The Jaylen Brown trade saga has taken another unexpected turn.
After Brown and ex-Boston Celtics teammate Jayson Tatum addressed a potential “beef” between them — or “lamb chops and gravy,” as Brown put it — NBC Sports Boston analyst Brian Scalabrine added another layer to the story on Monday. Scal insinuated that Brown requested a trade out of Boston, and the C’s obliged by shipping him to the Philadelphia 76ers.
“My understanding is that Jaylen Brown went to the organization and had a list of demands, and it was like, ‘You either do this, or you trade me.’ And he was rooting to get traded to Milwaukee, including calling some other teammates about, ‘Hey, man, what do you think of Milwaukee? We should go there.’”
That contradicts what Brown said immediately following the trade. On his Twitch stream, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP vented about the “amount of respect” he was shown during the trade process and said he “wasn’t thrilled” with how Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens “facilitated some of the conversations.” He seemed genuinely blindsided by Boston’s decision to move on, stating that there’s “no loyalty in the NBA.”
Predictably, Scalabrine’s remarks caused quite a stir in the NBA world. He added more context to his comments before Monday’s Celtics-Bulls matchup at TD Garden.
“Technically, [Brown] didn’t demand to be traded,” Scal said on Celtics Pregame Live. “I just summed it all up. I summed up the entire word salad and kept it simple, but I think that’s what kind of got me in trouble there.
“I have no idea [what the demand was]. I don’t know what the ultimatum was or the demands or whatever it was. So technically, he did not demand to be traded. It was, ‘Do these things right here, or else.’ And one of them might have been, ‘Give me the $140 million extension.’ I haven’t gotten to the bottom of all that. I didn’t even know this was going to be a thing. It’s one of those things that lived in my mind for months. I finally used it because we were talking about the weirdest stuff, and now it’s out there.”
So according to Scalabrine, Brown didn’t demand a trade. Rather, he approached Boston’s front office with a “list of demands,” and the front office didn’t acquiesce.
“I might be wrong. I’m not going to stand up here and be defensive about that, but the path looked a little bit more challenging, with 70 percent of our cap and such a high percent of our usage tied into two players,” he said at the time.
If nothing else, the latest Jaylen Brown drama has made the upcoming showdown between the C’s and Sixers even more interesting. Brown and Tatum’s first official game against one another is scheduled for Nov. 10 in Philly.
TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 13: Jaden Akins #14 of the New York Knicks looks to pass the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 13, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Westchester Knicks have announced their 2026–27 training camp roster, with 16 players competing for an opportunity to make their mark in the Knicks’ developmental pipeline. The group includes three players designated as two-way players: guard Jaden Akins and forwards Dalton Knecht and Tyler Nickel.
Those three will be worth watching as camp gets underway. For players on two-way contracts, Westchester offers a chance to get consistent minutes, sharpen their games, and build a case for opportunities at Madison Square Garden.
The full camp roster, with positions as listed in Ian Begley’s tweet:
Guards: Jaden Akins, Tre Dinkins III, Mitchell Mascari, Dink Pate, Amir “Primo” Spears, and Paul Zilinskas.
Forwards: Tahj-Malik Campbell, David Dixon, Nicholas Jourdain, Dalton Knecht, Oleksandr Kobzystyi, Igor Miličić, Tyler Nickel, and Toby Okani.
Forward/center: N’Faly Dante.
Center: Liam Robbins.
For those of you hoping there’d be a center here to save the big league club . . . probably not. Still, this crew should make Westchester an interesting watch. Nickel, Knecht, and Pate are sure to treat the crowd to some orange and blue fireworks!
The next step for these players is to turn that training camp invitation into a role. Attention now shifts to which players will distinguish themselves and who head coach DeSagana Diop will carry into the season. The season starts on Friday, November 6, with a road game in Maine.
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 10: Chris Boucher #25 of the Toronto Raptors looks on ahead of playing the Washington Wizards in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on March 10, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Chris Boucher played seven seasons in a Toronto Raptors jersey, and fans seem to be clamouring for him to have one more after the debacle that was Sunday night’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Losses are to be expected in the NBA, especially to teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have one of the most dangerous backcourt duos in Anthony Edwards and Lonzo Ball, paired with a 4-time Defensive Player of the Year in rim protector Rudy Gobert. This threesome looks built to be Raptor kryptonite, and indeed, beat the Raps badly, 94-117. However, what was shocking about the loss wasn’t the severity, but it was who became instrumental in the team’s collapse.
