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Wrigley North Is Alive and Well After Most Satisfying Chicago Cubs Series Win of 2026

By
Aldo Soto
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I’m not sure Chicago Cubs fans have ever seen Craig Counsell as animated as he was after Jordan Wicks got Gary Sanchez to ground into a 5-4-3 double play that clinched a series win at Wrigley Field. And while it’s fun to troll Milwaukee Brewers fans by calling their stadium that, it was also pretty much filled to the brim because so many Cubs fans showed up this weekend.

After a 6-2 loss on Friday night, the Cubs came back to win two in a row against the Brewers, including Sunday’s nerve-wracking finale. Just think about how ridiculous the pitching situation was and remains for the Cubs as they began this series. David Peterson started Saturday’s game, while Bryse Wilson was the bulk pitcher in Sunday’s bullpen game. Both of those guys weren’t even in the organization a week ago, as Peterson was acquired in a trade with the New York Mets and Wilson was claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Meanwhile, the Brewers lined up their top three starting pitchers to go up against the Cubs at home, but in the end, it was the Cubs who came out on top. Alex Cohen made an excellent call to wrap it up, and you can’t help but notice the emotion coming out of the dugout with Counsell letting it all out.

Seiya Suzuki came through with the biggest hit on Sunday, driving in two runs with a bases-loaded single to left field. Thanks to a bobble from Jackson Chourio, the Cubs were able to easily get the second run to score. That turned out to be very important because the Brewers eventually got the game back to 4-3 in the bottom half before the double play ended the game.

So, you know, for people who try to discredit how valuable outfield defense is, show them this play. Oh, and yes, listen to that crowd pop. Literally sounds like a home game for the Cubs.

Incredible.

The Cubs still have a lot of work to do to seriously get back into contention for the division crown at 5.5 games back of the Brewers, but that doesn’t take away how exhilarating it was to see them win a series against their rivals when the odds were extremely against them.

Looking ahead to this week, the Cubs have another stretch of important games in the National League playoff mix. They’ll be back at Wrigley Field, hosting the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals, who are each chasing the Cubs in the Wild Card race. The Cubs are currently two and 1.5 games ahead of the Padres and Cardinals, respectively, in the standings.

The White Sox May Have Found Another Draft Day Steal

By
Craig Rowland
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Jul 3, 2018; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A view of the American flag in the Sox logo on an official White Sox New Era on field hat during the game of the Chicago White Sox against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The White Sox have reaped the benefit of their recently graduated prospects, as they have received some significant production out of their young players that were known as some of the more intriguing prospects in the minor leagues. 

Colson Montgomery, a former top-100 prospect, has hit 20 home runs already and has driven in 46 runs. Miguel Vargas, a former top-100 prospect for the Dodgers, is one of the best third basemen in the American League. Braden Montgomery, a current top-100 prospect, has gotten off to a fantastic start to his young major league career. Additionally, Sam Antonacci, while not widely considered to be a top prospect outside of Chicago media, has been one of the best hitters on the team. These players have all contributed to the White Sox currently sitting atop the AL Central.

Now, armed with the first pick in the 2026 MLB draft, the White Sox will look to continue to stockpile young talent in their organization. When you combine that with the success the White Sox are currently having with their players in the minor leagues, the White Sox could be dangerous for years to come.

General Manager Chris Getz has shown his ability to identify talent in the draft, as top-20 prospect Caleb Bonemer was a second round pick and aforementioned Antonacci was a fifth round pick. If Getz can continue to hit on talent outside of the first round, that would be huge for the organization.

As you look across the White Sox organization, a recent draft pick is having surprising success in his first minor league season. This would be Matthew Boughton, an infielder who was selected in the 11th round in last year’s draft, as the White Sox were able to lure Boughton away from his Texas A&M commitment. Now, Boughton is playing with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, the Low-A affiliate of the White Sox. 

Boughton got off to a nice start in his minor league career, as he hit .267 in the month of April after joining the team a few weeks after the season started. However, he had a rough patch in May, as he hit .174 in 86 at-bats. Boughton has seemingly figured something out in June, as he has been one of the Cannon Ballers’ best hitters.

In June, Boughton is hitting .287 with a fantastic .380 on-base percentage. He’s added three home runs, 11 RBIs, and six stolen bases. He’s walked 12 times compared to 16 strikeouts, which is a very impressive ratio for a player with just 200 at-bats in his minor league career.

If that wasn’t impressive enough, Boughton was the Carolina League Player of the Week just two weeks ago. For an 11th round pick, this is exciting to see, as he could turn out to be one of the more intriguing prospects in the White Sox organization.

Boughton has fantastic speed, as he already has 14 stolen bases on the season. If he can continue to hit like he has in June, he may find himself on top-100 prospect lists to end the season. 

Regardless, this is fantastic production to see out of an 11th round pick so quickly into his career. Boughton will be a player to watch over the next few seasons, as he could add to the already impressive surplus of middle infielders the White Sox have in their organization.

White Sox Have An Obvious Roster Move They Can’t Ignore

By
Craig Rowland
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Mar 19, 2026; Peoria, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher Korey Lee against the San Diego Padres during a spring training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The White Sox received a huge boost when Kyle Teel returned from the injured list, as he was one of the best hitters on the White Sox last season. That being said, the White Sox have gotten some of the worst production in the league out of the catcher position this season, so this was an even bigger addition than it normally would be. 

With Teel in the fold, the White Sox are one step closer to having a complete lineup. When Munetaka Murakami returns from the injured list, the White Sox will have one of the best lineups in the entire major leagues. If the pitching can hold up, the White Sox will be headed to the postseason come October. 

Outside of upgrading the starting rotation and bullpen, the White Sox could also use an upgrade at catcher. As of today, Drew Romo is hitting .137 over 95 at-bats. While he does have five home runs and 11 RBIs, Baseball Reference has him at -.2 WAR. Since the White Sox look to be easing Teel back into playing everyday, the White Sox need more out of their backup catcher.

While Drew Romo provides solid defense behind the plate, his .137 average is .51 points below the lowest qualified hitter in the league right now. As it currently stands, Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres is hitting .188 in 293 at-bats. While he has less at-bats, Romo is still well below the worst qualified average. For a team that’s pushing for the playoffs, this isn’t going to cut it.

Thankfully for the White Sox, they have another capable catcher in the organization in Korey Lee. Last season, in 35 at-bats, Lee hit .257 with a .333 on-base percentage. While it is a small sample size, that would be a huge upgrade over what the White Sox are currently getting out of their backup catching position. In 2024 over 377 at-bats, Lee hit .210 with a .244 on base percentage. While that isn’t nearly as good as his 2025 season, that is much better production at the plate than the White Sox are currently getting from Romo.

Right now in AAA, Lee is hitting .230 with a .311 on base percentage. He’s hit 11 home runs, has driven in 36 runs, and has eight stolen bases. While this is by no means overly impressive, he deserves a chance to show what he can do at the major league level. 

The White Sox are going to be in a dogfight with the Cleveland Guardians for the division for the rest of this season, barring any injuries. They will need to put the best 26 men on their major league roster if they want to win the division. We know what Lee can do in the major leagues, and right now that is better than what Drew Romo is giving the White Sox. 

Romo is currently 1 for his last 22 at the plate over his last seven games, and 4 for his last 47 over his last 15 games. The White Sox need to mix it up to see if they can provide another spark at a position that seemingly is getting at-bats in the starting lineup every other day.

Romo still has a lot of potential, but right now he is in a major slump and has been for the last few weeks. The White Sox need to put the best players on the roster, and replacing Romo for Lee for the time being would be a much needed upgrade.

Why College Coaches Are Saying Prayers For Future Caleb Wilson Opponents

By
Erik Lambert
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caleb wilson
Feb 10, 2026; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) drives to the basket against Miami Hurricanes center Ernest Udeh Jr. (8) during the second half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bulls made their 4th overall pick in the NBA draft a formality. People had been predicting for weeks that they would likely take North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson. Sure enough, the top three broke precisely as expected, sending him to the Windy City as, hopefully, their future franchise cornerstone. Opinions from draft experts on Wilson largely followed the same line. They saw an elite athlete with size and length who could run the floor like a gazelle. He played above the rim, gave constant effort on defense, and always seemed to bring his best against top opponents.

So what about the coaches who watched him or had to go against him? Maybe they see something different. Jeff Borzello of ESPN spoke to a few of them about Wilson. The answers he got back were centered around the same thing: awe at the potential. To them, there isn’t anything the Bulls’ new rookie can’t do from a physical standpoint. He has every tool imaginable. The only thing in his way is a consistent shooting stroke. One coach even mentioned a familiar name as a comparison.

