Continued success raises the bar in a way that leads you to acknowledge Shohei Ohtani is in the middle of his most difficult run of form on the mound this season, when he has still averaged the equivalent of a quality start across his latest three outings—allowing a combined six earned runs in 18.2 innings of work. Always thinking about the big picture with their most prized asset, the Dodgers—currently in the middle of a run with 13 straight games without an off day—decided to push back Ohtani a couple of days, giving him more time to recover in between starts.
In the short term, that decision has already seen the negative impact of a blowout loss in a bullpen game preventing a sweep of the A’s in West Sacramento. Now, we’ll see how Ohtani does, particularly how he does with Dalton Rushing behind the plate and not the currently injured Will Smith, a change that has caused some disruption, to say the least. Chuckie Robinson has started two of the last five games behind the plate, and given the recent problems, it would not be a shock had the Dodgers chosen to give Robinson an opportunity with Ohtani starting. Instead, they opted to keep their young lefty bat in the lineup while trying to work through some of these defensive issues.
For the Padres and Michael King, it’s time to try and stop the bleeding on a team that has been hemorrhaging runs as of late. Across their last two games alone, the Padres have allowed an absurd 35 runs, a dozen to the Dodgers on Thursday after 23 to the Cubs. Just to put it into context, even though they have allowed seven runs in each of their previous two games, you’d have to accumulate the Dodgers’ last eight appearances to reach a figure that San Diego has let across in just 18 innings of baseball.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Khaman Maluach #10 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a photo during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 16, 2025 at the Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
We are one week away from Summer League tipping off in Las Vegas, and with it comes our first look at Suns basketball since late April, when the team’s season ended with a first-round sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Granted, Summer League is a much different environment. But it’s exciting nonetheless, especially when you have a collection of young players you hope will one day play meaningful roles in the direction of your franchise. The Suns have made it clear that development is one of the organizational pillars they’re trying to build around, and Summer League provides the first real opportunity to put that philosophy into action.
With that in mind, the Phoenix Suns have officially released their Summer League roster, and there are plenty of notable names on it.
Sophomore draft picks Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming headline the roster, as the expectation is that both will see significantly larger roles with the Suns next season.
Fleming appeared in 55 games as a rookie, averaging 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game. Maluach, whom the Suns selected 10th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, played the fewest minutes of any player chosen in the top 10 of that class. He logged only 411 total minutes across 46 games. The next lowest total among the top 10 picks belonged to Collin Murray-Boyles, who played nearly three times as many minutes for the Toronto Raptors.
Also on the roster is Koa Peat, whom the organization traded up to select with the 30th overall pick out of the University of Arizona. This will be our first opportunity to see him wearing purple and orange. Peat helped lead the Wildcats to their first Final Four appearance since 2001, averaging 14.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in 27.8 minutes per game as a freshman.
The roster also features two players who spent last season on two-way contracts, Koby Brea and CJ Huntley. Brea appeared in 12 games for the Suns, knocking down 13-of-30 from beyond the arc in limited action. With the Valley Suns, he averaged 15.0 points per game while shooting 36.5% from three on 9.8 attempts per game. Huntley saw action in only four games with Phoenix, totaling 12 points in 40 minutes. But in 29 games with the Valley Suns, he averaged 16.0 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting 62.3% from the field.
A couple of other intriguing names on the roster are Sam Hoiberg and Corey Camper Jr., both of whom signed Exhibit 10 contracts with the organization. Hoiberg earned All-Big Ten Defensive Team honors during his senior season at Nebraska, averaging 9.3 points while shooting 38.1% from beyond the arc. Camper finished his collegiate career at Nevada, where the 6’5” guard averaged 16.6 points while posting 45, 40, 80 shooting splits for the Wolf Pack.
Tramon Mark from the University of Texas, a player the Suns brought in for a pre-draft workout, finds himself playing for the Summer Suns. Mark spent six seasons in college after entering as the No. 75 ranked high school recruit in the 2020 class, and he averaged 14.0 points for the Longhorns last season. Another notable name is Jameer Nelson Jr., the son of Jameer Nelson, who played 14 seasons in the NBA and earned an All-Star selection in 2009.
