny Piper #50 of the Tampa Bay Rays runs during the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Monday, August 3, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ray Bahner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
This game had a little bit of everything, and it really was not as close as the final score. This game was well in hand very early, but Coors did what it often does and made things interesting late. It is rather crazy this game was 13-9 with the wind screaming in from left field that actually supressed what would have easily been a three-run home run by Hunter Goodman.
This was one of several interesting plays disrupted by the wind in the outfield, but the most notable one as it would have plated the first three baserunners of the inning before an out was recorded in the 9th. These were the types of games Coors was infamous for before the humidor came into play, so it was comforting to see the Rays get out to an early lead the way they did.
The matchup on paper could not have been better for the beleaguered Rays offense coming off a slumber of a weekend series. Michael Lorenzen was the starter for the Rockies and came into the outing with a 8.86 ERA at home, and that number only got worse when Junior Caminero hit this 442 ft laser beam the other way in the first inning:
The second inning was no better than the first as consecutive singles by Chandler Simpson and Richie Palacios brought Kenny Piper to the plate for his first major league plate appearance. Piper is the 56th different catcher to put on a Rays uniform in franchise history and he could barely contain his excitement for his first at bat, which resulted in him drawing a walk to load the bases:
Taylor Walls would single to drive in the first two followed by a Yandy Diaz sacrifice fly to plate Piper. Walls would steal second and come around to score on the second of Jonathan Aranda’s four hits on the evening.
Caminero would come up later and blast another long home run, this one into the teeth of that aforementioned wind from left field:
The offense would continue to pick up some runs off singles and baserunning while Ian Seymour kept the Rockies offense at bay through the first six innings. Seymour pitched about as well as one can in Coors striking out 9, walking none, while scatting seven hits over six complete innings
Seymour generated 18 swings and misses by Colorado hitters tonight, 11 coming off the changeup. He featured the pitch this evening, and aside from a hanging one which Ezequiel Tovar hit out, it was fantastic for him tonight. Michael Grove, Casey Legumina, and Kevin Kelly had to get the final nine outs and the former two made things interesting enough that Kelly was called in to throw one pitch to get the elusive final out of the 9th inning.
The 9th inning saw Richie Palacios blast a no-doubt homer run to plate Cedric Mullins after his leadoff double, but the highlight of the inning belonged to Piper collecting his first major league hit:
The dugout was absolutely elated for him, which was heartwarming. Longtime fans might remember the 0 for 25 stretch Stephen Vogt had in his only season with the club and how he was thrown out at first by a hair in his final at bat of the season. It was great to see Piper get his first ht as a 28-year old who has spent the past five years in the organization while earning the admiration of his peers in that time.
Piper was called up from Double-A Montgomery as an emergency backup plan for the trade deadline plans, and it worked out for all involved. He and the rest of the offense bankged out 15 hits and went 6 for 14 with runers in scoring position on the evening. This was a much needed outing after the offense was catatonic in the series against the White Sox and the club hopes to continue the effort against Gabriel Hughes Tuesday evening with new catcher Liam Hicks likely hitting cleanup and receiving new starter Freddy Peralta.
Tampa, Fla: NY Yankees' infielder George Lombard Jr. at spring training at George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida on February 17 2026. (Photo by J. Conrad Williams, Jr./Newsday RM via Getty Images) | Newsday via Getty Images
Fresh off a Trade Deadline that saw the Yankees fail to add a catcher or increase their bullpen depth, fans at Yankee Stadium were rewarded with a 13-7 loss that was somehow even more painful than the final score indicates. The Cardinals crushed young ace Cam Schlittler and ran up a 6-0 lead. The blowout was on, until a furious barrage of Yankees homers was capped by a two-run shot from trade addition Luis García Jr. to make it 7-6. One disastrous seven-run (!) eighth later, and, well there’s your final score.
In short, the outlook wasn’t brilliant (to invoke “Casey at the Bat”) on Yankees news as the clock approached midnight on the East Coast. Then came a bolt of lightning from YES Network’s Jack Curry, bringing the news that a 21-year-old long discussed in fan circles would be debuting the next day: George Lombard Jr.
