ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 13: Alec Bohm #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies doubles in the eighth inning during the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Sunday, September 13, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kathryn May/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Phillies and the Braves appear to be postseason-linked in the same way that Martin Perez and I are — perhaps not inextricably, but… annoyingly? Yeah, that’s the right adverb.
On the plus side for the Braves, the Phillies are neither particularly good, nor did they really get a chance to set things up for a playoff round. Among the four possible teams the Braves could have conceivably faced in the first round, the Phillies are:
Last in position player value (26th overall);
First in pitching value (second overall); and
Have less combined fWAR (35.7) than the Cubs have position player fWAR (37.8). The Padres are about three wins ahead in terms of fWAR, and the Cubs nine wins ahead, but the Diamondbacks finished about three wins behind. (I would’ve preferred to play the Diamondbacks.)
The Braves dominated the Phillies this year, but the Braves are also aren’t very good on paper (+5.4 position player fWAR, -8.2 pitching fWAR), and a lot of that split in record occurred because these two teams played seven of their 13 games when the Phillies were foundering and the Braves were destroying all (baseball) life on earth during the first two months of the season. So, eh.
The other consideration has to do with the narrative. In 2022, the Braves finished with 14 more in-the-standings wins than the Phillies, and went 11-8 against them during the season, but lost the NLDS, three games to one. In 2023, the Braves finished with 14 more -in-the-standings wins than the Phillies, and went 8-5 against them during the season, but lost the NLDS, three games to one.
In 2026, the Braves finished with six more in-the-standings wins than the Phillies, and went 9-4 against them during season, and… I dunno.
In reality, there’s not too much be drawn from whatever happens in a best-of-three, especially when these two teams aren’t really even all that different. But, it’d probably be less of a weight on my soul if there wasn’t even the opportunity for people to draw a line through three, instead of two, points of anecdata and present as incontrovertible proof of… something. Sure, the Braves could also pull off a pseudo-exorcism of a not-particularly-real demon by just winning a coin flip-ish best-of-three, but I don’t think that’d be as gratifying as “bUiLt FoR oCtObEr” is annoying.
Anyway, what do you think — are you in the, “Yes, let’s play the Phillies!” camp, or somewhere else?
The Los Angeles Dodgers have their sights set on a third consecutive World Series championship, a feat last accomplished by the New York Yankees from 1998-2000. But there are several other worthy challengers looking to knock them off.
The Milwaukee Brewers had the best regular-season record in the majors at 103-59, followed by the Dodgers at 100-62 and the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL at 98-64. But as we all know, anything can happen in the playoffs.
MLB playoff format
Here's how the MLB playoffs work, with the six teams from each league participating.
The top two division winners (best overall record) in each league receive an automatic bye into the division series. (AL: Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Guardians; NL: Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers)
The third division winner in each league (as the No. 3 seed) hosts the third wild card team (the No. 6 seed) in a best-of-3 series. (AL: Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros; NL: Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves)
The other two wild card teams (Nos. 4 and 5 seeds) play each other, with the higher-seeded team hosting all three games. (AL: Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees; NL: Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres)
The winner of the 4 vs. 5 matchup plays the No. 1 overall seed in a best-of-5 division series, while the 3 vs. 6 winner plays the No. 2 seed.
The winners of those series face each other in a best-of-7 league championship series, with the winners advancing to the World Series.
MLB playoff schedule
The MLB postseason begins on Tuesday, Sept. 29 with Game 1 of each of the four wild card series. If necessary, a decisive Game 3 is set for two days later on Thursday, Oct. 1.
All four division series will start on Saturday, Oct. 3. If Game 5 is needed, those will be played on Friday, Oct. 9 in the National League and Saturday, Oct. 10 in the American League. The best-of-five division series is played in a 2-2-1 format.
The National League Championship Series will begin on Sunday, Oct. 11 while the American League Championship Series starts the next day on Oct. 12. The LCS round is a best-of-seven with a 2-3-2 format. If necessary, Game 7 is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 19 in the NLCS and Tuesday, Oct. 20 in the ALCS.
The World Series will begin on Friday, Oct. 23. A winner-take-all Game 7 would be played on Saturday, Oct. 31, if necessary.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 27: A detailed picture of the scoreboard showing the Milwaukee Brewers as NL Central Division Champions before the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on September 27, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This Milwaukee Brewers team is different.
I know people have been saying that for a couple of years now, but I really think this year is different.
This team does the little things. They play solid defense. They rarely make mental mistakes. They score runs and don’t rely on the long ball. They’re disciplined, both by themselves and by Pat Murphy, who has, on more than one occasion, benched a player for not showing hustle.
