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'I'd Do Everything the Same': Matvei Michkov Talks Lane Hutson, Rookie Season & Goals for Next Season

(Header/feature image courtesy of The Hockey News' Megan DeRuchie)

Matvei Michkov didn’t need a Calder Trophy nomination to prove he belongs in the NHL.

While the hockey world buzzed about top rookies this season, the 20-year-old Philadelphia Flyers forward compiled an impressive first campaign—electrifying crowds with his creativity, igniting plays with his vision, and, most importantly to him, making strides that go well beyond stat sheets.

In typical Michkov fashion, he met the news of not being named a Calder finalist with the same cool composure he tried to bring to every shift on the ice.

“I’m not sure,” Michkov said when asked how he felt about the omission in a new interview with RG. “I guess I should’ve played better so there’d be no doubt who the best rookie was. But it is what it is. It won’t change how I approach things.”

This was a season of firsts for Michkov—his first in North America, his first time adjusting to a completely different language and culture, and his first test against the grind of an 82-game NHL schedule. Still, he delivered. While others drew more headlines, Michkov steadily proved why he’s considered one of the most gifted young players in the world. He flashed high-end offensive instincts, blended skill with a dogged work ethic, and grew into his role with the Flyers as the season progressed.

“Of course, I feel I could’ve scored more points and played better in some moments—there were plenty of chances that I didn’t finish,” he said. “I didn’t have any specific numbers in mind before the season started, because I didn’t know what to expect. New country, new people. My main goal was to show what I can do and enjoy every game. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn’t. But now my focus is to train well in the offseason, get stronger, and help the team make the playoffs. That’s our main goal.”

It’s that consistent team-first attitude that has quickly earned Michkov respect in the Flyers’ locker room. His skill is undeniable, but it’s his mindset that may truly set him apart. Even after a strong rookie season—one that might’ve made him a Calder finalist or even winner in a different year—Michkov has no interest in personal accolades. He’s already looking ahead to what matters most to him: team success.

“Yes—make the playoffs first,” Michkov said when asked about his goals for Year 2. “Then try to win the Stanley Cup. Personally, I’m not setting any specific numbers. The only goal I have is a team goal, and I’ll do everything I can to reach it.”

That doesn’t mean Michkov wasn’t paying attention to his peers. The NHL’s rookie class this year was stacked with talent, from physical defensemen to crafty playmakers. Michkov singled out Montreal Canadiens blueliner and Calder favorite Lane Hutson as someone who caught his eye.

“I didn’t follow [the other rookies] closely, but the media talked about it a lot, so it was impossible to ignore," he admitted. "Lane Hutson had a really strong season. He scored a lot and was great on the powerplay. I really like his game. I actually saw him back in 2020 at the Winter Youth Olympics. I told [Washington Capitals prospect] Ivan Miroshnichenko at the time, ‘Watch that guy—he’s going to make it.’ And now he’s playing the same way in the NHL. I’m happy for him.”

But Michkov is more focused on how he can take the next step. With his rookie season behind him, the Russian forward is focused less on what he can change and more on how he can refine his approach. It’s not about altering his game—it’s about maturing his mindset.

“Honestly, I’d do everything the same,” he said. “Hockey is hockey. The only difference is that now I’ve learned to stay calmer. When you’re calm, things start to go your way—your game, your life. When I was younger, I couldn’t always control my emotions. I wasted too much energy. That’s the only thing I’d change. Even though it’s hard to stay calm all the time, that’s what I’m working on.”

That level of introspection is relatively rare in a player so young. But then again, Michkov has always carried himself a bit differently than most 20-year-old players. He doesn’t need individual trophies to validate his place in the league. He’s shown what he can do—and more importantly, he knows what he still wants to become.

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Has Thomas Harley Surpassed Miro Heiskanen As The Dallas Stars' Top Defenseman?

When the Edmonton Oilers met the Dallas Stars in the 2024 Western Conference final a year ago, Thomas Harley largely flew under the radar on a blueline that was led by Miro Heiskanen and also featured grizzled veterans Esa Lindell, Chris Tanev and Ryan Suter.

This year, Harley is proving impossible to ignore.

Just ask the Winnipeg Jets, who watched Harley end their season with his power-play winner on Saturday night.

That was Harley’s fourth goal and 11th point in 13th playoff games, putting him one point behind Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard for the post-season scoring lead among defenseman through two rounds.

For the first 10 games of the playoffs, the Stars leaned hard on Harley while Heiskanen finished rehabbing his knee injury. His role didn’t change much when Heiskanen returned. An all-situations guy, Harley led all skaters league-wide in minutes played through the first two rounds.

At just 23, he’s starting to carve out a spot among the top defenders in the league, after just two full NHL seasons.

“I didn’t even know who he was, really, when I got here last year,” said Stars center Matt Duchene, who arrived in the fall of 2023. “Knew he was a tall, lanky defenseman who wore No. 55, but immediately, you’re like ‘Holy. This guy is very good.’ ”

Thomas Harley (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

Drafted 18th overall in 2019, Harley made his NHL debut in the 2020 playoff bubble, getting into one game on the Stars’ road to the Stanley Cup final. He spent most of the next three seasons in the AHL with the Texas Stars, but was called up in the spring of 2023. And after dressing for all 19 Dallas playoff games before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2023 conference final, he never looked back.

According to Duchene, the 6-foot-3 Harley came back bigger and stronger this season.

“Good weight, because he’s a string bean,” Duchene said. “He puts on some bulk, and all of a sudden, he looks bigger out there. He looks more like a man – you know, he’s still young, right? And he’s playing more like a man every day.”

Harley may not have been a household name among fans, but Hockey Canada had him on speed dial when the flu started to take its toll on the team’s roster at the 4 Nations Face-Off last February. As a last-minute replacement, Harley capably subbed for Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar in Canada’s round-robin game against the United States – and maintained his composure during what might have been one of the wildest hockey games of all-time. 

Then, he replaced Josh Morrissey in Canada’s finale win, assisting on Nathan MacKinnon’s game-opener and logging nearly 22 minutes of ice time.

No big deal.

“His disposition’s hilarious,” Duchene said. “He’s just very, very calm. Nothing bothers him. He’s just plugging along and doing his thing, and he’s an absolute stud.”

On top of the 4 Nations, Harley’s post-season resume is growing quickly, too.

He was the sixth defenseman selected in 2019, but when the puck drops for Game 1 in Dallas on Wednesday, Harley will be logging his 53rd career playoff game. Next highest from his draft class are Bowen Byram and Philip Broberg, at 27 games each. Kaapo Kakko is the top forward, with 44 games.

Harley’s 24 playoff points also lead his draft class. Cole Caufield is second, with 16, and Byram is the second-place defenseman, with 12.

As Harley continues to demonstrate his growth in these playoffs, don’t be surprised to see him back in the mix for Team Canada when it’s time to name the roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics. And if he’s challenging Heiskanen for top spot in the Stars’ D-corps — well, that’s a good problem for coach Peter DeBoer to have.

“He’s a No. 1 D-man in this league,” Duchene said. “We’re lucky to have two of them with him and with Miro. It’s going to be really fun to watch him and what he can do in this league, and he’s doing it already.”

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Stars Insider Gives Best Bets For Western Conference Finals versus Edmonton Oilers

Stars Insider provides insights on Dallas's lineup heading into Western Conference Finals

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As the Dallas Stars prepare for a rematch with the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Finals, we spoke with team insider Taylor Newby for her take on the series and potential betting angles.

Dallas is making its third straight trip to the Conference Finals, looking to shake off back-to-back losses to Edmonton last year and Vegas the year before. With redemption on the line, Taylor gave us her thoughts on what to expect this time around.

