Inglewood, CA - April 12: LA Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (7) reacts to making a three point shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors at Intuit Dome on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Inglewood, CA. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Houston Rockets are adding to their depth by assigning former Los Angeles Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovich. ESPN insider Shams Charania was the first to report the news.
“Free agent Bogdan Bogdanovic has agreed to a one-year deal with the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Rockets executives recruited Bogdanovic tonight and now land an established, playoff-tested shooter for his 10th NBA season,” Charania tweeted.
Bogdanovic turns 34 in August, but he could still provide a spark off the bench for the Rockets. Bogdanovic only played in 23 games for the Clippers last season, averaging a career-low 7.4 points per game.
His best season came in the 2023-24 campaign, which was his fourth and final year with the Atlanta Hawks. He averaged 16.9 points per game while making 37.4 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. He finished fifth in the Sixth Man of the Year voting behind Norman Powell, Bobby Portis, Malik Monk, and Naz Reid.
Bogdanovic could possibly serve as a replacement for Josh Okogie or Jae’Sean Tate, who are both free agents this offseason. The Rockets could still bring back either Okogie or Tate, but this move suggests that one of them might not be coming back to the team next season.
TDS community, we want to hear your thoughts about Bogdanovic joining the Rockets. How do you think he’ll fit in with the squad? Was this a good move for the Rockets or another head-scratching move from the front office? Chime off in the comment section below.
James isn't the only one looking for a new team after making public his impending departure from the Lakers. The rumors, speculation and signings are heating up today now that several impactful trades happened even before free agency started this year.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, LaMelo Ball and Ja Morant will all be playing for new teams and now the rosters around the league's stars need to be filled in. The Lakers, meanwhile, have a bunch of salary cap space to spend with James headed elsewhere. It's shaping up to be another dramatic day in the NBA, with prominent restricted free agents like Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler being pursued by contenders.
USA TODAY Sports is tracking all of the latest news, signings, trades and rumors throughout July 1 with NBA free agency in full gear. Here's what's happening around the league at this moment:
Veteran point guard Mike Conley has agreed to a one-year contract with the Boston Celtics, according tomultiplereports. The 2026-27 season will be his 20th year in the NBA. He spent four seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves after being dealt by the Utah Jazz at the trade deadline in 2023.
Conley averaged 4.5 points and 2.9 assists in 54 games last season and started five games in the playoffs. The 38-year-old played the first 12 seasons of his career with the Memphis Grizzlies, who drafted him with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft out of Ohio State.
Losing LeBron James also left the Los Angeles Lakers with about $52 million in cap space to work with and they're in pursuit of a new starting center to team with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves moving forward.
The Lakers have been linked to Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren and Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler, accordingtomultiplereports, though both players are restricted free agents. How much the Lakers are willing to offer is among the more intriguing subplots to play out in free agency in the coming hours and days.
The Pistons have indicated they plan to retain Duren, despite recent meetings with the Lakers and Sacramento Kings. Kessler and the Jazz have been in extended negotiations on a contract extension and the Jazz similarly intend to keep their young center.
One of the few players available who appeared in the NBA All-Star game last year has a new home. Norman Powell has agreed to a 2-year, $45-million contract with the Chicago Bulls, according to ESPN.
The 33-year-old shooting guard had the most productive seasons of his career the past two years and averaged 21.7 points per game while shooting 38% from 3-point range in 2025-26 with the Miami Heat. The Bulls are one of the few teams in the NBA operating with legitimate salary cap space this offseason.
The Detroit Pistons have bolstered their frontcourt with the addition of free agent forward John Collins, who played last season with the Los Angeles Clippers.
ESPN reports Collins, 28, has agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal with the Central Division champs.
A nine-year NBA veteran, Collins averaged 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in his lone season with the Clippers.
Per ESPN's Shams Charania, the Houston Rockets and Marcus Smart agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal.
The 12-year NBA veteran guard started 54 games for the Lakers last season, averaging 9.3 points, 3.0 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game. The 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year links back up with Ime Udokoa, who coached Smart in Boston from 2021-23.
Free agent guard Marcus Smart has agreed on a two-year, $13 million deal with the Houston Rockets, plus a player option for the second season, sources tell ESPN. The former Defensive Player of the Year reunites with Ime Udoka for significant opportunity in the Rockets backcourt. pic.twitter.com/NzfArD8zbF
James will be the most coveted free agent on the market despite entering his record 24th NBA season, especially if he's willing to take a pay cut. So where are his most likely landing spots? The Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat are the teams mentioned the most, but that doesn't mean there aren't others that would be extremely interested in the four-time NBA MVP.
Aside from LeBron James, there are a handful of other big-name free agents that could be on the move. Some might re-sign with their current teams, some might opt to take their talents to a championship contender, and others might be looking for a huge payday.
Among the biggest names to keep an eye on: James Harden, who declined his $42.3 million player option with the Cavaliers for 2026-27 but seems to want to return to Cleveland; Jalen Duren, who's a restricted free agent with the Pistons; and Rui Hachimura, who could see some big offers from teams that have more money under the salary cap.
