NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Mikel Brown Jr. #0 of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a portrait during Brooklyn Nets Media Day at Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center on September 28, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It feels a little different this time, right? The Brooklyn Nets begin their 2026-27 season this week! We’ve got Julius Randle, a bigger Egor Dëmin, a darn good prospect in Mikel Brown Jr., and a whole lot else to be excited about now. In this season preview pod, we share our predictions for the year, some bolder than others, and touch on what the fans should be excited and concerned about. We also hop in the time machine and look at the team’s starting lineups over the past 15 years, some crazier than others. How about those new uniforms too? We’re covering it all here.
In Episode 49 of The Brooklyn with Pooch & Collin, we also touch on:
Mikel Brown Jr.’s preseason debut
Predicting the team’s MVP, DPOY, and MIP this year
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after striking out during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game four of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
To be clear: The two-way star was the second-best player in the National League this year, hitting 30 home runs and posting a sub-2.00 ERA in 14 starts on the mound. Even in a relatively down year for him, he finished fifth in the majors in FanGraphs’ version of wins above replacement. He remains, undoubtedly, MLB’s foremost star player and the Dodgers’ most potent weapon.
What mattered most for the Dodgers this year was having Ohtani –– especially as a hitter –– at full strength come the postseason. By trying to play through right arm and left knee injuries, he wasn’t.
In his 17th MLB season, Freeman earned his 10th career All-Star selection, finished 13th in the majors in total hits, and continued his march towards Cooperstown. But, the 37-year-old also saw his total production (measured by WAR) decline for a fourth straight year.
Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a single during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game three of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Getty Images
What was shaping up to be a lost year for Betts instead finished with signs of renewed life. On Aug. 4, he was hitting .223 with a .670 OPS. In 46 games after that, he posted a .315/.399/.562 slash line while nearly doubling his home run total from 13 to 23.
It was the best he had looked since the first half of 2024 and a reminder that, even at 34 years old now, there is a superstar level he is still capable of reaching. The Dodgers will be hoping that’s what they get from him in 2027.
Max Muncy: B+
This was a resurgent season for Muncy, who returned to the All-Star Game for the first time since 2021 while hitting for his highest average (.252) since 2018. He stayed healthy, playing 149 games and hitting 29 home runs.
He also improved his defense, earning a nod as a Gold Glove finalist at third base. He’ll be back at third next season, in the final guaranteed year of his contract.
Andy Pages: A-
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages (44) celebrates after defeating the Atlanta Braves in game four of the NLDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Truist Park in Cumberland, Georgia, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Pages didn’t sustain his torrid pace from early in the year (he had a .303 average and .899 OPS on May 27, then a .254 average and .751 OPS thereafter) but still cemented himself as the youngest core piece of the roster, earning an All-Star nod with his improved approach and stellar center-field defense. His postseason was an improvement from 2025, too.
Teoscar Hernández: C
A late surge at the plate helped save some of Hernández’s season-long numbers (.267 average, .759 OPS) following a prolonged slump upon his return from a hamstring strain.
But after being bandied around in potential trade discussions last offseason, it’s possible his future with the club could be in question again this winter.
Kyle Tucker: D
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker (23) reacts after a double during the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game four of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The only thing saving this from being an F is the way Tucker finished his otherwise dismal debut season, highlighted by a team-best .333 batting average in the playoffs. Still, the 29-year-old played nowhere near expectations after his $240 offseason signing, setting career lows in average (.233), OPS (.715) and home runs (17).
The Dodgers will be desperate for him to return to form next year, when he will play an even more vital role in their still-aging lineup. If not, those $60 million player options in 2028 and 2029 will start to feel like poison pills.
Will Smith: C
This is a relatively incomplete grade, given Smith was limited to just 73 games by a three-month neck injury. But even when he did play, the veteran backstop took a step back. His .260 average and .781 OPS were the second-lowest marks of his career (ahead of only 2024). He went just 3-for-31 in the playoffs, salvaging only so much with his Game 3 double in the NLCS.
Tommy Edman: C
After missing the start of the year recovering from ankle surgery, Edman did little more than meet expectations in his utility role with the Dodgers. He was a streaky .247 hitter, finishing with a just-about-league-average .714 OPS. He played good defense and shifted around the diamond. But any more profound impact was limited.
Kiké Hernández: C
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernández (8) throws to first base to force out Milwaukee Brewers’ Brice Turang (2) during the sixth inning in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. Getty Images
Injuries derailed Hernández’s year. And though he had another big October moment –– hitting a home run off Chris Sale in the NLDS –– there was little else to take from his 13th big-league campaign. Once again a free agent, he will represent one of the more intriguing questions of the Dodgers’ winter.
Each of the last three offseasons, they have re-signed him to a one-year deal. Whether they do so again could be a signal for how much, or little, of a shakeup they’re planning for next year.
Dalton Rushing: B
For Rushing, it was a year of promising highs (seven home runs in March/April, .288 batting average in July) and frustrating lows (emotional outbursts early in the year, his spat with Ohtani on the mound in June, and a late-season elbow injury that sidelined him for the playoffs) for the former top prospect. He has more to prove entering Year 3 in 2027.
Alex Freeland: C
Another ex-prospect, Freeland didn’t capitalize on increased opportunity this year, hitting just .234 with only 13 extra-base hits in 89 games. Though still only 25, he remains on the fringes of the team’s long-term plans.
Alex Call: C
The backup outfielder survived the trade deadline. But after hitting just .233 in his reserve role, he might not be a lock to return in his reserve role next year.
Josue De Paula: B+
Josue De Paula of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting a triple during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Getty Images
In his brief MLB debut, De Paula did everything right as a hitter, reaching base at a .500 clip in 11 regular-season games before drawing two key walks as a pinch-hitter in October. Offensively, he seems ready for everyday big-league duties. But the gigantic question mark about his outfield defense leaves his 2027 role unclear entering the winter.
Hyeseong Kim: D
Time will tell if the Dodgers still see something in Kim. But the way he was buried in triple-A this year, after playing just 43 games in the majors in April and May, was not a good sign as he enters the final guaranteed year of his contract.
Hunter Feduccia: B
The former Dodgers farmhand returned to the club in a deadline day trade and was perfectly adequate as the backup catcher over the final couple months of the season. Whether there’s a role for him in the organization again next year remains to be seen.
Miguel Rojas: A
We’re grading on a curve here, in what was a fittingly effective send-off season for the now-retired veteran infielder. Rojas did his job by menacing left-handed pitching (.293 average against them), playing stout defense and serving as a vocal leader in the Dodgers’ star-studded clubhouse. After an accomplished 13-year MLB career –– highlighted by his season-saving home run in Game 7 of last year’s World Series –– his presence will be missed in the clubhouse.
Let's be honest with ourselves: Part of the concern basketball fans have with LeBron James' helicopter commute to Philadelphia games and practices is a shared PTSD from the tragic death of Kobe Bryant. Those emotional scars remain.
While fans in Philadelphia and beyond have made a big deal of LeBron commuting from a home in New York to Philadelphia via helicopter, his comments downplayed it, via Tony Jones at The Athletic.
"Yeah, I've done it before," James said. "Just another, just another way of transportation. That's all."
LeBron has been using a helicopter — provided by the sports apparel company Fanatics, according to Pablo Torre Finds Out — to commute from New York to the 76ers practice facility in Camden, N.J.
As the Dan LeBatard show pointed out, LeBron chose the 76ers, not Philadelphia. For Philly fans, that's not much of a distinction, but it is one. LeBron isn't the first person to do this commute, as noted by Jones former 76ers guard and current Lakers coach JJ Redick used to live in New York, although he hired a car service to do it. That drive is around two hours (more on bad traffic days), by helicopter, it's more like half an hour.
LeBron isn't changing his plans, and he is unconcerned about the discourse around his commute.
Check out LeBron's official debut as a 76er on Tuesday when he makes a shorter commute to Madison Square Garden with his teammates for the season opener, trying to spoil ring night for Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks, a game you can watch on NBC and Peacock. It's the anchor game of a triple-header — Celtics at Pistons at 3 p.m. Eastern, and Thunder at Spurs at 9:30 p.m. Eastern — with all the games shown on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
AJ Dybantsa (4) of the Washington Wizards is fouled by Karlo Matkovic (17) of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a preseason game at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026.
The No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft has suffered an ankle injury, putting his regular season debut on Wednesday in doubt.
Dybantsa sprained his left ankle in the second quarter of Washington’s preseason finale against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. He landed awkwardly after a mid-range jumper, and his teammates helped him to the locker room.
The rookie sat out the rest of the game as a precaution. He finished with 12 points, three rebounds, and one block in 15 minutes.
AJ Dybantsa (4) of the Washington Wizards is fouled by Karlo Matkovic (17) of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a preseason game at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. Getty Images
Social media footage showed the rookie walking down the tunnel on his own and mouthing, “I’m good”.
“We’ll look at it more when we get more information,” Wizards coach Brian Keefe told reporters.
Across four preseason appearances, Dybantsa is averaging 12 points, four rebounds, and one assist while shooting 43 percent from the field.
The injury delivers a blow to fans eager to see Washington’s first No. 1 pick since 2010—and sets back a Wizards team that, players have acknowledged, actively tanked last season to land the BYU forward.
AJ Dybantsa just rolled his ankle and went back to the Wizards locker room.
He walked off under his own power and seemed to say “I’m good” but still a very scary moment for Wizards fans. pic.twitter.com/nZZldhf8Iv
Observers expect the 19-year-old to play a key role as the Wizards look to return to competitive basketball. After extending Trae Young to a four-year, $212 million deal this offseason, Washington enters the season with an intriguing mix of veterans and young talent.
Anthony Davis, Khris Middleton, Deandre Ayton, Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, Bub Carrington, and Tre Johnson round out the roster.
Dybantsa is confident in the support around him. At media day, he said his situation differs from that of other No. 1 picks because he can learn from established stars and Hall of Famers.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (25) drives on Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa (4) in the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. AP Photo/Morgan Simmons
“I have All-Stars and Hall of Famers on my team that I can really get some knowledge from, (such as) Khris Middleton, Trae Young, AD (Anthony Davis), DeAndre Ayton, so I don’t have to come in and carry this huge load,” he said. “I think I can just kind of bond with these guys, learn it slowly and learn how to play the right way instead of just getting put into a situation where I have a lot on my back.”
Washington will monitor Dybantsa’s availability as it prepares to open the regular season against the Bucks on Wednesday.
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 5: Haywood Highsmith #19 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons during a preseason game on October 5, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The roster fine-tuning has begun for the Phoenix Suns as they prepare for the 2026–27 season, and I have a feeling some of the more analytical members of the fan base aren’t going to be particularly happy with the latest decision. After being claimed off waivers following his release from the Brooklyn Nets last season, Haywood Highsmith has officially been cut by Phoenix, with the organization opting to retain Jamaree Bouyea instead.
The Phoenix Suns are keeping Jamaree Bouyea as the 14th player on the roster. They have officialy cut Haywood Highsmith.
Both Highsmith and Bouyea carry non-guaranteed contracts that don’t become fully guaranteed until January 27.
Highsmith appeared in seven games for the Suns last season, averaging 5.4 points in 13 minutes per contest. He also appeared in two postseason games, failing to score in either appearance.
At nearly 30 years old, Highsmith profiles as a quality three-and-D player. Although he stands 6’5”, he possesses tremendous length and has carved out a place in the NBA through toughness, grit, and his ability to knock down shots. He’s the type of player who has earned everything he’s received throughout his professional career. But when you look at the current state of the Phoenix Suns, there are several factors that likely influenced this decision.
First, the Suns simply appear to like Bouyea more. He’s somebody the organization identified while he was playing in the G League with the Austin Spurs, brought into the fold, and continued developing. And he’s rewarded that investment with some encouraging performances, including a strong preseason in which he averaged 9.8 points in 16.6 minutes across five games.
So Phoenix is opting to retain a player who’s three years younger and whom the organization has already identified as somebody worth continuing to develop. Bouyea also provides additional depth at the guard position, which brings us to another reason Highsmith became expendable.
The Suns have plenty of depth on the wing, particularly when you consider the number of young players who need opportunities to develop. Ryan Dunn, Rasheer Fleming, and Koa Peat are all players the organization has invested in, and finding meaningful minutes for Highsmith would potentially mean prioritizing his playing time over the development of those prospects. For a team that’s attempting to build toward the future while remaining competitive in the present, that becomes an important consideration.
The third factor is Highsmith’s injury history. There are legitimate concerns surrounding his health following the meniscus tear he suffered last season, and it’s fair to wonder whether he’s fully recovered. From the organization’s perspective, maintaining flexibility rather than committing to a player whose availability could remain uncertain might be the more appealing approach.
Which brings us to the fourth reason I believe this transaction occurred. The Phoenix Suns have demonstrated a preference for maintaining optionality and roster flexibility, particularly at the beginning of a season, rather than filling every available roster spot simply because they can. Releasing Highsmith opens one roster spot for Phoenix. Could that spot eventually be occupied by Duop Reath? Certainly. But my assumption is that Reath will ultimately land on a two-way contract alongside Koby Brea and Pat Spencer.
I think the Suns would prefer to keep that 15th roster spot available because, quite frankly, they don’t fully know who they are yet. There’s still plenty to learn about this roster, how the rotations will develop, and what needs might emerge once the regular season begins. So you let the season play out, evaluate what you have, and when the time comes, if there’s a player who can address a specific need, you have the flexibility to make that move. That’s the value of maintaining options rather than committing to a roster spot simply for the sake of filling it.
Ultimately, this decision says more about the Suns’ priorities than it does about Highsmith’s ability to contribute. Phoenix is choosing youth, development, and flexibility over a veteran whose opportunities were already going to be limited. Bouyea gets another chance to prove he belongs, while the front office maintains the ability to address needs as they emerge. There’s value in that approach, especially for a team still figuring out what it has. Sometimes the smartest roster move is knowing when to leave a spot open.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick has not committed to his starting five for the season opener on Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors, particularly at power forward. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)
After five preseason games, the Lakers open their regular season Wednesday at home against the Golden State Warriors. The preseason offered some promising moments, other confounding connections between new teammates and a strong foundation for the new-look team hoping to keep growing through an 82-game season.