Two of the Raptors’ five starters scored zero points throughout the entire contest. Both Jakob Poeltl and Scottie Barnes went scoreless last night, which, in the latter’s case, is absolutely shocking. However, while Poeltl is the Raptors’ starting big man, he has a documented injury history that is potentially still limiting his abilities on the court. For that reason, some Raptors fans are ready for a change at centre, with Boucher seemingly throwing his hat in the ring with a very simple Tweet last night.
“GAIN SOME WEIGHT, AND WORK ON REBOUNDING, AND YOU’D HAVE A JOB FAM.” @coach5611 came in, providing some clear instructions for what he’d like to see from Boucher.
The man who some fans called the “Block Quebecois” most recently played for the Boston Celtics, averaging two points and two rebounds across nine games, a far cry from his 10 points per game a year before for the Toronto Raptors.
Boucher would have some difficulties fitting into the current Raptors’ current needs as a result of his slender frame and height of 6’8”, of which the Raptors have plenty of such players already. Boucher’s last start came in the 2021-22 season for the Raptors, meaning that if he rejoined the team, he would undoubtedly remain a bench piece.
While it would be fantastic for team and fan morale to have Boucher back in a limited role, fans’ reactions are likely mired in nostalgia and frustration for Toronto’s current centre situation as opposed to clearheaded suggestions. Nevertheless, last night demonstrated that Boucher still has a contingent of loyal fans amongst Raptors supporters, who would be glad to see their fellow Canadian back in Raptors red and black.
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 27: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball while defended by Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the game during Round One Game Four on April 27, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns (1-1) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (3-0)
When: 5:00pm Arizona Time
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7
Phoenix got in the win column Saturday night against a depleted Warriors team, behind a vintage Devin Booker 43-point, 7-rebound, 7-assist game. Most of the reaction has been in the “concerned” category, and rightly so. The Suns have started games slowly, shown a lack of cohesiveness, failed to box out rebounders, at times losing focus, and have not consistently provided the level of effort needed for this roster to succeed.
In September, Bright Side of the Sun’s staff chimed in on the biggest questions facing the Suns in their first 10 games. I said, “My main question is in the intangibles category. Last year, the Suns were gritty more often than not. They dove for loose balls, scrapped on defense, and crashed the offensive glass. With new parts added and several high-effort players signing new contracts, will the effort dip?”
This remains the overriding thing to monitor, transcending individual player performances. Will the players self-correct and reach the required level? Jordan Ott was rated in the GM survey as having good offensive and defensive schemes. Can he show the coaching “goods” in the other skills like motivation, culture sustainment, and accountability?
Perhaps a game against a championship-caliber Thunder team will help Phoenix raise the bar on its play, even if it doesn’t result in a win. After a win on Sunday, OKC enters the game 3-0. They also swept the Suns in last year’s playoffs. This game is not about revenge for that series; it’s about closing a large gap in “how” the two teams play and getting this season on the right path.
Late-breaking news as I prepared this article: Uber-talented star Jalen Williams was carted off the home floor during the fourth quarter of Oklahoma City’s victory Sunday night over the Clippers. With the culture in OKC, expect the rest of their talented team to respond. Devastating news for a player who has only been stopped by injury in a promising career thus far. The Thunder suffered several other rotation player injuries in that contest as well.
Tale of the Tape
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
Oso Ighodaro — Doubtful (Right Oblique Strain)
Mark Williams — Out (Left Shoulder Surgery)
Thunder
Jalen Williams — Out (Lower-leg/ankle injury)
Cason Wallace — Out (Left shoulder soreness)
Chet Holmgren — Out (Right Patellar Tendinitis)
What to Watch For
This is a tough matchup for the Suns. Outcomes are what count in the standings, but “process” is what will ultimately count for this team’s season. Look for signs of improvement. Is awareness of defense improving? Do loose balls find their way into the hands of Phoenix players?
After two games, the purple & orange are 26th in the league in defensive rebounding. This has to improve the limit second chance points should the Thunder hit a cold streak in shooting. That is quite literally a tall task with OKC, who include three 7-foot-plus players in the rotation: Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and rookie Aday Mara.
