Welcome to The Hockey News Vancouver Canucks site's 2026–27 player preview article series. This series will outline the expectations for every player projected to play for Vancouver during the 2026–27 season. Today's player is Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo.
Tolopilo's 2025-2026 Season
Tolopilo started to establish himself as an NHL goaltender last year with Vancouver. The 26-year-old started 18 games and finished with a record of 6-11-2. Tolopilo also posted a save percentage of .881 and a goals against average of 3.61.
Last season, Tolopilo also played 19 games in the AHL. He finished with a record of 8-8-3, pushing his all-time record to 48-35-6. During his time with the Abbotsford Canucks last year, Tolopilo also recorded a save percentage of .897 with a goals against average of 3.07.
Tolopilo's 2025-26 Letter Grade
For his efforts in the 2025–26 season, The Hockey News' Canucks site gave Tolopilo a C grade. While he took some steps forward in his development, he also had some difficult games in both the NHL and the AHL. It is also important to note that Vancouver's defensive system caused Tolopilo issues as he faced plenty of odd-man rushes throughout the campaign.
Tolopilo's 2026-27 Predictions
Tolopilo is in a difficult situation heading into the 2026-27 season. If Thatcher Demko is healthy, he will most likely be the Canucks' third stringer, which could limit his play time. While he is on the older side, Tolopilo needs as many reps as possible to show that he can be an impactful backup at the NHL level.
As for the AHL, that is not tricky scenario as Tolopilo requires waivers. Based on his pedigree and size, another team will likely put in a claim if he hits the wire. Unless injuries occur, Tolopilo will most likely be used as a practice goaltender next year.
Bold prediction: Tolopilo plays at least 15 games in 2026-27.
Mar 30, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo (60) warms up before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 23: Jalen Johnson #1 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
NBA 2K is always one of the more highly anticipated games to release every year, and it’s always in August where they drop everything people want to know. The one thing everyone looks forward to before the game is seeing where the players rank, and for NBA 2K27, they’ve released player ratings for the top 100.
The Atlanta Hawks always happen to have a few players to crack the top 100, and this year is no different. Here are the players who made the top 100 list for the Hawks.
Onyeka Okongwu is listed at No. 97 and is an 81 overall. The center is one of the more versatile players at his position, as he’s able to knock down the 3-point shot as well as defend multiple positions. Okongwu was one of the constants on the team last season for the Hawks, and the hope is that he’ll continue to improve.
Of course, everyone loves to talk about his height, but he does a lot for how tall he is.
Dyson Daniels is listed at No. 94 and is an 81 overall as well. There’s no doubt that Daniels’ defensive ratings have to be some of the best in the game after seeing what he’s been able to accomplish over the past two seasons with the Hawks. Offensively, his 3-point shooting was not great last season, but his driving and playmaking were key for the team.
CJ McCollum is the next player to make it into the top 100, and is listed at No. 74 and is an 83 overall. McCollum has been a bucket for most of his career, and when he was traded to the Hawks, he gave them a much-needed boost that helped them go on their run in the second half of the season.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if McCollum’s shooting numbers in the game are off the charts, especially his ball handling.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is No. 70 on the list and is an 83 overall, which is fitting for the Most Improved Player of last season. Alexander-Walker showed that with more responsibility on his plate, he could deliver at any moment the Hawks needed him in, whether it was hitting a late bucket or getting a defensive stop to win the game.
Alexander-Walker still has room to grow his game, and it’ll be interesting to see what he does next season.
To end the list for the Hawks, Jalen Johnson comes in at No. 28 and is an 87 overall. Johnson took the leap that many expected him to last season, and once Trae Young was traded, he elevated his game even more. It was obvious that he would be the person to count on for the Hawks, and that will be the case for the future.
Johnson ended the season on an All-NBA team, and it might be a little shocking that he was ranked a little higher in the game. Nonetheless, Johnson will have the chance to move up the ranks this season, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he reached a 90 overall at some point.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 7: An overall view of the court before the Minnesota Timberwolves unveil new logo, uniforms and court on June 7, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It was fairly clear from the comments section and social media that the Timberwolves community strongly believe there aren’t any currently retired/soon-to-be retired players who’s jerseys should follow Kevin Garnett’s number 21 to the Target Center rafters.
Based on the list that was provided to fans, Ricky Rubio was the strongest contender. That said, there were significant arguments against all four of these players. Most of which were based on their individual accomplishments and/or lack of playoff success appearances.
For example, though Kevin Love’s best statistical seasons were spent in Minnesota, he had an unhappy breakup here. Most concurred that Gorgui Dieng was indeed a great humanitarian, but hardly worthy of basketball recognition. Good ol’ Sam Mitchell is still just good ol’ Sam Mitchell.
The general consensus was that none of the KG era, nor the pre-Karl-Anthony Towns era, players were worthy enough to have this distinguished honor. Karl-Anthony Towns seemed to be a divisive name, but players such as Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert often came up as the next names they’d like to see enshrined in Target Center.
Others such as Jaden McDaniels or Naz Reid fell more in the Towns tier, depending on how things shake out in the future.
No matter what, a Naz Reid towel certainly belongs up there.
If Joan Beringer turns into the next Kevin Garnett soon, then he might see his number 19 up there one day as well. Maybe he’ll show off a little shimmy-shake mid-range number. Turn into a Defensive Player of the Year. Make Tim Connelly overpay for a few of his French friends. Start a feud with Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 30: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets walks off the court after being defeated by the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-98 in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 30, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers feel like mirror images of each other in opposite conferences entering the 2026-27 season. Both teams are really good, but feel a step below their biggest rivals. Both have huge payrolls built around max superstars without much flexibility to tinker with the roster formula. Both have had frustrating offseasons before they came together to swap Peyton Watson as part of a massive five-team trade this week.
