The Warriors’ quiet 2026 NBA offseason already has led wandering eyes towards the summer of 2027.
Draymond Green on Tuesday returned to the Warriors on a one-year, $27.7 million contract, which is the same deal he turned down in opting out of his player opinion to open more financial flexibility in the team’s pursuit of LeBron James. Once Green’s new contract and De’Anthony Melton’s two-year, $11 million contract with a player option on the second year becomes finalized, the Warriors will be hard-capped to the second apron.
They technically have three spots available, not including second-round pick Lajae Jones, to fill out on minimum contracts.
James was the big fish this offseason that couldn’t be reeled in. The free-agent market is barren, and the Warriors’ salary cap situation only allows for cheap deals signed on the dotted line. As the Warriors continue to hold onto their draft picks, running a 37-win team back with reasons for optimism and arguments for the other side on nearly every player is as much about clearing the books for next summer as anything else.
Bringing back Green, plus having Jimmy Butler’s $56.8 million contract he’s under this season, gives the Warriors $84.5 million in expiring contracts between the two of them. The trend goes much further than just those two.
Along with Butler and Green, Steph Curry and Brandin Podziemski also are on expiring contracts. Curry becomes extension eligible on Aug. 29. The last time he was extension eligible, Curry took some time and he signed a one-year extension instead of the two years he was eligible for. Podziemski is up for a rookie contract extension he can sign until 3 p.m. PT the day before the regular-season opener. Butler can be extended starting in February of 2027.
Green is the only of the three who can’t be extended. He did not receive a full no-trade clause in his new contract, but playing as a one-year Bird Rights player essentially functions the same and any trade would need his consent.
Now, back to the Warriors and next offseason.
The Warriors only have three players who have guaranteed contracts for the 2027-28 season: Moses Moody ($13.4 million), Yaxel Lendeborg ($6.4 million) and Gui Santos ($5 million). Kristaps Porziņģis has a $20 million player option, Al Horford has a $7.1 million player option and Melton has a player option projected at $5.75 million. Will Richard’s $2.5 million on his third season is non-guaranteed.
Golden State is projected to have the most salary cap space in the league next offseason with just three guaranteed contracts currently signed.
So, why 2027?
Inside their own building, Curry, Butler and Green can all be unrestricted free agents, with Curry the most likely off the board because of his extension. Outside the building, there’s a long list of enticing players who are set to be unrestricted free agents.
Kawhi Leonard is part of that list. So is Michael Porter Jr., Tyler Herro, RJ Barrett, Zach LaVine, and some strong role players like Donte DiVincenzo, Lu Dort, Keldon Johnson, Davion Mitchell and more.
The real interest is in those who have player options for next offseason in the chance they get turned down and the Warriors are an enticing enough destination for a slew of star names. Those star names include the likes of Nikola Jokić, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Kyrie Irving, Brandon Ingram and others. James does have a player option, but he’s stated Philadelphia will be his final destination.
But the problem is, free agency doesn’t work like that any more. These types of star names rarely make it to the open market, and it’s often about the move before the move, a la the 76ers trading for Jaylen Brown in order to sign James.
It’s up to you to believe the Warriors will seal the deal with one of the above names or a different disgruntled star who wants out. The laundry list of vanishing names the Warriors have been attached to in recent years will sway you away. The Warriors will rightly argue they added a star in Butler 18 months ago in what was a great trade where only one first-round pick was moved to Miami. That also was a fairly riskless move, where the only real risk was age and injury concern, which blew up one year later.
The reasons for optimism from the roster the Warriors are bringing back in 2026-27 starts with hoping Curry plays more than 43 games.
It’s hoping Green’s flashes in matchups against Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Leonard and some other stars can be sustained for longer periods, and he doesn’t get as turnover happy. It’s hoping Rick Celebrini has Porziņģis’ health under control, that Melton can play back-to-backs and Horford is the player he was starting on Christmas. It’s hoping Butler returns from injury as close to his past self, and Moody too. It’s hoping Lendeborg really is Day 1 ready and other young players can follow his lead.
And much of what’s happening now looks to be keen on keeping tabs ahead of what’s possible to happen a year from now.
Well, lo and behold! The vaunted MLB Trade Deadline is under a week away, and the Cardinals have finally succumbed to the battle for .500 and are now underwater, a couple of games under a winning season. I have been advocating for a hybrid buy/sell situation, but I can definitely empathize with anyone who would want to be sellers at this point in the season.
Which is me doing a 180 all of a sudden. I thought it was in poor taste to constantly talk about the trade deadline, rooting for trading away key players, decimating our rotation and bullpen. And also even chatter about trading away key players like Ivan Herrera and Masyn Winn. Something about the way the team has played after the All-Star Break has lead to me having a change of heart. We definitely should not be buyers, because that would require trading away our most valuable assets in the farm system. It would be folly to go all in now, even with the most enticing offers. The offense isn’t complete, with too many holes in the lineup, while the bullpen cannot hold us in games reliably enough.
I still lean more towards a very open minded buy/sell situation, however… for a variety of reasons. One being that if you want to be sellers, Dustin May and Lars Nootbaar are simply not extremely good trade pieces in this market, which I’ll explain later. You would have to open your mind to trading guys like Ivan Herrera and Masyn Winn to bring back a lot of value. Some of the other valuable players might be more surprising, like Matthew Liberatore could be traded to the right team in desperate need of a starting pitcher. Liberatore does have surplus value.
But a trade deadline is a little bit different. It’s very subjective in more ways than one. What are the current needs of the buyer? What is the market like right now?
A Trade Deadline Market Heavy On Starting Pitching
Sure, Liberatore has a bunch of surplus value, but no contending team wants him right now, with his performance. He does have 4 years of control, but he’s just not going to help anyone except maybe the Nationals or Cubs? I don’t even see it. Dustin May, has a lot less surplus value, but there is some there. But can he put a contending team over the top? That seems like a very subjective choice of the buying team. On the surface, a 4.59 ERA and 1.32 WHIP feel like a middle of rotation arm if we are being generous, and to many people that’s a #4 or #5. But we all know evaluations go deeper than that. If a team likes the stat FIP, May might seem like a sneaky good pick on the market. If you are up on the times, statcast metrics pretty much show May as about an average MLB starting pitcher, with some strengths and weaknesses that about balance out. That is for sure a mid rotation arm to a lot of teams.
But the problem for the Cardinals in dealing Dustin May is just how stacked this market is in good starting pitching. This will probably give any buying team leverage in any trade deal. Sometimes it’s best just to hold on and not take a bad deal, even if the player does not return. The upside here is What If the Cardinals do make a sort of run at the wild card? They certainly are far from out of it at this point in the season.
A Market Full of Teams On The Cusp
In the National League, the Cubs, Phillies, and Pirates are holding the wild cards at the deadline, while the Diamondbacks could strike and swipe the Bucc’s card right away at any moment. Damn snakes, arrrr! With the Nationals offense, they will probably be buyers since they are just barely out of a wild card spot. The Cardinals, Marlins, and Padres will probably not be full on sellers, either, considering they are all within 2 games. Of the three, the Padres seem least capable with a run differential of -21. The Marlins have been staggering along with the Cardinals, but has it been enough for an MLB organization to decide to just throw in the towel?
I would name the sellers in the NL as the Reds, Giants, Mets, and Rockies. But that’s not a lot of supply for all the possible buyers. The Cubs, Phillies, Pirates, and possibly the Diamondbacks will all want to shore up their rosters, to keep up their pace and fend off around 4 teams trying to take their spot.
All this contention has made this trade deadline rather murky, and is either going to be a really tough one to predict, or… will end up like last year without a ton of action. I am leaning toward the latter, especially for the Cardinals.
Applying the same terms to the American League wild card race, we find a picture even more murky. I included teams under 5 games out of the wild card as teams that might not be sellers… if I apply that logic to the AL that would include the Tigers, who are likely to be sellers, because there are already 4 teams in the wild card hunt, beyond the favorites Yankees, Red Sox, and Guardians. We can assume that NY will take one of the 3 wild cards, but that leaves 6 teams for 2 spots. It would be tough to predict which organizations will decide to sell, if any.
A Murky Trade Market
Two of what should be the major sellers are the Angels and the Mets, two teams that might make some odd decisions in the seller market. They tend to not want to rebuild! But they sure as hell look like they should move some pieces. Will they allow themselves to make some moves? I think perhaps the most intriguing thing to think about as Cardinals fans is, Will Chaim Bloom and John Mozeliak make a trade? Will Bloom continue moves with Boston? Both are very easy to see as a possibility, given that Mozeliak and Bloom worked together over the last few years, while Chaim’s previous employer was the Red Sox. Is there some kind of effect here? Or will Bloom blindside us with random trade partners? Three team trades? Will the market get creative this year?
Dream Deadline Moves
Now that I have admitted that I think that there will probably be little trade deadline stories, I want to think big and imagine what could be if it was a VERY active trade deadline for Bloom and the Cardinals. I have no idea how realistic or completely ridiculous these trades are, but let me know what you think! Anything can happen.
