Canadiens Fans Want Larkin But He Still Doesn't Want Them

The Montreal Canadiens' biggest need right now is an upgrade at their second-line center spot. Because of this, they have been viewed as a prime fit for disgruntled Detroit Red Wings star center Dylan Larkin.

Canadiens fans also recently made it clear that they want Montreal to acquire the Red Wings star, as they chanted "we want Larkin" during their recent matchup.

However, Larkin still does not want to join the Habs. 

According to The Athletic's Max Bultman and Pierre LeBrun, Larkin has now expanded his trade list to 10 teams, and the Canadiens are still not among the clubs he is willing to be traded to. 

Per Bultman and LeBrun, the teams on Larkin's updated trade list are the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Utah Mammoth, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, and Colorado Avalanche.

It is certainly disappointing news for the Canadiens that Larkin has expanded his trade list, and they are still not on it. He would be a perfect pickup for their second-line center spot and could the final piece that makes the Canadiens legitimate contenders. However, even with the Canadiens being one of the NHL's most exciting teams on the rise, Larkin still is not interested in joining them. 

Fantasy Basketball Week 1 Injury Report: Deni Avdija questionable, AJ Dybantsa out for opener

DeniAvdija popped up on the injury report as questionable to play against the Suns on Wednesday with an ankle injury. The expectations for Avdija this season are high, especially after a strong preseason. Even with all the guards that need minutes, Avdija should still be made a priority.

He’s also going to be difficult to replace. The Trail Blazers have plenty of guards and solid depth down low, but outside of Avdija and ToumaniCamara, they don’t have much proven depth. If he isn’t available for the opener, first year coach Micah Nori could opt to start Damian Lillard, JaMorant and JrueHoliday together, though it would be an undersized lineup against a Suns team that has plenty of size on the perimeter. There are reports that Morant could end up coming off the bench, but that may change if Avdija is out.

The other option is turning to either VítKrejčí or SidyCissoko in the starting lineup. The opportunity may be decent for either player if they get the nod, but on a day with 11 games, neither is worth streaming, especially since this could be just a one-game absence for him, if he misses time at all. The three-guard starting lineup is likely the better option and would be really intriguing to keep tabs on.

Here are the other injuries around the NBA that could alter your fantasy league’s landscape.

Nic Claxton, C, Chicago Bulls

The most recent update on Claxton’s hamstring is that he will be re-evaluated in early November. Head coach Tiago Splitter estimated it would be another two weeks before Claxton’s re-evaluation, but he really emphasized that it was merely an estimate, and he’ll be constantly evaluated during that period. So, when will Claxton actually make his Bulls debut?

That part is unclear, but Jalen Smith should get at least six starts. If he’s available in your league, he’s worth streaming to start the season. Zach Collins (quad) and rookie TobeAwaka (knee) are both probable for the season opener and should see the backup center minutes. Smith is the priority, but the other two are worth keeping tabs on.

Kon Knueppel, G, Charlotte Hornets

Knueppel missed the preseason with a hamstring injury, which resulted in his ADP dropping significantly in drafts. It’s a big if, but if he’s able to return rather quickly and stay healthy throughout the year, he should be one of the best value picks in fantasy basketball. He isn’t the only Hornet dealing with an injury, as CobyWhite (calf) also missed the entire preseason. Both players progressed to individual on-court work, but they have been ruled out for the season opener.

Dennis Schroder and Grayson Allen should be the starters on opening night if I were guessing, with SionJames also playing a significant role. James is a solid player, but he hasn’t been a great fantasy option. Schroder and Allen are strong streaming options that could start for at least a few games, and they’re both rostered in fewer than 20 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Tobias Harris, F, San Antonio Spurs

Harris missed the season opener against the Thunder on Tuesday with a calf injury. Now, I know everyone is hoping the three-guard starting lineup sticks in San Antonio, but maybe it won’t? Could head coach Mitch Johnson have rolled that out simply because Harris was sidelined?

We can’t say for sure, but we’ll get more clarity whenever Harris makes his debut for the Spurs, which could be on Friday against the Rockets or in Dallas on Saturday. There’s also a scenario where it’s DevinVassell that is pushed to the bench for Harris, but I don’t find that one to be as likely.

Mitchell Robinson, C, Boston Celtics

Robinson injured his ankle in the season-opening loss to the Pistons. He was able to finish the game, and head coach Joe Mazzulla downplayed it after the game, but Robinson was reportedly seen with his foot in an ice bucket after the game. He played 18 minutes in the season opener, while NeemiasQueta played 22 minutes off the bench and LukaGarza played eight minutes.

If Robinson didn’t get hurt, it may have been closer to a true split between Robinson and Queta, with Garza as the odd man out. If Robinson ends up missing Friday’s game against the Knicks, Queta would likely slide into the starting unit, with Garza filling out the backup minutes and AmariWilliams and Chris Cenac Jr. available as depth options.

AJ Dybantsa, F, Washington Wizards

Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait a little longer to see the No. 1 pick make his NBA debut. KyshawnGeorge was already going to start, but he will see an uptick in usage with Dybantsa sidelined due to an ankle injury.

As far as who could slide into the starting lineup, TreJohnson, BilalCoulibaly and KhrisMiddleton are all options. Coulibaly would provide defense, Middleton is a proven scorer, and Johnson is the exciting young shooter. Johnson would be my preference for fantasy purposes. Hopefully head coach Brian Keefe will agree.

Stephen Curry, G, Golden State Warriors

Curry tweaked his right ankle during practice on Sunday, but head coach Steve Kerr said he was able to practice on Monday, and the expectation is that he will play against the Lakers on Wednesday. He’s officially listed as probable, and with BrandinPodziemski (back) out for the opener, Curry should see plenty of usage to start the year on a high note.

Ben Simmons, F, Sacramento Kings

Despite all the hype around Simmons’ return to the NBA, the former All-NBA forward suffered a torn Achilles in practice just a few days before he was set to make his regular season debut for the Kings. Simmons may have been an important playmaker for Sacramento this year, and, as of now, DariusAcuffJr. and MalikMonk are the primary playmakers on the roster, with rookie EmanuelSharp as another option. Monk is worth keeping an eye on.

Brandon Ingram, F, LA Clippers

In case you missed it, Ingram underwent heel surgery in May, and while that procedure was going on, they discovered he had a partially torn Achilles. And then the Clippers still went and traded for him. It has been a crazy summer in LA, and there isn’t much clarity as to how long Ingram will be sidelined.

Until he returns, Derrick Jones Jr. and Rui Hachimura will likely be the starters in the frontcourt. Jones is a strong defensive presence, but Hachimura's offense will be vital for the Clippers until Ingram returns.

Jimmy Butler III, F, Golden State Warriors

In case you’re just trying to get caught up on injuries, Butler tore his ACL last January, and the expectation is that he won’t return until 2027. Until that happens, rookie YaxelLendeborg and GuiSantos will be the starting forwards for Golden State. Lendeborg already has a ton of hype behind him, but Santos was productive last season and could be an intriguing option to start the season.

