The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James are on a crash course toward one of the most challenging negotiations of the NBA offseason.
According to Brian Windhorst, James and his representatives are waiting for the Lakers to present not only a contract offer, but also a clear vision for the franchise moving forward. And if that offer comes in below the max, James wants an explanation.
LeBron James reportedly wants the Lakers to justify any contract offer below a max extension. Getty Images
Windhorst said on ESPN’s “Hoop Collective” podcast via Bleacher Report that James’ camp expects the Lakers to explain exactly why they would offer less than a maximum contract and how they plan to use the remaining cap space.
For a player who made $52.6 million last season and is still performing at an elite level at age 41, that request signals James still sees himself as a cornerstone player.
The tension, however, is obvious.
The Lakers have already begun shifting the franchise toward Luka Dončić as the centerpiece of their future. Team president Rob Pelinka made that crystal clear after the season ended.
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) poses with Luka Doncic (77) during the NBA basketball team’s media day in El Segundo, Calif. AP
That doesn’t necessarily mean the Lakers are moving on from James. In fact, Pelinka emphasized the organization “would love to have LeBron James” back. But it does change the dynamics of the negotiation.
For nearly a decade, every major Lakers decision revolved around James. After acquiring Dončić, Los Angeles is now balancing two timelines: Maximizing what’s left of James’ championship window while building smartly and sustainably around a younger superstar.
Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka during Los Angeles Lakers media day Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
There’s also the Austin Reaves factor. The guard is due for a major extension, and Pelinka has expressed interest in retaining the second-longest-tenured Laker.
“We want his odyssey to continue to unfold in the purple and gold,” Pelinka said.
How the Lakers balance the contracts of the new additions and Reaves will certainly have an outsized affect on how they proceed with James’ contract.
Still, James remains remarkably productive. Even in a secondary role beside Dončić, he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds last season.
If the Lakers decide that production is no longer worth a max salary, James wants to know exactly why.
The Pittsburgh Penguins were one of the NHL's biggest surprises this season. After entering the season expected by many to be among the worst teams in the league, the Penguins instead made the playoffs. With this, it was a successful year for the Penguins.
However, even after making the playoffs this year, it is clear that the Penguins are a team focused on the future. Because of this, it is certainly important for them to have a good 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
Pugachyov would be a fascinating prospect for the Penguins to add to their system. The 6-foot-3 winger has the potential to be an impactful power forward in the NHL, so he could be worth taking a shot on for the Penguins if he is still available when they are on the clock.
Pugachyov spent most of this season Russia's MHL, where he had 10 goals and 24 points in 33 games with Chaika Nizhny Novgorod. However, he also played in both the VHL and KHL this season. In 15 games with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL, he had two goals and an assist. In the VHL this campaign with Torpedo-Gorky NN, he had a goal and five points.
Ultimately, the Penguins could use a promising forward prospect with size like Pugachyov. It will be interesting to see if they end up selecting him from here.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said he warned the Brewers about relaying signs from the dugout during Tuesday night’s game, a situation that came to a head when Milwaukee reliever Abner Uribe gestured toward the St. Louis dugout with three WWE-style crotch chops after an inning-ending strikeout in the eighth.
Uribe, speaking through an interpreter, said after the game that he believed Marmol had been making signs that led him to believe were meant to direct Cardinals pitchers to hit Brewers batters with pitches, in particular outfielder Christian Yelich and catcher William Contreras.
Speaking with reporters before a Wednesday afternoon matchup between the teams, Marmol initially said he didn’t have a reaction to Uribe’s accusations.
“I’d rather not blow anything out of proportion,” Marmol said. “I think it already has been, to be quite honest with you.”
When pressed further about the matter, he responded.
“I’ve got no issues telling you the full story, but I just think, like anything these days, it gets blown up. This is like an everyday occurrence,” Marmol said. “We felt like (the Brewers) were being pretty demonstrative about relaying signs from the dugout.”
Marmol said that’s when he mouthed and gestured to the Brewers’ dugout.
“I looked over and I said, ‘Hey, you gotta do it, be smart, you’re gonna get somebody hurt,’” Marmol said, while pointing to his ribs. “Like what we trying to do here? That was it.”
