From the 2025 NHL Draft, four defensemen will join the development camp roster: second-rounder Blake Fiddler, third-rounder Will Reynolds, fifth-rounder Maxim Agafonov and seventh-rounder Karl Annborn.
Those defensemen will be mentored by former Kraken player Justin Schultz, who signed on as a player development consultant.
When speaking to NHL.com about his new role, Schultz shared his excitement about helping players reach the next level.
“I've always wanted to help players try to get to the next level,” Schultz said. 'I’m really excited to help these players. They're all obviously great players. They've been drafted or signed [as free agents]. I am just trying to help in whatever way I can. I've played a lot of games and won some Stanley Cups. Hopefully, I can relay some positive things to them.”
After the first three days of drills, the players will take part in the 3-on-3 "Stucky Cup" on Thursday.
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CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 12: Jamir Watkins #5 of the Washington Wizards runs down court during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on April 12, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: The Cavaliers defeated the Wizards 130-117. User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Washington Wizards declined Jamir Watkins’ $2.15 million team option for the 2026-27 season, Spotrac’s Keith Smith reported Monday.
The Washington Wizards decline their team option for Jamir Watkins, a league source told @spotrac.
The Wizards did tender a qualifying offer to Watkins. He'll now be a restricted free agent this offseason.
The Wizards reportedly extended a qualifying offer to Watkins, which makes him a restricted free agent this offseason.
Watkins, 24, was selected No. 43 by Washington in the 2025 NBA Draft. He averaged 7.4 points and 3.9 rebounds across 50 games during his rookie season.
The stout defender, who averaged 1.1 steals per game last season, closed his rookie campaign with a 24-point outburst on 5-for-9 3-point shooting against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
While Washington declining Watkins’ option is surprising, the team did something similar in 2024 when it declined Tristan Vukcevic’s team option before later signing him back on a two-way deal.
That could be the case for Watkins, who started last season on a two-way before his deal was converted to a standard contract to close the year.
Here’s how Washington’s roster looks without Watkins:
Guard: Trae Young | Tre Johnson | Bub Carrington | Jaden Hardy | D’Angelo Russell
Wing: AJ Dybantsa | Kyshawn George | Bilal Coulibaly | Will Riley
Center: Alex Sarr | Tristan Vukcevic | Felix Okpara (possible two-way contract candidate)
The Wizards are at 14 standard contracts, pending a possible 15th if Okpara signs a standard deal. They could open a roster spot by waiving or buying out Russell, who opted in to his $5.9 million player option but never reported to Washington following last February’s trade from the Dallas Mavericks.
New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. left Monday night's game in the top of the fourth inning after an ugly collision with left fielder Jasson Dominguez. Chisholm and Dominguez were both chasing after a shallow fly ball when Dominguez's elbow caught Chisholm in the chin.
The Yankees announced Chisholm had been evaluated by a team doctor and was going through the concussion protocol. After losing to the Tigers 7-3, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Chisholm was not diagnosed with a concussion, but they are following the protocol as a precaution.
The Tigers were leading 7-0 at Yankee Stadium when Chisholm exited.
It's been a rough 24 hours for Chisholm. He was ejected Sunday for arguing a check-swing call against the Red Sox and then left without talking to reporters. Before Monday night's game, Chisholm told the YES Network he had to be a better teammate.
Chisholm, who has been vocal about wanting an extension from the Yankees, has not played well enough for them to seriously enter the conversation. He was hitting .229 with a .318 on-base percentage, nine home runs and 29 RBIs across 274 plate appearances.
He does have 20 stolen bases.
A play later, Dominguez crashed into the left-field wall and was slow to get up, holding his right rib cage.
The Yankees were swept in four games at the Red Sox over the weekend.
Bo Bichette returned to Toronto on Monday with the Mets.
TORONTO — Bo Bichette’s eyes moistened as he struggled to find words Monday when asked about his expectations returning to the only home field he had known in the major leagues before this season.
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“This is an opportunity for me to reflect on good times and just be grateful for everything,” the Mets third baseman said before his team faced the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
A key component of a team that reached Game 7 of the World Series before losing to the Dodgers in the 11th inning, Bichette expected a warm homecoming.
Such warmth has sometimes been lacking in his new environment — he started slowly with the Mets this season and even with a June surge took an underwhelming .254/.300/.388 slash line into play.
It’s far less than what the Mets thought they were receiving when they bestowed a three-year contract worth $126 million on Bichette in January.
That deal includes opt outs after the first two seasons.
Bichette homered in Game 7 to put the Blue Jays ahead, but in a classic finale the Dodgers rallied to tie the game on Miguel Rojas’ ninth-inning homer before Will Smith’s blast in the 11th put the Dodgers ahead for good.
Bo Bichette addresses reporters during a June 29 press conference. Getty Images
Bichette admitted he’s replayed Game 7 in his head.
The Blue Jays haven’t won a World Series since winning back-to-back championships in 1992 and ’93.
“You dream of getting to that situation and opportunity,” he said. “I am so grateful that we had that experience and got there. I don’t know how many times I have replayed it, but it comes to mind every once in a while.”
Bo Bichette acknowledges Toronto fans during the Mets’ June 29 game. The Canadian Press via AP
His chances of receiving another shot on this stage this season are almost completely obliterated.
The Mets entered the day with losses in eight of their last nine games and fell to 35-49.
Under interim manager Andy Green, the team lost two of three games against the Phillies over the weekend.
Bichette said he didn’t have any regrets about how his situation with the Blue Jays ended — with him and the team not close on a deal that would have allowed him to return.
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The Phillies were on the verge of landing Bichette before the Mets (who watched Kyle Tucker land with the Dodgers) swooped in and signed him.
“I don’t think there’s regrets,” Bichette said about leaving. “I think it just didn’t line up for whatever reason. It’s tough to live in the past like that.”
The Blue Jays, at 39-45, are enduring their own disappointment. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., has been among the underachievers — the slugging first baseman had only four homers entering Monday and a .697 OPS. Guerrero signed a 14-year contract worth $500 million before last season.
Bo Bichette hits a home run during Game 7 of the 2025 World Series. MLB Photos via Getty Images
“It’s the same story every year, wondering why Vlad is not hitting .400 and leading the league in OPS,” Bichette said. “I know he’s not doing what he is capable of, but every single year he ends up doing something that reminds you how good he is.”
The Mets are hoping the same is the case with Bichette, who began the day with a .932 OPS in June after an anemic start.
“There was an element of not finding a lot of luck early, not finding his timing,” Green said. “What I have had the opportunity to see the last number of weeks, he’s squaring stuff up and he’s got the normal aggression that he’s had his entire career and he’s spraying hits all over the yard and that is fun to see.”
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 17: Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves runs in the eighth inning during the continuation of a game from June 16 against the San Francisco Giants at Truist Park on June 17, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals begin a challenging road trip starting Tuesday night in Atlanta as they’ll do battle against the NL East division-leading Braves. Timing may be on the side of St. Louis, though, as there are some numbers that might work in their favor.
If you look at their records on paper, you would think that the St. Louis Cardinals would have their work cut out for them as the Atlanta Braves lead the National League East with a record of 49-32. That might still be the case, but the Cardinals are catching the Braves at the best possible time for two reasons. First, the Braves have lost 7 of their last 10 games. Second, St. Louis will miss Atlanta’s best starting pitcher this season, Chris Sale. Here are the projected starters for the series this week. Note that the Braves have not yet announced a starter for Thursday as of now.
Tuesday, June 30: Martín Pérez (LHP) vs. Matthew Liberatore (LHP, Cardinals)
Wednesday, July 1: Reynaldo López (RHP) vs. Michael McGreevy (RHP, Cardinals)
Over his last 6 games, Tuesday night’s starter Martín Pérez is 4-2 with a 3.75 ERA striking out 32 while walking 16. His most recent start was on June 24 against the Padres which he lost after lasting 4 innings giving up 3 earned runs while walking 4 and striking out 4.
The starter for Wednesday night’s game, Reynaldo López, is 3-1 on the season with a 3.47 ERA. His last 3 appearances have been no decisions. If the rotation for Atlanta sets up like it appears it might, this will probably be the Cardinals toughest starter they face in this series.
