Stealing Danny Ainge’s “Trader” nickname for his constant activity of making moves, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy remained a busy man Thursday during the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
After averaging 12.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game as a freshman at Belmont, Richard became coach Todd Graham’s first recruit at Florida and the move paid off in the ultimate prize this past season. Richard put on a show in the championship game for Florida, scoring 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting and going 4 of 7 beyond the arc. He also added eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot to take down Houston.
The Warriors traded up from No. 59 to No. 56 to draft Will Richard, who had a huge game in the national championship for Florida
Along with the 75.6 true shooting percentage Richard had in the national championship, he became the first player ever to record those numbers in the title game.
Richard is a 6-foot-5 guard who will turn 23 years old in December. Over his four-year college career, he averaged 11.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game with 46.3/35.5/82.5 shooting splits. He’s known to play incredibly hard and won’t back down from a challenge thrown his way. As a senior, Richard had 22 games of two or more steals.
The Warriors liked him enough to move up three slots in the draft, fearing another team was about to take him. He was Mr. Reliable at Florida, and Golden State can only hope that translates to the next level.
It’s impossible to guess what one of the last picks in the draft is going to produce for a team, if at all. However, Trayce Jackson-Davis (No. 57) and Quinten Post (No. 52) both exceeded expectations as rookies. The Warriors have found great success recently through their developmental program in the G League, possibly having their best campaign yet last season.
Will Toohey and Richard join the trend? NBA Summer League is right around the corner for them to prove why they could turn into steals for Golden State.
The Boston Celtics traded the No. 32 overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft to the Orlando Magic on Thursday night, and they got a huge haul for it.
The C’s acquired the No. 46 and No. 57 overall picks in the second round, plus second-rounders in 2026 and 2027, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Charania also reported the Celtics were going to take Saint Joseph’s wing Rasheer Fleming with the No. 32 pick, but the Phoenix Suns acquired the No. 31 pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier Thursday and took Fleming just before the C’s.
With Fleming off the board, the Celtics decided to trade the pick.
Reporting for night two of the NBA draft on the team that planned to select Saint Joseph's Rasheer Fleming before the Phoenix Suns jumped to acquire No. 31: pic.twitter.com/MPlDu6bzb4
The Celtics need depth in the frontcourt with veteran centers Al Horford and Luke Kornet able to become unrestricted free agents next week. By trading the No. 32 pick, the C’s passed on a chance to draft centers such as Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner, Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud, Auburn’s Johni Broome, among others.
With the 2025 NHL Draft rapidly approaching, the chatter around Brady Martin and the Philadelphia Flyers has seemingly increased tenfold. While he's a good prospect, the Flyers must pass on Martin with the sixth overall pick.
Martin, 18, endeared himself to NHL front offices with a dazzling performance at the 2025 U18 World Juniors with Canada, scoring three goals, eight assists, and 11 points in seven games whilst stuffing the stat sheet with 29 penalty minutes and a +15 rating.
Martin, alongside fellow top draft prospects Braden Cootes, Lev Katzin, Cole Reschny, Ben Kindel, and Jackson Smith, won gold with Canada at the tournament.
So, why would the Flyers have to pass on Martin? The answer is simple: they can find a more talented player that early in the draft... but this is not to say that they shouldn't target him again soon after.
For instance, the Flyers have been heavily linked to elite offensive talents like James Hagens, Porter Martone, and Jake O'Brien in recent weeks. It's implied that the Flyers will favor a center, given their needs, like Hagens or O'Brien.
On the other hand, there are some concerns as to whether Martin can play center at the NHL level and if he has the hockey IQ to become productive offensively at the level necessary to justify his potential draft position. This is one of the traits Flyers assistant GM Brent Flahr and his group of scouts values the most.
And if the Flyers ultimately draft a winger, they would be much better off taking a Martone or a Victor Eklund, Martin's leadership and playstyle notwithstanding.
The Soo Greyhounds ace is currently ranked 10th on EliteProspects' consolidated rankings, which would make him a far more attractive prime trade-up target instead of the borderline top-5 selection that many believe he will be.
For example, let's assume that the Flyers draft Hagens sixth, making him the No. 1 center of their future.
