Texas Rangers lineup for June 14, 2026 against the Boston Red Sox: starting pitchers are Nathan Eovaldi for the Rangers and Connelly Early for the Red Sox.
The last game of the road trip. The Rangers look to avoid a sweep.
The lineup:
Langford — DH
Jung — 3B
Nimmo — RF
Duran — SS
Burger — 1B
Foscue — 2B
Freeman — LF
Higashioka — C
Osuna — CF
6:20 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +105 underdogs.
The Buffalo Sabres could go a number of different ways as the NHL enters trade season leading into the NHL Draft in two weeks, and the beginning of free agency on July 1. Based on a lengthy impasse between pending UFA Alex Tuch, most insiders are expecting the 30-year-old to sign elsewhere since there continues to be a considerable gap between what Tuch’s representatives are looking for and what Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen is willing to pay him.
There is a slim possibility that Buffalo could get something significant in return for the Syracuse, NY native if they arrange a sign-and-trade, so that another club can have him on an eight-year deal and spread out the AAV to lower the cap hit, but with the likely scenario that he simply walks away when free agency opens next month, Kekalainen will have to pivot to fill the scoring gap.
Over the next few weeks, we will look at potential options for the Sabres. Some of the possibilities are not going to match Tuch’s stats, that absence may have to be filled by youngsters like Konsta Helenius, Jiri Kulich, or Noah Ostlund, but Kekalainen will potentially need to find a veteran winger to replace Tuch in the top six.
Other Sabres Stories
Sabres Emotionally Devastated By Game 7 Overtime Loss
A challenge for Kekalainen will be to find a veteran either with no trade protection or willing to waive whatever clause they have to come to Buffalo. One possible option could be Vancouver Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk. Similar to the situation that Edmonton has with Darnell Nurse, the 29-year-old forward has a no-move for 2026-27, but next summer that turns into a modified 15-team no-trade, which would allow the Canucks to move the former Bruin to more than half the league.
That situation would encourage DeBrusk to work with new Canucks GM Ryan Johnson to find a new home. The veteran forward played the first seven years of his career in Boston, and has scored 20 or more goals five times; including both seasons in Vancouver. There is little doubt that Johnson is implementing a full rebuild, and is likely willing to move players in their late 20’s or early 30’s who do not fit the Canucks timetable for younger, retainable prospects.
From the Buffalo perspective, DeBrusk is a good fit, since he provides cost-certainty at a reasonable $5.5 million AAV for five more seasons. Kekalainen may be loathe to move any of his young forwards, who proved last season that they are ready to contribute in the NHL next season, but he could be attainable for a high draft pick and a player or good prospect.
Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo
When you toss a game so bad we won’t list the highest WPA in the chart: Emerson Hancock, -0.33 WPA
As the NHL offseason kicks into high gear with the Stanley Cup only hours or days away from being awarded, sports publications are busy creating content to keep fans engaged in the down months. Recently, Athlon Sports posted the top five worst contracts in the four North American sports leagues, and put Calgary Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau at the top of the NHL list.
After scoring a career high 115 points during the 2021-22 season, thanks to 30 goals and 85 assists, the Florida Panthers traded the former third overall pick to the Flames on July 22, 2022. Within a month, then general manager Brad Treliving signed Huberdeau to an eight-year deal worth $84 million, which carries an annual cap hit of $10.5 million.
In Calgary, it took Huberdeau over two seasons to reach 115 points. During his first campaign in 2022-23, he had only 15 goals and 40 helpers for 55 points, a 47-point decline in production. Unfortunately, the following season wasn't any better, with only 12 goals and 52 points. Meanwhile, Huberdeau tied Yegor Sharangovich for the Flames' worst plus-minus rating at minus-29.
At first glance, a casual fan would think that Huberdeau may have played through an injury, explaining his sharp decline in points. However, he missed only three games in those first two seasons. Moreover, he missed a total of four games over the first three seasons in Calgary, scoring 55 goals and 169 points with a minus-40 rating.
