Phillies provide encouraging update on top-ranked prospect Aidan Miller

Phillies provide encouraging update on top-ranked prospect Aidan Miller originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

There’s a lot happening down on the farm for the Phillies.

Philadelphia has seen breakout candidates at the plate since the start of the Minor League season. And Gage Wood dominated his way into a two-level promotion to Reading.

But the club’s top-ranked prospect still has not played a game in his fourth professional season.

There was a great deal of anticipation for Aidan Miller’s campaign entering the year, with the possibility of a midseason callup to the big leagues if everything clicked. Instead, the soon-to-be 22-year-old has been working through a back injury, something he also dealt with a year ago.

Miller went down during Spring Training, which kept him out of Grapefruit League action and has delayed his season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. It had earlier been believed that Miller was doing everything except swinging a bat, but Mattingly said on May 6 that the shortstop prospect was not participating in baseball activities.

There has at least been some progress.

“Aidan Miller is beginning to do light baseball activity,” Mattingly said Thursday.

Asked if that included swinging, Mattingly kept it broad.

“Light baseball activities,” he said. “So we’re moving in the right direction.”

It is clearly a slow play for the organization with the former first-round pick. There is no obvious reason to rush him, especially with Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm both swinging the bat better lately.

Last year between Double-A and Triple-A, Miller slashed .264/.392/.433 with 43 extra-base hits and 59 stolen bases in 116 games. In the final two months, he posted an OPS over 1.100 and racked up 22 extra-base hits in his final 36 games.

SCHWARBER OUT AGAIN, REALMUTO SITS

For the second straight day, Kyle Schwarber is out of the lineup with an illness.

Mattingly mentioned the possibility of Schwarber pinch-hitting Wednesday, but said Thursday there was no real chance that would have happened.

“Yesterday really was no shot,” Mattingly said. “Today, maybe. He didn’t feel great, but we may have a shot to hit.”

Schwarber was feeling a little better, just not enough to start. Temperatures around first pitch were expected to hover around 95 degrees before cooling into Memorial Day Weekend, and the Phillies had no reason to force it.

J.T. Realmuto will sit as well.

It’s just a day of rest for the Phillies’ catcher. At 35, the Phillies want to keep him fresh behind the plate throughout the season, and Mattingly’s player perspective goes into that decision.

“He’s getting a little older,” Mattingly said. “I just don’t think him catching five, six days in a row at this point in the season makes a lot of sense. We’re going to try to keep him stronger through the course of the season.”

Realmuto has pushed to play through a lot over the years, and Mattingly knows that part of him.

“I know he wants to play, and he wants to be in there every day, and we appreciate that,” Mattingly said. “But sometimes you have to save guys from themselves and try to give them days here and there, especially when they make sense.”

Those days also keep Rafael Marchán and Garrett Stubbs involved. That depth showed up Wednesday, when the Phillies’ next-man-up mentality helped power an eighth-inning comeback victory behind Bryson Stott’s go-ahead homer.

PHILS GO FOR ANOTHER

When the Phillies beat the Pirates at PNC Park, it was their sixth consecutive series win.

That came after they had lost six straight series under Rob Thomson.

The Phils will hand the ball to Jesús Luzardo Thursday night against Cincinnati as they look for their seventh straight series victory.

The left-hander was lights out in his last outing in Boston, firing six scoreless innings against the Red Sox as he went toe-to-toe with former Phillie Ranger Suárez.

He issued just one walk in that start, which is usually the biggest indicator of how his outings will play out. Luzardo has walked three or more batters in three starts this year. In two of them, he allowed five earned runs. In the other, he did not complete the fifth inning.

Mattingly has seen the same trend. When Luzardo’s innings start to get away, it is often less about stuff and more about tempo.

“For me, he always looks the same,” Mattingly said. “I just think sometimes he speeds up. Instead of slowing down a little bit and making pitches, it gets to be, ‘I’m competing,’ and he’s competing harder. To me, [that’s] not as good.”

Even through his struggles, Luzardo’s underlying metrics remain strong. The strikeout stuff is there, and he gives the Phillies immense upside in a rotation that already features Cristopher Sánchez, Zack Wheeler and Andrew Painter, who has improved a great deal recently.

The Phillies will oppose Reds righty Chase Burns, who has posted an eye-opening 1.87 ERA in nine starts and is firmly in the National League Cy Young conversation. Burns routinely runs his fastball into the triple digits and will be a tough opponent for the Phillies.

Mattingly still likes the way his club should think each night.

“Our guys should expect to win,” he said. “We’ve got good players. We’ve got good starting pitching on an everyday basis. Those guys, for the most part, keep us in a game and give us a chance.”

The Phillies have been playing like it lately.

Now they get another chance to keep the run going.

2026 NHL Draft: Is It Possible for Calgary to Trade Up to Second Overall?

Should the Calgary Flames trade up to snag the second overall pick? It’s a bold move that definitely won’t come cheap.

Flames fans were likely hoping for better luck at the NHL Draft Lottery, but landing at sixth overall is where they currently stand.

While the sixth spot offers a solid prospect, the Flames need a franchise-altering forward to spark excitement, sell tickets, and provide hope. With a new arena on the horizon, the team needs to be competitive and exciting from day one - ownership has said as much. They need elite goal scoring, and forwards like Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg - who are slated to go in the top two picks - could potentially provide that.

© Gavin McKenna - Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
© Gavin McKenna - Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

The current draft order is:

  1. Toronto Maple Leafs 
  2. San Jose Sharks 
  3. Vancouver Canucks 
  4. Chicago Blackhawks 
  5. New York Rangers
  6. Calgary Flames

With a surplus of second-rounders and two first-round picks, the Flames have the assets to move up. It might seem very unlikely for San Jose to part with the second pick, but as the saying goes, "If Gretzky can be traded, anyone can be moved." 

So, what would it cost to move into that number two slot? It would be significant.

The Sharks could identify a cornerstone defenceman at the draft, like Carson Carels, Chase Reid or Keaton Verhoeff to complement their established phenom Macklin Celebrini. Meanwhile, with Matt Sundin at the helm in Toronto, they could potentially lean toward a Swedish selection like Stenberg, which would result in McKenna sliding to number two.

If the Flames can get there, somehow, they could finally land the star player the fanbase has been clambering for.

San Jose needs defence and better goaltending after finishing last season with the third most goals against, with 290. They also need veteran leadership. This is where the Flames can build a compelling package.

The Mock Trade

To Calgary Flames:

  • 2026 1st Round Pick (2nd Overall)

To San Jose Sharks:

  • 2026 1st Round Pick (6th Overall)
  • 2026 1st Round Pick (via Vegas - late 1st)
  • Blake Coleman (F/C)
  • Devin Cooley (G)
© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

This package offers the Sharks two first-rounders, a two-time Cup winner in Coleman, and Cooley, a California native (and former Shark) who posted a .909 save percentage last season (6th highest). For the Flames, with eight picks in the first three rounds, this is the perfect time to make a franchise-altering splash.

Whether it’s to secure Stenberg or McKenna, the Flames should be aggressive. Is it a heavy price? Maybe. Is it possible, sure, although not likely. But for a chance at a superstar, it’s a gamble worth taking.

The NHL Draft is on Jun 26-27, 2026 at Keybank Center in Buffalo and Craig Conroy will undoubtedly be looking for ways to level up this roster. 

Golden Knights vs Avalanche Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Tonight's NHL Playoffs Game 1

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Nathan MacKinnon paces the Colorado Avalanche with 36 shots on goal and 13 points entering tonight's Game 1 of the Western Conference Final vs. the Vegas Golden Knights.

He'll have even more on his plate without Cale Makar in the lineup, so my Golden Knights vs. Avalanche predictions expect the superstar to build upon his incredible production thus far.

Read on for my NHL picks for Wednesday, May 20, and don't miss puck drop at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

  • UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.

Golden Knights vs Avalanche Game 1 prediction

Who will win Golden Knights vs Avalanche Game 1?

Avalanche: The Avalanche are a nightmare to deal with at home, particularly when well-rested. Including the playoffs, they are 9-1 in Colorado this season following at least two days off. They have completely steamrolled opponents along the way, out-scoring them 44-25 in aggregate. The Golden Knights have played well since the coaching change, but Colorado is a completely different animal. 

Golden Knights vs Avalanche best bet: Nathan MacKinnon Over 4.5 shots on goal (+115)

Nathan MacKinnonaveraged 5.66 shots on 11 shot attempts over three meetings with the Vegas Golden Knights

The Colorado Avalanche had just six power plays in total, so his output wasn't inflated by special teams. The tight whistle aligned with what we should see in a Conference Finals series, and MacKinnon still produced elite volume.

Expect more of the same in Game 1 at home. MacKinnon has generated five shots per game on 10.4 attempts through five contests in Colorado, and he has attempted 10+ shots in three of the last four. 

Note: Would play MacKinnon o3.5 shots to -200.

Golden Knights vs Avalanche Game 1 same-game parlay

Sam Malinski will take over as the No. 1 offensive defenseman in the absence of Cale Makar. He will see expanded minutes at 5-on-5, and likely replace Makar as the quarterback on the top power play.

