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MLB Home Run Props & Predictions Today: Best HR Picks & Parlay for August 1

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Another eventful slate in the Majors means lots of opportunity for long balls in my MLB player props home run analysis. 

Today's selections include Shohei Ohtani, CJ Abrams, and Dominic Canzone. 

Read more in my MLB picks for Saturday, August 1. 

MLB home run props for today

Player to hit a HROdds
Mariners Dominic Canzone+388
Nationals CJ Abrams+325
Dodgers Shohei Ohtani+250
đŸ’ČToday's HR parlay+9428

Home run prediction: Dominic Canzone (+388)

Dominic Canzone has been a consistent outlet for power in the Seattle Mariners lineup lately. The slugger has gone deep three times in his last seven contests, posting a .444 ISO. 

Over the last week, he's squaring up everything, posting a 57.1% hard-hit rate and 19% barrel rate. Tonight's matchup against Connor Prielipp is an intriguing one for his hot bat. The Minnesota Twins starter has allowed 1.69 HR/9 over his last two starts while allowing a 52% hard-hit rate. 

Canzone also has a very respectable .351 ISO against left-handed pitchers. 

I'll play this pick down to +400. 

  • Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: FS1

Home run prediction: CJ Abrams (+325)

CJ Abrams is a regular in my home run props, but there's good reason for it. The Washington Nationals star continues to rake. He owns a .520 ISO over his last seven games, going deep four times during that span. 

Abrams has an average launch angle of 26.1 degrees over his last 31 plate appearances and a 15.8% barrel rate. He'll face Reynaldo Lopez tonight, who has given up 1.80 HR/9 over his previous two starts while allowing a 50% fly ball rate during that span. 

Lopez is prone to loud contact in the air, and Abrams is consistently getting lift under the baseball. 

I'll play this pick down to +300. 

  • Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: BravesVision, Nats.TV

Home run prediction: Shohei Ohtani (+250)

Shohei Ohtani is always a threat to leave the yard when he steps up to the plate, and he is showcasing his power right now. The two-way superstar has a .476 ISO in the last week, with two bombs in his previous five outings. 

It's rare for him to not be squaring up the baseball lately. He has a 62.5% hard-hit rate and 18.8% barrel rate in the last week, and tonight's matchup against Payton Tolle screams value. Ohtani has actually hit lefties well, posting a .291 ISO. 

Tolle is having trouble with the long ball. He's allowed 2.45 HR/9 over his previous two appearances. One mistake could easily be punished by one of the most feared hitters in the Majors. 

I'll play this pick down to +200. 

  • Time: 9:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: NESN, SportsNet LA
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
  • HR picks: 17-83, -3.54 units

Best home run combo for August 1

Nationals CJ AbramsTrade Now
+9428
Mariners Dominic Canzone
Dodgers Shohei Ohtani

Want more baseball parlays? Check out our MLB parlay picks page!

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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MLB trade candidates: Top 25 deadline targets led by Skubal, Arraez

The calendar has turned to August. And the inventory for Major League Baseball’s top 25 potential trade candidates before the Monday, Aug. 3 deadline hasn’t even budged.

A few situations have changed since our last exercise – though probably not enough to ensure significant action before the deadline’s final moments.

Nonetheless, here’s a glance at our top 25 players on the trade market, based on their possible impact, the likelihood of their availability and the fit of their contracts:

1. Luis Arraez, 2B, Giants

Still No. 1 in our hearts, even if he doesn’t light up all the chyrons on your favorite network shoutfest or podcast. He just keeps hitting, leading the majors with a .328 average and highly respectable .810 OPS. That ability to move the baseball takes on significant value in the playoffs.

2. Tarik Skubal, SP, Tigers

It’s looking like a foregone conclusion he’ll be dealt. But we’re reserving just a tad of juice simply because the Tigers are likely to sweep the Athletics out in Yolo County this weekend, and perhaps draw as close as two games within a playoff spot. Probably not enough to convince technocratic GM Scott Harris to hold him, but possibly worth pondering.

3. Luke Weaver, RP, Mets

Simply, the kid is different, giving up one earned run in his last 29 games, with a 36-7 strikeout-walk ratio. He’s signed for next season, has “New York playoff closing experience,” if you give a damn about that, and solves all kind of bullpen problems.

Luke Weaver could easily slide into a closer or set-up role for a contending team.

4. Robbie Ray, SP, Giants

Proverbial big veteran innings-inning lefty, but with a dash of quality, too: Ray has given up three or fewer runs in 18 of his 21 starts. Perhaps not a Game 1 playoff starter, but a key stretch drive piece who can fold into the back of a playoff rotation.

5. Michael Wacha, SP, Royals

He has limited no-trade protection and makes a reasonable $15 million in 2027 and is a workhorse veteran of five previous postseason runs.

6. Zach Neto, SS, Angels

Is this the sort of offensive punch the Red Sox seek? Neto is on track for 30 home runs this season, though that comes with a massive strikeout total as well. And his minus-9 outs above average would not dovetail with Boston’s run prevention ethos. Still, a dynamic figure the Angels decide to let John Mozeliak mess around.

7. Foster Griffin, SP, Nationals

A big climber on our list, from seven to 21, in light of the Nationals’ three-game losing streak that threatens their potential playoff push. Yep, the deadline margins are that razor-thin. Griffin is right behind Skubal among most talented lefties possibly available. His club is now 55-56 and 2 1/2 back of a playoff spot. A pending free agent, an extension candidate, a potential Game 1 playoff starter with a seven-pitch mix, Griffin’s plight is fascinating.

