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On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Rangers series preview

The Cubs met up with an AL West team in their second series of 2026 and took two of three from an Angels club that has fallen into the basement in their division.

This weekend they’ll visit another AL West team, the Rangers.

For more on the Rangers, here’s Adam Morris, manager of our SB Nation Rangers site Lone Star Ball.

Things are less than ideal for the Texas Rangers currently. The team is three games under .500, and Wyatt Langford and Josh Smith are both on the injured list, and yes, if you check the B-R page, both players have gotten off to bad starts, but Langford, in particular, profiles as one of the Rangers top players, so his absence hurts the lineup.  

On the other hand, the Rangers have played either the most difficult schedule so far this season, or the second most difficult schedule, depending on where you look, and are just two games behind the Northern California Athletics in the American League West, so, you know, things could be worse.

The Rangers will have the Vandy Boys — Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter — starting the first two games of the series. Each has been up-and-down this season, looking great at times and looking awful at other times, often in the same game.  

Rocker is a sinker/slider guy who has a changeup that is still a work in progress, and who generates a ton of ground balls. His slider is his best pitch, and when he’s on, he throws it for strikes enough to keep hitters from sitting on his sinker. When he’s not on, he struggles to throw strikes and hitters will tee off on his sinker.  Rocker is terrible at holding on runners, and the Rangers catchers aren’t great at throwing out baserunners, so the Cubs will almost certainly look to run on him. Base stealers are 5 for 5 against him this season, and 17 for 17 against him in his major league career.

Leiter, on the other hand, relies on a high-speed, high-spin fastball that generates swings-and-misses.  He introduced a kick-change last year that he’s used much more this year — its his second most frequently thrown pitch — and, unusually, he throws it frequently to righthanded hitters as well as lefties. It can be a devastating pitch, but he struggles to command it — if you look at the heat map for the changeup, you will see that the pitch can end up anywhere from above the batter’s head to hitting the ground 4 feet in front of the plate. When Leiter is on, he racks up Ks and gets a lot of pop ups and lazy fly balls. When he’s not on, his pitch count gets out of control early on, and he gives up a lot of loud contact in the air.  

Jacob deGrom is slated to pitch the finale. You might have heard of him before. He’s pretty good. He’s no longer “best pitcher in baseball” Jacob deGrom, but he is still “legitimate No. 1 starter” Jacob deGrom.  The biggest issue with deGrom is that he’s much more homer-prone since coming back from Tommy John surgery — he’s allowed just 13 runs this year, but 6 home runs, and allowed 26 homers last year.

The bullpen is a collection of no-names, but has performed quite well so far this season. Manager Skip Schumaker has tended to go with Jakob Junis and Jacob Latz as his primary options late in games with a lead.

The offense has been erratic. Corey Seager is off to a slow (for him) start, though he’s still got a 114 OPS+.  Brandon Nimmo and Josh Jung are off to great starts offensively, though Nimmo is nursing a hamstring issue that has limited him of late — he’s missed a couple of games over the past week, and DH’d when he has played. With Smith and Langford out, the Rangers have had to use Andrew McCutchen — on the roster as a platoon DH — in the outfield some, and put Joc Pederson in right field against the Yankees on Thursday, something we hope we will never have to see again.  

Globe Life Park played very hitter-friendly in 2023, when the Rangers won the World Series, but since the start of the 2025 has played as an extreme pitchers park due to the ball not carrying well at all. A ball off the bat that seems like it should land 10 rows back will end up caught on the warning track. Don’t be surprised if we have a low-scoring series.

Fun facts

The Cubs have a winning record against the Rangers all-time, with 14 wins and 13 losses. But they are 5-7 at Texas, where they have won only one of four series, two games to one in 2010. They lost two of three in their two subsequent visits, both to start seasons, in 2019 and 2024.

This is the first of three straight series on the road for the Cubs, their only three-team road trip this season. However, the third series will be in Chicago, on the South Side vs. the White Sox. They will play three games at Atlanta before that one.

(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)

Probable pitching matchups

Friday: Ben Brown, RHP (1-1, 2.10 ERA, 1.013 WHIP, 2.71 FIP) vs. Kumar Rocker, RHP (1-3, 4.71 ERA, 1.465 WHIP, 3.98 FIP)

Saturday: Edward Cabrera, RHP (3-0, 3.27 ERA, 1.282 WHIP, 4.01 FIP) vs. Jack Leiter, RHP (1-3, 5.45 ERA, 1.368 WHIP, 4.45 FIP)

Sunday: Jameson Taillon, RHP (2-1, 4.24 ERA, 1.140 WHIP, 6.01 FIP) vs. Jacob deGrom, RHP (2-2, 3.11 ERA, 1.009 WHIP, 3.35 FIP)

Times & TV channels

Friday: 7:05 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, Peacock (streaming, Rangers broadcast, outside the Cubs and Rangers market territories)

Saturday: 6:05 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Sunday: 1:35 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Prediction

The Rangers got off to a decent start this year but have lost eight of their last 12. Two of the pitching matchups look favorable to the Cubs, so I’ll say, again, that the Cubs will win two of three.

Up next

The Cubs have Monday off, then head to Atlanta for a three-game series against the Braves beginning Tuesday evening.

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Fraternizing with the Enemy: A More Humble Conversation with Pounding the Rock’s JR Wilco

SAN ANTONIO, TX. - MAY 2026: San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) creates a turnover against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) in the second quarter at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs, NBA Western Conference Semifinals, Game 2. NBA Playoffs. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images) | Star Tribune via Getty Images

While Game 2 did not go the way any Wolves fans would want, it’s still an opportunity to reload and reflect. Canis’ Thilo Widder is joined by our Spurs’ sister site Pounding the Rock EIC JR Wilco to discuss what could change in a pivotal Game 3 return to Minnesota.

Thilo Widder

Okay, maybe I shouldn’t have called the last frat “slightly braggadocious” but alas, when else am I going to be able to use that word?

That was certainly a game. Not a good one, but it was certainly one. The Wolves guards imploded under the weight of a Stephon Castle without foul trouble while Jaden McDaniels unfortunately found himself on the wrong side of Scott Foster.

The Wolves continue to be one of the least consistent teams in the league, but a 16-7 run was enough of a run to build a 25 point lead that just got worse and worse. That run was the least of the numerous problems Minnesota had, as their guards shot 10/36 on the game.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 06: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles against Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter in Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 06, 2026 in San Antonio, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images


Ayo Dosumnu, who I highlighted as a swing player, had only a block and a steal in 10 minutes of playtime before getting injured again. Bones Hyland continues to play very badly. Anthony Edwards is still so clearly hobbled.

If that was a representation of the rest of the series, that would suck (for me as a fan at least, I’m sure you’d disagree). Fortunately for us as content creators and fans of good basketball, it probably won’t be.


On that note though, I’m curious what the biggest changes you saw and if they are sustainable. Obviously, DeAaron Fox and Victor Wembenyama played better, but that was always to be expected. What turned this from a neck and neck Game 1 to a blowout of that scale in Game 2?

