It's been a big year for Michigan basketball's Vlad Goldin who got engaged, saw his family for the first time in years and will work toward the NBA.
Top Five: Which Celebrity Will Introduce The Senators' First Round Draft Pick On Friday Night?
The 2025 NHL Draft is set for Friday night in Los Angeles, where they're experimenting with some new ideas this year. The biggest one is that all NHL team executives and scouts will stay back in their home cities, calling in their selections to the Peacock Theatre, where the draft is being hosted.
In the first round, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will make the first overall selection on behalf of the New York Islanders to lead off the draft. But after that, almost every NHL team—if not all—has come up with a special guest to make their first-round selection. It might be a current player, a member of the team’s alumni, or a celebrity who has some kind of tie to the team.
So the question becomes: who will the Ottawa Senators choose to announce their 21st overall selection? With virtually no research as to where in the world these people will be this weekend, let's handicap the field.
Because let's face it, you haven't had enough mock drafts this month.
5. Alanis Morrissette 10/1
The Ottawa native sang the Canadian anthem before the Ottawa Senators’ first-ever home game back in 1992, so her heritage with the team goes back a long way. She also sang the anthem before Game 4 of Ottawa's only Stanley Cup Final appearance back in 2007. And she still doesn’t mind jumping into the hockey fray—singing the anthem before Game 7 of the Cup Final between Florida and Edmonton last year.
She lives in the Bay Area, so it’s only about an hour-long flight to L.A. Choosing her wouldn’t be ironic—like most of the things she sings about in her song of the same name—but it would be kind of cool.
4. Annie Murphy 8/1
Murphy played Alexis Rose in the hit sitcom Schitt’s Creek, one of the most popular Canadian TV shows of all time. She's now on the new season of Nine Perfect Strangers with Nicole Kidman. Murphy grew up in Ottawa and has been to several Senators games, even jumping on for an interview with TSN’s Claire Hanna during an intermission this past season. Can’t go wrong if your special guest is A Little Bit Alexis. Boop.
3. Brady Tkachuk or Daniel Alfredsson 8/1
We're jamming them into the same frame because it's pretty much the same idea: the Senators’ leader of today or the one from the past. It would be a good debate to see which of them is more popular in Ottawa, and both would be appreciated by the fan base if they came out to welcome the newest Ottawa Senator.
2. Brooke Henderson 5/1
In 2022, the Smiths Falls native proudly wore a Senators jersey at The Rink hole at the Canadian Open when it was played in Ottawa. She also committed last year to a multi-year partnership with the Senators and has frequently been a guest of the team, dropping the puck at games. The LPGA’s Dow Championship is on right now in Midland, Michigan, and Brooke is unlikely to fly across the country in the middle of a tournament. After a glance at the round one leaderboard, it doesn't look like she’s playing this week.
1. Claude Giroux 5/1
I feel like it's 50/50 that Giroux agrees to an extension, but if he does sign, what a fine way to announce it. Maybe something like:
“Good evening. I’m excited to be back with the Ottawa Senators next season, and with the 21st selection, the Senators select (insert name here).”
We could even bring it full circle to Giroux’s draft day and have the in-house announcer go all Bobby Clarke on him and forget Giroux's name.
There it is. We've drafted the drafters. Who do you like? The Sens' Gladiator? Paul McClone? DJ Prosper? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa
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NHL Trade Rumors: Penguins Have Prime Target In Utah Forward
The Pittsburgh Penguins are currently retooling their roster. While there certainly is a chance that they could end up trading away some of their key players before the off-season is done, they also should not be afraid to acquire players who could help them in the long term.
When observing trade candidates around the NHL, one player who the Penguins should seriously consider targeting this off-season is Utah Mammoth forward Matias Maccelli.
Maccelli, 24, is currently a popular name in the rumor mill. It is fair to say that the 2019 fourth-round pick could use a change of scenery, as he was the subject of multiple healthy scratches this season with Utah. In addition, he struggled in 2024-25, posting eight goals, 18 points, and a minus-13 rating in 55 contests.
While Maccelli's offensive numbers this season were certainly low, he undoubtedly has the potential to bounce-back in the right situation. Just back during the 2023-24 campaign with the Arizona Coyotes, he set career highs with 17 goals, 40 assists, and 57 points in 82 games. This was after he had 11 goals and 49 points in 64 games with the Coyotes during his 2022-23 breakout campaign.
When looking at Maccelli's past success, he is the kind of young forward that the Penguins should consider taking a shot on him. Given how this past season went for Maccelli, his trade value is lower, so the Penguins likely would not need to give up too much to get him.
If Maccelli bounced back in Pittsburgh, he would have the potential to become a key part of their top six and power play. Yet, at a minimum, he could give their third line a boost, which is one of Pittsburgh's need.
Nevertheless, it will be intriguing to see if the Penguins end up pursuing Maccelli this off-season. When noting that he is a young, skilled forward who has had past success, he could be worth taking a gamble on.
Penguins Open To Making Significant TradeThe Pittsburgh Penguins currently hold the 11th and 12th overall picks of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. With this, they have the chance to land two very good prospects. That is, of course, if they elect to hold onto both of their picks. However, based on a recent report, this is not a guarantee.
Photo Credit: © Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Austin Warren, Dedniel Núñez lead 'unbelievable' Mets bullpen in relief of injured Griffin Canning
The Mets’ bullpen was really put to the test on Thursday night.
Griffin Canning cruised his way through the first two innings against the Braves, but he was forced to leave the game in the third after suffering what appears to be an Achilles injury coming off the mound awkwardly.
Austin Warren, who was recalled prior to the game, then entered and picked up right where Canning left off.
After putting the finishing touches on the third, the right-hander put together 2.1 scoreless innings of work, allowing just one baserunner and striking out two in his second big league appearance of the season.
“The adrenaline kicked in right away and took over,” Warren said postgame. “Mendy told me every time I came in just to keep filling it up, I knew they needed a couple of innings out of me and pitch count is a big thing -- defense made some plays behind me, I had some punchouts and it all just worked out.”
Dedniel Núñez followed that up with arguably his best outing of the season -- retiring all six batters he faced over two scoreless innings of his own, and striking out the side in the top of the seventh.
Núñez looked back to his dominant form from last year and he’s now gone seven consecutive appearances without allowing a run.
“First of all, I’m just grateful to God for my health,” Núñez said through an interpreter. “But today I felt really good, I was able to attack the hitters like I did last year and I was really just able to focus in on executing my pitches, and I was able to help the team in any way I could.”
Ryne Stanek then delivered his third consecutive scoreless appearance before Edwin Diaz came on and put the finishing touches on the victory in the top of the ninth.
Overall, the bullpen combined to allow just two hits over 6.1 scoreless innings as they locked up the series split.
“Unbelievable job,” Carlos Mendoza said. “Once Griff goes down, you hate to see it and in the back of my mind, it’s like how are we going to get through nine innings -- for Warren to finish that inning, then go out for the fourth and fifth, just throwing strikes and giving us a chance.
“Then Núñez probably the best we’ve seen out of him, more like the Núñez we saw last year consistently -- the velo, the slider, throwing strikes. I wanted to stay away from Stanek, but him coming in there with just seven pitches and then Sugar finishing it off, just a hell of a job from the bullpen.”
Knicks select forward Mohamed Diawara with No. 51 pick in 2025 NBA Draft
The Knicks have selected forward Mohamed Diawara with the 51st overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft on Thursday night.
New York originally had the No. 50 pick, but while they were on the clock, the Knicks traded the pick to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Diawara, 20, has played in France the past few seasons with this past year being his best while playing with Cholet Basket of the Betclic Elite league. The 6-foot-8 Diawara averaged 5.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 19.6 minutes on the court across 27 games.
Sources tell SNY's Ian Begley that Diawara will play for the Knicks' Summer League team. Contract details are still to be determined.
Diawara is good friends with Pacome Dadiet, the Knicks' 2024 first-round pick, who is also from France. According to NBADraft.net, Diawara's strengths include his ball-handling and he was notably used as the primary defender for the opposing team's primary ball-handler while playing for France's U20 team.
Great’s reality check for Green as crossroads loom; Cummins’ epic feat reveals true worth: Talking Pts
The first Test between the West Indies and Australia hangs in the balance after another dramatic day in Bridgetown, with fast bowlers from both sides showing their class.
Timely hitting, stellar pitching help Mets secure series split with 4-0 win over Braves
After dropping the first two games, the Mets battled back to secure the series split with a 4-0 win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night at Citi Field.
Here are some takeaways...
- Griffin Canning retired the first six batters he faced before allowing a leadoff single in the third -- a few batters later, the righty was forced to leave with a non-contact ankle injury. Canning went down in immense pain after seemingly coming off the mound awkwardly. He stayed down for several moments before being helped off, unable to put any pressure on his leg.
Canning's been putting together a career-best season, pitching to a 3.77 ERA across 16 outings.
- Right-hander Austin Warren came on in emergency relief and he picked up right where Canning left off -- allowing just one baserunner and striking out two over 2.2 terrific innings of work in his second big-league appearance of the season.
Warren's been putting together a strong year in Triple-A, posting a 3.94 ERA over 19 appearances.
- The Mets were held in check over the first three innings by Braves starter Grant Holmes, but they were able to get on the board in each of the next two frames as Tyrone Taylor lifted a sacrifice fly to right in the fourth and Pete Alonso lined up a clutch two out RBI single in the fifth.
Alonso has hit a bit of a tough stretch, but he had three knocks after being named an All-Star finalist.
- New York would tack on a few innings later against left-hander Dylan Dood thanks to three straight two-out knocks, the last of which was a Jeff McNeil two-run single to shallow center to make it a 4-0 ballgame -- McNeil delivered four hits during the four-game series.
- The rest of the Mets' bullpen was spectacular behind Warren. Dedniel Núñez put together his best outing of the season, retiring all six batters he faced and striking out the side in the seventh. Ryne Stanek then delivered his third straight scoreless appearance, and Edwin Diaz closed the door in the ninth.
Overall, the bullpen allowed just two baserunners over 6.1 innings after Canning left with the injury.
- With Mark Vientos officially set to return on Friday, the Mets' infield depth continues to produce. Brett Baty reached base two more times on the night and Ronny Mauricio picked up another knock, giving him five over the last three games. Carlos Mendoza said pregame that it's possible the Mets keep Mauricio even with Baty and Vientos on the roster.
- With the Mets' second straight win and the Phillies losing to the Astros for the third straight game earlier this afternoon, New York has officially jumped back into first place in the NL East.
Game MVP(s): The bullpen
What more can be said about New York's pitching -- they were absolutely spectacular on a night they desperately needed them to be.
Highlights
Griffin Canning starts the night with back-to-back strikeouts! pic.twitter.com/0lDEMKjj3o
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 26, 2025
Griffin Canning is leaving the game with an apparent leg injury pic.twitter.com/FAKwmx66un
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 26, 2025
Tyrone Taylor's sac fly brings in Juan Soto for the first run of the game pic.twitter.com/65OV5hKwbn
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 27, 2025
Pete Alonso lines one up the middle for an RBI single! pic.twitter.com/OHIefFMUt7
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 27, 2025
Dedniel Núñez strikes out the side in the 7th! pic.twitter.com/mZ7iyaCSkZ
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 27, 2025
Jeff McNeil drives in two more and it's 4-0 Mets! 👏 pic.twitter.com/2dhgVD4Q1A
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 27, 2025
What's next
The Mets head to Pittsburgh to start a three-game weekend set with the Pirates.
David Peterson (5-2, 2.98 ERA) starts the opener against Mitch Keller (1-10, 4.02 ERA) at 6:40 p.m. on SNY.
Lakers trade up again to acquire Adou Thiero at No. 36 in NBA draft
The Lakers were busy making moves Thursday, doing all they could to move up in the second round of the NBA draft.
Moving up to No. 36 in the draft with their second trade of the day, the Lakers acquired Adou Thiero out of Arkansas.
To get what many with the Lakers and around the NBA view as a “super athletic wing” in the 6-foot-6 Thiero, the Lakers first traded their 55th pick and about $2.5 million in cash to the Chicago Bulls for their 45th pick. Then the Lakers sent that No. 45 pick and cash considerations to the Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire the rights to Thiero (originally selected by the Brooklyn Nets), according to a person with knowledge of the deal not authorized to speak publicly.
Read more:2025 NBA draft: Pick-by-pick coverage and analysis
The deal will be finalized at a later date.
Thiero averaged 15.1 points on 54.5% shooting from the field and 5.8 rebounds last season for the Razorbacks.
He needs to improve his shooting, as do many second-round wing players, but the Lakers think Thiero will improve on that over time.
The Lakers and other NBA scouts compare the 220-pound Thiero to Knicks forward OG Anunoby, a three-and-D player that L.A.'s scouts thought might be drafted in the first round.
Though the Lakers are in need of a center, they also need athleticism at the wing to play alongside Luka Doncic, and Thiero helps address that need.
One scout said Thiero is athletic and will “catch lob passes” from Doncic.
“It feels good. A dream come true,” Thiero said. “Just happy to be here. Playing for the Lakers, too, that’s a blessing for sure.”
When asked about the Lakers' roster, Thiero said: “LeBron! It’s going to be fun learning from everybody. But you got Bron, you got Luka, AR (Austin Reaves). It’s a lot of people on that team. I’m just ready to get with the guys and work.”
And the Lakers were happy to go from No. 55 to No. 36 and not give up future assets to draft Thiero. The Lakers didn’t have a first-round pick in Wednesday night’s draft.
People around the league said the Lakers had their eye on Ryan Kalkbrenner out of Creighton, but the 7-foot-1 center didn’t last on the board long, going to the Charlotte Hornets at No. 34.
Reaves declines offer
Austin Reaves declined the team’s maximum offer of four years for $89 million, according to a person with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly.
Reaves, 27, still has two years left on his deal, for $13.9 million next season and $14.9 million in the 2026-27 season, and he holds a player option for the last year of his deal.
He was third on the Lakers in scoring last season, averaging career-highs in scoring (20.2), assists (5.8), rebounds (4.5) and minutes per game (34.9). He shot 46% from the field and 37.7% from three-point range.
Lakers add Dixon
The Lakers signed former Villanova forward Eric Dixon to a two-way contract, according to people with knowledge of the deal not authorized to speak publicly.
The 6-8 Dixon averaged 23.3 points per game last season for the Wildcats.
Clippers move up to get Kobe Sanders
The Knicks drafted guard Kobe Sanders out of Nevada at No. 50 and traded him to the Clippers for Mohamed Diawara, the No. 51 pick.
Sanders, 23, is a 6-9 wing player who averaged 15.8 points per game last season.
The Clippers chose Penn State center Yanic Konan Niederhauser with the 30th and final pick in the first round on Wednesday.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
"It's A Good Opportunity For Me To Play At Home In Front Of My Family": Evander Kane Speaks For The First Time Since Being Traded To The Canucks
On Wednesday, the Vancouver Canucks acquired former Vancouver Giants winger Evander Kane from the Edmonton Oilers. Kane, who will turn 34 years old before the start of the season, was acquired using the fourth-round pick Vancouver received in the Vasily Podkolzin trade last year. Ultimately, the Canucks are hoping that Kane can not only bring some goal-scoring to the roster, but make Vancouver a more difficult team to play against.
A day after being acquired, Kane spoke to the media for the first time since joining the Canucks. He fielded questions on many topics, including how excited he was to be returning home. Kane also made sure to thank the Oilers, who ensured he had an opportunity to return to Vancouver next season.
"Yeah, really exciting, said Kane. "First, I'd like to thank Mr. Aquilini, Jim, Patrick and Footer for bringing me in. I think it's a good opportunity for me to play at home in front of my family. Having the Oilers kind of work with me, to go to a place that I wanted to be, and I think that would fit well for my family was nice of them, and just really excited to be a Canuck."
2024-25 was a complicated year one for Kane. He missed the entire regular-season with an injury, and only returned once the playoffs had started. While he has had injury issues in the past, Kane believes he is healthy and is ready to have a big year in 2025-26.
"Obviously, the following year, I was dealing with a lot of different stuff that was difficult, and being able to get my body right, have the surgeries I had, and get back to 100% was a nice kind of reset for me. Obviously, missing the whole year and having to jump into the playoffs is never easy, but, you know, I kind of drew on my experience from the year before playing hurt, thinking about, well, if I feel a lot better on the ice, even though I'm having played, I think I can contribute in a positive way. And, you know, I was happy I was able to do that. And I think, for me, the time off and getting healthy has kind of allowed me to roll the clock back a little bit, in my opinion. And I think hopefully that can translate onto the ice."
Vancouver Canucks Trade For Edmonton Oilers Forward Evander KaneAfter how the 2024-25 regular season went for the Vancouver Canucks, the organization knew they needed to address their offensive woes whether through free agency or trade. Today, they did just that, sending a 2025 fourth-round selection to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for forward Evander Kane. The Oilers will not be retaining any of Kane's $5.125M AAV in salary.
Kane was also asked about the off-ice issues that have emerged throughout his career. Before the question was complete, Kane said, "It's well documented in a way where, there's not all the information, there's some inaccuracies." He was then asked about his growth over the last few years and whether or not he feels like a changed person.
"No, I'm the same guy. I think, you know, if you're not improving in all aspects of your life, you're probably not where you want to be. And I don't think there's anybody in this room that isn't better off, or learned from their mistakes or learned from positive experiences to make them better moving forward. So, for me, I think Edmonton was great. Edmonton brought me into their organization, and like I said earlier, embraced me, and the city fell in love with me, and I kind of fell in love with the city, and we had a lot of success as well. So it was a great experience, and I'm hoping that can continue here in Vancouver, coming back home."
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The topic of leadership also came up as Kane has spent the last 15 seasons in the NHL. He has played in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, and could join the 1,000 games club this season. Overall, Kane feels his experience can be of value for younger, as he has been through just about everything during his NHL career.
"Going into year 17, obviously have a ton of experience. And I think my experiences can add a lot of value, because they're not all pretty. And I think when you go through different things, on and off the ice, you can lend those lessons to some of the younger guys and some other guys that are maybe struggling with things. And I think just being mentally tough, especially in a Canadian market, can be important, and it can be difficult when you're not used to it. So I think leadership is something that I've always tried to do and lead by example, especially on the ice, and I think that's going to be important moving forward as well."
Ultimately, there is some risk associated with this trade for the Canucks. Kane carries an AAV of over $5 million next season, and as mentioned, didn't play a single regular-season game in 2024-25 after suffering multiple injuries. In the end, he will be a focal point this year as he returns to Vancouver for the first time since 2009, when he was playing in the WHL.
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, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.
2025 NBA Draft: Deni Avdija, Thomas Sorber among the fantasy winners
If the days in the immediate aftermath of the Oklahoma City Thunder winning the NBA Finals are any indication, this will be a busy summer on the trade market. Kevin Durant and Kristaps Porzingis are among those who have already been dealt, and there were also multiple transactions during the draft's first round on Wednesday. With that in mind, Rotoworld writers Raphielle Johnson and Noah Rubin have picked some winners and losers from this week's transactions and draft picks.
Fantasy Winners
Deni Avdija
The immediate focus of many after Portland's decision to trade Anfernee Simons to Boston was on ScootHenderson and ShaedonSharpe, and it makes sense, as they should receive more opportunities to play on the ball. However, Avdija may be the Trail Blazer best equipped to benefit from a fantasy standpoint due to his versatility. After the All-Star break, he was a top-50 player in nine-cat formats, averaging 23.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.4 three-pointers per game. What Portland does with JeramiGrant and DeandreAyton will merit tracking this summer. Still, it's difficult to envision a scenario where Avdija does not figure prominently in the team's offensive game plan next season. (Johnson)
Egor Demin
I’ve been a bit lower on Demin than many others, but even I have to admit that this is a favorable situation for him. Brooklyn is in the early stages of a rebuild and made it a point of emphasis in this draft to add ball handlers. They selected Demin with the No. 8 pick, which means they’ll put the ball in his hands early and often on a bad team. He’s going to be inefficient in year one, but the 6’9” point guard should provide plenty of points, rebounds and assists. He focused on showcasing his perimeter shooting during workouts, and if that is legit, this is a recipe for an excellent rookie year for Demin. (Rubin)
Amen Thompson
Thompson was another player whose fantasy value jumped considerably after the All-Star break, as he provided top-25 value in nine-cat formats. The exits of JalenGreen and DillonBrooks mean there will be less of a logjam on the wings, and the addition of KevinDurant should result in assist increases for those capable of setting him up. Thompson has only scratched the surface of his potential, and he should continue to progress, even with the Rockets reportedly bringing back starting point guard FredVanVleet. Amen may not be a top-25 player next season, but he can provide value in all categories except for three-pointers and free-throw percentage. (Johnson)
Rasheer Fleming
In my mind, Fleming was closer to a lottery pick than a second-round pick. Phoenix had to make a few moves to get him, but I think it’ll be worth it. The Suns have a ton of shot creators, and that is probably Fleming’s biggest weakness. He’s a three-and-D forward with a 7’5” wingspan. What more can you want? Even though he slipped further than he should’ve, he’ll have a chance to play a significant role in year one for a team that will be looking to compete for a postseason spot. I’m not saying I believe they’ll get one, but they’ll give it their all! (Rubin)
