The Los Angeles Kings have locked up AHL prospect Aatu Jämsen, announcing Friday that he is officially joining the Kings roster on a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 at the NHL level through the 2026-27 season.
Jämsen, 23 years old, completed his second season with the Ontario Reign, posting career highs of 16 goals, 12 assists, and 28 points in 59 games. The call-up might seem a little early, but the former seventh-round pick has shown promise, and LA adds another young talent to its roster.
We've signed F Aatu Jämsen to a one-year, two-way contract worth an average annual value (AAV) of $850,000!
The Finnish forward also competed in four Calder Cup Playoff contests, where he collected two points as Ontario battled for postseason success. Originally drafted in the seventh round with the 190th overall pick of the 2020 NHL draft, Jämsen has steadily improved his game.
Over two seasons with the Ontario Reign, Jämsen has totaled 23 goals and 39 points in 95 AHL games, reminding everyone that he can create his own shot and play a physical game.
The signing gives LA additional depth at the forward position, while giving Jämsen an opportunity to push for his NHL debut this upcoming season. With the Kings still expected to make additional moves in the offseason to improve the team, the Finnish prospect will enter training camp looking to make a strong impression and compete for a larger role within the organization.
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12-year old Wyatt Neus is one of Steph Curry’s biggest fans. As it turns out, Curry is a big fan of Neus, as well.
Neus, who has Down syndrome, recently went viral for his performance in a student-teacher basketball game in Plymouth, Minnesota, draining a long “Curry range” shot while wearing the famous No. 30 Warriors jersey. Neus also performed Curry’s trademark “night, night” celebration as a full gymnasium cheered him on.
The video and the story caught the attention of Warriors vice president of communications Raymond Ridder, who passed them on to Curry.
A short time later, Curry responded with his own video addressed to Wyatt, who watched with his parents Eric and Brooke by his side.
Minnesota student Wyatt Neus, who has Down syndrome, went viral after sinking a deep "Curry range" shot at school. The moment reached Stephen Curry, who surprised Wyatt with a personal video message and an invite to a Golden State Warriors game.
“Hey Wyatt,” Curry began. “I just want to say that was really, really special and inspiring what you did, showing out in front of your whole school. Unbelievable shot, unbelievable celebration, and even better jersey. Great job, Wyatt. See you soon.”
Wyatt, who says he has rooted for Curry since “[he] was a baby,” will see Curry in person next season, as the Warriors guard extended an invite to attend a Warriors-Timberwolves game in Minnesota.
“It’s just shocking,” Brooke Neus said of Curry’s gesture. “For Steph to take the time out of his day and to look at that is just, I never thought it would become anything like this. We thought it was a cool video that, you know, just like that. Hard to believe that we could maybe lighten other people’s hearts, but this has taken a new life of its own, and we’re so lucky.”
Now when the Warriors take the court at Target Center next season, there will be at least two people who can shoot from “Curry range” in the building.
Before he even made it to the NBA, when he was earning just $150,000 playing in France, the Spurs star and Frenchman rejected lucrative soda endorsements worth millions.
“We’re not gonna mix his image with sodas like Coca-Cola,” his agent Jérémy Medjana told The Athletic. “They all want him, but Victor will never sell soda. Because he doesn’t want to kill the kids.”
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives against the New York Knicks during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) AP Photo/Eric Gay
The 22-year-old phenom is reportedly so committed to his stance of promoting positive health that he doesn’t begin press conferences until Gatorade bottles are removed. Meanwhile, he endorses Barcode, a plant-based performance drink with no added sugar.
Wembanyama currently has deals with Nike, Louis Vuitton, 2K Sports, Fanatics, Authentic and H-E-B and understands more deals will flow in if he wins it all, but brand deals aren’t his main focus now.
“I think what Victor understands is not to be distracted by all of the fanfare around his career,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver told The Athletic. “Because he will be defined by championships, not by commercial opportunities or the platform he has to speak out on issues he cares about.”
The first overall pick by the Spurs in 2023, Wembanyama has taken the league by storm since his arrival.