Kristaps Porziņǵis, C, Golden State Warriors

This is a murky situation. Porziņǵis has had numerous issues with illnesses over the last few years that have severely limited his availability. As of last week, he is out indefinitely due to an illness. There really isn’t much clarity as to how long he could be out, but until he’s back, DraymondGreen will likely start at center, with AlHorford as the primary backup and CharlesBassey in the rotation as well. Bassey is intriguing, and Horford has a history of production, but Green is the only one worth rostering at this point.

Collin Sexton may be more important to the Lakers than expected

If you wanted proof that absence makes the heart grow fonder, look no further than how much of a void Collin Sexton left in the Lakers’ preseason. 

When he signed with Los Angeles over the summer, the expectations for Sexton were simple. Get buckets, get downhill and spell Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves from having to bring the ball up the court every possession. 

Those duties haven’t changed. But their importance may have been undersold given the other options on the roster. 

With every audacious Jaden Hardy pull-up and Bronny James’ Herculean attempt to create space against an end-of-the-bench defender, it became clearer that Sexton’s skillset on the team isn’t a luxury, but rather a necessity. 

It is unfair and unwise to expect Sexton to replicate the caliber of offense that walked out the door with LeBron James, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard. But he will have to be a facsimile of what they brought to the table. 

At 6’3”, Sexton may not look like he has the stature to take on such a large responsibility, but make no mistake, he’s a basketball-playing pitbull. He dribbles with a snarl. He dashes with a snarl. He defends with a snarl. He’s the living embodiment of a snarl. 

Sexton’s bite can also back up his bark.

The combo guard weaves and tunnels around and underneath the defense thanks to his quick first step and plethora of inside-and-out dribbles. He attacks and asks questions second. 

This aggressive approach is why Sexton averaged 12.9 drives in just 23 minutes per game. For context, that number would have ranked third on the Lakers last season behind only Dončić and Reaves. 

It’s not just his ability to get downhill. He also has the bulk and craft to get shots up when he touches the paint.

Sexton bulldozed his way to 271 attempts within five feet last season, according to the league’s tracking data. That number is more than notable players like James Harden, De’Aaron Fox and Jalen Brunson.

These drives should help start the blender next to the stars and create advantages for second units devoid of shot creation.

He is not the athletic runaway train that James was, but he can help ensure the north and south dimension of the offense is not absent altogether.

Unlike who the Lakers trotted out in the preseason, Sexton is also simply a professional who has done the job the team requires before. 

With eight years of reps under his belt, Sexton has finished in the 80th percentile or higher in usage rate six times and in the 82nd percentile or higher in assist % at his position the last three seasons.

Beyond his credible on-ball juice, Sexton’s outside shooting should also boost his functionality and viability in any lineup. Despite being known more for the ferocity of his drives, Sexton has quietly been one of the steadier shooting guards since entering the league. 

Although he is not going to shoot off pindowns or flare screens like Kennard, Sexton is not a player defenses can willfully ignore either, especially in standstill situations. 

Last season, Sexton converted 44.6% of his 175 catch-and-shoot threes. It’s a number that will definitely play next to two of the best drive-and-kick players in the league. 

Like any other role player, Sexton is also not without his warts. 

His aggressiveness will lead to turnovers. His defense is often more performative than impactful. And he has yet to prove himself on a team with actual postseason aspirations. 

All that said, the Lakers ultimately do not need Sexton to be James, Smart or even Kennard this season. That would help, but it is not realistic. Instead, they need him to be exactly who he has been throughout career with hopefully a little fine-tuning along the way.

How successful he will be is still unknown as it remains to be seen when Sexton will finally make his debut. As of this piece, the guard is listed as questionable for the Lakers’ season opener against the Golden State Warriors.

If the preseason was any indication, Los Angeles can not afford Sexton to miss any considerable amount of time this year. His importance is due to, yes, his underrated talent, but also the uninspiring caliber of the Lakers’ alternatives.

For the team’s sake, Sexton’s value this season will be derived from the former.

All stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass unless otherwise stated. You can follow Alex on Bluesky at @alexregla.bsky.social 

MMBets Game of the Week: Mavs launch new season in Space City

MACAU, CHINA - OCTOBER 11: Cooper Flagg #32 of Dallas Mavericks drives the ball during NBA China Games 2026 between Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets at The Venetian Arena on the Cotai Strip on October 11, 2026 in Macau, China. 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 Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After six long months, your Dallas Mavericks are once again back on the floor playing real NBA basketball tonight. In a weird quirk, they’ve got the Houston Rockets, who they just played twice in Macau just a couple weeks ago. So, even with the newness of Dusty May and company taking over, the Rockets have already seen some of it.

It’s the start of a new season, and just like these teams, we here on the game of the week picks have wiped the slate clean. But, just for housekeeping’s sake, here’s how we did last season.


Last year’s results

David: 31-30 (+$223)

Tyler: 26-37 (-$987)

Overall: 57-67 (-$764)

For me, this clean slate can’t be a more welcome sight. After our feed debut yesterday, in which we each hit our best bet, vibes are high! Lets get into the cap.


Game intangibles

Dallas Mavericks (0-0) at Houston Rockets (0-0)

Tipoff: We’re set for tip just after 7:40 p.m. from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas

How to watch: MavsTV, KFAA Channel 29, or NBA League Pass for those out of market will have you covered on this one

Game lines

Spread: Rockets -9.5 (-115)

Moneyline: Dallas is +315 to pull off the upset

Total: Over/Under is set at 230.5 points (-106/-114)


David’s plays

DALLAS, TEXAS – OCTOBER 16: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts to an officials call during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Center on October 16, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
  • Cooper Flagg over 21.5 points (-106)
  • Game total over 230.5 (-106)
  • Kyrie Irving over 20.5 points (-104)
  • Zaccharie Risacher under 8.5 points (-108)

I think there will be points tonight. Lots of them. These teams just played two incredibly high-scoring preseason games and I do not expect anything different tonight. The lines for Flagg and Kyrie are simply too low. They will be the team’s leading scorers most nights and I expect around 25 from each of them against Houston. Risacher had a terrible preseason and I think he plays minimal minutes with Max Christie back tonight.

Tyler’s plays

MACAO, CHINA – OCTOBER 11: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks and Marcus Smart #36 of the Houston Rockets look on during the game as part of 2026 NBA China Games on October 11, 2026 in Macao, China at Venetian Arena. 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 Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
  • Marcus Smart over 6.5 points (-106)
  • Reed Sheppard under 9.5 points (-136)
  • Cooper Flagg over 1.5 3’s made (+162)
  • Rockets first quarter -3.5 (-102)

The Smart and Sheppard plays are sort of correlated for me. Ime Udoka loves him some Marcus Smart, that even goes back to the Boston days. Ime Udoka also hates him some Reed Sheppard, as that guy can’t ever seemingly earn a role on a team that desperately needs shooting. I agree with David that Flagg, despite likely seeing a ton of Amen Thompson, will get his. I think that he will get those points by knocking down some outside shots. And finally, this first quarter will be simple. One team knows exactly who they are and what they want to be, while the other is breaking in a new coach, several new pieces and trying to reintegrate Kyrie Irving. Almost seems too easy.

How the Pistons’ pulled off the NBA’s biggest opening day comeback ever

(Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

DETROIT — Jalen Duren looked like a heavyweight boxer who had just gone three rounds 45 minutes before the Detroit Pistons faced the Boston Celtics for the NBA’s 2026-27 season opener on Tuesday afternoon. Duren, wearing white cutoffs and black Pistons sweatpants, was already dripping with perspiration as he put in extra work on his driving and pull-up mid-range shooting with an assistant coach prior to tip-off. The rare 3 p.m. local start time didn’t take away any of the intensity from a meeting between two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, and it was clear even before jump ball that neither side would be easing into the new season.

It felt like the Celtics landed a knockout punch midway through the third quarter when Paul George ripped the nets for another three-pointer to put Boston up 22 points. The Pistons appeared to have the same structural problems that tanked a 60-win team in the playoffs last season: not enough shooting or creation next to star Cade Cunningham, and too many lineups that lacked two-way balance. That’s when Detroit subbed Javonte Green into the game for the first time, and immediately flipped the switch.

The Pistons beat the Celtics, 121-113, for the biggest opening night comeback in league history. Detroit was fueled by a 23-0 fourth quarter run where its defense held the Celtics scoreless for five minutes in crunch time.

“I think the comeback just embodied the culture and what we’re trying to build here,” Duren said after the win. “We’re a team that’s known to be gritty, known to get it out the mud, known to never quit.”

Duren needed to get off to a good start after missing the first week of training camp with a lingering contract dispute that caused hurt feelings on both sides. That storyline can be put to rest now after he finished with 22 points and nine rebounds on 8-of-13 shooting, an excellent performance that almost felt quiet in real time because of how he accumulated his numbers. Everything was in the flow of the offense on lobs, putbacks, and dunker’s spot finishes, and his best work might not have even showed up in the box score.

The Celtics optimize every aspect of the game under Joe Mazzulla, with shot location and generating extra possessions being paramount to their success. Boston crashes the offensive glass as hard as any team in the league, and it added perhaps the single greatest offensive rebounder alive this side of Houston’s Steven Adams by inking Mitchell Robinson to a three-year deal over the summer. Well, Robinson was mostly invisible in this game, with Duren and his teammates boxing out hard on every possession. Yes, Robinson did turn an ankle in the first half before returning, but that’s both part of the game and a major part of the deal with Robinson in particular. The Pistons out-rebounded the Celtics with a 49-39 edge on the glass.

“It’s not only their bigs, but their smaller players, too. They’re known to crash from the corners. My mindset tonight was whether I get the rebound or not, I just got to keep them off the glass,” Duren told me after the game.

This will be remembered as the Javonte Green game for good reason. Green didn’t play in the first half, but head coach JB Bickerstaff knew he needed a spark in the third quarter as the Celtics were turning it into a rout. Part of Boston’s game-plan is ignoring non-shooters on the perimeter, but they didn’t get the memo that Green has turned himself into a viable outside threat in recent years. Green knocked down 5-of-8 threes, most of them wide open, to give Detroit new life. His defense was just as important by getting into the gaps and helping make Jayson Tatum settle for tough jumpers that he was consistently bricking. Tatum finished 6-of-23 from the floor.

Green ended the night +21 in 18 minutes. The Pistons looked far more formidable in his minutes than they did with John Collins or Ron Holland on the floor, and it makes sense. Green doesn’t hesitate to shoot from three on offense, he has active hands and tons of bounce on the defensive end, and he consistently plays a team game by moving the ball to the open man. He’s everything you want out of a role player, and he’s one of the few Detroit reserves who actually offers a two-way game when his shot is falling like it did Tuesday.

Duncan Robinson was also excellent. He knocked down 5-of-9 threes by sprinting around screens and firing with just a sliver of space. When he didn’t have a clean look, Robinson would hit the brakes, go into his shot, and get fouled by Celtics defenders who were rushing to close out on him. With Robinson, Isaiah Joe, and Kevin Huerter, the Pistons actually have some options to improve their spacing around Cunningham this season, though building lineups that can actually compete defensively with viable three-point shooting will continue to be Bickerstaff’s biggest challenge.

The Pistons won 14 games three seasons ago. They made a massive jump to 44 wins two years ago, and another big leap to 60 wins and the No. 1 seed in the East last season. Detroit doesn’t really have much room to improve in the regular season, but there’s still tons of upside left in their playoff approach. The Pistons would have been the victims of a 1-8 first-round upset if Franz Wagner didn’t get hurt for the Magic. Duren was out-played by an inferior player in Wendell Carter Jr. in the series, and he didn’t look much better in round two as Detroit was eliminated by an uninspiring Cavs team.

“We’ve seen the bottom, so we’re not afraid of it,” Duren said of his team’s slow start through the first three quarters. “I’d never say we were scared or worried. We knew we had to pick it up, and we did.”

It’s not obvious where the Pistons’ next step is coming from yet, but that’s okay. It’s a long season, and Detroit will discover plenty of things along the way, just like they did on opening night with Green’s unexpected explosion. The East is better than ever, but the Pistons aren’t going to be scared of anyone. The Knicks’ opening night loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in the very next game only reinforced the idea that the conference is wide open. New York deserves to be the favorite as the defending champs, but there’s about seven other East teams that can realistically dream of making an NBA Finals run, and Detroit is one of them.

The early tip-off time didn’t feel like a nuisance in and around the arena. Before the game, fans decked out in Celtics and Pistons gear embraced each other outside to welcome back NBA basketball. It was nice to see a mutual respect from both sides at the start of a long season. When the top-8 of the East is as bunched up as it appears to be entering the new year, every game matters, and for one afternoon the Pistons got the better of the Celtics.

While it’s just one night, this game did give both teams plenty to chew on. The Celtics were “guarding” Ausar Thompson with a big man who roamed off him 15-feet away from the perimeter, daring him to shoot. Thompson still found a way to make an offensive impact even with arguably the league’s ugliest jump shot by cutting to the rim, spraying out quick passes for three-point attempts, and getting out in the open floor. His 360 scoop layup in the first half was a thing of beauty. He finished the game +12 in his 33 minutes, and harassed Tatum with his all-world perimeter defense. Other teams will have to wonder if playing off him to that degree is really worth it.

George looked unreal in his Celtics debut after coming over in the controversial Jaylen Brown trade. He finished with 38 points, five rebounds, and five steals on 7-of-12 shooting from three. He’s going to be a natural fit in the Celtics’ system if he can stay healthy. Tatum looked great in the first half and terrible in the second. I thought Boston needed more Payton Pritchard to loosen things up offensively. Why is Joe Mazzulla bringing him off the bench? Hugo Gonzalez, the king of Time Decay RAPM, was dreadful in his 10 minutes, finishing -15. I thought Baylor Scheierman looked great, and the Neemias Queta minutes were more promising than Robinson’s.

An 82-game regular season is just too damn long, but there’s nothing like NBA games that actually feel meaningful. Duren called it a playoff atmosphere after the game, and it really did seem like it. I was exhausted just watching his pre-game workout before he went out and dunked everything at the basket while winning the battle on the boards that truly dictates wins and losses. Overreact to this game if you want to. I’m not going to judge you. For one sunny fall afternoon in the Midwest, it just felt so nice to be back in the gym.

