The 2026 NBA Draft is on the horizon, bringing one of the most significant dates on the league’s calendar.
Childhood dreams of making it to the NBA will be achieved.
Teams will turn draft assets into tangible players who they hope will contribute to winning in the short- and long-term future.
Former Houston star Chris Cenac Jr. (right) would be the steal of the draft if he still is available when the Lakers pick at No. 25. Getty Images
And in the background, teams will continue to explore the options that’ll help them achieve their goals for 2026-27.
For the Lakers, who have a first-round pick in the draft (No. 25), the opportunity the draft presents as it pertains to roster building can’t be whiffed on.
In their pursuit of assembling a roster that’ll be competitive against the 2026 Western Conference champion Spurs and 2025 NBA champion Thunder, the Lakers have two main options for their first-round pick: trade it for a player who’s ready to compete for a title now alongside Luka Doncic or select a prospect whom they plan to develop and hope will help now and in the future.
If the Lakers choose the latter, there isn’t a shortage of options.
Toward the top of that list should be Houston big man Chris Cenac Jr., whose potential and upside may be too enticing for the Lakers to pass on.
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Cenac’s mix of size, fluidity and athleticism make him one of the more intriguing long-term prospects who could be available when the Lakers are on the clock with their first-round pick.
He runs the floor and changes ends like a much smaller player. He’s a constant threat in transition and at the rim — as a lob finisher and straight-line driver — because of his physical tools and motor.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka might be intrigued by Cenac’s mix of size, fluidity and athleticism. Getty Images
His hustle and willingness to play through contact was evident in his rebounding. Cenac averaged 2.2 offensive rebounds and did well converting second-chance opportunities.
He showed flashes of reliable shooting from beyond the arc and midrange, with his perimeter shooting being one of the swing skills that’ll determine whether he reaches his potential.
His ball-handling skills are more advanced than most players his size.
Cenac should be able to switch onto perimeter players in the NBA because of his size, quickness and effort.
He isn’t a traditional rim protector for a big man, but he showcased the ability to be a weakside shot blocker.
The Lakers know they need to get younger and more athletic to keep up in the Western Conference, and Cenac would address both of those areas.
It’s important to point out that Cenac is repped by WME, the same agency that represents Doncic as well as Lakers big men Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes.
Areas of improvement?
Cenac needs to get stronger to be a reliable big-man option.
He hustles and has a high motor, but needs to strengthen his frame to keep up with the NBA’s physicality and be able to play with force at the next level.
His offensive game needs significant development: His lack of polish led to inconsistencies with his scoring.
The tools and potential — from his passing to shooting — are evident, but he isn’t a reliable offensive creator because of the inconsistencies.
His 62.1% free-throw shooting with Houston is discouraging when it comes to hopes of him becoming a reliable perimeter shooter.
He also struggled with his non-dunk finishes, showing a lack of touch.
Cenac needs a team that’ll be patient with his development.
The Warriors possess the No. 11 pick in this month’s NBA draft.
Who they pick with their highest selection since 2021 could hold the cards to not only the final years of Steph Curry’s career but also the future direction of the franchise.
This week, we are profiling five possible prospects GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. could target.
Former Washington forward / center Hannes Steinbach would help the Warriors improve on the glass. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Continuing with Part 3:
Hannes Steinbach
Age: 20
Position: Forward / Center
Height/weight: 6-foot-10 / 250 pounds
School: Washington
Why he’s a fit
The Warriors got a taste of what it was like to have a dynamic big man last season. But with Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford’s futures up in the air, how about developing one of their own?
Steinbach will have been 20 for just over a month when his name is called on draft night, but the German big man already has experience as a professional overseas, as well as on the international stage. His domestic debut produced an eye-popping statistical freshman season.
Following in the footsteps of previous countrymen Detlef Schrempf and Christian Welp, Steinbach starred for the Huskies and lived up to his predecessors.
Steinbach dominated around the rim to the tune of 18.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, recording double-doubles in 22 of his 30 games — most in the nation.
His 353 total rebounds also led the country, and he has been described as the best rebounder in the draft class — an area of need for a Warriors team that didn’t have a player average more than six boards per game.
If Warriors coach Steve Kerr (above) has forward / center Hannes Steinbach on his roster next season, Golden State’s rebounding should improve significantly. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Why he’ll last until No. 11
The last time the Warriors spent a lottery pick on a big man it didn’t go so well.
Steinbach, however, is more Kevon Looney (30th overall, 2015) than James Wiseman (No. 2 overall, 2020). He is not a rim runner or a rim protector and has nothing more than a nascent perimeter shot but comes as a ready-made rebounder with a relentless motor.
The Warriors have struggled to incorporate traditional big men into their offense, but Steinbach’s cutting ability could help him succeed in Steve Kerr’s motion system.
Playing professionally in Germany and competing for his country on the international stage — leading the Germans to the gold-medal game against Team USA in the FIBA U19 championships — makes Steinbach’s offensive game more mature than other amateur bigs.
However, he faced questions about how his size would hold up against NBA centers.
Steinbach helped assuage those concerns with a strong showing at the NBA combine, measuring in taller than 6-10 with a wingspan that adds another 4 inches. Most notably, he tipped the scales at 248 pounds after entering college at 220.
NBA comp: Domantas Sabonis
With a crafty offensive game, a physical frame and a magnet for rebounds, the NBA’s other successful European big men — Alperen Sengun being another — provide a frame of reference for the type of player Steinbach can become.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 13: Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the New York Knicks during Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 13, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Once again joining me for this potential transaction are MMB’s Jack Nowicki and Bryan Porter.
