Jan 21, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Trent Noah (9) fives guard Denzel Aberdeen during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images | Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Looking at the roster for this Kentucky Basketball team, there are a lot of new faces in Lexington as well as some returning players. A lot of players are hyped up in the offseason, but oftentimes, a player will surprise fans and media members with the impact they make on the court.
Who could be that surprise for Kentucky this season? Well, Jon Rothstein recently asked Mark Pope about that on an episode of Inside College Basketball Now, and Pope indicated there are multiple players who could be a surprise this season.
Pope first pointed to Ousmane N’Diaye, the 6’11 Senegalese forward who most recently played in Italy. Pope pointed to N’Diaye’s length and shot-making ability as attributes that stood out and could really surprise people this season.
Pope also pointed to Justin McBride, a name we’ve heard mentioned quite a bit in practices. Pope pointed to McBride’s versatility and physicality, as well as his college experience, as attributes that could lead him to have a breakout season.
Franck Kepnang is another guy Pope mentioned, but noted that Kepnang’s health will be a key factor in how much impact he has.
However, Pope really keyed in on Trent Noah.
“Trent Noah is physical,” Pope told Rothstein. “And he can really shoot it. Part of the issue last year was when we lost our point guard, we lost a real creator vibe on our roster. You know, it hurt also guys like Trent who might not manufacture a lot of shots, but if shots can be manufactured for him, he’s going to make them all, it feels like.”
Pope also mentioned Braydon Hawthorne as a guy who has a high ceiling and a ton of potential.
You can check out this clip where Pope talks about the different players who could be surprises.
Stephen Curry and LeBron James have grown closer over the years. Photograph: Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images
It’s official: LeBron Jameswill not finish his career as a Los Angeles Laker. The talking heads are in a gnashing froth. ESPN’s Shams Charania has become the first human being in recorded history to somehow get less than zero sleep over a 24-hour period. Steph Curry is widening his eyes. Bronny James is secretly relishing the chance to forge his own identity as he says “I’ll miss you, Dad.” James hasn’t been the best player in the league for more than half a decade, but at 41 he remains the most decorated and the one who commands the most coverage. So let’s indulge in a time-honored tradition one last time: wild speculation over where the King will play next season.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors seem to be the odds-on favorite to land James, but it still feels silly typing this out. Picture Thanos joining the Avengers. Lionel Messi defecting to Portugal. Andy Murray coaching Novak Djokovic … well, that one did actually happen.
James waged an uphill war against Golden State for four straight years in the 2010s, trying to will his usually undermanned Cavaliers squad to an unlikely win over one of the finest teams ever assembled. His lone success on that mission came in 2016, and remains the crown jewel of his career. But there were more bad times than good: JR Smith’s tragicomic gaffe in the 2018 finals; what would have been an all-time carry job sputtering out of gas after taking a 2-1 lead in 2015; going up against Warriors teams in 2017 and 2018 who were essentially impossible for him to beat with the teammates he had. Clips of James blocking Curry’s layups and then jawing at him, or Draymond Green trying to swat the King out of the air, still inspire vivid emotions in plenty of fans. And now James would join ranks with his old enemy?
Well, yes. James and Curry (and even Green) have grown close over the years. They played together on Olympic squads and the synergy was beautiful. Alongside Curry, Green and potentially LeBron’s ex-Laker teammate Anthony Davis, the New Warriors would be the most feelgood team in recent memory. Besides, this move would be entirely in line with James’s history. He’s never been afraid of angering fans, maybe to a fault. (Recall those burned jerseys after The Decision.) He’s always zigged when fans wanted him to zag. While other players shamelessly imitated Michael Jordan, James charted his own path in his own style until fans accepted him as at least equally great. Why not join the team that tormented him for years?
This Unc-tastic crew would brew nostalgia by the gallon. The modern NBA is powered by youth and durability, and nobody should be under any illusions that this team would be headed towards a pasture remotely greener than “every crucial player gets injured within five games of the season starting”. Still, the vibes before that inevitable train wreck would be fabulous.
Likelihood: 55%
Cleveland Cavaliers
The lone option that could beat the Warriors for good feels. In his Sports Illustrated essay announcing his return to Cleveland in 2014, James wrote “I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when.” Did that belief change when he left Cleveland for LA in 2018, or has a final stint with the Cavs been the plan all along? Dumped out of the Eastern Conference finals in four games by the Knicks, including an epic Game 1 collapse, the Cavaliers need all the help they can get. On the court, James may not get all that many touches – he’ll have to sneak them in between the twin suns of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden – but it’ll be worth it for the sheer energy of his first game back.
Cleveland is where LeBron began his career in 2003. It’s where he made his first finals. It’s the city that loathed him when he left and loved him when he returned. It’s the site of his greatest triumph and his greatest basketball (2018, as the man himself told it on the Mind the Gamepodcast.) So the team lacks a certain reliability and verve. But it’s the best story.
Likelihood: 25%
Miami Heat
The Heat have Bam Adebayo to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo, but they traded away most of their other assets to get the Greek star. LeBron and Giannis would be an intriguing combination – there may not be enough three-point shooting there to power a fearsome offense, but they’d be a force in the paint, and Antetokounmpo’s dunks and drives could help James get some valuable rest. James spent just four seasons in Miami, but packed enough memories into that time to compete with his body of work anywhere else: four straight trips to the finals, two MVPs, two finals MVPs, his villain era and one oft-cited, poorly aged quote. Hey, going back to Miami is the only way to belatedly fulfill “not one, not two … not seven”.
Likelihood: 15%
Minnesota Timberwolves/San Antonio Spurs/Oklahoma City Thunder
If what James covets most isn’t money or fun but a ring, he won’t get what he wants on any of the above teams. These teams are genuine contenders, and James’s time on the Lakers – as well as his, oh, 23 years in the league – tell him exactly what that looks like: youth, generational stars, exceptional defense. James would be an instant upgrade on Julius Randle in Minnesota, further bolstering the offense alongside Anthony Edwards (imagine those alley-oops, in either configuration) and LaMelo Ball. He would be a sorely needed veteran on the Spurs, giving them an out in crunch time with touch shots off the glass or foul-drawing drives. Jordan and James never played each other in the NBA; imagine if James not only played alongside the next player with GOAT potential in Wemby but helped sharpen him.
And the Thunder? They probably have the least need for James out of any team in the league, but that’s exactly why he may feast there. With their endless bench of serviceable-to-very-good three-and-D players, James could play limited minutes with manageable intensity as the other starters carry the defensive burden. While James on the Cavs or Warriors is a lovely image, if anyone’s earned the right to chase a final ring on one of the best teams in the league, it’s him.