Watch for ways that make us feel better about the way we’re playing. It’s a long season, but bad habits can become the norm if not corrected.
Keys to a Suns Win
Upsets in the NBA are often tied to two factors: three-point shooting (volume and accuracy) and the absence of key players on the favored team, due to injury or rest. As covered above, the unfortunate three injuries OKC incurred Sunday night, check one of those boxes.
To get good looks from long range, better ball movement would go a long way. As of Sunday, Phoenix ranks last in the NBA in passes made per game (230, compared to a league median of 294), per NBA.com.
Luke Kennard showed that elite sharpshooter talent in his first appearance Saturday. The ball needs to find its way to him, and last year’s team three-point recorder holder Collin Gillespie frequently. While we’re at it, it would be a big lift if Booker provided one of his occasional six 3-pointer games. His shot was “on” versus the Warriors, but almost exclusively inside the arc. Other potential contributors to a hot night from downtown could be Jalen Green, Miles Bridges, Dillon Brooks, or Jordan Goodwin — all of whom have had streaky, good long-distance games in the past.
The flip side of this: limiting threes for the Thunder. Jared McCain is a dangerous combination of high volume and accuracy, so the Suns need to be aware of him at all times. It feels like Alex Curoso often gets hot versus Phoenix, and checking this shows a career 40% mark. The bottom line is that the higher levels of effort and awareness mentioned in “what to watch for” have to show up as quick, alert defensive rotations. Make OKC, playing the second game of a back-to-back and with a suddenly thinned rotation, work hard for those open shots and hope the weary legs lead to a low three-point percentage.
Then PLEASE box out and go after those rebounds to limit second chances.
Prediction
The Suns take steps in the right direction, but not quite enough to get the W against this powerhouse team at home.
Williams, an All-Star and key contributor to Oklahoma City’s 2025 championship, was taken off the court on a stretcher late in the Thunder’s 108-101 victory.
Williams has a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle on the left side, while Wallace has a labral tear in his left shoulder. Presti did not provide a timeline for either Williams' or Wallace's return.
As of 7:17 p.m. ET, Oct. 26, the Thunder’s title odds lengthened to +347 from +238 on Oct. 24, per BetFinder’s consensus. That shift dropped Oklahoma City behind the San Antonio Spurs, who became the new championship favorite at +290.
The Thunder's odds had already lengthened to +309 earlier Monday, before Presti's press conference detailing the extent of the injuries.
In implied probability – the likelihood of winning suggested by betting odds – Oklahoma City fell 7.2 percentage points from 29.6% to 22.4%. That’s the largest peak-to-trough decline of any NBA team in BetFinder data dating to July 7.
The Miami Heat have experienced the next-largest drop, falling 3.4 percentage points from their July 22 peak to their Oct. 26 low. San Antonio also fell 3.4 points between its July 8 peak and Oct. 25 low.
No other team has seen a peak-to-trough decline exceeding two percentage points.
Oklahoma City’s change came over just two days. By comparison, Miami’s decline stretched from late July into October, while San Antonio’s peak and subsequent low followed a similar trend. The timing makes the Thunder’s slide especially abrupt.
Despite the injury to Williams and Wallace, Oklahoma City still has a stacked roster, led by two-time and defending MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, who ranked second in last season’s defensive player of the year honors. Holmgren is dealing with right patellar tendinitis, however, and will miss the Thunder's game against the Phoenix Suns on Monday, Oct. 26.
And with that in mind, bettors still give the Thunder a just over one-in-five shot at the title, per implied probability.
The third-ranked team in championship odds is the LeBron James-led Philadelphia 76ers at +925. No other team has odds shorter than +1000, while the defending champions New York Knicks sit right at that line.
CHATTANOOGA, TN - SEPTEMBER 13: Alfredo Duno #44 of the Chattanooga Lookouts uses a tiny camera prior to the game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Chattanooga Lookouts at Erlanger Park on Sunday, September 13, 2026 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (Photo by Maddalena LoRae/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
The World Series hit pause on Sunday, yet tonight (Monday) will feature the Tampa Bay Rays playing host to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 down by the bay. Yet while the big league Cincinnati Reds sit idle as their peers determine who gets to claim the title of World Champs, several of the top prospects in their farm system have been plying their trades all over the place in preparation for a (hopefully) big step forward in 2027.