The Cavs will hope Watson can be the fifth starter they’ve long been missing while adding wing defense, transition scoring, and spot-up shooting. The Nuggets feel like they’re taking a step back this season with the deal, but they’re adding a valuable long-term asset by landing Cleveland’s unprotected 2031 first-rounder. The Clippers got involved to add Max Strus, while the Hornets picked up Dennis Schroder as part of the deal.
‘Who’s No. 4?’ remains the most interesting question in the NBA
Any dummy can see that the Thunder, Spurs, and Knicks are the best teams in the NBA in some order entering the season. Ask 10 people who should be No. 4 in the power rankings, and you might get seven different answers.
I’m favoring the Timberwolves here because of their playoff upside. I don’t expect them to be the NBA’s fourth-best regular season team this season, but I like their ability to advance in the postseason more than some of the other contenders for that spot. I’m always been a bit LaMelo Ball guy, and he’s quietly turned into a borderline top-20 player when he’s healthy. Obviously LaMelo’s health is a big if, but you can same thing for Aaron Gordon in Denver and Joel Embiid in Philadelphia. Ball is at least the youngest of that trio.
I’m intrigued by the Timberwolves apparent plan to try to beat the Spurs and/or Thunder with pull-up threes. Those are very tough shots to defend, and if they fall in a short series, it gives Minnesota some upset potential against the conference’s elite. I’m a bit worried about the Wolves’ depth, I don’t think the Ayo Dosunmu contract will age well, and there should be some concern about age-related decline from Rudy Gobert. The Wolves’ grip on the No. 4 spot is far from firm, but I still like their upside with Anthony Edwards and Ball leading the offense, and Gobert and Jaden McDaniels leading the defense. Let me know who you would have at No. 4 in the comments below.
I’m still not buying the Cavs even with Peyton Watson
I detailed my thoughts on the Watson deal for Cleveland in my trade grades, which is linked in the first paragraph of this story. In short, Watson feels like a better fit for the Cavs on paper than he will be in reality. I’m not convinced he’s a more impactful player than Max Strus, and I’m worried about Cleveland’s depth after giving up Strus and Dennis Schroder to land him.
The Cavs have been an Eastern Conference contender since trading for Donovan Mitchell. They should be trending up after a conference finals berth following two second-round exits, but to me it feels like other teams in the conference are passing them. James Harden — now inked to a new three-year, $97 million deal — should start to decline at age-37. I’ve long been a big Evan Mobley fan, but I’m a bit discouraged with his lack of offensive development the last two seasons. Watson could potentially be a really good fit for Cleveland, but they need him to buy into being an impactful defender and spot-up shooter when his defense has always been a little overrated, and he prefers to shoot from mid-range rather than maximizing corner three attempts (where he knocked down 52% last year).
I would take the Raptors with Kawhi over the Cavs, and I think I would take the Pistons over them too. Detroit addressed its lack of shooting over the offseason, and their core is still getting better while I’m not sure that’s the case for Cleveland. Ultimately, the Cavs move up one spot in my rankings from last time. I decided to flip flop on Toronto and Detroit because while I feel like the Pistons are a better regular season team, the Raptors have more playoff upside to me with Leonard in tow.
Obviously, I could be wrong about Cleveland. All these teams are pretty close. The Cavs are good every year, and in some sense I feel like that’s the best way to eventually breakthrough: just keep fielding competitive teams until you get the luck you need for things to break your way. For now, I like the Cavs more as a regular season team than a playoff team, and that’s why they can’t crack the top-10 of my power rankings.
Are the Nuggets done competing for championships around Nikola Jokic?
The Nuggets have done a lot wrong since winning the 2023 championship. Zeke Nnaji and Christian Braun are among the worst contracts in the league. Aaron Gordon is constantly hurt, and that might be Denver’s biggest issue. Jamal Murray is very good, but he feels a bit overpaid at $50 million this year, equating to the league’s 17th highest paid player. They traded an unprotected 2032 first-round and Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson only to watch Porter have a significantly better season in Brooklyn than Johnson had in Denver. They just lost Peyton Watson for nothing after originally giving up their 2027 first-round pick to get him. It’s been bleak.
I still think the Nuggets have a chance to build a contender around Jokic again even if this year could be another small step back. Of course, they have to extend Jokic for that to be possible, and right now he’s slated to be a free agent next summer despite continually saying he’ll spend his whole career in Denver. I’d rather have the Cavs’ unprotected 2031 pick than Watson in a vacuum. That can be a valuable trade chip in the future. I’m imagining a world where Braun bounces back this season, and Denver trades him plus the pick for a real contributor moving forward. I also wouldn’t be shocked if Denver eventually does its version of the Jaylen Brown trade with Murray.
Teams aren’t meant to stay together forever under this CBA. Front offices almost have to pitch a perfect game to keep the championship window extended, and Denver didn’t even come close to that. Still, all things are possible through Jokic, and now they have an actually valuable trade chip with the Cavs pick to flip for someone better than Watson. I don’t love where Denver is at this year, especially if Gordon’s body keeps breaking down. I’m just not ready to write their obituary for the Jokic era just yet.
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 18: Kel'el Ware #7 and Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat high five during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the 2025 SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 18, 2025 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This week, our attention turned to the quartet of players—Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis—the Bucks acquired as part of the trade that sent Giannis and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat. More specifically, we asked you how many of them you think Taylor Jenkins should start.
Turns out the magic number is two.
