Feb 28, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) drives past Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
The NBA offseason is in full swing, and among the crazy moves that have already taken place, one of them notably involved someone who’s the most notable Syracuse Orange men’s basketball alum in the league.
Jerami Grant is entering his 13th season in the league, and it will, at least for now, be spent with a new team.
Grant was part of a blockbuster-ish move between the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies. Portland traded Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis in exchange for former two-time All-Star Ja Morant.
BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading two-time NBA All-Star Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/FJOTzGe5Tr
Assuming he stays there by the time the offseason ends, this will be Grant’s fifth NBA team in his NBA career. Grant, who was drafted No. 39 overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, previously had stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and Portland, most recently.
Despite being in the league for some time, Grant certainly still brings plenty of value to any team.
Grant’s archetype — a forward who can both knock down threes at an efficient rate and be a multi-position defender — remains the league’s highest commodity. While he isn’t the elitist of defenders or the best of rebounders (career 3.9 RPG), he can fit into the larger scheme and won’t necessarily be “hunted” by opponents.
Last season, he averaged 18.6 PPG in just under 30 minutes per contest, and his perimeter efficiency is especially noteworthy. Grant knocked down 39% of his 6.1 attempts per game. That’s been a constant for years for him. Across his last four seasons and 221 games (201 as a starter) in Portland, he’s been at 39% on 5.8 APG.
Also, Grant has been a reliable 15- to 20-point scorer. Pair that with being wing-sized and theoretically fitting into any defense, and he can still retain his value well past his true prime. In 2026-27, Grant will be playing his age-32 season.
In Memphis, it will be interesting to see how the team manages him.
On the one hand, Grant’s aforementioned skill set and veteran expertise in the league will help a franchise that is now turning the page on the Morant Era and moving into a full-on rebuild. Memphis needs that for a team with a new young core of guys like Cameron Boozer, Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, and Jaylen Wells.
On the other hand, Memphis’ offseason may not be done quite yet. Take a look at the Grizzles’ roster, and it’s clear the team is *way above the 15-player limit. That came via the moves Memphis made during the offseason, new draft picks, and younger players from the previous season. Grant can be moved by Memphis starting on August 29, according to Spotrac, so it remains to be seen if he stays or goes.
Grant’s current deal is also a hurdle in any potential move.
He can still be under contract for at least two more seasons. This is part of a five-year, $160 million deal he previously signed with Portland. Grant’s 2026-27 salary is guaranteed at just over $34 million. He then boasts a player option for just over $36 million for the 2027-28 season.
For any team, even with the value he can bring to a better team than Memphis, it’s a big financial pill to swallow, especially in an era of the second apron and new financial restrictions that franchises are navigating. Grant’s 2026-27 salary makes up 20.7% of the cap that year; for the player option season, it would be 20.9%.
Of note, teams are still willing to pay in the ballpark of those figures. The challenge is taking that salary in midseason, especially when it’s tougher to find the matching salary and adequate flexibility to make it work.
What most likely happens is that either Grant gets dealt again, or he stays in Memphis for at least the start of the year and gets moved during the trade deadline or next offseason.
Another intriguing option is that if Grant stays, he could decline the player option to sign a longer deal.
A realistic example is someone like Andrew Wiggins with the Miami Heat. Wiggins just signed a three-year, $64 million extension. In this case, Wiggins accepted his $30.2 million player option for this year, then added two years at the remaining $34 million. A similar configuration will likely happen with Grant, either declining or accepting the option, and either in Memphis or with a new team.
Again, Grant will have options, and it will certainly be interesting to see what comes next for the veteran ‘Cuse alum.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 20, 2026: Yolfran Castillo #49 of the Texas Rangers fields a ground ball during the third inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Congratulations to Yolfran Castillo, who has been named the #5 prospect in the 2026 LSB Midseason Community Prospect Rankings, receiving less than half of the vote.
Our list so far:
1 — Sebastian Walcott
2 — Caden Scarborough
3 — Malcolm Moore
4 — A.J. Russell
5 — Yolfran Castillo
Moving on…
Because there has been a history of vote-spamming shenanigans in the rankings, I used Google Forms for the last several of community rankings, and it worked out well, so we will use it again. You will need to include your LSB user name when you vote. If you don’t have an LSB user name, you need to use some sort of identifier. While this won’t eliminate the possibility of vote spamming, it will make it harder.
So who is the #6 prospect in the Rangers system right now?
DETROIT, MI - JULY 12: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the second inning at Comerica Park on July 12, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Home Run Derby is tonight, featuring Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. My guess is that neither makes it to the second round on the evening. Had I a thought on who would win, give me Junior Caminero, who I believe is the most underrated hitter in the game today.
Three up
Zack Wheeler – What more can you say? Thirteen innings over two starts, striking out 24, walking only two? That’s Ace level quality from Wheeler. Considering that he had a surgery this year many believed he wouldn’t be able to fully recover from and it’s remarkable what the Phillies have on their hands. Teams would kill to have two pitchers as good and consistent at Cristopher Sanchez and Wheeler. The Phillies should consider not wasting it.
J.T. Realmuto – The Phillies are pretty desperate for any kind of offense outside of what Harper, Schwarber and Brandon Marsh have provided this year. That means, when players are successful, even for a week, it becomes noteworthy. It’s particularly noteworthy with Realmuto since he has been so bad at the plate this year. His having a home run and six RBI on the week helps boost an offense that seemed to sag a bit in the middle of the road trip.
Derek Hill – Another incredible catch, a game in which he was basically the lone source of offense and just general good vibes, Hill has been on a heater lately. This week, his .368/.400/.579 line in 20 plate appearances shows that he can serve a useful purpose for this version of the 2026 Phillies. One wonders what his playing time looks like if/when the team acquires another outfield bat to supplement what they have, but he has certainly earned more playing time.
Three down
Left handed relief – Tanner Banks, Jose Alvarado and Tim Mayza? They all stunk this week, one of them (Banks) getting sent out as a result. The team truly needs to make some kind of upgrade if they want to make noise this postseason.
