Aug 30, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Yankees players celebrate team's win against the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
A fun weekend in Philadelphia ended with a dud, Will Warren getting knocked around by the Phillies as the Yankees fell on Sunday Night Baseball. A road series win against a strong opponent is still a fine outcome, though, and we’re onto the next, with the Yankees set for a lengthy date in Chicago. It’s a four-game set with the first-place White Sox, who enter the series looking much more formidable than they have in recent years.
On the site today, get prepped for the four games in Chicago with Josh’s preview, and get the rundown on what happened on Sunday with Kevin’s Rivalry Roundup. Later, Jonathan analyzes Jo Adell as a plausible trade target should the Angels decide to make some moves, and John writes up the one and only Alex Rodriguez, today A-Rod’s 51st birthday.
Today’s Matchup:
New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox
Time: 7:40 p.m. EST
TV: YES Network, Chicago Sports Network
Venue: Rate Field, Chicago, IL
Questions/Prompts:
1. How big of a blow do you think Cody Bellinger’s hamstring injury will be?
2. How surprised are you to see the White Sox leading the AL Central? Do you think they’ll see it through and win the division?
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 27: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Chase Pietila (44) on the ice during the first period of the American Hockey League game between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Cleveland Monsters on February 27, 2026, at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Getting us underway on this year’s Top 25 Under 25 countdown is rising defenseman Chase Pietila who just completed his first full professional season as a member of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the American Hockey League.
Following two seasons of collegiate hockey at Michigan Tech, Chase Pietila signed his entry level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2025 and got his first taste of professional hockey with 12 games played between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Wheeling Nailers at the end of the 2024-25 season.
After getting his feet wet in the professional game, Pietila entered the 2025-26 season looking to further establish himself and continue his development. Like many prospects, he joined the Penguins for the start of training camp before ultimately being reassigned to the AHL where he spent the entire season, developing into a solid blue line option for the Baby Pens as they made a deep playoff run all the way to the Eastern Conference Final.
Pietila began the season on the WBS second defensive pairing, but was moved up and down the lineup throughout the season to fill injury holes and experiment to see where he best fit. He saw action on both the left side and right side of the blue line, but his more regular place was on the right which is where he played in all 14 postseason contests for the Baby Pens.
Offense was not the name of the game for Pietila this season, but he did manage to contribute some, scoring twice and totaling 14 assists in the regular season. He added an additional goal and assist in the Calder Cup playoffs.
Where Pietila did excel was in the physical nature of the game. He was second on the team in penalty minutes with 85 and posted five fighting majors, equaling Boko Imama for most among the Baby Penguins.
To be certain, he had a strong — if hardly spectacular — first professional season. But there’s still plenty of refinement needed if he is to reach the NHL.
Pietila plays a by-the-book game rooted in defense, penalty killing and toughness. Any offense he provides is a bonus.
He is headed in the right direction, even if it will take him some time to get to his desired destination.
While Pietila did not particiapte in the Penguins recent development camp earlier this month, his Wilkes-Barre/Scranton head coach Kirk MacDonald was in attendance and spoke on several of his players, including Pietila who MacDonald praised for his defensive game.
Per Trib Live:
“I can kind of say the same thing,” MacDonald said. “I think they (Pietila and Harding) were top-five in the league in plus/minus (as rookies). … He competes really hard. Defends well. Penalty kills. He provides some offense, but I think he knows for him to take the next step, he’s got to continue to defend hard and consistently do that. When you can have guys like that, first-year guys, that you can lean on consistently every night on the back end, it’s great not only for our team but the organization.”
As MacDonald said in the quote above, Pietila posted a huge plus/minus this season of +27, among the best in the AHL. MacDonald was also clearly impressed by the defensive side of Pietila’s game and hopes he can continue to develop in those areas as his career progresses.
Solid defense with the occasional contributions on offense seem to be the best route for Pietila to take if he hopes to crack the NHL roster at some point in his future. Right now, the right side of the Penguins blue line is clogged with the likes of Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang, in addition to fellow prospect Harrison Brunicke.
It’s unlikely Pietila finds his way to Pittsburgh in 2026-27 with where he stands on the Penguins depth chart, but another season in the AHL where he can log a ton of ice time and play in high leverage situations will help continue his development and give him his best chance to break into the NHL down the road when the path ahead becomes a little more clear cut.
Nov 27, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) talks with Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
There was a lot of hullabaloo last week when LeBron finally made his free agency decision and chose the Philadelphia 76ers, which was a surprise. Most people expected him to pick either Miami or Cleveland; in fact, Miami had already prepared a social media announcement, which was accidentally posted prematurely.
But it’s Philly, because, as always with James, it’s where he thinks he’s most likely to win a title. Is that going to happen?
Well, maybe, but the odds are against it. Let’s look.
First, there’s James himself. He’s played for 23 seasons already, and give him full credit: he’s done an amazing job of keeping himself in great shape, and still, at 41, remains a tremendous player.
But he’s not the player he once was. Last year, we saw several occasions when he just didn’t react on defense. He’s not nearly as explosive as he once was, and the brutal reality is that he will never be better than he was last season. Time catches up to everyone, even King James.
This is also important: He played 82 regular season games in 2017-18, but since then?
2018-19: 55 games
2019-20: 67 games
2020-21: 45 games
2021-22: 56 games
2022-23: 55 games
2023-24: 71 games
2024-25: 70 games
2025-26: 60 games
He missed more than a quarter of last season, and he’s missed plenty over the last eight seasons, as noted. But he’s not the biggest problem.
That would be Joel Embiid, who, at 32, has had even more problems.
Over the same period, here’s how his availability has been:
2018-19: 64 games
2019-20: 51 games
2020-21: 51 games
2021-22: 68 games
2022-23: 66 games
2023-24: 39 games
2024-25: 19 games
2025-26: 38 games
Now, bear in mind that in 2019-20, the season was limited by Covid, and no one played more than 67 games, but still, that’s not a great track record. And don’t forget that Embiid lost his first two seasons to injuries.
On the bright side, the Sixers now have Jaylen Brown, who has been outstanding for his entire career, VJ Edgecombe, who will really benefit from James’s experience, and Tyrese Maxey, who has really proven himself. That’s a great perimeter, but there’s a lot riding on James and Embiid staying healthy.
And if they don’t, who do they have to step in?
There’s not much on the bench.
If you were betting on next year, you’d probably be wise to look to the Spurs. They crashed hard against the Knicks in the finals, but their core is young, talented, and just got socked in the nose. They learned a lot from New York, and our guess is they’ll be highly motivated for another shot.
Has there ever been a more calamitous trade-deadline collapse than the Miami Marlins' pratfall the past two weeks?
The Marlins went from National League East contenders to almost certain trade deadline sellers over the course of a franchise-record 12-game losing streak, taking them from 52-42 and three games out of the division lead to 52-54 and the No. 8 position in the NL wild card chase. Suddenly, the hottest team in baseball - the Marlins were 26-8 from June 1 until July 9, their last win before this cold spell - could be poised to sell one of the most cherished assets on the market.
Yes, former Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara, long a subject of trade conjecture until the Marlins' hot streak, is very much back in play. That's what made the Marlins' 12th loss in this skid even stranger: The San Diego Padres rallied for four runs in the eighth inning, setting up Mason Miller for his 27th save. Miller, too, has been targeted as potential trade fodder with the Padres slipping from contention.
But a weekend with the Marlins vaulted them ahead of Miami - not just in the NL standings but USA TODAY Sports' power rankings. Miami has tumbled nine spots to No. 18 - and who knows how far it may fall once the deadline is done.
New York Post | Greg Joyce: The Yankees, already missing Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, suffered another blow on Sunday, as fellow outfielder Cody Bellinger was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain. The former 2019 NL MVP suffered the ailment while running the bases on Saturday night.
Spencer Jones has been called up to replace Bellinger in the lineup. With so many top performers down with injuries, the Yankees now have even more pressure to add an impact bat or two before the August 3 deadline.
Bellinger’s injury doesn’t appear to be overly serious, though. At least he was able to perform some light agility drills on Sunday:
Cody Bellinger (placed on the 10-day injured list today) is performing light agility drills in left field: pic.twitter.com/WuH0yRF8C7
CBS Sports | Mike Axisa: The Yankees need a catcher badly and have been linked to Ryan Jeffers and Tyler Stephenson in the last few days. Shea Langeliers, however, won’t be an option because he suffered a serious knee injury and might be out for the season.