Arguably more important than the numbers, however, is the combination of starters. One prevailing line of thinking suggested that combination should be the backcourt/frontcourt tandem of Herro and Ware:
R984: …I selected 2. Herro just bc he’s probably our best offensive player (unless Rollins surpasses him, in which case move Herro to the bench imo), and I would like to see us start Ware, whether that is at the 4 or 5. I care much more about Ware being in the position to develop to his maximum potential than I do about Turner.
retired janitor: Two, Herro and Ware.
Thirty Point Buck: Hopefully there’s a trade before the season so they only have to showcase several for the deadline. Herro will start until traded . Ware will start but depending on matchups will come off the bench.
GBFanBoy: Herro and Ware all day. Keep Jaquez thriving off the bench. Let Turner have his way at the 4. Heck, he’s a better shooter than his sample size for sure. Ware as well in that regard, it’s got Cosby sauce all over it. Rollins and KPJ should get dynamic duo, Herro, Turner, Ware
Two wasn’t the only desirable total, with a fitting third of voters wanting to see three of the quartet start. But it wasn’t always for the same reason:
Knuckles: I went with 3: I still am a firm believer that Jaquez Jr. should start. High IQ, excellent secondary playmaker, and coming off a 6MOY campaign in a contract year. I think there is a very good chance he has a breakout season, and I want to see us either make him a part of the new future core (still 25 and this will be his fourth season) or make him available at the deadline. Same thinking with Herro… Ware is definitely a swingman in the front court, so I not only think he needs to start next to Turner but we want to figure out where his best fit is after we deal Turner.
naveed2000s: Three, only because currently JJJ is our best option at starting SF.
Of course, as R984 noted, some Bucks fans might think none of them should start—in which case those future picks better be great, otherwise we might really need to reevaluate the trade.
In all, as far as the comments go, it seems Bucks fans are set on—or at least accepting of—Herro starting, while also being in on a double-big lineup featuring Ware and Myles Turner. Even more surprising, discussion about who should start for the Bucks at point guard pointed to fans wanting Kevin Porter Jr. as the main distributor. So, is Ryan Rollins shafted to the bench or do the Bucks run with a three-guard lineup?
With trade target Peyton Watson now a Cleveland Cavalier, Jaquez accustomed to a sixth-man role, and the Bucks still searching for answers in the forward slots, that very much remains in play.
That question—and the rest of the small forward puzzle—will be explored in the next instalment of our “Choose Your Own Adventure” starter series, coming Tuesday.
Check out FanDuel, the official sportsbook of SB Nation.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 21: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 21, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Bucks defeated the Suns 108-105. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we find ourselves buried in the unrelenting sands of the desert known as the NBA offseason, we can’t help ourselves. We begin projecting forward, wondering what could happen with the Phoenix Suns during the 2026–27 season. It’s only natural to dive into the statistics we already have and attempt to project what they might mean moving forward. Such is the cycle of sports.
We’ve already looked at five reasons why the Suns could fall short next season, so now it’s time to explore the other side of the equation. Why might they exceed expectations?
And what exactly are those expectations? We can all set our own. Maybe it’s securing a playoff spot and a top-six seed. Maybe it’s making a run to the Western Conference Finals. Maybe it’s winning a championship. All are viable expectations depending on how optimistic you want to be. For this exercise, though, I’m going to use the baseline provided by the oddsmakers in Las Vegas, where the Suns’ win total sits around 38.5.
So let’s talk about the five biggest reasons why Phoenix could exceed that number.
The Suns don’t need traditional positions
Yes, I understand the argument that the Suns don’t have a true point guard or a true power forward if you’re looking at the traditional expectations, archetypes, and historical significance of those positions. But this is where I remind everyone that simply because we don’t view this roster as having a traditional point guard or power forward doesn’t mean those roles don’t exist within the confines of the modern NBA.
Look at the two teams that played in the NBA Finals last season. Would you define Jalen Brunson as a traditional point guard? Maybe in terms of size, sure, but that’s about it. He ranked 16th in the NBA in assists last season at 6.8 per game. Since becoming a primary starter in 2021, his final season in Dallas, he has averaged 6.3 assists per game, which ranks 21st over that span.
He was also 14th in the NBA in scoring last season at 26.0 points per game. Brunson is a score-first point guard who possesses the ability to create for others, but distribution isn’t his primary role. That sounds very similar to what Devin Booker has been asked to do in the past, what he’ll be asked to do again this season, and something he has done successfully. Booker averaged 26.1 points last season, which ranked 13th, along with 6.0 assists, which ranked 29th. What separates Brunson from Booker is his ability to operate effectively in the clutch, but from an overall archetype standpoint, they aren’t all that different.
Then look at the power forwards who started in the NBA Finals last season. Were they big, bruising, 6’10” traditional power forwards? No. They were 6’7” OG Anunoby and 6’7” Julian Champagnie. So the idea that the power forward position has to be filled by some massive bruiser is rooted more in how we historically think about the position than how it functions in the modern NBA, where the ability to spread the floor is at a premium.
And yes, I understand that spreading the floor and consistently shooting the three point ball at a high percentage could be a weakness for this team. Of that there is no doubt. But that’s exactly why I think No. 2 on this list is so important.
The Suns’ depth gives them a margin for error
The Phoenix Suns are deep. In my opinion, it’s unbelievably impressive how they’ve navigated the cap sheet while still maintaining that level of depth. I guess that’s what happens when Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are no longer on the roster. Sure, you’re still paying Bradley Beal $19.4 million not to play for the team, but you’re no longer paying him roughly $30 million more than that. That creates a significant amount of money to work with, and over the past two seasons, the Suns have done a stellar job of filling out the roster with both veterans and young prospects.
That depth is going to matter. From a three-point shooting perspective, Phoenix has options. Luke Kennard, Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, and the potential of what Rasheer Fleming can become all give the Suns shooting that can come off the bench and contribute.
They’re deep at the five. They have multiple wings that can come in and confidently contribute. The guard room has options as well, and all of that exists while the team also has two-way players capable of filling similar roles.
That depth also matters because every team eventually faces adversity. We can sit here all summer and project what this team is going to be, but you never truly know until you get punched in the mouth. You have to adjust to what the season gives you, and one thing the season will undoubtedly provide is injuries. That’s unavoidable. The fact that Phoenix has depth across multiple positions is something to appreciate because it gives them the ability to absorb injuries, provide rest when needed, and still remain competitive on a nightly basis.
And that’s especially important because of the new anti-tank rules. Which brings me to point No. 3.
The Western Conference has opened the door for Phoenix
You can already see it in the preseason projected over/unders across the league. The new anti-tanking rules, which will ultimately incentivize winning rather than losing, are going to have a profound effect on how teams operate. If you finish with one of the three worst records in the league, you no longer get more lottery balls. You get fewer.
What that means is a struggling team in March is no longer going to sit all of its starters in an effort to improve its lottery odds. Those teams are going to compete because they’ll want to avoid falling into that relegation zone. Which means there are no nights off.
For a team like the Suns, which did a good job beating up on bad teams last season, that creates some concern. But when you look at the entire landscape of the Western Conference, not only the teams projected to live near the bottom, I think the conference is weaker than it was a season ago.
Thunder – Sold off role players for picks Denver – Lost only young, defense talent Minnesota – Double ? At PF Lakers – Entirely new roster Rockets – Banking on healthy FVV Portland – 100000 PG’s Warriors – Old & no LeBron pic.twitter.com/Mb9pZYcroT
Oklahoma City is now flirting with the second apron and has to move off key pieces in an effort to become more fiscally responsible. Lu Dort is now with Atlanta, as is Aaron Wiggins. Isaiah Joe was sent to Detroit. Yes, Oklahoma City has players waiting in the wings to replace them, but I don’t think this is the same plug-and-play Thunder team we saw a season ago.
The Denver Nuggets also appear to have taken a step backward. They traded Peyton Watson because they couldn’t afford to keep him after making a poor financial decision to re-sign Christian Braun. Minnesota completely pivoted as well. LaMelo Ball, who has never won a playoff game, is now running point for a team that once possessed tremendous size and depth but no longer has Julius Randle or Naz Reid.
Who knows what the Lakers are going to be? Having Luka Doncic on your team feels like it guarantees you 50 wins, but Luka and Austin Reaves as a defensive backcourt isn’t something I’m particularly afraid of. Houston is relying on a healthy Fred VanVleet to improve its chances next season, and there’s something about having Kevin Durant on your team that reminds us success is never guaranteed.
The Western Conference is weaker. Players like LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, several Thunder players, and Julius Randle have gone East. That creates an opportunity for Phoenix. And part of that opportunity leads me to reason No. 4.
Continuity could be the Suns’ biggest advantage
This is one of the biggest reasons I believe the Phoenix Suns are going to be better than they were last season, and why I’m happily taking the over on 38.5 wins.
Yes, there were periods of instability last year, and much of that was driven by injuries. You can show me all of the statistics from the back end of the season and try to point the finger at Jalen Green as the primary reason things didn’t work. I don’t buy that.
Green played a grand total of 32 games, but only 27 of them came with Devin Booker, 12 with Dillon Brooks, and 16 with Mark Williams. You can look at last season and pull whatever conclusions you want from that sample size, but my response is that there simply wasn’t enough time to fully understand what this team was or allow them to showcase what they could become while learning from the mistakes they made along the way.
Now you’re bringing back four of the five starters from last season, and that matters. There is familiarity. There is an understanding of spacing. There is camaraderie that you can’t quantify on any website. Basketball Reference isn’t going to show you a chemistry metric, and that is where opportunity exists for Phoenix. So many teams across the NBA will spend the first couple of months figuring out the basics of chemistry. The Suns already possess a good portion of that, and I think that advantage will manifest itself throughout the season.
The other side of the conversation is that Phoenix is still relying on progress to improve. Several players had career years, and now you’re asking them to improve again. You’re asking the youth to showcase development and continue fanning the flames of one of the pillars this organization is trying to build around.
Easier said than done? Absolutely. But continuity makes that progression easier to obtain. Roles are more established. Expectations are clearer. There is less instability. And for the first time since Monty Williams, the Suns are bringing back the same head coach for a second season. That matters too.
Although there is one guy who wasn’t on the team last season…
Miles Bridges changes what the Suns can do
I honestly believe this one. I understand who and what Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen were, but in my opinion, Royce O’Neale plus Grayson Allen does not equal Miles Bridges plus Luke Kennard. That is an upgrade for this team. You now have more offensive options, players who can do more than stand in the corner and wait for a three.
Miles Bridges possesses a gravity that is going to affect everyone around him, and players like Devin Booker and Jalen Green should benefit from it. If Bridges has the ball, whoever is defending Booker has to be cognizant of what is happening. Miles isn’t going to stand behind the arc like Royce O’Neale and wait to fire away. He can put pressure on the rim, and when he does, defenses will naturally collapse. When defenses collapse, they’re doing it off of other players on the floor. Booker, Green, Brooks, and Williams can all benefit from that. Bridges can be a willing passer, and I expect him to be one within this offense.