Over in the Arizona Fall League, outfielder Yerlin Confidan is fresh off a week to remember with the Peoria Javelinas. The toolsy 23 year old hit .255/.332/.405 in 527 PA split between High-A Dayton and AA Chattanooga during the regular season in 2026, the 15 homers he socked in total perhaps an understatement of the overall top-tier power he possesses in his long, left-handed swing. That power has been playing up in-game in AFL play, though, and last week alone he went 7 for 12 with 4 runs, a pair of doubles, a triple, and a dinger, with MLB Pipeline noting that he hit a trio of balls in play in excess of 110 mph off the bat. Overall he owns a 1.097 OPS across 42 PA to start AFL play in what’s becoming a bit of a breakout party for him.
Confidan is in the lineup for Peoria today playing LF and batting cleanup.
Down in the Venezuelan Winter League, 20 year old stud catching prospect Alfredo Duno is holding his own quite well. As Doug Gray noted over at Redleg Nation, Duno became the youngest player in the league to homer so far this campaign when he swatted a homer on Friday night – and one of only two 20 years olds who’ve homered in that league in the last two years. There’s video of said blast, too.
Over in the Dominican Winter League, Noelvi Marte has seemingly found his groove again with the Gigantes del Cibao. After finally, mercifully being optioned back to AAA Louisville mid-August after a long run of poor form, said poor form dogged him at the minor league level, too. He hit just .273/.291/.374 in 103 PA from that point through the end of the AAA season, logging just a lone dinger in the process. However, this October has seen him turn 25 years old and go right back to mashing, and as of Monday morning he’s the owner of a .400/.424/.567 line across 33 PA to begin DOWL play. That includes this mammoth blast over the tall wall in CF from yesterday:
The Gigantes sport a roster full of recognizable names, including the likes of Marcell Ozuna, Nomar Mazara, Agustin Ramirez, and old friend Aristides Aquino. Also on the roster is promising Reds rookie Carlos Jorge, though he’s off to a bit slower start than Noelvi. He’s gone just 2 for 18 with a pair of walks and 9 K through his first 8 games played, but one of those hits was a 2-run blast over that same tall wall in CF last week:
🐎🤎 ¡SUBIÓ LA LIBRA DE CACAO! 💣 ¡CARLOS JORGE DESAPARECIÓ LA BOLA CON UN GARROTAZO GIGANTE! ⚾🚀
The Dallas Mavericks are in Miami playing their old rivals, the Heat, as they look for their second win of the year. Miami made a huge splash over the offseason trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but have not seen the fruits of their labor thus far. They have yet to win, but despite their hunger, the Mavericks are not going to go down easily. With Cooper Flagg looking good to go, Dallas can catch Miami with their pants down if they make shots early. Given the Mavericks’ center rotation, this will be Dusty May’s first true test of how he can scheme a win. It should be a chess match against one of the NBA’s longest-tenured coaches, Erik Spoelstra.
Game intangibles
Dallas Mavericks (1-2) at Miami Heat (0-3)
Tipoff: 6:40p CT at the Kaseya Center, Miami, FL.
How to watch: The game will be televised locally on KFAA Channel 29, or streaming on MavsTV+ for anyone in the Mavericks media market. For those outside of the viewing area, the game will be on NBA League Pass and NBATV.
I think May opts for the “Luka” game plan with Giannis: let him get what he wants and take away the other guys. Miami has very little shooting around him, and letting Antetokounmpo get his 40 in the paint while everyone else is locked up will be key to keeping this close.
Flagg has 10 rebounds in his last four quarters, as he had five in the second half against Houston and five in the first half against Indiana. If he can put a full game together, this should be an easy over.
Game sides
Dallas +7.5 (+100)
Under 241.5 points (-112)
Dallas has slowed the pace down in their three games. I thought the contest vs Indiana would be run-and-gun, but they kept it to a battle of execution. I think the same goes tonight in Miami. You do not want to let them get out and run; they have the better transition players. I think this will be a close, well-played game, with the Heat victorious 113-109.
