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The Kansas City Chiefs began their organized team activities on May 26, but wide receiver Rashee Rice will not be in attendance after violating his probation. He will also miss the team’s mandatory minicamp in June while serving a 30-day jail sentence.

While Rice’s absence provides an opportunity for other receivers to step up and master the offense, it also means Kansas City’s scoring attack will be missing another key aspect. Ultimately, the Chiefs may feel like they have no choice but to strengthen their WR corps, possibly via trade.

according to Sports IllustratedAccording to Albert Breer, the Chiefs could “circle back” to a trade for Philadelphia Eagles receiver AJ Brown. Previous reports have suggested that it is “somewhat understandable” that the Eagles are trading Brown, but the assumption is that the Pro Bowl wideout will head to the New England Patriots, where he will reunite with his former head coach, Mike Vrabel.

Still, without submitting a trade to the NFL, there is always a chance for a team like the Chiefs to “circle back” and make a stronger offer than the Patriots for the Browns.

Additionally, the Chiefs were a popular choice to select a receiver in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. It’s possible the draft board didn’t stack up the way Chiefs general manager Brett Veach wanted, so he ended up with cornerback Mansur Delaney and defensive tackle Peter Woods on the first night.

If the Chiefs do indeed have a receiver high on their target list ahead of draft night, it’s certainly possible that Kansas City will make a strong effort for the impact receiver before training camp begins on July 21.

RELATED: 5 Kansas City Chiefs targets to keep an eye on as Rashee Rice situation evolves

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Auston Matthews and his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs are uncertain. After a difficult year in Toronto, the organization hired a new general manager and fired head coach Craig Berube. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are the hope for the Maple Leafs, and Matthews will have to step up to impress to stay afloat.

However, what about the possibility of Matthews being traded to the Minnesota Wild? The blockbuster business idea has gained some popularity on social media in recent weeks.

Why the Auston Matthews-to-Minnesota trade discussion is suddenly surfacing

Matthews wants to see what Toronto does during the 2026 NHL offseason before committing to another year. If the 28-year-old superstar isn’t happy with the Maple Leafs, he could request a trade to another organization. Wild figures to be one of the most attractive options for Matthews.

Minnesota is looking to acquire an elite center, and Matthews would be a perfect fit. Matthews played with Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy and Brock Faber at the Winter Olympics, so he will be reunited with his teammates with the Wild. Minnesota is one of several teams that may be interested in Matthews, but why would he consider a blockbuster trade?

Why the Minnesota Wild would even consider a blockbuster move

The Wild just need to improve their roster. After acquiring Hughes, the organization made the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs before being eliminated by the Colorado Avalanche. Minnesota clearly needs an elite center, and Matthews would be a great pick-up.

Matthews already has chemistry with Hughes, Boldy and Faber, so it won’t be a long adjustment period. The Wild know that another trade for an elite player would put them on Colorado’s level. Whether it’s Matthews or a different NHL star, a trade appears to be on the horizon.

How Auston Matthews will change the Minnesota Wild’s offense

Matthews would solve Minnesota’s issues at the center position. The Maple Leafs star’s elite goalscoring will give the Wild one of the league’s best 1-2 punches, with Kirill Kaprizov under long-term contract. These two stars, combined with Hughes and Faber, will fix Minnesota’s power play and make it arguably the best unit in the NHL.

The Wild will be able to control the offensive pace with Matthews and Hughes. It also allows other centers to thrive in smaller roles, giving Minnesota more depth. A trade for Matthews would give the Wild an effective five-on-five attack that will be a threat every night.

What needs to happen to land Auston Matthews in the jungle?S

The Wild would absolutely need to trade for Matthews. If the 28-year-old superstar requests a trade, there will be multiple teams bidding for his services. The only way for the Wild to acquire Matthews on a waiver is for him to tell Toronto he wants “Minnesota, and only Minnesota”.

It could happen, but Minnesota can’t count on it. The organization would have to send elite prospects and multiple first-round draft picks to start the conversation. Jonas Brodin and Jesper Wallstad would be a good starting point, but depending on the market, the Maple Leafs could demand more.

Major obstacles coming in the way of Matthews business

The biggest hurdle is Matthews’ absolute no-movement clause. If the Toronto star requests a trade he will essentially be able to choose his next destination. Therefore, if there is another team that Matthews has as his preferred destination, Minnesota may be out of luck.

Matthews has a cap hit of $13.25 million, so the Wild will have to figure out how to work it within their payroll. This could limit the team around Matthews, Hughes and other stars. However, it all comes back to Matthews and his desires. If Minnesota isn’t his top landing spot, it could be difficult to make a deal.

What could happen next in the Auston Matthews trade rumors?

For now, Matthews is looking forward to seeing what Toronto can do to build a Stanley Cup playoff contender this offseason. If the Maple Leafs convince him of their long-term plan, it could put the trade rumors to rest, at least for a while. Another bad season could push Matthews to the breaking point where he wants to win a Stanley Cup outside of Toronto.

The next step will be to keep an eye on Toronto’s moves. Will this be enough to convince Matthews to return for a second season? If so, the idea could be pursued next offseason or revisited during the 2026–27 NHL season. Minnesota wants to establish an elite center, and if Matthews is available, it should make every effort to make it happen.

READ MORE: Auston Matthews traded to Los Angeles Kings? 5 possible business sites

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

New Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka has begun his very busy offseason. It started with a stroke of luck and winning the draft lottery. His next move was to fire head coach Craig Berube. Could a player like William Nylander be on the docket next?

Insider Chris Johnson said on his podcast Tuesday that everyone except their captain is at the negotiating table.

One of the things that other teams have told me is that the message that has come from the Leafs front office is that they are willing to discuss any player on their roster, except for Auston Matthews. They’re willing to listen to you talk about any player except Matthews.

Wait… does this mean William Nylander is available? Obviously it is so.

“I found it interesting that they were willing to listen to a lot of players who maybe, in the past, were not in the previous administration.”

Even MLSE CEO Keith Pelley publicly identified Nylander, along with Matthews, as the ‘foundational pieces’ he believed the Maple Leafs to have.

However, we must keep in mind that Nylander has a full no-move clause, so it’s not like Chayka could send him out as they see fit. But this is the first time, as CJ said, that the Leafs have ever suggested (even indirectly, in this case) that Nylander might be available.

If this becomes a thing, Toronto could land a big deal for a player of Willey’s caliber. He had three consecutive 40-goal seasons this year, and although he dropped off significantly, down to only 30 goals, he was limited to 65 games. He had not missed a game of an 82-game schedule for three years prior to this.

Nylander has six years remaining at an $11.5 million cap hit. Not that any club trading for him would get a team-friendly deal by any means, but at least, it’s cost certainty in an era where the salary cap is constantly rising, and who knows where the contracts are going to go.

If Matthews is the only ‘untouchable’, who else are the Leafs listening to?

But Nylander isn’t the only name Chayka would like to hear. Based on the ‘only Matthew is untouchable’ parameters, that list can now extend to Matthew Nease and Easton Cowan, among others.

The story could still change regarding how Toronto’s new front office feels about Matthews. They are working on meeting the Captain face-to-face in Arizona in the next little while. The big question we have about that meeting will be: Who should interview whom?

The Chicago Bulls are reportedly considering going after the 2025-26 Coach of the Year contender who is still under contract with the Western Conference playoff team.

After a 31–51 finish and fourth consecutive loss on the season, Billy Donovan decided to step down from his role as head coach of the Bulls. Now, following the installation of a new head of basketball operations in Bryson Graham and his spot at No. 4 in the NBA Draft set, NBA insider Jake Fisher claims the team is expected to “accelerate” the search for Donovan’s replacement.

With the Bulls coming on strong from the start, the team is casting a wide net in its search for its next head coach. Interestingly, this may also include buying and selling of coaches from the West. Fisher reports that Chicago is expected to formally request an interview with Portland Trail Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter.

The seven-year NBA veteran was put in a very difficult situation after taking over as head coach of the Trail Blazers when his predecessor Chauncey Billups was arrested for his role in a federal gambling investigation, one game into the season.

The first-time head coach did an impressive job guiding Portland to their first winning record (42-40) and the playoffs since 2020-21. Additionally, former Washington Wizards lottery pick Deni Avdija went from being a good player to a legitimate All-Star in 2025-26 under Splitter’s watch. The 41-year-old Brazilian deserves a lot of credit for the work he did last season, yet new Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon didn’t appreciate it.

Dundon have been searching for a new coach for several months and are reportedly looking for a new coach at a budget rate. Splitter is still under contract with Portland for one more season. Therefore, unless the Trail Blazers want to release him from his deal, the Bulls will have to trade for the coach’s rights if they want to make him their next head coach.

Still, despite the ongoing search for his replacement, Fisher reports, “Whispers were spreading on Monday [Splitter getting the full-time job] This cannot be denied now.” An NBA insider suggests this may be the reason why Portland declined Chicago’s request for an interview.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to return to the NBA Finals. After trading for Luka Doncic, the Lakers are trying to build a team that is capable of winning multiple championships. After being eliminated in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, Los Angeles needs improvement, and it could make a blockbuster trade this offseason.

As Dan Woik and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported, the Lakers are expected to be aggressive in the trade market during the 2026 NBA offseason. Los Angeles was interested in Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo during the 2026 NBA trade deadline, so it could always make the rounds ahead of the NBA Draft.

After completing one of the biggest trades in NBA history for Doncic, the Lakers’ work is not done yet. However, who could be a target for Los Angeles on the trade market?

Potential trade targets for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2026 offseason

If the Lakers want to be aggressive on the trade market, there are a few players that make sense. The list starts with Antetokounmpo; However, does the organization have the assets to make the deal? It doesn’t seem like a very realistic possibility, but the trade block won’t be without elite talent.

New Orleans Pelicans forwards Trey Murphy Jr. and Herb Jones would be great additions to the team. Murphy scored 21.5 points per game while shooting 37.9% from the three-point line during the 2025–26 NBA season. Meanwhile, Jones would give the Lakers an elite defensive player who can also create offense.

What about Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler? If extension talks don’t go well with Utah, the Lakers could get an elite defensive center who can score and rebound very well. Kessler is a restricted free agent, so this will likely require a trade unless the offer sheet is too high for the Jazz’s liking this offseason.

The Lakers need starting centers, shooting and bench depth for the 2026-27 NBA season. Antetokounmpo would be a dream acquisition, but Murphy, Jones and Kessler all represent great options moving forward. The focus may start on the Bucks star, but end somewhere else

Los Angeles wants to return to the NBA Finals with LeBron James, and may need a blockbuster trade to accomplish that goal.

READ MORE: NBA Insider gives big update on Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James’ retirement

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work may also…More about Austin Konensky

The New England Patriots are expected to acquire All-Pro wide receiver AJ Brown next month in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. This appears to open the door to dealing fellow wideout Kayshon Bout.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shared his belief that Bout could be acquired by any interested team for a “fifth- or sixth-round draft pick” by now and if he is interested.

• Kayshawn Bout Statistics (2025): 33 receptions, 551 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns and 16.7 yards per reception

Boutte, a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is coming off back-to-back seasons with over 500 receiving yards. He proved to be a reliable deep threat for quarterback Drake Mays last season, averaging the fifth-highest average target distance (17.0 yards) along with a career-high 16.7 yards per reception.

The 24-year-old’s youth and contract certainly make him an attractive trade target. While he would just be a one-year rental, Boutte’s $3.72 million cap hit in 2026 ranks 66th among receivers. This puts him on the same level as players like Tyquan Thornton, Andrei Iosivas and Xavier Hutchinson.

However, there is no viable path to a featured role in the Patriots offense following the acquisition of Brown. Romeo Doubs was signed as the No. 2 receiver and the club is still ahead of Mack Hollins, Demario Douglas and Kyle Williams.

Boutte’s name had previously surfaced in NFL trade rumors, with some believing he could be sent to Philadelphia as part of a trade package for the Browns. However, the Eagles seem set at wide receiver with Devonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Dontevian Wicks, Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore.

If Boute’s one-year rental is worth a Day 3 pick, he could be an interesting option for teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants and Washington Commanders.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Miami Heat are ready to make a big move this offseason. After missing the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the Heat need to find a way back to contention, and a trade for a star player would be an ideal start. In fact, Miami is predicted to get an NBA superstar from the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason.

NBA players believe the Heat will be the favorites if the Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, according to an anonymous player survey by The Athletic’s Sam Amick. More than 23% of voters believe Antetokounmpo will start the 2026-27 NBA season with Miami, with the New York Knicks at about 17% overall.

Of the 151 voters, nearly half of players believe Antetokounmpo will stay in Milwaukee. However, if the 31-year-old star is on the move, the Heat are the top destination on his mind.

How the Miami Heat could trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Antetokounmpo’s future will be the biggest story of the 2026 NBA offseason. Milwaukee is aiming for clarity before the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23, meaning Antetokounmpo has a month to decide on his future. In the scenario where Miami lands Antetokounmpo, what needs to happen?

The Bucks would need Antetokounmpo to request a trade with Miami as a destination. If the Heat aren’t part of the NBA superstar’s favorite destinations, the entire business will fall apart. Fortunately, it was previously reported that Antetokounmpo was eyeing Miami and New York.

Pat Riley and the Heat front office are ready to land their next “whale” and he should be ready to leave the farm. No one should be untouchable outside of Bam Adebayo. Miami would have to be willing to include any other players and all of its draft selections in order to trade for Antetokounmpo before the 2026 NBA Draft.

Antetokounmpo is a rare talent, and when a player of his caliber is on the market, a team is mortgaging the future to win now. The Heat are looking to make a massive upgrade, and this partnership seems like the best fit of all the options. After all, the allure of Miami for players remains strong despite missing the playoffs.

The Heat are looking to land a superstar this offseason and Antetokounmpo could be the one to get them back into contention.

READ MORE: Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami Heat? Here’s how Miami could pull off the trade

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

Certainly, the New Jersey Devils won’t be able to upgrade their top-six with impact free agent acquisitions given the lack of free agents this summer.

However, that doesn’t mean they don’t get the scoring depth they need.

The Athletic’s experts have pointed to a specific forward they believe is a good fit for New Jersey. More in the link below.

Elsewhere, trade goals for New York, Minnesota need clarity and more.

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

Athletic ($): This summer’s crop of free agents isn’t going to be overwhelming, but there will be some serviceable names to help with depth scoring issues. Here’s a name The Athletic thinks would be a good fit.

