Warriors legends get into vicious social media beef over Kevin Durant comments

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Klay Thompson fired back after Kevin Durant diminished his Warriors résumé, prompting Draymond Green to enter the spat with a burner-account jab, Image 2 shows Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a foul call in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers

Kevin Durant’s latest attempt to praise the Philadelphia 76ers has reopened some old Golden State Warriors wounds.

Durant argued on social media that Philadelphia’s new core of LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey compares favorably with the Warriors team he joined in 2016. When a fan claimed the 76ers were not close to that historically dominant group, Durant pushed back by listing their individual accolades.

In making his case, however, Durant singled out former teammate Klay Thompson.

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, from left, guard Stephen Curry and forward Kevin Durant celebrate after Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, June 14, 2017. Thompson has provided a steadying hand for the reigning champions as they work to find their groove again after winning their second trophy in three years. (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) AP

“Klay Thompson, never a MVP candidate in nothing, 22ppg,” Durant wrote, while contrasting Thompson’s résumé with Embiid’s MVP, Brown’s Finals MVP and Maxey’s recent All-Star selections.

Thompson, typically one of the NBA’s more laid-back personalities, took exception to being dragged into the debate. The former Warriors guard shared Durant’s comment on his Instagram Story and tagged him directly.

“Aye man u good?” Thompson wrote. “What u using my full government for??”

Draymond Green then entered the exchange with a shot referencing Durant’s history of using anonymous social-media accounts.

“Slim thought he was on his burner?” Green wrote on Threads.

The jab recalled Durant’s infamous 2017 mistake, when he defended himself in the third person from his verified account after apparently forgetting to switch profiles. It also carried added bite because of Green and Durant’s turbulent history, including their heated 2018 argument that contributed to tension during Durant’s final Warriors season.

Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a foul call in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals on Friday, June 9, 2017, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (2017 Getty Images) Getty Images

Durant’s broader comparison is not entirely without merit. Philadelphia can field four players capable of producing at an All-Star level, including an MVP center and one of basketball’s greatest players.

The Warriors, however, had already won a championship and recorded 73 regular-season victories before Durant arrived. That group paired established chemistry with Stephen Curry’s shooting, Thompson’s two-way play and Green’s versatility before adding another MVP.

The new 76ers may possess comparable individual credentials on paper, but they have yet to play a game together. Durant’s argument will ultimately be decided on the court.

For now, it has only succeeded in uniting Thompson and Green against their former teammate.


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Chicago Bulls legend Stacey King’s cause of death revealed

Chicago Bulls legend Stacey King’s cause of death has been determined.

A spokesperson for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office told the California Post on Monday that the three-time NBA champion died from hypertensive cardiovascular disease — an issue caused by long-term high blood pressure.

Obesity was a contributing factor and the manner was natural, the rep added.

Stacey King #34 of the Chicago Bulls runs on the court during a game in the 1991 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers circa May, 1991 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images

King, who turned into a beloved Bulls broadcaster following his NBA career, died on June 7 at his home in River Forest, Ill., and in announcing his passing, Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf called him “a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organization’s history.”

Stacy King of the Chicago Bulls receives his championship ring from NBA Commissioner David Stern before a game against the Miami Heat on Nov. 6, 1993, at Chicago Stadium in Chicago. (NBAE) NBAE via Getty Images

“We will miss him deeply,” Reinsdorf said, “and remember the joy, energy, humor, candor, and passion he brought to our organization, our broadcasts, and our fans every day.”

King joined the Bulls in 1989 after he was selected with the sixth overall pick in the draft.

Playing alongside Michael Jordan, the 6-foot-11, 230-pound power forward won rings in three of his first four seasons as a Bull.

Stacey King, Jesser, and Adam Amin commentate during the game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls on March 1, 2026, at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (NBAE) NBAE via Getty Images

King’s time as a player in Chicago ended in 1994 when he was traded to the Timberwolves in a deal that included Luc Longley. He went on to play in the league until 1997, logging minutes for the Heat, Mavericks and Celtics.

Stacey King receives his commemorative plaque during the celebration of the Chicago Bulls 20th anniversary of their first NBA Championship during a special halftime program on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (NBAE) NBAE via Getty Images

In retirement, he stepped into the Bulls’ broadcast booth, and quickly became a fan favorite, coining phrases like “gimme the hot sauce!” and “sriracha!”

“Stacey loved being a Bull,” Jerry Reinsdorf’s son, Michael, said in a statement at the time of his passing. “You could feel it in everything he did — the way he played, the way he called games and the way he connected with our fans.

“He had a unique gift for bringing people together and making every game feel personal. He brought an energy and love for the game that came through in every broadcast, helping fans feel connected to our team. Whether it was through a broadcast, a conversation or a photo with a fan, Stacey made people feel seen and valued.”

King was 59 years old.


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MLB Predictions and Moneyline Picks for Tuesday, August 4

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Fresh off buying at the trade deadline and riding a hot streak, the San Diego Padres headline my MLB moneyline predictions for tonight's slate. 

Let's dive right into my latest MLB picks for Tuesday, Aug. 4.

MLB moneyline picks for August 4

MatchupPick
AngelsAngels
vs
OriolesOrioles
Orioles
-138
MetsMets
vs
GuardiansGuardians
Guardians
-141
AthleticsAthletics
vs
RedsReds
Reds
-125
NationalsNationals
vs
PhilliesPhillies
Nationals
+251
CardinalsCardinals
vs
YankeesYankees
Cardinals
+178
White SoxWhite Sox
vs
Red SoxRed Sox
White Sox
+125
MarlinsMarlins
vs
BravesBraves
Marlins
+133
TwinsTwins
vs
RoyalsRoyals
Royals
+135
PiratesPirates
vs
BrewersBrewers
Brewers
-141
DodgersDodgers
vs
CubsCubs
Cubs
+190
GiantsGiants
vs
RangersRangers
Giants
+178
Blue JaysBlue Jays
vs
AstrosAstros
Astros
-122
RaysRays
vs
RockiesRockies
Rockies
+156
PadresPadres
vs
DiamondbacksDiamondbacks
Padres
+108
TigersTigers
vs
MarinersMariners
Tigers
+114

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 8-4.

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Expert MLB moneyline picks for August 4

Angels vs Orioles: Orioles (-138)

Orioles win probability: 58%

The Birds draw Grayson Rodriguez, who has been flat-out horrendous on the mound this season. The Angels right-hander owns an 8.18 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, while allowing a 47.6% hard hit rate and 11% barrel rate.

The Orioles have cooled off a bit, but Rodriguez is the type of pitcher who can get this lineup rolling again. Expect Baltimore's bats to take advantage.

Mets vs Guardians: Guardians (-141)

Guardians win probability: 58%

I already love Jo Adell in this spot against Mets left-hander Sean Manaea if he's in the lineup tonight. Regardless, I'll gladly back Cleveland here.

Manaea has been brutal on the road this season, posting a 5.31 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. On the other side, Joey Cantillo has been solid, and his underlying metrics suggest there's even more room for improvement. Over his last five appearances, he owns a 2.45 expected ERA.

Both offenses have been ice cold, so I'll ride with the better arm.

Athletics vs Reds: Reds (-125)

Reds win probability: 56%

The Athletics' offense has been abysmal for weeks now, and despite what we thought we knew about Brady Singer, the guy has been nails.

Over the Reds right-hander's last five starts, he's posted a 2.37 ERA and 1.12 WHIP.

Cincinnati's offense has also picked things up, recording a 110 wRC+, .337 wOBA, and .751 OPS over its last six games.

Pay the juice. Trust the Reds.

Nationals vs Phillies: Nationals (+251)

Nationals win probability: 28%

Yeah, Zack Littell has been pretty bad this year, and Jesus Luzardo has been nails. However, the Nationals still have a very lethal offense. 

+251 is insane. Take the Nats.

Cardinals vs Yankees: Cardinals (+178)

Cardinals win probability: 36%

I'm starting to think the Yankees' name is the only reason they are constantly favored while sporting a 68 wRC+ over their last 12 games.

Ryan Weathers gets the ball for New York tonight, and he's actually been worse at home than on the road, posting a 4.50 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.

On the other side, Hunter Dobbins' underlying metrics over his last five starts point toward positive regression.

I like the Cardinals to replicate last night's success.

White Sox vs Red Sox: White Sox (+125)

White Sox win probability: 45%

With the Red Sox coming off a sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers this past week, I expect a bit of a letdown here.

They'll either keep the momentum rolling or come back down to earth, and I'm leaning toward the latter. That was an emotional statement series for Boston, and I think the Chicago White Sox have a chance to catch them at the right time.

Give me the White Sox to sneak out a win tonight.

Marlins vs Braves: Marlins (+133)

Marlins win probability: 43%

This feels like a game that could see 20+ runs with Ryan Gusto and Grant Holmes taking the mound. Both guys have been struggling on the rubber lately.

With this matchup feeling more like a coin flip, I'll gladly take the underdog.

Miami's offense has started to heat back up, and even without Liam Hicks, this lineup is dangerous enough to pull off the upset.

Twins vs Royals: Royals (+135)

Royals win probability: 42%

With Joe Ryan posting a 9.82 ERA, 4.88 xERA, and 1.73 WHIP over his last three starts, I'm riding with Kansas City. 

Randy Dobnak has been serviceable over his last five outings, and with both offenses running cold, I'll side with the hotter arm.

Pirates vs Brewers: Brewers (-141)

Brewers win probability: 58%

I doubt I've written one of these articles where I've faded the Brewers. It's hard to do when they consistently get great pitching, and their offense is always clicking.

The same can't be said for the Pirates, who own a 75 wRC+, .273 wOBA, and .603 OPS over their last 12 games.

Logan Henderson has been nails for Milwaukee, and I expect that to continue tonight. 

Dodgers vs Cubs: Cubs (+190)

Cubs win probability: 34%

Yes, I am dead serious. Take the Cubs.

What team has the biggest target on its back tonight? The Dodgers. Sure, they always do, but with this being Tarik Skubal's debut in Los Angeles, the Cubs will come out with a little extra edge.

Everyone is going to want to spoil the party, and I expect Chicago to claw its way to a win.

Giants vs Rangers: Giants (+178)

Giants win probability: 36%

San Francisco has been on a tear lately, and this price is simply wrong.

The Giants have sported a 113 wRC+ over their last six games, while the Rangers have managed just a 62. On the mound, left-hander MacKenzie Gore has struggled over his last five outings, posting a 6.41 ERA. Meanwhile, Blade Tidwell has looked much better over his last three starts.

There's a ton of value in backing the Giants here.

Blue Jays vs Astros: Astros (-122)

Astros win probability: 55%

I'm not even going to entertain backing an offense that owns an 89 wRC+, .297 wOBA, and .664 OPS over its last 12 games.

I don't care who's pitching for the Astros. I refuse to back one of the most lifeless lineups in baseball, especially with how red hot Houston's bats have been.

Give me the Astros.

Rays vs Rockies: Rockies (+156)

Rockies win probability: 39%

I have to be on the Rockies after the Rays hung two touchdowns on them last night. Expecting a team to replicate that kind of offensive explosion on back-to-back nights is asking a lot.

Add in the fact that this is Freddy Peralta's debut for the Rays, and the Rockies are catching Tampa Bay at the right time.

Give me Colorado to get its revenge at home tonight.

Padres vs Diamondbacks: Padres (+108)

Padres win probability: 48%

The Diamondbacks have cooled off over their last six games after being one of the hottest teams in baseball for the past few weeks.

Now they draw a red-hot Padres offense that's posted a 124 wRC+, .767 OPS, and .345 wOBA over its last six games. Getting San Diego as an underdog feels like the right side.

Randy Vasquez also has solid underlying metrics pointing toward positive regression. Pair that with the hotter bats, and I'll gladly back the Padres tonight. 

Tigers vs Mariners: Tigers (+113)

Tigers win probability: 47%

The Tigers' offense is on fire right now, posting a 170 wRC+, .413 wOBA, and .967 OPS over its last six games.

On the other side, the Mariners are finally starting to wake up offensively, but Detroit should come out on top in this matchup.

Emerson Hancock has been allowing plenty of hard contact, while Troy Melton has posted a sub-1.00 ERA over his last five starts.

I love the Tigers as a road dog. 

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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Tarik Skubal looking to fit in as he prepares for his first start with the Dodgers

CHICAGO — Tarik Skubal wants to be “a chameleon in a sense” with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Blending in normally is quite difficult for a player with two Cy Young Awards, but Los Angeles isn’t exactly a normal team.

Skubal is learning his way around the loaded Dodgers after he was acquired in a blockbuster trade with Detroit. The left-hander will make his first start for the two-time defending World Series champions on Tuesday night against the Chicago Cubs.

“The entire focus of this organization is on winning championships, and that’s my entire focus of playing baseball,” Skubal said, “so we’re very much aligned and I’m ready to go out there and compete and give this organization and city everything that I’ve got.”

Skubal joins a rotation that also includes All-Stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Justin Wrobleski, to go along with Roki Sasaki and Eric Lauer. Shohei Ohtani is slated to play catch as he continues his recovery from left knee soreness and a right biceps injury. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow also are working their way back from injuries.

Los Angeles acquired Kris Bubic in a trade with Kansas City in the runup to the deadline, but the lefty is on the 60-day injured list with shoulder and elbow issues.

Emmet Sheehan was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City before the Dodgers’ 10-5 loss to the Cubs. The 26-year-old right-hander was 1-7 with a 5.98 ERA in his last 10 starts.

“I think for everyone, I think it’s the right thing to do,” manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s going to give him a chance to reset.”

Los Angeles also placed catcher Dalton Rushing on the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Catcher Chuckie Robinson and right-hander Jonathan Hernández were brought up from the minors, and right-hander Wyatt Mills was designated for assignment.

“Dalton said that he’s had bouts of this in the past,” Roberts said. “So I guess it’s a good thing that he has kind of dealt with it. But I don’t think anyone knows how long it’s going to be.”

Los Angeles reacquired catchers Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia in separate trades, and Roberts said Rortvedt is expected to join the team Tuesday. The Dodgers have dropped four in a row, matching their season high.

With top catcher Will Smith also on the IL with a neck issue, depth behind the plate is a potential concern for the NL West leaders. But they sure look as if they are primed to make a run at another championship, especially with Skubal in the fold.

“It’s always nice writing a starting pitcher in your lineup like that,” a smiling Roberts said.

The 29-year-old Skubal pitched 6 2/3 innings of three-run ball against Baltimore in his final start for Detroit. The Tigers blew a 7-0 lead on their way to a 10-9 loss to the Orioles in 12 innings.

The acquisition of Skubal reinforces the Dodgers’ status as the majors’ most imposing franchise and public enemy No. 1 for fans of other teams.

“Every team could trade for me, you know. Every team could make that acquisition,” Skubal said, “and I don’t really sympathize with people that blame the Dodgers for anything they’ve done. They’ve developed a really good organization. They draft well, they acquire talent really well, retain talent. It’s a winning organization.”

Skubal is 7-5 with a 2.79 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 96 2/3 innings this year. He also has performed well in the postseason, going 2-1 with a 2.04 ERA in six playoff starts over the past two years.

Skubal is eligible for free agency after this season, and the trade gives the Dodgers an opportunity to begin making their case for a long-term deal. But he stayed away from any free agency talk, keeping the focus on helping his new team right now.

“I’m not going to sit here and say I’m the big piece,” he said. “They’ve been a pretty good baseball team without me. So I’m just going to try and show up and kind of be a chameleon in a sense and fit right into these guys and just, you know, gel with them. They’ve got the winning recipe. They understand what it takes to win.”

Former Sabres Still Unsigned Free Agents – Logan Stanley

As the National Hockey League enters the second month of free agency, a number of former Buffalo Sabres still remain unsigned. At this point of the offseason, players who have not latched on with an NHL club might consider playing in Europe, or taking a short-term deal or professional tryout to earn a one-year deal. 

One of the most surprising players to still be on the market is big blueliner Logan Stanley. The former Winnipeg first rounder played nearly six seasons with the Jets before being traded at the deadline along with Luke Schenn to the Sabres for Isak Rosen, Jacob Bryson, and two draft picks. With Buffalo, the 6’7”, 231 lb. defenseman played mostly in a third pairing role and posted five assists in 17 regular season games, and eight of Buffalo’s 13 playoff games. 

Other Sabres Stories

Sabres Emotionally Devastated By Game 7 Overtime Loss

Will the Sabres add more scoring help before training camp?

There had been speculation that coming off a career-high 26 points last season, and with a very thin crop of free agents on the market, that the 28-year-old was in a prime position to get overpaid and get some term on a deal. Veterans like Jacob Trouba got that kind of offer, but Stanley, with some glaring holes in his game, is still out there.

Outlook: With it being the first week of August, most of the money out there has already been spent. It is likely that Stanley is looking for a one-year deal in a good landing spot, where he can get plenty of ice time, have a good season and hit the open market again next July. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

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Astros Announce Minor League Player/Pitcher of the Month for July

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - APRIL 22: Bryce Mayer #6 of the Corpus Christi Hooks pitches during the game between the Corpus Christi Hooks and the Arkansas Travelers at Dickey-Stephens Park on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Braeden Botts/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

The Houston Astros player development department has named IF Waner Luciano the Astros Player of the Month for July and RHP Bryce Mayer the Astros Pitcher of the Month for July.

Luciano, 21, batted .316 (24×76) with 15 runs, seven doubles, four home runs, 20 RBI, 21 walks, nine stolen bases and a 1.021 OPS in 22 games in July with Single A Fayetteville. For the minor league season, Luciano is batting .275 (46×167) with 27 runs, 12 doubles, seven home runs, 38 RBI, 34 walks, 15 stolen bases and an .873 OPS. Luciano was signed by the Astros as a non-drafted free agent on January 15, 2022, from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Mayer, 24, went 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA (1ER/19IP) in July with Double A Corpus Christi. He also recorded 29 strikeouts, six walks, a 0.79 WHIP and a .143 opponent batting average in four appearances, including three starts during the month. For the minor league season, Mayer has recorded a 2.61 ERA (20ER/69IP) with 100 strikeouts, a 1.13 WHIP and a .184 opponent batting average. He ranks tied for sixth in strikeouts in the Texas League this season. Mayer was drafted by the Astros in the 16th round of the 2024 MLB Draft from the University of Missouri. According to MLB.com, he’s rated as the Astros number five overall prospect and the top pitching prospect in the Astros system.

April Astros Pitcher of the Month: RHP Brandon McPherson

May Astros Pitcher of the Month: RHP Kellan Oakes

June Astros Pitcher of the Month: RHP Javier Perez

April Astros Player of the Month: C Jason Schiavone

May Astros Player of the Month: C Jason Schiavone

June Astros Player of the Month: OF Drew Brutcher

Breaking down the Mets’ return for Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor

Jefferson Rojas #39 of the Chicago Cubs bats during the seventh inning of a spring training game against the Chicago White Sox at Sloan Park on February 23, 2024 in Mesa, Arizona.

The final move of the Mets’ deadline sell off landed just before 5 PM yesterday, with Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor shipped off as a package to the Cubs. In return, the Mets received Jefferson Rojas, an infielder ranked 63rd on MLB pipeline’s latest top 100 and 99th at Baseball America.

Rojas’ overall profile is one of good tools, but not great ones—a bunch of 50s and 55s if you want this in the 20-80 scouting parlance. He’s a good third base defender who can play second, he’s got a good hit tool and a bit of pop, and he’ll steal you some bases. But he’s neither a Gold Glove defender nor a standout hitter nor an exit velocity monster.

How you value this archetype of player is an interesting question, particularly in contrast to players who have obvious standout tools (Emilien Pitre’s hit tool, Sammy Stafura’s power) but also obvious deficiencies (Pitre’s power, Stafura’s hit tool). On the one hand, being average across the board raises your floor, and gaining a half or full grade anywhere makes you a plus regular. On the other hand, going from a 55 tool to a 60 is a lot harder than going from a 40 to a 50; players like Pitre and Stafura typically have an easier path to getting their weaknesses to a “good enough” level than players like Rojas do finding a true strength to hang their hat on.

This is not to say Rojas is a bad prospect—he’s a high floor, likely major league contributor on the infield in the relatively near term. It’s more to point out that a more modern view on prospect value likely rates him somewhat lower than his pipeline ranking might indicate.

As a return for the combination of Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor, this is a totally reasonable return. Holmes is a mid-rotation arm coming off injury with a player opt-out, both of which reduce his trade value. Tyrone Taylor, despite his recent home run binge, remains a 4th outfielder, and is nowadays one that you’re less thrilled to see in center field. Taking this deal is a better idea than extending Holmes (look to Sean Manaea for a cautionary tale of how contracts for this type of player work out) and is far more value than the QO pick the Mets might’ve received had they held Holmes and then let him sign elsewhere.

That said, you can’t help but wish the return had been a bit more exciting. Maybe the rumored Arizona package would’ve been flashier, or perhaps the Mets could’ve pulled something similar to what the Cardinals received for Dustin May and JoJo Romero. Chalk it up as another deal that’s probably fine but maybe could’ve been more.

We’ll have full grades for every deadline deal the Mets make once all the moves for the deadline have been made. Check back in for those next week.

Rating your takes: Which struggling Seattle Mariner is going to bounce back this season? Which ones are cooked?

Jul 8, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) breaks his bat while hitting a bloop single in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Last week I posed this question to the FEED amidst another fairly disappointing and frustrating week of Mariners games and now it is time to rate you responses. As usual, I’ll be using my patented and very scientific Mariners Hot Take Ranking System:

Here we go!

Poster Aubrey says: “Lukewarm take: Julio, and it will be soon. Hot take: Alex Hoppe.”

First of all, speaking of Lukes, pour one out for Luke Raley who is apparently done for the season.

Bummer, man. But, Julio bouncing back? I mean, that’s what we all want and it’s what the Mariners need very badly to happen (one of several things), so is that a lukewarm take? Maybe an obvious one, but given how we haven’t seen Julio make a sustained return to his 2022 offensive output, I rank this as a BOSIO. A step above tepid, but not boiling. Now, the Alex Hoppe part, welp, learn to enjoy blue crabs smothered in Old Bay, buddy!

Blog Boss Kate Preusser says: “I believe in Colt Emerson’s ability to adapt and adjust – he’s been thrown to the wolves earlier than anyone wanted but I have a lot of faith in his approach and I think he will get back to it down the stretch here and get close to replacement level, which … is a fine outcome.”

I want to believe in Colt Emerson’s bat, and I think I do long term for sure, but this is a big (and unrealistic) ask for a rookie who just turned 21 last week. The fact that he’s hanging in there at 0.5 bWAR with sterling defense and occasional clutch hits like Sunday’s walkoff is a huge boost for this team. Expecting more than that at this point makes this take a bit spicy, but Kate did say “close to replacement level” which I guess he is slightly above right now, right? Unfortunately for this Mariners team, they may need 1 to 1.5 bWAR out of Colt in order to win the division and make any kind of decent playoff run with how things have been going. So, I’ll give this one an IWAKUMA for dangerous optimism.

Poster Rumdoodle says: “Carlos Vargas is going to be lights out. JP is done done.”

Okay, now we’re getting hot. First of all, nothing I’ve seen from Carlos Vargas and his glorious hair has ever approached anything resembling “lights out.” I will give him credit for that one very clutch save in 2025 down the stretch, but his control of the zone and his pitch location has always been tenuous at best. Suggesting that he’ll come back from a long injury rehab and start striking out the world is, well, I’ll have what Rumdoodle is having. Must be that good shit. And in regards to J.P. Crawford, first of all, how dare you? Second of all, this team needs their veteran hype man to be in the mix for any sort of postseason run. How else will they select a new post-win banger to listen to? So yeah, this take is pretty dang BRASH, almost bordering on CLIFF LEE-ish.

Poster Chris from Bothell says: “Donovan will bounce back and be a force for the rest of the season. Cal will… Well, let’s just say when the Mariners make the playoffs it will be despite him, not because of him.”

Multiple folks picked Brendan Donovan aka Bringo Dingo aka Isabelle would like to see proof of life of this man. So yes, Donovan returning and being able to play nearly every day without getting hurt again would be pretty huge for this lineup. Chris’s take on Cal is, well, depressing but that has been the tone of this nearly lost season for Raleigh. In fairness, his power does seem to be returning in fits and starts, but this team needs more than one dinger a week from this cornerstone of the lineup. Mashing 60 dingers, catching 121 regular season games in 2025, starting every game of a deep playoff run, and then fucking around with whatever the hell happened in the World Baseball Classic…..a catcher’s body can only do so much and he has clearly been pushed (well, pushed himself) past his limits. Cal is as tough as modern baseball players come, but we all have limits as humans. That said, 2-ish weeks of Cal hitting at or around his 2025 clip could literally make the difference between winning the division again or not. I still have hope he can do it. Giving this one the ol’ BRASH since Chris said the Mariners will make the playoffs even without Cal bouncing back.

Okay, moving along to a BONUS PROMPT.

As the resident sartorial shit-giver on the LL staff, I saw this post from the Mariners and immediately started thinking about A) how would I rank these 9 uniforms and B) which uniforms got snubbed? C) justice for for road greys!!!!

So, sound in the comments how you’d rank these 9 Mariners uniforms and give a shoutout to any particular favorites that were left off.

My quick ranking:

  1. Teal. It will always be teal for me. #1 defender of teal. It’s the color that sets the team apart. Every winning Mariners team ever has worn teal.
  2. Yellow S home whites
  3. Sleeveless home whites (criminally underrated, sun’s out, guns out)
  4. Steelheads
  5. Current home whites
  6. 70’s Trident era home whites
  7. Turn Ahead the Clock night
  8. City Connect
  9. Sunday off-whites

NOTABLE SNUBS: 70’s and 80’s powder blue road unis, the current navy road uniforms (arguably their most popular current uniform??), the extremely dark navy blue tops from the early 00’s, the Spring Training and sometimes regular season powder blue tops from 2019-2022, and yes, THE ROAD GREYS from both the yellow S era (completely forgotten heaters) and the modern road greys which got unceremoniously axed in 2023.

All right, thanks for everyone who responded to the prompt in the FEED and let’s hear some Mariners uniform takes in the comments!

What the Yankees’ Trade Deadline moves mean for their future roster outlook

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 12: Luis García Jr. #2 of the Washington Nationals at bat against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Nationals Park on July 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Well, that was underwhelming.

The 2026 Trade Deadline has come and gone, with the Yankees doing relatively little compared to what appeared to be a laundry list of needs. If you were told in May that this is what they would do at the deadline, you would’ve had so many questions about why the team got a corner outfielder and a first baseman while ignoring the bullpen and catcher’s room. Pinstripe Alley has provided a lot of coverage regarding both moves, so go check those out.

Nonetheless, it’s passed now, so all we can do is evaluate what happened. The Yankees acquired the likes of Luis García Jr. and Heliot Ramos from the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants, respectively. They also dealt away three relief pitchers who have spent time in the majors this season: Camilo Doval, Jake Bird, and Yovanny Cruz. It’s a much lighter transaction list than we thought, but let’s see how this affects not only the current roster, but beyond.

Let’s start with the payroll. The Yankees very much prioritize control at the Trade Deadline, as evidenced by moves in recent years to acquire guys like David Bednar, Joey Gallo, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Frankie Montas, and more, all players that were more than rentals. García is under control through 2027, and Ramos is just now entering arbitration and is under control through 2029. The impending lockout and CBA negotiations could complicate things, but assume they have those complete years of control. The Yankees will pay García about $2.1 million for the remainder of the season and Ramos $243,000.

Going forward, García’s breakout campaign will likely command a raise that will take his salary above $10 million in 2027, while Ramos will likely clock in around $3 million in his first year of arbitration. But that isn’t $13 million they’re directly acquiring, as they also got Doval and Bird’s arbitration figures off the books that would likely total a sum nearly as much.

The roster fit is clunky for both if you ignore injuries, but both will have a big role to play while the big boppers continue to recover (and Jasson Domínguez demoted as part of last night’s George Lombard Jr.-for-Anthony Volpe roster shuffle). When it comes to beyond 2026, the roster fit is cleaner for both. Ramos will likely be reduced to a platoon role down the stretch, but his control may make him an everyday starter in 2027 as Trent Grisham insurance, with Cody Bellinger moving into center field. With Ramos’ defensive limitations, could they consider moving Judge to left field in the offseason, or would they swallow the downside?

For García, he likely won’t have to contend with 38-year-old veteran Paul Goldschmidt for playing time as he rides off into the sunset. I’d expect him to go back and forth with Ben Rice at first base and DH, while also being insurance for a big elephant in the room: Giancarlo Stanton. The Yankees insist that the hulking slugger is nearing some semblance of a return, and he took BP against a rehabbing Carlos Rodón yesterday, but there’s still no knowing exactly when he’ll be back and how much he’ll be able to give.

Getting Stanton insurance is never a bad idea. After all, there’s no guarantee he’s going to be productive when he comes back. But will he even come back? I think he will at some point, which might create a logjam, but too much depth is a good thing, especially come playoff time.

Returning to what this means for the future, Stanton will be entering the final guaranteed season of his 13-year contract next year, and with the Marlins picking up the bill on $10 million of his $25 million salary, he’s reached the point where it’s within the realm of possibility that the Yankees decide to do with him what they have done with unproductive veterans at the end of bad contracts in DJ LeMahieu and Aaron Hicks. Is it possible that the Yankees cut ties with Stanton after this season? I certainly don’t think it can be ruled out, even with his decline more of the physical nature than horrible on-field performance.

Let’s briefly touch on the prospects that the Yankees gave up. I’ll gloss over the failed Jake Bird experiment, but I do want to mention he seemed to learn he was traded while he was on the mound for Scranton earlier today. Ouch. The lone starting pitcher dealt to Washington, Jack Cebert, was selected in the 15th round a year ago and has impressed in his debut season, making it to Double-A and seeming to settle in during a great July before going down with injury a week ago. We’ll see what the new-look Nats player development team can do with him.

The two guys I’m most bummed to lose are players who could be contributing at the MLB level out of the bullpen. We’ve all heard of Yovanny Cruz, who stings to lose with his triple-digit velocity and elite stuff, but being able to use him as a major piece in a deadline deal after signing him as a little-known minor league free agent in November is great work from the front office.

The other guy is Ben Grable, who I think has the potential to be an absolute stud. A former 11th-round pick out of Indiana, he’s exploded up the ranks and become a high-leverage reliever in Double-A Somerset, earning a spot at the 2026 Futures Game in Philadelphia. He has a freakish fastball that sits mid-90s and has outlandish induced vertical break. A 97 mph fastball with 17-ish inches of IVB is considered elite, but what about 96 at 22 inches? If any player here can become a star, it’s this man.

Now the guys sent to San Francisco. Henry Lalane has a lot of arm talent and was once one of the most exciting arms in the system down in the DSL, but saw his stock collapse after multiple injury-riddled seasons. He had rebuilt it considerably in 2026 to the point where I wondered aloud if he was the best starting pitcher in the farm system, but the injury risk is still there, and he’s been so-so in a recent bump to High-A.

The lone position player dealt was infielder Kaeden Kent, a former third-round pick who will be heading to his Hall of Fame father’s organization in a pretty wholesome move. He’s a great contact bat who has hovered around .300 all season until getting injured in July, but has questions on whether he can stick at shortstop or hit for enough power.

With all these guys gone, priorities shift. With Jackson Lovich earning a recent promotion and opening some room in the Single-A infield, do we see any of the 2026 draft picks debut in the coming weeks? What about a promotion for Tyler Boudreau to replace Lalane in Hudson Valley? With the bullpen depth torn apart, guys like Eric Reyzelman and Bradley Hanner suddenly become more important for the stretch run, along with the ultimate wild card returning from injury in Carlos Lagrange, though it seems unlikely he’ll seem a major league mound this year.

The M.O. of this deadline was to not only patch holes in the short term but also give get insurance in the long term with upside. For a hitting core that needs some youth, they’ve added two 26-year-olds. The consensus is that the Yanks didn’t do enough, but time will tell if what they did do gives them enough to make a run at the World Series.

White Sox Weekly: July 26-August 2, 2026

Munetaka Murakami is the personification of all White Sox fans going into August. | Getty Images

The dust has settled on the trade deadline, and there is now baseball to be played. If you have missed all the trade news over the last week, here is what you should know.

Chicago acquired starting pitcher Luis Castillo and reliever Huascar Brazobán, along with catcher Joey Bart and outfielder Brenton Doyle. The overall sentiment from my friends on this site is that the Brazobán addition is a solid move and the rest is simply meh. The hope is that, at worst, Castillo can eat innings, and, at best, he’ll provide some solid starts down the stretch. The front office did not have to give up any of its young core or its coveted prospects to make these moves, so, all in all, it seems low-stakes.

We shall praise all the powers that be for the one glorious move that sent Seranthony Domínguez to the Mariners in the Castillo trade. Though the reliever had allowed no runs in eight of his last nine appearances, I am glad that this raised his trade value rather than convince Chris Getz to keep him on the club. We are all officially marked safe from being traumatized by the righthander ever again. Don’t you even dare suggest that there is a chance the White Sox could face him in the playoffs and be burned in a completely different way.

It should be noted that both Cleveland and Minnesota made meaningful additions to their clubs as well. As much as I would love to sit comfortably with a three-game lead heading into August, these acquisitions are going to keep this anyone’s division. If the South Siders want to win the division, they’ll simply need to keep doing what they’ve done all season: have fun and win games. Those other, more boring teams are just noise to be drowned out.

Now that the trade news is settled, let’s get to the games the team played over the last week. As most weeks seem to be these days, this was a big one. The two teams sitting above Chicago in the current playoff standings awaited them, with the Yankees coming to town first. The first two games of the set did not go to plan, but the pitching got it together to split the series before heading to Tampa and taking a series from the American League-best Rays.

The New York series, like the Houston one last week, was winnable. The South Siders took an early 3-0 lead in the opener, but the game was tied 4-4 by the bottom of the fifth. Sean Newcomb, who has been one of the bullpen’s best arms, had a rough showing, giving up four runs and letting the game slip away.

On Tuesday, it was the Yankees’ turn to take a 3-0 early lead off of Anthony Kay. Though the pitching staff did not give up another run for the remainder of the game, the White Sox could not catch up in the bottom of the ninth and dropped the second game 3-2.

Wednesday and Thursday were both thrilling matchups that saw the Good Guys back on top. Both games went to extras, with a throwing error and a walk-off single from Edgar Quero getting Chicago across the finish line on Wednesday, and a walk-off walk from Tristan Peters getting the job done on Thursday.

The pitching staff was almost unhittable in Florida. Over 27 innings, they surrendered just three runs. You read that correctly. THREE! To put this into perspective, the Rays have the best home record in baseball. The team is slashing .264/.331/.430 in its home ballpark. During this weekend’s matchup, they batted .213. Their pitching staff has the seventh-best home ERA this season at 3.61. The White Sox offense scored 15 runs (13 earned) over its 27 innings. I did some math, and that’s a 4.33 ERA for the Tampa pitching staff over the three-game set. Consider me mighty impressed with my baseball team.

Friday’s game was special with Miguel Vargas, Munetaka Murakami and Colson Montgomery all homering in the game. This is the fifth time this season that all three sluggers have hit a long ball in the same game. If they do it one more time this season, they will be the only trio to do so since at least 1900. Andrew Benintendi also homered in Friday’s game, but it was not nearly as historic as the other three.

Noah Schultz may have earned the loss in Saturday’s game, but it is exactly the type of outing he needed after having a rough go of it. He went five innings after Jordan Hicks opened the game, giving up the lone run of the entire ballgame on three hits. The young pitcher struck out four, but the more noteworthy stat from the outing was the lack of walks he issued.

In the rubber match on Sunday, the Rays started the game playing what I would describe as unstable baseball. Sam Antonacci led off the game by reaching on an error. He later scored on an error during Benintendi’s at-bat. Colson, who reached on a double, scored the second run of the game on a wild pitch. The scoring was abundant for the White Sox after that, driving in nine tallies, highlighted by home runs from Benintendi and Everson Pereira. Please enjoy Pereira’s home run as consolation for his DFA.

This week is shaping up to be similar to how July started. The club is headed to Boston, where they have to take on a Red Sox team that acquired Adley Rutschman and a slew of other reinforcements. When we saw them in July, they were in the midst of a 15-game win streak, and they have not slowed down since. Martin, Sean Burke and Castillo have their work cut out for them.

After a trip out east, the squad will head back home to take on the beefed-up Guardians. The weekend features Ozzie Guillén’s number retirement ceremony, so I am hopeful the celebration will carry the winning energy to the field.

South Side Sox Reacts: How’d Getz do at the deadline?

White Sox general manager Chris Getz watches batting practice during spring training at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2026, in Glendale, Arizona.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Sox fans and fans across the country.


This week, we have a pretty predictable question for you, one that’s already been tackled by one writer on site, as well as in our post-deadline podcast: How did the White Sox do at the trade deadline?

It seems fairly clear that the White Sox at least matched what Minnesota accomplished at the deadline. It is more debatable whether the Guardians’ pickup of starter Foster Griffin not only offsets the White Sox getting Luis Castillo from the Mariners, but the entire Chicago trade deadline package.

But that said, it’s your turn to get out your red marker and give GM Chris Getz and the front office your marks for the trade deadline.


Jacob deGrom told Rangers before trade deadline that he wanted to stay in Texas

ARLINGTON, Texas — Two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom told the Texas Rangers before the trade deadline that he wanted to stay with the team.

“I want to be here. I believe in this group,” deGrom said.

The right-hander, who has a full no-trade clause in his contract, addressed reports that the slumping Rangers were approached by at least one other club about his availability.

Asked if Texas presented anything specific to him about a potential deal, the 38-year-old deGrom said he wouldn’t get into any details.

The Rangers went into their series opener at home against San Francisco mired in a season-worst five-game losing streak that knocked them out of first place in the AL West. They were swept in a three-game series at Houston over the weekend, going from a half-game division lead to 2 1/2 games behind the Astros.

“Obviously, the last road trip didn’t go well, but I believe in this group and I believe we can win,” deGrom said. “I signed here to help this team win a World Series. In ’23, the team was able to do that, and I want to be a part of that in the future. ... That was the reason I wanted to be there. So I want stay here and help this team compete.”

The Rangers made one trade, sending utility player Josh Smith and minor league right-hander Josh Stephan to Toronto for rookie left-hander Adam Macko. Smith and Macko were both with Triple-A teams.

DeGrom is 7-7 with a 3.96 ERA in 21 starts this season, after going 12-8 with a 2.97 ERA in 30 starts last year. It is the first time since his back-to-back Cy Young Awards with the New York Mets in 2018 and 2019 that he’s made at least 20 starts in consecutive seasons.

Texas hasn’t reached the playoffs since winning its only World Series title in 2023, which was deGrom’s first season after signing a $185 million, five-year deal in free agency.

DeGrom was 2-0 with a 2.67 ERA and 45 strikeouts as the Rangers won all six games he started by the end of April. He later had elbow surgery that kept him out until the final three games of the 2024 season.

His deal with Texas included a since-triggered conditional option for 2028 that will be for $20 million, $30 million or $37 million, depending on deGrom’s performance and health.

Sabres Prospect Profile – Ryan Rucinski

The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, and the organization’s developmental model has begun to yield results, with 2023 first rounder Zach Benson making an impact in the playoffs, and 2024 top pick Konsta Helenius appearing as one of the AHL’s top prospects the last two seasons.  

Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. These players are all 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 82 NHL games. 

Other Sabres Stories

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Will the Sabres add any scoring help before training camp?

33. Ryan Rucinski - Center (Youngstown - USHL)

It often occurs that when clubs are watching over their own prospects, they see another player that intrigues them. The Sabres prospect Luke Osburn made Team USA at the 2026 World Junior and had an excellent freshman season at Wisconsin. Prior to that, he played for the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms, where he won the  USHL Defenseman of the Year. On that same club that was center Ryan Rucinski, who the Sabres selected with their final pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. 

The 5’10”, 176 lb. forward is from Broadview Heights, OH (south of Cleveland) and has hockey bloodlines through his father, Jeff, and maternal uncle Steve Duke, who both played NCAA hockey at Western Michigan and had long minor league careers. 

The 19-year-old scored 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists) in 49 games with the Phantoms in 2024-25, and last season finished second on the club with 62 points (27 goals, 35 assists) in 59 games and was named to the second USHL All-Star team. Rucinski is headed to Ohio State this fall. 

Elite Prospects Draft Guide describes Rucinski as “A detailed, versatile forward with an edge, who creates through puck protection, net-front skill, and winning battles. His preferred scoring tools: An instant inside leg wrister off the rush and quick hands in tight on the power play. And when neither of those is an option, he crashes the net and whacks away until he finds an opening.”

Follow Michael on X, and Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

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Kevin Durant’s criticism of Klay and Draymond feels like another burner account gone bad

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 28: Draymond Green #23, Kevin Durant #35, and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on October 28, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Kevin Durant is still in his feelings about his legacy on the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors already won the 2015 championship, and had just blown a 3-1 lead against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals following a record-breaking 73-win regular season when Durant hit free agency. Durant signed with the Warriors, which was only possible through a one-time salary cap spike in addition to Stephen Curry being signed to a cheap rookie extension. Golden State would win the championship the next two seasons with Durant being named NBA Finals MVP both years, but his rings never got the respect they deserved as fans accused him of taking the easy way out.

Now 10 years later, Durant turned a question about the Philadelphia 76ers’ offseason additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown into a defense of his decision to join the Warriors. Durant said “The last time three 20+ point scorers were together on a team, they said it was unfair.” Durant also said next season’s Sixers are better than the 2017 Warriors on paper.

As fans continued the debate in the comments section on social media, Durant chimed in again to rip his former Golden State teammates Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Green immediately responded by saying Durant forgot he wasn’t on his burner account, which he has a long history of using to defend himself and criticize his teammates.

Thompson posted a screenshot of Durant’s Instagram comment, and asked why he used his full name to take a shot at him.

Green came over the top on Threads, and said Durant must have thought he was on his burner.

I fully believe that Draymond is right here. Durant probably thought he was on his burner when he left this comment. Would he really bash Klay and Draymond like that in public? It’s such a bad look.

Why is Durant equating prime Steph Curry with broken down Joel Embiid? Why is he compared his prime self to 42-year-old LeBron James? Why does he only care about offense? Honestly, no one is buying KD’s argument.

Durant joined a team that won a championship and had just broken the league’s all-time wins record. The Sixers haven’t reached the conference finals since 2001. I put Philly at No. 5 in my preseason power rankings, and even that felt like a little bit of an optimistic placement. When KD went to the Warriors, it felt like no other team had a chance to even compete.

Draymond then used his podcast to keep the conversation going, saying Durant thinks basketball is only about buckets.

Say what you will about KD, but the man loves getting into hoop debates online. I think that’s cool even if it often feels like he crosses the line. You can talk ball without ripping your teammates, and this has now been a problem for Durant at multiple stops. He essentially threw his Rockets teammates under the bus in a Twitter group chat last season with no real consequences. Now he’s trying to diminish the greatness of two players who helped him win the only rings of his career.

Durant is in a tough position. The Warriors won championships both before he signed with the team, and then after he left to join the Brooklyn Nets. He still hasn’t won a ring outside of Golden State, and now he’s about to enter his age-38 season. KD is still an excellent scorer, but at this point it feels more likely than not that he retires with only two championships, both with the Warriors.

Durant needs to throw his phone in the ocean, and just enjoy being a super rich, super awesome basketball player who is still performing at a high level in his late 30s. The burner accounts are ugly, and in this case, it’s even worse when you forget which account you’re using. At a certain point, the relationships become the best part of championship runs. It sure seems like KD might not have a great relationship with Draymond and Klay.

Raptors fill final two-way spot with centre Trey Jemison

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 06: Trey Jemison III #55 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket defended by Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on March 06, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) | Getty Images

As per Chris Haynes, the Toronto-New York pipeline continues with the Raptors’ acquisition of third year centre Trey Jemison, bolstering both the Raptors’ and Raptors 905’s frontcourt. Jemison himself has seemingly confirmed this with a post on his Instagram, showcasing a Raptors’ practice jersey emblazoned with the number 50.

Jemison has played for five teams throughout his NBA career, with his most notable tenure coming as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, where he started fourteen games in the 2023-24 season. Jemison averaged about ten minutes for the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans, though his usage slipped after joining the Knicks for their championship campaign.

Jemison is a non-shooting big man capable of some rim deterrence while delivering monstrous dunks at his opponent’s basket. At 6’10, the big man has a 7’2” wingspan, and makes use of that length when getting to the rim. The lob threat potential certainly seems here, as Jemison is athletic enough to get every bit out of his giant body, and could make for a great tandem working with Scottie Barnes. The lack of a jumper is, of course, unfortunate for a team that already struggles with spacing, which is something that fans see as the central need the Raptors have to address.

In many respects, Jemison looks on paper to be the antithesis of all of the struggles the Raptors have faced with Jakob Poeltl as their starting centre. Jemison is young, athletic, and looks ready to go. Of course, he will not be slotting into that starting job, and will have to earn his chops developmentally while deep on the depth chart. The Raptors seem to believe in their abilities to develop project centres, however, and I’m excited to see what the training staff does with him throughout the upcoming season.