Caleb Wilson plays a lot like Giannis.

“He’s taller than you think, he’s longer than you think,” one coach said. “In the open court, he was down the court in three dribbles. It felt like a college version of Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. Full speed, with the ball in his hands. Is he a finished product? Absolutely not, but that’s what’s exciting. His skills can still develop. The passes off the dribble in motion, I didn’t think he had that in his game. He’s just scratching the surface, but his combination of positional size — can he slide down to the 3, can you play him as a small-ball 5 — length, athleticism, ball skills, I was blown away.

“Every possession, flying all over the place, blocking shots, getting steals, out on the break.”

That comparison might be on the nose.

People forget that Giannis was far from a finished prospect when he arrived in the NBA from Greece. He was a skinny kid at 6’9″, 196 lbs. Like Wilson, he had a reputation as an elite athlete who attacked the rim offensively. Unfortunately, he wasn’t much of a shooter. Until he bulked up and showed he could hit from range, people wouldn’t see him as much more than a slasher who could play defense. We all know how that worked out. Giannis bulked up to 240 lbs over the next couple of years, becoming one of the NBA’s dominant forces.

That is the same path Caleb Wilson now faces. The good news is he sits at 211 lbs, so it probably won’t take him as long to bulk up to a proper weight. He’s also proven himself against high-level competition, unlike Antetokounmpo. It comes down to that jump shot. Improving it will determine how high his ceiling goes. It will take time, effort, and dedication. Wilson insists he’s up for the challenge. We will likely have a strong idea how true that is by the end of his rookie season. The good news is? Plenty of future stars have walked this path.

PlayerCollege FG%NBA Career FG%College 3PT%NBA Career 3PT%College FT%NBA Career FT%
Kawhi Leonard44.9%49.9%25.0%39.1%74.4%86.3%
Jaylen Brown43.1%47.8%29.4%35.8%65.4%73.9%
John Stockton49.5%51.5%N/A*38.4%71.9%82.6%
Steve Nash43.0%49.0%40.1%42.8%86.7%90.4%
Zach LaVine44.1%47.0%37.5%39.1%69.1%83.5%
Khris Middleton43.1%45.7%32.1%38.8%76.8%87.9%
DeAndre Jordan61.7%67.3%N/A0.0%43.7%47.5%

Tiago Splitter should help him with this.

Chicago’s new head coach comes over from the Portland Trail Blazers, where he put together a surprise winning season. Before all of that, he was a player himself. During a long career in the NBA, he was a 55% shooter. As a big man himself, he can give Wilson lots of tips on how to improve his mechanics and efficiency. One can also presume he will hire a shooting coach at some point. The Bulls fired Peter Patton in 2024, a move many criticized. Gregg Popovich always had a shooting coach on his staff in San Antonio. You can imagine Splitter will bring one in to help Wilson and others.

Chicago must do everything in their power to give this young man what he needs. The potential benefits are massive in scope. Everybody knows how popular and profitable the Bulls become when they have a superstar. We saw it with Michael Jordan and again with Derrick Rose. Wilson feels like the closest talent-wise that the organization has gotten in a long time.

Miguel Vargas Is Dominating Despite Ridiculous Bad Luck

By
Craig Rowland
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Jun 26, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas (20) hits a three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

The White Sox had a great homestand, as they won four out of their six games against two different division rivals. You couldn’t ask for much more, but now the White Sox will need to lock in, as they have two big series on the road against the Baltimore Orioles and the Cleveland Guardians.

Miguel Vargas was the star of the most recent series against the Kansas City Royals, as he went 6 for 11 with two home runs and seven RBIs in the series. This is an exemplification of Vargas’ 2026 season, as he has been an all-star third baseman.

On the season, Vargas is hitting .252 with a .366 on base percentage. He’s hit 19 home runs, has 52 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. This is good for an elite .866 OPS. These numbers are some of the best among AL third basemen. If he’s not selected to the all-star team, that would be one of the biggest snubs in the league.

If that wasn’t impressive enough, this is all despite Vargas being one of the unluckiest hitters in the major leagues. As you can see below in the graph created by Thomas Nestico, Vargas has been the fourth most unlucky hitter in the league. This is kind of hard to believe, as he has still put up career high numbers. 