The Rays and Brewers both rely heavily on trades, which is a guide for the Washington Nationals

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - SEPTEMBER 27, 2026: Connelly Early #19 of the Washington Nationals smiles and laughs while talking with Cade Cavalli (not pictured) in the dugout prior to a game against the New York Mets at Nationals Park on September 27, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. The Nationals beat the Mets, 6-4. (Photo by Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

This World Series matchup is truly a treat for the baseball nerds out there. It may not get massive ratings, but the Brewers and Rays provide a guide on how to build a winning team without a big budget. These two clubs have a lot in common, but one thing that ties them together is their ability to make a savvy trade.

When you look at the WAR breakdown of these two teams, it is easy to see how important trades are to these clubs, especially the Rays. Out of the 47.1 WAR that Tampa generated this year, 31.2 of those came from trades. Stars like Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz and Drew Rasmussen all came to Tampa via trade. It is not as extreme for the Brewers, but they also made plenty of big moves as well.

Being active on the trade market and constantly looking for ways to upgrade the roster is how these small market teams stay competitive. It is a formula the Nats have used in the Toboni era and under Mike Rizzo. After all, the Nats two best players came over in the Juan Soto trade. Sometimes these tough and painful moves are what sets a team up for long term success.

At the trade deadline, the Nats made some unpopular moves that signaled the team was punting on the 2026 season. They traded Foster Griffin, Luis Garcia Jr., and Curtis Mead despite being within shouting distance of the playoffs. Those moves were made with an eye on turning the Nats into a sustainable winner like the Rays and Brewers. It is too early to say if those moves will work out, but that is what the plan is.

While the Brewers lean more on homegrown players than the Rays, they made a couple painful moves which helped them in the long term. Josh Hader and Corbin Burnes were both stars in Milwaukee, but they were approaching free agency. The Brewers decided to trade both, which gave them multiple pieces which have been valuable in the playoffs. Here are some of the players the Brewers acquired via trade.

Robert Gasser has stepped up in a big way this postseason. The Brewers acquired the lefty from San Diego in the Hader deal back in 2022. Gasser missed time with injuries, but now he is showing why the Brewers wanted him. The Corbin Burnes trade netted Milwaukee Joey Ortiz and DL Hall. Ortiz is a defense first player who has been a solid starter while Hall is part of the Brewers stacked bullpen.

One thing I like about how the Brewers operate is that they don’t trade their stars until they are about one year away from free agency. That allows them to get the most out of their homegrown talents while still netting value. They still got plenty of great years out of Hader, Burnes, Devin Williams and Freddy Peralta, but they also did not lose them for nothing. 

The Rays are even more trade heavy than the Brewers. In fact, most of the Brewers core pieces are homegrown and the depth of the roster is built by trades. On the other hand, much of the Rays core has been built by trades, as we have mentioned. These trades are both big and small. 

One thing the Rays are masters at is finding hidden gems in deals that nobody pays attention to. Junior Caminero is the best example of this. The Rays traded Tobias Myers to Cleveland for an 18 year old Caminero. At the time, this was a minor move, but it had massive consequences. Caminero blossomed into a superstar in the Rays system and is now the face of the franchise.

Rays mainstay Yandy Diaz is another case of Tampa fleecing Cleveland. The Rays do not spend much money at all, even compared to the Brewers. That means they need to be creative on the market. They have mastered the art of being a small market team over the past 18 years. In addition to Caminero and Diaz, Bryan Baker, Liam Hicks, Freddy Peralta, Drew Rasmussen and Victor Mesa Jr. all came in trades.

With how active Paul Toboni has been on the trade market in his first year on the job, this is certainly a model that he follows. You will not win every trade, not even the Rays do, but if you make enough smart moves, they stack up. The Nats should be spending more money than the Rays, but that model is one that has proven to be effective.

Hopefully the likes of Connelly Early, Harry Ford, Will Dion and minor leaguers like Devin Fitz-Gerald can play big roles on the next great Nats team. This offseason will also be an interesting one to follow. Toboni has a tough decision to make with CJ Abrams. Will he trade him with two years of control like he did with MacKenzie Gore or will he hold onto his star. 

Those are the types of decisions that shape the future of your franchise. It seems like the Nats are following a Brewers and Rays type model. Fans have looked at that pejoratively, but now these are the two teams in the World Series.

It turns out that formula works and it starts by making smart trades and developing talent. The two smartest teams in the league are squaring off in the World Series, which is very fun to see. Hopefully the Nats can be among the league’s best and brightest soon. Under Paul Toboni, they at least seem to be headed in the right direction.

Yankees’ Brian Cashman confirms return as general manager

TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Brian Cashman, general manager and senior vice president of the New York Yankees, before a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 14, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The sky is blue, the water is wet, you never get anywhere on the Major Deegan, and Brian Cashman is the Yankees’ general manager. All these things are true. All these things will continue to be true.

The Yankees just conducted their end-of-season press conferences, and during the media sessions, Cashman confirmed to reporters that he had a new deal with managing partner Hal Steinbrenner, who was sitting with him: “We’ve agreed on a new contract, we just have to bang out some minor stuff on the back end of it. But yeah, we’re locked and loaded.”

Cashman signed his previous deal after the 2022 campaign, and the four-year contract was set to expire at the end of October. But there was never any real doubt that Steinbrenner would bring him back. Cashman has Hal’s full, complete trust after decades of working together. Cashman has been with the Yankees so long that Hal was still in high school when the former first joined the organization as an intern before gradually ascending to an assistant general manager role and then the top job in February 1998.

Cashman is the longest-tenured GM in baseball, and it’s all but understood that the Steinbrenner family is comfortable with him in the job until whenever he decides to step back. Cashman will turn 60 in 2027; at 70, the Phillies’ Dave Dombrowski is the oldest head of baseball operations in the league. So whether or not you like Cashman, he’s probably in it for the long haul.

Under Cashman’s watch, the Yankees have never finished with a losing record, which is not nothing considering that every other good franchise around the league has had multiple awful seasons during his 29-year reign. If you ask people in front offices around the game, they are sincerely awed by that. But expectations are higher in the Bronx, and Cashman has added to the Yankees’ World Series trophy collection just once in the past 26 years. That was in 2009, which is already long enough ago that the only remaining active(-ish) MLB players from then (Max Scherzer, Andrew McCutchen, and Carlos Carrasco) could very well retire this offseason.

Cashman has also been steadfast in his support of the recently-confirmed-to-return Aaron Boone. Eyebrows were raised when the Yankees let Joe Girardi’s contract expire and instead selected Boone to manage an upstart team that went from a playoff absence in 2016 to within one win of a World Series berth in 2017, despite the latter having no coaching experience whatsoever.

On my most generous day, I will acknowledge that for the most part, Boone has been a succesful regular season manager; they’ve made the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons, they’ve reached the ALCS on three occasions, and they at least snapped their pennant drought in 2024. By that measure, only the Dodgers’ Dave Roberts is better. However, they’ve also only won three AL East crowns, with midsummer swoons forcing them to accept Wild Card berths in multiple seasons this decade that have put them in bad position under the current playoff format, and while they could have overcome it anyway, they promptly fell pretty meekly to the actual AL East winners—the Blue Jays and Rays—in the ALDS. That’s to say nothing of the lapse in fundamentals that seem to occur annually at this time of year, which were ugly to watch in 2025 and 2026, but never more miserable than in that lone World Series appearance two years ago. Boone’s full playoff record is under .500 at 27-30.

