Federal prosecutors have indicted ex-Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier on additional charges in connection with a sports gambling sting, alleging he took a hefty bribe to exit a game early in March 2023.
Rozier, 32, was charged Thursday in a superseding indictment in Brooklyn federal court with bribery in sporting contests and honest services wire fraud conspiracy. Superseding indictments are used when prosecutors want to change or add new charges to an existing criminal case.
Rozier has denied participating in the gambling scheme, and has been fighting to have the case dismissed after pleading not guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy charges in December. His attorneys argue in part that the government's theory of the case — that he prevented sportsbooks from making informed decisions about accepting certain bets — runs afoul of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that narrowed the federal wire fraud statute.
The new indictment "just confirms that our motion to dismiss was righteous — new charges, new theories, but all just an effort to make something stick," Rozier's attorney, Jim Trusty, wrote in an email to The Associated Press.
Rozier was arrested in October along with former NBA player Damon Jones, who pleaded guilty last month for his role in schemes to defraud major sportsbooks including DraftKings and FanDuel. Others charged in the case include sports bettor and influencer Marves Fairley, who pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy, bribery and other federal charges in connection with gambling schemes targeting basketball games in the U.S. and China.
Rozier remains free on $3 million bond. The case has kept him off the court this season.
The new indictment alleges that Rozier not only defrauded sportsbooks, but also the NBA and the team he was playing for at the time, the Charlotte Hornets.
Rozier is accused of conspiring with gamblers to leave a game early, citing a lingering lower leg injury, so they could cash in on more than $250,000 in bets that his points, assists and other totals would be lower than what the sportsbooks had set as betting lines.
Not all of the bets were successful because Rozier collected four rebounds, which was more than the betting line, the superseding indictment said. As a result, after the game, Rozier and his co-conspirators negotiated a discount on his bribe, cutting it from $100,000 to about $70,000, the superseding indictment said.
The new indictment against Rozier was filed within hours of the guilty pleas by Fairley, who goes by the name "Vezino Locks" on Instagram. As part of his plea, Fairley admitted to prosecutors' allegations that he used insider information to get an edge when betting on NBA, NCAA and Chinese Professional Basketball League games — including paying Rozier's longtime friend $100,000 in exchange for a tip that Rozier was going to leave a game early.”
Fairley's attorney Eric Siegle said his client “deeply regrets and is ashamed of his conduct.”
"By publicly acknowledging his guilt and conduct today, Marves is taking the first step toward atoning for his wrongful conduct and to starting his ‘second half’ on the right foot," Siegle said.
One shot slipping under a glove shouldn't define an entire season, but for the Buffalo Sabres, that image may end up shaping their entire summer.
When Alex Newhook's overtime winner found daylight beneath Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in Game 7, Buffalo's season came to a sudden end. The Canadiens advanced. The Sabres went home. And while plenty of factors contributed to the second-round loss, the uncomfortable reality is that Buffalo never had the best goaltender in the series.
That matters.
The Sabres spent most of the regular season receiving competent work from Luukkonen and Alex Lyon. Their tandem helped Buffalo capture the Atlantic Division and provided enough stability behind a structured defensive system. For long stretches, the arrangement worked exactly as intended.
The playoffs told a different story.
When postseason hockey becomes tighter, faster, and more reliant on game-changing saves, merely being solid is rarely enough. The Canadiens received that extra level from Jakub Dobeš. Buffalo never consistently found it.
Neither Luukkonen nor Lyon completely unraveled, but neither seized the crease and carried the team forward, either. By the time the series reached its decisive moments, the Sabres were rotating between options rather than leaning on a clear answer.
That distinction can be the difference between advancing and cleaning out lockers.
Buffalo's front office can talk itself into continuity. Luukkonen is still in his prime years. Lyon remains a dependable veteran. Colten Ellis showed flashes in limited action. Devon Levi remains an intriguing wild card.
The problem is that none of those options clearly solve the question that now hangs over the organization.
Can Buffalo trust its current goaltending group to win four playoff rounds?
The honest answer is no.
Running the same group back may produce another strong regular season. It may even produce another division title. But after what unfolded against Montreal, it's difficult to argue the Sabres have enough certainty in net to realistically view themselves as a Stanley Cup contender.
That's why this offseason shouldn't be about maintaining the status quo.
It should be about finding an upgrade.
Why Jesper Wallstedt Makes Too Much Sense
If Buffalo is serious about taking the next step, Jesper Wallstedt stands out as the most logical target available.
The 23-year-old has spent years being viewed as one of hockey's premier goaltending prospects, and his first extended NHL opportunity only strengthened that reputation. Wallstedt displayed the poise, athleticism, and consistency expected from a future franchise netminder while proving capable of handling meaningful games.
Most importantly, his timeline aligns perfectly with Buffalo's core.
The Sabres have invested heavily in building around a young nucleus. Acquiring a veteran stopgap may offer a short-term boost, but Wallstedt presents something far more valuable: a chance to solve the position for years rather than months.
His contract only adds to the appeal. Wallstedt carries a manageable cap hit, giving Buffalo flexibility while Jeff Skinner's buyout remains a burden on the books. Unlike many established star goaltenders, adding him wouldn't require reshaping the rest of the roster financially.
The challenge, of course, would be convincing Minnesota to move him.
The Wild won't give away a goaltender with legitimate franchise potential. Buffalo would likely have to part with a significant young asset, potentially from its surplus of highly regarded forward prospects.
That's a difficult conversation.
It may also be a necessary one.
Elite centers are hard to find. Franchise goaltenders are just as rare. If the Sabres genuinely believe Wallstedt can become that caliber of player, this is exactly the type of aggressive move contenders make.
Standing Pat Is The Bigger Risk
For years, Buffalo's organizational focus has been on assembling enough talent to become a playoff team again.
Mission accomplished.
The standard is different now.
The Sabres are no longer trying to end a drought. They're trying to win a championship.
That requires evaluating the roster through a much harsher lens.
Would Buffalo have beaten Montreal with better goaltending?
It's impossible to say with certainty.
Would better goaltending have improved their chances?
Absolutely.
The Sabres don't need a complete overhaul in net. They need a higher ceiling than what they currently possess, and Wallstedt may represent the best combination of age, upside, cost certainty, and long-term value available anywhere on the market.
If Buffalo wants to turn playoff appearances into playoff runs, standing pat feels far riskier than making a bold move.