Miguel Vargas’ weighted on base average is .358. However, his expected weighted on base average is .395. This is good for a -.037 difference on how he’s actually played this season. MLB.com defines weighted on base average as a “version of on-base percentage that accounts for how a player reached base — instead of simply considering whether a player reached base. The value for each method of reaching base is determined by how much that event is worth in relation to projected runs scored (example: a double is worth more than a single).”

Essentially, weighted on base average gives more weight to a player that hits doubles, triples, and home runs, rather than a player who simply gets on base hitting singles.

Despite Vargas being extremely unlucky this season, he has still been one of the best hitters on the first place White Sox squad. This is exactly what Chris Getz and the organization envisioned for Vargas when they acquired him in the big three-team trade at the 2024 deadline.

Vargas has come a long way from the 2024 season, where he hit just .104 in 42 games with the White Sox after the trade. In just two seasons, Vargas has gone from one of the worst hitters in league to one of the best third basemen in the AL. 

Vargas’ improvement is a testament to how hard he’s worked over the last two seasons, as well as the White Sox player development system, as they made an adjustment with his batting stance, which has been part of the reason why Vargas has seen so much more success. 

At this point, Vargas will likely hit 30+ home runs and drive in 100 runs this season. If you told somebody in 2024 that Vargas would be putting up these kind of numbers, they would’ve called you crazy. Hopefully Vargas is rewarded with an all-star nod, as there isn’t a more deserving player.

More Proof That Caleb Williams Is A World-Class Grudge-Holder

By
Erik Lambert
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caleb williams
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) high fives fans after their game Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 22-16 in overtime.

It is not normal to be like Caleb Williams. Most people will assume that means a blue-chip athlete with a top 3 arm in the NFL. That is also true, but in this context, we’re talking about mentality. Most professional athletes go out of their way to avoid public discourse about themselves or their team. Such noise is an unnecessary distraction that always skews towards the negative. They don’t watch sports shows and avoid social media. The Chicago Bears‘ young quarterback is not in that same category.

If anything, he is the opposite. It feels as if Williams gets almost a perverse pleasure out of hearing people talk trash about him. The louder the hate, the better he feels. It is why he is on social media all the time. He also watches several of his games during a season, and not just the game footage. He’ll watch the television broadcasts too. This has brought him across plenty of criticisms from announcers calling games. He admitted on Pardon My Take that he takes such things personally.

This explains so much about Caleb Williams.

One of the most notorious stories around the Bears quarterback came last year. Reports stated he was supposed to have a meeting with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman ahead of Monday Night Football last year. Buck revealed that Williams ghosted them, which greatly offended Aikman. It was said Williams just lost track of time and tried to call to sneak the meeting in. The call wasn’t received. Then a few weeks later, the Bears quarterback did it again. One time can be an accident. Twice? That is intentional.

This likely stems from the 2024 season. Chicago played the Vikings in Minnesota on Monday night. It was a rough game. The Bears’ offense struggled, and the Vikings ran away with a 30-12 victory. Caleb Williams took a lot of heat on the broadcast. He barely completed half of his passes and didn’t manage much scoring until garbage time. It’s likely the quarterback didn’t appreciate the opinions of Buck and Aikman during the broadcast and had no plans to give them the time of day afterward.

Williams is petty, and that is awesome.

People will always say they want that classic star player who is nothing but class. The type of guy you’d let your daughter date. Few people will admit they prefer somebody who is competitive to the point of pettiness. Forget turning the other cheek. Their goal is to make all of those haters look stupid. Many Chicago legends were like that. Michael Jordan was, Jonathan Toews was, and even the iconic Walter Payton was. It is a mentality you often find in star players. So it’s not surprising Williams is like that.

Not that Bears fans will complain. They hate the announcers, too. Several groups have always seemed to have a bias against Chicago. It’s gotten so bad at points that they just mute the TV broadcast and either watch it in silence or turn on the radio. Williams feels like the first quarterback since Jim McMahon to take personal delight in giving such people grief. While Williams has never taken his antics as far as Mad Mac did, it’s clear he isn’t above holding grudges.

Why Experts Are Stunned By How Good The Chicago Blackhawks Draft Was

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago blackhawks
Jun 28, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson makes the nineteenth pick in round one of the 2023 NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Blackhawks set the tone of the entire offseason. Having spent the past few years stockpiling prospects through the draft, general manager Kyle Davidson felt it was time to take a big swing for some top veteran help. He soon worked out a blockbuster trade for Buffalo Sabers defenseman Bowen Byram. While it cost the 4th overall pick in the draft, Chicago feels they got one of the best young offensive defenders in hockey, along with a desperately needed boost to their power play.

Plenty of people weren’t happy with the trade, feeling the Blackhawks gave up too much. Davidson was unapologetic, feeling this team needed help now rather than a young player who might become something in a few years. Bowen just turned 25. He’s in his prime and coming off his best season. Besides, the Blackhawks GM still felt he could find value in the draft without the top pick. According to several experts, including Scott Wheeler of The Athletic, he was correct.

The Chicago Blackhawks were big winners of the draft.

“The Blackhawks didn’t pick until No. 34, and I loved that they used it — and the next pick at No. 35 — to operate from a position of strength with one of the deepest pools in the league and take two huge swings on Xavier Villeneuve and Ryan Roobroeck. They can afford to gamble a little on some guys now, and there might not be a bigger one than Villeneuve and Roobroeck. They have a ton of length on their back end, and Villeneuve could complement that as a diminutive all-skill guy. And they have a ton of diminutive speed up front, and Roobroeck complements that as a big, high-skill, NHL-shot grade winger. Villeneuve needs to defend better, and Roobroeck needs to compete harder, but the skill is legit with both.

Samu Alalauri early in the third round represented another cut, too. His weight and fitness have been a talking point, but he has skill and has been a top player in the ’08 Finnish age group all the way.”

All three players bring significant value if they hit.

Most agree that Villeneuve almost certainly would’ve been a 1st round pick if he’d been two inches taller. Standing 5’10” makes it difficult for a defenseman to get selected that high. Still, his vast array of skills makes the probability high that he will be a productive player once his game matures. He’s too fast, too smart, and too slick with the puck to be denied. Roobroeck is your class big guy who hasn’t learned how to play like a big guy. Basically, he’s “Tree” Lane from the Mystery, Alaska movie.

The stick-handling and rocket-launcher slap shot are there. He understands spacing and getting in front of the net. It is about whether he can find the aggression and killer instinct big guys like him need to dominate. As for Alalauri, he is just a well-rounded prospect. His size fits well as a defenseman, and he couples this with great poise and an ability to facilitate puck movement as a passer. He had 19 assists in 40 games during his last season in Finland. Couple that with a high competitive streak, and this is the type of player who sticks with an organization for a long time.

Davidson continues to show his knack for non-1st round work.

People are free to criticize how he’s handled the rebuild to this point, but it is hard to deny that the Chicago Blackhawks GM has a certain knack for the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Since taking over in 2022, he has added names like Ryan Greene and Nick Lardis in that range. Both showed lots of improvement last season as they began stacking experience. If that track record holds, it’s a reasonable bet that at least one of Villeneuve, Roobroeck, or Alalauri will turn into a really good player.

Remember, the Blackhawks only had five selections after the two trades that netted them Byram and the 35th pick. Davidson could not afford to make mistakes. Nabbing three players with high grades like that is tremendous work. The best part is that they might not be done. Davidson has more than enough draft capital and cap space to make another big veteran move if he wishes. If he can land a prominent winger to pair with Connor Bedard, expectations for the 2026-2027 season should skyrocket.

The Chicago White Sox All-Star Snub Nobody Is Talking About 

By
Mitchell Kaminski
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Jun 23, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Sean Newcomb (15) delivers during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Despite being one of the best stories in baseball this season, it appears there is still a “White Sox tax.”

The Chicago White Sox were on the wrong end of several head-scratching omissions in All-Star fan voting. Start with Munetaka Murakami, who finished third among American League third basemen despite launching 20 home runs in just 200 at-bats. Then there’s Miguel Vargas, who ranks among the top 20 players in baseball in total WAR, yet also finished third in the voting at his position.

Colson Montgomery may have the strongest case of all. The 24-year-old finished fourth among American League shortstops despite posting an .802 OPS with 20 home runs. Meanwhile, Blue Jays shortstop Andrés Giménez earned more support despite carrying a .620 OPS and 13 fewer home runs.

You could also make a compelling case for Chase Meidroth, who failed to crack the top five among American League second basemen despite being tied for the highest fWAR at the position when voting closed.

While some of these players may still earn a spot in the Midsummer Classic, there is one player in particular quietly putting together a legitimate All-Star case that hardly anyone seems to be talking about: Sean Newcomb.

