Did you know that on July 23, 2020, the Seattle Kraken were officially named the Kraken?
The team that was once NHL Seattle was finally named the Seattle Kraken on July 23, 2020.
According to NHL.com, former team president and general manager Ron Francis said the Seattle Kraken wasn't among the final name groups for NHL Seattle, and that the owners and executives were considering other names.
However, on July 23, the league announced that the Seattle team would be called the Kraken, giving the club a clearer identity as those trade discussions continued.
The meaning of the name comes from the mythical, mysterious, and mighty sea beast. The deep-sea blue logo has ice blue, shadow blue, boundless blue, and red alert shades.
According to NHL.com, “The logo honors the Seattle Metropolitans of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association, who became the first team from the United States to win the Stanley Cup when they defeated the Montreal Canadiens in 1917, months before the NHL was born. It is an "S," like the Metropolitans logo, but with a tentacle and red eye.”
Ron Francis shared the meaning behind the name after the announcement.
"Seattle's a city with a deep maritime history," Kraken general manager Ron Francis said. "I think this name embodies a connection with the sea and a curiosity of what lies beneath it. It's a natural tie to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. In theory, it reflects the power and aggression of hockey. We're hoping that's the kind of tenacity our players show every time they take the ice. So I'm excited by it."
In the first five seasons in the NHL, the Seattle Kraken have made the postseason once.
The team saw the most success in the second season, posting a 46-28-8 record with 100 points. They were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs that year.
The Kraken enter the sixth season in the NHL hoping to make a stronger push than in prior years, with trade moves part of that effort.
Fresh off a 94-84 win over the Mercury on Tuesday, Washington heads right back to Mortgage Matchup Center for a Thursday night rematch.
Kiki Iriafen is riding a serious hot streak, and she draws another prime matchup to keep the momentum rolling.
Our Mystics vs. Mercury prediction and WNBA picks expect Iriafen and Sonia Citron to set the tempo, driving Washington to a straight-up win and an ATS cover as short road favorites on Aug. 27.
UPDATE: Added Sonia Citron prop!
Mystics vs Mercury prediction
Mystics vs Mercury best bet: Kiki Iriafen Over 24.5 points + rebounds -115
Kiki Iriafen is averaging a career-best 24.6 points + rebounds, but she’s been phenomenal over her last five, averaging 29.8.
Washington’s productive forward has posted 25+ points + rebounds in five straight and six of her last seven appearances. She’s done this in 10 of 16 road games while averaging 25.3.
Iriafen posted 21 and 28 points + rebounds in two matchups against the Phoenix Mercury, who also rank 14th in defensive rating across their last 10 games.
The Mercury have allowed the fourth-most points to guards (55.1) and the fifth-highest FG% (46.5). Sonia Citron scored 18+ in four of her last eight games, and she finished with 19 points in each matchup against Phoenix, shooting a healthy 12-for-19 from the floor.
The Washington Mystics are a league-best 23-15 ATS, including a 4-2 mark as the road favorite. The Mercury are tied for the worst home ATS record at 6-12, and Phoenix is just 2-6 as the home dog. Washington’s Top-3 defense and balanced offensive attack make this playable up to 5.5.
The Mercury have given up the second-highest 3-point percentage (36%) and the most made 3-pointers (6.1) to opposing guards.
Citron has hit multiple treys in only 11 games this season, but she’s reached that mark in four of her last nine while shooting 50% from long range.
In two matchups with the Mercury, Citron shot a blistering 8-for-12 from beyond the arc. Citron’s recent efficiency and favorable matchup make this a line worth targeting.
Zak Hanshew's 2026 Transparency Record
Best bet: 30-36, -8.8 units
SGP: 7-59, -22 units
Player prop: 18-22, -6.42 units
Mystics vs Mercury odds
Spread: Mystics -3.5 | Mercury +3.5
Moneyline: Mystics -170 | Mercury +142
Over/Under: Over 166.5 | Under 166.5
Mystics vs Mercury trend
The Mystics have covered the spread in three straight games against the Mercury. Find more WNBA betting trends.
How to watch Mystics vs Mercury
Location
Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Mystics vs Mercury latest injuries
Mystics: No key injuries to report. Mercury: Marta Suarez (Out), Kelsey Plum (Questionable). Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
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.