George Lombard, Jr is being promoted to the Yankees. #yankees#lombard
Does this make me feel better about the Yankees after a Monday like this one? I’d like to say that it does, but it only does so much. This loss really stunk and unless Lombard has secret two-way talents that he’s not disclosing, he’s not helping the bullpen. (Austin Wells at least had a nice game behind the plate, so that frustration was mildly assuaged.)
That being said, this is still the right move. This is the time for Lombard.
The Yankees’ top pick in the 2023 MLB Draft has zoomed through the system, getting the bump from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre back at the end of this past April. Across 78 games in the minors in 2026, he’s hit .284/.411/.498 with 24 doubles, 12 homers, 13 stolen bases, and a 157 wRC+. Now those figures are different when only looking at Triple-A (.268/.405/.440, 126 wRC+), but Lombard really started raking once he got his feet wet in May. From the beginning of June onward, he’s hit a staggering .352/.470/.648 with a 183 wRC+ in 30 games. Although he missed time with a sprained finger, he did not take any breathers upon returning just after the All-Star break.
Lombard is also extremely deft at shortstop, and it wasn’t long after he was drafted that folks started calling him the best defensive shortstop in the system regardless of level. In a midseason update, Baseball Prospectus ranked Lombard as the 24th-best prospect in baseball. His glove has been big-league ready for some time; it’s just been a matter of the bat catching up. Now, it’s here.
As demonstrated by Lombard’s bumpy adjustment to the International League back in May, fans should not assume that he’s going to hit nearly as well in The Show as he did at Triple-A. The chasm of talent between Triple-A pitching and Major League Baseball has never been higher, and he’s had an understandable pattern of needing to figure things out. Patience is not a virtue that Yankees fans are known for, but they’re going to need to demonstrate some of that with Lombard. Honestly, as long as Lombard plays well on defense and adds a little righty boost to the lineup against southpaws, then the Yankees will be thrilled.
Now, what does mean for incumbent shortstops José Caballero and Anthony Volpe? Well for the former, he was a nice story when he was hot at the outset of 2026, but his position has always been utilityman extraordinaire. And when he’s not finding his way into the starting nine, he’s a former stolen base leader who is an easy pinch-running threat. Caballero might eke his way into the lineup here and there regardless due to the Yankees’ current injuries, but there will be less of a reliance on him.
As for Volpe, the ship has sailed. He was in Lombard’s shoes once, at the start of the 2023 season when he was named Opening Day shortstop and won the job in spring training from another highly-regarded shortstop prospect, Oswald Peraza. Now, Volpe is being demoted to Triple-A for the second time this year (following a decent rookie year and two follow-ups that left a lot to be desired). His first demotion was because the surging Caballero displaced Volpe as starting shortstop while he worked his way back from injury. There was no room at the inn.
Once Caballero himself went on the IL, Volpe had another shot. He’s hit .240/.325/.322 with only one homer and an 87 wRC+, barely above his career-average 85 wRC+. The story is the same; it’s just a slightly different flavor every year with Volpe. Caballero was once again getting more reps at the six in July, and the writing was on the wall. Now that Lombard’s up, Volpe is going down.
Following tonight’s game, the Yankees optioned RHP Angel Chivilli, OF Jasson Domínguez and INF Anthony Volpe to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Volpe will be be joined by Jasson Domínguez, who has had chances to nail down a starting spot of his own due to injuries to Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Cody Bellinger. He’s hit worse than Volpe: .230/.270/.380 with an 81 wRC+, and he has no idea how to play the outfield. The Yankees just traded for the Giants’ Heliot Ramos and Spencer Jones at least knows what he’s doing out there, so Domínguez is back to being a RailRider. (Angel Chivilli was walloped in relief on Monday despite a nice run recently and the Yankees need a fresh arm, so out he goes.)
Back to the focus of Lombard, Volpe and Peraza are the warning flags here. There’s a very real chance that fans are never going to love Lombard as much as they do in this very moment. The onus will be on Lombard to be his own person and ultimately fare better than Volpe and Peraza, who never adequately corrected the serious flaws in their approaches at the plate.
I do honestly feel pretty good about Lombard. And just because past recent stories of the six have disappointed, that obviously doesn’t mean you never try again. He can break the pattern. Even in the current flawed Yankees lineup, he doesn’t need to be the star as a rookie. New York is simply looking for a solid defender who can get his share of hits here and there. If he can do that as a 21-year-old—he was born in June 2005, barely a month after Robinson Canó‘s MLB debut if you want a jump-scare—then that’s as good a way as any to begin!
DENVER, COLORADO - AUGUST 03: Ian Seymour #61 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 3, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Rockies pieced together a decent late rally, scoring four runs in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn’t enough to overcome an eight-run deficit on Monday night at Coors Field.
The game capped off an action-packed day that included the Rockies trading Brenton Doyle, Antonio Senzatela and Victor Vodnik.
This one got out of hand early as Tampa Bay (66-46) jumped out to a 7-0 lead after three innings. It was too big a hole to crawl out of as the Rockies dropped to 45-68.
Ezequiel Tovar went 4-for-4 with a homer and Mickey Moniak added his 18th homer of the season to try to help the Rockies, but they couldn’t keep up with the hard-hitting, speedy Rays. It didn’t help that the Rockies struck out nine times in the first six innings against Tampa Bay’s Ian Seymour.
In the final box score, both teams posted 15 hits, but the Rays made them count more. The Rockies went 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left seven guys on base, while Tampa Bay went 6-for-14 and only left five on base.
Lorenzen stung early, Gordon blasted later
It only took the Rays three innings to record seven hits — including one homer — three stolen bases, three walks and seven runs. Junior Caminero hit a two-run shot for his 31st homer of the season in the first inning to put the Rockies behind right off the bat.
In the second, Chandler Simpson and Richie Palacios hit back-to-back singles and then Lorenzen walked Kenny Piper, who was making his MLB debut, to load the bases with no outs. Taylor Walls hit a two-run single, Yandy Díaz hit a sac fly and Walls stole second and moved to third on a throwing error from Hunter Goodman to move into scoring position for Jonathan Aranda’s RBI single. Caminero hit into a double play to avoid further damage, but it was 6-0 after two innings.
Two more walks, another stolen base and a single in the third gave the Rays a touchdown after three innings and ended Lorenzen’s night. To get nine outs, Lorenzen needed 75 pitches. His record dropped to 3-10 and his ERA increased to 6.94.
“I just didn’t think he was in the zone enough. That’s all,” Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer said. “…When you are behind in counts to a good hitting team, it’s probably not going to go that well, especially here at Coors Field.”
Tanner Gordon relieved Lorenzen in the fourth. Caminero hit his 32nd homer of the season, but otherwise, Gordon retired nine out of the first 10 batters he faced through the sixth inning. Schaeffer said he thought Gordon was “extremely efficient.”
“That’s what TG does for us. He gives us a chance there to come back,” Schaeffer said. “Just pounding the zone with his stuff and early contact, which is all good. It’s what you want to hear.”
Trouble came in the seventh when the Rays added two more and continued to add to their lead, which came in handy in the end. Gordon finished with six runs — only four of which were earned — on eight hits, including two homers, with three strikeouts and no walks in six innings.
Seymour strikes out more
The biggest reason the Rockies couldn’t keep up with the Rays on the scoreboard was Seymour. The part-time starter went six solid innings and registered nine strikeouts. He held the Rockies to two runs on seven hits with no walks thanks to a nasty changeup that drew 11 swings and misses.
“He pounded the strike zone,” Schaeffer said of Seymour. “He used his changeup well. Left-on-left changeup was good. He’s a good pitcher and we knew that coming in.”
Despite giving up triples to Willi Castro and Moniak, each with only one out, neither was able to come in to score.
Seymour and Michael Grove, who pitched the final three innings, were also aided by outstanding defense throughout the game. The first came from Richie Palacios when he climbed the stairs to rob Jake McCarthy of a base hit with runners at first and second in the fifth inning.
It’s no secret that Tovar has struggled this season. On Monday night, he looked more like his old self.
