For many people, the trade deadline is one of the most exciting times in the baseball season, right up there with Opening Day and the playoffs. I am not one of these people, but I acknowledge and respect those who are. Feel free to use this as a space to chat about all the trade deadline deals that go down, toss out a grade, say what you would have done differently, etc. We’ll leave this pinned on the homepage until the trade deadline passes, Monday August 3rd at 3 PM PT.
The club welcomes a new club to town as the Detroit Tigers arrive to Sacramento for a three-game weekend series that’ll surely be overshadowed by the Tarik Skubal trade rumors. Both clubs are out of contention at this point so it makes sense but hell, we still got some baseball to play folks.
Our A’s will send left-hander Jeffrey Springs to the mound for what could be (and some say should be) his final start in the Green & Gold. If tonight truly is the end of his tenure with the Athletics it’ll be a disappointing end as there were some decent expectations for him when the A’s acquired him last year. Unfortunately things haven’t worked out but he could still benefit the A’s with a strong start this evening, possibly piquing the interest of one pitching-needy contender.
Here’s how manager Mark Kotsay will line up his squad for the first game of the series:
Same top five of the lineup tonight, but Tyler Soderstrom and Jonah Heim swap places. Henry Bolte is back in center field with Butler moving over to right.
As for the Tigers, they were originally going to be sending their co-ace to the mound tonight in Casey Mize. It seems like the Tigers are preparing to move him however as he’s instead had his start pushed back past the trade deadline. It’ll be a bullpen game for Detroit instead. The A’s would do well to take advantage of that tonight.
And Detroit’s starting nine:
Big night for the Tigers as former 3rd overall pick Max Clark will make his big league debut in center tonight. A’s fans should be happy with Wilson, who went three picks later.
Can the A’s snap this two-game losing streak and get back in the win column? Win #45 awaits. Let’s go A’s!
Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA
Listen:
Athletics – Talk 650 KSTE, KVMX 92.1/105.5, A’s Cast
The Colorado Rockies have announced that tonight’s game Between the Kansas City Royals and the Colorado Rockies will start in a delay rather than at the 6:40 pm start time.
Follow Purple Row for updates.
UPDATE: 7:06 pm
Current state of Coors Field:
UPDATE: 6:50 pm
UPDATE: 6:51 pm
It appears the grounds crew is beginning To assess the situation as fans return to their seats.
Meanwhile “Purple Rain” echoes across Coors Field.
UPDATE: 6:45 pm
Still raining, but things are slowing down, and the sun is trying to come out.
But allow me to share the press box about five minutes ago:
UPDATE: 6:39 pm
Absolutely pouring now.
UPDATE: 6:36 pm
Chris Bianca reports the delay will be brief.
UPDATE: 6:31 pm
The tarp is on, and fans have been told to leave the Rockpile for the concourse.
The Rockies continue to announce the starting lineups, however, and complete pre-game festivities.
UPDATE— 6:24 pm
Pregame festivities continue, and no announcement has been made to Coors Field, but the tarp is coming out.
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The Kansas City Royals hit the Mile High city, after two disappointing walk-off losses in the Twin Cities. Two improbable losses cost the Royals a road sweep. As they wrap up their longest road trip of the season, they look to do it in winning fashion against the Colorado Rockies.
All-Star Michael Wacha takes the ball in tonight’s game. In his last outing, Wacha went 7 innings, allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, walking 2 and striking out 3 against the Tigers. Sparse run support has cost Wacha a lot of wins this season, in fact, his last win was June 22nd in Tampa Bay, in a 2-1 Royals win.
Here are the 46-64 Royals lineup behind Wacha tonight
The Colorado Rockies come into this game at 42-67, they are tied for the worse record in baseball, with the Angels. However, they are 24-29 at home this season.
Right hander Tomoyuki Sugano starts for Colorado tonight. Sugano is having a good first season in Denver, posting a 4.69 ERA and 10-4 record. The 36-year-old Japanese born pitcher is a trade candidate as well. In his last outing, Sugano went 5.1 innings, allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, striking out 5, against the Brewers.
Here are the Rockies starting lineup behind Sugano.
It’s been a rather solid road trip so far for the Royals, can they start hot in the Mile High City tonight? First pitch is set for 7:40 p.m. CT. The game can be watched on Royals.TV.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cubs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Earlier this week in the SB Nation Reacts survey, I asked you how many trades you thought Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer would make before the MLB Trade Deadline happens. Incidentally, the official deadline is 5 p.m. CT Monday, Aug. 3, though if history is a guide, we’ll probably hear of some trades reported for an hour or two after that.
Here are the survey results:
This seems pretty reasonable. The Cubs need a starting pitcher — obviously — and I’m nearly 100 percent certain that Hoyer will trade for someone fitting that description. Earlier this week I posted a number of articles about potential starting pitcher trade targets for Hoyer.
Detroit Tigers starter Tarik Skubal, of course, is the No. 1 guy on the trading block. Could the Cubs be in the Skubal market? Patrick Mooney of The Athletic says … maybe:
Hoyer has a close, longstanding relationship with his Detroit counterpart, Scott Harris, who earned a 2016 World Series ring while launching his career at Wrigley Field, and now runs the Tigers with a similarly systematic approach.
Another connection worth noting: Skubal has deep roots in Arizona, which would make spring training at the Cubs’ Mesa complex an appealing and convenient feature once he weighs his options as a free agent. Acquiring Skubal, who is represented by agent Scott Boras, would give the Cubs a head start on that recruiting presentation, though it would likely require a financial commitment to a pitcher that is unprecedented in franchise history.
So, who knows? The package the Cubs would have to send to the Tigers is probably a high cost, even for a two-month rental.
Feel free to discuss that possibility, plus any others, in this thread throughout the weekend.
The Cubs might also be in the market for a reliever, though they do have multiple good relievers likely to return to the bullpen sometime in August. Maybe that would be as good as trading for someone.
Here’s the result of the national survey question asked of SB Nation Reacts members:
In my view this is just silly. The Tigers are absolutely, positively going to trade Skubal. I’m certain of it. Now, could I be wrong? Sure. but if they don’t, then he walks with no compensation other than a draft pick. Skubal isn’t returning to Detroit as a free agent, so the Tigers should be motivated to get something for him while they can.
It’ll all be known in less than 72 hours!
This edition of SB Nation Reacts is sponsored by FanDuel.
The San Diego Padres dropped their series opener to the San Francisco Giants and it was Daniel Susac who knocked in three of the four runs for the Giants. The Padres were bit by their “Pitching Chaos” approach after JP Sears allowed three runs over 3.2 innings. The San Diego offense did not help much, scoring just one run in the 4-1 loss. Both sides will need to play better tonight if the Padres are going to even the series.
Rodriguez is getting the start for San Diego. It would be hard to imagine him pitching more than an inning, so he is assuming a more traditional opener role. The right-handed rookie has appeared in 44 games this season and holds a 2.33 ERA. He was sent down for some time to give him a break from pitching to ensure he would make it through the season. Rodriguez has had some ups and downs in recent outings, but he should be able to have a solid start to set the tone for the Padres.
The Giants are sending left-hander Whisenhunt to the mound for just the fourth time this season. He has a 2-1 record with a 4.60 ERA. Whisenhunt has only pitched 15.2 innings but has recorded 13 strikeouts over that span. The right-handers in the Padres lineup should be able to take advantage of a young pitcher, but as has been the case in the past, if Whisenhunt is allowed to settle in, it could be a long night for the San Diego lineup.
Manny Machado went 0-for-4 in the series opener against the Giants so it should come as no surprise that the Padres lost the game. Machado has been on a hot streak and the saying it the team goes as Manny goes. If that is the case, he needs to have a couple hits tonight. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill did their parts, but the other big bat in the lineup, Ty France, also went 0-for-3.
Randy Vasquez to the rescue! The right-handed former starter pitched the final 4.2 innings of the game on Thursday, which saved multiple bullpen arms. He only allowed three hits over that span and did not allow a run. JP Sears started the game and lasted 3.2 innings and Wandy Peralta pitched 0.2 innings in relief. Thanks to Vasquez the majority of the Padres’ ‘pen should be available, minus Rodriguez who is making the start.
Mike Boynton Jr. continues to fill out his coaching staff in Ann Arbor, as he has hired Dylan Murphy as an assistant coach for the Michigan men’s basketball program. The news was first reported by 247Sports.
