SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 15: Caden Scarborough #18 of the Texas Rangers pitches during the game between the Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on Saturday, March 15, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning, folks…
The Texas Rangers lost to the Houston Astros last night by a score of 4-1.
Evan Grant says the Rangers’ offense is historically bad, though his math appears to be off in regards to the average number of runs the Rangers are scoring per game thusfar.
Mark Vientos is not prone to overthinking. His confidence is so sturdy that it renders any anxious analysis moot: If he is hitting, of course he is. If he isn’t, he will be soon.
So Vientos sees no mystery in the way he has gone from struggling this spring to settling into the cleanup spot, protecting Juan Soto in the Mets’ injury-riddled lineup, and tied for fourth in baseball with 14 May runs batted in. He was, the way he explains it, merely due.
“I think baseball’s just being baseball,” Vientos said after the Mets’ win over the Yankees Saturday night. “You have a good month you have a bad month. “The season’s so long. You have a bad month, you have a good month, you have a bad month, you have a good one. That’s just the nature of the game.”
Two months ago, Vientos was in a 2-for-35 spring training that left him with no clear path to regular at-bats other than as a part-time designated hitter. A month ago, the 27-year-old was clawing out of an 0-for-23 hitless streak that spit him out as a part-time player even for the Mets’ patched-together lineup.
But then Jorge Polanco landed on the injured list and Francisco Lindor followed. Suddenly, Vientos was the Mets’ every day first baseman. Eventually, he secured the cleanup spot. Since April 18 — the first of 21 starts in 22 games — Vientos has five home runs, three doubles, and an OPS of .747.
“He knows he’s in the lineup. He knows he’s playing every day. He knows he’s hitting cleanup,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He doesn’t have to worry whether he’s going to be in the lineup or not, whether he has to get two or three hits to be in there again — which is the competition. You have to earn it. And he’s done that, obviously. We need him.”
Vientos acknowledged that being in the lineup every day helps him, but he did not seem to think it made some transformational difference. And to his earlier point about being subject to baseball’s whims, Vientos has been unlucky: Even those solid numbers since April 18 include several near misses on deep fly balls as well as a batting average on balls in play so low (.228) it suggests they should be even better.
“He’s just swinging the bat well. He’s just been a little unlucky lately. He’s a great, talented player,” Soto said, before cracking a rare postgame interview smile. “His talent, it has to come out at some point. Now, it’s just coming out.”
Certainly, Vientos’ talent has come out before. His 2024 postseason outburst, for example, seemed to signal a star turn that did not materialize.
But whether it lasts or not, this latest reemergence arrived at a crucial time for the Mets, whose cleanup options were whittled away by injuries in recent weeks. If they want to revive their season, they will probably have to claw back to .500 over the next few weeks — a period they will almost certainly spend without Franciscos Lindor and Alvarez and could possibly spend without Polanco and/or Luis Robert Jr., either.
Bo Bichette is still slumping. Soto is still aching. Recovery will probably require several members of their bruised lineup producing beyond their usual levels. Vientos, meanwhile, need simply to keep doing what he’s doing.
“I don’t think there’s a formula to it,” Vientos said. “It’s going my way now, and just gotta trust it.”
Stephen Kolek gets the ball for the Kansas City Royals, and he’s already given up three homers over his first two appearances of the season.
Time: 2:15 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Cardinals.TV, Royals.TV
Home run pick: Munetaka Murakami (+338)
Munetaka Murakami snapped a six-game homer drought Saturday with a pair of dingers, bringing his season total up to 17 and just three back of Kyle Schwarber for the most in the majors.
Chicago Cubs starter Colin Rea has allowed three dingers over his last two outings, and five overall through his last six games.
The Cubs' pen has also struggled to keep the ball in the yard, surrendering 23 home runs this season.
Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Marquee Sports Network, Chicago Sports Network
Home run pick: Max Muncy (+361)
Shohei Ohtani has been struggling at the dish, but fortunately the Los Angeles Dodgers have plenty of depth. Max Muncy is leading the team with 12 dingers this season, going yard three times in his last six games.
L.A. Angels starter Grayson Rodriguez is set to make his first appearance in the majors since July 2024, while their bullpen ranks third last in ERA (5.17) and seventh last in homers allowed (22).
Time: 4:07 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Angels Broadcast Television, SportsNet LA
Today’s HR parlay
Jordan Walker
Bet Now +15245
Munetaka Murakami
Max Muncy
Chris Faria's 2026 Transparency Record
HR picks: 6-12, +9.14 units
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Jameson Taillon has been a decent starting pitcher in MLB for a decade. Some years have been better than others; his last two were pretty good for the Cubs after a rough first season in Chicago in 2023. I’ve met him and he seems to be a good guy.
I’m afraid Jamo might be past his sell-by date. Taillon served up five home runs to the White Sox Saturday night on the South Side and the Sox blew out the Cubs 8-3.
Not only was that the most for Taillon in any game in his career, it was one of the worst home-run-allowed performances by any Cubs pitcher, ever. From BCB’s JohnW53:
Taillon is just the eighth Cubs pitcher to surrender at least five home runs in a game.
The previous one was Matt Swarmer, the only one to serve up six, on June 11, 2022, at New York vs. the Yankees.
The six before him were, in order, Warren Hacker at Cincinnati in 1954, Steve Stone at home vs. the Reds in 1974, Ismael Valdez at the White Sox in 2000, Carlos Zambrano at Atlanta in 2011, Travis Wood at home vs. the Cardinals in 2012 and Jason Hammel at New York vs. the Mets in 2016.
Hammel gave up 10 runs; Wood and Zambrano, eight, the same as Taillon; Swarmer, six; and the three earliest, five. The Cubs won the game at the Sox, 6-5. They were outscored in the other earlier games, 53-16.
Not only that, but Taillon put the Cubs in a deep hole after just 10 pitches, which resulted in:
A ball that ate up Matt Shaw at second base for a single
Then Taillon served up two more homers, solo jobs, in the third to make it 5-0. The second one of those, by Colson Montgomery, went 442 feet, yikes. That one was reviewed, as it was pretty close to the foul pole, but was confirmed as a home run. At this point it was pretty obvious that Taillon was going to have to stay in the game for at least a couple more innings because two guys who could do long relief (Javier Assad and Trent Thornton) had both done so in Friday’s game.
Another homer, a two-run job by Murakami, made it 7-0 in the fifth.
One out later, Michael Busch singled and Alex Bregman doubled, perhaps giving some hope of a comeback. But Davis Martin struck out Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki to end the inning.
I am pretty sure Craig Counsell wanted Taillon to throw the entire sixth inning, but after he allowed a leadoff homer to Andrew Benintendi, that was it for Jamo. Five-plus innings, 90 pitches, five home runs. That gives Taillon 16 home runs allowed in 50.2 innings this year. That’s two more than anyone else (Zack Littell of the Nationals, 14). And it’s worse than that, because in two of his nine starts, Taillon allowed no home runs. So the 16 homers have been served up in just 40.2 of those 50.2 innings — and that’s after giving up 10 home runs in 13.2 innings in Spring Training. His ERA went up by more than a run after this game, from 3.94 to 4.97. Any way you do the math, it’s just bad.
The Cubs did have a chance to get back in the game in the seventh. They loaded the bases with one out on two walks and a single by Amaya sandwiched around a fielder’s choice. But Nico Hoerner flied to right and Busch grounded out to end the threat.
Ethan Roberts threw two scoreless innings in relief and Ryan Rolison had a 1-2-3 eighth, so that saved most of the leverage relievers from having to work in this blowout.
That was PCA’s first homer since May 6, a span of 34 plate appearances. Perhaps he can go on a nice run now. Also, Bregman had two more hits in this game, extending his hitting streak to seven games in which he is batting .333/.354/.467 — maybe he, too, can get things going.
So here’s the thing. With Sox starter Davis Martin dealing all year, the Cubs were going to have a tough time in this one regardless. But Taillon did not make things any easier. At this point I think Cubs management has to take some time to think about what’s next for him. In his postgame comments, Counsell mentioned “missed locations” by Taillon and while that’s true, there have been far too many of those this year. Four days of rest for Taillon would bring his turn up on Thursday, which is an off day for the Cubs. In my view it wouldn’t be a bad idea to just skip his next turn while he works on figuring out how to fix things.
Meanwhile, the Cubs still have a chance for a series win on the South Side. Colin Rea will start for the Cubs Sunday afternoon and Erick Fedde will go for the Sox. Game time is 1:10 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network (and also on CHSN and WCIU-Ch. 26 with the Sox announcers).
May 16, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (11) pitches during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images | Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
On Saturday, pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano 菅野 智之 made his ninth start with the Colorado Rockies and his fifth start at Coors Field. Sugano had a good day for the Rockies, pitching five innings and allowing two runs (both earned) on seven hits, and setting them up for a 4-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
However, the day also marked a significant marker for the former Yomuiri Giant as he also tallied his 150th career win, despite experiencing some flu-like symptoms prior to his start.
Sugano was modest about the accomplishment, saying through interpreter Yuto Sakurai, “I’m obviously happy about it, but it’s just another win, so I want to look forward to the 151st win.”
“He’s just the ultimate professional on a daily basis,” Schaeffer said, “whether it’s pitching or not, around everybody else. You can just tell he’s been doing it at a high level for a long time. We celebrated the 150th in there today, but [I’m] very, very happy for him. It’s a great milestone, well deserved.”
Antonio Senzatela recognized the importance of his teammate’s accomplishment.
“It was really big,” Senzatela said. “He’s one of the best pitchers out there in Japan, and he’s performing really well here in Coors. He’s a nice human being, a nice person. I love him, and I’m so happy for him.”
An All-Star in Japan
An All-Star in Japan, Sugano won the Central League Most Valuable Player Award three times and the Eiji Sawamura Award twice.
“The No. 1 honorable thing I could say about [my career highlights] is playing for the Yomiuri Giants,” Sugano said. “I have a lot of history there, for 12 years, and the teammates and the coaching staff that I met throughout the process is probably my No. 1 thing.”
Despite his stature in Japan, Sugano acknowledged the different kind of pressures he’s experienced pitching in Japan and the United States.
“It’s a different type of pressure that I felt back in Japan versus here,” he said. “In Japan, I was expected, obviously, to win and pitch well every game. But over here, I’m more so feeling like a rookie. I was a rookie last year, and in terms of that, like not as much pressure over here,”
He decided to spend part of his baseball career in the United States.
“I was obviously in my latter part of the career in Japan,” Sugano said, “and I just didn’t want to have any regrets looking back in my career. So it was one of the things I wanted to accomplish, so I think that would be one of the biggest reasons.”
A rookie in the US — at elevation
Sugano is also learning to adjust to pitching at elevation.
“The first thing I noticed is how my off-speed pitches move here versus on the road,” Sugano said, “but I think I’m making good adjustments to that too.”
Currently, Sugano has a 4.07 ERA in 42.0 IP. His ERA at Coors Field is 4.71 while his road ERA comes in at 3.43, which suggests that Sugano is experiencing some of the same home-road adjustments as other Rockies pitchers. Worth noting, however, is that his home HR/9 is 1.29 while his road HR/9 is 2.57. So while he’s pitching better on the road, he’s giving up more home runs there than he does at Coors Field.
For Sugano, it’s about making the most of his sizable arsenal.
“I guess my strength is I get to pitch with different pitches,” Sugano said. “I haven’t looked through the arsenal to pitch around hitters, and that’s obviously my strength.”
He also pointed out that he’s enjoying his time in Denver, a big switch from Baltimore where Sugano spent the 2025 season.
“It’s an amazing city, easy to have a good life here,” Sugano said. “I like it. It’s, it’s just easy to live on a day-to-day basis.
Tomoyuki Sugano’s 150th career win across Japan and the United states is one of many career milestones reached with (or against) the Rockies in their relatively short team history. What are some others you can think of, or believe might be reached in the near future?
SACRAMENTO, CA - MAY 14: Iván Herrera #48 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Thursday, May 14, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Don Collier/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Based on almost all preseason projections, the St. Louis Cardinals have outperformed expectations and have shifted the fan view from rebuilding to contending in just a couple short months. Now, as Chaim Bloom has to answer the question “buy or sell”, fans also wonder what this hot start means for this season and beyond. The original thought was that this year would give us some answers on much of the roster, but what we did not anticipate was that those answers would result in a rebuild that is years ahead of schedule. So that brings me to my question this week: Most of us expected a painful season but we are getting the complete opposite. Because of that, are we allowed to be disappointed in the Cardinals this year if they finish below .500 or miss the playoffs?
