Raptors sign coach Darko Rajakovic to multi-year extension
With the trade for Kawhi Leonard, the Toronto Raptors announced themselves as a major threat in the East. They had locked down a roster capable of winning the conference.
Now, they have locked down their coach, too. Toronto announced a multi-year extension with coach Darko Rajakovic, who was about to head into the final year of his contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"I'm proud of the progress we've made, but our team knows there is still a lot of work to do, and I am looking forward to continuing to build and win with the Raptors. We will keep growing, keep working together and stay committed to getting better every day as we reach for our goal of an NBA Championship," Rajaković said in a statement announcing the extension.
Toronto had previously locked down general manager Brian Webster, who was also headed into the final year of his contract.
Rajakovic has a 101-145 record since taking over the Raptors three years ago, but the team has steadily improved each season and finished last year 46-35, earning the No. 5 seed in the East.
"We're thrilled to extend Darko as head coach of the Toronto Raptors. Darko's strong development philosophy and commitment to a team-first culture shine through on a daily basis," Webster said in announcing the extension. "We've seen these qualities play out on the court - our team plays hard, plays together, and fights until the end. Darko knows there's more to be done, and we're looking forward to seeing the continued growth of this team."
NHL free agency live tracker: Latest signings, trades, news, rumors on Day 2
Day 1 of NHL free agency is in the books and Day 2 is underway.
Stanley Cup-winning goalies Frederik Andersen and Sergei Bobrovsky moved to the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs, respectively, on the opening day.
The New York Rangers traded Vincent Trocheck to the Utah Mammoth, getting back defenseman Sean Durzi as part of the deal. They later traded for defenseman Marcus Pettersson to boost their blue line. The San Jose Sharks added Jacob Trouba and Darnell Nurse to their defense.
Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski made clear he wanted to stay in Columbus. Rasmus Andersson got a seven-year deal to stay with the Vegas Golden Knights and the Chicago Blackhawksgave Bowen Byram got a six-year extension that makes him the top-paid defenseman.
Follow along on Thursday, July 2 for Day 2 of NHL free agency with signings, trades, news and rumors:
Toronto Maple Leafs sign Brandon Duhaime
He gets three years. The Maple Leafs continue remaking their bottom six after adding Nick Paul, Jack Roslovic, Colton Sissons and Teddy Blueger Duhaime totaled 324 hits in his two seasons with the Capitals and has topped 200 twice.
Colorado Avalanche sign Jaden Schwartz
He gets a three-year deal. After moving out some depth scoring in Ross Colton and Jack Drury, the Avalanche add back. Schwartz is a six-time 20-goal scorer and had 26 goals in 2024-25 with the Kraken.
Who are the best remaining free agents?
Claude Giroux, Patrick Kane, Anthony Mantha, Vladimir Tarasenko, Michael Bunting, John Klingberg, Logan Stanley and others are still out there.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL free agency live tracker: Latest signings, trades, news, rumors on Day 2
Paul George’s trade tree has become one of the wildest in NBA history
Paul George was traded again on Wednesday in a blockbuster deal that brought Jaylen Brown to the Sixers. It’s been widely panned from Boston’s side, with our own Ricky O’Donnell noting that the Celtics have taken a step away from contention by taking on one of the worst contracts in the NBA, and losing a superstar in the process.
The trade means that George will have suited up for five teams, with three massive trades centered around the three-level scorer. Now that the Celtics deal is in the rearview mirror, we can look back at these staggering deals to see everything that has been given up for PG-13 over the years.
George was traded from the Pacers to the Thunder in 2017 for Victor Oladipo, who seemed destined to become a star — and Domantas Sabonis, who Oklahoma City took with the No. 11 pick the year prior. This was the smallest haul for George, but represented two young talents that were supposed to be cornerstones of the Pacers for years to come.
Next up was the mammoth trade to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019, when the Clips were trying to build a big-two contender with Kawhi Leonard and George as the centerpieces. The NBA-shaping deal sent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, FIVE first-round picks, and two pick swaps from L.A. to OKC.
George declined his player option with the Clippers in 2024, and signed a max-deal with the Sixers.
That brings us to Wednesday, when the 76ers traded George to the Celtics for Jaylen Brown, as well as a 2028 1st round pick/swap (whichever is more favorable), and two second-round picks. Brace yourselves for everything that Paul George has become over the years, because it’s WILD.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Jaylen Brown
- Jalen Williams (2022 draft pick)
- Cason Wallace (2021 draft pick)
- Domantas Sabonis
- Nikola Topić (2024 draft pick)
- Tre Mann (2021 draft pick)
- Thomas Sorber (2025 draft pick swap)
- Aday Mara (2026 draft pick swap)
- Victor Oladipo
- Danilo Gallinari
Oh, and OKC still has one more 1st-rounder coming in 2027. So, you could either have Paul George, or literally everything needed to build an NBA franchise.
