The Florida Panthers are acquiring goaltender Jacob Markstrom and winger Angus Crookshank from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist, and Ben Steeves, as first reported by TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.
The Devils will not be retaining any salary on Markstrom’s contract, meaning the Panthers will be on the books for the next two seasons paying Markstrom an average annual salary of $6 million.
Markstrom was once a Panther, playing 43 games with Florida from 2010 to 2014. Markstrom was originally a second-round pick of the Panthers.
The 36-year-old was dealt to the New Jersey Devils two seasons ago, but never found his footing. In the most recent campaign, Markstrom posted an .883 save percentage and a 3.07 goals-against average in 44 games as the Devils missed the playoffs.
Crookshank is a 26-year-old AHL winger with 29 games of NHL experience. Throughout his career, he’s posted solid AHL numbers, scoring 185 points in 262 games.
Heading the other way were two Panthers regulars, as well as an AHL forward.
Rodrigues, who will now be joining the fifth team of his NHL career, served as a valuable, versatile forward for the Panthers in their back-to-back Stanley Cup wins. His ability to play on the wing or up the middle, as well as in the bottom six or top six, will truly be missed.
GM Bill Zito has been vocal about his admiration for Rodrigues, but moving the 32-year-old forward was clearly a price to pay to make the money work.
Also included in this deal is Jesper Boqvist, who has filled a role similar to Rodrigues’, just not as effectively. Despite that, Boqvist played more than 70 games in both of his Panthers seasons. Boqvist was originally a second-round pick of the Devils and played four seasons with the organization.
Steeves led the Charlotte Checkers in points last season, notching 23 goals and 45 points in 72 games. Although he was never given the opportunity to play an NHL game with the Panthers, he was trending in the right direction and was recently tendered a qualifying offer, likely to facilitate this trade.
The Panthers, following this trade, now have just under $4.5 million in salary cap space to sign Akira Schmid and make some depth moves.
This is the first trade Zito and former Panthers assistant GM Sunny Mehta have conducted with one another.
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Los Angeles, CA - May 11:Lakers LeBron James (23) reacts to a Laker turnover during second quarter action in game 4 of the NBA West semifinals at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, May 11, 2026. (Photo by David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Rumors are rumors until they’re not, and today they very much became “not.”
Let’s set the scene. Free agency is about to open up and within minutes the timeline turns into a fireworks show. Shams Charania drops the bomb: LeBron James is continuing his career for 2026-27, and he’s told the Lakers directly that they can move on without him because he’s going to play somewhere else. Read that again. Not “exploring his options.” Not “evaluating the market.” He told the Lakers it’s over. That’s not a rumor floating around a group chat. That’s a WRAP.
BREAKING: LeBron James will continue his NBA career for the 2026-27 season and has informed the Los Angeles Lakers that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/zzVk6xUVF1
And here’s where Golden State fans should sit up straight. Hours before that bombshell, Draymond Green declined his $27.6 million player option. For weeks, league sources made clear that move only happens if it unlocks real financial flexibility, the kind you use to chase a difference-maker, not the kind you use to save a few bucks on a bench piece. Green doesn’t walk away from guaranteed money for nothing. He walks away from it when the front office whispers “we might actually have a shot at something.”
Now stack Kristaps Porzingis re-signing on a two-year, $40 million deal right behind it. On the surface that complicates the math for fitting James under the full $15.1 million midlevel exception. But complicated isn’t the same as impossible, and the Warriors have spent the better part of a year quietly building toward exactly this kind of swing. Green, James, and Anthony Davis all share an agent in Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, which is the NBA equivalent of three people having the same group chat where the real decisions get made.
Here’s the part that should make your palms sweat a little. League sources believe Davis could be the actual lure, not James himself. James and Davis won a title together in 2020 and remain close. If Golden State can find a path to put both of them in the Bay, you’re not talking about a depth move. You’re talking about reshaping the entire Western Conference power structure overnight.
LeBron James appears to be nearing a “below-market-price” contract to join Stephen Curry and Draymond Green on the Warriors, per @timkawakami.
But let’s not skip the part that makes this complicated and human. Any realistic Davis package almost certainly runs through Jimmy Butler, who is four months removed from ACL surgery and has heard the trade rumors before. His agent, meanwhile, insists the organization remains committed to him through rehab.
That tension, wanting championship upside while owing loyalty to a guy who bled for this team, is the real story here. Not just “will LeBron come.” It’s “what is this front office willing to risk, and who is willing to walk so this gamble pays off.”
Today was supposed to be speculation. Instead, it was the first domino. Buckle up.
Lakers forward LeBron James will play an unprecedented 24th NBA season, but his days as a Laker are over. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
LeBron James is continuing his record-setting NBA career, but he won’t do it with the Lakers.
The 41-year-old superstar informed the Lakers he felt it was best to part ways, The Times confirmed. James, who will extend his own NBA record for seasons played to 24, is pursuing a contract with another NBA team, according to people familiar with the situation but not authorized to discuss it publicly.
James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game last season for the Lakers while claiming a slew of NBA records, including marks for games played, all-time wins and field goals made. After eight seasons with the Lakers, he became an unrestricted free agent and flirted with retirement. Despite his age, he was still considered one of the top free agents in a relatively pedestrian class.
James earned his record 22nd All-Star appearance last season, maintained his streak of averaging more than 20 points per game every season of his career and willed a shorthanded Lakers team past the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs last season.
But he also gave up ground in his decades-long bout with Father Time.
James missed the first 14 games of the season while dealing with a right sciatic nerve issue, marking the first time in his career that he wasn’t ready to suit up for the season opener. His 15.3 field goal attempts per game was a career low, and he was ineligible for end-of-season awards because he missed 22 regular-season games, ending his streak of 21 years with All-NBA honors.
The Lakers needed James to reach the second round of the Western Conference playoffs last season — when the team was without star Luka Doncic for the entire postseason — but the NBA’s all-time leading scorer was set to take a supporting role within the franchise.
Doncic, 27, remains the top priority for the Lakers. Doncic signed a three-year, $165-million contract extension last summer. The Lakers also wanted to keep 28-year-old Austin Reaves, who declined a player option to position himself for a well-deserved raise during a critical summer for the Lakers.
Lakers stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic high-five after Doncic scored on a crucial three-point shot in overtime against the Knicks at Crypto.com Arena in March. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
With eight players from last year’s roster entering unrestricted free agency or holding player options, the Lakers were in position to completely remake their roster around Doncic two offseasons after the Slovenian superstar landed in the Lakers’ laps in a mind-blowing trade with the Dallas Mavericks.
President of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka said after the season that the roster would be “retrofitted” around Doncic, meaning the Lakers wanted to target athletic, defensive-minded wings, knock-down shooters and a rim-running center.
DENVER, CO - APRIL 29: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets during Round One Game Five of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
LeBron James has informed the Los Angeles Lakers that he will not be playing for them next season. He’s permitted them to move on without him, as he plans on changing teams for the fourth time in his multi-decade-long career.
BREAKING: LeBron James will continue his NBA career for the 2026-27 season and has informed the Los Angeles Lakers that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/zzVk6xUVF1
James is no stranger to dominating free agency. His name has been thrown around for weeks as various teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, wondered if they could pry him from LA. The first step is complete.
Now for the finale.
The Warriors emerged as real threats to acquire James this week. They’ve been reworking their roster to pave the way for a free agency signing. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported today that the Warriors are primarily focused on signing James once free agency opens up at 6 PM Eastern.
Marc Stein has also listed the Warriors as the frontrunners to sign LeBron.
Seeing James in a Warriors uniform would undoubtedly break the hearts of every Ohioan. There are certain unwritten rules to sports, and fans will understandably be upset to see James finish his career with a team that was arguably his biggest rival throughout.
Nonetheless, Cavs fans can cling to hope that this is shaping up for another homecoming. James ending his reign in Cleveland is the storybook ending that many have predicted. The door is now as open as it’s ever been for James to complete that dream and fill a massive hole in the roster while he does it.
Cleveland needs support on the wing. Preferably someone who can handle the ball and accomplish multiple things on offense. James ticks that box to perfection. He might not be an elite defensive player anymore, but he has the size and veteran-savvy of someone who can still make a difference.
Adding James in free agency is the ultimate win for the Cavs. They don’t need to give up any assets to acquire him via trade anymore. The pairing works on paper and is a narrative success that bodes well for LBJ’s legacy. All that’s left is to sign on the dotted line and make this happen.
The King is coming back — We just don't know where.
NBA icon LeBron James, the league’s all-time leading scorer, has reportedly agreed to return to the NBA, according to initial reporting from ESPN's Shams Charania. This brings him back for the 2026-27 season, which will be his 24th and will extend his record for most seasons played in NBA history.
"LeBron James will continue his NBA career for the 2026-27 season and has informed the Los Angeles Lakers that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN," Charania wrote on X.
BREAKING: LeBron James will continue his NBA career for the 2026-27 season and has informed the Los Angeles Lakers that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/zzVk6xUVF1
This comes in the wake of Los Angeles getting swept in the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a series in which the Lakers were missing star player and NBA leading scorer Luka Dončić.
James will become an unrestricted free agent after he played the final season of his contract in 2025-26, which was a player option. James and his agent, Rich Paul, had acknowledged in June 2025 that the Lakers were building for the future – a future that seemingly may not have included James.
The Lakers played extremely well down the stretch during the games when James, Dončić and Austin Reaves were healthy and available. Los Angeles won 16 of the 18 games prior to April 2, which was the night Dončić suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the year. The Lakers then lost three consecutive (including the game that Dončić left early), but James was instrumental in elevating the play of the Lakers, who also missed Reaves for extended stretches.
In particular, James, who turns 42 in December, was exceptional during the first-round series against the Rockets, a series Los Angeles won in six games.
Although he tied for the lowest scoring average of his career this season, James nonetheless scored 20.9 points per game, adding 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds, and shot 51.5% from the field, 31.7% on 3-pointers and 73.7% on free throws. He made the All-Star team for a league-record 22nd consecutive time.
A 22-time All-Star and four-time Most Valuable Player, James is also a four-time NBA champion – with four NBA Finals Most Valuable Player trophies along the way. He’s a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team and had stops with the Cavaliers (twice), the Miami Heat and the Lakers. He won at least one NBA championship with each squad.
James is also a three-time Olympic gold medalist (2008, 2012, 2024) and won bronze in 2004.
On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, after the Lakers drafted his eldest son, Bronny, the pair also became the first father-son duo to appear in a regular season game together, in a 110-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
James already holds several NBA all-time records, including points scored (43,440), field goal attempts (31,502), minutes played (61,030) and he also holds the all-time record for nearly every major individual playoff statistic.
It remains to be seen where his next chapter will unfold.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 12: Keith Palek III #11 of the Missouri State Bears dribbles the ball while being guarded by Isaiah Walker #7 of the Xavier Musketeers in the second half at the Cintas Center on December 12, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Knicks are NBA champions, but they aren’t resting on their laurels.
New York completed the 2026 NBA Draft with a couple of second-round rookies added to the organization, but failed to land a big man through two rounds of silliness. That could have been no problem had any of Mitchell Robinson or Ariel Hukporti been re-signed, but the former looks like a goner, and the latter is already set to become a UFA later today.
Enter Keith Palek III, who’s not your typical big but still long enough to fill a frontcourt.
According to ESPN’s Josh Hennig, Palek signed a free-agent deal with the Knicks to play for their Summer League team after going undrafted.
“Palek III is joining the Knicks for practice July 4th weekend, and will be flying out with the team to Las Vegas for the 2026 NBA Summer League. He received interest from the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons, but decided to sign with the 2025-26 NBA Champions.”
The agreement actually happened on June 25, less than two weeks after New York beat the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals and ended its 53-year championship drought, but nobody seemingly realized. Yikes!
Missouri State has one of the most versatile players in college basketball in 6’10 Forward Keith Palek III
Palek has been one of the best mid major players in the country this season where he’s averaging 18/7/4. Palek was also a standout in D2 where he averaged 18/7/3 and shot… pic.twitter.com/Q1Am6xZztK
Palek is a 6-foot-9 forward from Woodbine, New Jersey, and a St. Augustine Prep graduate. He also took a much longer route to this point than most players who wind up wearing an NBA practice jersey in Las Vegas.
Palek began his college career at Division II California University of Pennsylvania, where he averaged 12.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists across 88 games. His final season there was limited to six games because of injury, but he still averaged 18.8 points before transferring to Missouri State for his last year of eligibility.
The jump to Division I worked out about as well as he could have hoped, as Palek led Missouri State in scoring at 17.3 points per game, finished second on the team with 6.4 rebounds per game, and led the Bears with 121 total assists. He also made 40 three-pointers (albeit shooting 25.5% from beyond the arc on 157 attempts), finished second on the team with 33 steals, and earned second-team All-Conference USA honors.
Palek became the first Missouri State player to finish a season with at least 500 points, 200 rebounds, and 100 assists. Missouri State finished 16-18 overall and 8-12 in Conference USA, so this was not exactly a national-stage breakout, but the production was real.
According to ESPN’s report, the Bears’ standout also had some NBA interest before landing with the Knicks. He worked out for the Boston Celtics in May, and he told the Daily Citizen that the Detroit Pistons invited him to a workout before flight cancellations kept it from happening. Suck it!
“I feel NBA scouts liked my size and versatility, the ability to play multiple positions and play different roles,” Palek said.
When it comes to Palek’s added value to the Summer League squad, he will bring some much-needed size, strong overall production across the board, passing touch, and enough shooting to justify a look, even though the efficiency isn’t that great, as he seems to love any and every shot he takes.
The Knicks’ Summer League roster is expected to include several players already familiar to the organization and fans alike, including guards Tyler Kolek and Pacome Dadiet, wing Kevin McCullar Jr., and big Mo Diawara, along with incoming rookies Jack Kiyan and Tyler Nickel. No, I didn’t forget Ariel Hukporti—he just doesn’t belong anymore. That said, it will feature St. John’s guard Oziyah Sellers. Yay!
New York is scheduled to open Summer League play in Las Vegas against the Brooklyn Nets on July 10, followed by games against the Spurs on July 11, Pistons on July 13, and Warriors on July 16.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Houston Rockets during the first half at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After eight years in Los Angeles, LeBron James will don a different jersey for the 2026-27 season.
First reported by Shams Charania of ESPN, LeBron has informed the Lakers he will be playing for a different team next season, as told to him by Klutch Sports CEO and LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul.
BREAKING: LeBron James will continue his NBA career for the 2026-27 season and has informed the Los Angeles Lakers that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/zzVk6xUVF1
Whether a sign of respect or not, LeBron has never informed the team he’s leaving that he will not be playing for them the next season. It affords the Lakers the chance to head into the offseason fully aware they need to replace him on the roster.
LeBron’s 2025-26 season was unlike any other for him or the league. No player has seen the court in their 23rd season until LeBron stepped on the floor this year. However, that debut was delayed for the first time in his career after a bout with sciatica. Once he took the court, he eventually embraced a role he had never had in his career, either as the third option.
Still, he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game, absurd numbers for any player in the 40s, even if they were down from previous seasons. Once the playoffs rolled around, he was forced back into the first fiddle role and showed he still had something left in the tank, leading the Lakers to a win over the Rockets in the first round.
The offseason, though, did bring uncertainty about what was to come for LeBron. Entering as an unrestricted free agent, there were questions about whether the Lakers could move into the Luka Dončić era with LeBron on the roster.
02/01/26: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts on the court during the first quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New...
LeBron James’ time in Tinseltown has come to an end.
In a stunning move that has shocked the NBA world, James has informed the Lakers that he will finish out his NBA career elsewhere and that the Lakers are free to move on without him this offseason, according to his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul.
James’ decision as an unrestricted free agent ends his longest consecutive tenure with a franchise, with his eight straight seasons with the Lakers outlasting the first seven seasons of his NBA career he spent with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers and will be an unrestricted free agent. Corey Sipkin for NY Post
If Green re-signs with the Warriors for less money, they’d have the financial flexibility to offer James the $15.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception.
Rumors are swirling that James could join the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
“Honestly, this was best for both sides,” one user posted on X. “I know there will be fans saying how his production will be missed this season and etc., but in life there is always a time and place for everything.”
One camp of Lakers fans is rejoicing, hailing the decision by the oldest player in the NBA to take his talents elsewhere in a move described as “absolute cinema.”
“Thank the basketball gods. Best news ever for us Lakers fans!” a fan said.
While the other camp was clearly hurt by the news.
“Ummm im going back to sleep! its not even the first and our season is already OVER,” one wrote on X, referring to the Lakers star potentially leaving the team.
“Whatever jersey LeBron wears next, the entire basketball world will be watching,” another fan said on X.
The 41-year-old James averaged 25.9 points, 7.9 assists, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals since joining the Lakers as a free agent in 2018.
James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time regular-season scoring record (38,387) on Feb. 7, 2023, now sitting at 43,440 regular-season points scored after an unprecedented 23rd NBA season. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
James had a Hall-of-Fame worthy run with the Lakers: eight-time All-Star; seven-time All-NBA honoree, NBA champion, and NBA Finals MVP in 2020 and NBA Cup champion in 2023.
He also surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time regular-season scoring record (38,387) on Feb. 7, 2023, now sitting at 43,440 regular-season points scored after an unprecedented 23rd NBA season.
James ended his second tenure with the Cavaliers and signed a four-year, $154 million deal with the Lakers during the 2018 offseason.
The first season didn’t go as hoped, with James suffering a groin injury on Dec. 25, 20218 that sidelined him for 17 straight games, marking the first major injury of his career, with the Lakers missing the 2018-19 season.
James had a Hall-of-Fame worthy run with the Lakers: eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA honoree, NBA champion, and NBA Finals MVP in 2020 and NBA Cup champion in 2023. Getty ImagesThe relationship between James and the Lakers has had its rifts throughout the decade. Corey Sipkin for NY Post
After an offseason retooling, which included trading for star big man Anthony Davis and replacing Luke Walton with Frank Vogel as the head coach, James and the Lakers bounced back in 2019-20, winning the 2020 NBA title.
The relationship between James and the Lakers has had its rifts throughout the decade. But at each pivotal turn, the two sides came back to each other.
But not this time.
The Lakers wanted to bring James back, but it wasn’t their No. 1 priority as they looked to build the ideal roster around superstar Luka Doncic. Getty Images
The Lakers wanted to bring James back, but it wasn’t their No. 1 priority as they looked to build the ideal roster around superstar Luka Doncic, who supplanted James as the face of the franchise after he was traded to Los Angeles in February 2025.
And James, after helping restore the Lakers to relevancy, will close out his career elsewhere.
“We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers — including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold.”
“We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off,” Buss added. “He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family.”
“Truly a honor to wear the [purple and gold] while trying to continuing the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint.”
Luka Dončić paid homage to the star on Instagram, sharing a photo of he and James hugging with the caption, “An honor to play with and learn from you @kingjames.”
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One of the more notable prospects to participate in the New York Rangers’ development camp this week is defenseman Drew Fortescue.
Late in the 2025-26 season, Fortescue signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the Rangers and played in nine games to close out the season.
“I think it definitely helped, and kind of helped me see what I needed to work on going into this summer,” Fortescue said of his NHL experience. “I think it was definitely a really cool experience, and I'm gonna hopefully try and lean on that going into camp and try and set myself up the best I can.”
In his nine NHL games, Fortescue recorded two assists while averaging 14:51 minutes.
The 21-year-old defenseman showed promising flashes in a short sample size, as he may have a leg up on the Rangers’ other defensive prospects going into training camp.
Fortescue will be one blueliner competing for an opening-night roster spot once training camp rolls around, and he’s focused on refining his game this summer.
“I think there are a lot of things I need to get better at,” Fortescue said. “It’s getting stronger, puck touches, breakouts, and all the passing, and making sure you put the pucks on guys' tape. I think kind of just the more you play, the more you get used to it, and all that stuff, I'm trying to work on this summer to try and get better at, and continuing to work on, so I can give myself a chance.”
Still living at home in Pearl River, New York, Fortescue confirmed he’ll be in the area for most of the summer to train.
Despite being the only prospect to attend development camp with NHL experience, Fortescue felt it was beneficial for himself to be in Hawthorne this week.
“I think this camp is just to come here and learn and try and be around and kind of just set myself up as best as I can going forward, going into camp,” Fortescue said. “It's nice to be here, be around all the guys, meet all the new guys. It's been fun so far. I'm looking forward to the rest of it.”
The San Diego Padres will look to even their three-game set with a win over the betting-favorite Chicago Cubs (-148) at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, June 30.
My top Padres vs. Cubs predictions and MLB picks call for just the opposite, with Chicago winning another low-scoring game tonight.
