The Islanders hired longtime OHL coach and former NHL defenseman Jay McKee to lead their new AHL club in Hamilton, Ont.
After spending over a decade coaching in the Canadian junior league, McKee returns to the AHL to spearhead the newly-named Hamilton Hammers in their first season of existence in 2026-27.
The 48-year-old spent the past five years as head coach of the Bulldogs, a team that relocated from Hamilton to Brantford in 2023.
Head coach Jay McKee of the Brantford Bulldogs observing the game from the bench. Getty Images
In 2021-22, his first season with the club, McKee coached the Bulldogs to a 51-12-5 record, the best mark in franchise history, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champion and reaching the championship of the Memorial Cup.
Last season, the Bulldogs had the best record in the OHL (48-10-8-2) under McKee.
This will be McKee’s first head coaching job in the AHL, after the former NHL defenseman served as an assistant for the Rochester Americans in 2011-12.
He joined the OHL’s Erie Otters as an assistant in 2014-15 before the Kitchener Rangers hired him as an associate coach the following season.
Kitchener then promoted McKee to head coach.
As the Rangers’ head coach, McKee compiled a record of 120-88-17.
McKee, who began his coaching career as an assistant at Niagara University in 2010-11, played 14 years in the NHL.
The No. 14 overall pick by the Sabres in 1995, McKee spent the first 10 seasons of his career in Western New York and played a key part in Buffalo’s run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1999.
Known for his prowess as a shot-blocker and ruggedness as a defensive defenseman, McKee also made stops in St. Louis and Pittsburgh, finishing his NHL career with 21 goals and 104 assists in 802 career games.
A familiar face could be joining the Vancouver Canucks organization. According to HockeyNews.se, Alex Edler is set to return to the organization for which he played 925 games. The article doesn't specify a role, but it does provide an update on when Edler would start.
As per Mattias Oak, "According to information provided to Hockeynews, the plan is for their former Canucks teammate Alexander Edler to help out at this summer's development camp so he will also get a part in the organization." Edler retired from the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings in 2023. On October 11, 2024, Edler signed a one-day contract with Vancouver so he could retire with the Canucks.
Oct 11, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Daniel and Henrik Sedin celebrate the retirement of former Vancouver Canuck Alexander Edler from NHL hockey with Edler’s family prior to a game against against the Philadelphia Flyers at Rogers Arena. Edler signed a one day contract with the club in order to retire as a Vancouver Canuck. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Edler played 15 seasons in Vancouver. The 40-year-old defenceman recorded 409 points with the Canucks, which ranks second among defenders in franchise history. Edler recorded an assist on Henrik and Daniel Sedin's final NHL points, and played 12 seasons with Vancouver's new Co-Presidents of Hockey Operations.
The Canucks usually hold their Development Camp a few days after the draft concludes. Over the past couple of years, the camp has taken place at UBC. Vancouver's Development Camp roster usually includes draft picks as well as NCAA free agents.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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In recent years, I’ve come to wonder whether I’m on the autism spectrum.
Then again, I kind of think everyone’s on the spectrum now. That could be selection bias – I’m mildly autistic, so I gravitate to mildly autistic people. It could be a reflection of bastardization of diagnostic and clinical language. It could also just be accurate.
One symptom of autism is “a profound, often unwavering commitment to fairness, equality, and moral correctness”. I used to find this annoying. It felt like a sneaky way of virtue signalling. “Oh no, I have a neurodevelopmental disorder that makes me a really good person!“. Now, I feel like it’s another symptom I might endorse:
Because I am absolutely seething about the NBA’s new anti-tanking reforms, even if they might benefit my beloved Houston Rockets.
New NBA tanking rules patently unfair
So, the Memphis Grizzlies acquired three future first-round picks from the Utah Jazz in exchange for Jaren Jackson Jr. The new rules state that a team’s pick can’t convey in the top five for three consecutive seasons. The Jazz have picked in the top five for two straight years, so now, their 2027 pick can’t land there:
Even though the Grizzlies own it.
If anyone can locate the iota of sense that makes, someone tell me. I’ve seen some attempts to justify the rule, but they have been feeble.
Some have said the Grizzlies should be punished for trading Jackson Jr. in a deliberate bid to get worse. Hogwash. Teams can’t get younger anymore? This is especially outlandish in an increasingly punitive CBA. So the Grizzlies have to keep Jackson Jr.’s salary on the books, even though they’re not winning, or else they’re punished? The league is bullying one of their smallest markets directly into a space between a rock and a hard place.
“Well, the Jazz acquired Jackson Jr. so they could stop tanking. They likely weren’t sending the Grizzlies a high lottery pick anyway”. Likely true, and incidentally, not the point. Who’s to say Jackson Jr. doesn’t suffer a season-ending injury on day one?
The official position from the league is that they didn’t want to create an imbalance in the value of acquired vs original picks. Sure, but the Grizzlies acquired the pick with the understanding that it held a certain value. The broader point is that you can’t change the rules of a game in the middle of the game. You buy a lottery ticket with the understanding that you probably won’t win the lottery. You would not buy a lottery ticket knowing that it was impossible to win the lottery.
It’s garbage. It’s unfair by any measure.
Does it affect the Rockets?
Rockets could benefit from rule changes
When Rafael Stone traded the second-best player in the history of an old NBA franchise for nothing but draft capital, he had a vision. Just two years later, he would state on record that “the NBA punishes the middle…that’s just the way the system is set up.”
We can safely assume that principle informed his decision-making process.
The rule changes incentivise the middle. In theory, the Rockets also had the rug pulled out from under them. It shouldn’t hurt them, but that’s mere serendipity. Luckily, the teams that owe Houston picks (the Nets, Suns, and Mavericks) are likely to land broadly in the middle going forward.
This could also open up paths for Houston. The fear of regression should be less prominent. If they ultimately decide (re: realize) that Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson can’t play together, retooling at the expense of a handful of regular-season wins will be more palpable with the flattened odds.
In terms of the NBA viewing experience, this may not even be so bad. Personally, my least favorite era of Rockets basketball since becoming a fan in (roughly) 1998 was the Louis Scola / Kevin Martin era. If the Rockets had a chance of adding a young John Wall to the 2009-10 team that went 42-40, it would have piqued my interest.
Personally, I’ve never considered tanking a major issue. Most of this feels like fear-mongering designed to pander to the gambling companies. Still, nobody should be fiercely opposed to disincentivizing the practice. If you love tanking, you’re weird.
What I am (as it turns out) passionately opposed to is unfairness. There is no rational reason why the league couldn’t amend the rules to “grandfather in” the Grizzlies’ incoming pick.
May 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe (5) gestures as he circles the bases on a three-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 57 games into the 2026 season and they have been a pleasant surprise so far. If the season ended today they wouldn’t make the playoffs but they are only 2 games out of the NL wild card spot. The team has been a surprise but who on the team has been the biggest surprise so far ?
I think Brandon Lowe has been the most pleasant surprise on the team so far. The Pirates acquired him in a three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Houston Astros. His deal this season is a one year deal worth $11.5 millio.n
When the Bucs made the deal in the offseason, it was an upgrade at the second base position, but I don’t think anyone expected him to bring this much power. Through his first 50-plus games, Lowe has a batting average of .265 and an OPS over .900.
Lowe leads the team in home runs with 14. The Pirates were ranked dead last in home runs last year with only 117. His power has greatly improved the offense, which already has 61 homers on the season. The 31 year old also ranks 11th in the Majors in home runs .
Lowe also leads the team in RBIs with 36. The 36 RBIs is enough for 16th in the Majors. Lowe has been strong with people in scoring positions and has been the main power source for the offense.
Lowe’s power is what is most surprising about him because of his time in Tampa Bay he has never been known for being a power guy. He did have that massive year in 2021 where he hit 39 home runs and 99 RBIs. This year in Pittsburgh feels like that year, and he has been a big reason why the Pirates are above .500 right now.
Oneil Cruz has also been a surprise because of the rough year he had last year, he has been putting up big time numbers with a dangerous speed to power combo. Spencer Horwitz has been hot of late and he has been a nice surprise as well with 6 home runs and 25 RBIs.
A big pitcher surprise has been Braxton Ashcraft who has the best ERA on the team with 2.75. With Skenes struggling of late, Ashcraft’s performance has been huge for what is already a deep starting rotation.
Comment below who you guys think has been the most pleasant surprise on the team so far.
In the runup to the Champions League final, the Arsenal manager’s first footballing steps in the Basque Country and Barcelona are recalled by those who shared them
The way Santi Cazorla tells it, rolling about laughing, Mikel Arteta may just be the worst person you could ever wish to watch a match with. Which is why he knew his friend would be a coach and why he told him to go away and become one, convinced great things were coming. “When we were injured at Arsenal, we used to meet at home for games, and he would grab the remote and pause it,” Cazorla recalls. “I would say: ‘What are you stopping it for?’ He would say: ‘No, go back, go back,’ rewind it 30 seconds, and then ask: ‘What do you see?’ I would say: ‘I see a paused screen. I don’t seeanything!’”
So Arteta would explain. “‘Don’t you think this player is badly positioned? … If he goes a bit deeper, this space opens up … if the pivot goes there, this happens … that line should be deeper …’ I would look at him and think: ‘What’s with this guy?’” Cazorla continues, still cracking up. “He was a coach already. All game, every game: pausing, rewinding. The match is finished and we’re only in the 35th minute. ‘Do you see it?’ ‘Yes, yes, you’re right, now come on, press play.’ But I didn’t see it. I love football, I can watch it all day, but I don’t notice those things. Mikel does. I think it’s a gift.”
BINGHAMTON, NY - MAY 26: Franklin Arias #50 of the Portland Sea Dogs celebrates with teammates after defeating the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at Mirabito Stadium on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 in Binghamton, New York. (Photo by Kylie Richelle/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Worcester Red Sox 1, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 0 (BOX)
Jack Anderson has had his ups and downs throughout this season, even making a stop in Boston for a few days back in April. Thursday night was one of those “ups”, striking out eight batters and allowing just one hit over 4 2/3 innings. That would be the only hit that the RailRiders (NYY) could muster on the day, as the bullpen was just as dominant. Since Anderson was one out short of a win, that went to Seth Martinez (1 1/3 innings), and Tommy Kahnle got his fourth save. Kahnle’s ERA is down to 1.47 on the season and will deserve a call-up at some point.
Worcester got the lone run of the game in the top of the first, thanks to an Anthony Siegler home run. Siegler played 34 games for the Brewers a year ago, and will probably get a shot in Boston at some point. I’m not sure if anyone has been following Kyle Harrison this season, but it would be nice to get a contribution in 2026 from one of the players the Brewers sent back for him.
INF Anthony Seigler dating back to 4/30 (16 games) with Worcester:
.362 BA 1.055 OPS 18% BB / 11% K .425 xwOBA 180 wRC+
Hitting the ball hard (91.9 EV / 41.3% HH) and feasting against RHPs (1.126 OPS, .462 xwOBA) over that span.
A wild game in Binghamton (NYM) on Thursday. The Sea Dogs went down 9-2 after four innings before putting up a six-spot in the fifth inning, capped by a bomb to center field from designated hitter Johanfran Garcia to bring Portland within a run.
Johanfran Garcia two-run home run and we’ve got a game! 108 MPH exit velo, 418 feet. Crushed.
The Boston Red Sox prospect has eight home runs and 19 RBI in Double-A this season. pic.twitter.com/TaD6laiJ27
Tyler McDonough’s RBI double in the seventh tied the game, and an RBI groundout from Will Turner was the game-winner in the eighth. Marvin Alcantara and Brooks Brannon each had two hits on the day, along with two RBI.
John Holobetz and Patrick Halligan combined for the nine runs allowed early in this one. Cooper Adams got his fifth win, and Joe Vogatsky his second save.
Portland hands the ball to Dalton Rogers (0-0, 1.69) at 7:00 on Friday.
The Drive made it three-for-three, working our way down the Red Sox’ affiliates, walking off the Tourists (HOU) 3-2 in ten innings on Thursday. The runs were not particularly noteworthy for Greenville, scoring on a sacrifice fly, a throwing error, and a walk-off wild pitch. Freili Encarnacion had two hits on the day.
Devin Futrell provided a strong start, striking out six and allowing two runs over five innings. Ben Hansen delivered four shutout innings in relief, and Brandon Neely threw a clean tenth inning to get his second win.