NHL free agency spills into Day 2 with Patrick Kane among those available
Apr 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Detroit Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane (88) skates against the New York Rangers during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
Danny Wild-Imagn Images
NHL free agency spilled into Thursday with some high-profile players still on the open market, including a three-time Stanley Cup champion.
Patrick Kane is still available after spending the past three years with Detroit. Kane is 37 now and a decade from winning the Hart Trophy as MVP when he led the league in scoring but takes playoff MVP experience and three Cup rings wherever he goes. Also unsigned are wingers Vladimir Tarasenko, who has won twice, and Anthony Mantha, who is coming off a career year, and forward Claude Giroux, who is still chasing a championship at 38.
The first 11-plus hours of free agency featured more than 55 players changing places across the league with more than $360 million worth of contracts. And that’s not even counting Bowen Byram becoming the highest-paid defenseman at an average salary of $12.5 million beginning in 2027 under his new deal with Chicago after he was acquired in a trade with Buffalo.
Byram’s time with that distinction may be short if Colorado gets a new contract done with two-time Norris Trophy-winner Cale Makar, which also would into effect in 2027-28.
The salary cap getting another record increase to $104 million led to some big-money deals but also reduced the depth of available talent because teams had room to re-sign their top players. New Jersey extended captain Nico Hischier, Florida re-signed center Eetu Luostarinen and Philadelphia rewarded goaltender Dan Vladar with a long-term contract.
New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche was expecting a break after a busy stretch with the draft and free agency happening less than a week apart. And yet, he’s also keeping an eye out.
“We’ll have probably over $40 million of cap space next summer,” Darche said. “I’m still going to be working the rest of the summer, especially the next couple weeks. A lot of GMs, I won’t lie to you, they go on vacation and it goes pretty silent on the GM chat. But if I have opportunities to improve the team, I will. Every single day, it’s a relentless pursuit of trying to get better.”
Hischier’s Devils made a splash late Wednesday by tendering an offer sheet for Utah center Barrett Hayton for $4.775 million. The Mammoth, who acquired Vincent Trocheck in a trade with the Rangers, have a week to match or would receive a second-round pick as compensation.
The threat of an offer sheet remains for Dallas winger Jason Robertson, who turned down a trade to Seattle last week and needs a new contract. The Stars signed forward Joel Kiviranta to a one-year contract after he had nine points in 51 games for Colorado last season.
Reigning Norris winner Zach Werenski won’t be going to the Stars and reaffirmed with two years left on his deal that he’s happy to be in Columbus after trade rumors settled quickly.
Dillon Dube signs with Blues, rejoins Carter Hart in the NHL after being acquitted of sexual assault
Jan 18, 2024; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Dillon Dube (29) against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Sergei Belski/Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
ST. LOUIS — Dillon Dube signed a free agent contract with the St. Louis Blues, making him the second of five players acquitted in the Canada 2018 world junior sexual assault case to get an NHL deal since the trial ended just under a year ago.
Dube was signed for $850,000 for next season on a one-way contract, which means he gets paid that salary whether he’s in the NHL or the American Hockey League. He played 58 games this past year for the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds after agreeing to a professional tryout in December with St. Louis’ top minor league affiliate.
“We’ve gotten to know him a lot better through that time frame,” said general manager Alexander Steen, who added the organization was well aware of the situation and spoke to coaches and teammates about how Dube was in Springfield.
“He wants to be a positive influence. He’s had a positive influence on (that team) or a positive impact,” he added. “He approaches it with a sincerity and humility. Since I got here in St. Louis, the organization has always been a second-chance organization and this is Dillon’s opportunity and we feel confident in giving it to him — to fight for a spot on our team next year.”
The 5-foot-11 winger who turns 28 on July 20 follows goaltender Carter Hart back into the league. Hart signed with Vegas in October and backstopped the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final before losing to Carolina in six games.
The NHL in September reinstated Hart, Dube, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton, allowing them to play beginning Dec. 1. That came after a judge in London, Ontario, found them not guilty of sexual assault and McLeod additionally of a separate count of being a party to the offense.
McLeod in October signed a three-year contract to remain in the Russia-based KHL. Foote signed an AHL deal with the Chicago Wolves and played for them this past season. Formenton played in Switzerland.
Victor Olofsson, John Beecher and Justin Kirkland Find New NHL Homes in Free Agency
As NHL free agency continues to unfold, three former members of the Calgary Flames have found new opportunities heading into the 2026-27 season.
Veteran winger Victor Olofsson is joining the Vegas Golden Knights after splitting last season between the Colorado Avalanche and the Flames. The 30-year-old appeared in 78 games during the 2025-26 campaign, recording 13 goals and 18 assists for 31 points. He now adds experienced scoring depth to a Golden Knights team with Stanley Cup aspirations.