He went 4-for-4 in his first multi-hit game since July 3, while also scoring four runs. And it started with a bang. In the third inning, he connected for his ninth homer of the year to put the Rockies on the board. The solo shot went 398 feet to left center field.
In the seventh, Tovar scored again. Troy Johnston led off with a double and Tovar followed up with a single. After McCarthy hit a sac fly to score Johnston, Karros hit another single to plate Tovar and make it 10-4.
Tovar added a leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth as well. He came around to score immediately when McCarthy doubled.
“It was awesome to see Tovy have that night. Good for him. He’s been looking for that for a while,” Schaeffer said. “Three hard-hit balls and that was a tough matchup there in the ninth for him with another base hit. I just saw a balanced, ready-to-go hitter. Hopefully, he can carry that over.”
Tovar did make an error in the field after he was unable to come up with a ground ball in the middle of a two-run seventh inning from Tampa Bay. Both runs were unearned.
Moniak’s big day
On the same night the Rockies announced plans for a two-year extension with Moniak that will likely be finalized on Tuesday, Moniak tripled and hit his 18th homer of the season. It was a blast, too, measuring 447 feet.
Moniak finished the night with a sac fly in the bottom of the ninth for his 49th RBI of the season.
Carrigg hit an RBI double and Hunter Goodman added a sac fly in the ninth-inning rally that came up too short.
Up next
The Rockies and Rays will face off again on Tuesday. RHP Gabriel Hughes (0-3, 3.33) will start for the Rockies, while RHP Freddy Peralta (5-9, 4.99 ERA) will likely make his Tampa Bay debut after being traded from the New York Mets earlier on Monday.
It's officially another season, another prospects ranking for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In years past, this has been a bit easier of an exercise, as there used to be a more clear-cut line between prospects with NHL upside and longshots. However, because of the work that general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas and his staff have put in during the last several years, the line is blurring a whole lot more - and there is a substantially higher volume of talent in the system.
This time around, making a top-20 list was challenging. So, a few criteria were put into place: To make our list, prospects must be under the age of 26 and have played less than 50 NHL games. This excludes names such as Ben Kindel, Filip Hallander, Oliver Okuliar, and Alexander Alexeyev.
It isn't too often that a seventh-round draft pick ends up on top prospects list for any organization, as their NHL potential is, typically, still longshot potential at best.
Funny enough, the Penguins are set to have two seventh-round picks in our top-20 this season, and both have some potential as future NHL players. And, even if the guy sitting at No. 19 is still a longshot in a general sense, he's making enough of an impression that an NHL future might not sound too crazy anymore.
Selected in the seventh round (201st overall) by the Penguins in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, center Kale Dach was quite the find for the Penguins and their front office staff. He's a product of the BCHL - notoriously, not a top developmental league, even if it has improved in recent years - and put together a dominant 2024-25 campaign with the Sherwood Park Crusaders, registering 22 goals and 87 points in 54 games.
That was enough to get him on the Penguins' map, so they selected him, and he spent the entirety of the 2025-26 season with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL. There, he continued to progress and showed an even higher capacity for scoring goals, recording 34 goals and 75 points in 63 games. He also scored at a point-per-game pace in seven playoff games for Calgary.
There is, obviously, a lot of work to be done before the 19-year-old will be anywhere close to the NHL. He is committed to Penn State University for the 2026-27 season, and time in the NCAA should help with the next step in his progression. It will be an opportunity for him to play against bigger and better competition and, as is the case for other NCAA commits, he will also have more time in the gym to add size.
But, further development aside, there are already some things that Dach does well. In addition to being an offensive weapon who can score goals, the Penguins' front office and development staff is impressed with the growth in Dach's two-way game, which is something - along with his skating - that he'll continue to build on when he heads to Penn State.
"It's not easy stepping into the WHL your first year, but he jumped in there and he became a leader on the team right away," said Penguins director of player development Tom Kostopoulos. "He's a guy they look to for offense. I think he's really creative on the power play, and the coaches trust him on the PK. He built his two-way game into something that's reliable, and he can finish and make plays.
