These online rumors and accusations gained traction because they're believable. Whether they are true or not is another question.
During All-Star Weekend, accusations started to fly on social media that Kevin Durant was behind several "burner" accounts where, in texts, he was very critical of teammates and coaches, both from the current Rockets team and from previous squads.
"I know you gotta ask these questions, but I'm not here to get into Twitter nonsense."
That is not about to stop the online speculation, nor is it a denial.
Durant is one of the more active players on social media — he has almost 20 million followers on X (formerly Twitter, as Durant still calls it) and 14 million on Instagram — and is not afraid to play the troll and mix it up with fans on those platforms. He has a history with burner accounts dating back to an incident in 2017, where several tweets from a personal or 'burner' Twitter account about his exit from Oklahoma City were exposed, and he publicly apologized for that. In 2021, Durant was fined $50,000 by the NBA for "homophobic and misogynistic language" in an Instagram DM exchange with actor Michael Rapaport (who made the exchange public). He has admitted on a podcast that he had used burner accounts so he could express himself more freely online without the glare of the spotlight.
All of that makes it believable that Durant has burner accounts now. It, however, does not prove that these comments came from Durant. That remains online speculation.
A jersey the Dallas Mavericks phenom wore in his NBA debut earlier this season sold privately this month for $1 million, auction house Sotheby’s announced Thursday.
Cooper Flagg made his debut on Oct. 22 when the Mavericks played the Spurs at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Getty Images
The price tag makes it not only the most expensive Flagg memorabilia to date, but also the costliest jersey ever sold through NBA Auctions, besting the $762,000 figure Victor Wembanyama’s rookie-debut threads netted in 2023, Sotheby’s added.
Flagg donned the white-and-blue uni on Oct. 22, when the Mavericks faced the Spurs at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Flagg’s #32 debut jersey sold privately for $1 million earlier this month, Sotheby’s announced. Sotheby's
The former Duke star, who was just 18 years old at the time, played 32 minutes and scored 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting. He added 10 rebounds and one steal. The Mavericks got blown out, 125–92.
Flagg went on to have a stellar first half of the season, averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest in 49 games before the NBA’s All-Star break.
“The $1 million result for Cooper Flagg’s rookie debut jersey is a powerful testament to the significance collectors place on true ‘first moments’ in sport,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of modern collectables.
The Cooper Flagg debut jersey is now the Mavericks phenom’s most expensive piece of memorabilia. Sotheby's
“This jersey captures the very beginning of a special career, one carrying huge expectations and excitement.”
Several other rookie debut jerseys, including ones worn by 76ers guard V.J. Edgecombe, Hornets guard Kon Knueppel and Spurs guard Dylan Harper, will go up for sale in an “NBA Rookie Debut Auction” next month, Sotheby’s said.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
As nations battle for the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the Los Angeles Kings and the rest of the NHL get a break for a few weeks.
Many organizations saw this break as an opportunity for players with injuries to rest and heal. At the same time, it's a chance for teams to handle in-house business.
For the Kings, a piece of that business would include young defenseman Brandt Clarke. The 23-year-old is in the final season of his entry-level contract, earning $863,334 against the salary cap.
Though Clarke is a pending RFA on an expiring contract, there hasn't been much rumbling surrounding a potential contract extension for the D-man.
Clarke is projected to become a cornerstone of the Kings' defense in the coming years, if he isn't at that level already.
In 56 games this season, Clarke has six goals and 27 points. Not only does he lead all Kings defensemen in scoring, including veteran and Team Canada's Drew Doughty, but he's sixth on the team.
The blueliner is just one point behind right winger Corey Perry and three points behind center Quinton Byfield as the fifth and fourth-highest scorers on the Kings, respectively.
Furthermore, with a team that has been up and down all year long in terms of consistent results, Clarke is tied for second on Los Angeles in plus-minus with a plus-eight rating. That's tied with Adrian Kempe and behind Anze Kopitar's plus-12 rating.
Also, Clarke has the defensive metrics to back up his performances on both ends of the ice. He's first in the NHL among defensemen in expected goals against per 60 minutes when he is on the ice (2.23), according to moneypuck.com.
Additionally, Clarke is fifth among NHL blueliners in on-ice goals percentage, hovering with stars such as Cale Makar, Lane Hutson and Evan Bouchard in that category.
With all these impressive numbers and performances showing that the offense-minded defenseman can still be effective in a defensive system, what is the holdup on signing him to a contract extension?
Clarke has the tools to be a difference-making D-man for years to come, but the window to lock up the youngster is getting smaller as the days go on. And if he remains without a new deal when the regular season kicks up again, there may be a little more concern and panic than there should have been.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The New York Mets will play their first Grapefruit League game of 2026 on Saturday afternoon at Clover Park.
Brandon Waddell will be on the mound for the spring opener and some notable names will be noticeably absent.
But there have been some clues about what could potentially come down the line for the Mets before the upcoming season. There are some intriguing names, noteworthy injuries and position battles to watch.
Here are three way-too-early predictions for the 2026 season about two weeks into spring training:
Craig Kimbrel wins a bullpen spot
There appears to be about two open spots in the Mets bullpen as Grapefruit League action begins.
The unit is headed by Devin Williams, Luke Weaver and Brooks Raley and fortified following the trade with the Brewers that brought in Tobias Myers.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that if Myers is healthy, he's on the team. They also added Luis Garcia on a one-year deal in January.
The Mets signed Craig Kimbrel to a minor league deal two weeks before spring training with a chance to earn a major league deal.
