Jun 23, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
We don’t care much about starting pitching records anymore, and for good reason. But it’s kind of wild to look up and realize that Sonny Gray is 9-1 following his latest gem for the Red Sox against the Rockies in Coors Field on Tuesday night. On a team that entered the evening tied for the fewest wins in all of baseball, Sonny Gray has pretty much been everything Boston could’ve asked for this year, and he was again following the team’s latest gut punch loss on Monday.
Gray didn’t just throw seven innings of one run baseball, he struck out eleven guys in a ballpark notorious for balls going in play. It never felt like he was in trouble, he once again proved in command of all of his pitches, and he’s now responsible for nearly a third of the team’s victories all season.
And I guess that’s kind of the other big story of this game: The Red Sox, for whatever reason, seem to play a little bit more of a complete game when Gray is on the mound. It’s probably mostly sequencing and luck, but this squad has wasted so many wonderful outings from their starters in 2026, it’s almost surprising how often they’ve been able to button things down in mostly uneventful fashion for Gray.
But for overall balance, score one for a game going mostly as advertised on paper. The Red Sox had the huge pitching advantage on the mound, and it largely played out that way. If we want to get picky, you wouldn’t be wrong to point out they probably should have scored more than five runs with a wild Sean Sullivan on the mound for the Rockies at Coors Field, but I’m not going to complain about that tonight. The Red Sox got a win they needed, the Rockies looked like the Rockies, and Coors Field proved much more docile than it can be on a warm summer night.
To the studs and duds!
Three Studs
Sonny Gray: Seven innings of one run baseball at Coors Field with eleven strikeouts attached is a golden ticket here every time. If he does get moved later this summer, the price just went up.
Wilyer Abreu: He grew up a fan of Carlos Gonzalez, and he looked a lot like Carlos Gonzalez in his heyday tonight. A monster home run, a triple, and he almost had an outfield assist that turned into an unlucky error when the ball hit the runner. Here’s the big blast:
Nate Eaton: Led off the game with a walk, scored the first run on Abreu’s triple, and then had three more hits the rest of the night.
Bonus Stud: Anthony Seigler: 2-3 with a walk, and helped set up chances all night from the bottom of the lineup.
Three Duds
Jarren Duran: Not only did he go 0-5, but he managed to strike out three times while the rest of the team only struck out once combined. Opponents are attacking him down and away pretty routinely, and they’re having enormous success.
Andruw Monasterio: The only other player to go hitless in the Boston lineup, although he at least walked once.
Garrett Whitlock: He came into a four run game in the ninth inning after allowing four hits last night and quickly looked vulnerable again surrendering a solo home. While Whitlock worked through it and recorded the final out before Chapman was needed, Coors Field doesn’t seem to agree with him, and I have to imagine the Sox will try and stay away from him tomorrow in the finale.
Speaking of which, that will be an early 3:10pm ET first pitch with Ranger Suarez on the hill trying to finish off what would become a 4-2 road trip for the Sox with a win.
The first round of the NBA draft started quietly on Tuesday night with teams selecting players and keeping them at least through the first 12 spots.
Then the trades started at No. 13 involving the teams that were part of the massive swap agreed to on Monday sending Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee to Miami.
That was the first of nine trades involving 10 players over the final 18 selections to wrap up the first round. The Memphis Grizzlies were involved in two deals sliding back five spots and netting five future second-round selections, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Why? Because none of these trades can be finalized until July 6.
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No. 13: F Nate Ament, announced to Miami with rights quickly sent to Milwaukee.
No. 16: G Bennett Stirtz, selected by Memphis with rights swapped to Oklahoma City for No. 17 and two second-round selections.
No. 17: G Ebuka Okorie, slot held by Oklahoma City sent to Memphis in trade for Stirtz's rights.
No. 21: F Karim Lopez, announced to Detroit with rights sent to Memphis along with three first-round selections for Okorie's rights.
No. 24: G Cameron Carr, New York Knicks sent his rights to the Los Angeles Lakers.
No. 25: F Sergio De Larrea, the Lakers' pick sent to the Knicks with his rights traded to Dallas.
No. 26: C Tarris Reed Jr., Denver traded his rights to San Antonio.
No. 28: F Joshua Jefferson, Minnesota traded this slot to Brooklyn as part of the Julius Randle trade as the Nets moved up five spots.
No. 29: F Alex Karaban, Cleveland moved back to No. 34 in this draft, sending Karaban's rights to Sacramento.
No. 30: F Koa Peat, the Knicks traded out of the first round entirely ESPN reported by sending the Dallas pick to Phoenix for the rights to the player from the Phoenix-area who played for Arizona.
Oct 2, 2023; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman talks to the media during media day at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
This was a savvy trade because of the financial flexibility this deal provides.
Every first-round pick comes with a guaranteed contract and salary slot. The 29th pick is slated to earn $3 million this upcoming season, with $6.1 million guaranteed over the next two seasons. Those same guarantees don’t come with second-round selections.
