The Dodgers are balancing Shohei Ohtani’s pitching and hitting in camp this year for the first time. Last season, he was recovering from a serious elbow injury as a pitcher and this time around, he’s getting ready to return to the mound while also juggling his return to the plate after offseason shoulder surgery.
For now, the Dodgers have decided to slow down his pitching rehab while he picks things up as a hitter.
“We just felt that to intensify the bullpens alongside of the intensity of the games (as DH) wasn’t smart,” manager Dave Roberts said (via OC Register). “So we just wanted to kind of slow-play it.”
Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki shows off elite velocity, swing-and-miss splitter in spring debut vs. Reds R.J. Anderson Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki shows off elite velocity, swing-and-miss splitter in spring debut vs. Reds The plan is to have Ohtani in the starting lineup from the get-go. The Dodgers open sooner than 28 other teams this year, as they start with a two-game series in Tokyo on March 18-19. To reiterate, the expectation is Ohtani will serve as the Dodgers’ designated hitter in both of those games.
As far as returning to the mound? That’s murkier. Ohtani last threw off a mound Feb. 25, per reports. Roberts told reporters that sometime in May is a reasonable guess, but also said, “we just don’t know.”
“I just feel, and we all feel, just trying to make it a broad time to return” without “any kind of expectation,” Roberts said (OC Register).
Ohtani won his third MVP last season when he hit .310/.390/.646 (190 OPS+) with 38 doubles, seven triples, 54 homers, 130 RBI, 134 runs, 59 stolen bases and 9.2 WAR for the World Series champion Dodgers. He last pitched in 2023 and for the Angels that season he was 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA (142 ERA+), 1.06 WHIP and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings.
The Athletics have agreed to terms with breakout star outfielder Lawrence Butler on a seven-year, $65.5 million contract extension with a club option, ESPN reports.
The 24-year-old Butler, a former sixth-round draft pick out of a Georgia high school, is coming off a breakout sophomore season in 2024. In 125 games last season, Butler slashed .262/.317/.490 (131 OPS+) with 22 home runs and 18 stolen bases in as many attempts. Butler endured a rough start to 2024 and was hit with a demotion to Triple-A. After his return in mid-June, however, he slashed .291/.330/.565 with 20 home runs the rest of the way. For his career in the bigs, Butler has an OPS+ of 115 across parts of two seasons.
Athletics hire ex-Raiders executive Marc Badain as new president for ‘pivotal moment’ as team plots Vegas move Mike Axisa Athletics hire ex-Raiders executive Marc Badain as new president for ‘pivotal moment’ as team plots Vegas move Butler will enter the 2025 season with a bit more than a full year of MLB service time. That put him on track for free agency after the 2029 season. Assuming the club option in this extension is exercised, however, Butler’s free agency will now be pushed back until the offseason of 2032-33.
The Butler extension caps what’s been an active winter for the Athletics, at least by their recent standards. In addition to signing Luis Severino and trading for Jeffrey Springs to stabilize the rotation, the A’s also signed slugger Brent Rooker to a three-year extension. The payroll increases were likely engineered to stave off a possible MLBPA grievance over the franchise’s use of revenue-sharing funds.
Butler achieves his future certainty as the A’s lose theirs. After abandoning the Oakland market, the A’s will play in Sacramento’s Triple-A ballpark until their proposed relocation to Las Vegas is finalized — assuming such a relocation ever comes to pass.
Spring training is underway and Major League Baseball’s 2025 regular season is fast approaching. As such, it is never too early to keep tabs on each team’s Opening Day starter. These announcements come in throughout spring training and sometimes before camp even opens.
With that in mind, here is our living document chronicling every team’s Opening Day starter situation. These announcements are tentative because sometimes things change due to injury, so check back regularly for updates. We’ll have everything you need to know about Opening Day starters right here.
Before we get to the good stuff, here is the all-time Opening Day start leaderboard:
Tom Seaver: 16 Steve Carlton: 14 Jack Morris: 14 Randy Johnson: 14 Walter Johnson: 14 While it’s true that Opening Day counts for only one game in the standings, it’s still an honor to be tabbed as the starting pitcher for that day. With that in mind, here’s who’s getting the ball in Game 1 around the league.