Forward John Beecher is also on the move, signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Florida Panthers. Beecher, 25, suited up for 35 NHL games between the Boston Bruins and Calgary last season, collecting three goals and four assists while providing versatility and size down the middle.
Another fan favourite in Calgary, Justin Kirkland, has also secured a new deal in free agency. The 29-year-old has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000. Kirkland appeared in 20 games with Calgary during the 2025-26 season, contributing one goal and one assist while earning an opportunity to establish himself at the NHL level.
Jets Add Panthers' Standout Pest Noah Gregor to Bottom Six on One-Year Deal
On Wednesday, the Winnipeg Jets bolstered their bottom six, signing forward Noah Gregor to a one-year, $850,000 deal.
The former San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers forward brings exactly the kind of energy and checking presence that a depth line needs to be effective night in and night out at the NHL level.
Gregor, originally selected by San Jose in the fourth round of the 2016 NHL Draft, has spent the better part of eight seasons carving out a professional career built on forechecking, physicality and an agitating style that opponents consistently find difficult to play against.
Over 330 NHL games, the forward has put up 40 goals and 39 assists for 79 points, numbers that reflect a player whose value extends well beyond the scoresheet. At the AHL level, Gregor was an even more pronounced difference maker, posting 25 goals and 32 assists for 57 points in just 69 games across five seasons.
We have a 1-1 game in Colorado thanks to Noah Gregor 😼
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 12, 2025
📺: Panthers 🆚 Avalanche live on SNE or stream on Sportsnet+ pic.twitter.com/EpBFxMqrk0
His most recent chapter in Florida may have been what caught Winnipeg's attention most. In 37 games with the Panthers this past season, Gregor filled his checking role to perfection, becoming a noticeable and disruptive presence on a Stanley Cup contending roster.
He agitated opposing teams, won puck battles along the wall and brought an infectious energy that resonated within one of the league's top organizations. That ability to fit seamlessly into a winning culture while excelling in a specific role is a quality Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has consistently sought out when rounding out the bottom of his roster.
For Winnipeg, Gregor slots naturally into a checking line role alongside similarly detailed forwards, giving head coach Scott Arniel another reliable option for penalty killing situations and the kind of grinding, forecheck-heavy shifts that can swing momentum in a close game.
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How Jesper Boqvist's 'Wild Ride' Prepared Him for Second Stint With Devils
With equipment strewn across the ice and streamers cascading from above, Jesper Boqvist found himself at the center of the celebration inside Amerant Bank Arena as fans roared and he and his Florida Panthers teammates reveled in their Stanley Cup championship on June 17, 2025.
Yet amid the celebration, one person was foremost in Boqvist’s mind: his son, who happened to turn two months old on that unforgettable day.
“He was there, sleeping through it all,” Boqvist said with a shy smile. “It was special, for sure.”
At 26 years old, Boqvist already achieved what every hockey player sets out to do: to hoist the Stanley Cup.
But the path from the New Jersey Devils' second-round pick to Stanley Cup champion was anything but straightforward. With a stop in the Boston Bruins organization in 2023-24, he faced moments that tested his resolve.
After leaving the Devils organization, Boqvist signed a one-year NHL contract with the Bruins. The young Swede was coming off a season where he scored 10 goals and collected 21 points in 70 games.
After a challenging training camp in Boston, the organization sent him to the American Hockey League (AHL) to start the season with the Providence Bruins.
“It is always hard for anyone who comes in new,” then Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery told the Boston Herald at the time. “You are trying to acclimate, you are trying to understand how we want to play. Almost every player wants to do what you are asking of them. They are trying to assimilate; they are also trying to find their way in a new city. They have got a bunch of new teammates, and they are trying to find their comfort zone everywhere off the ice, and then they are trying to find their comfort zone on the ice.”
Back in 2023, Boqvist told The Hockey News that he was going through a learning period and that the system in Boston was very different from what he had experienced in New Jersey.
In Providence, he played under head coach Ryan Mougenel, who recognized that confidence was the catalyst for the forward's success.
As Boqvist settled in, his game took off.
“He wasn't nearly as good of a player at the beginning of the year as he was at the end of the year,” Mougenel said in a phone interview. “He was a totally different player, and I think the only thing that can be attributed to that is confidence.”
The versatile forward appeared in 31 AHL games and, while there, made the most of his time, even offering guidance to the young Swedes in Providence.
“The quality of person is off the chart,” Mougenel continued. “He came down here, and he didn't sulk. He worked and enjoyed it.”
When Montgomery eventually called Mougenel in need of a call-up, Boqvist was part of one of the AHL’s top lines. Serving as a driver, he made his linemates better.
