BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 18: Wilyer Abreu #52 and Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after taking the lead against the Tampa Bay Rays in the bottom of the seventh inning at Fenway Park on July 18, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hello and happy Monday, folks. Feels weird to not have a World Cup game ready to go on deck now, doesn’t it?
But you know what we do have on deck? A Red Sox game. They play Baltimore at Fenway tonight, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EST. A win would bring our boys to 14 straight wins, which is tantalizingly close to the longest win streak in the franchise’s history (!!!!!!), dating back to when the 1946 Sox won 15 games in a row.
My question to you, dear reader, is simple: Who the hell are these guys and what have they done with the 2026 Red Sox? I ask that tongue-in-cheek-ly, yes, but seriously! What the hell is happening?! I love it, don’t get me wrong, but this is insane!
What do you chalk this incredible run up to? A matter of the bats simply producing? Is it the manager? The new guys who have stepped up? Something else? A little bit of all of those things? Let me know below.
Draymond Green has seen this movie before — he’s just casting himself in a different role this time.
A fan on Threads asked Green on Sunday who would run the Warriors’ offense if LeBron James signs with Golden State: Green, Steph Curry, or James himself. Green’s answer left little room for interpretation about where he sees himself fitting in.
“Bron,” Green wrote. “I’d become PJ Tucker. Greatest corner 3pt shooter ever.”
It is not the first time Green has made that exact claim about Tucker. Back in Sept. 2020, following a Houston Rockets playoff loss, Green tweeted that Tucker “may be the best Corner 3-point shooter in NBA history” — a claim NBC Sports Bay Area’s Ali Thanawalla examined in detail at the time and found did not hold up.
Curry and Klay Thompson both posted significantly better corner-three shooting percentages than Tucker over that stretch, even with a fraction of his attempts, and six other players in the league that season alone out-shot him from the corner as well.
The real number behind Tucker’s reputation is volume, not efficiency. He has made 704 corner 3-pointers over the past 12 seasons, the most in the NBA during that span, according to Second Spectrum — built largely during his prime years in Houston, where he led the league in corner threes three straight seasons. His career 3-point percentage sits at 36.6 percent, with a corner-specific mark of 38.4 percent.
As for Green actually pulling off the transformation himself, the numbers offer a mixed verdict. He has shot better than 32.6 percent from three just once in the past decade — but he shot 38 percent specifically from the corners last season, and has topped one made three per game in each of the past two years after going seven years without hitting that mark even once.
Six years after his first attempt at this exact comparison, Green still is selling the same pitch — he is just hoping this time it comes with a very different teammate attached.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 15: Head coach Amile Jefferson of the Boston Celtics looks on in the first half of the 2026 NBA Summer League game against the Sacramento Kings at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Las Vegas Summer League is the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a time when every dribble, rebound, and shot can mean as much or as little as the beholder wants.
My personal rulebook for Summer League is that rookies can only improve their stock; second-year guys should look like second-year guys; and third-year guys better not play poorly, or they will be looking for a spot on my hometown professional team, the Tasmanian JackJumpers.
The great news for Celtics fans is that every player of consequence showed out at Summer League. Before we hand out some summer grades, I will remind everyone that I am grading these players based on my expectations and perceptions of their abilities coming into Summer League.
I’m not comparing Chris Cenac Jr. to Cam Boozer.
Hugo González – B+
Hugo Gonzalez is having an excellent summer. It tipped off with a pair of strong performances in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, in which Gonzalez contributed 13 points, 4 points, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.
The skill that really flashed in Hugo’s two FIBA games was his passing, which he carried over to Summer League, where he was tasked with being the team’s lead shot creator, a tall task for a 20-year-old wing who was given close to zero ball-handling responsibility in his rookie season. While there were some clunky stretches for the Summer Celtics’ offense, most notably the streak of 17 straight misses in the first game of the campaign, Hugo acquitted himself nicely in this role. Gonzalez showcased improved handling and passing skills. The young forward turned in 5.7 assists to go with 3.7 turnovers per game.
For a franchise that prioritizes limiting turnovers, I’m sure the coaching staff would like to see the turnover number lower, but an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.54 is impressive in this context. The Celtics Summer League roster was low on spacing and shot creation, so Hugo being a passable offensive engine is encouraging.
Letting ourselves get carried away by the Vegas Vibes, if the young wing can develop his creation ability, it would be a significant boon for the Boston Celtics. With Hugo already showing in his rookie season that he can be a defensive and rebounding machine, if he can simultaneously morph into being a jumbo secondary creator? The “I can’t believe the Celtics didn’t trade this guy for Giannis” takes won’t age well.
Lastly, Celtics fans are likely already familiar with Gonzalez’s historic plus/minus numbers as a rookie. Rivalling all-time greats like Tim Duncan and Jayson Tatum in their rookie seasons. Well, Hugo did it again at Summer League. The Celtics were a plus-34 with Hugo on the court and a minus-28 with him off the court. The kid impacts winning. I docked Hugo down from an “A” because I thought his defense in the second Summer League game was disappointing. He got torched by Liam McNeely. But I won’t let a bad half of Summer League supersede a rookie season of being a defensive menace.
Amari Williams – B
Amari Williams has some passionate believers. I get it. The blend of size and vision is tantalizing. When you squint (close your eyes), it’s not hard to see British Nikola Jokic. Summer League shenanigans aside, the former second-round pick left me feeling optimistic that he could become a solid backup big man at some point.
For those who think reaching a ceiling of a competent backup big man is something to scoff at, I implore you to look at the big man market in today’s NBA. Walker Kessler was just traded for an unconscionable haul, Jock Landale (Australian King) signed for $14 million, and even Zach Collins managed to secure a two-year $17 million contract. The pendulum has violently swung back on the value of big men. Teams have realized the value of having high-level center play for 48 minutes.
So, what did Amari do that leads me to believe he can provide competent centre play for the Celtics? The seven-footer continues to flash impressive rim protection, the ability to gobble up rebounds, and the alluring trait of being a team’s offensive hub due to his passing skills.
On the alluring passing, Williams had a handful of turnovers on no-look and overly saucy passes. My recommendation would be to both look when passing and limit the amount of sauce on some of these passes to ensure better ball security.
My biggest gripe with Williams is that, despite being the biggest guy out there, I’m often left wishing he could experience a motor upgrade. While the seven-footer had several high-level moments as a rim protector and rebounder throughout Summer League, I see no reason why he couldn’t be a game-wrecker.
