The Nashville Predators have swung a draft day deal. They've announced that they have acquired forward Adam Edstrom from the New York Rangers.
In exchange, the Predators are sending forward Massimo Rizzo and pick No. 148 in this year's draft to the Rangers.
Much like the Ross Colton and Jack Drury trades by newly hired GM Chris MacFarland, this deal is low-risk, high-reward.
Edstrom, 25, is a huge player; he stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 232 pounds. This is a great addition to the Predators' bottom six, especially considering they have a lot of young, smaller forwards on their NHL team.
Last season, in 35 games with the Rangers, he had three goals and two assists for five points. Over his career, he has played in 97 NHL games and scored 10 goals and six assists for 16 points.
By now, you can probably tell that Edstrom hasn't been an everyday NHL player at this point in his career. However, that is likely going to change with this new opportunity with the Predators.
As a team, they are looking to get younger; Edstrom helps with that. Plus, when you add in his size, it's a great depth pick up for Nashville.
The Rangers are moving another of their young bottom-six pieces.
Adam Edstrom has been dealt to the Nashville Predators for Massimo Rizzo and the No. 148 pick.
Edstrom was expected to be a regular piece on New York's fourth line last season, but he battled injuries and never quite found his groove upon returning, losing his spot in the lineup.
The towering center was a healthy scratch more often than not, appearing in just 35 games.
He finishes his time with the Blueshirts with 10 goals, six assists, and 189 hits.
Rizzo is a 25-year-old AHLer whom the Preds acquired from the Bruins earlier this offseason.
The Penguins drafted Liam Ruck in the first round with the 22nd overall pick on Friday, June 26. That made their second-round choice easy on Saturday. They selected his twin brother Markus with the 39th overall pick.
"That would make sense if that's the way the board falls," general manager Kyle Dubas said Friday.
Liam said the longest span the brothers have been apart is four days.
"We're obviously pretty close brothers," he said. "We go through everything together, I hope his name is called soon because he deserves it."
Liam and Markus play for Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League and will return there next season. Markus had 108 points to Liam's 104 as they filled the gap when eventual Toronto Maple LeafsNo. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna left for Penn State.
Kyle Woodlief of Red Line Report said Markus has an "outstanding passing touch and playmaking skills. Excellent vision." He said Liam "wants the puck on his stick in pressure situations and thrived as the 'go-to' guy."
Both have committed to North Dakota for 2027. Liam said there's more work to do now that he's drafted.
"I want to be more explosive with my skating," Liam said. "I think that's going to come with strength. I need to get stronger and heavier."
Flames draft Jarome Iginla's son
The Calgary Flames selected Joe Iginla in the third round with the 65th overall pick. His father began his Hall of Fame career in Calgary. The Flames had missed out on Jarome's older son, Tij, who was drafted sixth overall by the Utah Mammoth in 2024, three picks before Calgary had its first selection.
Blues acquire Brandon Carlo from Maple Leafs
The Blues give up two third-round picks for the defensive defenseman. It was their second acquisition of the draft after acquiring Mason McTavish on the first day.
Former Leafs GM Brad Treliving gave up Fraser Minten, a conditional first-round pick (expected to be in 2028) and a fourth-rounder to land Carlo in March 2025.
In another trade, the Predators acquired 6-foor-7 Adam Edstrom from the Rangers for Massimo Rizzo and a fifth-round pick.
The Nashville Predators opened day two of the 2026 NHL Draft by adding to their goaltending pipeline, selecting Russian netminder Dmitri Borichev with the No. 70 pick in the third round.
Borichev was viewed as one of the better goaltending prospects available outside North America, ranked by Central Scouting as the top European goalie in the class. He’s 6-foot-3, close to 200 pounds, and already has the frame NHL teams tend to lean toward with young goalies.
This past season in the MHL with Loko Yaroslavl, he put up a 2.25 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage over 24 games. Pretty solid numbers for an 18-year-old playing in that environment.
