BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 23: Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics dribbles against the New York Knicks during second half of the Celtics Home Opener at TD Garden on October 23, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Knicks 107-103. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
CHARLOTTE — Jordan Walsh isn’t thrilled with his start to the season. The 22-year-old has played double-digit minutes in every game and has been tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best players, as is customary.
But at Celtics shootaround Friday morning, Walsh said he was underwhelmed with his impact on the team so far.
“I think it’s been okay,” Walsh said. “I don’t think it’s been good or great or nothing like that. I think it’s been just okay. Haven’t been, like, the best version of myself, but the team’s winning, everybody’s happy, so it’s all good.”
Walsh started the first five games of the season but has come off the bench for the last three. He hasn’t shot particularly well — he’s shooting 38.2% from the field and 30% from three — but it’s all in a very small sample. So far, he’s averaging 4.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per night, both numbers slightly lower than last season.
“I haven’t been playing great — but the starting, not starting thing, it’s not about that,” Walsh said. “That’s just kind of like Joe’s thing, like he wants to try new things. Like, that’s fine. But I’m still playing the same amount of minutes. So, I still gotta produce in those minutes. Like, I gotta do that better.”
Walsh isn’t on the court to stuff the stat sheet; his defensive success sometimes shows up as steals or blocks, but more often, it’s more nuanced.
“For me, it’s more about the defensive impact, and a lot of the time that stuff doesn’t really show up in the box score,” Walsh said. “Like, it doesn’t show up how many times I negate a screen, or how many times the star player doesn’t get the ball that possession, just gives up. Like, it doesn’t track that kind of stuff. So it’s never really based off of that, anyway — that’s not where my value lies.”
Walsh’s minutes have been trending downwards as Hugo Gonzalez has slotted into the starting lineup. After playing 18 or more minutes in three of the Celtics’ first four games, he hasn’t played more than 12 minutes since October 27th.
While he knows his counting stats aren’t the priority, he said he wants to see a marked improvement in his defensive impact. It’s an imperfect stat, especially this early on, but he currently has the second-worst plus-minus on the team; the Celtics have been outscored by 10 points in his minutes so far this season (Mitchell Robinson has the worst total plus-minus on the team at -37).
“I still have a standard that I’ve set, and the organization has for me that I need to meet, even if it’s not scoring.”
WHITE PLAINS, NY - FEBRUARY 21: Dink Pate #1 of the Westchester Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Cleveland Charge on February 21, 2026 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY. 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 Luther Schlaifer/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
New York’s G League affiliate opens its 2026-27 season tonight against the Maine Celtics in the Tip-Off Tournament. The roster features three players on two-way contracts, a returning fan favorite (hint: he’s great on toast), and a collection of prospects hoping to dribble their way up to an NBA court.
With the Knicks operating near the second apron, Westchester provides a way to develop young players without committing additional standard roster spots. Two-way players can spend most of the season in White Plains while remaining available for NBA duty, subject to a limit of up to 50 games on the active roster. The G League has also given players like Deuce McBride and Tyler Kolek opportunities to get more work. Here’s a peek at the players worth watching.
Dalton Knecht: A second chance in New York
Of everyone on Westchester’s roster, Dalton Knecht has the clearest path to helping the big club this season. The 2024 first-round pick (17th overall) arrived after the Lakers waived him, with New York releasing Kevin McCullar Jr. to make room for Knecht on a two-way contract. This low-risk move could pay off if the former Tennessee star rediscovers his shooting touch and improves his court awareness, which was a criticism raised in the comments section at Silver Screen and Roll.
The 25-year-old made a promising debut for the New York Knicks this week, scoring 10 points on efficient 4-of-6 shooting (including two threes) with seven boards, a dime, and a block in 16 minutes off the bench in a rout of the Bulls. Finding consistent playing time will be difficult, however. With Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Landry Shamet, Pacôme Dadiet, and Mohamed Diawara competing for minutes on the wings, Knecht will probably need an injury or another opening to receive an extended look. (TBH, he already looks ahead of Dadiet.)
Coach Mike Brown has said he’d rather see Knecht playing meaningful minutes in the G League than sitting on the NBA bench. Makes sense. Knecht needs opportunities to shoot, make decisions, and work through mistakes. He has shown he can score, but questions remain about his defense, shot selection, and ability to contribute consistently as a role player.
If Knecht performs well enough, the organization could eventually consider converting him to a standard NBA contract, which would require sufficient roster and financial room. For now, he should get plenty of opportunities to let it fly against G League competition.
Tyler Nickel: A sniper
Speaking of flamethrowers . . . Tyler “Silent K” Nickel might be the most straightforward fit for what the Knicks need. New York selected the Vanderbilt sharpshooter with the 47th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft after an impressive senior season. He followed that with a promising Summer League showing and signed a two-way contract.
From what we’ve seen, Nickel moves well without the ball, finds open space, and punishes defenses for leaving him unattended. The big league Knicks have several players capable of creating offense, and a dependable perimeter shooter who doesn’t require many touches could fit nicely alongside them (see: Landry Shamet).
His defense will help determine how quickly the 23-year-old advances. He needs to prove he can handle quicker, stronger NBA bodies while maintaining his shooting efficiency against more aggressive closeouts. Westchester should give him plenty of reps to work on both.
Nickel doesn’t seem to have Knecht’s offensive versatility, but his shooting gives him a clearly defined role. If he can hold his own defensively, he could become a useful option for additional spacing. For the time being, Westchester might have its very own set of Splash Brothers to keep you entertained (at a reasonable price).
Jaden Akins: Defense and versatility
Jaden Akins took a less direct route to New York. Undrafted out of Michigan State in 2025, he spent last season with the Motor City Cruise after earning All-Big Ten third-team and All-Defensive recognition as a senior. His combination of scoring, secondary playmaking, and defense caught the Knicks’ attention. Westchester acquired his returning player rights in September, and he secured a two-way contract before the season.
Akins faces considerable competition at the one- and two-guard spots. His best chance of separating himself is to use his time at Westchester to polish his defense and his work off the ball. Can he defend multiple positions, run an offense for stretches, and make open shots? Can he contribute consistently without committing unnecessary fouls or turnovers? Those qualities will probably matter more to New York than his individual scoring averages.
Dink Pate: Back for another season
The fan favorite returns! Dink Pate returns to Westchester after a confusing offseason. The 6’8” wing, still only 20 years old, averaged approximately 16 points, seven rebounds, and four assists across 50 games with the club last season. He subsequently attempted to play college basketball at Providence, but that plan fell through amid questions about his NCAA eligibility. The Knicks signed and waived him on an Exhibit 10 contract, and he returned to Westchester, which already held his G League rights.
