While the Kawhi Leonard trade to Toronto will forever be linked to the Clippers salary cap circumvention findings and punishments, the motivations for it were never fully — or even mostly — about that. The Clippers already were pivoting away from the Leonard/Paul George era before everything hit the fan, and they had no intention of giving Leonard the massive extension he wanted. He then wanted to go to a team that would pay him.
Enter the Toronto Raptors.
Leonard and the Raptors "have held advanced discussions and are nearing an agreement on a contract extension," reports NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Those talks were always expected but, like the trade to Toronto itself, were put on hold as the Raptors waited for the NBA investigation to play itself out.
To answer the first question: Leonard has a different agent handling these negotiations, Harrison Gaines of SLASH Sports. "Uncle" Dennis Robertson has been banned from doing any business in the league for five years, not that he had any clients outside Leonard.
The bigger question here is money. Leonard will make $50.3 million this season in the final year of his current contract, and is eligible for a max extension of two years, $126 million. The Raptors are likely looking for something below the $100 million mark for two years, because paying big money to a 35-year-old with a lengthy injury history is a massive risk.
When healthy, Leonard is still elite: Last season in 65 games, he averaged 27.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, shot 38.7% from 3 and played high-level defense. Having him and Scottie Barnes at forward gives the Raptors two All-NBA-level players who can lift them into the top four and make them a threat in the East.
The risk is Leonard being on the court enough to have that impact. Both the Raptors organization and its fans understand the need to prioritize recovery and give him days off during the season to maximize his chances of playing 65 games again (and being good to go for the playoffs).
Whatever the final number, look for Leonard to sign a two-year extension, which will take him to age 38. He says he wants Toronto to be the last stop in his career.
CHICAGO — As Pete Crow-Armstrong came up with the bases loaded in the eighth inning, the Wrigley Field crowd chanted “M-V-Pete! M-V-Pete!” — and not for the first time.
The fans serenaded the Chicago star after his first home run, his 43rd to break Billy Williams’ Cubs record for left-handed hitters. They made their feelings known after his RBI triple and after his 44th home run.
Even when Crow-Armstrong struck out on five pitches in the eighth, he still received a standing ovation on his way back to the dugout at the end of a 3 for 4 night with three RBIs and three runs in an 8-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves, his seventh multi-home-run game of the season.
With Shohei Ohtani still on the injured list with right biceps inflammation, Crow-Armstrong keeps hitting home runs, closing in on the first 40-40 season in Cubs history, putting the finishing touches on his MVP case, at least as far as Cubs fans are concerned.
“You’re shaking your head in amazement, sometimes,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “In amazement. You know, you don’t get to see this. That’s what I told Alex (Bregman): ‘We don’t get to see things like this.’ You spend your whole life in baseball and you just don’t see this happen on a baseball field.
“You’re grateful to be a part of it. You’re grateful to see things like this. And then you’re grateful the fans get to see a season like this. They’re going to talk about it. They’re going to tell their kids about it. They’re going to tell their grandkids about a season like this.”
Yet as he’s gone from breakthrough player to MVP candidate to MVP favorite, Crow-Armstrong has been unfazed by the pressure, his performance unwavering as the Cubs chase a wild-card spot.
“I keep it pretty simple,” Crow-Armstrong said. “I enjoy just kind of laying low, as I always do and always will. I’ve got a really nice support system.”
Only one home run behind Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber for the major league lead, Crow-Armstrong is hitting. 283 with 105 RBIs, 29 doubles and 37 stolen bases to go with Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field.
Crow-Armstrong’s breakthrough season at age 24 has him at or near the top of every offensive metric in the NL while also tapping out the vocabulary of Shota Imanaga.
“We can always say he’s great, or he’s excellent, but really there’s no words to describe him,” Imanaga said through an interpreter. “So I’ll think of a new word in English for that.”
The Knicks committed a ticketing turnover and are working to get back possession of more affordable prices.
After their individual game tickets were listed Wednesday with eye-popping prices — including a $1,000-plus minimum for the season opener against the Sixers — the Knicks suspended sales because of an internal mistake, The Post has learned.
The team plans to restart sales early next week with more modest prices. The new markups will be roughly 12% above last season’s prices, which is the same hike for season-ticket holders.
The Knicks and their fans celebrate their Game 4 win over the Spurs at MSG. NBAE via Getty Images
Fans who already purchased individual tickets will be refunded the difference to the roughly 12% increase.