The trade proposal
The Mavericks use their Traded Player Exception (TPE) to take on Keldon Johnson, and boost their draft capital by way of the Spurs’ 2027 first round pick and 2030 first round pick (which originally belonged to Dallas) for P.J. Washington.
The discussion
Mike: Ok, so this one admittedly took me a minute to really digest. I personally value Washington highly, but just have no real sense for what he’d go for on the market. I was afraid he wouldn’t fetch two first rounders, but it could make sense here. The Spurs don’t really “need” the picks, and a young vet like Washington could add a ton of value to them either starting in place of Julian Champagnie, or coming off the bench in Johnson’s role. My big question is would they want to give up an expiring and picks, in exchange for Washington and his three remaining (albeit relatively bargain) years? Bryan, you proposed this version of the trade – how do you see it as a win for both teams?
Bryan: For San Antonio, one of their recurring issues in the playoffs was the inability to protect the rim when Victor Wembanyama was pulled out of the paint. They also showed an inability to get defensive rebounds if Dylan Harper wasn’t crashing the glass with the bigs, and they lacked big forwards to throw at larger shot creators and post scorers in the clutch. Washington answers all that at a more than reasonable price for a Spurs team looking to carry their surprising form into next year. They could have this for the cost of a player who is beloved by the organization but who was ineffective for most of the playoffs, the 20th pick (even in a good draft) and a relinquished pick swap that likely wouldn’t amount to much if Masai Ujiri does his job properly anyway. Most importantly, they keep Washington away from Oklahoma City and the Denver Nuggets who faced similar issues this post season. For the Mavericks, we send out a valuable role player who has endeared himself to the fanbase, but replenish some draft capital for a move toward young talent this offseason.
Mike: All compelling arguments! I was especially intrigued by the notion of an added bonus for San Antonio by way of preventing another West contender from having Washington’s services. You rarely ever hear of a team’s rationale being that, but you have to believe it factors into some of these trades. The Mavs would be wise to leverage that angle when and where they can.
What say you, Jack? Are you on board with this one, or do you have a counter argument as to why this either won’t work or the Mavs should pursue another avenue?
Jack: I agree with all of Bryan’s arguments listed above, as this trade makes a ton of sense for both sides. The Spurs are incredibly young and talented, but as we’ve seen in recent years, future success isn’t guaranteed. Adding an instant-impact veteran who fills a massive void in the frontcourt should be the top priority for the Spurs this offseason. While Washington had an up-and-down year last season, most of that could be attributed to a bad roster around him with a void of reliable playmaking. Washington would feast off Wembanyama’s gravity offensively, while further boosting the big-man’s shot-blocking impact. The Mavericks would obviously massively benefit from this trade seeing as they not only gain another pick in a great draft, but start the process of regaining their future picks. The main holdup in this deal could be Keldon Johnson, as his off-court value was massive for a young Spurs team last season.
Mike: I came into this discussion leery of the Spurs’ desire to give up their end of this deal, but have to admit I’ve been swayed a fair bit. Washington could be a huge pickup for San Antonio. As effective a front office as the Spurs have, the Mavs having Ujiri gives me confidence they won’t be pushed around (especially if they can leverage those other contenders). I could see the Spurs trying to finagle the deal so Harrison Barnes can be incorporated in lieu of Johnson (would have to be some sort of sign-and-trade, as Barnes if an unrestricted free agent). Barnes played 77 games and appeared in every playoff game… until he was outright benched for the final three games of the Finals. Throughout this season, he had some oddly limited minutes. If Dallas engages with the Spurs, I’d say they need to be careful not to get saddled with Barnes unless the haul of picks is too compelling to say no to. Getting Johnson gives the Mavs a vet leader to replace the one they’d be losing, and gives them a lot of contract flexibility. I’m more sold than I was that both teams could be big winners with the trade as proposed.
Bryan: The key question regarding Johnson is this: is he at the starting line for a longer arc of growth as a playoff player, or is this just about what we can expect from him going forward? As an off-ball slasher who isn’t a great connector or shooter, his game is certainly more suited to regular season play with a regular season whistle. Will the Spurs bank on further internal growth or decide to seek an upgrade?
Join the conversation in the comments section below! I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 25: Robbie Ray #38 and Tyler Mahle #54 of the San Francisco Giants arrive prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
If you’re no stranger to McCovey Chronicles, then you’re probably aware that I’ve been pretty critical of Buster Posey during his tenure. Err, during his tenure as president of baseball operations, I should specify. Not sure I ever had a criticism of Posey during his tenure as Face of the Franchise/Captain America/All-World Catcher/Hugger Extraordinaire/Three-Time Champion.
While I’m in favor of giving Posey more time before reaching any grand conclusions, most of the results have been poor. His free agency signings have been middling. His managerial decisions have backfired. His control of the image of the Giants has been slipping. His unwillingness to address the bullpen has been baffling.
But there’s one area where Posey (and general manager Zack Minasian) have excelled without question: deadline deals.
The 2025 trade deadline was bizarre for the San Francisco Giants. Just a few days before the deadline, the Giants, still clinging to the belief that they could be competitive, were reported to be buyers. Then they lost a few games, admitted defeat, and turned into sellers.
What followed was excellence. The Giants sent out the expiring contract of Tyler Rogers for Drew Gilbert, Blade Tidwell, and José Buttó. They traded Camilo Doval (who currently has a 5.08 ERA this year), and got back Jesús Rodríguez, Parks Harber, Carlos De La Rosa, and Trystan Vrieling. They moved on from Mike Yastrzemski, an impending free agent, and received Yunior Marte in return.