As a lifelong fan, I always go into every season with high expectations and good vibes, even if the team is not looking so hot on paper. Even if I disagree with the lineup or roster decisions, I am still going to cheer for a 10-0 shutout win. I would much rather be wrong about a player I thought was bad than be right and see them continue to struggle. And this year, my expectations were higher than most and I am beyond happy with how the season has started. In our recent Redbird Rundown episode with Joe Roderick, we handed out quarter grades and I gave the whole team an A, even though some individuals received plenty of marks worse. Now, if that A grade drops to say, a C by the All-Star break, will I be upset? 100% yes, but that is because I want my team to go 162-0 despite the need for this reset season.
The Cardinals have outperformed this year. If they miss the playoffs, does this season become a disappointment?
To give you my answer right away, yes, I will be disappointed if the Cardinals miss the postseason again, but that is the case every year for me. From a zoomed out perspective, though, that may not be fair for this season specifically. The main objective for this season was simply to get answers on the current roster after shipping off the high-priced and underperforming veterans who did not fit into the timeline for the next competitive St. Louis Cardinals team. Through the first two-plus months of the season, I would say that they are well on the way of fulfilling that mission thanks to phenomenal performances by Jordan Walker and JJ Wetherholt, while Masyn Winn, Ivan Herrera, Alec Burleson, and Nathan Church have all shown plenty enough to be considered for the long(er)-term.
The other spots on the lineup taken up by Victor Scott II, Nolan Gorman, and Pedro Pages have created additional conversations of their own, with fans and surely the organization wondering where they all fit beyond this year. Scott has been a massive disappointment, especially after hearing about all of the work he did in the offseason to rework his swing and become more than a stellar defensive center fielder. With Lars Nootbaar returning in the next couple of weeks, the outfield competition is going to be one to keep an eye on. At third, Gorman has been my own personal disappointment as I was excited to see a truly uninterrupted “runway” on defense and in the middle-ish of the order. So far, he is simply showing that what we have seen is who is going to be, with a little better glove than we anticipated. On a team with other run producers and table setters in the order, a.220 batting average and .700 OPS would not be a huge detriment, but when he was expected to be one of the boppers, I understand why Cardinal Nation remains down on his future. As for Pages… I’ll let all of you sound off in the comments about his role with the team. Whether Jimmy Crooks is ready or not, I personally feel it is time to see at least one of the catching prospects get their shot in St. Louis, with Pages then moving into the Yohel Pozo role. We talked with Kyle Reis this week, and he noted that the clubhouse culture is so good right now that the team likely does not want to upset the vibe, so Kyle went as far to say go ahead and send Thomas Saggese down and have four catchers on the roster. Not a bad idea as Saggese would definitely fall into the disappointing category, but is still just 24-years-old so some additional time in Memphis would be best for everyone.
On the pitching side, I personally feel what we are seeing is what the expectations were for the starting five. While the minor leagues has the more exciting arsenals, we are still a little bit away from seeing those arms in the bigs and the major league staff has done exactly what was needed this year. The team obviously hoped to get a little more from Kyle Leahy in the rotation, but he has been completely serviceable thus far. Unfortunately, his service would be better on a team with more exciting arms, but being surrounded by Andre Pallante overshadows his overall effectiveness. There are no complaints from me about Michael McGreevy, although I am nervous for how potentially ugly it could get if the metrics catch up to his real life performance. Matthew Liberatore and Dustin May have been just fine, despite both probably having a little higher expectations coming into the year.
The bullpen rollercoaster is never fun, regardless of a rebuild or competitive window, but holy cow what a ride we have had so far. Riley O’Brien has performed like a top closer in all of baseball, but in my opinion, is best used as a trade piece alongside JoJo Romero and Ryne Stanek. Unfortunately, removing this many arms would create an even scarier reliever alignment, which could cause the team to tumble from contender to rebuild, especially if Matt Svanson and crew are unable to right the ship.
It is that realistic situation that makes me a little uneasy about getting my hopes up too much in May. As someone who is financially invested in the Cardinals’ win totals and potential to make the playoffs, I hope they continue on this amazing run, but the recent comments from Chaim Bloom about the deadline strategy keeps me from counting all the money in the bank. Recently, Bloom said the plan remains to build towards the future but they could get “creative” to keep the young core together and plug some holes that may also have some long-term value. Reading not-so in between the lines, veterans and those on one-year deals may not want to put the finishing touches on their St. Louis residence just yet. This means guys like O’Brien, May, Romero, Stanek, and even Lars Nootbaar and/or Ramon Urias could find themselves playing for a different organization before the summer concludes. Over on Twitter, I asked if the replacements for those subtractions would really be that much of a difference from the current contingent. The overwhelming response was no, and those new bodies might even be better.
Assuming the #STLCards remain committed to the rebuild, that means they will likely trade: – Riley O'Brien – JoJo Romero – Lars Nootbaar – Dustin May
Are the replacements for those players so much worse where we see a big drop off in team performance?
In the bullpen, I do not necessarily agree. The Memphis Shuttle has not run as often as it typically has in the past, so any reinforcements would come in the form of Chris Roycroft, Ryan Fernandez, and Hunter Dobbins before diving into the non-40-man options. Outside of Dobbins, the other two would be a fresh arm replacement for someone in the big league bullpen, rather than heavy artillery coming in to close the door. In this potential outcome, it is a very real possibility that starters’ outings and solid early game offense could be wasted with late game collapses, causing a tumble down the standings and, therefore, my feeling of disappointment towards the season. In that case, the answer to my question is a definitive yes, although I am very strongly against dealing from the depth for bullpen relief. For my armchair GM capabilities, I would simply live on the waiver wire and dumpster dive my way into a diamond in the rough while churning over spots 38-40 on the roster.
It is no surprise that the stellar start to the Cardinals’ season has altered fan perspective on the year, but is that fair to the team? I think so. The players and coaches in the dugout never came into the season expecting to lose, quite the opposite honestly. Everyone on the roster expected this team to be competitive and we are seeing all 26/40 guys pulling on the same end of the rope. Any roster shakeup would come with the potential of messing up that clubhouse aura, and with the overall goal of this year being to find who will be here for the future, it makes the most sense to stay the course.
Let me hear what you think! If the team hovers at or below .500 for the rest of the year, will this year be a failure? Is this a playoff caliber team? Time to cash in on prospects?
