MILAN, ITALY - 2026/02/03: Khalifa Diop #18 of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz seen in action during Turkish Airlines EuroLeague 2025/26 Regular Season Round 26 game between EA7 Emporio Armani Milano and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz at Allianz Cloud. Final score EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 109 : 89 Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. (Photo by Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Four years after being drafted, Khalifa Diop is gearing up for his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Diop has spent the last few years as a stashed prospect overseas, but will finally make his debut in the 2026 season.
What should we expect?
Diop is a mobile 6’11” big who can block shots and run the floor. He is a hulking presence with broad shoulders that can clear space for rebounds — while also being agile enough to soar above the rim for highlight plays on either side of the action.
His athletic profile, alone, makes Diop an interesting prospect.
Khalifa Diop is excellent as a lob finisher, which is one of his biggest strengths as a P&R roll man. Dynamic aerial threat with long arms and plus athleticism; he can finish above the rim in traffic consistently pic.twitter.com/azg3nQunyx
The floor for players like this is much higher than other archetypes. He simply has more to work with than some of his peers. But piecing the full puzzle together has always been key.
Diop’s game is still raw.
He’s limited outside the paint and isn’t a threat to dribble or create for himself. He hasn’t notably improved either part of that overseas.
Diop’s defensive impact isn’t consistent, either. He’s often a step behind the play — and is still working to establish the core fundamentals that separate good athletes from good basketball players.
His averages of 3.5 points and 4.3 rebounds last season reflect this. Diop is too gifted athletically to be scoring fewer than two baskets a game.
There’s an art to running the pick-and-roll, and the details are what’s holding him back.
Finishing a lob pass is great, but there’s just as much reward in catching in the short-roll and nailing a jump-hook. Not as flashy, but worth the same amount of points. Diop can make a big difference by becoming a more well-rounded finisher who can convert in multiple scenarios.
Other aspects of Diop’s game that need polishing include defensive positioning and timing.
He isn’t always great at containing the ball or executing the correct rotation. Again, the simplicity of deterring a shot is just as valuable as rejecting one off the backboard. Diop can benefit from consistently sealing off the paint more so than making the recovery to block shots.
Cleveland won’t expect Diop to achieve this overnight. He’ll spend his rookie season developing behind the scenes, both in practice and potentially with the Charge. This will allow Diop to work on his game without being needlessly thrown into the fire.
When on the court, Diop should keep things simple.
The Cavs won’t ask him to anchor their defense or create for himself. Instead, his job will be to hustle, grab rebounds, and try to be a force in the paint. Those are things Diop can bring on paper. And if he does, he’ll be a fan favorite in Cleveland.
Diop’s raw ability to run the floor and play above the rim could translate well to the NBA. The league thrives on energy guys like him. Diop might be able to exceed expectations if he embraces the junkyard dog mentality that Cleveland originally wanted to mold this team around.
He can learn behind two elite bigs in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Diop should also soak up as much insight from James Harden’s PNR mastery as possible. Even just watching those guys from afar will give Diop the blueprint he needs.
Meanwhile, Diop joins an organization that has numerous developmental success stories under its belt. Prospects like Craig Porter, Sam Merrill, and Nae’Qwan Tomlin are recent examples. Diop will look to join that group this season.
Still, I’d practice patience.
The Cavs can give Diop a quality path towards improvement, but I wouldn’t expect him to play meaningful minutes in his rookie season. Most of his development will happen behind closed doors, where Cleveland will be able to place the building blocks right in front of him.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 20: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees walks to the dugout after a pitching change in the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 20, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Yankees 8-4. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The regular season is coming to a close, and there’s just two series left in the regular season for the Yankees to play — the Rays and the Orioles are coming into town for four and three games, respectively. There’s still technically something to play for as the Yankees are, for the moment, alive in the AL East race, but they’d need to effectively run the table and still get some help from the Phillies against Tampa to win the division. They’ll play for it as long as it’s available, but at some point it’s fair to assume that the Rays will be popping champagne sooner or later.
With that being said, the Yankees will be playing in the postseason one way or another, and they’ve got plenty to fine tune before they face their first opponent. So what should we keep our eyes on as they play out these final seven games, and what will the team be looking out for?
New York has their rotation lined up for this Rays series, with all of their potential playoff starters getting a game: Carlos Rodon and Max Fried will handle the doubleheader, Gerrit Cole is being tasked with Wednesday’s game, and Cam Schlittler will toe the slab in the series finale. With Will Warren probably starting the opening game of the Baltimore series, that leaves only two more games to cover before the postseason rotation needs to be lined up for next Tuesday. That means that this will be Cole and Schlittler’s final tune up before the regular season ends, and likely Fried’s as well considering he’d have too quick a turnaround for Game 2 of the Wild Card Round where he’s expected to slot in. For Cole this is the chance to make sure he’s got the gopher ball under control and instill confidence that the home runs won’t be flying out of the park in a potential elimination game, while for Schlittler this is the final act of a Cy Young campaign and he’ll be looking to end it on a high note. In Fried’s case, he threw 88 pitches in his previous outing which was the most he’s tossed since his most recent IL stint, and this last go around gives him the chance to push it beyond 90 pitches assuming he can get in a rhythm.
Turning our attention over to the lineup, this is make or break time for some of the bats looking to be penciled in for Game 1. The Yankees’ likely opponent in the Wild Card Round is Boston, and their lefty-heavy rotation is going to stress-test their lineup. The team’s best hitter since the Deadline has been their big get in Luis Garcia Jr., but he’s a platoon bat that hasn’t seen the field much against lefties. Aaron Boone could use this final week to look for the right spots where Garcia could pinch-hit in the games where he doesn’t start, because it’ll be hard to go a full nine innings without him having some kind of impact on the game if the Yankees want to go far.
As for the bullpen, the question is simple: who can be trusted outside of the big three? Paul Blackburn, Brent Headrick, and David Bednar are going to get the call when the chips are down in a critical inning, but there will undoubtedly be some frames that need to get handled by someone other than them or the starter. The team’s anticipated cavalry hasn’t panned out the way they hoped, with Ryan Weathers not expected back before the postseason putting him in a Nestor Cortes-esque state of limbo and Clarke Schmidt had a bit of a scare with his biceps prompting the team to not use him in their most recent series with Arizona. Luis Gil finally got some looks in non-mop up duty and handled them well, but does he have the inside track to being used in the postseason over someone like John Schreiber who has pitched well in pinstripes up until his most recent outing? Both will be under the microscope in this final week.