"He's got to get a little quicker and work on his skating, but he's intelligent and he loves the game. He loves being around it, wants to be on the ice, and wants to work on his game."
Of course, center depth is a major area of need for the Penguins in their prospect pool. Ben Kindel has given them a brighter future to look forward to on that front, but beyond Tristan Broz and, potentially, Bill Zonnon or Will Horcoff, the organization doesn't have much intrigue down the middle in their pipeline.
Dach, like Ryan Miller, is a little farther out than those other guys in terms of NHL readiness, if he gets there. But the fact that he has taken each assignment thus far and run with it is a great sign, especially since he seems to be improving in the all-around facets of his game.
With a strong season or two at Penn State, Dach could legitimately put himself in the conversation for an AHL roster spot in the near future. Since he only turned 19 in February, there is still plenty of time for him to add some size and round out the facets of his game that the Penguins would like to see him hone. But, if he continues to check boxes, the organization certainly won't hold him back from earning new opportunities.
There is still a long way to go with Dach, but he's certainly a prospect to keep an eye on as a potential riser. Even if he's not that future top-six NHL center in the making that the Penguins desperately need, there is still potential for him to play a bottom-six role in Pittsburgh somewhere down the line.
So, because of his growth and the upside, he earned a spot on this year's list.
The San Francisco Giants did the inevitable and got rid of multiple players in a fire sale during MLB's trade deadline in hopes of salvaging the remainder of the season with a focus on next year.
In return, the Giants got back a couple right-handed pitchers, Ramon Marquez and Marty Gair, from the Phillies. The Padres sent right-hand pitcher Miguel Mendez and infielder Joniel Hernandez to the Bay Area. The Yankees sent back left-hand pitcher Henry Lalane and shortstop Kaeden Kent, son of Giants legend and Hall of Famer Jeff Kent. San Francisco got infielder Marcelo Mayer from Boston. While Anthony Molina, who they immediately assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, Sacramento River Cats, came via trade with the Braves.
Notable players that remain on the roster are Matt Chapman, Rafael Devers and Willy Adames. Their names were floated around the trade rumor mill but ultimately stay put in San Francisco.
Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey appeared on Bay Area sports radio station 95.7 FM "The Game" to provide insight and feedback on his approach at the trade deadline and moving forward.
"We made it known to teams that we were really willing to talk about any player," Posey said. "I don't think it does any good to say one way or another for us. We're still excited that we've got those big three guys, we have Devers, Chapman, Adames on the team, and still feel like there's a lot of great baseball left for those guys to play."
The bottom line, Posey said, is that he's "glad they're going to be San Francisco Giants."
As for the rest of the season ― which has about two months remaining ― it's officially an evaluation period.
"We're going to get some looks at some younger players, and I think as much as anything, it's going to be an opportunity for us as a front office and a coaching staff to evaluate some of our players, and some of them are going to get some longer runways than they've had in the past," Posey said.
Prospects looking to make a name for themselves will have an opportunity in San Francisco. But there will be a standard to live up to, and Posey is setting it.
"We keep saying you look for fundamental baseball guys that are going to throw throw the ball over the plate, control the strike zone at the plate, catch the ball on defense and make smart decisions on the bases," he said. "I do think it's been nice to see that we've been pushing the envelope a little bit more as far as stolen bases have gone the last month or so. So that's been nice to see, but just just trying to create a brand of baseball."
"I think these last two months that we can be excited about, to build off of, and and you know look to to look to build on from what we do here these last couple months and into the future," Posey added.
There's optimism to the ending of an otherwise abysmal season. Following the trades, here are the winners and losers from the Giants' moves:
Winner: Six players on the move out of SF
Just about each player that was traded went on to a more favorable situation where the chances of winning are high; well, at least higher than they were with the Giants. Big ups to Arraez, Ramos, Ray, Mahle, Kilian and Miller.
Losers: Adames, Devers and Chapman
For these guys individually, they get big dollars and to stay within the San Francisco Bay Area. That's, of course, going off the assumption that this is where they want to be. Regardless, after all the rumors, they don't have to pack up and move cities.