Roch Cholowsky of the UCLA Bruins reacts during an NCAA baseball game at Bainton Field in Piscataway, United States, on April 12, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
I’ll be honest. College baseball is decidedly not my thing. The very best college prospects sometimes end up in Double-A, while the vast majority will be sent to A ball or perhaps the complex. If I wanted that I could, you know, go see actual minor leaguers in person. I know “gotta support the school” and all, but I paid tuition to two of them so we’re even. And I find that as a working parent and a guy who watches the Braves intently, I don’t have the bandwidth.
But thankfully, I don’t represent everybody. And some of you really like college baseball. Some of you have played it and others are parents of current players. And I’ve noticed that this place clears out when there’s no Braves game and the NCAA baseball tournament.
This year, the Braves have the eighth highest draft pool. They could end up drafting some of the better prospects. So I’m gonna attempt to follow the college baseball postseason this year. You might get a baseball tournament roundup, or at least an aggregated one from other coverage pretty soon.
So are you going to watch the college baseball tournaments? Are there any players that you’re following? Can you all help me find what to watch for? I know UCLA is good, and there are 8 SEC teams in the top 25. Also, can players jump up the board drastically with a good postseason? I know college football players do all the time. Regardless, you’re going to hear more about it in the coming weeks. The minor league team is already on the hunt, and I’ll be chipping in where I can.
Columbus Clippers Travis Bazzana (12) throws the ball to first base during home opener at Huntington Park on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. | Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Every single member of the Columbus Clippers lineup had at least one hit on Saturday, with three top prospects all homering.
Cooper Ingle led the way, going 2-for-5 with a three-run home run.
Cooper Ingle 3-run homer.
His OPS is now 1.199 in Triple-A.
The Guardians had Austin Hedges pinch hit for Patrick Bailey last night, which tells you everything about where their catcher production is at. pic.twitter.com/vDEzKmuchR
Angel Genao also blasted his second home run in as many days, also going 2-for-5 and raising his Triple-A OPS to 1.006.
Make that consecutive days with a home run for Angel Genao!
The @CleGuardians No. 2 prospect (MLB No. 47) continues his tear since being promoted to Triple-A last week with 11 hits — 7 for extra bases — in his past 7 games for the @CLBClippers. pic.twitter.com/niN8JmhcGD
Juan Brito reached base safely four times, going 1-for-2 with three walks. Kahlil Watson doubled and had a sacrifice fly while Nolan Jones doubled and walked. Stuart Fairchild doubled and walked and Kody Huff went 1-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base.
Starting pitcher Logan Allen got hammered for six runs on nine hits in 3.2 innings with two strikeouts and two walks.
Jack Leftwich added 2.1 scoreless innings of relief while Daniel Espino added a scoreless inning while striking out the size. Tanner Burns earned the save by getting the final out of the ninth inning.
Luke Hill had a huge game for Lake County, but it wasn’t enough. Hill went 2-for-2 with a home run, a double and two walks, raising his season OPS to 1.006.
Johan Rodriguez had the lone multi-hit game, going 2-for-4.
Jose Pirela went 1-for-3 with a walk, while Cannon Peebles went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk. Robert Arias tripled while Yaikel Mijares walked twice and stole a base. Jhorvic Abreus homered.
Starting pitcher Will McCausland allowed four runs on six hits with three strikeouts and three walks in 4.0 innings.
Jervis Alfaro allowed four additional runs on seven hits in 3.0 innings.
Luke Fernandez added a scoreless inning of relief.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 10: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game on April 10, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Bringing a bad team to contention typically takes time. It took the Mavericks four years to return to prominence after drafting Luka Doncic. Cooper Flagg’s timeline is setting up to be similar.
A lot has happened in the past year. After the Mavericks punted and traded Anthony Davis, the flagship piece in the Doncic trade (no pun intended), the championship timeline was reset. Here are four characteristics of today’s contenders, and a timeline of when Dallas could get there.
SPOILER ALERT: It could be sooner than you think.
You need a Batman
Well, the good news for Dallas is that this one is taken care of. Finding a true bona fide superstar is the toughest part of a rebuild. Just ask the Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, and today’s shining star: the Detroit Pistons. The additional challenge teams face is that not every really good player can be a Batman. Cooper Flagg showcased his superhero abilities this season and proved he can be the next franchise superstar.
Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game this season. The only other rookies to average at least 20-6-4? Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird, Elgin Baylor, and Luka Doncic. That’s pretty good company. Flagg became the first teenager to score 50 points in a game when he did so against the Orlando Magic on April 3. He also set the record for the most 40-point games in a season by a rookie, with four, surpassing LeBron James, who held the previous record of three.
The praise for Flagg could go on and on. The only thing left for the rookie sensation to accomplish is taking home the Rookie of the Year trophy. He’s neck-and-neck with former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel, who set his own fair share of shooting records this season as a rookie. But no matter who takes home the hardware, you get the picture. Dallas has its new Batman.
You need a Robin
Is Robin somewhere in the 2026 NBA draft? Is he on the team already? This one is hard to answer. After Kyrie Irving tore his ACL in March of 2025, there was optimism in Dallas that he would return before the end of the 2026 season. But with the Mavericks well out of the playoff picture, the organization decided to shut him down for the rest of the season.
Irving could be the Robin Dallas is searching for to fit alongside Cooper Flagg. After some growing pains initially with Luka Doncic, Irving proved he could be a legitimate second threat on a championship contender. The Mavericks were 15-27 in clutch games this season. Playing without a true, seasoned point guard stung them countless times this season. Could a healthy Kyrie Irving flip that to 27-15? There’s an argument for it. Before he went down last season, Irving was averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. Plug those numbers into this team with his poise and leadership, and Dallas could have been, at the bare minimum, in the playoff hunt
Or maybe the Robin comes from the draft. The Mavericks have to hit again in this lottery since they do not own their own pick again until 2031. With loads of talent at the top of the board and Dallas sitting at 8th in the draft, there’s a real chance the Mavericks strike gold in two consecutive drafts. The depth of the guard class is incredible – Darryn Peterson, Kingston Flemings, Keaton Wagler, Mikal Brown Jr., Darius Acuff Jr., and Labaron Philon are just a few. And again, those are just the guards. There’s plenty of talent to go around this summer.
If you look at recent champions, each had a 1A and a 1B. The Thunder had Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. The Celtics had Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Nuggets had Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. The blueprint of recent contenders says you need two legitimate threats with the proper supporting cast.
You need an identity
Every contending team has an identity. The Thunder play swarming defense. The Nuggets have an elite center with athleticism and snipers. The Celtics have two stars and are lethal from three. When teams prepare for the Mavericks, what do they think? Do the Mavericks have a true identity? Outside of Cooper Flagg, Dallas doesn’t have much to hang its hat on other than playing hard. But playing hard doesn’t mean winning (as we saw). So the Mavericks need to develop a true identity.
When the game slows down, what is the one thing this team can rely on to get them wins? Most might be tempted to say defense, but the Mavericks were 20th in the NBA this season in defensive efficiency, giving up an average of 116.5 points per game. Injuries wrecked this season for Dallas, so we can’t say with true certainty that the Mavericks aren’t a really good defensive team, but the numbers aren’t there yet.
Unless the roster gets a complete 180-degree flip, it’s hard to imagine the strength of Dallas being the offense. The Mavericks were 27th in offensive efficiency this season, scoring only 111.2 points per game. Dallas also ranked 26th in three-point shooting, cashing in on just 34.4% of attempts. There’s no question the Mavericks need more offensive firepower. They first need to develop a league-average offense before making it any part of their identity.
Either way, the Mavs need an identity that the team can buy into that feeds into wins. Until then, they’ll be on the outside looking in. And developing an identity takes time and typically encompasses multiple seasons. But that process needs to start this offseason.
You need health
It is no secret that the Mavericks have been riddled with injuries. Kyrie Irving missed the entire season. Dereck Lively missed 75 games. Daniel Gafford missed 27 games. P.J. Washington missed 26 games. Anthony Davis played less than half of his total possible games as a Maverick. Dante Exum didn’t play a game in a Mavs uniform this year. This season was another grind for Dallas.
You need a certain amount of luck each season to be in the championship conversation, and when it comes to injuries, Dallas has had zero luck. Particularly when it comes to its frontcourt showcased in the 2024 playoff run: Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. These two need to stay on the court for Dallas to have a chance at contending again. Some injuries you can deal with, but with Anthony Davis being gone, the Mavericks are thin at the center position. Unless they re-sign Marvin Bagley III or convert Moussa Cisse’s two-way deal, Dallas lacks size in the middle.
And of course, above all, the Mavericks will need Kyrie Irving. If the Kyrie-Cooper connection is as special as we think it can be, next year will be fun. But Irving is 34, and if he were to miss significant time again, it would be another year wasted. The Mavs need him to have any chance at competing.
The timeline
It’s impossible to put a definite timeline on Dallas in its path to contention, but it may be closer than you think. The hardest part is done, in finding Cooper Flagg, a generational talent. If the Robin is Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks, as currently constructed, are at worst a play-in team. There are still many circling questions around Irving and if he can return to form, but even an 80% Irving makes this team much better. Once the franchise adds another key talent to the roster through the 2026 draft, it will only elevate Dallas.
The rest of the roster still needs work. The Mavericks desperately need to add more shooting and playmaking. Dallas also must prove its big men can stay healthy for a full season, or at least comparable to 2024. Both weaknesses will probably take more than a year to figure out.
The realistic timeline to contention is probably somewhere in the two to three years range. With some experience under his belt, Cooper Flagg will only continue to get better. If you add his current running mate in Kyrie Irving, and a new running mate from the draft, this team gets better quickly but is still lacking experience.
Assuming no major injuries next season, the Mavs should take a big leap in the standings. After a full year of Kyrie Irving back and Flagg paired with his new young talent, the Mavericks should elevate themselves to at least middle-of-the-pack.
PREDICTION: 2028-2029 season is when Dallas officially enters contender conversations.
Putting it all together
If there is one team that feels both so close and far away to being a title threat, it’s the Mavericks. They have the centerpiece but still need to work around the edges with the rest of the roster and have decent health. They are probably two to three years away from contention, but the path is there.
The good news is that for now, we know one thing for sure: it can’t get any worse than these past two seasons, right?
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 15: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on at the end of the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Six of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 15, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In retrospect, the Timberwolves were likely dead on arrival coming into the series. The Spurs showed they were the better team. They did so in the regular season when they won 13 more games, and again during this playoff series when Victor Wembanyama proved to be a perfect counter for many of the Timberwolves’ offensive strengths.
The injuries to Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo in the previous round made the already tall task of upsetting the Spurs even more unlikely. In some ways, the Timberwolves did well to drag the series to a sixth game despite being outscored by a total of 97 points.
Losing to this Spurs team, by itself, should not be met with ridicule, but regardless of the factors working against them, the Timberwolves’ performance in this series was indicative of a team not well enough equipped to win four straight playoff rounds.
The Spurs are the ultimate bad matchup. That might be true for every team in the NBA, but it is certainly true for the Timberwolves, whose frontcourt lacked the shooting and offensive playmaking to pull Wembanyama away from the rim.
The truth about the NBA Playoffs is that pretty much every team will eventually come up against a team that is a bad matchup for them. Many good and even great teams have been taken out by a team that just had their number (the Denver Nuggets being a good example).
Championship-caliber teams, though, find a solution to every different problem thrown their way. When an opponent pokes at a weakness, they systematically find either a counter to what the other team is doing or a way to mitigate that vulnerability.
The ability to read and react to every different type of situation isn’t something that can be found during the Playoffs; it’s a skill that is cultivated during the regular season so that it becomes ingrained into the DNA of the team.
The Timberwolves never gave themselves the chance to build the necessary habits needed to win four straight playoff series. By their own admission, they did not take the regular season seriously and waited for things to change once the postseason rolled around.
“[Wolves players] kept telling me it would be different when we get [to the playoffs]. Game 1 wasn’t any different, so we jumped their ass. They lied to us. And they responded.”
While the Timberwolves’ season officially ended Friday night at Target Center, their pursuit of a championship in many ways ended months earlier. There were numerous times throughout the regular season that the Timberwolves hit rock bottom and called themselves out, only for the same issues to reappear weeks or months later.
“Do we care?” That was the question Rudy Gobert posed after a 24-point drubbing at the hands of a 16-19 Atlanta Hawks team on New Year’s Eve. That game came just four days after a 16-point loss to the Brooklyn Nets, who finished the season with the third-worst record in the NBA.
“Do we care?” Gobert repeated. “Does something happen when we like we played the first quarter tonight? Or is it just cool? Make a lot of money, we play basketball, do what we do, and go home and be happy. I think that’s the fine line between a team that’s playing for a championship and a team that’s full of talent but doesn’t accomplish shit.”
For most of the regular season, the Timberwolves acted like things were just cool. They had some solid games throughout the season, but they were almost always followed by an equally poor performance. At no point did they look like a championship-caliber team.
The Timberwolves did win six of their next seven games following the loss in Atlanta, but immediately lost five straight after that, including a pair of baffling losses to the tanking Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls. The trend continued after the All-Star Break when the Wolves won five straight games before losing three straight by a combined 66 points in early March.
Following the season-ending loss, Edwards made it clear he understands what will be needed in future seasons: “You’re supposed to build championship habits or playoff habits during the regular season.” When asked if his team did that, Edwards responded, “No, we didn’t build the habits during the regular season.”
Anthony Edwards on building championship habits
"We just gotta listen to the coaches. We had a hard time of processing stuff and going out there and doing it. We try to do stuff on our own. — You're supposed to build championship habits or playoff habits in the regular season." pic.twitter.com/Q4kFljoZfl
Pretty much every member of the Timberwolves roster felt similar to Edwards about the team’s lack of consistency during the regular season.
“The habits that we’ve built throughout a season, they matter so much,” Mike Conley explained. “It shows up when you need it most, when you need to make that extra play with two seconds left in the game or to go crash for the rebound, even when you’re tired, or getting back on defense, spacing the floor for your teammates, sacrifice runs, all that stuff. It’s something that you just don’t flip a switch for. It’s something that you have or want to do from training camp on, and it just becomes a part of you.”
Gobert felt similar to Conley, saying, “I just think that the habits that we build from day one of training camp, we carry over until the last day of the playoffs. I think when we decide who we want to be and we apply that every day, we get rewarded.”
Jaden McDaniels said, “Being consistent in our habits and what we do” was the lesson to be learned from the regular season. Naz Reid echoed that sentiment when asked about the team taking the next step, saying, “Probably consistency, just being able to be that team where you know we made waves, we were dominant.”
One voice that was notably absent was that of Julius Randle, who did not speak to the media following Game 6 and did not participate in exit interviews with the media the next day. Randle was the only member of the Timberwolves’ extended rotation who did not speak to the media after the conclusion of the season.
The Timberwolves as a franchise have accomplished more in the playoffs over the past three seasons than they did in the previous 34 years combined. They have also been a clear step behind the best team or two in the league over those three seasons.
Winning a championship is not the only barometer for success in the NBA, but it has been a stated goal of this Timberwolves franchise. With a player of Edwards’ caliber on the roster, how could it not?
Both the Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder both appear primed to dominate the Western Conference for years to come, putting the Timberwolves feel to be on much shakier ground than they have been in recent memory.
Regardless of the offseason moves that are sure to come in the next few months, the journey toward winning a championship for the Timberwolves begins with the start of training camp next fall. They can no longer get bored with the regular by December or rely on “flipping the switch.”
The team and their best players have said all the right things, but their actions during the 2026-27 regular season will tell the real story about whether or not the Timberwolves are actually serious about chasing their ultimate goal.
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: Keibert Ruiz #20 of the Washington Nationals watches his ball as he hits a three-run home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the second inning at Nationals Park on May 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Nats have finally done it! After 15 failed attempts, the Nationals finally got over the hump, beating the Orioles 13-3 to reach .500. It is May 17th, and the Washington Nationals enter play with a 23-23 record. Seeing the instant impact this new regime has made has truly been a joy to watch as someone who covers the team.
Final: Nats 13, Orioles 3. They did it. At 23-23, they won a game to reach the .500 mark. They had been 0-15 over the last two calendar years when a win would've gotten them to .500.
The game yesterday was a close and tense affair until it suddenly was not. While the Nats were always in the driver’s seat, there was a feeling of tension around the game until the bottom of the 7th. The Nats got out to a 4-0 lead, and had chances to blow the game open, but did not take them.
For a minute, it seemed like that lack of a killer instinct would cost the Nats. It was quickly forgotten, but that top of the 7th was a bit of a disaster. After the Nats loaded the bases with nobody out, but did not score in the 5th, it seemed like the momentum shifted. Cade Cavalli pitched brilliantly in the first 6 innings, but ran into a wall in the 7th.
The O’s took advantage of that, hitting back to back jacks off the Nationals right hander to start the inning. The rest of the inning was a long and winding road that included walks, robberies and long at bats. However, the Nats got out of there allowing just one more run to hold onto the lead.
Winding back a bit, the Nats got out to that big lead due to their catcher. With how he is hitting, I don’t think we can call Keibert Ruiz an unlikely hero anymore. He is showing a ton of power right now. For the season, he has 13 extra base hits in 87 AB’s. Last year, he had 14 XBH in 255 AB’s. Sure, Ruiz’s .244 OBP is terrible, but he is making up for it with a .471 slugging percentage. He hit a massive 3-run homer in the second in this contest.
It is very cool to see Ruiz have big games at the plate. I have been critical of Ruiz over the years, but he seems like a good character and a hard worker. Blake Butera said as much when I asked him about Ruiz. Butera called Ruiz, “An incredible person to coach”. He pointed to Ruiz’s willingness to work on things and try new ideas.
At the beginning of the season, Ruiz really struggled at the plate. It felt like Ruiz was so keyed into making defensive improvements that it hurt his offense. To his credit, Ruiz’s defense has gotten way better. He has a +1 fielding run value, which is a huge step forward. Last year, he was at -10, and has consistently been one of the worst defensive catchers in the league. You have to give a ton of credit to new catching coach Bobby Wilson, as well as Ruiz.
Now that the defense is where he wants it to be, it seems like Keibert has been trying to get back to his best as a hitter. Over the last couple weeks, he has really done that. In May, Ruiz is hitting .323 with a 1.097 OPS. Sure, he does not have any walks, but he is showing a better approach at the plate. He is waiting for pitches that he can do damage with and crushing them. Even Jacob Young noted that he thought Ruiz was doing a better job getting his A swing off.
Right now, Ruiz has a 94 wRC+ while being an above average defender behind the plate. That will certainly play, and I think the Nats should be playing Ruiz more. However, they still need to balance that with not overplaying him like they have in the past. While he is clearly the best catching option right now, you want to keep him fresh.
Overall, this was just an outstanding day at the ballpark. That bottom of the 7th inning was electric. This offense just kept attacking the O’s pitchers and never let up. With the way Lile and Ruiz are hitting, this offense is so dangerous to pitch to. It is not just Abrams and Wood anymore, the supporting cast is coming through too.
The Nationals in the 7th inning:
Wood: Walk Mead: Pop out House: RBI-2B Abrams: 1B Lile: RBI-FC Nunez: Walk Ruiz: 2-RBI 1B Wiemer: FC Young: 3-run HR
Jacob Young’s homer was the cherry on top of that inning. He was one of many Nationals to have a big game today. Young hit his 4th homer of the season, which is already a career high. He also made a couple outstanding plays on defense, including one in the top of the 7th. Sure the bat can be frustrating, but there is a reason Young has a role on this team. The extra power is also a fun, new element to his game.
One thing that stood out to me in the press box was how great the crowd was. There were over 40,000 people in the building, and they were engaged. Sure, there were some O’s fans in attendance, and they got loud in that 7th inning. However, it was a pro Nats crowd that was cheering on their squad throughout.
Blake Butera was quick to give the fans credit after the game. Before he took questions, he made a little statement thanking the fans and talking about how much it meant to the team. He talked about how much the players love playing in front of a big crowd and said they were talking about how much Navy Yard was buzzing. To see them make that big crowd happy as well fired me up.
Blake Butera opened his postgame press conference with a message to Nationals fans: pic.twitter.com/THJEtMFcg3
The best way to get people to come to the games is to win, especially on days where there are already big crowds. You have to make the Nationals cool again, and this weekend is a huge step in the right direction. These two games have created a real buzz around this team. Blake Butera may not want to acknowledge it, but getting back to .500 plays a role in creating more buzz going forward.
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Cameron Boozer shoots the ball during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 12, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Talk about a brutal interview! Here’s a question that Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith asked Cameron Boozer: “Carlos (Boozer) could only take us to the Western Conference Finals. What do you think you could do?”
Well damn.
Really, it’s a two-level question, or possibly three.
The first level is psychological. It’s the sort of question that is designed to irritate you and throw you off. So you have to kind of steady yourself emotionally first. That’s very clever, really.
The proper way to answer would be something like this.
Part I. My father taught me to play the game in ways that he could not, so first, he’s a very good teacher. He was primarily a power forward, and his skill set revolved around that. My skills overlap his. I am similarly built, but I also have a perimeter game and I can drain threes. I owe a lot of that to him. He helped Cayden and me to make sure that our fundamentals were impeccable.
Part II. No one player can lead a team to a championship. It’s a team game. I can help make any group better – my resume backs that up pretty solidly – but this is the most competitive league in the world. As long as I am on a team that has talent and plays together, I am totally confident that any team I am on will reach its potential, and I believe we can win championships in Utah.
It occurs to us that this is a unique question that could only be asked of Boozer. You could theoretically ask Cayden, but he’s a point guard, and that’s different. What a remarkable question.
May 16, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Buffalo Sabres center Konsta Helenius (94) celebrates with his teammates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period in game six of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
David Kirouac-Imagn Images
MONTREAL — Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 18 saves after starter Alex Lyon stopped only one of the four shots he faced, and the Buffalo Sabres roared back to beat the Montreal Canadiens 8-3 on Saturday night and force a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.
The winner Monday night in Buffalo will face Carolina for the conference title and a chance to play for the Stanley Cup. The Hurricanes swept both of their series, last playing May 9.
“I think if you would have asked every guy in here in September if they would have taken being in Game 7 in Round 2, we all would have signed up for that,” Buffalo forward Tage Thompson said. "So, we’re in a great spot. Now it’s just one game. That’s all that matters.”
Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and four assists for a team playoff-record five points.
Buffalo came back after trailing 3-1 midway through the first period.
“We believed in it from the beginning and (Luukkonen) came in and gave us a little boost,” Dahlin said. “It was a mix of everything, but I’m super happy with the character from today’s game.”
Jack Quinn scored twice and added an assist, Thompson had three assists and an empty-net goal, and Zach Benson and Jack Quinn each had a goal and an assist. Konsta Helenius and Zach Metsa also scored.
Arber Xhekaj, Ivan Demidov and Jake Evans scored for Montreal, which won a Game 7 at Tampa Bay in the first round. Jakub Dobes stopped 27 of 33 shots, and Jacob Fowler made a save and allowed a goal in relief.
“Pretty shocked,” Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki said. “We’re up 3-1 in the first period and we lose 8-3."
After Dahlin opened the scoring 32 seconds in, Montreal chased Lyon with the three-goal burst.
Xhekaj tied it at 1:40, Demidov scored on a power play at 8:12 and Evans made it 3-1 on a short-handed break with 9:46 left. Luukkonen then took over in goal, and Zucker got one back for Buffalo on a power play with 6:04 to go in the period.
Benson tied it a minute into the second, slipping in a short backhander from the left side. Quinn put Buffalo ahead on a power play with 9:06 left in the second, slapping a one-timer from the top of the right circle past Dobes. Helenius made it 5-3 with 7:01 remaining in the period, striking from short range.
“We did have control of it,” Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson said. “They made a push, they made some good plays, and we didn’t really fight back hard enough for whatever reason.
Quinn added his second of the night on a power play midway through the third. Thompson scored into the empty net, and Metsa capped the scoring on a late power play.
Buffalo was 4 for 6 on the power play. Montreal was 1 for 3.
It’s the two most electric words in sports: Game 7 and our NBA player prop projections are locked in for this decisive showdown between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons, with the model identifying several high-value betting opportunities to close out the Eastern Conference semifinals.
By analyzing the data against current market lines, we’ve identified where the strongest edges exist.
If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Sunday, May 17.
Cavaliers vs Pistons computer picks for Game 7
Cavaliers
Pistons
Mitchell o25.5 points -105
Cunningham o26.5 points -120
Strus o2.5 3-pointers +135
Duren o8.5 rebounds -135
Harden o6.5 assists +102
Jenkins o3.5 assists -120
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Cavaliers Game 7 computer picks
Donovan Mitchell Over 25.5 points (-105)
Projection: 26.5 points
Donovan Mitchell struggled to find his rhythm in Game 6, finishing with just 18 points on an inefficient 6-for-20 shooting night in what could have punched the Cleveland Cavaliers’ ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals. That level of production simply won’t cut it in a win-or-go-home Game 7.
Having come up short of this scoring line in each of the last two games, Mitchell feels due for a bounce-back performance—one more in line with the explosive showing he delivered in Cleveland’s Game 4 victory.
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Max Strus Over 2.5 3-pointers (+135)
Projection: 2.52 3-pointers
Max Strus has elevated his intensity on both ends throughout this series against the Detroit Pistons, and a Game 7 should only amplify that energy.
He’s knocked down multiple threes in back-to-back games, and will once again be counted on to make his mark from deep as the Cavaliers try to get past a scrappy Pistons squad on the road.
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James Harden Over 6.5 assists (+102)
Projection: 7.08 assists
James Harden has gone over this assists line in three of six games in the series against Detroit, and nearly made it four after recording six dimes in the Game 5 overtime win. If Cleveland is going to advance, it’ll need Harden at his playmaking best — this team’s ceiling has always been tied to his performance.
Expect the veteran to step up in a must-win spot, facilitating at a high level and putting himself in position to cash this assists prop as the Cavaliers push for a showdown with the Knicks.
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Pistons Game 7 computer picks
Cade Cunningham Over 26.5 points (-120)
Projection: 26.97 points
Cade Cunningham has been on a scoring tear, averaging 28.8 points over his last 10 games; nearly five points above his season average. The matchup only adds to the appeal, as Cleveland has allowed opposing starting point guards to shoot 41.4% from three this season, the second-highest mark in the league.
With that vulnerability in play, Cunningham is set up nicely to deliver at home — and there’s no bigger stage than a Game 7 in front of the Detroit crowd.
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Jalen Duren Over 8.5 rebounds (-135)
Projection: 10.41 rebounds
Jalen Duren bounced back in a big way in Game 6, reasserting himself on the glass and helping keep the Pistons’ season alive. After a few quieter outings against Cleveland, he responded with a strong 15-point, 11-rebound performance.
Now heading into Game 7 at Little Caesars Arena, expect Duren to carry that momentum with a renewed edge as he looks to clear this rebound line once again.
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Daniss Jenkins Over 3.5 assists (-120)
Projection: 4.02 assists
Daniss Jenkins has consistently stepped up in key moments for Detroit, making his presence felt with hustle plays, timely rebounds, and shot creation. While he’s hovered around this 3.5 assists line for most of the series — only clearing it in Game 2 — he’s been right on the doorstep more often than not.
In a win-or-go-home scenario, expect Jenkins to be heavily involved again, with a strong chance to convert those "almosts" into enough dimes to push this prop over the line.
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How to watch Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 7
Location
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Date
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
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.
SAN FRANCISCO — The first domino of the Warriors’ offseason fell last week, when Steve Kerr signed to return as their head coach. Now, the real business can begin.
“We have a lot to figure out this summer,” Kerr said.
Steph Curry has expressed a desire to get an extension done. There is mutual interest in locking up Brandin Podziemski long term. Draymond Green must decide whether to exercise his player option or seek a longer-term deal at a lower annual figure.
The Warriors’ Steph Curry has indicated he wants to play “multiple” additional seasons. Lev Radin/Shutterstock
Then there is the prospect of the No. 11 pick, a valuable asset in a loaded lottery that the team can use to inject some youth into an aging roster — or in a potential trade for another superstar to pair with Curry.
“As far as trade acquisition stuff, I mean, we’re probably always in the conversation, frankly, because we have the draft capital to be,” Dunleavy said. “If there’s offers to the pick to move up, move back, trade for a veteran player that could help us, we’ll definitely look at all that stuff.”
It’s no secret the Warriors sought to add Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kawhi Leonard during this season’s trade deadline. They’ve also been rumored as a possible landing spot for LeBron James, should his eight-year run with the Lakers end.
However, there is more to consider than simply star power when supplementing a roster built around an age-38 Curry. They will already be “behind the eight ball” to begin the season, Dunleavy acknowledged, while Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody recover from injuries.
“I think we had, like, six guys this year who either couldn’t play back-to-backs or were on minutes restrictions often at the same time,” Kerr said. “We can’t do that again. It’s too hard to build continuity. We need some younger legs, for sure. We know that.”
The draft gives them a chance to do that, and Kerr said with their shortcomings to start the season, particularly on the wing, “that guy has to play” if they hold onto their pick.
The Warriors have an interest in signing Brandin Podziemski to a long-term deal. NBAE via Getty Images
Butler and Moody are two of only five players under contract for next season. Kristaps Porzingis, Gary Payton II and Seth Curry are unrestricted free agents, De’Anthony Melton and Al Horford also have player options, and Pat Spencer and Quinten Post will have the opportunity to receive offer sheets from other teams as restricted free agents.
Golden State also has three assistant coaching vacancies to fill, including the top two chairs on the bench following the departures of Chris DeMarco, Jerry Stackhouse and Terry Stotts.
Dunleavy said he is hopeful about reunions with Porzingis and Horford, who “add[ed] an element to our team that we haven’t had in the past.” Horford, 39, must decide if he wants to keep playing, in Golden State or elsewhere, while Porzingis may have to weigh the value of the Warriors’ training staff against more lucrative offers from other teams.
The Warriors said “the ball is in his court” regarding Draymond Green’s return. Getty Images
As for Green, whose player option would pay him $27.7 million, “the ball is in his court,” Dunleavy said. “We have had discussions where we want him to finish his career as a Warrior. He kind of feels the same way. I would expect him to be back, but it’s his call on that.”
The Warriors didn’t give Jonathan Kuminga the contract he wanted before restricted free agency, straining a relationship that hit its breaking point at the trade deadline this season.
With Podziemski, Dunleavy indicated the team is targeting a different outcome.
“It’s one of those situations where if you want a player back, it’s got to work for you and him,” the GM said. “Hopefully we can come to a contract agreement before the start of next season.”
Another extension will take priority: One for Curry, who will make $62.6 million this season but doesn’t have a contract beyond that. Curry said he hopes to play for “multiple” more years, and now Kerr’s contract extends a year beyond Curry’s current commitment.
“I’m sure those conversations will happen,” Dunleavy said. “You can predict where they’ll be going. I don’t see any scenario where we don’t want to figure out a way to have him finish here.”
Jordan Walker
Munetaka Murakami
Max Muncy
Cavaliers
Pistons
