Toronto welcomes back former Finals MVP, look to challenge the Knicks atop the conference

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 8: Kawhi Leonard #2 and OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors look on during the second half of an NBA game against the Atlanta Hawks at Scotiabank Arena on January 8, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Knicks and Raptors haven’t been good at the same time very often. In the late ’90s, when the Knicks made regular appearances deep into the playoffs, the Raptors were a young expansion team getting their feet wet, focused on building a foundation and a fan base. When they started to take off and Vince Carter elevated them into one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks had begun what would become a decade-long spiral of suffering, losing, and ineptitude. In the 2010s, the Raptors won the ninth-most games in the NBA and captured an NBA championship. The Knicks, meanwhile, were busy failing to put together competent teams around Carmelo Anthony, only to fail to capitalize on Kristaps Porzingis’ breakout career.

The trend of at least one of the two franchises struggling will change this upcoming season, though. LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo were the only superstars expected to swap teams this offseason, but Kawhi Leonard has joined them in what has turned into a very fun offseason filled with surprising twists. With Leonard heading to Toronto, both teams will be good. Very good. But can the Raptors challenge the Knicks? And if so, are they the biggest threat in the conference?

The answer to the first question is yes. A defensive frontcourt consisting of Leonard, Scottie Barnes, and Collin Murray-Boyles has a very strong case to be the best in the league. That’s a very athletic and strong defensive trio with plenty of versatility, size, and length. No offense will enjoy playing against them. Even a Knicks team that solved the Victor Wembanyama problem that so many had struggled to answer will undoubtedly struggle at times.

This past season, while the Knicks dominated the season series against the Raptors, the latter held up defensively for much of each game. Adding one of the best defenders in the league to what was already a strong group while subtracting its weakest defender in Brandon Ingram makes them an immediate threat. Assuming they stay relatively healthy, it’s not unreasonable to expect them to be a top-three defense in the league alongside the Thunder and Spurs.

This trade also gives them a significant offensive upgrade. Ingram is no slouch as a scorer, but his shot profile isn’t an ideal one in today’s NBA. He is a 2000s-esque player who does a lot of his damage in the midrange and doesn’t get to the free-throw line much. While Leonard is just as deadly from the midrange, he gets to the line more frequently and is a much better, more willing three-point shooter. One of the areas where the Raptors struggled most last season was their lack of three-point shooting, particularly off the dribble.

On many nights, the Raptors simply lost the mathematical battle because opposing teams took and made significantly more outside shots. In fact, Leonard alone averaged 4.0 pull-up three-point attempts per game last season, while the Raptors averaged 4.9 per game as a team.

I’d also say that the answer to the second question is yes. Part of that is because the Raptors, for all the reasons mentioned above, are a much better team. But part of it is also due to how the offseason has unfolded for the other Eastern Conference teams. The Celtics may be losing Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White will be one year older and is coming off a poor shooting season. As they are currently constructed, I don’t think they have the defensive capability to slow down the Knicks.

Do the Celtics’ moves today signal more to come?

Oct 14, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) controls the ball against New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) and guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics have officially begun their work in free agency. 

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Boston has agreed to deals with veteran guard Mike Conley and center Mitchell Robinson. 

Conley is reportedly signing on a veteran minimum contract, while Robinson, fresh off an NBA championship with the New York Knicks, has landed a lucrative deal worth just over $15 million annually. The contract is reportedly for three years and includes a player option for the final season. While I don’t think it’s particularly likely, one detail worth monitoring is whether Robinson’s contract includes games-played incentives. We’ve seen this structure used before, most recently when the Portland Trail Blazers included similar incentives in old friend Robert Williams III’s extension to account for his injury history. 

One important aspect of the Robinson signing though is its financial impact on the Celtics. 

Boston used its non-taxpayer mid-level exception to sign Robinson, a move that automatically triggers a hard cap at the NBA’s first apron, set at approximately $209 million. When a team is hard capped, they are prohibited from exceeding that salary threshold for the remainder of the league year. 

