Looking back on the 2023 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers were arguably lucky to have drafted Matvei Michkov in the first place, and in a new do-over, they are not as fortunate this time around.
The Athletic prospect expert Scott Wheeler just released his 2023 re-draft, three years on from what has shaped up to be, so far, a pretty decent class, especially at the top.
There are no real surprises to start off: Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson, Adam Fantilli, and Will Smith each go to their respective, current teams with the first four picks.
Then the re-draft truly begins at Pick 5, where Matvei Michkov goes to the Montreal Canadiens, two spots ahead of where he originally fell to the Flyers three years ago.
"It’s easy to forget that we’re only a season removed from him having 63 points in 80 games as a rookie, the Flyers’ second-leading scorer, and the fourth-place finisher in Calder Trophy voting, but last year some of his issues caught up with him. It’s now on him to get his game right in some important areas," Wheeler said of Michkov.
"I still think he has point-per-game, first-line wing offense, but he was closer to the few names behind him here for me than the few names in front of him — and remains a complicated risk-reward slotting."
Ok, so with Michkov off the table, going where many had expected (or hoped), who do the Flyers end up drafting instead? Stylistically, this player is a direct replacement.
With the seventh overall pick in 2023, Wheeler has the Flyers drafting New York Rangers winger Gabe Perreault, who was originally drafted 23rd, with Michkov off the board.
Ironically, the Flyers had the chance to draft Perreault much later than the seventh pick a few years back, but they opted to go with defenseman Oliver Bonk with the 22nd pick instead.
Wheeler originally ranked Perreault seventh in his final rankings in 2023, and in those rankings, he was given quotes such as: “He’s likely going to be the fourth player from the national program picked because his game is believed to be less projectable. I’m less and less convinced of that," “He’s a better skater than he gets credit for," and "There might not be a player in this draft class who thinks the game offensively at his level.”
"Those are direct from my final draft ranking in 2023, and they hold true today. I don’t write a 'prospects I was right about' piece opposite my 'prospects I was wrong about' but … I’m going to be right about Perreault," Wheeler asserted. "I nailed this one, and I’m proud of it. If you watched some of his games late in the year with the Rangers, you’ll know."
Perreault, 21, played 49 games for the rival Rangers last season, scoring 12 goals, 15 assists, and 27 points with an even plus-minus rating of 0, all while recording just 10 penalty minutes and scoring at a 16.4% clip.
Purely in terms of hockey sense and the way he sees the game offensively, Perreault is up there with Michkov, and in Wheeler's do-over, the Flyers do well securing their alternative with Michkov off the board to the Canadiens.
And as for the Flyers' second first-round pick in this re-draft, Bonk does not make an appearance in the top-32 for Wheeler.
Instead, with the 22nd pick, the Flyers actually go with one of their own, drafting goalie Egor Zavragin 65 slots earlier than they had in the real thing.
Also notable: Denver Barkey moves all the way up to 31, where Colorado takes him. That would be a nightmare if it had happened in real life.
There are only 10 teams in action today, but there are still some hurlers worth putting our money on, with multiple MLB player props showing value.
Shane Bieber might get hit around, but he will have a great leash. Brandon Pfaadt doesn't miss bats and is an Under candidate, and Ian Seymour has plenty of outs for his walk prop.
These are my favorite MLB strikeout props for Thursday, July 23.
Best MLB strikeout props and starting pitcher picks today
Player
Pick
Odds
Shane Bieber
Over 4.5 strikeouts
+125
Brandon Pfaadt
Under 3.5 strikeouts
-111
Ian Seymour
Over 1.5 walks allowed
+115
Strikeout prop: Shane Bieber Over 4.5 strikeouts (+125)
I have a lot of exposure to the Tampa offense today, but Shane Bieber getting extended might be the sneaky angle. His projected pitch count around 90 is already showing some value on the Over punchouts.
Bieber has been getting hit hard, but the recent strikeout numbers are encouraging with 10 Ks over his last 10+ innings.
He can still be a strikeout-per-inning pitcher when the stuff is there, and he has already reached 97 pitches in one of his five starts this season. A six-inning leash is very realistic. He still owns a 27% CSW rate over some rocky outings.
The Rays are heading home, creating a getaway-game angle that should help Bieber. He is also much tougher on left-handed hitters, and Toronto's only available lefty out of the bullpen is Brendon Little and his 17.61 ERA.
The Blue Jays also used six relievers last night, which only increases the chance Bieber gets every opportunity to work deep.
Do I think Bieber can get hit? Yes. Do I think he has enough leash to reach six innings and strike out five at plus money? Also yes.
If the stuff is there, this could cash comfortably. If he gets hit, the volume still gives him a chance. I'm playing this to +100.
Time: 3:07 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Rays.TV, Sportsnet
Strikeout prop: Brandon Pfaadt Under 3.5 strikeouts (-111)
Brandon Pfaadt is the definition of a pitch-to-contact starter. He is averaging just half a strikeout per inning this season and rarely gets to those deep two-strike counts needed to pile up Ks.
Nick Martinez leads MLB in pitches per plate appearance among qualified starters at 3.5, but Pfaadt isn't far behind at 3.6. He is not one of the league leaders in making hitters work, and that doesn't translate into strikeouts.
