Trevor Zegras turned his career resurgence into a payday.
The 25-year-old forward agreed to terms with the Flyers on a new four-year, $36.5 million contract Wednesday night. The deal has a $9.125 million average annual value, making Zegras the highest-paid player on the Flyers’ roster.
The contract has a limited no-trade clause in Years 3 and 4, according to a source.
Zegras was a restricted free agent with a player-elected arbitration hearing set for next Monday, per PuckPedia.com. But, as expected, the Flyers avoided arbitration. Zegras will be an unrestricted free agent when his deal expires after the 2029-30 season.
“We’re thrilled to have Trevor committed to our organization for the next four years,” general manager Danny Briere said in a statement released by the team. “The growth he showed this past season, proving that he is the skilled player he entered the league as, reinforced our belief that he will be an impact player for the Flyers for the years to come. He’s the type of player who can help take our team to the next level, and we’re excited to continue building alongside him.”
Zegras had career highs last season with 26 goals and 67 points, production that was sparked by a change of scenery. He came to the Flyers last summer in a trade from the Ducks. His time in Anaheim finished with two injury-riddled, disappointing seasons.
But in Year 1 with the Flyers, Zegras answered Rick Tocchet’s challenge. He put up five multi-goal games after having none the season prior with the Ducks. He also made the playoffs for the first time in his career.
“To find that passion for winning and success as a team was big,” Zegras said in May at his end-of-the-season press conference. “I think I had lost a little bit of that, the drive and the passion to win and be a really good team. We definitely had, in my opinion, a great, successful season.”
Zegras led the Flyers with six points in the playoffs. He had two goals and four assists in 10 games as the club made it to the second round, where it was swept by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes.
The biggest question facing Zegras this season will be his position. Is he a center or winger? Considering the money on his new contract, the Flyers probably would like to see him stick at center. It’s a premium position and one in which the Flyers need the most help.
Zegras will have to improve his faceoff numbers and continue to build on the all-around game he proved he could play last season. His goal-scoring ability came out on the wing when Tocchet had him there to build his confidence. But the head coach moved him back to center as the Flyers made their playoff push.
“I’m fine with playing both,” Zegras said. “I liked playing in the middle down the stretch just because there’s a little bit more space and you can kind of pick and choose where you want to go a little bit more. I think playing center in the playoffs was a good experience for me just in terms of how different it was, how hard the battles are and all that type of stuff. But I thought it was good.”
With the NHL salary cap only going up, Zegras was poised for a considerable raise. He’s only 25 years old and already has three seasons of 60 or more points. He could be in for a bigger deal at 29 years old if he takes his scoring and minutes to another level. The next step for Zegras could be 30 goals and 75 to 80 points.
For Briere, his next task is re-signing Jamie Drysdale. The restricted free-agent defenseman has an arbitration hearing scheduled for Monday of next week, but the Flyers should be able to get something done before then.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 05: Jayden Quaintance #22 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the first half of their 2026 California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center on July 05, 2026 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thien-An Truong/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was quickly revealed after the San Antonio Spurs selected Jayden Quaintance with the 20th-overall pick that the 19-year-old would require another knee surgery to clean up his meniscus. Today, the Spurs announced that Quaintance has undergone a successful surgery on his right knee. The team will provide more updates as appropriate.
This was a necessary surgery for San Antonio’s rookie, according to On3’s reporting:
Dr. Riley Williams III — head team physician and orthopedic surgeon for the Brooklyn Nets and famous for performing surgery on Paul George’s gruesome open tibia-fibula fracture with USA Basketball in 2014 — gave a second opinion on Quaintance’s injured right knee that limited him to four games in Lexington and recommended a follow-up procedure that could keep him off the floor for six months. The 6-foot-11 prospect’s ACL remains fully intact, and his knee can be maintained at its current state, but a clean-up is preferred for a permanent resolution.
The Spurs will hope that this latest surgery is the one that will allow Quaintance to return to the court in full health. With just about two months to go until training camp, we may not see Quaintance suit up for the Silver and Black to begin the season, but it’s reasonable to think the rookie could come back at some point in the 2026-27 season.
Spurs fans will have to wait to learn more from the team on Quaintance’s status as the offseason progresses. When he does return to action, he’ll give the Spurs a promising defensive prospect in a crowded front court that includes Victor Wembanyama, Luke Kornet, and Tarris Reed Jr.
What the Knicks and Jalen Brunson did en route to the organization's first NBA championship in 53 years was astounding, and it was made more spectacular after it was revealed that the Knicks point guard was playing a portion of the playoffs with an injury that required surgery.
Now, we know when Brunson was injured.
Speaking with ESPN NY Radio's Don, Hahn & Rosenberg on Wednesday, Brunson was asked about the injury. The Knicks captain couldn't pinpoint when he got hurt exactly, but knew he was hurt earlier than many believed.
“I’m good. Obviously, it’s going to take a little bit of time," Brunson said. "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."
That game saw Brunson score 19 points in 40 minutes in the Knicks' 109-93 win to take a 2-0 series lead, a series they wound up sweeping. But Brunson would have bigger moments in the NBA Finals. He helped lead the improbable comeback in Game 4 and scored a franchise-record 43 points in Game 5 to clinch the title.
All with an injury to his shooting hand.
SNY's Ian Begley reported that Brunson underwent surgery to repair a left wrist/forearm injury earlier this month and that Brunson is expected to need at least two months for rehab/recovery.
Despite getting injured, Brunson wouldn't trade the experience, especially doing it in New York.
“It’s been a rollercoaster, honestly," Brunson said of life after winning the title. "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."
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Ebuka Okorie #23 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket during the game against the New York Knicks on July 13, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion 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 Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Ebuka Okorie is obviously a talented basketball player with the kind of speed and intuition on how to deploy it that could be a difference-maker in the NBA. We have seen that throughout three games of Summer League so far. We’ve also see him struggle for a healthy dose of minutes. He’s taking a lot shots, and a lot of those shots are ill-advised. Does that even matter? It’s inarguable that he’ll have much better teammates on the real Detroit Pistons than he does on this Summer League team. It’s also true that he simply cannot afford to take these shots in a congested lane surrounded by three players. It’s simply unacceptable. And if it was a real game, I’d like to think it would be easy for him to defer and pass out of trouble. I guess, we will find out when the games really start to matter. Tonight’s game definitely does not matter. But it’s another chance to see Okorie at work.
Game Vitals
When: 6 p.m. ET Where: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada Watch: ESPNU
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — The Winnipeg Jets re-signed Cole Perfetti to a five-year contract worth an average of $6 million annually, the team said Wednesday.
The 24-year-old forward had 12 goals and 20 assists with 20 penalty minutes in 68 games for the Jets last season. He set a career high with 15 minutes 37 seconds of ice time per game.
Perfetti was Winnipeg's first-round pick —10th overall — in the 2020 NHL draft. He had career highs of 50 points and 32 assists in 82 games in 2024-25 as the Jets won the Presidents’ Trophy with the best regular-season record.
He scored the latest tying goal in a Game 7 in NHL history to help Winnipeg overcome the St. Louis Blues in their first-round matchup.
Perfetti has 157 points — 59 goals, 98 assists — and 68 penalty minutes in 290 career regular-season games with Winnipeg.
Internationally, Perfetti had two goals and four assists in 10 games while helping Canada to the gold medal at the 2021 world championship.
The Lakers entered the free agency period with over $52 million in cap space, but quickly lost financial flexibility after signing Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney and Quentin Grimes.
Jonathan Kuminga wants to join the Lakers, but for the right price. Getty Images
The Lakers have reportedly offered Kuminga a deal where he earns $10 million annually. The team has pitched a star-studded role for Kuminga as a starting wing alongside Luka Doncic, but the current deal would leave the forward earning less than Mamukelashvili and Grimes, who are set to earn $13 million annually.
One of the two players is set to be a bench player.
And thus, Kuminga wants to earn more before joining the Lakers in Tinseltown.
The Lakers have limited avenues to acquire Kuminga, but the Atlanta Hawks are open to a potential sign-and-trade with LA. The California Post’s Khobi Price reports the Hawks are willing to send Kuminga to the Lakers in exchange for Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap.
After an active first 48 hours in free agency, the Lakers have since made little noise on the market. While Pelinka’s challenge is to find a creative way to sign Kuminga, it’s evident the Lakers roster remains incomplete as it stands.
The stakes for Kawhi Leonard appear far greater than previously understood as the NBA navigates an unprecedented case with potentially career-altering consequences.
According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, Leonard himself could face punishment ranging from a substantial suspension to the most severe possible outcome: having his contract voided.