J.R. Wilco

One of the reasons we watch sports is to see something that we don’t expect. And nothing fulfills that purpose less than a blowout. I had an absolute blast watching Game 1, and even though the evening ended poorly for me, I have good memories of that tightly contested game that felt like each play mattered. 

In the regular season, when the other team goes on a run, you tell yourself that there’s plenty of time in the game and your team can definitely make it back. But in a game like we saw on Monday, even a seven point lead seems daunting. Both teams dialed into that extent is one of the joys of being a fan. Nothing else quite touches it.

Of course, another joy of being a fan is watching your team absolutely pummel a squad that they’ve recently lost to, and so I’m not gonna lie:  Wednesday night was fun too. Just a different kind of fun. Fox was slithering through the lane. Wembanyama was flying all over the court — I mean that literally and not just vertically, because I saw a still shot of the rebound dunk he threw in for his first points, and Victor isn’t even on the screen when Julian Champagnie starts his shooting motion. And the screen covered all the way to mid court! Julian and Vassell pilled off one of the most rare plays in basketball, the alley-oop three-pointer. I’m still geeking out about it. 

I’m also geeking out about the chess match Johnson and Fitch are engaged in. Here are the things that I think our responsible for the way, the Spurs ran the table.

They turned Edwards and Randle into passers by doubling and trapping, much like OKC did in last year’s WCF. When the Wolves doubled back on all of the talk about how Wemby would have to keep blocking every shot they took, he recognized that they weren’t coming at him and stayed down so he could just challenge and rebound instead of trying to go after every attempt. That kept Minnesota’s possessions mostly one and done. Third, San Antonio committed to running at every opportunity, especially after scores. They just had so many buckets early in the shot clock and Minny looked unprepared for those quick strikes. 

Those are the things Finch needs to respond to. What do you see happening in Game 3?

Thilo

God, hard to say. The Wolves of yesteryear (or yesteryesteryear, I forget) were absolutely incapable of stopping the fast break, or any team with pace in general. I don’t doubt that this is a return to that form.

The Wolves are built first and foremost on turning defense into offense, not in the typical sense but by wearing out their opponents with their defense until Minnesota faces no pushback on the other end.

It is, by and large, a war of attrition.

However, for that to work, you cannot allow any easy points. 29 fast break points is far too much. Hell, 15 is probably too much for the “beat them with hammers” approach to work. 

I think part of that problem will fix itself with Ayo and Ant getting healthier – more bodies back typically means less opportunities on the break – but I think the solution is in committing to one of two extremes

The Wolves of the past, the ones that would bleed points in transition, were violently pursuant of offensive rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns would crash the glass. Rudy Gobert would crash the glass. Jaden McDaniels would crash the glass. There were even possessions where Minnesota would leave Michael Conley Jr. as the only man back in pursuit of those ever alluring extra possessions.

Now, would I suggest doing that against the eight foot demigod and his trusty sidekick, possibly the fastest player in the league? No, probably not. That would be dumb and obscenely risky and I simply would not have the heart to bring that up in fear of being yelled at like an old school scout on the set of Moneyball.

But it is an option.

SAN ANTONIO, TX. – MAY 2026: Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch reacts during a timeout in the second quarter at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs, NBA Western Conference Semifinals, Game 2. NBA Playoffs. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images) | Star Tribune via Getty Images

The other, more likely option is far less fun. Instead of going all in on extra possessions, you do the opposite. You abandon the offensive glass as much as you can. A five-on-four break is infinitely easier to defend than a two-on-one or three-on-one alternative. Rudy Gobert becomes your only offensive rebounder. Julius Randle commits to getting back after his mid-range shots.

This sucks though. And more importantly, it doesn’t fix the turnover problem. Quite simply, this is also a part of who the Wolves are. They’re not 22 per game bad, but they tend to play fast and loose with the ball far too often. 

Ultimately, I think Chris Finch will try incredibly hard to make this series be played in the half court entirely. That could mean a lot of conservative calls. Rebounding is the start of that, but I think Mike Conley probably gets more run, simply because he’s not as prone to bad choices as TJ Shannon or Bones Hyland.

To follow that up, I think Bones has lost his spot in the playoff rotation of this series. While the Thunder of last year absolutely broke Julius Randle with ball pressure and pass-forcing, the Spurs are breaking Bones by simply letting him overdribble.

That may not be a full answer, but it’s certainly a start: play slower, be more boring, keep going to the rim, and, Jaden, stop fouling.

To that point, it feels like the underspoken most important data point of this series will be who can foul out the opposing team’s perimeter stopper first. McDaniels and Castle are so hugely important in these next three to five games that it feels like losing either loses the game.

How did the Spurs play without Castle during the regular season? Is there a backup plan if he’s sitting like he was in Game 1? How do the Wolves attack him without burning through their usable possessions?

(God, Donte would be eating the Spurs drop coverage alive right now. Truly a crushing loss. Fly high, Big Ragu.)

J.R.

There was a point when one of the main fears I had about the T-wolves was how we could keep DiVincenzo from going off for an entire series. Talk about a man who can’t be left alone at the arc! I’ve been an admirer of Dante’s for a while now. All the best to him, and a quick recovery. Now to your questions. 

San Antonio was 11-3 without Castle this year, but that was the regular season and we know that the playoffs are a different animal. But one of the accidental benefits of the Spurs’ bottoming out wasn’t just the timing, it was the repetition. Trading for Fox and then getting the second pick last draft means that we have a three-headed guard lineup, which is an incredible crutch to lean on when any of them have to take a breather, need a night off … or happen to foul out. 

We love our Castle, no doubt, but I know a number of Spurs fans who swear that Harper will be even better than Steph. Yeah, the fact that backup plan is a rookie point guard would usually terrify me, but Harper isn’t your typical rookie, and he’s not yet the defender that Castle is, Dylan shoots for a higher percentage, is impossibly smooth around the basket, and takes better care of the ball. As much as Steph’s defense is missed when he’s not on the floor, the team plays quite well without him. 

If the rest of this series turns into a battle of defensive aces struggling against foul trouble, that’ll be a shame. We already have too much talk about the timing and the frequency of the whistles in the rest of the matchups for that mess to invade ours too. But it’s 2026 after all, what else should we expect if not some top-tier controversy? Hopefully, we’re spared that, and Friday night’s game is another competitive and enjoyable contest.

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Warriors enter Sunday’s NBA Draft Lottery with 11th-best odds for top pick

SECAUCUS, NJ - AUGUST 20: Deputy Commissioner of the NBA, Mark Tatum holds up the card of the Golden State Warriors after they get the 2nd overall pick in the NBA Draft during the 2020 NBA Draft Lottery on August 20, 2020 at the NBA Entertainment Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey. 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

In today’s Dub Hub:

This weekend marks an important date for the future of the Golden State Warriors.