In 2025-26, Huberdeau was looking to build upon a 28-goal and 62-point performance from the previous season. Through 50 games, he had ten goals and 15 assists for only 25 points. On Feb. 5, 2026, the Flames announced that he would miss the remainder of the season, opting to have hip surgery and hoping for a clean slate to start the 2026-27 season.
As of right now, Huberdeau has five years remaining on his deal, which expires at the end of the 2030-31 season. He's currently owed $52.5 million, making it almost impossible to trade him. Moreover, he currently has the NHL's 11th-highest cap hit and has a full no-movement clause, meaning he'd have to sign off on any potential move.
When Huberdeau joined the Flames, he had one year remaining from his deal with the Panthers, which paid him $5.9 million. However, since his extension began ahead of the 2022-23 season, he's gone on to score 50 goals, record 89 assists, and total 139 points. Among NHL players over the past three seasons, he ranks 165th in goals, 133rd in assists, and 139th in points.
Where the Flames Rank Among NHL's Longest Stanley Cup Droughts
Hart Trophy, Selke Trophy Among NHL Awards Never Won by a Flame
Where Are They Now? Revisiting Conroy's Flames Draft Picks
A Brief Flames Stint Is Keeping Jagr's Wild Stanley Cup Final Teammate Streak Alive
Don't Look Now, But Flames' Huska is the Pacific Division's Longest-Tenured Coach
Texas Rangers outfielder Michael Helman has been placed on the 10 day injured list due to a fractured hand, the team announced today. The team has recalled outfielder Alejandro Osuna to take his place on the active roster.
Osuna seemed to be a candidate to be recalled yesterday, when Evan Carter went on the injured list with an oblique strain, though Cody Freeman ended up getting the nod instead, due at least in part to Corey Seager being unavailable. Once it was reported yesterday that Helman, whose role had been to be the fourth outfielder and play against some lefties, had suffered a multiple fractures in his hand on a hit by pitch, it was apparent that Osuna would be up to take his place.
Helman will likely be out of action for at least the next six weeks. Osuna, meanwhile, will get regular playing time in the outfield, at least until Carter returns.
Osuna has a .253/.376/.275 slash line for the Rangers in 110 plate appearances over 37 games this season, playing primarily left field.
On June 14, 1977, the NHL draft was held in Montreal, and while the Montreal Canadiens didn’t hit any home runs in the first round, picking Mark Napier and Norm Dupont, they did find a diamond in the rough with the last pick of the second round, when they called Rod Langway to the stage.
Unfortunately, they would only keep the talented blueliner for four seasons, from 1978-79 to 1981-82, when they traded him to the Washington Capitals. He was part of a four-player package with Brian Engblom, Doug Jarvis and Craig Laughlin that netted the Canadiens Rick Green and Ryan Walter. The latter would have one of the best seasons of his career that year, putting up 75 points, but he was never able to replicate the feat. Still, both Green and Walter went on to play big roles in the Canadiens’ 1985-86 Stanley Cup conquest.
Canadiens Potential Draft Target: Maddox Dagenais
Canadiens Should Swing Trade For Big Sabres Defenseman
Canadiens Have Potential Free Agent Target In Top UFA Defender
Meanwhile, Langway would go on to play 994 NHL games, putting up 329 points, picking up 851 penalty minutes, and finishing with a plus-276 rating. However, after winning a Cup with the Canadiens in 1978-79, he never won another championship. He last played in the NHL in 1992-93, having only played with the Canadiens and the Capitals. However, he wasn’t ready to hang them up yet and spent three seasons in minor leagues (ECHL, IHL, and AHL).
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002 and, unsurprisingly, chose to be inducted in the Capitals' colours, the team he spent 11 seasons with. Langway won two Norris Trophies, was elected to the NHL All-Star Teams three times and took part in six All-Star games.
Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.
Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.
Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.
Subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here.
The Dodgers are back home to begin a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night at Dodger Stadium.
Eric Lauer starts for the Dodgers. Right-hander Nick Martinez goes for the Rays.
Monday will be an exclusive telecast by ESPN, with Jon Sciambi and David Ross on the call, so no SportsNet LA for this one.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani shared his reaction to the viral rhyme that starts “My mayor’s Muslim, my bagel’s Jewish” and celebrates the New York Knicks ending their 53-year NBA championship drought.
