Cole Prosek brings a loud bat to the White Sox — but he has a potentially enormous defensive value, as well. | (Photo by Jill Weisleder/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The White Sox are simply addicted to middle infielders at this point, using their third selection of three so far in the draft to snag Magnolia Heights (Miss.) H.S. second baseman Cole Prosek with the 41st pick in the MLB draft.
Prosek is a bat-first infielder who just this year started catching, which adds an additional wrinkle to the proceedings. If the youngster is not saddled with the arduous task of learning a new trade behind the plate, his big-time bat will allow him to move more aggressively through the White Sox system. But inarguably there is massive value in finding a plus-defender at catch who also has a potent bat.
MLB had Prosek ranked as the No. 27 prospect in the draft, so the White Sox just added a first-round talent to the mix some dozen picks later in the proceedings. The MLB.com broadcast staff was enamored with this selection, and so far have given the White Sox top marks for their draft class so far.
Being committed to Mississippi means that the White Sox may need to go over-slot to secure Prosek, but there is no serious concerns he won’t be in the club’s draft camp in Arizona this week.
Given that the White Sox aren’t afraid to give a non-traditional catcher some run at the position (see Adrian Gil, High-A Kannapolis), Prosek might not see any full-season ball in 2026, instead working out his future defensive role in Arizona later this summer.
Once destined for the bullpen even at the college level, Eric Segura battled his way into rotation brilliance in 2026. | (Photo by Gunnar Word/Texas Rangers/Getty Images)
It’s back-to-back arms for the White Sox, winding up Day 1 of the draft by picking Eric Segura, a swingman righty out of Oregon State University with the 105th selection.
This is the first lower-reaching pick the White Sox have made on the day — Segura was the 196th-ranked play on MLB’s draft board — and thus this could be a money-saving move. Still, Segura has some enticing fight.
He battled his way into the Beavers rotation as a freshman, and after spending his sophomore year working out of the pen had an outstanding junior year in 2026: His 2.22 ERA ranked in the Top 10 among NCAA Division I pitchers, and he halved his walks from 2025. These changes have led evaluators to believe that, fueled by improvements in his slider, Segura isn’t a surefire bet for a bullpen role as a pro.
The sidewinder does not overwhelm overall, but his fastball does sit in the mid-90s and the arc of his college career indicates a smart and wily pitcher.
With a reasonable workload as a weekend starter (15 games, 73 innings), the White Sox should plug Segura in for a little bit of run at Kannapolis later this summer, in an attempt to sort out his role entering his first full pro season in 2027.
The Twins go with a third straight pitcher to cap off day one of the draft. Again, it’s a big 6’4” frame from the right side with big velocity. Tommy LaPour was throwing mid 90s out of high school, and after cracking the rotation at Wichita State as a freshman, he found his way to TCU. An excellent sophomore campaign in the Big 12 put him on the map, posting a 3.09 ERA in 16 starts. Elbow soreness cost LaPour a couple months this spring and he struggled with command over a small sample size when he returned. Still, the potential is there and the Twins may have gotten a discount due to the elevated uncertainty.
He has a pretty sound delivery from a 3/4 arm slot. He doesn’t get much extension, but the ball jumps out of his hand. He sits mid 90s and will flirt with triple digits. Can get whiffs at the top of the zone and get some dive towards the bottom. His slider gets solid two-plane movement in the mid 80s and he throws a harder cutter in the upper 80s, but both pitches lack spin and aren’t particularly sharp. There is a changeup in the upper 80s as well that has flashed some whiff potential and can be a reliable put-away pitch against lefties.
There are lots of inconsistencies with his arsenal and questions about the effectiveness of his secondaries. LaPour has potential as a back-end starter, but he is a high energy guy that likely fits better in the bullpen where he can let that fastball fly.
HOOVER, AL - MAY 22: Pitcher Shane Sdao #38 of the Texas A&M Aggies pitches the ball during the SEC Baseball Tournament Quarterfinals game between Texas A&M Aggies and Auburn Tigers on May 22, 2026, at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama.(Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
With their final day one pick, the Mets selected Shane Sdao, a senior LHP from Texas A&M.
Sdao was an interesting high-volume relieve in his first two seasons at Texas A&M and was set to convert to the rotation in 2025. Unfortunately, he missed the entire year with Tommy John surgery and ultimately went undrafted despite rating as an interesting mid-round selection on Baseball America’s 2025 board. Back on the mound in 2026, Sdao went 4-4 with a 7.03 ERA, 783 strikeouts, and 21 walks in 71.2 innings this past season, with the majority of those innings coming as a starter.
At his best, Sdao can touch the upper 90s with above average extension while showing three breaking ball offerings. The best is a east-west slider, fitting with the Mets preference for horizontal breaking ball profiles. He’s also shown a curveball, cutter, and changeup, with the latter being the weakest offering by far. There’s some level of projection here as well despite Sdao’s age (he’s closer to 23 than 22) given his lean frame and recent return from injury. The vision for the Mets is presumably that they can take what is still a fairly unformed ball of clay and wring out significant improvements. BA had Sdao 91st on their top-500.
Selecting a senior sign this early (even if it is one of the better ones available this year) suggests the Mets are looking to save money for other picks. It’s possible that Carson Wiggins is closer to slot than we initially expected or that Aiden Robbins requires even more overslot, which would not help the already mediocre evaluation of those two picks. It’s also possible the Mets are looking to save more money to spread around in the later innings. We’ll see how the rest of the board develops on Day 2.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Morez Johnson #14 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors on July 9, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks play their second NBA Summer League contest on Saturday night, this time it’s the late game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Dallas was waxed by the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, 101-90. The Lakers played their first game on Friday night, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder, 96-84. Dallas fans will get a look at how Baylor product Cameron Carr looks in purple and gold. Here’s the other main things you need to know:
WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers
WHAT: NBA Summer League, Game 2 for Dallas
WHERE: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
WHEN: 9:00 pm CST
HOW: ESPN
At the moment, I’m not able to find any injuries or reasons why players from either team would miss the game. Dallas came out of last game with no one getting beat up in a significant way. The Lakers did play last night, so I wouldn’t be shocked if any Lakers players are out (including Carr) since they did play in the California Classic. But hopefully we see everyone who can suit up and play.
Look for Morez Johnson to asset his will again if he gets the ball near the basket. I am curious to see if the game play encourages more three pointers from him, just because I want him to be a long ball threat eventually. Defensively, hopefully he won’t be asked to clean up everyone else’s mistakes again.
Sergio De Larrea having a better shooting game will assuage some concerns. But as we can see here, the Mavericks aren’t concerned so we shouldn’t be either.
I asked Mavs summer league coach Joe Boylan in a @DLLS_Mavs exclusive about Sergio De Larrea:
“The shot selection was great so I’m not worried about how many shots he made or missed.” pic.twitter.com/j5iYi1wQaz
Personally, I would like to see him have a tighter handle. He plays so upright at times and if he doesn’t have top tier control, he’s going to lose that ball often.
I also hope Vsevolod Ishchenko gets more burn as the play initiator. Dallas looked away from him often, even when he was open, in the third and fourth quarters Thursday. Then he seemed to get irritated, went and got the ball himself, then started whipping the ball around.
There’s plenty more to watch, so tell us in the comments what you’re looking for.
It’s official. The Senators are about to be joined by a second pro hockey team making Canadian Tire Centre their home.
After three seasons at TD Place, the Ottawa Charge announced Thursday they've signed a multi-year agreement to move to Canadian Tire Centre full-time, beginning next season.
Ottawa Senators President and CEO Cyril Leeder speaks with the media (Credit: The Hockey News Women's Hockey site)
Senators President and CEO Cyril Leeder was part of the announcement, along with Charge GM Mike Hirshfeld, and forward Rebecca Leslie, the hometown hero who led the Charge in goals in both the regular season and playoffs.
“Senators Sports & Entertainment is proud to officially welcome the Ottawa Charge to Canadian Tire Centre,” Leeder said. “The Ottawa-Gatineau region is fortunate to have two professional hockey teams competing at the highest level. In a short period of time, the Charge have developed a substantial following and fanbase, and they have become an important part of our local hockey ecosystem.”
Meanwhile, the City of Ottawa is currently building a new 6,500-seat arena at Lansdowne that was expected to become the Charge's permanent home. But the PWHL decided the building would be too small to accommodate both its current average attendance (8131) and its long-term growth plans.
In their recent past, the Charge have played six games at the CTC and have averaged 13,641 fans a game there, which is compelling, and certainly every Ottawa hockey fan hopes those types of numbers continue.
But a full regular season of PWHL games in an NHL building will be a much different test than the special occasion of the playoffs, and that's one of the reasonable concerns about this move.
For example, one of the best things about the Charge in their first three seasons has been that demand is in the same neck of the woods as supply. Can that happen for them in an 18,000-seat NHL arena? Smaller venues create urgency for tickets. Fans are willing to buy earlier and pay more because they know tickets are limited.
Over the course of the 15-game regular season now at the CTC, on nights when they maintain their average attendance, the Charge may find themselves playing in front of 10,000 empty seats, and there’s a risk that urgency could disappear.
A full house also creates a much better TV product than 8100 fans scattered through an 18,000-seat arena. Empty seats are hard to ignore on television, and perception can matter to prospective fans and sponsors.
These are part of the reasons the Senators have reduced the building's seating capacity over the years.
And then there’s location. The Senators eventually want to leave Kanata and get to a central location. The Charge is leaving a central location to get to Kanata. Lansdowne is a desirable location that’s easier to get to for a lot of people, including the players, and there’s certainly more to do around the building before and after games.
I hope this move proves to be the right one. Nothing would be better than seeing the Charge fill Canadian Tire Centre every night. But until that happens, it's fair to wonder whether the PWHL is moving too far and too fast when it already has something here that's working really well.
DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 09: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers embraces P.J. Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks after the game at American Airlines Center on April 09, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers’ flurry of activity early in free agency covered a variety of holes on the roster, but left one gaping one.
Sandro Mamukelashvili was signed to replace Rui Hachimura, but he’s not a locked on starter. Most would assume that he’s a backup big man, able to spell either the starting power forward or center.
Obviously, the team is chasing Jonathan Kuminga, but that fills a hole more on the perimeter than at the four. Other names have come up in the search across the league as potential options at the four, including a former teammate of Luka Dončić.
During their relatively brief time together, PJ Washington shined bright alongside Luka. It helped him revive his career after toiling away in Charlotte. It also helped him get a hefty contract as he signed a 4-year, nearly $90-million deal.
When Luka was on the Mavericks, that contract felt fine. When Luka was dealt, that contract looked a lot more like an albatross. It would be easy, then, to assume that, perhaps, the Lakers would be interested in him.
However, for now, it doesn’t look like the Lakers are interested in Washington because of his deal, as reported by Khobi Price of the California Post.
The Lakers have long been tied to trade rumors with Mavericks forward PJ Washington, a former teammate of Doncic’s in Dallas, but the fully guaranteed $88.8 million Washigton’s owed over the next four years isn’t appealing to the Lakers.
There’s always the chance this is posturing, which surely would come into play at least somewhat here. The Lakers handed out four-year contracts like candy this summer. It’s hard to imagine them drawing a line on Washington, who has a proven track record of producing alongside Luka and fills a hole in the roster.
For now, it seems like the full-court push is on for Kuminga and it’s basically impossible to acquire both he and Washington. But, should Kuminga go elsewhere, it would be interesting to see if the focus shifts to Dallas.
Washington could start at the four, but also could play as a spacing five as well. It would give the Lakers lots of versatility alongside Mamu in the front court. He likely again wouldn’t be much of a defensive signing, which does fit the profile of player the Lakers signed this offseason.
The Lakers aren’t in much of a position where they can be picky, but there is a hierarchy of who they prefer right now, it seems. There aren’t going to be many other suitors for Washington, if any, so the Lakers likely don’t feel much urgency on that option.
It feels like at least one more notable player will be added to the Lakers this free agency. It’s just a matter of who they choose and who chooses them.
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 31: Gary Trent Jr. #5 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 31, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
Good news for Gary Trent Jr., as the former Blue Devil signed a huge contract to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks.
By NBA standards, Trent was not really making very much the last few years. He had the league minimum in 2024, and then signed a two-year deal for $7.5 million.
Now, he’s got a four-year deal for $64 million, thus moving from $3.75 million per year to $16 million.
Not many people get to quadruple their salary, so congratulations to Trent. That’s amazing.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Tre Johnson #12 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Utah Jazz during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Fresh off a four-point win over the Utah Jazz to open the 2026 NBA Summer League, the Washington Wizards take on the Sacramento Kings squad Sunday night at 7 p.m. Eastern.
The Wizards got just about everything they could have hoped for in the opener. AJ Dybantsa, Tre Johnson, and Will Riley all impressed while also showing areas for improvement. Aided by the league’s nonsensical foul rules (players get 10 before being disqualified despite the game being eight minutes shorter — if anything, they should be given five like college), Jamir Watkins harassed No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson into nine turnovers and a 6-18 shooting night.
First overall pick AJ Dybantsa scored 27 points in his NBA Summer League debut. | Getty Images
Seth Trimble wasn’t bad in 12 minutes of action, but otherwise no one else did much in the opener. That’s fine, though — the Wizards aren’t counting on any of them to be part of the rotation. Best case, they might have one or two on the roster, and others might be part of their G League roster.
The Kings are also 1-0 in summer league — powered by 21 points off the bench from second round pick Emanuel Sharp and solid performers from young players with NBA experience (Jonathan Mogbo and Dylan Cardwell), they beat the Los Angeles Clippers.
What to Watch For
Dybantsa — Build on the strong opener by hitting a three or two and using his athletic tools and considerable skills to create easier shots.
Johnson — Show more dimension than taking shots. Set up some teammates for scores, get a few rebounds.
Will Riley — Fewer turnovers, stronger defense.
Felix Okpara — Six boards in 20 minutes was fine. Let’s see more at-rim defensive presence, a blocked shot or two, and better screens.
Jamir Watkins — Take (and make) some threes. Defend without committing nine fouls in 20 minutes.
Seth Trimble — More minutes, strong defense. Let’s see him channel his inner Jalen Suggs.
For Sacramento, I’m interested in seeing Darius Acuff Jr., a talented guard who ranked sixth in YODA this year. The Kings hope he’ll be a long-term driver of high-level offense.
Need to Know
Start time: 8 p.m. Eastern
Where to watch: Monumental Sports Network or Amazon Prime.
LAS VEGAS — It's always interesting to see the reaction in the media seats at NBA Summer League when news breaks. When the news came down about Gary Trent re-signing with the Bucks for four years, $64 million (a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN), the reaction was something like this.
This is a fully guaranteed contract, no options. The Bucks and Trent's representatives looked at sign-and-trade options before settling on this deal, reports Charania. It seems like a lot of money for Trent and his production, although this is the size of contract that falls right into the sweet spot for potential trades.
Last season, Trent was on a minimum deal with the Bucks and averaged 8.1 points per game, shooting 36% from 3, playing about 21 minutes per night.
The Bucks have all the guards, it seems. We'll call Trent 6'5" a wing, and in the mix for that role is Tyler Herro, Caris LeVert, Jamie Jaquiez Jr. and just drafted Brayden Burries, who has looked pretty good at Summer League. The Bucks are stockpiling talent and picks in the hope of drafting or trading for their next star in the coming seasons as they move on from the Giannis Antetokounmpo era.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Pacome Dadiet #4 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Knicks won’t have long to shake off Friday’s loss, as they return to the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday for a Summer League Finals rematch with the Spurs. New York will be looking for more consistent performances from Pacome Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara while hoping its offense avoids the droughts that doomed it against Brooklyn. San Antonio presents another intriguing test with second-year forward Carter Bryant and a rookie class that includes first-round picks Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed, Jr.
Tip-off is 6 pm EST on Gotham and ESPN. This is your game thread. This is Pounding the Rock. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Enjoy basketball. And go Knicks!
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 09: Carter Bryant #11 of the San Antonio Spurs walks on the court during a break in the second half of a 2026 NBA Summer League game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much. The rule against trolling also applies to members of this site that visit other fan sites.
It’s not exactly a rematch, since only Carter Bryant was on the team that played the Knicks in the NBA Finals last month, but maybe this is a little bigger than your average Summer League game. The Spurs lost by 27 to the Hawks in their first game, and the Summer Knicks got blown out by 26 by the Nets, so both teams are looking for their first Las Vegas win today. Like all Summer League games, the final score is meaningless, but it sure would be nice to see the Spurs look like a team that has seen a basketball before in today’s game after a cruel summer so far. A win over the Knicks, even their summer squad, would take a little of the edge off.
After today, there are two more scheduled games left in Vegas—one on Sunday at 8:00PM against the Bucks and again on Wednesday at 8:30 against the Jazz. Also, there will be a consolation/playoff game next weekend. Frankly, if you watch all of the games, you’re probably a real sicko. Welcome sickos!
Game Prediction:
There will be at least one quarter where neither team scores a point.
San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks (Las Vegas Summer League) July 11, 2026 | 5:00 PM CT Streaming: ESPN TV: ESPN Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
Kranti Gaud took five wickets before Smriti Mandhana once more piled on the runs against England as India continued to dominate the inaugural women’s Test at Lord’s on Saturday.
Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at FedExForum on April 06, 2026.
Ja Morant has the chance to rebuild his career in Portland, to revive his reputation as one of the league’s most electric talents.
But he knows it will be far harder to remake the perception so many have of him as a “bad guy.”
“Obviously, I’ve done what I’ve done in the past, but it’s been addressed and handled already. I don’t see why, years later, that’s still the topic when nothing’s happened since,” Morant said in his first media availability since being traded to the Trail Blazers, per ESPN.
“I feel like if I was that guy you wouldn’t be talking to me now.”
Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) during the second half of a game against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Houston. AP
The two-time All-Star is just 26 but has seen his stock dip significantly, having played just 79 games in the past three seasons due to injuries and off-court issues.
Morant, who has averaged 22.4 points and 7.4 assists since being taken with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, looked like a shell of himself last season, as he struggled to stay healthy and shot a career-worst 41 percent from the field (23.5 percent on 3-pointers).
However, Memphis’ difficulty trading the guard also stemmed from his image.
Morant served an eight-game ban in 2023 for “conduct detrimental to the league” and a 25-game suspension to start the 2023-24 season, following incidents in which he displayed a gun on an Instagram live stream.
Morant was also suspended for one game this past season for an altercation with coach Tuomas Iisalo.
Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at FedExForum on April 06, 2026. Getty Images
“Do I feel like I need a new start? I love it. I’m happy for it,” Morant said. “Get to start fresh. New home, new team, new organization. I get to show the fans in Portland a different Ja … Over the years, I’ve grown a lot. I’ve learned a lot
“Just staying more focused and what’s the most important thing. not worrying about any of the outside stuff. … Anything that was a problem in Memphis shouldn’t matter to me no more. My focus is Portland.”
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Labaron Philon #00 of the Philadelphia 76ers smiles during the game against the Detroit Pistons during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2026 at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Your 2026 Summer Sixers are here, and they got off to just the right start. They won their first game against the Pistons in Las Vegas on Thursday, 101-93, and are back in action Saturday evening against the Pacers.
Of course, following new Sixers rookie Labaron Philon is the main draw, after his handle and smooth shooting stood out at times in the Sixers’ first Summer League game. He only finished the game shooting 6-of-19 for 18 points, but went 4-of-10 from three (the high volume is nice to see), showed off his ball-handling ability, and flashed some nifty playmaking on his way to tallying seven assists to three turnovers.
For the very first time, it's time for Labaron Philon Sixers highlights!
Liked a lot of what we saw from the No. 22 pick. Some inconsistent shooting, but clear ability and game sense. Great handles and awareness; smart about collapsing the defense and kicking out for assists. pic.twitter.com/kdgE1lZrtg
Can Johni Broome continue to build on his solid start this summer? Against the Pistons, he tallied 19 points on 50 percent shooting, 13 rebounds and two blocks, with his work on the glass in particular standing out with his eight offensive rebounds. He’s got some way to go before you can say he looks like a potential NBA player, but this was a good start to his summer after a difficult rookie year.
Apart from the guys we’re more familiar with, Dante Maddox Jr. (21 points on 7-of-13 shooting with four triples) and Isaac Johnson (20 points with four threes) both led the way with their shooting on Thursday. They’ll be players to keep an eye on against Indiana.