As things stand right now with the additions of Conley and Robinson, Boston has all 15 standard contract roster spots filled and are $5.1 million under the first apron but now $3.5 million over the luxury tax.  


I am very curious if this means other moves, whether big or small, will come down the pipe eventually. The Celtics have traditionally preferred to carry an open roster spot into the regular season, giving themselves flexibility as the year unfolds. On top of that, we saw just how committed the front office was to managing its tax bill last season, making a flurry of deadline deals to duck below the luxury tax threshold. With Boston now operating under the first-apron hard cap, that same emphasis on financial flexibility could once again shape the team’s next moves. 

One name that consistently surfaces in salary-clearing discussions is Sam Hauser, who is set to earn $10.8 million this season. The more likely move, in my view, is parting ways with Dalano Banton to free up a roster spot. The Celtics exercised Banton’s team option before the deadline, but his salary remains non-guaranteed. That gives Boston the flexibility to waive him with minimal financial consequences if the front office decides it needs another opening on the 15-man roster. 

What cost saving moves do you think the Celtics should/will make if any?  

Ian Cole Is Coming To Chicago Blackhawks On 1-Year Free-Agent Deal

The Chicago Blackhawks make it multiple Coles as they have signed Ian Cole to a one-year deal. This will come with a one-time cap hit of $4 million. He can earn up to $4.74 million with performance bonuses. 

Cole is a defensive defenseman who will bring a veteran presence to a young group that ended last season with one of the youngest defenses in the history of the NHL. Multiple Frozen Four college teams had older defenses by average age. 

Ian Cole is 36 years old, and he will turn 37 in February. He has had quite the NHL career, including two Stanley Cups during his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

The Blackhawks will be his 10th NHL team, as he has hopped around a lot since leaving the St. Louis Blues in 2014-15. Along the way, he has played with some of the game's best, including Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Nathan MacKinnon, and Nikita Kucherov, amongst others. 

That type of experience will help the young Blackhawks, who are looking to improve in the standings during the 2026-27 season. 

In Ian Cole, you're going to get a solid defensive player who can make a good pass and chip in 3-5 goals a season. He played in all 82 games for the Utah Mammoth in 2025-26, and he had 3 goals and 20 assists for 23 goals on a good playoff-bound team.

Cole will play in his 1000th NHL game early with the Blackhawks, as he has 990 career games played. In those games, he has 38 goals and 195 assists for 233 points. For being a defensive defenseman, it's not horrible offensive production. 

If the Blackhawks are well out of it by the trade deadline, you may see them flip Cole for assets that will help them in the draft. If not, he'd be a great veteran to have in the locker room during meaningful games down the stretch. 

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Avalanche Sign Defensemen Noah Juulsen To A Two-Year Contract

The Colorado Avalanche have signed Noah Juulsen to a two-year contract worth $2.2 million, with a cap hit of $1.1 million each season.

Last season with the Philadelphia Flyers, he finished with one goal and nine assists for 10 points. The 6-foot-2, 201-pound right-handed defenseman is most likely going to be the Avalanche's seventh defenseman this upcoming season.

Drafted 26th overall in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft, Juulsen is a defenseman that you can really like in this position for the Avalanche, where on nights he can fill in 14-15 minutes a game and be reliable in the defensive zone.

With this move, the Avalanche now have just over $1 million in cap space, so it will be interesting whether these are all the moves they intend to make, or if another move will be made to create cap space and involve another signing.

Avalanche Sign Veteran Forward Jaden Schwartz To A Three-Year ContractAvalanche Sign Veteran Forward Jaden Schwartz To A Three-Year ContractThe Colorado Avalanche's first 2026 free agency signing is forward Jaden Schwartz
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Report: Penguins Sign Former Washington Capitals Defenseman

Immediately after the clock turned to 12:00 p.m. ET on Jul. 1, Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins immediately got to work. 