Borichev isn’t overly flashy or chaotic in net. He’s more controlled than anything else. He tracks the puck well, stays square, and doesn’t really overextend on plays. It’s a simple style, but it works. When he does have to make a tougher save, the glove is the part that stands out.
Nashville has usually been pretty patient with goaltenders, and this feels like another one of those long-term swings. He’s not coming over and pushing for NHL time right away. He's going to stay in Russia for a bit and keep playing. And Nashville will just let the development run its course, and when the time is right, he will come over to North America.
Ever since Knicks team owner James Dolan declared that the team cannot go into the second apron on WFAN’s Carton Show earlier in June, every move the club has made so far has hinted at going down that path.
This week’s NBA Draft saw the Knicks trade out of the first round -- and a guaranteed contract -- and step down to the second round, where they continued to move back.
Originally armed with the 24, 31 and 55 in the draft, New York ended up collecting a boatload of second-round picks in future drafts and selecting 39th and 47th overall, for players that will be on cheaper minimum deals or two-way contracts.
That series of moves hints at the Knicks trying to duck the second apron.
As free agency rapidly approaches this upcoming week, the Knicks should rethink their strategy. It will likely cause them to lose Mitchell Robinson and/or Landry Shamet in free agency, which could have an extremely negative impact on their chances of successfully defending the NBA championship next season.
Key cogs
Robinson and Shamet were vital contributors to the Knicks’ championship run. Both players’ performances were reflective of a Knicks roster that had depth where its bench filled in the gaps around New York’s stars.
If the Knicks lose Robinson, it will be nearly impossible to replace him.
The seven-footer has been with the Knicks since he was drafted by the club in the second round in 2018. Robinson is a unique player. He’s been one of the top offensive rebounders in the NBA over the last several years. His work on the offensive glass has won playoff games for the Knicks.
In the championship clincher against the San Antonio Spurs, six of Robinson’s 10 rebounds came on the offensive end; this included an offensive board on a missed free-throw that pretty much sealed the title.
Shamet was a reliable two-way guard. On a minimum contract, he played credible defense, and was an effective outside threat, knocking down 47.5 percent of his three-point attempts during the postseason. Shamet was another perimeter option New York could go to if Mikal Bridges or Josh Hart had quiet nights.
There were several games where Shamet closed in the fourth quarters of important games.
Robinson seems like the most likely casualty. Several teams in need of centers can offer the non-tax midlevel exception of about $15 million. If the Knicks stay under the second apron, they won’t be able to compete with those offers.
There aren’t many players the Knicks would be able to find on the cheap to replace Robinson or Shamet that would also be able to replicate their value.
It makes sense for the Knicks to be concerned about the second apron, the penalties to team building are stark.
Teams in the second apron lose access to the taxpayer midlevel exception, can’t aggregate multiple salaries to acquire larger-salaried players, and can’t use cash in trades, among other restrictions. Then, there are the hefty luxury tax payments. But going into the second apron for one or two years would be worth it, if it gives the Knicks a chance to contend for more championships.
The numbers
Going forward, staying under the second apron will be a challenge. New York has been active in the offseason already, agreeing to multi-year deals to re-sign Mohamed Diawara and Jose Alvarado. The 2026-27 salary figures on the agreements aren’t clear, but the Knicks are not too far from the $222 million second apron threshold.
Ducking the apron is a problem that won’t go away after the new season. New York’s starting lineup is set to make just under a combined $192 million for the 2026-27 season. Depending on potential contract extensions for Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart in the near future, that group can still become even more expensive.
As that figure is just about $30 million away from the second apron, the Knicks will likely have to think about re-orienting the pay allocation around the starting lineup. But that’s something that can wait.
The Knicks have a real chance to repeat going into next season, so dealing with the financial constraints for one or two more years is worth it. New York had not won a championship in the last 53 years. So, realizing this moment, where the Knicks have a real chance to compete for a championship again, is imperative.
The Colorado Avalanche selected Egor Shilov with the 43rd overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, adding the Victoriaville Tigres center to their prospect pool.