After averaging 21.4 points per game as a rookie in 2023-24, Wembanyama increased that number to 24.3 last season and 25 this year. He also finished third in MVP voting this season, behind just Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic.
SAN ANTONIO, TX – JUNE 3: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 3, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NBAE via Getty Images
Wembanyama also took home Western Conference Finals MVP honors after beating the Thunder in seven games to send the Spurs to their first NBA Finals since 2014.
The center went just 6-of-21 in the Spurs 105-95 loss to the Knicks in Game 1 of the Finals Wednesday, but can rebound Friday night.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 29: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers is congratulated in the dugout after a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at American Family Field on June 29, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Brewers are back on the road for the beginning of a six-game road trip out west. After failing to complete comebacks in the final two games against the National League West’s San Francisco Giants, the Brewers look to set the record straight against the NL West’s worst, the Colorado Rockies.
Yesterday afternoon, we watched the ball fly at American Family Field as we saw a combined five home runs and seven doubles in the series finale. Thankfully for Brewers fans, the Brewers had their hat mixed in consistently throughout the day, with Jackson Chourio going deep twice and David Hamilton hitting his second long ball on the season, not to mention the numerous flyouts to the warning track. Expect similar action tonight at Coors Field, another ballpark that’s notorious for deep flies.
The Brewers will try to avoid losing three in a row for the first time since late April, and getting the ball in tonight’s series opener will be Brandon Sproat. There’s no doubt that Sproat has struggled this season in terms of giving up runs, but home runs have been a backbreaker so far this season, as he has allowed 10 on the season. In his last outing against the Houston Astros, he made it just 4 1/3 innings while allowing five runs on six hits and gave up one home run.
Though the Rockies are at the bottom of their division, they’re still pesky and have been playing better ball over the last week, as they have won back-to-back series, winning four out of their last six. The big question surrounding tonight’s game is how short Sproat’s leash will be after some comments made by manager Pat Murphy following his previous start: “We’re not going to tolerate too many duds like this, that’s for sure.”
Murph has preached patience with Brandon Sproat, but today was a different tone.
Still stressed Sproat's bright future, but said, "We're not going to tolerate too many duds like this, that's for sure. If he's not going to step up — we're trying to win. We're not rebuilding."
Getting the ball to open up the six-game home stand for the Rockies is the right-hander, Ryan Feltner. The month of April wasn’t too kind to Feltner, posting a 7.41 ERA while allowing five home runs. After being placed on the 15-day IL and having most of May off, he came back and dominated against the San Francisco Giants, throwing six scoreless innings while allowing just four hits on the day.
After the bullpen had a rough day at the office yesterday, we saw a couple of changes. DL Hall is officially on the 15-day IL with a left pectoral strain, with Jake Woodford being designated for assignment after another rough outing in yesterday’s game. Replacing the two arms will be Craig Yoho and Brian Fitzpatrick.
Yoho is back on the big league club for the first time since last season and is looking to have a better trip around. Last season he posted a 7.27 ERA through eight appearances. This season down in Nashville, he has had a great start to the 2026 season as he has posted a 1.00 ERA in 18 innings, recording three saves and 24 strikeouts.
Backup with the club is the southpaw Fitzpatrick, who has shined in his first four outings with the Brewers. Through 5 2/3 innings, he has four strikeouts and has allowed just one earned run.
Though Murphy has yet to announce tonight’s starting lineup, most of the everyday starters have seen Feltner a fair amount throughout his first six years in the big leagues. William Contreras has seen the most of him, as he has 16 at-bats, though he hasn’t fared well against him, batting just .188. Christian Yelich has hit the best against Feltner — through 12 at-bats, he’s hitting .417 with a 1.084 OPS.
Like most nights, you’ll be able to catch the game on Brewers.TV, WTMJ 620, and the Brewers Radio Network. First pitch is set for 7:40 p.m.
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 8: The sneakers worn by Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 8, 2026 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The fallout from Thursday's bombshell report from NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman that Dylan Larkin requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings continues to dominate the discussion in Motor City sports circles.
The Red Wings have now missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for ten consecutive seasons, the longest active drought in the NHL. Larkin is the only player on the current Red Wings roster who skated in their most recent playoff appearance in 2016.
