MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - JUNE 07: Giannis Antetokounmpo looks on during the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on June 07, 2026 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks are fresh off of a 32-50 season that saw them part ways with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks traded Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat for a plethora of players that should get Milwaukee started on their rebuild. The haul they got for Antetokounmpo should set the Bucks up to be competitive for the upcoming season in terms of trying to finish with a better record than they did this past season.
“Antetokounmpo managed to trim his landing spots to one by telegraphing his feelings on where he’d re-sign following a trade, so four first-round assets and a quartet of useful young players is a solid haul,” Bleacher Report contributor Andy Bailey wrote.
“Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis and Jaime Jaquez Jr. will join Ryan Rollins, Myles Turner, AJ Green and a pair of exciting rookies—Brayden Burries and Nate Ament—to make the Bucks a relatively interesting and competent team in 2026-27.”
The Bucks have an entirely new core and a new head coach in Taylor Jenkins, which should mix things up in Milwaukee. Given that Antetokounmpo only played 36 games for the Bucks this past season, there is an argument to be made that the Bucks have a better roster than they did last year.
The Bucks were 17-19 when Antetokounmpo was on the floor and 13-33 when he wasn’t. If you look at the haul the Bucks got for Antetokounmpo compared to the Giannis-less team that took the floor most of the year in Milwaukee, one would argue that the team has improved.
If Tyler Herro can stay healthy, he should be the leading scorer for the team, and the ancillary pieces added to surround him could be strong fits for the Bucks in terms of trying to build something.
This isn’t to say the Bucks will finish with a better record than they had last year, but the gap might not be as wide as many think.
Brew Hoop community, how many games do you think the Bucks will win next season? Let us know in the comments.
SEATTLE, WA - JULY 09: A general view of the board before the MLB Draft presented by Nike at Lumen Field on Sunday, July 9, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Orioles completed their 2026 draft class across 20 rounds on July 11 and 12. This year’s class has 20 players in it, one for each round. The next step is to get players signed and into the organization. In most cases, that’s going to be settled before the trade deadline. The signing deadline this year is July 27 at 5pm Eastern.
In last year’s draft class, the Orioles signed 21 of the 24 players that they drafted. Although there have been “sign every pick” years in the Mike Elias era, this one probably isn’t going to be one of them.
Bonus pool math
Last year, the Orioles had the largest draft bonus pool that any team ever had up to that point. The record was beaten by this year’s White Sox in the same way that last year’s Orioles did, with a draft week trade bringing a tradeable competitive balance pick into the mix. This year, the Orioles have the 13th-biggest pool available, with $13,114,200 as their official allotment.
The bonus pool system has been in effect since the 2012 Draft. Each pick in the first ten rounds is assigned a value that decreases as the draft goes along. Add up these values and you get a team’s total bonus pool. Discussion about whether a particular signing is overslot or underslot is relative to the value for that pick. The top Orioles pick at #7 overall has a slot value of $7,327,200, all the way down to the tenth round pick’s value of $198,900.
On the whole, players who have more leverage to get overslot bonuses are those who have just graduated from high school, as well as draft-eligible college sophomores and junior college players. They can just say they’ll go to college or play another year of college if they don’t like what a team offers. Picks who were either college seniors or even graduate students still playing baseball tend to get way under slot bonuses of $25,000 or less.
You can expect a team will sign a player taken in rounds 1-10. They lose their bonus pool money for an unsigned pick in those rounds. It will get done unless there’s a surprise medical issue, which has only happened once with the Orioles in the Elias-era drafts. Don’t worry about players unsigned as the deadline approaches.
The Orioles may end up having more bonus pool math to sort out this year compared to past years. They drafted three high school players and a junior college player within the first ten rounds, and another five high school players in rounds 11-20.
Players taken from rounds 11-20, and undrafted players, can receive a signing bonus up to $150,000 without counting against the pool. Any amount that exceeds $150,000 for these picks is what counts against the pool. Recently, the league added the option for junior college-bound players to sign late as “draft-and-follow” players for a bonus of up to $225,000 before next year’s Draft.
Also, a team can exceed its pool by up to 5% and it will only have to pay a tax on the overage amount, equal to 75% of the overage. There are steeper penalties for exceeding 5% that no team has ever incurred. In last year’s draft, the Orioles used nearly every dollar available to them in their 5% overage. This year, the extra 5% gives the Orioles an additional $655,700.
This article will be updated between now and the deadline as signings or non-signings are reported by media or announced by the team. Signing bonus information listed where available.
19th round, 560th overall – Victor Salazar – OF – Paetow (Tex.) HS
20th round, 590th overall – Ross Davis – RHP – Rusk (Tex.) HS
Undrafted free agents
These players are also able to sign for up to $150,000 without counting against the bonus pool, with any amount beyond that going against the pool. These are signings collected by Baseball America, typically sourced from college team social media accounts reporting that their player has signed a contact.
Jul 14, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Phillie Phanatic greets fans during the All-Star Red Carpet Show at Independence Mall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Tuesday night’s All-Star Game served as the end of the almost weeklong baseball festivities which make up All-Star Week that descended upon Philadelphia beginning last Friday. It was a citywide celebration of baseball from games and competitions taking place at Citizens Bank Park to fan experiences and meet and greets at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City.
The Phillies were prominently featured in all of the events going on in the city, thanks to of course being the hometown team but also leading the way with six All-Star nominations. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper both took part in a memorable Home Run Derby with Schwarber coming up just short of winning the contest to Jordan Walker. All six of the Phillies representatives played in the All-Star game, but only Jesús Luzardo and Jhoan Duran had what one could call “successful” appearances in the 4-0 NL loss.
Besides the active players, Phillies legends were also out and about over the last week. There were numerous alumni who took part in the All-Star village where fans could take photos or get autographs. Some of those players even took the field at Citizens Bank Park again when Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, and Shane Victorino assembled teams comprising of celebrities and the very best of the AUSL for the MLBx All-Star home run derby, with Victorino’s team taking home the championship.
Then of course there was the MLB draft which was also held at the Convention Center. There the Phillies selected Tyler Spengler with their first pick and made 21 total picks.
So, what was your favorite part of All-Star Week? Did you attend any of the events? Or were you enjoying the fun through your television screen?
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 8: Manager Tony Vitello #23 of the San Francisco Giants speaks to the press before a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oracle Park on July 8, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Andy Kuno/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It has been a rough season for the San Francisco Giants. In spite of the positives, the negatives have been so severe as to potentially cause some long-term damage on the field. Personally, I don’t think it’s possible for the Giants to have a “respectable” season no matter what they do, and that includes going 66-0 the rest of the way and winning the World Series, but I recognize that I’m in the minority. For most fans, there’s a version of this failed experiment that is the 2026 Giants that stumbles or crawls its way to a finish that is notably less embarrassing than their play in the first part of the season.
They’re 41-55 coming out of the All-Star break. Since they’re unlikely to go 66-0 and win the World Series, what’s the final record that would make you say, “Wow, I didn’t think they’d wind up there after that terrible start.” Or even, “Yeah, that’s probably the best they could’ve done with a rookie manager and everyone still trying to figure out that new situation.” Some notes to get you in the right frame of mind:
The Giants haven’t won 4 games in a row all season.
They ended April 13-18, May 23-36, and June 35-50.
Robbie Ray leads the rotation in innings pitched and is likely to be traded.
At 97 IP, Landen Roupp is just 9.2 innings away from matching his season total of last season, which was just 0.2 innings below his professional high of just 107.1 IP (which he hit in 2022).
Tyler Mahle is likely to be traded and is currently 5th in the rotation in terms of IP.
Caleb Kilian and Erik Miller might be traded, JT Brubaker has rarely pitched in a pressure situation, and Keaton Winn is always just a pitch away from winding up back on the IL. The bullpen is likely to be Sam Hentges, Dylan Smith, and whatever they can coax out of Jason Foley.
Luis Arraez, the most valuable player on the team, is likely to be traded.
If this list of negatives makes it difficult to actually conjure up a final result, I’ll add this note to help:
They’re 13-13 since Pride Night, and if they simply hold that .500 mark, they’ll go 33-33 and finish the season at 78-84. To me, that seems like it would be a pretty solid recovery and indicative of (1) a team that was projected to hover around .500 all season unless some events broke in their favor but (2) had a drag co-efficient of a new, inexperienced major league manager calling the shots. So, if you thought Tony Vitello might have a learning curve that cost the team in the realm of, say, 6-10 games while he sorted things out, a record of 78-84 would make sense. And if you looked at the way Zack & Buster cobbled together a bullpen, then 78-84 would seem like an especially lucky result.
And even with all those negatives, holding a .500 record the rest of the way seems plausible and maybe even probable. Sure, purging 40% of the rotation and a key lineup figure would hurt a lot, but it’s starting to sound a lot like the Giants won’t go full tilt on a rebuild, and so losing Arraez and Ray might be smoothed over by a combination of guys playing better (Matt Chapman when he returns, Willy Adames generally), some prospects contributing (Carson Whisenhunt), and some major league-ready players they get in trades helping out.
Since the beginning of June, the Giants’ offense is 8th in MLB (6th in the NL) with a 112 wRC+ (though, just 19th in runs scored) while their pitching has been valued at 18th (+2.2 fWAR). Again, removing Luis Arraez (144 wRC+ since June 1st) would not help the offense, but if this lineup has turned a corner overall, then losing him might not be so catastrophic. So, then it would come down to the trades they make and the pitching they get in return that could sort out the staff the rest of the way. The pitching is bad enough that, at this point, any additions are likely to improve it.
The Giants still have a relatively tough (for them, anyway) strength of schedule, with 6 remaining against the Dodgers, 3 against the Brewers, that makeup game against Atlanta in Atlanta, 6 against the surprising Cardinals, 3 against the Guardians, and 3 against the Pirates. But they also have to face a surging Tigers team (22-14 since June 1st), the so-so Astros (47-51), and the Reds, who are usually a tough matchup no matter the site of the series. Is .500 the rest of the way actually plausible or does it just sound like it?
Let’s run through the remaining schedule:
at Seattle (3 games) — The Giants have won 1 series in Seattle. It was in 1999. Prediction: 1-2 at Kansas City (3 games) — the Giants swept the Royals in Kauffman Stadium back in 2024 when they were in a heated playoff chase. That’s not the case this year for either team. Prediction: 1-2 vs. Angels (3 games) — a truly horrendous team, but the Giants are just 3-6 against them the past 3 seasons; and, this series will be before the trade deadline, meaning that the few good players on that roster likely to be traded will be showcased against the Giants. Prediction: 2-1 vs. the Brewers (3 games) — they’re 59-37 right now and 30-19 on the road. They are just 7-6 in July, though. Prediction: 1-2 at San Diego (4 games) — the final series before the trade deadline and despite the Padres’ struggles (48-48, 29-37 since May 1st, including the fewest runs in the sport scored since then) it’s likely that they won’t be sellers at the deadline. They, like the Giants, are just drawing too well. They have a new ownership group coming in, too. They’re just 3.5 games back of a Wild Card spot. The Padres have lost just 1 season series to the Giants this decade (2021, natch). Prediction: split? at Texas (3 games) — Like the Mariners and Padres, the Rangers are one of those teams hovering around .500 all season. They’re 5-5 in July (-12 run differential) but 21-16 since June 1st. But their .500 home record (25-25) is surprising. They’re 16-14 in interleague, though, and their only setbacks there have been against the Reds (0-3) and Dodgers (1-2). Still, 2-4 against the Angels? I guess this one’s a coin toss. Prediction: 2-1 vs. Detroit (3 games) — The Tigers handled the Giants pretty easily last year in a sweep in Detroit and while it’s true that the 2026 version has struggled a lot, it’s still the case that they’re much, much, much (much?) better than the Giants. Their lineup features three All-Stars: Dillon Dingler, Kevin McGonigle, and Riley Greene, and an enviable rotation with Tarik Skubal, Framber Valdez, Casey Mize, and even Jack Flaherty, Keider Montero, and now Troy Melton. They are 17-29 on the road this season, though. Hmm… Prediction: 1-2 vs. Houston (3 games) — A tricky team. Are they buyers or sellers? Are they a “fake” .500 team? Well, I’ll just let this decide: they’re 10-17 in interleague this season with a -30 run differential. Prediction: 2-1 vs. Colorado (3 games) — Gosh, I hope this isn’t a tough series. Prediction: 3-0 (is this where the first 4-game winning streak happens???) at Cleveland (3 games) — Patrick Bailey revenge series? Who cares, the Guardians have great pitching and they are good for a second-half run. Prediction: 0-3 at Boston (3 games) — The Red Sox look to be buyers at the deadline and even though their offense has struggled, they will get up to face the Giants’ weak pitching. Prediction: 1-2 vs. Cincinnati (3 games) — This team seems to be out of it. Prediction: 2-1 vs. Arizona (4 games) — The Giants are 1-8 against the Diamondbacks this season. I would expect this series to put the team out of its misery. Prediction: 1-3 at Atlanta (1 game)— I cannot fathom the Giants sweep. Prediction: 0-1 at Pittsburgh (3 games) — Will the Pirates fade down the stretch? That’s the big question. On the other hand, the Pirates are tied with the Nationals for the most runs scored in all of MLB (516), so, I think they will get a big kick out of kicking the Giants’ collective ass. Prediction: 1-2 at Mets (3 games) — This team will probably remake itself at the deadline and I wonder if they will be one of those teams that improve after retooling on the fly. Anyway, unless the Mets reacquire Jeff McNeil or Pete Alonso, I’m a bit more confident about the Giants facing the Mets. Then again, it’s a road series, and the Mets will still have Juan Soto (and Francisco Lindor, probably). Prediction 1-2 vs. St. Louis (3 games) — Another good road team (24-19, +40 run differential); however, this series will be the final leg of a 3-city, 9-game road trip for the Cardinals where the first two series are at Dodger Stadium followed by Coors Field. So, I’ll be a little bullish here. Prediction: 2-1 vs. San Diego (3 games) — Let’s just keep the good vibes going. Prediction: 2-1 at St. Louis (3 games) — Of course, the Cardinals will get their revenge. Prediction: 1-2 at Dodgers (3 games) — The Giants have played the Dodgers hard, but ending the season against them has, time and again, been disastrous. Prediction: 1-2 vs. Minnesota (3 games) — Will the Twins’ surprising season continue? They’ll have just come off a 4-game series against the Angels in Anaheim, but prior to that, they’ll have run a pretty remarkable gauntlet: 6 against the White Sox, 6 against the Tigers, 3 against the Guardians, and 3 against the Yankees. That 18-game stretch might be enough to short circuit their season and set them on a course to merely play out the string against the Giants. That’s the thinking I have to have in order to make this prediction: 2-1. vs. Dodgers (3 games) — Since 2017, here is the Giants’ record versus the Dodgers in September: 11-27. For the sake of the rivalry, lets say Prediction: 1-2.
So, I can squint and see 30 wins the rest of the way, or 30-36, or 71-91, and that’s operating under the assumption that Luis Arraez and Robbie Ray are traded and that their replacements are capable and the rest of the roster plays at a level consistent with their recent run. Is that “respectable,” given that Buster Posey was brought in to put the franchise over the top rather than begin yet another rebuild? Would that stoke the hope that the future will be bright?
Yes, if some things break the Giants’ way later in the season, then it’s easy to imagine them netting a few more wins to get to 78-84, but maybe you, gentle reader, imagine something more ambitious. So, what say you? What’s a final record that sounds reasonable/plausible to you and also says, “Wow, that’s an impressive finish given their horrendous start?”
DETROIT, MI - JULY 12: Catcher Dillon Dingler #13 of the Detroit Tigers talks with pitcher Tarik Skubal #29 during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Comerica Park on July 12, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’ve seen a few things occur as a result of the current, highly-diluted playoff format. One, which Alex Anthopoulos alluded to in remarks aired on a recent broadcast, was that the low barrier for entry (and though he didn’t say it, the implicit idea that said low barrier for entry has resulted in a lot of same-y, so-so rosters) has made teams hesitant to sell, in case they start playing well in July. The corollary to that, then, is that a team with a poor July can suddenly turn into a seller, even if that wasn’t the plan a few weeks ago.
The AL and NL are very different as we stand here at the All-Star Break. The AL has a bunch of teams with decent-to-good rosters not playing well, so the selling calculus is complicated by the fact that many of those teams probably expect to do much better over the remaining 70-odd games of the season. The NL has kind of the opposite issue, with less-than-complete rosters reeling off bunches of wins, which means less successful teams have a lot more leapfrogging to do.
With that said, here are six teams I’m thinking about:
The Orioles, Blue Jays, and especially the Tigers all seem like they might not sell because of their expectations going forward. If you figure the last AL Wild Card spot may truly be a .500 team, and these three teams with all their banked losses figure to win 78-79 games, then… maybe it’s worth it to try. The Tigers, in particular, project to have the fifth-best roster going forward, so it would be kinda weird to see that team sell. I don’t know if any of these teams will sell, but I’d mark it as somewhat surprising if they started right now. Of course, if they slide much more in the next couple of weeks, that’ll be a more obvious direction to take, but that’s why I’m asking the question now.
In the NL, the Cardinals are in an unexpected place because they have been winning while rebuilding. They’re currently one game out of a playoff spot, and if it came down to just them and the Marlins going forward, maybe they shouldn’t sell, figuring the Marlins’ bottom is at least as likely to drop out as their own. But this Cardinals team was also built around explicitly rebuilding and maybe moving some short-term signings for stuff to improve that rebuild, so…
Then you have the Diamondbacks and Padres, who are in a pretty similar position. The division is out of reach, but a Wild Card spot isn’t, and the rosters aren’t bad. The Padres actually seem like they might be more obvious sellers, but AJ Preller is a wild man.
Anyway, do you think any of these teams might sell when it comes down to it? Or, will it be another team that seems to be in an okay position right now (the Pirates, for example). Who ya got?
A.J. Ewing is hitting .302/.369/.508 (.877 OPS) with six homers, eight doubles, 18 runs scored, and 18 RBI in 141 plate appearances over his last 36 games
Juan Soto is slashing .316/.469/.622 (1.091 OPS) with eight homers in 128 plate appearances over his last 30 games
Luke Weaver hasn't allowed an earned run since April 30. In 27.0 innings over 25 appearances since then, he has given up just 11 hits while walking seven and striking out 35
Today's Lineups
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Dec 28, 2018; Orlando, FL, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images
The past weekend, I was having a real Canadian moment. Up in Algonquin Park, sitting around a campfire, listening to the World Cup on the radio – it could have been 1962 or it could have been today. I felt, for the first time in months, settled, because the storm that has engulfed the Toronto Raptors for the past few years seemed to have subsided. And then, the serenity of Ontario’s nature was broken by a blood-curdling scream that came pouring out from me, as I received a notification on my phone telling me that the Kawhi Leonard deal was being put on hold.
Like many of you, the news from Shams Charania that Kawhi Leonard would be traded to from the LA Clippers was one I celebrated widely, then had my feelings of elation turn to confusion, and then annoyance, as it seemed like in everything but name, Leonard was stepping back into his shoes as a Raptor. Gradey Dick’s goodbye post and Leonard’s appearance at Kyle Lowry’s retirement ceremony seemed to all but confirm the reports that Kawhi would be coming to Toronto posthaste.
That seems no longer to be the case.
The Ugly
Last month, I called ties to the Aspiration Scandal “a low risk, but potentially damning situation to get involved in” and it seems that I was right, on at least one of the counts. Josh Lewenberg, ever collected, is calling for Raptors fans not to sound the alarms quite yet, noting that the organization doesn’t appear panicked, nor does he feel that it is likely to have Kawhi Leonard’s contract, which we would trade for, be voided.
A few reasons why the disaster scenario (voiding Kawhi’s contract) is considered highly unlikely:
1) His current contract, signed in 2024, isn’t under investigation (as far as we know). The one in question, signed in 2021, expired more than a year ago. https://t.co/jxoauV2gVP
It seems, however, that a relatively serious punishment could indeed be meted out.
Regarding our planned trade with the LA Clippers for Kawhi Leonard,” said the Raptors, “the NBA league office informed us that as a result of the ongoing investigation involving the Clippers, we would assume the risk of any potential outcome of the investigation impacting Kawhi.
“In light of this, we will wait until the league’s investigation is complete.”
That timeline is still unclear, but Adam Silver has noted that October is looking like the time before which the investigation should be over, which means that the summer might very well continue to go on without Leonard firmly placed on the roster. Now, this is something that is far from ideal in terms of team bonding and developing chemistry, but nevertheless, in the best case scenario, the investigation wraps up neatly and Kawhi is playing on opening night of the Raptors’ season.
The Bad
The Raptors are being vague about what “risk” they might be taking on by bringing Kawhi on. The obvious is that they’d take on a player with plans to extend him, and then get the contract knocked off of their books, having given away an All-Star and a bevy of picks, and more, receiving nothing in return. To a lesser degree, a long-term suspension could theoretically kill any shot at serious contention next year. This puts the franchise in both a risky and disadvantaged position.
Assumedly, the Raptors as a team would not face any type of sanction for possible wrongdoing by the Clippers – there would not be owner finings, forced sale, stripping of picks, or anything of the sort. But still, losing Kawhi does not sound like a good time. Unless…?
The Good
Here me out.
It has long irked me that teams that draft really good players often get disadvantaged when team building because their players are too good and lift them out of the lottery, thus starving the team, and the star, of good players and teammates.
It happened to LeBron James, his own play ironically condemning him to a shattered legacy after leaving Cleveland because of a lack of help the first time. And this could be true for the Raptors now, whose rebuild was sometimes criticized as being rushed, and over too early. But, many players and dynasties actually benefitted highly from a terrible season *after* getting good pieces. Case in point, the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs crap out in 96-97 after David Robinson goes down with an injury. Year before that, they win 59 games. In the ‘97 season, they just scratch 20. But what does winning 20 games give you? The player who many consider to be the best power forward ever.
So, if one-time MVP D-Rob never gets injured and gets back to form, the Spurs never get Tim Duncan, and maybe never win a ring. On a smaller scale, the same goes for Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks. Kyrie Irving gets hurt and Anthony Davis hardly plays due to his own health issues, so Flagg becomes the tank commander, and the Mavs get rewarded with the 9th pick. Then, they’ll probably get back Kyrie Irving at basically full health, and have a much better roster than they would if he’d never been temporarily injured.
Mar 8, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) tries to defend during the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Now, what does all of that have to do with the Raptors?
Trading for Leonard just to get his contract voided has the potential to be the riskiest, but most valuable move possible here. The Raptors are, in my view, one piece away at this point from being true champion contenders, even with Kawhi Leonard. But, what if they just got that piece hand delivered to them in the draft? The Raptors would be playing without Brandon Ingram, a loss of scoring that would almost certainly make them a play-in team, if that at all. Another losing season would suck, but you know what wouldn’t? One last lottery pick before getting Kawhi Leonard to join the team. And of course, in free agency, it’s anybody’s game. But, Kawhi has made it abundantly clear through both his words and his recent actions that he wants to be a Raptors, and doesn’t want to be long-term anywhere else.
So, all that considered, if we’re willing to gamble, what’s the harm in just signing the guy now?
In the textbook contract voiding story, with Joe Smith and the Timberwolves, he just went back to Minnesota the next year. Signing Kawhi, hell or high water, shows our commitment to the man, and could inspire a level of loyalty, the type that only comes from offering a hand to a man who’s at his lowest, and giving him a way out. So, either way, suspension or contract voided, I think we get our man one way or another. So, what’s the harm in speeding up the process, taking a big swing, and setting up the future better than we ever could through more conventional means.
The Raptors are too proud to tank, so this might be the last stop on the station to seriously refuel on talent before it’s full steam ahead to contention land. I think we need to make our time here count.
Jul 14, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) warms up before the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Jul 13, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Latz (67) before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Morning, all!
Did you enjoy the non stop excitement of direct-to-consumer streaming through Victory+? Well, that’s too bad because the Rangers have announced that they are switching streaming platforms effective immediately.
The new platform will be BZZR, a sports streaming and social media platform with an executive that is also a minority partner in Rangers ownership.
The Rangers could use another high leverage arm in the second half.
Although Chris Young says they need both another high leverage arm and to keep playing with positive energy and camaraderie.
After a successful 2025-26 season, the Buffalo Sabres will be looking to take another step forward in 2026-27. If they hope to do that, they will not only need their top players to be at their A-game but also their young players to hit new levels.
Because of this, let's look at three Sabres who have the potential to have breakout years next season.
Konsta Helenius
Don't be surprised if Konsta Helenius has a big breakout year for the Sabres in 2026-27. The 2024 first-round pick left a solid first impression this past campaign with Buffalo. In his first nine career NHL games, he recorded one goal and four points. He also scored two goals in four games during the playoffs for Buffalo and had 63 points in 63 AHL games with the Rochester Americans. With all of this, there is a lot to like about the young forward's game.
Noah Ostlund
Noah Ostlund took a nice step in the right direction with his development last season. He proved that he is ready for the NHL, as he recorded 11 goals and 27 points in 60 games for Buffalo. With that, the 2022 first-round pick undoubtedly has the potential to hit a new level next season for the Sabres. It would not be surprising if he hit the 20-goal and 45-point marks at least.
Olen Zellweger
New Sabres defenseman Olen Zellweger is another breakout candidate to watch on the Sabres. The 22-year-old defenseman has shown promise early on in his career, and he could elevate his game after getting a fresh start with the Sabres. He should receive more consistent playing time with the Sabres than he did on the Anaheim Ducks. In 76 games last season for Anaheim, he posted seven goals and 22 points.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 10: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers smiles during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on July 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Melina Pizano/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This past week, Mookie Betts surpassed the number of games he had played with the Boston Red Sox, officially making him Dodger longer than he was a Red Sox. Spanning those two teams, Betts has amassed six Gold Gloves. Now, he has started his own baseball glove company.
Named LGND, Betts says this line is “built around versatility, craftsmanship and player-first innovation.”
“Every detail matters when you’re on the field, and your glove is one of the most important tools you have,” Betts said in a statement. “I started this with the intention to build something that reflected the way I play the game, which is with passion, preparation and attention to detail.”
Currently the company sells two different collections. The MOOK series is inspired by Betts’ experience playing both infield and outfield. This glove features his personal game-worn colorways, a “50 Tri-Star” logo embroidered on the thumb, and his signature stamped in the palm of the glove.
The MVRK series is meant for those playing multiple positions along with some distinct styling.
“LGND is about giving young players a glove they can trust from the first time they put it on,” Betts said. “Whether you’re chasing a championship, working toward a college scholarship or just falling in love with baseball, I want these gloves to help young players perform at their best.”
Betts has three partners in this endeavor, Cameron Lewis, Brandon McPhail and Andrew Montgomery. The lifelong friends competed together in high school in the Nashville area.
Steve Henson of the L.A. Times has more details on the gloves including the cost here.
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic has an article of what to expect in the second half of the season. He poses questions about whether the Dodgers will ever be at full strength this season, (maybe?), how the team will handle Shohei Ohtani going forward (carefully), and what will they do at the deadline (probably not much, but…).
As all baseball fans know, it boils down to health and your stars performing. Kyle Tucker, we’re looking at you, kid.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Rasheer Fleming #20 of the Phoenix Suns plays defense during the game against the Detroit Pistons on July 15, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Tom O'Connor/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
We came into Summer League 2026 the way we always do. With excitement and with hope. There’s something about watching your team’s young prospects take the floor for the first time that always pulls you in. When you have rookies in the mix, it’s your first opportunity to see them wearing your team’s colors, and that alone creates a different level of anticipation.
But as the days pass, that excitement naturally begins to fade. Reality sets in. The games don’t count. Some players are further behind in their development than we hoped. Rotations change, veterans sit, and gradually your attention starts to drift elsewhere.
That’s exactly what happened last season. The Suns arrived in Las Vegas with an exciting group of young players alongside a pair of sophomores we were eager to see develop. In the opener against the Washington Wizards, Ryan Dunn scored 17 points while shooting 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. Oso Ighodaro finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Khaman Maluach added 14 points, although he was 1-of-6 from three. Koby Brea chipped in 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
Then Game 2 arrived. Ryan Dunn didn’t play. Neither did Khaman Maluach. Rasheer Fleming missed his second consecutive game. Like clockwork, the excitement faded.
This year’s version has been much more exciting because the guys you came to see are actually playing. And they’re playing every game. From Game 1 through Game 4, you can see the connectivity and cohesion developing, and it’s translating into wins.
I applaud the Suns’ front office for handling it this way. Typically, a player has a couple of strong performances, the organization decides it’s seen enough, and he disappears for the remainder of Summer League. That’s not what Phoenix has done. The Suns are taking advantage of every developmental opportunity available, and Summer League is a significant part of that process.
Yes, Khaman Maluach has dominated in pretty much every facet of the game. You could argue the organization has already seen everything it needs to see. But these minutes still have value. He’s out there leading, communicating, and continuing to build good habits. So why not give him more opportunities to do exactly that? That’s the approach the Suns have taken.
They now sit at 3-1 in standings that don’t count, and it’s because they’ve allowed this group to develop together. The cohesion has grown, the talent has become more apparent, and the players have been given every opportunity to showcase what they can do.
Quite honestly, this has been one of the most enjoyable Summer Leagues I’ve watched as a fan. I actually get to watch the players I came to see, and they’re getting enough minutes for me to develop a real understanding of who they are while gaining valuable reps at the same time.
Whether the Suns finish Summer League with a winning record won’t matter much a few months from now. What will matter is that they resisted the urge to declare victory after a game or two and instead treated Las Vegas like the classroom it was meant to be. Development isn’t about checking a box. It’s about accumulating reps, building chemistry, and learning through experience. Phoenix has embraced that philosophy this summer, and it’s made the basketball more enjoyable to watch while giving these young players a better chance to become contributors when their number is eventually called.
Summer Bright Side Baller Standings
Three games. Three Maluach masterclasses. He has owned the Summer League Bright Side Baller standings to this point, winning once again for his performance against the Bucks on Monday. Although he did so with only 71% of the vote.
Summer Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 4 against the Pistons. Here are your nominees:
US pro-basketball player for the New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson, attends the 2026 ESPY Awards at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York on July 15, 2026. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Even if the Knicks didn’t play, the Knicks swept.
New York’s mob attended the ESPY Awards and racked up trophy after trophy, all of them starting with Best.
Here’s the latest from the protagonists and a couple more folks.
Knicks win every ESPY they're nominated for:
🧹 Best Male Athlete – Jalen Brunson 🧹 Best Championship Performance – Jalen Brunson 🧹 Best NBA Player – Jalen Brunson 🧹 Best Play – OG Anunoby 🧹 Best Team – New York Knicks pic.twitter.com/9oA3CzbUJq
On the condition of his surgically repaired left wrist, and when the injury happened:
“I’m good. Obviously, it’s going to take a little bit of time. There isn’t a play where I remember it happening; I just remember being at the free-throw line in the third or fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals and my wrist is starting to feel weak.
“From that point on, it was just trying to figure out what was going on and how to proceed because I wasn’t going to get anything done during that time.”
On the emotional swings after winning the championship and then undergoing wrist surgery:
“It’s been a rollercoaster, honestly. Once we won and everything, everything was up high…everything after we won was amazing. And then getting back to real life, it was probably best to get surgery done for my wrist. That brought me back down. But I would do it all again.”
On winning the championship in New York:
“Obviously, once we won and everything, everything was up and high and everything was amazing, the parade and all of that. Everything after we won was amazing. Then kind of getting back into real life and realizing it was probably best to get surgery done for my wrist. That kind of brought me back down. But I would do it all again.
“It’s an incredible feeling, and something that doing it here has made it 10 times better. The experience has been better, just being in the city. It’s been amazing, to say the least.”
