Former Philadelphia Flyers forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare recently announced his retirement from professional hockey. This was after he spent the last two seasons with HC Ajoie of Switzerland's National League.
Now, Bellemare has landed his first post-playing career gig.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they have hired Bellemare as their new player development specialist.
Bellemare is somebody who the Lightning organization already knows well. This is because the former Flyers forward spent the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons with the Lightning. Now, he is rejoining the Bolts organization in an off-ice role after landing this cool new gig.
Bellemare spent the first three seasons of his NHL career with the Flyers from 2014-15 to 2016-17. In 237 games over that span with the Flyers, he posted 17 goals, 17 assists, 34 points, and 259 hits. His time with the Flyers ended when he was claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft.
In 700 career NHL games over 10 seasons, Bellemare recorded 64 goals, 74 assists, 138 points, 615 hits, and a plus-22 rating.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz smiles during the game against the Sacramento Kings on July 15, 2024 at The Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Well, the Lakers certainly took advantage of the optionality that they had prepared for this summer.
None of the Lakers starters who helped LA jump out to a 3-0 lead against the Rockets in the playoffs are returning. In their place comes an infusion of new talent.
Naturally, that makes his play very compelling, crucial to LA’s success and an exciting player to watch.
The Lakers’ first game of the upcoming year will be highly anticipated, mainly because Kessler will be making his Lakers debut.
Mamu, Grimes and Sexton will all also be important to the Lakers, but none are considered franchise players or All-Stars, so the general hype is far lower.
Another player whose hype seems to be down is LeBron James.
As part of our national survey, we asked NBA fans if they wanted LeBron on their favorite team. The majority said thanks, but no thanks.
A ton comes with LeBron being on a team. Yes, he is a tremendous talent, and plenty of winning will occur.
However, both his stans and his haters can be exhausting to hear from every day. And his agent, Rich Paul, speaking to anyone who will listen on his podcast doesn’t exactly make things any better.
Also, at LeBron’s age, the end of his career is nearing.
While he still has plenty to give to the game, it’s not surprising that fans of other teams would rather not bet on him winning another title. Maybe it’s best just to let someone else deal with the LeBron media circus and all that comes with it.
That’s no longer the Lakers’ problem, but they are hoping Kessler is the solution and the missing piece the franchise needs to be champions again.
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: AJ Dybansta #4 of the Washington Wizards poses for a portrait on June 26, 2026 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Washington,DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards play the Utah Jazz in the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas at 9 p.m. ET tonight. Watch it on ESPN or Monumenal Sports Network. Kevin has the preview (yes, he previews games too!) here.
The Melbourne Renegades have ended their 15-year association with Marvel Stadium, relocating their marquee fixtures to the MCG for next summer’s Big Bash League.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Labaron Philon #00 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2026 at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Sixers won their opening game of the 2026 Summer League campaign in Las Vegas by a score of 101-93 over the Detroit Pistons. More importantly, a few young players really shined for Philadelphia in the seasonal debut.
This was the first of four scheduled Summer League contests for the Sixers, with a fifth yet to be scheduled (determined by standings). It was our first glimpse at a post-college Labaron Philon, selected No. 22 overall in the recent NBA Draft. And the recent draftee got right to work, sinking the first bucket of the evening for the Sixers on a step-back triple. He showed off impressive handles and a silky smooth shot on more than one occasion in this one.
Some other names that you may not be familiar with (I wasn’t) but looked damn good in this one were Isaac Johnson with 20 points off the bench as well as Dante Maddox Jr., who led the Sixers with 21 points on 7-for-13 field goal and 4-for-6 three-point shooting.
Johni Broome filled the stat sheet with 19 points and 13 rebounds (eight offensive) as well as two assists, one steal and two blocks. Though, admittedly, I have some reservations about how many of those numbers would truly transfer to NBA-level play in his current form.
First Quarter
Well, how do you do, Labaron Philon? The No. 22 overall pick got right to work, scoring the Sixers’ first 2026 Summer League points on a step-back triple. He sank a second triple just moments later.
Johni Broome in on the action early as well with a three-pointer on a kick-out from Philon. This could truly be the make-or-break year for Broome’s NBA career, after an extremely lackluster rookie season that ended in injury.