“We are pausing Knicks individual ticket sales due to a mistake in our pricing,” an MSG spokesperson told The Post. “We are rolling back to last year’s prices plus an average increase of 12%.
“We will restart sales with new prices shortly, and anyone who already purchased individual tickets will be refunded the difference. Our intention was never to overcharge our loyal fans, and we thank everyone for their support of the Knicks and their patience as we get this right.”
In other words, the prices will drop dramatically from the $2,500 average initially released for opening night.
Fans cheer during the second quarter of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
A source close to the situation said the pricing error was a first-time mistake for MSG and it was never the intent to price gouge fans after a championship season.
Under owner James Dolan, the Garden’s policy was to not raise prices if the team failed to qualify for the postseason. But upticks have become commonplace since Jalen Brunson’s arrival, with the Knicks advancing to the playoffs in four straight years – including last season’s title run.
The result is expensive tickets at MSG for Knicks games — just not as expensive as the prices mistakenly listed Wednesday.
MSG and the Knicks have tried to counter price gouging with their Fan First program, which is intended to weed out the marauding brokers.
With the 2026 campaign in the books, let's open up the mailbag to discuss some of the Mets' top prospects...
Do you think Mitch Voit will have a similar opportunity to Carson Benge this upcoming spring to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster? – @metcov
In his first offseason after being drafted, the Mets and Voit remade his swing from college to allow him to more consistently impact the ball. The adjustment that he was working with could have led to a slow start to his pro career with High-A Brooklyn, hitting .219 with a .697 OPS in his first two months as a professional.
His season took off from there and went to even another level upon reaching Double-A Binghamton. The 21-year-old slashed .347/.430/.517 with 12 doubles, two home runs and 18 RBI in 29 Double-A games. He rose to No. 5 on SNY’s top 30 prospect list midseason and may end up a little higher when the system is re-ranked in the offseason.
Looking ahead to 2027, Marcus Semien is the incumbent at second base. Voit is a natural second baseman who has begun to play some shortstop this season to add defensive versatility. Right now, No. 13 prospect Émilien Pitre and No. 1 prospect Jefferson Rojas (more on him in a minute) have already made it to Triple-A and have also played second base. They could be ahead of Voit on the organizational depth chart heading into 2027.
Having competition for who takes a stranglehold on second base is nothing but a good thing. I would anticipate that when/if there is a spring training, all three of the names above will be in big league camp competing for a spot, assuming they are all still with the organization.
Voit told the media after accepting the Player of the Year award that his focus is on going to instructs in Port St. Lucie this fall and setting up a plan with the staff of how he can impact the big-league team in 2027.
I don’t think I would look at Voit as someone being on the Benge-like timeline of being the strongest candidate to start 2027 at second base. With that said, I believe he will get the opportunity to make an impact on the 2027 Mets, but it might be more on an A.J. Ewing type of timeline rather than Benge.
Given the power surge, do you see Jefferson Rojas as an important piece of the Mets going forward? Or is he the most valuable trade chip in the organization that can bring back a real difference maker? – @BrianLowe02
The Mets' No. 1 prospect Rojas has done nothing but hit since joining the organization in the Clay Holmes/Tyrone Taylor trade, including hitting his second home run in his second game with Triple-A Syracuse. The power has looked real. Rojas is up to 200 pounds, and his 90th percentile exit velocity of 104.2 mph shows there is above-average power in his bat.
There are multiple factors to consider with this question. Heading into the winter, the free agent class on paper is weak in comparison to past years. There is some thought in league circles that this could lead to an increase in the number of trades that occur in whatever type of offseason it ends up being with the pending lockout.
It is also possible that given the uncertainty surrounding what the sport’s financial system will look like, prospects could be even more valuable. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was not shy after the trade deadline in saying that some of the prospects in the system could impact the Mets roster, and some could end up being used in trades.
While Rojas has played second base and shortstop, the near consensus from scouts I talk to is that Rojas fits best at third base. The Mets currently have Bo Bichette as their third baseman, though he possesses an opt-out each of the next two offseasons. If Bichette opts in and is with the Mets in 2027, pending health, Rojas' pathway to a near-term opportunity at third base is blocked. If Bichette were to opt out, that runway to opportunity at third base would be wide open.