One final name worth monitoring is Connor Hellebuyck. If the Winnipeg Jets ever become willing to entertain moving a former Vezina Trophy winner, Buffalo would have to make the call. The price tag, age, and salary cap implications make that path far more complicated, however. Wallstedt remains the cleaner fit and, arguably, the smarter long-term bet.
The Sabres spent years searching for relevance.
Now they should be searching for the goalie who can get them past the second round.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH, 1948: Firstbaseman George McQuinn of the New York Yankees poses for an action portrait during Spring Training in March, 1948 in St. Petersburg, Florida. George McQuinn4802 (Photo by: Diamond Images/Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The 1947 World Series between the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers was littered with talent. The biggest name (for more reasons than just his incredible abilities on the baseball diamond) was Jackie Robinson. But there were also the people some modern-day baseball fans might know from the movie “42” based on Robinson: Pee Wee Reese, Eddie Stanky, Dixie Walker, Spider Jorgenson, and Ralph Branca. There were also the usual names waltzing around the Yankees dugout: Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Tommy Henrich, and Phil Rizutto.
Among the names who played all seven games in that World Series was George McQuinn, who was toward the end of his playing days but still found a way to power the group to another championship.
George Hartley McQuinn Born: May 29, 1910 (Arlington, VA) Died: December 24, 1978 (Alexandria, VA) Yankees Tenure: 1947-48
George McQuinn was born in Arlington, Virginia, and began playing baseball at the age of seven. He started playing first base at the age of 12 after he saved up enough money to buy a George Sisler model first baseman’s glove. He continued playing baseball throughout his childhood and eventually attended Washington-Lee High School, where he would not just play, but star in baseball and basketball. After his high school career ended, he had the opportunity to play for the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, but ultimately turned it down to pursue the professional route.
McQuinn began playing for a semipro team in Northern Virginia before his manager arranged a tryout, and he showed enough skill to earn a contract with the New Haven Profs of the Class A Eastern League. However, he only received 19 at-bats in limited playing time before being released. But that wasn’t the end of the road for him. In fact, it was only the beginning.
One of the veteran infielders for the Profs, Joe Benes, saw something in the 19-year-old McQuinn, so he recommended him to Yankees scout Gene McCann, who signed McQuinn to a contract with the Wheeling Stogies, the Yankees’ farm club in the Class C Middle Atlantic League. He was then promoted for the 1931 season to the Scranton Miners of the Class B New York-Penn League thanks to an impressive .288 batting average, and he lit up those ranks, too, driving in over 1o0 runs with five homers and a .316 average.
McQuinn continued to make an impression and was eventually invited to spring training with the Newark Bears of the International League, which, at the time, was the Yankees’ top minor league team. But because of another player occupying the first base position, McQuinn was shipped north of the border to the Toronto Maple Leafs (no, not the hockey team). And while he started well with Toronto, he was brought back to Binghamton, where he had previously played a season, and he went on to win the New York-Penn League’s Most Valuable Player award.
After returning to Toronto for the 1934 season up until 1936, McQuinn was consistently written about as a potential call-up, but doing so would require the Yankees to have room at first base. And there were some in baseball circles who thought that maybe the Yankees would consider trading Lou Gehrig — yes, two-time MVP, American League Triple Crown and batting title winner, seven-time All-Star, seven-time World Series winner and Hall of Famer, Lou Gehrig — in order to bring McQuinn up. Obviously, that did not occur, but it’s certainly a wild alternate history to think about.
In 1936, the Cincinnati Reds purchased McQuinn’s contract from the Yankees on a condition that they could return him by June 1st. And it was at that point that the left-handed first baseman from Virginia got his shot in the majors.
But the story then isn’t a fairytale. McQuinn, at 25, despite all his time in the minors, was not good in his first 38 games as a professional, slashing .201/.262/.284 for an OPS+ of 51. He registered only 13 RBI, no home runs, 10 walks, 27 hits and seven extra-base hits in 134 at-bats. He was so bad, reportedly, because of the Reds pushing him into a thought process that was foreign — trying to focus on pulling the ball instead of hitting all over the diamond. Because of his inability to adjust, he was sent back to the Yankees’ system for further fine-tuning.
McQuinn went back to Toronto after his major league stint and hit .329 over the rest of the 1936 season, then hit .330 again, leading his Bears to a 109-43 record and a pennant win by 25.5 games. And while McQuinn was lighting up the Yankees farm team, Gehrig was still going strong for the big club, playing every single game for the team from 1936 to 1938. So there was no room to squeeze McQuinn into the lineup, and no reason to either, considering what Gehrig was doing at the plate with an average OBP of .454 and an OPS at 1.075 from the ages of 33 to 35.
After the 1937 season, McQuinn was eligible to be drafted by another team and was picked up by the St. Louis Browns, who gave him his first big league shot. This time, he took advantage of it: he played 148 games and set a career-high in batting average as he slashed .324/.384/.477 at the age of 28. McQuinn had the second-highest OPS of anyone on the Browns, showing the world that he was finally on the scene, finishing 21st in the AL MVP Award race.
McQuinn played for the Browns from that 1938 season to 1945 when he was 35 years old. In 1939, he was voted to his first All-Star Game and finished 13th in the MVP race following a season in which he played every game at first base and batted .316 with an OPS of .898 and a career-high 94 RBI. In 1940, he was selected for his second All-Star Game in a row. And since that season, he earned two more All-Star appearances and another top-20 finish in the MVP voting race. From 1941 to 1945, McQuinn slashed .266/.355/.406 for an OPS of .761 and an OPS+ of 111. He hit for a cycle in 1941 and led the AL in fielding percentage for the second season in a row, earning a reputation as the best defensive first baseman in the league and never once dipping below the 99.1 percent mark with the Browns. McQuinn was going to be traded to the Dodgers, who he would eventually face in the 1947 World Series with the Yankees, but he could not clear waivers, so the trade was nullified.
In 1942 and 1943, McQuinn had back issues, which caused his average to drop below expectations, and he also avoided service in World War II because of them, allowing him to stay in baseball while other big-name stars at the time went to fight overseas. And in 1944, when the Browns won the American League pennant against the weakened Yankees (who still gave them a run for their money up until the last day of the season) and faced the National League Pennant-winning Cardinals in the World Series, McQuinn not only continued his All-Star performance from the regular season (the fourth of his career), but he also did everything he could to win his Browns a championship, slashing .438/.609/.750 with one home run, five RBI and seven walks in the six-game series that was eventually lost.
