PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 26: Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates in the third period during the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 26, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Vitals
Player: Kris Letang Born: April 27, 1987 (Age 39 season) Height: 6’ 0” Weight: 199 pounds Hometown: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Shoots: Right Draft: Third round, 2005 NHL Draft, No. 62 overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins 2025-26 Statistics: 74 games played, three goals, 31 assists, 34 total points, minus-4 Contract Status: Two years remaining on a six-year. $36.6 million contract with $6.1 million salary cap number
Story of the Season
Letang is the one member of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ big three that has really started to show signs of age and slowing down.
While Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were still big-time contributors in 2025-26 and providing the Penguins with great value with their contracts, Letang simply did not. He has lost a step in his game and has not yet really adjusted to that, still having moments where he tries to play the way he did at his peak. It is not a good combination. While there were still some moments and individual games where Letang could put everything together and play like Kris Letang, those moments were few and far between.
The good news: Some of those moments came in extremely clutch situations, scoring overtime game-winning goals against both the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets to help give the Penguins key points in their push for a playoff spot against teams they were competing with in the playoff race. The game-winning goal against Columbus in late November capped off a two-goal third period comeback win for the Penguins that was one of their best wins of the season (and also one of their two multiple goal come-from-behind wins in Columbus this season).
Letang had a solid start to the season in October, recording six points with a plus-8 rating in his first 12 games of the season. He also had a solid December with nine points in 14 games. But his November and March were both especially bad, both offensively and in terms of giving up goals, and played a big role in his overall down numbers for the season.
Regular season 5v5 advanced stats
Data via Natural Stat Trick. Ranking is out of 11 defensemen on the team who qualified by playing a minimum of 150 minutes.
There is not a lot to love here about Letang’s perfomrance.
He did not score a single goal during 5-on-5 play, saw a serious drop in his playmaking with the assists, and was no longer an overly effective player in terms of driving position.
Making things even worse, he seemed to be the common denominator for a lot of his partner’s struggles.
Sam Girard was significantly better and more productive when he was not paired with Letang.
Ryan Shea was significantly better and more productive when he was not paired with Letang.
The only defenseman that seemed to have any meaningful success with Letang this season was Brett Kulak in their 278 minutes of 5-on-5 hockey together.
In other words, the 2025-26 season was finally the season that Kris Letang played like the player that his harshest critics always thought that he was. It only took 18 years, but it happened.
Charts n’at
This chart speaks to the above that the decline has been real for Letang. His decade+ days of being a quality No. 1 defenseman are a memory and his WAR ranking and offensive impact has been in sharp decline lately.
However, not all hope is gone. Letang can still move the puck within the offensive zone really well to create shot and chance assists. He is good with in-zone offense once the puck gets that far. Being so low in exit success rates with the inability to carry the puck as well as failing to deny entries and prevent chances defensively shows some areas that have become drastically limited for Letang in the aging process. He also somehow managed to score zero 5v5 goals this season, a bit of an anomaly considering he’s scored 4-10 5v5 goals each season since coming back from next surgery in 2017.
Even at an older age, Letang’s skating and burst is still reasonably good relative to the rest of the league. As a notorious workout/fitness freak, there’s no doubt that Letang is doing all that he can to keep his body in as top of shape as possible. Gotta give him a lot of credit for that, and all his endless work in the gym has certainly paid off to help him keep some power in his skating, even late in his career.
Highlights
Tanger calls game in his 1,200th 🙌
With his game winner, Kris Letang has the second-most overtime goals by a defenseman in NHL history (13). pic.twitter.com/Kmj5AaISX1
The two biggest questions regarding Letang are whether or not he can rebound in any way this season and find a way to be productive in a smaller role, and whether or not he will actually be on the team next season?
Letang has always seemed like the most likely of the big three to play elsewhere, and the Penguins might be open to moving him and his contract if the opportunity presents itself. That does not seem likely for a variety of reasons, ranging from Letang having a full no-movement clause and having the ability to veto any trade he does not want, as well as the fact there simply may not be a huge market for a 39-year-old defenseman counting more than $6 million per season against the salary cap and coming off arguably the worst season of his career.
Ideal 2026-27
It still seems likely that Letang will be a Penguin, but he is going to need to adjust his style of play and his role is going to need to change. He does not need to be the focal point of the defense or be the player pushing the pace of play, mostly because he does not really possess the skating or skills to do that anymore. If he can play an 18-minute per night role in more sheltered situations, while chipping in the occasional 5-on-5 goal, there might still be something here that they can use. He just needs to know his limitations. The Penguins also need to know his limitations.
Bottom line
Letang is a giant in Penguins history and one of the best, most important players to play for the franchise. There may have been a handful of better defensemen to briefly play for the Penguins (Paul Coffey, for example), but Letang has had the greatest career of any Penguins defensemen with the Penguins. He has won three Stanley Cups here, scoring a game-winning goal in a Stanley Cup clinching game, and consistently been one of the best overall defensemen in the NHL. He is a borderline Hall of Famer. All of that will always be important, even if he is not that version of himself at this stage of his career.
But AI hasn't wavered in terms of the top of the 2026 draft class. Since the draft lottery was conducted last month, and the Wizards, Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies wound up with the top three picks, Microsoft Copilot's AI chatbot has consistently churned out the same prospects for those first three choices when prompted by USA TODAY Sports.
The same is not true for most picks outside of the top four prospects (Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and North Carolina's Caleb Wilson). There was again a shift in selections made in the first AI mock draft since the conclusion of the NBA Finals, particularly in the latter half of the first half, based on the latest intel.
Here's a breakdown of Microsoft Copilot AI's latest 2026 NBA mock draft, including the chatbot's reasoning for making each first-round pick:
USA TODAY Sports asked Microsoft Copilot AI to generate a mock draft for the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft featuring only players eligible this year now that the NBA draft withdrawal deadline passed for college players. The chatbot was asked to base its selections on current mock drafts from reputable websites, as well as the latest intel on team needs, prospect analysis, pre-draft workouts and the most up-to-date draft withdrawal news.
Note:AI models still have issues with accuracy as seen in the mock draft below. Of particular note, Microsoft Copilot needed additional prompts after several picks were inaccurately assigned to teams.The average mock draft pick referenced for each player was compiled by USA TODAY Sports using 13 of the latest mock drafts from national websites around the country, including USA TODAY.
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, BYU
Average mock draft pick: 1
AI analysis: "A franchise-caliber scoring wing with elite shot creation tools, Dybantsa gives Washington the highest ceiling player in the class."
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Average mock draft pick: 2
AI analysis: "A dynamic lead guard with two-way upside, Peterson offers Utah a primary initiator to build around long term."
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, Duke
Average mock draft pick: 3
AI analysis: "Boozer’s polished offensive game and physicality make him a plug-and-play frontcourt centerpiece."
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, North Carolina
Average mock draft pick: 4
AI analysis: "Wilson’s defensive versatility and upside swing potential fits a Chicago team in talent acquisition mode."