A pair of notable omissions from this year’s Summer League roster are Oso Ighodaro and Ryan Dunn. It appears the minutes they would have occupied are instead being allocated to other young players the organization wants to evaluate, including Rasheer Fleming, Koa Peat, CJ Huntley, and Khaman Maluach. That makes sense. The Suns already have a strong understanding of where Ighodaro and Dunn are in their development. This year’s Summer League is an opportunity to accelerate the growth of the next wave of young talent.
What else stands out from the Summer League roster? Last season, Khaman Maluach was listed at 7’1” on the Suns’ Summer League roster. This year, he’s listed at 7’2”. Koby Brea has also added size, going from 202 pounds to 215. Perhaps the most eye-opening change belongs to Rasheer Fleming. A year ago, he was listed at 190 pounds. He’s now listed at 240.
When the Suns released their Summer League roster a season ago, Rasheer Fleming was listed at 190 pounds. This season, he's listed at 240! 😲
Koby Brea was 202 and is now 215, and Khaman Malauch was 7'1" and is now listed at 7'2". pic.twitter.com/PqOnewTvmH
Whether those measurements are perfectly accurate remains to be seen, but they certainly reflect what the organization appears to be emphasizing: getting bigger and stronger as these young players continue to develop.
The Suns tip off their Summer League schedule next Friday, July 10, at 8 p.m. on ESPNU against the Portland Trail Blazers.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 30: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter at Target Center on December 30, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 108-106. 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
LeBron James is leaving us all hanging in suspense while his agent, Rich Paul, adds fuel to the fire. Paul (via his podcast Game Over) recently shared a behind-the-scenes look at their process in finding a new home for James. This includes a whiteboard with the Cleveland Cavaliers listed as one of the strongest landing spots.
Rich Paul’s white board for LeBron’s next team with realistic destinations 👀
First, we can see that the Cavs are not alone on this list. Other teams in the inner circle include the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, and Denver Nuggets. The Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks are either directly listed or referenced on the outer edges of the board.
Paul says that the board wouldn’t even exist if New York hadn’t won the title this summer. James would be a member of the Knicks. Looks like we dodged a bullet in that regard.
Let’s go over the main takeaways for Cleveland.
Rich Paul on LeBron’s interest in the Cavs:
Brandon Weems (current assistant GM) is a ‘brother’ to James
Dan Gilbert, Grant Gilbert and Koby Altman listed as positives
James ‘loves’ Darius Garland; Paul considers the James Harden trade a negative
Paul says Evan Mobley was never going to be traded to Boston
Notably, the Cavs are the only team that has multiple pros and cons written on the board.
“Big, big x-factor, Brandon Weems is basically LeBron’s brother,” said Paul. “That is a big feather in the cap [for Cleveland].”
The connection to Weems is one of the strongest aspects of this. Weems is reportedly seen as the favorite to replace former Cleveland GM Mike Gansey (now the 76ers GM) as the Cavs’ newest general manager. That’s something that sweetens the deal for James to return to Cleveland.
James apparently having a positive relationship with Gilbert and Altman is also a good sign.
The final two bullet points are where things get interesting.
“The negative is, no knock to James Harden, but no Darius Garland,” said Paul. “LeBron loves Darius Garland so much just like LeBron loves Tyrese Maxey.”
Paul famously told Garland, whom he represents, that last year would be his final season with the Cavaliers. However, this can be interpreted as Paul reading the writing on the wall rather than pioneering a trade for Garland on his own. You can decide that for yourself.
I’d also keep in mind that Paul is a professional salesman who will take every opportunity to praise one of his clients. Rightfully so.
It’s possible that Paul informed Garland to make a decision that would be in his best interest — even if that negatively impacted the view that James would have of Cleveland’s roster. Those things are not mutually exclusive, and Paul ultimately has a responsibility to represent all of his clients equally.
Finally, Paul strongly denies that Cleveland had any intention of trading Mobley to the Celtics in exchange for Jaylen Brown.
“They weren’t giving up Evan Mobley, you don’t have to worry about that,” said Paul.
This is as firm a stance as you can take, and it implies that Mobley is safe from the trading block this summer.
That tracks with common sense. Mobley is one of the best defenders in the NBA and a vital part of a Cavalier defense that is hanging on by a thread. I can’t see why James or Paul would advocate for taking that building block off the roster. Trading Mobley feels like the type of risk that could knock down the house of cards before James even arrives.
As always, the more smoke, the better. James has taken the first step towards returning by announcing that he won’t be back with the Los Angeles Lakers. Everything since then has felt like a gradual pull back home. Only time will tell, but Paul’s comments on Cleveland are encouraging to me.
For the first time in seven years, Sergei Bobrovsky will suit up for a team that is not the Florida Panthers.
On July 1, the 37-year-old netminder inked a three-year, $7 million contract with a division rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bobrovsky will be the No. 1 netminder in the hockey mecca, reuniting with Anthony Stolarz and looking to help deliver a Stanley Cup to Toronto for the first time since 1967.
Earlier today, Bobrovsky spoke to the media for the first time as a member of the Maple Leafs, expressing excitement about joining the organization. But what may have caught more attention were his comments about his exit from the Panthers.
Bobrovsky was very appreciative of his time and understands the business of hockey.
“Well, it’s a business. The organization decided to move a different direction, and that’s pretty much it,” Bobrovsky explained when asked why things fell through. “I respect that. I got nothing against it, so that’s hockey... In my position, again, as I said, I just want to keep only the appreciation and thank for everything what they have done for me.”
Bobrovsky also talked about when he knew he wouldn’t be returning to the Panthers organization.
“To be honest, I thought I’m gonna stay in Florida,” Bobrovsky admitted. “But things work out like how they work out and the Leafs put their trust in me, they put out their belief and they gave me good opportunity to join the historical legendary team and be part of this organization.”
“Oh, it’s pretty much when that last day, when the trade happened with Jacob Markstrom. So that was pretty much the year.”
There were plenty of reports circulating around Bobrovsky and the Panthers’ goaltending situation leading up to the Markstrom trade. Some reports indicated the Panthers were targeting Connor Hellebuyck, but those odds decreased significantly when the Panthers acquired Brady Tkachuk.
Regarding Bobrovsky, some insiders believed he was seeking a max-term contract, while others indicated he wanted a contract of similar value to his previous deal.
In the end, Bobrovsky was given a very reasonable three-year, $21-million contract, one of similar value to Markstrom’s two-year, $6 million AAV.
In the end, no animosity is apparent from either side. The Maple Leafs and Panthers should be back as playoff contenders and could very well meet at some point in the playoffs.
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The Pittsburgh Penguins have made multiple moves so far this off-season. Yet, when looking at their roster, it is fair to argue that they should not be done yet.
The Penguins could use another left-shot defenseman after trading Parker Wotherspoon to the Vegas Golden Knights. When looking at the remaining unrestricted free agents (UFAs), Logan Stanley stands out as a prime potential option for them to consider.
If the Penguins signed Stanley, he would provide them with a 6-foot-7 tough defenseman who could play on either their second or third pairing. He would also work well on their penalty kill because of his shutdown ability.
Stanley's age also adds to his appeal, as he is 28 years old and right in his prime. Because of this, the Penguins could comfortably sign him to a multi-year contract.
In 76 games last season split between the Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres, Stanley posted nine goals, 17 assists, 26 points, 110 hits, and 128 penalty minutes. With numbers like these, he would provide the Penguins' blueline with a bit more offense and plenty more grit. With this, he could be a player worth taking a chance on.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 24: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter during game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 108-100. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Nearly 48 hours after the Sixers agreed to trade Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks to the Boston Celtics for Jaylen Brown, the consensus appears to be that the Sixers made out like bandits.
However, that opinion isn’t universal. Liberty Ballers’ own Josh Grieb expressed his reservations with the deal, and to be completely honest, I also flinched when the news first hit my timeline. (Granted, that was before I realized that one of the two first-rounders they gave up was in 2028 rather than 2033.)
Chalk it up to Markelle Fultz PTSD if you must. Maybe you’re an analytics nerd who’s overly concerned about Brown’s on/off splits in recent years. That’s ignoring the context in which the Sixers made this trade, though.
Look up any recent ranking of the worst contracts in the league. George routinely appeared toward the top of the list. Even rankings that featured Brown had George ranked higher.
George has one fewer year left on his contract and will not be commanding anything close to a 35 percent max on his next deal, sure. Brown very well might be overpaid relative to his production, both now and moving forward.
But this was a risk that the Sixers had to take.
So long, Sixers apathy
As of midday Wednesday, apathy would likely be the best way to describe how most fans felt about the Sixers.
Adding Dean Wade was fine in a vacuum. Signing Ariel Hukporti to an above-minimum contract was eyebrow-raising, and not in a good way. Adding Wade and Hukporti while losing Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr. hardly moved the needle, particularly as other Eastern Conference teams were taking huge swings by adding the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard.
With Brown in tow, the Sixers can think bigger again. They dropped from +6000 to +2000 to win next year’s title after the deal, according to ESPN’s Doug Greenberg, which puts them behind only the Oklahoma City Thunder (+270), the San Antonio Spurs (+270), the reigning champion New York Knicks (+850) and, ironically, the Celtics (+1300).
It’s unclear whether the Brown trade directly contributed to the Sixers landing Anfernee Simons with what figures to be the remainder of their non-taxpayer mid-level exception, but it appears to have helped. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Simons chose the Sixers over other suitors because he believes “his fit is perfect with the revamped 76ers roster.”
The Sixers might not be done there, either. It’s still a long shot—particularly since they have only a minimum contract left to offer—but the Sixers have “entered the mix” for LeBron James and “are attempting to pitch him,” according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
Even if the Sixers don’t land LeBron, the fact that it’s even a possibility is absurd given where they were a few days ago. On The Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN’s Bobby Marks said it likely would have cost the Sixers at least one unprotected first-round pick just to dump George alone.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst then asked him, “So, did they get Jaylen Brown for free?” Marks replied, “Essentially.”
So, why did the Celtics part ways with Brown at that price?
“It wasn’t that the league doesn’t think Jaylen Brown is a great player or an excellent player,” Windhorst said Thursday on NBA Today. “It’s that the league doesn’t value what he produces at his salary slot. At $57 million, what he produces. And that is why he was traded, and that is why he was traded for relatively so little.
“As the Celtics evaluated where they were as an organization and evaluated where they have to operate in this new world of aprons and basically hard salary caps and everything like that, they said they had to move off of a player of his production level at that salary number, and the other teams out there didn’t disagree.”
That’s a reasonable conclusion for the Celtics to reach. They already have Jayson Tatum heading into the second season of a five-year supermax contract. They’ve spent the past year tearing down their championship roster in fear of a $500 million payroll and luxury-tax bill. After losing in the first round of the playoffs (ironically to the Sixers), they might not have seen a path back toward title contention with Tatum and Brown gobbling up roughly 70 percent of the cap every year.
The Sixers didn’t have much of an alternative.
George and Joel Embiid were going to consume roughly 70 percent of their salary cap for the next two years. The Sixers could have chosen to ride those years out and preserved their assets for the eventual Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe era. But how would Maxey take to the Sixers lighting two years of his prime on fire in the hope that George and Embiid could stay healthy throughout the regular season and the playoffs?
Maxey is already heading into the third year of the five-year, $203.9 million max contract that he signed in July 2024. By the time George’s contract expired, Maxey would be going into the last year of his deal. And if today’s NBA has taught us anything, it’s that teams are almost always on the clock with their star players.
Flipping George, who played only 78 total games across the last two seasons combined, for Brown, who played 71 games last year and has yet to miss more than 20 games in a season across his 10-year NBA career, could help the Sixers in multiple ways, analytics be damned.
The Sixers shouldn’t have to play Maxey a league-high 38.0 minutes per game again this year, particularly after signing Simons in free agency and drafting Labaron Philon Jr. with the No. 22 overall pick. Ensuring that Maxey and Edgecombe don’t run out of gas in the regular season is key to the Sixers’ hopes of going on a deep playoff run.
As long as Brown continues to avoid catastrophic injuries, he should also help uplift the Sixers more than George did in the games that Embiid misses. Brown finished sixth in the MVP race this past season, while George’s production plummeted upon his arrival in Philly two years ago.