Murphy brings a diverse background in both NBA and G League coaching and analytics to a Wolverines staff that is working to defend a national championship in 2026-27.
He spent the last five seasons in the NBA with the Orlando Magic organization, serving in two distinct capacities. From 2018-20, he worked as a basketball operations analyst, providing analytics support to the coaching staff. He then transitioned into a full-time assistant coaching role from 2020-23, giving him three seasons of NBA bench experience at one of the league’s franchises.
His path to Orlando was built on a strong foundation in the G League. Murphy spent three seasons from 2013-16 as an assistant coach with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants — the Indiana Pacers’ G League affiliate — where he was part of one of the more successful runs in league history. The Mad Ants posted a league-best 34-16 record in 2013-14 and went a perfect 6-0 in the playoffs to win the G League championship.
After his time in Fort Wayne, Murphy spent the 2016-17 season as an NBA G League scout for the Atlanta Hawks, where he was responsible for identifying potential call-up candidates, a role that sharpened his eye for talent evaluation and player development at the professional level. He then served as a graduate assistant at Ball State in 2018 before joining the Magic organization.
Murphy’s background is particularly well-suited to what Boynton is building at Michigan. His blend of NBA analytics experience and on-court coaching provide him with a versatile skillset that can impact both the strategic and developmental sides of the program.
The analytics component of his profile is especially worth highlighting. Murphy spent two seasons as a dedicated analytics support staffer with Orlando before moving to the bench, meaning he very likely understands the data side of the game. In an era where analytics are playing an increasingly significant role in roster construction, game planning and player development, someone being on the coaching staff who has lived that world in the NBA is a great asset to have.
Boynton is assembling a staff with diverse backgrounds and complementary skillsets as he works to keep the Wolverines competitive at the highest level, and Murphy’s hire is another piece of that puzzle.
The Colorado Rockies (42-67) return to Coors Field tonight to open a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals (46-64).
Colorado has not won since beating the Milwaukee Brewers last Friday. The Rockies lost the final two games of that series, had Monday off, were swept in a two-game set against the San Diego Padres and were off again yesterday.
They remain stuck on 42 victories.
One more win would match the Rockies’ entire 2025 total before the calendar turns to August. Last year’s club did not reach win No. 43 until September 21.
Kansas City arrives in Denver following a painful walk-off loss to the Minnesota Twins. The Royals have disappointed this season and enter the series 18 games below .500 despite carrying higher expectations into the year.
Tomoyuki Sugano (菅野 智之) will take the ball for Colorado in what could be his final start with the Rockies before the trade deadline.
Sugano enters at 10-4 with a 4.69 ERA as his results continue to outpace his expected metrics.
He has accomplished that through mixing and locating a deep arsenal. In his last start, Sugano pitched into the sixth inning and allowed two earned runs while striking out five and walking only one.
Both runs came on solo home runs.
That was typical of Sugano’s season. He has allowed his share of home runs, but he has often limited the damage by avoiding traffic in front of them. A solo homer hurts. A three-run homer can end an outing.
Sugano threw seven different pitch types against Milwaukee and relied on sequencing and varying speeds to quiet a pesky Brewers lineup. His splitter was the most effective offering, while his four-seamer and cutter were more vulnerable, making the order and location of his pitches especially important.
Sugano will look to follow the same formula tonight against a fellow veteran right-hander who also relies on sequencing and location more than raw power.
Michael Wacha enters at 5-7 with a 3.60 ERA and 104 strikeouts across 132.1 innings. His 4.26 xERA is less flattering, but this is not a new disagreement. Wacha has posted a lower ERA than xERA in six consecutive seasons.
Wacha does not overwhelm hitters. His four-seamer averages 93.1 mph, while his strikeout and whiff rates sit below league average. He instead limits walks, avoids barrels and receives excellent results from his offspeed pitches.
Like Sugano, Wacha works with a broad arsenal. His four-seamer and changeup lead a six-pitch mix that also includes a cutter, sinker, curveball and slider.
How he distributes those pitches may be more important than any individual offering.
During his last start on July 25, Wacha did not throw consecutive pitches of the same type to any hitter the first time through the order. He did not repeat a pitch type until the third batter of the fourth inning, after the lineup had already turned over once.