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 30: Nelson Velázquez #38 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Cole Carter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
A more definite set of attributes, traits, and countenance has emerged after half a season of Cardinals baseball in 2026. It is surely not definitive, as this mercurial team arises from the ashes of the past. It is halfway set and halfway emerging out of the fires of change and progress like an Apollonian fever dream. Is Chaim Bloom our agent of change? It sure appears so… but, this team also has a lot of players from the wiles of John Mozeliakian machinations. What is it that they do well?
It is Monday at 7:30PM, no game on, half the season gone, A/C cranked. I worked yesterday, and it was plenty hot enough. Not tonight after a full shift of work. But I will probably have to venture out into the wall of steam tomorrow night, possibly. We will see how I feel. I’m a jack of all trades, master of none. But I’m pretty good at a lot, I’d like to think. Rennaissance man? I think not. Polymath? I hope not. Just some middle aged dude writing about baseball and other miscellany.
The Cardinals don’t have the fortune to be able to work from home. They have to go to Atlanta next. Is that even hotter than playing in StL? I would think so! But I really don’t know. Atlanta and Houston are my last two big cities to go to, and Phoenix but I’ve been to Mesa. I’d love to go to Seattle again. I know the other big cities well enough, for now. June ends with a new beginning.
The Cardinals go on their toughest stretch of the season leading up to the All-Star Break. There is no doubt about that, with a road trip to Atlanta and Chicago’s northside, and then turning around and hosting the Brewers for 4 games. And then… the Braves again. This first series at Atlanta will definitely set the tone for this stretch more than anything. As a whole, the 4 series amount to around a .590 winning percentage foe vs our 5 over guys.
How could the Cardinals possibly beat the Braves? This might come as a surprise (it was for me) the Cardinals have a little better position players. Cardinals have a better defense, no question. On offense, StL position players are batting 102 wRC+ as a group, while Atlanta is a hair below league average. Why are the Braves so good? Actually, I’m not sure. Their pitching is definitely quite a lot better than the Cardinals, but they’re not one of the best teams at pitching, either.
The Cardinals top 5 hitters by xwOBA are, you guessed it, Alec Burleson, Ivan Herrera, Jordan Walker, and JJ Wetherholt. After that it drops off a cliff. But with a solid 4 above .350 xwOBA, that’s going to win some games. Winn, Church, and crew are not yet pushing this team over the top. Except newcomer Nootbaar (everything new is old again) has brought the offense a new aspect with his top notch but newly minted 2026 baseball savant page. That’s mostly bars of red there. So how does that change this offense?
For one, it appears to be insurance if Jordan Walker isn’t as good in the second half. But what if Walker truly has become one of the National League’s best hitters? That is then over half the lineup of damage-doing hitters, with the rest of them either likely to do a little better or at least have a chance of being an improvement over Scott and Pages. With a strength of schedule that seems to be relatively soft after the all-star break, I find it quite an interesting topic. If Nootbaar is not traded away, all that has to happen is Walker and Wetherholt keeping up the good work, and for the pitching to be able to not crumble under the pressure of innings and summer heat.
While looking through the lens of xwOBA, I can see a better lineup than what fangraphs wRC+ described. So, I suppose it’s a toss-up on the offenses. We will find out after these next two series are in the books. Luckily for the Cardinals, the Braves best hitter, Acuna, is currently injured. So that could be the real difference maker.
But I should add, as a team, once again, the Cardinals are better at xwOBA and are #3 in MLB as a team stat. I guess what I’m saying is, both teams offenses could heat up at any moment. This should be interesting.
Of course, when it comes to pitching, the Braves are top 5 by xwOBA and the Cardinals are bottom 5. Therein lies the big difference. St Louis pitching has been the worry all along.
Since the Cardinals are actually doing a lot better than what most people would’ve predicted at the halfway point, how are they bucking the odds? What are they doing to win games while keeping a negative run differential?
What are the Cardinals good at?
The St Louis Cardinals have a pitching staff that lead MLB in inducing groundouts, and also a middle infield defense that leads MLB in turning the double play. So, naturally, the pitching staff is leading the Big Leagues in ground into double plays. So that is our best stat. If they get on, there’s a good chance they’ll get erased through our defensive machine up the middle. Burleson has been good enough to scoop a lot of plays that no one would ever think either JJ Wetherholt or Masyn Winn would execute. Burly has been on his toes at first base.
You know what the Cardinals are also good at? Getting on base through hit-by-pitch! They are boosting their offense the toughest way possible. The Cardinals are ahead of the Angels, Mariners, and White Sox in total HBP. That’s one way to make an abundance of baserunners! Along with a good walk rate of course.
So the Cardinals are best at inducing ground balls into double plays on defense and getting hit by the pitch. Is the latter sustainable? Who knows! Kind of hope not, but if that’s a built-in trait for this team, maybe it helps just enough.
Beyond those two top tier traits, the Cardinals’ offense doesn’t strike out a lot… and xwOBA think they’ll do better. They’re rather average or mediocre at everything else.
June is over
It sure has felt like people have been a little down on the Cardinals during their recent play, so let’s take a look at the last month. The Cardinals position players have been top 10 in MLB by fWAR, tied with Detroit and just ahead of the White Sox. So the promotions and changes to the bottom of the order certainly have not hurt.