Although the season hasn't gone the way they probably envisioned, the consolation prize at the end of the day is seeing that check deposited. Between the three, they command $67.81 million on the Giants' payroll.
So why are these guys considered losers? You have to imagine that they wanted to go somewhere to win. That's all.
Winner: Jung Hoo Lee
It seemed like Jung Hoo Lee was out the door, but there was a change of heart. He gets to stay in the Bay Area, for the moment, surrounded by his endearing fans known as "Hoo Lee Gans."
If there was any indication that Lee can play worry-free, it was his performance against the Texas Rangers, the day of the MLB deadline. Once 3 p.m. PT hit and Lee knew he was officially safe, he was able to come alive.
In a 5-1 win on Aug. 3, Lee went 3-for-4 and was responsible for two homers and three RBIs on two hits.
Loser: Logan Webb
The Giants needed bullpen help before the season started. They signed Mahle in the offseason in hopes of providing a boost. The same with Ray. It's unfortunate that the season didn't pan out the way most hoped. It's even worse that the $35 million they spent to get Ray and Mahle was practically for no reason. Webb remains on a losing franchise, but all he wants to do is win. He loves the Giants and wants to spend his career in the Bay, but the question is whether he will eventually lose interest if the losing persists.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 14: (EDITORS NOTE: this photo has been converted to black and white) Darryn Peterson #22 of the Utah Jazz poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 14, 2026 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The best part of the upcoming season for the Utah Jazz is that there are many potentially great outcomes for multiple players. For Keyonte George, he has a chance to take another step in his development, and it’s exciting to think about what that means. Jaren Jackson Jr. gets to be on a winning basketball team again, and we’ll see if he can reach the same levels he was at when he won DPOY years ago. Ace Bailey has a chance to take a step in his development and could really shine in whatever role the Jazz give him. Oh, and the Jazz have a player they were lucky enough to draft, Darryn Peterson, who has a great shot at winning ROY.
That’s the inspiration of the latest Utah Jazz Reacts survey: what is the most likely best-case scenario next season for each of these players?
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Jazz fans and fans across the country.
Jul 26, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Lake Bachar (84) catches a baseball against the San Diego Padres during the eighth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Pirates made two trades at the buzzer right before the 6 p.m. trading deadline to bolster the bullpen.
In addition to acquiring right-handers Luke Weaver (Mets) and Kirby Yates (Angels), the Pirates traded for Marlins righty Lake Bachar.
Bachar, 31, has been steady for the Marlins this season, totaling a 3.84 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 38 outings.
Through 58.2 innings, Bachar has struck out 61 and walked 21. He’s allowed 25 earned runs and the ERA is somewhat inflated by one outing allowing five runs and another four runs during the past month.
Bachar saved two games for the fish and blew one save, owning a 1-2 record. He’s also started four games for Miami as an opener.
Lake Bachar in 2 appearances as an opener this season:
In the modern era of the NBA, teams and fans have become far more intelligent when it comes to team-building, rosters and salaries and the CBA.
To that point, we’ve partnered with SalarySwish to use their data to provide information and answers for every question you may have about the Lakers’ financial situation.
Listed below is our constantly updating, living article that will provide answers to questions you may have. It will update with team moves, from trades to signings and anything in-between. So bookmark the page to stay up to date on the latest changes as the team moves forward!
Lakers Roster, Salaries, Draft Picks, Cap Space and More
Here is a table with all of the Lakers’ salary information, courtesy of our friends at SalarySwish:
Because that is a lot of data, let’s dive into a few key pieces of context, what it means and answer any questions may all lead to.
FAQ
Here are some answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about the Lakers’ salary cap and draft pick situations moving forward.
How close are the Lakers to the aprons? Are they hard-capped?
The Lakers are hard-capped at the first apron after acquiring Walker Kessler via sign-and-trade this offseason. That means their payroll cannot exceed$209,015,000 until the start of the 2027-28 league year on June 30, 2027.
For now, that shouldn’t be much of an issue for the Lakers. They’re currently more than $8.1 million below the first apron with 16 players on standard contracts.
