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Where is there the biggest room for improvement for VJ Edgecombe in his sophomore season?

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 02: Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers a three point basket during the third quarter of a game against the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at TD Garden on May 02, 2026 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. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a season of his larger-than-life personality and plays, it’s hard to imagine the Philadelphia 76ers without VJ Edgecombe now.

The No. 3 overall pick from the 2025 NBA Draft’s freshman season is behind him, and what a year it was. At just 20 years old, Edgecombe made his presence known in the league, starting with his very first game back on Oct. 22, 2025, when the Sixers opened their season with a visit to TD Garden and the Boston Celtics. Feels like a lifetime ago now, doesn’t it? Let me refresh your memory.

As the 2025-26 regular season was getting underway, the Sixers were trying to get Joel Embiid back to game speed (he played in the opener, but only for 20 lackluster minutes) and had Paul George sidelined for recovery from his summer knee surgery. Nick Nurse slotted Edgecombe in the starting lineup right off the bat, giving him the opportunity over returning players such as Quentin Grimes. Expectations and excitement for the rookie’s debut were high, with his drafting to the Sixers being the most positive thing the team had really experienced in over a year.

He not only met those expectations, but surpassed them. Edgecombe put up 34 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal in his first NBA contest, ultimately sinking two free throws near the end of regulation to secure the Sixers’ 117-116 victory. He shot 13-for-26 from the floor and 5-for-13 from long range while displaying fundamental skills and game awareness well beyond his years.

Right from the jump, we were given a glimpse into the things that would make Edgecombe shine throughout his first season — fearlessness, agility, intelligence, aggression, clutch gene, fundamental skill and more. He has proven himself to not only be an incredible athlete to say the very least, but one that is not only an offensive power but is a solid defender, active rebounder and all-around baller.

Fast forward to now, and Edgecombe has been named First Team All-Rookie after 75 games (all starting) averaging 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals for the Sixers. He shot 43.8% from the floor and 35.4% from long range (on a 5.6 attempts-per-game clip).

His numbers did dip during the playoffs — some more than others — but a major plus is that Edgecombe was able to rack up 406 minutes of postseason experience in his debut year. Speaking of minutes, the rookie ended up playing 2,623 minutes this regular season, the second-most minutes by a Sixer (behind backcourt-mate Tyrese Maxey with 2,661) and the 11th-most minutes of any player in the association for 2025-26. Not bad for a 20-year-old that came into the year in college condition, which is a world of difference from NBA-level.

OK, so he had a great rookie season, that much is clear. But now it’s time to look ahead and talk about what leaps Edgecombe can take for his sophomore year to build upon the good he has already started.

The main aspect of his game that I think provides the biggest room for improvement is Edgecombe’s on-ball scoring, namely his off-the-dribble pull-up game. We all know he is able to absolutely fly through defenses for an emphatic slam or even just to lay-it in with a nice touch. However, at times throughout his rookie season and especially in the playoffs, the Bahamian’s pull-up shooting could be a bit inconsistent and suffered noticeably the longer he had the ball or the more he dribbled before pulling up.

The effect was at its most significant during the postseason from long range, from whence Edgecombe shot just 29.2%. Looking deeper into that number, you’ll see he actually had shot 34.6% (18-for-52) from behind the arc on catch-and-shoots, but hit just 15.8% (3-for-19) on pull-ups. He sank 34.0% from three when he had the ball for under two seconds, but that dropped to just 18.2% when he had the ball for 2-6 seconds — and down further to 12.5% when he had the ball longer than 6 seconds.

The discrepancies were a bit less evident statistically during the regular season, but existed nonetheless. The reason to focus so specifically on his ability to dribble into pulling-up is that it is the type of skill that could provide a massive ceiling of improvement for a player with the existing skillset of Edgecombe.

Think of the amount of times that he and/or Maxey were able to poke the ball away on defense and get out ahead in transition. Of course, if you can just beat everyone down the court for a dunk or lay-in, that’s great… but if Edgecombe can improve his ability to dribble down the court and hit the brakes before the arc to pull up from there for three points instead of two, those extra points could add up quick.

Plus, him developing that pull-up comfortability will benefit him from absolutely everywhere on the floor, not just from long range. We have already seen Edgecombe’s ability to quickly dance his way through or around defenders in the mid-range to create shots out of thin air, but imagine him getting comfortable slowing that down just a tad to be able to sink even more of those shots. Scary.

Now, of course we’re talking about a 20-year-old going in to just his sophomore season, so obviously this isn’t the only thing Edgecombe has to work on, but it’s what seems to be one of the biggest rooms for improvement with the biggest potential impact for the boy from Bimini.

The best part about Edgecombe, I’d argue, are the things that inspire incredible optimism for his continued development as a pro, beyond just having a successful debut season: the work ethic, attitude and confidence that he carries himself with. I personally have zero doubt that the guard — who has already returned to the team’s facility for offseason workouts — not only wants to improve in any way he can, but will be absolutely grinding to make it happen for his sophomore season with the Sixers.

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Francisco Lindor's imminent Mets return could be last, best hope to save season

Sometime next week, assuming all goes well, Francisco Lindor will finally return to the Mets' lineup.

Few teams in baseball can assume all will go well less confidently than these Mets, who watched Juan Sotoreturn from the injured list one inning only to see Lindor join it the next. But barring more painful cosmic intervention, the Mets' franchise shortstop is playing simulated games this week in New York. A short rehab assignment could follow. By even the most cautiously optimistic measures, he is close.

The Mets have patched things together in the infield without him, thanks in large part to Bo Bichette’s recent history at shortstop and Brett Baty’s obvious comfort at third. Still, Lindor’s return will not cause any quarterback controversy: he will play shortstop when he returns and Bichette will go back to third base, according to people familiar with the Mets’ plans. In that way, the left side of their infield will finally look as they intended.

Now, Lindor will likely need more days off when he first returns than he would ever take normally. In those cases, Bichette can slide back to shortstop. But what his return will do, besides adding one more All-Star quality bat to a slowly coalescing lineup, is offer the infield more options.

The man most affected by Lindor’s return will probably be Baty, who will likely find himself at third base only on days Bichette or Lindor are serving as the designated hitter. But while Baty did not find much offensive success as he was moving around the field defensively earlier this year, the Mets did prepare him for that.

So he can spell Marcus Semien at second base when the 36-year-old needs a day off, or split time at first base with fellow lefty Jared Young, allowing Carlos Mendoza to play the hot hand and keep an added, credible lefty on his bench each night.