Right now, it appears as though the drought, which has included three consecutive meltdowns in March, has finally become too much for Larkin to want to continue enduring.
However, his reported trade request is the opposite of what he had to say during his season-ending media availability session in late April.
Speaking at Little Caesars Arena after the Red Wings had cleaned out their lockers, Larkin said that it was his desire to remain in Detroit and see the process through of finally becoming a playoff team and moving into Stanley Cup contention.
"I'm just thinking now going back to when I re-signed and, you know, signed an eight-year deal and I knew that we had work to do and I knew that we weren't going to win the Stanley Cup the next day," Larkin said. "But I wanted to be here and I want to be here to help this team in any way I can to win the Stanley Cup."
"I wanted to be here, and I want to be here to help this team in any way I can to win the Stanley Cup," he said. "We need to get the Detroit Red Wings back in the playoffs - not just me."
Larkin registered a career-high 34 goals this season, but for the second time in the last three seasons, suffered an untimely injury and missed multiple games while the rest of his teammates struggled down the stretch.
If Larkin were ultimately traded, it would signal a major shakeup in the direction of GM Steve Yzerman's long-term vision for the club he took over in April 2019.
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The Chicago Blackhawks have a lot riding on the success of Connor Bedard, who they selected with the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Since coming into the NHL, Bedard has gotten better and better with each passing day. His overall growth as a player on and off the ice from year one through year three is noticeable.
Now that Bedard is through the entry-level years of his NHL career, it is time for an extension. On July 1st, he becomes a restricted free agent. The price to offer sheet someone like him is through the roof, but the Blackhawks still want to get him signed to avoid any time missed.
We've seen from other teams and players around the league that missing parts of training camp due to contract stuff can be detrimental.
Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins, Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks, and Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils would all admit that it was a detriment to their seasons when it happened to them.
On Friday, The Hockey News named Connor Bedard as the top pending RFA in the National Hockey League.
Connor Bedard, Jason Robertson, Leo Carlsson and Trevor Zegras are just some of the most intriguing pending NHL RFAs as the playoffs near the end: https://t.co/Y9FIQES7wd
Bedard leads the list of players that includes talents like Leo Carlsson, Jason Robertson, and Pavel Dorofeyev, amongst others. A lot of money is going to be handed out to these young men, and Bedard is the top guy.
Other players have had more production in their careers, some of them because they are older, but none of them have the ceiling with runway left in their careers the way that Bedard does. He is as young as an RFA can be in the NHL.
Connor Bedard wants to be in Chicago, and the Blackhawks want him. It is a mutual interest to get this deal signed, and both parties can focus on more important aspects once it is complete.
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The Knicks’ win streak extended to 12 games with a statement victory in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals. Tonight, they’ll try to continue that by taking a 2-0 lead over the San Antonio Spurs.
Though the Knicks got off to a hot start, they found themselves trailing the Spurs, but a huge late-game run helped secure the 105-95 victory.
DIRECTV is our top pick for watching basketball live for free — its five-day free trial includes ABC, where every game of the NBA Finals will air. When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $44.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.
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Sling TV is another affordable way to watch TV live and stream NBA games; its Select plan includes ABC and starts at $19.99/month.
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
Path 3 has already been rumored to be under consideration. Boston is among the teams linked to Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in trade rumors, and such a deal almost certainly would require shipping Jaylen Brown out of town.
Do Stevens and the Celtics need to make such a drastic move, or should they run it back with largely the same group plus a healthy Jayson Tatum? Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated joined Friday’s Early Edition to discuss which path he’d take.
“I don’t see a real reason to overreact to a bad playoff loss given what this season was supposed to be,” Mannix said. “I mean, the expectations coming into the year were extremely low. They wind up winning 56 games, having a better offensive rating this year than they did last year.
“Yeah, it was an ugly way to go out against Philadelphia, and obviously, they have some needs to address if they want to be considered a championship contender, but they’ve got the core of a championship-contending team. They’ve got two superstars that know how to play with each other. They’ve got a second star who elevated himself this year into that first tier of players.”
