SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #29 of the Milwaukee Bucks walks on the court during warmups before their game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on March 19, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah.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 Chris Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s time for the Milwaukee Bucks to make a decision in the long-rumored Giannis Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes. The 2026 NBA Draft is Tuesday night, and if the Bucks want to acquire more picks in this draft, now is the time to trade their franchise player. Bucks ownership has already indicated that Antetokounmpo will be traded this summer if he doesn’t sign a contract extension as he enters the final year of his deal. There’s reportedly only two teams left in the bidding.
There’s strong mutual interest between the Miami Heat and Antetokounmpo. The Heat’s offer has been similar since the Feb. trade deadline, with a package built around Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and multiple first-round picks, including the No. 13 overall selection in the 2026 draft. The Bucks are reportedly lukewarm on taking back Herro, a Milwaukee native, and could re-route him to a third team, with the Detroit Pistons being connected to the scoring guard over the weekend.
The Boston Celtics are the other team in the mix for Antetokounmpo, and they are now reportedly willing to include Jaylen Brown in their trade offer. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that “Brown is on the table, and he could get traded for Giannis in the short-term future.” Watch the full clip here:
"Jaylen Brown is on the table, and Jaylen Brown could get traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo in the short-term future."@WindhorstESPN with the latest on the Bucks possibly trading Giannis Antetokounmpo 🏀 pic.twitter.com/BhGHPdlSDF
It remains unclear what else Boston would include in the deal. The Celtics have three tradable first-round picks, starting with the No. 27 pick this year, as well as first rounders in 2031 and 2033. Can Milwaukee get Payton Pritchard in the deal, too?
Giannis’ injury history, age, and contract are all factors in the deal. Antetokounmpo turns 32 years old in December. He’s only played in three playoff games since 2022 because of untimely injuries. He’s likely about to negotiate a max contract extension.
Imagine a world where we all had collective amnesia, specifically about the NBA Draft.
Weird world, right? How did that happen? It doesn’t matter. Life is the same as before, only nobody knows where any NBA player got drafted. Please note that this is not a pitch for a Sci-Fi movie.
Consider Jabari Smith Jr. That guy is pretty good, right? He’s not a superstar, but at roughly $24 million per season, anyone would be happy to roster a 6’11” wing who can shoot the three, protect the rim from the weakside, and survive in space defensively. Smith Jr. is pretty good:
He’s just not third-overall pick good.
By now, that’s a moot point – he’s not third-overall pick paid, either. Still, fans want more. Smith Jr. himself seems to want more.
Can he give more?
Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. has something to build on
Let it be said that Smith Jr. responded to his contract extension by having the best season of his career.
In 2025-26, he averaged 15.8 points per game while shooting 36.3% from deep, both career highs (although the latter is a tie). As with virtually every NBA player ever, much of Smith Jr.’s value is tethered to his three-point shooting. Smith Jr. shot exactly 36.3% from deep in his sophomore year as well, but last year he shot a career-high volume (6.3 per game vs 5.0).
Otherwise, little changed about Smith Jr.’s shot profile. In 2025-26, 50.1% of his field goals came from beyond the arc, compared to 48.9% last year. His percentage of attempts in every area was comparable to the previous year. Smith Jr. simply increased his overall field goal attempts.
Some fans would like to see Ime Udoka run more sets that find Smith Jr. in the midrange. He did hit a solid 52.4% of his attempts between three and ten feet this year, although the 42.4% he hit between ten and 16 left something to be desired. Still, Smith Jr. is reliable in that ten-foot area.
It’s somewhat a case of eating your vegetables before you can have your dessert. There’s a world where Smith Jr. middies become a larger staple of (to extend the metaphor) the Rockets’ offensive diet, but it’s more pressing that he continues to build on his three-point shooting.
He’s a…let’s say less than prolific ball-handler. Smith Jr. can get to his spots by virtue of his height, and he’s increased his physicality when looking to create his own shot. Still, life would be easier if defenses were more concerned with his three-pointer.
There’s also the omnipresent reality of the Rockets’ spacing. Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson need the paint. Kevin Durant loves the midrange and is much more effective there. The team’s (presumed) 2026-27 roster won’t be set up to explore Smith Jr.’s midrange mastery.
Perhaps it’s something to explore down the road. For now, the key to success for Smith Jr. in 2026-27 remains behind the three-point line. If he can increase his efficiency on comparable volume, or increase his volume with limited efficiency regression, he’ll earn his keep again.
One more note: I’d like to see Udoka explore lineups with Smith Jr. at the 5 more frequently. I’ve long abandoned my pipe dream of him as a full-time five. Still, he spent 32% of his time there as a sophomore (the same year that he matched that 36.3% from deep, which may be a statistical blip, but big men have a harder time closing out…) and a career-low 10% last season.
Smith Jr. is one of the very best 6’10” and up shooters in the NBA. There’s Karl-Anthony Towns, his own teammate Kevin Durant, and…that’s where I start drawing blanks. Naz Reid is comparable. Kristaps Porzingis is a candidate. Still, Smith Jr. is right there. That combination of height and shooting accuracy gives him value:
Even if it’s a bit less than you wanted from a third overall pick.
