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Mets' Nolan McLean bounces back from tough last start, recent rough stretch with 'dominant' performance

After six scoreless innings against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night, Mets starter Nolan McLean reminded everybody just how dominant he can be and proved that his previous start against the Chicago Cubs, where he allowed six earned runs, was a fluke.

In fact, during that start at Citi Field, McLean struck out nine batters and was really only burned on two pitches that both went for homers and accounted for five of the six runs. 

For this start, though, the right-hander took the positives of that outing, as well as his start before that in which he didn’t allow an earned run through seven innings against the Cincinnati Reds, and implemented them against the Blue Jays.

“Obviously the result of the last start wasn’t great, but outside of really two swings I felt really good last week,” McLean said. “So I tried to take the positives of what I could. Obviously it’s never fun going in and giving up six runs, but [I] tried to go in and look at the positives and bounce off of that for tonight.”

McLean now seems to be over the struggles he was going through earlier in the season when he allowed 16 runs (13 earned) in nine innings across two starts. And after bursting onto the scene late last season and getting off to a similarly hot start this season, that little stretch McLean went through was his first taste of adversity. 

Interim manager Andy Green said after Tuesday’s 3-0 win that he’s been impressed with how the 24-year-old responded to hardship.

“That’s who he is,” Green said. “It’s been fun seeing him kind of bounce back from a tougher stretch. I know last game, a little bit was made out of like a couple of home runs that skewed the line, but [today] he was just mixing his pitches incredibly well. 

“He’s got different ways to end at-bats; he was competitive the whole day, he was in the zone the whole day and that was, [from] start to finish, as just clean and dominant as he’s been all year, so it was awesome.”

Since his start on May 25, when he lasted a career-low 3.1 innings against the Cincinnati Reds and allowed seven earned runs, McLean has been on top of his game once again. 

Even with the six earned runs allowed last time out against the Cubs, McLean has a 2.79 ERA in five starts this month and has limited his opponent to two earned runs or fewer in five of his last six starts.

The best sign? Outside of the two against Chicago, McLean hasn’t allowed any home runs during that stretch and has started to walk fewer batters, two things that were beginning to plague him.

“I think [when] you go through an entire baseball season for the first time, you’re going to hit stretches where maybe your command wanes a little bit and I think it was mostly that,” Green said of McLean’s rough patch. “So he got to spots where he wasn’t getting his pitches to where he wanted it to and I think that sometimes causes you to go a little bit faster. 

“He was able to slow the game down; he’s able to step on the mound and take a deep breath and just go about executing.”

That’s what McLean did on Tuesday night against a Blue Jays team that had never faced him before.

“First off, Luis [Torrens] called a great game,” McLean said. “We had a lot of confidence in all the pitches and that was kind of the goal going in. 

“No matter what pitches I threw before, just have the confidence all the way through and trust in the adjustments throughout the game to have a feel if I didn’t have something working early, to be able to find it later. And then it just always goes back to [throwing] offspeed for strikes.”

In particular, McLean thought his sweeper worked for him very well on Tuesday and that he was able to use it to play off the sinker while also mixing in fastballs.

“I’m just trying to get better every time I go out there,” he said. “Find new things that work or old things that I kinda went away from that I should stick by and it always just goes back to landing offspeed. I think that’s a big key for me. Any time I can do that and keep guys off my fastball, it’s really good.”

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Brewers ride four-run fourth inning to 7-2 win over Reds

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 30: Jake Bauers #9 of the Milwaukee Brewers is congratulated by Sal Frelick #10 after Bauers scored in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field on June 30, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Box Score

The Brewers are starting to look like themselves again. After some recent struggles with runners in scoring position, they broke out of their slump with a big fourth inning, and with another solid day from Brandon Sproat, the Brewers took a 7-2 win on Tuesday night.

The day started out looking rough for Sproat. After Elly De La Cruz hit a deep fly ball to start the game, Sal Stewart hit a home run to give the Reds an early 1-0 lead. Sproat also allowed a two-out walk to Eugenio Suárez, but he was caught stealing to end the inning.

Meanwhile, Rhett Lowder struck out the side in the first inning to start his day strong. In the second, the Brewers got their first baserunner on a Jake Bauers single. He got to second on a passed ball by Jose Trevino to get into scoring position. On the next pitch, Garrett Mitchell singled to right, and Bauers beat the throw home. That tied the game at 1-1.

Sproat recovered from the first-inning run and kept the Reds in check for the next few innings. He worked around a one-out single in the second for a clean inning. In the third, he walked leadoff batter TJ Friedl and threw a wild pitch, but stranded Friedl at second. The fourth was Sproat’s strongest inning as he struck out the side.

Lowder had a clean third inning, but the Brewers came out swinging in the fourth. They started the inning with five consecutive singles. William Contreras, Bauers, and Mitchell had the first three to load the bases. Sal Frelick hit the fourth and gave the Brewers a 2-1 lead. Joey Ortiz followed that with another single, driving in two to make it 4-1.

With no outs and two on, Hamilton went for the sacrifice bunt and moved Ortiz up to second. Christian Yelich then drew a walk to load the bases again, and Jackson Chourio added the sixth single of the inning. That pushed the lead to 5-1.

Brice Turang then (initially) drew a walk, but a challenge on ball four overturned the walk into a strikeout. Contreras followed that up with a groundout that Edwin Arroyo bobbled, but the second baseman still had time to throw out Contreras at first.

The Brewers added on another run in the fifth. Bauers led off the inning with a home run on the first pitch he saw, increasing the lead to 6-1.

A single from Ortiz three batters later ended Lowder’s day, and Caleb Ferguson entered in relief. He finished the inning with a Hamilton lineout. Lowder finished the day at 4 2/3 innings pitched and six runs allowed on 11 hits, striking out eight and allowing a walk.

Murphy stuck with Sproat at 93 pitches entering the sixth. Unfortunately, the Reds broke through, scoring a run on back-to-back doubles by De La Cruz and Stewart. After a mound visit, Sproat struck out Bleday. That was the last batter Sproat faced. He finished the day with 5 1/3 innings pitched, two runs allowed on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. Though the results haven’t been pretty, Sproat finished up a good month of June for him, and is hopefully putting it all together in the majors.

Chad Patrick entered in relief and kept the inherited runner at second, getting Suárez to pop out before striking out Nathaniel Lowe to end the inning.

The bullpens locked it down from there, with one exception. In the eighth inning, Chourio hit a two-out home run into the Brewers’ bullpen. It was his 12th of the season and 10th of the month, extending the lead to 7-2.

Five different Brewers had multi-hit days. Bauers and Frelick led the day with three hits each. Chourio, Mitchell, and Ortiz added on two hits apiece. Hamilton and Yelich were the two Brewers who went hitless (though Yelich drew a walk). As a team, they went 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position and had a total of 14 hits, with only three of those going for extra bases.

In the bullpen, Patrick had 1 2/3 scoreless innings with a strikeout. Jared Koenig worked around a hit for a clean eighth inning. Grant Anderson finished the game with a hit allowed and two strikeouts in the ninth.

The Brewers have secured at least a split in this series against the Reds, but need one more win for a winning series and homestand. Game three is set for tomorrow night, but it’ll start at 7:10 p.m. because of an ESPN national broadcast. Shane Drohan faces Andrew Abbott in that game.

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Zach Collins Agrees to Contract Extension With Chicago Bulls

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 19: Zach Collins #12 of the Chicago Bulls celebrates making a three-point basket during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on December 19, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Power forward/center Zach Collins has agreed to a two-year, $17 million contract extension to stay with the Chicago Bulls through the 2027-28 season, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Collins’ agent, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, worked with the organization continuously over the last two days to keep his client off the free agency market and beat the July 1 deadline at midnight.

The 10th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft appeared in just 10 games with the Windy City organization in 2025-26, averaging 9.7 points per game on a 57.8 field goal percentage/42.9 three-point percentage/77/5 free throw percentage, plus 5.6 rebounds per game, and 1.5 assists per game.

Collins had a season-ending toe surgery just after the NBA All-Star break in February of 2026. Unfortunately, countless different injuries and surgeries have derailed the trajectory of his career over and over again.

Across nine campaigns with the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and Bulls, Collins has suited up for only 388 of the 738 possible regular-season games.

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho

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Skubal works 6 strong innings, Tigers hit 5 homers in 9-3 win over the Yankees

NEW YORK (AP) — Tarik Skubal pitched six innings of one-hit ball and Riley Greene hit two of Detroit’s four homers off Cam Schlittler as the Tigers beat the Yankees 9-3 on Tuesday night and sent New York to its season-worst sixth straight loss.

The Tigers hit five homers overall against the Yankees for the first time since Aug. 30, 2018.

Skubal (4-4), making his fourth start since returning from elbow surgery, allowed only Ben Rice’s 23rd homer in the first inning and an unearned run in the sixth. The two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner struck out nine and walked none after allowing four runs to the Yankees last week in Detroit.

Skubal threw 61 of 87 pitches for strikes and retired 12 straight after Rice’s homer in the first.