The ideal result would seem to be something of a five-man rotation through the four spots, one that keeps veterans rested while allowing Mendoza and Co. to maximize offensive matchups nightly. With an infielder available to serve as a designated hitter on a daily basis, MJ Melendez will likely be used more as a lefty off the bench. Mark Vientos’ path to infield innings and at-bats, meanwhile, will get even steeper.

All of that should help a Mets lineup that, while far more competitive in recent weeks than it was in the beginning of the season, has reason to expect its best days are arriving soon.

Bichette is finally hitting. Soto has not stopped. Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing have navigated slumps but also continue to work counts. Young has been a revelation. One more quality at-bat each time through the lineup will almost certainly help, and the Mets could use it: they have six weeks until the trade deadline, when David Stearns and/or Steve Cohen will have to decide whether this team is worth adding to or at least, not subtracting from. Lindor’s return should give them a better sense.

Because while the Mets have suffered injuries to projected starters all year, Lindor is the only one of those players who still seems certain to contribute in some form soon. Stearns admitted that Jorge Polanco will almost certainly be limited to DH duties when he returns from the IL, though when that will be and how compromised he will be by his ankle bursitis when it happens remains to be seen. Luis Robert Jr. has finally started baseball activities, but he seems a long way from playing in actual baseball games – not to mention the Mets’ outfield of Soto, Benge, and Ewing has emerged as a bright spot without him.

So Lindor’s return effectively signifies the arrival of the long-awaited calvary, such as it is. Maybe Polanco will return in some capacity, and that will help, but it seems the Mets cannot count on that now. Maybe Clay Holmes will be back from his broken leg sometime in late August, but by then the Mets’ fate might be sealed. So Lindor’s return is their best hope. It is possible they have never needed him more.

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Thoughts on a 4-2 Rangers loss

Jun 15, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Kody Clemens (2) puts out Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford (36) at first base during the sixth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Twins 4, Rangers 2

  • The Rangers did not get back to .500 on Monday.
  • It was one of those games.
  • A winnable game.
  • That was not won.
  • Particularly frustrating, as MacKenzie Gore pitched well, but had the misfortune of allowing the most momentum-shifting play in baseball in the first inning, an inning where he allowed half of the six baserunners he gave up in the game.
  • Rangers hitters made some good contact, had some hard hit balls that were caught, and ended up with just five hits.
  • When Joc Pederson hit the two run homer in the third to get the game back to 3-2, I thought, okay, things are headed in the right direction, the Rangers are going to come back.
  • The Rangers did not, in fact, come back.
  • The three run homer Josh Bell hit off of Gore in the first ended up being all the runs the Twins would need.
  • Gore, as I said, pitched well. You may wish to differ, saying that he gave up four runs, including two homers, and that is not pitching well. I get that.
  • But you allow just six baserunners, you strike out 10 batters in seven innings while walking two, you throw 70 strikes out of 102 pitches and get 17 swinging strikes…
  • That’s pretty good.
  • Its a reminder of how fine the margins in this game can be, how slight the difference between a win and a loss.
  • Gore, incidentally, got 11 swings and misses on his fastball. That’s a lot.
  • I decided to go look it up, and that’s tied for the 16th most swings and misses on a fastball (the four seam variety, to be clear — two seam fastballs are sinkers, and cut fastballs are cutters) by a pitcher in a game this season.
  • The top five are all Jacob Misiorowski games, ranging from 14 to 20 whiffs.
  • Four pitchers have 13 whiffs on their fastball in a game this year — Justin Wrobleski, Cam Schlittler, and Kyle Harrison (twice).
  • The six pitchers with 12 whiff fastball games are Jacob deGrom, Cole Ragans, Matthew Boy,d Schlittler, and Harrison (twice).
  • It was the 10th time that a pitcher has gotten 11 whiffs on their fastball in a game.
  • I’ve mentioned before that there’s a Derek Holland quality to MacKenzie Gore. There are instances where you watch him and think, he’s a legitimate TORP. And there’s instances where you watch him and think, he shouldn’t be in a major league rotation.
  • Let’s just hope Gore isn’t a hockey fan.
  • Joe Ross made his Rangers debut, with a scoreless, five pitch ninth inning, after Peyton Gray pitched the eighth.
  • That means that the Rangers have had both Ross brothers, Joe and Tyson, play in the majors for them.
  • I should go and see what other pairs of brothers have played for the Rangers.
  • MacKenzie Gore’s fastball topped out at 97.4 mph, averaging 95.9 mph. Peyton Gray touched 94.6 mph with his fastball. Joe Ross threw a fastball at 96.7 mph.
  • Jake Burger had a 104.9 mph single. Joc Pederson’s homer was 104.3 mph. Brandon Nimmo had a 103.9 mph fly out. Alejandro Osuna had a 103.2 mph GIDP. Elias Diaz had a single that was 101.2 mph.
  • Let us resume again the trek to .500.
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New York Yankees vs. Chicago White Sox: Series Preview

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 09: Braden Montgomery #24 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates his walk-off, two-run home run in the 10th inning against the Atlanta Braves in his MLB debut at Rate Field on June 09, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jayden Mack/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Over the weekend, the Yankees went into Toronto and picked up a very nice series victory. Despite still missing Aaron Judge, they took two out of three over the Blue Jays, using big ninth inning homers from Paul Goldschmidt and Ben Rice to take both games. Now, they’re set to return home for another series that, unexpectedly, features a battle of division leaders.

Starting tonight, the Chicago White Sox are in town for a three-game series. The White Sox have been notoriously bad over the last couple seasons, including a record-setting awful 2024. Yet, they’ve gotten off to a winning start to 2026, coming in at 38-32, tied with the Guardians for the AL Central lead. Offseason signing, Munetaka Murakami — who is on the injured list and will be absent for this series — has lived up to the hype, while they’ve gotten impressive performances out of a bunch of their young and upcoming talent, including last week when Braden Montgomery hit a walk-off homer in his MLB debut.

Can the White Sox continue their winning run to the season this week against the Yankees? Let’s take a look at what the pitching matchups have in store over the next couple days.

Tuesday: Gerrit Cole vs. Davis Martin (7:05 pm ET)

Cole is coming off the first meh start of his return so far. Against the Guardians last week, he was knocked out after just four innings. He only gave up two runs, it just came on five hits and two walks, driving up his pitch count for a guy still early in his return from Tommy John surgery. Between said surgery and just schedule luck, this will be the first time he’s faced the White Sox since August 2023, when Chicago actually got to him for four runs in seven innings.