Pate has length, can create his own offense, and contributes as a rebounder and passer. His combination of physical tools and professional experience makes him one of Westchester’s more interesting developmental players. Decision-making and efficiency are where he needs improvement.
Unlike Knecht, Nickel, and Akins, Pate doesn’t have a two-way contract. He would need an available two-way or standard roster spot and a new NBA contract to join the big club. Westchester’s rights also don’t prevent another NBA team from signing him. Thus, his time in White Plains is a prove-it run for a broader audience—so we expect to see some inspired hooping from him this season.
Frontcourt depth: Robbins, Dante, and Miličić
Westchester’s frontcourt includes several players who could provide useful depth. Liam Robbins, a seven-footer who went undrafted out of Vanderbilt in 2023, is probably the most recognizable. He showed some encouraging work around the iron during Summer League with the Knicks, and Westchester subsequently acquired his G League rights.
Robbins brings size, rebounding, and shot-blocking ability. The big league club could use more reliable center depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond, with James Wiseman slow to make an impression. Robbins could use his time in White Plains to convince the team he deserves a look—perhaps before the front office starts eyeing its surplus of guards as trade bait.
N’Faly Dante, the 6-foot-11 former Oregon center, is working his way back from an ACL injury. His size and athleticism lift our eyebrows, but getting healthy and regaining his previous form will be the immediate priorities.
Igor Miličić Jr., a 6-foot-10 forward out of Tennessee, brings international experience and positional versatility after spending time with the Delaware Blue Coats last season. Improving his outside shooting and defensive consistency would help him take the next step.
The wings: Jourdain, Okani, and company
Westchester also has several forwards competing for rotation minutes. Nick Jourdain returns after averaging roughly eight points and more than five rebounds last season. The former Memphis forward provides rebounding, energy, and defensive effort. His journey from local tryout to returning player is a nice story, even if an NBA opportunity remains a longer shot.
Toby Okani, the former West Virginia wing, brings length and athleticism after spending time with multiple G League organizations. David Dixon, an undrafted forward out of Duquesne, and Tahj-Malik Campbell are also trying to establish roles after joining the training camp group.
The guards: Shooting potential
Westchester’s backcourt includes several capable players. Mitchell Mascari is worth watching after arriving from the Stockton Kings. The 6’5” guard shot approximately 42% from downtown last season, giving Westchester another option to stretch the floor.
Paul Zilinskas returns as a scoring option at guard and on the wing, while Amir “Primo” Spears joins the club after being selected 25th in the 2026 G League Draft. Spears brings extensive college experience, including a productive stint at UTSA, and spent last season playing professionally in Mexico.
The road begins in Maine
The three two-way players will receive the most attention this season, although we’ll also keep an eye on Pate (‘cuz he’s kinda electric). The rest of the roster will compete for minutes and try to establish themselves as dependable professional players. Westchester opens its Tip-Off Tournament schedule tonight at 7 p.m. against the Maine Celtics at the Portland Expo, then faces the same opponent at the same venue Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Both games will air on MSG Network.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 17: Manager A.J. Hinch #14 of the Detroit Tigers looks on against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on September 17, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Tigers confirmed recent reports on hirings for their 2027 coaching staff on Friday. They announced the hiring of Kyle Hudson as the new first base and baserunning coach. Hudson worked with outfielders in his most recent job as Boston Red Sox’s third base coach, so perhaps he’ll take on some of those responsibilities in Detroit as well. Still the emphasis from the Tigers is on the baserunning side. Hudson was also an assistant coach for the Cleveland Guardians from 2020-2022 before joining the Red Sox.
The Tigers had already hired longtime major league catcher Martin Maldonado, whom AJ Hinch worked with briefly in Houston, as their new quality coach this offseason. Maldonado was behind the plate during the Astros 2022 run to the World Series championship. He brings a strong reputation as a leader and game planner, as well as his skill coaching the position, to the Tigers.
Longtime catching coach Ryan Sienko, who joined the organization in 2021, AJ Hinch’s first year as manager, will retain his duties coaching catchers, but will also now handle duties as bullpen coach following Juan Nieves departure from the organization. It’s typically a pitching coach in that role, so that’s a bit interesting. Presumably, Maldonado will handle more of the pre-game pitch planning with Dillon Dingler and Eduardo Valencia, while Sienko will continue coaching the actual catching skills, but perhaps their responsibilities will be mixed between them as well.
The Tigers have yet to replace Gabe Ribas as director of pitching in the farm system after his departure to work for the Colorado Rockies last offseason. They’ve replaced Nieves, who has been Chris Fetter’s assistant pitching coach since 2021, with a catcher, leaving Fetter and assistant Robin Lund as a duo to coach the pitchers. Perhaps they’ll end up hiring a new pitching director this offseason, but it’s a bit peculiar that they’re cutting out both major and minor league pitching coaches. Those responsibilities still have to be fulfilled by someone, but without some detailed clarification from the organization it’s difficult to pin down who is actually doing what at this point in regard to those roles.
The Tigers have named Kyle Hudson as their major league first base and baserunning coach.
Martin Maldonado has been named major league quality coach.
Hudson and Maldonado join manager A.J. Hinch’s coaching staff that otherwise returns intact from the end of the 2026 campaign,…
George Lombard is expected to stay on for his seventh year as Tigers bench coach under Hinch. Billy Boyer took over from Joey Cora as third base coach during the 2026 season and seems set to remain in that role. Beyond Maldonado, Hudson, Sienko, Fetter, and Lund, the Tigers are working with a three-man group of hitting coaches. Michael Brdar, Cody Asche, and Lance Zawadski, who seem set to be retained for 2027. Boyer was the Tigers quality control coach last season, and will cede that job to Maldonado.
Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic also reports that the Tigers have hired Scott Peters as their new medical director, while Jeremiah Randle has been hired as the Tigers new athletic trainer. Peters was most recently the director of health and performance science for the Toronto Blue Jays. Randall was the head athletic trainer for the Astros from 2016-2025.
Former head trainer Ryan Eubanks and assistent trainer Chris McDonald parted ways with the Tigers organization at season’s end.
The Tigers also confirmed the hiring of Jay Sartori as Vice President of Baseball Operations. Sartori was formerly an assistant general manager in the organization going back to the beginning of the Tigers rebuild in 2017. He left last season for a college job in the ACC but has returned to the fold this offseason.
The Tigers have finalized their 2027 coaching staff. Kyle Hudson and Martín Maldonado are the only new additions. Ryan Sienko becomes bullpen coach in addition to his duties as catching coach.
Scott Peters is the new medical director. Jeremiah Randall is head athletic trainer.