Marmol said there was also an incident involving an unnamed Brewers coach before the game concerning the sign-relaying issue. That same coach and Marmol spoke after the game, according to Marmol, who said he hadn’t had any discussions with Brewers manager Pat Murphy, who condemned Uribe’s antics, calling it “unacceptable.”
When asked if the matter was settled, Marmol said: “I have no reason to think it’s not. Usually, you just don’t get that type of demonstrative reaction that spurs further question, that’s just the reality of it. But we have those types of interaction daily across the league.”
Yelich, speaking in the Brewers’ clubhouse on Wednesday, described Uribe’s gesture as “a little bit over the top.”
“Obviously, I don’t think the strikeout celebration is something we need to be doing,” Yelich said. “He’s a guy that always has his teammates’ backs. I appreciate where he was coming from on it, but I think there’s a different way to handle that situation and he knows that.”
Yelich also said there has been “some stuff going on during the series that I don’t really know why it was going on,” but declined to elaborate.
Yelich said the Brewers didn’t want the matter to distract from their performance on the field. Milwaukee has taken the first two games of the series.
“We’ve all addressed it and we’ll move on and have it not become a big distraction,” he said.
The Houston Astros and Texas Rangers continue their four-game series tonight at Globe Life Field, with first pitch scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET.
While Jacob deGrom has had his struggles lately, my Astros vs. Rangers predictions are eyeing him to lead Texas to victory here.
Find out why in my MLB picks for Wednesday, May 27.
Who will win Astros vs Rangers today: Rangers moneyline (-150)
The Texas Rangers took Game 2 of the series on Tuesday by a score of 10-7, their second win in the last three meetings with the Houston Astros this season. The hosts turn to Jacob deGrom here, who has been a dominant figure on home soil.
Across four home outings, the right-hander owns a stellar 1.16 ERA, and he's surrendered just two earned runs across his previous three appearances at Globe Life Field. To put his brilliance in Arlington into perspective, deGrom's ERA is north of six on the road. He's a completely different pitcher in front of the Rangers faithful.
The Astros, meanwhile, counter with Mike Burrows, who has allowed 11 earned runs and four homers across his last two starts. Overall, Burrows has a 5.75 ERA.
COVERS INTEL: Opponents have a .383 wOBA against Burrows this season, putting him in the bottom 7% of the big leagues.
Astros vs Rangers Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (+105)
This has been a high-scoring matchup in recent memory. Three straight meetings have cashed the Over, with 17 combined runs scored on Tuesday.
DeGrom's form at home is clear, but he has been prone to allowing some runs lately, especially via the long ball, and the Astros hit him well a couple of weeks ago.
Burrows is incredibly inconsistent, and he's getting hit around the ballpark. While the Texas bullpen has impressed with a 3.14 ERA, the Houston pen is atrocious, with an MLB-worst 5.47 ERA.
The bats should come out to play tonight, and I expect a lot of the offense to come from the Rangers.
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 18-12, +5.85 units
Over/Under bets: 18-11, +3.91 units
Astros vs Rangers odds
Moneyline: Astros +133 | Rangers -150
Run line: Astros +1.5 (-176) | Rangers -1.5 (+146)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-110) | Under 7.5 (-110)
Astros vs Rangers trend
The Texas Rangers have hit the moneyline in 12 of their last 20 games at home (+3.35 Units / 15% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Astros vs. Rangers.
How to watch Astros vs Rangers and game info
Location
Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
Date
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
First pitch
8:05 p.m. ET
TV
Space City Home Network, Rangers Sports Network
Astros starting pitcher
Mike Burrows (2-6, 5.75 ERA)
Rangers starting pitcher
Jacob deGrom (3-4, 3.86 ERA)
Astros vs Rangers latest injuries
Astros vs Rangers weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
While the Oklahoma City Thunder took a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, sportsbooks are already offering NBA Finals look-ahead odds for both the series and Game 1.
At the same time, the New York Knicks await whichever opponent prevails.
Both FanDuel and DraftKings have jumped the gun on the NBA odds, though neither rules out the Spurs still winning the West. The Knicks are listed as the underdogs against either would-be Western Conference opponent, but the path is viewed as slightly easier against San Antonio, which trails 3-2 in the West Finals.