Starting forward NaLyssa Smith is out for the season with a left leg injury, the defending champion Las Vegas Aces announced on Thursday.
The team did not disclose specifics regarding her diagnosis or treatment plan. She was not seen at Thursday's practice and Aces coach Becky Hammon did not answer questions about her status.
Smith sustained the non-contact injury during a 88-78 win over the the Toronto Tempo on Sunday, Aug. 23. When she exited the game with 3:15 mark of the third quarter, she was shooting 4-of-4 from the field.
Smith was in the midst of one of the best seasons of her career, averaging 11.8 points and 6.4 rebounds over 37 games this season. She was leading the league in field goal percentage at 63.8%.
The 2022 No. 2 draft pick out of Baylor landed with the Aces after being traded from Dallas for a 2027 first-round pick in June, 2025.
Without Smith, even more pressure will fall on Aces star A’ja Wilson, who is favored to win an unprecedented fifth MVP while averaging 26 points, nine rebounds and two blocks per game this season.
Veteran forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus is the most obvious replacement in the Aces' starting lineup, recently returned from missing 10 games due to a concussion. The Aces also have reserve front court options in Brianna Turner and Justine Pissott.
Entering Thursday, the Aces have a 26-13 record, which is the the third-best in the Western Conference behind the Minnesota Lynx (31-8) and Golden State Valkyries (27-11).
The Aces will host the Toronto Tempo again on Friday in their final game before the break for the FIBA World Cup.
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 26: Ha-Seong Kim #7 of the Atlanta Braves hits a walk-off single in the ninth inning during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park on August 26, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Lineup shuffles are all the rage:
Honestly, this is just a strange-looking lineup. Mauricio Dubon is still hitting cleanup, but Ozzie Albies slides up to second in Ronald Acuña Jr.’s absence. Lane Thomas DHes against a righty, even though Dominic Smith and Sean Murphy are still on the roster.
But hey, yesterday’s hero gets a start for the first time in 12 days, so we’ll see what happens.
The Dodgers have also shuffled their lineup a bit:
Tommy Edman slides into the two-hole and center field, while Miguel Rojas and Enrique Hernandez will make starts in the finale. Max Muncy gets a day off against southpaw Chris Sale, while Teoscar Hernandez moves up to fifth.
History against Yoshinobu Yamamoto, you ask? Everyone but Drake Baldwin and Mauricio Dubon have faced him at least once, but no one has double-digit PAs against him. Everyone save Thomas and Albies has also hit him pretty well, so the collective line is a .326 wOBA and .346 xwOBA in 30 PAs.
For the Dodgers versus Sale, there’s a fair bit of experience for a handful of guys, and everyone but catcher Ben Rortvedt has faced Sale at least once. Teoscar Hernandez, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman have all pretty much crushed Sale. The combined line is just a .326 wOBA and .317 xwOBA, though, because the other players in their lineup have generally struggled against the Braves’ ace.
DETROIT, MI - JULY 29: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers takes off his cap after recording his 1,000th strikeout during the first inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park on July 29, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers made the biggest move at the trade deadline in acquiring ace Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers on August 2. Now just less than four weeks later, the two-time Cy Young Award winner will face his former team for the first time, in front of fans at Comerica Park.
Skubal has a 2.67 ERA in 77 career games at Comerica Park, including 75 starts. The Tigers were 47-28 (.627) in those home starts.
Tarik Skubal is set to start Friday in Detroit, Dave Roberts confirmed.
“I hope they do the festivities the night after we win on Friday,” Roberts said, “so the emotion doesn't get to him and he can just kind of enjoy the welcome back.”
Fellow Friday starter Drew Anderson was in the bullpen for nearly all of his first four months with the Tigers, but he moved into the rotation after Skubal and Casey Mize were traded and has a 3.57 ERA in four starts. Anderson stretched out to five innings in his last two starts, allowing three runs in both outings.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Raiders’ star second-year running back made an Instagram post that showed him from the back while he took a knee on the turf. The post is captioned, “Romans 8:28”.
The next slide on Jeanty’s post has that Bible verse written out: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”.
Ashton Jeanty #2 of the Las Vegas Raiders rushes for yards during a joint practice with the Houston Texans on August 18, 2026, at the Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Texas. Getty Images
There’s no way of knowing whether the post and Bible verse is a way of Jeanty addressing his injury. But it is his first social media post since the injury occurred, and many Raiders fans are expressing concern that the cryptic post could be an indication that his injury is worse than initially believed.
