This is the fourth in a series of pieces breaking down each position group for the Bengals. Next up: Defensive line.

The Cincinnati Bengals still ranked among the worst offensive lines last year, but by the end of the season, quarterback Joe Burrow was calling it the best he’s played behind.

A slow start, while finding the best combination and chemistry, impacted the numbers behind what Cincinnati’s offensive line was doing. However, in the second half of the season, the Bengals found consistency and better protection.

Now the Bengals are running it back with the same group, as all five starters return, thanks to right guard Dalton Risner re-signing, but there is still room to improve. Orlando Brown Jr. has the most to prove, especially after signing an extension this offseason, and that’s the spot where Cincinnati should be looking for more.

Let’s take a look at the past performances of the Bengals’ offensive linemen, and how they are expected to stack up in 2026 with help from some analysis and data from Pro Football Focus.

Offensive linemen on the roster

* Projected starters: LT Orlando Brown Jr., LG Dylan Fairchild, C Ted Karras, RG Dalton Risner, RT Amarius Mims

* Reserves: Cody Ford, Connor Lew, Brian Parker II, Jalen Rivers

* Others in the mix: Liam Brown, Andrew Coker, Javon Foster, Jacob Bayer, Christian Jones, Corey Robinson

Brown Jr. by the numbers

* 2025 stats: Started all 17 games after missing six games in 2024 due to injuries; played the fifth-most snaps for an offensive tackle but allowed nine sacks, 46 pressures and 10 hits and had 10 penalties.

* PFF grades for 2025: Brown ranked 66th of 89 qualifying tackles with an offense grade of 60.3 last year. He was 64th in pass blocking grade (62.0) and 61st in run blocking grade (59.8).

* PFF ranking for 2026: PFF has not yet released individual rankings for offensive linemen.

Fairchild by the numbers

* 2025 stats: Played 15 games, all starts and allowed just two sacks, 31 pressures and five hits as a rookie.

* PFF grades for 2025: Fairchild ranked 46th of 81 qualifying guards with an offense grade of 59.1 last year. He was 25th in pass blocking grade (67.5) and 61st in run blocking grade (54.3).

* PFF ranking for 2026: PFF has not yet released individual rankings for offensive linemen.

Karras by the numbers

Risner by the numbers

* 2025 stats: Played 14 games with 11 starts after signing at the end of preseason; allowed just two sacks, four hits and 17 pressures; had four penalties.

* PFF grades for 2025: Risner ranked 26th of 81 qualifying guards with an offense grade of 69.4 last year. He was 17th in pass blocking grade (71.5) and 23rd in run blocking grade (69.0).

* PFF ranking for 2026: PFF has not yet released individual rankings for offensive linemen.

Mims by the numbers

Does LeBron James migrating back to the Eastern Conference have any implications on the reigning champion Knicks? The answer hinges largely on The Decision 2.0, where LeBron chooses what could be the final destination in one of the greatest careers in NBA history.

James’ timeline is unclear, but the rest of the 2026 NBA free agency process is in a holding pattern as the now ex-Los Angeles Laker sorts through the options available for the fourth — and possibly final — stop of his Hall of Fame career.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors are among the Western Conference teams listed on his agent Rich Paul’s infamous whiteboard — the canvas of choice used to list all of LeBron’s free agency options in a recent episode of Paul’s Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman.

That whiteboard, however, also featured three Eastern Conference teams angling to dethrone the Knicks and win the East for a chance to secure the 2027 NBA title. There’s a real chance James, in Year 24 at age 42, chooses one of those three team — and tips the balance of power in a conference expected to be even more competitive next season.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

The Knicks just ended a 53-year NBA championship drought. There are five more teams who haven’t won in 40 or more years. The 76ers are one of them.

And since LeBron can’t end New York’s championship drought, the Sixers offer an opportunity to restore a starved basketball market in one of the country’s biggest sports cities.

LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers would feed families — because he’d be joining a star-studded cast of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown — who was stunningly acquired for Paul George and picks in a deal with the Boston Celtics — and V.J. Edgecombe.

The Knicks have a stacked starting five. If the Sixers were to add LeBron — a four-time champion, four-time MVP, three-time Olympic gold medalist and 22-time All-Star — they could easily have one of the best five-man lineups in NBA history, even with James in the twilight of his storied career.

But Embiid’s health is perpetually in question. Edgecombe is only in his sophomore season. Brown, even with a Finals MVP in his name, has much to prove after an embarrassing trade out of Boston. Maxey is a problem, but James may need to shoulder a load far greater than his 42-year-old frame can handle to life Philadelphia into the euphoria New York City experienced this summer.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

The fairytale ending is always going back where it all started, the kid from Akron, Ohio delivering one last title before sailing off into the sunset.

The Cavaliers made the Eastern Conference Finals. They were swept, however, by the Knicks — and a 42-year-old LeBron doesn’t solve the problems sure to plague Cleveland in their ensuing playoff runs. The Cavaliers do have an in: Brandon Weems, Cleveland’s assistant general manager and a longtime friend of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. The Cavaliers could also explore trade possibilities with James Harden, who is an unrestricted free agent also in a holding pattern while LeBron makes his decision. Paul said on his Game Over podcast his superstar client was a big fan of Darius Garland, who the Cavs traded away to the Los Angeles Clippers for Harden in the first place.

But home is where the heart is. Sometimes. LeBron has another home to choose from — a team capable of presenting far greater problems than a cast led by Harden and Donovan Mitchell.

MIAMI HEAT

This is where things get dicey in New York. Because the Heat present a unique opportunity for LeBron to sit in the passenger’s seat. In Miami, The King would be the third option to a two-time MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo and a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate who just set a new record for second-most points in a single game (83) in Bam Adebayo.

The Heat also have Andrew Wiggins, who can still play at a high level on both ends of the floor. Their size and spacing — and Giannis, of course — would pose instant problems for the Knicks, who lost Mitchell Robinson and Ariel Hukporti and will be leaning largely on Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Andre Drummond as their paint presence this season.

The Heat also have Bobby Portis and Tim Hardaway Jr. Nikola Jovic and Simone Fontecchio provide quality depth. Plus Pelle Larsson had his breakout season averaging 11 points in his sophomore NBA season.

And unlike the 76ers, who worry nightly about Embiid’s playing status, the Heat tend to be healthy at the right time.

The Cavaliers have the hometown edge. The 76ers might have the most promise. But if LeBron returns to South Beach, it’s the Heat who’d have the best chance of the three to make a run at the Knicks’ throne.

It’s why no one’s moving a muscle until James makes his decision. Almost a quarter-century into his playing career, The King still has moves on the chessboard. And his move has direct implications at Madison Square Garden.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second installment in a series breaking down each position ahead of the opening of Buffalo Bills training camp July 29.

ORCHARD PARK — Quarterbacks tend to make bad decisions when they have been hit enough times. There’s one decision to make on the way to the turf for a sack: don’t let go of the ball.

Seems simple enough, right?

But putting quarterbacks on the ground before the ball was thrown wasn’t a high priority during the Sean McDermott era. Instead, his defense focused on confusing quarterbacks, making them think longer than preferred and banking on them making a bad decision.

The Bills ranked in the top-10 in takeaways eight times in nine seasons under McDermott, including five in the top-five. They ranked in the top-10 in sacks once during that span.

It worked for the Bills during the regular season, ranking in the top-five five times in pass defense. But in the playoffs, it’s much harder to fool good quarterbacks and it showed in their inability to create pressure and make quarterbacks uncomfortable.

In the AFC divisional round, Denver quarterback Bo Nix was the only playoff quarterback in the last 25 years to attempt 45 passes, complete fewer than 60% of them and not get sacked. In McDermott’s playoff wins, the Bills had a 42.8% pressure rate, compared to 25.8% in losses, with average for last year’s playoff winners being 36.8%.

Enter defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, whose blitz-happy scheme is as hyper-aggressive as McDermott’s was when he first arrived in Buffalo. And the man charged with flipping Buffalo’s edge rushers from watchmen to predators is his former co-defensive coordinator at Wisconsin, Bobby April III.

The last time April coached for the Bills, the expectations were through the roof. He was the outside linebackers coach for Rex Ryan in 2015 and 2016, but the pass rush fell flat.

After getting fired with the rest of Ryan’s staff, April spent a year out of football and has since spent his time in college, most recently as Stanford’s defensive coordinator.

April has coached big-time college edge rushers like Eagles linebacker Zack Baun, Pittsburgh’s Nate Herbig and the Jets’ No. 2 overall pick David Bailey. But now he must apply it to the NFL.

“I took everything I was teaching the NFL player to the college level,” April told GNN Sports. “I felt like I was using the tools that I was using with grown men initially. … Luckily we had success. We had good kids too that bought in. … And that’s really the NFL, just having guys buying and believing what you do.”

April is tasked with elevating 2021 first-round pick Greg Rousseau, who was good enough to net a four-year, $80 million extension, but still hasn’t logged more than eight sacks in a season. April has already said the Bills intend to unleash Rousseau rather than forcing him to set the edge all the time.

Alongside Rousseau is veteran Bradley Chubb, who inked a three-year, $43.5 million contract in March. And second-round pick T.J. Parker. April says it’s like having three first-round picks and an ideal scenario.

At 30, Chubb is the veteran with two Pro Bowls on his resume. Rousseau is only 26, but he’s played 78 career games. And Parker is the hungry young upstart looking to carve a niche in the NFL.

“It’s kind of like being a foster dad a little bit,” said April, whose father was Buffalo’s special teams coach from 2004-2009. “You’ve got three big brothers and they’re all trying to compete for the same, whatever it may be. … I think there’s a fine line of turning it into a competitive I-want-to-beat-you battle to an I-want-to-get-you-better battle. And that’s where we’re at right now.”

Rousseau is playing a position similar to the one he played at the University of Miami. Chubb played for Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph when he was Denver’s head coach and Leonhard spent the last two seasons working for Joseph.

In Chubb’s experience, the Bills won’t be deploying a passive rush when the game is on the line.

“Just playing fast, playing physical, getting off the ball, putting fear in the tackle’s feet,” Chubb said. “If you’ve got guys who have been in this defense in the past like (Denver’s) Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, they do the same things. They just get off the ball and ask questions later.”

Training camp battles

Rostered outside linebackers (8): Bradley Chubb, Mike Danna, Cade Denhoff, Michael Hoecht, Andre Jones Jr., T.J. Parker, Greg Rousseau, Javon Solomon.

Chubb, Rousseau and Parker are going to get the bulk of the snaps. Hoecht, who expects to be ready to start training camp coming off a torn Achilles, may not have a big role early in the season as he continues to heal, but should eventually find a spot as an early-down edge defender and an inside rusher on passing downs.

That makes Danna’s situation intriguing. Danna isn’t a big pass-rush threat with 21 ½ sacks in 87 career games with the Kansas City Chiefs, but he can set the edge against the run. Whether Danna can play 3-4 defensive end at 261 may determine his roster fate.

Solomon is also interesting because general manager Brandon Beane mentioned him multiple times during the offseason as possibly being a better fit in the 3-4 than McDermott’s 4-3.

Solomon never found a consistent role defensively under McDermott during his first two seasons, but he was a core special teams player. That likely puts him ahead of Danna in the pecking order.

The ‘V’ in Victor Wembanyama stands for villain in New York City after the Knicks’ NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

But on Saturday at Manhattan’s Javits Center, ‘Wemby’ will be back in the belly of the beast, face to face with thousands of fans at Fanatics Fest, participating in games against the general public and appearing on a live podcast.

This is the most unique element of the biggest sports convention in the world, hosted annually here in the Big Apple: Humanizing, interactive access between the biggest stars in sports and entertainment and the general public — regardless of what’s happening on the field or court.

“Wemby had a great time last year,” Lance Fensterman, CEO of Fanatics Events, said in a phone interview Tuesday. “He got to play chess with 100 fans last year. Each fan did a chess move. We think carefully about engaging in a thoughtful way. And he is a thoughtful guy.”

“To some of these fans he’ll be a villain,” Fensterman acknowledged with a laugh, “but he recognizes everything he’s doing is about having a long impactful career. And investing in fans is never a bad idea.”

Fanatics founder Michael Rubin has built his mega-company by doing exactly that: Investing in the passion of fans. So access to this kind of event obviously comes at a price.

It’s $70 per adult ticket on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and $80 on Saturday. It’s $30 per child per day all weekend. And autographs or photos with star entertainers and athletes cost more inside.

But the access to fan activations, live shows and podcasts and exclusive experiences across a million square feet of space and 12 stages basically creates a mini city of unforgettable moments.

That’s why there was fan demand to add a fourth day this year to the convention, which ran for three days in 2025. And that’s why Fensterman, who oversaw Comic-Con for years, is proud that every daily ticket to Fanatics Fest is more than just a gateway to more vendors.

“There’s more to do,” Fensterman said, “than just to buy.”

The confluence of a Knicks NBA Championship and Sunday’s World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium across the river is creating a perfect storm.

“The World Cup is coming to a head, and the Final is happening here, so we’re bringing the final teams to the show for Friday,” Fensterman said. “That’s huge.”

So look for Spain’s Lamine Yamal. Fanatics Fest will even host a massive watch party for the Final on Sunday, with the Men in Blazers podcast and other guest analysts on hand.

“Four of the Knicks’ starting five will be in the building signing and parading through the show floor with the trophy,” Fensterman said.

Jalen Brunson will appear on a King of New York panel. His autograph signing is already sold out. And the Fanatics Games, which were a huge hit in last year’s maiden voyage, are back.

That pits 50 athletes and 50 fans against each other for more than $2 million in prizes in games like the NFL clutch kick, the NBA game-winning shot, the WWE superstar entrance and more.

First place gets $1 million cash. Second place receives a Ferrari. Third place receives a rare Lionel Messi trading card. John Cena, Cam Skattebo and Novak Djokovic are among those competing this year.

Before it all kicks off, Fanatics added an exclusive window for its business partners, investors and VIPs to experience all the show has to offer before it opens to the general public. There will be 250-plus hobby shops on site, offering a haven for the booming card and collectible industry.

Then when the doors open, LeBron James is scheduled to appear Thursday afternoon on a ‘Mind the Game Live’ panel on the center stage, smack in the middle of his free agent decision, with Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Might James drop some hints on his eventual next NBA team? There just is no shortage of possibilities for the world’s biggest sports convention that keeps getting bigger.

“Fans love the different moments with athletes and influencers, and we wanted to give them more,” Fensterman said. “It nets out to more opportunities for more people fans and industry to interact with the athletes and celebrities.”

The Olivet Boys & Girls Club is getting ready to play ball.

The organization will host a series of baseball games for current members and softball games for former members on Aug. 1 at Hoodak Stadium and Oakbrook Recreation Park.

The festivities will begin around 8:30 a.m. with a competitive baseball tournament showcasing current members and an alumni softball tournament that aims to bring former members together with staff and supporters for a day of friendly competition.

Officials of the organization said the event will celebrate the club’s lifelong impact by reconnecting alumni and giving current members the opportunity to showcase their talents on the field.

Families, friends, alumni and community members are invited to cheer on the teams, enjoy classic ballpark food and celebrate the memories.

To participate in the tournament, visit lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/dr586be.

To watch the tournaments, visit lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/2kb6hdj.

PHILADELPHIA — Cody Bellinger went seven years between All-Star Game appearances.

It was worth the wait.

The Yankees outfielder was voted MVP of Tuesday night’s All-Star Game after he delivered the decisive hit in the American League’s 4-0 victory at Citizens Bank Park.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the first, Bellinger lined a two-run single against National League starter Cristopher Sanchez to break a scoreless tie.