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

Mikko Rantanen - Series Leading Goal Scorer (+420)

It's hard to pick anyone other than the current playoff leader in goals right now with Mikko Rantanen. The Finnish superstar has shined since joining the Stars and has exploded over the past few games with nine goals and ten assists for 19 points through 11 playoff games before being held off the board over the final two games versus Winnipeg. 

"The obvious answer to me is Mikko Rantanen although it felt like he cooled off as the series went on but it did seem like Winnipeg was all over him," "I also think it could be the other Finns on that line, Roope Hintz & Mikael Granlund, that whole line seems to be unstoppable and is stepping up in each other's absence."
- Newby on Rantanen and Stars' top line

Edmonton fans will believe their 52-goal scorer in Leon Draisaitl will be the man but there's a fairly wide gap in goaltending. Rantanen has 27 points, including 13 goals in last 25 games versus Oilers and will continue his success against Stuart Skinner, who has a .898 save percentage over 28 starts in the last two postseasons. His 2.55 goals against average during this span seems to be more indicative of overall team play rather than Skinner himself. 

More NHL: Hurricanes Insider Gives Best Bets For Eastern Conference Finals versus Florida Panthers

Evgenii Dadonov 1+ Series Goals (-170)

The Oilers have gotten way more out of their current bottom six forwards with 19 goals compared to just six from Dallas's bottom six. If the Stars want to win this series they will need this group to start producing with Evgenii Dadonov being one of the prime suspects for a bounce back according to Newby. 

"After game six, It seemed like he had multiple high-danger chances while somehow having no shots on goal." 
- Newby said on Dadonov

Dadonov has been very serviceable for Dallas in the past with 21 points over 48 playoff games as a member of the Stars. His line with captain Jamie Benn and centre Oskar Back, who hasn't scored once yet, will need to get going and I believe it'll result in at least one goal for Dadonov. 

Wyatt Johnston 2+ Series Goals (-140)

This pick I agree with as Newby believes Johnston has been "Snake-bitten" when it comes to finding the back of the net this postseason with four goals through 13 playoff games. The 22-year-old star forward has gone without a point in four of the last five games and is due for a breakout versus a team he excels against in the Oilers. 

"We all know Mr. Game 7 is not scared of the big moments so it just seems like the pucks will not fall in," "I think both Wyatt and [Matt] Duchene have been doing the right things but pucks have not been going in for them.  Hopefully both of them finally get one so they can start rolling and get some confidence back in their game."
- Newby on Wyatt Johnston and Matt Duchene both being due for goals

More NHL: Veterans First: NHL Insiders Pick Players Who Deserve Cup First From Each Contender

Duchene has some tough betting lines to get in on at the price tag plus he age may be starting to show at 34 years old but I do expect Johnston to certainly get a pair of goals if not more after recording five goals and two assists for seven points over his last eight games versus the Oilers.

In their series last postseason, he scored goals in three of the six games versus Edmonton and should be able to produce again especially as he's due with one goal in his last six games heading in.  

Taylor Newby's Series Prediction: Stars in 7 (+420)

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Steve Borthwick: don’t bet against Henry Pollock making Lions Test team

  • The 20-year-old back-rower has only one England cap
  • Borthwick anticipates further call-ups to Lions squad

Steve Borthwick believes Henry Pollock can force his way into the British & Irish Lions Test team for the series against Australia this summer despite having just one England cap as a replacement to his name.

The 20-year-old was the headline inclusion in Andy Farrell’s Lions squad last month after a stunning breakthrough season in which he has helped Northampton into Saturday’s Champions Cup final against Bordeaux.

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Three potential Giants rotation options with Verlander headed to IL

Three potential Giants rotation options with Verlander headed to IL originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — Justin Verlander has dealt with plenty of bad luck through his first two months as a Giant, watching multiple blown saves wipe out wins that not only would get him on the board in orange and black, but would enhance his chances of one day joining the 300-win club. The latest tough break will cost him at least a couple of weeks. 

Verlander will go on the IL with nerve irritation in his right pectoral muscle, something that popped up in his last start. The Giants are optimistic that he will miss just the two starts before returning to the rotation, which has needed just six starters thus far. 

Verlander played catch Wednesday morning and afterward told trainers that he wasn’t yet 100 percent. He said it was “borderline” for his scheduled start Saturday, and he couldn’t 100 percent guarantee that he would be ready five days later if the Giants skipped one start. That would have left the roster in a tough spot on a three-city trip, so the decision was made to be cautious. 

The 42-year-old missed time last year with nerve irritation in his neck, but said this is not at all related to that injury. 

“That’s really positive,” he said. “It’s just something I need to work through.”

Verlander has a 4.33 ERA through 10 starts, but it’s 2.97 over his last six, and he went at least six innings in four of those games. He lasted just four innings on Sunday, though, and his fastball was down about three mph. Verlander knew before that game that he wasn’t at his best, but he thought he could pitch through it. That changed in the first inning when he looked up and saw 90 mph on the scoreboard. 

“Oh boy,” he told himself. “It’s gonna be a tough day.”

The Giants gave Verlander a couple of days to rest, but they had a pretty good idea all along that he might need more time. That gave them time to prepare some potential fill-in options. 

The frontrunner would appear to be left-hander Kyle Harrison, who has been waiting for his shot since a late start to the spring kept him from competing with Landen Roupp and Hayden Birdsong, both of whom are currently in the rotation. Harrison’s velocity ticked up in Triple-A in late April and he was recalled earlier this month to be a reliever. He hit 97 mph on Tuesday night while throwing 1 1/3 innings. 

Harrison could give the Giants about 50 pitches if needed, manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday morning. That could be enough if the Giants add another depth arm — Tristan Beck, Sean Hjelle, Mason Black and others would be options — to the bullpen. They also could use Thursday’s off day to move others up and give Harrison more time to prepare. 

Jordan Hicks could likely give Melvin about  90 to 100 pitches since he is only a week removed from his last start, although he struggled when he was in the rotation, leading to the Giants giving that spot to Birdsong. Hicks on Wednesday was as sharp as he has been in weeks when he threw one inning out of the bullpen. 

The Giants also could opt for a big promotion. Left-hander Carson Whisenhunt is their best pitching prospect and he was just named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week after throwing 14 shutout innings over two starts. Whisenhunt has thrown seven innings in all four of his May starts and allowed just four earned runs, with 28 strikeouts to two walks. The Giants have two open spots on the 40-man roster and easily could add Whisenhunt, although choosing him would be bypassing Harrison, who is just 23 and viewed as a big piece for future rotations. 

There are options, and that’s the important thing. A year ago at this time, Melvin was patching it together when injuries hit the rotation. 

“I feel like we have eight or nine guys who can come in and start games, which is nice,” staff ace Logan Webb said. “Whoever it is I think is going to do a great job … whoever it is, I’m excited about.”

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Braves at Nationals Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for May 21

It's Wednesday, May 21, and the Braves (24-24) are in Washington to take on the Nationals (22-27). AJ Smith-Shawver is slated to take the mound for Atlanta against Trevor Williams for Washington.

Washington won Game 1 of the series, 5-3, yesterday as seven of the eight runs were scored in the first two innings. Dylan Crews put the Nationals ahead in the second inning for good before leaving the game with an injury. Despite the loss, Atlanta owns the season series over Washington, 3-2.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Braves at Nationals

  • Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
  • Time: 6:45 PM EST
  • Site: Nationals Park
  • City: Washington, DC
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNSO, MASN, MLBN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Braves at the Nationals

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Braves (-161), Nationals (+135)
  • Spread:  Braves -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Braves at Nationals

  • Pitching matchup for May 21, 2025: AJ Smith-Shawver vs. Trevor Williams
    • Braves: AJ Smith-Shawver, (3-2, 2.33 ERA)
      Last outing: 6.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts
    • Nationals: Trevor Williams, (2-5, 5.91 ERA)
      Last outing: 4.1 Innings Pitched, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Braves and the Nationals

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Braves and the Nationals:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Atlanta Braves on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Washington Nationals at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Braves at Nationals

  • The Braves have won 13 of 22 games following a defeat
  • The Under is 4-0-1 in the Nationals' last 5 matchups against divisional opponents
  • The Braves have covered in 4 of their last 5 games for a profit of 2.17 units

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Phillies at Rockies prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for May 21

Its Wednesday, May 21 and the Phillies (30-18) are in Denver to take on the Rockies (8-40). Taijuan Walker is slated to take the mound for Philadelphia against Carson Palmquist for Colorado.

The Phillies have won back-to-back games against the Rockies to lead the series 2-0. Yesterday, Jesus Luzardo was phenomenal for the Phillies. He struck out 10 batters in 6.0 innings while only giving up two hits and one earned run.

Bryce Harper was another bright spot for the Phillies. He went 3-5 with a run and two RBIs.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Phillies at Rockies

  • Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
  • Time: 8:40PM EST
  • Site: Coors Field
  • City: Denver, CO
  • Network/Streaming: Rockies.TV, NBCSP

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Phillies at the Rockies

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Phillies (-233), Rockies (+192)
  • Spread:  Phillies -1.5
  • Total: 11.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Phillies at Rockies

  • Pitching matchup for May 21, 2025: Taijuan Walker vs. Carson Palmquist
    • Phillies: Taijuan Walker, (1-3, 2.62 ERA)
      Last outing (St Louis Cardinals, 5/14): 3.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts
    • Rockies: Carson Palmquist, (0-1, 11.25 ERA)
      Last outing (Arizona Diamondbacks, 5/16): 4.0 Innings Pitched, 5 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 0 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Phillies at Rockies

  • The Rockies have lost four of their last five games against teams with winning records
  • The Phillies are 3-6-1 to the OVER in their last 10 games
  • The total is 5-5-0 in the last 10 Rockies games
  • The Phillies have covered in four of their last five on the road, profiting 2.41 units

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Phillies and the Rockies

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Phillies and the Rockies:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Philadelphia Phillies on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Colorado Rockies at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 11.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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NBA Trade Rumors Roundup: Where things stand as Giannis Antetokounmpo meets with Bucks, KD talk too

With the NBA Draft next month and free agency a week after that, NBA trade rumors are starting to fly fast and furious around the league's back channels. Here are a few worth noting.

Antetokounmpo latest: To meet with Bucks, more

The decision falls to Giannis Antetokounmpo. It always has. As NBC Sports has reported from the start, the Milwaukee Bucks are not going to trade the two-time MVP unless he tells them he wants out because he is worth too much to Milwaukee on and off the court for ownership and GM Jon Horst to consider otherwise.

Antetokounmpo and Bucks brass are set to meet this week to discuss his and the team's future, reports Chris Haynes.

Antetokounmpo is at a crossroads. On one hand, he values loyalty, loves Milwaukee and its people, and would like to play his entire career for one team. On the other hand, he is as competitive a player as there is in the league, he desperately wants another championship, and that's not likely with the Bucks. Look at it this way: Despite him having a season that landed him in the top three in MVP voting, Milwaukee finished fifth in the East and was bounced in the first round, and now will have to play most (if not all) of next season without Damian Lillard after his torn Achilles. If winning another ring is what matters most to Antetokounmpo, he will ask for a trade.

Adding fuel to the fire was this: Antetokounmpo honestly answered a fan's question on X, but his answer only threw fuel on the fire.

Brooklyn’s “Plan A” for a rebuild is trading for Antetokounmpo and they have the draft picks to make an interesting trade package. As for the other New York team, if Giannis went in and told the Bucks he wants to be traded to the Knicks, the sides would talk (although the Knicks have to feel pretty good about their team as it is heading into the Eastern Conference Finals).

Durant not headed to 76ers

Coming out of the rumor mill that is the NBA Draft Combine, there was a lot of speculation that Philadelphia would be willing to trade the No. 3 pick for another win-now move — specifically, going after Kevin Durant, who will not be in Phoenix when next season starts. The idea is that the 76ers would pair Paul George and the No. 3 pick to get Durant and more out of Phoenix.

Don't bet on it, reports NBA insider Jake Fischer at The Stein Line.

"There have been no indications that they are looking to package George with the No. 3 pick or try to move him on his own. The Sixers surely understand that there is little-to-no chance they could optimize a trade return for the 35-year-old after his injury-riddled maiden season as a Sixer."

This trade made zero sense for Phoenix anyway, outside of certainly some interest in the No. 3 pick and the chance to have Ace Bailey or V.J. Edgecombe. The core issue in any George deal is that he has a virtually untradeable contract, especially considering his age and injury history. George signed a new four-year deal last summer to move to Philly and has three years, $162.4 million remaining. Why would Phoenix, a team trying to lower its tax bill, trade away the old expensive guy with one year left on his contract for the old expensive guy with three years left on his contract?

Expect the 76ers to run it back with George, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and add whoever is the No. 3 pick. In what will be a down East next season (with Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard's injuries), Philadelphia can bet on health and know if things break their way, they can be in the mix to win the East. That is far, far more likely than a Durant trade.

Teams monitoring Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets have new ownership and a new front office, but one thing remains the same: They have not made the playoffs for nine years.

Which is why teams are checking in just to see if they are looking to make win-now moves. Here is what Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo wrote at ESPN: "The Hornets took a patient approach at the trade deadline, and opposing teams are curious about their level of urgency this offseason."

LaMelo Ball is 23, Brandon Miller is 22, Josh Green is 24, and even their "old" veterans, Miles Bridges and Grant Williams, are just 26. That is a young team, but one too old to have won just 19 games last season.

Consider it all just something to watch.

NBA Draft Rumors

• While the expectation is ultimately that the Spurs will use the No. 2 pick to select Dylan Harper and deal with their crowded but talented backcourt later, the team will "entertain" calls about trading the pick, ESPN reports.

• Not so with Dallas at No. 1, they are not trading that pick and the rights to Cooper Flagg, league sources told NBC Sports. Nor should they. Not even for Giannis Antetokounmpo (no way the Mavericks should trade an 18-year-old potential star for a 30-year-old, no matter how good he is). Even if Nico Harrison thought about it for a moment, the backlash from fans in the wake of the Luka Doncic trade should scare him off the idea.

• Speaking of Dallas, they lack point guards on the roster with Kyrie Irving out at least to start the season (torn ACL). Well, they have Brandon Williams and Jaden Hardy, but they need more. If Boston is about to move on from Jrue Holiday and maybe Derrick White, do the Mavericks want to try to jump into that bidding? I'm not sure if they have the picks and players to make it work, but Nico Harrison has to at least make the call.

• Zion Williamson representing the Pelicans at the NBA Draft Lottery should be a sign to the rest of the league that the new head honcho in New Orleans, Joe Dumars, plans to build around Zion, reports Marc Stein.

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How do second-apron penalties limit Celtics? Here's one tangible example

How do second-apron penalties limit Celtics? Here's one tangible example originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Back in March, when current Boston Celtics lead owner Wyc Grousbeck was asked about the dreaded “second apron” in the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, he noted that its biggest impact related to roster building, not money.

“It’s not the luxury tax bill, it’s the basketball penalties,” Grousbeck told WEEI at the time. “… The basketball penalties mean that it’s even more of a premium now to have your basketball general manager be brilliant and lucky.

” … I predict, for the next 40 years of the CBA, no one is going to stay in the second apron more than two years.”

