The Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes treated hockey fans to a magnificent Game 2 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final on Thursday night. The Hurricanes emerged victorious in a 4-3 overtime win to even the series.
But that instant classic wasn’t the only notable event to happen in the NHL world on Thursday. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Detroit Red Wings star center and captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade.
On paper, Larkin looks like a perfect trade target for the Boston Bruins. He’s a legit top-six center in the prime of his career. He played a key role on the United States team that won the gold medal at the 2026 Olympics. He has an impressive two-way skill set. He’s been Red Wings captain for several years.
The Bruins have not had a true top-six center since Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci both retired in 2023. Elias Lindholm is paid like a top-six center, but he probably will never produce at that level.
So, should the Bruins pursue a Larkin trade and be willing to give up their best assets to get a deal done?
Not exactly.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Larkin has made the playoffs only once (2016) in his NHL career.
Larkin is a very good player. There’s no doubt about that. But there are a few reasons why going all-in to trade for him would be a mistake for the Bruins.
For starters, he’ll be 30 years old on July 30. He’s not old, but he’s also in the second half of his prime. The B’s should not be giving up elite prospects such as James Hagens (2025 first-round pick) or Dean Letourneau (2024 first-round pick) for a 30-year-old veteran, especially when the Bruins are not a Larkin move away from being a real Stanley Cup contender. Hagens and/or Letourneau could be a top-six center one day.
Larkin has been productive offensively on a consistent basis. Five straight seasons scoring 30-plus goals is impressive. But he has never scored 35 goals in a single season and he has surpassed 70 points in a season only once since 2019. Over the last three seasons, Larkin ranks 68th among all players in even-strength points. He ranks 74th in even-strength goals during that same span.
The Red Wings have also not made the playoffs since 2016. Larkin actually played more Olympic games (six) in February than he has playoff games (five) in 11 pro seasons.
Detroit has collapsed in the second half of the season a few times in recent years, and Larkin deserves a share of the blame for those failures. For example, the Red Wings were in first place in the Eastern Conference as late as Jan. 24 this season. They had a 12-point cushion for a playoff spot at that time.
Over his final 22 games of the season from that date, Larkin scored just two even-strength goals. He did not score a single even-strength goal over an 11-game span from Feb. 28 through April 7. Detroit had a 3-7-1 record in those 11 games. The Red Wings ended up missing a playoff spot by seven points. Larkin has not risen to the occasion when the Red Wings have needed him most late in the season when a playoff berth was at stake. That’s a concern.
Larkin would be a No. 1 center on the Bruins because they don’t have any high-end talent at that position. But on a real title contender, he’s best suited as a top-tier second-line center. He’s not the kind of player you win a Stanley Cup with as your best center. If you look at the recent Stanley Cup champions, they’ve all had a center better than Larkin. That list includes Aleksander Barkov, Jack Eichel, Nathan MacKinnon, Steven Stamkos/Brayden Point, etc.
The Bruins absolutely need to be aggressive this summer in adding elite-level talent to the roster so they can take advantage of their veteran core’s window to win, specifically the remainder of David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy’s prime years.
Larkin is a very good player. If the price doesn’t include Hagens or Letourneau, then it makes perfect sense to try to work out a deal. He’s also on a team-friendly contract that carries an $8.7 million salary cap hit and doesn’t expire until after the 2030-31 campaign.
But if the only way for the Bruins to get Larkin is by giving up their best assets, then it’s not worth it. Those assets should only be used to target better and younger players than Larkin, with Blues center Robert Thomas and Stars left wing Jason Robertson being two examples.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JUNE 03: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against Victor Wembanyama #1 and De'aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter in Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026 in San Antonio, 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a Game 1 Finals loss that felt all too familiar in more ways that one, I continue our fourth installment of Fraternizing with the Enemy with the editor-in-chief of our Knicks sister site, Posting and Toasting, Russell Richardson. The Spurs didn’t look anything like themselves, but the good news is they have shown they can make adjustments and flip the switch after poor performances in each of the previous three rounds. The bad news is the Knicks were far from the greatest version of themselves and have plenty of room to improve as well, so we discuss what to expect from both teams in what will be a vital Game 2, particularly for the Spurs.
Click the link if you missed part 1 and would like to catch up.
J.R.
After one game, we’re a lot closer to your prediction than we are mine. If San Antonio doesn’t fix the problems I’m about to address, you’re in a great position to see Wilco with your wife without having to miss a Finals game. Great performances from your team. Truly. And not a very good showing from the hometown boys, which was not at all what I was expecting. In some ways it looked like San Antonio didn’t prepare any kind of Knicks-specific approach to the game. Which seems puzzling.
So puzzling that I’m reminded of the last time I was puzzled like this, Game 1 of the 2017 playoffs second round series against Houston. The Spurs didn’t cater their standard game plan to the Rockets. They came out with a plain-vanilla offense and defense, and got absolutely trucked. Lost by almost 30. Do you remember Mike D’Antoni’s, “three is more than two” press conference? That was after Game 1. The overwhelming narrative leading up to Game 2 was the antiquated nature of the Spurs system and how inevitable Houston’s victory was.
Then Gregg Popovich made adjustments based on what he saw after Game 1 and the Spurs won four of the next five games, with an overtime win in Game 5 that ended with Manu Ginobili’s over-the-back block of James Harden‘s three-point attempt and led to a Game 6 in which Harden failed to show up in any meaningful way. (You may experienced something like that from Harden yourself.) So San Antonio has had this kind of weird series start before, and they’ve come out smiling.
While I have no insight to the adjustments being cooked up by Mitch’s Coaching Staff (MCS?), here are the things I noticed that I would like to see addressed.
First, Victor had his first truly disappointing game of the playoffs. Some people would say that Game 5 of the WCF qualifies, but for me that was passive Wemby and Wednesday night was … I dunno what to call it. Hyperactive Wemby? Whatever it was, it can’t happen again if SA wants to win. Since February 1, there have only been three games in which Wemby has been a minus in his minutes on the court. And two of those have come against the Knickerbockers, which is not very confidence-inducing when all of the games for the rest of the season are against the same team. Expect angry-but-composed Wemby for Game 2.
Second, in a game-on-the-line, clutch situation, your go-to play can’t be a Wemby isolation from outside the 3 point line. A couple of hours before the game I was talking with one of my writers, and I said that Wemby’s favorite play is probably freelancing. Well, if you default mode is letting him have his favorite play, that’s fine. He can have it for 43 minutes of the game. But when it comes down to the final 5 minutes of a nip and tuck Finals game, how about we run some kind of action; some kind of pet play that we like our chances with? Expect a firm let hand from Mitch in these situations going forward. Or at least expect the guys to get an earful and handle it differently next time.
Third, against a lineup without OG, the Spurs allowed Brunson and Shamet to stay on the floor without running any offense at them. That should probably not be allowed to stand. There are so many ways to get them involved in actions that it’d be silly to even start a list. Either play Shamet off the court or tire him out. Force Jalen to exert himself in his own end and even if he’s still fresh as a daisy in crunch time, at least you’ll be scoring points along the way which would be a far cry from posting 18 in the fourth like in G1. Expect SA to do more targeting of NY’s weaker defenders.
Fourth, more Harper, and a greater range of actions run for him during said more. What did the kid try to do in his Finals debut that he couldn’t do? I can’t think of anything realistic that could’ve asked of a player that he didn’t deliver on. I could go on, but that’s over 600 words already and I don’t want to try your patience.
What did you see that you liked from the first Finals game, and what concerns you?
R.R.
It was a thrilling Game One, from our vantage at least. We thought San Antonio played well enough to win, especially given how rusty the Knicks were on offense. After a promising start, we didn’t expect them to finish the first quarter with 19 points. They had played eight games in 23 days, and it showed in the halftime numbers.
Nor did we think this game would so closely resemble the NBA Cup Final, in which New York rallied from a double-digit third-quarter deficit and held the Spurs to 19 points in the fourth to win. Uncanny similarities!
I agree that the series is far from over, if San Antonio makes your recommended adjustments. I was surprised at how underutilized Harper was in the second half, and that Brunson wasn’t hunted more — especially when he was initially injured. Shamet’s a better defender than his reputation suggests, but admittedly one of the weaker links in the chain. Targeting him makes sense.
As for Wemby, we agree again: bombing threes late in a tight game (or freelancing, as you say) seems a suboptimal use of his talent. Keep sending that big fella to the cup! He’s more likely to get three points that way (with an and-one) and stop the clock.
Tell me, do you communicate suggestions to Mitch Johnson by text or email? For Thibs, I used to hide video messages on VHS tapes, mislabel them (randomly, e.g., “Portland vs. Pacers, Jan. 5, 1982”), and leave them on the sidewalk outside the practice facility. VHS is Thibs’ catnip.
