Jul 13, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Latz (67) before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Morning, all!
Did you enjoy the non stop excitement of direct-to-consumer streaming through Victory+? Well, that’s too bad because the Rangers have announced that they are switching streaming platforms effective immediately.
The new platform will be BZZR, a sports streaming and social media platform with an executive that is also a minority partner in Rangers ownership.
The Rangers could use another high leverage arm in the second half.
Although Chris Young says they need both another high leverage arm and to keep playing with positive energy and camaraderie.
After a successful 2025-26 season, the Buffalo Sabres will be looking to take another step forward in 2026-27. If they hope to do that, they will not only need their top players to be at their A-game but also their young players to hit new levels.
Because of this, let's look at three Sabres who have the potential to have breakout years next season.
Konsta Helenius
Don't be surprised if Konsta Helenius has a big breakout year for the Sabres in 2026-27. The 2024 first-round pick left a solid first impression this past campaign with Buffalo. In his first nine career NHL games, he recorded one goal and four points. He also scored two goals in four games during the playoffs for Buffalo and had 63 points in 63 AHL games with the Rochester Americans. With all of this, there is a lot to like about the young forward's game.
Noah Ostlund
Noah Ostlund took a nice step in the right direction with his development last season. He proved that he is ready for the NHL, as he recorded 11 goals and 27 points in 60 games for Buffalo. With that, the 2022 first-round pick undoubtedly has the potential to hit a new level next season for the Sabres. It would not be surprising if he hit the 20-goal and 45-point marks at least.
Olen Zellweger
New Sabres defenseman Olen Zellweger is another breakout candidate to watch on the Sabres. The 22-year-old defenseman has shown promise early on in his career, and he could elevate his game after getting a fresh start with the Sabres. He should receive more consistent playing time with the Sabres than he did on the Anaheim Ducks. In 76 games last season for Anaheim, he posted seven goals and 22 points.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 10: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers smiles during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on July 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Melina Pizano/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This past week, Mookie Betts surpassed the number of games he had played with the Boston Red Sox, officially making him Dodger longer than he was a Red Sox. Spanning those two teams, Betts has amassed six Gold Gloves. Now, he has started his own baseball glove company.
Named LGND, Betts says this line is “built around versatility, craftsmanship and player-first innovation.”
“Every detail matters when you’re on the field, and your glove is one of the most important tools you have,” Betts said in a statement. “I started this with the intention to build something that reflected the way I play the game, which is with passion, preparation and attention to detail.”
Currently the company sells two different collections. The MOOK series is inspired by Betts’ experience playing both infield and outfield. This glove features his personal game-worn colorways, a “50 Tri-Star” logo embroidered on the thumb, and his signature stamped in the palm of the glove.
The MVRK series is meant for those playing multiple positions along with some distinct styling.
“LGND is about giving young players a glove they can trust from the first time they put it on,” Betts said. “Whether you’re chasing a championship, working toward a college scholarship or just falling in love with baseball, I want these gloves to help young players perform at their best.”
Betts has three partners in this endeavor, Cameron Lewis, Brandon McPhail and Andrew Montgomery. The lifelong friends competed together in high school in the Nashville area.
Steve Henson of the L.A. Times has more details on the gloves including the cost here.
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic has an article of what to expect in the second half of the season. He poses questions about whether the Dodgers will ever be at full strength this season, (maybe?), how the team will handle Shohei Ohtani going forward (carefully), and what will they do at the deadline (probably not much, but…).
As all baseball fans know, it boils down to health and your stars performing. Kyle Tucker, we’re looking at you, kid.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 14: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals and Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels before the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The trade deadline is coming up; Anne Rogers talks about how the Royals may get creative
For the Royals, the clearest point about this season is how much of a disappointment it’s been for a team that had high expectations after a 2024 playoff run, finishing over .500 again in ‘25 and returning that core group of players in ‘26. But nothing has gone right for Kansas City through its first 97 games of the season.
Kansas City would like to acquire talent that’s ready or near-ready for the Major Leagues, which will help begin to construct the roster for 2027 and beyond. The trickiness comes into play here, though, because that will likely mean trading controllable pieces the Royals also want and need to rely on next year and beyond.
For example, trading starter Michael Wacha could net young, controllable talent — although how much would vary based on how other teams view the 35-year-old right-hander. But his potential departure would also leave a gaping hole in an already thin rotation for the next two seasons (assuming the Royals pick up his ‘28 club option).
Here is every MLB team’s biggest need at the deadline.
Royals: Young, controllable talent The Royals need to address parts of their entire roster, but it doesn’t have to be a huge overhaul. They need to use the Deadline to begin acquiring young, controllable talent that could help them compete right away next season. This is no small task, as it will require giving up something important — perhaps a starting pitcher — but building next year’s roster should be on the forefront of their minds.
MLB’s pipeline chose Jack Slightom as their favorite Royals draft pick
After going the college route with its first two picks, Kansas City took a high-schooler at No. 56 overall and got some intriguing upside in the 6-foot-5 right-hander from Illinois. Slightom was already picking up velocity, touching 98 mph this spring, and it’s easy to project him adding more with a singular year-long focus on baseball. (He also played quarterback in the fall.) With that extra power could come an improved slider, while his changeup already flashes above-average.
There seems to be only one direction this issue of Cub Tracks can go, with most the articles being about possible trades suggestions, about what happened in the first half and what the second half looks like, and what groups of players need to step it up in the second half.
And the plethora of articles about Pete Crow-Armstrong. That makes the choice easy.
I’m not being a PCA fan boy, but he is the face of the Cubs right now, and a large part of the reason for that is the remarkable output during the first half of the season. Another part is the maturity he has shown following the bad fan interactions one weekend earlier this season.
People are quick to tear someone down, but we have seen the growth of maturity displayed since then and the Cubs have responded in kind — maybe not universally or consistently, but through combined resilience during the times of struggle this year. The casual fan is probably starting to notice that and the support is returning.
Will PCA continue this non-Ohtani dominance in baseball? Who knows. But is that all that is needed for the Cubs to reach the playoffs and contend for the World Series? Not at all. Everyone else has to raise their level of game to their level of PCA-ness. Not match him, but reach the top level of their personal abilities.
And injuries. Nothing PCA can do to help to the team overcome that. All the adjustments for that is being done by others and is not in his control. Those adjustments for injuries haven’t been perfect, but, given the circumstances, they’ve gone remarkably well. So well, credit should be given there for achieving a 54-42 record to this point. The record could easily be reversed without those adjustments.