5. Los Angeles Clippers: Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
Average mock draft pick: 6
AI analysis: "Acuff brings explosive scoring and on-ball creation as a potential franchise point guard in a high-leverage slot."
6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville
Average mock draft pick: 7
AI analysis: "Brown’s scoring burst and rising pre-draft momentum make him one of the top offensive guard bets."
7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, Houston
Average mock draft pick: 8
AI analysis: "With multiple guards in the same tier, Flemings gives Sacramento a high-upside playmaker without needing to trade up."
8. Atlanta Hawks: Nate Ament, Tennessee
Average mock draft pick: 10
AI analysis: "Ament’s size, shot creation and upside fit cleanly next to Jalen Johnson as Atlanta prioritizes building around versatile forwards and wing-driven offense."
9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, Arizona
Average mock draft pick: 9
AI analysis: "Burries adds perimeter scoring and secondary playmaking to complement Cooper Flagg as Dallas reshapes its offensive hierarchy."
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 30: Sergio de Larrea of Valencia Basket gestures during the EuroLeague Play Off Game 2 match between Valencia Basket and Panathinaikos Aktor Athens at Roig Arena on April 30, 2026 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo By Irina R. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images
The NBA Draft is barreling closer to us. The Cleveland Cavaliers have the 29th pick in this year’s draft. Let’s take a look at who the experts have them taking in our latest mock draft roundup.
Kevin O’Connor’s latest mock draft has the Cavs opting for the 6’5” 20-year-old out of Spain. O’Connor writes:
Keon Ellis and Dean Wade will be free agents this summer, and Max Strus will be in one year. It may be time for the Cavaliers to get a wing — one with more skill — in the developmental pipeline alongside Jaylon Tyson. De Larrea is a tall playmaking guard with major feel and a knockdown jumper who thrives within team concepts. He suffered a dislocated shoulder that ended his 2024-25 season and removed him from draft boards, but it ended up a blessing in disguise since he returned with a bigger role and stronger production for a great team in the EuroLeague. With size, smarts, and defensive versatility, he could carve out a role in the NBA if his international skill can translate.
De Larrea played 28 league games for Valencia this past season. He averaged 9.7 points, 3.7 assists, and three rebounds per game in 18.3 minutes per outing. He did this on .443/.407/.833 shooting splits.
The question here is fit. The Cavs need more options on the wing — no one will argue with that — but they preferably need ones that are 6’7” or over. The Cavs have plenty of undersized wings that are naturally shooting guards, but can shift up to the three. They don’t have anyone whose best position is the three. Even Wade, their starting small forward in the playoffs, is best suited to play a different position.
De Larrea could be the best prospect available at this spot, but it’s fair to wonder whether this team needs another undersized wing.
After making a strong case for himself by putting up three 20-plus-point games in the NCAA tournament, Reed has built momentum on the workout circuit and is trending toward the late first round. His mix of length, physical heft, rebounding instincts and offensive skill make him an appealing plug-and-play role player, and he should appeal to contending teams.
Frontcourt depth is an obvious area of need for the Cavs as they try to maximize their current window, making this an intriguing fit.
Reed averaged 14.7 points and nine rebounds per game while shooting 60.7% from the field for the Huskies.
Having another big would be incredibly useful. The Cavs haven’t really had a competent third center in the Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley era. Reed could be the answer, although it’s fair to point out that he wouldn’t be the cleanest fit.
Ideally, you’d want a third big who could play alongside both Allen and Mobley. For a big to be able to do that, they would need to be able to space the floor offensively. Reed doesn’t do that. He’s taken just seven triples in 136 college games. And as a 58.2% free-throw shooter, it doesn’t seem like this is an untapped skill.
Reed is a good and talented player. He just might not be the most ideal archetype for a backup big, which is becoming a theme in this latest round of mock drafts.
Jonathan Wasserman also has the Cavs taking De Larrea. Wasserman writes:
Sergio de Larrea is currently producing for Valencia in the EuroLeague playoffs, which is why he couldn’t attend the combine.
He’s now put together consecutive years of accurate three-point shooting and strong playmaking rates, and is sure to draw first-round consideration.
Shooting and playmaking are things the Cavs could use. This may be the best bet from a talent perspective. However, it would be nice if the Cavs had more people on the roster between 6’7” and 6’9”.
As of now, it seems like momentum is picking up for De Larrea to be the Cavs’ selection late in the first round.
I read something recently quoting somebody else who said your favorite World Cup (the soccer version) is the one that happens when you’re about 8-13 years old or so, because it’s when things still feel magical but before you grasp how cynical and corrupt FIFA is and how the world is in general.
All that aside, if you appreciate soccer at all, then the World Cup — even this bloated, peace-prize-for-toddler-favors version — is still fun as hell, for the coming together of cultures sharing party moments in celebration of a stupid game. Scots taking over Fenway Park, Uzbeks bouncing in a small group surrounded by tens of thousands of Colombians. A DR Congo fan standing still for the entirety of each match. Tourney favorite Spain running into Cabo Verde having its 2010 Jaro Halak moment. Jerry Jones keeling over somewhere, hopefully. (No?)
It will for sure pacify me until the NHL draft and free agency begins, at least.
There’s not a whole lot of news on that front just yet, but it’s coming, surely.
(P.S. Thanks to all for the encouraging words on Bear and the fun nerding out on handedness in Wednesday’s thread.)
Islanders News
Hockey’s just around the corner! Sort of not really but kind of. The prospect camp Blue-White scrimmage is on July 1, and maybe Gavin McKenna will be there after we trade Bailey, Donovan and a 5th to get him. [Isles]
Elsewhere
The Knights have hired their latest coach, promoting their AHL guy. [NHL]
And in their benevolence, they actually allowed fired coach Bruce Cassidy to talk to one team. [Sportsnet]
However, that team was the Maple Leafs, who just hired former Kings coach (and Isles assistant) Jim Hiller. Son of Bourne talks himself into thinking that’s a fine hire. [Sportsnet]
Hiller vows to make the Leafs fun again. [Sportsnet]
TRADE: Buffalo moved up from 27 to 20 in the draft by sending Michael Kesselring to San Jose. [NHL]
Jamie Langenbrunner joins the Predators’ new front office. [TSN]
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The NBA championship celebrations are nowhere near over, as New York Knicks will take part in a time-honored NYC tradition for the first time in franchise history.
A ticker-tape parade will be thrown in honor of the champs up downtown NYC’s iconic Canyon of Heroes, where many other championship teams have been celebrated throughout the year. It could end up being the largest in the city’s history.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the parade‘s date shortly after Game 5’s final buzzer on Saturday. In a later press release, the mayor said, “We have dreamed of this moment for generations. This Thursday, our city will rise to the occasion.”
Some celebrity row mainstays, like Spike Lee and Ben Stiller (who confirmed to Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart that he and HBO are working together on a documentary about this season), will be in attendance as well.
Following the parade, the team will receive the keys to the city from Mayor Mamdani in a ceremony at City Hall. The TV voice of the Knicks, Mike Breen, will emcee the ceremony; Alicia Keys is set to close it out with a performance of “Empire State of Mind.”
When is the NY Knicks championship parade? What time does the Knicks parade start at?
Today’s (June 18) Knicks ticker-tape championship parade is expected to begin around 10 a.m. ET.
Knicks championship parade TV channels
If you live in the New York area, you can watch coverage of the Knicks ticker-tape parade on all local news networks — CBS New York, NBC New York, FOX 5 and ABC7 New York — in addition to the Knicks’ TV home, MSG Network.
How to watch the NY Knicks championship parade for free
DIRECTV is our favorite service for watching TV live for free. Right now, you can take advantage of a five-day free trial before saving $30 on your first month. We recommend the Choice plan, which includes all of the local news and sports networks like MSG as part of its 125+ channels.
TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE
If you live outside of the New York area, you can tune in to the Knicks championship parade using the NBC New York News channel with a Peacock Premium Plus ($16.99/month) subscription.
Knicks championship parade route
The Knicks championship parade will start around Battery Park and travel about one mile north up Broadway. The parade will end at City Hall, where a ceremony will take place afterward.
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.
Sebastian Crosa, 12, from Brooklyn, launched a Change.org petition, garnering over 3,000 signatures, begging Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the New York Department of Education to cancel school on June 18, amid the state Regents exams, allowing students, teachers and parents to attend the historic Knicks parade in celebration of their 2026 NBA Championship win.
While the Knicks are on parade, Sebastian Crosa will be working to get the grade.
Rather than lining the streets of lower Manhattan Thursday — whooping for the 2026 NBA Champions, led by Jalen Brunson, Karl Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and his favorite player, Josh Hart — the middle schooler, 12, will be one of the thousands of devastated kids and teachers stuck inside classrooms due to the statewide Regents exams.
The ticker-tape spectacle begins at 10 a.m., with tip-off near Battery Park before moving up Broadway through the Canyon of Heroes to City Hall, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani will present the Knicks with keys to the city.
Sebastian Crosa, a 12-year-old Knicks superfan, is begging city and state officials to cancel school on June 18, allowing students to attend the monumental Knicks parade. Courtesy The Crosa Family
It’s a sight that Crosa likely won’t be able to see in person.
“It’s upsetting because, obviously, we’ve been waiting for this moment a long time,” Crosa, a Brooklyn public school student, exclusively told The Post. “The parade is really important, and everyone should be able to experience it.”
The seventh grader, with a bleeding heart of blue and orange, launched a Change.org petition this week, imploring Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mamdani and the state Department of Education to “cancel NYC schools on June 18 to allow students, educators, and all proud New Yorkers to participate in the parade and revel in this rare and momentous occasion.”
The Knicks secured a historic victory Sunday, trampling the Spurs to be crowned the 2026 NBA Champions. Charles Wenzelberg / NY Post
Crosa, who told The Post he only expected to receive 100 signatures in support of his plight, has garnered over 3,100 endorsements from equally outraged basketball buffs, hoping the powers-that-be have a last-minute change of heart.
But the tween’s formal plea — drafted mere moments after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs Sunday, reclaiming the title of world champs for the first time since 1973 — comes as a long shot following Mamdani’s announcement that class, as well as the Regents, will undoubtedly be in session during the ticker-tape festivities.
“I know that many New Yorkers have built their entire lives around this team,” Mamdani said Monday. “And for our students … I will still encourage them to be studying hard for their Regents exam.”
The standardized end-of-course tests are given to high schoolers in grades 9 through 12 as a requirement for graduation.
And while Crosa won’t be taking the exam this year, the Knicks fanatic is expected to be in his assigned seat for a full day of learning Thursday — unless, of course, his petition causes a buzzer-beater miracle the likes of Anunoby’s breathtaking Game 4 winning score.
“I know it might be difficult for them to cancel school [or reschedule] the tests at this point, but I figured the petition was worth a shot,” said the tenacious tyke, a self-crowned “leader” among his peers. “The whole city needs this and wants this. So somebody had to do it.”
Colleen and husband Eduardo wish their boys were free to enjoy the hoopla this Thursday. Courtesy The Crosa FamilyStudents, such as Crosa, are expected to attend a full day of school on Thursday, as statewide Regents testing will be underway. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Colleen, 47, mom to Crosa and younger brother Lucas, 10, says she’s proud her eldest boy is “fighting for what he believes in,” but “disappointed” that he and other students have to fight for their right to party in the first place.
“This generation of kids has gone through a lot of historical events and moments that have been difficult,“ said Colleen, a clinical psychologist. “This is a historical moment of joy, unity and perseverance that they can finally celebrate.
“While I don’t think that these [parade and school scheduling] decisions were made lightly or without thoughtfulness, I am disappointed.”
Crosa told The Post he’s stunned his petition received so many signatures from supporters and fellow Knicks enthusiasts near and far. Courtesy The Crosa Family
She and her Knicks-loving family are not alone.
Peeved parents and educators alike are echoing Crosa’s day-off appeal across the internet.
“This message is for Zohran Mamdani,” began one Knicks extremist, an NYC teacher known exclusively online as @Subwayratmom, in her cyber supplication. “Zo…I feel that you, as the mayor, have the power to either cancel school, cancel Regents or move the parade.
“We have to teach until June 26, and that’s a really long time in teacher years,” she continued. “And we’re ready to be outside.”
Sharon, a mother whose daughter will be neck-deep in Regents testing while more than 1.25 tons of confetti fill the Big Apple skies, separately begged, “Due to this win, all the kids and adults would like to be at the parade. Reschedule the Regents, please.”
Molly Vozick-Levinson, 39, a director at a private preschool in Manhattan, isn’t bound by the do’s and don’ts of the DOE, nor are her students — some of whom are still in diapers — being forced to take state exams.
Still, the lifelong Knicks lover tells The Post that it’s “irresponsible” for city and state officials to “tempt” students to skip the Regents by scheduling the parade on a school day.
Molly Vozick-Levinson, a preschool executive, plans to ditch her desk early Thursday in hopes for a glimpse at Brunson and the Knicks on parade. Courtesy of Molly Vozick-Levinson
“Some kids might be tempted to skip their exams, because they think that they might fail anyway,” said Vozick-Levinson. “It’s a huge temptation: ‘If you skip your exams, making the wrong choice for your education, you will get to do something fun.’
“That just seems irresponsible to me,” said the administrator, admitting, however, that she plans to skip out of work early to revel in the fanfare. “I just want to breathe the same air as the New York Knicks. If I get a glimpse of at least one Knick, I’ll be so happy.”
Laverne Mickens, 53, a fourth-grade teacher and Brooklyn native, not only agrees that locals should skip out on their responsibilities, but she’s encouraging it.
“Take state exam or see the Knicks parade — like, are you serious?” said Mickens, whose husband, Cory, will be in attendance while she cares for their disabled sons. “Skip school and call out of work — this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Mickens urges New Yorkers to skirt their duties and attend the “once-in-a-lifetime” parade. Courtesy of Laverne Mickens
“The last time they won, I’d just been born 53 years ago,” Mickens, a college scholarship specialist, raved. “You don’t know if they’re going to win next year, or if this will ever happen again.