8. Clay Holmes, SP, Mets

Yet another fast mover thanks to a solid rehab start and the possibility Holmes can help a contender almost immediately. He should be good for eight starts plus the playoffs. Barring any health hiccups, Holmes will likely opt out of a player option for 2027 that would otherwise add value to a transaction.

9. Casey Mize, SP, Tigers

Well, they scratched him from his last start, so they must be serious about dealing him, right? Mize has battled groin woes all season but at his best can be a solid No. 2 in any playoff rotation. A pending free agent, you wonder if the Tigers would be better served holding him for a qualifying offer and draft pick compensation.

10. Reid Detmers, SP, Angels

Detmers comes with two additional years of club control and has been on a two-month heater, with a 3.18 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 65 innings of his last 11 starts. His ranking is mildly depressed by the Angels’ potential to deal him and a profile that’s been inconsistent to date.

11. Jake McCarthy, OF, Rockies

Yep, there’s position players on this list, somewhere. McCarthy has found his groove in Colorado, with a career-best .816 OPS (111 adjusted) and playable defense in center field. He and the Astros have been a natural match for months (years?), and now the Astros are over .500 and, for now, in firstp lace.

12. Isaac Collins, OF, Royals

A switch-hitting outfielder with a .342 OBP, speed and a slightly above average adjusted OPS. He won’t “win you the trade deadline,” but he might help win you a championship.

13. Kevin Gausman, SP, Blue Jays

Gausman has limited no-trade powers, with a pair of potential contenders on his list, and isn’t having his finest season. Yet he can still churn out quality starts and, should he retire after this season, would appreciate another crack at a World Series.

14. Tyler Stephenson, C, Reds

Everybody needs a catcher, right? Stephenson is one of the few coming from a selling team who offers some offensive upside. Not the guy who hit 19 homers with a .782 OPS in 2024, but he’s healthy and a near league average hitter and, the Yankees will notice, bats right-handed.

15. Lars Nootbaar, OF, Cardinals

Speaking of the Yankees, Nootbaar wouldn’t be the splashiest add, particularly after he missed the first 60 games after offseason surgery on his heels. He’s been adequate in his return, with a .698 OPS that’s just below league average. He comes with an additional year of club control.

16. Devin Williams, RP, Mets

Williams posted a 10.29 ERA in his first nine outings as the Mets’ season fell apart early, and a 2.73 ERA in 22 games since. (Along with a 2.83 FIP, if you’re interested). Signed for two more years and $26 million, and whether that’s a plus or minus is in the eye of the beholder.

17. Jack Flaherty, SP, Tigers

The third of the Tigers’ pitching triplets should they burn the ships, Flaherty was traded in 2024 and then the Tigers staged a wild rally for a playoff berth. He went on to get a World Series ring with the Dodgers.

18. Shane Bieber, SP, Blue Jays

He was near the top of our list after two sterling starts indicated he was fully back from arm woes that delayed his 2026 debut – and then he walked six batters in the first inning of his next outing. Still, he’s a pending free agent who won Game 4 of the 2025 World Series, with a low odometer this season.

 19. Dustin May, SP, Cardinals

Sure, he’ll occasionally pitch you out of a game – he’s had five outings of at least five earned runs – but will also dominate on occasion. May might not crack the circle of playoff rotation trust but would be a useful arm down the stretch and on the back end of a playoff roster.

19. Jeff Hoffman, RP, Blue Jays

Stung in World Series Game 7 last year and bit by hard luck this year, Hoffman is beginning to round into form, posting scoreless innings in 18 of his last 19 outings. Hoffman wants to stay, but an acquiring team would control him for $12.6 million next season.

20. Mickey Moniak, OF, Rockies

Like McCarthy, Moniak is a serviceable lefty-swinging bat, though he doesn’t bring the defensive optionality McCarthy does. Moniak has 17 homers and a 126 adjusted OPS for the Rockies.

21. Mason Miller, RP, Padres

Just doing our due diligence, as every contending team is surely performing, as well. Yet the Padres are a game out of a playoff berth. Prying Miller away with top 100 prospects while scorching a Padres playoff run is probably a bridge too far for GM A.J. Preller.

22. George Springer, DH, Blue Jays

Who wouldn’t want to see another iteration of Playoff George? The man is magic in October, but also has full no-trade protection and loves it in Toronto. Still, this baby wil go right down to the wire as team and player consider their futures. One downside: He’s only played one game in the outfield this season.

23. Trevor Rogers, SP, Orioles

This remains unlikely, as the Orioles are again within sight of playoff position. Yet Rogers is a pending free agent who has been dominant (2.21 ERA, 51-14 strikeout-walk ratio in 10 starts) the past two months. Might make sense if Baltimore is in buy-and-sell mode.

24. Alec Burleson, INF, Cardinals

Tricky one here. Burleson is one of their best players, yet perhaps lacks the runway (two years team control after 2026) to be considered integral to the Cardinals’ true future. If they put him firmly on the block bump Burleson (15 homers, .803 OPS) up about 15  spots.