In 1945, McQuinn’s last season with the Browns, he did what everyone expected him to do, even though the Browns did not return to the World Series. And following that season, the 36-year-old McQuinn was traded to the Philadelphia Athletics for another first baseman, Dick Siebert, in a deal that was catastrophic for both parties. Siebert could not come to terms with St. Louis and eventually retired, while McQuinn had his first below-average full season in the majors, frustrating A’s fans and leading to conversations that he should have retired. In fact, he almost did had it not been for his wife talking him out of it.
Following his release from the A’s thanks to manager Connie Mack, McQuinn finally got his chance to play for the Yankees 17 years after he entered their farm system in 1930. He took over first base when Tommy Henrich went to left field to cover for an injury, and McQuinn stayed there for the next two seasons.
In his first season in 1947, McQuinn’s spark returned. At the age of 37 and in 144 games, he hit over the .300 mark for the first time since his 29-year-old season in 1939. His on-base percentage rocketed to a career-high .395, and his slugging percentage of .437 was the highest since 1941. It was, statistically, the best season of his career. He finished sixth in MVP voting, the highest finish of his career, and was once again voted into the All-Star Game to represent the Yankees this time. And not only was he incredible in the regular season, but when the Yankees won the pennant in 1947 to face the Dodgers in the World Series, he was lauded as “the storybook story behind the Yankees’ surprising success … in 1947,” according to a sportswriter cited in McQuinn’s profile from the Society for American Baseball Research.
McQuinn didn’t hit super well in the World Series, batting .130, a large disappointment for fans of the game at the time considering his body of work in the regular season, but he still walked away a World Series champion, the first and only of his career after a grueling seven-game series.
The Yankees wanted to bring back McQuinn for one more season, and they did after a bit of a holdout from the 38-year-old. But due to back issues and simply old age, it was clear that McQuinn’s last hurrah came in 1947 (and what a last hurrah it was). He played in only 94 games with the Yankees in 1948, batting .248 with an OPS of 102. Due to his poor form and general wear and tear, the Yankees had no other choice but to release the veteran first baseman at the end of the year, and McQuinn retired as a result. He ended up managing in the Boston Braves organization from 1950 to 1958, then became a scout for the Washington Senators and eventually the Montreal Expos, before officially retiring from baseball in 1971. McQuinn passed away from a stroke in 1978 at the age of 68 in Alexandria, Virginia, at a hospital, but he led an incredible baseball life that had a playing career finished by exactly what every player dreams of: An excellent final full season and a championship to remember against some of the best players to ever play the game. Happy birthday, George!
There are two great truths in NHL head coaching. The obvious one is that you're hired to be fired. The other is how environmentally friendly the league is with its coaches, committed to reducing, reusing and recycling.
Even the Senators opted to go Green in 2024, hiring Travis Green away from the New Jersey Devils, who were in the process of recycling and reusing Toronto's old coach, Sheldon Keefe.
But very few Senators' head coaches have ever been recycled after being kicked to the curb.
Remarkably, it's been over 20 years since a Sens head coach left the organization and later found an NHL head coaching job elsewhere. The last one to do so on a non-interim basis was Jacques Martin. He was fired in 2004 and found plenty of other opportunities, including a final one here in Ottawa a couple of years ago.
Fans talk a lot about Ottawa being a goalie graveyard, but it's also been kind of a coaches' cemetery.
Since Martin parted company with the Sens the first time, the Sens' list of head coaches who've come and gone includes Bryan Murray, John Paddock, Craig Hartsburg, Cory Clouston, Paul MacLean, Dave Cameron, Guy Boucher, Marc Crawford, and D.J. Smith.
Murray stayed with the Senators, moving away from coaching to take the club's GM job. However, everyone else on the list left the organization, continued to pursue their coaching careers, and never again became a full-time NHL head coach.
After leaving Ottawa:
Paddock coached nine more years in junior, the AHL, and as an NHL assistant. His final year was with Regina, coaching Connor Bedard.
Hartsburg coached for seven more seasons in junior as a head coach and an NHL assistant. His swan song was 2015-16 with Columbus, where he was let go when John Tortorella took over, as he inevitably does everywhere.
Clouston coached three more years in junior, the last in 2015 with Prince Albert. After he was fired, little did the Senators know he'd coach Mark Stone, a prized future asset, the following season in Brandon.
MacLean got work as an NHL assistant for a bit and now makes the odd appearance as a TSN Sens analyst.
Dave Cameron has coached for the last seven seasons, been an NHL assistant, a head coach in Austria, and, for the last five years, the head coach of the Ottawa 67s. He just signed a two-year extension.
Since his firing, Guy Boucher has only coached for one year at a top level as an assistant with Toronto, then one year as a KHL head coach.
Crawford coached for four more seasons as an assistant in Chicago then worked for a while as a head coach in Switzerland.
Smith almost immediately got a job as an assistant in Los Angeles under Jim Hiller and when Hiller was fired this season, Smith guided them into the playoffs but only on an an interim basis. The Kings have not yet removed that label and Smith was asked about his status at seasons's end.
"That's a question for Ken," Smith said shortly after losing in round one. "All I know is, as a coach and as a coaching staff, is your team prepared? Are they detailed? And do they show up every night in the answer to that question? Yes, they did, under me.
"Ken's been around a long time. He's won Stanley Cups; he's one of the best in the business. He's a Hall of Fame general manager. He's gonna make that decision. So that's not up to me to decide. I know I did my absolute best."
Speaking well of the boss is always a strong play.
So Smith has a chance to end the drought, and good on him. He's a likable guy, he certainly wasn't set up for success in Ottawa, and the best is probably yet to come.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 9: Adou Thiero #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers grabs the rebound during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round Two Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to our annual Lakers season in review series, where we’ll look back at each player on the team’s roster this season and evaluate if they should be part of the future of the franchise. Today, we take a look at Adou Thiero.
Over the past several years, the Lakers have been hit-or-miss with their draft picks. Max Christie and Bronny James have been the best selections, but 2023 first-round pick Jalen Hood-Schifino is out of the league and Dalton Knecht remained glued to the bench this year.