“You’re always trying to get better,” coach JJ Redick said Friday after the Lakers lost their final preseason game to the Denver Nuggets. “And even later in the season, you tweak plays, you tweak the offense and you tweak coverages. It’s constantly evolving. There’s no, like, ‘oh, we’re done. Now we’re going to go play.’ But we’re ready to go.”
Here are five things we learned during the Lakers’ training camp and five preseason games:
Ziaire Williams makes his case
Lakers forward Ziaire Williams, left, tries to prevent Kings guard Emanuel Sharp from scoring in the lane during a preseason game earlier this month. (Sara Nevis / Associated Press)
Ziaire Williams played in only two of the five preseason games, but the 6-foot-9 forward emerged as one of the biggest winners of training camp. The Sierra Canyon High alumnus might go from veteran minimum contract to first-day starter. He was a perfect five-for-five shooting from three-point range during two preseason appearances — both starts — and averaged 13.5 points while taking on a prominent defensive role.
During his first two years as the Lakers coach, Redick admired Williams’ intent on the defensive end from afar and commended the forward’s willingness to defend other teams’ star players. And somehow, Williams, then playing for Brooklyn, always seemed to hit shots when he played against the Lakers.
Now seeing Williams every day, Redick has come away even more impressed by the 25-year-old’s character and leadership qualities.
“Everybody in our building that has been around him for the last, you know, six to eight weeks just recognizes what a special human being he is,” Redick said. “I really believe in him as a player, and I think he’s got a lot of room to grow still, which is exciting for all of us.”
While Williams might be the first choice to start at power forward, several contenders had strong preseasons at the position. Jake LaRavia is playing and shooting with confidence again. Sandro Mamukelashvili awed with his versatile offensive game. Adou Thiero showed significant growth from his injury-plagued rookie season. The position remains one of the team’s biggest unknowns, but the preseason could offer some confidence that the Lakers have options.
Mamu was breakout star of the preseason
Lakers forward Jake LaRavia, left, and Sandro Mamukelashvili try to stop the Kings' Jonathan Mogbo from scoring in a preseason game earlier this month. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
It won’t be long before chants of “Ma-muuuuuuuu” fill Crypto.com Arena. The Georgian forward will quickly become a fan favorite if he continues to provide the all-around offensive game he flashed during the preseason.
Mamukelashvili averaged 13.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 55.6% (25 for 45) from the field and 54.2% (13 for 24) from three-point range. Late during the third quarter against Denver, Mamukelashvili dazzled with a three-pointer, a cutting dunk and a defensive rebound that led to an assist to Quentin Grimes for a three-pointer — all in 99 seconds.
President of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said before the season that he and Redick wanted to intentionally build a cast of role players who could pass, dribble and shoot. Mamukelashvili checks all the boxes.
“Anytime he gets a rebound, we’re encouraging him to push the pace,” guard Austin Reaves said. “He’s a good basketball player, so we’re very excited for what he brings to the team.”
How long will rebounding woes linger?
Lakers center Walker Kessler, left, powering his way to the basket against two Nuggets defenders, will be the anchor to the team's defense, which will look to improve their rebounding deficiencies. (Ben Liebenberg / Associated Press)
Williams scanned the box score in front of him after the Lakers’ preseason finale Friday. He was looking for reassurance about how the Lakers ended the 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets.
“We did get outrebounded a little bit,” he said, glancing at the Lakers’ 49-44 rebounding deficit. “But not as bad.”
The Lakers’ 39.4 rebounds per game ranked second-to-last during the preseason. Defensive rebounds could be a weak point this season for a team still trying to solidify its backup center behind Walker Kessler. Three preseason games without Kessler reinforced to Redick that the Lakers needed to keep two big wings — any combination of Williams, LaRavia, Thiero, Matisse Thybulle or even Doncic, who is a strong rebounder for a guard — on the court to keep pace on the glass.
“We can’t just rely on Walker to get 30 rebounds a game,” Williams said of how the team has to approach rebounding. “It’s just not how the game works. So just every person just contributing to it and wanting it more than the other team.”
Kessler, standing nearby during Williams’ postgame news conference, poked his head out from behind a black curtain and gave his teammate a thumbs-up. He had 15 rebounds in two games, including 11 defensive boards. The Lakers were outrebounded by one in the two games with Kessler compared with a minus-23 rebounding differential during the first three preseason games.
Even the offense needs time
Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, pulls up in the lane for a shot against the Nuggets in the final preseason game Friday. (Ben Liebenberg / Associated Press)
Doncic, Reaves and Kessler only played one half together, and Doncic and Reaves only played in the same game twice. During one Laker fastbreak in the first quarter against Denver, while Reaves was taking a steal coast-to-coast for an easy layup, Doncic kept Kessler back on defense and pointed out tactics while they stood in the paint.
“There’s going to be some growing pain, just lack of reps together so far,” Reaves said of the chemistry between the team’s new “big three.” “... More than likely going to pick up on it sooner than later. So we’ll continue to grow that over the next couple days and be ready for opening night.”
The Lakers averaged 23 turnovers per game during the preseason. Guard Collin Sexton’s absence because of a lower leg injury showed up in the Lakers’ turnover struggles. Even two of the premier guards in the league won’t be enough to handle all of the Lakers’ ball-handling, especially if Bronny James continues to struggle as he did during the preseason.
James, after working into the injury-laden postseason rotation last year, averaged just 16.4 minutes per preseason game with 2.2 points per game on one-for-eight shooting from three. He had 12 rebounds, 14 assists and 12 turnovers during the five games.
The roster isn’t done changing
The Lakers have to cut their roster to 15 by the opener. Pelinka mentioned the possibility of consolidation trades to reach the maximum number, but no transactions have materialized, especially with the Lakers trying to cling to their limited draft assets. They don’t control their own first-round pick until 2032 and don’t have a second-round selection until 2031.
If the Lakers can’t pull off a deal, forward Dalton Knecht could be at risk of being waived. Since getting traded as a rookie and returning when the transaction was rescinded, the 17th overall pick in the 2024 draft has never carved out a steady role with the Lakers. Early, he looked like he could be the steal of the draft when he averaged 18.9 points per game during a nine-game stretch in November 2024, including a two-game, 64-point heater in which he hit 14 of 24 three-pointers. He scored more points in his 19 NBA games (231) than he did all of last season (228).
“I think the biggest thing is the team changed,” Redick said before Friday’s game of Knecht’s career arc. “The team changed. The needs changed, the fit changed. I think he got better as a player over the last two years. I think each guy has, particularly last year, each guy got plenty of opportunities with the amount of injuries we had. So I just think coming into this year, we added a lot of wings and he’s in a tough spot right now.”
Forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who has about $25 million left on his contract over the next two seasons, did not suit up for Friday’s preseason finale.
After joining the team through a trade from Washington this offseason, guard Jaden Hardy understood that roster moves would continue through training camp. On the fringe of the rotation, he said he didn’t let it bother him.
“I just came in [with a] clear head, clear mind, new situation, new opportunity,” said Hardy, who has a $6-million salary this season and a team option for next year. “I feel like it’s a blessing to be here and I’m just coming in here every day working, taking care of my business.”
He stated his case for a roster spot with 13 points in 14 minutes Friday.
MINNEAPOLIS , MN - APRIL 25: Rudy Gobert (27), Anthony Edwards (5), Julius Randle (30), and Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves call for a stoppage in action after Donte DiVincenzo (0) went down with an apparent injury during the first quarter of game four of their NBA Playoffs series against the Denver Nuggets at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) | Denver Post via Getty Images
As the season is just days away from kicking off, we asked you all for the last time.
Your answer?
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are injured beyond measure. It is our availability, not our ability, that most frightens us. Your playing dinged up does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about playing through ailments so that other teams won’t feel secure in their playoff seeing. We are all meant to load manage as Kawhi Leonard does. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own rest shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
To be fair, most teams likely fear the same thing. Injuries are the great equalizer, or more like “un-equalizer.” Wolves fans are no strangers to this, as we saw just how much it impacted their 2026 postseason run. Having a fully healthy Anthony Edwards, let alone an available Donte DiVincenzo, could have made a huge difference in the 2-4 series loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
Some of you in the comments section specifically referenced the concern of injury to Rudy Gobert. It falls in line with the frontcourt depth concern, as his only true backup is a 19-year-old athletic freak who only started playing basketball around when Anthony Edwards was drafted by Minnesota. The only other realistic options behind him would be Trey Lyles or two-player Rocco Zikarsky. Is 38-year-old Kevin Love kicking open the door to try and help his case to get his jersey retired after Kevin Garnett?
Interestingly enough, another high vote went towards “Winning too many games.” I added that as a sort of joke response, but it is reasonable to be concerned about a team that “replaced moodiness with giddiness” to take things seriously enough. I can already see the media running with a story like: Anthony Edwards spotted laughing while hopping in LaMelo Ball’s Hummer (which a personal driver is at the wheel of) after a four-point loss against the Memphis Grizzlies in March because they’re currently second in the Western Conference.
UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 08: J.T. Etheridge #33 of the Salt River Rafters pitches during the game between the Solar Sox and the River Rafters at Salt River Fields on Thursday, October 8, 2026 in Scottsdale, AZ United States. (Photo by Jill Weisleder/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
We’re two weeks down in the annual pilgrimage to the desert, and it’s been an up-and-down experience for the Yankees’ contingent and the rest of the Salt River Rafters. A very strong opening week shifted to a more challenging second week, one that saw several prospects struggle. As a reminder, if you want a quick rundown on who’s in the desert this month, check here.
October 9 (Rafters 13, Desert Dogs 9): Salt River started a rough week with a high-scoring win over Glendale, one where they led 7-1 after two innings. Only one Yankee got into a game, as Core Jackson walked thrice, hit a 100 mph single, and stole a base. He hasn’t had a great time in the desert through two weeks, but he’s shown flashes.
October 10 (Rafters 2, Scorpions 10): The pitching didn’t have a good week across the Salt River roster, but the main difference on Saturday was the lack of offense. It wasn’t really the fault of any Yankee, as Kyle West was the only one to play, and he walked in all three at-bats. The issues we saw with the pitching, though, involved Antonio Gomez. He started the sixth with a strikeout, but would allow three hits and two walks before being pulled with two outs. In the end, all five runners he allowed would score. Mack Estrada got the last three outs of the blowout loss in a solid outing.
October 13 (Rafters 6, Desert Dogs 5): The Rafters were off on Sunday and saw their game rained out on Monday, an extreme rarity out in Arizona. When they returned on Tuesday, three Yankees got into the game. Dax Kilby made his first appearance of the week, but went 0-for-4, albeit with a pair of stolen bases. Jackson went 1-for-4 with a couple of hard-hit balls, a walk, and two stolen bases. Chris Veach made his first appearance of the series, allowing one run in two innings.
October 14 (Rafters 3, Solar Sox 7): On Wednesday, the Rafters put themselves in an early four-run hole and never bounced back. Kilby went 0-for-3 with a walk on a quiet night, albeit with a 108.7 mph groundout. West went 0-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, while Anthony Mena made his lone appearance of the week with a choppy 1.2 innings.
October 15 (Rafters 9, Solar Sox 14): It was a light-night barnburner on Thursday night, as the Rafters led 9-8 in the ninth before a game-tying two-out infield single against Gomez tied the game. A five spot in the 10th after a small army of walks doomed them. Jackson went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, a stolen base, and a run scored. West entered as a late defensive replacement and hit a 103 mph groundout in the ninth. Estrada got two of the three batters he faced out, and while Gomez allowed two hits and had a blown save, he struck out a batter in a “scoreless” inning. He also tried out a new curveball.
October 16 (Rafters 0, Javelinas 10): What a crummy way to end the week. You can’t completely blame the Yankees for this one, though. Kilby went 2-for-4 with a 105 mph double, Jackson went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, and West went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. On the pitching side, we saw JT Etheridge strike out six in an up-and-down 3.1-inning start, while Veach struck out the side in order in the seventh.
Sep 5, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the sixth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Change is coming to Philadelphia (we hope). If the NLCS, and to a lesser extent the ALCS, has taught us anything, it’s that the Phillies need to make things different for next year’s roster if they want to have a chance at competing for a World Series. There is a gap that currently exists between them and teams like the Dodgers or Brewers, so to close that gap, things need to be different.
What we’re going to do is look at all the positions the team has and try to come up with ways that perhaps a tweak or two could be made in the hopes that things can be better in 2027. Maybe some changes are drastic, maybe some are incremental.
Let’s start behind the plate.
Who they have
We all know that behind the plate, they have hitched their wagon to J.T. Realmuto. For better or worse, they have decided that the best path forward is to give a soon-to-be 36 year old catcher two more years guaranteed to at least be a major part of the plan. The wisdom of a such a move, likely done as a panic to losing out on the Bo Bichette sweepstakes, now looks even worse considering Realmuto just posted the worst offensive season of his career. What compounds the problem is that the team had no real other option as the backup to help take away some of the plate appearances Realmuto was using. Believing that either Garrett Stubbs or Rafael Marchan would be some kind of viable option to help give the team good production behind the plate is akin to believing that a human would be able to survive on Neptune.
Their farm system is even more barren. Their best catching prospect, Alirio Ferrebus, spent the bulk of the season in Clearwater, admittedly having a good season, but still showing that he is light years away from making an impact. Their other options that would loosely have the “prospect” tag given to them have not convinced anyone that there is a threat to Realmuto’s hold coming from within.
To give the tl/dr version, the Phillies catching situation both in the present and future is bleak.
Free agent options
To say that the free agent market for catchers is rough would be being kind. The best starter is going to be Ryan Jeffers and it’s not particularly close. He just spent this past season in Minnesota putting up a 128 wRC+ in nearly 400 plate appearances and is only going to be 30 years old, so teams that are in need of a solid starting option are going to be calling his agent.
The Phillies do not need, or apparently, want a starter. Committing to Realmuto for $15M AAV means they still want him to carry the bulk of the playing time, something their pitching staff also wants to see as well. Scouring the market for a backup makes things a little more tolerable to handle as there are a few options that might fit the bill. The key is going to be two things: a) is that catcher solid defensively, which is what they mostly value from their catching, and b) can he be a starter in case Realmuto succumbs to another injury? Those two things could lead to a couple of options.
Jake Rogers – Well if Stubbs or Marchan is your guy, then Jake Rogers might be for you! Given that Rogers had an OPS that started with a 5, his market would likely be something around nil or barely above. He was one four, yes four, teams this year, getting DFA’ed like there was no tomorrow. Is he great behind the plate? He’s not great, but he’s not going to hurt any team with his defense. For likely a minor league deal or, at most, league minimum, there are worse options.
Jonah Heim – A pretty astounding fall from grace here, Heim was once a catcher running a 107 wRC+ and giving his team really good defense. Now, he’s coming off a season in which he had a 62 wRC+ and has a significant amount of blue on his Baseball Savant page for both offense and defense. Bringing Heim aboard would be a roll of the dice that somehow, the team could recapture some bit of glory with him. Another one that likely wouldn’t cost more than a minor league deal with a spring invite, it would be a pretty large roll of the dice, but could also serve as depth that they aren’t exactly overflowing with.
Carson Kelly – Now we’re getting to actual options here. Having a wRC+ over 100 (103) as a catcher is going to look good on anyone’s resume. Kelly ended 2026 with 10 home runs and 58 RBI, all while entering a timeshare with Miguel Amaya at the end of the season. That means he’s already accustomed to the role. Obviously, the ideal would be a timeshare where the catcher complement each other on the batter’s box, one hitting right handed, the other left. Bringing Kelly in would not create that ideal as both he and Realmuto are right handed, but beggars, choosers, etc. He’s still decent behind the plate and would be an instant upgrade over both options the Phillies were using as part of a rotation in 2026. He might be a bit more of a financial expenditure than they’d like, but there needs to be an upgrade. Kelly would represent that.
Tyler Stephenson – The dream free agent target. Stephenson is the best free agent catcher behind Jeffers, meaning bringing him in would be the team turning the job over to him and relegating Realmuto to being a very expensive backup. That’s not really how the team would probably want to spend their money, but again, this is a position that is seeing a significant dropoff in production and needs to be something more than a lost at bat each team the spot comes up in the lineup. Stephenson would command less than what Jeffers would offer, so there’s at least that. He’s great at blocking baseballs in the dirt; just don’t ask about all the other things a catcher is supposed to do. Again, bringing Stephenson in is akin to pie in the sky hopes, but we can all have them, right?
Trade options
The trade market is probably as bad as the free agent market. Teams are very aware of the lack of truly capable catchers that would deserve major league playing time, so the market for them could be higher than what a team like the Phillies would want to pay. Instead of trading for a starter though, the Phillies are likely looking for a backup that doesn’t embarrass himself if a longer term need arises.
Hunter Goodman – This would obviously be the dream player to get for the Phillies if they were serious about upgrading the catching position. He hits for power, he plays an alright defense and isn’t all that expensive. Team control? You betcha. He’s also going to command at the minimum the Phillies’ top 2-3 prospect plus others. Is a catcher moving away from Coors Field what they’d want to spend their prospect capital on?
Mickey Gasper – The first thing to know about Gaspar is he’s hurt. He tore up his biceps muscle enough that he needed surgery, so he’ll be out a while. Maybe a team doesn’t want to part with prospects when the recovery from such a procedure would take time. Maybe the team isn’t really that impressed with him, not truly believing in his end of year power surge (10 HR in 225 PA) and thinking it’s a mirage. That would be the game the team is playing with a trade for him. Is he healthy? Is the power real? For the right price, the answers might be worth finding out.
Pedro Pages/Jimmy Crooks – The Cardinals are littered with catching prospects. They have Leo Bernal now, Rainel Rodriguez soon and these two are good. That means they have Pages and Crooks just sitting there, waiting to be poached. Giving one or the other the chance to work with Realmuto and grow into perhaps the heir apparent would be worth giving up a little more than just a wild card or relief prospect.
Predicted outcome
There are a litany of other options the Phillies could look into. They could probably also just bring back one of Stubbs or Marchan on a cheaper contract instead of the projected $1 million they are each to get. The guess is here is that Stubbs is brought back on a minor league deal to help in Lehigh Valley to get Gage Wood or any other prospect ready for the major leagues like they did with Andrew Painter while also addressing the backup spot through free agency. Carson Kelly only got 2 years and $11 million his last go ‘round on the market and if he were to take that same deal, the Phillies should probably be on that.
Oct 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers (9) celebrates with the MVP trophy after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game four of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Brewers’ sweep of the Dodgers in the NLCS was a complete team effort. While there were heroes in each game and throughout the series, almost every position player stepped up at some point in the series and made a big play for the team. Let’s take a look at each position player’s contribution in the NLCS, as well as their biggest moment in the series.
Gary Sánchez
Did not play
We’ll start with Sánchez, because unfortunately, there’s no moment for him. He did not play at all in the NLCS, and only has one plate appearance in the postseason so far (a ninth-inning pinch hit in Game 2 of the NLDS). It was a good plate appearance, as he drew a walk to extend the inning for Jackson Chourio’s walk-off hit.
Game 2 was Contreras’ big game of the series, where he went 3-for-4 with a walk, home run, and three RBI. The biggest of those plays was his game-tying home run in the fifth inning, which tied the game at 4-4. That home run was a massive shot off the scoreboard, hit 438 feet with an exit velocity of 106.3 mph. It was worth +.160 WPA according to FanGraphs. While his sixth-inning single put the Brewers ahead for good, it was only worth +.100 WPA.
4 games, 4-for-14, 1 double, 1 home run, 3 walks, 6 RBI, 1 run scored, +.383 WPA
As the NLCS MVP, Bauers had plenty of big moments in the series. While his Game 4 two-RBI double and RBI walk helped secure the series sweep, his most impressive and biggest moment came in Game 3. Two days after working a 12-pitch walk against Yoshinobu Yamamoto, he had an 11-pitch battle against Blake Snell. He won the battle with a two-run home run to right-center, hit 412 feet with a 109.4 mph exit velocity. It flipped the game from a 2-1 deficit to a 3-2 lead and was worth +.320 WPA.
While Turang had an overall positive series, he didn’t have much for big moments in it. His biggest moment came in Game 1 of the series, when he got the Brewers on the board. A leadoff home run in the fourth inning started the scoring off Tarik Skubal, tying the game at 1-1. It just cleared the fence in front of the bullpen, flying 384 feet with a 102.5 mph exit velocity, and was worth +.136 WPA. Even though he didn’t have much for big moment, he was consistently on base and scored six runs in his nine times on-base. He also added plenty of value on defense, helping turn three double plays in Game 1.
The numbers weren’t kind to Pratt in the season, as he overall had a negative WPA throughout the series. His only game with a positive WPA came in Game 3, where he went 3-for-4 with a stolen base. Pratt provided more value on defense, as he was part of the three double-plays the Brewers turned in Game 1. He also had a nice play on a hard-hit ball in the ninth inning of Game 4, helping finish the clinching game of the NLCS. It was a good recovery from his three errors committed in the NLDS.
Cooper Pratt tonight:
🔵 Three hits 🔵 Raised his October AVG to .360 🔵 1 SB 🔵 Became second Brewer below age 23 with three-hit postseason game in franchise history pic.twitter.com/gPyXzYdXVH
It was also a rough series for Ortiz, who played in just two games and only recorded one hit. That hit was an insurance run in Game 3, giving the Brewers a 6-2 lead in the ninth inning. Since the Brewers already had a strong lead, that play was only worth +.019 WPA.
Though Hamilton only played in two games, he was a major player in both of those games. Not only was he regularly on base, his strong baserunning gave the Brewers more chances to score. His series was punctuated in the ninth inning of Game 4. A solo home run gave the Brewers a huge insurance run, increasing the lead to 6-4. It was hit 402 feet with an exit velocity of 105 mph, and was worth +.104 WPA.
4 games, 3-for-19, 1 home run, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, -.181 WPA
After putting together a very strong performance in the NLDS, Chourio took more of a backseat in the NLCS. He didn’t have much for big moments, only recording three hits in the series. However, he did give the Brewers an instant lead in Game 3 with his home run on the first pitch of the game, a 391-foot blast with an exit velocity of 106.1 mph to right-center that was worth +.098 WPA. His running catch in the ninth inning of Game 4 also secured the final out of the series, sending the Brewers to the World Series.
It’s a little hard to believe that Mitchell only had two hits in the series with how much of an impact he had. He had several great catches in the outfield to help keep the Dodgers at bay in each game. However, his two home runs, both off left-handed pitchers, were big moments in those games. In Game 3, his home run two pitches after Bauers’ home run gave the Brewers an insurance run. He topped that the next night, leading off the sixth with a solo home run to right-center to give the Brewers a 5-4 lead. It was hit 409 feet with a 105.2 mph exit velocity, and was worth +.162 WPA.
Frelick didn’t record a hit in his two starts in right field, but did walk twice. His highest positive WPA came from a walk in the fifth inning of Game 4, and followed that by stealing second. Those together were worth +.050 WPA, and started the rally that tied the game. He also provided some good defense during the series. One of his better plays came in the third inning of Game 2. He made a leaping catch to rob Freddie Freeman of extra bases, as well as keep the game tied for the moment.
Lara got the other two starts in right field, and had similar results to Frelick. He also provided some good defense in the outfield, ranging far for some catches. However, his one hit in the series was a big one. In the bottom of the fifth inning in Game 1, Mitchell was at second following a walk and sacrifice bunt from Pratt. Lara then singled to center, bringing in Mitchell and giving the Brewers a 2-1 lead. It ended up being the game-winning RBI and was worth +.121 WPA.
Vaughn came into the NLCS with a bit of rust. Due to a late-season illness, he spent the end of the season on the injured list and hadn’t made a start since September 19th. He did play in the NLDS, but only a couple of innings as a late-game replacement. Vaughn started in Game 1 and 3 of the NLCS, serving as the DH in both games. In the series, he drew two walks (one intentional), and his big moment was a double in the second inning of Game 1, the first Brewers’ hit of the game. It was worth +.046 WPA. He advanced to third on a groundout, but was left stranded there.
Christian Yelich
3 games, 2-for-10, 2 RBI, 1 run scored, -.039 WPA
Even though Yelich had a rough season, he’s stepped it up in the postseason so far. While he wasn’t as good in the NLCS, he still had a big moment in the series. In Game 2, he went 2-for-5 at the plate. The first of those hits gave the Brewers their first lead of the day. It was a two-RBI single to center field, and the Brewers led 3-2 at the time. The play was worth +.203 WPA.
MILWAUKEE — Now that the World Series-bound Milwaukee Brewers finally have translated their extraordinary regular-season success into the postseason, the same question that comes up every time they clinch a playoff berth is getting repeated again.
How do they keep doing it?
The Brewers play in Major League Baseball’s smallest market. They have a payroll in the bottom half of the majors. They typically trade away their big-name players a year before they reach free agency.
Yet they posted the best record in the majors for a second straight year, earned their eighth playoff berth in nine seasons and won a fourth straight NL Central title. It’s a stunning run for a franchise that had a 25-year playoff drought from 1983-2007.
The one knock against the Brewers was their lack of postseason success. Nobody can make that criticism anymore, now that they’re in the Fall Classic for the first time since 1982 — and second time ever — after sweeping the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers out of the playoffs.
Conventional wisdom suggested this run of success would end for the Brewers after the departures of president of baseball operations David Stearns and manager Craig Counsell. Stearns stepped down after the 2022 season and left for the New York Mets a year later. Counsell left for the NL Central rival Chicago Cubs after Milwaukee’s 2023 playoff loss.
Instead, the Brewers promoted from within and got even better with Matt Arnold as president of baseball operations and Pat Murphy as manager.
Arnold, who also made it to the World Series while working in Tampa Bay’s front office in 2008, had served as Stearns’ right-hand man before taking over for him. He has utilized Milwaukee’s outstanding farm system by signing outfielders Jackson Chourio and Luis Lara, and shortstop Cooper Pratt to long-term deals before they had ever reached the major leagues. All three have played major roles this season.
Perhaps his best move was deciding on Murphy to take over as manager after Counsell’s departure. Murphy, who had been Counsell’s bench coach since 2016, was selected as NL manager of the year each of the last two seasons.
“He’s tremendous, I think, and well-rounded in a way where he has a great way about going about his business with the push-pull,” Arnold said. “He’s good at pushing when you need it and pulling back when you need it as well. He does a fantastic job.”
Here’s a chronological look at other major moves the Brewers have made over the last several years to produce a roster capable of winning their first World Series title.
Trading for Christian Yelich
Stearns’ greatest trade was acquiring Christian Yelich from the Miami Marlins in January 2018 for Lewis Brinson, Isan Díaz, Monte Harrison and Jordan Yamamoto. Yelich won the MVP in 2018, finished second in the voting in 2019 and signed a nine-year, $215 million contract in March 2020. He was named the first captain in Brewers history last month.
Brinson, Díaz and Harrison all hit below .200 in their major league careers. Yamamoto pitched in the majors from 2019-21 and posted a 6.05 ERA.
Drafting Garrett Mitchell
The Brewers selected Garrett Mitchell out of UCLA with the 20th overall pick in the 2020 draft. Mitchell, who has Type 1 diabetes, dealt with a multitude of injuries for much of his career but played 145 regular-season games this year and hit two homers in the NLCS.
Drafting Jacob Misiorowski
Jacob Misiorowski had committed to LSU when the Brewers selected the hard-throwing right-hander out of Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri, in the second round of the 2022 draft. Misiorowski could have teamed up with 2025 Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes on a Tigers team that won the 2023 College World Series. He instead joined the Brewers and developed into this year’s Cy Young Award favorite.
Misiorowski isn’t the only former Crowder College pitcher on Milwaukee’s roster. Aaron Ashby, who has thrown 12 1/3 scoreless innings in the playoffs, also pitched for Crowder before the Brewers drafted him in the fourth round in 2018.
Trading away Josh Hader
The Brewers led the NL Central when they dealt star closer Josh Hader to San Diego at the 2022 trade deadline in exchange for pitchers Taylor Rogers, Robert Gasser and Dinelson Lamet as well as outfielder Esteury Ruiz. This seemed at the time like the biggest misstep of Stearns’ tenure, as the Brewers faded afterward and missed the playoffs.
But after Tommy John surgery in 2024 slowed his development, Gasser developed into a major weapon late this season. The left-hander has allowed one run in nine innings in the playoffs.
This deal also indirectly led to the next move on the list, which proved much more fruitful.
Trading for William Contreras
William Contreras was coming off an All-Star season when Atlanta dealt him to Milwaukee as part of a December 2022 three-team trade in which the Braves also acquired Sean Murphy from the Athletics. All the Brewers had to give up was Ruiz, who went to the Athletics. Contreras has made two All-Star teams with Milwaukee and finished fifth in the 2024 MVP voting. He’s hitting .367 with a 1.157 OPS in this postseason.
Also in this deal, the Brewers acquired Joel Payamps, who played a key bullpen role for a couple of years. Ruiz, who is now with Miami, has hit .234 with 111 steals in 306 career major league games.
Trading for Trevor Megill
After the Minnesota Twins designated Trevor Megill for assignment in April 2023, the Brewers acquired the reliever for Taylor Floyd, who hasn’t appeared in a major league game. Megill has recorded 81 saves over the last three seasons and was an All-Star in 2025. He has pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings with four saves this postseason.
Trading for Jake Bauers
The Brewers acquired Jake Bauers from the New York Yankees for minor leaguers Jace Avina and Brian Sanchez in November 2023. Bauers returned to Milwaukee on a minor league deal in 2025 and is playing this season on a $2.7 million contract. Bauers broke through this year to post an .874 OPS in the regular season before getting named the NLCS MVP.
Avina and Sanchez haven’t yet reached the major leagues.
Trading away Corbin Burnes
Corbin Burnes had one year remaining until free agency when the Brewers sent the 2021 Cy Young Award winner to the Baltimore Orioles in February 2024 for infielder Joey Ortiz and pitcher DL Hall. Ortiz hit .270 with a .730 OPS in 134 games this season while alternating between third base and shortstop. Hall has pitched 5 1/3 innings of shutout relief in the postseason.
Trading for Andrew Vaughn
Andrew Vaughn had slumped so badly that he’d been sent to the minors before the Brewers acquired him from the White Sox in a June 2025 trade that sent pitcher Aaron Civale to Chicago. Vaughn has posted an .849 OPS in 168 games with the Brewers over the last two seasons.
Adding Kyle Harrison, Shane Drohan and David Hamilton
The Brewers traded third baseman Caleb Durbin and infielders Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler to the Boston Red Sox in February after Durbin had finished third in the NL rookie of the year balloting last season. The Brewers acquired pitchers Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan, and infielder David Hamilton in the deal. Harrison arguably was Milwaukee’s second-best starting pitcher before slumping late to finish 11-5 with a 4.20 ERA. Drohan was 7-5 with a 4.19 ERA. Hamilton stole 30 bases during the regular season and went 4 for 7 with a homer and three steals in the NLCS.
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.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason officially came to a close with their 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets, and we still don’t have a concrete answer on what their opening-night starting lineup will be.
But the fans have a preference.
We’ve drawn a general conclusion that Quentin Grimes would be joining Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler in the starting lineup, considering that he started four of the five games in the preseason. However, the final spot in the lineup has mostly been up for grabs.
For this week’s SB Nation Reacts survey, we asked fans who they think should slot in next to the four above between Ziaire Williams, Jake LaRavia, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Matisse Thybulle, each of whom has made strong cases through the whirlwind of lineups we’ve seen all preseason. And there was a clear winner.
JJ Redick may have given the final stamp of approval based on the five he started with in their preseason finale on Friday. Williams joined Dončić, Reaves, Kessler, and Thybulle against the Nuggets, something Redick said he wanted to try, especially with Grimes on the bench.
Williams’ 6-foot-9 frame and 3-and-D ability make him the most ideal candidate to fill the position. In the two preseason games he played, he averaged 13.5 points in 15.6 minutes per game and made all five 3-pointers he attempted. Williams has never actualized his perimeter shooting potential, registering below-average overall 3-point shot quality with Brooklyn last season. But he is already getting better looks playing with two of the league’s best offensive creators.
“Man, my life is definitely easier, to say the least,” Williams said after Friday’s loss. “Just playing with high-level playmakers, guys who know how to win and, you know, guys who’ve been in the league for a long time. I just know my role, and I feel like I just couldn’t be in a better situation.”
An overwhelming 44% of Lakers fans seem aligned with Redick in their preference for Williams to start. His skillset complements the other four projected starters.
Now it’s up to him to continue the production he’s put out in his short preseason stints and help raise the ceiling of the Lakers as contenders.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 15: A detailed view of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder jersey during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on October 15, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The staff question this week was about the NBA vs just the Mavericks: who is going to be the NBA’s MVP this year?
David: I’m going with Luka Doncic. He is primed for the breakthrough MVP award that we thought he’d get three seasons ago. His numbers this year will be ridiculous; like 35 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists kind of ridiculous. The Lakers will win 50 games, and the media will finally come around to him now that his sleek figure fits their narrative. It’s too early for Wemby, too absurd for an SGA three-peat, and too much Luka for anyone else.
Salvador: I would go 50/50 between Wemby and Luka. If Wemby qualifies, I think he wins it as voters tend to reward players from the year before (their playoff run), but I agree for the most part with David
Michael: The MVP award is an almost impossible task. There are always three or four players worthy of the award, and somehow it seems to be decided by things that didn’t necessarily take place during the regular season. The race is often so tight that a few playoff games enter the equation, or a player from last year’s championship team gets the nod, etc. As objective as I can be, I’ll go with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. I do think he will be hard-pressed to convince voters to give him a third straight, especially after a loss in the Western Conference Finals last season, but I suspect the Thunder are going to be one of the league’s best teams and he’s at a stage in his career where he may just have yet another level to attain. Victor Wembanyama is also highly likely to get the award based on betting odds, but I think enough voters will be hesitant to give it to a third-year player that it will cost him the honor. I suspect he would have to leave no doubt while the Spurs were the #1 seed by a decent margin for him to get it, and I think the Thunder will have something to say about that. So, factoring in voter bias, I suspect both players will be in a tight race, with SGA winning it behind a Thunder team that lands ahead of the Spurs in the standings.
Bryan: My pick for MVP of the 2026-2027 season is…the Toronto Raptors’ own Scottie Barnes. The Knicks, Celtics, Raptors, Pacers, Sixers, Heat and Pistons are all going to be in a race for the number one seed in the East, and if it isn’t the Knicks or Celtics who grab it, the Raptors have as good a chance as anyone. Kawhi Leonard will not get a serious look as MVP for obvious reasons, but Scottie had a coming-out party in last year’s playoffs and announced himself as one of the 12 to 17 best players in the league. As someone sharing the primary shot creation burden with Kawhi and the most important defender on what should compete with Boston, OKC, and San Antonio for the best defense in the league, Barnes will have plenty of narrative tailwind propelling him forward as long as the voters are paying attention. While the splash of the Kawhi acquisition should draw national media eyeballs, hopefully the play of their emerging star will keep them watching. Honorable mentions to Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, but I’d rather not lay those expectations on guys still in their first full year back from Achilles injuries.
Matt: It feels like it would take an act of God for Wemby not to win it. The Spurs are set to run back probably the best roster in the NBA after a Finals run that was arguably ahead of schedule. And the powers that be in the NBA seem to love a linear, uncomplicated narrative. Wemby has done all of the necessary steps thus far to be in consideration. If he stays healthy, going from rookie phenom to DPOY to team leader of a Finals runner-up, all the pieces have aligned for Wemby to be anointed so long as nothing catastrophic befalls San Antonio.
Tyler: Okay, now that I’ve collected myself from reading Bryan’s prediction, let’s get nuts. Anthony Edwards is your 2026-27 NBA MVP. Why? Well, the addition of Lamelo Ball gets him out of the square peg, round hole situation he was in last season when he was running point. Because of that, he’ll get to launch more wide open threes generated by Ball. By the way, Edwards was 40% from deep on 8.4 attempts last year, after being 39.5% on over 10 attempts per game previously. Beyond that, Edwards was near 50% on catch and shoot looks. Guess who all of a sudden will get a ton of catch and shoot looks? The man can shoot, the man can defend, and he’s one of the three most likable players in the entire NBA. If Minnesota is a top three seed, that is your MVP.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: Austin Wells #28 of the New York Yankees looks on against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium on August 25, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Automated Ball Strike (ABS) Challenge System was newly implemented in the majors this season and changed the game for the better.
José Caballero made MLB history on Opening Night, tapping his helmet after a questionable strike call to trigger the very first ABS challenge during the Yankees’ season opener against the Giants. Although the challenge was unsuccessful—as was a bit of a trend with Caballero in particular—the ball landed in the top right corner of the zone to uphold the call, it catalyzed a pivotal improvement to the game for the better. Cementing the historic moment in baseball history, Caballero’s helmet is set to be displayed at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
Tested for much of the decade at various levels of the minor leagues, the system tracks the specific location of each pitch, relative to the batter’s zone, which is calibrated to his height and measured to the fraction of an inch. Not meant to replace human umpires entirely, it’s meant to primarily correct human error in obvious misses. However, in cases where the call is challenged and upheld, it puts teams in difficult situations as they lose a challenge opportunity for the remainder of the game.
The Yankees consistently used their allotted two challenges per game to their advantage and ended the regular season with a 54.7-percent total success rate, with Austin Wells proving to be especially adept at it behind the plate. Experimenting with the system early in the season, the Yankees were more aggressive with challenges and quickly accumulated a high success rate, overturning 10 of 11 calls in their first four games of the season. They were more successful on pitcher/catcher challenges, and Wells finished the regular season with the fourth-highest win percentage from the field.
The days of adhering to calls from pitcher-friendly and hitter-friendly umpires, and even from some with personal animosities, will soon be behind us as we expect more modifications to the system. The Pinstripe Alley community shared their thoughts on the topic, and it appears that the majority have more positive feedback on the challenge system and engaged in discussions on how it can improve going forward.
Some envision the league allowing three challenges per game, giving teams more opportunities to overturn questionable calls, and others support having at least one challenge available per inning. It will be very interesting to see the evolution of this challenge system within the majors, and it’s already made a lasting impact on the league.
ELMONT, NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Spencer Martin #41 of the New York Rangers makes a third period save against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on January 28, 2026 in Elmont, New York. The Islanders defeated the Rangers 5-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Besides Nathan MacKinnon, there is one other member of the Colorado Avalanche’s 2013 draft class still currently on a NHL roster, which may come as a surprise. The unfortunate season ending injury to New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin meant that Spencer Martin was recalled from the minors to serve as Dylan Garand’s backup until further notice. There are a couple other former Avalanche draft picks and prospects appearing in net around the league, namely Nashville’s Justus Annunen and Minnesota’s Calvin Pickard, but Martin’s connection to the Avalanche has likely long since faded from memory.
Drafted in the third round in 2013 at 63rd overall, Martin was considered somewhat a top prospect as an acquisition by the Avalanche organization. After finishing his junior career with the Mississauga Steelheads in the OHL, Martin began his Entry Level Contract with Colorado in 2015 and spent a total of four seasons in their minor league system. Appearances wee mostly with the affiliate San Antonio Rampage but also as a member the 2018-19 inaugural Colorado Eagles’ AHL season in which at one point Martin recorded an astonishing 68-save shutout. Highlights during his tenure also included an appearance at the AHL All-Star game in 2017 as well as three games with the Avalanche in that fateful 2016-17 season.
At the conclusion of the 2018-19 season the Avalanche chose not to extend Martin his qualifying offer which made him a free agent but he wasn’t on the market long as the Tampa Bay Lightning signed him to a one-year two-way NHL contract. He would earn two more one-year contracts with the club though the netminder would never make an appearance in the NHL with the Lightning.
Before that third contract started, Tampa Bay traded Martin to Vancouver in the summer of 2021 for future considerations but it was the move he needed to get back to the NHL. On January 21, 2022, exactly five years to the day after his NHL debut with Colorado, Martin received his first opportunity to start in Vancouver and then a week later earned his first NHL win making 33 saves in a 5-1 victory over Winnipeg. At the end of the 2021-22 season Vancouver gave Martin a two-year one-way contract extension worth $1.53 million and he started 27 games in the 2022-23 campaign with a 11-15-1 record.
In the second year of that contract, however, Martin found himself on the move again first getting claimed on waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets at the start of the 2023-24 season where he started ten games and accumulated a 3-8-1 record. The Carolina Hurricanes subsequently claimed Martin in January of 2024 on waivers as well and he then started six games for them with a 4-1-1 record. The Hurricanes decided to keep Martin around for another year in the 2024-25 season signing him to a $775k contract as he then split the season between Carolina, accumulating another seven NHL games and a 3-4-1 record, and the rest of the time with their AHL affiliate in Chicago.
The fall of 2025 brought a new challenge as Martin decided to play overseas for the first time in his career and signed a contract with CSKA in the KHL. He enjoyed a hot start there and over 14 starts compiled a 5-6-2 record, two shutouts and a .905 save percentage with a 2.69 Goal Against Average. That caught the attention of the New York Rangers who signed Martin to a two-year one-way contract worth $1.625 million to finish out the rest of the 2025-26 season. He made four starts in January of 2026 with an 1-4-0 record and he is currently playing out the second year of that deal.
Spencer Martin, in just his 2nd KHL start, makes 18 saves and records his first career KHL shutout for CSKA.
Now currently with the New York Rangers while the organization sorts their depth in net for the rest of the year, Martin made his first appearance this season in mop-up duty in a 7-1 defeat to New Jersey a couple nights ago. In that game Martin gave up three goals on 18 shots but didn’t take the loss. Should the Rangers make an acquisition or when veteran goaltender Joonas Korpisalo gets healthy, Martin then surely would go back to the Hartford Wolfpack in the AHL but for now he has a place in the Big Apple under the bright lights.
It’s been a long career for Spencer Martin spanning six NHL organizations, numerous minor league stints and even a couple months in the KHL. It takes a lot to earn the reputation as an insurance option in net even if he never established himself as a true NHL goaltender with career statistics of a 25-33-8 record, .881 save percentage and 3.60 GAA. The 31-year-old has been a steady presence in the minors with a 117-106-34 record, .903 save percentage and 2.87 GAA in the AHL, which is likely why NHL organizations want him as goaltending depth in their system. The fact that an Avalanche draftee is making NHL appearances 13 years later is worth spotlighting and all the best to Martin whether or not he is called upon for the Rangers this season.