In June the Cardinals got on base at a rather beneficial .339 clip, top 5 in MLB… but ended up bottom five in HR. There was definitely a power outage, not that they were ever a huge home run threat, but they were much better than expected prior to June. So they hit less home runs in the humidity, I guess? And regressed, I digress.
Not to worry though, the Cardinals were a top 10 offense by wOBA. They should be ok, and go through different phases. As long as they gel after the All-Star Break, I think they’ll always be a strength. How much of one, we will find out. Defensively they seem to be a little worse off in June.
It is difficult to say what the better setup is: optimizing defense as we did earlier in the year, or optimizing offense as we seem to be doing now. Things will sort themselves out.
The Cardinals pitching was not a disaster in June. But they were below average, about the same as NY Mets pitching and SF Giants pitching, two other ballclubs who are struggling but not sinking to the bottom. They are above replacement level, but only by a game and a half in June.
If the Cardinals want to continue their strengths, they need Masyn Winn and JJ Wetherholt to stay healthy, and to continue run preventing center field defense. Pedro Pages may see more playing time if Jimmy Crooks III doesn’t steal his spot. That would play back into that defense that actually takes runs away from the other team.
Maybe part of that plan was Ramon Urias but he’s doubly hurt and not a big part of this team, and wasn’t really the elite defender that was advertised anyway. Blaze Jordan or Nolan Gorman types will be fine at third base, but they aren’t going to steal runs away, or be a huge difference maker with the bat either. Hahahaha just trying to rile up Blaze, Blaze Jordan fans.
These two Braves series will be more interesting than most think, and I think we can take the Cubs if they are slumping again. Wrigley can be a bad place to play sometimes, but it can also provide the long ball. It is the Brewers series that is most worrisome, we need to avoid the sweep and if we are to have any hope of beginning to catch up to them (I don’t), you just gotta win that series. But most of all, just don’t get swept while hosting the Brewcrew! Get into the All Star Break with a decent record and the rest of the season doesn’t seem so formidable.
Ok, I’m sorry, I could talk about Cardinals baseball all day. Here is the music portion of the broadcast.
1992 Music Extravaganza (Part 1)
Ok I have been reminiscing about my high school years and 1992 is where things really hit a turbo charged cultural take off. Already huge genres like hiphop and metal are absolutely on fire, fledging genres like shoegaze and industrial really begin to take off, and the overall quality of albums and how they are produced really pushed the envelope taking sounds to new heights.
1992 was a year that meant a lot to me, both when I was in high school and later in life, when I figured out I missed out on bands like Kyuss, Polvo, and many more on the list. I did have a good collection of tapes and CDs in high school though! And many of them I still love.
Faith No More – ‘Angel Dust’ their absolute best, words cannot describe experiencing hearing this album the first few times, and living with it your whole life. Its own dimension of sound to visit when you need a good mental shakedown, it will take you to another place and that place is 1992. But it is also rather timeless, sounding still fresh today due to a crisp production and excellent songwriting with a full band and one of the best singers of all time at the top of his game.
Polvo – ‘Cor-Crane Secret’ Chapel Hill genius guitar duo debuts with Polvo’s first official full length and it’s all of what you want in an album: creative, fun, innovative, emotive, and absolutely one of a kind. Reinventing the wheel and rewriting the script. Both catchy and devastating, but not extremely heavy in a conventional sense, they’re just more emotionally impactful and absolutely absurd. There’s no way to explain, you just have to hear it multiple times before it even starts to make sense. Then it grows…
Kyuss – ‘Blues For The Red Sun’ an absolutely stunning wall of sound with the only rocker to be in the same territory as Chris Cornell on vocals, but sounding more like what I would call a male Janis Joplin. More raw and over the top. And that goes for the whole band. That California desert sound was put on the map by this band, and it is the precursor to the more popular and well known Queens of the Stone Age. I love both bands, but I’d rather hear Kyuss, to be honest. Regardless, 1992 is the beginning… they started to become famous because of “generator parties” out in the desert. They never quite got behind cult status, but one of the best American bands. And this sounded like nothing else before or since!
Sonic Youth – ‘Dirty’ NYC was always on the map in the 90s, since they had Sonic Youth and the Beastie Boys in the prior decade. And a gazillion more, but …this album changed my thinking about music. I found this one before Helmet, another NYC band, before Polvo, they were some article in a magazine and sounded so cool I bought this CD. And I still love it a whole bunch. Extremely influential to bands who will never make it big. The 1990s were a whole different dimension.
Helmet – ‘Meantime’ so far on the list we have seen heavy being reinvented in new rock n roll ways that aren’t really heavy metal per se, but I could see why you might say this is a heavy metal album. If anything it sounds like it influenced nu-metal years later, but I find it ultimately an alt rock thing melding hiphop and jazz college knowledge with punk and a new approach to presenting heavy riffs and vocals, as well as solos. I wouldn’t blame you if you filed this under heavy metal, but most true metalheads would be mad at you. Maybe it was their short hair and hipster clothing.