Who will win Padres vs Cubs today: Cubs moneyline (-148)
Of course, the North Siders also rank third in wOBA against southpaws for the season, while the Friars check in 29th. So, the matchup sets up perfectly for Cubs starter Matthew Boyd in his second start back from knee and shoulder injuries.
San Diego ranking 24th in xwOBA over the past 30 days makes this Chicago moneyline playable down to -155 for me.
COVERS INTEL: The San Diego Padres have the third-lowest wOBAcon, which further highlights their struggles generating offense and paves the way for the Chicago Cubs moneyline and the Under 11.5.
Padres vs Cubs Over/Under pick: Under 11.5 (-112)
There were similarly favorable hitting conditions at Wrigley Field in the series opener Monday, and the Padres and Cubs combined for just five runs, so I think this is another inflated total.
Especially considering the highlighted shortcomings of the San Diego offense, alongside the Padres playing to the Under in six of their past eight road games (+3.90 Units / 44% ROI).
Chicago has also only played to the Over in 23 of its past 50 games (-6.40 Units / -12% ROI), so I’d recommend this Under down to -120.
Neil Parker's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 29-16, +14.57 units
Over/Under bets: 17-13, +2.97 units
Padres vs Cubs weather
Padres vs Cubs odds
Moneyline: Padres +130 | Cubs -150
Run line: Padres +1.5 (-135) | Cubs -1.5 (+115)
Over/Under: Over 11.5 (-105) | Under 11.5 (-115)
Padres vs Cubs trend
The Chicago Cubs have won 13 of their last 17 games (+8.40 Units / 37% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Padres vs. Cubs.
How to watch Padres vs Cubs and game info
Location
Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
First pitch
8:05 p.m. ET
TV
Padres.TV, MARQ
Padres starting pitcher
JP Sears (1-0, 3.18 ERA)
Cubs starting pitcher
Matthew Boyd (2-1, 5.02 ERA)
Padres vs Cubs latest injuries
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.
Jun 25, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
It was an ugly couple of weeks for the New York Mets’ starting pitchers, while the bullpen continued to come through. New York starters got shelled repeatedly, and the longest-tenured Met, David Peterson, was shipped out to greener pastures before he could have another clunker performance in the Orange and Blue. Freddy Peralta had a start so bad it might have cost him money in his upcoming free agency while also hurting his trade value, and Nolan McLean looked awesome and then not so awesome.
The usual disclaimer: this meter does not reflect Monday’s game and only covers the period from June 15-June 28.
Player
Last week
This week
Huascar Brazobán, RHP
Sean Manaea, LHP
Nolan McLean, RHP
A.J. Minter, LHP
Tobias Myers, RHP
Freddy Peralta, RHP
Cionel Pérez, LHP
Jonathan Pintaro, RHP
Brooks Raley, LHP
Christian Scott, RHP
Kodai Senga, RHP
Austin Warren, RHP
Luke Weaver, RHP
Devin Williams, RHP
Let’s start with the worst start of Freddy Peralta‘s career, where he gave up 10 runs on 10 hits. Of course, it came against the Philadelphia Phillies, who spectacularly padded their stats in a 15-3 loss for the Mets. Kyle Schwarber hit two home runs in one inning off Peralta, both nearly identical upper deck bombs. Bryce Harper hit for the cycle that night, getting his home run, double, and single against Peralta. Brandon Sproat, the young pitcher shipped out by New York when acquiring Peralta in the off-season, posted six shutout innings with 10 strikeouts for the Milwaukee Brewers just three nights after Peralta’s meltdown. Talk about adding insult to injury. Fortunately for Peralta, he looked more like himself in his next start, pitching 5.2 innings with zero earned runs against the Cubs. Unfortunately for Peralta, the defense let him down repeatedly as the Cubs plated three unearned runs with the right-hander on the mound.
Sean Manaea knows a little about the defense letting him down in his late June starts. Manaea recently worked his way back into getting solo starts without an opener, with mixed results. In both starts, errors haunted Manaea in losses to the Cubs and the Phillies. Manaea gave up two earned runs to Chicago and three to Philadelphia, but errors led to an unearned run in each of his starts. Those errors forced Manaea to work harder than he otherwise would have. Getting the veteran arm a start with clean defensive play behind him would be nice.
When you think Nolan McLean is back to being the staff ace of the present and future, he comes out and gets smacked around. He was brilliant against the Cincinnati Reds in seven innings with zero earned runs and nine strikeouts. His next time out, the Cubs teed off with home runs from Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson as McLean gave up six earned runs in a 10-3 loss. McLean wasn’t the only pitcher who got crushed by the Cubs that night. Later on, Jonathan Pintaro gave up a grand slam to Swanson before eventually being sent down to Triple-A.
Kodai Senga returned from the IL and looked a lot like he did before he left, not that great. Senga gave up four runs in four innings in a loss to the Reds, then gave up seven more runs in his next time out against the Cubs. The performance against Chicago drove Senga’s ERA briefly above 10.00. He came out of the bullpen against the Phillies and looked better, giving up two runs across five innings with four strikeouts. The problem was that those two runs came on a go-ahead home run from Schwarber that put the Phillies up for good. Cionel Pérez was the opener in that loss to Philadelphia, where he pitched a scoreless inning. Perez has rattled off three straight scoreless outings across his last 5.1 innings, but he gave up four runs in the two games previous to his scoreless streak. Tobias Myers, who was used in tandem with Senga multiple times, continued his disappointing season, giving up 14 earned runs across his last 8.2 innings pitched.
Christian Scott came off the IL and gave up two earned runs over 4.2 innings and struck out six against the Phillies. Scott was relieved by A.J. Minter, who pitched one and a third scoreless innings in the 6-2 victory. Minter has continued to raise his trade value with five scoreless outings in relief in the last two weeks. He has yet to give up an earned run in 12.1 innings pitched this season. That’s nothing compared to what Luke Weaver has been up to. Weaver extended his scoreless inning streak to 23 innings, the longest active streak in MLB. Five of those scoreless innings came in the last two weeks, including three outings where he struck out the side.
Devin Williams registered a save and four outings without an earned run. Still, four unearned runs came home thanks to the Mets’ defense letting him down. Huascar Brazobán continued his strong season, giving up one run across six innings of work. Unfortunately, that run put the Philadelphia Phillies up for good in a 2-1 loss. Still, his ERA (1.94) remains spectacular.
Austin Warren rebounded from a subpar start to June, posting four scoreless outings in five tries. The lone run he gave up came on a solo home run to Harper—no shame in that. Brooks Raley‘s season took an unfortunate downturn after he was responsible for back-to-back losses in his last two outings. He gave multiple extra-base hits, including a triple to Swanson in a loss to the Cubs. The next night against Chicago, Raley was asked to hold a 3-3 tie in the 10th inning, but Pete Crow-Armstrong doubled in the ghost runner Matt Shaw in a 4-3 loss.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 27: Hunter Goodman #15 of the Colorado Rockies bats and hits his third home run against the Minnesota Twins on June 27, 2026 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockies fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Yesterday, I made the All-Star case for Hunter Goodman. And while it’s unlikely he’ll start the game, he still has another opportunity to show off: He can participate in the Home Run Derby.
The Rockies have had 12 participants in the Home Run Derby in their history: Trevor Story (2021), Charlie Blackmon (2017), Carlos González (2016, 2012), Troy Tulowitzki (2014), Matt Holliday (2007), Todd Helton (2001), Larry Walker (1999, 1997), Vinny Castilla (1998), Ellis Burks (1996), Dante Bichette (1994). The last Rockie to participate in the Derby was Story in 2021, when he made it to the second round but was edged by Trey Mancini 13-12 (he hit 32 total between the two rounds).
Goodman told the media he’d be interested in participating if asked:
Should he?
Bonus Question: How many home runs do you think he’ll hit by the end of the year?
MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 05: Paul Cotter (47) of the New Jersey Devils skates during the second period of the NHL game between the New Jersey Devils and the Montreal Canadiens on Apr 05, 2026, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC(Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Prior to Monday’s 5pm Eastern deadline, the New Jersey Devils tendered qualifying offers to six pending restricted free agents. Those players are forwards Arseny Gritsyuk, Amadeus Lombardi, and Xavier Parent, defenseman Topias Vilen, and goaltenders Nico Daws and Jakub Malek. As a result, the Devils will continue to control their NHL rights as we enter the free agency period.
Four players did not receive a qualifying offer. Those players were forwards Paul Cotter and Dylan Wendt, defenseman Calen Addison, and goaltender Tyler Brennan. They will become unrestricted free agents on Wednesday, July 1st unless the Devils come to agreement on a new contract with any of them prior to then.
Looking at those lists, the most surprising bit of news for the Devils may be their decision not to tender a contract to Cotter. And we’ll get to him in a moment. But let’s start with the players they did opt to qualify.
Arseny Gritsyuk is the highest-profile RFA the Devils have this offseason following the trade of Simon Nemec to Calgary. Devils GM Sunny Mehta mentioned during a recent Town Hall with season ticket holders that, in regards to a new contract for Gritsyuk, he was encouraged by developments on that front. Devils beat reporter James Nichols went as far as to say “his contract should be wrapped up soon“. It remains to be seen if said deal will be done as early as this week, as unrestricted free agency will take immediate priority over a pending RFA come Wednesday, but make no mistake. Gritsyuk is a player the Devils would like to keep moving forward.
Lombardi is one of the newest members of the Devils, coming over in a trade last week from the Detroit Red Wings. He has yet to make his NHL debut, but it shouldn’t be surprising that Mehta qualified him after trading a fourth round pick to acquire him. It remains to be seen what he could be at the NHL level, but its safe to assume he’s going to get an opportunity to make the Devils roster.
Daws and Malek were the primary goaltenders at Utica this past season. Daws may still yet earn an NHL role for himself if Mehta is able to move the two years and $6M AAV on Jacob Markstrom’s deal. If nothing else, the qualifying offers ensure that the Devils will continue to control the NHL rights of both goaltenders. Malek will almost certainly be back in Utica as he continues his development, and Daws may very well be there as well once again this upcoming season.
Xavier Parent and Topias Vilen both earned a cup of coffee with the Devils during the 2025-26 season. Someone like James who is more familiar with the day-to-day workings of Utica would be better qualified than me to discuss how both players fared this season, but they appear to be on the shortlist for NHL call ups when the Devils need a healthy body to dress for a game. Keeping them in the organization is fine, although with new AGM Braden Birch overseeing operations in Utica moving forward, I would expect an overhaul of how the Devils operate at the AHL level.
This brings us to the players that the Devils didn’t qualify, and with all due respect to Calen Addison, Tyler Brennan, and Dylan Wendt, the most notable name on this list is Paul Cotter.
Cotter came to the Devils two seasons ago (along with a 3rd round pick used on Mason Moe) in the deal that sent Alexander Holtz and Akira Schmid to the Vegas Golden Knights. Two years later, that deal is shaping up to be one that hasn’t really helped either side all that much. Holtz cleared waivers and was sent down to the AHL this past season, and the Knights just traded Schmid to the Florida Panthers for a future third round pick.
Cotter wound up scoring 25 goals and 12 assists over 158 games with the Devils in two seasons while also being a physical presence on the Devils fourth line. On the surface, those stats aren’t terrible for a fourth line winger. But a deeper look at the underlying numbers tells the story of a player who was frequently exposed as a defensive liability when he was on the ice. No NHL player had a worse 5v5 goal share than Cotter this season.
Cotter’s qualifying offer was set to be $850,000, but as the fellas at Devils Insiders point out, it’s not so much about that number as it is the fact that Cotter was arbitration eligible. Cotter had enough counting stats where he was likely to get a decent raise on his next contract. AFP Analytics was projecting as high as three years and $2.325M AAV, while ScotiaStat had him at two years and $1.287M AAV. I’m not sure what Cotter’s number was going to come in at, but I can understand Mehta not wanting to bother with arbitration for a flawed player that he may or may not even want on the roster going forward in the first place. I can appreciate that Cotter is the modern-day Jacob Josefson in that he’s great in the shootout and literally nothing else, but that’s not enough of a reason to justify giving him a raise and a spot on the roster moving forward, particularly when cap dollars are at a premium.
Now, is it possible that Sunny Mehta likes what Cotter brings to the table and wants to bring him (or the other non-tendered players) back at a lower salary. Never say never. Three years ago, the Devils didn’t qualify Michael McLeod or Nathan Bastian, but wound up bringing back both players. But they also didn’t qualify Jesper Boqvist and let him hit the open market. I’m not pointing that out to relitigate the decision-making or thought process by then-GM Tom Fitzgerald. I’m saying that to simply show it’s a possibility.
With that said, there’s no shortage of fourth liners who will be on the open market as of Wednesday. Many of them have a connection to Sunny Mehta, whether it’s Ryan Lomberg, Kevin Stenlund, Noah Gregor, Nick Cousins, or the recently non-qualified Cole Schwindt, just to name a few. There’s also several fourth liners who at one time or another played for Sheldon Keefe in Toronto, such as Calle Jarnkrok. The Devils also have some internal candidates for a potential fourth line role, such as Lenni Hameenaho, Shane Lachance or Matyas Melovsky. Or maybe Mehta has someone in mind who we’re not thinking of. Either way, it doesn’t really make a ton of sense for the Devils to pay Cotter well north of $1M when you can get someone for the veteran’s minimum of $850,000. When you’re as tight against the cap ceiling as the Devils currently are, saving a few hundred thousand dollars here or there on the margins shouldn’t be overlooked.
I suppose its possible that Cotter addresses the flaws in his game where he’s no longer a defensive liability and can go on to have a respectable career as a fourth-line grinder. But I don’t blame Mehta for wanting to make a change, and if I had to guess, Cotter will be playing elsewhere in 2026-27. I don’t see the Devils bringing him back at a smaller number. The Devils might miss what he does in the shootout, but I don’t know that they’re going to miss everything else Cotter does or doesn’t do. Maybe his DJ’ing skills, but that’s about it.
Jonathan Drouin’s cup of coffee with the St. Louis Blues is finished.
After playing just nine games following the 2026 trade deadline, the Blues have elected to place the 31-year-old winger on waivers for the purpose of buying out his contract.
Drouin had one season left on a two-year contract carrying a $4-million cap hit. St. Louis acquired him at the March 6 trade deadline from the New York Islanders in the Brayden Schenn deal.
In nine games with the Blues following the trade, Drouin put up one goal and three points, but throughout the 2025-26 season, the former 2013 third overall pick scored four goals and 24 points in 64 games.
The Blues will be charged with a $1.33 million dead cap hit for the next two seasons, according to puckpedia.com. The Blues will save $2.67 million.
Drouin now becomes eligible to be claimed off waivers for the next 24 hours or so, but the likelihood of him being claimed is almost zero. When the process is complete, Drouin will become a UFA and be eligible to sign with any NHL team.
With 671 games of NHL experience, Drouin should be able to find a new home fairly quickly.
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On this day 111 years ago, Cy Young pitched his last game against the White Sox — and was knocked around pretty badly. | (Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
1911 In his 22nd and final years in the majors, Cy Young pitched his final game against the White Sox, an 8-1 loss. The 44-year-old came into the game with a 506-307 career record, but was jumped on for three runs in the first and knocked out of the box in the fifth, during a four-run rally that put Chicago up, 7-1.
In his career, Young was “only” 27-22 against the White Sox, a .551 winning percentage that was far worse than his .619 career mark; only two American League franchises did better against the all-time wins leader.
1922 After a broken finger in a car accident delayed the start of his season, Ted Blankenship finally joined the White Sox to start his rookie season. The phenom had allowed just 44 runs over 140 innings for the Class D Bonham Bingers in 1921, at age 20, prompting the White Sox to purchase him that offseason. Blankenship made his MLB debut on July 2 and got his first start in the bigs five days later.
The righty’s crowning season was 1925, when he went 17.8 with a 3.03 ERA as a swingman (40 games, 23 starts) and a 5.2 WAR. He again broke his finger in 1926 and his career was never the same. In a nine-year, 241-game career with the White Sox, Blankenship went 77-79 with 12.2 WAR.
1957 The White Sox fell out of first place, ceding to the Yankees in heartbreaking fashion.
Entering a doubleheader Sunday, both clubs won openers in stirring fashion:
New York took out visiting K.C., 2-1, with two runs in the bottom of the eighth
The White Sox scored four in the top of the ninth to win, 7-6, at Washington, with the GWRBI coming on a Larry Doby triple
But the nightcaps turned downright tragic:
The Yankees swept the A’s in decisive fashion, 5-1
The White Sox fell behind early, 9-3, rallied late to tie, then lost on a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th from future White Sox slugger Roy Sievers
Up to June 30, the White Sox had only been out of first place a handful of days, and never more than a half-game out in all that time. From here, however, the White Sox would never get closer than the one game out they were after these doubleheaders. The South Siders never ceded second place, finishing 90-64, but could not catch the 98-56 Yankees.
1978 Twenty-one years after clobbering the triple that kept the White Sox in first place for one more game, Larry Doby was named manager of the White Sox, replacing Bob Lemon.
This marked the second time Bill Veeck and Doby had collaborated to break ground. In 1947, Veeck signed Doby to play for Cleveland, as the second Black major leaguer post-color line (after Jackie Robinson), and first American Leaguer. With his hiring, Doby became the second Black manager in MLB history, after Frank Robinson. Doby took over a disappointing, 34-40 team and went 37-50 to finish 1978, in his sole stint as a major league skipper.
The combination of Lemon and Doby piled up 1.1 managerial WAR in 1978, indicating at least a slightly positive season from the bench, and one Doby could likely claim a significant part of. But Veeck opted not to re-hire his former player for 1979, replacing him with player-manager Don Kessinger.
Doby was elected to the Hall of Fame as a player in 1998, and his statue stands outside of Progressive Field in Cleveland.
1988 After years of saying that the original Comiskey Park was outdated, White Sox owners Jerry Reinsdorf and Eddie Einhorn came very close to moving the team to St. Petersburg, Fla.
At the stroke of midnight, the Illinois General Assembly passed a bill allowing the construction of a new stadium, thus saving the Sox. Truthfully it was past midnight, but Governor Jim Thompson actually had stopped the clock to get the funding accomplished, because no bills could be passed after that time period.
But it was a close call. Minutes before House and Senate members walked into their chambers late that Thursday, leaders from both parties predicted that the $150 million Sox stadium bill would fail, leaving the Sox “no choice” but to leave the South Side for St. Petersburg. House Republicans left their caucuses, saying they had only five votes for the package. Their Democratic counterparts said only 50 votes could be mustered. And Senate Democrats said they had only 10 votes in favor of the deal. But a few minutes before midnight, Senate Democrats ratified the measure by gathering 30 votes. The House then passed the measure by a 60-55 vote.
Meanwhile, Florida baseball fans were stunned as they realized they had been used as a pawn to get a new facility by the power brokers and politicians of Chicago. The new stadium built with taxpayer money, initially dubbed New Comiskey or Comiskey Park II, would open its doors on April 18, 1991.
1993 Three years after being denied the chance to be a six-decade major-leaguer when White Sox players objected, 70-year-old Minnie Miñoso suited up as designated hitter for the St. Paul Saints (owned, not coincidentally, by Mike Veeck). The Saints were playing a Northern League game against the Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks.
Miñoso grounded back to pitcher Yoshi Seo in his first and only at-bat.
2008 White Sox outfielder Nick Swisher became the first player in franchise history to homer from both sides of the plate twice in the same season, when he hit two in a 9-7 win over Cleveland. Swisher accomplished the feat for the first time a few weeks earlier, in a game against the Twins. This also was the eighth incidence of a White Sox player switching-hitting homers in the same game. One of Swisher’shome runs was a grand slam, as he drove in five runs on the night. It was also Swisher’s second grand slam in four days.
2015 When Chris Sale struck out Jhonny Peralta of the Cardinals in the sixth inning of a game the White Sox would eventually win, 2-1, in 11 innings at St. Louis, it marked the eighth consecutive start in which he fanned 10 or more hitters. That tied Sale with Pedro Martinez for the longest streak in baseball history.
At the plate, Sale also collected his first career major league hit.
The strikeout stretch for Sale had started on May 23 against the Twins. Even though Salewas overpowering, the White Sox offense was so weak that his record in those eight starts was 3-3, with two no-decisions.
Panthers Exploring Veteran Goaltenders In Trade Market After Acquiring Akira Schmid From VegasBill Zito is hunting for a veteran starter in goal to anchor Florida’s defensive system, pivoting toward high-profile trade targets like Jacob Markstrom and Darcy Kuemper to fill the void.
COVERS INTEL: The San Diego Padres have the 