Rochester Red Wings 6, Toledo Mud Hens 5 (F/11)(box)
The Mud Hens battled through a bullpen game only to run out of pitching in the 11th inning, losing via walkoff to the Red Wings.
Woo-Suk Go got the start and went two innings. He surrendered a pair of runs on four hits and a walk, striking out five.
The Hens turned the tables pretty quickly. In the top of the fourth, Max Anderson led off with a walk and Eduardo Valencia doubled him to third with one out. Anderson scored on a Trei Cruz ground out, and Corey Julks singled in Valencia to tie the game.
In the fifth, Jace Jung led off with his 11th homer and two batters later, Cal Stevenson followed suit for a 4-2 lead.
Unfortunately the offense ran out of steam after that, and the bullpen leaked a run in the sixth and Matt Seelinger blew the save in the bottom of the ninth.
In the 10th, with Tyler Gentry starting at second base, Cal Stevenson flew out to right field, allowing Gentry to tag and take third, where he’d score on a wild pitch. That was all they’d get, and Seelinger couldn’t prevent the run in the bottom half. The Hens failed to push across a run in the 11th, and Gentry had to pitch, allowing a walkoff single on a 37 mph slider.
Jung: 2-4, R, RBI, HR, K
Valencia: 2-4, R, 2B, BB
Go: 2.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 5 K
Coming Up Next: The series is tied up heading into a 6:45 p.m. ET start on Thurday.
Former Tigers prospect Josh Randall spun a solid game against the SeaWolves on Wednesday, while Lael Lockhart Jr.’s outing fell apart late and the bullpen collapsed.
The SeaWolves did strike first, as singles from Justice Bigbie, Izaac Pacheco, and Aaron Antonini produced a run in the second inning.
Meanwhile, Lockhart rolled through the first three innings without much trouble, but he allowed a solo shot in the fourth and then three more runs in the fifth. Chris Meyers answered back with his third home run in his last three games in the sixth, but Wandisson Charles allowed two runs in the bottom half for a 6-2 lead.
Chris Meyers’ power surge continues with a rocket of a solo home run to right. It’s his 3rd straight game with a homer, and it left his bat at 113 MPH. pic.twitter.com/Ec6Z5MPcHS
In the seventh, the SeaWolves made a bigger push as Antonini led off with a double and scored on a one-out triple to the wall in center from Brett Callahan. John Peck doubled in Callahan to make it a 6-4 game, but that was all they’d get.
Meyers doubled and scored in the eighth, and Peck tripled and scored on a Bigbie ground out in the top of the ninth, but Tyler Owens gave up a run in the seventh and then four runs in the eighth as the Senators pulled away.
Peck: 3-5, R, RBI, 2B, 3B, K
Meyers: 2-3, 2 R, RBI, 2B, HR, 2 BB
Callahan: 2-5, R, RBI, 3B, K
Pacheco: 1-3, 2 BB, 2 K
Lockhart (L, 1-1): 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 2 K
Coming Up Next: The series is tied, with first pitch on Thursday set for 6:30 p.m. ET.
West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Lansing Lugnuts (cancelled)
They were washed out in West Michigan on Wednesday and the game cancelled. It’s a 6:45 p.m. ET start on Thurday night.
Dunedin Blue Jays 9, Lakeland Flying Tigers 5 (box)
The Flying Tigers swung the bats pretty well on Wednesday, but the pitching wasn’t there as the Blue Jays made it two in a row.
Cash Kuiper got the start, and he gave up a run in the first and two more in the third. In the bottom of the second, Anibal Salas and Jack Goodman singled and both scored on Hunter Dobbins triple. Jordan Yost was hit by a pitch, stole second, and scored on a Nick Dumesnil single in the third.
So it was all tied up at that point and stayed that way until the sixth when Salas smoked a drive over the right field wall for his fifth home run.
Anibal Salas with a missile over the wall in right to give Lakeland a 4-3 lead. It’s his 5th home run of the year, and it left his bat at 111 MPH and traveled 406 feet. pic.twitter.com/ywve3FvIAZ
Unfortunately, in the seventh Antonio Florida and then Jan Carabello combined to surrender five runs as the Blue Jays seized control for good.
Beau Ankeney added a solo shot, his eighth on the year, in the eighth inning. Jatnk Diaz was wild in the ninth and gave up a run before this one ended.
Salas: 3-4, 2 R, RBI, 2B, HR, K
Kuiper: 3.1 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 H, BB, 4 K
Coming Up Next: They’ll match up again at 11:00 a.m. ET on Thursday.
Jun 4, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher David Bednar (53) pitches against the Cleveland Guardians during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Things are going well for the Yankees right now, all things considered. Even though the team is without their top hitter in Aaron Judge and one of their top pitchers in Max Fried, alongside a few other regulars in the lineup that could really be helping them out. Despite this, they’re sitting in first place in the AL East with the best record in the AL overall and have won four straight and eight of their last ten games. The team is rallying much like the 2019 team did when they were besieged by injuries, and they’ve gotten key improvements from some early slumpers.
One such area that the team has gotten a boost from has been the back of the bullpen, with David Bednar having not allowed a single run since exactly a month ago on May 18th. The Yankee closer has gotten into eight appearances since then, pitching 8.2 scoreless innings and striking out 11 while walking three and giving up four hits. His ERA has gone from north of five to a more stable 3.64 mark in the meantime, and outside of his multi-inning outing on June 8th Bednar has only been pushed into 20 pitches or more once during this stretch. The only knock you could give against his performance is that only three of these outings have been save opportunities, with one seeing Bednar enter in a tie game and the rest being big leads, but Bednar has converted all three of those saves and he earned the win in that tie game that went into extras.
The bullpen has been the weak spot of the roster all season, and Bednar’s sharp form would be a welcome reprieve from sweating out the Houdini acts he’s put the team through in the first couple of months on top of the other pain points in the ‘pen. One nice stretch of play might not be enough to shake the memories of Bednar’s tightrope act though, especially when shades of it could be seen in his last outing against Toronto when he was set up with a five-run lead but made it a little hairy with two loud pieces of contact to put runners on second and third. Bednar escaped that jam without any damage of course, but had that been a tighter contest I think it’s fair to say we’d all have been sweating as soon as the inning led off with a hit. On top of that, Bednar has only been put into back-to-back games twice during this run, and the second time it occurred is where the drama could’ve kicked off had the offense not erupted in the top of the inning.
There’s still a fair amount of pitchers in the bullpen that cause stress every time they take the mound this season, but as of late Bednar hasn’t been one of them. The team will be looking for reinforcements over the course of the next month or two, and the ‘pen is a prime candidate to see a couple of new faces, but Bednar’s recent play should keep him firmly in control of the closer’s role. Should the team be comfortable with that and look to add to their bridge to Bednar, or should they still consider swinging big for an arm that could step into the role should Bednar get into a funk again? Let us know what you think.
Before the Yankees go for the sweep tonight, we’ve got a full slate of stuff going on here. Josh starts us off with a look at the new AL MVP landscape with Aaron Judge all but guaranteed to fall short this time and Shohei Ohtani over in the NL now. Then Matt covers the Rivalry Roundup with the Rays crucially getting swept by the Dodgers, Jeff wishes one-time Yankee Félix Heredia a happy birthday, and Jonathan examines Gerrit Cole’s first five starts of the season to see how the former Cy Young winner has adapted post-Tommy John. John makes the case for Jasson Domínguez to hit leadoff for the Yankees, and Sam outlines what success would look like for Spencer Jones’ rookie season to round things out.
The Calgary Flames haven't played a game of the 2026-27 season.
According to oddsmakers, they may not need to.
If the early Stanley Cup futures are any indication, the betting market has already reached a harsh verdict on Calgary's chances, essentially labeling the Flames as one of the NHL's least likely contenders. At +35,000 odds to win the Stanley Cup, only one team is viewed as having a slimmer path to hockey's ultimate prize: the Vancouver Canucks at +40,000.
It's a staggering level of skepticism.
For perspective, a $100 wager on the Flames would return $35,000 in winnings if they somehow lifted the Cup next June. Even a single dollar would turn into $350. Those aren't simply underdog odds—they're rebuild odds.
And it's difficult to argue with the logic.
Calgary's 2025-26 campaign unraveled almost immediately. A disastrous 2-8-2 start in October buried the club before Halloween, forcing the organization to confront reality months earlier than expected. By season's end, the Flames had finished 34-39-9 with 75 points, ranking 29th overall and narrowly avoiding the league's basement only by holding the regulation-wins tiebreaker over the New York Rangers.
Rather than chase an unlikely playoff spot, management committed to a different direction.
Rasmus Andersson was moved in January. MacKenzie Weegar followed in February. Nazem Kadri departed in March. What began as a veteran-heavy roster gradually transformed into a team prioritizing tomorrow over today.
The makeover may not be finished.
Alternate captain Blake Coleman is entering the final season of his contract, and with Calgary firmly in transition, his name continues to surface as a logical trade candidate. If the organization remains committed to accumulating assets, another familiar face could be gone before opening night.
That's why the betting market isn't buying a surprise turnaround.
The Flames aren't simply being projected as a team that misses the playoffs. They're being viewed as a franchise still in the early stages of constructing its next competitive window.
Around the rest of Canada, the outlook is considerably brighter. The Edmonton Oilers opened at +1,100, the Ottawa Senators at +1,600, the Montreal Canadiens at +2,200, the Toronto Maple Leafs at +4,000 and the Winnipeg Jets at +5,000.
Sitting atop the board are the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, who enter the summer as +750 favorites to repeat.
Of course, futures odds in June rarely tell the entire story. Trades, free agency, injuries and breakout seasons can reshape a franchise in a matter of months.
But for now, the message from oddsmakers couldn't be much clearer.
No team in the NHL is being given less of a chance than the rebuilding Vancouver Canucks—and the Calgary Flames aren't far behind.
Jun 16, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones (78) hits a solo home run against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | John Jones-Imagn Images
NY Daily News | Gary Phillips: Since being called up again on June 5th, outfielder Spencer Jones has given the Yankees a strong .318/.423/.636 line with a 193 wRC+ in 26 plate appearances. His playing time against lefties, however, has been fairly limited. It’s understandable, since he struggled to the tune of a .663 OPS vs. southpaws in Triple-A this year.
The young slugger didn’t start on Wednesday with the lefty Anthony Kay on the mound for the White Sox. Manager Aaron Boone says his time might come at some point. “Yeah, I think so,” the manager replied when asked if Jones would get more chances vs. southpaws. “I’m sure at some point I’ll do that.”
“It really came down to Kay just being so good against lefties, and he’s had some struggles against righties,” Boone explained. The Yanks might not have time for experiments, but the only way for Jones to improve in this particular platoon situation is by being exposed to tough MLB lefties.
NY Post | Greg Joyce: The New York Knicks secured their first NBA Finals victory in 53 years last week, beating the San Antonio Spurs and making an entire city happy and proud. To celebrate, stars Jalen Brunson (the Finals MVP) and Josh Hart tossed out first pitches at Yankee Stadium before Wednesday’s game vs. the White Sox, in front of thousands of cheering fans.
NY Post | Greg Joyce: George Lombard Jr. exited Scranton’s game against Columbus on Tuesday, and yesterday we learned the severity of the injury that forced his hand — literally. Lombard sprained a couple of his fingers trying to tag out a runner at second base. There’s currently no timeline for Lombard to return to the lineup down in Triple-A, but the sooner that the Yankees’ top prospect can return to the field the better. Lombard figures to compete for a starting spot next year, but continued adjustments leading to consistent production at the plate was giving Lombard a shot at factoring into this year’s playoff push in the majors. If he’s on the sideline for an extended period of time then that bid gets put in jeopardy, though it seems like the Yankees have avoided a major blow with this one.
NJ Advance Media | Bob Klapisch: Gerrit Cole’s return to the Yankees after Tommy John surgery last year has been nothing short of amazing. Klapisch says that while others struggle to regain their velocity and command, Cole is back to his best already. The right-hander feels amazing on the mound, and that’s the biggest and most important takeaway. “I’ve kept us in every game so far, so it feels pretty good,” he said. “I’ve gotten some good length (in innings pitched), and been able to continue to build pitch counts and sharpen some stuff while competing.” The Yanks’ ace boasts a 2.57 ERA in five starts in 2026. Even his teammate Cody Bellinger says it’s been “amazing to watch.“
The Colorado Avalanche don't have a Cale Makar problem.
They have a Cale Makar price tag to figure out.
As the franchise turns the page from another disappointing playoff exit, there may not be a bigger offseason priority than locking up the best defenseman on the planet for the rest of his prime. The good news? That process appears to be little more than a formality.
The Hockey News heard from multiple sources before GM Joe Sakic addressed the media at the club's end-of-season availability that Makar is expected to finish his career in Colorado, with a contract extension viewed internally as all but inevitable.
That shouldn't surprise anyone.
Elite defensemen almost never reach unrestricted free agency, and Makar has become far more than the face of Colorado's blue line. He's the engine that drives one of the NHL's most explosive offenses, a former Conn Smythe Trophy winner and dual Norris Trophy winner who has redefined what the position looks like.
The only real question isn't whether Makar will sign.
It's how high the number climbs.
His current contract carries a $9 million average annual value, a figure that once looked enormous but now feels like one of the league's biggest bargains. With the salary cap set to continue rising and the market for superstar talent exploding, Makar is in line for a substantial raise.
A deal in the $15-16 million range feels entirely realistic.
That's a staggering figure for a defenseman, but Makar has never been viewed as a player interested in squeezing every possible dollar out of an organization. Those around the team have long described him as someone who understands the value of roster construction. He wants to be paid like one of hockey's elite players, but he also wants to give Colorado every opportunity to surround him with a championship-caliber roster.
That balancing act could become one of the most fascinating negotiations of the summer.
There's also an interesting piece of NHL history working against the Avalanche.
No team has ever won the Stanley Cup with a player carrying a cap hit above $10 million.
The trend has come close to ending. The Vegas Golden Knights captured the 2023 Stanley Cup with Jack Eichel earning exactly $10 million, while the Florida Panthers won back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025 with both Aleksander Barkov and Sergei Bobrovsky carrying $10 million cap hits. But no champion has yet broken the eight-figure ceiling beyond that mark.
Of course, context matters.
The salary cap has climbed dramatically, making raw dollar figures less meaningful than the percentage of cap space occupied by a superstar contract. What once represented an enormous slice of a team's payroll will become increasingly manageable, making it feel inevitable that someone eventually shatters the trend.
Colorado may very well be the team that does it.
The Avalanche have already begun reshaping their roster, sending Ross Colton to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday in exchange for two draft picks and goaltender Magnus Chrona. The move creates additional flexibility while opening the door for further additions.
And more moves should be coming.
Colorado has some work to do if they hope to reclaim its place among the league's elite. Finding quality depth defenders will be just as important as completing Makar's extension, especially after another season that ended well short of Stanley Cup expectations.
There's little doubt Makar will be wearing burgundy and blue for years to come.
The bigger challenge for Joe Sakic and the Avalanche front office is building a roster around him that's capable of turning another historic contract into another championship parade.
After leading the Utah Mammoth to the first playoff appearance in franchise history and overseeing the steady transformation of one of the NHL's youngest rosters, the organization has rewarded its bench boss with added security. According to The Fourth Period and Daily Faceoff insider Dave Pagnotta, Utah has signed Tourigny to a one-year contract extension, keeping him behind the bench through the 2027-28 season.
The timing is hardly surprising.
Tourigny was entering the final year of his previous deal in 2026-27, a scenario that often creates unnecessary uncertainty for both coaches and players. Instead, the Mammoth have quietly eliminated that distraction, signaling confidence that the architect of their rebuild is still the right person to guide the franchise's next step.
Financial terms of the extension have not been disclosed.
The decision follows the most successful campaign the organization has enjoyed since arriving in Utah. The Mammoth finished 43-33-6, good for fourth place in the Central Division and the Western Conference's first Wild Card berth. Their postseason debut offered another glimpse of the progress being made, as Utah grabbed a 2-1 series lead over the eventual Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights before ultimately falling in six games.
While the playoff exit stung, it also reinforced a larger point: the Mammoth are no longer simply rebuilding—they're beginning to compete.
Tourigny has spent five seasons guiding the franchise, dating back to its Arizona Coyotes era, compiling a 170-195-45 record. On paper, that .470 points percentage ranks among the league's lowest over that span, but the raw numbers hardly tell the full story. He inherited a roster built for patience rather than immediate success and gradually developed a young core that finally broke through this season.
His longevity is notable in an era where NHL coaches rarely survive extended rebuilds. Counting his tenure in Arizona, only Jon Cooper, Jared Bednar and Rod Brind'Amour have held their positions longer than Tourigny.
Officially, however, the NHL views the Mammoth as an expansion franchise rather than a relocated Coyotes club. That technical distinction means Tourigny is credited with only two seasons behind Utah's bench, making him the league's 10th-longest tenured head coach despite never leaving the organization.
Whether measured by five years or two, the message from Utah's front office is unmistakable: the franchise believes its upward trajectory is just beginning, and it wants the coach who helped lay the foundation to remain at the helm.
The NBA is going big again, and the Warriors have taken notice.
Signing stretch big man Al Horford was a top priority last offseason. The Warriors then brought in all 7 feet and 2 inches of his former Boston Celtics teammate Kristaps Porzingis at the NBA trade deadline. That kind of size is something Golden State has never seen before, and it certainly enjoyed the idea of it.
But Porzingis now is an unrestricted free agent. Horford turned 40 years old on June 3 and has a $6 million player option. Draymond Green has a much more expensive player option at $27.6 million. The Warriors also hold a $2 million team option on Quinten Post after two seasons as a former second-round pick.
These are the three best options for the Warriors to consider.
Aday Mara, C, Michigan
Might as well start as big as we can go. Literally. Mara measured in at 7-foot-3 barefoot at the combine and 260 pounds with a 7-foot-6 wingspan and a 9-foot-9 standing reach.
He then moved well for someone that big, helping answer questions about whether Mara can guard in open space at the next level. For the champions in his one season at Michigan, Mara was a shot-blocking machine, swatting 2.6 shots per game. Mara played his best during March Madness when he had five multi-block games, including two three-block games and one four-block game.
The intriguing part of Mara’s game beyond taking up so much space defensively is his vision offensively. While his offensive game might be seen as limited right now, he’s an elite passing big man, which always is going to be music to Steve Kerr’s ears.
Mara is one of the draft’s bigger wild cards, and he would change plenty about the Warriors.
Next up is someone who was a huge help to Mara in Michigan’s frontcourt. Mara is passing to Johnson in the first three clips above, either cutting, making a move in the post or soaring to slam an alley-oop. Defensively, Johnson’s relentless motor and versatility made life much easier for Mara, too.
That’s where Johnson would immediately enhance the Warriors. He brings a winning play style and an injection of badly needed athleticism. His tape does the talking, and Johnson only helped himself at the combine. Here’s a star who has awfully similar measurements to him: Bam Adebayo.
Can Johnson develop his offensive game like Adebayo has? Shooting 78.2 percent from the free-throw line, and going 10 of 25 (40 percent) from the 3-point line in Big Ten play, is encouraging.
Johnson can guard all three levels right now. He had 10 rebounds in the national championship game, five on offense and five on defense, as the rest of Michigan’s starting five combined for 13 total. The growth of his offense will just be a bonus on top.
Morez Johnson Jr. would be a great addition for many teams drafting in the lottery.
His blend of controlled aggression and coordination at 6'10" with a 7'3.5" wingspan is ridiculous. Johnson showed off a promising shooting stroke at the NBA combine and wowed us in the crowd… pic.twitter.com/WEGRg7GKc2
After a proven track record internationally in Germany, Steinbach helped his case as a freshman at Washington. He was extremely efficient, averaging 18.5 points per game and hauling a nation-leading 11.8 rebounds per game. He might have the strongest hands in this year’s draft. That sentence alone should make Warriors fans happy.
Steinbach has the size to play the 4 or the 5, and has the potential to stretch the floor. He shot 34 percent from three last season but also shot 75.9 percent on free throws and projects to be able to extend his range. And he also can run the floor well for his size.
As a passer, Steinbach isn’t Mara. As a defender, he isn’t close to Johnson. But his offense might easily outweigh both those categories, and his rebounding, especially on the offensive glass, is another reason to believe.
Statistically, Steinbach had one of the more productive freshman seasons in recent history. He’s just 20 years old and already has pro experience, giving him youth and maturity on his side.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JUNE 13: Ernie Johnson Jr. interviews Josh Hart #3 and Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Timothée Chalamet celebrates with Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When I woke up on the morning of Thursday, June 11, I was not in the best mood I’ve ever experienced. Nope. These finals games for an East Coaster with an earlier bedtime are tough, and when they go down to the wire and my heart is racing at midnight and I’m looking at maybe a 1.00 a.m. sleep time if I’m lucky. When the games end in a devastating and quite frankly borderline embarrassing loss for the team you would like to see win at the hands of the team you absolutely would not like to see win, it’s even worse.
The last few weeks being a Nets fan who lives in Brooklyn has not been the most fun I’ve ever experienced either. You know why. The city worked up into a frenzy over the other team, their merch everywhere, not a drop of news on our front for weeks other than what seemed like a nice vacation that MPJ took with the boys and vague, unverifiable and very perishable draft rumors. Yuck.
So I woke up cranky. On the phone with my girlfriend I told her I was in my “Quarterly Bad Mood”. I received texts about the Nets moving back to New Jersey, etc. I continue to get asked by people I do or don’t know very well, “who I’m rooting for”(???).
Then, amidst all this, on my commute to the office, the subway doors opened and looking right at me in the little area between the seats was a tall, older gentleman, maybe in his 60’s, proudly wearing a crisp, white flat-brimmed Brooklyn Nets cap! Mood completely flipped! So, I get off that subway and call my friend Drew who is also (albeit much more casually) a Nets fan and elatedly declare us “So Back!!.” The power of seeing someone else displaying their allegiance on the morning I was feeling so down about my team turned it all around. I kid you not I ordered a Nets cap shortly thereafter. The day had brightened. Hope was not lost. It was found again in the dank air of subway tunnel.
To be a fan of this team has not been and will never be for the faint of heart. We are cursed so uniquely with bad luck that I don’t think we have any rivals in that specific category. We aren’t the Kings, a poorly run franchise who can’t get out of their own way for anything. We don’t quite feel like the Mets, cursed with something deeper, darker, more twisted than any mortal minds can fully comprehend. We are just a franchise for whom nothing seems to go right. KD’s foot, draft lottery luck, COVID vaccination policies, Ben Simmons yips, the list goes on.
But bizarrely, against all odds, where we sit right now as I am typing this all out, I actually feel… pretty good? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t begrudge anyone an ounce of frustration about how the last six years have gone, I am not here to preach. You can be mad that your basketball team is bad. The point of the sport is to be good. But I would argue that for me and my journey with this team, the ideal would be having a team that is good for a prolonged period of time in a way that feels exciting and sustainable. And we are slowly but surely tracking towards that place. Plus, I’m just not prone to pessimism or complaining! See again: “Quarterly Bad Mood”. And I understand why many, many, many Nets fans seem to be in a bad place right now, but may I suggest… A little bit of a step back and a deep breath to go along with it?
Let’s break this down because I feel like there are a few misconceptions about some things or different angles at which to view situations that I’d like to present, starting with…
The Five (Former) Rookies
If I hear one more basketball pundit on a podcast where they are paid to know about and talk about and opine about basketball chortle as they refer to the Nets as having drafted “Five Point Guards” I am going to combust. Egor is a playmaking wing. Traore is a point guard. Powell is a 3-and-D wing. Saraf is maybe kind of a point guard, more likely a bit of a combo guard. And for God’s sake, Wolf is a nearly 7-foot tall forward who can also pass and shoot a little bit for a guy his size. Let’s take a look at that again… Ok one…. One and a half….. Ok yeah. One and a half point guards. Got it. You could get creative with it and just make an entire lineup out of this group! You’d have to fudge some positions a bit and I’m not saying this is the Lineup of Death or anything, but:
Traore (6’4”)
Powell (6’5”)
Saraf (6’6”)
Denim (6’8”)
Wolf (6’11”)
Heck, they could all be still growing!
Would not look ridiculous just purely on paper positionally. Certainly not if a few of them are eating enough cheeseburgers this summer because three of them were born in 2006(!!) and still skinny!
Traore, Saraf, Demin and Powell ranked among the 20 youngest players in the league. And for Egor and Nolan, I saw flashes of some useful players. I think we need to remember that not a single one of these picks was like a “can’t miss top 4 pick prospect oh my god you can’t screw this one up” guy. You cannot just expect your No. 8 pick to be an All-Star in year 1. You want that guy to be a starting caliber player and as far as I can tell Egor is tracking in that direction. Some muscle, some experience, some improvement at the rim, you have yourself a starting caliber wing. The 3-point shooting last season was a revelation and if that sticks, it’s a huge plus skill for a guy that size.
The rest of them mostly profile as interesting depth players, which for guys taken in the late first round is pretty good! Do you know what Yang Hansen, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Asa Newell did last year? Not much! And you know what that is? Fine, too!
Do I believe in Ben Saraf? No. I’ll go on record right now and say if I am betting against one, it’s him. But can Traore, Powell, and Wolf all be productive depth pieces on a good basketball team in a year or two? Absolutely. And that’s all they need to be. Will they better? You have to hope so.
The 2018-19 team we all loved (and the team I was covering the most when I wrote of NetsDaily back in the day) was built on the backs of Spencer Dinwiddie, Joe Harris, D’Angelo Russell, Caris LeVert, and Jarrett Allen. Solid players, good players, winning players in some cases, but not All-Stars (God bless D’Angelo’s All-Star appearance that year but like, in the perennial sense of the word).
Also, what is the problem with taking five rookies? It gets scoffed at and never ever actually dissected by some of these basketball analysts but I would love to hear… Why is that bad? This team needs players. More importantly, it needs young players who can develop. They had 5 picks. They used them and three other rooks a total of an NBA record 6,400 minutes last season. I guess the argument could be they could have traded one of the picks? But traded it for… what?… another pick? In the future? Spoiler alert for later but, we already have those. Also could we have? You don’t know what was on the table! I like that we took five rookies, take the swings! You need the swings! Historically we have been lacking in swings!
If one of these guys is a starter and three of them are productive bench players, I truly am happy and that can make up the bones of a well-rounded NBA roster. Next year will be instructive, and we’ll see what happens, but for the most part I feel good about where the rookies are right now.
The Sixth Pick
I turned my phone off and went on a walk during the Draft Lottery. My stomach hurt the whole time, I knew deep in my bones something bad was going to occur. But wow did it SUCK to turn that phone back on and see where we landed. To be honest I wasn’t even 100% sure we could fall that far. It sucks, again I am here to agree that falling that far sucks, but…
In my life as a Nets fan, which goes back to 2002 but really in an earnest, conscious way starts in 2009 (auspicious, I know), I and we have had so few young prospects to really sink our teeth into. Brook Lopez was one and he is a beloved Nets legend. We had Derrick Favors for about 28 minutes. There was a brief moment where I really honestly had to believe in MarShon Brooks. We’ve had late-round hits, we’ve had misses, but as I mentioned earlier the draft is unpredictable and anyone outside of the top picks you just have to try to find a diamond in the rough and hope for the best.
At No. 6 … it hits a little bit different. It’s actually an incredibly unenviable spot for Sean Marks. He has to nail it. There’s a cluster of guards, a few wildcards, trade-down options, but no matter what happens nothing is going to fall into his lap. The GM’s in the top of this draft barely have to do anything, just take the guy the other ones didn’t. No one would bat an eye if Boozer goes second or fourth. Peterson drops to No. 3? Ok, sure, no bad options! Wilson would be a steal at No. 4 and a great pick at 3!
But regardless of what we do and who we choose, we will be getting a guy with the highest pick we’ve had since God knows when. I mean it’s since 2010 and Derrick Favors, but I was 14 years old when that happened. I’m literally 30 years old now. It’s not that we’ve forgotten what it’s like to root for a high-potential young guy like that, I don’t think we even know how! Genuinely! Like I don’t think we have the collective experience to understand what that player’s journey might look like and how to act and respond accordingly to it. We have to brush up.
But if we nail it, and we take someone like, I don’t know, Acuff, and he starts to show real flashes of star potential, it is going to be so much fun. And then, all of a sudden, you’re developing a young core with some real wind in their sails. Which brings me to…
Cap Space/Draft Picks/Maneuverability
Lumping all of these together because they all combine to do whatever the opposite of making my stomach hurt is. My heart rate slows down when I pull up Real GM’s Future Nets Draft Picks page.
I, like many of you reading this I’m sure, were here for the Dark Times. No notable players, no picks, no cap space, no hope. It was bad. Really bad. As bad as it can possibly get, essentially. And the scary thing is, this could refer to a couple of different periods in recent memory.
Where we are now is so, so far away from the light. Even if we have to swap our pick next year we have the Knicks pick and the presumably swapped Houston pick. The year after that we have the most incredibly convoluted Real GM pick swap explanation I have ever seen but ultimately netting out in our favor as far as I can tell (go ahead and read it and report back if you have a law degree). We have the Denver pick eventually, some more Knick picks, one million second rounders, one or two others shoved in there somewhere… It’s a lot. And that is a very good thing. And more valuable than ever given the new Draft Lottery rules.
We also have cap space. Beautiful, gorgeous cap space. The second-most in the league right now according to Spotrac and a couple of pretty easy ways to create more. Marks could use that to throw a max at Austin Reaves, take on a bad contract for more draft equity, or just use it to acquire some solid players and raise the floor of what this team can do in the immediate future… or maybe a secret fourth option I haven’t thought of yet. Point being, we have options, options, options.
Did you hear that? Options! We have maneuverability! We are RICH with both money and possibilities! We are NOT the 2016 Nets. Hell, we aren’t even the 2023 Nets. Is this going to be a good basketball team next year? No!! But we are on our way!
This takes time and patience and a huge deal of effort. Not to mention luck where, again, we are fighting an uphill battle. Not every team has Victor Wemby, Stephen Castle, and Dylan Harper fall into their laps during a rebuild…
Then, of course, there’s Jordi Fernandez and his merry band of nine — count ‘em — nine assistants. Nobody has a bad word to say about him, most of all his players. For the first time since he was hired in April 2024, his marching orders are to win games, not “play the probabilities,” a nice euphemism for tanking. Moreover, Joe Tsai had his contract and those of his assistants ripped up and extended, each with a raise as well.
On Friday night, after spending a beautiful evening having drinks with friends not far from the Barclays Center, I stopped by my bodega for a snack. The guy behind the grill was, as he always is, wearing a New Jersey Nets cap. Cool guy. I guarantee someone reading this knows where I’m referring to but I’ll dox myself for the sake of the story, who cares.
After I ordered my sandwich I told him “Hey, love your hat!” which to be clear, I have 100% said before. But he works in a bodega and serves God knows how many people a day so he has absolutely no idea who I am. He gave me a thumbs up, I went to peruse the drinks (I got a Vanilla Coke) and when he handed me my sandwich both him and the other guy who is always there said with big smiles “Here you go Nets fan!” Another sign!
I emailed NetsDaily after getting off that subway on Thursday, asking if I could write this piece and I kid you not me and a guy wearing a KEVIN GARNETT Nets jersey high-fived on Thursday evening. Yep, I figured, Nets universe is healing despite what happened on the other side of the East River.
Other teams might have such hallowed celebrities as A Couple of the Haim Sisters, Bobby Bacala, and Donald J. Trump showing up to their games. There have been more bandwagon fans created in the last two weeks than ever previously considered possible. You may be getting asked yourself who you’ve been rooting for in the NBA finals despite a lifelong, loud, and proud affiliation with the Nets. Again, it’s been a rough few weeks…
So for those of us still here, clicking on NetsDaily, reading to the end of this gratuitously long essay, sifting through the swap rights in 2028, looking up Egor’s stats for the 897th time, that logo will continue to really mean something. The hat means something, the jersey and the t-shirt… More likely than not those are your honest to God fellow Nets fans. No one in their right mind would spend money on the merch for any other reason right now.
I was in Hong Kong in April and witnessed with my own two human eyes a man wearing a crisp 2003 Eastern Conference Finals Champions T-shirt, if only I knew how to speak Cantonese… We are everywhere, don’t let anyone ever tell you we aren’t. (China, for reasons quite clear, is a special case, it’s not unique.)
We will be back, it’s a matter of when, not if. And I refuse to let anyone put my team down except for myself when I’m feeling a bit cranky. In the meantime, the other guys can enjoy their damn parade and some of my fellow Nets fans will no doubt call me pollyannish. Meh!
And you know what else: in the celebrity sweepstakes, I’ll take Ethan Hawke every day of the damn week, Thursdays included.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 22: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz grabs a rebound against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of their game at the Delta Center on October 22, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Chris Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the last few days, Jazz fans have been hearing rumor after rumor about the contract negotiations between Walker Kessler and the Utah Jazz. In multiple reports, we heard different updates on how the negotiations had left Kessler and his representation frustrated. They expected more than a five-year, $140M offer. Those things are still likely true, but the story took on a life of its own, and it was reaching a point where Jazz fans were becoming frustrated. It was a valid frustration too. Kessler is a valuable player and was supposedly going to be a part of the core going forward. Now, it felt like Kessler wasn’t as interested in that.
Today, Kessler put some of those worries to rest with a timely Instagram post.
I’ve seen what’s being said, and I want it to be clear that I have always wanted to be here – I love this city, these fans, my teammates, my coaches – that’s real to me. You don’t grow roots where you don’t want to be
It’s the perfect message from Kessler to assuage Jazz fans who were getting frustrated. Kessler has been a big part of the current Jazz roster and was considered an important, maybe even vital, part of the future.
This has to be a little frustrating to Kessler, who was probably aware that the situation could get tough, but I doubt he wanted it to get to the point where fans would turn on him like what was happening. It very well might have been all his agents doing the negotiating and losing control of the situation. Now, Kessler has taken control of it, and it will likely get the fans and public perception off his back while negotiations continue. It’s not clear how long the negotiations will last, but it is nice to know that Kessler wants to be part of the future. A future that is looking very bright.