NBA Finals look-ahead series odds
Matchup
Knicks
Opponent
Knicks vs Thunder
+215
-265
Knicks vs Spurs
+185
-225
Odds via DraftKings as of 5-28.
Regardless of who wins the West, the New York Knicks will be hefty underdogs. DraftKings sets series odds at +215 for New York to win against Oklahoma City Thunder (-265) and +185 against the San Antonio Spurs (-225).
Potential NBA Finals spreads
Matchup
Game 1 Spread
Knicks at Thunder
Knicks +6.5 -105
Knicks at Spurs
Knicks +4.5 -115
Odds as of 5-28.
Given the Western Conference winner will have homecourt advantage, it should not be too much of a surprise that lookahead spreads favor the home teams handily, as well, -6.5 for the Thunder and -4.5 for the Spurs at FanDuel.
NBA Finals series total games
Matchup
Over
Under
Knicks at Thunder
Over 5.5 -155
Over 5.5 -155
Knicks at Spurs
Over 5.5 -165
Under 5.5 +130
Odds via DraftKings as of 5-27.
All that said, do not expect a rollover of a Finals. In both matchups, DraftKings sets the series length Over/Under at 5.5 with the Over heavily juiced, suggesting at least two New York wins in its first appearance in the NBA Finals since last century.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Athletic's Corey Pronman, Scott Wheeler, and Max Bultman released their latest 2026 NHL Mock Draft. The Buffalo Sabres were among the teams featured on it, as they still have their first-round pick for this year's draft.
In the mock draft, Wheeler predicted that the Sabres would select defenseman Xavier Villeneuve in the first round.
If the Sabres selected Villeneuve at this year's draft, they would be bringing in a skilled offensive defenseman who has plenty of potential. The 5-foot-11 defenseman had a strong season in the QMJHL with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, where he posted six goals and 38 points in 37 games. This is after he had 12 goals and 62 points in 61 games for the QMJHL club during the 2024-25 season.
With Villeneuve being a skilled blueliner, it would makes sense if the Sabres took a chance on him in the first round. The potential for him to become an impactful top-four defenseman and power-play specialist in the NHL later down the road is there.
It will now be interesting to see if the Sabres end up selecting Villeneuve with their first round pick this year from here.
PHOENIX (AP) — Corbin Carroll’s season got off to a rocky start with a broken hand suffered before the full team even reported for spring training.
The Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder vowed he would be back for the start of the season despite needing surgery.
Carroll lived up to his promise and, outside of a rough stretch to start May, has put together what’s shaping up to be the best season of what’s already been an impressive career.
“There’s a high tolerance for pain and then he went out there and just started to squash the baseball,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “So it’s a fairly remarkable situation that he’s walked through and he’s having a fantastic year for so far.”
Arizona has won nine of 10 with Tuesday’s 7-5 win over San Francisco to reach six games over .500 (30-24) for the first time since the final game of the 2024 season. The Diamondbacks’ 13 wins since May 9 are the most in the majors, allowing them to save a season that was starting to unravel.
Pitching has played a large part of the bounce back. With Eduardo Rodriguez’s effective start against the Giants, Arizona’s starters have 16 quality starts their past 21 games.
Ketel Marte’s resurgence has helped as well. The three-time All-Star hit a two-run homer against the Giants and has four straight games with at least one hit and multiple RBIs, one off the team record held by Paul Goldschmidt.
There’s also been a youth infusion, players such as Ryan Waldschmidt, Tommy Troy and Jose Fernandez giving the Diamondbacks an immediate lift after being called up.
Arizona’s run also happens to coincide with a torrid stretch by Carroll.
Since his average dipped to .258 on May 10, Carroll has hit .404 with two homers, four triples and eight RBIs. The 25-year-old had his 13-game hitting streak end against San Francisco on Tuesday, but has reached base in 14 straight games, longest active streak in the majors.
The two-time All-Star is hitting .299 with seven homers, 28 RBIs and 12 doubles while using his speed to cover massive amounts of ground in the outfield.