All PCA can control is himself. Be the best he can be, and hopefully the Cubs, individually, can match him in being the best they can be. If that happens, the Cubs will be in a position where they could have a strong run in the playoffs.
*means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments.
Tyler Courtney (LastWordOnSports): 2026 Chicago Cubs Trade Deadline Outlook. “The Cubs’ trade deadline strategy has become an increasingly important conversation in 2026.”
Brock Beauchamp (North Side Baseball): What To Make Of The Cubs At The All-Star Break. “The Cubs had a long lull, but ended at the break with a respectable position. What’s in store in the second half?”
Tyler Courtney (LastWordOnSports): Four Cubs Under Pressure to Perform in the Second Half. “Despite a strong start to the season, there are plenty of players for the Chicago Cubs under pressure heading into the second half of 2026.”
Formed in 1977 by harmonica master Billy Branch, the original incarnation of the Sons of Blues boasted a lineup composed entirely of blues scions, including bassist Freddie Dixon (son of Willie Dixon), guitarist Lurrie Bell (son of Carey Bell), and drummer Garland Whiteside (son of Clifton James). Willie Dixon served as a major mentor to the band during their early years. They first gained international recognition performing at the Berlin Jazz Festival and featuring on Alligator Records’ Living Chicago Blues series in the late 1970s.
Over the decades, as original members moved on to pursue solo careers, Billy Branch assumed permanent leadership and cultivated a world-class rotating cast of musicians. The Chicago Reader has frequently voted them the top blues band in Chicago.
Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 29: Cole Carrigg #16 of the Colorado Rockies throws to the infield to hold the runners after catching a fly ball in the third inning at Coors Field on June 29, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies are a team in the midst of a rebuild. With this in mind, the staff at Purple Row thought it would be useful to revisit the “State of the Position” series that we ran in March to see where things stand. We’ve asked authors of the spring articles to re-evaluate their earlier remarks with an eye toward the August 3 trade deadline.
What was said in March
When my colleague Renee Dechert evaluated the Rockies’ outfield group back during spring training, one thing was very clear: Brenton Doyle was the uncontested starter in center field. The two-time Gold Glove award winner had overcome a -2.0 rWAR first half in 2025 with injuries and personal trauma to finish the season with positive wins above replacement per Baseball Reference. He looked like the Brenton Doyle from 2024 and was expected to be one of the most stable parts of the Rockies’ lineup heading into the 2026 season.
Backing up Doyle occasionally in center field as well as playing regularly in left would be Jake McCarthy. The Rockies made a surprising intradivision trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the lightning-quick outfielder in exchange for a pitching prospect.
With McCarthy in left, the young Jordan Beck would move to right field for his true sophomore season. Beck could continue to build on a solid 2025 campaign at the plate while working to improve his defense by utilizing his speed and solid arm strength.
Mickey Moniak would be the fourth outfielder and designated hitter for the Rockies. After a truly awful defensive season in 2025 that sank his value into the negatives for rWAR, Moniak could focus on putting his bat to good use in the Rockies lineup and only playing corner outfield (and hopefully the very, very rare center field appearance) when necessary.
Behind the core four, a group of utility players in Tyler Freeman, Ryan Ritter, Troy Johnston, and Willi Castro would be available in a pinch. Freeman was a regular presence in the outfield last season, but his defense was… an adventure. Ritter–who debuted last season–added outfield to his repertoire during the off-season and spring, and the newly acquired Willi Castro (a free agent) and Troy Johnston (a waiver claim from Miami) both had outfield experience.
Where the Rockies are now
The Starters
The Rockies’ outfield through the first half of the 2026 season has been complicated and crowded. They’ve used ten different players in the outfield to varying degrees of success and what has emerged is a transitional group completely detached from preseason expectations.
Brenton Doyle–the surefire starting center fielder–has been on the injured list since May 20th. He sustained a left oblique contusion while making a diving catch and then developed a nagging groin strain during his rehab assignment with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. His rehab assignment has since been shut down and his timeline for return is unknown.
However, when he was on the field over the first 43 games of the season, Doyle struggled. He hit just .207/.279/.270 with just four doubles, one home run, four RBIs, and nine stolen bases. His trademark gilded defense also took a hit with -2 defensive runs saved, zero outs above average, and a -1 fielding run value.
Jordan Beck also struggled early in the season, hitting .183/.227/.305 with five doubles, one triple, one home run, and ten RBIs in 30 games. He found very little success against right-handed pitching and was relegated to a platoon role before a hamstring strain landed him on the injured list. He was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque fter missing more than a month of action and completing a rehab assignment.
Without Beck and Doyle playing, there has been room for new challenger to emerge in top prospect Cole Carrigg (no. 4 PuRP).
The 2023 second round pick proved he was ready for a call-up after a blistering hot start to the season in Triple-A Albuquerque in which he hit .338/.414/.529 with 15 doubles, five triples, six home runs, 42 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases over 57 games. Now it seems unlikely that the 28-year-old Doyle will get his job in center field back from the 24-year-old Carrigg if the former returns this season.
Since making his Major League debut on June 9th, Carrigg has been as good as advertised. He is hitting .273/.356/.515 through his first 31 big league games and 119 plate appearances with six doubles, three triples, four home runs, 22 RBIs, and a couple of stolen bases. Even more impressive has been the rookie’s plate approach. Known for being aggressive and “playing with his hair on fire,” Carrigg has drawn 13 walks to 26 strikeouts. His 10.9% walk rate is among the team’s best, above fellow rookie TJ Rumfield and just below Kyle “3-2 count” Karros.
With excellent speed and one of the best arms in the Rockies’ system, Carrigg’s defense in center field has been a strong point. In 241.1 innings patrolling the position, his two defensive runs saved, two outs above average, and three fielding run value have already made him the Rockies’ best defensive outfielder.
With Carrigg settling in out in center field, Jake McCarthy has been the most common choice for the Rockies in left. There he can make use of his blazing speed without his weaker than average arm being too much of a hindrance.
After falling out of favor with the Diamondbacks last season due to a -0.6 rWAR season where he hit .204/.247/.345, McCarthy was sent to the Rockies in exchange for pitching prospect Josh Grosz (who had in turn been acquired from the New York Yankees at the 2025 trade deadline).
Arizona’s loss has been Colorado’s gain. McCarthy has quickly become a tremendous asset in the Mile High City as both a leadoff hitter and fan favorite. Hitting .301/.347/.516 so far this season, McCarthy has 18 doubles, six triples, and has donned the Rockies’ purple home run coat a career high ten times. Two of his home runs have been of the inside-the-park variety, making him the third Rockies hitter to have two inside-the-park home runs in a single season (Brandon Barnes, 2014 and Charlie Blackmon, 2017) and the first hitter with two leadoff inside-the-park home runs since 1929.