Medeski Martin And Wood – ‘Notes From The Underground’ these guys were real good from the beginning, and this might be their most unnecessarily overlooked album by me and many fans. They made both avant garde and classic jazz more accessible to the 90s and the 00s. And after this small stage jazz phase they got super funky and then blossomed out into the jam band big stage scene. I much prefer their first two stages, but they have always been a damned good band and always will be. I absolutely love them. And in case you didn’t know, it’s a keyboards (Medeski), drums (Martin), and bass (Wood) trio, for the most part!
Thinking Plague – ‘In This Life’ this won’t be on the playlist, sadly enough, but it is America’s answer to the Rock In Opposition movement that started around a decade before. If you like prog rock or just straight up weird music with amazing musicianship, , or even classical, you must check this out! From Denver.
Alice In Chains – ‘Dirt’ the crowning achievement of grunge? You decide! I was more into this album than even ‘Badmotorfinger’. Unbelievably catchy for how heavy it is, it’s alt rock having a meeting with heavy metal, with a dual vocal attack and very creative solos and song structures. Layne Staley was on the same level as Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell, one of the all time great rock vocalists.
Beastie Boys – ‘Check Your Head’ the Beastie Boys show their full scope on this one; it’s an all-time hip-hop and alt-punk classic with top-notch production. This has got to be a part of your 1992 soundtrack unless you have a bias against the Beasties. This is them at their peak, with a lot of variety filtered through experience and focus. They took their past success to the next level here!
Rage Against The Machine – self titled this album had a big effect on me as a teenager, but the riffs and music stand up over time and embarrass the naysayers with good, inspirational music. Catchy as fuck and sounds more like 1992 than most of the albums on this list! I truly love the whole band as musicians and I don’t see what all the talk is about with them as people. They spoke their mind and made a good band about it… it just so happened to blow up to international levels. And yeah, they were college-educated people.
Ministry – ‘Psalm 69’ this album is one of the best party albums of all time, throw it on and everyone is gonna get energized somehow, for better or worse. It also crystallized Ministry’s sound into a perfect form that won over a ton of new fans (for better or worse). They went full industrial metal hybrid on this one, but it’s also catchy as hell, until it (d)evolves into some disturbing, nightmarish soundtrack sounds to round out the experience. When grunge was hitting in Seattle, Chicago had Ministry, the Jesus Lizard, and Smashing Pumpkins (and plenty more). Al Jourgensen is a Chicago legend for all the wrong reasons, but his musical genius remains.
The Jesus Lizard – ‘Liar’ A wild ride start to finish, Steve Albini production, a noise rock classic, it will even grow on you the more times you hear it, even though it’s good upon first listen. And their best album cover! Deranged insanity, presented artfully. But also a real ripper, with monster bass sounds and amazing riffs, with many a trick up its sleeve, and tight shifts contrasted with musical abstractions… equals a perfect album.
Stereolab – ‘Peng!’ I love me some Stereolab and yes even this early stuff is quite good! an all time classic.
Medicine – ‘Shot Forth Self Living’ Cali shoegaze champs Medicine before their big spot on the Crow soundtrack. They’re one of my favorite bands ever so I’ll just leave it here, check out how the guitarist processed his guitar sound on this. https://tapeop.com/interviews/116/brad-laner I would describe Medicine as America’s answer to the UK’s My Bloody Valentine (although sometimes I gotta say the Swirlies are ultimately the only band to compete with MBV for world crown).
Lush – ‘Spooky’ and to round out my top 15 albums of 1992 (at this time) I must include the super awesome Spooky album by noise-popsters Lush. There are certain songs on here that are my favorite songs ever. “Tiny Smiles”, “Superblast!”, “Laura”, and “Starlust” would all make my best songs of all time soundtrack, but the rest of the album ain’t bad either.
I’ll have another whole 15 (non-metal) albums from 1992 next week, I have severely run out of time! But it’s been fun, VEB. Hopefully the Cardinals will get this pre-ASB stretch started off right and they can just go on a good run. Starting off on the right foot despite a bad performance by JoJo Romero and Ryan Fernandez. I think the reinforcements can only help the team, and platooning for Burleson will yield even more results.
On this day 19 years ago, Jon Garland and the White Sox paid homage to the Negro League Chicago American Giants. | (Photo by John Williamson/MLB via Getty Images)
1905 White Sox pitcher Frank Owen won both games of a doubleheader at St. Louis, 3-2 and 2-0. In both games he went the distance, and only allowed the Browns seven total hits for the afternoon.
It was the first time in American League history that this milestone was accomplished, and Owen remains one of only 10 pitchers in baseball history to accomplish the feat of two complete-game wins in a single day.
1910 The White Sox opened the original Comiskey Park and lost, 2-0, to the St. Louis Browns. Within three days of the first game, three Sox players were sidelined with injuries, thus beginning in the minds of some a “Curse of the Comiskeys” or “White Sox Curse.”
Owner Charles Comiskey himself believed he had cursed the franchise because the stadium was opened on a Friday — in Irish lore, always a bad omen, “Never of Friday” being the watchword.
Infielder Lena Blackburne stroked the first two Sox hits in their new park, both singles coming off of Barney Pelty.
1920 Future Hall of Fame catcher Ray Schalk was honored with his own Day. The ceremony took place before a doubleheader with the St. Louis Browns. The White Sox split the two games, winning the opener, 3-2, in 11 innings, and losing the nightcap, 4-1. Schalkwent 1-for-4 in the twin bill, with an RBI.
1962 The White Sox set the AL record for sacrifice flies in an inning, as they got three straight in the fifth as part of a 7-6 win over Cleveland at Comiskey Park. It was the second game of a doubleheader, with the Sox winning both contests. Juan Pizarro, Nellie Fox and Al Smith did the honors. The Sox were able to accomplish this feat because Cleveland outfielder Gene Green committed errors on two of the fly balls. Chicago took that first game, 5-4.
1972 The Twins scored just once in a 5-1 loss at Comiskey Park, but what a run it was: Harmon Killebrew hit a ball over the roof in left field. The blast came off of Dave Lemonds, who pitched eight innings for his first win of the season. Ed Herrmann went 3-for-3 with an RBI and runner caught stealing to help fuel the win for the 40-27, second-place Sox.
1977 Although they had been flirting with first and second place all season long, a 5-2 win over Minnesota marked the start of a five-week run atop the AL West Division for the White Sox.
Richie Zisk clubbed two homers, including a three-run shot in the bottom of the first that put the White Sox in front for good. Chris Knapp went the distance to earn his seventh win of the year.
For the Twins, Rod Carew singled and tripled in five at-bats to keep his incredible pursuit of .400 at his season-high mark of .411.
1990 On the 80th anniversary of the opening of Comiskey Park, New York’s Andy Hawkins threw a no-hitter.
There was for one small problem … he lost the game, 4-0! The White Sox got all their runs thanks to back-to-back fly ball errors courtesy of Jim Leyritz and Jesse Barfield in the eighth inning.Leyritz’s error was the back-breaker, as it came on a fly ball off the bat of Robin Ventura with the bases loaded and two outs, enabling three runs to come home.
Greg Hibbard matched Hawkins pitch-for-pitch in the early going, as he also had a no-hitter through the first 5 1⁄3 innings.
1991 Thanks to a Carlton Fisk home run in the 10th inning, the White Sox beat Minnesota at the Metrodome, 5-4, for the franchise’s 7,000th victory. Bobby Thigpen, the fifth Sox pitcher of the game, picked up the win.
2006 Just six weeks after “The Punch” win over the Cubs at Sox Park in which A.J. Pierzynski played a central role, the rapscallion struck again. With the White Sox trailing, 6-5, with two runners on and down to their last out, Pierzynski clubbed a home run onto Sheffield Avenue to put the White Sox up, 8-6. Bobby Jenks closed it out with a 1-2-3 ninth for his 25th save.
An unheralded role in the stunning comeback was authored by Ross Gload, who was down to the final strike of the game before singling. A Jermaine Dye walk followed, and A.J. took it from there.
Also notable, Cubs fans delaying the game after A.J.’s homer by tossing garbage onto the field, like three-year-olds having a tantrum.
2007 Honoring the legacy of the Negro Leagues, the White Sox wore full Chicago American Giants jerseys in a game for the first time (on May 2, 1992 the White Sox honored the American Giants as well, but only by wearing the club’s caps during the game). Led by seven strong innings from Jon Garland and a powerful, 2-for-3 game (double, homer) from Paul Konerko, the White Sox won in Kansas City, 3-1.
As England prepare for their first match in the Nations Championship against South Africa and The Celebrity Traitors returns to our screens, Joe Marler – recently central to both – joins us for a chat about player welfare, Stephen Fry’s slang and the importance of men looking out for each other.
How much did you plan your exit route from rugby? Did your post-rugby career just fall into place? “I would say my post-rugby experiences have followed my rugby experiences in the sense that I winged it for 17 years and continue to wing it now. There’s a distinct lack of planning on my behalf. I’m just very fortunate that I’ve got some lovely people around me who are far more intelligent and attentive to detail, and navigate me in the right ways.”
Now in his age-27 season, the right-handed hitter is several years removed from his best years in the big leagues. His first two seasons in the league in 2022 and 2023, which he spent with the Cubs, were his best, as he hit .241/.311/.471 with 42 home runs and a 115 wRC+ in 854 plate appearances.
Since then, however, Morel has hit just .201/.283/.351 with 32 home runs and a 79 wRC+ in 989 plate appearances. After his struggles at the plate began in the 2024 season, the Cubs traded Morel and two other players to the Rays for Isaac Paredes. And following the 2025 season in Tampa, Morel was non-tendered and became a free agent before signing with the Marlins ahead of the 2026 season. In 73 plate appearances with Miami this year, Morel has hit just .162/.219/.206 with zero home runs and an 18 wRC+.
The Boston Celtics have made an unexpected signing in NBA free agency with the addition of Mike Conley Jr.
The veteran guard has agreed to a one-year contract with the C’s, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Contracts can’t be signed until July 6. The deal is for the veteran minimum, per RealGM’s Keith Smith.
