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Islanders 2026 Draft Target At No. 13: Ryan Lin

In possession of the 13th pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, the New York Islanders will have an opportunity to bolster their already strong prospect pool.

General manager Mathieu Darche made three first-round selections in his first draft with the team in 2025, selecting Matthew Schaefer (No. 1), Victor Eklund (No. 16), and Kashawn Aitcheson (No. 17).

Islanders Prospect Kashawn Aitcheson: Eating Minutes In OHL PlayoffsIslanders Prospect Kashawn Aitcheson: Eating Minutes In OHL PlayoffsBarrie Colts defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson is redefining endurance, logging an astounding 50 minutes in a single playoff game while anchoring the blue line with elite offensive production.

With draft season here, one name that has been linked to the Islanders is Ryan Lin, a 5-foot-11, right-shot defenseman from the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Lin is a mobile, puck-moving defenseman known for his hockey IQ.

While his ability to frequently join teammates on the rush has given fans the impression he is an offensive defenseman, he also knows when to prioritize his defensive responsibilities, truly lacking any glaring weaknesses, including in his own zone.

As an alternate captain for the Giants, he recorded 57 points (14 goals, 43 assists) in 53 games this season, the second-highest point total on the team and the highest among defensemen, as well as six points (one goal, five assists) in five games for Canada at the U18s.

Lin's 57 points ranked third among draft-eligible WHL defensemen, trailing only Daxon Rudolph (78 points) and Carson Carels (73 points), who are each projected top-10 picks.

Islanders scouts are likely already familiar with Lin's game, as he has spent the past two seasons in Vancouver alongside goaltender Burke Hood, the New York's 170th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Looking ahead, Lin is committed to the University of Denver for 2026-27, one of the most esteemed NCAA programs in recent seasons.

Under head coach David Carle, Denver has won three of the past five national championships while developing some of the top defense prospects to come out of the NCAA in Zeev Buium and Eric Pohlkamp, the 2025 and 2026 Hobey Baker Award finalists, respectively.

It is also worth noting that, like Lin, Buium and Pohlkamp are undersized, standing 6-foot and 5-foot-11, and they each spent two seasons with Denver.

Pohlkamp played his freshman season at Bemidji State University before transferring to Denver. During that season, he won gold at the World Junior Championship while playing for Carle.

With both Buium and Pohlkamp playing professionally, Lin will have some big shoes to fill, but there is no better place than Denver for a defenseman to develop.

Projected to play alongside at least three other drafted defensemen, Lin is projected to develop his game as a top-pairing option for Carle while competing for a national championship.

In the long-term, Lin projects as an NHL top-four defenseman, capable of leading a power-play unit.

The Islanders organization is weak on the right side of the defense, so Lin would provide an immediate boost to the team’s long-term outlook.

Notably, the Islanders have not selected a right-shot defenseman in the draft since Tomas Machu (No. 221) in 2021, and the only right-shot defensemen under contract for the 2026-27 season are Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield, who are 31 and 33 years old, respectively.

With Lin’s NHL ETA projected closer to Spring 2028 or the 2028-29 season, the Islanders would need to be patient, but if all goes according to plan, they could add another young defensive piece to an already exciting group led by Schaefer and Aitcheson.

Rankings have Lin projected to go in the 8-18 range, so he may not be available for the Islanders at 13.

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Buffalo Sabres – Montreal Canadiens Game 5 Preview: Lineups, Stats, How To Watch

5/14/26 - 7:00 pm at KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY 

TV - US - TNT/TruTV/HBOMax, Canada - CBC Hockey Night In Canada

Buffalo – 50-23-9 | - 109  points – 1st place in the Atlantic Division

Montreal  – 48-24-10 | - 106 points – 3rd place in the Atlantic Division

 

Special Teams

Buffalo

Power Play(Reg) – 19.5% (21st)

Power Play(Playoffs) - 6 for 40 - 15.0% (11th) 

Penalty Kill(Reg) – 81.9% (4th)

Penalty Kill(Playoffs) - 30 for 36 - 83.3% (9th) 

Montreal

Power Play(Reg) – 23.1% (10th)

Power Play(Playoffs) - 9 for 46 - 19.6% (6th)

Penalty Kill(Reg) - 78.2% (18th)

Penalty Kill(Playoffs) - 35 for 45 - 77.8% (13th)

Top Scorers

Buffalo

Tage Thompson: 10 GP, 4 G, 7 A, 11 PTS

Josh Doan: 10 GP, 2 G, 7 A, 9 PTS

Zach Benson: 10 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 PTS

Montreal

Lane Hutson: 11 GP, 2 G, 8 A, 10 PTS

Nick Suzuki: 11 GP, 3 G, 6 A, 9 PTS

Cole Caufield: 11 GP, 3 G, 4 A, 7 PTS

 

Starting Goalies

Buffalo – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (2-1, 3.37 GAA, .873 Sv %)

Montreal  – Jakub Dobes (6-5, 2.22 GAA, .914 Sv %)  

Other Sabres Stories

Canadiens Sluggish In Game 1 Loss 

Who has the advantage going into Game 5 of Buffalo - Montreal?

Sabres Line Combinations and Pairings 

Forwards

Peyton Krebs   - Tage Thompson - Alex Tuch

Zach Benson - Josh Norris - Josh Doan 

Jason Zucker - Konsta Helenius - Jack Quinn  

Jordan Greenway - Ryan McLeod - Beck Malenstyn

Ex., Tanner Pearson,, Josh Dunne, Tyson Kozak

Defense

Mattias Samuelsson - Rasmus Dahlin

Owen Power - Bowen Byram 

Luke Schenn - Conor Timmins 

Ex. Logan Stanley, Michael Kesselring, Zach Metsa

Goaltenders

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Alex Lyon

Colten Ellis

Injuries

Justin Danforth (lower body, Oct. 18; injured reserve)

Jiri Kulich (blood clot, Nov. 4; injured reserve - out for the season) 

Noah Ostlund (lower body, Apr 28; week-to-week)

 

Sabres Playoff Stats Leaders 

Shots: Dahlin/Tuch (35), Thompson (32), Doan (24) 

Hits: Samuelsson (42), Malenstyn (31), Tuch (30) 

Blocked Shots: Timmins (25), Samuelsson (19), Dahlin (13)

 

Notes

This season marks the first time the Sabres have advanced past the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs since they advanced to the 2007 Eastern Conference Final. The Sabres have earned three playoff series victories over the Canadiens in franchise history. Buffalo last faced Montreal in the playoffs in the 1998 Eastern Conference Semifinals, a series in which the Sabres won four games to none. 