On Friday, the Drive will play at 6:45 and have not yet announced a starter.
The RidgeYaks could not complete the minor league sweep on Thursday night, falling 7-3 to the Crawdads (TEX). First baseman Frederik Jimenez had a big day at the plate for Salem, with an RBI double in the fifth and a solo home run in the seventh. Andrews Opata also had a two hit day, with an RBI.
Jason Gilman was saddled with the loss, allowing four runs in 3 2/3 innings.
Jose Bello (0-1, 2.82) gets the ball at 6:35 on Friday for the RidgeYaks.
“I just didn’t do my job. I didn’t get to my spot. And that’s on me.” -David Peterson [MLB]
The Mets continue to look for answers for what has been a dreadful start to the season…
“We still believe in those guys, we feel good with the rotation. They are just going through a stretch here with Nolan [McLean] and the back-to-back outings not going his way, but you still trust those guys that we have. We have got to help those guys get through it. They have been pretty good for us in keeping us in games.” -Carlos Mendoza [New York Post]
…with incongruent statements that support the current starting pitchers…
“I would say [Peterson’s Tuesday outing] was just a little bit of an anomaly. I think the last three or four outings have been really good and it’s just continuing to refine the locations of his pitches and understand where weak contact happens and just continue to work on some of those smaller details with him.” -pitching coach Justin Willard [New York Post]
…while leaving room to make changes….
“I’m pretty sure there’s going to be a conversation. But we’re going to need all of them. We’re going to need [Peterson] to throw important innings for us. Whether it’s as a starter, whether it’s coming after an opener or pitching out of the bullpen, we’re going to need innings from him. … And Sean, another good outing for him. So I’m pretty sure there’s going to be a discussion here what’s next when it comes down to the next turn in the rotation.” -Carlos Mendoza [MLB]
…while it doesn’t feel this way, the starters rank 11th in the league with a 3.83 FIP which is, you know, okay…
“It’s tough,. It’s part of baseball, but we know we have to perform better.” -Freddy Peralta [The Athletic]
…so this is a lot of focus on the rotation this week…
“I want to be on a team that I know is going to put all the effort in getting a championship sooner or later. I feel that way here.” -Freddy Peralta [The Athletic]
…while the Mets offense is currently 29th in the league with a 85RC+
“If something happens later, there’s nothing I can do. Just be ready for everything.” -Freddy Peralta [The Athletic]
Nolan McLean does have a 4.40 ERA but he also running a 11.01 K/9, 2.79 BB/9, 111 Pitching+, 3.03 xFIP and subjectively been a joy to watch, he’ll be fine
“It’s just bad pitching, honestly. If I’m just gonna be straight up, I just haven’t been pitching my best, and I gotta be better.” -Nolan McLean [New York Post]
“[McLean’s] gonna get back on track. He’s got too good of stuff for this to keep going. … It just sucks it happens on back-to-back outings, especially in the middle of this stretch.” [New York Post]
One of the themes of the offseason was we wanted to acquire players who put the ball in play…
“The Mets liked Polanco for his bat; he had a 134 OPS-plus last season and tends to put the ball in play (something they set out to improve from last year’s club).” -Will Sammon [The Athletic]
…Me sowing: Haha fuck yeah!!! Yes!! Me reaping: Well this fucking sucks. What the fuck.
“The biggest thing is our ability to drive the ball out of the ballpark. It’s hard to score three or four (runs) on just singles. You’ve got to be able to drive the ball, and right now we’re having a hard time doing that.” -Carlos Mendoza [The Athletic]
David Stearns talking like he’s been asked to do a satirical impression of a person who attended Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School is a lot easier to take when we’re winning
“We absolutely have to look at our risk assessment on injured players, or players who get injured once they’re here. Certainly, we know we’re taking a level of risk when we bring players in with injury histories. We’re feeling that risk right now.” -David Stearns [The Athletic]
Lost to some during this tough stretch is Juan Soto is currently running a 173 wRC+ just like we would want him to
“I’m just trying to do damage. I can’t control if it’s going over the wall or not.” -Juan Soto [MLB]
“[Soto’s] locked in. And he’s one of the best, if not the best at what he does. … He’s just a special player doing his thing.” -Carlos Mendoza [MLB]
“It’s special seeing [Soto]go to work every day. Basically check a box that he’s going to hit a homer or do something cool that day.” -Carson Benge [MLB]
“I just keep thinking to do damage every time. The difference is the results. Sometimes I get the results. Sometimes I don’t. I just feel good. I’ve been seeing the ball well. I’ve been swinging the bat well. Just do damage whenever I can.” -Juan Soto [MLB]
Yeah man, watching this season thus far I feel like ‘I am stretched out well enough’ too
“I feel like I am stretched out well enough,” -Sean Manaea [New York Post]
Always a good sign when your manager has to seperate quotes using the word ‘sucks’ in a week
“I mean, [every losing streak are] all frustrating. Especially when you’re not playing well. They’re all the same, to be honest with you. Yeah, it sucks.” -Carlos Mendoza [New York Post]
But don’t worry, the major league team isn’t the only thing that ‘sucks’ in the organization this season
“If there’s a frustration, it’s being aware of [what’s going wrong on offense], feeling like you’re making some adjustments and then still not getting the result relative to the type of adjustment that you feel like you made.” -Mets director of major league hitting Jeff Albert [NJ]
“Because it’s not reality. At the end of the day, you gotta figure out a way to not just produce offensively, but execute and win games.” -Mets director of major league hitting Jeff Albert [NJ]
“We have a very good group that we’re putting on the field every day. I don’t think our thought process or expectations really change because every team goes through injuries and things like that. Everybody in the room is a professional and we have a job to do and everyone’s focused on trying to get that done.” -Mets director of major league hitting Jeff Albert [NJ]
I can behind community being number one but can you maybe make raising that 64 wRC+ a little higher on your priority list [Bloggers Note: The prior statement was with tonguefirmly in cheek, I have not looked into it but I’m sure the ‘4 Thru 9 Foundation’ and ‘Metropolitan PGA Foundations’ are noble causes]
"Just giving back to the community is number one"
Marcus Semien talks about partnering with the Mets and taking over the Annual Poker Showdown with @HankAzaria, previously hosted in prior years by Jeff McNeil pic.twitter.com/26bBVZAWQA
May 12, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
I went to my second Kansas City Royals game of the season on Wednesday night. I was in great company and just love being at a live baseball game, I was as depressed about the team leaving Kauffman Stadium after a 7-0 loss at the hands of the New York Yankees as I have been in a long time.