Thursday night’s likely starter, Bryce Elder, is 1-4 over his last 5 starts. He’s lost his last 3 starts and was hit hard in all of them. He gave up 6 earned runs on June 14 vs the Mets allowing 10 hits. On June 21 vs the Brewers, he surrendered 12 hits and 8 earned runs over 6 innings.
The Atlanta Braves have some key players on the injured list including outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (hamstring strain), starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow inflammation), and reliever Robert Suarez (forearm inflammation). Still, their lineup remains dangerous with Michael Harris II who is batting .300 and has 14 home runs. Matt Olson is still Matt Olson as he currently leads the Braves with 20 home runs and 52 RBI’s. Catcher Drake Baldwin has 14 home runs with 39 RBI’s and a .260 batting average. Ozzie Albies has a dozen home runs, 44 RBI’s and a .277 average.
There’s no good time to play the Atlanta Braves this season, but this might be the best timing the St. Louis Cardinals could hope for. The Braves have been sliding lately and injuries have hit them hard, but they’re also starting to feel the heat from the Phillies who are now only 4 games back in the NL East, so they might be inspired to get back to their winning ways sooner rather than later. The St. Louis Cardinals aren’t on fire either after finishing a disappointing homestand. Which team will return to winning first? We’ll find out starting Tuesday night in Atlanta.
With the first of July quickly approaching, the Florida Panthers are taking care of some needed business.
On Monday, the Panthers announced which of their restricted free agents received qualifying offers.
They were forward Ben Steeves and defenseman Toby Bjornfot and Mikulas Hovorka, all of whom were regulars with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers last season.
Players who did not receive qualifying offers from the Panthers were Cole Schwindt, Donovan Sebrango, Mike Benning, Evan Nause and Wilmer Skoog.
THN Florida previously reported that Florida would not be qualifying Schwindt or Sebrango.
Steeves had a strong season, logging 23 goals and 55 points in 72 games with the Checkers.
For the second straight season, Bjornfot split his time between the Panthers and Checkers.
He played 19 games with Florida, contributing two goals, two assists and two penalty minutes with the Cats, while adding another four goals and 12 points in his 33 games with Charlotte.
Hovorka also spent time in both the AHL and NHL last season.
He made his NHL debut with Florida in February and ultimately skated in four games with the Panthers, picking up his first NHL point, an assist, during an 8-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on the final day of the regular season.
With Charlotte, Hovorka skated in 57 games and accumulated five goals, 18 points and 46 penalty minutes while skating to an impressive plus-23 on-ice rating.
The Panthers are expected to remain busy as the new league year approaches on July 1, as the team still needs a pair of NHL goaltenders and is looking to potentially add another depth piece or two.
Keep an eye on Florida in the trade market with regard to goaltenders.
Photo caption: Feb 2, 2026; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Tobias Bjornfot (22) shoots the puck against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 7: Gage Jump #79 of the Athletics pitches during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Las Vegas Ballpark on March 7, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The A’s are back home and set to take on the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers this evening for the first of three contests. The Dodgers continue to be a juggernaut in the National League as their 54-30 record is tops in the entire sport. It’s going to be a tough challenge for the Green & Gold tonight but they’ll have one of their top young arms going for them in this one. Hopefully he’ll be able to help the A’s snap this two-game skid and get win #41.
That arm is lefty Gage Jump. The 22-year-old has been everything and then more for the squad as he’s sporting a pristine 2.064 ERA through his first six career starts. The lefty has been on a roll but has really stepped his game up over his past two starts. He’s pitched 12 innings without allowing a run so he’ll try to extended that, but he’s got his plate full with the Dodgers’ star-studded lineup.
The A’s are missing several of their best players right now. Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom were placed on the IL earlier today, joining Brent Rooker and Zack Gelof. That’ll put more pressure on younger players to step up. Outfielder Colby Thomas will likely be getting an extended look in left field with Sodey on the IL. That means the club will also be asking more of the top of their lineup, especially Shea Langeliers and Nick Kurtz.
We have a big league debut set for tonight as second base will be covered by Athletics’ #9 prospect Joshua Kuroda-Grauer. The young infield prospect has been tearing the cover off the ball at Triple-A and with Jacob Wilson and Zack Gelof’s injures, he’ll now have a chance to put himself on the radar of the coaching staff. He’s batting .352/.405/.461 with three triples, a home run, and four stolen bases for the Aviators.
The Dodgers meanwhile will have veteran Eric Lauer going for them tonight. After beginning the year in Toronto Lauer was traded to Los Angeles after a rough start to his season. Since arriving in LA Lauer has completely turned his season around, pitching to a 2.54 ERA in 5 games (4 starts). That’s help the Dodgers weather some early injuries to their starting staff. He’s also coming off his best start of the season when he fired six shutout innings against the Twins.
Muncy-on-Muncy tonight. Huge challenge on tap for the A’s but they got Jump. Can the A’s beat the Dodgers and get back to winning? Let’s find out. Let’s go A’s!
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 03: Sacramento Kings mascot Slampson does pushups to entertain the fans during the game between the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans at Golden 1 Center on April 03, 2026 in Sacramento, 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
You probably don’t give a damn with the Sacramento Kings did during the draft. They haven’t been a contender since Andrej Stojakovic’s daddy was shooting threes in the California capitol.
But here in Dub Nation, we believe in knowing your enemies. Not in a conspiracy board and red string kind of way, but like in a “Sacramento is 90 miles from Chase Center and just picked seventh in the draft” state of mind.
So let your Gold Blooded King give you the official Kings draft debrief. Lucky you!
The Kings came into draft night with a very specific hole in their roster where a point guard used to be. De’Aaron Fox was sent to San Antonio to detonate their title dreams in the NBA Finals traded away. Dennis Schröder came and went in the blink of an eye. And Russell Westbrook, a future Hall-of-Famer, was holding down the position the way you hold down a job you know isn’t yours for long.
Sacramento needed a star. And by golly they may have found exactly that.
With the seventh overall pick they selected Darius Acuff Jr. out of Arkansas, and Sacramento may have discovered its point guard of the future.
The Kings passed on Steph Curry for Tyreke Evans
They passed on Damian Lillard for Thomas Robinson
They passed on CJ McCollum for Ben McLemore
They passed on Luka Doncic for Marvin Bagley
Picking Darius Acuff today is a complete philosophical reversal of those choices
Acuff averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists last season, shot 44% from three, and won SEC Player of the Year under John Calipari. Calipiari is a coach whose guard pipeline reads like a Hall of Fame waiting room: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Devin Booker, De’Aaron Fox, Jamal Murray, Tyrese Maxey, Derrick Rose, John Wall. When Calipari vouches for a guard, you don’t dismiss it.
Darius walked in, we just lost to Alabama. I had four guys fouled out of the game. I’m playing with two guys the last overtime that hadn’t played all year. He’s trying to will us to win. His foot is so bad, he scores 49 … I said listen, ‘You should take the next game off.’ He was in a boot. We were playing Missouri at home. He looks at me and he said, ‘Do you know we lost?’ And he got up and left. Like, I’m not sitting out we just lost a game. You don’t want that? You don’t want a guy that he is going to give you everything he has?”.
This is new for Sacramento, right? In previous years, a franchise this desperate would have traded half the future to move up two spots and overpaid for a prospect the whole league knew they wanted. Instead, apparently GM Scott Perry held firm at seven because the whole league already knew Acuff preferred Sacramento anyway. They sat there, let the pick fall into their lap, and didn’t flinch. Then they traded into the first round to select Connecticut’s Alex Karaban at No. 29, a 6’7″ wing who shot 37% from three, passes with purpose, makes quick decisions, and keeps possessions moving. Then Emanuel Sharp at 45 out of Houston, another 3-and-D guard ready to contribute real minutes immediately. Three picks. One vision.
Sacramento is one of the draft’s big winners with Darius Acuff at #7 and Alex Karaban at #29.
Gotta respect the Kings front office for staying at 7 despite the 5/6 Acuff rumors then aggressively moving up for 29. Acuff, Karaban, Raynaud, Clifford. I love this young core. pic.twitter.com/SPU01QbCwj
Now before we give them a champiponship, let’s keep it real. Acuff’s defense is a genuine question mark, not media noise, and the Kings still have expensive roster decisions ahead involving players who may or may not fit what they’re building. What do they do with Zach Lavine and Demar Derozan? But as they answer those questions, it’s more than fair to give them so love so far in the process.They’ve had nineteen lottery appearances in twenty seasons so looking competent on draft night is progress.
Golden State should keep an eye out. Sacramento is building something in our backyard, quietly, without the drama, and placing their bets on standout talent.
Keep your friends close, Dub Nation. Keep your Pacific Division rivals in your group chat, your timeline, and your scouting report. Because the Dubs are gonna see these guys several times this year, and the Kings may finally have stopped behaving like the KANGZ.
In an era in which starting pitchers are asked to do less than ever before because of the fragility of their high-octane arms and because of bullpens whose values and workloads have ballooned, the days of marquee matchups between two aces are nearly over.
But not fully over.
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Cam Schlittler, who owns a 1.62 ERA and is the early front-runner for the American League Cy Young, against Tarik Skubal, who won the award the past two seasons, is the type of on-paper duel that the sport does not see enough, but will be seen Tuesday in The Bronx.
“I love when guys match up, sort of old school,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said before the series opened Monday. “Like on a matchup sheet when you look at who’s pitching. The starter is revered, and those are two of the best in the American League and two of the best in baseball.”
Two of the best, but effectiveness might be where the comparison ends.
New York Yankees’ Cam Schlittler delivers a pitch against the Red Sox. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
There really is no other starter like the righty Schlittler, who relies upon three different fastballs — very hard four-seamers and sinkers and merely hard cutters — to blaze past hitters, who barely have to prepare for anything slower than 95 mph.
The lefty Skubal can elevate into the upper 90s with his four-seamer and sinker, too, but his changeup might be his best pitch (an offering that has a 49.3 percent whiff rate this season), and he will lean upon his slider often, too.
The approaches are different, but the results have been similar.
Skubal steadily improved in each season before breaking through in 2024, when he led the AL with a 2.39 ERA in 31 starts — and followed that up by shaving his ERA to 2.21 in 31 starts last season, becoming the first repeat AL Cy Young winner since Pedro Martinez in 1999-2000.
This year Skubal required surgery to remove a loose body in his elbow in early May, but an innovative procedure allowed him to return by the middle of June.
Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal delivers against the Cleveland Guardians. AP Photo/Phil Long
He has been human since, sporting a 4.96 ERA in three starts back that included a six-inning, four-run outing against the Yankees in Detroit on Wednesday.
“He’s a great player, and they’ve got a great team,” said Schlittler, who soared his way through the Yankees’ system last year, when his fastball velocity skyrocketed.
His emergence climaxed with one of the great playoff displays in baseball history against the Red Sox. Schlittler is only throwing harder this season, barely touched while striking out 118 and walking just 20 in 100 innings.
During a season in which the National League has more overall ace excellence, notably from Jacob Misiorowski and Cristopher Sánchez, Schlittler has been the most impressive pitcher in the AL, ahead of the likes of Chicago’s Davis Martin, Minnesota’s Joe Ryan and Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen.
Many pitchers will minimize the notion of a duel, leaving such narratives for media and fans to debate, and insist they are solely focused on the opposing lineup.
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In many ways, Schlittler is not like most pitchers.
“It’s going to be a fun one. Realistically, it’s me versus their lineup, but at the same time, you gotta realize that for the most part it might be a close game,” Schlittler said. “So just got to have a little bit of an extra edge to that, and just be aware that he’s probably — at least from last year — the best pitcher in the game.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone called it “one of the great matchups in 2026 in our sport.”
His counterpart was excited, but looked toward the short porch in right and referenced temperatures that might reach the 90s.
“Who knows what it’s going to be like in this ballpark [Tuesday] when it warms up,” Hinch said. “But as a fan, I love when the best players are on the field. … When you can start with the marquee pitching matchup, there is something a little extra special about that.”
MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 26: Taurean Prince #12, Brook Lopez #11, AJ Green #20, Damian Lillard #0 and Andre Jackson Jr. #44 of the Milwaukee Bucks huddle on the court against the Miami Heat during the third quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup at Kaseya Center on November 26, 2024 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Bucks’ roster experienced a shakeup on Monday afternoon after the front office declined Andre Jackson Jr.’s $2.41m team option and Taurean Prince picked up his $3.82 million player option, per Eric Nehm. The two transactions mean that Prince will remain in Milwaukee for the 2026-27 season, while Jackson will become an unrestricted free agent.
It felt like Jackson’s exit from the Bucks was imminent throughout the season—it wasn’t until the Bucks’ 17th game that he registered a point and he appeared in just 48 games in total, the lowest of his three-year career. Across the season, he averaged only 8.5 MPG—also a career low—posting just 2.4 PPG and 1.5 RPG on .328/.250/.625 shooting. Jackson struggled heavily on offense as he failed to shore up the faulty shooting mechanics that followed him throughout last season and eventually fell behind more versatile, serviceable wings on the Milwaukee depth chart.
During his tenure in Milwaukee, Jackson gave the Bucks elite athleticism, high energy and hustle, and unselfish play. His lack of shooting was always a major issue—he was a 29% career three-point shooter at UConn—but he provided potential as a defensive disruptor and playmaking wing. Despite his time in Milwaukee appearing over, and his value as a 6’6 non-shooter low, it’s not out of the question for another NBA team to take chance on him.
While Jackson is leaving, Prince is somewhat of a surprise returnee for the Bucks, with many projecting him to seek a new home on a contender following the Giannis trade and apparent youth movement. After playing the first eight games of the season, a herniated disc and subsequent neck surgery kept Prince out of action for most of the season, but he bravely returned for the campaign’s final 18 games.
Across his 26 total games, including seven starts, Prince was as steady as ever, averaging 9.2 PPG and 3.1 RPG, connecting on 44% of his shots from long range. In addition to this heady play and shooting prowess, he provides invaluable veteran leadership on a team comprised mainly of young players.
While the San Jose Sharks opted not to tender three players themselves, a trio of former Sharks defensemen were also not tendered a qualifying offer.
Among those three were former fan favorite Henry Thrun, who was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs as a part of the trade that brought Ryan Reaves to the Bay Area, Calen Addison of the New Jersey Devils and injured prospect Gannon Laroque of the Montreal Canadiens.
Thrun spent the most time with the Sharks, playing parts of three seasons for the team in teal. After being traded to the Maple Leafs, he spent the majority of his time with their American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies and helped them win a Calder Cup.
Addison spent part of just one season with the Sharks, which remains his most recent stint in the NHL to date. In 60 games, he scored a single goal and added 11 assists, while failing to make a positive impact.
Laroque, on the other hand, has been bit by the injury bug since turning professional and that are doubts that he'll ever be able to play again. The 22-year-old defenseman last played during the 2023-24 season after having double hip surgery the prior year. Laroque's future at any level of hockey is in doubt at this stage, however it's best to never say never, as shown by Markus Nutivaara who is currently in the middle of a comeback overseas.
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 27: Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) attempts a bunt during game between Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers on June 27, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI (Photo by Allan Dranberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (42-44) will wear their City Connect uniforms tonight as they open a week-long, six-game homestand with the first of three games against the visiting Minnesota Twins (40-45).
RHP Peter Lambert (6-4, 3.28 ERA), who’s won four straight decisions, will open the homestand for Houston opposite RHP Zebby Matthews (3-5, 4.56 ERA) and the Twins.
RIDING THE LAMBO: Tonight’s Astros starter RHP Peter Lambert has posted a 4-0 record in his last six starts with a 2.97 ERA (11ER/33.1IP). Lambert’s four wins since May 24 are tied for tops in the AL in that span, along with six other pitchers, including teammate RHP Tatsuya Imai.
Lambert pitched last year for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the NPB, posting a 3.98 ERA (55ER/124.1IP) with 111 strikeouts in 23 appearances in Japan. He began this season at Triple A Sugar Land (1.84 ERA in three appearances) before being called up April 17.
THE SLOW TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 22-13 since May 21, which is the best record in the AL in that span. On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVE: The Astros have reinstated IF Nick Allen from the 10-day IL and have optioned IF Raynel Delgado to Triple A Sugar Land.
Allen is returning from a left hamstring strain, which sidelined him since June 8.
FROM THE TRAINER’S ROOM: The Astros have nine players on the Injured List…updates on a few:
RHP Ronel Blanco (rt. elbow surgery) has made two rehab starts this month, last pitching on Thursday for Double A Corpus Christi (0ER/3.1IP). He tossed 50 pitches (31 strikes) in the outing.
RHP Cristian Javier (rt. shoulder strain) made his fifth rehab start on Saturday for Triple A Sugar Land, working 6.0 shutout innings on 85 pitches.
RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (rt. shoulder inflammation) began his rehab assignment on Thursday at Triple A, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings and 42 pitches.
LHP Bennett Sousa (lt. elbow inflammation) continues his bullpen progression.
LHP Brandon Walter (lt. elbow surgery) continues his throwing progression in West Palm Beach.
RHP Hayden Wesneski (rt. elbow surgery) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with the FCL Astros later this week.
OF LaMonte Wade Jr. (rt. hamstring strain) is set to begin a rehab assignment at Triple A this week.
IF Braden Shewmake (rt. adductor strain) has played in two games for the FCL Astros on his rehab assignment, including a start at third base earlier today (2×3, 2B, BB).
MINOR LEAGUE HONORS: LHP Colton Gordon has been named the Triple A Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week (June 22-28).
Gordon made one start last week for Sugar Land, which came yesterday vs. El Paso, in which he tossed 6.0 shutout innings, allowing just one hit and one walk.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2005 – Craig Biggio is hit by a pitch for the 268th time to set a modern Major League record, surpassing Don Baylor. Biggio homers his next time up in what ends up as a 7-1 win vs. Colorado.
Biggio would end his career with 285 hit by pitches, a record that will likely never be surpassed. The active leader in HBP is Starling Marte, who’s been hit by a pitch 168 times in his career.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Monday, June 29, 7:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KTRH 740 AM, KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 23: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons ddribbles the ball as Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers plays defense during the game on March 23, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons and restricted free agent center remain far apart on a new deal, and it has motivated Duren to seek out meetings with teams as free agency opens on Tuesday evening. The Sacramento Kings will be the first team to get a meeting, as we reported earlier, but now another team has entered the chat — the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sam Amick reports that there is a call between Duren and the Lakers scheduled for tomorrow. Any deal would require a sign-and-trade.
There aren’t many details beyond that, to be honest with you. I could have updated the original story with this morsel of information. Instead, I decided to get some of that sweet, sweet Lakers-fan SEO traffic by giving this its own story.
So let’s talk Lakers.
The easiest pathway for the Lakers is to simply let LeBron James walk to Golden State, renouncing his rights along with their other free agents gives them $51 million in cap space, per Keith Smith. As a restricted free agent, the Pistons would still have the right to match any offer. I do imagine Detroit would match any offer instead of risking losing him for nothing.
On the other hand, the two teams could work out a sign-and-trade that was palatable to the Pistons.
What do they have to offer? Honestly, not much. There are two avenues the Lakers could explore, both seem unlikely to me. The first would be a deal that includes Jarred Vanderbilt, Deandre Ayton, Dalton Knecht and a couple first-round picks for Duren.
The other, hilarious, option would be to organize some sort of dual sign-and-trade featuring Austin Reaves and Duren. It was widely reported the reason the Lakers agreed to a max deal with the Lakers is because Los Angeles knew Detroit was prepared to create the space space needed to offer him a max outright. The shoe would be on the other foot.
I can’t fathom a team widely touting the return of a star player on a max deal to then trade him days later, but it feels like a weird offseason.
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 23: Jalen Duren #0 and Daniss Jenkins #24 of the Detroit Pistons high five before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 23, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers have inserted themselves into one of the biggest developing stories in the hours leading up to free agency.
Detroit Pistons restricted free agent center Jalen Duren has a planned call with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, a league source confirmed to ESPN (@sam_amick first). However DET thus far is uninterested in pursuing a sign and trade with their All-Star big man, sources said.
Earlier in the day on Monday, Sam Amick of The Athleticalso reported that Duren and the Pistons were not close on a contract and that the big man would explore sign-and-trade scenarios, including meeting with the Kings.
All-NBA forward Jalen Duren was underwhelmed by the Detroit Pistons’ initial offer in restricted free agency and is planning to explore sign-and-trade scenarios when they are permitted on Tuesday, league sources told The Athletic.
It’s not hard to see why the two sides would be far apart in negotiations. During the regular season, Duren was one of the best big men in the league, earning Third Team All-NBA honors while averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while shooting 65% from the field.
But once the playoffs rolled around, Duren became a shell of himself, averaging 10.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and shooting 51.4% from the field. He was a huge reason for an underwhelming postseason performance from the Pistons, as they needed seven games to beat the Magic before losing in seven games to Cleveland.
Detroit is likely negotiationg from a standpoint of his postseason performance while Duren and his agent are negotiating from the standpoint of his regular season performance. For now, that gap is big enough for Duren to look elsewhere.
Still, this is restricted free agency and Detroit still holds the power. Even in a sign-and-trade scenario, the Pistons are going to have to get value back as they can simply just match Duren’s offer sheet and bring him back.
But that things have gotten to this point is notable.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 02: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors and head coach Steve Kerr stand on the sideline in overtime against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on November 02, 2024 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The debates about Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors will never end. The sun will rise in the east and set in the west, oceans will rise and fall, empires will crumble, the sand will inexorably pour down the hourglass of life, and someone will still be arguing about whether Kuminga earned more minutes than Steve Kerr gave him.
Now, Kuminga’s final contract with the Warriors is officially over, as the Atlanta Hawks declined to pick up the 23-year-old’s $24.3M team option for 2026-27. The move doesn’t necessarily close the door on Kuminga to return to the club at a lower salary, but the Hawks did give Kuminga what the Warriors refused to: The chance to pick his next team.
The Atlanta Hawks are declining Jonathan Kuminga's $24.3 million team option, making him a free agent, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Zu57MTTp3g
There’s conflicting reports about the league-wide interest in Kuminga. Marc J. Spears says the Sacramento Kings are still interested in Kuminga, though they can only offer him $2.6M. Yes, much like when they proposed a trade of Dario Saric and Devin Carter for Kuminga last summer, the Kings have very little to offer for Kuminga. Sam Amick reports that the Kings are out on Kuminga, perhaps out of a wildly optimistic hope they can trade for Jalen Duren.
Kuminga had some big moments for the Hawks after heading to Atlanta alongside Buddy Hield in a deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Warriors. He put up 19 and 21 points in the Hawks two wins over the New York Knicks, helping to deal the eventual champions two of the three losses they’d suffer in the entire playoffs. Kuminga averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds, upping his three-point shooting to 34.6 percent, and eventually moved ahead of 2024 No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher in the Hawks rotation.
At the same time, Kuminga was limited by injuries, something that plagued him during his 2024-25 season with the Warriors as well. He played in 16 of 29 possible regular-season games for the Hawks. After missing 35 games the season before, Atlanta may have been understandably hesitant to pay Kuminga such a large sum, especially at $10M more than Nickeil Alexander-Walker and $16M more than newly-acquired three-and-D wing Aaron Wiggins.
This could be beneficial for Kuminga in the long term. He may not be getting the payday he wanted or expected — Kuminga reportedly turned down an offer for more than $100M when he became extension-eligible in 2024 — but at least he can choose a team that truly wants him.
It can’t have been easy for Kuminga last season, with the Warriors clearly only viewing him as a trade chip. The nature of restricted free agency meant that Kuminga remained in limbo all summer, hoping some team would make him an offer despite his old team threatening to match any offer. In the second-apron era, there are fewer teams than ever with salary cap space, further chilling the market. That also means Kuminga’s best hope this summer might be convincing a team to offer him the mid-level exception, which is $15M for non-taxpaying teams this summer.
In other Hawks news, the team guaranteed Buddy Hield’s full $9.66M salary for next season, rather than buy him out for $3M. It probably means they want to use his contract in a future trade, but good for Hield for getting the remainder of the proverbial bag.
All in all, the Kuminga trade has to be considered a solid win for Mike Dunleavy, Jr, & Co., after Porzingis agreed to a two-year, $40M contract Monday. Of course, waiting until February 2026 to trade Kuminga still goes down as a solid loss.
We would like to wish Kuminga luck in his next endeavors. He’s an exciting player, a world-class dunker, and a guy who contributed to an NBA title despite being in a less-than-ideal situation for five seasons. Kuminga is at a career crossroads, but wherever he ends up, we’d love to see him prove the Warriors wrong.
