MLB commissioner Robert Manfred speaks speaks at a press conference.
MLB owners are willing to wait an additional year on a key proposed element of the next collective bargaining agreement.
The league has proposed postponing a salary cap and floor until the 2028 season, as the CBA nears expiration on Dec. 1.
“Starting in 2028 would allow a smoother transition into the scale and floor system without delaying key player benefits,” MLB posted on social media.
The proposal calls for a cap of $258.2 million that no club can exceed. Under that proposal eight teams, including the Mets and Yankees, would have to shed significant dollars from their payrolls (per 2026 figures).
According to Spotrac, the Mets led MLB last season with a $346.7 million payroll. The Yankees were third at $308.3 million.
The proposal calls for a salary floor of $180.2 million that all clubs must meet. Last season, 12 teams were below that figure, with Guardians last at $74.5 million, according to Spotrac.
MLB said the 12 clubs under the proposed threshold would have increase payroll by a combined $636 million. The eight teams over the proposed threshold would have to shed $528 million in payroll, according to MLB.
“The projected salary cap and floor for 2028 continues to provide more money for major league players while leveling the playing field and giving more teams the ability to participate in the free agent market and retain their homegrown stars so that every fan believes their team has a fair chance to win it all,” MLB’s statement said.
MLB commissioner Robert Manfred speaks speaks at a press conference. ZUMAPRESS.com
The players’ association has voiced vehement opposition to the implementation of a salary cap, leaving the two sides headed toward a December lockout.
MLB said it’s also willing to accept the players’ association proposal that players at least 30 years old can become free agents after five years of service rather than having to complete a sixth.
Also, MLB has indicated it is willing to eliminate the qualifying offer – as the players’ association has proposed. Under the current system a team signing a player that receives the qualifying offer must surrender a draft pick. The players’ association has long maintained that such a system suppresses a free agent’s value.
Under MLB’s proposal the league minimum salary would be raised from $780,000 to $1.5 million. The pre-arbitration bonus pool, which currently stands at $50 million, would be raised to $180 million.
Lamine Yamal opened the scoring and pulled the strings while Raphina scored twice as Barcelona outclassed Villa
Steven Gerrard and Ally McCoist are on co-commentary duty for TNT Sports alongside Darren Fletcher in Barcelona. The sight and sound of Gerrard has reminded me to recap CarragherGate:
“Jamie Carragher has apologised to Aston Villa for using “clumsy and wrong” language when discussing the club, after club had threatened legal action. “I’d like to apologise to Aston Villa, the owners and their fans. My language this week was clumsy and wrong,” Carragher wrote on X on Saturday.
Oct 23, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is interviewed before game one of the 2026 World Series between Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Major League Baseball on Tuesday revealed portions of its labor negotiations with the MLB Players Association, four weeks before the current collective bargaining agreement expires. Chief among the changes in the latest proposal is not implementing a salary cap until the 2028 season, making 2027 a year of transition.
MLB’s latest proposal called for a salary cap of $258.2 million, with a salary floor of $180.2 million. MLB’s previous proposal with actual numbers, on June 25, including a salary cap of $245.3 million in 2027 and a floor of $171.2 million.
Using competitive balance tax payroll for 2026, the Dodgers, Cubs, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays, Padres, and Red Sox all spent more than that.
Twelve teams — the Marlins, Brewers, Guardians, Cardinals, Rays, Nationals, White Sox, Twins, Rockies, Pirates, A’s, and Reds — were this year all under that proposed $180.2 million floor. MLB says the additional spending by those 12 teams to reach the floor would add a combined $636 million in salaries, while the eight teams cutting spending to get under the proposed cap would subtract $528 million, for a net gain of at least $108 million.
Considering the total competitive balance tax payrolls in 2025 for all 30 teams were just over $6.06 billion, and this year’s were undoubtedly higher, a $108 million increase by 2028 is less than a two-percent increase over three years earlier. It would require other teams to spend more than just reaching the floor for the players to realize any real gain, especially compared to revenues in the sport.
Understandably, the Players Association does not think this proposal does enough. In a statement from the MLBPA:
Despite MLB’s proposal to delay implementation to 2028, at its core, the negative impacts of the owners’ salary cap remain the same:
-Massive reduction in player compensation
-Elimination of fundamental player rights, including guaranteed contracts
-Gutting of domestic and international amateur entry systems
-Replacement of market-based fundamentals with a zero-sum system that harms the middle class and pits player against player
“Even with a so-called ‘transition year’ in 2027,” MLBPA’s statement continued, “The owners’ latest offer would result in rejection of dozens of player proposals on issues from minimum salaries to revenue sharing to rosters and transactions, and many more; immediate restrictions to player contract rights; stagnant luxury tax thresholds; a $400M reduction in amateur signing bonuses, stripping current competitive advantages for smaller market teams.”
Other parts of MLB’s proposal
Tuesday’s proposal by MLB owners also would increase the minimum salary in 2027 to $1 million for players with at least two years of service time, and $900,000 minimum for players with fewer than two years. Dodgers not yet eligible for arbitration with two years of service time include Bobby Miller, Kyle Hurt, Ben Caparius, Jack Dreyer, and Roki Sasaki.
MLB says the 28.2-percent increase over the 2026 minimum salary of $780,000 would be the largest year-over-year increase in league history. In our offseason roster breakdown in October, we looked at previous recent CBAs, with the 22.7-percent increase from 2021 ($570,500) to 2022 ($700,000) the previous high.
MLB as part of its proposal accepted two items the Players Association proposed in May — the elimination of the qualifying offer and thus draft pick compensation for losing free agents; and allowing players age 30 or older to reach free agency with five years of service time instead of six, with the caveat that clubs have the right to sign said player for that sixth year at an average of the top 125 salaries for the previous year (that’s how the qualifying offer is currently calculated).
Owners also proposed reducing the number of times a player can be optioned to the minors within one season from five to four, and the elimination of the current fourth-option-year rule. The rule as currently stated is this:
Players typically have three option years, but those who have accrued less than five full seasons (including both the Major and Minors) are eligible for a fourth if their three options have been exhausted already. For the purposes of this rule, spending at least 90 days on an active Major League or Minor League roster during a given season counts as one full season. Players also earn a full season if they spend at least 30 days on an active Major League or Minor League roster AND their active-roster and injured-list time amounts to at least 90 days in a given season.
Brock Stewart, who was drafted in 2014, used his fourth option year in 2019, for instance.
MLB in previous negotiations this year proposed the idea of weekly rosters, and in its proposal on Tuesday added language prohibiting optioning or outrighting a player during the week, and also restrictions on a team being able to continually cycle a player on and off the 40-man and active rosters throughout the season. This is to combat roster churn, something we saw with the Dodgers in 2026 with both Jonathan Hernández (sent outright to minors three different times, signed twice by Los Angeles during the season) and Charlie Barnes (sent outright to minors three times, optioned three other times), among others.
MLB proposed a few tweaks to the current Rule 5 Draft setup, including making players eligible for the Rule 5 Draft one year earlier than presently. The also proposed allowing teams who select players in the Rule 5 Draft be able to option said players to the minors immediately, which would encourage teams to add players to the 40-man roster to protect from losing them.
“We recognize that clubs will need a full offseason to prepare to operate within the cap and floor system. Therefore, with this offseason already underway, we proposed today to begin the cap and floor systemin 2028. This proposal would allow a smoother transition into the cap and floor system without delaying key player benefits, including earlier free agency, a $1 million minimum salary, a 30% increase to the pre-arbitration bonus pool, and transactional reform that will reduce roster churn,” MLB spokesperson Glen Caplin said in a statement. “The projected salary cap and floor for 2028 continues to provide more money for major league players while leveling the playing field and giving more teams the ability to participate in the free agent market and retain their homegrown stars so that every fan believes their team has a fair chance to win it all.”
“Coming off another incredible season of baseball, MLB owners continue to propose blowing up the current system and replacing it with one designed to line their pockets and increase their franchise values,” the Players Association said in a statement. “Players stand ready to negotiate in good faith toward a new CBA that will capitalize on our sport’s unprecedented momentum and benefit players, clubs, and fans alike.”
The Warriors veteran was charged with two technicals on one play in which Green wrapped both of his arms around Phoenix center Khaman Maluach during an attempt at the rim. What followed was Green’s second technical foul as he and Suns guard Dillon Brooks put their arms on each other.
Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23) and Phoenix Suns’ Dillon Brooks are separated by security in San Francisco on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. JOSE CARLOS FAJARDO/Bay Area News Group via AP
Former NBA champion-turned-analyst Kendrick Perkins is tired of Green’s antics and called him out on ESPN’s “First Take.”
“When was the last time we discussed Draymond Green and brought him up for his basketball and not fighting? At some point, he has to deliver on the floor,” Perkins said.
“And when you look at the start of this season, Draymond Green has been nonexistent. He has done absolutely nothing for the Golden State Warriors. To me, he has been a liability more than an asset.
“And when you look at Steph (Curry)’s face, yes, he’s always going to protect Draymond Green because of their brotherhood. He’s always going to protect Draymond Green and have his back 1000%. But let me explain something to y’all.
Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Getty Images
“Right now, Steph Curry, his joy of walking into that arena, walking into the practice facility, putting on the Golden State uniform, it doesn’t come from Draymond Green anymore. It’s coming from a young man by the name of Yaxel Lendeborg. That’s who has been the fountain of youth for Steve Kerr and Steph Curry. He has given them life.
“But at some point, we have to stop giving Draymond a pass. …”
Kendrick Perkins is seen prior to Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026, in New York. Getty Images
Green recently shared the importance of therapy to help manage a player’s anger issues in a recent podcast episode but quickly turned heads with his actions against Phoenix. Perkins’ comments ring true, however, as Curry stood by his teammate after the Warriors’ win.
“He lit a fire in all of us, and we had to respond,” Curry said of Green.
Jarome Iginla revealed an ongoing health battle the Hockey Hall of Famer believes might be due to complications from hip surgery.
The 49-year-old former NHL great, a 600-goal scorer and two-time Olympic gold medalist, told Sportsnet he’s still trying to figure everything out.
“Unfortunately I have been battling some health issues,” he said. “Some neurological issues. I’m not entirely sure what it is, it may be from metal toxins from reaction to the cobalt hip.”
Jarome Iginla #12 of the Calgary Flames skates against the Atlanta Thrashers during a 2008 game. NHLI via Getty Images
The hard-nosed forward, who twice led the NHL in goals during a 20-year career spent with the Flames, Penguins, Bruins, Kings and Avalanche, had his hip replaced a few years after his final season in 2016-17, with cobalt-chromium components. The breakdown of the material can see debris and ions enter the bloodstream, causing various health issues.
There are no concrete answers yet, however.
“I need more time to figure it all out, but I’m still hopeful that I will recover fully,” he said. “Things are slowly getting under control, thanks be to God.”
Per Sportsnet, he has been dealing with high mercury levels in his body, while also working through energy, weight and speech issues due to medications. He’s been going through testing and medical consults for over a year.
Iginla currently serves as a special advisor to Flames general manager Craig Conroy, a teammate from his days in Calgary where he rose to NHL stardom on his the strength of his scoring ability — he was one of the few sources of constant offense during the league’s “Dead Puck” era — and legendary toughness as a willing fighter when the occasion came.
Henry Mews shakes the hand of Jarome Iginla after being selected 74th overall by the Calgary Flames during the 2024 NHL Draft. NHLI via Getty Images
He broke the 30-goal plateau 12 times in his career — twice hitting the 50-goal mark en route to 625 career tallies and 1,300 points in 1,554 games to go with 1,040 penalty minutes. He is Calgary’s all-time leader in goals (525), points (1,095), games played (1,219) and game-winning goals (83), and further cemented his status as a Flames legend during a run to the Stanley Cup Final, in which he collected 13 goals and 22 points in 23 games as the franchise came one goal short of a Game 7 comeback to the Lightning.
Since retiring in 2018, the Edmonton, Alberta native has seen his three kids all turn pro. His oldest son, Tij, was the No. 6 overall pick by the Mammoth in the 2024, while his middle child Joe was drafted by the Flames in the third round earlier this year. Daughter Jade was the second-round pick by the PWHL’s Hamilton franchise at this year’s draft as well.
The Flyers couldn’t overcome a three-goal deficit Tuesday night as they lost to the Wild, 4-2, at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Tyson Foerster and Denver Barkey found the back of the net for the Flyers. Barkey’s goal came on the power play 1:48 minutes into the third period, cutting the Flyers’ deficit to 3-2.
But the Flyers couldn’t convert on a power play shortly after that. Minnesota ultimately restored order and iced the game with an empty-netter.
“I feel like we’ve always competed and never quit, but we just can’t be chasing the game,” Barkey said. “Against a top team like that, it’s a lot harder to come out on top.”
Rick Tocchet’s club found itself in a 3-0 hole not even a minute into the second period. From tough breaks to tough calls, the Flyers didn’t have a whole lot go their way (more on that below).
“It’s one game,” Sean Couturier said Tuesday after morning skate. “We’ve got to build on that, do that consistently. It almost has to just become automatic in our minds, in the way we play.”
Consistency has totally escaped the Flyers in the opening month-plus of the season. The Flyers have just 12 points in 17 games. Last season, they had 21 points through 17 games (9-5-3).
The Wild (11-3-3) are a Western Conference contender. The Flyers face them again Dec. 5 when they visit Grand Casino Arena.
The Flyers had a frustrating and costly start to the middle stanza. Minnesota cushioned its lead to 3-0 just 42 seconds into the period. The Flyers were hurt by a bad bounce and then apparently some bad actions.
As Jamie Drysdale tried to play the puck up the boards, it hit one of the officials. The Wild quickly turned the favorable bounce into a goal by Joel Eriksson Ek.
Right after the play, Trevor Zegras was hit with a 10-minute misconduct penalty, forcing him to sit for half of the period. The Flyers’ forward must’ve done something to upset referee Kyle Rehman about the unfortunate bounce. He appeared to tap his stick as he skated by Rehman.
“Just a little frustrated and I can’t be doing that,” Zegras said. “I’ve known Kyle for a long time. Just a stupid decision by me.”
Tocchet didn’t excuse it, either.
“You’re showing the ref up,” Tocchet said. “Whether you’re pissed, you can’t tap the ice. You shouldn’t do that.”
In the first period, the Flyers fell into an early 2-0 hole. Matt Boldy and Michael McCarron scored for Minnesota. The goals came just 4:37 minutes into the action and just 31 seconds apart.
Boldy made it 1-0 on a great blast. McCarron added to the lead when he had a puck go off Porter Martone’s skate and right to him in the slot.
“Bad bounces happen every night,” Drysdale said. “It’s unfortunate that they directly resulted in goals against. That sucks, it’s never fun. But I felt like we had a chance, I felt like we played some good hockey, some good stretches.”
Tocchet knew the Wild’s top line of Eriksson Ek, Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov would be a handful. That trio has not been scored on at 5-on-5. It was as advertised Tuesday night.
Minnesota netminder Jesper Wallstedt stopped 23 of the Flyers’ 25 shots.
“I think we had nine or 10 scoring chances where we miss the net,” Tocchet said.
After Foerster’s second-period goal drew the Flyers to within 3-1, Travis Konecny nearly made it a one-goal deficit. He took a pass from Barkey on a 2-on-1 rush, but the Flyers’ alternate captain misfired.
“I have an open net, 2-on-1,” Konecny said. “There were a couple of looks I had in the slot. For me, I’m mad at myself. I had a lot of good looks tonight, I had zero shots. So it’s unacceptable.”
During the second period, Nick Seeler was whistled for back-to-back penalties — one for crosschecking and the other for holding. He and the fans weren’t happy with either of the penalties.
The Flyers had a chance to strike on the opening shift of the game. Zegras had a good look, but his shot went wide. Later in the first period, with the Flyers down 2-0, Martone rung the post on the power play.
A lot of missed opportunities for the Flyers.
“A game like this kills you because we had opportunities and we missed them,” Tocchet said. “Against this team, you can’t miss your opportunities.”
• Matvei Michkov recorded a secondary assist on Foerster’s goal.
Michkov has put up 24 points (14 goals, 10 assists) in his last 24 regular-season games, a stretch that dates back to April 3 of last season.
Drysdale also assisted the goal, giving him four helpers over the last two games.
The Flyers sent Brink to the Wild in exchange for David Jiricek. In 17 games this season, Brink has a goal and eight assists. The 25-year-old winger picked up a secondary helper on McCarron’s goal.
Brink spent parts of four seasons with the Flyers.
A youngster had a sign that read, “Bobby, please give me a puck.”
“To see his development as a young guy coming in to where he’s at today, a lot of credit goes to him and the way he has become a regular NHL player,” Couturier said. “I’m happy for him.”
Jiricek, a 22-year-old defenseman, was a healthy scratch Tuesday night. He hasn’t played in two weeks.
Bobby Brink makes his return to Philadelphia with the Wild.
Flyers traded him at last season’s deadline.
Brink spent parts of four seasons with the Flyers.
• Next up for the Flyers is a five-game road trip, which starts Thursday when they visit the Rangers (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).
“We’ve got a big road trip coming up that if we play well, it could bring a lot of energy to the group for this next little stretch here,” Zegras said. “Our game’s coming, it’s coming.”
ockets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks up during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics.
A testy Kevin Durant got into a verbal exchange with a reporter after the Rockets’ 109-93 win over the Celtics on Monday night, as the NBA superstar took issue with a question about his limited role in the offense.
Durant had just 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field, while pulling down just three rebounds and recording four assists. When asked about what happened with his limited number of shots, Durant became defensive and the exchange became heated.
“Why does that matter to you? We won the game,” Durant said. “Why are you singling me out? [Jabari Smith Jr.] had 30 last game and only had 14 tonight. Are you going to talk about his variety?
Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks up during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Durant didn’t let up as the reporter tried to better explain the question.
“What does that have to do with anything?,” the Rockets star said. “Are you just watching me all game? Do you have the solo cam? We won the basketball game, bro.”
Monday marked the fourth time in the last eight Rockets games that Durant attempted 10 or fewer shots and his 12 points were a season low.
Durant has been historically one of the best scorers in NBA history, sitting fifth on the all-time scoring list.
Eventually, Durant did answer about how his on-court presence affects what his teammates can do.
“My presence on the court, regardless, is opening it up for everybody as soon as I step on the court. They don’t have to give me the ball. They’re going to double-team. They’re going to shade guys to me. Even when I don’t have the ball,” Durant said. “My presence alone is impactful to the game of basketball. I don’t have to shoot. I don’t have to dribble. Just me being out there is going to cause a reaction from the defense. My teammates are taking advantage of it.”
Rockets’ Alperen Sengun, right, blocks Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman, center, as forward Kevin Durant drives. AP Photo/Michael Wyke
Durant is averaging 20.8 points per game this season, and the Rockets are tied with the 76ers for the best record in the NBA at 7-1.
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 2: Jordan Clarkson #00 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on November 2, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For three quarters Monday night, the Knicks looked like they might actually lose to the Nets. The Nets? The last place Nets? While we might get apoplectic, the champs seemed unconcerned about falling behind. When they finally flipped the switch, they turned a 79–75 deficit into a 103–90 win, outscoring Brooklyn 28–11 in the fourth at the Garden. That’s 15 straight wins against the neighbors. Landry Shamet did a lot of the work to make it so.
On a night when the starters happily hurled threes like pre-teens playing Pop Shot, Shamet sank a steady four of six, plus every free throw he took. His season-high 22 kept the Knicks in it long enough for the rest of them to wake up.
While the Knicks spun their wheels in third-quarter mud, Josh Hart collected his fourth foul with a lotta game remaining. Shamet replaced him at 8:44 and scored six points on perfect shooting from downtown. The first, at 2:26, cut Brooklyn’s lead to a single point; the second, with a minute left, made it 77-75. According to Basketball Reference, he had a team-high game score of 19.4. Pretty good for a sub.
Hart had a crooked finger in just about everything that made the fourth quarter exciting. In that final frame, he hit a Kolek-assisted three to pull the Knicks within one, then assisted on back-to-back Anunoby threes and a Kolek layup (everybody seems to enjoy playing with Tyler, don’t they?). Josh intercepted a Julius Randle pass and took it the other way for a layup. His grade suffers for taking just six shots and collecting six fouls, but maybe he deserves a little more love for being a team high +22?
OG played 38 minutes, got to the line eight times, and hit back-to-back threes in the fourth when the Knicks finally started to put Brooklyn away. Seven free throws will do a lot for a night when only four shots fall from the floor. Give credit to his stamina: after bumping bodies with that bull Julius Randle all night, he still had gas in the tank to help his team in the fourth. He hit the go-ahead three at 10:29 and another bomb 28 seconds later to make it 84–79. He also set up Clarkson’s transition three. Loses points for still struggling to finish at the rim.
A weird game for Karl-Anthony. He had double-digit rebounds in the first half, but zero points. After intermission, he scraped together 11 points with much more aggressive drives to the rim. As New York rallied in the fourth, he banked in a short fadeaway, grabbed three defensive boards, and found Landry Shamet for the Knicks’ final basket. His back up, Andre Drummond, grabbed nine boards in his 13 minutes, but dividing the workload between the pair is unsustainable. James Wiseman is glued to the bench. Leon, what’s your move?
Four threes and six assists are dandy, but missing half his free-throws and ten field goal attempts had us a little worried. He’s been mostly automatic since coming to New York, so forgive us for jumping to conclusions like: maybe he should spend less time doing extracurricular activities and more in the gym? He started off the game great, making 3-of-4 from deep, but then disappeared for a while.
Jordan Clarkson: B
7 points (3–5 FG, 1–2 3PT) in 11 minutes (+17)
Some guys can do a lot in 11 minutes. Clarkson squeezed seven points into his sliver of time (entirely in the second half) and was still a +17. As the fourth quarter started, a game that had been a nuisance all night was finally starting to break open. Jordan blocked Nolan Traoré’s layup and hit a transition three seven seconds later to push the lead to 10. He added a floater at 4:00 to keep the momentum going. He loses a point for collecting two fouls and a technical foul in the span of a minute during the third period, which didn’t help matters while the team was flailing.
After the game, coach Mike Brown offered high praise for the vet. “I’ve been around some good teammates when it comes to players. He’s gotta be the best. He’s the definition of ultimate pro,” he said. “You have a veteran that’s been there, done that, and he’s willing to accept the role that most guys wouldn’t accept […]. And he’s willing to accept it… and still try to uplift everybody and connect everybody while he’s going through what he’s going through. That’s the ultimate team player.”
Deuce hit two of four from deep and added a couple of assists. A decent shift on a night when the Knicks could’ve used a few more of those. Two steals is great. Four shots in almost 17 minutes seems insufficient, however.
Hoo boy. Bridges made one shot from the floor and did little on defense to make up for it. The Knicks lost his 16 minutes by 11 points, the worst mark in the rotation. At least he got to the foul line for the first time after six games.
It’s perhaps too soon to sound the panic alarm, but he has shot 16 of 52 for the season. Mike Brown has taken notice. He ended Kal’s night after just a few minutes into the third quarter, and when he sent the starters back at the end of the game, Shamet took Bridges’ spot.
Overall
The Knicks got away with three quarters of sleepwalking because Shamet kept them close and Hart, OG, and the bench gave them life in the fourth. Next up are the Bulls on Wednesday. In their first meeting of the season, last week, the Knicks won but needed 48 points from the bench to bail them out. Do we see a trend emerging?
Smith was stopped by Royse City Police Department officers on a Texas roadway on Sept. 28 after they suspected he had a warrant out for his arrest.
Bodycamera video shows J.R. Smith talking with police officers in Texas. ROYSE CITY PD
The cops asked him to exit his vehicle while they investigated the situation, and as they were trying to get the matter squared away, they struck up a conversation about basketball.
Smith told them he was a former NBA player who retired in 2020. He also explained how he broke into the league and what teams he played for.
Then one of the officers asked him if he had a championship on his résumé.
“Two,” Smith said.
Smith went on to explain he got the rings during his time on the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers.
J.R. Smith chats with police officers about the Lakers in September. ROYSE CITY PD
“So, you got a ring with Kyrie [Irving],” one of the cops asked.
“Kyrie and LeBron,” Smith responded.
Cops stopped J.R. Smith after they suspected he had a warrant out for his arrest. ROYSE CITY PD
The cop, who appeared to be a Dallas Mavericks fan, then made it clear he was not James’ biggest supporter, as he called the former Lakers superstar, “He who shall not be named.”
“Not a fan?” Smith asked.
“He stole Luka [Doncic] from us,” the officer said, referencing the historic Lakers-Mavericks trade that sent Doncic to LA in February 2025. “He stole Luka from us. That was all him.”
JR Smith of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, at The Arena in Orlando, Fla. NBAE via Getty Images
“Nobody was happy about that,” one of the other cops on the scene added.
“I’m still mad,” the other officer said. “Still mad.”
Just moments later, Smith was placed in handcuffs after it was confirmed he had an active warrant.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet during a game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, in New York. Brad Penner-Imagn Images
No further NBA conversations took place.
It was eventually revealed that Smith was wanted by the Southlake Police Department for assault causing bodily injury — family violence after he allegedly got physical with a woman during a Sept. 18 incident in Tarrant County.
Smith was accused of “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly” causing “bodily injury” to a female who was a member of Smith’s family or household or with whom he had a dating relationship, court documents stated.
Smith was taken into custody over the allegations and released a short time later. His attorney, Justin A. Moore, said in a statement after the run-in with cops that his client was “eager to see this matter resolved and has full confidence in the legal process.”
“He is presumed innocent, and we will address this matter in Court,” Moore continued. “We ask that everyone respect the privacy of all involved throughout the process.”
Smith is due in court for his next hearing in the case next month.
For years, Jarome Iginla was the kind of player who seemed impossible to wear down. Night after night, he took the hits, battled through traffic and found ways to make an impact. Across 1,554 NHL regular-season games, he built a career defined by toughness, consistency and an unwillingness to back down.
Now, the hockey world is getting a much different look at the former Colorado Avalanche forward.
Iginla recently opened up to Sportsnet's Eric Francis about some health issues he's been navigating in retirement, including neurological complications that doctors are still working to understand.
"Unfortunately, I have been battling some health issues," Iginla told Francis. "Some neurological issues. I'm not entirely sure what it is, it may be from metal toxins from reaction to the cobalt hip."
The 49-year-old's health became a topic of conversation last week after a clip from Hometown Giants, Amazon Prime's new series following the Vancouver Giants of the WHL, showed Iginla speaking with a noticeably weaker voice than fans may remember.
According to Sportsnet, complications following a hip replacement surgery have led to medications that have affected his energy, weight and speech. There are also concerns about potential metal toxicity from his implant, as certain hip replacements can release metals into the bloodstream over time.
Iginla has reportedly dealt with elevated mercury levels as well. He told Francis that he and his doctors are working to bring those levels down while trying to determine whether they are connected to the suspected cobalt-related complications.
It's a lot for someone who spent so much of his life being the picture of durability. Still, Iginla hasn't lost hope.
"I need more time to figure it all out, but I'm still hopeful that I will recover fully," he said. "Things are slowly getting under control, thanks be to God."
That optimism is something hockey fans can certainly appreciate. Iginla has never been someone who shied away from a challenge, and while this fight looks nothing like the ones he faced on the ice, it's clear he's determined to keep moving forward.
Iginla's Colorado Connection
Avalanche fans have their own memories of Iginla, who joined Colorado ahead of the 2014-15 season after spending the majority of his career with the Calgary Flames.
He may not have spent as long in Denver as he did in Calgary, but he gave the Avalanche plenty to remember. One moment in particular came on January 4, 2016, against the Los Angeles Kings.
Iginla's teammates mob him following his historic goal.
Iginla scored a power-play goal that night in a 4-1 Colorado victory, and it was no ordinary tally. After taking a pass from Tyson Barrie along the far side, Iginla drove toward the net and sent the puck across the ice. It took an unexpected bounce off Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin before finding its way into the net.
Just like that, Iginla had reached another milestone.
Gabriel Landeskog, then in his fifth season as Colorado's captain, was on the ice to witness it. It's a fitting connection between two generations of Avalanche leadership, with Landeskog still wearing the captain's C today.
Iginla's time in Colorado was just one chapter in a remarkable career. Drafted 11th overall by the Dallas Stars in 1995, he went on to become one of the most accomplished players of his generation. He scored 625 career NHL goals and recorded 1,300 points, while becoming Calgary's all-time leader in games played, goals and points.
He also represented Canada at three Olympic Games, bringing home two gold medals along the way. After stops with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings, Iginla officially retired following the 2017-18 season.
His playing career was built on an ability to endure just about anything the game threw at him. Now, fans across the hockey world are hoping he can find that same strength away from the rink.
For Avalanche fans who remember what he brought to Colorado, the hope is simple: that Iginla gets the time, answers and treatment he needs to feel like himself again.
Savannah James is facing new challenges in this season of her life.
James, wife of four-time NBA champion LeBron James and mother to three children, has been given the task of keeping her family close while every member of the group resides in three different places.
Savannah James attends the Blue Jacket Fashion Show, an event supporting prostate cancer awareness and men’s health through fashion and philanthropy, in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. BFA.com / BACKGRID
Bronny James plays for the Lakers, and Zhuri James attends school and plays volleyball in Los Angeles. As the matriarch of the family, Savannah tries her best to support everyone in their endeavors while also fulfilling her own.
“The crazy in my life is the fact that I have to figure out how to be three places at once,” Savannah said on an episode of “Baby, This is Keke Palmer.”
“I try not to think about it because I’m like it’s gonna stress me out. And I know it has to happen, but that is crazy.”
LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Chicago Bulls on November 2, 2026 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NBAE via Getty Images
Savannah described New York as the primary meeting point between her and LeBron, who decided to live in the Big Apple while playing for the 76ers.
“So, New York will be the hub. So it’s LA, New York and Philly. And my son is in school in Tucson, Arizona. Trying to plan my life out like that is a little crazy for me right now,” she said.
Savannah, who turned 40 years old this summer, spent a lot of time reflecting on entering a new decade and how she wanted to approach anything that life threw at her.
Savannah James absolutely stunned on the red carpet at the TIME100 Sports Gala. FilmMagic
“LeBron going to play in Philly, it’s going to be an adjustment, but it is going to work out. Zhuri going into middle school is an adjustment, but it’s going to work out. And then the boys are kind of living their own lives.
“But I think the way that it feels for me is that I feel different in myself, in the work that I’ve done and the way that I wanted to feel going into this milestone age.
“I am happy to be in this space right now; it feels good.”
The James family may not reside together anymore, but Savannah appears determined to be the glue of the group.
The Buffalo Sabres practiced at KeyBank Center on Tuesday for the second straight day, in advance of the beginning of their four-game homestand against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. After sitting out for some maintenance on Monday, winger Zach Benson skating by himself and joined the club for the 45-minute long workout, taking the spot of Jiri Kulich.
Head coach Lindy Ruff provided updates on Benson and the status of other Sabres players:
"(Things)went well for Benson. (He) stayed out for practice. Had a good day. He'll be available to play."
On Conor Timmins, who Ruff said may have had a little setback during his weekly appearance on WGR 550 Tuesday morning:
“A little bit of a false alarm, he felt better this morning. It wasn’t good when he left yesterday, but when he got back, it felt good and he participated in practice.”
He said that the timetable for his return is “fairly soon.”
After a solid start in Los Angeles, Colten Ellis appears to be getting the start on Wednesday over Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
On managing three goalies when Alex Lyon is available:
"I'm going to wait to manage it once I get there. W e're probably days away from when he gets there,. It 's really been our strength. If you look back last year, it seemed like as soon as somebody was getting healthy, somebody else got a little bit banged up, and towards the end of the year, we ended up at three. But we know that all three guys can help us win hockey games, and I think we've seen around the league, where you lose a goaltender and you start searching for one. Having that extra guy is really valuable.”
Ruff indicated that Jiri Kulich is close to being available after getting out of concussion protocol.
"(We're) going to just see how he handled today, yesterday. I thought yesterday was an okay day for him. I think he's still got a little catching up to do, but we'll make that decision. He could be an option, though, for sure.”
Colten Ellis was in the starter’s net for practice, which could mean that he will get the starts against the Sens, who are two points ahead of Buffalo in the Atlantic Division standings.
Lakers coach JJ Redick chats with guard Luka Doncic during a break in the action against the Heat on Monday night at Crpyto.com Arena. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Austin Reaves described it as “fun.” Luka Doncic called the Lakers’ effortless-looking offense as “flowing.” And this is still the early stages of development for a team that brought in nine new players.
Through eight games, the Lakers have the most dynamic offense in the NBA. Led by Doncic, the Lakers are second in scoring with 122.5 points per game and first in offensive rating with 121.9 points per 100 possessions. The starting lineup of Doncic, Reaves, Walker Kessler, Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle has a league-best 135.5 offensive rating among five-man groups that have played at least 40 minutes together entering Wednesday’s game at Sacramento.
“Everything’s as expected,” guard Quentin Grimes said Monday after the Lakers hung 138 points in a 21-point win over the Miami Heat. “Winning, everybody’s getting involved, everybody’s making the right play, getting a lot of assists.”
The Lakers (6-2) had 39 assists against the Heat, the most during JJ Redick’s head-coaching tenure. Doncic is on a historic scoring binge; he is the first Laker since Kobe Bryant in 2007 to have five consecutive games of 35 or more points. While putting up a seemingly ho-hum 42 points against Miami, he also had a season-high 13 assists.
“It’s a really good offense that we’re playing right now,” Redick said. “And a lot of that, of course, is Doncic and what he’s able to do and bend the defense.”
Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer at 38.3 points per game, does his damage early. He typically plays all 12 minutes of the opening quarter and leads the league with 15 points a game in the first quarter. Once he gets his shot going, teams send double teams to force the ball out of his hands. That’s when Doncic can be particularly dangerous.
Doncic has always been lauded for his superior court vision. But the Lakers are still learning to see the same picture. The Lakers had 14 turnovers, including 11 from Doncic and Reaves, during a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets, who were aggressively trapping the Lakers’ ballhandlers. The Lakers threw away a 25-point second-quarter lead on Oct. 30 when the Golden State Warriors ratcheted up the ball pressure.
Doncic’s five turnovers a game are the second most in the league, and Reaves is third with 4.6 turnovers per game.
Some players are new to being on a team with guards who get blitzed nearly every play, Reaves said. It requires players to not only be comfortable making decisions to pass, drive or shoot, but they have to choose quickly. A moment’s hesitation gives away the four-on-three advantage created by the double-team.
Redick praised Grimes’ ability to keep advantages by driving decisively. Forward Sandro Mamukelashvili is also great at it, Redick said, as is guard Collin Sexton, who knows no speed other than full. The Lakers have also finished their advantages with Thybulle and Williams making27 of 58 (46.6%) three-point attempts combined.
“That’s the beauty of our team,” Williams said. “You could put different guys at different spots and everyone’s able to make a play. All our guys are just dynamic and versatile. And everyone just wants to make the right play. No one wants to only shoot, there’s no egos. And that’s the fun part about it, you know? We all love to see each other succeed.”
Williams missed three games because of a sore left foot but returned Monday with nine points, two rebounds and two assists off the bench. When Jake LaRavia jumped into the starting lineup, the Lakers were just as effective offensively as their first-choice lineup. When Doncic, Reaves, Kessler, Thybulle and LaRavia are together, the Lakers’ 144.3 points per 100 possessions ranks first among lineups that have played at least 30 minutes.
Heat forward Giannis Antetokounmpo reaches through the hoop to block a reverse dunk by Lakers center Walker Kessler on Monday night. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
But numbers don’t normalize until about 250 minutes, Redick believes.
“I think there’s always room for improvement,” he said Monday.
The Lakers have the most room for improvement on the defensive side. Their defensive rating of 114 points allowed per 100 possessions is tied with the Clippers for 20th in the NBA. They still rank 28th in rebounding, despite three consecutive double-doubles from Kessler, who responded after Redick challenged the center to be a larger rebounding presence.
“This team can become a great team,” Redick said before Monday’s win over the Heat. “That requires patience, that requires a lot of coaching and teaching and buy-in, and so that whole process takes time.”
What can the Chicago White Sox learn from the World Champion Milwaukee Brewers heading into the 2027 season? | Getty Images
Cooper Pratt didn’t need a home run to help deliver the Milwaukee Brewers their first World Series championship. The 22-year-old rookie drove in two runs with an RBI single and sacrifice fly, helping Milwaukee defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in Game 5.
In fact, the Brewers didn’t hit a single home run in their championship-clinching victory last week.
Milwaukee hit just 13 home runs during the entire postseason, including three in the five-game World Series. Instead, the Brewers relied on timely hitting, aggressive baserunning and an ability to manufacture runs without waiting for someone to send a baseball into the seats.
The championship provided a revealing comparison with the Chicago White Sox, whose offense produced considerably more home runs but fewer runs during the regular season.
Chicago finished fifth in Major League Baseball with 211 home runs, while Milwaukee ranked 28th with 154. Despite hitting 57 fewer home runs, the Brewers scored 832 runs compared with Chicago’s 776. Milwaukee finished with 103 victories and a World Series championship; Chicago went 84-78 before falling in the American League Division Series.
Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy acknowledged that his team’s approach required more than swinging for the fences.
“We’re choosing hard,” Murphy told MLB.com in September. “We’re certainly trying to hit home runs.”
The numbers demonstrated how differently the two offenses operated. Milwaukee batted .258 compared with Chicago’s .236, collected 140 more hits and drew 79 more walks. The Brewers also stole 162 bases, compared with 93 for the White Sox, while striking out 111 fewer times.
Those differences helped Milwaukee score 56 more runs despite hitting considerably fewer home runs. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Milwaukee scored just 32.1% of its regular-season runs on home runs, the lowest percentage in Major League Baseball.
Brewers second baseman Brice Turang emphasized that the team’s success came from more than one offensive approach.
“Home runs come, and they’ll help you win games,” Turang told The Associated Press. “And so do stolen bases. So do walks, playing defense. All that matters as well.”
Chicago’s power production was impressive, particularly with three players surpassing the 30-home run mark. Munetaka Murakami led the team with 35 home runs, followed by Miguel Vargas with 33 and Colson Montgomery with 31. Together, the trio accounted for nearly 47% of Chicago’s home runs.
However, their batting averages revealed some limitations. Montgomery hit .197 while striking out 227 times. Murakami batted .207 with 196 strikeouts, although his 92 walks helped him maintain a .347 on-base percentage. Combined, Montgomery and Murakami struck out 423 times. Montgomery acknowledged his struggles with situational hitting during an August interview with the Chicago Sun-Times.
“I should be driving in more runs or just a little better situational hitting,” Montgomery said. “But I don’t know. It’s just baseball, you know?”
Vargas provided a more balanced offensive profile, batting .250 with 93 RBIs, 101 walks and a .363 on-base percentage. His 22 stolen bases demonstrated that power and offensive versatility could coexist.
Meanwhile, Chase Meidroth and Sam Antonacci offered examples of the contact-oriented approach Chicago could develop further. Meidroth batted .276 with 156 hits, while Antonacci hit .277 with a .370 on-base percentage and 20 stolen bases. Antonacci struck out just 82 times in 480 at-bats.
Milwaukee built its offense around a different combination of skills. Jake Bauers led the Brewers with 26 home runs while batting .266 with a .389 on-base percentage. Jackson Chourio contributed 25 home runs, a .291 average and 23 stolen bases.
Turang added 21 home runs, 100 RBIs and 90 walks, while William Contreras hit .270 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs.
Former White Sox first baseman Andrew Vaughn offered perhaps the most revealing comparison, batting .306 with a .390 on-base percentage despite hitting only six home runs in 104 games for Milwaukee.
The Brewers weren’t necessarily playing traditional small ball. Their success came from combining walks, doubles, stolen bases and consistent contact to create scoring opportunities. Murphy explained that Milwaukee’s philosophy wasn’t about deliberately avoiding home runs but finding ways to score regardless of how the ball was hit.
“It’s offense. It’s a commitment to offense,” Murphy said during an October news conference. “Our relentless way helped us score runs because guys are interested and they know how to win baseball games.”
That versatility became particularly important in October. Chicago batted .211 during seven postseason games, collecting 48 hits and scoring 28 runs. The White Sox managed just four home runs while striking out 96 times. Milwaukee, meanwhile, batted .272 through its first 11 postseason games, collecting 100 hits and scoring 52 runs. The Brewers scored 25 runs during the World Series despite hitting only three home runs.
The White Sox weren’t an ineffective offensive team. Their 776 regular-season runs ranked among baseball’s best totals, making it difficult to blame home run dependence alone for their postseason elimination.
There was also a significant difference in pitching. Milwaukee allowed 618 runs during the regular season, compared with Chicago’s 720. The Brewers posted a 3.51 ERA, while the White Sox finished at 4.12.
Chicago’s challenge entering 2027 isn’t necessarily finding more power: Murakami, Vargas and Montgomery have already demonstrated they can produce home runs at an elite level.
Instead, the White Sox need to develop an offense capable of sustaining rallies, getting runners on base ahead of their power hitters and producing runs when opposing pitchers prevent the long ball. Milwaukee’s championship demonstrated that hitting home runs remains valuable, but relying on them isn’t the only way to build a championship-caliber offense.
As Murphy explained when discussing whether Milwaukee’s offensive philosophy could succeed in October, the goal remained straightforward.
“They’re built to win games,” Murphy said. “What’s the difference?”
If there's a combination of traits the Philadelphia Flyers could absolutely take for free at the center position, it's speed, skill, and a strong draft pedigree. By combing the NHL waiver wire, the Flyers can find all three.
Although the depth at the center position was already thin coming into the 2026-27 season, things have gotten a bit worse for the Flyers, given that Trevor Zegras has been affixed to the left wing position.
That's been a productive change, which has worked in the favor of Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet, but the team has been platooning Christian Dvorak, Noah Cates, Sean Couturier, Noel Acciari, Denver Barkey, and Jacob Gaucher down the middle at various points in the last few weeks.
Down in the AHL, the Flyers are committed to allowing top center prospect Jett Luchanko the time he needs to develop into a high-quality NHL player, so he's off the table barring some dire circumstances.
But, that's where the NHL waiver wire comes in handy.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Winnipeg Jets placed forward prospect Brad Lambert on waivers, making him available to the Flyers and the other 30 NHL teams for free if they choose.
Lambert, still just 22 years old, was drafted 30th overall in the first round of the 2022 draft, and he brings to the table an elite package of skating ability and playmaking.
The end product hasn't come for the Finn, though, as he has just nine points in 43 career NHL games across four seasons.
In the AHL, Lambert has 36 goals, 70 assists, and 106 points in 173 games, though it's worth noting that after scoring 55 points in 64 AHL games in 2023-24, Lambert regressed to just 35 points in 61 games in 2024-25, and 13 points in 34 games in 2025-26.
The former first-round pick is now a player who is clearly trending in the wrong direction and in need of a change of scenery, something that the Jets have apparently recognized.
With just one assist in 11 NHL games with Winnipeg this season, it's understandable that none of the other NHL teams, including the Flyers, have offered up any assets for Lambert to jump the waiver wire.
But, given that Lambert is on waivers and can be claimed for free, he's an obvious fit for the Flyers, especially as a potential right-shot center.
After assigning Alex Bump to the AHL on Tuesday, the Flyers have one roster spot available, which can be filled by Lambert.
Active contracts (47/50) are not an issue for the Flyers, either, and this is a low-stakes move. Lambert has one year remaining on his entry-level contract, meaning he's a cheap, no-strings-attached dart-throw who is under team control as a pending RFA.
The Flyers badly need speed and skill at the center position, and Lambert, who has primarily featured as a wing, would benefit greatly from a new opportunity under a fresh set of eyes and coaches.
If things don't work out with Lambert, the Flyers can simply put him back on waivers and move on as if nothing happened.
Because Nov. 1 has come and passed, the waiver wire order is now dictated by the current season's standings, rather than last season's standings.
As a result, the Flyers have been propelled towards the top of the waiver wire order, with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, and Vancouver Canucks, in that order, the only teams higher. The Jets, who are one spot ahead of the Flyers, obviously cannot claim their own player.
So, again, if the Flyers can get value out of Lambert's speed and talent down the middle, it's a slam-dunk waiver claim.
If they see Lambert as a winger, then players like Bump and Gaucher are clearly ahead if for no reason other than familiarity.
Having won just four of 16 games this season, the Flyers are in the perfect situation to take chances on reclamation projects, and Lambert checks all the boxes for Philadelphia.