Second-round picks can sign whatever contracts the team and player agree to. They are eligible for the minimum salary ($1.35 million) and can also be signed to two-way contracts that don’t count against the cap. As a result, the Cavs could save $1.65 million if their second-round selection signs a minimum contract.
This matters because the Cavs need to cut costs at every corner. They were the only team above the second apron last season and still are above it. Exceeding that threshold comes with numerous restrictions, including an inability to do sign-and-trades, no access to the midlevel exception, and prohibitions on aggregating contracts in trades. These penalties hinder the Cavs’ ability to upgrade their roster.
Right now, Cleveland is just barely on the wrong side of the second apron, and they will have numerous big decisions to make this summer.
Dean Wade and Keon Ellis will become unrestricted free agents. Both would be due significant pay raises if they are retained. The Cavs are also expected to re-sign James Harden once he declines his player option for next season. Re-signing these players — particularly Wade — could take them further into the second apron. And if they lose any of them in free agency, they would need to fill those spots with new incoming players.
Every dollar matters for the Cavs. Saving potentially $1.65 million may not seem like much from the outside, but it is a huge deal for the front office. This team needs to get under the second apron, and preferably far below it, this summer if they want to retool their roster. This trade helps them do so, even though additional moves are still needed.
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More importantly, there isn’t a significant drop-off in talent this late in the draft. The Cavs may even be able to select the same player they would have if they kept the 29th pick instead.
On top of that, they still get an additional second-round pick as well. For a team that is starving for future assets, picking up another second is helpful.
At the same time, it’s fair to acknowledge that little maneuvers like this are needed because of the front office’s previous mistakes. Going into the second apron isn’t a death sentence, but only if the team you have assembled is complete. The Cavs weren’t and still aren’t.
In a perfect world, the Cavs wouldn’t have to worry about nickel-and-diming every roster decision. They would just take the best player available. And if a move was to be made, it was one done for strictly on-court reasons, not to ensure the spreadsheets were perfectly balanced.
On its own, this was a good trade, but it also serves as a reminder of previous shortcomings. That’s going to knock it down some in my book.
Jun 23, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) hits a one run double against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
For the vast majority of the night, this game was trending like so many others we have grown all too familiar with this season. Starting pitcher throws a great game, bullpen does their job, but the offense just couldn’t come through with the big hit with runners in scoring position. Fortunately for the Dbacks, that narrative changed in the 9th inning as they were able to get a couple of big hits and hold on for a 4-3 win to even the series against the Cardinals.
Eduardo Rodriguez shoved yet again for the Dbacks tossing 6.2 innings and holding the hot Cardinals offense scoreless. He was able to lower his season ERA to a minuscule 2.27 today following his 16th start of the season which is simply increadible. ERod’s changeup was filthy tonight generating a staggering 50% whiff rate and has really been a tremendous pitch for the veteran lefty. Juan Morillo, Kevin Ginkel, and Brandyn Garcia were sharp tonight in relief. The only blemish on this game from the pitching side was Paul Sewald who inexplicably still struggles mightily in non-save situations.
The Dbacks offense was all too quiet for 8 innings and as I mentioned earlier, struggled mightily with runners in scoring position. Going into the 9th inning, the Dbacks were 0-8 with runners in scoring position until Nolan Arenado came up and doubled home the games first run. Arenado put together a great 7 pitch at bat and fought off some tough pitches to get a mistake right down the middle, and he did not miss it driving it into the left field corner. Lourdes Gurriel Jr followed that at bat with a 2 run single up the middle, and finally after doing nothing for 8 innings, the Dbacks had a 3-0 lead. In addition, a passed ball proved to ultimately be the game deciding run a couple of batters later when pinch runner Jorge Barrosa scored.
Then came the bottom of the 9th and Paul Sewald with a 4-run lead continued with his struggles in non-save situations and made the game pretty interesting. Sewald allowed 2 doubles and 2 singles to allow the Cardinals to come within 1 run of spoiling the rare clutch hitting from the half inning before. Fortunately, Brandyn Garcia was able to come to the rescue and strikeout the red-hot JJ Wetherholt to kill the rally and secure the win for the Dbacks and record his first major league save.
For the Dbacks, 95% of this game was much of the same, but you really have to hope that the big hits from the veterans Arenado and Gurriel Jr. spark this offense and give this group some kind of momentum that they can build upon. Gurriel Jr also had another hit earlier in the game for a solid double, so maybe this is the beginning of Gurriel Jr. beginning one of his trademark heaters this team is so desperately in need of.
Lets see if the offense can continue this momentum tomorrow as Mitch Bratt will be making his major league debut, and it would be great for him to get some early run support to ease the nerves. The lefty has been a really exciting young arm in this Dbacks system after coming over in the Merrill Kelly trade last season, and it would be huge for him to step up and lead his team to victory tomorrow.