On accepting the ESPY for Best Championship Performance:
“First and foremost, I want to thank my family for sacrificing everything day in and day out. Thank you to [owner] Jim Dolan and the Knicks organization, [president] Leon [Rose], the front office, Mike Brown, my teammates — without them, none of this would be possible. They allow me to be me. I’m forever indebted to them.”
“Uh, it’s truly such an honor to win an ESPY to cap off an amazing year and special moment for our team.
“To the best fans in the world, we thank you for all your love and support. Winning a championship for the city is truly so special, and I want to thank God, my teammates, the entire Knicks organization and all those who supported me along the way. Go Knicks!”
glad to see we got mitchell robinson ready for the joe mazulla offense shooting 3s pic.twitter.com/TqtF8oGgHF
“You know, I just love to play. I don’t have to play… [It’s] because I want to, and I love the game, and I truly love being a part of winning.
“And I’ve been on a bunch of winning organizations the past few stints I’ve been in, and it’s felt great. And now that I’m playing with the Knicks, obviously another team that just won. Just looking forward to continuing to build on that, and it kind of just helps me stay focused as well too.
Just having some sort of structure, so I’m still going with basketball and obviously being able to focus on the other things I want to do off the court.”
On his partnership with and creative director role at Stria Sport:
“Obviously, every athlete and every sports person has a dream that they own their own sneaker company or own their own signature shoe. So for me, this is a dream come true, but not really understanding what went into the business of how grueling and how long these hours can be.
“And it’s been so much fun, man. I can’t even explain to you how much fun I’ve had with this. This is like I feel like a kid in a candy store. Every day I have new ideas… So I’m thinking further along the line instead of what’s happening right now. So my investment and my dedication to this brand, it’s everything.”
On his career and life goals:
“I mean, I’ll definitely be on the golf course out there and get my swing thing. But I do like to feel what my future will look like because I don’t want to be a couch potato when I’m done playing. I still want to keep my mind and keep myself sharp and involve myself in things that I still do care about and want to progress in.”
— The Ryen Russillo Show (@TheRyenRussillo) July 15, 2026
Sean Sweeney (’26 Spurs Associate HC)
On why the Spurs lost the NBA Finals:
“I think a few things. One, I think there’s a little attrition having to go through the previous series. Two, bad luck. They told me if the games were like 46 minutes or whatever, we would’ve won 4-1.”
On Jalen Brunson’s Game 5 performance and San Antonio’s mistakes:
“Jalen [Brunson] obviously had a monster game in that last one. Coached him in Dallas. Happy for him — kind of. I think we just made more mistakes than we had made in the previous series. You can maybe say something to that, but you don’t do what you did, and then all of a sudden become young.”
On the additional media responsibilities players face during the NBA Finals impacting the young Spurs:
“The one thing I think that’s a little different in the finals than the other rounds is when you have to do media in the finals, you have to answer questions even when you’ve played poorly or struggled. And you don’t have to do that in previous rounds.”
Pulled up with the one and only @NickSwagyPYoung ! Caught up with former NBA standout and current Los Angeles Riot head coach Nick Young at the @thebig3 inside the Galen Center in Los Angeles. We talked hoops, his transition from NBA star to coach, the BIG3 atmosphere, and what’s… pic.twitter.com/uwtz1J99ju
“BIG3 is in the ninth season. Nobody expected us to be going this long. It’s good for the players like myself. I’ve been at home. I get a chance to be back on the road and get back in the league. It’s been very competitive. It’s fun.”
On how Gilbert Arenas brought him into the BIG3:
“Gil had played [Gilbert Arenas]. So he came and got me. Once he started doing the whole podcast stuff, he didn’t have time to be the coach. So I took over as the coach. We ended up winning the championship.”
On why the BIG3 has endured:
“The consistency. It’s good. The way social media is going. You got all the 1-on-1 tournaments going on with YouTube, I feel like this is right up that alley. I think it’s a cross between the NBA and YouTube. You get the best of both worlds.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 09: AJ Dybantsa #4 of the Washington Wizards gets ready to shoot a 3-pointer against the Utah Jazz in the second half of a 2026 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Summer League serves as a proving ground for young NBA prospects.
Some players, like Tre Johnson and Will Riley, quickly prove they’re too good for such competition. Others, like Johnny Davis — Washington’s No. 10 pick in 2022 — fold under the bright Las Vegas lights.
AJ Dybantsa proved worthy of the former, scoring impressively across his two performances. But that’s not to say his showing was without its imperfections.
Below is a breakdown of how the BYU product fared in his first action as a Wizard and what, if anything, it tells us about his potential.
Scoring prowess
Dybantsa scored 27 points in Washington’s Summer League opener against the Utah Jazz. He followed with 23 points against the Sacramento Kings.
Dybantsa’s scored from multiple levels, relentlessly attacked the rim and got to the free-throw line often. His 25.0 points per game marked the most by a No. 1 pick in Las Vegas Summer League history.
This mirrored his collegiate scoring production of 25.5 PPG, which mostly came from rim finishes, mid-range jumpers and free throws. The Wizards primarily played Dybantsa on-ball, which explains his 40% usage rate.
The 6-foot-9 wing’s best pre-draft attribute was his scoring ability. Specifically around the rim, where he shot 72.3% in a tough Big 12 conference.
Dybantsa topped that efficiency in Vegas. He shot 8-for-9 (89%) at the rim, his lone miss a blocked dunk while attempting to posterize Sacramento’s Dylan Cardwell.
He also excelled at drawing contact. Dybantsa’s seven free-throw attempts per game tied Darryn Peterson for the most in Las Vegas this year.
For a Wizards team that ranked 29th in adjusted offensive rating and 26th in free throws attempted per game last season, Dybantsa’s Summer League performance proved what everyone already knew: He’s a dangerous scoring weapon that will tremendously aid Washington’s offense.
Shooting struggles
One of the few blunders on Dybantsa’s otherwise pristine draft profile was his poor outside shooting. At BYU, he shot just 33.1% from 3-point range and sub-50% on mid-range jumpers.
Those struggles continued in Vegas.
At the rim: 8-9 (89%)
Mid-range: 4-13 (31%)
3-point range: 1-11 (9.1%)
Free throws: 12-14 (86%)
While Dybantsa shot well from 2-point range (12-for-22), eight of those makes came at the rim. He made just four of his 13 2-point attempts from outside the restricted area, which were comprised of mid-range jumpers and a few floaters.
A silver lining to Dybantsa’s mid-range struggles is that he generated open looks off the dribble with his quick first step and ensuing pivot into a turnaround jumper when defenders overcommitted to stopping his drive. He didn’t finish those plays with a bucket, but it showcased the space he’s able to create and counters he’s developed for when teams overload to stop his drive.
Dybantsa’s 3-pointer is a different story. He missed all five of his outside jumpers against Utah and made just one of his six attempts against Sacramento. His lone make was an open transition triple.
Dybantsa’s 3-ball remains his Achilles’ heal. And in a league reliant on spacing, adding a respectable outside jumper should top his summer workout plan.
That said, a few poor shooting performances at Summer League isn’t the greatest indicator of whether a prospects 3-point jumper will develop. Take Peterson for example.
Those who preferred Peterson in the pre-draft process will certainly criticize Dybantsa’s poor shooting splits in Las Vegas. But Peterson, who’s primary offensive weapon is his lethal jumper, shot just 30.8% from the field — nearly nine percentage points worse than Dybantsa’s 39.4% — and 23.1% from 3-point range.
Does that mean Peterson projects as an inefficient scorer and poor 3-point shooter at the NBA level? Absolutely not. Just like Dybantsa’s low shooting percentage doesn’t mean he can never improve as a jump shooter.
Overall, Dybantsa’s shot chart is somewhat unsurprising. He was nearly unstoppable when he got to the rim, and he often drew contact when he accelerated downhill. He made a few mid-range jumpers, probably fewer than he should’ve given how open some of those looks were. And he struggled to make 3-pointers.
All of this tracks with what his draft profile suggested he was: An NBA-ready slasher who possesses the shot creation tools to evolve into a scary three-level scorer if he ever adds a respectable jump shot.
A solid defensive effort
Many questioned Dybantsa’s defensive pedigree at BYU. It wasn’t as much a question of effort as it was of production, which trailed behind his fellow prospects.
Despite a 6-foot-9 frame, a 7-foot wingspan and a 42-inch maximum vertical, Dybantsa totaled just 23 combined steals and blocks in 38 collegiate games. He tallied over 33% of that figure — eight combined steals and blocks — in just two Summer League games.
“I was lazy in college, I can admit that,” Dybantsa said on the Prime Video broadcast on Tuesday. “I want to make an impact on the defensive end”
His defensive effort was noticeable. He pressured his assignment at halfcourt and used his length to deflect passes, disrupt drives and generate five steals.
He tracked back against the Jazz for a block in transition. And against Sacramento, he casually extended his arm to swat Darius Acuff’s 3-point attempt.
AJ switches onto Acuff and uses his length to block the 3-pointer and gets rewarded on the other end. pic.twitter.com/25fUEhVZhj
Dybantsa wandered when guarding off-ball and at times lost his assignment. But for a player scolded for his lackluster defensive numbers at BYU, averaging 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest is a great sign that his defense will, at worst, be respectable against NBA competition.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 14: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals and Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels before the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The trade deadline is coming up; Anne Rogers talks about how the Royals may get creative
For the Royals, the clearest point about this season is how much of a disappointment it’s been for a team that had high expectations after a 2024 playoff run, finishing over .500 again in ‘25 and returning that core group of players in ‘26. But nothing has gone right for Kansas City through its first 97 games of the season.
Kansas City would like to acquire talent that’s ready or near-ready for the Major Leagues, which will help begin to construct the roster for 2027 and beyond. The trickiness comes into play here, though, because that will likely mean trading controllable pieces the Royals also want and need to rely on next year and beyond.
For example, trading starter Michael Wacha could net young, controllable talent — although how much would vary based on how other teams view the 35-year-old right-hander. But his potential departure would also leave a gaping hole in an already thin rotation for the next two seasons (assuming the Royals pick up his ‘28 club option).
Here is every MLB team’s biggest need at the deadline.
Royals: Young, controllable talent The Royals need to address parts of their entire roster, but it doesn’t have to be a huge overhaul. They need to use the Deadline to begin acquiring young, controllable talent that could help them compete right away next season. This is no small task, as it will require giving up something important — perhaps a starting pitcher — but building next year’s roster should be on the forefront of their minds.
MLB’s pipeline chose Jack Slightom as their favorite Royals draft pick
After going the college route with its first two picks, Kansas City took a high-schooler at No. 56 overall and got some intriguing upside in the 6-foot-5 right-hander from Illinois. Slightom was already picking up velocity, touching 98 mph this spring, and it’s easy to project him adding more with a singular year-long focus on baseball. (He also played quarterback in the fall.) With that extra power could come an improved slider, while his changeup already flashes above-average.