“It was one of those times as a coach where the second (Boqvist) went up; it was 100 percent the right call,” Mougenel said.
“I think for a player like him, (whose game depends on his) confidence, I think he needed the American League level to get that back, but it was pretty evident in his last 10 games that we had him that he didn't belong in the American League,” he continued.
After his season with the Bruins, Boqvist signed with Florida as a free agent, where he carved out a meaningful role and ultimately became a Stanley Cup champion.
“It has been a wild ride,” Boqvist told The Hockey News back in March. “Leaving New Jersey and going to Boston for a year, I learned a lot from my experience there. The locker room and the people there. Then coming to Florida, obviously the reigning champs and the expectations that come with that. Learning from all these guys and seeing what they do day to day.
“Along the way, I have taken some steps too, and I felt like when I had a chance, I contributed last year, too,” he continued.
On June 30, the Devils reacquired Boqvist along with Evan Rodrigues and Ben Steeves, in exchange for forward Angus Crookshank and goaltender Jacob Markström.
Boqvist returns to New Jersey as a father and Stanley Cup champion. He feels his overall game has improved: he's become a more reliable two-way center who can be used on the penalty kill and can add a bit more physicality than he showed in his first stint with the Devils.
Reunited with his Nico Hischier, Jonas Siegenthaler and Jesper Bratt, among others, the addition of Boqvist provides New Jersey much-needed depth and another weapon in their bottom six.
Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
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Calgary Flames Bolster Depth with Five Signings on Opening Day of Free Agency
The Calgary Flames stayed active on the opening day of free agency, adding organizational depth with five roster moves on July 1.
Up front, the club reunited with centre Ben Jones, who returns to the organization after spending the past two seasons in the Minnesota Wild system. Jones signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 at the NHL level.
The Flames also re-signed forward WilliamStromgren to a one-year, two-way contract. The Swedish winger made his NHL debut with Calgary last season, appearing in three games, while enjoying a productive year with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers. Stromgren finished fourth on the team in scoring with 47 points (11 goals, 36 assists) in 66 games.
On the blue line, Calgary added three defencemen. Jake Livingstone agreed to a one-year, two-way deal after posting 17 points in 52 AHL games with the Charlotte Checkers last season.
Fellow right-shot defender Mike Benning also signed a one-year, two-way contract following a campaign that included his first 18 NHL games with the Florida Panthers, where he recorded six points.
The Flames also brought in veteran Andreas Englund on a one-year, two-way contract. The 30-year-old has appeared in 200 NHL games across five organizations and adds size, experience, and organizational depth to Calgary’s defensive group.
What AJ Greer Brings to the Anaheim Ducks
AJ Greer’s signing rights were acquired by the Anaheim Ducks from the Florida Panthers on June 29 in exchange for the signing rights to now-former captain Radko Gudas.
Both players have now been signed by the teams that acquired them. On Tuesday, reports surfaced of Greer’s contract signing, which has a four-year term and a $4.25 million AAV, along with a 10-team no-trade clause throughout the duration. On Wednesday, it was made official by the Ducks.
Ducks Make Slew of Signings on Day 1 of 2026 Free Agency
AJ Greer Speaks on Signing with the Anaheim Ducks
Greer (29) is coming off a career year with the Florida Panthers, where he reached a career high in goals (17), assists (15), and points (32) in 78 games, while playing the most consistent minutes in his career (12:26 TOI/G).
Prior to the 2025-26 season, Greer had mustered just 49 points (19-30=49) in 248 career games.
“I just really put my head down and gave it everything I had,” Greer said of the opportunity he earned and the production he displayed in 2025-26. “I know that I can do that again. I don’t think it’s a one-off. Personally, I know what’s in the tank, and I’m a competitor. I’m only going to get better, I believe. So, I’m really looking forward to this opportunity.”
Greer had an up-and-down journey to get to this point in his career, where he was able to parlay a 32-point season into a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract.
He was drafted in the second round (39th overall in 2015) by the Colorado Avalanche out of Boston University of the NCAA. After a year and a half of subpar production, he left BU for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL, where he saw more offensive success.
From 2016 to 2022, Greer played mostly in the AHL, with occasional NHL stints with the Colorado Avalanche and New Jersey Devils franchises. Between 2022 and 2025, he played in an exclusive fourth-line role for the Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, and Florida Panthers, winning a Stanley Cup with Florida in 2024-25.
The Panthers suffered several injuries to key players in 2025-26, following back-to-back Stanley Cup wins and three consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final. Those injuries paved the way to top-nine minutes for Greer, who saw a skyrocket in production and shooting percentage (16.4%), playing more reliable nightly minutes and with more talented linemates.
On the ice, Greer isn’t likely to dazzle with puck skills or impeccable vision. Instead, he’s more of a traditional grinder with remarkable skating, especially given his 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame.
His on-ice strengths include a relentless motor, plus defensive habits, and consistent forechecking tendencies. He singlehandedly forces turnovers from opposing retrieving defensemen and funnels those pucks to the high danger area of the ice.
In the offensive zone, he shields pucks well and keeps his feet moving in order to keep pucks moving. Off-puck, he is constantly fighting for positioning and battles his way to soft ice, rendering himself difficult to play against. His release isn’t lightning quick, but his heavy shot can beat NHL goaltenders from distance if he’s given enough ice.
In transition, he’s never going to be a puck transporter, but he makes smart, effective puck plays to advance through neutral ice and gain bluelines. Defensively, he backchecks through proper lanes, putting back pressure on opposing rush attacks. He gets to his spots for breakouts and is as disruptive as he can be against the cycle, eliminating lanes and options.
In theory, Greer will get a lot of puck touches with his new club, in his new system, with his new teammates, and under his new coach. He offers elements of in-zone offense, disruptive defense, and forechecking that the Ducks desperately needed in 2025-26 and their ensuing playoff run.
Though Greer hasn’t accumulated much time on the penalty kill in his NHL career, if he can add that element to his repertoire, his value will only increase for Anaheim and make them better on special teams, an area of weakness for the better part of a decade.
Greer’s off-ice mentality and determination bleed onto the ice, and his self-awareness and appreciation of the opportunity given to him will undoubtedly lead to him becoming an instant fan and locker room favorite in Anaheim.
Anaheim Ducks Extend Seven RFAs Qualifying Offers, Four Not Tendered
The Celtics’ Jaylen Brown trade actually makes sense
In order to understand the Jaylen Brown trade, its associated outrage, the mass confusion about how little Boston got back and the surrounding circus about how good Jaylen Brown may or may not be, we need to talk about another (in)famous trade.
On Wednesday, the Celtics sent Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and two future first-round picks. That is shockingly little for an All-NBA, Finals MVP and borderline face-of-the-franchise level player not even in his 30s. But before we talk about Brown, George, the Celtics, the 76ers, Brad Stevens, Bill Chisholm, any of them, we need to talk about, you guessed it, Luka Doncic.
After the Luka trade, there were a lot of takes. Most of them the same (“this is the worst trade in NBA history”), though some of them were stupid or just intentionally clickbaity (“the Mavericks won the trade”). But the best one, by far, was the nuanced counterpoint, made memorably (to me at least) by Chuck Klosterman. Loosely paraphrased: If you thought that that trade meant you could win the NBA Finals this year, then you can rationalize it. It’s not necessarily a correct diagnosis of your situation, but it would be a rational decision.
That is, to date, the only contrarian opinion on the Luka trade that I felt actually was fair to the parties involved. Every other formulation of “the Mavericks were going nowhere with Luka” or “defense wins championships” was either in bad faith or simply naive. But the view that treated Nico Harrison and the Mavericks as rational actors rather than visionaries or idiots was my favorite.
The same may, eventually, be true for the Jaylen Brown trade: the return did not line up with his reputation, no, but it is likely that the Celtics made a rational decision based on their evaluation of the player and the market. And while the return is disappointing, arguably shocking, for Celtics fans (myself included), the trade should not be treated as patently insane.
There are three possible explanations for why Boston pulled the trigger on such a flabbergasting lowball return: first, that Brown had demanded a trade and the two sides’ relationship had soured beyond the point of no return. This story has been repeatedly debunked by those with information from inside the Celtics organization. Second, that new owner Bill Chisholm is cost-cutting in order to make the team more profitable for his private equity partners. And while the influence of private equity in sports is a fascinating tale to tell, this version of events is an unnecessary and unlikely conspiracy theory; Boston offered Brown for Giannis Antetokounmpo, a player they would have immediately signed to an extension that would have exceeded the remaining value on Brown’s deal. Total team cost is not the reason.
That leaves reason number three, essentially the only one that makes any sense if we’re trying to be rational: the Celtics and Brad Stevens had decided, at some point in the past year, that it was impossible to win another championship paying Jaylen Brown a supermax contract.
As was a topic of serious discussion on social media this week, Brown’s advanced metrics suggest he is an inefficient player whose team actually performs better when he is off the court. And while this is an impossibly prickly debate to wade into, let’s just skip the wading, put on a hazmat suit and cannonball in.
Jaylen Brown has been a winning player in his career. The Celtics have won an absurd number of games this decade. He was instrumental to their run to win the 2024 NBA Championship, and will perhaps be the last man ever to wear number seven in Boston. He has also been a frustrating player to watch and to root for. His persistent issues with clumsy dribbling seemed to create problems for the Celtics out of thin air. His free throw shooting, which majorly improved the last two seasons, is still below 75 percent for his career. But he has declined as a three-point shooter and has never been especially efficient from the floor. None of that is contradictory; Brown is incredibly talented and has been very successful — he is also not Jayson Tatum, the Celtics’ utterly non-negotiable cornerstone, nor are the two on the same level.
Delusions that Tatum and Brown were somehow 1A and 1B (or even equals) rather than the clear number one and number two that they actually are, have pervaded Celtics circles since I was a small child. These delusions are what led to the most vitriolic outrage from Celtics Land on Wednesday, but there is no doubt that Brown is a better player than what he was traded for; George is an aging, injury-prone wing with a similarly expensive albeit shorter contract. Even if Boston had long decided to deal Brown, why the Celtics decided to make this move now rather than wait for something better is perplexing. But it is also possible nothing better would ever become available; without a full understanding of the market, we can’t be sure.
Tatum is a supermax player, and he will remain as such for the Celtics into the future. Most likely, the Celtics front office concluded that Brown’s supermax contract made it impossible for them to realistically compete in the next three years. Yes, they won a title with both Tatum and Brown, but that was before they were both on mega-deals and with a once-in-a-generation superteam Boston quickly became unable to pay. It is not feasible for the Celtics to put that kind of talent around Tatum and Brown ever again.
That meant trading Brown was rational, something I have repeatedly stated on various internet publishing platforms since what feels like the dawn of time but is actually just, like, last May. And even though Brown is an excellent basketball player, the contract appears to have prohibited any real market from emerging. Even I underestimated how little the Celtics and the rest of the NBA thought of Brown as an asset.
Boston did not wind up with Antetokounmpo because the Milwaukee Bucks did not see a team built around Jaylen Brown as a viable path to contention, now or in the future. Nor did the rest of the NBA, as Brown will now be second or third option on the 76ers behind Tyrese Maxey and maybe Joel Embiid. His reputation was, and should continue to be, far greater than what the Celtics got in return. But the simple reality that he makes too much money for what he actually contributes is probably the straw that broke the camel’s back.
There may be another straw. We will probably get some kind of now-they-tell-us feature story that describes how the front office slowly became disenchanted with Brown and how their relationship frayed. There may be some organizational policy that is not public information, but I will not speculate. And you can read all about why the George-plus-two-picks deal is so lopsided for Philadelphia here by the meritorious Ricky O’Donnell. I’m not here to tell you it’s a good deal.
I’m just here to say that it is, for the most part, a rational decision. We may be tempted to think that teams and players are two individuals, relating on an even playing field with emotions and attachment and associated respect. But teams are not individuals; they are groups, with complex interests and longer-term priorities. Whatever “responsibilities” they have to certain players, fans or to a city often break at the stone of cold logic. It’s not pretty, but trading Jaylen Brown for a pittance may still have been the best, or only, path forward. This is not the Luka trade, which had no bidding war. This trade was the result of the bidding war, and probably reflected his actual market value.
In the end, Brown’s contract may just be too expensive. Paying for past performance is the recipe for NBA disaster, especially in the most restrictive financial ecosystem the league has ever had. It is a bold statement, one I’m not necessarily sure I would make myself, but if Boston had truly decided that Brown was blocking their ability to build a winning team, trading him for the best offer they had, however insultingly low, makes rational sense.
Snake Bytes 7/2
Team News
D-backs’ undefeated run vs. Giants ends as Gallen searches for answers
“Zac was really good for the early parts of this game,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “I thought he was driving his fastball into the right parts of the zone.”
Said Gallen, “I felt like we were pretty much in control.”
……………………………………………………….
“I think I had said a while back, sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good in this game,” Gallen said. “Like, right now I’m on neither side of the coin, so it’s kind of frustrating. I felt like any time I made a mistake, the ball was [hit] for damage or leaving the ballpark.”