The pick used to select Shilov was acquired on Thursday in a trade that sent Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets. In return, Colorado received the 43rd overall pick, along with a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a fifth-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft for the 31-year-old forward.
Born in Tyumen, Russia, Shilov moved to North America in 2024 and quickly began adjusting to the smaller ice and faster pace. He split his first season between U16 AAA hockey with the Long Island Gulls and a stint in the USHL, where he posted 28 points in 39 games—an early sign that his offensive game would translate.
That momentum carried into his first full year in the QMJHL with the Victoriaville Tigres, where Shilov delivered a breakout season. He scored 32 goals on an 18.5% shooting percentage and finished with 82 points in 63 regular-season games, adding five points in four playoff contests. His performance earned him QMJHL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and pushed him onto the radar as a legitimate early-round draft target.
Shilov’s game is built around offense. He’s a creative center who thrives with the puck, often slowing the game down just enough to open passing lanes or create space for his shot. While he leans more playmaker than pure finisher, his shot is accurate and dangerous when he has time to load up—particularly on the power play.
He also handled a significant two-way workload in Victoriaville, winning 54.8% of more than 1,100 faceoffs, showing he can manage responsibilities down the middle while still driving offense. His ability to produce big nights stood out as well, including multiple five-point performances, two hat tricks, and a four-assist game during the season.
Rankings from a range of outlets generally placed Shilov between the late first and early second round, reflecting a common split in his profile: high-end skill versus questions about pace and skating tempo. At times, he can dictate play; at others, the game can speed past him.
That inconsistency likely played a role in him sliding to No. 43, but the Avalanche are clearly betting on the upside.
Shilov is expected to return to Victoriaville for the 2026–27 season before making the jump to the NCAA with Penn State University in 2027–28. The long development runway gives him time to refine his skating and adapt his game to higher levels without pressure to rush into the professional ranks.
For Colorado, it’s a calculated swing on a player who may or may not be a fit in their system right now, but could later on.
The next phase of the draft holds rounds two to seven of the draft on Saturday, and the Maple Leafs selected left-handed defenseman Alexander Bilecki with the 60th pick. Bilecki was Toronto's first pick following the selection of McKenna.
Bilecki is a Mississauga, Ont., native who spent the past two seasons in the OHL with the Kitchener Rangers. This past year, the blueliner scored nine goals and 29 points in 66 regular-season contests, as well as two goals and 11 points in 18 OHL post-season games.
He helped push the Rangers to an OHL championship. He also wound up becoming a Memorial Cup champion, chipping in three assists and a plus-five rating in four appearances at the tournament.
Bilecki was the third-highest scoring defenseman on the team in both the regular season and the playoffs. He was also tied for the third-most points as a defenseman in the entire Memorial Cup tournament.
The 18-year-old has been labelled as a power-play specialist and a blueliner who thrives at moving the puck from the back end. Bilecki had eight power-play points, but was behind Kitchener's captain, Cameron Reid, on the depth chart as the team's quarterback.
Next year, if Bilecki remains with the Rangers, he'll get plenty more ice time as Reid, a first-round pick of the Nashville Predators, will be taking his talents to the University of Michigan next year.
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CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 23: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds grounds out in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park on June 23, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona had seemingly settled on centerfielder Blake Dunn as his everyday leadoff man a couple of weeks back. Despite the team’s overall inability to score runs on a regular basis, that wasn’t necessarily Dunn’s fault – he’s been pretty cromulent atop the order ever since.
But with Dunn exiting Friday night’s series opening victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates early due to soreness in his right elbow, Tito was going to need to find a different solution to the top of his lineup come Saturday.
Turns out, that’ll come in the form of batting one of the most electric players in the sport there.
Elly De La Cruz returns to the leadoff spot for Saturday afternoon’s game against the Bucs, while Dane Myers will get the start in center in Dunn’s stead.
Chase Burns will toe the rubber for the Reds as they look to claim the series victory after downing ace Paul Skenes in Friday night’s 6-4 victory.
First pitch is set for 2:05 PM ET. Here’s how the Reds will line up to start:
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 5: Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during Round Two Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With the official opening of NBA free agency just days away, we inch closer to the point where we can better understand what next season’s Lakers will look like.
We already know that Austin Reaves will return, but beyond bringing him back on a max contract, President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka and this Lakers front office has much work to do in building out a roster that can fulfill the promise of putting a championship-level group around Luka Dončić.
Depending on who you ask, the team’s most pressing priorities range from upgrading the team’s starting center to determining what will happen with LeBron James to finding a younger, defensive-minded wing who could slot between Dončić and Reaves. All, of course, are super important and, when considering these are just priorities and not all that needs to happen, only reinforce the amount of work left to build out the team.
Many of the Lakers top targets are well known and heavily reported on already. The point of this discussion isn’t to dive into all of those names now, but rather to look at a (mostly) different crop of names.
More specifically, players whose contract status is more liquid, either in the form of player options, team options, or, in one case, a restricted free agent who could end up being renounced and suddenly be thrust into the general free agent market to be signed by anyone.
Without further ado, then, here are five possible free agents whom the Lakers should be keeping tabs on and/or who could greatly impact the team’s pathway towards building out a contender this summer.
Deandre Ayton
Okay, I’m going to cheat right out of the gate and name one of the Lakers’ own potential free agents.
Ayton’s player option of $8.1 million for next season isn’t some huge number that dramatically impacts the team’s cap space in either direction, so the potential impacts don’t have much to do with money on the open market.
Instead, this is about the ability to include Ayton in a trade, in which case he could be aggregated with additional players to both enhance an offer from a positional and talent perspective while also adding more salary ballast into a deal to acquire a pricier target from another team.
On the former, it should be noted that just because the Lakers seem ready to move on from Ayton, it does not mean he’s not a capable player able to help a team. So, if the Lakers are trying to trade for a starting caliber center, Ayton could check two boxes — first as a rotational piece who could help fill replace some of the minutes load being sent out by the trading team and, second, as a someone who has enough talent to at least compete for a starting spot.
On the latter point, an additional $8 million dollars to include in a trade for a presumably higher-priced player has real value. As it stands, the Lakers only have three players who make over $4 million dollars they would even consider including in a trade: Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, and Dalton Knecht.
And while the Lakers wouldn’t necessarily need more salary ballast in a deal as a cap space team, the more salary they could include would help them use less of their cap space in a trade, and thus allow them more room to operate in the market in other deals.
So, even if the Lakers are ready to move on from Ayton, whether he opts into his option for next year could have a real impact on how the team operates in the market, especially in trades.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – APRIL 8: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball in front of Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Paycom Center on April 8, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Lu Dort
Dort is another player who the Lakers have reportedly real interest in, and that would be both as a free agent or, as a member of the Thunder were they to pick up their team option on his $18.2 million contract for next season.
To be clear, I expect OKC to do just that and hold onto his rights. Besides Kevin Durant — and probably informed by what happened with him, if we’re being honest — Sam Presti is not known to let players walk away in free agency without getting something back in return. So, just as he did with Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe over the last week, I expect Presti to “maximize the asset” and try to recoup some draft capital should Dort actually end up on the move.
I will say, though, that there would be no shortage of suitors for Dort’s services if he becomes available either as a free agent or via trade. The Lakers would likely be near the top of that list, but with the Bulls and Nets still having cap space and several other teams with large trade exceptions, OKC should not have trouble finding a team willing to take on his money without sending any contracts back.
That would lead to what sort of draft compensation a team would be willing to send back to the Thunder in exchange for him, and whether they can create a robust enough market to drive that price up. Both Wiggins and Joe netted them two second rounders. I’d guess Dort nets at least the same.
As an FYI, the Lakers do not have multiple second rounders available to trade, instead only holding future firsts. I do not believe Dort is worth a first round pick while also taking his salary back, which would mean trying to find a middle ground in a Lakers specific trade, possibly requiring the Thunder to send draft capital back to L.A. if they did include a future first rounder.
But those are longer conversations for another day.
It’s been speculated that Wiggins held off on deciding whether to exercise his $30.1 million player option until after the Giannis trade was completed so he would not be included in the deal. Now that Giannis is in Miami, it’s also believed that he will return to the Heat in some fashion, either by picking up his option to return or opting out and signing for a lower salary next year but more guaranteed money through a longer-term deal.
And while I have no reason to doubt that reporting, I will also say that a recent surge of speculation around a possible LeBron return to Miami has put Wiggins’ future there back into doubt. Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus recently put together a fake trade idea that would net the Lakers Wiggins in a deal that would send LeBron back to South Beach, but even beyond those sorts of armchair GM ideas, Rich Paul’s comments talking about what Miami needs now that Giannis is there has some trying to read between the lines about whether the player he’s describing is his own client.
In any event, Wiggins is a name to keep an eye on, whether he comes on the market as a true-blue free agent or even if he opts in and is, seemingly, on the Heat’s roster.
Jonathan Kuminga
Kuminga’s $24.3 million option is likely too rich for the Lakers’ blood to simply take on into cap space, but I don’t think it’s out of the question for them to have interest in him should the Hawks decide to decline that option and just make him a free agent.
To be clear, I have not seen any reporting that the Hawks are considering such a move. That said, whispers that Atlanta could explore trading Kuminga after just acquiring him at the February trade deadline do not inspire confidence that they’re fully bought into the mercurial former Warrior.
So, this is a very straight forward case of, if he becomes a free agent, I expect the Lakers to kick the tires on an early-20’s former lottery pick with very good athleticism, some on-ball chops offensively, and who has at least shown he can compete defensively (even if his attention to detail and willingness to do all the little things has not been up to par).
It’s just rare for a player of his pedigree, who has shown he can hang in playoff environments with both the Warriors and the Hawks, to end up on the market as a free agent with no restricted strings attached.
So, it will be worth monitoring to see if he does shake loose unexpectedly.
Benedict Mathurin
Because he’s both a restricted free agent and the key player returning to LA for the Clippers in the Ivica Zubac trade, Mathurin isn’t a name that has come up very often as a potential target for the wing-starved Lakers. I think it’s just been assumed he’d work out a deal to stay, with his market somewhat depressed by restricted free agency, like nearly every other player who finds themselves in that situation.
The Clippers will also have to navigate Bennedict Mathurin’s restricted free agency this summer after the talented young scorer arrived in February from Indiana as part of the Clippers’ draft pick-dominated trade return for Ivica Zubac. Sources say that the Clippers have been weighing whether or not to renounce both Mathurin and unrestricted free agent-to-be John Collins, which would enable them to operate as a team with roughly $22 million in cap space.
And then, on a recent episode of his podcast, Zach Lowe of The Ringer noted that “people who would know” said that the Clippers were “behaving as a team who would have cap space” this summer. And just as Fischer noted, Lowe explained that they would only be able to open up a little more than $20 million in space and it would require renouncing rights to players.
Where there is smoke there’s fire. And if the Clippers feel like cap space this summer, the No. 5 pick in this draft (Keaton Wagler) and another unprotected pick in 2029 was enough in exchange for Zubac, it would not surprise me at all.
Will it happen that way? It remains to be seen. But if it does, a young and athletic scoring forward with good positional size who has shown he can be a rotation player for a team that makes a deep playoff run (as he did with the Pacers) would be a very nice target for the Lakers in free agency.
The Calgary Flames had a busy second round of the 2026 NHL Draft, first grabbing Chase Harrington at 36th overall, followed by netminder Tobias Trejbal at 42nd, and Alan Haikhlislamov at 55th.
Then, the club made headlines with their first selection in the third round, calling Joe Iginla's name, son of franchise legend and Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla.
The NHL Draft is the second draft the Iginla family has attended in June, as Joe's older sister, Jade, recently joined Hamilton PWHL as the 18th overall pick. Meanwhile, their brother, Tij Iginla, was the sixth overall pick in the 2024 Draft by the Utah Mammoth.
Joe, born in Lake Country, BC, played minor hockey in Kelowna before transitioning to the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL for the 2023-24 season, skating in his dad's home city. He was a point-per-game player in his first call-up, but in 2024-25, Inginla had only nine goals and 16 points in 61 games.
He bounced back last year, splitting his time between the Oil Kings and the Vancouver Giants. Overall, Joe scored 15 goals and 31 points in 59 games.
According to NHL Central Scouting, Iginla was the 200th-ranked prospect, with the Flames selecting him at 65th overall. Meanwhile, his Elite Prospects profile does not list where he'll play in 2026-27, giving Calgary fans something to track in the coming months.
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 26: Detroit Tigers center fielder James Outman (43) celebrates after scoring a run during a regular season Major League Baseball game between the Houston Astros and the Detroit Tigers on June 26, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Detroit Tigers (35-46) vs. Houston Astros (40-44)
Time/Place: 1:10 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site: The Crawfish Boxes Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: LHP Framber Valdez (4-5, 3.91 ERA) vs. RHP Kai-Wei Teng (4-6, 4.03 ERA)
Jun 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto (7) hits a two run home run against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Main Tom is in the middle of the MS ride right now, and emergency backup Tom (me) is in the process of driving to B.C., so there may or may not be lineups in this post. Apologies for that. The starters are Dylan Cease and Cal Quantrill, though. The Jays can stull escape wirh a split against a wildcard competitor, so today and tomorrow are big games.
Sean Keys makes his Blue Jays debut today. He was 17 on our preseason top 40, but would rank significantly higher after torching AA and AAA. It’ll he exciting to see how he does with his first MLB opportunity.
[edit:] Well, we are five hours and counting late to leave, something I’m not stressed about at all, so here are the lineups after all:
New York Knicks Josh Hart rides atop an open-top bus during a championship ticker-tape parade celebrating the team's NBA Finals victory in New York City on June 18, 2026. (Photo by DAVID DEE DELGADO / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Since the day the Knicks traded for Josh Hart, no player has become my favorite Knick faster. Josh Hart is New York. He embodies the same grit, toughness, and blue-collar mentality that made John Starks and Anthony Mason icons in the ’90s, the team that will always be “my Knicks.”
Braids or no braids, nobody has worn the “NEW YORK” crest with more pride over the last three and a half seasons than Hart. Every loose ball, every rebound in traffic, every extra effort play felt like a reminder of what this city values most. He never just played for the Knicks. He played like playing for New York meant everything.
DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 1: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks looks on before the game against the Detroit Pistons on November 1, 2024 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
No one was more excited about the trade deadline deal that brought Hart to New York from Portland in 2023 than his Villanova teammate Jalen Brunson. Those aren’t just words. It’s on video.
When Brunson was still a freshman at Villanova, Hart was a key contributor on the Wildcats’ national championship team alongside Mikal Bridges. Hart averaged 15.5 points per game that season and led all Big East guards in rebounding. More importantly, he helped establish the culture that would define Villanova basketball during that era.
What started as a teammate relationship in college, evolved into a lifelong friendship. Their bond has become the blueprint for what true friendship looks like. Knicks fans have gotten a front-row seat to that relationship through their wildly popular Roommates Show podcast, where the two regularly share stories, crack jokes, and give each other grief the same way they did as college teammates. That same dynamic carries over to the court and the postgame podium, where Hart and Brunson are constantly taking playful shots at one another during press conferences and interviews.
Whether it’s the nonstop ribbing, the public roasting, or the unwavering support they show on and off the court, their connection is genuine. In a league built on transactions and changing rosters, Brunson and Hart’s friendship has remained constant. That bond eventually brought them back together in New York, where they became cornerstones of a Knicks resurgence and helped restore relevance to one of the NBA’s most storied franchises.
SAN ANTONIO, TX – JUNE 13: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks poses for a portrait after winning Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on June 13, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The numbers back up what Knicks fans have seen with their own eyes since Hart arrived in New York. Across four seasons in a Knicks uniform, Hart averaged 11.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 49.7 percent from the field. Those marks represent improvements over his career averages of 10.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. As his role grew, so did his production, culminating in a career-best 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game during the 2024-25 season while averaging nearly 38 minutes per night.
No statistic better captures Hart’s all-around impact than his triple-doubles. A player once viewed primarily as a hustle guy and role player evolved into one of the most versatile players in franchise history. By the end of the Knicks’ championship run, Hart ranked third on the franchise’s all-time triple-double list, trailing only Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Michael Ray Richardson. He also etched his name into the record books by setting a new single-season franchise record for triple-doubles, surpassing Frazier’s long-standing mark of eight.
Hart’s growth as a complete offensive player was just as impressive. During his first six NBA seasons before arriving in New York, he never averaged more than 4.1 assists per game. As a Knick, he became a trusted secondary playmaker, averaging 4.8 assists while helping initiate the offense alongside Jalen Brunson. His rebounding reached another level as well. Despite standing just 6-foot-4, Hart pulled down 8.3 rebounds per game as a Knick, a number many forwards and centers would envy. For a player whose game was built on doing whatever his team needed, his evolution into one of the franchise’s most productive and versatile players felt like a natural progression.
His efficiency has improved as well. Hart owns a .563 effective field goal percentage with the Knicks compared to .553 for his career, while posting the highest field goal percentage of his career during his time in New York. The combination of increased production, improved efficiency, and his trademark hustle has transformed Hart from a valuable role player into one of the league’s most unique and impactful glue guys. The box score tells part of the story, but the growth in nearly every major statistical category since arriving in New York shows just how much Hart has flourished in a Knicks uniform.
During the Knicks’ 2026 playoff run, Josh Hart once again proved why he’s one of the league’s ultimate glue guys. The box score only tells part of the story, but it’s still impressive: through 19 playoff games he averaged 10.5 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game while logging heavy minutes and impacting nearly every possession. For a 6-foot-4 wing to average nearly 12 rebounds a night on a deep playoff run is remarkable in itself.
Hart’s rebounding was arguably his biggest contribution. Time after time he cleaned up defensive possessions, grabbed contested boards in traffic, and created extra opportunities with offensive rebounds. His ability to finish possessions allowed the Knicks to survive against bigger frontcourts and helped fuel their transition attack. When games became physical, Hart often looked more like a power forward than a guard.
He also became a secondary playmaker whenever defenses loaded up on Jalen Brunson. Hart averaged 4.6 assists during the postseason and frequently initiated offense, pushed the pace after rebounds, and found shooters or cutters before the defense could get set. That versatility eased the burden on Brunson and gave the Knicks another ball-handler who could make winning plays without needing touches called for him.
Defensively, Hart brought the edge and versatility that defined the Knicks’ playoff identity. He guarded multiple positions, chased wings around screens, and consistently competed on every loose ball. The hustle plays rarely show up in traditional stat lines, but they often swung momentum. Whether it was diving on the floor, taking contact, or extending a possession, Hart delivered the kind of effort that becomes contagious in a playoff environment.
Beyond the numbers, Hart provided toughness and emotional energy. He was one of the team’s emotional leaders, setting a tone with his competitiveness and willingness to do the dirty work. In a postseason that demanded resilience, Hart became the player who connected stars, role players, offense, and defense into one cohesive identity.
For my entire life, when I saw a Knicks No. 3 jersey, the first player who came to mind was John Starks. When we ran the Who Wore It Best? series, Josh Hart hadn’t quite done enough to take that mantle from one of the most beloved players in franchise history.
These days, that’s no longer the case.
Now, and for the rest of time, when I think of No. 3, I’ll think of both Starks and Hart.
What Hart accomplished in New York transcended statistics, accolades, and even championships. He became the embodiment of everything Knicks fans have always cherished: toughness, sacrifice, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to winning. Nothing will ever diminish what John Starks means to this franchise, this city, or its fans. But Hart didn’t need to replace Starks to cement his own place in Knicks history. He built a legacy that stands beside him.
And when it’s all said and done, I believe Josh Hart will have earned the right to see his No. 3 hanging in the Madison Square Garden rafters one day. Right alongside Jalen Brunson’s.
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(P&T will be doing player-by-player article tributes over the next few weeks to commemorate the special team that ended our long, half-century nightmare)
Jun 25, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Bryan Reynolds (left) and first baseman Ryan O'Hearn (29) celebrate after defeating the Seattle Mariners at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Baseball is a long season filled of 162 games but believe it or not we are already at the halfway point of the season for the Pittsburgh Pirates. After a 5-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners this past Thursday, the Pirates played their 81st game of the season, and they were 41-40. They dropped to .500 after Friay’s loss, but at the halfway point, the Bucs are a .500 team, which is a start they haven’t had since over a decade.
The Pirates have faced plenty of injury trouble, from missing starter Jared Jones for the first two months to losing key offensive weapons Konnor Griffin, Oneil Cruz and now Spencer Horwitz. Yet Pittsburgh has managed to stay afloat as it enters a pivotal second half, increasing its win total by 9 from last season at this point and accomplishing its best first half since 2015, the last time it reached the postseason.
In 2025, the Pirates ranked dead last in home runs and finished last in the NL Central with just 71 wins. They made some serious changes in the offseason to fix the offense by trading for Brandon Lowe, who leads the team with 19 home runs. The team also brought in Marcell Ozuna and Ryan O’Hearn who have helped offensively as well.
Lowe said he and O’Hearn talked about the prospect of Pittsburgh’s lineup at full strength after Wednesday night’s 11-run barrage with no home runs. Lowe described the team as “scary” once weapons like Griffin and Cruz return.
We already saw the impact Griffin has on this lineup after his leadoff home run in the 6-4 loss the Pirates had to the Cincinnati Reds.
Reynolds is the longest-tenured position player on the Pirates. He said this season is different from past first halves, but there’s still plenty of baseball left.
“Do I think that we’re better than a .500 baseball team through 81 games? Yeah, absolutely,” said Jake Mangum, who filled into the leadoff spot for Horwitz on Thursday. “But at the same time, we’re still learning how to win, and we haven’t played our best baseball yet. If I could pick a time to play your best baseball, it’s the second half.”
The start that team has been on has been fun to watch, but they have struggled in the month of June with a record of 9-13. The team feels very optimistic about the start and what they can do in the second half of season but if they want to snap their playoff drought the bullpen needs to play better and they have to make some moves during the trade deadline.
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 22: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates with Timofey Mozgov #20 after their 94 to 82 win over the Atlanta Hawks during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 22, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Members of the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ 2016 championship team celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their comeback victory over the Golden State Warriors in Europe last week. Those included in the festivities were LeBron James, Kevin Love, J.R. Smith, Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye, Iman Shumpert, Tristan Thompson, and Matthew Dellavedova.
There were a few notable absences from the group. One of whom was Kyrie Irving. He was invited but decided not to attend. Irving clarified that “Me and my brothers, who played on the Cavs, bro we’re good,” in a video he posted on social media last week.
We don’t know the reasons behind Mozgov not receiving the invite, but it is disappointing to find out that not every member of the team was given the opportunity to celebrate one of the most memorable championships in basketball history.
Mozgov played for the Cavaliers for two seasons and was a key part of two runs to the NBA Finals. The 7’1″ center from Russia was the Cavs’ second-leading scorer in the 2015 Finals. He started 48 games and played in 76 for Cleveland during the 2015-16 season. He averaged 6.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game that season.
