CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 22: Ariel Hukporti #55 of the New York Knicks battles for the ball against Nick Richards #13 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on February 22, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
You got the feeling when news broke that the Knicks were signing Mavericks rookie center Moussa Cisse to a two-year offer sheet that it wasn’t really going to go anywhere.
As much as we had 10 hours of coping and looking for a reason Masai Ujiri and company would let him go, he was basically their version of Mo Diawara. Would we have let Diawara walk for that? Probably not.
So when Dallas matched it with extreme quickness on Saturday night, it wasn’t too surprising that the Knicks’ quest to fill out their roster and get a third center on the depth chart before the season begins in approximately three months would go on.
For a refresher on where the cap situation is, check here. It’s pretty vanilla, though.
The Knicks have space to sign one more player to a standard contract, regardless if it’s a veteran or a cheaper internal option. The only difference between the two would be how early the team would be able to sign a 15th player.
If the Knicks signed Tyler Nickel to a standard deal at the second-round exception value of $1.36 million, they’d be able to sign a 15th player as early as Thanksgiving, while if they signed a player to a veteran minimum, it would move the window into February right around when the buyout market starts to heat up.
They have some choices, but the remainder of the offseason firmly falls into two categories:
Filling the final roster spot
Figuring out the two-way contracts
Objectively, the right decision is to look for a center to fill the final roster spot because of the team’s current lack of insurance behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond. There’s no Precious Achiuwa type who can play it in a pinch. Your emergency center is OG Anunoby.
Who’s available to fill that role? Well, assuming Leon Rose can’t get the Hornets or Pelicans to budge on Moussa Diabate or Yves Missi, here are the top free agent center options (excluding Jalen Duren, obviously):
Nick Richards (2025-26: Bulls)
Xavier Tillman (2025-26: Hornets)
Drew Eubanks (2025-26: Kings)
Tony Bradley (2025-26: Hawks)
Jeremy Sochan (this is a major stretch to call him a center)
Woof.
Richards and Tillman are the only ones you’d even entertain. The former seems more likely, as he’s been linked to the Knicks a bajillion times as emergency center depth over the years. A longtime Hornet who appeared to be on the verge of a breakout in 2024, he was traded to the Suns for three second-round picks and regressed big time.
Never a diverse offensive big, it’s pretty drastic when a guy like him goes from shooting 64% from the field and 74% from the free-throw line to whatever the hell he did last year. In 48 games with the Suns and Bulls, his efficiency cratered. He tried to shoot some threes after being banished to the Bulls’ tankfest but that didn’t go well either.
As underwhelming as the 28-year-old is, and how the team probably doesn’t want another shoddy finisher after adding Drummond’s notoriously bad touch around the rim, he’s two years removed from being pretty promising. As a third center who would spend much of the season (hopefully) on the bench, you could do worse.
Tillman is the other one that you wonder about. He spent a year and a half in Boston as a reserve big, but made big plays when called upon.
Xavier Tillman a guy who hasn't really played a lot of minutes, came in and locked down Luka and Kyrie … then made a big shot. pic.twitter.com/qNxp4yifPk
— Maine☘️Boston Celtics☘️🏈New England Patriots🏈 (@Big_Maine100) June 13, 2024
The most we’ve seen from him in the NBA is with the Grizzlies for a few years as a spot starter, where he did okay as an undersized big. The biggest problem with him is just that he’s a center in a power forward’s body who struggles to do much outside the paint and is also ghastly from the foul line. He’d firmly behind Richards to me, but ahead of the other options.
One more thing on the center chase: if we want to be petty, go after this guy the Mavericks really like but don’t have a lot of room for after matching Cisse’s contract. He’s older, but he can fly.
Naw, apparently Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, who is about 6’10” with a 7’4” wing span, has a 41” standing vertical and a 48” max vertical????
— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) July 16, 2026
The last bit of business they’ll have to figure out is the two-way math. Last year, the team carried Kevin McCullar Jr., Trey Jemison III, and Tosan Evbuomwan into the season, but swapped Evbuomwan for NBA champion Dillon Jones midseason.
Jones has stayed around the organization during Summer League, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he stayed on a two-way after being a big locker room piece. Tyler Nickel will probably start on a two-way, and if Jack Kayil stays in America, he’ll also go on one.
But the Knicks should want to keep Jemison and McCullar around. It’s been total radio silence for both of them this offseason, but you can do a lot worse than having them on two-way deals.
The Knicks are able to bring as many as 21 guys into training camp without damaging their second apron space, so it wouldn’t surprise me if we see Nickel, Jemison, McCullar, Jones, and another guy or two in camp to compete for those spots. Did Liam Robbins do enough in Summer League to get a tryout?
"I'm someone who can come in, give good energy, play D and play The Knick Way…championship effort"
–– Center prospect Liam Robbins to @CassidyHubbarth as Knicks get 1st summer W:
Chrissy Baines holds her jersey after being named the general manager of the Albuquerque Isotopes | Albuquerque Isotopes
Chrissy Baines’ Albuquerque story nearly ended before it started.
She arrived in New Mexico in 2004, a Georgia kid who had barely left the state, taking a retail job with a brand-new Triple-A franchise on the recommendation of a general manager she’d only spoken to over the phone. The welcome was rough.
“I had like three car accidents in three months,” Baines said. “I totaled my car, I broke my arm, and I thought, ‘What in the hell have I done? Why did I move to New Mexico?’”
Twenty-two years later, she runs the place.
Baines took over as general manager of the Albuquerque Isotopes in January, becoming the first woman to hold the job in Albuquerque professional baseball history and succeeding John Traub, who had run the franchise since before it played a game. She’s now a little more than halfway through her first season in the chair — and in her 25th season in minor league baseball.
It’s a career she almost didn’t have.
A huge congratulations to Chrissy Baines who has been named our new General Manager! 🥳🙌🎇
She becomes the first female General Manager in Albuquerque professional baseball history and the 15th active female General Manager in @MiLB! pic.twitter.com/v6b6S380de
Baines grew up in Rockmart, Georgia, playing softball, basketball, and tennis — basketball was her first love, and she went on to play in college. She was on track to become a teacher until a practicum convinced her otherwise, and she transferred to the University of West Georgia to study sport management instead. Even then, she figured she’d end up running a parks and rec department somewhere.
Instead, an internship with the Single-A Savannah Sand Gnats in 2002 pulled her into baseball. The staff was tiny, the summers were brutal, and she remembers plenty of tarp duty. She also remembers her first GM, Ken Shepard, who has since passed from cancer.
“He just knew everything about every single department, and I really adopted that mentality,” Baines said. “I said, ‘You know what? I’m just going to be a sponge in this business and learn as much as I can.’”
That approach became the blueprint.
After Traub called about an opening following the Isotopes’ inaugural 2003 season, Baines moved west. Her questions for him, she admits, were less about the job than about what New Mexico was even like — and proceeded to work nearly every corner of the operation: retail, merchandise, box office, stadium operations. She became assistant general manager in 2015.
By then, Traub stopped being subtle about where things were headed.
“He always told me, ‘You’re going to be a GM one day,’” Baines said. “I don’t know if that was my set goal back in the day. I think it took me a little bit to really accept that that was the next move for me.”
She turned down GM openings with other clubs over the years, she said, because she never wanted to leave Albuquerque — the staff, full of 10-, 15-, and 20-year employees, had become the reason she stayed. And when Traub finally did step back, moving into an advisory role as team president, he didn’t go far. The two still talk daily, and Traub keeps asking her to assign him special projects — she’s obliged with batter’s eye work and city business.
“I always tell him I’m glad he didn’t just toss in his keys and walk away,” Baines said.
What a Triple-A GM actually does
The title invites confusion. Fans hear “general manager” and think roster moves, but at the Triple-A level, the Rockies control everything between the lines. Baines got to joke about that firsthand when Rockies president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta came through Albuquerque earlier this season, with the Isotopes — powered by prospects like Charlie Condon and Cole Carrigg — playing winning baseball.
“I said, ‘Oh, it must be that new GM the Isotopes hired,’” Baines said. “And we both laugh because I have zero to do with it.”
Her side of the operation is everything else: fan experience, promotions, and making sure the facility and the community keep players comfortable.
“What the Rockies provide us is what the Rockies provide us,” she said. “Where we can be major drivers in this business is the type of promotions that we offer, the type of value we create for these fans.”
The job is also, as she’s learned, a grind measured in hours. During a recent 12-game homestand, season ticket holders would ask what time the staff arrived for a 6:35 game. The answer: nine or ten in the morning, with an 11 p.m. departure.
“That’s a lot of hours for this staff,” Baines said. “You don’t understand the hours that go into some of these jobs unless you’ve worked in the sport.”
The results are showing up at the gate.
Through the interview date in early July, Albuquerque had opened 42 games without a single rain delay, and the Isotopes were leading the Pacific Coast League in total and average attendance, up from last year.
Baines credits the weather, a more aggressive slate of family promotions — a Bluey appearance produced one of the wildest days in ballpark memory, and mascot Orbit’s birthday drew 20 visiting mascots — and a community-relations operation that keeps Orbit out in Albuquerque as many as 19 or 20 days a month.
“I think it’s the community connection,” she said. “We’ve done a really good job throughout the years of remaining relevant in this community.”
One of 15 — and counting
Baines is one of 15 active female general managers in the minors, and she doesn’t shy away from what that means.
“I certainly wasn’t the first,” she said of women running minor league clubs. “Not going to be the last.”
One of her mentors is Brooke Cooper, who runs the Worcester Red Sox, and the two talk often about the state of the industry.
“It definitely shows progress,” Baines said. “Baseball’s been one of those hard sports for women to break into leadership roles. So it definitely means a lot.”
Away from the ballpark — when there is an away from the ballpark — Baines golfs with a group of Isotopes staffers, watches the WNBA (she was headed to Las Vegas the weekend of our conversation to see the Aces and the Fever) and spends fall Saturdays flying a Georgia flag outside her house, smoking something on the Traeger while the Bulldogs play. She and her wife have two dogs — “No actual children,” she said. “Our dogs, those are our children.”
As for the one part of the job nobody can manage: shortly after she was hired, a local reporter congratulated her on now being in charge of the weather.
“I said, no, that is 100% not accurate,” Baines said. “I’m going to pass that on to our groundskeeper.”
Albuquerque opened the post-All-Star schedule by dropping two of three at home against the Sacramento River Cats (San Francisco Giants). The Isotopes were held to limited offense in each loss, sandwiched around an 11-7 win in which they piled up 11 runs over the first three innings. Jordan Beck homered in both defeats — a two-run shot in the opener and a solo blast in the finale. Albuquerque sits fourth in the PCL East at 8-13 in the second half.
⬆️ Stock Up: Machín delivers the damage
Vimael Machín supplied the set’s biggest offensive day, going 4-for-5 with a double and two RBIs in the 11-7 win and finishing the series at .308 (4-for-13). The veteran infielder was in the middle of the early onslaught that decided Albuquerque’s lone victory, and he continues to hover near .300 on the season. In a quiet set for the lineup at large, Machín’s bat was the one that showed up when the runs came.
Vimael Machin rockets a two-run double to the gap!
Hartford’s trip to Chesapeake (Baltimore Orioles) was a study in wasted starting pitching. The Yard Goats’ three starters — Jack Mahoney , Stu Flesland III, and Jackson Cox (PuRP No.16) — combined for 17 innings and three earned runs, yet Hartford dropped the final two games on late bullpen collapses, surrendering leads in the eighth inning of both. The set opened with a 7-3 win keyed by Jack O’Dowd’s three-run, ninth-inning homer, but the two one-run losses that followed cost Hartford the series. The Yard Goats sit in fourth place in the Eastern League Northeast with a second-half record of 8-13.
⬆️ Stock Up: Flesland flirts with history
Stu Flesland III delivered the pitching line of the set: five no-hit innings in Saturday’s start, walking one, striking out four and picking a runner off first for good measure. The lefty handed a hitless game to the bullpen with a 2-0 lead, and while the relief corps couldn’t hold what followed, none of that dims the outing — his season ERA now sits at 2.25. It was as dominant as a no-decision gets.
Upcoming
The Yard Goats head to Richmond for a six-game series with the Flying Squirrels (San Francisco Giants).
High-A: Spokane Indians (1-2, 44-46 Overall)
Spokane’s home set against the Everett AquaSox (Seattle Mariners) got away from the pitching staff, which allowed 37 runs across three games — including a 21-3 drubbing in the finale that saw Everett pile up 14 runs over the sixth and seventh innings alone. The lone bright spot was a 6-5, 10-inning walk-off in the middle game, built on an early three-run homer and three scoreless relief innings from Nathan Blasick, who improved to 10-2. Roldy Brito (PuRP No.11), promoted from Fresno, started in center field and swiped three bags in the win. The Indians are tied for first in the Northwest League at 15-9.
Put the ball in play, and good things happen. Ethan Hedges races home on a dribbler off the bat of Jacob Humphrey as the Indians regain sole possession of first place in the Northwest League! #GoSpopic.twitter.com/3r3s9nNcjx
Ethan Hedges (PuRP No.29) was the constant in the lineup, hitting .500 (6-for-12) with two homers, a double, and a hit in all three games. His three-run blast in the first inning of Saturday’s walk-off win staked Spokane to its only early lead of the series, and he went deep again in the finale — his 12th of the season, pushing his RBI total to 50.
Upcoming
The Indians will remain in Spokane for six games with the Tri-City Dust Devils (Los Angeles Angels)
Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies (2-1, 49-41 Overall)
Fresno shook off an ugly opener at Visalia (Arizona Diamondbacks) to take the road set two games to one. The Grizzlies fell behind 8-0 in the second inning of a 10-2 loss on Friday, then flipped the script — an 8-3 win behind Cameron Nelson’s three-run homer and a 2-1 pitching duel in the finale in which the staff struck out 16. Nelson swung the hottest bat of the series, going 8-for-15 (.533) with five RBIs and a hit in every game. Fresno is fourth in the California League with a 13-11 record in the second half so far.
⬆️ Stock Up: Kelly Flips the Script
Two weeks after landing in this space for all the wrong reasons, Riley Kelly (PuRP No.29) delivered the best start of his season. The right-hander struck out 11 over six innings in Sunday’s 2-1 win, allowing just five hits, one walk, and a lone solo homer while out-dueling Visalia’s staff in a game with no margin for error.
Grizzlies claim the series behind a dominant start from Riley Kelly, who struck out 11 in 6 innings 🎉
The Grizzlies head back to Fresno for a six-game series with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Los Angeles Angels).
ACL: ACL Rockies (1-3, 37-18 Overall)
A wild stretch for the complex-league Rockies began with a bang and ended with a thud. They demolished the ACL Royals 22-5 behind an 11-run sixth inning, then dropped three straight — an 8-7 walk-off at the Red in 10 innings, an 8-6 loss at the Mariners, and an 8-5 walk-off at the last-place Athletics on a three-run homer in the ninth. The bats produced throughout, but the bullpen surrendered late leads in two of the losses. The cushion atop the ACL remains substantial at 37-18.
⬆️ Stock Up: Arguelles Keeps Climbing
Cristian Arguelles stayed one of the toughest outs in the Arizona Complex League, hitting .500 (7-for-14) with a triple, two doubles, and five RBIs across three games. His 3-for-6, four-RBI day fueled the 22-run outburst, and he followed it with a perfect 4-for-4 afternoon at Peoria. Now hitting .399 on the season, the 19-year-old Arguelles is one of the most exciting young prospects in the Rockies system.
DSL: DSL Colorado (4-0) & DSL Rockies (3-2)
Both Dominican Summer League affiliates kept winning, including a head-to-head meeting on July 13 that DSL Colorado took 3-0 behind a seven-inning, non-earned-run effort from its staff. Colorado ran off four straight in this stretch — among them an 8-6, 10-inning walk-off over DSL NYY Bombers and an 8-7 comeback against the DSL Mets Blue — to push its DSL Southeast-leading mark to 23-10. DSL Rockies went 3-2, including that shutout loss to their sister club, and climbed to 16-17, fifth in the DSL East.
⬆️ Stock Up: Mota Stays Locked In
Carlos Mota was nearly impossible to retire, hitting .571 (8-for-14) with two home runs, a double, and six RBIs over four games. His biggest day came July 14 against the DSL NYY Yankees, when he went 4-for-4 with a three-run homer, and he stayed hot with a three-hit, two-RBI effort two days later.
The Carolina Hurricanes will be launching their own sports network to broadcast games for the 2026-27 season.
The network will serve as the exclusive TV home for the Hurricanes and will be owned and operated by Hurricanes Holdings, which will oversee all aspects of production, distribution, sales and marketing in collaboration with the National Hockey League.
“We’re thrilled to launch our own sports network, and provide consistent access to Hurricanes hockey for our great fans,” said Hurricanes CEO Brian Fork. “More than ever before, the organization will have the freedom to deliver innovative programming that strengthens the connection between the team, its fans and its community partners.”
The NHL will be providing centralized production services for the Hurricanes' new network in place of FanDuel Sports Network.
Carolina is one of four teams that will be supervised by the NHL, with Minnesota, St. Louis and Columbus being the others.
“Our Emmy Award-winning production team has a long track record of delivering world-class content and unforgettable fan experiences,” said NHL President of Events and Content Steve Mayer in a press release. “Adding live production capabilities is a natural next step, allowing us to introduce groundbreaking technologies, innovative graphics and bold creative concepts that will bring fans even closer to the NHL."
"As the regional media landscape continues to evolve, Clubs need flexibility to maximize distribution and revenue from their local broadcast model,” said NHL Chief Media Officer and Senior Executive Vice President David Proper. "This new model strengthens the value of regional media rights by expanding the pool of potential distribution partners, reducing dependence on outside production providers and allowing Clubs to manage production investments more effectively. At the same time, it provides a foundation for the next generation of NHL production technologies and broadcast innovations."
While no official distribution plan has been announced yet, the Hurricanes state that they plan to make the network available "through a variety of options" including cable, satellite and streaming.
The team intends to announce the name, branding and pricing available before the start of the regular season.
Broadcasters Mike Maniscalco and Tripp Tracy are also confirmed to be returning for next season.
Stay updated with the most interesting Carolina Hurricanes stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
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After winning 8-7 the same night of falling behind 7-0, the Diamondbacks (51-49) lost the following game to the Athletics (43-57), 5-2. Both teams are 2-2 out of the All-Star break as they prep for game two of a three-game series.
The Athletics have had some wild performances to start the second half of the season. The Athletics followed the break with a 23-4 loss to the Nationals, then bounced back with a 15-1 victory the following night over Washington. The Athletics have a 7.50 ERA (28th), but the offense has a .329 batting average, which leads the MLB.
Arizona ended the first half of the season with four straight wins to position themselves for a Wild Card race. The Diamondbacks have scored 19 runs in their four games out of the break, but allowed 20. Arizona has a 4.38 ERA (17th) in that span, the third-worst WHIP (1.65), and third-worst OBA (.304).
Let’s dive into the 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 & how to watch Athletics at Diamondbacks
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 9:40 PM EST
Site: Chase Field
City: Phoenix, AZ
Network/Streaming: MLB TV
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno is hitting .303 with 76 hits, 6 home runs and 33 RBI over 251 at-bats
The Diamondbacks’ Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is hitting .207 with 36 hits and 34 strikeouts over 174 at-bats
The Athletics’ Jacob Wilson is hitting .292 with 71 hits, 6 home runs, and 30 RBI over 243 at-bats
The Athletics’ Jeff McNeil is hitting .236 with 64 hits and 36 strikeouts over 271 at-bats
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 to know ahead of Athletics at Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks are 55-45 ATS, ranking third-best
The Athletics are 46-54 ATS, ranking eighth-worst
The Diamondbacks are 53-41-6 to the Under, ranking second-best
The Athletics are 49-48-3 to the Under
The Diamondbacks are 27-22 ATS at home, ranking sixth-best
The Athletics are 25-25 ATS as the road team
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Athletics and the Diamondbacks
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday's game between the Athletics and the Diamondbacks:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Diamondbacks on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Diamondbacks at -1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 9.5
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TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 12: Jalen Wilson #22 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors on April 12, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Hawks have been rather busy as free agency seems to wind down in the post-summer league part of the NBA calendar.
In their latest move, the Hawks add a player with three years of NBA experience to their roster on a two-way contract. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype broke the news:
Wilson is a 6-foot-8 stretch power forward who spent his first three seasons with the Brooklyn Nets. In 176 career NBA appearances, he has averaged 7.6 points per game while shooting 40% from the field and 34% from three.
He will join RayJ Dennis and Keshon Gilbert as the Hawks two-way players once the move is officially announced.
Jun 6, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; An NYPD officer walks off the field as the rain picks up during a rain delay before the start of a game between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Yankees announced that tonight’s game, scheduled for 7:05 EST against the Pittsburgh Pirates, has been postponed due to inclement weather forecasted to sustain through much of the night in New York.
The New York Yankees have announced that tonight’s Yankees-Pirates game (Tuesday, July 21) has been rescheduled due to the forecast of sustained inclement weather and will be played as the second game (7:05 p.m.) of a split-admission doubleheader on Wednesday, July 22, at Yankee… pic.twitter.com/cdyed3XiqJ
The Yankees and Pirates will play a split-admission doubleheader tomorrow, with Game 1 at 1:05 EST and Game 2 at 7:05 EST. Those with tickets to tonight’s postponed game can exchange them for tickets to tomorrow night’s Game 2. Tickets from the postponed game cannot be exchanged for Game 1. As tonight was scheduled to be Aaron Judge Harry Potter Bobblehead night, the giveaway will now occur during tomorrow night’s game.
We’ll keep you updated on how the postponement affects the Yankees’ rotation plans and roster, as the team now will have to play a second doubleheader in the span of four days. New York called up Elmer Rodríguez as their “27th Man” for the doubleheader against the Dodgers over the weekend, and the top prospect could be in line to come up again, after having gone unused on Sunday. Will Warren was scheduled to start tonight, with Gerrit Cole scheduled for tomorrow.
Draymond Green believes Kobe Bryant isn't in the GOAT conversation due to his short-lived time as being the best player in the NBA.
Despite being one of the greatest players to play the game of basketball in the 2000’s, Kobe Bryant is often left out of the GOAT conversation.
Bryant’s former partner in crime, Shaquille O’Neal had Golden State Warriors defensive star Draymond Green on his podcast “The Big Podcast” and revealed that due to playing in the same era as LeBron James, that’s why he isn’t in the GOAT conversation.
“Kobe kind of fell in a weird time,” Green said to O’Neal on The Big Podcast. “[Michael Jordan] left the league. When Mike left the league, y’all started to dominate. And then, you left the Lakers. When you left the Lakers, they had a few rough years.”
Draymond Green believes Kobe Bryant isn’t in the GOAT conversation due to his short-lived time as being the best player in the NBA. AFP via Getty Images
Draymond Green explains to Shaquille O’Neal why Kobe Bryant is often left out of the GOAT conversation
Shaquille O’Neal: “How come my guy’s not in that conversation?”
Draymond Green: “Kobe? Yes, for sure. One hundred percent.”
Green went on to say that while Kobe was trying to find his way in the NBA without O’Neal, the emergence of James started to steal the spotlight as Bryant was playing at a high level, but the Lakers weren’t winning a lot of games.
O’Neal departed from the Lakers to the Miami Heat following the 2004 NBA season.
Green and Bryant developed a close relationship over the years before Bryant’s sudden passing in 2020. NBAE via Getty Images
Without O’Neal beside him for the first time in his career, Bryant and the Lakers struggled to win as they missed the playoffs in 2005 and were eliminated in the first round the next two years.
It wasn’t until the Lakers added Pau Gasol to play alongside Bryant that they started to win again.
“In those years, LeBron was starting to make his name, and is he the best player?” Green said. “I think the amount of time it was the consensus that Kobe was the number one in the league, like the top guy.
“I don’t think it was long enough for everyone to say, like, put him in that conversation, because Bron came and put his name in the conversation. And so from that point on, it’s tug of war.”
Despite three years where the Lakers weren’t winning a lot, Bryant’s career finished with him winning 5 NBA titles, 1 season MVP, and 2 Finals MVP’s, while James is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and has 4 NBA titles, 4 MVPs, and 4 Finals MVPs.
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The Mariners (51-50) shut out the Reds (45-54), 7-0, to win the series opener. Seattle has won three straight versus Cincinnati dating back to last season.
Seattle is hot with three straight wins and a 3-1 record since the break. The Mariners entered the break with a 1-5 record over their final six games. Seattle has outscored its opponents 18-6 during their winning streak and now taken control of the AL West lead by half-a-game over Houston.
Cincinnati will toss Chase Burns on the mound and he's been money for the Reds. Burns is 11-1 on the year, but Cincinnati is 14-4 in his 18 starts and won six consecutive. Cincinnati was shut out last night, but scored 18 runs over the three previous games.
Let’s dive into the 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.
Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.
Game details & how to watch Reds at Mariners
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 9:40 PM EST
Site: T-Mobile Park
City: Seattle, WA
Network/Streaming: MLB TV
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The Reds’ Sal Stewart is hitting .251 with 95 hits, 20 home runs and 70 RBI over 379 at-bats
The Reds’ Eugenio Suarez is hitting .208 with 53 hits and 101 strikeouts over 255 at-bats
The Mariners’ Randy Arozarena is hitting .284 with 96 hits, 11 home runs, and 45 RBI over 338 at-bats
The Mariners’ JP Crawford is hitting .215 with 63 hits and 70 strikeouts over 293 at-bats
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Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Reds at Mariners
Seattle is 40-61 ATS, ranking second-worst
Cincinnati is 52-47 ATS
Seattle is 49-46-6 to the Over
Cincinnati is 56-42-1 to the Over, ranking fifth-best
Seattle is 21-30 ATS at home, ranking fifth-worst
Cincinnati is 28-21 ATS on the road, ranking third-best
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Mariners and the Reds
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday's game between the Mariners and the Reds:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Mariners on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Mariners at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Over on the Game Total of 7.5
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SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 20: Kyson Witherspoon #50 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The August 3rd MLB Trade Deadline grows closer by the day, and one name that has become increasingly tied to trade rumors is the Nationals’ Luis Garcia Jr. Amidst a breakout season, Garcia Jr. has 1.5 years of control remaining, and is being viewed as one of the better bats on the market as teams search for reinforcements to power a deep October run.
With the likelihood that he gets traded rising, it’s time to start looking at who the Nats could be receiving in return for his services. President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni is set to embark on his first deadline as the head of Washington’s front office, marking another big test in his young tenure. With bolstering the farm system an essential part of building a championship contender, here are 5 prospects who could headline a return for Garcia Jr. if Toboni chooses to deal him.
RHP Kyson Witherspoon, BOS (#4) – 50 FRV
The majority of smoke surrounding a possible Garcia Jr. deal has involved the surging Red Sox, who have been linked as both a possible suitor and a team with varying levels of interest in making a move for him. If those rumors come to fruition, Witherspoon is a perfect player for Toboni to get back as the bulk of the return. The former Oklahoma righty was Boston’s top MLB Draft selection in 2025, and while his prospect prestige has taken a bit of a hit with persistent struggles in 2026, his ceiling as a long-term MLB starter is still very much real.
Witherspoon’s value in a trade at this current moment is far below what it would have been just a handful of months ago, but he could see a rise to becoming a Top 100 prospect once again in a similar amount of time. Toboni’s familiarity with him from his time in Boston could bring added motivation to acquire and develop the 21-year-old, and his name has already been floated on social media as a realistic fit for Washington to receive in a deal with the Sox.
INF Starlyn Caba, MIA (#6) – 50 FRV
Caba was a high-priced international free agent who started his career in Philadelphia before being shipped to Miami as part of the Jesus Luzardo trade. He was seen as a speed/defense-first infielder, with bat-to-ball skills that would need lengthy development before producing at the MLB level. After posting an OPS of .669 and .613 in 2024 and 2025, respectively, his promotion to High-A to begin his 2026 campaign seems to have unlocked something in the 5-foot-9 infielder.
His 5 home runs to date, while not an incredibly impressive number by any means, have already set a new career-high, and he’s slashing .251/.399/.395 across 215 at-bats, good for a .794 OPS. With questions surrounding the future of the Washington infield and a substantial improvement in their minor league offensive developmental program under Toboni, Caba is exactly the type of prospect for Washington to go after. With the defensive aspect of his game already quite advanced, if they can replicate what they’ve done to other prospects this year in terms of furthering their development with the bat, he could very well be a key piece to the Nats’ future if they make a move for him.
INF Demetrio Crisantes, ARI (#3) – 50 FRV
Pitching is likely the focus of Arizona’s deadline plans as they push for a playoff berth, but adding a final piece to their lineup could also be in the cards. If they explore dealing for Garcia Jr., the Nationals might look to get a prospect in Crisantes who matches up perfectly as his future replacement. Crisantes has scorched his way through 3 levels of the minors this season, and is showing no signs of slowing down. His hit tool is very much a strength, and with iffy defensive skills, this could be a way for Washington to acquire a similar profile to Garcia Jr. with much more control.
The Diamondbacks’ 3rd-ranked prospect is currently mashing for the AA Amarillo Sod Poodles, and MLB Pipeline has his MLB ETA listed as 2027. Selling off Garcia Jr. (and their other rental pieces) would indicate that the Nats’ front office still views their contending window as further down the line. The aforementioned improved hitting development infrastructure could turn someone like Crisantes into a player that could fuel their next playoff run, whether that be in 2027 or beyond.
RHP Jaxon Wiggins, CHI (#3) – 55 FRV
Back to the pitching side, an arm like Wiggins might be too valuable to get for Garcia Jr. alone, but could be a part of a larger package deal between Washington and Chicago. MLB Pipeline’s #88 overall prospect and 3rd in the Cubs’ system, Wiggins is a 6’6” behemoth with an intriguing 4-pitch mix but has pitched to varying results through 2+ seasons in pro ball. Some injury issues have made his 2026 season numbers much more complicated than what appears on paper, but an ERA above 6 is certainly cause for deeper evaluation.
Jaxon Wiggins looks sharp in his latest rehab outing for the High-A @SBCubs!
Wiggins has emerged as a trade candidate in recent days as the Cubs are set to be buyers at the deadline, and, similar to Witherspoon, he might be just the kind of buy-low pitching prospect that the Nats could strike gold with. At 24 years old, his future is still thought of as being quite bright, and Washington may be able to streamline his development with reps against MLB hitters. Most of the Nationals’ pitching future lies in the lower levels of the minors, and an arm like Wiggins, who boasts 3 above-average offerings including a 70-grade fastball, provides exciting promise as both a short-term and long-term rotation option.
LHP Kash Mayfield, SDP (#4) – 50 FRV
Mayfield exists on the other side of the developmental spectrum, a high school draftee in 2024 who is multiple years away from getting his first real taste of the majors. He posted a sub-3.00 ERA in A ball across 60.2 innings in 2025, and seen similar success at High-A in 2026, with that mark only rising to 3.20 through his first 14 starts. Just about every notable arm in the Nats’s system as it stands is a righty, including the 2 potential trade targets mentioned in this article, so going after a southpaw has to be considered, especially if Foster Griffin is dealt.
This lefty’s arsenal is headlined by a deadly changeup, and his future outlook will be defined by gaining the ability to maintain the velocity on his fastball. With velocity being plentiful among the Nats’ current MiLB arms, that seems to be an area that they have become experienced in training. With AJ Preller’s never-ending desire to contend and play in October, one that is routinely followed by making risky and ambitious trades, Washington could prey on that desire and pry away Mayfield in exhange for Garcia Jr.
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 04: Cody Bellinger #35 high fives Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on May 4, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
What’s that, the Yankees offense is showing the faintest stirrings from a summer of dormancy? It’s just one game, but the eight runs they scored against the normally excellent Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft is a step in the right direction. Jazz Chisholm Jr. took center stage with his two home runs and season-high five RBIs, but it’s his big swing against the Dodgers from the night before along with Cody Bellinger’s clutch RBI single in the first which earn the co-nomination for At-bat of the Week.
We kick things off with Bellinger in the first inning, the Yankees looking to stave off a sweep by the Dodgers in the doubleheader and the series. It’s a bullpen game for both teams, Los Angeles opening affairs with hard throwing reliever Will Klein, a cult hero from the 18-inning Game 3 marathon in last year’s World Series. Paul Goldschmidt kept the frame alive with a two-out double, giving Bellinger a crucial opportunity to score early after getting blanked into the fourth inning of the first two games.
Normally a pitcher who leans heavily on his four-seamer, Klein introduces a wrinkle with a first pitch looking to get Bellinger to expand.
Klein executes an excellent slider that looks like a strike down and in out of Klein’s hand before breaking out of the zone toward Bellinger. Bellinger reads the pitch immediately which is how he knows to limbo out of the way of a pitch that many hitters would have chased had they been expecting a first-pitch fastball.
After failing to get Bellinger to chase that slide, Klein returns to his bread-and-butter looking to blow a high fastball by the hitter.
He achieves exactly that, throwing this 96 mph four-seamer right by Bellinger, who is quite tardy with his swing. It’s a well-located heater, central over the plate but elevated just above the top ledge of the strike zone, close enough that Bellinger can’t avoid chasing.
The classic follow up to an elevated heater that induced a late whiff is to go right back to that back-foot slider as Bellinger’s bat should be sped up to the speed of the fastball.
The problem is that Klein leaves this cement-mixer slider right out over the plate, a complete mistake that Bellinger punishes. This is such a classic two-out, runner in scoring position swing from Bellinger — short, flat, and compact to the ball, not trying to do anything more than send it right back the way it came to drive in Goldschmidt as the game’s opening run.
Here’s the full AB:
We have to fast forward to the eighth inning for the second half of our breakdown. The Dodgers have tied the game, 1-1, on a pinch-hit solo home run by Tommy Edman in the top half of the frame. With the bottom half of the order due up in the final two innings, Jazz represents the Yankees’ best chance to score in regulation. He’s already struck out twice and popped out with the bases loaded, so you wonder if he is feeling a little extra pressure to provide a positive contribution to his team. The Dodgers have brought in another hard-throwing righty in Evan Phillips, who quietly was a top-five reliever in baseball from 2022 through 2024 before Tommy John surgery cost him most of this year and last.
Phillips is pretty much a two-pitch pitcher, relying on the four-seamer and sweeper a combined 80.4-percent of the time. However, against lefties, you’re gonna get a steady diet of four-seamers, and that’s exactly how he starts off this AB.
This is a pretty good heater up and away, close enough to the zone that you wouldn’t be surprised to see Jazz swing. However, he reads the pitch all the way into the catcher’s mitt for ball one.
Jazz got a really good look at the velocity and movement profile of that four-seamer, tracking the pitch its whole journey toward home. He also has likely seen the scouting report on Phillips reveling the tendency to lean on the four-seamer against lefties. Combine these two facts and he can pretty much sit on another heater and effectively match his swing timing and bat path to the pitch.
That is precisely the outcome, Jazz sitting back a hair on this four-seamer knowing that between his own power and the velocity on the pitch, he has more than enough juice to send it out of the park to all fields. He unleashes a beautiful swing staying inside the pitch and sending it oppo over the wall in left-center for the game-winning home run.
Here’s the full AB:
David Cone brought up an expert point on the broadcast of the series opener against the Pirates, conveying his belief that Bellinger and Jazz are the two biggest X-factors who the Yankees need to get going in this extended stretch without Aaron Judge. Both were mired in deep slumps for the opening weeks of summer but have shown encouraging signs of turning things around lately. Bellinger has a 156 wRC+ dating back to the final game of the Rays series while Jazz has four home runs in his last seven games. Their quality of AB has certainly taken a step up according to the eye test. If the Yankees are to achieve all of their goals this season, their stars have to play like stars, and Bellinger and Jazz are starting to perform like stars again.
Three weeks into the NHL's free agency period, Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane remains unsigned on the open market.
Despite a report that he had narrowed down his choices to either his hometown Buffalo Sabres or the Chicao Blackhawks, whom he helped win the Stanley Cup three times, there remains a chance that he could ultimately decide to come back for a third full season in the Motor City.
Until then, the most visible current member of the Blackhawks is doing his part to try and get the future Hall of Famer back in the Windy City for one more season.
Connor Bedard, whom the Blackhawks selected with the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, would love to have Kane back where he played the majority of his career.
"I don't know what I can say to persuade his decision, but obviously we'd all be so excited to have a player like that, but also a guy like that," Bedard said. "I can't imagine his first game back at the (United Center with the Blackhawks), the reaction he'd get and how much juice that would bring to not only our team but our fans, as well. That would be incredible to play with him and learn from him."
Upon his first game back in Chicago in early 2024, Kane scored the overtime game-winning goal in dramatic fashion, and took several laps around the ice acknowledging the cheering fans at United Center.
Kane also scored against the Blackhawks in December of this past season in Chicago.
Bedard is now the star of the show in Chicago, having recently signed a five-year, $75 million contract ($15 million salary cap hit) upon the completion of his entry-level contract.
While the Blackhawks, who are now coached by former Red Wings bench boss Jeff Blashill, remain in rebuilding mode, Bedard believes a Kane return would be a major boost.
"Hopefully (Kane) decides to come back (to Chicago)," Bedard said. "You talk about the legacy aspect of it, but just as a team, he would make us a way better team. He's still an amazing player. I don't know if this is the best pitch, but hopefully he comes back and we can play together, for sure."
Kane finished fifth on the Red Wings in scoring during the 2025-26 campaign, totaling 57 points on 16 goals and 41 assists across 67 appearances.
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Mar 19, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Utah Mammoth defenseman John Marino (6) warms up before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Stephen R. Sylvanie/Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Mammoth have signed defenseman John Marino to an eight-year, $54 million extension with an annual average value of $6.75 million.
Marino’s deal comes on the heels of a career-best season that included his first career playoff goal.
“We view John as a foundational piece of our future,” Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong said in a statement. “His ability to control the game from the back end, his play in transition and our trust in him to make the right decisions in critical situations allows him to be a difference-maker on most nights. Beyond his skill, John brings a level of calmness under pressure that our group feeds off of and that’s exactly what you need from your veteran players.”
Marino had career highs of 36 points and 32 assists with four goals in his second season with the Mammoth after being traded from New Jersey in 2024. The 29-year-old ranked second among all NHL defenseman at plus-42 and played all six games in Utah’s first playoff appearance since moving from Arizona.
Marino has 23 goals and 134 assists in seven NHL seasons with Utah, New Jersey and Pittsburgh.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: The sneakers worn by Cameron Boozer #27 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 13, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Reynaldo López (3.50 ERA) is looking to add another win for the Atlanta Braves to this four-game series against the San Diego Padres. After a low-scoring win to kick off the series in yesterday’s matchup, the Braves will need to step up on offense if paired with a quality defense on the pitcher’s mound.
López has been a pretty consistent arm, despite getting stunned by the St. Louis Cardinals. It was the first time since June 4 that he allowed more than two runs in his outing. On the upside, his showings at home have been better.
As opposed to López’s opponent, Walker Buehler (5.36 ERA), his outings on the road have been less than subpar. In his last seven games, he’s given up a total of 24 runs and 15 walks, and has consistent trouble landing his pitches in the zone, resulting in hard contact from his opponents.
With the way Atlanta has been hitting the ball, they have a high probability of securing this win. They’re outscoring the Padres offense on a constant basis, and they’ve already built momentum with yesterday’s win.
Can they start a new streak with three in a row? Only one way to find out.
Tuesday's slate is filled with opportunities, starting with Elly De La Cruz, Matt Olson, and Griffin Conine, who give us plenty of high-value targets on tonight's betting card.
Cincinnati Reds superstar Elly De La Cruz enters Tuesday’s matchup against Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo with an elite rating on Batters-Box, while carrying 100% arsenal coverage against Castillo’s entire pitch mix.
In 144 elite-rated games dating back over the last three seasons, De La Cruz has gone over this prop 55% of the time.
Across his last 30 plate appearances against right-handed pitchers, he owns a .370 batting average, .667 slugging percentage, 1.100 OPS, and .297 ISO, while generating a 60.9% hard hit rate and 8.7% barrel rate.
On the other side, Castillo has struggled against left-handed hitters lately. Over his last 30 left-handed hitters faced, they have produced a 50% hard hit rate, 12.5% barrel rate, and 58% elevation rate. Those hitters also own a .344 expected batting average and .645 expected slugging percentage.
I would play this down to -125 if I had to, or take his bases for plus money.
Olson enters Tuesday with one of the highest ratings on the slate over on Batters-Box, where he also carries an 83.5% arsenal coverage against Buehler’s entire pitch mix.
So far this season, in 17 elite ratings, Olson has gone over this prop 47% of the time, while leaving the yard nearly 30% of the time as well.
Across his last 60 at-bats against right-handed pitchers, he is generating nearly 53% hard hit and a 20% barrel rate. On top of that, he owns a 1.014 OPS and .392 ISO.
On the other side, Buehler has been getting crushed by left-handed hitters. Over his last 30 left-handed hitters faced, they have produced a 50% hard hit rate, 15% barrel rate, and 60% elevation rate. Those hitters also own a .527 xSLG and .263 xBA.
I would not pay juice for this prop, so look for the best price possible.
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
Where to watch: BravesVsn, SPA
Griffin Conine Over 1.5 hits/runs/RBI (+117)
Mr. Marlin’s son, Griffin Conine, finds himself in a strong spot this evening against Astros starter Tatsuya Imai, who owns one of the worst pitcher ratings on the slate over on Batters-Box.
Imai has been getting lit up by left-handed hitters, allowing a 55% hard hit rate, 20% barrel rate, and 70% elevation rate. Those hitters also own a .446 xBA, .457 xSLG, and .498 xwOBA.
Conine has been on a tear over his last few games. In his last 30 at-bats against right-handed pitchers, he owns a .310 BA, .759 SLG, 1.092 OPS, and .449 ISO, while generating a 50% hard hit rate and 16.7% barrel rate.
Conine also enters today with an elite rating while covering nearly 100% of Imai’s pitch mix. Getting an elite-rated hitter to surpass 1.5 HRR at plus money is always a steal. Do not pay juice for this one.
Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SCHN, MIAM
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
Prop picks: 321-594, -1.00 Units
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Elly De La Cruz
Matt Olson
Griffin Conine