Only five hitters during the entire outing saw the same pitch type thrown back-to-back.
Wacha rarely allows a hitter to eliminate possibilities or use the previous offering as a comfortable reference point for the next one, much like Sugano.
He finished that outing with seven innings of two-run baseball despite recording only three strikeouts.
Tonight at Coors Field, it is a battle between two wily veterans who rely on location, variety and sequencing more than raw power.
For Sugano, it could be one final opportunity to work his way through a lineup in purple.
Meanwhile, Brenton Doyle returns to the fold tonight, adding another piece to an already crowded Rockies outfield. Colorado’s three biggest position-player trade pieces — Jake McCarthy, Mickey Moniak and Hunter Goodman — will bat first, second and third.
For at least one more night, they are all still in purple.
The details…
First Pitch: 6:40 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)
Royals SB Nation site:Royals Review
Lineups:
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In 2022 when the Warriors won their last title, if you told me that one day LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and D(ean) Wade would be on the 76ers I’d be like hell to the naw naw. (Also, where is Ben Simmons?!) And yet here we are!
Here’s the part that should scare the rest of the league ladies and gentlemen. This isn’t LeBron joining a team that needs him to be the engine. This is LeBron sliding into a group that already has an MVP-caliber big, a bucket-getter who just spent the summer proving he belongs in the “best two-way wing” conversation, and two young guards who play like they’ve been doing this for a decade already. Tyrese Maxey. VJ Edgecombe. Joel Embiid. Jaylen Brown. Now DA KING?! Five players who’ve either made an All-NBA team or are trending toward one, all wearing the same jersey.
So I’ll ask the obvious question before anyone else does it for me. Is this the best team LeBron has ever played on?
I know how that sounds given the résumé. Kyrie and prime Love in Cleveland. AD and a bubble run in LA. A Heatles trio that basically broke the sport for a few summers. But from a pure roster construction standpoint, I don’t remember one walking into training camp with this many legitimate creators, this much size, and this many lineup combinations. Embiid at the 5, when healthy, is still one of the toughest covers alive. Brown gives you another player who can take over a game. Maxey and Edgecombe give you two guards who get downhill and shoot it from range. And LeBron, even at 42, still reads a defense like he’s got the whole floor mapped out before you’ve decided where you’re going.
He’s walking on as a stabilizer, a guy who can captain possessions, punish mismatches in the post against smaller wings, and make the right read out of a double team on instinct. Philadelphia didn’t sign a farewell tour, rather we are looking at them adding a chess piece that still sees three moves ahead.
Now, the questions immediately arise when you talk about what could go wrong with that starting lineup.
Start with health. Embiid staying on the floor has been the same conversation forever, and I’m not going to sit here and pretend a new co-star fixes a body that’s fought him this long.
Then there’s hierarchy. Brown spent years in Boston fighting for respect, got his Finals MVP, and still ended up on a plane to a division rival where he’s probably not the first read on most nights. Going from “the guy everyone questioned but who proved it” to “one of five options” creates its own pressure, even if the results end up better.
And then there’s expectations. Maxey and Edgecombe were just building their own identities as young stars. Now they’re getting thrown into a spotlight that comes with real championship demands instead of just “how good can these kids be.”
But here’s why none of that changes how I feel about this roster from a pure basketball standpoint. Go back and watch the Sixers’ offseason moves as a whole. Anfernee Simons is an instant scoring punch off the bench for pennies compared to what other teams paid for less. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a proven championship wing. Labaron Philon might take ballhandling pressure off Maxey and Edgecombe as a rookie. They didn’t stop after LeBron, and that wasn’t just my takeaway. Paul Hudrick at Liberty Ballers looked at the same depth chart and came away with the same conclusion: “The depth chart looks legit.”
That’s what makes this team a nightmare to simulate. Most title contenders pick a lane. Fast and loose, or slow and physical. Philadelphia might make you prepare for two. This roster can do both, and with Embiid and LeBron on the floor together, I’d bet they lean into slowing the game down and daring you to match their size. But flip in Maxey, Edgecombe, and Simons off the bench, and suddenly you’re getting attacked in transition too. Ask anyone who’s tried fighting this roster in 2K how miserable it is to game plan for a team that can beat you at two different speeds depending on who’s on the floor.
Look, I’m not saying banners are guaranteed. Health matters, chemistry takes time, and pressure does strange things to teams that haven’t won together yet. But if you’re a rival executive right now, you’re not sleeping easy. This is must see TV starting in October. And if this group stays healthy, the conversation won’t be whether LeBron can still chase one more title. It’ll be whether anyone in the East has enough answers for everything Philadelphia can throw at them.
I can’t wait to see this team come to Chase Center.
Last season defense was hard to come by for the Utah Jazz as they allowed an NBA worst 126 points per game. How will they fare this year with Walker Kessler’s departure and a retooled roster with its sights set on a playoff spot?
There’s no question that losing Kessler to the Lakers is a blow to the team’s defensive potential. In his last full season with the Jazz (2024-2025), Walker posted a gaudy 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. By comparison, Kyle Filipowski led last year’s squad in rebounds with 7.2 per game, and Ace Bailey led the team in blocks with 0.7. One of the big questions for the upcoming season is are there enough deputies to replace The Sheriff?
The projected starting lineup for 2026-2027 certainly has more than enough height to battle for rebounds and affect an opponent’s shots. Both Markkanen and Jackson Jr. are bruisers at 7’1” and 6’10” respectively and have physiques like NFL tight ends. The three games they shared the front court last season hinted at their potential defensive partnership. The Jazz won two out of the three games, including an impressive away win against the Miami Heat, in which the pair combined for 11 defensive rebounds and the team as a whole held the Heat to 111 points. Jackson Jr. also showcased his ability to pick the other team’s pocket and create additional possessions for his teammates, averaging 2 steals a game.
But neither big man is known as a shot blocker nor is expected to consistently produce double digit rebounds. Other players will need to step in to make up the deficit. Ace Bailey at 6’9” has added muscle in the off season, which will help his ability to contend in the paint and build on his team leading block totals from last year. There is also the option of starting Jusuf Nurkic at center, who showed last season that his ability to rebound the ball is underrated. He didn’t play enough games for his statistics to count in team leading averages, but in the 41 games he did play, he pulled in an impressive 10.4 rebounds a game, including 7.8 on the defensive end. The Jazz would give up some athleticism starting Nurkic over Bailey, but they would also benefit from having a savvy veteran with a nose for the basketball.
One of the most intriguing questions for the upcoming season is how Darryn Peterson and Keyonte George will mesh in the backcourt. This will be especially important defensively as the Jazz’s perimeter defense last year was like a sieve. As a 6’5” 199 lb guard, Peterson brings size to the position and a defensive intensity which produced 15 blocks and 34 steals in 24 games at Kansas. The big question is how this will translate in the NBA and whether he can maintain that intensity without getting in foul trouble. And if as a tandem, he and George can provide some consistent resistance to the skilled ball handlers and three-point assassins on opposing teams.
The supporting cast’s defensive development will also go a long way in how successful the Jazz are this season. John Konchar made a name for himself as an all-round defensive pest, averaging 2 steals and 1 block in the 26 games he played last season. Bez Mbeng showed glimpses of his defensive prowess in the short time he’s been with the Jazz. Will Kyle Filipowski and Cody Williams take a step forward defensively? What roles will new additions Jaxson Hayes and Josh Okogie play in the defensive development of the team? Will the second coming of Mo Bamba provide a much-needed boost from the bench? So many questions…
The key is that one player is not the answer in turning arguably the worst defensive team in the league last year into a coordinated group which can hold its own when it matters most. Coach Hardy’s challenge is molding the players’ defensive strengths into a cohesive unit, one that will bend, but not break. Games often come down to key defensive moments—who can forget Lebron racing the length of the court to block Iguodala’s shot in the 2016 NBA Finals?—and the Jazz have an opportunity to use them as momentum to finally propel them into the post season.
Texas Rangers @ Houston Astros
Friday, July 31, 2026, 7:15 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Apple TV)
Daikin Park
RHP Nathan Eovaldi vs. RHP Hunter Brown
Go Rangers!
After a European tour, Mario Hezonja is making an NBA comeback.
The Cavaliers signed Hezonja, 31, to a one-year contract, marking his return to the NBA for the first time since the 2019-20 season. Hezonja played pro ball in Greece, Russia, and Spain over the last six years.
Hezonja played for Real Madrid this past season, where he won the Liga ACB Most Valuable Player award after averaging 15 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. Hezonja spent four years with Real Madrid and won a EuroLeague championship with the team in 2023, along with consecutive Liga ACB titles in 2024 and 2025.
Hezonja was selected fifth overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2015 NBA Draft and played 330 games for the Magic, Knicks, and Trail Blazers in his first NBA stint. Hezonja, who was born in Dubrovnik, is one of the highest-drafted Croatian-born players in league history.
On Friday, Hezonja spoke out about his new organization.
“Never liked how I left the NBA but these past 5 years have been exactly what I wanted and much needed!” Hezonja posted to X while tagging the Cavaliers. “I am super happy that my new chapter is with a team and organization that I have always admired and respected!”
Hezonja had a couple of memorable moments as a Knick — who he spent the 2018-19 season with — including a game-winning block against LeBron James and the Lakers in March 2019 and recording his first career triple-double the following month.
Hezonja then signed with Portland before being traded to Memphis in 2020.
The Grizzlies waived him less than a month later, and then Hezonja began his overseas career for Greek club Panathinaikos.
From there, Hezonja signed with Russian team UNICS Kazan and then headed to Real Madrid for four seasons, where he became one of the most accomplished players in Europe during his tenure.
The Cavs signed Hezonja after missing out on a James return when he signed with the Sixers earlier this month.
A heartfelt congratulations from The Slipper Still Fits to forward/center Zach Collins on his two-year, $17 million contract extension to stay with the Chicago Bulls through the 2027-28 season. The injury bug has unfortunately hit the Gonzaga Bulldog quite a lot throughout his time with the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and with Chicago, so this new deal is a major victory for Collins as he enters his ninth season in the NBA.
The site appreciates the 2016 McDonald’s All-American out of powerhouse Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, Nevada, sharing some of his offseason time to discuss his lone season with the Zags back in 2016-17, senior center Przemek Karnowski being his vet, his standout performance against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona.
Just an entertaining conversation with the big man from top to bottom. Check it out below.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
Here’s the DBacks lineup:
Here’s the Guardians lineup:
Let’s go, Guardians!
The Golden State Warriors are set to run it back with the same group as last season, but are reportedly monitoring a potential reunion.
According to Brett Siegel of Clutch Points, his sources have confirmed that if Kevin Durant were to become available next season, the Warriors would welcome him back.
“The organization has not completely moved on from the idea of one day reuniting [Steph] Curry with former Warrior and two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant,” Siegel wrote. “Lacob and the Warriors would welcome Durant back with open arms, much like they were prepared to do in 2025 before he and his business partner Rich Kleiman stopped the trade deadline deal in its tracks.”
Siegel went on to note that the reason Durant stopped a potential reunion in 2025 was because he was looking for stability in Phoenix.
That obviously never materialized. Durant was traded by the Suns to the Houston Rockets. The Warriors, meanwhile, were left to deal for Jimmy Butler, who missed significant time due to injury.
Butler tore his ACL in January, setting back the franchise by the bay. The expectation is for Butler to return to the Warriors roster, but a return date is still unknown.
The narrative of the Warriors’ offseason has been a swing and miss, as they’ve consistently missed out on acquiring another star to pair alongside Curry, Butler, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porzingis.
On Thursday, head coach Steve Kerr admitted he is content with his current group and didn’t even think the team had a chance to land LeBron James, who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers a week ago.
Golden State’s roster does have one key addition. The Warriors selected Yaxel Lendeborg out of Michigan with the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and is expected to play a major role.
Lendeborg has been impressive in his short time with the team, as he led Golden State’s Summer League team to a championship earlier this month. He was crowned the series MVP for a 21 point, 10 rebound, and 2 steal performance.
Despite the team reportedly being content, the reality of the Warriors is that it’s an aging group that has been decimated by injuries, and Curry is only getting older.
Curry, 38, who is considered the greatest shooter of this era of basketball, missed 39 games for the Warriors last season as he was dealing with runner’s knee.
When Durant was a member of Golden State from 2016-2019, it was some of the best basketball of his career. The future Hall of Famer helped the team win two NBA championships and was crowned Finals MVP both times, while averaging 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.