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2026 NHL Mock Draft

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JUNE 25: Gavin McKenna attends the 2026 NHL Draft Top Prospects Media Availability on June 25, 2026 at the New Era Cap World Headquarters in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Ahead of tonight’s NHL draft, let’s take a stab at how the first round could play out tonight. First, a moment of silence for our near miss last year – when we tried to predict that Kyle Dubas would go ‘off the board’ with a high pick on a WHL center that no one saw coming. So close, yet so far (we had Cole Reschny as the surprise pick, the Pens ended up making the choice of Ben Kindel instead. I’d say that worked out well).

Trades have rocked the 2026 draft, which could indicate something about how many teams are valuing this draft somewhat unfavorably. Two top-10 picks have been dealt. St. Louis enters the night with a whopping four picks. San Jose has three. Six other teams have two picks, 10 teams enter the night without a first round pick at all. Ottawa received a league punishment where they were assigned the 32nd pick (and cannot trade it today). That builds up to one of the more unpredictable and turbulent drafts in recent memory, with a high probability that the fireworks continue with even more transactions of teams jockeying around.

  1. Toronto Maple Leafs – Gavin McKenna,LW, Penn State (NCAA): No surprise at the top, the Leafs add the top player and hope he will become a focal point in the years to come
  2. San Jose Sharks –  Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda (SWE): Trading William Eklund solved the mystery of whether or not SJ would reach for a defenseman to help their prospect pool at No. 2, or just take the best player available. Probably wisely, the coast is now clear to have a spot in the future for Stenberg.
  3. Vancouver Canucks – Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford (OHL): For some reason the Canucks have zeroed in on Malhotra, the sixth ranked North American skater from Central Scouting. Malhotra is considered the best center of the class but going third looks like a steep projection on draft day.
  4. Buffalo Sabres –Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL): Buffalo has their pick of the defensemen in the class and Reid looks like the right handed, blue chip prospect to one day pair beside Owen Power or Rasmus Dahlin.
  5. New York Rangers –Alberts Smits, D, Munchen (GER): Some think Smits could be the most NHL ready player in the draft as a 6’3, 210 pound defender that is rock solid and shined with Team Latvia. I think that fits what the Rangers will covet as a no-maintenance type of big player who could be a bedrock performer. With the top four picks considered somewhat set right now, the Rangers’ choice at No. 5 represents the first major split in the road for how this draft will play out.
  6. Calgary Flames –Viggo Bjorck, C, Djurgarden (SWE): The Flames get a little saucy with this one, taking the upside of a 5’9, 180 pound center in a world where players like Brayden Point and Logan Stankoven have flourished. This profile of player usually drops on draft night, but Calgary opts to believe in what they could have here.
  7. Seattle Kraken – Carson Carels, D, Prince George (WHL): Seattle has somewhat famously never selected a defenseman in the first round, but now Jason Botterill’s hands are fully on the wheel. A disciple of Ray Shero, a smooth skating, puck moving defender with upside fits the mold and needs of this franchise.
  8. Winnipeg Jets – Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota (NCAA): Winnipeg is in a nice spot to draft a quality player that falls to this pick, they’re pleased to add a 6’4″ defender compared to Aaron Ekblad. Verhoeff very well could be selected a few picks prior to this, having him available at 8th would be a great development for the Jets.
  9. San Jose Sharks –Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert (WHL): Given team needs (and by taking Stenberg earlier), you’d have to think the Sharks will be in a position to grab the top defender available here at No. 9, depending on who among Smits, Carels, Verhoeff and Rudolph remain. It ends up being Rudolph, who has the frame, tools and ability to be a top-4 player and is exactly what San Jose needs at this point.
  10. Nashville Predators – Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University (NCAA): New GM Chris MacFarland gets to work by adding one of the top centers available. Lawrence had a bumpy draft year but is well-regarded as a potential future impact player.
  11. St. Louis Blues – Wyatt Cullen, LW, USA U-18 (NTDP-USHL): Matt’s boy had a recent growth spurt to 6’1 and has dynamic offensive ability. His future is very bright, the Blues are happy to grab him at this point.
  12. New Jersey Devils –Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor (OHL): New GM Sunny Mehta is from the Panthers’ organization, he knows the value of a 6’5″, 230 pound monster winger that has an edge. Belchetz is headed to Michigan State and could be the next version of a Porter Martone type.
  13. New York Islanders – Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (FIN): The Islanders have drafted well recently, Suvanto is one of the younger players in the class and already 6’3″, 213 pounds with a a strong two-way game.
  14. Columbus Blue Jackets – Malte Gustafsson, D, HV71 (SWE): A 6’4″ defender with good reach, skating and first pass ability, the Jackets keep it simple here with a solid choice at this part of the draft.
  15. St. Louis Blues – Alexander Command, C, Orebro Jr. (SWE-JR): Incoming GM Alex Steen adds a countryman with a solid center option for future depth.
  16. St. Louis Blues – Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver (WHL): Wait, are the Blues really making all these picks? We already have them down for two forwards, they spread out here to grab an offensive minded right shot defender.
  17. Los Angeles Kings – Oscar Hemming, LW, Boston College (NCAA): LA grabs a 6’4″ winger with offensive upside and a great shot.
  18. Washington Capitals – Maddox Dagenais, C, Quebec (QMJHL): The Caps can use prospect help up the middle, Dagenais brings a 6’4″ frame and good offensive ability.
  19. Utah Mammoth –Ilia Morozov, C, Miami (NCAA): The Mammoth go with a very young player and hope his game develops into his 6’3″, 205 stature.
  20. Buffalo Sabres –Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough (OHL): The Czech player excelled in the OHL, he has a nose for the net.
  21. Philadelphia Flyers – Maksim Sokolovskii, D, London (OHL): A 6’7″, 240 pound physical, stay at home defender seems to fit the Flyers. They also tend to like London products (Oliver Bonk, Denver Barkey).
  22. Pittsburgh Penguins – JP Hurlbert, LW/C, Kamloops (WHL): I think Hulbert checks almost all the boxes for the players that the Pens tend to take early on. He can play all three forward positions, he’s been complimented for his two-way play and attention to detail away from the puck, he’s a productive WHL player. There’s always the possibility they break pattern and go with a defender or different profile this year, but as a blind guess there’s a lot that points towards Hulbert if he’s available.
  23. Boston Bruins –Nikita Klepov, RW, Saginaw (OHL): The Bruins go with a skilled forward to add to their group.
  24. Vancouver Canucks – Elton Hermansson, RW, MoDo (SWE-2): The Canucks add a second forward in the draft.
  25. Ottawa Senators – Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat (WHL): The Senators go with a skill winger to be part of their future.
  26. New York Rangers – Brooks Rogowski, C, Oshawa (OHL): When I look at Rogowski, I see Brian Boyle 2.0. Chris Drury was a teammate of Boyle’s, who once scored 21 goals with the Rangers. NYR will bank on Rogowski’s peak being a little longer/higher but his 6’7″ 235 pound frame is what literally stands out.
  27. San Jose Sharks – Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL): The Sharks have enough draft capital with their third pick of the night to take a wild swing on the immense talents of Villeneuve, who comes with just as immense of a risk.
  28. Montreal Canadiens – Jack Hextall, C, Youngstown (USHL): Montreal goes with a well-rounded center choice that they’ll hope develops well.
  29. St. Louis Blues – Casey Mutryn, RW, USA U-18 (NTDP-USHL): Mutryn fits into a sort of Jimmy Snuggerud/Jake Neighbours/Dylan Holloway mold as a high-IQ, forechecking machine of a big winger.
  30. Calgary Flames – Thomas Bleyl, D, Moncton (QMJHL):: The Flames use their second choice to target the blueline and get a right shot player with offensive upside.
  31. Carolina Hurricanes – Mathis Preston, RW, Vancouver (WHL): The Hurricanes are always a strong candidate to trade back in the draft, our presumptions rule out trades so we’ll have them stick to type for a player with some dynamic offensive ability.
  32. Ottawa Senators – Tobias Trejbal, G, Youngstown (USHL): The first goalie goes off the board with the last pick. Trejbal is a 6’4″ netminder with impressive athleticism for his size.