The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is set for Sunday, May 10 at 12:00 p.m. PT on ABC, as the league’s 14 lottery teams vie for the top spot in what is viewed as one of the strongest draft classes in recent history. For the Warriors, they enter the lottery with the 11th-best odds for the No. 1 overall pick at 2.0% after finishing the 2025-26 regular season with a 37-45 record.

Here’s a full look at the odds for every team entering Sunday’s lottery:

According to the chart, Golden State holds a 9.4% chance of jumping into the top four. However, the Warriors’ most likely outcome is remaining at No. 11, where they currently hold a 77.6% probability of selecting. It should also be noted that there is a 12.6% chance they fall to No. 12 and a 0.4% chance they slide to No. 13.

While Golden State’s chances of landing the top pick remain slim, Sunday’s lottery results will still play a major role in determining the franchise’s direction as they attempt to balance competing around Stephen Curry while also preparing for the next era of Warriors basketball.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, May 8th:

Warriors News:

2026 NBA draft lottery: Odds for every team, potential picks | ESPN

No. 1 pick odds: 2% | Top-four pick odds: 9.4%

Most likely pick if they stay at No. 11: Karim Lopez, SF/PF, New Zealand Breakers

Similar to Milwaukee, the direction Golden State takes here will be indicative of where the franchise’s goals lie. The Warriors can try to continue to maximize the final phase of Stephen Curry‘s career with a more NBA-ready prospect, or they could take a longer view. Assuming they don’t move up, this would become an interesting juncture in the draft, with the top freshmen all potentially off the board.

Lopez might marry those two goals, with a good mix of size, skill, feel and pro experience for a teenage prospect. On the other end of the age spectrum, forward Yaxel Lendeborg should get a long look from the Warriors because of his versatility to plug in right away.

Austin Rivers challenges Draymond Green to 1-on-1 amid back-and-forth feud | NBC Sports Bay Area

After Austin Rivers responded to Draymond Green’s brutal comments regarding his career, the former NBA veteran added fuel to the fire by asking the Warriors star to prove his basketball talents in a non-team setting.

“Why don’t you play me 1-on-1, Draymond?” Rivers exclaimed on Tidal League’s “To The Baha” podcast. “You can’t do handoffs in 1-on-1. You can’t set no pick-and-roll in 1-on-1. So, all that extra talk was BS.”

ClutchPoints insider Brett Siegel’s update on Steve Kerr: “Everything stands in the direction of Steve Kerr being back”

NBA News:

Darryn Peterson says high doses of creatine led to cramping | ESPN

One of the top prospects in this year’s NBA draft spent much of his freshman season at Kansas trying to solve mysterious and sometimes debilitating cramping. But in an extended interview with ESPN this week, Peterson said that a new round of bloodwork and other tests after the college basketball season led his doctors to conclude that his use of high doses of creatine created the condition.

“I’d never taken it before [going to college],” Peterson said of the popular supplement which helps to increase muscle strength, power and growth. “But after the season I took two weeks off and they did tests which showed my baseline level was already high. So, they said when I dosed [a process of increasing a dose over time to create maximum benefit at the beginning of taking a supplement], it must’ve made the levels unsafe.”

Lakers, Austin Reaves meet with the officials following their 125-107 loss vs. the Thunder

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Warriors mailbag: The draft, the offseason, and Steve Kerr

I’d be surprised if they trade their first-round pick for anything other than a star player. It seems unlikely that they would want to trade down to get more draft picks, and put more young, raw players on the roster, though they’ll probably do something in the second round, because that’s just what they do. But with the first-round pick, they’ll want to get the best player they can, rather than multiple lesser players.

A post to end the week:

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.

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How to watch Knicks vs. 76ers Game 3 for free: Start time, livestream

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An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson #11, shooting in the 4th quarter

The Knicks are heading to Philadelphia with a 2-0 lead ahead of Game 3.

In a Game 2 defined by lead changes and physical defense, the Knicks pulled away from the Sixers late thanks to Jalen Brunson, who finished with 26 points and hit a series of clutch jumpers in the final minutes.

Despite being without Joel Embiid, who was sidelined with hip and ankle soreness, the 76ers remained competitive throughout the night thanks to a 26-point effort from Tyrese Maxey and double-doubles from both Paul Reed and Kelly Oubre Jr.

Knicks vs. 76ers: what to know
  • What: NBA Playoffs Second Round, Game 3
  • When: May 8, 7 p.m. ET
  • Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
  • Channel: Streaming exclusive
  • Streaming: Prime Video (try it free)

Embiid is listed as questionable tonight, and the Knicks have two starters who left Game 2 with injuries. Both Josh Hart (thumb) and OG Anunoby (hamstring) will be game-time decisions tonight.

The next game in the Knicks vs. 76ers series is scheduled for Sunday night.

Knicks vs. 76ers start time:

Tonight’s (May 8) Knicks vs. 76ers Game 3 is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET.

How to watch Knicks vs. 76ers for free:

Tonight’s game is one of the NBA Playoffs games streaming exclusively on Prime Video, so you’ll need an Amazon Prime subscription to watch.

If you aren’t a Prime Video subscriber yet, you can get started with a 30-day Amazon Prime free trial, including Prime perks like the Prime Video streaming service, free two-day shipping, exclusive deals, and more. After the free trial, Amazon Prime costs $14.99/month or $139/year.

PRIME VIDEO PRIME FOR YOUNG ADULTS

All 18- to 24-year-olds, regardless of student status, are eligible for a discounted Prime for Young Adults membership as well, with age verification. After a six-month free trial, you’ll pay 50% off the standard Prime monthly price of $14.99/month — just $7.49/month — for up to six yearswith all the perks.

Knicks-76ers second round playoff schedule

  • Game 1: Knicks 137, 76ers 98
  • Game 2: Knicks 108, 76ers 102
  • Game 3: Friday, May 8 (7 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
  • Game 4: Sunday, May 10 (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
  • Game 5: Tuesday, May 12*
  • Game 6: Thursday, May 14*
  • Game 7: Sunday, May 17*

* if necessary

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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.

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Embiid returns for Sixers vs. Knicks Game 3, Anunoby sits

Embiid returns for Sixers vs. Knicks Game 3, Anunoby sits  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Joel Embiid returned to the Sixers’ lineup Friday night for Game 3 of the team’s second-round playoff series vs. the Knicks. 

After missing the Sixers’ 108-102 loss in Game 2 with right ankle and right hip injuries, Embiid was back in the Sixers’ starting five. Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Paul George joined him. 

The Sixers fell into a 2-0 series hole Wednesday in New York without Embiid and used Andre Drummond, Adem Bona and Dominick Barlow at center. Barlow gave the Sixers a strong second-half stint and Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said pregame that he’ll remain an option at center. 

According to Nurse, Embiid has been “getting better all the time” and participated in the Sixers’ Friday morning shootaround. 

The Knicks ruled out OG Anunoby (right hamstring strain) for Game 3. Josh Hart (left thumb sprain) and Mitchell Robinson (illness) were both available.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown said that Anunoby is “day-to-day.”