If the Mets are going to consider a significant trade, given his season and proximity to the big leagues, Rojas is going to be a prospect teams around the sport are asking about.
If the Mets believe Rojas can profile as a second baseman, then he could be competing with Semien, Pitre, and Voit for a job on the Opening Day roster.
I hate to ride the fence, but Rojas is a valuable piece, however you slice it. He could be the long-term option at either third or second base depending on how the roster shakes out, or he could be a part of a package to make a significant trade this winter, perhaps for a starting pitcher?
DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 30: Tyler Glasnow #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers warms up prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, August 30, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Zack Belsky/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
After playing two series in two weeks against a lowly Reds team, the Dodgers have two of their final three series of 2026 against a bad San Francisco Giants squad, the first of which starts Friday night at Dodger Stadium.
Tyler Glasnow starts the series opener for the Dodgers, with left-hander Cesar Perdomo pitching for San Francisco.
Leading up to his draft year, Stramel was considered a top-10 pick, or at the very least a candidate to land in the top 10. As a late-2004 birthday, Stramel missed the cutoff for the 2022 draft and was selected by the Wild in the first round (21st overall) of the 2023 NHL draft.
His first two seasons of college hockey with the University of Wisconsin were very underwhelming, but the move to Michigan State unlocked his game. In his first season with the Spartans, his junior year, Stramel posted nine goals and 27 points in 37 games. But his senior season is when things finally came together, as the 21-year-old scored 19 goals and 44 points in 37 games.
Stramel morphed into one of the better players in college hockey and proved to the Minnesota brass that he was ready to begin his professional career.
After signing his entry-level contract, Stramel will have the opportunity to compete in training camp and pre-season to make the opening-night NHL roster. The question is whether he has the tools to play a bottom-six role, or if his skill stands out enough to warrant a spot in the top six.
If he can provide neither, he'll likely start in the AHL, but he is gunning for an NHL job.
"That’s for sure a goal of mine,” Stramel told reporters last week during the team’s prospect camp. “I’m going to have to bring it in camp and hopefully show them what I’m capable of. But at the end of the day, if it doesn’t happen right away, it doesn’t happen right away.”
There is no shame in starting in the AHL; for many prospects, it helps them acclimate to the style of play and speed they may face in the NHL. But with some of the off-season departures the Wild faced, it would be great to see a top prospect like Stramel force his way into the lineup.
Stramel has the physical tools, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 212 pounds. His game is built on his playmaking, as he excels in small areas of the ice. His hockey IQ is arguably his greatest strength, and he uses that to be a step ahead of the game.
His ability to play on the wing or up the middle could be another valuable trait that helps him land an NHL job.
But it won't be an easy task for Stramel. If he starts on the wing, he can't beat out Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy in top-six roles, and in the bottom six, Stramel doesn't have the physicality of Yakov Trenin or Marcus Foligno to beat them. Additionally, Blake Coleman provides offense and penalty killing, and Nick Foligno is a veteran leader who also brings physicality. The two players he can truly compete with are Maxim Shabanov and Bobby Brink, but they, too, have more NHL experience than Stramel.
Up the middle, Stramel won't beat Joel Eriksson Ek, doesn't bring the physicality of Michael McCarron on the fourth line, nor the veteran experience of Ryan Hartman, and like Brink and Shabanov, he is likely unable to beat out Danila Yurov.
It's more than an uphill battle, but Stramel will be given the opportunity to prove himself.
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 11: Wilber Dotel #66 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 11, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, September 17, 2026, 12:35 p.m. ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping to avoid a sweep in the series finale hosting the NL Central rival Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park.
The Brewers are giving the start to Kyle Harrison, who is making his 24th start of the season. In his first season in Milwaukee, he is achieving career bests for the Brewers.
Harrison is 10-4 with a 3.98 ERA. In his last start on September 6 against the Cincinnati Reds, he pitched 3.2 innings, giving up nine hits and four earned runs in a 12-8 loss. Harrison is looking for his first win in just over a month. The last time he pulled out a victory was on August 18 at home against the Seattle Mariners, when he went five innings and gave up two hits in a 22-0 blowout victory.
The Pirates are countering with rookie right-hander Wilbur Poeltl, who is making just his second career start. In his first start on September 11 against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, he pitched two innings, giving up four hits and three earned runs in a 12-2 loss. Poeltl has primarily come out of the bullpen this season, and he has not pitched more than four innings in a game this season. This means the bullpen should get plenty of action today as the series comes to a close.
Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh
Pitching Matchup: Kyle Harrison (10-4, 3.98 ERA) vs. Wilber Dotel (1-5, 4.84 ERA)
BD community, this is your game thread against the Milwaukee Brewers. Chime off in the comments section below.
On Wednesday, the Winnipeg Jets announced that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck had been suspended indefinitely for failing to report to camp, and that GM Kevin Chevaldayoff would speak to the media on Thursday. After benefiting from the Anaheim Ducks’ cap crunch less than a week ago, could Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens swoop in to land an (albeit interested) hand?
After all, the Habs GM said he was fine with starting training camp with three NHL goaltenders, but not starting the season, and while Jacob Fowler could be sent back to Laval, that’s probably not ideal. Looking at the list of invited players to training camp, it’s easy to see that the Canadiens are ready for the possibility of a Samuel Montembeault trade; they have seven goaltenders at camp (Montembeault, Jakub Dobes, Fowler, Kaapo Kahkonen, Hunter Jones, Francesco Lapenna and Hunter Jones), meaning a pair for the Habs, one for the Laval Rocket and one for the Trois-Rivières Lions, with a spare.
Meanwhile, in Winnipeg, if Hellebuyck holds firm and the team keeps him suspended as they struggle to find a good match on the trade market, Stuart Skinner is set to be their number one netminder. While he once led the Edmonton Oilers to a couple of Stanley Cup finals, he hasn’t posted a save percentage above .900 since 2023-24, which hardly inspires confidence. Down in the depth chart are Thomas Milic, who’s seen only two NHL games; Dom DiVincentiis, who’s yet to make it past the AHL; and Isaac Poulter, who has spent time between the AHL and the ECHL. As for Samuel Hrenak and John Parsons, they’ve only just been drafted.
As things stand, the Jets have $4.4 M in cap room and getting an experienced goaltender with NHL experience could be tempting. Montembeault could be an option; he has only a year left on his contract and a $3.15 M cap hit. While the Bécancour native had a horrendous year last season (10-8-4 with a 3.43 goals-against average and a .872 save percentage), many believe he will bounce back. In the four seasons before his collapse, he posted a SV above .900 and was Canada’s third-best netminder at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
The question is whether the Jets would be willing to make it worth the Canadiens’ while. Hughes isn't in the business of giving away assets, but to avoid another three-goalie carousel last season, he traded Cayden Primeau (an RFA) for a seventh-round pick. Of course, Montembeault has more value than Primeau did, but trading him away could remove a thorn from Hughes’ side. It may be time for Hughes to lower his asking price for the goaltender.
Of course, if the Jets could trade Hellebuyck in a deal that includes an NHL-level goaltender, the issue would go away, but they’ve been trying to move him for some time now, and plenty of netminders have been moved this offseason. Winnipeg will be a team to watch in the coming days/weeks…It's an awful position to find yourself in, especially after the goalie said in 2023 that he could see himself "being a Jet for life." What a difference an Olympic gold medal makes...
With Connor Hellebuyck officially not reporting to Jets training camp, let’s revisit what he said after signing his 7-year extension in 2023 😭🤐 pic.twitter.com/v3puR9cLmr
Emeryville, CA April 5, 1955 - Allen Gettel rides a horse on opening day at Oaks Ballpark. (Russ Reed / Oakland Tribune Photographer)
(Digital First Media Group/Oakland Tribune via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Allen Gettel was born a ways south of the Bronx, down in Norfolk, Virginia. Growing up on the family farm, few could have predicted the journey his life would take. From pitching in Yankee Stadium to acting on the big screen, Gettel became his own type of renaissance man.
Allen Jones Gettel Born: September 17, 1917 (Norfolk, Virginia) Died: April 8, 2005 (Norfolk, Virginia) Yankees Tenure: 1945-46
Gettel graduated from Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach in 1936. The Yankees signed the young right-handed pitcher to a contract upon graduation after scout Gene McCann found the big 6-foot-3 hurler while scouting local high school games. This kicked off a nine-year stint in the Yankees farm system.
The first three years of his time in the Yankees system were spent in the lower levels of the minor leagues. Gettel’s debut campaign came with the Norfolk Tars, in the city where he was born. The following season in 1937, he split his time between the Butler Yankees and the Bassett Furnituremakers (another Virginia team). Then, in 1938, he had a standout performance for the Snow Hill Billies in the Class D Coastal Plain League, and that performance earned him a ticket to the Augusta Tigers for the 1939 season.
From 1940 through 1943, Gettel found himself in Double-A, playing for both the Newark Bears and Kansas City Blues. Following the 1943 campaign, the Yankees traded Gettel, Ed Levy, and $10,000 cash to the Philadelphia Phillies for Nick Etten. However, Gettel declared he would spend the 1943 season on the farm to ensure he could not be drafted into military service, and on the same note, Levy was classified as 1-A by the Selective Service System, meaning he was immediately eligible to be drafted into the military. The Phillies were essentially giving away a player for no one at that point and got the trade vetoed. The Yankees and Phillies later agreed to new players in the trade, and Etten became a Yankee (a very nice wartime one at that).
After the trade fell through, the Yankees assigned Gettel back to Norfolk. Back home, he could play baseball while maintaining his farm work. This is where Gettel spent the next two seasons, and he dominated. Gettel posted an incredible 1.38 ERA while going 11-11. Then, in 1944, he went 17-7 with a 1.81 ERA.
Prior to the 1945 season, the Yankees were depleted due to the war draft; the previous year had already been challenging as their streak of three consecutive pennants was snapped by the St. Louis Browns of all teams. Gettel was protected due to his farmer status, and after his performance the two years prior, the Yankees finally gave the 27-year-old a chance to play in the majors. Gettel made his debut on April 20th against the Washington Senators. Coming on in relief, he pitched four innings and allowed just one hit while striking out four to pick up a retroactive save.
Gettel went on to have a decent rookie year, tallying 154 innings with a 9-8 record and a 3.92 ERA for the Bombers. He followed that up in 1946 by going 6-7 with a 2.97 ERA in 103 innings. However, following the season and facing a roster crunch as the rest of the boys returned home from war, the Yankees decided to trade Gettel, and this time the trade went through.
On December 6, 1946, Gettel, Hal Peck, and Gene Bearden were traded to Cleveland for Ray Mack and Sherm Lollar. Gettel anchored Cleveland’s starting rotation in 1947, earning 11 wins to go along with a 3.20 ERA. In early June of the 1948 season, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox and thus could not celebrate with his old teammates when Cleveland won the World Series that fall, their most recent title as a franchise. Gettel stayed in Chicago for a year and some change before he was purchased by the Washington Senators. Gettel finished the 1949 season in Washington.
From 1950 through 1959, Gettel bounced around, playing mostly for the Oakland Oaks in the Pacific Coast League — though he did play in the majors in 1951 for the New York Giants and in 1955 for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Gettel officially retired from professional baseball in 1959 with 38 career major league victories and 196 minor league wins. Years later in 2001, Gettel and others admitted that the 1951 New York Giants used a system to steal signs from opposing catchers, including on Bobby Thomson’s famous “Shot Heard ’Round the World.” The cheating scheme had a spotter with a telescope buzzing down the catchers finger count to the bullpen who then had various ways to signal to hitters what was coming.
During his time on the Oaks, Gettel used his farm talents to land some roles in movies and television. A skilled horse rider, he appeared in Westerns such as The Tin Star. The acting roles earned Gettel his nickname “Two Guns.” Gettel embraced the nickname and even dressed like a cowboy and rode a horse in from the bullpen when the Oaks would allow.
Gettel continued farming throughout his long life. He passed away at age-87 in 2005 in where else, but Norfolk. Happy birthday to one of Hampton Roads’ great underrated sons!
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
Los Angeles, CA - August 12: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Landon Knack (96) reacts after allowing a hit during the seventh inning of an baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Ronaldo Bolaños/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Since getting optioned to Triple-A on August 13, Knack had a 1.56 ERA with 14 strikeouts and seven walks in 17 1/3 innings over four appearances. His last outing was five scoreless innings with four strikeouts last Thursday against Sugar Land.
Miller allowed two runs on three hits and got seven outs in Wednesday’s loss to the Reds, with one strikeout. After spending over five months on the injured list to start the season with shoulder and back problems, Miller was activated off the 60-day injured list on September 5. Miller allowed a run in three relief innings on September 6 to earn the win, then was optioned the next day.
Miller spending five total days in the majors this month means his total time optioned to the minors fewer than the 20 days required to exhaust an option year. In other words, after using option years in 2024 and 2025 but not 2026, Miller will have one option year remaining in 2027.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 05: Collin Sexton #2 of the Chicago Bulls looks on against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at the United Center on April 05, 2026 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. (Photo by Jayden Mack/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to our Lakers Season Preview Series! For the next several weeks, we’ll be writing columns every weekday breaking down the biggest questions we have about every player the Lakers added this offseason. Today, we look at Collin Sexton.
If we’re being honest, when the flurry of reports that the Lakers were acquiring Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Collin Sexton came in rapid succession, the signing that had people almost instantly second-guessing was the deal for Sexton.
Sure, people could quibble with the dollar amounts or the player options in the contracts for Grimes and Mamu, and there was certainly some debating about the price paid in draft capital for Kessler, but the basketball fit for all of those players seemed straightforward and easily explainable.
For Sexton, though, the nitpicking and questioning were nearly immediate.
Not because Sexton is a bad player. In fact, I think it’s universally understood that the former Cavalier, Jazz, and Bull is a good player who, in a vacuum, could even be looked at as a value contract on the terms the Lakers got him at.
But, on a team that already had Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, using the team’s room exception on a small, shot-creating guard like Sexton instead of going after a big wing who could help fill the void in the frontcourt was certainly a choice.
And now, over two months later, with the team’s offseason functionally over, training camp just weeks away, and the hole at the forward spot vacated by LeBron James still without a clear candidate universally believed capable of filling it currently on the roster, the Sexton signing remains top of mind for those looking to be critical of the choices President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka made when trying to build out this team.
So, though he might actually be the most established player the Lakers signed when it comes to production and ability to fill the job he’ll be asked to on opening night, it feels as though Sexton might actually have the most to prove. The reason is as simple as to show he can be more than a luxury as the team’s backup point guard, and more of a necessary rotation piece who allows head coach JJ Redick to establish the sort of offensive dominance he’s not yet been able to get to in his two seasons as Lakers head coach.
What is his best-case scenario?
Much of Sexton’s career has been spent playing on bad teams whose lethargic pursuit of wins, combined with the broader offensive limitations of those rosters, has put too much responsibility on his shoulders to be a main shot creator and offensive fulcrum. This has led to Sexton having some strong individual seasons as a scorer, but in the macro sense, too many campaigns where his overall efficiency and shot creation for others have come into question.
The hope for Sexton on these Lakers is that this sort of paradigm shift allows for him to take a meaningful step forward in ways that impact winning. Said another way, this season’s Lakers should have a particularly dynamic offense that makes Sexton’s life easier to a degree in which he can not only thrive as a scorer, but his efficiency and playmaking increase simply because the decisions and scenarios he’s put into will be so favorable.
Whether playing next to Luka or Austin, Sexton will have more opportunities to be a second-side creator who gets the ball in more advantageous situations where he can either take open catch-and-shoot threes or attack closeouts that lead to easier scoring chances. And when Sexton starts possessions with the ball, the attention Dončić and Reaves require should free him up to be the best on-ball version of himself too.
Further, coming off the bench should allow Sexton to play in the parts of games where the flow is looser and the general level of competition is not the same as when both teams’ starters are in. This should also allow him a bit more freedom overall, and offer more chances to succeed and thrive.
What is his worst-case scenario?
Sexton has never averaged fewer than 14.3 points and has only shot under 45% from the field once, all the way back in his rookie season. In other words, as a scoring guard coming off the bench, a baseline level of production has historically been baked into Sexton’s minutes.
So, rather than viewing what would be considered an outright bad season through a lens of box score stats, what would constitute a worst-case is much more likely tied to his role or fit within this roster not coming to fruition in ways where he’s positively impacting the team.
In other words, there’s a scenario in which Sexton ends up not getting as many opportunities to impact the game offensively and instead becomes more of a watcher and low-volume spot-up shooter who never quite finds his rhythm or flow. And while he still might find ways to get his numbers, those come mostly by playing on island when Luka or Austin is resting/taking possessions off or in transition rather than being a cog in a machine that keeps the defense on tilt.
And then, in this scenario, his lack of clean fit on offense exacerbates the challenges he has on defense, ultimately leading to even more inconsistency with his minutes and playing time. This, then, only reinforces the original critiques of his signing, leading to more second-guessing and questioning of him as a player and his fit, which impacts chemistry and generally brings the vibe of the team down, to say nothing of creating challenges for Redick to find and play the best lineups more often.
What is his most likely role on the team?
Sexton was signed to be the backup point guard who can serve as a spot starter should Luka or Austin miss time. I see very little in either his makeup as a player or his history of production to dissuade me from believing he can and will be able to fill this role well — maybe even to the point where he distinguishes himself as one of the better backups in the league.
Beyond that, I think his presence on the team and the discussions it fosters will be more fodder for the talking heads than it will actually matter negatively for the Lakers. I understand there were some inherent tradeoffs of signing him vs. chasing a different archetype of player, but I also believe he’ll be well worth his salary and that he’ll be truly helpful to the team.
Does that mean the Lakers couldn’t use another type of player too? Of course not, but multiple things can be true at once. Fact is, it was always going to be difficult — if not impossible — for the Lakers to fill every need in a single offseason on a roster they purposefully stripped down.
And if they didn’t have Sexton, they’d likely be relying on Bronny or a minimum-level player to fill that role while plugging their starting forward slot with a player of similar or lesser quality to Sexton.
That they went this route could be viewed as the wrong choice, but my gut says Sexton will be good enough in his role to justify his spot on the team even though it won’t erase the needs the roster has in other spots.
Team Red features much of the expected NHL group, while Team Black is made up largely of players expected to start the season with the Calgary Wranglers, along with several prospects looking to make a strong impression.
With preseason games coming up, here are some of the names and storylines worth watching from each group.
For the most part, this is the group that gives us an early look at the players expected to be competing for spots on the Flames’ opening-night roster.
There is also an interesting prospect mixed into the group.
Chase Harrington, the Flames’ second-round pick from the 2026 NHL Draft, gets an early opportunity to skate alongside NHL veterans.
Harrington is coming off his junior career with the Spokane Chiefs, where he recorded 57 points, including 28 goals and 29 assists, in 61 games last season.
At this point, camp is about getting a first look at how prospects fit into the bigger picture. For Harrington, being around the NHL group provides an opportunity to show what he can do against stronger competition.
Team Black is largely made up of players expected to form the core of the Flames’ AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to watch.
Andrew Basha, Jonathan Castagna, Rory Kerins, Sam Morton and Aydar Suniev are among the younger players looking to make an impression and put themselves into the conversation for NHL opportunities.
A strong camp doesn’t necessarily mean an immediate NHL roster spot, but it can go a long way toward establishing where a player sits on the organization’s depth chart when injuries or roster needs arise during the season.
William Strömgren is another player worth keeping an eye on.
After getting an NHL call-up last season, Strömgren enters this year’s camp with some experience at the next level and another opportunity to push his way further up the organization.
Brzustewicz in the Blue-Line Mix
One of the bigger names on Team Black is defenceman Hunter Brzustewicz.
That NHL experience gives him something to build on as he enters another training camp.
The Flames added Simon Nemec and Jake Middleton to the blue line this offseason, creating another layer to the competition for NHL spots.
For Brzustewicz, the task is pretty straightforward: have a strong camp, carry over what he learned from last season and make the decision as difficult as possible for the coaching staff.
What to Watch as Camp Continues
The roster split gives us an early snapshot of how the Flames are organizing their group, but there is still plenty of time for things to change.
The preseason will provide a better indication of where some of these players fit, particularly among the prospects and younger players competing for NHL opportunities.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 16: Brandon Nimmo #24 of the Texas Rangers runs home to score on a single by Ezequiel Duran #20 (not pictured) against the Boston Red Sox in the seventh inning at Globe Life Field on September 16, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In non-Rangers news, Blake Snell left his start for the Dodgers yesterday after just one inning due to a groin issue, and Aaron Judge departed prematurely from the Yankees’ game against the Twins yesterday due to leg tightness.
Ken Rosenthal writes about some managerial situations that are potentially up in the air when the season ends, including sixty percent of the American League West.
MILWAUKEE, WI - SEPTEMBER 12: Brady Singer #51 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Saturday, September 12, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Kylie Bridenhagen/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
You need not dig too deeply through the annals of Major League Baseball history to discover a time when the Cincinnati Reds sported one of the finest collections of starting pitching in the land. In fact, you need only turn back the clock to last year to find the Reds, with 15.6 collective fWAR, ranking as the 2nd best starting pitching unit in the sport.
Oh, how times change!
Despite Chase Burns emerging as a legitimate ace prior to having his innings curtailed, Cincinnati’s starters sit with a meager 8.0 fWAR combined so far this season. That ranks 22nd overall, and given the rate at which they’ve been getting shelled lately there’s reason to believe that number could even shrink before season’s end.
(Where have you gone, Hunter Greene’s elbow? Reds nation turns their lonely eyes to you.)
As Cincinnati slumps its way towards game 162, it’s worth pointing out the meteoric fall of two starters in particular.
As of the morning of September 17th, there have been 52 big league pitchers to log 150 innings so far this season, and not a single one has a higher FIP (5.40) than Brady Singer, who’ll start this afternoon in the series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers. That’s the guy that the front office hinted might get a $23 million qualifying offer at season’s end after they didn’t deal him away at the trade deadline.
Meanwhile, you need not look far down that bad-news leaderboard to find a fellow Reds starter, as Andrew Abbott (4.90) ranks 3rd worst. So, Cincinnati has had a bit of durability from these arms – as I mentioned, fewer than two starters per club have reached 150 IP so far this season, on average – but the ones the Reds have had clear that mark rank as the guys who more likely than not shouldn’t be pitching that much after all.
It’s almost like they lost their pitching coach mysteriously in the middle of the season and couldn’t remember how to throw anymore.
With just over two weeks remaining in the 2026 season, it’s unlikely that either of these two finds a new gear, a new pitch, a new approach that rights their respective ships enough for it to matter in the larger sample. That’s work that will be reserved for the long, cold offseason when Cincinnati once again gets to lick its wounds while other clubs play meaningful postseason ball. Whether or not it’ll be a long enough winter for them to fix all the problems remains to be seen.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 12: Kyle Harrison #52 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch in the game against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field on September 12, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a come-from-behind win on Wednesday night, the Brewers are looking for a sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Thursday afternoon, as the team is now just three wins away from setting a new franchise record and five wins away from a 100-win season.
Left-hander Kyle Harrison gets the ball for the Crew, and while his season stats still look solid — 3.98 ERA, 4.03 FIP, and 134 strikeouts over 110 2/3 innings — he’s really struggled in his last few outings. Spanning 7 1/3 innings over two starts and a relief appearance, Harrison has allowed a whopping 19 runs (17 earned) on 23 hits (including six homers) and six walks while striking out seven. That’s raised his ERA and FIP from 2.79 and 3.30, respectively. He’ll look to get back on the right track against a team he’s had plenty of success against — across 17 career innings against the Pirates, he’s allowed no runs and struck out 29. That includes a pair of wins this season, as he’s totaled 11 innings with 22 strikeouts against them.
Opposite Harrison is right-hander Wilber Dotel. Dotel, 23, has made 19 appearances this season, and this will be just his second start. Across 35 1/3 innings here in his rookie year, he’s 1-5 with a 4.84 ERA, 2.98 FIP, and 36 strikeouts. He pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning against the Brewers in Tuesday night’s loss, allowing a hit and striking out one. His only other start came on Friday against the Cubs, when he went two innings and allowed three runs before Khristian Curtis (3 IP, 6 ER) and Antwone Kelly (3 IP, 3 ER) finished things out in a 12-2 loss.
In roster news, the Brewers have designated left-handed reliever Rob Zastryzny for assignment. Zastryzny, 34, made 35 appearances for the Brewers between 2024 and 2025, pitching to a 2.12 ERA, 4.09 FIP, and 25 strikeouts across 29 2/3 innings. He hasn’t appeared in any major league games this year as he’s dealt with multiple injuries and setbacks. He was sent on his latest rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville last week, but the Brewers activated and DFA’d him today. The move doesn’t open a 40-man spot, as Zastryzny was on the 60-day IL.
Brice Turang sits in the leadoff spot today, followed by Luis Lara and Jackson Chourio. Andrew Vaughn bats cleanup, with Gary Sánchez in the five-hole. Joey Ortiz, Sal Frelick, Bo Naylor, and David Hamilton round things out, as regular starters Jake Bauers, William Contreras, Garrett Mitchell, Cooper Pratt, and Christian Yelich all get the day off.
First pitch is set for an early 11:35 a.m. CT and will be on Brewers TV and the Brewers Radio Network.