"We like what we saw toward the end of last year. There's a reason why we brought him in here," Mendoza said. "What we want to see is the guy that he's been throughout his career. That breaking ball is elite. He attacks. He's got that mentality that he knows what it takes to get three outs. He's willing to pitch in any role."
Kimbrel has made a strong impression in the early going with his quality demeanor in the clubhouse. He appears to be moving past the back injuries that have plagued him in recent years and has added a cutter and changeup to his repertoire.
He had a strong finish to 2025 with the Astros, striking out 16 in 11 innings and allowing three earned runs. If he can back up that success, he could be an early player for the Mets.
Francisco Lindor returns in time but Ronny Mauricio looms
It is a near impossible feat to pry Francisco Lindor from the baseball diamond.
The Mets shortstop has been nursing a surgically-repaired left hand this spring but continues to venture out to the diamond, station himself behind the infield dirt or serve as support for the coaching staff during drills by catching with his off hand.
Mendoza, Lindor and David Stearns are optimistic that he can be ready for Opening Day, with a six-week recovery including time to ramp up and strengthen the hand. Any minor setbacks would hamper that goal, and with a 162-game season ahead, would it be worth sending Lindor out there if the power is not back fully?
The club has options there, with Ronny Mauricio among the players receiving reps at the position in Lindor's absence. Bo Bichette continues to get comfortable at third base early in spring training.
Mendoza has lamented the fact that Mauricio seemed stuck behind a logjam of infielders last season, but this could be the chance for the 24-year-old infielder to see major league action early in the 2026 season. And he has one minor league option available to use once Lindor is fully healthy.
Carson Benge begins season in Triple A
On the back fields during live batting practice, Carson Benge has put a few dents in the roof of the garage beyond right field.
Benge's presence was brought up by Juan Soto when he discussed shifting over left field. There are clearly lofty expectations for what the 23-year-old, 2024 first-round pick can provide.
But the truth of the matter is that despite a strong set of tools, including a "plus-plus arm" according to Mendoza, Benge has only played 24 games in Triple A. And while the underlying metrics are more positive, he was 16-for-90 in action for Syracuse.
"We want to see quality at-bats. We want him to see him get into the outfield. It's also gonna depend on what some other guys do, right?" David Stearns said at the offset of spring training. "It's not all going to be dependent on how Carson looks.
"We're not gonna get too preoccupied with surface line results one way or anther. We'll make the best decision that we can on Opening Day, recognizing that Opening Day is one day and rosters can change pretty quickly."
That suggests that the Mets will not be rushing Benge into the major leagues if they can avoid it. The front office brought in MJ Melendez right before spring training and Mike Tauchman is reportedly on the way to further give the Mets backup in the corner outfield early in the offseason.
"He's got a really good arm. Watching him yesterday making some throws, he is a plus-plus arm," Mendoza said. "A lot of the things that we were
"I think evaluations in spring training are always a little bit fraught and we know that. We want to see quality at-bats. We want him to see him get into the outfield. It's also gonna depend on what some other guys do, right? It's not all going to be dependent on how Carson looks. We're not gonna get too preoccupied with surface line results one way or anther. We'll make the best decision that we can on Opening Day, recognizing that Opening Day is one day and rosters can change pretty quickly.
"I want him to be himself. That's the conversation I already had with him. Go out there and be yourself. I know there's a lot of noise and you're gonna get a real opportunity here but don't try to do too much, understanding that you're going to go 0-for at times. You're probably going to drop a fly ball, especially in spring training with the high skies and windy conditions. Don't let nothing bother you. Quality of the at-bats, the way he's competing, how he's going to bounce back after a tough game, the way he carries himself, the interation with players. I want to see him play the outfield. I think it comes down to quality at-bats and how he bounces back when it's not easy.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 02: Yency Almonte #38 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after closing out the seventh inning of a game against the Oakland Athletics at Dodger Stadium on August 02, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Veteran reliever Yency Almonte is back with the Dodgers on a minor league contract, rejoining a team he pitched for in both 2022 and 2023.
Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic reported the signing, and earlier Thursday morning Almonte himself posted a picture on Instagram of him holding a Dodgers cap in front of his locker at Camelback Ranch.
Almonte has battled injuries over the past four seasons, including right shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum in July 2024 while with the Cubs. He didn’t pitch in the majors in 2025, spending the entire season on the 60-day injured list. He did last year pitch 15 games in the minors on rehab between High-A South Bend and Double-A Knoxville, posting a 1.86 ERA in 19 1/3 innings, with 17 strikeouts and 10 walks.
Traded to the Cubs in the Michael Busch deal, Almonte in 2024 had a 3.45 ERA and 3.29 xERA in 17 games with 20 strikeouts and eight walks in 15 2/3 innings before succumbing to his shoulder injury.
Almonte, who turns 32 in June, has a 4.44 career ERA in 213 games, all relief appearances for the Rockies, Dodgers, and Cubs over seven major league seasons, with 215 strikeouts and 95 walks in 223 innings.
The Buffalo Sabres are certainly a team to watch leading up to the 2026 NHL trade deadline. At this point of the season, they are on the right side of the playoff line and should be looking to add to their roster because of it.
Due to this, the Sabres are being urged to address a specific trade need.
"Their biggest need, however, might simply be some additional defensive depth for their bottom-pairing. Their top four is very solid, but if you want to win in the playoffs, you are going to need at least seven or eight capable NHL defensemen to account for injuries and just have enough quality players that can get you through 60 minutes without being a liability," Gretz wrote.