The Sabres also defeated the Canadiens three games to none in the 1983 Adams Division Semifinals and four games to two in the 1975 Semifinals. Buffalo’s win in Game 4 marked the first Sabres playoff victory in which their opponent had at least seven power-play opportunities since May 4, 2007 vs. NY Rangers (7). The win marked the third time Buffalo has earned four wins in the team's first five road contests in a single playoff year. The Sabres also did so from April 11 to May 2, 2001 and April 22 to May 14, 1998.

 In his last five games, Zach Benson has registered six points (3+3), including the game-winning goal in Game 4 at Montreal on Tuesday.  Benson has four goals in the playoffs and is the first Sabres skater age 21 or younger to register four or more goals in a single playoff year since Pierre Turgeon in 1988 (4; 18 years old). With one more goal, Benson would become the first Sabres skater age 21 or younger to register five or more goals in a single playoff year since Danny Gare in 1976 (5; 21 years old). 

Josh Doan and Peyton Krebs’ plus-5 ratings are tied with Derek Roy and Paul Gaustad from April 22 to May 11, 2006, and Matthew Barnaby from May 8, 1993 to May 7, 1997 for the best mark by a Sabres forward in the first 10 games of their playoff career. In his last seven games, Doan has registered nine points (2+7), including at least one assist in each of his last five contests. An assist tonight would make Doan the first Sabres skater since Alexei Zhitnik from May 14 to 27, 1999 (six games; 1+6) to register an assist streak of six or more games in the playoffs (within a single playoff year).

He would become one of five Buffalo skaters (Dale Hawerchuk, Pat LaFontaine, Gilbert Perreault, Zhitnik) to record an assist streak of six or more games in the playoffs at least one time. • Any point tonight would make Doan the first Sabres skater to post a point streak of six or more games in the playoffs since Thomas Vanek from April 14 to 27, 2007 (six games; 5+2). 

Tage Thompson has tallied 11 points (4+7) in 10 playoff games thus far, including two points in each of the last two contests. Thompson’s four multi-point games in the playoffs were tied for the second-most among all NHL skaters entering play on Wednesday. A multi-point effort tonight would make Thompson the first Buffalo skater to register three or more consecutive multi-point games in the playoffs since Miroslav Satan from April 14 to 17, 2001 (three games; 2+4). A goal in tonight’s game would make him the first Sabres forward to record a goal streak of three or more games in the playoffs since Jason Pominville from April 18 to 25, 2007 (three games; 3+0). Thompson is the first Sabres skater to record at least one point per game through the first 10 playoff games of their career since Tim Connolly from (April 22, 2006 to April 14, 2007; 5+7).  Thompson is the only Buffalo skater to do so in a single playoff year. 

In his last six games, Rasmus Dahlin has posted six points (2+4), including an assist in back-to-back games. With an assist tonight, Dahlin would join Doan, Thompson and Owen Power as the only Sabres skaters who have registered an assist streak of at least three games in this year’s playoffs. 

Bowen Byram has recorded four goals in the playoffs and is one goal away from recording the most goals by a Sabres defenseman in a single playoff year all-time. 

Mattias Samuelsson (42 hits; three goals) was the only NHL defenseman with 40 or more hits and three or more goals in the playoffs entering play on Wednesday. He was one of just two NHL skaters who had both (Ivan Barbashev; 61 hits and three goals).

 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

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Canadiens vs Sabres Props & NHL Playoffs Game 5 Best Bets

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The Montreal Canadiens travel the short distance to KeyBank Center on Thursday, May 14, for Game 5 against the Buffalo Sabres.

My Canadiens vs. Sabres props tackle an abundance of valuable markets, highlighting the likes of Alex Newhook and Josh Doan, who have significantly elevated their play at the perfect time.

Let's dive into my NHL picks for a pivotal Game 5 in Buffalo on May 14. Be sure to also read our full Canadiens vs. Sabres predictions.

Best Canadiens vs Sabres props for Game 5

PlayerPickBET99
Sabres Alex NewhookOver 0.5 points+130
Sabres Josh DoanOver 0.5 assists+155
Sabres Nick SuzukiOver 2.5 shots+110

Game 5 Prop #1: Alex Newhook Over 0.5 points

+130 at BET99

Few players are as red-hot as Alex Newhook is at this very moment. Although the Newfoundland native entered this series with just two points in seven first-round games, his explosive speed has exposed an offense-hungry and inexperienced Buffalo Sabres defensive corps.

He's scored five goals and registered 17 shots on goal in four games this series, providing value in virtually any market. I'll side with the point market, as his linemates in Jake Evans and Ivan Demidov can find the back of the net too.

Game 5 Prop #2: Josh Doan Over 0.5 assists

+155 at BET99

Josh Doan was quietly the Sabres' top U24 scorer this season, and has notched an assist in five consecutive games — the longest active assist streak among all players tonight.

Three of his five assists this series have come via the power play, as Buffalo has scored a PPG in three of four games. Doan is also playing on a third line that's been red hot since the postseason.

The trio of Doan/Norris/Benson has combined for 18 points through 10 postseason games.

Game 5 Prop #3: Nick Suzuki Over 2.5 shots

+110 at BET99

Nick Suzuki's confidence did not waver amid 5-on-5 struggles in Round 1.