25. Freddy Peralta, SP, Mets

Not a good pitcher this year. But perhaps a team with strong ideas from its pitching department can put Freddy back together again.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB trade candidates: Top 25 deadline targets led by Skubal, Arraez

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Braves designate Elieser HernĂĄndez for assignment and recall James Karinchak

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 31: Elieser HernĂĄndez #57 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the seventh inning during the game against the Washington Nationals at Truist Park on July 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Atlanta Braves have once again activated the DFA Cycle and the latest passenger is none other than Elieser HernĂĄndez. Following another one-appearance stint with Atlanta, HernĂĄndez has been designated for assignment and reliever James Karinchak will be taking his place on the roster for the time being.

Hernåndez has actually come up pretty big for the Braves over the past couple of weekends. He tossed three crucial scoreless innings against the Orioles in a situation where Atlanta needed every last one of those outs in order to pull off a dramatic victory. This time, he pitched another three innings but it was clear that he was being used to give the bullpen regulars a spell after they were put into heavy use during the series-opening win over Washington. Either way, the three innings were productive (outside of a homer given up to Andrés Chaparro) and Hernåndez did his job while he was here.

James Karinchak will be returning to the big league fold for the first time since July 9, which is when he pitched a scoreless inning against the Pirates. Karinchak has pitched 9.2 innings so far and has a 1.86 ERA and a 4.34 FIP so far. I’d imagine that he’ll be in line to get some low-leverage innings on a short-term basis. Pour another one out for Elieser Hernández, though, who appears to be the strongest soldier given the fate of the DFA Cycle so far.

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NBA not returning to Abu Dhabi this preseason due to ongoing conflict in Middle East

For the past four years, the NBA has played a preseason game in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, as the league tries to expand its fan base in the region (and cozy up to the kind of monied families that the NBA always wants to keep close).

Not this year. Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between the U.S., Israel and Iran, the NBA is staying away, reports Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Sources with the league told ESPN the NBA will return to the Middle East for preseason games in the future, just not this year.

This should not be a surprise, especially considering Iran has launched missile and drone attacks into the UAE targeting military and oil production facilities. The NBA isn't the only sports league facing this situation. Formula 1 had already postponed its Bahrain stop (now taking place in Malaysia in October), and it still has yet to announce plans for races scheduled in Abu Dhabi and Qatar later this year.

The NBA did not announce preseason games in Abu Dhabi this year, as it has in the past. The NBA is still going overseas this preseason with the Mavericks and Rockets playing a couple of games in October at The Venetian Arena in Macao, China. The NBA also will play regular season games, one in Paris and one in Manchester, England, in January.

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After trading Myles and Giannis, Jimmy Haslam weighs in on where rebuilding is harder: NBA or NFL?

MILWAUKEE, WI -MAY 06: Jimmy Haslam, Co-Owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, introduces new head coach Taylor Jenkins on May 06, 2026 at the Milwaukee Art Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

In the span of three weeks, teams owned by Jimmy Haslam traded DE Myles Garrett and SF/PF Giannis Antetokounmpo in deals that included players and draft compensation. For the Cleveland Browns and Milwaukee Bucks, Haslam’s teams, the trades reset their rosters and turn their attention toward the future.

According to a report, Haslam pushed for the package from the Miami Heat over one from the Boston Celtics, due to his experience with Garrett, which led to this humorous “Anthony Schwartz caused the Garrett and Antetokounmpo trades.”

Both big trades were similar. The Browns acquired DE Jared Verse and three draft picks, while the Bucks added Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, four draft picks, and one pick swap.

According to Haslam, he believes it is more difficult to rebuild in the NBA than the NFL:

Cleveland fans are aware that Haslam’s Browns have made the playoffs just twice, their only two seasons with a winning record during his ownership tenure, and his 14-year record as owner is 78-150-1. If rebuilding is more difficult for Haslam in the NBA, we send our condolences to the fine fans in Milwaukee for what their process might look like.

What do you think? Is it harder to rebuild in the NFL or the NBA? Do you feel bad for Bucks fans or glad to have someone to experience Haslam ownership struggles with?

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Minor league update for 7/31/26

LA LOUVIERE, BELGIUM - JULY 31: An aerial view of the Sart Canal Bridge (Pont-canal du Sart) located near La Louviere in the Hainaut region of Belgium on July 31, 2026. Opened in 1998, the 498-meter-long and 46-meter-wide aqueduct allows 1,350-ton cargo ships to pass seamlessly over a highway and railway alongside the Strepy-Thieu boat lift. Considered a prominent example of modern canal engineering, the structure is recognized as one of Belgium's iconic engineering landmarks. (Photo by Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images

Mason McConnaughey started for the Crawdads, allowing two runs in an inning of work, striking out one, walking one and giving up one homer. Jormy Nivar struck out two and walked one in five shutout innings. Louis Marinaro struck out three and walked one in a shutout inning. Geury Rodriguez struck out three and walked one in two shutout innings.

2026 9th rounder Kaden Carpenter made his professional debut and went 2 for 5 with a walk, a double and a homer. Paulino Santana was 3 for 5 with a triple and a homer. Daniel Flames had a pair of doubles and a walk. Yolfran Castillo had a hit and a walk. Marco Argudin was 3 for 6. Pablo Guerrero had a pair of hits and a walk. Jormy Nivar had a pair of plate appearances despite being a pitcher due to Sebastian Baquera leaving the game after the top of the second, for reasons I’m not clear on, and Noah Franklin moving from DH to catcher. Nivar walked both times. Geury Rodriguez also had a plate appearance and walked.

Hickory box score

Hub City starter Caden Scarborough went four innings, allowing two runs, striking out five, walking two, hitting a batter and throwing a wild pitch.

Paxton Kling returned from the injured list and was 1 for 4 with a stolen base. Maxton Martin was 2 for 4 with a double.

Hub City box score

Frisco starter Aidan Curry allowed three runs in 5.1 IP, striking out four and walking three. Bryan Magdaleno threw 1.2 shutout innings, striking out four.

Dylan Dreiling homered.

Frisco box score

Josh Stephan started for Round Rock, allowing four runs, striking out three, walking three, hitting a batter and giving up a pair of homers. Rehabbing Chris Martin struck out two in a scoreless inning. Ryan Lobus struck out one in a scoreless inning. Michel Otanez struck out two in a shutout inning. Wilian Bormie threw a scoreless inning and struck out one.

Jarred Kelenic was 2 for 4 with a triple and a stolen base. Cody Freeman doubled.

Round Rock box score

DSL Rangers Red box score

DSL Rangers Blue were rained out.

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Trevor Bauer blasts former team after they ‘leaked stuff to the press,’ wishes he never ‘played for them’

Trevor Bauer of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on after giving up a hit during a game.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 12: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on after giving up a hit to Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers during...

Former Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer blasted the Los Angeles Dodgers as “a bunch of snakes,” saying the club abandoned him after he was accused of sexual assault — allegations that never resulted in criminal charges.

“I wish I never played for them because I think the organization treated me like s–t and I am not very happy with that,” Bauer said during an interview with YouTube channel “La casa de los Dodgers.”

The Southern California native joined the Dodgers on a three-year, $102 million deal in 2021.

Trevor Bauer told YouTube channel “La Casa de los Dodgers” this week that he regrets playing for the Dodgers because “I think the organization treated me like s–t” after he was accused of sexual assault in 2021. Getty Images

But his career began to unravel that May when a San Diego woman accused him of sexual assault during two encounters. Bauer denied the allegations.

He told “La casa de los Dodgers” that he was initially backed by the team.

Bauer, who won the National League Cy Young Award in 2020, claimed Dodgers manager Dave Roberts even hugged him and said, “‘Hey, we’re going to get through this together and we’re going to be a family.”

After a five-month review of the case that started with the Pasadena Police Department, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges, citing insufficient evidence.

Bauer said that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hugged him and said, “‘Hey, we’re going to get through this together and we’re going to be a family 
’” after authorities investigated him for sexual assault in 2021. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Bauer was suspended by Major League Baseball for 194 games under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy before being released by the Dodgers in January 2023.

He has since wandered from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league to the Mexican League to the independent minor-league Long Island Ducks. He is now back in the Mexican League.

Bauer doesn’t envision a return to MLB because it “will never allow that to happen.”

A league spokesperson referred The Post to a comment from a statement MLB made in 2024: “Trevor Bauer served the entirety of his discipline and is an unrestricted free agent available to sign a contract with any team.”

The Dodgers did not return a request for comment.

“The front office people, I wish them nothing but the worst 
 I think they’re a bunch of snakes,” Bauer said.

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Trail Blazers, city of Portland fight over paying for Moda Center upgrades, could owner try to move team?

This much is not in dispute: The Moda Center needs upgrades. The 31-year-old home to the Portland Trail Blazers feels dated the moment you walk in, both for a fan experience and the back of the house. Everyone agrees that renovations and upgrades are needed, with the NBA pushing to get it done.

The question of who is going to pay for that has led to a bit of an Old West showdown between the City and the Trail Blazers — in particular, new owner Tom Dundon — and has raised questions about whether his real goal is to move the Trail Blazers out of Portland.

What is the core issue?

The Trail Blazers want $600 million from various government agencies for renovations and upgrades to the Moda Center, which is owned by the city of Portland (it purchased it for literally $1 from the Paul Allen estate).

The Trail Blazers and billionaire owner Tom Dundon plan to contribute none of their own money.

"It feels like we're making a pretty big investment by staying here and paying these tax rates," Dundon reportedly said at a meeting of the Portland Metro Chamber being held at the Moda Center.

Government agencies have stepped up. The Oregon State legislature already approved $365 million in funding for the upgrades, but it's contingent on the City of Portland ($120 million) and Multnomah County ($88 million) pitching in as well. If either of the local entities does not pony up, the state money goes away at the end of 2026.

The Portland City Council has said that before it votes to approve its $120 million for the renovation, it wants a few things, including the Trail Blazers to tell them how they are going to spend that money and what the upgrades look like. The Trail Blazers have given no such plans, saying they already had a handshake agreement with the city to approve the funding, plus the city should pay for an architect to help come up with the plans for the building it owns.

That is not all. The city also wanted the Trail Blazers to sign a 20-year lease to stay in Portland, commit to using union workers for the renovations and at things like concession stands during games, and pay a $3 million-a-year fee to help offset the property taxes. The Trail Blazers have said those final two demands are a non-starter.

It should be noted that the city takes the bulk of the parking revenue from the building and there is a six percent fee on every ticket sold to a Trail Blazers game, with that money going back to upgrade the arena (reportedly $4 million last year).

This is usually the part where the two sides negotiate and come to a compromise, and a deal gets done. Except, there seems to be no negotiation and the Trail Blazers are playing hardball. With the state money going away at the end of the year, Dundon and the Trail Blazers believe they have all the leverage.

Would the Trail Blazers move?