Brown stepped up in Tatum’s absence, leading Boston to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. When Tatum returned, it was like he had never left. The Celtics’ star tandem picked up where it left off before Tatum’s injury and appeared ready to make a run at Banner 19.
Then, they blew a 3-1 series lead to the Sixers.
Despite that devastating result, Mannix looks at this year’s Eastern Conference champions as a reason not to make any drastic decisions.
“I think looking at the New York Knicks is a great example of why you want to keep things together, because one of the reasons the Knicks are playing in the Finals right now is because of their chemistry,” Mannix said. “Jalen Brunson has been around for four years. Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, two or three years. They’ve built chemistry over multiple years and they’re playing and succeeding as a team.
“The Celtics have done it even longer with this group, and I would love to see them go out, try to find a big man, try to find a little bit more depth in the backcourt, and then run it back next year with a healthy Jayson Tatum and a vastly improved Jaylen Brown.”
Boston enters the offseason with a glaring need for frontcourt help. It could also use a playmaking guard and a another reliable scoring option for when Tatum and Brown need a breather.
White, a Celtic since 2022 and a key member of the 2024 championship squad, is owed $30.34 million for the upcoming season. The three-time All-Defensive selection is one of Boston’s few trade chips that could bring in a significant haul.
Perhaps a big-man upgrade and other improvements on the margins will be enough. But as opportunities arise in the offseason, Stevens will have to seriously ponder whether a major change is best for the franchise’s future.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - MAY 25: Luigi Suigo, #19 of U18 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan receives the All-Tournament Trophy from Michele Gherardini, representative of Adidas after Adidas NextGen Euroleague Finals Championship game between U18 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs U18 Zalgiris Kaunas at Mubadala Arena on May 25, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by David Grau/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images)
The NBA is truly a worldwide league, boasting 135 international players from 43 countries at the beginning of the 2025-2026 season (NBA News, 10/22/25). So, as well as evaluating US college and G League prospects, team scouts also have the daunting task of crisscrossing the globe for new talent. Is there another Luka Doncic making his name with Real Madrid? Another Giannis bending rims in the shadow of the Acropolis? Another Wemby towering over the Arc de Triomphe?
For the Utah Jazz, who only (only!) have the second pick in the entire draft, is it worth trading some of their assets for the chance to land the next big continental phenom? Let’s take a look at some of the worldwide talent on offer and you can decide for yourself. ‘
Karim Lopez is the undisputed top international prospect in this year’s draft. The 6’8” Mexican born wing is currently playing down under with the New Zealand Breakers. Watching his highlights, you see a player who can do a little bit of everything: ball handling, three-point shooting, creating his own shot, setting up teammates, driving to the basket. His size, athleticism and quick hands also provide glimpses of his potential on the defensive end. But as he is expected to be drafted between 11 and 14 on most draft boards, it would be a huge stretch for the Jazz to shell out enough player and future draft capital to acquire him.
Not to worry though. If you can’t afford a Cadillac, perhaps there’s a sporty mid-size sedan in the Jazz’s price range. Or perhaps in the case of this next player, a stretch limo. Standing 7’3” with a 7’5” wingspan, weighing in as a 289 lb Heavyweight, and optimistically referred to by one pundit as “The Italian Wemby” (whoa there, fella), Luigi Suigo is projected to be picked anywhere from the late first round to the early- to mid-second round. Watching his highlights, it’s easy to see why NBA scouts would be intrigued by this towering Goliath. He dominates the paint, easily putting back misses by his teammates. But he can also step back beyond the arc and hit threes, though his three-point percentage needs improvement. The capital needed to take a flyer on Suigo could be a lot less, especially if he drops into the second round. And it’s enticing to think of him as a backup rim protector to Walker Kessler.
Jack Kayil, a 6’5”, 185 lb German point guard is projected to be picked between 37-40 or per some analysts will remain undrafted. Playing for ALBA in Berlin during the 2025-2026 season, he averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 assists and 2.9 rebounds, while shooting just over 34% from three. His handle is reminiscent of Keyonte George and he could be a promising backup guard, especially if the Jazz don’t select Darryn Peterson with the second pick. Kayil is currently committed to Gonzaga, but that could change if there is more interest from NBA teams.