Their most recent selection, Adou Thiero, was a player the franchise clearly desired as they moved up twice in the draft to pick him at No. 36.
Now that his first year in the NBA is done, let’s assess how successful it was or wasn’t.
How did he play?
For Thiero, being available to even suit up was a challenge. He missed all of training camp and the start of the regular season while recovering from surgery on his left knee. Thiero also missed time midway through the year after suffering an MCL sprain.
When he was ready to play, minutes were hard to come by. This was a combination of monitoring his health and the Lakers being a win-now team, which doesn’t allow a rookie to play through mistakes.
When he did play, it was usually in garbage time. Thiero only had two games during his rookie year in which he played 20 or more minutes.
Still, in those short stints, he showed promise. Thiero has athleticism and explosiveness that can’t be taught. He leaned on his strengths and lived in the paint. On his 31 shots, 21 were at the rim.
In his limited play, Thiero had some monstrous slams, showcasing the vertical spacing he provides whenever he is on the court.
His defensive moments were an adventure, but he has the speed and strength to eventually become a respectable player on that side of the ball if he puts in the time. Right now, he was at least an active defender.
It was an encouraging sign of where Thiero is in his career that Lakers head coach JJ Redick gave him some run come playoff time. LA was shorthanded with Luka Dončić out during the entire postseason run and Thiero played in both series against the Rockets and Thunder.
He did well in those minutes and didn’t look like a rookie overwhelmed by the moment. Thiero was still able to get to the rim, score and be a ball of energy for the team.
What is the contract situation moving forward?
Thiero is on a rookie deal, so not only is he locked in for next season and a club option after that, but it’s at a modest number at $2.1 million for the 2026-27 season.
This is a standard rookie contract, but it’s great that the Lakers have a cost-controlled player and someone with tremendous upside on the roster.
Should he be back?
Thiero should absolutely return next year.
He is a solid prospect, and given how injured he was and his limited minutes, there is no telling how good he can be. Now that he’s healthy and ready for an offseason in the gym and at Summer League, he’ll have a chance to put in the appropriate amount of time into his game.
The only way Thiero leaving makes sense is if a team like, say, Milwaukee, demands him in exchange for the Lakers acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo. This is exactly how the Lakers lost Christie, who was part of the Luka Dončić-for-Anthony Davis trade.
This will be a big summer for the Lakers and Thiero. If things go right, he can build off his rookie year and have a huge sophomore season. Now that he’s healthy, he’ll have every chance of making that happen.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 5: Nick Smith Jr. #20 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball in front of Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 5, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to our annual Lakers season in review series, where we’ll look back at each player on the team’s roster this season and evaluate if they should be part of the future of the franchise. Today, we continue our series with a look at Nick Smith Jr.
Back in September, when the Hornets waived Nick Smith Jr. and the Lakers pounced to sign him to a two-way contract, he instantly became the latest in a string of “second draft” prospects the team would try to nurture and develop into a contributor who could impact their roster.
As a former first round pick, Smith was the exact sort of player the Lakers have tried to add to their system in the past, targeting pedigree and potential as a potential pathway towards someone who could viably make the main team and possibly even stick in the rotation.
Smith, to his credit, ultimately did turn his two-way opportunity into a standard NBA deal right before the regular season ended. Whether he’s able to turn that end-of-year deal into something more lasting remains to be seen, but after a year in JJ Redick’s system, he at least has a firm idea of what it will take to earn the sort of trust that can allow him to stick.
How did he play?
Though on a two-way contract for most of the regular season, Smith appeared in 30 games for the Lakers and averaged 6.8 points and 1.0 assists on 43.8% shooting from the field and 39.5% from behind the arc. The outside shooting was encouraging, showing a nice ability to hit shots both as a spot-up option and off the dribble, mostly out of the pick and roll.
Smith mostly got chances at the end of games in garbage time, but did show real pop in a couple of longer stints over the course of the year when the Lakers were dealing with injuries. In what was his highlight performance of the year, Smith helped a Lakers unit down all three of Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves win a road game in Portland on the second night of a back-to-back.
In just under 27 minutes off the bench, Smith connected on 10 of his 15 shot attempts overall, including five of his six shots from behind the arc to score 25 points to go along with a team-high six assists. Playing against a physically strong and stout Blazers defense, Smith used his quickness and off-the-dribble prowess to create separation and get to his jumper over and over again.
Smith would have a similar performance nearly two months later when he again got thrust into the lineup with Reaves out injured, helping the Lakers blow out the Kings with a 21-point effort fueled by 8-of-14 shooting from the field that included five made 3-pointers.
It wasn’t this way all season, of course. Smith did spend the majority of the year racking up DNP-CD’s and was even passed over by fellow former first round pick Kobe Bufkin when the Lakers originally filled their open 15th roster spot. But Smith stuck with it, proved ready to play hard when his number was called later in the year, and ultimately did get his contract converted when the Lakers waived Bufkin before the regular season ended.
What is his contract situation moving forward?
Smith is on a non-guaranteed minimum contract for next season, making it unclear if he’ll be on next season’s roster or not. In the summer of optionality for Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office, it would not surprise me if Smith’s contract is voided before its June 29th guarantee date in order to generate an additional sliver of cap space for the team to go into the marketplace with.
There’s also a possibility of Smith’s guarantee being pushed back into July where the Lakers would have a better understanding of what their roster construction might be or whether they would need the extra bit of cap space waiving Smith would open up.
Either way, the very nature of Smith’s contract creates uncertainty for his future with the team.
Should he be back?
Smith showed enough potential offensively as a shot maker to consider bringing him back for a longer look to see if he can stick with the team. He’d need to show he can compete harder on defense and become more consistent as a catch-and-shoot player, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him in training camp fighting to make the team.
While I’m not sure it’s possible or if he’d be amenable to it, pushing the guarantee date in his contract back to December or January where the Lakers could essentially give him the chance to make the team with a strong training camp and at least stay on through the initial transaction period that happens on December 15 could be a happy medium for both sides.
This would allow Smith to continue to learn and grow in the Lakers system and show he’s ready for more, but also give the Lakers the sort of flexibility they covet to maneuver as they’d like in free agency and the trade market.
New York Knicks reserve big man Mitchell Robinson has already had surgery on his fractured little finger on his right hand, according to multiple reports, and he hopes to be able to play through it with a brace on his hand in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Robinson fractured his finger sometime after the Knicks swept the Cavaliers out of the playoffs — there still has been no official word on how this happened — and had surgery earlier this week, something first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania and since confirmed by others.
Robinson is pushing to play in Game 1 of the Finals, which is Wednesday in either Oklahoma City or San Antonio (Game 7 between those teams is Saturday). That would be a radically fast turnaround. Usually when a player has surgery to repair a broken pinky finger, they are out for a month, according to Jeff Stotts’s injury database at In Street Clothes.
That said, the Knicks don't rely on Robinson for shooting or his handles, if he can deal with the pain and not make the injury worse, the things he can do on the court are still valuable.
Going up against the size and physicality of either West team, New York could really use Robinson. He brings physicality and rim protection on defense, plus he is a high-level offensive rebounder — he averaged 4.2 offensive rebounds a game during the regular season (fourth in the league). In that role, he was critical to the Knicks' NBA Cup Finals win over the Spurs back in December.
While Robinson has a long history of injuries, this season was among his healthiest, and he played in 60 games (his most since the 2019-20 season). Robinson has averaged 5.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game off the bench in these playoffs, although his minutes dropped against Cleveland as the Cavs adopted a hack-a-Mitch strategy to get him off the court.
May 28, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) speaks to the media after game six of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
What a roller coaster this series has been. San Antonio and OKC have been taking turns winning over the last four games in blowout (or at least blowout-adjacent) fashion, which makes it really difficult to judge which team holds the edge at any point in time. Having said so, last night went about as well as it could for the Spurs, and we can be hopeful that the success they enjoyed will translate (even if only partially) to Game 7. In the meantime, let’s review some box score stats:
Note: Now that we’ve moved into the postseason, the reference period used for grading changes from the set of regular season games since 2012-2013 to the set of postseason games since 2012-2013. Unless otherwise noted below, this set DOES include play-in games. As of the end of May 28, 2026, this group include 1,200 games.
Factors that decided the game
The factors deciding this game were really simple. First the Spurs had an excellent foul differential (-7), which allowed them to earn a FTA margin of +13. Even though their FT% differential was mildly negative, they still outscored OKC by 10 from the charity stripe.
On top of that, San Antonio had excellent FG% (+9.36 percentage points) and 3P% (+11.59 percentage points). The Thunder had a volume advantage from field overall (because the Spurs went to the free throw line far more often), but San Antonio still recorded FGM and 3PM margins of +6 and +5, respectively. As a result, they outscored OKC from 17 from the field.
From an overall box score perspective, everything else was more or less a wash. The turnover battle was (mercifully) dead even, and the only other notable box score margin was the Spurs edge in defensive boards (+11). However, this latter edge was mostly the byproduct of OKC shooting more often and much less efficiently, resulting in lots of defensive rebounding opportunities for San Antonio.
Rare Box Score Stats
OKC recorded just the fifth instance in 1,200 postseason games since 2012-2013 in which any team (winner or loser) had FG% and 3P% values no better than 37.23% and 25% (respectively) while shooting at least 91.67% from the free throw line.
It’s not very uncommon for a player to log 18+ points, 6+ rebounds, and 4+ assists in a playoff game; in fact, it’s happened nearly 2,500 times since the 1996-1997 postseason. However, Dylan Harper became the FIRST player in that period to do so in just 22:04.
Wemby’s stat line is much rarer, as only 36 other postseason player performances since 1996-1997 have included 28+ points, 10+ rebounds, 2+ steals, and 3+ blocks. However, Victor and Dylan had similar nights in that Victor also set the timing record for achieving these values, with a total playing time of just 28:25.
SGA recorded just the fourth performance in which a player took 18+ shots and had a plus/minus of -28 or worse in under 28.3 minutes of play.
Here’s a wild stat to end with: Prior to last night, no team had achieved a playoff performance in which at least 15 players played and everyone had a positive plus/minus.
What are Team Graded Box Scores?
Very briefly, these box scores grade winner-loser differentials for basic box score statistics, with the grade being based on the winning team’s differential relative to other NBA winners during a defined reference period. Think of it like a report card for understanding how a given winner performed relative to other winners. The reference period used runs from the start of the 2012-2013 season to the latest date of play, including only games in the same season category (i.e., regular season and playoff games are not compared to each other).
Data Source: The underlying data used to create these box scores was collected from Basketball Reference. In all cases, the data are collected the morning after the game is played. Although rare, postgame statistical revisions after data collection do occur and may affect the results after the fact.
Now then. Swiatek is brilliant at coaxing herself through the rounds, but she’ll not be happy to be broken immediately, Linette leading 2-0 … er, make that 2-1, the advantage immediately confiscated. Meantime, Rublev has also been broken, the serving that settled set one forsaking him in two, and that, really is the difference; he hammers his racket into the clay, which is better than doing so into himself, and he leads 7-5 1-3.
Borges, who’ll feel unlucky to have lost the first set, breaks Rublev immediately for 5-7 2-0, while Linette holds in game one of her clash with Swiatek.
Mar 14, 2022; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Joe Biagini (41) throws a pitch during workouts at Toronto Blue Jays Player Development Complex. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Today marks Joe Biagini’s 36th birthday.
Biagini joined the Jays as a Rule 5 draft pick before the 2016 season and, somewhat unexpectedly, became a key bullpen contributor. He appeared in 60 games with a 3.06 ERA and served as a long reliever, pitching two innings in 13 of those outings.
He was also known for his engaging interviews and unique sense of humor.
2017 began promisingly with Biagini in a setup role in the bullpen, posting a 2.12 ERA by the end of April. However, injuries in the starting rotation forced Joe into a starting role. His initial starts were solid, but his performance soon declined.
Over nine starts, he struggled with a 6.70 ERA before returning to the bullpen.
In 2018, Biagini began the season in the rotation, making five starts with a 7.71 ERA before returning to the bullpen, where he was less effective than in his rookie campaign. In 2019, he rebounded somewhat, posting a 3.78 ERA in 50 relief appearances.
At the trade deadline, Biagini and Aaron Sanchez were dealt to the Astros in exchange for Derek Fisher, whose time with the Jays was largely forgettable.
Biagini appeared in 17 games for the Astros across 2019 and 2020. Afterward, he joined the Cubs as a free agent, spending most of the season in Triple-A.
He returned to the Blue Jays organization in 2022, spending the year with the Buffalo Bisons.