George’s scalability is what made him an attractive option when the Sixers signed him two summers ago. He could shift down into a No. 3 option alongside Embiid and Maxey—and his off-ball shooting ability made him a strong fit for that role—but he theoretically could scale up whenever Embiid or Maxey missed time. However, that didn’t come to pass.
George admitted after the season that he felt like his explosiveness “wasn’t there this year,” and he planned to spend the offseason trying to figure out how (if at all) he could get it back. That won’t be a problem with Brown, to say the least.
There are undeniably questions about how Brown will fit with this Sixers roster, and whether he can live up to both his current contract and his next deal. He might very well be miscast as a No. 1 option. Luckily, he doesn’t have to be that in Philly.
The alternative to the Brown trade was running out the clock with George—and risking Maxey starting to eye an exit from Philly in the next year or two. From that standpoint, this was absolutely a risk worth taking, no matter what the Sixers’ recent transaction history with the Celtics might suggest.
Life moves fast in the NBA, and after the much-hyped draft and a flurry of offseason moves, Summer League is already here.
Attention turns to the California Classic today, with the San Antonio Spurs battling the Miami Heat before the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Golden State Warriors Blue squad, and it’s a first opportunity to see some of the late first-round rookies in action.
Let's dive into my NBA Summer League predictions and free NBA picks for Friday, July 3.
NBA Summer League predictions for July 3
Pick
Spurs moneyline
-127
Lakers moneyline
-108
Today's Summer League Picks
Spurs moneyline (-127 at Kalshi)
Although none of the San Antonio Spurs’ young core will be in action at Chase Center tonight, that clears the way for Tarris Reed Jr. and other members of the San Antonio rookie class to ball out.
Reed Jr., the No. 26 pick, averaged 14.7 ppg and 9.0 rpg last season at UConn, and I expect him to seize this opportunity to make a case for bench minutes next season behind Victor Wembanyama.
Though Jayden Quaintance will miss out for the Spurs, second-round picks Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Mailq Brown should get minutes here, and San Antonio’s serious approach to summer action could be seen in its 5-3 record last year.
While the Miami Heat can turn to Myron Gardner — who appeared in 45 NBA contests last season — the trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo leaves Miami with fewer young pieces for a Summer League run.
Of course, the Heat specialize in discovering undrafted gems, but they face an uphill battle in this California Classic opener, and I’m taking the Spurs up to -140.
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Lakers moneyline (-108 at Kalshi)
The Los Angeles Lakers have been busy undergoing roster reconstruction over the past few weeks, and now attention turns to the end of the bench, where spots are up for grabs. L.A. enters as a major underdog against the Golden State Warriors, but I’m expecting an upset in California.
Golden State can unleash rookies Yaxel Lendeborg and Alex Toohey alongside sophomore Will Richard, but don’t sleep on this Lakers squad, with Cameron Carr — the No. 24 selection in last month’s draft — running the offense and Adou Thiero looking to boost his stock.
Thiero had some promising flashes during last season’s injury crisis in Lakerland, and there’s a 3-and-D role within reach if he catches the eye in Summer League.
Meanwhile, a rookie-heavy roster will get a jolt of experience from Zhaire Smith, with the 27-year-old former first-round pick auditioning for L.A. this summer.
Friday’s NBA Summer League parlay
Spurs moneyline
Lakers moneyline
+244 at Kalshi
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Philadelphia Flyers have added to their forward depth by signing a former first-round pick.
According to PuckPedia, the Flyers have signed forward Nolan Foote to a one-year, two-way contract. At the NHL level, Foote will have an $850,000 cap hit.
Foote appeared in 12 games last season for the Florida Panthers, where he recorded one goal, six penalty minutes, and 27 hits. He spent the majority of the season in the AHL with the Charlotte Checkers, though, posting 14 goals, 18 assists, and 32 points in 54 games.
Foote was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, 27th overall. In 42 career NHL games over six seasons split between the New Jersey Devils and Panthers, the 6-foot-3 forward has recorded seven goals, three assists, 10 points, and 59 hits.
Foote will now likely serve as a veteran forward for the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. However, he also could be a call-up candidate for Philadelphia when injuries arise during the season.