It seems that the Giants are once again heading for sell-town. And they once again have some intriguing options: starting pitchers Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle, and soon-to-be-four-time All-Star second baseman Luis Arráez are all on expiring deals. So too is reliever JT Brubaker. Center fielder Harrison Bader and starting pitcher Adrian Houser aren’t on expirings, but are paid modestly and have veteran cachet.
Barring a shocking winning streak, the Giants will have to fold their hand yet again, and turn their eye to the future. Can they match last year’s impressive deadline wheeling and dealing?
Stay tuned, I guess.
What time do the Giants play today?
The Giants kick off a series with the Miami Marlins tonight at 4:10 p.m. PT.
May 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Colorado Rockies Catcher Brett Sullivan (26) pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Anna Carrington-Imagn Images | Anna Carrington-Imagn Images
In 2015, Brett Sullivan was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays.
In 2023, he made his MLB debut as a catcher with the San Diego Padres.
This season, the 31-year-old Colorado Rockie made another MLB debut, this time as a pitcher. The catcher, who played some infield in college and in the minors, but has spent most of his career as a backup catcher, had a simple philosophy.
“Try to get off the mound as fast as possible. That’s it,” Sullivan said. “I don’t want to be out there that long, so I just try to let the defense make all the plays for me. They’ve done a good job.
“The approach is to throw it maybe very slow, and then sometimes not as slow,” he continued, “but know that hopefully they hit it to my defense. That’s a whole approach.”
The Rockies signed Sullivan to a minor-league deal in the offseason, and he immediately made an impact as a mentor to young catchers Hunter Goodman and Braxton Fulford in spring training. Little did Rockies fans know that he’d be spending time on the other side of home plate.
On May 19, Sullivan pitched a scoreless, hitless ninth inning in a 10-0 loss to the Rangers. Having only pitched one time in the minors, he didn’t hesitate when the Rockies coaching staff asked him if he could “go out there and throw strikes.”
“I was like, ‘Yeah, I got it,’ and that was basically it,” he said. “So I keep it simple, but hopefully I don’t have to do it again because that means we’re not winning. I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m just lobbing it up there.”
Sullivan has pitched in three more games since May 19 — all, unfortunately, in four blowout losses. However, he’s posted three scoreless innings and totaled a 4.15 ERA in 4.1 innings with six hits, two runs, including one homer, one walk and one strikeout. With his humorous and outgoing personality, he doesn’t take preparing for his side pitching job too seriously.
“I just sat on the bench, and then when the next inning was over, I just walked out onto the mound. I didn’t warm up — no routine, no nothing, just straight from the bench,” Sullivan said. “I grabbed Jimmy Herget’s glove and walked right out there.”
Sullivan said he’s used Herget’s glove three times and Ryan Feltner’s once, adding he grabs whatever is closest.
Even if he’s just eating an inning, Sullivan has earned some impressive stats on the mound. On May 26 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sullivan became the only player besides Shohei Ohtani to hit a home run and pitch in a game.
“It feels good to be in the same category as him, you know,” Sullivan jokingly said. “No, it’s that was just a fluke — a crazy, lopsided game — and you get asked to pitch, and then it happens that your spot in the order came up and facing another position player. But they all count. And it’s a fun story.”
He also pitched [kind of] like Ohtani by putting up a scoreless frame.
In his most recent outing, the ninth inning in a 19-6 loss to the Giants on May 31, Sullivan recorded his first and only career strikeout thus far. It was a memorable one, too, coming against three-time All-Star and World Series Champion Rafael Devers.
“I don’t know if I threw a strike to him, but the umpire called them, so we’ll take it,” Sullivan said. “And again, good story. For it to be Devers, who’s going to be a Hall of Famer, is funny.”
Sullivan said he kept the ball to remember the moment. However, Sullivan said he’s not practicing pitching, but does have a great response when asked what his best pitch is.
“I throw like a little air cutter, and I hope that it’s slow enough that the gravity takes it the other way off their barrel,” Sullivan joked. “That’s my best pitch right now.”
Since May 26, in Sullivan’s Ohtani game, the Stockton, Calif. native has hit four homers in 23 at-bats. That includes a two-homer game against the Chicago Cubs on June 11.
Sullivan didn’t have any home runs in his 78 at-bats before that day in L.A. Some might say being a pitcher has made him a better hitter. Sullivan credits something else, namely, taking Mickey Moniak’s advice that he needed new pants.
“I changed my wardrobe a lot,” he said. “I would say that’s the biggest change. I switched it up. I am now wearing Mickey Moniak’s clothes, and we’re gonna roll with that.
“There’s honestly not much else to it,” he continued. “This game is a funny game, it’s a tough game, but when you just have a clear mind, let things go, have fun with it, I think that things happen.”
Moniak told him he needed new pants, and Sullivan proudly said, “I listened.”
“I’m just trying to bring him a little piece with him to the plate with me,” Sullivan said. “It’s good.”
From the easy-going attitude and the sneaky pop at the plate to his ability to pitch and stay positive as a journeyman, Sullivan’s Tao of the backup catcher now also includes pitching. With the Rockies facing struggles in the bullpen and injuries to the starting rotation, it’s likely Sullivan will be back on the mound again at some point this season. It’s a role he’s happy to play if the Rockies need him.
“I think it’s just to help the bullpen when games like that are really lopsided,” Sullivan said. “You don’t want to waste one of those good arms because the next day is an opportunity to win a game, and we’ll need those guys fresh.
“So, if I could just go in there and save those guys, then you know that’s a small victory for the next day.”
Jose Cordova hit a sac bunt to move Kent to third base to set-up the winning run. Albuquerque struck first when Zac Veen hit an RBI triple in the first inning to score Chad Stevens. Veen was thrown out at home trying to stretch it to an inside-the-park homer, but the Isotopes went up 1-0. The Space Cowboys tied the game in the seventh and took a 2-1 lead in the eighth. Albuquerque answered right back to tie the game 2-2 when Mike Antico hit an RBI single to score Avans.
Gabriel Hughes had a scoreless outing, striking out six while walking three and only giving up one hit in 4.2 innings. Jordan Romano kept the Space Cowboys off the scoreboard in the ninth and Erasmo Ramírez walked one, but struck out one in a scoreless, hitless 10th to earn the win. Avans, Veen and Ryan Ritter recorded two hits apiece to make up the majority of Albuquerque’s 10 hits.
Hartford rallied from a 5-2 deficit with a three-run seventh inning on its way to a 10-6 win on Thursday. Conner Capel hit two homers, while GJ Hill added an insurance solo homer in the eighth and Roc Roggio did the same in the ninth. Capel went 3-for-5 with five runs driven in and Hill and Roggio each recorded two hits and two RBI. Davison Palermo earned the victory after throwing 1.2 scoreless innings, Carlos Torres posted the hold by limiting Reading to one run in two innings with a strikeout. Dyan Jorge drew two walks and scored two runs.
Despite taking the lead in the first, second and third innings, Spokane couldn’t hold on to any of them and lost on Thursday night. Max Belyeu and Jack O’Dowd started the game with solo homers in the first as the Indians jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Jacob Hinderleider scored on a wild pitch and Belyeu hit an RBI single in the second inning to take 4-3 lead. In the third, Tommy Hofpe added a two-run homer and Kelvin Hidalgo hit an RBI single to put Spokane up 7-4 in the third. O’Dowd answered back after Vancouver tied up the game again when he hit a sac fly and Hofpe recorded an RBI double to put the Indians back on top 9-8 in the sixth, but that was the last rally for Spokane as the Canadians got the final comeback with a five-run seventh.
Tanner Thach hit a two-run homer in the first inning and the Grizzlies took a lead they never lost in a big win on Thursday night. Thach came up a triple short of the cycle, finishing the game with five RBI, three hits and three runs scored. Roldy Brito doubled on a two-hit night and scored two runs, Wilder Dalis added a double and run-scoring single and Ashly Andujar added a two-run single.
Riley Kelly started the game strong for Fresno, throwing 4.2 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts, three hits and three walks. Manuel Olivares recorded the win after holding the 66ers to one run on three hits with five strikeouts, while Luke Hansel pitched the ninth and struck out two, despite giving up a solo homer.
Skyler Timmins explores the impressive debut TJ Rumfield is making so far in Colorado, comparing him to other breakout rookies in Rockies history like Todd Helton, Wilin Rosario and Trevor Story. What do they all have in common? Ten homers and 50 hits before the All-Star break.
The Rockies begin a home series against the Pirates today and on Saturday, Paul Skenes is slated to pitch. With a struggling rotation, Troy Renck points out that the Rockies need an ace like they had 16 years ago in Ubaldo Jiménez.
The Tri-City ValleyCats, an independent professional baseball team out of Troy, NY that plays in the Frontier League, announced that infielder Parker Coddou was signed to a deal by the Colorado Rockies. From 2002 through 2020, the ValleyCats were the Class-A short season affiliate of the Houston Astros. Coddou, who scored 25 runs and posted 23 hits, while also leading the ValleyCats in stolen bases with 14, becomes their third player to be signed by an MLB organization this season.
And Law has the biggest draft mistakes of the 2016 draft. (The Athletic sub. req.) If you think the Cubs are the only team making bad draft picks, you should read this article and realize everyone makes bad picks. (The Cubs did not have a first or second round pick in 2016.)
In World Cup news, Team England stopped by Kaufman Stadium. Manager Thomas Tuchel threw out the first pitch and star Harry Kane and others joined the festivities. Anne Rogers reports.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a massive addition to their lineup.
According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the Leafs were in the process of finalizing a sign-and-trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning to acquire defenseman Darren Raddysh.
Confirming that Toronto and Tampa Bay are finalizing a sign-and-trade involving pending UFA Darren Raddysh. Hearing that it will be an eight-year deal with an AAV in the 8's (north of $8 million).
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman first reported early Friday morning that the Leafs and Tampa working on a sign-and-trade.
Late-night news:
Don’t expect this to be finalized until the morning, but there is word the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning are working on a sign-and-trade for Darren Raddysh.
The 30-year-old defenceman had a breakthrough 2025-26 with 22 goals and 70 points
The 30-year-old Raddysh just wrapped up a breakout season with the Lightning. Entering the year with modest expectations, Raddysh completely shattered his previous career highs and emerged as one of the premier offensive defensemen in the league. He had 22 goals, setting the Lightning record for goals in a season by a defenseman, while adding 48 assists.
By all accounts, Raddysh was considered the top defenseman available via free agency on July 1. The Leafs take a massive step in bolster their blue line by acquiring Raddysh, a right-handed who could instantly help the team's top power-play unit.
Raddysh is from nearby Caledon, Ontario.
"Darren has emerged as one of the NHL’s premier two-way defensemen, combining elite puck-moving ability with poise, competitiveness, and strong play in all three zones. He strengthens our blue line in every situation and is exactly the type of player we want helping lead this team," Maple Leafs GM John Chayka said in a release about the signing.
If there was any doubt about Toronto's desire about rebuilding or retooling, the acquisition of Raddysh firmly puts the Leafs in retool mode. Raddysh will be 38 when the deal expires, so Toronto is definitely taking on some long-term risk in an effort to maximize a short-term gain.
But Raddysh was by all accounts the No. 1 target in free agency and the Leafs get their man.
Chayka is expected to address the media in the early afternoon to discuss the signing.
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It looks like the Toronto Maple Leafs are set to bolster their defense by making a big splash on the open market.
After three straight years, it’s finally become the norm for a UConn player to get drafted in the first round of the NBA draft. The only other schools with that distinction, the last three years? Purported NBA daycares Duke and Baylor.
I still remember the delight of hearing James Bouknight’s name called.
But for the Huskies to take that streak another year, they’ll need teams to fall in love with Tarris Reed Jr and/or Alex Karaban. Both are projected fringe first rounders, and as we saw with Liam McNeeley last year, draft night brings a whole lot of variance and uncertainty.
I’m going to pretend NBA front offices read TheUConnBlog and put on my best sales pitch for Tarris and Alex. First up is Captain America.
Initially this was a tough task, because UConn listed him at 6-foot-8, and the comparisons were lacking. There were tons of 6-foot-8 floor spacers in the NBA, but not many in Karaban’s mold. Then the combine measurements came out, and he checked in at basically 6 -7, and the answer was clear.
Be Sam Hauser 2.0.
I mean, look at this:
Sam Hauser
Height (Barefoot): 6’6.75″
Weight: 217.4 lbs
Wingspan: 6’9.25″
Standing Reach: 8’6.0″
Alex Karaban
Height (w/o shoes): 6′ 6.75″
Weight: 225.2 lbs
Wingspan: 6’11”
Standing Reach: 8′ 8.50″
Alex is actually a little longer and heavier. Hauser went undrafted in 2021 after four years in college, but he broke through with the Celtics in 2022-23, and was a key figure in their 2024 title run, averaging nine points per game and shooting 42% from three.He averaged 25 minutes per game last year, a career high.
Hauser might be the better pure shooter, but Alex has more intangibles, physicality, and playmaking chops. Finding an organization that can imbue those traits — not make him just a ‘stand in the corner and stretch the floor’ guy — will be the key.
Hauser’s shooting shows that doing one thing at an elite level can make you stick in the NBA. But Alex has a chance to be a wholly unique player, one with Hauser’s shooting but with a little more to offer.
But heading into draft day, it’s nice to know there’s a blueprint out there for Alex, a path forward where he can break out with the right team.
This is Part 2 of my exploration of some of the underlying details of Cardinal pitching prospects. The question I am trying to answer is… Of the minor leagues prospects we’ve been watching, who has the most interesting pitch shape metrics (ie. the under the hood stuff)? We seem to be far enough into the season to have built up some stats that can stand up to Small Sample Size (SSS) scrutiny. Since I do the daily down on the Farm Reports, I see the various pitcher usage and line score results every day. That has made me curious about some things that might be going on beyond the line score.
Last week folks got a look at the pitchers in Palm Beach. What I neglected to mention then is that the set of top 10th percentile pitch metrics was 225 pitch types deep, and the Cardinals had 25 entries in the group or just a little below league average of 28. This becomes a little less mundane when we start looking at AAA numbers.
First, I raised the bar for AAA pitchers to 150 pitches minimum instead of 50 pitches as for Low-A pitchers. This to keep the set manageable. If I used the same 50 pitch minimum, the AAA set would include 1267 pitcher/pitch type combinations. I’m looking for the outliers and that is a large outlier group. That the AAA group is five times bigger tells me that a significant difference between AAA and Low-A pitching is volume.
Same methodology as last week. I am looking for pitchers have top 10th percentile metrics. This is a “who has a tool that sticks out” kind of question. Even with a 150 pitch minimum, I still get 382 pitcher/pitch combinations in the top tenth percentile (almost double the Low-A group). In an ugly turn of events, only 17 Cardinal entries are found in this table and as you will see, too many of them are outlier in a bad way (as in last decile, not top).
AAA Metric Leader Board
Like last week, the first table shows just the pitch profile, not the results (which follow in the next section).
What do we see?
Name
Pitches
Type
Pitch Pct
Spin Rate
Velocity
Vert Break (in)
Horiz Break (in)
Sprin Rate P10
Velo P10
Vertical Break P10
Horiz Break P10
Bedell, Ian
432
FF
60.4
2299
90.3
12.7
15.6
5
10
9
1
Blewett, Scott
598
SL
30.3
2163
85.1
-2
-3
10
6
9
4
Dobbins, Hunter
710
FF
32
2316
94.9
15.3
2.3
4
4
5
10
Gastelum, Luis
518
CH
40
1571
82.7
-4.2
12.9
7
4
10
7
Gastelum, Luis
518
FF
32.6
2446
94.5
15
11
1
4
6
2
Hales, Skylar
433
FF
56.1
2135
94.4
11.7
0.6
8
5
10
10
Hansen, Pete
687
FF
39.3
2391
90.5
12.3
-2
2
10
9
10
Hansen, Pete
687
SL
24.5
2594
81.3
-3.1
-9.3
2
10
10
10
Mautz, Brycen
860
FF
38.8
2191
92.3
12.7
12.3
8
8
9
1
Mautz, Brycen
860
SL
23.6
2277
83.5
1.9
0.1
8
8
5
1
Rajcic, Max
645
FF
43.3
2204
94.9
14.9
10.7
7
4
6
2
Rincon, Hancel
547
SL
30
2155
85.2
-2.2
-1.4
10
5
9
2
Roycroft, Chris
397
SI
42.3
2113
96.9
3
16.7
5
1
9
3
Zimmermann, Bruce
969
SL
25.1
2545
82.6
-3.3
0.6
3
9
10
1
Zimmermann, Bruce
969
FF
20.3
2452
89.5
15.4
7.7
1
10
5
5
Zimmermann, Bruce
969
FS
20.3
1715
83
2.1
11.4
2
7
10
5
People ask “what happened to Ian Bedell”. Well, he has an outlier bad FF velocity rate and gets no whiffs with it. And he uses this pitch 60.4% of the time. Pete Hansen and Bruce Zimmerman are in the same bottom decile in FB velocity across the International League, with the same whiff results. At least they don’t use this pitch nearly as often.
Gastelum is in the top decile for spin rate on his Four Seam Fastball (FF), resulting in a top 20th percentile arm-side run. I bet that pitch really bores in on RH hitters.
Skylar Hales has about the straightest FF in the league.
Brycen Mautz is top floor on his arm-side run on his fastball, which probably allows the fairly pedestrian velo to play up. I bet he’d be super effective coming in to face LH hitters in relief, if that sorta thing was needed in StL.
Mautz’ slider is odd. Almost no movement. This is one of those counter-intuitive ones. You’d rather be in the lowest tenth percentile, since glove side run is shown as a negative number in the data set.
Rajcic’s horizontal movement on his fastball is near-elite, and you will see later gets elite results.
Roycroft’s sinker profiles as elite, both in velo and drop (IVB). If only he had poise.
Zimmermann makes the list in a bad way on his FF, FS and SL. He limits damage by limiting walks.
Overall, this is not a good profile for the AAA group and we see this with the shortage of depth for the MLB staff. We will keep this handy and see how it changes as some of the AA studs matriculate to Memphis later this year.
Performance Matters
Stuff (and the underlying metrics which show it) are one thing. Performance is another. Which AAA pitchers are getting the most out of their stuff? Let’s look more at performance outcomes as see how they rate.
Player
Pitches
Type
Pct
K%
K% P10
BB%
BB% P10
xwoba
xwOBA P10
Velocity
Velo P10
Whiff Rate
Whiff Rate P10
Bedell, Ian
432
FF
60.4
16.2
8
26.5
10
0.396
8
90.27
10
16%
9
Blewett, Scott
598
SL
30.3
23.9
6
15.2
9
0.361
9
85.13
6
44%
2
Dobbins, Hunter
710
FF
32
13.5
8
13.5
4
0.364
6
94.91
4
22%
6
Gastelum, Luis
518
CH
40
27.3
6
9.1
7
0.193
1
82.68
4
40%
3
Gastelum, Luis
518
FF
32.6
27.8
3
13.9
5
0.334
4
94.53
4
23%
5
Hales, Skylar
433
FF
56.1
34.5
1
16.4
6
0.284
2
94.42
5
27%
3
Hansen, Pete
687
FF
39.3
15.9
8
8.7
2
0.317
3
90.54
10
11%
10
Hansen, Pete
687
SL
24.5
31.3
4
8.3
5
0.234
3
81.27
10
37%
4
Mautz, Brycen
860
FF
38.8
17.2
7
16.1
6
0.381
7
92.26
8
24%
5
Mautz, Brycen
860
SL
23.6
39.6
3
13.2
8
0.199
1
83.45
8
40%
3
Rajcic, Max
645
FF
43.3
33.9
2
16.1
6
0.302
3
94.87
4
27%
4
Rincon, Hancel
547
SL
30
27
5
5.4
2
0.284
6
85.15
5
32%
6
Roycroft, Chris
397
SI
42.3
12.9
5
6.5
1
0.263
1
96.92
1
12%
7
Zimmermann, Bruce
969
SL
25.1
42.5
2
4.1
2
0.271
5
82.57
9
40%
3
Zimmermann, Bruce
969
FF
20.3
14
8
6
1
0.384
7
89.52
10
18%
8
Zimmermann, Bruce
969
FS
20.3
29.3
10
3.4
4
0.288
10
82.96
7
36%
7
In the above table, you will see many of the same names and pitches, this time with how those pitches are performing in real games. There are few new names, as some guys without top 10th percentile stuff are still getting top tenth percentile results, such as Nelfy Ynfante, who really limits hard contact without any top tier stuff.
Some notes:
Gastelum (CH), Mautz (SL) and Roycroft (SI) each have a go-to pitch that is effective at limiting damage.
Zimmermann avoids damage by limiting walks across all his pitches.
Skylar Hales has an elite K rate. I’m not sure how.
You know what else I notice in these lists? Quinn Mathews doesn’t appear once. I wonder why? Let’s look specifically at his Prospect Savant page.
You see that his whiff rate falls just below elite at 89th percentile. Lots of stuff between average (~50th) and really good (80th), but nothing elite. Gives me a picture he does many things well, but nothing great. Even his walk rate isn’t anywhere near bottom 10th percentile for AAA.
The other thing I see in his data: His FF is probably his worst pitch in terms of K and BB rates. He throws it almost 50% of the time. He actually has a higher walk rate (25%) on his FF than K rate (23%). An adjustment to his pitch mix is coming.
Summary
There really isn’t anyone at AAA with standout tools. That is not to say there aren’t good pitchers. My screen was for top 10th percentile stuff…elite. Apparently, that is to be found at AA and High-A. We shall see.
Links
<a href="http://<iframe src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSxqYqjHlZFG1sv4z7zqciltal6c87mVTWhdCigRAq1rwVYMDR2nQ8Kd2thIfvEmr-PAyLvP_FB2k4p/pubhtml?widget=true&headers=false">Here is a link to the underlying spreadsheet with top decile performance across the AAA level of baseball.
Back-row’s colossal performance in Prem semi-final proves he is ready to come of age for Northampton against Exeter
As Henry Pollock idly plays with the straggly end of his blond rat’s tail on a sunny day in Northampton, he looks wholly at ease. There are more microphones in front of him than anyone else but that’s fine. Exeter are preparing to hit him with everything they can muster but that’s fine too. If you’re aspiring to stand out from the crowd, it’s all part of the deal.
Because a high-profile Prem final is exactly where he wants to be. Particularly as he missed the last one. When Saints lifted the trophy in 2024 he was away in Georgia with England Under-20s, jumping up and down in a hotel room in Tbilisi. “I was a bit annoyed I missed that experience but the boys have been telling me how amazing the whole week was. I am just trying to live every moment of it.”
A former Philadelphia Flyers forward is calling it a career.
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare has officially retired from professional hockey.
Bellemare kicked off his NHL career with the Flyers during the 2014-15 season. From there, he spent his first three NHL seasons in Philadelphia, where he posted 17 goals, 17 assists, 34 points, and 259 hits.
Bellemare's time with the Flyers ended when he was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights at the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. Following his time in Vegas, he also had stints with the Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Seattle Kraken.
Bellemare spent each of the last two seasons of his career in Switzerland's National League with Ajoie HC. In 37 games this past season with the NL club, he posted one goal and 11 assists.
In 700 career NHL games over 10 seasons, Bellemare recorded 64 goals, 74 assists, 138 points, and a plus-22 rating.
It feels like we’ve seen this before, but the Montreal Canadiens could certainly use a right-shot defenseman this offseason, and preferably one that could play a top-four role and handle some serious minutes. Those are not easy to find, but the closer we get to July 1, the more likely it becomes that a defenseman who absolutely fits the bill will be available in free agency.
Back in the 2024-25 season, the New York Rangers traded their captain, Jacob Trouba, to the Anaheim Ducks. The blueliner was on a big contract with an $8 million cap hit, which the Ducks could absorb, and they did. Now, though, the contract is set to expire, and it appears that the negotiations between the two sides are not progressing particularly well.
It’s hard to know why, it could be that he wants too much money or that he wants too much term, or it could even be both. If he does become a free agent, though, that’s a call Kent Hughes has to make, at least to see if there would be any interest from the player to join what the Canadiens are building.
At 32 years old, Trouba has never won the Stanley Cup, and Hughes can at least point to the fact that his team reached the Eastern Conference Final. Of course, the veteran wouldn’t be a long-term hire; he could be the perfect temporary place-holder while David Reinbacher gets some experience to fill that top-four role eventually,
Trouba is not the biggest points producer; he got 35 points in 81 games, but he can hit. He’s got a big body at 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, and he plays like it. This past season, he landed 125 bone-crushing hits, and that makes opponents think twice about approaching him. Furthermore, he’s a good shot blocker, blocking 143 hits this past season, and he’s playing a lot of minutes; he spent nearly 23 minutes on the ice for the Ducks. That’s the kind of veteran profile that Martin St-Louis would trust.
Would he entertain the thought of playing in Canada? He did it in Winnipeg for 6 years. There was noise about him not wanting to return to Canada in 2024 when the Rangers traded him, but only fools don’t change their minds, and a lot has changed for the Canadiens since then…
While the Philadelphia Flyers would like to upgrade their defense at some point this offseason, a reunion with an old friend could be out of the preferred price range.
Since leaving the Flyers in 2019, rugged defenseman and NHL public enemy Radko Gudas has enjoyed successful stints with the Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, and Anaheim Ducks.
Gudas, 36, is now the captain of the Ducks, though he could leave in free agency with a reportedly robust market awaiting him.
According to former NHL goalie and NHL insider Kevin Weekes, Gudas is "gaining interest" and the former Flyers defenseman will have suitors, including the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs, if he hits the open market.
Gudas, alongside teammates Jacob Trouba and John Carlson and Vegas Golden Knights defender Rasmus Andersson, figures to be one of the top defensemen hitting the free agent market this year.
Aside from those, the Flyers don't have many attractive options to choose from, and especially in Carlson's cases if they want a power play quarterback.
As it most closely relates to the Flyers and their offseason plans, though, Gudas is the most suitable alternative to Rasmus Ristolainen for any contenders out there looking for physical defensemen.
The free agent class as a whole is uninspiring this summer, which will steer more teams, including the Flyers themselves, towards trades.
Conversely, the Ducks may very well be a team to keep an eye on for Ristolainen, given that Trouba, Carlson, and Gudas are all free agents, and Carlson has already decided to move on.
In any case, Gudas's situation is one worth keeping an eye on as we head into the draft and free agency, as the former Flyers tough guy will likely have a domino effect on the broader defenseman market this summer.
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 1: Aaron Wiggins #21 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 1, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Tim Heitman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Oklahoma City is exactly where Dallas wants to be. The Thunder have a clear star, in reigning two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They have the perfect types of talent around him to accentuate his strengths and have created a juggernaut. But all that talent comes at a cost, and the Thunder will have to make some decisions by the draft. Should they consolidate picks and cut some of the talent further down their bench to help financially? One of the most popular scenarios, and one that makes a lot of sense, is trading with the Mavericks. The Thunder own the 12th and 17th picks in the 2026 draft. The Mavericks own the 9th and 30th. Is it time to make a deal with the devil?
How did the Thunder get here?
The Thunder, as widely disliked as they are (at least around here), have built its team from the ground up through the draft. Gilgeous-Alexander came over in the Paul George trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. That trade included a slew of picks that are paying off for the Thunder, particularly the 2022 first-round pick that became Gilgeous-Alexander’s all-star running mate in Jalen Williams. Chet Holmgren was also selected in the 2022 draft, as he’s turned into an anchor defensively, being the runner-up for the 2025-2026 Defensive Player of the Year Award. But all that talent comes a heavy price. The Thunder are paying all three of their stars each over $40 million a year over the next five years. That’s about 75% of their cap space. Oklahoma City, if they keep this roster going into next season, would be $41 million over the first apron and $28 million over the second. They need to shed salary. And Dallas may be the perfect suiter.
What deal makes sense and how would it work?
The Mavericks are in dire need of guard help. This draft is loaded with star-quality talent, particularly towards the top. Dallas holds the 9th pick and will likely have options among guys like Kingston Flemings, Brayden Burries, Darius Acuff Jr. Mikel Brown Jr., and Labaron Philon Jr. If there’s one thing we know about Masai Ujiri, he’s had a keen eye for draft prospects. The former Toronto Raptors president selected names like Pascal Siakam (27th pick in 2016), O.G. Anunoby (23rd pick in 2017), and Scottie Barnes (4th pick in 2021). He’ll need to do his homework on who he wants this time around, because Dallas might want two bites at the apple in the top 20.
There are a couple different routes the Mavs could take with the 9th pick. Of course, they could keep it if they felt it were too risky to slip any further than 9th to make their selection. Names like Kingston Flemings, Darius Acuff Jr., and Mikel Brown Jr. probably won’t be available at 12, so if the Mavs are set on one of those guards, they should stay at nine. If Dallas wants to look at making a deal, here’s how the framework could look.
Scenario 1: Thunder consolidate and Mavs aggregate.
The simplest scenario is for the Thunder to send their 12th and 17th picks to the Mavs for the 9th pick. No frills and straightforward. Oklahoma City will still need to do some significant consolidation with their roster before the season starts, but one simple move is sending two picks for one. The Thunder get a top 10 talent, and the Mavs get two swings in the top 20. In this scenario, Dallas most likely wouldn’t have to include the 30th pick, meaning they would have three picks in the first round: 12, 17, and 30.
Scenario 2: Thunder help the Mavs with depth
If Dallas is enamored with someone who could fall to 12 (most likely Burries or Philon Jr.), they could package that 9th and 30th picks to the Thunder in exchange for the 12th and 17th picks, as well as another rotation guy to help Oklahoma City shed salary (like Isaiah Joe or Aaron Wiggins), who both largely fell out of the rotation for the Thunder in this year’s playoff run. The Thunder don’t necessarily have to include extra salary to make the deal work, but it would make sense for them and the Mavs could add more wing shooting and depth.
Another player worth watching is Cason Wallace, who the Mavericks drafted in 2023, and traded to the Thunder for Dereck Lively II. Wallace has developed a reputation as one of the best defenders in the NBA and he’s only 22. If the Mavericks part with the 9th pick, they could drive a hard bargain for Wallace. It would be much more difficult for them to pry away Wallace, but he would be an ideal fit in Dallas, and the Mavs could use his perimeter defense.
The 17th pick presents a whole new opportunity for the Mavs. Some options that could be available then could be names like Allen Graves (6’9 forward who can shoot the lights out), Karim Lopez (6’8 forward with a 7’ wingspan and two-way monster), and Dailyn Swain (6’8 athletic forward who can get downhill and great slasher). If the Mavericks traded that 9th pick, the 17th pick could be the big payoff, adding more athleticism and youth around Flagg.
There have been rumors centered around P.J. Washington in a Thunder deal, but Oklahoma City isn’t in a position to take on any more significant salary. For now, this type of deal would be centered around the Thunder optimizing talent, while the Mavs collect as much of it as they can.
Looking ahead
The draft is less than a week away and there will likely be a flurry of moves that happen both leading up to June 23/24 and on the draft nights themselves. What will dictate a deal is who the Mavs center their attention around at the guard position. Is it more worth it to optimize a singular pick in this draft or get multiple opportunities at top 20 talent in a loaded draft? We’ll find out in a few days.
Cedar Park, TX - MARCH 15: Austin Spurs forward Emanuel Miller (1) drives past Stockton Kings forward Patrick Baldwin (23) during game between the Stockton Kings and the Austin Spurs on March 15, 2026 at the HEB Center in Cedar Park, TX. (Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Spurs forward Emanuel Miller turns 26 today.
Miller signed a two-way contract with the Spurs on February 23rd. He took the revolving door third spot replacing Stanley Umude (who replaced Kyle Mangus in December, who had replaced Riley Minix just days before). Miller joined David Jones Garcia and Harrison Ingram on the two-way roster. Though he never received playing time in San Antonio, Miller was exposed to all the bells and whistles of the 2026 playoffs.
Born in Canada, Miller eventually found his way to Texas, playing college ball in both Texas A&M and TCU. In 2024, he went undrafted before signing with Dallas Mavericks for Summer League. He eventually played for their G-League affiliate, the Texas Legends. Two months later, he signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls. He was with the Bulls organization until last February when he was part of a three-team trade that landed him in Cleveland. The Cavaliers waived him and he signed on with the Spurs.
No telling where Miller will land next season, whether he stays with the Spurs or heads toward greener pastures. But for today, in the strange window between the Finals and the NBA Draft, Miller is still considered a member of the Silver & Black, and as such, is entitled to best wishes.
Happy birthday!
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