FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 13: Connelly Early #71 of the Boston Red Sox reacts with Payton Tolle #70 of the Boston Red Sox during a workout at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 13, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Red Sox and Phillies have had similar starts to the season: they’re two big ballclubs with big aspirations who both immediately fell on their faces, prompting two managerial firings. And while the Phillies have done a better job righting the ship under their new skipper than the Sox have, they’ll both share some history tonight, as it’s the first time in 22 years that two teams with new managers will face off this early in the season. (Thomas Harrigan, MLB.com)
That’s not exactly the type of history teams generally want to make, so here’s some more, slightly better history. When the Sox rolled out five straight left-handed starters last week, it was the first time they had done so since 2018. They’ve also had more games started by rookies this year (14) than any other team and, for the most part, those rookie hurlers have come through. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Could the Sox have another lefty rookie pitcher a few years down the line who not only follows in the footsteps of Payton Tolle and Connelly Early, but does so as a local kid made good? With the 20th pick in next month’s MLB draft, the Sox could be in line to select Bishop Feehan’s Brody Bumila, a 6-9 lefty who already throws 100 MPH heat. (Hayden Bird, Boston.com)
The success of the rookie Red Sox pitchers points to a well-functioning minor league system. But that system received a shock with the Alex Cora firing and the subsequent coaching staff shuffle, and that hasn’t been easy for the organization to deal with. “There’s times when change happens and you kind of see it coming,” said Portland Sea Dogs coach Kyle Sasala. “None of us saw this coming. I woke up one day and was defensive coach. Next day, I was the manager.” (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Speaking of things no one sees coming, is Trevor Story poised to turn his season around? “It’s only a matter of time,” says the veteran shortstop. (Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald)
As Story’s 2025 season reminds us, it’s helpful to have patience in baseball. But can we all be as patient as David Ortiz, who waited nearly 20 years to get revenge on Joe West for calling him ugly?
The Philadelphia Flyers had Owen Tippett available, albeit at less than 100%, for the entire first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Then, he dubiously sat out all of the second round, despite skating with the team.
On Tuesday, Tippett and the Flyers came forward with a statement explaining the circumstances of the injuries, and full marks to Tippett for dealing with this like a true pro.
On top of Tippett playing through a sports hernia, as revealed officially in the statement, the 27-year-old also revealed that he attempted to come back and play through some internal bleeding, though he was unable to do so safely.
Here's the full statement from Tippett and the Flyers:
"I was unable to return for the second round series vs. Carolina Hurricanes due to an internal bleeding issue that I sustained during the first round series vs. Pittsburgh.
"Following a series of medical evaluations, treatments, and rehabilitation under the care of the Flyers medical team, I am making progress and feeling better each day. Despite being cleared to travel and skate with the team at certain practices, things did not progress at a pace that I hoped for or would allow me to safely continue playing.
"I am beyond proud of what our team has accomplished this season and truly moved by the tremendous support of the fans.
"I want to sincerely thank everyone for that support -- both personally for me and my family, as well as our entire medical and performance staff.
"I am confident for a full recovery and look forward to returning for training camp in September and an exciting year ahead for this organization."
The Flyers winger shared at his exit interview later Tuesday that he is not yet certain if he'll need surgery, which is always a good sign he'll be good to go for training camp.
If Tippett's injuries were more severe, that determination would be easier to come to and would likely take place sooner, all things considered.
As exit interviews progress, the Flyers will have more to share on other injured players, like Rodrigo Abols, Tyson Foerster, Christian Dvorak, and Nikita Grebenkin, now that Tippett has pulled back the curtain on his own situation.
NEW YORK — Negotiators for baseball players and owners began what figures to be lengthy and acrimonious collective bargaining negotiations Tuesday to replace their labor contract that expires Dec. 1, with management likely to propose a salary cap system the union has vowed never to accept.
An initial session of about two hours took place at the office of the Major League Baseball Players Association, a five-minute walk from Major League Baseball’s headquarters in Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center. The meeting lasted about two hours and was scheduled for initial presentations from each side on their view of the sport and its economics. No proposals were made.
Players who attended included Mets infielder Marcus Semien, a member of the union’s eight-man executive subcommittee, along with Mets teammates Clay Holmes and Austin Slater, a person familiar with the session told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the attendees were not announced. Additional players joined via video conference.
The sport’s five-year labor contract expires Dec. 1, and baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has said repeatedly that management prefers offseason lockouts to in-season strikes, aiming to prevent the loss of regular-season games. Baseball has not lost regular-season games to a work stoppage since a 7 1/2-month strike in 1994-95 that caused the first cancellation of the World Series in 90 years.
Talks for the last agreement began in April 2021 and ended with a deal on March 10, 2022 that preserved the 162-game schedule only after the sides bargained past several deadlines and Manfred announced the cancellation of 184 games, which were restored.
