Offensive lineman Sam Greer (Akron, OH/ Archbishop Hoban High School) has officially accepted his invitation to the 2026 Navy All-American Bowl.
Andre Iguodala Quietly Became Full-Time NBPA Boss After 3 Months
Andre Iguodala is now the full-time executive director of the NBPA, having quietly shed his interim tag last year without any formal announcement from the union.
Iguodala became “acting executive director” in late 2023, replacing Tamika Tremaglio following her dismissal from the NBPA. At the time, it appeared Iguodala would hold the role until a permanent successor took over—Sportico’s story on his appointment called it “temporary”—but that changed over the course of his first three months on the job.
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In February 2024, according to someone familiar with the matter, the NBPA’s executive committee and board of player reps, which includes members of all 30 teams, voted to make Iguodala’s position more permanent with a new multiyear contract. There was no formal process that included any outside candidates, said the person, who was granted anonymity because the process was not public.
The union did not publicize Iguodala’s new status or his contract. The word “acting” was removed from Iguodala’s bio on the union website at some point in between Feb. 19 and March 1 of 2024, according to a review of cached pages. The NBPA used the new, shorter title—without the word “acting”—in a press release in August.
Iguodala’s salary is set by the union’s player reps. He was paid $2.8 million in the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, 2024, according to the NBPA’s LM-2 filing, with $2.09 million of that in gross salary.
A union rep declined to comment on the specifics of the process or his contract. Iguodala, currently in Spain for a week-long offseason performance retreat for players, also declined to comment.
Iguodala made $185.2 million in salary across his 19-year NBA career, according to Spotrac. He was a four-time NBA champion, and was MVP of the Finals in 2015 with the Golden State Warriors. As a player he served for more than a decade on the NBPA’s executive committee, including a four-year term as first vice president from 2019-2023.
He has been an active investor as well, both as a player and after retiring, including venture and early-stage investments in Coinbase, Allbirds, Zoom, DataDog and Dapper Labs, which has partnered with both the union and the league on its Top Shot NFT product. He is co-founder and managing partner of Mosaic, a $200 million venture capital firm; Mosaic’s portfolio includes Athletes First, an agency primarily representing NFL players.
Iguodala is a minority owner in NWSL franchise Bay FC, English soccer club Leeds United and the TGL franchise in San Francisco. He invested in the latter two teams alongside other active NBA players, including Russell Westbrook, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Larry Nance Jr. and T.J. McConnell. Iguodala disclosed all of his necessary investments as part of his transition to becoming executive director, the source said.
Iguodala has kept a low profile since assuming the acting position in 2023—a contrast to Tremaglio. He doesn’t do many formal interviews or speaking events in his capacity with the union, nor does he show up often in union press releases. His official status at the union has continued to create confusion in news reports for more than a year after the “acting” label was removed.
He has, however, reshaped the union’s leadership over the past year. In February the NBPA hired David Kelly, then the chief legal officer of the Golden State Warriors, to be the union’s managing director. It’s common for sports unions to be led by executives with legal experience, and Kelly, who also serves as the union’s general counsel, now heads the union’s legal efforts as a supplement to Iguodala’s leadership.
Kelly is one of a handful of union leaders to have joined under Iguodala’s tenure. Others include chief people officer Michelle Crenshaw, chief financial officer Cameron Jones, EVP for player operations Morgan Cato, and VP of brand communications Jacinda Ortiz.
The NBA’s current CBA, which took effect in 2023, runs through the 2029-30 season.
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Yankees prospect Spencer Jones smashes three home runs in first five innings against Rochester
Have a day, Spencer Jones.
The Yankees’ prized prospect is known for his power, and it was on full display on Thursday against Rochester, as the slugging outfielder belted three home runs in the first five innings.
All three home runs came off of Rochester starter Bryce Conley and traveled more than 400 feet, with the third one carrying 433 feet to dead center.
Jones, the Yankees’ No. 4 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, has torn the cover off the ball since his promotion to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre in late June.
The 24-year-old now has 13 home runs to go along with a .405 average and a 1.424 OPS in just 19 games.
A first-round pick of the Yankees in 2022, the left-handed hitting Jones has fans wondering what could be in the majors, especially with Yankee Stadium’s short porch in right field, but he is also very likely to have his name included in any potential major deals ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.
Here’s a look at Jones’ third homer of the afternoon:
SPENCER JONES’ THIRD HOME RUN OF THE DAY 😱 pic.twitter.com/ORl65wr6jO
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) July 24, 2025
NHL Prospect Pool Overview ’25-26: New Jersey Devils Have Talent, But What About Depth?
The New Jersey Devils are next up in the NHL prospect pool overview series.
Tony Ferrari digs into the Devils’ strengths and weaknesses, latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with few exceptions.
Initial Thoughts
The New Jersey Devils are on the rise with elite young talent on the roster and some of the most impressive offensive sequences in the NHL.
Led by 24-year-old Jack Hughes and 26-year-old Nico Hischier, the Devils are well-positioned long-term down the middle, and they have shown flashes of being a truly elite team.
The team has a handful of young defenders already looking like potentially effective players. Luke Hughes, Jack’s younger brother, is one of the most gifted young offensive blueliners in the game. In his two full seasons, Hughes has had 47 and 44 points, the latter coming in just 71 games. His skating and desire to jump up in the rush to help create man-advantage situations mean he could push past the 50-point plateau as a 22-year-old next season.
Simon Nemec isn’t a rookie anymore, having spent most of the 2023-24 season in the NHL. However, after being back and forth between the AHL and NHL this past season, Nemec is still fighting for his spot in the lineup. Nemec has a high-end offensive mind, and he has also shown flashes of solid defensive play. He has just about everything you want from a top-four defenseman aside from a nasty streak. He moves the puck well on the breakout, finding outlets along the wall as well as streaking forwards cutting through the neutral zone. This will be a big season for Nemec.
Lenni Hameenaho is one of the most productive U-21 players in the Liiga over the last 25 years. He’s used his tactical play to pick apart defensive schemes. He isn’t the flashiest or fleetest of foot, but he has the answer when a defender presents him with a problem. He passes under pressure and gets into position to receive a return pass. Hameenaho will be one of the most interesting prospects to watch in training camp as he tries to match the NHL pace.
It’s been a long time coming, but 2019 fourth-rounder Arseniy Gritsyuk finally signed his entry-level contract in May, and he’s set to join the Devils for this upcoming season. The speedy forward is one of the oldest prospects covered in this Prospect Pool Overview series, because a 24-year-old who hasn’t cracked the NHL will likely be a low-impact player if he ever makes it. Gritsyuk signed longer deals in the KHL and avoided coming over. Now that he is here, though, his skill and speed are ready to take on the NHL. He’s been all over the Twitter highlight reels, but now, it’s time to show he’s a legit NHLer.
At 6-foot-7, it’s hard to miss Anton Silayev on the ice. The big, mobile defender has plenty of tools at his disposal, showcasing impressive skating and defensive work. His offensive game doesn’t stand out, but he makes a good first pass and quickly gets the puck out of trouble. He uses his full wingspan to deter attackers, and when he closes, he finishes with full force along the boards. Silayev could help balance out some of the offensively gifted defenders in New Jersey in a couple of years.
Seamus Casey started and ended the season in the NHL, playing 14 games total, but he spent most of this past year in the AHL. He is one of the most intelligent defenders with the puck, finding a play and advancing the puck into a position to create offense. His strength and defensive game must continue to improve, and he must show he can handle the NHL’s physicality, but he should make some noise in training camp once again and challenge for even more NHL time.
One of hockey’s most underrated goalie prospects, Mikhail Yegorov, was a monster for Boston University after joining them partway through the season. The Terriers were having a good season, but they were underperforming in relation to national title expectations early in the year. When Yegorov made the jump from the United States League to the NCAA mid-season, everything changed. His .927 save percentage gave BU a chance to win every night. Yegorov helped the team to the national title game, where they ultimately lost to a feisty Western Michigan squad, but BU might not have even made the Frozen Four without Yegorov’s heroics.
U-23 Players Likely to Play NHL Games This Season
Simon Nemec (D), Luke Hughes (D), Seamus Casey (D)
2025 NHL Draft Class
Round 2, 50th overall - Conrad Fondrk, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)
Round 2, 63rd overall - Ben Kevan, RW, Des Moines (USHL)
Round 3, 90th overall - Mason Moe, C, Madison (USHL)
Round 4, 99th overall - Trenten Bennett, G, Kemptville (Jr. A)
Round 4, 114th overall - Gustav Hillstrom, C, Brynas Jr. (Swe.)
Round 6, 161st overall - David Rozsival, RW, Liberec Jr. (Cze.)
Round 6, 178th overall - Sigge Holmgren, D, Brynas Jr. (Swe.)
The New Jersey Devils traded their first-round pick in the Jacob Markstrom deal, so their first pick came in Round 2, where they drafted center Conrad Fondrk from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. In a weird season where injuries and an underwhelming NTDP group likely played a factor in his production, Fondrk showcased some enticing skill as a passer and shooter. His skating and defensive details are areas for improvement, but in the offensive zone, he could be an effective player. Heading to Boston University in the fall, he will have ample time to get bigger, faster and stronger.
Ben Kevan, a speedy forward, has an impressive highlight reel. He isn’t the most physical player, but he will hunt down loose pucks in space and try to attack on the fly. He is at his best when attacking in motion, struggling a bit when things get bogged down or the puck is worked through the cycle. When he’s 1-on-1 with a defender, Kevan can embarrass an opponent with his slick hands and a burst of speed to blow by them. He must work on the details of his game, but he has a ton of promise.
When the Devils snagged Mason Moe in the third round, they made a low-upside bet on a player who has good tools across the board while lacking a standout skill. Moe helped fill the gaps in Ryker Lee’s game this season, showing his attention to detail so that his hyper-skilled teammate could take advantage of his tools. Moe is a tactical two-way forward who almost always finds himself in an excellent position to make the next play. There’s a very good chance that he ends up being a solid NCAA player for the University of Minnesota.
The Devils took a swing on a massive goalie in the fourth round, drafting the 6-foot-8 Trenten Bennett. Primarily playing in the Jr. A CCHL before getting a stint with the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack, Bennett is an intimidating presence for shooters as they bear down on the net. His frame takes up so much of the net that they have to rely on making him move to open up holes. Bennett is a project, but he’s heading to St. Lawrence University in a year, so he will have plenty of time to refine some of the movement in his game.
Nabbing Gustav Hillstrom in the fourth round might be the best value pick for New Jersey in the 2025 draft. He brings size, a high defensive work rate and value as a playmaker and a net-crashing scorer. Hillstrom isn’t the flashiest player, but he can bust out some fancy hands from time to time, using his length to evade pressure. His biggest strength offensively is his ability to read the play off the puck so that he can burst through seams and create off a pass. Hillstrom could end up as a very solid third-liner who does a bit of everything for a team with championship aspirations.
Drafting out of the Czech junior league is always hit and miss, but the Devils made a nice bet on David Rozsival. He’s heading to the USHL, where he can adapt to the North American game. Dealing with physicality won’t be one of those adaptations, as he even invites contact at times. Rosival gets in on the forecheck and understands how to pressure a defender to force mistakes. He doesn’t have high-end offensive upside, but he plays like a solid third-liner.
The Devils capped off the draft with one of the more interesting picks of the draft. Sigge Holmgren did not play this past year because of a shoulder injury before the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He’s tough to evaluate, but he has shown some puck-moving ability at the U-18 level in 2023-24. Taking a swing this late is well worth it if the Devils deemed him a player of interest before the injury.
Strengths
The Devils don’t have a position that jumps out as a crystal clear strength.
They have solid prospects at just about every position, but they don’t have a ton of depth. With Nemec being an exception to the typical rule that a player counts in this exercise if they are Calder-eligible, the defense is a strength, even if it doesn’t stand out.
Nemec and Silayev could be top-four impact defenders in very different ways, with Nemec being the offensive foil to Silayev’s defensive acumen. Casey looks to prove he’s not just a tweener who is a top AHL defender who’s not quite good enough to be an NHLer.
There are some interesting bets in the system, such as the raw Daniil Orlov, a growing defensive blueliner with a physical edge. Charlie Leddy is an intriguing depth prospect entering his senior NCAA season, playing a steady, simple game.
It’s not like the Devils have incredible depth on the blueline, but they have some players worth following on the back end.
Weaknesses
The Devils have solid centers in the NHL. Core pieces Jack Hughes and Hischier are an elite duo. Soon-to-be 24-year-old Dawson Mercer has promise as a third-line center. Cody Glass is an excellent option at fourth-line center. Glass and Hischier are the elder statesmen among the foursome at 26.
That helps mitigate the weakness the Devils’ pipeline has down the middle.
They added Fondrk, Hillstrom and Moe in the draft, which helps, but the prospects who were already in the pipeline haven’t given much for people to be excited about.
Samu Salminen has struggled to establish his game in the NCAA. Matyas Melovsky is a solid two-way center, and he scored a bit in the QMJHL this past year, but he’s not really an offensive force, which limits his upside.
The Devils don’t necessarily need a center soon, but if injuries strike and the team looks to its pipeline, there won’t be much to draw from.
Hidden Gem: Mikhail Yegorov, G
Things were going well for Yegorov in the USHL, playing for Omaha and putting up good personal numbers, but the team couldn’t chain together wins. An opportunity to play regularly in the NCAA a year earlier than expected drove Yegorov to make the move mid-season.
Switching leagues and teams in the middle of his season was a risk that paid off in a big way.
Yegorov isn’t often mentioned with the top goalie prospects in the world, but after the showcase he put on this past season, maybe he should be. He saved BU’s season and helped the Terriers reach the national title game. He was stellar in just about every game, making massive saves behind a team that liked to push the pace. The Devils have finally fixed their NHL goaltending with Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen, but when the time comes, Yegorov will be the answer in the blue paint for the next era.
Next Man Up: Simon Nemec, D
It’s time for Nemec to come into training camp and give the Devils no other option than to put him on the team.
This past year, there was plenty of tension between the player and the organization, and a trade remains a possibility. If he is still there in training camp, Nemec must show his impact and worth at both ends of the ice. He must showcase his playmaking ability and creativity offensively and then use his skating and reads to play excellent defense. There is a spot for him on the NHL roster, and it’s on Nemec to take it.
Prospect Depth Chart Notables
LW: Lenni Hameenaho, Cole Brown, Josh Filmon, Shane Lachance
C: Conrad Fondrk, Gustav Hillstrom, Samu Salminen, Matyas Melovsky, Mason Moe
RW: Arseniy Gritsyuk, Ben Kevan, Cam Squires, David Rozsival
LD: Anton Silayev, Daniil Orlov, Topias Vilen, Daniil Karpovich
RD: Simon Nemec, Seamus Casey, Sigge Holmstrom, Charlie Leddy
G: Mikhail Yegorov, Trenten Bennett, Veeti Louhivaara, Tyler Brennan, Jakub Malek
For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of The Hockey News in print.
NHL Teams Eye Players in Hockey Canada Case: Cal Foote a Possible Fit for Red Wings
Red Wings could pursue defenceman Cal Foote pending court judgement on criminal case.
The Detroit Red Wings are in still in need of one more addition to their top six as well as depth on the blueline. There's not many options left available but there may be more options joining the board.
In 2024, five players from Team Canada’s 2018 World Junior hockey team—Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton—were charged with sexual assault related to an alleged incident in London, Ontario. The five players have all pled not guilty and a verdict will come out sometime within the afternoon or evening on Thursday.
Insider reports have come out that NHL are mildly looking at adding the involved players only if they are proven to be innocent of all crimes. One of the most highly-talked about names is Hart, as he's a quality starting goaltender that is talented enough to take over a starting job with one mentioned contender being the Edmonton Oilers. One name out of the five that could be looked at in Detroit is Cal Foote.
Could Carter Hart Be Added As Detroit's Backup Goalie?Insider reports indicate NHL teams are looking into former starting goaltender Carter Hart pending the results of a criminal case.
He could be worth an extended look as other teams are reportedly looking at Foote as a depth option but this is all dependent on the result of the criminal case. From early reports and quotes coming out of the courtroom are that the players will be found not guilty but no verdict has been announced yet.
The 6-foot-4 defenseman was once considered a top prospect, selected 14th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft, before his career was impacted by the criminal case. Still just 26 years old, Foote has shown he can contribute effectively, even if not through flashy point totals. He holds a career +24 rating in the NHL and made the most of his time with the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2020 to 2023, appearing in 117 games while averaging just over 13 minutes per night in a bottom-pairing role.
Despite limited ice time, he made a noticeable impact, ranking third among Tampa defensemen (with at least 60 games played) in hits per 60 minutes (6.24) and fourth in blocked shots per 60 (4.08) during that span.
He was eventually moved to Nashville and then signed with New Jersey ahead of the 2023-24 season before leaving the team to go through the legal system with the criminal case. He still put up solid numbers with the Devils with a points and a +3 rating through four games. He could be looked at as a lottery ticket option for the Red Wings similar to recent signing Jacob Benard-Docker as Foote is a rare right-shot defenceman and could be valuable on the team's third pairing.
NHL Insider Says Red Wings Leading Race to Land Penguins' RustInsider reports indicate the Red Wings being the top contender to land Penguins winger Bryan Rust.
Celtics waive JD Davison, get back under second apron
Celtics waive JD Davison, get back under second apron originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
On Thursday, the Boston Celtics announced they have waived 22-year-old guard JD Davison.
Davison spent the first three years of his NBA career as a two-way player for Boston. The Celtics had converted his two-way contract to a standard two-year deal in April and picked up his team option for the 2025-26 campaign in June.
Parting ways with Davison puts the Celtics back under the second apron of the luxury tax. Boston now has an open roster spot, though any addition would put the organization back over the second apron.
The Celtics initially selected Davison in the second round (53rd) of the 2022 NBA Draft. The Alabama product appeared in only 16 games for Boston last season, averaging 2.1 points over 5.8 minutes per game. However, he thrived with the Maine Celtics in the NBA G League, averaging 25.1 points, 7.6 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game to earn G League MVP honors.
Davison earned a championship ring with the Celtics in 2024. After appearing in only 36 games over three years with Boston, he should have a chance to earn more playing time with a new team for next season and beyond.
Luka Doncic made Marcus Smart a believer in joining the Lakers
A call came from Luka Doncic a couple of times, at first making Marcus Smart think it wasn’t true and then eventually making him believe that Doncic was a Lakers salesman and that he wanted Smart to be a part of what they were building here in Los Angeles.
It wasn’t like they had a strong “relationship,” but Smart said he and Doncic have “a mutual understanding and respect for each other” from meeting on the court in past seasons.
So, when the calls came while Smart was training while trying to figure out his next move after he had agreed to a contract buyout from the Washington Wizards, he was swayed by Doncic to join the Lakers after clearing waivers.
Smart, who signed a two-year deal for $11 million with the Lakers, with a player option for the second season, smiled as he told the stories during his introductory news conference Tuesday about talking to Doncic and being persuaded to join him and LeBron James.
“It first came, my agent, I’m working out, and I get a call from my agent saying, you know, ‘Hey Luka reached out.’ And I’m like ‘yeah whatever’ you know?’ Like all right,” Smart said at the Lakers’ practice facility. “And then another day, same thing — Luka reached out again and now it’s real. It’s no longer what-ifs. It’s real and it’s something we need to talk about. And that was a great feeling, like I said, and that’s kind of what kind of got things going for me to be here and I’m excited to be here.”
The Lakers were in need of a point-of-attack perimeter defender such as Smart, especially with Dorian Finney-Smith going to Houston.
Read more:Newest Laker Deandre Ayton is ready to prove the doubters wrong
Smart was the NBA’s defensive player of the year in 2022 when he played for the Boston Celtics and has been on the NBA’s All-Defensive first team three times.
Knowing that Doncic and James are “two greats with [the] greatest basketball IQs that I’ve ever seen in this era” made it easy for Smart to become their teammates.
“And when you get a guy like Luka, calling, referencing, checking on you, trying to see where you at to see if you want to come and join something special that he’s trying to cook up over here,” Smart said. “And for him to say that he can really use my help, that meant a lot. Played against Luka a lot. Been on a lot of opposing ends of Luka magic. And to be able to come out and be on his side at this time, it means a lot.”
Doncic has a decision to make with the Lakers.
On Aug. 2, Doncic and the Lakers can talk about a contract extension.
He can sign a four-year deal for $224 million or a three-year deal for $161 million with a player option in 2028, which would then allow Doncic to sign a max deal in 2028 that would give him 35% of the salary cap for that season.
Meanwhile, Smart was asked what kind of recruiter is Doncic.
“It’s the same. He’s a competitor. He’s just the same way. He has that competitive nature when he’s talking,” Smart said. “He’s intrigued and that’s it. He didn’t really have to say much. Luka, his name, his ability, what he has done, [speaks] for himself. And for me, like I said, I’ve been on the other end of Luka magic. So to be able to come and join and see it and witness it on the other side is something that I was like, ‘why not give it a shot?’”
Smart, 31, played in only 54 games the last two seasons, injuries costing him time that he spent both with the Memphis Grizzlies and Wizards. In the 34 games he played between both teams, Smart averaged 9.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and shot 34.8% from three-point range.
“Yeah, I’m very motivated. You know, the last two years, for me, was in my eyes, a disappointment,” Smart said. “Injuries kind of stopped me and held me back. But like I told my wife and my family, you know, everything happens for a reason. And it’s funny that 12 years ago, I could have been here [with the Lakers] and now it’s full circle and I’m here. And like I said, everything happens for a reason. And I just look at those reasons was for me to be here, to not play for people to look at me and say, ‘you know what, maybe he isn’t the same?’ And now that allows me to be in a place where I’m supposed to be.”
Smart was at his best with the Celtics, where he spent nine years and reached the playoffs every year, including reaching the NBA Finals in 2022.
Over the course of his 11 seasons in the NBA, Smart averaged 10.6 points per game, 3.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
The Lakers were 50-32 last season, but lost in the first round of the playoffs.
But he knows the Lakers are about winning championships and the chance to play with Doncic and James in high-stakes basketball games played a part in his decision as well.
“It’s at the top,” Smart said. “I mean, the main goal, the reason you go out and you compete the way you compete is to try to win championships and what better place to be able to do that than here, where the show starts and where the show ends. So, that was definitely a big part of it, being able to get back on that stage, being able to get to a team that definitely could use me and I know I can make an impact and I can help as well and that was a perfect fit here.”
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Another report that LeBron James trade talk has 'gotten quiet'
LeBron James' future was the hottest topic at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, but the conversations often followed the same pattern: A discussion of the tone of agent Rich Paul's statement when LeBron picked up his $52.6 million player option, a discussion of how the Lakers are now focused on a Luka Doncic based future, then things quickly turned to shrugs as soon as trying to figure out a LeBron trade that works for everyone became the topic. There wasn't a good one. And nobody thinks he's giving a bunch of money back in a buyout to become a free agent.
With that, LeBron trade chatter has died down, something Zach Lowe discussed on The Bill Simmons Podcast.
"I've heard it's kind of gotten quiet now after it was the talk of Summer League. There doesn't seem to be like a clean solution either way. Everyone's saying we should expect them to be on the Lakers. That's my expectation.
Then Lowe discusses Simmons' idea of a Miami reunion for LeBron.
"Like on paper there's a Heat trade that is not crazy for either team. Andrew Wiggins and Norman Powell for unhappy LeBron in January and maybe some sort of pick swap and maybe that's all it is as crazy as that sounds. I think for the Lakers Kel'el Ware has got to be in it."
Everything may look different by the February trade deadline, but does this trade work for LeBron? He has a no-trade clause and wants to compete for a title in the years he has left in the league. Is Miami one of those teams? Even in a down season in the East, it's hard to see Miami being a championship-caliber team that could beat Cleveland, New York, Orlando, and others, with or without LeBron. Currently, he is on a Lakers team that is not a top-three favorite to emerge from the deep West, but with Doncic, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, and the rest of the roster, this should be a strong team. The Lakers are closer to LeBron's goals than the Miami Heat.
All the other fake trades also run into real-world logistical problems. Cleveland can't trade for him because they are over the second apron of the luxury tax and can't aggregate salaries in a trade (it would have to be one-for-one and the Cavs don't have anyone making LeBron-level money). New York would have to gut its roster of depth to make this trade, which would not improve their team.
The most likely scenario remains that LeBron stays with the Lakers this season, then becomes a free agent next summer, and things get very interesting.
Beyond the bullpen, how aggressive will the Dodgers be at the MLB trade deadline?
Four months ago, the Dodgers were cast as baseball’s new evil empire, lapping rival contenders with lavish free-agent spending during an offseason that raised alarms about competitive balance within MLB.
“Coming into the season,” general manager Brandon Gomes recalled this week, “we were talking about how we’ve ruined baseball with all the talent we’ve got.”
Now, however, the narrative has shifted.
The Dodgers are a contender, yes, but riddled with the kind of flaws other front offices across the sport are trying to address in the run-up to next Thursday’s trade deadline.
Read more:Freddie Freeman's walk-off hit saves the day, lifts Dodgers to win over Twins
As a result, the behemoth talk has subsided. The worries about Dodger domination have ceased.
“I haven’t heard anything about that lately,” Gomes quipped.
And it’s against this backdrop that the Dodgers will approach the deadline — trying to square their lofty preseason expectations with what has proved to be an imperfect start to the year, and needling to decide exactly how drastic of changes they’ll make for the rest of the way.
Internally, the Dodgers still see the foundation of a potential superteam.
Their lineup has struggled this month, yet continues to pace the majors in runs scored thanks to MVP-type seasons from Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith.
Their pitching staff has been battered by injuries to the rotation and disappointments in the bullpen, yet has done enough to keep the team in a top-two National League seed, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by only 1½ games for the best record in the majors.
“This group is really talented,” Gomes said. “I would argue it’s better than the team that won the World Series last year.”
In theory, at least, it could be.
Come October, the Dodgers still envision a rotation headlined by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and (in some two-way capacity) Ohtani.
At the plate, they are banking on Mookie Betts to rediscover his swing, Freddie Freeman to continue emerging from his slump, Max Muncy to pick up close to where he left off before suffering a knee injury, and other established veteran stars to produce closer to career norms than they have this season.
The bullpen, to this point, has been an undeniable weakness — but one that will almost assuredly be bolstered by a late-inning, high-leverage option before the July 31 deadline.
It’s whether or not the Dodgers seriously pursue any other significant moves — or keep the faith in a roster they’ve spent many hundreds of millions to build — where the more complex calculus lies.
“It's really about our internal guys, and the fact that these are veteran guys that have well-established watermarks,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said this week when discussing the club’s recent struggles, with their recent 4-11 slide fueling speculation about their deadline plans.
“I think the fact that we see the work they put in, how much they care, just makes it easier to bet on.”
The Dodgers, of course, were hoping not to be facing such consequential decisions at deadline time this season.
Back in the winter, when some corners of the sport were bemoaning their heavy spending, they were imagining a world in which they’d actually be able to sell superfluous pieces.
Read more:'It just wasn't pretty.' Bullpen sinks slumping Dodgers again in loss to Twins
The returns on this winter’s round of high-priced investments, however, have all but dashed any such dreams.
Consider the spending the Dodgers did this past offseason:
Snell signed a $182-million contract, but made only two starts before going on the injured list with a shoulder injury.
Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates signed for a combined $85 million to shore up the back end of the bullpen, but have the worst ERAs (4.14 and 4.45 respectively) among Dodgers relievers with more than 30 appearances this season.
Michael Conforto was added on a $17-million deal to round out the outfield, but currently has the worst batting average among 159 qualified MLB hitters.
Roki Sasaki arrived as a much-hyped phenom from Japan, but struggled with his mechanics and command en route to a 4.72 ERA before suffering his own shoulder injury.
To this point, the only new addition who has been worth even one win above replacement, according to Baseball Reference, is utilityman Hyeseong Kim (who had to start the year in the minors to revamp his swing after arriving from South Korea).
And when coupled with the regression endured by Betts, Freeman, Teoscar Hernández and Tommy Edman, it has left the club in the kind of position that usually prompts more wide-ranging activity at the trade deadline.
“It’s always tricky when you’re in the midst of a swoon in team performance, because in those moments you feel like we need everything,” Friedman acknowledged. “So for us, it’s about, all right, let’s look ahead to August, September. Let’s look at what our best-case scenario is. Let’s look at, if we have a few injuries here and there, what areas are we exposed? What areas do we feel like we have depth?”
The bullpen has already been exposed as an area of need. And it’d be a shock if the Dodgers don't land a high-leverage right-hander.
Beyond that, however, it remains unclear just how urgent the Dodgers will be to add in the next seven days.
The rotation, they feel, is still in good shape. Yamamoto has pitched like a Cy Young contender. Glasnow has been impressive since returning from a shoulder injury a few weeks back. Snell should be back in action soon, likely needing just one more minor-league rehab start before rejoining the team. And Ohtani has flashed elite-level stuff in his small sample size as a pitcher since returning from a second career Tommy John surgery.
Injuries always loom as a risk. But for now, Friedman argued, the Dodgers “feel like we’re gonna get to a place where we’re not gonna have enough starting pitcher spots for our starting pitching.”
They could be more likely to deal from their rotation surplus (Dustin May, who has been up and down in his contract year, has come up in rumors as a potential trade chip) or eventually reassign excess starters (perhaps like Emmet Sheehan) to the bullpen.
On the offensive side, Conforto’s spot in left field is the one position where the Dodgers could use an impact upgrade.
But Dave Roberts voiced the team’s continued confidence that the veteran slugger can improve down the stretch, insisting better performance is “still in there.”
And even if the Dodgers do pursue an external option, they might be limited by an underwhelming market.
Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians and Jarren Duran of the Boston Red Sox are the top two outfield options that could be moved — but it would take a hefty package to convince either of their teams to pull the trigger on a deal.
Cedric Mullins of the Baltimore Orioles, Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox, and Adolis García of the Texas Rangers headline the next tier of outfield talent, but they have all posted below-league-average production at the plate this year.
When asked about the need for offensive improvements this week, Roberts also looked internally first — arguing that if the Dodgers get the late-season surges they expect from their established stars, “those are essentially four or five trade pickups in itself.”
“We're going to bet on the comeback, the performance of those guys,” Roberts added.
There could be ways for the Dodgers to do something more on the margins.
As things currently stand, their depth roles come October would be filled by Kim, Kiké Hernández and Miguel Rojas.
Perhaps adding a cheaper rental bat — Twins veterans Harrison Bader and Willi Castro are two options they just saw up close — would provide better insurance.
But on the whole, the Dodgers are at least posturing as if, outside of bolstering bullpen, they would be content with relatively leaving things be.
Read more:Dodgers put Tanner Scott on IL, but hopeful he returns this season
“The best way to address [our recent struggles] is for our guys to get back to some semblance of normalcy,” Friedman said. “And when that happens, in our opinion, we’re the best offense in baseball.”
It doesn’t mean they won’t look for another big move beyond the bullpen. As Friedman noted, “anytime a needle-moving player is available, we’re gonna get involved.”
But, even in the wake of a somewhat underwhelming first four months, the Dodgers still believe in a roster that had some predicting a 120-win season this year.
They still think that, even in light of all that’s gone wrong to this point, they possess the kind of otherworldly potential that caused so much consternation back before the season.
Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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A New 2022 NHL Re-Draft Has Two Blackhawks In Top-10
The 2022 NHL Draft has produced some great players who are just starting their careers. A few of them are still working on turning pro and realizing their dreams.
There is still a lot to be determined when evaluating the results of this draft, but Scott Wheeler of The Athletic did a re-draft just three years later. The results make Kyle Davidson look great, which is becoming a theme for his drafting. 2022 was his first draft fully in charge with his staff behind him.
Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) on X2022 NHL Draft re-draft:
1. MTL: Logan Cooley
2. NJD: Lane Hutson
3. ARI: Juraj Slafkovsky
4-32 (plus honourable mentions, updated projections, a full review of my ranking, and more at @TheAthletic):
https://t.co/RS1uL5LsKxIn the 2022 NHL Draft, Chicago selected Kevin Korchinski 7th overall, Frank Nazar 13th overall, and Sam Rinzel 25th overall. All three players have had stints of different lengths in the NHL so far.
In Wheeler's re-draft, things go much differently for the Chicago selections. Out of their first three selections in real life, Korchinski ended up being the third pick of the three.
Nazar goes 6th to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Rinzel goes 9th to the Buffalo Sabres, and Korchinski goes 20th to the Washington Capitals. Although Korchinski falls well below the top ten, where he was originally picked, both Nazar and Rinzel move up into the top ten. Overall, if this proves to be correct over time, that would be a win for Davidson's first draft class.
This exercise only goes over the first round. Ryan Greene, who was selected in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft by Chicago, was an honorable mention by Scott Wheeler in his re-draft.
With their original picks of 7, 13, and 25, the Blackhawks selected Simon Nemec (New Jersey, 2nd overall), Pavel Mintyujov (Anaheim, 10th overall), and Conor Geekie (Arizona, 11th overall). That would still be a good haul for Chicago, but not quite the same as what they ended up with on the actual night of the draft three off-seasons ago.
Korchinski is an offensive talent who has a lot of work to do to round out his game. Some of the defensemen in the organization, including Rinzel, have passed him on the depth chart. There is still time for Korchinski to become an everyday contributor, but he has to get going soon. He could also be used as trade bait in the coming months.
Rinzel has looked like someone who could be a top-pair guy in short order. His development at Minnesota was incredible, and his short stint in the NHL didn't look out of place even once.
As for Nazar, the Blackhawks could have a core forward. It is unclear if he will be a center or a winger in the long term, but his speed, tenacity, and creativity will keep him in the top six for a long time.
Davidson has not been shy about landing multiple first-round picks in each draft. This first draft of his had three, and there have been 11 total over the four years that he's done this. Only time will tell if Scott Wheeler's re-draft series continues to make him look this smart as a GM.
Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.
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