Mamdani, 34, was asked about the viral rhyme Sunday morning during an interview with MS Now’s Jacob Soboroff, hours after the Knicks overcame a 16-point deficit in game five of the NBA Finals, sealing their victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
Soboroff played the viral clip of MD Ahnaf Hossain, the originator of the rhyme, exclaiming: “My mayor’s still Muslim, my bagel’s still Jewish, even the Pope’s on our side, Knicks in five!”
“He is a New Yorker whose words have really stayed with all of us,” Mamdani, who was wearing a Knicks jersey over his dress shirt and tie, said with a chuckle. “And thanks to him, there are a lot of people who have just been running up to me over the last few weeks just shouting, ‘My mayor’s Muslim!’ I said, ‘It’s true. I am.’”
The viral fan chant, which originated as “My mayor’s Muslim, my bagel’s Jewish, my Christian Dior, Knicks in four,” took on new life — and became something of a mantra in the Big Apple — as New Yorkers shouted out their hometown pride and stood united ahead of Game 5 Saturday night.
Mamdani noted that the viral chant “speaks to what the city is and even this team.”
“It’s not just a cookie cut out of the same thing again and again, it’s every single player having a role, bringing together all of the five boroughs in this moment. It’s truly a joy,” he added.
The mayor noted the high, electric energy that has been radiating in New York City as of late due to the Knicks’ historic run in the NBA finals and the World Cup. Thousands of New Yorkers gathered Saturday to take in the historic win, with many taking to the streets after to celebrate the team’s first victory since 1973.
“People have been waiting for this for 53 years. And there have been so many heartbreaks, so many near misses, so many years every year where we have told ourselves it's the year,” Mamdani said. “And for it to actually happen now, I mean, there's nothing more we can ask for as New Yorkers.”
“ It's honestly a beautiful thing,” he added.
“I was reading a piece this morning that really wrote about it quite beautifully, where it said that oftentimes this kind of unity comes in moments of tragedy. And to see it coming now, in a moment of joy, it's something that I have never seen before across our city, where the nation's largest city has become what feels like the world's smallest town, where everyone is thinking and hoping and praying for the same thing,” he added.
Several notable quotes from the viral fan chant have been replicated on hats and T-shirts. It has also been declared “pure New York City poetry” by The New York Times. Meanwhile, the man who went viral for the championship mantra, 23-year-old Hossain, told the Washington Post it was about unifying the city at a crucial time.
“I grew up with Jews, Muslims, Haitians, Pakistanis, Bengalis,” Hossain said. “I just had to bring everyone together.”
Meanwhile, other Knicks fans rattled off their own spin on the viral fan chant online.
“My mayor Muslim, my bagel Jewish, my Saturday Night Live, Knicks in five,” one fan riffed on the original.
Another person mused: “My mayor Muslim, my bagel Jewish, my cream cheese chive, Knicks in five.”
Even the official New York Knicks account shared their take on the viral chant, writing, “NEW YORK FOREVER, WE DID THIS TOGETHER, THE CITY'S ALIVE, KNICKS IN FIVE.”
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
As soon as the confetti hit the ground in San Antonio last night, it was time to look ahead to a new set of NBA Championship odds.
And while the Spurs fell short in these NBA Finals, the NBA odds board has high hopes for Victor Wembanyama and the rest of this talented young core moving forward, listing San Antonio as a +250 favorite to win in 2027.
It remains a tight field, though, with three more teams listed with odds shorter than 7/1. We break it all down below.
| Team |  |
|---|---|
 Spurs | +250 |
 Thunder | +260 |
 Celtics | +550 |
 Knicks | +650 |
 Pacers | +2800 |
 Nuggets | +2800 |
 Cavaliers | +3000 |
 Pistons | +3000 |
 Lakers | +3000 |
 Timberwolves | +3000 |
 Heat | +4000 |
 Warriors | +4500 |
Odds updated as of 6-14, courtesy of bet365, one of our best betting sites. Sign up with our bet365 promo code, or get one of our other sportsbook promos.
