The fantasy baseball waiver wire tends to have peaks and valleys during the season, and in my opinion, we are in a valley right now. Aside from Cincinnati Reds phenom Chase Burns, who was quickly scooped up a few days ago in most leagues, there aren’t many players on waivers who have exciting long-term potential, especially within the pitching pool.
Games in early July count just as much as those in any other month, and this is a time where wise managers will find a way to grind out production from short-term solutions. Those who need help this weekend can refer to the players who were mentioned in Thursday’s article, and the players below can contribute next week.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Picks
Tyler Freeman, SS/OF, Rockies, 16%
Although the hitter-friendly nature of Coors Field doesn’t deserve all of the credit, Freeman has been a much better hitter since leaving the Guardians for the Rockies. He has benefited from a .340 BABIP while also showing dramatic improvements in plate discipline (12:10 BB:K ratio). The improvements have resulted in Freeman getting a chance to hit out of the leadoff spot, and he gets to spend all of next week at home, making him a fine one-week addition in any league that uses categories.
Chandler Simpson, OF, Rays, 31%
Simpson returned from the Minors on Tuesday and immediately became the favorite to lead the Majors in steals from this point forward. After all, the speedster has needed just 145 plate appearances to rack up 19 swipes during his rookie year. And his .281 average shows that Simpson is more than a one-category contributor. He should also be useful in runs scored, which makes him a must-add player by steals-needy teams in all-category leagues.
Isaac Collins, OF, Brewers, 4%
An injury to Garrett Mitchell has thrust Collins into an everyday role, and he has handled the promotion well by hitting .314 with a 1.015 OPS in June. He has also shown outstanding plate discipline this month by logging a 13:16 BB:K ratio. Collins is no stranger to getting on base. He has a lifetime .380 OBP in the Minors and finished each of the past four Minor League seasons with more than 20 swipes in fewer than 120 games. Two of the Brewers’ next three series are against the Rockies (30th in ERA) and Marlins (27th in ERA).
Mike Yastrzemski, OF, Giants, 8%
Yastrzemski finds his name in this article for a second consecutive week as he continues to enjoy a favorable stretch of upcoming matchups. The slugger with a lifetime .810 OPS against right-handers will hit out of the leadoff spot for the next seven games, with every contest coming against a righty starter. The Giants also play their next three series against the White Sox, D-backs and Athletics, all with below-average pitching staffs.
Cam Smith, 3B/OF, Astros, 33%
Smith was a buzzy prospect at the start of the season before being dropped in most leagues when he got off to a slow start. He picked things up in May (.307 average), albeit with poor counting stat production. In June, Smith has continued to hit for average while also chipping in a couple homers and a pair of steals. I’m not fully on board yet, but I see the potential in a 22-year-old who seems to be finding his way on a good team.
Jacob Lopez, SP, Athletics, 22%
After a pair of ugly outings as the calendar flipped from May to June, Lopez has been among the hottest pitchers in baseball in recent weeks, logging a 0.39 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 29:7 K:BB ratio in his past four starts. It’s not as though his outings have come against weak teams; his past two starts were against division leaders, Houston and Detroit. There is still some risk tied to a relatively unproven starter, but Lopez could strike out 15 batters in his upcoming two-start week with reasonable matchups (@ TB, vs. SF).
Michael Wacha, SP, Royals, 50%
Wacha ranks 65th in fantasy production among players with SP eligibility, which makes him one of the most productive hurlers who remains available in the majority of leagues. The veteran is consistent, having allowed more than three runs just three times in 16 starts. Plus, he has never surrendered more than five runs and his swing-and-miss skills have trended up lately with 30 strikeouts in his past five starts. Wacha should be streamed in most leagues for his upcoming two-start week that includes a reasonable matchup with the Mariners and a start against a D-backs lineup that will be less explosive without injured star Corbin Carroll.
Max Scherzer, SP, Blue Jays, 47%
I recommended Scherzer last week in hopes that he would return on Tuesday and serve as a two-start pitcher. Unfortunately, I was off by a day, and the 40-year-old started on Wednesday, when he struck out four while allowing three runs across five innings. The start was good enough to get Scherzer onto the radar for an upcoming two-start week, which will include home matchups against the Yankees and Angels. The veteran could have a hard time against New York, but he could also rack up plenty of whiffs against a Los Angeles lineup that leads the AL in that category.
The man who brought a championship to the Toronto Raptors is leaving the franchise. The Raptors and team president Masai Ujiri are parting ways, the team confirmed Friday.
The move comes at an unusual time. Ujiri just took part in the 2025 NBA Draft with the Raptors, and was entering the final year of his contract. Ujiri could have hypothetically finished out his contract with the team and left in the offseason. It’s unclear why both sides felt it was necessary to move on at this time.
In their statement announcing the move, the Raptors said they would perform a search for a new team president. The team added that members of the current front-office staff will remain in place, including general manager Bobby Webster, who received an extension.
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment says it will launch a search for a new Raptors team president but adds that “Raptors front office leadership remains in place with (contract) extensions for key personnel including general manager Bobby Webster.” https://t.co/3XvO4bYyODpic.twitter.com/vtV94QlN3m
Ujiri’s departure comes a day after the second night of the 2025 NBA Draft. The Raptors received excellent grades from Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor for both their first- and second-round picks. Collin Murray-Boyles, who the team took with the No. 9 overall pick, received an A- from O’Conner. The team’s second-round choice, Alijah Martin, did even better, netting an A+ from O’Connor.
Ujiri initially joined the Raptors in 2013 as the team’s executive vice president and general manager. The franchise experienced success early in his tenure, finishing first or second in the Atlantic division seven straight seasons. In 2016, Ujiri was promoted to team president. He served as the team’s general manager that season before turning that role over to Webster in 2017.
The biggest swing of Ujiri’s tenure with the team came prior to the 2018-19 season, when he traded for Kawhi Leonard. It was a risky move, given Leonard’s injury history, the fact that he had only one year left on his contract and it cost them DeMar DeRozan — for nine years the heart and soul of the team. But Ujiri pulled the trigger for a difference-maker who could bring a title to Toronto. And it worked, with the Raptors defeating the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals. It was the Raptors’ first NBA title since the team was established ahead of the 1995-96 season.
Leonard would ultimately leave following that one season, and the Raptors have been in decline since. After another first-place finish in the division during the 2019-20 NBA season, the Raptors have finished no higher than third in the division over the past five seasons. After finishing .500 during the 2022-23 season, the Raptors have combined to go 55-109 over the past two seasons.
The Dallas Mavericks took Duke star Cooper Flagg at No. 1 overall as expected, and a whole host of picks changed hands over the two days of the NBA Draft.
González fits nicely in the Celtics’ culture. He plays hard, but is more than a hustler and strong defender. He’s a high-motor wing with great defensive tools and a slashing style on offense. If his jumper and handle develop, he could be a versatile two-way starter, though he didn’t get a lot of playing time overseas.
Williams is a massive, smart-passing center with good instincts around the rim and legitimate size to defend the paint. These playmaking instincts make him a nice fit for Boston’s offensive system. But while he develops as a two-way player for Boston, he needs to add perimeter mobility to defend in the modern game.
Shulga is a poised, versatile shooter with a passing feel. But he’s a jack of all trades with no great strengths and a below-average athlete with no clear NBA position. Boston’s positionless style could end up being a good thing for him since he’ll largely be asked to stroke 3s.
New York Knicks
Grade: C+
Draft picks
Rd 2, Pk. 21: B Mohamed Diawara, Forward, Cholet Basket
Diawara has physical dimensions that you can’t teach with a 7-foot-4 wingspan that highlights his massive frame. But he also hasn’t produced much in his overseas career, meaning the Knicks are just taking a big swing at this point of the draft rather than going with one of the players who projects more realistically as a role player.
Toronto Raptors
Grade: A
Draft picks
Rd 1, Pk. 9: Collin Murray-Boyles, Forward, South Carolina
Rd 2, Pk. 9: Alijah Martin, Wing, Florida
Murray-Boyles has a chance to be one of the steals of this draft, so I can see why the Raptors took a big, big swing on him. He operates like a defensive savant the way he locks down every position, uses his ninja-quick hands to swipe at the ball, and inhales rebounds. He’s the closest prospect to Draymond Green because he’s such a special defensive presence, and offensively he’s a finisher with a playmaking feel. Improving his jumper would move him out of tweener territory and into All-Star status, and ultimately that’s the big question for him in Toronto. Can he fit next to Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram?