Langeliers was a long shot to be traded, anyway, as he is one of the Athletics’ top players and building blocks. Still, you never know with that organization. He has 23 home runs, a 127 wRC+, and 2.8 fWAR in 2026.
MLB.com | Dan Cichalsky: The National Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed its three newest members: Jeff Kent, Carlos Beltrán, and Andruw Jones, on Sunday. The last two played for the Yankees when they were past their prime, but are still part of franchise history.
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home: Alice ‘Betsy’ Richardson, the longtime wife of former Yankee Bobby Richardson, passed away last week. They were married for 70 years. Reading the condolences and testimonies of those who knew her, it’s safe to say she left a huge mark on their lives. Our thoughts are with the Richardson family.
The three players were enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday as part of the Class of 2026. Now, baseball fans can start looking ahead to the 2027 ballot.
Next year’s ballot does not have nearly as much star power as the 2026 class. Still, a handful of players could be on their way to Cooperstown next summer.
Here’s a look at the top names to watch in the 2027 Baseball Hall of Fame voting process.
First-ballot potential
Buster Posey
Jon Lester
Only a pair of players have even a remote chance at becoming first-ballot Hall of Famers next summer.
Buster Posey, now the president of baseball operations for the San Francisco Giants, became a franchise legend behind the plate from 2009 to 2021. The star catcher earned three World Series titles, seven All-Star selections, 2012 NL MVP honors, 2010 NL Rookie of the Year honors, five Silver Slugger awards and a Gold Glove.
Jon Lester is another three-time World Series winner atop the 2027 Hall of Fame ballot. The southpaw won 200 regular season games and posted a 3.66 career ERA during his 16-year career, which he primarily spent with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. He won a pair of championships in Boston and helped the Cubs end a 108-year World Series drought in 2016.
Returning candidates
Chase Utley
Andy Pettitte
Félix Hernández
Chase Utley is the only returning player who received at least 50% of the vote from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in 2026. The former Philadelphia Phillies shortstop jumped up nearly 20% from his second year of eligibility in 2025 (39.8%) to his third in 2026 (59.1%). A similar jump would get him past the required 75% to get into the Hall of Fame.
Andy Pettitte, a five-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees, received 48.5% of the vote in 2026 and only has two more years of eligibility remaining.
Félix Hernández is another notable name to watch following a major second-year leap. The Seattle Mariners legend went from 20.6% of the vote on his first ballot in 2025 to 46.1% of the vote in 2026.
Returning longshots
Alex Rodriguez
Bobby Abreu
Jimmy Rollins
Cole Hamels
Dustin Pedroia
Mark Buehrle
Omar Vizquel
David Wright
Francisco Rodríguez
Torii Hunter
Alex Rodriguez, who was prominently linked to MLB’s steroid era, is entering his sixth year of eligibility after landing 40.0% of the vote in 2026.
Bobby Abreu (30.8%) is the only other returning player to receive more than 30% of the BBWAA vote in 2026. All other players listed above exceeded the 5% minimum vote in 2026 to stay on the ballot for 2027.
First-year longshots
Brett Gardner
Ryan Zimmerman
Kyle Seager
Ervin Santana
Asdrúbal Cabrera
Todd Frazier
Josh Reddick
Jake Arrieta
Scott Kazmir
Jordan Zimmermann
Brett Gardner, Ryan Zimmerman and Jake Arrieta are among the World Series winners who will make their first appearance on the Hall of Fame ballot next year.
The three players were enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday as part of the Class of 2026. Now, baseball fans can start looking ahead to the 2027 ballot.
Next year’s ballot does not have nearly as much star power as the 2026 class. Still, a handful of players could be on their way to Cooperstown next summer.
Here’s a look at the top names to watch in the 2027 Baseball Hall of Fame voting process.
First-ballot potential
Buster Posey
Jon Lester
Only a pair of players have even a remote chance at becoming first-ballot Hall of Famers next summer.
Buster Posey, now the president of baseball operations for the San Francisco Giants, became a franchise legend behind the plate from 2009 to 2021. The star catcher earned three World Series titles, seven All-Star selections, 2012 NL MVP honors, 2010 NL Rookie of the Year honors, five Silver Slugger awards and a Gold Glove.
Jon Lester is another three-time World Series winner atop the 2027 Hall of Fame ballot. The southpaw won 200 regular season games and posted a 3.66 career ERA during his 16-year career, which he primarily spent with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. He won a pair of championships in Boston and helped the Cubs end a 108-year World Series drought in 2016.
Returning candidates
Chase Utley
Andy Pettitte
Félix Hernández
Chase Utley is the only returning player who received at least 50% of the vote from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in 2026. The former Philadelphia Phillies shortstop jumped up nearly 20% from his second year of eligibility in 2025 (39.8%) to his third in 2026 (59.1%). A similar jump would get him past the required 75% to get into the Hall of Fame.
Andy Pettitte, a five-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees, received 48.5% of the vote in 2026 and only has two more years of eligibility remaining.
Félix Hernández is another notable name to watch following a major second-year leap. The Seattle Mariners legend went from 20.6% of the vote on his first ballot in 2025 to 46.1% of the vote in 2026.
Returning longshots
Alex Rodriguez
Bobby Abreu
Jimmy Rollins
Cole Hamels
Dustin Pedroia
Mark Buehrle
Omar Vizquel
David Wright
Francisco Rodríguez
Torii Hunter
Alex Rodriguez, who was prominently linked to MLB’s steroid era, is entering his sixth year of eligibility after landing 40.0% of the vote in 2026.
Bobby Abreu (30.8%) is the only other returning player to receive more than 30% of the BBWAA vote in 2026. All other players listed above exceeded the 5% minimum vote in 2026 to stay on the ballot for 2027.
First-year longshots
Brett Gardner
Ryan Zimmerman
Kyle Seager
Ervin Santana
Asdrúbal Cabrera
Todd Frazier
Josh Reddick
Jake Arrieta
Scott Kazmir
Jordan Zimmermann
Brett Gardner, Ryan Zimmerman and Jake Arrieta are among the World Series winners who will make their first appearance on the Hall of Fame ballot next year.
Slovene is youngest of riders to win five Tours de France and few would bet against him claiming sixth victory next year
The 2026 Tour de France served up an epic battle that lasted for day after day between two protagonists of the highest calibre with different skillsets, a tale of epic breakaways, intriguing team tactics and reversals of fortune, building to a spectacular climax on the race’s toughest stage. The contest for the green jersey of points winner between Mads Pedersen and Jasper Philipsen was a classic.
Those hoping for something similar in the race for the yellow jersey of overall winner were disappointed, and rapidly. Any suspense was eliminated with 42km of stage six remaining, high above the ski village of La Mongie, when Tadej Pogacar dislodged Jonas Vingegaard and the other putative race favourites on the Col du Tourmalet. It was a familiar stinging attack, and a familiar outcome, with the Slovene opening a lead that looked insurmountable, as indeed it was.
The Denver Nuggets made the right basketball decision, but now they face a steep tax bill and second-apron questions.
Denver has decided to match Oklahoma City's two-year, $11.8 million offer sheet to Spencer Jones, keeping him in a Nuggets uniform for next season, a story broken by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
From a basketball perspective, Denver made the no-brainer move, especially for a team with questions about depth. Jones is a 6'7" wing who is a strong on-ball defender, shot 39.6% from 3-point range, and started 37 games for Denver a season ago. Plus, he dropped 20 points on the Timberwolves in Game 5 of their playoff series, basically winning the Nuggets the game.
20 points on 78% shooting for Spencer Jones in Game 5 of the first round,
However, this was not a simple decision financially — just matching Jones' offer jumped the Nuggets' luxury tax bill from $36 million to $68 million, reports Bobby Marks of ESPN. That tax bill is going to climb to at least $112 million, and that's if Peyton Watson chooses to play for the $6.5 million qualifying offer. If he and the Nuggets agree to a new deal, the tax numbers only skyrocket from there.
Denver is now eight million above the second apron, according to Marks, and again that is without a new deal for Watson. Nuggets ownership and management have some tough calls to make about this roster and the tax.
Mar 23, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dalen Terry (14) dribbles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Turns out only one ex-Wildcat will get to be part of LeBron James’ latest NBA chapter.
Former Arizona wing Dalen Terry was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, two days after news broke the Sixers were signing James to a 2-year, $8 million contract.
The 24-year-old Terry appeared in 21 games for Philadelphia, technically his third team during the 2025-26 season after being traded from the Chicago Bulls to New Orleans in February and then waived by the Pelicans the next day. Philly signed Terry to a 2-way deal on Feb. 10, converting it standard deal on April 10 right before the regular season ended.
Terry averaged 4.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 11.7 minutes during 14 regular season games with the Sixers, then in the NBA Playoffs had 13 points in 39 minutes over seven games.
Had Philly held onto him Terry would have been one of two ex-UA players on the Sixers in 2026-27, as they signed Caleb Love to a 2-way deal in early July.
Originally drafted by the Bulls with the 18th overall pick in 2022, Terry played 3-plus seasons in Chicago and started seven games. He spent two years at the UA, starting 14 games as a freshman in Sean Miller’s final season and then all 37 games on Tommy Lloyd’s first Wildcat squad.
The three players were enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday as part of the Class of 2026. Now, baseball fans can start looking ahead to the 2027 ballot.
Next year’s ballot does not have nearly as much star power as the 2026 class. Still, a handful of players could be on their way to Cooperstown next summer.
Here’s a look at the top names to watch in the 2027 Baseball Hall of Fame voting process.
First-ballot potential
Buster Posey
Jon Lester
Only a pair of players have even a remote chance at becoming first-ballot Hall of Famers next summer.
Buster Posey, now the president of baseball operations for the San Francisco Giants, became a franchise legend behind the plate from 2009 to 2021. The star catcher earned three World Series titles, seven All-Star selections, 2012 NL MVP honors, 2010 NL Rookie of the Year honors, five Silver Slugger awards and a Gold Glove.
Jon Lester is another three-time World Series winner atop the 2027 Hall of Fame ballot. The southpaw won 200 regular season games and posted a 3.66 career ERA during his 16-year career, which he primarily spent with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. He won a pair of championships in Boston and helped the Cubs end a 108-year World Series drought in 2016.
Returning candidates
Chase Utley
Andy Pettitte
Félix Hernández
Chase Utley is the only returning player who received at least 50% of the vote from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in 2026. The former Philadelphia Phillies shortstop jumped up nearly 20% from his second year of eligibility in 2025 (39.8%) to his third in 2026 (59.1%). A similar jump would get him past the required 75% to get into the Hall of Fame.
Andy Pettitte, a five-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees, received 48.5% of the vote in 2026 and only has two more years of eligibility remaining.
Félix Hernández is another notable name to watch following a major second-year leap. The Seattle Mariners legend went from 20.6% of the vote on his first ballot in 2025 to 46.1% of the vote in 2026.
Returning longshots
Alex Rodriguez
Bobby Abreu
Jimmy Rollins
Cole Hamels
Dustin Pedroia
Mark Buehrle
Omar Vizquel
David Wright
Francisco Rodríguez
Torii Hunter
Alex Rodriguez, who was prominently linked to MLB’s steroid era, is entering his sixth year of eligibility after landing 40.0% of the vote in 2026.
Bobby Abreu (30.8%) is the only other returning player to receive more than 30% of the BBWAA vote in 2026. All other players listed above exceeded the 5% minimum vote in 2026 to stay on the ballot for 2027.
First-year longshots
Brett Gardner
Ryan Zimmerman
Kyle Seager
Ervin Santana
Asdrúbal Cabrera
Todd Frazier
Josh Reddick
Jake Arrieta
Scott Kazmir
Jordan Zimmermann
Brett Gardner, Ryan Zimmerman and Jake Arrieta are among the World Series winners who will make their first appearance on the Hall of Fame ballot next year.
Karl-Anthony Towns holds up the Larry O'Brien, NBA Championship Trophy during the Knicks' Ticker Tape Parade on June 18. 2026 in New York City.
The business side threatens to interrupt all the good vibes around the Knicks.
They are able to almost fully run back their championship squad next year, with the only significant loss being Mitchell Robinson going to the Celtics.
But there are certainly questions about the future that will hover over the present.
The modern NBA, with its current CBA, pushes for league parity, making it difficult for champions to keep their cores intact for prolonged periods.
The Knicks have one more year before that might become their reality, but pivotal decisions for their future are already staring them in the face.
Karl-Anthony Towns holds up the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy during the Knicks’ Ticker Tape Parade on June 18. 2026 in New York City. Bloomberg via Getty Images
Karl-Anthony Towns’ contract situation is the key question this offseason and will likely remain so all year.
He is set to make around $57 million next year.
Then, for the 2027-28 season, he has a $61 million player option.
Towns is already eligible for an extension, with the max deal the Knicks can offer him being four years for $272 million — a staggering average annual value of $68 million.
If they do not reach a deal and Towns decides to decline his player option and test the open market in 2027, the standard veteran max would be a little less, at $266.6 million over four years.
If he plays on that player option, though, and hits free agency in ’28, that number would be higher.
Towns’ value should be well recognized after he helped the Knicks reach the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years in Year 1, then helped them win their first championship in 53 years in Year 2.
The past two seasons have helped him shed some of his lingering reputation that dogged him for much of his career, instead turning into widespread praise and proven-wrong apologies from fans and media.
The Knicks transformed their offense in the postseason via a system that was heavily reliant on Towns and his playmaking ability.
He proved that he could unlock another level defensively, too.
His status as an elite big was cemented.
Karl-Anthony Towns holds up the NBA Championship Trophy at Fanatics Fest 2026 at the Jacob Javits Center on July 18, 2026 in New York City. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Fan
But that’s the type of salary that usually goes to a team’s best player, not the second best (or at times, maybe even third best).
Towns is currently the highest-paid Knick, but that is because of Jalen Brunson’s well-documented financial sacrifice of leaving roughly $113 million on the table.
Karl-Anthony Towns was instrumental in the Knicks’ 2026 Championship run. Jason Szenes for The New York Post
Towns will turn 31 next season, meaning any extension would carry him into his mid-30s — at a position that usually sees players age less gracefully than smaller players.
Brunson will be extension eligible in the ’28 offseason and has already hinted at his contract desires, telling Vanity Fair that “obviously we’d love for [the Knicks] to do right by me. I think anyone would. I feel like I sacrificed.”
President Leon Rose and his front office have been clever at manipulating the cap and making things work, but it does not seem feasible — with OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges already locked into long-term contracts — to have both Brunson and Towns on such massive deals.
Josh Hart’s future is also up in the air — he is due to make just under $21 million next year, then has a roughly $22 million team option for the 2027-28 season.
The Knicks were already pinching pennies to stay under the second apron this offseason — there is no way all five starters can be brought back on new, much more expensive contracts.
Unless Towns believes it’s his turn to sacrifice, as Brunson did, he and the Knicks could reach an agreement on an extension below the max amount. But he might also view this championship as validation of the type of player — and most importantly, winner — he spent his whole career trying to prove he is.
Until there is clarity, it will be the new elephant in the room.
Former NBA veteran and Slam Dunk Contest champion Isaiah Rider is back behind bars.
Rider was taken into custody by authorities in Arizona after he failed to comply with a court order, TMZ reported on Sunday night.
He was taken into custody Thursday night and booked into jail the next morning, according to the report.
Isaiah Rider attends the boxing match between Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia at T-Mobile Arena on April 22, 2023. Getty Images
He will remain in custody until Tuesday over the misdemeanor that ended in a guilty finding.
Rider’s legal trouble is just the latest in a running list of issues he’s had to contend with since December.
The ex-NBA player was jailed twice that month related to a protective order his estranged wife Vanessa had filed against him back in July.
It’s unclear if the latest arrest is also related to the protective order.
Rider had been arrested back on Dec. 4 in Gilbert, Ariz., for violating a court order and was charged with a count of interfering with judicial proceedings.
He was arrested again Dec. 15 after he failed to show up for a court date that was set to determine whether a judge would extend Vanessa’s protective order against him.
Isaiah Rider Timberwolves attempts a dunk during the 1995 Slam Dunk Contest. NBAE via Getty Images
When Vanessa filed for the order of protection last summer, she alleged that Rider had been hostile toward her several times and had allegedly said, “You’re gonna get your ass slapped” to her and the couple’s 15-year-old son.
“Shut the f–k up before I kick this door down and whoop you,” she also alleged he said at the time.
The former basketball star denied the allegations and claimed that they were made due to their contentious divorce after he filed in November 2024.
Rider spent nine seasons playing in the NBA from 1993 to 2002, logging time with the Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, Hawks, Lakers and Nuggets.
He won an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2001, despite not being on the playoff roster that year, and the Slam Dunk Contest in 1994.
After years of fighting for a consistent NHL opportunity, Zac Jones finally delivered the type of season that made teams take notice — and earned himself a fresh chance with the Utah Mammoth.
The 25-year-old defenseman turned the 2025-26 season into a statement year, emerging as one of the most productive blue-liners in the American Hockey League and proving that his offensive upside was still very much intact. That performance ultimately led to Utah signing Jones to a two-year, two-way contract worth $875,000 annually at the NHL level.
Jones’ breakout campaign came with the Rochester Americans, where he became a driving force from the back end. In 60 games, he recorded 10 goals and 52 assists for 62 points, earning First Team AHL All-Star honors and representing the North Division at his first AHL All-Star Classic.
What stood out most was Jones’ ability to create offense. He led all AHL players in assists while also pacing the league in power-play assists with 36 and power-play points with 38. Among defensemen, he finished first in scoring and led all blueliners with 168 shots on goal, showcasing his willingness to attack and generate opportunities.
The season represented a major step forward for Jones, who had previously never reached those offensive heights at any level. His 10 goals were the most of his junior, collegiate, or professional career, while his 52 assists more than doubled his previous AHL single-season best of 26, set during the 2021-22 season.
Utah is also adding a player with valuable NHL experience. Jones spent parts of five seasons with the New York Rangers, appearing in 115 games and collecting four goals and 24 assists. He reached a career-high 46 NHL games in 2024-25, finishing seventh among Rangers defensemen in scoring with 11 points.
Before turning pro, Jones built a strong résumé at both the collegiate and international levels. He helped the University of Massachusetts win its first national championship in 2020-21, earning Second Team All-American honors while also being named to the Hockey East and NCAA All-Tournament Teams. He was also recognized as the USHL Rookie of the Year in 2018-19 after leading all league defensemen with 45 assists.
For the Mammoth, the signing represents a low-risk opportunity to add a skilled puck-moving defenseman who has already shown he can dominate at the AHL level. The next challenge for Jones will be turning that success into a permanent NHL role — something he has been chasing since the Rangers selected him 68th overall in 2019.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 10: Harrison Ingram #55 of the San Antonio Spurs goes through drills before the start of a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center on April 10, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Utah Jazz announced they signed former UNC small forward, Harrison Ingram.
According to the Jazz, terms of the deal were not disclosed. From Utah Jazz PR:
The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed forward Harrison Ingram. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
In their release, the Jazz note that Ingram is 6’5” and played two seasons for the “spent the past two seasons (2024-26) with the San Antonio Spurs, appearing in 12 NBA games while also appearing in 88 contests with the Austin Spurs, San Antonio’s G League affiliate.”
Ingram was also a decorated collegiate player with Stanford and UNC. As I mentioned, the terms of this deal were not disclosed, so that means my favorite thing happens … assssummmmptiionnnns.
My guess is this is some sort of contract for training camp and preseason. Just like NFL teams, sometimes you need players to play on your “practice squad.”
But maybe it’s something more? Could this be a reaction to Summer League, and is Ingram a player who might be an upgrade to someone like Cody Williams? Maybe. It was not the most inspiring Las Vegas Summer League for the Jazz, and maybe this is to give someone a look that they like. Either way, it’s good to see the Jazz active. Having won the lottery and drafted a potential superstar in Darryn Peterson, who will join a solid core foundation, means the Jazz should be as active as possible trying to find depth pieces for the future. Perhaps Ingram is one of those.