San Antonio Spurs (+250)Despite falling flat in this year's NBA Finals, it's easy to see that the San Antonio Spurs' best days are ahead of them.
The young core of Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle will surely improve, and the team has now gotten a glimpse of what is needed to win at the highest level. As +250 solo favorites, they won't be sneaking up on anyone this year.
Oklahoma City Thunder (+260)Injuries to key contributors made the Oklahoma City Thunder's title defense much harder than it would have appeared during the season, and yet OKC managed to go up 2-1 and 3-2 over the Spurs before flaming out in the Western Conference Finals.
The core of back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren remains, and if J-Dub can get back to playing regularly, this team will flirt with 70 wins for a third straight regular season and be a threat to hoist the Larry O'Brien for a second time.
Boston Celtics (+550)Jayson Tatum's late return from injury in time for a title run last season proved to be fool's gold, as the Boston Celtics blew a 3-1 lead to the 76ers in Round 1.
But with Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumours starting to swirl, not much has to happen for Boston to regain title contender status.
New York Knicks (+650)Some may see the New York Knicks listed fourth and see that as disrespectful to the champs, but for as beloved as this team became over the last two months, the comeback magic can't be sustainable.
They were down double-digits in four of five Finals games, and a more experienced opponent would have been able to withstand New York's comeback runs, but if we've learned anything, it's that anything is possible when Jalen Brunson is on your side.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
It’s over. Officially, it’s over. The season ended 48 days ago for the Phoenix Suns, but now the league itself has reached the finish line as the NBA Finals have concluded.
So what does that mean? It means the transaction season can truly begin. It means conversations can turn into negotiations, negotiations can turn into agreements, and front offices around the league can begin executing their plans for the 2026-27 season.
The first important date is June 29, the deadline for all team and player option decisions. The Suns have two players with team options, although Ryan Dunn’s option was exercised last October. That leaves Jamaree Bouyea, who is set to earn $2.6 million next season if Phoenix picks up his option. Should the Suns exercise it, they would still maintain flexibility. Bouyea’s contract remains non-guaranteed until January 10, 2027, when it becomes fully guaranteed. But the decision on whether to pick up the option must be made by June 29.
The next key date is June 30. At 3:00 p.m. Arizona time, teams can begin negotiating with outside free agents. That said, the Suns can already begin having conversations with their own free agents now that the season has officially concluded.
There are four internal free agents worth monitoring.
Jordan Goodwin and Collin Gillespie are both eligible for new deals, with Phoenix holding Early Bird Rights on each player. Amir Coffey enters free agency as an unrestricted free agent with Non-Bird Rights attached. Then there’s Mark Williams, a restricted free agent whose qualifying offer sits at $9.6 million. Phoenix possesses his Bird Rights, giving the organization flexibility in how it approaches negotiations.
Now that the Finals are over and we’re nine days away from the NBA Draft, those internal discussions can begin in earnest. The front office can start moving the ball forward as it prepares for next season.
The assumption is that retaining Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin will be among Phoenix’s top priorities this offseason. Both players became integral parts of the culture and identity the Suns worked to establish last season, and bringing them back would provide another layer of continuity moving forward.
We’ll know soon enough whether common ground can be found and what those contracts ultimately look like. The offseason is officially here. The draft is around the corner. Free agency isn’t far behind. And the Suns can finally begin laying the foundation for what comes next.
Stay tuned to Bright Side of the Sun all offseason long. We’ll be here breaking it all down, offering our opinions, overanalyzing every rumor, and doing what we always do this time of year, trying to figure out how to fix the Phoenix Suns.
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
Carter Hart has conceded at least four goals in each of the first five games in what has been a very high-scoring series.
With Hart bleeding goals, I am leaning towards Carolina players with my Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights goal scorer predictions.
Let's break down my NHL picks for Game 6.
| Player to score a goal | Odds |
|---|---|
 Taylor Hall | +335 |
| Seth Jarvis | +215 |
 Jack Eichel | +215 |
| 💲Goal scorer parlay | +2000 |
Taylor Hall leads the Carolina Hurricanes in this series with 37 shot attempts at 5-on-5 and ranks second to Jordan Staal in scoring chances.
