Phillies Are Coming for You at the Deadline
Dave Dombrowski has been one of the most aggressive trade deadline operators in baseball history — and The Athletic's reporting this week makes it clear that trend is not about to change. The Philadelphia Phillies are well-positioned as buyers heading into August 3, with a loaded lineup, solid rotation depth, and the organization's full blessing to push for a World Series run. The specific targets haven't been confirmed, but a high-end starting pitcher addition and bullpen reinforcement are the priority areas. Any team in a rebuild holding a starter with one year of control should expect the Phillies on the phone soon. Dombrowski doesn't like to wait.

The Milwaukee Bucks are trading Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, 3 first-round picks (including No. 13), 1 pick swap and 1 second-rounder, per Shams Charania.

Patriots Minicamp: Kayshon Boutte's Future Is a Live Question

New England heads into mandatory minicamp this week with a suddenly crowded wide receiver room — and a real decision to make about Kayshon Boutte. With A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs locked in as the top two, Mack Hollins and second-year pro Kyle Williams essentially as near-locks, and Boutte skipping OTAs (though he told WBZ he wants to be a Patriot for life and plans to attend minicamp), the roster math is getting uncomfortable. The Boston Herald's Doug Kyed argues it would be a mistake to move Boutte for anything less than a mid-round pick — he showed real chemistry with Drake Maye last year and has the skill set to win the WR3 competition. The real depth battle will unfold in the preseason. But Boutte's contract situation, his voluntary absence from OTAs, and a loaded room mean this one simmers until August.

OKC Thunder Scouting Hard With Three Lottery-Area Picks

The reigning-dynasty Oklahoma City Thunder are holding private workouts ahead of the June 23rd draft, and they're doing their homework with picks at #12, #17, and #37. CBS's mock has them landing Yaxel Lendeborg at #12 (a 7-foot-3-wingspan, five-tool forward out of Michigan dubbed "the Dominican LeBron") and Jayden Quaintance at #17 — a 6'9" defensive monster with a 7'5" wingspan who could team with Chet Holmgren to form a terrifying frontcourt. OKC has three shots to get it right. Expect Sam Presti to nail at least two of them.