Likelihood: 5%
Memphis Grizzlies
What James said about Memphis in March was a masterstroke of misdirection disguising a secret and long-held love for the city. Also, he feels bad about how badly things went with Ja Morant.
Likelihood: LOL
Only the man himself knows what’s to come in the future. But if his choice is consistent with his on-court philosophy, though the team he picks may not be the most obvious or the most conducive to glory, it will be the correct one.
06 June 2026, Bavaria, Bamberg: Basketball, Men: Bundesliga, Bamberg Baskets - Alba Berlin, Championship round, Semi-finals, Matchday 4, Brose Arena. Jack Kayil (Alba Berlin) during the warm-up. Photo: Daniel Löb/dpa (Photo by Daniel Löb/picture alliance via Getty Images)
The free-agent market opened on Tuesday, and nobody outside Rich Paul and LeBron James made us bat an eye. It’s the new NBA economy, in which trades are the coolest kids in town.
In any case, the New York Knicks have reportedly been doing business for a few days now, re-signing three players to team-friendly deals in Jose Alvarado, Mo Diawara, and Landry Shamet. Not bad for a start! The elephant in the room isn’t going anywhere, or actually, I should say he’s definitely going somewhere, but that’s a sad story for another day.
Meanwhile, the Knicks, in staying below the second apron as James Dolan wishes, are expected to take a cost-cutting approach to second-round pick Jack Kayil.
As we get closer to the start of free agency, a few notes on the center market re: Mitchell Robinson, Nets’ interest in Moe Wagner: https://t.co/iiIdIWVIR3
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, New York intends to stash Kayil in Germany for the 2026-27 season rather than bring him onto the NBA roster immediately.
“The plan entering free agency for second-round pick Jack Kayil is that he play next season overseas with his current club in Germany,” — SNY’s Ian Begley
If Begley’s information is correct, then Kayil will remain with ALBA Berlin playing Bundesliga hoops for one more year while honing his skills, but most importantly, the move will allow the Knicks to avoid using a roster spot and committing any more guaranteed salary to an end-of-bench player who, realistically, wasn’t probably going to sniff the court that much as a true freshman.
Kayil, selected with the No. 39 overall pick, is coming off a strong season in Germany, averaging 12.2 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.8 rebounds while earning the Bundesliga Best Young Player award. From that to leading an NBA team, however, there’s a stretch. And Kiyal will have to wait, even against his preferred outcome.
After the wave of re-signings heading into free agency, the Knicks are operating with limited flexibility and with an estimate of around $9 million in space to fill three of the four remaining roster spots. With no rookie-scale salaries pre-assigned to second-round picks, the Knicks could have signed Kayil to either a two-way deal or a standard contract, but for no less than an absolute minimum of around $1.4 million. Marginal savings, but huge against the background the Knicks are navigating.
INGLEWOOD, CA - JANUARY 19: LeBron James #23, Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game on January 19, 2025 at Intuit Dome 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to July 1, the second day of free agency. We know two major things that may be of interest to us as Washington Wizards fans:
DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 28: A detail view of a puck during warmups prior to the game between the Dallas Stars and the Utah Mammoth at American Airlines Center on November 28, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Wednesday marks the first day of July, which is historically one of the busiest days on the NHL calendar as free agency begins and general managers hand out money by the Brink’s truck to lure shiny new toys to their respective franchises.
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has gone on record saying he doesn’t anticipate being super active in the early hours of the 2026 free-agent frenzy, preferring to make his moves, if he can, via trade.
With that, let’s hop in the time machine and take a trip back to look at the start of the last 10 free agency periods to see how the Penguins constructed their roster while reminiscing or recoiling at some of those signings.
Note that this list is not meant to be exhaustive. Apologies to all the Mark Donk and Buzz Flibbet fans out there.
2016
Just days removed from winning the franchise’s first Stanley Cup championship since 2009, the architect of the Penguins’ championship team, general manager Jim Rutherford, was signed to a three-year contract through the 2018-19 season.
Former blue liner Chad Ruhwedel signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh on July 1, 2016, where he would remain for the better part of the next eight seasons.
The team also made several depth signings, inking forwards Tom Sestito, Garrett Wilson and defensemen Steve Olesky, David Warsofsky, Cameron Gaunce and Stuart Percy. All of whom (except for Percy) made at least one appearance for the NHL club.
2017
One year later, the Penguins are once again Stanley Cup champions. General manager Jim Rutherford had already begun tinkering with the makeup of the team a few days prior, clearly wanting to become a heavier, tougher team to play against. He wound up trading forward Oskar Sundqvist and the Penguins’ 2017 first-round pick (No. 31 overall) to St. Louis for winger Ryan Reaves and a 2017 second-round draft pick (No. 51 overall).
On July 1, Rutherford brought in two more new faces, signing defenseman Matt Hunwick to a three-year contract and goalie Antti Niemi to a one-year deal.
Pittsburgh also signed forward Greg McKegg (there’s a guy) to a one-year deal.
Zach Trotman and Kevin Czuczman were signed as organizational defensive depth on July 1 and July 3, respectively.
2018
Not even one year later, on June 27, 2018, the Penguins had shipped off Hunwick and forward Conor Sheary to the Buffalo Sabres for a conditional 2019 fourth-round draft pick.
On July 1, the Penguins re-signed forward Matt Cullen to a one-year deal after he had spent the 2017-18 season with the Minnesota Wild.
The Penguins also handed out one of the more controversial contracts in franchise history–signing free agent defenseman Jack Johnson to a five-year, $16.25 million contract.
Johnson would only spend two seasons in the black and gold. The Penguins bought out the remainder of his contract in October 2020. Johnson’s contract accounted for dead cap space through the 2025-26 season and is officially off the books as of today with the start of the NHL’s 2026-27 calendar.
2019
The Penguins were active on (and near) the free agency start date in 2o19. The team signed forward Brandon Tanev to a six-year contract on July 1, 2019.
Forward Andrew Agozzino and defenseman David Warsofsky were both signed to two-year deals on July 1.
The franchise also handed head coach Mike Sullivan a four-year contract extension through the 2023-24 season on July 5, 2019.
2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting the 2019-20 season, the league’s standard July 1 opening date was delayed to Oct. 9, 2o2o. The NHL draft, usually held right before free agency, was also moved to Oct. 6-7, 2020.
On Oct. 8, the team signed forward Sam Lafferty to a two-year contract running through the 2021-22 season.
On Oct. 9, the “official” start of free agency, the Penguins signed forwards Evan Rodrigues, Mark Jankowski, and Frederick Gaudreau to one-year contracts.
