The Detroit Tigers took the second of the four-game home series against the Kansas City Royals on Friday night with a narrow 2-1 victory. Tarik Skubal was his dominant self over 7 1/3 innings of work and the offense managed to muster up just enough for the win for the second night in a row.
With a series win in the crosshairs, right-hander Casey Mize will take the mound on Saturday afternoon for the Ole English D. The 29-year-old has had mixed results this month, which has averaged out to a solid 3.45 ERA and a 3.11 FIP stretching across 15 2/3 innings, allowing 17 hits (one home run) and five walks while striking out 14 over that span.
On the other side of the equation is fellow righty Michael Wacha, who has been solid so far in his 14th season of big league ball. The 35-year-old has had a rough month of July, however, posting a 5.91 ERA and 5.36 FIP over his last three starts stretching across 10 2/3 innings, allowing nine hits (two home runs) and five walks while striking out 10, plus a hit-by-pitch.
Wacha faced the Tigers earlier this year, tossing seven frames of scoreless ball on a pair of hits and walks while striking out six, hitting a batter and throwing a wild pitch en route to a 5-1 victory at Comerica Park.
Here is a look at how the two match up on Saturday afternoon in the D.
Detroit Tigers (50-54) vs. Kansas City Royals (43-62)
Time (ET): 1:10 p.m. Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan SB Nation Site:Royals Review Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 105: RHP Casey Mize (4-6, 2.79 ERA) vs. RHP Michael Wacha (5-7, 3.66 ERA)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 6: Ronny Mauricio #0 of the New York Mets bats during the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 6, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jonah Tong struck out nine, that’s nice. He also walked four and only made it through 4.2 innings. Really just a lost season for the right hander as he continues to search for a new pitch mix. Anyway, Ronny Mauricio had 4 RBI in a comfortable win.
Game 1 went to the Cyclones after they scored three in the eighth inning on singles from Yonatan Henriquez and Mitch Voit as well as a bases loaded walk to Daiverson Gutierrez. Voit had three this on the day, but also made an error and was caught stealing.
Ugly pitching performance in the middle innings from Tyler McLoughlin and Ernesto Mercedes. The offense wasn’t great either, and Antonio Jimenez seems to be struggling again.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 24: John Kruk takes the field to throw the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 7 of the NLCS between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brian Garfinkel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
LeBron James is a Sixer, which is cool.
But don’t let that distract you from what’s going on with the Phillies, which is, uh, something.
On to the links.
Phillies news:
The team signed their first round pick yesterday for over slot money.
The Sabres were dealt bad news earlier this week, as Patrick Kane signed with the Chicago Blackhawks. It was no secret that the Sabres were in on Kane, and it made sense when noting that they need a replacement for Alex Tuch in their top six.
Yet, after missing out on Kane, the Sabres will now need to consider their options elsewhere. When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust stands out as an interesting potential option for the Sabres to consider.
Rust's name has entered the rumor mill this off-season as the Penguins continue their retool. When noting that he is an impactful top-six winger who produces strong offense and plays solid defensively, he would be a big pickup for the Sabres if acquired.
If the Sabres acquired Rust, he could slot perfectly on their second line. He would also give them another clear option for their power play and penalty kill if brought in.
In 72 games last season with the Penguins, Rust posted 29 goals, 36 assists, and 65 points. With numbers like these, the 34-year-old winger certainly would have the potential to make up for the offense lost with Tuch's departure if brought in.
Let's see if the Sabres end up making a push for Rust from here.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 07: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers hugs Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers after a game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on December 07, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Los Angeles Lakers won 112-108. 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, BBN!
It finally happened: LeBron James has decided where he wants to play next, and he’s pairing up with former Wildcats Tyrese Maxey and Justin Edwards with the Philadelphia 76ers.
If you’re a LeBron fan, like me, you have to be on cloud 9.
If you’re not, but you’re a Kentucky fan, you should still be very excited. The last time LeBron teamed up with a former Cat, it resulted in a championship. LeBron and AD were unstoppable when they first teamed up with the Los Angeles Lakers; I wish we could’ve seen them healthier together.
