OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 5: Nick Smith Jr. #20 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball in front of Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 5, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a mixed bag first season, the Lakers are declining Nick Smith Jr.’s team option for next season.
The Los Angeles Lakers declined their team option for Nick Smith Jr., a league source told @spotrac.
Smith will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
While Smith Jr.’s impact wasn’t felt throughout the whole season, he still had some particularly bright moments. Never was that more the case than early in the season when he helped lead the Lakers to an improbable road win in Portland.
Smith Jr. largely played bit-part roles as the season went on, though he was someone Redick turned to at different points when the team was undermanned. Ultimately, that belief led to the Lakers signing him at the end of the season on a two-year contract.
On the season, Smith Jr. averaged 6.2 points per game on 39.5% shooting from 3-point range across 30 games. He also made 18 appearances in the G League, averaging 19.7 points aon 37% shooting from three and 49.8% shooting from the field.
Despite Smith being just 22 years old, there wasn’t enough consistency shown for the Lakers to bring him back. The open roster spot and cap space is more valuable to the Lakers, for now.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings might be getting into a bidding war for a big man.
Senior NBA Writer Sam Amick of The Athletic has reported that Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren is scheduled to meet with the Lakers and the Kings for a potential sign-and-trade deal.
Jalen Duren drawing sign and traded interest with the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings. Getty Images
On Monday, Senior NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that there has been a “sizeable distance” between Durren and the Pistons as they are struggling to work out a contract extension for the unrestricted free agent.
Duren, 22, is closing out the tail end of his four-year rookie deal, where he made $19.5 million. In 2022, the Pistons selected him with the 13th overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft.
Originally, he began his career serving as a role player, but has started to emerge as one of the top centers in the league, after finishing last just outside the NBA’s top 10 for rebounds [8.5] and blocks [1.2].
Last year, he played in 70 games, while averaging 19.5 points per game and played a vital part in the Pistons snapping an 18-year playoff drought as they finished the regular season with a 60-22 record, for first place in the Eastern Conference.
Amick reported that the Kings are set to meet with Duren in the morning, which would mean the Lakers would likely meet with him later in the day.
More intel on Jalen Duren coming in: League sources tell @TheAthletic he now has a call with the Lakers scheduled for tomorrow.
Lakers star Luka Dončić has been vocal about his desire for the Lakers to acquire a big man to help with running the pick and roll.
Right now, the Lakers have two centers under contract in DeAndre Ayton and Jaxon Hayes. Ayton performed underwhelmingly for the Lakers last season, averaging 12.5 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game.
Acquiring Duren would be the first part of Dončić’s requests for this offseason, as he’s also been vocal about the team acquiring more shooters for him this year.
According to Amick, the Kings are set to offer Domantas Sabonis in their offer for Duren, but noted that, “It’s unclear how the Pistons might see that scenario, but the Kings are clearly serious about the prospect of landing the 22-year-old.”
Jun 17, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (68) pitches to the Baltimore Orioles during the second inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
The Mariners get back to it.
After Sunday afternoon’s crushing loss in Cleveland, the Mariners return home for a three-game, four-day set against the Angels. George Kirby takes the ball for the Mariners, and Ryan Johnson goes for Anaheim. The Mariners have fallen to a game under .500 and a half-game back of the Rangers in the West.
My read on the mood of the fanbase: tense. The Mariners have largely toed the line with .500, after playing cold then hot to begin the year. They’ll need at least a couple more good stretches of banked wins, and they’ll hope to start one here with four series remaining before the All- Star Break.
Lineups:
News
Rob Refsnyder was placed on the injured list with knee issues. Newly acquired corner-player Buddy Kennedy takes his place on the active roster. John Trupin has the injury update for the site.
Remember This Date…
2025: Mitch Garver hits a 437-foot, two-run homer in the 12th inning to ice a 6-4 win over the Rangers.
2019:Tim Beckham, Domingo Santana, and Daniel Vogelbach each homer as the Mariners storm back from a 5-2 deficit late against the Astros. Butt is not enough, as Yuli Gurriel walks off Roenis Elias with a double in the 10th, just out of the reach of a flailing Mallex Smith. Maybe not a fun one, but remember those guys?
2018: Marco Gonzlaes pitches his first career complete game, striking out seven in a 4-1 win over the Royals.