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State of affairs: what’s going on with the Boston Celtics?

Sep 29, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens talks to reporters during media day at the Auerbach Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

The NBA Draft has come and gone, the Giannis Antetokounmpo “to trade or not to trade” question has been answered, and the Boston Celtics find themselves with just about the same roster they had when their season ended at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers.

From Brad Stevens’ exit interview, it was clear that he was going to make some changes. “Our margin for error needs to get bigger, and at the same time, I don’t think we’re, like, way far away,” he said.

He did admit that the team has been in a similar spot before, though, and that Boston needs to level up to stay competitive and put themselves in the best position to win. Lately it’s been feeling like those changes will be a lot more drastic than anyone expected from a 56-win team that’s just two seasons removed from a championship.

Stevens wanted the team to do a better job of attacking and pressuring the rim. It was also clear that Boston’s frontcourt was not up to par in the Philly series. He recently commented about the team’s needs after night one of the NBA Draft, saying that the priorities are size and, if possible, adding someone with speed on the perimeter.

The obvious path was to use the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception to sign either a veteran point guard or center to fill one of those needs, and then use all or part of the $27.7 million Traded Player Exception to address the other need. Brad instead was looking for a bigger swing, entering the Celtics into the Giannis sweepstakes.

By putting Jaylen Brown in trade rumors — and apparently trade offers for Giannis — it seems as though Brad has opened a can of worms. The vultures are swarming, and teams seem to think they can pry Brown away from Boston. It’s been reported by Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints that JB has not formally requested a trade at this time, and Brad Stevens has reiterated that he thinks the Jays can still win a championship together, but he also didn’t commit to keeping them together.

The rumor mill has been full effect, and several notable insiders like ESPN’s Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst, The Ringer’s Zach Lowe, and Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor believe that, while Jaylen is not being offered in outgoing trades, the Celtics are at least receptive to the calls that are coming in. Windy in particular is convinced that JB has played his last game for the Celtics already, and Lowe seems to be betting on the same, while Shams has been a lot more non-committal.

It didn’t seem like something Boston wanted to reckon with this offseason given Brown’s MVP-level year. Now it’s something they’ll have to face head on. That’s also on top of the other needs which the team hasn’t been able to address yet.

So, here’s where things stand as of now:

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard, Hugo Gonzalez, Luka Garza, and Baylor Scheierman are under contract right now. The Celtics have team options on Dalano Banton, Neemias Queta, Ron Harper Jr., Jordan Walsh, Amari Williams, and Max Shulga due on June 29th. Boston also drafted Chris Cenac Jr., an athletic 6’10 F/C out of Houston, with the 27th pick, and Dillon Mitchell, a 6’8 wing out of St. John’s, with the 40th pick.

Cenac is expected to sign a standard deal, while Mitchell will likely end up on a two-way. As for the team options, Queta, Harper Jr., Walsh, and Williams are probably locks, whereas Banton and Shulga probably won’t be retained, at least on standard deals. With all of that factored in, Boston will have filled 13 of the league’s minimum 14 standard roster spots. They can bring in up to two more players on standard deals after that. Assuming Mitchell ends up on a two-way deal, they will also have two more of those to offer to other players.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with Chris Cenac Jr. after he is drafted twenty-seventh overall by the Boston Celtics during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Now, where does that leave the team?

The biggest thing on the agenda is to reckon with the fallout of the Jaylen trade rumors. Brad has to make a commitment one way or another. If the Celtics are serious about trading him, they shouldn’t rush a deal, but they need to know what kind of return they’re looking for.

Are there any players of his caliber in a different position of need that could be available in a swap? If you ask me, the answer is no, in part because of his $57 million salary this season. So, is there an assembly of players that you can expect back that works financially and addresses the needs? That’s another tough one. Through my perusals of the trade machine, I haven’t found anything especially compelling without a convoluted three-team deal, though I’d reckon that NBA GMs are a lot better at constructing these than I am.

So, if you don’t get a perfect assembly of players, can you at least get a litany of draft compensation along with one or two quality guys? That seems like the most straightforward path to completing a deal, but that probably doesn’t bring the Celtics any closer to contention for this upcoming season. And therein lies the crux of the issue. It’s not every day you find a Jaylen Brown in the NBA, so replacing his value can feel impossible for a team that’s trying to win now.

Ultimately, it seems as though Stevens isn’t the one shopping Brown, so it’s up to other teams to make an offer that at least captures Brad’s attention enough to reach the negotiating stage. It may be a while before that happens, which could improve the return for Boston, but complicate their overall construction.

Jake Fischer of The Stein Line seems to believe that the Celtics are not looking to move Jaylen unless it makes them better. That is likely the best course of action given that he has three years left on his deal.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 02: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second quarter of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Seven of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at TD Garden on May 02, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Let’s assume JB doesn’t get traded. What’s next?

Well, we’d still have to address the areas of concern: a reliable, veteran paint presence, and a speedy guard. The free-agent market is pretty bare in both areas. For guards, Colin Sexton and Brandon Williams might be the only notable unrestricted free agents. Marcus Smart and Jose Alvarado both have player options, and Boston could offer one of them the MLE, which could give either up to a $10 million salary bump.

There are more options at center, but still nothing to write home about. Kristaps Porzingis, Jusuf Nurkic, Mitchell Robinson, Robert Williams III, Jock Landale, and Nick Richards are a handful of the unrestricted options. Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren are restricted, and it’s unlikely that Boston will outbid either of their teams, but a sign-and-trade could be on the table, at least for Kessler if the reports about him being unhappy with the Jazz have any validity to them.

The Celtics probably won’t be able to address both of their positions of need through free agency, so once they’ve made their choice, they’ll have to think about what, or who, they’re willing to part ways with to address the other. So far, the consensus seems to be that Sam Hauser is the player that a trade will be centered around, though Jordan Walsh could also be in the mix. They also have the Simons TPE to play around with and get themselves a higher caliber, or at least more expensive player, but that’s a chip for them, not their trade partner. They may have to sweeten a deal with picks depending on who they’re pursuing.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 27: Trey Murphy III #25 of the New Orleans Pelicans is defended by Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter of the NBA game at Smoothie King Center on October 27, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Trey Murphy III is a player who has been floated pretty frequently in these talks. He fits perfectly into the TPE, but New Orleans has always been rumored to be looking for significant draft compensation in any deal for Murphy. It’s important to note, that the TPE can be split up among multiple players. That’s created the possibility of trading for more than one quality player. Someone like Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks is an option, and would leave about $10m of the TPE to use on a second player.

The Celtics are currently $13.2 million under the tax line, and $21.2 million under the first apron. If they do elect to use the TPE and/or the full MLE, they could likely end up as a tax paying team, and will also get hard-capped at the first apron. The expectation was that they would be under the first apron regardless, but if they don’t duck the tax line, they won’t be able to reset the repeater tax. If they want to stay competitive, that’s something they’re going to have to seriously consider.

One last nugget to keep in mind: Derrick White has appeared in a few trade rumors this offseason. It’s been reported that the Celtics are not actively shopping him, but other teams were inquiring about his availability. Making $30.3 million this upcoming season, he could be Boston’s most interesting trade chip aside from Jaylen if they do want to make a drastic move. And before anyone comments — no, neither I, nor the Celtics are going to be entertaining offers for Jayson Tatum. I have no source to corroborate that, but I would bet my life savings on it. (Don’t gamble, kids.)

This is going to be an offseason of hard conversations, and even harder decisions for Boston. It’s definitely the murkiest the waters have looked since 2023, and maybe even the murkiest in the entire Jays era. Prepare your hearts. Spend time with your loved ones. Take your mind off it and enjoy your summer. Us Celtics fans have had a lot of smooth sailing lately, but the waves seem to be getting bigger. Captain Brad Stevens has the wheel, and it’s up to him to get us back to shore safe and sound.

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Cavs final report card: James Harden – Cleveland doesn’t make it to conference finals without Harden

TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 01: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers stands for the national anthem prior to Game Six against the Toronto Raptors in the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 01, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images

James Harden is an easy punching bag for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The flaws in his game are pretty obvious, and his teams have yet to come through on the biggest stages throughout his 17-year career. Throw in that he was traded to Cleveland in exchange for a home-grown All-Star that’s 10 years younger, and it’s easy to see why the sentiment is what it is.

That said, the Cavs don’t make it to the Eastern Conference Finals this past season without Harden. In fact, they don’t advance out of the first round without trading for him. Despite the flaws in Harden’s game, he consistently elevated the play of the group. That shouldn’t be lost in any of the discussions about his performance.

Regular Season Stats

  • 23.6 points
  • 8 assists
  • 4.8 rebounds
  • 43.4% FG
  • 37.5% 3PT FG
  • 88.4% FT

Koby Altman mentioned in February that they traded for Harden to help in the postseason. He certainly did that.

The Cavs were 12.7 points per 100 possessions better with Harden on the court in the playoffs than they were when he was off. That was the highest mark on the team. This was because he blended well with the starters while still carrying hybrid bench lineups when both Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley were off the floor.

Figuring out how to survive the minutes without Mitchell was a problem all regular season and has hurt the Cavs in previous postseason runs. Being able to stabilize those minutes was incredibly useful and allowed the team to get as far as they did in the postseason.

The Cavs don’t make it past either the Toronto Raptors or Detroit Pistons if it weren’t for Harden. His ability to get to the line and continually get the bigs involved kept a Cleveland offense on schedule that often became too reliant on the three-ball. This led to the Cavs winning the minutes he played in 10 of the 14 games he played in the first two rounds.

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Things didn’t work out nearly as well against the New York Knicks. Jalen Brunson hunted mismatches against him down the stretch of Game 1 when the Cavs squandered a 22-point lead in the final frame. Most of that was good shot-making, but it also highlighted the weaknesses in Harden’s game.

The Cavs aren’t the undersized backcourt they were with Darius Garland alongside Mitchell. Harden’s size (6’5″) and strength mean that you can’t just shoot over him. But if you force him to defend in space without help around him, he’s going to be exposed. The same could be said for Mitchell.

This team needs Harden’s playmaking and ability to get the bigs involved because these are things Mitchell struggles with. At the same time, having both members of the starting backcourt as defensive targets puts a cap on how good you can defend against elite competition, even if you have three good defenders behind them.

Harden and Mitchell aren’t going to magically become better defenders at this point in their careers. Maybe there are things the Cavs can do from a scheme perspective to keep either from being targeted as much, but the cleanest path forward is just figuring out how to make the offense work better.

The pairing between Harden and Mitchell got off to a good start in the regular season — particularly late in games — but the chemistry didn’t carry over as much as you’d hope it would in the playoffs. It often turned into “your turn, my turn” with isolation attacks.

Harden and Mitchell were both in the top 10 for isolation possessions per game in the playoffs. They were both pretty good at this, with Mitchell scoring one point per isolation possession and Harden averaging 0.99. However, if your overall offense is that isolation-heavy, things can become stagnant quickly.

Turnovers were an issue for Harden. He deserves the blame for those giveaways, but it’s fair to point out that these were also the byproduct of a stagnant offense that didn’t have a cohesive plan of attack.

Head coach Kenny Atkinson drastically remade Cleveland’s offense over the final few months of the season. He did away with his preferred motion-based offense for a more stationary, spaced-out isolation attack to fit his best two players. However, they never quite found a way to maximize that approach.

More often than not, Cleveland’s role players would find themselves cutting into traffic when they should’ve stayed stationary, and staying stationary when they needed to cut. The floor balance wasn’t what it needed to be in order to make this work.

That’s excusable given the fact that Atkinson was trying to build the plane while flying it. Those same excuses won’t be there next season. The Cavs need to figure out how they want to play offensively and surround Harden and Mitchell with guys who can fit that mold.

Adjusting to a new team that late in the season is difficult. Harden handled the change well and helped elevate this core to heights they’ve never reached before. That’s exactly what he was brought in to do. From that perspective, it was a successful season for Harden.

At the same time, it’s fair to wonder how much higher the ceiling is for a Harden-led Cavs. Can Harden and Mitchell complement each other better offensively than they did in the playoffs? Will the defense be able to thrive with two below-average defenders on the perimeter? The answer to both questions will determine whether this core can take the next step forward.

Grade: A-

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The Wizards will introduce Felix Okpara at the Rubell Museum today

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 14: Felix Okpara shoots a free throw during the game during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 14, 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

On Thursday, the Washington Wizards introduced AJ Dybantsa in a major press conference. Today, they will introduce their second round draft pick, Felix Okpara at a ceremony this afternoon at the Rubell Museum at Navy Yard. The time of the ceremony is at 12 p.m. ET. Kevin Broom wrote about Okpara on Wednesday which you can access here.

With the Wizards moving past a traditional rebuilding direction, I’m pretty excited to see what Wizards General Manager Will Dawkins and Okpara have to say. Over the past three seasons, the Wizards have looked to acquire multiple draft picks and play them significantly. In the 2026 draft however, the Wizards have only acquired two players, Dybantsa and Okpara.

Because of the press conference, the museum will be closed until 2 p.m. ET for general visitors. We’ll have a link to the press conference, if available below.

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Serena Williams faces Maya Joint in Wimbledon opener as Draper and Raducanu dealt tough draw

  • Draper to play sixth seed Taylor Fritz in first match

  • Ostapenko and Sabalenka drawn in Raducanu’s quarter

Serena Williams will face Australia’s Maja Joint at Wimbledon in her long-awaited return to singles competition after four years of retirement, a match between two players born nearly 25 years apart.

Joint, a talented 20-year-old who won Eastbourne last year, has struggled badly this year, compiling a 3-15 record. The winner of their first round match could face the in-form Filipino 25th seed, Alexandra Eala.

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USA TODAY Sports unveils 2026 'Starting 9' high school baseball lineup

The high school baseball landscape across the country has been elite, to say the least.

In a perfect world, one might ask: in a winner-take-all state title contest, who and how would we craft a lineup featuring players from across the country?

The USA TODAY Sports Starting 9 following the 2026 high school baseball season.

For this list, we've crafted a roster of 20 seniors. The breakdown of the roster is as follows:

  • Pitchers (6)
  • Catchers (3)
  • Infielders (6)
  • Outfielders (5)

Here's the USA TODAY Sports Starting 9, along with a coaching staff we'd build below in a hypothetical state title game.

Eric Booth Jr., Oak Grove (Miss.) OF

Oak Grove player Eric Booth Jr. (3) hits the ball during the game against Northwest Rankin in Flowood, Miss., on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

Booth is the top prep outfielder available in this year's MLB Draft, and will be a contributor right away in pro ball for whichever organization he's in. With Oak Grove this season, Booth hit .481 with 20 extra-base hits, 31 RBI and 55 runs scored. He walked 45 times and swiped 23 bases, making him the ideal leadoff hitter in this hypothetical state title game.