I came into the season believing that the back-to-back winning seasons were signs of real improvement, and I liked a lot of the decisions J.J. Piccolo made this offseason. While there is still time to turn the season around, the Royals are somehow only 5.5 games back of the third Wild Card spot, it feels pretty hopeless after another sweep at the hand of the Bronx Bombers. The Royals are 22-34 entering Friday’s game against the Texas Rangers, and it’s going to take a miracle run for the team to reach the preseason expectations that many of us had for them, including the expectations the team itself had.
There is plenty of blame to go around for the start of the 2026 season, and I have a feeling we will continue to spend a lot of time unpacking all the failures and implications of those failures for the rest of the summer. There are not too many positives to look at right now, but one of the bright spots on the team is star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Witt is holding up his end of the bargain, looking like the best version of the all-around talent that we have seen the past few years.
His defense has been incredible this year. He is either first or second to Chicago Cubs centerfielder Pete-Crow Armstrong among all defenders in most advanced defensive metrics. He is on pace to win both the Gold Glove for AL shortstop for the third time, and the Platinum Glove for best AL defender for the second time. It truly amazes me how much growth Witt has shown as a defender since his rookie season, and is giving me hope that someday Cater Jensen will be able to improve his defense as well.
His offense is also going strong. He is hitting 30% above league-average, and is doing so as the only regular in the lineup hitting above league-average. In fact, Elias Diaz in 23 plate appearances is the only other Royals hitter who has posted an above-average mark so far this year. Witt is drawing more walks in 2026 while striking out slightly less, which is a great combination to have as a hitter. We are also due for a Witt goes nuclear month, which will raise his overall numbers as well. Witt might win another Silver Slugger this season, which would be his third one of those.
Witt enters Friday with 3.4 fWAR, which is the highest mark in the AL. He is 0.6 WAR ahead of the position player in second place, Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez. The Astros have had a disappointing start to the season and Alvarez normally misses some timer each season with various injuries, so I think there’s a real chance that Witt has significantly more WAR than any AL player by the end of the year. He will need to if he is going to win MVP in 2026; voters have come a long way, but I assume they would still rather vote for a player whose team is in the playoff picture than one who is fighting to stay out of last place in the AL Central.
I want Witt to collect as much personal hardware as he can and four awards in one season will strengthen his future Hall of Fame candidacy. Despite the team struggling around him, Witt has held up his end of the bargain and played like a superstar. It’s been refreshing to watch him play so well this year amidst all the disappointment and struggles coming from the rest of the Royals.
Witt right now has more fWAR than the rest of the Royals position players combined, 3.4 WAR compared to 1.6 WAR. Third baseman Maikel Garcia has had a fine start to the year with 1.3 WAR of his own, but so many Royals position players are currently producing at or below replacement level. Issac Collins, Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Perez and Nick Loftin are all currently below replacement level, while Starling Marte, Michael Massey, Lane Thomas and Elias Diaz each have .1 WAR. Having eight position players at or below replacement level is a disaster for Kansas City; Witt’s production is helping keep the wheels from completely falling off to start the year.
Not only do I want Witt to collect as many awards as he can, I want him to stay in Kansas City for as long as he can. He can opt out of his deal after the 2030 season, which including 2026 is five seasons away. That feels like a long ways out from now, but I know how quickly time flies in the life of a sports fan. Injuries can happen or Witt and the front office could get sideways and he demand a trade. We just don’t know what the future holds. I want Witt’s career to resemble George Brett’s, which featured frequent trips to the postseason with Brett as the best player on the team. Right now, Witt’s career is taking more of a Mike Trout path; amazing player on a terrible team who has barely played in the postseason.
I don’t want to ignore or take for granted the great season that Witt is having so far, and I don’t want the Royals too either. Each year Witt is on the Royals, the team should be trying to compete for a spot in the postseason. While this year is technically not lost yet, it is certainly on life support. If the team can save the season then great, but if not the front office needs to figure out how to not let another superstar effort from Witt go to waste.
Another juicy Friday awaits. A full 15-game MLB slate sits before us, and I managed to find three of my favorite props across tonight’s action.
We will be filling our cards with plenty of plus-money plays and a handful of props carrying serious value.
Some of the league’s biggest names are in fantastic spots this evening, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Rafael Devers, and Brandon Lowe.
Let’s have some FUN with our MLB player props for Friday, May 29.
Best MLB player props today
Player
Pick
Odds
Rafael Devers
Double
+267
Rafael Devers
To hit a home run
+328
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Over 1.5 Total Bases
-102
Brandon Lowe
Over 1.5 Hits, Runs, RBI
-114
Rafael Devers Double (+267) | Home Run (+328)
Why on Earth would we be sprinkling on San Francisco Giants slugger Rafael Devers to record a double and a home run instead of targeting his bases or hits, runs, or RBI props?
Well, typically, there is minimal value on a guy in a prime spot, especially when that prime spot happens to be Rafael Devers vs. Michael Lorenzen in Coors Field.
I am not paying -125 for over 1.5 bases or -104 for over 2.5 HRR when I can sprinkle on two props north of +250. If I think Devers is due to boom, I am expecting the ceiling.
And what is a missed home run? Typically a double.
The Giants slugger has turned it on this month, generating 68.18% hard contact, a 22.73% barrel rate, and a .369 wOBA over his last 30 plate appearances against right-handed pitching.
On the other side, Lorenzen has been getting torched by lefties lately, allowing 50% hard contact, a 21.1% barrel rate, and just a 26.3% ground ball rate over his last 60 batters faced. Those left-handed hitters also own a .452 xBA, .924 xSLG, and .466 xwOBA against him.
If you are nervous about taking these props, pay the juice on the bases line, but I think there is far more value on the double and home run.
Time: 8:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Rockies TV
Brandon Lowe Over 1.5 Hits, Runs, RBI (-114)
I got pretty filthy backing Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe tonight. I am all over his hits, runs, RBI prop, along with his double and home run props. I was basically forced into the double because of the price, and I always back any hitter I am on to leave the yard.