Romans 8:28 is often invoked in sports when someone is trying to make sense of a setback, especially with an injury. Therefore, some Raiders fans are making sense of this post by convincing themselves Jeanty is saying that even if the injury is bad, he believes there’s a bigger purpose behind it.
I wouldn’t say this makes me feel any better about Ashton Jeanty’s injury
Injury could be a lot worse than we think.
You draft him & he ends up missing significant time – would be brutal.
Worth the risk though if he really falls in drafts.
Jeanty went down with a leg injury during the Raiders’ practice on Sunday. It wasn’t clear what exactly happened to Jeanty initially, but the whole practice pausing so his teammates could take a knee around him convinced many that the second-year back might miss significant time.
Then it came out that Jeanty suffered an ankle sprain, which could cause him to miss the start of the season. But a sprained ankle felt like a win, given that the fear was that he’d suffered a season-ending leg injury.
Despite the worry Jeanty’s post might have produced, Raiders fans should wait until they hear Jeanty address his ankle directly before taking his post as proof there’s something to be concerned about.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty speaks during a news conference at the team’s NFL football training camp on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Henderson, Nev. (AP Photo/Ian Maule) AP Photo/Ian Maule
A’ja Wilson and Olivia Miles. (Photo by Matt Krohn) | Getty Images
Last year, in addition to becoming the first four-time MVP in WNBA history, A’ja Wilson became just the second back-to-back MVP. Cynthia Cooper accomplished the feat 27 years earlier in the league’s first two seasons.
Now, Wilson is the frontrunner to win an unprecedented third MVP in a row. It would be her fifth total, which is mind-boggling, especially considering she just turned 30 years old and likely has quite some time left in her career.
𝑀'𝑽𝑃 in her element 🫡
For the 32nd time in her career, A’ja Wilson earns @wnba Western Conference Player of the Week honors. pic.twitter.com/cKQcE61mac
Wilson leads the player many consider to be second in the running, Olivia Miles, by a whopping 8.3 statistical points when you add up their averages in points, rebounds, assists times 1.5, steals and blocks. Miles has a slightly higher effective field goal percentage and a slightly higher free throw percentage, but Wilson’s lead in stat score is overwhelming.
Should voters think outside the box and give the MVP to Olivia Miles?
Miles has led a Minnesota Lynx team that nobody expected to have best record in the league. The Lynx are 3.5 games ahead of the next closest team in the current WNBA standings and five games ahead of Wilson’s Las Vegas Aces, who were considered to be one of the frontrunners at the beginning of the season.
Miles has done it all, all while facing the pressure of being a rookie. These circumstances will undoubtedly be factored in when the media votes; already, major media outlets have been portraying the race as closer than the numbers indicate it should be.
"Wins. I love helping my team win."
Impacting the game on every level, Olivia Miles takes the most pride in helping her team earn the dub ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/GkAXj5HGFx
Then there’s the historic bias against guards that has to be taken into consideration. Miles, a 5-foot-10 point guard, shouldn’t be expected to rebound the ball at the same rate as Wilson, a 6-foot-4 forward/center. That’s not part of her job description.
As I wrote about in my 2025 MVP ladder 2.0, the WNBA MVP award has only been given to a true guard three times: Cooper twice and Diana Taurasi once.
Clearly, the stat score method I use when determining my MVP favors frontcourt players, even though I multiply assists by 1.5. Other analysts have their own formulas or considerations when trying to capture a player’s statiscal impact, but they keep coming up with the same answer: The most-deserving MVP candidates are almost always versatile 3s, 4s and 5s.
Shooting guard Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever is a great example of someone whose stat score is always low for a star because she doesn’t fill out the box score beyond scoring. But she is rightfully in the MVP conversation this season alongside Wilson and Miles because basketball experts who watch the games can see that she affects the game beyond the box score because of how much of a threat she is to score. Sometimes doing one job (in this case scoring) really well is all a player should need to gain consideration.
Miles is probably a more gifted passer than she is a scorer, and that may always be the case. But she has turned into someone who loves to score. As a result, her assist average (6.1 per game) isn’t a top-five mark in the league, but it’s still very good. Plus, she’s averaging nearly 20 points per game, which good enough to be in the conversation for the scoring title most years.