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 23: The sneakers worn by Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics against the New York Knicks on October 23, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The first week of the NBA season is a time to celebrate, as basketball is officially back. Unfortunately, the first week of the 2026-27 season was rough, with multiple teams losing key players for extended periods. Dallas dodged a bullet with Cooper Flagg's shoulder injury; Detroit will be without Jalen Duren (hamstring) for at least two weeks, and Indiana's Ivica Zubac (ankle) may also miss time. Oklahoma City and Orlando had even worse luck on the injury front.
The Thunder lost Jalen Williams to a horrific left leg injury during the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Clippers. That came after Cason Wallace (shoulder) and Jaylin Williams (wrist) exited earlier in the contest. At the time of publication, J-Dub hadn't been officially ruled out for the rest of the season, but that may be the outcome.
As for Orlando, they lost Paolo Banchero to a low-grade high right ankle sprain in Friday's loss to the Timberwolves, an injury likely to keep him out 4-6 weeks. During Sunday's win over the Knicks, Anthony Black made his debut after missing the preseason and the first two games with a sprained ankle, and Jalen Suggs hyperextended his right knee while attempting to convert a layup. Suggs will be re-evaluated in two weeks, which is a positive development given the initial fears.
Because of those injuries, players like Oklahoma City's Ajay Mitchell and Orlando's Black and Tristan da Silva will take on added importance in fantasy basketball in the coming weeks and months. Below are the updated top-200 fantasy basketball rankings, which will be a bit volatile early in the season.
G Ty Jerome, Memphis Grizzlies: Many expected Jerome's fantasy value to rise this season, but few expected him to be as good as he was in Week 1. In three Grizzlies victories, he averaged 34.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 3.0 three-pointers per game, shooting 56.3 percent from the field and 88.5 percent from the foul line.
G/F Duncan Robinson, Detroit Pistons: Detroit is off to a 3-0 start, and Robinson's production is one reason why. During Week 1, he averaged 19.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 5.0 three-pointers per game. Robinson remains primarily a points-and-threes option for fantasy managers, but Duren's injury should open even more offensive opportunities.
C Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings: After Sabonis' 2025-26 averages dropped sharply, he appears to have rebounded. Shooting 80.8 percent from the field and 86.7 percent from the foul line, the veteran center averaged 18.7 points, 17.3 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game during Week 1.
▶ Who’s Not
G Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls: Giddey struggled with his shot during the preseason, and unfortunately for fantasy managers, that has carried into the regular season. During Week 1, the Bulls point guard shot 26.9 percent from the field and 50 percent from the foul line, averaging 5.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game. Few expect high-level scoring from Giddey, but he can do more than he did last week.
G/F Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks: Bridges' six points on 3-of-7 shooting in Sunday's loss to the Magic was a step in the right direction compared to his first two outings. Through three games, he has totaled 10 points, nine rebounds, six assists, one steal and two blocks, shooting 5-of-23 from the field and 0-of-10 from beyond the arc.
C Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves: Gobert's field-goal attempts per game have decreased each of the last three seasons, and he isn't going to be an offensive focal point for the Timberwolves. However, he averaged just 4.7 attempts per game in Minnesota's three Week 1 victories. Hopefully, that number improves as Gobert establishes better chemistry with LaMelo Ball.
As the World Series shifts to Florida for Game 3, all eyes will be on the pivotal pitching matchup and the energy in Tropicana Field. The Milwaukee Brewers, up 2-0 on the Tampa Bay Rays, will send rookie Robert Gasser to the mound on Monday, facing former Brewer and current Rays ace Freddy Peralta.
In the latest episode of Yahoo Sports’ "Bar-B-Cast," podcast hosts Jordan Shusterman and Jake Mintz highlighted the contrasting approaches: Peralta's experience and emotional stakes for the Rays vs. the Brewers' confident reliance on another rookie arm in a high-pressure situation.
“I have watched Freddy already a couple times in this postseason … and he’s just looked incredible,” Shusterman said. “He was not as sharp in his final start in [ALCS] Game 6 … but the velocity was still there. He was still pumping 99.”
When he takes the mound for Game 3, Peralta is not only pitching against his former team but also weeks away from free agency — he ranks No. 2 on Yahoo Sports’ list of this winter’s top free agents — making him a major storyline regardless of the series outcome. Shusterman notes Peralta's impressive velocity and dominance in this postseason, emphasizing that he has thrived indoors and the added intrigue of him facing the Brewers.