If the Lakers swing a sign-and-trade for Jonathan Kuminga using Jarred Vanderbilt’s contract, that could push them much closer to the first apron. They’re allowed to take back roughly $9.1 million more in salary than they send out in a trade using Vanderbilt’s contract, although they’d go over the first apron if they took back that full amount. That means they’d have to dump salary elsewhere first.
Long story short: Just because the Lakers have plenty of breathing room under the first apron for now doesn’t mean that they will for the entirety of the 2026-27 campaign. If they take advantage of their trade flexibility, they could bring themselves much closer to their hard cap.
How much will the Lakers pay in luxury taxes this year?
As of now, the Lakers are $469,322 over the tax line. Since they’ve paid the tax in each of the past six seasons, they’re subject to the dreaded repeater tax, which comes with far stiffer tax rates.
For the first $6.1 million that they go over the tax, they’d owe $3 in tax for every dollar that they’re over. As a result, they’re currently projected to owe $1,407,966 in tax this year.
To escape from the repeater tax, the Lakers would need to stay under the tax line in each of the next two seasons. They’d still be subject to the repeater tax rates in both 2026-27 and 2027-28 — although that would be a non-issue for them if they’re below the tax both seasons — but they would reset the clock on the repeater tax starting in 2028-29 if they do stay out of the tax in each of the next two years.
Given how close they are to the tax line and how beneficial it would be to them to get out of the repeater tax, don’t be surprised if the Lakers do try to duck the tax both this year and next.
How much is Luka Dončić making and how long is he under contract?
Dončić is set to earn $49.5 million in the 2026-27 season. He’s under a guaranteed contract in 2027-28 for $53.4 million, and he has a $57.4 million player option in 2028-29 that he figures to decline for a longer deal.
When Dončić signed his extension in August 2025, he chose the option that could help maximize his earnings. He was ineligible to receive a 35% max contract once the Dallas Mavericks traded him to the Lakers—thanks again, Nico Harrison!—so he had to wait until he had 10 years of NBA service to qualify for that starting salary.
And wouldn’t you know it? Dončić conveniently has a player option in 2028-29, which is exactly when he’ll have 10 years of NBA service.
Now, that doesn’t mean Dončić will leave the Lakers in 2028. They can offer him an extension beginning at 35% of the 2028-29 salary cap as soon as Aug. 2, 2027. It’s still far too early to know where the cap will land that year, but based on the current projection of $182.7 million, Dončić would be eligible for a four-year, $286.5 million max extension.
If Dončić instead chooses to become a free agent in 2028, the Lakers could offer him a five-year, $370.9 million max deal with 8% annual raises, while other teams could offer him no more than a four-year, $275 million max deal with 5% annual raises. In other words, the Lakers will have a clear financial advantage over any other Dončić suitors.
Thanks to the Stepien Rule, which prohibits teams from being without first-round picks in back-to-back years, the Lakers do not have a single tradable first-round pick at the moment. They owe their top-four-protected 2027 first-rounder to Memphis, their 2029 pick to Dallas and their 2031 and 2033 picks to Utah. However, they can trade the following swaps:
2028 swap (less favorable of their own pick and more favorable of Jazz/Cavaliers pick)
2030 swap (less favorable of their own pick and Jazz pick)
2032 swap
The Lakers have also burned through most of their tradable second-round picks in various transactions in recent years. They did acquire two second-rounders from the Washington Wizards for Deandre Ayton, but other than that, they only control one of their own second-round picks from now through 2033.
2031 Wizards pick
2032 Wizards pick
2033 Lakers pick
In recent years, the going rate for even a half-decent rotation player at the trade deadline tends to be two or three second-round picks. The Lakers might be able to pull a deal off by exchanging their 2032 swap instead, but they’ll otherwise have their work cut out for them if they hope to sweeten a trade offer with draft capital. (That is, of course, until they extort the Sixers into giving up a second-round pick to reunite Bronny James with his dad.)
If you found this page useful, please bookmark it and/or share, and if you have any questions or information you’d like to see included, let us know in the comments below!
Eric Samulski