Carson Bolemon, Southside Christian (S.C.) LHP

Southside Christian Sabres Carson Bolemon (6) looks down field Wednesday, May 20, 2026 during the SCHSL Upper State 3A baseball championship game against the Chapman Panthers at Southside Christian High School in Simpsonville, South Carolina.

Bolemon was nearly unhittable this season for the Sabres, pitching to a 0.17 ERA over 41 1/3 innings pitched, allowing just one earned run. Over that span, he allowed just 11 hits and 13 walks while striking out 91 batters. Expect Bolemon to be a likely first-round pick, considering the emphasis clubs place on prep left-handed pitchers on a yearly basis.

Coleman Borthwick, South Walton (Fla.) RHP

South Walton starting pitcher Coleman Borthwick delivers to the plate during the Niceville South Walton baseball game at Niceville.

Borthwick is a big fella at 6-foot-6, 255 pounds, but he can sling it from the right side with a fastball that has been awfully close to hitting triple digits. With South Walton this spring, Borthwick pitched to a 0.21 ERA, allowing just 18 hits and 7 walks over 65 2/3 innings, striking out 121 in that stretch. Borthwick could see himself break into the first round, but picks 31-40 seem a lot more likely should he choose to forgo his Auburn commitment.

Blake Bowen, JSerra (Calif.) OF

Bowen's a prime DH candidate in this starting lineup at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, with a power grade of 60 by MLB.com. Bowen also played football for JSerra and has plenty of athleticism to make things happen in the outfield in his pro career. At the MLB Combine, he registered 15 hits that had an exit velo north of 100 MPH.

Will Brick, Christian Brothers (Tenn.) C

CBHS’ Will Brick prepares to swing against Briarcrest’s Phinn Beaird during a baseball game on April 13, 2026 at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tenn.

Brick gets the start at catcher on this roster, hitting .517 with 10 extra-base hits for Christian Brothers this season. Originally part of the 2027 class, Brick decided to reclassify after a highly successful stint with Team USA's 18U team, which competed in Japan in October, where he hit .333 while playing strong defense behind the dish. While the bat is a work in progress, many believe his defensive skills will translate to the next level.

Brody Bumila, Bishop Feehan (Mass.) LHP

Bishop Feehan senior Brody Bumila gets ready to throw a pitch at Polar Park during the Division 1 state championship game on June 13, 2026.

While Bumila wouldn't start this game, he's an elite lefty who is poised to make the big leagues at some point in his career. His fastball has reached triple digits and features a lot of inverted vertical break, making life tough for hitters. At 6-foot-9, the arm slot is especially tough.

Trevor Condon, Etowah (Ga.) OF

The younger brother of former Georgia star and Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Condon, Condon had a stellar senior year for Etowah, hitting .504 with nine home runs, 42 RBI and 17 doubles in 36 games. His decision-making at the plate is strong despite being a teenager, making him a long-term player in many organizations that value that in their philosophies. With elite speed as well, expect Condon to make an impact on this squad.

Sean Dunlap, Crown Point (Ind.) C

Dunlap has largely been a consistent player behind the plate for Crown Point, and is very fast despite the toll catching takes on the knees. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder hit .473 with nine home runs, three doubles, 11 doubles, and 45 runs batted in, adding 32 runs scored and with just six strikeouts over 112 plate appearances.

Grady Emerson, Fort Worth Christian (Texas) INF

Grady Emerson named Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year

Expected to be a top-three pick in this year's draft, Emerson's set to become the next big shortstop to come out of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Following the footsteps of Bobby Witt Jr., Emerson grades out near the top in hitting, power, running, arm and fielding, making him a franchise player for whoever drafts him.

Jared Grindlinger, Huntington Beach (Calif.) OF/LHP

Grindlinger's likely to go pro as a left-handed arm, but we're going to start him in left field. In a Huntington Beach uniform this year, Grindlinger hit .376 with a team-high 41 hits, adding 14 extra-base hits and 22 RBI, striking out twice in 125 plate appearances.

Jacob Lombard, Gulliver Prep (Fla.) INF

Gulliver Prep shortstop Jacob Lombard (left) and Barron Collier coach Adam Johnson (right) pose for a picture before their game against one another on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

The younger brother of Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr., Jacob Lombard is primed to be even better than his big brother. With Gulliver this year, Lombard batted .477 with 10 home runs and 25 RBI, leading the way with 42 hits and 52 runs scored. His 1.471 OPS led the team, and he will be a likely top-five pick in this year's MLB Draft.

Bo Lowrance, Christ Church Episcopal (S.C.) INF

Christ Church baseball's Bo Lowrance is expected to be picked high in the 2026 Major League Baseball draft.

Lowrance's 6-foot-5 frame, at least on this team, makes him a likely first baseman despite primarily playing third. He has a solid left-handed bat at the plate and will be able to make an impact in pro ball. Whether or not he forgoes his Virginia commitment remains to be seen.

Taj Marchand, James Island (S.C.) INF

James Island Trojans Taj Marchand (6) fields a ground ball Saturday, May 30, 2026 during the SCHSL 5A D1 baseball state championship series game against the Dorman Cavaliers at River Bluff High School in Lexington, South Carolina.

If you want all-around tools and defensive value, Marchand's your guy. His arm is elite, along with his bat, making him a second-round prospect with clear potential to make a splash. While he may not start on this squad with Emerson, Lombard, and others in the infield, it does not take away from the fact that he starts on virtually any other squad.

Cole Prosek, Magnolia Heights (Miss.) C/INF

Prosek simply couldn't be stopped this season for Magnolia Heights, hitting .585 (76-130) with 18 home runs, 19 doubles, a pair of triples and 79 RBI with 62 runs scored. He added 31 walks and had a 1.855 OPS against Mississippi competition. While he is currently a primary third baseman, Prosek could project as a catcher in pro ball and make this roster as one of three catchers.

Gio Rojas, Stoneman Douglas (Fla.) LHP

Stoneman Douglas pitcher Gio Rojas throws against St. John Neumann on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Rojas gets the nod as the starting pitcher in this theoretical state title game, and is the top left-handed arm on many draft boards. The Stoneman Douglas product transferred from the Denver area after his freshman year, helping the Eagles win three straight state titles. In a Stoneman uniform, Rojas was 28-1 with a 0.65 ERA with 285 strikeouts over 162 innings, allowing 73 hits and 36 walks against elite competition in South Florida.

Aiden Ruiz, The Stony Brook (N.Y.) INF

Ruiz is a fascinating prospect because he's a switch-hitter and an ambidextrous thrower, making him exclusive on this roster in that regard. His defense is the best on this team, grading out with a 70 in the field and a 60 arm. With Team USA's 18U team, his defense forced Grady Emerson over to third base, something we're replicating here. His speed and fielding are too good to keep on the bench.

Logan Schmidt, Ganesha (Calif.) LHP

Schmidt's young for his age here at 17 years old by the time the Draft rolls around, but that doesn't mean he isn't up there with Rojas and Bolemon in terms of quality. The California product can attack the zone but still has some room to grow, making him a secondary option out of the bullpen if need be.

Landon Thome, Nazereth Academy (Ill.) INF

The son of Hall of Famer Jim Thome, Landon Thome has an impressive bat from the left-hand side with exit velos in the high 90s and low 100s. With his power, much like his dad had with the Indians, Phillies, and White Sox, among others, Landon could see that it would come with maturity and a bigger build beyond the 6-foot, 177-pound frame he's currently in.