“We are going to continue to be talking about Freddy Peralta from now until first pitch, during the game, after the game and then for weeks to come,” Shusterman said.
Mintz focused on Gasser, aka “Bobby Diesel,” who pitched five shutout innings in the NLCS at Dodger Stadium. Mintz noted how Gasser is another example of the Brewers' organizational philosophy: They trade away high-profile pitchers such as Peralta because they trust their pipeline, illustrated by Gasser's rapid rise.
"But the reason that the Brewers trade Freddy Peralta, they trade the Freddy Peraltas of the world, is because one day they will have the Robert Gassers of the world. Right?" Mintz said. "Robert Gasser, whom they got in the Josh Hader trade, right? Like, it is the perfect balance here."
Shusterman and Mintz are also curious about the crowd dynamic for Game 3. With the Brewers' passionate fan base traveling well — Mintz mentioned a “Let’s go, Brewers!” chant breaking out on his flight — the atmosphere at the Trop will be a story in itself.
"I think they're going to be well represented at Tropicana Field," Shusterman said of Brewers fans. "I'm looking on our beloved GameTime app right now. And there are many tickets that I imagine are much more affordable than they would have been for Games 1 and 2 [in Milwaukee]. And it would not surprise me if the cost to go in Milwaukee is pretty similar to the cost it would take to fly to … St. Pete's and see the game at the Trop."
That said, Shusterman noted the electric atmosphere at the Trop for ALCS Game 6 after the Rays took the lead in that series before returning to Florida.
“When they come back up 3-2, it was packed,” he said. “It was awesome. It was 98% Rays fans. It was terrific.”
However the crowd breaks down, Game 3 presents a crossroads: Can Peralta pitch the Rays back into this series, or will the Brewers' unflappable offense and shutdown bullpen put them on the doorstep of a title?
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 23: Jonathan Kuminga #24 of the Minnesota Timberwolves grabs the rebound during the game against the Orlando Magic on October 23, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s a small sample size, but the Minnesota Timberwolves lead the league in rebounding after the first three games this season.
The Wolves hauled in 52 boards against the Miami Heat, 61 against the Orlando Magic, and 49 against the Toronto Raptors. In all three contests, the Wolves dominated the glass, and it led to three blowout victories. Wolves head coach Chris Finch explained why there has been a shift in the team’s approach to rebounding over the weekend.
“It starts with Jaden (McDaniels) and Anthony (Edwards) and JK (Jonathan Kuminga). Those guys just getting back in the play and rebounding the ball in the air. We’ve been harping on it,” Finch said.
“Obviously, it’s easier to rebound when you play really good kind of first-shot defense, and you can force them into shots where you’re not in rotations and stuff like that, so that’s been key to it as well – being able to be in good help spots and then go pursue the ball. That’s really what it is. It’s the pursuit of the ball on both ends of the floor. We were one of the worst teams in terms of watching rebounds and not actually pursuing the ball, and this year we’ve been able to switch our mentality to be more of a pursuit team.”
Crashing the glass on the offensive side of the ball has increased the number of possessions Minnesota gets. The more shots they’re taking, the more are falling. If the Wolves can continue this mindset across the course of the season, they should be one of the biggest threats in the Western Conference.
Many thought that the loss of Naz Reid and Julius Randle would hurt the team’s rebounding efforts, but going smaller in the lineup has forced everybody to prioritize rebounding when they are on the court.
Wolves center Rudy Gobert emphasized the importance of all five players contributing to the rebounding efforts and how much of a difference it is making.
“I think just compete, and just having the mindset of doing something… whatever is happening on the floor, finding a body, contesting the shots and I think it goes from one to five,” Gobert said. “Having five guys doing something… being active, and when we do that, it makes it easy for me, and it makes it easy for us as a team.”
It’s going to be difficult to keep up this trend, but this could be what sets the Wolves apart from their competitors.
As Marnus Labuschagne was dreaming about a South African homecoming that has become a nightmare, he was asked about Steve Smith during a chat at the SCG last month.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 19: Freddy Peralta #51 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates after wining the ALCS MVP after defeating the Cleveland Guardians in game six of the American League Championship Series at Tropicana Field on October 19, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The D-backs and the Rays both entered the major leagues in 1998. Arizona has the only World Series win, but Tampa Bay have been more successful in reaching the post-season, with ten playoff appearances to the D-backs’ seven. Overall, the win percentages of the teams are very similar. The D-backs are two points higher, at .495 against the Rays’ .493. But of late, our East coast siblings have definitely had the edge. In the past eight seasons, they have six trips to the post-season, to Arizona’s one. Over the same time-span, since the start of 2019, they have averaged 92 wins, a whopping fourteen victories per season more than the Diamondbacks.
That’s despite Tampa Bay having significantly less resources. From 2019-26 (and excluding 2020, for obvious reasons), Arizona had an average end of year payroll, per Spotrac, of $138 million. Tampa Bay’s mean salary bill was just $93 million. Here’s how the two teams have compared, year-by-year, in terms of salary, where that ranks in the majors, and their W-L record.
The Rays have spent one season outside the bottom quartile (25%) of team payrolls. The D-backs have been outside that six of the eight season, including a payroll in the top half, the past three years. Now, in 2024 and 2025, this did lead to the team winning nine and three more games than their siblings. But that run ended this year, with a vengeance. The Rays are in the World Series, while the Diamondbacks fell short of making the playoffs. Admittedly, had Arizona been in the American League, their 86 wins would have got them into the third wild-card. But that’s still a dozen games fewer than Tampa Bay.
So, what can the D-backs learn from the Rays? To try and get some idea, I want to start of by looking at the 26-man World Series roster for the Rays, and see how the team came to acquire each player. Below is the information on that, along with how valuable the player was for the Rays this year.
Pitchers
Bryan Baker (2.9 bWAR) – Traded by the Orioles for pick #37 in the 2025 draft.
Cam Booser (1.1) – Signed as a Free Agent.
Garrett Cleavinger (-0.3) – Traded by the Dodgers for German Tapia.
Griffin Jax (0.7) – Traded by the Twins for Taj Bradley.
Kevin Kelly (1.9) – Purchased from the Rockies.
Nick Martinez (3.9) – Signed as a Free Agent.
Steven Matz (-0.7) – Signed as a Free Agent.
Freddy Peralta (1.2) – Traded by the Mets for Gary Gill Hill, Émilien Pitre and Aidan Smith.
Drew Rasmussen (4.7) – Traded by the Brewers with J.P. Feyereisen for Willy Adames and Trevor Richards.
Ian Seymour (0.7) – Picked in the 2nd round of the 2020 draft.
Cole Sulser (-0.3) – Purchased from the Mets.
Tyler Wells (0.9) – Traded by the Orioles for Michael Forret.
The narrative would have you believe that the Rays’ success is due to strong drafting and a good farm system. But the above suggests otherwise – at least, directly (we’ll get into that eventually). Only one of the dozen pitchers on Tampa Bay’s roster for the World Series was drafted by them. Six were trades, with another two purchased, and three signed with the Rays as a free agent. But looking at the trades, it’s startling how little they generally had to give up. Willy Adames is easily the biggest name, and he was good for Milwaukee, putting up 14 bWAR over four seasons. But you think the Brewers wouldn’t rather have Drew Rasmussen, right now?
The Sulser thing is worth noting, because it was the third time the Rays had acquired him. He’s like their version of Ildemaro Vargas. They first did so in 2018, as part of a three-team trade which netted them Yandy Diaz. But they lost him on waivers the following October. Sulser was actually a Diamondback for a while, having been picked off waivers from the Marlins in November 2022. He played four games with Arizona, but was DFA’d in August 2023 and went back to Tampa, because we needed the roster spot for… Jace Peterson. Yeah. About that. Sulser hit free agency that winter, signed with the Mets but returned again to Tampa Bay the next July.
Catchers
Nick Fortes (0.8) – Traded by the Marlins for Matthew Etzel
Liam Hicks (0.7) – Traded by the Marlins for Jacob Kisting, Adrian Santana and Brayden Taylor.