2014: Félix Hernández turns in his start of the year with a Game Score of 86, going shutout innings with nine strikeouts and one hit. It was his ninth of 16 consecutive ultra-quality starts for Félix that year.
2012: Aaron Cook throws an 81-pitch Maddux in a 5-0 Red Sox win against the Mariners, with singles from Ichiro and John Jaso the only thing standing between perfection. Cook got 39 swings and didn’t record a single whiff, as Jeff Sullivan pointed out at the time.
2004: Randy Johnson records his 4,000th career strikeout, with the victim also being a former Mariner, Jeff Cirillo
1998: The Mariners have an off day, which is notable because so does every other team in MLB, the first time in 25 years that no game was played on a day that fell during the regular season and was not part of the All-Star break
1995: With the Mariners down 2-1 in the eighth, Doug Strange gets a pinch-hit RBI single and then Mike Blowers hits a three-run homer to beat Oakland 5-2
Earlier this week, the San Jose Sharks re-signed forward Ethan Cardwell to a one-year, two-way contract extension. Cardwell was set to become a restricted free agent on July 1 if he hadn't reached an agreement with the Sharks.
Cardwell missed a substantial portion of the 2025-26 season due to injury, but was producing at a high level for the San Jose Barracuda prior to his injury. In 24 games with the Barracuda, Cardwell scored seven goals and tallied a total of 15 points. He also played seven games in the NHL for the Sharks, scoring a single goal.
Cardwell has become a reliable fringe player for the Sharks over the last few seasons and could potentially compete for a bottom-six role in the NHL in the relatively near future. With that being said, that opportunity likely won't come this season, due to a massive logjam of forwards, specifically bottom-six wingers, at the NHL level.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 24: Tyler Mahle #54 of the San Francisco Giants pitches at Oracle Park on June 24, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants head to the desert to begin a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Tyler Mahle, who enters tonight’s game with a 5.49 ERA, 4.69 FIP, with 61 strikeouts to 26 walks in 62.1 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 2-1 win over the Athletics on Wednesday, in which he allowed just two hits and two walks with four strikeouts in five and two thirds innings.
He’ll be facing off against Diamondbacks left-hander Eduardo Rodríguez, who enters tonight’s game with a 2.27 ERA, 4.06 FIP, with 70 strikeouts to 38 walks in 95 innings pitched. His last start was in the Diamondbacks’ 4-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals, in which he allowed just three hits and three walks with five strikeouts in six and two thirds innings.
An eventful few days for Jazz Chisholm Jr. took another turn, this one painful.
The Yankees second baseman exited Monday’s game in the top of the fourth inning and has entered the concussion protocol after being clotheslined by Jasson Domínguez while pursuing a fly ball.
During an ugly, 7-3 loss to the Tigers in The Bronx, Detroit’s Hao-Yu Lee sent a high fly ball to shallow right field. Chisholm had been shaded in because a runner was on third with one out, then sprinted back into what manager Aaron Boone called “no-man’s-land.”
Jasson Domínguez checks on Jazz Chisholm Jr. during the Yankees’ June 29 loss. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
Jasson Domínguez and Jazz Chisholm Jr. collide with one another trying to make the play.
Right fielder Domínguez charged in and said he called for the ball. “But obviously I didn’t call it loud enough,” he added.
Both believed they would catch the ball, and Domínguez did — as Chisholm ran directly into his elbow and immediately dropped to the grass.
“It was really unfortunate,” said Domínguez, who stood by Chisholm for several minutes as the second baseman required time first to sit up and then to rise to his feet before walking off the field with a trainer, Oswaldo Cabrera taking over at second base.
“Hopefully, it is not too bad,” Boone said of Chisholm, who a day earlier in Boston did not see the end of the game because he was ejected arguing a check-swing call in the sixth inning.
The ejection drew a second one-on-one talk with Boone in the past week.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. walks off the field during the Yankees’ June 29 loss. Charles Wenzelberg
Boone had not been happy that Chisholm sucked on a Blow Pop while playing second base last Monday in Detroit.
Speaking before Monday’s game, Chisholm said he still disagreed with the umpire’s decision to eject him and still does not believe he swung at the pitch, but he took responsibility for his emotions that put the Yankees in a difficult position.
“I got to be better for the team,” Chisholm said after spiking his helmet, which earned the ejection even after Boone and first base coach Dan Fiorito interceded. “I got to stay in the game right there.”
Trent Grisham likely will play in a rehab game Tuesday.
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It is possible that the outfielder, out since June 12 with a hamstring strain, will be activated Wednesday.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Yankees are expecting an intriguing sim game that will include Max Fried facing Giancarlo Stanton.
Fried is expected to build up to close to 30 pitches in a two-“inning” outing, Boone said, as the lefty begins stretching out after his elbow bone bruise.
Stanton, who already had one setback from a calf strain, will bat against Fried and “is moving again with a little more intensity,” Boone said.
Ryan McMahon (throat infection) took ground balls for the first time Monday and is expected to be activated when eligible Friday.
From the 2025 NHL Draft, four defensemen will join the development camp roster: second-rounder Blake Fiddler, third-rounder Will Reynolds, fifth-rounder Maxim Agafonov and seventh-rounder Karl Annborn.
Those defensemen will be mentored by former Kraken player Justin Schultz, who signed on as a player development consultant.
When speaking to NHL.com about his new role, Schultz shared his excitement about helping players reach the next level.
“I've always wanted to help players try to get to the next level,” Schultz said. 'I’m really excited to help these players. They're all obviously great players. They've been drafted or signed [as free agents]. I am just trying to help in whatever way I can. I've played a lot of games and won some Stanley Cups. Hopefully, I can relay some positive things to them.”
After the first three days of drills, the players will take part in the 3-on-3 "Stucky Cup" on Thursday.
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CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 12: Jamir Watkins #5 of the Washington Wizards runs down court during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on April 12, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: The Cavaliers defeated the Wizards 130-117. User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Washington Wizards declined Jamir Watkins’ $2.15 million team option for the 2026-27 season, Spotrac’s Keith Smith reported Monday.
The Washington Wizards decline their team option for Jamir Watkins, a league source told @spotrac.
The Wizards did tender a qualifying offer to Watkins. He'll now be a restricted free agent this offseason.
The Wizards reportedly extended a qualifying offer to Watkins, which makes him a restricted free agent this offseason.
Watkins, 24, was selected No. 43 by Washington in the 2025 NBA Draft. He averaged 7.4 points and 3.9 rebounds across 50 games during his rookie season.
The stout defender, who averaged 1.1 steals per game last season, closed his rookie campaign with a 24-point outburst on 5-for-9 3-point shooting against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
While Washington declining Watkins’ option is surprising, the team did something similar in 2024 when it declined Tristan Vukcevic’s team option before later signing him back on a two-way deal.
That could be the case for Watkins, who started last season on a two-way before his deal was converted to a standard contract to close the year.
Here’s how Washington’s roster looks without Watkins:
Guard: Trae Young | Tre Johnson | Bub Carrington | Jaden Hardy | D’Angelo Russell
Wing: AJ Dybantsa | Kyshawn George | Bilal Coulibaly | Will Riley
Center: Alex Sarr | Tristan Vukcevic | Felix Okpara (possible two-way contract candidate)
The Wizards are at 14 standard contracts, pending a possible 15th if Okpara signs a standard deal. They could open a roster spot by waiving or buying out Russell, who opted in to his $5.9 million player option but never reported to Washington following last February’s trade from the Dallas Mavericks.
New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. left Monday night's game in the top of the fourth inning after an ugly collision with left fielder Jasson Dominguez. Chisholm and Dominguez were both chasing after a shallow fly ball when Dominguez's elbow caught Chisholm in the chin.
The Yankees announced Chisholm had been evaluated by a team doctor and was going through the concussion protocol. After losing to the Tigers 7-3, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Chisholm was not diagnosed with a concussion, but they are following the protocol as a precaution.
The Tigers were leading 7-0 at Yankee Stadium when Chisholm exited.
It's been a rough 24 hours for Chisholm. He was ejected Sunday for arguing a check-swing call against the Red Sox and then left without talking to reporters. Before Monday night's game, Chisholm told the YES Network he had to be a better teammate.
Chisholm, who has been vocal about wanting an extension from the Yankees, has not played well enough for them to seriously enter the conversation. He was hitting .229 with a .318 on-base percentage, nine home runs and 29 RBIs across 274 plate appearances.