Last week was a week so bad that I couldn’t even bear to pull out three positive moments. Luckily, it can’t get any worse than the bottom, and it didn’t! While it wasn’t anywhere close to a 6-0 week, the 2-4 result had a few moments to be positive about.
Bazzana Has Huge Night
In Saturday’s big 8-1 win against the Houston Astros, Travis Bazzana was the star of the show. He took Spencer Arrighetti’s first pitch of the game 382 feet into right center field for a home run. In the top of the fifth, he took Arrighetti deep again, this time for a 406 foot three-run home run to right center. He ended the day 4-4 with the two home runs, four hits, and five RBI. He is now hitting .273/.367/.471 in his rookie campaign.
Cantillo Shines
Also in Saturday’s win, pitcher Joey Cantillo had his moment to shine. 6-3 on the year after the big win, Cantillo went eight innings while giving up just four hits and one earned run. He struck out nine and walked only one. He brought his ERA down to 4.05 across 16 games this season, and has collected 76 strikeouts so far. Reliever Matt Festa held on for the ninth inning to give Cantillo the win.
Watson Makes Debut
With all of the injuries plaguing the Guardians right now, they had to make some moves. One of those moves included calling up outfielder Kahlil Watson. He had been hitting .255/.370/.491 so far this season in Columbus, and he was highly anticipated in Cleveland. While he has yet to collect a hit or a walk and has struck out eight times in his first four games, he has shown his talent with the leather in the outfield. He made a huge diving catch in his MLB debut, holding the Milwaukee Brewers to just a one-run lead.
Social Media Spotlight
This week’s Social Media Spotlight comes from the Guardians’ Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers. They posted a video of catcher Bo Naylor’s inside-the-park home run from Friday’s game versus the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRaiders.
Lindor played rehab games the last few days with Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse, with his return from a calf injury imminent.
The plan is for Lindor to play a simulated game on Monday at Citi Field, after which he could get a day off before being activated.
That puts Wednesday as the most likely day for Lindor's return.
When Lindor is back, it will be just the 12th time that both he andJuan Soto are in the lineup together this season -- with Lindor having suffered his calf injury in the same April game where Soto returned from his.
The Mets' offense as a whole was an afterthought as the team lost two of three games to the Phillies over the weekend. That's because Freddy Peralta and David Peterson put New York in early holes that were inescapable.
But amid the carnage, Benge had a strong showing, smacking home runs on Saturday and Sunday.
Over his last seven games, spanning 33 plate appearances, Benge is slashing .290/.333/.548 (.882 OPS) with two homers, one triple, and six runs scored.
Dating back to April 23, Benge is hitting .296/.350/.471 (.821 OPS) with eight homers in 53 games.
Looking at his advanced season stats via Baseball Savant, Benge is above average in 10 of 13 key categories, including xwOBA, xBA, xSLG, average exit velocity, barrel percentage, and hard hit percentage.
Playoffs? We're talking playoffs?
Yes, we are, even though it's borderline absurd to be doing so with New York having a record of 34-43.
But despite how bad the Mets have been, they are just 6.0 games back of the third Wild Card spot in the National League with more than half the season to go. The team currently in that spot? The Cubs.
Jun 12, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets left fielder Juan Soto (22) hits a solo home run in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
That means if the Mets have a big series this week against Chicago, they can make up serious ground in a theoretical race for one of the final playoff spots in the National League.
The Mets front office has about a month left before they have to decide whether to sell at the trade deadline. At this point -- barring an incredible run in the next few weeks -- buying would seem to be out of the question.
So it will almost certainly come down to standing pat or selling, with the Mets' direction possibly due in large part to how they perform this week at home against Chicago and the Phillies.
The Jekyll and Hyde Cubs
The Cubs started the year on fire before crashing back to earth.
They were 27-12 ahead of play on May 9 before going on a slide that had them at 34-34 on June 10 -- following a brutal 7-22 clip.
Chicago has righted the ship since, though their 6-3 record over the last week-plus has come against two of the worst teams in baseball, with the Cubs winning five of those games against the Rockies and Giants.
Like the Mets, the Cubs are dealing with rotation issues, with Justin Steele, Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, and Jameson Taillon all on the IL.
The Cubs are set to send Shota Imanaga, Edward Cabrera, and Javier Assad out against the Mets during this series, with their starting pitcher for Thursday TBD.
Pete Crow-Armstrong is having a monster year
After struggling badly over the first month of the season (he had a .662 OPS on May 5), Crow-Armstrong has turned it on.
For the season, Crow-Armstrong is slashing .286/.363/.521 with 16 homers, 12 doubles, four triples, and 18 stolen bases.
He is on a 10-game hitting streak, and has reached base safely in 22 of his last 23 games.
Defensively, Crow-Armstrong has been the best center fielder in the league, with him in the 100th percentile when it comes to outs above average and 99th percentile in arm value.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Juan Soto
When in doubt, go with the guy who has a .974 OPS.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
Nolan McLean
McLean has righted the ship after back-to-back rough outings at the end of May, posting a 1.64 ERA in 22.0 innings over his last four starts.
Which Cubs player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Pete Crow-Armstrong
The 24-year-old impacts both sides of the ball like few can.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 21: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the San Diego Padres turns the double play as Josh Jung #6 of the Texas Rangers slides into second base during the third inning at Globe Life Field on June 21, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Fernando Tatis Jr. came off the bench to pinch-hit to lead off the top of the ninth inning. He laced a single into center field and represented the tying run for the San Diego Padres who trailed the Texas Rangers, 4-3. Xander Bogaerts followed Tatis and pushed him to second base with his own single to center field. The Padres were in prime position to at least tie the game with runners at first and second with no outs and Ty France coming to the plate. France homered twice in the series opener, which included a grand slam, but that was not needed in this case. All he had to do was put the ball in play without hitting into a double play. France failed to execute the fundamentals and struck out giving San Diego their first out with no advancement of the runners. Sung-Mun Song then flied lined out to the outfield, which also did not allow either runner to advance and Rodolfo Duran grounded out to short to end the threat and the game. It was a difficult to end to a promising start to the inning and the result was a 4-3 loss and a series loss for the Padres.
San Diego employed the opener to start the game with Wandy Peralta throwing a scoreless first inning. Luca Giolito came on for the bulk innings role and allowed four runs on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts. The most disappointing aspect of his start was he immediately surrendered the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fourth inning after the Padres scored three runs in the top of the inning to tie the game, 3-3. Giolito allowed back-to-back-to-back one out singles, which allowed the Rangers to take a 4-3 lead when Josh Jung singled to score Wyatt Langford. Neither team added to their run total for the remainder of the game and San Diego finished its three-city road trip with a record of 4-5.
Jhony Brito continued his return to the majors with another solid start for El Paso and currently has an ERA under three with 30 innings pitched.
Miguel Andujar returned from the injured list and the Padres had to make a corresponding move to make room on the roster. Nick Solak was designated for assignment.
Baseball News:
Bryce Harper has found magic in his bat. A day after hitting for the cycle, he was a triple shy of doing it again for the Philadelphia Phillies, using the same bat.
United States' Brady Tkachuk (7) and Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrate after the United States' win over Canada in the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Feb. 22, 2026.
A blockbuster trade hit the NHL world on Father’s Day with the Ottawa Senators sending Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers for a bundle of draft picks, including both of Florida’s first-round picks in this week’s draft. The former Ottawa captain joins his brother Matthew in Florida.
While the trade itself isn’t all that surprising, the timing of the move was never quite clear. Tkachuk has two years remaining on his seven-year, $57.5 million contract, so it wasn’t inevitable that Tkachuk would be moved this summer. But at some point, Ottawa got the message from Tkachuk and his agent.
In recent weeks, Tkachuk’s agent, Craig Oster of Newport Sports, had conversations with Senators general manager Steven Staios about the captain’s future. At some point, it was conveyed that Tkachuk wouldn’t look to re-sign with the team when his contract expires in 2028, and that the Senators should get ahead on trading their captain, according to The Athletic.
Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk on the ice during the second period at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, USA, Monday, March 23, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
It’s a similar sentiment to the one conveyed to the Vancouver Canucks when they traded captain Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild in December. Had the Sens waited too long, they might’ve put themselves in a situation similar to the one the Rangers faced with Artemi Panarin, who began the 2025-26 season on the final year of his contract. The Rangers sent Panarin, who had a no-move clause, to the Los Angeles Kings in February for a lackluster return of prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional 2026 third-rounder.
Oster presented four teams where Tkachuk would consider accepting a trade: the Panthers, the Wild, the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights, per The Athletic. Florida has one thing that the other three teams, while all very attractive destinations, cannot replicate, and that’s the presence of Matthew Tkachuk.
United States’ Brady Tkachuk (7) and Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrate after the United States’ win over Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Feb. 22, 2026. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
By making a move early, the Senators eliminate the possibility of locker-room distraction and potential turmoil surrounding their captain, and they develop for the future or have assets to play with in the trade market with multiple picks.
Tkachuk gets to play with his brother on a team that will surely be back in contention and leaves Canada, where he was booed in Edmonton and Calgary every time he touched the puck after returning from the Milan Olympics.
Tkachuk’s move is just the start of what is sure to be a busy summer around the NHL.
One of the most inspirational players in all of sports, former MLB pitcher Jim Abbott will be honored with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2026 ESPY Awards, USA TODAY Sports confirms.
The pitcher will receive the award for being an incredible symbol of resilience. Abbott had a 10-year professional baseball career despite being born without a right hand, and accomplished one of the best moments a pitcher can have by throwing a no-hitter.
From Michigan, Abbott has defied the odds throughout his entire life. With just his left hand, he would pitch by putting his glove on his right forearm, then quickly putting his hand in the glove after throwing. If he fielded a ball, he'd again put the glove against his right forearm so he could grab the ball with his hand and throw it around the diamond.
Abbott caught national attention, as he was a star player at the University of Michigan and then a first round pick by the California Angels in the 1988 MLB Draft.
He immediately jumped to the MLB level without playing in the minors and had a solid rookie season in 1989, finishing fifth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting. His best season came in 1991, when his 2.89 ERA was the fourth-lowest in the AL and he finished third in Cy Young voting.
Abbott's defining moment came as a member of the New York Yankees on Sept. 4, 1993, when he threw a monumental no-hitter. He threw 119 pitches and struck out three batters in what became an iconic moment in baseball history.
Abbott's remarkable achievements and longevity paved the way for future athletes with limb differences to succeed in professional sports, including football player Shaquem Griffin, U.S. women's soccer national team member Carson Pickett and MMA fighter Nick Newell.
Earlier in June, an ESPN documentary about Abbott, "Southpaw – The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott" received a Peabody Award.
"Overcoming obstacles and pushing past traditional limitations on the mound was my way of showing what is possible when you refuse to give up," Abbott said in a statement. "To have my journey and my career recognized with an award that bears Coach Jim Valvano's name is a truly humbling milestone. Receiving the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance is an incredible honor, and I hope it serves as a reminder to the next generation of athletes that our perceived limits do not define our potential."
Abbott will be presented the award at the 2026 ESPY Awards ceremony on Wednesday, July 15 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City.
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: Brayden Burries and Koa Peat pose for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery on May 10, 2026 at Navy Pier 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The wait is almost over for former Arizona star freshmen Brayden Burries and Koa Peat. After leading the Wildcats to their first Final Four in 25 years, the duo are less than 48 hours away from achieving their dreams of joining the NBA.
The 2026 NBA Draft takes place in New York City this week, with the first round being held on Tuesday and the second round on Wednesday. Burries and Peat are both locks to hear their names called. Three more Wildcats from this year’s team could be taken in the second round: Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka and Anthony Dell’Orso.
Burries, a projected lottery pick, could be one of the first dozen players taken on Tuesday, while Peat is slated to go as a mid-to-late first rounder. Here’s where the final NBA mock drafts have Burries and Peat going. Some mocks also include Bradley and Awaka.
Summaries of mock selections are italicized where provided.
Burries has drawn a good amount of interest inside the top 10 but has not scheduled many workouts, appearing comfortable with his potential landing spots, including the Clippers, Hawks, Mavericks and Warriors. His predraft process has largely been under the radar. Any of those teams would give him an opportunity to contribute in a role in a competitive context right away.
The Mavericks are another team that appears open to moving back in the draft and have cast a wide net with first-round workouts, with Masai Ujiri taking over in May, and Dallas keeping its options open as it builds around Cooper Flagg.
Peat: No. 26 to the Nuggets
After opting to stay in the draft rather than return to Arizona, Peat seems to be trending toward the 20s, with teams continuing to express concern about his jump shot. His physicality and defensive versatility might appeal to a team like Denver, which has been able to creatively fit different skill sets around Nikola Jokic and needs to get more athletic along the frontline.
The Nuggets should be taking a best-available approach as they work to improve their depth. They are working with cap constraints as Peyton Watson hits restricted free agency, a situation that could lead to Denver moving a veteran player to enable added flexibility.
There’s not much new information out of Dallas since my previous mock draft. The Mavericks continue to conjure a lot of speculation among sources. They’ve explored trading this selection and are considering several different players and positions, from lead guards like Flemings, Wagler, Brown, Acuff and Christian Anderson to Ament to Yaxel Lendeborg.
Burries is the name I hear the most with Dallas, though, with sources around the lottery trying to determine why he’s not working out in as many places as you’d expect. There’s a lot of enthusiasm for Burries among teams who want to try to win next season, as he’s seen as a tough guard who can dribble, pass and shoot who will also defend at a high level with physicality.
Peat: No. 22 to the 76ers
Sources around the league are still trying to figure out what new head of basketball operations Mike Gansey’s type will be. So this pick might just be me wish-casting, but I can’t imagine a better fit for both Peat and an organization. With Joel Embiid playing more consistently on the perimeter, Peat could use his athleticism and strength to crash along the baseline and make smart plays while also providing tough defensive energy. The 76ers desperately need a four with some power to his game, and Peat brings that in a big way.
I have Peat higher than this on my personal board, but sources across the league are unsure where he slots into the class. His range seems to be quite wide, starting somewhere post-lottery and stretching into the back half of the first round.
Burries has not scheduled many workouts, and it appears his range starts with the Clippers with the fifth pick, as I reported a few weeks ago, and ends with the Warriors at the 11th pick. Burries drops smack in the middle of that range in this mock with Atlanta. Burries arrived at Arizona as a top-10 recruit, started slow, and then erupted once conference play began, helping lead his team to the Final Four. He’s a physical, versatile scorer who can beat you from all three levels, rebounds like a forward, and competes hard on defense. But he’s a methodical creator rather than an explosive one, and his shooting history before Arizona gives scouts reason to wonder whether the efficiency is real or a blip.
Peat: No. 24 to the Knicks
Congratulations to Knicks fans for winning the championship! Mitchell Robinson grabbed a clutch offensive rebound in the closing moments of the game, but he’s a free agent this offseason so the Knicks may need to replace him. Peat’s bloodline is so loaded with offensive linemen that it’s almost funny he ended up playing basketball. His father played nine NFL seasons. His uncle was a Pro Bowl tackle. Two brothers played college ball on the line. And you can absolutely see it in how he plays: powerful, physical, relentless, and it genuinely takes something special to stop him from getting to where he wants to go. He opened the season with a 30-point game against defending champion Florida and backed it up as one of Arizona’s best players all year on its way to the Final Four. Since Peat can’t shoot yet, it’ll be important that he’s paired with a floor-spacing center like Karl-Anthony Towns. Or he could serve as a small-ball center in switchable lineups. So even though Peat entered the year with top-10 hopes, it might be a blessing in disguise for him to fall to the end of the first round.
Bradley: No. 45 to the Kings
Bradley is a combo guard with a strong frame, a calm demeanor, and a knack for clutch moments. After arriving in college as a McDonald’s All-American, he lost his starting spot as a freshman at Alabama then transferred to Arizona, where he got better every year and became the team’s trusted leader. As a senior, he won Big 12 Player of the Year, Big 12 Tournament MVP, and led the Wildcats to their first Final Four since 2001. There are questions about whether he can be a lead guard at the next level, but his connective passing, improved shooting, and gritty defense all give him the potential to play big minutes.
Awaka: No. 51 to the Wizards
Awaka was college basketball’s best rebounder and helped energize Arizona’s bully-ball style over the past two years. At 6-8 with a brickhouse frame and an unrelenting style of play, he set a tone off the bench and earned Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year. The problem is everything else. He doesn’t shoot. He doesn’t pass. And he doesn’t have a clearly defined position on defense. The team that drafts him is betting it can find enough of a defensive role to keep that elite rebounding and relentless motor on the floor.
There are reports that Burries is trying to land in Dallas to play next to Cooper Flagg. I like the vision even if I’m a bit skeptical Burries has the shot-creation upside to eventually be a star. The Arizona guard is a well-rounded player who defends and rebounds better than your average two-guard, and he’s a really good three-point shooter. Flagg would have to stay in more of a shot-creator role if Burries is the pick, but maybe that’s what Dallas wants. I personally wouldn’t have him as the best player available in this scenario, but Burries’ lack of a glaring weakness makes him a malleable guard who should be able to hang in the playoffs. It’s easy to understand the appeal of that with the No. 9 pick.
Peat: No. 26 to the Nuggets
Peat had the toughest decision of the withdrawal deadline to make, but I actually think he made the right choice by staying in the draft. His money surely would have been bigger at Arizona for a hypothetical sophomore season, but he risked falling off the NBA radar completely if he didn’t improve in important areas. There should still be room for him at the end of the first round with much of the depth in this class getting drained by NIL dollars. His intersection of weight, passing, and offensive rebounding will be interesting even if his shot is completely busted right now.
There’s a growing belief that this could be a scenario that both Burries and Dallas would be excited about, and even some speculation that’s why Burries is not working out for more teams. He is a strong and aggressive two-way guard who can get downhill with force, provide a formidable three-point shooter, and defend his position, all with an NBA ready frame, all of which would make him a nice complement to Cooper Flagg for the foreseeable future.
Peat: No. 22 to the 76ers
Peat is higher than this on the CBS Big Board, but his glaring lack of shooting is going to require a specific fit. The Sixers lack a long-term solution at the four, can get their floor-spacing from Embiid’s face-up skill set, and could benefit from Peat’s strength, physicality, intangibles, winning pedigree, and ability to get downhill.
Bradley: No. 48 to the Mavericks
The Big 12 Player of the Year is a downhill force, quality defender, and improved shooter. This could also reunite him with his former Arizona backcourt mate Brayden Burries.
Jun 21, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jakob Junis (16) and catcher Kyle Higashioka (11) celebrates the win against the San Diego Padres at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Good morning.
Shawn McFarland writes about what we learned about the Texas Rangers over the last week which is that they continue to be unable to beat bad teams while holding up well against good teams.
MLB dot com’s John Henry writes about Wyatt Langford heating up after a forgettable first couple of months to the season.
McFarland writes that a healthy and productive Langford changes the dynamic for the Rangers and their oftentimes threatless lineup.
Jeff Wilson writes that the Rangers made it nearly half a season before a starting pitcher hit the IL, with an injury from late April finally doing Jack Leiter in.
McFarland notes that Corey Seager is making progress on a potential return from landing on the concussion injured list, but the Rangers still don’t know when he’ll play.
Jim Bowden calls Jake Burger a potential under-the-radar trade target with the trade deadline around a month away.
And, yesterday was Father’s Day so McFarland was tasked with writing about the fact that Skip Schumaker reproduced.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 21: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the second inning during the game between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
A while back, as part of this question of the day series, I asked the question about the Phillies and conceding the NL East. Times were dire then with the team mired in that horrid slump that cost the manager his job and put the Phillies in a huge hole. The question was legitimate with the Braves, at the same time, looking like an actual threat to the Dodgers for National League supremacy.
Since then, the Phillies have managed to cut into the lead a little bit and now sit here today only 6 1/2 games behind the Braves in the division. It has been a steady chipping away at the lead and it still is quite a few games to make up, but let’s try this again: are the Phillies done in the NL East, or is there a chance they can run Atlanta down? They would have to continue playing at this current pace while the Braves slip a little more, but is it within the realm of possibility?
The Green Bay Rockers play a Northwoods League baseball game against the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders on Monday, July 8, 2024, at Capital Park in Ashwaubenon, Wis. Fond du Lac won the game, 6-4. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
A week ago, my wife and I checked out our local independent league team, the Waterloo Bucks. They play in the Northwoods League, a summer wood-bat college league. Friday night was perfect for baseball, 80 degrees and sunny with a slight breeze from the south.
One of Waterloo’s players is MJ Sweeney, son of Royal legend Mike. MJ plays his college ball at Wichita State. He’s a physical specimen, listed at 6-foot-8 and 250 pounds. He has a smooth left-handed swing and he’s athletic. Unfortunately, he went 0-for-5 in this game. He looked like he was a little too anxious, often swinging at the first or second pitch. If he can put everything together, he could turn himself into a real prospect.
The game was a doozy, with the visiting team, the Willmar Stingers, jumping out to comfortable leads only to have Waterloo battle back. Leading the charge for Willmar was Max Buettenback, who plays collegiately at Nebraska. Young Mr. Buettenback came into the game hitting an absurd .455. He didn’t hurt his average as he went 3-for-5 with a walk on the night. The three hits all left the yard, and he ended the night with a cool .500 average for the season. He makes loud contact when he connects. He’s far and away one of the best players I’ve seen in the Northwoods League, and I’d be shocked if he weren’t picked in this year’s or next year’s draft. Some of the players can be a bit timid. Not this kid. He swings the bat like a knight swinging a sword at a dragon threatening his damsel.
Willmar grabbed a one-run lead in the 8th, thanks to Mr. Buettenback’s third dinger of the night. Waterloo answered with a home run in the bottom of the 9th by Mitchell Iliff to send the game to extras.
With the go-ahead run in scoring position in the 10th, the Bucks wisely gave Buettenback a free pass. The Stingers pushed across a single run to take a 10-9 lead.
Waterloo answered. With one on and two outs, the Bucks’ Nico Newhan, another Nebraska player, put one over the left-center field fence to give the home team an 11-10 victory.
It was an exciting game. I’m always amazed at the commitment shown by these kids who spend the summer living with a host family, hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles away from home, just to play ball. If you get the chance this summer, take in a Northwoods League game. It’s a great value and some solid baseball.
The Athletic’s most recent Power Rankings have the Royals at #29, just ahead of the Colorado Rockies. If you’ve followed baseball in the last decade, you’re aware of what a dumpster fire the Rockies organization has been. Scouting, drafting, player development, free-agent signings, you name it, the Rockies have found a way to bungle it. It pains me to think the Royals are in the same neighborhood, but here we are. I’ve been a fan, and a die-hard one, since the beginning. I generally try to stay optimistic, but it’s getting more difficult.
The Royals need an organizational reset, like the one they did when they brought in Dayton Moore. They have the best player in the game and not much else. The minor league system, short of a couple of solid pitching prospects in Class A ball, is filled with marginal prospects and players who are already 25 or 26 years old. In short, the farm system is thin on talent, which means little help is on the way—either through prospect promotions or trade chips.
The organization has had a stunning record of blowing first-round picks. Look, I understand that drafting baseball players is the hardest evaluation in any of the major sports and a bit of a crapshoot. I know I couldn’t do it, and it seems the Royals brass can’t either. But the first-round picks should be the easy ones. This is the round where you pick the no-brainer guys. In the past fifteen drafts (not counting 2025—it’s early, they get a pass), the Royals have only gleaned four contributing players: Daniel Lynch, Kris Bubic, Bobby Witt Jr., and Jac. That’s it. They had another with Brady Singer but lost their minds and traded him for a washed-up infielder.
All of this begs a question. Does the problem lie with the scouting process or the player development process? Or, more frighteningly, both? It’s J.J. Picollo’s job to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the organization and make the necessary adjustments. If he can’t, or won’t, do that, it falls on John Sherman to make the necessary changes, starting at the top.
What makes it even more painful is the cross-state rival Cardinals have rebuilt and are in contention. And division-rival Chicago White Sox have quickly retooled (under the eye of former Royal Chris Getz, to boot) and not only have a young and exciting team, they’re in first place in the Central. Ouch.
I figure the Royals would have to win 84 games to secure a wild-card berth. That means they’d need to go 55-33 the rest of the way. That’s a .625 winning percentage. I don’t see that happening.
Of the 1969 expansion teams, which has drafted or signed the most Hall of Fame players as amateur free agents? That’d be Montreal/Washington with five (Tim Raines, Gary Carter, Vlad Guerrero, Randy Johnson, and Larry Walker). The Padres have three (Tony Gwynn, Dave Winfield, and Ozzie Smith), while Milwaukee/Seattle has two (Robin Yount and Paul Molitor). The Royals were the last car in that parade for years with just George Brett to show for it. Carlos Beltrán’s recent election brings them to two.
This piece of trivia doesn’t mean much other than the Royals have had a shortage of top-end talent to work with. Despite that, they do lead the 1969 teams in the only category that is really important, and that’s the number of World Series titles they have. Milwaukee and San Diego are still looking for their first Series title. Montreal/Washington has one.
Daily newspapers have all but disappeared, victims of the internet and their own hubris. I do miss having the sports section of a daily, especially during baseball season. There was nothing quite like the feeling of checking the box scores each day to see who had a big game. The paper was also a great way to keep track of the standings and who the statistical leaders were. For some adventurous entrepreneur, maybe there’s still a market for a baseball-only daily? I think I’d be a subscriber.
Here’s a question for our readers. Which team is your second favorite? Who do you root for besides the Royals and why?
I’ve always been torn between the Red Sox and the Padres. I love going to Fenway. It’s one of the all-time great baseball experiences, one that every die-hard baseball fan should enjoy at least once in their life. Despite that, I probably couldn’t name more than three or four current Red Sox players. Yikes!
I’ve been drawn to the Padres for similar reasons. I usually catch one or two games a year at Petco, which is a fantastic ballpark. The Padres typically have a mixture of veteran and young talent, plus they’ve been a regular trading partner with the Royals and usually have several old friends on the roster. Their GM, A.J. Preller, is a modern-day wheeler and dealer and somehow always seems to put a competitive product on the field. Their fans are some of the best in the sport.
Texas Tech's Logan Hughes runs to first after an at-bat against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park. | Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The 2026 is about a month away — the first round kicks off on July 11, 2026 — so its time to start offering capsule looks at players the Texas Rangers could select with their top picks. The Rangers’ first round pick is at #16, their second round pick is at #54, and their third round pick is at #89.
Leading up to draft day, we will be doing writeups of some of the players who could end up getting selected by the Rangers with one of their first three picks. Today we are looking at Texas Tech outfielder Logan Hughes.
Logan Hughes is a 5’11”, lefthanded hitting and throwing junior outfielder for Texas Tech whose weight is listed anywhere from 185 lbs. to 210 lbs. Undrafted out of high school in Winter Springs, Florida, he went just a half hour away to Stetson for his freshman season. He then transferred to Texas Tech, where he’s played the past two seasons. Hughes turned 21 in April.
Hughes has a quality hit tool with very good contact skills. Keith Law says he has shown he can hit “all pitch types” and can handle velocity. He’s shown good power the last two seasons at Tech, and profiles to have above-average to possibly plus power as a professional. MLB Pipeline notes that he grades out well in the analytical models because of his exit velocities and swing decisions.
Hughes is going to have to hit a lot as a professional because he is limited defensively. He’s played mostly left field in college, and profiles as either a left fielder or first baseman going forward due to his lack of speed and the fact his arm likely won’t play in right field.
As a freshman at Stetson, Hughes hit .292/.398/.515 in 208 plate appearances over 58 games, walking 27 times, striking out 30 times, and hitting 8 home runs while playing both corner positions. As a sophomore at Tech, despite playing in a more challenging conference, Hughes took a step forward, slashing .327/.411/.697 in 246 plate appearances. He walked more often than he struck out (26 to 24), and hit 19 homers. 2026 was Hughes’ best season yet, as he slashed .375/.510/.735, walking 50 times against 33 Ks in 257 plate appearances, and hitting 18 home runs.
MLB Pipeline compares Hughes to Rusty Greer, which is probably enough to have folks rooting for the Rangers to take him in the second round. There are some similarities between Hughes and Aaron Zavala, who the Rangers took with the 38th pick in 2021, though Zavala showed less present power in college and more athleticism than Hughes, and to Dylan Dreiling, who the Rangers took #65 overall in 2024.
Hughes fits the Rangers’ profile for a college bat, and would make sense as a potential second or third round pick, if he makes it that far. He’s not a high ceiling guy, given his lack of speed and athleticism, and how far he makes it in the professional ranks likely depends on how well he can convert his contact ability and exit velocities into playable in-game power.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: Blaze Alexander #23 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Most utility players have some sort of deficiency in their game that prevents them from being considered an “everyday” option. But occasionally, those super subs go on a hot streak that makes you wonder if they could make the leap to becoming a vital piece in the daily lineup. Blaze Alexander is doing that right now.
The move to acquire Alexander back in February left most Orioles fans scratching their heads. At a time when the team needed more bullpen arms, they dealt away a controllable and productive one in Kade Strowd, plus two intriguing prospects, for a guy with no position. Sure, he could be a fine backup in a few spots, but that felt like the type of player they would have been able to found on the waiver wire for almost nothing instead of giving up three players.
Well, three months into his Orioles tenure, Alexander is actually looking like decent value for the O’s. The team has needed more help than expected at third base and in the outfield. That has thrust him into action and, while it took him some time to get his feet under him, Alexander has become one of the team’s most productive hitters.
For the season, Alexander owns a .312/.362/.447 batting line with three home runs, 12 doubles, 23 RBI, and eight stolen bases. Much of that production has come in that last five weeks or so. Since May 13, Alexander is hitting .405/.446/.631 with three home runs, 10 doubles, 20 RBI, and five stolen bases. He has also struck out just 12 times in 93 plate appearances and walked five times.
The numbers aren’t a mirage either. Alexander is hitting the ball hard. His 92.5 mph average exit velocity is in the top 10% of MLB, and his .306 expected batting average is the top 2%. He won’t be able to maintain the .405 batting average he’s had over the last five weeks (expect his .394 BABIP to come down a lot!), but his peripherals indicate he should be plenty valuable to play every day.
Alexander has been valuable on the bases as well. His eight steals are second on the team, and his base-running value (per Baseball Savant) is in the top 12% of MLB. He’s a guy that can turn a single into a double or score from first base on a ball in the gap. That is mighty helpful for a lineup that can go quiet on occassion.
The only area where Alexander has disappointed are his defensive metrics. He came to Baltimore with a reputation as being an above-average glove. But so far he has not graded out very well, being worth -3 outs above average overall. However, those numbers aren’t totally fair to Alexander, since the Orioles have asked him to play six different position this year, two of which he did not play at all in 2025. If you take his outfield glove away entirely, Alexander would have much better defensive numbers.
Meanwhile, it doesn’t seem like the Orioles are missing much with Kade Strowd in Arizona. The 28-year-old righty has pitched in one game for the Diamondbacks this season. He has spent most of his time in Triple-A, where he has a 5.87 ERA and 1.783 WHIP over 23 innings. Maybe things would have been different for him in Baltimore, but there were indicators that he was more lucky than good in 2025 anyway.
It’s possible the prospects that went the other way still pan out. Wellington Aracena had been pretty impressive after the O’s acquired him at last year’s deadline, and he has been solid in the Diamondbacks organization this year (3.83 ERA, 56 strikeouts, 44.1 IP). José Mejia OPS’d .935 in Low-A this year and earned a promotion to High-A. But both are still so far away from the majors that nothing is guaranteed.
Alexander, on the other hand, is already a bonafide big leaguer that has four more seasons of team control beyond 2026. If he can just be a 1-2 WAR player each of those seasons, he is likely to be more valuable than all of the players dealt to Arizona. If he makes the leap to everyday player, the gulf between the two could be even larger.
The flaws of the 2026 Orioles are something that Mike Elias will need to answer for if they do end up with another losing record. But the President of Baseball Operations does seem to have an eye for talent when it comes to adding around the edges. Alexander isn’t the first fringy hitter to have something click in Baltimore under Elias’ watch. There was Ramón Urías before him. Jorge Mateo had some magical moments. Ryan O’Hearn turned his career around entirely. Aaron Hicks rediscovered his old form for a brief time. Even the addition of Leody Taveras this season also looks like a smart bit of business. This sort of thing is in Elias’ wheelhouse.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves shakes hands with Xander Bogaerts #2 of the San Diego Padres before the game at Petco Park on March 30, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Here’s a bit of history:
West Coast trips:
2018: 2-4
2022: 3-4
2022: 4-4
2024: 1-5
2025: 0-7
2026, SDP and SFG: TBD
Partial West Coast trips:
2018: 6-1
2019: 6-4
2019: 5-2
2019: 4-2
2021: 2-5
2021: 7-3
2023: 5-1
2023: 3-3
2023: 8-2
2024: 4-3
2024: 6-4
2025: 2-4
2025: 3-3
2026: 4-3
2026: 6-3
Basically, the Braves haven’t had a winning West Coast Only road trip from the start of the 2018 run. Where they have fared a lot better are trips that involve a West Coast swing and other games, with just two such losing road trips in that same span.
But, the team is scuffling a bit right now, and they have a Pure Pacific one scheduled, so… hmm.
One of the Chicago Blackhawks' top needs this off-season should be to add another left-shot defenseman to their roster. It is clear that the left side of their blueline could use a boost as they look to take a step forward in 2026-27.
When looking at this year's pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs), Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ryan Shea stands out as an interesting potential option for the Blackhawks to consider.
Shea just had a big breakout year for the Penguins in 2025-26, posting new career highs with six goals, 25 assists, 35 points, and a plus-30 rating in 80 games. With numbers like these, he would have the potential to be a nice pickup for a Blackhawks club that needs help on its blueline.
Besides seeing a surge with his offense this season, Shea's steady defensive play also led to him receiving time on the Penguins' penalty kill. He could hold a similar role with the Blackhawks if signed as well.
Overall, with the Blackhawks needing some help on their blueline, it could make sense for them bring in Shea. He would give them an upgrade on their bottom pairing at a minimum, but he also could move up to to their top four if needed.