I think it’s interesting that both Rays’ catchers came intrastate, by trades from their Florida neighbors. Fortes arrived at the trade deadline last year, and Hicks at the same point this season. Obviously, it’s impossible to judge these trades yet, since none of the four players sent to Miami have yet appeared in the majors. However, none of them were ranked higher than #16 in the Rays’ farm system at the time of the trade.
Infielders
Jonathan Aranda (2.2) – Signed as an international Free Agent
Junior Caminero (5.7) – Traded by the Indians for Tobias Myers.
Yandy Díaz (2.4) – Traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Indians with Cole Sulser to the Rays. The Indians sent Edwin Encarnación and a 2019 competitive balance pick to the Mariners. The Mariners sent Carlos Santana and cash to the Indians. Rays sent cash to the Mariners and Jake Bauers to the Indians.
Jorge Mateo (-1.0) – Signed as a Free Agent.
Richie Palacios (1.8) – Traded by the Cardinals for Andrew Kittredge.
Taylor Walls (3.5) – Picked in the 3rd round of the 2017 draft
Ben Williamson (0.8) – Traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Mariners to the Rays. The Mariners sent Jurrangelo Cijntje, Tai Peete and a draft pick to the Cardinals. The Cardinals sent Brendan Donovan to the Mariners. The Rays sent Colton Ledbetter and a draft pick to the Cardinals.
We see the same pattern as with pitchers. Only one of the seven was formally drafted by the Rays. You could perhaps stretch to include Aranda, who was signed out of Mexico as a 17-year-old, and has never played with any other organization. But here, I note the lack of money spent on the free-agent market. Mateo was the only one in that category, and he was signed for a pittance after being cut by the Braves. He’s also basically a pinch-runner who didn’t get a PA in the first two playoff rounds. The only player earning more than seven figures on the Rays this year is Yandy Diaz, at a very reasonable $12 million. The Dodgers have twelve players there, if you include Ohtani. And you should.
The Caminero trade is likely going to go down as one of the greatest thefts in recent history. Caminero has been worth 10 bWAR for the Rays in 2025-26. Myers never appeared for the Ind…er, Guardians, and was last seen as a bad reliever in the Mets bullpen. The Diaz and Williamson deals, meanwhile, are both among those “How the heck did they work that out?“ situations. Bauers never amounted to much in Cleveland, before blossoming this year with Milwaukee, and will face his old team in the World Series. Again, Ledbetter was a prospect outside the top twenty in the Rays organization at the time of his trade.
Outfielders
Jonny DeLuca (1.7) – Traded by the Dodgers with Ryan Pepiot to the Rays for Tyler Glasnow, Manuel Margot and cash.
Victor Mesa Jr. (2.9) – Traded by the Marlins to the Rays for Angel Brachi.
Cedric Mullins (1.0) – Signed as a Free Agent.
Chandler Simpson (2.5) – Picked by the Rays in the 2nd round of the 2022 draft.
Ryan Vilade (0.8) – Purchased from the Cincinnati Reds.
The trade which brought DeLuca to the Rays is an example of Tampa Bay selling high. Glasnow has been a bit of glass cannon for LA since: a 120 ERA+, but averaging fewer than 18 appearances per season. Pepiot was almost as good as Glasnow in 2024-25 – certainly more durable – and considerably cheaper. But he missed all of this season with a hip issue. Brachi was unranked by MLB Pipeline when he was dealt: I’m beginning to detect a theme here. But again, we see a limited number of players who were actually drafted by Tampa Bay. They seem keen on, and adept at, plucking players they need away from other teams.
Summary
Trades: 14 players
Signed as a free agent: 5 players
Purchased: 3 players
Draft pick: 3 players
International free agent: 1 player
This certainly demonstrates where the strength of the Rays lies. As mentioned, it’s not directly in the draft, with barely ten percent of their World Series roster having been acquired that way. It’s in smart trades, purchases and low-cost free-agent signings – or what’s often derided when Mike Hazen does it, as “dumpster diving.” Of course, that’s the kind of thing that’s easier said than done, though the Arizona bullpen this season shows that it is something Hazen can figure out on occasion. It’s an interesting contrast to the Brewers, who have a much more internal approach to their roster: seven draftees and three international free agents.
But we shouldn’t write off the Tampa Bay farm system entirely. Next time, we’ll take a look at that and see if we can figure out how it plays into the team’s strategy.