In the consolation game, we saw what it can look like when Williams cranks his motor up. The big fella had a beautiful tip-in on an offensive rebound, a sequence with back-to-back blocks, and a lovely backdoor pass to DeVries. We need more of that for the big man to fulfil his potential as a high-level backup big man. If we could clone Hugo Gonzalez’s motor and install it where Williams’ currently is, we would have a monster on our hands. All that to say I’m encouraged by Amari’s development and feel confident in his ability to reach the level of rotational big man in the NBA.
Chris Cenac – A
I loved the Celtics’ selection of Chris Cenac at the 27th overall pick. He fits the profile of the type of prospect I wanted the Celtics to draft: a high upside big man that, in a ceiling outcome, gives you two-way versatility in the playoffs.
The book on Cenac was that he was a raw prospect. I come away blown away by how this kid fell to the Celtics at the 27th pick. The blend of size and length, skill, and motor all popped across his Summer League campaign. I expected Cenac to look like Bambi on ice out there. But he flashed the ability to switch on the perimeter defensively, hit clutch threes, mash opponents on the glass, and make smooth passing reads out of the short roll… and he just turned 19 years old in February.
The Chris Cenac hype train has left the station. In just 23.3 minutes per game, the first-round draft pick stuffed the stat sheet with 10.5 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2.8 blocks. If we let our imagination run wild and extrapolate those numbers to a per-36-minute number, we would be looking at 18 points, 12 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 4.3 blocks.
One of the concerns about Cenac as a prospect was his incredibly low block rate in college, despite being an athletic marvel. The big man out of Houston only averaged 0.5 blocks per game in college. The optimists explained this by saying it was due to Cenac playing in a Houston context that had him at the power forward spot, where he was not asked to be a rim protector. Well, those concerns have been addressed emphatically with 11 blocks over his four games. The rim protection isn’t perfect; Cenac has the quintessential rookie trait of biting on lots of pump fakes. However, Cenac also has the ability to recover from these mistakes to either collect blocks or still impact shots at the rim thanks to his freakish mix of size and athleticism. 19-year-olds picked late in the first round of the NBA draft rarely get much playing time, but I would love to see what Cenac could do with some real NBA minutes.
Dillon Mitchell – B+
Dillon Mitchell is a fun player to watch. The 40th overall pick is a high-octane, turnover-generating, rebound-securing chaos agent. Mazzulla Ball is often pigeonholed as only being about three-point shooting rate. It is more about maximising possessions, and Mitchell fits this philosophy. The explosive guard looks like Ed Reed picking off passes on the way to thunderous dunks on the other end, and is often in danger of concussing himself as he soars through traffic to collect offensive rebounds.
This is what the Celtics envision with Mitchell: a non-shooting possessions generator. Mitchell is not a shooter, but he is a smart offensive player. The explosive guard is quick to set screens that spring teammates open, a timely cutter, and a precise passer. He also hit more threes in Summer League (3) than he did in the entirety of his last college season (1)…so maybe there is a shooter in there that the Celtics development staff can coax out of him. I don’t see a path for Mitchell to get burn in his rookie season with so many perimeter players ahead of him in the rotation, but I’m certainly intrigued to follow his development.
John Tonje – A
John Tonje already stamped himself as a Celtics legend with his performance in Game 82 of last season. The two-way forward continued his strong play for the Summer Celtics.
Tonje can stroke it from three. Catch and shoot threes, pull-ups, and side step threes. The athletic wing also showed improvement on defense, continued to hit the glass, and showcased his athleticism with a one-handed tomahawk slam in the final Summer League game.
The only thing working against the toolsy guard-forward hybrid is that the Celtics are overflowing with talent on the wing. Between Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Hugo Gonzalez, Sam Hauser, Baylor Scheierman, Ron Harper Jr, and Jordan Walsh, there isn’t a path for Tonje to earn minutes. For this reason, I would lean toward giving the last two-way slot to Milos Uzan. That being said, I am terrified that Tonje will end up on the Miami Heat and be the next Caleb Martin or Max Strus for them. Dude can play.
Milos Uzan – A
Milos Uzan is a slippery, tough-shot-making, consistent shot-creator. At a minimum, Milos Uzan will go down as a Summer Celtic great. The highlight of Uzan’s Summer League was his clutch buckets to seal a victory against the Sacramento Kings.
The Celtics’ point guard depth is not the strength of the roster. After Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, the options get a little bit creaky. Mike Conley, whom I love, is coming into his 20th season as a pro. It would be great to add a developmental guard to the pipeline. Interestingly, Uzan and Conley have similar profiles as shifty guards who battle on defense, and more importantly, are great in the possession game. Mike Conley has made a career out of suppressing turnovers and getting offenses organized. I’m not saying Uzan is prime Mike Conley, although that would be wonderful news for the Celtics, but Uzan fits the Celtics philosophy of maximising possessions across 48 minutes and across 82 games.
Milos (have I mentioned how Milos Uzan is an outrageously cool name?), averaged 4 assists to only 1.4 turnovers per game in his Summer League campaign, which was a near identical stat line to his two-year career at Houston, where he averaged 4.1 assists to 1.4 turnovers across 77 games. Signalling to me that this was a deliberate roster decision by the Celtics as they see Uzan as fitting their identity.
As mentioned above, I think it makes sense for Uzan to be rewarded with one of the two-way contracts. Milos fills a bigger need than John Tonje, has some built-in chemistry with Houston teammate Chris Cenac, and is two years younger than Tonje. As much as I will always remember Tonje’s performance in Game 82 of the 2025-2026 NBA season, it is Milos Uzan’s time to shine in Maine.
Honourable mention – Tucker Devries – A
Tucker DeVries had two jobs: take threes and make threes. Mission accomplished. I don’t know if there is an NBA player in there, but he will, at a minimum, have a long career overseas as a professional basketball player.
I’m already excited to see what Year Two Chris Cenac looks like at Summer League next year. Until then, we have three months to argue about whether or not the Celtics are better or worse than last season. I can’t wait.
At some point during the next couple weeks, the phone is going to ring in Detroit and the Tigers are going to be tempted. They are ultimately going to have to weigh keeping Tarik Skubal over acquiring the wealth of prospects that will be thrown at them.
The two-time Cy Young winner is the biggest name hanging over the 2026 MLB trade deadline, and he is a long way from the only one. Contenders are hunting for pitching. Teams sliding out of the race are fielding calls on their veterans. And a dozen front offices are stuck in the middle and have not decided whether they are buyers or sellers.
The clock officially stops Aug. 3. Until then, the calls and text messages will fly, fans will dream and players will wonder where they will finish up the 2026 season.
Here is when the deadline hits, exactly how it works and which names could be on the move before it does.
Monday Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. ET. That is the hard cutoff that teams have for their trades to be finalized.
This is a change from the past. The league now sets the deadline inside a window, anywhere from July 28 to Aug. 3, so it can dodge scheduling headaches year to year. In 2026, it landed on the last possible day.
How does MLB trade deadline work?
Since 2019, there has been one deadline and only one. Before that, teams could keep dealing into August as long as a player first cleared what were called trade waivers. That whole system is gone.
Once the 6 p.m., Aug. 3 deadline passes, no team can make a trade, until after the season ends. The only way a player switches teams after that is through outright waivers, where one club exposes him and another claims him off the wire. It's not a trade, it's a waiver.
A player has to be in an organization by Aug. 31 to be eligible for that team's postseason roster. So even with the trade window shut, a club can still add a waiver claim or call up a prospect and have him ready for October.
The sellers are more difficult to figure out with a cluster in the standings. Some are already sorted out like the Giants, Mets, Rockies and Royals.
The muddled middle is where it gets interesting. The .500 teams have to decide in the next two weeks whether this is a year to push or a year to punt. That group is where the deadline usually gets interesting.
Skubal is the headliner still on the board. Detroit's ace is a free agent after 2026, which turns every Tigers loss into a referendum on whether they cash in on him now or bet on October. The Tigers went into Sunday's games six games back in the American League Central and 3½ out of the wild card.
Beyond Skubal, the reported names are impressive. Starters Freddy Peralta, Sonny Gray, Sandy Alcantara and Kevin Gausman have surfaced in rumors. So have relievers such as Mason Miller, Aroldis Chapman and Ryan Helsley. On the position side, Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, Luis Arraez and Ketel Marte have been rumored to be on the trading block.
LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 07: Guard Kam Williams (3) of the Kentucky Wildcats before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats on February 7, 2026, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY. (Photo by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
If you have spotted Kentucky Basketball forward Kam Williams around campus recently, you probably noticed a couple of familiar summer accessories: a protective walking boot and crutches, as seen at the TBT.
Before Big Blue Nation lets out a collective sigh of panic, take a deep breath. This isn’t a case of the injury bug striking again, but rather a visual reminder of the strict, ultra-cautious rehabilitation program Williams has been on all offseason. As Mark Pope and his staff look ahead to the 2026-27 campaign, the goal is simple: zero rushing, zero risks, and ensuring Williams is at absolute full strength when the games actually matter.
Here is a closer look at where things stand with Williams’ recovery and the medical reality behind his current summer routine.
Fighting through to play in March
To understand why the staff is playing the long game right now, you have to look back to January 2026. During an SEC game against Texas, Williams suffered a fractured left foot, specifically a Jones fracture.
Instead of shutting it down for the year, Williams underwent surgery and put together a grueling rehab stint just to make it back onto the floor for limited action during the postseason. It was a massive boost for the locker room, but playing on a recently repaired foot takes a toll.
Because of that grueling stretch, the Kentucky medical staff drew a hard line for the summer. Williams has been completely held out of contact drills and summer practices. The presence of the boot and crutches is simply the tactical continuation of that off-season plan. Absolutely no reason to take any chances of a reinjury when you don’t have to.
Could a reinjury have happened here? Maybe, considering how tricky a Jones Fracture can be, but no updates have been provided.
The tricky nature of a Jones Fracture
For basketball players, the fifth metatarsal (the bone on the outside of the foot where a Jones fracture occurs) is notoriously stubborn. Because that specific area of the foot has a naturally limited blood supply, bone fusion takes considerable time, usually around 4 months.
The risk of a delayed union or a microscopic re-fracture is high if a player returns to full workload too quickly, which may have happened when Williams came back just two months after the surgery. But I still think this is just a continuation of a plan to play it safe.
By utilizing a boot and crutches during the heart of the summer, the training staff is essentially protecting Williams from himself. It forces the foot to rest completely, allowing the bone to harden and adapt without any daily stress.
Ultimately, seeing a key piece of the roster in a boot in July might not be the most glamorous summer visual, but it is exactly what the doctor ordered, unless there was a reinjury that hasn’t been disclosed. Mark Pope’s staff is taking the smart, hyper-conservative route here, and they should.
By sacrificing summer checklist reps now, the Wildcats are ensuring that when the bright lights turn on this winter, Williams will be completely ready to roll.
Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets of the Western Conference contests the ball at the tip off against Shaquille O'Neal of the Orlando Magic of the Eastern Conference during game 4 of the National Basketball Association Finals game on 14 June 1995 at The Summit, Houston, Texas, United States. Visions of Sport. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On Sunday, we looked at the classic 1984 matchup between Houston’s Hakeem Olajuwon and Georgetown’s Patrick Ewing. Both went on to brilliant NBA careers and are on a short list of the best NBA big men of all time: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, Shaquille O’Neal, David Robinson – Ewing and Olajuwon are both in rarified air.
However, Olajuwon in one respect stands alone: no center, and indeed very few players at all, had the combination of agility and quickness that he had.
Watch this compilation of his signature move, the Dream Shake. Keep in mind that Olajuwon is 7-0 and his playing weight was 255. The only big man who ever approached this level of agility was a young O’Neal, and he packed on so much weight in the NBA that he lost that aspect of his game. For his third championship with the Lakers, though he was listed at 325, O’Neal later said that he played at a staggering 415 lbs.
The problem with this year's MLB trade deadline is that almost nobody wants to sell.
Twenty-three of the 30 teams came out of the All-Star break within four games of a playoff spot, which means most of the league still believes it has a reason to buy. That also leaves a short list of sellers. Those teams that are willing to deal now will set the price for everyone else as we barrel toward the 6 p.m. ET trade deadline on Aug. 3.
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal sits atop every contender's wish list, with pitching nearly always the top need of those who are looking to make a long run in October. Still, the Tigers have said they aren't sure if they will trade him.
The long stare down to the deadline is already beginning.
Here is where the 30 teams stand as the deals start to come, who is buying, who is finally selling and who is stuck in the middle:
Why there are barely any sellers right now
The standing are a cluster. With three wild cards in each league and almost two dozen teams still alive, the clubs that would normally be dumping veterans by late July are instead telling themselves they can make a run.
That scarcity flips the leverage. The few teams that are ready to sell get to name their price, and contenders desperate for pitching may have to overpay in prospects to land a starter or high-leverage reliever. It's a seller's market with almost no sellers.
The clear buyers
Seven contenders are already out there shopping and not hiding it.
Philadelphia Phillies: They need a right-handed outfielder and bullpen help. They also could use a starter.
Chicago Cubs:They are hunting pitching; they need both starters and relievers.
Milwaukee Brewers: Already landed Lance McCullers Jr. from Houston but still need more rotation depth.
New York Yankees: They are after a catcher and a late-inning reliever with Mason Miller atop their wish list.
