One of the best players in Los Angeles Clippers history isn’t thrilled with how the franchise has treated his former teammate, Chris Paul.

Three days after the Clippers unceremoniously released the future Hall of Famer in the middle of a road trip, former All-Star Blake Griffin provided some perspective on the divorce during an appearance on Prime Video‘s NBA pregame show. Consider him fully on Paul’s side.

Griffin praised Paul’s leadership during their time together in L.A. while criticizing the Clippers’ lack of communication and consideration for Paul as he navigates what is supposed to be his final season in the NBA.

Griffin’s comments:

“I’m just disappointed, to be honest. I can’t really think of another word. Obviously shocked at first, but disappointed. I’m disappointed for Chris Paul, but I’m disappointed in the Clippers organization. 

“Chris Paul is a guy who came to the Clippers when DeAndre [Jordan] and I were first- and second-year guys. He brought a winning culture. He taught us how to operate in the NBA and how to take every game seriously, how to take your body seriously, that there was no detail that was too small … Chris Paul, for 20 years, has been the same player. He’s been about winning. 

“Re-signing with the Clippers, this was supposed to be his moment, his coming back to L.A. ‘I’m giving it one last go.’ And for him to not get to walk out on his own terms, from the franchise — that he chose to go to — to end his career, is extremely disappointing.

“But I think the biggest reason I’m disappointed is what Chris said. No communication with Ty Lue. And, even more than that, no communication — I talked to CP Wednesday, I talked to him yesterday, I talked to him today — no communication with Steve Ballmer. And that’s the disappointing thing for me.

Since Paul’s release, there have been reports that the 40-year-old had clashed with members of Clippers leadership, to the point that he allegedly hadn’t spoken to head coach Tyronn Lue in weeks. Prime Video’s Chris Haynes reported Friday the Clippers front office received intel that Paul was privately criticizing players, coaches and executives in the organization, which led to a meeting between Paul and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank.

Paul reportedly denied the allegations, but later apologized to his teammates “if his words or actions were misconstrued.” He also reportedly asked for a meeting with Lue, but the coach declined.

As all of this was happening, the Clippers were off to an awful start, holding a 5-16 record at the time of Paul’s release. Paul was averaging career lows across the board, including 2.9 points per game, while coming exclusively off the bench. 

Paul reportedly gave the following comment to Haynes: 

“I’m just staying ready. I’m hooping right now. I don’t [know] what’s next. I’m still scarred by it all. Still processing everything. But I’m staying ready.”

It’s unclear where Paul will land in free agency, but it’s been made clear he doesn’t want to retire until the end of the season. Even if he’s no longer as productive as he once was, there figures to be a decent market for a player with his experience and leadership, especially given the number of connections he still has around the league.

As for the Clippers, they’ve received more than their usual amount of taunts, but also broke a five-game losing streak on Wednesday with a lopsided win over the Atlanta Hawks.

One of the best players in Los Angeles Clippers history isn’t thrilled with how the franchise has treated his former teammate, Chris Paul.

Three days after the Clippers unceremoniously released the future Hall of Famer in the middle of a road trip, former All-Star Blake Griffin provided some perspective on the divorce during an appearance on Prime Video‘s NBA pregame show. Consider him fully on Paul’s side.

Griffin praised Paul’s leadership during their time together in L.A. while criticizing the Clippers’ lack of communication and consideration for Paul as he navigates what is supposed to be his final season in the NBA.

Griffin’s comments:

“I’m just disappointed, to be honest. I can’t really think of another word. Obviously shocked at first, but disappointed. I’m disappointed for Chris Paul, but I’m disappointed in the Clippers organization. 

“Chris Paul is a guy who came to the Clippers when DeAndre [Jordan] and I were first- and second-year guys. He brought a winning culture. He taught us how to operate in the NBA and how to take every game seriously, how to take your body seriously, that there was no detail that was too small … Chris Paul, for 20 years, has been the same player. He’s been about winning. 

“Re-signing with the Clippers, this was supposed to be his moment, his coming back to L.A. ‘I’m giving it one last go.’ And for him to not get to walk out on his own terms, from the franchise — that he chose to go to — to end his career, is extremely disappointing.

“But I think the biggest reason I’m disappointed is what Chris said. No communication with Ty Lue. And, even more than that, no communication — I talked to CP Wednesday, I talked to him yesterday, I talked to him today — no communication with Steve Ballmer. And that’s the disappointing thing for me.

