The 2026 Major League Pickleball season has seen its final trade, and it's a blockbuster deal that sends Federico Staksrud to the New Jersey Fives. This move has significant implications for the league, particularly for the Fives and their rivals, the St. Louis Shock.
The trade involves the Fives receiving Federico Staksrud and Milan Rane, while the Orlando Squeeze gets Martin Emmrich, Lina Padegimaite, and cash. According to MLP expert and GM of the California Black Bears Erik Tice, the cash is likely the maximum amount of $400,000, which will give the Squeeze a significant amount of funds for next year. Tice expressed surprise that the Squeeze didn't get more in return, specifically Noe Khlif, who will now play alongside Staksrud and Will Howells on the Fives.
Implications of the Trade
The addition of Staksrud to the Fives' roster makes them a strong contender for the MLP title, alongside the St. Louis Shock. The Fives now have a formidable lineup with Khlif, Howells, and Staksrud, which raises questions about their starting lineup and mixed doubles pairings. Erik Tice identified two key questions for the Fives: who will start in men's doubles and on which side, and what will their mixed doubles lineups look like. Tice also weighed in on the Fives' chances against the Shock, saying that the Fives' women are slightly favored in a best two-out-of-three scenario, while the men's doubles is still favored to go to the Shock.
The trade has also sparked a conversation about who is favored to win the MLP title this year. Tice believes that the Fives are slight favorites over the Shock, but only if it comes down to a Dreambreaker. The Fives' acquisition of Staksrud has added pressure to the Shock, who are still seeking their first MLP title. With this blockbuster trade, the stage is set for an exciting showdown between the Fives and the Shock in the upcoming MLP games.
Here are the key points from the trade and its implications:
- Federico Staksrud and Milan Rane join the New Jersey Fives: The Fives receive two top players, strengthening their lineup and making them a strong contender for the MLP title.
- Orlando Squeeze receives Martin Emmrich, Lina Padegimaite, and cash: The Squeeze gets a significant amount of cash, likely $400,000, and two players, but many believe they should have gotten more in return, specifically Noe Khlif.
- Starting lineup and mixed doubles pairings uncertain for the Fives: The addition of Staksrud raises questions about who will start in men's doubles and on which side, as well as what the mixed doubles lineups will look like.
- Fives are slight favorites over the Shock: Erik Tice believes that the Fives are slight favorites over the Shock, but only if it comes down to a Dreambreaker.