With all the injuries and shuffling, Tyler Freeman has somehow repeated his role from last season as the Rockies’ primary right fielder. While his defense has been somewhat improved compared to his abysmal 2025 where he was worth -10 defensive runs saved, -8 outs above average, and a -6 fielding run value, Freeman is still one of the worst defensive right fielders in baseball this season. His -9 defensive runs saved is the worst of any regularly playing right fielder while his -6 outs above average and -4 fielding run value are both in the bottom ten.
Freeman is regularly on base with a .265 average and a .343 on-base percentage. He seldom strikes out and can even be a threat to steal bases. However, with little in terms of pop, his offensive numbers are fairly empty. He has just six doubles, a triple, three home runs, an 23 RBIs this season. This combines with his atrocious defense to make him baseball’s current least valuable player with -1.5 wins above replacement per Baseball Reference.
The Backups
After missing the start of the season with a right finger sprain, Mickey Moniak hit the ground running as one of the Rockies best hitters against right-handed pitching. He hit .280/.335/.607 with nine doubles, two triples, 12 home runs, and 28 RBIs through his first 43 games of the season and looked like a potential All-Star candidate for the Rockies.
Unfortunately, he was sidelined again in late May with right ankle tendonitis and swelling that kept him out of the lineup for over a month. Moniak returned in late June, and while he hasn’t had as much of a power stroke, he has continued to be a solid hitter for the Rockies. He has hit .271/.302/.492 with two doubles, a triple, three home runs, and ten RBIs since returning.
Moniak has actually been serviceable with the glove this season, which comes as a pleasant surprise after terrible defense last season was a major criticism of the former first overall draft pick. The Rockies have largely utilized Moniak in left field instead of right or center field, where he has been worth a perfectly cromulent -1 defensive runs saved, zero outs above average, and a zero fielding run value.
Next to Moniak on the outfield bench is 29-year-old Troy Johnson, a second-year MLB player who was acquired off of waivers from the Miami Marlins this off-season.
Johnston quickly captured the hearts of Rockies fans with his excitable, golden retriever-like personality. His teammates are similarly enamored. Helping his case in the hearts and minds of the baseball public has been his surprising aptitude for hitting. Johnston even earned a decent number of All-Star votes as a designated hitter by slashing .301/.374/.417 in the first half. His 23 doubles has him as one of the league leaders in the category–tied for fourth place with Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman and future Hall of Famer Freddie Freeman.
However, Johnston is much better served as a designated hitter. His defense in right field–where he’s gotten the most playing time–leaves a lot to be desired (and the less said about his work at first base, the better).
Willi Castro exists mostly as an emergency or late inning switch option of the outfield. He is much better suited to second base with the occasional appearances at shortstop and third when Kyle Karros or Ezequiel Tovar are in need of a day off.
Rounding out the bench is a surprising name: catcher Braxton Fulford. The Rockies have been working with Fulford to expand his defensive skill-set this season with the starting role behind the plate firmly in the hands of Hunter Goodman while backup catcher–and occasional relief pitcher–Brett Sullivan still sees a decent amount of playing time. Fulford has the speed and glove skills to make corner outfield work in a pinch, and made his first career appearance either in college or professionally in left field on July 8th.
On the Farm
Sterlin Thompson (no. 13 PuRP) made his Major League debut earlier this season after a strong start in Triple-A Albuquerque. Thompson took some solid at-bats and was up with the Rockies for 27 games, but wasn’t quite ready for a full-time big league job. He hit .232/.312/.377 with four doubles and did hit his first two big league home runs. He has since been returned to the Isotopes, where he continues to hit well. So far this season in Triple-A he has slashed .314/.457/.459 with seven doubles, a triple, six home runs, and 42 walks to 38 strikeouts.
Two of Thompson’s Albuquerque teammates are stealing the show, however, and pounding on the door for big league call-ups of their own.
Zac Veen (no. 9 PuRP) has reinvented himself by getting sober and bulking up after a disastrous debut last season. Veen has been hitting very well with the Isotopes, going .311/.385/.578 in the first 81 games of the Triple-A season. He leads the Pacific Coast League with 26 doubles and has also hit five triples, 16 home runs, and has driven in 59 RBIs. He’s also been much more disciplined at the plate, drawing 39 walks to 76 strikeouts.
2024 first round pick Charlie Condon (no. 1 PuRP) has been playing a significant amount of right field this season in Albuquerque, a potential necessity with the emergence of TJ Rumfield at first base. After a slow start over the first few months of the season, Condon’s power exploded in June. He enters the All-Star break hitting .289/.414/.584 with 16 doubles, six triples, 20 home runs–the third most in the Pacific Coast League–and 60 RBIs. Condon is also among the Pacific Coast League leaders in walks with 53 compared to his 87 strikeouts. He also participated in the All-Star Futures Game for a second time this season.
The only real building block of the future for this Rockies squad currently playing every day is Cole Carrigg in center field. Outside of that, the Rockies outfield is largely crowded and in a state of transition. There are simply too many outfielders–or players who play in the outfield like Tyler Freeman–on this roster.
With Zac Veen ad Charlie Condon arguably ready for their big league debuts, where ideally they would flank Carrigg in the outfield corners, decisions need to me made. The trade deadline is in a few weeks and at least one outfielder such as McCarthy or Moniak should at least be on the market for contending teams. While having skilled backups like Brenton Doyle is important, other players–potentially even Doyle himself–will need to be optioned, designated for assignment, or have their future with the organization assessed during the off-season.
For now, the Rockies outfield you see today is very unlikely to be the one you see next year.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 14: Parker Messick #77 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches during the 96th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Derik Hamilton/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Well, technically, we are already into the second half of the season. However, now that we are on the other side of the All-Star Game its full steam ahead to the trade deadline and playoffs. What does this look like for Cleveland?
For starters, Cleveland has the easiest schedule moving forward.
While no official timeline has been provided, José Ramírez and Angel Martínez are set to return soon. Speaking of José, he still leads the league in Outs Above Average for qualified third basemen.
Both the Guardians and all of the minor league affiliates start games again on Friday. The MiLB rotation is here and we can expect Gavin Williams to take the mound on Friday to face off against the Pirates.