https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/news/zac-gallen-gives-up-six-runs-as-d-backs-lose-to-giants
Diamondbacks’ win streak over Giants couldn’t last forever
“We’re not gonna quit on Zac,” manager Torey Lovullo said postgame. “No coach is gonna quit on him. I know he’s struggling and he’s gonna continue to fight because that’s his spirit … It’s not working the way we want it to for him, I’ll acknowledge that, but he can pay us unbelievable dividends if he gets on one of his runs.” https://arizonasports.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/giants-win-streak-ends
Diamondbacks’ Historic Streak Against Giants Finally Comes to an Endhttps://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/onsi/diamondbacks-historic-streak-giants-finally-comes-end
Diamondbacks Injured Catcher to Begin Rehab Assignmenthttps://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/onsi/diamondbacks-injured-catcher-rehab-assignment-mccann
Diamondbacks prospect Kayson Cunningham named to NL Futures Game rosterhttps://arizonasports.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/diamondbacks-prospect-kayson-cunningham-named-to-nl-futures-game-roster
Other Baseball
MLBPA seeks larger roster sizes, demotion protection in proposal https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49240289/mlbpa-labor-proposal-seeks-bigger-roster-size-demotion-protection
MLBPA Proposes Changes To Roster Rules In CBA Talkshttps://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/mlbpa-proposes-changes-to-roster-rules-in-cba-talks.html
Team-by-team breakdown of every player headed to Futures Game
https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/news/each-team-s-prospects-headed-to-2026-futures-game?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage
Pirates SP Paul Skenes gets tagged for career-worst 7 earned runs vs. Phillieshttps://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/pirates-sp-paul-skenes-gets-tagged-for-career-worst-7-earned-runs-vs-phillies-004832134.html
Rays star Junior Caminero extends streak, becomes youngest player since at least 1900 to hit home run in 6 straight games
Rays ‘running out of words’ to describe Caminero after tying franchise markhttps://www.mlb.com/news/junior-caminero-ties-franchise-record-and-homers-in-sixth-straight-game
Dansby Swanson hits 3 homers, 8 RBIs as Cubs torch Padres 23-3https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49242842/dansby-swanson-hits-3-homers-8-rbis-cubs-torch-padres-23-3
Orioles Trade Kyle Nicolas To Nationals
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/orioles-trade-kyle-nicolas-to-nationals.html
A’s dealt a blow as Rooker set to undergo season-ending knee surgery
https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/brent-rooker-out-for-season-will-undergo-knee-surgery
Blue Jays, alumni invest $300K in Canada’s baseball future
https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-alumni-grow-baseball-canada-donations
The most iconic baseball card from every era in trading card history
https://www.mlb.com/news/most-iconic-baseball-cards-in-american-history
Anything Goes
This day in history:
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/july-2
This day in baseball:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/July_2
Soda fountain workers were called soda jerks
The workers were called soda jerks because of the jerking motion used to pump soda water.
The holes in spaghetti spoons have a purpose.
The single, circular hole in the middle of pasta spoons isn’t just for draining. It is actually a measure for the serving size of spaghetti. The amount of dry spaghetti that fits snug in the hole counts as one serving.
A group of frogs is called an army.
They can also be called a chorus or colony. A group of toads, on the other hand, can be called a nest or a knot.
Since the 4th doesn’t fall on “my day,” have a fun and safe July 4th! Or Treason Day either, or. My mom graduated high school in the bicentennial year.
Thursday Morning Links
Morning, all!
Corey Seager is back on the IL less than a week after returning from a concussion and less than a month after another back related injury.
This is the third trip to the IL for Seager this season and the ninth in the five years he’s been in Texas with five years and $155 million still left on his contract.
Wyatt Langford and Brandon Nimmo are also dealing with injuries right now.
Chris Martin made a rehab appearance with AA Frisco on Wednesday on his way back from a shoulder impingement.
Morale is high despite all the injuries, with the Rangers wrapping up a 7-3 road trip even with crucial missing pieces.
Cleveland beat the Rangers 9-4 yesterday, snapping the Rangers’ longest road win streak since 2017.
Thoughts on the Penguins first day of free agency and where they go from here
In a lot of ways the the start of the Pittsburgh Penguins offseason has gone about as most of us had expected.
- No major long-term contracts.
- Targeting players in their mid-20s for trades that might still have a chance to break out in a bigger role.
- Cheap, short-term free agents that are either reclamation projects, or players whose value can be pumped up and flipped at the deadline for more future draft picks.
It’s pretty much what they have done in each of the past two summers under Kyle Dubas, and they have had some success with it.
Overall, the Penguins have added six players over the past week either through trade or free agency. We already talked about Kaedan Korczak on Wednesday, so let’s dig a little deeper into the other moves that have been made so far.
Nicholas Robertson
It would be low-key hilarious if somebody misunderstood the Penguins interest in “Robertson” as a desire for Jason when all along the Penguins were talking about Nick.
The Penguins PR staff leaned into it on Wednesday when their email announcing the trade was simply given the subject line of: “Penguins Acquire Robertson.”
Every other roster move was accompanied by an email that included the player’s full name, position and in the case of a trade, what team they were coming from.
But not this trade!
Maybe this is part of a plan to entice Jason to come here. I could see it. It would make sense and be logical. And I do believe they still have some degree of interest in Jason (as they should) and maybe even a chance of actually pulling it off.
Whether they do pull it off or not, I still like this trade in a vacuum and on its own merits.
Robertson fits the exact type of player the Penguins have been trying to acquire the past few years, and he is a pretty good version of it. A younger, mid-20s forward that has flashed NHL ability and production, has easily identifiable skill, has performed well in smaller roles, and might be in need of a bigger role to further test themselves and develop into something more.
He was one of Toronto’s most efficient goal-scorers on a per-minute basis the past three seasons, with his 1.07 goals per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play trailing only Auston Matthew and William Nylander. That same level of production would compare favorably to the top players that have played for the Penguins. For the cost of a fourth-round pick, it is a worthy bet. If it helps convince one of the league’s top-15 players to want to come here, even better.
Declan Carlile
Instead of overpaying a 30-year-old Parker Wotherspoon in 2027 the Penguins would have been better off trying to find the next Parker Wotherspoon.
This seems like their attempt at it.
Nobody envisioned Wotherspoon, a little-used, organizational depth defenseman that signed a cheap, two-year contract in free agency in the summer of 2025, eventually becoming Erik Karlsson’s partner and an extremely effective player for a playoff team.
I’m not saying Carlile is going to repeat that success, nor am I saying he will be as good as Wotherspoon, but I am just saying to have an open mind on it, especially given the seasons they were coming off of when they joined the Penguins in free agency.
Just for comparison’s sake:
| Player | Team | Age | Season | TOI | CF% | xGA/60 | xGF% | GA/60 | GF% | O-zone % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parker Wotherspoon | Boston Bruins | 27 | 2024-25 | 885 | 47.4 | 2.31 | 47.7 | 2.17 | 46.6 | 41.6 |
| Declan Carlile | Tampa Bay Lightning | 25 | 2025-26 | 561 | 49.3 | 2.33 | 48.6 | 2.14 | 48.6 | 56.8 |
In terms of shot attempt share, expected goals against, expected goal share, goals against and goal differential they were virtually identical.
The one thing working more in Wotherspoon’s favor is that he faced the tougher minutes from a zone-start perspective.
The counter to that is that he was two years older, had more NHL experience going into the season, and consistently played alongside established NHL players. His most common partners were Brandon Carlo, Andrew Peeke, and Mason Lohrei.
Carlile was 25, had just three games of NHL experience going into the season, and spent most of his time playing next to the likes of Max Crozier, Steve Santini and Charle-Edouard D’Astous. They were all in the same boat of being mid-20s defenders getting their first taste of NHL action. And they did well. Carlile did well no matter who he was playing against.
Wotherspoon signed a two-year, $2 million deal.
Carlile signed a two-year, $3 million deal.
I do not know if it will work out the same way. But the player profiles are nearly identical, and the Penguins were able to turn last year’s guy into a younger player for the next few years at what could be a market-to-below-market contract (Korczak).
It is not hard to see the vision here.
Trevor van Riemsdyk
Of all the moves made so far this is the one that kind of left me scratching my head a little.
van Riemsdyk is a good defensive player, and definitely comes at a cheap price. He also has some positional flexibility and can play on his off-side. But he’s another right-handed defenseman on a team that is very right-handed heavy on defense.
Does it set the stage for a potential Erik Karlsson or Kris Letang trade?
Would Harrison Brunicke be part of a hypothetical Jason Robertson trade package?
Are they going to play one (or both) of van Riemsdyk and Brunicke on their off-side?
This one creates a lot of questions, even if he is a useful player.
The Penguins wanted to improve their defensive zone play. This would definitely help do that even if it is a head-scratcher of a fit.
Andrei Kuzmenko
Well, it’s not hard to see the comparable here.
Say hello to your new Anthony Mantha.
If you just simply look at their 82-game averages they are nearly identical in their production.
- Andrei Kuzmenko: 26 goals, 29 assists, 55 points
- Anthony Mantha: 25 goals, 26 assists, 51 points
Kuzmenko is the smaller player, isn’t a particularly great skater and can be a total non-factor defensively. But other than the size, you’re again basically describing Anthony Mantha.
A lot of Kuzmenko’s 82-game averages are boosted up by that 39-goal debut season when he scored on more than 27 percent of his shots, and that’s just probably a performance he’s not going to duplicate. Especially now that he is into his 30s. But he has maintained a pretty high shooting percentage, and over the past three years has averaged 0.70 goals per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play. That places him 212th out of 517 forwards that have logged at least 500 minutes of ice-time. So … about middle of the pack. He is tied with Sean Monahan and Casey Mittelstadt just to give some additional perspective on what that looks like.
I do not expect him to match the goal-scoring production that Mantha had, but the gamble is the same and I imagine so is the intent to potentially use him as a trade chip if needed.
It is also another situation that creates such a log-jam positionally that it makes you wonder what the next foot to drop will be. This gives the Penguins a LOT of NHL-level forwards, including prospects like Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen and Avery Hayes.
Is this is a sign the Penguins are maybe not as high on some of those guys? Is it a sign that a trade of some sort (or multiple trades) are on the horizon?
We will see. The offseason is still very young and there is still a lot of time before the 2026-27 regular season begins.