What has some people on edge is that the Pacific Northwest has seen this movie before. From the outside, it's easy to see how Dundon appears to be using the Clay Bennett ownership playbook — he and his group bought the Seattle SuperSonics with the intention from the start of moving the franchise to Oklahoma City. Get in a fight with the city because the billionaire wants massive arena upgrades, and if you don't get your way, move the team (and the other owners will back you because they will want to leverage their cities in the future).

Maybe that is Dundon's ultimate plan, but executing it would be very difficult.

First, where would the Trail Blazers go? The two most logical destinations — Seattle and Las Vegas — are about to get expansion teams, and the other owners are not going to let Dundon get in the way of those expansion fees that will be a cash windfall for owners and franchises. One suggestion was that he could move the team across the country to Raleigh, North Carolina, where Dundon's NHL team, the Hurricanes, play. The problem there is the Charlotte Hornets are just 150 miles away and would have a say. Dundon lives in Austin, but the Dallas Mavericks are a couple of hundred miles away.

Second, speaking of expansion, the NBA is finally moving another team to the Pacific Northwest with the Seattle expansion team coming in a couple of years, helping deal with a travel issue for the league and the Trail Blazers — no team is more geographically isolated than Portland. Move them out and move Seattle in and the league has the same issue.

Finally, there is a process for moving a team. It involves the Trail Blazers formally applying to move (and paying $250,000), Commissioner Adam Silver putting together a committee of other owners to study the move, then that committee would make a recommendation to the other owners for a vote. One of the questions that committee asks is whether the city's fan base still supports the team, and that is without question in Portland. The fan base loves the Trail Blazers, this is a passionate group.

This process has stopped a team from moving before: In 2013, a group wanted to purchase the Sacramento Kings and move them to Seattle, but the league stepped in. Ultimately, with Silver in a lead role (as a deputy commissioner, David Stern was still running the show), they found a local owner in Vivek Ranadive who not only bought the team and kept it in Sacramento, but he ultimately built a new arena that is one of the best in the league.

What happens now?

Negotiations and votes.

Multnomah County commissioners have scheduled a vote on Aug. 6 on its $88 million in funding. Next, Portland's city council is scheduled to vote on its $120 million on Aug. 12, although that could be pushed back depending upon negotiations.

The real deadline is the end of the year, when the state funding goes away if the city and county haven't approved their deals.

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Long Island Nets notebook: Sources detail draft pick, E10 plans, Matt Macdonald buzz

Just like their NBA counterparts, the Long Island Nets are in rebuild mode. Of course, in the G League, teams are always in rebuild mode. Here’s what’s been going on.

The Nets’ organization has added another international prospect to its development pipeline as the Long Island Nets have selected French guard Tidjiane Dioumassi with the 13th overall pick in the G League’s International Draft, a source told NetsDaily.

Dioumassi went undrafted in June NBA Draft, prompting him to enter the pool for the G League’s International Draft, where Long Island swooped him up at No. 13 overall.

Long Island now owns Dioumassi’s G League rights if he elects to play in the league this season. A league source told ND that he will participate in training camp with Long Island and that he is expected to make the roster.

MacDonald in line for chief scout?

I’m told the decision to select Dioumassi was made by Long Island’s front office rather than Brooklyn’s. That office is spearheaded by Long Island GM Matt Macdonald and assistant GMs Kory Jones and Kyle Hines. who have good reputations around the NBA, particularly MacDonald.

All three are praised for their high character, while Jones and Hines are commonly referred to as fast risers in the front-office realm.

As we’ve reported, Macdonald’s name has circulated as a candidate for the Nets’ chief scout role, which has been vacant since Acie Law IV left the organization in May for Chicago. Based on what we’re hearing, I would tab him to be the favorite to earn that role.

Building a roster

It’s important to keep in mind that a lot can change before Long Island finalizes its final roster, including will the Nets find any players at team’s local tryout next month. Players they have rostered following the local tryout route include Terry Roberts, who has spent three years with the team; Patrick Gardner, a 7-footer on Egypt’s National Team; Jordan Minor, who had a rotational role during the 2024-25 season, and Craig Randall II, the league’s Most Improved Player in 2021-22.

We’re also told that Long Island utilized “practice players” last season. Players who didn’t earn roster spots but would practice with the team at the “Yes We Can Center” in Westbury. One of those players, James Montgomery, had first been discovered at the team’s local tryout last year, according to one source. So the local workouts can help the franchise and get locals an alternate route to pro ball.

The Newest Guy

Dioumassi, a 24=year-old French national who stands at 6’5” and 200 pounds, last played at Western Carolina University in the 2025 NCAA season. He averaged 8.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 36.4% from three in 29 games.

Prior to that, he spent two seasons at Southern University following two years in the JUCO ranks. Overall, he spent five seasons in the NCAA, putting him on the older side for a draft-eligible player.

Following training camp, Dioumassi and his independent representative, Stacey Leawood, will evaluate their options to see if it’s worth sticking around on Long Island or pursuing a career overseas.

Core emerging?

Beyond Dioumassi, Long Island’s core this season is beginning to become clearer.

Second-round rookie Tyler Bilodeau is expected to spend significant time with Long Island. Bilodeau signed a two-way contract right after being selected.

Chaney Johnson the other two-way, was excellent in Summer League, averaging 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 3.3 steals per game leading the 2026 NBA Summer League in that final category. He — and Bilodeau — can only be active for 50 NBA games before the team has to decide whether a standard deal with Brooklyn is in order.