Nonetheless, it looks like this will be LeBron’s last stop before retirement, and what better way to finish it than with Maxey, Edwards, V.J. Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid.
If this doesn’t make them the favorite in the East past the defending champion Knicks, it certainly makes them 2nd.
It should be an absolutely wild 2026-27 NBA season, and I, for one, can’t wait. Bring all the madness, and please, everyone, stay healthy!
Are you excited about LeBron heading to Philly?
Tweet of the Day
Wonderful day and wedding for the big guy! Congratulations to Aaliyah and @Oscartshiebwe34 , what a fantastic journey…just getting started!!! pic.twitter.com/gR8P81nbuO
Earlier this week, former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrew Agozzino announced his retirement from professional. Now, just a few days later, he has already landed his first job since hanging up the skates.
The Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL have announced that they have hired Agozzino as a new assistant coach.
Seeing Agozzino become an assistant coach for the Roadrunners is a cool story, as he played each of the last two seasons with the AHL club. Clearly, they appreciated what the former Penguins forward did for them as a player, and he will now be one of their coaches because of it.
Agozzino will now give the Roadrunners a new coach who had a long career in the AHL. In 847 career AHL games over 15 seasons, the former Penguins forward posted 284 goals, 378 assists, and 662 points. This included him posting 14 goals and 33 points in 37 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2019-20.
Agozzino also played in 53 career games at the NHL level over eight seasons, posting three goals, 12 points, and a plus-4 rating. In 17 games with Pittsburgh, he recorded two assists.
SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 4: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #3 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 4, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It hasn’t even been a day since LeBron James has reportedly signed with the Sixers and yet the front office remains active. Chris Haynes of NBATV and Amazon Prime has reported that the Sixers will reportedly be signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope pending a buyout of his contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Memphis Grizzlies are negotiating a buyout and the veteran 3-&-D specialist intends to team back up with LeBron James and sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, league sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/938uLLvV2g
Caldwell-Pope, also a Klutch client, was teammates with LeBron in Los Angeles from 2018 through 2021. As a 3-and-D wing, not only did he win a championship with the Lakers, he also played a key role in the Denver Nuggets’ 2023 championship run.
His career post-Denver hasn’t exactly gone as envisioned. In the 2024 offseason, Caldwell-Pope signed a three-year, $66 million deal with the Orlando Magic. He struggled his lone season there, shooting 34 percent from three before being used as salary filler to acquire Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies.
Caldwell-Pope played 51 games for a tanking Grizzlies team, averaging 8.4 points per game, shooting 41 percent from the field and 31 percent from three-point range. After putting up numbers below his career average for two straight seasons, it would appear he will be bought out from that contract, allowing the Sixers to buy low on a battle-tested veteran.
It makes sense for the Sixers to bolster their backup wings, the rest of their depth chart contains Dean Wade, Justin Edwards, and Dominick Barlow. The maneuvering the Sixers do to open up a spot to sign Caldwell-Pope will be interesting.
After the signing of James, the Sixers already have to waive one of Jabari Walker or Dalen Terry’s non-guaranteed contracts to stay below the first apron. Adding Caldwell-Pope would mean the Sixers would have to get rid of both of those salaries. If they are somehow able to shed the salary of Johni Broome, they could keep one of Walker or Terry, but neither of their contracts being guaranteed yet makes them easy to put on the chopping block.
It’s worth bickering over how the Sixers use their final roster spots, but regardless, veterans wanting to come to this team on the minimum is a good thing, and hopefully Caldwell-Pope is only the first to do so.
PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 18: Jaromir Jagr poses for a photo with Evgeni Malkin #71 and Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins after having his number retired and banner raised to the rafters before the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings at PPG PAINTS Arena on February 18, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Patrick Kane is returning to Chicago, signing a two-year deal to go back to the Blackhawks. It’s a nice way for him and the team to presumably put the final chapter on his career and go full circle for a Hall of Fame run.
It also made me think of how that was denied for the Penguins with Jaromir Jagr.
This summer are some round anniversary figures for Jagr and the Pens. It was 25 years ago this month that his stint in Pittsburgh came to an end in 2011 via a trade to Washington that ended up being a real lose-lose situation for both sides.
Then, 15 years ago, Jagr and the Pens flirted with the idea of a reunion in the summer of 2011. The star forward, then 39, was looking to return to the NHL after playing three years in a self-imposed exile to the KHL. The Pens had prime Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and were looking to win more Stanley Cups.
Everything looked perfect, but the pieces didn’t fit. Jagr, ever peculiar, had desires the Pens couldn’t match – Jagr always preferred playing with a right-handed center, both Crosby and Malkin are lefties. It is also out there that while some within the higher-ups in Pittsburgh were eager for Jagr’s return, then GM Ray Shero (in the midst of a cap crunch) was not one of them. Shero made an offer to Jagr that was significantly lower than what he received from at least two other NHL teams that further soured feelings.
At this point, the whole thing feels like a fever dream. The Pens even went so far as to publicly retract their contract offer to Jagr when through the negotiation it became apparent the two sides weren’t going to reach an agreement. The rumors and anticipation had grown so highly that this kind of statement was deemed necessary to break the news themselves that a reunion wasn’t going to happen.
Could you even imagine something like that these days? Obviously the internet and social media existed 15 years ago, but not to the same extent of how that news would rattle around cyberspace today.
In the end, Jagr went with the highest offer (and a right handed center) to resume his NHL career. It turned out to be a $3.3 million contract with, of all teams, the Philadelphia Flyers and Claude Giroux. Jagr would go onto score 54 points in 79 games with the Pens’ biggest rivals and be on the team that eliminated Pittsburgh in the playoffs in 2012.
From there, Jagr became even more nomadic in his 40’s, playing in small bursts for all of Dallas, Boston, New Jersey and Florida before finally wrapping up his storied NHL career in Calgary for the 2017-18 season. The idea of Jagr wanting to return to Pittsburgh, or the Pens wanting him back as a player, were closed off permanently after 2011 without much real consideration of either side.
Fortunately, there was a happy ending to the whole thing. Jagr has stayed busy with the Czech league team in Kladno that he had an ownership stake in, still remaining an occasional part-time player through 2025-26 (six games at the age of 53). That distance made a formal reconciliation take time, which finally happened in February 2024 when Jagr’s famous No. 68 was taken up to the rafters in Pittsburgh and the organization and fans could give him the proper send off.
That reunion had to happen after the fact in Pittsburgh, which has to feel a little bit of jealously and envy that Chicago fans will get a second chapter on the ice with one of their franchise’s best ever players when Patrick Kane returns to play.
Mar 29, 1961; Los Angeles, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; St. Louis Hawks forward Bob Pettit (9) in action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1961 playoffs at the L.A. Sports Arena. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-Imagn Images Network
There are at least three Hall of Famers in this game: Wilt Chamberlain and Nate Thurmond for the Warriors, and Bob Pettit for the Hawks.
San Francisco started both Chamberlain, who was 7-1 and 27, and Thurmond, who was 6-11 and 22, and that was unusual in that era. However, both were supremely athletic, and that allowed the Warriors to play both at the same time.
Pettit at that point was 31 and nearing the end of his career. He was an early prototype of what we now tend to call a stretch-four. At 6-9, he was a gifted outside shooter. He was also a talented rebounder, and like contemporary Bill Russell, played with a burning intensity.
Of these three Hall of Famers, Chamberlain passed away in 1999, and Thurmond in 2016.
Pettit lives. Along with Richie Guerin and Cliff Hagan, he is one of the oldest former NBA players. Hagan and Guerin are both 94, while Pettit is 93.
However, none of them are the oldest former NBA player. That would be Bob Cousy, who will turn 98 in a couple of weeks.
BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 23: Jaylen Brown #7 and Hugo Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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
With the departure of Jaylen Brown, there’s an opportunity for Boston’s plethora of wings to take his place in the rotation.
Yes, the veteran Paul George will get a lot of that playing time…when he’s available. For one reason or another, the 16-year pro played just 37 and 41 games in his two seasons with the 76ers. Thankfully, there’s a plethora of wings to backup the 36-year-old.
Over the summer, the Celtics decided to sign Ron Harper Jr. and extend Jordan Walsh to multi-year contracts. They also still have two seasons of Baylor Scheierman on his rookie deal and head coach Joe Mazzulla visited him in Nebraska to catch a Creighton workout. They’re all votes of confidence from the franchise, but if you ask the fanbase, all eyes are on last year’s rookie phenom.
After promising turns with the Spanish national team in their FIBA qualifier and the Summer Cs in Sin City, Hugo Gonzalez could be up for a big promotion in his sophomore season.
Maye The Force Be With You: Walsh. I think the other guys improve to some degree as well. But with Walsh the timing is right on a combo of factors:
Saw increased opportunity last year and performed with great D and noticeably improved shooting
Role/Opportunity: with Jaylen gone and George destined for streets cloths maybe half the year, the need for a 3 & D wing like Walsh is big.
Improved shooting: he took more shots and saw bests in FG and 3pt shooting (got over 38% I believe)
Age: he’s 22, which surprised me when I was thinking about this exact question a few weeks ago. Given how much NBA action he’s already seen, he has shown he can hang and provide a useful, playable NbA skill, namely elite D. For Joe and Brad, that’s what gets you on the court. And 22 is a prime age for NBA level players to take a major leap.
Ability, timing and opportunity all point to Walsh.
Tenacious D: Gonzlez, as a rookie, performed nearly as well as Walsh in his 3rd year.
He flashed improved shooting and playmaking in Euro league and summer league. My money’s on Hugo.
Maye The Force Be With You: Hugo is exciting too and played well. Last year they gave Walsh more minutes and he had a higher EPM, so I just expect they continue to give him a bit more opportunity than Hugo this coming year. If Hugo skyrockets this year, I can see it and I won’t be upset about it either!
The biggest NBA news yesterday was LeBron James joining Brown in the City of Brotherly Love, but our band of brothers on the wing could give them a run for their money in the East. Our friends at FanDuel have the Celtics just behind the 76ers (+390) to win take home the conference crown (+500).
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 12: Will Warren #29 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park on July 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MLB Trade Rumors | Charlie Wright: The Yankees rearranged their planned starters for this weekend’s series in Philadelphia. Cam Schlittler was bumped up to start Friday on normal rest, with Will Warren pushed back to Sunday. Warren appeared in relief Wednesday to help provide some coverage during a doubleheader. With Max Fried back in the rotation and Carlos Rodón on the comeback trail, Warren’s recent usage suggests his spot in the rotation could be in jeopardy.
MLB.com | Thomas Harrigan: The Yankees have gotten virtually no offensive production from the catcher position this season. With the trade deadline looming, expect them to pursue an upgrade. The most likely candidate is Minnesota’s Ryan Jeffers, a righty bat who’s a free agent after the season. The Athletics’ Shea Langeliers and Colorado’s Hunter Goodman are higher-upside plays with more years of club control, but there’s no guarantee either will be moved. The Mets’ Francisco Alvarez and Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman loom as longshots, with Cincinnati’s Tyler Stephenson and Minnesota’s Victor Caratini less exciting backup plans should the rest fall through.
NJ.com | James Mertz: Paul Blackburn has broken out with the Yankees this year after moving to the bullpen full-time, posting a 2.00 ERA in 35 outings. He attributes the career renaissance in part with the consistency the Yankees have provided. The veteran contrasts that with his tenure with the Mets, who constantly shuttled him between the rotation and the bullpen. “I felt like we were just playing a video game,” he said of his time across town, during which he posted a 6.00 ERA in 12 games.
CBS Sports | Rotowire Staff: Luis Gil faced live batters on Friday for the first time since early May, throwing BP. He’s been on the minor-league IL, working back from right shoulder inflammation. The former Rookie of the Year was disastrous in four starts early this year and has no guaranteed role upon his return.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 18: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Eastern Conference and LeBron James #23 of the Western Conference embrace before the NBA All-Star Game as part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The nice thing about being the team everyone’s chasing is that the desperation you once had is no longer there, while everyone else scrambles to match you.
As the defending champions, you typically get all the works. You’re the first team to tip off the following season, at home, while you raise a banner in front of the NBA world on national television. You get featured on Christmas Day. You’ll be tired of how many times you have to watch them on ESPN, ABC, or NBC.
Usually, it’s pretty cut and dry who gets the two marquee matchups. Old playoff rivals, regional adversaries, the works. But with how chaotic the Eastern Conference is this offseason, there are a half dozen plausible opponents for these marquee events.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said that he was waiting on LeBron James’ Decision Part IV to announce the schedule, so as we wait to find out the path for the Knicks’ title defense, let’s think about who makes the most sense as marquee opponents on Opening Night and Christmas.
Here are your candidates:
Atlanta Hawks
Allure: Toughest playoff opponent, ran back same team with upgrades Cons: Falling behind in the pecking order
This isn’t happening, but in a world where there were fewer interesting narratives, this would be considered. Maybe they’ll host the Knicks on MLK Day.
Boston Celtics
Allure: 18-time champions, division rivals, playoff history Cons: Not the flavor of the month, steep competition
The Knicks and Celtics are two of the oldest and biggest brands in basketball. They’re also two of the last three NBA champions and will be seen in primetime a lot this season.
The allure of the Celtics, the 2025 second-round series that began the demolition of a dynasty-bound Celtics team, and the regional implications make this incredibly intriguing. Remember, the new-look Knicks made their debut on Celtics ring night in October 2024.
There’s regional hatred here. The Patriots and Giants. The Yankees and Red Sox. Even if Boston seems weaker after the bizarre Jaylen Brown trade, Joe Mazzulla and his boys will make this a war.
So why not? Well, competition is fierce, and the Celtics aren’t the talk of the town right now. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if they fell into the play-in, even if Mazzulla’s style of coaching always squeezes as many regular-season wins as possible.
They’re firmly in the inner circle, but they might not be the frontrunner. I think, if anything, it would be Opening Night. Expect the Knicks and Celtics to both host on Christmas.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Allure: ECF rematch, playoff history Cons: Does anyone really care?
Another quick one that would work in different circumstances, but nobody really cares about right now.
If LeBron went to Cleveland, there’s a good chance we get this in some big slot. Now? The Cavs are running back a team that got absolutely pulverized in the Eastern Conference Finals. Would it surprise anyone if they fell to the play-in? They’re not even close to culturally relevant right now.
Detroit Pistons
Allure: No. 1 seed, 2025 postseason Cons: Bad timing
The Pistons are legally the reigning Eastern Conference Regular Season Champions.
If that sounds ridiculous, that’s basically what a bunch of college basketball teams do, especially mid-majors who get upset in the conference tournament and don’t get to go dancing. While Detroit did get to go dancing, they were humiliated in how their regular-season success didn’t translate a lick.
If you forced Adam Silver to make a decision on next year’s schedule in April, there’s a good chance the Knicks and Pistons play on some sort of occasion. The Knicks, always culturally relevant, against the best team in the East. There’s also recent bad blood from the 2025 first-round slugfest and how personal the city of Detroit took all of the regular season matchups this year.
Only problem is that the Pistons kinda just feel regular now?
A team that’s mostly the same as a 60-win team should never be treated that way, but they took advantage of a weakened and uneven East. With the depth of the conference looking ridiculously strong, the Pistons feel like old news, which is ridiculous to say with how young their core is.
Indiana Pacers
Allure: Heated playoff history Cons: Did the gap year cool them off?
It was the biggest lock in the world not too long ago that the Pacers and Knicks would be a primetime staple as soon as Tyrese Haliburton was healthy, but man, some of these other storylines are equally juicy.
It still feels like they’ll find a way to fit Indiana in here. Even if you might be worried about the injury and the gap year cooling off the intensity, the fact remains that the Pacers are the only team to have beaten the Knicks in the playoffs in the last three seasons. There was even a WWE segment surrounding Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins’ SummerSlam bout that included Haliburton “returning” to confront Jalen Brunson with the whole premise of “You never beat me”, which is also a theme in the actual WWE feud they briefly entered.
Wait a minute! 😱
With a distraction from TYRESE HALIBURTON, SETH ROLLINS has just attacked ROMAN REIGNS! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/VRpjbO2cau
Knicks fans might not have as much resentment over Indiana because they beat them to the Larry O’Brien Trophy, but these two teams make music together. I’d love to see this on Opening Night.
Miami Heat
Allure: Giannis, historic rivalry Cons: What’s there outside of it?
When Giannis Antetokounmpo was traded to the Miami Heat, many wondered if his longstanding trade saga, especially with the initial connection to the Knicks, would result in his new team visiting the World’s Most Famous Arena on Ring Night.
Now that more time has passed, that just doesn’t feel right. Sure, there’s bad blood between these teams from a decades-long rivalry and a semi-recent playoff series, but there’s not enough here over some of the better candidates. These matchups will be box office, but not enough.
Philadelphia 76ers
Allure: LeBron, regional rivalry, playoff history Cons: Is Player vs. Team enough of a reason?
Before LeBron made a relatively surprising decision to head to the City of Brotherly Love, the Sixers wouldn’t have even been considered. After all, even with the two teams being regional rivals with recent playoff history, the Knicks eviscerated them so much in the playoffs last year that many forgot the series even happened.
The King changes things.
He’s the one who held all this up, so expect the NBA to shoehorn him into some very big moments. Despite having a player option for 2027-28, I don’t think we can rule out this being his final year, so Adam Silver will need to make decisions based on maximizing a potential retirement tour.
He has two guaranteed trips to the Mecca this year. I think there’s a pretty good chance one of them is either Ring Night or Christmas. The last time LeBron at Madison Square Garden wasn’t on national television was January 2020, so this is guaranteed to be something good.
I truthfully believe that Opening Night every year should have a Finals rematch. That’s how you build up a start to an NBA season. Especially after such a contentious 2026 edition, imagine making the Spurs watch a banner being raised in front of them. That’s textbook bulletin board material.
These two teams also just don’t seem to like each other. That was a very ferocious series with the Victor Wembanyama narrative, and these teams have produced some absolute classics in recent years. Brunson’s 61-point gem losing to Wemby’s 40/20. The 2025 NBA Cup Final. Christmas 2024. The New Year’s Eve Spurs comeback. These two teams create magic together and should get an opportunity to do so.
What Does History Say?
Here’s how the last 10 champions have spent Ring Night and Christmas:
Ring Night:
2025 Thunder: Hosted team legend and snake Kevin Durant in his Rockets debut
2024 Celtics: Hosted new-look division rival Knicks, who emerged as their top competitor in the offseason
2023 Nuggets: Hosted LeBron and the Lakers, 2023 WCF rematch
2020 Lakers: Hosted Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers
2019 Raptors: Hosted the Pelicans in Zion Williamson’s planned NBA debut (he was injured)
2018 Warriors: Hosted Russell Westbrook and OKC
2017 Warriors: Hosted James Harden and the Rockets, multi-series rematch
2016 Cavaliers: Hosted Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks
Christmas:
2025 Thunder: Hosted Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs
2024 Celtics: Hosted division rival Sixers after adding Paul George
2023 Nuggets: Hosted Steph Curry and the Warriors
2022 Warriors: Hosted the Grizzlies, 2022 WCSF rematch
2021 Bucks: Hosted Jayson Tatum and the Celtics
2020 Lakers: Hosted Luka Doncic and the Mavericks*
2019 Raptors: Hosted division rival Celtics
2018 Warriors: Hosted LeBron and the Lakers in his first season in the West
2017 Warriors: Hosted LeBron and the Cavs, 2017 NBA Finals rematch
2016 Cavaliers: Hosted Steph and the Warriors, 2016 NBA Finals rematch
(2020 asterisk, the season began on December 22, so the Christmas matchups were less special)
With very limited exceptions (what the hell was going on with the Raptors?), these matchups are intra-division, against a superstar player in the conference, or a playoff rematch. The league has not done an inter-conference Ring Night since Raptors/Pelicans in 2019 and has not done an inter-conference Christmas game (or Finals rematch) since Cavs/Warriors.
Final Predictions
Ring Night: Pacers (Runner-Up: Sixers) Christmas: Sixers (Runner-Up: Spurs)
Both of these have narratives out the wazoo.
The Pacers beat the Knicks in consecutive seasons. Haliburton tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Their chance at a Larry O’Brien Trophy vanished before their eyes.
As they retooled and took a gap year that ultimately proved extremely useless, the Knicks took advantage of their absence to run roughshod on the Eastern Conference en route to a championship. There’s absolutely a feeling of resentment in that locker room. They didn’t beat us and still surpassed us.
–
For Christmas, this could be LeBron’s final Christmas game. He holds the NBA record with 20 of them played, and on the league’s main showcase day, they’ll want him in the biggest matchup.
At noon. In the World’s Most Famous Arena.
They love Knicks/Sixers on Christmas. It’s the most common matchup by far. It’s been done twice in the last decade and 13 times ever. It’s easy money, but I wouldn’t oppose seeing Wemby and the Spurs again
New Zealander has returned home with the Claret Jug in tow after stepping out of his father’s shadow
The curse of the iconic sporting parent. Accidental, yet real. Decades of evidence show how difficult it is for the offspring of those who have scaled the greatest heights in sport to replicate those achievements. Until Sunday and a stunning finale at Royal Birkdale, Ryan Fox would always be known in New Zealand as the son of Grant. Fox smiles when asked whether the claiming of the 154th Open Championship means he has finally forged his own reputation for greatness. “I can plead a pretty good case for that,” he replies.
“I have two Claret Jugs [one real, one replica] sitting at home so it is real but it certainly doesn’t feel that way yet. I can’t quite believe it. My wife and I have looked at each other quite a lot over the last few days and buzzed out a little bit saying: ‘What the hell just happened?’ It is crazy.”
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope won his first ring next to LeBron James, now he is headed to Philadelphia to try and do it again.
Caldwell-Pope and the Grizzlies are working out a buyout, and once the veteran wing clears waivers, he intends to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, reports NBA insider Chris Haynes.
KCP moving on from Memphis is not a surprise. He was brought in while the team still had Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. and was looking to win. With the Grizzlies pivoting to a youth movement — plus they are dealing with a roster crunch — it makes sense to buy out KCP, who is set to make $ 21.6 million this season. (KCP likely gives the Grizzlies a discount of exactly how much he can sign with the 76ers for.)
Caldwell-Pope was a key part of the Lakers' title run in the bubble, and three years later became a starter for the Denver team that won a title behind Nikola Jokic.
However, the past couple of seasons his game has slipped. Last season in Memphis, he averaged just 8.4 points a game and shot 31.6% from 3-point range. He was out from February on after having surgery to adjust a misaligned pinky finger on his right hand.
Philadelphia has a little roster work to do to bring in LeBron and KCP, including clearing a roster spot or two. The 76ers are not far enough under their first-apron hard cap to sign the two veterans, even at the minimum, which means more roster moves are coming. Dalen Terry and his non-guaranteed contract are almost certain to be let go. Jabari Walker also has a non-guaranteed contract, but there are other moves the team could make to bring in the two veterans.
This is another loss for Miami, which had its eyes on KCP as well.