That means plenty of ice with MacKinnon and the team's top players in a game the Avalanche have a team total of O/U 3.5, setting him up for success.

It's all about Jack Eichel on the Vegas side. He cleared 2.5 shots on goal in both appearances against Colorado this season, and has gone Over in eight of the last nine against the Avalanche.

Golden Knights vs Avalanche SGP

  • Nathan MacKinnon Over 4.5 shots
  • Sam Malinski Over 0.5 assists
  • Jack Eichel Over 2.5 shots

Golden Knights vs Avalanche Game 1 goal scorer pick

Martin Necas (+145)

Martin Necas has gotten a lot of praise in the playoffs for his playmaking, but he has also threatened as a shooter, ranking second on the Avalanche with 25 shots on goal. He scored three goals over three meetings with the Golden Knights this season and, with last change at home, will get more shifts against weaker competition than on the road.

Golden Knights vs Avalanche odds for Game 1

  • Moneyline: Golden Knights +145 | Avalanche -170
  • Puck Line: Golden Knights +1.5 (-165) | Avalanche -1.5 (+140)
  • Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+110) | Under 6.5 (-130)

Golden Knights vs Avalanche trend

Colorado has hit the moneyline in 13 of the last 15 games (+10.35 units, 36% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Avalanche.

How to watch Golden Knights vs Avalanche Game 1

LocationBall Arena, Denver, CO
DateWednesday, May 20, 2026
Puck drop8:00 p.m. ET
TVESPN

Golden Knights vs Avalanche latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Guardians vs Tigers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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Parker Messick takes the hill for the Cleveland Guardians against the Detroit Tigers tonight at Comerica Park.

The impressive lefty gives Cleveland the edge in my Guardians vs. Tigers predictions.

Don't expect a boatload of runs in these MLB picks on Tuesday, May 19, either.

Who will win Guardians vs Tigers today: Guardians moneyline (-150)

Parker Messick is finally getting some helium in the AL Rookie of the Year odds race. The Cleveland Guardians left-hander is 5-1 with a 2.35 ERA over nine starts.

He is flummoxing opposing lineups with chase and strikeout rates that rank in the 85th percentile, and he's finished at least five innings in all nine outings, consistently putting the Guardians in a position to win.

This Detroit Tigers offense boasts a 96 wRC+ against left-handed pitching, which will only be further exposed by a hurler of this caliber.

While Cleveland's bullpen has an inflated ERA, the relief corps also owns the best K% in the majors and ranks second in K-BB%. This is a dominant bullpen that will help shut things down once Messick leaves.

Covers COVERS INTEL: Messick suppresses hard contact at an elite level, sitting in the 87th percentile in hard-hit rate and the 85th in average exit velocity.

Guardians vs Tigers Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (+105)

I fully expect Messick to get the job done against the Tigers, as he's allowed fewer than three runs in seven of his nine outings, and Comerica Park isn't a hitter-friendly locale.

That should also benefit Tigers starter Keider Montero, who owns a 3.14 ERA at home, suppressing power more effectively in Detroit than on the road (.295 SLG at home, .508 away).

Montero is a pitch-to-contact hurler, which may bite him a bit against this Guardians offense that boasts baseball's third-lowest strikeout rate, but the lack of consistent power means Cleveland won't run up the score.

Guardians vs Tigers odds

  • Moneyline: Guardians -167 | Tigers +138
  • Run line: Guardians -1.5 (+102) | Tigers +1.5 (-123)
  • Over/Under: Over 8 (-107) | Under 8 (-112)

Guardians vs Tigers trend

The Guardians have hit the moneyline in 28 of their last 50 road games for +12.45 units and a 23% ROI. Find more MLB betting trends for Guardians vs. Tigers.

How to watch Guardians vs Tigers and game info

LocationComerica Park, Detroit, MI
DateTuesday, May 19, 2026
First pitch6:40 p.m. ET
TVGuardians.TV, DSN
Guardians starting pitcherParker Messick
(5-1, 2.35 ERA)
Tigers starting pitcherKeider Montero
(2-3, 3.65 ERA)

Guardians vs Tigers latest injuries

Guardians vs Tigers weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Diamondbacks are Walking Toward Success

Perdomo leads the D-backs in walks, with Carroll a close second (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The ABS Challenge System had indirect impacts beyond the challenges.

As you know, this season the ABS challenge system arrived in the Majors.  What you may or may not know is that the initial ball-strike calls had a higher accuracy this season. 

Let’s focus more specifically, on the overall accuracy of umpires calling pitches just outside the strike zone.

This season, when a batter does not swing at pitches just barely outside the strike zone, it is almost three times as likely for the umpire to call it a ball.

“…Balls just off those three edges [excluded top of zone] were called strikes 37% of the time in 2025; they’re being called strikes 13.5% of the time in 2026….”  Ben Clemmens, 12 May 2026

This season through 8 May, walks as a percentage of PAs increased 1.11% (from last season’s 8.41% to 9.62%).  This season’s rate is the highest shown in Baseball Savant (which included the 2008 season onward).

Recently, walk rates for Diamondbacks batters changed. 

In the four previous seasons, the Diamondback batters had higher walk rates than the league averages. 

This season in games through 8 May, something different happened.  The Diamondbacks batters had a lower walk rate than the league average (7.53% vs 9.52).  Perhaps batters were being too aggressive and not taking walks. 

Then, in the recent five games (9-13 May), the Diamondbacks batters dramatically turned it around.  In contrast to the league average (that dropped from 9.52% to 9.08%) the Diamondbacks increased their walk rate from 7.63% to 11.89%.  Very impressive!  

The following table compares the walk rates of the Diamondbacks batters and the league average.  Data from Baseball Savant.

Did the increased walk rate directly result in more runs?  Yes.  The extra four walks resulted in two extra runs.  Extrapolating those five games to an entire season would be an extra 64.6 runs!  The following table shows the impact.  Data from Baseball Reference.

One situation that can greatly impact the game is the 3-2 count.  Whether the pitch is in the strike zone is the primary driver on the batters’ swing decision.  A secondary driver is whether pitches just barely outside the strike zone will be called balls (which you may remember is three times more likely than last season). 

The following table shows Diamondbacks batters in 3-2 counts.  Excluding foul balls, 16.7% of their swings were successful (they got a hit).  More remarkable was that when they did not swing their success rate (they got a walk) was much higher (88.9% to 100%).

The walk rates for Diamondbacks pitchers changed.    

In the last four seasons, the Diamondbacks pitchers made a steady improvement in their walk rates compared to league averages. 

This season through 8 May, their walk rate increased by about 10% over last season, which was barely better than the league average.

In the last five games, their walk rate dropped dramatically (from 8.87% to 6.43%).  I’m not sure such a large improvement is sustainable. 

The following table compares the walk rates of the Diamondbacks pitchers and the league average.  Data from Baseball Savant.

The Diamondbacks Rockies Series at Coors Field.

What about walks at Coors Field?  Will the ease of hitting at Coors field (and pitchers’ attempts to avoid the strike zone) make the changes in walk rate more pronounced, or less pronounced?   

In the first two games of the Coors series, Diamondbacks batters walked 12.0% of their PAs. Which was the same rate as 9-13 May.

In the first two games of the Coors series, Diamondbacks pitchers walked only one batter, which was an astonishing 1.5% of batters faced (PAs).

Summary.

This season, when a batter does not swing at pitches just barely outside the strike zone, it is almost three times as likely for the umpire to call it a ball.

In the recent five games (9-13 May), the Diamondbacks batters dramatically turned their walk rate around.  In contrast to the league average (that dropped from 9.52% to 9.08%) the Diamondbacks increased their walk rate from 7.63% to 11.89%. 

The increased walk rate directly resulted in more runs. Extrapolating those five games to an entire season would be an extra 64.6 runs! 

One situation that can greatly impact the game is the 3-2 count.  When Diamondbacks batters did not swing their success rate (they got a walk) was very high (88.9% to 100%).

In the last five games, Diamondbacks pitchers dramatically reduced their walk rate (from 8.87% to 6.43%). 

Weekly Pebble Report: Benny Montgomery takes things day-by-day

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 2: Benny Montgomery #62 of the Colorado Rockies slides during the game against the Seattle Mariners at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 2, 2025 in Scottsdale, AZ. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | Original photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images, 3/2/2025

Hartford Yard Goats outfielder Benny Montgomery may be just 23-years-old, but he’s already entering his sixth season in the Rockies system.

Selected eighth overall in the 2021 draft out of Red Land High School in Pennsylvania, the 6’5” Montgomery hit the ground running. He made a strong first impression by hitting .340/.404/.383 in 14 games with the Arizona Complex League after being drafted and continued to rise as a prospect as he thrived in the lower levels of the farm system.

In 2022 with the Low-A Fresno Grizzlies, he hit .313.394/.502 with 20 doubles, three triples, six home runs, and 42 RBIs over 56 games. Though he did miss time on the injured list with a groin injury, he ended the season as the September 2022 California League Player of the month.

Montgomery continued his progress with a solid campaign with the High-A Spokane Indians the following year. He appeared in 109 games, hitting .251/.336/.370 with 18 doubles, 2 triples, and ten home runs in a less hitter-friendly environment. He was named an organizational minor league All-Star and earned an invitation to the 2023 Arizona Fall League. As a member of the Salt River Rafters, Montgomery dazzled by hitting .333/.436/.500 with another three home runs and was named to the “Fall Stars” Arizona Fall League All-Star team.

Assigned to the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats to start the 2024 season, it looked like Montgomery would continue his ascent as one of the Rockies’ top prospects. Through 11 games he hit .283/.313/.500 with four doubles and two home runs and was even named an Eastern League Player of the Week.

Then an event happened that would derail his young professional career. While diving for a ball in the outfield, Montgomery dislocated his left shoulder. The injury ended up doing structural damage that required surgery and would cause him to miss the rest of the season.

Montgomery returned to the Yard Goats for the 2025 season and appeared in 86 games—the second-most in his professional career—but looked like a shell of his former self. The former top prospect hit just .201/.274/.263 with eight doubles and four home runs.

Now with the 2026 minor league season underway and a pending minor league free agent at the end of the year, Montgomery is again with the Hartford Yard Goats as he tries to regain form.

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t an uphill battle from 2024 after the injury,” Montgomery said. “That and a lot of quirky injuries happened last year. So really it’s getting the confidence back trusting my stuff to where it was. It’s been been really good, and I don’t think I’m there yet, but I think I’m really close, and I’m really happy with how it’s going.”

Montgomery made no secret of his frustrations coming back from that uphill battle and his struggles in 2025.

“It was a grind. I don’t have many positive emotions about it,” he said.

However, he has also come away from the experience with new insight and lessons learned.

“I think the silver lining is sometimes you don’t need to go through things, but when you do, you can’t control some of the things that happen and then the only thing you do is make the most out of the situation,” Montgomery explained. “And I feel like I’ve learned a lot, gotten a lot better mentally, dealing with things, dealing with failure, and now I’m out there to have fun, enjoy playing, and that’s all you can do.”

Montgomery further ruminated on his experiences and how they have changed him.

“I’m completely different, I think, than I was,” he said. “I have much more perspective. I hadn’t really ever experienced failure before 2024 or injury, or anything like that. Now I have more perspective of what it’s like to be able to play every day, to really enjoy what you’re doing. I think that’s really important. And happy to be out here.”

Not only is Montgomery grateful to be back and playing ball, but he’s grateful to be doing to with his teammates in Hartford.

“We’re all really close. We’ve got a lot of close friends here,” he said. “We like to hang off the field. We like to do stuff with each other. It’s a really close knit group of guys, and it’s a lot of really good baseball players. When you’re having a bunch of good baseball players that enjoy playing together, it makes for a pretty good team.”

As the season rolls on, Montgomery—once focused on goals like most baseball players—is choosing to take things day-by-day and game-by-game.

“I used to be a goals guy. Not anymore,” Montgomery said. “I want to go play baseball. I want to feel good, play baseball, enjoy time with my buddies, and just feel blessed to be out there doing it every day. No goals. Whatever happens, happens. I’m just here to play.”


Weekly Pebble Report: May 12th-18th

Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes (2-4, 25-20 Overall)

The Albuquerque Isotopes had a bit of a rough week, particularly on the pitching side of things, as they lost a six-game series for the first time since first full week of the season. Things started off on a high note with a pair of victories, including an extra-inning walk-off win, but the Isotopes then dropped four straight to the Oklahoma City Comets (Los Angeles Dodgers), tying their season-high losing streak. Over those final four contests, Albuquerque’s pitching staff surrendered 59 runs and 69 hits, capped by the 20 runs given up on Sunday.

⬆️ Stock Up:The Sean Sullivan Show

While the pitching staff ended up having a tough week, Sean Sullivan (No. 8 PuRP) delivered the best start. Taking the pill for the second game of the series, Sullivan cruised through six innings, allowing just two runs, one earned, on five hits with three strikeouts and a walk. He attacked the zone, throwing 65-of-97 pitches for strikes and induced seven ground balls. Sullivan improved to 4-2 on the season and owns a 5.08 ERA.

⬇️ Stock Down: Learning and Growing

Slumps are a pain in the posterior for any aspiring big leaguer and Charlie Condon (No. 1 PuRP) is still working through one in Albuquerque. He had a rough series against Oklahoma City, going 4-for-22 with 10 strikeouts and four walks. Condon’s power has disappeared over the last few weeks, but he did manage a triple during the week for just his second extra-base hit at home in Albuquerque. He is now slashing .232/.369/.735 on the season.

Upcoming:

The Isotopes head back out on the road to begin a six-game series against the Las Vegas Aviators (Athletics) on Tuesday.

Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats (3-3, 19-19 Overall)

The Yard Goats salvaged a series split against the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox). After winning the series opener, Hartford lost three relatively close contests in a row before bouncing back to win the final two games. The Yard Goats are now 7-3 in their last ten games and sit just 3.5 games back of New Hampshire for their division.

⬆️ Stock Up:Dandy Andy

Shortstop Andy Perez stood out at the plate against the Sea Dogs. Despite having one hitless game in the six he played, Perez still went 12-for-25 with two doubles and two stolen bases while only striking out three times. Perez leads the Yard Goats in both batting average and on-base percentage, and has the second-most stolen bases so far this season.

⬇️ Stock Down: Gray Skies

Denver wasn’t the only place where the weather’s taken a turn for the worse over the last week. Left-handed reliever Sam Weatherly continues to struggle at the Double-A level. In his one outing against the Sea Dogs—acting as an opener—he gave up three earned runs on two hits—including a home run—and two walks over two innings of work. His ERA for the season sits at 10.91 with a 2.298 WHIP and opposing batters hitting .391 against him.

Upcoming:

The Yard Goats are heading to New Hampshire to play the division-leading Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays) in a series that could help Hartford make a leap up in the standings.

High-A: Spokane Indians (2-4, 15-24 Overall)

The Indians sit at the bottom of the Northwest League after losing their series against the Hillsboro Hops (Arizona Diamondbacks). When the Indians could get their offense going they were able to come away with a win, but in three of their four losses they were able to score just two runs.

⬆️ Stock Up:Hammer Time

Left-handed 2023 12th round pick Bryson Hammer has been operating largely in a long relief role this season, but it appears the organization has decided to take the training wheels off by having him start his last two contests. In just his second career start, Hammer was outstanding. He pitched a career-high six innings of shutout baseball, allowing just one hit and striking out eight batters. He was named Northwest League Pitcher of the Week.

⬇️ Stock Down:Singing the Belyeus

Outfielder Max Belyeu (no. 15 PuRP) is having himself a difficult first full season of professional baseball, hitting just .191/.290/.383 in 31 games—though 11 of his 22 hits have been for extra bases. Belyeu appeared in just three games against the Hops. In his first game he managed his second multi-hit game of the season, but it was also the first since April 5th and he only had just one more hit the rest of the series.

Upcoming:

The Indians will host the Vancouver Canadians (Toronto Blue Jays) this week. Make sure to say “happy birthday” to DORIS the mascot on Wednesday.

Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies (4-2, 23-16 Overall)

The Grizzlies continued their strong season with a series win over the Visalia Rawhide (Arizona Diamondbacks). They now sit tied for the best record in the California League thanks to a strong offense and solid pitching.

⬆️ Stock Up:Jack Attack

Catcher and designated hitter Jack O’Dowd was named the California League Player of the Week. He had multiple hits in three of five games, going 9-for-20 at the plate with three doubles, a triple, two home runs—including a grand slam—and seven RBIs. O’Dowd, who just turned 25, was signed out of the Pioneer League this off-season and has been enjoying a breakout campaign in Fresno. He is currently hitting .342/.385/.709 with seven home runs.

⬆️ Stock Up:Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but Roldy Brito is good.

Roldy Brito (no. 11 PuRP) continues to dominate in Fresno. In another impressive week he went 13-for-28 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, six RBIs, and two stolen bases. The breakout prospect also played both second base and center field.

Upcoming:

A road series against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Los Angeles Angels) is up next for the Grizzlies.

Arizona Complex League: ACL Rockies (2-3, 8-4 Overall)

The ACL Rockies kicked off the week with two wins against the ACL Angels and ACL Reds, but lost their remaining three games. They are tied for the second-best record in the ACL and are currently on top of their division.

⬆️ Stock Up:Can’t Arguelles with those results

18-year-old Venezuelan outfielder Cristian Arguelles (HM PuRP) had a solid week at the plate, going 7-for-17 with two triples and a home run with three RBIs.


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5 realistic trades to get the Suns into the first round of the NBA Draft

According to Kevin O’Connor at Yahoo Sports, the Suns are expected to try to trade into the first round of this year’s draft. This may be harder than we would like, as this year’s draft is considered to be of good quality, and many teams may want to keep their picks.

That said, this Suns front office is aggressive. We shouldn’t write off the possibility. If Brian Gregory does manage to make it into the first round, how could he do it?

