DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 10: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during the fourth quarter of a game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on January 10, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons have broadcast their interest in Kawhi Leonard for several months, now, though it has always seemed like a long shot. That interest was stoked again when it was mentioned on one of the league’s biggest platforms during the NBA Draft. Brian Windhorst said Detroit was interested in going “big game hunting” and named Kawhi as a potential target.
But interest needs to be a two-way street, especially when it involves a star player, and doubly so when it is a star player on an expiring contract. Unfortunately, it seems like Detroit’s interest is a one-way affair.
Jake Fischer writes on Marc Stein’s Substack that Leonard has made it known that Detroit is not a place he’s interested in landing. “And sources say that Leonard would not have interest in signing an extension with Detroit in the event that the Pistons traded for him this summer,” Fischer writes.
Leonard might famously be a man of few words, but you should always listen when he decides to make his intentions known. When he was traded from the Spurs to the Toronto Raptors for the first time, he made it clear he wasn’t going to re-sign with the Raptors and was eyeing a move to the West Coast.
He won a championship and signed with the Clippers the next season.
The Raptors got a title out of it, so they have no regrets, but it is hard to make the case for taking such a big swing if he has no intention of returning to the Pistons. He is currently making $50 million in the final year of his deal. He is also still ensnared in a league investigation tied to off-book payments allegedly sent to Leonard and his circle through Clippers subsidiaries. Brian Windhorst, speaking Thursday morning on ESPN’s Get Up, said that he is unsure if the league would allow the Clippers to trade Leonard until the investigation is over.
It’s a shame, too, because Leonard would be a perfect fit for exactly what Detroit needs. A versatile forward who can play both spots, he has range, high-efficiency scoring, and plays excellent defense. He’d fit in seamlessly alongside Ausar Thompson, Cade Cunningham, and Jalen Duren.
Leonard is coming off one of the best seasons of his storied career, but even if he were willing to entertain a long stay in Motown, it’d be a huge risk. He’s got a huge injury sheet and has averaged 55 games a season during his Clippers tenure, and that is not including 2021-22, when he missed the entire season.
Of course, Leonard is not the only player who qualifies as “big game hunting,” if that is truly what the Pistons are interested in. Here is a list of players I came up with that fit the bill to varying degrees and are either reasonably available on the trade market or might be highly interested in joining the Pistons. Which player would you want to target?
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Baseball and manga fans are about to be united in the City of Angels.
On Thursday, July 2, the Los Angeles Dodgers are hosting their second “One Piece” night at Dodger Stadium.
For the uninitiated, “One Piece” is a popular Japanese manga turned anime turned live-action Netflix series has been around since summer ’97 and follows a young pirate named Monkey D. Luffy who has the ability to expand like rubber once he’s consumed a magical Devil Fruit.
Last summer, the defending World Series champion put on a “One Piece” night with a giveaway where fans were gifted straw hats and Monkey D. Luffy promo cards — where he’s at bat wearing a Dodgers jersey and taking a swing at a straw hat — that are now being flipped on the re-sale market for anywhere from $1,000 to $19,000 depending on the card’s grading.
This time around, the first 40,000 fans will be given straw hats and an exclusive, limited edition “One Piece” trading card. Photo ops, activations, and a post-game “One Piece” drone show are being offered as well.
In early June, The Post wrote “the Dodgers have already unveiled a redesigned hat featuring a chin strap…Fans have begun discussing resale values online despite the organization not yet confirming a card giveaway.”
If you’d like to be there, last-minute tickets are still available for the high-demand game (where Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers will be taking on Manny Machado’s San Diego Padres by the way).
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on seats was $289 including fees on SeatGeek.
Field-level seats start at $634 including fees.
Make sure to use promo code NYPOST10 for $10 off purchases over $250 at checkout (Editor’s Note: this discount is only valid for users’ first purchase on SeatGeek).
Other notable giveaways this season include a Freddie Freeman bobblehead (July 6), Shohei Ohtani bobblehead (July 8) and 2025 World Series mystery rings (July 28).
For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2026 “One Piece” giveaway night below.
What do tickets cost for “One Piece” night at Dodger Stadium?
A complete breakdown of all the best prices on tickets by section at Dodger Stadium for “One Piece” night are listed here.
Dodger Stadium sections
Ticket prices start at
Upper Deck
$289(including fees)
100 Level
$294(including fees)
Lower Level
$312(including fees)
Field Level
$634(including fees)
What are the other Dodgers giveaways in 2026?
All Dodgers giveaway home game dates, opponents, freebies and links to buy tickets can be found here:
Los Angeles Dodgers 2026 giveaway dates
Rockies vs. DodgersFreddie Freeman “18th Inning Walk-Off” Bobblehead Monday, July 6 7:10 p.m.
Rockies vs. DodgersShohei Ohtani “Greatest Game” Bobblehead Part 2 Wednesday, July 8 7:10 p.m. *for first 54,000 fans
Diamondbacks vs. DodgersSon Heung-min Bobblehead Saturday, July 11 6:10 p.m.
Mariners vs. Dodgers2025 World Series Mystery Rings Tuesday, July 28 7:10 p.m.
Mariners vs. DodgersEdwin Díaz Bobblehead Wednesday, July 29 7:10 pm.
Red Sox vs. DodgersKyle Tucker Bobblehead Friday, July 31 7:10 p.m.
Royals vs. DodgersMax Muncy “Game 7 Home Run” Bobblehead Monday, Aug. 10 7:10 p.m.
Brewers vs. DodgersClayton Kershaw Bobblehead Friday, Aug. 14 7:10 p.m.
Brewers vs. DodgersReggie Smith “Legends of Dodger Baseball” Bobblehead Saturday, Aug. 15 4:15 p.m.
Pirates vs. DodgersShohei Ohtani “Starter Series” Bobblehead Saturday, Aug. 22 6:10 p.m.
According to MLB.com, Giveaways are limited to 40,000 units, unless otherwise noted. Only one giveaway item, per person, per valid ticket upon entering the stadium.
Los Angeles Dodgers full 2026 home schedule
Fans that plan on seeing Ohtani, Freeman, Mookie and the squad regardless of whether or not there are giveaways can catch the 2024 and ’25 World Series champs at home all spring and summer long.
Want to be there?
Tickets for all 2026 Los Angeles Dodgers home games at Dodger Stadium from June all the way through September can be grabbed here.
2026 Dodger Stadium special events
At the time of publication, there are 16 Chavez Ravine special event nights scheduled this spring and summer. You’ll find everything you need to know about each of them below.
2026 Dodger Stadium special events
Padres vs. DodgersDrone Show Friday, July 3 7:10 p.m.
Padres vs. DodgersFireworks Show Saturday, July 4 7:10 p.m.
Rockies vs. DodgersHawaiian Shirt Night Tuesday, July 7 7:10 p.m.
Diamondbacks vs. DodgersBlack Heritage Night Friday, July 10 7:10 p.m.
Mariners vs. DodgersGuatemalan Heritage Night Thursday, July 30 7:10 p.m.
Royals vs. DodgersSalvadoran Heritage Night Tuesday, Aug. 11 7:10 p.m.
Brewers vs. DodgersKorean Heritage Night Thursday, Aug. 13 7:10 p.m.
Nationals vs. DodgersUnion Night Saturday, Sept. 5 6:10 p.m.
Reds vs. DodgersFirst Responders Night Monday, Sept. 7 6:10 p.m.
Reds vs. DodgersDía de Los Dodgers Tuesday, Sept. 8 7:10 p.m.
Reds vs. DodgersNurses Night Wednesday, Sept. 9 7:10 p.m.
Huge 2026 Los Angeles concerts
Hoping to catch a concert or three this year, too?
You’re in the right place.
Our team tracked down just five of the most exciting shows headed to the City of Angels these next few months.
• Mamamoo (Aug. 25)
• BTS (Sept. 1-2, 5-6)
• Le Sserafim (Sept. 16)
• aespa (Oct. 3)
• KATSEYE (Nov. 21-22)
Don’t forget KCON is coming to the Crypto.com Arena from Aug. 14-16, too. We’ll see ya there.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 25: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners looks on during the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Thursday, June 25, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rayni Shiring/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
In a year of anniversarial festivity across the United States, a less rounded celebration will make its annual occurrence in just a month and change. The 105th anniversary of the first radio broadcast of a baseball game will occur on August 5th. That initial voyage on the airwaves was appropriately undertaken by MLB’s most ancient seafarers, the Pittsburgh Pirates, taking on their intrastate rivals in Philadelphia.