Kawhi Leonard could face a long suspension or a voided contract as the Los Angeles Clippers investigation targets a summer resolution. NBAE via Getty Images
“The absolute worst is Kawhi Leonard’s contract being voided, or him being suspended for a significant period of time,” Charania said on the “Shump Street” podcast. “Whether it’s 20, 40 games or the entire season, it all comes down to the evidence and what’s found in the investigation.”
The league’s inquiry began with Leonard’s reported $28 million endorsement agreement with Aspiration, an environmental company in which Clippers owner Steve Ballmer invested heavily.
Leonard was traded to the Raptors a few weeks ago, but that trade is on hold until the investigation is complete. Getty Images
The investigation has since reportedly expanded. According to The Athletic, the outside law firm handling the case has examined whether the Clippers paid certain expenses for Leonard without being reimbursed and whether he had another previously undisclosed endorsement agreement.
Commissioner Adam Silver clarified that the NBA did not block the transaction, but said both teams understood the investigation would continue. AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura
No finding of wrongdoing has been announced, and Leonard has denied participating in any effort to circumvent the salary cap. The Clippers have also repeatedly denied funneling money to their star through Aspiration.
Charania stressed that Leonard’s punishment would depend on whether investigators uncover evidence showing he knowingly participated in an improper arrangement. If the inquiry finds wrongdoing by the organization but cannot connect Leonard directly, the league could focus its penalties on the Clippers instead.
The uncertainty has already affected Leonard’s basketball future.
The Clippers and Raptors reportedly agreed to pause a potential trade because Toronto would inherit the risk of any punishment attached to Leonard. Commissioner Adam Silver clarified that the NBA did not block the transaction, but said both teams understood the investigation would continue regardless of where Leonard played.
Silver expects the independent review to conclude this summer.
Until then, Leonard remains caught between a possible return to Toronto and penalties that could range from manageable to career-altering.
As Charania made clear, everything now depends on what investigators can prove.
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LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Labaron Philon #00 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Orlando Magic 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
The Summer League Sixers fell just short of a 30-point comeback, falling 99-92 to the Orlando Magic Wednesday afternoon. At 2-2, their chances at the Summer League title are over. They’ll play one more consolation game that has yet to be announced.
Labaron Philon Jr., going cold for the first time this summer, finished with 15 points shooting 7-of-24 from the field along with six assists and four turnovers. Duke Miles put up 15 as well but shot 6-of-9 from the floor along with three assists. Amani Lyles finished with 18 points and six rebounds on 7-of-12 shooting while Jase Richardson led all scorers with 25. Johni Broome was unavailable for this one.
This game at least started drastically different than the Sixers’ previous outing. They were able to hit Philon up ahead with a pass off the opening tip for a layup. Despite getting some open looks, his jumper wasn’t falling for him as easily as it had been as he missed his next eight shots. He finally got one to go as the first quarter was winding down, but his follow up attempt got wedgied in between the backboard.
Orlando on the other hand got off to a torrid start, making eight of their first nine shots following Richardson’s lead. The pull-up jumpers he nailed early set the tone as the Magic shot 69% from the field in the first half. The 12 Sixers’ turnovers also helped the Magic get out to an early double-digit lead they held for most of the night. Philon was responsible for three of them.
Philon appeared to find a rhythm when he hit some midranges off the dribble in the third quarter, but he could not buy a three ball on the night.
Unike the game before, the Sixers were able to work a 30-point lead all the way down to single digits as the second half wore on. They did so thanks to a better shooting night from Miles. He also made some flashy plays in transition with Lyles, who was able to bang around in the post to put up another solid stat line. Dante Maddox Jr. wasn’t able to even out his 4-of-13 shooting line, but he scored 14 of his 15 points in the second half.
Two consecutive steals into layups were followed by two more threes, allowing the Sixers to cut the lead to four with a minute and a half remaining. Richardson was able to get a bucket to stop the bleeding. Maddox nearly buried a three to make it a one-possession game, but it rimmed out and the Magic were able to hold on despite a noble second-half effort from the bunch.
Before we put this Summer League to rest, let’s just take a moment to appreciate the old Sixers’ friends on this Orlando Summer League roster. There’s Ricky Council IV, Lester Quinones, Colin Castleton, and Philip Wheeler, who didn’t even have a Wikipedia page when the Sixers signed him late in 2025. Wheeler has averaged 18 a game this summer on 50% shooting — good for him! All four of these guys had parts to play in the Sixers’ 2025 tank that landed them VJ Edgecombe.
Now they may be learning that the feeling is not entirely mutual.
Shams Charania says Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia are the focus in LeBron James’ free agency, leaving Golden State on edge. Getty Images
ESPN insider Shams Charania reported that Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia have become the primary focus of James’ free-agency decision, noticeably excluding Golden State from the group receiving the most attention.
The Warriors have not been formally eliminated. Charania said the previously identified contenders remain involved, but his updated wording represents a potentially ominous shift only days after he listed Golden State among James’ leading suitors.
Shams Charania commentates during the 2026 NBA Draft NBAE via Getty Images
For a franchise waiting on the 41-year-old before completing its roster, the distinction matters.
Other reports suggested Green’s lobbying had caused James to give the Warriors stronger consideration. Charania’s latest update, however, indicates that Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia may have gained separation as the decision approaches.
Golden State cannot wait forever.
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LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors NBAE via Getty Images
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said during Tuesday’s Summer League game that the Warriors are “getting close to finalizing the roster” and are looking forward to reaching the finish line.
That comment can now be interpreted in two very different ways.
Perhaps Dunleavy knows James is nearing a decision and believes the Warriors remain positioned to land the biggest remaining prize. Or perhaps Golden State has seen enough to suspect James is heading elsewhere and is preparing to finish its offseason without him.
The Warriors have already retained several veterans and can offer James the $15 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception. Their pitch includes Curry, Green, Steve Kerr, championship experience, proximity to Los Angeles and enough prestigious golf courses to keep James occupied between games.
But their advantage was always access, not certainty.
Curry and Green have made their calls. The front office has delivered its plan. James has reportedly heard from the league’s owners, executives and players and now possesses the information needed to choose his next team.
The Warriors are still waiting.
They just may no longer be near the front of the line.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Darius Brown II #45 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on July 13, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion 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 Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, how many does a bobblehead get?
Andy Pages and Kiké Hernández are getting their iconic World Series moment immortalized with their own Dodger Stadium giveaway on Sept. 6, the team announced on social media Wednesday.
The bobblehead commemorates "the catch" with a recreation of Pages reaching over Hernández, glove outstretched in air to pluck the ball as the two Los Angeles Dodgers outfielders collided.
With the bases loaded for the Toronto Blue Jays in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 7 of the World Series at Rogers Centre, Ernie Clement hit a curveball from Yoshinobu Yamamoto deep into the power alley between left and center field.
The bobblehead you’ve all been waiting for. Get “The Catch” bobblehead on 9/6!
Hernández gave chase to the ball as it sailed over his head near the warning track but before he could turn around to make a play, Pages -- who was right behind Hernández -- ran into him.
Despite the collision, Pages was somehow able to reach up, pluck the ball out of the air and hold onto it while he ran into the wall for the third out as Hernández crumpled to the ground and lay there for a few extra seconds.
Top Plays of 2025: No. 12
Andy Pages makes an UNBELIEVABLE catch in left-center field to send World Series Game 7 to extra innings! pic.twitter.com/jQDwBEHVFU
Hernández later admitted that he thought the play had been botched and that the Blue Jays had walked it off until Pages bent down to check on his teammate and let him know they were going to extra innings. The rest, as the cliché goes, is history.
Will Smith went on to hit the winning home run in the top of the 11th. Yamamoto closed out Toronto in the home half of the inning and the Dodgers became back-to-back World Series champions.
Because of the significance of the catch and the popularity of Hernández among Dodger fans, plan to get to Chavez Ravine early if you want a shot at this giveaway.
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts makes a throw to first in a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium in June. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Winning six Gold Glove awards gives Mookie Betts more than enough credibility to design and market his own leather. And that’s exactly what he is doing with LGND, a line of baseball gloves that he says are “built around versatility, craftsmanship and player-first innovation.”
Betts, of course, is the Dodgers shortstop whose Gold Gloves all came playing right field. He is one of the few players in MLB history to be named an All-Star as an infielder and outfielder. He’s been part of four World Series championship teams and named to eight All-Star squads.
“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.”
Two glove collections named MOOK and MVRK designed for players at every stage of development are available at LGNDsports.com. They are not inexpensive, selling for $250 to $330.
The MOOK Series gloves are inspired by Betts’ experience playing infield and outfield, featuring his personal game-worn colorways, his signature stamp in the palm and a “50 Tri-Star” logo embroidered on the thumb.
The MVRK Series gloves feature a versatile design and distinct styling for those who play multiple positions.
Both models are constructed with premium Japanese kip leather and engineered to offer a lighter feel and fast break-in period. The LGND website features an interactive platform that allows players to design a glove that reflects their individual preferences.
“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, 33, founded the company alongside lifelong friends Cameron Lewis, Brandon McPhail and Andrew Montgomery. The quartet competed together in high school in the Nashville area.
The Dodgers acquired Betts in a trade ahead of the 2020 season and have won three World Series title with him in the lineup, including the last two years. He spent the first six years of his career with the Boston Red Sox, winning the American League Most Valuable Player award after leading Boston to a World Series title in 2018.
After playing outfield almost exclusively for the first nine years of his career, Betts saw substantial time in the infield in 2023 and 2024 before becoming the Dodgers’ everyday shortstop last season. He led NL shortstops in total fielding runs above average in 2025 while making only seven errors in 148 games. This season he has made only three errors.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 14: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Sacramento Kings shoots a free throw during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on July 14, 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 Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Boston Celtics (2-1) at Sacramento Kings (1-2) Wednesday, July 15, 2026 8:00 PM ET Summer League Game #4 TV: NBCSB, ESPN 2 Thomas and Mack Center
The Kings have played 3 games together in the California Summer League where they went 3-0, beating Brooklyn 79-76, Golden State 91-85 and Milwaukee 95-89. They have also played 3 games in the Las Vegas Summer League, going 1-2, beating the Clippers 91-85 and losing to Washington 104-85 and to Brooklyn 115-83. They are playing in the 2nd of back to back games while the Celtics had Tuesday off. The Celtics have played just 3 games together.
The Celtics are coached by Amile Jefferson. Jefferson was named Director of Player Development for the Duke Blue Devils in 2021. He was promoted to assistant coach at Duke for the 2022-23 season. In 2023, Jefferson became an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics under head coach Joe Mazzulla. Jefferson played with Jayson Tatum at Duke and he played for the Celtics on an Exhibit 10 contract before being hired as an assistant coach.
The Kings are coached by Chris Darnell. He began his coaching career as a Video Coordinator for the Cavaliers from 2019-2021. From 2021-24, he was the associate head coach for the Cleveland Charge of the G-League. He served as the head coach for the Charge in the 2024-25 season. He has been an assistant coach for the Kings since 2025.
The Celtics are averaging 41.0 rebounds per game while the Kings are averaging 34.7 rebounds per game. The Celtics need to continue to crash the boards and beat the Kings to rebounds. The Celtics are turning the ball over 18 times per game while the Kings are averaging 19.7 turnovers per game. It’s not unusual for Summer League teams to turn the ball over a lot because of limited playing time together and surprising that the Kings are turning it over more with 3 extra games under their belts.
Neither team is shooting the ball very well, but the Celtics were able to play enough defense to get wins in 2 games. The Celtics are shooting 37.2% from the field and 32.4% from beyond the arc. The Kings are shooting 40.8% from the field and 28.7% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to continue to play good defense while working on improving their shooting.
Dillon Mitchell will reportedly sit out this game for rest. Tucker DeVries and Milos Uzan have both been signed to Exhibit 10 contracts that will give them the opportunity to play in training camp with the Celtics. DeVries started Monday’s game and is averaging 11 points, 1 rebound and 1.5 assists while shooting 41.8% from the field and 40.3% from beyond the arc. Uzan is averaging 8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5 assists while shooting 32% from the field and 30.8% beyond the arc.
Celtics Summer League Roster Mohammad Amini #54 R Chris Cenac, Jr #12 R Tucker DeVries #41 R Hugo Gonzalez #28 1 Caleb Grill #37 R Curtis Jones #26 R Kyle Mangas #43 R Dillon Mitchell #20 R Hank Morgan #51 R Nick Pringle #40 R Day Day Thomas #38 R John Tonje #8 R Milos Uzan #29 R Chauncey Wiggins #50 R Alondes Williams #46 3 Amari Williams #77 1
Head Coach Amile Jefferson
Starters in 1st 2 games Curtis Jones, John Tonje, Hugo Gonzalez, Dillon Mitchell, and Amari Williams Starters in 3rd game Curtis Jones, John Tonje, Tucker DeVries, Dillon Mitchell, and Chris Cenac, Jr
Celtics Players to Watch
Hugo Gonzalez | Getty Images
Hugo Gonzalez – Hugo was the 28th pick in last year’s draft. In last year’s Summer League, he averaged 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. He averaged 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14 minutes per game last season. His +11.9 rating was the highest for any rookie that played at least 100 minutes. So far in Summer League he is averaging 15.5 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals per game while shooting 23.1% from the field and 22.2% from beyond the arc. He shot better in Game 2 than Game 1 but still needs some improvement in that area. He sat out the Celtics 3rd game but I’m expecting him to play in this one.
Chris Cenac, Jr – Cenac was the 27th pick in this year’s draft. He is 19 years old and was a highly recruited center going into his one season at Houston. He averaged 9.5 points and 7.9 rebounds in college, while shooting 48% from the field, 33% from beyond the arc and 62% from the line. He has a combination of size and athleticism that makes him a very intriguing player. He is averaging 10.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 blocks while shooting 36.4% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc.
John Tonje – Tonje came to the Celtics as a 2-way player from Utah in the Chris Boucher trade at last year’s deadline. At the end of last season, his contract was converted to a standard contract. His option wasn’t picked up this season but the way he has played in Summer League, he is earning at least a 2 way contract again. He has started all 3 games so far and is averaging 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1.7 steals while shooting 43.8% from the field and 47.4% from beyond the arc. Amari Williams – Amari was the 46th pick in last year’s draft. He spent most of last season on a 2-way deal but was converted to a standard contract at the end of last season. He averaged 1.4 points, and 1.8 rebounds in 6.6 minutes with Boston last year. He averaged 15.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.8 blocks with Maine last season. He has already been signed to a 2-way contract for this season. He is averaging 14.5 points, 9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3 blocks while shooting 64.3% from the field with no 3’s. Sacramento Kings Roster Nique Clifford #0 1 year Darius Acuff, Jr #5 R Adam Flagler #20 2 years Jonathan Mogbo #22 2 years Isaiah Stevens #24 2 years Mitch Mascari #25 R Elias Ralph #26 R Viktor Lakhin #30 R Dylan Cardwell #32 1 year Alex Karaban #33 R Emanuel Sharp #34 R Anthony Dell’Orso #37 R Maxime Raynaud #42 1 year Marquel Sutton #49 R BJ Edwards #50 R
Kings Starters Game 1 Darius Acuff, Jr, Nique Clifford, Jonathan Mogbo, Dylan Cardwell, and Alex Karaban
Kings Starters Game 2 Darius Acuff, Jr, Nique Clifford, Alex Karaban, Dylan Cardwell, and Maxime Raynaud
Kings Starters Game 3 Darius Acuff, Jr, Nique Clifford, Alex Karaban, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell Kings Players to Watch
Maxime Raynaud | Getty Images
Maxime Raynaud – Raynaud was the 42nd pick in the 2025 draft. He played 4 years at Stanford and averaged 20.1 points and 10.9 rebounds in his senior year. He was named to the 1st team all ACC and became 1 of only 3 players to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and 50 3-pointers in a season. The other 2 were Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony. Last season he averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 57.1% from the field and 32.4% from beyond the arc. In Summer League he is averaging 20 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block while shooting 46.7% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc.
Darius Acuff, Jr – Acuff was the 7th pick in this year’s draft. He won the Bob Cousy award for point guards, and was the SEC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. He averaged 23 points and 6.6 assists in his senior year. He has been compared by some to Allen Iverson. In Summer League he is averaging 15.5 points, 2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block while shooting 29.4% from the field and 23.1% from beyond the arc. Nique Clifford – Clifford was the 24th pick in the 2025 draft by the Thunder and was traded to the Kings on Draft night. He was a 4 year college player and averaged 12.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3 assists in his senior year. This is his 2nd Summer League. He averaged 8.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists as a rookie. In Summer League, he is averaging 15 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 42.9% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc.
Emanuel Sharp – Sharp is an Israel-American player. He was the 45th pick in the 2026 draft. He was a 4 year college player at Houston. In his senior year, he averaged 15.5 points, 3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals. He made Big 12 First Team and Big 12 All Defense team. In Summer League, he is averaging 14 points, 2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 33.3% from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc.
When you think of Guidey’s from the bayous outside of New Orleans, the mind automatically shifts to Louisiana Lightning, but there is no blood relation between the two. Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Gavin Guidry attended Alfred M. Barbe High School. If that sounds familiar, it should- another Mets-related Gavin was also born in Lake Charles, attended Barbe High School, and was drafted by the Mets not too long ago.
A three-year letterwinner who lost the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Barbe baseball team won consecutive district championships in 2019, 2021 and 2022, and the state and national championship in 2021, and Guidry was a major reason why. Coach Cecchini let his star player pitch and hit, and his efforts culminated in winning the 2022 Gatorade Player of the Year (Louisiana) in his senior year. At the plate, he hit .422 with 5 home runs and on the mound, he posted a 0.16 ERA in 45.0 innings with 83 strikeouts.
Guidry generated a ton of scouting buzz and by the time the 2022 MLB Draft rolled around, he was in high demand. Considered the best high school player in the state and one of the top prep players in the 2022 draft class, he was forced to choose between accepting one of the many offers made to him by professional teams or honoring his commitment to Louisiana State University. The two-way high school star elected to attend college, with the ability to be drafted as a sophomore thanks to his age.
In 2023, head coach Josh Jordan used Guidry as a two-way player, having him pitch out of the bullpen in 23 games and trying him out at second base and shortstop in an additional 12. The freshman quickly emerged as a weapon out of the bullpen, posting a 3.77 ERA in 28.2 innings, allowing 23 hits, walking 12, and striking out 42 while notching 3 saves; at the plate, he hit a much less impressive .143/.333/.143, going 1-7 and drawing a walk.
The right-hander did not experience a sophomore slump in 2024, posting similar numbers to his strong freshman season. Appearing in 22 games, Guidry posted a 2.59 ERA in 24.1 innings, allowing 14 hits, walking 18, and striking out 36 while locking down 3 saves. Unlike the 2023 season, coach Jordan did not give the right-hander much time at the plate, utilizing him as a hitter in just a single game. Guidry made it count, though: in his two at-bats on the year, he smacked a double. Draft eligible, the right-hander did not have his name called in the 2024 MLB Draft.
At some point after he threw his final pitch of the 2024 season and 2025, Guidry’s back began hurting him. There was no one specific event where he hurt it, but the pain became so intense that basic functions like laying down to go to sleep left him in excruciating pain. The 2025 season began without Guidry, and every time he started feeling better and began working out to get himself in baseball shape, he would later find himself in even more pain than before. Eventually, he was diagnosed with a herniated disk in his L4-L5 lumbar spine and underwent surgery, formally ending his season. Adding insult to injury, LSU won their second NCAA national championship in three years with the right-hander having to sit on the sidelines. Eligible for the 2025 MLB Draft, the right-hander once again went undrafted.
Guidry returned from his surgery in 2026, his redshirt junior season, fully recovered. The 22-year-old appeared in 20 games and posted a 6.39 ERA in 43.2 innings, allowing 38 hits, walking 20, and striking out 59, saving 1 game for the Tigers. Following the conclusion of the season, he left LSU for the cape, playing for the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League to attempt to further round into form. Retaining his draft eligibility, Guidry has expressed interest in returning to the Tigers to attempt to win another championship.
The 6’2”, 185-pound right-hander throws from a high-three-quarter arm slot with a medium arm action through the back. He drops and drives off the mound with good extension and has clean, simple, deliberate mechanics. Though a reliever, the right-hander has a large pitching repertoire, utilizing a four-seam fastball, cutter, slider, and curveball.
Guidry’s fastball was noticeably not where it was before his back surgery, sitting in the low-90s rather than in the low-to-mid-90s. While the velocity was on the lower side of the spectrum for a right-handed pitcher, he made up for it by getting well above-average induced vertical break on the pitch, up to 20 inches, thanks to its spin and his high release point.
His slider is his go-to strikeout pitch, a mid-80s offering with above-average spin rates, giving it tight, gyroscopic break. It tunnels well out of his hand with his fastball thanks to his high release point and its sudden downward bite has consistently flummoxed hitters, though he hung plenty of the course of 2026 that batters had no issues with. Because of the success of the pitch, for good and for bad, Guidry can sometimes get slider-heavy and throw the pitch just as much, if not more, than his fastball.
Both his cutter and curveball are more change-of-pace offerings than much else. His slider sits in the high-80s and has a bit of horizontal hop, but is primarily used as a transition pitch between his fastball and slider, to set up the latter. His curveball is used similarly, with the mid-to-high-70s pitch mainly used as a sequence-buster to set up his next pitch.
The right-hander was still shaking the rust off in 2026 and nowhere was that more apparent than with his home run problems. After having allowed 6 homers in 53 innings in 2023 and 2024, Guidry allowed 10 in 43.2 innings this past spring. He is not allowing more fly balls as compared to prior seasons- he actually had a 44.5% flyball rate this spring as compared to a cumulative 49.4% in his freshman and sophomore seasons- but he was giving up home runs left and right, his HR/FB% almost doubling from 10.5% in 2023 and 2024 to 20.4% this past season. Hitters did not otherwise hit him particularly better- opposing batters hit .229/.318/.434 against him with a .280 BABIP as compared to .209/.298/.355 with a .297 BABIP in his freshman season and .165/.317/.247 with a .255 BABIP in his sophomore season, making the home run spike an outlier that will likely end with the expected and then return of his prior fastball velocity.
Edmonton's odds moved from +1200 to +900 in two weeks, and only one other team in the league climbed that far.
It is important, however, to note that Florida, Colorado, and Carolina are still ahead of the Edmonton Oilers, and nothing that's happened this summer changes that. That said, the betting market shows a positive opinion of what Edmonton did, the same way it liked what Washington did when the Capitals went from +1800 to +1200 after Ovechkin decided to come back and the team added Tuch, Kyrou, and Jenner around him. That one's easy to explain. Edmonton's not so much.
The Oilers didn't sign anybody that particularly amazing. They hired Mike Babcock, regardless of the controversies surrounding his name, because they believed he was the guy to hold everyone accountable. McDavid reportedly wanted him anyway. Two Cup Final losses and a first-round exit will do that to a captain. Darnell Nurse went to San Jose. Shakir Mukhamadullin and Ryan Shea came the other way. Fredrik Andersen showed up in net, straight off a Stanley Cup win in Carolina.
While this is all great, none of it seems like a splash on its own. Together, it moved the Oilers down by 300 points, tying Washington for the biggest swing on the board.
Colorado barely had to lift a finger to go from +750 to +700, and the Avalanche were already close to the top of the board before the offseason started. That's a team the market trusts on reputation and roster continuity alone, not on anything it did this July.
Vegas is the one that doesn't fit a simple explanation. The Golden Knights lost their leading goal scorer this summer. Pavel Dorofeyev signed in New York for $11 million a year, and Vegas is short a real weapon in its top six and on the power play because of it. Their odds still improved, from +1200 to +1000. This is probably because of everything else still on the roster: Eichel, Marner, Stone, Hertl, a defence that mostly stayed together, and a coaching change under Ryan Craig that hasn't really been tested yet. Losing Dorofeyev hurt, but clearly not enough.
The rest of the Pacific is still as messy as it was last season. Anaheim didn't move, stuck at +2500. San Jose went from +4000 to +3500. Los Angeles actually got worse from +2500 to +3000. Maybe that's the Ducks and Sharks separating from the Kings or the Kings sliding on their own. There's no real way for the betting market to distinguish between the two, and neither should anyone try to read too much into a few weeks of trades and signings.
Outside the West, Ottawa went from +2500 to +3500 after trading captain Brady Tkachuk to Florida and bringing back William Eklund from San Jose to fill the void, using Florida's 9th-overall pick. Trading your captain, especially a Tkachuk brother, gets read as a step back regardless of what comes the other way. Eklund's talented. He's not Tkachuk.
The Montreal Canadiens went from +1800 to +2500, not because of anything they did wrong, but because of what they didn't do. Ivan Demidov and Jakub Dobes got extensions, which is fine, but Montreal came into the summer looking to add and left it mostly standing still.
None of these swings mean much in isolation. Add them up, though, and they sketch a rough shape of how sportsbooks are reading the league three weeks after the draft: Edmonton and Washington trending up on the strength of specific, explainable moves, Colorado untouched at the top, Vegas absorbing a real loss without losing its footing, and the rest of the league sorting itself out in smaller, messier ways that won't make sense until training camp settles things further.