“Right now, I’m trying to keep it really simple, hunt good pitches, control the strike zone,” he said.
Carroll has led the NL in triples each of the past three seasons, topping all of the majors the past two. He set a team record with 17 triples last season and is ahead of that pace with eight so far this year — four more than the next closest player.
Carroll’s 51 career triples are one shy of Stephen Drew’s team record and he has a chance to become the first player in MLB history to lead or tie for the lead in triples in three straight seasons. He’s the second-fastest player (537 games) in big-league history to reach 50 triples and 80 homers — he has 89 — behind Yankees Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig, who did it in 461.
“It’s really fun to watch for all of us,” Lovullo said.
The hand injury long behind him, Carroll is running free and the Diamondbacks are going with him.
TORONTO (AP) — Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Pérez left Wednesday’s game at Toronto after four shutout innings when his right hamstring spasmed while he was stretching in the dugout, the team said.
Pérez was limbering up to come out for the fifth when his muscle spasmed and he sat down in pain. He was removed from the game and needed assistance from a trainer to descend the dugout steps into the clubhouse.
Michael Petersen replaced Pérez, who matched a season-high by striking out nine before exiting.
Pérez allowed three hits, all singles, and didn’t walk a batter. He threw 73 pitches, including 48 strikes.
After Pérez hit Toronto slugger Kazuma Okamoto in the back with a first-pitch, 97 mph fastball in the fourth, he appeared to stare into Toronto’s dugout. Blue Jays manager John Schneider appeared to yell at Pérez but the situation did not escalate.
Toronto trailed 1-0 when Pérez left but tied it when Nathan Lukes hit an RBI double off Petersen with two outs in the fifth.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 22: Trevor McDonald #72 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Chicago White Sox in the top of the first inning of a major league baseball game at Oracle Park on May 22, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants wrap up this three-game home series against the Arizona Diamondbacks this afternoon.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Trevor McDonald, who enters today’s game with a 4.76 ERA, 3.43 FIP, with 21 strikeouts to four walks in 22.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 9-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Friday, in which he allowed seven runs on three hits with four strikeouts and a walk in three and two thirds innings.
He’ll be facing off against Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka, who enters today’s game with a 3.27 ERA, 2.93 FIP, with 57 strikeouts to 14 walks in 55 innings pitched. His last start was in the Diamondbacks’ 3-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Friday, in which he allowed one run on four hits with two strikeouts in six innings.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 26: Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a two run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park on May 26, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Maybe Indiana Jones was right about snakes.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have won nine of their last 10 games and climbed into the second wild-card spot in the National League. Their secret? Going 5-0 against the San Francisco Giants in that stretch.
It happened again Tuesday night. Arizona took a 6-2 lead after seven innings after yet another home run from Ketel Marte, who has three homers and 12 RBIs against the Giants in the last nine days. To give you some context, Matt Chapman has one home run and 16 RBIs in the entire season. Two late solo shots from Eric Haase and Willy Adames weren’t enough to bring the Giants back in a 7-5 loss.
The Giants went deep three times in the loss, with Casey Schmitt starting off the scoring with his 12th dinger, matching last season’s career-high for Tuesday’s second baseman. He also drove in Adames with an RBI single for his team-leading 31st RBI. Unfortunately, all three homers came with the bases empty.
Starter Tyler Mahle remained snake-bitten, falling to 1-7 after his second five-inning start and loss to the D-Backs in a week. He pitched better than in his previous start, succumbing to a brutal second-inning rally where he appeared to get lucky at first.
Ryan Waldschmidt’s RBI hit was ruled a ground-rule double after umpires decided the ball was trapped under the wall, despite Harrison Bader seeming to dislodge it quickly. The ruling sent Giant-killer Nolan Arenado back to third, though he and Waldschmidt would score on a groundout and a sacrifice fly. Then Adrian Del Castillo took Mahle deep, ensuring his ERA wouldn’t drop below 6.
The Giants were hitting off Eduardo Rodriguez (5-1), just not enough. Bryce Eldridge hit his fourth career double and got stranded. The 21-year-old also got “Oracle’d” in the 4th when he blasted a ball over 400 feet to right center, only for the wind and the dimensions of the ballpark to leave him with a long out.