Arizona Diamondbacks: TBA Zac Gallen has started the last two Opening Days for the D-backs, though it seems likely the nod will go to Corbin Burnes, the 2021 NL Cy Young winner and recipient of a $210 million contract this offseason. If it is Burnes, it would be his fourth straight Opening Day start, following 2022-23 with the Brewers and 2024 with the Orioles. The D-backs will host the Cubs to begin 2025.
(Sacramento) Athletics: TBA The A’s have used six different Opening Day starters in the last seven years and this year will make it seven in eight years. The smart money is on Luis Severino getting the ball after signing a three-year, $67 million contract that is the largest in franchise history. The A’s will begin the season on the road against the Mariners. Their first home game in Sacramento will be Monday, March 31, against the Cubs.
Atlanta Braves: TBA It will be a surprise if it’s anyone but reigning NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale. Sale has made five career Opening Day starts between the White Sox (2013-14, 2016) and Red Sox (2018-19). Last year he threw 177 ⅔ innings with an MLB-leading 2.38 ERA. He struck out an NL-best 225 batters. The Braves will open 2025 on the road against the Padres. Spencer Strider, who is coming off UCL surgery, started Opening Day for Atlanta in 2025.
Baltimore Orioles: TBA With Corbin Burnes leaving as a free agent and no big-name starter imported to replace him, Zach Eflin seems likely to get the Opening Day start for the O’s. Acquired from the Rays at least summer’s deadline, Eflin had a 2.60 ERA in 55 ⅓ innings for the Orioles. He was Tampa’s Opening Day starter last year. The O’s will be in Toronto to face the Blue Jays on Opening Day.
Boston Red Sox: TBA Brayan Bello started Opening Day for the BoSox last season, though offseason trade pickup Garrett Crochet figures to get the call here. Crochet had a terrific first year as a big league starter, striking out 209 batters with a 3.58 ERA in 146 innings. That earned him a spot in the All-Star Game. The Red Sox will begin the regular season in Texas against the Rangers.
Chicago Cubs: Shota Imanaga Imanaga will indeed get the nod in his home country when the Cubbies begin the new season with two games against the Dodgers in Tokyo from March 18-19. The team announced it Feb. 18. Imanaga threw 173 ⅓ innings with a 2.91 ERA in 2024, and finished fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting and fifth in the Cy Young voting. He’ll be be Chicago’s fourth different Opening Day starter in four years, and this will represent his first Opening Day start in just his second season in MLB.
Chicago White Sox: TBA Garrett Crochet, last year’s Opening Day starter and breakout player, was traded over the winter. The Opening Day assignment could fall to veteran Martín Pérez, who is entering his 14th big-league season. It would be his first Opening Day start. The ChiSox will host the Angels on Opening Day as they look to improve upon last year’s historic 121-loss season.
Cincinnati Reds: Hunter Greene Although Nick Martinez had a terrific 2024, young ace Hunter Greene will get the Opening Day nod after finishing eighth in the NL Cy Young voting a year ago. He started the season opener for Cincinnati in 2023. Frankie Montas, now with the Mets, was their Opening Day starter in 2024. The Reds will take on the Giants at home to begin the new season. The 25-year-old Greene last season had a 2.75 ERA in 26 starts. His 6.3 WAR led all NL pitchers.
Cleveland Guardians: TBA Shane Bieber has started the last five Opening Days for Cleveland, and although he re-signed with the club this offseason, he won’t make a sixth straight as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery. Tanner Bibee, the club’s best pitcher last year and their No. 1 starter in the postseason, is the obvious candidate to start Game 1 in Bieber’s place. The Guardians will be in Kansas City to play the Royals on Opening Day.
Colorado Rockies: TBA Kyle Freeland and Germán Márquez have combined to start the last six Opening Days for Colorado (three apiece). Márquez returned from Tommy John surgery last July and made just one start before elbow inflammation sent him back to the injured list. It’s a good bet either he or Freeland will start Opening Day again in 2025. The Rockies will visit the Rays to begin the new season. That will be the first MLB regular-season game played in George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa’s home for 2025.
