On Monday, the Winnipeg Jets traded forward David Gustafsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Jack St. Ivany in a swap of depth players that addresses a positional need for Winnipeg heading into the offseason.
Gustafsson, a 26-year-old Swedish center, spent the bulk of his Jets tenure as a fringe roster player carving out a bottom-six role when healthy and in the lineup. In his last NHL season in 2024-25, he made 36 regular-season appearances for Winnipeg, recording two goals and four assists for six points. He spent this past season entirely in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose, recording ten goals and 22 assists for 32 points in 48 games.
Coming back to Winnipeg is St. Ivany, a 26-year-old right-shooting defenseman who brings size and physicality to the Jets backend. The six-foot-three, 201-pound blueliner appeared in 20 games for Pittsburgh this past season, recording seven assists and a plus-4 rating before a preseason lower-body injury cost him significant time and limited his overall impact with the Penguins.
When given the opportunity to play in the AHL during his recovery, St. Ivany was a near point-per-game player, putting up a goal and five assists for six points in eight games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, a showing that suggests there may be more offensive upside than his NHL numbers indicate.
St. Ivany is entering a contract year with a cap hit of $850,000, meaning he will have every incentive to put his best foot forward with a new organization and play his way into a meaningful deal.
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KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 10: Texas Rangers centerfielder Evan Carter (32) catches a line drive ball during a MLB game between the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals on June 10, 2026, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for June 29, 2026 against the Cleveland Guardians: starting pitchers are Tyler Alexander for the Rangers and Parker Messick for the Guardians.
The Rangers continue their long-ass road trip today in Cleveland, where they are playing the first of three. Tyler Alexander is the opener, though newly signed Chris Paddack apparently could be used as the bulk guy behind Alexander. Cam Cauley, just called up, will play in his first major league game. Corey Seager, recovering from a concussion, gets the day off, as does Brandon Nimmo, who has undergone an MRI after crashing into the wall on the final play of last night’s game. Evan Carter and Alejandro Osuna get rare starts against a lefthanded pitcher.
The lineup:
Foscue — DH
Jung — 3B
Duran — RF
Burger — 1B
Higashioka — C
Osuna — LF
Cauley — 2B
Lopez — SS
Carter — CF
6:10 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +133 underdogs.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 11: General manager Rafael Stone looks on prior to the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Toyota Center on February 11, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The soap opera meta drama that is the NBA offseason has already begun in one sense with the draft, and the trades of big name players like Giannis and Lamelo. (You are a big name if people just know you by one name.)
Tonight at 7pm CST, though, we’ll see the start of the real drama. Who will sign where? Who will get traded as part of this? What sort of redundant player will the Rockets sign (currently suggestions are Marcus Smart, as clearly the Rockets main issue is what they’re best at, defense, and not what they’re worst at, offense). Smart looked good in the series against the Rockets, and had a better season that you might think. I’d really rather not watch him for a full season (or whatever he manages to play) as a Rocket, though. Doubling down on grit, rather than “can get his own shot” will surely be the best path forward, though.
There’s some talk the Rockets might exchange Smart for DFS to the Lakers, which, if it happens, is fine I guess. Fine in a “free continental buffet” of gummy bagels sort of way.
There are a few interesting unrestricted free agents out there, though the Rockets ability to sign one is very limited in high dollar ranges barring a trade. I don’t really bother listing unrestricted free agents, as there’s really no reason to do so until the situation heads towards “qualifying offer” territory, or they get an offer from another team for their current team to match.
The two biggest names who are unrestricted free agents will be familiar – LeBron James, and James Harden. Most people think that the Cavs will bring Harden back on some sort of deal. Where LeBron takes his talents could be interesting. Though he was still a very good player at 41, just not the best player in the NBA, as he spent much of his career being. This will mark the first time I’m aware of in James’ 20+ year career that he has hit free agency without a new deal obviously in place.
There are still some players who seem likely to be traded around too. Jalen Brown is the most notable, rumors with the Rockets and Brown have been hot and cold, but are currently cold.
The NBA, in its wisdom, decided to start the action not at the stroke of midnight on the East Coast, but at 7pm. This is much more reasonable, and respectful of Brian Windhorst’s bedtime.
Anyhow, I’ll probably add things to this story as significant NBA, or relatively insignificant Rockets events break.
Discussion Question: Socrates once asked “Can virtue be taught?”* Tonight, for our symposium, I’ll ask, “Can shooting be taught?”
Let me leave you with a trade to ponder. (Ducks.)
Memphis wouldn’t do this? Are you sure? There’s no more toxic asset in the NBA right now than Ja Morant. But what if…
BREAKING! UPDATE! BREAKING! BROKE! BROKEN!
Portland has, of their own free will, apparently, traded for Ja Morant. He went for the low, low, price of Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. No other terms are known just now. So we’re safe from that trade.
Of the Grizzlies “Team of The Future, Look Out Western Conference” no one remains. Kind of an Ozymandias type thing for the Rockets, maybe.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 02: Thomas Bryant #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on in the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on April 02, 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Thomas Bryant is expected to sign a one-year deal to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Free agent center Thomas Bryant intends to sign a one-year deal to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell ESPN. Bryant averaged 12.2 minutes and 6.2 points over 60 games for the Cavs, who worked with Mark Bartelstein and Zach Kurtin of @PrioritySports on the new… pic.twitter.com/4ONsWu07wD
The Cavs are thin in the frontcourt. Finding talent behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen has been an issue for years. Bryant is arguably the most successful backup big that they have tried in this era, providing some quality minutes in the regular season before showing diminishing returns in the playoffs.
Bryant averaged 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds last season. He’s a strong rebounder who occasionally spaced the floor and made double-big lineups with Mobley viable. Bryant shot 35.9% from deep last season.
Still, his lack of mobility was on display in the playoffs as he struggled to keep up with more athletic teams like the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks.
There’s value in retaining talent. The Cavs understand that frontcourt depth is a weakness, and they don’t want to make it worse by losing a viable backup big. Bryant also deserves credit for being a strong locker room presence. He’s worthy of a one-year deal to return.
Nonetheless, an argument can be made that Cleveland has taken the wrong approach with fleshing out their rotation. The lack of athleticism and versatility on the wing is impossible to ignore. Continuing to sign players who don’t address that area of weakness can lead to someone like Bryant unfairly receiving the blame.
It’s not Bryant’s fault that the Cavs haven’t found other options to play in the frontcourt. But I can understand why some fans were surprised and even disappointed to see the Cavaliers commit to Bryant before free agency even officially begins.
Fans are clamoring for change, even after a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. There’s a sense of uneasiness that has crept into online discourse about the Cavs. That’s why signing a reliable backup option like Bryant can be met with anguish. He’s a solid veteran to have on your bench. But he’s not what this team needs. And until the Cavs find some true depth on the wing, signings like this will be met with complaints.
Jan 26, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles the ball against Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Leonard adds something the Raptors have only had when they won the title in 2019
Yes, you’ve heard that right — the Toronto Raptors have been in dire need of a true number one option on offense since they won the Larry ‘O Brien trophy seven years ago. In the midst of the ongoing talks on bringing back 2x Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard to ‘The 6ix,” a question begs itself — will Kawhi be the same solution the Raptors find after all these seasons? The answer boils down to how willing GM Bobby Webster is to pull the trigger on a deal that reunites the Raptors with the Klaw.
Best Scorer on the Floor
Leonard is fresh off arguably his best regular season in the NBA thus far, putting up a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals on a consistent 50.5/38.7/89.2 shooting splits. He also managed to silence the doubts regarding his durability after suiting up for 65 appearances, which was good enough to qualify him for the In-Season Awards. Leonard finished seventh in Regular Season MVP voting while bagging his seventh All-NBA selection after being included in the second All-NBA team. Although many may know him as a bona fide playoff riser, recency bias might suggest that he’s past his prime — especially after the play-in game against the Golden State Warriors last April.
In a disappointing season-ender for the Clippers, Leonard tallied 21 points on 8-17 from the field, coupled with an abysmal 1-6 shooting from downtown. He also grabbed 7 boards and dished 3 assists, but turned the ball over five times, committing all of them in the second half. Leonard also managed to put up just six field goals in the last 24 minutes of play and scored just 7 points in the process. Based on this performance, it’s easy to say that his best years as a playoff performer are already behind him, but to declare that means not seeing the whole picture. Two-time Best Defensive Player of the Year, Draymond Green, held Leonard to 0 points in the second half when they were matched up against each other, according to a report by Dean Oliver.
Oliver also notes that Kawhi was a non-factor in the second half. “Kawhi Leonard was worth -8.3 net points in the second half, a half they lost by 13. He was worth -6.9 in a game they lost by 5, a threshold loss,” said Oliver. While stats like these suggest that Leonard’s load was carried by his teammates after the second-half collapse that saw them give up a double-digit lead, neglecting Green’s factor in his underwhelming production discredits the long-time Warrior’s match-up mastery and also the defensive schemes they ran against him.
With all of these factors in consideration, Leonard presents himself as a sort of “mystery box” just like he did seven years ago when questions surrounding his commitment as well as injury recovery were all up in the air. But just as the gamble that former president of Basketball Operations, Masai Ujiri, took on paid off with a Larry O’Brien trophy, so will a deal that ships Leonard back to Toronto elevate the team’s ceiling, and I think that’s a wager worth betting on.
Unlocking Scottie, Offloading Pressure
Jan 26, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles the ball against Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
When Scottie Barnes was drafted 4th overall by the Raptors, many were skeptical of his choice since they thought a point guard would have been a better fit, considering Kyle Lowry’s recent departure back then. Now, Barnes operates as a point guard himself, but has the length and two-way ability that makes him a threat not just on playmaking but also guarding the other team’s best player. With Kawhi, I think he becomes just that, a two-way playmaker wing who orchestrates the offense and gets crucial stops on the other end without being relied heavily on producing buckets.
With Brandon Ingram off the floor for the series-clincher, offense was expected to revolve around Barnes. The former Florida State Seminole went off to a hot start, contributing to each of the Raptors’ first 16 points in the opening period. The Cleveland Cavaliers, however, remained in striking distance, lunging in when Barnes was off the floor to deliver their blows. The game started to swing towards the Wine and Gold after Donovan Mitchell’s superb scoring in the early phases of the third quarter. While Barnes finished with efficient numbers after going 8-14 on the field and a perfect 7-7 shooting on the charity stripe, his teammates weren’t nearly as effective as he was as they ended up losing the game, 102-114.
The majority of shots for Toronto came from RJ Barrett, Jamal Shead, and Barnes, with only Barnes having produced at a high clip. While Ingram’s absence could have negatively affected their chances on offense as a go-to crunch-time scorer, he was likewise inconsistent from the field throughout the series. The Raptors’ success hinges on Barnes’ growth as a player, and therefore, management should surround him with pieces that enable him to reach that potential. Having a more consistent number one option on offense, like Leonard, would definitely help him prosper.
What’s the price to pay?
ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that if Leonard were to sign a long-term extension after a trade, it would be with the Raptors. Although Leonard’s preference is to stay in Los Angeles, the Clippers are leaning towards “moving in a younger direction,” as per Charania.
Speculations have been swirling all week that the package would center around either Ingram or Barrett. With none of those players being 25 and under, the Raptors would have to give up young players and draft assets for the 34-year-old All-Star.
Whichever package GM Bobby Webster might put together for a swap that would bring Leonard back to the north side will not only have implications for the directions of both the Raptors and the Clippers, but this offseason will certainly have repercussions for the Klaw’s legacy in whichever city he decides to suit up for next as he nears the twilight of his career.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics have picked up team options for Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh, and Dalano Banton ahead of next season, as first reported by The Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach. Queta is due to make $2.7 million next season, Walsh will make $2.4 million, and Banton $2.8 million.
Both Walsh and Banton’s options are non-guaranteed (last year, the Celtics picked up JD Davison’s non-guaranteed option, but waived him later in the summer before he signed with the Houston Rockets).
The Celtics also declined team options for Max Shulga and Amari Williams, both of last year’s second-round picks. They did not extend a qualifying offer to John Tonje, who is an unrestricted free agent. Both players are eligible to return to the Celtics on two-way contracts, which they began the season on.
Neemias Queta remains a likely candidate for an extension
Neemias Queta could very well sign an extension with the Celtics in the coming days after establishing himself as the team’s starting center last season.
Queta, who is 26 years old, has had a long journey to get to this point; he was the 39th overall pick in 2021 but was waived by the Sacramento Kings two years later. He joined the Celtics on a two-way contract shortly after and began his tenure with the organization in Maine.
Queta was fourth in the team’s frontcourt depth chart during his first two seasons in Boston. But he became the starting center after the Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis and saw Al Horford and Luke Kornet walk away in free agency.
Last season, Queta averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, shooting 65.3% from the field. He averaged 25.3 minutes across 76 games, both career-highs.
But, playing postseason minutes for the first time, Queta struggled in the playoffs. Due to foul trouble, he was limited to just 21.7 minutes per game. He put together his best performance in Game 7, tallying 17 points (on 7-8 FG) and 12 rebounds in 33 minutes, all playoff career highs.
What is his market value after a career season? That remains to be seen.
Jordan Walsh is also eligible for an extension with the team
Walsh is also coming off a career year; in his third season, he averaged 5.4 points and 4 rebounds in 17.8 minutes per game, shooting 50.9% from the field and 38.4% from three. Walsh started 25 games, oftentimes matching up against opposing teams’ best players, and recorded career-highs across the board. Walsh, who is 22 years old, was drafted 38th overall in 2023.
The Celtics agreed to a 3-year, $9 million extension with Ron Harper Jr on Saturday. Harper Jr. averaged 3.2 points in 11 minutes per game last season, after beginning the season on a training camp contract.
Jaylen Brown (July) and Payton Pritchard (October) are also both eligible for contract extensions in the coming months.
Florida Panthers fans may notice a difference when watching games next season.
That doesn’t include the expected major improvement in overall play thanks to having a fully healthy roster.
On Monday, the Panthers’ local television partner announced a change in branding. The station formerly known as Scripps Sports will now be known as The Spot – South Florida 39.
According to an official release, the network will continue to provide the same local programming that viewers have already been enjoying “while introducing an infusion of more sports programming as well as a refreshed visual identity and marketing presence across broadcast, digital and social platforms.”
The availability of Panthers games is not changing.
Fans from across South Florida, from the Florida Keys to the Treasure Coast, will still be able to enjoy Panthers hockey for free across the television airwaves.
We should know the Panthers 2026-27 schedule sometime in the coming weeks.
The Florida Panthers were slated to make the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft before trading it to the Ottawa Senators. They also dealt the 25th pick, which they acquired from the Seattle Kraken, to land Brady Tkachuk.
All that meant was that the Panthers wouldn’t be making a selection in the NHL draft until the second round, 40th overall to be exact.
Despite a relatively long wait, the Panthers made good use of that pick, selecting Lithuanian forward Simas Ignatavicius.
The 18-year-old is a late 2007 birthday, born after the September 15 cutoff. Standing 6-foot-3, 201 pounds, Ignatavicius brings elements the Panthers cherish.
Ignatavicius’ game revolves around straight-line speed, physicality, and two-way ability. The Panthers also love size, and Ignatavicius brings it.
Ignatavicius has been playing in Switzerland since he was 12, leaving his parents behind at a young age.
“I was born in Memphis, Tennessee,” Ignatavicius said after being drafted. “Long story short, my dad used to play professional basketball, like college, and then played in Europe, and after his career, he was just living in the U.S. with my mom, and obviously both parents were Lithuanian, so they decided to move back to Lithuania, and I went with them. After that, I left my parents at the age of 12, I went by myself to Switzerland, so that was a big thing, and here I am now.”
Ignatavicius has been playing with Genève-Servette HC for quite some time now and made his NL debut this season, scoring seven goals and 13 points in 52 games. He’ll return to Switzerland for the 2026-27 season, where he’ll continue to round out his game and improve offensively.
Many draft analysts saw Ignatavicius landing late in the first round or even early in the second, meaning the Panthers got great value from their selection at 40th overall.
How Ignatavicius develops will be interesting. With a fairly polished two-way ability and a high motor, he has an attainable floor as a bottom-six winger. But the Panthers will likely be hoping he can develop into something more.
His physical tools are very compelling, and if his skill level continues to develop, particularly in his shot and playmaking, there is possible top-six upside. Ignatavicius mentioned he likes to model his game after Matthew and Brady Tkachuk.
“I think just playing a 200-foot game, obviously defense first, then offense, playing hard,” said Ignatavicius. “Obviously they have Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk now, two big players, physical, but I’m sure I can help that too. I’m a big guy, not scared to go into dirty areas, and I think that’s what can help the team go to the playoffs and go for the Stanley Cup, so I’ll do my best, and yeah, I’m just ready to work.”
Tkachuk is a player who can make skilled plays with the puck but isn’t afraid to get to the dirty areas of the ice to be effective.
Other Panthers prospects, like Sandis Vilmanis, have thrived because of their ability to flourish in the Panthers’ brand of hockey, and the hope is that Ignatavicius can do the same.
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Former Barcelona striker joins for two and a half seasons
37-year-old’s 697 goals is third best total for current players
The Chicago Fire on Monday officially announced their acquisition of Robert Lewandowski through to the 2027-28 season. Poland’s record goalscorer will occupy a designated player slot pending the approval of his visa as well as the completion of an international transfer certificate.
The club described Lewandowski, 37, as “a global soccer icon” in social media posts. He was a free agent after spending the last four seasons with Barcelona, scoring 83 goals with 19 assists in 134 league matches (114 starts) while contributing to three La Liga titles.
Gavin McKenna will be one of 53 prospects who will take the ice on July 2nd when the Toronto Maple Leafs host their annual development camp at Ford Performance Centre.
The Maple Leafs used the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to select McKenna and there will be a lot of eyes on the Penn State product to see how he looks on the ice while wearing a Toronto jersey.
In addition to McKenna, other prospects include Zach Olsen, Cooper Williams and Brody Pepoy.
Defencemen Alexander Bilecki, Ethan MacKenzie, Måns Gudmunssson and Yaroslav Fedoseyev; and goaltenders Juuso Ainasto and Patriks Plumins.
Also in attendance will be five draft picks from the 2025 NHL Draft (forwards William Belle, Tyler Hopkins, Tinus Luc Koblar, and Harry Nansi, as well as defenceman Rylan Fellinger), six draft picks from the 2024 NHL Draft (Miroslav Holinka, Victor Johansson, Matthew Lahey, Sam McCue, Timofei Obvintsev, Alex Plesovskikh), one draft pick from the 2023 NHL Draft (Hudson Malinoski), and one draft pick from the 2022 NHL Draft (Nicholas Moldenhauer).
The roster also includes three players signed to an NHL contract (Vincent Borgesi, Brandon Buhr, Hayes Hundley) and one player signed to AHL contracts (Frank Djurasevic).
There are a whopping 26 free agents who will also be at camp, that will be overseen by Maple Leafs assistant GM, Player Development, Hayley Wickenheiser
Forwards (29)
Defencemen (18)
Goaltenders (6)
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Ja Morant appears to be available in trade talks and the Milwaukee Bucks are leaders to acquire him.
Two-time NBA All-Star and one of the league’s most controversial players off the court, Ja Morant, was traded by the Grizzlies on Monday.
Morant was dealt to the Trail Blazers, uniting him with Portland stars Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson, in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported.
The deal ends a turbulent tenure for Morant in Memphis, where he became a household name while simultaneously finding himself in increasingly significant trouble due to gun-related incidents off the court as well as injury issues. Morant appeared in just 79 games over the past three seasons due to suspensions and injuries.
Ja Morant appears to be available in trade talks and the Milwaukee Bucks are leaders to acquire him. Getty Images
At his best, Morant is one of the top players in the NBA, and his early career reflected the talent that he possesses.
He won Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player in his first two seasons in the NBA, which included a 2021-22 season in which he averaged 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.
Morant was named to the NBA All-Star Game in 2022 and 2023, as well as earning All-NBA Second Team honors in 2021-22.
Morant played just 20 games for the Grizzlies this season AP
But things quickly turned for him in 2023, when, in March of that year, Morant was suspended for eight games for conduct detrimental to the league and then started the 2023-24 season with a 25-game ban.
Both stemmed from Morant flashing a firearm on livestreams on his social media.
He was also suspended for one game by the Grizzlies after an incident in November with head coach Tuomas Iisalo following a loss to the Lakers.
Now with Morant and the remaining two years and $87 million left on his contract gone, the Grizzlies have disbanded the core group of players that was once the cornerstone of the franchise, which included Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired guard Ja Morant in a trade that will send Jerami Grant and Kris Murray back to the Memphis Grizzlies, according to multiple reports.
ESPN's Shams Charania was first to report the deal.
Morant will receive a fresh start after his time in Memphis was filled with highlight reels and controversy, which was marked by off-the-court issues that led to three suspensions in the past three years. The two-time All-Star was suspended for eight games in March 2023 after he displayed a firearm in a live-streamed video from a Denver-area nightclub.
Just four months later, the NBA suspended him again, this time for 25 games, for another video in which he was showing a firearm. This season, he was suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the team following a postgame incident with head coach Tuomas Iisalo. Morant has only played in 79 games during the past three seasons due to injuries and off-the-court issues.
Morant signed a five-year, $197.2 million contract in July 2022 and is in the third year of that deal. Morant made $39.4 million for the 2025-26 season, is due $42 million and $44 million over the next two seasons and is scheduled to hit free agency in the summer of 2028.
Ja Morant age
Morant is 26 years old. He was drafted by the Grizzlies with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft after two seasons at Murray State. During his sophomore season with the Racers, Morant averaged 26.8 points, 11 assists and 6.2 rebounds a game, earning Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year honors and being named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press.
Ja Morant stats for 2025-26
Playing in only 20 games this past season, Morant averaged 19.5 points, 8.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds in a career-low 28.5 minutes per game. He shot 41% from the floor and only 24% from 3-point range and was shut down in March due to a UCL sprain in his left elbow.
Ja Morant career stats
During his seven-season NBA career, Morant has averaged 22.4 points and 7.4 assists per game. The two-time All-Star was named the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player for the 2021-22 season.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 17: Nick Lodolo #40 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the first inning against the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park on June 17, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If it feels like the Cincinnati Reds just got swept by the Milwaukee Brewers a minute ago, you aren’t wrong. That’s what happened in Great American Ball Park at the end of just last week, Milwaukee eeking out a pair of 1-run wins alongside a 2-0 victory in extra innings.
Though the margins between the two teams were slim in those games, the reality is that Milwaukee is light years ahead of the Reds in the standings. 11.5 games, to be exact. The first place Beers have a +120 run differential so far this year that’s second best to only the Los Angeles Dodgers in the entire sport, and they have owned the NL Central by winning 12 of their 17 contests played within the division this year.
The Reds, sporting just a 4-17 record against the Central, enter the four-game series in Milwaukee today with a -51 run differential that’s the second worst in the National League behind only a Colorado Rockies club that barely exists. Maybe the Reds barely exist at this point outside our little corner of the internet – it would be hard to argue otherwise – and this series might well be their last shot to prove that they actually are tangible for the remainder of 2026.
Four games to make a statement. Four games to dig back into the race. Four games, while currently sitting four games under the .500 mark with the All Star break and trade deadline looming.
These are the biggest four games of the Cincinnati Reds season.
Getting the start for the first one will be lefty Nick Lodolo, whom the Reds desperately need to be the vintage version of himself again. He enters with a ghastly 5.59 ERA across 46.2 IP, though he did look hands down the best he’d looked all year in his most recent start before taking a 107 mph comebacker off his left wrist and being forced to exit early. All signs point to his long-term prognosis being just fine, but we’ll have to cross our fingers that there are no lingering issues with it during tonight’s start.
Going for the Beers will be lefty Robert Gasser, and the Reds have juggled their lineup accordingly. The bad news is that despite a lefty on the mound, Eugenio Suarez is not in the starting lineup after being beaned on the hand by the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday. The good news, I suppose, is that he wasn’t placed on the IL, so hopefully it’s just a day to day thing that he’ll get over quickly.
Elly De La Cruz will DH in this one, while the middle infield will feature the red hot Edwin Arroyo at 2B with Matt McLain back in the lineup at short.
Here’s how the Reds will line up to start tonight, which features a first pitch at 7:40 PM ET:
CBAMavs here and I’m back after a long hiatus. This is a small preview at the last minute to help you know what the Mavericks can legally do to improve the roster for the 2026-27 season. It was important to wait until after the draft to use the actual numbers for the draft picks.
This is what the Mavericks’ current cap sheet looks like:
Under or Over?
The Mavericks are slightly under the salary cap ($2,960,632) but will operate over the cap. This is because staying over the cap allows them to take advantage of different salary cap exceptions that they’d have to renounce to actually dip below the salary cap. To operate under the cap, the Mavericks would have to renounce all their free agent’s cap holds (Middleton, Powell, Bagley, Williams, Cisse), lose their Traded Player Exceptions (TPE) ($20,830,154) [Davis], ($6,000,000) [Hardy], ($2,296,274) [Exum] and lose access to the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (NT-MLE) ($15,048,000 up to 4 years) and the Bi-Annual Exception (BAE) ($5,478,000 up to 2 years). The Mavericks would gain back the Room Exception ($9,369,000 up to 3 years) by going under the cap, but the Room Exception + the cap space acquired is less than the Non-Tax Mid-Level Exception by itself.
And they would be able to use these since the Mavericks currently sit $45,616,047 below the 1st apron.
This is what the Mavericks Cap Sheet looks like if they used the NTMLE, the BAE, and their largest TPE.
They would still be $4,259,893 below the 1st Apron even after using these exceptions. As they will be operating over the cap and are $45,616,047 below the 1st Apron. How can the Mavericks use that Apron Room?
Free Agents
Own Free Agents
Cap Holds
Khris Middleton $51,018,518 (Full Bird)
Marvin Bagley $2,450,001 (Non-bird rights)
Brandon Williams $2,450,001 (Full Bird)
Dwight Powell $7,600,000 (Full Bird)
Moussa Cisse $2,185,633 Restricted Cap Hold
Re-signing these players
Bird Rights: We can offer them anything they’d like, up to their specific max. 0-6 years’ experience is 25%, 7-9 years’ experience is 30%, and 10+ years’ experience is 35%. Not that any of our players deserve anything close to a max, though.
Non-Bird rights mean the Mavericks can only give a 20% raise. For Bagley, that means the Mavericks can only offer up to $3,697,105 using the non-Bird rights. This is likely not enough, so they would have to use another exception to sign Bagley if they wanted to keep him.
Signing other Free Agents
NT-MLE: 15,048,000 (up to 4 years with 5% raises) (total for 4 years/$64,706,400)
BAE 5,478,000 (up to 2 years with 5% raises) (total is 2 years/$11,229,900)
The MLE (and BAE) can be split among multiple players. The first year salary is what is used to reduce the MLE/BAE.
In the new CBA, the MLE and BAE can also be used at Traded Player Exceptions, in addition to the normal path of using them to sign a free agent.
Trading for Players
Trade rules below the 1st Apron
Up to $7.25 million in outgoing salary can bring back 200 percent plus $250,000
$7,250,001 to $29 million will be padded by a flat $7.5 million
Above $29 million will be limited to 125 percent plus $250,000