Greene hit a solo shot during a four-run first inning off Schlittler (8-5) and added a two-run drive in the third for a 6-1 lead. It was Greene’s eighth career multi-homer game.

Before Greene’s first homer, Kerry Carpenter hit a solo shot in which center fielder Spencer Jones could not complete a leaping catch at the right-center field fence and saw the ball pop out of his glove into the Yankees’ bullpen.

Spencer Torkelson hit a two-run homer to cap a 10-pitch at-bat in which he fouled off six pitches.

Schlittler allowed a career-high six runs runs and seven hits in four-plus innings. The hard-throwing right-hander had his ERA climb from 1.62 to 2.08.

Schlittler allowed four homers after allowing six homers in his first 17 starts. He had never allowed more than two in any start and became the first Yankees pitcher to allow four homers to the Tigers since Chuck Cary in 1989 at Tiger Stadium.

Detroit’s James Outman hit a three-run homer in the sixth off Ryan Yarbrough after second baseman José Caballero committed a throwing error on a force play.

New York has managed just 16 hits in its last five games.

Up next

Detroit RHP Troy Melton (4-1, 2.39 ERA) opposes New York RHP Will Warren (7-3, 3.75) in the series finale on Wednesday afternoon.

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76ers signing Dean Wade on $39 million contract to boost frontcourt

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots as Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) defends during the first quarter, Image 2 shows Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) goes to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Jan. 19, 2026, in Cleveland

Dean Wade is heading to the City of Brotherly Love.

The free agent forward has agreed to a four-year, $39 million deal with the 76ers on Tuesday night, according to ESPN.

Wade, 29, is leaving the Cavaliers, a team where he established himself as a critical defending and shooting piece in the frontcourt. He spent the first seven years of his career in Cleveland after going undrafted and signing a two-way contract with the team in 2019.

Knicks guard Jalen Brunson goes up for a shot as Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) defends during the first quarter. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

Wade was the longest tenured Cavalier.

Until Tuesday, the Cavs and Wade had been in ongoing negotiations trying to work out a new deal before the start of free agency.

But by late Tuesday afternoon, it became clear that Wade would hit the free agency market, and now Philly scopped him up on the first day.

NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported that Philadelphia was expected to be one of several teams interested in acquiring Wade last week.

Wade’s defense made him an important piece of Cleveland’s rotation and allowed him to retain a consistent role there. His 6-foot-9 height and 6-foot-10 wingspan made it difficult for opposing guards and forwards to work around him.

Wade averaged 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds alongside 1.5 assists per game during the 2025-26 season, shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from 3-point territory.

Dean Wade goes to the basket as Chet Holmgren defends in the first half of the Cavaliers’ blowout loss to the Thunder on Jan. 19, 2026, in Cleveland. AP Photo/David Dermer

Wade started in 14 of the Cavaliers 18 playoff games this past season, where they reached their first Eastern Conference finals in eight years before being swept by the Knicks.

Wade only put up 4.4 points in 22.6 minutes per game in the playoffs, but his defense on stars like Scottie Barnes and Cade Cunningham made him a valuable piece of the Cavs’ run.

His plus-5.0 net rating was the highest among all Cavs players throughout the playoffs.

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Nashville Predators Center Erik Haula Likely To Hit Free Agency Market

The Nashville Predators are likely to lose one of their centers to the free agency market on Wednesday. 

Erik Haula, who has reached the end of a three-year, $9.45 million contract, will be an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, as the Predators have not extended him a qualifying offer. 

The 35-year-old center scored 38 points in 81 games last season as one of the Predators' anchors in the bottom six. He was acquired last June in a trade for Jeremy Hanzel and a 4th-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. 

Haula was also one of four Predators players who competed in the 2026 Winter Olympics, representing Finland and scoring six points (three goals and three assists) in six games en route to a bronze medal. 

It's his second time around in Nashville, as he was with the team during the 2020-21 season, scoring 21 points in 51 games. 

General Manager Chris MacFarland has opted to go with a younger Jack Drury to fill the center role in the bottom six, trading for and signing the 26-year-old center to a five-year, $22.5 million contract. 

According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, Haula could end up in Los Angeles.

He is not the only UFA that could be on the move, as Tyson Jost was not extended a qualifying offer. 

The 28-year-old forward was claimed off waivers in the 2025-26 preseason on a 1-year, $775,000 contract. He played in 69 games, scoring eight goals and eight assists for 16 points. 

Defenseman Kevin Gravel, who played just one game in Nashville this past season, was also not extended a qualifying offer and is now an unrestricted free agent. He just finished a two-year, $1.555 million contract. 

Restricted free agent defenseman Justin Barron and newly acquired forward Chase Bradley were both extended qualifying offers on Tuesday. 

NHL free agency opens on Wednesday at 11 a.m. CST. 

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Warriors relying on experience vs the West’s youth movement

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 19: Kristaps Porzingis #7 of the Golden State Warriors walking off the court slaps hands with teammate Al Horford #20 against the Boston Celtics in the first half at Chase Center on February 19, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Western Conference is running a youth experiment, and the results are getting harder to ignore. Victor Wembanyama is already rewriting the defensive record books. Anthony Edwards is appointment television. Cooper Flagg just landed in Dallas. Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Şengün are all guys proving the best teams in the West are increasingly being built around players who weren’t legally allowed to drink four years ago.

And as rumors swirl Golden State is about to sign LeBron James, a man in his 40s, the Warriors just used the 11th pick on 23-year-old Yaxel Lendeborg, re-signed 30-year-old center Kristaps Porzingis, and brought back 40-year-old Al Horford.

Franchise stalwart Draymond Green went on record calling Lendeborg a great pick, and his reasoning was more interesting than the endorsement itself. He argued that a veteran-heavy roster needs players who can contribute immediately, and that Lendeborg’s age is exactly what makes him fit.

Young franchises get to be patient. Just like how the Spurs took their time with Wembanyama and the Thunder built their depth over years of painful losing. They could absorb growing pains because their timeline had room for them. The Warriors’ timeline doesn’t have that luxury, and they’ve structured their entire front office philosophy around that reality. Winning has a hidden cost, and Golden State paid it without reading the fine print. Every year they spent chasing championships was another year they couldn’t prioritize long-term development the way rebuilding franchises could. They were winning and the bill just took a while to arrive.

And when we talk about the Warriors’ current draft philosophy I feel we should name the moment it changed. James Wiseman had every physical trait that modern front offices chase in terms of length, athleticism, upside that scouts described in superlatives. The Warriors bet on potential and watched three years dissolve into a trade. Wiseman wasn’t just a miss. He was the last time (unless you count Jonathan Kuminga) Golden State tried to draft for the next decade instead of the next postseason. Since then their approach has moved steadily toward floor over ceiling, toward the known quantity over the projection. Whether that’s wisdom or overcorrection is still genuinely unclear, but the philosophical pivot is undeniable.

Then came Porzingis. An established veteran whose immediate value lies in what he can do next April, not what he might become three Aprils from now. And don’t forget about Al Horford re-signing for two more years to become just the 13th player in NBA history to reach a 20th season. The Warriors aren’t keeping him around out of sentimentality. Stack those two next to Jimmy Butler now Lendeborg, and run it through the same filter: does this increase Steph Curry’s chances before the window closes?

Two years from now, we’ll know whether Golden State spotted an inefficiency everyone else ignored or simply spent its last draft capital chasing Steph Curry’s final championship window. Either way, this much is already clear: while the rest of the Western Conference is raising young draft pieces into bonafide stars, the Warriors have decided to focus on experience.

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Cavs fail to retain starting small forward in free agency

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 5: Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers run on to the court before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 5, 2025 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost defensive-first starting small forward Dean Wade in free agency. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that he will be joining former Cavs general manager Mike Gansey with the Philadelphia 76ers on a four-year, $39 million deal.

Not being able to retain Wade’s services isn’t all that surprising on its own. The Cavs were the only team over the second apron last regular season and are making a concerted effort to get well under it this offseason so that they can reshape their roster. Considering the number of suitors it was reported Wade had, it was likely that one of them could offer more than the Cavs.

What is surprising is the amount Wade signed for. His new contract with Philadelphia has an average annual value of $9.75 million, and could be structured to pay less money the first year. That isn’t an outrageous amount or one that would significantly hinder the Cavs from getting under the second apron if they had matched it.

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The Cavs’ choice to presumably not match that amount would be curious if they don’t have other moves or possibilities lined up. The small and power forward positions are the groupings with the least amount of depth on the team. Wade was a stopgap at both positions and was by far the best perimeter point-of-attack defender on the team. Losing such a valuable defender is a tough blow on the night they lost defensive specialist Keon Ellis as well.

Cleveland was already in need of additional help at the three and four spots. Now, that is even more true, and they don’t necessarily have an easy path of finding a replacement. With how the salary cap works, just because the Cavs didn’t offer Wade that money doesn’t mean they can offer a different free agent that amount. Cleveland could have exceeded the salary cap to sign Wade because they had his Bird rights. They can’t do so with free agents coming from other teams.

There is a former Cavalier out there who could sure up the wing that would make everyone forget about the loss of Wade. But if they aren’t able to procure LeBron James’s services, they will have an uphill struggle to find both an additional wing and help at backup power forward.

As it stands now, the Cavs are $41.7 million below the second apron and $29.1 million below the first. Cleveland only has 11 players under contract. That number doesn’t include James Harden and recent second-round pick Meleek Thomas. Harden opted out of his player option for next season, but is expected to re-sign with the team.

Wade first signed with the Cavs on a two-way deal as an undrafted rookie during the 2019-2020 season. He progressively earned more minutes and cracked into the starting lineup for stretches of the last several seasons. Wade started 38 of his 59 games with the Cavs last regular season and 14 of the team’s 18 playoff games.

This past season, Wade averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game on .439/.362/.711 shooting splits.

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What's next for Clippers? What Kawhi Leonard trade means for roster

The Los Angeles Clippers have officially moved on from Kawhi Leonard after seven seasons.

Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, June 30 for forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks (2031, 2033), two second-round picks (2030, 2033) and a 2027 first-round swap.

The move puts an end to a real pursuit of an NBA title for the near future, as the Clippers opt for a younger roster while building assets.

Leonard originally came to Los Angeles in July 2019 along with Paul George, in what was a homecoming of sorts, with both being Southern California natives. The Oklahoma City Thunder had traded George and a first-round pick to L.A. for a haul that included Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, five first-round picks and two swaps.

The duo did lead the Clippers to their first Western Conference finals appearance in 2021. Still, the pairing did not pan out, while the Thunder managed to construct a championship-winning roster following the trade, using one of those draft picks to select Jalen Williams.

Despite Leonard's departure, an investigation by the NBA still lingers.

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, Leonard and his uncle/advisor Dennis Robertson were allegedly involved in a “no-show” agreement with a company, Aspiration, to funnel extra compensation to the player as part of a salary cap circumvention.

Here’s where things stand for the Clippers, who are looking to reconstruct their roster this season:

What does the Clippers’ starting lineup look like currently?

The Clippers' starting lineup would consist of Darius Garland and rookie Keaton Wagler making up the backcourt.

Ingram would join forward Derrick Jones Jr. and center Brook Lopez.

Ingram is no stranger to Los Angeles, having originally been drafted by the Lakers with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft. He was once viewed as the untouchable asset that the Lakers were going to build a future around.

Clippers offseason moves

While Lopez did have his team option picked up by the Clippers, the team declined the options for Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nicolas Batum before the start of free agency.

The Clippers also fully guaranteed guard Kris Dunn’s $5.68 million contract for the 2026-27 NBA season.

Jordan Miller received a qualifying offer, and Kobe Sanders agreed to a new four-year, $11.2 million deal to return.

Will Bennedict Mathurin return to Clippers?

Bennedict Mathurin would serve as the Clippers’ sixth man after the team extended a qualifying offer to him earlier this week, according to Law Murray of The Athletic. Mathurin averaged 17.6 points and 5.4 rebounds in 54 games last season.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland (10) is congratulated by center Brook Lopez (11) during a game against the Sacramento Kings on April 5, 2026.

Who will Clippers target next in free agency?

The Clippers still have roster spots to fill. The team will have several options available, including re-signing forward John Collins. He tallied 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season in 69 games played.

Forward DeMar DeRozan could be considered a veteran target the team will reconsider. He averaged 18.4 points and 4.1 assists in 77 games played for the Sacramento Kings.

If center Mitchell Robinson doesn't return to the New York Knicks, he could be another interesting option for L.A. to consider. Robinson averaged 5.7 points and 8.8 rebounds in 60 games played.

Raptors roster following Kawhi Leonard trade

The Toronto Raptors had to trade a couple key pieces to execute a deal for Kawhi Leonard, but they kept enough of their roster intact to be considered one of the top Eastern Conference contenders during the 2026-27 season.

Here's a breakdown of what the roster looks like with Leonard on the team heading into the start of the NBA's free agency period:

  • G RJ Barrett
  • G Jaden Bradley**
  • G Immanuel Quickley
  • G Jamal Shead
  • G Garrett Temple*
  • G Ja'Kobe Walter
  • F Scottie Barnes
  • F Kawhi Leonard
  • F Allen Graves**
  • F Collin Murray-Boyles
  • F Jamison Battle
  • F Sandro Mamukelashvili*
  • F Jonathan Mogbo*
  • F/C Trayce Jackson-Davis
  • C Jakob Poeltl
  • G Chucky Hepburn^
  • G A.J. Lawson^
  • G Alijah Martin^

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's next for Clippers? What Kawhi Leonard trade means for roster

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Cade Cavalli dominates in the chaos as the Washington Nationals win a chippy affair

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 30: Willson Contreras #40 of the Boston Red Sox is held back after an altercation against the Washington Nationals during the fourth inning at Fenway Park on June 30, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images

This was definitely more interesting than your average Tuesday night game between teams from different leagues. Things got chippy and heated at Fenway Park. Through all of the chaos, Cade Cavalli delivered one of the most dominant starts you will ever see. He struck out 13, walked nobody, allowed one hit and got an insane 25 whiffs.

Tonight was by far the most dominant Cavalli has ever looked. His fastball, which has been a bit of an issue for him at times, was just overwhelming Red Sox hitters. He 15 of his 25 whiffs on the heater. His fastball averaged 97.3 MPH, but I suspect it was more like 98 because he mixed in some pitches that looked like cutters but were classified as 4-seamers. 

After getting in some trouble in the first inning and allowing an unearned run, Cavalli retired the last 19 hitters he faced. It was just an overwhelming display of power from a pitcher that has had to take a long path to get here. Cavalli had a very bumpy recovery from Tommy John, but his stuff still allowed fans to dream. Tonight was truly that dream becoming reality.

This is one of the most dominant starts by a Nats pitcher in the 2020’s, potentially the most dominant. The last time a Nats pitcher went at least 7 innings while striking out double digit hitters and allowing one hit or less was Max Scherzer back in 2018. Of course, those kinds of outings were par for the course for Mad Max, but we have not seen that kind of dominance since.

Cavalli really did look like Max Scherzer on that mound tonight. He was frothing from the mouth and stalking around the mound the same way Scherzer used to. Cavalli was also just blowing heaters by guys and mixing in filthy breaking balls like Max did as well.

One thing I don’t think Max ever did with the Nats was get into an all out brawl on the mound. That is what happened with Cavalli tonight. After Willson Contreras cut off Cavalli on his way off the mound, some bad blood emerged. Then Cavalli struck out Contreras in the 4th, and yelled “sit down boy” as he got off the mound.

While that was a bit out of pocket, Contreras took things over the top by charging the mound and throwing his helmet. Contreras has been in the center of a lot of dust ups in his career, so this is nothing new for him. Even last night, he had a huge bat flip and pumped his chest after a homer against former teammate Miles Mikolas. Later last night, he also got ejected. Tonight, he was in the middle of a brawl.

The way the Nats responded from that brawl was absolutely fantastic. At the time, they were down 1-0. After the dust up, the Nats outscored the Red Sox 8-0. Cavalli also channeled his emotions extremely well. It could have been easy to allow that incident to throw off his outing. In fact, it did the opposite and the big right hander thrived in the chaos and smiled as the Fenway Park crowd booed him.

Before the brawl, the Nats offense was sluggish, but between Connelly Early exiting the game and the juice from the skirmish, they got going. The bottom of the order did a lot of damage, with Daylen Lile and Keibert Ruiz each getting two hits. Ruiz had his fingerprints all over the game, for better or for worse. Despite getting thrown out on the bases again, it was mostly good though, as the Nats catcher drove in three runs.

The Nats scored 7 runs in the 7th and 8th innings. CJ Abrams put the cherry on top with a solo homer and the Nats tacked on a few more thanks to Ruiz and James Wood. The offense had not been as dynamic lately, but tonight was a good reminder of how quickly they can strike.

Between the brawl, Cavalli’s outing and the late inning offense, this was one of the best wins of the season. It sure fired me up and I bet the players are stocked as well. This could be one of those games that can really bring the team together.

Even the bullpen did a nice job in this one. It looked like Orlando Ribalta was going to make things interesting after allowing two straight hits. However, he quickly settled things down by getting a double play. In the 9th, Zak Kent, who I wrote about today, had a clean inning. That means, I did not jinx him, at least not yet. This was just a great team win, just with some added drama mixed in to spice things up.

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Sixers reportedly agree to terms with Dean Wade

DETROIT, MI - MAY 13: (EDITORS NOTE: A special camera filter fractal was used for this image) Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

In Mike Gansey’s first free agency move running the Sixers, he’s bringing in a familiar face in Dean Wade.

The 6-foot-9 forward, who was initially signed by Gansey and the Cavaliers’ front office as an undrafted free agent in 2019, has spent his entire seven-year NBA career in Cleveland. He now comes to Philadelphia on four-year, $39 million deal, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Wade’s calling card is his perimeter defense. With a 7-foot wingspan, a 228-pound frame and good lateral quickness, he’s able to guard multiple positions at a high level. We heard a lot of talk about the Sixers needing to find an identity this offseason. With a trio of Wade, Paul George and VJ Edgecombe handling the tough perimeter assignments, and Tyrese Maxey digging for steals while Joel Embiid protects the rim, forming a defensive identity feels possible.

Nothing about his raw numbers will impress you, but Wade is far from a zero on the offensive end. He can make open looks. He’s shot 36.7% from three for his career, though you’d maybe like to see an uptick in his volume. He’s not a shot creator by any means, but he’s a good connector and is comfortable putting the ball on the floor when needed. He’s a solid rebounder, but that could still remain an area of weakness for the Sixers overall.

With that said, Gansey and the front office still have avenues to improve. The Sixers are likely signing Wade using a portion of their non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which comes in at roughly $15 million for 2026-27. They’ll now be hard capped at the first apron, but it also means they’ll have some of the NTMLE left over (likely around $6 million) for another player above the minimum. They also could access the bi-annual exception ($5.5 million).

Free agency is just beginning, so there should be plenty of business remaining. The Sixers could still use more depth across the board. Make sure to follow our tracker and we’ll update you as much as we can.

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Astros 6, Twins 4: Alvarez’s Grand Slam sinks Twins

Jun 30, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a grand slam home run against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

The Twins jumped out to an early lead against Mike Burrows in the 1st inning. Two walks and a single set up Victor Caratini with the bases loaded, who earned a painful RBI after he was hit by the pitch, scoring Trevor Larnach. Ryan Kreidler tacked on a 2-run single, giving Joe Ryan and company a 3 run lead and good vibes all around.

Ryan maneuvered around some base runners in the first 3 innings, but ran into serious trouble in the 4th. Three straight singles put the Astros on the board, then back to back 2-out walks loaded the bases for Yordan Alvarez. The result was somewhat predictable, a game warping grand slam putting the Astros up 6-3. That homer, his 26th, puts Alvarez into a tie with Hunter Goodman for the American League lead. It is also his 7th career grand slam, the most of any Astros player.

That 6th run 4th inning was all the Astros needed, and all they got today in terms of runs. Ryan exited after that, with the Twins bullpen doing a good job of keeping them in the game at least. In the 5th, Josh Bell doubled a run in, scoring Kody Clemens. Unfortunately, that’s all the Twins lineup could manage, getting no base runners in the final 4 innings of the game.

Rubber match tomorrow, same time and location, it’ll be Taj Bradley vs. Tatsuya Imai.

Studs:

Kody Clemens: 2-4, 2 R

Ryan Kreidler: 1-4, 2 RBI

Josh Bell: 1-4, 2B, RBI

Eric Orze: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER/R, 3 K

Duds:

Joe Ryan: 4 IP, 6 H, 6 ER/R, 3 BB, 5 K, Grand Salami.

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Golden Knights Sign Defenseman To Long-Term Contract Extension

‘Twas the night before Free Agency, and all through the house, 

Not a creature was stirring, except for Kelly McCrimmon. 

On Tuesday night, Elliotte Friedman reported that the Vegas Golden Knights signed pending Unrestricted Free Agent Jeremy Lauzon to a long-term contract extension: six years, with a $4 million AAV.

In year one of the contract, Lauzon will count for $5.7 million against the cap and has a full No-Trade Clause. In year two, the cap hit drops to $4.3 million, and the No-Trade Clause becomes a 16-team no-trade list. For the remaining four years, Lauzon’s cap hit will be $3.5 million; in years 3-4, he has a 10-team no-trade list, and in years 5-6, that becomes a 7-team no-trade list. 

After missing most of the 2024-25 season with a lower-body injury, Lauzon returned to action and played 68 games. He struggled out of the gate, but eventually, the rust wore off, and he settled in. Lauzon is more of a stay-at-home defender, but he registered a goal and 13 points during the regular season. He averaged 17:10 TOI, 1:54 of which came on the penalty kill.

Lauzon is best known for his physicality, and he’s often described as someone who is ‘difficult to play against.’ He led all Golden Knights defensemen— and was second on the team— in hits with 251. He also led the team in penalty minutes with 79. 

The Golden Knights are now in an interesting position, as all five contracted defensemen on their roster are left shots. They traded right-shot Kaedan Korczak to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, and received Parker Wotherspoon, a cheaper left-shot defenseman, in return. Shea Theodore has already been playing on his offside for several seasons; now, it seems like one of Lauzon or Wotherspoon will have to join Theodore in that endeavor.

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Luke Kennard leaves Lakers for two-year deal with Phoenix Suns

Luke Kennard during his Lakers debut against the Golden State Warriors in February.
Luke Kennard during his Lakers debut against the Golden State Warriors in February. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

In need of three-point shooting, the Lakers lost the league’s best sharpshooter on the first day of free agency.

Guard Luke Kennard has agreed to a two-year, $13-million deal with the Phoenix Suns, The Times confirmed Tuesday.

Kennard was an unrestricted free agent after he was traded to the Lakers last February from the Atlanta Hawks. His arrival coincided with a dramatic offensive uptick for the Lakers, who went from 34.9% shooting from three in games before Kennard and 37.7% in games after. Kennard was on a one-year, $11-million contract last season, his ninth year in the NBA.

Read more:Plaschke: LeBron James got out before Lakers could throw him out

The former Duke star averaged nine points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Lakers while shooting 44.8% from three-point range. He showed his influence beyond just shooting when he took on more ballhandling duties late in the season to fill in during injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. In a starting role during the last six games of the regular season, Kennard averaged 6.4 assists.

The Lakers already lost LeBron James on the first day of free agency after the 22-time All-Star informed the team he intended to sign somewhere else for his NBA-record 24th season. Kennard could have provided a critical floor-spacing piece around Doncic, who thrives when surrounded by lob-catching centers, athletic wings and knockdown shooters.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Mike Brown reveals key role Knicks’ Dillon Jones played during historic championship run

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Dillon Jones posing for a championship portrait with the NBA Finals trophy, Image 2 shows Knicks forward Dillon Jones interacts with fans at the championship parade, Image 3 shows An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows A man in a white t-shirt and plaid shirt points his finger while speaking into a microphone, Image 2 shows NBA Champion New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson holding the Championship trophy during a ticker-tape parade, Image 3 shows Dillon Jones posing for a championship portrait with the NBA Finals trophy
Knicks

The Knicks’ path to the NBA title involved contributions from everyone on the roster — even if they did not play a single postseason minute.

Head coach Mike Brown revealed that forward Dillon Jones, who appeared in just seven regular season games for the Knicks, played a key role in the team’s playoff preparation.

“Throughout the course of this run, I got help with the messaging from different people,” Brown said to Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart during a new episode of the “Roommates Show” released on Tuesday.

“I’m gonna tell you guys, you may know this or may not, Dillon [Jones] was fabulous.”

Dillon Jones poses with the Larry O’Brien trophy after the Knicks clinched the NBA championship. NBAE via Getty Images

Most fans didn’t even know Jones was part of the organization until an ill-conceived banner outside City Hall that bore his name and Patrick Ewing’s sacred No. 33, sparking some unexpected parade-day outrage.

The 24-year-old played a total of 39 minutes for New York, but it was his experience before joining the Knicks that proved invaluable.

As a rookie, the 26th overall pick spent the 2024-25 campaign with the Thunder, who defeated the Pacers in seven games to win the NBA Finals.

Head coach Mike Brown revealed that Jones played a pivotal role in the Knicks’ postseason preparation — despite not playing in the postseason. John Jones-Imagn Images

The Weber State product appeared in 54 regular season games and saw some sporadic action in the postseason as Oklahoma City sought to avenge a second-round postseason exit a year prior.

“I spoke to Dillon often during this playoff run because he had just gone through it with Oklahoma City,” Brown added. “I said, ‘Hey, when you guys were in this position, what was [head coach] Mark [Daigneault] saying? What was [general manager] Sam Presit saying? What were you guys saying to each other? What do you think here?”

In his first season as Knicks head coach, Brown preached collaboration and communication, a philosophy that led to 13 straight postseason wins and the organization’s first title in 53 years.

The Knicks ended the organization’s 53-year championship drought. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

One of Jones’ most prudent suggestions, according to Brown, was to have the Knicks relive their own postseason disappointment shortcomings.

Before the Knicks opened the Eastern Conference finals against the Cavaliers, Brown had the team’s video department produce a short film focusing on players’ reactions a year prior, when New York fell in six games to the Pacers.

“Mike Brown said that he showed the film and asked the guys, ‘How did you feel in that moment,” ESPN’s Lisa Salters said during a Game 4 report. “Just to remind them of what it felt like to come up short.”

Brown revealed that he was not the mastermind of that motivation tactic.

“That was [Jones’] idea,” Brown said. “He wanted to show still shots of you because [OKC] did something similar to that because they had lost the year before. We took it to another level, we put together a video just to remind everybody that this is what it felt like.”

As the Knicks enter free agency, the club has already agreed to deals to bring back key contributors Landry Shamet and Mohamed Diawara.

A reunion with Mitchell Robinson appears unlikely as the Knicks look to stay below the second apron.

It’s unclear what type of role, if any, Jones would have next season, but the Knicks could do worse than a player with two NBA championships in his first two seasons.