Love this move. Can never have enough good vets. Low usage, low turnover PG. Hope he finds his 3-point shot in limited reps. Still plays hard on defense. https://t.co/At6pxx6XVA
Conley is 38 years old, and the upcoming season will be his 20th as a pro. He’ll be just the 14th player to play 20-plus years in the NBA.
Conley averaged 4.5 points and 2.9 assists per game in 54 games (15 starts) for the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. He’s still a capable ballhandler and doesn’t turn the ball over much. He’s also seen as a great locker room presence and a leader.
Conley likely will be the third point guard behind Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
It’s a good low-cost move to add depth and experience.
Feb 12, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) dribbles as New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) defends during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
As the annual NBA free agent and trade market heats up, two former Blue Devil teammates are on the move: Brandon Ingram has been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, while Luke Kennard has left the Los Angeles Lakers and signed with the Phoenix Suns as a free agent.
L.A. also got Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round swap, and two unidentified second-round picks.
Leonard is a wonderful player, but he’s 35 now and he’s missed significant parts of every season since 2022-23. Last year, he did play 65 games, but that means he still missed 17 games, and that was his best year in a while.
The odds of that improving a lot at 35 are not that great, and he’s on the back end of his career already, so in the long run, you’d have to think that the Clippers will come out ahead.
As for Kennard and the Suns, he will fill in nicely for the recently traded Grayson Allen. Kennard, Allen, and going forward, Kon Knueppel, are all tremendous three-point shooters. Basically, if you want a three-point ace, look to Duke.
Etowah baseball coach Greg Robinson still remembers the first time he laid eyes on Kansas City Royals outfielder Drew Waters.
Robinson was umpiring a middle school game when Waters stepped up to the plate.
“I'm behind the plate when he's coming to bat and I'm watching him and he barrels a ball into center field,” Robinson said. “And I'm like, ‘This guy's going to be special.’”
Years later, Robinson sat at Waters’ MLB Draft party as the then-18-year-old received the call from the Atlanta Braves – a moment that Robinson saw coming for a long time.
Over his 32 seasons as a high school head coach, Robinson has watched numerous other stories like Waters’ unfold. From Dexter Fowler to Sawyer Gipson-Long and now Trevor Condon and Matthew Sharman, Robinson has coached plenty of stars along the way.
But in just a few short years, those moments might be delayed.
Robinson believes the change could strengthen college baseball but also take opportunities away from certain players who are prepared to begin their professional careers.
“It's a maturity level thing that these guys are ready for mentally,” Robinson said. “So, I think those guys ought to be rewarded with the opportunity to go ahead at the next level.”
However, this could also be an opportunity for continued growth at the college level. With more elite prospects on hand, college baseball would become even more competitive.
“There's a lot of value in a kid going off to college for a couple of years and playing 60 games,” Robinson said. “Look at these facilities. Look at the competition.”
South Walton head coach Nick Borthwick agrees the proposal could further elevate the college game while narrowing the gap between college baseball and the minor leagues.
“I guess what that would do is turn college baseball into an affiliate to the minor leagues,” Borthwick said. “College baseball is not a bad place to develop.”
Borthwick, who played baseball at Alabama Southern, also believes college offers benefits beyond just baseball.
“Collegiate athletics is designed to kind of help develop a complete person on and off the field,” Borthwick said. “I think those opportunities are sometimes overlooked in today's climate.”
Borthwick is the long-time coach of two projected draft picks this year, including his son, Coleman Borthwick, a 6-foot-6 right-handed pitcher ranked No. 35 among MLB’s prospect rankings.
Although Coleman would not be affected by this proposal because he is eligible for this year’s draft, Borthwick is confident that his son is prepared for whatever the next chapter brings.
“I've no doubt that wherever he goes, whether it be Auburn or goes to the draft, he'll be able to help whatever team win,” Borthwick said. “And that's what he's done his whole career.”
If Coleman hears his name called on July 11, he’ll join a long list of stars who began their professional careers right out of high school – Clayton Kershaw, Mike Trout, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts to name a few.
At the same time, many of today’s biggest stars were college standouts before they reached the big leagues. Aaron Judge, Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman and Paul Skenes are just a few players who are a testament to the development that college offers.
“I don't think all kids have the opportunity to develop in high school like [Coleman and Denton Lord] had,” Borthwick said. “I think they're in a unique situation not just with the talent, but the support system around them throughout their high school careers. I think that they're as ready as any players in the country to start their professional careers.”
Whether the proposal is ultimately adopted in the next collective bargaining agreement or not, the decision won’t change the mission of high school coaches like Robinson and Borthwick.
“I'm trying to develop young men that will be ready for life after baseball,” Robinson said. “Baseball is really second to what I try to do with these guys. We try to be selfless people, relentless people and care for others first. That’s going to play a lot longer than baseball.”
While the Philadelphia Flyers themselves may not make a huge impact on free agency this year, they will still, as is customary, be well represented.
Following Tuesday's random Jacob Markstrom trade, the Florida Panthers have their two goalies in place for the 2026-27 season.
As a result, former Flyers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, a former Stanley Cup champion and Vezina Trophy winner, will hit the free agent market and sign with a new NHL team in the twilight days of his playing career.
Bobrovsky, 37, will be the best option available among free agent goalies by far; the class is otherwise "headlined" by the likes of Stuart Skinner, Cam Talbot, and David Rittich.
If the Flyers hadn't already managed to trade for the much younger Joseph Woll from the Toronto Maple Leafs, a potential reunion with Bobrovsky could have been in the cards.
Current Flyers general manager Danny Briere was teammates with the Russian netminder during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons.
"Yeah, it's pretty safe to say that there's not much room for Bob. I still have the feeling that Bob will re-sign in Florida. I don't think they have a goalie signed, so, yeah, they're gonna need a goalie, at least one, maybe two. I mean, Bob's a fantastic teammate, and great work ethic. He would have been a really good example for our guys, but no, I don't know how realistic that would have been," Briere told The Hockey News in a recent Q&A.
While the Panthers ultimately decided to trade for New Jersey's Markstrom instead of giving into Bobrovsky's contractual demands, it is obvious that Briere still holds his old Flyers teammate in high regard.
As a rebuilding team that can still benefit from having Stanley Cup-winning experience on the roster, Bobrovsky would have been a logical add, but the former superstar will instead take that experience elsewhere when NHL free agency opens Wednesday afternoon.
One of the biggest goaltending names available in this year's free agency class is Sergei Bobrovsky. And based on the Florida Panthers' acquisition of goalies Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid in the past few days, it seems that Bobrovsky's tenure with the Cats is over.
It's been reported that the Maple Leafs will be keeping tabs on Bobrovsky, who is reportedly looking for a hefty contract considering the two-time Stanley Cup champion is 37 years old.
Regardless, Toronto will likely make a pitch to Bobrovsky's camp.
"The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to be among the teams that see if there's a fit there," Chris Johnston said of UFA Bobrovsky on TSN's Insider Trading.
In addition to his age, he's coming off one of the worst campaigns of his 16-year NHL career with a .877 save percentage and a 3.07 goals-against average. Therefore, there is certainly risk involved in handing Bobrovsky a long and expensive contract.
"The Leafs are in an aggressive remake, remodel frame of mind right now," Johnston added. "Bobrovsky deal, if it's a long-term one, would have some risk."
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Partnerships with Aston Martin, Red Bull and Haas mean students have a rare chance to make it in F1 after graduation
Unnoticeable amid the spectacle and heaving crowds at the British Grand Prixthis weekend, the school that overlooks the circuit is a definitive success story and will continue its contribution to Formula One well into the future after the roar of the engines has receded.
Kian Brown and Savannah Morgan both graduated last year from the Silverstone University Technical College that facilitates a fast-track into engineering, and they have gone on to take positions with F1 teams. Brown is now a composite machining apprentice at Mercedes and Morgan is an advanced digital machining apprentice at Cadillac.
Jun 30, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) fielding a ground ball hit by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas (20) in the seventh inning for the out at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Lexi Thompson-Imagn Images | Lexi Thompson-Imagn Images
Good morning Birdland,
It’s officially July, which means trade season will soon be open. Last year, the Orioles traded away reliever Bryan Baker on July 10, when they were 10 games under .500. and seven games back of the final wild card spot. While dealing away a middle reliever isn’t necessarily a sign of surrender, that’s exactly what it would be for the 2025 Orioles.
Right now, the 2026 version of the Orioles are 9 games under .500, five games back of the final wild card spot, and in the midst of a four-game losing streak. This year’s AL is worse than it was a season ago, so perhaps there is some reason for optimism in the organization. More likely, there is pressure within the front office to just make this roster work, no matter what. The team’s on-field play is making that a tough case to prove.
The Orioles 9-3 loss on Tuesday night was just the latest disheartening performance. Some of that was another tough start for rookie Trey Gibson, which is frustrating but understandable for such a young player. More annoying was yet another weak offensive showing. They had nine hits, but scored just three runs, and did not hit any home runs. It’s just not good enough, and while their have been moments of brilliance, and some good weeks mixed in, the squad has just generally been a disappointing. There are no signs to indicate that will change.
That doesn’t mean the Orioles need to get to selling right now. Maybe a miracle happens, they forget who they are, and they string together a bunch of wins by the end of the month. That would be fun to see. But we shouldn’t hold our breath. And considering the times that Mike Elias has given up on solid-but-not-great teams, it would be pretty frustrating to see him pick THIS team as one worth doubling down on come the deadline.
Stay cool out there today, Baltimore. It’s gonna be a hot one. And we have an Orioles game right in the middle of it. First pitch is 12:35 from Camden Yards. Stay in the shade. Drink water. And get inside when possible.
This, that and the other | Roch Kubatko Some Mike Elias quotes from over the weekend are in here. He spoke about injuries, how they have impacted the team, and the upcoming trade deadline. It is fair to say that injuries have been a problem for the Orioles, but come on. The team doesn’t stink because Jordan Westburg and Zach Eflin have been out. They should have been able to absorb those losses and still been an 85-90 win team. The issues go deeper.
Nelson Cruz turns 46 today. The slugger spent just one season in Baltimore, but it was a good one. He led the league with 40 home runs and helped the Orioles capture the 2014 AL East title.
Jamie Walker is 55 years old. He pitched out of the Orioles bullpen for parts of three seasons from 2007 through ’09.