His absence is a significant development. Anunoby has been great in the 2026 playoffs, averaging 21.4 points and 7.5 rebounds.

“OG’s been unbelievable,” said Nurse, who coached Anunoby at the start of his NBA career with the Raptors. “He’s been amazing both in the Atlanta series and this series. OG has been as good as I’ve ever seen him. He just keeps getting better and better. That’s a testament to him. 

“His shooting’s been great. His cutting game is great. You used to think, ‘Well, let’s force him inside the line and see what’s going to happen.’ Now he’s dunking on people and hitting that 17-footer. He’s been doing everything at a super-high level. … Let’s hope he’s out there. I’m a big fan of OG’s.”

The Knicks shifted to a smaller starting lineup without Anunoby, sliding guard Miles McBride up to the first unit. Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns rounded out the Knicks’ Game 3 starters. 

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Rockets could trade for Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell

DETROIT, MI - MAY 7: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Houston Rockets are sitting at home for the second round of the playoffs trying to make sure they don’t suffer the same fate next season.

This could lead to another aggressive offseason where the team scours the trade market. One player that could be on the Rockets’ radar is Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.

“The one thing they (the Rockets) do have, they’ve got assets. They’ve got the 2027 and 2029 Suns picks. They’ve got the 2029 Mavs pick. They’ve got a swap in 2027 with the Brooklyn Nets. They are loaded, and they’ve got their own picks moving forward,” MacMahon said h/t Rockets Wire reporter Ben DuBose.

“So, if they want to make a blockbuster trade… and look, we’ll see what happens with the Cavaliers. If Donovan Mitchell’s available, that is a guy I could see the Rockets being aggressive to go get.“

The Rockets should value the experience of going deep in the playoffs, much like they have with Fred VanVleet and Kevin Durant. Mitchell has won a playoff series in each of the last three years with the Cavs and has 72 playoff games under his belt since 2018, reaching the postseason in all of his nine NBA seasons.

Mitchell’s contract expires at the end of the 2027-28 campaign, so it’s possible the Cavs may look to trade him this offseason if they were to fall short once again and he doesn’t want to sign an extension.

TDS community, what do you think of the idea of trading for Mitchell? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.

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2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 2, Game 3 – Ducks vs. Golden Knights Gameday Preview (05/08/26)

Ducks forward Jansen Harkins speaks to the media after their morning skate at Honda Center.

The Ducks come home for Game 3 with the series tied at one apiece. There’s a lingering thought they could have been up 2-0 in the series, much like the previous Edmonton series. But as Ryan Poehling said after Game 1, “If you linger in the past, it’s not going to change. You can’t focus on that. You’ve just go to dictate how you can play next game.”

Ducks goaltender Lukáš Dostál has been terrific through the first two games, coming 6 seconds away from his first Stanley Cup Playoffs shutout. Defensive focus has become a priority for the Ducks, as they adjust to a much more structured opponent in the Golden Knights.

“I thought our team game with a purpose all game long was strong,” Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville said after Game 2. “Some of the defensive part of our game was having some good puck shifts, possession-wise, in the offensive zone.”

May 6, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (98) blocks a shot by Vegas Golden Knights left wing Ivan Barbashev (49) during the third period of game two of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
May 6, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (98) blocks a shot by Vegas Golden Knights left wing Ivan Barbashev (49) during the third period of game two of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

“I think the attention to defense has been evident, especially in this series,” Ducks forward Troy Terry said. “It’s leading to more possession time. The two teams, there's definitely a lot of differences between how they play and how the games are taking shape. There’s definitely been a lot less rush opportunities against Vegas. They're very structured. 
They're very good at being above the puck. But that being said, I think our play in the offensive zone and holding onto pucks and not being one and done in the offensive zone and forcing plays and all that, I think (that) has gotten a lot better in this series.”

Ross Johnston and Jansen Harkins were inserted into the lineup for Game 2, with Mason McTavish and Ian Moore coming out. After a flurry of line adjustments, both Johnston and Harkins ultimately settled into fourth line roles on the flanks of Tim Washe. Harkins iced the game with an empty net goal.

“Everyone wants to play in these important games,” Harkins said. “This is the best type of hockey to be playing, so it’s not easy to watch (from the press box). 
But I think everyone's doing a great job. We played so well in Round 1, just trying to be ready for my chance. Happy I could do a good job last game.”

May 6, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Jansen Harkins (24) celebrates with center Tim Washe (42) after scoring an empty net goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of game two of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
May 6, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Jansen Harkins (24) celebrates with center Tim Washe (42) after scoring an empty net goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of game two of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The Golden Knights have killed off 19 consecutive penalties and have killed 24-for-25 penalties this season in the playoffs. The Ducks have had nine power play opportunities against the Golden Knights thus far, including a two-minute 5-on-3 opportunity and nearly seven consecutive minutes of power play time.

“We had some looks and our power play is out there where it's not losing momentum in the game,” Quenneville said. “But whether it’s finish or the fine tuning, certainly, there's a higher difficulty of the pressure coming at us.”

“They make it difficult on you,” Ducks defenseman John Carlson said. “They take care of the good areas of the ice. They're very disciplined in their seams, in their rotations, all that stuff. 
Just like the regular season, that's some of their greatest strengths. So we’ve got to figure out ways to get the puck where it needs to be to make those plays for us.”

Terry will play in Game 3 despite missing the morning skate. Defenseman Radko Gudas participated in morning skate, but is not expected to play in Game 3.

Ducks Projected Lines

Chris Kreider - Leo Carlsson - Troy Terry
Alex Killorn - Mikael Granlund - Cutter Gauthier
Jeff Viel - Ryan Poehling - Beckett Sennecke
Ross Johnston - Tim Washe - Jansen Harkins

Jackson LaCombe - Jacob Trouba
Pavel Mintyukov - John Carlson
Tyson Hinds - Drew Helleson

Lukáš Dostál (confirmed)

Golden Knights Projected Lines

Ivan Barbashev - Jack Eichel - Mark Stone
Brett Howden - William Karlsson - Mitch Marner
Pavel Dorofeyev - Tomáš Hertl - Keegan Kolesar
Cole Smith - Nic Dowd - Colton Sissons

Brayden McNabb - Shea Theodore
Noah Hanifin - Rasmus Andersson
Ben Hutton - Dylan Coghlan

Carter Hart (confirmed)

Related articles:

Ducks Won Game 2 vs Golden Knights with a lot of Money Sitting in the Press Box, Future of Key Players in Question

Ducks Prospect Tarin Smith Commits to University of Minnesota for 2026-27

Takeaways from the Ducks 3-1 Win over the Golden Knights, Series Tied 1-1

Anaheim Ducks Rival Sharks to Draft Second Overall

Beckett Sennecke Calder Trophy Finalist

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If The Panthers Want To Go All In, Trading For Jets' Connor Hellebuyck Is The Move To Make

The Florida Panthers might be in the market for a new goaltender if Sergei Bobrovsky walks in free agency, and if the Panthers want to make a bold move and solidify their crease, making a trade for Winnipeg Jets and Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck would do just that. 