Drummond’s played in 152 games over two stints with the Sixers and averaged 6.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists. He shared backup center minutes with Adem Bona the past two seasons and took pride in being an active mentor to the ultra-athletic 23-year-old.
Drummond enjoyed expanding his game to include regular three-pointers last season. He went 32 for 90 (35.6 percent) beyond the arc. Entering the year, Drummond had made just 18 threes in his NBA career. The transformation wasn’t as dramatic, but Drummond also set a new career high in free throw percentage, making 63.1 percent of his foul shots.
“There’s a lot of work that I’ve put into it, not only this year but throughout my entire career,” Drummond said on April 15 of his outside shooting. “I’ve worked countless hours … and the work is showing. Shoutout to (Sixers head coach) Nick Nurse for giving me the green light to shoot those shots.”
Success has a cost – but the Knicks’ extreme success is an expense on everyone else.
With the Knicks winning 13 straight playoff games, sweeping two consecutive opponents and making short work of the Spurs in a five-game series in the NBA Finals, the NBA’s salary cap will be much lower than previously expected, according to ESPN.
When the NBA negotiated a $77 billion media rights deal, tripling the previous deal in total value, it attempted to curb the drastic increase in the salary cap by elevating it by a maximum of 10 percent.
Jalen Brunson’s Knicks dominated the NBA enroute to the Finals. NBAE via Getty Images
After the Knicks’ run, though, the upcoming salary cap jump is reportedly just 6.7 percent in the first year of the new media-years deal, which lasts 11 years.
That the Knicks needed just nine games total across the conference finals and NBA Finals — four in the conference, five in the Finals — factored into the dip, per ESPN.
The salary cap is currently $165 million, so the projected increase of 6.7 percent would land it at $175.73 million.
If it had gone up the full 10 percent, the salary cap would sit at $181.5 million.
The NBA warned that the salary cap increase might not reach the 10 percent number, but the Knicks’ postseason dominance is having even further resounding impacts than had previously been anticipated.
The NBA’s salary cap was much lower thanks to the Knicks playoff run. NBAE via Getty Images
The Knicks played in just 19 postseason games on their dominant run to an NBA championship, where they outscored opponents by 14.9 points per game, the best differential in NBA playoff history.
The 19 playoff games played by a champion are tied for the second-fewest in the NBA since 2002 and are only beaten by the 2017 Warriors, who added Kevin Durant to a 72-9 team.
The 2001 Lakers went 15-1 and remain the gold standard for teams in terms of dominance.
News broke postgame that Vasquez had fainted while he was escorted to the X-ray room to get his right ankle checked.
San Diego Padres pitcher Randy Vasquez throws a ball during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. William Navarro-Imagn Images
Vasquez started for San Diego Thursday, giving up four earned runs in three innings pitched after staying in the game despite Mookie Betts hitting him in the ankle with a comeback in the first inning.
He reportedly lost consciousness while walking to the X-ray room, and was thankfully caught by a team trainer before falling to the ground. He was then taken to a local hospital for precautionary testing.
The 27-year-old Vasquez was said to be in stable condition and responsive at the hospital. And Padres manager Craig Stammen provided a positive update regarding his status Friday morning.
Randy Vasquez gets his ankle checked during a start against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wally Skalij for CA Post
“The only thing I got [on Vasquez] this morning was that he’s all clear, and that they were heading back to the hotel. So that’s great news in what could’ve been a really scary situation,” Stammen said, per a July 3 X post from MLB Network Radio.
“But glad Randy is doing well, and X-rays were negative, and all tests came back pretty clean. So we’re in good shape,” Stammen added.
The #Padres catch a MASSIVE break as a hard-hit ball from Mookie Betts hits off Randy Vasquez right into Ty France at 1st pic.twitter.com/0NDue2Z8dk
— Padres Highlights (@FriarHighlights) July 3, 2026
It’s great to hear that Vasquez is doing well after having fainted. And while there’s no definitive update on his ankle, the fact that he remains in the game for several more innings after the comeback hit him and that the X-rays came back negative is a good sign.
Vasquez has a 6–6 record with a 4.71 ERA through 16 starts (of 17 appearances) this season. The Padres will hope he’s available and healthy to make his next start.
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PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 23: Andre Drummond #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns during Round 1, Game 1 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on May 23, 2021 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2021 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
LA dealt Ayton to the Wizards for cap relief and draft picks, opening up the backup big spot. Immediately, the team was linked to multiple players, including Andre Drummond and Kevon Looney.
The Lakers will now focus on finding Walker Kessler's backup on the market — with centers such as Andre Drummond, Jonas Valanciunas and Kevon Looney among those being considered, sources said.
The Wizards took a patient approach to the start of free agency and now land a… https://t.co/3GEA9Wx7gY
A name that's come up when talking to rival teams about a player who would fit the Lakers' current roster has been Andre Drummond. Interesting to see how the Lakers navigate the back-up center spot.
Drummond is an elite rebounder who could come in and make the most of the opportunity. This would be Drummond’s return to LA as he was with the team during the 2020-21 season. Last year, as a backup with the Sixers, he averaged 6.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
Kevon Looney or Jonas Valančiūnas are also viable bigs the Lakers could pursue.
Looney is an 11-year vet who spent his first decade with the Warriors. Last season, he joined the Pelicans but played limited minutes, averaging just 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
He played in 65 games for the Nuggets last season, averaging 8.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. As a backup in LA, he would make a ton of sense, providing size and strength, along with rebounding and scoring ability.
Nick Richards is another name that’s being reported as a player that could end up with the Lakers.
Some other centers that are unsigned – Nick Richards and Kevon Looney https://t.co/bUj0GWF1MC
Richards has bounced around the NBA playing on three different teams in his six-year career. Last season, he averaged 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
The reported trade involving Ayton is a surprise, but it all but guarantees that other moves are coming. The Lakers can’t enter the season with so few bigs, so whether it’s Drummond, Looney, Richards, or someone else, more frontcourt help will have to be arriving.
Stay tuned Lakers fans, the front office is cooking. Hopefully, it’s something everyone will want to eat.
The Yankees made a flurry of roster moves on Friday, most notably, placing star LHP Carlos Rodon on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation.
The move is retroactive to June 30, two days after he last pitched against the Boston Red Sox on June 28. Rodon allowed just one hit in the outing, striking out six and walking four over 5.0 IP.
Over nine starts this season, Rodon has gone 4-2 with a 3.30 ERA and 52 strikeouts through 46.1 IP.
Prior to Friday's game, Rodon said that his UCL is intact and he's dealing with heavy inflammation in the elbow, according to The Athletic's Chris Kirschner.
Additionally, New York reinstated both Trent Grisham and Ryan McMahon from the 10-day injured list. Grisham has been out since June 12 with a right hamstring strain, while McMahon was out since June 21 due to a throat infection.
The team also optioned Oswaldo Cabrera to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after bringing him up with McMahon sidelined. He went hitless with four strikeouts in nine at-bats over three games.
On what was supposed to be a day of injury relief around the Yankees, yet another concern emerged for a club struggling both with health and performance.
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The Yankees officially activated Trent Grisham and Ryan McMahon on Friday but placed Carlos Rodón on the 15-day injured list with what the lefty called “heavy inflammation” — but nothing worse — in his pitching elbow.
Rodón had been bothered by the elbow “on and off” for “the last couple weeks,” he said, and was having issues with recovery that escalated this week.
He underwent an MRI exam on Thursday that found the inflammation and, most notably, found a UCL that was still intact.
“I think it’s a pretty big exhale,” Rodón said before the Yankees opened a series against the Twins in The Bronx.
Carlos Rodon during his latest start against the Red Sox. AP Photo/Steven Senne
Rodón will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection and be shut down for a time — “at least a few days, maybe a week,” manager Aaron Boone said — before building up again.
Neither team nor player offered a timetable, but it is possible he returns within the month if the inflammation clears and recovery goes as planned.
At least at the moment, there is no long-term concern regarding Rodón’s elbow, which underwent a procedure in the offseason to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur.
Still, the Yankees will be without another capable starting pitcher — the 2025 All-Star has pitched to a 3.30 ERA in nine starts this season — at a time when they lugged a season-high, seven-game losing streak into play.
Even with an elbow that became increasingly tricky to handle, Rodón allowed two unearned runs on one hit in five innings on Sunday in Boston.
“I really feel like Carlos was throwing the ball well and doing some really good things,” Boone said. “Hopefully this is something that gets cleaned up and gets him in a better place so that he can return for the stretch drive and be even more of a factor for us.”
Also available for the stretch drive, the Yankees hope, will be Max Fried, who has been building up from a bone bruise in his elbow and is now facing hitters again.
But as the Yankees stand today, the club’s rotation has hit its first adversity with Cam Schlittler coming off his worst major league start, Gerrit Cole proving human, Ryan Weathers’ ERA spiking from 3.14 to 4.08 in his past six starts and Will Warren letting up 13 runs in his past 16 ²/₃ innings.
They lack a true fifth starter and plan to summon Brendan Beck from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to either start or pitch several innings out of the bullpen on Saturday.
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In his major league debut on May 7, the righty prospect allowed two runs in three innings during a win over the Rangers.
The higher-ranked Elmer Rodríguez was not an option after pitching Thursday, and Luis Gil (shoulder inflammation) has yet to begin a rehab assignment.
Hitting has loomed as the team’s biggest issue — the Yankees have badly missed Aaron Judge, who still does not know when he will receive further imaging much less when he can return, and the absence of Giancarlo Stanton has grown more significant.
The club hoped Grisham and even McMahon could provide a spark in the lineup and in the field.
But the rotation, which had been the Yankees’ greatest strength until just a couple weeks ago, added a bit more uncertainty Friday.
“I want to be back as soon as I can, whenever I’m ready,” Rodón said.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: José Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees runs off the field during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium on June 20, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The month of June did not wrap up the way the Yankees had envisioned, dropping nearly a game per day to wrap up the calendar page. Despite some adversity, no month goes by without a highlight with the bat or some leather. June was no different, as multiple Yankees did their part in preventing runs around the field. With plenty of disappointment abound, why not take a look at some high point with the glove over the past month.
Already trailing by a run, the Yankees were on the ropes in a June 10th game against Cleveland. With a couple of runners on base, Stuart Fairchild threatened to make it a lot worse when he lofted a ball deep into right-center field. But, Trent Grisham swooped in to save the day, not with a particularly challenging grab by his standards, but an impressive one, given the fact that he maintained the catch after some rather significant contact with right fielder Jose Caballero. Clearly shaken up by the collision, Grisham held onto the ball, and put an end to the inning, one that could have a lot worse had things fallen a bit different.
In a tied game this time, the Blue Jays were in prime position, with a pair of runners on second and third with just one out. Charles McAdoo seemingly did his job when he rifled a line drive up the middle, just right of the second base bag. Destined for a two-RBI knock, Jazz Chisholm stepped in and went horizontal to snare the line drive. With a the multi-run saving play, Chisholm helped to keep the threat subsided, and the Yankees went on to claim a tight victory north of the border.
June 17th: Caballero snares a liner just above the grass
With two outs in the seventh and a healthy lead in tow, Caballero did his part in moving the game into its late stages. Chicago’s Randal Grichuk hit a top-spinning line drive into left field. Moving in and to his right, the Yankees’ left fielder got a great jump and fully extended to make the grab. With Caballero low to the ground, his skillful grab put a close to the inning and helped the Yankees grab an easy win at home.
Back-to-back highlights from the Yankee utility man. This time trailing in the sixth inning, JJ Bleday’s fly ball into left-center threatened to make this game a blow out. But, running straight back to the track upon contact, Caballero made a full speed grab over the shoulder. With a full extended arm toward the wall, Cabby’s impressive catch ended the inning and thwarted the threat, while giving credence to his skill at multiple positions around the diamond.
In a tight game against the Tigers, Detroit’s Hao-Yu Lee tried to add to the damage with a push bunt against Ryan Yarbrough. The veteran lefty hopped off the mound to back-hand the ball, before jetting toward the first base bag. With no one over to cover the base, Yarbrough took matters into his own hands and ran to the base before laying out to place the tag on Lee and secure the much-needed out. He was initially called safe, but upon review, the lefty’s hard work paid off and the call was reversed to an out.
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