In Case You Missed It
Quincy wrote up a recap on the 2026 Guardians draft. There are a lot of exciting talent joining the Guardians ranks.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Rasheer Fleming #20 of the Phoenix Suns plays defense during the game against the Detroit Pistons on July 15, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Tom O'Connor/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
We came into Summer League 2026 the way we always do. With excitement and with hope. There’s something about watching your team’s young prospects take the floor for the first time that always pulls you in. When you have rookies in the mix, it’s your first opportunity to see them wearing your team’s colors, and that alone creates a different level of anticipation.
But as the days pass, that excitement naturally begins to fade. Reality sets in. The games don’t count. Some players are further behind in their development than we hoped. Rotations change, veterans sit, and gradually your attention starts to drift elsewhere.
That’s exactly what happened last season. The Suns arrived in Las Vegas with an exciting group of young players alongside a pair of sophomores we were eager to see develop. In the opener against the Washington Wizards, Ryan Dunn scored 17 points while shooting 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. Oso Ighodaro finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Khaman Maluach added 14 points, although he was 1-of-6 from three. Koby Brea chipped in 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
Then Game 2 arrived. Ryan Dunn didn’t play. Neither did Khaman Maluach. Rasheer Fleming missed his second consecutive game. Like clockwork, the excitement faded.
This year’s version has been much more exciting because the guys you came to see are actually playing. And they’re playing every game. From Game 1 through Game 4, you can see the connectivity and cohesion developing, and it’s translating into wins.
I applaud the Suns’ front office for handling it this way. Typically, a player has a couple of strong performances, the organization decides it’s seen enough, and he disappears for the remainder of Summer League. That’s not what Phoenix has done. The Suns are taking advantage of every developmental opportunity available, and Summer League is a significant part of that process.
Yes, Khaman Maluach has dominated in pretty much every facet of the game. You could argue the organization has already seen everything it needs to see. But these minutes still have value. He’s out there leading, communicating, and continuing to build good habits. So why not give him more opportunities to do exactly that? That’s the approach the Suns have taken.
They now sit at 3-1 in standings that don’t count, and it’s because they’ve allowed this group to develop together. The cohesion has grown, the talent has become more apparent, and the players have been given every opportunity to showcase what they can do.
Quite honestly, this has been one of the most enjoyable Summer Leagues I’ve watched as a fan. I actually get to watch the players I came to see, and they’re getting enough minutes for me to develop a real understanding of who they are while gaining valuable reps at the same time.
Whether the Suns finish Summer League with a winning record won’t matter much a few months from now. What will matter is that they resisted the urge to declare victory after a game or two and instead treated Las Vegas like the classroom it was meant to be. Development isn’t about checking a box. It’s about accumulating reps, building chemistry, and learning through experience. Phoenix has embraced that philosophy this summer, and it’s made the basketball more enjoyable to watch while giving these young players a better chance to become contributors when their number is eventually called.
Summer Bright Side Baller Standings
Three games. Three Maluach masterclasses. He has owned the Summer League Bright Side Baller standings to this point, winning once again for his performance against the Bucks on Monday. Although he did so with only 71% of the vote.
Summer Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 4 against the Pistons. Here are your nominees:
US pro-basketball player for the New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson, attends the 2026 ESPY Awards at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York on July 15, 2026. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Even if the Knicks didn’t play, the Knicks swept.
New York’s mob attended the ESPY Awards and racked up trophy after trophy, all of them starting with Best.
Here’s the latest from the protagonists and a couple more folks.
Knicks win every ESPY they're nominated for:
🧹 Best Male Athlete – Jalen Brunson 🧹 Best Championship Performance – Jalen Brunson 🧹 Best NBA Player – Jalen Brunson 🧹 Best Play – OG Anunoby 🧹 Best Team – New York Knicks pic.twitter.com/9oA3CzbUJq
On the condition of his surgically repaired left wrist, and when the injury happened:
“I’m good. Obviously, it’s going to take a little bit of time. There isn’t a play where I remember it happening; I just remember being at the free-throw line in the third or fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals and my wrist is starting to feel weak.
“From that point on, it was just trying to figure out what was going on and how to proceed because I wasn’t going to get anything done during that time.”
On the emotional swings after winning the championship and then undergoing wrist surgery:
“It’s been a rollercoaster, honestly. Once we won and everything, everything was up high…everything after we won was amazing. And then getting back to real life, it was probably best to get surgery done for my wrist. That brought me back down. But I would do it all again.”
On winning the championship in New York:
“Obviously, once we won and everything, everything was up and high and everything was amazing, the parade and all of that. Everything after we won was amazing. Then kind of getting back into real life and realizing it was probably best to get surgery done for my wrist. That kind of brought me back down. But I would do it all again.
“It’s an incredible feeling, and something that doing it here has made it 10 times better. The experience has been better, just being in the city. It’s been amazing, to say the least.”
On accepting the ESPY for Best Championship Performance:
“First and foremost, I want to thank my family for sacrificing everything day in and day out. Thank you to [owner] Jim Dolan and the Knicks organization, [president] Leon [Rose], the front office, Mike Brown, my teammates — without them, none of this would be possible. They allow me to be me. I’m forever indebted to them.”
“Uh, it’s truly such an honor to win an ESPY to cap off an amazing year and special moment for our team.
“To the best fans in the world, we thank you for all your love and support. Winning a championship for the city is truly so special, and I want to thank God, my teammates, the entire Knicks organization and all those who supported me along the way. Go Knicks!”
glad to see we got mitchell robinson ready for the joe mazulla offense shooting 3s pic.twitter.com/TqtF8oGgHF
“You know, I just love to play. I don’t have to play… [It’s] because I want to, and I love the game, and I truly love being a part of winning.
“And I’ve been on a bunch of winning organizations the past few stints I’ve been in, and it’s felt great. And now that I’m playing with the Knicks, obviously another team that just won. Just looking forward to continuing to build on that, and it kind of just helps me stay focused as well too.
Just having some sort of structure, so I’m still going with basketball and obviously being able to focus on the other things I want to do off the court.”
On his partnership with and creative director role at Stria Sport:
“Obviously, every athlete and every sports person has a dream that they own their own sneaker company or own their own signature shoe. So for me, this is a dream come true, but not really understanding what went into the business of how grueling and how long these hours can be.
“And it’s been so much fun, man. I can’t even explain to you how much fun I’ve had with this. This is like I feel like a kid in a candy store. Every day I have new ideas… So I’m thinking further along the line instead of what’s happening right now. So my investment and my dedication to this brand, it’s everything.”
On his career and life goals:
“I mean, I’ll definitely be on the golf course out there and get my swing thing. But I do like to feel what my future will look like because I don’t want to be a couch potato when I’m done playing. I still want to keep my mind and keep myself sharp and involve myself in things that I still do care about and want to progress in.”
— The Ryen Russillo Show (@TheRyenRussillo) July 15, 2026
Sean Sweeney (’26 Spurs Associate HC)
On why the Spurs lost the NBA Finals:
“I think a few things. One, I think there’s a little attrition having to go through the previous series. Two, bad luck. They told me if the games were like 46 minutes or whatever, we would’ve won 4-1.”
On Jalen Brunson’s Game 5 performance and San Antonio’s mistakes:
“Jalen [Brunson] obviously had a monster game in that last one. Coached him in Dallas. Happy for him — kind of. I think we just made more mistakes than we had made in the previous series. You can maybe say something to that, but you don’t do what you did, and then all of a sudden become young.”
On the additional media responsibilities players face during the NBA Finals impacting the young Spurs:
“The one thing I think that’s a little different in the finals than the other rounds is when you have to do media in the finals, you have to answer questions even when you’ve played poorly or struggled. And you don’t have to do that in previous rounds.”
Pulled up with the one and only @NickSwagyPYoung ! Caught up with former NBA standout and current Los Angeles Riot head coach Nick Young at the @thebig3 inside the Galen Center in Los Angeles. We talked hoops, his transition from NBA star to coach, the BIG3 atmosphere, and what’s… pic.twitter.com/uwtz1J99ju
“BIG3 is in the ninth season. Nobody expected us to be going this long. It’s good for the players like myself. I’ve been at home. I get a chance to be back on the road and get back in the league. It’s been very competitive. It’s fun.”
On how Gilbert Arenas brought him into the BIG3:
“Gil had played [Gilbert Arenas]. So he came and got me. Once he started doing the whole podcast stuff, he didn’t have time to be the coach. So I took over as the coach. We ended up winning the championship.”
On why the BIG3 has endured:
“The consistency. It’s good. The way social media is going. You got all the 1-on-1 tournaments going on with YouTube, I feel like this is right up that alley. I think it’s a cross between the NBA and YouTube. You get the best of both worlds.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 09: AJ Dybantsa #4 of the Washington Wizards gets ready to shoot a 3-pointer against the Utah Jazz in the second half of a 2026 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Summer League serves as a proving ground for young NBA prospects.
Some players, like Tre Johnson and Will Riley, quickly prove they’re too good for such competition. Others, like Johnny Davis — Washington’s No. 10 pick in 2022 — fold under the bright Las Vegas lights.
AJ Dybantsa proved worthy of the former, scoring impressively across his two performances. But that’s not to say his showing was without its imperfections.
Below is a breakdown of how the BYU product fared in his first action as a Wizard and what, if anything, it tells us about his potential.
Scoring prowess
Dybantsa scored 27 points in Washington’s Summer League opener against the Utah Jazz. He followed with 23 points against the Sacramento Kings.
Dybantsa’s scored from multiple levels, relentlessly attacked the rim and got to the free-throw line often. His 25.0 points per game marked the most by a No. 1 pick in Las Vegas Summer League history.
This mirrored his collegiate scoring production of 25.5 PPG, which mostly came from rim finishes, mid-range jumpers and free throws. The Wizards primarily played Dybantsa on-ball, which explains his 40% usage rate.
The 6-foot-9 wing’s best pre-draft attribute was his scoring ability. Specifically around the rim, where he shot 72.3% in a tough Big 12 conference.
Dybantsa topped that efficiency in Vegas. He shot 8-for-9 (89%) at the rim, his lone miss a blocked dunk while attempting to posterize Sacramento’s Dylan Cardwell.
He also excelled at drawing contact. Dybantsa’s seven free-throw attempts per game tied Darryn Peterson for the most in Las Vegas this year.
For a Wizards team that ranked 29th in adjusted offensive rating and 26th in free throws attempted per game last season, Dybantsa’s Summer League performance proved what everyone already knew: He’s a dangerous scoring weapon that will tremendously aid Washington’s offense.
Shooting struggles
One of the few blunders on Dybantsa’s otherwise pristine draft profile was his poor outside shooting. At BYU, he shot just 33.1% from 3-point range and sub-50% on mid-range jumpers.
Those struggles continued in Vegas.
At the rim: 8-9 (89%)
Mid-range: 4-13 (31%)
3-point range: 1-11 (9.1%)
Free throws: 12-14 (86%)
While Dybantsa shot well from 2-point range (12-for-22), eight of those makes came at the rim. He made just four of his 13 2-point attempts from outside the restricted area, which were comprised of mid-range jumpers and a few floaters.
A silver lining to Dybantsa’s mid-range struggles is that he generated open looks off the dribble with his quick first step and ensuing pivot into a turnaround jumper when defenders overcommitted to stopping his drive. He didn’t finish those plays with a bucket, but it showcased the space he’s able to create and counters he’s developed for when teams overload to stop his drive.
Dybantsa’s 3-pointer is a different story. He missed all five of his outside jumpers against Utah and made just one of his six attempts against Sacramento. His lone make was an open transition triple.
Dybantsa’s 3-ball remains his Achilles’ heal. And in a league reliant on spacing, adding a respectable outside jumper should top his summer workout plan.
That said, a few poor shooting performances at Summer League isn’t the greatest indicator of whether a prospects 3-point jumper will develop. Take Peterson for example.
Those who preferred Peterson in the pre-draft process will certainly criticize Dybantsa’s poor shooting splits in Las Vegas. But Peterson, who’s primary offensive weapon is his lethal jumper, shot just 30.8% from the field — nearly nine percentage points worse than Dybantsa’s 39.4% — and 23.1% from 3-point range.
Does that mean Peterson projects as an inefficient scorer and poor 3-point shooter at the NBA level? Absolutely not. Just like Dybantsa’s low shooting percentage doesn’t mean he can never improve as a jump shooter.
Overall, Dybantsa’s shot chart is somewhat unsurprising. He was nearly unstoppable when he got to the rim, and he often drew contact when he accelerated downhill. He made a few mid-range jumpers, probably fewer than he should’ve given how open some of those looks were. And he struggled to make 3-pointers.
All of this tracks with what his draft profile suggested he was: An NBA-ready slasher who possesses the shot creation tools to evolve into a scary three-level scorer if he ever adds a respectable jump shot.
A solid defensive effort
Many questioned Dybantsa’s defensive pedigree at BYU. It wasn’t as much a question of effort as it was of production, which trailed behind his fellow prospects.
Despite a 6-foot-9 frame, a 7-foot wingspan and a 42-inch maximum vertical, Dybantsa totaled just 23 combined steals and blocks in 38 collegiate games. He tallied over 33% of that figure — eight combined steals and blocks — in just two Summer League games.
“I was lazy in college, I can admit that,” Dybantsa said on the Prime Video broadcast on Tuesday. “I want to make an impact on the defensive end”
His defensive effort was noticeable. He pressured his assignment at halfcourt and used his length to deflect passes, disrupt drives and generate five steals.
He tracked back against the Jazz for a block in transition. And against Sacramento, he casually extended his arm to swat Darius Acuff’s 3-point attempt.
AJ switches onto Acuff and uses his length to block the 3-pointer and gets rewarded on the other end. pic.twitter.com/25fUEhVZhj
Dybantsa wandered when guarding off-ball and at times lost his assignment. But for a player scolded for his lackluster defensive numbers at BYU, averaging 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest is a great sign that his defense will, at worst, be respectable against NBA competition.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 15: Chris Cenac Jr. #12 of the Boston Celtics drives against B.J. Edwards #50 of the Sacramento Kings in the first half of the 2026 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Celtics finished the regular season portion of Summer League at 3-1 with an 82-76 victory the Sacramento Kings. The wire-to-wire win included a strong defensive effort in the first quarter when the Kings only scored four points, the lowest in SL history. There’s still a shot for Boston to be a playoff team with today’s games still undecided.
Maine on my mind
Earlier in the day, former CelticsBlogger and Spotrac’s Keith Smith reported that Boston had signed Milos Uzan and Tucker DeVries to Exhibit 10 contracts. Tennies are basically non-guaranteed training camp deals that tend to subsequently lead to G League invites to Maine.
Uzan has been particularly impressive throughout this Summer League regular season. Kingston Flemings was the University of Houston’s highest draft pick at #8 to Atlanta, followed by Cenac Jr. to the Cs and Emanuel Sharp to Sacramento, but Uzan has been a pleasant surprise as the lone undrafted Cougar. He had another solid game with 13 points, seven rebounds, and two assists last night and could be a good candidate to be the starting point guard up at the Portland Expo.
Milos Uzan, who is joining the Celtics at training camp on an E10, when asked about his conversations with the team and a potential two-way deal:
“My main thought process right now is just to go out in Summer League and compete and see where it goes from there.
“I know I’m going to be at training camp, so I’m just trying to keep getting better and just try to add value to the team,” Uzan said.
What could interesting is the fate of John Tonje. He was included in the trade that sent Chris Boucher to the Utah Jazz and played on a two-way contract with the Celtics last season. Now, he’s effectively a free agent after the Celtics didn’t pick up his option last month. He hit 47.4% from 3 heading into the Kings game and made another 3-of-7 against Sacramento.
The 25-year-old is a capable second-side scorer as a spot-up shooter and close-out attacker, but he just lacks the athleticism on defense to hold his ground.
Hugo has been huge
I made this Hugo Gonzalez comp in our CelticsBlog Slack and I think it’s pretty accurate: Austin Reaves. Ridicule and disgust followed the comparison to the Laker. The sophomore still has three more years on his rookie contract while Reaves signed a four-year, $185 million max extension this summer. There’s still some ways to go for Gonzalez, but the tools are there. Hugo is the superior defender (by far) and the Summer League ## turnovers are an eyesore in his SL box score, but he’s on track with Reaves’ development on offense.
His Eurostep and decel have generated 15 trips to the free throw line — remember: Summer League is testing a new rule where one free throw is two points — and he’s dished out 17 assists in three games.
Admittedly, the grift isn’t exactly my favorite part of his game, but if his handle tightens up and his vision focuses, he could be a reliable ball handler in the second unit. That’s a huge development from last year when he was mostly used as a spark off the bench and a versatile defender.
Speak softly and carry a big stick
The marquee signing of this offseason was Mitchell Robinson. The former Knick earned a three-year, $47 million contract in Boston after finishing last season as one of the league’s best offensive rebounders and rim protectors. He’ll join last year’s breakout star Neemias Queta and second unit stalwart Luka Garza in the Celtics center room.
However, in the shadows of the Summer League, Boston is developing the future of their franchise in Amari Williams and Chris Cenac Jr. Williams spent last season in Maine on a two-way contract and he’s signed on again to do the same, but don’t be surprised if he’s converted into a standard deal again by the end of the year.
The prerequisite rebounding and rim protection is there — I swear there are times that Williams seemingly invites a driver to test him only for him to swat their attempt into the first row.
“It calms everybody else down,” SL head coach Amile Jefferson said of playing through Williams. “When you’re able to play off-ball knowing that we have a guy that—his strength is his passing. He’s creative. He can find you. If you move and you’re open, he can get the ball where it needs to go.”
He had three assists to go along with his seven rebounds and two blocks.
Chris Cenac is coming in with a chip on his shoulder, trying to prove wrong the 26 teams that passed on him.
"I dropped way lower than I was supposed to in the draft, so I'm coming out, showing everybody what I'm capable of doing and … regretting the decision that they made." pic.twitter.com/ybMvWyGt9K
Cenac Jr. is a different animal. After making that game-tying three in the team’s opener against the Raptors that sent the game into overtime, he missed his next four attempts against Charlotte and Atlanta. Then, last night, he went 1-for-3 against the Kings.
His shot plot at Houston consisted of a heavy diet of mid-range jumpers. Think Chris Bosh or LaMarcus Aldridge. In the pros, that shot might need to migrate out to the three-point line and it looks like it’s already an adjustment that the team has made with him.
“I dropped way lower than I was supposed to in the draft,” Cenac Jr. told ESPN. “So, I’m coming out and showing everybody what I’m capable of doing and [making them regret] the decision that they made.”
Cenac Jr. finished with a strong double-double of 10 & 12.