And the intangibles have been phenomenal. “The Spectacle” has electrified the league with thrilling performance after thrilling performance. Again, all this has come while dealing with the challenge of getting used to the professional level.
“I haven’t seen anything like her coming in as a rookie and being as dominant since Candace Parker.”@tinacharles31 is a big Olivia Miles fan 👏 pic.twitter.com/tVqQb2jbvA
What if it’s not yet someone else’s turn? Isn’t A’ja Wilson still the best?
Let’s argue Wilson’s case though.
It seems Miles has a legitimate shot at getting some first place votes. But if Miles wins the award, that won’t properly reflect that Wilson is still in the midst of her reign as the best player in the world.
Are we subconsciously discriminating against Wilson because we think it’s someone else’s turn?
The MVP award can only go to one person, and years from now, when we see that one name listed, we will automatically think that player was the clear-cut best player in the league that year. The name on the list doesn’t tell the true story of all the arguments that were had for other players. When future generations look back on 2023, they will see Breanna Stewart’s name and not be aware of the intense debate that occurred between Stewie, A’ja and Alyssa Thomas. It’s unlikely many people will dig deeper, look at the voting and realize that AT actually got the most first-place votes.
So Miles’ name may go down in history as the MVP this year. She would be the second rookie to win the award, after Candace Parker in 2008. And she might be deserving.
But it would be a shame for people to not remember how close Wilson came to three MVPs in a row and five in seven years.
We should celebrate the accomplishment that has been A’ja showing up and being A’ja Wilson yet again.
We shouldn’t take it for granted.
Yet, it will likely be forgotten if she doesn’t win MVP.
In my stat score, what Wilson gains in having 9.5 rebounds per game is pretty much canceled out by multiplying Miles’ assists per game by 1.5, which comes out to 9.2.
The real difference between the two is Wilson’s incredible scoring average of 26 points per game being 6.3 pointes higher than Miles’ scoring average. Wilson is on track for the second-highest points per game in the history of the W, trailing only her own mark of 26.9 in 2024. It’s hard to vote against that.
Personally, I’m a fan of both players.
I’m happy my prediction that Miles would be a great player in the W has come to fruition so quickly. I’m also enjoying watching Wilson ascend to GOAT status in real time. On the men’s side, most experts have, unfairly or not, refused to crown a new GOAT, instead insisting that Michael Jordan is still better than LeBron James.
On the women’s side, A’ja has left no doubt in surpassing Taurasi, and we’re lucky to be witnessing it.
Diehard Jordan fans in the 90s didn’t get tired of him winning award after award. That’s what I’m experiencing with A’ja right now. It just doesn’t get old.
Gabriel Bannigan said he was "disappointed" to be stepping down from his role as Monaghan manager after two years at the helm but said the "goalposts have been moved" and he could not continue.
Bannigan initially joined Monaghan as part of Vinny Corey's management team in 2022 before succeeding Corey as boss in 2024.
Under Bannigan, Monaghan won the Division Two title in 2025 and reached successive All-Ireland quarter-finals where they were knocked out by Donegal and then Louth.
The Farney men were relegated from Division One this year after a tough league campaign in which they failed to pick up a point.
They bounced back well in the Ulster SFC with wins over Cavan and Derry but suffered an extra-time defeat against Armagh in the decider.
"I ma very disappointed to announce that I am stepping down as manager of the Monaghan senior football team," Bannigan said in a statement.
"When I was appointed two years ago, I accepted the challenge of leading the Monaghan team through an inevitable period of transition and it has been an absolute privilege to do so.
"I have always been 100% honest with the Monaghan people since I was given the honour of managing our senior footballers, I did not want to walk away from this project that I have put so much into.
"Over the last number of weeks, I worked hard on my plans for 2027 to build on the excellent foundations now in place. During this period, I have come to realise that the goalposts have moved, and the conditions are not right for me to continue and therefore I believe a new management team and fresh voices are now required to take Monaghan football forward."
Former NBA G League guard Bryson Warren has entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos. Warren had committed to Texas A&M earlier this year, before the SEC passed a rule preventing players from professional leagues from suiting up for member schools.
