Ron Harper Jr. is a real Boston success story from last season. He was signed to an Exhibit 10 (training camp contract) before camp last year, but by the end of camp, the team had turned that into a two-way contract. As the season moved past the All-Star break, Harper became a regular part of the Celtics' rotation. In April, Boston converted him to a standard NBA contract.
Now the Celtics have declined Harper's $2.6 million team option for next season to re-sign him to a three-year, $9 million contract, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN.
After the All-Star game last season, Harper averaged 11 minutes a night, scoring 5.1 points per game.
Harper is entering his fifth NBA season, but the first one with a guaranteed deal. He was on two-way contracts with Toronto and Detroit before he came to Boston.
Harper is the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper and the older brother of Spurs guard Dylan Harper.
The firehose of NBA rumors is wide open and coming fast — as are the trades and signings. Here is some of the latest talk around the league.
Boston talking to teams about Brown
Whether Boston will trade Jaylen Brown or hang on to him and chase another ring with a retooled roster around him and Jayson Tatum remains to be seen. What we do know is that Boston is at least having conversations with teams about Brown, according to multiple reports.
What fans also understand is what a lot of teams around the league believe as well: After so publicly dangling him in a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, the relationship is fractured and bringing him back is, at best, awkward.
There are a lot of Brown rumors flying around:
• The Celtics ultimately believe they don't have to make a deal, that they can repair any damage to their relationship with the All-NBA wing coming off his best season (where he finished sixth in MVP voting). With that, they feel they have leverage and are keeping the asking price high when they do talk Brown trade, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania, who said on “Get Up”, "In some cases, the Celtics have asked for at least four first-round picks for Jaylen Brown."
• Portland remains aggressive in going after Brown, reports Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. New Portland owner Tom Dundon wants to make a splash and has his front office being aggressive in going after a big star. Brown is the kind they need to chase because he has three years left on his current contract, so this is not a potential rental. Whether Boston is interested in Portland's offer is a different question.
• Cleveland wouldn't trade Evan Mobley for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but would they feel differently about Jaylen Brown? It's a question being asked around the league, but the Cavaliers don't seem into the idea. At least not yet.
• Houston has not been active in going after Brown, reports The Stein Line.
Lakers may offer Mitchell Robinson
It's no secret the Lakers are looking to upgrade at center (it should be noted Deandre Ayton is expected to pick up his player option and be back with the team). Mitchell Robinson is the kind of big man they could use, but his health concerns — particularly his chronic ankle issues — will give the Lakers and every team some pause.
The Lakers may offer Robinson a "long-term" deal at around the mid-level exception of $15.1 million, reports Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. That's a fair price, if Robinson is looking to come West. Brooklyn reportedly also has interest (although agents use the Nets as a "boogie man" in every rumor they leak because the Nets have cap space, so take some of those with a grain of salt).
The Lakers also have been linked to Dallas center Daniel Gafford, and after the Mavericks drafted Morez Johnson Jr. in the lottery this week, Gafford may be more available, Siegel of ClutchPoints reports.
Robinson may be the odd man out in New York as Knicks owner James Dolan says he does not want to venture into the second apron of the luxury tax. New York would need to get Robinson to take a significant pay cut to return and keep them out of the second apron, and that's not happening. Robinson made almost $13 million last season and showed his value in the playoffs; he's going to be expecting a raise, and it seems at least one team (and likely more) is willing to do just that.
Cavs open to Max Strus trade?
Cleveland is another team looking largely to run it back (with a tweak or two), but they are also battling the second apron. The solution might be to trade Max Strus, a solid two-way wing player, something Brian Windhorst discussed on ESPN Cleveland radio.
"I would keep an eye on Max Strus. Dean Wade is going to be expensive, I think more expensive than the Cavs were hoping. I think Keon Ellis could be gone unless they lose Dean Wade. If they lose Dean Wade, I think they re-engineer the concept of Keon Ellis.
"Max Strus is extension eligible, has one year at $19 million left on his contract. I want to see if the Cavs are extending Max Strus or if they have to trade Max Strus. And the reason you would trade Max Strus is so that you could potentially afford to keep Dean Wade."
If the Cavaliers trade Strus, it would have to be to a team that can absorb him into cap space or has a trade exception big enough to take on his $16.7 million contract. Cleveland is not going to want to take back salary in this deal.
Health is another concern for any interested teams. Strus played in just 12 games last season due to a bone fracture and foot surgery, and 50 games the season before. During the postseason, especially against Detroit and New York, Strus showed his two-way wing potential in playoff series against the Pistons and Knicks.
Other trade rumors
• Kevon Looney about to be free agent. New Orleans is not going to pick up the team option on veteran center Kevon Looney, and he will be a free agent, reports Chris Haynes and others. Looney won three rings with the Golden State Warriors but played just 21 games last season with the Pelicans and seemed to take a step back from his Warriors days. If healthy, he could be a solid backup big for a team.
• John Collins interest. Both the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs are interested in Collins, reports ClutchPoints Siegel. Collins is a solid veteran big man who averaged 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds a game last season with the Clippers. Collins is a free agent and made $26.6 million last season, that per-year number likely comes down a little with this next deal wherever it is.
• Dorian Finney-Smith available. The Rockets continue to explore trade possibilities around veteran wing Dorian Finney-Smith, reports Stein and Fischer. How big the market is for him coming off a down season in Houston remains to be seen. He is set to make $13.3 million next season, and while there are two years after that on his contract, neither is fully guaranteed.
• Myles Turner interest. In the wake of the Giannis Antetokounmpo teams have called Milwaukee about Turner, a stretch five, but Milwaukee isn't actively looking to trade him, according to Stein.
• Chicago picked up its $2.4 million team option for Leonard Miller. Which was expected, he averaged 11.7 points per game with Chicago after being traded from Minnesota at the deadline and getting a chance he did not see with the Timberwolves.
• Lonnie Walker IV is looking to make a return to the NBA after playing last season for Maccabi Tel Aviv, reports Stein.
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 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.
See more of The Hockey News on Google — Save us as Preferred Source
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
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.
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.
–
(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)
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.
The Pittsburgh Penguins continued to add to their defensive prospect pool during the second round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday.
With their 54th overall pick on Day Two, the Penguins selected defenseman Tomas Galvas out of Bílí Tygři Liberec in the Czech league. In 32 games during the 2025-26 season, he registered eight goals and 24 points, and he also put together a standout performance in the World Junior Championship with three goals and nine points in seven games en route to a silver medal.
Galvas, 20, was draft-eligible for two years prior to 2026 but was not selected. The left-side blueliner is listed at 5-foot-10, 168 pounds, and he experienced significant growth in the past year to skyrocket to a second-round selection in his third stab at the draft, with his growth likely giving the Penguins the confidence that they can project what he'll be at the NHL level.
He is a mobile defenseman who excels in transition, and he has the footspeed and the defensive ability to complement a pretty complete toolset. In addition, he fulfills a need for the Penguins, who want to keep adding to their defensive prospect pool.
Their next selection will come at 86 in the third round.
The Vancouver Canucks have selected goaltender Dmitri Ivchenko with the 78th-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
A 6-foot-3 goaltender, Ivchenko split time between Yastreby Omsk of Russia's U-18 league and Omskie Yastreby of the MHL during the 2025-26 season. In the U-18 league, he registered a 2.11 GAA and .915 SV% in eight games, while he logged a 1.91 GAA and .922 SV% in the MHL.
As it stands, Ivchenko is projected to stay in the MHL for the 2026-27 season.
Ivchenko is the first goaltender the Canucks have selected in this year's draft as well as the first non-forward picked by the organization. Last year, Vancouver selected goaltender Aleksei Medvedev in the second-round of the NHL Draft.
Jan 12, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; View of a Vancouver Canucks logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Prior to picking Ivchenko, Vancouver selected Caleb Malhotra (3rd) and Adam Novotný (24th) during the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. The Canucks then went on to select Brooks Rogowski 33rd-overall and Niklas Aaram-Olsen 41st-overall during the second round. They have yet to select a defenceman in this year's draft.
Vancouver will not select again until the fourth round, in which they’ll pick 97th-overall.
Follow along with the Canucks’ 2026 NHL Entry Draft picks via our tracker:
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
The Seattle Kraken have had six first-round selections in franchise history since joining the NHL in 2021.
As the 2026 NHL Draft is underway, it is time to evaluate where each first-round draft pick is now and what they have accomplished since being selected.
First Rounders:
Matty Beniers - 2021 - 2nd overall
The team's first draft selection was Matty Beniers in 2021. Beniers was the number two selection in the draft. Beniers has played five seasons with the Kraken. He won the 2022-23 Calder Trophy for the best rookie in the NHL as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. In his rookie season, he led all first-year players in points with 57. The 23-year-old has appeared in 331 games with the Kraken, recording 82 goals and 114 assists. Last season, he appeared in all 82 games, recording 20 goals and 30 assists.
Shane Wright - 2022 - 4th
Shane Wright was the team's second-highest selection in franchise history. Wright was selected fourth overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. He has played four seasons with the Kraken. The 22-year-old has appeared in 169 games for the Kraken, recording 36 goals and 42 assists. Last season, he appeared in 74 games, recording 12 goals and 15 assists.
Eduard Sale - 2023 - 20th
The Seattle Kraken selected Eduard Sale with the 20th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. The 21-year-old spent one season in the OHL with the Kitchener Rangers in 2023-24, appearing in 24 games and recording 18 points. He then joined the Coachella Valley Firebirds in 2024-25, where he played 51 games and recorded 21 points. Sale played for the Coachella Valley Firebirds again last season, appearing in 58 games and tallying 27 points. He has yet to make his NHL debut.
Berkely Catton - 2024 - 8th
The Kraken selected Berkly Catton with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Catton signed his entry-level contract on July 5, 2024. The 20-year-old has played one NHL season, 2025-26. He appeared in 66 games for the team, recording seven goals and 10 assists.
Jake O’Brien - 2025 - 8th
Jake O’Brien was selected eighth overall in 2025 by the Seattle Kraken. O’Brien spent last season in the OHL with the Brantford Bulldogs, appearing in 53 games and recording 28 goals and 65 assists. He signed his entry-level contract on July 3, but the 19-year-old has not made his NHL debut yet.