While we’ve got a super busy day with the doubleheader on deck, we’ve still got some things prepared to start your morning off. Jake handles the Rivalry Roundup with most of the league resting up letting the O’s and Jays take center stage, and then Michael delivers the weekly minor league recap covering the finale of the MiLB season. Matt celebrates Urban Shocker’s birthday with a look back on his time with the Murderers’ Row Yankees, Andres debates the idea of letting the rotation stay rolling with Gerrit Cole getting the Game 1 start for the Wild Card, and Peter gives George Lombard Jr. the spotlight for the latest At-Bat of the Week.
From: @rookvania.bsky.social Sort of a two-part question: With camp still underway we don't know who will go to WBS yet, but who do you expect to be a player to follow closely down there? You mentioned Pickering as much improved, so maybe he fits that billing, but has anyone else surprised you or improved as much?
Pickering and Harrison Brunicke are obvious candidates, assuming neither makes the roster out of camp. They are likely to be WBS's top pairing and look pretty darn close to NHL-ready. In fact, I think they are NHL-ready and should probably be this team's third pairing, but that's highly unlikely this season because of a sheer numbers game.
But, otherwise, I'll throw a hat in the ring for a forward and a defenseman.
As far as forwards, I'd say Atley Calvert. This guy isn't talked about quite as much as some other guys like Avery Hayes, Rutger McGroarty and Tristan Broz, but I think he has the tools to be an effective NHLer one day. His versatility helps his cause, he's good on both sides of the puck, and he's relentless on the forecheck. He can also put the puck in the back of the net.
Harding is the defenseman I'd keep an eye on. I think this guy is going to be a solid, reliable NHL defenseman, and if you're looking for a success story in development in the Penguins' pipeline, it's him. He went from a longshot seventh-round pick in 2024 to, easily, one of the top defensemen in Pittsburgh's system, and it's apparent why when you watch how effective he is in all three zones. He's a smart player and a good all-around blueliner.
He's improved his skating and mobility quite a bit, too, which was an area he self-identified last season that he wanted to work on. He's the purest form of a student of the game.
From: @Jeffs_Penguins on X Not the players who looked the best or most "flashy" but who are the Young Penguins that looked like they had Hockey IQ or showed the Hockey brain to be NHLers at the very short Training CampFinn Harding was the 1 that impressed me most in Prospect games w/ his Hockey IQ
Since you've already named Harding, I won't get into detail with him even though I agree entirely.
The two who have stood out to me so far from an IQ standpoint are Broz and Chase Pietila. Broz is not the flashiest or most exciting player, but there are few players in the whole of the Penguins' organization who play as clean a game as Broz. He's never out of position, always makes the right reads on plays, and has excellent offensive instincts in-zone.
I personally think this guy's ceiling as an NHLer is a bit undersold, to be honest, but even if he only turns out to be a good fourth-line center, his smarts in all three zones are evident. Other guys in the room will tell you that, too. He's a very cerebral player.
And same goes for Pietila. I think Pietila plays a pretty similar game to Harding with some added physicality and not as high an offensive ceiling. But there's a reason he got the second-most minutes during the Penguins' first pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres, and it's because his processing is already up to NHL speed. His decision-making is quick, his breakouts are solid, and his defensive posture is impressive.
I think both he and Harding will be solid, reliable NHL defensemen, even if their ceilings are probably bottom-pair. They both have the brains and the defensive instincts to stick at the NHL level.
From: @TheAud25 on X Has Solovyov's skating improved?
Solovyov stayed in Pittsburgh all summer to train, and it shows. I do think his skating has improved marginally, but I'm not sure it's something that will distinguish or differentiate him, either.
There is a healthy competition between him, Ryan Graves, Jake Livanavage, Harrison Brunicke, and Owen Pickering for what will, presumably, be the seventh and final defensive spot on the NHL roster. Three of those guys are still better skaters.
Solovyov makes up for his shortcomings in mobility in other aspects of his game, and the coaching staff recognizes this. However, I'm not sure the skating itself will hurt his chances of securing a spot as much as the fact that they have three higher-upside players knocking on the door.
From: @GenoMalkCHIN on X Late to the party but what do you think the reasoning was to trading Wotherspoon and how do you think it could impact the team? Was it for the young guys? I thought he complemented EK v well. Was kinda bummed to see that trade.
I think the decision to trade Wotherspoon came down to two things: Vegas coveted him, and the Penguins, essentially, traded for a young, cost-controlled Wotherspoon comparable. Korczak makes $325 million for more years.
Yes, Wotherspoon had a breakout career year for the Penguins last season and complemented Erik Karlsson well, but realistically, he's probably not a regular top-pairing left defenseman. His play also tailed off in the back half of the season. There's a decent chance that, 29, had a career year with the Penguins, and Kyle Dubas simply capitalized off of that perceived maximum value.
In the grand scheme of things, I don't predict it's a loss that the Penguins - on paper, anyway - should feel that greatly, especially with three additional solid defensive defensemen in Trevor van Riemsdyk, Declan Carlile, and Kaedan Korczak. One of those guys is bound to play well enough with Karlsson.
From: @The_Gas_Man_01 on X just how big is the gap between an NHLer, a borderline player, and an AHL or lower guy? and can you spot the difference?
I love this question. In a broad sense, yes, I think you can typically spot the difference between these tiers, although the gap between an NHLer and an AHLer is quite substantial. Players will tell you it's the biggest jump for a reason, and if you tune in to an AHL game, you'll see why: things happen so very much faster at NHL speed, and the ones who are able to process plays at NHL speed are the ones who will make it.
That - for me, anyway - is the differentiating factor between an NHL regular and someone who is borderline and always being caught between levels. If someone can make quick, correct decisions against NHL competition on both sides of the puck consistently, they will make it as an NHLer. If not, they are bound to be career AHL All-Stars.