📺 devil’s rink report: As we approach the 2026 NHL Draft and free agency, the elephant in the room has not yet been addressed. The Devils still have a Dougie Hamilton problem. I break it down in the latest clip via Devils Rink Report.

Last week, we went live with immediate reaction after the draft lottery. The full episode can be found here 👇🏼

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NHL Trade Talk, News and National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: Quinn Hughes is saying all the right things after the Minnesota Wild were eliminated from the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, here’s why they need clarity on his future as soon as possible.

Forever Blueshirts: The Devils are not the only ones who may be inquiring for the services of Mason McTavish. That’s why it makes sense for the New York Rangers to do the same.

San Jose Hockey Now: Well, that’s great. Maclin Celebrini was named captain of Team Canada at Worlds when the preliminary roster was announced. When Sidney Crosby was later added to the roster, he proceeded to remain captain of the San Jose Sharks.

Florida hockey now: Pink Florida Panthers? Their new alternate jersey may have leaked over the weekend.

Philly hockey now: Could the Philadelphia Flyers find their blueline forward Porter Martone via the 2026 NHL Draft this summer?

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

Despite the massive injury problems facing the Toronto Blue Jays’ pitching rotation, they still decided to designate Eric Lauer for the job last week. Now, the left-hander has found a new life with none other than the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In return, Toronto gets the old standby, “cash consideration.”

With a 9-2 record, Lauer did everything the Blue Jays could from him during the 2025 season. He was a starter for half the year, and in 15 starts, he had a good 3.77 ERA with 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings. He was then moved to the bullpen, which was not his first choice, but he adapted to it. big time. He posted a 1.76 ERA in 13 relief appearances. He also made five strong appearances in the postseason in that role with a 3.12 ERA.

In fact, Dodgers fans from Chavez Ravine will remember Lauer for his stellar performance in the Game Three 18-inning marathon. He came on in the 12th inning and pitched 4.2 scoreless innings on 68 pitches, allowing only two hits.

It seems the Dodgers have made a mental note of the 5.2 scoreless innings that Lauer threw in the two World Series games against them.

Lauer joins the Dodgers with a 6.69 ERA this season

But 2026 has been a whole new game for Lauer. No matter what role he played, the southpaw couldn’t bring it together. He has a 6.69 ERA overall. In six starts, he posted a 6.15 ERA and 1.56 WHIP, with a strikeout to walk ratio of only 18:13. In two stints in the bullpen, it was even uglier, with an 8.10 ERA in 10 innings. He surrendered a league-leading 11 homers in his eight contests.

But the 30-year-old has seen ups and downs in his eight-year career and has often come back stronger. It would surprise no one if the Dodgers were able to get the lefty back to his winning ways.

The Dodgers are in desperate need of help in the rotation. Blake Snell went back to the IL after only one appearance, and Tyler Glasnow is also currently out due to back spasms. Reports are that Lauer will initially serve as a length option in the bullpen when he joins the team this week, but as he progresses, a spot in the rotation will certainly be on the table.

For his career, Lauer has a 4.26 ERA with 8.5 K/9 in 737.2 innings.

The New York Mets have been one of the worst teams in baseball this season, resulting in rumors of an MLB trade involving starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. With the trade deadline just a few months away, there is some early buzz about New York’s approach.

According to MLB insider Robert Murray, the Mets are “no closer to being sold” and there is complete confidence throughout the organization that the season can turn around. Although New York has a number of players who would generate significant interest from around the league, a sale is not even considered an option by the front office right now.

RELATED: MLB Power Rankings Week 7, New York Mets Climb

Entering MLB games today, the Mets are at the bottom of the NL East with an 18-26 record. ^{This puts New York 12.5 games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves and 8 games behind the San Diego Padres for the final wild card spot in the National League.}

However, there are some signs of hope on the horizon. New York is 8-5 in May, which is tied with the Cleveland Guardians, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals for sixth-most wins in Major League Baseball. This all comes during a period where the Mets pitching staff has a 2.85 ERA (fifth in MLB).

However, injuries remain an issue. New York’s starting rotation suffered a loss to Clay Holmes with a fractured fibula, and it could keep him out for the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, there is still no timeline for All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor’s return from a calf injury, and running back Jorge Polanco has no timeline for a return as he battles Achilles bursitis.

The next few series on the Mets schedule could potentially change the front office’s approach. Following the Subway Series this weekend, New York will face the Washington Nationals, Miami Marlins and Cincinnati Reds to conclude May. Looking at opponents, there’s a chance New York could be within three games of .500 entering June.

On the other hand, if New York records a loss during that period, selling may be the best option. Moving homes is now off the table, but the expiring contracts of Peralta, David Peterson, Craig Kimbrel and Brooks Raley could potentially be reversed.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The New Jersey Devils trading Nico Hischier is a bad idea. However, not trading for Quinn Hughes is also a bad idea.

You have to give to get.

I want to reiterate that I am not advocating that the Devils should move Hischier. They should build their 1-2 center punch around him and Jack Hughes.

After all, the Devils are screwed by keeping Hischier—who is undoubtedly a top-line center—on the second line.

Still, you’re not getting Quin without premium returns. And if you can acquire arguably the best defenseman in the league, you will.

It’s more than uniting the Hughes brothers. Still, the Minnesota Wild are just as interested in employing them all on one team as the Devils.

evidence?

After bringing Quinn back from Vancouver last season, Bill Guerin tried to bring in Luke Hughes via the Devils trade.

This will undoubtedly help Guerin sign the Jacks as a free agent in 2030. Nevertheless, the Devils did not entertain Guerin’s pursuit of Luke, and the Devils remained with two of the three Hughes brothers.

However, Sunny Mehta is no Tom Fitzgerald. How much does he desire to unite Hughes’s triumvirate – if at all?

How much is he willing to trade his captain for Quinn?

This seems unlikely. Still, if the nuclear option of acquiring Quinn is successful for Hischier, there are options who should be available to fill the center void this summer, even if not the same as the Devils captain.

Perhaps Quinn’s presence covers any holes left by Hischier, because although you’re upgrading with Quinn, you’re upgrading at center.

Ryan O’Reilly-Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators were treating Ryan O’Reilly with kid gloves last season.

O’Reilly has no protection from a trade, yet Predators GM Barry Trotz was treating him as if he did. Thus, despite all the trade speculation, O’Reilly remained in Nashville as they tried for the playoffs.

They couldn’t make it, and now Nashville will have a new GM.

Who will be at the helm in Nashville has yet to be determined, but after a roller coaster season, a new GM should be ready to move O’Reilly who is going into the last year of his contract on a roster that needs to get younger.

O’Reilly is cut from the same cloth as Hischier. He may no longer have elite metrics in the neutral and defensive zones, but he’s still on the bubble.

In his age-34 season, O’Reilly scored 25 goals and 74 points in 81 games. That’s fewer goals than Hischier (28) but more points (66) while winning 55.8% of faceoffs.

You’re betting on the 35-year-old O’Reilly’s play as a potential short-term stopgap solution and pending free-agent to fill the void.

Mason McTavish-Anaheim Ducks

You might be shopping upside down here.

It seems things are rocky between the Anaheim Ducks and Mason McTavish, who often served as a healthy scratch through two rounds in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The ducks were eliminated on Thursday night. The focus now turns to the offseason where they will undoubtedly look to improve on an unexpectedly successful 2025-26.

Still, McTavish serving as a healthy scratch in his most important games over seven seasons shows where he stands in the eyes of Joel Quenneville.

Now the Ducks will have to make a decision about his future, just like they did with Trevor Zegras last summer.

And it worked out very well for the Philadelphia Flyers.

McTavish has completed the first year of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million. Heading into his age-24 season, there is still a lot to like about McTavish’s game.

The Ducks forward has shown good scoring touch with occasional high-end flashes — winning battles along the wall, driving through contact, and making quick plays in tight areas — but his skating and defensive reliability remain glaring areas of limited consistency so far.

Perhaps Quinn’s tarpaulin-like ability to cover the ice will make up for the defensive deficiencies here. And the Ducks would certainly be selling the player at a low price.

Shane Wright-Seattle Kraken

For a more defensively reliable option, Shane Wright brings some interesting tools to his game – he’s a strong short-field player with solid wheels and reliable defense.

That said, he has seen very limited puck touches in both of his NHL seasons, making it hard to project him as a true driver given how limited his overall participation has been.

Instead, he will need the support of two key top-six wingers. Perhaps Timo Meier and Dawson Mercer will provide ample support until Wright figures out how to move the game forward on his own – or rather If He figures out how to carry the game on his own.

The Kraken were challenging Wright to make his splash at the 2026 NHL trade deadline. In this situation, the Devils are a good fit for a 22-year-old player heading into the final year of his entry-level contract. And there is a positive side to Wright’s development as the aforementioned playdriver.

Wright was more successful in his first full season in 2024–25, scoring 19 goals and 44 points in 79 games, compared to only 12 goals and 27 points the previous season.

Perhaps in a more offensive system in New Jersey – as opposed to Seattle – he can unlock what made him so popular in his draft year.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

The Minnesota Wild need to improve after the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. After blowing a 3–0 lead in Game 5, the Colorado Avalanche swept Minnesota in five games. This was a disappointing conclusion; However, the Wild should be back on the trade market this summer. In fact, Minnesota has been linked to a surprise NHL superstar.

The Athletic’s Michael Russo and Joe Smith listed Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews as a player Minnesota should trade this summer. Matthews, who was captain of the United States at the Winter Olympics, could be on the move this offseason.

So, what does Minnesota need to see to make Matthews a realistic trade target?

Auston Matthews should request a trade with the Minnesota Wild as a destination

New Toronto general manager John Chayka will have to prove to Matthews that he can build a roster capable of returning to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Like Quinn Hughes, Matthews is also scheduled to become a free agent in two seasons prior to the 2025-26 NHL season. Therefore, the 28-year-old center has a significant advantage.

If the Maple Leafs do not convince Matthews that they can be a competitive team, he can request a trade this summer or during the 2026–27 NHL season. In this scenario, Minnesota would be one of the destinations Matthews is willing to play for moving forward.

Matthews has a no-activity clause in his contract, so he must clear a trade out of Toronto. The NHL superstar has ties to Minnesota, as Hughes, Matt Boldy and Brock Faber all played with them on the Olympic team and during the Four Nations. It would not be surprising if organization was one of their main priorities.

It’s unclear where Minnesota would have the assets to acquire Matthews after trading for Hughes in December 2025. The best scenario for the Wild would be for Matthews to request “Minnesota and only Minnesota” to play with his Olympic teammates. Either way, a trade could be a real possibility this summer.

If Matthews wants out of Toronto, the Wild should call whenever that happens.

READ MORE: NHL insider makes bold prediction on Quinn Hughes extension with Minnesota Wild

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

The New England Patriots are in need of a star wide receiver, and AJ Brown remains the most logical fit. The Philadelphia Eagles are encouraged to trade Brown after June 1 for cap reasons, while New England will happily wait. So, what is the latest update on Brown’s potential trade with the Patriots?

Brown is still expected to be traded to the Patriots in June, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports on the Get Up. Schefter said that despite ongoing issues with head coach Mike Vrabel, the Eagles’ superstar is still tracking to join New England.

With a trade very likely, what should the Patriots send the Eagles for Brown in June?

What trade should the New England Patriots make for AJ Brown

Brown to New England is one of the NFL’s worst-kept secrets, and a trade should come within the next three weeks. The Eagles have filled out their wide receiver room in anticipation of a deal. Meanwhile, the Patriots haven’t added much other than adding Romeo Doubs in place of Stefon Diggs.

The 28-year-old wide receiver will likely command a 2028 first-round pick and more. Therefore, New England should trade their 2028 first-round pick and wide receiver Kayshon Bout to Philadelphia. If the Eagles don’t want Bouté, the Patriots should include a third- or fourth-round pick instead.

Brown will replace Boute in the New England offense, so Boute will not be able to step up. Even if the Eagles do not trade for the 24-year-old wide receiver, he will likely be on the move before the 2026-27 NFL season. It wouldn’t hurt for Philadelphia to acquire Bout in exchange for Brown, however.

The Eagles had high demands for Brown in March, and although the Patriots likely won’t meet them, the organization should get plenty of value. Losing Brown would be a huge loss for Philadelphia’s offense, but it appears to be the best development for both sides.

As far as the Patriots are concerned, they’ll just have to wait until June to acquire Brown.

READ MORE: New England Patriots’ 2026 NFL Draft criticized by NFL officials

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

The Sacramento Kings were one of the biggest losers in the NBA Draft Lottery, falling two spots to seventh in the 2026 NBA Draft. Although this ended their hopes of bringing in a new face to the franchise, one executive thinks there may be another path forward for the team.

An unnamed NBA executive told Jake Fisher that he believes there is a long-term scenario where Sacramento could trade Domantas Sabonis to the Philadelphia 76ers for All-Star center Joel Embiid.

RELATED: Sacramento Kings coach’s salary revealed

Philadelphia has already made its first major change of this offseason by firing president of basketball operations Daryl Morey. While coach Nick Nurse is returning, it appears the franchise is looking to make more changes to the roster after another playoff crash.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Embiid comes up in NBA trade rumors this summer. The 32-year-old is now three years removed from winning NBA MVP and hasn’t earned an All-Star selection since 2024. Given his history of poor performance in the playoffs, it is understandable why Philadelphia would want to move on from him.

Would the Kings be interested in a Joel Embiid trade?

While the 76ers are certainly willing to trade Embiid, it’s fair to question whether the Sacramento Kings would have any interest in acquiring him. The club is already projected to exceed the 2026-27 luxury tax, meaning an even heavier tax bill for owner Vivek Ranadive to pay for a team that isn’t even close to competing.

Swapping Sabonis for Embiid would mean adding an additional $12.4 million to the Kings payroll next season, with the cost increasing even more due to the luxury tax. It also doesn’t mean Sabonis’ contract expires in 2028 while Embiid will make $69.005 million in the 2028-29 season.

This doesn’t even account for the long-term durability risk Embiid poses. There is a real possibility that Sacramento could acquire the former NBA MVP and have his availability and contributions greatly reduced over the next two seasons. Even just two years into the deal, the Kings may be looking at a version of Embiid who is no longer able to play.

Financially, such a deal would make sense for the 76ers. They will commit less money to their starting center and Sabonis has a shorter contract. However, the All-Star center has his own history of shortcomings in the NBA playoffs and is a huge liability defensively. Overall, any trade seems unlikely as no team is interested in it.

