After a rumor came out that Anthony Volpe refused to learn second base when the club asked him, the Yankees shortstop and the team defended the young infielder.
"It definitely caught me off guard. It's confusing because it's not true. It couldn't be further from the truth," Volpe told the media, including MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, on Wednesday. "From my end, from our perspective, that's been very clearly communicated to Boonie and the team, and I think it's just kind of B.S.”
The rumor began when Yankees play-by-play announcer Michael Kay said on his radio show on Tuesday that he had heard from people that Volpe refused to learn a new position while he was optioned to the minors. Kay has since retracted what he said.
Volpe was asked if he felt playing shortstop was a part of his identity and pushed back on that assertion.
"No. When I was getting optioned, I told Boonie I'd play catcher. I'd do literally whatever the team needed, and that's the truth behind the story," Volpe answered. "I still have no problem [playing second]. I want to be here, and I want to help the team win the World Series. That's literally all I want. So for anything opposite to be put out there, it's kind of just confusing."
"He handles things incredibly well, and I don't think he is affected by the different things that can be said on whatever, social or -- he's a gamer. He's a tough, tough kid that loves the game and plays his butt off every single day," manager Aaron Boone said prior to Wednesday's game with the Rays. "I wish that was celebrated a little bit more."
Volpe's fourth season in the bigs has been a tough one for the 25-year-old. In 41 games, Volpe is slashing .240/.338/.326 with an OPS of .664. He's also not playing shortstop regularly, as Jose Caballero has performed well enough to take playing time away from Volpe.
The Yankees are starting Volpe at shortstop in Wednesday's game against the Rays with Caballero playing second.
WILLIAMSPORT , PA - AUGUST 17: Mr. Met entertains fans atop the dugout during the game between the Seattle Mariners and the New York Mets at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field on Sunday, August 17, 2025 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Aliza Chambers/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Royals are coming off of two wild games in a row. They have amassed 31 runs on 41 hits, and they are even on a winning streak of three games. We have to take small victories at this point. Tonight’s game is likely to have some scoring too, though baseball is weird, so you never know. The Royals will have Stephen Cruz as opener into Randy Dobnak the bulk man. That does not seem like the sort of thing that will keep run production down. Here are the lineups for the 6:10 central start in Queens.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 09: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on June 09, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After such a promising start to this pivotal four-game series against the Rays, the Yankees ceded that ground back thanks to a disappointing start from Will Warren in which he allowed three home runs in four innings. It means that the Bombers can no longer finish this series tied for the division lead – something that a four-game sweep would have accomplished. All the same, there is still a chance to take three of four from the division leaders, starting with a win tonight.
Hopefully Gerrit Cole can right the ship after Warren’s stinker last night. He’s coming off one of his better starts of the season — five innings of two-run ball with no walks and seven strikeouts against the Twins. His four-seam command was as good as we’ve seen it since his campaign started on May 22nd, but he’ll need to find a more consistent release point on his slider and changeup facing a Rays team that traditionally demolishes fastballs from Yankees pitchers. In eight starts, Cole is 3-3 with a 4.01 ERA (105 ERA+), 4.41 FIP, and 41 strikeouts in 42.2 innings.
Shane McClanahan is back to his best after missing all of the last two seasons to Tommy John surgery in 2024 and triceps surgery in 2025. The fastball velocity is down about a tick-and-a-half from his peak resulting in a slightly depressed strikeout rate, but he has more than made up for that by slashing his home run rate almost in half from his prior career average. That becomes important when you consider that the Yankees’ relative success against him — 4.70 ERA, 4.91 FIP, .507 SLG in eight starts — is largely down to the long ball. In 16 starts this year, McClanahan is 7-5 with a 3.05 ERA (141 ERA+), 3.29 FIP, and 77 strikeouts in 79.2 innings.
The Yankees make three changes to last night’s lineup. Trent Grisham gets the night off, meaning Max Schuemann slides over to play center and Jasson Domínguez comes in to play right. Anthony Volpe returns to play short moving José Caballero to second and Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the bench. Austin Wells replaces Ali Sánchez behind the plate despite the latter’s two hits yesterday.