Bruce Meyer will lead negotiations for the union, as he did in 2021-22, but in his new role as interim union head. He moved up from deputy director in February after the forced resignation of Tony Clark, a former All-Star first baseman who took over following the death of Michael Weiner in 2013.
Deputy commissioner Dan Halem heads MLB’s negotiations team, as he did in talks for the previous two agreements.
Some major league owners have said a salary cap system that also contains a floor is needed and would improve the sport. MLB, unlike the NFL, NBA and NHL, has not had a cap system, but since 2003 has had a luxury tax designed to slow spending.
“When I talk to the players, I don’t try to convince them that a salary cap system would be a good thing,” Manfred told the Baseball Writers’ Association of America last summer. “I identify a problem in the media business and explain to them that owners need to change to address that problem. I then identify a second problem that we need to work together and that is that there are fans in a lot of our markets who feel like we have a competitive balance problem.”
Restraints had not appeared to have had much impact on the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets in recent years. The Dodgers shattered MLB’s spending records with a combined $515 million in payroll and luxury tax last year en route to their second straight World Series title, according to final figures compiled by the commissioner’s office, and Los Angeles is projected for the highest total again in 2026. The ratio of the five highest spenders to the five lowest increased from 3.6 in 2021 to a record-high 4.7 last year.
The union maintains a cap system decreases spending on players, while management argues a cap and a floor would benefit most players.
Players increased their potential war chest of cash and investments ahead of collective bargaining to $415 million heading into 2026. MLB also has been accumulating cash ahead of bargaining, about $75 million per club in withheld central fund distributions.
Ducks defenseman Olen Zellweger speaks to the media after their morning skate at T-Mobile Arena.
It's now a best of three as the Ducks and Golden Knights enter Game 5 of the series tied at two wins apiece. The Ducks responded well to a slow start in Game 3, scoring first in Game 4 and never relinquishing the lead.
“Better start,” Chris Kreider said of their Game 4 approach. “I think we got through the neutral zone, got pucks behind them, and then turned.”
“We want to make sure that we're ready from the start,” Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville said. “They're a good starting team. They're good with the lead. I thought we did a good job of scoring early last game and not giving (the lead) up. When I say giving it up, not letting them get it. So we'll try to emphasize the importance of tonight's start and expect rising to the next challenge of another battle."
May 10, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks face off against Vegas Golden Knights during the second period in game four of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images
Mason McTavish was re-inserted into the lineup for Game 4 after being a healthy scratch in Games 2 and 3. Though he didn't record a point, his line of Ryan Poehling and Cutter Gauthier was among the best, analytically, in Game 4. Gauthier recorded three assists, with two of them coming on the power play.
"He's been awesome," Gauthier said of McTavish after Game 4. "Throughout these playoffs, he's just been a player who keeps his head down and just works really hard. Definitely a heartbeat of our line with me and Poehls. Tonight, I thought he played a great game, getting on the inside, getting in front of the goalie's eyes, making life difficult for the defensemen. He didn't get on the scoresheet, but it definitely doesn't go unnoticed."
"Played great," Kreider said. "Tenacious, hard on pucks. (He) wanted to have an impact on the game and he did, so it was great."
"I thought he had a heck of a game," Quenneville said. "I really liked his attitude coming into the game. Not easy for him not to be in the lineup and then play the way he did, (it) shows character. He wanted to be a big part of it and he was in a lot of ways. Not just power play, but I thought he played a real solid game."
May 10, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish (23) during the second period against the Vegas Golden Knights in game four of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images
Defenseman Radko Gudas was a game-time decision for Game 4, but did not play. Quenneville said that Gudas is out for Game 5 as well. Troy Terry will play in Game 5 despite missing the morning skate, though that's been the norm during this playoff run.
With Gudas out, Olen Zellweger and Ian Moore will once again slot in as the third defensive pair. Both Zellweger and Moore were inserted into the lineup for Game 4, with Tyson Hinds being a healthy scratch. Moore scored Anaheim's fourth goal, which ended up being the game-winner. Zellweger had the primary assist on the goal.
"We read off each other well," Zellweger said of his partnership with Moore. "I thought we worked together well. Just playing those situations right and giving the team stability defensively. And then when we get the opportunities, being confident, jumping in the play."
Mark Stone, who left Game 3 early in the first period with a lower-body injury, will not be in the lineup for the Golden Knights once again. Brandon Saad will play in his second consecutive game after entering the lineup for Stone in Game 4.
Ducks Projected Lines
Chris Kreider - Leo Carlsson - Troy Terry Alex Killorn - Mikael Granlund - Beckett Sennecke Mason McTavish - Ryan Poehling - Cutter Gauthier Ross Johnston - Tim Washe - Jeff Viel
Jackson LaCombe - Jacob Trouba Pavel Mintyukov - John Carlson Olen Zellweger - Ian Moore
Lukáš Dostál (confirmed)
Golden Knights Projected Lines
Ivan Barbashev - Jack Eichel - Pavel Dorofeyev Brett Howden - William Karlsson - Mitch Marner Brandon Saad - Tomáš Hertl - Colton Sissons Cole Smith - Nic Dowd - Keegan Kolesar
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died, the team, his agency and the NBA said Tuesday. He was 29.
Neither the Grizzlies nor Clarke's agency, Priority Sports, provided any details about when, where or how Clarke died.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten," the Grizzlies said in a statement. "We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
“He was so loved by all of us here and everyone whose life he touched,” Priority Sports said. “He was the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed sympathies to Clarke’s family and friends and the Grizzlies organization.
“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke,” Silver said. “As one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit.”
The National Basketball Players Association said: “This is an incredible loss for the brotherhood. We will remember Brandon not only for the immense joy he brought to so many throughout his career, but for the genuine friendships he built far beyond basketball.”
Clarke was arrested April 1 in Arkansas for speeding and possession of a controlled substance that was reportedly kratom, an herbal supplement promoted as an alternative pain remedy that becomes illegal in Tennessee as of July 1. He was released on bond a day later.
Clarke was the 21st overall pick out of Gonzaga in the 2019 NBA draft by Oklahoma, which dealt his rights to the Grizzlies, who already took guard Ja Morant second overall. Clarke joined Morant on the NBA's All-Rookie team in 2020, and the Grizzlies gave him a multiyear contract extension in October 2022.
He tore his left Achilles tendon March 3, 2023, in a loss to the Denver Nuggets in a showdown of the top two teams in the Western Conference. Injuries limited him to 72 of a possible 246 games over the past three seasons, including only two this season.
Clarke averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds over his seven seasons with the Grizzlies.
He had one more season left on his contract with Memphis and was due to earn $12.5 million, according to Spotrac.com. But the Grizzlies are in the midst of another major roster rebuild after going 25-57 after trading away stars Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. within the past year.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 09: Ethan Frey (12) of the Houston Astros fields his position in center field during a spring training practice game on March 09, 2026 at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Who’s Hot At The Plate?
Xavier Neyens – Neyens, the Astros first round pick last year, put together another big week. In 5 games he hit .333 with one home run and an impressive 9 walks to just 3 strikeouts. Neyens has a .985 OPS this season so far.
Nehomar Ochoa – Ochoa is truly having a bounce back year. He had a monster week hitting .545 with 3 doubles, a home run and 4 runs batted in. Playing the best ball of his career, Ochoa is hitting .326 with a .906 OPS over 26 games.
Jason Schiavone – Schiavone has been on an absolute tear. After being on this list last week, he is here again. In six games in Asheville this week, Schiavone hit .400 with 2 doubles, 4 home runs and an OPS of 1.671. He has 15 home runs this season.
Ethan Frey – Frey was a favorite as a prospect who was going to fly up the system but he got off to a slow start. This was a strong week for him though as he hit .391 with 2 home runs, 6 runs batted in and drew 5 walks for Asheville.
Caden Powell– Powell also got off to a slow start but put together a monster week. In four games for Asheville, Powell hit .563 with a double, a home run and 5 runs batted in. Powell is hitting .277 through 24 games this season.
Kyle Walker – Walker also had a big week for Asheville. The 23-year-old played in five games last week and hit .389 with 3 doubles, a home run and 5 runs batted in. He’s hitting .293 through 22 games this season.
Who’s Hot On The Mound?
Ryan Verdugo – Verdugo was drafted in the 12th round of the 2024 draft, and the right-hander turned in his best pro outing this week. In his one start for the Woodpeckers, he tossed 5 no-hit innings while striking out 5 batters.
James Hicks – Hicks has been a bit up and down this year, but this week was a good outing for him. Hicks made one start for the Hooks and went 6 innings allowing 2 runs while striking out 6. He has a 4.55 ERA this season.
Javier Perez – Perez has been one of the best pitchers in the Astros system this season and this week he had a nice start for the Woodpeckers allowing 2 runs over 6 innings. Overall he has a 2.73 ERA with 35 K in 29.2 innings.
Luis Rodriguez – Rodriguez was acquired a couple of years ago in the Julks trade and has been a pleasant surprise. This week in his one outing for Asheville he went 5 innings allowing 2 runs with 4 strikeouts. He has 22 K in 21.2 innings.
TEAM ERA and OPS:
Sugar Land – From 3.84 ERA to 4.33 ERA – From .700 OPS to .708 OPS
Corpus Christi – From 4.48 ERA to 4.90 ERA – From .691 OPS to .703 OPS
Asheville – From 6.92 ERA to 7.75 ERA – From .719 OPS to .770 OPS
Fayetteville – From 5.06 ERA to 4.98 ERA – From .735 OPS to .730 OPS
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 11: Jaxson Hayes #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round Two Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 11, 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
With the season on the brink of extinction, the Thunder put the Lakers out of their misery in Game 4 and advanced to the conference finals.
LA put up another valiant effort Monday, even nursing a one-point lead with 40 seconds remaining, but it wasn’t enough. OKC completed the sweep and bounced the purple and gold into the summer.
It’s one thing to lose all four matchups in the regular season, where game plans and lineups get adjusted by the hour. It’s another to stand side by side with the best team in the league and measure the difference.
Those measurements came up immensely short, even after accounting for superstar Luka Dončić missing the entire series. While the result revealed the Lakers have a multitude of issues to resolve, none is more pressing than finding their franchise center.
Backup center Jaxson Hayes’ strong performance in Game 4 lends a blueprint to what the focus should be.
As he’s done on numerous occasions this season, Hayes closed the game and played more minutes than starter Deandre Ayton. Hayes had his best game of the series with 18 points, five rebounds, and a block in 27 minutes.
It’s no coincidence the Lakers had their shot to win when their best athlete had his most productive game, especially coming from the center position. Hayes is one of the few — and maybe the only — Lakers players who can overpower his matchup with pure above-the-rim athleticism.
Watch below as he sets a wide pin down for Austin Reaves with LeBron James as the entry passer. It sets up the empty side action, with Reaves quickly throwing up the lob to where only Hayes can reach.
The runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, Chet Holmgren, comes to contest, but it has no impact as Hayes finishes the thunderous dunk over the top.
Late in the third quarter, the Lakers ran their Finland action. Watch as Luke Kennard comes off the final screen of the play and finds Hayes rolling with the pocket pass. Holmgren once again comes over to recover, but Hayes has already gathered onto his trampoline.
The monster finish at the basket put the Lakers up by one. Hayes used his pogo stick bounce to finish four dunks on Monday.
Vertical spacing and an almost infinite catch radius will be essential skill sets for pairing with heavy pick-and-roll guards this summer. Luka and Reaves led the league as a duo in pick and rolls ran per game this season.
In addition to the dunk fest, Hayes leveraged his athletic prowess to grab three offensive rebounds, including one massive tip-in putback to end the third quarter.
On the defensive end, his lateral quickness on the perimeter fit into head coach JJ Redick’s switch-heavy defensive style, while still being able to block shots at the rim, as seen in the play below.
Ajay Mitchell pushes it in transition and gets it swatted while the Lakers get a basket from LeBron on a leak-out pass.
While he contains many of the skills LA will need in its franchise center, Hayes was on a $3.5 million deal this season. He may return to the team in a backup role once again, but he can’t be relied on as a starting center going forward and he still carries a shaky playoff history.
The center opposite the Lakers in this series was Isaiah Hartenstein, who is making $29 million this season. Their other main big is Holmgren, who just signed a $250 million extension last summer.
Canvassing the other playoff teams remaining, they all have a center making close to max money, or soon to be, with players such as Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs and Jalen Duren of the Pistons.
Finding the permanent solution at center should be at the top of the to-do list this summer. If they don’t, they will find themselves right back in this position again next season.
MEMPHIS, TN - SEPTEMBER 23: Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a portrait during the City Edition jersey shoot on September 23, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBAE via Getty Images
Brandon Clarke, the 29-year-old forward who played the past seven seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, has died, his agency, Priority Sports, announced.
The Memphis Grizzlies confirmed the news and released this statement:
"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten. We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time."
"We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in his statement. "As one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon's family, friends and the Grizzlies organization."
No cause of death has been announced.
Clarke played his college ball first at San Jose State and then at Gonzaga, and was drafted No. 21 by the Grizzlies. Clark played all seven of his NBA seasons in Memphis, making the All-Rookie team in 2020 and averaging 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds a game, and was a career 60.5% shooter. He only played in two games this past season, primarily due to a calf injury.
Clarke, who was selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft after a decorated collegiate career at San Jose State and Gonzaga, played seven years for the Grizzlies. He earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2020 and averaged 20.8 minutes per game over 309 games in the NBA.
His last three seasons were largely impacted by injuries, but the Canadian-born forward was a crucial part of a Memphis roster that made multiple postseason appearances.
Brandon Clarke's death: NBA world with tributes and reactions
Here is what his agency, Priority Sports, announced:
“We are all beyond devastated by the passing of Brandon Clarke. He was so loved by all of us here, and everyone whose life he touched. He was the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family. Our hearts are so broken as we think about his mom, Whitney, his entire family, and all of his friends and teammates. From high school to San Jose State to Gonzaga to the Grizzlies, Brandon impacted everyone everyone who was part of his life.
Everyone loved BC because he was always there as the most supportive friend you could ever imagine. He was so unique in the joy he brought to all of those in his life. It’s just impossible to put into words how much he’ll be missed.
We love you, BC.”
Priority Sports added that the family "asks for privacy as they grieve and make arrangements" following this tragic news.
"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten. We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time."
Clarke played his entire NBA career with the Grizzlies.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke. pic.twitter.com/QujShDyGir
NBA commissioner Adam Silver made a statement as well:
"We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke. As one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon’s family, friends and the Grizzlies organization."
Ja Morant mourns his longtime Memphis teammate
Ja Morant was heartbroken to hear the news of the death of his Memphis Grizzlies teammate Brandon Clarke. The two-time All-Star paid tribute to the forward on social media after the news of Clarke's passing broke. Morant shared a series of posts to his Instagram stories, expressing his appreciation for Clarke, who spent all seven seasons of his NBA career in Memphis with Morant. Both players were selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft. — Victoria Hernandez
Statement from NBPA Executive Director Andre Iguodala and NBPA President Fred VanVleet on the tragic passing of Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke. pic.twitter.com/RZ3vRoLNdK
This is heartbreaking news. I had the pleasure of getting to know Brandon as classmates at Gonzaga and always had the loveliest interactions with him. My thoughts are with his friends and family. https://t.co/m8enZBZLHR
After an underwhelming stretch of play for the Mets, the guys discuss the call up of Ewing, the team's continued offensive struggles, and what to make of Francisco Alvarez.
Later, Connor and Joe go Down on the Farm to check in on power-hitting prospect Ryan Clifford, and answer Mailbag questions about trade ideas, going back in time to the beginning of the offseason, hitting philosophy, and the overall direction of the franchise.
Be sure to subscribe to The Mets Pod at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
If LeBron James wants to keep playing professional basketball, the Los Angeles Lakers want it to be with them.
General manager Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick affirmed their desire to keep James in a Lakers uniform on Tuesday. James’ eighth season with the club ended Monday night with a heartbreaking 115-110 loss and a second-round sweep at the hands of the powerhouse champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
“Any team, including ours, would love to have LeBron James on their roster,” Pelinka said. “That’s a blessing in itself, just with what he does.”
The top scorer in league history is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, so James can choose his destination if he postpones retirement for another year — although not every team has the payroll flexibility to pay him something near his worth. The Lakers have significant salary cap room and many decisions to make, but they’re hoping James will choose to remain a part of their attempt to build a championship-contending roster around Luka Doncic.
“He’s given so much to his teammates, to this organization, and the thing we want to do more than anything else is honor him back,” Pelinka said.
Pelinka spoke repeatedly of his desire to “honor” James’ decision process. That means waiting until James tells them what’s happening, and the Lakers appear to be content to wait for weeks to come.
“The first order of business there is allowing him to spend the time he needs to decide what his next steps are,” Pelinka said. “Does he want to play another year in the NBA? That’ll be (determined through) family time, I think, time with his inner circle, and we just want to honor that for him.”
James is eight seasons into his longest continuous stint with one team, and his family is happily settled in Los Angeles, where he has won a championship and set multiple NBA career records. What’s more, his 21-year-old son, Bronny, is two seasons into a career as a backup guard with the Lakers, allowing LeBron to play alongside his son — most notably in several significant stretches together in these playoffs.
James missed 22 games this season because of injuries, and he scored a career-low 20.9 points per game while frequently serving as the Lakers’ third offensive option behind Doncic and Austin Reaves — filling that role for the first time in his basketball life, he said with a laugh. But James seemed to thrive in that secondary playmaking role, particularly when Los Angeles was playing its best basketball in March.
The Lakers won 53 games and the Pacific Division title despite losing Doncic for the season and Reaves for nearly a month to injuries in the same game April 2. While the season ended with a four-game sweep at the hands of the strong favorites to win the NBA title, the Lakers are headed into the offseason with optimism about their ability to get even better next season — particularly if James sticks around.
But Pelinka also made it clear that the Lakers are building around the 27-year-old Doncic, who won the NBA scoring title and appeared to be ramping up for a formidable playoff run before a hamstring strain sidelined him.
“The archetype of the roster that we want is going to be retrofitted around Luka and the things he needs,” Pelinka said. ”Clearly he’s that leader and player for the future that we want to build the right way around.”
The Lakers’ largest offseason transaction is likely to be a new contract for Reaves, the former undrafted free agent who has become one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers in five seasons with Los Angeles. Reaves is expected to decline his player option for next season, and Pelinka confirmed that both sides expect the guard to sign a massive deal to stay with the Lakers.
“He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker, and we feel the same way,” Pelinka said. “We want his odyssey to continue to unfold in the purple and gold. Both sides have made it abundantly clear that we want to work something out.”
The Lakers’ other unrestricted free agents including forward Rui Hachimura, who likely earned a big payday with his strong postseason play after long stretches of offensive passivity in the regular season; shooting guard Luke Kennard, a late-season trade pickup who made big contributions while Reaves was injured; and backup center Jaxson Hayes.
Starting center Deandre Ayton has an $8.1 million player option, and he said Monday that he hasn’t even begun to think about whether to pick it up. Marcus Smart, another big-time playoff contributor, has a $5.4 million player option that he seems likely to decline for a bigger deal.
“Being here in LA, the crowd and everybody has been amazing,” Ayton said. “I wouldn’t change it for nothing, to be honest.”
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 24: Luka Doncic #77 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers react during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While we didn’t get to see it on the biggest stage in the postseason, one of the biggest positives to come out of the season for the Lakers was the Austin Reaves-Luka Dončić partnership.
On the court, the two blossomed into one of the league’s best backcourts with Austin ascending to All-Star level and Luka reclaiming his All-NBA form. Off the court, the pair became best friends.
The team rode that partnership to one of the best records in the Western Conference prior to their simultaneous untimely injuries late in the regular season. For Luka, though, it was enough of a proof of concept to want to see more.
On Tuesday morning, Dan Woike of The Athletic wrote of not just Luka’s desire to continue playing with Austin, but that he’s made sure the Lakers know about it as well.
Dončić has made it clear to the Lakers that he would like to continue playing with Reaves, according to league sources. Beyond their close friendship, Dončić believes in Reaves as a long-term piece next to him. Multiple league sources said that belief was best illustrated when Dončić told people within the organization that he wouldn’t want Reaves included in any potential trade packages for Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. Dončić, those sources say, would strongly prefer a team construction that includes him and Reaves alongside whatever star the Lakers could acquire.
The easy reaction to this is that it’s a sign of how strong their friendship is. However, there’s also basketball reasons this makes sense, too.
The best versions of Luka teams in the past have featured a dynamic guard alongside him, whether that was Jalen Brunson or Kyrie Irving. Reaves absolutely fits that mold and the Lakers showed during the month of March how good they can be with that pair on the floor together.
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks dribbles the ball against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 26, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’re not going to dwell on Sunday! (much more) What’s done is done! (no, it isn’t, not really) Time to move on! (can I have a moment to cry again please before we do that??)
Yes, the Brooklyn Nets who had a 14.0% chance at the overall No. 1 and a 52.1% shot at a top four — aka “franchise changer” pick— wound up at No. 6. Truth be told, that shouldn’t have been too much of a surprise. The lottery slot with the highest odds Sunday was … No. 6 … with a 26.0%. Nets may have “dropped” three spots but such are the vagaries of the current draft rules. Ping pong balls are unforgiving as we’ve noted. Plus, we’re cursed, you know.
So now two days after the Lottery, the Nets are left with a diminished field to choose from on June 23 at Barclays Center. The top four are basically set, in some order: Cam Boozer, A.J. Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Caleb Wilson. After that it’s a group of similar candidates between Nos. 5 and 8. Candidates there include Darius Acuff, Mikel Bridges Jr., Kingston Flemings and Keaton Wagler. Plus Nate Ament, a big man who once was seen as a possible No. 4 but had a disappointing season for the most part at Tennessee and will now try to recover lost reputation at the NBA Combine, a possible “agent day” after the combine and at workouts around the league.
That’s the basics, but of course a lot of things can and likely will change between now and the Draft. There was a report Monday by Brett Siegel of Clutch Points that the Nets and Jazz are “expected” to talk to the Wizards, holder of the top pick, about trades. That seems like a pipe dream, but the possibility of moving up (or adding a second first) cannot be dismissed easily. Did the Nets even prepare for this eventuality. One NBA decision-maker told ND before the Draft that teams don’t accumulate all those firsts unless you plan on being “opportunistic,” which was the same word Sean Marks used following the Lottery to describe how he sees the Nets situation.
They do have an excess of unprotected firsts between their own selections and picks they acquired from the Knicks and Nuggets, first round swaps from the Knicks and Suns (both in 2028), a protected first from the 76ers as well as two picks they may have to swap with the Rockets. Plus 22 seconds, including two in this draft at Nos. 33 and 43. You all know the numbers.
But for the moment, it’s about the sixth pick. So we went around the internet and gathered up all the latest mock drafts. Assuming they keep No. 6, the general consensus is that the Nets will wind up with Acuff, the 6’3” combo guard from Arkansas who is most explosive of the prospects and has the most star quality, both of which Brooklyn is in need of.
In fact, of the ten mocks we surveyed, Acuff was linked to the Nets in five of them, followed by Wagler in three. Mikel Brown Jr. and Kingston Flemings get the other votes. In the second round, no consensus (and only seven post second round projections) but Tounde Yessoufou, the 6’5” Baylor wing, gets two nods.
Also, a number of draftniks argue that despite the Nets taking three or four playmakers last year they should go “best player available” even if it’s lead guard … and in the process, diss last year’s selections.
Jeremy Woo takes note of the Nets bad luck over the last two drafts and will have to make the best of a bad situation.
This was a second consecutive tough draw for Brooklyn, which fell from No. 3 in the default sequence to No. 6. The Nets have operated in anticipation of the 2025 and 2026 drafts ever since reacquiring control of their picks in a trade with Houston two years ago. After dropping all the way to No. 8 last year, they will again have to make the best of the situation. The Rockets still have swap rights to Brooklyn’s 2027 first-rounder, giving the Nets an incentive to be more competitive next season.
He thinks Acuff would be a wise pick.
[T]here’s little doubt he has the chops to help run a team next season. There is an expectation that Acuff will need to be insulated defensively on a winning team, but he is highly skilled and the most polished point guard in this group.
As we’ve noted before, Matt Hoover is long on video, short on individual analysis. Since he likes Keaton Wagler of Illinois to the Nets, here’s his Wagler highlights.
No, he is not the athlete the other guards are but he has the smarts and the shots. Plus, he’s the tallest at 6’6”.
We always pay attention to Jonathan Wasserman who after all got three of the five firsts right last year, even if in a different order. He too likes Acuff and argues that despite a perceived overlap with last year’s picks of three playmakers, Nets need to go BPA.
The Brooklyn Nets should be focused on drafting the best player available over filling needs. That could lead to Darius Acuff Jr., who could play on and off the ball next to big playmaker in Egor Demin.
Perceptions of Acuff have shifted over the season’s final two months, when he averaged 27.8 points and 6.7 assists while consistently carrying Arkansas during important stretches. With diverse, accurate shotmaking, advantage-creating handles and quickness, finishing craft and convincing playmaking IQ, he’s poked enough holes in the belief that limited size, athleticism and defensive resistance cap his ceiling.
Aran Smith’s venerable and data heavy site may be a bit quirky (less so this year in our opinion) and he thinks that Wagler has real potential, a “swing” candidate for sure who could be a “foundational young perimeter star.”
Brooklyn continues its long-term rebuild by adding one of the premier upside swings in the class in Wagler, a dynamic scoring guard with outstanding pace, shot-making ability, and offensive creativity. At No. 6, the Nets can afford to prioritize talent and star upside, and Wagler offers the type of offensive centerpiece potential the franchise has lacked in recent years. His ability to operate both on and off the ball gives Brooklyn lineup flexibility moving forward, while his advanced feel and shot-making instincts allow him to impact games.
Sam Vecenie is like Smith, Wasserman and Jonathan Givony of Draft Express a veteran in this competition. His mocks are consistent and regular, a lynchpin. And he has long been enthusiastic about Acuff and to the Nets. (In his last mock, he projected the Nets at No. 6 based on a single spin of the Tankathon simulator, proving him smarter than us.) Still, he offers a balanced appraisal.
Acuff might be the most polished freshman guard prospect I’ve ever evaluated. His footwork and balance are pristine, and he tends to make efficient decisions. He plays off two feet and moves well without the ball to set up his on-ball moves. His passes are always crisp and on-target, even if his vision isn’t always elite.
But can he consistently get paint touches against NBA length, and can he guard anybody? In terms of the former, he’s done just about everything in his power to make me a believer that he can separate, thanks to the threat of his shot and elite pace. But the latter is another story. Even though Acuff is stocky and strong, he’s easily the worst defender among the top 10 prospects. He struggles to get through screens and shows a lack of off-ball engagement too regularly.
He, too, thinks Nets should go BPA and offers a not-so-positive comparison between and last year’s draft.
Brooklyn just took multiple guards in last year’s five-man, first-round draft class, but none of them is remotely at Acuff’s level. Their presence should not stop them from taking him if he’s the best player available on their board.
Ricky O’Donnell, as prolific as they come in SB Nation annals, was one of the first to file his post-Lottery mock draft. He’s one of several writers who doesn’t delve into second round prospects. He likes Kingston Flemings for Brooklyn, thinks while there may be concerns about his size, particularly after Monday’s combine measurements, he has “bankable” NBA skills.
Flemings stood out in a loaded freshman guard class for his quick-twitch athleticism and two-way aptitude. The 6’3 guard plays bigger than his size with a strong chest, impressive lateral quickness, and disruptive hands on the defensive end. The Cougars star is so hard to contain as a driver with the standstill burst to get by the first defender, and awesome change of direction ability when he’s attacking off the bounce. Flemings is at his best as a scorer elevating for mid-range shots, but his driving is most dangerous because of his live-dribble passing ability. NBA teams will want to see Flemings up his three-point volume, prove he can finish over NBA rim protectors, and get to the line more often. He still has enough bankable NBA skills that he should be a good lead guard for a long time.
CBS Sports has THREE writers who provide mock drafts: Adam Finkelstein, Carmen Salerno and Gary Parrish. No analysis or video, just a list and they only project the first round. Finkelstein and Parrish like Darius Acuff, Salerno likes Wagler. So chalk one up for Acuff. Majority rules.
Kevin O’Connor, master of the exhaustive NBA Draft Guide, posted his latest mock draft Tuesday morning which gives him, alone among the draftniks, access to the first NBA Combine measurements and athletic testing. Put him down as a Kingston Flemings supporter. He’s got Houston lead guard between Keaton Wagler at No. 5 and Darius Acuff at No. 7.
Like the others, he has no concerns about the Nets drafting another playmaker, particularly since he thinks other than Egor Demin the Nets did themselves few favors in the 2025 Draft. Flemings, he acknowledges, has flaws that could hurt him.
What a bummer for Brooklyn to fall so far. The Nets took four guard-ish players in last year’s draft, but Egor Demin looks like the only real keeper and that decision shouldn’t necessarily stop them from taking an even better guard prospect here. Flemings plays with surgical midrange touch, an explosive first step, and passing vision of a true point guard who can run an offense. But he is also 190 pounds, midrange-heavy in a 3-point league, and watched his efficiency crater against the stiffest competition late in the season. The question is whether his scoring package translates to NBA length and spacing, or whether opposing scouts figure him out the same way late-season defenses did.
Eijofor is the only local product mocked to the Nets. Here’s what O’Connor says about him:
Ejiofor found success with foundational skills: motor, length, and defensive versatility. The question with Ejiofor is the fact he’s undersized for a center and his jumper is still a work in progress. But he’s developed enough to deserve a chance to figure it out in the league.
Brett Siegel is new to the mock draft game. He covers the draft, free agency, etc. for Clutch Points and has broken some news over the past years so we’ve moved him into the queue. Credit to him, he did a two-round mock which we love, content whores that we are.
He likes Mikel Brown Jr. who had some (back) injury issues this year but seems recovered. A bigger lead guard, Siegel had these thoughts about Brown’s fit in Brooklyn.
All indications point to the Brooklyn Nets being opportunistic (that word again) this offseason and searching for ways to immediately turn around their recent misfortunes. While unfortunate that the Nets fell out of the top four of the draft and into the No. 6 spot, there is still plenty of opportunity for Brooklyn to add a long-term, high-level scoring option. That player would be either Brown, Flemings, or Acuff, depending on what type of player this organization truly wants.
Brown was limited at Louisville this past year because of a back injury, but his pure-scoring abilities and positional size make him intriguing for the Nets. Unlike Acuff, who is a pure scorer, and Flemings, who still needs to work on his overall shot selection and perimeter abilities, Brown would join Brooklyn immediately ready to take on the responsibilities of being a lead guard.
And he doesn’t believe Brown would take a back seat to Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf.
Although the Nets selected Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf last year, Brown brings a new dynamic to this team and would be the ideal type of scoring guard to play alongside Michael Porter Jr.
Bryan Kalbrosky is another veteran NBA writer who annually comes up with mock drafts annually. He only goes 30 deep in his mock and he’s a Keaton Wagler supporter. Like others, he points to Wagler’s “athletic limitations” but loves his “cerebral game.”
During this rebuilding chapter, the Nets would love to add a player like Illinois standout Keaton Wagler. The 19-year-old guard played a crucial role in helping the Fighting Illini earn a spot in the Final Four, where he recorded 20 points and 8 rebounds against UConn in the national semifinals. The freshman also dropped 25 points in the Elite Eight. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 39.7 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman, while connecting on as many as nine 3-pointers in a game. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year has athletic limitations but is a cerebral basketball player who averaged 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season.
There are a few others out there but we have to limit things somewhere. Brian Lewis of the Post, goes only lottery-deep. He likes Keaton Wagler, stating “Shoots like a two-guard and maps the court like a lead playmaker. Yes, his modest athleticism and lack of downhill juice are a worry next to Egor Demin, but the Nets go with the best available player.”
MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 24: Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a portrait on November 24, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Clarke spent all seven of his NBA seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies after being the No. 21 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Clarke’s journey to being a first-round pick was an inspiring story: he spent two seasons at San Jose State where he had a broken three-point shot, transferred to Gonzaga and blossomed after sitting out a year.
Clarke’s NBA career was plagued by injuries. He only played two games this season. Clarke tore his left Achilles tendon in March 2023, suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee in 2025, and then was limited by a calf strain this season. He suffered from knee synovitis just before this season.
Clarke was arrested on drug and speeding charges last month. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance, fleeing and exceeding the speed limit, and trafficking a controlled substance.
Clarke was born in 1996 in Vancouver, Canada. This is a shocking loss for the Grizzlies, and the NBA community. Clark’s cause of death is not known at this time. This story will updated as it develops.