Hellebuyck’s playoff history isn’t too pretty. In his playoff career, he has a .903 save percentage, but his last three playoff appearances have been dreadful. In 2022-23, he posted an .886 SP; in 2023-24, it was .870; and last year, it was a woeful .866. 

Although it’s not all bad, his first four playoff appearances saw positive results, including a .922 SP when the Jets went to the Western Conference finals in 2017-18. 

While concerns about his playoff performances are reasonable, his regular-season track record is outstanding. Hellebuyck is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner, a two-time William M. Jennings trophy winner, and won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2024-25 after posting a .925 save percentage in 63 games while helping the Jets secure the Presidents’ Trophy.

Finally, the last piece of evidence that Hellebuyck is still the best goaltender in the NHL was his dominant performances for Team USA on the international stage. Team Canada dominated Team USA in the 2026 Winter Olympics final, and likely deserved to lose, but goaltending is part of the sport, and no one does it better than Hellebuyck. 

The 32-year-old allowed just one goal, giving the Americans the chance to win in overtime and take gold. 

Could The Panthers Take Advantage Of The Goaltending Situation In Minnesota?Could The Panthers Take Advantage Of The Goaltending Situation In Minnesota?If the Florida Panthers are in the market for a goaltender this off-season, could they look to take advantage of the situation with the Minnesota Wild?

If acquired by the Panthers, Hellebuyck can give the organization a level of goaltending that even Bobrovsky may never have reached, but the issue with acquiring Hellebuyck is the cost in assets and against the salary cap. 

To at the very least get the Jets front office interested in listening to offers, the deal would involve the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft. After that, a deal would involve young players like Mackie Samoskevich and Jack Devine, as well as possibly a veteran like Carter Verhaeghe. 

If the deal doesn’t include a veteran who takes up a large chunk of the salary cap, the next issue would be icing a lineup that fits. Hellebuyck’s $8.5-million contract can fit with that lineup, but it does leave them with little space.

Should The Panthers Target Blues' Jordan Binnington If Sergei Bobrovsky Walks In Free Agency?Should The Panthers Target Blues' Jordan Binnington If Sergei Bobrovsky Walks In Free Agency?The Florida Panthers may have a new No. 1 goaltender for the first time since 2019 if Sergei Bobrovsky leaves in free agency. Could St. Louis Blues' Jordan Binnington be the answer for the Panthers?

The Panthers also need to find a backup goaltender, as Daniil Tarasov is a UFA as well. 

Dealing away the ninth overall pick and Samoskevich would indicate that GM Bill Zito is willing to mortgage the future of the franchise to give the current roster another few years of being top Stanley Cup contenders.

While the Panthers would be able to compete for Cups with, say, Jordan Binnington or Filip Gustavsson in their crease, Hellebuyck would make them the most balanced team in hockey and the greatest threat to win the Stanley Cup. 

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Remembering the pre-Ben Rice era, Part 2: Voit’s brief reign, LeMahieu’s peak and fall, and the Rizzo years

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 15: Luke Voit #59 of the New York Yankees poses for a photo during the New York Yankees Photo Day at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Welcome, friends. I hope you brought popcorn and soda, because it’s time for Part 2 of my impromptu review of the Yankees’ first base situation before Ben Rice arrived on the scene. In Part 1, we covered the decline phase of Mark Teixeira and the tragic fate of Greg Bird, but ended on a high note with Luke Voit’s magical 2018 run. Today, we’ll be covering 2019-2024. Without further ado, let’s remember some guys.

2019 – 2021: Voit’s truncated tenure, LeMahieu’s uncomfortable fit, and Rizzo’s introduction

As the 2019 season approached, all eyes were on Luke Voit. I guess hitting 14 home runs in 39 games the year prior has a way of heightening expectations. While Voit could not quite match that level, he had a very strong start to the year, hitting .277/.386/.497 with 16 home runs through June. Everyone in Yankee Universe was just about ready to crown him as the future at first base. However, as with Greg Bird, the injury bug would befall Voit time and time again. 

First, on June 29 during the London Series against the Red Sox, Voit suffered an abdominal injury that sidelined him until July 13, forcing him to miss eight games. Then, on July 31, he was placed on the injured list yet again with a sports hernia. When he returned at the end of August, he simply wasn’t the same. Prior to the hernia, Voit’s wRC+ stood at a robust 132; post-injury, he only managed an 80 wRC+ over 94 plate appearances, with a paltry .138 ISO. Although his overall line (.263/.378/.464, 126 wRC+) was still strong thanks to his early-season performance, the way Voit’s season ended left a bad taste in many a fan’s mouth. 

Fortunately, though, for 2019, the Yankees were able to weather Voit’s absences quite well thanks to two excellent backup options – DJ LeMahieu and Mike Ford. When Voit went down at the end of June, it was LeMahieu, along with the recently acquired Edwin Encarnación, who handled first base. Those of you who have followed the Yankees’ recent years might not remember LeMahieu so fondly, but in 2019, he was truly a force to be reckoned with, hitting .327/.375/.518 while handling multiple infield spots capably. With LeMahieu sliding over to first from second and third, the Yankees did not miss a beat offensively – in 135 plate appearances as a first baseman, LeMahieu hit a sparkling .338/.361/.531. 

LeMahieu also saw time after Voit’s second IL stint, but this time, his first base partner was Mike Ford. A sleeper prospect who had posted strong OBPs in the Yankees’ system for many years prior, Ford was invited to spring training as a non-roster player, and had been assigned to Scranton to start the year before being called up in April when Greg Bird was placed on the IL. While he struggled in his initial April stretch, Voit’s second injury gave him another opening, and he sure made the most of it. In 84 August PAs, Ford hit eight homers with a .582 slugging percentage, good for a 121 wRC+. Between Ford and LeMahieu, first base was in good hands despite Luke Voit’s injuries and subsequent struggles, at least for 2019.

Coming into 2020, there was some uncertainty around how Voit would perform (although if that was your main preoccupation at the time, you should consider yourself lucky). However, Voit quickly silenced any doubters. In a pandemic-shortened season, Voit hit .277/.338/.610, and led the league with 22 dingers in just 234 PAs. Unfortunately, Mike Ford cratered, managing only a 37 wRC+ in 84 PAs. However, you don’t really have to worry that much about how your backup 1B is doing when your starter is running a 153 wRC+. Once again, Voit had shown that he was capable of being an elite player – the only question was whether he would be able to sustain that over a full year, and Yankeedom could not wait for that question to be answered in 2021.

So, the baseball gods being the bullies that they are, naturally it was time for Voit’s body to betray him again. On March 27, it was announced that he had partially torn his meniscus in his right knee and would undergo surgery. It wasn’t until May 11 that he would make his season debut, and just twelve games later, he landed on the IL again with an oblique strain, sidelining him for a month. Then, on July 11, Voit suffered a bone bruise, forcing him to miss yet another month. When all was said and done, Voit was only able to play 68 games, and while his 11 homers and 113 wRC+ weren’t terrible, it was a far cry from his peak form.