Is he as talented as Grant Taylor? No. Is his ERA as impressive as Bryan Hudson’s? Also no. But there’s a strong case to be made that he’s been the most valuable member of the White Sox bullpen. In fact, his 1.6 WAR is the highest among any reliever on the staff.

Newcomb is in the midst of a career year. Through his first 31 appearances, he has posted a sparkling 2.54 ERA, owns one of the highest ground ball rates in baseball, and has been one of the best in the business at limiting hard-contact. 

Newcomb ranks in the top 25th percentile of MLB pitchers in opponents’ hard-hit rate, barrel rate, and average exit velocity. He’s done all of this while serving as a valuable innings eater out of the White Sox bullpen, helping fill the void left by Mike Vasil, who occupied that role last season before being lost for the year to Tommy John surgery.

With 49.2 innings already under his belt this season, Newcomb is well on pace to surpass 100 innings. Not only has the 33-year-old southpaw been reliable. He has been versatile. 

Newcomb joined the White Sox with hopes of earning a spot in the starting rotation. While that opportunity never materialized, he has embraced his role and excelled in whatever capacity the team has asked of him. The 10-year veteran has already made 21 appearances this season in which he’s thrown more than one inning.

Need an opener in a pinch against the Detroit Tigers? Newcomb is there to deliver three scoreless innings. 

Clinging to a one-run lead against the Cleveland Guardians,, but Seranthony Dominguez has blown back-to-back saves and Grant Taylor isn’t available? Newcomb records a seven-out save, Goose Gosage style. 

https://twitter.com/JimThomeFC/status/2069599591444439254?s=20

If Newcomb were on a lesser team, he would almost certainly be in the All-Star conversation. Unfortunately for him, the White Sox have a long list of deserving candidates, which likely means he’ll have to wait for his first All-Star appearance. Still, that shouldn’t take away from just how valuable he’s been this season.

In a season where the White Sox have surprisingly emerged as one of baseball’s most compelling stories, Newcomb has quietly been one of the stabilizing forces behind it all. 

He may not command the headlines or highlight reels like some of his teammates, but his consistency, versatility, and willingness to fill whatever role is needed have made him indispensable on the South Side this season.

John Collins? The Plan Behind The Bulls’ Latest Free Agent Target

By
Erik Lambert
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john collins
Apr 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis (7) blocks a shot by Los Angeles Clippers forward John Collins (20) in the first half during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Nobody expects the Chicago Bulls to come out swinging in free agency. There is no reason for them to do so. This is a team far away from competing for a championship. They are currently focused on laying the foundation of a future contender. Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain are expected to be centerpieces in that plan after joining the team as 1st round picks. The same goes for Matas Buzelis. Beyond that, VP of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham still has $30 million in salary cap space. He must spend some of it to round out the roster. That is where John Collins comes in.

While other teams are focused on the big names about to hit the open market, it appears the Bulls are monitoring the mid-level exemption options. The 28-year-old power forward, who spent last season with the Los Angeles Clippers, is at the top of that list. Brett Siegel of Clutchpoints reports that Chicago is one of the teams expected to make a run at him. They certainly have the money to make it work. The trick will be whether they can outpace other teams that may have more favorable situations.

“Wade and Collins will have the most robust market for players who could receive the full mid-level exception (~$16 million) from teams this offseason. Whereas Wade has been a proven, consistent two-way forward for the Cavs over the last several years, shooting 36.2 percent from 3-point range this past year, Collins presents athleticism and pure rebounding skills.

There has been some talk of Collins being linked to the Timberwolves, but after trading for LaMelo, Minnesota won’t be able to offer the recent LA Clippers forward what other teams can. Sources say the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs are two prominent teams frequently mentioned among league circles as suitors for Collins.”

The interest in John Collins isn’t hard to surmise.

Chicago has been looking to bolster its front court all offseason. They traded for Nic Claxton and drafted Wilson and Swain. Collins is a solid power forward with great athleticism. He finishes well at the rim, plays defense, rebounds well, and is a pretty decent three-point shooter. The Bulls need more of all those things. He can start alongside Claxton, giving them an experienced presence in the paint. His ability to provide spacing will be a major help to Wilson, Buzelis, and Josh Giddey, who can find lanes to the basket.

Collins is not a difference-maker. Don’t get it twisted. He is a solid veteran who can help make the Bulls semi-presentable. This isn’t a big swing. Would he be okay with that? Collins turns 29 this year. He’s played most of his career on mediocre teams. One has to imagine he’d like to play for a contender. That is why San Antonio may have the advantage in any free agent negotiations. That said, he would definitely be a starter in Chicago, and they can offer the full exemption.

It will be interesting to see the Bulls’ strategy.

Graham hinted that the team may enact an approach of taking on some bloated contracts from other teams in exchange for future assets. They may stick to that if this looming pursuit of John Collins doesn’t materialize. If nothing else, this is further evidence that the Bulls have a vision for what they want. Big athletes with good length who offer versatility. Collins would be a great veteran sprinkle on a suddenly very young core. It also shows the team is now working to find more shooting.

It will be interesting to see if any other notable names emerge as the deadline draws closer. Peyton Watson is a hot name mentioned a lot after his semi-breakout year in Denver. The same goes for Quentin Grimes from Philadelphia. Both would help plug the team’s void at shooting guard. Having already gotten involved in one major trade, it’s safe to assume they may hitchhike on another. Collins’ market will be one to watch.

The Chicago Bears Finally Chose A Specific Site In Indiana. Here’s What It Means

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears
Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana, has become the preferred building site for the Chicago Bears' new stadium.

The Chicago Bears announced their official pivot to Hammond, Indiana, on May 31st after the Illinois spring legislative session ended without a bill passing. With no property tax certainty, the team felt it was in their best interests to finally make Indiana a priority. However, no specific site had been chosen. Most people assumed the Wolf Lake region was the only one they were considering. That was not the case. Lost Marsh Golf Course was also in the mix, and the Bears wanted to see which presented the best path forward.

According to Maya Liquigan of the Northwest Indiana Times, that decision has been made. The Bears took another important step in the evaluation process by using soil drilling equipment. This is critical as such efforts test load-bearing capacity, groundwater levels, and bedrock strength. Such factors determine if a site can handle the massive weight of a stadium complex. A Bears representative said in a statement that while no specific location has been determined yet, Wolf Lake is the area they’ve chosen.

The Chicago Bears are sticking with the original plan.

Soil drilling equipment, which is used to test potential construction sites, was in place Saturday evening in Hammond near a location that could become the next Chicago Bears stadium, team officials confirmed.

A team spokesman confirmed late Saturday that the machinery that was located by Times reporters at the Wolf Lake Terminals, west of Interstate 90 in Hammond, was testing the ground for a potential stadium site.

The site is currently home to logistics facilities, storage and other private business uses.

“This activity is part of the normal site evaluation process as we continue to advance our stadium development project in Hammond,” said Scott Hagel, the team’s senior vice president of public and governmental affairs. “We have an excellent option already in place and continue to assess additional parcels of land in the Wolf Lake region to ensure we place the stadium and mixed-use district in the very best location to search all of Chicagoland.” 

This revelation confirms two things.

First, the Bears are serious about Indiana as an option. There is no way they would be spending that much money to evaluate sites unless they had the full intention of building there. Second, this sends a clear message to Illinois. Recent reports out of Springfield state that several lawmakers aren’t in any hurry to accommodate the Bears because they believe Hammond is a bluff. The team truly wants to build in Arlington Heights and is using Indiana as leverage to get what they want.

This report is another step towards the red line. Think of it as the Chicago Bears’ version of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Both sides are staring each other down, daring the other to blink first. Nuclear annihilation, or in this case, a public divorce after over a century of partnership, is the endgame if neither does. Wolf Lake is a massive property. The Bears should have no issue finding a location that can handle the stadium construction. The tricky part will be the area around it.

Environmental protection remains a big issue.

Building near a large lake is certainly appealing from an aesthetic standpoint. Unfortunately for the Chicago Bears, it also comes with a significant roadblock. One of the reasons Wolf Lake would prove challenging to build on is the natural wetlands nearby. They have permits and easements issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that strictly prohibit development. That means they are protected through 2050. Either the Bears would have to avoid building on or around them, which would shrink the property they can use, or they would have to go to court to try to get those permits overturned. Most believe the latter is unlikely.

A costly legal battle is not something the Bears want, but it seems they’re content to go through the proper procedures on testing the site anyway. Indiana lawmakers are plenty confident that such issues can be ironed out in the coming months. They’ve already passed the legislation necessary. All the Bears have to do is pick a site. From there, the two sides can work on ironing out the wrinkles.

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