That leaves the Flyers with the 22nd and 31st picks to find a deal to move up for Martin, which may exist with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pens hold the 11th and 12th picks after the New York Rangers officially transferred their 2025 first-round pick to Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
Suddenly, the Flyers would have a long-term center core of Trevor Zegras, Hagens, Jett Luchanko, and Martin, with Martin and Zegras having the flexibility to play wing if needed.
Martin finds himself highly coveted around the NHL due to his playstyle, which has drawn some comparisons to Sam Bennett. With Florida winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, everyone is convinced that they must have a Sam Bennett to be a good hockey team.
There may be some truth to that, certainly, but the Flyers cannot acquire the "playoff-type" player at the expense of raw talent and upside.
But, if you can form two long-term duos with, say, Hagens and Matvei Michkov (Line 1) and Zegras and Martin (Line 2), pulling the trigger and helping out a youth-starved team like the Penguins may very well prove beneficial down the road.
There seems to be mixed reports regarding Carson Soucy’s future with the New York Rangers.
Despite trading for Soucy before the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline with the hopes that he can be a staple on the team’s blueline for the future, he didn’t exactly live up to expectations in his 16 games with the Rangers.
Soucy was even scratched out of the lineup on a couple of occasions as he had trouble finding his role.
After a disappointing end to the season, there was some speculation that the Rangers could move on from Soucy.
However, due to Soucy’s low trade value as of right now, the Rangers are reportedly hesitant to trade him with the chances of the veteran defenseman staying put becoming more likely.
“Carson Soucy ... I don't think the Rangers would be opposed to trading him but I also don't think they would be willing to sell low on a guy that they just gave up a high third-round pick for,” Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today said.
“Given all the moves and things that have happened in the last 12 months and all the bad PR the Rangers gotten ... they're probably going to bring him back and bank on him playing better under Mike Sullivan.”
K’Andre Miller is another Rangers defenseman who’s been the subject of trade rumors while the Blueshirts have been speculated to have interest in Vladislav Gavrikov and Ivan Provorov.
Dylan Harper hugs supporters after being selected second overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA draft. (Adam Hunger / Associated Press)
Second-generation NBA players are plentiful, and why not?
Dads can pass down their height, dedication and athleticism. Dad's handsome compensation can afford a son the opportunity to follow in his footsteps. And Dad's drive can serve as a road map.
Dylan Harper, the second pick in the NBA Draft on Wednesday, is the latest budding star whose father was decorated before him. Ron Harper capped a 15-year NBA career by winning five NBA championships in his last six seasons, back-to-back titles with the Lakers in 2000 and 2001 after three with the Chicago Bulls in 1996, '97 and '98.
Ron Harper of the Lakers drives for a layup at Staples Center. (Paul Morse / Los Angeles Times)
Dylan, a 6-foot-5 guard out of Rutgers, was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs. His brother, Ron Harper Jr., also is in the NBA, having played in 11 games for the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors the last three years.
In any other sport, the progeny of a former star player ascending to the highest level would be especially noteworthy. That Ron Harper's sons are on the cusp of similar careers as their dad was nothing out of the ordinary.
LeBron James and his oldest son, Bronny, famously became the first father-son duo to take the court at the same time in the Lakers' season opener last October. But that is just one of the many dynamics of a son choosing the same career path to the NBA as his dad.
Lakers forward LeBron James greets his son and teammate Bronny James, right, during warm-ups. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)
The phenomenon goes back a long way. Two sons of Minneapolis Lakers legend George Mikan — a five-time All-NBA center in the early 1950s — were drafted into the NBA, with one, Larry, playing 53 games in 1970-71.
During a 15-year career that ended in 1964, Hall of Fame center Dolph Shayes averaged 18.5 points and 12.1 rebounds a game. His son, Danny Shayes, outdid Dad in career longevity, playing 18 years through 1999 for seven teams, including a short stint with the Lakers.
Butch Van Breda Kolff played four seasons in the 1940s and in 1976 his son, Jan, became the first player to face a team coached by his father when Jan played for the New York Nets while Butch coached the New Orleans Jazz. Butch also coached the Lakers to the NBA Finals in 1968 and '69, where they lost to the Boston Celtics both times.