Dante Maddox Jr.! I’ll be honest, I didn’t know anything about him before this game started, but he caught eyes early sinking back-to-back triples. He ended up with 10 points on 4-for-6 field goal, 2-for-3 field goal shooting in the opening frame, utilizing both a long-range shot and a couple middies.
Broome may have a few points here in the first, but he still is concerningly slow. He was never exactly known for his athleticism, but it’s noticeably lacking to a big degree, even at the Summer League level.
Second Quarter
Okay then, Isaac Johnson. The big man had himself a quarter for the Sixers, with 14 points on 4-for-4 field goal, 3-for-3 three-point shooting in just over six minutes on the floor.
I probably sound like I am just hating for no reason, and I’d love for him to prove me wrong, but Broome simply does not look like an NBA athlete. And yes, I’m 100% talking the eye test here. His stats at halftime looked pretty damn good, and he was able to put in a few good buckets here and there, but the fact of the matter is he really cannot keep up physically with anyone on the floor. He is getting rebounds and sinking close buckets, but he would not be getting either of those at the actual NBA level with his pace and movement.
Philon continues to impress throughout his first half of Summer League play, hitting this perfect pocket pass to Broome towards the end of the second quarter. And some kudos for Broome here too, with what is probably one of the most athletic moves we’ve seen him make on the slam.
The Sixers led by 10 going into the break after sinking 10 triples in the first half.
Third Quarter
Amani Lyles making the most of his minutes off the bench for the Sixers with a running dunk and a triple.
Maddox continued to look red hot from long range, sinking another pair of triples within minutes of each other in the third frame. Again, I honestly knew almost nothing about this guy to begin today, but he’s certainly earning some attention in this opening game. He led the floor after three with 19 points.
It was a quiet third frame for Philon, who as unable to score and shot 0-for-3 in the frame. Through three, his ability and game sense are more than clear, but the main complaints one could have about the young guard are shooting efficiency and his size. He simply isn’t big enough to finish through some contact at this level just yet, and this is just Summer League. Fortunately, he has some time to put some weight and bulk on before the regular season.
Fourth Quarter
I’ve been tough on Broome watching this one, as I have some serious doubts about how much of his stats from this one would truly transfer to NBA-level play, but I gotta give it to him — this was a great move and finish at the rim from him.
I've been tough on him so far this evening but this is a really nice move and finish from Broome pic.twitter.com/qEC72aVvuL
Isaac Johnson is another name I didn’t know much about before this game started… and now I think he’s making a genuine run for a two-way contract with the Sixers. He sank his fourth triple of the game in the fourth to notch 20 points in 16 minutes on the floor. Apparently his nickname is Big Fish, too. Just a fun fact.
It was a quieter second half for Philon with some rocky shooting, but he made sure to end things on a high note with this triple to help the Sixers to a 101-93 victory.
Philon shows off the handles one more time to close out this first Summer League contest pic.twitter.com/kAYQk3NRzY
The Los Angeles Lakers have settled in for the upcoming NBA Summer League series in Las Vegas.
The Lakers have set up a new custom-designed practice court in a ballroom and were seen by reporters practicing on it Thursday, July 9.
The Lakers’ practice setup at a resort ballroom in Vegas. The team is testing out a new court design for the summer session. pic.twitter.com/DUcrjiYDZo
The Lakers had played on a custom court during the NBA Cup, but it was met with some negative feedback from players. Lakers star Luka Doncic in particular had an issue with the court, slipping on it during the team's 135-118 victory over the L.A. Clippers on Nov. 25, 2025.
"It's just slippery. It's dangerous," Doncic said. "I slipped. I slipped a lot, and you could see many players slip. And that's dangerous."
The NBA provided an alternate court for each team in the league as a promotional tool for this past season's tournament games.
The Lakers’ alternate court was not used in the 129-119 home victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 29. That court was returned to the creator for repairs.
It remains to be seen if the practice court is similar to, or an upgrade of, the one used during the NBA Cup.
New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, July 9, 2026, in New York.
Six hundred and thirty-nine days.
That’s how long it had been since Sean Manaea last stayed in a game for seven innings.
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He’s gone six innings once and five several times since then, but hadn’t reached the seventh-inning stretch since Oct. 8, 2024, in an NLDS win over the Phillies.
That changed Thursday.
Despite giving up a leadoff home run, Manaea went a season-high seven innings in the Mets’ 7-3 win over the Royals, allowing three runs (two earned), walking just one and striking out six.
“He just wanted to be a horse out there,” Mets manager Andy Green said. “Filled up the strike zone. Anybody that gives up a homer on the first pitch and just goes back in there all day, you love that.
“I thought he was fantastic. It was huge for us. We’ve run through a ton of bullpen pieces to get seven strong; couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Poor length out of starters has been an Achilles’ heel for the Mets all season, and that hasn’t changed recently.
New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) reacts on the mound in the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field, Thursday, July 9, 2026, in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Christian Scott went just four innings against the Braves on July 3. Freddy Peralta went just 4 ²/₃ three days later in Atlanta. Even in the Mets win over the Royals on Wednesday, Scott went just five.
Manaea didn’t just break that trend. He made life 10 times easier for the bullpen. Between Huascar Brazobán and Devin Williams, Mets relievers tossed two scoreless innings to seal the win.
“We need length out of the rotation,” Green said. “Outings like that set you up to win tomorrow’s baseball game, and that’s what we’ve been missing to some degree: having multiple outings like those in a week.
New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, July 9, 2026, in New York. AP Photo/Seth Wenig
“That’s huge for us going into tomorrow, to be able to rest the vast majority of our pen arms.”
The 34-year-old allowed a homer to Lane Thomas on the game’s first pitch, but settled in immediately after. Manaea retired the side in the second and third innings while inducing a Tyler Tolbert groundout — a rarity after he tied the MLB record Tuesday with 12 consecutive hits.
Manaea gave up a solo shot to Bobby Witt Jr. in the fourth but bounced back again by retiring the next five batters.
The lefty then maneuvered his way out of trouble in the seventh — a single, error, double and walk yielding just a single Royals run to keep the Mets’ lead intact, 6-3.
“It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work and people believing in me, me believing in myself,” Manaea said. “The whole squad coming together; it feels really cool to do something like that again.”
Defenseman Tomas Galvas signed a three-year entry-level contract with the team on Thursday after he was selected in the second round of the 2026 NHL Draft last month.
The news was announced via the Penguins' official X account.
The Penguins have signed defenseman Tomas Galvas to a three-year, entry-level contract. pic.twitter.com/ZrweCzl9vO
Galvas played in Czechia for Bílí Tygři Liberec during the 2025-26 season, finishing with eight goals and 24 points in 32 games.
He also represented Czechia at the World Juniors and was fantastic, compiling three goals and nine points in seven games. He was everywhere on the ice, utilizing his strong skating skills to his advantage.
Galvas is expected to play another season in Czechia before coming over to North America. He could join the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins if his 2026-27 season in Czechia ends early.
This is a player that the Penguins are pretty excited about, and rightfully so.
The NBA legend and “Inside the NBA” analyst made an appearance on “Unfiltered with Ricky Bo and Bill Colarulo” this week and shared his first reaction to the blockbuster trade.
“I was like, ‘This can’t be a true story.’ There’s so much fake stuff on the internet now, I’m like, ‘Nah, they didn’t trade him to the Sixers,'” Barkley said. “Number one, you’re like ‘Wow.’ Secondly, you’re like, ‘Well, what’d they give up?’ They gave up Paul George and some draft picks. I says, ‘Man, the Sixers just got away with murder, man.’”
Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown plays during Game 6 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Philadelphia. AP Photo/Matt Slocum
Barkley continued: “[The 76ers] were dead in the water, to be honest with you. Because Paul’s contract and Joel’s inability to stay healthy, they were going to be out the running for the next three or four or five years. And now, all of a sudden, they’re a legit contender.”
With Brown in the mix, Philadelphia has a strong core for the future, with budding stars Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe alongside one of the best centers in the league, when healthy, in Joel Embiid.
“I mean, [Brown] and Maxey and Edgecombe and whatever they get out of Joel, they’re going to be a really good team. [Nick] Nurse is a hell of a coach, and Jaylen’s a hell of a player,” Barkley noted.
TNT college basketball analyst Charles Barkley on air before the National Championship of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.. Getty ImagesBoston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) during the first half of Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, April 21, 2026, in Boston. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
“The Sixers just became a contender in the East. You go from being irrelevant to being a serious contender in the Eastern Conference for the next three years. It’s pretty good for Philadelphia right now,” Barkley said.
Last season, the Sixers finished seventh in the East with a record of 45-37. They were swept by the eventual champion Knicks in the conference semifinals.
Jun 27, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) throws against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
The St. Louis Cardinals will try to take the final game of their 5-game set with the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday night at Busch Stadium as Andre Pallante gets the ball for the Cardinals. RHP Logan Henderson will make the start for the St. Louis Cardinals. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45pm at Busch Stadium and the TV broadcast will be available on Cardinals.tv.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Ranger Suarez walks back to the dugout after the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels.
The Red Sox have suffered a low blow to their pitching staff.
Left-hander Ranger Suárez has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a left groin strain retroactive to Monday, the team announced Thursday.
Suárez has been a bright spot in a dark Red Sox season, holding a 3.15 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with opponents hitting .232 against him in 17 starts.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Ranger Suárez walks back to the dugout after the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels. AP Photo/William Liang
The move takes him off his last start before the All-Star break, which was expected to be Saturday against the Mets at Citi Field.
It will also take him out of the 2026 All-Star Game after being selected for the second time in his career.
“Obviously it doesn’t feel great [to miss the All-Star Game],” Suárez told reporters of his injury, per MLB.com. “I’m obviously sad. I wanted to be able to go there and represent my team, and also enjoy the moment.
“But I think the best thing for me is to take care of my body and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Missing the All-Star Game likely stings even more as it’s in Philadelphia, where Suarez spent eight seasons playing for the Phillies.
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Ranger Suarez works against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday. AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Suárez said he will not be in attendance at all, choosing to stay in Boston to rehab.
“At the end of the day, he is an All-Star,” Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy told MLB.com. “He’s been named an All-Star, so you love the players that make the All-Star team.
“You can’t take away from an All-Star season, and now our biggest objective is, let’s make sure we do the right thing and get him healthy and have him ready after the break.”
Tracy added that he hopes Sonny Gray is able to take Suárez’s spot as an injury replacement for the Midsummer Classic.
Roch Cholowsky has been the presumed No. 1 pick in 2026 for nearly an entire year. | (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
The White Sox kick off the 2026 MLB draft by making the No. 1 overall selection at noon CT on Saturday, and will choose among three plum prospects: UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey and shortstop Grady Emerson from Fort Worth Christian (Texas) H.S. We’re digging deeper into all three players in anticipation of the third No. 1 overall pick in White Sox history.
The White Sox could add a potential cornerstone player by selecting UCLA shortstop Daniel Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLB draft. In doing so, Cholowsky would become just the third college shortstop ever selected first overall, joining Bill Almon (1974) and Dansby Swanson (2015). Although neither player went on to a Hall of Fame career, that would be rare company, and another indication of just how highly Cholowsky is regarded.
Or perhaps … was regarded? As the draft comes closer, some of the conversation for No. 1 overall has shifted to the other prime prospects, Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey and prep shortstop Grady Emerson. That could be a case of overall draft fatigue and prospect evaluators rationalizing their professions. Still, Cholowsky has been at or near No. 1 overall in mock drafts for essentially a solid year now. The right-handed hitter entered the spring with a reputation for elite bat-to-ball skills and polished defense, then strengthened his case by continuing to produce throughout the 2026 season.
If Cholowsky is Chicago’s pick, that would indicate the White Sox went with the prospect many evaluators considered the most complete position player in the class. Cholowsky offers an advanced offensive approach, dependable defense at shortstop, and the kind of all-around game that gives him both a high floor and an equally enticing ceiling.
For an organization that has emphasized athleticism — especially up the middle — at premium defensive positions and high baseball IQ throughout its rebuild, picking Cholowsky makes perfect sense. Rather than drafting for immediate need, the White Sox would be staying true to their philosophy of taking the best player available. They were also high on Cholowsky coming out of high school, scouting him extensively ahead of the 2023 draft, meaning that this is a relationship that has been years in the making.
For Cholowsky, baseball has always been a way of life: His father, Dan, was a first-round pick by the Cardinals in 1991 and spent eight seasons in professional baseball before becoming a major league scout. That familial background helped shape one of the most polished players in the draft, giving Cholowsky an advanced feel for the game long before he arrived on a college campus.
The 6´2´´, 202-pound Arizona native arrived at UCLA as one of the nation’s top prep recruits and quickly became the centerpiece of the Bruins’ lineup. Over the next three seasons, he developed from a polished contact hitter into one of college baseball’s most complete players, combining consistent production with elite defense at shortstop. As a junior, the 21-year-old slashed .320/.452/.636 with 21 home runs and finished as a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award. He closed out his UCLA career with a .329/.447/.624 slash line, along with 52 home runs over 178 career games, and was one of the NCAA’s premier defensive shortstops, finishing his final season with 15.3 defensive runs saved.
What stands out most about Cholowsky isn’t one loud tool — it’s the completeness of the package. MLB Pipeline gives him at least a 60 grade in four of the five major scouting categories, including his hit, power, arm, and field tools, resulting in a 65 overall. He controls the strike zone, rarely gives away an at-bat, and consistently squares up the baseball. As he’s added strength throughout his amateur career, the power has come naturally without sacrificing the disciplined approach that made Cholowsky successful in the first place. If that profile sounds familiar, it should. It’s become the blueprint for the type of hitter GM Chris Getz and his front office have prioritized throughout the rebuild.
Defensively, Cholowsky has every opportunity to remain at shortstop as a professional. His smooth actions, reliable hands, instincts and above-average arm have long drawn praise from scouts. While he won’t wow anyone with top-of-the-scale speed, his feel for the position allows him to make difficult plays look routine.
Cholowsky would join an emerging young core that already includes Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, Noah Schultz and Grant Taylor, giving Chicago yet another premium talent to build around. Given Colson’s seemingly inevitable move to third base at some point, selecting Cholowsky won’t create a clog on the roster or in the lineup.
Cholowsky should begin his professional career shortly after signing, with a token Winston-Salem assignment likely coming later this summer. (Cholowsky is considered “MLB-ready,” and would not be out of place as one of the two White Sox September call-ups.) Because of his advanced offensive approach, defensive polish, and experience against some high-level collegiate competition, almost assuredly, he will move through the White Sox system more quickly than the typical first-round pick.
Cholowsky would arrive in Chicago with one of the most polished résumés in the 2026 draft class. If his college success can carry over to professional baseball, the White Sox may have found another foundational piece for its next championship-caliber club.
SAN FRANCISCO – With an opportunity to get his name into the conversation about who should be in the Giants’ starting rotation, Carson Whisenhunt admitted he tried to do too much and was rushing his delivery in his return to the majors.
The numbers showed he was correct in that assessment.
Called back up from the minors before Thursday’s game against the Colorado Rockies, Whisenhunt set a career-high with four walks while throwing 87 pitches in 5 2/3 innings, a respectable 65 percent success rate — but not exactly the type to secure a roster spot.
So now, Whisenhunt has to play the waiting game. Will he still be in the rotation when his next turn comes up, or will he head back down to the minors?
When that scenario played out in mid-June, the Giants sent Whisenhunt to Triple-A Sacramento. All sides agree that the brief trip back to the minors did Whisenhunt some good and got him going back in the right direction.
The Giants felt good enough about it to give Whisenhunt another shot in the pros, and he held up pretty well despite the command issues in San Francisco’s 8-2 win.
Whisenhunt set down the first eight batters he faced, pitched out of bases-loaded jam in the third then gave up a two-run home run to Willi Castro in the fourth, the only runs the Rockies got off the Giants starter.
“Whisenhunt was really good today,” Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer said. “He pounded his fastball. His changeup was good. I thought he attacked the strike zone well, just kept us off balance.”
That was quite a compliment when compared to Whisenhiunt’s postgame talk with reporters. The Giants pitcher said he was out of sync in the early part of the game.
“Felt comfortable, felt confident. But a little rushed, just trying to do a little too much I think,” Whisenhunt said. “The first two innings felt really good. Third inning’s when I felt it.
“Then going back out in the fourth I felt like I slowed it ack down and everything was fine after that. It’s just a little bit going on.”
Before the game, Giants manager Tony Vitello spoke about Whisenhunt’s opportunity to make a case for himself to be in the starting rotation.
Afterward, Vitello sounded very pleased with what the Giants got out of Whisenhunt.
“He was good,” Vitello said. “If you’re going to harshly critique, to me it looked like he was rushing a little bit off the stretch. You want to be quick to the plate but it’s a fine line. Aside from that it was outstanding.”
Now comes the waiting.
It could be hours or days. But soon and very soon, Whisenhunt will get a message from management letting him know he’s staying or to pack his bags for another trip back to Sacramento.
“Just trying to do whatever I can to stay but also give the team a chance to win, that’s the biggest thing,” Whisenhunt said,. “Obviously don’t know what’s going to come from tonight’s outing, if I’m going to stay or not, but hopefully I do. Just building off what I’ve done the past few times I’ve had a chance to come up here.”
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Zyon Pullin #15 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome back to basketball, folks!
While Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings fans got the California Classic, and a bunch of different teams got the Salt Lake City Summer League, the Minnesota Timberwolves kicked off their season — Summer League or otherwise — with a game against the New Orleans Pelicans, who have not won a Summer League game since 2023.
That did not change today.
The drought continues.
Joan Beringer with 18 points, 12 boards and 5 stocks, was a +14
Zyon Pullin with 24 points, 12 dimes to 4 TOs, and 7 boards
Rocco Zikarsky with a disappointing showing of 4 TOs to 3 FGM, 6 boards
Before I drag on about the players that performed well, let’s immediately get to the things that most of you are likely here to read about. Of course, I’m talking about the pair of sophomore bigs, the international duo of Rocco Zikarsky and Joan Beringer.
Despite less than impressive finishing to start out the game (with the exception of a soaring lob finish off an inbound), during which he missed four hook shots, Joan Beringer was impressive as a rebounder and shot blocker. It makes a ton of sense that the Wolves have been so high on him internally.
Possibly most encouraging was the weight and muscle Joan has clearly put on, and the improvements to his handle that enabled him to attack and dominate Pelicans big Hunter Dickinson.
I’m sure people will be talking about this play for the next few days.
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) July 9, 2026
Much of the conversation surrounding the Frenchman will be about how soon he can be a contributing piece to a team that got decidedly younger this offseason while still aiming for title hopes (however unrealistic that is).
Still, his partnership with Rudy Gobert should certainly leave him with a guide that the mentorship system in 2K would drool over.
We also got some confirmation from head coach Chris Finch that the Wolves will use Beringer at the four beyond just this summer in defensively focused lineups. Finch highlighted Joan’s ability to switch onto guards as a swing factor in that regard.
Zikarsky was, unfortunately, not as exciting. While the towering Aussie was not awful, he also seems to lack the required movement abilities that an NBA player needs, but that will not be decided in Summer League. He got off to a very slow start, missing his first four shots, but bounced back to have moments as an under-the-rim finisher.
For those of us (myself included) who were excited to watch Rocco as a passer and shooter, he disappointed there with four turnovers, two assists, and 1/3 shooting from deep.
With those two big pillars covered, the rest of this recap falls at the feet of the guy who may have been the Wolves’ best player this afternoon: Zyon Pullin.
The starting point guard had a near triple-double with 24 points, 12 assists, and eight rebounds. The 6’4 product out of Florida did it with no threes, instead constantly slashing to the rim, and finishing with some impressive layups and floaters.
Joan Beringer with his third block of the day right here, giving way to a transition layup for Zyon Pullin. The two of them have a combined 29 points this afternoon. They've been great. pic.twitter.com/GQlBYf7Kiy
Pullin lit up the G-League last year and is a likely candidate for one of the Wolves’ two-way spots. While there may only be one left alongside Enrique Freeman and Zikarsky, I’d be shocked to see anyone but Pullin in that role.
There should be some credit given to Nate Santos and Donovan Williams as well, who both had the definition of “great in their role” performances, with Santos in particular flashing as a full-court player and finisher.
That leaves just the recent 2nd round pick, Trey Kaufman-Renn, who did little with sparing playing time, participating largely just as a rebounder.
For any fans excited to see the early of the two second-rounders the Wolves took during the draft, Duke wing Isaiah Evans, he is still in NBA purgatory while Minnesota waits on Charlotte and Brooklyn to finalize the details of the Lamelo Ball – Naz Reid – Julius Randle trade.
The Wolves will be back in action on Saturday against a Nuggets team that should be less strapped for cash than their NBA equivalent. Who knows? Maybe we’ll add another funny chapter to that rivalry in the halls of the Pavilion in Vegas.
Jul 8, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; The Texas Rangers fans go Tarps Off during the eighth inning between the Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