So, what exactly are these penalties that led Grousbeck to make such a bold prediction? Here’s a list of the restrictions on teams that exceed the second apron of the luxury tax:

  • Teams cannot sign a waived player who had a salary of at least $14.1 million
  • Teams cannot use a trade exception generated by aggregating the salaries of multiple players
  • Teams cannot include cash in a trade
  • Teams cannot use a trade exception generated in a prior year
  • First-round picks seven years out are frozen (unable to be traded)
  • A team’s first-round pick is moved to the end of the first round if they remain in the second apron for three out of five seasons

If your eyes glazed over there, we don’t blame you. That’s a lot to digest. But the latest Celtics-related report provides a tangible example of how the second apron limits teams like Boston, which is currently $20 million over that threshold entering the offseason.

Longtime NBA journalist Marc Stein reported earlier this week that Boston may explore trading Jrue Holiday this offseason in its quest to trim salary and get under the second apron. On Wednesday, Stein’s colleague Jake Fischer noted that “multiple rival executives” believe the Celtics would need to include “some form of incentive (such as draft compensation)” in such a deal to convince a team to take on the $104 million remaining on Holiday’s contract.

For starters, second-apron restrictions prevent the Celtics from including cash in a hypothetical Holiday trade, which means they’d need to go the draft pick route. But the second apron also prevents Boston from trading its 2032 first-round pick, which would create a ripple effect that would leave Brad Stevens and Co. with very limited draft resources to trade, as CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning lays out here:

Even if the Celtics can complete a trade of Holiday using one of the picks above, their lack of future selections complicates their ability to make other deals that may require draft picks as sweeteners, such as potentially moving big man Kristaps Porzingis and his expiring contract.

The draft pick restriction of the second apron is a big reason why the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets were forced to let Paul George and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, respectively, walk in free agency for no return, and it’s possible the Celtics could meet the same fate with Porzingis if they can’t find a trade partner with their current assets.

The Holiday example underscores the importance of Boston at the very least shedding $20 million in salary this summer to ensure the team isn’t subject to the same second-apron penalties next offseason. That may require some hard decisions, but with Jayson Tatum already expected to miss most or all of the 2025-26 season as he recovers from Achilles surgery, the short-term pain may be worth the long-term gain.

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Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA MVP for 2024-25 season: Report

Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA MVP for 2024-25 season: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Welcome to the MVP club, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Oklahoma City Thunder star reportedly has won the 2024-25 NBA MVP award, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

It marks the first for Gilgeous-Alexander, who played a leading role in the Thunder’s league-best 68-14 record that saw them top the Western Conference ladder.

Gilgeous-Alexander posted averages of 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks on a 51.9/37.5/89.8 shooting split. His points and assists averages marked career highs.

A three-time All-Star, the Kentucky product was the season’s scoring champion for the first time. Oklahoma City acquired the Toronto native after his rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers, with Paul George the main piece headed the other way.

Gilgeous-Alexander was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, spending just one season as a Wildcat.

He edged three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who helped Denver to a 50-32 record before losing to Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder in the second round. He recorded his first ever triple-double campaign, averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists and 1.8 steals.

Only Oscar Robertson (1961-62) and Russell Westbrook (2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21) have averaged a triple double over the course of a season.

The Nuggets star won the MVP in consecutive years in 2021 and 2022 before picking up his third in 2024, with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid halting Jokic’s run in 2023. He was attempting to become just the sixth player in league history to win four or more MVP awards — joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6), Michael Jordan (5), Bill Russell (5), LeBron James (4) and Wilt Chamberlain (4).

Gilgeous-Alexander placed second in the MVP voting last season, with Jokic the winner and ex-Dallas Maverick Luka Doncic rounding out the top three.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who won the MVP back-to-back in 2019 and 2020, was also an MVP finalist. Milwaukee finished 48-34, good for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.

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Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA MVP for 2024-25 season: Report

Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA MVP for 2024-25 season: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Welcome to the MVP club, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Oklahoma City Thunder star reportedly has won the 2024-25 NBA MVP award, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

It marks the first for Gilgeous-Alexander, who played a leading role in the Thunder’s league-best 68-14 record that saw them top the Western Conference ladder.

Gilgeous-Alexander posted averages of 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks on a 51.9/37.5/89.8 shooting split. His points and assists averages marked career highs.

A three-time All-Star, the Kentucky product was the season’s scoring champion for the first time. Oklahoma City acquired the Toronto native after his rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers, with Paul George the main piece headed the other way.

Gilgeous-Alexander was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, spending just one season as a Wildcat.

He edged three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who helped Denver to a 50-32 record before losing to Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder in the second round. He recorded his first ever triple-double campaign, averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists and 1.8 steals.

Only Oscar Robertson (1961-62) and Russell Westbrook (2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21) have averaged a triple double over the course of a season.

The Nuggets star won the MVP in consecutive years in 2021 and 2022 before picking up his third in 2024, with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid halting Jokic’s run in 2023. He was attempting to become just the sixth player in league history to win four or more MVP awards — joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6), Michael Jordan (5), Bill Russell (5), LeBron James (4) and Wilt Chamberlain (4).

Gilgeous-Alexander placed second in the MVP voting last season, with Jokic the winner and ex-Dallas Maverick Luka Doncic rounding out the top three.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who won the MVP back-to-back in 2019 and 2020, was also an MVP finalist. Milwaukee finished 48-34, good for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.

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Emma Raducanu suffers injury scare before French Open in defeat by Collins

  • British No 2 went out 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 after long medical break
  • Djokovic wins first match of season on clay in Geneva

Emma Raducanu suffered an injury scare before the French Open as she went out of the Strasbourg Open.

The 22-year-old left the court during the second set of her second-round match with American Danielle Collins for treatment on a back problem, though appeared to recover. Having won the first set, Raducanu was 5-0 down when she called a medical timeout before returning to the court 10 minutes later. Although she was able to finish the match, she lost 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 to Collins.

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Giro d’Italia: Richard Carapaz solos to stage 11 win as Del Toro stays in pink

  • Overall leader finishes 10 seconds behind Ecuadorian
  • UAE Team Emirates teammate Juan Ayuso is second

Richard Carapaz won stage 11 of the Giro d’Italia on Wednesday with a solo ride in the last nine kilometres, with the leader, Isaac del Toro, finishing second in a sprint to the line, 10 seconds behind the former Olympic champion.

Carapaz, the winner of the 2019 Giro, timed his attack to perfection for his fourth career stage win in the race while Del Toro retained the pink jersey, adding six seconds to his lead.

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Mets at Red Sox prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for May 21

It's Wednesday, May 21 and the Mets (29-20) are in Boston to take on the Red Sox (25-25). Tylor Megill is slated to take the mound for New York against Garrett Crochet for Boston.

Boston is looking for the sweep after 2-0 and 3-1 victories over the last two days against the Mets. The Red Sox have won three of the past four games, while the Mets have dropped three straight and five of the past six.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Mets at Red Sox

  • Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
  • Time: 6:45 PM EST
  • Site: Fenway Park
  • City: Boston, MA
  • Network/Streaming: SNY, NESN, MLBN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Mets at the Red Sox

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Mets (+126), Red Sox (-151)
  • Spread:  Red Sox -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Mets at Red Sox

  • Pitching matchup for May 21, 2025: Tylor Megill vs. Garrett Crochet
    • Mets: Tylor Megill, (3-4, 3.74 ERA)
      Last outing: 2.2 Innings Pitched, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 5 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts
    • Red Sox: Garrett Crochet, (4-3, 2.00 ERA)
      Last outing: 7.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 8 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Red Sox

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Mets and the Red Sox:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New York Mets at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mets at Red Sox

  • The Mets have won 13 of 19 games following a defeat
  • 6 of the Mets' last 7 games (86%) have stayed under the Total
  • The Mets have failed to cover the Run Line in 6 of their last 7 road games against the Red Sox

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)