Martin has been the ace of Chicago’s unexpected run, coming into this game with a 2.41 ERA and a 2.39 FIP in 13 starts. He also has a league-leading nine pitching wins, which no one would’ve guessed coming into the season. Those numbers are actually a little bit up from where he had been at the end of May, as he gave up six runs in 4.2 innings against the Twins in his first start of June. However, Martin responded by shutting out the Braves for six innings in his most recent appearance.

Wednesday: Carlos Rodón vs. Anthony Kay (7:05 pm ET)

In the second game of the series, Rodón will face off against his former team. His return from injury a couple weeks ago saw him get off to a rocky start, but he’s settled into somewhat of a groove of late. In his last four starts, Rodón has a 2.35 ERA in 23 innings. He’s still been walking a bit more batters than you would like, but he’s generally been able to work around them.

Kay is a former Mets first round pick who they traded to the Blue Jays for Marcus Stroman all the way back in 2019. Since then, he’s been around the majors a bit and in Japan for two years, before landing with the White Sox this past winter. With a 100 ERA+, he’s been about perfectly league average so far this season, although a 5.23 FIP suggests that he could be gettable.

Thursday: Ryan Weathers vs. Sean Burke (7:05 pm ET)

He’s still in the rotation for now, but recent starts suggest that Weathers will be headed for the bullpen whenever the Yankees get Max Fried back. Weathers has given up seven home runs over his last three starts, allowing a total of 16 runs in 17 innings across them.

Burke is another White Sox starter that has been right around league average so far this year. However, his numbers have come about with a bit of a slump following a good start to the year. Dating back to May 8th, Burke has a 5.82 ERA in seven starts. He’s been especially walk prone of late, issuing 10 free passes over his last two games.

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Mets Morning News: Seeing Red

New York Mets left fielder Juan Soto (22) is substituted as the Reds change pitchers in the seventh inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Monday, June 15, 2026. The Reds won the series opener, 12-0. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Meet the Mets

The Mets fell behind 9-0 in the first two innings and never recovered as they were bludgeoned by the Reds 12-0 in the first game of their three-day set at Great American Ball Park. The less we say about this one, the better.

Choose Your Recap: Amazin’ Avenue, MLB.com, Daily News, NY Post, ESPN, Faith and Fear in Flushing

The Mets congratulated the Knicks on their championship and looked to draw inspiration from their magical run to the NBA title, though they certainly didn’t do that last night.

The Mets made a few roster moves before the series began, including calling up Tobias Myers, who got rocked in 1 1/3 innings of work last night, and Jonathan Pintaro, who pitched in relief following Myers’ ineffective start. The club also sent Daniel Duarte down to Triple-A and placed Christian Scott on the IL with a right hip impingement.

The Mets announced that Kodai Senga would be starting tonight’s game for the team after the news of Scott’s injury.

Ronny Mauricio could start a rehab assignment towards the end of the week as he continues his recovery from a fractured left thumb.

The Mets claimed Zack Short off waivers from the Tigers and transferred Jorge Polanco to the 60-day IL.

Juan Soto is ninth in All-Star voting among NL outfielders, while Bo Bichette is eighth among third basemen.

Soto is taking pieces from his past as he mentors the team’s young outfielders, explains Laura Albanese.

Around the National League East

The Braves have shut down Spencer Strider for four weeks, and Strider says he is eyeing a late season return.

Atlanta’s JR Ritchie is ready to make the most of his second stint as a major league starter.

The Phillies blanked the Marlins 7-0. In the win, Philadelphia’s Number 6 prospect, Gabriel Rincones Jr., got his first hit, a home run, in his Citizens Bank Park debut.

The Nationals scored five in the fifth to top the Royals 7-3.

Around Major League Baseball

The MLB Power Rankings feature Atlanta retaining their top spot and the White Sox jumping 20 spots from where they were ranked on Opening Day.

The first update on MLB All-Star balloting was released, with Shohei Ohtani and Yordan Alvarez cruising atop their respective leagues.

Jared Greenspan broke down the closest races in Phase 1 of the ballots.

The MLB.com staff picked the biggest surprise for each team this season.

Max Ralph and Manny Randhawa made their latest predictions for this year’s All-MLB Team.

Sam Blum identified some cases of potential nepotism in baseball which are now standing out.

Adam McCalvy profiled two high school friends: Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby, who leads the NL in wins, and Landry Shamet, who just won an NBA Title with the New York Knicks.

The Giants are starting to test the waters on the trade market, according to Ken Rosenthal.

Padres reliever Ron Marinaccio was suspended for three games after hitting Gunnar Henderson with a pitch in their win against the Orioles last Saturday. San Diego skipper Craig Stammen received a one-game suspension.

San Diego placed closer Mason Miller on the bereavement list and recalled reliever Kyle Hart to take his place.

Corey Seager is heading to the concussion IL after a collision at the plate.

Texas Longhorns sophomore shortstop Adrian Rodriguez hit for the cycle in the team’s 14-2 victory. In the process, he became the third player to hit for the cycle in the Men’s College World Series.

The Cardinals blanked the Padres 3-0, as Dustin May hurled a complete game one-hit shutout.

The Cubs scored one in the eighth and two in the ninth to earn a 5-4 comeback win over the Rockies. Pete Crow-Armstrong hit for the cycle in the victory.

The Twins defeated the Rangers 4-2.

The Tigers beat up the Astros 9-3. Colt Keith hit three homers in the win, becoming the youngest Tiger to accomplish the feat since Al Kaline in 1955.

The Diamondbacks held off the Angels 4-3.

The surging Athletics broke out yet again for an 11-2 win over the Pirates, proving their offensive display in Vegas was hardly a fluke.

The Dodgers snuck by the Rays 4-3.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

I previewed the team’s series against the Reds.

Allison McCague brought us the position player meters for the week.

Linus Lawrence provided a Monday Stat Party.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 2024, the Mets topped the Padres 11-6 to complete a 5-1 homestand and make it five straight wins after Grimace threw the first pitch heard round the world. Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Luis Torrens each contributed a home run in the team’s victory.

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Today in White Sox History: June 16

Chicago White Sox outfielder Patsy Dougherty, circa 1910.
On this day 118 years ago, Patsy Dougherty led a mild offensive attack that helped stretch a White Sox win streak to 13 games. | (Photo by FPG/Getty Images)

1908
The number 13 proved lucky for the White Sox, as a 3-2 win over the New York Highlanders ran their winning streak to 13 games. Ed Walsh went the distance to improve to 14-3 on the season, while the Sox offense buffeted just five singles in the game with eight walks and five stolen bases. Patsy Dougherty and Jiggs Donahue had nearly identical starring turns, both going 1-for-2 with an RBI, two walks and a strikeout; the only difference came from Dougherty swiping two bases to Donahue’s one, plus a hit-by-pitch.

1969
By all accounts, during a horrible summer of baseball on the South Side, the White Sox found some relief — north of the Illinois-Wisconsin border. With an 8-3 win over the Seattle Pilots as one of 11 games played that season at Milwaukee County Stadium, the White Sox stretched their “Milwaukee White Sox” winning streak to five games (not consecutive wins, however, as each game at Milwaukee was a single contest, with the White Sox opposing every other AL team up north once during the season).

Chicago struck early and often, going up, 8-1, through three. Future Dodgers relief ace Mike Marshall took the brunt of the damage as Seattle’s starter, while the White Sox took advantage of three Pilots errors in the early going, and four total in the game.

The five wins equaled what would become the team’s longest outright winning streak (later that year, in September) and was not an indication of how good the team was; while this win improved the White Sox to 24-32, they still sat two games behind the expansion Pilots. In the end, the White Sox finished 1969 with a 68-94 record that was good for sixth place in the AL West and just four games better than Seattle.

1989
At 37, former Tigers farmhand Rick Wolff (drafted out of Harvard in 1972) makes a one-series comeback with the South Bend White Sox of the Midwest League (Single-A) for the purposes of a Sports Illustrated article. Wolff pinch-hit at the end of his first game, then starts the next two, batting ninth and then creeping up to eighth — and finishes the series 4-for-7 with a ground-rule double, three RBIs and a .571/.556/.714 slash line. His one error at second base comes when a pickoff throw travels through the pocket of his 20-year-old glove. Wolff himself was 15.1 years older than league average.

This was no end-of-season stunt in a lost season, a la Minnie Miñoso two decades earlier. South Bend won its division in 1989 with an 85-47 record, and featured such future White Sox as Scott Radinsky and Roberto Hernández, along with four other future major leaguers.

1997
After numerous charity and exhibition games, the White Sox and Cubs played for real for the first time in the regular season. The Cubs crushed their former starter, Jaime Navarro, jumping to a 6-0 lead and hanging seven earned on him in an 8-3 win. Lyle Mouton had a solo blast with the game out of hand in the sixth for the first Sox-Cubs interleague homer for the White Sox, while the Cubs went roundtripper-free in their first Crosstown interleague game. This was also the first interleague game ever played at Sox Park, and thus Mouton’s was the first home four-bagger in interleague play for the White Sox.

2023
The White Sox struck out 16 times in a 3-2 loss in Seattle against the Mariners. This came on the heels of striking out 16 times the night before in a 5-4 loss to the Dodgers in Los Angeles. That tied the club mark first set in 2018.

Another oddity was the Sox hit six home runs in the two games but because they couldn’t get runners on base, every single home run was a solo shot!

Luis Robert Jr. and Jake Burger both homered once over the two games — and struck out seven times apiece!

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Former Red Wings Forward Kyle Calder Passes Away At 47

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There is sad news to report on Tuesday morning with the passing of former NHL forward Kyle Calder, who spent part of his career with the Detroit Red Wings, at the age of 47.

The unfortunate news was confirmed by his daughter, Madison Calder, with a heartfelt post on Instagram. 

Born in 1979 in Mannville, Alberta, Calder broke into the game with the WHL's Regina Pats before eventually being selected in the fifth round (130th overall) of the 1997 NHL Draft. He would continue his career playing with the IHL's Cleveland Lumberjacks before eventually transitioning to the AHL's Norfolk Admirals. 

He would play several years as a member of the Blackhawks, which included a stint in the SHL with Södertälje SK during the 2004-05 NHL Lockout. 

His time in Chicago ended in 2006 when he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for forward Michal Handzus. As part of a three-team trade, he would be sent back to Chicago at the 2007 NHL Trade Deadline, who immediately flipped him to the Red Wings in return for Jason Williams.

Ironically, Calder's first game as a Red Wing took place in Chicago at United Center against the Blackhawks, and he scored a goal just 1:45 into the contest, converting on a centering feed from Johan Franzen. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

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He played in 19 total regular season games with the Red Wings, scoring five goals with nine assists. He also had an assist in 13 postseason games as Detroit advanced to the Western Conference Final. 

Not retained by the Red Wings after the 2007 postseason, he signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings. He would spend time with both the Kings and the Anaheim Ducks organizations, and later played 13 games in the KHL with Barys Astana. 

In 590 career NHL games, Calder scored 114 goals with 180 assists, and added two goals and one assist in 18 career Stanley Cup Playoff games. 

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Florida Panthers Among Teams With Shortest Odds To Win 2027 Stanley Cup

It’s time to start looking ahead to next season.

Now that the Stanley Cup has been awarded, there is nothing left for teams to do except gear up for the future.

Next week, the 2026 NHL Draft will take place in Buffalo, and a few days later, the new league year begins on July 1 with the start of free agency.

There are going to be plenty of changes across the league landscape between now and Opening Night in October, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start predicting who is going to win the next Stanley Cup.

That’s right, official betting odds on the next Cup winner are out.

Checking in with BetMGM, the official betting partner of The Hockey News, the favorite to win the Stanley Cup didn’t even reach this year’s Final.

The favorite to win the 2027 Stanley Cup Final is the Colorado Avalanche, coming in at +700.

This year’s champion, the Carolina Hurricanes, are next at +750.

As for the Florida Panthers, they come in with the fifth-shortest odds to win the Cup next year, which isn’t bad considering the Cats didn’t even make the playoffs this past season.

For Panthers fans who are feeling confident that a healthy Florida squad will get back to their Stanley Cup winning ways, they can lock it in at +1100 odds, the same as the Edmonton Oilers.

Only the aforementioned Avalanche and Hurricanes, and the Vegas Golden Knights at +1000, come in with shorter odds than Florida and Edmonton.

To check out the full list of teams and where their odds stack up, visit the BetMGM hockey futures page here.