Other sons who faced teams coached by their fathers — who also played in the NBA — include Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Sr., Coby and George Karl, and Austin and Doc Rivers.
Austin Rivers also became the first to play for his father in an NBA game when he was traded to the Clippers in 2015. At first, he wasn't thrilled when his dad called to alert him of the proposed deal.
“He called me up and he asked me if ‘this was something you might be interested in because we need you,’ ” Austin said at his introductory news conference. “When I heard that, it was one of those things where I just kind of had to think, take a day to myself and be like, ‘Could this work?’
"And it does, just because of the relationship I have with him. It’s already kind of basketball oriented … It’s not so much like father-son. It’s just kind of like coach-player and then off the court, we deal with that a different way.”
Sons who achieved more than their father abound. Dell Curry was no slouch, averaging 11.7 points and earning $19.8 million over a 16-year NBA career that ended in 2002. One son, Seth, is in his 11th season, having averaged 10 points while earning $45 million.
Toronto Raptors' Dell Curry lands on top of Trail Blazers' Damon Stoudamire as he drives to the hoop during their NBA game Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000, in Portland, Ore.
JACK SMITH/ASSOCIATED PRESSGolden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry drives past Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Houston.
David J. Phillip / Associated Press
Dell's other son, Stephen, is a certain Hall of Famer, recognized as perhaps the best pure shooter in history. He's led the Golden State Warriors to four NBA titles while averaging 24.4 points and earning $357.8 million over 16 seasons.
Klay Thompson was a teammate of Steph Curry on all four Warriors championship teams, and he's averaged 19.1 points while earning $268.8 million over 12 seasons. That easily eclipses the exploits of his loquacious father, Mychal Thompson, who won two titles with the Lakers before becoming a broadcaster with the team as well as a radio personality.
The list of father-son duos is too long to mention them all. Here are a handful.
Three sons of Hall of Fame guard Rick Barry played in the NBA, with Brent enjoying the most success. UCLA product Mike Bibby outdid his dad by playing 14 years to Henry's nine. Kevin Love outplayed his father, but Stan Love's association with the Beach Boys stood out.
The father-son combos include a host of juniors in addition to the Harpers and Dunleavys, among them the Larry Drews, the Patrick Ewings, the Rich Dumases, the Matt Guokases, the Tim Hardaways, the Gerald Hendersons, the Jaren Jacksons, the John Lucases, the Wes Matthewses, the Larry Nances, the Gary Paytons, the James Paxsons, the Scottie Pippins, Glen Rice, Glenn Robinson, the Wally Szczerbiaks, the Gary Trents and the Duane Washingtons.
And, of course, there are more Lakers ties.
Luke Walton matched his father with two NBA championships and also coached the Lakers, but couldn't attain the cult status of Bill Walton, a UCLA legend whose quirky, outsized personality transcended his achievements on the court.
The former Laker who did indeed transcend not only his father's career but that of nearly every player was Kobe Bryant. His father, Joe (Jellybean) Bryant, died last July, four years after his son tragically died in a helicopter crash that also took the lives of his daughter, Gianna, and seven others.
The fractious relationship between Kobe and his father is well-chronicled, and they rarely spoke after Kobe married his wife, Vanessa.
Dylan Harper's relationship with his father is stronger, although Ron Harper divorced Dylan's mother in 2012. She raised her two sons and a daughter as a single mom who also happened to coach high school basketball and run a travel program.
"I'm feeling EVERYTHING... from crying, to laughing, to being happy"
Maria Harper, a former Division I player at the University of New Orleans, was an assistant boys' coach when her sons played at Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey.
“She was hard but loving,” Dylan told the Athletic in 2023. “She wasn’t just tough on me, either. Everyone got a little bit of it.”
Ron Sr. moved near his ex-wife in 2007. Yet he pointed recruiters to Maria when Dylan was being wooed by colleges.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of him, but I don’t want this to be about me,” he said at the time.
Yet like any father, Ron Sr. was proud of his son's accomplishments.
“When Dylan was 5 years old, I told people he was going to be really good,” he said. “He reminded me of me."