The Jazz, of course, may be completely happy with just taking the second pick and keeping their future draft capital and current players intact. There’s nothing wrong with that, especially considering that the 2027 NBA draft will likely have more intriguing international prospects: Dash Daniels, an elite defender with Melbourne United, whose brother, Dyson Daniels, had a breakout season with the Hawks; Miikka Muurinen, Lauri Markkanen’s Finnish national team sidekick, who will have completed a year with the University of Arkansas; and Sergio de Larrea, a 6’5”, 175 lb shooting guard from Spain, a three-point marksman with a high basketball IQ, who reminds me of Austin Reaves. But my suspicion is that Austin Ainge and the rest of Jazz management are keeping their options open, both here and overseas, as they try to create an edge in their quest to get back to the post season.
The Freeway Series gets renewed as the Los Angeles Angels make the short trip to Chavez Ravine to face the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight, with the home side favored.
Reid Detmers and Roki Sasaki toe the rubber in the series opener, potentially creating some value on the underdog.
See why my Angels vs. Dodgers predictions and MLB picks for Friday, June 5, are enamored with Reid Detmers.
Who will win Angels vs Dodgers tonight: Angels (+175)
Plug your nose if you have to, but the Los Angeles Angels are undervalued in this series opener.
Reid Detmers gives them a starting pitching advantage. His 2.92 xERA, 20.8% K-BB%, and 104 Stuff+ are clear indicators of an effective arm.
Roki Sasaki’s hittable heater (.328 xBA) and penchant for allowing loud contact (11th percentile barrel rate) are major concerns.
The Angels’ bullpen will be fully rested after Thursday’s day off, whereas the Los Angeles Dodgers are playing their eighth game in as many days and have a 6.08 ERA in the last 10 days.
I'd play this to +165.
COVERS INTEL: Detmers is bound for positive regression given his 60.8% left-on-base rate. That’s the worst luck among all qualified starters, so no wonder his actual ERA is nearly two runs higher than his xERA.
Angels vs Dodgers Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-125)
There’s value betting on Detmers’ positive regression, combined with a bruised-up Dodgers lineup. Let's break it down...
Shohei Ohtani sat yesterday with a blister
Max Muncy may be absent after a hard collision on Thursday
Mookie Betts (.183/.246/.365) has temporarily lost the ability to hit baseballs
Teoscar Hernandez is still on the IL
Not great.
The Dodgers were already an Under team (12-19 O/U at home) and are looking even more so like one, given the circumstances.
Both starters have an above-average Stuff+ (104) and are in fine form, so it’ll be another low-scoring Dodgers game.
JD Yonke's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 21-19, -2.41 units
Over/Under bets: 29-12, +16.61 units
Angels vs Dodgers odds
Moneyline: Angels +178 | Dodgers -185
Run line: Angels +1.5 (-125) | Dodgers -1.5 (+105)
Over/Under: Over 8 (-110) | Under 8 (-110)
Angels vs Dodgers trend
The Dodgers have cashed the Under in 15 of their last 22 games. Find more MLB betting trends for Angels vs. Dodgers.
How to watch Angels vs Dodgers and game info
Location
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Friday, June 5, 2026
First pitch
10:10 p.m. ET
TV
KTTV, SNLA
Angels starting pitcher
Reid Detmers (2-5, 4.63 ERA)
Dodgers starting pitcher
Roki Sasaki (3-3, 4.59 ERA)
Angels vs Dodgers latest injuries
Angels vs Dodgers weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Jackson Chourio is one of the hottest hitters in baseball at the moment. He owns a .765 xSLG over the last week, including three home runs during that span, while possessing a 44.4% hard-hit rate. If we take a deeper dive, the power is very evident. Chourio also has a .524 ISO across his previous six games.
He'll face Colorado Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner tonight. The starter recently returned from the IL and has made just one start since late April, so we'll look at his season as a whole.
Feltner owns a 6.35 xERA and has allowed a 46.9% hard-hit rate. He's also surrendered 38.3% of his contact through the air, while carrying a concerning 16.1% HR/FB rate.