The SEC’s new professional sports rule carries heavy penalties for teams who roster former professional players, making it untenable for Texas A&M to have Warren on the team this fall. So what are the new rules, exactly?
Violating the new SEC-pro sports rule will result in a coach suspension of 50% of contests and a hefty fine, On3’s Wilson Alexander confirmed and the league later announced. The fine will amount to 50% of that sport’s annual operating budget, and the head coach’s suspension will include all coaching, recruiting and administrative duties. The punishment is similar to the one the NCAA has in place for “ghost transfers,” or players who leave one school for another without entering the transfer portal.
As for Bryson Warren, he’s a 21-year-old prospect who averaged 19.9 points, 5.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game in 21 games, including 17 starts, with the Westchester Knights this past season. From 2023-2025, Warren averaged 11.8 points across 51 combined games with the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Before joining the G League, Warren was a product of Overtime Elite where he played for both Team OTE and the YNG Dreamerz. He won the OTE title in 2022 and was named second-team All-OTE in 2023. The 6-foot-3, 191-pound Warren entered the 2024 NBA Draft but ultimately went undrafted.
Bryson Warren isn’t the only former professional player who has looked to enter the NCAA ranks this offseason. A handful of prominent court cases have granted eligibility to a certain subset of players, paving the way for a return.
Warren was one of several who sought to take advantage. He will still likely be able to, but he’ll have to find a welcoming home. Multiple leagues, including the Big 12, Big Ten and ACC have passed similar rules as the SEC in recent days preventing professional players from joining their leagues.
On3’s Alex Byington also contributed to this report.
The Chicago White Sox are having a pretty magical season. Despite losing more than 100 games in each of the last three seasons, the ChiSox suddenly find themselves in first-place in the AL Central with fewer than 30 games remaining.
It amost feels like too quick a turnaround. This team would've needed multiple high-end acquisitions or multiple elite prospects to graduate. They've certainly had a few between Colson Montgomery, Braden Montgomery and Munetaka Murakami, but it didn't seem like that would be enough to turn around what has been a basement-dwelling franchise in just one year.
It's almost like ... they've been the beneficiaries of divine intervention.
On Thursday, Aug. 27, the team gave renowned fan and Chicago native Pope Leo XIV his own White Sox-branded mitre (the tall, ceremonial hat worn by the Pope), a solid offering to someone who perhaps was sending daily prayers to his favorite franchise.
Once the five-star dominoes start to drop, they often fall in heaps. That was the case with the 32 best in the 2027 cycle. All 32 are already committed, as of Aug. 27. A majority have been off the board for months with their recruitments shut down.
The old school recruiting timeline has vanished. The December signing period will, of course, come with its fair share of drama as flips and decommitments occur, but it’s not as if there will be many fresh decisions to be made.
The 32 five-stars — according to the Rivals Industry Ranking — have dispersed among 16 schools. Nine of those schools have landed multiple. Rivals takes a look at those programs that reeled at least two big fish over the spring and summer:
Mike Elko and the Aggies have the nation’s No. 1 class, according to the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. They’ve assembled an elite haul that currently features a quintet of five-stars, three of whom are the top-ranked prospects at their respective positions.
Dorsey has been in the mix since last November and his stock has soared since. The hard-hitting safety is also the No. 3 senior in Georgia. Forstall was next to follow at the end of March. The IMG Academy standout one of three A&M five-star commits who plays in Florida, alongside Matthews and Henderson.
Matthews ended a high-profile recruitment with a May decision, choosing the Aggies over Miami and plenty others. He’s long been the top-ranked tackle in the cycle and forms an elite duo in the trenches alongside Brown, who committed in April and ranks as the No. 2 senior in the Lone Star State.
Then there’s Henderson, who jumped in the mix during official visit season in June. What really makes A&M’s class so stacked, though, is the additional six commits who rank inside the top 60 nationally. Cornerback Raylaun Henry and wide receiver Eric McFarland are both currently on the cusp of five-star status, too.
The Miami Hurricanes have formed the nation’s No. 3 class this cycle. No coaching staff have pulled off bigger flips than Mario Cristobal and Co. as two of their four five-star pledges were previously committed elsewhere.
It starts with Wright, the top-ranked senior in California. The Long Beach Poly playmaker made a very early commitment to Georgia, but Miami was among the many teams in pursuit throughout the spring. He flipped in May and has since shut down his recruitment and is also now the No. 4 prospect in the updated Rivals300.
Wright was then flanked by Sears at the end of July. Considered one of the top prospects in the 2028 cycle, Sears caught most off guard when he announced his decision to reclassify up to the senior cycle. He simultaneously set his commitment date with all arrows pointing toward Coral Gables. He’s a two-way standout at the high school level and could try to play both sides at the next level.
Bryant was the other massive flip back at the beginning of June. The one-time LSU commit opted to flip after logging his official visit. He’s the No. 1 overall prospect in South Carolina. Lennear was a classic Miami recruiting win. The in-state pass-catcher was trending toward The U for months before pulling the trigger on his commitment in March.
Ohio State now has the nation’s No. 5 recruiting class in the nation and No. 2 class in the Big Ten heading into the fall. The Buckeyes’ trio of five-star commits showcase how many different ways you can win a recruitment.
Brown is the best senior prospect in the state of Ohio. He was prioritized early by the OSU staff and made a very early commitment on Nov. 23, 2024. Despite the departure of longtime receivers coach Brian Hartline, Brown remains rock-solid.
Jacobs was a Miami lean heading into his Dec. 29 decision. It was known that Ohio State was still in the mix, but just minutes before he revealed his commitment, the Buckeyes overtook the Hurricanes and swiped one of the biggest pledges of the cycle. Making a switch like that would make one think that his recruitment would carry a few twists and turns down the stretch, but Jacobs has been rather quiet since coming off the board.
OSU then went out to the West Coast this summer to pluck Fakatou, the No. 3 senior prospect in the Golden State. He considered numerous high-profile programs and named multiple leaders throughout his recruitment, but the Buckeyes emerged as the team to beat leading into his June 29 commitment and they got over the finish line.
The Notre Dame class remains at No. 2 nationally thanks to three five-stars and five more top-100 overall prospects. The Fighting Irish also inked a top-two class in the previous cycle and continue to recruit at a truly elite level.
May was a massive month on the trail for Marcus Freeman and his staff. Olubobola pledged on May 12, choosing the Irish over a slew of blue bloods. The 6-foot-6, 300-pounder reminds Rivals’ Scouting and Rankings Team of former Notre Dame star Ronnie Stanley.
Olubobola, the No. 1 senior in New Jersey, was a classic Notre Dame target. So was Sesay, the No. 3 prospect in Pennsylvania. The Downingtown East standout was trending toward South Bend for some time before locking his commitment during OV season.
Simien joined Olubobola in the trenches at the end of June. The No. 3 prospect in Louisiana spurned the usual SEC suitors and is headed for the Midwest. Notre Dame’s class also features DL David Folorunsho, a five-star in the Rivals300 rankings.
This was expected. Nick Richards had been working out in the Heat facility for a while, it was just a question of timing.
Now with the Klay Thompson signing complete, the Heat and Richards have come to terms on a one-year deal for Richards to be a backup center behind Bam Adebayo, the team announced Wednesday. This contract is not fully guaranteed until the season opens, notes Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel. The Heat did the same thing a year ago with Precious Achiuwa, and it gives them flexibility if a player they are interested in becomes available.
Richardson will be the third center on the roster, playing behind Adebayo and Bobby Portis.
Richardson is a six-year NBA veteran, originally a second-round pick out of Kentucky. Last season, he split time between Phoenix and Chicago, appearing in 48 games and averaging 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
This signing also puts the Heat at 14 standard contracts, which could be their roster heading into the season. They have the cap space to add a 15th player on a minimum contract, and veteran guard Gabe Vincent has been mentioned, but the Heat may choose to keep that roster spot open and see what develops. The non-guaranteed nature of Richardson's contract, and the fact that only $500,000 of Myron Gardner's $2.6 million deal is guaranteed, gives the Heat flexibility.
The Heat also agreed to bring back Keshad Johnson on a two-way contract (he was on a standard contract with the team last season), Winderman reports.
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - MARCH 22: Kate Koval #13 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Texas Tech Lady Raiders in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on March 22, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If you haven’t heard by now, Kate Koval is leaving the LSU Tigers. The former Notre Dame women’s basketball player was not happy that LSU Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey signed a Russian player, and 10 days after… Koval decided to leave.