Ryan Kalkbrenner
With Charlotte trading Mark Williams to the Suns on Wednesday, they had a significant void to address at the center position. The Hornets did that with the 34th overall pick, selecting Kalkbrenner. Projected by some to be a late-first-round pick, the former Creighton standout slipped into the second round. While Kalkbrenner made strides throughout his college career, the defensive end of the floor is where his bread is truly buttered. The first four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year since Patrick Ewing, Kalkbrenner provides elite rim protection. He's in a spot where starting as a rookie will be possible, depending on what the Hornets do in free agency. (Johnson)
Thomas Sorber
Just to be clear, Sorber isn’t a short-term winner. But in the long run, he’s in a perfect situation to be a stud, and it could happen sooner than we think. IsaiahHartenstein has a team option for the 2026-27 season, and if Sorber is progressing the way they want him to, he could fill the Hartenstein role by his second season in the league. It may not be a 30+ minute per game role, but Sorber projects to have a high-impact statset in fantasy basketball. For Georgetown, he provided rebounds and defensive stats, but he was also a pretty good passer for a big and showcased enough shooting touch for me to be intrigued by it. (Rubin)
Fantasy Losers
Portland's bigs
The Trail Blazers shocked many by selecting YangHansen with the 16th overall pick on Wednesday. However, this isn't simply about general manager Joe Cronin rolling the dice after trading down five spots. The issue is that Portland will go into free agency with four centers: Yang, 2024 lottery pick DonovanClingan, DeandreAyton and RobertWilliams. While Clingan's spot should be secure, it's beyond time for Portland to move Ayton (last season's starter when healthy) or Williams, if not both. The feeling heading into February's trade deadline was that the Blazers would move one of the veteran centers, but both remained. The worst-case scenario for Clingan would be for Portland not to do anything this summer, with the logjam limiting his ceiling considerably. (Johnson)
Collin Murray-Boyles
I really, really liked CMB as a fantasy prospect. I thought he had a chance to be one of the best fantasy rookies next season. Unfortunately, he landed on a team that already has a handful of players that play similar roles that also struggle to shoot the ball. Can CMB and ScottieBarnes coexist on the floor together? I’m not optimistic, and while I still think Murray-Boyles can be a really good fantasy player, the path for that to happen isn’t exactly clear at this point. He could’ve started on most of the other teams that drafted in this range. (Rubin)
Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George
While Utah technically did not select WalterClaytonJr. during Wednesday's first round, his arrival will make it three straight years in which the Jazz have added a point guard in the draft. KeyonteGeorge was the choice in 2023, and through two seasons, he's failed to make the starting job his own. IsaiahCollier, last year's first-round pick, leapfrogged George in the pecking order. However, while a solid defender and playmaker, he did not do enough last season to show he's capable of running the show long-term. Adding Clayton to the mix increases the competition for playing time, and the Jazz still have CollinSexton and JordanClarkson. From a fantasy standpoint, Sexton may be the only one worth the risk, and he may be a player the Jazz look to move at some point. (Johnson)
Stephon Castle
We’ve known this was coming for a while, but now it’s official. San Antonio selected DylanHarper with the No. 2 pick, and De’AaronFox will be back healthy next season. Castle was awesome as a rookie and still has a bright future ahead of him. However, Fox is ahead of him on the depth chart right now, and it won’t take long for Harper to surpass Castle. He should start next season, but he wasn’t as productive in an off-ball role. Now, the Spurs have added another player to take touches away from him. Don’t be surprised if Castle’s production takes a hit in year two. (Rubin)
Khaman Maluach
Down the line, Maluach has the potential to be a fantasy "winner." Unfortunately, Wednesday's events likely hurt the rookie's fantasy value in 2024-25. In addition to drafting Maluach, the Suns acquired MarkWilliams from the Hornets. Those decisions were wise based on how bad Phoenix's center rotation was last season. However, Maluach may initially be in a difficult spot regarding playing time. Something that may preserve the rookie's fantasy value is Williams' injury history, as he has not played 50 games or more in any of his three seasons as a pro. (Johnson)
Onyeka Okongwu
The Hawks gave us a little teaser of what life would be like with Okongwu as a starting center that plays 30+ minutes per game next to TraeYoung. It was glorious. Of course, it was all a setup for them to tear our pure, innocent hearts out once again. Sure, it was incredible value for them to trade for KristapsPorzingis, and they made more excellent moves, yada, yada, yada. I just wanted one full season of Okongwu away from a minutes split. I fear it will never come. I would imagine that Okongwu will still start, but they’ll likely both see around 26-28 minutes per game, with a few minutes of shared time on the floor. It’s exciting times for Hawks fans. But it’s a time of mourning for the Okongwu truthers that still believe. (Rubin)
Yankees vs. Athletics: 5 things to watch and series predictions | June 27-29
Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Yankees and Athletics play a three-game series at Yankee Stadium starting on Friday night...