Per NHL Insider Chris Johnston, the Penguins are set to sign former Washington Capitals' defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk. The terms on the deal are unclear, as the deal has yet to be announced, but the 34-year-old right-shot blueliner registered three goals and 14 points to go along with a plus-6 in 68 games last season. Undrafted, he has spent the last six seasons in Washington.

Standing at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, van Riemsdyk is a solid bottom-pair defense-first defenseman who can help bring stability to either side, as he is capable of manning both sides. After the Penguins traded Parker Wotherspoon to the Vegas Golden Knights, it left their left-side wide-open, and van Riemsdyk figures to fill in where needed.

Reaction: Penguins' Defenseman Parker Wotherspoon Traded To Vegas For Another RightyReaction: Penguins' Defenseman Parker Wotherspoon Traded To Vegas For Another RightyThe Penguins swapped defensemen with the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday, leaving questions about the left side of their blue line.

The signing of van Riemsdyk further begs the question of how the Penguins plan to build out their blue line this season. Dubas mentioned during his season-ending press conference that they need to be better defensively - and van Riemsdyk should help in that department - but the right-shot pool is crowded with Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, Kaeden Korczak, van Riemsdyk, and Harrison Brunicke.

Keep track of all things happening for the Penguins in free agency by joining the Pittsburgh Penguins Roundtable Community.

3 Penguins' Storylines To Watch Heading Into Free Agency3 Penguins' Storylines To Watch Heading Into Free AgencyThe Pittsburgh Penguins and Kyle Dubas figure to be one of the more interesting teams heading into free agency on Jul. 1.

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Blues Sign Ross Johnston To Three-Year, $6 million Contract

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues made their first official unrestricted free agency signing (outside of their own players) when they signed forward Ross Johnston to a three-year, $6 million contract ($2 million average annual value).

The 32-year-old spent the past three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks; last season, he had 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 62 regular-season games. Johnston also appeared in five postseason games for Anaheim.

At 6-foot-5, 232-pounds, Johnston provides grit and toughness to the fourth line, someone who is a worthy and willing player to drop the gloves, a needed element to this lineup.

Johnston has played in 307 regular-season NHL games, including stints with the New York Islanders and the Ducks and has 46 points (14 goals, 32 assists) and 579 penalty minutes.

Johnston becomes the second Duck to join the Blues in the past week after St. Louis traded for Mason McTavish on Friday.

Berggren Re-Signs With BluesBerggren Re-Signs With BluesForward, claimed off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings last season, gets a one-year, $2 million contractBlues Buy Out Final Year Of Drouin's ContractBlues Buy Out Final Year Of Drouin's ContractForward had one year remaining on a two-year, $8 million contract signed with Islanders; was acquired on March 6 in Brayden Schenn trade; Blues owe $1.33 million against cap in each of next two seasonsBlues Promote Tkachuk, Thorburn; Hire Bortuzzo Among Front Office ChangesBlues Promote Tkachuk, Thorburn; Hire Bortuzzo Among Front Office ChangesTkachuk, recently named to Hockey Hall of Fame, was previously director of recruitment; Thorburn was development coach; Bortuzzo hired to be pro scoutSteen Introduced As 12th GM In Blues History, Ready to Hit Ground RunningSteen Introduced As 12th GM In Blues History, Ready to Hit Ground RunningFormer NHLer of 15 years, including last 12 seasons in St. Louis, takes over for Doug Armstrong, who keeps role as president of hockey operations after taking over as GM in 2010Robert Thomas: 'I've loved my time in St. Louis. I love it here, I love the organization, the city.'Robert Thomas: 'I've loved my time in St. Louis. I love it here, I love the organization, the city.'Blues top line center excited by recent acquisitions, affirms his commitment to St. Louis with no desire to be moved
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BREAKING: Sharks Sign Mason Marchment to 5-Year Contract

The San Jose Sharks have reportedly signed forward Mason Marchment, the son of former Sharks player and long-time scout Bryan Marchment, to a five-year contract with an average annual value of roughly $7 million.

Insider Elliotte Friedman was the first to break the news of the signing early on Wednesday morning.

Last summer, the Dallas Stars traded Marchment to the Seattle Kraken, where he played just 29 games before being traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets. With Columbus, Marchment found his form once again, as he scored 15 goals and 32 points in 39 games.

Throughout his career, Marchment, 31, has also played with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers.

Adding another top-nine forward does add some questions for the Sharks, as it's expected that recent second overall pick Ivar Stenberg is ready to step directly into the NHL. As a result, it'll be interesting to see how Sharks General Manager Mike Grier handles the growing forward logjam in San Jose. 

Millions Traded at Prediction Sites on LeBron James' Next Team

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Prediction market customers are taking a strong interest in LeBron James' basketball future. The 41-year-old is mulling his next team options now that NBA teams are allowed to negotiate contracts with free agents.

Roughly $27 million in contracts have been traded at leading operators Kalshi and Polymarket on the superstar's next destination.

Key Takeaways

  • Trading volume has spiked since James announced his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers.

  • Golden State is the leading destination at Kalshi and Polymarket.

  • Polymarket customers are also showing strong support for Miami.

ESPN’s David Purdum shared Tuesday evening that more than $12.8 million in prediction market contracts related to James’ next team had been traded at Kalshi in the preceding two days. That pushed the overall total over $17 million.

The trading volume surpassed $23 million as of Wednesday morning.

The LeBron James next team odds show that the Golden State Warriors are the favorite (38% at Kalshi, 34% at Polymarket). Traders at both platforms also believe the Cleveland Cavaliers are the next most-likely team (34% at Kalshi, 33% at Polymarket), and there’s a sizable discrepancy after them.

The Warriors climbed as high as 58% on Polymarket and 50% on Kalshi within the last week after reports suggested that Golden State was hoping to pair James with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. 

If there is a team that is going to challenge the Warriors and Cavaliers, it appears to be the Miami Heat (21% at Polymarket, 18% at Kalshi). James won two championships with the franchise in 2012 and 2013 and would have the chance to play with Bam Adebayo and the recently acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Heat had less than a 1% chance on Polymarket of landing James as recently as Monday. Kalshi never dropped them that low, but did have them at just 5% a week ago.

Where is the money going?

Kalshi does not show trading volume for individual outcomes on its platform, but Polymarket does.

Polymarket customers have bought a hair under $4.7 million in trades. The Los Angeles Lakers – who already announced James’ departure – have the highest trading volume at $776,706 (16.6% of the total volume).

The Heat lead the top three contenders with $407,443, which is 8.7% of the total volume. The Warriors are next with $359,374 (7.7%) in trades, followed by the Cavaliers’ $184,356 (3.9%).

The San Antonio Spurs are fourth in probability to sign James at Kalshi and Polymarket, although they have not been linked to him by prominent reporters. The Minnesota Timberwolves (3% at Kalshi, 2% at Polymarket) and Washington Wizards (3% at Kalshi, 1% at Polymarket) have.

Polymarket reported $128,654 (2.8%) of trades backing the Timberwolves and $112,492 (2.4%) supporting the Wizards.

NBA Finals probabilities

With heavy player movement, NBA Finals odds and probabilities are constantly changing. However, Kalshi and Polymarket share a common view of the favorites to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2027.

The Oklahoma City Thunder (25% at Kalshi, 21% at Polymarket) and San Antonio Spurs (21% at Kalshi, 18% at Polymarket) are separated from the rest of the league. The defending-champion New York Knicks are third at 11% on both platforms, followed by the Boston Celtics (10% at Kalshi, 8% at Polymarket).

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Washington Nationals vs Boston Red Sox Game Thread

Boston, MA - June 30: Washington Nationals manager and former Boston College baseball player Blake Butera watches from the dugout in the second inning. The Boston Red Sox played the Washington Nationals at Fenway Park on June 30, 2026. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images

This game could be a little spicier than your average Wednesday get away day game. After the brawl last night, the temperature is hot in this series. After the Red Sox took the first game, the Nats struck back thanks to a gem from Cade Cavalli. Now the teams do battle one last time.

Interestingly, CJ Abrams is getting the day off in this one. That means Nasim Nunez will play short and Jorbit Vivas will play third. Daylen Lile will be the DH in this contest, meaning James Wood is in left, Jacob Young is in center and Dylan Crews in right. Andres Chaparro is preferred at first base, but Luis Garcia Jr. will be looming on the bench. Brad Lord will be the opener for Andrew Alvarez.

Willson Contreras has had quite the series, and since no punishments have been dished out yet, he will be playing first base and hitting cleanup. Nate Eaton, Andruw Monasterio and Connor Wong will all get their first starts of the series. Payton Tolle is a massive lefty with a nasty heater and he will be getting the ball this afternoon.

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Game Info:

Stadium: Fenway Park

Time: 1:35 PM EST

TV: Nationals.TV

Radio: 106.7 The Fan

There is a powder keg of emotion leading up to this one. Hopefully everyone is on their best behavior and will let the playing do the talking. This is also a key rubber match for both teams. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!

New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers: Will Warren vs. Troy Melton

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 20: Will Warren #29 of the New York Yankees warms up before the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Yankee Stadium on June 20, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I’m going to take one small moment to complain about something. Because MLB has insisted on divvying up games between some one thousand different broadcasters, I was unable to watch and recap Sunday’s loss to the Red Sox. Me being in Canada, I was also tapped to recap the Fourth of July game to give my beloved fellow staff members some time off, and I almost always have a regular recap on Sundays. All that is to say that while the Yankees are playing their worst baseball possible, I have four games in six days that I am contractually obligated to give analysis on.

Ergo, Yankees, for me, please give me more to discuss than yesterday. All that mattered in Tuesday’s loss was Cam Schlittler giving up four home runs. I am hopeful that Will Warren does not do that himself, and while getting four hits for the first time in a week was a step forward, I hope the lineup manages to triple that.

Warren has hit a bit of a rough patch. His outing last weekend against the Red Sox was bad on its face, five earned runs allowed and not a single strikeout in 5.2 innings pitched. In his last four starts though, he’s managed a 5.49 ERA and while he’s done a good job of keeping the ball in the yard, a 4.2 percent K-BB%—for my money the single best pitching stat—terrifies me. With so many injuries, the Yankee lineup was bound to take a step back, and the rotation needs to be better in games the team is going to have to scratch and claw to score in. Warren did miss the Tigers series last week so it’ll be his first time seeing this squad in 2026.

Troy Melton goes for Detroit, having a very good season from a pure run prevention standpoint, but would merit plenty of articles in 2013 exposing the difference between ERA and FIP. The market can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent, to be sure, but he does not strike many men out and gives up a lot of fly balls. It’s Yankee Stadium, where 92-mph exit velo flyouts can turn into home runs, so hopefully that spells good news for the Yankees.

I guess you’d call this the B- lineup, due in part to a spat of food poisoning going around the clubhouse (no joke). Cody Bellinger is back in left field and batting third, but Austin Wells is batting seventh and even with the illnesses afoot, that seems far too high. We’re also trying an experiment with José Caballero in center field. Whatever happens today, it should at least be interesting.

How to watch

Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

First pitch: 1:35 pm ET

TV broadcast: YES, Detroit SportsNet

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | WXYT 97.1 FM (DET)

Streaming: Gotham Sports App, MLB.TV (out-of-market only)

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RANGERS AT GUARDIANS: Cantillo vs. Gore, discussion

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 28: Cooper Ingle #30, Steven Kwan #38 and David Fry #6 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate the team's 6-5 win over the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field on June 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Yay, another baseball game

Here’s the Guardians lineup:

Here’s the Rangers lineup:

Let’s go, Guardians!

Warriors re-sign De’Anthony Melton for 2 years, $11 million

De’Anthony Melton dribbling with his left hand
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: De'anthony Melton #8 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball up court against the Sacramento Kings in the first half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on April 10, 2026 in Sacramento, 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors are looking to make a splash in free agency or through trades this offseason, but first things first: they have to make sure to keep some of their own key players. And so, two days after agreeing to an extension with Kristaps Porziņģis, the Warriors have reportedly re-signed guard De’Anthony Melton.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Melton’s new deal is for two years and $11 million, with a player option in the second year. It’s a pay bump of a few million for Melton, who had just declined a player option that would pay him $3.3 million in the upcoming season.

Melton has been open about enjoying his time with the Warriors and hoping to stay long term. He first signed with the team ahead of the 2024-25 season, but suffered a season-ending ACL injury early in the year, and was later traded. Despite that, he returned to the Warriors a year ago, and fit right in, averaging 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, in 23.0 minutes. Melton’s three-point stroke fell off dramatically last year (he shot 29.4% from deep, after entering the year with a career 36.9% mark), but he did a wonderful job of running the team when Steph Curry was on the bunch (or sidelined with an injury).

During a hot stretch late in the year, it looked like Melton had played himself well out of the Warriors price range. But a cold stretch to end the season, mixed with his injury concerns, kept him at a price that the Warriors could afford. Given his skills, veteran reliability, and respect within the locker room, Steve Kerr and Mike Dunleavy Jr. have to be thrilled that Melton is returning.

Of course, the Warriors bringing back two of their older, oft-injured players, does nothing to change the biggest issue facing the team: age and injuries. But there’s plenty of time left in the offseason to address that.

In LeBron James free agency, these teams have the most, and least, money to spend

Editor's note: Find July 1 live updates from NBA free agency here.

As LeBron James enters the free agent market as the most accomplished 41-year-old in NBA history, teams with championship aspirations are no doubt inquiring about his availability as he and agent Rich Paul scope out the lay of the land as teams chase and sign players in order to dethrone the champion New York Knicks.

With James, this decision isn't about money; if it were, he would have immediately re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, who were told to plan to play their 2026-27 season without the NBA's all-time leading scorer.

Loads of money for LeBron: Lakers, Nets, Bulls and Pistons

James is a Bird Rights free agent, meaning Los Angeles could have given him the value of his cap hold, which is $57.75 million for the upcoming season. A two-year deal with a player option could have been an option as well, in case he wants to retire after one more season.

There are few teams with the cap space to sign James, including the Brooklyn Nets, who are in total rebuild mode, putting them at a distinct disadvantage.

The 2026-27 NBA salary cap was set at $164.961 million, so the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons can easily create cap space by waiving or trading players to get those salaries off the books.

Mid-level exception contenders: Warriors, Celtics, Heat and more

Golden State, which has been rumored to covet James' services, will need to jump through some hurdles to acquire him. The Warriors are among nearly half the league that can offer a full mid-level exception. That list of teams also includes the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, and Dallas Mavericks.

This year's mid-level exception is set at $15.044 million, and, of course, James must decide if an opportunity justifies getting maximum value for his services, but ESPN.com reported that he is willing to accept a minimum contract to play for a contender.

Veteran minimum or bust: Cavaliers, Nuggets, Thunder

Speaking of the minimum, there are three teams that can offer James exactly that: The Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, and Oklahoma City Thunder. The Cavaliers, of course, would be a homecoming for James, as he spent 11 of his 23 seasons with the team and led them to their only championship in 2016. Cleveland is coming off a thumping in the East finals by the Knicks, and a third act of James would immediately put them as the conference favorite.

But for those teams to make room for James, they would not only have to offer him the minimum but also decide whether going further into another tier of salary cap space hell, known as the apron, is worth it. The Thunder seem content with where they are after signing their stars, including NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, to long-term extensions last year.

Wherever James ends up playing will be a fascinating case study in how he fits with a new roster and whether he immediately puts a team over the hump to get his elusive fifth championship ring.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: In LeBron James free agency, these teams have the most, and least, money to spend

Lakers trade for center Walker Kessler from Utah, make their big swing with rush of signings

The Lakers kept pointing to the summer of 2026 as when they would make their big move. It's when they would have the cap space to radically reshape the roster around Luka Doncic and better fit his style of play.

They have done exactly that — starting with trading for the center they desperately needed.

The Utah Jazz are trading 24-year-old center Walker Kessler to the Lakers for two unprotected first-round picks (2031, 2033) and two first-round pick swaps (2028 and 2030), a story first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. The Lakers are signing Kessler, a restricted free agent, to a four-year, $130 million contract (averaging $32.5 million per season).

This is a huge win for the Lakers. Luka Doncic has said getting a center who can set picks and roll hard to the rim was key to his success, and Kessler may be the best one he has ever played with. Kessler has been at the top of the Lakers' wish list for a while, but he was a restricted free agent, and the expectation in league circles was that Utah would pay up to keep him.

However, the price the Lakers agreed to pay — essentially four first-round picks — was just too good for Utah to pass up. Utah still has Jaren Jackson Jr., who can play center, which slides Lauri Markkanen over to the four, with Keyonte George, No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson and Ace Bailey likely rounding out the starting five. That's still a very good team, and the Jazz now have picks they can use or trade to add around that core. Danny and Austin Ainge — the Utah brain trust — did very well in this deal, setting the Jazz up for the future.

The Lakers' gamble here is health — Kessler played in just five games last season due to shoulder surgery and just 58 games the season before that. When healthy, he has shown his potential on both ends, and last season averaged 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game when he did play. For his career, he averaged 2.4 blocked shots per game and is one of the few centers in the league equally capable of blocking shots with either hand.

Utah wanted to keep Kessler and reportedly offered four years, $140 million ($28 million a year on average). Kessler and his agent went looking for a larger deal and secured it with the Lakers (their offer is $32.5 million per season on average).

Kessler was the big splash, but it wasn't the only move the Lakers made. Soon after that trade was reported, a series of other Lakers deals were announced:

• Guard Quentin Grimes is leaving Philadelphia to come to the Lakers on a four-year, $60 million deal.

• Floor spacing big man Sandro Mamukelashvili agreed to come to Los Angeles on a four-year, $52 million deal. He will serve as a backup big but provides the shooting the Lakers need to space the floor around Doncic and Austin Reaves.

• Point guard Collin Sexton to join the Lakers on a two-year, $19 million deal with a player option on the second year.

• All of that on top of previously having re-signed Austin Reaves to a four-year, $184.8 million deal that locks him in as the secondary guard and shot creator next to Doncic.

The Lakers have gone all-in. The only draft capital they have left to trade is a 2032 pick swap and a 2033 second-rounder. That's it. This is their core.

But like another professional sports team in Los Angeles, the Lakers essentially said "f*** those picks" and leaned into win-now players. It worked out when the Los Angeles Rams did it, winning a championship, and the Lakers are hoping for that same level of success.

Blackhawks Sign Cole Smith To 3 Year Free-Agent Contract

The Chicago Blackhawks continue to add depth to their roster with their latest free-agent signing, Cole Smith. Smith is getting a three-year deal with a $3 million cap hit. 

Smith is 30 years old, and he spent the first 6 years of his NHL career with the Nashville Predators before being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights during the 2025-26 season. 

Of course, the Golden Knights went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final in the spring, and Smith was a part of it as a member of their 4th line. In 22 playoff games, he had 3 goals and 3 assists for 6 points. 

During the regular season, Smith had 8 goals and 4 assists for 12 points in 63 games played. There isn't much offense there, but it is his physical presence and defensive play that will make the Blackhawks a bit harder to play against. 

On the penalty kill, Smith will be one of the forwards who replace Ilya Mikheyev. At even strength, he won't produce nearly as much offense; the Hawks will have to find that elsewhere.  

With Jordan Greenway also coming in via the Bowen Byram trade, the Hawks have a couple of guys who bring a different style of game to their bottom six than their opponents have had to deal with in recent years. 

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