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Rockets may have to consolidate their roster

It’s time for harsh truths. Cold, unrelenting reality. Words must no longer be minced.

The Houston Rockets’ situation has materially worsened in 2025-26.

Place the blame where you will. Ime Udoka’s offense lacks sophistication. Rafael Stone picked Jalen Green with the most consequential draft pick of the rebuild. Kevin Durant has a burner.

Each of the young players is flawed. This won’t devolve into a “who are the Rockets trading” piece. It’s a tangentially related “the Rockets will have to trade someone” piece.

Again: Cold, unrelenting reality.

Rockets’ rebuild did not go according to plan

It may be cold, but it shouldn’t be particularly surprising.

Historically, this is the rebuilding cycle, whether a team tanks or not. You have low expectations as a young team, start winning games as an up-and-coming squad, the expectations rise, and then you see if any of your young players can meet them at the highest level. If even one can, you’ve found your franchise player:

If nobody does, then nobody is safe.

That’s when consolidation happens. It’s a dirty word for “young core” enthusiasts. Fine, but NBA years are like dog years – each year is more than a year.

In a couple of seasons, the Rockets’ “young core” will be an “in-prime core”. If you think they project as title contenders, it would be impossible for us to have a conversation. I think that’s utterly delusional.

(Luckily, this is not a conversation, and you are a captive).

Sorry, I do. Let’s talk about it. Alperen Sengun has regressed to his previous standard on defense. He’s as inefficient as ever on offense. If this looks like a franchise player to you…again, delusion is the word.

The same goes for Amen Thompson. I’m not trying to play favorites. His one-level scoring will be exposed in the postseason. Even if Houston ditched Sengun for a floor spacing big and ran a pick-and-spread offense around Thompson, there’s little evidence that it would be viable. The Spurs would love to defend that offense in a seven game four game series.

Reed Sheppard? The last bastion of hope. This is the one player who it’s too soon to dismiss. He’s been outstanding as a sophomore. Yet, as early as it would be to dismiss him, it would be equally early to coronate him. All of which is to say, it would be better to keep him, but he shouldn’t hold up consolidation either.

Moreover, even the idea of running a “team first, no franchise player” team is problematic. To make that work, the synergy needs to be perfect. It isn’t with this team. Sengun and Sheppard are a rough defensive pairing. Sengun and Thompson are a poor offensive pairing.

This is the situation the Rockets are in. They tanked for three years (plus a bonus year of reaping the Nets’ rewards), and they didn’t net a franchise-caliber player or a perfectly constructed roster. They just didn’t.

It’s not as egregiously unfortunate as many will frame it. In that entire window, the only high lottery picks who turned out to be one of those have been Victor Wembanyama and Cade Cunningham. Even Paolo Banchero, the patron saint of Rockets’ would-bes, hasn’t met that bar. This happens. It’s happened before. The question is this:

What happens when it happens?

Rockets need to rebuild the rebuild

The year is 2018. The Toronto Raptors are the second-best team in the Eastern Conference almost annually, but they are second by such a massive margin that it’s moot. The team is homegrown. It’s talented. Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Jakob Poeltl. It is never going to win a championship as constructed:

So, they trade for Kawhi Leonard.

The year is now 2019. LeBron James has joined the Lakers for no reason other than they’re the Lakers. That may break the analogy for you, but the Rockets did land Kevin Durant for just a bit more than nothing, so the situations are comparable enough. Beyond James, the Lakers have a similar collection of strong, but sub-elite talent. Brandon Ingram. Lonzo Ball. Josh Hart. Julius Randle. None of these guys are a viable co-star for James:

So, they trade for Anthony Davis.

Turn the clock back further. Now it’s 2007. Sorry, the time machine is on the fritz. The Boston Celtics have a solid group of young talent. Rajan Rondo, Al Jefferson, Gerald Green. Not going to win a championship, etc.

Yada yada yada, Kevin Garnett.

Take a deep look in the mirror. Be brutally honest with yourself. Take a look at this Rockets core.

Do we have Baby Jokic, Turbo Igoudala, White Curry, and wings? Or, does this look a bit more like Siakam, Anunoby, and Poeltl. Ingram, Ball, and Hart.

(OK, it’s probably better than Rondo and Jefferson).

So, what should the Rockets do?

The Rockets need to make a decision soon

It doesn’t have to be this summer. It doesn’t have to be Giannis. If the Rockets want to kick the can, they can wait to see if they can find a franchise-caliber diamond in the rough in the 2027 draft. Heck, they could wait for the 2029 draft. They have major skin in that game with multiple swap rights with potential lottery teams, but good luck selling Tilman Fertitta on waiting four more years for a “guy”.

So Antetokounmpo should be on the table. Nothing should be sacred between these walls. Still, Antetokounmpo is not the perfect answer. No matter who the Rockets move, they’ll be pairing him with another non-spacer unless they’re moving both Sengun and Thompson.

Alternatively, Antetokounmpo is almost certainly the best player who’s going to shake loose during the Rockets’ consolidation window. Remember: That window isn’t particularly wide. Once these guys are in-prime players, teams will be thinking about their next deal. In two seasons, Alperen Sengun will be two (or three, pending his player option) seasons away from his first non-rookie deal.

As it stands, Reed Sheppard is an outstanding value on his rookie contract. When it comes time for his rookie extension, his team will have to answer (theme alert) difficult questions. The same holds for Amen Thompson, only a year sooner. How much do you pay the best defensive wing in basketball if he’s a non-shooting role player?

None of this is optimal, but can we be realistic for a moment? The Spurs have Victor Wembanyama, and Dylan Harper would be the Rockets’ franchise player. The Thunder. Period.

Sure, that’s just two teams. Otherwise, as Nikola Jokic eventually ages, the Rockets have an opportunity to solidify themselves as the third-best team in the Western Conference for years to come.

…Hang the banner.

The third-best team in the conference consolidates, especially with another half-decade as the fourth-best team in front of them. It isn’t good enough to win an NBA championship.

This isn’t what we wanted. It wasn’t Plan A. Historically speaking, it is the de facto Plan B.

Rockets fans will say that our guys are not being optimized. There’s some truth in that. Ime Udoka’s read-and-react offense is suboptimal for a roster that’s light on pass/dribble/shoot players. Yet, that points to the broader issue:

This roster is light on pass/dribble/shoot guys.

It’s heavy on specialists. Players who are outlier strong in one area, but struggle in another. The closest player to reaching pass/dribble/shoot in the young core is Sheppard, and only time will tell if Udoka can scheme around his defensive shortcomings.

Maybe you love these kids. Perhaps you’ve grown attached. That’s cute, but if you take a long, honest look at the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, it’s impossible to come away feeling like the Rockets have enough.

Harsh, but true.

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Even as Tatum returns, Jaylen Brown continues to level up his passing

Even as Tatum returns, Jaylen Brown continues to level up his passing originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

A few minutes before the ejection that stole the spotlight of the Celtics-Spurs showdown, Jaylen Brown calmly dribbled out of an impending corner trap with Victor Wembanyama racing his way, then patiently examined the floor before feeding Sam Hauser for a straightaway 3-pointer.

It was Brown’s seventh assist in little more than 10 minutes of floor time. Brown had fed five different teammates with those helpers and was fueling Boston’s early offense with his combination of scoring and playmaking.

Overshadowed by his scoring output in the absence of Jayson Tatum, and further clouded by Tuesday’s ejection when an official overstepped his bounds, Brown has leveled up as a playmaker in recent weeks and is confidently making all the right reads on the floor.

For all the consternation about shot distribution and how the offense would run upon Tatum’s return from a nine-plus-month absence, Brown’s playmaking numbers have spiked both before and after Tatum’s season debut. Over the two-and-a-half games he’s been available with Tatum back in the lineup, Brown is averaging 7.3 assists per game leading to 19.3 assist points created per game. 

If maintained for the season, that potential assists mark would rank just outside the top 20 in the entire NBA, while the assist points created would slot in the top 10. For a comp: Luka Doncic generates 21.2 assists points per game on 8.5 assists (and 14.0 potential assists) this season. 

Just look at Brown’s playmaking uptick both over Boston’s last 10 games, and especially since last season:

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Teammates’ shooting percentages off Brown feeds over the last three games are rather astounding: Boston players are shooting 58.1 percent off Brown passes in that span. The biggest beneficiary has been Derrick White, who is 5-for-7 (71.4 percent) off Brown feeds in those games.

Take out Tatum (1-4 FG off Brown passes) and Payton Pritchard (4-10 FG on Brown passes) and the rest of Boston’s roster is shooting 69 percent (20-for-29) off Brown feeds in those games.

Suyash Mehta robbed all of us of the opportunity to see what kind of assist numbers Brown might have put up overall in Tuesday’s showdown between two of the best teams in the NBA. Brown always seems to thrive in these big-stage moments, particularly with other MVP-caliber players across the court. But his outburst after a lack of a whistle on a turnover left him susceptible to getting tossed.

Brown’s assist percentage for the season is at 25.6 percent, which ranks in the 99th percentile among wings, per Cleaning the Glass data. It’s 5.2 percent higher than last year’s mark and easily the best mark of his career. 

Brown averages 13.7 potential assists per 100 possessions, ranking in the 91st percentile overall. Teammates have an effective field goal percentage of 69 percent on his feeds, which ranks in the 70th percentile. When Brown limits his turnovers, his playmaking stats further leap off the page.

The best version of the Celtics moving forward is when the Brown/Tatum combo is able to use all the attention they draw to bring out the best in the supporting cast. It’s no surprise that White’s scoring has already spiked since Tatum’s return. 

Brown shouldered a heavy load in Tatum’s absence, and even after Tatum’s return, Brown is using his playmaking to continue elevating everyone around him.

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Why I can’t trust Craig Breslow

Not Joel Osteen
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 19: Chief Baseball Officer of the Boston Red Sox Craig Breslow looks on before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on August 19, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Rutherford/Getty Images) | Getty Images

All my homies hate Craig Breslow, but I don’t. I think he’s done a good job under constraints that seem to be slowly lifting as the years go by, as witnessed by the big-money signing of Ranger Suarez this winter, which woulda been unthinkable a few years ago. The team made the playoffs last year and seems pretty damn solid heading into this one, even if it could use a bit more power hitting in the absence of Triston Casas and Rafael Devers (and Kyle Schwarber, if we want to go even further back). But yanno, it’s cool enough.

To be sure, I don’t want to pooh-pooh the lack of oomph, but this is the best Red Sox team heading into a season since probably 2019 and I really, really don’t want to miss the forest for the trees. The team is fun again, even if the guy in charge isn’t very fun and has paid the price for it in the public’s opinion. “Aloof” has rarely been more correctly applied as an adjective. You probably wouldn’t want to hang out with Breslow, nor would I, but you probably would want to chill with Chaim Bloom (as would I), just to show you how much that particular metric is worth. And while I was always likely predisposed to be positive toward Craiggers simply because he’s not his nihilist, Baseball Prospectus-writing alum predecessor, I think he’s earned it.

There’s just one problem: He looks too much like prosperity gospel preacher Joel Osteen for me to take him fully seriously. Through no fault of his own, I can’t help but see him as a con man even though I know he’s not. I’d say I hate it, but it’s kind of funny. It’s also kind of scary. I mean, look at this shit:

Jesus Christ! 

Here’s the wild part: Osteen is 18 years older than Breslow (who’s younger than me, for fuck’s sake), though a good portion of Joel’s face is considerably younger. (In fairness, that photo is from 2015.) Growing up, I was obsessed with informercials of all kinds, as growing up on the Vineyard it presented me with a type of weirdo I wasn’t likely to encounter in our little Russillovian society. I didn’t take the bait – I own zero Shams-Wow, nor did I accept whom Osteen implored me to accept as my savior – but televised hucksters have always fascinated me, or did before they moved to YouTube, where now I swat them like flies as my son scrolls thru Shorts. 

Back on topic, I really think the resemblance is uncanny enough that Breslow knows about it. Though as a Jew and seemingly not of feeble brain, I don’t think he’s taken Osteen’s bait. I just find it hard to disbelieve my lyin’ eyes on this one. Something is amiss. I just can’t quite figure out what. I’ll get to the bottom of it and report back. Stay tuned.

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Nets vs Hawks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Brooklyn Nets head to State Farm Arena tonight to face the Atlanta Hawks in an Eastern Conference clash. The tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Jalen Johnson has found his best shooting lately, and I’m eyeing him to ball out in my Nets vs. Hawks predictions.

Read more in my NBA picks for Thursday, March 12.

Nets vs Hawks prediction

Nets vs Hawks best bet: Jalen Johnson Over 22.5 points (-120)


Jalen Johnson has been the Atlanta Hawks' best player this season, averaging 23 PPG. The Duke product has broken onto the scene, and he’s killing the competition lately. Johnson has cashed the Over in back-to-back games.

The 24-year-old erupted for 35 against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday before dropping 27 points on Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks. Johnson is averaging 24.5 PPG this season against the Brooklyn Nets, who just allowed 138 points to the Detroit Pistons.

Nets vs Hawks same-game parlay

CJ McCollum is averaging 3.8 dimes in 25 games with the Hawks since coming over in the Trae Young trade. He’s cashed the Over in assists in four straight appearances.

Dyson Daniels is questionable tonight, which means there could be even more playmaking duties on CJ’s shoulders. Whether Daniels plays or not, though, McCollum will drop at least four dimes.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker has hit the Over in treys in three straight, and he was 3-for-9 against the Nets at the end of February. Brooklyn is dead last in the Association in opponent three-point percentage, with teams shooting 38.2% from deep against them.

Nets vs Hawks SGP

  • Jalen Johnson Over 22.5 points
  • CJ McCollum Over 3.5 assists
  • Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 2.5 made threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Brooooooklyn!

Brooklyn only lost by 11 to the Hawks on February 22, and they’ve actually won two of their last three. I still expect Atlanta to win here at home, but the Nets will make it relatively competitive.

Nets vs Hawks SGP

  • Jalen Johnson Over 22.5 points
  • CJ McCollum Over 3.5 assists
  • Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 2.5 made threes
  • Brooklyn Nets +15

Nets vs Hawks odds

  • Spread: Nets +14 (-110) | Hawks -14 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Nets +637 | Hawks -950
  • Over/Under: Over 226.5 (-110) | Under 226.5 (-110)

Nets vs Hawks betting trend to know

The Atlanta Hawks have hit the Moneyline in 14 of their last 20 games (+8.80 Units / 21% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Hawks.

How to watch Nets vs Hawks

LocationState Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
DateThursday, March 12, 2026
Tip-off7:30 p.m. ET
TVYES, FDSN SE-Atlanta

Nets vs Hawks latest injuries

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‘Everyone is chasing dreams’: as wages soar will EFL lose appeal for foreign investors?

The Gillingham owner, Brad Galinson, issues warning and wants to find a fix as costs spiral amid ‘the Wrexham effect’

Brad Galinson has a warning for anyone looking to invest in English football’s lower leagues. “Almost every single club in the EFL is about seven days away from suffering the same fate as Sheffield Wednesday,” the Gillingham owner says. “Everyone is chasing dreams.”

Many have blamed the “Wrexham effect” for spiralling costs as investors from all over the world have flocked to buy clubs down the pyramid. Only two in League One have a playing budget of less than £3.5m this season compared with 13 two years ago, and several are thought to be operating on more than £10m.

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Milwaukee Bucks vs. Miami Heat Preview & Game Thread: Call the fire brigade

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 05: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks look on at Kaseya Center on April 05, 2025 in Miami, Florida. 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 Brennan Asplen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After playing nine of their last 10 games at home, the Bucks are back on the road tonight taking on the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center. Losers by 15 to the Suns, Milwaukee will need every bit of juice it has against a Miami team that has won six on the trot, including a 150-129 demolition of the Washington Wizards in which perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate Bam Adebayo scored 83 points! Tonight’s game is the final regular-season matchup between the teams, with the Heat taking the first matchup behind 29 points from Tyler Herro, and the Bucks winning the second thanks to Kevin Porter Jr.’s clutch play down the stretch.

Where We’re At

In a reversal of their season-long trend of small-ball, the Bucks have opted to go big lately, starting Myles Turner, Giannis, Kyle Kuzma, Ousmane Dieng, and Ryan Rollins. That’s a whole lot of length, Rollins’ 6’10” wingspan the only one under seven feet. And while the results haven’t been there in the win column, it at least bodes better in theory while enabling the Bucks to look towards the future—namely, what role Dieng plays in it. As a starter, Dieng has certainly been promising, averaging 11.8 PPG on .475/.406/.500 shooting, 6.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, and 0.8 BPG in 31.2 MPG across six games, and of the five-man lineups he’s been part of, this is the most successful one (-2.2 net rating, while all others are -17.5 or worse). Food for thought.

The Miami Heat, on the other hand, are firing on all cylinders despite their extensive injury report. Now up to sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, the Heat are just three games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers (i.e., within striking distance of a top-four finish), and have recorded recent quality wins against the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons. But all the latest talk, rightfully so, has been on Bam Adebayo’s history-making performance against the Wizards. His 83-point outburst is now the second-highest scoring total in NBA history. Wilt, Bam, then Kobe. Let that sink in. This season, Adebayo has struggled offensively against the Bucks (17.5 PPG, 43% FG), so his offensive explosion comes at unideal timing from a Bucks’ perspective. Regardless, Milwaukee mustn’t be too Bam focused, as Tyler Herro (26.3 PPG on .537/.517/.947 to go along with 5.5 RPG and 4.8 APG) and Jamie Jaquez Jr. (16.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 6.0 APG) have also been balling over the past five games, giving the Bucks more than enough reasons to keep 911 on speed dial.

Injury Report

For the Bucks, Kevin Porter Jr. (Right Knee; Synovitis), Bobby Portis (Back; Thoracic Spine Contusion), and Jericho Sims (Right Patella; Tendonitis) are all questionable.

For the Heat, Tyler Herro (Left Quadriceps; Soreness) and Kel’el Ware (Right Shoulder; Strain) are questionable, while Nikola Jovic (Low Back; Injury Management), Norman Powell (Right Groin; Strain), Terry Rozier (Not With Team), and Andrew Wiggins (Left Big Toe; Sesamoiditis) are out.

Player to Watch

Once more for good measure: Bam Adebayo dropped 83 frickin’ points when he last played. Eighty. Three. If he’s not the player to watch, then this section needs a new name. In addition to scoring the second most points of all time, Adebayo’s 36 free throws and 43 attempts were the most in NBA history, and his 22 three-point attempts tied for third-most in a game in NBA history. So, what does he have in store as an encore? While Adebayo has struggled so far this season against Milwaukee, he typically fares better, averaging 19.9 PPG on 47% over his last 10 games against them. Of course, the Bucks have a pretty good front-court player of their own. But while all the hoopla around Adebayo could give Giannis extra incentive to remind the world who he is, turning this into a mano a mano matchup might hurt Milwaukee more than it helps.

How To Watch

Tune in at 6:30 p.m. CDT on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin or the following stations:

  • WMLW & WYTU (Milwaukee)
  • WISC (Madison)
  • WMEI (Green Bay)
  • WECX (Eau Claire/La Crosse)
  • WYOW (Wausau)
  • WQAD (Davenport, IA, Rock Island/Moline, IL)
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Yankees 2026 Season Preview: Ryan Yarbrough

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 02: Ryan Yarbrough #33 of the New York Yankees looks on before the game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on October 2, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Common convention states that the modern MLB needs as many as seven, eighth, and maybe even nine starting pitchers to make it through the grind of a season. Ryan Yarbrough exemplified teams’ approach to this problem, signed initially on a one-year deal to fill the vacant longman and lefty reliever roles in the bullpen. He went on to play an outsized role for the team as the rotation was hit by a wave of injuries, making it a no-brainer that the Yankees bring him back to fill a similar role in 2026.

2025 Stats: 19 appearances (eight starts), 64 IP, 3-1, 4.36 ERA (94 ERA+), 5.04 FIP, 4.30 xFIP, 20.8% K%, 7.2% BB%, 1.83 HR/9, 1.20 WHIP, 0.1 fWAR

2026 FanGraphs Depth Charts projections: 54 appearances, 62 IP, 4.41 ERA, 4.61 FIP, 19.0% K%, 6.9% BB%, 1.38 HR/9, 1.27 WHIP, 0.1 fWAR

Yarbrough began the 2025 season as a swingman and lefty specialist in a Yankees bullpen short on other southpaws. However, as injuries struck the rotation, he stepped up to make eight starts from the first week of May through the middle of June. He performed far better than even the most optimistic fan could have imagined, going 3-1 in those starts with a 3.83 ERA across 40 innings. He allowed two or fewer runs in all but one of those starts — an eight-run meltdown against the Red Sox dragging his overall numbers down — the most impressive being six innings of one-run ball against his former employers the Dodgers.

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You’d be tempted to say that Yarbrough faces a reduced role this season than he did in 2025. Then again, I don’t think anyone envisioned that the southpaw would make eight straight starts, last season a reminder that it takes more than five starting pitchers to weather the attrition of a 162-game campaign. With Cole and Carlos Rodón returning from elbow surgeries and Rodón, Max Fried, Will Warren, and Cam Schlittler all coming off career-highs in innings pitched, Viewed in this context, it makes sense why the Yankees made Yarbrough their first piece of business over the winter, keeping him in the Bronx for a year and $2.5 million. The 34-year-old is a known quantity in pinstripes and veteran of the AL East — a steady presence to have waiting in the wings int he event of in-season injuries to any of the starters ahead of him on the depth chart.

Despite possessing one of the slowest fastballs in MLB at 88 mph, the wily veteran still has plenty of ways to get batters out. He keeps things unpredictable with a five-pitch arsenal of cutter, changeup, sinker, sweeper, and four-seamer, all thrown at least 14-percent of the time. Because of this unpredictability, Yarbrough remained one of the best in the league in limiting loud contact, finishing in the 97th percentile in average exit velocity and 92nd percentile in hard-hit rate.

The Yankees pitching lab exerted its influence on Yarbrough, making tweaks to pitch usage, shape, and mechanics. Just like with fellow lefty Fried, Matt Blake and the other pitching coaches convinced Yarbrough to use the cutter as his primary fastball instead of the four-seamer or sinker. They also helped him add over two inches of movement to the changeup, the pitch going from his fourth-most used pitch in 2024 to second-most in 2025, echoing a trend of the Yankees encouraging their lefties to use the changeup more as they did with Fried and Rodón. Finally, they had him lower his arm angle and move slightly more to the first base side of the rubber, increasing the deception of all of his pitches.

Because of the uncertainty surrounding the effectiveness of Cole and Rodón when they return from injury rehab, and the moderate-to-significant injury histories of their other starters including Fried, Ryan Weathers, and Luis Gil, Yarbrough remains a valuable presence in the Yankees’ pitching room. The question is over the hierarchy of the next-men-up should any of their starters misses time with injury. The higher ceilings for guys like Weathers, Warren, and Gil give them the leg-up in the competition for fifth starter and to be the first name called if anyone goes down. What’s more, the emergence of top pitching prospects Elmer Rodríguez and Carlos Lagrange last season and this spring could lead to the pair leapfrogging Yarbrough as candidates to deputize in the rotation. At the very least, Yarbrough gives them an experienced lefty arm who can handle multiple innings in relief, while his success as a stand-in starter in 2025 gives confidence he can do the same in an emergency in 2026.

See more of the Yankees Previews series here.

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We can’t have nice things: A Kyle Teel-less roster projection

The image that launched a thousand South Side sighs: Kyle Teel exits the WBC with a hamstring strain. | (Houston Astros/Getty Images)

It was all going a little too well, wasn’t it? The sun was shining at Camelback Ranch, the beer was cold enough to forget the 2025 win-loss column, and Munetaka Murakami launched a grand slam in the World Baseball Classic. We were allowed to have nice things for exactly three weeks.

Then came the medical report on Kyle Teel. Our prized backstop is down for 4-6 weeks with that WBC-strained hamstring, and just like that, the “Sox Luck” tax has been collected. It’s a gut punch for a kid who looked poised to be the centerpiece of the 2026 youth movement from Day 1. But in true South Side fashion, we don’t have time to mourn. We just look at the next guy on the depth chart with a mix of desperate hope and guarded cynicism.

If there’s a silver lining here, and I don’t have to dig too deep into the gritty dirt of the Glendale infield to find it, it’s that Edgar Quero hasn’t just been “good” this spring; he’s been a revelation. We knew the bat was a weapon, and he’s more than ready for the “Starting Catcher” tag, even if the circumstances suck.

With Quero moving behind the plate full-time, the Opening Day roster will have a different texture. Here’s how the 26-man puzzle might fit together when the team flies north to Milwaukee.

The Starting Nine: The “Kid-Heavy” Edition

  1. Chase Meidroth (2B): The leadoff pest we’ve lacked for years.
  2. Colson Montgomery (SS): The Captain-in-waiting.
  3. Munetaka Murakami (1B): $34 million says he hits 40 bombs. Let’s see it.
  4. Edgar Quero (C): No more DH reps. It’s his house now.
  5. Miguel Vargas (3B): Needs to prove that mid-2025 swing change wasn’t a fluke.
  6. Andrew Benintendi (LF): The high-priced veteran mentor.
  7. Lenyn Sosa (DH): The beneficiary of the Teel injury. He’ll probably get the bulk of the ABs here.
  8. Austin Hays (RF): Professional outfielder. Professional ABs.
  9. Luisangel Acuña (CF): Speed that actually scares people.

The Bench: No More Room for Error

  • Korey Lee (C): From the bubble to the primary backup. Hope you like 1:10 p.m. Sunday starts, Korey.
  • Curtis Mead (INF): The ultimate “just in case” utility man.
  • LaMonte Wade Jr. (1B/OF): A much-needed lefty bench bat who will likely see DH time.
  • Derek Hill (OF): Because someone has to run for Murakami in the ninth.

The Rotation: The “Informed Guess” Five

  1. Shane Smith (RHP): The Opening Day honors. A meteoric rise.
  2. Anthony Kay (LHP): The veteran southpaw anchor.
  3. Davis Martin (RHP): Our longest tenured South Sider.
  4. Sean Burke (RHP): The breakout candidate.
  5. Erick Fedde (RHP): The retread.

The Bullpen: The Bridge to Seranthony

The back end looks, dare I say, competent? Seranthony Domínguez has the ninth, with Jordan Leasure and Grant Taylor acting as the high-velocity bridge. Sean Newcomb and Mike Vasil can provide some length, while Jordan Hicks, Tyler Gilbert, and Brandon Eisert round out a group that probably — in theory — will be mostly serviceable.

Losing Teel for April is peak White Sox. It’s poetic grit in its purest form. We finally get the Ferrari out of the garage, and the tire goes flat before we hit the expressway. But Quero has the chance to turn a tragedy into a transition. If he holds down the fort and keeps this young staff on track, the return of Teel in May won’t be a rescue mission, but a reinforcement. Until then, keep your expectations cautious and your humor gallows-adjacent.

There are also still a dozen Cactus League contests left on the schedule, plenty of time for the Arizona sun to bake a few more surprises into this roster. Whether it’s another late-spring breakout forcing a tough decision or the inevitable “tweak” that sends the training staff into a sprint, nothing is etched in stone until the team packs its bags for Chicago.

So, buckle up, South Side fans; the final two weeks of camp are rarely quiet. If there’s a difficult path to take, trust the White Sox to find it.

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Camden Chat’s 2026 Pre-Season Contest

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 02: The Baltimore Orioles mascot performs prior to the Wild Card Playoff game between the Kansas City Royals versus the Baltimore Orioles on October 2, 2024 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Welcome to the 2026 Pre-Season Contest! This is the 15th year that the current version of the contest has been in place. Back in 2011, the contest had 27 questions, including 15 “Which will be higher?” that featured gems like, “Which will be higher – Brian Matusz’s ERA or a gallon of gas at Royal Farm?” and “Which will be higher – Yankees wins or Orioles losses?”

This year, the contest has 30 questions in the following categories: Which will be higher, Over/Under, Yes/No, Multiple Choice, and Who will be the first. Whenever the Orioles’ season ends, whether it be at the end of the regular season, during the playoffs, or after they win the World Series, we’ll post the results.

For the first time ever, we are adding a bonus round! This round focuses on the MLB awards, which aren’t resolved until after the World Series. We’ll revisit those results when the votes are in.

If you’re new to Camden Chat since last year, the contest is easy. Just answer the questions, click submit, and wait to hear if you’re a winner.

Will Shane Baz outpitch Grayson Rodriguez? Will Jackson Holliday get that OPS up to a respectable number? What is Ryan Mountcastle’s future with the team? These topics and more are covered in this year’s set of questions.

Here are some groundrules:

  • Player stats only count when that player is an Oriole. If a player is traded mid-season, his new team’s stats don’t matter.
  • A series sweep must be at least two games. There is no such thing as a one-game sweep.
  • The contest will close at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25th

Now, it’s time to answer some questions! The SBN story editor does not allow me to embed the form, so you can answer the questions at this link. Click through and do your best.

Good luck!

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Doris Burke was ‘uncomfortable’ with Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat shoots a free throw, Image 2 shows ESPN female analyst Doris Burke and play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch
Doris Burke crushes Bam Adebayo's 83-point game

Play-by-play voice Doris Burke had an issue with the means by which Bam Adebayo scored 83 points.

Adebayo, the Heat and the Wizards all faced criticism for the manner in which Miami’s big man racked up his ridiculous scoring total Tuesday night, with the Heat intentionally fouling late in the game and Adebayo bullying his way to the charity stripe in a game that was out of hand.

The Miami star, who scored 31 points in the first quarter, finished with the second-most points in a game in league history.

Bam Adebayo shot 16 fourth quarter free throws on Tuesday as the Heat big man scored 83 points. AP

“Was I slightly uncomfortable with the six-minute mark and down with some of the intentional fouling and free throws? A little bit,” Burke said Wednesday night on ESPN.

“But I am taking nothing away from Bam Adebayo.”

Miami led comfortably in fourth quarter against the Wizards, who are tanking to end their season and deliberately trying to lose games, while Adebayo made his push.

The Heat intentionally fouled the Wizards four times to give Adebayo additional touches and chances to score and overcome Kobe Bryant’s 81-point showcase on Jan. 22, 2006.

Fourteen of Adebayo’s 21 fourth-quarter points came via free throws as the game came to a halt during his historic pursuit.

Doris Burke recognized that the Heat’s intentional fouling was a bit uncomfortable. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Adebayo was fouled 26 times and shot an absurd 43 free throws in Miami’s 150-129 win.

“I just played the game,” Adebayo said after he set the record for free throw attempts in a game.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called the game an “absolutely surreal night” as the league debated Adebayo’s wild performance.

Adebayo’s previous career high was just 41 points, which he tallied against the Brooklyn Nets in 2022.

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Who will win the World Baseball Classic?

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 10: Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of Team United States rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against Team Italy in the sixth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park on March 10, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The pool stage is complete, the matchups are set, and we’re in line for what should be five days of box office baseball starting Friday night when U.S. takes on Canada in Houston and Korea takes on the Dominican Republic in Miami.

(Hard to believe the D.R. crowds could get any wilder than they were in the pool stage, but I’m sure they’ll find a way.)

The following afternoon, Puerto Rico will play Italy, and Japan will take on Venezuela Saturday night. From there, the semifinal matchups will be on Sunday and Monday night with the championship game slated for Tuesday. This should be awesome!

So the big question now is, who is going to win? Japan, the U.S., and Dominican Republic seem like favorites on paper, but it’s small sample size baseball and anything can happen. Also, Japan draws Venezuela right out of the gate in the knockout stage, which is a really tricky spot. But then again, they can’t complain about the U.S. and D.R. likely lined up against each other in the semis if they both advance beyond Friday. There are really no shortcuts here.

As far as interesting pitching notes go, if the U.S. beats Canada, Paul Skenes probably pitches in that Sunday game, which again COULD be against the D.R. For Red Sox purposes, Brayan Bello see significant significant time on the mound in one of these games. And who knows, that might even include a matchup against Roman Anthony in a high leverage at bat.

One thing for certain though is the atmosphere in south Florida is sure to be electric! I’m so confident in that aspect of this thing that I’m flying down there for the weekend to experience a piece of the Latin and Japanese baseball cultures in person. Can’t wait!

Anyway, talk about the WBC at its midway point and whatever else you’d like, and as always, be good to one another!

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Mets Morning News: The WBC quarterfinals are set

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Juan Soto #22 of the Dominican Republic hits a two run home run during the first inning against the Venezuela at loanDepot park on March 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Meet the Mets

Bo Bichette seems to have a knack for clutch hitting, which he credits to his father Dante.

Opening Day is now just two weeks away, and a potential roster is starting to take shape after a month of Grapefruit League games.

Carson Benge and Nolan McLean’s college coach weighed in on what makes them elite althletes.

Around the National League East

Spencer Strider looked much better in his latest start for the Braves against the Rays.

Marlins righty Adam Mazur will miss the entire 2026 season after undergoing elbow surgery.

Bryce Harper has not looked great in the WBC and is struggling to catch up to fastballs, which is a concerning trend for the Phillies star.

The Nationals named Cade Cavalli their Opening Day starter, which will make him their fourth Opening Day starter in four years.

Around Major League Baseball

Vinnie Pasquantino hit three home runs in Team Italy’s win over Team Mexico which keeps them undefeated in the tournament.

Juan Soto hit another home run in the Domincian Republic’s win over Venezuela.

Team USA advanced to the quarterfinals with Italy’s victory, which grants Mark DeRosa a reprieve after his embarrassing managerial blunder.

Eight teams have advanced to the WBC quarterfinals, which are a single-elimination format and will begin this weekend.

Diamondbacks star Corbin Carroll made his spring debut after undergoing hand surgery in February.

White Sox catcher Kyle Teel was diagnosed with a hamstring strain and will miss 4-6 weeks after suffering the injury in the WBC.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Michael Drago previewed Freddy Peralta’s first season with the Mets.

Chris McShane wrote about Huascar Brazobán’s upcoming season.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 2003, Mike Piazza went after Guillermo Mota and caused a benches clearing incident after Mota hit him with a pitch.

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Dodgers notes: No White House visit? and other questions

The Los Angeles Dodgers are back-to-back World Series champions, but they may not have back-to-back White House visits.

Bill Plunkett of the OC Register has all of the details of how a trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave may or may not happen.

The main roadblock is that the Dodgers are playing the Washington Nationals in D.C. the first weekend in April, which also coincides with Passover and Easter. Furthermore, the games are all day games making the visit that much more difficult.

As Bill covers in the article, they have an off day the Thursday before they start the series with the Nationals, and they have an off day between a New York and Philly road trip in July. None of those dates are without issues, however.

It remains to be seen if they go to Washington at a later date.

Japan to Dodgers pipeline?

During the last World Baseball Classic in 2023, Team Japan had three future Dodgers playing for them – Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki. Dylan Hernandez of the California Post wonders if there are any other current Team Japan players that may become Dodgers in the future.

One player is Hiroto Takahashi, a 23-year-old righty who pitched in the WBC three years ago and got some people talking. He also in pitching this year but doesn’t seem to have improved nor declined on the last three years. The Dodgers are known for their pitching coaching staff, and they could help Takahashi take the next step. He is not expected to leave Japan for the States for at least two more years, and scouts currently have him as a number 3 or 4 starter.

So many questions

Katie Woo published the annual Dodgers Spring Training mailbag in The Athletic. Main topics of discussion include what will Roki Sasaki’s role actually look like this season, and what will Tommy Edman’s role be when he returns.

Most interesting to me was the discussion of who Edman’s replacement will be to start the season, and who of the three of Alex Freeland, Santiago Espinal, and Hyeseong Kim will make the 26-man roster to start the season. Spoiler alert – Freeland is the odd man out. Espinal, Kim and Miguel Rojas could be on rotation to cover the second base position, just as we all thought at the beginning of Spring Training.

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2026 NBA Mock Draft: Expert picks, predictions, analysis including AJ Dybantsa No. 1 overall

Most years, the outcome of the NBA Draft Lottery doesn't impact the top of the draft board too much — Cooper Flagg was going No. 1 last year and didn't matter which team the ping pong balls favored. Most years are like that.

This year is different. With three (some might say four) players in the top tier of the draft, which team wins the lottery could go a long way in deciding which player gets selected first. Here is the first NBC Sports Mock Draft of the year — there will be more coming (future ones working with the strong team of writers at Rotoworld).

[Note: This was done without consideration of which team will be drafting in which spot, a pointless exercise before the draft lottery.]

1. AJ Dybantsa (BYU)

It's not just the impressive season-long stats — 24.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists per game — or the way he showed out in big games (36 points against Baylor, 35 against Arizona, 28 against Houston), or even that he's maybe the best athlete in the draft as a 6'9" wing player, the archetype most in demand around the NBA right now. What has impressed most is the way Dybantsa can get downhill, create space and hit tough shots when needed. This isn't new, a year ago at the Nike Hoops Summit, he didn't push it in the first half, let the game come to him, then in the third quarter took over, getting to the rim or his spots at will. He has great footwork for a young player, and a comfort level shooting contested shots — and his decision making on when to pass out of those tough shots to open teammates seems to be improving, according to scouts who spoke with NBC Sports. His jumper is also looking better. Who goes No. 1 may ultimately depend on the NBA Draft Lottery and which team lands that pick, but right now Dybantsa seems to be on top of a lot of boards.

2. Darryn Peterson (Kansas)

The question isn't Peterson's talent or potential — it's elite, he is the best playmaker in this class (even if Kansas has him off the ball more), and there are plenty of scouts who still have him atop their draft board — but his health and availability have become talking points. When NBC Sports talked to scouts and team officials about Peterson's yo-yo availability, the cramping that has kept him from finishing some games, and concerns that he is not looking as explosive as he did a year ago, the response is always a variation of "we want to see the medicals." At the NBA Draft Combine, Peterson will undergo a full medical workup, and teams are being patient until then, with many believing the tests will show he was slowed by trying to play through something that is not a long-term issue.

Peterson's talent is unquestioned. He's averaging 19.9 points a game this season while shooting 38.7% from beyond the arc, plus grabbing 4.2 rebounds a game. The 6'5" guard is an incredible shot creator and maker, and a lot of scouts feel Peterson has been held back with the Jayhawks because of their system and lack of floor spacing. Unless the medical reports start waving red flags, Peterson is almost a lock as a top-two pick.

3. Cameron Boozer (Duke)

Boozer plays with the polish and feel for the game you might expect from someone who grew up the son of a very good NBA player (Carlos Boozer was a two-time All-Star). Of the top players near the draft, Boozer has the highest floor — he is going to be a very good, productive pro. He just does everything well: Shooting, rebounding, setting picks, using angles, passing, all of it. When I saw him a year ago at the Nike Hoops Summit, he had 22 points (with a couple of 3-pointers), 16 rebounds, six assists, and a block. That game played into Boozer's reputation as just a winner — the USA would not have beaten the World without Boozer's all-around contributions.

While there are scenarios where Boozer might go No. 1, most likely he goes third because many scouts are not convinced his ceiling is as high, or even that he is a true No. 1 option on a championship team (and as a big he doesn't create his shot the same way as Peterson or Dybantsa). The comp I have heard scouts use is young Kevin Love, but in terms of impact, he may be more like Pau Gasol next to Kobe. That said, whoever lands Boozer is going to get a very good player who can help immediately.

4. Caleb Wilson, North Carolina

Wilson was in the midst of a breakout season with the Tar Heels — averaging 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds a game on 57.8% shooting — until a fractured hand ended his season. Before that injury, he was consistently impressive all season, including dropping 24 on Kansas and 23 on Duke and outplaying Peterson and Boozer in those games. Wilson is a 6'10" forward who is athletic, powerful, and while he needs to develop his shot (25% from 3-point range), his motor and upside have scouts very intrigued, and he likely is the first guy taken after the top three.

5. Kingston Flemings (Houston)

Before this season tipped off, Fleming was in the mid-20s or lower on most draft boards — the kind of player who often stays in college another season because the NIL money is similar to what an NBA salary would be. However, his play has pushed him way up draft boards and now he is a lock one-and-done. He's always been explosive and able to get to the rim, but he's shown a good pull-up jumper this season. Flemming, at 6'4", also has the physical build of a good two-way guard. He's averaging 16.5 points and 5.4 assists a game, and is shooting 37.6% from 3-point range. In what will be a string of guards taken between five and nine, Kingston seems like the safest bet.

6. Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville)

I am slightly higher on Brown than the consensus. I fell in love with his game and his skill as a scorer and shot creator — especially with his use of ball-screens — after watching him at the Nike Hoops Summit. I believe his game is better suited for the pace and space of the NBA than what is happening in Kentucky. The question with Brown has been consistency (and missing eight games with a back issue didn't help things), but when he is rolling — like his 45 points with 3-pointers against NC State — he is dynamic offensively. Brown has to get stronger, play better defense and be consistent, but I believe he is a player teams may regret passing on.

7. Keaton Wagler (Illinois)

Nobody has shot up draft boards like the 6'6" guard from Illinois, a guy who was not in the top 100 in his class a year ago is now projected to be taken in the top six or seven. He's thrived as a point guard for Illinois and, for the season, is averaging 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, while shooting 41% from 3-point range. He needs to get stronger and prove he can defend at the NBA level, but he can play on and off the ball and has shown he has room to improve.

8. Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas)

The SEC Player of the Year just keeps on silencing critics with his play on the court — how hard and smart he plays is going to have coaches pushing to pick him. Acuff is averaging 22.2 points and 6.4 assists per game, he is an old-school true point guard who is a great floor general but can also get a team a bucket. The concerns are that he is just 6'2" — smaller guards have struggled in the NBA of late — and he is the worst defender in the lottery. That said, it's easy to envision him thriving when running an NBA offense, and he could help a lot of teams drafting in this range.

9. Nate Ament (Tennessee)

Ament is a great pick at No. 9 — a 6'10" forward who can dribble, pass and shoot. He can face up on the perimeter and has a quick first step to get into the lane. He averaged 17.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for the Volunteers, although he has been out since late February with a leg injury. He has the tools to be an All-Star in the NBA, but he's got to get stronger, improve his shot creation, and become more consistent. That said, players with his size and skill set tend to stick around in the NBA for a long time.

10. Koa Peat (Arizona)

There is a drop off after the top nine in this draft, but there are still good players with real potential, and Peat is at the top of my list. However, he could slide down this draft board because he is a polarizing prospect and whoever takes him is betting on his potential and their player development program. He's a 6'8" forward who scored 30 in the first game of his college career (against a good Florida team) and 25 in his last one (Colorado), and is averaging 13.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. He's a 6'8" forward who is a physical rebounder, is a good passer, but has had injuries and is shooting just 31.6% from 3-point range this season. Teams expect a 6'8" forward to knock down 3s. If a team can develop him, Peat will be a great pick.

11. Brayden Burries (Arizona)

Burries has been one of the real risers in this draft, a 6'4" guard who leads the Wildcats in scoring, a player who isn't flashy but is efficient. What scouts NBC Sports spoke with like about him is that he can play on and off the ball, he can knock down catch-and-shoot jumpers but also attack closeouts, and he gets downhill off screens and has a midrange pull-up game. The question is how well his game translates to the next level, he's an undersized two-guard at the NBA level and not the kind of explosive athlete teams seek. He's a top-20 pick in this draft, but he could slide a little on draft night depending on which teams are doing the selecting.

12. Thomas Haugh (Florida)

One impact of the current CBA and its apron is that teams from the late-lottery onward are taking a hard look at older players who can step in and help immediately. Enter 22-year-old junior Thomas Haugh of Florida. As anyone who watched him help Florida to a national title last year will remember, he has a well-rounded game, is a 6'9" forward, and is exactly the kind of player who can play minutes off the bench for a team next season. He is a high-motor player who makes plays on both ends of the court, can be physical inside, and has improved his perimeter game, hitting 34.4% from 3-point range. He's averaging 17.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game; he's fantastic in transition and is a straight-line drive kind of guy. He's not creating his own shot, but he can fit in a system and help.

13. Braylon Mullins (UConn)

You can't go wrong taking the best shooter in the draft. Mullins is a 6'6" two guard who has an incredibly quick release and is shooting 36.4% from 3-point range this season despite teams loading up on him. Injuries led to a slow start to the season, but he is averaging 12 points a game. The questions about him on the next level are all about defense, if he can't defend well enough it's hard to keep him on the floor. If, after the pre-draft process, he doesn't think he's going in the lottery, Mullins could return to UConn, star for them and go higher a year from now in what is considered a thinner draft.

14. Jayden Quaintance (Kentucky)

This is the point in the draft when rolling the dice on a raw player with all the physical tools is a good plan. Quaintance is exactly that, a 6'10" big man with the potential to be a defensive force in the NBA. He's also played just four games, 67 total minutes this season, as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered last season. He pushed to try to get back, but those four games showed he was not ready. Where Quaintance gets drafted will all come down to the medical reports out of the draft combine and his workouts with teams, but it only takes one team to fall in love with his potential to see him go in the lottery.

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Do the Suns have the best backcourt in the league?

I’ve been thinking about this for a while now. Some people might call me crazy, but one question keeps coming back to me: could Phoenix actually have the best backcourt (PG/SG) in the league…in terms of depth? I’m sharing my thoughts here, hoping we can maybe reach a conclusion together.

Important clarification right away: Phoenix doesn’t necessarily have the best guard duo, nor the biggest star power. What they do have, though, is something extremely rare. A full-on army in the backcourt. That’s exactly why I consider them one of the strongest guard groups in the league as a whole. So the real question remains: when we talk about depth, could they simply be the best?

A Backcourt Built on Completeness

We can already talk about Phoenix having the most complete backcourt in the league, thanks to a rare diversity of profiles. Seven players who are all technically different, and all playable on a team that expects to make the postseason. The Suns have a backcourt that can adapt to anything the NBA throws at them.

Devin Booker is the star, the leader of this seven‑headed hydra. Every year he gains maturity: his game is calmer, less one‑dimensional, more oriented toward creation. He’s no longer just a three‑level scoring threat. He’s a complete half‑court weapon, capable of creating for himself and for others, with efficiency and cleanliness that are more than respectable for his volume.

To complement this duo of offensive creators, the Suns have Collin Gillespie, who was in the 6MOY conversation before injuries and is now on track to finish high in the MIP race. He’s probably the best pure basketball player of the seven, the one who “respects the game” the most, the most pro. Strong in impact metrics (DPM, RAPM), clean and efficient (89th percentile in rTS%, 99th in 3‑point percentage, 84th in oTOV), he adapts to multiple systems, controls tempo, and reads the game at high speed thanks to elite IQ and execution.

Fire and Ice

Behind the Booker – Gillespie duo, which brings stability and structure, Phoenix can shift into a much more aggressive mode with the Jalen Green – Grayson Allen tandem.

Green is pure athletic spark. This season he’s averaging 14.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 22.8 minutes (including 25 points, 5 rebounds and 59 TS% over his last three games). He constantly pressures the rim and can flip the tempo of a game in just a few possessions. His inconsistency can be frustrating, but his impact is mostly about the offensive energy he injects into every game.

Allen, on the other hand, is the metronome. With 17.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 30.1 minutes, he brings the outside volume and reliability Ott’s system needs, taking nearly 10 threes per game at 35.5%. His off‑ball movement, discipline (even if he still carries his “dirty” reputation), and 1.5 steals make him one of the most reliable guards in the league. Together, they’re the fire and ice of this team.

The Guard Dog

Then you have Jordan Goodwin, the guard dog, the catalyst, the low‑volume player with maximum impact. He’s one of the best players in the league in a very specific — and often overlooked — area: generating extra possessions through offensive rebounds and steals. Beyond that, Goodwin is an excellent on‑ball defender, capable of being a POA stopper or an elite disruptor in passing lanes. His lack of offensive efficiency (89 TS+) keeps him from having a bigger role in the team’s creation, but he remains one of the best role players in the league. And there’s no doubt Phoenix will have to fight to keep him.

PVAL : Possession Value /100 possessions: Measures how much a player helps their team win the battle for possessions.

The Finishing Pieces

Finally, Phoenix can rely on a nice duo to close stretches, absorb minutes, or step in when someone needs rest or gets injured: the surprisingly impactful Jamare Bouyea and rookie Koby Brea. Bouyea is more established, averaging 15 minutes per game and firmly in the rotation, while Brea represents the future — only five games played so far, but flashes of a future rotation‑level shooter.

A Backcourt That Can Become Anything

We’ve gone through the profiles one by one, and they’re all unique. That’s what allows Jordan Ott to deploy an extremely wide range of systems, lineups, and tactical approaches. Among the 12 lineups with 100+ possessions this season, seven feature a different backcourt — and with Green returning, that number will likely rise. Phoenix has seven playable guards, whether as starters or rotation pieces.

With this pool, Ott can shape his team based on context, opponent, or game momentum. He can go with a scoring‑heavy backcourt like Booker/Green (+13.9 net rating), which imposes pace and pressure. He can choose control and management with Booker/Gillespie (+7.5). For maximum spacing, Gillespie/Allen (+1.1) stretches the floor. For defensive impact, Goodwin/Gillespie (+11.9) brings aggression and discipline. For balance, Booker/Goodwin (+9.7) is a natural option. And for speed, small‑ball, and quickness, Bouyea/Gillespie (+2.3) offers a totally different dynamic.

These are just examples — there are more combinations — but very few teams can claim such richness in the backcourt, with six duos already capable of fulfilling a precise mission while being both reliable and effective.

Let’s go back to the initial question. Do the Suns have the best backcourt in the league? As we’ve seen, they don’t have the flashiest or most powerful guard group. But in terms of depth, variety, reliability, and adaptability…it’s hard to find anything better in today’s NBA. And in that specific category, Phoenix does have the best backcourt in the league in my eyes. OKC and the Spurs are strong contenders too — dangerous, well‑built — but are they as versatile? I don’t think so.

In the end, this is just one question among many that crossed my mind. And realistically, it’s not the sheer number that matters. It’s the versatility and depth across all tiers. Three, four, or five guys are enough to build an effective, reliable backcourt. What about you ? How do you see it?