Currently, the Suns sit at pick 47. Here are five ways I could see the Suns moving up on draft night:


Phoenix sends 2033 1st round pick to OKC for #17

Does this trade make you sick? This trade makes me sick. But I see this as the most obvious way for Phoenix to make it into the first round. Oklahoma City does not need any more young talent. They are already so deep that many young players aren’t getting playing time, and they also have pick #12 in this year’s draft.

Devin Booker is going to be 36 by the 2033 draft, and the Suns have no total control over any of their own first-round picks between now and then. If you forced me to bet, the odds are good now that the 2033 pick is a lottery pick.

Who knows what the Oklahoma City Thunder will look like seven years from now? Given their youth, they may still be in contention as long as their core stays healthy. This gives them future flexibility to make even more trades or draft a young player down the road.

For Phoenix, this trade only makes sense if there is someone still available at #17 that they really like. Someone who they think can one day launch into stardom. If they pick another role player at #17, they won’t get this team any closer to a championship. In fact, they may be pushing themselves further from one another with this trade.

Phoenix swaps Jalen Green for PJ Washington

Dallas has entered their “Timeline” era. They are restarting. They need young talent around Cooper Flagg and flexibility for the future. 

For them, Jalen Green can slot in between Kyrie and Cooper and (hopefully) be their solid third option. In addition, they get what could be a really good pick in 2033 to either come in and support Flagg in his prime or be traded to put them over the top.

The Suns give up a lot in this deal. Green and the 2033 1st are some of the Suns’ best assets in their incredibly limited pool. In return, however, they get two first round picks, albeit late ones. They would be getting pick #30 this year and OKC’s 2028 1st round pick, which would probably also be #30 or close to it. 

In my eyes, the big prize here is PJ Washington. Washington is hardly the second coming of Charles Barkley, but he can come in and start for the Suns at the Power Forward, which they desperately need.

Why should Dallas trade Washington? Because he fits the Luka Doncic timeline, not the Cooper Flagg one.

Klay Thompson is pure salary filler in this deal. He can come in and fill minutes, especially if the Suns move off of either of Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neale.

In total, this cleans up the depth chart and nets the Suns two picks for one.

Cleveland gets under the second apron

I have enjoyed the Royce O’Neale experience. He is, unfortunately, not going to get the Suns into the NBA Finals. He could, however, get the Suns into the first round of the draft. 

Both Royce and Max Strus scored around ten points on 40% shooting from three this season. This deal doesn’t push either team hard in either direction. 

This trade is all about the financials. In shedding the 5.8 million dollar difference in salaries between Royce and Strus, the Cavs get under the 2nd apron. In exchange for helping Cleveland do this, the Suns pick up the 29th pick in the draft.

This deal just makes so much sense for both teams. Cleveland and Phoenix are positioned well to help each other this offseason without either team having to give much up in the process.

This is easily my favorite trade on this list for its sheer cogency. If the Cavs were willing to do this, the Suns should leap on the opportunity.

Cameron Johnson comes home

I know Suns fans will say that Phoenix is giving up a lot in this deal for Cam Johnson and a late first. I wouldn’t fault anyone who says they’d rather just keep Grayson Allen and Ryan Dunn. Let me try to convince you, though.

The Cameron Johnson experience hasn’t been great in Denver. Cam ended the season with decent stats and really turned things around after a rough start to the season, but for some reason, the fit never seemed to work as well as it should’ve next to Jokic and Murray. He is a good player, but isn’t worth 21 million dollars at this point.

Grayson Allen, on the other hand, has lived up to his contract. He has been a top-6 player for the Suns since he got to Phoenix. He is cheaper than Johnson and better than him. I think Denver would swap them 1-for-1 if they could. 

Ryan Dunn completely fell out of the rotation this season. He is thrown into this trade to make the salaries work and to hopefully bring enough value to bring in a second round pick. Denver is taking a flyer on him in this deal to try to eat up some of the forward minutes they are losing by trading away Cam Johnson.

For Phoenix, this helps clean up the shooting guard logjam and brings in the first round pick they are hunting for. 

I would love to see Cam come home where he belongs.

The Suns trade up…in the second round.

I know, I know. I promised five trades into the first round. But what is the real difference between pick 31 and pick 30 in terms of talent? Probably nothing. Pick 30 and pick 31 in this year’s draft will be in the same tier of talent.

I don’t know exactly what this trade would look like, but let’s just say it’s two second round picks for the 31st pick in the draft. This is the type of deal the Suns have done before, trading up for Rasheer Fleming last season in the second round. 

If the Suns cannot move into the first round, I expect they will be aggressive if there is someone they like at the top of the second round.


What do you think, Suns fans?

Do you like any of these trades? Do you hate all of them? Do you want BG and Mat Ishbia to stay put at 47? Let us know in the comments below!

Dodgers vs Padres Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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First place is at stake in the NL West as the Dodgers meet the Padres in San Diego. Game 1 of the series saw the lead switch hands, as the Padres are now in front by a half game.

The 1-0 loss by L.A. is the only blemish on either team’s record over the last five days.

A favorable starting pitching matchup has my Dodgers vs. Padres predictions and MLB picks looking for the Dodgers to take back the top spot with a road win on Tuesday, May 19.

Who will win Dodgers vs Padres today: Dodgers moneyline (-155)

The San Diego Padres have won four straight and five of their last six, while the Los Angeles Dodgers saw a five-game win streak snapped thanks to their NL West rival. L.A. also saw a temporary halt to its offensive rebirth.

Prior to the shutout loss, the Dodgers had scored 36 runs in four games. Shohei Ohtani appears to be shaking off an early season slump. He went 2-for-3 Monday and is 8 for his last 16. They’ll try to keep it going against Griffin Canning and his 10.64 ERA.

Dodgers pitching has allowed just six runs in the last six games and they'll go with Emmet Sheehan on the mound tonight who has won his last two starts.

Covers COVERS INTEL:Canning has allowed more than 12 hits per nine, but some of that is hard luck. He’s allowing .452 BABIP, and his FIP (predictor of true ERA) is just 4.19. He’s walking 7.4 per nine, however, which is problematic.

Dodgers vs Padres Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-115)

There will likely be more scoring than in the 1-0 series opener, but the Dodgers have been dominant on the mound recently.

Over the last week, opponents are hitting .194 with .567 OPS against L.A. and are collectively producing at 37% below league average at the plate. The pen is well-rested with just two relievers throwing a total of 19 pitches over the last two days.

The Padres have been almost as good, allowing .208 average and .575 OPS over the last two weeks, producing opposing offense 33% below league average. The San Diego bullpen is a little more fatigued than the Dodgers’, which could be an issue if Canning struggles early.

Shawn Krest's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 13-19 -5.33 units
  • Over/Under bets: 18-18 -1.51 units

Dodgers vs Padres odds

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles -155 | San Diego +140
  • Run line: Los Angeles -1.5 (+100) | San Diego +1.5 (-122)
  • Over/Under: Over 8.5 (+104) | Under 8.5 (-127)

Dodgers vs Padres trend

The Los Angeles Dodgers have only hit the Game Total Over in 19 of their last 45 games (-9.85 Units / -20% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Padres.

How to watch Dodgers vs Padres and game info

LocationPetco Park, San Diego, CA
DateTuesday, May 19, 2026
First pitch9:40 p.m. ET
TVSNLA, Padres.TV
Dodgers starting pitcherEmmet Sheehan
(3-1, 4.54 ERA)
Padres starting pitcherGriffin Canning
(0-2, 10.64 ERA)

Dodgers vs Padres latest injuries

Dodgers vs Padres weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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About Last Night: Colt Emerson, Joy, and Letting Go

May 18, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor (12) and shortstop J.P. Crawford (3) poor water on Seattle Mariners third baseman Colt Emerson (4) after defeating the Chicago White Sox at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

The Mariners haven’t been very much fun to watch this year. 

Sure, the run differential is positive. The fun differential, though? Stinky. Trash. Probably sitting about where the 19-30 Houston Astros run differential is, near the bottom of the league (the sentence is clunky, but please allow me this opportunity to bully the Astros). 

Most of us have probably turned off games early in disgust this year. It’s likely many of us have forgotten that the game started already, checked the score, and decided not to turn it on after all. Injuries to crucial players, underperformance and, the worst and rarest of all, expectations, have made this sub-.500 season feel awfully joyless.

Well, how many unique moments of joy can you fit into about one minute?

Colt Emerson earned his first hit. He put together some real Professional At-Bats in the last couple days. He fell behind in counts, but he fought his way back in just the way you want to: spitting on balls, fouling off some pitches he didn’t like, and swinging hard at ones that he did. 

You have to do just enough, and he did that. 

So, take your pick of joyful moments. You’d be well within your right to choose his family, who flew to Seattle just in time to watch Colt send one out – you can read his dad’s lips pretty well here. 

You might take his easy, cool, calm confidence as he points out to the bullpen (a decidedly veteran move), betrayed only by the emphatic “let’s fucking go!” as he crossed home plate. 

For me, I’ll take the trio of veterans that were waiting for Colt on the front steps of the dugout. 

J.P. Crawford, the captain, heart, soul, leader and Shortstop of this era of Mariners baseball, positively bouncing at the opportunity to hand off the trident to, hopefully, the next Mariners shortstop. Colt has a little bit of J.P. in him. The obvious leadership qualities aside, J.P. ranks near the top of the league in pitches per PA, and Colt’s approach at just 20 already feels like the savvy veteran’s.

“The Mariners preach, don’t be an easy out. All the guys on the team, they’re not easy outs. So me being in the eight hole, nine hole, seeing that ahead of me, you do what you see.”

Julio, who had the most Julio grin of Julio grins splitting his face as he greeted Colt at home, lived from ages 15-21 under a microscope before his debut, desperate to prove everyone else wrong about him. Now he’s 25, has proved everyone else wrong, wrong, wrong, and wrong. Will the bat develop? Is he too lumbering to even play in the corners? Will he be a liability on the basepaths? Is there enough pop to support his bat? Wrong, wrong, wrong, and wrong. 

Colt has a little bit of Julio in him. Kate talked to him this spring training after being impressed by some of the power he displayed in batting practice. He smiled and said, “Scouting reports love to lie about me.” 

Randy Arozarena was the first out of the dugout, the same energetic, smiling ball of human sunshine who lit the world on fire as a rookie in 2020 when he first transformed into Playoff Randy, stealing bags, hitting dingers and roaming the outfield with impunity.

Colt has a little bit of Randy in him, too. They both fit a surprising amount of power into compact frames. Colt’s play in the field in just two games has been smooth, confident and effortless, just like Randy’s. While Colt may not have the bombastic personality as Randy, he plans to take the league by storm in the same way. 

What struck me most about this moment was how selfless the joy on their faces was. This wasn’t a go-ahead home run to win the game. It was insurance. Nice to have, but not ultimately necessary. They were happy for him, as a person, and most meaningfully to Emerson, a teammate. 

“Getting drafted, you look at who’s in the big leagues, you idolize those guys, and you want to be a part of that. And finally, I’m a part of it. Seeing their faces, seeing Julio, Randy, J.P. out on the front step, waiting for me. Gosh, it means a lot. It really does,” Emerson said. 

In it all, not lost on many of us, was the man who watched Emerson’s drive sail right over his head and into the stands. The last Mariner whose first hit was a home run, almost five years ago to the day. The last no-doubt, sure-thing lefty hitting prospect for the Mariners. The last cold weather, hyper-competitive kid with a chip on his shoulder who was meant to be The One.

Yes, Colt Emerson has a little bit of Jarred Kelenic in him. 

They both are powered by an inner core of desire to win that radiates from them like a heat haze mirage. They both have chips on their shoulders, just like Julio, and so many great players. They both have dominated every level they’ve played at, and they both hit home runs in their second professional game, at home in T-Mobile Park. 

But there are some obvious differences, too, even in their similarities. 

Kelenic’s essential competitiveness, at least when he was with the Mariners, was best summarized as: “I want to win.” By contrast, Colt’s feels more “I want us to win.” A difference like this is obvious to those around them, especially in a team setting that relies so much on time spent together. It’s why Colt has been embraced with such open arms by those around him – his fellow players, coaches and support staff can’t stop raving about him. 

Emerson had unadulterated joy from team leaders he admired waiting for him when he got back to the dugout and Naylor and Canzone waiting for him at the plate. But Kelenic? No one greeted him at home plate. No exuberant eye contact and big smiles awaited him. He lifted his hand to the sky and jogged back to the dugout, where he got a quick high-five from Mitch Haniger, a down-low from Sam Haggerty and a muted fist-bump from a tired Kyle Seager. No love, no joy.

Kelenic stewed, seethed, and raged when things didn’t go away, until he finally got a big hit and he could release, for just a moment, some of that anger and anxiety. But it would always come back, an ember of ire that was too strong to be doused. It defined him and his tenure in Seattle. You can hear it in his post-game interview from May 14, 2021, his first big-league hit. 

“I want to bury our opponents, each and every night,” Kelenic said at the time. “And what really bugs me is when I give away at-bats, or if I don’t execute on what I’m trying to do, just because, like what I just said, I want to win.”

Emerson’s postgame conversation about his competitive drive and approach is different – lessons that Kelenic likely wishes he had learned earlier already engrained.

“Being a competitor means putting the ball in play when you need to put the ball in play, and if you’re up there super tight and trying to do too much, you’re not going to put the ball in play. So the only logical thing is to take a deep breath, and loosen up and go do it.”

This young, these mentalities are not ones that are fully developed and self-taught through experience. They’re what you are taught as you’ve grown up. You absorb how you view and interact with the world around you from those who you love and trust. Emerson had a true village, and 17 people flying in from Ohio to watch him is a testament to how loved he’s been.

“You can’t talk about Colt without talking about all the guys and all the people that have poured into him, all the people that taught him to play,” Dan Wilson said. “He’s a special kid. There’s something special inside of him as a player, but there’s also people who have really prepared him for this moment and those people deserve a lot of credit, because what we’ve seen from him so far has been really, really special.”

Kelenic had his parents, brother and girlfriend there to see his home run. I wonder what lessons he was taught growing up about competitiveness, performance and how it relates to your sense of self-worth.


It’s natural for humans to linger on what things could have, would have, should have been different. How things might have turned out with a laundry list of “if only’s”. Prospects, especially ones that are asked to bear the hope of a cursed franchise, find themselves doubly burdened by this weight, externally and internally. For the player, for a fandom, for everyone in so many aspects of our lives, letting things go and living in the present isn’t easy.

Kelenic, at least, seems to have finally found some inner peace – Ryan Divish published a great piece about his mental journey, and wrote about how much lighter he seems upon his return to Seattle. 

This home run feels like a true clean break: the end of that chapter, and the start of a new one.

It’s time to let go of the disappointing, “what-if?” past, and live in the now.

Colt Emerson has arrived.

NBA mock draft 2026 showcases some intriguing looming decisions

The 2026 NBA Draft has some of the most impressive one-and-done prospects in recent memory and lottery teams will have plenty of talent to pick from.

After the conclusion of the scouting combine in Chicago, talent evaluators are walking away with new opinions on some of the players after they completed measurements and athletic testing. Others, like Cameron Carr, were able to improve their stock by playing well during five-on-five pre-draft scrimmages. 75 total players participated in the drills with dozens more participating in the G League Combine.

Players can remain as early entry draft candidates through 11:59 p.m. ET on May 27 if they want to maintain their collegiate eligibility or they can return to college. The latest updates on those with big decisions are included below.

All heights and wingspans (as well as the distance between the two) are listed to the nearest inch and players were measured without shoes.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa

AJ Dybantsa participates in the 2026 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.

  • TEAM: BYU
  • POSITION: Wing
  • BORN: Massachusetts
  • HEIGHT: 6-9
  • WINGSPAN: 7-1 (+4)
  • DRAFT AGE: 19

The Wizards finished with the worst record in the NBA and benefited tremendously from a lottery win. They had the second-worst offense in the league and could instantly inject life into their offense by selecting AJ Dybantsa, the NCAA scoring champion and Julius Erving Award winner. While the battle for No. 1 is far from over, the former five-star recruit emphasized that point during his one game for BYU in March Madness, putting up 35 points and 10 rebounds. The Big 12 Rookie of the Year led the nation in unassisted points scored (680) by a wide margin this season, per CBB Analytics. The emerging star also had 40 points against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament on March 10 and averaged a stellar 28.8 points per game over his final 17 appearances. He would be a fascinating fit next to Trae Young and Anthony Davis, who could help him play alongside veteran talent early in his career.

2. Utah Jazz: Cameron Boozer

Cameron Boozer participates in the 2026 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.

  • TEAM: Duke
  • POSITION: Forward
  • BORN: Florida
  • HEIGHT: 6-8
  • WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+5)
  • DRAFT AGE: 18

CBS Sports recently reported that folks at the combine spoke with the "same level of confidence" about Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson going No. 2 overall as they did about Dybantsa hearing his name first. However, this is far from a foregone conclusion. Duke freshman Cameron Boozer was dominant during his first NCAA season, earning national collegiate player of the year honors. The ACC Player of the Year isn’t a human highlight reel, though he performed well during athletic testing at the combine in Chicago. He offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set and can bring a culture of winning after multiple championships in high school and an elite Duke team that made it to the Sweet 16. It is important to note that his father, former Jazz player Carlos Boozer, currently works as a scout for Utah. Even if this is an awkward positional fit, the Jazz are building a much stronger core after trading for Jaren Jackson Jr. and drafting Ace Bailey.

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Caleb Wilson

Caleb Wilson participates in the 2026 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.

  • TEAM: North Carolina
  • POSITION: Big
  • BORN: Georgia
  • HEIGHT: 6-9
  • WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+3)
  • DRAFT AGE: 19

One general manager also told Jake Fischer that “every team” is going to have North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson over either one of Dybantsa, Boozer, or Darryn Peterson. Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor reported that some front office executives view Wilson with “similarly high upside” as Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson with “dramatically lower downsides” than the guard. The Memphis Grizzlies are unafraid to draft away from consensus and tend to like analytically-friendly prospects, so they're potentially one of those teams. Wilson did more than enough to earn this placement before his injury. According to Bart Torvik, before the injury, the All-ACC big man led the nation with 67 dunks recorded and was one of the best vertical athletes who tested at the combine in Chicago. He was also the only player under 20 years old to reach specific thresholds for both block, steal and defensive rebound percentage.

4. Chicago Bulls: Darryn Peterson

Darryn Peterson participates in the 2026 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.

  • TEAM: Kansas
  • POSITION: Guard
  • BORN: Ohio
  • HEIGHT: 6-5
  • WINGSPAN: 6-10 (+5)
  • DRAFT AGE: 19

Bryson Graham, who was recently hired as the new executive vice president of basketball operations for the Bulls, has a simple task: Select whichever of the four players is still available. While he is certainly no longer perceived as the near-certain No. 1 overall pick that he once was due to relative inconsistency and injury issues, many scouts and evaluators still feel that Darryn Peterson is the most talented player in this class. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, he has received “largely positive” feedback and was "quiet but serious" during the pre-draft interview process of the combine. Overall, it is incredibly rare to find a prospect who is able to score as efficiently as Peterson did while holding a usage rate as high as his was this season. 

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Kingston Flemings

Kingston Flemings participates in the 2026 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.

  • TEAM: Houston
  • POSITION: Guard
  • BORN: Texas
  • HEIGHT: 6-3
  • WINGSPAN: 6-4 (+1)
  • DRAFT AGE: 19

The Clippers received this pick from the Indiana Pacers and when they are on the clock at No. 5 overall, look for them to potentially call on Houston freshman Kingston Flemings. The All-Big 12 guard has several games when he has recorded at least three steals, notching eight against Arizona State earlier this season. He scored 42 points against No. 11 Texas Tech on Jan. 24. Flemings helped lead Houston to the Sweet 16, and with highs as high as his were this season, it will not take long for him to hear his name called on draft night. Flemings measured with a 40.5-inch max vertical and elite speed across all his agility testing.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Keaton Wagler

  • TEAM: Illinois
  • POSITION: Guard
  • BORN: Kansas
  • HEIGHT: 6-5
  • WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+1)
  • DRAFT AGE: 19

During this rebuilding chapter, the Nets would love to add a player like Illinois standout Keaton Wagler. The 19-year-old guard played a crucial role in helping the Fighting Illini earn a spot in the Final Four, where he recorded 20 points and 8 rebounds against UConn in the national semifinals. The freshman also dropped 25 points in the Elite Eight. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 39.7 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman, while connecting on as many as nine 3-pointers in a game. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year has athletic limitations but is a cerebral basketball player who averaged 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season. 

7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr.

  • TEAM: Arkansas
  • POSITION: Guard
  • BORN: Michigan
  • HEIGHT: 6-2
  • WINGSPAN: 6-7 (+5)
  • DRAFT AGE: 19

The Kings need a potential star and according to Yahoo's Kevin O'Connor, folks around the league "widely believe" they are targeting Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. right now.En route to the Sweet 16, the SEC Player of the Year proved he is one of the most enticing offensive prospects in recent memory. Acuff Jr. led the nation for points created (1,394) either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. The speedy guard led freshmen for field goals made in transition (72) and field goals made from both the left and right side of the court. He was among the freshmen leaders in alley-oop assists (17) as well. He has significant defensive deficiencies but is one of the most exciting offensive prospects in recent memory. It's also worth noting Kings executive Scott Perry coached Acuff's father in college.

8. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans Pelicans): Brayden Burries

  • TEAM: Arizona
  • POSITION: Wing
  • BORN: California
  • HEIGHT: 6-4
  • WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+2)
  • DRAFT AGE: 20

With the pick the Hawks received from New Orleans, one potential target is Arizona freshman Brayden Burries. He was an exciting prospect to watch during the Big Dance, making it all the way to the Final Four and dropping 23 points against Arkansas. He had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. But the All-Big 12 guard continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. He has proven productivity, and he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble.

9. Dallas Mavericks: Yaxel Lendeborg

  • TEAM: Michigan
  • POSITION: Forward
  • BORN: New Jersey
  • HEIGHT: 6-9
  • WINGSPAN: 7-3 (+7)
  • DRAFT AGE: 23

The Mavericks had the worst offensive rating in the Western Conference and after hiring Masai Ujiri, they could benefit from a player as productive as Yaxel Lendeborg. He showed on his way to winning the national championship that he is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. The Big Ten Player of the Year offers a bit of everything on both sides of the ball and has silenced skeptics who were unsure how his game would scale after transferring from mid-major UAB to high-major Michigan. While he is older than other players projected in the first round, his impact in college basketball was undeniable. He also had a strong "stocks" (steals plus blocks) rate and a plus wingspan, two things Ujiri often loves.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Mikel Brown Jr. 

  • TEAM: Louisville
  • POSITION: Guard
  • BORN: Florida
  • HEIGHT: 6-4
  • WINGSPAN: 6-8 (+4)
  • DRAFT AGE: 20

The Milwaukee Bucks, potentially heading toward an ugly Giannis Antetokounmpo divorce, must simply draft the best player available with whatever pick they have and will likely keep Louisville floor general Mikel Brown Jr. highlighted on their big board. The All-ACC guard has deep shooting range and was among the freshmen leaders in 3-pointers made from beyond 25 feet (27) this year, per CBB Analytics. Brown was averaging 29.2 points per game over his last five appearances, including 45 points against NC State on Feb. 9, while hitting 10 shots from beyond the arc, before an injury on Feb. 28 forced him to miss March Madness. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, some scouts feel Brown has the highest “upside” of the guards in this range.

11. Golden State Warriors: Karim López

  • TEAM: International
  • POSITION: Forward
  • BORN: Mexico
  • HEIGHT: 6-8
  • WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+3)
  • DRAFT AGE: 19

Karim López had a low usage rate and played fewer minutes than other players in this range while playing against pros, but was still very productive for the NBL Next Stars program in Australia. The Mexican-born forward is physically gifted, athletic, and universally seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30. Despite his age, he played a huge role for his team defensively for a team that won the NBL Ignite Cup. López measured well, weighing just shy of 222 pounds and 38-inch max vertical.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Aday Mara

  • TEAM: Michigan
  • POSITION: Big
  • BORN: Spain
  • HEIGHT: 7-3
  • WINGSPAN: 7-6 (+3)
  • DRAFT AGE: 21

After winning the 2025 NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder could add even more lottery-caliber talent, like Michigan center Aday Mara. While leading his team to win the NCAA championship, Mara became one of the prospects who helped himself the most during March Madness. Oklahoma City tends to like low-usage big men with high assist percentages as well as high block and steal percentages. The 7-foot-3 big man, who transferred from UCLA, is a fantastic rim protector. Opponents only attempted 20.4 percent of their field goals at the rim when the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was on the court, per CBB Analytics, which ranks near the lowest among all NCAA players. He could potentially hear his name called even higher than this, too, as teams look for large folks like Mara (who measured with a 9-foot-9 standing reach) to guard Victor Wembanyama.

13. Miami Heat: Labaron Philon 

  • TEAM: Alabama
  • POSITION: Guard
  • BORN: Alabama
  • HEIGHT: 6-3
  • WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+4)
  • DRAFT AGE: 20

The Heat could find a fairly compelling player in Alabama sophomore Labaron Philon. Even though the All-SEC guard was not playing at 100 percent during March Madness due to injury issues, he played well in the tournament, recording 35 points during a loss against Michigan. He also notched 29 points in his first-round game and 12 assists in his second. The guard averaged 22.0 points per game this season, and he improved his 3-point shooting from 31.5 percent as a freshman to 39.9 percent as a sophomore, while also managing 5.0 assists per game in the process.

14. Charlotte Hornets: Cameron Carr

  • DRAFT AGE: 21
  • TEAM: Baylor
  • POSITION: Wing
  • BORN: Minnesota
  • HEIGHT: 6-5
  • WINGSPAN: 7-1 (+8)

The player who improved his draft stock the most during the combine was Baylor junior Cameron Carr. He scored 30 points in a five-on-five scrimmage, recorded a 42.5-inch max vertical and had great physical measurements. This should grab the attention of teams that tend to like athletic prospects like the Hornets. The All-Big 12 wing brings sincere athleticism and shooting and, per Bart Torvik, he was the only player to make at least 40 field goals that were dunks and more than 60 field goals that were 3-pointers this season. Baylor outscored opponents by an additional 28.5 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor relative to when he was not, via CBB Analytics, which ranked as the fourth-most of any high-major player in the NCAA. 

15. Chicago Bulls (via Trail Blazers): Hannes Steinbach

  • TEAM: Washington
  • POSITION: Big
  • BORN: Germany
  • HEIGHT: 6-10
  • WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+4)
  • DRAFT AGE: 20

The Chicago Bulls received this additional pick because the Portland Trail Blazers advanced past the play-in tournament. This is about the range of German big man Hannes Steinbach, who reportedly turned down NIL opportunities “worth up to $10 million” rather than return to college. While his Washington team missed the tournament, the All-Big Ten post is an instinctive rebounder with great hands, including an absurd 24 rebounds against USC on March 4. Additionally, the center is one of the more prolific pick-and-roll finishers in college basketball. He shone during the FIBA U19 World Cup, too, and scouts love that he is a smart basketball player who can make great reads. 

16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Suns): Joshua Jefferson 

  • TEAM: Iowa St.
  • POSITION: Wing
  • BORN: Nevada
  • HEIGHT: 6-8
  • WINGSPAN: 6-11 (+3)
  • DRAFT AGE: 22

The Grizzlies will have another first-round pick thanks to the Desmond Bane trade and may have their eyes on Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization. A few years ago, research indicated that the Grizzlies tend to value a few statistical similarities in their draftees: Efficient shot selection, added value beyond scoring and defensive playmaking. For the second year in a row, the All-Big 12 forward was an impactful dribble-pass-shoot forward who met many of the qualifications that led Memphis to find players who spent many years on their roster. The Grizzlies are not afraid to draft away from consensus and have shown a willingness to pick older, more experienced players in the past. Perhaps they trade back to get him, but he fits their profile.

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers): Nate Ament

  • TEAM: Tennessee
  • POSITION: Wing
  • BORN: Virginia
  • HEIGHT: 6-10
  • WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+2)
  • DRAFT AGE: 19

While the Thunder may not actually use this pick because they have such an abundance of talent on its roster already, this is a fair range for Tennessee freshman Nate Ament. The forward reportedly considered returning to college to aim for the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NBA Draft. His decision to declare for this class, instead, suggests he is likely comfortable with the feedback he has received so far. The freshman averaged 21.6 points per game, while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers, during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. The All-SEC forward then had 27 points (4-of-6 on 3-pointers) with eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal against Auburn on March 12. He was not as efficient during March Madness, but it will only take one team to fall in love with Ament, and that team is likely picking this forward with a standing reach exceeding 9-foot-1 near the lottery.

18. Charlotte Hornets (via Magic): Morez Johnson Jr.

  • TEAM: Michigan
  • POSITION: Big
  • BORN: Illinois
  • HEIGHT: 6-9
  • WINGSPAN: 7-4 (+7)
  • DRAFT AGE: 20

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best two-way players in the NCAA. He was a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season, leading his team to win the NCAA championship game, and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson's shooting form at the free-throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should carve out minutes at the next level. Johnson was a winner during measurements at the combine, recording a 39-inch max vertical and testing with elite agility for his position.

19. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz

  • TEAM: Iowa
  • POSITION: Guard
  • BORN: Missouri
  • HEIGHT: 6-3
  • WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+4)
  • DRAFT AGE: 22

The Raptors need another guard and should have Bennett Stirtz, who reportedly has a workout scheduled with the franchise, on their priority list. After transferring from Division II to a mid-major and then to a high-major program, he is at the top of the class in creating his own shot off the dribble in isolation or the pick-and-roll. The All-Big Ten guard can also finish plays from dribble handoffs. His play during March Madness, which included 24 points against Illinois and 20 points against Nebraska, earned a spot in the Elite Eight. The Raptors play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who did the same at Iowa. 

20. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Ebuka Okorie

Ebuka Okorie participates in the 2026 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.

  • TEAM: Stanford
  • POSITION: Guard
  • BORN: New Hampshire
  • HEIGHT: 6-1
  • WINGSPAN: 6-8 (+7)
  • DRAFT AGE: 19

Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie is an interesting early entry candidate in the 2026 NBA Draft. The first-team All-ACC guard was a day-one starter in the NCAA who is potentially capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the 76ers. He averaged 23.2 points per game, recording 40 points against conference rival Virginia Tech and seven other games with at least 30 points. Okorie has earned serious first-round buzz and should intrigue the Spurs, who often fall in love with players who boast a high assist-to-turnover ratio like he did (2.3) last season. He told reporters there is "no chance" he is returning to school next season.

21. Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves): Koa Peat 

  • TEAM: Arizona
  • POSITION: Wing
  • BORN: Arizona
  • HEIGHT: 6-7
  • WINGSPAN: 6-11 (+4)
  • DRAFT AGE: 19

The Detroit Pistons have drafted several prospects capable of contributing to an elite defense, which means a player like Arizona forward Koa Peat will probably have some appeal to the organization. He is athletic with good positional size and length. Peat is also a solid rebounder and passer for his position. The All-Big 12 forward will desperately need an improved jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro. "Speculation" about a return to Arizona and head coach Tommy Lloyd has reportedly "increased" recently.

22. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets): Dailyn Swain 

  • TEAM: Texas
  • POSITION: Wing
  • BORN: Ohio
  • HEIGHT: 6-7
  • WINGSPAN: 6-10 (+4)
  • DRAFT AGE: 20

After transferring from Xavier to Texas during the offseason and then leading his team to the Sweet 16, Dailyn Swain became one of the more intriguing breakout players in college basketball. The All-SEC forward is versatile and contributed a little bit of everything for the Longhorns on both sides of the ball, scoring well both in the paint and on fastbreaks. Another element that is notably compelling is that Swain is efficient one-on-one in isolation against his defenders. He is quick, bouncy, a solid rebounder and his 81.5 percent free-throw percentage indicates he has good shooting form. While he has three years of college experience, at 20 years old, he is the same age as a few NCAA freshmen. Swain told reporters he is "two feet in" about turning pro and decided to withdraw from the second day of pre-draft scrimmages.

23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Chris Cenac Jr. 

  • TEAM: Houston
  • POSITION: Big
  • BORN: Louisiana
  • HEIGHT: 6-10
  • WINGSPAN: 7-5 (+7)
  • DRAFT AGE: 19

It was an up-and-down season for former five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American Chris Cenac Jr. at Houston. He did, however, get hot at the perfect time. During his first game in the Big Dance, the big man recorded a season-high 18 rebounds, while also knocking down a 3-pointer and grabbing a steal. Then in the Round of 32, he showed off more scoring with some impressive cuts to the basket, dropping 17 points against Texas A&M. He was quieter in the Sweet 16 but still managed 10 rebounds. Cenac told reporters he is “fully committed” to the NBA Draft and had great measurements at the combine, recording a 37-inch max vertical and a very impressive agility.

24. New York Knicks: Allen Graves 

Allen Graves participates in the 2026 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.

  • TEAM: Santa Clara
  • POSITION: Forward
  • BORN: Louisiana
  • HEIGHT: 6-8
  • WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+4)
  • DRAFT AGE: 20

One of the most under-the-radar prospects in all of college basketball this season was Santa Clara freshman Allen Graves, who was nearly a March Madness hero. It was hard not to notice the WCC Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year after he scored 30 points with 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals Feb. 7 against Washington State. The only players under 21 years old who held a higher box plus-minus, via Bart Torvik, were Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. He declared early entry for the 2026 NBA Draft but also entered his name in the transfer portal and could return to school. If he returns to college, he is reportedly most seriously considering LSU and Duke and added that Kentucky also reached out to his agents.

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Jayden Quaintance

  • TEAM: Kentucky
  • POSITION: Big
  • BORN: Ohio
  • HEIGHT: 6-9
  • WINGSPAN: 7-5 (+8)
  • DRAFT AGE: 18

Jayden Quaintance recorded just one start during his sophomore campaign as he recovered from a torn ACL, meniscus and fractured knee. The big man is still one of the youngest players in this class, but he has shown flashes during his time at Arizona State and Kentucky. When healthy, he is arguably the most talented defender in this draft class and could help a team that desperately needs frontcourt help, like the Hornets. But health may cause some concern for evaluators. During his freshman year when he was just 17 years old, per CBB Analytics, he led all D-I players in blocks per 40 minutes (0.7) on 3-pointers.

26. Denver Nuggets: Christian Anderson 

  • DRAFT AGE: 20
  • TEAM: Texas Tech
  • POSITION: Guard
  • BORN: Georgia
  • HEIGHT: 6-1
  • WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+5)

The Denver Nuggets tend to look for players with a strong assist-to-usage ratio because they rely on high-efficiency passing and off-ball movement. Texas Tech sophomore Christian Anderson is a potentially perfect fit. After moving from the two-guard to point guard, the All-Big 12 Most Improved Player recorded more than twice as many assists per 100 possessions as a sophomore compared to when he was a freshman. Anderson managed to do that while also scoring well on spot-up possessions and handoffs. Anderson said he’s “100% invested in [the draft],” but he reportedly "didn’t completely shut down the chance" to go back to school.

27. Boston Celtics: Milan Momcilovic

  • TEAM: Iowa St.
  • POSITION: Wing
  • BORN: Wisconsin
  • HEIGHT: 6-8
  • WINGSPAN: 6-9 (+1)
  • DRAFT AGE: 21

Former Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic may decide to stay in college and use the transfer portal, but if he does turn pro, he will have options. Boston tends to favor players with a high effective field goal percentage, low turnover percentage and low usage rate. They also like players who make quick decisions on catch-and-shoot opportunities and on corner 3-pointers. Momcilovic scored 297 points when shooting off the catch, per Synergy, which ranked fifth-best among D-I players last season. He also matched 28 corner 3-pointers, according to CBB Analytics, which trailed the top-ranked player (34) by just four field goals made.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons): Tyler Tanner 

  • TEAM: Vanderbilt
  • POSITION: Guard
  • BORN: Tennessee
  • HEIGHT: 5-11
  • WINGSPAN: 6-4 (+6)
  • DRAFT AGE: 20

It is unusual to find a sophomore under 6-foot projected in the first round of a mock draft, but if there were ever a player who has earned that kind of praise should he decide to turn pro after this season, it's Tyler Tanner. Despite his size, the All-SEC guard found meaningful ways to contribute on both sides of the floor. He can score efficiently, dunk, block shots, steal the ball, and he is more than serviceable as a floor general capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the Timberwolves. Tanner could also return to school, but he will continue to receive first-round buzz if he stays in the draft after the early entry withdrawal deadline. 

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Henri Veesaar

  • TEAM: North Carolina
  • POSITION: Forward
  • BORN: Estonia
  • HEIGHT: 6-11
  • WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+3)
  • DRAFT AGE: 22

We have seen a remarkable improvement from Henri Veesaar after transferring from Arizona to North Carolina. The 7-foot big man from Estonia has an excellent shot diet on offense. The All-ACC big man is scoring efficiently at the rim (especially when cutting or rolling) and on 3-pointers, while also holding his own as a rebounder and passer. Any team looking for a big man who can provide NBA minutes will have him high on their priority list. He presumably feels comfortable with his draft range, considering he was reportedly offered “at least $6 million” in the transfer portal, per CBS Sports.

30. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder): Tarris Reed Jr. 

  • TEAM: Connecticut
  • POSITION: Big
  • BORN: Missouri
  • HEIGHT: 6-10
  • WINGSPAN: 7-4 (+7)
  • DRAFT AGE: 22

UConn senior Tarris Reed Jr. helped himself quite a bit during the NCAA tournament en route to an appearance in the national championship game. He recorded four double-doubles during March Madness, notching 31 points and 27 rebounds against Furman. Reed also had 26 points with 9 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals during a win over Duke. During the combine, he did the dirty work, recording 5 rebounds with 1 steal and 1 block in his first game and then scored 117 points (7-of-9 FG) with 5 rebounds and 2 blocks in the second. Reed also tested with elite agility for his position. Expect him to come into the league and find a role sooner, especially considering his paint dominance, rather than later.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NBA mock draft: Latest update before early entry withdrawals

Cavaliers vs Knicks Props & NBA Playoffs Game 1 Best Bets

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The New York Knicks haven’t faced much resistance in nearly three weeks. The Cleveland Cavaliers are aiming to do more than just stay competitive, but even a close game could create betting value for us.

These Cavaliers vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks expect a quality Game 1 tonight.

Best Cavaliers vs Knicks props for Game 1

PlayerPickbet365
Knicks Jalen BrunsonOver 6.5 assists+110
Cavaliers Jarrett AllenOver 12.5 points-115
Knicks Karl-Anthony TownsOver 1.5 threes+145

Game 1 Prop #1: Jalen Brunson Over 6.5 assists

+110 at bet365

We, as a basketball community, probably did not properly appreciate that seven-game series from the Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers. That was the good stuff, even if Game 7 ended in a rout.

Detroit leaned heavily on Cade Cunningham, perhaps too heavily, but with good reason. Even on a lineup devoid of a second scorer or enough perimeter shooting, Cunningham averaged 7.9 assists in that series.

The New York Knicks do not need to rely on Jalen Brunson as heavily for all things offense, but he is still clearly their focal point and initiator. Expect Brunson’s assist numbers to spike in this series, frequently able to get past Cleveland’s perimeter defenders, but then faces quality rim defenders.

Game 1 Prop #2: Jarrett Allen Over 12.5 points

-115 at bet365

One of those quality rim defenders found his groove offensively late in that series against the Pistons. Jarrett Allen struggled to start the series, going just 1-for-4 in 18 minutes in Game 1, but he averaged 17.3 points in the final three games, clearing this points prop each time.

Allen needed to find his space against a physical center like Jalen Duren.

He should not have that same issue against the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson both bring their own qualities, but neither is as physical a presence as Duren.

Game 1 Prop #3: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 threes

+145 at bet365

This is simply too rich a price to be ignored. Karl-Anthony Towns hit multiple 3-pointers in two of four games last series and has done so in four of 10 games this postseason while shooting an absurd 48.3% from deep.

Realize, he hit multiple 3-pointers in two of the four games last round despite never playing even 28 minutes in that lopsided series. A similar limitation fell on the final three games of the first round.

If Cleveland can actually keep things competitive, Towns should attempt five or six 3-pointers. At that point, there would also be value in betting on him to hit three triples, available at +500 at bet365.

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Bournemouth 1-1 Manchester City: draw hands Premier League title to Arsenal – as it happened

Pep Guardiola kept quiet about his future after his team’s title challenge was ended by a brilliant Bournemouth side

“What are your dreams, what are your dreams?” To comprehend what drove Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, his interaction with autograph hunters in January 2025 after an 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford City is instructive.

The group comprises all younger people apart from one man who tells him: “I used to be a chef.” Guardiola’s reply cuts to the quick and reads as a mantra heard surely by the 85 players he used in 10 Premier League seasons. “Continue to do it. Prepare better,” he says.

Continue reading...

Michigan Basketball F Morez Johnson Jr. announces NBA Draft decision

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 06: Morez Johnson Jr. #21 of the Michigan Wolverines protects the lane from Jayden Ross #23 of the Connecticut Huskies during the National Championship game of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After going through the NBA Draft process — including putting on a show at the NBA Combine — forward Morez Johnson Jr. is officially staying in the draft and will not return to Michigan next season, he told ESPN.

“From Day 1, coach (Dusty) May told us he was going to help develop us on and off the court, and the goal was to win a national championship,” Johnson told ESPN. “We accomplished that mission. I am excited to chase my lifelong dream of playing in the NBA.”

Johnson played in all 40 games this past season for the maize and blue, averaging 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 62.3 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from three. He leaves college on a major high note, putting up 12 points and 10 rebounds in the National Championship vs UConn.

Following the conclusion of the season, Johnson — along with fellow Wolverine big man Aday Mara — declared for the 2026 NBA Draft while maintaining his collegiate eligibility. He went through the NBA Combine and impressed attendees by measuring in at 6-foot-9 (barefoot) and 251 pounds. He also has a 7-foot-3 wingspan and an 8-foot-11 standing reach. Additionally, Johnson had the highest maximum vertical (39 inches) among all forwards at the event.

Perhaps what impressed folks the most was his shooting, as he drained 17-of-25 three-pointers at the Combine. Johnson only went 12-of-35 on three-pointers all of last season, so to make them at a 68 percent clip — albeit a small sample size — is exactly what NBA front offices wanted to see out of him.

With Johnson officially done at the college level, Dusty May and company have one roster spot remaining for the 2026-27 season. May spoke about that with Andy Katz when the two of them were at the NBA Combine and how they would be “prepared to pivot” in the event Johnson stays in the draft.

“We have one (open roster) spot — we’re just waiting and taking a wait-and-see approach with Morez and certainly anticipating him having a difficult decision because of how well he’s played in Chicago,” May said. “But we’ll support him, and then if he does stay in, we’ll be prepared to pivot. We like our team regardless, but obviously, he raises our ceiling like (Yaxel Lendeborg) did last year.”

It’s unclear whether May will get another player through the portal, the high school ranks, or internationally, but it sounds like he and his staff have a plan in place to put their best foot forward for next season.

In the meantime while we wait on those developments, we wish Johnson nothing but the best as he pursues his dreams of being an NBA player.

Bulls hire Stephen Mervis and Acie Law IV for new-look front office

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls have hired Stephen Mervis and Acie Law IV for the team's revamped front office under Bryson Graham.

The Bulls announced the additions on Tuesday. Mervis was hired as senior vice president of basketball operations and Law's title is vice president of player personnel.

Graham took over as the team's executive vice president of basketball operations after he was hired this month. He spent this season as Atlanta’s senior vice president of basketball operations after a 15-year run in New Orleans’ front office.

Mervis' responsibilities include salary cap strategy and analytics, and Law is responsible for the draft and scouting. Law, who appeared in 12 games for the Bulls during his four NBA seasons, also will be involved in “all player personnel matters,” according to the team's release announcing the moves.

Chicago went 31-51 this season while missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year. It has the No. 4 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, and one of the next big tasks for the front office is finding a coach to replace Billy Donovan.

Mervis spent the last 12 seasons with the Orlando Magic, most recently as assistant general manager.

Law was the director of player personnel for the Brooklyn Nets this season. He also worked for the Oklahoma City Thunder for three seasons from 2022-25, helping the team win the championship last year.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA