The Draft is six days away and there’s no real consensus on who the Nets like. Sure Mikel Brown Jr. appears to be gaining ground but who knows if he’ll be there at No. 6.
So, let’s talk about free agency!
In one of his occasional intelligence notes, Hoopshype’s Mike Scotto talked about a couple of moves Brooklyn could move, including a possible trade of the Nets’ senior player, the only one who was around for the Clean Sweep, the arrival and departure of the Big Three and tank, Nic Claxton. He starts by sharing what he knows about the Hornets interest in the Blazers Donatus Sabonis, then looks at who else might be appealing to Charlotte.
However, Charlotte has been resistant to including one of their two first-round picks in this year’s draft (No. 14 and 18) in Sabonis trade talks. Initial talks between the Kings and Hornets surrounding Sabonis and Charlotte’s unwillingness to include a first-round pick in the talks were first reported by Sam Amick of The Athletic.
With Charlotte considering a starting-caliber center upgrade, other centers besides Sabonis are on their radar, including Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton, league sources told HoopsHype. In addition, it’s worth noting that the Nets have expressed interest in Hornets free agent guard Coby White in the past when he was on the Chicago Bulls, sources said.
For the record, Claxton, 27, has two seasons left on his four-year, $97.0 million contract — $23.3 million in 2026-27 and $21.1 million in 2027-28. In 69 games last season, he averaged 11.7 points and 6.9 rebounds, both near the low end of his seven-year career, as well at 1.1 blocks, his lowest production since his rookie year when he played only 16 games. On the other hand, his 3.7 assists were nearly double his previous yearly high.
White, a year younger, is an unrestricted free agent so we’re not talking about a trade unless it’s a sign-and-trade which carries its own restrictions going forward. White last season made about $10 million less than Claxton but but missed 32 games in an injury-plagued season, the most of his career, while playing only 25 minutes a game, the lowest in his seven years. His numbers were in line with his career, averaging 17.4 points on 45/26/82 splits.
What the Hornets expecting when they traded Collin Sexton and Ousmane Dieng plus three second-round picks was the player White had been the previous two seasons, when he averaged 19.7 points, 4.8 assists and 4.1 rebounds in 34.8 minutes while hitting 45.o percent of his shots and 37.3 percent of his 3-pointers.
While intriguing on its face, the switch-out doesn’t seem to make sense for the Nets, absent another move or moves. They’d be giving up their only rim protector for a player who at the moment doesn’t seem to fit with their timeline, considering how many playmakers they took in last year’s Draft and how they may add to that number on June 23.
Scotto also joined other writers, like Dan Woike and Tim Bontemps in talking about Nets interest in the Lakers Austin Reaves.
Reaves has put himself in a position to earn a projected salary of over $40 million per season. Reaves can sign for up to a five-year, projected $239 million deal with the Lakers or a four-year, $177 million deal with another team.
The Athletic’s Dan Woike mentioned the Brooklyn Nets are expected to offer Reaves a four-year, max deal and also reported the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons are interested in pursuing Reaves.
Brooklyn has Reaves on their radar and has the clearest path to offering a max contract outright in free agency with cap space.
Reaves first step will have to be declining his $14.9 million player option next year, which is seen as a formality. Once that happens, we may see some action.
After dropping the first two games in Cincinnati and draining the bullpen, the Mets needed a strong performance out of Nolan McLean on Wednesday afternoon.
The right-hander stepped up and delivered perhaps his most dominant outing of the season, going 7.0 innings with no earned runs (one unearned), nine strikeouts and just one walk. He threw 101 pitches and looked much more like the 2025 version of himself who came up to the majors and absolutely overmatched hitters, doing his part as the Mets’ bats came to life in a 9-1 win over the Reds.
“Man, that was excellent there. He dominated that lineup,” said manager Carlos Mendoza. “It starts with the command of all of his pitches, and he was on today, he was spot-on. He attacked, and the way not he was not only using the four-seam, the sinker, the cutter, that allowed him to use his secondary pitches, but man, that was pretty impressive there.”
McLean, who lowered his season ERA to 3.67, acknowledged that Wednesday’s start was his best of the season from a complete performance standpoint, and his four-seam fastball usage was a big part of it. Of his 101 pitches, McLean threw 27 four-seamers, getting eight called strikes and generating five whiffs on 11 swings.
"I was establishing the zone early, and I was able to get some chases late," he explained.
It’s no secret that the Mets’ starting rotation has been in a state of disarray. Christian Scott landing on the IL with a hip issue was the latest blow to the rotation, and Kodai Senga struggled on Tuesday night in his return to the big league mound, adding even more uncertainty.
But McLean said that he’s not feeling any extra pressure to perform. In his mind, the goal is the same every single time he steps between the white lines.