And, well, I do think there's quite a gap between an AHL All-Star and a regular AHL player, too. Typically, for forwards, production is the name of the game when examining that. For defensemen, I'd say it's how well they handle themselves at both ends of the ice.
All that said, some guys - like Pickering - simply take longer than others to fully develop, and spotting that difference is a bit more nuanced. A year ago, I may have been hesitant to call Pickering an NHLer because his processing and his footspeed simply weren't up to NHL speed. After a year of growth, both of those things have changed, and he looks far more ready.
Some guys can adapt with experience annd runway, some get it right away, and some never adapt. At the end of the day, though, it's all about that processing and decision-making.
From: @TheGM42 on X Is there a possibility that some of the free agent signings are released or traded before the opening of the season to make room for the youth movement?
From @JGardonis on X Out of the 6-7 forwards fighting for one roster spot, how many are waiver exempt?
From: @cocaine-ewok.bsky.social Do you expect any trades prior to opening night?
All of these questions are cut from a similar cloth, so I'll answer them together, starting with the second one: McGroarty, Hayes, Broz, Calvert, Brunicke, and Pickering are all waivers-exempt, and whether or not anyone will admit this, that does play a role in roster decisions, especially when so many players aren't exempt.
As far as trades, there's always a small possibility. But trades are difficult to execute during camp because - especially for guys on the fringes of rosters - why would teams surrender assets for a player when they may be able to get them at no cost at the end of camp? Unless a particular fringe player is coveted by an organization and they want to ensure they snag said player, most trades don't happen during camp.
I wouldn't rule out trades happening early in the season, though.
And, also, while I do think there's a difference between overcrowding and creating competition so players have to earn spots - I think the Penguins are teetering on the former - the young players do need to earn spots. If they show Penguins' brass that they should be on the NHL roster and leave no room for questions, they will be on the NHL roster.
Which is where waivers come in. Yes, I absolutely do think the Penguins are willing to exercise waivers on some players, and I think that will happen by the end of camp. We saw it with Graves last year. I would not be surprised to see a guy like Justin Brazeau end up there if other guys show out better.
From: @Retiredcrayon on X Since Hayes announced retirement, could we get some insight on his impact on the room last year? He seemed like a gem.
Ask any guy in that locker room, and they will tell you just how incredible a teammate and how incredible a human Hayes is. It's very rare that a veteran player who is virtually always scratched and never plays is that integral to a locker room, but Hayes was truly that much of a glue guy, which is the reason he stuck around all year.
I think a perfect example of this is when Ryan Shea told me Hayes was the one who thought to invite Ben Kindel on a trip with some other teammates, including Shea and Connor Dewar, over the Olympic break. He's a standup guy and a standup teammate, and that's not an easy thing to maintain when things aren't going your way on the ice. He could have pouted and shut himself off like many others do in that situation, but he didn't.
Read Muse's and Letang's quotes about Hayes, and that will tell you everything you need to know. He wasn't always the most chipper guy with media depending on the day and the circumstances, but he was a world-class person and teammate and a huge presence in that room. I wish him the best in retirement.
From: @genocrisp on X will anyone of the younger guys bleach part of their hair and dye it gray to stand in solidarity with salt-n-pepper sidney
I can't say for certain. What I will tell you is that Sid seems perfectly comfortable embracing the gray.
From: @Jason_Shetler on X Do you advocate pizza for breakfast?
Generally, no. For a while, I had a health condition that didn't allow me to eat red pizza, and I still can't have a ton of it before not feeling great.
That said, breakfast pizza is legit. As in, pizza with some alfredo sauce, eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, cheese... the whole deal. Give me a good actual breakfast pizza any day of the week.
From: @rsoback94 on X Bold prediction for where they finish and playoff result?
I think there are a lot of possible outcomes for this team, as is well-documented in media.
But I think folks are underselling them by a good margin.
So many people say last year's playoff berth was a "fluke," and maybe when looking at the bigger picture, that's true to an extent. But as far as the team itself being fluky, I very much disagree with that assessment.
This was a top-three five-on-five offensive team, it was an upper-half defensive team until about the last month and a half, it had the highest degree of difficulty in schedule post-Olympics and still made it despite that and despite not having 87 for most of that stretch, and it didn't at all ride what was below-average goaltending for most of the year.
Despite losing Anthony Mantha, they added Andrei Kuzmenko and Nick Robertson, who should account for that deficit. Kindel is a year older and stronger. They added three pretty good defensive defensemen. They have a wildcard situation in net but with a promising Sergei Murashov this time.
I think this team, on paper, is better than last year's. Carolina and Washington are the two best in the division, but I'd say the Penguins finish third, and I think they beat the Capitals in a first-round series.
It is a point Pat Murphy rarely fails to make as he guides the Milwaukee Brewers toward another run at the World Series: Winning a Major League Baseball game is very hard.
Murphy, the Brewers’ two-time National League Manager of the Year, is no Captain Obvious. He is simply breaking down the notion of competition into bite-size moments, be it a spring training conversation, or a teachable moment after a loss, or tossing a young player into situations they might initially find untenable.
Doing the hard things. And sometimes, the end result is making things look very easy.
Externally, the Brewers are a machine, taking a club-record 98 victories into the final six games of the season. For the second consecutive postseason, they’re poised to seize the NL’s No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in an attempt to reach the World Series for the first time since 1982.
Easy.
Yet if you stick around Milwaukee long enough, you know the path to teamwide bliss is anything but.
"I’m super grateful they traded for me. Super grateful to be here these last three years," Jake Bauers, the Brewers’ first baseman who’s hit a career-best 26 home runs, tells USA TODAY Sports. "At the same time, I think playing here can be a little bit uncomfortable, compared to some places.
"There’s a lot of things that the staff, starting with Murph, and also the players in the clubhouse – we don’t let slide. That’s a big key to our success.
"At the same time, it can be uncomfortable at times if you’re not willing to face the man in the mirror."
When the Brewers stare into the mirror nowadays, the best team in baseball stares back. They hold a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers for the game’s best record and given the rampant mediocrity in the game this season, the two clubs appear on a collision course for a rematch in the NL championship series.
With a lockout looming, that matchup would once again be a metaphor for Massive Market Behemoth vs. Lower Revenue Pluckiness, a tired if apt comparison.
Perhaps the better matchup is the Brewers vs. Themselves, a group that’s won four consecutive NL Central titles, will play postseason baseball for the eighth time in nine seasons yet must overcome the notion they don’t have the staying power to outlast October.
"Cool and all," closer Trevor Megill said after saving the club’s record 98th victory, "but not trying to be regular season warriors."
Doing so might require them to be just a little less imperfect than their opponents.
1-2 punch enough?
Can you win a World Series title with just two starting pitchers?
The Brewers might have little choice but to find out. Presumed NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob Misiorowski will start every Game 1 he is lined up for, and fellow 24-year-old Logan Henderson – born one month earlier than Misiorowski in 2002 – is a potentially dominant No. 2.
Yet the second-half regression of lefty Kyle Harrison and recent struggles of trade deadline acquisition Dustin May puts the Brewers in a bit of a corner. They’re aiming to rebuild Harrison’s fastball and for now are spoon-feeding him in relief bursts; he’d do well to claim a swingman spot for the postseason.
May is more vexing. The man who flirted with a perfect game earlier this season hasn’t completed five innings in three of his past four starts. After diligent off day work with pitching coach Chris Hook, he’ll start Tuesday, Sept. 22 against Philadelphia on three days’ rest.
For now, May seems to be teetering between short-burst or bulk-man duties and fully snagging a starting role for the postseason.
"He’s shown flashes of brilliance. I firmly believe he’s going to do well," says Murphy.
The manager calls May "humble" and his stuff – a four-seam fastball and power sinker that both run up to 97 mph – is tantalizing.
"I feel really good in this moment," May said after failing to get out of the third inning of his last start at Baltimore. "I don’t have anything else to blame other than execution."
Fortunately, there’s the Miz.
He’s thrown nearly 1,100 pitches of at least 100 mph this season, according to MLB.com, a record in the pitch-tracking era. For old heads who scoff at velocity guns and ghoulishly predict a breakdown, Misiorowski has been utterly precise, too, leading the major leagues in both ERA (1.86) and WHIP (0.80).
He’ll likely claim the strikeout title as well, sure to cross the 250 mark in his final start.
And then, the postseason, where Misiorowski still has fond memories of his three- and four-inning relief stints in a stirring five-game defeat of the Chicago Cubs in the NL division series.
Misiorowski gave up just four hits and one run in Game 2 and Game 5 victories.
"It was all that and more. Hard to describe in words," Misiorowski tells USA TODAY Sports. "Just thinking about it, it was a blast. It was everything I thought postseason would be, all wrapped up in one series."
Now, he will enter the postseason squarely as The Guy.
It’s a slightly different spot than the rookie curiosity he was a year ago. At the same time, the man has thrown 169 ⅓ innings and is still hitting 102 mph on the radar gun in late September.
Playoff ace? Game 1 starter, no questions asked? Bring it.
"I’m excited. But still, I have a job to do," says Misiorowski. "The role might have changed a little bit, but still gotta do my thing.
"There’s still pressure with it. But it’s just understanding my role and doing it well and helping my team win."
Been here before
That’s in the water in Milwaukee, where Murphy can use almost all the roster on a given night, be it platoon shifts with Bauers and Andrew Vaughn at first base or young Luis Lara and Sal Frelick in right field. Some nights, almost every reliever in the bullpen might be summoned.
"Everyone knows their roles," says Frelick. "Everyone’s ready when their name’s called."
Not that these are simply working-class, lunch pail platoon guys and role players. The Miz, obviously, is a superstar. Garrett Mitchell, finally healthy after four seasons of injury, has few peers in center field and posts a 117 adjusted OPS.
And then there is left fielder Jackson Chourio, who just joined Julio Rodriguez and Bobby Witt Jr., as the only players to begin their career with three 20-homer, 20-steal seasons.
"An absolute talent. Quickest hands I’ve ever seen," says Frelick. "Just a pleasure to watch, especially when he catches fire like that.
"It shouldn’t be slept on that a guy like that’s been doing that. He’s one of the best players in the league and I don’t think he gets the recognition he deserves."
Chourio, All-Star second baseman Brice Turang – whose 6.9 WAR leads the club – and catcher William Contreras form an interesting cohort. All are supreme talents between 22 and 28, all playing in either their third, fourth or sixth postseasons.
Young, peak performers – yet playoff-tested.
"I know we have an incredible group here, a special group," says Chourio through a club translator. "In certain aspects, it helps going three years now. Last year, you view as a learning experience, more than anything.
"Just looking forward to giving our all and going further."
No, it won’t be easy. Yet if the theory that the more times you simply get in the playoffs greatly enhances your odds of winning proves true?
Well, one of these years the Brewers are going to find out the hard part is already over.
"We understand the atmosphere. We understand what it takes to be there and win a game," says Misiorowski. "There’s a lot that we can take into it."
Or, as Bauers puts it, "You start holding yourself to a higher standard. And on top of that, there’s just certain things you don’t know.
"And you don’t know what you don’t know until it happens, right?"
Hutson got an audition last season with the Capitals, recording 10 points in 14 games after spending two seasons at Boston University. He's Lane Hutson's brother and shows the same skill level. He'll get opportunites with Rasmus Sandin out.
4. Anton Frondell, Chicago Blackhawks
He was named the best forward at the world junior championships after winning a gold medal with Sweden. Frondell played in Sweden's top league and had 12 points in nine games with Chicago at the end of last season. He'll get his share of ice time, especially with Bedard out early.
The Maple Leafs are giving the 2026 No. 1 overall pick a chance for early success. He has been skating with John Tavares and William Nylander in training camp and is on the second power play unit.
The Sharks jumped up to No. 2 in the 2026 draft during the lottery and grabbed a player who was in the mix for first overall. Stenberg played in the top Swedish league, getting 33 points in 43 games. He also was a standout in the world junior championships, especially in the gold medal game.
A Flyers player has never won the Calder Trophy, and he could be the first. Martone got solid NHL experience at the end of the 2025-26 season after finishing his junior hockey career. He played nine regular season games, recording 10 points. Then he played two round of the playoffs, finishing with five points in 10 games. He's built for the NHL at 6-foot-3, 216 pounds.
Others to watch: Roman Kantserov, Blackhawks; James Hagens, Bruins; Konsta Helenius, Sabres; Viggo Bjorck, Jets; Ilya Protas, Capitals.
Josue De Paula celebrates in the dugout after scoring on an RBI single by the Dodgers' Mookie Betts last weekend against the San Francisco Giants. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Dodgers rookie Josue De Paula sat down with third base and outfield coach Dino Ebel in the visiting coach’s room at Great American Ball Park. Ebel pulled up defensive metrics on three different outfielders.
One was Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, the National League MVP favorite and MLB’s defensive fWAR leader. Another was Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages, who has evolved into an elite center fielder during his time with the organization. And the third was De Paula.
“There’s a lot of colors in the game, and when you have red, it’s not good, and when you have green, it’s good,” Ebel said in a recent conversation with The Times. “And he saw a lot of green from the other two players, and he saw some green and some red on his side. So it kind of hit home with him.”
The reports broke down his first step, going right and left, arm strength, and so on.
“Just comparing [Pages’] journey, too, with mine — and that it’s possible,” De Paula said of what he took from the conversation. “I have all the tools under my belt to be able to do so. It’s more about just being focused throughout the whole thing, and having that drive to want to do it.
“And when I saw it, it was also a motivation for me. It was like, all right, let’s go now.”
It was De Paula’s bat that earned him a call-up when Shohei Ohtani landed on the injured list. And it’s his bat that’s now making his case for a postseason roster spot. (“This is more of a trial run,” manager Dave Roberts said last week.)
For De Paula to stick in the majors, however, his development on the defensive side is going to be key. As he has risen through the system, his outfield play has lagged behind his offensive influence. But the Dodgers have already seen growth this year.
“Our goal is to become, one day, a Gold Glover,” Ebel said. “And I think he’s young enough to do it, and his mindset is right, he’s got a chance to do that.”
Dodgers special assistant Jason Heyward started poring over video of the team’s top prospects — a group chalk full of outfielders, led by De Paula — as soon as he began working for the Dodgers’ front office at the beginning of May.
“He handles constructive criticism, for me, with some of the best of them that I’ve been around,” Heyward said.
Heyward, a five-time Gold Glove outfielder, first met De Paula in spring training in 2024, when the prospect jumped in on outfield drills with the major leaguers. In Heyward’s new role, he’s made multiple trips to Tulsa, Okla., to work with De Paula and the rest of the group there.
Heyward emphasized building a consistent and productive routine.
“He makes it so easy to have something to make relatable to this because I’ve seen his work in the cage, I’ve seen his attention to detail,” Heyward said. “He takes on challenges, but it’s not a, ‘Let me hurry up and get to this challenge, let me rush through this.’ He’s like, ‘No, I’m going to go about this how I want to go about it, I’m not going to be rushed, I’m going to lock in, and I’m going to give this like all my focus.’”
That process on the offensive side was something Heyward encouraged De Paula to tap into in all parts of his game, including defense. But De Paula said Heyward also acknowledged that the nature of playing in the outfield can make that more difficult.
“Hitting, you are always unfocused on the next pitch, your mind is always going,” De Paula said. “But you could go three days without getting a fly ball. So it’s kind of easy for your mind to drift and stuff like that. But it’s just more about tips of engagement and that intensity of focus.”
Heyward was a fitting person to deliver the message. Once a heralded prospect for the Braves, he put together a 16-year MLB career that included a second-place rookie of the year finish, an All-Star nod, and a stellar reputation for defense and veteran leadership.
“It’s a blessing to have somebody like that in your corner, especially rooting for you, to be able to see your talent, like what you’re capable of,” De Paula said. “He’s been through it, so he knows, man. So it’s awesome to have somebody like that as your mentor.”
“It’s a very commendable job that all of our staff have done at every level,” Heyward said. “... I’d be doing a big injustice without giving everyone their flowers on this because it’s definitely been a group effort. … For someone like him who became a part of the organization at 16 years old, he’s a Dodger through and through.”
Over the past week and a half, the major-league coaching staff, which also had De Paula in major-league spring training camp the last two years, has taken over. And already, they’ve seen the benefit of the routine he’s developed this year.
“All the reports that we’ve gotten from our minor-league staff are right on cue,” Ebel said. “He’s been working, he’s bringing it right here to the major leagues. And it’s a pleasure for me, with some energy, coming out early every day — hasn’t missed. We’re working on game situations, ground balls, left, right, right at him, fly balls, shags during BP. So we’re on the right track.”
Dodgers two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell joined them one day in Miami, catching De Paula’s throws in early work. Though the new teammates wanted to keep the specifics of their conversations between them, Snell’s advice and encouragement made an impression — “It’s like putting fuel in a rocket,” De Paula said.
“He’s just really, really talented, lots to learn,” Snell said. “And excited for him in his journey and what it could turn into.”
In the next city, Cincinnati, Roberts spent an afternoon in left field with him while he was shagging fly balls during batting practice.
“I wanted to be up close to watch him get off on the baseball, watch his reads, his angles to balls and make sure he’s shagging the right way,” Roberts said. “Had some instruction for him; he was great.”
Roberts, too, has challenged De Paula to make defense a strength, one that will keep him in games, rather than lifted for a defensive replacement. And De Paula has met it with bright eyes and motivation.
“The trust on the defense is going to come,” De Paula said. “I have to prove it over time. And with the work that I’m doing on the field, I know I’m going to gain it.”
A gold glove is a goal of his too.
“That’s one thing about me, when my mind is set on something, I feel like it’s no going back,” De Paula said. “So, I’ve gotten a lot of hate on my defense, and I just love to prove people wrong. So I’m like, hey, all right, there’s a weakness there, but I’m gonna shut you up. Just give me some time. I’ve got you.”
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 21: Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Sergei Murashov (1) tends net in the preseason NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres on September 21, 2026, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Back on PPG Paints Arena ice for the first time since April, the Pittsburgh Penguins opened their preseason slate with a 4-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Sergei Murashov got the nod in goal and pitched a shutout, stopping 13 shots, in his 30 minutes of action before Joel Blomqvist took over. Connor Dewar, Bryan Rust, Avery Hayes, and Elmer Soderblom were the goal scorers. [Pensburgh]
Pens Points…
It will be a quick turnaround for the Penguins with the Detroit Red Wings coming to town for the second preseason game later tonight right back at PPG. It will an entirely different roster suiting up for the Penguins, featuring Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin along with twin brothers Liam and Markus Ruck. [Penguins]
It’s pretty remarkable, that even over two decades into his NHL career, Sidney Crosby remains one of the best hockey players on the planet. NHL Network has Crosby ranked at No. 12 on their annual list of the 50 best players in the league. [Pensburgh]
If you’re going to get injured, might as well do so before the season starts to lessen the impact of how many games you’ll miss. It was announced on Monday that Blake Lizotte is going to be week-to-week with an upper-body ailment. [Pensburgh]
With fewer preseasons games to make your case for the Penguins roster, every time out will be important and those lineup battles started to take shape last night against the Sabres and will continue through the week as the preseason rolls along. [Penguins]
After posting a career season in 2025-26, Justin Brazeau is back for an encore with the Penguins this season, but his job is anything but locked down at the moment, and he’ll once again have to earn his place in the Penguins lineup with a strong preseason. [Trib Live]
There was some shuffling along with blue line this offseason for the Penguins, with a few familiar faces leaving for other opportunities with new faces coming in to take their place. One of those new faces is Trevor van Riemsdyk who brings a strong, veteran presence to the back end. [Penguins]
Former Penguins forward Kevin Hayes announced his retirement from hockey on Monday following a 12-year NHL career. After spending two seasons with the Penguins, Hayes signed with Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL last month but has decided to retire after only five games. [Trib Live]
NHL News and Notes…
Sam Steel could have opted to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, but instead has decided to reup with the Dallas Stars a year early with a new four-year contract extension that will begin next season. [Sportsnet]
There will be some big names up for the Calder Trophy this season, including top overall pick Gavin McKenna. Outside of the preseason front runners, there are some under the radar rookies who could put together big seasons and spoil the coronation. [The Hockey News]
The slog is almost over, yet there’s still a fair amount of business to take care of during the final week of Major League Baseball’s 2026 season.
All three wild-card berths in the National League are technically still up for grabs, while the American League has two division titles and a wild card to give out. The slightly less pressing matter of playoff seeding also needs settling, though several teams are virtually locked into position.
With that, a look at four series that will impact this final week:
Key matchup: Tuesday – Guardians LH Parker Messick vs. Red Sox LH Payton Tolle
Outlook: The Chicago White Sox will certainly be interested to see just how motivated the Red Sox (who clinched a playoff berth Sunday) are to take down the Guardians. Cleveland enters the week holding a one-game lead over Chicago in the AL Central. Most notably, Red Sox aces Payton Tolle, Sonny Gray and Ranger Suarez are lined up for all three games – but how deep will they go in their final starts ahead of their highly expected AL wild-card assignment against the Yankees?
Regardless, Tuesday’s game is a fantastic matchup of rookie left-handers, both likely to finish high on AL Rookie of the Year balloting but likely behind Detroit’s Kevin McGonigle.
Key matchup: Tuesday – Rays RH Nick Martinez vs. Yankees LH Carlos Rodón
Outlook: Well, this four-game series got downgraded in a hurry, from "showdown for AL East title" to "possible ALDS preview" to "Will the Yankees be upright come playoff time?"
The Diamondbacks’ series win over the weekend in the desert was hardly the worst news for the Bombers, who learned Aaron Judge could miss at least part of the postseason. Now they will get an up-close look at a seemingly unstoppable Rays squad that’s 17-6 and likely to celebrate their East title on the Yankees' turf. After that, it's simply fine-tuning while taking the week off before the ALDS.
The Yankees have a 5 ½-game lead over Boston for home-field advantage in the wild-card series, so they're all but locked in. Yet the Yankees need to show some signs of life and get some good news – on Judge, and center fielder Trent Grisham, who’s aiming to return from a hamstring injury. Tuesday’s doubleheader will line up the Rays’ top starters – Martinez and Drew Rasmussen – against lefties Rodón and Max Fried.
Key matchup: Wednesday – Brewers RH Logan Henderson vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola
Outlook: A carbon copy of Yankees-Rays: A small-market team simply tuning its engine before a first-round bye faces a bigger-market behemoth crashing out at the worst time. Make no mistake, the Phillies’ plight is much worse than the Yankees’. Their bullpen is a mess, with Orion Kerkering demoted to the minors and Jonathan Bowlan’s groin barking, All-Star lefty Jesus Luzardo will be fortunate to come back as a short reliever for the playoffs and the lineup ranks 26th in the majors in September OPS, at .671.
The Brewers? Basically sunning themselves before the NLDS, with a franchise-record 98 wins in hand and the No. 1 seed in the NL soon to follow. That said, they’ll want to see Dustin May provide quality length in his Tuesday assignment opposite Zack Wheeler and emerge as a solid No. 3 playoff starter. And Henderson-Nola is a fantastic matchup – perhaps one we’ll see in the NLDS, should the Phillies get their heads together.
Key matchup: Sunday – Diamondbacks RH Michael Soroka vs. Padres RH Michael King
Outlook: This is it. This is the big one.
OK, not really, but in a lackluster final week short on head-to-head showdowns, Arizona possibly fighting for its life against the team it’s been chasing all year is as good as it gets. Shoot, the D-backs could be eliminated by then, but winning two of three against the Yankees breathed new life into their flagging playoff hopes.
They cannot screw things up on their three-day diversion to Coors Field before heading to San Diego.
The Padres? Simply the game’s most devastating offense in the second half, second only to the Cubs in slugging and OPS and tied with the Brewers in batting average. The Padres and Cubs (87-69) and Phillies (86-70) enter the final week almost assured of a playoff spot yet could land in any of three slots: Hosting a wild card series, on the road at the division-winning Braves or out of the money altogether.
That can only happen if Arizona – four games behind the Phillies and five behind the Cubs and Padres – virtually wins out this final week. If nothing else, they can keep it interesting into the weekend.
English club rugby enters its fourth decade determined to meet its challenges with more high-profile investment deals and expansion
It has taken a while but the penny finally seems to be dropping with those in charge of English club rugby. Perhaps it is simply maturity striking as the professional club top tier reaches its 30th season. Remember how things felt when you began to settle down, look for a proper job and start a family? According to the league’s chief executive, Simon Massie-Taylor, it is a similar story with the Prem.
And maybe he has a point when he says the league, which kicks off this Friday, is entering a new phase. In the rear-view mirror are the toddler tantrums and playground politics that disfigured the early years, the teenage growing pains and the subsequent existential struggle of finding a foothold in a precarious world.
The Sacramento Kings enter the 2026-27 season as a team with plenty of room for improvement. The Kings snapped a 16-year long playoff drought in 2023 and haven't been back to the postseason since as a lot has unfolded, including a new general manager, head coach and face of the franchise.
The Kings finished their most recent campaign with a 22-60 record, the second-worst in franchise history since moving to Sacramento. It was the first full season for head coach Doug Christie, who initially went from assistant to interim coach when Mike Brown was fired in December 2024. The interim was tag removed last season under new general manager Scott Perry, whose focus has been set on rebuilding the team infrastructure and identity.
Perry has been able to begin the retooling process largely through the draft. In the 2025 NBA Draft he selected Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud and signed Dylan Cardwell as an undrafted rookie. All found their way into the rotation last season after the roster faced multiple injuries. They proved to be potential cornerstone pieces to a new era brewing in Sacramento. Perry followed that draft performance by selecting Darius Acuff Jr. with the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, later selecting Alex Karaban and Emanuel Sharp to round out the event.
Sacramento will be an interesting case study in the league as the franchise attempts to field a competitive team and improve on their previous record while navigating the development its young players and monitoring potential trade offers vets like Sabonis and LaVine.
Here's a breakdown of the Sacramento Kings' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
G Darius Acuff Jr. (No. 7 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft)
F Alex Karaban (No. 29 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, trade with Cleveland)
G Emanuel Sharp (No. 45 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft)
Key roster losses
G Russell Westbrook (retirement)
G DeMar DeRozan (free agent)
C Dario Saric (international)
F Doug McDermott (free agent)
Biggest question entering training camp
How will the Kings' mix of veterans and young players mesh together?
Last season, the Kings' draft picks Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell earned minutes through development and injuries to Domantas Sabonis, who played just 19 games, Keegan Murray who played 23 games, and Zach LaVine who played 39 games. With incoming highly touted draft picks Darius Acuff Jr., Emanuel Sharp and Alex Karaban, it'll be interesting to see how everyone fits and minutes are divided. The Kings also added Ben Simmons, who's looking to have a resurgent season after sitting out last year with a back injury. Head coach Doug Christie is going to have his work cut out for him figuring that out.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Darius Acuff Jr.
G Zach LaVine
F De'Andre Hunter
F Keegan Murray
C Domantas Sabonis
Rotation players
G Malik Monk
G Ben Simmons
G Nique Clifford
G Emanuel Sharp
G Adam Flagler
F Precious Achiuwa
F Daeqwon Plowden
F Alex Karaban
F Jonathan Mogbo
C Maxime Raynaud
C Dylan Cardwell
What to expect in 2026-27 season
The Kings have a fun team. No one is predicting they will win a bunch of games, but expect the Kings to play hard. Sacramento will be exciting, energetic and to some extent entertaining. Monitor the gradual development of their future core, it could very-well influence the trade market. Overall, the growing pains will continue in California's capital. Anticipate struggle and expect lots of ugly games with the Kings – that's the price of development. Growth is coming. Try to appreciate the process and brace yourself for the ride.
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LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 14: Isaiah Crawford #27 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on July 14, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Julian Phillips
Phillips is a 6’6” small forward who signed with the Rockets in the offseason after going to the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. He spent two and a half seasons with the Bulls before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves at last year’s deadline. He then joineed the Rockets as a free agent this past summer. In case you’re noticing a trend, Phillips is the type of defense-first forward that Ime Udoka loves, as he has the length an athleticism to be NBA-ready on defense. However, the 22-year-old struggles offensively, shooting just 43.5 percent from the field for his career and 32 percent from deep. He also struggles creating offensively, but if the Rockets need another long, lanky wing defender to throw at teams, Phillips is your guy. He only averages 3.6 points in 11 minutes per night over his career, but we all know it’s your defense that could get you on the floor for Udoka.
Isaiah Crawford
Crawford is another 6’6” small forward, but this one played for the team last year after first spending his rookie year with the Sacramento Kings. He originally went undrafted in 2024 after earning Conference USA Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for Louisiana Tech. Crawford is another Udoka defensive specialist, and though he hasn’t gotten much run with the big boys, he had a pretty good line in Rio Grande Valley last year, going for 18.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.2 steals per game on 53.4 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from deep. Crawford is 24, so I’m not sure how much ceiling he has left, but the Rockets have a baller in tow in case they need to break glass in case of emergency. I don’t expect much run this year barring injury, but Crawford is another guy that’s a good fit for what Udoka wants to do.
After years of irrelevance and rebuilding, after a season spent tanking, the Jazz have an unproven but talented roster in place. So, now, expectations are elevating in kind.
After years of rebuilding, can this Jazz team finally compete in the West?
Across the last four seasons, the Jazz have won 107 of a possible 328 games (.326). Across the last two, they’ve won only 39 of 164 (.237). They’ve missed the postseason each of those four seasons, as the team was in a full rebuild after it traded away franchise cornerstones Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. Now, the roster has a solid balance of young players — Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson and Ace Bailey — and veterans — Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jusuf Nurkić — in place to compete. There might be some growing pains along the way, but there’s so much raw talent on the roster now — especially among the top eight players in the rotation — that the time for excuses is gone. These Jazz need to take a jump.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Keyonte George
G Darryn Peterson
F Ace Bailey
F Lauri Markkanen
C Jaren Jackson Jr.
Rotation players
C Jusuf Nurkić
G Isaiah Collier
F Kyle Filipowski
F Brice Sensabaugh
C Jaxson Hayes
G Josh Okogie
G Josh Green
C Mo Bamba
G Trey Alexander
F Svi Mykhailiuk
What to expect in 2026-27 season
A team that is much better than it has been the last four seasons. The Jazz are a young and talented team, and there are some questions that need to be answered, but they could fly under the radar and emerge as a playoff contender. As to the questions: does coach Will Hardy, who is normally patient and deliberate with rookies, break his rule and start No. 2 overall rookie Darryn Peterson right away? Does Hardy opt to start Jusuf Nurkić at center, instead of Jaren Jackson Jr., who has expressed a desire to play power forward? And, in a related question, what then happens to Ace Bailey, the 20-year-old No. 5 overall selection from the 2025 draft? These are good problems to have, and they signal a team that is on the rise.
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Arguably no team has undergone more change over the course of the year than the Portland Trail Blazers.
They’ve seen their head coach at the start of the 2025-26 season charged in an alleged illegal gambling ring. They surprised and broke through in the NBA Play-In Tournament to make the playoffs as the No. 7 seed. Their interim coach was not retained, despite the success, and their new owner, Tom Dundon, has floated relocation in negotiations to upgrade the Moda Center, the Trail Blazers' home venue.
Can the Trail Blazers find some semblance of stability?
This was a surprise playoff team, one that had to deal with chaos just days into the 2025-26 regular season, when former head coach Chauncey Billups was charged for his role in an alleged illegal gambling ring. But, after righting the ship and getting the most out of the young Trail Blazer roster, former coach Tiago Splitter was not retained. In comes in first-time coach Micah Nori, who was an excellent assistant with the Minnesota Timberwolves. But Nori was signed to a one-year deal, which is wildly unconventional. It also points to more potential changes in the future, as Portland could theoretically have four different head coaches in four seasons, if Nori is not retained next season. When players cycle between different offensive and defensive philosophies and coaching styles, it can create a whiplash and can stymie the development of younger players. There’s decent talent on this roster, but ownership does these players a disservice by not sticking to a long-term plan.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Ja Morant
G Damien Lillard
F Deni Avdija
F Toumani Camara
C Donovan Clingan
Rotation players
G Scoot Henderson
G Jrue Holiday
C Robert Williams III
G Vit Krejci
F Sidy Cissoko
F Jeremy Sochan
C Micah Potter
G Blake Wesley
C Yang Hansen
What to expect in 2026-27 season
Honestly, it’s a little difficult to project. This team has a blend of young and veteran talent. Damian Lillard’s return should provide plenty of perimeter shooting, and Ja Morant could eventually become a low-cost upgrade, if he can return to form and stay healthy. Deni Avdija was a first-time All-Star last season. But, given the tumult in the coaching staff, and given that Micah Nori is a first-time head coach, the Trail Blazers could be a candidate for regression. Whether that comes true or not will hinge on Morant’s ability to assimilate and operate Portland’s offense and whether Lillard has more left in the tank.
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The Washington Wizards had an interesting way of building toward this season.
Trae Young played just 15 games last season, a career low, and only five of them for Washington. He called it "a blessing in disguise," the deal that sent him out of Atlanta after the Hawks never offered him an extension. The Wizards then gave him four years and $212.8 million – the most any team could have offered him – and agreed to it the day before they used the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA on AJ Dybantsa.
Nobody was actually bidding against them though.
The Wizards had already landed Young and Anthony Davis in midseason trades, then won the lottery after losing 26 of their final 27 games. Dybantsa led the nation in scoring as a BYU freshman.
Young is 27, Davis is 33, Middleton is 35. Dybantsa is 19, Alex Sarr is 21, Tre Johnson is 20. Keefe has to get all of them shots without stalling any of the development that got him a fourth season in the first place. His record so far is 43-160. Then there is Davis, who wants a max extension. If Washington declines, a trade request is the logical next move, and it would land in the middle of the season the Wizards have spent two years setting up.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Trae Young
G Kyshawn George
F AJ Dybantsa
F Anthony Davis
C Alex Sarr
Rotation players
G Tre Johnson
G Bub Carrington
G Tre Mann
F Bilal Coulibaly
F Khris Middleton
C Deandre Ayton
What to expect in 2026-27 season
Thirty wins would be progress. Washington finished 30th in defensive rating at 122.7 and 30th in net rating at minus-11.8, and it has finished last in net rating in back-to-back seasons. Young and Davis alone should move both numbers several points, and Davis, Dybantsa and Sarr give Young three pick-and-roll partners who can all finish, easily the best supporting cast of his career.
The defense will still be a problem. So will the East, which is no longer anybody's soft landing.
Washington opens at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 21. General manager Will Dawkins, asked in April whether the coach who went 17-65 would be back, did not hesitate. "Yeah, I anticipate Brian Keefe to be here," he said.
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The Chicago Bulls underwent drastic changes this offseason, adding three new starters, a new front office leader and a new coach. This makes better days easier to envision even though the Bulls once again appear positioned as neither a legitimate Eastern conference contender nor a doormat entering the 2026-27 NBA season.
After years of holding on to a core that was only good enough to be a play-in team, the Bulls have finally turned the page while retaining potential foundational players in Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey. If Wilson has an immediate impact, Chicago can suddenly look forward to one of the East's most intriguing young trios.
Here's a breakdown of the Chicago Bulls' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
Is Caleb Wilson the franchise cornerstone the Bulls have been searching for since Derrick Rose?
Wilson was widely regarded as one of four elite prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft, and he's the most likely to emerge as a star from the Bulls' rebuilding pivot. The success of Chicago's new direction will largely depend on Wilson's development over the next several seasons and a productive rookie campaign is especially important for this new regime after 2025 first-round pick Noa Essengue struggled to gain traction last year.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Josh Giddey
G Norman Powell
F Matas Buzelis
F Caleb Wilson
C Nic Claxton
Rotation players
G Tre Jones
G Isaac Okoro
F Dailyn Swain
F Patrick Williams
F Noa Essengue
F/C Jalen Smith
What to expect in 2026-27 season
It's been more than a decade since the Bulls won a playoff series and that's unlikely to change this season. But the franchise has more optimism than recent years with the arrivals of Wilson and Powell to help Buzelis and Giddey. Expect this group to hover closer to .500 than last year, with the chance to push for one of the East's last playoff spots if the new pieces come together quickly.
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