BOTTOM LINE (UPDATED 7/1)

A GOING ON VACATION EDITION

*THIS IS THE FINAL EDITION UNTIL MONDAY, JULY 21: For years during my talk radio career, I took off 2-3 weeks in July before the opening of NFL training camps, so old habits are hard to break. Over the next 3 weeks, I will be preparing for the upcoming NFL and College Football season.

*DEANDRE AYTON WOULD HELP THE LAKERS: If he signs, he could add much needed rebounding and rim protection plus be a good lob pass partner with Luka Doncic.

*HOWEVER, NO MATTER WHAT, THE LAKERS ARE PLAYING CATCHUP IN THE WESTERN CONFERENCE: Oklahoma City has 15 returning players under contract, Houston traded for Kevin Durant and added free agents Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capella, Denver took care of its depth by adding Cam Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr., Bruce Brown and Jonas Valančiūnas and Dallas drafted Cooper Flagg. That’s at least 4 teams better than the Lakers.  

*THE STEELERS WILL ENTER TRAINING CAMP SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER THAN THE BENGALS: Pittsburgh has added Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith and Patrick Ramsey. Cincinnati has not improved their bad defense and average at best offensive line.

*DON’T BE SURPRISED IF THE PHILLIES ADD BEFORE THE JULY 31ST TRADE DEADLINE: Dave Dombrowski has always been an aggressive general manager. Philadelphia needs to add bullpen help and an outfielder.

*JULY 1 WAS BOBBY BONILLA DAY: Bonilla, a six-time All-Star who played his last game in 2001, has been receiving a $1.19 million check from the Mets every year since 2011, the result of a decision 25 years ago to delay paying the $5.9 million they owed him. Looking to dump Bonilla after the 1999 season, the Mets opted to defer his payment – with 8% interest – giving him $1,193,248.20 annually on July 1 from 2011-2035 – adding up to nearly $30 million.

ON VACATION UNTIL MONDAY, JULY 21