Much like Steinbrenner has been steadfast in his support of Cashman, Cashman has been resolute in his support of Boone. The 2027 season will be his 10th as big-league manager; no one in franchise history has been allowed to manage this long without a championship. Cashman did let Girardi go after a decade on the job when his contract expiring; perhaps he’ll do the same with Boone next year assuming another quiet October.

We won’t find out until then. All we know is that while Steinbrenner’s pointed comments about the offense mean that the Yankees’ roster won’t “run it back” to the same degree that they did last offseason, the management apparatus will indeed remain the same. So… huzzah for them, I guess.

Utah Jazz Waive Blake Hinson, Sign Former 1st Round Pick

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 12: Blake Hinson #25 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball during the game against the LA Clippers during the 2026 NBA Summer League game on July 12, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Utah Jazz announced today that they have waived Blake Hinson and signed Kobe Bufkin to a two-way contract. This comes as somewhat of a surprise, as Hinson really showed flashes of scoring ability towards the end of last season, shooting a blistering 46.8% from beyond the arc. It’s also very disappointing after Hinson’s endearing postgame interview after a preseason win over the Denver Nuggets.

Kobe Bufkin was the 15th overall pick in 2023. He hasn’t played much in the NBA, only getting playing time in 43 games over 3 seasons. His career averages are: 4.2 points per game to go along with 1.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. I can’t say I understand the logic of this move by the front office as he is a worse shooter, and is shorter than Hinson. Also worth pointing out that they could have waived any other player who was on a two-way contract to make room for Bufkin. I really don’t think that the front office views Harrison Ingram or Tre Alexander as a greater talent than Hinson. Maybe the hamstring strain that Hinson was listed with on the injury report was more severe than previously thought? Or maybe the front office just values ball handling more than shooting for the two-way players. Whatever the reason for Hinson being waved it is a massive disappointment as most Jazz fans (myself very much included) believed that he could provide great depth, and legit NBA shooting to the team.

Are the Guardians Going to Trade Stephen Vogt?

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 10: Cleveland Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti and Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt (12) celebrate following the Major League Baseball American League Division Series Game 5 between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians on October 10, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The first trade rumor of the Guardians’ offseason is a bit unexpected, as rumors are percolating about Stephen Vogt potentially interviewing for the job of managing the Seattle Mariners.

To be abundantly clear, as I am NOT trying to clickbait anyone, we have no confirmation from Vogt or from any team sources that he is even interested in the Mariners’ job. What we do have is speculation from Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com and Zack Meisel of the Selby is Godcast and the Athletic that Vogt to Seattle MIGHT be a possibility, without any indication that it is anything but a slim one. With that said, Stephen Vogt is openly a very committed husband and father (to three young kids) whose family lives in Olympia, Washington during the school year and then comes and stays with him in Northeast Ohio during the summer, meaning he is with them only approximately eight months of the year. “Why don’t they just move here?” Well, folks… I love Cleveland, but, if I had to move anywhere else, I’d probably move to the Pacific Northwest, too. And, if that’s where my wife’s family was located, and I had the financial means to make it work, it would probably push the Pacific Northwest to the top of the list. Vogt and his family are human beings and the opportunity to manage in Seattle is not guaranteed to come open again any time soon. Teams WANT to find mangers to retain and Seattle is not going into some kind of rebuild (they’ll be aiming for 85 wins annually, as P.O.B.O. Jerry Dipoto once famously let slip).

So, let me establish a few things, here:

1. I love Stephen Vogt and want him to manage the Guardians FOREVER

2. I don’t have any inside knowledge of his feelings about the opportunity to manage the Mariners

3. If Vogt would ask the team to let him interview with Seattle, find the job a good fit, and proceed to request a trade there, I wouldn’t hold the slight bit of resentment for a husband/dad trying to find a way to do an impossibly time-consuming job in a manner easier for him to fulfill the dual role all of us husbands and dads have to worry about.

Vogt signed a contract extension (terms not disclosed) following the 2024 season, so he is still under contract in Cleveland for 2027 and would need to be traded. What would the compensation for trading for a manager who has won three division titles in three years, reached two ALCS’s and won two manager-of-the-year awards look like? In 2012, the Blue Jays traded John Farrell and a middling relief pitcher (David Carpenter) for utility infielder Mike Aviles. The Blue Jays then traded Aviles to, you guessed it, the Cleveland Indians for reliever Esmil Rogers. Oh, the Blue Jays also threw in a minor league catcher… named Yan Gomes. So… needless to say, a good manager was not necessarily seen as much of value in onfield talent fourteen years ago, given the return Toronto netted, here.

Has the value of a manager changed since then? I don’t think we have any way to know the answer to that, for certain. We do know that Vogt is considered by players and, likely, executives as among the best managers in the game. So, whatever the top amount for a trade return would be, that’s what the Guardians would have to consider for trading him. We also know that the Guardians have been among the leading teams in MLB for compensating their managers in the past, so I would say it is safe to assume that Vogt is well-compensated for his work here in Cleveland. So… if Seattle wants Vogt, they will need to offer a notable trade return and be willing to pay Vogt in a manner commensurate with what he is currently receiving in Cleveland.

What is a notable trade return? I have trouble assuming it would be more than, AT MOST, a reliever with potential to be high leverage or maybe a platoon bat of some kind with defensive flexibility. As great as a manager can be, it’s hard to prove they have significant impact over a replacement level manager (i.e. if Seattle wants Stephen Vogt, can’t they hire one of his assistants or Kai Correa and get something similar in managerial production without giving up on-field talent?). The Guardians aren’t getting Julio Rodriguez, Bryce Miller or George Kirby for Stephen Vogt.

One more fun little piece of speculation for you – it’s pretty clear that managing Josh Naylor was not Stephen Vogt’s favorite part of the job in Cleveland. Would going to a team where Naylor is under contract for four more years be something he was willing to put up with to be closer to home? I don’t know that it would be THE deciding factor, but perhaps Naylor’s surliness could be a small additional reason for Vogt to stay put.

And, ultimately, the reason I think Vogt stays in Cleveland is because I doubt Seattle would meet Cleveland’s asking price to trade for Vogt. On the slight possibility that Vogt indicates he wants to be in Seattle at all costs, maybe the Guardians’ hand would be forced. But, I suspect it is far more likely the team indicates that they value Vogt higher than the Mariners do and that this is a factor that encourages Vogt and his family to know this is the place to stay.

Stephen, we love you here in Cleveland. Any possibility we can convince the family to move out here for longer periods of the year so you can be a dad/husband on a more regular basis? Let us know, because we’ve got a good thing going and we don’t want to lose it.

Who Are The Maple Leafs' 'Premium Assets' As GM John Chayka Looks To Upgrade The Defense?

It's been made clear that the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in adding a defenseman to upgrade their back end as they look to get back into the post-season this year.

On Sportsnet's broadcast on Saturday, Elliotte Friedman reported that the Maple Leafs have made it clear that they are willing to hear offers for their "premium assets" in exchange for a defenseman. And Toronto isn't looking for a quick fix on the blueline - they want someone who can help them in the long run.

The Maple Leafs aren't exactly loaded in future assets, and there are very few that can be labelled as premium or A-level. But that doesn't mean they don't exist in the organization.

Here are the premium assets that Leafs GM John Chayka could be looking at to move for a good NHL defenseman.

2027 First-Round Pick (Colorado)

The most expendable asset that has decent value in the Maple Leafs' organization would be the conditional 2027 first-round pick from the Colorado Avalanche. Toronto received this draft pick from Colorado around last year's trade deadline in exchange for center Nicolas Roy.

The pick, top-10 protected, likely won't be a high selection considering the state of the Avalanche and their status as a serious Stanley Cup contender. But it is still a first-round pick, and selling teams would certainly appreciate acquiring that asset for the right price.

In any move that Chayka wants to make that carries some significance, that draft pick is as good as gone.

Toronto also has its 2029 first-round pick, as well as a second-round pick in the next three drafts.

Maple Leafs NHL Prospect Roundup: Multiple Marlies Off To Hot Start In AHLMaple Leafs NHL Prospect Roundup: Multiple Marlies Off To Hot Start In AHLMultiple Toronto Marlies are off to a great start, and OHLers are scoring in bunches in this edition of the Toronto Maple Leafs NHL prospect roundup.

Ben Danford

Ben Danford has made the jump to full-time professional hockey this season with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL. The 20-year-old defenseman featured for the Marlies in the Calder Cup playoffs, making 16 appearances in that post-season. This year, he's played five games so far, providing two assists. He missed one game earlier in the month with a lower-body injury.

The organization is high on their 2024 first-round draft pick (31st overall). Many have said that Danford isn't far from becoming an NHLer, including Marlies head coach Steve Sullivan. In Monday's podcast episode of 32 Thoughts, Friedman also added that "he's not far away" from a look in the NHL.

He'd likely be the most interesting prospect in the Leafs' system from the perspective of other NHL teams and GMs.

Less Likely To Be Dealt

Easton Cowan

Coming off another huge performance for the Maple Leafs in Tuesday's win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, Easton Cowan is certainly a premium and A-tier asset at this point.

In what is his sophomore season, the 21-year-old had a three-point night, including his first career shorthanded goal, and now has four goals and 10 points in 11 games for Toronto, placing him fourth on the team in scoring.

Considering how effective he's been for his team to start the 2026-27 campaign, there isn't a strong desire for the front office to move off him.

"They don't seem that interested in trading Cowan," Friedman said on Monday's podcast. "They really seem to believe that he's the real deal."

'He's Exceeded My Expectations': How Maple Leafs' Easton Cowan Has Transcended Into A New Level In The NHL'He's Exceeded My Expectations': How Maple Leafs' Easton Cowan Has Transcended Into A New Level In The NHLEaston Cowan pulls out another big performance for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he's shown glimpses of the complete player he can be as the 21-year-old continues to blossom.

What Else Is On The Table?

In that initial 'Saturday Headlines' report, Friedman added that the Maple Leafs have also made it clear that they're willing to move off one of their older defensemen in exchange for someone younger in the same position.

This is a scenario that could apply to a Stanley Cup contender as a potential trade partner for Toronto. And the only veteran blueliner who isn't completely protected from a trade is 35-year-old Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Report: Maple Leafs Willing To Move Off 'Premium Assets' For Help On Defense In Trade MarketReport: Maple Leafs Willing To Move Off 'Premium Assets' For Help On Defense In Trade MarketThe Toronto Maple Leafs need upgrades on defense if they want to be a playoff team this year, and GM John Chayka has been communicating to the rest of the league's GMs about what he's looking for. Here's what is on his wishlist.

Last season, Ekman-Larsson had a great year and exceeded expectations in several ways. In 78 appearances in 2025-26, the Swedish defenseman scored eight goals and 39 points, which is the most he's scored since the 2018-19 season with the Arizona Coyotes. 

He was even called to represent Sweden at the 2026 Olympics and captained his nation at the World Championship following the NHL regular season.

This year, however, Ekman-Larsson hasn't been nearly as impressive. 

He has just one assist in 11 games and is tied for the league lead in minor penalties taken with seven. That accumulates to 14 penalty minutes this season, the second-most on the team behind Zack MacEwen, who had 17 penalty minutes alone against the Blue Jackets.

Ekman-Larsson has two more years on his contract at $3.5 million per season and has a 16-team no-trade list for both years. In that case, he's probably not a premium asset, or at least not as valuable as he was last year.

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Failure to rebound spells Celtics’ doom in season opener vs. Pistons

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 20: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons and Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game on October 20, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Boston Celtics’ season opener against the Detroit Pistons started with nerves and excitement followed by confidence and joy, but ultimately resulted in sheer disappointment. The Celtics blew a 22-point second-half lead, falling 121-113.

It was just one game out of 82 and after Boston’s longest offseason in 10 years, you take it with a grain of salt. But before moving on, it’s important to learn from it to avoid repeating future mistakes, though.

Outside of the poor shooting numbers from Tatum and the stagnating offense in the second half, the most glaring mistake was letting Detroit beat them on the boards.

The Pistons outrebounded the Celtics 49 to 39 over the course of the game. They won on both the offensive and defensive glass, 14 to 12, and 35 to 27, respectively. With the possession battle being such a crucial part of Joe Mazzulla’s philosophy, I would have expected a different outcome.

Last season, Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta were both in the top-20 best rebounders across the league. Mitch (13th) averaged 8.8 rebounds per game, while Neemi averaged 8.4. In the opener, they combined for just 7 total rebounds, 3 from Robinson, 4 from Queta. Boston’s effort on the glass was led by Jordan Walsh at 6, followed by Paul George with 5, by far their two most active players all night.

On the other side, Jalen Duren picked up 9 rebounds, John Collins had 5, and Paul Reed added in another 6. Though not a big, Ausar Thompson led all players with 11 boards.

Sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce your way, but it felt like Detroit consistently had better activity and positioning. They rallied to the paint as a team, usually sending at least two or three bodies to box out or gather up longer rebounds. It’s a big reason they were able to effectively neutralize Queta and Robinson in the matchup.

Oct 20, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) and Detroit Pistons guard Javonte Green (31) go for the rebound in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Mitchell Robinson wasn’t very happy with his performance. He tweaked his ankle early in the game, but it didn’t end his night as he decided to play through it. When asked about it after the game, he didn’t use it as an excuse, instead shouldering the blame.

“I got my a** kicked on the glass,” he said. “I can’t have no starts like that. It’s cool to get out there and put on that Boston jersey for the first time in a regular-season game, but overall, I still didn’t do what I needed to do. I gotta compete better. I feel like I didn’t compete at a high level that I normally do and I was kind of slow on a lot of things.”

Boston still had to work for their boards; very few were uncontested. That’s likely going to be the case most nights, which only means they have to work harder. The three-pointers will be the headline, but Detroit’s energy is what caused the game to flip. They limited the Celtics to single possessions, fueling their long, unanswered runs. They also picked up 24 second chance points compared to Boston’s 16, which helped them overcome their slight disadvantage in the shooting splits.

It perfectly encapsulates exactly why Mazzulla emphasizes the possession game. More possessions amount to more opportunities, meaning that you are more tolerant to faults. I’m sure we’ll see plenty more nights where the offense stagnates and shots don’t fall. The best way to combat that is to crash the offensive glass and try to generate better looks when the defense doesn’t have a chance to set, or is scrambling to do so. On the other end, limiting opponents to one possession also ensures that you don’t fall in too deep of a hole, or in this case, don’t let them dig themselves out of the one you put them in.

Again, this is only game one of 82. The Celtics have plenty of time to correct themselves. Thanks to the early start, they have two and a half nights to review film before their first home game of the season, a matchup with the rival New York Knicks. Mitchell Robinson and crew will have a chance to redeem themselves while going up against his former teammates, including last year’s rebound leader, Karl Anthony-Towns.

How will the Rockets do this season?

Happy start of the NBA Season! With the Rockets’ season kicking off at home against the Dallas Mavericks, I figured now was a good time to get into my pre-season predictions. Just a note before we start: all odds come from FanDuel, which you can view here. Additonally, if you want a more in depth breakdown of any certain player you can check out our season preview series here.

How many games will Houston win, and what seed will they be?

To start, I predict Houston will record 55 wins. This would be three more wins than last season and would likely leave Houston as a top-three or top-four seed. For context, FanDuel has Houston at +1000 for seventh seed, +2000 for first seed, +850 for second seed seed, +1300 for eighth seed, +470 for fourth seed, +450 for third seed, and +320 for 55+ wins.

Who will be the top scorer?

For my top scorer I have Alperen Sengun, however I would not be surprised if Amen Thompson was the leading scorer, and I would be content as long as Kevin Durant is not the leading scorer BECAUSE WHY ARE WE PLACING THAT MUCH OF A BURDEN ON 38-YEAR-OLD KEVIN DURANT?

Breakout young player?

I was between Jabari Smith jr. and Reed Sheppard for breakout player, but for me once a player has seccured their second NBA contract, they are now longer qualified for breakout young player. I think Reed Sheppard will defenitley have a smaller role at times this season because of the return of Fred Vanvleet, and the additon of Marcus Smart, however, I think a smaller role may be better for him, as it will give him less pressure. Instead of being thrust into the rotation as the backup point guard after playing very few NBA rotation minutes the prior year, Reed will get consistent spot minutes allowing him to serve as an off the bench sniper. Think Gerald Green’s role of a off the bench siniper, but as a better player.

Leading bench contributor?

Now for this category, it depends on what you count as a contributor. Are you going off scoring numbers and stats, or overall impact? Depending on your answer, I have two different options for leading bench contributor: one being Marcus Smart, and the other being Tari Eason.

To start off with Smart, having someone besides Fred VanVleet who can run the offense will be nothing short of exceptional, but that’s not even where Smart fully shines. Houston is potentially adding another top NBA defender to its roster that already includes Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr., along with other good defenders. Now imagine if Marcus gets his three pointer back to leauge average, or even above league average, and we are COOKING. Now the case for Tari over Marcus is that Tari is likely, in my opinion, to have higher counting stats, and the possibility that Marcus may end up starting if Fred misses time or sits out back-to-backs, but I think you can really have either Tari or Smart penciled in for the largest bench contributor. I did also consider Bogdan Bogdanovic, but I feel he is more of a cleanup crew end of the bench kinda guy who will see spot minutes on occasion.

How far will Houston go?

Now for the million-dollar question: do I expect Houston to win a championship this year? Unfortunately, as much as I would like to say they could win, I can’t say that in good conscience, as San Antonio and Oklahoma City appear to be in a tier of their own. Now could Houston win a title? Sure, but I could also wake up one day with an extra toe. I think my prediction is a second- or third-round exit, and I can see either one happening. It likely will depend on if they can avoid the Spurs/Thunder till the WCF.

Now with all that out of the way, I want to know YOUR season predictions for the Rockets season. Who do you expect to be the leading scorer? How many games do you have Houston winning? Let us know in the comments, and as always, make sure to check back at The Dream Shake for all things Houston Rockets news, analysis, and more.

The Suns are back. How many wins are we predicting?

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 16: Generic photo of Devin Booker #15 of the Phoenix Suns jersey during the game against the Utah Jazz on October 16, 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 Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

We did it. We are here. The Phoenix Suns tip off the 2026–27 season tonight in Portland, and it’s been quite some time since we last watched Phoenix Suns basketball that actually counted. You’d have to go back 177 days, to when the Suns lost Game 4 of their first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

And now here we are. A new season, new hope, and hopefully a new outcome: a championship. It’s something that has never happened in Phoenix, and as season number 59 tips off, this might not be a team with legitimate championship aspirations. But that doesn’t mean we won’t watch, consume, analyze, form opinions about, and care deeply about every step of the journey.

Sports have a funny way of reeling us in. Maybe it’s by birthright, geographical allegiance, or perhaps you simply liked the colors. Whatever brought you here, we’ve once again arrived at the beginning of another journey, hoping that somehow, someway, this one ends differently than every season that came before it.

And to prepare for that journey, we have one final question to ask our Bright Side roundtable.

What record do you predict the Suns will finish with, and where will that land them in the Western Conference standings?

I ultimately see the Phoenix Suns finishing as the sixth seed in the Western Conference with a 47–35 record. That’s two games better than last season, and I think that improvement is entirely justifiable.

The starting unit is better than what existed a year ago. Royce O’Neale is out of the rotation, and Miles Bridges has replaced him. That’s a net positive. Mark Williams will be injured for the majority of the season, but Phoenix has a pair of young bigs who can provide different looks and options behind him, so I’m not necessarily concerned about the starting unit.

The second unit? I think there are plenty of firecrackers there, and they’re going to play with the intensity that Phoenix Suns basketball has become known for. The Suns have more depth than they did a year ago, thanks to continued development and the continuity that comes with keeping much of the roster together.

And one of the biggest reasons I believe this team will win more games than it did last season? Health. So many people like to point to the final 30 games of last season, when the Suns went 14–16, as evidence of why expectations should be tempered. But so few acknowledge how unbelievably injured Phoenix was during that stretch. Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, and Mark Williams all missed significant time. Is it any wonder the team couldn’t squeeze out a couple more victories?

Of course, we’re once again banking on health playing in our favor, and that will ultimately have a significant impact on what this team can accomplish. But even with Williams hampered for much of the season, I believe Phoenix has enough talent, depth, and continuity to compete. With a sixth-seed finish, the Suns would have the opportunity to face the third seed in the opening round of the playoffs.

Want an early-season prediction? That third seed will be the Houston Rockets. And the Suns will win that series. drops mic

What did the rest of our writing team have to say about their predictions? Here you go.

Brandon Duenas: 48-34 – 6th seed in the West, just avoiding the play-in. I think this team is better than just a three-win improvement, but at the same time, the element of surprise is gone with this team, and the West can be a gauntlet. As long as they take care of business against teams they are supposed to beat, they should be in decent shape. The ceiling is closer to 54 wins if everything clicks and they are healthy, but I am going be more cautiously optimistic and say they exceed their Vegas O/U win total by 9 games or so (depending on where you get your numbers).

Holden Sherman: 44-38, 7th in the West.

Bruce Veliz: 47-35, 8th in the West.

