“I hope bringing a trophy to this city meant something to them because it meant so much to me,” Antetokounmpo said in the video. “I want you to hear it from my mouth: The city of Milwaukee will always be in my heart. This is my home.”
“No matter where I am, Milwaukee will always be my city, my team, my family.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo, wearing a “Champions” hat, looks up as fans cheer in the background.
@giannis_an34 on IGGiannis Antetokounmpo interacting with children on a basketball court.
@giannis_an34 on IG
Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis were traded to the Heat June 22 in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis and the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, which was Nate Ament.
Antetokounmpo accomplished everything to his NBA resume in the green and white.
Two MVPs. An NBA title and Finals MVP in 2021. Ten All-Star selections. Seven All-NBA First Team selections.
Despite missing the playoffs in his final season with the team, he cemented his legacy as one of greatest Bucks ever.
Mural of Giannis Antetokounmpo in a green jersey in Milwaukee.
@giannis_an34 on IG
“I believe the city of Milwaukee is blue collar,” Antetokounmpo said. “It’s people that work extremely hard every single day, and give all their hard-earned money to come watch the Milwaukee Bucks. To come and feel something, to come be a part of us.
“I hope that I was able to represent them the best that I could. And I was like them. I showed up to work. Did everything that I was willing to do, all the dirty work, just like them.”
With the trade, it’s clear the Bucks are ushering in a youth movement.
But at the same time, Bucks general manager Jon Horst remained eternally grateful for the stability Antetokounmpo brought the organization.
Giannis Antetokounmpo dribbling a basketball. AP Photo/Marta Lavandier
“Since we drafted him in 2013, Giannis had transformed the Milwaukee Bucks in every way – on the court, in our locker room and throughout the community,” Horst wrote in a statement to Bucks fans. “Over 13 seasons, he became an extraordinary leader, teammate and representative of this city, and one of the defining players of his generation.”
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field on July 1, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The last time the Rockies were in Los Angeles to face the Dodgers, it didn’t go so well.
The Dodgers swept Colorado 3-0 and outscored the Rockies 24-10. It also capped off a 2-8 stretch during a challenging stretch in May.
Even though Monday night marks a matchup between the National League-leading Dodgers (59-32) and the last-place Rockies (37-54), Colorado enters the series having won four of its last five and is no longer the worst team in MLB.
They are still the Dodgers, though, and Monday’s matchup is a repeat of the May 26 showdown when Kyle Freeland and Eric Lauer when L.A. came out on top 15-6. Freeland (2-7, 7.25 ERA) has been performing better on the mound, helping the Rockies win his last three starts. In his last start, he held Miami to two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts in five innings in a 6-3 win on July 1.
Lauer (4-5, 4.84 ERA) has bounced back and forth between relief and starting roles for L.A. this year, but this will be his 11th start in 14 appearances this season. The 31-year-old lefty is 3-3 with a 4.77 ERA as a starter.
The Dodgers lead the 2026 season series with the Rockies 5-2.
First Pitch: 8:10 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM KOA Rockies Radio Network; KNRV 1150 AM (Spanish)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 12: Kristaps Porzingis #7 of the Golden State Warriors walks on the court during the first half of an NBA game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome on April 12, 2026 in Inglewood, 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Ryan Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors have secured center Kristaps Porzingis on a two-year, $40 million contract extension, keeping “The Unicorn” in the Bay Area through the 2027–28 season. The deal includes a player option for the second year.
While the $20 million annual average value reflects Porzingis’s elite floor-spacing ability, the underlying structure highlights a masterclass in front-office flexibility. Only $3 million of his 2027–28 salary is guaranteed before late June 2027. Crucially, because this deal was executed as an extension rather than a free-agent re-signing, the 7-foot-2 big man remains immediately eligible to be traded.
As such, SB Nation conducted a poll among Warriors fans, asking them to grade the Porzingis extension. Here are the results:
Porzingis only appeared in 15 games for Golden State last season due to injury, averaging 16.1 points and 5.3 rebounds. Whether he serves as a critical pick-and-pop anchor for Steph Curry or functions as a highly movable salary bridge for an offseason blockbuster, this extension gives the Warriors immense strategic optionality.