You guessed it, this Bryce Eldridge flyout would have been a home run in 29 out of 30 ballparks 😭 pic.twitter.com/sFjT0tpuwc
Rafael Devers lined into a double play to end the third and after Victor Bericoto’s first major-league hit helped load the bases, Devers struck out to end the 5th. After Devers doubled home Chapman with no one out in the 8th, Juan Morillo got a strikeout, a pop-out, and a groundout to end the rally.
Things got worse when Keaton Winn entered the game for Mahle in the 6th and his defense did not help him out. After a leadoff single, Arenado’s grounder to short turned into a first-and-third situation after Adames’ throwing error. Arenado was given a single, as if his batting average against the Giants needed any help. Winn got a strikeout and two groundouts, but another run scored to make it 4-2.
In the 7th, the Giants forced Marte to hit right-handed, where he had been significantly worse this season before facing Giants’ left-handers. Last week, he hit a walkoff home run off lefty Matt Gage. Tuesday it was Erik Miller who got Ketel’d, giving up a 452-foot blast. Maybe they should just walk him.
The series concludes Wednesday and Marte is in the starting lineup, though Arenado will be out with a tight groin. Hey, we’ve all been there, right fellas?
Arizona is on a tear and so is Marte. If they ride this momentum into the playoffs, it seems clear that Mahle has earned at least a partial playoff share, while the Giants have simply earned a one-month reprieve from the snake pit.
What is there to say about Shohei Ohtani, the pitcher, that hasn’t already been brought up many times? In the season marked by some periods of frustration with the bat, at least early on, Ohtani has managed to exceed even the loftiest expectations of his ability on the mound—so much so that the five scoreless innings he delivered last time out can be considered one of his more pedestrian outings. In fact, eight starts into the season, Ohtani knows not the meaning of a bad or even mediocre pitching performance.
The most earned runs Ohtani has allowed were the two at the beginning of the month against Houston, a game in which he conceded a couple of solo shots and was let down by the offense in a 2-1 defeat. With these teams coming off a home run party, as there were eight of them in the last game—five for the Dodgers and three for the Rockies—Ohtani has yet to allow a home run at Dodger Stadium. Those two versus the Astros were the only ones hit against him in 2026.
At the heart of that offensive explosion last night, Mookie Betts is the name to watch, trying to gain some momentum on what has been a trying season up to this point. Having Betts even remotely near his best level would go a long way in making this already great Dodgers offense into the fear-inducing juggernaut most projected when they signed Kyle Tucker.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 26: Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a home run in the fifth inning during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Petco Park on May 26, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Philadelphia Phillies (28-27) at San Diego Padres (31-23), May 27, 2026, 1:10 p.m. PST
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ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins doesn’t hold back on TV, but he needed someone to do so for him at a youth basketball tournament.
During one of his son’s games over the weekend on the AAU basketball circuit in Norman, Okla., things got intense and chippy. Both teams, YPG Perkins and Swaveway Playaz, were fouling each other, witnesses told TMZ.
But one supposedly non-basketball foul sent the ex-NBA champ-turned-youth coach over the edge. He had to be held back while shouting at the opposing team’s coaching staff
“Damn right, and it probably won’t be the last time!” Perkins responded to video of the incident on X. “I’m going to protect every single kid in my organization like they’re my own.”
It took three people to hold back the 6-foot-10 and 270-pound Perkins. Norman police were on site and helped calm down the situation, but found no reason to criminally charge anyone involved.
Perkins being held back at the AAU game over the weekend. TMZ
This is not the first time Perkins has gotten heated at an AAU game. In 2023, Perkins was ejected from a game after arguing with officials.
According to Perkins, he just wanted an explanation for why one of his players was thrown out, but the official ignored him. That is when he got a bit more confrontational and received a double technical and an ejection.
The 41-year-old Texan had a long NBA career, playing for the Celtics, Thunder, Cavaliers and Pelicans. His biggest role was with the Thunder as an important defensive piece next to Russel Westbrook and Kevin Durant. He played a total of 14 seasons before retiring after the 2018 season.
Perkins at the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Getty Images
He’s since taken his act to the airwaves, chiming in on hot topics on ESPN’s morning shows. On Wednesday morning’s edition of SportsCenter, Perkins claimed that Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama “got punked’ in game five of the Western Conference Finals.
PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 27: P.J Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 27, 2026 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s been a while since I dove into one of these articles, so let’s have some fun this afternoon. With the offseason inching closer and closer with less than a month to the draft, things will heat up once the season is over. This leads to even more discussion among fans about what the team should pursue, with the deadline to strike fast approaching.
Some speculation has already transpired, and this name has popped up a bit. At first, I overlooked it, but after further analysis, it makes sense for the Suns.
We just need PJ Washington
— SheerMan OsoDunn Enjoyer (@SunsNjoyer) May 4, 2026
That is right, ladies and gentlemen, today we will be discussing PJ Washington as an option to fill the power-forward void that this team needs. Will he change the position overnight? Probably not, but his added size and skill set could be perfect for filling a need, while still allowing the young guys to develop.
How could it get done?
Well, for the Suns and Mavericks, this one could fall apart in multiple ways if they do a one-for-one swap. The Suns could trade either Grayson Allen, Dillon Brooks, or Royce O’Neale to get this one across the finish line. In two of these deals, the Suns would be taking back more money, making it harder to re-sign their key free agents.
If you send out Dillon…
Or Grayson…
How about Royce?
Which would most likely get done?
Even though this deal could be done in three ways, it is clear which is best for both parties. By trading O’Neale, the Suns take on almost $9 million extra, which would make it difficult to re-sign Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin.
With a trade involving Dillon Brooks, yes, the Suns would save money but also lose a big leader in their locker room. Brooks came over this year and embodied what the Suns want in their new basketball program identity. It would make no sense for them to move off him, especially if they are planning to work on an extension and he is at Mercury games all the time.
I swear, Dillon Brooks has lived in Mortgage Matchup Center all season. The Villain is here yet again for the Mercury pic.twitter.com/PW5aCvnXj6
That leaves us with the last deal: trading Allen away to bring in Washington. Even though the Suns do take on more money, this would create a need for size in the front court while still leaving some other salary to trade for.
Why could this one get done?
As we know, I usually turn down these trades because they involve large salaries and more moving parts. In a deal that uses Grayson Allen to get some more size, it makes sense for both clubs. Even if Allen has been a huge guard, the rotation is too deep.
If the plan is to maintain continuity, I’d expect neither Devin Booker nor Jalen Green to be traded. Bringing back Gillespie and Goodwin as well already leaves the team with four guards. Not to mention that they have Jamaree Bouyea and Koby Brea as well, trying to pry minutes away and find themselves in this rotation.
That makes it hard to plug Allen into this rotation if you want the other guys to grow as well. Allen also had a very solid year this season. Yes, he was injured and only suited up in 51 games (his lowest since 2020-2021), but he also had some stellar performances, like the game vs the New Orleans Pelicans, where he set a franchise record for most threes made in a game with 10.
42 PTS 🔥 10/15 3PT 🔥 27 MIN
An ABSURD shooting performance from Grayson Allen! The @suns guard scored a career-high and drained a franchise record in threes vs. the Pelicans. #GLeagueAlumpic.twitter.com/suAxlLRD8x
He can still provide some solid three-point scoring while also attacking the lane and being an underrated driver. Allen still provides those hustle plays as well, which lead to steals or big moments, allowing him to showcase an ability to be effective on both ends. On a team where he can be either the 5th starter or a key bench piece, he will be valuable.
Ultimately, though, with Gillespie’s rise this year, it does look like Allen could be the odd one out. The Suns could still value the veteran and want to bring him back, but in a year where he balled out, they could also sell high on him.
By bringing in Washington, the Suns then add a true power forward to their rotation. This then allows them to use O’Neale as a bench piece or as an additional trade asset to garner another addition. Washington can come in and be the starting four, while Rasheer Fleming and Ryan Dunn still get minutes as well.
This addition will not change the narrative immediately, but it fills a hole the team has. It needs more size, more rebounding, and an additional floor spacer to hit some threes. Washington fits that tier perfectly for the Suns without sacrificing their entire arsenal.