The Nets still have one two-way spot vacant. Based on what we’re hearing, Grant Nelson appears the favorite to earn that contract. While he continues to recover from patellar tendinitis, also known as “jumper’s knee,” the Alabama product couldn’t participate in Summer League although he traveled with the team and was on their roster.

Dain Dainja has also emerged as a name worth monitoring. A Summer League invitee for Brooklyn, he popped in Sacramento and Vegas, the only non-contract player in the team’s rotation. He averaged 6.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.3 stocks (steals plus blocks) while flashing his physicality at 6’9” and 260 pounds along with a whopping 7’6” wingspan.

The 24-year-old spent last season with the Sioux Skyforce in the G League, the Miami Heat’s affiliate.

Beyond that, Long Island is expected to have multiple players on Exhibit 10 contracts, as has been the case in recent seasons. Three other players on the Summer League roster: 6’4” guard Dion Brown out of St Louis, 6’10” big man Duke Brennan from Villanova, and 6’9” forward Ben Humrichous a shooting specialist who player at Illinois.

All three had their moments in Summer League, although Humrichous showed the most scoring-wise and Dion Brown appeared to be a defensive sparkplug. He also finished Summer League with a triple-double.

Under the NBA’s current CBA, teams can carry up to six Exhibit 10 players into training camp. Exhibit 10 contracts include a bonus worth up to $85,000 if a player is waived and spends the required time with the organization’s G League affiliate. Sources told ND that the Nets are one of only a handful of organizations that fully guarantee every Exhibit 10 they sign, making Brooklyn an especially attractive landing spot for players who fit that mold.

Multiple agents have also told us they view E10 contracts as more player-friendly than two-way deals in certain situations. While two-way contracts pay way more (half of the league’s minimum every year), some teams can use them to build fences around players and rarely promote them to the NBA, which limits other teams from poaching them.

E10 players, though, remain NBA free agents. They can continue developing in the G League while remaining eligible to sign a two-way or standard NBA contract with any franchise at any point during the season. Over the past few years, Long Island has established a reputation as one of the best development systems in the league.

Big Question

Last year, with a record five first rounders, Brooklyn shuttled four of them to Long Island and back multiple times to help get minutes needed for development. Ben Saraf logged the most – 15 games. Will any of the players not named Egor Demin find themselves playing at Nassau Coliseum again? The same question can be posed about Joshua Jefferson.

Coaching changes

While Mfon Udofia, former LI head coach and a huge part of that, is now an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic, the organization promoted from within to land their next HC, Shawn Swords, who was Udofia’s No. 2 for the past three seasons.

Long Island also lost an assistant coach, Steven Kaner. He is now assistant video coordinator for the Atlanta Hawks.

Home Opener

Long Island’s home opener is Friday, November 13, at Nassau Coliseum.

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Tomas Nosek Signs With Hometown Team In Czechia After Winning Stanley Cup With Florida Panthers

A former member of the Florida Panthers who won a Stanley Cup with the franchise is heading back to his hometown team.

In Czechia.

Tomas Nosek, who spent two seasons with Florida and 11 in the NHL, has signed with HC Dynamo Pardubice of the Czech Extraliga.

The move was announced Friday by HC Pardubice.

Nosek, 33, is from Pardubice and has been playing in the team’s system since 2007, when he started with the HC Dynamo Pardubice U18 squad.

During his two seasons with the Panthers, Nosek played a total of 80 regular season games, accumulating three goals and 13 points while winning 49.9% of his faceoffs, primarily centering Florida’s fourth line when in the lineup.

He suited up for 16 games during the Panthers run to the 2025 Stanley Cup, logging three assists and laying out 44 hits.

When the time came for Nosek to spend a day with the Stanley Cup, he brought the trophy back to Pardubice, visiting his childhood rink and former high school before sharing the Cup with thousands of fans at the town’s historic PernĆĄtĂœnskĂ© Square.

For a man who clearly has a lot of love for his hometown, it’s very cool to see him take advantage of an opportunity to potentially finish his career there.

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Why You May Be Forced To Miss Three Canadiens’ Games This Season

If you’ve taken a closer look at the Montreal Canadiens schedule for this season, you might have noticed that two of the 84 games will be played on a Monday afternoon. One is on January 18 against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center, and the other is on February 22 against the Philadelphia Flyers at Xfinity Mobile Arena. There is also a Thursday afternoon game, played on New Year's Eve at 2:00 PM against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The game against the Sabres falls on Martin Luther King Day, which is a bank holiday in the USA but not in Canada, but the ones against the Flyers and the Bolts are not bank holidays in North America.

So why would the NHL schedule afternoon games then? NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly explained the reasoning behind it in the latest edition of The Eye Test Podcast hosted by Pierre McGuire and Jimmy Murphy. Essentially, the league has decided to design a package of weekday games to air at prime time in Europe without competition from European football, particularly on Monday nights.

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If you’re not keen about missing a couple of your favorite team’s games, you might have to get used to it, as Daly also stated that he thinks it’s inevitable that at some point, the NHL will expand to Europe. If that’s the case, there will be more weekday games for every team. Daly does acknowledge that there are still obstacles to making that happen in an 84-game season, but it’s interesting to hear that the League is studying the possibility.

Of course, should that happen, it would mean that every team has to travel to Europe during the season, and it’s hard to imagine them doing that to play a single game against one team. From a financial standpoint, it would make more sense to have at least a couple of teams overseas. However, for those teams, they would have to be on the road for months at a time to visit the league’s other franchises. It’s hard to imagine any player being keen on leaving their family behind for months
that’s no doubt one of the obstacles Daly was referring to. If players are reluctant to come to cities like Montreal because of the language, the weather and the taxes, I can’t imagine life on the road for months being a big selling point.

Of course, the impact could be diminished if the league were to create a whole division in Europe, but would that be a viable idea? What would it do to the quality of the on-ice product? An expansion with that many teams at once could really have a negative impact; the PWHL is doing a four-team expansion this season, and that’s a real concern. Hopefully the NHL takes notes.

For now, though, it may be time to look at your team’s schedule closely and start booking some days off if you don’t want to miss anything. On Monday, October 12, the Sabres and the Florida Panthers are playing at 1:00 PM in Buffalo. On Thursday, November 12 at 12:00 PM, the Carolina Hurricanes are playing the Seattle Kraken as part of the 2026 NHL Global Series. On Monday, November 30, the Ottawa Senators are visiting the Nashville Predators at 1:00 PM. On Monday, December 7, the Colorado Avalanche are visiting the New York Islanders at 1:00 PM. On Monday, December 14, the Sabres are visiting the Senators at 2:00 PM. On Monday, December 21, the Washington Capitals visit the Toronto Maple Leafs at 1:00 PM. On Monday, December 28, the Vegas Golden Knights are visiting the Minnesota Wild at 2:00 PM. On Thursday, December 31, there are five afternoon games featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Senators, the Hurricanes and the Detroit Red Wings, the Canadiens and the Lightning, the Capitals and the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the St. Louis Blues and the Golden Knights. It may be New Year’s Eve, but it’s not an official Bank Holiday in North America, and the list goes on in the New Year. Whichever team you support, be sure to plan ahead.

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.  

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SB Nation Reacts: contender status confirmed

Boston, MA - May 31: Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla talks with Brad Stevens, president of basketball operations during practice at the Auerbach Center. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images

Give us a minute. It’s been a summer.

Let’s get this straight. After coughing up a 3-1 lead to the 76ers in the first round of last year’s playoffs, we traded Jaylen Brown to Philly AND they added LeBron James? The Knicks are defending champs and Kawhi Leonard might be a Toronto Raptor again?

Like I said, give us a minute.

It’s now August and the dust has settled. We’re officially starting our offseason deep sleep until training camp in October, but before we go into a two- month basketball hibernation, let’s take stock of where we’re at.

First, the team deserves all the skepticism that the fans have had over the last few weeks. You don’t trade away a franchise cornerstone and MVP candidate without some blowback. Now, with some perspective, the move makes a little more sense. There’s a clearer three-year plan in place and we’re all slowly getting on board.

NBA media and analytics seem to be catching up with the Celtics’ summer, too. Considering everything that’s happened with roster and taking stock with the rest of the conference, Boston is still poised to have a very good season next year with the veteran additions of Paul George, Mitchell Robinson, and Mike Conley Jr. And with the continued development of the young core that pushed the Celtics to 56 wins last season, there’s no reason to think they’ll be any drop off.

Only time will tell if they’re championship level. Our friends at FanDuel have the Celtics (+1300) just behind the Knicks (+950) and Sixers (+1000) to raise Banner 19. Get on the bandwagon. I’ll save you a seat.

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Arenas wouldn’t let players who made under $5M speak directly to him

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 18: Gilbert Arenas speaks onstage during the Gil's Arena panel at the Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center on July 18, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Fanatics) | Getty Images for Fanatics

Former Washington Wizards star guard Gilbert Arenas was one of the NBA’s best scorers for much of the 2000s. Now that his career is over, he has gradually begun to reveal more about his life as Washington’s superstar during that time.

Recently, he was interviewed by Justin Edelman who hosts the Games With Names podcast. One of Arenas’ unwritten rules was that if a player didn’t make at least $5 million, that player couldn’t speak to him directly. A player who made at least $5 million could be an intermediary.

On the one hand, this rule can make Arenas look pretty bad. From the outside, we think that players on a sports team will at the very least will speak to each other when needed. But at the same time, Arenas gave insight on how superstars could effectively control a locker room. Let’s face it, a player on a minimum level contract just trying to make it in the NBA just wasn’t going to have the same cache as a player making a near maximum contract during that time.

While it is good to see Arenas reminisce his career now that it is in the rear view mirror, I think some things are best left off the record. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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How Max Shabanov's Islander Career Came Undone

In the summer of 2025, the New York Islanders signed highly-coveted Russian free agent forward Maxim Shabanov to a one-year deal.

Shabanov, who turned 25 early in the 2025-26 season, came in with a ton of promise and excitement, with some thinking he could become a clear top-six forward with electric skill.

The Islanders, however, had a crowded forwards room to begin the year, and Shabanov started hot.

He scored in his NHL debut and the Islanders' first game of the season, and played the first six games of the year, totalling three points.

Then, Shabanov suffered an injury and missed 12 straight games. In his third game back from injury, Shabanov torched the Detroit Red Wings for two goals and three points in a statement 5-0 win, playing over 14 minutes.

That moment felt like a breakout moment, and one he could springboard into future success:

Maxim Shabanov Breaks Out: Proves Why He Was a Sought-After Signee With Highlight-Reel Showing For IslandersMaxim Shabanov Breaks Out: Proves Why He Was a Sought-After Signee With Highlight-Reel Showing For IslandersMaxim Shabanov's dazzling skills, from pinpoint passes to highlight-reel goals, demonstrate the exciting offensive talent the Islanders secured.

One game later, Shabanov played a hair over 10 minutes in a 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

Shabanov played a total of 17 straight games after injury, posting two goals and seven points, including that Detroit game.

The Russian forward received inconsistent ice time and line mates, and couldn't establish a rhythm. 

After that 17th straight game, then-Islanders' Head Coach Patrick Roy opted to scratch Shabanov for one game, hoping to light a fire in his player.

Two games later, Shabanov started a three-game point streak, and put up five points in five games.

As the Islanders struggled in January, so too did Shabanov. Shabanov went eight straight games without a point, to go with a -3 and a lousy 3-4-1 record for the Islanders. Shabanov was scratched once in the middle of that stretch, and then once after.

Immediately after Shabanov got scratched for a third time, Islanders' General Manager Mathieu Darche went out and acquired Ondrej Palat, replacing Maxim Tsyplakov who had spent the year as the Islanders' 13th or 14th forward.

Palat entered the lineup regularly, and Shabanov exited. Later, at the NHL Trade Deadline, the Islanders acquired Brayden Schenn, adding another forward to an already crowded mix.

Before the acquisition of Palat in late January, Shabanov played 38 of the 52 games, missing 12 to injury and getting scratched twice.

Of the final 30 games the Islanders would play, Shabanov played just six games, scoring once and adding two assists.

Ilya Sorokin pointed out in an interview after the season that Shabanov needed more positivity and to work more to earn his place, and it's hard not to think he was speaking of this period.

Nonetheless, Shabanov ultimately became an unrestricted free agent after the Islanders did not tender him a qualifying offer, ending his time on Long Island.

The Minnesota Wild swooped in and gave him a one-year deal.

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Colorado Avalanche Top 25 Under 25: Honorable Mentions

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JUNE 4: Tobias Tvrznik poses for a portrait during the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine at Harborcenter on June 4, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Seven writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalanche organization as of September 1, 2026. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked.

A robust list of 35 players for this year’s ranking led to many more candidates than usual for honorable mention. It wasn’t an easy choice to identify who deserved special mention with what was a wide range of opinions on players from our voters which gave some top 25 support to each and every one of those 35 eligible names. Narrowing it down to just three who just missed the cut comprise a forward, defenseman and goaltender, showing there’s budding organizational depth at all positions.

Forward – Nolan Roed – St. Cloud State (NCAA)

Former seventh round pick from the 2025 draft Nolan Roed missed out on the top 25 by just one point after landing at #21 on our list last year. Roed had a good freshman year at St. Cloud State where he scored 18 points and five goals in 36 games. It was a hot start to his season which led to Roed getting named NCHC rookie of the week in late October but he cooled off a bit once conference play started in the new year. Roed has some versatility in his game with tenacity to get to the net front and scoring ability, which Colorado looks for in both Avalanche and Eagles forwards. The 20-year-old still has a long collegiate career ahead of him in hopes of impressing the Avalanche enough for a contract offer in the future.

Goaltender – Tobias Tvrznik – Wenatchee Wild(WHL)

The newcomer of our honorable mentions is one of the new goaltenders to the organization. Tobias Tvrznik was selected at 126th overall in the fourth round of the 2026 draft in his second year of eligibility after spending a year in the WHL with the Wenatchee Wild. There the 6-foot-four goalie put up respectable stats of 16-18-4, 3.10 goals against average and .913 on a not very good team and caught the eye of the Avalanche. He possesses the enticing qualities of size and athleticism that Colorado looks for in a prospects. Previously Tvrznik was playing in Czechia junior leagues and didn’t get enough exposure but was ranked eighth for North American goaltenders and was invited to the NHL draft combine in 2026. Colorado has added a lot of goaltending talent lately so it will be interesting to see where the 19-year-old goalie goes from here both literally and figuratively.

Left Defense – Saige Weinstien – Utah Grizzlies (ECHL)/Colorado Eagles (AHL)

It has been an interesting three years for Saige Weinstien since he was one of the rare rookie camp invitees who got offered a contract by the Avalanche at the conclusion of training camp in 2023. From there the six-foot-one left handed defenseman spent the next two seasons finishing his junior career in the WHL with Spokane and then he finally started playing pro hockey last season. There weren’t plans for Weinstien with the Colorado Eagles, therefore he was sent to the Utah Grizzlies in the ECHL and spent 30 games there and chipped in two assists. He did see three games of AHL action and scored his first professional goal in January, which was fun to see the more defensive oriented defenseman score. Weinstien didn’t play much in the spring and also dealt with an ankle injury.

The 21-year-old landed at #17 on our ranking last season but dropped out of this year’s version of the Top 25 Under 25 due to a lot of new faces added to the organization but also the uncertainty in Colorado’s commitment to and path to get Weinstien a job in the NHL. It’s a critical year ahead for him to make an impact in the AHL and hopefully get a look with the Avalanche in order to move up the organizational depth chart, which could get him back on our list.

The other seven players in the Avalanche organization are worth a mention include defensemen Gustav Stjernberg and Cole Tuminaro, goaltender Alexandre Raymond, forward Cooper Gay and defensemen Nikita Ishimnikov, Ondrej Ruml and Chris Romaine.