I’m confident Abbott can continue his strong stretch despite the poor underlying metrics because the San Diego Padres rank last in baseball in wOBA against lefties, and they also rank last in the overall metric during their active 4-13 skid while averaging just 2.6 runs per game.
Plus, there’s nothing intimidating about Friars righty Walker Buehler’s well-above average 4.63 xERA.
In addition to the poor offense from the Padres, the Reds are without star Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) and have only scored 3.2 runs per game while ranking fifth-last in xwOBA during the six-game stretch.
Both teams have also trended toward their team totals Unders, with Cincy hitting in eight of the past 10 (+5.85 Units / 48% ROI) and San Diego in 31 of the past 45 (+15.20 Units / 29% ROI).
I’d obviously also play the Under 8.5, and the Under 7.5 to -105.
Neil Parker's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 23-12, +12.68 units
Over/Under bets: 13-9, +3.37 units
Reds vs Padres odds
Moneyline: Reds +115 | Padres -135
Run line: Reds +1.5 (-185) | Padres -1.5 (+155)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-125) | Under 7.5 (+100)
Reds vs Padres trend
The San Diego Padres have hit the Under in 17 of their last 25 games at home (+8.35 Units / 31% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Reds vs. Padres.
How to watch Reds vs Padres and game info
Location
Petco Park, San Diego, CA
Date
Monday, June 8, 2026
First pitch
9:40 p.m. ET
TV
Reds.TV, Padres.TV
Reds starting pitcher
Andrew Abbott (4-3, 4.06 ERA)
Padres starting pitcher
Walker Buehler (3-3, 4.53 ERA)
Reds vs Padres latest injuries
Reds vs Padres weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles placed right-hander Chris Bassitt on the 15-day injured list with low back discomfort and recalled Trey Gibson from Triple-A Norfolk to take Bassitt’s place in the rotation against the Seattle Mariners.
Bassitt, who is 4-4 with a 5.27 ERA in his first season with Baltimore, gave up three runs in three innings in his last start at Boston. Orioles manager Craig Albernaz told reporters afterward that Bassitt had lower back tightness.
The 37-year-old signed a one-year, $18.5 million deal with Baltimore in February and shares the team lead in victories.
Gibson is 1-0 with a 3.65 ERA in three appearances with the Orioles. The rookie right-hander gave up a run in 5 2/3 innings against Tampa Bay on May 27 in his most recent major league outing to earn his first career win and will face Seattle for the first time.
Baltimore also announced the Chicago Cubs had claimed right-hander Eduarniel Núñez. The Orioles had purchased his contract from the Athletics on May 15 and designated him for assignment.
A tectonic shift may be required to change the course of the 2026 NBA Finals
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Two Games, Same Story
Twice in this series, San Antonio has built significant leads. Twice, it hasn’t mattered.
Through two games, the Spurs have been good enough to control stretches but not disciplined enough to finish them. That distinction has defined the Finals so far.
The Knicks have reduced the game to its simplest elements and executed them better. Their three-point production comes from three repeatable sources: Karl-Anthony Towns above the break, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges mainly in the corners, and Landry Shamet as a rhythm shooter.
Nothing exotic. Just precision.
The Wembanyama Problem
Victor Wembanyama’s Finals performance has, by his standards, been underwhelming, not just in output, but in impact.
I have aggregated the “concussion” and the “flagrant 2” games into one, thus counting 16 games pre-Finals.
Finals vs. rest of the post season:
Points: 27.5 vs 24.6
Rebounds: 10.5 vs 11.4
Blocks: 3.8 vs 3.5
Assists: 2.0 vs 2.9
Steals: 1.5 vs 1.0
Turnovers: 5.0 vs 2.9
PF: 2.0 vs 2.75
FG%: 40.5% vs 50.9%
3PT%: 26.7% vs 37%
FT%: 81% vs 87%
Compared to earlier rounds, his efficiency is down, turnovers are up, and his influence has diminished. The eye test confirms it: less force, less inevitability, fewer moments where the game bends around him.
From the Knicks’ perspective, Towns’ shooting (43% from deep) stretches the Spurs’ defense because it is embedded in structure, rhythmic, balanced, with options. KAT’s long threes, top of the key, are in rhythm and he always maintain his triple-threat options, which has led to some impressive drives to the rim leaving Vic behind, or he timely passes the ball (4 assists per game) to his teammates.
On the other end, Victor’s attempts look like the threes a SG or a PG would take, especially someone like Curry. Wembanyama’s threes are often high difficulty attempts that disconnect possessions when they miss.
Karl-Anthony Towns has contained Wembanyama effectively. He is mobile enough to stay in front, disciplined with fouls, and large enough to contest. KAT has reduced his “silly” fouls to a point where it doesn’t impact him anymore and he can maintain defensive pressure for 48 minutes.
Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson have limited second chances. Individually small wins, collectively significant. The result is a version of Wembanyama that feels manageable.
Vic’s troubles are not just behind the 3-point line, they can also be found in ISO situations when he faces the basket. Too many dribbles leading to turnovers and difficult shot attempts, especially in Game 1.
The Paradox of His Development
At 15, Wembanyama turned down Barcelona’s academy offer. He explained he did not want to be confined to a traditional center role. He chose development built on versatility, ball-handling, shooting, and freedom. Vic has given his youth coaches at Nanterre a lot of credit for giving him this freedom to experiment and develop skills rarely seen in prospects of his height.
Beyond his unique skillsets, Victor Wembanyama has showed a maturity, a drive to succeed, and work ethics never seen before from such a young person. What die-hard Spurs fans have known for almost 3 years now, is that Vic’s unique abilities come with some downfalls. There have been games where Vic will shoot too many threes or will take too many dribbles in traffic.
That path created extraordinary upside, but also a tension. His game is built on optionality, not constraint. For three seasons, that balance favoured the upside. In this series, it has shifted.And unfortunately for Vic and the Spurs, the Knicks are clearly banking on this, and it’s working.
His youth coaches and his family’s open-mindedness supported his unique development. It might be time for Victor to demonstrate some open-mindedness of his own and make some changes.
What once gave him an edge may now require recalibration.
Down 0–2, the Spurs have no margin for error. Their ceiling runs through Wembanyama.
<p>Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)</p><br> | Getty Images
The “Big Fundamental” Adjustment. Not long-term. Immediate.
Since Victor Wembanyama joined the Spurs organization, many fans have been left wondering what kind of signature move, he could / should add to his arsenal. There are games where he seems unstoppable and others where he looks like a mere mortal rather than an Alien.
With 2 games left to avoid a sweep, there is no time to develop a Kareem Sky Hook or a Timmy Bank Shot. Many fans have been asking for something like this, but it would take hours in the gym to perfect such moves.
Victor’s incremental adjustment that I think is required would already be a Big Fundamental Shift for him. Vic needs to work in the low post, not facing the basket, but playing his back against his defender and the rim. We keep hearing that Vic is not strong enough to gain positioning in the low post. Well, after battling the likes of Clingan, Gobert, Randle, Hartenstein, Holmgren, Dort, KAT and Robinson, I disagree.
Vic has managed to get the ball in the high post; there is no reason he could not position himself in the low post. He has the will power to do so. Establishing deeper position in the low post is the key here.
Second incremental change, after receiving the ball, he needs to stay tall on the catch. So far, the Finals referees have been better than those he experienced in the Western Conference playoffs, they will protect him to some extent. Otherwise, when he receives the ball, he has a tendency to lower his center of gravity, to avoid to be pushed around, but he immediately loses his height advantage.
Final adjustment, Vic needs to use his Hakeem’s moves. Vic’s mobility and length are better than anybody of his height in the world. 9 times out 10 he would win this battle and would get a chance to score, being so much closer to the rim.
Down 2-0, only a drastic adjustment can change the course of history, and it must come from Victor Wembanayma. The coaching staff might even consider bringing Mason Plumlee for short sequences to add a banging body in the paint when Victor is establishing position.
I don’t think the Spurs can now win the Finals without a 40-20 game from Vic. To pull this off, especially at the Madison Square Garden, he needs to demonstrate he can adjust his skillset to the circumstances.
Simple, but critical.
There is still a path. Narrow, but real.
If Wembanyama simplifies, anchors, and imposes himself, the series changes. Until it doesn’t.
The Yankees (38-26) and the Guardians (37-30) open a three-game set tonight in Cleveland. These teams met just last week in the Bronx with Jose Ramirez and co. taking two of the three games.
Over the weekend, the Yankees took two of three from the Red Sox, including a 6-1 win Sunday behind late power from Cody Bellinger, while the Guardians lost two of three in Texas, capped by a 10-0 loss Sunday. New York is now tied for first in the American League East with the Rays while the Guardians lead the AL Central by two games over the White Sox.
Aaron Judge remains on the IR for New York, but a few players have stepped up at the plate in his absence. Over the last ten games, Ben Rice (.341) and Trent Grisham (.382) have been the team’s most productive hitters, both providing strong on-base presence and consistent contact. However, not every bat in the lineup has been hot for the Yankees. Paul Goldschmidt (.220) and Anthony Volpe (.189) have struggled for the majority of the last two weeks. As a team, though, the Yankees have hit .276 over their last 10 games and continue to lead the American League in runs scored for the season.
Cleveland’s lineup has struggled in comparison to New York’s over the last couple of weeks. They are hitting .245 as a team over their last ten games. Kyle Manzardo has been one of their hotter hitters, going 9-for-32 (.281) including a couple of home runs last week against the Yankees. Steven Kwan has shown flashes as well, picking up hits in recent games, including a multi-hit effort yesterday.
Each side is sending one of their more reliable arms to the mound to open this series. The Yankees turn to right-hander Will Warren (7-1, 3.22 ERA), who has been especially effective on the road this season and is coming off a scoreless outing in his last start. Cleveland counters with Gavin Williams (9-3, 3.20 ERA), one of the hotter pitchers in the American League, riding a four-decision including eight scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts in his last appearance.
Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch: Yankees vs. Guardians
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The Latest Odds: Yankees vs. Guardians
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: New York Yankees (+108), Cleveland Guardians (-131)
Probable Starting Pitchers: Yankees vs. Guardians for June 8
Yankees: Will Warren Season Totals: 64.1 IP, 7-1, 3.22 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 70K, 19 BB
Guardians: Gavin Williams Season Totals: 81.2 IP, 9-3, 3.20 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 94K, 25 BB
Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Yankees vs. Guardians
Jose Ramirez is 8-24 (.333) in June
Steven Kwan is 7-21 (.333) in June
Brayan Rocchio is 3-19 (.158) in June
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is 3-17 (.176) in June
Jose Caballero is 4-20 (.200) over his last 7 games
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top Betting Trends & Insights: Yankees and Guardians
The Guardians are 36-31 on the Run Line this season
The Yankees are 31-33 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 33 times in Cleveland’s 67 games this season (33-34)
The OVER has cashed 28 times in the Yankees’ 64 games this season (28-32-4)
Expert picks & predictions: Yankees vs. Guardians
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Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Yankees and the Guardians:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Gusrdians on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Run Line.
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 8.0
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Stacey King spent nearly 20 years making bad basketball worth watching. Now, he’s gone. King died Sunday, June 9 at 59 years old and Chicago is in mourning.
King was the sixth pick out of Oklahoma in the 1989 draft, a 6-foot-11 big man who won three NBA titles alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in his first five seasons with the Bulls.
He never truly stopped being a Bull.
After his playing career ended, he joined the team’s broadcast crew in 2006 and became its color commentator. He’s the voice that a generation of Bulls fans grew up hearing, even the reason some tuned in at all during a lot of lean years. He won an Emmy, but perhaps the better legacy is that fans knew his catchphrases like, “Let me step back and kiss myself,” by heart.
King was pronounced dead Sunday morning in River Forest, where he lived. No cause of death was given.
Here is what we know.
The Bulls confirmed his death Sunday
The announcement came from the team’s X account Sunday afternoon: “We are devastated by the passing of 3x NBA Champion and beloved broadcaster Stacey King.”
Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement: “Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organization’s history. His connection to Chicago, the Bulls and our fans spanned more than three decades – first as a player and later as the unmistakable voice that helped bring Bulls basketball into the homes of generations of fans.”
The Bulls said details on a service honoring King would be announced at a later date.
Authorities say he fell at his home
Authorities said King suffered a fall at his residence, though officials are continuing to review the exact cause of death. An autopsy was conducted as part of the process, ESPN 1000 host David Kaplan reported.
Autopsy is pending
The medical examiner’s office said a head autopsy is needed to determine the cause of death. No timeline for results has been released.
Stacey King’s legacy as a player
The sixth pick in the 1989 draft, King was on the Jordan teams and was never a star. Still, King was quick for a big man, useful and willing to do the grunt work — the kind of guy that helps win championships.
In Game 6 of the 1992 Finals against Portland, with the Bulls down 15 in the fourth quarter, Phil Jackson went to a reserve lineup that included King. He hit a big jumper to pull Chicago within three points during the comeback.
He finished his career averaging 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds over eight seasons, with additional stops in Minnesota, Miami, Boston and Dallas.
King’s legacy after his playing career
King joined the Bulls’ broadcast team in 2006, starting on pregame and postgame shows before becoming the color commentator. For a lot of younger Bulls fans, he was the guy in the booth making them laugh and cheer for a team that had given them very little to be optimistic about for a long time.
His former teammates responded
"We shared some special years together as teammates, and he was part of a group that helped define an era of Chicago Bulls basketball," Michael Jordan said in a statement. "My thoughts are with Stacey's family, friends, and everyone whose life he touched."
Scottie Pippen wrote on Instagram: “Sad to hear about the passing of Stacey King. A champion, a great teammate and a true ambassador for the game. His impact on the Bulls organization and the city of Chicago will be remembered for generations. Rest in peace King.”
Bulls’ president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf said: “Stacey loved being a Bull. You could feel it in everything he did – the way he played, the way he called games and the way he connected with our fans.”
The NBA issued a statement mourning a “three-time NBA champions and longtime Chicago Bulls television analyst,” who “made his mark on the game as a player, coach and commentator.”
Chicago paid tribute
Outside the United Center, fans left flowers alongside printouts of his most memorable lines. The Cubs held a moment of silence before their game Sunday night and a tribute ran on the Wrigley Field scoreboard.
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 8: The sneakers worn by Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the New York Knicks on March 8, 2026 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
According to Swiss media outlet Contropiede, San Jose Sharks forward Philipp Kurashev could be returning home to Switzerland if he's unable to find a contract in the NHL.
Contropiede, an outlet that focuses heavily on HC Lugano, reports that Kurashev has reached an agreement with Lugano that will have him return to the team if he's unable to find a way to extend his NHL career. Kurashev previously played for Lugano during the COVID-19 pandemic, recording nine points, all of which were assists, in 13 games in the Swiss National League.
The Sharks acquired Kurashev through free agency last summer after the Chicago Blackhawks opted not to offer him a qualifying offer to retain his rights. They were hoping to revive his career, as he had previously shown signs of being a useful player at the NHL level, but things didn't go as planned. Kurashev had seven goals and 20 points in 43 games, but was often out of the lineup.
If the Sharks want to retain Kurashev's rights, they do have that opportunity, as he is scheduled to be a restricted free agent if Mike Grier opts to submit a qualifying offer. With that being said, it would be somewhat surprising to see the Sharks go that route, especially if they draft another high-end forward at the 2026 NHL Draft.
Kurashev's future is currently up in the air, but if nothing comes to fruition in North America, it seems he'll at least land on his feet back in his native Switzerland.
The Los Angeles Kings have hired Peter Laviolette to be their head coach, according to multiple reports.
According to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, Laviolette has agreed to a three-year deal with the Kings, but the finances of the contract remain unknown.
This news comes just over a year after Laviolette was relieved of his duties as the New York Rangers’ head coach.
Laviolette coached the Rangers for two seasons from 2023 to 2025.
In Laviolette’s first season with the Blueshirts during the 2023-24 campaign, the team won the Presidents’ Trophy and reached the Eastern Conference Final.
However, the Rangers missed the playoffs the next season, finishing the year with a 39-36-7 record and 85 points, which ultimately cost Laviolette his job.
Laviolette spent the 2025-26 season without a coaching job, but he reportedly had preliminary discussions with a couple of teams over the past couple of weeks about their respective head coaching vacancies, including the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Now, the 61-year-old coach reunites with Artemi Panarin, who was traded from the Rangers to the Kings in February.
On top of his tenure with the Rangers, Laviolette has also served as head coach of the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, and Washington Capitals.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, "Sources: The Edmonton Oilers are consulting with the NHLPA to see if there are objections that must be resolved before potentially hiring Mike Babcock."
He adds, "Amid allegations of invading players privacy, Babcock resigned in CBJ as Head Coach in 2023. Further investigation may be required."
In other words, the Oilers want to know if they can hire Babcock without issue, potentially to avoid any complications should they go down that road. Dreger notes, "If it’s determined an investigation is required to move forward, sources say the NHL would manage it. At this stage, the NHLPA has declined to comment."
And the drama never stops in Edmonton...
Babcock, 63, hasn’t coached in the NHL since resigning from the Columbus Blue Jackets before the 2023 season, following allegations that he improperly looked through players’ phones during meetings. One reported incident involved several minutes spent reviewing a player’s phone away from team facilities, raising significant concerns.
This wasn't the only questionable tactic Babcock employed in the latter years of his coaching career.
During Mitch Marner's rookie season in 2016-17, Babcock asked him to create a list of his teammates ranked by work ethic, from hardest-working to least hard-working. Marner reluctantly obliged, thinking he had no choice and that all responses would remain private. Babcock then told all the players who Marner had ranked at the bottom of the list. This left Marner devastated and in tears, and his teammates furious — Tyler Bozak reportedly stormed into Babcock's office and confronted him about it.
Many believe this is not a good person. Some wonder if he's even still a good coach.
That said, Babcock is experienced. He's won at the highest level, and coached 1,301 NHL games with the Maple Leafs, Red Wings, and Ducks, winning a Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008. But he's not been in the NHL for years, and he's one of the most polarizing figures in hockey today.
The fact the Oilers are even looking into this won't be met with universal praise.
The Oilers are searching for a new head coach after firing Kris Knoblauch following a first-round playoff exit, and were reportedly denied permission to speak with Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy. Peter Laviolette was just hired by the Los Angeles Kings, and other options appear to be limited.
Laviolette, 61, is replacing D.J. Smith, the interim coach after Jim Hiller was fired last season. The Kings are in transition next season after the retirement of captain Anze Kopitar.
Laviolette has coached nearly 1,600 regular-season games with six NHL teams, most recently the New York Rangers from 2023-25. He led the Rangers to the Presidents' Trophy and the Eastern Conference finals in his first season there but was fired in 2025 after they finished out of the playoffs.
He will be reunited with star forward Artemi Panarin, who was traded from the Rangers to the Kings last season. Panarin had a career-best 120 points in his first season under Laviolette.
Laviolette won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and has also coached the New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals. He took the Flyers (2010) and Predators (2017) to the Stanley Cup Final.
He has a career .589 points percentage in the regular season and is 88-82 in the playoffs.
Laviolette is the first coach hired by Kings general manager Ken Holland, who had kept on Hiller after taking the job in May 2025. The Kings made the playoffs after the switch to Smith but were swept in the first round by the Colorado Avalanche.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 5: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Two of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 5, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s not all that surprising that a former Villanova player hasn’t won NBA Finals MVP.
Main Line legends have plenty of championship hardware — from Herman “Red” Klotz in 1948 to the historic 1956 run with Paul “Pitchin’ Paul” Arizin and Larry Hennessy, and the 1967 squad featuring Wali Jones and Bill Melchionni.
More recently, Chris Ford (1981), John Celestand (2000), Kyle Lowry (2019), and Donte DiVincenzo (2021) have all come away with championship rings.
But historically, these Wildcats were more culture-setters and complementary pieces. The only real “what ifs” are are Arizin’s 1956 run (Finals MVP hadn’t been invented yet) and Lowry in 2019 — but let’s be real, Kawhi Leonard was an absolute unit for the Toronto Raptors and rightfully claimed the honor.
That is what makes Jalen Brunson’s current trajectory with the New York Knicks so unprecedented for a Wildcat.
As the 2026 NBA Finals head to Madison Square Garden with New York holding a 2-0 lead over the San Antonio Spurs, Brunson is the betting favorite to win the Bill Russell Trophy.
The recently crowned Eastern Conference Finals MVP is actively rewriting the script on what a Villanova guard can be. Alongside fellow Wildcats Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, Brunson is leading a charge few saw coming. Not even Brunson’s former coach Jay Wright thought the 29-year-old would be this good.
History is waiting at MSG, and Brunson is ready to claim a crown no Wildcat ever before him could.
The legacy Stacey King left behind with the Chicago Bulls as a player and broadcaster came pouring out in tributes during the 24 hours since the team announced the 59-year-old's death on Sunday, June 7. He was a constant link between the franchise's greatest years and its current generation of players, with achievements that helped establish the most famous Bull of them all.
Michael Jordan released a statement on Monday, June 8 in the wake of King's passing and emphasized King's role on his first three NBA championship teams with the Bulls (1991-93). King was the No. 6 overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft by Chicago and played eight seasons in the NBA before a long career as a beloved color commentator on Bulls' television broadcasts.
"I'm deeply saddened to learn of Stacey's passing," Jordan said, according to ESPN 1000 in Chicago. "We shared some special years together as teammates, and he was part of a group that helped define an era of Chicago Bulls basketball. My thoughts are with Stacey's family, friends, and everyone whose lives he touched."
Stacey King cause of death
The official cause of King's death is unknown at this point.
The Bulls said on Sunday that service details honoring King's life and legacy will be announced at a later date.
“Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organization’s history," Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "His connection to Chicago, the Bulls and our fans spanned more than three decades – first as a player and later as the unmistakable voice that helped bring Bulls basketball into the homes of generations of fans. We will miss him deeply and remember the joy, energy, humor, candor and passion he brought to our organization, our broadcasts and our fans every day. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Boston, MA - April 19: Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic celebrates a 3-pointer in the third quarter. The Celtics played the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2026. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
“Former All-Star center Nikola Vucevic is increasingly regarded as a certainty to switch teams this summer after a fractured right ring finger in March helped derail his brief stint as a Boston Celtic in the spring. He’ll be 36 in October but figures to draw some interest on the open market given that there is generally always a clamor for floor-spacing big men.”
Vucevic was acquired at the trade deadline from the Chicago Bulls for Anfernee Simons and the pick that ended up 38th in the draft.
Vucevic played 16 regular season games with the Celtics, averaging 9.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while coming off the bench in 15 of the 16 games. He missed 14 games from March 8th to April 3rd due to a fractured right ring finger.
In the playoffs, Vucevic played in six games, averaging 6.2 points and 4.3 rebounds before a DNP-coach’s decision in Game 7, where the Celtics were eliminated by the 76ers. Vucevic played a big role in the Celtics Game 3 win in Philadelphia, where he played 31 minutes with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 9: Khaman Maluach #10 and Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns high five before the game against the New York Knicks on January 9, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
I was at the Barclays Center when it happened last year. As NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the Phoenix Suns’ selection of Duke Center Khaman Maluach with the 10th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Shams Charania notification came in that Phoenix was acquiring Charlotte Hornets big man Mark Williams for the 29th pick and a 2029 first-rounder. It felt like a huge moment for the Suns and the future of their center position.
BREAKING: The Charlotte Hornets are trading center Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns for the No. 29 pick tonight and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/a6eDDn5aE6
It was known when Phoenix selected Maluach that he was going to be a project. He started playing basketball as a teenager, and he’s one of the youngest players in the league. Pairing him with Williams, with whom he had a prior relationship as Williams went to Duke, made sense, especially with what center lineups looked like the previous two seasons with Jusuf Nurkic and Nick Richards manning the five and producing lackluster results.
In the first year of the two together, Williams played as the starter, while Maluach played third string behind him and Oso Ighodaro. When Williams missed time at the end of the year, Ighodaro started while Maluach played the backup five.
As Maluach now enters his second season and is widely viewed as the player with the most untapped potential on the roster to pair with Devin Booker, we’ve reached an inflection point in Williams’ tenure with the Suns.
Now a restricted free agent, if Phoenix feels Williams’ presence could disrupt Maluach’s growth, there should be concerns about what his future should be with the team, even if it means Phoenix gets rid of a player that they traded multiple first-rounders for. If the goal is to build another Finals caliber roster around Devin Booker, as team owner Matt Ishbia continues to say is the plan, acquisitions and signings can’t be made that block or prohibit the development of players with high-end potential.
Suns team owner Mat Ishbia said Devin Booker "is not getting traded" when asked about Booker's status.
With Maluach’s physical gifts (He’s 7’1” with a 7’7” wingspan) and willingness to shoot the three, Phoenix needs to ensure he has opportunities to grow if they view Maluach the way that many do, and if continuing to employ Williams hurts their vision for him, then serious conversations need to be had about whether they should resign him.
Playing the most games he did in his four-year career last season in his first with the Suns, Williams averaged 12 points and eight rebounds on 64% shooting from the field. Averaging just 24 minutes a game, Phoenix was very conservative with his minutes to help him avoid injuries.
While he played the most winning basketball of his career, he had just eight games with 20 or more points and only 13 games with two or more blocks this season. In 14 fewer games played and averaging nearly 15 minutes less per appearance, Maluach had eight games with at least two or more rejections. All of them came in the final 45 days of the regular season, as Williams missed significant time with a foot issue, demonstrating the growth he made throughout the season as a rim protector, and the value that he could provide when Williams wasn’t playing.
What Phoenix gave up to acquire Williams in 2025 shouldn’t matter for how they move in 2026. To accomplish their longterm goals, they need to move in the direction that they think gives them the best opportunity to surround Booker with top-end talent. If they believe keeping Williams disrupts that goal, then they shouldn’t resign him. The idea of what Maluach could be is too precious, considering the lack of assets Phoenix possesses.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 1: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs look on during the game on April 1, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As a four-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, Draymond Green has never been shy about sharing his perspective on what separates good teams from championship-caliber ones. So, with the San Antonio Spurs staring at a dreaded 2-0 deficit against the New York Knicks, the veteran forward shared his concerns with San Antonio’s mentality during the most recent episode of The Draymond Green Show.
👀 "Was [the Spurs'] job done beating OKC???" Draymond Green is asking what we're all thinking with the Knicks up 2-0 after starting the NBA Finals on the road in San Antonio! 🏀🏆 pic.twitter.com/JU0xTmkbsM
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) June 6, 2026
The Spurs advanced to the Finals after an emotional Game 7 victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Western Conference Finals MVP Victor Wembanyama was visibly overcome with emotion after the win, shedding tears following what was arguably the biggest victory of his career up to that point.
However, as Green pointed out, the inexperienced Spurs have looked a step behind to begin the Finals. They blew a fourth quarter lead in Game 1 last Wednesday, then followed that up with several critical mistakes in the final seconds of Game 2 on Friday.
The Knicks, by contrast, have looked hungry. A franchise that hasn’t won a championship since 1973, playing in front of a city that has waited over five decades, they’ve carried that urgency into every game. They’ve now won 13 straight playoff games — the second-longest streak in NBA playoff history — with no signs of slowing down either.
Green may be onto something with the Spurs’ inexperience revealing itself on the biggest stage, and if they can’t rediscover that competitive edge starting in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, New York could be on the verge of celebrating very soon.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Monday, June 8th:
NBA on ESPN analyst Richard Jefferson, who faced Golden State in the 2016 and 2017 NBA Finals as a member of the Cavaliers, detailed Cleveland’s brutal game plan for Curry on Friday night’s broadcast. While discussing a hard foul on New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson during Game 2 of the 2026 Finals, Jefferson recalled his job against Curry a decade ago.
“When we played Steph Curry in the Finals, our job was to beat him up like that,” Jefferson said in the first quarter. “And it wasn’t anything dirty, but if you’re going to foul him, foul him in a physical nature.”
Yes, I get it. At this point, Warriors fans are bellowing: How would signing LeBron make the team younger and healthier? My answer: LeBron is old but actually remains quite durable; he registered 1,989 minutes this regular season, more than every Warrior except Brandin Podziemski. (More info: LeBron has averaged 2,195 minutes over the last five seasons.)
I’d argue, if you’re looking to unlock Wembanyama more, that the roll direction needs to tilt the other way more often. Second Spectrum has Wembanyama down as the empty side PnR screener nine times in this series; he’s rolled or popped to the empty side once. Surely there’s room for more, right?
Force a back-pedaling Karl-Anthony Towns (Finals MVP right now, in my opinion) or Mitchell Robinson to high-point and contest lobs consistently. See how aggressive the Knicks want to peel in their low man within that context.
The Warriors clearest path to signing James is with the non-taxpayer mid-level exception (worth roughly $15 million per season), which would still mark a 70% pay cut for LeBron. A sign-and-trade could be a different path to paying James more, but that would require Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, or Kristaps Porzingis heading out in the deal.
Follow@unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
COVERS INTEL: The San Diego Padres have the lowest squared up contract rate and runs above average based on wOBA in the majors, which positions the Cincinnati Reds to win and for this total to come in Under the number.