Unlike 2019, the 2021 Yankees’ backup options could not carry them. Fresh off winning the AL batting title, the magic was gone from LeMahieu’s bat, and he could only manage a 101 wRC+ – fine if you’re a slick defender at second and third, but inexcusable if you’re manning first. Ford could not bounce back from his awful 2020, hitting just .136 with three homers in his 21 games at first base. The Yankees tried throwing Jay Bruce and Chris Gittens at the wall, but they disintegrated upon impact. It was painfully clear that the Bombers did not have any in-house options.

So, the Yankees got creative. On July 29, they sent prospects Kevin Alcántara and Alexander Vizcaíno along with cash considerations to the Cubs for Anthony Rizzo. At the time, Rizzo was enduring the worst full season of his career since 2013, when he was still a budding major leaguer. At 31 years of age, it was abundantly clear that Rizzo had entered his decline phase. However, even a diminished Rizzo was head and shoulders above the Yankees’ other options at the time. He hit for a 115 wRC+ over 200 plate appearances with the Yanks, and coupled with Luke Voit’s struggles with injury, that was enough for Brian Cashman to hand him the keys to the first base job. On March 17, 2022, the Yankees signed Rizzo to a two-year, $32-million deal. A day later, they shipped Voit to the Padres for Justin Lange. Thus ended Luke Voit’s Bronx tenure – what an unceremonious end, given that it had started with such promise.

2022 – 2024: Rizzo falls victim to injuries, Yankees’ mismanagement; A new hope

Going into the 2022 season, there was some trepidation with Rizzo given his age and his performance in the prior year. However, Rizzo responded resoundingly with a resurgent year with the bat, hitting .224/.331/.480 (131 wRC+) with 32 homers in 548 plate appearances. Even though he was hampered by injuries, particularly in the second half of the season – first by back spasms, then by the aftereffects of an epidural injection gone wrong – Rizzo managed to be a stable presence at first base for the first time in what felt like forever. Indeed, his 117 games at 1B were the most by a Yankees first baseman since…Lyle Overbay’s 119 games in 2013. Man, that 2013 team sure was something.

In the offseason, Rizzo bet on himself, opting out of his deal and becoming a free agent. However, the Yankees weren’t going to let their first “real” 1B in nearly a decade slip away. They signed him to another two-year deal, this time for $40 million, and Yankees fans everywhere rejoiced. Then, as the 2023 season started, Rizzo did the unthinkable – he was even better than the year before. Through May 28, 2023, Rizzo hit .304/.376/.505, good for a 145 wRC+.

Why was I so specific about the date there? Because that was the day it all went south for Rizzo and the Yankees.

That day, during a pickoff attempt at first base, Fernando Tatis, Jr. rushed back to the bag, and his right hip collided squarely with the side of Rizzo’s head.

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Hindsight is 20/20, but reviewing the video, it’s painfully clear that the play left Rizzo seriously disoriented. Watch the way he sluggishly rises to his full height, tries to tag Tatis again like he’s not sure where he is, and stumbles off towards second base like he’s had one too many beers. He left the game due to what was initially described as a “neck injury”, but even to the untrained eye, it seems quite obvious that Rizzo was suffering from a concussion.

Fortunately, the Yankees eventually reached the same conclusion. Unfortunately for Rizzo, it took fourty-six games for them to do so.

For more than two whole months, the Yankees kept on running Rizzo out, despite the fact that he was experiencing signs of post-concussion syndrome such as grogginess and fogginess, and the fact that his post-injury performance (a 43 wRC+ over 192 PAs) should have been cause for alarm in itself. Sure, he passed MLB’s initial concussion testing, but that’s no excuse for the Yankees to have continued to play Rizzo for as long as they did. For the record, in Chris Kirshner’s postmortem interview with Rizzo regarding the whole fiasco for The Athletic, Rizzo claimed that neither he nor the Yankees handled anything wrongly, explaining that he was hesitant to blame his struggles on the collision with Tatis because “we’re not bred to come up with excuses”.

I’m going to cut Rizzo some slack here. Although the “play through pain” mentality is just another example of how patriarchy harms men, I think it’s unrealistic to expect someone like Rizzo, who has spent nearly his entire life in a hyper-masculine, hyper-competitive field, to suddenly have a moment of clarity and concede that something wasn’t right. But I’m not inclined to extend the same courtesy to the Yankees. They have a responsibility to put their players’ health before anything else, especially for an issue as serious as this. Reading the Kirshner interview, it seemed like the team waited for Rizzo to come forward to conduct additional testing, but the onus should be on the team to look out for their players.

The hope for 2024 was that Rizzo would able to recover from this ordeal and return to his career norms. That did not happen. Limited to 92 games due to a mid-June arm fracture that sidelined him until September, Rizzo hit a pitiful .228/.301/.335 (85 wRC+). Somehow, the Yankees saw enough in him to stick with him at first base in the playoffs, but it did not end well, both offensively (he went 2-for-16 in the World Series) and defensively. After the season ended, the Yankees declined his $17 million option, making him a free agent. He went unsigned, and in September 2025, he officially announced his retirement.

However, all was not lost for the Yankees. A certain unheralded prospect made his debut in 2024. Always old for his level, no one expected much of him, but he burst on to the scene, becoming the first Yankees rookie to dinger thrice in one game. And though a hellacious slump prompted the Yankees to send him down to Scranton in late August, his peripherals suggested that he was much better than the back of his baseball card. His name was Ben Rice, and I guess you all know what happened next.

So, that concludes our trip to the pre-Rice era. The moral of the story is: don’t take what Rice is doing now for granted. Savor every moment. I hope he’s able to enjoy a long, healthy career, but you just don’t know. And if Rice ever finds himself in a slump, remember this article and remind yourself that it could always be worse.

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Braves vs Dodgers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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Two National League division leaders begin a weekend series tonight as the Atlanta Braves visit the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

The Braves are tied for the best record in baseball at 26-12, while the Dodgers are at 23-14.

I’m backing Chris Sale and the visitors with my Braves vs. Dodgers predictions and MLB picks for Friday, May 8.

Who will win Braves vs Dodgers today: Braves moneyline (+108)

The Atlanta Braves and Chris Sale at plus money? That’s difficult to pass up.

Sale has been his typical dominant self with a 2.14 ERA, and Atlanta has come away victorious in six of his seven starts. His 114 Stuff+ ranks seventh among starters — well ahead of his pitching counterpart on Friday, Emmet Sheehan (169th among starters with a 93 Stuff+).

Sheehan’s velocity is down a full tick from last year, and he’s offered no mercy against an Atlanta lineup that has plated the most runs (213) in the MLB.

Covers COVERS INTEL: Sale has dominated the Dodgers’ projected starting lineup, limiting them to a .535 OPS across 69 at-bats with a 21-5 strikeout-walk ratio.