That's an appealing matchup for Chourio, who owns a 33.3% HR/FB rate over the last week and continues to generate loud contact consistently.
With this game taking place at Coors Field — one of the most favorable home-run environments in baseball — the conditions only strengthen the case.
I'll take this pick up to +200.
Time: 8:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Brewers.TV, Rockies.TV
Home run pick: Oneil Cruz (+388)
Oneil Cruz is consistently making loud contact at the moment. Aside from his three bombs in the last six games, he owns an astounding 23.1% barrel rate during that span while carrying a ridiculous .912 xSLG.
Cruz has also slugged above .500 against left-handed pitching this season, and he'll face Atlanta Braves southpaw Martin Perez this evening.
Perez has been getting hit, with 34.1% of the contact he's allowed against left-handed batters coming in the air, and 14.3% of those fly balls leaving the yard. That's a recipe for disaster against a hitter like Cruz, who has seen 36.4% of his fly balls against lefties land in the bleachers.
I'll play this pick up to +350.
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SportsNet Pittsburgh, BravesVision
Home run pick: Tyler Soderstrom (+496)
Tyler Soderstrom is making plenty of loud contact right now, carrying a 52.6% hard-hit rate and an expected slugging percentage north of .500 over the last week. The Athletics slugger has also gone deep twice in his last six games, and the matchup is what stands out most here.
The Houston Astros hand Peter Lambert the ball, and while he hasn't allowed a home run across his last two starts, the underlying metrics suggest he's been fortunate. The right-hander has surrendered a 46.7% fly-ball rate, 46.7% hard-hit rate, and a 22.7 average launch angle during that span. Those indicators suggest opposing hitters are generating the type of contact that often turns into home runs.
Add in the short porch in left field at Daikin Park, and this matchup becomes even more appealing.
I'll take this pick up to +400.
Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBC Sports California, Space City Home Network
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
HR picks: 9-57, -12.56 units
Today’s HR parlay
Jackson Chourio
Bet Now +11625
Oneil Cruz
Tyler Soderstrom
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Admittedly, it wasn’t “total” speculation. There were already whispers that the Brooklyn Nets were interested in Nate Ament in the upcoming NBA Draft, whether at #6 overall or after trading down. But stronger was the inductive reasoning behind it; given what we know about Brooklyn’s recent drafting history and Ament’s profile, the fit is almost too obvious. But we’ll get to that.
Over the past week, the whispers have become PSAs. Our own Connor Long reported that the Nets were interested in the University of Tennessee product, while Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports just mocked Ament to Brooklyn at #6, adding that the Nets are indeed “drawn” to him…
For what it’s worth, NetsDaily has not heard anything directly from Nets sources about their draft plans, though team insiders are telling people they “feel good” and are “excited” about the summer. Not much there.
But sources around the league — agents and their employees, as well as scouts for rival teams — all paint the same picture: The Nets are very interested in Ament. In fact, some sources are debating whether it’s an outright “lock” that Brooklyn takes the 6’10” forward. You hear phrases like “league-wide expectation,” and when other prospects are mentioned (Karim Lopez, Aday Mara, or one of the guards), the boldest convictions are that they could still be “in play.”
Three weeks out, there is such widespread agreement on Brooklyn’s interest that you wonder if it’s smoke. Or if Brooklyn is telegraphing their interest in a prospect recently projected to go much lower than #6 so as to facilitate a trade-down. O’Connor did note in his latest mock that “plenty of teams [are] interested in trading into this spot.”
The Egor Dëmin selection last season is a valuable reference point, likely part of why these sources feel confident about Brooklyn taking Ament. The team’s interest in Dëmin pre-draft was well known, but few believed the Nets would actually take Dëmin at #8 overall, a clear reach relative to most draft boards. (ESPN had the BYU product at No. 13 in their last mock.) After Brooklyn’s stunning 2025 NBA Draft — from the Dëmin selection to the other four picks to their jubilant reactions in the war room — sources aren’t putting anything past them.
While Dëmin and Ament are not identical prospects, there are important similarities, particularly when you consider how they could fit into the next iteration of the Brooklyn Nets. The thinking goes: Size + shooting provides a floor, and once GM Sean Marks goes star-hunting in the trade market, long viewed as an inevitability, those players theoretically slot in comfortably next to high-usage players.
If Brooklyn does take Ament, they clearly don’t believe this crop of guard prospects (Acuff, Wagler, Brown Jr., Flemings) will produce that aforementioned high-usage star. That thinking may be most in line with consensus; teams are lower on that group of players than the general public might be, hence players like Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara shooting up mocks.
Nate Ament could be a prototypical Nets prospect darling for other reasons. Let’s list ‘em.
Prospect pedigree: Ament was the No. 4 prospect in his high school class before an underwhelming freshman season at Tennessee. Dariq Whitehead, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, and to a lesser extent, Egor Dëmin were all extremely hyped prospects who lost hype during their pre-draft year.
High-character billing: Watch an interview. Read this Marc J. Spears story. Nate Ament does seem like a hard worker with a very pleasant attitude, affirmed by those in the know. We know the Nets really, really value character.
Weaknesses: The general sell is size + shooting, right? Well, Ament shot 33% from deep, 37% on long twos, and under 79% from the line. Not terrible, but Brooklyn would certainly be banking on a shooting leap, nothing new for them. Ament also struggled with physicality and explosiveness, creating space and/or finishing at the rim. How many current Nets could that last sentence apply to?
O’Connor gave Ament a bit of a pass on the shooting:
[O]ver the second half of the year for Tennessee, he flipped a switch and shots began to fall. He averaged 23.8 points over a six-game stretch in January and February that reminded everyone why he was a top recruit in the country. Then he dealt with an ankle injury that ruined his momentum entering March and severely struggled during the tournament.
We haven’t heard anything from Nets sources about their interest in Nate Ament. Brian Lewis tweeted Friday that Ament has not yet worked out for Brooklyn. Acuff was in Wednesday, according to Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report, the first word any of the top prospects have been in. And while league sources are quite clear on their opinion, there are still nearly three weeks until the 2026 NBA Draft. Things can change in a hurry.
Alas, even if Ament to Brooklyn isn’t a “lock,” the noise and our own inductive reasoning is simply too much to ignore. We’ll have plenty of analysis coming, namely an interview with a prominent NBA Draft analyst on Brooklyn potentially taking Ament. But we can say this: If it does come to fruition, particularly without a trade-down from #6 overall, it will be a very polarizing (at best) decision within draft circles, perhaps even more than the Dëmin selection…
Nate Ament has declared for the draft out of Tennessee. Draft range is ballpark No. 8 to No. 18 on draft night. Polarizing prospect for scouts. The ones who like him really like the upside. The ones who don't aren't interested at all. Would bet he ends up back half of lottery. pic.twitter.com/f5VejArtQV
For those looking for more discussion on Nate Ament, I appeared on the most recent episode of Locked On Nets with Erik Slater, where we discussed Ament at length. Once again, we’ll have further analysis of Ament and other prospects before the draft, starting this weekend.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 13: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros reacts after striking out during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Daikin Park on May 13, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Astros have reinstated 2B Jose Altuve from the 10-day IL.
The club optioned OF Zach Dezenzo to Triple A after last night’s game.
Altuve, 36, was initially diagnosed with a Grade 2 oblique strain, but recovered faster than expected. Altuve last played May 16, missing almost 3 weeks with an injury that was expected to sideline him 4-6 weeks.
Altuve started the season red hot, hitting .378 over the first 11 games of the season, but then cooled off considerably, and was batting only .245 at the time of his injury.
Dezenzo, 26, was batting .191 this season with the Astros in limited time. He was also 3 for his last 21 at the plate with 11 strikeouts. Dezenzo should see regular time in Sugar Land alongside Joey Loperfido and Zach Cole as the team hopes at least one of them will find their batting stroke and get hot, allowing them to be productive upon a recall.
COVERS INTEL: Detmers is bound for positive regression given his 
Jackson Chourio
Oneil Cruz
Tyler Soderstrom
