MLB’s Home Run Derby was last night. It’s fairly standard for me not to watch, though it appears I missed an entertaining event.
For as long as I can remember, it’s aired on ESPN. This year it moved to Netflix, and that didn’t exactly elevate my interest. I’m not looking forward to several big regular-season NFL games being on the streaming service later this year.
Anyway, I bet on Kyle Schwarber and Junior Caminero to win the Derby. Both made it to the semifinals, but Jordan Walker’s dark horse run culminated in the Cardinals slugger winning. The new format seemed to reenergize the event and fans at large, so I’ll probably tune in next year — if the looming lockout doesn’t advance to that point.
NBA
Spurs sign PG Jordan McLaughlin to one-year, $3.3 million contract
The Spurs are rounding out their roster, inking McLaughlin to what amounts to veteran’s minimum.
After a five-year run with the Timberwolves from 2020-2024, the 30-year-old looked finished as backup point guard with San Antonio and Sacramento in 2025. Nothing altered that notion last season with the Spurs, as McLaughlin averaged just 6.4 minutes per game and shot 41.0 percent on two-pointers. His days of providing consistent rotational minutes, especially on a good team, are likely over.
Rosters need filled out, however, and McLaughlin isn’t a bad guy to serve an end-of-bench role. He’s a wily veteran, capable of handling the ball and making open three-pointers. The USC product made 42.5 percent of his attempts from deep last year.
McLaughlin averaged 2.0 points and 0.9 assists per game last season.
Lakers sign SF Ziaire Williams to one-year, $2.85 million contract
The Nets declined a $6.25 million team option on Williams last month, making the 24-year-old a free agent. The Lakers are adding him for less than half that amount, which equates to the veteran’s minimum.
Across his two-year stint with Brooklyn, Williams displayed tangible growth. The 2021 No. 10 overall selection was often overwhelmed in his first three seasons with Memphis, but he elevated his game as a scorer and defender with the Nets.
A rangy 6-foot-9 athlete, Williams has no issues staying with smaller wings. On a team with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, that skillset should prove useful. Williams’ improved shooting can offer value, too. He shot just 34.3 percent from deep last year, but that was a career-best, perhaps providing evidence that further development is possible.
There are worse options than signing a decent 24-year-old with upside to the league minimum. Williams will face more pressure than ever to contribute immediately, but he may be up to the task. This signing was a no-brainer for the Lakers, who beat out the Pelicans for the forward’s services.
Williams posted 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game last season with Brooklyn.
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