The Rays also make three changes from last night’s lineup. Victor Mesa Jr. and Hunter Feduccia both homered off Warren, but they are replaced by Jonny DeLuca in right and Nick Fortes behind the plate, respectively. Richie Palacios was pinch-hit for by Ben Williamson in the sixth and now its Williamson who gets the start at second.
Jun 11, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Christian Scott (45) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Mets lineup
A.J. Ewing – CF Juan Soto – LF Bo Bichette – 3B Francisco Lindor – SS Carson Benge – RF Jorge Polanco – DH Jared Young – 1B Brett Baty – 2B Francisco Alvarez – C
Christian Scott – RHP
Royals lineup
Carter Jensen – C Bobby Witt – SS Jac Caglianone – 1B Lane Thomas – CF Salvador Perez – DH Michael Massey – 2B Nick Loftin – 3B Isaac Collins – LF Tyler Tolbert – RF
Randy Dobnak – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 7:10pm EDT TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
The Blackhawks will be shorthanded to start the 2026-27 season.
The team announced star Connor Bedard underwent surgery on his left shoulder Wednesday after he crashed into the boards during training with Kaivo Hockey in Vancouver earlier this month.
“We expect him to make a full recovery in an approximate timeline of four months,” the team said in a statement.
The Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard is going to be sidelined for four months. AP Photo/Matt Slocum
The recovery timeline would likely bring him back to action in November, meaning Bedard, currently a restricted free agent, would miss at least the first month of the season, which will open in late September due to the expansion to 84 games.
“Obviously a superb young talent,” free agent addition Ian Cole said of Bedard on Wednesday. “Unfortunately, yeah, it sounds like it’s going to be a little later than originally anticipated, but you know, he seems like a great guy.”
Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks is greeted by his teammates on the bench after he scores a goal during the first period when the New York Islanders played the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Bedard, who turns 21 later this month, has now suffered two shoulder injuries within the past year. In December, he injured his right shoulder taking a faceoff against the Blues, which caused him to miss four weeks.
It’s a sizable blow to a rebuilding Chicago, as Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, led the team with 75 points in 69 games last season as he notched his first 30-goal campaign. Bedard won the Calder Trophy as the league’s Rookie of the Year in the 2023-24 season. Across his career, he’s recorded 203 points in 219 games.
But entering his fourth season in the NHL, he has yet to see the playoffs.
The Blackhawks finished 31st in the NHL each of the past three seasons.
They made a big offseason splash in acquiring defenseman Bowen Byram from the Sabres ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, sending the Nos. 4 and 45 overall picks to Buffalo. They promptly inked him to a six-year contract extension worth $75 million, giving him the highest average annual value ($12.5 million) among blueliners in the league.
For the most part, the major players in the NBA have already found their new homes.
The NBA offseason and free agency cycle have brought about massive changes in player movement and power dynamics, though the one notable exception remains.
James’ next team will generate significant intrigue, but now that the dust has settled after the first week of free agency, here are the early winners and losers of the NBA offseason:
WINNERS
Miami Heat
The question I’ll be asking throughout this exercise is whether teams improved their standing as contenders. Essentially: are they closer to competing for a championship than they were a month ago? For the Heat, the answer is undeniably yes. Giannis Antetokounmpo, when healthy, remains one of the five best basketball players in the world. Bobby Portis was another sneaky solid addition. Miami has become a desirable destination again. The roster still needs some filling out, but the Heat are in play for LeBron James; adding him would make Miami a compelling threat in the East.
Philadelphia 76ers
Getting Jaylen Brown on the cheap is a massive win. Joel Embiid is now 32 and simply not consistently available, so adding another star in his prime — Brown is 29 — instantly makes Philly a problem. Brown should pair excellently next to two-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey, Embiid and VJ Edgecombe. The Sixers now have potent scoring threats all over the floor.
Not only that, but Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons were a pair of solid signings who bring shooting and spacing. If Philly can get Embiid to remain mostly healthy, the 76ers can challenge the Knicks for the conference title in ’27. And if LeBron James signs on, Philadelphia could be dominant next season.
Toronto Raptors
Credit Toronto for understanding that its roster was good but not great. Credit the franchise, too, for understanding that Scottie Barnes is one of the young stars in the game, but grasping that a lead scorer was necessary. Kawhi Leonard is exactly that scorer, though he remains an elite defender who fits Toronto’s style perfectly. The Raptors tied for fifth last season in defensive rating (112.1), and Leonard will highlight those efforts.
The Eastern Conference beefs up
Antetokounmpo and Brown stayed in the conference and Kawhi Leonard returned to Toronto after six seasons with the Clippers. It appears LeBron James — who is reportedly favoring the Cavaliers, Heat and 76ers among his list of suitors, per ESPN — may return to the Eastern Conference. The Knicks are the reigning champions and kept their core mostly intact. The 2025 Eastern Conference champion Pacers should presumably get a healthy Tyrese Haliburton to return.
The narrative over the last decade has been that the West has been the superior conference. And while the West may have most of the Top 5 players in the league, the East has bulked up.
LOSERS
Boston Celtics
The timing of the slander against Jaylen Brown is not very subtle. Brown, who has been stellar for the Celtics and carried them this season as Jayson Tatum was on the mend, is suddenly a negative asset? I don’t buy it. The idea behind that narrative is that Brown has stretches of inefficiency in his offensive game and his plus-minus indicates that Boston was better with him off the floor. And while Brown was more of a high-volume option last season, this strikes me as a case where selective analytics are being used to tip the scale and craft a narrative. Watch Brown’s film, and you clearly see a player who can score at three levels, can score in the clutch and who impacts winning. Paul George, at this stage of his career, simply cannot touch the impact Brown provided.
Mitchell Robinson is an interesting addition, but he hasn’t been available, playing just 108 of a possible 246 regular season games over the last three seasons. Going back to the question I posed up top: no, the Celtics did not improve their standing as a title contender. If anything, Boston feels further away.
Los Angeles Lakers
If the pitch to Luka Dončić was that this offseason would be the one to infuse more talent into the Lakers roster, the results, frankly, have been underwhelming. Walker Kessler is a fine center and one who actually provides some of what Los Angeles needs, but this felt like an overpay — both in draft capital needed to acquire him and the contract the Lakers gave him. Kessler is still young and will turn 25 later this month, but will he be able to provide the low-post offense Los Angeles needs? He’s mostly unproven in that regard.
Quentin Grimes is a solid depth addition, as is Collin Sexton, but James’ departure leaves a massive void of institutional knowledge and play-making ability. Despite injuries down the stretch, the Lakers remained competitive. The pressure is now on Dončić and Austin Reaves to deliver.
The NBA’s middle class
It has never been better to be a max player. Donovan Mitchell, a clear top-15 player, just inked a massive four-year, $273 million max deal. Projections for that deal are that the final year will be worth a staggering $70.7 million; his player option for 2030-31 is even steeper, at around $75.5 million. Mitchell is not alone; this is the going rate for max players who reach performance thresholds such as All-NBA selections.
Yet, as the growth of the salary cap has lagged — the cap for 2026-27 will increase just 6.7% — that has squeezed the NBA’s middle class. Essentially, local broadcast revenue has dragged, leading to the lukewarm increase in the cap. And because star players are always a premium, teams are being far more selective with their limited cap space.
Mid-tier teams running it back
I’m looking, mainly, at the Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic. Both were playoff teams, and both flamed out at the end. Houston is likely banking on point guard Fred VanVleet (torn ACL) stabilizing the position. And Houston’s biggest weakness was indeed at point guard, but after a rather awkward season in which Kevin Durant’s frustrations with his younger teammates spilled out into the public, it was time to take some calculated risks in roster management. The Rockets, however, have been quiet and — as currently constructed — are no closer to the Spurs, Thunder, Nuggets or even Timberwolves.
The Magic fired former coach Jamahl Mosley and hired ex-Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney. A change in leadership will help, but Orlando’s lack of consistent shooting hasn’t been addressed. Neither has the seemingly odd fit of stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Sweeney should define the roles more clearly. But as much of the East got better, the Magic have stayed stagnant.
The Golden State Warriors, who missed out on Antetokounmpo and may miss out on LeBron James, should probably be added here as well. Golden State now absolutely needs Jimmy Butler to return from his torn ACL and be an impact player once again.
The Vancouver Canucks’ 2026 development camp was not the first time Austin Brimmer had come out to Abbotsford.
It was, however, the first time he truly got to sit back and enjoy the beauty of BC’s landscape.
The winger, who turns 25 in October, was one of six players invited to Vancouver’s development camp this year. While he may have officially gone through camp with the invitee title, Brimmer’s already officially a member of the Canucks organization, having signed a PTO and a one-year contract with the Abbotsford Canucks as a free-agent.
“It was actually a really quick turnaround,” he told The Hockey News on the final day of development camp. “I was at Rochester Institute of Technology and had a great season there and we unfortunately got beat in the playoffs, lost back-to-back overtime games in Boston on the Saturday, and Sunday we drove back to Rochester, and by Monday I had my plane ticket booked to come out to Abbotsford, so got on the plane, landed Tuesday night, and then Wednesday I played my first pro game.
“It was honestly just such a quick turnaround, but it was an awesome experience,” Brimmer added.
Brimmer played in a total of 13 games for Abbotsford towards the tail-end of the AHL regular season, during which he collected his first professional-league point with an assist on Jayden Grubbe’s goal against the Henderson Silver Knights on March 15.
While it wasn’t a whole lot of time, Brimmer noted how significant those 13 games will be in how he approaches his first full professional hockey season.
“For me, it was huge, because I got a chance to see what it takes to succeed at that next level, and for me, I got to see areas of my game that I have to improve in the off-season in order to step into next year and be an impactful player and play the capability that I want to play at. Having that experience was huge for me in my development, and I’m very fortunate for that.”
Between that hasty journey out to Abbotsford and the six away-games the AHL Canucks played during Brimmer’s beginning stint with the team, it’s safe to say there wasn’t much time for him to further investigate his surroundings.
Which is why Brimmer appreciated the fact that camp started off with the daunting activity of river rafting.
“It was a great way to kind of break the ice, getting to know all the guys, and just getting thrown into a boat with random players, random guys that you’ve never really met before — so you’re kind of forced to get to know each other and communicate with each other, as well as have fun, and kind of get to see British Columbia in the beautiful way that it is,” he said. “Great opportunity to see how beautiful BC really is.”
Photo Credit: Kaja Antic-THN
As a whole, the week of learning, connecting, and developing was a big one for Brimmer, who will be returning to Abbotsford for the 2026–27 season. Having made the jump from the NCAA to the AHL within a matter of days, getting the chance to absorb knowledge and learn from both his fellow prospects as well as the development coaches has been integral to his growth as a player.
“It’s been an awesome opportunity for me. In a way, it’s something that you’ve always dreamed of as a kid, kind of being in these spots where you get to be surrounded by all these excellent hockey minds and NHL-calibre coaches and management and facilities,” he said. “For me, I was just trying to be a sponge and just soak it all in, I was around and got to play with some unbelievable players out there on the ice, and [...] we had coaches who have NHL experience, like 15, 17 seasons, and just hearing what they have to say was just awesome for me to take that all in.”
There are plenty of lessons Brimmer will be taking with him as he takes the next step in his professional hockey career with Abbotsford. The one thing he’s learned most from camp, he says, is the importance of the little details of the game.
It’s something that Abbotsford fans can look forward to when Brimmer hits the ice at the Rogers Forum next season.
“It’s one thing to have the talent and the compete level, but you’ve gotta totally love it and dedicate your whole life to it if you want to succeed at that next level. And that’s just zoning in on the little details that will separate you from the rest.”
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on after a monster dunk during the fourth quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LeBron James is still a free agent. As of now, it’s anyone’s guess as to which of the handful of teams that are vying for his services he ends up with.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the running to land James in free agency, but there is company in the group of possible suitors. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Cavs, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers appear to be the top teams.
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In that report, Charania also said that there “isn’t a timetable” for James to make a decision.
Some of the smoke for a possible signing with the Sixers came from the Game Over podcast. LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, had Bob Meyers (who led the Sixers searh for a new general manager earlier this summer) on the show to make a pitch for LeBron for the Sixers. That, understandably, raised some eyebrows.
Still, some insiders around the league aren’t comfortable naming who a favorite is, but they do believe that Cleveland and Miami are the safest best.
Chris Haynes said in a radio hit with Deals and Dunks that he wouldn’t name a favorite, but views the Cavs and Heat as “safe landing spots.” Brian Windhorst said something similar with ESPN Cleveland noting that the vibes would feel “right” with the Cavs and the Heat.
We’ve reached a point in free agency where it’s difficult to really figure out what is actually happening. Everyone still seems to be in the dark. We know that the Cavs have a chance — and make the most sense from a storytelling perspective — but LeBron may not think as we do.
We’ll see how this plays out in a free agency process that is continuing to drag out without an end in sight.
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 07: Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves scores on an RBI single in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 7, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves are on a three-game losing streak. There have been too many of those three game losing streaks lately. They’ll now be hoping to avoid tying their season-long losing streak of four games with another loss tonight. Hopefully Grant Holmes can deliver a solid start and the offense can keep on moving in the right direction so that we’ll have a win to talk about later tonight. Let’s get it.
BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 01: Dean Kremer #64 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 1, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles will look to get back in the win column with Dean Kremer on the mound tonight against the Cubs. Baltimore will face right-handed starter Colin Rea after struggling last night against lefty Matthew Boyd.
Gunnar Henderson will be back in the leadoff spot tonight with Taylor Ward batting third. Adley Rutschman will bat second and catch Kremer, while Samuel Basallo takes the five-hole as the DH. Pete Alonso will bat clean up and play first base.
Dylan Beavers and Colton Cowser will bat sixth and seventh while rounding out the outfield. Blaze Alexander (third base) and Jackson Holliday (second base) will complete the lineup.
Kremer tossed six innings of one-run ball against the White Sox in his first start since April 18. He’ll look to continue his success against Windy City opponents tonight.
Every game is crucial as the Orioles rapidly approach the All Star break and trade deadline. The Birds must win tonight if they hope to take the three-game series at Camden Yards.
Jul 7, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper sits in the dugout before the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images | Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
As of writing this, it’s T-minus 48 hours until the Anaheim Ducks need to decide on whether or not to match the offer sheet extended to, and signed by, Leo Carlsson from the Philadelphia Flyers to the tune of five years and $18 million.
As compensation, if the Ducks were not to match, they would receive the Flyers’ next four first-round picks. Like the Ducks, the Flyers took a sizable step in their build toward contention in 2025-26, making the playoffs and advancing to the second round. If the Flyers were to add Leo Carlsson (21) to their roster, it can be assumed that their next four first-round picks, though unprotected, will likely land in the 20th-32nd overall range.
It’s widely accepted that Carlsson is worth more than four late first-round picks. It’s also widely accepted that he isn’t worth an AAV of $18 million just yet, a price that will have unprecedented ramifications for the Ducks’ cap sheet moving forward (and every team’s cap sheet moving forward).
However, to the Ducks, at this point in their franchise history, Leo Carlsson’s value far exceeds four first-round picks and is much closer to the $18 million AAV number, potentially even exceeding it.
On the ice, Carlsson has blossomed into the straw that stirs the drink of what the Ducks accomplish offensively. He brings a rare combination of size, skill, and speed that most teams can only dream of acquiring.
In his 201 NHL games over the first three years of his career, he’s learned how best to build up speed in open ice and has become one of the top puck transporters in the NHL. He’s a menace when he can find open ice, which is quite often, and is deadly when attacking downhill. He’s one of the few players who can bring an entire building out of their seats.
In 2025-26, he added change-of-pace elements to his offensive repertoire, which, when compounded with additional confidence and understanding of what works at the NHL level, rendered him a true star player.
As far as he’s come and as impactful as he’s become on a game-to-game, shift-to-shift basis, he’s seemingly just scratching the surface of his ultimate potential.
His new contract will make him the highest-paid player in the NHL, which might come as a surprise given his relatively modest production in his breakout year with 67 points (29-38=67) in 70 games.
However, peeking under the hood, he was in the early Hart Trophy conversation through the first couple of months of the season, scoring 41 points (17-24=41) through his first 33 games, but his production fell off as he was attempting to play through a rare thigh injury (Morel-Lavalle’s lesion) until he ultimately required surgery.
As advertised, Carlsson was Anaheim’s best player during their run to the second round of the playoffs, where they lost to the eventual Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights in six games. He finished with 11 points ( 4-7=11) in 12 games during his first taste of playoff experience.
If possible, what Carlsson represents to the Ducks organization exceeds his value on the ice or on the depth chart.
He has become the face of the franchise, the face of Swedish hockey, and for rebuilding teams like the Ducks were for so long, he represents the very reason for entering a rebuild in the first place.
True #1 centers in the NHL are rare and can typically be only acquired at the very top of the NHL draft, and only if teams are lucky enough to be drafting there in a year when one is available. If they’re acquired via trade, they’re typically extremely expensive, and if they’re acquired via unrestricted free agency, they’re likely past their true prime years (and also very expensive).
Many rebuilds come and go without acquiring a player of Carlsson’s caliber. The Detroit Red Wings were never able to draft one during their elongated rebuild, nor were the Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, and, of course, the Philadelphia Flyers.
Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
At the mid-point of their painful seven-season playoff drought, the 2022-23 season, where they recorded a franchise-worst 58 points in the standings, the idea of the Ducks hitting rock bottom and earning the right to select either Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, or Leo Carlsson in June 2023 was the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.
The Ducks lost the first lottery in 2023, but won the second, and that pick would become tied for the highest the franchise had ever selected (2005, Bobby Ryan).
The public consensus had Fantilli ranked above Carlsson, after Bedard, but in somewhat surprising fashion, the Ducks selected Carlsson. They identified him as the best available player at that spot in the draft and as the centerpiece of their entire rebuild.
He was their guy, and the Ducks would only go as far as Leo Carlsson could take them. He represented the reason for all of it: the selling of former core pieces, the bottom-of-the-standings seasons, and the growing pains of a new, young core. (To put it even more dramatically) He was tasked with bearing the torch and leading the Ducks out of the darkness.
The decision to postpone negotiations with a player as important to the Ducks as Carlsson has seemingly cost the team millions of dollars in cap space. If they were to lose the player, it could prove far costlier in the grand scheme of the organization.
The ICC has reportedly accused the ECB of breaching the anti-corruption code after sharing dressing room footage of Ben Stokes’ retirement speech before the conclusion of England’s third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
Jonathan Kuminga and the Lakers are working towards playing together this season, but still remain apart on the amount of money. Getty Images
But as of Wednesday afternoon, over a week into the start of free agency, the two sides remained far apart on what it would take to bring the 23-year-old forward to L.A. despite the mutual interest.
After the Hawks declined Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option on June 29, Lakers president of basketball operations/general manager Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick met with Kuminga the following day.
A part of the Lakers’ free-agency pitch to Kuminga, a source told the California Post, was the Lakers seeing Kuminga as a high-level, starting wing who would complete the vision of their roster reconstruction around superstar guard Luka Doncic.
Since then, they opened up more cap space (around $2.1 million) by trading Deandre Ayton to the Wizards for Jaden Hardy and a pair of Washington’s second-round picks (2031 and 2032) but that space essentially vanished when they agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.9 million contract with Kevon Looney that counts $2.49 million against the cap since it’s a veteran minimum’s deal.
That has left the Lakers with one open roster spot and little financial flexbilitity while still pursuing Kuminga.
Pelinka has stayed in touch with Kuminga’s agent, Verus Management Team president Aaron Turner, over the last week as the franchise has made their moves.
Where things stand now
The Lakers have improved their offers to Kuminga up to a deal that would include an average annual salary around $10 million – which is less than the salaries of Grimes ($13.9 million) and Mamukelashvili ($13 million).
And less than what was expected in light of how the Lakers expressed they saw Kuminga, who the Lakers pursued as a restricted free agent last summer, according to a source.
When factoring in the additions of Kessler, Sexton and Looney, plus Reaves’ $20.9 million cap hold, the Lakers would have to shed over $20 million in salary from their 2026-27 roster to create the requisite cap space to sign Kuminga at a salary that starts around $10 million.