Braves vs Dodgers Over/Under pick: Under 8 (-110)

Two of the most effective bullpens in baseball, and one of the most lethal starting pitchers? Yeah, that’s enough for me to take the Under. 

All of the top arms will be available for both teams after Thursday’s off day. Atlanta’s pen ranks third in bullpen SIERA (3.27), and the Los Angeles Dodgers are right behind (3.30).

While Sheehan’s 5.23 ERA is a worry, his 3.11 xFIP is more encouraging, and he’s turned things on lately with 18 Ks in his last two starts. 

Sale, meanwhile, has held some of the Dodgers' best bats (Kyle Tucker, Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith) to a combined 2-for-21 at the dish.

JD Yonke's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 11-9, +0.57 units
  • Over/Under bets: 14-7, +6.64 units

Braves vs Dodgers odds

  • Moneyline: Braves +102 | Dodgers -120
  • Run line: Braves +1.5 | Dodgers -1.5
  • Over/Under: Over 8 | Under 8

Braves vs Dodgers trend

Atlanta is 6-1 in games where Chris Sale is the starting pitcher. Find more MLB betting trends for Braves vs. Dodgers.

How to watch Braves vs Dodgers and game info

LocationDodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
DateFriday, May 8, 2026
First pitch10:10 p.m. ET
TVBravesVsn, SportsNet LA
Braves starting pitcherChris Sale
(6-1, 2.14 ERA)
Dodgers starting pitcherEmmet Sheehan
(2-1, 5.23 ERA)

Braves vs Dodgers latest injuries

Braves vs Dodgers weather

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Five players Celtics should target with $27.7M traded player exception

Five players Celtics should target with $27.7M traded player exception originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics will look to upgrade their roster this offseason after a stunning first-round exit in the 2026 NBA playoffs. During his end-of-season press conference, C’s president of basketball operations Brad Stevens identified one area of the team that needs addressing.

“One of the things that we’ve got to figure out is how to have more of an impact at the rim, and I think we do need to add to our team to do that,” he said. “Everybody plays a role in that, but at the end of (Game 7), (Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel) Embiid is standing at the rim on all those possessions, or a lot of those possessions.”

Boston’s frontcourt was exposed when Embiid returned to the Sixers lineup, and that was among the biggest reasons for its collapse after taking a 3-1 series lead. While Neemias Queta and Luka Garza played significant roles all season long, the Celtics need someone they can count on to anchor their frontcourt when facing tough playoff matchups. Nikola Vucevic wasn’t the answer, and even if he re-signs this summer, it’s worth wondering whether he’d have a major role.

Unfortunately for the C’s, this year’s free agent class of centers leaves plenty to be desired. The good news, though, is that Boston can add an impactful big man via the trade market with the $27.7 million traded player exception (TPE) it gained from the Anfernee Simons/Vucevic trade back in February.

So, what are the top realistic trade options? Here are five big men the Celtics should consider acquiring with their TPE.

Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets

  • 2026-27 Salary: $23.1 million
  • 2025-26 Stats: 57.1 FG%, 11.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.1 bpg (69 games)
Nic ClaxtonVincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Nic Claxton is coming off a down year, but he’d fit what the Celtics need as a versatile defender at the five.

The Celtics have been linked to Claxton in trade rumors before, and it’s easy to see why. The 6-foot-11 center is an above-average defender who can switch and guard anyone on the court at a high level. He consistently averages double digits in points per game while racking up rebounds and blocks.

Claxton is an athletic, versatile rim protector who should be relatively affordable in a deal with the rebuilding Nets. He’s coming off a down season by his standards, but joining a contender could help him return to form.

P.J. Washington, Dallas Mavericks

  • 2026-27 Salary: $19.8 million
  • 2025-26 Stats: 45.0 FG%, 32.5 3P%, 14.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.1 bpg (56 games)
P.J. WashingtonKevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
P.J. Washington is a difference-maker on both ends of the floor.

At 6-foot-8, Washington isn’t the prototypical big man you may have had in mind, but the 27-year-old can play the five when the Celtics go small. Boston would benefit from his versatility, as he can protect the rim as well as switch and hold his own defensively against players of all sizes. Offensively, he’s capable of shooting the 3 and making his presence felt in the post.

Washington is a rell-rounded player who could help the C’s in a wide variety of ways.

Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic

  • 2026-27 Salary: $18.1 million
  • 2025-26 Stats: 51.2 FG%, 31.9 3P%, 11.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.6 bpg (78 games)
Wendell Carter Jr.Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Wendell Carter Jr. is an above-average defender and a versatile big man.

The Magic might look to move Carter Jr. to get under the second apron of the luxury tax. If so, the Celtics should give them a call.

Carter Jr. is a rock-solid defender who can also occasionally provide a spark on the offensive end. He isn’t the best rim protector, but he’s a versatile big who excels at switching and can anchor the paint. His play style would work well in Boston.

Daniel Gafford, Dallas Mavericks

  • 2026-27 Salary: $17.2 million
  • 2025-26 Stats: 65.5 FG%, 9.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.3 bpg (55 games)
Daniel GaffordJerome Miron-Imagn Images
Daniel Gafford is a traditional center who excels in rim protection.

If the Celtics prefer a more traditional center, Gafford could be their guy. The 27-year-old averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks over 55 games last season in the first year of his three-year contract extension with Dallas

Gafford is an exceptional rim protector. Offensively, he offers little upside but can do some damage in the paint.

If the C’s are looking for a Kristaps Porzingis-like big man who can shoot the 3 and provide rim protection, they should look elsewhere. If they want an elite presence in the paint, Gafford should be on their list of targets.

Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies

  • 2026-27 Salary: $17 million
  • 2025-26 Stats: 47.9 FG%, 35.0 3P%, 14.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.9 apg, 0.7 bpg (43 games)
Santi AldamaPetre Thomas-Imagn Images
Santi Aldama is a jack of all trades with a versatile skill set that would help Boston in a variety of ways.

Aldama checks a lot of boxes for Boston. The 7-footer is only 25, he’s affordable, and he provides value on both ends of the court.

Last season with Memphis, Aldama averaged a career-high 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting 35 percent from 3-point range. He also notched just under one block and steal per game. The only concern with Aldama is injuries, as he was limited to only 43 games last season.

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Thunder vs Lakers Same-Game Parlay for Saturday's NBA Playoffs Game 3

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Hollywood loves an underdog story.

Too bad those long shots are reserved to the silver screen and not the purple and gold hardwood of Crypto.com Arena. 

The Los Angeles Lakers are back in La-La Land buried in a 0-2 series hole to the Oklahoma City Thunder. My Thunder vs. Lakers predictions and same-game parlay for Game 3 doesn’t buy into that Tinsel Town magic, taking OKC to cover on the continued dominance of their big man in the middle, Chet Holmgren.

Here are my best NBA picks for May 9.