When looking at the Sabres' current roster, it is certainly fair to argue that they could use at least one more depth defenseman. Adding another right-shot defenseman would be ideal, but even bringing in a left-shot upgrade for their third pairing would be beneficial for the Sabres.
The trade market is expected to have several options leading up to the deadline. Gretz mentioned Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley and Chicago Blackhawks blueliner Connor Murphy as two potential options for Buffalo. However, there are several other names in the rumor mill right now that could also be fits for Buffalo, like Luke Schenn (Jets), Braden Schneider (New York Rangers), Zach Whitecloud (Calgary Flames), and Simon Benoit (Toronto Maple Leafs).
Nevertheless, it is going to be interesting to see what moves the Sabres end up making ahead of the deadline from here.
With all the excitement of the 2026 men's Olympic hockey tournament, it's easy to forget that the NHL trade deadline is quietly creeping up on us. And sometime between now and the March 6 deadline, the Ottawa Senators will have to make some difficult decisions.
If they decide to hit the trade market, upgrading the right side of their blue line is near the top of their wish list, but it has to be a deal that makes sense for a team that's six points (and three teams) out of a playoff spot with 25 games to play.
If the Senators fail to do something, or just choose not to, they do have an intriguing right shot option down in the minors; a former first-rounder, who's really good with the puck.
Actually, they have two of them.
2024 first-rounder Carter Yakemchuk would generally be the first name that springs to mind, but Lassi Thomson has suddenly become a name of interest again.
Thomson, drafted by Ottawa five years before Yakemchuk, has 11 points in his last 15 games in Belleville and leads all AHL defensemen in scoring with 12. And if skating mobility in one specific case is an issue the Sens are trying to fix (spoiler: it is), that's probably Thomson's biggest strength.
"Well, he's such a gifted skater, right?" Belleville interim head coach Andrew Campbell told TSN 1200 radio on Tuesday. "So the more we can get Lassi involved in the rush and involved in the offense, it not only benefits Lassi's style of play, but benefits us as a team."
Since taking over as head coach from David Bell in December, Campbell says he and his staff have made some adjustments to get the D more involved in different areas of the game. While Campbell didn't say as much, it wouldn't be a surprise if that's a directive from Ottawa to specifically assist in Yakemchuk's development.
But Thomson, who's a better skater, and much further along in his pro development, seems to have benefitted as well.
"It's really done wonders for Lassi because of his pace and skating," Campbell said. "Like I said, he's he's probably one of the better skaters in in the whole league, so, yeah, he's driven our offense from the back end and he does lead the league in goals for defensemen. So, some really good stuff from Lassi."
In 2024, about a month before Yakemchuk was drafted, Thomson left Ottawa to play in Sweden, where he led Malmo in points in 2024-25. Interestingly, while he was gone, the Sens ended up needed a right shot callup last season. With Travis Hamonic nearing the end, Belleville's Nikolas Matinpalo came up and played half the season and all of Ottawa's playoff games.
So, when Thomson opted to re-sign with the Sens last summer, he was probably thinking he had a real NHL opportunity. It was pretty clear Hamonic wasn't going to be extended, Nick Jensen was coming off major hip surgery, Yakemchuk is still a kid, and Thomson probably felt like he could compete with Matinpalo, his ex-Belleville teammate.
But a couple of weeks after Thomson signed, the Senators acquired defenseman Jordan Spence in a draft day deal with the LA Kings. Spence and Matinpalo both made the NHL roster, and the veteran Jensen was activated for opening night.
So the Sens placed Thomson on waivers again, which has meant another year in Belleville. But he seems to be in a great headspace, with more goals and points already this season than he did in his last full season in Belleville two years ago, and there's no question that his big role in Sweden last season helped him get to this point.
"Yeah, obviously, I would say I got a lot of confidence last year and I'm trying to build from that," Thomson told the BSens Entertainment Network last month. "So I think it was a big thing for me just to get that confidence back and (remind myself) why I got drafted here."
Thomson wasn't drafted on Steve Staios' watch, but Staios still thought enough of the player to bring him back. It was Pierre Dorion and his staff who chose the former Kelowna Rockets star 19th overall in 2019. Six months later, he captained Team Finland at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
But Thomson opted that season to leave Kelowna and return to his hometown team in Tampere, Finland. It was either homesickness, or a desire to accelerate development by playing in a men's league - maybe a bit of both. While it's nothing more than speculation, playing against men as an 18-year-old may not have had the desired developmental effect.
When Thomson left the Sens organization as an RFA in 2024, five years after his draft day, he had appeared in just 18 career games for Ottawa. What's more, he had just come off a discouraging season where he was waived by the Senators, claimed by Anaheim, waived by the Ducks a few days later, then reclaimed by the Sens, who sent him to Belleville for the entire 2023-24 campaign without a single call up.
Max Guenette got a call up to Ottawa for 7 games that season.
None of this was great for Thomson's confidence, or his sense of worth to the organization. But now, at age 25, he finally seems to be coming into his own.
As a Group 6 UFA this summer, with all he's been through, Thomson may already by eyeballing a fresh start with another NHL organization. But before he does, if the circumstances are right, it might be worth taking one last NHL look, depending on what happens at the deadline and down the stretch.
Steve Warne The Hockey News
This article was first published at The Hockey News-Ottawa. Read more Senators features and articles from THN Ottawa here:
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 20: Dominick Barlow #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during a game against the Phoenix Suns at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 20, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Heading into the season, the Philadelphia 76ers had a gargantuan-sized hole at the power forward position.
With limited avenues available in offseason free agency based on the team’s salary cap situation, Daryl Morey sought to spackle over the hole by signing Trendon Watford to a minimum contract and bringing in a couple of two-way contract signings, Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker. Watford has been productive at times after being slow out of the gate due to injury, while Walker has exceeded expectations in his own right, recently signing a standard NBA contract.
However, Barlow, who also has since been awarded a standard deal with the Sixers, proved to be the true diamond in the rough.
The 6-foot-9 forward has made 36 starts across 43 appearances for Philadelphia this season. His averages of 8.5 points and 5.0 rebounds don’t jump off the page, but as a “doing the little things All-Star,” Dominick was integral to the Sixers exceeding expectations heading into the All-Star break.
Barlow fits as the perfect glue guy alongside the team’s high-usage stars. While he does have some off-the-dribble game, he does most of his damage without the ball in his hands, whether setting screens, spotting up in the corner, or lurking in the dunker spot. Barlow’s 10 offensive rebounds against the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this month were a perfect encapsulation of how he causes damage when the opposing defense takes their eyes off him to focus on his higher-profile teammates.
Defensively, Barlow is a Swiss-army knife, with great length and the ability to fluidly switch on the perimeter. While he’s not a prodigious shot blocker, Nick Nurse has still occasionally turned to small-ball lineups with Barlow at the five. There’s a lot of value in someone able to competently defend across multiple positions, particularly within Nurse’s defensive scheme.
If you had to rank reasons for the Sixers’ success thus far, it’s probably Tyrese Maxey jumping from All-Star to All-NBA, Joel Embiid and (pre-suspension) Paul George having better than expected health, VJ Edgecombe being an absolute stud the minute he stepped on an NBA court, and then Barlow. Barlow went from a two-way player to someone who they needed to sign to a standard NBA contract so badly that they just had to trade away a second-year former lottery pick in Jared McCain (that’s not true at all, but it’s crazy from the Barlow perspective that the team used that spin for it).
Is Barlow a perfect player? No, you’d like to have him shoot better than 28.6 percent from three, for starters. But after having genuine stars, having legitimate starters on minimum-salary contracts is probably the most beneficial contribution to a roster build. He may not get mentioned much by media outside the Delaware Valley when discussing the Sixers as a fun story this season, but Barlow should be right alongside the better names when singing this team’s praises.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 14: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks at a press conference during 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at Intuit Dome on February 14, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Currently, the Washington Wizards are one of the worst teams in the NBA standings. It is no secret that they are trying to get a high pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Meanwhile, the NBA itself is looking to deter teams from tanking for long periods of time. One possible idea of it is by creating a tournament among lottery teams where the winner of the tournament gets the top pick in the draft.
DEVELOPING: The NBA is discussing creating a tournament among lottery teams to determine draft order in order to stop tanking.
TrillBroDude, SB Nation’s NBA “Feed” administrator, originally wrote a post last week which had some good feedback. In particular, Gaboshyn had a solid comment which I will quote an excerpt below.
As far as I can tell, the NBA is discussing these three actions:
Limiting Draft Pick Protections: The league is looking to limit protections on traded first-round picks to only top-four or top-14 (and higher), eliminating the “middle” protections that encourage teams to lose just enough to land in a specific, protected spot.
Prohibiting Back-to-Back Top-Four Picks: A proposal to stop teams from drafting in the top four in consecutive years, which would reduce the incentive for multi-year “tank-athons”.
Locking Lottery Positions Early: The NBA is considering locking in lottery positions based on the standings as of March 1. This would prevent teams from dropping in the standings—and increasing their lottery odds—by sitting players in the final month of the season.
It’s clear that the NBA wants to curb tanking to the extent possible. And here’s my take on a tournament, draft protections, etc.
On a tournament: The worst team in the NBA will be among the least talented as well. I don’t see a tournament being fair to those teams who will likely have a lower pick and get punished for being bad AND not have the talented enough to win either.
Draft pick protections on trades: This is a fair move to make.
Prohibiting back-to-back Top 4 picks: I think Top 4 may be a bit too restrictive. But I can see teams being prohibited from a Top 2 pick for consecutive years.
Locking lottery positions early: Locking the positions by a certain date sounds good in theory, but then teams that are looking to tank will tank even harder in the first several months of the season. Not sure the records of such teams will improve very much after Mar. 1 or whatever arbitrary date they settle on.
I liked the responses from the Feed post and provided some more thoughts. Anyway, do you have more opinions on this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
NEW YORK - JUNE 22: NBA Draft Prospect, Jeremy Sochan poses for a portrait during media availability and circuit as part of the 2022 NBA Draft on July 22, 2022 at the Westin Times Square in New York City. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Knicks basketball is back as New York takes on Detroit for a third and final time this season.
The Pistons won the first two meetings easily, but they have their two brutes—Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart—suspended for Thursday.
On the losses to the Pistons ahead of Thursday’s matchup:
“Yeah it should. They didn’t just win the game. They beat us pretty bad. So for us, I don’t want to say this game is more important than the next game. Every game is extremely important, but there comes a certain point when you’re in competition. If wins and losses are as lopsided as those two losses, that should shake you up a little bit. At the end of the day, we win tomorrow or win the next two games or however many games we play them, that doesn’t necessarily guarantee come playoff time or vice-versa. I’m a firm believer that I’ve been around this thing too long enough to see some teams go 0-4 and still win the series and some teams go 3-4 and still win the series. So that part doesn’t matter, it’s just about how the first two games turned out for us.”
On the need for evaluating Sochan before the playoffs:
“[Sochan] knows the league. The league knows him. He knows the officials and vice-versa, so they’re gonna get an opportunity, but at the end of the day, I’m gonna play who I think is best for us and right now, Jeremy, he hadn’t played for us, so I’ve gotta see — rather quickly — what we have in him before getting to the playoffs.”
On new lineup combinations and Sochan’s fit:
“When we put our rotation together, I try to think of how the group on the floor fits for a lot of different reasons, not just because this guy is a high-level shooter and this guy is not a high level shooter, but can this center play with this power forward? Can this guard play with this guard in terms of being able to bring the ball and handle against pressure? So there are a lot of different–does this group have enough guys that can go defensive rebound? So I try to look at a lot of different combinations when it comes to putting them together or the pros and cons of the individuals when it comes to putting the individuals together, and it’ll be no different with Jeremy or Jose at the end of the day.”
On Sochan’s size and versatility:
“When you look at Jeremy, you like his size right off the bat, especially for a four. OG is of that size but nobody else really is of that size. And you look at the versatility, over the years, he’s been able to guard one through five, and so to have that versatility on that end of the floor is huge, especially if OG’s out. We’re a lot smaller if OG or Josh or they both are out. And then [Jeremy’s] energy, his physicality, all those things that don’t necessarily show up in a stat sheet in my opinion are welcomed by any team.”
On missing OG Anunoby’s presence:
“At that size and skill set, you always miss that when he’s out. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who’s in uniform. You’ve gotta go try and play the right way to win but it’s good to see him back on the floor for sure.”
On Sochan’s expected role:
“I’m not sure how many minutes I’m going to play him, but I plan on trying to use him. And hopefully we get to a point where he’s versatile enough to play one through five for us.”
On Mo Diawara’s future with Sochan in tow:
“Mo’s had a good season so far. As a young guy… and, as you guys know, I’ll play young guys. I have played young guys in front of vets before. But I’m going to give Jeremy an opportunity.”
On Landry Shamet as a true professional:
“When you think of a (true professional), you think on time. When you tell him something, he always looks you in the eye, always trying to correct things. Always playing hard. Never making excuses. Sacrificing for his teammates. Always thinking team first. He can play two minutes, come out and be OK. Or he can play 30 minutes in a row, come out and be OK. The maintenance aspect isn’t there. He’s always connected to the group, trying to help others be connected and his competitive spirit is off the charts. He believes in his teammates and the process. He wants to be held accountable. All those things bode well for having someone like (Shamet) on your team.”
.@JLEdwardsIII "Do you have relationships with the players here?
Jeremy Sochan "I know Jordan Clarkson…he's from San Antonio…The rest is just during games, talking sh*t…OG's from England too, Josh supports a sh*t club Chelsea––
On struggling with his diminishing role in San Antonio:
“Yeah, it’s tough. In my whole career, I’ve never been sitting on the bench and getting DNPs [did not play, coach’s decision]. You go through a process of questioning why or what’s happening. It can get stressful. But at the end of the day, I came from England, where basketball’s not big. I know my worth. I know what I can bring to the team, and I’m blessed that the organization here has seen that.”
On a fresh start in New York:
“I’m super excited to get a fresh slate and show what I can do.”
On what he brings to the Knicks:
“[I bring] energy, the kind of mold that coach has been doing and what the Knicks have been doing and what he wants from me, I feel I can really excel in. I bring versatility, defense, energy, a little bit of that nasty, so I can’t wait.”
On the lack of opportunity in San Antonio:
“Just no real opportunity, in my opinion. And it is what it is. It’s a very deep team. And maybe I didn’t see eye to eye with Coach, and Coach didn’t see anything I could do for the team. And it is what it is. And I’m just blessed to be in an opportunity where I can grow and blossom.”
On choosing New York as a free agent:
“We’ve talked a lot and it’s just seizing whatever opportunity I can get. And I think one of the reasons I picked New York is it’s a really deep roster, a lot of really talented players. I think it’s a pretty cool opportunity to watch and grow from that too. I think I’m still young, too. So just being around players who have established themselves and have done a lot of stuff in this league is a crazy opportunity for me. … I do believe in myself and I do believe I can do well on the court, too. But I do look at it in the bigger picture. And what’s happening here, I think I can be a part of it.”
On the NYC culture:
“Very excited. The culture here, at the Knicks and New York in general, is crazy and very global. And I feel like I’m global, too. So I’m just super excited to be here and just grow with this city and the club.”
On his versatility and level of effort:
“I’m versatile. I can do a little bit of everything, so whatever coach wants me to do, you know, whatever gets me on the court, I’m gonna do it and I’m gonna do it 100 percent.”
On always being himself on court amid comparisons to Draymond Green:
“At the end of the day, I wanna be Jeremy. I wanna be myself. … I bring versatility, defense, energy, a little bit of tenacity, so I can’t wait.”
On fitting Mike Brown’s plans:
“I think I embody what Mike Brown is asking from his players. I’m a quick learner, so I think I’ve been doing pretty well… The way I view everything is team-first. I’m always gonna be there for my teammates on and off the court. I’m bringing energy, positive vibes and I think that’s the most important thing – consistency. Whether that’s on the court, off the court, I’m gonna be myself every time.”
Last fall, I met Jalen Brunson at his go-to spot to talk about his rise, taking less in his last contract, the Thibs firing, staying out of front office matters, and whether the Knicks can win it all.
On Knicks lacking intangibles compared to last season:
“We’re very gifted. We’re very talented. But we need the little things that help us be better, the intangibles. We got to that point last year where we had it. We don’t have it right now.”
On his contract sacrifice and future expectations:
“If I’m thinking about playing well to make sure I get paid, that could mess with me. I play best when I have a free mind, and that did that for me. A lot of people say I sacrificed for the team. One hundred percent, I sacrificed for the team. But most importantly, I made sure my family and I are taken care of. … Obviously, we’d love for them to do right by me. I think anyone would. I feel like I sacrificed.”
On regular season vs. playoffs:
“I don’t look at regular-season games as a barometer because, come playoffs, it’s a different basketball game. Especially when you talk about a seven-game series. I’ve been with different teams that went to the Finals or played deep in the playoffs that lost the season series to teams and still won in the playoffs.”
On the meaning of true professionalism:
“It should be. It’s not as common (as you would think). It’s more than showing up every day. If you’re doing the bare minimum, you’re not a true professional.”
On Shamet’s value around the league:
“He’s also a big asset. He does a lot for the teams he’s on, and other teams see that. It’s who he has been. I’ve seen that from afar playing against him, and it’s even better when you’re playing with him.”
If you look at media day and postgame interviews each All-Star gave, KAT's are the longest both times
Here PR tries to literally pull him away to his next event but he won't go
Answers a question about youth sports in the Dominican Republic
“I’m not for sure exactly how or what led up to it, but I had it removed. It’s getting better each day. It’s not even 2 weeks yet. But it’s healing and each day, it’s getting better and better. I have no toenail. I don’t know when it’ll grow back.”
Josh Hart
On Shamet as an example in today’s NBA:
“People come in and they have to learn to be professionals. Depending on where you get drafted to, it can take two, three or four years, especially if you don’t have a good vet. With how things are shaking out now, there’s a lot less vets on teams to hold guys accountable. It’s (rarer) now, and (Shamet) is a great example of that.”
AMARILLO, TX - JUNE 29: Jared Sundstrom #4 of the Arkansas Travelers slides into third base during the game between the Arkansas Travelers and the Amarillo Sod Poodles at Hodgetown on Sunday, June 29, 2025 in Amarillo, Texas. (Photo by Elisa Chavez/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Jared Sundstrom’s surface numbers from the 2025 season do not scream “Top Twenty Prospect” by any stretch of the imagination. A large-bodied outfielder that strikes out nearly 30% of the time and bats right handed isn’t exactly a hot commodity, so what gives? What makes Sundstrom different?
For starters, the tools Sundstrom brings to the table are still very much present. He’s got massive power with fast hands and belts the ball when he makes contact, a necessary trait for a player that’s likely a corner outfielder in the long run. The power comes with swing-and-miss, but he’s been a steady producer throughout his career, making enough contact to get quality results. Plus, with a bounding stride, massive arm, and quick twitch, Sundstrom is a major asset both in the field and on the basepaths; he can play all three outfield positions and went 35/39 in stolen base attempts last season.
Though his season slashline and counting totals look poor at first glance, some major context is necessary to truly understand why his numbers dipped so starkly. Sundstrom epitomizes the player that is destroyed by the confines of Dickey-Stephens Park, home stadium of the Mariners’ Double-A affiliate, and his home/road splits prove it. When playing on the road, Sundstrom slashed .237/.314/.432 with peripherals in line with his career totals. These numbers would reflect a player who made the jump to Double-A and held his own. His home numbers, however, tell a different story. Slashing .198/.276/.307, Sundstrom saw his right-handed power zapped by the windy, cavernous confines of DSP and subsequently had his “back of the baseball card” numbers for the 2025 season destroyed. Encouragingly, Sundstrom’s peripherals were nearly exactly the same on the road as they were at home, strongly pointing to the notion that the ballpark is playing a major role in his struggles.
Sundstrom is far from a flawless prospect, but his talent far eclipses the numbers he produced last season. It’s a boom-or-bust kind of profile that can be tough to evaluate in the low minors, but his performance in Double-A was rather encouraging and reflected a player who’s got the skills to compete in the upper minors. With speed, defensive skills, and gaudy power, Sundstrom has the look of a future big leaguer. Whether it’s a fourth outfielder, bench bat, or starting right fielder isn’t clear at this point in time, but there’s enough here to reason he’s going to end up making it work. Look for him to start the 2026 season in Tacoma and reap the benefits of the bountiful offensive environment that is the PCL.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 28: Luis Gil #81 of the New York Yankees speaks to the media during a press conference beforep laying the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game Three of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 28, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Despite the possibility they could boast the best starting staff in the division by the All-Star break, the Yankees rotation will have a different composition on Opening Day. They will have to lean on their less-heralded arms to weather the early-season absences of Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón as the pair rehab from their respective elbow surgeries. As things stand, their rotation projects as Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers, rounded out by 2024 AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil.
Fresh off his RoY win, the Yankees refused to include Gil in a rumored trade for Kyle Tucker before the latter was dealt to the Cubs. Should Gil take the next step in his development at the major league level, one could have dreamed of him establishing a ceiling as a frontline starter. Instead, a lat strain robbed him of the first four months of the season, and warning flags popped up in bunches once he returned to play.
The surface-level stats looked encouraging — in nine of his last ten starts he allowed two or fewer runs across at least five innings in each outing to finish the year with a 3.32 ERA. However, looking under the hood revealed a host of problems. He placed among the four worst starters with at least 50 innings pitched in walk rate, K-BB%, xFIP, and SIERA after losing almost 1.5 mph off his average fastball velocity, leading to plummeting strikeout and chase rates. He gave up a ton of pulled fly balls accompanied by career worsts in average exit velocity and hard-hit rate, both of which underlie alarming jumps in expected slugging and expected FIP.
Not to be too harsh, but all of the lingering hope and hype surrounding Gil boils down to a seven-start stretch from the beginning of May through the first week of June in 2024. Without that five-week span, Gil would not have the AL Rookie of the Year award on his mantel, and his career ERA balloons from 3.50 to 4.15 and FIP from 4.25 to 4.70. Obviously, that is not the way baseball works, but it is still revealing how much weight a relatively short stretch exerts when you have a major league sample size of 242 career innings.
To his credit, Gil remained confident in his abilities when queried about the drop in fastball velocity, asserting that it was an area of maturation to pace himself through a start rather than throw max effort on each hitter (and his fastest pitch at 99 mph proves he can still reach back for velo when he needs it). However, Gil has likely reached his ceiling until he can find consistent command with all three pitches. His 12.7-percent career walk rate is second worst among starters with at least 240 innings pitched since Gil’s debut in 2021. He would suffer starts where he lost the feel for two out of three pitches. Being reduced to throwing just his heater or just his changeup batter after batter caused his strikeout, whiff, and chase rates to crater to career-lows — you just are not going to fool the opposition throwing the same pitch over and over.
All this being said, there are two ways to view Gil’s 2026 season. From the broader team perspective, the Yankees really only need Gil to deputize in rotation until Cole and Rodón are ready to go. Indeed, ZiPS projects him as exactly that type of fringy fifth starter. Though almost all projection systems expect his ERA to increase by about a run, each model predicts his strikeout rate to recover accompanied by a career-low walk rate, perhaps banking that a clean bill of health and a full spring training can put his command in a better spot entering the season.
From the individual focused standpoint, it’s a more worrying outlook for Gil. Once one of the crown jewels of the Yankees’ pitching development, Gil is already finding himself leapfrogged by the prospects graduating below him. His prospects as a long-term starter for the Yankees are dimming in the face of the emergence of Schlittler and Warren and the looming graduations of Elmer Rodríguez and (further down the road) Carlos Lagrange to the majors. Volatility does not project well for a starter, and Gil could be ticketed for a move to the bullpen where at least his high-octane stuff can play up in short spurts.
Thus, Gil finds himself at a crossroads entering the 2026 season. His lack of appreciable development since debuting and the recent trend of disappearing strikeouts severely limit his floor and ceiling as a starter. The urgency is accelerated by the crop of starting pitchers on the cusp of the majors threatening to push Gil out of the future rotation pictures, making the upcoming campaign a make-or-break season for the 27-year-old.
As teams reported for spring training, the injury news around the league came in fast and furiously last week. From pitchers who dealt with arm injuries in 2025 and did not have them repaired in the offseason — like Pablo Lopez, Blake Snell, Shane Bieber, and Josh Hader, being eased into the preseason — to a trio of hitters in Corbin Carroll, Francisco Lindor, and Jackson Holliday needing surgery on their hamate bones. Anthony Santander missed over four months a year ago and is just now getting surgery on his shoulder, likely to miss most of 2026 as well. Blue Jays fans should be allowed to file a lawsuit for such behavior.
The lone Red Sox injury of note last week was not to a full-time starting player but is notable nonetheless. Romy Gonzalez is behind schedule in spring training with shoulder inflammation, but “hopes to be ready for Opening Day,” according to Christopher Smith’s article for Mass Live last week. The more alarming details in this piece are that Gonzalez sustained this injury in the September 19-21 series at Tampa Bay last season. He had a setback in early January and then received a PRP injection later in the month.
As a general rule, much like with the pitchers listed above, if you end the season with an injury and then arrive at camp the next season with the same injury still bothering you, that’s probably not going to end well. Locally, a recent example would be pitcher Kutter Crawford. In a story that was, coincidentally, posted on February 15th of last year, we learned that Crawford had pitched through a knee injury for 90% of the 2024 season, did not get it repaired in the offseason, and that his “status for the start of the season is iffy.” Innocent wording of that nature — just like “Opening Day is in question,” or “a bit behind the other players” — seems to be copied and pasted into all articles this time of year. It rarely ends well. Crawford did not pitch for Boston in 2025.
Over the past two weeks, the Red Sox notably signed Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a head-scratching $6 million contract for 2026, as well as bringing back three versatile infielders in a trade with the Brewers. Additionally, the team claimed another versatile infielder, Tsung-Che Cheng, off waivers from the Washington Nationals and added him to the 40-man roster, and added second baseman Brendan Rodgers on a minor-league deal. That is a whole lot of ordinary infielders that have been added to the organization in recent weeks. One might even describe it as a plethora of ordinary infielders. “Would you say that we have a plethora of ordinary infielders, Brez?”
This quantity over quality of approach didn’t make much sense until the Gonzalez news came down a week ago, and is a result of waiting until late in the offseason to address clear deficiencies in the lineup. When noted lefty-killer Rob Refsnyder signed with the Mariners in December for $6.25M, it was hard to fault the team for letting him go with all of the outfielders on the roster and the likelihood of Kristian Campbell also shifting to the outfield.
But with Refsnyder gone, if the team is also without Gonzalez for part, or all, of the season, that is a definite concern against left-handed pitching. Gonzalez, Refsnyder, Rafael Devers, and Alex Bregman were the top four hitters in OPS for the Red Sox a year ago against lefties. Without them, someone is going to have to step up. It should also be noted that Gonzalez is the only other player on the expected Opening Day roster with any experience playing first base except for Willson Contreras. And Gonzalez wasn’t just good against southpaws a year ago, he hit the ball hard against most everybody.
Only four hitters in 2025 (min 200 BBE) had a hard-hit rate of 57+% and a barrel rate of 12+%…
Here is a listing of the 13 players currently projected on Roster Resource to make the Opening Day roster, alongside their stats versus left-handed pitching in 2025, sorted by wRC+. I also included Kristian Campbell, who figures to play a key role on the team this season, and could be a replacement for Gonzalez if he misses time.
For reference, Refsnyder slashed .302/.399/.560 (.959 OPS) with a 159 wRC+ against lefties in 138 plate appearances. After Romy, the top player in the list above, there isn’t much to hang on to. Roman Anthony will continue to improve, but he struck out 39% of the time. Kristian Campbell walked plenty against lefties, but hit just .207 compared to a .227 average against righties. Ceddanne Rafaela posted a .220 batting average. Jarren Duran was at .211. Alex Cora has already noted that Abreu will get more chances to face lefties, but he had a .230 mark a year ago and has a .205 career average against them. The right-handed hitting Kiner-Falefa, in case you wondered if he was brought in to help in this department, walked 1.6% of the time (!!) and had a .536 OPS against lefties, compared to a .668 OPS against right-handers. Marcelo Mayer was barely allowed to face them, but hit .154 in 26 at-bats.
A few days ago, when asked about Romy’s progress, Cora described it as “a tough offseason” for Gonzalez and that he is “frustrated” as they wait for the PRP injection to kick in.
Alex Cora says Romy Gonzalez is shut down from baseball activities right now and can only play catch.
Seems like they’re still waiting on the PRP injection to have an impact. Mentions 2B as his best position. pic.twitter.com/MjRXnOO4j8
For two-plus years now, many of us on this website have noted the lack of lefty-righty balance in both the major league team and with the looming prospects who are now up in the big leagues. Very little has changed in that sense, and now there’s a new weakness — a lack of power in the lineup after the departure of Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers — that has emerged over the past eight months. It will be interesting to see if anyone on the current roster, such as Abreu, Duran, and Mayer, is able to step up against southpaws this season. Or perhaps it will be a name we aren’t even focusing on at this time, from that plethora of infielders that Craig Breslow has acquired so far this month.
Thankfully, the NBA returns to action following the All-Star break with a big 10 games on the schedule for hungry basketball bettors to dig into, and I’m double-dipping on some big swings in tonight’s action.
I’m backing a pair of big men who have played limited minutes lately but who should be primed for big performances coming out of the break.
Those and more NBA picks for Thursday, February 26 below.
The Atlanta Hawks have a great rebounder in All-Star Jalen Johnson. However, the Hawks are not a particularly strong rebounding team. They aren’t even a mediocre one.
The Hawks own the fourth-worst rebounding rate and surrender the fifth-highest opponent rebounds per game. That means I’m fading them with a Philadelphia 76ers rebounding prop.
My favorite on the board is Kelly Oubre Jr. The Sixers’ wing pulled down 5.7 rebounds per game over his last seven games heading into the break. His number is at 5.5, a number he’s topped four times in that seven-game stretch.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast-Atlanta, NBCSP
The Raps' big man played 20 minutes in his return from injury, going for nine points and six rebounds against the Detroit Pistons.
Now, he’s even more rested and gets a great matchup against the Chicago Bulls. Chicago plays really small these days, thanks to injuries and trading away Nikola Vucevic.
The Bulls surrender the fourth-most points in the paint per game this season and are 28th in rebounding rate over the last five games.
This sets up well for a classic Jak attack.
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SportsNet, CHSN
Prop #3: Nikola Vucevic Double-Double
+195 at bet365
Speaking of Vucevic, while he isn’t starting for the Boston Celtics, he’s still having the same impact if he were, and is as efficient as he’s ever been.
Vucevic is averaging 13.7 points and 9.7 rebounds playing 26 minutes per game as a member of the Celtics. He’s also recorded two double-doubles in three games with his new team, and I’m betting he gets another tonight.
He faces the Golden State Warriors, whose best interior presence is still Draymond Green. The Dubs now rank 23rd in rebounding rate. Vuc should clean the glass while hitting double digits in the scoring column.
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout!
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review!
Sign Up Now atimg src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/2/bet365.svg" alt="bet365" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Edmonton Oilers will undoubtedly be a team to watch once the NHL Olympic roster freeze lifts. With the 2026 NHL trade deadline rapidly approaching, they are expected to be buyers.
One clear area that the Oilers could look to improve is their defensive group. Their right side, in particular, could use more depth. Due to this, one player who the Oilers should consider making a push for is Winnipeg Jets defenseman Luke Schenn.
With Schenn being a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) and the Jets currently not holding a playoff spot, the right-shot defenseman has been creating chatter in the rumor mill as a trade candidate. If the Oilers acquired him, he would give them another veteran blueliner to work with. It also doesn't hurt that he has won the Stanley Cup twice in his career as well.
When looking at a potential fit in the Oilers' lineup for Schenn, he could work well on their bottom pairing. Furthermore, due to his shutdown ability, he would also give the Oilers another potential option for their penalty kill.
Ultimately, with the Oilers needing more depth and bite on their blueline, bringing in a solid veteran defenseman like Schenn could make sense for them. It will be interesting to see if they make a push for him from here.
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Jakob Poeltl
Nikola Vucevic