Part 1 Trade a catcher to the Yankees
In my opinion, we have too many catchers. We almost have a team full of catchers. Or will soon! One guy that could be considered an asset, difficult to quantify: Pedro Pages. Perhaps the Yankees will like the intangibles with Pedro Pages. He seems like a baseball guy, tighter with the coaches and manager, seems to be trusted, a clubhouse chemistry guy, a rotation manager, however you can market this idea to NY. And believe it or not, Pedro Pages actually hits better than the Yankees catcher. Make it happen, Chaim!
There’s no way in hell that the Yankees are doing this deal straight up, since the player I would be on the phone after is their #22 prospect, pitcher Chase Hampton. Hampton has 6 years of control, while Pages only has 4 years left.
To really get this deal done, you will probably have to throw in Lars Nootbaar. But then I want another player! Maybe try to talk them into adding Cade Smith to the deal, to make our bullpen much more tolerable, or maybe Ben Grable, another pitcher from their minor league system, if they do not want to take away from their current bullpen situation. There are a ton of Yankees pitchers to choose from as the add on to Chase Hampton!
I have no idea what I’m doing here, but I would take that deal in a heartbeat. The secondary pitcher can be whoever you want it to be, the Yankees have a lot of pitchers valued at $1.8M using this tool. I found it extremely useful since, again, I have no idea what I’m doing, but here we are… It’s the best I could come up with!
Part 2 The Bloom-Mozeliak Move
Maybe they will pull off a last second trade, with all other options exhausted, or maybe they’ve had something planned all along. Or maybe I’m being ridiculous… but I think something is going to happen with the Bloom and Mozeliak connection. Call it a lucky guess, if I’m right, maybe a trade will happen… maybe not. Let’s imagine so.
I want to move another catcher, and John likes Jose Fermin a lot. I will make that move because I want to give the team a shot at the postseason this year. And to me that’s going to require some shoring up of the bullpen. It’ll hurt to lose the Ferminator, but we have Torres, and maybe if Saggese ever comes back, etc.
Sure, this trade looks like an overpay, but you have to pay for some bullpen help at the deadline. And I don’t think many of us will miss Ryan Campos, correct me if I’m wrong. I’m sure there’s some Campos fans out there!
^Use the link to come up with your own Fermin + a catcher trade with the Angels!
Part 3 Back To Boston
Chaim cannot ignore Boston, with our good rapport and recent trade history, why not do more deals? Let’s assume that Boston’s top prospect, Roman Anthony, is off the table. So far, my dream has been to hunt down pitching at the deadline. You can never have too much pitching. Because I’m crazy, the Red Sox #2 prospect is the goal: pitcher Anthony Eyanson. Boston is another team that needs a catcher, so I’m going to once again trade a catcher for pitching!
Somehow Bloom talks Boston into taking Ivan Herrera as their solution at catcher. Don’t ask me how, but he done did it. In reture, the Cardinals get #2 Boston prospect Anthony Eyanson, plus additional pitcher Juan Valera and outfield prospect Enddy Azocar, the Red Sox #5 prospect. You’re the best, Chaim! It’s sad to see Herrera go, but I know that they believe Herrera can catch. And maybe they can convince Boston, too!
The Braves, desperate for any kind of starting pitching, acquire all kinds of it, and take a flyer on Liberatore as a middle inning reliever and insurance for their rotation. Bloom convinces them all Matthew needs is a change of scenery and a tweak to his repertoire. They are nice enough to send us 17 year old outfield prospect Diego Tornes! It’s a big gamble for both teams, but as you can see, the calculator says we actually LOSE this trade! Let’s do it!
And there you have it, my dream is 4 trades at the deadline, perhaps the most mad trade deadline ever. This is all highly impossible, but I hope that it was fun to read, at least. Because this will never happen.
But what if they wanted to also trade May and Burleson? You might be surprised that their trade values are about the same, and not as much as you might think. This is all of course anyone’s guess, and subjective to the deadline, but it’s what I have to go on. I think they’ll keep both *unless they might trade Burleson to move Herrera to 1B and aren’t telling anyone.
To sum up, I think such a tool would be moreso used in the offseason trade market, but maybe it gave me a few ideas, at least, about the trade deadline.
My 20 Top Heavy Metal Albums from 1993
Continuing on with my favorite albums of all time, year by year since 1975, heavy metal edition… 1993
In case you missed last week when I revealed my favorite albums of 1993, I now have that in playlist form here! And now for the heavy metal edition!
Demilich – ‘Nespithe’ I’m not saying this is my favorite heavy metal album from 1993, but it is certainly most interesting… they practically invent a whole new form of death metal here, both more extreme and more prog rock and well, advanced. I was big into playing Dungeons & Dragons in high school, and one of the most powerful characters in that game is an undead being called a lich, and well, the idea of a demilich is pretty weird to think about. If I knew of this band back in high school, my mind would’ve been completely blown. They’re already mind altering enough years after it was released. (Finland)
Neurosis – ‘Enemy of the Sun’ one of the heaviest, most disturbing, and yet spiritually moving albums you’ll ever hear from any genre of music, the legendary west coast punk band Neurosis’ second official full length will haunt your years after hearing it just a few times. It might take more than one listen for its full effect to set in, but it’s a very memorable experience. Neurosis during their peak years. (Oakland)
Carcass – ‘Heartwork’ Carcass go full technical death metal here, but also get more melodic along the path. Probably Carcass’ heaviest album of all, and it opened their fanbase up to a whole new experience while expanding it. Gone were the grindcore punk days, leaving a metal monstrosity of epic proportions. A perfect album start to finish, if your ears can take it and your neighbors don’t start pounding on your walls. (UK)
Cathedral – ‘The Ethereal Mirror’ Cathedral has become one of my favorite metal bands over the years, and one of the only metal bands carrying on the torch passed down by Black Sabbath to the few doom bands of the 80s and 90s. The best one of those bands was Cathedral, as far as I’m concerned. The guitarist’s tone is impeccable, and if you allow yourself to have some fun with the at times funny vocal stylings of Lee Dorrian, which contrast with the heavy seriousness of the music in such a way that it just makes it all the more entertaining. Cathedral aren’t just old school metal with a big ol’ side of DOOM, they also slyly incorporate other musical elements, genres such as classic rock, prog rock, and even punk or soul at times. (UK)
Death – ‘Individual Thought Patterns’ this was my first album from death metal originators Death, and it’s still one of my favorites! To me this is where they fully realize their sound and Chuck Schuldiner’s musical goals for the first time; nothing against what came before it, but he was still developing the sound and lineup of the band. “The Philosopher” is a standout track, but you’ll need to hear the whole album for the full effect. Sounds a little different than the rest of the discography, too. (Tampa Bay)
dISEMBOWELMENT – ‘The Tree of Life and Death’ albums like this is one of the reasons why I do this… I had never heard this one before but I have not heard anything else like it. Way ahead of their time, another one of those bands simply paving their own path. I would file this under the heaviest of avant garde death metal, or maybe one of the weirder, most original death doom releases you’ll hear. (Australia)
Morbid Angel – ‘Covenant’ at this point Morbid Angel were practically a household name, at least among heavy metal households. As far as a an favorite, this album might only be outdone by the band’s legendary debut. Worth it just to hear the song “God of Emptiness”, alone! But a perfect album, nonetheless. Along with Death, Morbid Angel was a key part of the Tampa Bay death metal scene in the early 90s. (Tampa Bay)
Eyehategod – ‘Take As Needed For Pain’ legendary NOLA sludge punk road warriors put themselves on the map and don’t look back. If you like your metal slow, disturbing, veering into hardcore punk territory, and sounding like it was recorded with amps on 11 suffocated by a giant wall of disgusting steam in the deep south, under the influence of lots of drugs, then this one’s for you! very NSFW (New Orleans)
Fudge Tunnel – ‘Creep Diets’ another album where I’m not sure if this is more metal or punk, but I think at least upon first listen it sounds more metal. Anyways, I have had this album since around when it came out, and I practically wore out the tape back in the day. It’s full of energy and guitar hooks, and doesn’t really sound like anything else. (UK)
Sepultura – ‘Chaos A.D.’ and another album that has been with me since I was a teenager! By this point, Sepultura had blown up pretty big, had been on Headbanger’s Ball, Beavis and Butthead, etc. It’s just an epic masterpiece of an album. And the last of the first era of Sepultura LPs. Excellent. (Brazil)
Pestilence – ‘Spheres’ another amazing Pestilence album! Such a consistent discography, pushing the envelope and continuing to define their style of technical death metal. (Netherlands)
Ceremonial Oath – ‘The Book of Truth’ probably the most obscure album on the list, it also features the album cover most likely to be filed under rejected Magic the gathering card art. (Sweden)
Sinister – ‘Diabolical Summoning’ another album that reminds me of Magic the card game, and features epicly weird fantasy art. The music is an absolute scorcher and is new to me, but it sounds like a keeper and is also a rather obscure heavy release. (Netherlands)
Anacrusis – ‘Screams and Whispers’ probably one of the only people in my area listening to these guys back in the 90s! This band sounds like art metal mixed with progressive thrash! And features vocals more like goth industrial punk legends Killing Joke than like most of the bands on the list. Also, Anacrusis is from here! (St Louis)
Gorguts – ‘The Erosion of Sanity’ Gorguts are one of my favorite bands ever, but moreso for all the albums that were released after this one. The Erosion of Sanity is quite good however, and some fans prefer this era. To me, this is them just showing an inkling of things to come while playing more of that old school death metal sound, but with their own twist to it. They’re on here more for things to come, but this is still crucial death metal listening. (Canada)
Brutality – ‘Screams of Anguish’ one of the more obscure but underrated Tampa Bay bands, new to me but I already think they’re better than half the legendary death metal bands of TB. These guys might be the best sleeper pick from Florida! Utterly brutal old school death metal!!! And another Magic the gathering card art reject album cover. (Tampa Bay)
O.L.D. – ‘The Musical Dimensions of Sleastack’ I’m not even sure what to make of this band, and this album… it’s weird, it’s art metal, it’s pretty psychedelic… I like their previous album more, but this one is tough to leave off the list, it’s just an oddball. Even a bit industrial, but even weirder than their debut. Strange. To make it even stranger, I just discovered that their band name stands for Old Lady Drivers! hahahaha (New Jersey)
Violent Dirge – ‘Elapse’ perhaps the loudest bassist in the mix of any heavy metal album, so it must be included! Intense music! (Poland)
Rottrevore – ‘Iniquitous’ you guessed it! another bad magic card album cover. Music is BRUTAL. New one to me, but it’s got staying power. (Pittsburgh)
Crowbar – ‘self-titled’ another NOLA sludge metal album to round out the list is Crowbar’s debut! Another Beavis and Butthead chosen band. (New Orleans)
There you have it, my favorite 20 heavy metal albums from 1993! Thanks for reading.
Game 3 of Cubs @ Cardinals today at 1:15pm! Last chance to salvage an attempt at splitting the 4-game series. And did anyone notice that this is the first time this team has been under .500 all year?
A former Columbus Blue Jackets goalie is calling it a career.
The Winnipeg Jets shared that former Blue Jackets goalie Michael Hutchinson has announced his retirement from professional hockey.
Hutchinson spent the 2022-23 season with the Blue Jackets organization. In 16 games with Columbus that campaign, he posted a 2-6-3 record, an .877 save percentage, and a 4.29 goals-against average. This would be his lone season with the Blue Jackets, as he spent his first NHL season with the Detroit Red Wings in 2023-24.
Hutchinson played his final professional season overseas with SaiPa of Finland's Liiga during the 2024-25 campaign, where he had a 7-9-6 record, an .886 save percentage, and a 3.02 goals-against average.
In 154 career NHL games split between the Jets, Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, Blue Jackets, and Red Wings, Hutchinson had a 57-62-18 record, a 2.94 goals-against average, a .903 save percentage, and six shutouts.
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“I didn’t even think we were realistically in the running for LeBron,” Kerr told Slater. “It’s just that everyone kept saying we were. It never seemed serious to me despite all the reports.”
In the final two weeks leading up to James’ long-awaited decision, there was plenty of reporting that the Warriors were not optimistic about their chances to land the 22-time NBA All-Star, and Kerr’s comments to Slater seemingly confirm that.
Despite initially being viewed as the favorites to sign James once he left the Los Angeles Lakers, other teams, like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia leapfrogged Golden State as the most likely suitors, in the court of public opinion.
The NBA's offseason has reached its next phase. LeBron James made the biggest free agency decision of the year, and now most of the league's major roster questions for the 2026-27 season have been addressed. There could be a few more trades to avoid the NBA's salary-cap penalties, but otherwise the league's major transactions are complete.
But there sure were a lot of impact players on the move this year.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Jaylen Brown, LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant, Julius Randle and James were among the former and current NBA All-Stars to switch teams this offseason. While the Knicks largely stood pat after winning an NBA championship, nearly every contender attempting to catch them made notable additions, subtractions or both after eight different title winners in eight years.
From blockbuster trades and free-agent signings to draft-night steals and key extensions, here are the best move made by each of the NBA's 30 teams this offseason:
Kept CJ McCollum: The Hawks re-signed a key playoff contributor to a one-year, $21 million deal that doesn't compromise the team's future salary cap space if it wants to chase another star to pair with Jalen Johnson.
Boston Celtics
Shored up center spot: Though this Celtics offseason will be defined by the controversial Jaylen Brown trade, the front office led by Brad Stevens also addressed a need by re-signing center Neemias Queta and adding Knicks center Mitchell Robinson for a combined annual salary of less than $30 million. It should give Boston additional size, rebounding and rim protection at good value.
Brooklyn Nets
DayRon Sharpe's deal: The Nets declined Sharpe's team option to sign him to a modest two-year, $10 million contract after the 24-year-old center enjoyed a career year in a reserve role. If Sharpe becomes a full-time starter in Brooklyn, this deal would be a bargain.
Charlotte Hornets
Retained Coby White after LaMelo Ball trade: The Hornets signed White to a three-year, $74 million extension immediately following their trade of Ball. White can still push the pace and get downhill, but he also offers a potentially steadier option at point guard. If he isn't the right fit for Charlotte, his contract will have value on the trade market moving forward.
Chicago Bulls
Landed Norman Powell: Drafting Caleb Wilson may turn out to be the most memorable move the Bulls made in 2026, but he was the obvious pick at No. 4 and they had to beat out the Detroit Pistons and others to sign Powell. The 2026 NBA All-Star fills a hole at shooting guard and his two-year, $45 million contract doesn't lock Chicago into a long-term relationship.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Drafted Meleek Thomas: The Cavaliers signed Donovan Mitchell to a supermax extension that raised some eyebrows and then missed out on LeBron James to make for a relatively quiet offseason. But their decision to draft Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas with the No. 34 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft after he slid from his late first-round projection could turn into a steal. Cleveland signed Thomas to a four-year, $9.3 million guaranteed contract and he strengthened the team's confidence by leading the NBA Summer League in scoring (27.3 points per game).
Dallas Mavericks
Traded for Zaccharie Risacher: The Mavericks made several moves to better position themselves around Cooper Flagg as the franchise cornerstone, but acquiring the 2024 No. 1 overall pick and only giving up an undrafted player from a year ago (Ryan Nembhard) is the kind of gamble that can accelerate a rebuild if it pays off. Risacher was a disappointment in Atlanta, but the 21-year-old has ideal length and athleticism for a 3-and-D wing if he can figure out how his game translates at the NBA level.
Denver Nuggets
Matched offer sheet for Spencer Jones: The Nuggets put themselves in the second apron by matching the two-year, $12 million offer sheet Jones got from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The decision complicated Denver's negotiations with restricted free agent Peyton Watson and could force a salary-clearing trade. But losing a young two-way wing to a conference rival for nothing would have been difficult to justify. If Jones continues his development, Denver may have retained a valuable rotation player on a reasonable contract.
Detroit Pistons
Traded for Isaiah Joe: There is a lot of attention on the Pistons' front office due to the ongoing negotiations with restricted free agent Jalen Duren and concerns about Cade Cunningham's supporting cast. But Detroit desperately needed more shooting, and Joe came at the relatively low price of two future second-round picks. His $11.3 million salary this season, with a team option for 2027-28, makes this a low-risk bet with significant upside since Joe was a proven floor spacer seeking a larger role in Oklahoma City.
Golden State Warriors
Kristaps Porzingis' team-friendly extension: The Warriors haven't pulled off a major move this offseason, but they did extend Kristaps Porzingis with a creative, team-friendly contract structure. Though the deal was announced as a two-year, $40 million contract, only $3 million of Porzingis' salary for the 2027-28 season is guaranteed. It provides Golden State with protection given his injury history, but Porzingis' multi-faceted offensive skill set could thrive with a full season in coach Steve Kerr's system.
Houston Rockets
Tari Eason's deal: The Rockets didn't react to last season's disappointing first-round exit from the NBA playoffs with another batch of splashy moves, but the front office was lauded for the value it got on the five-year, $81 million extension signed by forward Tari Eason. The 25-year-old reportedly turned down a $100 million contract offer a year ago and had an uneven 2025-26 season, particularly shooting from 3-point range. But he remains a coveted two-way wing for his contributions beyond scoring.
Indiana Pacers
Signed Kelly Oubre Jr.: The Pacers added a veteran two-way wing without using much salary space by signing Oubre to a two-year, $16.5 million contract. The 30-year-old is coming off the most efficient season of his career and his defensive versatility has long been a strength. If he becomes a regular part of Indiana's playoff rotation, the deal could prove to be one of the better values from this offseason.
LA Clippers
Traded Kawhi Leonard (maybe): The Clippers appeared to successfully move on from the failed experiment of pairing James Harden with Kawhi Leonard when they got a better-than-expected return in a trade for Leonard. The Raptors were set to give up Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and two pick swaps in the deal. But the trade is now on hold while the NBA completes its investigation into Leonard and the Clippers.
Los Angeles Lakers
Acquired Walker Kessler: The Lakers entered the offseason seeking a long-term upgrade at center for Luka Doncic, and they paid a hefty price to acquire one. Whether GM Rob Pelinka gave up too much for a relatively unproven player is up for debate, but the four-year, $130 million contract Kessler got in Los Angeles makes him part of the team's nucleus for the foreseeable future. When healthy, he's a strong fit with Doncic because of his impact in the pick-and-roll and as a rim protector.
Memphis Grizzlies
Drafted Cameron Boozer: The Grizzlies completed their roster tear down by trading Ja Morant and Santi Aldama this offseason, but their most important addition this offseason came during the 2026 NBA Draft. Landing a potential franchise cornerstone with the No. 3 pick was a critical part of the team's rebuilding efforts, and Boozer's skillsets should complement center Zach Edey and 2025 first-round pick Cedric Coward.
Miami Heat
Traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo: Pat Riley and the Heat finally got another superstar to come to South Beach. Miami gave up a lot of its core to get Antetokounmpo from the Bucks, leaving limited support outside of Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins. But the chance to acquire a player of Antetokounmpo's caliber rarely comes and beating out the rest of the league for him was still a landmark accomplishment for the franchise. The Heat are a legitimate contender again because of Antetokounmpo, though they may need additional depth to complete their championship aspirations.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Giannis trade haul: The Bucks are in rebuilding mode for the first time in years and the trade package they got in return for Antetokounmpo got them a strong foundation with which to work. Milwaukee landed Tyler Herro, three young rotation players and three first-round draft picks for a mix of immediate contributors and future assets that will also be valuable for the Bucks as potential trade chips.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Took a big swing on LaMelo Ball: The Timberwolves gave up Julius Randle, Naz Reid and much of their future draft capital to pair Ball with Anthony Edwards in hopes of challenging the best teams in the West. That's a steep price considering Ball's durability issues in the past. Their bet will need to produce more than highlight reels and funny postgame moments, but at least the franchise is willing to make one to raise its ceiling. Ball and Edwards have the potential to be the NBA's most dynamic backcourts for years to come if this experiment works.
New Orleans Pelicans
Re-signed DeAndre Jordan: This is the Pelicans' best move because it's the only move they've made other than drafting Jason Pierre Jr. in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft. Jordan is more a coach than player at this point in his career, but he's a valued locker room presence.
New York Knicks
Kept Jose Alvarado: The Knicks mostly sat out the offseason in order to avoid the second apron of the NBA's salary cap, but they appeared to secure a hometown discount when Alvarado declined a $4.5 million player option and signed a three-year, $14 million deal to remain as New York's backup point guard. The Brooklyn native arrived at the trade deadline last season and his presence as a proven pest off the bench should help keep Jalen Brunson fresh, particularly during the regular season.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Isaiah Hartenstein's team-friendly contract: The Thunder spent much of this offseason shedding contracts to stay under the second apron of the NBA's salary cap. But the three-year, $75 million extension Hartenstein agreed to before free agency began looks team-friendly given what other top-end centers have received in recent years. The deal gives OKC's front office more flexibility as it tries to keep its title contender together for the long haul.
Orlando Magic
Reunited with Nikola Vucevic: The Magic are banking on the moves they made a year ago working out with a little more injury luck during the 2026-27 season. But Orlando did bring back Vucevic on a veteran-minimum contract. The 35-year-old center began his NBA career with the Magic, spending nearly nine years in Orlando, and could provide scoring help and experience off the bench at a low cost.
Philadelphia 76ers
Won the LeBron Jamessweepstakes: There's an argument to be made that James never even considers joining the 76ers without the blockbuster trade that sent Jaylen Brown from the Celtics to Philadelphia. But new president of basketball operations Mike Gansey might never top acquiring the NBA's all-time leading scorer when he's still one of the league's top performers, especially on a veteran-minimum contract. James completes arguably the league's most potent starting lineup after a strong playoff run this past season.
Phoenix Suns
Re-signed Collin Gillespie: The Suns made another splash by trading for Miles Bridges this offseason, but retaining guard Collin Gillespie on a four-year, $48 million deal before he hit the market should be a valuable contract for Phoenix. Gillespie began with the Suns on a two-way contract before setting the franchise record for 3-pointers with 232 during a career year last season.
Portland Trail Blazers
Traded for Ja Morant: Though Morant might be an odd fit given the Blazers' glut of guards, Portland gave up very little for a two-year look at a player considered one of the NBA's rising stars not long ago. Morant should be motivated to prove himself after several injury-marred seasons in Memphis, and the Trail Blazers will have a higher ceiling if new coach Micah Nori can figure out how to make all the backcourt pieces work together.
Sacramento Kings
Waived DeMar DeRozan: The Kings are mostly stuck with an expensive roster that can't compete in the Western Conference for now, but they were able to free some salary cap space by waiving DeRozan's partially guaranteed contract. The franchise has until the end of August to decide whether to stretch DeRozan's $10 million cap hit over three seasons. It's not a flashy move, but a necessary one for the franchise to begin extricating itself from its salary cap predicament.
San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama's extension: The Spurs made savvy moves by signing Tobias Harris and retaining Julian Champagnie this offseason, but persuading Wembanyama to sign a 25% max extension this year instead of waiting for an even bigger payday next year will benefit the franchise's salary cap situation for years to come. The deal could wind up saving the Spurs more than $50 million and sets the tone that their star is willing to sacrifice financially in pursuit of a championship.
Toronto Raptors
Traded for Kawhi Leonard again (maybe): The Raptors secured the experienced crunch-time scorer they were missing during the playoffs without giving up any of their young emerging stars. But the trade for Leonard remains on hold since he and the Clippers are still involved in an NBA investigation related to salary cap circumvention allegations. If the trade is approved, Leonard immediately vaults the Raptors into the Eastern Conference title conversation.
Utah Jazz
Traded Walker Kessler: Losing Kessler may hurt Utah in the short term, though perhaps not as much as expected after the additions of Jusuf Nurkic and Mo Bamba. But acquiring two first-round picks, two pick swaps and future salary-cap flexibility by moving Kessler gives the Jazz an intriguing collection of young players and draft assets. The trade should position Utah to pursue another major move down the road without a significant decline in the near term.
Washington Wizards
Drafted A.J. Dybantsa: As the Wizards' rebuild moves into its next phase with the infusion of veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis, the addition of Dybantsa as the No. 1 pick remains Washington's most important offseason move. The franchise's path to becoming a consistent contender in the Eastern Conference will go hand-in-hand with Dybantsa's development, and he's the favorite to lead all rookies in scoring this season despite having plenty of room to grow.
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 17: Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 17, 2024 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In the middle of Wisconsin, at a bend in the Wisconsin River named after a grocer named George Stevens, is a smallish town that used to be a hotbed of lumbering and is now a center for insurance and the headquarters of the U.S. operations of the Canadian National Railroad.
In this town there’s a high school, and like most high schools, there’s an athletic director for the school’s sports programs, and that athletic director is Dave Hauser.
Dave was a basketball player at the University of Minnesota-Duluth from 1987 to 1991. At the time, Minnesota-Duluth was an NAIA program, and Hauser was a stand-out player. His teams made the NAIA tournament every year he played, but bowed out in either the first or second round each time. A member of the team’s 1,000 point club, and currently 27th all time in scoring, Dave played alongside Jay Guidinger, a center who went from the NAIA to the NBA, where he played a couple seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, backing up Brad Daugherty.
In 1993, a couple years after graduation, while working as a teacher in the Westfield, Wisconsin, school district, Dave married Stephanie Fermanich, a chemistry teacher in the Green Bay school system; Stephanie is currently an executive director with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, which oversees high school sports in the state.
On December 8, 1997, the pair welcomed a son, Sam, into the family.
From fourth grade on, Sam was playing basketball competitively.
Sam grew up in Stevens Point with an older sister Nicole and, eventually, a younger brother, Joey. All three were multi-sport athletes, putting on the uniform of the Panthers at Stevens Point Area Senior High School.
In addition to playing basketball, Sam lettered in football as a quarterback, although he never cracked the starting lineup.
As a high school player, Sam played for his father, who was then an assistant coach, along with Trev Anderson, who was the son of the head coach, but there was no nepotism going on here. Anderson would finish his high school career with 2,360 points, and as a duo, they led Stevens Point to a 100-6 record during their careers to go with a pair of state championships in 2015 and 2016, years when Sam and Trev were joined by Sam’s brother, Joey.
Over those two seasons the team notched a 55-1 record. In 2015, the team trounced the undefeated defending champions, Germantown, 67-51 in the state championship, with Anderson and Hauser accounting for 50 of those 67 points, scoring 25 points apiece. Sam scored SPASH’s first sixteen points in the contest.
The following year, the Hauser boys and Trev put on a season-long clinic. In a perfect 28-0 season, SPASH won every game by double digits, and their average margin of victory was 33 points. On March 19th the team defeated Muskego 89-64, behind 23 points and eight rebounds from Sam, for the team’s second straight state title. They finished the season ranked eleventh in USA Today’s Super 25 ranking of the country’s best boy’s basketball teams.
Assistant coach Dave Hauser (center), with his sons Sam Hauser (left), and Joey Hauser (right), during basketball practice at Stevens Point Area Senior High School, March 9, 2016. HAUSER17p2
That season, Anderson and Hauser were joint recipients of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association player of the year honors.
After wrapping up Wisconsin’s high school tournament,on April 2nd, 2016, Sam found himself at the Glenda Dawson High School in Pearland Texas competing in an event sponsored by the U.S. Marines and held in conjunction with the NCAA Final Four Tournament going on that weekend in nearby Houston. Students in the high school were dismissed from their Friday afternoon classes and invited to the gym to provide a suitable crowd for a three-point and slam dunk contest.
Hauser, after a shaky first round, tied for third in the country in the three-point contest. “I was just not making my shots in the first round; they were right there, but they weren’t falling,” he said, adding, “I was really more about having fun with it.”
By this time, Hauser had committed to play basketball at Marquette, located not far from Stevens Point in Milwaukee. He’d also been named the Gatorade Player of the Year for Wisconsin. He was rated a top-100 recruit by Scouts.com, 247Sports.com and ESPN.
Hauser hit the ground running at Marquette, starting 28 of 32 games for the Big East squad, and playing a team high 26.5 minutes per game. His stats as a freshman were a bit pedestrian, but he was primed for a sophomore leap. In his second year, he started all 35 games. His scoring average jumped from 8.8 to 14.1 points per game, and his rebounding average improved from five per game to 5.7.
Sam continued to improve as a junior, when he was joined on the squad by his brother, Joey. Sam was named to the All-Big East second team, and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player. His scoring was up slightly, and he once again started every game—and his shooting percentage splits were stellar. With an overall field goal percentage of 45.9%, free throw shooting at 92.4%, and 3-point field goal percentage of 40.2%, Hauser was carrying on a standard of shooting excellence that he had started to build in high school.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 08: Joey Hauser #22 and Sam Hauser #10 of the Marquette Golden Eagles celebrate after beating the Wisconsin Badgers 74-69 in overtime at the Fiserv Forum on December 08, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Marquette made the NCAA tournament twice in Hauser’s time with the school, but lost in the first round both times.
After his junior year, at a time when transferring meant sitting out a year, Sam announced that he would be finishing his career with the Virginia Cavaliers.
He missed the 2019/20 season, and suited up for Virginia in the COVID shortened 2020/21 season where he once again started every game, finishing a four-year career with 122 starts in 126 games.
Sam’s fourth year was his best yet. He was named to the All-ACC First Team, and came within an ace of notching a 50/40/90 season as a shooter, falling just .4% short of 90% from the free throw line to go with a 50.3% field goal percentage and a 41.7% three-point shooting rate. He was also named to the ACC’s All-Academic Team.
The highlight of the season was undoubtedly the team’s game against Louisville, where Hauser shot 9-14 for 24 points, to go with eight rebounds and two blocks in a contest that clinched the regular season title for Virginia. “That was an MVP-type performance,” Virginia coach Tony Bennett said after the game.
The Cavaliers made the NCAA tournament that year, but Hauser’s team once again lost in the first round. Hauser had a fifth year of eligibility due to COVID, even though he’d been required to sit out the COVID terminated college season, but he chose to declare for the NBA draft instead.
Hauser sat through both rounds of the draft without hearing his name called. The draft, held on July 29th, about a month later than usual due to a COVID-delayed start to the previous season, was followed by a flurry of activity as teams looked to sign up undrafted free agents, and Sam was among the players who found himself with a choice of teams to play for.
The Timberwolves, Celtics and Heat all pitched Hauser. Minnesota and Boston had contract offers on the table, while Miami only offered Sam a chance to compete for a roster spot. However, at the time, Miami had an exceptional reputation for developing diamonds in the rough. “I saw what Duncan [Robinson] had done and Max Strus had done,” Hauser said about Miami, adding, “they have a good culture for producing guys like that.”
But the difference came down to the Celtics’ contract offer and especially Boston’s President of Basketball Operations, Brad Stevens. Sam’s mother, Stephanie, who, along with his father Dave, helped him evaluate the offers on the table, said that they put together a list of pros and cons, but that they kept coming back to Stevens. “He just had the old-school, down-home way, and we just liked how he goes about things,” she observed.
“Everything about him was very trustworthy. So, the fact that he saw things in Sam had a lot of value to us.”
Sam signed a two-way contract with Boston that was upgraded to a standard NBA deal the following year.
2024 gave Hauser his first taste of championship ball since his high school days at Stevens Point eight years earlier.
During the Finals that year, Hauser was a key reserve, scoring 8.2 points per game on better than 50% shooting across 15 minutes per contest, as the Celtics landed their 18th championship in a five game gentleman’s sweep of the Dallas Mavericks. The Celtics rewarded him with a four-year $45 contract later that summer.
His role decreased slightly the following year as he appeared in only 71 games as opposed to 79 the championship year, although his spot starts increased from 13 to 19.
With the Celtics’ depleted front court this past season, Hauser jumped to 49 starts, tallying a 39.3% three point shooting percentage on 6.5 attempts per game to headline his role as a solid contributor to Boston’s 56 win campaign.
Six years in, Hauser has more than justified the confidence that Stevens had in his potential when he swooped in on draft night to land the Stevens Point sharpshooter with a phone call and a bit of Midwestern down-to-earth chat.
CHICAGO, IL - JULY 28: Trent Grisham #12, Jasson Domínguez #24 and Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees celebrate with Ryan McMahon #19 and Paul Goldschmidt #48 after winning the game between the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Lawrence Brown/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Five days remain between now and the MLB Trade Deadline. The action has yet to pick up beyond the Red Sox trading a starter to the Nationals for an infielder who promptly got his wrist broken by a pitch in his Boston debut. That sounds about right.
Sooner or later, we’ll really get going though, muck of 20 teams in vague contention be damned. And when it does, the Yankees are expected to be one of the deadline’s primary figures. They remain a win-now team in Aaron Judge’s prime, and they need to supplement while their captain continues to recover from his broken rib. Carlos Rodón, Giancarlo Stanton, and now Cody Bellinger are working their way back from the IL as well. The offense has lagged without Judge—particularly in the past month—and there are questions about the rotation depth and bullpen as well since David Bednar, Fernando Cruz, and Brett Headrick have all seen a lot of work.
Whatever the Yankees end up doing, they will have to give up something to get something. The question we’re asking today is who you think is most likely to be moved? We’re not talking about just bottom-of-the-roster-type backups, either (and Camilo Doval is too easy an answer since he could just be a DFA). There have been a number of major- and minor-league names thrown into the trade rumor winds: Jasson Domínguez, Spencer Jones, Anthony Volpe, Will Warren, Ryan Weathers, Dax Kilby, Henry Lalane, Elmer Rodríguez, Henry Lalane, and Carlos Lagrange have all seen their names bandied about at one point or another. So has George Lombard Jr., though it’s harder to see the Yankees parting ways with him.
To throw my own thoughts out there, Jones is probably the safest pick. It seemed like only a well-timed hot streak saved him at the Trade Deadline last year, and it seems like he has enough red flags in his game that the October-focused Yankees can only be so patient regarding his development at the big-league level. There’s still talent in there too, and it’s not hard to envision another team champing at the bit at seeing what they can pry out of him with more tweaks to his approach at the plate. It’s not just the swing-and-miss concerns and high strikeout numbers; it’s also his stance and wobbly mechanics, not to mention always-tough numbers against lefties.
I do think that there’s a good player somewhere in there. The ceiling’s just not as high as it once was and this isn’t 2016, when the Yankees had sold at the deadline and could just let Aaron Judge test himself out in The Show to see what worked and what didn’t. (The following offseason’s strategic response changed everything for him.) And you of course can’t bet on Jones turning into Judge just because he’s also a 6-foot-7 outfielder with light-tower power. There’s nuance! For the record, there’s a lot about Jones that could also be said about Domínguez, who has seen even more MLB time and had also had too many uncharitable comps thrown on him. If we’re picking from the batch of Yankees though, Jones is probably the most likely to move.
Today on the site, Jeremy will suggest the “Grandson of the Wind,” Jung Hoo Lee, as a potential addition to shore up the outfield, Madison will tackle the Rivalry Roundup, Jonathan will celebrate the 75th birthday of a forgotten 1978 World Series champion, and Michael will throw a bone at the Yankees’ catchers, discussing what they do do well.
Today’s Matchup:
New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox
Time: 7:40 p.m. EST
TV: Amazon Prime Video, Chicago Sports Network, MLB Network, WCIU TV
Carl Edwards Jr. gave up four runs in the first two innings, and the Hens couldn’t quite fight back enough in this one. Edwards did eventually settle in and strike out eighth, but he continues to be pretty vulnerable to the long ball.
Max Clark was clipped by a pitch to start the game. Jace Jung struck out, but Max Anderson singled and Gage Workman walked to load the bases. There was the opportunity, but Corey Julks struck out and Trei Cruz lined out to end the inning.
New depth catcher Carlos Pérez cracked a solo shot, his third already with the Hens, to open the second inning, but it was 4-1 by the time the inning ended.
Julks did unleash a solo shot in the fifth to make it a 4-2 game. Clark doubled off the wall in right center field in the sixth, but they couldn’t get him home.
Max Clark launches a 389-foot double high off the wall in right center. It’s his 20th double of the season. pic.twitter.com/hJFaMwFVCa
Max Alba and the SeaWolves bullpen took a beating in this one as Akron pounded out 19 hits to win easily.
Alba gave up two in the top of the first, but in the bottom half, Seth Stephenson led off with a single and Peyton Graham ripped an RBI double to left. So it was 2-1 Akron, but that was the last the SeaWolves would see of their foes as they pulled away with nine runs over the next four innings.
Justice Bigbie’s hit streak came to an end over the weekend, but he started a new one with a solo shot in the fourth. Andrew Jenkins followed him with a solo shot of his own, but that completed the scoring for Erie.
Pennington: 2-3, BB
Graham: 1-4, RBI, 2B, K
Bigbie: 1-4, R, RBI, HR, K
Alba (L, 1-4): 2.2 IP, 7 ER, 10 H, 0 BB, 4 K
Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:05 p.m. ET start on Wednesday.
West Michigan Whitecaps 4, Belmont Sky Carp 0 (box)
Rayner Castillo threw a good one, and the Whitecaps got some power from an old friend to carry them at home on Tuesday.
Woody Hadeen led off the bottom of the first with a single to right. Bryce Rainer struck out, but Izaac Pacheco, in the first at-bat of his rehab assignment, hammered a two-run shot to right center field. 2-0 Whitecaps.
In the second, Stephen Hrustich singled to lead off the inning and later stole second base. A Caleb Shpur single made it a 3-0 game.
Castillo wouldn’t need any more. The big right-hander went five innings, scattering three hits and three walks, striking out four.
The Whitecaps had two new faces in the lineup as catcher Edian Espinal and first baseman Beau Ankeney were promoted from Lakeland. Espinal cannot be stopped at the plate, and he walked in the first and singled in the third to get some firsts out of the way. He also cut down his first High-A runner along the way.
And how about a little defense? Edian Espinal with a dart to Bryce Rainer to catch Starlyn Caba trying to steal 2nd. @ThatDanHasty calls it. pic.twitter.com/3rbhEK0NTe
Ankeney singled in the sixth for his first Midwest League knock. That moved Clayton Campbell, who led off the inning with a walk, to second. Hrustich walked as well, loading the bases, and Campbell scored on a wild pitch. That’s all they got, but the pitching staff didn’t need any more help.
Preston Howey and Jalen Evans handled two innings apiece to complete the shutout.
Pacheco: 1-2, R, 2 RBI, HR, BB
Hadeen: 2-3, R
Hrustich: 1-2, R, 2 BB, K, SB
Castillo (W, 2-8): 5.0 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 4 K
Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:35 p.m. ET start on Wednesday.
Things went poorly for Grayson Grinsell in this one and only a late storm of runs kept this one from being a rout.
Jordan Yost singled to open the game, but Michael Olivato grounded into a force at second in his first full season A-ball at-bat, and Roberto Campos, on a rehab assignment, grounded into a double play.
Five hitters into the bottom half, it was already 4-0, and a third home runs off of Grinsell made it 5-0. After allowing another run in the second, Grinsell did settle in and go four inning with six strikeouts and no walks, but the damage was done.
Antonio Florida and Andrew Pogue each allowed two runs in relief.
Ronald Ramirez doubled in the third inning for his first hit at the Single-A level. Javier Osorio crushed a long home run in the fifth to get Lakeland on the board. In the top of the eighth, Oliveto singled for his first knock in full season ball.
In the top of the ninth, Ramirez cranked a solo shot to left.
Congratulations to Ronald Ramirez on his first Low-A home run. Left his bat at 99.1 MPH and went 376 feet. pic.twitter.com/LDJdUEWtYC
Anibal Salas mashed a three-run homer, and Nick Dumesnil took one out to right center field for his sixth of the year.
Anibal Salas crushes a 3-run homer to right to pull the Flying Tigers back within four runs. It’s his 7th home run of the year. pic.twitter.com/6FoogDK58s
(Original Caption) San Francisco teammates raise big Bill Russell on their shoulders in a spontaneous gesture of acclaim following tonight's triumph over the clans, 70-53, for their holiday festival championship at the garden named the tournament's most valuable player, the 6 foot 10 inch center scored 17 points to pace the dons to their 36th victory grinning broadly Big Bill holds the Tourney's Trophy.
The late Bill Walton has a unique presence in basketball history. When healthy, he was as good as any center who ever played, and, with the possible exception of Arvydas Sabonis, the best passing center in history.
But injuries caused huge disruptions in his NBA career. He won a championship with Portland in 1977, and after his injury years, came to Boston as a sixth man and helped the ‘86 Celtics become perhaps the best team in NBA history.
His place in history is secure though, because Walton’s career, as disrupted as it was, revealed a man who deeply loved the game, and most of all, the players who played it right.
This video has tells of AI, and clearly it synthesized his voice. However, the words seem to be Walton’s, and he lists the five college players he admired most. And the list makes perfect sense for Walton’s priorities:
Bill Russell
Lew Alcindor (aka Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)
Pete Maravich
Oscar Robertson
Larry Bird
He picked Russell for his far-sighted intelligence and for putting winning and the team first.
He favored Alcindor/Kareem for his calm nature and how composed he always was on the court.
He said Maravich was on the list because he imagined a new version of basketball years ahead of its time, yet was still a team player in spite of his statistical dominance.
As for Robertson, what separated him was the way he controlled every aspect of the game. He had size at point guard for his day, vision and poise. Walton said what he admired most was his overall command of the game.
Finally, he talked about his eventual Celtics teammate Larry Bird, saying that he was one of the greatest basketball minds he’d ever witnessed. Bird, he said, never forced a game to revolve around him. The quality he said he admired most was Bird’s immense confidence.
As noted, it’s an AI voice, but the comments, it seems to us, are hugely Waltonesque.
Rarely have the top 25 targets at Major League Baseball’s trade deadline been so fluid.
So, let’s do it again.
As teams bob their heads above or dip below the .500 mark, the notion of buyers and sellers shifts day to day, perhaps hour to hour. And while some of the best names expected to be on the move won’t change, others land on the list with dispatch, a poorly-timed losing streak shifting their fate.
With that, a look at the top two dozen-plus one names that could be on the move as the Aug. 3 deadline draws closer, based on their possible impact, the likelihood of their availability and the fit of their contracts:
You don’t hear his name very often these days, simply because his departure has been such a foregone conclusion. Yet his hitting ability combined with an .811 OPS will loom large down the stretch and in the postseason, a crucial part of a healthy offense.
2. Luke Weaver, RP, Mets
Practically untouchable in his last 17 games, giving up one earned run with a 19-3 strikeout-walk ratio. Weaver closed games for the 2024 AL champion Yankees and would smoothly take over a high-leverage role for a playoff team.
3. Robbie Ray, SP, Giants
His 4.49 FIP would seem to belie his 3.16 ERA, but facts are facts: Ray has given up three or fewer runs in 18 of his 21 starts. Like Arraez, easily movable and plug-and-playable.
4. Zach Neto, SS, Angels
Now this one would be interesting. Neto swings hard and plays hard, and should provide close to 30 home runs from the shortstop position – while offering a contending team three years of control beyond this season.
5. Tarik Skubal, SP, Tigers
He’s moved on up from nine to six in these rankings as the Tigers are once again in danger of falling on the wrong side of the buy-sell fence. Obviously, the top talent potentially on the market, but this is the American League, where nobody’s out of it until 5:59 ET on Aug. 3.
6. Michael Wacha, SP, Royals
He has limited no-trade protection and makes a reasonable $15 million in 2027. Better yet, he’s a workhorse and veteran of five postseasons
7. Adrian Morejon, RP, Padres
While Mason Miller is the high-velocity king causing a hubbub on the rumor mill, Morejon, a pending free agent, much more closely matches the Padres’ objective of playing the middle of this deadline. Morejon is the best lefty reliever who should be available, with a 1.08 WHIP.
8. Jake McCarthy, OF, Rockies
An excellent buy-and-flip maneuver by the Rockies as McCarthy has an .842 OPS (117 adjusted).
9. Sandy Alcantara, SP, Marlins
Will they or won’t they? A ghastly 12-game losing streak sent the Marlins from playoff position to below .500 and a franchise crossroads. Will the Marlins truly be serious about contending? Because Alcantara gives them their best chance to win this year and next, when he has an affordable club option. Otherwise, he’ll make a playoff-bound club very happy.
10. Isaac Collins, OF, Royals
A switch-hitting outfielder with a .344 OBP and a dash of speed? Eminently useful. Perhaps not the sexy move Yankees fans might want to shore up their outfield, but Collins will be useful for somebody.
11. Shane Bieber, SP, Blue Jays
After a litany of arm woes delayed his season debut until June 23, Bieber has been building back toward elite form, and after given up just one run in over two starts, walked six in less than an inning's work July 28. Ouch. Still, he's a pending free agent who won Game 4 of the 2025 World Series and his ’26 odometer is low.
12. Reid Detmers, SP, Angels
Neto and Detmers offer the ultimate test case for the Angels under caretaking GM John Mozeliak. Have things truly changed? Not that they have to deal Neto and Detmers (who will have two years of club control after this season) to prove owner Arte Moreno will finally give up delusions of contending soon. Detmers has been on a two-month heater, with a 3.18 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 65 innings of his last 11 starts.
13. Mason Miller, RP, Padres
We’re not convinced Padres GM AJ Preller can come close to getting a similar haul for Miller that he gave up to get him. And also not convinced Preller will trade Miller if he can’t pull that off.
14. Kevin Gausman, SP, Blue Jays
A great five-year run looks to be ending in Toronto, though Gausman has limited no-trade powers. Not his best year by any means, but Gausman can still churn out quality starts and, should he retire after this season, deserves another crack at a World Series.
15. Devin Williams, RP, Mets
An uneven season for Williams, who posted a 10.29 ERA in his first nine outings as the Mets’ season fell apart early, and a 2.93 ERA in 22 games since. Signed for two more years and $26 million, and whether that’s a plus or minus is in the eye of the beholder.
16. Tyler Stephenson, C, Reds
The loss of multi-positional Spencer Steer to a wrist injury is a bummer for the Reds and those fancying Steer, but Stephenson should be the top catcher guaranteed to be on the board. Not the guy who hit 19 homers with a .782 OPS in 2024, but he’s healthy and a near league average hitter and bats right-handed.
17. Ty France, 1B, Padres
What a late pickup by San Diego: France has 16 homers and an .887 OPS and destroys left-handed pitching. A la Miller and Morejon, might need a Padres funk to make him available.
18. Lars Nootbaar, OF, Cardinals
He missed the first 60 games after offseason surgery on his heels and has been adequate in his return, with a .716 OPS that’s near league average. A free agent after 2027, Nootbar may not fit the Cardinals’ long term . And he’s been fine in his return, OPS-ing .778 as he gets up to speed. But Nootbaar already doesn’t play against lefties, and as a free agent after 2027, he doesn’t necessarily fit the Cardinals’ timeline for earnest contention. A nice clubhouse and on-field addition for a club seeking a lefty-swinging outfielder.
19. Jeff Hoffman, RP, Blue Jays
Stung in World Series Game 7 last year and bit by hard luck this year, Hoffman is rounding into form, striking out five over his last two innings. He's been unscored upon in 18 of his last 19 outings; signed for $12.6 million next season.
20. Clay Holmes, SP, Mets
On the comeback trail from a broken leg, Holmes is climbing the ladders on a rehab assignment and should be healthy enough to give a club around eight starts, plus the playoffs. A fine line between risk and upside here, as Holmes will likely opt out of a player option for 2027 that would otherwise add value to a transaction.
21. Foster Griffin, SP, Nationals
Don’t look now, but the All-Star would be right behind Skubal among most talented lefties available. Alas, Griffin’s club is now 55-53 and within a game of a playoff spot. A pop-up Nationals collapse could change things, especially because Griffin is a pending free agent, but the nine-pitch wonder figures to stick in D.C.
22. Dustin May, SP, Cardinals
Prone to the odd blow-up start – he’s had five outings of at least five earned runs – but also occasional dominance, May might not crack the circle of playoff rotation trust but would be a useful arm down the stretch and on the back end of a playoff roster.
23. Jack Flaherty, SP, Tigers
He’s Skubal Jr. – likely available if the Tigers slip totally out of contention. Heck, maybe he’s available, anyway – the Tigers traded him at the 2024 deadline then staged a wild rally for a playoff berth.
24. Trevor Rogers, SP, Orioles
We can’t imagine the Orioles selling unless absolutely necessary, but a very bad weekend could vault this lefty way up the chart. A pending free agent, Rogers has been dominant (1.80 ERA, 45-14 strikeout-walk ratio in nine starts) the past two months.
25. Mickey Moniak, OF, Rockies
Another serviceable lefty-swinging bat, Moniak has 16 homers and a 124 adjusted OPS for the Rockies.
Most of the $94 million in the new contract will be paid to Celebrini in the form of signing bonuses. Only $4.9 million will constitute base salary over the life of the deal.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Celebrini is set to play the 2026-27 season on the final year of his Entry-Level Contract, which will pay him $877,500 in base salary and carries a $97,500 signing bonus and $3.5 million in performance bonuses.
Celebrini’s raise is well-deserved, as he broke the Sharks’ single-season points record in the final game of the regular season, recording 115 points.
The Sharks missed the playoffs, but Celebrini gave them a legitimate shot to end the drought last season.
With Will Smith, Michael Misa, Ivar Stenberg and others by his side, Celebrini has a chance to carry the Sharks to lofty heights.
Wednesday’s news is just the beginning for Celebrini.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 11: Commissioner of Major League Baseball Robert D. Manfred announces Cole Carlon as the 39th overall pick by the Toronto Blue Jays during the 2026 MLB Draft presented by Nippon Express at Pennsylvania Convention Center on Saturday, July 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The deadline for signing 2026 MLB draft picks was at 5:00pm ET on Monday. The Toronto Blue Jays had 19 picks in this year’s draft, having forfeited their 2nd and 4th round selections for signing Dylan Cease after he rejected the San Diego Padres’ qualifying offer but receiving a compensation pick in the fourth round for the Mets’ signing Bo Bichette.
The table below shows the picks, their signing bonuses (per sportrac.com), and their net effect on the Jays’ bonus pool:
Round
Pick
Player
Signing Bonus
Slotted Bonus
Difference
1
39
Cole Carlon, LHP, Arizona State
$2,400,000
$2,571,700
$171,700
3
103
Ryan Cooney, SS, Oregon
$597,500
$762,900
$165,400
4
131
Will Brick, C, Tennessee HS
$2,500,000
$581,100
-$1,918,900
5
134
Nolan Higgins, RHP, Michigan State
$2,500
$421,300
$418,800
6
193
Gable Mitchell, SS, Iowa
$5,000
$330,300
$325,300
7
222
Dean West, OF, UCLA
$196,725
$262,300
$65,575
8
252
Jake Bennett, C, Dallas Baptist
$1,000
$219,500
$218,500
9
282
Joey Urban, OF, Southern Miss.
$2,500
$202,100
$199,600
10
312
Bryce Chance, OF, Mississippi State
$2,500
$191,900
$189,400
11
342
Brayden Martin, 3B, Maryland
$197,500
$150,000
-$47,500
12
372
Santiago Garcia, LHP, Louisiana State
$150,000
$150,000
–
13
402
Mathis Nayral, RHP, Kansas
$150,000
$150,000
–
14
432
Connor Kelley, RHP, U. Texas San Antonio
$120,000
$150,000
–
15
462
Oliver de la Torre, RHP, Cal. (Berkeley)
$150,000
$150,000
–
16
492
Carson Cormier, RHP, Illinois State
$150,000
$150,000
–
17
522
Landon Waters, RHP, Ole Miss.
$50,000
$150,000
–
18
552
Jake McCoy, LHP, South Carolina
Unsigned
$150,000
–
19
582
Cole Travers, SS, Florida HS
Unsigned
$150,000
–
20
612
Eddie Rosado, OF, Pennsylvania HS
$150,000
$150,000
–
As a reminder, bonus amounts in the top 10 rounds form a team’s total bonus pool. Teams can exceed their pool by up to 5% with only a tax, but there are extreme penalties for going beyond that and in practice teams never do it. The pool covers all players drafted in the first 10 rounds and any bonus amounts in excess of $150,000 for players drafted in rounds 11-20.
The Blue Jays’ draft pool this year was $5,543,100, the second smallest ahead of the Dodgers. They’ve exceeded it by $212,125, 3.83%, so they’ll pay some tax but continue the trend of no team ever having exceeded the 5% threshold.
Strategically, they’ve clearly decided to hang their draft on first rounder Cole Carlon and fourth rounder Will Brick. Carlon got most of his slot bonus, while they were forced to go way over slot to pay Brick the equivalent of borderline first/second round money. To get there, they reached slightly on Ryan Cooney in the third round to find a player they like who would sign for a cut relative to slot, and mostly punted rounds 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 by signing lower profile college guys who would sign for very little, allowing them to reallocate their slot money to Brick. That puts a lot of weight on two players, but if they think he’s a first round talent then they’ve done well to get two prospects of that calibre with this little capital to spend.
Dean West, in the seventh round, is the only other player in the first 10 to sign anywhere close to slot. West was a relatively well regarded prospect, #302 on Baseball America’s top 500, and the Jays must have liked him and decided they could get one near-full-value pick in while still saving up enough money. 11th rounder Brayden Martin, #227 on BA’s list, got a little over the $150,000 late-round amount as well, indicating another place where they felt that they could make a value pick up.
At the back of the draft, the Jays picked three upside players who were potentially in a position to command over $150,000. 20th rounder Eddie Rosado has opted to take $150,000 to sign instead of following his college commitment to St. Joseph’s University while it appears that 19th rounder Cole Travers will go to Texas A&M and 18th rounder Jake McCoy will go through with his transfer from South Carolina to Tennessee rather than turning pro. Travers and McCoy declining to sign is not a surprise. The former has a top college offer, and the latter will receive a medical redshirt after missing 2026 undergoing Tommy John surgery, allowing him to enter the 2027 season as a junior in line for a significant bonus. Both likely fell out of the top 10 rounds only because of high bonus demands, and were probably picked mostly as insurance in case a medical issue with Carlon or Brick allowed the Jays to sign them significantly below their expected bonus, creating an unexpected cash surplus.
Later this week I’ll review the Jays’ top 40 prospects, graduations, departures, additions and risers to paint a picture of the state of the farm as we head into the trade deadline.
To help protect college athletes from vices like vodka and Red Bull, the NCAA has long banned advertising of such products during broadcasts of its championship events, including the NCAA basketball tournaments.
The NCAA once even nixed a proposal by 5-Hour Energy to sponsor the name of a bowl game, leading that bowl game to go out of business. But times have changed, starting July 1, when the governing body for college sports opened the door for spirit and energy drink companies to advertise television commercials during NCAA championships.
The NCAA abandoned its previous principles for a reason — money. The NCAA confirmed to USA TODAY Sports it changed its advertising policy as part of its agreement with television companies to expand the NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments from 68 to 76 teams starting in March 2027.
“The NCAA Division I Board of Directors changed these policies to maximize the revenue the Association returns to member schools as they are investing more and more in student-athletes on their campuses,” said Dan Gavitt, NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball. “The change also brings NCAA Championships in line with most schools and conferences which have been selling alcohol during events and accepting alcohol advertising and sponsorship for some time now. The NCAA will continue to prohibit sports betting and daily fantasy advertising.”
The NCAA also is allowing more alcohol ads than before
The NCAA previously banned advertising during its championship events for alcohol products that exceeded 6% alcohol by volume (ABV), which included many beer products but excluded liquor and many wines.
The NCAA also previously restricted beer ads to be no longer than 60 seconds per hour of NCAA championship programming. Now there is no ABV limit. And the alcohol commercial limit has expanded to up to 120 seconds per hour, effective July 1.
At the same time the change marks the latest twist in a long, strange history between the NCAA and energy drinks, which still are forbidden in another way. NCAA schools aren’t allowed to provide them to student-athletes because caffeine is listed as a banned stimulant that could cause a player to flunk an NCAA drug test if consumed in high quantities.
Why the NCAA changed its advertising policies
It’s about money. The NCAA is getting an extra $300 million from television companies over the next six years because they agreed to expand the NCAA basketball tournaments.
To be able to pay for a bigger March Madness, a television company such as Warner Bros. Discovery needed to be able to sell more commercials for it — a job that becomes much easier and more lucrative if energy drinks and liquor products are allowed to be included.
Warner Bros. Discovery previously televised early-round men’s tournament games on truTV and stands to benefit from the change, as will CBS (which also televises the men’s tournament) and ESPN (which televises the women’s tournament).
The NCAA confirmed its advertising policy became part of the negotiations to expand the basketball tournaments as a result. The final contract was approved by several NCAA panels, including the Division I men’s and women’s basketball committees.
“The rapidly accelerating need to feed the financial beast continues to lead the NCAA and its business partners to increased commercialization,” said David Carter, founder of the Sports Business Group. “This hasn’t just been the case with college sports as pro sports has also found itself embracing advertising and sponsorship categories once deemed inappropriate or illegal like alcohol and gambling.”
What does this NCAA advertising policy change affect?
The NCAA said it allowed energy drink ads on a trial basis for the 2026 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments before the ban was permanently lifted July 1. The lifting of the ban applies only to television advertising during NCAA championship events such as the basketball tournaments, the Frozen Four in hockey and the College World Series in baseball and softball.
Individual schools and conferences previously were not subject to this ban. For example, the Celsius energy drink company has had sponsorships with Oregon, Colorado, Washington and others. In 2024, Buckeye Vodka became a sponsor of Ohio State athletics. The Big 12 Conference on July 7 announced an “entitlement” sponsorship with the Monster Energy drink company that was not related to the lifting of the separate NCAA ban for NCAA championship events.
Likewise, college athletes were not banned from endorsement deals with energy drink companies, such as the one between Colorado football star Travis Hunter and Celsius.
Why the NCAA previously banned liquor and energy drink ads
The NCAA wanted to promote healthy values for its member schools and athletes. Hard alcohol and energy drinks didn’t jibe with that.
The NCAA’s advertising policy states it is “designed to encourage those advertisements and advertisers that support the NCAA’s ideals and exclude those advertisements and advertisers… that do not appear to be in the best interests of higher education and student-athletes.”
In 2016, Mary Wilfert, then-associate director of the NCAA’s Sport Science Institute, gave an online presentation to athletic trainers and athletic department staff. The presentation warned them about energy drinks, saying too many of such drinks could contribute to gastric upset, sleep disturbances and heart palpitations.
“The energy drink buzz is a false energy,” read one of the slides presented by Wilfert.
That time when a bowl game was canceled because of it
The International Bowl in Toronto went out of business after its last game in 2010 because the NCAA forbade a title sponsorship of the game by 5-Hour Energy, the game’s chief executive told USA TODAY Sports.
The College Football Playoff and the Pac-12 Networks also canceled an ad campaign with the energy drink Xyience in 2016 after receiving questions about it from USA TODAY Sports. Back then, they didn’t want to appear out of step with NCAA guidelines even though they technically weren’t required to abide by them. Such a stance now appears quaint by today’s standards.
Energy drinks “have become so endemic to the college experience and beyond, the marketing fit — and the money that comes with it — is just to tempting to pass up,” said Carter of the Sports Business Group. “And the fact that there is likely to be modest push back from the public at large should lead to even broader acceptance of energy drinks as marketing partners throughout college athletics.”
Such products still can’t advertise at NCAA championships
The NCAA confirmed that such previously banned products still are not allowed to advertise at NCAA championships with onsite signage. Nor can those companies be an official NCAA sponsor.
An energy drink would not be eligible to be an official NCAA sponsor because of Coca-Cola’s exclusivity with beverage products, the NCAA confirmed.
The lifting of the ban therefore applies to TV commercials during NCAA championship events.
And that’s where the likes of CBS and TNT will quench their thirsts to pay for a bigger March Madness.
But there are still limits to what can be in their commercials.
With alcohol advertising, the NCAA still requires TV ad be “respectful” and “free of gratuitous and overly suggestive sexual innuendo” and with “no displays of disorderly, reckless or destructive behavior.”
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 21: Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 21, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
New York Post | Dylan Svoboda: The Padres have inquired about Dax Kilby, the Yankees’ 2025 first-rounder and their number-two prospect behind George Lombard Jr., per The Post’s Joel Sherman. The Yankees also have a scout monitoring the Padres as rumors continue to swirl around Mason Miller, San Diego’s all-world closer who could be on the move. New York has also been linked to Adrian Morejon, a left-handed Padres reliever who would likely warrant a smaller return.
NBC Sports | Eric Samulski: Carlos Lagrange has begun throwing in his return from injury. The 6-foot-7 right-hander has been on the shelf since July 3rd with a capsular sprain in his right shoulder. The initial plan was that he’d be shut down for at least six weeks, so this update puts him nearly three weeks ahead of schedule. Lagrange, the Yankees’ number-two pitching prospect, was transitioned to the bullpen during the season in hopes he could help the big-league club in that capacity down the stretch. He wowed in spring training with his 100-mph fastball before starting the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
The Athletic | Brendan Kuty: ($) Ali Sánchez’s three-run homer Monday was his first in the big leagues, 2,179 days after making his debut with the Mets in 2020. The unheralded journeyman has carved out a role in New York, backing up Austin Wells. And, while Max Fried praised his “quality at-bats,” he’s drawn more admiration from the club for his work behind the plate, learning to work with a veteran staff midstream after his call-up last month. Sánchez’s run of play with the Yankees has come during a difficult time for his native Venezuela. The backstop has been wearing the letters “VZ” stitched into his cap to honor his homeland after devastating earthquakes on June 24th killed more than 5,000.
New Y ork Daily News | Gary Phillips: As the Yankees look to augment their catching corps ahead of the trade deadline, they signed veteran Christian Bethancourt to a minor-league deal. The right-handed hitter, who posted a .775 OPS in 206 at-bats with the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate earlier this season, was cut loose a couple of weeks ago. He provides veteran depth as the team pursues a more high-profile upgrade. With Sánchez out of options, the Yankees would likely lose him if they add another catcher via trade, leaving them with only the left-handed J.C. Escarra as a viable option in wait at Triple-A.
The Athletic | Ken Rosenthal: ($) As Major League Baseball pushes for a salary cap under the guise of competitive imbalance, Rosenthal opines that the current season refutes their argument. With the Trade Deadline approaching, 21 of 30 teams sit within two games of a playoff spot while the big-market Mets, Giants, and Blue Jays are each at least 5.5 games out. This flies in the face of the league’s “Level the Playing Field” ad campaign, which Rosenthal decries as a “spurious” attempt to influence fans against the players and towards a cap with a potential lockout looming.
One of the brightest young stars in the sport, Celebrini previously had expressed his openness to an extension this summer.
“I’m just open to every possibility. There’s nothing really that goes into it,” he told reporters on April 18, two days after the Sharks’ season ended. “I want to commit to this team and be here, and I love it here. I’m just open to whatever happens. Like I said, I haven’t really talked about it.”
The newly 20-year-old phenom became eligible for an extension on July 1 as he begins the final year of his entry-level contract, signed after San Jose selected him No. 1 overall in the 2024 NHL Draft.
The agreement comes after a historic 2025-26 NHL season for Celebrini, who broke the Sharks franchise record for points in a single season with 115, eclipsing Joe Thornton and his 114 points from the 2006-07 season.
In only his age-19 season, Celebrini nearly carried San Jose to the Stanley Cup playoffs almost single-handedly; his 45 goals led his team by 21 (Will Smith, 24) and his 70 assists the most by 32 (William Eklund, 38). With a point on 46.2 percent of the Sharks’ goals, Celebrini set an NHL record for a teenager as San Jose narrowly missed out on the Western Conference’s final-wild-card spot.
At $18.8 million AAV, Celebrini’s new contract — which will kick in for the 2027-28 NHL season — ranks as the highest in the league in annual value. Minnesota left winger Kirill Kaprizov’s eight-year deal worth $136 million was the largest contract in NHL history in both total and annual cost.