Our best Thunder vs Lakers SGP for Game 3

SGP leg #1: Thunder -8.5

The Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t got the best from their top star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and honestly haven’t looked dominant in the first two games of this Round 2 series. However, OKC has won the battle over 48 minutes, wearing down a talent-thin Los Angeles Lakers squad to pull away and cover massive spreads in the first two contests.

The 8.5-point spread for Game 3 is just the second time Oklahoma City has laid single digits in the playoffs and OKC seems to have L.A.’s number, boasting a perfect 6-0 SU and ATS mark against the Lakers so far this season.

SGP leg #2: Marcus Smart Over 3.5 assists

Marcus Smart is shooting too much in the first two games of this series. Los Angeles needs the veteran point guard to be just that, prompting extra playmaking from Smart in Game 3.

He’s already dished out five and seven assists in the opening two games of this series and passing on shots and generating more potential assists will see him top four or more dimes for the seventh time in nine postseason games Saturday.

SGP leg #3: Chet Holmgren Over 16.5 points

The Lakers don’t have the size or versatility in their frontcourt to properly counter Chet Holmgren.

With the Lakers focused on flustering SGA, Holmgren is getting plenty of space to operate down low and is killing the Lakers whenever he steps outside the arc. He’s scored 22 and 24 points so far in this Round 2 set and his Game 3 models all sit above this modest total of 16.5 points for Saturday night.

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Get Jason Logan's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Thunder vs Lakers predictions for Game 3.

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Tigers series preview: Detroit is running low on pitchers

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 28: Manager A.J. Hinch (14) of the Detroit Tigers looks at the scoreboard as he leaves the pitching mound during the Tuesday evening MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the Detroit Tigers on April 28, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Tigers come to Kansas City this weekend, giving the Royals an opportunity to vault ahead of them in the mediocre Central Division. Detroit was considered by many to be the favorites to win the division title, but have had an up-and-down start and have dropped six of their last nine. The Tigers’ rotation was thought to be a strength, but they have been decimated. Tarik Skubal had elbow surgery this week, Framber Valdez was suspended for throwing at Trevor Story, and they were already missing Jackson Jobe, Casy Mize, Reese Olson, Justin Verlander, and Troy Melton due to injury.

Detroit Tigers (18-20) vs. Kansas City Royals (17-21) at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO

Tigers: 4.34 runs scored/game (17th in MLB), 4.18 runs allowed/game (9th)

Royals: 4.13 runs scored/game (22nd), 4.55 runs allowed/game (17th)

The Tigers have hit just 36 home runs, three fewer than the Royals. They are hitting .238/.323/.375 on the road. Only two teams have stolen fewer bases. Kevin McGonigle is on his way to being in the mix for Rookie of the Year after a blazing start to his career, and he is hitting .338/.410/.486 in road games this year. Riley Greene is hitting .362/.463/.580 in his last 20 games.

Spencer Torkelson has the tenth-highest strikeout rate in baseball at 31.3 percent. Kerry Carpenter is just a .212/.274/.303 career hitter against the Royals in 39 games. Colt Keith is a 7-for-20 (.350) hitter against Michael Wacha. The Tigers are without Gleyber Torres, Javier Báez, and Parker Meadows.

Keider Montero will go in the opener after winning his last start against the Rangers, allowing one run in 6.2 innings. Montero had a 3.72 ERA in 12 starts last year, with a 5.51 ERA in eight relief appearances. Salvador Perez is 4-for-7 in their career matchups, while Bobby Witt Jr. is 3-for-8 with a walk.

Ty Madden has not been announced as the starter on Saturday, but seems like a likely option after he tossed five shutout innings in his season debut last week. Madden was drafted by the Royals out of high school in Texas, but elected to attend the University of Texas where the Tigers made him a first round pick. The 26-year-old has battled injuries and missed all of last year, and was promoted after putting up a 4.71 ERA in 21 innings at Triple-A.

The Tigers have had a solid bullpen the last few seasons despite not having a lot of big name relievers, and have the 11th-lowest ERA in baseball at 3.76. Top reliever Will Vest is out with injury, but the Tigers have gotten good innings from former Royals pitcher Burch Smith. Kenley Jansen has 482 career saves, but has blown his last two opportunities, and is 6-for-9 in converting saves this year. Brant Hurter has a 59.6 percent groundball rate this year. Kyle Finnegan has a minuscule ERA despite the 8th-highest walk rate in baseball.

The Tigers swept the Royals in Detroit a few weeks ago and took 9 of 13 from them last year. The Royals seem to have the offense going better than it was operating when they last saw the Tigers. They had a missed opportunity to win a series against Cleveland, they could really use a series win this weekend against Detroit.

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MLB Pipeline releases their first 2026 Mock Draft

HOOVER, AL - MAY 24: Ole Miss pitcher Cade Townsend (10) grimaces after walking a LSU player during the SEC Baseball Tournament Semifinals game between Ole Miss Rebels and LSU Tigers on May 24, 2025, at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Last night MLB’s Pipeline released their first mock draft for the 2026 MLB Draft, a draft where the Atlanta Braves have two first round picks – including their first Top 10 selection in seven years.

This mock draft only covers the first 25 picks of the draft, as well as the first selection for teams who pick after that point. This means the Braves second first round pick at #26 is not covered in this mock draft.

The first three picks shouldn’t surprise anyone, UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Texas prep shortstop Grady Emerson, and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey. The first pick that might surprise a little would be the Giants taking prep shortstop Jacob Lombard fourth. Then as expected the fifth pick is UC Santa Barbara right-hander Jackson Flora. The sixth pick is another surprise with Florida prep lefty Gio Rojas, leaving Mississippi prep outfielder Eric Booth Jr. to go seventh, and Arkansas catcher Ryder Helfrick to go eighth.

The Braves came up at nine and were taking Ole Miss right-hander Cade Townsend, for the second time in a mock released yesterday after Keith Law also made this pick in his mock.

The writeup for that pick is right here:

“Clubs believe that college pitchers will rise up boards by the time the Draft arrives, and Townsend could move up more than most. He can hit 98 mph with his fastball and spin a pair of plus breaking balls as well as a plus cutter.”

Others of note in this mock draft would include Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress at #10, Etowah HS outfielder Trevor Condon at #15, and Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron #16.

Thoughts

I like Townsend as a prospect in this draft, though I am not feeling like he is the guy I would target at #9. He has been great at a sophomore this year, a real improvement over his freshman season in 2025 – especially with the command. He also has potentially four pitches that could be plus offerings, though there is still some effort in his delivery which could keep his command in the more fringe-average range.

Overall this year he is 5-1 with a 2.42 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 52 IP over 11 starts. Townsend has struck out 73 to 13 walks, racking up a 12.6 K/9. He has also allowed just 37 hits, for a 6.4 H/9 and five home runs.

It is also important to know that he missed a start this year with shoulder inflammation. He has returned and looked good since then, but considering it is a shoulder, his medicals will need to be reviewed closely.

I personally would have preferred a bat here, as I believe the drop off in bats between #9 and #26 is greater than the drop off of arms in that same range.