Kaden Waechter, Jesuit (Fla.) RHP

Kaden Waechter, another son of a former big leaguer (Doug Waechter), has starred for Jesuit since his sophomore year, making him a well-known product in the high school space. Waechter has delivered and then some for Jesuit over the years, pitching to a 13-5 record with a 1.01 ERA, striking out 135 over 104 1/3 innings. Over that stretch, his WHIP sits below 1.00, as he also generates ground ball and fly ball outs.

Noah Wilson, McCallie (Tenn.) OF

With McCallie, Wilson hit .385 as a senior with 45 hits, 17 extra-base hits, and 41 runs scored to go along with 23 stolen bases. Not many teams wanted to pitch to the prospect, as he walked 33 times as well. While he may not start on this team, he very well could come off the bench in a pinch-hit or pinch-running role, depending on the situation.

COACHES

Manager: Todd Fitz-Gerald, Stoneman Douglas (Fla.)

Fitz-Gerald's been around some elite prospects over the years, and joins this staff alongside his palyer Gio Rojas. The Stoneman Douglas coach has built a national dynasty in South Florida, winning six consecutive state titles in Florida's toughest classification. The Eagles defeated then-national No. 1 Venice 2-1 in the Class 7A title game behind a masterful effort from Rojas.

Assistant Coach: Rick Arnold, Trinity (Ky.)

Arnold's Trinity Shamrocks were deemed the MaxPreps and Perfect Game National Champions after a 41-3 season that concluded with a KHSAA Championship. Trinity scored 411 runs in 44 games and conceded just 85 runs.

Assistant Coach: Jared Halpert, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.)

One of two coaches from the Golden State on this staff, Halpert has been at the school for over a decade, churning out consistent results in the nation's largest state. The Wolverines went 26-6 this year and were the second best squad in California behind St. John Bosco.

Assistant Coach: Andy Rojo, St. John Bosco (Calif.)

Speaking of the Braves, Rojo's Bosco team was the best in California this year, going 27-6 with a CIF Southern Section Division I title over Norco. The Braves have eclipsed 20 wins in each of Rojo's first three seasons with the program.

Assistant Coach: Doug Rush, Tomball (Texas)

Rush and Tomball were virtually unstoppable all season long, going 44-1 with a UIL 6A DII State Championship, beating Houston Memorial 9-1. The Cougars conceded just 79 runs over 45 games, and scored 328 during that span.

Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: amartin@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow @usatodayhss on Instagram and X.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA TODAY Sports unveils 2026 'Starting 9' high school baseball lineup

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NHL Mock Draft: Flyers Projected to Make Massive Choice… Literally

In recent drafts, the Philadelphia Flyers have gone out of their way to draft big, strong, physical players to add to their prospect pool, and the 2026 NHL Draft is looking to be no different.

The Flyers, of course, could truly end up choosing anyone when they are first on the clock at Pick 21, whether it be a winger, a defenseman, or another center.

Not all of these prospects are cut equal, especially at the defense position, and that could cause some variance at the back of the draft order.

For example, The Athletic NHL prospect expert Scott Wheeler released his final NHL mock draft of the year, and he has the Flyers taking a big swing on defense... literally.

While not everyone may agree with the valuation, including Wheeler himself, the Flyers select defenseman Maksim Sokolovskii in the first round in this mock draft.

Sokolovskii is a 6-foot-8 defenseman who plays for the London Knights (shocker!), and he is widely regarded as the meanest player in the entire draft class.

"Sokolovskii’s name has been one of the most hotly discussed among NHL scouts over the past few months, and I expect he’ll be selected in the 20s now. He’s the biggest player in this class, he might be its most naturally aggressive and he can move. Those three things made him a source of intrigue for the scouts this year," Wheeler wrote.

Flyers Linked to Top Swedish Winger Prospect Ahead of 2026 NHL DraftFlyers Linked to Top Swedish Winger Prospect Ahead of 2026 NHL DraftThe Philadelphia Flyers could be targeting one of the purest talents in the 2026 NHL Draft.

"His steep development curve in the second half of this season sold the league on his prospects as the next Nikita Zadorov type, and the trust in the London Knights to get him there (coincidentally, they also developed Zadorov) is another confidence booster. I believe the Flyers are the start of his range."

The Flyers have made it no secret that they would like to get bigger and stronger on defense, and have admitted that the left side of their defense, where Sokolovskii plays, is far weaker than the right.

Passing, puck skills, and decision-making will be question marks for Sokolovskii, but the Kazakh rearguard is undeniably a punishing defender who can do it all in his own zone.

For myself, Sokolovskii is a harder sell due to the simple fact that I believe it to be easier to teach players to defend (Xavier Villeneuve) rather than to teach them how to pass, handle the puck, and make smart choices under pressure.

At the same time, Sokolovskii's size can't be taught either, and that makes him a true unicorn in the 2026 draft class.

Remember, just two years ago in 2024, Anton Silayev was expected to be a top-five pick, slid a little, and still went 10th overall to New Jersey.

Right or wrong, teams cover those players, and the Flyers understandably accept that risk in this latest mock draft.

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Yankees news: MLB drops bombshell CBA terms

CBS Sports | Dayn Perry: I’m sure you’ve heard by now MLB’s latest offer in ongoing CBA talks. The league proposes caps on free agent contracts, “hometown” or a Bird Rule-esque advantage for teams to retain their own players by adding an additional year to those capped contracts, and setting a slightly higher MLB minimum salary for players with two years of service. In short, well…

Interim head of the MLBPA Bruce Meyer went on to say that he’s never seen the membership or their agents quite so united before. This is going to drag out a while.

New York Daily News | Mike Lupica: Yesterday was Cam Bump Day, and while as of writing I do not yet know how it turned out, if I were to bet I’d bet on it going well. (Editor’s note: mixed bag.) Cam Schlittler seemingly stands alone atop the AL Cy Young race at the halfway mark of the season, and perhaps the best part of it all is how good he has been against the Yankees’ storied rivals in Boston. In his two previous starts against the Red Sox this year he’s spun a 1.32 ERA and that’s not even counting his near-legendary Wild Card performance last October. That’s how you build yourself into a cornerstone of a franchise, which Cam seemingly is on his way to doing.

New York Post | Greg Joyce: Poor Ryan McMahon. For about two weeks the Yankee third baseman felt sicker and sicker, to the point where he had difficulty eating much of anything. He was finally able to see an ears, nose and throat specialist during the Yankees’ time in Detroit, finally diagnosed with a peritonsillar abscess that required immediate lancing and draining and boy pictures online of this thing look gross! I’m sure Mac’s feeling better already.

New York Daily News | Gary Phillips: We return to the Daily News to examine the case for trading for Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal. You all know the resume, and you all know he’s a free agent at the end of the year. With Detroit struggling to assert itself in a bad division, there’s been more and more smoke that the club may trade their ace in July. I’m not necessarily on board with the idea, but that’s a phone call you take if nothing else.

And in the last news of the morning, the Yankees sent catcher J.C. Escarra back down to Triple-A following the loss to Boston. This would seem to indicate that Ali Sánchez will return from the paternity list in advance of tonight’s game.

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Ronny Mauricio’s latest Mets shot is here after Marcus Siemien goes on 10-day IL

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Ronny Mauricio rips an RBI double in the fourth inning of the Mets' 4-3 loss to the Cubs in 10 innings on June 25, 2026 at Citi Field

Opportunity knocks again for one Mets infielder.

When Marcus Semien hit the 10-day IL with a left hip flexor strain Thursday, Ronny Mauricio was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.

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Mauricio, who went 1-for-5 in the Mets’ 4-3 loss to the Cubs in 10 innings at Citi Field, has been up and down with the big league club for his entire career.

He missed all of 2024 with a knee injury that required multiple surgeries to fix.

He fractured his thumb in May and is just now back with the Mets. In the times between those injuries, he’s struggled to remain consistent at the plate, posting a .662 OPS in 61 games since 2025.

Mauricio is hitting .216 for the Mets this season.

Mauricio’s thumb fracture prevented him from seizing an opportunity when Francisco Lindor was sidelined with a calf strain in late April.

Now, he’s got another chance, as the revolving door of healthy infielders continues. Semien’s trip to the IL comes just one day after Lindor returned. The team is still without Jorge Polanco for the foreseeable future due to Achilles bursitis.

“Overall, I thought the at-bats were OK, especially from the right side,” manager Carlos Mendoza said of Mauricio’s return. “First game back, after being out for quite a bit … as far as that, I thought it was OK.”

Ronny Mauricio rips an RBI double in the fourth inning of the Mets’ 4-3 loss to the Cubs in 10 innings on June 25, 2026 at Citi Field. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Mauricio recorded a double and a strikeout in the loss. He also committed an error on a throw to first in the sixth inning.

There was one big shot to leave a mark Thursday for Mauricio. He came up in the bottom of the ninth with two on and two outs. A walk-off could’ve given him a moment to remember.

But he grounded out, and the game went to extra innings. In the 10th, Pete Crow-Armstrong’s double sent automatic runner Matt Shaw home and gave the Cubs the lead.

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The Mets couldn’t score in the bottom of the 10th and were swept away, dropping their sixth straight.

It’s likely not Mauricio’s only shot in the coming days, considering Mendoza called Semien “week to week” before Thursday’s loss.

Mauricio hopes this stint can be a turnaround to a big league career that has thus far been disappointing, despite some glimpses of promise.

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Rain stopped play? Biggest worry now in British sport is extreme heat | Emma John

Climate crisis is on show every day when sportspeople do their thing and the rest of us sweat on the sofa

Nothing sharpens the distinction between professional athletes and the rest of us like a week of truly hot weather. While we’re apologetically crying off long‑in‑the-diary engagements – so sorry, just can’t face it in this weather – elite sportspeople are blinking the rivulets of sweat out of their eyes while squinting under a hot and heavy helmet, then doing 22-yard sprints with a couple of kilos of padding strapped to their legs.

As one of nature’s non-athletes, I speak not only with admiration but with genuine wonder. My experience of the past week has been working out how not to do things, or, if forced, doing them half‑heartedly because, you know, I haven’t slept. My friends and I message each other the latest innovations in fan strategy (“Apparently putting a frozen bottle of water in front of it helps”) and talk about our journeys on public transport as if we’ve just survived the Somme.

Continue reading...
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White Sox Minor League Update: June 24, 2026

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 21: George Wolkow #24 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates with Javier Mogollon #90 after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning during the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on Saturday, March 21, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
George Wolkow mashed two home runs in Winston-Salem’s 14-9 victory over Hub City. | (Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Charlotte Knights 7, Rochester Red Wings 6 (11 innings)
Jonathan Cannon had a rough four-inning start that included three unearned runs of the six scored, but the Knights (44-34) were able to claw back and walk-off the Red Wings (46-30) in extras, 7-6. Cannon made his 10th start and ended up allowing eight hits, and the unearned runs were attributed to a fielding error from Andy Weber. The righty also struggled with control by hitting a batter, tossing a wild pitch, walking three, and striking out four in comparison, but it didn’t outweigh the damage.

Dominance out of the Knights bullpen helped pave the way for Charlotte batters to stage the comeback. Caden Connor was the sole Knight with more than one RBI, driving in the two tying runs with a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth. Korey Lee accounted for the the other two extra-base hits with a double and a homer, but Andy Weber ended up (mostly) redeeming himself from his previous error to walk it off and end the game … on an error from the second baseman, 7-6. Really, the second baseman probably should have made the play, but Lee was hoofing it the whole way and beat was still able to beat the throw.

Righthander Ben Peoples managed both of the extra frames, and was perfect while striking out two and earning his fifth win. Peoples has been excellent and has posted a 2.45 ERA in 28 appearances and 36 2/3 innings, but his walk rate could use a lot of work, hanging over 10% for this season which isn’t sustainable even with his increased 28.4% strikeout rate. Peoples could be another pitching prospect that we see rise to the bigs this season, but it’s unclear if that will be anytime soon.

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Knoxville Smokies 5, Birmingham Barons 1
Lefthander Lucas Gordon tossed for six solid innings and allowed two runs on four hits, a home run, and struck out eight in the process, ultimately receiving his fourth loss of the season as the Barons (26-46) dropped their sixth straight today with the 5-1 loss to the Smokies (41-31). The Birmingham bats only had two fewer hits that Knoxville, 7-5, but they fumbled all of their chances to score runs by going 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and leaving six on base.

Overall, the defense as a whole was having a bad day. Caleb Bonemer committed three errors at short, and the two relievers out of the Barons bullpen – Jackson Kelley and Morris Austin – each gave up at least one run. To be fiar, the Barons weren’t capable of scoring runs anyways, it didn’t end up making a difference. For the sole Birmingham run, third baseman Alec Briley mashed a solo shot to avoid the shutout, but the offense was otherwise flat. On to the next one.

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Winston-Salem Dash 14, Hub City Spartanburgers 9
Winston-Salem had actually blown a five-run lead after giving up four runs to the Spartanburgers (36-36) in the third and fourth innings, but a six-run offensive explosion in the ninth led the Dash (41-31) to victory, 14-9. Not only did Winston-Salem put up 10 hits as a team, six of them were for extra bases and they also walked 13 times. Somehow even with scoring 14, they went just 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and ended up leaving 11 on base; not a great day for Hub City pitchers, but I’m not complaining.

Alex Ungar and George Wolkow combined to go 3-for-9, scoring three times and driving in nine: five from Ungar that included a grand slam in the ninth, and four from Wolkow, who mashed two homers on the night. Aside from these standouts, James Taussig and Ryan Burrowes also rounded up two hits with the latter scoring three times.

Righthander Max Banks gave up two earned (four total) in his 2 2/3 inning start, allowing the Spartanburgers to catch up and then take the lead in the fourth as Drew Conover ended up with a blown save before he was bailed out by the hot bats and the final three pitchers out of the Dash bullpen. Winston-Salem pushed through Jake Bockenstedt’s five walks, and righthander Madison Jeffrey wound up with his first win of the season.

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Columbia Fireflies 7, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 3
The Cannon Ballers (35-37) are now riding a three-game losing streak after losing to the Fireflies (37-35), 7-3. Offensively, Kannapolis got rocked and were outhit, 11-3, but a pair of errors from Columbia helped the Ballers avoid the shutout. With ample chances, they went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position while leaving six on base. Jaden Fauske posted two of the three Kanny hits, and Matthew Boughton ripped a double for the third, both players scoring once.

Truman Pauley made his 14th start of the season, ultimately giving three (two earned) on six hits, two walks, and six strikeouts, but it’s been a rough year for him as this wound up being his seventh loss. The remainder of the bullpen wasn’t much to write home about, either. Anthony Patterson III acted as the long reliever, but immediately got into trouble in the sixth and gave up three, but was otherwise solid for his final two innings despite the lack of offense.

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ACL White Sox 12, ACL D-backs 1 (7 innings)
It was great to see the ACL Sox (12-27) offense explode against the D-backs (21-19) Thursday, with a nine-run third frame as the main difference in the win for the Sox, 12-1. Jose Mendoza mashed a two-run shot in the second, and the bats popped off the next inning to give more than enough run support for the pitching staff to hang on and win the game. The third frame consisted of: four base hits, a double, four walks, two errors, a hit batter, and a wild pitch. Ouch, but thank you to the ACL D-backs for the morale booster. The Good Guys needed just two pitchers to get through the game, with righthander Justin Fuson earning his first win of the season while allowing just three hits and striking out five.