Preview
AL East race heating up
Don't look now, but the AL East race is getting tight.
After the Yankees had a sizeable lead in the division, the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays pulled within 0.5 games behind New York for first place. While the two teams won't face each other this weekend, the Yankees could potentially put some space between them with a series win over the lowly A's.
Tampa will head to Baltimore to take on the downtrodden Orioles, so the Yankees will want to take care of business if they expect to still be in first place by the end of the weekend.
Clarke Schmidt encore
Last time Schmidt pitched, he threw seven no-hit innings in what was arguably the best start of his career. Schmidt will take the mound on Saturday after the Yankees decided to flip him and Will Warren to give Schmidt an extra day of rest but what will he do for an encore?
Schmidt has had more success at home (1-1, 2.30 ERA in seven starts) this season, so with the extra rest and pitching at home, expectations are that Schmidt will have another quality start.
Bullpen reset
Thursday's off day came at a great time for the Yankees. Their last off day was back on June 9 (16 straight games) so the bullpen has been taxed. Although Luke Weaver returned from the IL, manager Aaron Boone has had to use his relievers much more than usual, but Thursday gives the team a chance to reset -- and Jonathan Loaisiga (illness) a chance to rest. The Yankees do need Warren, Schmidt and Sunday's starter (TBA) to go long to give the bullpen a bit more time off. The Yankees' offense can also help by building huge leads and allowing the low-leverage relievers to stay in longer.
Can the offense turn it on?
The Yankees offense has been up-and-down during this recent cold stretch, but they'll need to be up this weekend and that starts with Aaron Judge. Over his last seven games, Judge is hitting .308 with two home runs, but he has begun to expand his strike zone a bit too much and he's striking out more as a result. In that span, he's struck out eight times. Now, there's no need to panic, Judge is still hitting a league-best .361, but he's starting to swing and miss at the same clip when he was struggling. (Remember the sweep in Boston?)
As the captain goes, so does the rest of the Yankees' lineup.
The return of Luis Severino
This is Severino's second season in the majors since leaving the Yanks in free agency, but this Sunday will be the first time he pitches in Yankee Stadium since 2023. It'll be an emotional day for Severino and for the fans who appreciated the right-hander.
For Severino, his 2025 hasn't been as good as his 2024 when he was with the Mets, but he's been a great road pitcher this year. In seven road starts, Severino is 201 with a 2.27 ERA as opposed to his 0-7 record and 6.79 ERA when playing at home this season.
In May, Severino pitched against his former team in Sacramento. He lasted just four innings and allowed eight runs on nine hits.
Which version of Severino will the Yankees see? And will this year's Yankees squad show Severino they are more than just two hitters?
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Since Chisholm returned from the IL, he's been on a heater. In 20 June games, Chisholm is batting .329 with four home runs and 13 RBI. With the Yanks taking on two right-handers, Jazz could keep his hot streak rolling.
Which Yankees pitcher will have the best start?
Will Warren.
Warren has continued to be a solid starter, giving the Yankees two straight starts where he pitched at least six innings.
Which Athletics player will be a thorn in Yankees' side?
Jacob Wilson.
The front-runner for AL Rookie of the Year, Wilson continues to hit at an insane clip. He'll enter the weekend series hitting .345 with nine home runs and 40 RBI.
Australia to send strongest contingent for 30 years to Wimbledon
Total of 17 Australians will feature in main draw in London
Priscilla Hon, Talia Gibson, Alex Bolt and James McCabe complete lineup
Four more of Australians have qualified for Wimbledon, meaning 17 players will feature in the main draw at next week’s championships – the biggest Aussie contingent for 30 years.
While Priscilla Hon and Talia Gibson both saved match points in final qualifying to earn their dream Wimbledon dates and Alex Bolt and James McCabe also booked their spots at windy Roehampton, teenage star Maya Joint sealed the stellar day by reaching the Eastbourne International semi-final.
Continue reading...Panthers Trade Forward Prospect To Capitals
The Florida Panthers have announced that they have traded forward Justin Sourdif to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick.
We've acquired the Washington Capitals second-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft and their sixth-round selection in the 2027 NHL Draft in exchange for forward Justin Sourdif.
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 26, 2025
📝 » https://t.co/OX3JX90G3Npic.twitter.com/eFCpcV8uGk
Sourdif, 23, appeared in one game this season with the Panthers, where he scored his first career NHL goal. He also posted 16 goals, 18 assists, 34 points, and 58 penalty minutes in 43 regular-season games with the Charlotte Checkers.
Sourdif suited up in 18 playoff games for the Checkers this year as well, where he recorded four goals, 10 points, and 32 penalty minutes.
Sourdif was selected by the Panthers with the 87th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. In four games with the Panthers over two seasons, he posted one goal, five hits, and a plus-1 rating.
Overall, this is a good move for the Panthers. They have gotten themselves a second-round pick and a sixth-round pick for a prospect who has had trouble finding a fit on their NHL roster because of how deep their group is.
Panthers Acquire Interesting Goalie From Blue Jackets According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the Florida Panthers have acquired goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth-round pick.
Photo Credit: © Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Mets' Griffin Canning leaves Thursday's Braves game with ankle injury
Griffin Canning had to leave his start against the Braves on Thursday with what the team says is a left ankle injury.
The Mets say Canning will undergo imaging.
With one out in the top of the third, the Mets starter got Nick Allen to hit a grounder to Francisco Lindor for the second out, but Canning collapsed near the mound as he seemed to have pushed off wrong.
Canning stayed down on his back with his leg raised as he was eventually helped off the field by trainers.
The 29-year-old is having a solid season in his first year with the Mets. In 16 starts -- including Thursday -- Canning had pitched to a 7-3 record with a 3.77 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He was arguably the Mets' best pitcher in March/April, as he pitched to a 4-1 record with a 2.61 ERA to start the season.
Canning's apparent injury comes at an inopportune time for the Mets. Kodai Senga was placed on the IL back on June 13 after he suffered a hamstring injury during a game and has yet to return to the mound. Sean Manaea, who hasn't played in a game this season after suffering an oblique injury this spring, had his rehab setback a few days after a loose body was found in his left elbow earlier this week.
This story is still developing....
Griffin Canning is leaving the game with an apparent leg injury pic.twitter.com/FAKwmx66un
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 26, 2025
Second-round pick trades already started, setting up Suns with No. 31 pick, expected to take Rasheer Fleming
In the wake of a series of trades before the start of the second round of the NBA Draft Thursday night, the Phoenix Suns have set themselves up to select Saint Joseph’s 3&D wing Rasheer Fleming, who unexpectedly fell to the second round.
There have been three second-round pick trades already, and two of them set up the Suns with the No. 31 pick. First, Brooklyn traded the No. 36 pick to Phoenix for two future second-round picks, a story reported by Shams Charania of ESPN.
Then the Suns traded the No. 36 pick and two future second-round picks to Minnesota for the No. 31 pick, also reported by Charania, who added the Suns are targeting Flemming.
The Suns' war room right now is eyeing St. Joseph's big man Rasheer Fleming at No. 31, finalizing their research and scouting before making their selection at 8 pm ET on ESPN. https://t.co/LCaxxAvN5i
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2025
Flemming is a 21-year-old, 6'8" wing who averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.5 blocks a game for St. Joseph's last season.
There was one more second-round pre-draft trade, where the Suns sent the No. 52 and No. 59 picks in the 2025 draft to the Golden State Warriors for No. 41, a deal also reported by Charania.