Yankees teammate Ben Rice followed with an RBI single, putting the AL up, 3-0.

Bellinger finished 1 for 3 with two RBIs and was removed in the sixth inning.

The MVP honor capped a memorable return to the Midsummer Classic for Bellinger, who was making his third All-Star appearance.

His previous two selections came in 2017 and 2019 when he was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Bellinger, who turned 31 on Monday, endured a winding road back to this point, including a dislocated right shoulder in October 2020 that required surgery.

Following the surgery, Bellinger’s numbers dropped dramatically over the next two seasons, and the Dodgers non-tendered him after the 2022 campaign. Bellinger spent two seasons with the Chicago Cubs before being traded to the Yankees, with whom he’s spent the past two years.

Bellinger, who has 11 home runs and a .766 OPS this season, initially made the All-Star roster as a reserve, but he started in right field Tuesday due to injuries to teammate Aaron Judge and Minnesota’s Byron Buxton.

Bellinger is the fourth Yankee to win the All-Star Game MVP, joining Derek Jeter (2000), Mariano Rivera (2013) and Giancarlo Stanton (2022).

As the college football world turns, University of Hawaii head coach Timmy Chang remains grounded in his goals.

“I think college football has changed,” said Chang, who enters his fifth season as the Rainbow Warriors’ leader. “You have to be flexible to build a roster and compete. We’re doing that. We’re a different type of program. We’re in a different location. And that poses different factors and opportunities and challenges that we have to be able to adapt.”

Fifty-four months after inheriting a disheartened program that was in emotional turmoil, Chang is navigating an evolving landscape. The transfer portal has eased the way for players to change schools without interruption. Student-athletes may now profit from use of their name, image and likeness. The House vs. NCAA settlement requires profit sharing up to $20.5 million annually per school. (UH has budgeted $5 million for NILs and profit sharing this coming academic year, with $2.5 million earmarked for football.)

The Rainbow Warriors have been impacted living in a material whirl.

“Jackson Harris is an example,” Chang said of the wideout who received a lucrative NIL deal after transferring to LSU following the 2025 regular season. “I think he loved our program, but he left for the money.”

But the portal is accessible in both directions, and the Warriors were able to find tall and fast transfers to reload the receiver positions.

“We just focus on our program, focus on our staff, focus on getting better,” Chang said. “Those are the things we can control. We focus on building and developing young student-athletes.”

In accepting the UH job in January 2022, Chang emphasized assembling a staff that shared his vision, connecting the program with academic and administrative leaders, and taking great care of his players.

“If we want someone to come into our program, it means something,” Chang said. “You’re taking in somebody’s son. You’re taking in someone who wants to trust you. That’s the biggest thing.”

For Chang, that meant providing educational and nutritional opportunities.

“Five years ago, we fought for feeding our kids and taking care of them,” said Chang, noting such programs as the Braddahhood Grindz and Sodexo provide training tables. “We’re fed year ’round besides the days we’re truly off, like spring break or winter break. We kept them fed.”

With expanded guidelines, every team member, including walk-ons, partakes in the training table.

“Once you’re on our team, you’re part of it,” Chang said.

He also has provided some leeway for youthful mistakes.

“I made it vocal, my biggest problem is we’re very quick to move to the next thing and move off people,” Chang said. “We want to build a program where we can give people second chances to try to do things right. We want to grow and develop and build that trust with them.”

During Chang’s tenure, the pied piper has been quarterback Micah Alejado, who was born and reared on Oahu and became a standout quarterback for national powerhouse Bishop Gorman High of Las Vegas.

“Micah brings a lot to the table for our program, for our state,” Chang said of the third-year Warrior. “He’s able to attract other players, as well. When you talk about receivers wanting to come and play, they want to play with Micah. A guy who left, like Jackson, still wanted to play with Micah. It’s the style of how we recruit. We recruit people. Your talent is your talent. We recruit based on who you are as a person.”

Chang also said that standard holds for his coaches and staff. Chang has reached agreement on a contract extension, although the paper work has not been signed. As part of conversations, Chang strongly proposed rewarding his staff. Last month, the assistant coaches received new contracts — some received two-year deals.

“The most important thing is continuing to build,” Chang said. “When you look at the building part of it, it’s taking care of your coaches. The coaches are an extension of me. I want to make sure we’re taking care of them. And always taking care of the players, whether it’s revenue sharing or NILs or feeding them. That’s the biggest thing.”

The Warriors became a football-only member of the Mountain West in 2012. This month, 15 UH sports joined, making the school essentially a full member. (UH’s men’s volleyball, beach volleyball and water polo teams remain in the Big West because the Mountain West does not sponsor those sports.)

With UH as full member, school president Wendy Hensel has been appointed to the Mountain West’s Board of Directors and the league’s executive committee. Athletic director Matt Elliott will have a greater voice in decisions involving UH. And UH will receive a full share of the league’s national television revenue.

On the football field, the Warriors have a chance to fill the leadership void created by Boise State’s and Fresno State’s departure to the Pac-12.

Chang will continue to call plays for the ever-evolving run-and-shoot offense.

“I think the run-and-shoot is a wrinkle in itself,” Chang said. “It’s an offense about quarterbacks and receivers being on the same page. You start with an offense like that, it becomes challenging (for defenses) to stop.”

Chang also said defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman will continue to reload a scheme in attack mode.

“Dennis has a great understanding of how he wants to attack and what he wants to do,” Chang said. “Complicated or simple, he wants to make his defense attack. This year more than others. You lose (play-making safety) Peter Manuma and you have guys to replace him. There have been guys waiting in the wings ready to step up.”

—

LAS VEGAS — So perhaps a little throwback LL Cool J if LeBron James opts for a return to the Miami Heat? As in the opening verse of Mama Said Knock You Out.

“Don’t call it a comeback, I been here for years. I’m rockin’ my peers, puttin’ suckers in fear.”

Actually it has been years since LeBron last played for the Heat in 2014, but there still has been an enduring connection — at Dwyane Wade’s final game with the Heat in 2019, the opponent in the 2020 NBA Finals at the Disney bubble, an embrace with Heat President Pat Riley this past season when the Lakers unveiled a Riley statue in from the their arena in downtown Los Angeles.

And now speculation of perhaps indeed calling it a comeback, with the Heat perceived as a finalist for James’ services in the wake of his parting last month with the Lakers.

Through the Heat’s first 38 seasons, there have been 14 cases of players leaving, playing elsewhere, and then returning.

It largely has been an uneven process, although one comeback resulted in a championship, a few others in deep playoff runs, and then the emotional final chapter of closure with Wade.

James would be the 15th to return and likely would transcend them all, the first Heat player to return after winning a championship with the team (and going on to win two more elsewhere).

So, yes, if it transpires, LeBron-Heat 2.0 would be at the top of the charts, as for the others (with regular-season games of each stint in parentheses:

Dwyane Wade,  2003-2016 (855),  2017-19 (93): The parting was unexpected and shocking, with the Heat during the 2016 offseason prioritizing retaining Hassan Whiteside in free agency and the pursuit of Kevin Durant in free agency.

To their credit, Heat owner Micky Arison and Heat President Pat Riley later acknowledged Wade’s 2016 free agency could have been handled better.

After the unsettling reality of Wade in Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers jerseys, he was brought back in Feb. 2018, after his failed effort to try to make it work with LeBron in Cleveland. While the return resulted only in a single playoff-game victory, it created an emotional 2017-18 farewell tour amid an otherwise lackluster Heat season.

Alonzo Mourning, 1995-03 (407), 2004-08 (186): Despite missing the entire 2002-03 season due to kidney illness, Mourning was offended by the level of the Heat’s offer in 2003 free agency, making a hasty move to the New Jersey Nets.

By March 2005 , fences were mended and Mourning returned, a year later going on to help share in the Heat’s 2006 NBA championship.

The bond has endured since, with Mourning retiring in 2007-08 after a knee injury, now a valued member of the team’s front office.

Bruce Bowen,  1996-97 (1), 1999-01 (109): A developmental discovery in March 1997, Bowen would play only one game for the Heat that season, before leaving for a two-year free-agent contract with the Boston Celtics.

Bowen then returned in 1999 as a valued 3-and-D component, including as a playoff presence, before leaving in 2001 free agency for the San Antonio Spurs.

Eddie House,  2000-03 (169),  2010-11 (56): A quality contributor as a second-round pick in 2000 who was so popular with his streak scoring that Riley’s daughter at one point asked he father to play the guard more often, House would go on to cycle through stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks, New Jersey Nets and Celtics.

House then was signed back as a free agent in the 2010 offseason, after the signings of Wade, LeBron and Chris Bosh, playing as a minor contributor in that first season of the Heat’s Big Three.

Michael Beasley,  2008-10 (97), 2013-15 (79): The No. 2 pick in the  2008 draft after the Heat’s lack of lottery luck cost them a shot at Derrick Rose, Beasley first stint ended when he was dealt in the Heat’s 2010 summer of the Big Three to create cap room for the signing of Mike Miller.

Beasley then would cycle through time with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns, before signing three different reunion contracts with the Heat, never able to recapture his initial Heat success.

Josh Richardson, 2015-19 (259),  2023-25 (51): The No. 40 pick by the Heat in the 2015 draft, Richardson after four productive Heat seasons was sent out to the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler.

Richardson returned in 2023, but after an injury-limited second Heat tenure was sent out in the 2025 trade that also sent out Butler, with the Heat in that deal acquiring Kyle Anderson, Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins and the first-round pick that turned into Kasparas Jakucionis. Richardson has not played in the NBA since.

Rafer Alston, 2003-04 (82),  2009-10 (25): A valued component amid the Heat’s playoff revival with his ballhandling and 3-point shooting,  Alston then cashed in with the Toronto Raptors during 2004 free agency.

He returned in January 2010 after a buyout from then Nets. only to then walk away from the game in March of that year, never to play in the NBA again.

Ricky Davis,  2000-01 (7), 2007-08 (82): Davis’ first Heat tenure was cut short by knee and ankle injuries, dealt at the end of that season to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the trade that brought back Chris Gatling.

Davis returned in 2007 in the housecleaning trade with the Timberwolves that sent out Antoine Walker. While Davis provided quality play in his return season, he also allowed the Heat to be bad enough to finish with the league’s worst record at second the No.2 lottery pick, then allowed to depart to the Clippers as a free agent in 2008.

Eddie Jones,  2000-05 (352), 2006-07 (35): Having provided stability during the build up to the Heat’s first championship era, Jones was sent to the Memphis Grizzlies in the August 2005 blockbuster deal that brought in 2006 championship components Antoine Walker, Jason Williams and James Posey.

A buyout from the Grizzlies then allowed for a Feb. 2007 Heat return, but by then the Heat’s championship rotation was running on fumes, with Jones leaving for the Dallas Mavericks in  2007 free agency.

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Bimbo Coles, 1990-96 (440), 2003-04 (22): Acquired in the second round of the 1990 draft, Coles was a rotation mainstay until dealt to the Warriors in the 1996 Tim Hardaway trade.

He cycled back to the Heat in 2003 free agency, but by then was not the same player.

Steve Smith, 1991-95 (189), 2004-05 (13): Another case of magic that could not be recaptured.

Draft by the Heat at No. 5 in 1991, Smith was sent out to the Atlanta Hawks along with Grant Long in the ill-fated 1994 trade for Kevin Willis.

Smith then was re-acquired from Charlotte in a Feb. 2005 trade for current Heat assistant coach Malik Allen, with a nondescript close to his NBA career that season.

Chris Gatling, 1995-96 (24), 2001-02 (54): A plus-one to the Tim Hardaway acquisition from the Golden State Warriors in Feb. 1996, Gatling left in free agency for the Mavericks six months later.

He then returned for a single-season encore in 2001, by then limited in his productivity, waived at season’s end.

Dorell Wright,  2004-10 (211),  2015-16 (5): Drafted No. 19 out of high school by the Heat in 2004, Wright mostly was reduced to benchwarmer as the Heat moved into playoff mode, allowed to depart in 2010 free agency.

He then was brought back for the 2016 playoff run, with his five appearances coming in the playoffs, in the final games of his NBA career.

Mario Chalmers,  2008-16 (525), 2021-22 (0): A mainstay at point guard during the Big Three era, Chalmers was unloaded to the Grizzlies in a 2015 salary dump.

He then returned to the Heat in Dec. 2021 on a COVID hardship contract, but never saw action.

The Colorado Rockies over the weekend stocked the cupboard in the MLB Draft. How well they stocked it is a game of wait and see.

Considering they locked up three highly touted college players in the first 40 picks of the first day of the draft, might the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes be seeing some of the new Rockies sooner rather than later?

Maybe. While a bit optimistic, it isn't out of the question for the Rockies' first three draft picks over the weekend to be making Albuquerque debuts as soon as next season.

Tyler Bell

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School: Kentucky

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Position: SS

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Pick: 10th overall (1st round)

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MLBPipeline draft rank: 10

How's this for a connection? Bell went to high school at Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort, Illinois; played travel ball for the Cangelosi Sparks in Illinois; and was drafted out of Kentucky as a star SEC shortstop. Current Isotopes SS Ryan Ritter was a fourth-round draft pick in 2022 who went to the same high school, played for the same travel club and was drafted out of Kentucky.

Slowing Bell's path for now is that he played this past season with a tear in his non-throwing shoulder that will require surgery.

"We're going to let our medical people take a look at it and make a decision on that," Rockies Assistant General Manager Tommy Tanous said of Bell's timeline with the injury. "It's probably too early for us to comment on that."

The Rockies' shortstop position is getting crowded, but Bell could still be a fast riser once healthy and could be in Albuquerque in 2027.

Daniel Jackson

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School: Georgia

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Position: C

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Pick: 37th overall (1st round)

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MLBPipeline draft rank: 28

He's the 2026 Golden Spikes Award winner out of Georgia. Sound familiar? Current Isotopes slugger and the Rockies No. 2 overall prospect Charlie Condon was the 2024 Golden Spikes Award winner out of Georgia and is on a fast track of his own to the Majors.

Jackson just became the first Division I catcher to hit 25 home runs and steal 25 bases in a season.

Rockies President of Baseball Operations Paul DePodesta said of Jackson and third round pick Jack Natili, a catcher out of the University of Cincinnati, that both will have long big-league careers.

Logan Reddemann

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School: UCLA

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Position: RHP

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Pick: 38th overall (2nd round)

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MLBPipeline draft rank: 31

Reddemann might be the one most ready to get to Albuquerque, at least, based on having as wide variety of high-command pitches as you'll see at the college level — not just two good pitches like many players have when they go pro.

"This is one of the bigger arsenals that you'll see. It's almost a professional arsenal," Tanous said.

Trivia time!

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QUESTION: The Golden Spikes Award has been awarded to the top amateur baseball player since 1978 — dubbed by some the "Heisman Trophy" of baseball. This year's winner Daniel Jackson may find his way soon to Albuquerque after being drafted by the club over the weekend. Current Isotopes slugger Charlie Condon is a past winner of the prestigious honor.

Counting Condon, how many Golden Spikes Award winners have played professional baseball for the Albuquerque Isotopes and/or the Albuquerque Dukes?

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ANSWER: See below...

Know the foe

But first, we rest. Yes, the Isotopes return to action this week, just not until Friday at home after the All-Star break for an abbreviated three-game Pacific Coast League series vs. Sacramento at Rio Grande Credit Union Field.

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Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, 46-47 overall (5th), 7-11 2nd half (t-6th)

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Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, 49-41 overall (3rd), 7-11 2nd half (t-6th)

Three up, three down

Some things that have been looking good lately for the 'Topes, some not so good.

Looking good:

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IF Adael Amador had 10 total bases in last week's series at Sugar Land, including his first home run (Saturday) since May 29 vs. El Paso — a 69-at-bat stretch.

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IF Nic Kent hit his 11th home run of the season on Saturday, matching a career high for a season (2023 at High-A Spokane).

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The Isotopes still lead the PCL in stolen bases with 139. Second place Round Rock is at 123.

Look away:

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The Isotopes lost Friday at Sugar Land 10-0, the worst shutout loss since a 14-0 loss at Oklahoma City on Aug. 27, 2023.

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With Sunday's loss in Sugar Land, the Isotopes lost the series 1-5 and dropped to 46-47, below .500 for the first time since April 29 (14-15).

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Since IF Chad Stevens had his Isotopes-record 51-game on-base streak (and a streak of 61 straight games on base overall dating back to 10 games with Salt Lake last season) come to an end on July 4, he's hitting .143 (3-for-21).

Fast food

Another two weeks away for the Topes and now some time off for the All Star break means these chile racers have been sitting out for a long time. Will they be fresh come Friday when they return to action, or stale?

2026 Season Standings (41 races):

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14 wins — Salsa Jar

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11 wins — Red Chile

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9 wins — Green Chile

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7 wins — Taco

Homestand highlights

Here's a brief look at what the Isotopes are doing when they do get back into action for their abbreviated three-game home series Friday through Sunday (6:35 p.m. first pitch, unless noted):

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Friday: Color your own hat giveaway to the first 2,000 fans through the gates.

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Saturday: Mariachis de Nuevo Mexico Night! Postgame fireworks, in game dancing and music.

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Sunday (6 p.m. first pitch): Looney tunes jersey giveaway for the first 2,000 fans. (NOTE: first pitch is at 6 p.m., not the usual 6:35 p.m., and gates open 90 minutes early at 4:30 p.m. for this game).

Trivia answer

There have been four past Golden Spikes Award winners who have suited up for an Albuquerque professional baseball team:

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Charlie Condon, 1B, University of Georgia 2024: 1st round draft pick of the Rockies in 2024, has played 79 games this season for the Isotopes.

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Kris Bryant, 3B, University of San Diego 2013: The former Cubs star signed with the Rockies in 2022 and is technically on the team's 40-man roster, but a back injury may prevent him from playing again. Over the past four seasons, he played in 15 games for the Isotopes (six in 2022, one in 2023, eight in 2024).

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Darren Dreifort, RHP, Wichita State 1993: The former L.A. Dodgers pitcher played 21 games for the Dukes in parts of 1995, 96 and 97.

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Tim Wallach, 1B, Cal State Fullerton 1979: Wallach could make this list twice, despite being drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1979. He played one game for the Dukes in 1995 and was the Isotopes manager in 2009 and 2010, winning the PCL Manager of the Year once and tying the franchis record for wins in 2009 with 80.

Reach Geoff Grammer at ggrammer@abqjournal.com or follow him on Twitter (X) @GeoffGrammer.

Miles McBride. Tyler Kolek. Ariel Hukporti. Mohamed Diawara. And now, Tyler Nickel and Jack Kayil.

The Knicks continue to hit on second-round picks.

It looks like the 20-year-old German guard’s got some game: Kayil, who the Knicks acquired after the Houston Rockets selected him 39th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, scored a team-high 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field and three-of-seven shooting from 3-point range to go with four assists and three steals in New York’s first Summer League victory of the offseason: an 86-75 victory over the Detroit Pistons to improve the Knicks’ Las Vegas record to 1-2 on Monday.

Kayil did not play in the Summer League opener against the Brooklyn Nets and scored 12 points in 21 minutes off the bench on Saturday. The German guard started in a featured role against the Pistons on Monday with Pacome Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara on the sidelines.

With more usage, the second-round pick delivered, giving the Knicks another prospect to consider for a two-way contract. New York’s crowded backcourt of Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, Jose Alvarado and Kolek make rookie minutes a near impossibility — but Kayil flashed the scoring and playmaking abilities that earned him the early second-round selection.

And Nickel has already proven his ability to shoot the three at the pro level after nailing 40% of his shots behind the arc in his senior season at Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-8 wing the Knicks selected 47th overall in the June NBA Draft shot three-of-eight from deep for nine points in the win over the Pistons. Nickel has now made 13 3s on 29 attempts and is shooting 44.8% from behind the arc in Las Vegas.

Which leaves one more two-way roster spot if the Knicks are going to fill it with a player on their Summer League squad. The favorite if available? Likely Dillon Jones, who has won back-to-back championships with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Knicks. Jones was integral for head coach Mike Brown, who leaned on him in practice and on the sidelines. The 24-year-old wing scored 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting in Monday’s win over the Pistons.

There’s also Liam Robbins, a 27-year-old seven-footer looking for an opportunity with a Knicks team in need of help at center. Robbins scored 15 points and was willing to shoot the three, though he converted on just one of his four attempts behind the arc. Robbins also played at Vanderbilt and had four blocks on Monday. The Knicks were plus-10 in his 24 minutes on the floor.

Ozaya Sellers and Nick Jourdain had their moments, too. Sellers came off the bench and finished with 10 points and nine rebounds, and Jourdain started in place of Diawara and added 10 points and eight rebounds.

Most of the players on the Knicks’ roster, however, are auditioning for Westchester — or rival executives.

Nickel, Kayil, Jones and Robbins have emerged through three Summer League games, for three two-way roster spots the Knicks can fill as they reconstruct a roster that ended New York City’s 53-year NBA championship drought.

The Knicks have one more Las Vegas game left on the schedule against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday at 7 p.m.

AUGUSTA, GA (WJBF)- Former GreenJackets pitcher Cam Caminiti played in the MLB All-Star futures game in Philadelphia. The 19-year-old pitched a perfect top of the third inning, with two groundouts and a strikeout on a 97 mile per hour fastball.

The number one Braves prospect is now in high A with the Rome Emperors, with a 4.08 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 68 strikeouts. This marks the second year in a row that a Braves prospect pitched in the Futures Game. Last year, JR Ritchie started in Atlanta last season, while Grovetown native Hayden Harris entered as a reliever.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.

“Freestyle Biomechanics: The Science Behind The Strokes,” a book by former University of Hawaii swimming coach Jan Prins, is now available via Amazon.

The book focuses on freestyle, but also touches on “the three other competitive strokes,” said Prins, who earned a doctorate in kinesiology at Indiana in 1978 and still teaches at UH. “(It) covers … every freestyle movement from stroke pattern, body position, flutter kick, hand entry to recovery and much more.”

It is the culmination of nearly 50 years of coaching, presentations, research and video workshops Prins has conducted for competitive swimmers and coaches.

“It will become a continuous shelf reference for all swimmers, especially triathletes and adults,” said Garry Rodrigues, swim consultant to USA Triathlon for the 2028 Olympics.

LAS VEGAS — By the time the machinations were over and the trade that sent him from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Heat was done, it was clear that Giannis Antetokounmpo had gotten what he wanted with the career reset.

Less clear, but perhaps just as needed, was Kel’el Ware going in the other direction in the deal, afforded a reset with the Bucks after a pair of uneven, rocky seasons with the Heat.

“I mean, I kind of figured it was going to happen,” Ware said at Thomas & Mack Center as he watched the Bucks play at the Las Vegas NBA Summer League. “So I was just preparing myself. I mean, it was everywhere, I mean, you kind of see, especially speaking with my agents and things like that. So you kind of get a gist of what’s going to happen.”

And then it happened, with Ware, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis and significant draft capital going out in the deal that brought back Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from the Bucks.

For Ware, these first two NBA seasons have been a rollercoaster for more than the constant links to trade possibilities, including several times being mentioned during his first season in a possible Heat trade for Kevin Durant and then at February’s trade deadline linked to Atentokinmpo.

Also at play was a seeming lack of trust from Heat coach Erik Spoelstra when it came to role and playing time, often accompanied by tough-love criticism.

“Um, I feel like, you know, his decision was how he played me,” Ware said, without directly getting into his view on how he should have or could have been utilized.

In fact, it was a year ago, last July, when Spoelstra took the atypical approach of criticizing a returning player about summer-league play.

“There’s layers to this with Kel’el,” Spoelstra said in Las Vegas last July. “A big part of this is he has to really embrace and improve his professionalism, his consistency, his approach every single day. He has to get better with that. It’s learning how to become a pro.

“The talent is there. The professionalism and consistency has to improve and it is. Our standards are not going to change and our expectations and how fast we want that to improve for him are not going to change. But he has to get better at it, he has to take ownership of it.”

With the Heat, there was the constant urgency to win every moment, amid a desperate battle during Ware’s two seasons for playoff seeding, winding up in the play-in bracket both years, without a single playoff-game victory during his tenure.

Now with the Bucks, the pressure figures to lessen and the development perhaps to be heightened, on a team largely taking the long view with a roster loaded with young prospects, including getting No. 13 pick Nate Ament in last month’s draft from the Heat.

“Obviously where I’m at now, you know, it’s a young team,” Ware, 22, said. “I have more of a chance to flourish. So I’m excited for that.”

To a degree this could mean a renewal, after Spoelstra never seemed fully committed to playing Ware in a leading role alongside starting center Bam Adebayo, despite Adebayo voicing that as a preference.

“I mean, yeah, you know, a fresh start,” said the 7-footer selected out of Indiana by the Heat with the No. 15 pick in the 2024 NBA draft, “getting more minutes with that, being able to go out there just work on my game more, the game-situation things.”

With such a young Bucks roster, Ware also recognizes that he will be arriving as somewhat of a veteran.

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“Yeah, for sure. I feel like I developed in my second year, And even after my second year, I feel like I developed, developed going into my third year,” he said, with that third season upcoming. “I was able to, I guess, grow up more mentally in Miami.”

Now getting to further grow with the three Heat teammates arriving at his side, as well.

“That helps out a lot more,” Ware said of his first NBA trade. “Some guys, they get traded, but they’re by themselves. So, yeah. I would say it helps to have three guys with me.”

Ware offered that comment seated next to Herro and Jaquez, as the three watched Jakucionis in action for the Bucks’ summer roster.

And, so, a fresh start, but also with fond memories of where this NBA ride started.

“Like I said, it’s growing from it,” Ware said. “That’s why I say I grew more mentally in Miami, just going through that, just dealing with that.”