DSL Arizona Red 10, DSL White Sox 8 (7 innings)
Unfortunately the DSL White Sox (5-13) took another one on the chin, getting outhit, 8-4, by the DSL Arizona Red team (12-7) and losing, 10-8, despite going 3-for-5 with runners in scoring in scoring position. The Sox manufactured as many runs as the did by walking eight times, which was two more than they struck out (six), but the AZ Red squad went 4-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Both teams’ starters allowed six runs, but the Alexander De Los Santos surrendered four in his 2 2/3 frames and ended up with his second loss of the season.

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SB Nation Reacts: is everything fine with the Celtics?

Feb 11, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Brad Stevens the president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics congratulates guard Jaylen Brown (7) for receiving the NBA player of the month award for his performance in the month of January before their game against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images | Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

You know the old internet meme. A dog with a fedora sits in a room. A mug is on a table. And the walls are on fire. Seemingly calm despite the circumstances, the dog says, “this is fine.”

To most of the talking heads, this is where the Celtics are heading into free agency. After striking out in their pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, many suspect that 1) Jaylen Brown has/had asked to be traded, 2) bridges have been burned between him and the front office, and/or 3) Brad Stevens is actively shopping the 2024 Finals MVP and 2026 All-NBA Second Teamer.

On Thursday, ClutchPoint’s Brett Siegel reported that “Jaylen Brown has not once approached the organization or Brad Stevens to ask for a trade.” The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer also said that “Boston is very much moving forward in the market with the thought that they don’t have to trade Jaylen Brown..I don’t believe at this juncture that the Celtics want to move Brown unless it makes them better.”

Despite those missives throwing water on a lot of the speculation from more mainstream outlets like ESPN, there’s still an air of indecision with the fanbase. Brad Stevens tried to quell those rumors in his post-draft presser, but actual NBA GMs and armchair GMs alike have already hit the trade machine with possible deals that could make sense for the Celtics.

We polled our readers on the current state of the team before free agency starts on June 30th at 6 pm EST:

What does Jaylen Brown think? Well, he’s overseas at the moment, but on Wednesday, he simply tweeted that he “loves cats.” It’s not exactly the energy-shifting attitude we were expecting from JB, but it ain’t the “this is fine” dog either.

Despite the palace intrigue at Waltham, our friends at FanDuel still have the Celtics as the favorite at +210 to represent the East in next year’s Finals and third behind the Thunder and Spurs to raise the Larry O’Brien.

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Flyers Star Winger Makes NHL Insider's New Trade Board

The NHL trade market has heavily favored sellers over the last few days, and the Philadelphia Flyers could choose to cash in on one of their most popular players as a result.

Ahead of Friday's 2026 NHL Draft, NHL insider Frank Seravalli posted his compiled list of the top 40 trade targets around the league, which is ordered by likeliness of a trade coming together.

There weren't any surprises at the very top of Seravalli's list: Dylan Larkin, Mason McTavish, and Matthew Knies were among the oft-discussed names high in the ranking.

Notably, there was only one Flyers player included by Seravalli, and that is winger Owen Tippett, who clocks in at 39th on the list of the 40 names.

It has been reported several times over recent weeks and months that the Flyers do not necessarily want to trade Owen Tippett, unless an offer they absolutely cannot refuse is made.

Tippett, 27, will have a 10-team no-trade list kick in on July 1, so that, more than anything else, could be a driving factor in any potential trade from the Flyers' perspective.

Flyers Have Clear Bowen Byram Trade Alternative in Young Hurricanes StarFlyers Have Clear Bowen Byram Trade Alternative in Young Hurricanes StarAfter missing out on some big trades, the Philadelphia Flyers must be all-in on Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin.

Tippett's $6.25 million cap hit is looking more and modest with each passing year, especially with his ability to create offense for himself using his legs.

At the same time, the Flyers have decisions to consider at the winger position.

Porter Martone will be playing in his first full NHL season in 2025-26, and we can assume that Matvei Michkov will stick around for the long haul, too.

That leaves two more spots in the top-six for Travis Konecny, Tyson Foerster, Tippett, Alex Bump, Denver Barkey, and, potentially, Trevor Zegras if he cannot stick at center permanently.

Plus, the Flyers still hold the 21st overall pick in Friday's draft, which could very well be used on another winger given Tippett's age and Konecny's age.

Some teams picking inside the top-15, like the Buffalo Sabres, Seattle Kraken, and San Jose Sharks (the ninth pick, not the second), may feel incentivized to trade their picks for more immediate help to take the next step.

The Flyers have plenty of wingers to offer, with Tippett clearly being the most valuable of the bunch with his rare combination of size, athleticism, speed, and skill, and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen could always be included to make it a real package.

Ristolainen was, notably, left off Seravalli's list, though the trade market this week has proven that this could change at any minute.

Tippett's name remains one to watch, however.

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REPORT: Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson expected to leave, reasons for letting him go emerge [UPDATED]

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 28: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks reacts to a call during the second half of an NBA In-Season Tournament game against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 2023 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Charlotte Hornets 115-91.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images

June 27, 6:30 a.m. ET Update:Front Office Sports confirmed the New York Post’s initial report of Mitchel Robinson’s “unlikely” return to the Knicks. The most important nugget, however, is that the FOS’ source revealed why New York actually doesn’t want to get into the second apron by bringing Mitch back.

“League sources confirmed the Post’s report to Front Office Sports, and cited Robinson’s extensive injury history and free throw issues as reasons to avoid going into the second apron to give Robinson another raise. Third-string center Ariel Hukporti presents a younger (24) and cheaper ($1.9 million salary) option to replace Robinson internally.”

June 26, 10:30 a.m. ET Update: According to Jake Fischer, the Brooklyn Nets have “legitimate interest” in signing Mitchell Robinson, while the LA Lakers are “regarded as a likely suitor.”

June 26, 9 a.m. ET Update: Fred Katz wrote a full story on the second-apron situation and explained how the Knicks reached this point and where things stand. According to Katz, the belief across the NBA is that the front office wants to get into the second apron, while Dolan is refusing to allow them to. Emphasis mine:

“The Knicks’ front office understands that dipping below the second apron would lead to much of its depth flocking elsewhere, which is why, despite Dolan’s desires, it wants to go over the second apron, according to league sources, who were granted anonymity to speak freely. But so far, Dolan has not changed his mind.”

June 26, 5:30 a.m. ET Update: Shout-out Andrew Claudio for bringing this to my timeline. While the Knicks’ financial plans for next season already seemed rather clear, James L. Edwards and Fred Katz just confirmed on the “Katz & Shoot” podcast that the Knicks’ front office was “blindsided” by James Dolan’s second-apron comments.

“It sounds like a mandate from Dolan, that was my takeaway from the draft,” Edwards said. “To be clear, the ‘not going into the second apron stuff,’ the front office did not advise that… It was not like the front office went to Doland and was like, ‘No, strategically, (it’s helfpful) to not go into the second apron;’ that didn’t happen. Then Dolan went on the radio and people in the Knicks were like ‘Wait, what?’” Katz explained. “They were blindsided,” Edwards finished.

“The Knicks’ front office understands that if they don’t go into the second apron, they’re gonna lose guys, and if they just let guys walk, then they are not going to be able to get equivalent guys back, because they won’t have the room,” Katz said.

The New York Knicks are expected to lose center Mitchell Robinson in free agency.

According to the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy, Robinson is “unlikely to return to the Knicks next season,” mostly because of New York’s self-imposed financial cap.

“Heard it’s unlikely Mitchell Robinson will be back with Knicks next season. He’s longest tenured Knick but also an unrestricted free agent. Owner James Dolan said he’s unwilling to pay into second apron so running it back with bench is not feasible.” — New York Post’s Stefan Bondy

According to Bondy’s sources, the longest-tenured Knick, with the team since New York drafted him with the No. 36 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, is expected to depart and put an end to his time in New York shortly after becoming a champion.

Robinson’s situation is tied directly to the franchise’s financial stance, with Knicks owner James Dolan making it clear his organization will not cross the second apron this summer, even though that would inevitably lead to breaking the title-winning core, with the exception of the under-contract starting five.

“There’s certain things in the NBA that you’d have to be suicidal to do. One of them is the second apron. Cannot go into the second apron,” Dolan said. “I’ll write as big of a check as possible, but I can’t write a check that goes into the second apron.”

Dolan’s mandate has already influenced New York’s early offseason moves, including trading out of the 2026 NBA Draft’s first round to avoid adding guaranteed salary to its books, ultimately landing two second-round rookies that will likely sign minimum or two-way contracts.

Meanwhile, SNY’s Ian Begley added that retaining Robinson would likely require a pay cut from the big man, which feels highly unlikely given his value on the open market has increased and multiple suitors—the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings among them—could enter a bidding war for his services.

“It’s unlikely Mitchell Robinson returns to the Knicks because, in the best case scenario, he’d have to take a pay cut in order for NYK to remain under 2nd apron.” — SNY’s Ian Begley

Even out of the upcoming free-agency context, there is no realistic scenario in which Robinson, who isn’t necessarily old (he will play next season at age 28) but has only appeared in 167 games of the last possible 328 (51%) in the regular season, would take such a massive pay cut to fit the Knicks’ books.

Robinson has completed a four-year, $60 million deal with an average annual salary of $15 million per year. As things stand, per Yossi Gozlan, Mitch would need to take a substantial discount and sign for around $8-$9 million for New York to retain him. The word out there is that the Lakers and Kings would start their pitches at Robinson’s current $15-million-per-year salary with the expectation that the figure would increase.

Earlier on Thursday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst already said that “There is a real possibility that (the Knicks) won’t keep Mitch Robinson.”

“There is a real possibility that they won’t keep Mitch Robinson. The Knicks are working on it. They made several different moves to free up about $4 million in airspace under the apron. There’s a possibility they may trade off another player to save some money. They’re trying to figure out Mitch Robinson, but I would say it’s not a guarantee that it will work. I would say Mitch Robinson is 50/50… maybe 51/49 to come back.” — ESPN’s Brian Windhorst

If Mitch has played his last game as a Knick, he’d leave New York with 397 regular-season games under his belt, averaging 7.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. On top of that, he appeared in 53 postseason games, putting up 4.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game.

With free agency nearing, the gap between Robinson’s market value and what the Knicks can offer appears to make his return to Manhattan unlikely. Blame it on the little room for maneuvering imposed by the NBA’s second apron, but mostly on Dolan’s stubbornness. Some things never change.

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NBA Offseason Trade/Free Agent Rumors 2026: Mitchell Robinson out in New York, Kawhi open to Toronto?

We're in the sweet spot of the NBA rumor mill season: The NBA Draft is behind us, NBA free agency starts in less than a week, and deals are getting done. We've had two massive trades already (three if you want to count Julius Randle to Brooklyn, which set the table for LaMelo Ball to Minnesota). What are the latest rumors? Here's a roundup.

Mitchell Robinson likely not returning to New York

Knicks owner James Dolan has been clear during a couple of interviews since New York won its first title in 53 years: He wants to keep this roster together, but he would not go into the second apron to do it.

That's where the math gets ugly, and why the Knicks traded out of the first round of the NBA Draft (first round picks get a guaranteed contract). Even with all their moves, expect Mitchell Robinson to be the odd man out, reports Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.

Other teams around the league have been preparing for this, and Robinson — coming off a title run where he was crucial for the Knicks off the bench — will have a number of suitors.

Kawhi Leonard open to return to Raptors, Spurs

Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers are in the midst of negotiating a contract extension, but the sides are reportedly not close to a deal. Leonard, 35 and coming off an All-NBA season, is entering the final season of his current deal at $50.3 million, and the Clippers want him to take a healthy pay cut. Leonard doesn't like the number the Clippers are presenting.

Which has led to some speculation about a trade. However, if that happens, Leonard has some leverage because the team that deals for him will want him to sign an extension — and he would do that with his two former teams, San Antonio or Toronto, reports Jake Fischer at The Stein Line. He would not do that with two other teams that have had their eye on him, Miami and Detroit, Fischer reports.

Toronto reportedly has been interested if Leonard becomes available. San Antonio has not been reported as an interested party, and whether the organization would want a reunion after a messy exit the first time around in 2018 is, to put it politely, up for debate. It's also unclear if any other interested teams (Golden State has been mentioned) would get a thumbs-up from Leonard.

Lakers reportedly open to Jarrett Allen for LeBron

With all due respect to Brian Windhorst — a genuinely good person and great reporter, someone I like and respect — this is a reach. At best.

Discussing a potential LeBron James return to Cleveland, Windhorst said this on ESPN Cleveland radio (hat tip Real GM).

"There is a thought process out there in Los Angeles and if the Cavs were interested in this, the Lakers would sit up in attention right now. That they would sign-and-trade LeBron for Jarrett Allen. I think if the Cavs were willing to do that, they could have LeBron. Obviously, LeBron would have to want to sign with the Cavs. But if your pathway to pay LeBron the money is to trade Jarrett Allen for him, the Lakers would kill for Jarrett Allen."

First, Windhorst is right, if LeBron wanted this and the Cavaliers were open to it, the Lakers would jump at trading for Allen. All Cleveland could offer to LeBron as a free agent is the veteran minimum, and if you think LeBron would play for the minimum you have not been paying attention to his career. Allen is set to make $28 million next season (and has two guaranteed years at $62.7 million beyond that), and a salary basically matching that number might be palatable to LeBron.

However, there are a few issues here. First, and Windhorst brushes past this but it's huge: Does LeBron want to return to Cleveland? He plays with his son on the Lakers, in a city where his family has made a home and is happy and settled. Does he want to move to Cleveland (or Akron) for a year? Does he want to leave the West Coast?

Second is the money issue. Completing a sign-and-trade for LeBron would hard cap the Cavaliers at the first apron, expected to be about $209 million. Cleveland currently has about $222 million in projected salary on the books, so while LeBron may take a little less and James Harden takes a lower per-year number on his extension, that's still $13 million to cut, which will hurt the team's depth. Then there's the question of just how open Cleveland really is to trading Allen, although they may have to in the coming years for financial reasons.

All of which is to say, this is a long shot. At best. But with the Lakers and LeBron reportedly not really discussing a number yet in any detail, speculation about his future will fill the void.

Other NBA rumors, news

• Detroit still interested in Herro. Tyler Herro reportedly is excited to be back in Milwaukee, where he was born, to play for the Bucks... except they may not keep him if the right offer comes in. Detroit, still looking for an elite second playmaker to put next to Cade Cunningham, is still interested, reports Marc Stein at The Stein Line.

• Atlanta picked up its $2.41 million team option on Mouhamed Gueye for next season, which was expected. He played a big role as a backup big for them last season.

• Expect Jazz to keep Walker Kessler. Don't take my word for it (although league sources have told NBC Sports that other teams don't think he's really available), listen to Jazz owner Ryan Smith on Run it Back.

"We love Walk. He's a big piece of where we're going."