That 1921 afternoon at Forbes Field was broadcast on KDKA, the first licensed radio station in the United States. Harold Arlin, holding a converted telephone in a box seat converted to little more than the sort of station basketball broadcasters tend to utilize courtside, made history just three miles from where the Seattle Mariners took on those same Pirates today at PNC Park. Still broadcast on KDKA over a century later, fans heard, saw, and otherwise were treated to a 5-1 Pirates win that swept aside their maritime counterparts in a broadcast that Seattle’s television crew struggled to capture due to numerous technical difficulties.
It was for the best. And, with a tinny quality likely reminiscent of Arlin’s original broadcast, Aaron Goldsmith and Angie Mentink made the most of the limitations for one of their best duo shows of the year. It was just as well, because the club’s offensive performance was not so much Transatlantic as Goldsmith’s accent drifted for a delightful moment, but subaquatic.
The Mariners stretched their three-or-fewer runs scored streak to two full weeks on Thursday, though not without some fight. Against Pittsburgh rookie righty Bubba Chandler who sits 98-99 on his heater, the 23 year old worked around five hits, three walks, and a lot of hard contact to stymie Seattle repeatedly. A bases-loaded opportunity came for Seattle in the fourth frame, with Julio Rodríguez singling and seeing the bases loaded behind him by a Josh Naylor hit and, following a dicey stolen base attempt that Julio managed to make work, a Luke Raley walk.
Cole Young rapped a 100 mph heater nearly exactly as hard right back into the left center gap, only to see it swallowed up by a slick sliding catch from Jake Mangum.
Though Seattle had chipped away at the lead built by Pittsburgh’s set of homers off otherwise-sharp Bryce Miller, the 3-1 lead would have been enough even before Alex Hoppe once again fluffed the final total, concluding at a tasteful-but-rigid 5-1.
Most of the day, as has been a common refrain, Seattle could not produce with runners in scoring position. An eternal complaint nearly every season for all 30 teams, it is actually accurate in many ways to highlight the M’s shortcomings w/RISP this year. They entered the day with the third-worst batting average (.226) and fourth-fewest RBI (212) with runners in scoring position. The RBI are descriptive of circumstance here, not intended predictively, but merely to highlight that the M’s have around 30 fewer runs than the average club does to this point generated in RISP situations. That’s not the whole story, of course, as the M’s actually have a 10th-best in MLB wRC+ of 105 w/RISP, and a middle-of-the-pack .315 weighted on-base average (wOBA). If you’re putting two-and-two together there, the M’s walk lots with runners on, but their .254 BABIP is worst in MLB, compounded by having the fourth-fewest total RISP opportunities of any club.
1-10 on the day in their RISPportunities, Seattle loaded the bags again with two outs in the top of the 6th, this time for Colt Emerson against lefty reliever Evan Sisk. Emerson emulated the dream of every Little League Coach and baseball fan reared on 70s and 80s slap and dash baseball. He took the ball right back up the middle, blistering a low line drive on a single hop, at 104 mph just for good measure.
Obviously, an easy out. The ball was hit at almost the exact same just-oppo trajectory as Young’s lineout, in fact. And that is at least part of the issue.
Seattle spent the past two games pulling the ball less than any other club in MLB in that time, and spent all afternoon continuing that trend. Sprayed contact can commonly drop or catch defenses out of position, but it is physically impossible to hit a ball as authoritatively the other way as it is to pull it. That’s why home runs are pulled far more than not, and home runs are better than singles, and way better than outs. It’s crucial to highlight here that Seattle isn’t purely to blame for this. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff threw 40 of the 41 hardest pitches of the game, all from 98.4 to 101.4 mph, including 13 pitches over 100 mph, 12 of which were by the starting pitcher Chandler.
It’s not easy to pull this caliber of stuff in the air, but it does hurt your chances of scoring in bunches. And for Seattle, whose roster is especially home run dependent particularly without Brendan Donovan and Dominic Canzone in the lineup, it’s not great to be in a spot of such power outage.
The final threat came in the top of the 7th, with an all-too-familiar frustration. Cal, Naylor, and Randy Arozarena walked off Sisk and old friend Yohan Ramírez, setting the stage for another relief appearance by flamethrowing southpaw Mason Montgomery. Pushed to a key moment in the game with a lefty on the hill, Dan Wilson went to Rob Refsnyder to relieve Luke Raley. Montgomery is a more ferocious lefty than Sisk, who Raley had been allowed to face earlier and managed a single, but it’s hard not to manage more than utter rage and frustration to see the 35 year old trot out in any capacity at this point. In Refsnyder’s line of work, you typically only get one good pitch to hit, and to his credit he attacked it, unleashing on a 1-1 curveball over the heart of the plate after waving over the same pitch in the dirt at 1-0.
He fouled it off, stomping in frustration with some manner of precognition for what was to come. A 100 mph ball high on the heater merely reset his eyeline for pitch five, the breaking ball at the bottom of the zone, flied lazily to left to quell the final threat. Crowd noise buzzed around the edges of the broadcast. Fuzziness around the edges from millions of games across a century of this sport. The Mariners once again share the same record as the cumulative achievement of all of baseball’s history: .500.
Jun 23, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Brandon Marsh (16) is congratulated by first baseman Bryce Harper (3) after hitting a two run home run against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images | Brad Mills-Imagn Images
Here are the lineups for the series finale in Washington. Let’s discuss.
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 27: Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) jokes with Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) during the MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 27, 2025 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
After Wednesday night in Minnesota, the Dodgers have played 81 games, expecatly half of their 2026 regular season schedule. They are 52-29, and it doesn’t take a math whiz to realize they are on pace for 104 wins.
Here’s a glance at the first half of the schedule and how it compares to what’s left over the final three-plus months.
Interleague winds down
The Dodgers’ previous 12 games were all against American League teams. They’ve fared pretty well in interleague play thus far, going 20-10, the best record in MLB. But after 30 interleague games in the first half, only 18 such games remain, the first three of which are in a minor league ballpark:
June 29-July 1 at A’s in West Sacramento
July 17-19 at New York Yankees
July 28-30 vs. Seattle Mariners
July 31-August 2 vs. Boston Red Sox
August 10-12 vs. Kansas City Royals
August 28-30 at Detroit Tigers
Getting used to the Padres
The Dodgers played 24 games against the National League West thus far, and have 28 games remaining. The difference here is they’ve played the San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Colorado Rockies twice each so far, but they’ve only played the San Diego Padres once.
They open the second half of the schedule in San Diego for three games, then one weekend later host the Padres for four games. The two also play in the final week of the season at Dodger Stadium, giving this year’s schedule the odd quirk of the Dodgers playing the Padres all six games at Petco Park before playing any of the seven at Dodger Stadium.
un-Red emails
The only National League team the Dodgers haven’t yet played in 2026 is the Cincinnati Reds, and that won’t get rectified until the final month of the season. The entirety of their season series will be played over 11 days, with three games in Los Angeles from September 7-9 followed by four games at Great American Ball Park from September 14-17.
The Dodgers played a dozen games against the NL Central in the first half, with 20 remaining. The other slight difference in halves is that the Dodgers will play four games against the Brewers at home from August 13-16 after playing three games in Milwaukee in the first half.
Other things are pretty much even. The Dodgers played 15 games against the NL East thus far, and will play 15 more against that division the rest of the way. They’ve played 40 games at home and 41 road contests to date, and will flip that for the final 81 games.
The Los Angeles Clippers may have selected Narcisse Ngoy with the 57th overall pick in the NBA Draft, but the center didn’t choose the organization.
On Thursday, Ngoy revealed on social media that he would be returning to college for the 2026-27 season.
“I am thankful for the LA Clippers’ confidence in me. I fully intend to honor my commitment to Auburn University, and I am looking forward to wearing the Auburn Tigers jersey for the 2026-27 season,” Ngoy wrote in a post to his Instagram story.
The LA Clippers selected Narcisse Ngoy with the 57th overall pick in the NBA Draft, but he revealed on social media that he’ll be going back to college. Instagram/nnarsix
Clippers draft pick Narcisse Ngoy thanks Clippers — and says he plans to play for Auburn Tigers next season pic.twitter.com/5InJuBAQaP
Ngoy committed to Auburn in March and never formally declared for the NBA Draft or went through any process.
However, international players above the age of 22 are automatically included in the draft pool for that calendar year with new NCAA guidelines allowing him to keep his eligibility.
President of the LA Clippers, Lawrence Frank seen here in 2022. NBAE via Getty Images
The Clippers have transformed the meaning of the NBA’s ‘draft and stash,’ an avenue for teams to draft a player who doesn’t play for them the following season but allows the organization to retain the player’s rights while he plays elsewhere, which typically meant internationally.
For Ngoy, that is not the case. The Frenchman still has two years of eligibility remaining in college, and when he decides to join the NBA, it will be in a Clippers uniform.
The Clippers made multiple selections in the 2026 NBA Draft, headlined by Keaton Wagler out of Illinois with the fifth overall pick.
LA selected Henri Veesaar with the 52nd pick, but traded the center to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for the No. 57 pick (Ngoy) and cash considerations.
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STEP RIGHT UP AND SWEEP THE METS: The Cubs’ last sweep of the Mets at Citi Field was three games in 2022. They also won three in 2019. They captured four in a row May 31-June 3, 2018. The current series is their second of four games since then. They split in 2024. Before 2018, the Cubs swept four when visiting the Mets only three times: June 15-17, 1962, at the Polo Grounds, and Aug. 6-8, 1965, and Aug. 2-5, 1991, at Shea Stadium. In 1969 and 1970, the Cubs won the first three games of series, then lost the fourth. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
SIX-RUN STREAKING: The Cubs have scored at least six runs in six consecutive games. Their last such streak to reach six games was more than 26 years ago, on April 22-28, 2000. It ended the next day with a 7-4, 10-inning loss. Their last such streak of more than six games was eight, on April 16-26, 1970. They had had eight three times before, in 1920, 1925 and 1930. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
MORE ON RUN SCORING: In their last six games, the Cubs have scored 59 runs (six, eight, 16, nine, 10 and 10), eight more than in any previous six games this season: 51, April 12-18 (seven, seven, 10, 11, 12 and four). Their six-game record is 81 runs, in 1930. They had a high of 64 in 2024, 61 in 2019 and 60 in 2018. Their most runs in seven games is 87, in 1930. They scored 73 in 1961 and 2024, 69 in 2019, and 63 in 1954 and 2004. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
DANSBY ON FIRE: Dansby Swanson is on a six-game hitting streak in which he is batting .478/.519/1.174 (11-for-23) with two doubles, a triple, four home runs, 18 (!) RBI, eight runs scored and only two strikeouts.
Neither team had posted a lineup as of the time this preview posted. Please check BCB social media for tonight’s lineups.
Matthew Boyd, LHP vs. Freddy Peralta, RHP
Matthew Boyd returns tonight from his second IL stint.
The first was due to a bicep issue. After his return then, he had one okay start, one bad one and another that was pretty good, before he injured his knee playing with his kids.
He made two rehab starts at Iowa and then had a setback. His most recent rehab start, last Saturday at South Bend, was better. He threw only 59 pitches in that one, and only 80 in the previous one for Iowa. So I wouldn’t expect him to go more than five innings tonight.
Boyd did not face the Mets when they were at Wrigley Field earlier this year. The last time he faced them was Sept. 24, 2025 at Wrigley Field, where he allowed them two runs in 5.1 innings. I think we’d take that.
Remember when Freddy Peralta was the guy many thought the Cubs could trade for to save their rotation this year?
Well, Peralta’s likely going to be available in a few weeks but is he a savior? Let’s see, he has a 4.83 ERA and 1.389 WHIP and has allowed 12 home runs in 85.2 innings. Yep, he’d fit right in with this group in Chicago!
Sigh. Actually, Peralta was doing reasonably well until he was left in to take a 10-run pounding in 2.2 innings from the Phillies in his last start. That alone raised his season ERA almost a full run (3.90 to 4.83).
Well, okay. Let the Cubs hit him hard tonight and then they can trade for him and turn him around. That works every time, right. Right?
Peralta allowed the Cubs three runs in 5.2 innings April 18 at Wrigley Field. That included a homer by Ian Happ.
Please visit our SB Nation Mets site Amazin’ Avenue. If you do go there to interact with Mes fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
Kawhi Leonard spent only one season of his 14-year NBA career with the Toronto Raptors and he made it count.
Leonard led the Raptors to their first NBA championship in franchise history, while securing the second Finals MVP award of his career. That led to his first contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, which was a three-year, $103.1 million deal.
Kawhi Leonard spent only one season of his 14-year NBA career with the Toronto Raptors and he made it count. Getty ImagesLeonard led the Raptors to their first NBA championship in franchise history, while securing the second Finals MVP award of his career Getty ImagesThat led to his first contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, which was a three-year, $103.1 million deal. NBAE via Getty Images
Since then Leonard has signed two contract extensions with the Clippers, the first in 2021 after he declined his player option for that season and then re-signed with the team on a four-year, $176.3 million max extension.
The latest contract extension came in 2024, where Leonard signed a three-year, $152.4 million deal that kept the two-time Finals MVP in Los Angeles through the 2026-27 season.
The Raptors are interested in reuniting with the small forward and Leonard is reportedly open to signing an extension with Toronto, per NBA insider Jake Fischer.
While Kawhi Leonard’s preference is to remain with the Clippers, league sources say the two-time Finals MVP would be open to signing an extension with Toronto, amid the Raptors’ own interest in reuniting with Leonard.
However, there are rumblings about Leonard’s availability on the trade block this year. Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons and Miami Heat have also been linked to Leonard, but the 34-year-old wouldn’t have interest in inking an extension with either team.
Perhaps Leonard is also nostalgic about his former teams as he is reportedly only considering signing an extension with either Toronto or the San Antonio Spurs.
Ultimately, a reunion scenario would only transpire if the Clippers made Leonard available on the trade block. Currently, the team believes they “still have avenues to fortify their roster around Leonard and remain in Western Conference contention,” according to Fischer.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 12: The sneakers worn by Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic during the game against the Boston Celtics on April 12, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With the NBA Draft receding into the rear view mirror, it’s time to find out who is going to get Summer League and training camp invitations. As you might expect with the California and Salt Lake City minor summer league events coming up about a week from now, the teams involved with those might be a little bit quicker on the uptake on that issue, and so:
According to DraftExpress, the Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to Exhibit 10 contract terms with former Marquette guard Chase Ross.
NEWS: Marquette’s Chase Ross has agreed to an Exhibit-10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell DraftExpress.
14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.3 steals per game this season.
This is not a real NBA contract for Ross. This is a training camp invite with an option for the team to assign Ross to the Coachella Valley Lakers, their G-League affiliate, after camp is over. Sure, it’s possible that he really impresses someone in the Lakers’ front office or head coach JJ Redick or whatever, and finds his way onto the Los Angeles roster when the season starts, but that’s not the point of what the Lakers are doing here. This is more along the lines of the old-timey college football/basketball “preferred walk-on” recruiting. They definitely want him in Summer League and camp, but maybe that’s about it, and expecting more is probably expecting too much.
Chase Ross was not good for Marquette as a senior in the 2025-26 season. Yes, he finished the year at 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.3 steals, all of which were career highs while increasing his minutes per game by less than three per night. However, he shot a career worst 29.5% from behind the three-point line, and in an eight game stretch in the middle of the year, he averaged just 10.1 points per game and shot 17.6% from behind the arc. In Big East play, he shot just 38% from the field.
The most optimistic view of Ross relative to a professional future is that he excelled in a secondary or tertiary role behind Tyler Kolek and Kam Jones in the backcourt. No one is going to be asking Chase Ross to lead the way for the Los Angeles Lakers as long as Luka Doncic is alive and well, so I will carve out space to say that because all he has to do is prove he can be A Cog In The Machine, there’s a chance he could find a way to latch on in the league.
With that said, when he was asked to step up his game as a senior leader — much like he would have to step up his game in order to hang with NBA players — Ross failed to answer the call. I’m not optimistic here, but it’ll be nice to have at least one guy to pay attention to during Summer League across the next couple of weeks at the bare minimum.
The Colorado Avalanche finally made the difficult decision they spent years trying to avoid.
After multiple seasons weighing Valeri Nichushkin’s elite on-ice impact against recurring injuries and off-ice uncertainty, Colorado has closed the chapter, trading the veteran winger to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2028 fifth-round selection in the NHL Draft.
It brings an end to one of the most complicated tenures in modern Avalanche history.
Nichushkin arrived in Colorado in August 2019 as a low-risk free-agent signing, a player whose NHL career had stalled in Dallas. Over time, he turned into one of the organization’s most important forwards — and one of its most difficult long-term evaluations.
In 404 regular-season games with the Avalanche, Nichushkin recorded 131 goals and 152 assists for 283 points. In the playoffs, his game often elevated even further, finishing with 27 goals and 40 points in 74 postseason appearances, including a major role in Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship run.
When he was right, there weren’t many power forwards in the league who looked like him. The size, the speed, the puck protection — it all came together in a way that made him a constant matchup problem and a key driver of Colorado’s puck-possession game.
He also delivered in defining moments. During the 2022 run, Nichushkin played through a broken foot in the Stanley Cup Final and still managed to produce, tying a franchise record with four goals in the series.
But the other side of the story never fully went away.
Injuries consistently interrupted stretches of his tenure, and off-ice issues created a level of uncertainty the Avalanche had to account for year after year. In January 2024, Nichushkin entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and later received a six-month suspension after violating the program’s terms during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Since returning, there were no further public incidents, and head coach Jared Bednar often spoke about his professionalism and impact inside the room. Still, availability remained the constant issue, with injuries limiting him at multiple points during the 2025-26 season and postseason.
For Colorado, the decision ultimately came down to control and clarity. Nichushkin carries a $6.125 million cap hit through the 2029-30 season, and moving that contract gives the Avalanche additional flexibility as they continue reshaping a roster still built around contending.
In return, Colorado acquires three draft picks, including the 43rd overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft. The second-round pick originally belonged to St. Louis before being moved through multiple trades to Columbus.
The Avalanche are left with cap space, future assets and one less question mark. The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, are betting that the version of Nichushkin who helped drive Colorado to a championship still has plenty of hockey left to give.
Kendall George, the Dodgers’ No. 13 overall prospect, suffered one of the strangest injuries in recent memory last month.
George (the Dodgers’ No. 36 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft) scored a run during a May 26 game with the Dodgers’ Double-A affiliate Tulsa Drillers. While heading back to the dugout, he had to dodge a bat dog who was running onto the field. This caused George to suffer a leg injury that he was visibly frustrated about.
While heading back to the dugout during a May 26 game, Kendall George had to dodge a bat dog running onto the field, resulting in a leg injury. Getty Images
The Dodgers suspended their bat-dog program as a result of George’s injury. While this has been upsetting for fans, it likely was the right call because dogs running around the field became detrimental to top prospects.
George, who’s hitting .328 with an .801 OPS and 26 stolen bases in 44 games this season, was placed on the seven-day injured list one day later because he suffered a left patellar tendon injury from dodging the dog. It took him about a month to return to the field, as he made his return on June 24 for the Dodgers’ Single-A affiliate, the Ontario Tower Buzzers.
It took George about a month to return to the field, as he made his return on June 24 for the Dodgers’ Single-A affiliate, the Ontario Tower Buzzers. Bally Sports
In his first at-bat, the Buzzers’ opponent, the Visalia Rawhide, played sounds of dogs barking, in what was a clear attempt to mock George’s freak injury. A video of this was posted to the Jomboy Media X account on Thursday morning and has since tallied over 380,000 pageviews.
The taunt worked out well for the Rawhide, as George struck out with the bases loaded to end the inning.
The opposing team was playing barking noises as Dodgers prospect Kendall George took his first at bats since injuring his knee avoiding a bat dog
What does this silence surrounding Schneider’s contract negotiations mean for his future in New York?
Despite messages from Schneider about wanting to stay with the Blueshirts, as well as from Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury about waiting to retain Schneider, it does not appear we are heading in that direction.
To kick off the offseason, the trade market has proven to be a sellers' market, as the Rangers have explored trade options for Schneider, according to The Athletic, and could look to capitalize on the current state of the market.
Drury, who is not looking to sit through a prolonged rebuilding process, is widely speculated to be targeting a young forward who could instantly contribute if he were to trade Schneider.
Given the Rangers’ reluctance to commit to Schneider long term, they could sign him to a one to two-year bridge deal, but Schneider, who is coming off a two-year, $4.4 million contract, is likely seeking a long-term contract extension.
It’s also possible the Rangers take a similar route to how they handled K’Andre Miller’s restricted free agency, in which the team agreed to a sign and trade with the Carolina Hurricanes that included a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 NHL Draft, and Scott Morrow.
The silence surrounding Schneider’s contract negotiations does not bode well for his chances of remaining with the Rangers into the future.
Speedy Colorado rookie Cole Carrigg hustled out a recent double, losing his batting helmet and leg guard along the way. He slid into second with such force that he ripped his pants, before hopping up and performing a little shimmy shake toward the dugout.
That’s the new grit, the new attitude, of a team still in last place but finding a path upward under the watchful gaze of a new front office. This isn’t the same floundering Rockies from a year ago that flirted with baseball’s all-time worst record.
At 32-49, the Rockies are already a plus-14 wins from where they were a year ago at the halfway mark. They’ve turned the page on last season, too — on the last three seasons in which they’ve dropped 323 games (2023-25). That’s tied with the 1940-42 Philadelphia Phillies for the fifth-most losses by a squad over a three-year span in the modern era.
Players like Carrigg and TJ Rumfield are helping bring a youthful vibe to the field.
Outfielder Mickey Moniak said the mentality these days is winning instead of hoping not to lose.
“That’s just a big step in the right direction. I think it’s only up from here,” he said.
Last season, the Rockies didn’t win their 32nd game until Aug. 13. They were also 18-23 in one-run games. This season, they’re 11-10 in games decided by a run.
“Even during games where we’re losing, I don’t think there’s a lot of panic,” said the 24-year-old Carrigg, who’s hitting .271 with three homers since being promoted from Triple-A Albuquerque on June 9. “Everybody trusts each other. We all know that we’re all great baseball players, and we’re here for a reason. We have a really special group of guys.”
This young nucleus, which includes All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, gives them promise down the road (they currently have around a 0.1% chance of making the playoff this season). The team hasn’t been to the postseason since 2018.
“There’s been a high level of commitment to elevate the story,” manager Warren Schaeffer said.
A path forward
Rebuilds, though, take time.
That’s why a front office led by Paul DePodesta and Josh Byrnes are being patient to make sure a consistent message permeates through all levels of the organization.
“We’ve still got a ways to go,” said Byrnes, who was brought in as general manager from the reigning World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers. “But I’m encouraged by the progress.”
An area the Rockies plan to upgrade is the pitching throughout the system. That could be addressed through the draft next month or before the trade deadline in early August.
“Pitching is always going to be a challenge here when it’s tested over six months, and it’s our daily ritual of who’s available, who’s not,” Byrnes said. “Candidly, and it’s been done here before, to build a pitching staff that’s playoff-caliber and hopefully sustainable for several years — not just the players, but the methods behind it — is probably pretty high on the list for what we’re trying to do.”
The trade deadline
The Rockies do figure to be sellers at the trade deadline, especially given their surplus of outfielders. DePodesta already is starting to field some calls.
Anybody untouchables?
“There would be certain guys that would be really, really hard for us to move,” said DePodesta, the president of baseball operations. “That’s probably true for any team. There are guys that we feel are hopefully foundational players for us going forward.
“At the same time, I think we need to be opportunistic. We’re not where we want to be. So, if there are opportunities for us to get better, certainly both in the short-term and long-term, we need to look at that.”
One thing the Rockies are preaching on the minor-league level is position flexibility. Carrigg, for example, played outfield along with shortstop.
“It’s good for you. It’s good for us. Let’s do it,” Byrnes said. “It’s going to require some work, but for the most part ... it’s going very well.
“The most important thing we can do is deliver a team (fans) can root for, a team that wins, a team that plays in October.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers have faced many familiar faces on the mound, but one former pitcher has yet to showcase his arsenal against them.
San Diego Padres pitcher Walker Buehler is lined up to start in Friday’s series opener versus the back-to-back World Series champions at Petco Park.
Walker Buehler is lined up to get the start against the Dodgers in Friday’s series opener. AP Photo/LM OteroManager Dave Roberts of the Dodgers. The team will face off against the erstwhile pitcher at Petco Park. Matt Marton-Imagn Images
After a shaky start with the Padres, the right-hander has seemingly found his rhythm. Buehler is sporting a 3.96 ERA in his last 15 starts for the Friars.
Buehler spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Dodgers, but chose to part ways with the team in free agency during the 2024 offseason. The Dodgers reportedly offered Buehler $20 million to return to LA, but he ultimately decided on signing a $21.05 million deal with the Boston Red Sox for the 2025 campaign.
Buehler’s time with the Red Sox proved nightmarish as he posted a 5.45 ERA across 112.1 innings of work in Boston. The team chose to release Buehler and he was picked up by the Philadelphia Phillies, where he tossed 13.2 frames with a 0.66 ERA.
The lackluster performance by Buehler caused serious doubt about the right-hander’s abilities following his second Tommy John surgery. The Padres signed the 31-year-old to a minor league deal in the winter and he earned his way to the Opening Day rotation.
Padres sweep the Braves behind terrific start by Sears. Next up, the Dodgers, who just swept the Twins.
Buehler vs. Sasaki on Fri. Sasaki faces SD for the first time since Manny Machado hosted him at his home for dinner during their recruitment pitch, ahead of him choosing LA pic.twitter.com/2X6SrR28LC
Despite a shaky start, Buehler has remained a staple of the Padres rotation and he may very well face his former team Friday in what is poised to be an exciting matchup.
Since his 2024 World Series heroics, the right-hander has yet to feature in the postseason. If president of baseball operations A.J. Preller orchestrates multiple trades at the deadline, there’s a chance the Padres make a deep playoff run with Buehler in the rotation.
As Dodgers’ opponents learned in October 2024, the right-hander shines when the lights are brightest.
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