He does have 20 stolen bases.
A play later, Dominguez crashed into the left-field wall and was slow to get up, holding his right rib cage.
The Yankees were swept in four games at the Red Sox over the weekend.
Bo Bichette returned to Toronto on Monday with the Mets.
TORONTO — Bo Bichette’s eyes moistened as he struggled to find words Monday when asked about his expectations returning to the only home field he had known in the major leagues before this season.
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“This is an opportunity for me to reflect on good times and just be grateful for everything,” the Mets third baseman said before his team faced the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
A key component of a team that reached Game 7 of the World Series before losing to the Dodgers in the 11th inning, Bichette expected a warm homecoming.
Such warmth has sometimes been lacking in his new environment — he started slowly with the Mets this season and even with a June surge took an underwhelming .254/.300/.388 slash line into play.
It’s far less than what the Mets thought they were receiving when they bestowed a three-year contract worth $126 million on Bichette in January.
That deal includes opt outs after the first two seasons.
Bichette homered in Game 7 to put the Blue Jays ahead, but in a classic finale the Dodgers rallied to tie the game on Miguel Rojas’ ninth-inning homer before Will Smith’s blast in the 11th put the Dodgers ahead for good.
Bo Bichette addresses reporters during a June 29 press conference. Getty Images
Bichette admitted he’s replayed Game 7 in his head.
The Blue Jays haven’t won a World Series since winning back-to-back championships in 1992 and ’93.
“You dream of getting to that situation and opportunity,” he said. “I am so grateful that we had that experience and got there. I don’t know how many times I have replayed it, but it comes to mind every once in a while.”
Bo Bichette acknowledges Toronto fans during the Mets’ June 29 game. The Canadian Press via AP
His chances of receiving another shot on this stage this season are almost completely obliterated.
The Mets entered the day with losses in eight of their last nine games and fell to 35-49.
Under interim manager Andy Green, the team lost two of three games against the Phillies over the weekend.
Bichette said he didn’t have any regrets about how his situation with the Blue Jays ended — with him and the team not close on a deal that would have allowed him to return.
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The Phillies were on the verge of landing Bichette before the Mets (who watched Kyle Tucker land with the Dodgers) swooped in and signed him.
“I don’t think there’s regrets,” Bichette said about leaving. “I think it just didn’t line up for whatever reason. It’s tough to live in the past like that.”
The Blue Jays, at 39-45, are enduring their own disappointment. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., has been among the underachievers — the slugging first baseman had only four homers entering Monday and a .697 OPS. Guerrero signed a 14-year contract worth $500 million before last season.
Bo Bichette hits a home run during Game 7 of the 2025 World Series. MLB Photos via Getty Images
“It’s the same story every year, wondering why Vlad is not hitting .400 and leading the league in OPS,” Bichette said. “I know he’s not doing what he is capable of, but every single year he ends up doing something that reminds you how good he is.”
The Mets are hoping the same is the case with Bichette, who began the day with a .932 OPS in June after an anemic start.
“There was an element of not finding a lot of luck early, not finding his timing,” Green said. “What I have had the opportunity to see the last number of weeks, he’s squaring stuff up and he’s got the normal aggression that he’s had his entire career and he’s spraying hits all over the yard and that is fun to see.”
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 17: Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves runs in the eighth inning during the continuation of a game from June 16 against the San Francisco Giants at Truist Park on June 17, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals begin a challenging road trip starting Tuesday night in Atlanta as they’ll do battle against the NL East division-leading Braves. Timing may be on the side of St. Louis, though, as there are some numbers that might work in their favor.
If you look at their records on paper, you would think that the St. Louis Cardinals would have their work cut out for them as the Atlanta Braves lead the National League East with a record of 49-32. That might still be the case, but the Cardinals are catching the Braves at the best possible time for two reasons. First, the Braves have lost 7 of their last 10 games. Second, St. Louis will miss Atlanta’s best starting pitcher this season, Chris Sale. Here are the projected starters for the series this week. Note that the Braves have not yet announced a starter for Thursday as of now.
Tuesday, June 30: Martín Pérez (LHP) vs. Matthew Liberatore (LHP, Cardinals)
Wednesday, July 1: Reynaldo López (RHP) vs. Michael McGreevy (RHP, Cardinals)
Over his last 6 games, Tuesday night’s starter Martín Pérez is 4-2 with a 3.75 ERA striking out 32 while walking 16. His most recent start was on June 24 against the Padres which he lost after lasting 4 innings giving up 3 earned runs while walking 4 and striking out 4.
The starter for Wednesday night’s game, Reynaldo López, is 3-1 on the season with a 3.47 ERA. His last 3 appearances have been no decisions. If the rotation for Atlanta sets up like it appears it might, this will probably be the Cardinals toughest starter they face in this series.
Thursday night’s likely starter, Bryce Elder, is 1-4 over his last 5 starts. He’s lost his last 3 starts and was hit hard in all of them. He gave up 6 earned runs on June 14 vs the Mets allowing 10 hits. On June 21 vs the Brewers, he surrendered 12 hits and 8 earned runs over 6 innings.
The Atlanta Braves have some key players on the injured list including outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (hamstring strain), starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow inflammation), and reliever Robert Suarez (forearm inflammation). Still, their lineup remains dangerous with Michael Harris II who is batting .300 and has 14 home runs. Matt Olson is still Matt Olson as he currently leads the Braves with 20 home runs and 52 RBI’s. Catcher Drake Baldwin has 14 home runs with 39 RBI’s and a .260 batting average. Ozzie Albies has a dozen home runs, 44 RBI’s and a .277 average.
There’s no good time to play the Atlanta Braves this season, but this might be the best timing the St. Louis Cardinals could hope for. The Braves have been sliding lately and injuries have hit them hard, but they’re also starting to feel the heat from the Phillies who are now only 4 games back in the NL East, so they might be inspired to get back to their winning ways sooner rather than later. The St. Louis Cardinals aren’t on fire either after finishing a disappointing homestand. Which team will return to winning first? We’ll find out starting Tuesday night in Atlanta.
With the first of July quickly approaching, the Florida Panthers are taking care of some needed business.
On Monday, the Panthers announced which of their restricted free agents received qualifying offers.
They were forward Ben Steeves and defenseman Toby Bjornfot and Mikulas Hovorka, all of whom were regulars with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers last season.
Players who did not receive qualifying offers from the Panthers were Cole Schwindt, Donovan Sebrango, Mike Benning, Evan Nause and Wilmer Skoog.
THN Florida previously reported that Florida would not be qualifying Schwindt or Sebrango.
Steeves had a strong season, logging 23 goals and 55 points in 72 games with the Checkers.
For the second straight season, Bjornfot split his time between the Panthers and Checkers.
He played 19 games with Florida, contributing two goals, two assists and two penalty minutes with the Cats, while adding another four goals and 12 points in his 33 games with Charlotte.
Hovorka also spent time in both the AHL and NHL last season.
He made his NHL debut with Florida in February and ultimately skated in four games with the Panthers, picking up his first NHL point, an assist, during an 8-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on the final day of the regular season.
With Charlotte, Hovorka skated in 57 games and accumulated five goals, 18 points and 46 penalty minutes while skating to an impressive plus-23 on-ice rating.
The Panthers are expected to remain busy as the new league year approaches on July 1, as the team still needs a pair of NHL goaltenders and is looking to potentially add another depth piece or two.
Keep an eye on Florida in the trade market with regard to goaltenders.
Photo caption: Feb 2, 2026; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Tobias Bjornfot (22) shoots the puck against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 7: Gage Jump #79 of the Athletics pitches during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Las Vegas Ballpark on March 7, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The A’s are back home and set to take on the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers this evening for the first of three contests. The Dodgers continue to be a juggernaut in the National League as their 54-30 record is tops in the entire sport. It’s going to be a tough challenge for the Green & Gold tonight but they’ll have one of their top young arms going for them in this one. Hopefully he’ll be able to help the A’s snap this two-game skid and get win #41.
That arm is lefty Gage Jump. The 22-year-old has been everything and then more for the squad as he’s sporting a pristine 2.064 ERA through his first six career starts. The lefty has been on a roll but has really stepped his game up over his past two starts. He’s pitched 12 innings without allowing a run so he’ll try to extended that, but he’s got his plate full with the Dodgers’ star-studded lineup.
The A’s are missing several of their best players right now. Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom were placed on the IL earlier today, joining Brent Rooker and Zack Gelof. That’ll put more pressure on younger players to step up. Outfielder Colby Thomas will likely be getting an extended look in left field with Sodey on the IL. That means the club will also be asking more of the top of their lineup, especially Shea Langeliers and Nick Kurtz.
We have a big league debut set for tonight as second base will be covered by Athletics’ #9 prospect Joshua Kuroda-Grauer. The young infield prospect has been tearing the cover off the ball at Triple-A and with Jacob Wilson and Zack Gelof’s injures, he’ll now have a chance to put himself on the radar of the coaching staff. He’s batting .352/.405/.461 with three triples, a home run, and four stolen bases for the Aviators.
The Dodgers meanwhile will have veteran Eric Lauer going for them tonight. After beginning the year in Toronto Lauer was traded to Los Angeles after a rough start to his season. Since arriving in LA Lauer has completely turned his season around, pitching to a 2.54 ERA in 5 games (4 starts). That’s help the Dodgers weather some early injuries to their starting staff. He’s also coming off his best start of the season when he fired six shutout innings against the Twins.
Muncy-on-Muncy tonight. Huge challenge on tap for the A’s but they got Jump. Can the A’s beat the Dodgers and get back to winning? Let’s find out. Let’s go A’s!
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 03: Sacramento Kings mascot Slampson does pushups to entertain the fans during the game between the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans at Golden 1 Center on April 03, 2026 in Sacramento, 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
You probably don’t give a damn with the Sacramento Kings did during the draft. They haven’t been a contender since Andrej Stojakovic’s daddy was shooting threes in the California capitol.
But here in Dub Nation, we believe in knowing your enemies. Not in a conspiracy board and red string kind of way, but like in a “Sacramento is 90 miles from Chase Center and just picked seventh in the draft” state of mind.
So let your Gold Blooded King give you the official Kings draft debrief. Lucky you!
The Kings came into draft night with a very specific hole in their roster where a point guard used to be. De’Aaron Fox was sent to San Antonio to detonate their title dreams in the NBA Finals traded away. Dennis Schröder came and went in the blink of an eye. And Russell Westbrook, a future Hall-of-Famer, was holding down the position the way you hold down a job you know isn’t yours for long.
Sacramento needed a star. And by golly they may have found exactly that.
With the seventh overall pick they selected Darius Acuff Jr. out of Arkansas, and Sacramento may have discovered its point guard of the future.
The Kings passed on Steph Curry for Tyreke Evans
They passed on Damian Lillard for Thomas Robinson
They passed on CJ McCollum for Ben McLemore
They passed on Luka Doncic for Marvin Bagley
Picking Darius Acuff today is a complete philosophical reversal of those choices
Acuff averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists last season, shot 44% from three, and won SEC Player of the Year under John Calipari. Calipiari is a coach whose guard pipeline reads like a Hall of Fame waiting room: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Devin Booker, De’Aaron Fox, Jamal Murray, Tyrese Maxey, Derrick Rose, John Wall. When Calipari vouches for a guard, you don’t dismiss it.
Darius walked in, we just lost to Alabama. I had four guys fouled out of the game. I’m playing with two guys the last overtime that hadn’t played all year. He’s trying to will us to win. His foot is so bad, he scores 49 … I said listen, ‘You should take the next game off.’ He was in a boot. We were playing Missouri at home. He looks at me and he said, ‘Do you know we lost?’ And he got up and left. Like, I’m not sitting out we just lost a game. You don’t want that? You don’t want a guy that he is going to give you everything he has?”.
This is new for Sacramento, right? In previous years, a franchise this desperate would have traded half the future to move up two spots and overpaid for a prospect the whole league knew they wanted. Instead, apparently GM Scott Perry held firm at seven because the whole league already knew Acuff preferred Sacramento anyway. They sat there, let the pick fall into their lap, and didn’t flinch. Then they traded into the first round to select Connecticut’s Alex Karaban at No. 29, a 6’7″ wing who shot 37% from three, passes with purpose, makes quick decisions, and keeps possessions moving. Then Emanuel Sharp at 45 out of Houston, another 3-and-D guard ready to contribute real minutes immediately. Three picks. One vision.
Sacramento is one of the draft’s big winners with Darius Acuff at #7 and Alex Karaban at #29.
Gotta respect the Kings front office for staying at 7 despite the 5/6 Acuff rumors then aggressively moving up for 29. Acuff, Karaban, Raynaud, Clifford. I love this young core. pic.twitter.com/SPU01QbCwj
Now before we give them a champiponship, let’s keep it real. Acuff’s defense is a genuine question mark, not media noise, and the Kings still have expensive roster decisions ahead involving players who may or may not fit what they’re building. What do they do with Zach Lavine and Demar Derozan? But as they answer those questions, it’s more than fair to give them so love so far in the process.They’ve had nineteen lottery appearances in twenty seasons so looking competent on draft night is progress.
Golden State should keep an eye out. Sacramento is building something in our backyard, quietly, without the drama, and placing their bets on standout talent.
Keep your friends close, Dub Nation. Keep your Pacific Division rivals in your group chat, your timeline, and your scouting report. Because the Dubs are gonna see these guys several times this year, and the Kings may finally have stopped behaving like the KANGZ.
In an era in which starting pitchers are asked to do less than ever before because of the fragility of their high-octane arms and because of bullpens whose values and workloads have ballooned, the days of marquee matchups between two aces are nearly over.
But not fully over.
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Cam Schlittler, who owns a 1.62 ERA and is the early front-runner for the American League Cy Young, against Tarik Skubal, who won the award the past two seasons, is the type of on-paper duel that the sport does not see enough, but will be seen Tuesday in The Bronx.
“I love when guys match up, sort of old school,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said before the series opened Monday. “Like on a matchup sheet when you look at who’s pitching. The starter is revered, and those are two of the best in the American League and two of the best in baseball.”
Two of the best, but effectiveness might be where the comparison ends.
New York Yankees’ Cam Schlittler delivers a pitch against the Red Sox. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
There really is no other starter like the righty Schlittler, who relies upon three different fastballs — very hard four-seamers and sinkers and merely hard cutters — to blaze past hitters, who barely have to prepare for anything slower than 95 mph.
The lefty Skubal can elevate into the upper 90s with his four-seamer and sinker, too, but his changeup might be his best pitch (an offering that has a 49.3 percent whiff rate this season), and he will lean upon his slider often, too.
The approaches are different, but the results have been similar.
Skubal steadily improved in each season before breaking through in 2024, when he led the AL with a 2.39 ERA in 31 starts — and followed that up by shaving his ERA to 2.21 in 31 starts last season, becoming the first repeat AL Cy Young winner since Pedro Martinez in 1999-2000.
This year Skubal required surgery to remove a loose body in his elbow in early May, but an innovative procedure allowed him to return by the middle of June.
Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal delivers against the Cleveland Guardians. AP Photo/Phil Long
He has been human since, sporting a 4.96 ERA in three starts back that included a six-inning, four-run outing against the Yankees in Detroit on Wednesday.
“He’s a great player, and they’ve got a great team,” said Schlittler, who soared his way through the Yankees’ system last year, when his fastball velocity skyrocketed.
His emergence climaxed with one of the great playoff displays in baseball history against the Red Sox. Schlittler is only throwing harder this season, barely touched while striking out 118 and walking just 20 in 100 innings.
During a season in which the National League has more overall ace excellence, notably from Jacob Misiorowski and Cristopher Sánchez, Schlittler has been the most impressive pitcher in the AL, ahead of the likes of Chicago’s Davis Martin, Minnesota’s Joe Ryan and Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen.
Many pitchers will minimize the notion of a duel, leaving such narratives for media and fans to debate, and insist they are solely focused on the opposing lineup.
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In many ways, Schlittler is not like most pitchers.
“It’s going to be a fun one. Realistically, it’s me versus their lineup, but at the same time, you gotta realize that for the most part it might be a close game,” Schlittler said. “So just got to have a little bit of an extra edge to that, and just be aware that he’s probably — at least from last year — the best pitcher in the game.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone called it “one of the great matchups in 2026 in our sport.”
His counterpart was excited, but looked toward the short porch in right and referenced temperatures that might reach the 90s.
“Who knows what it’s going to be like in this ballpark [Tuesday] when it warms up,” Hinch said. “But as a fan, I love when the best players are on the field. … When you can start with the marquee pitching matchup, there is something a little extra special about that.”