Since Paul’s release, there have been reports that the 40-year-old had clashed with members of Clippers leadership, to the point that he allegedly hadn’t spoken to head coach Tyronn Lue in weeks. Prime Video’s Chris Haynes reported Friday the Clippers front office received intel that Paul was privately criticizing players, coaches and executives in the organization, which led to a meeting between Paul and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank.

Paul reportedly denied the allegations, but later apologized to his teammates “if his words or actions were misconstrued.” He also reportedly asked for a meeting with Lue, but the coach declined.

As all of this was happening, the Clippers were off to an awful start, holding a 5-16 record at the time of Paul’s release. Paul was averaging career lows across the board, including 2.9 points per game, while coming exclusively off the bench. 

Paul reportedly gave the following comment to Haynes: 

“I’m just staying ready. I’m hooping right now. I don’t [know] what’s next. I’m still scarred by it all. Still processing everything. But I’m staying ready.”

It’s unclear where Paul will land in free agency, but it’s been made clear he doesn’t want to retire until the end of the season. Even if he’s no longer as productive as he once was, there figures to be a decent market for a player with his experience and leadership, especially given the number of connections he still has around the league.

As for the Clippers, they’ve received more than their usual amount of taunts, but also broke a five-game losing streak on Wednesday with a lopsided win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Here’s the latest Mets free agency and trade buzz during the 2025-26 MLB offseason…

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Dec. 5, 5:57 p.m.

The Marlins are reportedly in the market to trade one of their starting pitchers.

Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report that there’s a “strong possibility” the Marlins end up moving one of their starters, and that Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera continue to attract “serious attention” from other teams. 

While the report doesn’t name teams, the Mets are obviously in the market for front-line starting pitching and have the major league ready arms and bats to facilitate a potential deal with Miami. Cabrera has three years of club control remaining, while Alcantara has a club option (worth $21 million) for 2027. 

The Athletic also reports that young lefty Ryan Weathers has received interest from multiple teams. Weathers, 25, was having a breakout year in 2025 before he missed most of the year with a lat strain. He returned in September and finished with a 3.99 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP across eight starts. The report adds that the Marlins are at least listening in on each of their starters not named Eury Perez.

Dec. 5, 3:10 p.m.

It appears you can scratch three potential Mets trade targets off the board. 

The Twins don’t anticipate trading star CF Byron Buxton, ace Joe Ryan, or right-hander Pablo Lopez this offseason, according to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic. 

Minnesota intends to hang on to and build around all three, as club officials believe that the team is talented enough to compete in the weak American League Central.

Ryan is someone whom the Mets have shown interest in, according to Jon Heyman of the NY Post, and Minnesota is said to like young right-hander Jonah Tong. 

Rosenthal indicated that the rebuilding Twins would obviously listen if teams continue calling about the trio, however, they’d likely have to be overwhelmed to accept a deal. 

Dec. 5, 11:33 a.m.

The Mets are among the teams “in the mix” for free agent left-hander Ranger Suarez, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Feinsand lists the Astros, Cubs, and Orioles as the “most serious” threats to sign Suarez. 

Suarez has been one of the most reliable and effective pitchers in baseball over the last five seasons, posting a 3.25 ERA (3.44 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP in 694.1 innings over 143 games (116 starts).

For the Phillies this past season, he had a 3.20 ERA and 1.22 WHIP while tossing 157.1 innings across 26 starts.

Dec. 1, 7:05 p.m.

Tatsuya Imai, the 27-year-old Japanese right-hander, has reportedly lost at least one potential suitor.

The San Francisco Giants “do not anticipate making the nine-figure investment” required to sign the free-agent pitcher, according to a report Monday from The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly. 

The NL West club, which made big-money commitments to shortstop Willy Adames last year and took on the big contract of Rafael Devers in a June trade, is going to pass over getting involved in the market for big-money starters because of a “number of financial considerations” as they look at more “modestly priced alternatives,” Baggarly reported.

Imai, who was posted by his club (the Seibu Lions) in November, is seen as perhaps having the highest ceiling of the free-agent starters on the market. However, despite his fine season last year (1.92 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 178 strikeouts in 163.2 innings over 24 starts), he isn’t seen as the same kind of can’t-miss prospect as Yoshinobu Yamamoto was a few years back.

SNY’s MLB Insider Andy Martino reported on Nov. 10 that the Mets “will be in on” the starter, but did not expect it to be a “full-tilt pursuit” as was the case with Yamamoto. 

“Why? Evaluators like Imai but suggest that he is no sure thing to succeed as an MLB starter. His mid-to-high ‘90s fastball might or might not play here; industry opinion on that is mixed,” Martino wrote at the time. “Imai is an interesting option and should prompt conversations with any club in search of pitching, the Mets included.”

Nov. 30, 2:44 p.m.

Kodai Senga, who has had his name come up in trade talks this offseason, has recently informed the Mets that he would prefer to stay with the ballclub, according to a report Sunday from The Athletic’s Will Sammon.

Earlier in November, SNY’s MLB Insider Andy Martino said there was “interest” in the right-hander “around the league right now because of his upside and because of what we’ve seen when he’s at his best.” 

“There’s certainly a rational line of thinking that would point to a change of scenery after the last two years being the best for player and team,” Martino said on Mets Hot Stove on Nov. 19. “It is not a definite he’s going to be traded, but there’s going to be so many moving parts coming into the Mets’ rotation, they hope and they plan, that Kodai Senga leaving could be a part of the overall overhaul, and I don’t think there’s going to be a problem finding a trade.”

Senga is coming off an uneven season with the Mets, pitching to a 1.39 ERA in his first 14 outings over 77.2 innings, with 74 strikeouts to 33 walks, only to post a 6.56 ERA in his next eight outings over 35.2 innings with 35 strikeouts to 22 walks. That second-half swoon, which came after missing time with a hamstring strain, saw him demoted to Triple-A for the season’s final weeks.

Nov. 29, 11:30 p.m.

The Phillies certainly would love to retain Kyle Schwarber in free agency this offseason; however, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com the two sides are currently not close on a deal. 

Unsurprisingly, Zolecki notes that Schwarber’s agents are looking to capitalize on his stellar campaign in which he only finished behind Shohei Ohtani in NL MVP voting. 

The expectation is that the 32-year-old will ultimately land back in the City of Brotherly Love, but we’ll see how things play out. 

The Pirates, Reds, and Red Sox are among the teams that have reportedly shown interest in Schwarber. 

Nov. 29, 3:30 p.m.

Former Mets reliever Ryan Helsley and the Baltimore Orioles are in agreement on a two-year contract, pending a physical, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The deal has an opt-out after the first season.

Helsley will be the Orioles’ ninth-inning option despite the right-hander fielding interest from numerous teams this offseason to be converted into a starter.

After six and a half seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, the 31-year-old was traded to New York at last season’s trade deadline to help fortify the Mets’ bullpen. A closer for the Cards who got to New York with a 3.00 ERA and 21 saves, Helsley was slotted as the Mets’ setup man in front of Edwin Diaz.

However, his time in New York did not go well, pitching to a 7.20 ERA in 22 games and ultimately losing the eighth-inning job.

Still, in 297 career games, Helsley owns a 2.96 ERA and 105 saves.

Nov. 26, 7:45 p.m.

While the Mets look to re-sign Edwin Diaz this winter, the team is reportedly checking in on other back-end bullpen pieces.

According to the NY Post, the Mets have talked with representatives for Robert Suarez and Pete Fairbanks.

Suarez, of course, was the Padres’ closer the last two seasons, including a 40-save effort in 2025. He’s a back-to-back All-Star and pitched to a 2.97 ERA across 70 appearances this past season.

Fairbanks pitched to a 2.83 ERA and converted 27 saves in 61 games with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025.

Nov. 26, 6:25 p.m.

The Mets have one less potential starting pitching target on the board after Dylan Cease signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to multiple reports.

Cease is coming off a relatively down year, pitching to an 8-12 record and a 4.55 ERA across 32 starts. His strikeout rate was still very high (11.5) but the right-hander will look to help Toronto get back to the World Series.

As for the Mets, there are still plenty of free agent and trade targets for the team to target. While Framber Valdez doesn’t seem to be on their radar, Michael King, Ranger Suarez and Japanese star Tatsuya Imai are still available. 

Nov. 20, 5:53 p.m.

While the Mets are undoubtedly looking to rebuild their starting rotation, it doesn’t seem like free agent Framber Valdez is near the top of their wish list.

Appearing on Wednesday’s Mets Hot Stove, SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reported that the Mets were not among the teams that met with the southpaw at the GM Meetings in Las Vegas.

Martino notes that Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns prefers to develop his own ace-level pitchers in-house and does not typically spend huge money for top-of-the-rotation starters, though Stearns could be flexible on that point. At 32, Valdez is likely looking for a lucrative multiyear contract.

Valdez is a two-time All-Star with the Astros and has pitched to a career 3.36 ERA, but he also seemed to intentionally cross up his catcher in September to hit him with a pitch, which raised some red flags.

Nov. 10, 4:26 p.m.

While the Mets are expected to be aggressive in their pursuit of starting pitching this offseason, one of their current rotation arms is already receiving some outside interest.

According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, right-hander Kodai Senga is considered a buy-low trade target among some teams, although it’s unclear if the Mets are legitimately open to moving him. 

The report also notes that Senga’s contract no longer includes a full no-trade clause — he can now block deals to only 10 clubs.

The 2025 season was a confounding tale of two halves for Senga, who resembled an ace for the Mets through June and ultimately lost a big-league roster spot by September. In between his peaks and valleys was a summer hamstring injury that required rehab starts and caused mechanical headaches. 

Still, he posted a solid 3.02 ERA with 109 strikeouts across 22 outings (113.1 innings).

There’s reason to believe that Senga can re-channel that Cy Young-caliber version of himself, and his contract is by no means an albatross to the reported suitors. The 32-year-old is set to make just $28 million combined over the next two seasons, with a club option for 2028.

Since joining the majors from Japan in 2023, Senga owns a career 3.00 ERA with 209 strikeouts over 52 starts (285 innings). He also placed top 10 in NL Cy Young voting as a Rookie of the Year runner-up.

The winter meetings are just days away, and the tentpole event of the MLB offseason usually provides plenty of movement via trades and free-agent signings. 

Going into next week’s events in Orlando, Florida, some teams are under more pressure than others to make a significant move or risk being left on the outside looking in at the offseason action. 

Here are the four teams under the most pressure at this year’s winter meetings.

Chicago Cubs

No one seems to know what the Cubs want to be, including the Cubs themselves. Around this time last year, they were preparing to put a package together to acquire this year’s biggest free agent, Kyle Tucker. Now, after a successful season with Tucker that included winning the NL’s top wild-card before being bounced by the Brewers in the NLDS, the expectation is that the outfielder’s time in Chicago is over. 

If that’s the case, the Cubs are back to where they were last year, with more questions in their lineup than answers. And it’s not just their lineup that needs some reinforcements; their rotation needs help as well.

But beyond the need to add, the pressure on Chicago comes from the fact that the organization’s desire to spend has come into question in recent years, as the ownership group has pulled back from being near the top of the league in payroll. This fall, Cubs fans finally saw their team get back to the NLDS for the first time since 2018, and they’re tired of hearing about the players the team almost signed.

Next week, GM Jed Hoyer and Co. will have all eyes on them, waiting for a big move at the winter meetings.

Jonathan Castro/Yahoo Sports

New York Yankees

Last winter, after losing Juan Soto to the crosstown rival New York Mets, the Yankees pivoted to Cody Bellinger, who filled the void admirably with a strong 2025 campaign. The former MVP’s impact on New York’s season was significant, as he was not only strong defensively but also provided lineup protection for AL MVP Aaron Judge. This winter, the Yankees could once again lose a pivotal part of their lineup, as Bellinger is one of the best position players available in free agency. 

Beyond the question of bringing back Bellinger, the Yankees need to add a first baseman and reinforcements in the back end of their bullpen. Right-hander Devin Williams signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Mets earlier this week, and mainstay Luke Weaver is currently a free agent.

The Yankees haven’t made any significant moves yet this offseason. GM Brian Cashman was extremely active at the winter meetings in 2024, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see his team making moves again this year.

Detroit Tigers

The clock is ticking on the Tigers and their time with two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. It seems impossible to think Detroit would trade the best pitcher in the world, but reports have indicated that could happen, as they’ve at the very least entertained calls on their ace, who will be a free agent after next season. In that case, the biggest question is how do you get enough value in return for a player of Skubal’s caliber, even with just one year of club control remaining?

After a long rebuild, the Tigers reached the postseason in back-to-back seasons and seem to have a promising future ahead of them. So after all it took to get here, why not extend Skubal? There has been no better pitcher in baseball over the past two years than the Tigers’ ace, and no matter the return, you will not be able to replace the type of pitcher Skubal is and the impact he can have on a playoff series. The problem, of course, is money, as the two sides are reportedly more than $100 million apart in extension talks.

If the Tigers know they’re not going to find common ground with Skubal, it would be good business to shop him around and see what other teams might offer. Still, that doesn’t feel like the ending either side was hoping for in this situation.

Philadelphia Phillies

On the surface, the Phillies might not seem like a team under a lot of pressure. Over the past five years, they’ve been one of the most aggressive and successful teams in baseball, building a core of talented players on long-term deals and reaching the postseason the past four Octobers. But the Phillies haven’t been able to get to the mountaintop, despite advancing to the World Series in 2022 and the NLCS in ‘23.

Now Philadelphia has real decisions to make regarding the future of its roster, as three major contributors to the team’s recent success are free agents: NL MVP runner-up Kyle Schwarber, left-hander Ranger Suárez and catcher J.T. Realmuto.

The priority for the Phillies this offseason is undoubtedly Schwarber, who is coming off the best season of his career and has been a leader in the Philadelphia clubhouse since he arrived in 2022. It would be devastating for the franchise to lose a guy like that, one of the most respected players in baseball and a fan favorite.

Outside of Schwarber, what moves does president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski have up his sleeve? Even if the Phillies re-sign Schwarber, their roster has some other needs in the lineup and bullpen. The front office has the resources to address them, but they’ll need to work quickly. With the roster getting older and the National League only getting better, Philly’s window could be closing.

The winter meetings are just days away, and the tentpole event of the MLB offseason usually provides plenty of movement via trades and free-agent signings. 

Going into next week’s events in Orlando, Florida, some teams are under more pressure than others to make a significant move or risk being left on the outside looking in at the offseason action. 

Here are the four teams under the most pressure at this year’s winter meetings.

Chicago Cubs

No one seems to know what the Cubs want to be, including the Cubs themselves. Around this time last year, they were preparing to put a package together to acquire this year’s biggest free agent, Kyle Tucker. Now, after a successful season with Tucker that included winning the NL’s top wild-card before being bounced by the Brewers in the NLDS, the expectation is that the outfielder’s time in Chicago is over. 

If that’s the case, the Cubs are back to where they were last year, with more questions in their lineup than answers. And it’s not just their lineup that needs some reinforcements; their rotation needs help as well.

But beyond the need to add, the pressure on Chicago comes from the fact that the organization’s desire to spend has come into question in recent years, as the ownership group has pulled back from being near the top of the league in payroll. This fall, Cubs fans finally saw their team get back to the NLDS for the first time since 2018, and they’re tired of hearing about the players the team almost signed.

Next week, GM Jed Hoyer and Co. will have all eyes on them, waiting for a big move at the winter meetings.

Jonathan Castro/Yahoo Sports

New York Yankees

Last winter, after losing Juan Soto to the crosstown rival New York Mets, the Yankees pivoted to Cody Bellinger, who filled the void admirably with a strong 2025 campaign. The former MVP’s impact on New York’s season was significant, as he was not only strong defensively but also provided lineup protection for AL MVP Aaron Judge. This winter, the Yankees could once again lose a pivotal part of their lineup, as Bellinger is one of the best position players available in free agency. 

Beyond the question of bringing back Bellinger, the Yankees need to add a first baseman and reinforcements in the back end of their bullpen. Right-hander Devin Williams signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Mets earlier this week, and mainstay Luke Weaver is currently a free agent.

The Yankees haven’t made any significant moves yet this offseason. GM Brian Cashman was extremely active at the winter meetings in 2024, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see his team making moves again this year.

Detroit Tigers

The clock is ticking on the Tigers and their time with two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. It seems impossible to think Detroit would trade the best pitcher in the world, but reports have indicated that could happen, as they’ve at the very least entertained calls on their ace, who will be a free agent after next season. In that case, the biggest question is how do you get enough value in return for a player of Skubal’s caliber, even with just one year of club control remaining?

After a long rebuild, the Tigers reached the postseason in back-to-back seasons and seem to have a promising future ahead of them. So after all it took to get here, why not extend Skubal? There has been no better pitcher in baseball over the past two years than the Tigers’ ace, and no matter the return, you will not be able to replace the type of pitcher Skubal is and the impact he can have on a playoff series. The problem, of course, is money, as the two sides are reportedly more than $100 million apart in extension talks.

If the Tigers know they’re not going to find common ground with Skubal, it would be good business to shop him around and see what other teams might offer. Still, that doesn’t feel like the ending either side was hoping for in this situation.

Philadelphia Phillies

On the surface, the Phillies might not seem like a team under a lot of pressure. Over the past five years, they’ve been one of the most aggressive and successful teams in baseball, building a core of talented players on long-term deals and reaching the postseason the past four Octobers. But the Phillies haven’t been able to get to the mountaintop, despite advancing to the World Series in 2022 and the NLCS in ‘23.

Now Philadelphia has real decisions to make regarding the future of its roster, as three major contributors to the team’s recent success are free agents: NL MVP runner-up Kyle Schwarber, left-hander Ranger Suárez and catcher J.T. Realmuto.

The priority for the Phillies this offseason is undoubtedly Schwarber, who is coming off the best season of his career and has been a leader in the Philadelphia clubhouse since he arrived in 2022. It would be devastating for the franchise to lose a guy like that, one of the most respected players in baseball and a fan favorite.

Outside of Schwarber, what moves does president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski have up his sleeve? Even if the Phillies re-sign Schwarber, their roster has some other needs in the lineup and bullpen. The front office has the resources to address them, but they’ll need to work quickly. With the roster getting older and the National League only getting better, Philly’s window could be closing.

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The Mets made a strong addition to their bullpen this week, signing righty Devin Williams to a three-year deal. 

Williams comes to Queens after spending last season on the other side of town with the Yankees. 

The 31-year-old had a bit of an up-and-down start to his time in the Bronx, but was able to find his footing and showed flashes of his dominant form over his last few outings of the regular season and playoffs. 

He’ll now look to carry that production over to his first season in orange and blue. 

Williams met with the media over Zoom on Friday afternoon to discuss joining the Mets, potentially teaming up with Edwin Diaz on the backend of the bullpen, and some new additions to his arsenal… 

Why the Mets were a good fit…

Williams feels comfortable in New York after his one-year stint with the Yanks. 

He is familiar with David Stearns and his process from their time together in Milwaukee, but there was one big factor that ultimately came into him picking the Mets in free agency. 

“They’re a team that wants to win,” the two-time NL Reliever of the Year winner said. “Steve [Cohen] is doing all that he can to put a winning product out on the field and I’d love to be a part of that.”

On potentially teaming up with Diaz…

Williams said every team he spoke to before signing offered him the closer’s role. 

He’s currently penciled into that spot for the Mets, but things, of course, could change over the next few weeks with the team still showing interest in signing Diaz back off the open market. 

The long-time closer seems comfortable with the situation either way.

“I think it’s just a good situation,” Williams said. “If he comes back, then I think we’re going to have a really good backend of the bullpen — more good arms is always a good thing.”

New additions to the arsenal…

Williams has essentially been a two-pitch pitcher his entire career (fastball, changeup). 

But this offseason, he’s continued tinkering with his cutter, which he threw just twice all of last year, and he’s planning on leaning on the pitch a bit more this season. 

The righty has also continued working on adding a gyro slider to the mix for next year.

It’s something he’s been developing for years, though he hasn’t put it into play yet.

“I’m just playing with those two,” Williams said. “Just seeing if I can add those two to what I do, and just give myself a little more breathing room with the fastball and changeup.”

The two-time All-Star is also eager to see how new pitching coach Justin Willard and the Mets’ highly-regarded pitching lab can help him continue to improve his game. 

“They have a track record of helping guys improve on things they already do, or maybe adding in things,” he said. “So I think that they’ll be able to help me, and I’m really curious to see what they have for me.”

One night after assisting the game-winning basket against the Toronto Raptors, superstar forward LeBron James will miss the Lakers’ rivalry game against the Boston Celtics, the team announced Friday.

James was downgraded to out less than three hours before the game as he manages sciatica in his right side and joint arthritis in his left foot. The Lakers (16-5) are also without Luka Doncic for the second consecutive game as he is out because of personal reasons and guard Marcus Smart (left lumbar muscle strain) for the fifth game in a row.

The 40-year-old James has played only six games after missing the first 14 games because of sciatica. He missed one game because of the foot injury, which is a lingering problem from last season. He has yet to play back-to-back games, and coach JJ Redick said the goal is to build James’ fitness to the point where he can do that.

James’ streak of 1,297 consecutive games with 10 or more points ended Thursday at Toronto, but the Lakers still won as he dished an assist to Rui Hachimura for the buzzer-beating three-pointer.

James had eight points and 11 assists while Austin Reaves powered the offense with 44 points and 10 assists. The guard is averaging 41 points in four games without Doncic.

The Lakers are on a three-game, four-day Eastern Conference road trip. After Friday’s game in Boston, the Lakers finish the swing Sunday in Philadelphia.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.