Regrettably, Mike Brown has a restraining order against me.
We liked plenty of what we saw in this first contest. New York remains confident and resilient. It’s reassuring to know Captain Clutch still has his mystical powers. KAT was pretty sweet, too. When New York runs the Towns-Brunson pick-and-roll, it opens multiple scoring options for them. Why they don’t spam it 100 times per game baffles me. That said, the Spurs had real trouble containing Towns whenever Victor rested. Come to think of it, Wemby didn’t do much to slow him, either.
Bridges and Hart combining for 12 points wasn’t too concerning. I wrote about Josh in the postgame piece:
“By the end of the game, Josh would have three points on 1-of-5 shooting, which looks bad. But run your eye across the stat line and let the truth reveal itself: 14 rebounds, six assists, four steals, a block, and a team-high +22 in his 27 minutes. His relentless energy rescued this game from the loss column.”
New York won’t have many more off-shooting nights in the series. Wait till you see these guys really cook with gas! Not only has New York won 12 games in a row, but 11 of those were by double digits. Impressive stuff from a team that’s considered the underdogs.
Brunson’s shooting reminded me of 1994’s Game One. In that tilt, Patrick Ewing went 10-for-26, and in this one Brunson shot 12-of-31. Same stinky, different outcomes. Even after a janky shooting performance by Jalen, we can sing his praises. Yet again, his shots fell in the clutch.
The Knicks have so many weapons that when Brunson is cold, someone else can step into the void. You saw it in Game One. KAT carried the team through the middle of the game. Anunoby was kind of a dud through three quarters, then knocked down eight points to swing the game. Another night, Bridges will drop 20 points on eight shots. Or Shamet might go 5-of-9 from yard, or Clarkson contributes 15. Mike Brown has a lot of cool toys!
Were you surprised by the contributions of your supporting cast, namely Fox, Vassell, and Johnson? I see they combined for 19 points. Also: Champagnie loves shooting three-pointers against the Knicks, making 18-of-34 in four games against NY this season. Finally, at last, Mike Brown schemed to stop this kid, limiting him to one point post-intermission. You’ve watched more of him than I—does he just go gonzo for Knicks games, or is he a ‘for real’ gunslinger? (I could look this up on Basketball-Reference, but stats can be suspicious…and I’m falling asleep.)
J.R.
The last time I had a mode of secret communication with a Spurs coach, it was Bob Hill. And I don’t need to tell you how that turned out. Suffice to say that there was nothing else for it but to work my way into the blogging business and lob my thoughts to the team that way.
In the game, San Antonio has a lead and loses a lead because they only score 19 in the fourth while Brunson goes off; I can’t tell whether I’m talking about Wednesday night or NBA Cup Final. That’s far too uncannily similar, but I have a solution. We need more cans in this series asap! Now, I just need to figure out what a can is in this context, and we’d have something. I know! I’ll make a VHS tape and — my wife is shaking her head … apparently I don’t have a camcorder anymore. That’s unfortunate.
Instead, let’s talk about Wemby’s defense on Towns (besides a few choice words I have that I won’t share here — suffice to say they aren’t complementary). I’d love to see Vic never leave his defensive stance while guarding a shooter on the perimeter unless his man is already off the ground in the middle of his jump shot. It’s not that Wemby can’t block three pointers, it’s that it’s just so rare that anyone does. In the meanwhile the number of times he’s been blown by for a layup this season is measured in the dozens! I don’t see anything of value being accomplished by Vic hunting blocks so far from the basket when he gives up far more total points when his timing isn’t perfect and he jumps too soon. I’d love to see what KAT can accomplish if Wemby simply plays solid perimeter defense on him. If he still goes off, then something structurally will need to change, but I doubt that. And it seems like Victor agrees because one of his post game quotes was about how he needed to just make normal plays.
Next to Brunson, who I will get to in a minute, I thought Hart was the MVP for New York. Relentless energy isn’t enough to explain Hart’s impact. Plus/minus isn’t enough either. He’s got that thing. The one where you know when you see it. It jumps off the screen as you watch on TV and it smacks you in the face when you’re viewing in person. Alex Caruso has it too. After seven games of seeing a one of Those Guys in the right place at the right time with the exact play, maybe the only play, that would stop the Spurs’ score or play or run, San Antonio fans have run right into another! Hart is a guy you hate but would love him in an instant if he was on your team and I don’t want to say another word about it right now.
Jalen’s late hot streak cures all — you can shoot as bad as possible IF you’re able to can the looks that matter. (There’s another “can.” I told you they were important!) Shooting is important too, and by the time your guys are cooking with gas, then Wemby will need to be operating at fully operational arrow station levels, or it’ll get ugly.
I wasn’t surprised by the inability of Fox, Vassell and Johnson to score more. Fox will have a bad game even when he’s healthy, and his ankle is obviously still limiting him. He bounces back regularly though. Vassell has played great in the playoffs and while he had an off night from deep (1-6) he hit 3 of 5 from the field, dished 3 assists and grabbed 9 huge boards. I’m not concerned about him. Johnson’s the one that’s weird to me. He only saw 8 minutes of play time and I didn’t see much of a reason for that. Sure he was 1-4, but he was the lone Spur with a positive +/-. Mitch obviously saw something he didn’t like. Gotta hope that turns around.
Which brings us to Julian Champagnie, who doesn’t just like shooting against the Knicks. Julian is now a certified flamethrower, and while he had a cold spell during the season and an early lull against OKC, he’s firing on all cylinders and will need to occupy a good amount of New York’s defensive attention.
R.R.
I’m glad you ‘can’ (ouch) maintain your humor after the opening loss. Surely the Spurs will reward your confidence soon. Despite their 12-game win streak, I still doubt New York will sweep. There’s too much talent on your side of the court.
The mismatch tortured us the last time these two fought in the Finals, back in 1999. Compared to then, this is already basketball nirvana. Cynicism aside, it is pretty cool that the NBA will have a different champion for the eighth straight year.
Your comparison of Caruso to Hart is dead on. I feel the same about Caruso (and used to about Jose Alvarado): that stinker is insufferable until he’s on your team, when he becomes your favorite player. Whether that holds true for Dillon Brooks, we’d have to ask a Phoenix or Memphis fan. And I stand by my solemn vow not to root for any team that employs the services of Kelly Oubre Jr. It’s an irrational dislike, but real.
I don’t know what to make of Keldon Johnson. He must have played some great games this season to earn Sixth Man of the Year honors, but he’s underwhelmed in the small sample size I’ve witnessed. Vassell impresses me more, and I’m bracing for him to perform better in his second chance. Your comments about Wemby seem to point to the immaturity of youth. The more he hangs out with the monks, the more disciplined he’ll become, and then the league will really be screwed.
A note about Champagnie. We are spoiled to have Mike Breen and the great Walt “Clyde” Frazier as our commentators for Knicks games. Clyde is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice, as a player and broadcaster, and our SB Nation site is named after one of his colorful colloquialisms. One of his most endearing qualities is his singular ability to mangle names. To hear him say “Julian Champagne-y” is one of life’s joys.
We were glad that Knicks superfans Ben Stiller and Spike Lee made it to Texas. There may still be time for me to buy a ticket, fly to San Antonio, rent a hotel room, grab a secondary-market seat, and attend Game Two. Sadly, the grand total would be cheaper than trying to get into MSG for Games Three or Four. New York has two strata of fans: the wealthy set who can afford astronomical ticket prices, and the unwashed masses who watch from home or behind barricades on the street outside MSG. I proudly represent the latter, although, admittedly, sometimes the greed at the Garden is a nagging stone in my shoe.
Along those lines . . . as a fan, how does it feel when so many at Frost Bank Center are cheering MVP! for Brunson at the free-throw line? Poor Donovan Mitchell may never recover from that particular torment.
Here’s a true, unflattering story to wrap this up. Around the eight-minute mark of the second quarter, my wife texted from the bedroom to ask for help removing a splinter from her foot. Since she’ll never read this: I absolutely considered pretending to miss the message because the game was so good. Luckily, Mitch Johnson called a challenge timeout that allowed me to fulfill my husbandly duties.
Later, Jen texted that she was now streaming the game on her laptop because “everyone is talking about the game.” Hence, down the stretch, I was shouting in the living room, she was shouting from the bedroom, and our house must have sounded bananas from the sidewalk. I imagine things were equally wild at La Casa de Wilco. Let’s hope for more of the same great basketball in Game Two. Good luck to you (but Go Knicks, obviously).
Jun 2, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Kyle Harrison (52) gets doused by center fielder Garrett Mitchell (5) after beating the San Francisco Giants at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
It’s June 5, roughly two-and-a-half months into the baseball season. The current ERA leaderboard (and Cy Young Award shortlist) is:
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI): 1.46 ERA, 1.089 WHIP, 4.7 WAR, 13 GS, 7-2 record, 86 1/3 IP
Jacob Misiorowski (MIL): 1.65 ERA, 0.789 WHIP, 3.0 WAR, 12 GS, 6-2 record, 71 IP
Cam Schlittler (NYY): 1.89 ERA, 0.865 WHIP, 2.9 WAR, 13 GS, 7-3 record, 76 1/3 IP
As tempting as it would be to turn this into another Jacob Misiorowski article, we’ve already covered his dominance at length. Instead, let’s compare those three pitchers to Brewers’ No. 2 starter Kyle Harrison:
Kyle Harrison (MIL): 1.57 ERA, 1.029 WHIP, 2.7 WAR, 11 GS, 7-1 record, 57 1/3 IP
Harrison hasn’t quite thrown enough innings to qualify, but his ERA would rank second in baseball — behind only Sánchez. He’s already been worth almost three full wins above replacement (WAR), comparable to Misiorowski and Schlittler, and has a lower WHIP than Sánchez. It’s not exactly hyperbolic to say that through his first 11 starts as a Brewer, Kyle Harrison has been one of the best pitchers in baseball.
A little over three months ago, when the Brewers traded for Harrison, I wrote an article explaining why Brewers fans should be more excited about him. He was once a top prospect, highly regarded enough to be the main piece in a trade for Rafael Devers, but his development had stalled out a bit in major league stints with the Giants and Red Sox.
Knowing the Brewers would likely overhaul his arsenal — as they often do with young, developing pitchers — that article was my attempt to predict how they might mold Harrison into a more effective starter. Now that he has enough innings under his belt for a meaningful evaluation, we can look back at that article and see how close it came to what the Brewers actually did. In the process, we’ll examine the adjustments that have helped fuel Harrison’s breakout season.
So, what’s changed?
Harrison’s arsenal has always been anchored by his late-rising fastball — the best pitch in his arsenal — but for most of his career, his main secondary options (changeup and slurve) were somewhat lacking. Looking back, the first article did a pretty good job of identifying the adjustments he needed to make:
“What does Harrison need to live up to his potential? Simply put, he needs better shape on his secondary pitches and a go-to secondary offering.”
As it turns out, those two improvements are exactly what fueled his breakout.
Harrison’s Changeup
In 2024, Harrison threw a changeup 19.8% of the time. Opposing batters weren’t particularly fazed by that iteration, hitting .287 with an xSLG (expected slugging percentage) of .461. This year, opponents are hitting .292 against the pitch, but with an xSLG of only .385. While his changeup hasn’t exactly become Airbender-esque, he’s limiting hard contact and forcing hitters to respect it.
Much has been made of Harrison adopting a new changeup grip, the “kick change,” from former Giants teammate Hayden Birdsong. Birdsong’s changeup is notable for its unusually low spin rates, often registering in the 1,200 rpm (rotations per minute) range. Harrison’s changeup in 2024 averaged 1,946 rpm. This year, it’s all the way down to 1,233 rpm.
Changeups with lower spin rates usually drop more as they reach the plate. Implementing the kick change has fundamentally changed the shape of Harrison’s changeup:
His changeup actually breaks less overall than it did in 2024, yet it’s been more effective because its shape complements the rest of his arsenal. Every fastball-oriented pitcher can benefit from an effective changeup, as the two pitches are typically thrown from a similar arm slot with comparable arm speed and release points. Harrison’s best pitch is his rising fastball, and the changeup plays off it beautifully. Thrown from the same arm slot and with a similar release to his fastball, his changeup arrives slower and breaks down instead of up, making it much more difficult for hitters to square him up.
The other reason Harrison’s changeup has been more effective? He’s throwing it less often. In 2024, he threw the pitch 19.8% of the time. This year, that figure is down to just 10%.
That might sound counterintuitive, but not every pitch benefits from being featured heavily. Harrison’s changeup is a useful complementary offering, yet it’s clearly his third-best pitch. By reducing its usage, he’s able to lean more heavily on his fastball and slurve while still keeping hitters honest.
That said, there is a point where a pitcher can become too predictable. Harrison has thrown just 11 changeups over his last two starts, good for only 5.5% of his total pitches. The changeup’s value doesn’t come from being a wipeout pitch; it comes from forcing hitters to respect a third option. If hitters stop expecting it altogether, some of that value disappears.
Harrison’s Slurve
One of the things Harrison was reportedly working on in his time with the Red Sox was developing a higher-velocity version of his slurve, which had potential but wasn’t consistently effective. Opponents had an xSLG of .471 against the pitch in 2024 and .518 in 2025.
In the February article, I mentioned that Harrison was throwing his slurve nearly two mph faster in 2025 and getting an extra 1.6” of vertical break. Previous articles on Harrison had noted that a slightly harder breaking ball might be the answer, which I brought up as something that the Brewers could “have already pinpointed.” It looks like they have:
2024: 80.6 mph, 8.7” break, 4.6” drop
2026: 82.1 mph, 10.9” break, 3.8” drop
As you can see, with the increase in velocity has come a change in shape. Harrison’s slurve has 2.2 more inches of horizontal break while dropping almost an inch less. This year, opponents have hit .115 with a .222 xSLG in 64 plate appearances against the slurve. In 2024, before he’d started implementing the new version, opponents hit .274 with a .471 xSLG.
Harrison is throwing the slurve more than he ever has (29.2% of pitches), and with better results. He’s not getting more spin on the ball, or more extension, but that small increase in velocity has given it a much more effective shape and turned it into what looks like a true go-to secondary offering.
Harrison’s Fastball
Because his secondary pitches historically haven’t been that effective, and because it’s his best pitch, Harrison has always thrown his fastball a lot — like, almost 60% of the time. His fastball’s best quality is its shape rather than its velocity, but when velocity declines, so does movement. Lower velocity also gives hitters more time to recognize the pitch and square it up.
With all that said, it’s not a surprise that his success has been pretty directly correlated to his fastball velocity:
His best season in terms of fastball velocity has also been his best overall season so far, his second-best velocity year was his second-best overall season, etc. You get the idea.
Unlike his changeup and slurve, Harrison hasn’t significantly altered his fastball or its usage rate. Instead, the pitch has benefited from two developments: increased velocity and a stronger supporting cast. Hitters have less time to react, and they’re less able to gear up for the fastball because Harrison’s secondary pitches now demand respect.
Harrison’s Delivery
Another big change, one that I didn’t predict, is Harrison’s positioning on the rubber. He used to pitch from the third-base side, but this year he’s been working from the first-base side. The adjustment gave him a different angle of attack against hitters and changed the way each of his pitches played, especially the slurve.
As explained in this great breakdown, Harrison’s slurve breaks away from left-handed hitters, so moving to the first-base side of the rubber allows him to release it from a more deceptive angle. The pitch appears closer to the hitter out of his hand, making it more difficult to track and judge whether it will finish in or out of the strike zone. Against right-handed hitters, the slurve starts farther outside, increasing the likelihood that hitters either give up on it too early or recognize too late that it’s going to clip the zone.
Harrison’s Arm Angle
The final change, and another that I didn’t bring up in the first article, is Harrison’s arm angle. Harrison raised his arm angle from a low three-quarters arm slot to more of a true three-quarters release. His release point, as you can see below, also moved further toward first base.
One of the biggest changes behind Kyle Harrison's breakout has been a significant shift in his release. His arm angle increased from roughly 27° to 33°, while his release point moved both higher and farther toward first base.
While Harrison’s new arm slot accentuates the benefits of moving to the first-base side of the rubber, it also comes with advantages of its own. A higher release point allows pitchers to get more on top of the baseball, which can increase spin. Harrison’s fastball spin rate has jumped from 2,203 rpm in 2024 to 2,359 rpm in 2026, and he’s getting about three more inches of vertical break.
The other piece of the puzzle is his vertical approach angle (VAA). Milwaukee has long favored pitchers with flatter VAAs because they create a deceptive effect, making fastballs appear quicker and causing hitters to swing underneath them.
Harrison has historically had a very flat VAA because of his lower arm slot, and because it accentuates the effect of his rising fastball. In order to keep the advantages of a flat VAA without losing the benefits of a higher arm slot, Harrison — as Matthew Trueblood detailed here — has introduced mechanical adjustments, getting lower into his delivery before release to keep his pitches flatter.
When you dive into the tweaks Kyle Harrison has made this year, it’s no surprise that he’s turned into one of the best pitchers in baseball. The talent was always there. Harrison always had the raw ingredients to become a solid major league starter; he just needed better secondary pitches and a few mechanical adjustments that maximized his strengths.
Now, he has both. His revamped arsenal and refined delivery have transformed him from a pitcher with intriguing upside into one who is beginning to realize it. If these changes continue to hold, Harrison’s ceiling looks much higher than “solid.”
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 02: Jarren Duran #16 of the Boston Red Sox catches a fly ball for the second out of the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on June 02, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a week out west, the Yankees returned home on Tuesday for a series against the Guardians that could’ve gone better. The Yankees dropped the opening two games of the series, before eking out a 2-1 win in the finale. Looming over the proceedings is the fact that Aaron Judge is about to hit the injured list with a rib stress fracture that seems likely to keep him out of action until August at the absolute earliest.
However, now is not the time for the Yankees to wallow, as they’re set to welcome an old foe to town. Starting tonight, the Yankees will host the Red Sox in a three-game series in the Bronx. Boston has had a substandard season so far, and they just demoted the extended Brayan Bello after losing two out of three to the Orioles. But you know they’d love to rub the Yankees’ nose in it and beat them this weekend in the Bronx anyway. Note that they’re missing some familiar faces, as Garrett Crochet, Roman Anthony, Trevor Story, and Garrett Whitlock are all on the IL.
Before things get going tonight, here’s a look at the probable pitchers for the next couple days.
Friday: Ryan Weathers vs. Sonny Gray (7:05 pm ET)
Following a couple nice starts in a row, Weathers had a down outing last weekend in Sacramento against the Athletics. His stuff still looked pretty decent, as he ended up striking out 10 batters, but he gave up three home runs to doom him to a subpar start. This will also be his first venture into the rivalry as a member of the Yankees, and also his first appearance in general versus Boston.
The former Yankee Gray was traded to Boston over the offseason, and has had a pretty good run of things so far. Since the beginning of May, he has a 2.00 ERA and a 2.73 FIP in 27 innings, having struck out 28 batters. He did not have much success in this rivalry while a member of the Yankees, but frankly there’s a lot about his time in New York that the Yankees could’ve handled better.
Saturday: Will Warren vs. Ranger Suarez (7:35 pm ET)
In his last appearance, Warren was on the mound for that weird 13-8 win over the A’s last weekend. He gave up three runs that day, but all of them technically went down as unearned. Warren’s been pretty bad against the Red Sox for his career, though Boston hasn’t faced the 2026 version of Warren, which has been very successful. Warren has a 9.42 ERA against Boston in 14.1 innings, as Boston’s tee’d off to a tune of a 1.029 OPS.
Boston’s offseason acquisition in Suarez has numbers that grade out pretty well on the season as a whole, but he has been a bit up and down. Of late, he’s been down, as he’s been gotten for nine runs in 10 combined innings over his last two starts. On the other hand, he allowed just one in 21.2 innings over the three starts prior to that.
Sunday: Cam Schlittler vs. Connelly Early (1:35 pm ET)
Last time out, Schlittler had arguably the worst start of his young career so far against Cleveland. The Guardians got him for four runs in just 4.1 innings earlier this week. The good news is, the last time he took the mound in a headline game against the Red Sox in the Bronx, he was pretty good.
Opposite Schlittler will be the same man who opposed him in that Wild Card Series Game 3: Connelly Early. Much was made of the rookie vs. rookie matchup that day, and Schlittler decisively won it, although Early wasn’t a total disaster. Honestly, his defense betrayed him in the four-run fourth inning more than anything else. He’s also been pretty decent so far this year, although he has given up six home runs over his last four games.
Sunday Night Baseball returns to Wrigley Field this week where the San Francisco Giants take on the streaky Chicago Cubs at 7:20 p.m. ET in a game which can be seen on NBC and Peacock.
Somehow, 10 years have passed since the Cubs defeated Cleveland in the unforgettable 2016 Fall Classic, ending the club’s 108-year championship drought. Somehow, Anthony Rizzo is now on NBC’s team and will be back in Wrigley this weekend.
And despite a 10-game losing streak at the end of May, there remains hope for Chicago’s pennant hopes. Winners of 92 games and a playoff series last year, the team offset losing Kyle Tucker by signing Alex Bregman (Five years, $175 million) and trading top prospect Owen Caissie to Miami for Edward Cabrera.
Those moves haven’t panned out as planned, at least not yet. Cabrera has thrown 10 uninspiring starts and 54 innings and will return soon from a stint on the injured list due to a blister on his right middle finger. Bregman has hit just five home runs (1.8% HR%), but his power is coming back. He slugged a home run last Sunday and had one called back on replay the night prior. There’s every reason to believe Cabrera and Bregman will return to form.
And there’s hope that outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, now in the leadoff spot for Chicago,will shake off his slow start. Opening Day starter Matthew Boyd is close to returning from his stint on the injured list after a knee injury cost him five starts. Picking up for the injured starters, Ben Brown (1.92 ERA through 51.2 IP) has been sensational.
May 14, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown (32) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
It hasn’t been a great season yet, but there’s plenty of time. Through 60 games, the Cubs were still on pace to win 86 games and very much in the playoff hunt.
On March 25, the day before the season started, the Dodgers were the odds-on favorite to win the World Series, priced at +210 on FanDuel. The Yankees were next at +1000.
But there were a host of strong N.L. challengers, with the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies all set to field strong challenges.The Mets have already suffered through a 12-game losing streak, the Phillies through a 10-game losing streak, and the Cubs a 10-game losing streak.
The Cubs entered the season +1800 to win the World Series, the fourth-longest World Series odds in the N.L, but they entered as a favorite to win their division (and possibly with a bye as one of the two top division winners). +1800 is the same as 18-1, or a little better than a 5% chance of winning the World Series.
On Thursday, June 4, FanGraphs gives the Cubs a 44% probability of making the postseason, a 9.1% probability of winning the N.L. Central, and a 1.5% chance of winning the World Series.
That’s not nothing.
As the late Cubs’ legendary announcer Harry Caray—or Jim Carrey’s character Lloyd Christmas might say from the 1994 comedy Dumb and Dumber “So you’re telling me there’s a chance?”
Yes, there’s a chance—and with starting position players Bregman, Dansby Swanson, Seiya Suzuki, and Ian Happ all on the wrong side of 30, their slim window may be closing quickly. Despite losing 14 of 17 entering play Thursday, the team is only one game out of a Wild Card spot.
A better story is breaking out on Chicago’s South Side, where the White Sox are also challenging for a postseason spot.
Last season, the White Sox were 60-102. In 2024, they were 41-121. In 2023, they were 61-101. In 2024, the White Sox won their 33rd game on September 8 (to make their record 33-111). The ChiSox won their 33rd game this season on June 3 (to make their record 33-29).
Something was brewing late last season on the South Side. In the second half of the season, the ChiSox had a positive run differential (scoring 315 and allowing 312). It’s a prime reason that according to the Pythagorean Theorem, the Pale Hose should have finished 71-91, and not 60-102.
And Senior V.P. and GM Chris Getz “gets” it. He had a strong offseason, despite trading Luis Robert Jr. The two main additions were Japanese power infielder Munetaka Murakami (two years, $34M) and closer Seranthony Dominguez (two years, $20 M).
Munetaka is on the IL with a hamstring injury, but the ChiSox have shown plenty of power even without him. Miguel Vargas is up to 15 homers, just one shy of his season total last year. The White Sox are fourth in the majors with 84 home runs. Last year, the White Sox were 23rd in HR with 165.
Jun 1, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas (20) reacts to hitting a two run home run during the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images
Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images
Through the first 60 games of the season, the Cubs and White Sox had the same record (32-28). That’s a pace for each to win 86 games.
There aren’t many seasons in history where both teams have won a minimum of 86 games each.
It’s happened nine times—but that includes 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, and 1937.
Seasons where Cubs and White Sox both won 86+ games since 1938:
1967 (Cubs 87 wins, White Sox 89)
2003 (Cubs 89 wins, White Sox 86)
2008 (Cubs 97 wins, White Sox 89)
2008 is the only season besides 1906 that both made postseason. In that season, Lou Piniella led the Cubs to 97 wins only to lose in the Division Series. Ozzie Guillen led the White Sox to 89 wins only to lose in the Division Series.
Still in play this year: both teams can win 90-plus games. That’s happened exactly twice: 1906 and 1905.
The other two-market regions (New York, Los Angeles, until recently the Bay Area) have all had much more success.
Seasons where both teams both won 86+ games
Years w/both teams winning 86+
Years w/both teams winning 90+
Years w/both teams making it to World Series
Giants/Athletics
14
9
1989
Mets/Yankees
16
5
2000
Dodgers/Angels
11
5
-
Cubs/White Sox
9 (3x in 87 yrs)
2 (not since 1906)
1906
Note: Giants/Athletics only counts the seasons the Giants and A’s played in the Bay Area.
While the Dodgers and Angels never met in the World Series, both teams made it to the League Championship Series in 2009. The Angels lost the ALCS to the Yankees, while the Dodgers lost to the Phillies. That denied us all Joe Torre managing in the World Series against the Yankees.
The good thing about baseball fandom is that it is not a zero-sum game. North side fans in Wrigleyville can root for the Pale Hose. The Cubs’ real rivals are in St. Louis and Milwaukee. And White Sox fans (even the world’s most famous White Sox fan, Pope Leo XIV) can root for the Cubbies.
We have a chance for a rare year where both Chicago teams have winning records. Fly the “W” for both teams this year.
Editors’ Note: Elliott Kalb - dubbed “Mr. Stats” decades ago by Marv Albert and Bob Costas - is the former Senior Editorial Director at MLB Network and a longtime contributor of research and information to NBC Sports’ telecasts.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 04: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks off the field with a team trainer after a collision with Ildemaro Vargas (not pictured) of the Arizona Diamondbacks at first base during the fifth inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on June 04, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
14 days ago against the Milwaukee Brewers, Max Muncy was forced to exit the game after taking a fastball to his wrist. Muncy found himself in another painful situation on Thursday, this time colliding head-first into Diamondbacks first baseman Ildemaro Vargas, forcing him to leave the game in the top of the fifth inning.
The Dodgers announced that Muncy was removed due to both shortness of breath and a possible concussion, as Muncy was visibly bleeding from his nasal bridge. Fortunately for the Dodgers, Muncy was able to both walk off the field under his own power, but Dave Roberts noted that he will miss tomorrow’s opener against the Angels as he spoke with Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA following the 3-2 walk-off defeat.
“That was probably the main thing, just trying to make sure that he was ok. It was pretty violent… sore nose; there was some blood on his nose. He said he had some clarity when he got up and got into the clubhouse. He’ll be down tomorrow, which we intended anyway, but I think that he’ll be available over the weekend.”
“As I’m running down the line, I saw [Vargas] in foul territory, so I got to the inside of the bag and I thought he was going to stay on that side. It felt like neither of us knew which direction we were going to go, and then we both went the wrong direction, and, bang… I’m doing alright— a little banged up but we’re doing alright.”
Tanner Scott couldn’t keep the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning on Thursday, as he allowed a walk-off home run to Ketel Marte resulting in his second losing decision over the Dodgers’ last six games.
Scott spoke with Watson following the walk-off, crediting Marte for squaring up a pitch that he didn’t think was a mistake.
“You gotta tip your cap. He’s a good hitter… I knew he was going to be aggressive.”
Here’s hoping that Scott doesn’t receive anymore death threats this time around. Once is already too much.
The Dodger bullpen spoiled what was a dominant performance from Justin Wrobleski, as the southpaw followed up Shohei Ohtani with six scoreless innings on Thursday, allowing six hits and striking out four. Despite earning a no-decision, Wrobleski felt pleased with both his game plan and his execution on the mound against Arizona, as he spoke with Kirsten Watson following the game.
The Vancouver Canucks enter the 2026 NHL Entry Draft with 10 picks. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will profile a different prospect who the Canucks could take with each of their picks. Today's prospect is London Knights right winger Jaxon Cover, who Vancouver could select 41st overall.
Cover has developed into an intriguing prospect that could be available in the middle of the second round. Listed at 6'1", 183 lbs, the 18-year-old recorded 52 points in 67 games during his rookie OHL season. Cover also already has a connection to the Canucks organization, as he played this season with Alexei Medvedev in London.
As for next season, Cover is set to return to the OHL. He has already committed to Penn State University, but that is for the 2027-28 season. Another year in the CHL should help Cover continue to develop before he faces older and tougher competition in the NCAA.
Cover's game revolves around strong skating and what seems to be a never-ending motor. In the transition game, he often elects to be the puck carrier, as he can attack the blue line with speed and win foot races against defenders. Cover also showed an ability to transition the puck out of his own zone both through carrying and passing to open teammates.
Once in the offensive zone, Cover can create scoring chances both through his shot and playmaking ability. He finished second on the Knights with 160 shots and was able to generate opportunities from both in tight and on the perimeter. Overall, Cover was able to provide some form of offensive on a consistent basis, as there were only four games combined between the regular-season and playoffs that he failed to record on a shot on net.
Cover is the type of prospect that teams should be looking to add to their system. He is a hard worker who, in a short time, has demonstrated he can have an impact at both ends of the ice. Ultimately, he has a lot of potential and is a prospect that Vancouver should consider selecting with their second pick of the second round.
Jaxon Cover of the London Knights (Photo Credit: @LondonKnights on "X")
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Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep-down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week, the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — gives their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
Fantable Questions of the Week
Q1: What are your thoughts on the following trade proposal?
This trade was suggested in a Hawks column on SI.
Ashton: I think I would do it.
Let’s start with the picks. They are worthless in the second round. It will be all college seniors and international prospects. The Cleveland and New York picks are going to be extremely late in the back half of the draft. But the picks may make some good future trade capital. But it is not the picks that I am interested in, other than some good board (boring for some) draft conversation.
It is the former number one draft pick, Zaccharie Risacher, in 2024. I thought he was rated too highly on draft boards, but Atlanta took him anyway with the first pick. Keep in mind that it was after Wemby-mania the year before, so Frenchmen were in high demand. Fellow Frenchman Alex Sarr was taken second in the 2024 draft.
But this isn’t a hit piece on a country that consistently produces top talent. Call it a hit piece on draft analysts. Zach (look, I am not typing the full name out) saw decreased usage in the Atlanta Hawks system but had some really nice games as a 6’8” small forward that tends to like the mid-range shots. That is the size and current Suns’ offensive system would support that for a change of scenery. The question is, why did the Hawks sour on him?
I think I will stay with the youth movement and take the former number one pick. In fact, I would call it a deal of the day. Which makes me skeptical that it would ever happen. Or even how Rod managed to find this trade, other than a thought exercise.
Voita: This is a very interesting trade proposal, and it’s one I’m not opposed to. Yes, it would be unfortunate to lose the shooting that Grayson Allen provides. At the same time, you’d be acquiring a young lottery prospect along with three second-round picks.
I’m not the biggest fan of Zaccharie Risacher as a prospect. However, for a team with limited avenues to get younger, more athletic, and add players with legitimate upside, he certainly scratches that itch.
A lot of people have been dismissive of the second-round picks included in the deal, and this is where the NBA’s revised draft lottery rules could actually work in Phoenix’s favor. Let’s say the Atlanta Hawks are a Play-In team in 2029. They finish as the ninth seed and ultimately end up in the lottery. That feels completely realistic.
Now, let’s say they wind up with the 15th overall pick in the 2029 NBA Draft. Under the new rules, their second-round pick would suddenly become much more valuable because the second-round order is reversed relative to the non-playoff teams. The team drafting first overall in the first round picks near the end of the second round, while the team drafting 15th ends up selecting near the beginning of the second round. That changes the math.
So while there’s certainly a chance these three second-rounders end up being throwaway picks, there’s also a realistic possibility they become far more valuable than many people assume. And when you’re a team like the Phoenix Suns, one that doesn’t have a surplus of draft capital lying around, that upside is worth paying attention to.
OldAz: “Opinions are like armpits, everyone has them, and most of them stink” (there is a less clean version of this that everyone only has one of, but I tried to keep this PG). In this case, my opinion is totally uneducated because I watched exactly 0.0 minutes of this kid playing last season.
At first glance, I noticed that he was getting a decent number of minutes for a playoff team, but accumulating pedestrian counting stats. This is even more true when the playoffs came, and he barely cracked the lineup. All this made the proposal look more like a salary dump than a trade. However, he is also a younger, longer athletic player who can defend well (according to reports), with an inconsistent offense that needs to be set up by others.
Considering the Suns currently have too many ball dominant players and lack length, athleticism and often defense I could easily be persuaded that this is not a salary dump but a “buy low” trade that accomplishes many things the Suns need to have this off season. All of this hinges on what Risacher really is. For that, you need to ask someone far smarter than I am, or at least someone who wants to watch Hawks games to see him play.
Rod: Risacher hasn’t lived up to the expectations of being the number 1 pick in the 2024 draft, but hasn’t been a bust. Jalen Johnson’s play has made him somewhat expendable in Atlanta. I think I’d do this if such a trade were offered (which I doubt). It would save the Suns $4.3 million in 2026-27 and $6+ million over two seasons while adding another young wing to the roster who, hopefully, can still grow as a player.
The three second-round picks are nice sweeteners, but most are likely to be in the high 40s or 50s (the 2nds they have from New York and Cleveland), which doesn’t make them exceptionally valuable…but still useful.
Q2: For various reasons, some fans think the Suns should either do a sign-and-trade to move Mark Williams or just let him walk (especially if he gets a big offer sheet from another team). A third option is signing him to a new contract and perhaps trading him at the trade deadline. If moving on from Williams is in the Suns’ plans, which option would you prefer?
Ashton: Let’s get our option one out of the way, sign-and-trade. Rod has mentioned in numerous comments that it immediately hard-caps the Suns. Nah, I still want to be frugal here when it comes to the Sun’s future roster plans. (Note: It hard caps the team at the second tax apron.)
Option 2 requires a lot more deliberation. It depends on where you are with the Suns’ finances. I would still like the organization to stay below the repeater tax for a second year or at least have some breathing space to bring back Goody and CG. But this requires a hard player cut in Williams, as I really do not think the Suns have an answerable center position player to fill the role.
Option 3 is more forward-looking and probably the best. Yes, you lose cap flexibility and maybe lose Goody and CG, but if Williams stays healthy (and that is a big if) then he becomes a tradable asset.
I still have to pick one of these options for a three-part question. Let Mark walk or pay the qualifying offer at $9,615,600. Free up some salary space, and then no one has to worry about his injury history. Option 2.
Voita: I wrestled with this decision quite a bit while putting together my blueprint for how I think the Phoenix Suns should operate this offseason. Ultimately, I landed on the qualifying offer.
If Mark Williams wants significantly more than that, it starts putting real financial strain on the roster. More importantly, it could make it difficult to retain players like Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin. At that point, you’re probably crossing into first apron territory. Maybe the organization is comfortable with that. Maybe it isn’t.
For me, the ideal outcome is bringing Williams back, even if the final number comes in a little higher than the qualifying offer, because the goal isn’t necessarily about what Mark Williams is. The goal is finding out what Khaman Maluach is. Williams provides a buffer and provides stability. He gives Phoenix a starting-caliber center while Maluach continues to develop and earn opportunities. Then you reassess.
If Maluach takes a significant step forward, if he proves he’s ready for a larger role, then when the trade deadline arrives, you can start exploring the market for Williams. That’s the beauty of maintaining flexibility.
Of course, there is one exception. If Williams stays healthy and starts playing above the level we currently expect from him, then the conversation changes entirely. At that point, you’re dealing with a different set of circumstances. But entering the season, I think the smartest play is bringing him back, preserving continuity, and giving yourself another year to evaluate exactly what you have at the center position.
OldAz: Assuming they move on at some point, I would start with the last option of signing him to a reasonable new contract and then waiting for the deadline. A healthy athletic center on a reasonable contract is highly valuable at the trade deadline, and this would give more time for Khaman Maluach to develop and be ready for a bigger role. A sign-and-trade is also a reasonable option for the right return, so the only option I do not like (assuming they are parting ways) is letting him walk for nothing. I hate that type of asset management by any front office I am rooting for.
Rod: Unless Ott is certain that Maluach, Ighodaro, and a third low-cost free agent center can perform well as the Suns’ big man rotation from the beginning, I’d prefer re-signing him and looking for a midseason trade. My second choice would be going with a sign-and-trade. With a sign-and-trade, they could take back much less in salary (or nothing at all) and create a traded player exception that they could use later on.
Q3: The Suns have been bringing in a lot of players for pre-draft workouts that are projected to go undrafted (a little more than half so far). What are your thoughts on this?
Ashton: I had never considered this until I visited HoopsHype today and pulled the following in context of the question. This is who the Suns have worked out in the UDFA realm.
65 – Bryce Hopkins (PF, St. John’s, 22-269) 70 – Jaden Henley (SF, Grand Canyon, 22-39) UNR – DJ Armstrong (SG, UMBC) UNR – Miles Barnstable (PG, Tulsa) UNR – Tre Donaldson (PG, Miami, 22-174) UNR – Derrian Ford (SG, Temple, 22-201) UNR – Sam Hoiberg (PG, Nebraska, 23-73) UNR – Tramon Mark (SG, Texas, 24-245) UNR – Robert McCray (PG, Florida St, 23-249) UNR – Kashie Natt (SG, Sam Houston St, 23-114) UNR – Grant Newell (SF, Western Kentucky, 23-262) UNR – Shammah Scott (PG, Akron) UNR – Corey Stephenson (SF, FIU, 22-28)
I can pick a few names from that list, but the question is whether the Suns intend to package the 47th pick with another player and are heavily considering UDFAs. It would make sense financially. Rod was right to sniff this one out. That is a lot of no-names. It certainly does not look like they will trade up.
Which I think we can kiss goodbye to the Suns’ 47th pick.
At least give Tobe Awaka a workout. One man that Valley Suns fans would love that guy.
Voita: I believe this is standard operating procedure. If you look at what the Phoenix Suns did last year, they followed a very similar approach despite owning both first- and second-round picks. A big part of the process is simply gathering information.
Teams want as much intel as possible on prospects, even those projected to go undrafted. Maybe that player ends up helping your G League affiliate. Maybe he becomes a Summer League addition. Maybe he pops up later in a trade discussion or becomes somebody you’re interested in signing down the road. The more information you have, the better.
And it isn’t limited to the NBA roster. Even at the G League level, there are transactions and roster decisions that require organizations to have quality scouting reports and internal evaluations. That’s why I don’t think there’s anything unusual about what Phoenix is doing.
In fact, if you spend a few minutes looking through the workout lists on HoopsHype, you’ll see every organization doing the same thing. They’re gathering information. They’re building databases. They’re creating relationships. And they’re making sure they know as much as possible about the players who could eventually enter their orbit. That’s all part of the process.
OldAz: As with many questions, “It depends” is the right answer. The new Suns seem more focused on developing players and have done a good job finding fringe players that can contribute. However, last season, these were mainly veterans who came in and contributed. If the Suns are looking to fill up on more UDFAs, then I hope they have an eye for talent and a plan that mirrors the Heat of the last few years, who have more than once fielded a team that greatly overachieved with multiple UDFAs playing a big role.
The more likely answer is that they are trying to build up their G League affiliate so they can identify a diamond in the rough down the road. This is also a good way to do business in the NBA when you are not pitching pennies in the front office.
Rod: To me, it says that they’re mainly looking at players to add to the Valley Suns’ roster, especially players that may turn out to have hidden potential/talents. With the lack of future draft picks the Suns have, this seems essential to me, as they have to turn over every leaf looking for whatever hidden gems they can find. Gregory’s done a pretty good job of it so far, and hopefully he can pull another rabbit or two out of his hat this year.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Suns Trivia/History
On June 6, 1976, trailing the Boston Celtics 3-2 in the NBA Finals, the Suns lost game 6 at home, 87-80, in a low-scoring contest. The Suns actually outshot the Celtics from the field (41.6% to 38.6%) but allowed Boston to get 16 offensive rebounds to their 8 and lost the overall rebounding battle 53-39. The Suns also sent the Celtics to the FT line 28 times, where the Celtics made 23, while the Suns made just 16.
On June 9, 1993, despite double-doubles by both Charles Barkley (21 pts, 11 rebs) and Richard Dumas (20 pts, 12 rebs), the Suns lost 100-92 to the Chicago Bulls to go down 0-1 in their first return to the NBA Finals since 1976. Barkley (9 of 25) and Kevin Johnson (4 of 13) had uncharacteristically poor shooting nights, while the Bulls shot well from the field, hitting 53.1% to the Suns’ 44.4%.
On June 11, 1993, Charles Barkley of the Suns and Michael Jordan of the Bulls each scored 42 points in Chicago’s 111-108 victory, marking the first time in NBA Finals history that opposing players each scored 40 or more points in a Finals game.
Important Future Dates
Mid-June (date TBD) – Teams can begin negotiating with their own free agents (following the Finals) June 23 – NBA Draft First Round, 8 ET (ABC/ESPN) June 24 – NBA Draft Second Round, 8 ET (ESPN) June 30 – Teams can begin negotiations with all free agents July 1 – Official start of the 2026-27 league year and moratorium period July 6 – Moratorium ends, official free agent contract signings can begin July 9-19 – NBA 2K Summer League 2026 in Las Vegas Late September (dates TBD) – NBA Training Camps open
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 3: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 3, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For all intents and purposes, the Knicks have already done their job by taking Game 1 in San Antonio in a thrilling opener to the 2026 NBA Finals.
Home court advantage has been flipped, the first punch has been thrown, they’re now -134 to win the series on FanDuel, and the get-in price for Game 3 at Madison Square Garden is up to $8,782.
Big success.
But what they have in their grasp is an opportunity to put a dagger through the hearts of the San Antonio Spurs. Stealing one game on the road is series-changing; stealing two is potentially series-ending. As a result, the Knicks need to treat this game with just as much urgency as they did Game 1.
This whole series is going to be two exceptional basketball teams adjusting to each other, minute by minute, possession by possession. As a result, the plans you have early in the series might be thrown in the garbage just a few days later. At this point in the series, overall strategies are still being fleshed out.
One of them is figuring out if the Knicks want to be the fast team that’s pushing the pace or the slow team that’s methodical about their offense, looking to limit possessions and transition opportunities.
The last several years, they’ve been the slow team, but were unsuccessful in getting the Pacers to play to their style, leading to back-to-back playoff exits at their hands. This year, they played that style against an energetic Hawks team who struggled to generate offense in the halfcourt.
After that? They found something while trying to push the pace. A hobbled Joel Embiid allowed them to push the ball up the floor and generate easy looks in the paint. A lackadaisical and undisciplined Cavs team made it so that leaking out after a missed shot was an easy bucket over and over and over and over and over again.
Every series is different, and specifically for a unique team like the Spurs, there are pros and cons to each approach.
The biggest pro to being the team that pushes the pace and gets out in transition is not letting the Spurs set their physical and imposing defense, especially with Victor Wembanyama in the game. It takes an entire convoluted gameplan to get him out of the paint for an individual possession, let alone a string of them. They’re one of the best teams in basketball at preventing paint points, and you saw with the hesitation of slashers like Josh Hart and OG Anunoby that he can shut off anything within 10 feet.
Pushing the ball off a miss gives you time to generate shots at the rim with him trailing the play. Even if you don’t have numbers in a traditional sense, players like Hart can go coast-to-coast without worrying about going through a 7’5” freak of nature.
That in-game circumstance, though, is only one feature of the benefits of pushing the ball. The Knicks also have the clear advantage of simultaneously being the fresher and more conditioned team.
The top five players in this series in terms of minutes played in the postseason over the last month and a half are all Spurs. Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle have played 100 more minutes than Jalen Brunson, 150 more than Josh Hart, and almost 200 more than OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns. While this is a roster of young guys who can recover from grueling playoff games more easily, these minutes can add up, as we saw in 2025 with the Knicks.
Wembanyama has played 590, which is an entire game’s worth of minutes more than any Knick and at least two more than anyone not named Brunson. He played 38 minutes in Game 1, just the 10th time he’s done that this season and the 16th time in his career.
It’s important to note that Wemby has never played 36 minutes in four consecutive games in his career. The reason he’s avoided that in the playoffs? The multitude of blowouts in both directions has allowed him to rest in the fourth quarter. With a Knicks team that has not lost a game by more than one possession that they actually tried in since March (20 game sample), it’s hard to rely on that right now.
Playoff physicality, combined with the sheer number of minutes he has to play because of the disastrous on-off splits, is going to wear him down. He already looked gassed in the second half of Game 1, and despite extra rest days due to travel later in the series, it won’t get much better if these two teams are consistently going to war.
Making him cover more ground across more minutes in a physical playoff series will wear him out, but there is a flip side to all of this that the Knicks need to account for before deciding to be the faster team in this series.
Their half-court offense is extremely effective, at least in terms of getting quality looks. They’re relatively turnover-averse; they often end a possession in a quality look from 3, a layup, or a shot that Brunson knows he can make. Even with the human eraser in the middle, the team was still able to generate quality looks for much of the game despite battling through rust.
There’s also inherent risk to playing fast. A live ball turnover in transition is free points the other way. A miss usually results in your defense failing to get set, which will probably result in a Julian Champagnie triple.
The Knicks are also just not a fast team at their core. Despite hiring Mike Brown to play faster, the team has a very similar pace to the one they played under Tom Thibodeau. They take 6-7 seconds to get across half-court with Brunson bringing the ball up. They usually haven’t gotten the ball inside the arc until there’s less than eight on the clock. Even when visually playing faster the last two series, they’ve averaged under 97 possessions per game, one of the slowest in basketball.
The answer here might just be as simple as recognizing the situation during the game and adjusting to it. When you have an opportunity to gas them out, go out and run. If you’re flagrantly outexecuting them in the half-court, slow it down. Adjust to the moment.
CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 31: Starting pitcher Pat Dean #64 of the Minnesota Twins reacts as he leaves the game during the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field on August 31, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the way 2016 had been going in the opening months, one might think that season the exception to the rule. Not so. For a brief moment of time, a LHP captured the imagination of Twins Territory during its darkest hour.
In 2010, the Twins drafted Pat Dean out of Boston College with the 102nd overall (3rd round) pick. Progressing nicely through the rungs of the minor league ladder, Dean put together 179 IP of 2.82 ERA ball in 2015 as a SP at AAA Rochester. When the bottom fell out of ‘16, Dean was called up to the big club in mid-May.
After two relief appearances—one an ostensible spot-start after a disastrous Jose Berrios (0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 BB, 7 ER) debacle—Dean was given a chance to climb the bump from the jump.
His first start (5/21/16 versus Toronto): 6 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 5 K, 3 BB in a 5-3 Twins victory.
Now, you might be thinking “what’s so memorable about a barely-across-the-finish line quality start?!” Well, you have to recall just how dire the straits were at that exact moment. A QS was akin to a miracle.
Pat’s next presentation (5/27/16 @ Seattle): A legitimately masterful 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 8 K, 0 BB gem to out-duel King Felix Hernandez!
Again, this should not have been cause for celebration. But to an unmoored Molitor & Co. it felt like a revelation! One fan in particular was pretty jazzed about the proceedings…
I wish I could tell you this story had a ride-off-into-the-sunset happy ending. But to paraphrase Morgan Freeman’s character in The Shawshank Redemption: “MLB is no fairy tale world”.
Dean’s line with the ‘16 Twins: 1-6, 67.1 IP, 19 G, 9 GS, 6.28 ERA, 67 ERA+, 1.65 WHIP.
In fact, Dean’s major league career would come to a close upon 2016’s resolution. Stints in the Korean Baseball Organization (Kia Tigers), the Atlantic League (Southern Maryland Blue Crabs & Somerset Patriots), and the Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA Colorado) never produced a path back to The Show.
In the end, Pat Dean accomplished the dream: he made the big leagues. Sure, it didn’t last as long as he—or we—would have liked. But any MLB duration from Moonlight Graham to Nolan Ryan represents a minuscule fraction of athletes at the tippy top of their professional endeavor. Possessing the greatest spoonerism in the history of the Minnesota Twins doesn’t hurt his memorability factor, either.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 17: Tommy Pham #39 of the New York Mets at bat against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on April 17, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Tides trailed 3-0 after former Oriole Maverick Handley’s RBI single in the fourth, but Norfolk stormed back with four unanswered runs. Tommy Pham cut the deficit to one with a two-run home run, and Luis Vázquez tied the game with a base hit in the sixth inning. Jonathan Rodríguez drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in the seventh inning.
Pham finished 2-for-4 with a walk. Christian Encarnacion-Strand led Norfolk with three hits, and Ryan Noda recorded a pair of singles in four trips. Heston Kjerstad finished 0-for-5 with two strikeouts.
Nestor German came within one out of a quality start. German allowed six hits and three runs over 5.2 innings. He struck out seven and walked three.
Chesapeake broke the game open with six runs in the fifth inning. Frederick Bencosme led the Baysox with four hits and two home runs out of the leadoff spot. Thomas Sosa went 2-for-5 but left the game for precautionary reasons after a collision on the basepaths. Adam Retzbach (2-for-3) finished with a game-high 5 RBIs after delivering a three-run homer. Griff O’Ferrall finished 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.
Sebastian Gongora continued to pitch well with six strong innings. The former 11th-round pick limited Akron to three hits and two runs (one earned). Gongora struck out six and walked three. Chesapeake’s bullpen allowed four runs in three innings, but the big lead allowed for a drama-free finish.
High-A: Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees) 10, Frederick Keys 1
Frederick trailed 7-0 after two innings. Kiefer Lord lasted only three innings with seven runs (five earned) and six hits allowed. Lord still managed to strike out five, but a long ball, a wild pitch, and a couple of walks did him in.