Pittsburgh also reinforced its blue line, giving Cody Ceci a one-year deal on Oct. 16.
Goalie Maxime Lagacé was also brought in on a one-year contract.
2021
The effects of the pandemic were still being felt into the 2021 season, with free agency returning to July, albeit a bit later than the traditional July 1 date, this time coming on July 28.
New general manager Ron Hextall made his biggest splash, signing forward Brock McGinn on July 28 to a four-year, $11 million contract.
Other, smaller moves included signing forward Danton Heinen to a one-year deal on July 29, bringing back forward Dominik Simon for a second tour of duty, and signing defenseman Taylor Fedun to a one-year deal, providing the Wilkes-Barre Penguins with a quality veteran presence on the backend.
Forward Radim Zohorna signed a two-year contract with Pittsburgh on Aug. 3, 2021, and forward Zach Aston-Reese signed a one-year contract on Aug 5, 2021.
2022
The biggest transactions around this time were contract signings for some of Pittsburgh’s core players. Franchise defenseman Kris Letang was signed to a six-year contract extension.
After a bit of drama into the 11th hour, Evgeni Malkin eventually re-upped with the Penguins on a four-year, $24,000,000 contract. Winger Rickard Rakell was also given a six-year, $30,000,000 contract.
On the external transaction front, defenseman Jan Rutta was poached from the Stanley Cup-winning Tampa Bay Lightning and signed to a three-year, $8,250,000 contract.
Defenseman Xavier Ouellet agreed to terms with the organization on a two-year deal, primarily serving as a veteran AHL defender.
The Penguins also signed goalie Dustin Tokarski and forwards Josh Archibald and Drake Caggiula to one-year deals. Danton Heinen also returned to Pittsburgh on a one-year contract.
2023
Kyle Dubas was hired as president of hockey operations on June 1, 2023. And while he was hired to guide the Penguins into a post-Sidney Crosby era, he came out of the gates firing on all cylinders, giving Crosby and co. another chance at a Stanley Cup.
July 1 saw a flurry of action.
Forward Noel Acciari was signed to help Pittsburgh’s bottom six, agreeing to a three-year contract. Veteran Lars Eller was given a two-year deal, again primarily deployed as a lower-line forward. Winger Matt Nieto was brought on with a two-year contract, but injuries largely derailed his tenure.
Dubas’ focus was also on reloading the AHL team, ensuring they remained competitive as well. Forwards Vinne Hinostroza, Joona Koppanen, and Marc Johnstone were brought in to round out the WB/S forward group. Radim Zohorna also returned to the organization on a one-year deal.
Defensemen Ryan Shea and Will Butcher were both signed as organizational depth, and in Shea’s case, he eventually blossomed into an NHL regular who is now primed for a payday on the open market in 2026.
For Pittsburgh’s defense, Dubas’ largest free agent acquisition to date was signing Ryan Graves to a six-year, $27 million deal. That one… hasn’t worked out.
Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic came over from the Detroit Red Wings to give Tristan Jarry a running mate. And netminder Magnus Hellberg was brought in as an AHL backstop.
Dubas’ biggest swing would come later in the summer in a massive, three-team blockbuster when he now famously acquired defenseman Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks.
2024
Dubas was firmly on a mission to rebuild the aging Penguins while also acquiring future draft capital to restock a barren prospect cupboard.
Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk left the Boston Bruins as a free agent and was signed to a one-year, $2.75 million contract for the 2024-25 season.
Blake Lizotte agreed to terms on a two-year deal, coming over from the Los Angeles Kings, reinforcing Pittsburgh’s bottom six and penalty kill unit. Anthony Beauvillier was the classic buy-low, sell-high candidate who would eventually be flipped at the following trade deadline.
At the AHL level, forwards Boko Imama, Corey Andonovski, and Jimmy Huntington were signed. Defensemen Mac Hollowell and Nate Clurman signed one-year deals. Fellow defender Sebastian Aho also signed a two-year contract.
2025
Anthony Mantha, signed last summer, enjoyed a career year this past season and looks primed to cash in on the open market after one year. Justin Brazeau can also be lumped into the same category after an impressive 2025-26 campaign from him, but the good thing for the Penguins is they have Brazeau under contract for another year.
Defenseman Caleb Jones, brother to Seth, signed a two-year deal with the team, and after an injury-plagued first season with Pittsburgh, could be looked at as the seventh defenseman or one of the first AHL callups in the event of injury on the blue line.
Defenseman Parker Wotherspoon signed a two-year deal and enjoyed one of the best seasons of his professional career last year, being partnered with Erik Karlsson. Still, Wotherspoon was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights not even 24 hours ago for Kaedan Korczak.
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins also welcomed some new faces with the arrivals of Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Philip Kemp, and Alexander Alexeyev.
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There have been a few pretty positive free agent signings, especially more recently, with the likes of the aforementioned Wotherspoon, Brazeau, Lizotte, and Mantha contributing to an unexpected playoff run last season.
Penguins management has also been prone to whiffing, sometimes big, when looking back at how they dished out money for players like Jack Johnson, Ryan Graves, and Brock McGinn.
And as mentioned above, Kyle Dubas seems set on going big-game hunting via the trade market over the next few weeks with a weaker free agent class this year, so any new faces that arrive via free agency may be more in line with organizational depth or the low-risk, high-reward type rather than an impact player receiving a five-year deal.
For what it’s worth, it was worth all the while. | NHLI via Getty Images
Today could be the day the Islanders and captain Anders Lee say goodbye after 14 seasons and 923 games together.
Lee will turn 36 in a couple of days, so while both parties would like to continue their relationship under the right conditions, there is apparent disagreement over term or rate and what not.
Such is reality in the NHL when you gotta make room for 15-points-at-age-35 Ondrej Palat.
As NHL free agency officially kicked off, word was that Lee was headed to market. Maybe, if whatever his definitely-not-tampering agent tells him is out there fails to emerge, he’ll come back to the Isles after all.
Or maybe he’ll sign with the Wild.
The Islanders were informed this morning that captain Anders Lee is headed to the UFA market. Not a decision that was taken lightly. The Isles improved their offer in late stages, but still not there. So Lee heads to market. Door open to Isles as well while hearing from other…
Hens pitching was pretty good on Tuesday, but the bats faltered in the 90 degree heat of this cruel, noon start time.
The Mud Hens did get on the board first. Brett Callahan singled with one out in the top of the second inning. He stole second as Trei Cruz struck out, and the throw from Moises Ballesteros was wild to second, and Callahan took third. A bloop single from Jace Jung brought him home as the Hens only run on the day.
Dylan File put together a pretty mediocre outing, giving up three runs in 4.1 innings of work. He did strike out five against two walks.
Brenan Hanifee, Tyler Mattison, Tanner Rainer, and Nick Sandlin were all effective in relief, but the Hens only managed four hits on the day. Cubs right-hander Will Sanders put together a strong outing against them.
Callahan: 1-4, R, K, SB
File (L, 4-5): 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K
Coming Up Next: It’s a 7:05 p.m. ET start at Fifth Third on Wednesday.
Hayden Minton and Carlos Peña split this start, with each going four innings and allowing two runs. That was plenty as Peyton Graham and the SeaWolves pounded out the hits in this one.
Minton gave up two runs in the first before settling in for three scoreless frames.
In the top of the third, Seth Stephenson and Graham lined back-to-back doubles and Garrett Pennington singled in Graham to make it a 2-2 tie.
In the fourth, E.J. Exposito singled with one out. With two outs, Stephenson singled, and Graham doubled in both runs with his second double on the day. 4-2 SeaWolves.
It’s the 4th inning in Akron and Peyton Graham already has 3 doubles. This one brings in two runs and puts Erie up 4-2. pic.twitter.com/Ux6wg8AMSc
Exposito added his 12th home run of the season to open the sixth. That made it 5-2, and a nice relay from Stephenson to Graham to third ended the bottom half of the inning, avoiding a jam for Peña.
Chris Meyers is on a multi-week heater and he continued it with a solo shot to center field in the seventh to make it 6-2.
Peña leaked a pair of runs in the eighth, but Trevin Michael locked down the save.
Trevin Michael and Bennett Lee combine for a game-ending strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play, and Erie wins 6-4. pic.twitter.com/bsZPWttcRc
Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:35 p.m. ET start on Wednesday.
Lake County Captains 20, West Michigan Whitecaps 11 (box)
Neither team’s pitching staff could find the strike zone on a scorching, humid night in West Michigan. Typically under those conditions, home plate umpires call a loose strike zone and force hitters to swing the bats. Not in this one. A tight zone, sweaty hands, and position players pitching by the end of this led to a high scoring game, but it wasn’t entertaining as 24 walks combined were issued in this one.
On a bullpen day, Logan Berrier gave up five runs, and Ryan Harvey and Thomas Bruss each gave up four.
The two clubs started exchanging blows in the third, as the Captains scored five runs. In the bottom half, Patrick Lee was hit by a pitch with one out and Woody Hadeen walked. Bryce Rainer smoked a 114 mph single to center to plate Lee.
Unfortunately, the Captains scored single runs in the fourth and fifth to take a 7-4 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, the ‘Caps came roaring back. Samuel Gil led off with a single, and after Luke Shliger struck out, Patrick Lee singled, and both scored on a Woody Hadeen double. Rainer walked on four pitches, as the strike zone contined to look extremely tight for the home plate umpire. Hurtado singled in Hadeen and Rainer, and it was 8-7 Whitecaps.
That’s where Harvey and Bruss melted down. The Captains scored eight runs in an unending inning of pain in the top of the seventh.
In the bottom half, Lee walked and then scored on another Hadeen double. Beyond that, this game just got stupid as the Whitecaps turned to position players, and the Captains relievers couldn’t throw strikes. The walks and homers piled up on the Captains side.
Hurtado: 3-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2B
Rainer: 2-4, 2 R, RBI, BB, 2 K
Hadeen: 2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 2B, 2 BB
Lee: 1-2, 3 R, RBI, 2 BB
Zack Lee: 2.0 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 2 K
Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:35 p.m. ET on Wednesday night.
The Flying Tigers got a little help from a rehabbing slugger, and the pitching staff did a nice job as they returned home with a comfortable victory on Tuesday night.
The one thing that didn’t go right was Grayson Grinsell’s start. The lefty allowed three singles and a walk in the first, but managed to manuever through the inning without allowing a run. He did throw 33 pitches, so the Tigers pulled him.
Pedro Garcia took over for the second inning and he gave the Flying Tigers three scoreless frames to save the rest of the pen.
In the third, Jude Warwick and Nick Dumesnil led off the bottom half with singles. They’d only get one run, as Zach MacDonald and then Jordan Yost walked to force in a run. Beau Ankeney struck out and Josue Briceño popped out to end the inning.
In the third, Carson Rucker led off with a single and Edian Espinal walked. There was a delay for an injury as the Cardinals had to go to the bullpen. The new reliever walked Dumesnil, and Rucker scored on a Jesus Pinto ground out. MacDonald hit one 400 feet to center field, but it was run down to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, Briceño, rehabbing his preseason wrist surgery, smoked an opposite field shot for his first homer of the year. 3-0 Lakeland.
Welcome back Josue Briceño, who hits an oppo missile for his first home run of the season. It left his bat at 105.2 MPH and put Lakeland up 3-0. @AaronArnstein on the call. pic.twitter.com/DH8etUImur
Right-hander Colin Fields, also on a rehab assignment, gave up a solo shot in the fifth to make it 3-1, but it was all Lakeland the rest of the way. Pinto mashed a three-run homer in the seventh to make it 6-1. Dumesnil singled in Rucker in the bottom of the eighth for the final run of the game.
Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders:W, 3-2 vs. Norfolk Tides
SS Jonathan Ornelas 1-3, 2B, BB, RBI C J.C. Escarra 0-2, BB, RBI, HBP — finally playing in Triple-A after those very brief demotions earlier in June 2B Marco Luciano 1-3, RBI, SF RF Yanquiel Fernández 1-4 3B Tyler Hardman 0-4, 2 K 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. 0-4, K DH Payton Henry 1-3, K, HBP CF Duke Ellis 0-1, BB, K, outfield assist LF Kenedy Corona 0-2, sacrifice
Adam Kloffenstein 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 5 K Zach Messinger 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 2 K (win) Carson Coleman 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K (save)
Double-A Somerset Patriots:W, 5-2 vs. Hartford Yard Goats
RF Jackson Castillo 3-4, HR, RBI, SB CF Jace Avina 0-3, BB, K, outfield assist 3B Coby Morales 3-4, 2 2B LF DJ Gladney 1-3, BB, RBI, K C Tomas Frick 0-3, BB, K, GIDP 1B Josh Moylan 3-4, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI — helluva day in the 23-year-old’s seventh game at Double-A; two-run shot put Patriots ahead in the fourth, 3-1, and then hit another in the sixth DH Miguel Palma 0-4, 3 K SS Kevin Verde 0-4, 2 K 2B Connor McGinnis 0-4, 2 K
Cade Smith 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 4 K, HR (win) Kelly Austin 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K Matt Keating 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K — struck out all three hitters he faced Harrison Cohen 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, HR — gave up a dinger to old friend Roc Riggio
High-A Hudson Valley Renegades:L, 0-5 vs. Wilmington Blue Rocks — shut out on two hits
2B Kaeden Kent 0-4, BB, 2 K SS Core Jackson 0-4, BB, K, SB RF Wilson Rodriguez 0-1, 3 BB, K, 2 SB — no-contact day but hey he got on base DH Eric Genther 0-2, 2 BB 1B Kyle West 0-4, 3 K 3B Roderick Arias 0-3, BB, K, fielding error C Josue Gonzalez 1-4, K — singled in the fourth CF Camden Troyer 0-3, BB, K LF Luis Durango 1-4, 2 K — single in the ninth was just the Renegades’ second hit
Bryce Cunningham 5.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 1 K, HR, WP (loss) — the Arias error hurt but he didn’t pitch well anyway Aaron Nixon 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K Tanner Bauman 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, WP Bryce Warrecker 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K — struck out the side
Low-A Tampa Tarpons:W, 6-0 at St. Lucie Mets — pitchers combined on a three-hit shutout
SS Jackson Lovich 1-5, 2 K 2B Hans Montero 0-5, K C Luis Puello 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI — two-bagger doubled the Tarpons’ lead to 4-0 in the fifth, later got ejected for arguing a call at third C Ediel Rivera 0-2, 2 K LF Logan Maxwell 1-3, BB 3B Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek 0-3, BB, K, SB CF Brando Mayea 1-3, BB, RBI RF JoJo Jackson 1-4, 2 RBI, 2 K 1B David McCann 2-2, HR, BB, RBI, HBP — clubbed his first homer above Rookie ball, perfect day at the dish DH Engelth Urena 0-4, GIDP
Justin West 5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K, HBP (win) — 2025 18th-rounder set the tone nicely Jose M. Rodriguez 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, HBP Parker Seay 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, WP Pedro Rodriguez 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Back-to-back multi-hit games by #Tarpons C/1B David McCann (2-for-2, HR, BB, HBP, RBI, 2 R). Reached base safely in all 4 trips to the plate, including this go-ahead HR leading off the 3rd – his 5th HR (1st w/ Low-A Tampa) and 1st since June 5th. #Yankeespic.twitter.com/7X2gdExLn5
Florida Complex League Yankees: Postponed vs. FCL Tigers due to lightning and inclement weather; will make up in doubleheader today
Dominican Summer League Yankees:W, 10-4 (7) vs. DSL Tigers 2
CF Isaias Castillo 2-4, 3B, HR, RBI, 2 K — very good game! SS Stiven Marinez 1-4, 2B, fielding error RF Yostin Pena 3-4, 3 RBI — single drove in one during the four-run first 2B Juan Torres 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, SB — went yard in the four-run sixth 1B Juan Martinez 1-3, 2B, BB, K, SB, throwing and fielding errors — did swipe home on double-steal in the fifth C Cesar Lopez 1-3, BB, RBI, 2 SB, CS DH Kenneth Melendez 1-2, RBI, K, SF — pro debut for May 29th signee LF Manuel Aguilar 0-2, BB, 2 K, SB 3B Abrahan Pichardo 1-3, 2 K
It's offiically the Luka Doncic (77) era for the Lakers, who learned LeBron James will be looking to play elsewhere next season. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The LeBron Era is over. The Lakers can start their Luka Era.
LeBron James informed the Lakers on Tuesday he will sign with another team this offseason, extending his career to an unprecedented 24th season, but taking his talents elsewhere. James is an unrestricted free agent and the early timing of his decision allows the Lakers to approach free agency, which officially began Tuesday afternoon, with an almost clean slate.
The Lakers have up to $51 million in salary cap space, among the most of any team in the league, depending on how they spend it. And they need every dollar to fill out a bare cupboard.
The Lakers have nine players under contract and only four who were in the regular rotation last year. Behind Luka Doncic, the Lakers took care of Austin Reaves by agreeing to a four-year, $185-million contract that will be officially signed toward the end of the offseason to help the Lakers preserve maximum cap flexibility.
Center Deandre Ayton opted into a $8.1 million player option. Forward Jake LaRavia, who played in all 82 regular-season games before struggling during the postseason, is back for the second season of a two-year deal.
Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, Bronny James, Adou Thiero are the only other players officially under contract with the Lakers and newly drafted first-round pick Cameron Carr soon will join.
Here’s a look at how the Lakers can approach this offseason without James:
What kind of team do the Lakers want to build?
When Doncic played for the Dallas Mavericks and led them to the 2024 NBA Finals, his two centers — Derek Lively and Daniel Gafford — were exceptional in their roles as lob threats, blocking shots and rolling to the rim. Those are the sort of players with whom Doncic has thrived. He also had wing players such as Derrick Jones Jr., P.J. Washington and Tim Hardaway Jr., all of whom were athletic, three-point shooters and good defenders. Again, the sort of players with whom Doncic has thrived.
So, according to NBA executives not authorized to speak on the matter, the Lakers have to build that sort of team around Doncic and Reaves, a backcourt many see as one of the most dynamic in the league — at least offensively.
“You know with Bron, you know Bron can get you 50 wins,” a West Coast executive said. “Luka can still get you 50 wins, but you just know when Luka misses games, I got Bron and Reaves. It’s a little bit different now. If Luka misses a game, it’s just Austin Reaves now. It’s a little bit different.
“But they just lost an All-Star. So, you are not going to be able to replace him with an All-Star. You got to replace him with two good role players.”
Which players could be back?
Forward Rui Hachimura (28) and center Jaxson Hayes (11) force Houston's Kevin Durant to pass instead of shoot during a game last season. Hachimura and Hayes are both unrestricted free agents. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A midseason move to the bench appeared to threaten Rui Hachimura’s free agency this summer, but the forward’s hot postseason shooting could turn him into a hot free-agent option. Hachimura’s 51.6% (81 for 157) career three-point shooting in the postseason is the best in league history, and he made 33 of 58 shots from beyond the arc during the playoffs for the Lakers last season while averaging 17.5 points per postseason game. Now an unrestricted free agent, Hachimura could draw interest from teams including the San Antonio Spurs and Brooklyn Nets, according to league executives not allowed to discuss personnel matters publicly.
Luke Kennard’s potential return has already been dashed. The NBA’s leading three-point shooter who was traded midseason to the Lakers agreed to a two-year, $13-million deal with the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.
Guard Marcus Smart opted out of his contract, turning down $5.4 million to pursue a long-term deal after he reinvigorated his career with the Lakers. He turned into a trusted defensive stopper, timely three-point shooter and steady leader for the team.
Centers Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes are also unrestricted free agents. Playing mostly in a backup role, Hayes averaged 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds on career-high 75.6% shooting last season and developed such a strong relationship with Doncic that the Cincinnati native became a naturalized Slovenian citizen to hopefully play with Doncic on the national team.
Which new players could the Lakers target?
The Lakers are shopping for a center, but the store isn’t stocked with options.
In a weak free-agency class, centers Robert Williams III (Portland) and Mark Williams (Phoenix) are already off the market, each reportedly agreeing to return to their current teams.
The Lakers also have been linked to Mitchell Robinson, who is coming off an NBA championship with the New York Knicks, and Toronto’s Sandro Mamukelashvili. The Georgian center declined a $2.8-million player option to become an unrestricted free agent. Mamukelashvili is coming off career highs in points (11.2), rebounds (4.9) and shooting (52.3%) while starting 13 games out of 80 appearances. The 26-year-old also shot 38.9% (115 for 296) from three-point range.
Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili looks to pass while being defended by Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill during a playoff game in April. Mamukelashvili is an unrestricted free agent. (David Dermer / Associated Press)
On the perimeter, the Lakers have been connected with Quentin Grimes and Ziaire Williams. Grimes scored 13.4 points with 3.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Philadelphia 76ers last season. Brooklyn declined a $6.25-million option on Williams, a 6-foot-9 Sierra Canyon alumnus who averaged 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game last season.
What’s the difference between unrestricted and restricted free agents?
The Lakers have been linked to Utah center Walker Kessler and Detroit’s Jalen Duren, but both are restricted free agents, meaning any offer the Lakers present could be matched by each player’s current team. If a restricted free agent gets an offer sheet from a new team during the negotiating period from June 30 to July 6 during which players can discuss but not sign new deals, their original team has until 8:59 p.m. PDT on July 7 to match. During that moratorium period, the new team must maintain enough salary cap room for the offer sheet, presenting a potential risk for the Lakers if they flirt with restricted free agents because they could lose out on other potential free agents during that multi-day waiting period.
Duren, 22, is coming off the best regular season of his career, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds and earning All-NBA third-team honors. But he did not live up to the billing during the postseason, averaging only 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds while the top-seeded Pistons were eliminated in the conference semifinals.
The 7-2 Kessler missed most of last season because of a shoulder injury. Two seasons ago, Kessler averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks while leading the NBA with 4.6 offensive rebounds per game.
Denver guard Peyton Watson is another restricted free agent who was connected to the Lakers. The UCLA alumnus could be an ideal fit on the perimeter for a team desperate for defense, athleticism and shooting, but he struggled with injuries last season and could return to the Nuggets, where he won a championship in 2023.
What about Bronny?
Bronny James, driving against Warriors guard Pat Spencer, is playing under a guaranteed contract worth $2.2 million this season. It's his third season with the Lakers. (David M. Barreda / Los Angeles Times)
One day before his father ended his time in L.A., Bronny James’ contract became fully guaranteed, locking the third-year guard in for $2.2 million.
The younger James, who was drafted in the second round in 2024 to form the first father-son duo in NBA history, showed steady improvement during his second season. He even played important playoff minutes, helping fill in for the depleted backcourt during Doncic’s and Reaves’ injuries. James scored his first career playoff points, totaling 12 during eight postseason appearances last season, with seven assists. He was two-for-six shooting from three-point range.
While bouncing between the G League and the NBA, James worked with coaches on developing his shooting confidence, quick decision-making and defensive ability. He played in 42 regular-season games last season compared to just 27 during his rookie season. Coaches were impressed with his growth while playing under an intense spotlight.
“When we drafted Bronny, Bron and I had one conversation very early on that I was going to coach Bronny,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said during the postseason. “I was not going to coach LeBron’s son. … Bron was great, that’s what he wanted.”
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Ali Sánchez #39 of the New York Yankees looks on from the dugout before the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Yankee Stadium on June 21, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welp. Last night was more of the same for the suddenly-helpless Yankees, who closed out June with their sixth loss in a row — appropriately their longest skid since … last June. The Aaron Boone Era Yankees are nothing if not consistent in their frustrating patterns.
For last night in particular, nothing went right. Their ace got bombed, they weren’t crisp in the field, and their offense was held to two hits until the ninth. It ain’t swell around these parts.
There’s plenty of pressure to go around, but who do you think bears the most right now? Ben Rice is a candidate, as until a solo shot yesterday, the likely All-Star had been very quiet with the bat in the past week and change. Could he be feeling the heat to keep up his torrid production from the first few months, given the wider struggles of the offense of late? Might it be Cody Bellinger, a likely fellow All-Star who has cooled off as well and carries a big contract that comes with responsibilities, particularly with Aaron Judge out? Or maybe it’s someone else, like impending free agent Jazz Chisholm Jr., one of the starting pitchers trying to keep the opponent at bay, or the bleakly anemic Austin Wells. There’s no shortage of options, unfortunately.
Today on the site, it’s a rapid-fire schedule before the matinee this afternoon. Peter will run our monthly GM poll, Madison will tackle the Rivalry Roundup, John remember the extremely mysterious Jack Quinn for our Yankees Birthday series, and then he and Kento will do the monthly check-ins on the AL Central and AL West, respectively.
Today’s Matchup*
New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers
Time: 1:35 p.m. EST
TV: YES, Detroit SportsNet
Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
*This is not the matchup, and feel free to ignore me if you don’t care about the World Cup. But the soccer fan in me is compelled to mention that Team USA faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara, CA tonight on Fox. Check it out and see if the USMNT win a game in the knockout round for the first time in 24 years!
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 17: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates with teammates after defeating the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on June 17, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: After almost a month of uncertainty, the Yankees have finally provided a return timetable. Judge indicated that he is targeting an August return, but first has to undergo follow-up imaging in a couple weeks. Judge last played on May 31st and was diagnosed with a fractured first right rib on June 4th, the team then only setting a four-to-six week timetable for re-imaging, but no indication of a return to play. The captain has not been doing any baseball activities but has gotten in lower body weight training. Hopefully the upcoming imaging reveals healing and a potential ramp-up in rehab given the way the Yankees offense has slumped in the second half of his absence.
AP News | Larry Fleisher: Max Fried faced live hitters for the first time since suffering a bone bruise in his pitching elbow. He threw 30 pitches in a 20-minute, two-inning simulated game at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. Fried faced fellow IL inhabitants Trent Grisham and Ryan McMahon and tallied a pair of strikeouts while throwing all the pitches in his arsenal. Fried was among the AL’s best starters at the time of his injury on May 13th against the Orioles (departing that game after three innings with his velocity noticeably down), pitching to a 3.21 ERA in his first 10 starts. The 32-year-old lefty’s return will be a huge boon to a rotation that regressed significantly in June.
Also contained within are injury updates on a trio of Yankees position players. Grisham and McMahon are both expected to be activated from the IL on Friday, Grisham out since June 12th with a strained right hamstring and McMahon absent since June 21st with a throat infection. Grisham would be a significant reinforcement to their struggling offense while McMahon would shore up what has been a defensive train wreck at third in his absence. Finally, we received confirmation that Jazz Chisholm Jr. has cleared concussion protocol and was available off the bench in their loss to the Tigers on Tuesday, Jazz departing Monday’s game in the fourth after colliding with Jasson Domínguez’s elbow on a shallow fly ball.
New York Post | Jake Nisse ($): Yovanny Cruz was called up on Tuesday to reinforce the bullpen as the corresponding move for Yerry De los Santos’ optioning to Triple-A. Cruz flashed tantalizing stuff in his two game cup of coffee in May, striking out three in 2.1 scoreless innings with a fastball that touches triple digits and a wipeout slider. However, the Yankees have opted to keep him in Triple-A to work on his strike throwing, and indeed his walk rate improved from 12.2-percent to 7.1-percent with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre since getting sent back down at the end of last month.
Cruz got into last night’s blowout at the hands of the Tigers and threw two scoreless innings, striking out three.
Aaron Judge is “starting to feel better,” Aaron Boone said, though that feeling has not yet translated into concrete progress toward a return.
Thursday will mark four weeks since the Yankees announced their captain had suffered a stress fracture of a rib and would undergo additional medical imaging in “approximately four to six weeks.”
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He will not be reexamined on the shortest end of the given spectrum, Boone saying Tuesday that Judge is weeks away from a scan that would check for healing.
But in his dealings with Judge, Boone said the feedback has improved.
“He was uncomfortable there for a while,” the Yankees manager said before his team’s 9-3 blowout loss to the Tigers on Tuesday at the Stadium, their sixth consecutive defeat. “It seems like the normal stuff is starting to feel better, so hopefully that’s a good sign of hopefully some healing.”
Judge believed he suffered the stress fracture during a dive in Houston on April 26, and he struggled for weeks trying to play through it before opting for tests in early June.
Since then, the best hitter in baseball has not been “able to do much,” Boone said, “and certainly not able to do any baseball activities.” Judge has been able to work out in the weight room and strengthen his lower body.
A dejected Aaron Judge looks on during the Yankees’ ugly 9-3 loss to the Tigers on June 30, 2026 at the Stadium. Robert Sabo for New York Post
Any return timetable remains elusive.
“It does seem like this week he is starting to feel better, which is encouraging,” Boone said.
After crashing into Jasson Domínguez a day prior, Jazz Chisholm Jr. said he felt better and believed he would be available off the bench, though Boone said the second baseman only would be used in an emergency.
Chisholm believed he would be cleared from the concussion protocol. Boone said he didn’t know whether Chisholm would play Wednesday, and José Caballero started at second base Tuesday.
Chisholm left Monday’s loss in the fourth inning after he chased a shallow fly ball and was clotheslined by Domínguez, who made the catch.
“Felt like I got punched in the face,” Chisholm said.
Cody Bellinger, who had played in 83 of the first 84 games this season, sat for a second time amid a deep slump.
In his previous 12 games, Bellinger had gone 5-for-41 (.122) with a .396 OPS.
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“He’ll get corrected and get it going here,” Boone said. “Hopefully giving him at least the start off tonight kind of lets him take a step back for a second and hopefully get it going.”
Call-up Yovanny Cruz pitched two perfect innings with three strikeouts.
He threw five pitches above 100 mph and maxed out at 101.5 mph.
Against lefty Tarik Skubal, Max Schuemann started in left field, Spencer Jones in center and Domínguez in right.
When LeBron James decides where he will play next season, he will not repeat the lie frequently told at introductory news conferences.
He can say, with all sincerity, that “it’s not about the money.”
Because it’s not.
That’s why the Golden State Warriors know they have a legitimate chance to sign James in free agency.
James’ announcement Monday that he was ready to leave the Los Angeles Lakers, who could have paid him more than any other NBA team, is a commentary on his state of mind. A 41-year-old billionaire is exercising his power and privilege to choose his next destination. With the sun setting on his legendary career, he is granting himself the freedom to pursue his personal joy.
If LeBron decides to join the Warriors, bitter rivals a few years ago, it will satisfy his abiding curiosity about playing with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler III — three men he respects on and off the court. This would be an opportunity for James to nourish his basketball soul in ways he no longer could alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves in LA.
At this point in his career, James needs something new to chase. Something he has not already captured. Though he was professional enough in the 2025-26 NBA season with the Lakers, a new chapter with Golden State’s alluring circumstances could be invigorating.
LeBron to the Warriors would meet all the conditions for tremendous theater. They would be, depending on one’s point of view, lovable protagonists or a show limping past its expiration date. LeBron would be positioned to inject fresh energy into a franchise that, over the years, has devolved from contender, if not favorites, to a play-in tournament perennial. He could stand alongside Curry, Green and eventually Butler to face the howling crowd of doubters with a unique goal of doing something unheard of, much less realized.
No NBA team with its core four players all past their 35th birthday has won a championship. Or even reached the NBA Finals.
History tells us that very good young teams traditionally run very good mature teams off the floor and toward their epilogue.
But it is instructive to know that James, Curry and Green have built fabulous careers on their desire to silence skeptics. To prove they can do what others say they can’t. Their careers are so richly decorated that they firmly believe no feat is impossible.
The Lakers could have paid James exponentially more than what he could get from the Warriors. James could have stayed in Los Angeles, close to his family, in the nest of his various business ventures. He could have remained teammates with his son, Bronny, whose contract for the 2026-27 NBA season was guaranteed on Monday.
James can now chase everything that moves his spirit, because there is nothing left to prove. The NBA record book is an ode to his individual greatness. All-time leading scorer. Most games played. Most minutes. Most All-NBA selections. Most All-Star Games. Four MVP awards, with 10 other top-five finishes. And four NBA Finals MVP awards.
The Warriors surely realize adding James alone would not automatically vault them toward the top of the Western Conference. To even have a chance at threatening the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, they would need to support the veteran core with impact talent.
Which would further entice LeBron.
The Warriors have long admired James’ skill and, moreover, his savant-like processing of the game. Coach Steve Kerr, a longtime admirer, raves about LeBron’s basketball IQ and coachability, getting a first-hand feel during their time with Team USA. The relationship between Curry and James has evolved from testy to one of mutual appreciation. Golden State CEO Joe Lacob, an inveterate chaser of superstars, is an unabashed fan.
Then, too, no one has a better nose than Lacob for the potential financial and promotional impact of 1) adding James and 2) pairing him with Curry.
Ultimately, though, LeBron’s decision will be the one that best suits his innate desire.
What might a man who has everything want for himself? A chance to do what no one has done before — and the possibility of sharing such an astonishing achievement with people who are brothers from the same hoop generation.
“I would love to say he’s ahead of schedule, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself and make that declaration,” Green said before the Mets beat the Blue Jays 3-0 on Tuesday at Rogers Centre. “But it’s going well and we’re encouraged by that.”
Holmes, who can opt out of his contract after this season, is among the pitchers the Mets could like to deal before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
Holmes was the Mets’ most effective starter before his injury, pitching to a 2.39 ERA in eight starts.
Clay Holmes throws a pitch during the Mets’ loss to the A’s on April 10, 2026 at Citi Fields. Robert Sabo for New York Post
Luis Robert Jr. began a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse, where he joined rehabbing Jorge Polanco.
Green was asked what the Mets lineup could become with Robert and Polanco as options. Both players have been sidelined since April.
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“In Robert’s case it’s a right-handed bat that we have missed pretty obviously against left-handed pitching,” Green said. “It would be great to have Polanco — he really rounds out a lineup with an ability to hit from both sides, so the lineup gets lengthened.
“I think some of the at-bats we have had late in games, when you have those guys you have more options, even if they are on the bench on a given day you have got more choices that work really well and I think it’s just a longer, more diverse lineup.”
Though A.J. Ewing has taken grounders, Green downplayed the idea the rookie could shift to the infield following Robert’s return.
“You are talking about somebody adjusting to the big leagues and being locked in out in center field right now, which is where he’s been,” Green said.
The Mets signed outfielder Christopher Morel to a minor league contract, according to an industry source.
Morel, 27, had a .425 OPS in 22 games with the Marlins this season.
There are some NBA trades that, if you had brought the idea up six months earlier, it would have gotten you laughed out of the room.
Trade ideas like Kawhi Leonard returning to Toronto. If someone had said that to you at your work Christmas party last year, you would have said "sure, buddy" as you slowly started to back away. Yet here we are. Kawhi Leonard is returning to Toronto in a blockbuster trade that sends an All-NBA wing back to the place he last won a ring.
Who were the winners and losers in the Leonard trade? Actually, I'm not sure there were any losers — not everyone is a winner, and there is some "meh," but trying to find a real loser was a stretch. Let's break it all down, and we'll start with a reminder of what this trade entails.
Toronto receives: Kawhi Leonard The LA Clippers receive: Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033), a 2027 first-round pick swap, two second-rounder picks (2030 and 2033).
Winner: Kawhi Leonard
More than staying home in Southern California, what Kawhi Leonard really wanted was to get paid. The Los Angeles Clippers would not give the 35-year-old with a lengthy injury history the extension he wanted. Part of that was the Clippers were looking to pivot to a younger team, James Harden and Ivica Zubac were traded at the deadline. So if Leonard wanted to stay with the Clippers, he was going to do it on their terms. The sides were well apart.
Leonard went out and found someone who wanted to pay him. The Raptors and Leonard will work out a two-year contract extension, but at a number he likes a lot more than what the Clippers offered.
Toronto also is somewhere he can compete at a high level — if he stays healthy and everything goes right.
Winner*: Toronto Raptors
* = Leonard is healthy.
On paper, there's a lot to like about the Raptors' roll of the dice on Leonard.
Defensively, pairing Leonard and Scottie Barnes gives the Raptors two perimeter players who can match up with nearly anyone in the league. On offense, the Raptors struggled with consistent shot creation last season, especially in the halfcourt, which was particularly evident when they ran into the Cavaliers in the playoffs. Leonard fixes that. He is almost impossible to keep off his spots and never seems to miss once he gets there. He is a genuine three-level scorer. Last season, he averaged a career-best 27.9 points per game, shooting 38.7% from beyond the arc. As he draws defenders to him, shooting space and driving lanes open up for Barnes, RJ Barrett and everyone else. Leonard fits with what the Raptors need.
But there is the asterisk.
This only works if Kawhi Leonard is healthy, and that has been very hit-and-miss in recent years. He played 65 games last season, but in his seven seasons in Los Angeles, he reached that number twice. That is the big risk the Raptors are taking, that he will stay healthy and play, making everything else worth it.
If Leonard can't stay healthy, the Raptors' big swing misses, and they strike out as losers in the deal.
It's a risk, but one worth taking for a good but not great Raptors team that needs what Leonard can offer.
Beige Flag: LA Clippers
How I feel about the Clippers in this trade is how I felt about Memphis in the Ja Morant deal: It's not a great haul in return, but it was a move that needed to be made. It was time for the Clippers to move on from the Leonard/Paul George era.
The reason I almost made this a win for the Clippers is the draft pick haul. Two unprotected firsts are a very good return for a 35-year-old (although part of it was for taking on those contracts the Raptors wanted off their books). Those picks especially matter to a team that very well may lose some of their own future draft picks as part of the punishment in the Aspiration/cap circumvention investigation, whenever that lands (the Clippers deny any wrongdoing, but in league circles the sense is the investigators found something and Adam Silver will bring the hammer down, although on the team, not really Leonard).
On the court, Ingram, paired with Darius Garland, gives the team some shot creation and will make the Clippers respectable, even in the deep West.
(As a side note, I am not tagging the Clippers as losers in this because the Leonard/George era didn't result in a ring or even a trip to the Finals — you take that swing 10 times out of 10. Bringing in Leonard and George made a former laughing stock franchise relevant. The Clippers made good moves, it just did not work out.)
Winner: Sam Presti and the Thunder
Guess who controls the Clippers' first-round pick next year? You guessed it, the team that seems to own every pick, the OKC Thunder.
With a solid Clippers' roster in a deep West, there is a reasonable chance the Clippers are headed to the lottery, but not likely the bottom three — they have too much talent — and so Oklahoma City could well have an 8.1% chance of getting the No. 1 pick next year, the best odds any team can get under the new lottery system. You know, the system that is supposed to keep the rich from getting richer.