Then, when it came time for May and Dallas to step up on draft night and make a selection at No. 9, they went with Morez Johnson Jr., the defensive-minded 6'9" big man who shot up draft boards because of his energy on both ends of the floor. Then at No. 11, the Golden State Warriors selected Yaxel Lendeborg, a perfect plug-and-play fit for a team that can't wait around for rookies to develop. Lendeborg is almost 24 and an incredibly polished player who is an elite defender and has proven he can be a finisher in and around the paint. He is exactly what the Warriors need. One pick later at No. 12, the Oklahoma City Thunder drafted Aday Mara — a 7'3" big body who needs to develop his shot and add some polish to his game, but whose size and physicality will come in handy. Especially when the Thunder face off against that team from San Antonio and their center. It's wild to think that the Fab Five or none of the other great Michigan teams ever had three players taken in the lottery, but only three other teams in all of college basketball have ever done this:
• 2005 North Carolina (Marvin Williams, Raymond Felton, Sean May and Rashad McCants).
• 2007 Florida (Al Horford, Corey Brewer, Joakim Noah, all in the top 10).
• 2019 Duke (Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish).
Three of the four teams that have done this — Michigan, North Carolina and Florida — each also won the national championship.
Metaphorically speaking, some needed sunshine peeked through late in the black-cloud day the Mets endured Tuesday.
After their 9-6 loss to the Cubs at Citi Field, Carlos Mendoza said the club would have nighttime discussions about whether a rehabbing Francisco Lindor could be activated for Wednesday’s doubleheader.
It’s a possibility, the manager said, and anything that tilts positive rates highly in a blue-and-orange world where so much has gone wrong. Especially if it’s a little weightier than a few successful challenges or some cosmetic ninth-inning runs, both of which were basically the pluses emanating from the Mets’ third-straight loss.
Otherwise, the Mets got yet another clunker from their rotation, that chronic trouble spot. Kodai Senga looked like his old self in a spotless first inning, but thereafter looked mostly like his more recent self, which is not a good thing.
“His back locked up,” Mendoza said, and Soto came out after the fourth inning. But even if Soto is considered day-to-day, as Mendoza said, it still feels ominous that the manager also said Soto could really feel it when he was trying to get to his “A” swing. The Mets will determine if Soto needs further testing.
If Lindor, who had two hits and two runs for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, can return and be a threat, perhaps the Mets can find some equilibrium as they try to prove that David Stearns shouldn’t look to sell at the trade deadline. Math and baseball’s generous wild card system dictate that they deserve some time, even at 10 games under .500, but their starting pitching must improve.
Nolan McLean and Sean Manaea, in that order, will start against the Cubs in the doubleheader, and they’re probably the starters pitching the best right now. Christian Scott, who had begun to blossom nicely, could return soon, too.
Senga, however, is a wreck, toting a 10.08 ERA. He’s trending toward being un-pitchable after giving up seven runs on three hits in 3.2 innings against the Cubs.
“David was pretty clear before the game that performing matters here and having outings like these is not going to cut it,” Mendoza said of Senga’s performance. “We need better.”
“That first inning version of myself, if I can replicate that over and over again, I think I absolutely do belong in the rotation,” Senga said through an interpreter. “However, if I’m struggling to find the strike zone, then it becomes a tougher conversation. That’s a decision that Mendy and the front office will make and I’ll just continue to do what I can and continue to prepare so that I can, when I do go back out there the next time, I can perform at the highest level possible.”
Seven runs on only three hits? Yes, walks were a huge factor for Senga – again. He walked five and three of those scored, along with the one batter he hit. Mets starters came into the game with the third-worst walk rate in baseball. Overall, the Mets walked seven, a continuation of a problem that dates back several seasons, including in 2024 when they went to the NLCS.
“It (walks) is absolutely something we’re talking about internally,” Stearns said before the game. “We’ve got to more consistently throw strikes.”
Even before Senga’s outing, the Mets had the fourth-worst starter ERA in baseball. Losing Clay Holmes in May certainly hurt.
Freddy Peralta, brought in to top the rotation, has had some struggles and owns a 4.83 ERA. Stearns noted that Peralta has been missing locations he’s hit in the past, which has hindered his effectiveness. Peralta is “working on some mechanical things,” Stearns said.
“We haven't gotten the level of consistent performances from most of our rotation that we expected and that our players expected coming into the season,” Stearns added. “I think each of our starters would say that there's another level of performance in there, and it's our job as an organization to do everything we can to try to get the best versions of each of those players out.”
Obviously, the Mets need the rotation to begin soaring, and fast. They’ve stuck with struggling pitchers such as Senga and David Peterson because there aren’t alternatives.
It puts a strain across the roster. The Mets have given up so many early runs when their starters crater that they often play from behind, supersizing the burden on what can be a spotty offense.
And they’re not even deep enough into the season for the rotation’s deficiencies to blast chaos through what’s been a good bullpen so far. Last season, the starters failed to pitch deep into games and the resulting reverberation through the relievers helped wreck the Mets’ season.
For now, the Mets might have to console themselves with Lindor’s return. He’ll certainly lengthen the lineup and help the defense.
“We also can’t put everything on Francisco to come back at a time when he hasn’t been playing baseball very much and expect him to put us on his back,” Stearns said.
True enough. The starting pitching will have to help. And quickly.
Can it? Not if the rotation keeps having nights like Tuesday.