Brandon Marsh – I believe that Marsh needs to take this whole week off since he looks like he’s running out of steam a bit. Unfortunately for him, he’s the starter for the National League in the All-Star Game and will be playing baseball, or doing baseball related things, all week. Might be time, especially with Derek Hill and Justin Crawford playing well, for Don Mattingly to schedule a few more regular rest days for Marsh as the season wears on until he gets his second wind.
Alec Bohm – Speaking of needing some time off. Bohm’s week (.111/.226/.148 in 31 PA) shows he desperately needs to get away from the game for a bit. He has hit the ball hard quite often, but he just looks like a guy who needs a break.
The MLB Draft is in the books, the first half is officially over, and the Kansas City Royals made a selection at sixth overall that has generated strong opinions on both sides. Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco do not hold back in this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, breaking down the Zion Rose pick, the organizational philosophy behind it, and whether the front office outsmarted itself on draft night.
The Zion Rose selection is examined from every angle: his tools, his evaluations from analysts like Keith Law, his character and work ethic as revealed in interviews, and the broader question of whether the Royals reached for upside when other options were available. The under-slot strategy and the additional picks it enabled, including Rabe and Slightom, each get their own evaluation, with Jacob and Jeremy debating whether the overall package of selections justifies the approach or represents the kind of organizational overthinking that has become a pattern.
Front office accountability is a thread that runs throughout. Payroll decisions, team-building philosophy, and comparisons to how organizations like the Mets, Rays, and Brewers allocate resources add useful context to the conversation about what small and mid-market teams can realistically accomplish when the decision-making is sharp.
The hosts also close the book on the first half of the season, taking stock of where things went wrong and what, if anything, can be salvaged in the months ahead. The trade deadline looms, and the case for moving established arms like Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha continues to build as the losses have piled up. Relief pitcher Matt Strahm’s performance and injury status also factor into the bullpen evaluation after yet another blow-up appearance.
The episode wraps with All-Star week predictions, including Home Run Derby picks and the Zack Wheeler ego, before closing with MLB The Show updates and a recommendation for Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 24: Jack Brenner #2 talks with Tervell Johnson #89 in the dugout during the 2026 Draft Combine at Chase Field on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jill Weisleder/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
With their 7th round pick in the 2026 MLB Draft the Atlanta Braves have selected Wisconsin prep catcher Jack Brenner. Brenner is a sleeper catcher with a promising bat for the position and a chance to develop further as a cold weather prep.
Bio
Name: Jack Brenner
Position: Catcher
Hometown: Fond du Lac, WI (Fond du Lac HS)
School: Oklahoma
Height: 6’0
Weight: 180
Bats/Throws: R/R
Rankings
Baseball America: 209
Perfect Game: 169
Pipeline: NR
ESPN: 158
Overslot: 144
My Own: 222
Consensus: 199
Hit 55
Brenner is most known for his feel for contact. He’s the type of player who will take plenty of walks and not swing and miss often. It’s definitely an advanced approach for a player this young. Brenner was in the 98th percentile of contact rate last summer on the showcase circuit over 53 plate appearances where he slashed .439/.516/.707.
Power 45
Brenner will need to both grow into a little bit more power, and potentially make some adjustments with his approach in order to incorporate more power in his game. He has a chance to grow into average raw power, but it would likely play down without some changes to the contact oriented approach.
Speed 50
The speed is presently above average, though figures to slow down a bit as he fills out – especially if he sticks behind the plate. Still this is a very athletic player for a catcher.
Glove 50
He’s still a work in progress as a catcher, but that is in part due to the fact he hasn’t played a ton of catcher yet. He’s played all over, including a significant amount of time at shortstop. The feel for his receiving and blocking skills are a positive starting point for him, but it will take refinement to be a solid big league catcher. If catcher doesn’t work out he’s got a chance to be a versatile utility player with the athleticism and arm to handle a number of different positions.
Arm 55
It’s a strong arm that has produced sub-2.0 second pop times and would also be more than enough for other positions.
Overall Thoughts
This is a strong pick. Brenner has excellent contact ability, room to add some power, athleticism, and a real chance to stick at catcher. He is likely years away, especially if his future is behind the dish, but he will have the ceiling of being a big league starter. It’s tough to say where he would start his pro career, as he has the advanced bat to handle Augusta – but there is a chance he gets sent to the FCL in order to continue refining the defense as well.
RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 28: Jordan Martinook #48 of the Carolina Hurricanes against Dawson Mercer #91 of the New Jersey Devils during the third period at Lenovo Center on March 28, 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Metropolitan Division got a bit of an overhaul this offseason. I know I’m not breaking any news here, as this site and plenty of other outlets have discussed the changes in the Metro since the end of this past season. Not only that, but change is a constant in the NHL, so it would be bizarre if any given division didn’t look significantly different from one season to the next. Still, just because specific changes have been documented and general changes are expected doesn’t mean they aren’t worth going over in depth.
And that’s what we’re going to do today. Each and every team in the Metropolitan Division looks different heading into 2026-27. Some teams underwent more significant changes than others, some got better, and some got worse…at least on paper. Let’s roll through the Devils’ divisional rivals and see where they stand after the bulk of the offseason work has been done. Then we’ll take a look at New Jersey and try to figure out where they lie in the pecking order of the division hierarchy.
(All cap space numbers come from the invaluable PuckPedia)
Carolina Hurricanes
2025-26 Season Results: 53-22-7, 113 points; Won Stanley Cup
We start with the champs. The Carolina Hurricanes finally got over the hump in the Rod Brind’Amour era and won a Stanley Cup. I would argue that it was set up perfectly for them to win, with a hilariously easy field to get through, but it’s undeniable that they were one of the best teams in the entire league and could’ve easily won the Cup even if the competition was stiffer. In any case, flags fly forever, and the Hurricanes are the champions. The Devils have had such a difficult time playing against Carolina over the past few seasons, and now they have to deal with their boogeyman hoisting a trophy in their faces.