Tom Mildenberger: Coming into the preseason, I’ve been at 42 games for the Suns. After seeing the bench, I just think there are going to be grind-out wins because of the effort and impact shooting of the second unit, so I think I’m going to raise my predicted win total. While I’m still sketchy on the Suns’ potential to win a playoff series, I do very much think they will escape the play-in tournament. Last season, that would have taken 50, so that’s where I’m going to land. 50 wins for the Suns, but the Spurs and Rockets finish in front of OKC, so we match up with the Thunder again.

Mark Bowser: With my belief in Ott above, the year-two continuity of the roster, Bridges out to prove he belongs on a good team, roster depth, and the Western Conference’s questionable depth, this will prove to be another step in the right direction. No play-in, land the 6 seed, 46-36, and an upset in round one of the playoffs.

CJ Navage: Paaaaaaiiiiinnnnn to quote the infamous Clubber Lang. I’m an optimist, but fans should set the bar low and be pleasantly surprised if the Suns do better than lowered expectations. A blow has already been struck with the loss of Mark Williams, who knows what else the season will bring? I suppose a positive attitude would be to think Ishbia will do what it takes during the season, no matter the cost, which has largely been true so far in his ownership tenure. Buy a player? Fire a coach? Trade? Ok. It’s a business.  

Kevin Hunpherys: The Suns are going to finish with a 48-34 record and finish sixth in the Western Conference this season.


Now it is your turn to make your predictions!

Wednesday Rockpile: Should the Colorado Rockies pursue Teruaki Sato?

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 10: Teruaki Sato #7 of Team Japan hits a double in the first inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Czechia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Gene Wang - Capture At Media/Getty Images) | Getty Images

When the World Series concludes and the offseason officially begins, it’s hard to predict how the market will progress before a presumed lockout at the start of December. The free agent market could especially be slow as owners push for a salary cap and teams may be hesitant to commit to players before they know the economic landscape.

The position-player free agent class doesn’t exactly project particularly strong this offseason despite the abundance of decent players. It may take a very intriguing player to make teams splurge, but perhaps they are sure to be excited about another Japanese phenom making the jump to the big leagues.

It was just announced this week that Teruaki Sato of the Hanshin Tigers will be posted once the offseason begins, starting a 45-day window for him to seek an MLB opportunity. It’s worth noting that his posting window will freeze during the lockout and resume whenever it ends; otherwise, he would return to Nippon Professional Baseball for another year.

Sato isn’t just any international free agent — he’s coming off a monstrous 2026 season in NPB where he captured the Central League Triple Crown, slashing .306/.383/.609 with 39 home runs and 106 RBIs. That follows a 2025 campaign in which he won Central League MVP honors.

Naturally, MLB contenders across the league are licking their chops. But what about the Colorado Rockies? Should Paul DePodesta and the front office throw their hat into the ring for one of Japan’s most electric power hitters?

The offensive perks

Since debuting in 2021 at 22 with the Tigers, Sato has proven to be one of NPB’s premier sluggers. Over the course of his six seasons, Sato has slashed .271/.337/.514 across 803 games. He has been a dependable and durable player during his career, appearing in at least 120 games each season (NPB plays a 143-game schedule).

What has truly set Sato apart has been his knack for power, with 163 home runs in his career. He has managed at least 20 home runs a year in five seasons, including 79 over the last two seasons combined. The ability to generate bat speed and elite exit velocities was on display in a short five-game sampling with Japan in the World Baseball Classic last March, where he hit three balls with an exit velocity of 100 mph or better.

He’s not just a home run hitter, either, as doubles are his forte as well. In 2026, he had 40 doubles, which would have easily led the Rockies (Troy Johnston had 32), adding to his total of 185 career doubles alongside 25 triples. His career .851 OPS showcases a player who can punish opposing pitchers and provide the type of consistent thump that the Rockies didn’t quite have beyond Hunter Goodman last season.

During a time in which offense has been decreasing in NPB, Sato didn’t slow down and has put himself in line for another Central League MVP. Hitting from the left side, Sato’s offensive profile could benefit greatly from the altitude of Coors Field, but even more from the spacious gaps he would have to play with in the outfield.

What team wouldn’t want to add a second 40-homer bat into the lineup?

Defensive prospects

Sato primarily plays third base with around 262 appearances in the outfield during his career. He has mostly been able to hold his own, even going so far as to win a Golden Glove — the NPB equivalent of a Gold Glove in MLB — at third base in 2025.

Naturally, there is already some versatility built into his game, but there is concern about his long-term fit on the infield at third base.

He owns a career .941 fielding percentage at the hot corner, having committed at least 20 errors in two of the last four seasons. In 2026, he committed 18 errors, but that was after just six in his 2025 Golden Glove season. He has fared better in the outfield, but his overall defensive ability is a concern. Teams may be willing to swallow that because of the bat.

Seems that Sato may have to follow in the footsteps of Munetaka Murakami, who moved over to first base for the Chicago White Sox full time after signing with them. It would certainly make sense to then just let the bat do the talking.

The drawbacks

The defensive aspect of where to play Sato presents a problem for the Rockies, who are sure to focus heavily on improving defensively. Kyle Karros and TJ Rumfield have the corner infield locked down, and the outfield is crowded in the corners.

Sato could be plugged in as the designated hitter, but the Rockies like to use the DH spot as a cycling position, meaning players will constantly cycle through it. There is also the matter of Sato being left-handed, which the Rockies already have enough left-handed bats to utilize. It would also be another instance of blocking an opportunity for right-handed hitter Charlie Condon (No. 2 PuRP), who the Rockies are already having to try to find a spot defensively.

If there’s a red flag in Sato’s profile, it’s his contact consistency. Sato struck out 164 times in 143 games in 2026. High strikeout rates in NPB often translate to elevated swing-and-miss rates against elite MLB velocity and breaking pitches. Rockies fans know all too well how high-K profiles can get exposed when adjusting to MLB pitching while dealing with the “Coors Field Hangover” effect on the road. Looking again to Murakami with the White Sox, he saw a 28.8% strikeout rate over his last two NPB seasons balloon to 35.4% in his first MLB season. His ability to draw walks still translated, but can Sato do the same?

Then there is the monetary aspect. Because Sato is over the age of 25, there will be no restrictions on the money that can be offered to him. On top of a multi-year, multi-million-dollar contract, the acquiring team must pay a posting fee to the Tigers based on the contract’s total value. The Rockies have a lot of holes to fill, and unfortunately, spending big on Sato would come at the cost of a lot of other areas where the money could go. Having to compete with the financial might of many of the teams in the league hasn’t exactly worked out for the boys in purple in the past.

Should the Rockies pursue Sato?

Absolutely, the Rockies should pursue Sato, at least conceptually.

A young left-handed slugger at Coors Field is always a sight to behold. If the Rockies want to accelerate their rebuilding timeline and show fans a commitment to competing, making a splash in the international market for a marquee power hitter like Teruaki Sato would be a massive statement move.

However, the financial uncertainty for the club, the commitment to internal development as much as possible, and the massive need for pitching make Sato a bit of a long shot. I’m sure the front office will do their due diligence and at least check in with Sato and hopefully continue building a reputation with the Japanese market (which was a bonus of signing Tomoyuki Sugano).

Wherever Sato ends up, it will be interesting to see what he can do in MLB after the splendid seasons of Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto this year.

In the meantime, the Rockies may want to take a closer look at the other Japanese stars looking to pitch in MLB in 2027.


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