Will this extension help the Warriors compete next season? Or will they continue to be a mediocre team built around an aging star and pieces that won’t move the needle? Head on over to https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba to test your luck.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 2: General view of downtown San Diego prior to a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on April 2, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
DIAMONDBACKS
PADRES
Ketel Marte – 2B
Fernando Tatis – RF
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Jake Cronenworth – 2B
Corbin Carroll – RF
Manny Machado – 3B
Gabriel Moreno – C
Gavin Sheets – 1B
Lourdes Gurriel – DH
Ty France – DH
Max Kepler – LF
Jackson Merrill – CF
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Samad Taylor – LF
Ildemaro Vargas – 1B
Sung-Mun Song – SS
Tommy Troy – CF
Rodolfo Duran – C
Brandon Pfaadt – RHP
Walker Buehler – RHP
Roster moves
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.
Reinstated from the 10-day injured list: C James McCann (strained right quad)
Optioned to Triple-A Reno following yesterday’s game: C Adrian Del Castillo
This is a bit of a surprise, if only because I’d kinda forgotten about McCann. His last appearance was back on May 18, and when he went on the IL the following day, the estimated timeline was 4-6 weeks. It’s been a little longer than the upper end of that – about seven weeks or so. But when you are dealing with a) a catcher, and b) a player who turned 36 while on the injured list, caution is probably no bad thing. Just hope nobody is exactly expecting much offensively. Over 22 games and 62 PA before the injury, McCann hit a paltry .203/.217/.254, with a K:BB of 17:1 and an OPS of .471. That’s somehow below the .555 OPS Del Castillo has posted for the Diamondbacks this season.
The end of the homestand yesterday would make it a good time to check in on the D-backs attendance. In late May, Jack looked at the numbers and found the team’s drop, year-to-year to that point was a massive 5,413 per game – worst in MLB and more than twice the next biggest decline. There were some schedule-related reasons, such as two “home” games in a small stadium in Mexico City, and a preponderance of weekday contests, which will typically draw lower. President Derrick Hall said, “We are right on pace with our projections,” expecting an overall tally around the same as they had in 2025.
The numbers since then do seem to bear that optimism out. With 46 home games now in the book, the D-backs are still behind the numbers from last season. But the previous deficit has been slashed by fifty-nine percent in about six weeks. It’s now 2,194 per game, ahead of three teams. So there has been some progress, although there is still work to be done. The numbers were helped by a weekday four-pack against the Dodgers, which averaged over 35,000 per game, including 42,000 for the finale. Discounting Opening Days, that’s the highest figure for any Thursday contest at Chase since April 2023. Something to keep an eye on, as we progress through the season.
The hockey world was stunned with the mammoth offer sheet that was made public over the weekend from the Philadelphia Flyers, who targeted Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson.
The offer sheet, which Carlsson signed, is for five years and a whopping $90 million, carrying a salary cap hit of $18 million. It would make Carlsson the highest paid player in NHL history per season if the Ducks don't match it.
Speaking of offer sheets, could the Detroit Red Wings be victimized by one?
Defenseman Simon Edvinsson was tendered a qualifying offer by the Red Wings, meaning they retain his RFA rights, but that he's still eligible to be extended an offer sheet from an opposition NHL club.
During his recent "32 Thoughts" podcast, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman openly wondered if the Carolina Hurricanes, who are the current defending Stanley Cup champions, could make such a move - especially if they were to lose RFA defenseman Alexander Nikishin.
"I'll tell you, the other player that I heard in conjunction with them was Simon Edvinsson from the Red Wings," Friedman said. "He's a really good player, and - if they lose Nikishin, they're gonna need a defenseman, right? And I think Edvinsson would be excellent for their system.
So, I've kind of wondered if they're eying him up and down, too."
"Carolina has earned that, sort of - you'd better think of creative things they can do, and they're not afraid to try them," he said.
Selected by the Red Wings with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, Edvinsson has quickly developed into one of Detroit's most valuable blueliners, trailing only Moritz Seider in terms of overall importance on the back end.
During the season, he skated in 72 games and established a new career high with nine goals while contributing 16 assists for 25 points.
After re-aggravating a lingering injury in a game late in January, Edvinsson underwent surgery but successfully worked his way back into the lineup before the end of February.
Edvinsson has appeared in 175 career NHL games, and has scored 19 goals with 41 assists. He's averaged 21:09 of ice time per game, and is a plus-17.
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Each of the three All-Star selections of Byron Buxton’s major league career has naturally brought him a deep sense of appreciation.
This one was undoubtedly the most satisfying.
Voted in as a starter by fan balloting for the first time, Buxton reveled in the fact that he landed on the American League squad with Minnesota Twins teammate Joe Ryan for the second straight summer.
Playing on market-value contracts for a team in transition with a bottom-third payroll that conducted a big selloff before the deadline last year, Buxton and Ryan have been prominently included on just about every baseball pundit’s list of trade candidates for months on end.
Yet they’re both still wearing Twins uniforms and going back to the All-Star Game this season while representing a plucky club that has shown plenty of competitiveness for all of its roster imperfections.
Buxton, a two-time Gold Glove award winner in center field, ranks fifth in the majors with 25 home runs with a robust .904 OPS mark that’s his best since 2021. Ryan, one of the pitchers elected by the players, leads baseball with 19 starts and is seventh in strikeout-to-walk ratio.
“It means a lot to be able to represent the Twins but also to be able to start out the season good,” Buxton said in New York on Saturday when MLB unveiled the All-Star teams. “To be able to run it back with Joe is a little bit more special to me.”
The second overall pick in the 2012 draft, Buxton has deftly persevered through his well-documented history of injuries to become not only the five-tool player the Twins long envisioned but a vital leader in a clubhouse of mostly younger players who revere him.
Despite a threadbare bullpen and a series of injuries that have diluted a strong group of starting pitchers, the Twins have so far hung around in both an AL Central division that’s there for the taking and a wide-open race for three wild-card spots. They won a road series against the Yankees over the weekend for the first time in 12 years.
“I truly think this is the most fun I’ve ever had playing baseball,” Buxton said. “With the support that we have in here, the resilience that the team has, everything that makes this group us. I know I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Buxton was removed from the game on Sunday as a precaution after feeling discomfort in the right hip that has given him problems from time to time this season, putting his All-Star Game appearance in question with the event approaching on July 14. The Twins were off on Monday, giving him a bonus day to rest before starting a three-game series against division rival Cleveland on Tuesday. But so far, Buxton has not had to go on the injured list at all this year, another point of pride for the 32-year-old.
“I don’t want to set myself back farther, just in case I was trying to push through it or whatever the situation was,” Buxton said after the game on Sunday. “I don’t want to put the team in a bad spot by me trying to go out there and be Superman by trying to play one game and I end up missing a month.”
During the team’s most recent homestand, general manager Jeremy Zoll began an interview session, unprompted, by declaring that Buxton has never been on the trade block and won’t be now. Buxton, for his part, has a no-trade clause that he has consistently and emphatically alluded to anytime his status comes up with reporters. Buxton’s contract, which pays him a little more than $15 million per year, expires after the 2028 season.
“We have no plans to trade Byron,” Zoll said. “It’s not something we’re exploring. It’s not something we plan to explore.”
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 05: Sung-Mun Song #24 of the San Diego Padres safely slides into second base during an MLB game between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 5, 2026 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Greg Fiore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Arizona Diamondbacks (44-45) at San Diego Padres (44-45), July 6, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JULY 5: Maliq Brown #15 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors during the California Classic Game on July 5, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Every year, Summer League teaches us the same lessons. Without high-level NBA talent on the floor, defense typically has the advantage. The more physical and aggressive team can completely stifle an opposing offense that hasn’t played much together and doesn’t have the offensive weapons to counter the defensive force. The San Antonio Spurs Summer League squad learned that the hard way on Sunday in a 69-98 loss to the Golden State Warriors Gold squad.
From tip-off, it was clear that the summer Spurs were outmatched by Golden State. The Warriors were pressuring the ball on the perimeter, not allowing San Antonio to get into an easy offensive flow. When the Spurs did manage to get to the paint, the Warriors had the rim protectors to stop them from scoring. Overall, Golden State looked like the more physical and mature team. That played out on the stat sheet as well, as the Spurs had 19 turnovers, shot just 38% from the field, and were outrebounded 47-30.
Without Tarris Reed Jr. and Carter Bryant, the summer Spurs were missing two key contributors who could have brought some offensive firepower. Through two games, it’s clear that San Antonio’s summer team was designed for Bryant to be a key offensive force, as there aren’t many offensive creators on the roster. When he comes back in San Antonio’s first Las Vegas Summer League game, we should see more of what this team was designed to do.
Takeaways:
The standout performer on Sunday was Emmanuel Miller, who has one of the Spurs’ two-way roster spots. He had 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals, and knocked down two three-pointers. Miller is an awesome athlete who can get downhill quickly in transition. Defensively, he’s disruptive in the passing lanes and has enough size and strength on the wings to make things tough on his opponents. He can often get out of control in half-court settings, driving into a collapsing defense with nowhere to go. But his combination of size, athleticism, and shooting is intriguing. He’s a player to watch for the rest of the summer.
I’ve loved Maliq Brown’s defense. With Reed Jr. missing the game for a non-injury reason, Brown slotted in as the team’s starting center. He has shone as a help defender both on the wing and at center in his two Summer League games. He always seems to be in the right spot and has great hands, allowing him to disrupt passes or block shots at the rim. He needs to find an offensive niche if he wants to develop into an NBA rotation player, but his defense is already one of the top skills of any player on San Antonio’s summer roster.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie continued to miss shots in his second game, but he is doing a great job getting open. Gillespie had 9 points on 4-12 shooting from the field on Sunday. He’s running a lot of the offense and getting a whole lot of usage, but isn’t seeing the ball go through the hoop. He’s looked really good getting downhill on ball screens and getting into a mid-range pull-up, but the shots just aren’t falling right now. We’ll see if he can find his rhythm as the summer goes on.
Hyunjung Lee can shoot. He went 4-7 from the field on the way to 11 points off the bench, including a pair of impressive triples. His defense has not been great despite his size, and he isn’t really a threat to create his own shot. San Antonio’s Summer League coach, Corliss Williamson, has been encouraging Lee to shoot more. Expect to see Lee continue to let it fly as the Spurs head to Vegas.
DeMar DeRozan has been waived by the Sacramento Kings after spending two seasons with the franchise after joining in 2024.
DeRozan, a 17-year NBA veteran, was drafted in 2009 with the ninth overall pick by the Toronto Raptors. In his career, he's also played for the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls. The six-time All-Star was released from the Kings on Monday, July 6, the team announced.
Both, DeRozan and the Kings front office reportedly worked together, collaboratively to waive DeRozan after searching for possible trade destinations, according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania.
DeRozan was a consummate professional during his time with the Kings. During the 2025-26 season, he led the team in games started and played with 77. He led Sacramento in scoring among players on the team with at least 50 appearances, averaging 18.4 points per contest.
"My whole goal since I been in the league is to try and find ways to come back and be better," DeRozan told USA TODAY Sports during his end-of-season exit interview with the Kings in April.
DeRozan now becomes an unrestricted free agent and one of the remaining highly regarded players available throughout the free agency pool. There are plenty of teams, especially contenders, who can utilize his skillset, veteran leadership and professionalism inside their locker room.
Here are possible free agency landing spots for DeRozan after being waived by the Kings.
DeMar DeRozan landing spots
Here a few options that seem like potential sites on where DeRozan could land:
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat could be a team looking to get in line for DeRozan following his release from Sacramento. According to Miami Herald and Heat beat reporter Barry Jackson, Miami could look to add the All-Star guard to the team following its blocbuster deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis on June 22.
Jackson reported that there has been no contact between the Heat and DeRozan's camp but said that Miami would be among teams of interest. Other players he mentions include Bradley Beal and Gary Trent, but it all depends on what LeBron James plans to do.
"The Heat simply could wait on LeBron decision before deciding what wing player to pursue," Jackson said in a X post. "I expect Heat to try to add another wing; tough call is whether to pounce on one of these players or wait to see if a surprise name shakes free."
Toronto Raptors
Toronto is a team that continues to come up in conversation about landing spots for DeRozan, and there are plenty of reasons to make the connection as well. DeRozan, with more NBA years behind him than in front, can play out the twilight of his career in the city where it all began.
To make things even better, maybe he gets to link up with his buddy Kyle Lowry. Lowry signed with Toronto on a one-day deal to officially retire as a Raptor.
If DeRozan were to sign with Toronto, it would mark the the second return this summer of a former star. Kawhi Leonard, who led the Raptors to the the 2019 NBA championship, is back in Toronto after a massive trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Golden State Warriors
ESPN's Anthony Slater has linked DeRozan to the Warriors saying the team would look into the six-time All-Star if they are not able to land LeBron James.
DeRozan would be a natural fit for Golden State, given their roster. DeRozan gives them a solid scoring presence and a veteran leader in the locker room, and Golden State wouldn't have to rush Jimmy Butler back to the court after dealing with a torn ACL.
Of course, questions of fit may loom, especially once team is fully healthy. But that could be a good problem to have. They would for sure be versatile with both.
Los Angeles Clippers
DeRozan is from southern California, so going back home could always be an intriguing option for the 17-year NBA veteran. Hoops Hype's Michael Scotto reported the Clippers would have interest in DeRozan. It would be the perfect homecoming. However, you'd have to imagine playing for a sure contender would be top of the priority list for DeRozan.
Teams unlikely to DeRozan
There are teams likely to go after DeRozan and then there are teams who won't be in the sweepstakes for the NBA vet.
Non-contending teams
It is expected that DeRozan will not play for a team that's not a contender. Any franchise not expected to contend for the postseason should not expect to be in the running for Deebo.
Los Angeles Lakers
If the Clippers are on the list for LA-native DeRozan, then surely the Lakers would be too. Except, that's not the case.
ESPN NBA reporter Dave McMenamin said the Lakers are not expected to a potential landing spot for DeRozan, despite having been connected to the guard-forward in 2021, in a post on social media.
If there were ever any questions about Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and his loyalty to the team, he has answered them.
Time and time again, he's expressed his desire to remain with Denver for the remainder of his career. Jokic has two seasons remaining on his contract, which includes a player option to become an unrestricted free agent in 2028 when he will turn 33.
The three-time MVP made clear he will not wait until then to ease the minds of Nuggets fans.
"My idea is to sign next summer and stay with Denver for the rest of my career," Jokic told reporters in Serbian after a FIBA World Cup qualifying game Monday.
"My idea and desire is to stay in Denver. I'll probably sign next year ... My desire is to play the rest of my life in Denver."
Jokic entered the league in 2014. He was selected by the Nuggets with the 41st overall pick in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. He led Denver to a 2023 NBA title and was named Finals MVP.
He could sign the largest contract in NBA history in the summer of 2027. Jokic would be eligible for a five-year, $359.5 million contract as a free agent, according to ESPN.
Jokic averaged a triple-double during the 2025-26 season with 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game in 65 appearances. In 11 NBA seasons, Jokic averages 22.2 points per game, 11.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists.
Evan Phillips was activated from the 60-day injured list on Monday, and if he can pitch the way he did before he underwent reconstructive elbow surgery last year, the Dodgers really might not have to do anything in the month leading up to the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
“More nervous than I expected,” Phillips said.
Dodgers have activated Evan Phillips from the 60-day IL after reconstructive elbow surgery last year. Getty Images
Phillips, 31, was the Dodgers’ saves leader in both 2023 and 2024. Claimed off waivers in the middle of the 2021 season, Phillips has posted a 2.22 earned-run average in 201 games for the Dodgers.
His return for the start of a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies marked the end of a 13-month journey that started when Dr. Neal ElAttrache repaired his ulnar collateral ligament.
“I’m excited to get back out there. I was here for a live BP a month and a half ago and took a moment then to appreciate being back at Dodger Stadium, but it’s gonna be different tonight, getting back out there in a competitive atmosphere,” Phillips said. “So really exited about that.
The final stage of Phillips’ recovery included a month-long rehabilitation in triple A. Phillips pitched 12 games for the Dodgers’ Oklahoma City-based affiliate, posting a 1.80 ERA in 10 innings.
Phillips pitched on consecutive days for Oklahoma City on June 24 and 25, the latter appearance marking the start of a four-game stretch in which he didn’t give up any runs or walks.
“Feel like probably the last past two weeks or so really took a good turn on my rehab,” he said. “Started bouncing back even better, pitching more like myself, feeling more like myself.”
Paul Gervase was optioned to clear a spot for Phillips on the active roster. Phillips’ place on the 40-man roster came at the expense of left-hander Jake Eder.
In a separate roster move, the Dodgers added right-hander Carlos Duran to the 40-man roster and designated catcher Chuckie Johnson for assignment. Johnson was optioned to triple A after he was 2 for 23 in eight major-league games with the Dodgers.
Since then, some people wanted to read into Jokic not signing an extension with the Nuggets this offseason, but Jokic — after playing for Serbia in a FIBA World Cup qualifying game yesterday — once again was unequivocal.
Nikola Jokic: "My idea is to sign next summer and stay with Denver for the rest of my career."
Jokic has two years and $121.9 million left on his current contract, with the final year of that deal being a player option.
Here's why he's going to wait: Right now, and through the end of next season, Jokic can sign a four-year, $278 million max extension; if he waits until next summer, he can sign a historic five-year, $359.5 million deal — the largest in NBA history. And he could get a no-trade clause.
Jokic is coming off a season in which he averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game — averaging a triple-double — and he finished second in MVP voting. While he struggled in the playoffs with his 3-pointer and defense, a big part of that is the roster around him needs to be improved. Bottom line, he is a top-three player in the world in his prime, and the Nuggets are going to pay up.
Phoenix, AZ - February 19, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Evan Phillips (59) at Los Angeles Dodgers' media day during spring training in Camelback Ranch, Phoenix, AZ on February 19, 2026. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Thirteen months and two days after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Dodgers reliever Evan Phillips was activated off the 60-day injured list on Monday by the Dodgers ahead of their three-game series against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.
Phillips had an extensive rehab assignment, appearing in 12 games over 30 days with Triple-A Oklahoma City. The right-hander had a 1.80 ERA with 13 strikeouts and five walks in 10 innings for the Comets, with his last game coming last Friday, a perfect frame with two strikeouts against Sugar Land. This was essentially spring training for Phillips, who pitched on back-to-back days on June 24-25, and appeared in parts of two innings on June 28, usual items on the checklist for relief pitchers building up for their season.
Jake Eder, who was on the minor league injured list in Oklahoma City, was released to make room on the 40-man roster for Phillips. Paul Gervase was optioned to Triple-A to open the active roster spot. Gervase pitched in two of the four games for which he was active on this stint in the majors. Eder, acquired from the Washington Nationals on April 1, piched in four games for the Dodgers and allowed a run on three hits in four innings, with one strikeout and one walk.
Also on Monday, the Dodgers added pitcher Carlos Durán to the 40-man roster and designated catcher Chuckie Robinson for assignment.
Durán was originally developed by the Dodgers but was traded to the A’s in April 2025 for outfielder Esteury Ruíz. Durán signed a minor league contract to return to the Dodgers in December, and was a non-roster invitee in spring training. In 30 games for Oklahoma City, Durán has a 3.86 ERA and two saves with 50 strikeouts and 25 walks in 35 innings. He’ll remain with the Comets, only now on the 40-man roster.
Robinson started six games behind the plate to backup Dalton Rushing before getting optioned over the weekend in favor of Eliezer Alfonzo. Robinson had two hits in 23 at-bats with the Dodgers, both hits coming on June 23 at the Minnesota Twins.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 07: Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on December 07, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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
The Cleveland Cavaliers have home-court advantage in luring LeBron James to them in free agency. That leverage has reportedly left rival teams across the league feeling hopeless in their pursuit.
“Everybody I’ve talked to is like ‘we’re afraid it’s Cleveland,” said ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “Nobody seems like they have optimism.“
Most of the league is going after the King. Even at 41 years old, James brings value that few others can replicate. He’s seen as the missing piece for numerous teams that are desperate to reach the next level. Only one of the greatest of all time can control the offseason like this.
Notable teams that are interested in James include the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers. Windhorst says the Sixers fear they’ve already lost the war.
“I’ve talked to people in Philly, and I’m like, what do you think? ‘We’re afraid it’s Cleveland,’” said Windhorst.
Cleveland seems to be gaining serious momentum. It makes all too much sense for James to return home for the grand finale of his career. This is a location that can offer him everything, from a chance to win one more title to a final standing ovation in front of the crowd that has loved him most. The appeal of ending it in Cleveland is strong enough narratively to put doubt in everyone else’s minds.
Why wouldn’t it?
James has been all over Akron this week, posting to social media as he parties with hometown friends and Cavs front office members alike. James has returned to Akron frequently over the years — something that should only add fuel to the fire for his return. Clearly, he loves being home.
Other teams can offer him competitive environments. The 76ers have re-upped with Jaylen Brown next to their core of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The Heat, similarly, made a splash by trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Golden State has some long-time rivals who James could unite with for one more shot at a title.
None of those places offer James the safety that Cleveland does.
Failure in Golden State or Philly would feel as anticlimactic as it gets. Can you imagine the halfhearted cheers that James would receive from Warriors fans who have spent the last decade hating him if the Dubs had an early exit next season? It would pale in comparison to even the worst-case scenario in Cleveland. Frankly, the Cavs could miss the postseason altogether, and James would still get an authentic, roaring ovation from the Cleveland crowd in his final game.
I’d imagine all of this is weighing into James’ decision. And as we await the final verdict, reports such as this suggest that Cleveland might be in the lead.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 06: Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens (left) and lead owner Bill Chisholm speak during a media availability at The Auerbach Center on July 06, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BOSTON — Brad Stevens has taken countless press conferences, for many years on an almost-nightly basis as a head coach, and more recently, as the Celtics’ President of Basketball Operations.
Still, sitting at the Auerbach Center podium late Monday afternoon, he was faced with perhaps his most difficult press conference yet.
The stunning trade that made Jaylen Brown a Philadelphia 76er was not even official for three hours when Stevens took the podium alongside team owner Bill Chisholm, in order to answer 45 minutes of grueling questions from the local Boston press corps.
Was this a cost-cutting move? Did swapping in Paul George for Jaylen Brown actually make this team better? How do you explain this to the angry fans? What do you say to a disrespected Jaylen?
From the get-go, Stevens looked and sounded like a man who, understandably, was balancing several competing and sensitive objectives.
He had an obvious desire — perhaps even a mandate — to be complimentary to Brown, a franchise legend, an all-time great who helped deliver Banner 18 to the Celtics a mere two summers ago.
“When Jaylen came here as a 19-year-old, we knew that he had a lot of talent and a lot of ability to impact people in a lot of different ways,” Stevens said in his opening statement. “And he certainly did that by inspiring people with his play, but I think maybe more so — and the thing that certainly always impressed me even more — was taking on the responsibility of being a great Boston athlete in the community. He talked all the time about his admiration for Bill Russell, and all that he meant in the community, and Jaylen has done an amazing job.”
He had a responsibility to empathize with the outraged Celtics fans who have been trying to make sense of a shocking deal that sent a beloved, homegrown star to a division rival for a far less impressive return than most expected.
“I’ve lost sleep over the ‘fan’ part of this,” Stevens said. “I get it. Like, there’s a bunch of 7 jerseys around. I’m pretty sure I bought a couple, so I get it.”
And, he tried his very best to be truthful and shine light on just some of the factors that played into the wildly unpopular decision, be it Brown’s unfavorable advanced analytics, the challenges of balancing two supermax contracts, Brown’s high usage; the list goes on.
Stevens admitted that advanced analytics played a role in his decision-making, albeit a limited one: “I would say that was a small piece of information.”
And, he acknowledged that it’s just not viable to have two supermax players long-term: “We may not be sitting here if there was a rule in the CBA that said, ‘The guys that you drafted that you signed for 35% supermaxes count as 25% of the cap, because then that would allow you to build out towards the aprons with a lot less flexibility, or with a lot more flexibility.”
Stevens answered each and every question thoroughly, looking reporters in the eye, calling them by their first name, never getting even a tad bit defensive.
Chisholm, who is far less experienced, occasionally chimed in to fortify the message, nervously fidgeting at times, but nonetheless picking his words carefully.
The duo undoutebdly handled what could have been a disastrous presser well. How much that actually matters to Celtics fans remains to be seen.
In my view, there were four notable moments.
1. Bill Chisholm made clear that the idea to trade Jaylen Brown did not stem from him.
“Brad and his team came with a recommendation, this is the way we’re gonna win,” Chisholm said. “And I looked at it, and I had the same reaction, I was like, ‘Wow.‘ This is the fan in me — like, really tough.”
He also made clear this was not a cost-cutting move.
“I know there’s people who feel like, ‘Oh, there must be a smoking gun somewhere on the money,’ but that’s just not what this is about,” Chisholm said. “And I can say it, and I’ll keep saying it, but I’ll also prove it to you when the time comes. When we have the opportunity, we’re going to do that. And we’ve given ourselves the flexibility to do it now. So, it’s fine to keep asking the question, because I know we have to prove it, and we will.”
Though Chisholm came into his role at a difficult time, there’s no reason to think he’s been cheaping out — I genuinely believe all of this would have happened if the previous ownership group remained. But, as he acknowledged, only time will tell.
2. Brad Stevens shot down some of the off-court rumors that have surrounded Jaylen Brown’s trade
In the days since Jaylen Brown was traded, rumors have swirled that off-court issues may played a factor. But, Stevens vehemently shot down the notion that Brown was disgruntled with the team, or vice versa, prior to trade talks.
“We all appreciate Jaylen,” Stevens said. “We’ve all enjoyed having Jaylen as a teammate. I think he’s got great relationships from here.”
Did Jayson Tatum want Jaylen Brown gone?
That question has been posited in radio and TV stations across the country, and Stevens laid that one to rest, too.
He reiterated that Tatum, Brown’s teammate of 9 seasons, had no input in the decision to make the trade.
“I have a real hard-and-fast rule,” Stevens said. “I don’t ask other guys about other guys… I won’t put them in that position.”
3. The Celtics wanted to move away from being such a top-heavy team
As part of his opening statement, Brad Stevens shared (unprompted) that he felt like having Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown take up such a large percentage of the salary cap and usage wasn’t putting the Celtics on the best pathway forward.
“The path looked a little bit more challenging with 70% of our cap and such a high percent of our usage tied into two players,” Stevens said. “And the reality in this era and in this day and age at the NBA, you could see it obviously, with the last couple of champions and some of the teams that were at the very top of the league, when it was all said and done at the end of this year, is that you have to do a great job and you have to have the optionality to do a great job of building out depth that can hopefully replace the irreplaceable individual. And that’s not an easy thing to do, right? And we get that. And that’s absolutely nothing against Jaylen. If you have Jaylen Brown on your team, you should feature him. You should use all those possessions, and you should approach things that way. But I think the importance of depth, and then obviously we have to continue to work on ways to diversify our attack overall.”
My analysis: There was a time in which having two or three stars was all you needed to be a championship contender in the NBA. Recent history shows that that era has passed, and this trade is, in part, an acknowledgement of that.
4. The Celtics actually think Paul George will be a difference-maker
It’s hard to get fans excited about a soon-to-be 37-year-old player who on one of the NBA’s most unpopular contracts. But, though his availability remains a question mark, the team is excited about what Paul George could bring.
“We like Paul,” Stevens said. “Paul’s a really good player. We’re not very far removed from all sitting in our series against Philadelphia and watching Paul be a guy that could carry you for portions of a quarter or a half, but also play a complementary role on both ends of the floor at the highest of levels. He’s excited to come to Boston. He actually already came in this weekend. And we’re excited to get a chance to work with him.”
My analysis: The word ‘complementary’ here is key. The Celtics believe that Paul George could fit well next season, and fit in well to what the Celtics are doing. George was awesome in the postseason against Boston — he averaged 17.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 48.9% from the field and 55% from three across seven games. He’s also historically been an elite defender. There’s a world where he really thrives in this role.
Still, the reality is that nothing Brad Stevens said will fully satisfy Celtics fans
Though Stevens handled the press conference as best as he could — perhaps as best as any NBA general manager in the aftermath of such an unpopular trade — no words could provide complete clarity on why this all played out, why it had to happen now, and why the Celtics wouldn’t want to keep Brown coming off of his best season yet.
Perhaps the truth is hurtful to Brown. It was clear from the jump that Stevens did not want to denigrate his character or on-court play, to the point where he even avoided saying he thinks next year’s team will be better than this year’s.
Or, maybe the logic behind the decision to trade Brown is faulty. And, maybe, the decision to trade Brown will age poorly.
Stevens acknowledged that reality, too.
“I might be wrong,” Stevens said. “I’m not going to stand up here and be defensive about that.”
Either way, though Stevens gets a 10 out of 10 on his transparency and willingness to field all the questions, and give fans the answers they deserved, even if it doesn’t actually move the needle on things.