“I wouldn’t say I put any more pressure or responsibility on myself. Every time I go out there, I’m trying to win a baseball game,” he said. “I think if everybody’s trying to do that and we’re all pulling the same rope, good things will happen.”
DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 23: Kristaps Porzingis #7 of the Golden State Warriors looks on prior to the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 23, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In today’s Dub Hub:
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors are interested in re-signing unrestricted free agent Kristaps Porzingis at a “reduced rate.”
While most of the offseason attention is currently focused on the upcoming NBA Draft, the end of the NBA Finals also marked the beginning of teams being able to negotiate with their own free agents.
For the Golden State Warriors, that means entering discussions with one of their biggest acquisitions from last season’s trade deadline: 7-foot-2 center Kristaps Porzingis. The veteran big man is set to enter unrestricted free agency this summer, but according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, talks between the Warriors and Porzingis have reportedly been trending in a positive direction, with “growing momentum” toward a deal to return.
That is part of the equation in their current discussion with impending free agent Kristaps Porzingis, who they have been able to negotiate after the NBA Finals ended. The Warriors, team sources said, want to bring back Porzingis but prefer it to be on a short-term deal at a reduced rate from the $30.7 million he played for last season. There is growing momentum toward a deal to bring Porzingis back, league sources said.
As Slater notes, the Warriors, however, would prefer to retain Porzingis at a lower salary than the $30.7 million he made last season. Given his extensive injury history and the fact that he appeared in just 32 regular-season games last year, a shorter-term prove-it type contract could make sense for both sides.
When healthy, the 30-year-old Latvian big man proved to be a nice fit alongside the Warriors’ core. In 15 games with Golden State, he averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game while providing a credible three-point and lob threat from the center position.
The Warriors have several important roster decisions to make this summer, but Porzingis’ free agency could end up being one of the more underrated storylines of the offseason. If the two sides can find common ground on a new deal, Golden State could keep some continuity and retain one of their more intriguing frontcourt pieces heading into next season.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Wednesday, June 17th:
During the three weeks of bigger picture conversation that ultimately led Steve Kerr to return as coach of the Golden State Warriors, sources in the front office expressed slight surprise about Kerr’s steadfast agreement that long-term organizational prudence is needed despite what sets up as an urgent final chapter.
Don’t mortgage the future for the present. Don’t throw around first-round picks for marginal upgrades.
“It’s what should’ve been done four years ago,” one high-ranking team source said. “But not now.”
He’s likely looking at a one- or two-year deal at this point because of the health questions, and valuations around the non-taxpayer MLE. The Warriors have Bird rights on Porziņģis, and he seems to fit as well there as he would anywhere else; something in the area of two years and $25 million to $30 million seems fair and would put him on a similar timeline to the rest of the Warriors’ vets.
The Utah Jazz are “genuinely torn” between selecting AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer or Darryn Peterson one week away from the NBA Draft, league sources told The Athletic.
Dybantsa, Boozer and Peterson are the consensus top three players on the board. The Jazz hold the No. 2 pick while the Washington Wizards hold the top pick, and the Memphis Grizzlies select at No. 3. The Jazz have had Dybantsa and Boozer for private workouts, according to league sources. Peterson canceled his workout this week amid reports that he believes he will be the No. 1 pick, and he hopes the Wizards select him.
Knicks-Spurs was the most-watched NBA Finals in 28 years, averaging 20.6 million viewers per game on ABC and ESPN. The Knicks’ series-clinching win in Game 5 averaged 24.5 million viewers and peaked with 33 million viewers — marking the most-watched Game 5 in 28 years. The league… pic.twitter.com/d8pjBS2aaC
While the Dubs are actively scouting potential players — many signs point to Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg — there’s also the possibility of trading the pick. We all know that the Warriors will be star-hunting this offseason, even if the Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors have calmed down significantly.
So we want to know your opinion: should the Warriors trade the pick and add some young — but unproven — talent? Or should they trade it in pursuit of a more win-now player? Let us know!
Follow@unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: The sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
On Tuesday, Philadelphia Flyers GM Danny Briere took to the podium with assistant GM Brent Flahr for their annual pre-draft press conference, and although they didn’t reveal any names, you can get an idea of what they may look for just by reading between the lines.
Fans always talk about their team needing a specific position in the draft, and while that may be true, NHL front offices tend to just take the best player available.
"Especially in the first round, I think we try to be careful, try to go with the best player available," Briere said.
With that, the Flyers have taken a lot of centers over the last few years, with those players starting to approach making the NHL. Is there still a point in drafting them without landing the big fish?
Flahr insists the Flyers will "continue to target centermen."
Sounds pretty simple to me. You saw it this past season with Denver Barkey playing a lot of wing, even though he was drafted as a center.