The Montreal Canadiens' captain has 13 shots on goal this series, notching three or more in four of his last five. Buffalo ranked 23rd in shots allowed during the regular season, and the likes of Suzuki and Newhook have been pouncing on the opportunity.

The 101-point man ranks third on the team in shots this series and is the only Canadien listed at plus odds with this line.

These three props can be parlayed to +1000 at Bet99.

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2026 NBA Draft Combine: Measurements of star players, notes on standout performances

It's been touted as one of the best, deepest draft classes in more than a decade. A class that will change the course of multiple franchises.

Can it? The class' elite players — AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and on down the list — have been under the spotlight in Chicago this week at the NBA Draft Combine. They were measured, had their vertical leap tested, underwent a medical screening and spoke with teams in brief (20-minute) interviews.

What did we see from the top prospects? Here are some notes on them and other things that drew scouts' eyes at the combine. Just a reminder: Don't overvalue what happens in Chicago, especially with the top players. These measurements do not matter nearly as much as what the scouts and GMs have seen already in person and on tape from games and practices. What matters most for all the players is the medical reports and interviews. The impact of the combine is greater further down the draft board, where a player can get noticed and move up or down, something much more difficult in the lottery.

AJ Dybantsa

He officially measured 6'8.5" tall (barefoot), with a 7-foot wingspan and an 8'10" standing reach, all about what was expected. What stood out was his 42-inch max vertical leap, which was an impressive fourth-best in the combine and clearly the best of any of the top-10 projected picks.

Dybantsa also stood out because he wore a suit to his interviews with teams (he met with all the teams with top five picks), reports Josh Robbins at The Athletic.

"I had interviews this morning with different teams, and I mean, I never had a job before," Dybantsa told reporters on Wednesday. "I was 13 (when I) started taking basketball serious. But this is like my first job interview. So my dad's kind of like, [You know, this is your job interview. So come professional, come in a suit.'"

Darryn Peterson

Peterson's measurements matched up with previous ones: 6'4.5" tall (barefoot), with a 6'10" wingspan and 8'7" standing reach — elite numbers for a guard.

In speaking with the media, Peterson pushed back on the idea that he wants or needs to play point guard. That's important if he does go No. 2 to Utah, where he would share the backcourt with Keyonte George (or if Washington took him No. 1, as they already have Trae Young).

Cameron Boozer

The Duke standout posted measurements that help the case he can not only play the four but some small-ball five: 6'8.25 height, 7'1.5" wingspan, and an impressive 9-foot standing reach. While some have questioned his athleticism at the NBA level, he had a 35-inch vertical leap.

As for why he should be a top pick, Boozer told reporters it was more mental than physical (quote via Josh Robbins at The Athletic).

"I think my mind, for sure. My feel for the game is elite. My competitiveness, my will to win, I think those are the biggest things that are going to translate."

Caleb Wilson

League sources NBC Sports has spoken with continue to say there is a top four in this draft, with North Carolina's Wilson in the group with Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer, and then there is a tier break to the run on guards that will follow.

Wilson measured 6'9.25 tall with a big 7-foot wingspan and a 9-foot standing reach, and he had an impressive 39.5-inch max vertical leap. He also came in at 211 pounds, he's got to put on some muscle to be a big in the NBA. Wilson showed he has recovered from his thumb injury and has some shooting range.

Other players of note

• Guard Darius Acuff measured 6'2" tall and with a 6'7" wingspan — better numbers than many expected — and that will boost his case and comfort the GMs considering him in the 5-6 range of the draft (there's a lot of speculation he goes to the Clippers at No. 5 and pairs with Darius Garland). The question isn't whether he can score the ball, the question is his defense. But teams love his game.

• Houston guard Kingston Flemmings didn't blow anyone away with his measurements (6'2.5" height, 6'3.5" wingspan), but he impressed with his athleticism, like a 40.5" vertical leap) and shooting 19-of-25 from beyond the arc in that shooting drill. He and Acuff are expected to go in the top six.

• Baylor guard Cameron Carr has had a standout combine. He was already a projected first-round pick — he went 18th to Charlotte in the first NBC Sports mock draft — but may have moved up to the lottery showing off a 42.5-inch vertical leap and finishing near the top of the class in all the agility drills. The man showed in college that he can get buckets, but he dropped 30 in the second scrimmage he participated in and has shown real range with his shot.

• Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg has looked NBA-ready. His measurements were the same as a year ago (when he went through the combine then decided to return to Ann Arbor) but his agility and shooting were improved. We had him going 12th in the NBC Sports mock draft, and that may be too low.

• Speaking of Michigan, center Aday Mara turned heads with a 7'3" height and 9'9" standing reach (tied with Mark Williams for the second-longest standing reach in Combine history. Those are numbers close to Zach Eddy, and a lot of teams could use a Zach Eddy. The NBC Sports mock draft had Mara going in the top 10 and that may not change now.

• Cincinnati center Baba Miller turned a few heads with impressive measurements — 6'10.5" tall, 7'2" wingspan, 9'3" standing reach — then he went out and led the first scrimmage with 20 points. He's projected as a mid-second round pick but could be moving up.

• Koa Peat had a rough combine, not measuring particularly tall (6'7") for a forward and shooting 6-of-25 on spot-up 3-pointers. Don't be surprised if he chooses to return to Arizona (or another college) for a season, then try the draft again next year.

• Morez Johnson, another national champion from Michigan, had a strong camp showing off his combination of size (6'9" with an 8'11" reach) and athleticism, as highlighted by a 39-inch vertical leap, and he was solid shooting from 3 (something he did not do a lot of for the Wolverines).

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Deep, star-studded Avalanche reach the conference finals for 8th time since arriving in Denver

DENVER — Jared Bednar may have put it best after the Colorado Avalanche erased a three-goal deficit to win their series on an overtime tally by a defenseman who hadn’t scored since January and with a different team, no less.

“That one was,” the coach said, “something.”

Something, indeed.