Tampa Bay Rays: Yes, the Rays are hunting. They are looking for bats, catching and have been named as one of the teams pushing for Skubal.
The clear sellers
It's a short list, and one name on it would have been a shock in March.
New York Mets: They collapsed early and are ready to shed some of the $328 million payroll. Freddy Peralta, bullpen arms and some position players are up for discussion.
Colorado Rockies: They are usually here in July, and they still have very little to offer beyond a piece like Hunter Goodman.
Los Angeles Angels: With the worst record in baseball, they are ready to do business. Reid Detmers, Jose Soriano and Kirby Yates could all be headed for contenders.
Athletics: Moving veterans like catcher Jonah Heim while keeping their young core is their smart move.
Washington Nationals: A first-year front office is building for another season. They will move their veterans if they can.
San Francisco Giants: They are probably selling. Or they should be. Luis Arraez and Robbie Ray have been floated out there, if Buster Posey follows through.
The teams still deciding
Hovering around .500 and genuinely undecided, these teams are one bad week away from punting and one hot week from going all in.
Arizona Diamondbacks: They are leaning toward buying if Corbin Burnes' rehab stays on track.
St. Louis Cardinals: They are leaning toward buying if they can add pitching without gutting the farm system.
Seattle Mariners: They are also leaning toward buying, adding rotation and bullpen depth.
Texas Rangers: They are leaning toward buying. They need a rotation spot after injuries.
Boston Red Sox: Currently riding an improbable 13-game winning streak, Boston is leaning towards buying after getting hot this summer. They need middle infield help.
Houston Astros: They are leaning toward buying. They are a hot team and looking to add rotation and bullpen depth.
Miami Marlins: They are leaning toward buying. They are a hot team right now and could add pitching and bullpen depth.
Pittsburgh Pirates: They are kind of buying? Riding one of the best offenses in baseball at the break, they will add if it doesn't increase payroll.
San Diego Padres: This is a tossup. A.J. Preller is unpredictable and short on trade chips.
Toronto Blue Jays: Another tossup with Toronto still at the bottom of the American League East.
Cleveland Guardians: A tossup as well. They need offense but are unlikely to add any payroll.
Kansas City Royals: They still haven't decided but have to be close to selling. Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo or Lane Thomas could bring them back some prospects.
Cincinnati Reds: They are a tossup but have a win-now core of rentals they can flip quickly if they slip.
Minnesota Twins: They are leaning toward selling. They have historically been passive and they are sliding.
Baltimore Orioles: They are leaning toward selling. They are under .500 and have a brutal schedule ahead.
Chicago White Sox: This team is young and likelier to hold than make a splash.
And then there are the Tigers and Tarik Skubal
Everyone has been waiting for this decision since the 2025 deadline. They will dictate the market. The Tigers own the arm everyone wants in Skubal, the two-time reigning Cy Young winner and a free agent after the 2026 season, and they are sitting at under 20 percent playoff odds.
That leaves Scott Harris with the call of the summer. Cash in the best starter in baseball now, or keep him for a long-shot run and risk losing him for nothing in the winter. The Brewers, Rays, Braves and Orioles are already lining up to try and get him.
Whatever the Tigers decide will set the market for everyone behind them and we are all waiting.
Typically, there’s no such thing as a big head-to-head series over a 162-game schedule until the very end.
But this is Major League Baseball, 2026-style, where a landmass of mediocrity has made it remarkably challenging to separate contenders from those planning for better times in a future year.
Yet we may have finally reached shakedown week.
With two weeks remaining until the trade deadline, several matchups should elevate fringe contenders into the true believers, while knocking some fence-sitters into sell mode as Aug. 3 approaches.
USA TODAY Sports examines five series with significant deadline ramifications this week:
Standing: Red Sox lead Orioles by two games for final AL wild-card berth
Outlook: Something has to give – the Red Sox have won 13 games in a row to salvage a disastrous season, while the Orioles finally pieced together a four-game win streak, then decided to stretch it to seven, for good measure.
Baltimore has already captured a key series this week, sweeping the Houston Astros in a battle of wannabe contenders. Now, the Orioles can, at least right now, be firmly in the buying column.
Big picture: Can either team catch the Rays? Boston just took four in a row off Tampa Bay yet still trails the division leaders by six games, with the Orioles eight back.
Pirates (52-48) at Yankees (55-44)
Monday-Wednesday
Standing: Yankees trail Rays by 1 ½ games in the AL East and hold top wild card spot; Pirates in virtual three-way tie for final NL wild-card spot and trail Milwaukee by 10 ½ in Central.
Outlook: It’s been a stealthy rise into solid contention for the Pirates, but things are about to get much brighter in New York. Taking a series off the Yankees will only put more pressure on the moribund franchise to add at the deadline. This is a good thing. The Yankees, of course, are buying. But just how much should they sink into this flagging offense badly missing Aaron Judge? How confident are they Judge will return before September? Either way, they’ve been held to two or fewer runs in six of 12 games this month.
Big picture: You could call this the Bednar Bowl (the closer has flourished since a trade from Pittsburgh to New York) or the Skenes Sweepstakes (mercifully, the 2029 free agent won’t pitch in this series, perhaps quieting the Inevitable Yankee whispers for a minute).
Marlins (52-48) at Astros (47-54)
Monday-Wednesday
Standing: Marlins are in a virtual three-way tie for the final NL wild card, six games behind Atlanta in the East; Astros are 4 ½ games out of the final AL wild card and in third place, four games behind Texas in the West.
Outlook: The Astros are playing like a team that needs to be put out of its misery, losers of four straight even as GM Dana Brown seeks rotation and outfield help. But the incredibly mediocre AL West is the ultimate lifeline, and it would take a lot for Houston to turn tail. But getting swept by Baltimore and losing a series to Miami might send a not-so-subtle hint.
The Marlins were baseball’s hottest team since June 1 but got slowed a bit by Milwaukee out of the second-half gate, and now All-Star shortstop Otto Lopez has a finger issue.
Big picture: The Marlins have shown they’re a legitimately good team, something the Astros have yet to prove. Is it worth complementing the lineup around first half MVP Yordan Alvarez, or would that merely be sunken cost fallacy?
Diamondbacks (51-48) at Nationals (50-50)
Friday-Sunday
Standing: Diamondbacks are 11 ½ games behind the Dodgers in NL West and a half-game out of the final NL wild card. Nationals are eight games behind Atlanta in the East and two games out of the final wild card.
Outlook: A key week for Arizona, which needs to clean up against the visiting Athletics before heading to St. Louis for a makeup game, and then on to D.C., where both clubs face a less-than-rosy playoff outlook. The D-backs won’t win the West, while the Nationals would have to vault the Marlins, Phillies and Braves to win the East. And while Washington is in wild-card striking distance, they’d need to pass four teams – including Arizona – to get in playoff position.
Big picture: The Nationals keep winning just enough to keep their bold venture alive, though they probably need to get on a real heater to keep them off the sell side come August. And it’s a very typical D-backs season, which is to say they dance around the .500 mark. A sweep from either team would likely give the loser significant misgivings about their viability.
Blue Jays (46-53) at Red Sox (50-48)
Friday-Sunday
Standing: Blue Jays are 10 ½ games behind Tampa Bay in AL East, 4 ½ behind Boston for final AL wild card.
Outlook: Will it ever be go time for these Blue Jays? They haven’t been above .500 since April 4 and this week face two huge acid tests: Four games with Tampa Bay and then three with Boston. There’s been very little talk of Toronto selling and perhaps there shouldn’t be: They are defending AL champions and sell out Rogers Centre every night. Their fans deserve a team that’s trying. Yet will another ugly week against division rivals foment thoughts of reassessing?
Big picture: It’s really quite an AL East shootout this week, with the Blue Jays and Red Sox and Rays and Orioles each getting a shot at one or more of the other. Alas, if this year’s been any indication, we won’t know anymore come next Sunday than we do now.
The MLB trade deadline is just a little more than two weeks away, but the biggest questions still have an abundance of uncertainty.
Several teams remain caught between buying and selling, a number of contenders are hunting for impact upgrades, and front offices are eagerly waiting to see which clubs finally signal their intentions. Until then, speculation continues to swirl around who will be available.
With the market in flux and pressure mounting by the day, every injury, losing streak and team decision could alter the deadline landscape.
Here's a look at the latest trade rumors, buzz and noteworthy developments from around baseball:
The MLB trade deadline is at 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 3. While trades will sometimes be revealed after that time, that is when communications for teams to deal players must cease.
With the A's entering Monday having lost 10 of 11 and sitting 14 games under .500, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported in the New York Post that the A’s are "open to anything."
MLB.com asks if that would include moving on from All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers, who entered Monday hitting .260 with 22 home runs and 50 RBIs.
At 46-52, the Tigers are just 5½ games out of first place in the American League Central and 3½ games out of a wild card spot. They also have a healthy rotation, which produced a 3.48 ERA, fourth-best in MLB at the All-Star break, while yielding the third-lowest batting average. — Bob Nightengale
Could Brewers reunite with Freddy Peralta?
With the news that right-hander Brandon Woodruff will miss the rest of the season, Milwaukee – which was already looking for starting pitcher help – could look to bring back a familiar face. The Mets are reportedly shopping everyone, including Freddy Peralta, whom Milwaukee traded to New York during the offseason. The Brewers need to bolster their rotation beyond ace Jacob Misiorowski and left-hander Kyle Harrison, who is currently on the IL with minor forearm tightness. Beyond that, Milwaukee is relying on some mix of Logan Henderson, Shane Drohan, Brandon Sproat and Robert Gasser.
Will Mets trade Francisco Lindor?
Speaking of the Mets, rival executives believe shortstop Francisco Lindor will not be traded at the deadline, but instead will be shopped this winter, according to our own Bob Nightengale. Lindor is owed $160 million over the next five years after this season and has a full no-trade clause, complicating a deal by the Aug. 3 deadline.
Nationals getting calls on Luis Garcia
Luis Garcia has put together a career year at the plate, slashing .280/.313/.546 with an .860 OPS in 91 games. Mix in his position versatility (he plays first base, second base and shortstop), and it's easy to see why teams are checking in on him, as reported by The Athletic. Garcia still has one more year of club control before he can become a free agent, which makes him more than a rental. The only problem for those interested is that the Nationals are still technically in the hunt for a playoff berth.
Cubs add pitching depth
Right-hander Aaron Civale is heading to the Cubs after a trade with the Athletics. Civale, who played for the Cubs in the second half of 2025, was designated for assignment by the A's earlier in the week. He's 5-7 this season with a 5.42 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 16 games (15 starts) this season. Heading to the A's will be Aiden Moffett, a minor league pitcher who has spent most of his season at Single-A Myrtle Beach.
Pirates likely to be active at trade deadline
The Pirates, who entered the All-Star break having scored an MLB-leading 516 runs, plan to be aggressive at the deadline, per Bob Nightengale. Yet, only if they can acquire pieces without increasing payroll. Their biggest need is the bullpen after blowing 17 saves in 36 opportunities with a 4.49 ERA. It’s the worst save percentage in MLB.
The Pirates have the second-longest playoff drought in MLB at 10 years, ahead of only the Los Angeles Angels.
According to Bob Nightengale, one high-ranking Astros executive said the team is seeking: "Pitching, pitching and more pitching."
The Astros are about $12.5 million under the luxury tax threshold after saving $2.5 million in the Lance McCullers trade with the Brewers, which would certainly cover the salary of acquiring someone like Tarik Skubal or Robbie Ray. Their rotation posted the third-highest ERA and averaged the eighth-fewest innings per start before the All-Star break.
Houston went into Sunday 47-53, four games back in the American League West and 3½ back in the wild card race.
Reds ready to deal rentals
As Cincinnati wallows in the basement of the National League Central, the club appears open to trading players that are on expiring contracts, per The Athletic. That would include slugger Eugenio Suarez, first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, catcher Tyler Stephenson, starting pitcher Brady Singer and relievers Pierce Johnson, Caleb Ferguson and Brock Burke.
Toledo avoided the three-game sweep with a 6-5 win on Sunday thanks to a walk-off homer from Jace Jung.
Jung crushed a sweeper to lead off the bottom of the ninth, wearing the Charlie Brown jersey.
🚨Mud Hens Walk-Off Win🚨
Good grief! Jace Jung gets all of this Joel Payamps sweeper and launches it 380 feet to right for a walk-off home run. It’s his 16th of the season. pic.twitter.com/PY41QThM1A
It’s been a decent year for Jung, who passed his 2024 home run total of 14. He’s one off last year’s 17 homers, and there’s still plenty of baseball to play.
Jung came into this game with a .205 ISO, the highest it’s been since his first full professional season (2023), when he mashed 28 home runs and finished with a .237 ISO. Of course, that was in High-A and Double-A. He’s still not ready to be an everyday big leaguer, but there’s some value in him if the Tigers are buyers at the deadline and want to include him in a package.
The walk-off opportunity wouldn’t have come if not for a four-run seventh inning. The first three batters reached, loading the bases for Max Clark. The Tigers’ top prospect struck out, one of three on the day, but Jung walked to bring in a run and keep the bags juiced.
Max Anderson tied the game up with a bases-clearing double after a pitching change.
Bennett Lee had a three-hit day and drove in the first run of the day for Toledo. It came on a bloop single, but those still count in the box score. Brett Callahan had the other multi-hit day with a pair of singles, one coming off the bat at 107 mph.
On the mound, Sawyer Gipson-Long got the start, giving 3.2 innings of four-run ball. He gave up a pair of bombs, but Gwinnett hit him pretty well overall, notching four hits on the day.
Tyler Mattison was first out of the bullpen, working through the fifth. He dealt with light traffic on the bases — a hit and a walk — and struck out a pair. Andre Granillo loaded the bases before recording an out in the sixth. He managed to escape the jam, allowing just one run on a sac fly.
Yilber Diaz and Tanner Rainey worked a combined three innings without giving up a hit. Diaz walked on over two innings of work, and Rainey got the win since he was the pitcher of record in the ninth.
Erie took the three-game series against Richmond, 2-1, with a 10-5 victory on Sunday.
Let’s not bury the lede here. Jackson Jobe threw the first three innings for Erie, and he looked pretty darn good. The fastball sat around 98-99 mph, touching 100 three times. Location was there for the most part, except for a hit batter on a curveball. He drew a nice whiff on a slider for one of three strikeouts.
You can see all 44 pitches below, thanks to the guys over at Tigers ML Report.
Jackson Jobe with a 13-pitch first inning in his rehab appearance for Erie tonight. pic.twitter.com/fBtCEzODzJ
The lone run that came across against Jobe was unearned, due to an errant throw by E.J. Exposito. He made up for it by being part of a five-run frame in the top of the third, driving in two of those five runs. Garrett Pennington also had an RBI single in the inning, and Peyton Graham kickstarted it all with an RBI ground-rule double.
Although the final score was 10-5, things got pretty interesting in the final few innings. Richmond tacked on a run in the fifth and two in the eighth to make it a 6-4 game. Graham homered in the seventh for the sixth SeaWolves’ run.
Peyton Graham gets a cement mixer and clobbers it to left for his 5th home run of the season. Erie leads 6-2. pic.twitter.com/2mnRsxP3rg
There was an hour-long delay in the seventh, too, which can always change the momentum of things. Fortunately, Josue Briceno put things away with a grand slam in the top of the ninth. Richmond patched together a run in the ninth, but they couldn’t get four more to force extra innings.
Josue Briceño crushes a grand slam to right that puts Erie up 10-4. It’s his first in Double-A this year. Left his bat at 111 MPH and went 376 feet. pic.twitter.com/aXzoTYL0h0
After Jobe, Erie threw Yoniel Curet for a 1-2-3 fourth. Andrew Sears got the next 2.2 innings, giving up a run on a wild pitch, but otherwise working around four hits. Dariel Fregio took over after the rain delay and was responsible for the two-run eighth. Eric Silva closed things out in the ninth, giving up one unearned run.
Graham: 3-4, 2B (14), HR (5), 3 R, 2 REBI, BB
Briceno: 3-5, GS, R, 4 RBI, 2 K
Exposito: 2-4, 2 RBI, K
Jobe: 3.0 IP, 3 H, R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Coming Up Next: Erie is on the road next week against the Chesapeake Baysox, starting Tuesday at 12:05 p.m. ET
West Michigan Whitecaps 8, Great Lakes Loons 6 (box)
West Michigan scored eight runs in the first two innings and held off a comeback bid from the Great Lakes Loons to win 8-6 and secure the series win.
Most of the offense came early for the Whitecaps. Clayton Campbell opened the scoring in the first with an RBI single, following a pair of walks. Samuel Gil and Stephen Hrustich followed up with back-to-back RBI doubles, scoring runs on three straight hits.
Samuel Gil shoots an RBI double into the right corner to make it a 2-0 Whitecaps lead in the 1st. pic.twitter.com/dYNkKR9Px7
Almost the same thing happened in the second. Three batters walked to load the bases, and Campbell singled in a pair. Gil couldn’t find a base knock this time around, but Hrustich hit another double to make it 8-0. Oddly enough, Bryce Rainer was the first out in each of the first two frames, which isn’t something you’d expect when the offense is grooving.
Clayton Campbell brings home two more runs for West Michigan with a sharp single to right. pic.twitter.com/ZjAJsR5Cas
Things settled down after that. West Michigan only had three more hits on the day, but the Loons walked 10 batters overall, so there was plenty of traffic on the bases all night. The Whitecaps ended the day 6-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
Pitching-wise, things were fairly calm for the first half of the game. Zack Lee threw three shutout innings, allowing just two hits along the way. Ryan Harvey was next and was perfect through two frames.
Juanmi Vasquez ran into the first bit of trouble in the sixth. He got the first two batters just fine, but a two-out single led to a small spiral. A wild pitch, a walk and another single were compounded by a fielding error from Cristian Santana in left, scoring two runs.
Eliseo Mota took over in the seventh and faced similar issues. Two walks, a single and a wild pitch set up a bases-clearing double, and Preston Howey had to come in before the end of the inning. Howey gave up another run (charged to Mota) on a single, but he retired seven of the next eight batters to close out the game.
Rainer: 0-4, BB, 2 K
Campbell: 3-4, 2B (12), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB
Hrustich: 2-4, 2 2B (5), 4 RBI, BB, K
Lee: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Coming Up Next: West Michigan is on the road next week against the Peoria Chiefs, starting Tuesday at 7:35 p.m. ET
Lakeland Flying Tigers 4, Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 3 (box)
Lakeland took the series against Fort Myers with a 4-3 win on Sunday.
Zach MacDonald delivered the decisive blow, a two-run homer in the top of the sixth. Carson Rucker also drove in two runs on a single in the first to give the Flying Tigers an early lead.
Zach MacDonald with a 2-run missile off Julian Merryweather to give Lakeland a 5-4 lead. It’s MacDonald’s 15th home run of the year, and it left his bat at 110.9 MPH and went 393 feet. pic.twitter.com/SWafm1Rhr1
Despite having eight total hits, the offense was a bit remarkable otherwise. The leadoff man got on in five innings, and Lakeland had a baserunner in all but two, but the runs never came across. MacDonald’s homer was the only extra-base hit of the day.
A 2-for-8 day with runners in scoring position was good enough, thanks to a good day from the bullpen.
Caleb Leys made his second start since coming off a brief stint on the 7-day injured list, and it was a bit of a mixed bag. He gave up a homer to the first batter he faced and left before getting the final out of the second. Let’s assume a 35-pitch limit is the reason, because he was striking out batters at a decent pace with three and no walks.
Donye Evans took over for him and gave up a single. It would have been nice to see Leys work himself out of that earned run. Evans pitched through the third, giving up a solo homer in the process, but that’s where Fort Myers’ scoring stopped.
Joe Miller worked around two hits and a walk over the next two frames, striking out four along the way, and Connor Fenlong came in for the final four innings. Fenlong only gave up one hit and struck out four en route to his first save. It’s his fourth straight outing of four or more innings, and two of those have been shutout performances.
Rucker: 2-3, 2 RBI, BB, K
MacDonald, HR (15), R, 2 RBI, BB, K
Fenlong (S, 1): 4.0 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Coming Up Next: Lakeland is at home next week against the Jupiter Hammerheads, starting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ET
Moo Deng, a two-year-old female pygmy hippopotamus, eats one of two soccer ball-shaped carved watermelons decorated with Spain's and Argentina's national flags to predict the winner of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final match between Spain and Argentina, at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand. (Photo by Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Whether you care or not, we have collectively transitioned into the coldest part of the schedule for sports fans. Go watch baseball if you like it, but if you don’t, get ready for two months of absolutely nothing at all.
The Atlanta Hawks are making it clear that the Knicks are (or remain) their biggest target. After lucking into a 2-1 lead in the first round last, Atlanta added Lu Dort and Ryan Nembhard in a three-team trade with Oklahoma City and Dallas. The Hawks already added Aaron Wiggins from OKC in another dump trade by the Thunder earlier this summer.
P&T alumn Lee Escobedo believes the Hawks are building an “Anti-Knicks” roster. Summary:
“Have the Hawks assembled a championship roster? Atlanta acquired All-Defensive wing Lu Dort after taking New York to six games in the first round, giving Quin Snyder another physical perimeter defender to deploy against Jalen Brunson. Dort allows Dyson Daniels to operate as a roaming help defender while Nickeil Alexander-Walker chases shooters and Jalen Johnson attacks in transition. Ryan Nembhard and rookie Kingston Flemings could also improve Atlanta’s half-court organization. The Hawks still have concerns about size, rebounding, and shooting, but their combination of defensive versatility, ball pressure, and Oklahoma City influence makes them one of New York’s most dangerous Eastern Conference challengers.”
Eli Manning has the perfect description for New York, the Giants, the Yankees, the Rangers, the Knicks, MSG, Derek Jeter, plenty more… and Jalen Brunson. Ridiculous clip.
Narrated by @EliManning, welcome to the newest King of New York…
Former infamous New York Post storyteller Marc Berman returned home and reflected on finally seeing the Knicks win a championship after covering the franchise for 23 seasons.
“Karl-Anthony Towns says Jose Alvarado told him on ‘day 7’ of celebratory drinking that he slept in a construction yard. Towns adds he’s still not sure if it was a joke. ‘He’s the hood MVP, for sure,‘ he said of Alvarado.”
Jordan Clarkson became involved in a situation at Manhattan’s Zero Bond nightclub while attempting to calm a confrontation involving rapper Travis Scott. Security removed both Clarkson and Scott from the venue, and no injuries were reported.
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 17: Paul Blackburn #58 of the New York Yankees pitches during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium on July 17, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Offense was hard to come by again for the Yankees this weekend against the Dodgers, as they scored just five runs in total across the three games. Meanwhile, Los Angeles scored eight yesterday afternoon alone. Thankfully, Johnny Wholestaff came up with a gem on Sunday night to help the mostly-punchless Yanks eke out a win and avoid a sweep. Ryan Yarbrough was the opener and went a little deeper than expected, covering eight outs before departing with two down in the third and two men on. Paul Blackburn got the last out there and then got the next two innings before turning it over to Brent Headrick for two of his own. The 1-0 lead went “poof” under Fernando Cruz, but David Bednar picked him up and got the last five outs himself, becoming the winner when Jazz Chisholm Jr. went yard in the eighth. Good team effort!
Today on the site, Jeff will preview the upcoming three-game series against the Pirates (who thankfully will not be pitching Paul Skenes), Kevin will run through the Rivalry Roundup, and Jonathan will follow with a one-two punch — first on the 149th (!) birthday of a forgotten New York Highlanders catcher and then a trade target post on long-shot Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman, fresh off a big three-homer day to reach 30 in 2026. Later, Madison will have the weekly mailbag prompt.
Today’s Matchup:
New York Yankees vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Time: 7:05 p.m. EST
TV: YES, Sportsnet Pittsburgh
Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Questions/Prompts:
1. Who was yesterday’s Yankees pitching MVP?
2. What did you think of he World Cup Final? Did you watch it between games of the doubleheader?
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 12: Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots the ball against Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on April 12, 2026 in Miami, Florida. 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When Masai Ujiri was hired as the Mavericks GM, he had a reputation for his love of wings, often prioritizing them over everything else, and so far, his actions match his reputation.
The latest wing is former #1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, who the Mavericks acquired in a 3 team deal with the Atlanta Hawks, with the Mavericks sending Ryan Nembhard and a second-round pick.
Risacher has spent the last 2 seasons in Atlanta, averaging 11.1 points while shooting 36% from three. Risacher being dealt is not very surprising, seeing as he was effectively benched in Atlanta’s first-round series against the Knicks.
This benching was not surprising, as Risacher’s minutes had slowly declined all season, being replaced by players like Nickeil-Alexander Walker, and Jonathon Kuminga. The price to acquire Risacher was incredibly light, reflecting how the rest of the league views the French wing, with his skillset still yet to truly gel in the NBA.
The advanced numbers also reflect his poor value, with a -2.2 Darko Plus-Minus being in the 22nd percentile. His fit is also clunky with the Mavericks, as he will have to fight for minutes with older, better and more experienced veterans who play his position.
Risacher lacks any real value outside of his shooting, struggling to create for himself or others, and being a mediocre defender. These criticisms are not new, as he struggled with these skills even as a draft prospect. The hope for Risacher becoming a good player is to entirely focus on his good traits: length and shooting upside.
While Risacher has been a somewhat efficient shooter, his volume his still only okay, attempting 4.2 threes per game so far in his career. If Risacher could get his attempts up while maintaining his efficiency, he could find real value as a shooter.
Now, while this trade is confusing now, there are moves the Mavericks could make that would slot everything into place; trading Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington. Both players have been in trade talks all offseason, and with every new addition, their minutes only continue to go down.
Trading the 2 veterans would not only mean future draft assets, but would confirm a shift in how the Mavericks will play moving forward. Many of their moves have been focused on adding shooting, with Risacher only continuing this trend. Trading 2 of the weaker shooters on the roster would mean more minutes for players like Santi Aldama and Tarik Biberovic, both of whom are excellent shooters for their position.
Trading these veterans could also lead to the Mavericks adding more on-ball creation, as the Mavericks only have two trustworthy creators on the current roster. Not having creators makes the spacing of the new additions less valuable, and puts tremendous pressure on Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving to carry the offense.
So will a trade happen? Nobody really knows.
The Mavericks have moved in silence all offseason, with their true plans for the roster being shrouded in mystery, but I would bet on a trade that we aren’t expecting, with a shakeup that no one will see coming.
It has spanned 17 days and two halves of this Major League Baseball season, hatched during the World Cup's round of 32 and lasting all the way through the awkward handshakes and trophy lifts in the Meadowlands.
So, where do the Boston Red Sox go from here now that their 13-game winning streak - second-longest in their storied history - is knocking on August's door?
For now, they're zooming right up USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.
The Red Sox began this streak July 3, at 37-48 and in last place in the American League East. It is still going and now, after sweeping the first-place Tampa Bay Rays, the Red Sox are 50-48, in wild card position in the AL and firmly not going to break up the squad at the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
They've won 18 of their last 20 and predictably enough, the backbone of this run has been pitching. They "pivoted to run prevention" after getting outbid on Alex Bregman and despite the absence of left-handers Garrett Crochet and Connelly Early, Red Sox starters have recorded a quality start in 19 of their last 27 games, going 14-2 with a majors-best 2.27 ERA in that span.
Now, after powering up four more spots to No. 15 in our power rankings? Six more games against division rivals, Baltimore and Toronto.
A few Boston Celtics thoughts while we try to stiff-arm the approaching August doldrums:
Celtics check all their Summer League boxes
Summer League is always a lot more intriguing when you have a lottery pick on your roster, but the Celtics got just about everything they could have wanted out of their two-week stint in the Las Vegas heat. That included:
Hugo Gonzalez shook off any jet lag from recent globe-trotting and confirmed that he’s graduated from Summer League. The shooting splits weren’t great (31.8 percent from the field overall, 25.9 percent on 3s), and everyone on the roster was a bit careless with the basketball, but Gonzalez, fresh off a stint with Spain in the FIBA qualifiers, did just about everything else well.
The passing (5.7 assists per game) and rebounding (8 rebounds per game) were exceptional, and whenever Gonzalez wanted to turn up the intensity, he was a defensive monster. It’s clear he’s going to have a big role on this year’s Celtics team, and he’s probably further vibing after Spain won the World Cup on Sunday.
First-round pick Chris Cenac Jr. (27th overall) is super raw, but the potential for the 19-year-old big man is obvious. Cenac Jr. produced a signature moment in drilling an overtime-forcing, buzzer-beating 3-pointer in his pro debut. He rebounded well, bothered shooters with his length and athleticism, and attempted some audacious putbacks.
We’ll keep saying it: Put him in Boston’s now well-established Player Development Machine and let’s see where this goes. Between Cenac Jr. and Amari Williams, the Celtics have two bigs with very divergent playstyles that they can nurture moving forward.
Second-round pick Dillon Mitchell (40th overall) might have stolen our heart at Summer League, which is appropriate given the defensive-minded nature of a player who registered 2.7 steals per game (fifth best among players with 3+ appearances in Vegas). Yes, the Celtics need to hone his offensive game, but he’s an athletic freak. There were multiple instances where it felt like he simply defied gravity and floated his way to blocks (1.3 per game). We’re a sucker for any player where the chaos factor spikes when they hit the floor.
Last season, Gonzalez carved out time by simply defending and crashing hard from the corners. If Mitchell gets any time with the parent club this season, he should make that a priority while figuring out where his NBA scoring comes from (well, beyond tip dunks).
John Tonje put up some solid numbers (14.8 points per game while shooting 51 percent overall from the floor and 45.2 percent on 3s) and tried hard on the defensive side. The Celtics have some interesting choices for their two remaining two-way slots. Tonje, acquired from Utah last season in the Chris Boucher trade, turned 25 in April. Do the Celtics continue to invest in his development, or use that spot on a younger player with longer-term upside?
Amile Jefferson got valuable reps in the head-coaching chair, and we liked his Joe Mazzulla-like willingness to bark at Boston’s youngest players when they made mistakes (but also lift them up whenever they made good plays).
The Celtics will reportedly bring point guard Milos Uzan and forward Tucker DeVries to training camp. Both rode the summer roller coaster but had intriguing moments. Uzan played with Cenac Jr. at Houston last season, while DeVries has never met a 3-pointer look he didn’t like.
Second apron strikes again
The Oklahoma City Thunder traded All-Defense wing Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday as part of a three-team trade that brought back three second-round picks. The 2025 NBA champions have wiggled under the second apron this offseason by dealing away Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins.
So much of the conversation around the Celtics has centered on the financial decisions made in the aftermath of their 2024 title season — from the departures of Jrue Holiday, Luke Kornet, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis last summer while shedding major money, to the trade of Jaylen Brown this month. But the entire league is scrambling to avoid the second apron and the basketball penalties it imposes.
The Thunder are trying to delay their reckoning as younger players graduate to big-money deals. The defending champion Knicks let key reserve big man Mitchell Robinson walk this summer, and the Celtics pounced to bolster their own frontcourt.
This is simply the new reality in the NBA. The collective bargaining agreement is making it impossible for championship-level teams to keep deep rosters intact over long periods of time. It’s forcing a priority on drafting and development. It’s also forcing teams to evaluate how they construct rosters and how they spread out available funds (and for how long).
The Celtics got ahead of the second-apron crunch when they built a talent-filled roster before the 2024 title season. They’re navigating an awkward stretch where they’re trying to remain competitive but also open a new window, all while trying to reset repeater penalties and set up another two-year window of heightened spending.
Sure, Dort did not have a great postseason for Oklahoma City. But he was an impactful defensive presence who surely set a tone for the way the Thunder play. Teams are being forced to make unsavory decisions about roster construction and it’s often leading to teams bringing back underwhelming returns in money-saving moves.
(function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})();
Next up on the calendar: Hugo vs. Neemi
Spain and Portugal are scheduled to battle in a FIBA World Cup qualifying matchup on Friday, August 28. That could pit Gonzalez versus Neemias Queta in an Iberian Peninsula showdown.
Could we see Gonzalez take on the challenge of defending the bigger Queta in that game?
“I’ll go against him — he knows that,” Gonzalez told us in Vegas last week. “He’s going to have a tough time and I’m going to try to get him in every situation that I can. He’s an amazing player, he’s for sure going to give us a [hard] time, but we’re going to try to win it for sure.”