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ATlanta Braves News: Drake Baldwin is Back, Spencer Strider Gets Positive News, More

It was an off day for the Atlanta Braves but also a positive one in terms of injury updates on Monday. Drake Baldwin is back, returning from a 4-week absence due to an oblique strain. Spencer Strider will not need surgery, but instead will be shut down for four weeks and then will be on a rehab plan to hopefully return later in the year. It seems wise for the Braves to add him to the list of pitchers they hope to get some value from this season but are not relying on.

Braves News

Austin Wynns was outrighted to AAA in the corresponding move for Baldwin.

Ronald Acuna Jr., Drake Baldwin, and Ozzie Albies are currently projected as starters for the NL in the All Star Game.

The Braves week ahead includes are a highly intriguing matchup with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Here is a scouting report on potential draft target Tyler Bell of Kentucky.

Carlos Carrasco is once again back with the organization.

MLB News

The Giants could be open to trading several of their expensive vets.

Rangers placed Corey Seager on concussion IL.

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Wings Things: A lesson from the Nova Knicks’ championship team

Jun 1, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) and guard Azzi Fudd (35) walk back on to the court during the first half against the Seattle Storm at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Dallas Wings want to win, and the New York Knicks’ championship run teaches the Wings that a cohesive bunch of college teammates can indeed translate to success in the professional ranks.

While the Wings were playing the Portland Fire on Saturday night, the Knicks were playing the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. After a 94-90 win over of the Spurs, the Knicks won their first NBA Championship since 1973.

Jalen Brunson finished with 45 points on 14-of-27 shooting from the field and was awarded the Finals MVP trophy after the Knicks secured the Game 5 win.

Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges combined for 27 points in support of their Villanova teammate. It was not the first time that Bridges and Hart helped Brunson in a critical game.

Hart scored 12 points while Brunson scored four points in the 2016 National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and the North Carolina Tar Heels. Kris Jenkins hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for a dramatic 77-74 win in that one.

Bridges scored 19 points, and Brunson chipped in nine in the 2018 National Championship between Villanova and the Michigan Wolverines, as Donte DiVincenzo led the team with 31 points in the 79-62 victory.

Bridges, Hart and Brunson won in college. The Knicks decided to see if the trio could do it in the NBA, and it worked.

The Knicks signed Brunson as a free agent on June 30, 2022 — Mavericks fans will no doubt remember that one. The signing came after Brunson was part of the supporting cast surrounding Luka Doncic in Dallas during the 2021-22 playoffs. Brunson averaged 21.6 points per game and helped Dallas defeat the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs. He scored 41 points in Game 2 and 31 points in Game 3 as Doncic sat those games out with injuries.

Because of Brunson’s playoff success with Dallas and his two National Championship rings, the Knicks decided to give the keys to Brunson. At the time, New York had not won a playoff series since the 2012-13 postseason, and the Knicks believed Brunson could change that. He lifted his game to a new level as soon as he got to New York.

After averaging 16.3 points and 4.8 assists per game in the 2021-22 season, Brunson finished his first season in New York averaging 24 points and 6.2 assists per game.

The Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals with the help of Hart, who New York traded for on Feb. 9, 2023. During the playoff run, Hart averaged 10.4 points while Brunson averaged 27.8 points.

In the 2023 offseason, the Knicks signed DiVincenzo, bringing another Villanova teammate. All of a sudden the New York Knickerbockers were known as the “Nova Knicks.”

The Knicks finished with 50 wins and returned to the playoffs. During a playoff run that ended with a loss in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, DiVincenzo averaged 17.3 points per game, Hart averaged 14.5 points per game and Brunson averaged 32.4 points per game

In the 2024 offseason, Bridges was brought in through a trade with the Brooklyn Nets. Then, DiVincenzo was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves to bring Karl Anthony-Towns to New York.

After a 51-win season, the Knicks made it to the playoffs and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Nova Knicks continued being a bright spot for New York as Brunson averaged 29.4 points per game, Bridges averaged 15.6 points per game and Hart averaged 11.6 points per game in the playoffs.

This season, New York won 53 games and returned to the playoffs. Once again, the Nova Knicks dazzled in the postseason. Brunson averaged 28.4 points per game, Bridges averaged 13.5 points per game and Hart averaged 10.4 points per game.

Betting on team chemistry and success in college led to the Knicks becoming a consistent playoff team, leading to an NBA Finals run.

The plan started with Brunson, who evolved into a top-guard in the NBA. Then, New York added players to help with the scoring as well as defense with Bridges and Hart. The trio already knew each other and how to win.

New York took a gamble with adding players from a specific college team, and it was new to the NBA. The Wings did the same thing with pairing Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers. Both were drafted number one overall in the WNBA Draft after the duo starred at UConn.

In the 2024-25 season, Fudd and Bueckers won the National Championship under Geno Auriemma in the third season Fudd and Bueckers played together.

UConn lost 15 games during that three-year run. In comparison, the Wings have lost 65 games combined over the last two seasons as well as not being in the playoffs since 2023.

You might call Bueckers the Jalen Brunson of this iteration of the Wings. She is becoming one of the best players in the WNBA, just like Brunson in his ascendancy.

It is not as easy to compare Fudd to one of the other Villanova players because she is still navigating through her rookie season. Fudd has shown glimpses, but she is not a finished product like Bridges and Hart were when they joined Brunson in New York. But the flashes Fudd shows portend big things — she could end up being much more than a role player.

While the Nova Knicks were important to the championship run, OG Anunoby and Karl Anthony Towns were added to the roster and were important pieces to help New York break its 53-year drought. New York also changed coaches.

The Wings understood the roster needed work and brought Jessica Shepard and Alanna Smith to Dallas. They also hired a new coach. Jose Fernandez has installed an exciting offense in his first year with the team that seems to be addressing the team’s lack of 3-point shooting in the prior two seasons.

Shepard is off to a record start, while Smith has started slowly. The roster will most likely need more changes for Dallas to compete in the playoffs and eventually win a championship. It took a while for the Nova Knicks, but the UConn guards are already impacting Dallas with a strong start to the season. Time will tell if the Wings can replicate the Knicks’ success.

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Facing the Blue Jays, can the Red Sox win a second straight home series?

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 07: The Toronto Blue Jays mascot waves a flag during the MLB baseball postseason Wild Card game 1 between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays on October 7, 2022, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Red Sox did the near-unthinkable: they won 2 games in a row at home! A whole series! And it was against a team right in the playoff mix and just 1.0 game back for the lead in the AL West. At 35-36 the Rangers just left Boston under .500.

Also under .500 are the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays are sitting at 34-38, which isn’t great. They were down to the final outs of a World Series and are now sitting on the outside looking in, hoping they can turn things around in the remaining 90 games. Boston is 3.0 games back of Toronto and Baltimore. Despite a better run differential and expected winning percentage than those teams, the Red Sox are in last place in the AL East. This is a very important series for the bottom three AL East teams. Unfortunately, the Jays, decimated by injuries, are bringing some good pitchers.

Dylan Cease was their big acquisition last winter and he’s pitched like an ace. An ERA under 3.00, 103 strikeouts in 68 innings. But the Red Sox got to him in April. Over 5.2 innings, Cease allowed 4 runs, all earned. His second highest runs allowed of the year after a 5-run outing against the Yankees in May. He spent a couple weeks on the IL before his last outing: 6.0 innings, 1 run against the Phillies. Hopefully the Sox offense is prepared.

Payton Tolle is coming off maybe his most disappointing start of the season. And it was still a 6-inning outing where he allowed just 4 runs against Tampa Bay. He faced the Jays on April 28 and allowed 3 runs over 4.2 innings. That was his lone start on 4 days rest. He’ll have 6 days this time. In a very small sample size discussion, the two teams he’s faced twice – Atlanta and Tampa – have had more success the second time. Considering the first time was Tolle on shorter rest, there probably isn’t much to read into even that limited data point.

Max Scherzer is probably not long for MLB at this point. He started the season with 6.0 innings against the Rockies and tossed 6.0 against the Diamondbacks on April 18 but around those starts has tossed 10 total innings across 4 starts with a lengthy IL stint that cost him all of May. He hasn’t faced Boston this year. In 2025 he made one start in September against the Sox going 5.0 innings while allowing 4 runs in an eventual 7-1 loss. He’ll face Jake Bennett, who is at the other end of his career: the beginning. In three major league starts he’s gone 5.0 innings twice and 5.1 once. With Brayan Bello in the minors, Bennett has time to prove himself. And even 4 runs is better than some of the Bello starts (not his solid relief outings).

Trey Yesavage burst onto the scene in September 2025 and pitched in the World Series. Expectations were sky high. Injuries kept him out for most of April, but he’s been pretty good until recently. In his season debut he shut down the Sox for 5.1 innings, striking out 3, walking none, and not allowing a run. His most recent two starts haven’t gone well: 11 runs in 10.2 innings against the Orioles and Yankees with 8 of each Ks and BBs. Sonny Gray was excellent against the Texas Rangers, holding the club to a single run in 6.0 innings. He struck out 7, which has become more of a weapon again since his return from the IL. Gray was on the IL during the first series against the Blue Jays so he hasn’t faced them this season.

The Jays have a franchise record of 3889-3894 so a winning season for them could flip them into positive over their history.

Vlad Jr. has just 3 homers on the season.

Ernie Clement leads the league with 20 doubles.

New third baseman Kazuma Okamoto has slugged 15 homers.

George Springer had a bounceback 2025 but is hitting just .208/.303/.354 on the season.

Probable Pitching Matchups

Tuesday, June 16: Dylan Cease (2.91 ERA / 2.36 FIP) vs. Payton Tolle (2.70 ERA / 2.71 FIP)

Wednesday, June 17: Max Scherzer (10.23 ERA / 8.79 FIP) vs. Jake Bennett (5.28 ERA / 3.89 FIP)

Thursday, June 18: Trey Yesavage (3.78 ERA / 3.59 FIP) vs. Sonny Gray (3.03 ERA / — FIP)

When/Where to Watch

Tuesday, June 16: 6:45 PM ET on NESN

Wednesday, June 17: 6:45 PM ET on NESN

Thursday, June 18: 1:35 PM ET on NESN

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Tommy Edman isn’t the only Dodger working his way back

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 27, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernández (37) gingerly walks back to the dugout after injuring a hamstring running to first base in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on May 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

After Miguel Rojas hit the second pinch-hit home run of his career to win Monday night’s game in the seventh inning, here are a few Dodgers news and notes for a Tuesday morning.

Switch-hitter Tommy Edman is expected to be activated off the injured list on Tuesday after missing the first 73 games of the season following right ankle surgery in November. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Monday at Dodger Stadium that Edman will be eased back in, and will start Wednesday against Rays left-hander Drew Rasmussen. Sonja Chen at MLB.com has more on what the versatile Edman will bring to the roster.

Because Edman is on the 60-day injured list, the Dodgers will need a corresponding roster move to create space on the 40-man roster in addition to the decision required to add him to the active roster. Roberts said Monday night that Santiago Espinal will be designated for assignment, which would satisfy both requirements.

Outfielder Teoscar Hernández, out since May 28 with a left hamstring strain, might start a rehab assignment this weekend. Also in Doug Padilla’s injury rehab roundup at the Orange County Register, Edwin Díaz is expected to face hitters this week for the first time since right elbow surgery in April.

Roberts will manage the National League All-Star team next month in Philadelphia, the fifth time he will be at the helm of a midsummer classic as the previous year’s pennant winner. Bill Shaikin at the Los Angeles Times went through the NL options for starting pitcher, and wondered if Roberts would choose Yoshinobu Yamamoto over Shohei Ohtani if it came down to that.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame has a series on its website called Card Corner, in which they use a baseball card as a jumping off point to explore a player’s career. The latest such card is a 1970 Topps Bill Russell, and Craig Muder wrote about the career about the first member of the famed Dodgers infield from 1973-81, and who played 18 seasons with the Dodgers, tied for the most in franchise history.

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UConn, Kentucky big men among players Lakers must target with No. 25 pick in draft

When it comes to making offseason NBA roster improvements, the paths are clear even when the eventual outcomes aren’t.

There are unrestricted free agents. 

There are restricted free agents. 

There are trades.

Kentucky’s Jayden Quaintance (left) didn’t play much due to an ACL injury sustained at Arizona State, but he is an intriguing NBA draft prospect. Getty Images

And then there’s the draft — the most volatile path when factoring in that NBA franchises are taking shots on players who are typically teenagers or in their early 20s.

But the Western Conference finals between the Spurs and Thunder showed how consequential the draft can be for setting up short-term and potential long-term success. Especially in the modern NBA in which teams’ spending and roster machinations can be limited depending on whether they’re over the first or second apron. 

And after their last two first-round picks haven’t produced in the ways they’ve hoped (2023 pick Jalen Hood-Schifino, no longer in the NBA; 2024 pick Dalton Knecht, fell out of the rotation last season), the Lakers can’t afford to whiff with the No. 25 pick in the NBA draft in less than two weeks. 

Who should the Lakers target with their first-round pick?

Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky big

2025-26 stats: 5 points, 5 rebounds, 16.8 minutes

Measurements: 6-foot-9 (without shoes), 253 pounds, 7-foot-5 ¼ wingspan, 9-foot-1 standing reach  

The skinny: Quaintance started his collegiate career at Arizona State, where he quickly became one of men’s college basketball’s most versatile defenders. But he suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in February 2025 during his freshman year with the Sun Devils, cutting his first collegiate season short. Quaintance only played 67 minutes across four games with Kentucky after making his season debut in the Dec. 20 win over St. John’s because of swelling in his right knee. His medicals and health will be a significant factor in where he winds up being drafted, but Quaintance’s shot blocking, defensive switchability, athleticism and finishing could make him an impactful player as a rookie. 

Tarris Reed Jr. of the UConn Huskies goes up for a shot surrounded by Seton Hall players. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Tarris Reed Jr., UConn big

2025-26 stats: 14.7 points, 9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2 blocks, 27.3 minutes

Measurements: 6-foot-9 ¾ (without shoes), 263 pounds, 7-foot-4 ¼ wingspan, 9-foot-2 standing reach  

The skinny: Reed played collegiately at Michigan for two seasons, including a full-time starter as a sophomore, before transferring to UConn for his last two seasons. He led the Big East in field-goal percentage in 2025-26 at 60.7, showcasing good touch around the basket after powering his way toward the rim. He weighed in as the second-heaviest player at the NBA draft combine, and he uses his strength very well on the interior as a scorer or rebounder. 

Chris Cenac Jr., Houston big

2025-26 stats: 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 24.8 minutes

Measurements: 6-foot-10 ¼ (without shoes), 239 pounds, 7-foot-5 wingspan, 9-foot-0 ½ standing reach  

The skinny: Cenac was a consensus five-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, immediately starting for a Houston team coming off a runner-up finish in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. His mix of size, fluidity and athleticism make him an intriguing long-term prospect. But he needs to get stronger. Although he likely won’t be ready to contribute to an NBA team as a rookie, taking a patient approach with his development may be worth it.  

St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor dunks the ball during game action against the Duke Blue Devils. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s big

2025-26 stats: 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.1 blocks, 30 minutes 

Measurements: 6-foot-7 ½ (without shoes), 245 pounds, 7-foot-2 wingspan, 8-foot-11 standing reach  

The skinny: Ejiofor played for the Red Storm under Rick Pitino the last three seasons after starting his college career at Kansas. Though undersized, Ejiofor projects to be a versatile defensive big man who can switch 1-5 and protect the rim because of his motor, strength, length, quickness, awareness and IQ. He’s a more limited offensive player because of his lack of shooting but can make up for it with quick decision-making as a passer and sound screening, which further unlocks his playmaking. 

Allen Graves, Santa Clara forward

2025-26 stats: 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.8 assists, 0.9 blocks, 22.6 minutes

Measurements: 6-foot-7 ¾ (without shoes), 225 pounds, 7-foot wingspan, 8-foot-10 ½ standing reach  

The skinny: Graves was the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year and an All-WCC first-team honoree after putting up tremendous counting and advanced stats coming off the bench for the Broncos. His combination of size, defensive playmaking, shooting, passing and general all-around skill set made up for his lack of traditional athleticism.

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NBA Column: It’s Okay to Root for Good People

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: Owner, Glen Taylor of the Minnesota Timberwolves presents Karl-Anthony Towns #32 with the NBA Cares Community Assist award on December 17, 2021 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

This isn’t just another puff piece by a Minnesota Timberwolves fan celebrating Karl-Anthony Towns.

As much as I would love to flood the internet with more positivity and reveling in Towns’ most recent accomplishment, I’ve actually been thinking about why I’ve been rooting for Towns to win the championship this postseason.

When watching an NBA game, my flowchart of “Who am I rooting for?” has usually gone something like this:

  1. Are they the Timberwolves?
  2. If they aren’t, which team’s victory/loss would benefit the Timberwolves more?
  3. Which team’s victory/loss would lead to the Timberwolves catching fewer straws?

*Just as important, everything would be inverse if you replace Timberwolves with Lakers

During the 2026 NBA Finals, all indications should’ve pointed towards me rooting for the San Antonio Spurs. If the Spurs won it all, it would likely mean they would keep the team together. A team that the injury-riddled Wolves took to six games (astronomical point differential aside). A San Antonio loss would likely prompt them to add more firepower in the offseason, rebalancing their roster along the way. Additionally, Minnesota losing to the eventual champs sounds a lot better than losing to the eventual runner-up.

Additionally, a New York Knicks victory should be to the Wolves’ demise. Fans and talking heads would be champing at the bit to ridicule Minnesota for giftwrapping banner number two to New York in the form of Towns. In fact, Towns would be just the latest top-10 draft pick that the Wolves failed to build around, then traded, and then won the Larry O’Brien Trophy in just two seasons with their new team. Meanwhile, the bulk of the Timberwolves’ offseason content is about how they can try to trade one of the players they received in that very same trade.

By this logic, rooting against the Knicks should have been a no-brainer.

However, I still found myself pulling for New York. I was willing to ignore my aforementioned flowchart even if it came at the expense of my favorite team. Why was watching Towns claw his way towards a title with the Knicks so much different than, say, Andrew Wiggins with the Golden State Warriors four years ago? I’ve met both players face-to-face multiple times, and they were always nothing but pleasant to me. They both tried, to the best of their own respective abilities, to win in Minnesota without ever the peep of a trade request.

It was because of how I personally viewed these individuals as humans.

My admiration for Towns has already been detailed here on Canis Hoopus. He’s someone who, by multiple accounts, is a grade A person off the court. Whether it’s been within the local Minnesota community or as someone who regularly uses his platform to uplift the disenfranchised, Towns is someone that I’ve always been proud to root for. It’s always been about more than basketball with him.

Conversely, I wrote a whole piece about players I love rooting against four years ago. So much angst, Leo! So, have I just become soft now? Has the birth of my first child turned me into a “snowflake” who just wants everyone to get along? I doubt that very much.

Leo S post on BlueSky stating: “Eat shit, Draymond Green.”

What I’ve grown to realize over the years is that everything shouldn’t have to be in binaries. Just because I was rooting for Towns didn’t mean I was rooting against the Wolves. That didn’t even mean I was rooting against Victor Wembanyama, who was openly critical of ICE activity in Minnesota, nor the Spurs franchise, who are one of the NBA organizations most openly critical of our current government.

On the flip side, rooting for Towns didn’t mean I was rooting for former Wolves assistant coach Eric Daniel “Rick” Brunson, given the previous sexual assault allegation raised against him. It didn’t mean I was rooting for James Dolan and his laundry list of transgressions (including an eerily similar SA allegation). There are often both good and bad people on both sides. And there are usually more than just two sides.

Can I root for an athlete even if they play on a team with a rotten owner, or have rotten teammates?

Can I root for a musical artist even if they’re signed to a rotten label?

That’s perhaps a different discussion for another day, but in this particular case, I find it easier to cheer for and follow athletes who are simply good people and not overanalyze the rest.

People like Ricky Rubio, who has had huge success the last couple of years playing with his first professional team, Joventut Badalona (sadly, they just got eliminated in the semi-finals of the Spanish Liga ACB playoffs), while continuing to do great work in the cancer research arena with his foundation.

People like Gorgui Dieng, who has continued to pour into his home country of Senegal, uplifting the youth and sports communities along the way. This is why Canis Hoopus writes stories about these former players, all three of whom were recipients of NBA Cares Community Assist awards.

There will always be people who root for players for different reasons. Some may root for players that have an aesthetically pleasing style of hooping (Curry, Kyrie). Some may root for players of the high school jock ilk (Kobe, or the ringless Jimmy Butler). Some may not even care about the players themselves, as long as they help bring a championship to your favorite team.

People will try to change you or ridicule you for your choice.

But this is a reminder that it is always okay to root for good people.

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Ranking NBA Draft Prospects By How Well They’d Fit In Washington

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 24: AJ Dybansta #3 of the Brigham Young Cougars warms up before their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Delta Center on October 24, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We are a little under a week away from the 2026 NBA Draft and that means we are getting a little closer to seeing the Washington Wizards make one of the most important picks in their franchise history, with the #1 overall pick in the draft. This draft is littered with some amazing talent, but there are certain players who fit this roster better than others. Let’s break down the top draft prospects’ fit on this roster as well as what FanDuel has as their odds being picked by the Wizards at #1.

1. AJ Dybansta

CHICAGO, IL – MAY 12: AJ Dybantsa looks on during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 12, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Why does AJ Dybansta fit in so well with the Wizards core? Let’s start with his positional length. The Wizards have built a team that has the ability to play multiple positions on both sides of the floor. Having a 6’9” athletic wing fits into the archetype that this front office has sought after in each of the past few drafts. Dybansta also has the offensive potential to be a #1 option. The Wizards just don’t have anyone with the combination of size and scoring prowess on the roster currently, which makes Dybansta a great fit for this team.

His ceiling as an offensive player is much higher than anyone on the current roster. Adding AJ could also create a positional mismatch on most nights that the team lacks at times. At his best, Dybansta could make the Wizards an elite offensive team, with the potential of being a strong contributor on defense as well.

FanDuel Odds for Being the #1 Pick: -450

2. Darryn Peterson

Is Darryn Peterson more like Kyrie Irving or Devin Booker? | Getty Images

There is a lot of controversy about Peterson’s time at Kansas, but make no mistake about it, the talent is there. Even with the athleticism already on the roster, Peterson would be arguably the most athletic of the bunch. Combine that with his ability to attack off the dribble, you would be adding a player that can go get his own shot at a moment’s notice.

Peterson does not possess the positional size that Dybantsa has, but because of wing span (6’9”), he still has the ability to guard multiple positions and allows the Wizards to mix and match him in match ups that would allow the team to throw multiple defenders at the other team’s best ball handlers. Peterson has the best all-around game of the top prospects and is a tough choice to turn down.

FanDuel Odds for Being the #1 Pick: +320

3. Caleb Wilson

CHAPEL HILL, NC – FEBRUARY 07: Caleb Wilson #8 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles around Cameron Boozer #12 of the Duke Blue Devils on February 07, 2026 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 71-68. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Are you surprised to see Caleb here? Although Cameron Boozer is the more polished player coming out of college, Wilson fits the current Wizards roster better, in my opinion. Can you imagine a front court rotation of Alex Sarr, Anthony Davis and Caleb Wilson? You would have three bigs who are athletic enough to guard on defensive switches on perimeter players. This would help them hide some of their weaker defenders, like Trae Young, by having two rim protectors on the court at a time.

Additionally on offense, Wilson’s rim-running style compliments Alex Sarr quite well. This combination allows Wilson to play to his strength offensively, while allowing Sarr to keep the spacing on the floor, playing more as an offensive “stretch 4”. If this team does not see Anthony Davis on the team beyond the next year or so, Wilson provides a strong replacement and maintains strong depth in the front court.

FanDuel Odds for Being the #1 Pick: +8000

4. Keaton Wagler

Like many teams, the Wizards current roster is not built around the idea of having a traditional point guard. Having the ability to have multiple ball handlers, who can also play off the ball, helps the team find continuity on the offensive end. That’s where Illinois guard Keaton Wagler could fit in. Wagler had a strong showing in the NCAA tournament, while helping the Illini get to the Final Four. While he does not possess the athleticism the previous three options has, his ability to fit next to players like Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Trae Young, etc. would greatly enhance the depth at the guard position.

Perhaps not likely an option if the Wizards stay at the #1 pick, but if the Wizards ever did decide to trade down, Wagler would be a good option that has a mature enough game to be an instant contributor.

FanDuel Odds for Being the #1 Pick: N/A

5. Cameron Boozer

I have Boozer lower on this list just strictly off of his ceiling. Boozer was an excellent college player with high basketball IQ, capable of doing a little bit of everything, but the reality is the NBA is largely about how well you can guard your position and possible other positions when you are forced to switch on defense. He does not possess the athleticism to project to be a good defensive player at the NBA-level. Offensively, Boozer has a strong lower base that will allow him to be an effective post player. He also possess high basketball IQ and is a great shooter.

On the Wizards, Boozer has the ability to compliment Alex Sarr. His overall skill set offensively makes him a great fit in the front court on this team. Boozer has a mature post game that gives him a unique skill set that this team simply does not have a lot of.

With all of this in mind, Boozer is a safe pick. He is not likely to be a superstar, but he has the ability to be a contributor right away. He is not likely to be the #1 pick, but if the Wizards decide to choose him, they would have a player who is a sure thing.

FanDuel Odds for Being the #1 Pick: +2200