The Avalanche advanced to the Western Conference final for the eighth time since relocating to Denver courtesy of a Brett Kulak goal in a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild in Game 5. It’s just the second time in the last nine playoff appearances the Avalanche have made it past the second round.

On the other occasion, in 2022, the team went on capture the Stanley Cup championship.

With a team led by Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, it’s always a Cup-or-bust scenario. This team especially, given a regular season with captain Gabriel Landeskog on the ice, their depth — the Avalanche had 16 different players score in the Wild series — and the play of their stars.

Stanley Cup favorite

Among the preseason favorites, they led the NHL most of the regular season in capturing their fourth Presidents’ Trophy, which goes to the team with the best record.

Like Carolina, the Avalanche are rolling into the conference finals. The Hurricanes advanced with a pair of sweeps while the Avalanche required nine games, including a first-round sweep of the Los Angeles Kings. As of Thursday, Colorado is a slight favorite over the Hurricanes to win the Cup.

Next up for Colorado is either Vegas or Anaheim. Colorado was 2-0-1 against both the Golden Knights and the Ducks in the regular season.

Bednar understands the lofty expectations year in and out, given his talented roster. Criticism comes with the territory.

“It’s hard to win,” Bednar said. “But I wouldn’t want it any other way. I don’t think our players would want it any other way.

“People are going to get on you because you didn’t win the Cup. I’d still rather be fighting for that, having earned that type of reputation because of the way you play through the regular season and the group that you put together as an organization and the high expectations, rather than, “Let’s just try and make the playoffs.’”

Not much rattles the Avalanche these days. Not even a three-goal hole, which set up a frantic finish and the overtime winner from Kulak, who took a pinpoint pass from Martin Necas and lined it into the net to send the capacity crowd into a frenzy.

It was Kulak’s first goal since Jan. 19 when he was with Pittsburgh before being traded to Colorado the following month. It was also the first time the Avalanche won a series on home ice since 2008, when they beat the Wild in Game 6 of the conference quarterfinals.

“In an environment like this, where the building felt like it was going to start shaking at any moment, it was exciting,” said Landeskog, who played in his first regular season since 2022 after being sidelined with a knee injury. “Now, it’s kind of a sigh of relief.”

Banged-up Avalanche have chance to heal

The Avalanche have a few days to heal. They were without forward Artturi Lehkonen and defenseman Sam Malinski the last two games of the Wild series due to upper-body injuries. Makar momentarily left Wednesday’s game after a collision but returned.

“The playoffs are a long grind and you want to keep your focus narrow,” said Kulak, who made the Stanley Cup Final with Edmonton last season. “We can get some rest.”

Colorado has a 3-4 record in the conference finals since arriving in town before the 1995-96 season. All three times the team has advanced, though, a banner has followed — 1996, 2001 and 2022.

“They’re a really good team,” Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes said.

Depth on display

A strength of Colorado has been its depth. The 16 different players to score in the second round is tied for the most in a singles series, according to NHL Stats.

“The depth is what’s going to win, coming down the stretch here in the playoffs,” Landeskog said. “Guys are stepping up all over the place.”

In net, too, even if a goalie dilemma may now be a storyline.

Scott Wedgewood took over in the second period after Mackenzie Blackwood surrendered three first-period goals. Wedgewood stopped all seven shots he faced in the second and third periods (he saw none in OT).

“Just proud,” Wedgewood said of making the conference final. “Proud of our group ending it and finding a way to do that because we knew going into the series, it wasn’t going to be an easy out. There’s a long road ahead, a lot of stories to write and just preparing for that.”

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Game 43: San Diego Padres at Milwaukee Brewers

San Diego Padres first baseman Gavin Sheets (30) hits a three-run home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

San Diego Padres (25-17) at Milwaukee Brewers (23-17), May 14, 2026, 10:40 a.m. PST

Watch: Padres.TV

Location: American Family Field – Milwaukee, Wisc.

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

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Cal Raleigh placed on the IL with oblique strain, Jhonny Pereda recalled

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 12: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners looks on from the on deck circle during the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Michaela Schumacher/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

For the first time in his career, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has been placed on the injured list. After resting and attempting to play through some side discomfort, the Big Dumper seemed to aggravate his side discomfort in Wednesday’s game. He was eventually replaced by Mitch Garver behind the dish, and now the club will be without their superstar backstop for at least 10 days with an oblique strain, with C Jhonny Pereda recalled in his place.

The news is unsurprising, but troubling, as Raleigh now faces the uncommon challenge of rehabbing an oblique injury as a switch-hitter, an issue noted by Daniel Kramer of MLB.com as one of the factors that may complicate his recovery timeline. Raleigh will receive imaging on Friday when Seattle begins the second leg of the Vedder Cup as they play host to the San Diego Padres.

While Raleigh has struggled immensely in 2026, and it is some small relief to see him receive the time to effectively heal, that’s a bronze lining at best. Cal’s absence puts serious strain on a catching corps that has not demonstrated strength. Mitch Garver signed to a minor league deal this winter after the club soured swiftly on their initial backup plan of Andrew Knizner, who was released before Opening Day despite signing a big league deal. He’ll be expected to take on the primary role in the interim.

Garver, of course, originally came to the Mariners in 2024 with the intention of full-time DH work, as he’d done overwhelmingly in his time with the Texas Rangers. While Garver’s 2024-25 were disappointments, and saw him relegated into a backup role again, he’s been a fairly stalwart, but a major reason for Garver’s DH shift was durability issues, which saw him placed on the IL at least once a year from 2019-2023. Garver has not missed time with the M’s, but it’s a concern point now to see the 35 year old pushed into more serious duty.

That may mean a more even split of time with Pereda, who has fewer big league games under his belt than Garver has played in seven different seasons. Pereda is no Alejandro Kirk, but he does bring a more contact-focused approach at the plate than Garver. The 30 year old is in his eighth MLB organization, and faces primarily a titanic task of filling the shoes and sliding shorts of the Big Dumper for an indefinite period of time. Pereda has hit well in Triple-A Tacoma (his seventh different Triple-A club), running a .321/.414/.417 line in 100 plate appearances, and has historically performed well at the top level of the minors regardless of whether it’s earned him big league opportunities. This will likely be his most significant stretch of play in his career, though it’s possible Seattle looks externally for another option.

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How much blame does Daryl Morey deserve for the 76ers woes

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 23: Daryl Morey talks to the media during Paul George's Philadelphia 76ers introductory press conference on July 23, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

A lot of terrible things have happened to the Philadelphia 76ers in the last decade.

But how many of them actually happened under Daryl Morey’s watch?

Daryl Morey was hired by the Philadelphia 76ers on November 2, 2020. By my calculations, most of the bad luck, incompetence, witchcraft, inexplicable disasters and tragicomedy that has resulted in the royally screwed 2026 76ers happened before November 2, 2020. Trading the Jayson Tatum pick for the Markelle Fultz pick? Before Morey. Jimmy Butler trade? Before Morey. Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons contracts? Before Morey. Trading Mikal Bridges for Zhaire Smith? Before Morey. 

Morey was recently fired by the 76ers, ending his long and high-profile tenure as one of the league’s most philosophically convinced executives: 3-pointers and layups, no long twos. In service of that philosophy, he made mistakes, as does every GM. But most of the damage had already been done, and I honestly believe he positioned the 76ers as well as he possibly could have in his six-year tenure. His firing signalled that it was time for a new philosophy, but Morey gave the team a pretty good shot given the hand he was dealt.

Upon his hiring in November 2020, Morey was immediately presented with two non-negotiables. First, Doc Rivers was his head coach, having been hired just a month earlier. Second, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons were his franchise players. Every move the 76ers had made for three full years was in service of that plan. Morey was handed the keys, sure, but they were for a company car with engine issues. So he quickly drafted Tyrese Maxey 16 days into his job, and got to work with what he was given.

There’s a scene in Rush (2013) when F1 driver Niki Lauda is test-driving a Ferrari and says “it’s terrible. Drives like a pig,” to which his mechanic replies “Oh, you can’t say that… it’s a Ferrari!”

That, in essence, is what Morey was presented with.

He never got to test drive anything, never really got to buy his own car. And he had to stick with Embiid, the man who a tortured city’s hopes were all pinned on after years of intentional failure. Once Embiid finished second, second and first in MVP voting between 2020 and 2023, that was it. Morey would be paying Embiid whatever he wanted for the rest of his career, no matter what. 

Then there’s Ben Simmons, a basketball/personal/financial/metaphysical disaster that will go down in mysterious legend. Morey famously executed a year-long standoff with Simmons before trading him for James Harden, but I may need to write a book titled “The Four Years that Made and Broke Ben Simmons” to explain to future generations that, prior to his on-court collapse in Game 7 of the 2021 Hawks series, Simmons was an All-NBA-level player. He was incredible, and then he was gone. We may never know exactly what happened, but the fact that Morey managed to acquire Harden — a great player, for all that comes with him — for a deflated asset like Simmons was remarkable. 

Harden was perhaps Morey’s kryptonite, a player with the tantalizing offensive tools that served his philosophy far better than Embiid or Simmons, with the former enjoying the mid-range jumper (Morey’s arch nemesis) and the latter incapable of shooting 3-pointers. He was convinced Harden was one of the most impactful players of his generation, and had built team after team around him in Houston. Had he instead committed to Maxey sooner, a player he drafted, perhaps Morey could have avoided the eventual blow up that ended he and Harden’s relationship. 

The 76ers’ current problems are mostly due to two contracts for Embiid and Paul George that are slated to pay out nearly $300 million in the next three years. In the era of the apron luxury tax, that is not a feasible way to build a basketball team. And while I won’t say Morey had no choice in handing them out (you always have a choice), Embiid was a non-negotiable. I also think clearing cap space for George and then actually signing him into it was an impressive maneuver at the time. Nobody ever sings a real, big free agent anymore, and 76ers didn’t have to give up anything to get him. That fourth year player option really hurts, I get it, but any GM in his position would have done it to get it done.

Those contracts were peak “if they don’t work, I’m going to get fired anyway so what do I care?” deals. They were big swings, and Morey hung his job on two expensive deals for injury prone players who just didn’t play enough to justify them. But what else was he supposed to do? Use the cap space to fund a lemonade stand? Would 76ers fans have preferred Morey not pay Embiid after he dropped 50 in a playoff game and have him demand a trade instead? 

It is interesting that the 76ers, the team most synonymous with rebuilding because of “The Process” has almost gone a full decade without tearing anything down — a period that spans Morey’s entire tenure. He was hired not to save the 76ers but to push a clearly talented roster out of the second round. Instead, he basically just became a crisis manager, always seemingly one step behind the next avalanche ready to bury the 76ers between every rock and every hard place.

But imagine if Morey had not drafted Tyrese Maxey at No. 21, and instead taken Zeke Nnaji or Leandro Bolmaro or R.J. Hampton, the three players pick after him? Imagine if Morey had salary-dumped Ben Simmons instead of acquiring Harden, or had filled the Paul George cap space with Buddy Hield, Royce O’Neale and DeMar DeRozan? What if he had filled it with another Tobias Harris extension? 

Would Philadelphia actually be better off?

Or are the 76ers’ present issues arguably the best possible situation for a team built around one of the least available superstars in the history of the league? Perhaps his philosophy has expired, and a new voice in the room should be welcomed or elevated. But I don’t think Morey should be blamed for the check engine light, the brakes seizing up and for the eventual crash — it wasn’t his car.

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Spurs vs Timberwolves Prediction, Picks & Odds for NBA Playoffs Game 6

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The San Antonio Spurs can land the knockout punch on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6. 

San Antonio has a potent one-two combo, pairing Victor Wembanyama with feisty guard De’Aaron Fox. And while Fox may stand in Wemby’s lanky shadow, he’s the haymaker that puts Minnesota on the mat Friday night.

Our Spurs vs. Timberwolves predictions like the plucky point guard to push San Antonio to the conference finals, with my NBA picks taking Fox to top his scoring prop on May 15.

Spurs vs Timberwolves Game 6 prediction

Spurs vs Timberwolves best bet: De’Aaron Fox Over 16.5 points (-115)

Despite playing with sore ankles in Game 5, De’Aaron Fox topped his points prop for the third straight outing. 

Fox scored 18 points with the bulk of those buckets in and around the key. 

Fox is second on the team in points in the paint (9.0) and sees a clearer path to the rim if the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to tinker with their rotation.

Minnesota played rim protector Rudy Gobert a playoff-low 23 minutes in Game 5, opting to go small. With Victor Wembanyama in high screen action, Fox finds easier looks inside with Gobert gone and an extra day to rest his wheels.

Projections sit at 17+ with a ceiling of 20 points.

Covers COVERS INTEL: Fox has done well vs. Minnesota guards Ayo Dosunmu (injured) and Mike Conley (old) in this series. Jaden McDanielsis a rare T-Wolves player having success against Fox (34.5 FG%), and he’s expected to match up on Wembanyama more in Game 6.

Spurs vs Timberwolves Game 6 same-game parlay

The San Antonio Spurs had six players score at least 12 points in the Game 5 win, and that depth is wearing down Minnesota while exhausting all defensive counters.

The T-Wolves just don’t have the horses to keep up with that offense, especially with Anthony Edwards not at 100%, and the T-Wolves’ poor outside shooting unable to close the gap.

Wembanyama keeps topping his rebounding props, snatching at least 15 boards in four of the first five games. The only game he didn’t top that prop is when he was tossed 12 minutes into Game 4.

San Antonio’s paint protection is forcing Minnesota into low-percentage looks, and that’s creating ample rebounding opportunities for the 7-footer.

Spurs vs Timberwolves SGP

  • Spurs moneyline
  • De’Aaron Fox Over 16.5 points
  • Victor Wembanyama Over 13.5 rebounds

Spurs vs Timberwolves odds for Game 6

  • Spread: Spurs -4.5 | Timberwolves +4.5
  • Moneyline: Spurs -190 | Timberwolves +160
  • Over/Under: Over 218.5 | Under 218.5

Spurs vs Timberwolves betting trend to know

The San Antonio Spurs have hit the Moneyline in 30 of their last 40 away games (+26.65 Units/20% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Timberwolves.

How to watch Spurs vs Timberwolves Game 6

LocationTarget Center, Minneapolis, MN
DateFriday, May 15, 2026
Tip-off9:30 p.m. ET
TVPrime

Spurs vs Timberwolves latest injuries

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Sixers 2026 NBA mock draft roundup

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 11: Allen Graves looks on during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 11, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Fresh off another drama-filled lottery, the league has turned its attention to the NBA Draft Combine, with the 2026 class shaping up to feature some of the best depth in years. Prospects are getting their measurements updated and putting themselves through agility tests, workouts and scrimmages.

With mock drafts popping up from reputable sources and the draft just over a month away, let’s look at what the early indications say the Philadelphia 76ers can do with the 22nd pick.

ESPN (Jeremy Woo): Allen Graves, SF, Santa Clara

ESPN provides some of the better draft coverage out there, with Jeremy Woo spearheading their latest mock. At 22, Woo slots in Santa Clara’s Allen Graves over names like Koa Peat, Isaiah Evans, Dailyn Swain and Amari Allen.

This feels like a strong pick given the available talent. Graves has a smooth offensive game and a legitimate frame to match, measuring 6’7.75 barefoot with a 7’0 wingspan and 8’10.25 standing reach. He had a late growth spurt and brings a lot to the table offensively, with advanced ball skills, a serviceable jumper and consistent playmaking reads. His game personally reminds me of former Sixer Nic Batum, with Naz Reid being another player he shows shades of.

Graves would be a compelling pick at 22. He is relatively unproven in terms of competition level, but there is plenty to like in a vacuum and even more so as a theoretical fit with the Sixers. He could slot in alongside Paul George and Joel Embiid, providing connective play and floor spacing without sacrificing size or mobility.

Yahoo Sports (Kevin O’Connor): Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina

Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor brings a lot more variation in his latest mock, with names like Swain, Graves and Allen all coming off the board well before pick 22. O’Connor has the Sixers selecting Henri Veesaar, an experienced third-year big out of North Carolina. Notable names still on the board in this mock include Jayden Quaintance, Bennett Stirtz, Tounde Yessoufou and Evans.

This sits toward the ceiling of Veesaar’s range, barring any last-minute rise. Most mocks have him going in the late first round or even into the second.

So what would justify the reach? Veesaar is quite different from most of the bigs Philadelphia has been accustomed to. He features a legitimate perimeter game and a real shooting touch, knocking down over 40 percent from three on solid volume, with enough offensive versatility to do damage in other ways as well. On paper, he has enough of an offensive arsenal to either back up Embiid or play alongside him in supersized lineups.

That said, I would be pretty surprised if Veesaar is the name the Sixers land on at 22. In many eyes he would not be the best available prospect, and it is hard to imagine the team using their highest pick on a big that many draft boards have sliding. However, if Embiid’s availability is that serious of a concern, spending draft capital on a center when the position figures to be overhauled this summer is not without logic.

The Ringer (J. Kyle Mann & Danny Chau): Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor

The Ringer is no stranger to controversial rankings and mock drafts. J. Kyle Mann and Danny Chau are manning their draft board this cycle, and they currently have the Sixers selecting Cameron Carr at 22. Notable names still on the board include Chris Cenac, Karim Lopez, Allen and Evans.

Carr is a fascinating pick for several reasons. He boasts a real frame to grow into, measuring 6’4.5 barefoot with a 7’7.5 wingspan and 8’8 standing reach. He is one of the better off-ball shooters in this class, with a proven jumper to go along with his wiry frame. Similar to VJ Edgecombe, Carr is also an unusually good rim protector for his size and position, offering serious two-way upside in the long view.

So what makes this pick complicated? Carr will need time and development, particularly when it comes to adding weight to his frame. The defensive flashes are real, but he will need to show stronger and more consistent effort on that end, and self-creation on offense is limited at best. Still, factoring in what he brings right now, with a standout frame and a smooth jumper, it is easy to see why the Sixers might be willing to roll with Carr even if he needs some seasoning. He would provide the largest wingspan-to-height ratio among perimeter players in this class, with real vertical ability and the upside to get even better.

If the Sixers are looking for a connective wing who can provide length behind the backcourt without sacrificing perimeter shooting, there are not many names that fit the bill better than Carr.

It’s worth noting that Carr crushed the scrimmage portion of the combine Wednesday, which might put him out of the Sixers’ range.

The Athletic (Sam Vecenie): Amari Allen, SF, Alabama

Last up is The Athletic, led by renowned draft expert Sam Vecenie. In his mock, Vecenie has the Sixers selecting Amari Allen at 22, over names such as Graves, Joshua Jefferson and Yessoufou.

Vecenie describes Allen well in his write-up as a swiss army knife type of player with a wide range of skills. Allen has excellent size at 6’5.25 without shoes, weighing in at nearly 205 pounds, with a 6’8 wingspan and 8’3 standing reach. As a wing, he is one of the better playmakers in this class, capable of making smart reads and playing well within his strengths. Unlike many prospects, he avoids forcing risky passes and rarely turns the ball over or telegraphs his intentions. Allen also features a serviceable jumper, shooting 34 percent from three and 74 percent from the foul line. The percentages are not eye-popping, but his shot passes the eye test. It is smooth and repeatable, and with some minor tweaks, could become a real strength in the years ahead. The closest comp for Allen’s overall game is the Knicks’ Josh Hart, minus the elite rebounding.

Allen’s range varies drastically depending on who you ask. Some analytics have him as high as the late lottery, while others, as seen here, slide him deeper into the first round. Teams are always hunting for wings who can handle, pass and shoot without being a liability on defense, and Allen checks those boxes. If the Sixers want a ball handler outside of their backcourt with plenty of upside to grow into at just 20 years old, they could do a lot worse than Allen at 22.

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Mets vs. Tigers: Lineups, broadcast info, and open thread, 5/14/26 – Nolan McLean vs Keider Montero

Apr 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean (26) pitches in the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Mets lineup

Carson Benge – RF
Bo Bichette – SS
Juan Soto – DH
Mark Vientos – 1B
MJ Melendez – LF
Brett Baty – 3B
Marcus Semien – 2B
A.J. Ewing – CF
Hayden Senger – C

SP: Nolan McLean – RHP

Tigers lineup

Kevin McGonigle – SS
Colt Keith – 3B
Riley Greene – LF
Dillon Dingler – DH
Gage Workman – 2B
Zach McKinstry – RF
Spencer Torkelson – 1B
Wenceel Perez – CF
Jake Rogers – C

SP: Keider Montero – RHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 1:10pm EDT
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2

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Washington Nationals vs Cincinnati Reds Game Thread

CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 13: Simon Mathews #53 of the Washington Nationals walks out to the mound to talk with Jake Irvin #27 of the Washington Nationals during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 13, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a dramatic come from behind win, the Nats have a chance to sweep the Reds and get to .500 on the season. They will have to do it in an early afternoon game, which has been tough sledding for them the past few years. The Nats will also have to face a high octane arm in Chase Burns.

With a righty on the mound, Blake Butera made some tweaks to his lineup. The red hot Luis Garcia Jr. is back in there at first base. Jorbit Vivas will make his first start of the series in the DH spot. With a day game after a night game, Drew Millas will also get his first start of the series, looking to redeem himself after the debacle in the Marlins game. Nats surprise ace Foster Griffin will take the mound with a chance to get his team to .500.

With a lefty on the mound, this Reds lineup looks very different. It is a new look outfield, with Spencer Steer in left, Dane Myers in center and Blake Dunn in right. Sal Stewart will move to first base and JJ Bleday will be DH. Ke’Bryan Hayes will also be in the lineup. Backup catcher Jose Trevino will get his first start of the series. Chase Burns has pitched like an ace and has electric stuff. He will be on the mound, and will look to stop the bleeding for the Reds.

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Game Info:

Stadium: Great American Ball Park

Time: 12:40 PM EST

TV: Nationals.TV

Radio: 106.7 The Fan

The bullpens have gotten a lot of work in this series, so both starters will be expected to go deep in the game. Both teams have the right guy on the mound to do that as well. Offense has king in this series, but the pitching matchup indicates that may change today. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!

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White Sox vs. Royals prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for May 14

The White Sox (21-21) will be looking for a sweep of their three-game series tonight in the Windy City when they take the field against the Royals (19-24).

 

Surprise contenders in the American League Central, the White Sox remained just 1.5 games behind division-leading Cleveland with a 6-5 win last night over KC. Colson Montgomery was the offensive catalyst for
the Chisox with three hits including his 11th home run of the season and scored two runs. Tyler Davis picked up his first win of the season coming on in relief of Chicago starter Noah Schultz. Seth Lugo was bad for Kansas City allowing five runs in five innings to drop to 1-3 on the season. KC’s ace has been anything but the last month as he has allowed less than four runs in just one of his last four starts. Bobby Witt Jr. cracked his 7th home run of the season (and 7th since April 26th) for the Royals in the loss.

 

Kansas City turns to Kris Bubic to try and snap the Royals’ now three-game losing streak. The White Sox are gunning for their fifth straight win. They will send Anthony Kay to the bump. After struggling at the end of April, Kay has been solid in May allowing just two runs over his last two starts / 10 innings. Bubic has been good his last three starts. Over his last 17.2 innings, the left-hander has allowed 12 hits and just five runs while striking out 18.

 

Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

 

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game Details and How to Watch: White Sox vs. Royals

  • Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
  • Time: 7:40PM EST
  • Site: Rate Field
  • City: Chicago, IL
  • Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, CSN, Royals.TV

 

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

 

The Latest Odds: White Sox vs. Royals

The latest odds as of Thursday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Chicago White Sox (+113), Kansas City Royals (-136)
  • Spread: White Sox +1.5 (-149), Royals -1.5 (+123)
  • Total: 8.0 runs

 

Probable Starting Pitchers: White Sox vs. Royals

Pitching matchup for May 14:

  • White Sox: Anthony Kay
    Season Totals: 35.0 IP, 2-1, 4.89 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 25K, 17 BB
  • Royals: Kris Bubic
    Season Totals: 46.1 IP, 3-1, 3.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 47K, 23 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! White Sox vs. Royals

  • Munetaka Murakami is T3 in baseball with 15 HRs
  • Chase Meidroth had his 11-game hitting streak snapped last night (0-2)
  • Carter Jensen was 2-2 last night, is 4-9 over his last 4 games but is hitting just .176 in May
  • Bobby Witt Jr. has hit safely in 11 of 12 games in May with 17 hits including 5 HRs in 49 ABs (.347)

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

 

Top Betting Trends & Insights: White Sox vs. Royals

  • The Royals are 6-14 on the road this season
  • The White Sox are 11-9 at home this season
  • The White Sox are 24-18 on the Run Line this season
  • The Royals are 18-25 on the Run Line this season
  • The OVER has cashed 19 times in games involving the Royals this season (19-24)
  • The OVER has cashed 23 times in White Sox games this season (23-19)

 

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions: White Sox vs. Royals

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

 

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

 

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the White Sox and the Royals:

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Royals on the Moneyline
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Run Line
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 8.0 runs

 

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Flyers Hope Playoff Environment Will Benefit Prospects That Didn't Play

Although the Philadelphia Flyers largely stuck with the same group of players throughout their run in the Stanley Cup playoffs this year, the team hopes that many of the young players who watched on standby will benefit from the experience.

Top Flyers prospects like Spencer Gill, Nikita Grebenkin (upper-body), Carson Bjarnason, Oliver Bonk, Jett Luchanko, Jack Berglund, and David Jiricek were all present in the press box for the Flyers' five home games in the postseason.

Only Bonk and Luchanko managed to play in a game, the Flyers' Game 4 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, and Jiricek was a participant in warmups.

All of the players, however, got to see and hear what playoff hockey was like in Philadelphia.

The intensity of the games against seasoned opponents like Pittsburgh and Carolina, the cheers and boos from the crowd, and the boisterous standing ovation following the end of the season, which Flyers general manager Danny Briere lauded multiple times in his end-of-season press conference.

"We always ask a lot about our fans, and we ask them to invest in the team and spend money and time to come and see us. What they did last game was truly, truly amazing," Briere said to start his press conference.

Flyers Release Big Injury UpdateFlyers Release Big Injury UpdateThe Philadelphia Flyers played through some major injuries in the NHL playoffs.

"I wanted them to know that it was our players who took notice of that. I probably had seven or eight guys in my exit meetings that specifically mentioned how the fans reacted at the end of the game. They knew how special it was to play in the playoffs in Philadelphia. They didn't realize how special it was."

Now that the Flyers have gotten a taste of that, they want everyone to be hungry to get back to the playoffs every year and continue to learn and improve.

That includes the prospects who will be important parts of this process in the near future.

"We didn't know our fans would react the way they did, which was fantastic. That was amazing. Along the way, we didn't know if Oliver Bonk or David Jiricek would play games, but they got the chance to go on the ice for a few warmups. That was all part of the experience," Briere said.

"We had Jack Nesbitt and Spencer Gill here at the end of the season. Even though they couldn't play, they came in, spent a few days being around the team to see what it was like, the atmosphere of the playoffs, and get a taste of how exciting it could be. It goes beyond just the guys who were playing. A lot of our young guys were here. To have them around to experience that, we hope will help their development."

Flyers Playoff Rooting Guide: The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend?Flyers Playoff Rooting Guide: The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend?Which former member of the Philadelphia Flyers will go on to win the Stanley Cup this year?

With Noah Juulsen a pending free agent and the future of Rasmus Ristolainen uncertain, it would certainly seem that Bonk and Jiricek have strong chances to parlay that experience into roster spots and improvement in their games next season.

Luchanko, who replaced Matvei Michkov for Game 4 against Carolina, will assuredly make his bid to make the Flyers out of training camp for a third consecutive season.

Berglund played seven playoff games with the SHL's Farjestad BK before helping the Lehigh Valley Phantoms with their playoff push on an AHL tryout, then watched the Flyers from afar.

The Flyers hope that all of these prospects will take something from the two-round playoff run and apply it in the near future.

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Bulls' Josh Giddey, Kings' Keegan Murray both undergo ankle surgery, should be ready for training camp

Sacramento Kings guard Keegan Murrand and Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey both underwent ankle surgeries this week, and both are expected to be back for the start of the season.

Giddey has been bothered on-and-off by ankle issues for a couple of years and had arthroscopic surgery on his ankle to clean that up, the team reported.

Giddey was limited to 54 games last season, primarily due to a hamstring injury. Giddey is coming off a career year, where he averaged 17 points, 9.1 assists and 8.3 rebounds (8.3) per game (all career highs) while shooting 36.4% from 3-point range. The Bulls reached an extension with him last year and he is locked in for three more seasons at $75 million.

Murray had surgery to remove loose bodies from his ankle, reports James Ham of The Kings’ Beat. Murray is expected to be back on the basketball court in six to eight weeks and will be back for training camp, according to the report.

Murray had missed time starting in January with a sprained ankle. He came back for four games in February, aggravated the injury and was out for the remainder of the season. Due to ankle and other health issues earlier in the season, Murray played in just 23 games for the Kings last season, averaged 14 points per game, and struggled with his shot due to all the injuries.

He is locked in with the team, having signed a five-year, $140 million extension off his rookie contract that kicks in next season.