The 30-second version
- The Federico Staksrud trade sends him and Milan Rane to the New Jersey 5s, out of the Orlando Squeeze. It closed July 20, 2026.
- Orlando received Martin Emmrich, Lina Padegimaite and cash. The sum wasn’t disclosed — more on that below, because the number being quoted is an estimate, not a confirmed figure.
- It was the last official trade of the 2026 MLP season.
- The 5s kept Noe Khlif and Will Howells anyway — most observers assumed New Jersey would have to give one of them up to land Staksrud.
- New Jersey and the St. Louis Shock are the two super teams, and the season ends August 28–30 in Central Park.
The Federico Staksrud trade is the kind of move that makes you re-read the standings twice. In the final approved deal of the 2026 Major League Pickleball season, the New Jersey 5s added one of the best all-around men in the sport — and, to nearly everyone’s surprise, gave up neither of the starting men they already had.
Here’s what actually changed hands, what’s confirmed versus assumed, and why the finish line matters if you’re watching from New England.
What exactly was the Federico Staksrud trade?
Major League Pickleball announced the deal on July 20, 2026, as reported by Alex E. Weaver at The Dink Pickleball. The terms:
- New Jersey 5s receive: Federico Staksrud and Milan Rane.
- Orlando Squeeze receive: Martin Emmrich, Lina Padegimaite, and cash.
- Timing: the last official trade of the 2026 season.
A note on that cash figure. You’ll see “$400,000” attached to this trade all over social media. Be careful with it: MLP did not disclose the amount. The number comes from California Black Bears GM Erik Tice, who said he’d assume the cash was the maximum — $400k across two trades. That’s an informed estimate from someone close to the league, not a confirmed sum. Worth knowing the difference before you repeat it.
Why does this move matter so much?
Because of what New Jersey didn’t give up. The expectation around the league was that landing a top-tier man like Staksrud would cost the 5s one of their starters — Noe Khlif or Will Howells. Instead they kept both.
That leaves New Jersey rolling out Staksrud, Khlif and Howells, three men most teams would build a roster around individually, alongside a women’s lineup led by Anna Leigh Waters. Staksrud is also strong across all three disciplines, which in a team format matters more than a singles ranking suggests — mixed doubles decides an enormous share of MLP matches.
Pro Zane Navratil’s reaction summed up the mood: “the rest of the league is playing for third place.”
Does this make New Jersey the favorite?
Not outright, and the people closest to it are careful about saying so. Erik Tice’s read: New Jersey’s women are slight favorites in a best-of-three, St. Louis still holds the edge in men’s, and mixed is a toss-up — which makes the whole matchup close to even, with the 5s marginally ahead if it comes down to a Dreambreaker.
Two things keep St. Louis firmly in it:
- The Shock beat New Jersey the last time the two met. That result is why nobody is handing the 5s a trophy in July.
- St. Louis is still chasing its first MLP title — a team with that much motivation and a recent head-to-head win is not an underdog in any meaningful sense.
So the trade didn’t settle the season. It set up a rematch between two genuine super teams.
Why should New England fans care?
Because the season ends about as close to home as pro pickleball gets. Per MLP’s official 2026 schedule:
- Dallas playoffs: August 7–9
- Newport Beach playoffs: August 14–16
- MLP Finals — New York City: August 28–30, at City Pickle at Wollman Rink in Central Park
For most of southern New England that’s a drive, not a flight — a title decided in Central Park on the last weekend of August. If you’ve only ever watched MLP on a stream, the team format is worth seeing in person. It’s loud, it’s fast, and the crowd is genuinely in it.
New to how any of this works? Start with what Major League Pickleball actually is, then how the PPA Tour and MLP differ. We’ve also mapped the 2026 playoff road, and everything pro lives in The Pro Corner.
Frequently asked questions
Who did the New Jersey 5s trade for Federico Staksrud?
New Jersey sent Martin Emmrich, Lina Padegimaite and cash to the Orlando Squeeze, and received Staksrud and Milan Rane in return.
How much cash was in the Federico Staksrud trade?
MLP did not disclose it. The widely repeated $400,000 figure is an estimate from California Black Bears GM Erik Tice, who assumed the cash hit the maximum across two trades. Treat it as informed speculation rather than a confirmed number.
When did the Federico Staksrud trade happen?
It was announced on July 20, 2026, and was the last official trade of the 2026 MLP season.
Who does Federico Staksrud play alongside on the New Jersey 5s?
He joins Noe Khlif and Will Howells on the men’s side — New Jersey kept both — with a women’s lineup led by Anna Leigh Waters.
When and where are the 2026 MLP Finals?
August 28–30, 2026 at City Pickle at Wollman Rink in Central Park, New York City. The playoffs run in Dallas August 7–9 and Newport Beach August 14–16 first.
Trade terms and quotes are reported by Alex E. Weaver at The Dink Pickleball, linked above; schedule details come from Major League Pickleball’s official 2026 event pages. Rosters and dates can change — confirm before you buy tickets.
— Jason Regan, Regan Family Pickleball