DENVER, COLORADO - AUGUST 04: Jimmy Herget #44 of the Colorado Rockies reacts after recording the last out of an inning during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Coors Field on August 4, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Kyle Cooper/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images)
Welcome to the 2026 edition of Ranking theRockies, where we take a look back at every player to log playing time for theRockies in 2026. The purpose of this list is to provide a snapshot of the player in context. The “Ranking” is an organizing principle that’s drawn from Baseball Reference’s WAR (rWAR). It’s not something the staff debated. We’ll begin with the player with the lowest rWAR and end up with the player with the highest.
No. 26, Jimmy Herget (0.1 rWAR)
Jimmy Herget entered 2026 coming off one of the best seasons of his career. The right-hander had posted a 2.48 ERA across 83.1 innings in 2025, giving the Rockies a dependable multi-inning reliever with a funky delivery and a varied repertoire.
A year later, Herget finished with a 0-6 record, a 5.70 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP across 51 appearances. He pitched well for extended periods, but two particularly difficult stretches did considerable damage to his final numbers.
There was plenty happening away from the mound, too. Herget became a dad, a major life adjustment on its own, before spending time on the bereavement list and dealing with a shoulder injury that landed him on the injured list. Between those interruptions, finding a consistent rhythm couldn’t have been easy.
Herget was also working with a new pitching coach and philosophy. He began the year with a revamped pitch mix that featured a new cutter. His slider, his second-most-used pitch in 2025, was nowhere to be found for much of the season before returning late in the year.
2026 Season Stats
G(GS)
W-L
IP
ERA
WHIP
K
BB
SV
rWAR
51 (3)
0-6
53.2
5.70
1.53
47
26
3
0.1
Statistics via Baseball Reference.
How it played out
Herget appeared in the Rockies’ season opener against Miami, replacing Kyle Freeland in the fifth inning and providing 1.1 scoreless innings. He continued pitching well throughout April, allowing just two earned runs across his first 11 appearances and 12 innings, good for a 1.50 ERA.
That stretch culminated April 21 against San Diego, when Herget served as an opener for Chase Dollander. He struck out Ramón Laureano, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill on just 14 pitches, throwing 10 strikes.
Dollander followed with six innings of one-run baseball and nine strikeouts, but the Rockies lost 1-0.
Two days later, Herget went on the paternity list.
He returned April 29 against Cincinnati and allowed two runs in the ninth inning of a 13-2 victory, including a home run by Will Benson.
Four days later against Atlanta, Herget surrendered three runs in the ninth, all scoring with two outs. On May 8 against Philadelphia, he inherited two runners with nobody out and Colorado leading 7-3. Bryson Stott doubled home both runners, and Justin Crawford followed with a two-run homer that tied the game.
Three appearances, three innings and seven earned runs.
Herget went on the bereavement list May 9 and returned three days later against Pittsburgh. He surrendered a leadoff double to Nick Gonzales and issued a walk but managed to escape the eighth inning without allowing a run, throwing 22 pitches and recording one strikeout.
Two days later, Herget landed on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement, keeping him out until June 17.
Including his May 12 appearance, Herget allowed just one earned run over 10 innings across 11 appearances through July 12, despite the extended interruption.
Then came his worst stretch of the season.
Between July 17 and August 1, Herget allowed at least one earned run in six consecutive appearances. He surrendered 13 earned runs in just 4.1 innings, walking seven hitters while striking out only four.
The struggles began July 17 against Cincinnati, when Herget inherited a runner with one out and promptly surrendered consecutive home runs to Spencer Steer and Eugenio Suárez.
On July 26 against Milwaukee, Herget entered with one out and a runner aboard before walking Gary Sánchez. Luis Lara followed with an RBI double, and Cooper Pratt and Joey Ortiz added consecutive doubles on sweepers that weren’t particularly well struck. By the time he escaped the inning, three earned runs had been charged to Herget, and the inherited runner had also scored.
Unlike his first difficult stretch, when he had struck out five hitters and walked just one, Herget was now struggling to keep runners off base while allowing damaging contact.
He began to settle down again in August. On August 4 and 7, Herget delivered consecutive scoreless, hitless innings, striking out two hitters in each appearance.
There were still rough outings, including three earned runs against Washington on August 27 and a difficult appearance against St. Louis on September 6. But the extended run of poor outings didn’t return.
Herget finished with 7.2 innings and two earned runs across his final four appearances, including three outings of at least two innings. On September 16 against San Diego, he worked two scoreless innings on just 22 pitches, retiring six consecutive hitters after allowing a leadoff single.
His final appearance came September 24 against Arizona. Herget entered in the fourth inning with two runners aboard and allowed an inherited runner to score before escaping the inning. He went on to pitch 2.2 innings, striking out four but allowing two earned runs, including a solo homer by James McCann.
An uneven season
Month
IP
ERA
K/9
BB/9
FIP
March-April
13.0
2.77
9.69
1.38
2.64
May
3.0
15.00
9.00
6.00
7.43
June
4.0
0.00
13.50
4.50
1.60
July
8.1
12.96
6.48
10.80
10.30
August
14.0
4.50
5.79
3.86
5.17
September
11.1
4.76
7.15
3.18
6.01
Statistics via FanGraphs.
Herget’s 2026 season wasn’t consistently poor. Two particularly difficult stretches accounted for much of the damage.
Across those two stretches, totaling nine appearances and just 7.1 innings, Herget allowed 20 earned runs, producing a 24.55 ERA.
In his other 46.1 innings, he allowed just 14 earned runs, a 2.72 ERA.
Removing a reliever’s worst appearances will naturally improve his numbers, and Herget’s home run and control problems were genuine shortcomings, not simply unfortunate results we can remove from the equation.
But the difference between a 24.55 ERA and a 2.72 ERA helps explain how a pitcher who was frequently effective finished with a 5.70 ERA.
So, what changed between the pitcher who was so dependable in 2025 and the one who struggled so badly at times in 2026?
A different arsenal
Herget’s sweeper was his most-used pitch in 2025, and it remained a major part of his repertoire in 2026. But its effectiveness, particularly against left-handed hitters, declined considerably.
In 2025, lefties produced a .339 wOBA against the sweeper, with 11 strikeouts and one home run allowed across 177 pitches. In 2026, that wOBA ballooned to .526, with four home runs and zero strikeouts across 105 pitches. Its whiff rate dropped from 24.7% to just 8.3%.
Herget actually reduced his sweeper usage against lefties from 29% to 22%, while maintaining roughly 33% usage against right-handed hitters.
Herget threw 362 sliders in 2025, holding left-handed hitters to a .194 wOBA with the pitch. Yet Statcast didn’t classify a single pitch as a slider through July 2026.
Instead, he featured a new cutter with a different movement profile. The cutter averaged 86.2 mph with 7.6 inches of induced vertical break, compared with 85.5 mph and 3.9 inches for his 2025 slider.
The cutter worked, particularly against right-handed hitters, who produced just a .223 wOBA against it.
But with his sweeper struggling against lefties, why had the slider that worked so well against them in 2025 nearly disappeared?
It initially appeared only occasionally, but by September it had become a significant part of his repertoire again.
Period
Slider
Cutter
Sweeper
March-July
0.0%
29.5%
31.0%
August
3.0%
32.0%
25.1%
September
21.2%
20.1%
21.2%
Percentage of pitches thrown, via Baseball Savant.
By September, Herget was throwing more sliders than cutters, 38 to 36. The slider’s movement was also similar to what it had been in 2025.
That gave Herget another option alongside his sweeper.
On September 6 against St. Louis, Herget showed how the two pitches could work together. He opened Thomas Saggese’s at-bat with an 84.8 mph slider for a called strike, then got him to swing through another slider that broke down and away. Saggese fouled off a sweeper, also away from the plate, before Herget went back to the sweeper for a called third strike.
Herget had already begun pitching more consistently before the slider returned, but he also avoided another prolonged stretch like the one that overwhelmed him in July.
Could bringing back the slider have helped him maintain consistency by giving hitters another pitch to account for?
Where does Herget stand heading into 2027?
It’s been quite a year for Jimmy Herget, both on and off the mound. And as the dust settles on 2026, the Rockies’ changing pitching philosophy adds another layer to his story.
Former pitching coach Alon Leichman emphasized repertoire diversification, but the Rockies eventually moved away from elements of his approach. Following his dismissal, Leichman described disagreements over pitching philosophy and suggested some pitchers had reverted to their previous approaches, as detailed in reporting on the Rockies’ competing pitching philosophies.
We don’t know whether Herget’s changing pitch mix reflected that philosophy, his own adjustments or some combination of the two. Was the cutter part of a new approach that eventually fell out of favor? Did the slider return because Herget needed another option, or because the organization’s thinking had changed? It’s difficult to say, but the timing is intriguing.
That makes it difficult to know what to expect from Herget in 2027. The Rockies could trade him, designate him for assignment or bring him back.
After everything that happened in 2026, his 5.70 ERA tells us how the season ended, but not necessarily what comes next.
Mostly forgotten today, right-hander Warren Hacker is the kind of guy who epitomized the Cubs in the 1950s. He had one really good year — got downballot MVP votes! — and then either because of injuries, poor coaching, no support or all of the above, he descended into mediocrity and eventually was traded away in a deal where the Cubs basically got nothing.
Hacker, like yesterday’s entry in this series Carl Lundgren, was an Illinois native, from the tiny town of Marissa, which is southeast of St. Louis. When Hacker was born in 1924 Marissa had about 1,900 residents and it’s about the same size today.
The Cubs acquired him in 1948 in a minor-league deal but he didn’t become a mainstay in the team’s rotation until 1952 — that “one really good year.” In 33 games (20 starts) Hacker produced a 15-9 record, 2.58 ERA, 12 complete games and led MLB in WHIP at 0.958. He finished 22nd in MVP voting that year, in pre-Cy Young days. Cubs outfielder Hank Sauer was NL MVP that year and the team finished 77-77, their only non-losing season between 1947 and 1966. Hacker threw a five-hit complete game June 12 against the Phillies and the Cubs were in third place, only four games behind the league-leading Dodgers, with a 32-19 record.
Despite Hacker’s good pitching and Sauer’s hitting, the team went 45-58 the rest of the way, because, well, those two were about all the team had.
Hacker never again had a year that good. The following year he led MLB with 35 home runs allowed, and in 1955 he served up 38 long balls, which remains the franchise record to this day despite Shōta Imanaga’s best efforts to break it in 2026. (Sorry, Shōta!) Also in 1955, Hacker had a game that might have put him in the history books. He took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Braves in Milwaukee, but George Crowe broke it up with a solo homer. The Cubs won the game 2-1.
Hacker was traded to Cincinnati after the 1956 season, along with Don Hoak and Pete Whisenant for Ray Jablonski and Elmer Singleton. Hoak hated playing for the Cubs — one of the few who ever felt that way — and demanded a trade, so the Cubs had little leverage. Jablonski never played for the Cubs and was dealt before the next season began, and Singleton, already 39 when the deal was made, was a spare part.
Hacker didn’t do much, either, after the deal, drifting from Cincinnati to Philadelphia to the White Sox before leaving the majors after 1961. He played in the minors through 1967, then was a minor-league pitching coach int the A’s organization (1967-71) and later in the 1970s in the Padres organization. He died in Lenzburg, Illinois, not far from his hometown of Marissa, on May 22, 2002, aged 77.
Warren Hacker posted 13.5 bWAR in his nine seasons with the Cubs, No. 99 on the all-time list.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 15, 2025: Jhonny Level #18 of the San Francisco Giants bats during the second inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Texas Rangers at Scottsdale Stadium on March 15, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
We’re cruising right along with the top 10 in the 2027 Willie McCovey Memorial Community Prospect List, which will see us rank the top 44 prospects in the San Francisco Giants organization heading into the 2027 season. It’s a fascinating group of prospects this year, and we can expect a lot of the races to be very, very tight.
But not the most recent one. The latest chapter of the CPL was a blowout, with 56 of the 69 votes going to one name in the four-player race. That prospect? Shortstop Jhonny Level, who has been voted as the No. 4 prospect in the system.
That’s a drop of one spot for Level, who was ranked No. 3 a year ago, and really, that tells you everything you need to know about the state of the farm. Level had an absolutely dreamy season, while one of the players ranked ahead of him last year (Bryce Eldridge) graduated from the system. And still, Level fell in the rankings.
And that’s how you know that things are changing ‘round these parts.
Level, a switch-hitter who signed in 2024 out of Venezuela, opened the season with Low-A San Jose, with the season starting just a few days after his 19th birthday. Hit hit the ground running with the Baby Giants and … well … he didn’t just hit the ground, he hit everything. In 44 games with San Jose, Level slashed .325/.392/.576 with 10 home runs, good for a .968 OPS and a 134 wRC+. He then took his talents to the Northwest League for 69 games with High-A Eugene, where his numbers stayed strong: a .302/.363/.473 slash line with eight home runs, an .836 OPS, and a 119 wRC+.
In addition to all those hits, homers, and walks, Level stole 26 bases on the season (though he was caught nine times), and played very strong defense at shortstop, while also getting a few reps at second base when splitting duties with Gavin Kilen during their brief overlap in the Pacific Northwest.
Those numbers all look fantastic, and even more fantastic when you account for Level’s defensive position, but they look even better when you contextualize his age: he was two years younger than his average peer in San Jose, and nearly three-and-a-half years younger when with Eugene. He was one of just three teenagers to log at least 100 plate appearances in the Northwest League and yet, despite that, made the All-Star team in the league. Perhaps even more critically, he was voted as the best MLB prospect in the league.
There’s really nothing that Level can’t do at this stage in his career. His contact skills are special, as he hit over .300 at both levels, and kept his strikeout rate well below 20%. He has some very impressive power, and is a good baserunner, while playing strong up-the-middle defense. There are a few things to work on (he’s a little bit of a free swinger, among other things), but really, the primary question with Level is the best question a prospect can have: can he keep this up against better competition? The answer to that question will determine whether Level flames out, survives, or becomes a star.
Given how strong he was in Eugene, and the length of his stay there, I would expect Level to open the 2027 season in AA. It’s possible that he’ll once again form a middle infield timeshare with Kilen there, though Kilen could very possibly begin the year in AAA. Either way, Level is one of the most must-watch prospects in 2027, because if he repeats his 2026 performance in the upper Minors, well … we’ve probably got a top-50 prospect on our hands.
Now let’s add to the list! We’ve got some new names to vote on, so head to the comment section to make your pick!
JacobBresnahan — 21.4-year old LHP — 2.92 ERA/4.32 FIP in High-A (98.2 IP); 5.06 ERA/3.60 FIP in AA (16 IP)
ArgenisCayama — 20.1-year old RHP — 4.87 ERA/4.27 FIP in Low-A (57.1 IP)
BoDavidson — 24.3-year old OF — .861 OPS/122 wRC+ in AA (315 PA); .923 OPS/138 wRC+ in AAA (234 PA); .714 OPS/100 wRC+ in MLB (22 PA)
DakotaJordan — 23.5-year old OF — .879 OPS/125 wRC+ in High-A (355 PA); .697 OPS/87 wRC+ in AA (88 PA)
GavinKilen — 22.7-year old SS — .811 OPS/112 wRC+ in High-A (349 PA); .811 OPS/112 wRC+ in AA (143 PA)
RamonMarquez — 21.1-year old RHP — 1.86 ERA/2.67 FIP in Low-A (29 IP); 2.48 ERA/2.45 FIP in High-A (40 IP)
Note: Each player’s first name links to their Baseball-Reference page, and their last name links to their Fangraphs page.All stats are from the 2026 season.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 22, 2024: Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Chris Taylor (3) works with Dodgers batting coach Aaron Bates before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodgers Stadium on July 22, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“The Dodgers offered Bates a multiyear contract to stay, but the two sides couldn’t agree to terms,” Dierkes wrote.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman in his season-ending press conference at Dodger Stadium on October 21 was asked if there would be any coaching changes this offseason.
“I expect status quo,” Friedman said. “We’re still working through some things, but expect status quo.”
As a player, Bates was a third-round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox in 2006 out of North Carolina State, and he played in five games in the majors for Boston in 2009. The corner outfielder and first baseman played for nine seasons in the minors, ending with 11 games for Double-A Chattanooga in the Dodgers’ system in 2014.
Bates was in the Dodgers organization for 13 years, including 12 years as a coach. Before joining the major league staff he was hitting coach in the Arizona Complex League in 2015 and 2016, then Class-A Great Lakes in 2017, before shifting to assistant hitting coordinator for the Dodgers minors.
Just under a quarter of the way through the 2026-27 season, the Philadelphia Flyers have won only four of their first 18 games, and the way they continue to find ways to lose games is impressively bad.
Overall, the Flyers actually played a solid game against the Metropolitan Division rival New York Rangers on Thursday night. The Rangers held a narrow 28-25 advantage in shots on goal, while 5-on-5 shot attempts, according to Natural Stat Trick, were an even 48-48.
In the expected goals battle, the Flyers eked out a 2.67 to 2.65 advantage.
By the numbers, it was an extremely even game, but one the Flyers should have won.
Thanks to unlikely goal contributions from Simon Benoit, who scored his first goal since March 10, 2025, and Noel Acciari, the Flyers went into the third period on Thursday night nursing a 2-1 lead. And they played like it.
The Rangers, of course, pushed, out-shooting the Flyers 10-8, and out-attempting the Flyers 17-11 at 5-on-5.
Midway through the third period, a chintzy slashing penalty on Denver Barkey put the Flyers on the penalty kill, and Pavel Dorofeyev cashed in to tie the game at 2-2.
The Flyers continued to sit back and play conservatively, and a routine offensive zone dump-and-chase was quickly thrown back the other way, with Rangers forward Ty Kartye finding an inexplicable amount of open space for a breakaway, which he scored on to give the Blueshirts an insurmountable 3-2 lead.
On Kartye's goal, Travis Sanheim was pinched up in the neutral zone on his man, Jamie Drysdale was far off to the left of the ice, and Sean Couturier was at the red line. In the end, nobody cut off the middle and right side of the ice, and regardless of whose mistake it was in coverage, it was made by someone who should know better.
"I'm not sure. I was up on my check in the neutral zone, and I haven't watched it yet, so I'm not sure what happened," Sanheim said bluntly of the goal after the game.
In the end, nobody on the Flyers knows, or wants to say, what the issue is that's causing this team to turtle and throw games away.
"I think we were trying to defend a lead rather than just play the game and kind of do what made us successful during the other period," Acciari offered. "I don't know what it was, but needed to keep the foot on the gas and keep doing what got us there."
Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet, who bears the responsibility for this fairly or unfairly, is out of answers, too.
"I don't know the answer. When the pressure hits, you want to embrace it. You want the puck. You want to be in situations that, 'I want to be the difference.' Whether it's a wall play, a blocked shot, a good back check. Those are the moments that we need people to consistently give," Tocchet said.
As for players who weren't as involved in the collapse, Matvei Michkov played just three shifts inside the final 10 minutes of the third period, including the 6-on-5 with the extra attacker at the very end of the game.
For Porter Martone, he played just two, was left off the 6-on-5 entirely, and finished the night with just 11:51 of ice time.
First-year pro Cole Knuble played just two shifts in the final 10 minutes, too: once immediately before the Barkey penalty, and once for the faceoff after the Kartye goal. That was it.
It's become abundantly clear that the Flyers are trying to grasp at wins, playing not to lose instead of playing to win at a point in the season where every point in the standings matters. That's what happens when you light the first nine games of an 84-game season on fire.
Now, the Flyers are 0-4-3 against divisional opponents this season and cruising along in their race to the bottom of the NHL.
Two of the Vancouver Canucks’ most intriguing prospects will now be playing on the same OHL team.
After speculation that he would be traded by his former team, the London Knights, Canucks prospect Aleksei Medvedev has been dealt to the Peterborough Petes in the OHL. This move will unite him with fellow Canucks prospect Adam Novotný, who has been with Petersborough since the 2025–26 season.
2026–27 is Medvedev’s third season in the OHL and was his third with the Knights. After putting together a strong 22–8–2 record with London in 2024–25, as well as a 2.79 GAA and .912 SV%, the goaltender was selected 47th-overall by the Canucks in the 2025 NHL Draft. His play has faltered since being drafted, with his numbers dropping to a 3.26 GAA and .891 SV% in 2025–26. Medvedev was traded to the Petes for a 2028 second-round pick, 2027 third-round pick, and 2030 fifth-round pick.
Novotný has been a star for the Petes since the start of the 2026–27 season. After putting up 34 goals and 31 assists in 58 games in his first OHL season, the forward was selected 24th-overall by the Canucks in 2026. He put together a strong Development Camp and Training Camp effort but was sent back down to the OHL, where he has since scored 10 goals and 12 assists in 16 games. Novotný currently leads the Petes in points with 22.
Despite Novotný’s strong individual play, the Petes are currently at the bottom of the East Division with eight wins and 10 losses. That said, they currently sit at sixth in the Eastern Conference and have won five of their last eight games.
Peterborough will play their next game on November 8 at 11:05 am PCT, hosting the Niagara IceDogs.
Photo Credit: Kaja Antic-THN
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They had to do so once again on Thursday, when Thompson’s Miami Heat came to town.
At least Steph Curry (who had 29 points in the Warriors- 120-100 win) managed to make light of this at one point in the game, when he pointed at his former teammate and gave a thumbs-up during a brief pause in the action.
Steph Curry pointing at Klay Thompson when the Golden State Warriors played the Miami Heat on Thursday. (@NBA).
A clip of Steph doing so went viral on social media, tallying over three million views since the NBA’s X account posted it on Thursday night.
Even though Thompson (who didn’t see what Curry did) didn’t look too enthused during the viral clip, comments he made about reuniting with Curry postgame show how heartwarming it was for him.
“It was fun. It was really fun. He’s still super crafty still to this day,” Thompson, who had 11 points in the loss but blocked one of Curry’s shots at one point, said.
Klay Thompson looking at at fan after Steph Curry pointed at him. (X/@NBA).
“What Steph is doing, I got to see it every night and it became normal, but to see it as an opponent it was incredible, especially that he’s nearing 40 and he moves like a young athlete. It’s all the respect in the world for him. He deserves all the accolades and adulation and money. He’s just 1 of 1 and the game is going to miss him when he does hang it up,” he added, per Yahoo Sports.
Thompson wasn’t the only Splash Brother to allude to their respective careers reaching their twilight last night.
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during a game against the Miami Heat at Chase Center in San Francisco, California, Nov. 5, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
“It’s definitely surreal, but it’s also a blessing we’re still playing. Every time we play against him it’s one closer to the end. Just trying to appreciate it,” Curry said to NBA TV after the game.
It’s awesome for fans to see these two relishing what’s left of their time on the court together, even when they’re playing for different teams.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 10: Jalen Smith #25 of the Chicago Bulls goes up for a shot on Kristaps Porzingis #7 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Chase Center on March 10, 2026 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors have contacted the New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, and Milwaukee Bucks to gauge the organization’s interest in a potential trade for center Kristaps Porzingis (or really his contract), per a report by Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. With Porzingis likely headed for retirement and accepting the Warriors withholding his salary, Siegel reports that he is expected to accept a significant buyout from his $20 million salary. The Dubs front office is trying to use his contract as a trade exception in the next month to solidify the team’s depth without limiting their options at the trade deadline.
“Among the many teams the Warriors have contacted since the start of the season, as reported earlier on Friday in our weekly newsletter, ClutchPoints has been able to confirm with league sources three teams in particular: the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, and New Orleans Pelicans,” Siegel wrote.
The Warriors interest in Pelicans wings Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones has been reported on for years, and the Dubs reportedly called New Orleans about center Yves Missi earlier this season as well. However, the fact that the two sides have not previously agreed to a deal should leave fans skeptical that a deal will happen now (especially months before the trade deadline).
Siegel’s reporting suggests the Warriors and Bucks were not close to a deal for Myles Turner, with different evaluations of his contract’s value. As for the Bulls, Siegel highlighted center Jalen Smith.
“Going back to the topic of potential trade suitors for Porzingis, the Warriors showed interest in Bulls’ center Jalen Smith in a potential Porzingis-oriented deal with Chicago, but the Bulls have not shown a willingness to make such a move at this time, sources said,” Siegel said. “The Bulls are wanting to evaluate their roster and potential moves closer to the trade deadline unless draft compensation is included, despite opening the year as one of the worst teams in the NBA.”
Smith would be an excellent to the Warriors current front court depth. While he lacks the explosive ceiling that Golden State hoped to get from Porzingis, he is an incredibly well rounded role player who would give head coach Steve Kerr another center who can shoot threes other than 40-year old Al Horford.
The 10th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, Smith never found his footing in Phoenix and was quickly viewed around the league as a bust before finding consistency with the Indiana Pacers. Over the past five seasons, split between Indiana and Chicago, Smith has averaged 9.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks on 50.1%/34.3%/74.9% shooting in 18.0 minutes per game (254 games, 76 starts).
Still only 26, Smith has been the primary starting center for the first time in his career this season. While he is posting career highs in minutes (22.5), points (11.0), rebounds (7.8), assists (1.8), and blocks (0.9) per game so far this season, the Bulls are 1-7 and have been among the worst teams in the league. Slated to be a free agent at the end of the season, Smith seems destined to be traded before the deadline for a package built around second-round picks. The question is, will the Warriors be able to convince the Bulls to make that move before the new year?
The Warriors only have two tradeable second round picks, one in 2030 and another in 2033. One added enticement they could add to a deal with the Bulls, who have notoriously cheap owner Jerry Reinsdorf, would be to take back either Buddy Hield or Zach Collins alongside Smith. The Warriors would likely waive either player, but would effectively be taking $18-$19 million off the Bulls books. Assuming the Bulls agreed to a buyout with Porzingis in the $6-8 million range that Siegel speculates, Bulls ownership could save around $10 million.
Back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is a free agent this winter and will likely fetch the richest contract for a pitcher in Major League Baseball history, a mark currently held by the Los Angeles Dodgers' $325 million pact with Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Skubal, who turns 30 on Nov. 20, won the 2024 and 2025 AL Cy Young Awards with the Detroit Tigers and was traded to the Dodgers this summer with the Tigers anticipating they wouldn't be able to afford their homegrown lefty come winter.
Yamamoto's 12-year deal with the Dodgers upon his arrival from Japan broke the record set by Gerrit Cole, who agreed to a nine-year, $324 million contract with the New York Yankees prior to the 2020 season. Cole's deal was signed just days after Stephen Strasburg's $245 million contract temporarily was the largest in baseball history.
The biggest contract for a left-handed pitcher belongs to the New York Yankees' Max Fried, who signed an eight-year deal with the Yankees after the 2024 season.
With Skubal set to make history, here's a look at the biggest contracts for pitchers through the years:
Biggest MLB contracts for pitchers
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers — $325 million (12 years, 2024-2035)
Gerrit Cole, Yankees – $324 million (9 years, 2020-2028)
Stephen Strasburg, Nationals – $245 million (7 years, 2020-2026)
Max Fried, Yankees – $218 million (8 years, 2025-2032)
David Price, Red Sox – $217 million (7 years, 2016-2022)
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – $215 million (7 years, 2014-2020 extension)
Corbin Burnes, Diamondbacks – $210 million (6 years, 2025-2030)
Dylan Cease, Blue Jays – $210 million (7 years, 2026-2032)
Max Scherzer, Nationals – $210 million (7 years, 2015-2021)
Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks – $206.5 million (6 years, 2016-2021)
Jacob DeGrom, Rangers – $185 million (5 years, 2023-2027)
Blake Snell, Dodgers – $182 million (5 years, 2025-2029)
Justin Verlander, Tigers – $180 million (7 years, 2013-2019 extension)
Felix Hernandez, Mariners – $175 million (7 years, 2013-2019 extension)
Stephen Strasburg, Nationals – $175 million (7 years, 2017-2023 extension ... *** opted out after 2019)
Aaron Nola, Phillies – $172 million (7 years, 2024-2031)
Garrett Crochet, Red Sox – $170 million (6 years, 2026-2031 extension)
Carlos Rodon, Yankees – $162 million (6 years, 2023-2028)
Masahiro Tanaka, Yankees – $155 million (7 years, 2014-2020)
Jon Lester, Cubs – $155 million (6 years, 2015-2020
PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 5: Devin Booker #15 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic on November 5, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Sometimes all it takes is a spark, however small, to start a fire and change a team’s trajectory. Even if that spark comes against an opponent you wouldn’t necessarily consider quality.
The Phoenix Suns’ 117-104 victory over the Orlando Magic might be that spark, although with Houston and San Antonio staring them down on the schedule over the next few days, there’s a chance we won’t look back at this game as the moment that ignited some great blaze. But there were things we witnessed that can be deposited into the old adjustments bank, lessons that could serve as valuable reference points when trying to manufacture future victories.
One of those lessons, as obvious as it might seem, is that feeding Devin Booker early remains one of the best ways to give this team an opportunity to win basketball games.
Booker is the $57 million man, and constructing a roster that forces him to assume duplicative responsibilities within the starting lineup isn’t exactly ideal. Too often, we see Booker drift away from his natural role as a shooting guard and become the primary playmaker, tasked with creating opportunities for everyone else rather than focusing on what he does best.
Against Orlando, we saw something different. In the first half, Booker went 8-of-13 from the field, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line, scoring 23 points while establishing himself as the focal point of the offense.
Granted, this was the Orlando Magic. Quality opponents have demonstrated the ability to scheme Booker out of games, as we saw earlier this season against a shorthanded Oklahoma City Thunder team. And that’s precisely why the argument for having a quality facilitator persists.
When you have somebody capable of assuming the responsibility of distributing the basketball, opposing defenses have another variable to account for. They have to dedicate attention to disrupting that player’s ability to initiate the offense, which can create more opportunities for Booker to operate as a scorer. And when Booker gets going early, it creates opportunities for everyone around him. As he begins to command the defensive gravity we know he possesses, teammates find themselves with more space and cleaner looks. The hope is that by the time an opposing defense figures out how to slow him down, Booker has already inflicted enough damage to force them into scrambling, opening up opportunities for the rest of the roster to capitalize.
Getting Devin Booker engaged early should be the North Star for this team. If opposing defenses are finding ways to take the ball out of his hands, then it’s the coaching staff’s responsibility to scheme ways to get it back into his hands in situations where he can be effective.
Here’s a fun stat for you. Throughout his career, Booker has attempted 13 or more field goals in the first half of a game 110 times. In those games, the Suns have a .582 winning percentage. And when Booker does what he did last night, shooting 60% or better from the field while attempting at least 13 shots in the first half, that winning percentage climbs to .727. What’s interesting is that since the acquisition of Bradley Beal prior to the 2023-24 season, Booker has attempted 13 or more field goals in the first half 30 times. The other 80 times occurred pre-Beal, with 46 occurring alongside Chris Paul.
Devin Booker went 8-of-13 in the first half against Orlando.
Fun stat:
When Booker attempts 13+ shots in the first half, the Suns are 64–46 (.582) in his career.
When he shoots 60% or better on 13+ first-half attempts? That winning percentage jumps to .727.
I’m certainly not breaking any new ground by suggesting that your most skilled scorer should be looking to score early and often, especially when doing so creates opportunities for the players around him. But that’s exactly what we witnessed against Orlando. Booker scored only seven points in the second half, yet he added four assists as Dillon Brooks and Miles Bridges began finding more opportunities to contribute offensively, benefiting from the defensive gravity Booker had established earlier in the game.
Perhaps this needs to become a point of emphasis for the coaching staff, along with a mental adjustment for Booker himself. Because when you look at the rosters he’s played alongside since Chris Paul left town, it’s difficult to argue that they’ve consistently been constructed to maximize his greatest strength, which can create a malaise and affinity for falling into distribution responsibilities rather than getting yours.
Playing alongside Bradley Beal, whose availability was frequently compromised by injuries, eventually led to stretches in which Eric Gordon or Tyus Jones ran the offense. Now Booker finds himself sharing the backcourt with Jalen Green, another player whose natural instincts lean toward scoring rather than facilitating. None of those combinations has been particularly conducive to allowing Booker to operate consistently in the role where he’s most dangerous.
While there are legitimate criticisms of Booker’s game, particularly his struggles executing in clutch situations and the difficulties he encounters when more physical defenders impose their will on him, those concerns shouldn’t prevent us from recognizing what he does well. When Booker establishes himself offensively early, forces defenses to react, and creates opportunities for his teammates to capitalize, that’s the version of Devin Booker this team needs. And when that approach contributes to a much-needed victory, it deserves recognition and applause.
The Suns aren’t going to solve every roster deficiency overnight, and the challenges of getting Booker quality looks against better competition aren’t going anywhere. But there’s something to be said for simplifying the approach and putting your best player in positions to succeed. Orlando provided a reminder of what happens when Booker dictates the offense rather than reacting to it. If Phoenix is searching for a spark that can become something sustainable, getting Booker going early seems like a pretty damn good place to start.
Since the Lakers acquired Walker Kessler over the summer, most of the conversation regarding his play, and subsequent impact, has been tied to the cost paid to land him.
The multiple years and millions of dollars, the draft picks and swaps, each have served as footnotes after every game thus far.
While fair given what the Lakers need from him going forward, it has also put increased emphasis on his raw production rather than influence. If you’re into that kind of thing, Kessler’s per-game numbers are solid. His 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and four stocks nightly will play. However, it doesn’t capture the full spectrum of his impact.
On offense, Kessler is still navigating life as Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves’ screener. It’s an entirely new world compared to the barren guard groups he played next to with the Utah Jazz.
Things like timing, pick angles and court-mapping will take time. But the early results have been encouraging nevertheless.
After his dunk-centric eruption on opening night, defenses have already begun selling out in the paint to take away his lob and cut chances.
Due to this, Kessler has not been able to duplicate his scoring outbursts, but it hasn’t lessened his value to the offense either. A direct result of teams loading up and tagging Kessler — often with multiple defenders — is that it has created open shots from the perimeter, as seen in the clips below.
Walker Kessler scored just 2 points, but his roll gravity drew Utah’s defense and created wide-open threes. The Lakers went 20/47 (43%) from deep. pic.twitter.com/y7X8Ui6GAG
Kessler’s roll gravity also extends to his rebounding ability. As one of the league’s best second-chance creators, and simply being a massive person, Kessler often draws multiple players to him whenever a shot goes up.
This fear is well warranted. The Lakers’ offensive rebound percentage jolts up nearly 10% when Kessler is on the floor compared to off. Like a black hole, this sucks up defenders from the corners and creates quality looks for shooters. The Lakers are currently shooting 43.9% from the corners this season, the second-best mark in the league.
Beyond the attention Kessler attracts on offense simply from existing, his omnipresence is probably best demonstrated with the impact he’s had on the Lakers’ defense.
As the backbone and backline, Kessler’s presence in the paint has allowed the team’s wings to be extremely aggressive shocking the ball with the trust that the center will clean up any mistakes. This disruptive style has resulted in the Lakers being one of the best defenses in terms of forced turnovers.
And when his teammates do get burned for gambling or getting blown by, Kessler has been iron-clad protecting the basket.
Not only are opposing teams shooting just 26.9% of their shots at the rim when Kessler is on the floor — would rank fourth-best in the NBA — they are also missing once he meets them there.
Among the 12 players who have defended at least 50 shots within six feet this season, Kessler ranks first in defended shooting percentage against (45.1%) while also contesting the second-most attempts behind only Victor Wembanyama, according to the league’s tracking data.
Last night Walker Kessler contested 14 Warriors shots, they made 3 of them. Some, were missed threes, but a lot were contests in the paint including five blocks. pic.twitter.com/9RThoBA0DI
Kessler’s deterrence and effectiveness in shutting off the paint is not solely due to his size.
His height and frightening wingspan do help, yes. But what drives his success is his impressive motor. With every second jump contest, race down the floor and closeout to a 3-point shooter, Kessler’s care factor is never in doubt. That goes a long way to actualizing his defensive upside.
Despite how hard he ultimately tries, the Lakers are learning firsthand that Kessler can’t be everywhere at once. This is never more true than the defensive drop-off once he’s on the bench.
Through their first nine games, the Lakers have allowed a defensive rating of 110.1 with Kessler on the court compared to 117.2 when he’s been off. That’s a discrepancy that is the equivalent of the team performing like the eighth-best defense versus the 26th.
While his individual numbers will likely fluctuate nightly, and even quarterly, as illustrated by his dominant final frame — 10 points, five rebounds, four blocks and a steal — against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, Kessler has proven to be more than suited for the role bestowed upon him.
He may not be the thundering force that Dončić is or as crafty as Reaves, but Kessler’s job as the Lakers’ silent protector has been as critical to the team’s strong start.
It won’t always look like he’s had a good game in the box score. But just watch how that opposing ball-handler goes wide-eyed and makes a U-turn when the giant in purple and gold makes his stand.
More than any numbers can ever quantify, Kessler’s game is measured in fear. And the Lakers are benefiting from it so far.
All stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass unless otherwise stated. You can follow Alex on Bluesky at @alexregla.bsky.social
BINGHAMTON, NY - MAY 26: Franklin Arias #50 of the Portland Sea Dogs celebrates with teammates after defeating the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at Mirabito Stadium on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 in Binghamton, New York. (Photo by Kylie Richelle/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
As Matt laid out yesterday, there sure are a lot of rumors involving the Red Sox and shortstops, despite the fact that Franklin Arias is a shortstop with nothing left to prove in AAA. So what does that say about how the Sox view Arias? Maybe it doesn’t say anything than that they’re doing their due diligence. But here’s what the current dean of the Red Sox beat says about it in his offseason preview piece: “Some in the organization view Arias as almost untouchable. In a poor positional free agent class, however, the Sox are unlikely to keep Arias off-limits in trade talks, but they’d only consider dealing him for a star with multiple years of control.” (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Meanwhile, another Red Sox beat reporter thinks a big trade isn’t that likely this offseason. “Breslow has gone down the trade road a lot in his three previous offseasons as chief baseball officer. With the prospect haul that was sent to the Orioles for Adley Rutschman, this could be the year free agency is the option Breslow explores the most. Randy Arozarena, to me, would be the perfect fit in the middle of the batting order.” (Ian Browne, MLB.com)
Amidst the relatively disappointing start of the “Big Three Era” (remember when it was briefly the “Big Four”?) it’s understandable that many fans harbor some scepticism about prospects like Arias. But it’s hardly time to close the book on Roman Anthony, who, through all the injuries, still showed plenty of signs of future stardom in 2026. (Brian Murphy, MLB.com)
Hopefully a full offseason of rest is enough for Anthony to put his wrist injuries behind him. If so, maybe he’ll appear on the list of Silver Slugger finalists next year. As it stands the Sox landed two players on that list: Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu, neither of whom has won the award before. (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
But will Anthony, Contreras, and Abreu get any help in the lineup? Here’s a look at a few free agent names who might be a good fit for the Sox, starting with Seiya Suzuki. (Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic)
The Sox did actually make a significant signing yesterday, though not of the player personnel variety. Shelley Duncan, who, like Chad Tracy, has spent years as a AAA manager, has been added to Tracy’s big league coaching staff. (Sean McAdam, Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