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The San Francisco Giants have one of the highest payrolls in MLB this season, yet are still well below the .500 line in late May. This led to recent MLB trade rumors that the club would be sold this summer, but it may not be as aggressive as first reported.

Less than a week after USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale reported that the Giants “would love to unload” Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman, Willie Adams and Jung Hoo Lee, FanSided’s MLB insider Robert Murray has refuted that information.

RELATED: MLB Power Rankings Week 7, see where the Giants land

The Giants front office is reportedly “optimistic” about all four players getting back on track. There are already promising signs of a turnaround from Devers, who entered MLB games today with a 1.078 OPS with 3 home runs in May.

Adams, the club’s only viable option at shortstop for the foreseeable future, has also been performing better recently. He has boasted a .333/.344/.367 triple-slash line in his last 30 at-bats, recording 5 RBI in that span.

RELATED: SF Giants reportedly have bold MLB Draft strategy

That doesn’t mean the Giants aren’t willing to be sellers at the MLB trade deadline. This is an option for the ruling, but it is not possible to completely gut the roster and move players signed to long-term deals by Buster Posey.

Instead, San Francisco will likely do what other vendors do in the summer. Pending free agents, from starting pitchers Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle to second baseman Luis Aráez, will be made available. Such teams are always in need of pitching and infield help, so the Giants will have no shortage of suitors if they decide to move all three.

RELATED: San Francisco Giants player named as Cubs trade target

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Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are on the verge of divorce. Antetokounmpo still has a chance to return to Milwaukee; However, the organization reportedly wants a solution before the 2026 NBA Draft. In a scenario where the NBA wants to trade the superstar from the Bucks, he would likely have a new home for the 2026-27 NBA season

This seems like a real possibility, so what will it really take for Antetokounmpo to land in Miami? Here’s what needs to happen for the Miami Heat.

Giannis Antetokounmpo should request a trade with Miami as a destination

It all starts with Antetokounmpo. If the Heat want to make one of their best moves in the last 16 years, the Bucks forward will have to request a trade this summer. In fact, Antetokounmpo would need to list Miami as one of his preferred trade destinations to do so.

There will be a long list of teams looking to acquire Antetokounmpo during the 2026 NBA offseason, so the Heat need to add him. This doesn’t mean Antetokounmpo has to say it’s “Miami and only Miami,” but an organization will only trade for him with the assurance that it will end well.

For Antetokounmpo to leave Milwaukee, he’ll need a landing spot that makes him happy. The Heat are one of those destinations, while other teams like the New York Knicks also make sense. Either way, Miami needs Antetokounmpo to keep an eye on the organization this summer.

If so, the onus falls on Pat Riley and the Heat front office to ultimately bring another superstar to Miami.

The Miami Heat absolutely need to trade for Antetokounmpo

One of the most popular stories about Miami over the years has been its reluctance to include certain players in potential trades. Several players have been involved in trade rumors since arriving in Miami, but the team has taken them out of the conversation to acquire difference makers. This has to be changed now.

The Heat should absolutely trade for Antetokounmpo this summer. Bam Adebayo should really be the only player over the limit; However, everyone else needs to be at the table. This includes Tyler Herro and Kyle Ware, as both players would be interesting for Milwaukee in the post-Antetokounmpo era.

Miami would also include all of its draft selections in this scenario. Needless to say, the Heat will have to give up most, if not all, of their assets. When a player like Antetokounmpo is on the market, this is the most likely outcome for a team looking to make an NBA Finals appearance.

The Heat will build their team around Adebayo and Antetokounmpo, which should be enough to get them back into contention if everyone stays healthy. The only issue is that many other NBA organizations will feel the same way. Antetokounmpo will put them over the top.

So, if Miami is Antetokounmpo’s preferred destination, it’s time for Riley and the front office to push all of their chips into the middle of the table.

Read more: Miami’s summer is over – why big off-season changes are coming

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Bill Guerin appears to want to accomplish what former New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald couldn’t. He wants to reunite the Hughes brothers, but in Minnesota.

According to a report from Michael Russo via The Athletic, the Wild GM attempted to trade for Luke Hughes — the youngest of the three NHL phenoms — during the 2025-26 season.

Idea? After ambushing the Devils for Quinn Hughes and luring him to Minnesota, get Luke and sign superstar forward Jack Hughes if he becomes a free agent in 2030.

“Everyone knows the Hughes brothers want to play together. Maybe Jack wants to come to Minnesota to join forces with Quinn instead of waiting now or doing it the other way,” Russo wrote in his latest. “That would be complicated, however, because it’s hard to believe that Jack would leave his youngest brother, Luke, behind with the New Jersey Devils. That’s why, according to league sources, the Wild made an offer to former Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald to acquire Luke last season. Still, it seems unlikely that new GM Sunny Mehta’s first move would be to trade Jack Hughes. The same can be said for Hischier, He’s eligible for an extension this offseason, though. And if the Devils get the impression the Skipper won’t move, you can bet they’ll put him on the market.”

Fitzgerald is no longer in the GM chair as he and the Devils parted ways and New Jersey hired Sunny Mehta as its sixth GM in franchise history.

Fitzgerald’s departure stemmed from Ball dropping the ball in the Quinn saga when he was still in Vancouver and preferred to ply his trade in New Jersey.

However, the ex-Devils GM did do one thing right by nabbing the youngest Hughes brother.

Not only is Luke projected to emerge as the Devils’ No. 1 defenseman, but holding on to him gives New Jersey its best chance to keep Jack long-term.

The Devils signed Luke to a long-term, seven-year contract last September, with six years remaining after the 2025–26 season.

This will be an interesting summer for both the Devils and the Wild.

Quinn is eligible to sign an extension on July 1 as he has one year remaining on his contract. It remains to be seen whether he does so or not, but it’s no secret that Quinn has been highly complimentary of the Wild organization—specifically Guerin.

The Devils have decisions to make themselves this summer, namely the pending free agent contracts in Simon Nemec and Arseniy Gritsyuk, as well as Nico Hischier who, like Quinn, is eligible for an extension on July 1 with one year left on his deal.

We know Guerin will continue his aggressive approach to upgrading the Wild while also doing everything he can to keep Quinn in Minny.

However, Mehta’s approach remains to be seen as a first-time GM in the NHL.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

Sunny Mehta was brought in as general manager to be bold and he certainly has the opportunity to do that this summer via the New Jersey Devils trade.

Mehta’s background shows that he is willing to take risks having been a former professional poker player, an options trader, and even a professional musician.

So, why wouldn’t he at least try to acquire Quinn Hughes?

You know the story. Quinn is the older brother. Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes have long been associated with New Jersey. It would be crazy to get these three together in New Jersey – the kind of thing fans have been daydreaming about for years.

This was almost a reality in 2025-26. Ultimately, former GM Tom Fitzgerald missed the opportunity and it didn’t happen.

Thus, Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin swooped in and ran the ball back for a touchdown. Wild believed Quinn was one of, if not the final piece of the puzzle that would ultimately lift the Stanley Cup.

Still, Minnesota was devastated by the inevitable Colorado avalanche last night.

With a new person in charge, many are wondering if Mehta will be able to do what the old front office could not.

Quinn is still under contract in Minnesota through next season. He’s coming off another big year, and the Wild are in no position to “sell.”

But contracts eventually end, conditions change, and the family works harder. Therefore this story will not end.

adventure part

If the Devils are serious about it, it will definitely be worth more than just prospects and picks.

Let’s preface this by saying that I’m not advocating that Satanists should or shouldn’t do this. All I’m saying is that it’s the kind of bold move Fitzgerald wouldn’t come close to.

The Wild’s eventual collapse in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs may be due to one very obvious thing. They have no central depth.

In New Jersey, the Devils have a frontline center with the same contract expiration date as Quinn and nearly identical cap hits for the rest of their deals.

Yes. We are talking about the captain. Nico Hischier.

Hischier has been the devil’s heart. He is a reliable, two-way center who leads by example. Trading him for a defenseman – even one as good as Quinn – will feel uncomfortable at first. But hat math is hat math. Quinn wants big money on his next deal. Hischier himself is about to get a big promotion. If you’re trying to fit three Hughes brothers under one hat while trying to build a contender, something’s got to give.

A deal that really catches Minnesota’s attention might look something like this:

• devils send: Nico Hischier, Simon Nemec (or Anton Silayev), this year’s first rounder, and maybe one more piece
• devils get:Quinn Hughes

This is a huge offer. You’re leaving your captain and a young NHL defenseman who has a shot at being a top-four prospect.

However, you are becoming arguably the best defenseman in the NHL. And the Wild have been yearning for a legitimate center for years.

Maybe bold doesn’t even cover it.

Will Mehta do this?

We’re talking about a move with a magnitude of 10 here.

However, this is not unfamiliar territory for Mehta. You have to remember, Mehta didn’t get a final shot with his former club, the Florida Panthers. However, he was instrumental in assisting GM Bill Zito with important moves that ultimately led them to consecutive Stanley Cups in the last two seasons.

One of those tricks? The foresight to move Jonathan Huberdeau and Mackenzie Weegar in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk.

In the end, that trade ultimately changed the Panthers’ trajectory from bubble threat to legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.

This was the final gamble in which the Panthers lost cash twice.

So no, don’t take such a bold step in front of Mehta. History shows that calculated risks are in its DNA.

Will this also work?

On paper, adding Quinn ahead of Jack and Luke would be ridiculous. The passing, the power play, the ability to control the game from the back end – this will inevitably force the Devils to lean back on their strengths, but on steroids.

As a result, you’ll be centering the situation and diluting your already weak prospect pool at the same time. That doesn’t mean Mehta can’t figure out another 2C solution, but it won’t be easy — they don’t grow on trees, especially ones like Hischier’s that undoubtedly have 1C quality. If this doesn’t change rapidly in the cup window, you’ll have years of regrets.

Mehta’s background in analytics and poker means he probably approaches trades differently than the previous guy. The lower the sentiment, the higher the expected value. Will this lead to any major accomplishments like this in his first few months on the job… who knows.

Right now it’s all smoke. No real traction beyond the usual off-season whispers that I’ve heard. In fact, it’s more likely that Quinn extends to Minnesota.

But that kind of boldness was lacking under the previous regime and that’s what the Devils ownership are hoping Mehta will bring to the table. If the Devils really want to unify the Hughes Triforce, Mehta will have to lure Guerin to the dance.

The offseason is young and Mehta is just getting started. However, he will undoubtedly want to make his mark on the roster.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

A new report reveals a surprising reason why this will likely be TJ Watt’s final season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Watt is going to go down as one of the greatest players ever in a franchise that has had a lot of players. In his nine seasons in the Steel City, Watt has been to the Pro Bowl every season except his rookie year, is a four-time All-Pro, and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors when he posted a ridiculous 22.5 sacks in 2021.

He already leads the franchise in sacks and QB hits, and could take the No. 1 spot in forced fumbles and tackles for loss this season. He’s a Steelers legend. However, as great as his performances have been, including playing a key role in six trips to the playoffs, all good things come to an end. And this could be Watt’s last year in Pittsburgh, even though he has two more years on his contract after 2026.

Teams think TJ Watt could hit the trade block next spring

On Thursday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the team wants to retain linebacker Nick Herbig after he made more progress in 2025 and posted 7.5 sacks in a part-time role. He’s only 24 years old, and another good season will make him a top free agent target for many teams next spring. However, the Steelers have already invested a lot of money in Watt and Alex Highsmith.

Something will have to give if the Steelers want to sign Herbig to a new long-term deal, and an NFL insider claims teams around the league believe Watt will be the odd man out and could hit the trade block next year.

Trading Watt would upset many Steelers fans. However, Fowler has a point, and it would be smart to move on from the future Hall of Famer while his value is still high and before he suffers age-related decline. Still, if Herbig doesn’t show much growth this season, it will certainly change opinions on a potential Watt trade.

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A new report suggests that if Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts doesn’t have a big season in 2026, sports officials think it will be his last season in the City of Brotherly Love.

In just six seasons, Hurts has already solidified his place as one of the best signal callers to ever wear an Eagles uniform. After taking over the starting job in his sophomore season (2021), the second-round pick went to the Pro Bowl three times and led the team to two Super Bowl trips, including a win and MVP honors in 2024.

Yet it hasn’t always been easy for Hurts in Philadelphia. He has had to deal with several different offensive coordinators over the course of his career, and has been more resistant to being pushed out of his comfort zone to the point of frustrating teammates and the organization this past season.

However, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Hurts has been “as open as we can” to new methods of offense this off-season, with Sean Mannion preparing to call up players in 2026. Additionally, he has worked extensively with receiver DeVonta Smith and veteran Elijah Moore in recent months.

Jalen Hurts will be on the trade block next year if he doesn’t improve in 2026

Still, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of pressure on the QB after his downfall last season. Hurts has something to prove in 2026, and if he can’t have a bounce-back year, some around the game think this will be his last year with the Eagles.

When an AFC official asked Fowler if Philly could move him next year if the offense struggled, he said, “I feel bad.” “The player is becoming polarized, and as his running ability begins to decline, his value will also decline. And [Eagles general manager Howie Roseman] Will always be active in finding solutions.”

Fowler says Philadelphia would lose $2.9 million in salary cap space if he is traded before June 1, 2027. But if he is dealt after June 1, they will save $21.4 million on the cap for that year. Similar to the situation going on with AJ Brown and expectations that they are waiting until June 1 to trade him.

Philadelphia Eagles QB predicts a big season in 2026

However, a personal evaluator who spoke to Fowler believes Jalen Hurts is destined for a big season. This could give the QB an advantage if he pushes for a contract extension after the season.

“I think he’ll play well,” the NFC personnel evaluator said. “He’s had so many different coordinators over the years that he’ll be able to adjust to the changes, and if the running game comes back into form, he’ll throw it in nicely over the top.”

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Most people would agree that the Baltimore Ravens have one of the best players in the NFL in Lamar Jackson. In addition to being an excellent passer, Jackson is one of the most dangerous players in the league with his feet. Jackson’s lethal combination of skills made him the NFL’s MVP in 2019 and 2023.

Meanwhile, the Ravens have one of the NFL’s best running backs in Derrick Henry, who has topped 1,500 rushing yards in both of his seasons in Baltimore. Combined, Jackson and Henry are one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL. Still, given how much both players get banged up on a weekly basis, should the Ravens strengthen their depth behind Henry?

there is siJason La Canfora believes it is time for the Ravens to bring in more help at the RB position behind Henry and ahead of Justice Hill. Taking things a little further, La Canfora believes the ideal trade target is Denver’s Jaleel McLaughlin, who is already familiar with Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.

The 5-foot-7, 187-pound McLaughlin will be a far cry from the 6-foot-2, 252-pound Henry. At just 27 years old, McLaughlin’s best season came in 2024, when he recorded 496 yards and a touchdown in five starts in 16 appearances. Last year, his production dropped off, playing in only eight games and rushing for 187 yards and one touchdown.

With Dobbins, 2025 second-round pick RJ Harvey, and fourth-round rookie Jonah Coleman all filling out Denver’s depth chart, the former undrafted McLaughlin, who is from the previous coaching regime, could very well be available. It remains to be seen whether he will be an efficient backup to Henry, but for the low cost of a late selection, it may be worth the gamble.

RELATED: Baltimore Ravens linked to potential trade for new starting center

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The Las Vegas Raiders made a quiet but important move before free agency opens this spring. They traded Taron Johnson, one of the best slot cornerbacks in football, to plug the hole that has plagued this defense for three years.

And now, no one can find him.

Not in the team’s offseason photo dump, nor in the background of any workout shots at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Johnson was not included in the welcome graphics released by the Raiders for every other offseason addition. Not on his own social media, where his X bio still claims he plays for the Buffalo Bills. The Raiders have entered deep into the second phase of the offseason program and the Silver and Black’s most experienced defensive back acquisition has become a ghost.

This is a problem worth talking about.

Terron Johnson’s absence has been noticed

Just Blog Baby was the first to flag it, detailing the evidence and noting what the Raiders did and didn’t do publicly. Every other player received a warm welcome from the team on social media this offseason. Tyler Linderbaum. Quay Walker. Nakobe Dean. Drink candy. Jalen Naylor. Even linebacker Cameron McGrone, who just signed this week, got the standard graphic.

Johnson got nothing. From the team or yourself.

Here’s some context on what’s at stake. Johnson is a six-year veteran with 79 starts in Buffalo. He is a former second-team All-Pro who anchored a Bills secondary that played in three AFC Championships. The Raiders gave up real draft capital to get him. And the way Rob Leonard’s defense is structured, the slot corner is one of the most important pieces on the field, as the AFC West throws receivers to that area on every other snap. Kansas City does it. Chargers do this. Denver does it.

If Johnson isn’t here, the entire back end of this defense becomes tough.

Connected: ‘No excuses’: Clint Kubiak issues clear warning to Raiders coaches and front office

Is it really time to panic over Johnson’s no-show?

Now the proper counterargument.

Voluntary means voluntary. Too many veterans skip the steps of offseason programs. Johnson is not yet under contractual obligation to remain in the building. He follows the Raiders’ running backs Max Crosby and Jeremy Chinn on Instagram, which at least suggests he hasn’t checked out mentally. He hasn’t posted on X since 2021, so the thing in the bio is probably just an omission, not a statement.

But the math still doesn’t add up.

Clint Kubiak said this week that with OTA reps becoming more limited than ever before, you have to be intentional about your timing. Translation from coach-speak into plain English: Every rep counts and players who aren’t there are falling behind. The Raiders don’t have the luxury of having a starting-caliber slot corner show up late and play catch-up against Patrick Mahomes in Week 1.

Johnson is completely new to this scheme. He has never played a snap in a Rob Leonard defense. He has never played with Jeremy Chinn, rookie Traydon Stukes or Jarmod McCoy. The entire secondary needs to learn how to play together and the most experienced part of it has been invisible since April.

Phase two is underway. The rest of the team members are working in the building. If Johnson comes out before mandatory minicamp, the story dies a quiet death and no one outside Raider Nation ever thinks about it again.

If he doesn’t do this, the attackers will be in a real problem.

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Philadelphia Eagles star receiver AJ Brown leaving Philly seems less like an “if” and more like a ticking game clock. And once he hits the trade block, half the league will be lining up to play. Even after watching Brown burn on the game’s biggest stage, the Kansas City Chiefs and Andy Reid would clearly love to add that kind of firepower to the offense.

Talk of Casey potentially making a move for the Browns has intensified, and on paper, it looks like a cheat code. But that’s probably where the discussion of fantasy football should stop. Reid has built the Chiefs into a dynasty by leaning into a team-first culture, maximizing players’ roles and keeping the locker room ego-free. Putting a high-maintenance alpha receiver in that system could spoil the chemistry that has helped Kansas City stack up to Lombardi.

Patrick Mahomes could get a massive WR upgrade if Chiefs hire AJ Brown

SportsBoom’s NFL insider Jason La Canfora listed the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars as potential trade destinations for AJ Brown.

“For example, the Chiefs were tied to several top receivers going into the draft,” La Canfora noted, “but instead they spent the first two days solidifying Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.”

Still, Casey adding a true WR1 makes a lot of sense. The Chiefs are trying to get back into full dynasty mode, and this could be Travis Kelce’s final trip to the Hall of Fame. Additionally, Kansas City will want to take some pressure off Patrick Mahomes as he tries to recover from ACL and LCL injuries he suffered last December.

Brown may no longer be the shiny new rookie, but the man still moves the chains like few receivers in football. He’s physical, explosive and ridiculously reliable — exactly the kind of weapon that can turn Mahomes’ offense into a weekly fireworks show. Right now, Rashee Rice is the only proven wideout on the depth chart. Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton and rookie Cyrus Allen still have a lot to prove before anyone can crown them reliable playmakers. The addition of a battle-tested star like Brown immediately raises KC’s ceiling.

Meanwhile, in Philly, the writing is beginning to appear on the wall. The Browns reportedly want out after contract talks with the Philadelphia Eagles stalled, and the team drafting top receiver Makai Lemon has only fueled trade discussions. With Devonta Smith already locked in as a cornerstone piece, Brown suddenly looks a lot more dynamic than untouchable.

D’Von Achane is one of the few Miami Dolphins stars who has escaped the offensive overhaul. Achane, one of the NFL’s best running backs, remains the centerpiece of Miami’s offense following Jaylen Waddle’s trade to the Denver Broncos.

However, could the 24-year-old running back be on the move for the right price? An NFL insider has revealed what the Dolphins would have to do to trade Achen.

Miami Dolphins trade value for Devon Achane revealed

If an NFL team offers a first-round pick to Achane, the Dolphins’ opinion of a potential trade could waver a bit, as ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports. Instead, the ESPN insider said the smart bet is on Miami adding its star running back at some point during the 2026 NFL offseason.

There is still time for another NFL organization to make a trade for Aachen; However, doing so would require at least a first-round selection. NFL running backs generally don’t move up for first-round draft picks, especially when they need a big payday.

Achen is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will enter NFL free agency if he is not franchise tagged or extended. For Miami, it should feel incentivized to keep Achane in this scenario. Losing a star for nothing in free agency would be detrimental to the team.

However, should the Dolphins focus on retaining Achen long-term instead of relying on the franchise tag or trade?

Why should the Dolphins keep Aachen on offense?

It’s hard to match a running back of Achen’s caliber in the NFL. Over the past two seasons, Achen has rushed for 2,257 yards while playing a key role in the passing game. In fact, the star running back had 67 receptions for 488 yards and four touchdowns during the 2025-26 NFL season.

Miami didn’t do much at the wide receiver position after trading Waddle, so Aichen’s role in the passing game is likely to be even bigger this season. Achane can take charge, as proven by his more than 85 goals in each of the last two seasons.

There aren’t many running backs in the NFL who can maintain a heavy workload in the passing game while serving as a bell cow. Even with a small body for a running back horse, Achane has avoided any serious injuries, making him a smart investment moving forward.

While Achen is due for a new contract, the Dolphins should do everything in their power to keep him in Miami. If the Dolphins were looking to replace him, they couldn’t find a better option.

Achane is a true offensive centerpiece, and while a first-round pick would be a nice return, it still wouldn’t mean much.

READ MORE: Dolphins GM gives major update on De’Von Achen trade rumors

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Last year, the Jacksonville Jaguars took a big leap in Liam Coen’s first season as head coach, winning 13 games and reaching the playoffs. A year earlier, the Jaguars had won only four games under former Super Bowl champion head coach Doug Pederson.

It is no surprise that general manager James Gladstone did not feel the need to make big trades or make high-priced signings in free agency. Nevertheless, the Jaguars did a lot of work on the margins of the roster, improving the team’s depth.

One area that didn’t get a lot of attention was the group’s pass-rushers. Jacksonville ranked 27th in sacks last season. Aside from taking tackle Albert Regis in the third round, edge rusher Wesley Williams in the fourth and nose tackle Zach Durfee in the seventh, the Jaguars didn’t do much to address their pass-rush.

Of course, having Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker means the Jaguars already have starting edge rushers, but do they have enough depth? What about a third impact pass-rusher who can rotate on obvious passing downs or when Walker and/or Hines-Allen need relief?

recently, Sports IllustratedEva Geitheim suggested the Jaguars should call up the veterans and trade for Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Thibodeaux was the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. In his second season as a professional player he started with 11.5 sacks, but has recorded only eight sacks over the last two years. Still only 25, Thibodaux certainly has some untapped potential, and the Giants may be more willing to deal him after assembling a collection of pass-rushers.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings: From the NFL’s worst starting QBs to the best

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The Detroit Tigers are struggling as the summer approaches. Through 42 games, the Tigers are in last place in the AL Central with a 19–23 record. The 2026 MLB season was expected to be a good one for Detroit; However, injuries have taken a significant toll on the organization.

Now, the Tigers may be on the verge of selling some of their key pieces before the 2026 MLB trade deadline.

Detroit Tigers labeled as potential seller at 2026 MLB trade deadline

USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale listed the Tigers as a team to watch as sellers at the 2026 MLB trade deadline. As of now, Detroit is just 1.5 games out of the final wild card spot and three games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central.

The Tigers have plenty of time to turn their season around, but it’s notable that they are being labeled as potential sellers. In fact, it focuses on starting pitcher Tarik Skubal, who is expected to miss one to two months after undergoing elbow surgery to remove a loose body.

Skuable is set to enter MLB free agency after the 2026 season. If Detroit does indeed become a seller and fall out of contention, it would make sense to trade the back-to-back Cy Young Award winner to maximize his value. If not, the Tigers will waste Skubal’s last season in Detroit and lose him for a draft pick.

There are other players like Jack Flaherty and Gleyber Torres who will also become free agents. It’s the start of the 2026 MLB season, but the Tigers need to change the direction of their campaign. The goal should be to transform yourself into a buyer, not a seller.

How the Detroit Tigers can become a buyer during the 2026 season

Detroit is still firmly in contention, but the 2026 MLB season may be over. The Tigers have struggled with a plethora of injuries, especially to their pitching staff. Of the original five starting pitchers, only Flaherty and Framber Valdez remain in the rotation to start the season.

Meanwhile, Javier Baez and Kerry Carpenter are not in the lineup due to injuries. This also doesn’t include Parker Meadows, who is recovering from a broken hand. Needless to say, it’s clear what Detroit needs to do moving forward. If the Tigers want to be a buyer, he’ll have to get healthy soon.

There are very few, if any, teams in MLB that can avoid so many injuries. The Tigers had great starting pitching depth to start the 2026 MLB season, but it quickly disappeared. Detroit desperately needs its players back and healthy for the remainder of the regular season.

If not, the Tigers would continue to fall in the American League standings. At the moment, the loss is not bad. Detroit has missed two games in the 2026 MLB postseason. However, the Tigers know they cannot afford to suffer so many injuries, and things must improve to keep their postseason dreams alive.

READ MORE: MLB Rumors – New Tarik Skubal contract projection revealed after injury

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The Chicago Cubs have been one of the best teams in baseball this season, entering MLB games today with 27 wins and several double-digit wins. This comes as the club’s pitching staff has been decimated by injuries, but that could change at the MLB trade deadline.

MLB insider Robert Murray named starting pitchers Robbie Ray (San Francisco Giants), Joe Ryan (Minnesota Twins) and Freddy Peralta (New York Mets) among potential Cubs trade targets this summer.

Peralta surfaced in MLB trade rumors last week when Bruce Levin reported that the Cubs had talked to the Mets about a trade for the All-Star pitcher. Although that report has since been retracted, New York has given no indication it is willing to trade Peralta yet.

Chicago still desperately needs starting pitching. While Matthew Boyd (meniscus surgery) may only be sidelined for a month, Cade Horton had season-ending elbow surgery in April and fellow starter Justin Steele now faces an uncertain timeline for his return after recovering from elbow surgery.

Entering the game on May 12, the Cubs’ rotation ranked seventh in ERA (3.77), sixth in WHIP (1.17) and ninth in quality starts (15). However, since April 26, Chicago’s rotation ranks 16th in WHIP (1.26) and 12th in ERA (3.71), depth is becoming a bigger issue.

Evaluating the Cubs’ potential trade targets

Robbie Ray and Freddy Peralta appear to be the most realistic trade targets for Chicago. Both have expiring contracts, reducing the potential acquisition cost for either starter and increasing the likelihood that either San Francisco or New York is willing to make a move.

Ray, who is making $25 million this season, has outperformed Peralta this season. The 6-foot-2 southpaw has recorded a 2.76 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP in 45.2 innings, striking out 26.1 percent of the batters he faced for a .198 batting average.

Peralta, who is owed just $8 million this season, hasn’t been as effective in his first season with New York. While he has a solid 3.12 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP in 43.1 innings, it comes with a career-low 23.2 percent strikeout rate.

Given the Cubs’ infield arrangement, Peralta may be a better option. The 29-year-old righty ranks 36th among starting pitchers in groundball rate (43.7 percent), while Ray is 74th (27.4 percent).

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

On Monday night, what was supposed to be a pretty good season for the Los Angeles Lakers came to a disappointing end when they were officially eliminated from the playoffs by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Expectations were always low when top star Luka Doncic suffered a serious hamstring injury just before the postseason began. But the Roosters still showed their ability and courage to reach the semi-finals by defeating the Houston Rockets in the opening round.

Still, roster changes are coming this offseason. NBA legend LeBron James may have played his final game in Los Angeles – and possibly in the league. And DeAndre Ayton will almost certainly opt out of the final year of his deal. While those are notable losses, the Lakers aren’t too far away from being legitimate title contenders in 2026-27. But they still need better rim protection, big-time rebounding and more athletic versatility on defense.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at 10 impact players the LA front office should target this offseason to bolster the roster around young stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Sign Isaiah Hartenstein

Although his stats don’t jump off the page, Isaiah Hartenstein makes a notable impact wherever he plays. He is a classic dirty work player who will do whatever is necessary to win and that is what the Lakers need. But beyond those attributes, he is a great rebounder – especially on the offensive boards – a smart and tenacious defender and a skilled passer. If LA can get him for the right price in free agency, he will fill a lot of their needs in the front court.

trade for andrew wiggins

If Andrew Wiggins opts out of the final year of his contract with the Miami Heat (he is expected to), he should be a target for the Lakers. He is a classic 3-and-D player who would be a great fit on this Lakers team. He can guard many wing defenders Doncic or Reaves can’t despite being a legitimate three-point threat – he shot 41% from beyond the arc in 2025-26. Plus, if it doesn’t work out, he’ll be off the books after next season.

sign peyton watson

One player who will have a lot of interest in free agency this summer is Denver Nuggets swingman Peyton Watson. He had a breakout season in 2025-26 just in time to make the jump to the open market. Posting 14.6 points, nearly five rebounds and 1.1 blocks a game. Although it may be a small thing at just 23 years old, his success is huge.

With two young players at the core of the roster, the Lakers should target other young players to move forward with them. Watson should be at the top of their wish list. However, the major issue is that he is a restricted free agent, and the Nuggets have a chance to match any offer.

trade for jarrett allen

If the Cleveland Cavaliers do not reach the Conference Finals this month, Jarrett Allen will definitely be on the trade block, and the Lakers should be first in line for his services. The one-time All-Star brings the rebounding, rim-protection and lob threat Doncic wanted. He’s no star, but he’d be a perfect fit for LA.

Although he is still owed three years and more than $90 million, it will be worth it as he could address major needs this summer.

Trade for Yves Missy and Herb Jones

If the Lakers want to go a more budget-friendly route to address some issues, another option would be to talk to the New Orleans Pelicans on the phone and inquire about the cost of a trade for center Yves Messi and forward Herb Jones.

Neither of them have impressive offensive stats, but they are impressive defenders the Lakers should target this summer. Jones is a top perimeter defender. Missy is an impressive 21-year-old rim protector who can be further developed. This is not a sexy business, but will yield big profits over the course of the season.

sign michelle robinson

Despite averaging 19 minutes and scoring only five points per game, New York Knicks fans can tell you how valuable Mitchell Robinson is. He is a top-notch defender at the center position and rim protector, but his elite offensive rebounding could be the difference between a playoff team and a contender.

Knicks fans will also tell you how hurt the big man is. He would certainly be a risk for the Lakers, but he’s still only 28 years old and that’s exactly what they need in the middle.

Draft Terrence Reed Jr. with the No. 24 pick

The Lakers clearly have options in the free agency and trade market. But the 2026 NBA Draft is deep and has some gems available at the end of the first round and the beginning of the second round. One player who should be on their radar is Connecticut big man Tyrese Reed Jr.

He is a strong rebounder who is adept at tearing down offensive boards. He is an agile athlete on defense, but he also has a solid offensive game after scoring only 20 points per game for the Huskies last season.

Trade up in Round 2 and draft Zubie Ejiofor

If the Lakers are willing to trade up in the second round of the June event, another interesting target would be St. John’s big man Zubie Ejiofor. The Big East Player of the Year is a good rebounder and effective rim protector (he averages more than two per game) at 6 feet 9 inches tall. His offensive performance has also taken off after averaging 16 points per game last season.

As a potential replacement for LeBron James at power forward, Ejiofor could be a sleeper option early in Round 2.

Sign Kristaps Porzingis

If the Lakers are looking for an affordable risk with a upside this offseason, 10-year veteran Kristaps Porzingis should be on their radar. His bizarre health problems have seriously affected him in the last two seasons. However, his 2023-24 season with the Boston Celtics showed he can make a serious difference on a title contender if healthy.

Although he is not a beast on the boards, he is a rim protector who is a lopsided threat and can stretch the floor. Due to his recent illnesses, he could come cheap this summer.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Minnesota Vikings brought in significant competition for quarterback JJ McCarthy this offseason, with Kyler Murray seen as the likely starter. This raises questions about McCarthy’s future in Minnesota.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano explained that it “doesn’t make a lot of sense” for the Vikings to trade their former first-round pick just two years after moving up for them in the NFL Draft. For now, they’re hoping the competition will bring out the best in McCarthy.

“People I’ve talked to who are close to the situation insist that the Vikings haven’t given up on McCarthy – part of their hope is to bring in Murray, who gives some kind of shock to McCarthy’s system and gets him refocused on what they think he got away from last year. It’s probably a long shot, but again, it doesn’t seem like they would benefit much from trading him at this point.”

Dan Graziano on whether Minnesota Vikings will trade QB JJ McCarthy

RELATED: Insider highlights Minnesota Vikings QB competition

Recent reporting has made it clear that the Vikings have no early leader in the quarterback competition. While Murray has a vastly improved resume, Minnesota wants to give McCarthy a legitimate chance to win the starting job.

McCarthy has two things. First, Kevin is already familiar with O’Connell’s system and has chemistry with the Vikings’ receiving corps. Additionally, Minnesota also has a greater investment in him and would prefer an outcome where he becomes the long-term starting quarterback.

RELATED: Vikings rookie may reveal hint about All-Pro

Things get more interesting if McCarthy loses the starting quarterback competition. Minnesota also re-signed veteran signal-caller Carson Wentz this offseason.

Wentz performed much better than McCarthy last season, completing 65.1 percent of his passes with a 6-5 TD-INT line, an 85.8 passer rating, and he averaged 7.2 yards per attempt. For comparison, McCarthy completed only 57.6 percent of his passes with an 11-12 TD-INT ratio, a 72.6 QB rating, and he averaged 6.7 yards per attempt.

As Graziano also noted, the Vikings have already paid 70 percent of McCarthy’s rookie contract and their original draft-capital investment in that is never being recouped in a trade.

If McCarthy struggles this summer and in the preseason, Minnesota will likely move Murray as the starter and Wentz as the backup quarterback. In that case, as the third-line passer on the Vikings’ depth chart, McCarthy and his agent could push for a trade to pursue a fresh start with another franchise.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The San Francisco Giants made the first significant trade of the 2026 MLB season, dealing Gold Glove Award winner Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Browns. In a season where a lot has already gone wrong, it appears there may be other steps to take.

USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale reported that the Giants “would love to unload” first baseman Rafael Devers, third baseman Matt Chapman, shortstop Willie Adams and outfielder Jung Hoo Lee. This will be part of a “reboot” and redraft effort ahead of the 2026 MLB Draft.

RELATED: SF Giants reportedly have bold MLB Draft strategy

According to FanGraphs’ payroll tracking, the Giants have the 11th-highest payroll in MLB at $230 million. Despite investing over $200 million in the roster, San Francisco has the third-worst record in the National League (17–24) and the worst run differential in MLB (-42) through 41 games.

Will the Giants become sellers at the MLB trade deadline?

If the Giants are going to make another move a few months before the MLB trade deadline, a likely candidate to be dealt would be starting pitcher Robbie Ray. His contract is expiring and it appears he will hit MLB free agency. Dealing him would also save money, as more than half of his $25 million salary is still due this season.

RELATED: San Francisco Giants player named as Cubs trade target

After that, things become more suspicious. Adams is under contract through 2031, his age-35 season, with an average annual value of $26 million. Given his defensive limitations and only a .223/.304/.405 triple-slash line over his last 200 games, there will be a very thin market for him and San Francisco will need to cover a significant portion of the remainder.

Trading Devers would at least open up first base for top prospect Bryce Aldridge and create a more viable path for Casey Schmidt to get an at-bat in every game. However, since being traded to San Francisco he has compiled only a .237/.330/.438 triple-slash line.

Chapman, meanwhile, is under contract through 2030, when he will make $25.166 million per year as a 37-year-old third baseman. Lee, who has a .692 OPS this season, is owed $22 million annually over the next two seasons and then has a player option for 2028.

In all likelihood, San Francisco won’t have much luck trading Devers, Lee, Adams or Chapman, and a deal is also unlikely as all four hitters are struggling at the plate. If the team continues to struggle, Ray, starting pitcher Tyler Mahle and outfielder Harrison Bader are potential trade candidates.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been a juggernaut for several years now. They have won consecutive World Series titles and are in the running for their third title. They will be the first National League team in history to do so. This is largely due to a roster that doesn’t have too many weak links. Sure, the bullpen isn’t always spectacular, but it’s often pretty solid. Yet one area has remained a point of concern in recent years: the outfield.

That doesn’t mean their outfield is bad – far from it. The Dodgers solved most of their problems this offseason by signing top free agent Kyle Tucker. This was a huge achievement which led to a significant improvement in their outfield group. But there isn’t much certainty behind Tucker and up-and-comer Andy Paige.

Sure, Teoscar Hernandez may slip from time to time, but his age is starting to show. Behind him are unproven commodities like Alex Call and Hyesong Kim, both of whom have struggled to produce consistently at the big league level.

business for young talents

Enter Alec Thomas. The 26-year-old center fielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks was recently designated for assignment to make room for top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt. He has made a good start and now looks like he could permanently replace Thomas in the outfield.

On Tuesday morning, the Dodgers traded for Alec Thomas, reducing the possibility of Jose Requena to Arizona. In the same move, the Dodgers DFA optioned outfielder Michael Siani to make room for Thomas on the 40-man roster. Requena was signed by Los Angeles in last year’s international signing class. He has not yet made his professional debut.

This is a move that immediately improves the Dodgers’ outfield depth in several ways. For one, Thomas is in control of the club until 2028. That means Los Angeles can keep him at a relatively low price over the next two and a half years. It’s worthwhile to get a typical defensive glove with a solid – and potentially much better – bat at that price.

Thomas has shown signs of an offensive breakout. In 2025, he posted a career-high .249/.289/.370 slash line with a respectable .659 OPS. Those numbers were much better than his usual numbers, indicating a step forward in 2026. But this has not happened. Instead, Thomas is off to the worst start of his career, batting .181 in 28 games this season. He will serve as depth in Triple-A for the Dodgers. Behind Andy Paige, Los Angeles lacked a true backup option in center field. Thomas could fill that role if anything happens with Paige.

If the San Francisco 49ers thought their patience with Brandon Aiyuk would soon turn into a trade, a new report explains why they’re fooling themselves.

After the 2023 season, it looked like Aiyuk was going to become one of the top stars in the NFL and one of the faces of the 49ers roster. Boy, it seems like a long time ago. In the two years since his breakout season, the relationship between team and receiver has been downright dramatic.

First, he was late to the start of the 2024 season because he was holding out for a new long-term contract. He got it, but then he tore his ACL seven games into that campaign. Yet, instead of taking the field last season, Aiyuk sat out the entire 2025 season due to ongoing differences with the organization. That made divorce a guarantee this offseason.

However, rather than trade the talented but problematic receiver and move on, general manager John Lynch is under the impression that if he is patient, he will find a team that would be willing to give Aiyuk something rather than lose him for nothing. Well, it looks like that’s not going to happen, and according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Lynch just needs to pull the trigger on his release.

Graziano says the 49ers may choose to wait a few more months and hope a team becomes desperate. But considering the financial cost and draft pick value, no team is going to waste any money on a deal when they can get him for a much lower price with a little patience.

If the 49ers are looking petty, they may have to wait well into the preseason to finally cut the 28-year-old.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Philadelphia 76ers need to move on from Joel Embiid, and this summer is one possible way to do it. But that would mean acquiring another expensive, injury-plagued big man, and it could cost them their first-round pick in June.

There were high expectations for the Sixers’ postseason chances in Philadelphia a week ago. They made a stunning comeback from 3-1 down to eliminate the Boston Celtics in the first round. Many analysts around the game suggested that they were the new favorites from the East to reach the NBA Finals. Then they ran into a buzz saw called the New York Knicks.

The organization has a lot of decisions to make after the 76ers’ dominance and loss to New York. Is Daryl Morey’s run as team president over? Should coach Nick Nurse be fired? Still, for whoever is running the team next month, one era that needs to end is Embiid’s time in the City of Brotherly Love.

Why the Philadelphia 76ers should trade Joel Embiid this summer

The seven-time All-Star and 2022-23 NBA MVP will go down as one of the greatest players in 76ers history. That would be one of the greatest “what if” stories in league history. Despite once being an impressive athlete for a man of his size, the 32-year-old’s body is now in disrepair. In his 10 years in the league, he has played 60 or more games only four times due to numerous injuries, mostly to his legs.

In 2025-26, the 76ers placed him in bubble wrap and allowed him to play in only 38 games this season after appearing in 19 last year. Although he can perform at an All-Star level when healthy – he has posted 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks this season – his body cannot be trusted at all. This was proven during these playoffs, and with $186 million left on his contract, he is a bigger problem than a benefit for the organization.

What makes it even worse is that he has become a toxic personality at a time when Tyrese Maxey should be the new face of the franchise. He once again could not accept his team’s failures against the Knicks and blamed the referees. Then the season in which he played 38 games was called a “breakthrough”. In a blue-collar city like Philadelphia, Embiid has worn out his welcome. The 76ers will have to turn the pages to progress.

Yet, because he is so composed and has shown that he will never be able to recapture his previous form – plus he is owed so much money – he is perhaps the most unattainable player in the NBA. Unless he was traded for a similar player, and a sweetener was added to the deal.

Should the 76ers try to replace Anthony Davis with Joel Embiid?

In many ways, 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis has had a similar career to Embiid. He also topped superstar projections. And while he could be a dominant force on the court like Embiid, injury problems followed him throughout his career. Besides, he still has a lot of money coming in. If Davis opts out of the final year of his contract in 2027-28, he could make up to $121 million over the next two years.

The Washington Wizards traded for him earlier this year and hope he – and Trae Young – can be part of a big resurgence next season. Still, reports have revealed that he is not thrilled about playing in DC, and may be open to another trade. But would the Wizards be willing to take Embiid back in a trade? Probably not.

However, if the 76ers were bold enough to add draft picks, they could do so. While Washington is expected to make big changes next season, they are still a rebuilding team that has the No. 1 pick in next month’s NBA Draft. What if they could also get the 22nd overall pick in one of the deepest drafts ever? Plus another first-rounder in a few years?

This would be a high cost for the 76ers. But they have the pieces to be very good again next season and they aren’t as eager to keep that pick at 22. Moving Embiid would be an addition by subtraction move. Plus, having Davis around even for one season is still a very good replacement option.

Although a trade is unlikely, if the 76ers can convince anyone to take Joel Embiid, his play and his contract, the Wizards would be the best trade partner.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

At the beginning of the offseason, there were expectations that the Baltimore Ravens would be able to retain Tyler Linderbaum, their starting center for the past four seasons. The Ravens chose not to pick up his fifth-year contract option worth $23.4 million in 2024, making the three-time Pro Bowler a free agent in March.

Once Linderbaum, widely considered one of the best centers in the NFL, hit the open market, the Las Vegas Raiders wasted no time in making him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Linderbaum agreed to a three-year, $81 million contract, making him the highest-paid center in the NFL, and yes, that’s more than the average the Ravens will be paying him for the upcoming campaign.

Meanwhile, the Ravens now need a new starting center. Many thought Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta would have found a replacement through free agency or the draft, but he did not do so. However, he recently acknowledged that the Ravens could end up trading for their new pivot. A local insider may have an idea of ​​who Baltimore is targeting.

RELATED: 2 Baltimore Ravens trade ideas for a new center

Recently, ESPN’s Ravens insider Jamison Hensley took a look at three important questions remaining for Baltimore. One of them focused on who would be the team’s new starting center after offensive coordinator Declan Doyle took over.

That’s when he suggested a possible trade candidate, Chicago’s Garrett Bradbury. Interestingly, Bradbury has already been traded once this offseason, sending him from New England to Chicago in exchange for a fifth-round pick. That trade occurred after Chicago’s starting center retired. But the Bears have selected a center in the second round, which could leave Bradbury in a reserve role.

Bradbury, 30, was the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent the first six seasons of his career with the Minnesota Vikings before starting all 17 regular season games and four playoff games with the Patriots last season.

Although he never lived up to his full draft potential, Bradbury has started all 105 games in his seven-year career, and he would certainly be an upgrade for Baltimore.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings: From the NFL’s worst starting QBs to the best

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Kawhi Leonard’s days as a Los Angeles Clipper are done. one way or another.

We are still waiting for the NBA’s decision on how to punish the Clippers for the alleged ‘cap rigging’ scandal. This could potentially void Leonard’s contract (with one year remaining on $50 million). But even if not, it appears that Kawhi’s trade from La La Land is certain this summer.

Rumors have been flying around in recent weeks, but the latest information from insider Sean Deveney seems to put the nail in Kawhi’s coffin in LA.

According to a source close to Deveney, the Clippers will “move into a rebuild” this summer based on securing the No. 5 pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

“I think you’ll see that they really move forward with rebuilding this summer, and they can probably get it done relatively quickly.”

The Clips got a huge lead on that young move before the trade deadline. They added exciting young backcourt players Benedict Mathurin, 23, of the Indiana Pacers, and Darius Garland, 26, of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He moved ahead of veterans Ivica Zubac and James Harden in the process.

Next, a perfect move to stay young in a trade to send Leonard to a team that needs a veteran superstar with championship credentials.

3 teams named as top summer contenders for Kawhi Leonard

Devenney specifically names three teams that are renowned as prime contenders for superstar-hunting Leonard:

• Miami Heat
• new York Knicks
• Golden State Warriors

The Warriors attempted to trade for any big star they could acquire at the deadline, with rumored targets including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi. They’ll try again this summer, potentially on all three fronts.

Brett Siegel of Clutch Points writes, “Trading for a big-name star is extremely relevant for owner Joe Lacob and the Warriors.”

All three teams are also in the running in the Giannis sweepstakes, but Kawhi will also be a target.

Leonard returned to the top of his game last season. He proved that even at the age of 34, after years of injury troubles, he can still be one of the top players in the NBA. Kawhi averaged a career-high 27.9 points along with 6.4 boards and 3.6 assists per game in 65 games.

He is a two-time Finals MVP, in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs and in 2019 with the Toronto Raptors.

The San Francisco Giants made headlines this weekend with their first big trade of the season, dealing Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Browns. Although this immediately opened up more playing time for Daniel Susack and Jesus Rodriguez, there was reportedly another strategy behind it.

Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY reported that part of the Giants’ objective with the trade is to set themselves up to select shortstop Roch Cholowski in the 2026 MLB Draft.

As part of the trade, San Francisco received the 29th overall pick from the Guardians. While first-round selections in the MLB Draft cannot be traded, selections in the competitive balance round can be dealt. So, San Francisco now has two top-30 selections along with four of the top-90 selections.

The acquisition of the 29th overall pick also means they will receive an additional $3.27 million in bonus pool money. According to MLB.com, he now has the fourth-largest bonus pool at $17.35 million. This allows them to go above the slot value for the fourth overall pick ($8.988 million), theoretically giving them the flexibility to sign Cholowski if he’s on the board.

Will the Giants draft Roch Cholowski?

6-foot-2 shortstop Roch Cholowski is widely viewed as the best player in the 2026 MLB draft class. UCLA’s star shortstop has been excellent this season, posting a .338/.463/.707 triple-slash line with 59 RBIs and 21 home runs in 198 at-bats.

The right-handed hitter is rated as the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft class by MLB Pipeline, with ESPN.com’s Kiley McDaniel and Baseball America also rating Cholowski as the top player available.

However, there is a loophole in this reported objective that veterans may or may not have as part of belly trading. Cholowski will not be available at the fourth pick. Even on the off chance that the Chicago White Sox would pass on the UCLA shortstop, the Tampa Bay Rays would take him.

San Francisco would also like to get their hands on Georgia Tech catcher Von Lackey, but he is widely speculated to either be taken second overall by Tampa Bay or selected third overall by the Minnesota Twins. In all likelihood the Giants will choose between UC Santa Barbara starting pitcher Jackson Flora or prep shortstop Jacob Lombard. With the 29th overall pick, there is a higher chance that the team will grab a prospect who falls short of his asking price and they move on to sign him.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Is there some tension between Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics? Former NBA star and Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady recently said on his podcast that there were “deep issues” between Brown and the Celtics, although team president Brad Stevens and Brown himself denied this.

The team performed brilliantly in the first round of this season’s playoffs, taking a 3–1 series lead against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Is Jaylen Brown looking to move on? He described it as his most enjoyable season in the NBA. That’s saying something since they won the championship in 2024. But could his happiness have been the opportunity he got to be The Man in Boston for most of this year? Jayson Tatum was out until the beginning of March, and perhaps Brown really liked taking the reins of his team.

If that’s the case, he could get it on a full-time basis if the latest discussions are successful. This wouldn’t be the first time the Browns have heard their name in trade rumors. But Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, speaking on NBC Sports, said it could get more serious this summer.

It has been a complicated relationship. He has to absorb trade rumors year after year. So if there is any tension, it is understandable. But if there was an opportunity for Boston to trade Jaylen Brown, it would probably be this offseason…

One team is going to get Giannis (Antetokounmpo), and that will probably leave five or six teams out there with young players, picks, draft capital and a whole bunch of stuff that they can potentially offer Boston for Jaylen Brown in a trade... They’re hearing reports of tension, and wondering if there’s an opportunity to take Jaylen Brown.

And you could honestly argue that acquiring Jaylen Brown is a better decision than acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo (based on age and recent injury history).

4 teams named as contenders to trade Jaylen Brown this summer

Mannix then specifically names four teams that could fit the bill to shift from Giannis to Jaylen trade focus:

• Miami Heat
• Houston Rockets
• Golden State Warriors
• atlanta hawks

These are actually the teams that seem to be most linked to Giannis, along with the New York Knicks. Undoubtedly, Kevin Durant will loom large over Brown in Houston, although KD could be dealt. And in Golden State, as long as Steph Curry exists, no one else can ever be “the guy.”

Brown finished the regular season with the best numbers of his career as he was the only alpha player out-scoring Tatum for the first 4 1/2 months. He posted 28.7 points, 6.9 boards and 5.1 assists per game. He took more field goal attempts (21.7 per game) and free throw attempts (7.5 per game) than ever before in his career. And he led the entire NBA in two-point FG attempts, at 16.0 per night.

Again, much of this will be impacted next season with Tatum’s return. So between that and the so-called “deep issues” between him and the team that his friend T-Mac talked about, perhaps Brown would welcome a new destination.

If football fans have learned one thing about Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead, it’s that he’s not afraid to make a big move. The latest evidence came on the first night of the 2026 NFL Draft, when the Rams surprised everyone by taking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the first round.

Simpson was projected as a second-day draft pick, but as they say, it just takes a team to believe in his abilities. This year, it was Ram.

While the decision to draft Simpson was clearly a move for the future, some believe the Rams are eyeing a trade that could solidify their status as a Super Bowl contender this season.

especially, athleticRams insider Nate Atkins suggests fans should “keep an eye on Max Crosby.”

“I’ll also keep an eye on Max Crosby,” Atkins wrote. “They seem to have straightened things out with the Las Vegas Raiders after the trade reversal with the Baltimore Ravens, but the organization’s outlook could change if the Raiders have another tough start to the season.”

Of course, the Las Vegas Raiders had already agreed to trade him once. Can they do it again? It certainly can’t be ruled out, especially if first-year head coach Clint Kubiak is off to a rough start.

While the idea of ​​adding the five-time Pro Bowl sack artist is exciting, Atkins believes any trade discussions are unlikely to accelerate until October. Only then will everyone have a better understanding of their direction.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB Rankings: Where does Matthew Stafford rank?

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The San Francisco Giants made a major change to their roster, trading starting catcher Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Giants. The move immediately creates space for recently called up Jesus Rodriguez to take over in San Francisco.

As for the guards, it adds depth to a team that already had three starters in David Frye, Austin Hedges and Bo Naylor, but Naylor’s struggles this season kept him off the roster. He was sent to Triple-A in an effort to improve Cleveland’s defensive issues behind the plate.

Is Bailey’s best behind him?

This is a fair question. Backstop, some of the best (if not the best) games though. Best in the game) defensive metrics, has never been a particularly powerful bat. Bailey has a career .224 batting average and has hit only 22 home runs over three seasons in MLB.

However, the thing is. For a catcher, that’s not terrible production. This is about average. For any other offensive player, this is a terrible mark. But catchers in baseball exist in a strange place. As long as their defense and their ability to manage their pitching staff is solid, most teams are willing to attack aggressively.

That being said, it’s always great to have a catcher who can rake. Look at guys like Will Smith, Cal Raley or even former Giants catcher Buster Posey. They are assets to their teams in many ways besides defense, but they are anomalies when it comes to catching groups in MLB.

Underlying metrics hint at potential change

Bailey has struggled at the plate for a long time, but behind the dish he is ahead of everyone else. He has won two gold medals, has a lifetime .992 fielding percentage and is ranked in the 100th percentile via Statcast in framing and pop time (1.86 seconds). He is a key catcher for whichever team he is on.

But can he kill? It is possible. Bailey has had a disappointing start with San Francisco this season. So far, he has put up a .146/.213/.183 slash line. This resulted in a ridiculously poor 16 wRC+ (where 100 is average). But, despite that line, there is hope here. Bailey’s weighting on base average (wOBA) is .190, but his expected weighting (xwOBA) is a more respectable .283 mark.

this is one Big Difference. It’s possible that Cleveland is betting on Bailey’s bat to play out as the underlying metrics suggest. Either way, the club receives an elite backstop to handle its pitching staff.

san francisco building for the future

It’s safe to say that this season hasn’t started as well as it could have for the Giants. In the first year of new manager Tony Vitello’s tenure, the club has a record of 15–23 and are in fifth place in the National League West entering Saturday. It’s hard to see a club as talented as this one struggling so much.

But the recent call-ups of top prospects Bryce Aldridge and Jesus Rodriguez have signaled a change for San Francisco. It seems the group now wants to use this moment to give their young players time to acclimate to MLB. Barring injury or an unexpected trade, they could benefit next season with Aldridge and Rodriguez joining the roster.

Wilkinson’s stint in the minors offers hope

It’s not a perfect reconstruction, but it’s something like that. The trade of Bailey for Matt Wilkinson and a draft pick further adds to this argument. Wilkinson is a very talented young pitcher at the Double-A level in the Minors. So far this season, he has a 1.59 ERA in 28 1/3 innings. That performance could soon get him promoted to the Triple-A level in the Giants’ system.

It’s also possible that, if San Francisco falls even further out of contention, Wilkinson could be called up late in the season to get some big league reps. The possibility of this still remains to be seen, but it is certainly a possibility.

Either way, this is a move that should be encouraging to Giants fans, not the other way around. It’s not like President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey is saying he has already quit the year before, it’s a move that seems prudent. San Francisco is expecting its young players to step up and prove themselves. Only time will tell if that strategy pays off.

A new rumor is great news for the Miami Heat’s planned exploration of a blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this summer.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Heat found themselves playing in the NBA Play-in Tournament. However, unlike the previous three times, Miami was unable to advance in the mini-tournament and the streak of six playoff appearances this spring ended.

Although they made it to the NBA Finals after an incredible performance a few years ago, the Heat have only had 50-plus wins in one season in the last decade. A case can be made that Miami should consider a major roster overhaul and rebuild. Still, it seems very unlikely for this proud franchise, and they will definitely be out star hunting this summer. Milwaukee Bucks great Giannis Antetokounmpo is sure to be at the top of his wish list.

Unlike February, a trade seems highly likely, especially since Bucks management has publicly claimed that they will not confirm that the two-time MVP will return next season. Furthermore, the number of teams interested and the trade packages offered will be even better this summer than in the winter. So there will be a lot of competition in Miami in terms of business.

The Heat should emerge as the favorites for a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this summer

They may submit a strong offer, but a new report on Friday night made their chances of winning the bid even stronger. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Antetokounmpo will definitely “put his foot on the scale” and “push toward the team he wants to play for, and that part is also going to be a big factor.”

While many teams will be interested in the 10-time All-Star, there are also some cities he wants to visit. He surprisingly dismissed the city of Los Angeles last month as “superficial.” The Golden State Warriors will have a chance because of the reputation of the brand and talent on the roster.

New York is reportedly his favorite place. However, if this team reaches the NBA Finals and wins the championship, it is likely that the management will not break up this group.

That means Miami could emerge as the favorite in the trade sweepstakes. Especially if it entails moving to a specific city. Few NBA stars would give up the chance to live in South Beach.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

While some New York Mets fans have pondered the idea of ​​a Mike Trout trade, a notable team insider explained on Friday why it’s extremely unlikely.

The Mets have played better last week. They have won four of their last six and back-to-back series before their game on Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Still, they enter the weekend with a very disappointing 14-23 record.

A variety of issues can be raised for a team’s poor results. However, the performance of the extremely expensive batting order has surprised many people. Yes, injuries to players like Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor and Jorge Polanco have been debilitating. But his hitting should be better than ever. The injuries have nothing to do with poor play from Bo Bichette, Francisco Alvarez and Marcus Semien.

Mike Trout Stats: .260 AVG, .429 OBP, .550 SLG, .979 OPS, 11 HR, 23 RBI, 32 R, 5 SB

That’s why fans and analysts have speculated that the team could make a trade to boost their struggling offense. One name that has come up in recent weeks is that of future Hall of Famer Mike Trout. After battling injuries for six consecutive seasons, the Los Angeles Angels ace is looking like his old self in 2026. He hit 11 homers and drove in 32 runs in the team’s first 37 games.

The idea of ​​a Mike Trout trade was brought up by a fan in a new Mailbag article by The Athletic’s Mets insider Tim Britton. Interestingly, he admitted that he would love to cover the three-time MVP and could “imagine a scenario, no matter how narrow, in which it would make even an iota of sense for the Mets.” However, he also explained why team president David Stearns would never consider it.

The 11-time All-Star is making more than $37 million per year through his 38 seasons through 2030. If he were signed for another season, Stearns might consider it. But four more is too many for an executive who doesn’t like long-term investments in players over 30.

In addition to seeing a great player in New York, local fans have always been thrilled with the idea of ​​Trout playing in Gotham since he is a New Jersey native. However, there has been speculation over the years about him suiting up for his boyhood team, the New York Yankees.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

While the 2025 season was a great one for the Indianapolis Colts, not so much for quarterback Anthony Richardson. A raw talent who needed more experience in the game, he didn’t even get a chance to touch the field while dealing with a broken orbital bone during pregame warmups.

It was a crushing blow not only for the former first-round pick, but also for the Colts, who have not indicated they are ready to part with the 23-year-old. But after declining to pick up Richardson’s fifth-year contract option, it’s clear the Colts are not ready to commit further to the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Recently, the Colts have been open to trading the cannon-armed, dual-threat QB. Those discussions were expected to heat up during the 2026 NFL Draft, when teams realized they wouldn’t be able to land the QB prospect they wanted. Yet, here we are, two weeks after the draft, and Richardson is still a member of the Colts.

Now, ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter has indicated that the team is not eager to move on from Richardson, and a trade could happen later in training camp or even during the season if another team’s QB suffers an injury.

We’ve seen teams take this approach before. With how often injuries can occur, and how quickly they can derail a season, there’s always the possibility that the Colts could benefit from another franchise’s downfall later on. For now, they have a backup QB with star potential, who could also help Indianapolis as Daniel Jones works his way back from a torn Achilles.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings: From the NFL’s worst starting QBs to the best

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It’s safe to say that this week’s bingo card features ESPN’s talking head Stephen A. There was no bad blood between Smith and Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown.

There is no doubt that Brown is one of the NBA’s elite players. And if the 2025-26 season were still a go, he would have silenced detractors by leading the Celtics to a 56-win season with an MVP-caliber performance while teammate Jayson Tatum missed much of the season recovering from a torn Achilles.

However, unlike Tatum, Brown has developed a reputation for honest opinions that sometimes rub fans the wrong way. One incident came shortly after the quarterfinal loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, when he claimed that this past season was the one he enjoyed the most during his 10-year career.

This comment received some blowback from Celtics and NBA fans as it came during a year when his team had blown a 3–1 lead in the opening round of the playoffs. Plus, it says a lot about the five-time All-Star that the year he was the undisputed No. 1 man on the team was his favorite. You’ll find ESPN mega-star Stephen A. on that list of confused viewers. Can add Smith.

During Wednesday Morning Edition take firstSmith took Brown to task for his comments and for being the top star on the first Celtics team to blow a 3–1 series lead in the playoffs. He suggested that his colleagues ignore Brown’s comments and ended everything by saying, “They need to shut up… unless you’re trying to do business.”

Jaylen Brown meets Stephen A. Smith asked to retire

If you “shut up” I’ll “shut up” / stop streaming and retire Let’s give the people what they want https://t.co/uRiHDyvIHo

– Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) 7 May 2026

Well, the opinion came back to Brown, and the thoughtful MVP candidate offered a response. “I’ll keep quiet.” [and] If you’re ‘cool’ then stop streaming and retire. Let’s give the people what they want,” he wrote in a response on X.

The streaming portion of Brown’s response was related to Smith’s suggestion that Tatum was on take first Instead of Brown’s podcast because he’s annoyed by his teammates’ comments about his favorite season.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

A new rumor reveals how much it would cost the Cleveland Cavaliers to make a blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, and the front office should make it happen.

After blowing a 2-0 lead and surviving the seven-game series against the Toronto Raptors, the Cavaliers will look to pick up a road win in Game 2 of their series against the Detroit Pistons tonight. Their performance against the Raptors and their 111–101 Game 1 loss has NBA analysts not confident that the Cavs will upset the No. 1 seed Pistons in this series.

That’s why there’s already speculation about what the Cavaliers will do this summer. While James Harden is enjoying his time in Cleveland, many expect him to opt out of the final year of his deal to receive a new multi-year contract from the Cavs or the highest bidder. There are also rumors that if Donovan Mitchell does not sign an extension this offseason, the team could consider trading him with one year left on his deal.

Even if Mitchell returns, this is an expensive roster that has never gone beyond the second round of the playoffs. If they don’t upset Detroit, change is coming, and it could be in the form of a trade for Milwaukee Bucks veteran Giannis Antetokounmpo. But does Cleveland have the trade chips to make a deal? It appears that they do.

Cleveland Cavaliers trade cost for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Marc Stein reports, “The Cavaliers contacted the Bucks about Giannis before the deadline and were told it would take Evan Mobley and all of Cleveland’s available draft capital to make it happen.” “It’s a business creation that Mobley’s leaders would probably scoff at, but it’s a move that no shortage of rival executives I’ve discussed it with have said they would do.”

Giving up future draft picks (perhaps more than five) for an aging great who is having trouble staying healthy is a huge risk. However, in an era where you can’t trade first-round picks in consecutive seasons and upcoming NBA lottery rules improvements, it could be worse.

If the Cavaliers hold on to Mitchell, this is now a must-win team. A healthy Antetokounmpo could easily become the winning star they seem to be lacking. The Cavs could also go away for a season, and if that doesn’t work, let both Mitchell and Antetokounmpo walk in free agency and start from scratch. Either way, they should seriously consider that trade if it’s still on the negotiating table this summer.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Trade rumors are like sunshine around this time of year; The further you go into the summer, the more there is.

The Edmonton Oilers already have a lot of decisions to make this summer. While some believe they need to find a way to send out defender Darnell Nurse, there are bigger problems that must be addressed.

One of those problems was solved by an Oilers Now radio host (employed by the team, mind you). Bob Stauffer appeared on the 100% Hockey Podcast and talked to the hosts about some of the issues burdening the team.

Bookmark the Edmonton Oilers on SportsNut so you don’t miss the latest news, rumors, opinions and more.

Oilers insider addresses the Jerry-Ingram tandem

One topic of discussion was the combination of Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram. Jarry is under contract for a few more years, while Ingram is a free agent.

“They’ve got to find a way to move forward here with Tristan Jarry,” Stouffer told hosts Darren Millard and John Shannon. “Under the assumption that he’s in Edmonton next year, he’s got to work with them, just like he had to work with (forward Trent) Fredericks, right? Like he’s got to work with those guys and get it out of them.”

“I think Jerry’s a better puck handler. He’s got a great glove hand.”

Additionally, Stauffer is unsure whether the Oilers are interested in bringing Ingram back.

Stauffer argued, “I think they have to figure that kind of thing out.” “I think Ingram gave them as much as he could, but he didn’t steal any games in the playoffs. We’ll have to see what happens with Ingram. But I think he might have to consider a move out of the organization if this trend continues.”

What do the Oilers need from an Eastern Conference team?

Stauffer suggests a trade for a goaltender prospect. That is, one who is closer to NHL-ready than the current crop of hopefuls.

Stauffer urges, “Maybe they need to target a young goaltender in an organization that has deep goaltending potential.” “They’ve got a lot of goalscoring potential themselves. But they’re years away, you know, three to four years away. There’s a club in the East that has four very good goalscorers in their system right now. So we’ll see what happens here moving forward.”

“I’m not saying anything about the team. I respect that organization for having a goaltender.”

My thoughts on goalie prospect trading

• The Detroit Red Wings are likely the team Stauffer is referring to.
• On Puckpedia, Detroit’s potential goaltenders to sign are Michal Postava, Trey Augustin, Carter Zyllander and Sebastian Cossa.
• The Red Wings have $32,791,667 in salary cap space before addressing their free agent situation.
• Postava and Augustin are contracted for at least one more season. Cossa and Zylander will become restricted free agents on July 1, 2026.
• Cossa, 23, has big size, but has fallen out of favor with the Red Wings organization. Given that his contract is expiring, Detroit may be tempted to trade him before July 1.
• Unfortunately for the Oilers, they will have to address their goaltending from multiple angles.
• If they play better defense, it will make things a lot easier on their netminders.
• The Oilers goaltenders need to improve the weaknesses in their game over the summer to become better overall players.
• If the organization trusts Jerry’s limits, they probably won’t betray him.

One way or another, it’s going to be an interesting offseason for the Oilers. Addressing their goal-related issues should be a top priority.

We’re waiting to see if they really feel the same way.

Caleb Kearney is a freelance journalist and writer who covers the Edmonton Oilers for SportsNut. Caleb Kearney Read More About Caleb Kearney

The Boston Celtics performed better than anyone expected in 2025-26. They entered this season with very low expectations as there was no guarantee that top star Jayson Tatum would suit up as he recovered from a torn Achilles suffered the previous spring. However, an MVP-caliber season from Jaylen Brown and a defense that gave up a league-leading 107.2 points per game, earning them the No. 2 seed in the East playoffs.

With Tatum returning in March and immediately looking impressive, the Celtics began the postseason as favorites to reach the NBA Finals. However, despite having a 3–1 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers, they were surprisingly eliminated in the opening round for the first time since the bubble playoffs.

His exit in the first round raises many questions on the structure of this team. Could they be finals contenders as they try to field two players with supermax contracts? Is making the playoffs every year enough? If the goal is to compete for championships, the Celtics need to make some big changes.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at five bold deals the Celtics could make this summer.

Bam Adebayo, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and first-round picks Jaylen Brown in 2028, 2030 and 2032

If the Celtics decide they need to move one of those supermax contracts, Brown will likely be the odd man out, despite being an MVP candidate. But if they ever wanted to trade him, now would be the right time as his value is as high as it will ever be.

If there’s any glaring weakness for Boston, it’s in the front court. If they trade Brown, they still have strong core talent in Tatum and Derrick White. This is why Miami Heat great Bam Adebayo could be a trade target. He will give them both a defensive force on the front line and a good scorer who will help make up for the points left due to losing the Browns.

A deal that sends Adebayo, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and two future first-round picks should get a deal done.

Jaylen Brown, Malik Monk, two first picks, including lottery selection in June, for Domantas Sabonis

Another potential target to strengthen the front court could be three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis. While the Sacramento Kings star isn’t a defensive force, he is an elite rebounder and can stretch the floor just like Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.

To put the money to work, the Celtics would need to pick up the two years and $41 million remaining on Malik Monk’s contract. But if they get two first-rounders back in the deal, including the Kings’ lottery pick in June, that’s fine. The biggest issue is that Sacramento will have to find a trade for Zach LaVine and/or DeMar DeRozan after a deal is made.

Derrick White for Jakob Poeltl and Grady Dick

The Celtics don’t need to trade Brown to be better in 2026-27. However, this would mean they would have to move on from fan-favorite defensive player Derrick White. A potential trade could see the two-time All-Defensive Team honoree sent to the Toronto Raptors for centers Jakob Poeltl and Grady Dick.

While it’s not a sexy trade on the surface, Poeltl is a rock-solid and strong anchor in the front court that does everything you need to stabilize that position. As for Dick, he could be a potential steal who could be an impact player in Joe Mazzulla’s three-point-heavy attack.

Jaylen Brown for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Since Brown had such an impressive season, another option would be a swap for Milwaukee Bucks great Giannis Antetokounmpo. While the Greek icon has more accolades, Brown is a few years younger and far healthier than the 10-time All-Star has been in recent years. If necessary, the Celtics can add a future first-rounder, but they shouldn’t add more than that.

The Bucks will get to build a new star in his prime, while the Celtics can experiment with the combo of Antetokounmpo and Tatum for a season. If that doesn’t work out, they free up a ton of cap space after next season if he opts out in search of a new long-term deal.

Jaylen Brown for Alpern Sengun, Fred VanVleet and two first-round picks

An interesting young star who could be on the trade block this summer, and who addresses the Celtics’ frontcourt needs, is Houston Rockets two-time All-Star Alpern Sengun. While he has been questioned for his play consistently and early in the playoffs, he is still only 23 and has excelled in Ime Udoka’s defense-first system.

Houston would be interested in a championship by pairing Jaylen Brown with Kevin Durant in 2026-27. But Sengun and Tatum have plenty of long-term potential. Additionally, to make the money work, the Celtics would get veteran guard Fred VanVleet (if he opts into the final year of his deal) and two future first-round picks.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

As the 2026 NHL offseason approaches, and with good reason, Jason Robertson is starting to circulate in early trade discussions. When a top-tier winger potentially becomes available with his scoring ability, it immediately reshapes the market and forces contenders to take notice.

Not every team can realistically land Robertson, but some are a logical fit based on cap space, roster needs and competitive deadlines. Here are five destinations that would really make sense if the Dallas Stars decide to seriously explore the idea of ​​trading Robertson this offseason!

chicago blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks would be a great landing spot for Robertson. Chicago has the most cap space in the NHL thanks to signing both Robertson and rising star Connor Bedard to long-term contract extensions. The Blackhawks have the assets to inherit a big contract in Dallas and the Caps; However, that will depend on whether Robertson wants to play in Chicago.

carolina storm

The Carolina Hurricanes are a Stanley Cup-level organization in 2026, and Robertson will take them to an even higher level. Carolina may not have the cap space of other organizations, but it has placed an emphasis on star players in the past. Robertson may not completely command his next spot as a restricted free agent, but he would be a great addition to the Hurricanes’ top six.

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are rebuilding, and Robertson would be a great way to start it this summer. With plenty of cap space, New York will be in the market for a big-game player, and the 26-year-old forward’s 40-plus goals will count. If Dallas decides Robertson won’t be a long-term fit, expect the Rangers to be in the mix.

pittsburgh penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins have plenty of cap space from their Stanley Cup playoff run, and Robertson would be an excellent acquisition. Pittsburgh has an old roster with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, so Robertson will help the Penguins chase the Stanley Cup while building a future. There will be a lot of pressure to be “the guy” after Crosby, but Robertson would fit the mold.

detroit red wings

The Detroit Red Wings need to take a big swing, and Robertson would be the perfect answer. Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman acknowledged that better players are needed to make the Stanley Cup playoffs, and that he has the potential to do so. It looks like the Red Wings are ready to acquire a star, and Jason Robertson would be one of the best options during the NHL offseason.

READ MORE: NHL insider makes bold prediction on Quinn Hughes extension with Minnesota Wild

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The Dallas Cowboys recently concluded a controversial 2026 NFL Draft class that included two first-round selections and seven overall selections. They were also dealing with some drama arising from George Pinkens’ contract situation.

While Pickens recently signed his franchise tag tender, ensuring a salary of $27.3 million for the 2026 season, there were several different scenarios in play. The Cowboys were reportedly unwilling to discuss a long-term contract extension, which meant the only outcome for Pickens was to either sign the one-year franchise tag, sit out the season, or be traded to a different team.

Still, would the Cowboys really trade a superstar for the second year in a row just because they couldn’t agree on contract value? A trade may be more realistic than many people expect.

According to ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, Pickens recently considered a trade from the Cowboys and even evaluated what his potential options would be with another team. Nevertheless, after a brief period of Pickens assessing his trade and/or contract value market, his camp decided he would be better off signing the tag and remaining with the Cowboys for the upcoming campaign.

Chances are, Pickens will play the season on the franchise tag. Of course, if the Cowboys somehow fall flat early in the season, more drama could develop, leading to even more trade speculation.

Still, the best outcome for Pickens might be to forget about all this contract drama and hope he ends up as a Pro Bowl selection for the second consecutive season. At that point, the Cowboys or any other team will have no choice but to pay him top dollar.

RELATED: NFL executive on Dallas Cowboys draft pick: ‘He won’t have a long career’

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In the months leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, many analysts thought there was a chance that the Carolina Panthers could draft a wide receiver in the first round for the third consecutive year. Heck, even Panthers general manager Dan Morgan admitted the team was set to select a pass-catcher first.

Ultimately, the Panthers did not select a receiver at No. 19, instead choosing Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling. However, the Panthers returned to the receiver position with their third pick, taking Tennessee tight end Chris Brazell with the 83rd overall selection in the third round. Brazell is expected to get playing time as a rookie, leading to the departure of another recent top player in Carolina.

recently, athleticJoseph Persson suggested that Xavier Leggett could emerge as a “potential trade candidate” this fall.

The Panthers made Leggett the 32nd overall pick of the first round in the 2024 NFL Draft. He started 13 of his 16 appearances as a rookie, recording 49 receptions on 84 targets for 497 yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, he was not able to increase those numbers in Year 2. Leggett started 12 of his 15 appearances, recording 35 receptions on 64 targets for 363 yards and three touchdowns.

Now heading into the third season of a four-year contract that can extend to a fifth season with a team option, Leggett risks falling behind on the depth chart in Carolina. Tate McMillan is top dog. Last year’s undrafted signee Jalen Coker recorded more yards despite playing in four fewer games and seeing 21 fewer targets. Additionally, the Panthers have now added Brazell.

In other words, the Panthers are likely ready to deal Leggett, who is just 25 years old. He should be able to get a third-day draft pick, but are the Panthers willing to give him up for such a low return? If Leggett doesn’t show development in the team’s minicamp, he may very well be gone.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating the worst, best teams after the NFL Draft

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Now that the dust is settling on the 2026 NFL Draft class, the San Francisco 49ers’ roster is starting to come into focus. For a team that fell out of the first round, the 49ers have taken a lot of heat for their eight-man draft class. Still, when general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan put together the team’s final 53-man roster, there could be tough decisions to be made with some of those selections.

One of the players drafted by the 49ers was Indiana running back Kellon Black in the third round with the 90th overall pick. Could his arrival herald the departure of another recent 49ers draft pick?

recently, athletic49ers insider Vic Tafur suggested that running back Isaac Guerredo “looks like he’s buried (on the depth chart) and will look for a new team.” Tafur doesn’t suggest the 49ers will trade Guerrando, but we’d imagine a respectable offer would get a deal done.

The 49ers selected Guerredo in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 129th overall selection. He started three games as a rookie and participated in 16 overall, recording 420 yards and four touchdowns on 84 attempts. But last year, he appeared in 14 games and didn’t get any carries. As Tafur said, he’s been buried, and Black’s arrival won’t make Guerando’s life in the RB room any easier.

The 49ers have starter Christian McCaffrey and backups Jordan James, Black, Guerando, Patrick Taylor Jr. and Sean McCormick. While McCaffrey is the team’s workhorse, the 49ers are looking for another back who can relieve their All-Pro weapons, and they may be ready to admit that Guerando isn’t the solution they were looking for.

RELATED: San Francisco 49ers linked to Pro Bowl pass rusher

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Recent reports are clearing the way for a monster trade that has Kevin Durant returning to the Golden State Warriors and Jimmy Butler returning to the Houston Rockets.

On Friday night, the Rockets saw their promising season come to a very disappointing end with a Game 6 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs. What made their elimination more troubling is that they could not beat a Lakers team that was without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for most of the series.

Still, this shouldn’t come as a complete shock. Something was going wrong with the Rockets team for several months. And it seemed like it all started with All-Star Weekend drama amid speculation that Durant had a Burner X account where he mocked his Houston teammates.

Most believed it was a foolish situation that would be quickly forgotten in the locker room. However, a new report from The Athletic’s William Guillory and Sam Amick adds to the debate that the All-Star Game allegations were a problem in the locker room and worsened because they were never formally addressed by the future Hall of Famer.

“Multiple league sources with close ties to Rockets players indicated that the social media situation was a significant distraction that was never resolved internally,” the report reveals. “…Privately, league sources said [Durant’s] The teammates agreed to keep the matter at home while they focused on basketball. It is unclear whether Durant ever made it clear to his associates whether the account was his or not.

Should the Houston Rockets consider trading Kevin Durant this summer?

All of this begs the question: Should the Rockets trade Durant this summer because he seems like a bad mix on a team that was on a massive upward trend before he arrived a year ago? The Guillory and Amick report provides reasons why this is unlikely. They gave him a waiver on the extension and opted to come to Houston. Plus, when Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams suffered season-ending injuries, the Rockets probably always had a ceiling.

Still, there have been major body language problems with this group for several months, and they’ve never come close to reaching the potential expected by most basketball pundits. Before things get worse, it may be wise to seek divorce instead of withdrawing. But where could the Rockets send Durant, and what could they get back?

Why trading Jimmy Butler for Kevin Durant makes sense

The danger in moving Durant is that Houston gave up a lot to get him. Can they really get the same value to chase the title in 2026-27? This limits the options significantly, but leaves an interesting idea. Trading Durant to the Warriors for Jimmy Butler.

It’s well established that the Warriors are eager to reunite with Durant after the 16-time All-Star helped lead them to three consecutive Finals trips – two wins – during his three seasons in California. The team has been searching for a superstar for the last two years and bringing back the devil they know, not the devil they don’t know.

Plus, while Butler was good in Golden State, we know for a fact that Durant is a better fit there. Especially if coach Steve Kerr returns next season. Additionally, a case can be made that Butler would be a better fit in Houston under Ime Udoka. A defensive-minded coach like Erik Spoelstra and Butler were fantastic with him in Miami.

The biggest issue is that the soon-to-be 37-year-old is trying to bounce back from a torn ACL. It would be understandable if the Rockets weren’t interested in two veterans potentially coming off ACL tears (VanVleet) next season. But matching the money in a trade in a Durant for Butler swap is far easier than most potential deals.

If Golden State is willing to give up a future first-round pick to sweeten the pot, it would be an offer Houston should seriously consider. A lineup of Kristaps Porzingis, Draymond Green, Durant, Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski, and Alpern Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Butler, Amen Thompson and VanVleet looks very good for the Warriors.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Detroit Red Wings need to make a big splash during the 2026 NHL offseason. Following the 2025–26 NHL season, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman stated that the organization needed better players to make the Stanley Cup playoffs. Now, a prominent NHL insider is throwing more gas on the fire for Detroit.

If the Red Wings don’t make a big trade or move this summer, people will be “surprised,” as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports on the 32 Thoughts Podcast. This has been one of the most talked about aspects of Detroit’s offseason and all signs point towards a trade or signing for an elite offensive forward.

Who could the Detroit Red Wings trade for during the 2026 offseason?

The Red Wings are expected to make a major trade during the 2026 NHL offseason and top six forwards should be the first priority. Yzerman said there were issues with five-on-five play and goal scoring during the 2025–26 NHL season, so a physical, high-profile offensive player would be the best fit. There are some names which are different from the rest.

If Detroit is looking to land a big move, they should try to acquire Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk or Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews. These may be hypotheticals, but if any of these guys are actually involved in trade rumors this summer, the organization should run. If not, Detroit has other options it can consider in the trade market.

Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson would be a perfect fit. Robertson is an incredible offensive player, currently having 49 goals between the regular season and playoffs. The situation in Dallas is tough and the star forward is due to get a new contract after the season.

The Stars will have Robertson’s rights as a restricted free agent, so it would be wise to extract value if the organization doesn’t have room for him long-term. The Red Wings have the space and assets to do that and Robertson would be a great addition.

If not, there are other players still on the market, like Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson and St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas. While neither of them are at the same height as Tkachuk, Matthews or Robertson, they would provide a much-needed boost to Detroit’s offense.

The NHL would be surprised if the Red Wings fail to make a blockbuster move, so that should give them a reason to feel that way.

READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings rumors – Olympic goaltender linked in trade talks

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

The New York Giants surprised the world when they made Ohio State linebacker Arvel Reese the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. While Reese is a linebacker first, many projected him to become primarily a pass-rusher at the next level. Thus, many assumed that the Giants would try to trade the team’s third pass-rusher, Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Still, this may not happen. However, that doesn’t mean Giants general manager Joe Schoen didn’t try during draft weekend.

according to athleticAccording to Dan Duggan, the Giants actually made a field trade call about Thibodaux on draft weekend. But they were reportedly asking for a second-round pick in exchange for the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Thibodeaux is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Chances are, he’ll be looking for a bigger playing opportunity once he hits the open market next season. Perhaps the Giants will revisit trade talks before the 2026 season trade deadline passes, but for now, they prefer the possibility of receiving a compensatory pick if Thibodaux departs as a free agent.

RELATED: New York Giants target Dexter Lawrence replacement early in NFL Draft

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Now that the 2026 NFL Draft is over, the Dallas Cowboys can turn their attention to other areas. In their case, that might mean figuring out what to do with George Pickens. The team has placed the franchise tag on its other Pro Bowl wide receiver, but despite previous reports, the 25-year-old has not signed it yet.

That means anything could still happen, from the Cowboys pulling the $27.2 million franchise tag, re-signing him to a long-term contract, or possibly even a trade. If it were up to Pickens, he would prefer either a long-term contract or even a trade to Dallas rather than playing under the one-year franchise tag.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Pickens has now told the Cowboys that he either “wants a long-term contract, or he wants a trade.”

Schefter says Pickens’ agent also tried reaching out to other teams to gauge their trade interest in the star receiver, but “got nothing.” Meanwhile, the Cowboys remained “adamant” that they would not trade Pickens despite having no intention of signing him to a long-term deal this offseason.

It feels like the Micah Parsons situation is evolving again in Dallas. According to Schefter, Pickens is “more tradeable than Parsons” because the Cowboys are not ready to negotiate a long-term contract with the receiver yet.

Now that the NFL Draft is over, perhaps teams will reevaluate Pickens’ potential availability. Will someone come up with an offer too good to refuse?

RELATED: Nick Saban believes Dallas Cowboys overreached with first-round pick

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It appears that the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles are destined to end up trading AJ Brown. New England is likely to acquire Brown after June 1, after Philadelphia traded up in the 2026 NFL Draft to select wide receiver Makai Lemon. In fact, an NFL insider has revealed a major update on a potential trade package.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes the Patriots will send a future first-round pick to Brown, as did Insider on the Pat McAfee Show. Schefter projected it would be a 2028 first-round pick, meaning the Patriots will keep their first-round pick for a stacked 2027 NFL Draft class.

New England Patriots’ potential trade package for AJ Brown

It would be shocking if the Patriots and Eagles don’t make a deal for Brown. Philadelphia has loaded up on wide receivers while New England has the only additional member in the room in Romeo Doubs. While Dobbs projects to play a key role in the Patriots’ offense, the team did not add a wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft. So, what might a trade package look like now?

The Patriots could send a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick to acquire Brown. While wide receiver Keyshawn Boutte has been a popular add to trade packages, the Eagles don’t need to replace a superstar receiver. Instead, both organizations can focus on draft capital.

This may not be the exact package Philadelphia gets, as any third- or fourth-round selection between 2027 and 2028 would make sense. However, if the Patriots send a 2028 first-round pick, it makes the rest of the trade package easier. After all, Brown is worth a first-round pick and the 2028 NFL Draft is two years away.

If New England ultimately voids the deal, Brown will join Dobbs, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins, Demario Douglas and Elton Chism in the wide receiver room. This is a big upgrade heading into the 2025-26 NFL season, as Stefon Diggs took over as the Patriots’ WR1. In this scenario, Diggs would be the replacement as the WR2 behind Brown in New England.

The Patriots and Eagles will likely have to wait another month, but a Browns trade should come closer.

READ MORE: New England Patriots trade rumors: NFL officials expected to transfer AJ Brown

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky