The Blues rose to the challenge of wrapping up the series in Maroons territory by dominating from start to finish at Suncorp Stadium
Continue reading...‘This might save his career': Charles Barkley says adding Jaylen Brown could re-define Embiid
‘This might save his career': Charles Barkley says adding Jaylen Brown could re-define Embiid originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Sixers needed a miracle to change the course of their franchise, one that hasn’t seen so much as a trip to the conference finals in a quarter-century. With two seemingly immovable contracts, there wasn’t much hope for an off-season that could turn things measurably for the better.
One such miracle came to pass last week, when new president of basketball operations Mike Gansey worked out a trade with the Celtics to acquire 5-time All-Star and Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, for Paul George and 4 draft picks.
You are excused if you thought this was a joke at first glance. You’re not the only one.
Sixers legend and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley was a guest on Unfiltered on 97.5 The Fanatic Tuesday, and he also didn’t believe the news at first.
“I was like, ‘This can’t be a true story,’” Barkley told host Bill Colarulo. “There’s so much fake stuff on the Internet, I’m like, ‘No, they didn’t just trade him to the Sixers.’”
“Man, the Sixers just got away with murder,” he added. “With Paul [George]’s contract and Joel [Embiid]’s inability to stay healthy, they were going to be out of the running for the next 4-5 years. Now they’re legitimate contenders.”
According to Barkley, the move shifted the balance of power in the East. Pairing Brown with lead guard Tyrese Maxey gives the Sixers a dynamic 1-2 offensive punch that can go toe-to-toe with any team in the Eastern Conference. Brown (28.7 ppg) and Maxey (28.3) finished fourth and fifth respectively in the NBA in scoring last season.
The addition of Brown will also ease Maxey’s burden when it comes to his workload. No NBA player logged more minutes per game than Maxey’s 38. With another star in the lineup with takeover capabilities, Maxey doesn’t have to shoulder as much of the scoring load.
Brown’s impact, however, will be most felt by the team’s central figure, Embiid. Barkley said that this trade could re-define things for the 2-time scoring champion.
“This might save his career,” Barkley said. “He ain’t got to be the best player, he’s just got to try to stay healthy. I think Joel and Tyrese have to be the happiest two dudes in the NBA right now. Because they were gonna be irrelevant.”
Bob Myers: Sixers would give LeBron James ‘best chance to win'
Bob Myers: Sixers would give LeBron James ‘best chance to win' originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
It’s certainly no secret now that the Sixers would be happy to land LeBron James as an enormous final piece of their offseason.
Bob Myers, the president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, openly discussed James’ free agency on the “Game Over” podcast with Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and Max Kellerman. Paul had named the Sixers as a potential destination for James on a previous podcast.
Myers led the front office search this summer that concluded with Mike Gansey becoming the Sixers’ new president of basketball operations. He touched on many topics in the podcast, including the intangibles of NBA team-building and the current state of the Eastern Conference. As far as James, he recognized that the 22-time All-Star has a deep understanding of the NBA and is unlikely to be dramatically swayed by any individual pitch.
“Let’s be honest: Whatever I say doesn’t really matter to what he’s going to do,” Myers said. “And I’m OK saying that.”
Still, Myers didn’t mind laying out a case for the Sixers, who feel they’ve seriously strengthened their team by trading for Jaylen Brown. They’ve also drafted Labaron Philon Jr. and signed Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons and Ariel Hukporti.
“When you’re talking about the Sixers, if he was here I’d say, ‘I honestly believe this is your best chance to win. You have to decide all the other things that are equally important.’ It’s his life, right? He has to play. He has to face the scrutiny of his decision,” Myers said. “Half the people will say, ‘You should’ve done this’ or ‘You should’ve done that’ and criticize him for whatever. It’s his life; he’s been through all that.
“What I would just say is, ‘If it’s about winning, let’s talk about this team, because you can win here in Philadelphia.’”
If James were to join the Sixers, Myers described the top players’ skill sets as “very complementary.” James would presumably slot into the starting lineup alongside Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Brown and Joel Embiid.
Along with his on-court tools and exceptional basketball intelligence, Myers praised the veteran wisdom James carries at 41 years old.
“I think a lot of players, when they make it to the (NBA) Finals or get deep, because they’re people, there’s an anxiety to that,” Myers said. “It’s like, ‘Oh my God, this is high level.’ … What a guy like LeBron does, if you’re on that team as a player, you’re going to look over at him and he’ll be like, ‘I’ve done this 10 times.’ You can walk over to him and go, ‘What did you do?’ … That’s also underrated.”
Myers declined to critique other organizations reportedly in the mix for James, though he noted no team is flawless.
For the Sixers, Myers believes it boils down to the basics.
“All I could talk about would be winning and organizational support,” he said. “But if there’s other reasons, it’s completely fine.”
Jets' Newcomers Choose Numbers for 2026-27 Season
The Winnipeg Jets' newest offseason additions officially have their numbers.
The club revealed the jersey numbers for five new players this week, giving fans another glimpse of what the roster will look like heading into training camp. While not every newcomer is guaranteed to crack Winnipeg's opening-night lineup, each now has an official sweater number for the 2026-27 season.
Here's how the numbers shake out:
- Stuart Skinner — No. 74
- Mario Ferraro — No. 38
- Henry Thrun — No. 8
- Noah Gregor — No. 73
- Jack St. Ivany — No. 6
Of the group, Skinner and Ferraro are expected to have the biggest impact after joining Winnipeg as unrestricted free agents.
Skinner signed a two-year contract with the Jets after splitting last season between the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins. The 27-year-old has appeared in more than 200 NHL games and helped Edmonton reach the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back seasons.
His jersey choice also makes a little bit of Jets history. Skinner becomes the first player ever to wear No. 74 since the franchise relocated to Winnipeg in 2011, giving the veteran goaltender a number all his own.
Ferraro, meanwhile, will wear No. 38 after signing a three-year contract with Winnipeg. The left-shot defenceman arrives after spending the first seven seasons of his NHL career with the San Jose Sharks, where he appeared in 490 games.
The number was most recently worn by Logan Shaw and Paul Postma, making Ferraro the latest player to don No. 38 for the Jets.
The remaining newcomers each inherit numbers with their own Jets history attached.
Thrun selected No. 8, a sweater most recently worn by Saku Mäenalanen and Sami Niku. The number is perhaps best remembered from Jacob Trouba's seven seasons with the organization before his 2019 trade to the New York Rangers.
Gregor will wear No. 73, following Brandon Tanev, Parker Ford and Tyler Toffoli as recent Jets to sport the number, while St. Ivany takes over No. 6, most recently worn by Colin Miller after also being worn by Cameron Schilling and Alexander Burmistrov during the Jets 2.0 era.
Whether all five players suit up for Winnipeg this season remains to be seen. Skinner and Ferraro are expected to fill regular NHL roles, while Thrun, Gregor and St. Ivany will look to earn opportunities during training camp.
For now, though, Winnipeg's newest additions officially have names, numbers and a little piece of franchise history attached to each sweater.
Jake Cronenworth powers Padres to win over Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres fans would be forgiven if they saw the top of the first inning between the Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night and thought, “Here we go again.” Starter German Marquez was in a bases loaded jam after a leadoff double, a fielding error and a walk allowed the first three batters to reach safely. Marquez induced a ground ball to third baseman Manny Machado who threw to Luis Campusano at home plate to get the force out and keep the Diamondbacks off the scoreboard. That success was followed by a one-out walk to Max Kepler which gave Arizona a 1-0 lead over San Diego. Marquez escaped the jam without any additional damage when he got Nolan Arenado to lineout to Sung-Mun Song at second base who raced to the bag to double off the runner for the unassisted double play to end the inning.
Once again, the Padres found themselves trailing before they even sent their first batter to the plate, but unlike the series opener on Monday, the San Diego offense jumped all over Arizona starter Zac Gallen. Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a leadoff double and scored one batter later when Jackson Merrill hit a liner into right field for an RBI-single to tie the game, 1-1. The Padres weren’t done there. Gavin Sheets drew a two-out walk after Merrill stole second base, to put runners at first and second. Jake Cronenworth then hit a 1-2 fastball into the right field bleachers to put San Diego ahead 4-1. If you missed that inning, you basically missed the game because Mason Miller came in for the top of the ninth and locked down the 4-1 win and earned his 23rd save of the season.
Marquez was the story of the night for the Padres outside of the Cronenworth home run. The right-hander, who recently returned from the injured list, completed five innings after a shaky start and allowed one run on three hits with three walks and four strikeouts. The bullpen took down the remaining four innings with Yuki Matsui pitching 0.1 of an inning. Jhony Brito completed 1.2 innings and Bradgley Rodriguez pitched a scoreless eighth before Miller came on for the ninth.
San Diego will try to win their second consecutive game today at 7:10 p.m.
Padres News:
- It been a rough week for the Padres and from ugly losses to injuries, Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball tells you all about it.
- Alek Jacob pitched multiple relief innings on Monday and was sent back down to Triple-A on Tuesday to make room for Jhony Brito on the roster.
Baseball News:
- Shohei Ohtani hit a leadoff home run, but the Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the Colorado Rockies.
- Ryan O’Hearn hit three home runs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a dominant win over the Atlanta Braves.
- Tarik Skubal delivered another solid start to lead the Detroit Tigers to a 6-2 win.
- Zack Wheeler struck out 14 Cincinnati Reds hitters to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a win.
- The Toronto Blue Jays beat the San Francisco Giants, 9-3.
Minor league update for 7/7/26
Aneudis Mejia started for Hickory, allowing two runs in two innings, walking one and striking out two. Geury Rodriguez allowed two runs in 2.1 IP, striking out one and walking one.
Marco Argudin was 3 for 3 with two walks. Yolfran Castillo was 1 for 4 with a double, a walk and a stolen base. Marcos Torres had a had a hit, two walks and a stolen base. Daniel Flames had a pair of hits. Dewar Tovar doubled. Angel Arredondo had a hit.
Hub City starter Enrique Segura allowed one run in five innings, walking one and striking out seven. J’Briell Easley struck out two and walked one in a scoreless inning. Case Matter struck out four in two shutout innings.
Yeison Morrobel homered. Maxton Martin was 2 for 4 with a double. Hector Osorio had a hit.
Frisco starter Aidan Curry struck out 12 in six innings, walking two and allowing a two run homer. Josh Trentadue struck out six in three scoreless innings.
Rafe Perich’s terrorizing of Texas League pitchers continued, as he went 3 for 4 with a double and a homer. In 31 games since being promoted to Frisco, he’s slashing .316/.420/.624.
Jordan Montgomery made another rehab start for Round Rock, needing just 40 pitches to throw three shutout innings, allowing five hits and striking out three. Winston Santos made his AAA debut and got hit hard, allowing six runs in three innings, including a pair of homers, while striking out four and walking three. Luis Curvelo allowed three runs in 0.1 IP, walking one. Wilian Bormie struck out one in 1.2 scoreless innings. Emiliano Teodo walked one in a shutout inning, throwing 11 of his 20 pitches for strikes.
Jarred Kelenic was 3 for 4. Aaron Zavala had a hit.
Should the Red Sox trade for Francisco Lindor?
For as frustrating as the Sox’s season has been, the Mets have been worse. While it’s not exactly stealing our thunder, it’s arguably more impressive (absolute value), given that they have active legitimate superstars, one of whom, Francisco Lindor, is allegedly on the block. And if Sports Illustrated is going to suggest Boston as a destination, who am I to argue? Not that I’m saying it’s a good fit, but with that sweet, sweet SEO already in the ether, it’s time for us to pick up a slipstream.
On the one hand, Lindor’s a 32-year-old shortstop under contract until 2032 at $32 million each year and having the worst season of his professional career by far, batting .210/.297/.355. On that same hand, the Red Sox are cheap and reticent to reach for older players and don’t seem to be in a position to win now or in the short-term future during which Lindor could theoretically turn it around.
On the other hand, Lindor has been good-t0-great every other year of his career and the Sox cannot find a shortstop to save their lives. Franky led MLB with 732 PA’s last year, which is the stability the team has been sorely lacking at the position since… Nomar, maybe? And maybe he’d be relatively cheap, which would invert the Sox’s way of doing things. He also is cool as hell, which is nice.
I don’t think it makes sense for the Sox because of how they operate, but I don’t care about the money, either. I’m team “add good players.” Though if the money issue wipes out next year, that’s one less sub-35-yr-old year you’re getting from him anyway. But enough blabber: What say you?
Blue Jays vs Giants Prediction, Odds & Home Run Pick for Today's MLB Game
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The Toronto Blue Jays go for the rubber match on getaway day with their best arm on the mound, as Dylan Cease faces the San Francisco Giants and their ace, Logan Webb.
Cease has been a must-watch for strikeout bettors, and a soft number this afternoon makes him the headliner of my card.
Read on for my Blue Jays vs. Giants predictions and MLB picks for this Wednesday, July 8, matchup.
Blue Jays vs Giants predictions
Blue Jays vs Giants best bet: Dylan Cease Over 6.5 strikeouts (-160)
Talk about easy money. No bet is a true lock, but Wednesday’s line on Dylan Cease’s strikeouts is lower than usual. The Over 6.5 Ks comes with a shorter -160 price, and I still see it as a very solid play.
Cease has been automatic for strikeout Overs, averaging 8.6 strikeouts per game, andthe last time he finished Under 6.5 was all the way back on April 27.
Toronto fans saw the best version of Cease last time out against the Mariners, when he tossed seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts and just one walk. He’s red-hot right now, and I’d play this bet until -170.
COVERS INTEL: Dylan Cease leads the AL with 137 strikeouts, and he’s cashed the Over on 6.5 strikeouts in 11 straight games.Blue Jays vs Giants same-game parlay (SGP)
I’m building a +300 ticket around Cease and Toronto’s steadiest bats. I’ll start with the Toronto Blue Jays moneyline, trusting Dylan Cease to out-pitch Logan Webb in the rubber match.
Ernie Clement Over 0.5 hits rides his hot streak after a three-hit night, and stacking Cease Over 6.5 strikeouts doubles down on my best bet.
I’ll finish with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. over 0.5 hits. Vladdy picked up a hit last night and is 2-for-9 lifetime off Webb with a double.
Blue Jays vs Giants SGP
- Blue Jays moneyline
- Ernie Clement Over 0.5 hits
- Dylan Cease Over 6.5 strikeouts
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 0.5 hits
Blue Jays vs Giants home run pick: Ernie Clement (+1350)
This bet is part playing the hot hand, part capitalizing on some misplaced odds. Sure, the San Francisco Giants have ace Logan Webb on the mound, but he isn’t untouchable, especially against Ernie Clement. The Blue Jays infielder is 2-for-4 lifetime off Webb with a three-run homer and four RBI in that tiny sample.
On Tuesday night, Clement racked up three hits, including a double, so he’s swinging it well. The books clearly see him as a long shot to go deep at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park, but I think there’s value. I’d play this at +1000 or longer and keep it to a quarter unit.
2026 Transparency Record
- Best bets: 5-1, +3.86 units
- SGPs: 1-6, -0.56 units
- HR picks: 1-6, -0.38 units
Blue Jays vs Giants odds
- Moneyline: Toronto -120 | San Francisco +100
- Run line: Toronto -1.5 (+155) | San Francisco +1.5 (-180)
- Over/Under: Over 7 (+100) | Under 7 (-120)
Blue Jays vs Giants trend
The Blue Jays are 9-5 this season in games Dylan Cease starts as the moneyline favorite, which boosts their chances for the rubber match. Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Giants.
How to watch Blue Jays vs Giants and game info
| Location | Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA |
| Date | Wednesday, 7-8-2026 |
| First pitch | 3:45 p.m. ET |
| TV | Sportsnet |
| Blue Jays starting pitcher | Dylan Cease (5-4, 2.79 ERA) |
| Giants starting pitcher | Logan Webb (5-6, 3.66 ERA) |
Blue Jays vs Giants latest injuries
Blue Jays vs Giants weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
Do you think MLB can effectively tamper with the ball?
The Braves are not having a good time, so let’s do a question that’s essentially a link dump. Or, well, a dump of one very specific link. The emphasis is on the word “effectively,” as we know MLB can and has attempted to tamper with the baseball based on its own information.
A couple of days ago, Bradford William Davis over at Eyeblack pulled together some information he was able to collect from league honcho Morgan Sword (great name, maybe not great… actions).
(The article linked above is free and not gated, you just have to enter an email, and there’s no email confirmation to click to gain access.)
Basically, though, the gist of the entirety of the article can be summarized in one partial sentence from Davis:
On October 17, 2019, current executive vice president Morgan Sword, instructed Rawlings executives to build and maintain a baseball capable of supporting what he called a “target leaguewide home run rate” …
There, that’s it. If you remember, 2019 was the year where ball go very far and there were lots of homers, and after that… less so. The ball has also entered kind of a weird pattern — 2022 was higher-drag, 2023 lower-drag, 2024-higher drag, 2025 had higher drag but the ball was bouncier, and 2026 is its own issue where first it looked more like 2024, then more like 2025, and the summer has seen a bunch of reporting about production issues and discolored baseballs that are being removed from consideration before they roll into play, all while drag readings have plummeted.
(There’s a dark story here. It’s really depressing. The Braves arguably changed their offensive approach in 2025 due to higher drag in 2024. This didn’t work, in part because of the increased bounciness of the 2025 ball(s). Then, in 2026, the Braves went back to pre-2025 stuff, until June, which is right when the returns to hitting a vaguely deep fly ball took off again.)
So, anyway, go read the article and opine about MLB’s effectiveness in attempting to shape the game towards some sort of aesthetic end here.
MLB Home Run Predictions Today: Best HR Prop Bets, Picks, Parlay & Odds for Wednesday, July 8
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It was donuts yesterday for the first time in nine articles, but with a handful of fade-able pitchers on the mound, Wednesday's slate is ripe for dingers and MLB player props.
Dansby Swanson has launched seven homers over the last two weeks, and I'm betting on No. 8 today against Dean Kremer. Juan Soto's home run price has also drifted nearly 100 points from yesterday despite drawing an even better matchup against a parade of right-handed pitching.
To round out the card, I'm going with a big price on an under-the-radar clean-up hitter who is a Top-5 bat over the last two weeks.
These are my favorite home run props for July 8.
- UPDATE: Added another HR pick + parlay.
Best MLB home run props today
| Player to hit a HR | Odds |
|---|---|
 Dansby Swanson | +493 |
 Juan Soto | +350 |
 Esmerlyn Valdez | +592 |
| 💲Today's HR parlay | +9524 |
Home run pick: Dansby Swanson (+493)
I'm a little late to the Dansby Swanson power surge, but for a guy with seven home runs over the last two weeks and the fifth-best SLG in baseball during that stretch, today might be the best spot yet to ride the hot bat.
Dean Kremer gets the ball for the Orioles, and that pushes a lot of the Cubs' home run props into +EV territory.
Kremer is making just his second start after a lengthy IL stint and is one of the best home run targets on the board. He has allowed a homer in each of his four starts this season, ranks among the Bottom 30 starters in HR/9 over the last three seasons, and gives up plenty of fly balls.
There is also some dugout history, as three Cubs hitters have already taken him deep, albeit in small samples.
I've been hesitant to play Swanson's home run prop because he still hits in the lower third of the order, but he's getting his four plate appearances and has been hitting the ball harder than 99% of the league of late.
The fair price is closer to +400.
- Time: 6:35 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: MASN, Marquee Sports Network
Home run pick: Juan Soto (+350)
How about a square pick at a good price with an elite matchup?
The Royals are using an opener today before turning things over to Triple-A call-up Mitch Spence for the bulk innings. It's already a bullpen missing three arms after yesterday's "baseball game" that produced 28 runs, 32 hits, and three errors.
Juan Soto went deep against right-hander Seth Lugo last night in the fourth inning, yet his home-run price is nearly 100 points longer today in an even better matchup.
Spence has allowed 11 home runs in 59+ innings this season at Triple-A and has struggled to keep the ball in the park. This has the makings of another loose baseball game with plenty of home run upside for the Mets.
Soto ranks among the Top 25 hitters in both slugging and ISO over the last two weeks, and I make this home run prop closer to +270.
- Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: SNY, Royals.TV
Home run pick: Esmerlyn Valdez (+592)
If you sort the best hitters in baseball by slugging percentage over the last two weeks, Pittsburgh's Esmerlyn Valdez sits third and is one of just three hitters with a SLG of .800 or higher. He has been one of the hottest bats in baseball, ranking near the top in offensive production during this stretch.
The Pirates' cleanup hitter has only launched four homers over those two weeks, but the underlying power numbers suggest more could be on the way. That starts tonight against Grant Holmes, who has shown an increase in home run risk compared to last season.
Valdez has been one of the most dangerous young power bats in baseball of late. Everything from his swing speed to his IdealAtkAng% and BlastContact% shows there is more power coming.
At +592, this is the type of price I'm willing to take a shot on.
- Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: BravesVision, SNP
Josh Inglis' 2026 Transparency Record
- HR picks: 21-126, -16.63 units
Today’s HR parlay
| Dansby Swanson | Bet Now +9524 |
| Juan Soto | |
| Esmerlyn Valdez |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
Dodgers' collab with KAWS will put acclaimed artist's unique 'XX' spin on jerseys, trading cards, more
Buoyed by the success of last year’s MLB Tokyo Series merch collaboration with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, the Dodgers are venturing further into partnerships with cutting-edge artists.
Fans whose eyes are solely focused on the diamond might be unfamiliar with KAWS, aka Brian Donnelly, a Brooklyn-based artist and designer whose signature creation is Companion, an art toy and sculpture that resembles an eerie Mickey Mouse with a skull head and “X” marks for eyes.
How that sensibility meshes with Major League Baseball will be evident when the KAWS x MLB collection is released ahead of the Dodgers visiting the New York Yankees for a three-game series July 17-19. The release was announced by Fanatics and Complex, which will market and distribute the collection.
KAWS’ interpretation of official team gear will reside on Nike-produced jerseys, T-shirts, hoodies and caps. Count on the ubiquitous “XX” that typically stand in for eyeballs on the Companion character and the artist’s other dark cartoonish creations.
The collection also will include baseballs, bats and a limited run of Topps trading cards that promise to feature KAWS’ interpretation of Dodgers and Yankees iconography.
“Timed to one of baseball’s most storied rivalries, the collection brings KAWS’ distinctive visual language to the diamond,” said Aaron Levant, chief executive of Complex. “The result is a crossover moment at the intersection of sport, art, and pop culture, where legacy franchises are reframed through one of the most influential artists of this generation.”
Read more:Dodgers collaborate with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami on merchandise again. Here’s how to get it
KAWS’ body of work spans more than 25 years and includes painting, sculpture and design that straddle fine art and global culture. He is known for larger-than-life sculptures and hard-edge paintings that feature his hybrid cartoon characters.
While studying at New York’s School of Visual Arts, he moonlighted as a graffiti artist, defacing billboards, freight trains and water towers. That changed in 1996 when he was given a skeleton key that opened glass advertising boxes on the sides of phone booths and bus kiosks.
KAWS stopped writing his name on walls and began altering ads. He would steal ad posters, paint over them with rudimentary cartoon skulls with X’ed-out eyes in pastel colors, then carefully replace them.
Now his creations range in value from under $20 to millions. His 2005 remake of the the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album cover using characters from “The Simpsons” sold for $14.8 million at Sotheby’s in 2019. His 9-foot-tall painting of Simpsons characters on a couch sold for $7.4 million. His piece showing a screaming “Kawsbob” (SpongeBob) fetched $6 million.
The MLB collection will debut at Fanatics Fest in New York from July 16 to 19 and in the Yankees team store July 16. The full collection — including the Topps trading cards — will launch globally July 20 on Complex.com, Fanatics.com, MLBShop.com and Nike.com.
Items will be available at select Dodgers team stores July 20 and in the Dodger Stadium team store July 31.
“KAWS is one of the defining artists of our generation, and bringing his artwork together with Major League Baseball and two of the most iconic franchises in sports creates something that speaks to fans far beyond baseball,” Levant said. “This collection is designed to live at the intersection of sport, art, fashion and collecting in a way that only this group of partners could bring together.”
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Cubs 5, Orioles 2: Matthew Boyd flashes his 2025 form
The Cubs have been desperately seeking solid starting pitching and Tuesday night in Baltimore, they got it from Matthew Boyd.
Boyd threw six shutout innings against the Orioles, allowing just three hits and striking out seven, as the Cubs defeated the Orioles 5-2 in the first game of a six-game road trip.
The game went scoreless into the top of the third. With two out in that inning, Miguel Amaya drew a walk and went to second on a single by Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Alex Bregman’s single scored Amaya to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead [VIDEO].
The game remained 1-0 Cubs until the top of the fifth. Dansby Swanson led off with a single. Amaya, having himself a nice game, doubled to center. PCA then singled, scoring Swanson [VIDEO].
Amaya took third on the play, and then scored on this fielder’s choice by Bregman[VIDEO].
As you can see, Bregman was called out at first on the field, but it was quiekly overturned by the replay review crew. The Cubs had a chance for more in the inning when Michael Busch walked, but Seiya Suzuki then hit into an inning-ending double play.
Boyd was outstanding in his six innings of work. He threw 93 pitches (64 strikes). Here are his seven K’s [VIDEO].
Here’s more on Boyd’s outing [VIDEO].
That’s definitely Boyd’s best outing of the year, and now he’s thrown 15.2 innings since his return from the weird knee injury, allowed three runs in that span (1.72 ERA) and struck out 13. If he can keep this up, that is a huge boost to the rotation. More on Boyd from BCB’s JohnW53:
Matthew Boyd is the fourth different Cub this season to pitch at least six shutout innings.
Shota Imanaga had starts of 7.0 and 6.0; Javier Asasad, of 6.1 and 6.0; and Edward Cabrerea, 6.0. Cabrera’s and both of Imanaga’s came in the Cubs’ first 33 games, through May 2.
The next, Assad’s first, came in their 66th game, on June 7. His second came five days later, in their 70th, so this was the Cubs’ first in 21 games.
The Cubs extended the lead to 4-0 in the top of the seventh. Amaya led off with a single and one out later, advanced to third on a double by Bregman, who had himself a nice game.
Michael Busch’s sacrifice fly scored Amaya [VIDEO].
Ryan Rolison relieved Boyd and got himself in trouble with a pair of singles, followed by two strikeouts and a walk, loading the bases. It might have been worse if Amaya hadn’t correctly challenged a possible ball four call [VIDEO].
Rolison, who threw 27 pitches, was relieved by Jacob Webb. Webb got Adley Rutschman to hit a ground ball, but it went just out of Nico Hoerner’s reach into right field for a two-run single to cut the lead in half. Webb then struck out Gunnar Henderson to end the inning.
The Cubs got one of those runs back in the eighth. With one out, Nico singled and stole second. A ground out advanced Nico to third, where he scored on this single by Swanson [VIDEO].
Tyler Ferguson, who’s rapidly getting into Craig Counsell’s Circle of Trust, threw a 1-2-3 eighth on only eight pitches.
Trent Thornton was given the save opportunity. He retired the Orioles 1-2-3 on two ground outs and a strikeout to post his second save. Here’s the final out [VIDEO].
Here are Craig Counsell’s postgame comments [VIDEO].
Overall the Cubs went 3-for-8 with RISP, cashed in on several situations and in general, got good relief pitching (save the two-run single given up by Webb), a really nice way to start the road trip.
The Cubs will go for two in a row over the Orioles Wednesday evening in Baltimore. Colin Rea will start for the Cubs and Dean Kremer goes for the O’s. Game time is 5:35 p.m. CT (that is, if they don’t have another “rain delay” without rain) and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.
The Orioles need Colton Cowser and Dylan Beavers to take another step forward
One way or another, the Orioles are going to decide whether they are buyers or sellers by the end of this month. Perhaps they will come to the conclusion that many of you have already reached, or maybe Mike Elias will double down on this team’s diminishing playoff odds. Either way, the decision will not happen overnight.
The organization should be constantly taking stock of the team and each position group. The front office knows that the bullpen needs help. It’s aware that the rotation is trending upward and that the infield misses Jordan Westburg. But what about the outfield? I’d love to ask Mike Elias to evaluate the group’s performance this season and his expectations moving forward.
The unit can be broken up into players born in the 20th and 21st century. Taylor Ward has been an everyday player this year after coming over from the Angels. The 32-year-old has experienced a power outage but is less than 10 walks away from his career high. Ward has emerged as a decent table setter, and the free-agent-to-be has contributed more in Baltimore than Grayson Rodriguez has provided in LA.
The Orioles signed Leody Taveras to a one-year, $2-million deal early in the offseason. Despite his major league deal, it was never a guarantee that Taveras would break camp with the team. The 27-year-old made the team as a backup outfielder but proceeded to slash .288/.397/.455 over the first month of the season. Taveras temporarily became an everyday player when Colton Cowser got off to a hot start, and he remains a serviceable fourth or fifth outfielder.
The same cannot be said for Tyler O’Neill. O’Neill has managed to stay relatively healthy this season while reaching a new level of disappointment. The man signed to hit lefties holds a .184 batting average and a .141 average against southpaws.
O’Neill has become a symbol of Elias’s recent failures. The Orioles waited and waited to sign a player to a multi-year deal before settling on this guy. At the end of the day, O’Neill only has his contract and some general stubbornness from the general manager to thank for his spot on this team.
Cowser slashed .186/.269/.220 over his first 26 games while struggling to make contact with offspeed pitches. The Milk Man eventually snapped out of his funk with four homers in May and four more in June. The former first round pick has yet to reach the offensive potential that he displayed during his rookie season, but his quality outfield defense has marked one of the only bright spots on that side of the ball.
Cowser clearly has the chops to play center field. He may never hit for a high average, but his .317 on-base percentage is only four points below the number he posted in 2024. The former Player’s Choice for the AL’s Most Outstanding Rookie has played his way back into an everyday role and could be poised for a strong second half.
The Orioles waited to promote Dylan Beavers last season because they believed he had at least a slim chance to compete for a rookie award this season. Beavers fell out of the running early when he suffered a strained oblique back in mid May. Now healthy, Beavers is looking to build on his reputation of getting on base.
Beavers, the 33rd-overall pick in the 2022 draft, entered last night’s game slashing .222/.313/.342. He posted a 119 OPS+ over 35 games last fall, but his numbers are only good for an 86 OPS+ so far this year. Baseball development is non-linear, and Beavers is still settling back in after rejoining the Orioles at the end of June.
The Orioles could deal Ward if they decide to sell. There’s a chance the team holds on to the future free agent and extends him a qualifying offer at the end of the year, but his Baltimore tenure could end early if a team is willing to part with some value.
The same cannot be said for O’Neill. The former Cardinal still has a year remaining on his albatros of a contract, and it’s unlikely that any team would be willing to take on that deal. Even if Baltimore expressed a willingness to eat the money, O’Neill’s presence would represent a regression for almost every roster in the league.
The Orioles will have a hole to address in the outfield this offseason, but how they feel about the position group could hinge on Cowser and Beavers taking a step in the right direction.
Beavers can play center field in a pinch, but he’s a far cry from Cowser in the outfield. His value will likely depend on his ability to get on base while continuing to add some power.
The Orioles could eventually make room for a pair of outfielders currently at Triple-A. The hype has simmered for Heston Kjerstad and Enrique Bradfield Jr., but both players are healthy and suiting up for the Tides. Kjerstad entered last night’s game slashing .288/.316/.442 over 41 games at Norfolk, and Bradfield Jr. is slashing .258/.323/.342 with 15 stolen bases in 34 appearances.
Either player developing into a quality major leaguer would represent a massive win at this stage. Both players are flawed but possess valuable skills that can translate at the next level.
Ward—and even Taveras under the right circumstance—could call another city home by the end of the month. Even if the team refuses to sell, the Orioles will still look to Cowser and Beavers for production in the second half. A few young outfielders taking another step in the right direction could represent a high point of an otherwise disappointing season.
NBA Summer League: Ultimate Timberwolves Guide
Minnesota Timberwolves basketball is back!
Sure, you won’t be seeing LaMelo (or LeBron) in action. It’s going to be a handful of games from last year and this year’s rookies, but let’s not kid yourself. You’ve been starved for our Wolves basketball. If you’re reading this or are a regular at Canis Hoopus, then you’re surely the demographic for Summer League action.
As a prize for clicking here, I pronounce to you:
The Ultimate 2026 Wolves Summer League Companion!
We’re here to get you up to date on all things Las Vegas Summer League so you can keep this virtual program handy when tuning in. When and how do I watch the next game? Who’s that tall guy starting next to Rocco Zikarsky? Who’s number 15 and why isn’t he on an NBA roster right now? Ever heard of Al Ahly Ly?
You will have all the fun facts that you can casually drop to impress your friends, family, and significant others.
Table of Contents
- Summer League Schedule
- Full Roster Breakdown
- Tier 1 – Roster Relevant Guys
- Joan Beringer (F/C) | Rocco Zikarsky (C) | Isaiah Evans (G)
- Tier 2 – Potential Two-Way Prospects
- Zyon Pullin (G) | Enrique Freeman (F) | Trey Kaufman-Renn (F)
- Tier 3 – G-League Journeymen
- Nate Santos (W) | Dajuan Harris (G)
- Damion Baugh (G) | Donovan Williams (W) | Jaylin Williams (F) | Chris Mantis (F)
- Tier 4 – Undrafted Dreamers
- Trey Campbell (G) | Aidan Mahaney (G) | Toby Harris (F) | Devin McGlockton (F)
- Tier 1 – Roster Relevant Guys
- Storylines to Watch
Summer League Schedule
If this is your first rodeo, then let me explain the format of Las Vegas Summer League to you.
Every team plays four pre-determined games to determine who the top four teams are. The top four are generally determined by win-loss record and point differentials (tiebreakers may come into play). These teams then move on to a single-elimination tournament to crown a champion. The teams that miss out on the bracket will get a fifth and final exhibition game.
For your information, it’s not uncommon for high lottery picks or important rotation players to play just a few of the games early in the schedule before being shut down to avoid potential injury.
The Wolves opening schedule is as follows:
- Game 1: Thursday, July 9 @ 2:30pm CT vs New Orleans Pelicans (Prime)
- Game 2: Saturday, July 11 @ 6:30pm CT vs Denver Nuggets (Prime)
- Game 3: Tuesday, July 13 @ 10:00pm CT vs Portland Trail Blazers (ESPN2)
- Game 4: Wednesday, July 15 @ 2:30pm CT vs Indiana Pacers (Prime)
- Game 5: TBD
- Game 6: TBD
You might be asking yourselves: Has Minnesota ever “won it all” before? The answers is no. They went 4-0 last year, but just barely missed out on the “championship bracket” due to point differential. However, I detailed just how close they’ve gotten in last year’s summer league preview:
The Timberwolves have made it to the finals twice, but fallen just short. In 2016, Tyus Jones lost to the Chicago Bulls thanks to a Denzel Valentine buzzer beater in overtime. Then in 2019, Naz Reid and Jordan McLaughlin nearly overcame a 10-point deficit with less than two minutes left, but fell to the Memphis Grizzlies by just three points.
As usual, the Canis Hoopus team will have previews, game threads, and recaps for all you sickos.
Wolves Roster Breakdown
The initial Wolves Summer League roster rollout is incomplete due to the pending Julius Randle, Naz Reid, LaMelo Ball traffic jam of a trade. Currently omitted on this roster is the 33rd pick of the 2026 NBA draft, Isaiah Evans. By all accounts, Evans will be present and active as Vegas.
Last year, two-thirds of Minnesota’s roster consisted of former Iowa Wolves players. This time, less than half of team are former Iowa players. There’ll be a good mix of fresh faces which is always fun to see. Who’s going to be the next Coty Clarke or Deonte Burton (Real ones know)?
The Wolves Summer League Head Coach will be Nathan Bubes, a current Wolves assistant coach. He’ll be flanked by a team of assistant coaches such as James “Flight” White, Iowa Wolves head coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah, and others.
Interestingly enough, the Wolves listed Đorđe Adžić as a “guest coach.” Adžić was an assistant coach for KK Cedevita Olimpija during Joan Beringer time overseas.
Tier 1: Roster Relevant Guys
Joan Beringer (F/C)
Glass ceiling comp: Ultimate Giannis Antetokounmpo
Boring mezzanine comp: Fast Jarrett Allen
Dark basement comp: Tall Bismack Biyombo
The Big Question: Can he stay on the floor by staying out of foul trouble?
| ‘25-’26 G League | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FG% | 3P% | FT% | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beringer | 11 | 29.5 | 14.6 | 10.7 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 0.627 | – | 0.667 | 19.6 |
Your eyes do not deceive you. That “F” next to Beringer’s name stands for “forward.”
Coach Bubes made some waves when he declared that Joan Beringer would “play some at the four” next to fellow seven-footer, Rocco Zikarsky. Given Minnesota’s the King-sized hole at that position, there were plenty of eyebrows that were raised here. However, Zikarsky has quite a bit more floor spacing capabilities than someone like Rudy Gobert so is this just a fun summer experiment?
The other note that drew attention was the 19-year-old’s listed weight. A year ago, he was listed at 230 pounds. This year, that has increased by 15. It’s only natural to expect a teenager, who’s hardly played professional sports, to bulk up in due time. It was obvious in his sparing rookie opportunities that he lacked the girth to battle with bigger bodies in the paint. Will his new found strength be on display in his second summer league campaign?
There’s also been murmurs of the Frenchman working on his perimeter touch and off-the-dribble skills. It will be very intriguing to see how much truth there is to that, but regardless, he will be the primary player Wolves fans will be watching. You can already tell that year two Joan seems far more comfortable than he was in year one.
Rocco Zikarsky (C)
Glass ceiling comp: Healthy Kristaps Porziņģis
Boring mezzanine comp: Less athletic Jay Huff
Dark basement comp: Shorter Tacko Fall
The Big Question: Can physically keep up with the speed of the game?
| ‘25-’26 G League | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FG% | 3P% | FT% | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zikarsky | 42 | 25.1 | 14.8 | 8.9 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 0.533 | 0.308 | 0.756 | 20.0 |
Our favorite giant Australian joins the Wolves for his second summer league experience after spending most of last season with the Iowa Wolves. In his 42 games in the G League, he averaged 14.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in just 25.1 minutes per game. The per 36 numbers go crazy.
One of the most interesting aspects about Rocco, other than the fact that he was the tallest player (7’4”) of his draft class despite being just 19 years old, was his potential to spread the floor. The Aussie shot 45.5% from perimeter on nearly two attempts per game in his first 18 games with Iowa. That tailed off significantly as his season progressed, including a ghastly 0 for 15 mark in February. There’s still something there to find out, though.
Zikarsky’s rim protection is obvious. He has tantalizing passing potential, despite some accuracy issues. He’s going to have to prove he can play at an acceptable speed due to his lumbering gait. He turns just 20 on the Wolves second summer league game this season, so hopefully Rocco will ball out on his birthday.
Isaiah Evans (G)
Glass ceiling comp: Young Trey Murphy III
Boring mezzanine comp: Lankier Tim Hardaway Jr.
Dark basement comp: Cool Matt Ryan
The Big Question: Can he be passable on the defensive end of the floor?
| ‘25-’26 NCAA | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FG% | 3P% | FT% | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evans | 38 | 28.3 | 15.0 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.433 | 0.361 | 0.860 | 20.6 |
Though Isaiah Evans isn’t currently listed on the summer league roster, he is expected to be present once the trade is processed. That said, it’s not often you would give a rookie who was the 33rd pick a chance to crack the rotation of a playoff team. It’s even less likely when you consider how deep that team already is at their position. But Isaiah Evans finds himself in this tier because of an elite skill that he is.
“Showtime Slim” can shoot the leather off the ball.
By many advanced metrics, Evans measured in as one of the best movement shooters of his draft class. He’s built like Corey Brewer which teases at his potential on both ends of the court, but as of now, he seems to mostly be a specialist.
Evans was a five-star recruit out of high school from North Carolina, then had to play behind Kon Knueppel during his first year at Duke. He grinded at getting better on the defensive end of the court, helping him secure a larger role in his second and final year of college, averaging 15 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 three-pointers made for an Elite Eight team.
Isaiah will need to demonstrate he can be more than just a one-dimensional offensive player, but more importantly, prove that he can hang on the defensive side of the floor this summer. If he wants to earn scrap minutes for the Timberwolves, he’ll need to understand the assignment.
Tier 2: Potential Two-Way Prospects
Zyon Pullin (G)
Glass ceiling comp: Explosive Ajay Mitchell
Boring mezzanine comp: Offensively skewed Tre Jones
Dark basement comp: Devin Carter
The Big Question: Can he prove himself to be a primary point guard and organize the team?
| ‘25-’26 G League | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FG% | 3P% | FT% | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pullin | 22 | 34.9 | 25.3 | 4.2 | 6.2 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 2.2 | 0.584 | 0.534 | 0.824 | 25.3 |
Let’s not pull any punches about this. Zyon Pullin was one of the most dominant players in the G League last season. Had he not suffered a wrist injury that forced him out of action for a couple of months, he surely would’ve won more than just one Player of the Month award. Hell, in his first week back from a long absence, he won Player of the Week. If Pullin was healthy all season, Iowa would’ve been in significantly better playoff position instead of dropping down to face the finals-bound Stockton Kings in the first round.
He’s 25 years old. Stands at six foot four inches tall, with a strong 206 pound build. Posted unbelievable shooting splits of .584/.534/.824. Has an elite 2.86 assist-to-turnover ratio. Possesses an incredible first step. Uses masterful craft to draw contact or finish in the paint. Wields a deadly, if not low volume, trey ball.
So why is Zyon here?
Coach Bubes shared that he wants to see if Zyon can develop into a true point guard. Yes, he’s a reliably capable ball mover, but he more often opts to call his own number. Pullin is plenty good at that, but what else can he bring? I’m a big believer in him.
I think Zyon’s primed for a special summer league performance, especially after he inexplicably played his worst game of his G League season in a win-or-go home playoff game against the Kings two months ago.
Enrique Freeman (F)
Glass ceiling comp: Poor man’s Paul Millsap
Boring mezzanine comp: Slimmer Jared Sullinger
Dark basement comp: Poor man’s Craig Smith
The Big Question: Can he truly space the floor consistently?
| ‘25-’26 G League | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FG% | 3P% | FT% | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freeman | 39 | 33.2 | 16.5 | 8.8 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.546 | 0.323 | 0.738 | 25.9 |
Enrique Freeman is an interesting prospect, to say the least. The six foot, nine inch forward has nights where you can clearly see the vision and path for him to be an NBA player. On other nights, he looks destined to be a G League journeyman.
So what does it look like when it’s going well for the Puerto Rican-American?
Enrique is a high motor, physical big. He’ll always hustle for loose balls and hit the glass hard. But when it’s his night, the three-pointers are splashing in. He can operate as an offensive hub who can coordinate things from the high post. His athleticism will pop for some wild defensive plays.
But on nights the soon-to-be 26 year old isn’t on? Freeman quickly becomes one of the most frustrating players to watch on the floor. Low IQ decision making on both ends of the floor. It often made me want to tear my hair out.
He most recently signed a new two-way contract with the Timberwolves, but those contracts can quickly be pulled and replaced at a moment’s notice. Enrique has to show consistency in what may be his last attempt to make a standard NBA roster. He ended his final two months of his G League season shooting 38% from distance and 2.3 assist-to-turnover ratio which may be good foreshadowing.
Trey Kaufman-Renn (F)
Glass ceiling comp: David Lee with a more unique name
Boring mezzanine comp: Less athletic, offensively-skewed Brandon Clarke
Dark basement comp: Short Kosta Koufos
The Big Question: Can he do anything other than score around the rim?
| ‘25-’26 NCAA | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FG% | 3P% | FT% | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaufman-Renn | 11 | 29.5 | 14.6 | 10.7 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 0.627 | – | 0.667 | 19.6 |
I want to call Trey “Crab Man” because he said he spent draft night crabbing with his family members instead of celebrating achieving his childhood dream. Or maybe “The Philosopher” since he was a Philosophy major in college, and how he cites that he uses it to guide himself as a teammate. It’s little things like this that intrigue me about a player I did not know existed until 24 days ago.
After the initial scan of draft expert analyses and some highlight videos, he seems like a curious player in today’s NBA game. TKR doesn’t seem capable of scoring outside the paint, isn’t an outstanding playmaker, and is undersized without elite athleticism. So what did Tim Connelly and his team see in him?
The NCAA West All-Region Team honoree was uber productive once Zach Edey left for the NBA, averaging 17.1 points on 58% shooting between his final two seasons at Purdue. He was also tasked with more decision-making responsibilities, often operating at the nail with success.
The way Trey finishes on offense reminds me a lot of the late, great, Brandon Clarke. Yes, the man who dominated the Wolves in the 2022 playoffs. TK isn’t the high flyer that BC was, but he will position himself in the right spots and dink and dunk you to death. He constantly punishes smaller or low effort/concentration defenders.
Trey’s inclusion in this tier is more out of speculation than actual fact though. The Wolves still have a hole at the power forward position and the front office drafted a power forward. I find it unlikely that he can overtake someone like Enrique Freeman or Zyon Pullin for a two-way spot, but it’s also not impossible that he magically turns into Kevin Love. By all accounts, he’s a hard worker and always rises to the level of competition.
He literally performed so well in the G League Combine in May that they invited him to the NBA Draft Combine.
Tier 3: G-League Journeymen
Nate Santos (W) | Dajuan Harris (G)
| ‘25-’26 G League | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FG% | 3P% | FT% | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santos | 41 | 23.0 | 10.3 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.413 | 0.363 | 0.796 | 24.6 |
| Harris | 27 | 16.5 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.346 | 0.244 | 1.000 | 25.6 |
The only two non-Wolves roster or two-way Iowa players on this roster are Nate Santos and Dajuan Harris. They’re fairly simple players to understand on the court.
Santos is is your prototypical 3&D utility wing. He was one of the designated perimeter shooters for Iowa, though he wasn’t particularly reliable in that role. From November to March, he vacillated from distance every month. Nate would shoot low 30% or worse, then bounce back to high 30% or better. The 24 year old landed at a respectable 36.3% on decent volume. The Puerto Rican-American does stand at six foot, seven inches tall and wasn’t terrible as a slasher. I would comp him as a Kelan Martin type.
Meanwhile, Dajuan Harris is your small, feisty, “live in your jersey” defensive menace. He’s a ball mover on offense and not much of a play finisher, and certainly not a shooter. Think Rajon Rondo archetype. The former Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year was often subbed in to inject energy into the lineup, often spurring positive runs for Iowa. He’s 25 years of age and seems destined for a career in the G or overseas.
Damion Baugh (G) | Donovan Williams (W) | Jaylin Williams (F) | Chris Mantis (W)
| ‘25-’26 G League | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FG% | 3P% | FT% | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baugh | 34 | 35.6 | 22.4 | 5.9 | 8.0 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 4.2 | 0.430 | 0.293 | 0.807 | 25.9 |
| D. Williams | 32 | 30.9 | 20.2 | 5.6 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 0.479 | 0.316 | 0.753 | 24.8 |
| J. Williams | 45 | 27.0 | 12.5 | 6.3 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.512 | 0.363 | 0.850 | 26.0 |
| Mantis | 45 | 20.4 | 7.6 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.452 | 0.419 | 0.556 | 23.7 |
Just like most other teams do, the Wolves added some G League rotation players to their summer league team. Most of these guys will likely be used as practice bodies, but are also auditioning for their next roles. It could be for Iowa, another G League team, or even abroad.
Damion Baugh is the only guard of this bunch. He was by-and-large the best player for the Valley Suns, leading them in scoring. He wasn’t particularly efficient (.486 eFG%), but did excel as a playmaker. The six foot, four inch guard averaged 8.0 assists per game which was good for 10th in the entire G League. Damion was also selected to take part in the NBA All-Star Weekend G League Next Up game, playing for the team that ultimately won the tournament. He most recently played in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) and Canadian-Elite-Basketball-League (CEBL).
Donovan “Stretch” Williams is an athletic six foot, five inch wing who can also fill up the box score. He’s much more of a “pure scorer” who can bomb away from three or finish with authority. Think prime Trevor Ariza. He’s played for six different G League teams and even had a quick drink of water with the Atlanta Hawks in 2023. Since the G season ended, he’s also taken his talents to the BAL where he’s third in the league in scoring (21.6).
Sadly, this Jaylin Williams is not the half-Vietnamese Jaylin Williams on the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, he is also an undersized big who makes hustle plays and has shown flashes of spacing the floor. He spent last year with the runner-up Stockton Kings where he was an integral part of their rotation. The way he plays reminds me of Jalen “Stix” Smith, of the Chicago Bulls.
I was a bit surprised to see Chris Mantis pop up on the summer league roster. He played limited minutes in the G League last year for the Capital City Go-Go (Wizards affiliate). He’s essentially a three-point specialist who doesn’t do much else.
The two guys who stand out most to me are Baugh and Donovan Williams. Ironically, they both played on the same ‘24-‘25 Westchester Knicks team. They both also played on the same BAL team (Al Ahly Ly) a couple months ago. It seems they are a combo who are on the cusp of being too good for the G League. I’ll be curious if they can challenge for a potential two-way contract with the Wolves.
Tier 4: Undrafted Dreamers
Trey Campbell (G)| Aidan Mahaney (G) | Toby Harris (F) | Devin McGlockton (F)
Minnesota’s summer league roster is rounded out by four undrafted players trying to get a chance. They all vary in terms of college programs they played at, but all have similarly underwhelming simple box score numbers.
| ‘25-’26 NCAA | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FG% | 3P% | FT% | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campbell | 36 | 33.5 | 13.7 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 0.438 | 0.345 | 0.779 | 22.5 |
| Mahaney | 32 | 33.5 | 14.9 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 0.435 | 0.385 | 0.807 | 22.9 |
| Harris | 32 | 26.2 | 11.2 | 3.4 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.438 | 0.411 | 0.903 | 23.5 |
| McGlockton | 36 | 25.3 | 9.5 | 6.8 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.555 | 0.301 | 0.732 | 23.3 |
Trey Campbell and Aidan Mahaney look to be very similar type of players. Point guards with decent size, and ability to shoot the deep ball on relatively high volume. On one hand, Campbell played in a lot lower level of competition in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), but had a very decorated four years there. He was the MVC Tournament Most Outstanding Player, following in the footsteps of former NBA sharpshooters Doug McDermott and Kyle Korver. He also made the MVC All-Defensive Team last season.
Mahaney, on the other hand, bounced around three different programs. He was a standout West Coast Conference (WCC) player at Saint Mary’s, then earned a shot with the University of Connecticut Huskies. The big leagues! Though he gained valuable experience in his 34 games there, mostly off the bench, he returned to California to play for UC Santa Barbara (my wife’s alma mater). He made All-Conference First Team in three of his four years in college, including his final year at UCSB where he was fifth in the conference in three-point makes.
Toby Harris and Devin McGlockton are two fairly different players. Toby Harris, not to be confused with Tobias Harris and no relation to Dajuan, is another three-point specialist who cut his teeth in Division III basketball at Brandeis University before going D1. The 23 year old shot nearly seven three-point attempts per game while knocking them down at a over 41% clip!
McGlockton is more a traditional big who rebounds the hell out of the ball. He has some semblance of a jumpshot, but is more of a cleanup guy. I assume him and Trey Kaufman-Renn could recreate the “Spiderman Pointing” meme.
Storylines to Watch
Big is In
Just when you thought Tim Connelly’s Timberwolves were going to “zig” when the rest of the league is “zagging” towards big (Thanks a lot, Wemby), Coach Bubes announced the aforementioned two-big look that they’ll be experimenting with. Two (basically) 19-year-old seven foot monsters? Why the hell not!
To clarify, he did say that Beringer would be functioning primarily as a power forward on defense, but center on offense. Vice versa for Zikarsky. Still, watching these two behemoths hammer other teams on the boards is going to be hilariously fun. They may also both set the record for fouls per minute by a starting frontcourt.
Let’s actually talk real hoops for a second. Rocco’s potential shooting prowess will be something that Wolves fans should be keeping their eyes on. Meanwhile, seeing Joan confidently in space on both ends of the court should also draw your attention.
Calling All Forwards
LeBron James hasn’t come to save Minnesota from their power forward shortage yet, has he? Can 30-year-old Trey Lyles handle 30 minutes of action? Will Jaden McDaniels add 50 pounds this summer to handle the bulky power forwards that roam the league?
Until any of that is confirmed, the Wolves see their first auditions in Las Vegas. I’m sure the front office will be taking notes on Freeman, Kaufman-Renn, or even Jaylin Williams, Chris Mantis, and Toby Harris. Surely they won’t be considered potential starters, but they have to harvest frontcourt talent somewhere. Spread some seeds and see if anything sprouts.
Shoot Your Shot
The loss of Donte DiVincenzo can’t be replaced by a single player. That said, just like the lack of power forwards, the Wolves have to recoup some of their perimeter scoring from somewhere. LaMelo Ball, Ayo Dosunmu, and Bones Hyland are all talented jump shooters to their own right. However, any injury issues they potentially suffer (knock on wood) could leave the Wolves devoid of three-point threats.
Isaiah Evans could see a role sooner than expected, if things shake out in a particular way. Zyon Pullin, a personal favorite of mine, also showcased an absurd shooting touch last season with Iowa, so perhaps he could be next in line. Maybe even one of the G League journeymen like Baugh or one of the Williams experience a hot few weeks from beyond the arc and secure their ticket to the roster, much like Johnny Juzang did during preseason a year ago.
There you have it. Nearly 4,000 words about the Timberwolves summer league team. I assure you that no other fanbase does it like this. We were born as sickos and remain proud sickos!
So who are you most excited to see most? Was there anyone that deserved more shine? I’ll see you in the comments section as usual!
How I’m moving on from the Giannis era
In a March 15th win, one of just 32 in 2025–26, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo threw down a one-handed jam over Pacers center Jay Huff with 3:49 remaining in the third quarter, breaking an 81-81 tie. He landed awkwardly on his left leg and remained on the floor beneath the basket briefly before rising. Play had already moved to the other end, where an Indiana turnover was corralled by Myles Turner, who then flipped the ball to Ryan Rollins. Giannis hardly jogged ten feet, and with his hands held up, Rollins found him for another dunk via a touchdown pass that traveled a good 70 feet. An easy one.
Giannis ran gingerly back up the floor on defense, and after a Pacers miss, back again on offense. He cut parallel to the baseline to receive a Turner entry pass, and though it was a bit long, he drew a foul from Kobe Brown. He hit his first free throw and clanked the second front rim. That was his last point in a Milwaukee Bucks uniform, and after a stoppage in play about 50 seconds later, he walked off the Fiserv Forum floor for the final time.
That day, I sat in section 209 (media seating) and wondered, as he left the game, whether or not I had just seen Giannis’ final points and game action as a Buck. Nearly three-and-a-half months later, we got our answer: it sadly was. What I wasn’t really wondering at the time was whether or not that would be my final game covering the Bucks for Brew Hoop and SB Nation. But nearly four months later, I have an answer to a question I wasn’t even asking.
At present, I am in the interview process for a position within the league. While I can’t say much more yet, when the time comes, I’ll share more on social media (you can find me @lohausfan on Twitter and @vanfayaz on Bluesky) and provide an update on Brew Hoop. Needless to say, I can no longer be the managing editor of a fan-centric site focused on the Milwaukee Bucks if I’m making such a career move, one which I’m pretty excited about. If you’ve followed my work here over the past five-plus years, you know I’m a cap/CBA wonk, and I’ve grown curious about putting that knowledge to use in a non-media role.
I’m pleased to be turning over the reins here to Jack Trehearne and Zac Day, whom I’ve greatly enjoyed working with the past couple seasons. Both hail from Adelaide, Australia—but coming to Bucks fandom and Brew Hoop entirely independently—and are gifted writers and keen basketball minds whose work elevated the site once I brought them into the fold. You’ve already enjoyed reading their prose and ball knowledge in the last few seasons, and now they’ll be applying that even more broadly as co-managing editors. While bittersweet to leave, I’ll rest very easily knowing the site is in their capable hands.
I would be remiss if I didn’t thank a whole slew of people before I go. My predecessors, Mitchell Maurer and Adam Paris, for hiring me six years ago and entrusting me to take over when they left. Frank and Alex for starting the site. SB Nation director of basketball content Harrison Faigen and all other SB Nation NBA site managers for their assistance and collaboration. Dan Smyczek, Barry Baum, Kate Reed, Eric Kohlbeck, and Amanda Janczak from Bucks media relations for all their help. Eric Balkman and John Leopold from The Score in Appleton for the years of radio hits. Justin Garcia and Camille Davis from Locked On Bucks for many podcast appearances. Lisa Byington, Melanie Ricks, Jim Paschke, Marques Johnson, Kris Johnson, and Monis Khan for generously giving their time to help us make content. To everyone who’s read and considered the hundreds of thousands of words I’ve penned for this site about my basketball thoughts.
But most importantly, my sincerest thanks to every Brew Hoop contributor during my tenure as a contributor, editor, and manager (and wasn’t it awesome that we got to experience a championship along the way?). Without their efforts, the site wouldn’t have maintained the tradition of excellence established almost 20 years ago by Frank Madden and Alex Boeder. That tradition will absolutely continue, because we’ve found the right voices to shepherd it onward. From Frank and Alex, through Mitchell and Adam, then myself, I know Jack and Zac will continue to steward what we’ve built—the most comprehensive and free Bucks coverage on the internet—into the post-Giannis era.
When I began hiring staff after taking over for Mitchell, I had him sit in on a Zoom interview. He mentioned to the candidate that one thing he took great pride in from running Brew Hoop was giving new people a voice in basketball, even using me as an example. I then realized that was my main responsibility as site manager, and I also take pride in how I’ve accomplished the same. As I’ve told Jack, I think that’s what we’re here for, beyond simply writing about the Bucks.
Each staff member on Brew Hoop today is one I’ve hired, and I’m humbled that I’ve played a part—even if a small one—in their journey through basketball and writing. I’m proud that I’ve sent our credentialed writers to the NBA All-Star Game, the draft lottery and combine, NBA Summer League, and of course, hundreds of NBA games in Milwaukee and elsewhere. Some have even already moved on to other positions in media, and I hope their time here helped propel them to bigger and brighter things. Even as I move into a different area of basketball, I’m excited to see how those who remain guide the site and what they’ll accomplish further along their paths.
As always, I’ll be reading. I know you’ll do the same.