The Flyers just shipped away the 5-foot-9 defenseman Emil Andrae, aligning with the team's recent philosophy, which is getting big, mobile blue-liners.
Neither Briere nor Flahr shut down the idea of drafting a smaller player on the back end, but "If you're drafting a smaller defenseman, they have to be dynamic," said Flahr.
Could this mean that if Xavier Villeneuve is there at 21, Briere and Co. won’t hesitate, or is that conversation happening as we speak?
For many NHL teams, they’re looking for a right-shot defenseman; that’s not the case for Philadelphia.
"Our left side, especially, is a little thin," Flahr mentioned when talking about the idea of trading back, which seems like it might be in play. "We've drafted a lot of players the last few years. . . maybe there is value to just trade back."
When you’re holding onto the 21st pick in most drafts, you have one or two guys you are really hoping to fall. For the Flyers this year, it seems as though a big left-shot defenseman would be that for them.
Malte Gustafsson is a potential top-10 pick, but if he slides a bit, the Flyers can burn up some assets to go up and get the 6-foot-4 Swede. Gustafsson fits the high hockey IQ they mentioned during the conference; he skates well and defends well in the neutral zone, which is an element many players need to play in head coach Rick Tocchet's system.
At this point, given the organization's needs, the Flyers can almost do no wrong going with a left-shot defender of some kind early in the 2026 NHL Draft.
When the NHL's summer buyout window opens, it's only natural for NHL fans to take a good, hard look at their team's roster and wonder if there are any buyout candidates.
Honestly, while engaging in this exercise, no one on the roster really jumped out at me. But then I saw this X post from John Rodenburg at TSN 1200 radio, which carries Senators games in Ottawa.
NHL buyout window opens today.
Is Kurtis MacDermid a candidate for Ottawa?
You can bury the money in Belleville, but really, what's the point in having him? After the first 2 months of the season, he never saw the ice
The Wrap Around Show discussed the idea of Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk possibly landing in Ottawa.
Poor ol' Kurtis MacDermid, suddenly out here catching strays on a sunny June morning. So let's examine this particular buyout idea about MacD, and whether I'm lovin' it.
The Senators, from players to coaches to management, have been wide open about their fondness for MacDermid. Back in November, Sens head coach Travis Green shoehorned MacDermid's name into a conversation with the media.
"I've liked that line with Eller, MacDermid and Zetterlund in different ways," Green said. "I know there's been a little talk about Dermi being in the lineup. We're 4-1-1 with McDermid in the lineup. And I don't know if there's been any talk about that.
"He brings an element that is hard to find, but he also understands that he might not play that much some nights."
Green pointed to the flexibility that brings, allowing him to give extra shifts to some of his top forwards without anyone's nose being out of joint.
"We've scored two goals by being able to put Drake Batherson or someone else out with that line. They scored a big goal against Calgary and scored one in Montreal the other night."
When asked how MacDermid directly impacts the lineup, Green drove home the obvious point about toughness. At 6-foot-5, 233 pounds, the guy is a handful.
"People know who's tough in the league and who's not," Green said. "He's a great teammate, he's great in the locker room, and he understands his role. And we've played some hard teams that are known for being tough as well."
But while Green said he values MacDermid, his actions told a different tale. From Dec. 29 onward, Kurtis MacDermid was a healthy scratch for all but three games.
MacDermid's cap hit is $1.15 million for next season, which certainly isn't breaking the bank or preventing the Senators from doing other things. While I do appreciate an enforcer in my lineup, if they're not going to use him, it does seem like an unnecessary investment.
Having said that, if the Senators decide this summer that it's time to move on from MacDermid, I'm not convinced a buyout would be necessary. Chances are there's still a GM somewhere who values the edge, swagger, and intimidation factor he brings, just as Steve Staios did when he brought him to Ottawa last fall.
Danny Rohl took charge of Rangers for the final time in mid-May [SNS]
Danny Rohl thanked Rangers after leaving the Scottish Premiership outfit for Red Bull Salzburg and taking his first training session with the Austrian club.
The German, 37, departed Ibrox after eight months, having previously managed Sheffield Wednesday. Derek McInnes was appointed Rangers manager shortly after Rohl's departure was announced.
"I've been here several times in the past and know Salzburg well – the club has always stood for attacking, courageous football," Rohl said at his first news conference with RB Salzburg.
"That's precisely the path we want to take. We want to return to the identity that distinguished the club for so many years.
"I have to also thank Rangers, who agreed to this move."
Sporting director Marcus Mann commented: "It's true that we had agreed with Danny a week ago.
"A few points came up that needed clarification, which is why the matter dragged on a bit. We certainly would have liked to finalise it a few days earlier but the important thing is that it worked out. Sometimes you can have different opinions on things – those have now been resolved."
The New York Knicks will visit the White House to celebrate their NBA championship, an administration official confirmed to NBC News on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump’s hometown team will be the first NBA champions to visit the White House during either of his terms in office.
Knicks owner James Dolan first shared the news in an interview with WFAN sports radio Wednesday.
“We just did receive an invitation from the White House, which we accepted,” Dolan said. “We still have to figure out the details, etc., but yes, of course.”
A White House official told NBC News on Wednesday that administration officials have “been in touch with the Knicks and look forward to hosting the team at a date to be determined in the near future.”
Dolan on Wednesday touted his relationship with Trump, whom he invited to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 8.
“Look, I invited the president to come down for the game. He is a friend. I’ve known him for 30 years, and I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House,” Dolan said.
Trump was booed at the game, the only one the Knicks lost to the San Antonio Spurs during the five-game series.
He watched the game from Dolan’s box, where he was joined by several administration officials, including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin.
Trump celebrated the Knicks’ championship early Sunday on Truth Social, congratulating Dolan and top players Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson.
“What a year it has been but, even more so, what incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four — Maybe the greatest in the history of basketball,” he wrote.
The Knicks are expected to visit the White House after NBA championship-winning teams skipped the meeting for years, starting with the Golden State Warriors in 2017.
Star player Stephen Curry said in September 2017 that he was not interested in visiting Trump’s White House, sparking a furious social media post from Trump.
“Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!” Trump wrote on X in September 2017.
The Warriors did not visit the White House the next year after they won the championship again. The Toronto Raptors did not attend the White House after their 2019 win, either.
In 2020, the Los Angeles Lakers’ championship win was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the team did not visit the White House. However, Trump told reporters in 2018 he would not invite Lakers player LeBron James to the White House after James stood behind Curry’s criticisms.
When Trump returned to office last year, the Oklahoma City Thunder said they would not visit the White House after their championship win because of “timing” issues.
Three teams visited during President Joe Biden’s term — the Milwaukee Bucks, the Warriors and the Boston Celtics in 2021, 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Jim Hiller is headed from Hollywood to hockey's brightest spotlight.
Just three months after the Los Angeles Kings moved on from their former bench boss, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced Wednesday that Hiller has been hired as the franchise's 41st head coach, handing him one of the NHL's most scrutinized jobs.
The 57-year-old replaces Craig Berube as part of a sweeping organizational reset led by new general manager John Chayka, who has wasted little time putting his stamp on the Original Six franchise.
"(Hiller) has worked with successful teams throughout his career, connects well with players and brings a clear approach behind the bench," Chayka said in a news release. "We believe he's the right person to lead our team and help us reach our goals."
For Hiller, the move represents another quick turnaround in a coaching career that has taken several unexpected turns.
After serving as an assistant with the Kings for two seasons, Hiller was elevated to head coach and compiled a 93-58-24 record over parts of three seasons. Despite posting one of the better regular-season records in franchise history during his tenure, Los Angeles dismissed him on March 1 following an 8-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
Now, instead of trying to get the Kings over the playoff hump, Hiller inherits a Toronto team desperate to rediscover its identity after a stunning collapse.
"I'm incredibly excited for the opportunity to return to Toronto and lead the Maple Leafs," Hiller said in the release. "This is a special organization with great players, passionate fans and high expectations. I'm looking forward to getting to work with our players and staff and doing everything we can to help this team reach its full potential."
The hiring also marks a return to familiar territory. Hiller previously spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the Maple Leafs from 2015-19, giving him firsthand knowledge of the market and many of the expectations that come with coaching in Toronto.
Long before reaching the NHL, Hiller built his reputation in the junior ranks. The Port Alberni, British Columbia, native spent 11 seasons behind the bench, including time with the WHL's Tri-City Americans and multiple clubs in the British Columbia Hockey League, before making the jump to the professional level.
Toronto's decision comes after a dramatic offseason shakeup.
The Maple Leafs fired Berube on May 13 following just two seasons behind the bench. The move came after Toronto went from winning the Atlantic Division in 2024-25 and reaching the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to finishing last in the division and 28th overall this past season.
10 days earlier, Chayka had been hired to replace Brad Treliving as general manager, calling the coaching change "an opportunity to start fresh" while promising an extensive search for the team's next leader.
The makeover has already extended beyond the coaching staff.
On Tuesday, Toronto traded goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenseman Emil Andrae, goaltender Samuel Ersson and a third-round pick in next week's NHL Draft.
The Maple Leafs also own the No. 1 overall selection, the franchise's first since drafting Auston Matthews in 2016, giving Hiller and Chayka an opportunity to reshape the organization's future from behind the bench and on the ice.
AUSTIN, TX - MAY 31: Outfielder Aiden Robbins #43 of the Texas Longhorns spins his bat as he starts to round the bases after a home run during the NCAA Division I Regional game between Texas Longhorns and UC Santa Barbara Gauchos on May 31, 2026, at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
As Texas Longhorns head coach Jim Schlossnagle and his staff turn their focus to the NCAA transfer portal and on making final recruiting pitches to signed high school prospects in the 2026 recruiting class, the 2027 roster will be impacted by the 2026 MLB Draft.
Senior right-hander Ruger Riojas and redshirt senior left-hander Luke Harrison are the two players among the 10 Longhorns who have exhausted their eligibility who are projected selections in next month’s draft, while six other players are draft eligible, several of whom could potentially return to the Forty Acres for their senior season.
The draft projectsion are based on the draft board from Perfect Game posted in late April and are meant to reflect the player’s tools, if not their late-season results on the field.
Draft-eligible players expected to depart
Outfielder Aiden Robbins — No. 23
After finishing sixth nationally in batting average at .422 last year as a sophomore at Seton Hall, Robbins bet on himself and made the jump to the SEC, choosing Texas over other conference powers. It paid off, as Robbins earned first-team All-America honors by batting .333 with 24 home runs and 64 RBI, working with Troy Tulowitzki to change his swing path to turn topspin base hits into backspin home runs — the Pennsylvania product only hit 12 combined home runs in his first two seasons, doubling that output in burnt orange and white.
The power surge by Robbins ensured that he’s projectable as a corner outfielder, an important development after the attempt to further bolster his draft stock by playing center field ended with the Texas coaching staff forced to admit they had better options, as Robbins lacked the speed necessary to make up for consistently subpar reads off the bat.
Still, Robbins has plus athleticism and a whippy swing that produced power to the entire field, making him one of the top college prospects in the draft.
Catcher Carson Tinney — No. 58
The Notre Dame transfer pressed early in the season faced with high expectations after becoming one of the most coveted players in the portal. As a sophomore in South Bend, Tinney led the Fighting Irish in average (.348), runs (52), homers (17), RBI (53), total bases (119), walks (34), on-base percentage (.498), slugging (.753), and multi-RBI performances (17) while posting impressive exit velocities that spoke to his natural power.
When Tinney settled in at Texas, he was an impact player who slashed .326/483/.688 with 22 home runs and 58 RBI. Showing a command of the strike zone, Tinney drew 55 walks against 66 strikeouts, the latter stat less an indication of significant swing-and-miss issues and more related to his willingness to take two-strike pitches late in at bats.
A good athlete for his size who stole 10 bases, Tinney was a solid defensive catcher who gave up 24 stolen bases while gunning down eight runners. His two throwing errors in the first inning against Georgia to open the College World Series weren’t indicative of how he performed defensively.
Some draft boards project Tinney more towards the third round than the second, but even though he’s not quite an elite prospect at catcher, he still has tremendous upside because of his power and his eye at the plate.
Right-hander Thomas Burns — No. 173
The big power arm from Wisconsin is a burly 6’3, 240 pounds with a fastball that can reach triple digits with a cutter and a slider that give him closer potential. It’s a role that freshman right-hander Sam Cozart took over early in the season when Burns struggled with his command, limiting the Arizona State transfer to 23 appearances during which he posted a 5.63 ERA. Opponents only hit .181 against Burns and he struck out 43 batters in 22.1 innings, but he also walked 16 batters and looked surprisingly hittable given his pure stuff.
Despite the command issues, Burns has the type of pure stuff a pitching coach can’t teach and previous experience as a starter with the Sun Devils, so expect him to come off the board early on the second day and sign without much delay.
Return potential
The advent of NIL and subsequent scholarship expansion has coincided with the shortening of the MLB Draft. Once spanning 100 rounds in 1996, the draft was 50 rounds from 1998 until 2011, was 40 rounds for the eight years after that, and has been at 20 rounds since 2021, increasing the number of draft-eligible players who return to school.
Last year, Texas benefited from the shift when Riojas, Harrison, and Max Grubbs all announced their return for a final season in college before the draft. This year, it could help keep several players on campus.
Second baseman Ethan Mendoza — No. 353
Slotted as high as No. 218 by Three Quarter Slot in late April, updated boards in the coming days may reflect the medical concerns that will impact where or if Mendoza is selected in this year’s draft after aggravating his right shoulder injury in early May, which Schlossnagle revealed in Omaha has been bothering him all year after also impacting his 2025 season.
The persistent issues suggest that Mendoza may require offseason surgery and could potentially keep him from starting his professional career after the draft.
At his best, Mendoza is a capable second baseman with a contact-focused approach that takes advantage of the entire field, allowing him to bat .333 in 2025 as a more selective approach demanded by the Texas coaching staff allowed the Southlake Carroll product to go from 13 walks as a freshman to 36 as a sophomore.
During the offseason, Mendoza added around 15 pounds of muscle to increase his power, which seemed to impact his ability to hit the ball the other way. So even though he went from five home runs to 10 in 2026, his batting average dropped to .278, in part because his ability to run out infield singles decreased as his stolen bases dropped and in part because of his shoulder issues.
The combination of a potential need for offseason surgery and determining the most effective playing weight for Mendoza could influence his return. Mendoza is also a lifelong Longhorn who could feel like he has unfinished business on the Forty Acres.
Left-hander Haiden Leffew — No. 367
A more tenuous inclusion in this last than Mendoza or Borba, Leffew has as the tools to become a mid-round selection and start his professional career — at 6’1, 235 pounds, he has a level of physicality on the mound matched by a fastball that can reach into the mid-90s and a plus-plus changeup that has put him on the radar of major league scouts for several years now. The Wake Forest transfer also went 4-1 with a 4.05 ERA in 17 appearances in 2026, striking out 31 batters in 20 innings while holding opponents to a .176 batting average.
Leffew was basically unhittable at Texas, but batters often didn’t even have to try to put the ball in play against him thanks to shaky command that produced 15 walks in those 20 innings.
Just a few years ago, Leffew’s departure wouldn’t be in question, but now there’s at least a slim chance that he returns to the Forty Acres for another season.
Infielder Casey Borba — unranked
Ranked as the No. 252 prospect by FSS Digital in the 2023 MLB Draft, Borba’s intent to play college baseball caused him to fall out of the draft. Praised for his all-fields approach to hitting out of Orange Lutheran, Borba instead become reliant on his significant pull-side power at Texas.
Despite work with the Longhorns staff to use the entire field to hit, Borba remained pull heavy in 2026, putting a hard ceiling on his upside at the plate and limiting him to batting .266. Borba’s streaky power did help him hit 18 home runs and knock in 57 runs.
After spurning summer league baseball to improve his mobility, Borba flashed better range at both corner infield spots to emerge as a good third baseman.
But there are significant concerns about Borba’s remaining upside given his boom-or-bust tendencies at the plate as opponents successfully employ the shift against him. With the addition of Texas Tech transfer Linkin Garcia, Borba would be limited to playing first base or designated hitter next season for Texas, so his exit meeting with the coaching staff in the coming days may be the most important on the roster.
As much as anyone, Bridges has earned the right to soak in this Knicks championship.
For most of his first 20 months with New York, Bridges was scrutinized, criticized, and demonized for his play. He was most closely associated with the phrase "five first-round picks," which is what New York gave up to acquire him from Brooklyn.
Obviously, most Knicks fans are looking at him through a different lens these days.
Bridges’ play was pivotal in the Knicks' 2026 playoff run.
He averaged 16 points, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals during New York’s 13-game winning streak. Bridges also played exceptional defense, helping the Knicks establish a net rating of +15.5 when he was on the floor.
He also was one of a select group of Knicks who hit shots in the Game 5 clincher (14 points, four assists).
After that game, as he was walking off the floor, Bridges greeted a group of fans in the stands who were chanting ‘f--k them picks.’
But it also revealed something important about Bridges’ mindset.
"The times I've been struggling, the fans were on me. The thing is about me, I want to always be better," Bridges said. "So whatever, how they feel, I always want to be better.
"They keep pushing me and if they strongly believe that we have a chance every year and if they strongly believe I have a chance to be better, I'm already thinking about that. I appreciate the tough love.
"I know some fans might be a little bit crazier than others, but the ones that truly care, and want me to be better, don't stop now. Just keep pushing me."
Knowing the scrutiny on this team, Bridges will surely take some criticism if/when he hits a rough patch next season. He welcomes it.
"Just know I'm going to keep working," Bridges said. "If they keep egging me on and talking a little sh-t I'm pretty tough, I'll be all right."
Jun 14, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (19) is greeted in the dugout after scoring in the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The Mets came into this game having lost the first two games of the series and, after taking two of three from the first place Braves, the vibes were once again in the tank. Thankfully, However, the Mets’ young ace and eight members of the starting lineup all contributed to a big win this afternoon, taking the series finale 9-1.
Nolan McLean came out strong early in the game, shutting down the Reds without too much tourlbe and, for the first time in this series, gave the Mets a fair chance to compete.
Of course, the Mets didn’t help themselves early on, grounding into double plays in each of the first two innings. However, they took their first lead of the series in the top of the third inning against Nick Lodolo. Luis Torrens led off with an infield single, was moved to second on a Zack Short sacrifice bunt, advanced to third on a Carson Benge ground out and, after a walk to Bo Bichette, scored on a bloop single by Juan Soto to put the Mets up 1-0.
Marcus Semien kept the line moving, lining a single over third base, scoring Bichette and advancing Soto to third. Mark Vientos then continued his two-game hot streak, singling to the left side of the infield and scoring Soto, and the Mets had a three-run lead.
Of course, this being the 2026 Mets, the bottom of the inning saw things go sideways. With one out, Jose Trevino reached base on an error by Vientos at first. A Matt McLain single double could not sore Trevino, but put runners on second and third. McLean then plunked Edwin Arroyo to load the bases. A line drive to the right center field gap was chased down by a diving A.J. Ewing, but Trevino scored from third tagging up, cutting the Mets’ lead to two. Ewing covered a ton of ground to get to the ball, and fully laid out to make the very impressive catch. Sal Stewart grounded out to third to end the threat and the frame.
Back to back to back singles by Bichette, Soto, and Semien put three on with one out in the top of the fifth. An opposite field sac fly by Vientos scored Bichette and restored the Mets’ three-run lead. Alvarez then hit a slow single through the five hole, allowing Soto to race home from second, just barely beating a tag from catcher Trevino.
A double off the outfield wall from Ewing cleared the bases and put the Mets up 7-1, and that would do it for Lodolo. Seven runs on 11 hits, two walks, and two strikeouts would be the end of Lodolo’s day, although he was still responsible for the runner at second. Chris Paddack relieved Lodolo, inducing a lineout off the bat of Torrens and mercifully ending the inning. Paddack would take the Reds through the end of the game in relief.
In the sixth, McLean ran into his second trouble spot of the afternoon, allowing a walk, a fielder’s choice, and a two-out double by Nathaniel Lowe to put runners at second and third with Eugenio Suárez coming to the plate. However, McLean induced a fly ball to right for Carson Benge to handle to end the frame.
McLean continued his climb back to his 2025 performance, focusing far more on his four-seam fastball, and seeing excellent results. Not only was McLean successful in limiting runs, he was also efficient with his pitches, throwing 101 pitches over seven innings. He allowed just one unearned run on one walk and three hits, striking out nine in an overall excellent start.
In the McLain versus McLean battle of the homophones, in three plate appearances, McLain struck out twice against one double. It was close, but McLean edged out McLain.
The Mets added on in the eighth, with Benge hitting a one-out triple and scoring on a Bichette single. I know this is a risky thing to say, but the Bichette resurgence appears to be real. A Soto double would score Bichette from first to put the Mets up 9-1.
Brooks Raley came in to pitch the eighth, working around an error at short by Short and a double by Stewart to keep the Mets’ lead to eight runs. Austin Warren gave up a one-out double down the right-field line to Noelvi Marte and a walk to McLain, but buckled down and closed out the game without allowing a run.
While it is always nice to see the Mets avoid a sweep, the inconsistency of this team is something that doesn’t provide a lot of hope for the rest of the season. Yes, they are 3-3 over their last six games, but it is truly bizarre to see how they can hold their own against the powerhouse Braves and then wilt against the sub-.500 Reds? It’s truly bizarre.
The Mets travel to the City of Brotherly Love tomorrow for a three game series against the second place Phillies, interrupted by a World Cup off-day on Friday. Sean Manaea will face off against Aaron Nola in game one.
Side note: Steve Gelbs had his worst hot dog of the season thus far, furthering the feud between Mets’ broadcasters and the cuisine of Western Ohio. This seemed like the natural response to the Reds’ broadcast’s distaste for the Skyline Chili egg roll.
The sting of Tom Thibodeau’s firing still lingers.
Thibodeau, fired in June 2025 after coaching the Knicks for five seasons, told The Athletic before the 2025-26 season he was deeply wounded and “had a sense of betrayal” as he felt he’d helped certain people in the organization who didn’t return his loyalty.
On Wednesday, the outlet reported that a friend of the coach said he is “genuinely very happy for the players and his guys” for winning a title — but some less-happy feelings still linger.
Tom Thibodeau reacts on the court during a Knicks-Pacers Eastern Conference Finals game in 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“Tom is still hurt that the decision-makers made it appear he needed to be replaced,” the anonymous friend told The Athletic.
“I talked to Thibs (Saturday) and the first thing we talked about was that he had no malice in his heart, he didn’t have any kind of hatred,” Gibson said. “He was so happy for the guys, he was just really proud of the guys for what they accomplished.”
Knicks owner James Dolan and president Leon Rose moved on from Thibodeau due to his inability to get the team to the next level, but also due to a lack of collaboration with with the front office.
But even though Thibodeau’s time in New York ran its course after the Knicks lost to the Pacers 4-2 in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, he’s one of the key factors in the team’s return to relevance.
Tom Thibodeau speaks with Josh Hart during a game against the Mavericks. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Before he was hired in 2020, the Knicks weren’t an attractive landing spot for free agents, had missed the playoffs in sevens straight seasons and hadn’t won 30 games since 2017-18.
Thibodeau immediately established a defensive, gritty identity with the Knicks, guiding them to a 226-174 regular season record in five seasons and winning four playoff series in his final three years.
Mike Brown then replaced Thibodeau in July 2025 and ultimately led the Knicks to their first title in 53 years in his first season.
The Mets pounded out 15 hits while annihilating the Reds, 9-1, on Wednesday afternoon in Cincinnati.
Here are the takeaways...
- Leading 3-1 in the fifth inning, the Mets added on against Reds starter Nick Lodolo.
A one-out sacrifice fly by Mark Vientos made it 4-1 before Francisco Alvarez scalded a 112.6 mph single to left to increase New York's advantage to 5-1. A.J. Ewing then smacked an opposite field double that hit a few feet up on the wall in left-center to drive in Marcus Semien and Alvarez to make it 7-1.
- Nolan McLeanretired the first seven hitters with relative ease before facing trouble in the third inning -- due in part to his defense betraying him.
With one out, Vientos made an error when he missed the catch on what would've been a 6-3 putout. The next batter, Matt McLain, doubled on a low liner that just eluded Soto in left field. After McLean hit Edwin Arroyo with a pitch, A.J. Ewing got a great break on a liner to his left and laid out for a diving catch -- robbing JJ Bleday of extra bases as a run came in on a sacrifice fly. McLean escaped the jam by inducing a ground out to third base.
McLean settled into a groove again after that, retiring eight batters in a row (including four strikeouts). That streak was snapped by a one-out walk in the sixth, but he wiggled out of the inning unscathed.
Overall, McLean -- who relied heavily on a four-seam fastball that topped out at 98 mph and routinely got ahead in the count -- allowed one run (which was unearned) on three hits while walking one and striking out nine, lowering his ERA to 3.67. He threw 101 pitches (63 strikes) in what was his most dominant performance of the season.
- After hitting into double plays in each of the first two innings (including a hard-luck one off the bat of Juan Soto at 109 mph), the Mets broke through in the third.
With runners on the corners and two outs -- following a leadoff single by Luis Torrens and two-out walk by Bo Bichette, Soto lofted a bloop single into short center field to give New York a 1-0 lead. Semien and Vientos then laced back-to-back singles to increase the Mets' lead to 3-0.
The Mets capped their scoring in the eighth, with run-scoring hits by Bichette and Soto.
- Bichette, who entered the game having slashed .412 with a 1.222 OPS in 53 plate appearances over his last 12 games, had another huge day. He went 3-for-4 with a walk, RBI, and two runs scored. Bichette's OPS, which was .531 on May 17,is up to .677.
- Soto stayed locked in, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI.
- Alvarez has been swinging a hot bat since returning from the IL on June 9, and that continued on Wednesday, with him notching three hits with an RBI and run scored -- raising his OPS for the year to .728.
The Vegas Golden Knights have found their new head coach by hiring Ryan Craig on Wednesday, June 17.
After falling in six games to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Vegas Golden Knights began their search for a permanent coach. They previously fired former head coach Bruce Cassidy just eight games from the start of the NHL playoffs after the team experienced a serious slump that put them in jeopardy of missing the postseason entirely.
Cassidy was replaced by John Tortorella, who logged a 7-0-1 record before heading into the postseason. While that momentum was enough to carry Vegas into the Stanley Cup Finals, it wasn't enough to keep Tortorella around as the head coach.
Now we know it was because Vegas had their eyes set on someone else. The team announced Wednesday that Craig will become the fifth head coach in Vegas Golden Knights' history. Here's what to know.
Vegas' new head coach has been with the organization in various roles since 2017. From 2017 to 2023, he served as an assistant coach for the Golden Knights. He then became head coach of the team's AHL affiliate, the Hendersonville Silver Knights.
Craig impressed as head coach of the Silver Knights, lifting the team's win total in each of his three years at the helm — 28 in 2023-24, 29 in 2024-25, 39 in 2025-26. The Silver Knights also advanced to the second round of the AHL Playoffs this past season.
How old is Ryan Craig?
Craig is 44 years old.
Ryan Craig's playing career
Drafted in the eighth round of the 2002 NHL draft by Tampa Bay, Craig played in parts of eight years in the NHL for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets, totaling 198 games.
Craig also spent five seasons in the Western Hockey League, leading the Brandon Wheat Kings in scoring twice and serving as captain for two seasons between 1998 and 2003. In his final season with the team, he was named to the WHL East First All-Star Team.