Dylan Harper might exceed his father's accomplishments in the way that Bryant and Curry did — or fail to do so. In addition to winning five titles, Ron Harper averaged 13.8 points and 3.9 assists in 1,009 NBA games.
Either way, Dylan is about to join a lengthy list of players whose fathers blazed a trail they followed.
Coach Darren Sammy was left screaming in disbelief after the West Indies dropped two catches in the same over on day two of the Bridgetown Test, with Australian opener Sam Konstas the beneficiary on both occasions.
With the 2025 NHL draft quickly approaching, teams around the league are finalizing their draft boards in hopes of landing the best young talent from around the hockey world.
While no two players are identical, every year, scouts and fans always look for the closest NHL comparisons for draft-eligible prospects to better assess their potential with pro-level development.
It can sometimes be misleading, but it can also be a great way to gain a better understanding of how each player can fit within an organization’s future.
Let’s look at some of the top prospects in the 2025 draft class and find their best NHL comparables.
Roger McQueen has the frame of a power forward but the offensive instincts of a playmaker. He can visualize plays in the offensive zone at a high level and is very calm with the puck, unafraid to slow things down and draw in opposing players to create passing lanes for his teammates. While he may not be the most mechanically sound skater, he’s deceptively quick and uses his length to cover a lot of ice quickly.
McQueen is also very elusive in transition, slipping pucks past players despite not being able to beat them with explosive speed. He’s an elite net-front presence for his age and has great hands in tight, making him a threat from many different areas of the ice. While his injury history could make him one of the riskiest picks at the draft, his upside is undeniably one of the highest among the players in this class.
James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)
NHL Player Comparable: Clayton Keller, Jack Hughes
Kennedy’s Rank: 5 Ferrari’s Rank: 3
James Hagens is one of the most offensively gifted players in this class, with his skating being the foundation of what makes him so remarkable. His agility, acceleration and ability to dictate the pace of play trickles into every facet of his game, and Hagens is easily the best forward when it comes to generating transition offense.
Puck control is also a huge part of Hagens’ playmaking game. He uses his stick extremely well in placing pucks in small spaces, and he can consistently beat players 1-on-1 with various skilled moves. He’s great at making defenders make uncomfortable decisions, and he has a decent enough shot that can make teams pay if passing lanes are closed off.
NHL Player Comparable: Seth Jarvis, Travis Konecny
Kennedy’s Rank: 8 Ferrari’s Rank: 4
Despite weighing in at just under 170 pounds, Victor Eklund is a relentless forechecker who plays with a motor and pace that few others do in this class. He plays much bigger than he is, constantly putting pressure on opposing players below the goal line and having the willingness to drive to the net to bury loose pucks or rifle shots from in tight.
Eklund isn’t an overly creative player, but his timing, effort and IQ make him a well-rounded offensive player. He plays with intensity at both ends of the ice and is incredibly difficult to match up against, giving him one of the best projectable skill sets among wingers in this class.
Brady Martin, C, S.S. Marie (OHL)
NHL Player Comparable: Sam Bennett
Kennedy’s Rank: 9 Ferrari’s Rank: 22
Nobody plays with more physical intensity in this draft class than OHLer Brady Martin. With his pace, tenacity and willingness to lay bone-crushing hits, Martin makes every shift feel like it’s his last. However, he isn’t just the best bruiser in junior hockey right now, either. Even though Martin doesn’t have the raw tools to always execute the most creative offensive plays, he’s got just enough offensive skill to make opponents pay if they underestimate him.
He’s going to make life difficult for a lot of players at the NHL level, and his work ethic and defensive instincts also make him a player coaches can trust in any on-ice situation.
Caleb Desnoyers is a proven winner at every level and enters the NHL draft as one of the most NHL-ready prospects. He’s a true 200-foot center who takes every detail of the game seriously, especially defensively. Desnoyers always looks to support his teammates in his own zone and is great at clogging up passing lanes while pushing defenders to the outside.
While he gets a ton of deserved credit for his defensive play, Desnoyers is also an underrated offensive player. He’s great at baiting defenders and manipulating space in open ice to create shooting lanes for teammates, and he has a deceptive-enough release that allows him to beat goaltenders from mid-range consistently.
Overall, he’s got a ton of pro-ready characteristics that will make him a reliable two-way player with offensive upside for a long time.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have acquired Brendan Gaunce from the Minnesota Wild today in exchange for forward Cameron Butler.
This is Gaunce's second stint with the Jackets.
Gaunce played a total of 59 games for the CBJ from 2021-24, scoring 7 goals and totaling 12 points. For the Cleveland Monsters, he scored 42 goals and had 85 points.
Cameron Butler played one career game for Columbus, but spent most of his time in Cleveland. He played 91 games and 11 points.
This is second move today as Columbus also sent Daniil Tarasov to Florida.
What else is Don Waddell planning?
Let us know what you think below.
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There are a number of pieces that combined to make the Calder Cup-winning puzzle that is the Abbotsford Canucks. One of the things that may fall to the wayside is the remarkable play of the team’s first-year members. All of the AHL Canucks’ postseason rookie players made their NHL debuts this season, with all of them factoring into the team’s 2025 Calder Cup victory. Let’s take a look at some of these remarkable rookies.
Jonathan Lekkerimäki
Lekkerimäki, the 15th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft, made his AHL debut on March 30, 2024, and scored his first AHL goal around a week after. 2024–25 was his first full season with Abbotsford, during which he earned a call-up from the Vancouver Canucks. He made his NHL debut on November 12, 2024 against the Calgary Flames, and ultimately finished his 2024–25 season with Vancouver with three goals and three assists in 24 games played.
In Abbotsford, Lekkerimäki led all AHL Canucks rookies in scoring with 19 goals in 36 games played, also adding nine assists to his point total. He was in and out of the lineup during the team’s Calder Cup Playoff run, skating in 16 of Abbotsford’s 24 postseason games. Most notably, he missed the back half of the Western Conference Finals and the first two games of the Calder Cup Finals, but made his return in a big way back on home ice. Lekkerimäki scored two goals in his second game back during the Finals, making the difference in a narrow 3–2 victory.
“To me that sums up Lekky,” Abbotsford head coach Manny Malhotra said regarding Lekkerimäki’s returning performance. “The kid has ice in his veins. He doesn’t shy away from these big moments. And you could see tonight he had two quality looks. And then he made them count, so that that kind of sums up the type of player that he is. When given the opportunity and put in the right spot, he’ll make good.”
Ty Mueller
Mueller has been a force for Abbotsford throughout the regular and post-season. The 105th pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, Mueller spent three seasons with the University of Nebraska-Omaha before making his AHL debut in 2024. He impressed during the regular season by registering 12 goals and 27 assists in 64 games, even earning himself a spot at the 2025 AHL All-Star Challenge in place of defenceman Elias Pettersson. Mueller was called up by Vancouver in April 2025 and skated in his first NHL game on April 12 against the Minnesota Wild.
In a time when rookies may become more sheltered due to the stakes of each game, Mueller was called on even more so by his coach. The rookie forward was a consistent presence in the defensive zone during Abbotsford’s Calder Cup run, even taking own-zone draws while defending leads late into games. Mueller flourished offensively as well, posting three goals and nine assists in all of the AHL Canucks’ postseason games.
“Not only as the playoffs have gone on, but throughout this whole year, his game has continued to grow,” Malhotra said of Mueller’s progression throughout the season. “He’s developed and becoming more and more of one of our more reliable guys in key moments.”
Kudryavtsev was a steady presence on Abbotsford’s blueline this season, chipping in offensively and locking things up defensively. The Canucks’ seventh-round pick of the 2022 NHL Draft has shown fans that draft position doesn’t matter when you can play well. In his first season with the AHL Canucks, Kudryavtsev scored five goals and 21 assists in 65 games played. At the end of Vancouver’s regular season, he and fellow AHL Canuck Nikita Tolopilo were called up to the NHL club. Soon after, Kudryavtsev made his NHL debut on April 14.
During the postseason, Kudryavtsev stepped up when it mattered most. He dominated opponents in terms of generating offensive chances for Abbotsford on 5-on-5, finishing playoffs with a league-leading +18 on-ice rating. He scored his first AHL playoff goal against the Coachella Valley Firebirds, and also potted nine assists throughout the postseason.
“It was really hard, as I expected, a really tough couple of first games,” Kudryavtsev said about adjusting to the AHL’s playoffs. “It’s still very different from the OHL playoffs. The guys are coming really hard at you, and you know that you need to bypass that pressure and that stress. But I’ve got lots of trust from my coaches, and I hope I’m doing good now.”
Manny Malhotra
Technically, Malhotra is an AHL rookie — just not in the same way that Lekkerimäki, Mueller, and Kudryavtsev are. The 2024–25 season was Malhotra’s first as an AHL head coach, and what a debut it was. During the regular season, he coached his team to a 44–24–2 record that was capped off with a historic 13-game win streak. In the playoffs, he helped Abbotsford win 16 of their 24 postseason games, with the team never losing back-to-back games during their Calder Cup chase. One of the biggest changes for this team, however, may have been their commitment to sticking to their systems.
Malhotra has noted the significance of the word “resilience” to the team, as well as their “committee mentality” that has led them to success. Every player forechecks hard, blocks shots, and puts themselves in the best position to get in the way of an opposing team’s chances. This belief stems from the system Malhotra and his staff have curated for this specific roster.
“When you have a coach that played the game, I think you’ve got more respect for him,” Sammy Blais said of Malhotra’s impact on the team. “He’s been really good. He keeps us honest, even after wins. He tries to keep us even. We’re really happy that he’s our coach, and he’s been a big factor for us for sure.”
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The Sacramento Kings picked arguably one of the more intriguing center prospects in the draft at No. 42. Raynaud is a 22-year-old 7-foot-1 French center who has close ties to Victor Wembanyama off the hardwood. In some ways, their games are similar. Raynaud is a strong rebounder on both ends of the court, while having the prized trait of shooting at his size. The Stanford product hit 34.7% of his 3s this past season on 5.5 attempts. That gives a rebuilding Sacramento something key to work with as he looks to get good minutes behind Domantas Sabonis.
Chaz Lanier, G/F, Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are coming off a promising season of their own, making the playoffs after a disastrous run under Monty Williams. They added to their young core with 6-foot-4 guard Chaz Lanier at No. 37. The one-season Tennessee Volunteer played four seasons at North Florida before making the switch, averaging 18 points per game. His biggest trait is the mix of his 3-point volume and percentage. Lanier, 23, shot 39.5% from deep on 8.2 attempts, which could help him with minutes early as a catch-and-shoot option for Cade Cunningham.
Tyrese Proctor, G/F, Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland finished as the No. 1 seed out East and finally built an identity in the post-LeBron James era(s). But the Cavs disappointingly fell short in the playoffs in the second round, still needing some areas of growth. They added to their wing department at No. 49, nabbing Duke’s Tyrese Proctor. Proctor, 6-foot-5, can play on and off the ball and averaged 12.4 points on a stacked Blue Devils team that had three top-10 picks this draft. Proctor, 21, had a solid shooting split of 45/40/68. The free-throw percentage is likely a one off given he went 87% as a freshman and 75.5% as a sophomore, though the downward trend is something to watch.
Rasheer Fleming, F, Phoenix Suns
The Suns were aggressive in the second round and moved up to pick first. With Kevin Durant gone, Phoenix took 6-foot-9 forward Rasheer Fleming out of Saint Joseph’s. The soon-to-be 21-year-old averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.4 steals and 1.3 assists on a 53/39/74 shooting split. Of course, he’s nowhere near Durant’s level and longevity, but with the Suns desperately needing more young talent at cheaper costs, there’s no wonder they went all out for someone like Fleming. He should get key minutes from the get go.
Kam Jones, G, Indiana Pacers
The reigning Eastern Conference champs added to their wing core at No. 38, taking Marquette wing Kam Jones. The 23-year-old played all four seasons with the program, most recently averaging 19.2 points, 5.9 assists. 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals, all college bests. The 6-foot-4 guard shot 48% from the floor, 31% from deep and 64.8% from the charity stripe. He did shoot 39% from deep as a freshman and 40.6% as a junior both on strong volume, but his free-throw percentages have typically been in the 60s. Still, with Tyrese Haliburton set to miss significant time with his torn Achilles, Jones could get his moments to show what he can bring to a hopeful contender.
As the off-season is underway, the Golden Knights are looking to make sure that the fandom doesn’t dry out this summer.
The Knights announced earlier this month that the team’s annual road trip presented by A1 Garage Door Service is set to take place July 12-17. This trip features 6 different stops: South Lake Tahoe, California; Reno, Nevada; Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Phoenix, Arizona.
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 6, 2025
Over the span of those 5 days there will be a series of free youth on-ice hockey clinics for players ages 6-13 and meet-and-greets with fans. The Knights mascot, Chance, members of the VGK cast, and team broadcasters are a few key people in attendance on this trip.
“The VGK Road Trip is eagerly anticipated each year as we look forward to connecting in person with our fans across The Realm,” said President Kerry Bubolz. “This is a great chance to celebrate our brand and the sport of hockey as we prepare for the 2025-26 NHL season.”
Northern Nevada has been a stop for the Knights for the past three summers, always between Tahoe and Reno. It will also be the Knights' fourth visit this year to the Grand Canyon State since Arizona was added to the Golden Knights’ television territory this past season. All stops on this trip are where VGK games will be broadcast locally on Scripps Sports and KnightTime+ in the upcoming season of 2025-26.
As July approaches, this trip offers more than just an off-season connection. It serves as a chance to strengthen the ever-growing bond between the team, its fans, and the future of hockey.
The Mets welcomed a familiar face back into the clubhouse on Thursday, as Mark Vientos rejoined the team following a rehab assignment as he recovered from a hamstring strain.
And while the third baseman confirmed he won’t be activated until Friday against Pittsburgh, Vientos, who has been on the IL since June 3, said he’s glad just to be back around his teammates.
“It’s good to be back with the guys and seeing a bunch of faces that I missed and officially playing with the team pretty soon,” Vientos said. “It’s good to be back.”
In six rehab outings with Triple-A Syracuse, Vientos collected four hits, including a pair of doubles.
And while building up strength in his hamstring and getting his swing timing back was the primary focus of his rehab, Vientos and the team also put a plan in place to try to ensure that the 25-year-old stays healthy for the remainder of the season.
“Obviously, the hamstring was the main thing, but there were a couple of little things that I needed to take care of with my body,” said Vientos, noting that the team helped him work on his hips, ankles, and shoulder, as well as his hamstring. “I talked to the trainers here, the strength coaches, and we put together a good routine for me to do on the daily, because the last thing I want is something like that to happen again, and my job is just to prevent that from happening.”
“Just focusing on doing my workload, sprinting, checking the boxes of running around, playing defense,” He added. “Obviously getting my swing, my timing back was a thing to. Felt good, got a couple of hits yesterday, had a couple of good at-bats, and ready to be back.”
Coming off a breakout, 27-home run year in 2024, Vientos got off to a rough start this season, slashing .230/.298/.380 with six home runs and 21 RBI in 53 games.
Vientos admitted that he was “humbled” by his tough start, but he knows that the long baseball season offers plenty of time to turn things around.
“I felt like I kind of got humbled a little bit,” he said, “and I appreciate that because I love this game so much and [things] like the first couple months of the season are the reason why I love it so much, because it keeps me on my toes, it keeps me wanting to work harder and harder and get better.”
The Mets certainly hope that their 7-3 win over the Braves on Wednesday night is a sign that the tide is starting to turn following a 1-10 stretch that some them drop out of first place.
And having Vientos back in the lineup should certainly help.
SAN FRANCISCO — Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy isn’t afraid to make moves, even in the second round of the NBA draft.
It was just a year ago that Dunleavy traded the No. 52 overall pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Lindy Waters III the morning of the second round, just to then reacquire the pick to select Quinten Post later in the day during the draft.
Dunleavy was back to his ways this year when he reportedly traded the No. 41 overall pick to the Phoenix Suns for the No. 52 and No. 59 overall picks less than an hour before the second round began.
Instead of going the college route as Dunleavy previously had in his first two drafts, the Warriors selected Alex Toohey at No. 52 overall out of Australia.
Throughout the draft process, Toohey kept moving up big boards and wasn’t expected to be available this late. He was awarded the NBL’s Next Generation Award last season when he averaged 10.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. There isn’t one skill that jumps out when watching Toohey. He doesn’t wow with his athleticism, but he is a skilled young player who has a clear feel for the game.
That should fit in Steve Kerr’s pass-heavy offense. Toohey is known to push the pace and won’t stop the ball. Though he’ll need to improve as an outside shooter, he made teams feel a lot more comfortable with that part of his game at the combine. Australia is a basketball country on the rise, and Toohey could be the next in line to make an impact in the NBA.
As Toohey’s game keeps growing, he should bring versatility and tenacity from the start. Having experience in the pros at a young age is a plus as well.
There’s no telling yet if trading down for Toohey was worth it for the Warriors compared to the players they could have added at No. 41 overall, their original slot coming into the second round. This late in the draft, though, Toohey could be the latest second-round pick to make an impact for the Warriors as a rookie. Golden State has an open two-way spot, too.
If his shot continues to improve and his strong fundamentals bring solid results, Toohey has the chance to fit the mold of a modern stretch-forward who isn’t going to make many mental mistakes on the floor. The fact that he’s an active defender who enjoys that side of the ball should help him find minutes sooner than later, and that’s the best way to make friends within a locker room that has star veterans.
While everyone and their mothers are talking about the upcoming draft and free agency, the Montreal Canadiens released their preseason schedule on Wednesday. This time, Martin St-Louis’ men will be playing six preseason games.
The first exhibition tilt will take place in Montreal on September 22, when the Habs will face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who could look much different come September. Kyle Dubas is set to embrace a rebuild and is actively shopping Erik Karlsson. Will he get the go-ahead to move more veterans who have no movement clauses? Time will tell.
The next day, the Tricolore will host Trevor Zegras and the Philadelphia Flyers before playing a home-and-away series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In case you’ve forgotten, it was in similar circumstances that Montreal lost both Patrik Laine and David Reinbacher to serious knee injuries last preseason. Chances are, the Canadiens will think twice before using members of the core until rosters have been trimmed down and AHL-dedicated tough guys have been weeded out.
The Tricolore will wrap up its preseason with a home-and-away series against the Ottawa Senators, with the away game set at the Centre Videotron in Quebec, where the Sens will be hosting. Just like the Canadiens, Ottawa qualified for the playoffs last season and will be looking to take another step forward this season. Thanks to acquiring Dylan Cozens at the deadline, the Sens now have a much deeper center line and have filled a need the Canadiens are still looking to plug.
When the puck drops on those preseason games, all eyes in Montreal will be fixed on Ivan Demidov as he sets out to embark on his rookie season. Having just witnessed Lane Hutson’s historic first year, the fans will likely have big expectations. Still, it would be worth remembering that the Russian winger only has limited experience in North American play and may need a bit of time to find his footing.
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
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St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou finds himself right back in the rumor mill now that the off-season is here. This comes after the 27-year-old forward was discussed as a trade candidate leading up to this season's deadline.
With Kyrou being an important part of the Blues' roster, there is certainly a clear argument to be had for keeping him around. However, his full no-trade clause kicks in on July 1 and lasts until the completion of the 2029-30 season. Thus, if the Blues want to move him, now would be the time.
Kyrou is reportedly starting to generate some interest around the league, too. According to The Fourth Period, the New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and Columbus Blue Jackets are four teams linked to the Blues star.
The Islanders reportedly having their eye on Kyrou is not necessarily surprising, as they desperately need more scoring if they hope to be a more significant threat next season. The Sabres recently traded JJ Peterka, so they have a hole in their top six that Kyrou could fix. The Canadiens and Blue Jackets are also two young teams on the rise, so they would benefit big time by adding a player like Kyrou.
It will be interesting to see what the Blues end up doing with Kyrou this off-season. With the Blues taking a step forward and getting back into the playoffs last year, it would be understandable if they kept him around. Yet, if they get offered a nice haul for him, it is fair to wonder if they would consider it.