Bridges is also a reclamation project, someone looking to resurrect his career, and I believe Phoenix is the right place for him. This is an organization that will do everything it can to put him in a position to succeed. Ultimately, it comes down to him executing both on and off the court, and that could be a defining factor for the Suns as a whole next season. Bridges has shown throughout his career in Charlotte that he can play in a multitude of different ways. That Swiss Army knife ability may need to shift from night to night depending on the opponent, and, given his experience, I believe he can adapt.
I’m looking forward to seeing what he looks like within the confines of this offense, these schemes, and this roster.
Yes, it’s all speculation at this point. We won’t truly know what this team is until they tip off on October 21 in Portland. But I do believe there is reason for optimism.
I can also recognize the arguments for why this team could falter. My challenge with many of those arguments comes from something I’ve learned over multiple years of doing this. We tend to look at previous statistical results and use them to project forward. And that makes sense. You identify trends and assume those trends will continue in the same direction. The problem is that I did the same thing last offseason, and I was wrong. I did it the two offseasons before that as well.
The lesson I’ve learned is that you can’t rely solely on previous statistical results to dictate what will happen next in the NBA. Continuity and chemistry don’t have clean metrics attached to them, yet both play vital roles in the success or failure of a team. Last year’s Suns had an abundance of chemistry. The team before that was almost completely devoid of it.
So while statistics should always be part of the conversation when trying to understand what a player or team could become, they can’t be the end-all, be-all of the argument. These points of view are much more nuanced than that. They depend heavily on the ecosystem a player is operating within, not simply what he did last season in Charlotte.
And that’s ultimately why I’m willing to take the over on 38.5 and believe they will be better than last season’s 45-37 record. It isn’t because the Suns suddenly solved every problem, or because the numbers guarantee some dramatic turnaround. It’s because the context around those numbers has changed. Phoenix has more depth, more continuity, more versatility and, in Miles Bridges, another player capable of changing how defenses have to operate. Sometimes the best projection isn’t based on what happened last season, but on what has changed since.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 20: Willy Adames #2 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on August 20, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
The San Francisco Giants may have lost yesterday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t anything to celebrate.
Willy Adames hit a two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning, scoring Rafael Devers and giving the Giants their only two runs of the game.
But this wasn’t just any home run, this was Adames’ 200th career home run! That is absolutely an accomplishment worth celebrating. So today, we’re doing a Willy Adames appreciation post to celebrate!
Great job, dude! And keep it up!
What time do the Giants play today?
The Giants head east to begin a three-game weekend series against the Boston Red Sox tonight at 4:10 p.m. PT.
More information about the financing will be published tomorrow ahead of the TIF Commission’s meeting, officials said. The City Council would be expected to vote on creating a TIF district and on formally issuing bonds for the stadium.
The council is also expected to vote on a related rezoning plan in September that would set flexible standards for future redevelopment in Crown Center.
The Royals are pursuing a $1.9 billion new stadium that would anchor a $3 billion entertainment district in the city’s urban core.
The Royals have committed to privately pay for $760 million of the project’s cost. The city and the team also plan to apply for state funding that could total roughly $540 million.
City staff said construction work could begin early next year and the completed stadium could open in time for the 2030 baseball season.
If the projections are wrong, that’s the city’s problem. The Royals aren’t guaranteeing the bonds. Kansas City is. If the taxes dedicated to the stadium fall short, the city still owes the money.
That’s what happened with the Power & Light District, where Kansas City has spent roughly $10 million a year on average since 2006 covering debt payments that district revenues couldn’t. If the same thing happens here, that money will have to come from somewhere else in the city budget. That means less funding for roads, parks, trash pickup, public safety or other basic services.
Behind the top of the farm, the depth of the system has taken a slight hit. Sure, there are fringe prospects who could reach another tier, such as Ramon Ramirez (questions on position), Yandel Ricardo (inconsistent), and Justin Lamkin (injury).
For the most part, however, it’s a bunch of 40 FV prospects with a handful more who could blossom into better as they age. The largest upswing further down the farm has without question been the international influx. Since the arrival of Johnny DiPuglia in 2024, the Royals have done tremendously well. Gomez and Chourio headline that crop, but Ricardo and others such as Freddy Contreras, Jaider Suarez, and Warren Calcaño round out what’s becoming a solid international pipeline for the Royals.
I was burned by this Royals team in 2026, but there are plenty of good players here. Bobby Witt Jr. is capable of an MVP season, and we’ve seen enough from Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone to believe they could be All-Stars next year if things break right. Vinnie Pasquantino is capable of a better season, too. On the pitching end, they’ll have Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha back, while Noah Cameron looks like a star right now. A midseason return of Cole Ragans will help bolster the rotation, and maybe they find outside-organization help or someone like Justin Lamkin hustles on his way to the majors. The AL Central isn’t exactly a juggernaut division, either.
Additionally, some viewers feel there are “too many cooks in the kitchen” due to a large, rotating cast of secondary analysts. Sideline reporter Howard is noted as a “promising” addition who is still finding her own voice. Overall, one’s tolerance for Hudler appears to be the deciding factor in how one appreciates these broadcasts.
“Eric Hosmer has been an incredible addition to the team, adding new stories while also diving much deeper into the strategy and player mindset of the game than what’s been the norm for years,” wrote one grader. “Rex Hudler is still a lovable Kansas City treasure, but the Hosmer/Hudler contrast has been a welcome change of pace for KC.”
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - MARCH 13, 2026: Heston Kjerstad #13 of the Baltimore Orioles bats during the third inning of a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at BayCare Ballpark on March 13, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Heston Kjerstad reached base in all four plate apperances, but Norfolk never managed to bring him home. Kjerstad tripled and also worked a walk. Bryan Ramos and José Barrero added the other two singles.
Tides starter Juaron Watts-Brown failed to complete three innings during a disappointing day. The former Blue Jays prospect allowed a two run homer in the first. He posted a zero in the second, but things unraveled in the third. Brown threw only 38 of 73 pitches for strikes.
Yaqui Rivera tossed 2.1 scoreless innings of relief. Nick Raquet added a pair of zeros, and Yaramil Hiraldo did not allow a run in the ninth.
Anthony Eyanson continued to look the part with seven strong innings. Eyanson held Richmond off the scoreboard until they broke through with a broken-bat RBI single in the sixth. Eyanson finished the day with 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 8 K, 0 BB.
Eyanson was technically outdueled by Richmond. Yunior Marte, San Francisco’s 25th ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, pitched six scoreless frames. It’s a tough way for Eyanson to pick up his first loss at Double-A.
Anderson De Los Santos singled to bring the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but the Baysox failed to make it more interesting than that. Wehiwa Aloy pinch hit and grounded out to end the game.
Thomas Sosa finished 2-for-4 with a double. He was the only Chesapeake player to record multiple hits or anything more than a single.
High-A: Frederick Keys vs.Wilmington Blue Rocks (Nationals) — PPD
“Wet Grounds” was the official designation. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader today.
Harrison Kreiling started the game with 3.1 scoreless innings, but Connor Gehr coughed up seven runs (six earned) over 3.2 innings of bulk relief. Gehr was done in by three Hickory home runs.
Ty Head finished 1-for-3 with a walk and solo homer from the leadoff spot. Eric Booth Jr. singled and added a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning. Jemone Nuel and Adriander Mejía both doubled, and Jaide Lo Re managed a walk in four plate appearances.
Happy Friday, everyone! We’ve made it through another week and we’re closing in on the end of August. Still hard to believe that the end of summer and the end of the regular baseball season are now just over a month away (howww????). This, of course, brings us to the weird and wacky position the wild cards are in, where it looks like several teams below .500 might be queued up to make it a very strange race to the finish to see who will make it to the postseason.
In today’s links we also dip a toe into a potentially controversial topic: is it time to shut Paul Skenes down for the season? The former ace pitcher for the Pirates hasn’t been himself this season and no one can say exactly why, but some are suggesting that letting him rest as much as possible might be the key.
We get into that and much more below, so let’s just jump right into it.
Pretty sad they even have to make a statement about this.
Little League International stands by its statement first issued last year that there is no place for betting on Little League games and players or any youth sports competition. Little League is a trusted place where children are learning the fundamentals of the games and all the… pic.twitter.com/avpghLKyoI
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte has been moved from the restricted list to the 10-day injured list following a puzzling absence that saw him miss Monday night's game in Boston.
Lovullo explained Marte returned to Phoenix to undergo medical tests on his knee earlier this week. However, Lovullo expressed frustration that Marte did not communicate his whereabouts or status during this period, leaving the coaching staff and teammates unable to reach him.
On Thursday night, Marte met with Hazen and Lovullo to discuss the events that led to his absence and the missed game against the Red Sox. Following the meeting, Hazen provided an update, stating Marte received a knee injection to address inflammation discovered on an MRI.
"I'm not going to get into specifics," Hazen said regarding his discussions with Marte. "I feel the conversation and meeting were productive. We addressed everything that happened over the past week, but I won't share the details publicly. Marte will speak to his teammates soon, and from there, we'll focus on moving forward as a team."
Because Marte was on the restricted list, his time on the injured list cannot be retroactively applied to Sunday, when he last played in the Diamondbacks' 2-0 win over the Atlanta Braves. Instead, the 10-day injured list period will begin Thursday, and Marte will be sidelined for at least the next 10 days.
Syracuse went with a bullpen game and wound up shutting out Worcester, and eight of the nine Syracuse hitters who played in the game had at least one hit, and Billy Amick continued his home run hitting ways with his eighth since coming to the Mets organization at the trade deadline.
This was a rough one for Brooklyn in a season that’s seen the team lose far more than it’s won. Recent trade acquisition Sammy Stafura struck out three times in four at-bats.
Lakeland scored first with a run in the top of the first, but St. Lucie plated a pair in the bottom of the second. Unfortunately, that was it for the St. Lucie lineup, and Lakeland evened things up with a run in the fourth before taking the lead for good with a three-run fifth.
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 27: Boston Red Sox Outfielder Roman Anthony (19) reacts during the MLB regular season game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays on April 27, 2026, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Something strange happened during the three months Roman Anthony was sidelined with a tendon tear in his right ring finger: He became both overrated and underrated all at the same time. There’s no great way to fully quantify both ends of that statement, but work with me here as we dive into the two extremes (hand up on one of them).
In one camp, we have the people who saw Roman Anthony in April and have decided that 30 games of underwhelming results followed by an injury is enough to toss him aside. I’ll only include three examples here from recent days, but we could have a field day with hundreds of posts echoing these sentiments from the last three months. (Maybe we’ll do that for a day during the lockout this winter.)
Serious question: given the CURRENT ROSTERS SUCCESS, grinding out wins as a unit, WHAT POSITIVE BENEFIT ABOVE CURRENT PRODUCTION, does ROMAN ANTHONY provide this team? After his 3+ months off the field? pic.twitter.com/N66nVozV9e
If you think Roman is going to be a savior to this offense down the stretch, you are going to be sorely disappointed. He was not off to a good start early in the season. And if/when he comes back, he will be in Spring Training mode. So don't expect much at first.
I’m extremely confident these people are going look like complete bozos in short order. Not only does Roman Anthony possess a ceiling higher than anybody else on the roster, but he’s also coming back into a completely different environment than he was in April.
At the start of the season, Anthony was in the middle of a whirlwind that in the previous ten months included getting called up to the majors, learning quickly and having success against the best in the world, getting injured and missing the end of the year with an oblique strain, watching Alex Bregman leave for the Cubs and having the leadership role dumped in his lap, trying to balance a torrent of media requests while preparing for his first full season in the majors, and then getting invited to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. And all this as a 21-year-old.
Now he gets to come back to something completely different. He’s healed, well rested (physically and mentally), and coming into an environment where his presence can elevate an already established roster as the missing piece that might put them over the top.
Furthermore, Roman Anthony strikes me as the silent assassin type. There’s little doubt in my mind he’s seen and heard what the clueless continent of fans are saying about him, and I hope he’s a little angry or annoyed by it (I know I would be!). We could be on the verge of a revenge tour for the ages, and I have my popcorn ready.
Additionally — and probably most importantly — the underlying metrics are all still there. Below is Anthony’s bat speed distribution from his baseball savant bat tracking page, and when you combine velocity like that with his pitch recognition skills, there’s zero reason to be any less excited about his ceiling. I won’t go into the gory math details today, but they all scream he could still soar has high as a mountain and fast.
To put it another way: I don’t really care what Anthony did in April at this point in the proceedings. Not when he spent the previous years rising to the No. 1 prospect ranking in all of baseball, spent much of last season in the majors posting a 140 wRC+, and then followed that up with a .920 OPS in the World Baseball Classic in March. April is clearly the outlier month here.
Also, not that he’ll become this guy, but if you take Roman Anthony’s 30 games at the start of this season (career games 72 through 101), they line up remarkably well with Barry Bonds’ career games 72 through 101. Bonds just turned 22 at that time he played those game, Anthony was about to turn 22 in the spring. Bonds hit just .200 over that stretch, Anthony hit .229. Bonds posted an OBP of .336 in those games thanks to the walks, Anthony posted a .354 OBP in those games thanks to the walks. Bonds had just six extra base hits over that 30-game span, Anthony had seven. Bonds had a .646 OPS, Anthony has a .675 OPS this year. Again, the ceiling is still there.
So to reiterate, Anthony’s April doesn’t faze me at all. I’m weirdly confident we’re at the beginning of something remarkable, and I can’t wait to watch it play out. But you know what alarms me though? Anthony’s September and May. Those are the months he strained his oblique and torn a tendon in his finger, and both injuries upended his season. The only reason 2026 isn’t a total disaster is because the injury happened so early in the year, and he still has runway to do something special.
I wrote about this topic extensively in June, but the possibility of Anthony’s elite swing being the thing the might break him is the reason people like me might be overrating Anthony. Just like those posters above, we could also be made the fool in short order. It doesn’t matter how high your ceiling is if you can’t stay on the field, and even though I’m as confident in Anthony’s total package as any as player I’ve ever seen come out of the Red Sox farm system, I also spent years watching and writing about Troy Tulowitzki’s career, so I know how this can end.
The bottom line is somebody’s about to look really, really stupid really, really soon, and I’m equal parts thrilled, anxious, ecstatic, and terrified to find out what that entails.
Welcome to Roman Anthony’s comeback, where together we’re all probably about to live out a dream, or a nightmare.
29 November 2023, Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart: One of the two naked-nosed wombats explores the new enclosure at Wilhelma. After a two-month acclimatization period, the two marsupials can now be seen by visitors. They are three and a half years old and come from a zoo in Budapest and a zoo in Tasmania. Photo: Franziska Kraufmann/dpa (Photo by Franziska Kraufmann/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Not the strongest of posts, but better than none. Here’s the latest I’ve gathered from across the interwebs in the past few days. Enjoy and comment!
Karl-Anthony Towns is making it clear one championship has only increased his appetite for another.
“I’m hungrier than ever to get the second one—I’ve said before, I’ll do anything to win that first one. If I was willing to do whatever it took to get the first one, what do you think I’m going to do for the second one?
“This was the first year where I was like, I’m going to put this in God’s hands. I’m going to work, of course, but I’m not going to stress about the things I can’t control.”
Josh Hart and the Knicks are expected to find common ground on an extension, The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III believes, and projects said “common ground” to be in the $60-to-$62 million ballpark. For now, Hart will make $20.9 million next season (he’s got a $22.4 million team option for 2027-28).
Hart and Jalen Brunson are taking the “Roommates Show” to a significantly bigger stage following the Knicks’ championship. Among those expected to appear on it: Jose Alvarado, Mariska Hargitay, Jimmy Fallon, Spike Lee and Landry Shamet, plus performances from Fabolous, Jim Jones, Maino and Dave East.
NYC…THE CHAMPIONSHIP PARTY JUST GOT BIGGER! 🏆🗽@Roommates__Show Block Party Presented by @DoorDash is releasing more tickets and moving to Randall’s Island Park!
Kenny Kluska needs Jordan Clarkson to start doing something better if he wants to retain his spot in the Knicks’ rotation.
SI’s Joseph Randazzo rated the highest and lowest point of New York’s offseason. We all know and agree on the lowest. Can you guess the highest?
New York will have a significant scheduling advantage next season, as Canada Sports Betting did the research and projected the Knicks to travel just 35,135 miles during the regular season, the fewest of any NBA team. No matter that, most of us will keep our routine of couch-watching intact.
OAKAAK and Nova guard Ryan Arcidiacono is heading to Germany to hoop for the Frankfurt Skyliners.
Jeremy Lin posted tributes to both Mike D’Antoni and Amar’e Stoudemire following their Hall of Fame inductions. Lin credited D’Antoni with “changing the trajectory of my life” by empowering him during Linsanity and thanked Stoudemire for treating him with “acceptance and love” even when Lin was at the end of the Knicks’ bench.
Shaquille O’Neal sees Philadelphia as a legitimate threat to the Knicks, but not an automatic one because of the most obvious reason. Emphasis mine:
“The team has enough talent to make a deep run, but the question is whether everybody accepts their role, shares the ball, and stays healthy.”
Cleveland is paying 37-year-old James Harden a fully guaranteed $97 million over the next three seasons. Good luck making the Eastern Conference semifinals, folks!
I missed this one, so I’m not sure if it really went as viral as some are saying, but there was a report earlier this week claiming the Knicks had traded Mikal Bridges, Miles McBride and draft compensation for Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole. #lolwut
There are few tasks more vexing than trying to find greatness lurking amid mediocrity. And that brings us to the final five weeks of Major League Baseball’s season.
The contenders are real: Congratulations in advance to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees and, probably, the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox.
You’re going to the playoffs.
Four of those teams will receive first-round byes and thus avoid playing in the best-of-three wild card series, further enhancing their championship odds. But what to make of the mid, the uninspiring, the 12 teams lurking within four games of a playoff spot, yet far from guaranteed an October ticket?
More important, are they worth our time? Are they simply two-and-out fodder to provide television inventory to the networks and the league and the gambling-addicted masses?
Can they win the World Series?
Breaking down six teams within the disappointing dozen who absolutely can win it all – if they can simply get in the playoffs:
Yes, the Phillies can win the World Series. Probably have a better shot than many realize.
But that’s the kind of year it’s been in Philly, a season seemingly destined for just two outcomes: Surprisingly glorious or utter despair. It looked like the latter for several stretches of this season, but now, they’ve won 13 of 18 and put distance between themselves and the Marlins and Cardinals of the world.
Their chances are naturally enhanced by a starting trio that can stand up to the Dodgers and Brewers: Cristopher Sánchez, Jesus Luzardo and Zack Wheeler. Luis Arraez’s arrival added crucial contact to a lineup that can be too stationary. Yet their October fate will likely come down to the command of set-up men Orion Kerkering and Jonathan Bowlan. Kind of a scary way to live, and Phillies fans are in for either a soul-crushing or titillating ride.
For all the appropriate hand-wringing over Vladimir Guerrero’s lack of power and production, it’s easy to forget about the guy who really makes this club go: Alejandro Kirk. The catcher and hitting savant missed 62 games with a left thumb fracture, a period in which the Blue Jays went 29-33. Kirk is now far removed from that injury and on a heater, batting .393 with a 1.074 OPS over his last 17 games.
No surprise the Blue Jays are 13-4 in that span, including series wins over Boston, Houston, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and the Yankees. They did the best job of any team in recent memory at playing the middle at the trade deadline, dealing rotation stalwart Kevin Gausman and reliever Jeff Hoffman yet getting an extra year of control with Jose Soriano in the rotation, while holding crucial pieces like closer Louis Varland.
The defending AL champs haven’t given off “don’t let them get hot vibes” all season. Yet just when everyone stopped paying attention, they’ve gotten hot. Beware.
Speaking of getting hot, the Padres have left their early-season hitting miseries behind and are 20-12 since the break, trailing only the Cubs in runs scored in that span. Averaging 5.1 runs per game will help any staff and now deadline acquisition Casey Mize is starting to lock in, giving up two runs in 12 innings of his past two starts.
This core is on track for its third consecutive playoff berth and fourth in five years. At some point, that experience is going to matter.
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
Playoff odds: 37.3%
A relatively big unknown here with the Ketel Marte semi-annual absence, but assuming his knee is sound and he returns to the fold, Arizona remains a difficult out.
And pitching, not their All-Star second baseman, is the reason why. There’s suddenly a very good starting troika in the desert, led by left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, who has covered 149 1/3 innings – fourth in the NL – with a 2.71 ERA. Brandon Pfaadt, a 2023 World Series starter, spent most of June in the minors but has reemerged as a new man, going 7-0 with a 1.79 ERA over 10 starts; Arizona has won nine of them.
It might be a bit patronizing to call them “pesky,” due to their .398 slugging percentage ranking 10th in the NL. But “pesky” is a very good thing when you strike out far less than your peers – their 936 punchouts are fewest in the NL, with only the Blue Jays and Rays fanning less often.
They have the advantage of two races to run, lurking four games back in the awful AL West and three out in the wild card. There are 34 games left. That’s plenty of time.
And that vaunted starting rotation? It still covers more innings than any in the big leagues, while ranking fourth in WHIP and sixth in strikeouts. Why did it take so long for Kade Anderson to earn a call-up? Is Cal Raleigh that bad? Can they produce just their second winning month this season in this weird 7-10 August?
So many reasons not to believe. Yet we just can’t quit these guys.
6. Detroit Tigers
Playoff odds: 14.7%
They didn’t totally wave the white flag at the trade deadline – more a shade of beige – and it’s hard to prop up a club that traded the greatest left-hander in the game right now. But like the Mariners, the Tigers have two ports of entry to October, a hit machine who will come as close as any since Aaron Judge to pulling off a Rookie of the Year/MVP double and a manager who knows how to push the buttons this time of year.
Yet can Kevin McGonigle and A.J. Hinch fully prop up a depleted rotation and already-leaky bullpen? Probably not – particularly with Riley Greene’s hamstring strain putting him on ice at least a few more days.
But the Tigers sneaked into the playoffs in ’24 and ’25 and were very, very noisy both times. One of these days it’s going to click – even if Troy Melton and Keider Montero, and not Tarik Skubal, must be the rotation bulwarks.