Fort Myers, FL - February 17: Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow (center) talks to pitcher Brayan Bellow (second from right) and shortstop Ceddanne Rafaela (far right) during spring training at JetBlue Park. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
Ceddanne Rafaela didn’t have a particularly impactful All-Star Game performance. But he did get a chance to reconnect with one of his baseball heroes and mentors. Fellow Curacaoan/defensive genius Andruw Jones was also in Philadelphia, and the two met up and talked for well over an hour. “I like everything I see,” Jones said of Ceddanne. “It’s hard to compare people to other people. It’s hard to compare to Ken Griffey Jr. It’s hard to compare to Willie Mays. It’s hard to compare to any great center fielder out there. I like what I see. He’s gonna be a great one.” (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
Ceddy wasn’t the only Red Sox player who had a chance to connect with his countrymen in Philadelphia. When Aroldis Chapman entered the game in the ninth inning, he represented the seventh Cuban to play in the game, which broke a record. 25% of all Cuban big leaguers made it to the All-Star Game, compared to just 5% of big leaguers overall. “Happy and proud to be part of this group,” Chapman said. “That means a lot for us, and also talks about the season the Cubans are having and we are having. Hopefully next year, we get to break the record and bring even more.” (Anthony DiComo, MLB.com)
A few weeks ago, it looked certain that Chapman’s time in Boston would soon be coming to an end. But after a 14-2 run to pull themselves back into the postseason picture, talk of the Red Sox selling at the trade deadline has all but ceased. Now the players are sending the front office a clear message: it’s time to buy. “I believe [Breslow] and everybody in the front office will go out there and get what they think we’re missing,” said Rafaela. “Personally, I believe in the whole group and I believe in what we have. Of course we want everybody to stay together at the trade deadline.” (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Chapman could have a new (old) bullpen mate soon. Tommy Kahnle, who elected free agency after being designated for assignment by the Sox just a few weeks ago, has re-signed with the team. He’ll head to AAA for now. (Chris Mason, MassLive)
So Kahnle may return to the Fenway, but what all about all the players recovering from injury? This notebook contains a rundown of injury news. Trevor Story is “progressing from sports hernia surgery more quickly than expected,” but none of Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, or Isiah Kiner-Falefa are swinging bats yet. (Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic)
Even had the team still been on the path towards selling, they might not have been able to trade Willson Contreras, who has a no-trade clause and is prepared to use it. “The front office knows the answer,” Contreras said when asked if he’d refuse a trade. “I don’t think I’m interested in going anywhere.” (Peter Abraham and Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
McLaren’s fourth change of power unit exceeds regulations
Reigning champion eyes overtaking opportunities
Lando Norris believes he can still be competitive at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, despite a 10-place grid penalty. The defending world champion will nonetheless have his work cut out at Spa after his McLaren team took a new battery for his car, the fourth, one more than is allowed.
Norris is fifth in the world championship, 82 points behind the leader, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. He and McLaren have endured a series of failures from their Mercedes power unit this season, including “terminal” issues with the power electronics unit, a part of the battery. One failed in China, one was withdrawn in Japan, repaired but failed at Monaco.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 17: Ryan Jeffers #27 of the Minnesota Twins looks on against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 17, 2026 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Rarely at MLB’s trade deadline does a single, obvious player-team match take hold. Any player with substantial value who’s on the market tends to garner interest from across the league, making their landing place a mystery until the 11th hour. But when you cross-reference a thin market at catcher with a small number of teams feeling the need to substantially upgrade at the position mid-season, you can see why sportswriters around the league are shipping Ryan Jeffers to the Yankees.
The Yankees’ catchers have been a black hole at this plate this season. Austin Wells is hitting .155 and his backup coming into the year, J.C. Escarra, has been no better, playing his way back down to Triple-A. As a group, their 44 wRC+ is the worst among any team’s backstops and they’re on pace for an astonishingly low 41 RBI. Even if one of the pair of incumbents can show some signs of life, both are left-handed, making a right-handed platoon partner a clear area of need.
Enter Jeffers. At an offensively stunted position, the 29-year-old has quietly developed into one of the most consistent catchers in the game. He’s slashed .258/.346/.445 since 2023, averaging 22 homers and 78 RBI per 162 games. Among primary catchers over that span, his 122 wRC+ ranks behind only Willson Contreras, Iván Herrera, and Cal Raleigh.
He’s less of a difference-maker behind the plate. He was around the bottom of the league in blocking and throwing out runners last year and below average in framing, an area the Yankees and their catching coordinator, Tanner Swanson, have made a focal point in recent years. While he’s grading out a bit better this year, it’s unclear if that’s a small-sample blip or a product of sustainable improvement.
Jeffers was in the midst of a career year this season, posting a .949 OPS before landing on the IL with a fractured left hamate bone in mid-May. He returned to play in two games before the All-Star break and the early returns were encouraging.
The seven-year veteran is set to hit free agency after the season, making him a true rental. In a normal season, with the Twins hitting the break below .500, he would be a no-brainer to get moved.
Of course, in this year’s AL, things are not that simple. Minnesota is tied with Seattle for the third Wild Card spot and sits just three games behind the White Sox in the AL Central. They’ll be joining a cavalcade of teams faced with the same difficult decision: capitalize on a seller’s market to load up for the future or cash in some chips to fight for a playoff spot now.
There’s also the middle path. As Twins beat writer Matthew Leach suggests, GM Jeremy Zoll may opt to trade some players on expiring contracts while adding big-league talent to help them compete this year. Veteran backstop Victor Caratini filled in capably in Jeffers’ absence, slashing .282/.365/.496 since he went down. His presence on the roster would allow the Twins to move their starter without completely punting at catcher.
Should the Twins elect to move Jeffers, expect the Yankees to be at the front of the line. While his defensive profile does not line up with the team’s preferences at the position, beggars can’t be choosers. His bat from the right side paired with the left-handed Wells, who must be considered a glove-first (if not glove-only) catcher until he proves differently, would be a clear upgrade from Wells backed up by either Escarra or journeyman Ali Sánchez. If the Twins hold onto Jeffers, the pickings could get very slim among right-handed catchers very fast.
The NBA offseason is close to complete. Free agency, minus LeBron James’ next destination, is almost over. The draft has come and gone. A number of elite players, from Giannis Antetokounmpo to Jaylen Brown, have changed teams.
With that said, The Post’s Zach Braziller breaks down the league’s landscape, ranking the teams from 1-30.
True title contenders
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
If healthy, the Thunder are the best team. Remember, top guards Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Williams were either significantly limited or out during the Western Conference finals against the Spurs, and that series still went the distance.
A healthy Jalen Williams helps make the Thunder the best team in the NBA, heading into the 2026-27 season, The Post’s Zach Braziller writes. Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
2. New York Knicks
The Knicks are basically running it back following their first title in 53 years — except for replacing Mitchell Robinson with Andre Drummond as Karl-Anthony Towns’ backup. They remain the best team in the Eastern Conference until further notice.
3. San Antonio Spurs
It’s a matter of when — not if — for the Spurs’ next title. The young big three of Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle have dynastic possibilities, and San Antonio made two intriguing first-round picks in Tarris Reed Jr. and Jayden Quaintance to improve its interior depth behind Wembanyama.
4. Indiana Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton is back, and so are the Pacers after a nightmarish 19-win campaign. The team that took the Thunder to seven games in the NBA Finals in 2025 will be mostly intact again, aside from Ivica Zubac replacing Myles Turner.
The Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson, are the No. 2-ranked team in the Post’s Zach Braziller’s 1-30 NBA rankings. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Can play deep into May
5. Toronto Raptors
As long as the Kawhi Leonard trade with the Clippers ultimately goes through, the Raptors have major contending potential. The 35-year-old Leonard is still a star — when healthy — and he joins a quality nucleus featuring Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl and Immanuel Quickley.
6. Philadelphia 76ers
It’s easy to see the 76ers having a big year, led by the big four of Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. But there are depth and chemistry questions to be answered for this top-heavy roster.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota had a fascinating offseason headlined by the blockbuster four-team trade that landed the Timberwolves LaMelo Ball and sent Naz Reid to the Hornets. Ball and Anthony Edwards could be terrific together — or a disaster. This is a boom-or-bust roster that no longer includes Julius Randle and will likely feature Jaden McDaniels as a small-ball four.
8. Boston Celtics
The Celtics got better on the interior with the addition of Robinson, but worse on the perimeter after the Brown trade. Jayson Tatum should be able to recapture his superstar form after returning from his torn Achilles tendon last season, but does he have a suitable wingman now that Brown is in Philadelphia?
Jayson Tatum should regain his superstar form next season for the Celtics, The Post’s Zach Braziller writes. Getty Images
9. Atlanta Hawks
Nobody gave the Knicks more issues in the playoffs than the Hawks, who returned their entire young core and had a terrific draft, selecting hard-nosed prospects Kingston Flemings of Houston and Zuby Ejiofor of St. John’s.
10. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are basically the same team that couldn’t get out of the first round. After Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, there isn’t much there.
11. Houston Rockets
There is enough talent here to finish in the top half of the West: An All-Star forward (Alperen Sengun), quality point guard (Fred VanVleet), still productive future Hall of Fame wing (Kevin Durant) and on-the-rise young two-way star guard (Amen Thompson).
Pretenders
12. Los Angeles Lakers
It is now Luka Doncic’s team, after LeBron James’ departure. The Lakers have spent a lot this offseason already in bringing back Austin Reaves ($180 million) and signing Walker Kessler ($130M), Quentin Grimes ($60M) and Sandro Mamukelashvili ($52M). But those moves aren’t going to scare the Thunder or the Spurs.
With the departure of LeBron James, the Lakers are Luka Doncic’s team now. Getty Images
13. Miami Heat
Giannis Antetokounmpo is now in South Beach, joining Bam Adebayo. That duo doesn’t have much help — Tim Hardaway Jr. and Andrew Wiggins aren’t difference makers — and it would be a stretch for the Heat to be considered a legitimate contender.
14. Detroit Pistons
It wasn’t so long ago the Pistons were favored to reach the NBA Finals. Now, after a playoff flop and an underwhelming offseason so far, Detroit may not even be in the top four of the East.
15. Orlando Magic
The Magic seemed primed to upset the top seed in the first round before Franz Wagner suffered an ill-timed calf injury. Orlando didn’t let that deter them from making a change at coach, hiring highly regarded Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney to replace Jamahl Mosley. That was the big change for the Magic.
16. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland’s offseason is all about bringing back LeBron James. They let valuable forward Dean Wade walk in free agency and haven’t done much to upgrade after they were swept out of the Eastern Conference finals by the Knicks.
Play-in potential
17. Phoenix Suns
The additions of Miles Bridges and Luke Kennard provide offensive oomph, and the Suns also retained center Mark Williams along with guards Jordan Goodwin and Collin Gillespie.
Former Hornet Miles Bridges will bring some more offensive punch to the Suns. AP
18. Portland Trail Blazers
Ja Morant and Damian Lillard are now part of the same backcourt mix that also includes Shaedon Sharpe. Deni Avdija is coming off a breakout season (24.2 points, 6.7 assists) and Donovan Clingan has shown potential as a rim-protecting court-spacer in the middle. Potentially fun team.
19. Utah Jazz
After four straight losing seasons, Utah may be ready to at least contend for a playoff berth. The second overall pick in the draft, Darryn Peterson, has superstar potential, and Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen could be dynamite together in the frontcourt.
20. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte improved its frontcourt with the addition of Naz Reid, but got worse at point guard in losing LaMelo Ball. The Hornets, coming off their first winning season in four years, are betting big on Coby White to fill that void.
21. Washington Wizards
Say this for the Wizards: They’ll at least be worth checking out. Experienced veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis are joined by the No. 1 overall pick in AJ Dybantsa. Will this result in Washington’s first winning season since 2017-18? It can’t be discounted.
No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa makes the Wizards a team to watch this season, writes the Post’s Zach Braziller. NBAE via Getty Images
22. Golden State Warriors
Like the Cavaliers, the Warriors’ offseason hinges on LeBron James. Steph Curry and Draymond Green aren’t getting any younger, and Golden State hasn’t done anything so far to add to a 37-win team.
23. Dallas Mavericks
The big moves in Dallas aren’t player-related. They included hiring Masai Ujiri as the new team president and bringing in Michigan’s Dusty May as new head coach.
Enjoy the lottery
24. New Orleans Pelicans
How long do Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson remain in New Orleans? The Pelicans have two trade chips that could land them a ton of draft picks.
Zion Williamson’s long-term future with the Pelicans remains up in the air. Getty Images
25. Chicago Bulls
Top draft pick Caleb Wilson has been one of the stars of the NBA Summer League, an exciting young forward who the Bulls and new coach Tiago Splitter hope to build around.
26. Brooklyn Nets
A starting five of Michael Porter Jr., Julius Randle, Day’Ron Sharpe, Egor Dëmin and Mikel Brown Jr. is intriguing, and sure beats the tanking rosters general manager Sean Marks has given Nets fans the last two seasons.
27. Sacramento Kings
The Kings have reached the playoffs just once in the last 20 years, and have lost at least 50 games 10 times in that span. Expect the losing to continue next year.
28. Memphis Grizzlies
This is now Cameron Boozer’s team. The third overall draft pick is the face of the franchise after it sent Ja Morant to Portland. Patience will be required.
29. Los Angeles Clippers
After a decade and a half of contention, the Clippers are rebuilding. Hey, at least the Intuit Dome is cool.
30. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are rebuilding after sending Antetokounmpo to Miami, ending what felt like an eternity of rumors involving the two-time MVP’s future. Get used to the lottery, Milwaukee.