Joe was a fan favourite. The team did him no favours by abruptly moving him into the rotation without time to build up his arm. He was a rare athlete who consistently showed a personality with the media.
Happy Birthday, Joe. Wishing you a great day.
Bill Risley turns 59 today.
Risley, a right-handed reliever, debuted with the Expos in 1992, appearing in just three games over two seasons. After being claimed off waivers by the Mariners, he pitched in 82 games across two years and posted a 3.28 ERA.
The Mariners later traded Risley and Miguel Cairo—who would enjoy a lengthy career, though not with Toronto—for Edwin Hurtado and Paul Menhart.
Risley spent three injury-plagued seasons (back, gall bladder, and arm issues) with the Jays, pitching in 72 games and recording a 4.83 ERA.
Over his career, he made 157 appearances, posted a 3.98 ERA, and notched one save.
Steven Matz turns 35 today.
Matz began his career with the Mets, spending six seasons with the team before being traded to the Jays for Yennsy Díaz, Sean Reid-Foley, and Josh Winckowski—none of whom made a significant impact in New York.
Matz enjoyed a strong season with Toronto in 2021, going 14-7 with a 3.82 ERA across 29 starts. The Jays finished 91-71 that year, just one game shy of a Wild Card spot.
After the season, he departed in free agency, signing a four-year, $44 million deal with the Cardinals. He was 15-14 with a 4.24 ERA with them. Since then he’s pitched for the Red Sox, and this year, the Rays.
Happy Birthday, Steven.
Today, Trever Miller turns 53.
He appeared in six relief outings for Toronto in 2011, a brief stint amid his 13-year MLB career.
In total, Miller pitched in 694 games (including five starts), with a 4.18 ERA and 11 saves.
Former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was indicted on new bribery charges on Thursday after federal prosecutors alleged that he accepted $100,000 to manipulate an NBA game.
Key Takeaways
Terry Rozier was charged in a Brooklyn court on Thursday.
The superseding indictment adds to his wire fraud and money laundering charges.
The former NBA player’s lawyer claims his client’s innocence.
Rozier was charged in a Brooklyn court through a superseding indictment, which adds to previous federal allegations of wire fraud and money laundering. Rozier, who was arrested in October 2025 as part of an FBI takedown of multiple gambling operations, pleaded not guilty to the original charges and had attempted to have his case thrown out in December that year.
His attorney, Jim Trusty,told the Associated Press that the latest indictment “just confirms that our motion to dismiss was righteous – new charges, new theories, but all just a sad effort to make something stick.”
Rozier is still out on a $3 million bond. He was placed on leave following his arrest and missed the entire season. The Heat released Rozier at the end of this NBA season.
The payment plan
Federal prosecutors said in April that they planned to bring new charges against Rozier, which include defrauding the NBA and the Charlotte Hornets, as well as sportsbooks FanDuel and DraftKings.
The bribery indictment came hours after bettor Marves Fairley told prosecutors that he agreed to pay Rozier and his longtime friend Deniro Laster $100,000 if Rozier left a game in March 2023 early while he was playing for the Charlotte Hornets.
Rozier removed himself from the contest with a lower leg injury. He was not on the injury report before the game. His early exit allegedly helped a group of bettors cash over $250,000 worth of under bets on his player props.
The Hornets guard scored five points, recorded two assists, and hit one 3-pointer, all below his season averages and the prop totals set for that game against the New Orleans Pelicans. However, because Rozier recorded four rebounds, going over his betting total, the co-conspirators agreed to a $70,000 payment.
Laster allegedly met Fairley to collect the bribe money in Philadelphia and then drove to Rozier’s house, where the co-conspirators counted their payment. Some of the bettors included in the scheme were also part of the Jontay Porter scandal that rocked the NBA in 2024.
Fixing games
Fairley, a social media influencer,pleaded guilty to seven charges, all related to the illegal betting scheme. Fairley allegedly helped fix games in the Chinese Basketball League, the NBA, and college basketball, a scheme that spanned nearly 40 players from 17 NCAA schools.
He admitted to paying an unnamed NBA player, who prosecutors believe is Rozier.
“There are some desperate men in this case with terrible criminal records and tons of exposure, and they know what to say to please these prosecutors,” Trusty said about Fairley’s claim.
Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones was also arrested in October for his role in informing bettors of nonpublic injury information on NBA stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Jones pleaded guilty in Aprilto betting scheme charges and for helping recruit players to a mob-run, rigged poker game, and he faces sentencing in January.
The hockey world awoke to heartbreaking news Thursday as one of the NHL's most memorable playoff performers, Claude Lemieux, was mourned by former teammates, rivals, and fans across North America.
Among those paying tribute was Colorado Avalanche icon Joe Sakic, who shared a heartfelt statement following reports that Lemieux died at the age of 60.
Sakic and Lemieux were central figures on the Avalanche teams that helped define one of hockey's most intense eras during the 1990s. The pair spent parts of five seasons together in Colorado after Lemieux joined the franchise ahead of the 1995-96 campaign. Their partnership reached its pinnacle that spring when the Avalanche captured the first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Sakic Pays Tribute To Former Teammate
In a statement released by the Avalanche organization, Sakic reflected on both the player and person he came to know during their years together.
“We are devastated to learn of Claude’s passing,” Sakic said in a statement released through the Avalanche. “‘Pepe’ was a terrific hockey player, a fierce competitor and a champion in every way. He was also a loyal friend who would do anything for his teammates and someone you could always count on. Most importantly he was a wonderful family man and there is nothing he enjoyed more than spending time with his grandchildren.
“Today is a very sad day for the Avalanche family and Claude will be greatly missed by all of us who had the privilege of knowing him. On behalf of the entire Avalanche organization, we send our love and prayers to Deborah and the Lemieux family. Gone but never forgotten. Rest in peace my friend.”
The nickname "Pepe" was widely used by teammates throughout Lemieux's career, and Sakic's remarks underscored the lasting bond that remained long after their playing days ended.
A Career Defined By Championships
Lemieux's NHL journey spanned more than two decades and included stops with the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, and San Jose Sharks.
His championship pedigree became one of the defining features of his career. Lemieux earned his first Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1986 before helping the Devils secure the organization's first championship in 1995. After being dealt to Colorado, he immediately added another title in 1996, becoming just the 10th player in league history to win Stanley Cups in consecutive seasons with different teams.
His fourth championship came during a return stint with New Jersey in 2000.
Widely known for his relentless style and ability to elevate his game when the stakes were highest, Lemieux finished his NHL career with 379 goals and 407 assists across 1,215 regular-season contests. He was equally impactful in the postseason, producing 158 points in 234 playoff appearances.
According to multiple reports, Lemieux died by suicide on Thursday. Authorities reportedly responded to an incident at a furniture showroom in Lake Park, Florida, a business owned by Lemieux and his wife.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office confirmed deputies responded to what was described as a suicide attempt at the location, and the property was secured while investigators conducted their work.
The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office has not publicly released records related to the case due to Florida laws governing suicide-related reports.
As tributes continue to pour in from around the hockey community, Lemieux's legacy remains tied to the championships, fierce competitiveness, and unforgettable playoff moments that made him one of the NHL's most recognizable figures.
In our first ever four-person episode, Mike’s brother David and friend Frank join us to discuss a quartet of short-time Islanders goalies spanning several eras.
Goaltending is the lifeblood of any hockey team. When it’s good, a mediocre roster can do great things. When it’s bad, even a talented team can be stopped dead in its tracks. Some goalie are Corvettes, some are Camrys. The four goalies we discuss run the gamut from youthful exuberance to veteran stability to blink-and-you’ll-miss-him tenures to guys who hung around the ice seemingly forever.
Eric Fichaud is still a name that puts smiles on Islanders fans’ faces thanks to a great look, a cool name and memories of hope for better days. Wade Flaherty was the consummate backup and deputy sheriff, never spectacular but solid when the team needed it. Of all of the goalies in Islanders history, Marcel Cousineau was… certainly one of them. But you’d have to be a real sicko to even remember him. Years after these guys came and went, Yann Danis carried on the tradition of showing up out of nowhere, playing (and winning!) a bunch of games and getting people excited before roaming the larger hockey world like a samurai ronin.
Along the way, we find out how David inadvertently drove Mike to the Islanders, and how Fichaud played a huge role in their youth. Frank tells us what it’s like to be an unofficial Leboff, growing up with the Islanders through his friendship with them. Thanks again to both guys for coming on, sharing their stories and bringing these goalies back to life, however briefly they may have stayed on Long Island.
He came to the Islanders at a time of great goalie upheaval: Roberto Luongo was traded to Florida and Rick DiPietro was selected first overall. He was the starter when Rick was first called up from the AHL.
Flaherty had four (4) shutouts for the Islanders including this one over the Panthers and Roberto Luongo.
For better or worse, his greatest claim to fame was giving up the 894th and final goal of Wayne Gretzky’s career. He’s still got a great sense of humor about it.
In a weird bit of synergy, Eric Fichaud and Marcel Cousineau opposed each other in an Islanders-Leafs game on Dec. 30, 1996. The final was 2-0 Toronto, Cousineau’s only NHL shutout.
After signing with the Islanders, Cousineau won zero times in six tries. One of those losses was the day they acquired Felix Potvin from Cousineau’s old team, the Leafs. Tommy Salo stayed home, Cousineau got the start, and the Islanders lost 3-2 to the Habs.
This video is trash but it is the only video evidence that Cousineau played for the Islanders. The lone commenter (from 13 years ago) says: “Marcel Cousineau rocks.” Okay, then.
Before coming to the Islanders, Yann Danis had decorated stints at Brown University (including being a Hobey Baker finalist) and Hamilton of the AHL as part of the Canadiens organization.
He didn’t play much at first, but once Joey McDonald (who himself replaced Rick DiPietro) went down with a groin injury, Danis stepped in and had a surprising run for a very bad Islanders team.
As bad as that Islanders team was, Danis had two shutouts in 2008-09. One was at home against New Jersey, the first time the Islanders had blanked the Devils in 17 years:
We’re always open to suggestions about other Weird Islanders to discuss. Remember the criteria. Candidates must fulfill one of the two of the following:
Played one (1) season or less for the Islanders or very short stints over multiple seasons.
Be a veteran NHLer who is not generally associated with his time on Islanders.
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The 2026 Kansas City Royals season has taken a difficult turn, and Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco are not pretending otherwise. This episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast navigates a bleak stretch of baseball with the honesty and perspective that have defined the show through the tough times.
The episode opens with the latest roster moves, including the minor-league additions of bullpen veterans Luke Jackson and Genesis Cabrera. The hosts assess what that depth actually provides for a team currently on pace for 98 losses, and whether organizational decisions at this stage of the season reflect a coherent plan or simply roster management for its own sake. The Bailey Falter start controversy, the Evan Sisk trade, and the outfield and rotation struggles all factor into a candid conversation about where this team has fallen short and why.
Road performance and diminished resilience after losses are identified as particular concerns, and Jacob and Jeremy work through what the remaining schedule realistically offers for a team that has struggled to capitalize on opportunities throughout the year.
The episode’s most expansive segment shifts to the broader baseball landscape, with a thorough breakdown of the MLB collective bargaining proposals currently on the table. Increased minimum salaries, pre-arbitration pools, spending floors, and the ongoing revenue sharing debate all get detailed treatment. The hosts examine what a proposed salary cap could mean specifically for small market teams like the Royals, and how the spending models of clubs like the Dodgers and Padres illustrate the competitive imbalance at the heart of these negotiations. It is a timely and substantive conversation that goes well beyond the typical frustration with league economics.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 21: José Ramírez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians looks on from the dugout while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on May 21, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
What on Earth is wrong with José Ramírez?! So far in 2026, he’s slashing .226/.343/.396 – that comes out to just a .739 OPS and a 108 wRC+. Definitely low for a hitter that’s been ~.850 OPS and ~130 wRC+ for a decade. So what’s going on? Is this the beginning of the end of José’s time as a perennial MVP candidate, or is it something else?
The first thing we want to take a look at when gauging if a hitter is on the decline is their plate discipline and contact data. Is the player still making good swing decisions, and are they making contact with the ball when they do swing? Next, we want to look at the quality of that contact. Are they impacting the ball still, and if so, at what level? Is their contact in the optimal launch angle window, or are they popping the ball up or hitting it straight into the ground? Then, we look at luck indicators. Are they finding more gloves than average with their batted balls? I’ll be the first to tell you, as someone that spends a somewhat unhealthy amount of time pouring over baseball related data, the case of 2026 José Ramírez is a complicated but interesting one.
Has José’s plate discipline declined? For the purposes of this research, I decided to compare the data from 2026 so far with two other data sets: José’s career averages, and his 2024 season (since that is arguably his best most recent season). It’s important to keep in mind that when comparing to 2024, things being just a little below that is still keeping him in the top levels of offensive production for his career, because of how good that season was. Let’s look at some numbers. The first one is Chase % (how often he’s swinging at pitches outside the zone). José has a career average Chase % of 26, and so far in 2026 it’s been 29.5. So a little higher, but if we compare to 2024 he’s actually chasing a bit less, as in that season it was 31.6. When compared to the rest of the league this season, the 29.5 rate is actually right around league average. So while that might help him some, that difference really isn’t too significant when we bring in some context. José’s BB % for his career sits right around 10, in 2024 it was 7.9, and so far in 2026? It’s 14.8. This is a massive increase and a good indicator that his patience is still very much intact, especially when combined with the low change in Chase %. The biggest reason for this is pitchers just aren’t throwing him as many strikes. The % of pitches he’s seen in the ABS zone has gone from a career % of 47.4 (47.5 in 2024) to just 45.2 so far in 2026. So actually, this is a very positive sign. It shows a significant adjustment by José in response to changed league pitching strategy toward him.
This doesn’t explain everything though. So let’s look at the contact and contact quality next. His career Contact % is 86.8. In 2024 it was 86.4, and so far in 2026 it’s 86.2. These differences are so small that it could easily just be statistical noise, but that’s a good sign. There’s no meaningful difference in the number of swings and misses he’s having, but let’s narrow it down further. The contact that matters the most is contact on pitches in the zone, as those are the ones easiest for a hitter to drive. His Z-Contact % (The % of pitches in the zone he makes contact with when swinging) for his career is 91.7, in 2024 it was 92.2, and so far in 2026 it’s 93.3. This is another good sign, and it’s an example of still elite bat to ball skill. This is where we’d now want to get into the quality of the contact. After all, hitting the ball more means very little if those batted balls are more weak grounders and pop-ups.
The best place to start for quality of contact is exit velo and bat speed. This is where we see our first really interesting data point. José has never been a bat speed demon by any means, and in fact is usually around the bottom ⅓ or so in the league. His career average is 71 mph, and he averaged 71.6 in 2024. So far in 2026, he’s down to 70.1. This is a noticeable drop, but when we look at his average exit velocity, he’s gone from a career 88.8 and 89.2 in 2024 to 90 in 2026. Since José has never been reliant on bat speed in his career, the fact that the average exit velocity has stayed consistent (and even increased) is the more important factor here.
So what gives here? So far everything has been the same or better than before, right? Basically yeah. There’s 2 more major areas we need to look at, and it’s here where I believe our answer lies. The first data point I want to bring up is launch angle. To get the numbers out of the way early, his career average Launch Angle is 18. In 2024 it was 19.6, and so far in 2026 it’s 20.6. The magnitude of this change isn’t large, but there’s an important subset of his batted balls we want to look at – pulled fly balls. Pulling fly balls is how a lot of hitters generate their home run value, and few have done it better over the last several years than José Ramírez. According to Statcast, in his career, José has pulled the ball in the air 26.6% of the time. In 2024, it was 29.8, and so far in 2026 it’s 28.7. So we’re down a little bit from 2024, but honestly still a very elite level of pulled fly balls. But if we isolate to just the pulled fly ball outcomes and look at the average exit velocity and average launch angle, we have a career average of 35 LA and 94.3 EV, in 2024 it was 34 LA, and 97.1 EV, and in 2026 so far it’s 37 LA and 93.2 EV. These numbers are a small drop, but we can combine it with new Statcast bat tracking data to see José’s attack angle on his swing has increased slightly from 12 (in 2024 and his career average) to 13 so far in 2026. We also see a small jump in the infield fly ball rate – 12.2% for his career, only 10.9% in 2024, and is back up in 2026 so far to 12.5%. It looks like he’s just slightly undercutting the ball a bit, and making less consistent flush contact. We can look at Squared-Up% (or Squared-Up Swing% on Fangraphs) and see he’s squaring the ball up less. His career mark is 29.7, it was 28.5 in 2024, and so far in 2026 it’s 25.7. This is likely a major cause of a lot of the warning track fly balls we might be seeing, or some balls that might’ve been hits staying up just a little longer and being caught.
This brings us to our last major area we need to go over – luck. José is posting a .367 xwOBA so far in 2026. If that holds, it would be the 3rd best mark of his entire career, only falling short of 2020 and 2021. His actual wOBA though is .039 below the expected results, likely due to a few well struck balls ending up right at fielders, or maybe a few fielders making some nice running/jumping/diving catches to rob him of some hits, or even the wind knocking down a would be homerun on a cold windy day. A negative .039 xwOBA difference is pretty massive. It’s the equivalent of anywhere from a .040 to .070 OPS point drop all on its own. When you consider José’s excellent base running and ability to consistently stretch singles into doubles, he’s a player that often outperforms expected results with his outcomes, making the negative difference all the more devastating for translating into results. We can see this even more when we specifically look at the expected results on the pulled fly balls we broke down earlier. His career xwOBA on pulled fly balls sits at .560, in 2024 it was .646, and so far in 2026 it’s .557. So the batted quality of the fly balls is right at career average levels, but the results have lagged behind. The actual wOBA has been .824 for his career, .989 in 2024, but only .676 in 2026. Make no mistake – these numbers are still elite numbers all things considered, but the bad batted ball luck with the decrease in squared-up contact explains a large portion of the lower results we’re seeing.
Now that it seems we’ve isolated where the change is coming from, it brings up the question “is this correctable, or is this the beginning of the end?” Looking at the whole body of data, I would say he’s just in an unlucky stretch that’s compounded by it happening when he’s also just a little bit off with his contact. There is absolutely nothing here that screams career decline, or that he is suddenly a washed up hitter. While it certainly is possible that this could be the result of an aging hitter, the under the hood numbers suggest he’s making some of the best contact of his career, and just has nothing to show for it so far. It seems more likely he may just be a slight attack angle or timing adjustment away from being back to his reliable old self. So no need to press the panic button yet, and as we see the weather continue to heat up, I believe José will too.