As far as their offseason goes, it has been very, very quiet in Raleigh. That’s due to a number of factors, such as a weak free agent class, a decent-but-not-vast amount of cap space to work with, and the fact that Carolina’s roster is already pretty set heading into next season. They did not make any notable additions, unless you count the signing of Juuso Valimaki or the re-signing of Nic Deslauriers. They also didn’t draft anyone that will make an immediate impact on their NHL roster this season. And on the flip side of the coin, Carolina did not lose anyone of note either, with one obvious exception: Frederik Andersen. The veteran goalie was lights out in the postseason for the Hurricanes until the Stanley Cup Final, where after Game Two, he was replaced by Brandon Bussi, who took Carolina the rest of the way. Andersen ended up signing in Edmonton, so the Hurricanes goaltending is currently in the hands of Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov.
There is one more potential subtraction though: Alexander Nikishin. The Russian defenseman is a Restricted Free Agent, and there are rumors swirling that Carolina might be looking to trade him. If he leaves, that would certainly count as a notable subtraction, but as of this writing, he is still an RFA under team control. It’s a situation that bears monitoring.
Outside of that, while it’s not a full blown subtraction, it’s worth noting that Seth Jarvis underwent shoulder surgery in late June and is expected to miss 4-6 months. If it’s the early part of that timeframe, he should only miss about a month of action. If it’s the the full six months, that would put his return around Christmas, which would be a significant chunk of the season. Though I believe Carolina is a deep enough team to weather his absence and get him back up to speed before the postseason.
There wasn’t much movement in Carolina this summer, but that’s what happens when you have all of your most important players locked down to long term, team-friendly contracts for the foreseeable future.
Pittsburgh Penguins
2025-26 Season Results: 41-25-16, 98 points; Lost first round to PHI
Notable Additions: Hendrix Lapierre, Kaedan Korczak, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Andrei Kuzmenko, Nicholas Robertson
Notable Subtractions: Anthony Mantha, Ryan Shea, Parker Wotherspoon, Noel Acciari, Stuart Skinner
Against all odds, the Penguins finished second in the Metro this past season. Entering the year, many around the NHL expected Pittsburgh to be a bottom-five team in the league. They surprised everyone by riding a shockingly good offense (290 goals, third in the league behind only the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes) and a wave of loser points (most in the Eastern Conference) to a playoff berth. They fell to their in-state rivals in the first round when the goal-scoring dried up, but it was still a wildly successful season for the Pens when taking preseason expectations into account.
Perhaps their most notable bit of business over the offseason was inking franchise legend Evgeni Malkin to a one-year extension, keeping him in Pittsburgh for at least one more season. They also made trades for intriguing youngsters such as Hendrix Lapierre, Nicholas Robertson (still an RFA as of this writing), and Kaedan Korczak. Meanwhile in free agency, they brought in Andrei Kuzmenko and Trevor van Riemsdyk. As far as subtractions, they lost Ryan Shea, Noel Acciari, and Stuart Skinner to free agency, and they shipped Parker Wotherspoon to the Vegas Golden Knights in the trade that brought Korczak to Pittsburgh. Anthony Mantha, who shocked everyone with 33 goals and 64 points last season, remains unsigned right now, so he could theoretically slot into the notable addition OR notable subtraction category.
Pittsburgh did a lot of shuffling at the margins of their lineup. And while I’m not sure their offense will be as potent as it was last year, they might still have enough in the tank to compete for a playoff spot again. They also have a lot of cap space with which to make even more moves if they so choose.
Philadelphia Flyers
2025-26 Season Results: 43-27-12, 98 points; Lost second round to CAR
Notable Additions: Joseph Woll, Simon Benoit, Noel Acciari, Zach Aston-Reese, Jack Studnicka
Philadelphia was another surprise playoff team this past season. While I don’t think most people thought they would be as bad as the Penguins, there weren’t many that thought they would finish where they did. And not only did the Flyers surprise a lot of people by making the playoffs, they even won a round while they were there! Although it was against a potentially fugazi Pittsburgh team, and the Flyers promptly came crashing back down to Earth in a second-round sweep at the hands of the Hurricanes. Still, it was a wildly successful season for them.
By far the most notable move of the Flyers’ offseason is one that didn’t actually work out: their signing of Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson to a five-year, $18M AAV offer sheet. It was a bold move by a team that so desperately needs high-end talent. Philadelphia has done a good job filling out their roster with solid support pieces and depth players. But the most important part of any team, the game-breakers at the top, is not something that the Flyers currently possess. Their offer sheet to Carlsson was aimed at fixing that, even if it was a gross overpayment. Anaheim recently matched the offer sheet though, so Philadelphia will have to hunt for their franchise center somewhere else.
Aside from the Carlsson saga, Phildelphia added Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs early in the offseason, and they signed Noel Acciari, Zach Aston-Reese, and Jack Studnicka in free agency. In addition to trading for Woll, the Flyers also addressed their goaltending by signing team MVP Dan Vladar to a five-year, $5.5M AAV extension. Vladar almost singlehandedly carried the Flyers to a playoff spot with his play post-Olympics, and Danny Briere rewarded him with a long-term deal. They also inked Tyson Foerster to a major eight-year, $7.1M AAV to an extension as well.
As far as major subtractions go, Garnet Hathaway was the only notable loss, going to the Florida Panthers in a trade. Other than that, Phildelphia will be rolling with much of the same lineup that got them to the second round this past season.
Washington Capitals
2025-26 Season Results: 43-30-9, 95 points; Missed postseason
Notable Additions: Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, Vincent Desharnais, Boone Jenner, Justin Holl
Notable Subtractions: Connor McMichael, Brandon Duhaime, John Carlson
Now we get to the team that had, in my opinion, the most impactful offseason among Metropolitan teams.
The Washington Capitals were the top team in the Eastern Conference two seasons ago. They lost in the second round to Carolina, but things were looking up. Then this season, regression to the mean bit them hard, as they posted 95 points and missed the postseason altogether. 95 points is obviously not a bad season, but it was a far cry from their magical 2024-25 and obviously not good enough in a competitive Eastern Conference.
Since their Stanley Cup season of 2017-18, their core has either aged out (Nicklas Backstrom, Braden Holtby) or is about to get there (Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson). To stay competitive, Washington has tried to retool on the fly. This has resulted in them acquiring players such as Jacob Chychrun, Dylan Strome, and Logan Thompson in recent years. And this summer, they took some pretty big swings again. It started with a trade with the St. Louis Blues for star winger Jordan Kyrou. Washington had to send out talented youngster Connor McMichael in the deal (as well as a first round pick), but Kyrou is a strong player who should be worth that price. The very next day, The Caps were at it again, swinging a sign-and-trade for Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres. Instead of getting to unrestricted free agency, Tuch agreed to an eight-year, $10.5M AAV deal as part of the transaction. The biggest fish on the free agent market never actually got to free agency, landing instead in our nation’s capital.
Then in free agency, Washington signed former Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner, as well as Vincent Desharnais and Justin Holl. While certainly not on the level of players like Kyrou and Tuch, these moves should theoretically solidify the Captials’ depth.
As far as subtractions go, we already mentioned McMichael. He’s the biggest piece that walked out the door this summer. Aside from him, Brandon Duhaime left in free agency, and even though he was already gone by the time the summer rolled around, it’s worth mentioning that long-time franchise staple John Carlson is no longer a Capital, having been traded at the deadline and signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning this offseason. It’s also worth mentioning that Rasmus Sandin underwent surgery for a torn ACL in late-April. You may recall that the Devils’ own Johnny Kovacevic went down an eerily similar path recently, getting surgery to repair a major knee injury in late April of 2025. Kovacevic was not able to return until mid-January of 2026, so one would expect Sandin to miss roughly the same amount of time himself.
Columbus Blue Jackets
2025-26 Season Results: 40-30-12, 92 points; Missed postseason
Notable Additions: Valeri Nichushkin, Ryan Lomberg, Phoenix Copley
It’s been two seasons in a row now of Columbus just missing the playoffs. Two years ago, they made an inspiring run at it in the face of unspeakable tragedy when we lost Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in the summer of 2024. Then this past season, they once again came close but eventually fell short, thanks to a major collapse to finish the campaign (2-8-1 over their final 11 games). It’s been tough sledding for the Blue Jackets to get back to contender status, and they suffered through a tumultuous offseason this summer.
Much like the Flyers, the most notable “move” they made was one they didn’t make. Reigning Norris trophy winner and franchise icon Zach Werenski has been at the center of tons of drama this offseason. Reports surfaced that he wanted a trade. Then reports surfaced that Columbus had a deal in place with the Dallas Stars that would’ve sent Werenski there in exchange for Thomas Harley, only for Werenski to veto the move thanks to his no-move clause. Then after all that, both Werenski and the Blue Jackets released statements establishing Werenski’s commitment to the Blue Jackets and that he wants to stay in Ohio.
Very normal stuff.
Meanwhile, Kirill Marchenko’s future is up in the air as well. The 25-year-old winger has one year left on his deal before reaching RFA status, and he has indicated that he does not have interest in re-signing long term in Columbus once his deal is up. So now the Jackets have to figure out what to do with him too.
As far as actual additions go, the Blue Jackets’ biggest move was trading for Val Nichushkin of the Colorado Avalanche. He’s not what he once was, and he comes with significant character concerns, but on the ice, Nichushkin should be able to help their middle six. They also brought in Ryan Lomberg and Phoenix Copley in free agency.
And as if the looming clouds of Werenski and Marchenko leaving weren’t enough, the Blue Jackets lost their captain, Boone Jenner, to Washington in free agency. They also watched Mason Marchment and Danton Heinen walk out the door, two wingers of varying effectiveness (although Heinen is still a free agent so Columbus does have the chance to bring him back if they want to).
Now, you might have noticed that the Jackets have a boatload of cap space. Just over $23M to be exact. But keep in mind, that’s a bit misleading, as Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger are RFAs that need new deals. Sillinger won’t break the bank, but Fantilli will cost a healthy amount. The former third overall pick hasn’t fully lived up to his pre-draft hype yet, but this is still a player with a 30-goal season and two 50-plus point campaigns under his belt. With the prices being thrown at many other players this offseason, Fantilli could easily command eight figures as a very young RFA. So expect that $23M in cap space to dry up in a hurry.
New York Islanders
2025-26 Season Results: 43-34-15, 91 points; Missed postseason
Yet another year where the New York Islanders could not buy a goal despite playing strong defense (although, really, it’s more accurate to say it was strong goaltending). They were top-five in the league in fewest goals against (236), but 25th in the league in goals scored (229). Despite a dazzling rookie season from first overall pick Matthew Schaefer, the Islanders suffered through a middling season and missed out on the playoffs.
It was a relatively quiet offseason as far as bringing in new players. Matias Maccelli is an interesting bet that could help their middle six. And old pal Vitek Vanecek provides goaltending depth behind starter Ilya Sorokin. But that’s about it for major acquisitions.
Taking a look at their subtractions, Columbus wasn’t the only team in the division that saw their longtime captain leave this offseason. A staple on Long Island for years now, Anders Lee signed a three-year deal with the Utah Mammoth in free agency. For the first time in a career that started in 2012-13, Lee will wear another team’s sweater this season. Aside from Lee, David Rittich is gone as well, leaving for the Devils on a one-year contract.
New York Rangers
2025-26 Season Results: 34-39-9, 77 points; Missed postseason
Notable Additions: Pavel Dorofeyev, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Sean Durzi, Marcus Pettersson, Joe Veleno, Joonas Korpisalo, Alberts Smits
Notable Subtractions: Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, Jonathan Quick, Brett Berard, Adam Edstrom, Will Borgen
The New York Rangers had a very similar offseason to the Washington Capitals. It was a transformative one that saw the team make a couple of big moves. And it was also a season where the team had to say goodbye to a franchise staple at the trade deadline.
The biggest move by far for New York this offseason was the trade for Vegas’ Pavel Dorofeyev. The deal that the Rangers got the 37-goal scorer to agree to came in at seven years, $11M AAV. It is an open question if he can produce the kind of goal-scoring numbers he put up in Vegas without elite playmakers such as Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner. But the Rangers, who are starved for players who can turn the red light on, needed to act, and Dorofeyev was one of the top options on the market. If Dorofeyev can prove he’s not totally reliant on elite linemates to do the heavy lifting for him, this will be a great deal for New York.