Washington’s contract may be a hindrance, since his extension kicks in this year under a four-year, $90M deal. This may scare some Suns fans off, but with him turning 28 as the NBA season starts, he still has time to grow and is not an aging point. Allowing him to fill the role for now, but if down the line he is injury prone or someone passes him in the rotation, he can be a tradable contract.
His deal is around $20 million a season, with it increasing slightly every year. This would still avoid overpaying amid rising salaries and give the Suns a plug-and-play piece now and a question mark for the future.
For Mavericks, this would also make sense given their direction. With the firing of Jason Kidd and a new front office being brought in, it seems the build around Cooper Flagg will begin. That means they will look to sell their veterans or players who play a similar position. With the Mavs having Washington play the same role they would want Flagg in, it could make sense to move off him. Why stunt Flagg’s growth with Washington there?
The Mavericks also have a logjam of these wings/forwards. The one thing they do need is more three-point shooting, as they ranked 26th in the league at 34.4% as a team. Putting a player like Allen on that roster could help them address an area of need while also giving the Suns one.
Allen’s contract is also shorter than Washington’s, giving them an out on paying him long-term and trying to make the fit work with Flagg. For a Mavericks team that does not have its first next year, a retool could be a big risk, but if they can get additional draft capital or some players fit their playstyle, they could be a surprise, just like Phoenix this year.
This one could solve problems for both teams, so I’d consider it if I were in Brian Gregory’s shoes. With this trade, Washington is not the end-all be-all move, but it helps the Suns take a step forward in a gauntlet of a Western Conference that keeps getting stronger. What do you think, though? Would you consider this deal? Why or why not?
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JULY 23: A pedestrian sits down at Torpedo Wharf on Monday, July 23, 2018 in San Francisco, Calif. (Liz Moughon/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
Today’s Lineups
DIAMONDBACKS
GIANTS
Ketel Marte – 2B
Willy Adames – SS
Corbin Carroll – RF
Luis Arraez – 2B
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Casey Schmitt – LF
Adrian Del Castillo – DH
Rafael Devers – 1B
Ryan Waldschmidt – CF
Matt Chapman – 3B
Ildemaro Vargas – 1B
Bryce Eldridge – DH
Jose Fernandez – 3B
Daniel Susac – C
Aramis Garcia – C
Drew Gilbert – CF
Tommy Troy – LF
Will Brennan – RF
Michael Soroka – RHP
Trevor McDonald – RHP
The D-backs reach the one-third mark of the season at 30-24, six games above .500. It’s worth noting that the last two times Arizona had thirty wins or more through this point, were in 2017 and 2023. The Diamondbacks made the post-season both times. On the other hand… Of the four previous times Arizona were exactly at their current record of 30-24, they only made the playoffs once (2011), missing out on the other three occasions (2005, 2008 and 2013). Of course, the postseason was smaller in those days. But the D-backs wouldn’t have made it under the current, expanded format either, since the best record there was 82-80. Work still to be done.
Can’t really complain about the past stretch though. This is the final game of thirteen against the Giants and Rockies, and the Diamondbacks have gone a sterling 10-2 going into play today. What a difference two weeks makes. After we got walked off in Texas, Arizona were 20-22, and the tenth-best record in the NL. They were four games back of the last wild-card spot (Cardinals), with the Pirates, Reds and Nationals all also sitting ahead of us. Now? Sole possession of the second wild-card spot, and one game back of the Padres for the first. Goes to show how quickly things can change. Just ask the Cubs, who’ve gone from the 2nd-best record in the league to 8th.
We have pretty much used up all our strength of schedule advantage though. Baseball Reference currently has our SoS (Strength of Schedule) at 0.0. So it’s important to make hay where we can, both here and perhaps on against the Mariners over the weekend. The D-backs are now 22-8 against teams with losing records, which is the best mark in the National League, and trails only our expansion siblings in Tampa (20-6) overall. Just don’t look at their record against teams at or above .500… Oh, alright: the Diamondbacks are 8-16 there, including 1-4 against the Dodgers and Padres in the division. They’ll probably need to do better going forward.
COVERS INTEL: Opponents have a 
Knicks vs 
Thunder
Spurs