But it’s clear that a $10 million salary for Kuminga won’t get a deal done now.
Kuminga’s side feels there are better options for him if he joins the Lakers.
The main option that could help the Lakers acquire Kuminga: A sign and trade with the Hawks, which would allow Kuminga to receive a higher salary than the Lakers are able to offer Kuminga as an unrestricted free agent.
Kuminga has long considered himself a star and is looking for the right role that will allow him to showcase his talents. NBAE via Getty Images
A source told the Post the Hawks are willing to execute a sign-and-trade with the Lakers around the framework of Kuminga going to L.A. and the Hawks receiving Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap – the lone option the Lakers have of trading a first-round pick this summer. Los Angeles also has three second-round picks (Wizards two picks and its own 2033 pick) available to trade.
Kuminga’s contract would have to be for at least three or four seasons (not including option seasons), and the first season must be fully guaranteed, if the Lakers acquired him in a sign and trade.
Vanderbilt has two years and $25.7 million left on his four-year, $48 million contract extension he signed with the Lakers in September 2023. He has a $12.4 million salary for 2026-27 and a $13.3 million player option for 2027-28.
The Lakers have been willing to trade Vanderbilt, according to multiple sources who spoke with the Post who were granted anonymity so they could speak freely, as well as other players on the roster in order to create more roster-building optionality.
The Cavaliers also have strong interest in Kuminga, a source said.
But the Cavaliers, whose head coach Kenny Atkinson coached Kuminga while Atkinson was an assistant coach with the Warriors from 2021-24, are also in the midst of the sweepstakes for LeBron James, who informed the Lakers last week he wouldn’t be returning to the franchise for his record-extending 24th NBA season.
Other options
As of Wednesday, it wasn’t clear what other options the Lakers would have if they didn’t acquire Kuminga – or at least ones that would fit into their vision similar to how they’ve expressed to Kuminga.
Or fufill their combination of needs for size, athleticism, defense and youth on the wings.
Ziaire Williams, who’s coming off a career-year with the Nets, is a player the Lakers eyed after the Nets declined Williams’ $6.3 million team option to make him an unrestricted free agent.
Bruce Brown, Matisse Thybulle and Ochai Agbaji are other unrestricted free agents still available.
The Lakers have long been tied to trade rumors with Mavericks forward PJ Washington, a former teammate of Doncic’s in Dallas, but the fully guaranteed $88.8 million Washigton’s owed over the next four years isn’t appealing to the Lakers.
Realistic Kuminga number?
The Lakers are projected to be $12.9 million below the $209 million first apron threshold that they’re hard-capped at once all of the moves they’ve agreed to so far are official.
This leaves them room to take back more money than they send out in a potential sign-and-trade for Kuminga, or a deal for any other player.
The salary range that Kuminga is seeking from the Lakers wasn’t clear as of Wednesday.
What is clear is that Kuminga wants to be a Laker. And the Lakers want Kuminga.
The vision and opportunities the Lakers have presented are appealing.
But there’s work to be done for alignment on the Lakers’ offer to Kuminga before a deal can be reached.
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DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 21: Jared Jones #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 21, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are back in action as they take on the Atlanta Braves in the second game of their annual series at PNC Park.
Grant Holmes is drawing the start for the Braves. He’s coming off a win in his last appearance against the New York Mets on July 3, pitching five innings and giving up five hits and one earned run in the 5-3 victory. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Holmes and gave him his first victory in a month.
The Pirates are giving the ball to Jared Jones for the eighth time this season. It’s Jones’s first start since July 2, when he faced the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Jones pitched four innings, giving up just two hits and one earned run, but wasn’t in the game long enough to be part of the decision.
Jones has been slowly working back from Tommy John surgery, which held him out of the entire 2025 campaign. Therefore, he has only pitched five innings in one of his seven starts so far this season, which came on June 4 against the Houston Astros in a 5-1 victory. The Pirates are 5-2 in games where Jones starts, which is a good omen for tonight’s matchup against the Braves, who lead the NL East with a week to go before the All-Star break.
Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh
Pitching Matchup: Grant Holmes (5-4, 3.83 ERA) vs. Jared Jones (1-1, 5.28 ERA)
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