With Koval’s father being in the Ukrainian military and being part of the war aginst the Russian invasion — you can understand how she feels about all of this. Despite any offical statement from Koval on the matter, I think the reasons are fairly clear because it’s all so personal.
We can debate about Kim Mulkey being… well, Kim Mulkey, at any other time, but right now I’m wondering where Koval might end up. Given the timing of everything, Koval won’t be able to transfer and play this season and will have to wait until spring to decide where she will be going with the remaining three years of eligibility.
Is there a chance Koval returns to Notre Dame? To be honest, I don’t quite remember the reasons for her departure from Niele Ivey’s program, but she’s a 6’5” center with two years of experience playing big girl basketball. They don’t grow that on trees — so is there a chance?
Ukrainian player Kate Koval is leaving LSU's women's basketball program after Kim Mulkey signed a player from Russia.
Last week, Mulkey even suggested the two could help end the war between the countries. Days later, Koval, whose father is in the Ukrainian military, is leaving.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Head coach Brad Underwood’s Illini went hunting for promising additions this offseason, and succeeded at doing so, landing multiple elite freshmen and a proven transfer. But with a chunk of Illinois’ veteran core returning to Champaign, Underwood will have to figure out how to carve minutes out for the new faces without disrupting the chemistry of the established vets.
Quentin Coleman & Stefan Vaaks: 26-30 minutes
Illini fans assume five-star freshman Quentin Coleman will step right into the starting lineup, filling the point guard role that Keaton Wagler left. Alongside him, Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks, coming off an Estonian League Championship and Big East All-Freshman Team selection, will likely step into the shooting guard role after averaging 15.8 points per game while shooting 35% from 3-point range with the Friars last season. 26-30 minutes per game is a realistic expectation for both of the newcomers in the starting five.
David Mirkovic & Andrej Stojakovic: 28-30 minutes
After his standout freshman campaign in orange and blue last season, David Mirkovic has virtually locked down his spot in Underwood’s ideal starting lineup. Mirkovic started 35 out of Illinois’ 36 games last season.
Stojakovic though, sat on the bench for 11 games behind Jake Davis during the back end of last season after returning from injury. There’s a question mark as to whether Underwood will replicate that rotation, but given Stojakovic’s scoring production as Illinois’ second-leading scorer last season, it still would be somewhat of a surprise to see him start the season on the bench if he’s fully healthy. Jake Davis earned that spot through rebounding and defensive grit, high IQ spacing and consistent 3-point shooting. But if Stojakovic used this offseason to develop his rebounding and defensive abilities, his ceiling is much higher. 28-30 minutes per game for Stojakovic is a realistic prediction.
Jake Davis: 18-20 minutes
Additionally, Vaaks’ entrance in the starting lineup changes the lineup dynamic. Vaaks and Davis offer spot-up shooting, but a lineup with Vaaks and Stojakovic gives the Illini a late-clock creating option. Davis looks like Illinois’ ideal sixth man this season if he doesn’t start. Keeping him around for at least 18-20 minutes per game will preserve Illinois’ perimeter spacing and defensive discipline.
Tomislav: 22 minutes; Zvonimir: 18 minutes
Although Tomislav Ivisic likely has his spot in the starting lineup locked down, having started two seasons at the center position for the Illini, Underwood may be a little more generous to Zvonimir than he was last season regarding minutes. Tomislav’s pick-and-pop spacing, 3-point threat, low-block scoring and playmaking abilities should grant him around 22 minutes per game. That leaves an 18-minute window for Zvonimir to utilize his elite rim protection, vertical rim running and stretch-five threat from the wing to offer a completely different playstyle. Zvonimir averaged 17 minutes per game last season, and it’d be a shock to see those numbers decrease.
Lincoln Williams & Lucas Morillo: 10-12 minutes
A problem Underwood might face is deciding how to balance minutes for the first seven with minutes for the rest of the incoming freshmen. There’s been quite a good bit of hype around wings like Lincoln Williams and Lucas Morillo, but will Illinois fans get to appreciate them on the court this season? Or will they have to wait until the returning core departs? What gives them both a chance to get rotational minutes is the fact that they can both fill in at guard and wing. Williams offers explosive vertical ability and transition scoring, while Morillo offers patient ball-handling and playmaking. If both of them can offer disciplined defense and rebounding, they may be able to carve out 10-12 minutes per game if they maximize their opportunities.