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 23: An overall photo of 2026 NBA Draft stage before the 2026 NBA Draft - Round One on June 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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 Hannah Ally/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Braden Smith, the NCAA’s All Time leader in assists, didn’t hear his name called in the first round of the 2026 NBA draft. With only one major draft board having Smith taken in the late first round, it was largely expected that Smith would go in the second round. Most of the projections place Smith being selected early in the second round between picks 35 and 40.
However, the rest of the conference was well represented as the B1G had six players drafted in the first round. That is the second most in the first round in league history as the conference had eight players drafted in 2025. Those players and their destinations are below:
#5 Keaton Wagler (Illinois) – Los Angeles Clippers
#9 Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan) – Dallas Mavericks
#11 Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan) – Golden State Warriors
#12 Aday Mara (Michigan) – Oklahoma City Thunder
#14 Hannes Steinbach (Washington) – Charlotte Hornets
#16 Bennett Stirtz (Iowa) – Oklahoma City Thunder (via trade from Memphis Grizzlies)
Where Does Smith Fit Best?
With Smith going undrafted, there are a lot of options for him early in the second round that provide him with the best opportunity to have a potential impact on an NBA roster. Heading into the second round, Smith is ranked as the 9th best player overall and the 7th best guard remaining. Where would the best places for the former Purdue guard to land?
— Purdue Men's Basketball (@BoilerBall) June 23, 2026
Pick #35: San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio has one of the best developmental systems in the NBA, built around teaching guards how to process the game rather than simply reacting to it. The organization places a premium on decision-making, spacing discipline, and executing within a defined offensive framework. For Braden Smith, who already operates at a high level in the pick-and-roll while limiting mistakes, being in San Antonio would be an ideal situation. The Spurs historically give guards the freedom to learn through reps in a system that emphasizes reading advantages rather than relying on isolation scoring.
In this setting, Smith would likely begin as a third guard who runs second-unit offense, with an emphasis on controlling tempo and making correct reads rather than generating his own shot volume. His path would depend on defensive improvement, but having a shot blocker like Wemby in the paint would limit some of those concerns. The biggest piece of this puzzle is simply that the Spurs would not ask him to be something he is not, but would likely refine what he already does well.
Pick #32: Memphis Grizzlies
Outside of Smith getting drafted by the Indiana Pacers, this would be the dream scenario for Purdue fans as he would be paired with Zach Edey (and a bevy of other young talent). That young nucleus in Memphis operates with a strong identity built around physicality, defensive intensity, and getting into transition offense. Their system is built around guards who can push the ball, make quick decisions in the open floor, and support Ja Morant by keeping bench units stable. Braden Smith would fit this structure as a secondary ball-handler who reduces turnover volatility and ensures the offense does not stagnate when Morant is off the court.
However, Memphis presents a more challenging environment in terms of his usage. While Smith’s passing and decision-making set him apart, his size and defensive limitations could become a limiting factor in high-level matchups. That is likely something that will follow him no matter where he is drafted.
Pick #40: Boston Celtics
Boston is one of the most system-oriented teams in the league, with a strong emphasis on spacing, ball movement, and low-error decision-making. Guards who succeed in this environment are typically those who can process quickly, avoid unnecessary risks, and operate efficiently within structured offensive sets. Braden Smith’s strengths as a high-assist, low-turnover point guard align well with this philosophy, even if he is not a primary scoring threat.
The challenge in Boston is less about fit and more about opportunity. The roster is typically deep with multiple ball-handlers and wings who can initiate offense, which makes it difficult for a second-round guard to secure consistent minutes. Smith would likely begin as a deep bench option, used in limited regular-season minutes or emergency ball-handling situations. While the system fit is strong, the pathway to a meaningful role would be the steepest among these options behind Derrick White, Jaylen Brown and the ways they use Jayson Tatum as a ball handler at forward.
No Current Picks: Indiana Pacers
This is the best landing spot for Smith but until the Pacers can make the move to get back into the early parts of round 2, they can’t be higher on this list.
Indiana plays with one of the fastest and most movement-heavy offensive systems in the NBA, built on constant pace, ball movement, and transition opportunities, a tailor-made fit for a player like Smith. Braden Smith’s style of play where he plays at an elite level in terms of tempo control, quick reads, and facilitating offense fits neatly into the Pacers’ identity.
“Obviously I feel like a lot of people here are family.”
Braden Smith shares what it meant to workout for the Pacers after growing up in Indiana, his favorite memory of his college career with @BoilerBall and where he sees himself fitting in at the next level. pic.twitter.com/yq7HKJ5uzm
Smith would very clearly slide in as a backup point guard to Tyrese Haliburton and would likely replace veteran backup TJ McConnell. Ironically, Smith’s best projection as a player is McConnell who has thrived as a backup in Indiana. With that second unit, Smith would be playing alongside a bunch of shooters that he could find open on the wings in transition. He isn’t going to be asked to do things differently, but rather to sustain it while keeping spacing and movement intact. The main limitation is simply that Indiana doesn’t have a pick in the 2026 draft but they have made it very clear of their intentions of getting into the 2nd round to draft Smith.
Might Oscar Cluff Hear His Name Called?
Of the other three players that Purdue could find themselves with an opportunity in the NBA, Oscar Cluff seems to have the best chance at being drafted alongside Smith. Cluff is currently listed as the 4th best center and 28th best overall player heading into the second round of the draft. Cluff is a throwback type of post player that doesn’t play above the rim but is elite in what he does well: offensive rebounding, scoring touch around the rim, and showed good footwork in drop coverage on defense.
David Stearns said prior to Tuesday night’s game that the Mets were going to need more consistency from their starting rotation if they hoped to turn things around.
For the first three batters, Kodai Senga appeared to be up for the challenge.
Senga was a much different pitcher than in his previous few outings, pounding the zone with consistent heat as he struck out two Cubs en route to a perfect top of the first.
From there, though, things quickly changed.
The righty completely lost his groove as he loaded the bases and walked in a run before giving up a three-run blast to former Mets prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Just like that, New York found itself in another early hole.
“That’s the frustrating part,” Carlos Mendoza said. “He goes out there in that first inning and that’s the guy you hope that he’s capable of being, just blowing that fastball by people.
“Then the second inning he gets away from it, and we’re sitting there in the dugout kind of asking ourselves like what’s going on here, it happens so quick, it’s hard to explain -- just frustrating.”
And the frustration only grew from there, as Senga was hurt by another free pass in the top of the fourth, with the struggling Dansby Swanson immediately following it with a two-run homer.
He ended up being pulled without completing that frame, leaving with seven runs on his line via just three hits and a season-high five free passes in just 3.2 innings of work.
At this point, even Senga is left searching for answers regarding his command issues.
“It’s hard to pinpoint,” he said via an interpreter. “When I’m trying to find the zone, that’s when I’m not in the zone, when I’m trying to throw freely, that’s when the pitches are in the zone.”
Now sitting 7.0 GB of a wild card spot, though, the Mets don’t have time to keep hoping for answers.
With losses in each of his last five outings and an ugly 10.08 ERA on the season, Senga appears to be back on the outside looking in at a spot in the starting rotation.
“David was pretty clear before the game that performance matters here,” Mendoza said.
“Having outings like this is not going to cut it, I’m pretty sure we’re going to have decisions, but that ain’t gonna do it -- we need better, they know that, but we get to a point where you have to go out there and earn it.”
Karaban played four seasons at UConn where he became a two-time NCAA national champion (2023, 2024) and a runner-up in 2026. He averaged 13.2 points per game on 46% shooting.
Why?: The Kings making the move for Karaban was a solid play to stay aggressive in the first round. Acuff was a good get. Not a fan of trading the early second pick and a future second, but it's rare second rounders have immediate impacts. Last year, they were fortunate to land Maxime Raynaud. However, they got back into the first round and got a guy that's known to win. He is UConn’s all-time leader in career wins with 126. He also can space the floor offensively, cashing in on 292 career 3-point field goals at UConn, a school record. The Kings are young and in the midst of a rebuild. Bringing in young players to create a new identity and culture is the best move.
Who is Alex Karaban?
Alex Karaban is a former New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 25.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game as a junior.
He contributed to a couple of NCAA national championship titles in 2023 and 2024. He tallied five points, five rebounds and three blocks in a 76-59 win against San Diego State. Not big numbers, but it's a point to make that Karaban is someone who does the little things that have a big impact on winning basketball. Coming from UConn, Karaban is a winner. That's the mindset and culture that the Kings are looking to establish and develop.
How old is Alex Karaban?
Alex Karaban is 23 years old.
Alex Karaban highlights
Check out these highlights from Alex Karaban during his collegiate tenure at University of Connecticut.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 17: Rafael Devers #16 reacts with Matt Chapman #26 of the San Francisco Giants following the game against the Atlanta Braves during the continuation of a game from June 16, at Truist Park at Truist Park on June 17, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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We all know that the San Francisco Giants have underperformed to a massive degree this season. And we also all know that president of baseball operations Buster Posey is always willing to make a big splash.
And so, armed with those pieces of information, it seemed fair to assume the Giants would look to unload one of their larger contracts. Posey all but confirmed that on Tuesday, when he met with the media and basically said that every play save for Logan Webb was available.
We’ve heard rumors for a few weeks that the Giants will look to unload one of their extra-large contracts: first baseman Rafael Devers, shortstop Willy Adames, and third baseman Matt Chapman. That’s easier said than done: Devers is having a huge down year on offense, and owed an ungodly sum of money, while Adames and Chapman are both having down years at the plate, while possessing no-trade clauses.
But still, it seems likely that Posey will try his darndest to unload at least one of those deals, and open up some money to play with in future years. So which of those three do you think is most likely to be dealt in the next month?
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 27: Konnor Griffin #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits a solo home run during the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on May 27, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Konnor Griffin is nearing a return to the Pirates’ infield.
The former No. 1 prospect and 20-year-old shortstop sensation will begin a rehab assignment in Double-A with the Altoona Curve beginning on Wednesday.
Manager Don Kelly confirmed to the media that Griffin will play his first game since May 30.
Griffin has been sidelined for nearly a month due to a forearm injury that has hampered his ability to throw.
What was once considered day-to-day required an IL stint, and the Pirates treated the injury with significant caution.
Griffin served as the designated hitter against the Minnesota Twins on May 29 and 30, but the Pirates didn’t want to risk future injury.
Pirates pregame and postgame host Dan Zangrilli of 93.7 The Fan believes Griffin could return during the three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds this home stand.
In 51 games with the Bucs, Griffin is slashing .270/.327/.402 with nine doubles, two triples, four home runs, and 22 RBIs over the course of 189 at-bats.
Griffin has also stolen 14 bases and has been deployed as high as the Pirates’ leadoff hitter or in the bottom third of the lineup.
The Pirates did not find any structural damage for Griffin or anything that required serious attention outside of rest. He took ground balls last week and continued to rehab his forearm by throwing 90 feet, to bases, and getting back into the swing of throwing the ball with regularity.
The team extended their star shortstop with a nine-year, $140 million contract that marked one of the best days in recent Pirates history.
Lacking offense and Griffin’s five-tool ability at short, the Pirates have slipped below .500 (39-40).
They desperately need Griffin back, and it appears to be only a matter of time.
Konnor Griffin in 10 games since turning 20 years old:
When he does return soon, Griffin will immediately be relied on as the difference maker and embrace the weight of the franchise at only 20 years of age.
The Pirates play the Mariners and Reds before going across the state and to the nation’s capital over the next two weeks before the All-Star Game.
So, in other words, prices are nuts. And, when you consider what players across the league could be getting back as far as returns, it's becoming increasingly more difficult to overlook how the Pittsburgh Penguins have three very nice trade chips on their hands.
Dating back to the 2025 trade deadline, there has been trade chatter surrounding Penguins' veterans Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson. Each of them are high-value players - even at their respective ages of 34, 33, and 36 - and given what the going price is for surefire NHL talent right now, even if they're older, they should each demand quite a sizeable return.
Rust is fresh off his seventh-consecutive season of 20 or more goals, and his last three seasons have, arguably, been the three best of his career production-wise, as his three highest career goal totals (28, 31, 29) are from his last three seasons. Rakell has had three of the best seasons of his career as well, with his last two being his best in Pittsburgh. And Karlsson found his vintage form last season with 15 goals and 66 points in 75 games to complement stellar 200-foot play.
It's been a point of emphasis that the Penguins want to take big steps next season and get better while simultaneously getting younger, and if the needle is thread correctly, there is a path for the Penguins to trade all three players and still accomplish that. Hypothetically, if the Penguins were to trade one or two of them to move higher up in the draft and the other one(s) to either recoup assets to flip for or straight-up build a trade package for NHL talent - players like Elias Pettersson, Pavel Mintyukov, Jordan Spence, and Jason Robertson come to mind - there's a chance it could work.
However, given the integral role all three players had in their push to the playoffs last season, it will be difficult to pull that off, no matter how much value each can return.
Trading both Rust and Rakell means two of their three most productive top-six players are out. Dealing Karlsson means that their best blueliner, by a country mile, is out. When a team like the Penguins is trying to rebuild without bottoming out, it's hard to do that and trade everyone that has value.
So, it's highly likely that not all three of Karlsson, Rust, and Rakell will be dealt. Karlsson has a full no-movement clause, and his situation is different because of the fact that the Penguins will not be better next season if they move Karlsson without an immediate stopgap replacement, at least until promising blue line prospect Harrison Brunicke is ready for top-four NHL minutes.
The situation is not the same for the two forwards, however.
The Penguins may very well trade both Rust and Rakell, especially given the kinds of returns we're seeing prior to the draft. Rust has no trade protection, while Rakell has an eight-team no-trade list. But, if they want to compete next season, it might behoove them to hold onto one of them until, at least, the 2027 trade deadline, when another younger player or prospect may have had some runway to establish himself and when the team has a good idea of where it's at.
Chances are that neither player will, all of a sudden, experience a drastic fall-off if they are tethered to Sidney Crosby. And, because of their cap hits relative to their production and roles - Rust makes $5.125 million and Rakell $5 million, both for two more years - the Penguins should still be able to recoup significant assets if they choose to deal the second one later on.
Many folks are flooding social media with trade proposals - whether to move up in the draft or to acquire a younger NHL player - involving Rakell, which is understandable. He has spent parts of five seasons in Pittsburgh, while Rust has spent all 12 seasons of his career as a Penguin.
From a sentimental point of view, and from the vantage point that Rust has been Crosby's longtime winger preceding Rakell, there is a general consensus that if only one of the two are dealt, it should or would more likely be Rakell. After all, Rust - beyond his tenure in Pittsburgh - is a huge presence in the Penguins' locker room, and his intangibles are invaluable.
Josh Yohe: Re Bryan Rust/Penguins: Kyle Dubas doesn’t want to trade him, but contending teams have wanted Rust for years and still do - The Athletic (6/16)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 24, 2026
But - from a logistical point of view - if only one of Rust or Rakell is to go, it should be Rust.
When it comes to Rust and Rakell, at the end of the day, they are actually very similar players in very similar spots. They are a similar age, both are at respectable and similar point-per-game paces, they are good for 25-30 goals every season, barring health, and they have been mainstays alongside 87.
Rust's reputation and history - as well as his consistency - have made him a coveted veteran asset for many contending teams for years now. Given their similar production, it's fair to assume that the "reputation" factor gives Rust a small nod over Rakell in the trade market.
However, just because Rust likely has more perceived value on the trade market than Rakell, that doesn't mean that he is the better player now. Yes, Rust is still an effective penalty killer, he produces at a high clip, and he can still generate on the forecheck. In a lot of ways, Rust was a better and more complete player in his prime than Rakell ever was historically.
But there are other areas of Rust's game that have fallen off pretty drastically. For one, he has become a near liability on defense. His ability to hold onto pucks, especially in the offensive zone, has also waned, he loses a lot of puck battles, and his speed isn't nearly as much a factor as it was for him in his younger days. A lot of Rust's game is built around his speed and hardline north-south play, and that's not necessarily a sustainable style for someone well into their 30s.
Rakell's last two seasons in Pittsburgh have been very good ones, and in their push to the playoffs this season, he - along with Karlsson - was one of the team's most valuable players in a March stretch that was largely played without Sidney Crosby and was their toughest and most crucial stretch of the season. In fact, he had 14 goals and 24 points in a 20-game stretch from Mar. 1 - Apr. 5, going pointless in just three of those games. Rust also had nine goals and 23 points in that same stretch, but Rakell found ways to drive play from a relatively unfamiliar position in addition to producing on his own.
He can play center and wing, and - taking away his less-than-ideal work in the faceoff dot - he manned the center position pretty well by the end of the season. He is an effective power play presence, he can kill penalties, he forechecks well, he is decent at the net-front, his shot is well above NHL average, and he began to show more of a playmaking side to his game this season. Plus, he has a higher ceiling as a goal-scorer with three 30-plus goal seasons under his belt.
At this juncture, Rakell - who is also a year younger than Rust - is probably the better overall player, and his positional versatility could help the Penguins a great deal as they transition the roster to becoming younger. And, if Rust is dealt, Rakell will likely become Crosby's go-to trigger man, which could uptick his production even more and make a trade something they can revisit later on next season, when he should still net pretty significant value.
If Rust's current value is higher, and teams covet him a bit more than they covet Rakell despite Rakell showing evidence of being a more effective all-around player in the now, Rust is the no-brainer as the one to go.
No, the Penguins cannot trade everyone if they hope to execute the type of rebuild they're trying to pull off. But some have to go to make it work, too, and it appears that time has arrived. Rust is one of the most underrated Penguins' players of all-time, and the two-time Stanley Cup champion built a legacy in Pittsburgh as one of its longest-tenured members of the Crosby era.
But, in order to move forward, some significant parts of the past must be parted with. If trading Rust is what helps the Penguins land a young NHLer who can help them now and moving forward or a top-five draft pick who will be a franchise-type player, it has to be done. And he should be the first of the three big dominoes to fall for the Penguins.
The Knicks made a number of trades during the first round of Tuesday's 2026 NBA Draft.
New York first traded down from No. 24 to No. 25 in a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, and they used their pick on guard Sergio De Larrea.
New York also received cash considerations in the NBA Draft day trade, while the Lakers took Baylor guard Cameron Carr with the No. 24 pick.
Once the first round was over, however, SNY's Ian Begley reported that the Knicks traded De Larrea for what would be five second-round picks and cash considerations.
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Knicks flipped De Larrea to the Dallas Mavericks for No. 30 pick Koa Peat and two second-round picks. The Knicks then traded Peat to the Phoenix Suns for three second-round picks and cash considerations.
Charania adds that the Knicks will enter the second round of the NBA Draft with the No. 47 pick to go along with their original No. 31 and No. 55 picks for Wednesday night.
Before trading him, Begley noted that the thinking was that the Knicks would own De Larrea's rights, but, similar to 2021 draft pick Rokas Jokubaitis (who returned to play for FC Barcelona), they could keep those rights without signing him to an NBA contract. If De Larrea is stashed, he would not impact the 2026-27 team salary.
De Larrea, a 20-year-old from Valladolid, Spain, has played with Valencia since 2021 and made his senior debut in EuroLeague play at age 17 in 2023. He averaged 9.7 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game over 18.3 minutes in 28 games during the 2025-26 season.
The 6-foot-5 guard was named the Liga ACB Best Young Player in 2026, an award given to players 22 or younger and playing 10-plus minutes per game. He also made the All-Liga Best Young Players Team in 2025 and 2026.
De Larrea has represented Spain in international tournaments, helping them win the silver medal at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup and the gold medal at the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the nineteenth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Santa Clara forward Allen Graves after he was selected by the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Round 1, Pick 11 – Yaxel Lendeborg – UAB – Golden State Warriors
While the 6-foot-9 forward starred last season for the title-winning Michigan Wolverines, Lendeborg is (or at least should be) known for his prior stardom under Andy Kennedy for the UAB Blazers. After two spectacular seasons in Birmingham, the New Jersey native decided to join former FAU head coach (and now Dallas Mavericks coach) Dusty May in Ann Arbor.
Coming off a national championship season with Michigan, Yaxel now heads out West to join the Golden State Warriors. Head Coach Steve Kerr welcomes in the forward alongside aging stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, the second of whom could be a valuable mentor to the animated Lendeborg. The Dubs could slot their recent lottery pick into the three spot if needed (he played the small forward with Morez Johnson and Aday Mara this past year at Michigan), starting the veteran with the rookie in a dangerous duo. Either way, our former mid-major darling will be well taken care of by some elite pedigree in the 2026-27 season.
Round 1, Pick 16 – Bennett Stirtz – Drake – Memphis Grizzlies (Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder)
— Missouri Valley Conference (@MVCsports) June 24, 2026
If any of Bennett Stirtz’s three collegiate programs get the credit for putting him on the path toward playing in the NBA, it’s not the Iowa Hawkeyes, and no, not even the Drake Bulldogs. It is the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats, the program that hosted him for his first two collegiate seasons before he and head coach Ben McCollum began the adventure of a lifetime.
From the DII level, Stirtz took his elite productivity to Drake alongside McCollum, and after one season there, they went to the power-conference ranks at Iowa. The Liberty, Mo., native now joins a title contender in the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he adds himself to a guard room featuring two-time reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Stirtz’s ability to stay on the court and shoot well while distributing at a high clip could be a great addition to a team looking for a guard who can work well off its star player.
Round 1, Pick 19 – Allen Graves – Santa Clara- Toronto Raptors
— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) June 24, 2026
The highest drafted player coming straight from a mid-major this year didn’t start regularly for Herb Sendek’s Santa Clara Broncos. The 6-foot-8, 226-pound forward did, however, light it up in the West Coast Conference, winning sixth man of the year and freshman of the year, which earned him the right to be in a place where he now is headed to Toronto.
Graves now gets added to a Raptors team with an incredible amount of youth. Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram led the squad to the five-seed in the NBA Playoffs this past year, and now Graves gets to find his role in a lineup with a significant hole at the four position.
Round 1, Pick 28 – Joshua Jefferson – Saint Mary’s – Minnesota Timberwolves (Traded to Brooklyn Nets)
The 6-foot-8 forward averaged just 8.1 minutes per game during his freshman season at Saint Mary’s, but coming off a big summer, Jefferson found a way to carve himself into a vital piece of the Gaels’ roster in 2023-24. That productive sophomore season attracted the attention of Iowa State coach TJ Otzelberger, the coach he played for for his final two collegiate seasons as he earned second team All-American honors this past year.
Jefferson now joins a Brooklyn Nets roster looking for overhaul following the departure of key stars over the past few years. Playing under Michael Porter Jr, the rookie will gain some valuable knowledge from one of the most electric scorers in the Eastern Conference.
Trades are starting to fly in the NHL in the lead-up to the 2026 draft, including a big one Tuesday night that saw a playoff team leap into the top five.
The Chicago Blackhawks sent the fourth overall pick, a second-round pick and defenseman Louis Crevier to the Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway.
Who won the deal, and what does it mean? We break it down:
This ... is a really big gamble by Chicago. The Blackhawks had the fourth overall pick because they have been, uh, really bad. They haven't qualified for the playoffs in a full 82-game season since 2017 and despite showing an 11-point improvement in 2025-26, they were still the second-worst team in the league.
Is Byram, the focal point of this deal, good enough to justify the cost? He's a good player, no doubt, recording a career-high 42 points this past season. A former fourth overall pick himself in 2019, Byram, who just turned 25, has also now been traded twice already in his career − perhaps an indication of how his teams have valued him.
He'll likely pile up points on the back end in an expanded role ... which could have the 2027 unrestricted free agent looking at a hefty contract extension if a deal isn't already in the works. If he accelerates Chicago's rebuild and leads to a true playoff return, perhaps it will all be worth it.
That's a big if, though. For Buffalo, it's hard to look at this deal as anything other than a big win.
The Sabres just made the playoffs for the first time in 15 years and nearly pushed to the conference final, falling in overtime of Game 7 in the second round. They now will add a premium young talent to their roster in the immediate or not-too-distant future in exchange for a defenseman who'd been a past subject of trade rumors and who clearly didn't fit into the Sabres' long-term plans.
Beyond resolving their question about Byram's future, the Sabres also freed up significant cap space in this deal, with Byram's number set for $6.25 million and Greenway − a hard-nosed veteran role player − set for $4 million. And Crevier isn't nothing, either. The 25-year-old defenseman put up 25 points in 78 games, his -2 the best mark by any defenseman on Chicago's roster.
This feels like a move that should help the Sabres build on their breakthrough season.