Victor Figueroa produced Frederick’s only run with a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth. The late-inning rally fell nine runs short. Leandro Arias tallied the Keys’ only other hit. Vance Honeycutt and Wehiwa Aloy both finished 0-for-3 with a walk. Ike Irish went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, and Braylin Tavera finished 0-for-2 with a pair of walks.
Low-A: Delmarva Shorebirds 4, Augusta GreenJackets (Braves) 2
Edwin Amparo launched a two-run homer in the top of the ninth to propel Delmarva to a 4-2 victory. DJ Layton drove in a run with a ground ball in the first inning, and Jose Perez doubled the lead with an RBI double in the fifth. Eight of Delmarva’s nine starters recorded a hit, but nobody notched a multi-hit game.
Esteban Mejia tossed three scoreless innings to start the game. Mejia allowed one hit, struck out three and walked two. Kailen Hamson earned the win with 3.2 innings of relief. Hamson surrendered a pair of runs on three hits.
Happy Friday, everyone! Before you get too busy going about your day, take a minute to do your All-Star voting. Are any Cubs worthy of electing to the All-Star team? Once you’ve done that, come back and let’s get into the news stories wrapping up the week.
Aaron Judge continues to sit out as the Yankees evaluate his injury; Manny Machado is lamenting the Padres’ offense, while old friend Nick Castellanos no longer has to worry about the Padres offense as all, since they DFA’d him; meanwhile, the rumor mill continues to swirl around a Tarik Skubal trade; and of course since it’s a day that ends in Y, Commissioner Rob Manfred is saying something potentially contentious.
We’ve got all that and much more below, so let’s dive right in.
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 9: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shoots a three point basket during the game against the New York Knicks on April 9, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When the Celtics entered the 2025 2nd round vs. the Knicks, it felt like they were on a different level than New York. That was proven wrong and since that point, it has become clear that it is New York who is on a different level than Boston.
Three wins away from their first championship in 53 years, the Knicks look like they tower over everyone else in the Eastern Conference.
It became very clear as the 76ers, who came back from down 3-1 vs. the Celtics, were not only swept by New York, but embarrassed by them, that the gap between Boston and New York was bigger than any of us thought it was.
It is up to Brad Stevens and company to close that gap this summer.
Does making a marginal move like trading Sam Hauser for a center help the Celtics? Yes, but we need to be thinking bigger.
The trio of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White has shown us they are good enough to win at the highest level. Get more of a contribution from the younger players in the playoffs and the Celtics could be back at the top of the East next year. Maybe you think the Celtics’ exit and the Knicks run are both flukey and that Boston shouldn’t panic.
Is that something that the Celtics should be betting on?
The roster is just not good enough as is and when you have Jayson Tatum on your team, you owe it to him and yourself to be doing everything to win the championship every year.
BOSTON – MAY 6: Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is forced to pass after he is guarded by Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36), Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the second quarter. The Boston Celtics host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals at TD Garden in Boston on May 6, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
That is why so many, myself included, feel that trading Jaylen Brown for Giannis Antetokounmpo is something Boston should be exploring.
Antetokounmpo would give the Celtics so many different layers to both their offense and defense that Brown doesn’t, including getting to the rim more, which is something that Brad Stevens talked about at his end of season press conference.
Yes, you’d be losing some of the great stuff Brown does like those mid-range shots, but Antetokounmpo gives more than Brown does on both ends of the floor.
You could also keep the Tatum and Brown duo together, and find a way to use Derrick White to upgrade the roster with either a big man or a scoring guard to pair with the Jays. The way the Celtics offense fell apart in the first round was much more worrying to me than their defense was.
The Celtics have four tradable picks and a $27.7 million trade exception. They don’t have to move any of Tatum, Brown or White to make an aggressive move. Maybe the Pelicans would be willing to give you Trey Murphy for Hauser, one or two of the young wings and a bunch of draft picks.
When the Knicks felt they needed to catch up to the Celtics after Boston’s 2024 championship, they traded for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns. They took big, risky swings and it is the Celtics’ turn to do just that. I don’t know that Boston has two moves like that in them, but they should be making at least one big time addition to close the gap.
They’ve proved everyone wrong, and they’re hellbent on doing it again.
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) is helped off the floor by teammate Stephon Castle (5) during Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Knicks in San Antonio on June 3, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The basketball world winced when Wembanyama suffered a concussion in Game 2 of the Spurs’ first-round series against the Trail Blazers and needed to enter the league’s concussion protocol. There goes the Spurs’ postseason run.
It rolled its eyes when San Antonio lost Game 1 of its second round series to the Timberwolves. So much for being the real deal.
It started writing the Spurs’ obituary when they faced Game 7 of the Western Conference finals in Oklahoma City against the reigning champion Thunder and its two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Welp, it was a good run.
But the Spurs didn’t flinch in any of those moments. They leaned on one another. Their belief in themselves over the last two months has deepened to form a well of confidence form which they now draw after squandering home-court advantage against the Knicks in a 105-95 loss on Wednesday.
Said Wembanyama: “I’m not worried the slightest.”
Added Castle: “We feel like we’re the better team. We didn’t play well, and we still had a chance to win.”
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama speaks to reporters the day before Game 2 of the NBA Finals on June 4, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The Spurs led by as many as 14 points in the third quarter before they let their lead slip through their fingers in the final six minutes of that period. They were outscored in the fourth quarter, 29-19.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson didn’t even need to watch film to pinpoint where they need to improve. It was obvious. It was glaring.
San Antonio gave up a whopping 50 points in the paint. It had only 16 assists. Wembanyama, who shot 51.2 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from beyond the arc this season, shot a woeful 6-for-21 from the field (28.5 percent) and 2-for-9 from deep (22.2 percent) in Game 1.
Gregg Popovich, who coached the Spurs for 29 seasons and led them to five championships before stepping down after suffering a stroke in Nov. 2024, sent Wembanyama a text after watching the team’s implosion Wednesday night.
The gist?
“I’ve been bad,” Wembanyama said. “And I’m better than this.”
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) puts up a shot against the Knicks during Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 3, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The Spurs weren’t good, and they still had a 95-94 lead with 2:16 left. They let Jalen Brunson score 13 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter. They committed five turnovers in that period while the Knicks had none. They were careless. They were outplayed.
They got in their own way.
That doesn’t instill fear in the Spurs. If they played their best and lost, that might have shaken them a bit more. But this was not that.
Heck, even if that had happened, this Spurs team would likely still believe in themselves.
If there’s anything this playoff run has taught us about them, it’s that they’re unflappable.
The Spurs’ stars might barely be of drinking age, but they’ve proved they’re mature enough to block out noise that can be deafening for players who are accustomed to big stages.
The New York Post front cover for June 4, 2026 featuring the Knicks’ Game 1 win.
Too young? Too inexperienced? They’ve made a mockery of those narratives.
Counterintuitively, it makes you wonder if their youth is their superpower. There’s a certain cockiness that can come with not knowing any better.
Castle was quick to shut that down.
“I don’t know if that’s our youth talking,” he said. “It might just be more of what our character is like. I don’t think we’ll ever change from being this way, having this kind of confidence in each other, no matter how young we are.”
That deep belief in themselves is what has gotten the Spurs through three series. It has gotten them to the championship round earlier than anyone thought possible.
They’ve faced a 1-0 series deficit before. That didn’t faze them.
They dethroned the defending champs who many believed would become the league’s next dynasty. You think they’re afraid of the Knicks?
Wembanyama already indelibly stamped his name into postseason lore with a 41-point, 24-rebound, three-block performance against the Thunder in Game 1 of that series. You think he’s going to get in his head about a mediocre Finals debut?
Think again.
There’s a fearlessness about the Spurs.
No one thought they’d be here this quickly. They have nothing to lose.
And that makes them very dangerous.
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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Cameron Boozer shoots the ball during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 12, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA Draft is in less than three weeks, and the speculation about Cam Boozer is hitting new heights.
Part of it may be gamesmanship, as various front offices try to push players up or down to get their true target.
Subterfuge is actually one of our favorite parts of the whole process. In Boozer’s case, though, we’re not sure that’s necessarily what’s going on.
He’s been through the combine, and he’s done the interviews. Teams have a much better idea of who he is now.
The top three picks, as you probably know, are Washington, Utah, and Memphis, and there’s the consistent rumor that Oklahoma City would like to trade up to get him.
It’s not a bad position to be in, really, other than going to the Wizards. In our opinion, it’s less important to be an early pick than it is to be picked by a stable franchise. Memphis and Utah are remaking their teams, but management appears to be competent. And it would be hard to do much better than OKC.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