This evening, the Pirates slugger takes on Minnesota Twins right-hander Taj Bradley, who has allowed left-handed hitters to elevate the ball all season long. Over the last 60 lefties he has faced, opponents are producing a 22.2% barrel rate, 58.3% fly ball rate, and a .570 expected slugging percentage.
On the other side, in Lowe’s last 30 matchups against right-handed pitching, he owns a 60% hard-hit rate, 20% barrel rate, and 55% fly ball rate. Not to mention, he also carries 73% arsenal coverage against Bradley’s offerings.
If, for some reason, the Pirates slugger just misses a home run but still finds an extra-base hit, I am banking on it being a double. Similar to Devers' above.
So why not just take the over on his total bases? Well, in 82 elite ratings, Lowe has gone over 1.5 HRR 60.98% of the time, according to Batters-Box. I trust those trends, but if you want the plus money, I fully endorse it.
Guerrero Jr. also owns the highest arsenal coverage for an elite-rated player on today’s slate, mashing nearly 100% of Rogers’ offerings this season.
The southpaw has struggled in 2026 after his breakout campaign in 2025, and right-handed hitters have given him hell. Over the last 60 righties he has faced, opponents are generating 53.2% hard contact with a 14.9% barrel rate, while he has allowed 2.70 HR/9. Those hitters also own a .402 xBA, .745 xSLG, and .475 xwOBA against him.
At nearly even money for a hitter sporting a .432 wOBA and 178 wRC+ against left-handed pitching this season, I want to be involved with Guerrero Jr. tonight.
And yes, as always, sprinkle the home run.
Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SportsNet 1
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
Prop picks: 167-289-29, +5.00 units
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Over the last couple of weeks, there has been speculation about the future of forward Ilya Mikheyev. His contract with the Chicago Blackhawks is set to expire on July 1st.
Mikheyev is a candidate to be re-signed because he was a solid middle-six forward for Chicago during some tough days. However, his earned rate and term may be something that the Blackhawks don't want to hand a player in his 30s at this stage of the rebuild.
"I guess it was let known across the league that Chicago probably isn't going to be able to sign Ilya Mikheyev," Friedman said. "His rights are available if any team wants to talk to him in advance of free agency."
Friedman said that allowing an upcoming UFA to speak with other teams without first trading their rights is against the rules. He also reported that a memo was sent out reminding all 32 teams that doing so can result in a penalty of up to $5 million, suspension, and the loss of draft picks.
“The league's like, no, that's not allowed," Friedman said on letting Mikheyev speak to other teams before trading his rights. "If you want to straight-up trade his rights to another team for a pick, you do that. You can't just give him permission to talk to everybody.”
There used to be a "tampering period" before free agency, during which players were allowed to speak with other organizations, but that is gone. Friedman did say that the league wants it back, but the player's organization isn't a fan.
“Now, I haven't seen this memo, but I'll tell you one other thing that was interesting about it: that it was hinted in that memo that the league would like to bring back that interview period, but the Players Association is against it.”
The Blackhawks certainly don't want any fines, suspensions, or loss of draft picks, so one should expect them to comply with this memo sent out by the league. They either need to blindly trade Mikheyev to a team willing to take the chance or re-sign him themselves.
Mikheyev fit in perfectly with the Blackhawks as a penalty killing winger who is solid defensively at even strength, and is good for 15-20 goals per season with absolutely no power play time. Someone like him is perfect for what they are trying to do.
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Federal prosecutors have indicted ex-Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier on additional charges in connection with a sports gambling sting, alleging he took a hefty bribe to exit a game early in March 2023.
Rozier, 32, was charged Thursday in a superseding indictment in Brooklyn federal court with bribery in sporting contests and honest services wire fraud conspiracy. Superseding indictments are used when prosecutors want to change or add new charges to an existing criminal case.
Rozier has denied participating in the gambling scheme, and has been fighting to have the case dismissed after pleading not guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy charges in December. His attorneys argue in part that the government's theory of the case — that he prevented sportsbooks from making informed decisions about accepting certain bets — runs afoul of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that narrowed the federal wire fraud statute.
The new indictment "just confirms that our motion to dismiss was righteous — new charges, new theories, but all just an effort to make something stick," Rozier's attorney, Jim Trusty, wrote in an email to The Associated Press.
Rozier was arrested in October along with former NBA player Damon Jones, who pleaded guilty last month for his role in schemes to defraud major sportsbooks including DraftKings and FanDuel. Others charged in the case include sports bettor and influencer Marves Fairley, who pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy, bribery and other federal charges in connection with gambling schemes targeting basketball games in the U.S. and China.
Rozier remains free on $3 million bond. The case has kept him off the court this season.
The new indictment alleges that Rozier not only defrauded sportsbooks, but also the NBA and the team he was playing for at the time, the Charlotte Hornets.
Rozier is accused of conspiring with gamblers to leave a game early, citing a lingering lower leg injury, so they could cash in on more than $250,000 in bets that his points, assists and other totals would be lower than what the sportsbooks had set as betting lines.
Not all of the bets were successful because Rozier collected four rebounds, which was more than the betting line, the superseding indictment said. As a result, after the game, Rozier and his co-conspirators negotiated a discount on his bribe, cutting it from $100,000 to about $70,000, the superseding indictment said.
The new indictment against Rozier was filed within hours of the guilty pleas by Fairley, who goes by the name "Vezino Locks" on Instagram. As part of his plea, Fairley admitted to prosecutors' allegations that he used insider information to get an edge when betting on NBA, NCAA and Chinese Professional Basketball League games — including paying Rozier's longtime friend $100,000 in exchange for a tip that Rozier was going to leave a game early.”
Fairley's attorney Eric Siegle said his client “deeply regrets and is ashamed of his conduct.”
"By publicly acknowledging his guilt and conduct today, Marves is taking the first step toward atoning for his wrongful conduct and to starting his ‘second half’ on the right foot," Siegle said.
One shot slipping under a glove shouldn't define an entire season, but for the Buffalo Sabres, that image may end up shaping their entire summer.
When Alex Newhook's overtime winner found daylight beneath Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in Game 7, Buffalo's season came to a sudden end. The Canadiens advanced. The Sabres went home. And while plenty of factors contributed to the second-round loss, the uncomfortable reality is that Buffalo never had the best goaltender in the series.
That matters.
The Sabres spent most of the regular season receiving competent work from Luukkonen and Alex Lyon. Their tandem helped Buffalo capture the Atlantic Division and provided enough stability behind a structured defensive system. For long stretches, the arrangement worked exactly as intended.
The playoffs told a different story.
When postseason hockey becomes tighter, faster, and more reliant on game-changing saves, merely being solid is rarely enough. The Canadiens received that extra level from Jakub Dobeš. Buffalo never consistently found it.
Neither Luukkonen nor Lyon completely unraveled, but neither seized the crease and carried the team forward, either. By the time the series reached its decisive moments, the Sabres were rotating between options rather than leaning on a clear answer.
That distinction can be the difference between advancing and cleaning out lockers.
Buffalo's front office can talk itself into continuity. Luukkonen is still in his prime years. Lyon remains a dependable veteran. Colten Ellis showed flashes in limited action. Devon Levi remains an intriguing wild card.
The problem is that none of those options clearly solve the question that now hangs over the organization.
Can Buffalo trust its current goaltending group to win four playoff rounds?
The honest answer is no.
Running the same group back may produce another strong regular season. It may even produce another division title. But after what unfolded against Montreal, it's difficult to argue the Sabres have enough certainty in net to realistically view themselves as a Stanley Cup contender.
That's why this offseason shouldn't be about maintaining the status quo.
It should be about finding an upgrade.
Why Jesper Wallstedt Makes Too Much Sense
If Buffalo is serious about taking the next step, Jesper Wallstedt stands out as the most logical target available.
The 23-year-old has spent years being viewed as one of hockey's premier goaltending prospects, and his first extended NHL opportunity only strengthened that reputation. Wallstedt displayed the poise, athleticism, and consistency expected from a future franchise netminder while proving capable of handling meaningful games.
Most importantly, his timeline aligns perfectly with Buffalo's core.
The Sabres have invested heavily in building around a young nucleus. Acquiring a veteran stopgap may offer a short-term boost, but Wallstedt presents something far more valuable: a chance to solve the position for years rather than months.
His contract only adds to the appeal. Wallstedt carries a manageable cap hit, giving Buffalo flexibility while Jeff Skinner's buyout remains a burden on the books. Unlike many established star goaltenders, adding him wouldn't require reshaping the rest of the roster financially.
The challenge, of course, would be convincing Minnesota to move him.
The Wild won't give away a goaltender with legitimate franchise potential. Buffalo would likely have to part with a significant young asset, potentially from its surplus of highly regarded forward prospects.
That's a difficult conversation.
It may also be a necessary one.
Elite centers are hard to find. Franchise goaltenders are just as rare. If the Sabres genuinely believe Wallstedt can become that caliber of player, this is exactly the type of aggressive move contenders make.
Standing Pat Is The Bigger Risk
For years, Buffalo's organizational focus has been on assembling enough talent to become a playoff team again.
Mission accomplished.
The standard is different now.
The Sabres are no longer trying to end a drought. They're trying to win a championship.
That requires evaluating the roster through a much harsher lens.
Would Buffalo have beaten Montreal with better goaltending?
It's impossible to say with certainty.
Would better goaltending have improved their chances?
Absolutely.
The Sabres don't need a complete overhaul in net. They need a higher ceiling than what they currently possess, and Wallstedt may represent the best combination of age, upside, cost certainty, and long-term value available anywhere on the market.
If Buffalo wants to turn playoff appearances into playoff runs, standing pat feels far riskier than making a bold move.
One final name worth monitoring is Connor Hellebuyck. If the Winnipeg Jets ever become willing to entertain moving a former Vezina Trophy winner, Buffalo would have to make the call. The price tag, age, and salary cap implications make that path far more complicated, however. Wallstedt remains the cleaner fit and, arguably, the smarter long-term bet.
The Sabres spent years searching for relevance.
Now they should be searching for the goalie who can get them past the second round.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH, 1948: Firstbaseman George McQuinn of the New York Yankees poses for an action portrait during Spring Training in March, 1948 in St. Petersburg, Florida. George McQuinn4802 (Photo by: Diamond Images/Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The 1947 World Series between the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers was littered with talent. The biggest name (for more reasons than just his incredible abilities on the baseball diamond) was Jackie Robinson. But there were also the people some modern-day baseball fans might know from the movie “42” based on Robinson: Pee Wee Reese, Eddie Stanky, Dixie Walker, Spider Jorgenson, and Ralph Branca. There were also the usual names waltzing around the Yankees dugout: Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Tommy Henrich, and Phil Rizutto.
Among the names who played all seven games in that World Series was George McQuinn, who was toward the end of his playing days but still found a way to power the group to another championship.
George Hartley McQuinn Born: May 29, 1910 (Arlington, VA) Died: December 24, 1978 (Alexandria, VA) Yankees Tenure: 1947-48
George McQuinn was born in Arlington, Virginia, and began playing baseball at the age of seven. He started playing first base at the age of 12 after he saved up enough money to buy a George Sisler model first baseman’s glove. He continued playing baseball throughout his childhood and eventually attended Washington-Lee High School, where he would not just play, but star in baseball and basketball. After his high school career ended, he had the opportunity to play for the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, but ultimately turned it down to pursue the professional route.
McQuinn began playing for a semipro team in Northern Virginia before his manager arranged a tryout, and he showed enough skill to earn a contract with the New Haven Profs of the Class A Eastern League. However, he only received 19 at-bats in limited playing time before being released. But that wasn’t the end of the road for him. In fact, it was only the beginning.
One of the veteran infielders for the Profs, Joe Benes, saw something in the 19-year-old McQuinn, so he recommended him to Yankees scout Gene McCann, who signed McQuinn to a contract with the Wheeling Stogies, the Yankees’ farm club in the Class C Middle Atlantic League. He was then promoted for the 1931 season to the Scranton Miners of the Class B New York-Penn League thanks to an impressive .288 batting average, and he lit up those ranks, too, driving in over 1o0 runs with five homers and a .316 average.
McQuinn continued to make an impression and was eventually invited to spring training with the Newark Bears of the International League, which, at the time, was the Yankees’ top minor league team. But because of another player occupying the first base position, McQuinn was shipped north of the border to the Toronto Maple Leafs (no, not the hockey team). And while he started well with Toronto, he was brought back to Binghamton, where he had previously played a season, and he went on to win the New York-Penn League’s Most Valuable Player award.
After returning to Toronto for the 1934 season up until 1936, McQuinn was consistently written about as a potential call-up, but doing so would require the Yankees to have room at first base. And there were some in baseball circles who thought that maybe the Yankees would consider trading Lou Gehrig — yes, two-time MVP, American League Triple Crown and batting title winner, seven-time All-Star, seven-time World Series winner and Hall of Famer, Lou Gehrig — in order to bring McQuinn up. Obviously, that did not occur, but it’s certainly a wild alternate history to think about.
In 1936, the Cincinnati Reds purchased McQuinn’s contract from the Yankees on a condition that they could return him by June 1st. And it was at that point that the left-handed first baseman from Virginia got his shot in the majors.
But the story then isn’t a fairytale. McQuinn, at 25, despite all his time in the minors, was not good in his first 38 games as a professional, slashing .201/.262/.284 for an OPS+ of 51. He registered only 13 RBI, no home runs, 10 walks, 27 hits and seven extra-base hits in 134 at-bats. He was so bad, reportedly, because of the Reds pushing him into a thought process that was foreign — trying to focus on pulling the ball instead of hitting all over the diamond. Because of his inability to adjust, he was sent back to the Yankees’ system for further fine-tuning.
McQuinn went back to Toronto after his major league stint and hit .329 over the rest of the 1936 season, then hit .330 again, leading his Bears to a 109-43 record and a pennant win by 25.5 games. And while McQuinn was lighting up the Yankees farm team, Gehrig was still going strong for the big club, playing every single game for the team from 1936 to 1938. So there was no room to squeeze McQuinn into the lineup, and no reason to either, considering what Gehrig was doing at the plate with an average OBP of .454 and an OPS at 1.075 from the ages of 33 to 35.
After the 1937 season, McQuinn was eligible to be drafted by another team and was picked up by the St. Louis Browns, who gave him his first big league shot. This time, he took advantage of it: he played 148 games and set a career-high in batting average as he slashed .324/.384/.477 at the age of 28. McQuinn had the second-highest OPS of anyone on the Browns, showing the world that he was finally on the scene, finishing 21st in the AL MVP Award race.
McQuinn played for the Browns from that 1938 season to 1945 when he was 35 years old. In 1939, he was voted to his first All-Star Game and finished 13th in the MVP race following a season in which he played every game at first base and batted .316 with an OPS of .898 and a career-high 94 RBI. In 1940, he was selected for his second All-Star Game in a row. And since that season, he earned two more All-Star appearances and another top-20 finish in the MVP voting race. From 1941 to 1945, McQuinn slashed .266/.355/.406 for an OPS of .761 and an OPS+ of 111. He hit for a cycle in 1941 and led the AL in fielding percentage for the second season in a row, earning a reputation as the best defensive first baseman in the league and never once dipping below the 99.1 percent mark with the Browns. McQuinn was going to be traded to the Dodgers, who he would eventually face in the 1947 World Series with the Yankees, but he could not clear waivers, so the trade was nullified.
In 1942 and 1943, McQuinn had back issues, which caused his average to drop below expectations, and he also avoided service in World War II because of them, allowing him to stay in baseball while other big-name stars at the time went to fight overseas. And in 1944, when the Browns won the American League pennant against the weakened Yankees (who still gave them a run for their money up until the last day of the season) and faced the National League Pennant-winning Cardinals in the World Series, McQuinn not only continued his All-Star performance from the regular season (the fourth of his career), but he also did everything he could to win his Browns a championship, slashing .438/.609/.750 with one home run, five RBI and seven walks in the six-game series that was eventually lost.
In 1945, McQuinn’s last season with the Browns, he did what everyone expected him to do, even though the Browns did not return to the World Series. And following that season, the 36-year-old McQuinn was traded to the Philadelphia Athletics for another first baseman, Dick Siebert, in a deal that was catastrophic for both parties. Siebert could not come to terms with St. Louis and eventually retired, while McQuinn had his first below-average full season in the majors, frustrating A’s fans and leading to conversations that he should have retired. In fact, he almost did had it not been for his wife talking him out of it.
Following his release from the A’s thanks to manager Connie Mack, McQuinn finally got his chance to play for the Yankees 17 years after he entered their farm system in 1930. He took over first base when Tommy Henrich went to left field to cover for an injury, and McQuinn stayed there for the next two seasons.
In his first season in 1947, McQuinn’s spark returned. At the age of 37 and in 144 games, he hit over the .300 mark for the first time since his 29-year-old season in 1939. His on-base percentage rocketed to a career-high .395, and his slugging percentage of .437 was the highest since 1941. It was, statistically, the best season of his career. He finished sixth in MVP voting, the highest finish of his career, and was once again voted into the All-Star Game to represent the Yankees this time. And not only was he incredible in the regular season, but when the Yankees won the pennant in 1947 to face the Dodgers in the World Series, he was lauded as “the storybook story behind the Yankees’ surprising success … in 1947,” according to a sportswriter cited in McQuinn’s profile from the Society for American Baseball Research.
McQuinn didn’t hit super well in the World Series, batting .130, a large disappointment for fans of the game at the time considering his body of work in the regular season, but he still walked away a World Series champion, the first and only of his career after a grueling seven-game series.
The Yankees wanted to bring back McQuinn for one more season, and they did after a bit of a holdout from the 38-year-old. But due to back issues and simply old age, it was clear that McQuinn’s last hurrah came in 1947 (and what a last hurrah it was). He played in only 94 games with the Yankees in 1948, batting .248 with an OPS of 102. Due to his poor form and general wear and tear, the Yankees had no other choice but to release the veteran first baseman at the end of the year, and McQuinn retired as a result. He ended up managing in the Boston Braves organization from 1950 to 1958, then became a scout for the Washington Senators and eventually the Montreal Expos, before officially retiring from baseball in 1971. McQuinn passed away from a stroke in 1978 at the age of 68 in Alexandria, Virginia, at a hospital, but he led an incredible baseball life that had a playing career finished by exactly what every player dreams of: An excellent final full season and a championship to remember against some of the best players to ever play the game. Happy birthday, George!
There are two great truths in NHL head coaching. The obvious one is that you're hired to be fired. The other is how environmentally friendly the league is with its coaches, committed to reducing, reusing and recycling.
Even the Senators opted to go Green in 2024, hiring Travis Green away from the New Jersey Devils, who were in the process of recycling and reusing Toronto's old coach, Sheldon Keefe.
But very few Senators' head coaches have ever been recycled after being kicked to the curb.
Remarkably, it's been over 20 years since a Sens head coach left the organization and later found an NHL head coaching job elsewhere. The last one to do so on a non-interim basis was Jacques Martin. He was fired in 2004 and found plenty of other opportunities, including a final one here in Ottawa a couple of years ago.
Fans talk a lot about Ottawa being a goalie graveyard, but it's also been kind of a coaches' cemetery.
Since Martin parted company with the Sens the first time, the Sens' list of head coaches who've come and gone includes Bryan Murray, John Paddock, Craig Hartsburg, Cory Clouston, Paul MacLean, Dave Cameron, Guy Boucher, Marc Crawford, and D.J. Smith.
Murray stayed with the Senators, moving away from coaching to take the club's GM job. However, everyone else on the list left the organization, continued to pursue their coaching careers, and never again became a full-time NHL head coach.
After leaving Ottawa:
Paddock coached nine more years in junior, the AHL, and as an NHL assistant. His final year was with Regina, coaching Connor Bedard.
Hartsburg coached for seven more seasons in junior as a head coach and an NHL assistant. His swan song was 2015-16 with Columbus, where he was let go when John Tortorella took over, as he inevitably does everywhere.
Clouston coached three more years in junior, the last in 2015 with Prince Albert. After he was fired, little did the Senators know he'd coach Mark Stone, a prized future asset, the following season in Brandon.
MacLean got work as an NHL assistant for a bit and now makes the odd appearance as a TSN Sens analyst.
Dave Cameron has coached for the last seven seasons, been an NHL assistant, a head coach in Austria, and, for the last five years, the head coach of the Ottawa 67s. He just signed a two-year extension.
Since his firing, Guy Boucher has only coached for one year at a top level as an assistant with Toronto, then one year as a KHL head coach.
Crawford coached for four more seasons as an assistant in Chicago then worked for a while as a head coach in Switzerland.
Smith almost immediately got a job as an assistant in Los Angeles under Jim Hiller and when Hiller was fired this season, Smith guided them into the playoffs but only on an an interim basis. The Kings have not yet removed that label and Smith was asked about his status at seasons's end.
"That's a question for Ken," Smith said shortly after losing in round one. "All I know is, as a coach and as a coaching staff, is your team prepared? Are they detailed? And do they show up every night in the answer to that question? Yes, they did, under me.
"Ken's been around a long time. He's won Stanley Cups; he's one of the best in the business. He's a Hall of Fame general manager. He's gonna make that decision. So that's not up to me to decide. I know I did my absolute best."
Speaking well of the boss is always a strong play.
So Smith has a chance to end the drought, and good on him. He's a likable guy, he certainly wasn't set up for success in Ottawa, and the best is probably yet to come.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 9: Adou Thiero #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers grabs the rebound during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round Two Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to our annual Lakers season in review series, where we’ll look back at each player on the team’s roster this season and evaluate if they should be part of the future of the franchise. Today, we take a look at Adou Thiero.
Over the past several years, the Lakers have been hit-or-miss with their draft picks. Max Christie and Bronny James have been the best selections, but 2023 first-round pick Jalen Hood-Schifino is out of the league and Dalton Knecht remained glued to the bench this year.
Their most recent selection, Adou Thiero, was a player the franchise clearly desired as they moved up twice in the draft to pick him at No. 36.
Now that his first year in the NBA is done, let’s assess how successful it was or wasn’t.
How did he play?
For Thiero, being available to even suit up was a challenge. He missed all of training camp and the start of the regular season while recovering from surgery on his left knee. Thiero also missed time midway through the year after suffering an MCL sprain.
When he was ready to play, minutes were hard to come by. This was a combination of monitoring his health and the Lakers being a win-now team, which doesn’t allow a rookie to play through mistakes.
When he did play, it was usually in garbage time. Thiero only had two games during his rookie year in which he played 20 or more minutes.
Still, in those short stints, he showed promise. Thiero has athleticism and explosiveness that can’t be taught. He leaned on his strengths and lived in the paint. On his 31 shots, 21 were at the rim.
In his limited play, Thiero had some monstrous slams, showcasing the vertical spacing he provides whenever he is on the court.
His defensive moments were an adventure, but he has the speed and strength to eventually become a respectable player on that side of the ball if he puts in the time. Right now, he was at least an active defender.
It was an encouraging sign of where Thiero is in his career that Lakers head coach JJ Redick gave him some run come playoff time. LA was shorthanded with Luka Dončić out during the entire postseason run and Thiero played in both series against the Rockets and Thunder.
He did well in those minutes and didn’t look like a rookie overwhelmed by the moment. Thiero was still able to get to the rim, score and be a ball of energy for the team.
What is the contract situation moving forward?
Thiero is on a rookie deal, so not only is he locked in for next season and a club option after that, but it’s at a modest number at $2.1 million for the 2026-27 season.
This is a standard rookie contract, but it’s great that the Lakers have a cost-controlled player and someone with tremendous upside on the roster.
Should he be back?
Thiero should absolutely return next year.
He is a solid prospect, and given how injured he was and his limited minutes, there is no telling how good he can be. Now that he’s healthy and ready for an offseason in the gym and at Summer League, he’ll have a chance to put in the appropriate amount of time into his game.
The only way Thiero leaving makes sense is if a team like, say, Milwaukee, demands him in exchange for the Lakers acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo. This is exactly how the Lakers lost Christie, who was part of the Luka Dončić-for-Anthony Davis trade.
This will be a big summer for the Lakers and Thiero. If things go right, he can build off his rookie year and have a huge sophomore season. Now that he’s healthy, he’ll have every chance of making that happen.
Rafael Devers
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Brandon Lowe