Rather than analyzing the team over the last 162 games, we can just look at this weekend’s sweep of the Cardinals.
The “why the 2026 Milwaukee Brewers can win the World Series” discussion begins even before Friday’s series opener against St. Louis. Just before the game, the team was forced to place first baseman Andrew Vaughn on the injured list due to illness. Shortstop Cooper Pratt was also scratched from the lineup, as a banged-up Joey Ortiz had to replace him.
Now, Vaughn and Pratt are by no means the leaders of this team, but they’re key pieces nonetheless. But here’s the thing about the Brewers — they’re built for absences like those. More on that later.
Looking at the first inning of Friday’s game, William Contreras — who was pulled late in Thursday’s game against Philadelphia after not hustling out of the box on a botched grounder — hit a grounder into the hole at short and slid into first base. Not only did he slide, but he slid headfirst. Any baseball person will tell you sliding into first is a big no-no, but here’s the thing — Murphy liked it.
William Contreras was pulled from yesterday’s game for not running hard so tonight he slid headfirst into first base in his first at bat pic.twitter.com/b9KhJhIVWp
It’s not often you see that kind of buy-in from a star player after he’s been benched. I would argue, rather, that most star players would have a negative reaction, especially at the major league level. But Murphy has proven over the last three seasons that he doesn’t care if you’re in your MLB debut or in your 13th season in the majors — you better be hustling and bringing your A-game.
Fast forward to the eighth inning of Friday’s game, and you’ll see another example of why this team is different. Remember how Pratt was scratched from the lineup and Ortiz had to replace him? Well, Ortiz looked a bit rough throughout the game (even while going 2-for-3 with a walk), and he was pulled in a 4-4 tie game. Pratt, who probably didn’t feel the greatest, took over, and while he grounded into a double play in his lone at-bat, the fact that he was able to come off the bench at all is a testament to this team’s depth and “next man up” mentality.
Speaking of next man up, in the bottom of that same eighth inning, with the game still tied at four runs apiece, here’s how the Brewers rallied:
Jackson Chourio single David Hamilton hit by pitch Garrett Mitchell sac bunt (reaches on error) Brice Turang two-run single William Contreras one-run single Jake Bauers sac fly Christian Yelich walk Pratt double play
How about that? Three hits — all of them singles — but four runs on the board. For most teams, that would be a strange inning, but for the Brewers, that’s basically an everyday occurrence. They finished the season with the third-best OPS in baseball (.744) and scored the second-most runs (832), and yet they had just 154 homers, ranking tied for 28th in the league (and just two ahead of the Blue Jays, who had an MLB-worst 152 homers). That’s insane.
Let’s jump to Saturday now.
Ahead of the second game, the Brewers named Christian Yelich team captain, the first time in franchise history Milwaukee has had a captain. Why? Because this team is different. There are several players who one could argue were deserving earlier in franchise history — Robin Yount and Ryan Braun are the first two that come to mind. But Yelich, who is in his ninth season with Milwaukee, is the first one to get that honorary “C” on his chest. And he deserves it, too.
In the game itself, Dustin May got the start, and he didn’t look great, going three innings with two runs allowed on three hits and a walk. But here’s where the next part of our “why the Brewers can win the World Series” argument comes in — Murphy then gave Kyle Harrison another chance.
Harrison can only be described as dismal since late August. Entering Saturday, his last six appearances (three starts) totaled 9 1/3 innings, allowing 25 runs (22 earned) on 31 hits, nine walks, and two hit batters while striking out 10. But Murphy, who clearly hasn’t fully settled his postseason pitching staff yet, continues to give the young lefty chances. And Harrison delivered.
Harrison went two scoreless innings, throwing 20 of 29 pitches for strikes and allowing just one baserunner via a hit by pitch. He struck out four to earn his 11th win of the season and first since August 18.
The lesson here is similar to the one about Pratt above — that “next man up” mentality is exactly what a team looking to win the World Series needs, and Murphy’s faith in his guys is just the cherry on top.
Then, in the fifth inning of Saturday’s game, Turang launched his 21st homer of the season, bringing in Chourio and giving the Brewers a 3-2 lead they would hold onto for the rest of the evening. Remember how I said the Brewers don’t hit lots of homers? Well, they still have a couple of home run threats — Turang, Chourio, Bauers, to name just a few — and there’s always a time and place for homers. Half of the battle in the postseason is delivering in clutch moments, and the Brewers have guys who can hit both singles and homers, meaning they’re ready for any situation. That’s something the rest of this postseason field might not bring to the table.
OK, last piece of the puzzle: Sunday’s game.
This is perhaps the biggest reason why the Brewers have what it takes to win a World Series: the monster that is Jacob Misiorowski.
Misiorowski went 5 1/3 scoreless innings in Sunday’s regular-season finale, wrapping up what is almost certainly an NL Cy Young-winning campaign. He finished the year among league leaders in virtually every category, including at the top of the leaderboard in strikeouts (252), ERA (1.80), WHIP (0.80), and batting average against (.157). He also drastically dropped his walk rate from a year ago, going from 4.23 BB/9 to 2.27 BB/9.
Lastly, late in Sunday’s game, Chad Patrick was struggling to maintain what was an early 6-0 lead. He entered to pitch the eighth and recorded just one out, allowing two walks and two hits, including a three-run homer to cut the lead to 6-4.
What do the Brewers have a lot of that many other teams don’t? Reliable length arms that can lock things down when other guys get in trouble.
Shane Drohan came in and pitched the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing no baserunners and recording a pair of strikeouts for his second save of the year. In fact, the Brewers had five wins this week, four of which had a save credited to them. Know how many different players got a save? Four. The usual closer, Trevor Megill, Drohan, Antonio Senzatela, and Aaron Ashby. For the season, 10 players had at least one save, and seven players had multiple. MLB bullpens only carry eight arms. That’s a well-balanced bullpen.
This weekend’s sweep of the Cardinals is a microcosm of the 2026 Brewers season as a whole. The Crew is balanced, hungry, and ready to win. They have several players who are in the very early stages of what are hopefully long careers — Pratt, Chourio, Luis Lara, Logan Henderson, Misiorowski, etc. — but they also have veteran leadership in the form of Yelich, May, Senzatela, JoJo Romero, and Brandon Woodruff, who you may have forgotten is still in that clubhouse, even if he isn’t on the field.
This Brewers team can win the World Series. Now let’s see if they can make it happen.
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 27: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the second inning during the game between the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, September 27, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alyssa McDaniel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Meet the Mets
The Mets played their final game of the 2026 season, putting an end to a team we’ve grown to dislike in various ways and will end up missing as the days and weeks of the offseason pass.
Draymond Green and Yaxel Lendeborg have had an eventful summer full of back-and-forth exchanges, but the veteran didn’t mince his words when discussing his initial impression of the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Green was effusive in his praise of Lendeborg after Jimmy Butler III’s players-only camp in San Diego before training camp begins on Sep. 29.
“He (Lendeborg) can play,” Green said on Saturday’s episode of “The Draymond Green Show”. “He understands the game, he’s smart and this was really my first time getting eyes on him in-person consistently. Shoot the piss out of the basketball, like I was very, very, very impressed. I’m excited to see where he can take it.”
Green also clarified he did not want to burden Lendeborg with unnecessary expectations, stating the “NBA game is different” when going up against players like Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard on a nightly basis.
The new teammates appear to have a strong relationship, but have traded barbs about their rival alma maters since Lendeborg became a Warrior. Green and Lendeborg attended Michigan State and Michigan respectively, with Lendeborg referring to the Spartans as “little brother” on draft night.
Lendeborg then called out Green for not responding to his introductory text message, to which Green responded with receipts on his show before jokingly threatening to haze the rookie.
Despite the banter, both share similarities from their collegiate accomplishments to their play style. Both players earned First-Team All-American honors in their final seasons, employing a defense-first approach to their games.
Lendborg, who turns 24 at the end of the month, was the oldest player in this year’s draft, and brings a level of experience that previous lottery picks, like James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga, did not have.
Golden State’s roster is veteran-heavy at the top, led by Steph Curry, Butler and Green, but Lendeborg is set up to make an immediate impact as a rookie.
The Warriors’ training camp is slated to start Tuesday, where Green and Lendeborg are hopeful to translate their online conversations into on-court chemistry.
The 2026 season is over and the next step for the Braves could not be more familiar and perhaps appropriate. The Braves will host their division rival, the Phillies, for a best of three Wild Card round setup at Truist Park this week. Both Tuesday and Wednesday games will occur at just after 2PM Eastern, with Thursday’s game to be determined (if necessary). For many reasons, it will certainly be an exciting atmosphere in which the Braves will hopefully find quick and frequent success.
Mark Bowman looks at a few key factors that came together over the final week of the season that could impact the Wild Card round for the Braves.
MLB News
Along with the Phillies, the Astros were the other team to finalize their playoff spot on the final day of the season by winning the NL West over the Rangers.
UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 11: New York Yankees' bench coach Don Zimmer races towards Boston Red Sox' pitcher Pedro Martinez as Red Sox' David Ortiz (2nd l.) and manager Grady Little restrain Manny Ramirez in a fourth-inning fracas at Fenway Park during Game 3 of the American League Championship Series. Martinez had hit the Yankees' Karim Garcia with a pitch at the top of the inning; when Yanks' pitcher Roger Clemens then nearly grazed Ramirez, the bench-clearing brawl ensued. Zimmer, who was thrown to the ground by Martinez during the dustup, was taken to the hospital for observation, then released. The Yanks won, 4-3. (Photo by Linda Cataffo/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) | NY Daily News via Getty Images
Good morning! There is no baseball today. Normally that’s a sad phrase to read and write. But when you’re gearing up for the playoffs, a day of rest isn’t the worst thing in the world. Especially when you’re gearing up to face the Yankees in the playoffs.
Having said that, we can all acknowledge that these Sox-Yankees series don’t have quite the same bite that they used to. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The world is constantly changing. And the reason these series once felt so draining is that we used to be terrified of pinstripes. We used to watch with cosmic certainty that the Yankees would find a way to come out on top, no matter what.
Suffice it to say, that’s not the case anymore. I’m worried about the 2026 Yankees because they’re a good baseball team with a strong starting staff and they’re standing in between the Red Sox and the World Series. I am NOT worried about the 2026 Yankees because I’m convinced they are agents of Satan. Like I said, the world is constantly changing.
So how much do you really hate the Yankees today, and how have your emotions evolved?
Talk about the rivalry and whatever else you want in this space and, as always, be good to one another.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Alex Vesia #51 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Sunday, September 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Dodgers finished the regular season with an even 100 wins, after a sweep of the San Francisco Giants over the weekend at Oracle Park. It’s the sixth time the Dodgers have won in triple digits under manager Dave Roberts, along with 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
In the first 132 seasons in Dodgers franchise history, before Roberts, the club won 100 games six times — 1899, 1941, 1942, 1953, 1962, and 1974.
Forty-nine of those 100 wins in 2026 came on the road, including all three in San Francisco over the weekend coming with the Dodgers wearing their gray jerseys with “Dodgers” on the front. Here’s the breakdown of the Dodgers’ 2026 road performance, broken down by uniform choices:
“They wouldn’t have traded for me if they didn’t believe in me,” he said. “And I’m just forever grateful for the people who helped me develop my game thus far. There’s so many biometrics and weight training involved, there’s no stone left unturned here. They really emphasize being an all-around player, and that means getting the most out of your swing, defense, baserunning and going into every at-bat with a plan. It just allows me to be confident in what I need to do to be successful.”
Clayton Kershaw will be part of the NBC Sports broadcast team for the wild card series between the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. Kershaw is an analyst along with Jim Deshaies and Mark Grant for the series, with Dave Flemming on play-by-play.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have 3 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Jersey #3 is one of the more popular numbers to be worn.
Let's take a look at who wore 3, and where they are now
František Kučera - 2001 - Drafted by Chicago in 1986.
He played 48 games as a Jacket and had seven points in the first year of the Blue Jackets' existence.
He retired in 2004 after returning to his home country of Czechia.
Jaroslav Špaček - 2002-2004 - Drafted by Florida in 1998.
Špaček played 153 games for Columbus and had 72 points in the early years of Columbus.
His son, David Špaček, was born in Columbus and was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in 2022. He will start this season with the AHL's Iowa Wild. David was born in Columbus.
Nowadays, the elder Špaček is the Director of Youth Hockey for HC Plzeň in Czechia.
Marc Methot - 2009-2012 - Drafted by the Blue Jackets in the 6th round of the 2003 NHL Draft.
Methot played six years and 275 games for the CBJ, totaling 51 points on the Columbus blue line. He was the definition of a defensive defenseman.
On July 1, 2012, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators for future CBJ Captain Nick Foligno. After the trade to Ottawa, he would play another 349 NHL games.
He retired during the 2018-19 season after playing 9 games.
Jordan Leopold - 2015 - Drafted by Anaheim in 1999.
Leopold played 18 games for Columbus after being traded from the St. Louis Blues on November 15, 2014. On March 2, 2015, he was dealt again, this time to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Justin Falk. He retired after the 2015 season.
He has been an assistant coach for Andover High in Minnesota for the past couple of years.
Seth Jones - 2016-2021 - Drafted by Nashville in 2013.
Jones played 381 games for the Jackets after coming over from the Nashville Predators. He scored 50 goals and totaled 223 points during his time in Columbus. Jones is currently second all-time in CBJ history in goals by a defenseman, second in assists, and second in points. He's also 7th in all-time assists and 10th in all-time points.
He was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021 in exchange for Adam Boqvist. Chicago traded him to the Florida Panthers in 2025, where he went on to win the Stanley Cup.
The son of former NBA player Popeye Jones was described by Elite Prospects as "A defenseman with an excellent frame. Jones' athleticism allows him to be a very good skater for a player of his size. He has excellent mobility and is solid both offensively and defensively. Jones gives a smart first pass and is also capable of utilizing his skating ability to bring the puck up himself. He has good hockey sense and is an asset on the power play thanks to his mobility, puck-handling, and a very dangerous slap shot."
Jack Johnson - 2025 - Drafted by Carolina in 2005.
Johnson played 486 games for Columbus after being traded from the LA Kings for Jeff Carter. He scored 36 goals and had 156 points in seven years.
He's bounced around since leaving Columbus, but finally won a Stanley Cup in 2022. He found his way back to Cannon City in the summer of 2024. Unfortunately for Johnson, he only played in 41 games for Columbus last year and had 6 points.
He and Head Coach Dean Evason didn't see eye to eye, leading to Johnson being scratched for most of the season. Johnson's family even boycotted the family day held ahead of the 2025 Stadium Series Game at Ohio Stadium.
Charlie Coyle - 2025-Current - Drafted by the San Jose Sharks in 2010
Coyle was traded to the Blue Jackets in the summer of 2025. His first season in Columbus was the second best season of his career. He scored 20 goals and totaled 58 points, which was just two points off from his career high.
He was kept at last season's trade deadline by Don Waddell, leading Charlie Coyle to feel very respected by the club. He signed a six-year, $36 million extension with the CBJ over the summer. He could've left, but he told the media that he felt the loyalty shown to him by Don Waddell was important enough to get him to re-sign
There are three days left until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Who was your favorite #3?
Selected 19th overall by the Raptors in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Santa Clara forward enters Toronto with an intriguing combination of size, shooting, rebounding and defensive ability. Unlike some first-round picks, however, Graves does not need to become an immediate star.
If he can defend, hit open threes, rebound and make smart decisions, Toronto will have plenty to work with.
What Did He Do Last Year?
After redshirting his first year at Santa Clara, Graves appeared in all 35 games during the 2025-26 season, averaging 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 22.6 minutes per game.
He shot 51.2 percent from the field, 41.3 percent from three and 75.0 percent from the free-throw line while adding 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.
His season earned him West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year and First Team All-WCC honours.
Graves also showed up when the stakes were higher, scoring 17 points and grabbing seven rebounds against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament.
Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Santa Clara Broncos forward Allen Graves (22) reacts after making a basket against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
What Makes Graves Intriguing?
Graves does not need the ball in his hands to be effective, which could make him a natural fit alongside Toronto’s higher-usage players.
At 6-foot-9, his ability to space the floor, cut, rebound and defend multiple positions gives him several ways to contribute. His 41.3 percent three-point shooting is particularly encouraging.
The Raptors will not need him to create every possession. If he can make open shots and take advantage of the attention given to players like Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard, there could be a clear role for him.
What Can We Realistically Expect?
Expectations should remain reasonable.
Graves was the 19th pick and has just one college season under his belt. A realistic goal would be competing for a rotation role rather than immediately becoming a starter.
If he earns around 10–15 minutes per game, defends, rebounds and knocks down open threes, that should be considered a successful rookie season.
His Summer League performance provided some encouragement. Through his first four games, he averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 50 percent from three, showing flashes of his offensive versatility.
Of course, Summer League is not the NBA regular season. The real test will be whether those skills translate against NBA competition.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 16: Allen Graves #22 of the Toronto Raptors shoots a three point basket during the game against the Miami Heat on July 16, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion 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 Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Could the Raptors 905 Be Good For Him?
This may be one of the more important decisions Toronto makes with Graves.
If he is only playing limited minutes in the NBA, spending time with the Raptors 905 could give him an opportunity to handle the ball, create shots and make reads he may not get to make in a limited NBA role.
That does not mean Graves is not ready for the NBA. Sometimes, playing 30-plus minutes in the G League can be more valuable for development than playing 10 minutes in the NBA.
At the same time, if he proves during training camp that he belongs in the rotation, Toronto should not force him into the G League simply because he is a rookie.
The Biggest Thing To Watch
The three-point shot could determine how quickly Graves earns a role.
He shot 41.3 percent from three at Santa Clara, but NBA defenders close out faster and open shots are harder to find.
His ability to attack those closeouts will also be important. If he can put the ball on the floor and make plays when defenders run him off the line, he becomes much more than a spot-up shooter.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 13: Allen Graves #22 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the game against the Indiana Pacers during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 13, 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 David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Verdict
The realistic expectation for Allen Graves should not be that he immediately becomes a star. It should be that he develops into a reliable NBA player.
His size, shooting, rebounding and defensive instincts give him multiple ways to stay on the floor, and Toronto does not need to rush his development.
If he earns a rotation role, great. If he spends time with Raptors 905, that should not be viewed as a setback.
Graves has the foundation of a modern NBA role player. Now he has to prove he can consistently translate it to the NBA level.
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 10: Ousmane Dieng #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on April 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
Ousmane Dieng was one of Milwaukee’s breakout players last year. Dieng, a 22-year-old wing out of the French town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, wound up in Milwaukee after a series of deadline-day trade deals. The Bucks acquired him in a three-team transaction that sent Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony to Phoenix. Dieng hasn’t looked back since, starting hot and averaging 11.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 3.6 APG in 26.8 minutes per night with Milwaukee. He agreed to a three-year, $17.5m contract in June and is expected to be an exciting piece of the Bucks’ young core.
The Frenchman is tall at 6’9”, but weighs a slender 185 pounds, giving him the athletic and positional versatility to play as a jumbo wing or even a really, really tall guard. Dieng is also a solid athlete; despite his size, he moves quickly and fluidly, which allows him to stay in front of shifty guards and create for teammates.
Tactically, Dieng can create some exciting scenarios for new coach Taylor Jenkins. He featured as a secondary creator for much of last season alongside lead guards like Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr., but when those guys were out toward the back end of the season, Dieng was the primary creator, averaging 6.3 assists in his final seven games. Dieng can physically overpower smaller point-of-attack defenders and shift past larger guys due to his mobility. He’s also been proficient as a pick-and-roll operator, with his highlight reel including many fancy dimes.
Dieng could be a major source of offence for Milwaukee this season, since he can score at all three levels. He leans heavily on his jump shot (which is partly because of his relatively lean frame, if we’re being honest). He struggled heavily with his three-ball as the season wore on, though, shooting just 20.3% from three during his last 12 games.
Relatedly, Dieng often takes low-percentage shots, and his diet of pull-ups and side steps further bogs down his shooting splits; turning his streaky jump shot into a consistent one would make Dieng a dangerous offensive weapon. He also finishes well through contact when he attacks the rim, but he avoids going there much of the time because of his relatively skinny frame.
Dieng had some very solid games for Milwaukee last season. Chief among them were a 19-point double-double against the Thunder and a 36-point, 10-assist outburst in a loss to Houston. However, these highs came with sluggish lows as he navigated tough shooting slumps and adjusted to greater responsibilities in Milwaukee.
All in all, Dieng’s contract, age, and portfolio for Milwaukee make him an intriguing piece for the future, but also give him trade value, as Jack noted in his trade value rankings. If, for whatever reason, Jon Horst decides to ship Dieng out before the trade deadline, he can expect a decent return.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 05: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on April 05, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Jayden Mack/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Every day, we’ll take a closer look at another member of the 2026-27 Phoenix Suns, examining what they bring to the roster and what their role could mean for the season ahead as we count down to training camp and the preseason.
Devin Booker
Shooting Guard, 6’5”, 206 lbs., 29 years old, 11 years of experience
Happy Media Day, folks!
Devin Booker has lived many lives during his Suns career. From a wide-eyed rookie absorbing everything he could from his “vets” to a grizzled veteran giving the next generation advice as they look to pave their own way. Oh, and he’s wearing number 15 now. Remember that? It’s been a long offseason.
He is still in his twenties somehow, but not for long. The Suns’ star turns 30 on October 30th, when the Suns are set to host the Denver Nuggets in their 4th game of the season.
We all know by now that Devin Booker is the Suns’ offensive engine. They go as he goes. He has been consistently one of the best scorers in the NBA, and quietly one of the most underrated playmakers.
Last Season
Devin Booker earned his 5th All-Star appearance of his career last season. Phoenix exceeded expectations as a team by a wide margin and secured themselves a ticket to the NBA Playoffs. Ultimately, Booker and company got swept by the Thunder, but they left the season with a reason for optimism.
Devin Booker has eight straight seasons averaging 25+ PPG, putting him in some historically elite company with the likes of LeBron, Giannis, and his former teammate Kevin Durant as the only active players with longer streaks throughout their careers.
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
STL
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/- (TOTAL)
64
33.5
26.1
3.9
6.0
0.8
45.6%
33.0%
87.3%
118.7
117.5
+201
Contract and Roster Context
This is where the discourse will get interesting as the years go by. Devin Booker is making a lot of money, and he is going to make a whole lot more in the years to come. He will be one of the top-paid players in the association, and with that comes increased expectations and responsibilities.
Devin Booker originally signed a 4-year, $220,441,984 contract with the Phoenix Suns, all guaranteed, with an average annual salary of $55,110,496. In 2026-27, Booker will earn a base salary of $57,078,728, while carrying a cap hit of $57,078,728.
Booker signed a 2-year, $132,594,000 contract with the Phoenix Suns last summer, including $132,594,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $66,297,000, per Spotrac.
What He Brings
Devin Booker’s offensive gravity is easy to take for granted. Not just his ability to get a bucket in tight quarters, but his ability to draw the defense, make quick reads, and give his teammates a chance to capitalize.
Collapsing a defense and demanding attention oftentimes has a ripple effect that can go unnoticed on the box score. Luckily, there are other ways to track playmaking, driving, and potential assists created, as Shane Young notes in the tweet linked below.
His playmaking continues to be undersold in discourse when it comes to the top playmakers in the association. The gravity he possesses, along with the fortitude to make the right play when he’s being targeted relentlessly by defenses, needs to be talked about more.
Devin Booker’s final stats as a driver and playmaker this year:
• 1,006 total drives, 5th most in the NBA • 38% pass rate on those drives
• 785 potential assists and 12.3 per game, 13th among all qualified players. • 1,053 total points generated by assists • 77 secondary…
Phoenix needs a lot from Devin Booker. That comes with the territory of his massive contract. He must be a leader. He must take over games when needed. He must make others around him better and find creative ways to get them involved.
The Phoenix Suns need him to play like a superstar more than he plays like a star. That means showing up every night.
What Needs to Improve
By now, it’s obvious that Devin Booker has a few flaws. We all know by now that the opposing defense will game plan to slow him down in any way they can. Sending another body his way. Putting an aggressive point-of-attack defender on him.
At times, he can make what looks like careless turnovers against smaller guards with quick hands like the Jrue Holidays and Alex Carusos of the world. That’s just what those guys do. He can struggle to get his shot off against longer, more athletic defenders like Jaden McDaniels, for example. He also seems to struggle against Orlando, with their big wings and forwards thrown at him every possession. Cutting down on some of the unnecessary turnovers would be item number one to focus on. Number two would be a modest increase in 3PT%. And lastly, continued consistency in his defensive intensity. And a bonus take… if the jumper isn’t falling, attack the rim with more frequency. Downhill Book is a threat as a scorer and playmaker.
The defensive questions he faced earlier in his career have dissipated over time as well, as he’s proven to be a feisty one-on-one defender and smart team defender. The run with Team USA woke some people up to that, but his defensive growth was brewing long before that for those who paid attention. He will never be on an All-Defensive team, but he is solid. And when he turns it up a notch, he can be an impactful defender.
Steve Kerr on Devin Booker:
"He's probably the guy who's been most adaptable to go from a different role in the NBA to a new one here. He's such a big scorer in the league, but just like in Tokyo, he's adapted to being an on-ball guy, ball mover, the offense clicks when he's out… pic.twitter.com/rrVfUbjEj1
He and the rest of the league know who he is at this point. The question is… does he have another gear to showcase?
Prediction
This could be the best year possible for Devin Booker to take a stealthy leap. He is sort of flying under the radar on the national scale. Dillon Brooks draws the “villain” role and allows Booker to focus more on the game, whereas in the past there were times that Booker felt he needed to fill that role while also being the franchise player.
I’m excited to see how he leads this group. They have youth, athleticism, rim pressure, and a bit more continuity as a group. The lack of playmaking and floor spacing can be solved with the right offensive game plan and rotations. Good luck figuring that out, Jordan Ott!
Devin Booker dropped four spots (from a year ago) to the 20th-ranked player in the NBA, according to ESPN. I predict that they will need to correct that and place him back into the top-15 after a “late-career” breakout. But as noted, a breakout season for Booker doesn’t look like a ton of more points scored. It’s improved efficiency, continuing to improve his already elite playmaking, and serving as the engine for a Suns team that overachieves for a second straight season.
A successful season for Devin Booker is mostly predicated on team success. Yes, his individual numbers matter, but as we all know, if he’s finding ways to impact the game, the stats will come.
Could this be Devin Booker’s best season yet?
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 27: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 27, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 18: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years. (Photo by Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It might seem like football season just started, but the NBA is already back. Every team in the league will have opened training camp for the 2026-27 season by Monday, with media days servicing as the unofficial start of the new year. It feels like only yesterday when the New York Knicks outlasted the San Antonio Spurs in one of the wildest NBA Finals series in recent memory, but so much around the league has happened since then.
Let’s dive into some of the biggest themes in the league entering the 2026-27 season.
The NBA has 3 clear championship front-runners. Will one of them win it all?
The San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, and New York Knicks are going to be the top-3 teams in any preseason edition of NBA power rankings in some order entering the season. It feels likely that one of these teams will eventually be crowned the 2027 champion, but the league has been incredibly tough to predict in recent years. The NBA has seen eight straight unique champions dating back to the 2019 Toronto Raptors, and no team has won multiple championships or even made back-to-back NBA Finals trips over that time.
NBA history is defined by dynasties. That isn’t the case in the present era for several reasons, starting with the second-apron, which makes it incredibly difficult to keep together a great team for longer than a few seasons by functioning as a hard cap. The increased pace and space of today’s game also leads to added injury risk, with several recent champions losing their repeat bids to untimely injuries in the playoffs. The NBA wanted parity with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement rules, and they got it.
I’m starting to favor the Spurs as my championship pick. Their young core should all continue to improve after winning 62 games and reaching the NBA Finals last year, which is terrifying. Victor Wembanyama is already one of the most dominant defenders of all-time, and he could be the consensus best player in the world by the end of the season. I also think adding Tobias Harris in free agency will help them a bit this year. San Antonio is my team to beat entering the season, but if recent NBA history has taught us anything, it’s that the championship race will eventually prove to be wide open.
4 teams I’m higher on for the playoffs than the regular season
Minnesota Timberwolves: I had the Wolves at the No. 4 seed in my West predictions, and even that felt a bit generous, but I like their playoff upside. The core trio of Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels has been highly successful the last three years, and LaMelo Ball injects playmaking and pull-up shooting into the mix that adds high variance in a good way come playoff time. I’m not sure how any team beats the Spurs or Thunder in a seven game series, but having two super talented guards bomb threes off the dribble seems like a decent punch to throw.
Philadelphia 76ers: I had the Sixers at the No. 6 seed in my East predictions for the regular season, but I’m talking myself into their playoff upside. Philly won a series last year and got noticeably better by adding LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Dean Wade, and more over the offseason. James proved he can still turn it up in the playoffs last year, and Brown’s determined one-on-one scoring feels more functional during the playoffs than the regular season to me. Philly’s regular season defensive projection is the biggest reason I’m lower on them — along with injuries and unavailability for their core players — but Nick Nurse is smart, this team could still be really good come spring time.
Miami Heat: Erik Spoelstra is the best coach in the NBA. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the East. I’m worried Miami’s poor depth could hurt their regular season chances, but I’ll never be surprised when this franchise makes a Cinderella run to the NBA Finals.
Golden State Warriors: I had Golden State at No. 11 in West regular season projection, but I have them seventh among West teams in my championship chances rankings here. I don’t think Golden State is going to be any good this season, but if they do make the play-in, they should have Jimmy Butler back from injury and have the assets to add another key piece if they want to. I’m fading the Warriors in general, but Steph is always scary in the playoffs.
Who’s your 2027 NBA championship pick?
Let me know in the comments. NBA basketball is back, and it feels great.
DENVER, COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 25: T.J. Hughes #13 of the Colorado Avalanche skates on the ice for the 'stars of the game' after defeating the Winnipeg Jets in a preseason game at Ball Arena on September 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Andrew Maclean/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Colorado Avalanche News
The Colorado Avalanche have just around 24 hours to do two more roster cuts before NHL rosters are due to be submitted. [Sports Illustrated]
T.J. Hughes to start season with Avalanche amid injuries up front. [The Denver Gazette]
Blankenburg joined the Maple Leafs on a professional tryout, then earned himself a one-year contract, after a career-best season where he posted eight goals and 16 assists with the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche. [Sportsnet]
News Around the League
Jets believe they have the pieces to compete, even without star goalie Hellebuyck. [TSN]
Edmonton Oilers go from cap heaven to cap purgatory due to five injuries. [Toronto Sun]
One bold prediction for every NHL team in the 2026-2027 season. [The Athletic]
Kuzmenko returns to Russia after father killed by bear. [BBC]
Lapsed fan’s guide to the NHL season: Top teams, players, storylines for 2026-27. [ESPN]
NHL features an 84-game season for the first time in decades. [CTV News]
Ovie retirement watch among 5 NHL storylines as season gets underway. [CBC]