It won’t be easy for Underwood to dish out 200 minutes for a roster this deep, but it’s a good problem to have. TCR readers, what are your minutes per game predictions?
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 14: Daylen Lile #51 and Dylan Crews #3 of the Washington Nationals celebrate after the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park on September 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Entering 2026, Daylen Lile and Dylan Crews were two of the most hyped youngsters on the Nationals’ big-league squad. Lile was coming off a rookie campaign where he posted an excellent 131 wRC+ in 91 games, including a scorching hot September, earning him a player of the month award and a top-5 finish in NL Rookie of the Year voting. Dylan Crews had yet to string together much big-league success, but he’d also missed much of 2025 due to injury, and the draft pedigree and bursts of success were still there.
2026, however, has been a bit of a letdown for both hitters. Lile has made large strides defensively in left field, going from the 5th percentile in OAA in 2025 to the 74th percentile in 2026, but the bat has not been nearly where it was in 2025, as entering today, he has a 92 wRC+ on the season, down 39 points from his 2025 mark. His whiff rate has increased by about 4%, his chase rate has increased by an alarming 13%, and his OBP sits under .300 entering today.
As for Crews, while many thought this could be the year of his breakout under the new regime, that has not been the case, as he began the season in Triple-A, and while he’s seemingly made some strides in his third big-league season, such as hitting the ball harder than ever and getting the ball off the ground more, the results haven’t been there for show, with a 80 wRC+ entering today, just 2 points higher than in 2025.
The good news is that while both their bats have left something to be desired in 2026, Lile and Crews are winning ballplayers in many other facets, such as both being plus defenders now and having 90th+ percentile speed. Their offensive issues are both against one side: for Lile, it is against LHP, where he has a 59 wRC+, and for Crews, it is against RHP, where he has a 54 wRC+. Crews has feasted on LHP this season, with a 136 wRC+, and Lile has done well against RHP, with a 104 wRC+ and probably more than that in the tank if he can improve his plate discipline.
So my question is, if the Nationals plan on being competing for a playoff spot in 2027, whether that’s by winning the division or making a Wild Card spot, would the best course of action be to bring in a free agent outfielder and to platoon Daylen Lile and Dylan Crews? If you give Daylen Lile roughly 100 starts when the Nats face a righty, and Dylan Crews roughly 62 starts when the Nats face a lefty, you come out with a combined season of plus defense, speed, and offense from the two of them. You also gain a valuable pinch-hitting option off the bat in whichever of the two doesn’t start the game, giving you the ability to pinch-hit Daylen Lile in a critical situation against a righty reliever, or vice versa.
Daylen Lile vs RHP/Dylan Crews vs LHP combined in 2026:
162 games of a .786 OPS with above average defense and baserunning is an easy 3-4 WAR ballplayer, production that would be huge for the Nationals in a 2027 season where they likely plan on being competitive in the Wild Card hunt. Platooning Lile and Crews in the corner outfield allows James Wood to rotate between corner outfield and DH as needed, Jacon Young to patrol Center Field full time with Crews subbing in occasionaly to give him days off, and perhaps a chance for the Nats to add a thumper to their lineup via free agency, It is not a great free agency class for hitters, but the once place there is some depth is in the corner outfield, where the list of free agent names includes George Springer, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Randy Arozarena, Taylor Ward, Lane Thomas, and more.
Potential 2027 Nats OF vs. RHP:
LF: Daylen Lile, CF: Jacob Young, RF: James Wood/FA, DH: James Wood/FA
Potential 2027 Nats OF vs. LHP:
LF: James Wood/FA, CF: Jacob Young, RF: Dylan Crews, DH: James Wood/FA
While I understand why some fans would hesistant giving up on Daylen Lile and Dylan Crews so soon as everyday hitters, the reality is that if the Nationals want to truly compete for a playoff spot in 2027, it will be an uphill battle in a strong National League, and they can’t afford another season of bad production by Lile and Crews against one side or the other.
Combining their strengths allows the Nats to have one of the strongest outfields in all of baseball, with Young patrolling center field, James Wood carrying the offense, and Lile and Crews trading off and doing damage against their respective sides.
COVERS INTEL: Phoenix has been crushed by opposing forwards, surrendering by far the 