Detroit Tigers: Tarik Skubal It was only a matter of time until manager A.J. Hinch made it official and named the reigning AL Cy Young winner the club’s Opening Day starter. He did so on Feb. 26, calling it “the easiest decision a manager has to make.” Skubal started Opening Day last season, then followed that up by throwing 192 innings with a 2.39 ERA and an MLB-leading 228 strikeouts en route to earning the league’s top pitching honors. The Tigers and Skubal will be in Los Angeles to face the Dodgers on Opening Day.
Houston Astros: TBA Barring a surprise, Framber Valdez will make his fourth straight Opening Day start for the Astros. He will be the first pitcher to start four consecutive season-openers for Houston since Roy Oswalt made eight straight from 2003-10. Valdez had a 2.91 ERA in 176 ⅓ innings in 2024. He will be a free agent after the 2025 season. The Astros will begin the new season at home against the Mets.
Kansas City Royals: TBA Kansas City has two excellent Opening Day starter candidates in Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans. Lugo finished second in the AL Cy Young last year. Ragans finished fourth in the voting, and started Opening Day last season. Being the incumbent could give Ragans the edge here. Either way, the Royals are in good hands. The Royals will host the AL Central-rival Guardians on Opening Day.
Los Angeles Angels: Yusei Kikuchi You don’t give Kikuchi three years and $63 million and then not start him on Opening Day, right? Not according to manager Ron Washington, who called it an “obvious” choice when he announced the decision on Feb. 20. The Angels will be on Chicago’s South Side to take on the White Sox on Opening Day. Kikuchi threw 175 2/3 innings with a 4.05 ERA for the Blue Jays and Astros last season.
Los Angeles Dodgers: TBA The Dodgers had no shortage of Opening Day worthy starters. Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, may have had a leg up under normal circumstances. But, since the Dodgers will open the season with two games against the Cubs in Tokyo (March 18-19), they are expected to go with Yamamoto. Newcomer and fellow Japanese native Roki Sasaki is a candidate to start the second game of that series.
Miami Marlins: Sandy Alcantara With his Tommy John surgery rehab complete, Alcantara, the 2022 NL Cy Young winner was the odds-on favorite to start the first game of the new season for the stripped-down Marlins, and he got the gig on Feb. 13. He started Opening Day four straight years from 2020-23 and will now start a new streak in 2025. Alcantara had a 4.14 ERA in 184 ⅔ innings in 2023, his last healthy season. He did not pitch at all in 2024. The Marlins will host the Pirates on Opening Day.
Milwaukee Brewers: Freddy Peralta It will be Peralta for the second straight year, he confirmed to MLB.com on Feb. 13. “I was in the hallway yesterday, coming back from working out, and (manager Pat Murphy) just told me,” Peralta said. He started Opening Day last season and was the Game 1 starter in the postseason for the defending NL Central champs. Peralta had a 3.68 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 173 ⅔ innings in 2024. The Brewers will be in New York to play the Yankees on Opening Day.
Minnesota Twins: Pablo López On Jan. 22, Rocco Baldelli became the first manager to announce his Opening Day starter. He confirmed it will be López for the third consecutive season on the Inside Twins radio show (via the Star Tribune). López has a 3.87 ERA with 432 strikeouts in 379 ⅓ innings in two years with the Twins since coming over in the Luis Arraez trade with the Marlins. He will be the first Twins pitcher to make three consecutive Opening Day starts since Brad Radke made seven straight from 1999-2005. The Twins will begin the new season on the road against the Cardinals.
New York Mets: TBA The Mets have had four different Opening Day starters in the last four years and it will become five in five in 2025. Sean Manaea, who returned to the team on a three-year contract worth $75 million, was the most logical choice prior to the oblique injury that will cause him to miss the start of the season. Kodai Senga may get the nod instead. Jose Quintana started the season opener for the Mets last year. Juan Soto and the Mets will be in Houston to play the Astros on Opening Day.
New York Yankees: TBA Barring injury, Gerrit Cole will make his fifth Opening Day start for the Yankees. He of course got hurt last spring, which sent the Yankees scrambling. Nestor Cortes would up starting the season opener instead. Cole, the 2023 AL Cy Young winner, had a 3.41 ERA with 99 strikeouts in 95 innings after returning from his elbow injury in June. The Yankee will host the Brewers to begin the new season.
Philadelphia Phillies: Zack Wheeler Aaron Nola’s run of six straight Opening Day starts came to an end last season, when Wheeler was given the ball in Game 1. He’ll take it again this year. Wheeler is entering for the first year of his three-year, $126 million extension. He was the NL Cy Young runner-up last year thanks to a 2.57 ERA and 224 strikeouts in 200 innings. The Phillies will be on the road to face the Nationals on Opening Day.
Pittsburgh Pirates: TBA Mitch Keller has started the last two Opening Days for the Pirates, but it has to be Paul Skenes this season, right? Right. The No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft was named NL Rookie of the Year last year, and he finished third in the NL Cy Young voting. He arrived in May and threw 133 innings with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts. Skenes and the Pirates will be in Miami to take on the Marlins on Opening Day.
St. Louis Cardinals: TBA Sonny Gray was announced as the club’s Opening Day starter last year, then a hamstring injury during spring training forced the Cardinals to pivot to Miles Mikolas. As long as Gray makes it through camp healthy, he figures to be the pick again this year. Gray has made three career Opening Day starts with the Athletics (2014-15) and Reds (2020). St. Louis will face the Twins, one of Gray’s former teams, in the season opener.
San Diego Padres: TBA Yu Darvish has started three of the last four Opening Days for San Diego, though it seems likely he will cede the honor to Dylan Cease or Michael King. Cease is a trade candidate, however, and King was the Padres’ No. 1 starter last October. Things are a bit up in the air for the Padres right now. They will host the Braves on Opening Day.
San Francisco Giants: Logan Webb With all due respect to future Hall of Famer and new Giant Justin Verlander, there was never any reason to think it would be anyone but Webb on Opening Day. It was made official on Feb. 21. This will be Webb’s fourth straight Opening Day start. He finished sixth in the NL Cy Young voting last season after pitching to a 3.47 ERA in an NL-leading 204 2/3 innings in 2024. The Giants will be on the road to take on the Reds in Game 1 of the new season.
Seattle Mariners: TBA Luis Castillo has started the last two season openers for Seattle, though Logan Gilbert and George Kirby are both more than worthy of the Opening Day assignment. If it is Castillo, it would be his fifth career Game 1 start (also 2019 and 2021 Reds, and 2023-24 Mariners). The Mariners will open the 2025 regular season at home against the A’s.
Tampa Bay Rays: Shane McClanahan The Rays will add a big arm to their rotation this year when McClanahan returns from Tommy John surgery. His arrival will get started immediately, as he’s been handed his third career Opening Day start (also 2022-23). McClanahan had a 3.29 ERA with 121 strikeouts in 115 innings in 2023, his last healthy season.The Rays will host the Rockies at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Opening Day.
Texas Rangers: TBA Incredibly, the Rangers have not had a pitcher start consecutive Opening Days since Kevin Millwood started four straight from 2006-09. That could change this year if Nathan Eovaldi, last year’s Game 1 starter, gets the ball. He rejoined Texas on a three-year, $75 million contract this offseason. Of course, Jacob deGrom returned from Tommy John surgery late last year, and the two-time Cy Young winner is a fine Opening Day option as well. The Rangers will take on the Red Sox at home on Opening Day.
Toronto Blue Jays: TBA The Blue Jays could start José Berríos or Kevin Gausman on Opening Day, and neither would be out of place. Berríos started Opening Day for Toronto in 2022 and 2024. Gausman has made two career Opening Day starts (2017 Orioles and 2021 Giants). The Blue Jays will host the Orioles on Opening Day.
Washington Nationals: TBA Last year was the first time since Livan Hernandez in 2011 that someone other than Patrick Corbin, Max Scherzer, or Stephen Strasburg started Opening Day for the Nationals. Josiah Gray got the Game 1 start last season, and he’s currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. MacKenzie Gore is the top option here. The Nationals will begin the new season at home against the Phillies.
The Dallas Mavericks could be looking to make some upgrades to bring a second championship to the organization.
The Mavericks could ‘act on trade rumors’ surrounding a Los Angeles Lakers’ $101 million superstar or acquire a Miami Heat All-Star who might be looking for a fresh start. If neither come to the Mavs, then another All-Star who went to high school in the Dallas area could be a nice fit with the team.
Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers could be an ideal acquisition. He could be the glue that helps keep things flowing on both sides of the floor for the Mavericks.
The two-time All-Star forward signed a supermax contract with the Pacers this offseason after getting traded by the Toronto Raptors last January.
The Pacers have been struggling to live up to expectations after a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals a season ago.
They are 18th in net rating and seem to have lost the chemistry they had from last season.
Indiana could look to tinker with their roster around Tyrese Haliburton and use this as a golden opportunity to get out of Siakam’s contract before he hits his mid-30s.
Dallas could send Maxi Kleber, P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, and a 2025 first-round draft pick for Siakam.
Though Dallas is reluctant to part with one of Luka Doncic’s preferred lob targets, Dereck Lively II could be ready to take on a bigger workload, which would reduce Gafford’s role.
Siakam could help run Dallas’ offense with his playmaking skills and set Doncic and Kyrie Irving up with great looks. He could also take matters into his own hands and take on defenders of all sizes 1-on-1.
Siakam can also guard all positions, helping plug up many gaps in the defense both on the perimeter and in the paint.
The New York Knicks are soaring following an abnormally slow start to the 2024-25 campaign.
Still, the franchise should consider adjusting their disappointing frontcourt before it’s too late.
“New York Knicks center Jericho Sims hasn’t seen much action this season, and some around the league reportedly believe he could be available before the Feb. 6 trade deadline,” Bleacher Report’s Doric Sam wrote Thursday.
“According to NBA insider Marc Stein, sources said Sims “has played fleeting minutes of late in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation, leading the former Texas center to be considered a trade candidate to monitor by rival executives.”
“The Knicks don’t have much depth behind star center Karl-Anthony Towns, as Mitchell Robinson remains sidelined while recovering from offseason ankle surgery.”
“Stein noted that the team “has already gauged Robinson’s trade value dating back to this time last season.”
“Sims has played in 24 out of New York’s 26 games with two starts and he’s averaging 12.5 minutes per game along with 1.8 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 70.4% from the field.”
“After entering the NBA as a second-round pick in the 2021 NBA draft, the only time the fourth-year center has averaged over 15 minutes a game in his career was the 2022-23 season.”
On Tuesday, the idea of the Knicks also parting with Precious Achiwua came into play.
“Achiuwa signed a contract that doesn’t make him trade-eligible until January. But that’s also when the Knicks can expect Mitchell Robinson to return,” The Athletic’s Law Murray wrote.
“Putting Achiuwa and (Mitchell) Robinson on the floor together would be malpractice, so Achiuwa should be expendable with the Knicks needing another playable wing, preferably with more skill than what Achiuwa presents.”
While Sims is a springy 6-foot-10 forward who plays well above the rim, his discouraging low-post skills have resulted in limited playing time.
The Texas product averages less than 15 minutes of action with the Knicks this season.
Achiuwa recently returned to the hardwood after suffering a hamstring injury during the preseason. However, the Knicks may include the 6-foot-8 big man in a trade package for a game-changing asset.
Time will tell if the organization moves on from the unsatisfactory frontcourt duo this season.
Following an embarrassing 51-point loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, the Golden State Warriors may complete a blockbuster trade sooner than expected.
Acquiring a Miami Heat superstar would help the franchise improve on both ends of the floor.
(Jimmy) Butler’s $48.8 million contract makes it incredibly difficult for the Warriors to execute a trade, though their recent poor form does have many clamouring for significant change,” Blue Man Hoop’s Peter O’Keefe wrote Friday.
“Golden State would have to send out at least four players, and their place just below the first tax apron also complicates matters significantly.”
“ESPN’s Kevin Pelton had a crack on trying to manufacture a Butler-to-Golden State trade on Thursday, coming up with the below deal that also involved the Detroit Pistons.”
“A couple of key aspects to point out here as part of this proposed trade. Golden State would be taking back nearly $4 million less in the trade, money they would need to then go out and sign an additional three players to sufficiently fill out the roster.”
“One of those players would have to be a center as trading (Kevin) Looney leaves them incredibly depleted in that area. Alternatively they could trade for one, potentially using Jonathan Kuminga given it would be unlikely that the Warriors re-sign both he and Butler to huge contracts come the offseason.”
“As for the trade itself, it’s one Golden State may be desperate enough to swing for given their recent struggles.”
“(Andrew) Wiggins has been one of the few shining lights for them though, meaning they’ll certainly wrestle with the idea of trading him, draft assets and additional rotation players for a 35-year-old Butler.”
“Perhaps it’s not a trade the Warriors would pull the trigger on tomorrow, but it is one that will come further into calculations if their slide continues and they put up more performances like that of Thursday against the Grizzlies.”
The Heat are unquestionably underachieving this season, but Butler has performed well in South Beach in Year 14.
The 6-foot-7 two-way mastermind averages 19.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest on 55.2% field goal shooting and 35.7% three-point shooting.
Butler finished Miami’s Monday night contest against the Detroit Pistons with 35 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, and four steals, showcasing his ability to dominate when he chooses.
While Wiggins’ career has elevated with the Warriors, Golden State’s ceiling would skyrocket with Butler on the roster.
The Sacramento Kings need to get back to playing winning basketball, and fast.
Sacramento was poised for contention after acquiring DeMar DeRozan this offseason, but they’ve gotten off to an extremely disappointing start to the year.
The Kings were 13-16 entering Sunday, making them two games out of the Play-In.
What’s gone wrong in Sacramento? Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz believes it is defense, which the Kings can help fix on the trade market.
“Defense has once again plagued a Sacramento Kings team that boasts a lethal scoring attack,” Swartz said on Monday.
“Finding rotation players who don’t need the ball on offense but can defend at a high level should be the goal.”
“(Marcus) Smart (of the Memphis Grizzlies) is technically a guard but can defend power forwards with his size and strength. He gives the Kings a reliable backup point guard to play behind De’Aaron Fox now with Malik Monk moving to a starting role.”
Smart is carrying a cap hit of $20.2 million this season — by no means cheap. But the former Defensive Player of the Year with the Boston Celtics would be the perfect guy to come in and mix up the culture in Sacramento.
The San Antonio Spurs might be on the verge of a win-now trade.
San Antonio entered Sunday with a 15-13 record, good for the No. 9 spot in the Western Conference ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 10.
There’s no reason the Spurs can’t make the Play-In, and a big upgrade to their rotation before the trade deadline could even put them in position to challenge for a six-seed.
According to a new report from Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz, the trade that takes San Antonio to the next level could happen with the Chicago Bulls.
“If the … San Antonio Spurs want to stay in the Western Conference playoff race, they may need to cash in a few chips for it to happen,” Swartz said.
“(Zach) LaVine only has two years remaining on his big contract after this year, money that will expire the same summer Wembanyama is due for a raise. He’d be a reliable second scorer next to Wembanyama and help space the floor.”
LaVine’s contract is hefty, but the Spurs are one of the few teams that could manage to carry its burden while benefitting from what LaVine provides on the basketball court.
LaVine would fit nicely beside defensive-minded Stephon Castle in San Antonio’s backcourt, creating an extremely athletic duo to complement Wemby.
The San Antonio Spurs are one big piece away from being not only one of the most exciting teams in the NBA but a legit contender.
Since selecting Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA draft, San Antonio has assumed that its next window of winning wouldn’t commence for a handful of years, but Wemby has already risen to fringe-superstar status, and 2024 draft pick Stephon Castle looks like another stud.
Should the Spurs capitalize on their faster-than-expected rise and bring in another star to make a run at the playoffs?
San Antonio might think about going after Zach LaVine, but a star who fits even better on the Wemby-Castle timeline is LaMelo Ball, a player linked to San Antonio by Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz on Monday.
“If the … San Antonio Spurs want to stay in the Western Conference playoff race, they may need to cash in a few chips for it to happen,” Swartz said.
“A Ball-Victor Wembanyama pairing would be must-watch basketball on both ends of the court. The best pick-and-roll combo in the NBA would instantly be born.”
The question is, would the Spurs be able to present an enticing enough package for the Hornets to part ways with their franchise player?
San Antonio certainly has the picks to do so. The Spurs have 12 first-rounders between 2025 and 2031 with which to build a package.
Charlotte might feel it wise to sell high on the injury-prone Ball, receive a trove of first-round capital from the Spurs, and begin a fresh rebuild around stud wing Brandon Miller.