The innings can be misleading because Pfaadt gets deep by letting hitters put the ball in play early, not by overpowering them. The projections show value on his Under 3.5 strikeouts, but they are based on a 91-pitch workload that feels aggressive.
Pfaadt has thrown 87, 77, and 72 pitches over his last three starts and hasn't recorded more than 16 outs in any of them. I'm playing the Under 3.5 Ks down to -120.
Time: 5:15 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Cardinals.TV, DBACKS.TV
Walks allowed prop: Ian Seymour Over 1.5 walks allowed (+115)
Ian Seymour has not gotten deep over his last two starts, throwing 61 and 78 pitches, but he has hit this Over in both of those games.
His control away from the Trop is also favorable, as his BB/9 on the road sits at 4.8 vs. 2.6 at home. That's 11 walks in 18 road innings.
Toronto might not be the best BB% team in baseball, but this offense is more than struggling and has to see pitches today vs. a struggling pitcher with control issues.
THE BAT is projecting 85 pitches and 1.74 walks, making the break-even price around -115/-120.
Time: 3:07 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Rays.TV, Sportsnet
Josh Inglis' 2026 Transparency Record
Prop picks: 4-5, -1.23 units
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Jordan Walsh already was going to be back in Boston next season, the team had picked up his $2.4 million option, but now he is going to be a fixture on the wing there for years.
Walsh and the Celtics agreed to a three-year, $16 million extension, something first reported by NBA insider Chris Haynes and since confirmed by other reports. The first two years of this deal are fully guaranteed, with the third being a team option. This locks Walsh in with Boston for at least three more years at a very affordable price for a rotation player.
Walsh played in 68 games last season for the Celtics, averaging 5.4 points and four rebounds a game, and his 3-point shot has improved, with him knocking down 38.4% from beyond the arc last season. However, his defense was really his calling card. He is a high-level on-ball defender on the wing, which is where Joe Mazzulla leaned into him.
LOOK AT THE DEFENSE FROM JORDAN WALSH
Celtics are 8-2 with Walsh in the starting lineup and he's showing why on Prime!
Walsh is a credit to Boston's player development program. He was drafted No. 38 in the second round and traded to the Celtics a week later, and they signed him to a minimum contract and brought him along slowly (he played just nine games his first year). By last season, he had a steady role with the Celtics.
While Jaylen Brown is out the door, Celtics president Brad Stevens has been locking up a group of affordable wings who can play a role for the team. Walsh joins Ron Harper Jr. as getting a new, longer-term deal this summer, Boston still has Hugo Gonzalez on a rookie contract for three more years, and a year from now they can extend Baylor Scheierman.
MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 02: Mario Hezonja of Real Madrid gestures after losing the Spanish basketball League Liga ACB Endesa Quarter Finals Game 1 between Real Madrid and La Laguna Tenerife at Movistar Arena on June 02, 2026, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo By Irina R. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images
The Sixers have one open roster spot at the moment, and it’s fairly obvious whom they’re saving it for. But if LeBron James chooses to sign elsewhere in free agency, then what?
The free-agent market has largely been picked over at this point. A handful of big names are still unsigned, although James Harden and Draymond Green are just biding their time until LeBron decides before they re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, respectively. Neither are legitimate possibilities for the Sixers.
The Sixers already split their non-taxpayer mid-level exception between Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons, and they spent a portion of their bi-annual exception on Ariel Hukporti. As a result, they are now hard-capped at the $209 million first apron from now through June 30, 2027. They only have enough space under the first apron ($3.4 million) to offer a one-year, veteran-minimum contract to any free agent.
With that said, Dalen Terry is on a fully non-guaranteed contract, while only $250,000 of Jabari Walker’s $2.6 million salary is guaranteed. Regardless of what happens with LeBron, the Sixers could still make a few moves around the margins this offseason.
Here’s a look at some of their best remaining free-agent options.
Nick Richards, C
The Sixers aren’t really planning on going into the season with Hukporti, Adem Bona and Johni Broome as their only backups to the oft-injured Joel Embiid… are they?
Perhaps they believe the 7-foot Hukporti has some untapped upside, but he was the New York Knicks’ third-string center last year. Not having a veteran option to push Bona for the primary backup job could come back to bite the Sixers if (when?) the oft-injured Embiid misses time.
Nick Richards is likely the best remaining solution in free agency. The 28-year-old isn’t anything flashy, but he’s a steady presence who averaged 9.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in only 24.3 minutes per game with the Charlotte Hornets and Phoenix Suns between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
Richards fell down the Suns’ pecking order last season, but he put up 9.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in only 22.4 minutes per game across 20 appearances with the Chicago Bulls after they acquired him ahead of the trade deadline. However, if you thought advanced analytics hate Jaylen Brown, you should steer clear of Richards’ Dunks and Threes page.
Mario Hezonja, SF
Eleven years after the Orlando Magic selected Mario Hezonja with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2015 draft, Super Mario is reportedly headed back stateside, as Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews was first to report.
Latest on former No. 5 overall pick Mario Hezonja per league sources:
🏀 Hezonja indeed expected to rejoin the NBA for the first time since 2019-20.
🏀 Multiple NBA teams have shown interest in the Real Madrid forward.
Hezonja has spent the past four seasons with Real Madrid and is fresh off being named the MVP of the Liga Endesa in Spain. In 80 games across all competitions this past season, he averaged 15.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 made threes in only 23.1 minutes per game.
Hezonja came into the NBA looking like a prototypical shooting wing, but he shot only 31.9 percent from deep over five years between the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers. He shot above 39.0 percent from beyond the arc in both 2022-23 and 2023-24 during his first two seasons with Real Madrid, although his percentages dipped over the past two years.
Wing is one of the Sixers’ weakest positions behind Jaylen Brown, unless Justin Edwards takes a major leap forward or they land LeBron in free agency. Hezonja is no LeBron, but the former top-five pick would be a relatively low-risk, high-upside gamble, especially on a minimum deal.
DeMar DeRozan, SF
Since only $10 million of DeMar DeRozan’s $25.7 million contract was fully guaranteed in 2026-27, the Sacramento Kings opted to waive him as they attempted to get their 25-win team below the luxury-tax line. On a minimum deal, he’d be a steal anywhere.
DeRozan is an anachronistic player. He rarely shoots threes and tends to dominate in the mid-range, but he also averaged 18.4 points per game while shooting 49.7 percent overall in his age-36 season last year. However, he’s been one of the league’s worst defensive players over the past few seasons, according to some advanced metrics.
The Sixers already have to figure out how to split touches between Brown, Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe in their starting lineup, not to mention Simons and Labaron Philon Jr. off the bench. One could argue that the last thing the Sixers need is another high-usage player, especially one who’s a defensive liability. But if nothing else, DeRozan could soak up minutes during the regular season to avoid Maxey and Edgecombe getting overworked.
DeRozan did overlap with Nurse in Toronto for a few years before Nurse took over as head coach, so the two have plenty of familiarity with one another. The Miami Heat are also viewed as “a real possibility” to sign DeRozan if they whiff on LeBron in free agency, according to Barry Jackson of Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, so he might wind up being the consolation prize for whichever team loses the King James race.
Kelly Olynyk, C
Kelly Olynyk played sparingly behind Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet this past season. But he’s only one year removed from a four-year stretch in which he averaged 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in only 23.3 minutes per game across four teams.
Olynyk turned 35 in April, so he isn’t suited for a major role at this point of his career. He could potentially fill the Andre Drummond job of stopgap starting center whenever Embiid misses time, but he’d otherwise compete with Bona, Hukporti and Broome for minutes behind the big fella.
Olynyk is a career 36.9 percent shooter from deep, so the Sixers could have a legitimate five-out look with him on the floor. Bona and Hukporti both likely have the edge on him defensively at this stage of their respective careers, but Olynyk’s long-range shooting could help him carve out a role regardless.
Spending five of their 15 roster spots on centers wouldn’t be great from a positional allocation standpoint, although the Spurs just did so and made it to the NBA Finals. But if the Sixers aren’t confident in the Bona-Hukporti-Broome trio as Embiid’s backup options and they can’t land Richards, Olynyk may be the next-best realistic option.
Jae’Sean Tate, SF
Jae’Sean Tate has spent all six of his NBA seasons in Houston, and his role has gradually declined each year. This past season, he averaged a career-low 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 8.8 minutes per game.
In Houston, Tate was buried behind Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant and Josh Okogie since Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason and Steven Adams soaked up most of the frontcourt minutes. In Philly, Edwards might be Tate’s only real competition to be Brown’s primary backup.
The 30-year-old Tate is a career 30.9 percent three-point shooter on low volume, which is the main drawback from the Sixers’ perspective. However, he’s been a plus defender for most of his career.
Given the Sixers’ lack of wing depth, Tate could be a welcome addition on a minimum deal.
Ochai Agbaji, SG/SF
In the last few years of Daryl Morey’s tenure, he turned the Sixers into the Land of Second Chances for recent first-round picks. Could Mike Gansey do the same with Ochai Agbaji?
The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Agbaji with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2022 draft. Two months later, they shipped him to the Utah Jazz as part of their blockbuster trade for Donovan Mitchell.
Agbaji never found his footing in Utah, which led the Jazz to trade him to the Toronto Raptors midway through his second season. He averaged 10.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.6 made threes and 1.5 assists in 27.2 minutes per game during his lone full season in Toronto, but he was once again on the move this past season as part of a tax dump.
Shooting has always been Agbaji’s swing skill, and he shot a career-worst 26.6 percent from deep this past season between Toronto and Brooklyn. The 26-year-old may never live up to his predraft pedigree, but he has great size and athleticism for a wing. He isn’t much of a threat on the ball or as a passer, but the Sixers could do far worse than signing him to a minimum deal and plugging him into a low-usage, three-and-D role.
Amir Coffey, SF
Behold, another desperate attempt to plug the Sixers’ hole at the wing.
Amir Coffey spent the first six seasons of his NBA career with the Los Angeles Clippers before splitting this past season between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns. He’s a streaky long-range shooter, but he did knock down nearly 40 percent of his three-point attempts between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns.
Like Tate and Agbaji, Coffey isn’t much of a threat on the ball either as a scorer or a passer, but the Sixers wouldn’t ask that of him. He isn’t a standout defender by any means, but he isn’t a glaring target, either.
The 29-year-old has played sparingly in the playoffs, although he did average 18.7 minutes per game during the Clippers’ first-round loss to the Dallas Mavericks in 2023-24. He could be some veteran insurance for the Sixers in case Edwards doesn’t take another step forward this season.
Bruce Brown Jr., SG
Bruce Brown Jr. might be waiting for Peyton Watson’s future to get resolved before he re-signs with the Denver Nuggets. But if he gets priced out there because of apron concerns, he’d be a welcome addition in Philly.
Over the past four seasons, Brown has averaged 9.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 26.2 minutes per game while shooting 47.1 percent overall and 35.2 percent from deep. Though he stands only 6’4″ and 202 pounds, he’s able to defend anything from point guards to small forwards.
Among the remaining wing options on the market, Brown might be the best passer by far. Coffey has the edge on him as a long-range shooter, although Brown did drill 38.5 percent of his looks from deep last year.
As an added bonus, Brown signing with the Sixers would likely lead to a lot of diaper-wetting in Denver.
Scanlin, who played three seasons at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, signed with the New York Rangers organization following the conclusion of the 2021-22 collegiate season.
Over his five years with the Islanders' cross-town rivals, Scanlin has played in 255 AHL regular season games. He did play one NHL game with the Rangers during the 2023-24 season.
Very small slate, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities to attack! There are still plenty of solid looks across the board for us to cash in on for the day.
Over his last five starts, Bieber owns a 5.70 ERA, 7.35 xERA, and 1.73 WHIP. During that stretch, opposing hitters have generated a 53% hard hit rate and nearly a 12% barrel rate against him.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay has been seeing the ball extremely well over the last week, posting a 144 wRC+, .373 wOBA, and .850 OPS. With the way Bieber has been pitching lately, this feels like a great spot to fade him this afternoon.
I would play this prop down to -120 if I had to.
Time: 3:07 p.m. ET
Where to watch: RAYS, Sportsnet
Junior Caminero Over 1.5 Total Bases (-110)
Rays superstar Junior Caminero enters Thursday with one of the highest matchup ratings on Batters-Box, while covering 71% of Bieber’s pitch mix.
On top of that, he has strong trends when elite on the road, surpassing this prop 60% of the time when elite, while also leaving the yard 30% of the time across 20 elite road games.
This season, through 33 elite rated games, Caminero has gone over this prop 54.55% of the time while leaving the yard 24.24% of the time.
The Rays slugger has been on an absolute tear over his last 30 at-bats against right handed pitching, posting a .375 BA, 1.042 OPS, .457 wOBA, while generating a 52.6% hard hit rate and 10.5% barrel rate.
As for Bieber, right handed hitters have been crushing him this season, producing a 55% hard hit rate, 12.5% barrel rate, and 60% elevation rate. On top of that, they own a .402 xBA, .732 xSLG, and .470 xwOBA against him.
Caminero is one of my favorite looks on the board today, and I would pay this down to -120.
Time: 3:07 p.m. ET
Where to watch: RAYS, Sportsnet
Brandon Pfaadt Under 3.5 Strikeouts (-111)
Everyone’s favorite pitcher during the 2023 MLB playoffs, Arizona Diamondbacks right hander Brandon Pfaadt, is who we are fading this evening by taking the under on his strikeout prop.
Sure, the young right hander has pitched well over his last few starts, but he still owns just a 15% strikeout rate across his last 5 outings.
Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals have been fantastic at making contact at home, sporting a 77.5% contact rate. Over their last 6 games, that number sits at 76.7%.
With a sub 20% strikeout rate at home this season, I expect the Cardinals to minimize the whiffs and put plenty of balls in play against the Diamondbacks right hander.
Play this down to -115 at the most.
Time: 5:15 p.m. ET
Where to watch: CARD, ARID
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
Prop picks: 330-620, -4.2 units
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Could the Boston Red Sox land their shortstop of the future at this year’s MLB trade deadline?
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto has been linked to Boston as a potential trade target, and the discourse is growing louder with the Aug. 3 deadline looming. The Red Sox could use an upgrade to their middle infield, and the 25-year-old Neto fits what they’re looking for as a premier right-handed bat.
Boston reportedly tried to trade for Neto in the offseason, but L.A.’s price was too high. Now, with the Angels cruising toward another last-place season, it sounds like they’re open for business (via ESPN):
“(John) Mozeliak, brought in as a consultant and interim general manager about a month ago, is very open to trading controllable players if the right offers materialize, according to people who have spoken with him in recent days. …
“Mozeliak could be tempted to take advantage of what is expected to be a major sellers’ market, especially with the knowledge that the Angels are not a year away — or two, or potentially even three — from legitimate contention.”
Is Neto the kind of player the Red Sox should be pursuing ahead of the deadline? We assessed the potential move below:
Slugging shortstop
We advocated for a Neto trade back in May because of the power he’d bring to one of the league’s worst lineups. The 2022 first-round draft pick tallied 23 homers in 2024, 26 in 2025, and has 19 so far this year. He posted a WAR over 5.0 in each of the last two seasons.
Neto has struck out an American League-leading 141 times this season for a K rate of 31.5 percent. Then there’s the defense at shortstop, where he ranks near the bottom of the league in Outs Above Average (-8).
Where does he fit?
Neto has exclusively played shortstop throughout his four-year big-league career, so it’s safe to assume that’s where he’d play in Boston. That would raise obvious questions about Red Sox veteran shortstop Trevor Story, who’s expected to return from injury later this season and is under contract through 2027.
While Neto would be an upgrade over Boston’s current shortstop options, top prospect Franklin Arias could reach the MLB club as soon as next season. Would Arias shift over to second base? And if so, would it be wise to force another top infield prospect to change positions upon reaching the majors given what the club just went through with Marcelo Mayer?
Contract situation
Neto and the Angels avoided arbitration with a $4.15 million deal for 2026. He’s under team control through 2029.
What would he cost?
The price has probably come down since the offseason, but as a talented 25-year-old shortstop under contract for the next three years, Neto will still cost a pretty penny.
The Angels are likely years away from fielding a competitive ballclub, so they’re expected to want a package of top prospects in return. Since Arias is almost certainly off the table, Boston could offer a package headlined by one of their top pitching prospects — Anthony Eyanson or Kyson Witherspoon.
Verdict
A decent Plan B or C.
If the Red Sox are going to give up the farm for a big bat, we’d prefer one of the power-hitting catchers we’ve already covered — Hunter Goodman (Rockies) or Shea Langeliers (Athletics). If they’re off the table, or Neto would cost significantly less, we’d make the move for the Angels shortstop.
While Neto would undoubtedly help the Red Sox this season, it’s understandable to feel uneasy about his long-term future with the club. His alarming strikeout rate and poor defense are legitimate red flags. That said, beggars can’t be choosers, and Neto would instantly become the best hitter in Boston’s lineup alongside Willson Contreras.
But Bronny asserted that he doesn’t know where his dad will land when Twitch streamer biggy22x pressed him about it when he spoke to the 21-year-old Lakers guard on Wednesday night.
The streamer seemingly saw Bronny on the street, asked him a generic question about motivating the youth, then asked, “You think your dad [is] going to the Warriors?”
Bronny laughed and said, “Man, I don’t know where he going! But that would be crazy if he did.”
LeBron and Bronny James look on from the bench during a Los Angeles Lakers game. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Any inside information that Bronny has was not going to be shared in a random interview as his dad keeps the NBA waiting on his free-agency decision after he and the Lakers parted ways this offseason.
The Warriors have been linked to James for most of the offseason with the tantalizing idea of James joining forces with Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.
However, Golden State does not appear to be the favorite to land James.
Instead, the Cavaliers, 76ers and Heat appear to be the top three options for the 41-year-old James.
Bronny James responds to a streamer’s question about LeBron joining the Golden State Warriors.LeBron James raises his arms when answering a question at Fanatics Fest. Andrew Schwartz / SplashNews.com
Bronny’s future is perhaps most tied to LeBron’s decision as many believe he could be traded to whichever teams signs him.
However, the California Post’s Khobi Price reported the Lakers are fond of Bronny and have been impressed with his development since taking him in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.
Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane celebrates after scoring his goal against the Minnesota Wild during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in Chicago on Friday, May 2, 2014.
In a year full of negatives, Blackhawks fans finally have something to smile about Thursday.
Patrick Kane is back.
The team announced Wednesday that Kane agreed to a two-year deal with an average annual value of $8 million.
Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks juggles the puck during warm-ups prior to an NHL game against the Calgary Flames on Jan. 28, 2014 in Calgary. Getty Images
The 37-year-old is a Blackhawks legend, winning three Stanley Cups with the team after being selected with the first pick in 2007.
Kane spent 16 seasons with the Blackhawks and was the heart and soul of a team that made the postseason nine straight times.
He’s second all-time in points (1,225) for the team behind Sam Mikita, has the third most goals (446) in franchise history and has played in the third-most games (1,161).
The winger also racked up several awards during his first Blackhawks stint, including the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2016, Conn Smythe Trophy in 2013 and Calder Memorial Trophy in 2008.
After the Blackhawks entered a rebuild in 2023, Kane was traded to the Rangers, where he scored five goals in 19 games.
He then spent the last three seasons with the Red Wings, tallying 57 goals and 106 assists.
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said he didn’t foresee the team bringing back Kane in 2024, but changed his opinion on the situation before signing him this week.
“We’ll await his decision, but he knows our door is always open,” Davidson said on the radio show OverDrive on TSN 1050 Toronto. “He’s a Blackhawk at heart for life, even if he’s not wearing our jersey. We’ve got a great deal of reverence, respect, and love for Patrick Kane, so we’ll leave him to that decision, and we’ll see where he ends up when that day comes.”
Kane’s decision was in fact the Blackhawks, and he joins a rebuilding team coming off a 29-39-14 season.
He will also play with rising star Connor Bedard for the first time after Bedard was drafted by the Blackhawks in 2023.
Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane celebrates after scoring his goal against the Minnesota Wild during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in Chicago on Friday, May 2, 2014. AP
“I can’t imagine his first game back at the [United Center], just the reaction he’d get and how much juice that would bring not only to our team but our fans as well,” Bedard told reporters of Kane. “That would be incredible to get to play with him and learn from him.”
The Blackhawks may be in for another rebuilding year, but fans will at least get to see Kane possibly end his career with the team it all started with.
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - MARCH 12, 2026: Kristian Campbell #28 of the Boston Red Sox bats during the sixth inning of a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins at Lee Health Sports Complex on March 12, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The doubleheader against Jacksonville (Marlins AAA) could not have been a more night and day tale of two games. This game made the most of some Vinny Capra and Kristian Campbell RBI knocks in the fourth and Blake Wehunt overcame giving up a first inning home run to have a solid, if short, start. He’s impressed thus far in Worcester, and I’d imagine we could see him in some mop-up capacity in Fenway going down the stretch. As a whole, the six hits Wehunt allowed were the only ones Jacksonsville got and the WooSox slammed the door.
Just seven innings, and the two teams combined for twenty five hits, sixteen walks, twenty three at-bats with runners in scoring position, and three home runs, again showcasing a Kristian Campbell RBI opportunity in the fourth to pull the team ahead. Jacksonville was absolutely trying to preserve its pen as they let their starter wear it through almost four innings, and Campbell’s home run would end his outing. The WooSox used five pitchers and just grinned and beared it through the power of their offense. Let me be clear: the headline is a tad deceiving. Without Campbell’s home run, the actual heroic moment Mickey Gasper had in the bottom of the seventh would have had no chance to happen. Campbell did score on that bases-clearing walk-off knock Gasper had by sticking out a gutsy walk, but when the team scores 13, you have to hand it to everyone on the offense.
Hayden Mullins was a victim of circumstance; he struck out eight through five scoreless innings, allowing just two base runners, but did not get a decision due to the team going hitless with runners in scoring position. Matt Frazier and Brooks Brannon each took the Rumble Ponies (Mets AA) for doubles; neither scored, and those were the only extra-base hits to speak of.
Greenville’s blistering start saved what could have been a bullpen meltdown by Joe Vogatsky, and Calvin Bickerstaff shoved for thirteen scoreless outs to give the Drive enough of a chance to pull further ahead, a lead that Spartanburg (Astros High-A) could not recover from. But Justin Gonzales and Yoelin Cespedes pulled the Drive wayyy ahead early with some of what would end up being three hits a piece, including Cespedes’ 17th home run of 2026 and Gonzalez’s 13th. The Drive would be up 10-0 after 3 and even the Spartanburgers putting 6 runs on the board in the next two frames was the closest they got to making it interesting.
See, if you give Kleyvar Salazar the chance to come up to the plate, he’ll hit a home run. The catcher was at the plate when Tuesday’s game was called due to rain during a rally for the ages, and all he did was go 3-for-4 with 4 RBI’s on Wednesday; he was a key factor in this win against Greensboro (Braves A) in which the team also enjoyed a two-home-run eighth-inning to put the game comfortably enough out of reach.
KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 30: Carter Jensen #22 of the Kansas City Royals takes the field prior to the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Mikayla Schlosser/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Royals recently added their newest draft picks to the organization, so it seems like a good time to look back and how their past draft classes have fared. Five years later, how are their 2021 draftees performing?
Unlike drafts in the NFL and NBA, the MLB Draft isn’t simply a matter of taking the best player available. Every pick in the first ten rounds comes with an assigned slot value, and each club has a capped bonus pool to sign its entire draft class. Teams can pay draft picks the full slot value, or they can allocate the funds in uneven ways with some draft picks getting less than slot value and others getting much more.
This strategy is called drafting a player “underslot.” By selecting a player willing to sign for below the slot value of your first-round pick, a team can free up bonus pool money to spend later in the draft. That extra money can be used to entice hard-to-sign prospects, usually high school players who can use college as leverage if they don’t receive an acceptable offer, to sign for well above the slot value of where they are selected. The strategy can be especially effective in draft classes without a clear-cut top prospect but with considerable depth, allowing teams to spread their resources across multiple high-upside players rather than concentrating them in a single pick. It is similar to the strategy of “trading down” in other drafts, but since MLB does not allow teams to swap picks, they instead use the underslot strategy.
That was the strategy the Royals employed in 2021 when they had the seventh overall pick. There was no consensus top pick that year, with Louisville catcher Henry Davis, Vanderbilt pitchers Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker, high school pitcher Jackson Jobe, and prep infielders Marcelo Mayer, Jordan Lawlar, Khalil Watson, and Brady House among the top names. With no clear dichotomy between tiers, it seemed the Royals were in a good position to land a talented player at pick #7.
“The beauty of the opportunity we’re in is that there are going to be several options in front of us,” scouting director Lonnie Goldberg said.
Leading up to the draft there was a lot of buzz linking the Royals to Rocker, who had wowed scouts pitching for the Commodores in the College World Series. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel wrote Rocker-to-the-Royals was “looking like one of the more likely picks in the mock.”
However he had some fluctuations in velocity that spring and his advisor Scott Boras refused to submit Rocker to pre-draft MRI testing. Rocker fell to the Mets at #10, and failed to sign after the Mets did not make an offer after his physical. Rocker would be selected by the Rangers third overall the next year and is currently in their starting rotation.
The Royals were also connected to many of the prep infielders, with Jim Callis at MLB Pipeline writing that the team was “believed to prefer a hitter.” They were said to be interested in Lawlar and Watson, but the buzz was about House, a prep infielder from Georgia, who Keith Law of The Athletic characterized as having “sort of been the Royals’ guy.” There was also some buzz the Royals could take infielder Will Taylor, a speedy high school outfielder from South Carolina whom most observers ranked outside the top ten.
The draft got off to a surprising start with the Pirates bypassing Mayer to take Davis, the Louisville catcher. The Rangers snagged Leiter, and the Tigers took a gamble on Jobe. The Red Sox pounced on Mayer, and the Orioles went with an underslot selection by taking Sam Houston State outfielder Colton Cowser. Arizona took Lawlar, leaving the Royals with several options they were connected to, including Rocker, House, and Watson.
The Royals zagged and took Connecticut high school pitcher Frank Mozzicato, who Baseball America ranked as the #42 prospect in the draft. David Schoenfield at ESPN wrote that the selection “certainly qualifies as the most surprising pick so far.” Mozzicato had pitched in the Northeast, generally not a hotbed of baseball talent, and had avoided national tournaments. His fastball sat in the upper 80s, but scouts were wowed by a plus curve that helped him throw four no-hitters. Ben Badler at Baseball America wrote that while it was “surprising to see him go this high,” he loved Mozzicato’s upside and that the lefty had a “ton of projection arrows pointing the right way.”
“We felt that going into this particular Draft,” general manager Dayton Moore said, “if it fell the way it did up top, with the first six picks in front of us [and] with the fact that it’s only 20 rounds and the value that a lot of players put on themselves economically, that it may be a wise strategy to not only look at taking the best upside player or pitcher available, but also be able to maximize what we could do later on with the other 19 selections. That’s part of what we have to consider going forward.”
The Royals went to work using that financial flexibility to take a pair of local kids in the next two rounds. In the second round, they selected pitcher Ben Kudrna out of Blue Valley Southwest in Overland Park, Kansas, ranked #47 by Baseball America. In round three they chose #82-ranked prospect catcher Carter Jensen out of Park Hill High School in Kansas City. Kudrna signed for $3 million, well over his $1.73 slot value, while Jensen signed for $1.1 million, more than his $793,000 slot value. The Royals also went overslot the next round with prep pitcher Shane Panzini, giving him nearly $1 million. They even went overslot on some later picks, like college pitcher Eric Cerantola and college catcher Luca Tresh.
It is dangerous to think you’re smarter than the consensus. Beyond that, it is dangerous to draft high school pitchers, especially if your organization has a long and putrid track record of doing so successfully. For the Royals to double down on that is frustrating.
Mozzicato never really added the velocity scouts hoped for, and while his curve fooled hitters at lower levels, he struggled with his control at Double-A. Rocker’s medicals and bonus demands perhaps caused the Royals to pass, and while he did need Tommy John surgery, he now seems to be developing into a solid starter. House and Watson both reached the majors, although neither has developed into much of an offensive force. It’s difficult to argue either would have transformed the Royals, but they would have provided considerably more value than Mozzicato has to date.
The Mozzicato deal did allow them to grab Carter Jensen, who has 14 home runs, fifth among all rookies, and has been an above-average bat. Kudrna had a promising career until he hit Triple-A, and he underwent elbow surgery this year that will keep him out for a while.
The Royals also did well with another local kid later in the draft, with Noah Cameron in round seven. The St. Joseph native was an underrated prospect out of the University of Central Arkansas, but he rose through the ranks and had an impressive rookie season in 2025 in the Royals starting rotation.
Much of the rest of the draft class is already out of baseball. Peyton Wilson is a utility infielder at the Triple-A level who was recently passed over in favor of older vets, so there may not be a future for him with the Royals. Tyson Guerrero was on the cusp of a potential call-up until he started experiencing injury issues. Tresh has been a solid bat at the Triple-A level and could be a backup catcher someday.
The 2021 draft illustrates both the promise and the peril of the underslot strategy. The Royals turned one unconventional first-round pick into the financial flexibility to sign several talented high school prospects, and that approach helped land Carter Jensen, who has emerged as one of the best players from the class. But the strategy also hinges on identifying the right player with that first pick.
It is fine to reach for a player the rest of the market is overlooking, but you have to be right. Mozzicato does not seem likely to be a worthwhile pick and is a miss for evaluators that overlooked his slight frame and lack of competition. Fortunately, the Royals did find a few gems in their backyard to make this a decent draft class, but a small market team cannot afford to miss the mark on top-ten picks.
Who will win Royals vs Tigers today: Tigers -1.5 (-107)
The Kansas City Royals send Randy Dobnak to the mound tonight. While he hasn't allowed a ton of runs lately, the underlying metrics are concerning. Dobnak has a 5.63 xERA over his last three appearances.
More importantly, Dobnak rarely pitches deeper than the fourth or fifth inning, which could expose a Royals bullpen in horrible form. Kansas City's relief corps owns a 7.63 FIP over the last week while allowing 3.10 HR/9.
As for the Detroit Tigers, they counter with Troy Melton. He has been dominant, posting a 1.78 FIP across his previous four outings.
Detroit takes advantage of KC's pitching issues, and Melton continues to deal. I'll play this pick up to -130.
COVERS INTEL: The Royals bullpen has also given up 3.13 HR/9 over the last two weeks. That's substantially worse than their season average of 1.53 HR/9.
Royals vs Tigers Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (+105)
This total sits at 8.5, and there are enough bullpen concerns to lean toward the Over. Dobnak won't be in there long, which could expose the Royals' pen early.
Detroit’s bullpen hasn’t been phenomenal either, posting a 4.71 xERA over its last 21 innings. Kansas City has been productive lately with a 106 wRC+ over its last six games, while the Tigers have shown some power with a .194 ISO during that same span.
Melton can limit damage early, but the bullpen inconsistencies create scoring paths late.
I’ll play this pick up to -120.
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 36-41, -9.34 units
Over/Under bets: 43-32, +5.04 units
Royals vs Tigers weather
Conditions should be excellent at Comerica Park tonight, with clear skies and temperatures falling from the upper 70s to the low 70s during the game window. There is no rain concern, and conditions should stay calm overall. Weather should have minimal impact on scoring and ball carry.
Royals vs Tigers odds
Moneyline: Royals +194 | Tigers -203
Run line: Royals +1.5 (-104) | Tigers -1.5 (-100)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (+108) | Under 8.5 (-113)
Royals vs Tigers trend
The Royals have hit the Over in 21 of their last 35 away games (+5.75 Units / 15% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Royals vs. Tigers.
How to watch Royals vs Tigers and game info
Location
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
Date
Thursday, July 23, 2026
First pitch
6:40 p.m. ET
TV
Royals.TV, DSN
Royals starting pitcher
Randy Dobnak (0-0, 1.93 ERA)
Tigers starting pitcher
Troy Melton (5-1, 1.80 ERA)
Royals vs Tigers latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 11: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons listens to the national anthem before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 11, 2026 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
We are officially in the dog days of the offseason with the rush of NBA free agency, the NBA Draft, and Summer League all behind us. There is truly nothing left to do other than fret over every day there isn’t a long-term deal with Jalen Duren. However, it feels like fans are treating every day without the Shams tweet announcing the pact as bad news. As if every day means the two sides are getting further apart or getting angrier at each other.
It’s important to take a step back and understand that every new day is just another day. When that influx of available free agent cash, roster spots, and big man needs dried up around the NBA, the need for a quick resolution to this drama also evaporated.
Josh Giddey signed his restricted free agent deal in late September. Collin Sexton got his bag as an RFA in September. Jarrett Allen signed his first big deal in August. As did now-Piston Duncan Robinson when he was a member of the Miami Heat. Same for Lonzo Ball and Lauri Markkanen.
Sometimes these things just need to play themselves out. Every passing day is not one step closer to Jalen Duren deciding to leave a guaranteed $150 million on the table so he can sign his qualifying offer out of spite. It IS one day closer to an eventual resolution, however.
Each side is trying to find the parameters of a deal they are comfortable with. Duren wants more than is on the table today. That’s fine. That’s also not a surprise. That doesn’t mean Detroit is inevitably going raise its offer or that Duren won’t be perfectly happy with the deal he eventually signs if it comes next week or next month.
It’s how the system is built. As The Athletic notes, these RFA negotiations are stretching deeper into the offseason and at a greater volume than ever before. Punitive cap penalties (the dreaded second apron) and falling league revenues, which means a cap that rises more slowly, are the primary culprits.
That same article notes that in a worst-case scenario where Duren signs his qualifying offer and signs a max with another team as an unrestricted free agent next offseason, he could sign for about $205 million. That’s far below his max number of $287 million. But that’s the reality Duren faces. Detroit can reasonably be assumed to be offering a low-end of $180 million over five years to $210 million on the high end (for the sake of argument, and that is likely lower than Detroit’s actual best offer to date).
So even if the Pistons are really trying to flex their leverage and offer something like $185 million, that means Duren is comfortable leaving $175 million on the table (by taking his qualifying offer) for a chance to make $5 millon more per season — MAYBE.
Because there are no guarantees for Duren that the max offer will be on the table from any team next season. There are the risks of injury and the risk of delivering another disappointing playoff performance that takes the shine off his rising star.
No, it is still exceedingly likely that Duren returns to the Pistons on a multi-year deal this offseason. And both sides will be a little annoyed but largely happy. Duren will get his bag, and Detroit will get its building block as it attempts to build a title contender.
It’s just business. Whether it gets completed on July 6, July 26, or August 26. It’s still just business.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have released the jersey numbers for all of the new players they brought in during the offseason.
Defenseman Kaedan Korczak will wear No. 6, while forward Andrei Kuzmenko will wear No. 10. Forward David Gustafsson will wear No. 13, and Nick Robertson will wear No. 14.
Forward Hendrix Lapierre will wear No. 22, and defenseman Tomas Galvas will wear No. 32. Galvas is still expected to return to Czechia for the 2026-27 season unless the Penguins' plans for him change. Galvas was selected by the Penguins in the second round of the 2026 NHL Draft.
Finally, defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk will wear No. 57 and fellow defenseman Declan Carlile will wear No. 72.
Jul 21, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) shown on the field during a San Diego Padres pitching change during the seventh inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
It’s an early one for this series finale. Let us know what you’re having for lunch (or breakfast, PT folks) as we gear up for a 12:15 pm ET first pitch.
Will Flyers Afford Jiricek Same Time, Patience As Drysdale?The Philadelphia Flyers have only one path to getting the most out of David Jiricek: doing the same thing they did with Jamie Drysdale.
Jamie Drysdale Is Poster Boy for What Modern Flyers Should BeDespite his lofty draft status, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale had to work endlessly to become the player he is now, and that is what every Flyers player should strive to be.
Shane Bieber
Brandon Pfaadt
Ian Seymour
COVERS INTEL: The Royals bullpen has also given up 