Elsewhere, the Rangers also sent a first round pick to the Vancouver Canucks for Marcus Pettersson, traded Vincent Trocheck to Utah for Sean Durzi, acquired Joonas Korpisalo from Boston, and signed Oliver Bjorkstrand and Joe Veleno in free agency. The Rangers had some major holes to fill in the middle of their lineup, and they acquired a lot of players that they hope can fill those holes.
Finally, the Rangers are the only team in the division that drafted high enough this summer to actually land a player that might contribute in 2026-27. With the fifth overall pick, New York selected Latvian defenseman Alberts Smits. He’s a big, toolsy blueliner who might be NHL ready this year, though even if he is, how well he’ll fare in the league as a teenager is anyone’s guess.
The major subtractions have to start with Artemi Panarin, who was traded to the Los Angeles Kings at the deadline. Panarin is inarguably one of the best free agent signings of the salary cap era, and while his production and play driving were down this season in New York, his on-ice value will certainly be missed. Also gone is Trocheck, as mentioned. He was another aging player that was losing effectiveness, but he was still a steady middle six center that New York has to replace. Jonathan Quick is also gone as the backup to Igor Shesterkin, with Korpisalo taking his place.
There were a ton of moving parts in Manhattan this offseason. Whether the Rangers got demonstrably better as a result of all those moves remains to be seen.
Taking a look at all the moves that each Metropolitan Division team made this offseason, this is how I’d rank the Metro as things stand right now:
Tier 1: Hurricanes
Tier 2: Devils, Capitals
Tier 3: Islanders, Rangers, Flyers, Penguins, Blue Jackets
I don’t think anyone would argue that Carolina remains the class of the division, and they should have a great chance at repeating at Cup winners. Below them, I think I would slot the Devils in the next tier with the Capitals. While I do think that Washington would be better served in the long run by tearing it all down, I can understand not wanting to do that while Ovechkin remains on the roster. Not to mention that they seem to think they can get back to contender status with this retool on the fly approach with or without Ovechkin. Selling futures for players like Kyrou and Tuch will help them greatly over the next two to three seasons. However, I am predicting that, right around the close of the decade, the constant acquisition of effective but aging players will catch up with the Capitals, and they will plummet down to the bottom of the standings with very little postseason success to show for it. They will be a very competitive team and a likely playoff squad in the short term though, so for 2026-27, I have them right behind Carolina.
Then the rest of the division comes in below that. I debated putting the Flyers in Tier 2 with the Devils and Caps, but I think Dan Vladar’s hot streak covered up a lot of holes this team has. While I do genuinely believe they’ve built some very strong depth, the Flyers sorely lack the star power that any contender needs. The Leo Carlsson offer sheet was a valiant attempt, but it didn’t work out for them. They still have plenty of cap space to work with, but until they actually land that game-breaking talent, they will be relying on Vladar to do a lot of the heavy lifting for them, and I’m not so sure he’s the wisest bet long term.
I think the Penguins also benefitted from a great deal of good luck in 2025-26, and they’re due for a step back. The Islanders should be roughly the same, the Blue Jackets might be a little bit better but not by much, and the Rangers should be improved, but they were one of the worst teams in the league last year so even improving as much as they theoretically did should only get them to middle of the pack status.
As for the Devils, I have written recently that while I don’t think new GM Sunny Mehta has done much to raise the ceiling of this team in the short term, he has done a good amount to raise the floor. He’s gotten rid of some negative value contracts in Jacob Markstrom and Maxim Tsyplakov, not to mention getting strong value for Simon Nemec instead of signing him to a deal that, in my opinion, Nemec will not live up to. He also filled out the depth by landing Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist in the Markstrom deal with Florida. And even though the Barrett Hayton offer sheet didn’t work, I still have a degree of confidence that the team as currently constructed has enough depth to get the offense back on track. The goaltending is a bit of a concern, but if the Devils really do decide to roll with three goaltenders this season, I do think they can squeeze enough solid play out of Jake Allen, Nico Daws, and David Rittich to get them to the postseason.
Keep in mind, the Devils went a disgraceful 7-17-2 against the Metropolitan this past season. If they want any shot at getting back to the playoffs, they need to greatly improve their play against divisional foes. So keeping tabs on what the other teams in the Metro have been up to this offseason is of utmost importance, and it’s worth seeing how well the Devils will match up with them with the changes they’ve made.
The major caveat to all this, of course, is that things can still change before next season begins. As things stand now, I think New Jersey should be right in the mix for second or third in the division, but it’s possible other teams make moves that propel them into Tier 2 alongside New Jersey and Washington. Or perhaps New Jersey makes a move or two themselves that helps to separate them from the pack a little bit. We usually don’t see many moves in July or August, but maybe we are entering a new era of year-round transactions being a thing.
Your Take
What do you make of the Metropolitan Division as things currently stand? Aside from Carolina, who do you see as the biggest threat? Do you agree that New Jersey is right there with Washington in the second tier? If not, how would you tier things out? As always, thanks for reading!
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers placed veteran reliever Chris Martin on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder injury.
Martin, 40, has allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings in making four appearances after being activated on July 4 from the IL following the same shoulder issue. He has pitched in 16 games this season, going 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA and giving up 25 hits in 14 innings.
The Arlington High grad made 49 appearances last season beginning his second stint with his hometown ballclub, earning two of his 16 career saves over parts of 11 major league seasons.
In the corresponding roster move, Texas recalled right-hander Emiliano Teodo from Triple-A Round Rock. Teodo, 25, was 3-3 at Round Rock with a 3.76 ERA in 35 relief appearances.
LAS VEGAS — Entering what feels like a make-or-break season for his Knicks career, Pacôme Dadiet understands the assignment.
“[Become] more efficient at the 3-point line,” the 20-year-old forward said over the weekend, “and play harder.”
Dadiet has been, to this point, a disappointment as New York’s lone first-round draft pick in the past four years. His career 3-point efficiency sits at a paltry 21.9 percent. Scouts have noted his low motor, with Dadiet’s relaxed movements reminiscent of another former Knicks first-round pick: Kevin Knox.
Pacome Dadiet #4 of the New York Knicks shoots a free throw during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images
With that in mind, Dadiet’s goal to “play harder” is noteworthy. It would help his defense and rebounding, which also have underwhelmed. As one NBA general manager jokingly texted last year during Las Vegas Summer League: “I wouldn’t trade a croissant for Pacôme Dadiet.”
Even with all the signs of a bust, the Frenchman remains on the Knicks roster — guaranteed at roughly $3 million — because of the tantalizing potential. He has the ideal build and skill set for a forward, standing at 6-foot-9 with all the proper mechanics on his jumper.
He’s also young enough to believe a giant leap still is possible.
It’s why people inside the Knicks are predicting a breakout for Dadiet, who nonetheless struggled in the opening two games of this year’s summer league with 16.5 points per game on 36 percent shooting — and 15.4 percent from beyond the arc.
It’s all significant now for Dadiet, whose contract includes a team option for next season with an Oct. 31 deadline. If the Knicks don’t pick up that $5.3 million option — and it would be impossible to justify picking that up right now — Dadiet will become a trade candidate and a free agent next summer.
“I have a better feeling of what the expectations are,” Dadiet said. “So trying to put that into my workouts. Also, I know when to take time off [and] when to work; feeling more experienced.”
What are those expectations?
“It’s more like playing hard [and being] somebody who can make shots, [make] open shots, play defense,” he said.
Dadiet certainly has the blueprint for success on a championship squad. He has watched and absorbed masterful playoff performances from Knicks wings Mikal Bridges and, especially, OG Anunoby.
They played off the ball, played defense and thrived.
Pacome Dadiet has been underwhelming in his Knicks opportunities thus far. NBAE via Getty Images
“I’ve been watching them a lot,” Dadiet said. “I know [playing off the ball] is important to our schemes, so just try to be better.”
To stick around, Dadiet has to capitalize on his chances. They’ve been sporadic for him in the NBA.
He shockingly started his 2024-25 rookie campaign in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation, but that lasted just a couple of games before Dadiet was relegated to the bench. He was a starter in the preseason last year under Mike Brown but struggled during the games in Abu Dhabi and never recovered.
People around the league believed Dadiet’s preseason chance last year mostly was about showcasing him for a trade.
A deal never developed, and Dadiet is now part of a young group the Knicks will try to lean on to get through the regular season. After Thibodeau was fired, the Knicks put out the message they’re emphasizing development and even hired a player development coach, Billy Lange.
It’s especially important since building out depth is more difficult while under the mandate of avoiding the second apron of the luxury tax. Dadiet, Tyler Kolek, Mohamed Diawara, Tyler Nickel and Jack Kayil all have been drafted over the last three years. It’d be great for the Knicks if one pops.
Dadiet is overdue and grasps that 3-point shooting and effort are the way forward.
The LeBron James free agency saga has been drawn out for weeks now. If James does sign with the Warriors, what does that mean for forward Moses Moody and his future with the franchise?
Moody suffered a torn left patellar tendon in March, which required surgery and caused him to miss the rest of the 2025-26 NBA season.
A potential LeBron signing would confirm the agenda for Golden State is to win right away. With a timetable uncertain for Moody’s return to the floor, a trade is possible to maximize the Warriors’ potential during the 2026-27 season.
Another factor is that Moody and James are represented by the same agent: Rich Paul. Paul has been active in the media recently since James announced his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I don’t call Rich every day,” Moody said. “I’m not in it like that, because I ain’t got nothing to do with how it’s gonna go down. So I’m just watching. … Whenever something needs to be talked about, it will.”
Some of the top potential suitors for James include the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Warriors. James recently spent some time with Draymond Green, who couldn’t help but try to recruit LeBron to the Bay. Green shared how the experience went on “The Draymond Green Show.”
Draymond on hanging out with LeBron James
"I'd be remissed if I don't take the opportunity to throw my pitch in there, I'd be crazy if we're together for x amount of days and at no point am I like 'yo, we need to chop it up, what the hell going on? what we doing?' of course I… pic.twitter.com/C5GBVyw6Fy
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) July 12, 2026
LeBron’s decision doesn’t affect just him. Many role players like Moody will have their fate decided by the outcomes of NBA free agency. Once the first domino falls, then the rest will follow in line.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - SEPTEMBER 19: A detail shot of baseballs in a cart during the MLB Home Run Derby X quarter finals at The Ballpark at America First Square on Friday, September 19, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Tyler McFarland/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Welcome to another week A’s fans!
The first half is officially in the books. The Athletics’ season began well enough as the club was in first place as late as May. Unfortunately a rough June and July has seemingly sunk the A’s playoff hopes as the club’s nine-game losing streak has dropped them to 41-55, good for fourth place and eight games back in the AL West. They’re a closer 6 1/2 games out in the Wild Card hunt but with seven teams ahead of them. With the third-worst record in the American League its seeming that the squad will be sellers this deadline.
On the bright side of things the A’s added lots of talent this weekend through the MLB Draft. The club added a high-ceiling outfielder and a couple interesting college arms to a farm system that needs all the talent they can get. There’s plenty more intriguing players that have joined the system and it’s likely that one of those late-round picks ends up being the best player in the class. That randomness is just how the game works sometimes.
Anyway, there’s no baseball games today but there is some evening entertainment for us tonight. The Home Run Derby is set and the field is wide open. There’s no clear-cut favorite this year but it’s going to be a star-studded lineup for us fans to watch. In Philadelphia it’d be fun to see one of the two Phillies in Bryce Harper or Kyle Schwarber take the crown and win it in front of the home town team. Who do you all got taking it tonight?
The Derby begins at 5 p.m. Pacific time. Have a great day everyone.
The big 3 arms from this draft (Edwards, Gaeckle, Dudan) will really be a test for the A’s pitching development. All are super interesting, but carry significant reliever risk. It will be fascinating to see if the A’s can turn any of them into quality mlb starters
STATELINE, Nev. – Yaxel Lendeborg’s journey from college basketball to the Warriors was long and stellar yet perhaps under appreciated for his ability to adapt to his surroundings. He was a transformer in the purest sense.
The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Lendeborg spent two seasons at University of Alabama-Birmingham, where his dominating play at power forward and center made him the most coveted big man to enter the NCAA transfer portal in April 2025.
Lendeborg chose the University of Michigan, where coach Dusty May scanned his rebuilt roster and opted to move Lendeborg to small forward. Alongside fellow transfer students Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr., Lendeborg became a super-size wing.
After moving from the paint to the perimeter in his final college season, Lendeborg was the best player on a Wolverines team that rolled to a national championship.
Jay Bilas, a college basketball analyst at ESPN since 1995, believes Lendeborg’s adaptability was a factor when Golden State selected him with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
“I think it’s difficult for the average player,” Bilas told NBC Sports Bay Area. “But for the star player . . . that’s one of the beautiful things about Yaxel Lendeborg. He’s willing to do what’s asked of him. UAB said ‘Hey, we need you to operate more in the middle and play a 5 spot and guard the 5.’ He essentially played the 3 — or hybrid 3-4 – at Michigan. And he did it. And by all accounts was a great teammate.”
In Lendeborg’s final season at UAB, he averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 steals per game. He was one of only two players in NCAA Division I history finish a season with more than 600 points, 450 rebounds and 150 assists. The other is Larry Bird, who accomplished the feat in 1978-79.
With Lendeborg’s name on the board when the Warriors were on the clock on the night of the draft, he was the obvious choice for a team with many needs and a veteran core desperate for effective support.
“We’ve been following Yax for a few years now,” Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said after the draft. “And I think the biggest thing that sticks out about him is he’s a winner. Speaks no further than winning the national championship this year at Michigan.
“But at prior levels, focused on winning, multiskilled, versatile player that we think can play both sides of the ball. He’s got tremendous size. He’s got a great feel for the game. He’s a tremendous teammate. We think he’ll fit in really well here.”
The Warriors project Lendeborg, 23, will be no less than a rotation player as a rookie, with the likelihood of earning some starts.
“I felt like it was a perfect match because Yaxel Lendeborg is not only an outstanding player; he’s got tremendous versatility and he’s built like a tank,” Bilas said. “Because of his versatility, people would say he’s a ‘Swiss Army knife.’ He’s a Swiss Army tank. But he’s plug and play.
“He’s going to be 24 before the season starts, so he’ll be he’ll be ready to go on day one.
You don’t have to wait; it’s not like you’re taking an 18- or 19-year-old freshman that might take a little bit of time to develop. He’s ready now. And he’s really smart. And it’s not all about him. He’s a team guy, so he’ll fit in really nicely with Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, the whole crew. Draymond Green. He fits the maturity of that team.”
Lendeborg has appeared in four NBA Summer League games, two in the California Classic at Chase Center and two more in the Las Vegas Summer League. He’s averaging 16.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists per game. Moreover, he usually has been the most impressive player on the floor.
Lendeborg is not a perfect player. His athleticism and lateral movement are good but not elite. He’ll turn 24 on Sept. 30, which doesn’t hurt Golden State’s team-building approach, as he’ll still be in his mid-20s when Curry and Green leave the franchise.
The Warriors already know they have a young player who can fill several needs. It’s a plus that he can provide help at every position on the frontcourt.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 28: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers waits during the national anthem before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on January 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LeBron James is 41 years old and still seizes the epicenter of the NBA offseason discourse. He is a gargantuan figure, almost larger, if not bigger, than the sport of basketball itself. Therefore, it is assumed that where LeBron goes, he will be the sun of any team’s solar system.
A common complaint amongst NBA pundits about another potential reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers is that LeBron’s positional fit is, if anything, more awkward than others’. While LeBron will be the biggest name on the roster wherever he lands, at this phase of his career, LeBron cannot be the end-all, be-all of the roster. The good thing for both LeBron and the team is that his game is so versatile it seamlessly integrates into whatever the roster requires of him.
LeBron’s tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers really took an interesting turn when Luka Dončić arrived. While it definitely extended the window for LA, it left LeBron in a position we hadn’t really seen him in his 23 years in the league: a clear second banana.
Instead of inviting criticism, it actually drew the King more praise — highlighting that this new role was a perfect transition for an aging mega-star. LeBron is one of the smartest players in league history. He knows what the team needs and what leads to winning. Instead of being the focal point, he showed that he can expand his game to help maintain a dependable floor of production while also driving winning through contributions that extend beyond the box score.
LeBron’s greatest offensive strength this past season wasn’t any one skill; it was his capacity to be whatever the Lakers needed on a given night. He could function as the engine of the offense, initiating nearly every action, or recede into a complementary role, leveraging his screening, cutting, spacing, and connective passing to elevate the players around him. Few stars possess that kind of stylistic flexibility without sacrificing their effectiveness.
That versatility became especially valuable as the Lakers’ personnel shifted throughout the year. Rather than forcing the offense to conform to him, James continually reshaped his game to fit the roster at hand, ensuring the team retained its identity regardless of who was available.
By the time the playoffs arrived and injuries thrust him back into the spotlight, he effortlessly expanded his responsibilities, controlling tempo, diagnosing coverages, and creating advantages wherever they presented themselves. His ability to toggle between superstar creator and elite complementary piece wasn’t simply a luxury; it was the foundation that kept the Lakers competitive under constantly changing circumstances.
In Cleveland, LeBron would be able to continue this role on a greater scale, as Cleveland’s roster is more balanced. With James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, they would carry the bulk of time on-ball, allowing LeBron to choose his spots. The presence of dynamic bigs in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen allows LeBron to have plentiful options while also having elite lob threats and, in the case of Allen, an excellent screener. Knockdown shooters like Sam Merrill and Max Strus are archetypes that have always had success with LeBron throughout all iterations of his career.
The basketball concerns floating around about LeBron being an awkward fit with the Cavaliers are underselling the fact that the Lakers have asked him to be the ultimate basketball chameleon over the last season and a half. LeBron can insert himself into any offense in the league and find his best way to ingratiate himself with any roster. Cleveland offers him the most coverage of responsibility to be the guy of any of the realistic options out there. It already is apparent that Cleveland’s stars are welcoming and not daunted by the prospect of the King joining the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers aren’t desperate for the 2010’s version of LeBron James; this isn’t 2014 when he brought with him a level of competency that the franchise was lacking. This team has been a constant postseason presence since 2022, having just made their first non-LeBron run to the Eastern Conference Finals. The potential reunion is one where LeBron can insert himself into the Cavaliers lineup, and it’s not like the messiah arrived. It instead feels like the ultimate complementary piece that completes the Cavaliers roster.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MAY 17: Ronel Blanco #56 of the Houston Astros sits in the dugout during a game agaisnt the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. Check out the previous day’s recap here.
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (45-47) won 3-1 (BOX SCORE)
Blanco started for Sugar Land and tossed 4.1 scoreless innings. Sugar Land got on the board in the third inning on a Biggio RBI double. The pen was solid allowing just one unearned run as the Isotopes tied it in the 7th. In the bottom of the 9th, Sugar Land walked it off on a Meyers 2 run home run as they won 3-1.
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (40-47) lost 11-3 (BOX SCORE)
The Hooks got on the board in the first inning on an Encarnacion steal of home. Hertzler got the start and went 2 innings allowing 3 runs. Gillis pitched in relief but had his first rough outing in a while allowing 7 tuns over 5 innings. The offense got one in the third on a Sisneros groundout and another in the 5th on an Austin sac fly but that was it as the Hooks fell 11-3.
Brett Gillis, RHP: 5.0 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Nic Swanson, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
A+: Asheville Tourists (30-56) lost 10-4 (BOX SCORE)
Howard started for Asheville but struggled allowing 4 runs over 3.2 innings of work. The offense got on the board in the bottom of the inning on a Powell sac fly and a run on a passed ball. The pen struggled for Asheville allowing another 6 runs as they found themselves down 10-2. The offense got 2 runs back in on Daudet and Batista RBI singles but that was it as they fell 10-4.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (42-42) lost 18-1 (BOX SCORE)
The Woodpeckers got on the board in the first inning on a Cauro RBI single. Things went downhill fast after that. The pitching staff had a rough game allowing 18 runs over 8 innings. The offense was quiet the rest of the way collecting just six hits as they fell 18-1.
Note: This was Newman’s first game in Fayetteville since June 3rd.
The LeBron James sweepstakes have continued into a new week, and the timeline for a final decision remains unclear.
Likewise, James’ camp hasn’t dropped many explicit hints as to who has the best chance of landing the 22-time NBA All-Star.
The Warriors still do appear to be in the running, though, as ESPN insider Shams Charania joined “NBA Today” on Monday to share the latest news around James’ decision and when it might come.
“Every day, LeBron James inches closer and closer to a decision,” Charania explained from NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. “It’s decision time for LeBron James because all the information, for the most part, is in. [General managers], presidents, owners — they’ve all been heard from. They’re continuing to have conversations with agent Rich Paul here this week as well. Players have also reached out to LeBron James to recruit him, and yes, all the voice notes have also been listened to, and rosters have been set around the league. The decks have been set.
“And the leading suitors have been Cleveland, Miami, Golden State, Philadelphia and Minnesota. And what we know definitively is LeBron James has made it clear privately that he wants to go somewhere where he can compete for a championship, somewhere where he feels like he finds that happiness from a team environment and culture that he feels he can uplift. And the big thing here is, this is not going to be a financially driven decision, so that gives LeBron James the ability to hear from teams that have the minimum, have other exceptions, have salary-cap space as well, and also be allowed to take his time through this decision.”
None of this news is particularly new, but perhaps Golden State continuing to be one of the “leading suitors,” according to Charania, is a good sign. After all, several reports last week suggested the Warriors were falling behind in the race to sign James.
Who knows, maybe Draymond Green’s pitch to his good friend in Puerto Rico last week has made James lean more in the Warriors’ direction.
Johni Broome turns 24 years old next week. The reality is that players of Broome’s age don’t have a lot of time to prove their worth in the NBA. When you’re an older draft pick, you either quickly assimilate to life in the association, or you’re quickly phased out. There will always be veterans available for at or near league-minimum prices that can round out a roster and play serviceable minutes in the regular season at the very least. Most teams will quickly move on from a recent draft pick who is approaching his mid 20s if that player is nothing more than a G Leaguer who occasionally sneaks his way into the bottom of their NBA rotation.
The cold reality for players like Broome who play (at least) four years of college basketball is that they’re not given as many chances in the NBA players who were drafted at 19 or 20. That makes what was essentially a non-existent rookie season for Broome in the NBA to be that much more concerning. It’s also resulted in this year’s NBA Summer League being the beginning of a pivotal 2026-27 for Philadelphia’s second-round pick one year ago.
Broome had 19 points and 13 rebounds this past Thursday against Detroit. He then posted 23 points and 11 boards on Saturday against Indiana, despite a disappointing fourth quarter vs. the Pacers. His combined plus/minus rating in the two games is a +18. The obvious takeaway here is this is exactly what Broome should be doing in these games, as should any player that’s playing in the NBA Summer League for the second time.
Time will tell if these are significant improvements for Broome or if he just isn’t an NBA player. Broome was a high-level achiever in college so the fact that he’s performing at a high level against similar competition shouldn’t necessarily be a surprise. Despite some good statistical performances, it should also be pointed out that Broome is 2-of-12 from the three-point line in two games so far in this year’s Summer League. For a player who lacks top-end athleticism, his offensive ability was going to have to be aided by some good outside shooting and that hasn’t looked good so far this summer for the second-year player out of Auburn.
So where does Broome go from here? Well, at the bare minimum, he’ll need to churn out more good performances this week as Summer League continues. Then the real test for Broome will come in training camp in September and the handful of preseason games Philadelphia will play in October. If he can crack the rotation for Philly early in the season after that, how is that going to change? Once the regular season starts and the games start counting for real, developing a 24-year-old recent second-round pick isn’t going to be a priority.
Broome’s time to show the Sixers’ coaching staff he belongs in the NBA is now and in September and October. Should he earn his way into a bench role for Philadelphia this season, perhaps the leash will get a little bit longer and he could perhaps stabilize himself as an eighth or ninth man in a rotation. We’ve all known about the Sixers’ struggles to rebound well and maybe being a good rebounder becomes the best path to playing time for Broome come the fall, especially if his jump shot never gets better.
Right now, it just feels like Broome is meeting the minimum standard of what he should be doing. But can at least some of it carry over into a regular role with the Sixers in 2026-27? The clock’s ticking.