This day in O’s history
1957 – Orioles pitcher George Zuverink and catcher Frank Zupo form the first “Z” batter in major league history in a 3-2 loss to the Yankees.
1967 – Orioles pitcher Mike Adamson makes his major league debut, becoming the first draftee to bypass the minors and go straight to the majors. However, he will play in the minors in 1968.
1982 – Orioles manager Earl Weaver moves Cal Ripken Jr. from third base to shortstop.
1994 – The Orioles and Angels combine to hit a major league record-tying 11 home runs in a 14-7 win for the O’s.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 19: Adbert Alzolay #73 of the New York Mets poses for a photo during the New York Mets photo day at Clover Park on Thursday, February 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Woo Sox creamed Syracuse. Nick Morabito concluded his red-hot June with three more hits- one of which was a double- but there really isn’t anything positive to say about this drubbing. Luis Robert Jr. went 1-3 while Jorge Polanco went hitless in three trips to the plate.
It took a while thanks to a two-and-a-half hour rain delay, but the Rumble Ponies took the opener in their series against the Baysox, their second win of the second half. Binghamton scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the first, but before they could take their next turn at bat, the rain came. Jonathan Santucci initially took the mound for Binghamton, but because of the torrential downpour, only ended up throwing 29 pitches over two innings. After things cleared up, the Rumble Ponies plated three more runs. The Baysox scored a pair of runs in the top of the third and one more in the top of the fourth, but Felipe De La Cruz, Gabriel Rodriguez, and Saul Garcia held things down in the later innings.
The reigning, defending, undisputed Pitcher of the Week Daviel Hurtado instantly put himself in the running for a repeat, following up one his six scoreless inning, two-hit performance with one walk and six strikeouts by throwing six scoreless innings, allowing a single hit, walking one, and striking out eight; Acknowledge him. Ronald Hernandez put Brooklyn on the board just before Hurtado left the game with a solo homer, and in the top of the seventh, the Cyclones scored three more. Gregori Louis almost ruined things for the Cuban left-hander by allowing three runs in the bottom of the seventh, but the bullpen settled after his blip of an inning.
Emilio Obispo contained the Tarpons once though the order, but in the middle innings, they tagged him for four runs. Zack Mack allowed two more, but ultimately those and every other run outside of Tampa’s first were meaningless, as the Tarpons blanked the Mets. St. Lucie managed only three hits, doubles from Antonio Jimenez and Taylor Darden and a Jack Scanlon single.
Happy birthday to Mike Montgomery, and a mighty host of others.
Today in baseball history, in 1958 – The Cubs’Tony Taylor hits a ball inside the third base line that falls into the rain gutter in fair territory at Wrigley Field. San Francisco rookie OF Leon Wagner chases the ball, but is fooled by Cubs relief pitchers staring intently under the bench. Wagner does not look for the ball in the gutter 40 to 50 feet further down. Taylor reaches home on the hit, and other stories as well.
1972 – Roberto Clemente‘s fourth and fifth (out of six) career home runs off Ferguson Jenkins provide the Pirates with a 4 – 3 walk-off win against the Cubs at Three Rivers Stadium. Clemente hits Fergie’s first pitch in the 7th inning over the left field fence to tie the game. After the Bucs fall behind, 3-2, his second homer is a game-ending blast with none out in the ninth.
1973 – The Twins’Jim Kaat fires a one-hitter to beat the Angels, 2-1. Frank Robinson‘s home run in the 2nd is the only hit. This is the second time in his career that Robby hits a home run to break up a no-hitter.
1906 – Righthander Jack Taylor, 8-9 with the St. Louis Cardinals, returns to the Cubs in exchange for second-string C Pete Noonan, rookie P Fred Beebe and cash. Taylor will help the Cubs by going 12-3 the rest of the year.
1950 – The Reds’Ewell Blackwell has to go ten innings but finally beats the Cubs, 5 – 3, striking out 14 and allowing just two hits. One of the hits is Andy Pafko‘s three-run home run in the 9th.
1973 – At Wrigley Field, the Mets edge the Cubs, 6-5, in the first game of a doubleheader. Then it is the Cubs’ turn, as Randy Hundley bangs a ninth-inning three-run homer to give Chicago the 6-5 edge. Ron Santo has seven hits for the afternoon, five in the nightcap.
1200 – Sunglasses are invented in China [approx. date].
1731 – Benjamin Franklin and members of his ‘Junto’ community improvement club draw up articles of agreement to found the Library Company of Philadelphia, the first public library in British America.
1776 – First vote on Declaration of Independence for Britain’s North American colonies.
1863 – Battle of Gettysburg begins in Pennsylvania, Union forces halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee‘s Army of Northern Virginia.
1898 – Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders charge up San Juan Hill during US’s successful assault on the city of Santiago.
1963 – ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan) Codes are introduced for United States mail.
1967 – The Beatles’ album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” goes to No. 1 in the United States and stays there for 15 weeks.
1997 – Nevada Athletic Commission suspends Mike Tyson indefinitely and withholds $20 million purse for biting Evander Holyfield‘s ear during their heavyweight title fight 28 June.