His 5-on-5 prowess is especially important tonight. Refs tend to put whistles away in elimination games, which leads to less special teams and more full-strength hockey.
Hall has been Carolina’s best shot-generator throughout the entire playoffs, and the edge is even more decisive on the road, where Sebastian Aho’s line tends to draw the toughest matchups.
I see value in backing Hall to +310.
Rod Brind ‘Amour has given Seth Jarvis more ice time than any other forward in this series. He’s playing a lot at 5-on-5, he’s featured on both special teams units, and he is defending leads late.
That kind of usage makes him a scoring threat regardless of the game circumstances. Even if Carolina is conservative while playing from ahead, Jarvis will be among those first over the boards in empty-net situations.
He is also a prime regression candidate. He has converted 47 scoring chances and 6.16 expected goals into just four goals these playoffs.
With Carter Hart struggling to find his game, and Jarvis seeing top-tier usage, he’s someone I want to get behind.
Bet to +200.
Jack Eichel hasn’t scored in the Stanley Cup Final but it’s not for a lack of opportunities. He has taken 25 shot attempts and generated 14 scoring chances, ranking him near the top of the Vegas Golden Knights in both categories.
He also leads the team in offensive zone faceoffs and percentage of draws taken in the offensive zone. John Tortorella is doing his best to put Eichel in good spots to produce.
Eichel has scored on only 4% of his shots in the playoffs after finishing at a 10.38% rate during the regular season.
There's no better time for him to break through than in a do-or-die Game 6. I'd play Eichel to +200.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
Much has been made of where Jalen Brunson ranks in the pantheon of current NBA stars. References to his status as a “1A” player have been debated constantly over the past several years.
As the champagne dries and the cigar smoke clears in the road locker room in San Antonio on Sunday, Brunson has proven the doubters wrong. A 45-point masterpiece in the championship clincher was the end of a marvelous 16-3 playoff run for Brunson. The former second-round pick won NBA Finals MVP after leading the New York Knicks to a 4-1 NBA Finals win against the San Antonio Spurs. This is the franchise’s first championship in 53 years.
Since his arrival in the 2022 offseason, Brunson has reinvigorated the Knicks. His original four-year, $104 million contract was thought to be an overpay. It’s been everything but that.
From 2001 to 2022, New York won exactly one playoff series. It only took Brunson two years to eclipse that mark. New York’s 2023 run was where the possibilities of a championship team began. The Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round but fell to the eventual Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in six games.
Hidden behind that painful loss was Brunson’s elite performance. The guard averaged 31.0 points on 50.4 percent from the field and 6.3 assists against a frenetic Heat defense that threw zones, blitzes, and traps Brunson’s way. However, it wasn’t enough. Brunson had 41 points in the last game, but Julius Randle and RJ Barrett, New York’s second and third scoring options respectively, struggled in the series closer, shooting a combined 4-for-24 from the field.
It was that point where the Knicks front office, led by Leon Rose, knew it had a special player. But the club had to figure out how to find the right mix of defense, perimeter shooting and secondary offensive creation around Brunson.
Soon came big bets from New York. Early in the following season, the Knicks dealt homegrown first-round picks Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Toronto Raptors for OG Anunoby. Then came the 2024 offseason acquisitions of Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets and Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Knicks went all-in with these moves, famously handing over five first round picks for Bridges and dealing key cogs Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick, to land Towns.
Adding Anunoby and Bridges gave New York two very good corner three-point shooters, who, along with Josh Hart, created a three-headed monster of wings capable of guarding multiple positions. Towns was the second offensive option, a center who could create his own offense, but could also space the floor and create space for Brunson to operate.
After a loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2025, the final tweak came at head coach with the firing of Tom Thibodeau and the subsequent hiring of Mike Brown.
All of these moves have come with the intention of maximizing the Brunson window. New York also hit on smaller deals like adding Jose Alvarado and Landry Shamet over the last couple of years. They all paid off throughout this playoff run.
Brunson is an offense unto himself, which leads to teams bending their defense to stop him. During this postseason, he averaged 1.09 points per possession in isolation according to NBA Stats, the second-highest number for any player that averaged at least 3.0 isolation possessions.
In these NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs tried everything to slow down the All-Star point guard. Much like that Miami team from a few years ago, there were full-court presses, traps and double teams. There was also 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama lurking by the basket on nearly every possession.
But this time, the teammates New York added around Brunson over the past couple of years were able to take advantage of the extended Spurs defense. Those same double teams created hockey assist opportunities. Shooters like Anunoby, Bridges and Landry Shamet all thrived from that. Anunoby’s game-winning tip-in in Game Four came off Brunson shooting as a double-team approached from the Spurs’ Wembayama and De’Aaron Fox.
Brunson and the Knicks’ relationship has been built on trust. The Knicks have done everything to build a contender that fits around the point guard. And Brunson has sacrificed, signing a four-year, $156.5 million extension in 2024 instead of waiting for a projected five-year, $269 million deal in 2025, a $113 million difference.
With Brunson on the roster, the Knicks will always have a fighting chance. And the belief in the guard will make the team do whatever it takes to compete for more titles going forward.
Well, there’s more baseball today, I guess. If you’re into that sort of thing. The San Francisco Giants have given us no reason to watch them lately, both with their play and their bigoted messaging. For some people, that’s reason enough to stop watching; for others, they need the respite that baseball provides, even when it’s baseball causing the pain.
There’s no right way to fan. If what you’re deciding to do with the day is get some joy out of baseball by watching the Giants face the Chicago Cubs, then welcome. Come talk about the game with us!
Logan Webb takes the mound for the Giants as he tries to build on his momentum. The two-time All-Star has made 11 starts this year, and is 3-4 with a 3.88 ERA, a 3.18 FIP, and 58 strikeouts to 19 walks in 67.1 innings. After a brutal start to the year, Webb has been lights out lately: in his last two starts, he’s allowed just one run in 15 innings.
The Cubs are using an opener, lefty Ryan Rolison. The 28-year old has made 20 appearances this year (this is his first start), and is 5-1 with a 2.25 ERA, a 4.23 FIP, and 24 strikeouts to 12 walks in 24 innings. The bulk innings are expected to go to right-hander Colin Rea, who is 5-4 with a 5.19 ERA, a 4.86 FIP, and 54 strikeouts against 25 walks in 69.1 innings.
Enjoy the game, everyone. Or at least, enjoy your Sunday.
Sign up for a user account and get:
Giants
RHP. Logan Webb
Cubs
LHP. Ryan Rolison
Who: San Francisco Giants (28-43) vs. Chicago Cubs (37-34)
Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California
When: 12:10 p.m. PT
Regional broadcast: ABC/Watch ESPN
National broadcast: n/a
Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM
The Lakers are once again dealing with LeBron James summer drama, which has become an annual tradition at this point. However, with James being an unrestricted free agent, this isn’t an offseason where we can all just laugh at the passive aggressiveness.
Come the start of free agency, LeBron will no longer be a Laker and action from both sides will be required for him to return. Los Angeles has made it clear they want James back, but they aren’t the only ones interested in having LeBron on their team next year.
On a recent episode of the “Pat McAfee Show,” LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, spoke about the interest teams across the league have shown ahead of free agency.
Now, always take what an agent says with a grain of salt. Even McAfee acknowledged that it’s in Paul’s best interest to go with a high number for interested teams as it makes things sound better for his client. Still, whether it’s 10, 12 or a few teams interested in LeBron, he is a wanted player.
This offseason, the unrestricted free agent market is very weak. Given that LeBron is coming off a season where he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists, the list of players who can do that consistently in the NBA is small, making him clearly one of the best available options this offseason.
We don’t know which teams are officially asking about LeBron, but the Warriors have once again been linked to James.
So, it seems we will likely hear of other teams during the coming weeks, but again, it’s all part of the negotiating tactics that happen during the NBA offseason.
Perhaps this time, LeBron will leave, but he and the Lakers have always figured out how to stay together and have been united for longer than any other franchise has been with James in a single stint.
Teams will be interested and with James no longer LA’s top priority, things can get tricky. But hearing a bunch of teams calling from an agent is no reason for fans to press the panic button.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
This afternoon, the Athletics seek to wrap up their week in Las Vegas by completing a sweep of the Colorado Rockies. The past two nights, the A’s emerged victorious in back-and-forth contests, overcoming blown leads to retake the advantage and fend off the Rockies over the final few innings.
A’s left-hander Jeffrey Springs, who was originally scheduled to start yesterday’s contest, will instead get the ball for the last game of the series. The 33-year-old will be the lone A’s starter making his second start of the week, and he will face the added challenge of pitching in what is expected to be triple-digit heat.
Springs enters his 15th start of the season with a 3-6 record, a 4.68 ERA and 63 strikeouts over 75 innings pitched. He started the first game of the Las Vegas series, which the Milwaukee Brewers ultimately won 15-14 in 12 innings. In that game, Springs received a no-decision after allowing five runs on eight hits across five innings.
Today marks two months since the A’s southpaw last earned a win, a streak he hopes to snap in this series finale. A big reason why Springs has not pitched well lately is because he has struggled limiting home runs. The ball is likely to carry in the extreme heat, creating an additional challenge for A’s and Rockies pitchers. Springs will need to be efficient and precise to avoid another short, less-than-ideal outing. Even if he pitches well, the A’s may be reluctant to let him work deep into the game given the oppressive temperatures and the associated health concerns.
Keeping that in mind, the A’s made a roster-move this morning to add a fresh arm to their bullpen. Joey Estes was serviceable as the starter yesterday, but failed to complete five innings. He was optioned back to Triple-A, with left-handed reliever Brady Basso recalled as the corresponding roster move.
Now onto the starting lineup. Here’s how manager Mark Kotsay decided to order things up as his team seeks its fifth straight win:
This lineup is certainly an interesting one. Center fielder Lawrence Butler is batting leadoff, a notable departure from the inconsistent hitter’s usual spot in the lower half of the order. Meanwhile, Nick Kurtz will serve as the designated hitter, getting a break from defensive duties. Veteran infielder Jeff McNeil will man first base instead. Butler and McNeil are not the only Athletics making their first starts of this series. Carlos Cortes will also make his first start, playing right field and batting fourth.
Today’s A’s lineup is without starting catcher Shea Langeliers and shortstop Jacob Wilson. Langeliers gets the day off following two straight days behind the plate, while Wilson is not starting because he needs a rest day after recently returning from a stint on the injured list with a shoulder injury.
Ninth-place hitter Alika Williams, starting at shortstop, has been an unexpected contributor. He accumulated three hits and a walk last night in his best offensive game as a major leaguer. The A’s will need the likes of McNeil, Williams and Butler to get on base and create RBI opportunities for Kurtz, left fielder Tyler Soderstrom and hot-hitting second baseman Zack Gelof.
Those bats will be facing Rockies’ right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano. The 36-year-old Japanese native is 6-4 with a 4.08 ERA and 39 strikeouts over his first 13 starts, spanning 68 1/3 innings with the Rockies.
He has won his past two starts, most recently limiting the Chicago Cubs to three runs on six hits over five innings pitched. Sugano has allowed 12 home runs, while Springs has given up 16, setting up a series finale that could feature plenty of power at the plate.
And the Rockies’ lineup for game three looks like this:
Springs has only faced one of Colorado’s starting nine before, so that could give the A’s starter the initial advantage in this matchup. Rockies’ shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, who sat out the previous two games, returns to his team’s lineup this afternoon. The visitors’ lineup is not as intimidating as some others the Athletics have faced this season, yet the Rockies have shown an ability to score in bunches through the first two games of this interleague series.
Should the A’s finish off the league-worst Rockies, they would conclude their Las Vegas residency with a 5-1 record, and more importantly, return to West Sacramento one game over .500. Let’s go A’s!
Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA