Should Cardinals Trade Dustin May? Examining the Possibility

The Cardinals have some things to decide.Curt Bishop|

Jun 15, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May (3) reacts after striking out San Diego Padres first baseman Ty France (not pictured) to end the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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The St. Louis Cardinals have played much better than expected this season and could be showing signs of busting out of their recent losing streak. They had lost four consecutive games, but now have won each of their last two.

Once again, this is going to create a bit of a dilemma for Chaim Bloom at the trade deadline. He has to stay true to his plan, but can also potentially recalibrate a little bit as long as it doesn't interfere with those plans.

If the Cardinals choose to sell, they have several obvious candidates to move, including none other than Dustin May. Brian Murphy of MLB.com listed him as one of the top trade candidates among starting pitchers, but it's important to note that he presents an interesting case, largely because of where St. Louis sits in the standings.

Cardinals Could Go Either Way With Dustin May at Deadline

The Cardinals have a chance to capitalize on May's value by selling high on him and potentially bringing back a good deal of prospects. They still may need to focus on building up the farm system and player development, so bringing in more young pitching that is major league ready, especially for the starting rotation would be huge for St. Louis.

May was signed to a one-year, $12.5 million contract with a mutual option for 2027. Those options are rarely exercised, so May is likely to become a free agent at the end of the season. Capitalizing on his value now while they still can would be a wise move for the Cardinals.

They were not planning on being a true contender this season, and it still remains to be seen if they can keep it up. The August 3 deadline is still several weeks away, so there is time to see whether or not the Cardinals will be able to stay in the race.

The National League is a strong race, contrary to what is happening in the American League, with just a few teams at .500 or better. But the Cardinals have also seemingly ruled out chasing any rental players at the deadline, so that might make any sort of buying tough to do.

That is why selling is still very much on the table despite their improved play this season, and if they do sell, May is somebody that can bring back a good haul and set them up well for the future.

A lot of time remains before August 3, but it will be interesting to see what Chaim Bloom is thinking as the days go by.

If the Cardinals end up staying in the race though, then that changes everything. Perhaps at that point, May will be held onto. Beyond that, the Cardinals will have to weigh if trading him is worth it if they are in the race. This could ultimately lead to them buying at the deadline in some way or potentially standing pat.

But May presents a very interesting case here. The Cardinals could really go either way. They currently are in playoff position and hold the third NL wild card spot. If they want to make the postseason, perhaps it's best to hold onto May and see what he can give them down the stretch and in the playoffs. He does bring veteran experience to a young team and that could be valuable if they are making a playoff push.

Published 2 hours ago | Modified 1 hour ago

CURT BISHOP

Curt Bishop is a freelance sports writer who graduated from Maryville University of St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the field of Communication and currently writes as a contributor for various platforms covering Major League Baseball. Curt’s work includes covering trade and free agency predictions, as well as rumors and news. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding St. Louis Cardinals On SI, please reach out to Scott Neville: [email protected]

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LeBron James went from his hometown to Tinseltown — here’s where he will likely take his talents next, ranked

LeBron James’ next team is likely the Warriors, with Cavs, Heat in mix

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Melissa Rohlin

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LeBron James went from his hometown to Tinseltown — here’s where he will likely take his talents next, ranked

By Melissa Rohlin Published July 1, 2026, 6:40 p.m. ET

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After LeBron James decided not to return to the Lakers for his unprecedented 24th NBA season, teams are clamoring to sign one of the greatest players of all-time, who apparently isn’t factoring money into his free-agency decision for the first time in his career.

The competition has gotten so intense that even the governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, weighed in by reposting a report about how the state has the US’s best quality of life and tagging James in it. The PGA Tour got in on the fun as well, posting a photoshopped image of James wearing a Tour-branded polo and cap. Several NFL teams also jokingly shot their shot at the James sweepstakes.

With the competition fierce and James’s decision approaching, let’s break down where the four-time champion and four-time MVP will most likely land. They’re ranked in descending order of likelihood.

LeBron James, wearing a denim shirt, bucket hat, and sunglasses, holds a glass of wine. — Where LeBron James plays next season will be the talk of the NBA offseason. Getty Images

Golden State Warriors

Pros: James has said that if he could play alongside anyone in the NBA, it would be Steph Curry. They won a gold medal together at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. They met in four straight Finals from 2015-2018. They dominated the NBA over the last decade. How fun would it be if they teamed up in the twilight of their careers? It would be the greatest show in town, regardless of how deep they went in the playoffs. Not to mention, James is good friends with Draymond Green and has a lot of respect for Warriors coach Steve Kerr.

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An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows LeBron James in a white Lakers jersey jumping with a basketball in his right hand, Image 2 shows Basketball player LeBron James standing on court with his arms raised, in yellow Lakers uniform and pink shoes, Image 3 shows LeBron James holding the Larry O&#039;Brien trophy and the NBA Finals MVP trophy after winning the 2020 NBA Championship

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An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows LeBron James wearing a yellow Los Angeles Lakers jersey with the number 23, Image 2 shows LeBron James and Stephen Curry celebrating their Olympic gold medal win for Team USA, Image 3 shows Anthony Davis and LeBron James in their purple and gold Lakers jerseys during a game

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Cons: Next season, James will be 42, Curry will be 39 and Green will be 37. That’s geriatric in NBA terms. How could they compete against vastly younger and deeper teams such as the Spurs and Thunder? And if Anthony Davis is traded to the Warriors as part of the deal to acquire James, they’d just be adding another oft-injured player to a roster that’s already one injury away from disaster.

Comment: It would be pure cinema. It would be worth the risk. It’s where James would have the most fun.

LeBron James and Stephen Curry embracing after a game. — From rivals to friends, James and Steph Curry would be enticing and must-see TV all next season. Getty Images

Cleveland Cavaliers

Pros: This would tie a bow on James’ illustrious career. It’s where he was drafted in 2003 as the prospect with the highest expectations in NBA history. It’s where he sprinted past those expectations. It’s where he completed the greatest comeback of all-time, helping the Cavaliers storm back from a 3-1 series deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals against the Warriors, winning the franchise’s first-ever championship.

When the Lakers played in Cleveland in January, James teared up during a video tribute. This franchise still means so much to him. He grew up just 40 miles from Cleveland in Akron, Ohio. He still refers to himself as “The kid from Akron.” The basketball case would be pretty compelling too, with him playing alongside Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.

Cons: James wouldn’t want to be so far from his family. He has emphasized how hard it has been to miss so many of his children’s milestones throughout his career. He’s not going to move to the East Coast and be absent for all of his 11-year-old daughter’s volleyball games. Also, ever since James turned 40, his passion has become golf. Cleveland winters don’t exactly facilitate beautiful days spent on the green.

Comment: This would be the storybook ending for James. But it’s hard to imagine he’d pull the trigger on it.

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LeBron James in his Cleveland Cavaliers uniform during the 2018 NBA Finals. — A return to his hometown would make for a storybook ending for James. Getty Images

Miami Heat

Pros: The Heat already acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo, and pairing him with James would be thrilling. James has strong ties to the Heat after carrying them to four straight Finals from 2011-2014, winning two championships. James has great relationships with Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra. It’s hard to imagine James going somewhere in which he has no history at this point, so the Heat could be a destination that makes sense.

Cons: When James returned to Miami in March, it was obvious he doesn’t have the same sentimentality for the franchise that he has for Cleveland. He didn’t get choked up. He didn’t wax poetic about his time in Miami. Also, it’s going to take a while for the Heat to figure things out and become contenders in the East. Considering James is fast-approaching retirement, time is a luxury he doesn’t have.

Comment: James and Antetokounmpo would be an exciting pairing, but I don’t think this is really on the table.

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The most successful stop throughout his illustrious career, heading back to South beach would bring closure to James. Tribune News Service via Getty I

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Minnesota Timberwolves

Pros: This would be a basketball dream fit for James. Imagine him playing alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels. That team would be so good. James loves Edwards, whom he mentored during the Olympic Games. The two of them would be riffing off of each other in the locker room and creating poetry on the hardwood.

Cons: It’s Minnesota. It’s freezing. It’s wet. That about sums it up.

Comment: There’s no way James is moving to Minnesota. It’s fun to imagine, but this is a nonstarter.

Anthony Edwards and LeBron James smiling on a basketball court. — One of the best fits from a personnel standpoint, James joining Anthony Edwards in Minnesota would make them among the title favorites. NBAE via Getty Images

Denver Nuggets

Pros: If there’s one player James doesn’t hesitate to heap praise on besides Curry, it’s Nikola Jokic. After the Nuggets swept the Lakers out of the 2023 Western Conference Finals, James was in awe of Jokic, praising his basketball IQ and literally tipping his hat to him. On his “Mind the Game” podcast, James added that Jokic is the most “dominant, complete player” he has played against.

Cons: James has no history with the Nuggets. Narratives are important to him. Would he really join Jokic’s team in what would potentially be his final season? Nah.

Comment: It would be fun in theory, but it ain’t happening.

LeBron James dribbling the basketball while Nikola Jokic guards him. — Arguably the two best offensive minds in the game on same team, James and Nikola Jokic would be thrilling every night. Denver Post via Getty Images

Honorable mention: San Antonio Spurs

Pros: If James were prioritizing winning his fifth championship above all else, he should go to San Antonio. Led by the 7-foot-4 phenom Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs skyrocketed past their expectations this season, reaching the NBA Finals. But they lacked something very important: Someone with championship experience who could lead them in crunch time. They had double-digit leads in each of their four losses before making last-second mistakes that had major repercussions. James would be the perfect antidote to those mental collapses. He’d be surrounded by young guns. But San Antonio just signed Tobias Harris to a two-year, $31 million deal, all but closing the door on that opportunity.

Cons: Before the Harris signing, this was fun to think about. The idea of a real-life passing of the torch from James to Wembanyama would’ve been fascinating to witness.

Comment: Oh, well. It was fun to think about for three seconds.

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Where LeBron James plays next season will be the talk of the NBA offseason. Getty Images

From rivals to friends, James and Steph Curry would be enticing and must-see TV all next season. Getty Images

A return to his hometown would make for a storybook ending for James. Getty Images

The most successful stop throughout his illustrious career, heading back to South beach would bring closure to James. Tribune News Service via Getty I

One of the best fits from a personnel standpoint, James joining Anthony Edwards in Minnesota would make them among the title favorites. NBAE via Getty Images

Arguably the two best offensive minds in the game on same team, James and Nikola Jokic would be thrilling every night. Denver Post via Getty Images

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WATCH: Kissing daredevils climb to top of Empire State Building spire for marriage proposal * WorldNetDaily * by Joe Kovacs

WATCH: Kissing daredevils climb to top of Empire State Building spire for marriage proposal

By Joe Kovacs

July 1, 2026

(Video screenshot)

A couple of kissing daredevils took their love to new heights on Wednesday, climbing to the top of the Empire State Building, unfurling a banner and apparently popping the question of marriage.

BREAKING: Two people have climbed to the top of the Empire State Building in New York City, holding a banner from the skyscraper’s antenna reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”

As of now it’s unclear how the pair reached the top of the… pic.twitter.com/rUPZ6nc1eK

— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 1, 2026

Ivan “Vanya” Beerkus, 32, and Angela Nikolau, 33, who have an online following for their skyscraper climbs across the planet, flew a banner reading, “‘When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”

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BREAKING — The couple seen atop the Empire State Building have been IDENTIFIED as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus.

The couple released a Netflix documentary in 2024 called “Skywalkers: A Love Story.”

They supposedly ” Found Love Thousands of feet in the sky, illegally… pic.twitter.com/4VQ1pATPoo

— The Patriot Oasis™ (@ThePatriotOasis) July 1, 2026

The New York Post reports: “After lingering at the top of the tower for around 30 minutes, the climbers began making their way down the spire to the viewing platform, which appears to have been evacuated.

Photos of the banner that was placed on top of The Empire State Building minutes ago + what looks like a proposal. The photos are straight from the Instagram account of Angela Nikolau who just put these up (one of the two people who climbed this). #EmpireStateBuilding pic.twitter.com/TJGglZfqsD

— Tommy DiDario (@tommydidario) July 1, 2026

“As the couple reached a platform at the base of the spire, Beerkus dropped down on one knee and proposed to Nikolau – who was wearing a black cat mask – with a ring that she later flaunted on Instagram.

Kissing daredevils scale Empire State Building antenna, hanging flag 1,454 feet over NYC with cringe message https://t.co/7BpNViVAa2 pic.twitter.com/WcjnlqhHTg

— Leslie Mack (@lesliemack) July 1, 2026

“The couple was taken into custody without incident upon reaching the ground and charges are pending, according to the NYPD.

Every man everywhere has been shamed. Dude proposes on top of the Empire State Building. How’d they get up there? pic.twitter.com/vieFE0LUSU

— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) July 1, 2026

“It was not immediately clear if they bought tickets to access the observation deck, but a source familiar told The Post they allegedly breached a mesh gate on the 102nd floor – a publicly accessible floor – to reach the 103rd floor, which gave them access to the spire.”

Memes of the event are already appearing, including: