Joe Sakic didn’t say much at the end of Colorado’s season—and in hindsight, that silence might have said plenty.
You can certainly credit Sakic for the way he handled the Avalanche’s end-of-season media availability earlier this month, especially in light of recent developments across the Stanley Cup Final picture.
Typically, at the end of a season—particularly for teams that fall short in the playoffs—you get the full medical rundown: the bumps, bruises, injuries that shaped the outcome but only come to light afterward. Sakic didn’t go there. No list. No explanations. No built-in caveats.
In hindsight, it was a deliberate and effective choice to keep the discussion of injuries as minimal as possible. No excuses. The message was straightforward: everyone is expected to be healthy heading into training camp, and that was the extent of it. Whether a team chooses to disclose injuries publicly is ultimately its prerogative. In Colorado’s case, the organization opted for discretion, even if it meant fewer storylines for the media and more room for speculation.
That context becomes more interesting given what the Vegas Golden Knights have since revealed about their own playoff health situation. By all accounts, they were dealing with significant injuries of their own.
Captain Mark Stone played through a torn adductor. William Karlsson underwent surgery for a broken wrist that ultimately sidelined him for the final game of the Stanley Cup Final, a 3-0 loss that clinched the championship for the Carolina Hurricanes. Defenseman Noah Hanifin was managing an upper-body injury that, under normal regular-season circumstances, likely would have kept him out for roughly two months. Brayden McNabb, according to both teammates and management, battled through multiple injuries during the playoff run, including the facial injury he sustained in Game 2 of the Final that quickly made the rounds on social media.
Yet much of the conversation following Vegas’ sweep of Colorado in the Western Conference Final centered on the Avalanche’s injuries. And to be clear, they were real and they mattered. Several key players were clearly playing through issues, including Cale Makar, Artturi Lehkonen, Brent Burns, Sam Malinski, and Nathan MacKinnon, who took a puck to the knee in Game 3 and was noticeably limited afterward. However, he was held scoreless in the series, marking the first time in his playoff career that had happened in a postseason matchup.
But that’s the point.
Vegas was dealing with injuries, too—those are simply the ones they chose to acknowledge publicly. And even then, the focus remained on core pieces, not the full scope of what depth players may have been battling through behind the scenes.
Injuries, however, weren’t the reason Colorado lost control of the series.
The Avalanche surrendered leads in two of the four games, including a 3-0 advantage in Game 3 that ultimately swung the series. At that level, against a team as structured as Vegas, those moments matter more than any post-series injury ledger.
As Jared Bednar noted several times throughout the postseason, that’s exactly what makes the Stanley Cup so unforgiving. It’s not just talent. It’s not just cap construction. It’s not even just surviving four rounds. Everything has to align at the right time.
“It’s partly why I think it is the hardest trophy to win just because of the grind of it all,” Bednar said. “Not only do you have to be good; you have to be healthy, you have to be lucky, you have to be tough, playing through injuries.
“You have to be mentally tough, too, because it is a grind every day; every game is a Game 7. Every game feels like it is Game 7 because you need to win it.”
That reality makes Colorado’s playoff exit even harder to reconcile when set against what was, by almost every measure, the strongest regular season in franchise history.
The 2025-26 Avalanche finished with a franchise-record 121 points, surpassing the mark set by the 2000-01 Stanley Cup-winning team. They also captured the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s top regular-season club and were dominant at both ends of the ice from start to finish.
Colorado led the league with 298 goals scored while allowing a league-low 197 goals against. Their plus-101 goal differential paced the NHL, and they finished first in both goals per game and goals against per game. On paper and over 82 games, no team was more complete.
That’s what makes the ending so difficult to process.
The Avalanche didn’t lose because they lacked talent. They didn’t lose because they weren’t an elite team. They lost a series where execution, structure, and in-game details ultimately decided outcomes—and Vegas, when it mattered most, was simply sharper in those moments.
In a playoff environment where margins are razor-thin, that’s often all the difference there is.
And if you're the Vegas Golden Knights, it came down to something much simpler: cleaner execution, tighter structure, and the ability to consistently take away the Avalanche’s biggest strengths when it mattered most.
But as the saying goes, there’s always next season.
When Mark Giordano’s 18-year playing career began to transition into its next phase, the veteran defenseman wasn’t entirely sure what the future held beyond his days on the ice.
Although he hasn’t suited up for an NHL game since the 2023-24 campaign, the long-time blue-liner never formally announced his retirement from professional hockey. But after going unsigned through the 2024-25 season, the 42-year-old local product began to realistically map out his next steps in the game.
That’s when Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving—who shares a long history with Giordano dating back to their days with the Calgary Flames—reached out with an opportunity to join the organization's player development pipeline with the AHL's Toronto Marlies.
“They called me a coaching advisor to start,” Giordano said.
What initially looked like a part-time player development role, however, expanded at a rapid pace.
Climbing the Coaching Ladder
Giordano immediately went to work mentoring the Marlies' young defensive corps—a natural fit for a man who won the Norris Trophy in 2019 and logged over 1,100 NHL games on the blue line. But a mid-season coaching shakeup within the organization accelerated his timeline.
When the Maple Leafs parted ways with NHL assistant coach Marc Savard and promoted Marlies assistant Steve Sullivan to the big club, a vacant spot opened up on John Gruden’s bench in the American Hockey League. Giordano seamlessly slid into the role on a full-time basis.
“I worked with the D a lot at the start of the year, I worked with the forwards and the power play at the end of the year. So I gained a lot of experience,” Giordano told The Hockey News amid the on-ice celebrations following the Marlies’ 2026 Calder Cup championship victory. “I think it was good for me to actually see it from a different point of view. I've always been on the D side my whole career. And I had a lot of fun. These guys were a cool group to be around and a really close group. I know everyone says that, but we really came together.”
Winning the Ultimate Prize
Giordano’s resume as a player is incredibly decorated. In addition to his top-defenseman honors, he captured a Spengler Cup and earned a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2008 IIHF World Championship. Yet, outside of those short tournament formats, a major professional championship ring had always eluded the veteran during his lengthy NHL career.
That missing piece of the puzzle is exactly what made watching Giordano hoist the Calder Cup so unique.
“I definitely have the coaching bug,” Giordano admitted. “I've played a lot of different roles, and I think that's where I can help these guys. I've played in the American League. I've been a healthy scratch. I've been a six-seven defenseman. I think my biggest asset to them is I've been in all those shoes.”
What’s Next?
As the Marlies prepare to celebrate their AHL title with fans at Real Sports on Monday, questions will naturally shift to what the future holds for Toronto's coaching staff.
With a Calder Cup now on his resume, a head coach like John Gruden will undoubtedly be in high demand for NHL bench vacancies down the road. But Giordano has quickly proven that he is far more than just a sounding board; he is a versatile mentor capable of contributing to all facets of the game.
It should shock anyone to see Giordano flourish in his role behind the bench. There's a reason he was named the first captain in Seattle Kraken franchise history when he was claimed in the expansion draft.
At 42, Giordano is still incredibly young in coaching terms, and his passion for the whistle is undeniable. While jumping straight into an NHL head coaching gig might be a stretch at this stage of his second career, it shouldn't surprise anyone if he lands an NHL assistant coaching job sooner rather than later.
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Former Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet once preached about protecting the guts of the ice. He wasn't wrong — but eventually, you need players who can attack through the guts of the ice, too.
That's why the debate between Caleb Malhotra and Ivar Stenberg has become so fascinating.
The Canucks need more than another center to fix this. They need players who can drive play through the middle of the ice for the next decade.
That doesn't mean they should pick one this draft.
Six months ago, this wasn't even a debate. If the Canucks landed the third-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, Stenberg always felt like the obvious choice.
Today, Malhotra's rise has made that decision far less straightforward.
But at the end of the day, the best player available is still the right choice.
In this case, that's Stenberg.
The Case for Caleb Malhotra
When people talk about Malhotra, the first thing they mention is that he's the best center in this draft. You could even argue he and Viggo Björck have the best chance to become long-term first- and second-line centers from this class.
Honestly, if the Canucks somehow managed to get both, that would be the dream scenario.
But that's a story for another day.
The reality is Vancouver still needs help down the middle. Elias Pettersson has looked closer to a 50-point center than the 90-point version from three years ago, Marco Rossi still needs to prove he can be a permanent 2C on a contender, Filip Chytil is coming off another significant injury, and Aatu Räty and Braeden Cootes are still developing.
That's exactly why the argument for Malhotra is so compelling.
Watching Malhotra, it's easy to see a player who impacts every area of the game. His hands are elite. His reaction time is outstanding. He has high-end vision, a legitimate NHL shot, and competes every single shift.
Malhotra separates himself away from the puck. He's relentless on the forecheck, strong on the backcheck, wins battles, and impacts the game without needing possession.
That's why the Dylan Larkin comparison makes sense — not because he skates like Larkin, but because of the role: a trusted, all-situations center who drives play through all three zones.
Even if Malhotra never reaches that level, his floor still looks outstanding. At worst, you're getting a high-end 2C. At best, a legitimate No. 1 center.
The Canucks would still be getting an outstanding player if they called his name.
Why Stenberg Still Gets the Edge
Here's where the argument shifts.
If Stenberg is still available when Vancouver picks third, that's the pick.
This isn't about drafting the best center — it's about drafting the best player available.
And that's still Stenberg.
Watching the Swedish winger, it's easy to find yourself rewinding the tape. Not because of what he did with the puck, but because of what he saw before everyone else did.
That's what stands out the most. Stenberg doesn't force offence; he creates it.
He arrives early, protects pucks, wins them back, extends possessions and always seems to stay one step ahead. Those are NHL habits, and they're why his game should translate.
There's real substance underneath the skill.
Many scouts believe Stenberg has the second-highest offensive ceiling in this draft behind Gavin McKenna.
That's what makes him so intriguing. You don't often find players who combine elite offensive upside with pro habits away from the puck. He's just as comfortable creating off the rush as he is extending possessions below the goal line.
That's the type of player every team spends years trying to find.
When drafting third overall, that's exactly the type of upside worth betting on.
Malhotra projects as the player every coach wants.
Stenberg projects as the player every opposing coach has to game plan for.
That's the swing worth taking.
Jan 5, 2026; St. Paul, Minnesota, USA; Sweden forward Ivar Stenberg (15) scores an empty-net goal against Czechia during the third period in the final of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship ice hockey tournament at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
One Final Wrinkle
One final wrinkle came when the San Jose Sharks, who currently hold the second-overall pick, acquired Michael Kesselring.
Kesselring doesn't eliminate Chase Reid going second-overall, but it does give the Sharks another NHL-calibre defenceman. If Kesselring stabilizes part of San Jose's blue line, the Sharks may be more willing to pivot away from a defenceman like Reid and target a dynamic forward instead. That decision could completely reshape Vancouver's draft board at No. 3.
If that happens, Stenberg's chances of reaching Vancouver probably become much slimmer.
Still, the chances of Stenberg falling to Vancouver are a whole lot better than McKenna falling to No. 3.
The Final Pick
The Canucks need a center.
They just shouldn't draft one if they believe the best player on the board is still Stenberg.
If Stenberg is the better player, then the answer is simple; take the best player, and figure out the next center later.
This team isn't one player away from contending in the first place. There will be other opportunities to address the middle of the ice through future drafts, trades, or player development. That's a much easier problem to solve than finding another game-breaking talent.
If Stenberg becomes the player many believe he can be, nobody in Vancouver will care that he wasn't a center.
They'll just be glad the Canucks drafted the best player available.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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Happy Monday, everyone! We hope you had a restful weekend and are ready to take on the week ahead. We’ve got lots of fun little news bites from over the weekend to ease you into your Monday grind. On the good news side of things, Shohei Ohtani and his wife Mamiko Tanaka welcomed their second child and announced the birth over the weekend. In true Ohtani fashion, he then his a massive home run on Father’s Day Eve to help the Dodgers win.
The Phillies continue to have an unprecedented resurgence that should honestly make any team that has struggled in recent months (not naming names…) realize that there is room to turn things around still. This time, they did it with crazy performances from Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. On the less cheerful side of things, Justin Verlander was scratched from his scheduled Sunday start due to a hamstring injury and will be heading right back to the injured list.
We’ve got all that and more below, so let’s get right into it!
I love weird stats…According to @EliasSports Justin Dean is the 4th player in the expansion era (1961+) to hit a bases loaded triple as his first career @MLB hit joining: Anthony Bass (05/04/2012 SD), Scott Podsednik (07/15/2001 SEA) and Pedro Martinez (!) (05/22/1994 MTL). https://t.co/v6YeB3dvA9
MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 31: Kamren James #3 of the Montgomery Biscuits poses for a photo during the Montgomery Biscuits photo day at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Ethan Lowe/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
This was the 11th week of full minor league play (stats are entering play on Sunday, June 21st).
According to FanGraphs (which factors in age and proximity to the big leagues), the Rays top overall prospect Theo Gillen has taken over at the top performer in the system. His full season stat line is further below.
Meanwhile, Aidan Cremarods is back as the top performing pitcher system. The 22-year old Cremarosa is having a solid debut season within the Rays system. The 2025 8th round pick is currently in Single-A and holds a 2.56 ERA | 2.52 FIP with a 32.0 K% & 4.9 BB% over 52.2 IP.
RUMBLINGS
Kamren James, the Rays 16th round pick in 2022, had a career day on Sunday as he launched three homeruns in a single game. The 26-year old was hitting .209/.294/.341 with 2 HR over 103 PA entering play on Sunday.
Luke Jackson, the Rays 11th round pick from 2025, made his organization debut. Jackson was among Baseball America’s top 500 prospects entering the draft and signed a $497,500 deal with Tampa Bay. The 22-year old is currently in Single-A.
Leonardo Pineda, one of the Rays top international signings from 2024, has been placed on the 60-day Injured List
Daniel Pierce, the Rays top draft pick in 2025, hasn’t played since May 3oth.
Carson Williams since being optioned at the end of May is hitting .288/.358/.507 with a 24.7 K% and 9.9 BB% over 81 PA
FanGraphs should be releasing their list of the Rays top prospects at some point this week.
TEAM LEADERS
Must currently be assigned to that team
Baseball America’s top ten prospects are featured below each team they’re currently assigned to.
(minimum of 120 TBF & PA)
Tampa Bay Rays
Top 10 Prospects
None currently on active roster
Durham Bulls
Team Offensive Leaders: AVG: .256, Carson Williams OBP: .342, Carson Williams SLG: .451, Carson Williams HR: 9, Tatem Levins wRC+: 104, Carson Williams SB: 24, Raynel Delgado (Traded to the Astros on 6/10)
Team Pitching Leaders: ERA: 2.27, Evan Reifert FIP: 4.03, Ty Johnson K%: 29.6% Ty Johnson BB%: 8.7%, Chase Solesky WHIP: 1.04, Ty Johnson AVG: .182, Evan Reifert WHIFF%: 14.4%, Ty Johnson
Team Offensive Leaders: AVG: .309, Austin Overn (placed on the IL on 5/27) OBP: .379, Xavier Isaac SLG: .533, Austin Overn (placed on the IL on 5/27) HR: 13, Will Simpson wRC+: 141, Austin Overn (Placed on IL on 5/27) SB: 28, Austin Overn (placed on the IL on 5/27)
Team Pitching Leaders: ERA: 1.94, Chris Clark FIP: 3.14, Chris Clark K%: 26.5%, Michael Forret (Promoted to Triple-A) BB%: 4.3%, Gary Gill Hill & Santiago Suarez WHIP 0.97, Chris Clark AVG: .186, Michael Forret WHIFF%: 15.4%, Jackson Baumeister
Team Offensive Leaders: AVG: .340, Theo Gillen OBP: .449, Tony Santa Maria SLG: .591, Theo Gillen HR: 15, Connor Hujsak (Promoted to Triple-A) wRC+: 165, Theo Gillen SB: 28, Theo Gillen
Team Pitching Leaders: ERA: 1.90, Jacob Kisting FIP: 2.47, Jacob Kisting K%: 30.4%, Jacob Kisting BB%: 5.2%, Jacob Kisting WHIP: 0.95, Jacob Kisting AVG: .196, Jacob Kisting WHIFF%: 15.0%, Jacob Kisting
Team Offensive Leaders: AVG: .379, Caden Bodine (Promoted to A+ on 5/19) OBP: .433, Caden Bodine (Promoted to A+ on 5/19) SLG: .614, Caden Bodine (Promoted to A+ on 5/19) HR: 6, Taitn Gray & Cooper Flemming wRC+: 177, Caden Bodine (Promoted to A+ on 5/19) SB: 19, Alberth Palma
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 11: A general view at Pride Movie Night with screening of "In The Heights" at Oracle Park on June 11, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Miikka Skaffari/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
A new week of San Francisco Giants baseball is upon us, so it’s time to take a look ahead and see what’s on deck for this week.
After today’s off-day, the Giants return to Oracle Park to begin a three-game series against the Athletics. After that, they will welcome the Atlanta Braves to town for a rematch of last week’s series.
I don’t know who is doing the schedule this year, but man they sure do love to have the Giants play the same team two weeks in a row.
Anyway, of course I’m most interested in the A’s series. Nothing against the Braves, I just really love the vibes of Giants vs. A’s games, and it’s nice that A’s fans won’t have to travel for this one. Be nice to them if you’re going to a game during this series. Their organization has put them through enough.
Which series are you most interested in this week?
KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 20: Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez attends the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Curacao on June 20, 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“Those days are going to happen,” Kolek said. “Ideally, they’re definitely not as bad as they were today.”
The Cardinals sent eight batters to the plate in the first inning. In total, Kolek faced 15 batters, allowing nine hits and a walk. He didn’t record a strikeout.
“It’s definitely tough to pitch when you don’t have command over stuff like that,” Kolek said. “So we’re going to clean it up and get right back to it.”
While an injured list stint is still a possibility, Kansas City will continue to evaluate Witt throughout Sunday and even through Monday, when the team begins a four-game series against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Manager Matt Quatraro said on Sunday that Witt feels better and is moving around better than he was two days ago.
“We’re going to reevaluate as the day goes on, get him a bunch of treatments and see how he’s feeling before we take off [for St. Petersburg],” Quatraro said.
The Royals honor this tradition in quiet ways. For example, they allow kids in the clubhouse to celebrate with their dads after home wins.
“I think that’s one of the coolest things,” Wacha said. “My dad wasn’t a big leaguer, so I didn’t get to be able to do that type of stuff. But I think it will be something cool. I think it’s cool being in a big-league clubhouse, for sure.
“And hopefully, whenever they are older, we get a lot of pics of them in here. You know, something they can look back on and they’ll think is pretty cool, as well.”
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 2: Charles Barkley #34 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics at the Boston Garden on April 2, 1993 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The names are about to be read. The 2026 NBA Draft is tomorrow, and new names will join the annals of NBA history. But today, we arrive at the final chapter of this six-part series, identifying the best player ever drafted at each draft position in NBA history. And without question, the top 10 was the toughest section of this entire project.
I’ll admit something. I probably spent way too much time thinking about these selections. I’d write a few paragraphs supporting one player, feel pretty good about my choice, take my dog for a walk, and come back with an entirely different opinion. That’s what happens when you get to this part of the draft. You’re no longer comparing good players to great players. You’re comparing franchise icons to Hall of Famers. MVPs to champions. Players who defined generations against players who changed the sport itself.
It becomes less about identifying the correct answer and more about deciding which argument you find most compelling. Because that’s the thing about exercises like this. There isn’t a correct answer.
The word “best” is inherently subjective. It’s an arbitrary debate built on personal values, statistical accomplishments, championships, longevity, peak performance, cultural impact, and whatever other criteria you choose to prioritize. Every fan weighs those categories differently, which is why two intelligent basketball fans can look at the same list of accomplishments and arrive at completely different conclusions.
As we’ve moved closer and closer to the top of the draft, the decisions have become increasingly difficult. The honorable mention sections have gotten longer. The debates have become more nuanced. And the margins separating players have become razor-thin.
That’s especially true in the top 10. These aren’t simply great players. These are players who carried franchises. Players who won MVPs. Players who lifted trophies. Players whose names are permanently woven into the history of the NBA.
So let’s take one final trip through draft history and see where this journey ends. And if I change my mind three more times along the way, well, that wouldn’t exactly be surprising.
10. Paul Pierce (1998)
CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 19: Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on October 19, 1999 at Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images) | Sporting News via Getty Images
Honorable Mentions:
Paul George (2010)
Joe Johnson (2001)
Paul Westphal (1972)
Paul Silas (1964)
Suns Taken at 10:
Greg Howard (1970)
Ron Lee (1976)
Ed Pickney (1985)
Mikal Bridges (2018)*
Jalen Smith (2020)
Khaman Maluach (2025)**
*draft rights acquired on draft night ** draft rights re-acquired in the Kevin Durant trade
We kick off our final draft position in our final article of the series with Paul Pierce, whom the Boston Celtics drafted 10th overall in 1998 out of Kansas.
There are some good names on the honorable mention list, and three of them are former Phoenix Suns. Joe Johnson, Paul Westphal, and Paul Silas were all drafted 10th overall. But none of them reached the peak that Paul Pierce, a.k.a. The Truth, did during his 19 years in the NBA. That’s right. Nineteen years.
It all began in Boston, where he helped change the fortunes of a franchise that had been largely wandering since the Larry Bird era. By his fourth season in the NBA, he had played all 82 games, earned an All-Star selection, and made Third Team All-NBA while averaging 26.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
It was the first of 10 All-Star selections and four All-NBA honors. Three of those were Third Team selections, with the exception being a Second Team nod in 2008-09.
Pierce put up productive numbers throughout the front half of his career, but it wasn’t until Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett arrived that he reached the pinnacle. In 2008, he led the Celtics to an NBA championship and was named NBA Finals MVP, averaging 21.8 points, 6.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in a six-game Finals victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
That was the peak. As his career progressed, his production gradually declined. At age 36, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. He later spent time with the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers before retiring in 2017.
When you look at the totality of his career, however, it was unbelievably impressive and productive. That’s why Paul Pierce gets the nod as the best player ever drafted 10th overall.
9. Dirk Nowitzki (1998)
German basketball player Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks power forward, evades the challenge from German-American basketball player Detlef Schrempf, SuperSonics forward, during the NBA match between the Seattle SuperSonics and the Dallas Mavericks at the KeyArena in Seattle, Washington, 5th February 1999. The SuperSonics won the game 92-86. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Honorable Mentions:
Tracy McGrady (1997)
Amar’e Stoudmire (2002)
Shawn Marion (1999)
Jojo White (1969)
Andre Iguodala (2004)
Suns Taken at 9:
Shawn Marion (1999)
Amar’e Stoudmire (2002)
I love Tracy McGrady. Amar’e Stoudemire and Shawn Marion will forever be among my favorite players I’ve ever watched play for the Phoenix Suns. But the honor of the best player ever drafted ninth overall goes to Dirk Nowitzki, and I doubt I’ll get much argument in the comments about it.
Dirk is another player who has longevity on his side, playing 21 years in the NBA, all of them with the Dallas Mavericks. Ironically, he was drafted in 1998, one spot ahead of Paul Pierce, by the Milwaukee Bucks. But Milwaukee opted to trade him, along with Pat Garrity, to the Dallas Mavericks for Robert Traylor. From there, a Hall of Fame career was born.
From a Suns fan’s perspective, we know Nowitzki well. His mid-range dagger was automatic. It was revolutionary. We had never really seen a 7-footer operate the way he did, stretching defenses and creating offense from all over the floor. He also helped legitimize international players in a way few others had before him. You can make a strong argument that Dirk’s success helped usher in the European wave that has become such a significant part of today’s NBA.
So how did he end up in the Hall of Fame in 2023? The résumé speaks for itself. Dirk was a 14-time All-Star, a 12-time All-NBA selection, the 2007 MVP, and an NBA champion in 2011.
And while I’ll always have some disdain for those Dallas teams, especially after what Jerry Stackhouse did to Joe Johnson’s orbital bone, I respected the hell out of Dirk. Particularly in 2011. That Miami Heat team was a superteam. They were talented, confident, and at times an incredibly cocky group. When they started mocking Dirk for being sick during the Finals, it rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.
Dirk responded the best way possible. He averaged 26.0 points and 9.7 rebounds in the six-game series, shooting 42%, 37%, and 98% from the field, three-point range, and free throw line, respectively. More importantly, he completely shut them up.
That championship cemented his legacy. It also earned my respect.
8. Willis Reed (1964)
BALTIMORE, MD – CIRCA 1970's: Willis Reed #19 of the New York Knicks is guarded closely by Wes Unseld #41 of the Washington Bullets during a early circa 1970's NBA basketball game at the Baltimore Civic Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Reed played for the Knicks from 1964-74. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Honorable Mentions:
Robert Parrish (1976)
Sam Jones (1957)
Tom Chambers (1981)
Ron Harper (1986)
Vin Baker (1993)
Jack Sikma (1977)
Suns Taken at 8:
Gary Gregor (1968)
Mike Bantom (1973)
Marquese Chriss (2016)
The eighth overall draft position has produced some unbelievably valuable players over the years, along with plenty of key contributors to championship teams. And one bonehead in Marquese Chriss. While there are some worthy candidates here, I think the honor has to go to Willis Reed, whom the New York Knicks selected in the 1964 NBA Draft out of Grambling State.
Reed was the big man who helped lead the Knicks to two NBA championships, something the franchise wouldn’t accomplish again until this season. He made an immediate impact, winning Rookie of the Year in 1965 while also earning his first All-Star selection.
A few years later, he entered the peak of his career. Beginning in 1968, Reed put together a three-year stretch in which he finished no lower than second in MVP voting. In 1970, he finally won the award. That same season, he was First Team All-NBA and First Team All-Defense. More importantly, he was named NBA Finals MVP, an honor he would earn again in 1973.
The résumé is overwhelming. Reed was a seven-time All-Star, a two-time NBA champion, a five-time All-NBA selection, a two-time Finals MVP, a league MVP, a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, and a Hall of Famer. It’s hard for anyone drafted eighth overall to compete with that.
What’s remarkable is that he accomplished all of this in only 10 NBA seasons. Injuries ultimately took their toll on Reed, and nowhere was that more evident than during the 1970 NBA Finals. After suffering a torn quadriceps in Game 5, he missed Game 6 and appeared unlikely to play in the decisive Game 7 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Then came one of the most iconic moments in NBA history.
Reed emerged from the tunnel and took the floor.
He only scored four points, hitting the first two baskets of the game, but the emotional lift he provided swung the momentum firmly in New York’s favor. The Knicks went on to win the championship, and Reed was named Finals MVP. To this day, it’s remembered simply as “The Willis Reed Game.”
That’s the kind of legacy that makes this decision easy.
7. Stephen Curry (2009)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors waits for play to resume in a game against the Washington Wizards on December 18, 2009 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Honorable Mentions:
John Havelicek (1962)
Chris Mullin (1985)
Bernard King (1977)
Kevin Johnson (1987)
Richard Hamilton (1999)
Suns Taken at 7:
Tim Perry (1988)
Luol Deng (2004)*
*draft rights traded to the Bulls on draft day
Seventh overall is a tough one because you have John Havlicek sitting there. Hondo was a 13-time All-Star, an eight-time NBA champion, and an 11-time All-NBA selection. Perhaps recency bias plays into this particular decision because I never had the pleasure of watching him play. I should also note that this is one of those draft slots with some controversy attached to it. Basketball Reference has Havlicek drafted ninth overall in the 1962 NBA Draft, while NBA dot com and Wikipedia have him seventh overall. So even with a little controversy involved, I’m giving this one to Stephen Curry. The greatest shooter of all time.
While Curry doesn’t have the same career accolades as Havlicek, what he has accomplished is incredibly impressive when you consider the era in which he’s played. When Havlicek entered the league, there were only nine teams in the NBA. Curry has spent his entire career competing in a 30-team league. And what a career it has been.
The Baby Faced Assassin revolutionized basketball. He changed the geometry of the court and completely altered how the game is played. He owns the NBA record for most three pointers made in a career and most three pointers made per game for a career. He also holds the record for most three-point attempts in NBA history with 10,073. The efficiency is what makes it ridiculous. Curry is a career 42.2% three point shooter while taking a volume of shots no player before him would have even considered attempting.
Along the way, he’s won four championships, earned 12 All-Star selections, captured two scoring titles, led the league in steals in 2016, and won two MVP awards. And his career isn’t over. At 37 years old, he’s still one of the most dangerous offensive players in basketball. He may not be quite the same player he was during his unanimous MVP season, but he’s still capable of changing a game the moment he crosses half-court.
That’s what separates him. The numbers are incredible. The championships matter. The MVPs matter. But his impact on the sport is what ultimately puts him over the top. Stephen Curry didn’t simply dominate an era. He changed it.
6. Larry Bird (1978)
ATLANTA – JANUARY 1: Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics shoots a free throw during the NBA game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 1, 1980 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: Scott Cunningham/NBAE/Getty Images | NBAE via Getty Images
Honorable Mentions:
Lenny Wilkens (1960)
Damian Lillard (2012)
Adrian Dantley (1976)
Shane Battier (2001)
Brandon Roy (2006)
Suns Taken at 6:
William Bedford (1986)
Jarrett Culver (2019)*
*traded on draft day for Dario Saric and rights to Cameron Johnson
Again, you have some great names taken sixth overall in NBA history, but the fact that Larry Bird went sixth is a travesty. Or, if you’re a Boston Celtics fan, it’s a miracle.
Bird was selected sixth overall in the 1978 NBA Draft because he was an underclassman who chose to return to Indiana State for his senior season. Due to the draft rules at the time, many teams were unwilling to spend a premium pick on a player they couldn’t sign for a full year. The Celtics took the gamble and retained his exclusive rights.
Because of that, Boston essentially burned a top pick on a player who wouldn’t suit up for them for an entire season. That season, they went 29-53. When the 1979-80 season arrived, Larry Bird arrived with it.
From there, he put together one of the greatest 13-year careers you’ll ever find. He won Rookie of the Year in 1980, and one season later, helped lead Boston to its first championship of the decade. Bird wasn’t the Finals MVP in 1981 — that honor went to Cedric Maxwell — but it was the first title the Celtics had won since beating the Suns in the 1976 NBA Finals.
Larry Bird was a player who defied every stereotype. He was a goofy-looking kid from French Lick, Indiana, who possessed a devastating jumper, an innate ability to score, and a basketball IQ that became the tip of the spear for multiple Celtics championship teams. More than anything, he simply cared more than everybody else. When people talk about the competitive fire of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird belongs in that conversation, too.
After everything was said and done, he finished with three NBA championships and three consecutive MVP awards, winning them in 1984, 1985, and 1986. He was a 10-time All-NBA selection, a 12-time All-Star, a three-time All-Defensive Team member, and a two-time Finals MVP.
Larry Legend. The Hick from French Lick. The Great White Hope. Whatever nickname you prefer, Bird was one of the defining players in NBA history. Alongside Magic Johnson, he helped push the NBA into the mainstream consciousness and laid the foundation for what the league would eventually become.
5. Charles Barkley (1984)
HOUSTON – 1984: Charles Barkley #34 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during a game against the Houston Rockets circa 1984 at the Summitt in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1984 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Honorable Mentions:
Kevin Garnett (1995)
Dwayne Wade (2003)
Scottie Pippen (1987)
Ray Allen (1996)
Walt Frazier (1967)
Sidney Moncrief (1979)
Vince Carter (1998)
Suns Taken at 5:
Walter Davis (1977)
Alex Len (2013)
If you want to talk about one of the hardest draft slots to determine the best player from, look no further than fifth overall. Some of the names here are spectacular. From Scottie Pippen and Ray Allen to Walt Frazier and Sidney Moncrief, this is a who’s who of elite NBA talent.
But then there’s the top tier. This is one I’ve been going back and forth on for days. Is it Dwyane Wade, Kevin Garnett, or Charles Barkley? All three have a legitimate case.
When you look at Wade, he was the best player on a team that won a championship and the second-best player on two more championship teams. That’s three rings and a Finals MVP. He was a 13-time All-Star and arguably had the longest stretch of sustained success among the group.
Then there’s Kevin Garnett. He played the most games of the trio, has the highest value over replacement, won a championship, won an MVP, won a Defensive Player of the Year award, and made 15 All-Star teams. In fact, Garnett occupied this spot on my list for days.
But then there’s Charles Barkley. He never won a championship, but he’s also the only one of these three who had to run headfirst into Michael Jordan in order to try and win one. And he did a pretty damn good job getting there. You could argue that Barkley had the highest peak of the three. You could also argue he had the most sustained individual excellence.
For his career, he averaged 22.1 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. From 1986 through 1996, he averaged 24.2 points per game. He led the league in offensive rebounds three times and total rebounds once. He also led the NBA in two-point field goal percentage for five consecutive seasons in Philadelphia, doing so in an era before teams were stretching the floor with three-pointers.
I don’t think enough people remember how dominant Barkley was in Philadelphia. Part of that is because he was competing for attention against Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. Those guys understandably consumed much of the spotlight. Meanwhile, Barkley kept stacking All-Star appearances and All-NBA selections year after year, eventually culminating with his MVP season in 1993.
And that’s where I’m going to let a little bias creep in. This is close. Really close. You can make a compelling argument for all three players, and ultimately, it comes down to how you define the word “best.” There isn’t a wrong answer.
Barkley finished his career as an 11-time All-Star, an 11-time All-NBA selection, and the 1993 MVP, solidifying his place in the Hall of Fame. Pound for pound, there might not have been a better rebounder in NBA history outside of Dennis Rodman. What made Barkley different was that rebounding was only part of his game. He could score. He could shoot. He could post up. He could overpower you with his strength and will.
At only 6’6″, he routinely dominated players much bigger than him. He grabbed rebounds in traffic, created extra possessions, and turned them into points on the other end. Night after night, he imposed his will on games. He combined the mentality and physicality of a power forward with the offensive skill set of a much more versatile player. He wasn’t simply cleaning the glass. He was carrying offenses, creating mismatches, and producing at an elite level for more than a decade.
That’s why, even without the championship, Charles Barkley remains one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.
Dwyane Wade didn’t change Miami. Kevin Garnett didn’t change Minnesota. Charles Barkley changed Phoenix. Barkley arrived and immediately transformed the franchise, the city, and the way people viewed Suns basketball. He was a cultural icon. He was a superstar in every sense of the word.
A role model? Well, he’d be the first person to tell you he wasn’t. But he was Charles Barkley. And that’s enough for me.
4. Chris Paul (2005)
HOUSTON – FEBRUARY 17: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets dribbles the ball up court during the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge on February 17, 2006 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER:User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Honorable Mentions:
Russell Westbrook (2008)
Dikembe Mutombo (1991)
Chris Bosh (2003)
Dave Cowens (1970)
Dolph Schayes (1948)
Suns Taken at 4:
Corky Calhoun (1972)
John Shumate (1974)
Alvan Adams (1975)
Drgan Bender (2016)
Josh Jackson (2017)
Third overall gives us another quality list of players, as it should. What’s interesting about the third overall pick is that there are plenty of amazing players, but not many who served as the alpha on multiple championship teams. You could argue that Dave Cowens was, considering he won two championships with the Celtics in the 1970s and captured the 1973 MVP award.
But I’m giving this one to Chris Paul. Perhaps that’s recency bias again. Perhaps it’s because I had the opportunity to watch him closely for three seasons in Phoenix. Either way, Chris Paul gets the nod.
He’s one of the last members of a dying breed. You don’t find many cerebral, pass-first point guards left in today’s NBA, and that’s unfortunate. Go back and watch Chris Paul in his prime. Outside of the antics that drove opposing fans crazy, and drove Suns fans crazy until he finally arrived in Phoenix, he played a beautiful game.
At 6 feet tall, he impacted both ends of the floor. He knew how to run an offense. He knew how to control tempo. He knew how to defend opposing point guards to the point of irritation. Six times during his 21-year career, he led the NBA in steals, and five times he led the league in assists.
The production never stopped. The 2006 Rookie of the Year was also a career 37% shooter from beyond the arc, making him a threat whether he was creating for teammates or looking for his own shot. He spent time with several franchises throughout his career, although his longest stint came with the Clippers, where he played seven seasons. But those three years in Phoenix were special. Not only for the franchise, but for Chris Paul as well.
Despite all of his accomplishments, all of his statistics, and all of his awards, Phoenix was the only place he reached the NBA Finals. That 2021 run remains one of the defining moments of his career. When everything was said and done, Paul finished with 11 All-NBA selections, nine All-Defensive Team honors, and 12 All-Star appearances.
The Point God. A player I absolutely could not stand until he arrived in Phoenix. Funny how that happens when they start playing for your team.
Side note: The Suns sure have drafted plenty at third overall, and only one time did they get it right.
3. Michael Jordan (1984)
LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1985: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls goes in for a layup against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1985 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Jordan played for the Bulls from 1984-93 and 1995 – 98. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Jordan | Getty Images
Honorable Mentions:
Wilt Chamberlain (1959)
Luka Doncic (2018)
Kevin McHale (1980)
Pete Maravich (1970)
James Harden (2009)
Bob Cousy (1950)
Grant Hill (1994)
Suns Taken at 3:
Phoenix has never drafted from this position
There are certainly some tough discussions to be had as we navigate this top 10. Third overall is not one of them. Because drafted at this slot is the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball.
I know it’s a debate people have over and over again. For me, it’s not even close. You can argue that LeBron James has had the greatest career ever. That’s a fair argument. But Michael Jordan is the greatest player who has ever played the game.
One way I always make this argument is by asking a simple question: Would you consider a player with two championships, two Finals MVPs, three All-Defensive Team selections, one league MVP, and one Defensive Player of the Year award to be a Hall of Famer? Of course you would. That’s the gap between Michael Jordan and LeBron James when it comes to accolades.
I’ve had the benefit of watching both play. Yes, Jordan is tied to my youth, and there’s undoubtedly some nostalgia attached to what he accomplished. But even when I try to remove that from the equation, there’s simply nobody like him. When you combine athleticism, competitiveness, basketball IQ, the desire to win, and the ability to perform in the biggest moments, nobody checks every box the way Jordan did. Nobody.
There are some damn good players drafted second overall. Hall of Famers. MVPs. Champions. It doesn’t matter. I will be a Michael Jordan defender forever. Part of that is the emotional connection. When I was six years old in 1988, my dad told me to watch this guy because he had never seen anything like him. So I watched. Intently. Obsessively.
A John Voita original
I grew up idolizing Michael Jordan. I read the books. I got my left ear pierced because he had one. I shaved my head when the Bulls won championships during the summer, which is something I regret now because, well, I’m bald. Even as I sit here typing these words, there’s a painting I made of Michael Jordan hanging above me. That’s how much of an impact he had on me. I’ll always be a Suns fan. But I’ll always be a Jordan fan too.
When you look at his career accolades, they’re staggering.
Michael Jordan finished his career as a 14-time All-Star, a 10-time scoring champion, a three-time steals champion, an 11-time All-NBA selection, a nine-time All-Defensive Team selection, a five-time MVP (how did he only win five?!), a six-time Finals MVP, a six-time NBA champion, and the 1985 Rookie of the Year. And he did it all while wearing shoes that people are still lining up to buy decades later. That’s how iconic he was.
Jordan wasn’t simply a basketball player. He was a cultural phenomenon. His impact extended far beyond the court. He transcended the sport in a way few athletes ever have, becoming recognizable to people who never watched a single NBA game. But the reason all of that happened was because of what he did on the court.
He dominated. He won. He delivered in every big moment. And he made it look cool while doing it. For an entire generation, Michael Jordan wasn’t simply the best basketball player in the world. He was who you wanted to be.
Like Mike. If I could be like Mike.
2. Bill Russell (1956)
NEW YORK, NY – CIRCA 1960's: Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics defends the ball against the New York Knicks during a circa 1960's NBA basketball game. Russell played for the Celtics from 1956 – 69. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Honorable Mentions:
Jerry West (1960)
Kevin Durant (2007)
Isiah Thomas (1981)
Jason Kidd (1994)
Bob Pettit (1954)
Suns Taken at 2:
Neal Walk (1969)
Armen Gilliam (1987)
In the same breath, the best player ever drafted second overall is somebody who won and changed the game.
He played long before my time, and by today’s standards, he wasn’t an overwhelming offensive player. But he changed basketball with the way he defended, controlled the paint, and rebounded the ball. And if your argument for the greatest player ever begins and ends with championships, then Bill Russell is your guy.
Drafted second overall in 1956 out of the University of San Francisco, Russell was actually selected by the St. Louis Hawks. He was then traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan. What’s interesting is how it all came together.
The Rochester Royals held the first overall pick, but it was widely reported that Celtics owner Walter Brown, who was also a part-owner of the Ice Capades show, convinced the Royals to pass on Russell. In exchange, Brown guaranteed a series of Ice Capades performances in Rochester. Boston then capitalized on the circumstances and orchestrated the trade with St. Louis.
To be fair, the Hawks did pretty well for themselves. Macauley and Hagan helped them win a championship two years later. But the Celtics got Bill Russell. And the winning began.
Russell averaged only 15.1 points per game during his 13-year career, but he also averaged 22.5 rebounds. His best season came in 1963-64 when he averaged 24.7 rebounds per game. He simply owned the paint for an entire generation of basketball. His career playoff average of 24.9 rebounds per game remains an NBA record.
As a result, in 13 seasons, Bill Russell won 11 NBA championships. Eleven! What’s also interesting is that the NBA Finals MVP award didn’t exist until 1969, the final season of Russell’s career and the year he won his 11th championship. Yet he didn’t win the award. Instead, it went to Jerry West, marking the only time in league history that the Finals MVP was awarded to a player on the losing team.
When everything was said and done, Russell’s résumé was overwhelming. He was a 12-time All-Star, a four-time rebounding champion, a five-time MVP, a First Team All-Defense selection in 1969, which happened to be the first year the award existed, and an 11-time NBA champion. And to show just how much he meant to the sport, the NBA retired his No. 6 league-wide in 2022. Nobody else can say that.
1. LeBron James (2003)
SACRAMENTO, CA – OCTOBER 29: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes for a dunk against the Sacramento Kings during the NBA game at the Arco Arena on October 29, 2003 in Sacramento, California. 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 NBAE 2003 (Photo by Rocky Widner/ NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Honorable Mentions:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1969)
Magic Johnson (1979)
Hakeem Olajuwon (1984)
Tim Duncan (1997)
Shaquille O’Neal (1992)
Suns Taken at 1:
Deandre Ayton (2018)
I’ll start by acknowledging how tough it was to determine the best player ever drafted first overall in NBA history. Why? Because collectively, the No. 1 pick has produced 22 MVP awards, 50 NBA championships, roughly 250 All-Star selections, around 75 All-Defensive Team honors, and 19 Finals MVP awards.
There have certainly been some busts at the top of the draft (re: the only time the Suns ever drafted first overall), but there have also been some truly incredible players. The two that rose to the top for me, and the two that made this decision difficult, were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James.
Kareem changed the game in much the same way Bill Russell did, while also being an elite offensive player. His skyhook remains one of the most unstoppable shots basketball has ever seen, and I’m still not sure why more players haven’t tried to replicate it. He rode that shot to six championships, six MVP awards, and 15 All-NBA selections.
But if I want this list to be taken seriously, I think I have to give this one to LeBron James. Because while he didn’t change the game in quite the same way Kareem did, I believe he has had the greatest career from start to finish of any player in NBA history, especially when considering the weight of expectations.
The longevity alone is unbelievable. The fact that he’s still performing at such a high level this deep into his career is something we’ve never seen before. It’s always difficult to compare players across eras. We’ll never truly know how players from the early days of the NBA would have fared with today’s technology, training methods, nutrition, medical resources, and rules.
What we do know is that LeBron took advantage of everything the modern NBA had to offer and turned it into the greatest career we’ve ever seen. Not the most winning career.
Winning is part of the equation, a big part of it, but it’s only part of it. LeBron has won plenty while also maintaining a level of consistency that no player has ever matched. No player has appeared in more NBA games. No player has played more minutes. No player has attempted more field goals. No player has scored more points. And yes, nobody has turned the ball over more than LeBron James either. That’s what happens when you have the ball in your hands for more than two decades.
In an era where the league has expanded and the talent pool has become deeper than ever, LeBron has remained relevant. For his career, which now spans 23 seasons, he’s averaged 26.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. The accolades are ridiculous. He’s a 22-time All-Star, a four-time NBA champion, a 21-time All-NBA selection, a six-time All-Defensive Team member, a four-time MVP, and a four-time Finals MVP.
It’s hard to even comprehend those numbers when you stop and think about them.
What’s interesting is that he’s only led the league in scoring once, doing so in 2008 when he averaged 30.0 points per game. Yet in 2020, at age 35, he led the NBA in assists at 10.2 per game. That’s why I’ve never really viewed him as another Michael Jordan. To me, LeBron has always felt like a more physical version of Magic Johnson. And that’s another player who was drafted first overall.
In fact, when you look through the list of great No. 1 picks, you’ll see plenty of Lakers legends. Interestingly enough, only Magic was actually drafted by the Lakers. But that’s a story for another day.
For now, I tip my hat to The King. The greatest player ever drafted first overall in NBA history.
So that’s it. Every draft position and the best player drafted at each slot. 27,016 words spent answering a question I’ve always had, and now I have the data to back it up. Expect to see this article referenced for years to come as the Suns navigate future drafts, even if they’re picking near the back of the board for the foreseeable future.
But alas, the work is done. After six articles, one thing became abundantly clear. Greatness can be found anywhere in the draft. From Nikola Jokic at 41 to LeBron James at 1, the journey matters every bit as much as the destination. Some picks changed franchises. Some changed the sport itself.
And while we could debate the order endlessly, that’s part of the fun. The draft is hope, history, and hindsight all rolled into one. It’s potential versus production. Projection versus reality. Every selection carries a different story, and that’s what makes looking back through draft history so fascinating.
Because every year, teams walk to the podium believing they’ve found the next great player. Sometimes they’re right. Most of the time, they’re not. But that’s why we keep coming back to the draft year after year. And it all kicks off tomorrow night.
For posterity’s sake, here is the list in its final form:
The 2026 NBA Draft is on the horizon, bringing one of the most significant dates on the league’s calendar.
Childhood dreams of making it to the NBA will be achieved.
Teams will turn draft assets into tangible players who they hope will contribute to winning in the short- and long-term future.
St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor is on the LA Lakers’ radar ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
And in the background, teams will continue to explore the options that’ll help them achieve their goals for 2026–27.
For the Lakers, who have a first-round pick in the draft (No. 25), the opportunity the draft presents as it pertains to roster building can’t be whiffed on.
In their pursuit of assembling a roster that’ll be competitive against the 2026 Western Conference champion Spurs and 2025 NBA champion Thunder, the Lakers have two main options for their first-round pick: Trade it for a player who’s ready to compete for a title now alongside Luka Dončić or select a prospect whom they plan to develop and hope will help now and in the future.
If the Lakers choose the latter path, there isn’t a shortage of options of prospects who they should consider drafting.
Toward the top of that list should be St. John’s big man Zuby Ejiofor, whose hustle, defensive versatility and energetic style of play would be a welcome addition to the Lakers’ front court.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is keeping his eye on St. John’s star Ejiofor. Getty Images
Despite being an undersized big man, Ejiofor was an impactful defender throughout college because of his wingspan, instincts, strength and communication.
Ejiofor can switch onto perimeter ball handlers and contain them in isolations. And even if they get a step by him, he has the length and quickness to recover to either block or contest the shot.
And four years of college basketball helped showcase that he’s regularly in the right position defensively.
Ejiofor’s time in college allowed him to make significant strides as a passer/playmaker — which will be his strongest offensive skills in the NBA besides his reliable screening.
But his best attribute is how hard he plays — which has proven to be a skill.
It was evident in the 3.3 offensive rebounds he averaged in 2025–26 and the 4.4 offensive rebounds he averaged as a junior.
It was clear in the all-around growth he made as a player from his freshman year at Kansas to leading St. John’s to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.
A star-driven team like the Lakers could use more players like Ejiofor who give it their all on every possession, which raises the collective hustle and energy of the team.
Areas of improvement?
Ejiofor being undersized hurts him when it comes to scoring and finishing at the rim against bigger and longer players.
And if his 3-point shot isn’t going to be consistent (30.5% in 2025–26; 27.7% in college), then it’s going to be difficult for him to be viewed as an offensive threat outside of hustle plays because he’s limited in other areas since he isn’t an offensive creator.
If the shot doesn’t develop, Ejiofor’s ceiling likely would be as a change-of-pace energetic big man.
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The Warriors possess the No. 11 pick in this month’s NBA draft.
Who they pick with their highest selection since 2021 could hold the cards to not only the final years of Steph Curry’s career but also the future direction of the franchise.
This week, we are profiling five possible prospects GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. could target.
Former Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. is on the Warriors’ NBA draft radar. Getty Images
Concluding with Part 5:
Morez Johnson Jr.
Age: 20
Position: Forward
Height/weight: 6-foot-9 / 250 pounds
School: Michigan
Why he’s a fit
The Warriors were so short on frontcourt depth at the end of last season that they signed a center to their G League team that ended the regular season playing real NBA minutes.
Charles Bassey and Golden State’s three other big men — Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Quinten Post — all have uncertain futures. Even if some combination of them returns, a player whose game and body are as developed as Johnson’s will find a way to contribute.
Johnson teamed up with Yaxel Lendeborg, another possible Warriors target, and 7-3 center Aday Mara, who could also go in the lottery, to form one of the most physically formidable front courts in the country while leading Michigan to a national championship.
Johnson’s switchability and physicality on defense may remind you of another player from around those parts. He also has the same kind of length that has helped Draymond Green — a Michigan State man — be an elite defender, with a wingspan measuring 7-3 ½.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr might be in need of some frontcourt depth, and Johnson would fit the bill. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
Why he’ll last until No. 11
Johnson is the prototypical high-floor, low-ceiling player.
He doesn’t have a 3-point shot and hasn’t tried to incorporate one. He has the physicality to get to the rim and finish through contact but isn’t considered to have many moves in his bag.
That said, Johnson knows his skill set and doesn’t waste shots, setting an Illinois record for field-goal percentage as a freshman and shooting 62.7% mostly from close range at Michigan, where he averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds while starting all 40 games.
That doesn’t mean he is always a smart decision-maker on offense: He committed more turnovers (53) than he dished out assists (48). Foul trouble has also been a problem, though his 3.7 per 40 minutes with Michigan was an improvement over his 5.6 per 40 as a freshman.
Just as he makes up his lack of height with brute force, Johnson’s defensive prowess helps overshadow his offensive shortcomings, though he’ll have to work on avoiding the whistle.
NBA comp: Isaiah Stewart
Johnson’s pure physicality means he won’t be overwhelmed by the NBA. He lacks the upside of other lottery talent but could be of immediate help for the Warriors’ defensive scheme.
OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 28: Brady Tkachuk #7 of the Ottawa Senators before a face-off during a game against the Colorado Avalanche on January 28, 2026, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
News Around the League
Senators send captain Brady Tkachuk to Florida Panthers after he informed them he would not re-sign with the team. [Ottawa Citizen]
Florida had made an earlier trade with the Seattle Kraken sending Mackie Samoskevich there for a first and second round pick. [Florida Panthers]
What will replace Hockey Night in Canada? Women’s sports! [CBC]
Jonathan Toews annnounces retirement after 16 seasons and three Stanley Cups. [NHL]
Colorado Avalanche News
Zach Stortini named as ECHL expansion franchise (and new Avalanche minor league affiliate) New Mexico Goatheads’ first head coach. [Colorado Avalanche]
ICYMI: Pros and Cons of Jared Bednar returning to the Avalanche bench. [MHH]
The Avs have lost another depth player; this time to the KHL as reports are surfacing that indicate Zakhar Bardakov is leaving for Russia. [Denver Sports]
Goodbye Ross Colton as he is now a member of the Nashville Predators reuniting with former Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland. [Sportsnet]
KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 19: JJ Wetherholt #26 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Folks, I don’t think I got it today. I spent all of Thursday getting ready for a weekend trip, of course not giving myself enough time to do everything I wanted to do, so the entire day was hectic. I arrived at my destination that night, and then drank heavily for three straight nights. I am unfortunately saddled with the inability to sleep when I drink – I am a near guarantee to wake up at 5 or 6 in the morning and then struggle to go back to sleep. There is a bonus: I have avoided many a hangover because it hasn’t kicked in yet when I wake up. The downside is becoming a walking zombie.
Anyway, I drove home Sunday morning, but not to my house. It was Father’s Day after all. I drove straight to my parents house on something like a combined 15 hours sleep over the past three days. Actually 15 is probably optimistic. My dad got a JJ Wetherholt jersey and Masyn Winn bobblehead, so it was incredibly exciting when both hit homers in the 1st. I’m not kidding, we just finished giving him gifts and then the Cardinal game started not even five minutes later. I finally got home at 7 pm. And here we are.
So a quick article it is. But I don’t want to leave you with nothing so, some random observations for you
JJ Wetherholt’s ridiculous season
JJ Wetherholt is answer to the question: what if you just maxed out everything a baseball player does? JJ Wetherholt, at least in his first three months of professional baseball, has been an elite baserunner and elite fielder. It doesn’t matter what stat you use. He is +13 outs above average, which is quite literally 100 percentile among defenders according to Statcast. He is 95th percentile by baserunning value. He has 1.2 dWAR if you prefer Baseball-Reference. And his hitting isn’t bad either.
Wetherholt, now with 3.3 fWAR on the year, is on pace to have the best rookie season by a Cardinals player since Albert Pujols. And it’s pretty much equal to Pujols’ season. He’s on pace for 7.1 fWAR, Pujols had 7.2 fWAR. That’s a rounding error. I have comped him to Chase Utley before in sort of a pie-in-the-sky outcome – that is not a crazy comp. Utley was not a Hall of Famer caliber player because of his offense – well he sort of was – but he maxed out his baserunning and fielding value.
Ignore the power aspect – Citizen Banks Park is a much better park for homers than Busch Stadium, but even accepting that, Utley most likely has more power than Wetherholt ever will – if you look at the season by season wRC+ Utley had, it doesn’t feel THAT crazy anymore. Utley’s peak began with a 134 wRC+, which he followed with a 130 wRC+, and then a 150, then 134, 141, and 128 wRC+. Wetherholt still has work to do, since he’s “only” at a 127 wRC+ right now.
However, he is arguably getting unlucky. Maybe yesterday’s game fixes that. I don’t know. But he entered yesterday’s game with a .360 xwOBA and a .343 wOBA. His 3-5 day with two homers and a HBP rose his actual wOBA to .354. But you know, it probably raised his xwOBA too. Somewhat inexplicably his second homer carried an expected batting average of .030 while simultaneously being a homer in 19 parks. His single carried a .930 xBA and there’s no data on his first homer, but that was more of a no doubter. Point being, I think his xwOBA will still paint him as unlucky.
So that 130-140 wRC+ range doesn’t feel crazy, and we’re talking about a 23-year-old with 71 career games. While his baserunning and fielding really has nowhere to go but down, his hitting may not be a finished product. We really have a special player here.
Have faith in Masyn Winn
Even if I accepted that Masyn Winn was now an 80-85 wRC+ hitter carried by his defense, I have not really understood the discourse about replacing him. Let’s tackle positions that are actually a problem first. I don’t care if there are a lot of 3 win shortstops, that doesn’t make replacing him automatically easy. Wetherholt could most likely handle SS, but his greatest weakness is his arm, so he is very much not a guarantee that it would work and there’s very little chance he’s a better defender at SS than Winn.
I have also been very vocal in thinking he has more in the tank offensively. He’s still just 24-years-old. I don’t think his best offensive days are behind him. I also look at like this: we don’t need Masyn Winn’s bat to better. It’s almost a bonus. I think it can be better, but we’re not dependent on it being better. Winn will still be a valuable player and a worthy starter on a playoff caliber team even if his bat is what it is. Despite a slow start with the bat and with defensive numbers that I think will get better, he’s still nearly on pace for a 3 WAR season.
Is anybody else worried about Gordon Graceffo?
Graceffo is really working on a razor’s edge right now. He is not missing bats, he is walking too many, and he’s not really getting a lot of groundballs either. ERA is the only stat that makes him look good, the rest make him look… unplayable honestly. Every single one of them. His bad game on Thursday was a long time coming, and he has 4 walks to zero strikeouts in his last 3.1 innings of work. I had kind of assumed his advanced stats would start creeping towards his ERA at some point, and they really haven’t.
It’s interesting how much even the analytical fans will trust a good ERA, because I just haven’t seen a lot of talk about Graceffo. By literally any advanced stat and I genuinely think I’m using literally correctly here, we should trust Ryne Stanek more than Graceffo. We should trust Justin Bruhl more! Why can’t he miss any bats???
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 10: Tomoyuki Sugano #11 of the Colorado Rockies walks with his interpreter Yuto Sakurai before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 10, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-0. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Whenever Colorado Rockies pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (菅野 智之) pitches or speaks to the media, you may notice the man who flanks him. This is Yuto Sakurai, who has served as Sugano’s interpreter for the last two years.
However, before Sakuari worked for Sugano, he had other roles that shaped how he approaches his current work.
Early Life
Sakurai was born in Tokyo, Japan, but moved to the United States at a young age.
“I was probably four or five,” he said. “I remember going to kindergarten in LA, so it was just a short stint in LA that I had.”
And after a few years, his family moved back to Japan where he completed elementary and junior high school. But when he was a teenager, he moved to Vancouver, Canada.
“I wanted to play baseball in the States, but with visa complications, Canada or Australia was my second option,” he recalled. “And I thought ‘Well, the United States is right next door, so close enough.’ And that’s why I chose Canada.”
Sakurai also attended university in Canada, where he initially studied psychology and business but ultimately finished his degree in marketing.
“My friends were all taking business classes, and I thought, ‘Why not take business?’” he said. “And then while doing my business major, I took one of the marketing courses and just fell in love with it. It was a course called ‘Personal Selling’ or something like that. I really enjoyed the negotiation tactics and the communication aspect of marketing, so I think that’s when I kind of shifted.
“Studying wasn’t really my thing,” he laughed. “But in terms of acquiring language, it was one of the good things I was able to do so I guess it all worked out in the end.”
And even though Sakurai isn’t currently working in marketing, he credits the skills he learned with “absolutely” helping him land his roles in Major League Baseball.
“Being in this role, I’ve had to communicate with various people from different departments,” he said, “someone like you from the media or the PR from our team, business and baseball ops people, and then, of course, players. So it has definitely helped me out.”
Pivoting to Major League Baseball
Before Sakurai was hired by Sugano, he worked for another Japanese pitcher, Shun Yamaguchi (山口 俊). Yamaguchi and Sugano played together on the Yomiuri Giants in the NPB, and Yamaguchi was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in December 2019. Unfortunately, his MLB career never quite took off, in part because of the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
Yamaguchi made his MLB debut on July 26, 2020 and made 17 appearances that year. He went 2-4 with a 8.06 ERA across 25.2 innings. He was designated for assignment in February 2021 and signed by the San Francisco Giants, but was eventually released in July after not making another appearance in the majors.
“He was supposed to be a starter, but he ended up becoming a middle reliever,” Sakurai recalled. “It was during the 2020 shortened season – the COVID year – so he didn’t really have a chance to play that year. The Giants picked him up, but he never got to the major leagues. I think we played half the season in Sacramento.
“When he signed with the [San Francisco] Giants, I was like, ‘I have a background in Vancouver,’” he continued, “so I thought I could help him out with making the adjustments – coming over here, but also playing. And when I saw the news, I applied, and luckily they saw my email, and that’s how things started.”
After his role with Yamaguchi, Sakurai took a sabbatical from being an MLB interpreter.
But then another opportunity presented itself in 2025.
Connecting with Tomoyuki Sugano
After spending 12 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants, Tomoyuki Sugano signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles as he fulfilled a longtime goal of playing Major League Baseball. However, he needed an interpreter to help him navigate life in the United States.
That’s when Sakurai decided to shoot his shot again.
“I saw Tomo sign with the Orioles last year, and I thought, ‘Why not shoot the GM an email and see what the response will be like?’ And luckily, I got a response, and that’s how the thing started rolling,” he said.
“I had an interview with his agent, Shawn Novak, who speaks both English and Japanese fluently,” Sakurai continued. “And I had two different interviews with him and his agency, and then I was one of the final candidates and then got to speak with Tomo next on Zoom. He asked me a bunch of questions, but it seemed like he was looking for someone who is willing to help not only on the field, but off the field and have a relationship with and hang out with. So I was like, ‘Sure, why not?’”
Sakurai was based in Japan at that time, but moved back to the US when he was hired by Sugano. And part of his role is to help Sugano communicate with coaches, media, etc., but also to help him adjust to life in the US.
“I guess it’s helped – in a good way – that he’s single and didn’t have any family to be with over here,” Sakurai said. “I’m basically kind of replacing the family component there, so we just hang out every day – go out for lunch, go out for dinner, go golf together. Whichever city we go to, we try to find something to do. He likes to go to amusement parks, so we’ve been to a couple different Six Flags in the last year. And just seeing each other every other day kind of helped with the bonding process.”
And the two are pretty much inseparable at this point.
“I’m pretty much with Tomo 24 hours everywhere except for the time I fall asleep,” Sakurai said.
“I wake up and usually he tells me, ‘Let’s meet up downstairs’ or [we’ll] go have lunch or coffee. That’s how my day usually starts. We go grab lunch, and then on a road trip, we come back, take the bus to the stadium, and from there on, you see what’s going on. I’m always with him on the field, and once the game is over, we take the same bus back. And if we don’t end too late, we usually go grab dinner together or have dinner at the stadium and go our separate ways afterwards.”
Perks of being an interpreter
On top of being connected to a legendary pitcher like Sugano, Sakurai has been enjoying being an MLB interpreter.
One of the most surprising things, though, was how ‘normal’ most of these guys are.
“You used to think of all these guys as your childhood heroes,” he said. “I mean, they still are, but how they interact with myself and Tomo, they’re just regular people, too. I was surprised about how a lot of them are very humble. They have respect for each other. No matter who you are, they will treat you with respect.”
And specifically with guys like Mike Trout, Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, he has made sure to stay the same and not get too caught up in the moment.
But the biggest lesson he’s learned so far?
“Maybe try not to stand out too much,” he said, “because I am a staff member. I’m not a player, so essentially I have to hide in the shadows, per se, and do my job discreetly and try not to get too ahead of myself.”
Having worked for four organizations, Sakurai has noticed a few differences, but noticed one thing in particular that the Rockies excel at doing.
“I feel like we have a family-like team, per se. Like, the first day of spring training, everybody was welcoming from top to bottom,” he said. “Not all the teams have that, so I really appreciate that component. And even still now, we have a good thing going on. Everybody says hi to each other every single day coming in, and I really like that. It’s a long season to battle, so you want to get along with everybody as much as possible, and I think this organization has the best of it.”
However, Sakurai has one favorite part of the job that’s unique to his particular role.
“When I get to go on the mound with Alon [Leichman],” he said, “talking about what to do with the next hitter and stuff like that in front of 30,000 or 40,000 fans.”
“That’s something that not everybody gets to do – even as players,” he emphasized. “Position players wouldn’t really go up to the mound during the game unless they’re on the field already. So I think that’s my favorite part about this job. But otherwise, pretty much everything you get to do, like talk to the players that you typically see on TV on a daily basis. I get to do what I like to do – play catch with the guys. And last but not least, I like to travel. If it wasn’t for this job, I probably wouldn’t go to places like Cincinnati or Kansas City.”
But at the end of the day, Sakurai feels the same as most players about what he’s looking most forward to for the rest of the 2026 season.
“I think it’s the same with all the players and all the staff for all 30 organizations,” he said. “I think everybody’s ultimate goal is to get that championship ring, and I would love to accomplish that dream with these guys.”
And any advice to anyone who wants to get into this field?
“I think it’s just like any other job or any other dreams that people have,” Sakurai said. “If you put in the work for it, or you have the desire – like, for me, I wanted to work in Major League Baseball, and of course I had to put some effort in – anything is achievable.”
It was a back-and-forth affair in Albuquerque, but unfortunately, the Space Cowboys (HOU) came out on top. DH Nick Kent, second baseman Chad Stevens and catcher Jose Cordova all recorded two hits.
First baseman CJ Alexander got things started for the Space Cowboys in the first with a two-run homer, but Kent answered back in the bottom half with a solo shot of his own. Catcher César Salazar singled to put the Cowboys up 3-1, then Alexander walked with the bases loaded to score another run.
Kent doubled again in the third to score Dew Avans, and then Stevens singled to score Kent. Second baseman Pascanel Ferreras tripled to score left fielder Cavan Biggio in the sixth, and then Mike Antico hit a sac fly to score Stevens. A wild pitch by RHP Ryan Weiss then scored Cordova. Another triple, this time by third baseman Vimael Machín, scored first baseman Charlie Condon (No. 1 PuRP) to give the Topes the lead, but it was quickly erased by a Biggio two-run homer in the eighth to end the scoring.
It was homer-fest in Hartford as the Yard Goats defeated the Fightin Phils (PHI) 7-4. DH Cole Messina (No. 26 PuRP) got things started in the first, scoring catcher Bryant Betancourt on a two-run homer to jump out to an early lead. Unfortunately, the Phils plated four runs in the third — all off RHP Fisher Jameson. Jameson ended up pitching three innings, but only allowed damage in his first inning. The Phils started off the third with a left fielder Bryson Ware homer, then center fielder Pedro León hit a three-run homer to put them on top. Goats’ first baseman Jimmy Obertop hit a homer in the fourth to cut into the lead, and then right fielder GJ Hill homered in the fifth to tie the game.
The first (and only) non-homer score came later in the fifth, when center fielder Conner Capel doubled to score shortstop Andy Perez. Betancourt wanted in on the homer parade, hitting a two-run shot as the final scoring hit.
DH Tommy Hopfe and right fielder Max Belyeu (No. 15 PuRP) each recorded multiple hits in the Indians’ 9-5 loss to the Canadians (TOR). Belyeu went 2-for-5 with two runs scored, one RBI, one walk and two strikeouts. Hopfe went 3-for-4 with three RBI.
Belyeu got things started with a leadoff homer to put the Indians’ up 1-0. Hopfe then hit a sac fly to score second baseman Roynier Hernandez later in the inning to put them up 2-0. In the third inning, DH Eric Snow hit a three-run homer to put the Canadians over the top. In the fourth, left fielder J.R. Freethy scored catcher Edward Duran on another sac fly, and then Hopfe doubled in the fourth to score Belyeu and Hernandez.
In the sixth and seventh, the Canadians blew things open with a double and two, two-run homers to put them up 9-4. Left fielder Jacob Hinderleider doubled in the seventh to score catcher Alan Espinal, but that ended the scoring and the comeback.
It was a pitchers’ duel for most of the game in Fresno, as the scoring didn’t start until the seventh inning and ended with a walk-off. DH Luis Mendez led the way, going 3-for-4. Rehabbing second baseman Adael Amador and center fielder Roldy Brito (No. 11 PuRP) each went 2-for-4, and Brito also struck out once.
66ers (SEA) second baseman Dervy Ventura broke through the brick wall that was RHP Austin Newton when he hit a sac fly to score left fielder Ricardo Cova. It was the only run allowed by Newton, who also allowed three hits and struck out two batters in 6.1 innings of work.
In the Grizzlies half of the inning, catcher Jesus Freitez hit a sac bunt, and then right fielder Carlos Renzullo scored on a fielding error by pitcher Ray Cebulski. The walk-off also came off the bat of Freitez, who singled to score shortstop Ashly Andujar (No. 20 PuRP).
Patrick Saunders has covered the Rockies since 1998 and his final game will be this Wednesday, June 24th against the Boston Red Sox at Coors Field. He shares some of his favorite stories from his career as he bids goodbye to the Rockies beat. Thank you, Patrick, for your excellent coverage of Denver sports over the years. You will be missed!
Saturday night’s game ended with a rare 5U out due to an interference call. Kyle Karros fielded a ground ball from Jake Mangum with the bases loaded, and immediately started to look around without throwing anything. Turns out, the foot of Billy Crook grazed his glove while he was running from second to third, triggering runner interference. Crew chief Todd Tichenor explained it as such: “The runner failed to avoid the defender in the act of fielding the baseball; therefore, he’s called out. It’s very simple.” Luckily, the Rockies were on the winning side of the bizarre ending!
TJ Rumfield has been setting toe world league on fire, slashing .279/.359/.483 with 28 extra-base hits in his first 75 games as a Major League Baseball player. He’s making a case for NL Rookie of the Year, and Thomas Harding talked to him about the lessons he learned in the minor leagues that prepared him for this moment.
TORONTO, ON - MAY 4: Dan is seen in the broadcast booth just prior to the Jays vs Texas Rangers game at the ACC. Dan Shulman is the play-by-play voice calling games for the Blue Jays. Story is on his famously deep, silky voice. (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images
These clubs have appeared in 5 of the last 9 World Series. Each have run into various road blocks in 2026, but the winner of this upcoming series could potentially springboard to new life in the second half of the season.
Blue Jays Play By Play Man Dan Shulman joins us to discuss the Astros upcoming series at the Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto.
Q: Let’s start with George Springer. Could he be turning the corner?
A: George has looked better lately. He fouled a ball off his toe earlier this season, fractured it, missed 17 games, and it seemed to take him a while to get his timing back when he returned. But lately there have been signs that he is turning it around. He is drawing a lot of walks lately, and if the power stroke returns too, that would really help the Jays.
Q: For the Astros, injuries have drastically hindered their season thus far. What have been the biggest hurdles for the Blue Jays?
A: They have been decimated by injuries too. Addison Barger and Alejandro Kirk both suffered injuries very early in the season. Barger sprained his ankle, returned for one game, and suffered an elbow injury on a throw. He has only appeared in 9 games. Kirk fractured his thumb in early April and just returned last week.
As mentioned, Springer was on the IL and so was Nathan Lukes. Daulton Varsho is on the IL now with a wrist issue.
On the pitching side, Jose Berrios underwent Tommy John surgery, Cody Ponce tore his ACL, Dylan Cease was on the IL for 15 days, Max Scherzer missed more than a month and Shane Bieber is just now nearing a return after some arm fatigue following his Tommy John surgery. So they have had more than their fair share of bullpen games as they try to find 5 starters. They’re getting healthier now but it’s been a huge part of their struggles.
Q: If you had to predict, which Jays “will” or “should” make the All Star Game next month in Philadelphia?
A: I think Ernie Clement should and will. He’s had a very good season, and in my mind, deserves to be the starter at 2nd base for the American League.
Louis Varland has been one of the best relievers in the majors, he should be there and I think he will be. I think Dylan Cease should as well, and likely will. Even with a brief stint on the IL, he’s been one of the better starting pitchers in the AL.
Even though he’s not having an All-Star caliber season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could get voted in.
Q: Lastly, it’s been a roller coaster with the pitching rotation which Astros fans can relate to. What’s the latest?
A: They need to find 5 healthy, effective starters. Cease and Gausman are a great 1-2 punch. Trey Yesavage has had his ups and downs this year but still gives them a quality starting pitcher. A healthy Bieber would be a great addition. The bullpen has been worked hard, Fluharty and Fisher are among MLB leaders in appearances. But for the most part, it is a strong bullpen.
Defenseman Noah Dobson was dealt for the No. 16 and No. 17 picks, along with pending restricted free agent Emil Heineman.
On Sunday, we saw our first blockbuster trade of this draft season.
The Florida Panthers acquired Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for No. 9 and No. 25 in this year's draft, a 2029 first-round pick (top-10 protected), and a 2027 second-round pick.
The two deals aren't comparable, in the slightest, but it is interesting to look at value.
Dobson, despite being overrated by many within the Islanders' fan base, is an offensive defenseman who recorded a 70-point season at age 24 before a down season.
He was also a pending restricted free agent who forced general manager Mathieu Darche to trade him after the two sides couldn't agree on a contract extension, before he inked an eight-year deal worth $9.5 million annually.
Tkachuk, who won gold with his brother Matthew representing Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics, is a three-time 30-goal scorer, a now former captain, and some teams hate to play against him given his grit.
In terms of the returns, there's no question Darche got back a lot for Dobson, especially given the little leverage he did have.
Victor Eklund, who they took at No. 16, and Kashawn Aitcheson, who they took at No. 17, are likely big pieces of their future alongside Calder winner Matthew Schaefer.
Tkachuk's package is significantly stronger, even if Senators fans don't see it that way right now.
While general manager Steve Staois didn't have leverage and Florida was really the only team he was going to go to, despite having the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes as options, he also didn't have to trade Tkachuk at this moment.
He had two seasons left at $8.205 million annually, and Staios could have forced his star to add more teams to his willing-to-be-traded-to list like Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman did with Dylan Larkin.
Obviously, Brady's dream was to play with Matthew, and with NTC handed out like candy, he made that a reality.
Honestly, is it fair to say that Ottawa got back what Tkachuk is worth if not more?
We are talking about three first-round picks and a second-round pick, with a few of them likely on the move to add a top-six scorer like Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson or St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou.
The real question is, how many more blockbuster trades are coming before Friday's NHL Draft?