Martin is a hyper-athletic, high-energy guard who plays bigger than his size and impacts the game with his toughness, rebounding and defensive grit. But his positional tweener status, streaky shooting, and limited creation ability made him a second-round talent. Still, Martin just knows how to ball.
If you have lots of picks, some have to hit … right?
This is undoubtedly a huge swing for the Nets here. Demin has a rare ability at his size to make dazzling passes, which would give Brooklyn a jumbo-sized ball handler. But he’s also struggled to shoot and create his own shot against lengthy defenders, making him more of a love-him or hate-him prospect than a sure thing. Whether he becomes a point guard in the NBA will depend on the development of his jumper. The upside for Demin: he has time to develop, and doesn’t have to fit right away.
Traoré is the fastest player in this draft class. This is a good situation for him because it’s a clean slate roster. The best comparison is an early version of Dejounte Murray. All speed, but inefficient shooting across the floor.
Powell has a chiseled frame that he uses to barrel into defenders at the rim and to contain opponents when he’s on defense. He’s a switch-everything defender who plays with a high motor, and if his spot-up jumper translates he checks all the boxes to be a 3-and-D role player at a minimum for the Nets.
Saraf is a crafty lefty playmaker who relies on guile, footwork and body control. Limited shooting and athleticism could cap his upside, but his positional size and skill could be hard to pass up.
Wolf’s a unique, funky ball-handler. It’s clear in the Nets’ draft that they want players of all sizes to be able to handle the rock. Wolf is 6-foot-11 but ran point for Michigan, playing a slick style with risky passes and step-back jumpers that made him a highlight factory. But he’s also a turnover machine and his shooting numbers are shaky, making him more of a raw bet who needs time to prove he can match his flash with substance.
Philadelphia 76ers
Grade: A-
Draft picks
Rd. 1, Pk. 3: VJ Edgecombe, Wing, Baylor
Rd. 2, Pk. 5: Johni Broome, Big, Auburn
Edgecombe makes total sense for the Sixers. He is an explosive, high-motor wing who flies out of nowhere for poster dunks and chase-down blocks. He pairs his elite athleticism with a knockdown, spot-up jumper and fearless slashing. Though he needs to improve his shot creation to become more of a primary creator, the Sixers have enough in that department as is, so Edgecombe should get time to develop on his own timeline.
Could Broome be the best backup center of the Joel Embiid era? Perhaps so, because he brings a ready-made game as an interior finisher with a passing feel and tone-setting defense. Though his jumper hasn’t progressed as much as NBA teams would hope, Embiid’s ability to space the floor could make for intriguing two-big lineups this season. In Philadelphia, it’s more important that Broome progresses moving laterally on the perimeter.
Central Division
Cleveland Cavaliers
Grade: B-
Draft picks
Rd. 2, Pk. 19: Tyrese Proctor, Guard, Duke
Rd. 2, Pk. 28: Saliou Niang, Wing, Dolomiti Energia Trento
Proctor might be Cleveland’s Ty Jerome replacement, since Jerome is an unrestricted free agent. Proctor is a tall combo guard with great passing vision who was expected to go one-and-done, but he took until his junior year to look ready for the NBA. He sharpened his jumper and became an even better defender, making him an appealing short-term piece for the Cavaliers.
Niang is a high-energy wing with the athleticism to finish at the rim and make a versatile defensive impact. But he’s incredibly raw physically and needs to improve both his shooting and decision-making to ever become a key figure on the Cavaliers.
Indiana Pacers
Grade: A-
Draft picks
Rd. 2, Pk. 8: Kam Jones, Guard, Marquette
Rd. 2, Pk. 25: Taelon Peter, Guard, Liberty
Tyrese Haliburton will be out for all of next season, but Jones could help handle some of the shot-creation responsibilities. Jones offers crafty combo guard skills with advanced shot creation and a blossoming playmaking feel. But his so-so athleticism and streaky shooting paint him as just a cog rather than the rare star upperclassman set to enter the league.
Peter is a true sleeper who played three seasons in Division II at Arkansas Tech before transferring to Liberty, where he led the NCAA in true shooting percentage. He’s a knockdown shooter from 3, and a crafty finisher around the rim. He wasn’t expected to get drafted after not receiving an invite to any pre-draft competitions, yet here he is going to the Pacers.
Milwaukee Bucks
Grade: A+
Draft picks
Rd. 2, Pk. 17: Bogoljub Marković, Forward, Mega Basket
Marković was a first-rounder on my personal big board, so I consider him a steal at this point of the draft. And he makes sense for the Bucks, regardless of what happens with Giannis Antetokounmpo since he’s a high upside stretch forward who also offers skill as a passer and post scorer. But to handle the rigors of the NBA and become a positive defender, Marković needs to add a ton of muscle, so he’d benefit from being draft-and-stashed for another year.
Detroit Pistons
Grade: A+
Draft picks
Rd. 2, Pk. 7: Chaz Lanier, Wing, Tennessee
Perfect pick for Detroit. Wanna know why? Just look at the comparison for Lanier: Malik Beasley. Much like Beasley, Lanier is a knockdown shooter with shot-making creativity. Without great size or playmaking at his age, he’s a second-rounder for good reason. But the Pistons needed more shooting and now they got it.
A lot of people thought Essengue would go No. 7 or No. 8. Downhill attacking is his biggest asset. He went from someone to hack and put on the free-throw line to an improved FT shooter. He was was also a 3-point shooting liability who improved from there as well. Sometimes he looks like Giannis Antetokounmpo with the way he unfolds his long arms for scoop layups. Plus, he lives at the line: he had seven games with more than 10 free throws.
Olbrich is a high-motor Aussie big who projects as a screen-and-dive reserve and plays with a tone-setting level of toughness that could keep him in a rotation. Good for the Bulls to find another guy with these qualities after acquiring Noa Essengue with their lottery pick.
Southeast Division
Orlando Magic
Grade: A-
Draft picks
Rd. 1, Pk. 25: Jase Richardson, Guard, Michigan State
Rd. 2, Pk. 2: Noah Penda, Forward, Le Mans Sarthe Basket
Richardson ends up with the same team his father, Jason Richardson, played part of his career for. The younger Richardson is a skilled combo guard with a lethal midrange game and a poised pick-and-roll feel, looking like he downloaded the experience of his NBA veteran father. Jase didn’t inherit his father’s height or dunk contest athleticism, though, so his smaller stature could cap his upside.
Penda plays with a veteran’s mind and a winning mentality, offering connective playmaking, switchable defense and high-level feel. It’s a bit of a risk for Orlando though since Penda needs to improve his jumper to shine on the long-term. But his unselfish game and defensive utility give him a strong foundation to build on.
Atlanta Hawks
Grade: A+
Draft picks
Rd. 1, Pk. 23: Asa Newell, Big, Georgia
It feels like a foundation is starting to build in Atlanta. Newell is a modern big who can pair nicely with the Hawks’ pair of wings. If they keep Trae Young, he’s got a lob threat with Newell, who is a dunk machine. This looks like a perfect prospect/team match. Even though he needs to improve his fouling habits, his energetic style is overall a positive on defense. The real question is what he becomes offensively: Will he ever develop his jumper? Or is he just a finisher?
The Heat were probably hoping for Walter Clayton Jr. with this pick. For every beautiful assist Jakučionis had as a freshman, there’s an equally ugly bone-headed turnover. He had 11 games this past season with more turnovers than made shots. As a primary creator, he’s not a Tyrese Haliburton type. Think more along the lines of Spencer Dinwiddie; he’s one of your guys on the roster, but he’s not the guy.
Charlotte Hornets
Grade: A
Draft picks
Rd. 1, Pk. 4: Kon Knueppel, Wing, Duke
Rd. 1, Pk. 29: Liam McNeeley, Wing, Connecticut
Rd. 2, Pk. 3: Sion James, Wing, Duke
Rd. 2, Pk. 4: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Big, Creighton
Knueppel has a sharpshooter’s stroke, brainy pick-and-roll playmaking, and crafty scoring feel. He’s the type of player who can come in right away and fit on any team, including perfectly between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. He’s got a slick midrange bag and strength scoring inside, but to become a player who takes over games he’ll need to overcome his average athleticism, particularly shooting off the dribble. This would matter a bit less playing in Charlotte, since he could be one of multiple ball-handlers on the team.
McNeeley is a sharpshooting wing with superb instincts moving without the ball, and the touch to splash from deep ranges. Though he doesn’t project as a primary shot creator, his feel as a connective passer gives him the skill to fit into any type of offense, including Charlotte’s.
Fans who happen to root for both Duke and Charlotte know that James has role-player qualities that can fit next to the Hornets’ core pieces. James is a versatile defender who sets a tone with his hustle, and after years of laying bricks he worked hard to become a dead-eye, spot-up shooter.
A ton of teams were hoping that Kalkbrenner would fall to them in the second round, but the Hornets land him here after trading away center Mark Williams on Day 1 of this draft. Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting shots with his giant wingspan and dunking everything in sight. It’s a bit strange he isn’t a better rebounder.
Washington Wizards
Grade: B+
Draft picks
Rd. 1, Pk. 6: Tre Johnson, Guard, Texas
Rd. 1, Pk. 21: Will Riley, Forward, Illinois
Rd. 2, Pk. 13: Jamir Watkins, Wing, Florida St.
Johnson is a clutch shot-maker who can catch fire from all over the floor, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease. The Wizards are getting the best overall shooter in the class. He made 40.8% of catch-and-shoot 3s, over 50% of 3s off screens and 38.4% of dribble jumper 3s. But he needs to continue developing his point guard skills while also honing his shot selection since only 17% of his shots came at the rim in the half court. Plus, he must dramatically improve his defense to show he’s more than just a one-way player.
I’m not Riley’s biggest fan. He’s not a great athlete or a great shooter yet. He has a very lean frame. “What’s he going to be?” was the common question I heard from scouts when talking about Riley’s evaluation. He does have dynamic driving ability and playmaking instincts that scream upside as a jumbo-sized, shot-creating wing.
Watkins can run the show, slash to the paint and switch across positions on defense. In Washington, as long as he continues to set a tone on defense he could become a vital role player.
Western Conference
Pacific Division
Los Angeles Lakers
Grade: A
Draft picks
Rd. 2, Pk. 6: F Adou Thiero, Arkansas
The Lakers made multiple aggressive trades to move up within the second round, and Thiero was the perfect target. He’s a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step who last season logged 45 dunks and had six games with 10 or more free throws. He lives in the paint, and that’s despite his limitations as a shooter. If he’s able to figure out the shot then his length and defensive versatility could make him a key player on a contending Lakers team.
Los Angeles Clippers
Grade: B+
Draft picks
Rd. 1, Pk. 30: Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Big, Penn State
Rd. 2, Pk. 20: Kobe Sanders, Wing, Nevada
The Clippers took a big swing in the first round. Konan Niederhauser is a little bit of a late bloomer, so maybe he’s more than a lob-threat center. He is an elite athlete who lives above the rim as a finisher and shot blocker, and he displays some intriguing upside as a 7-foot shot creator. But he needs to improve his fundamentals to make it all click.
Sanders is a skilled, oversized wing initiator with excellent feel, so he can play the Ben Simmons role for the Clippers. But he actually has an ability to hit some shots off the dribble. He’s limited by a lack of athleticism, but his size, touch and passing acumen give him a chance to stick in the NBA.
Golden State Warriors
Grade: B-
Draft picks
Rd. 2, Pk. 22: Alex Toohey, Forward, Sydney Kings
Rd. 2, Pk. 26: Will Richard, Guard, Florida
Landing with the Warriors is probably a best-case scenario for Toohey since he’s a jack-of-all-trades forward who grinds on defense and loves to dish the ball around. Playing in Golden State’s motion could only amplify the Australian’s best talents. But his scoring comes and goes with his streaky jumper since he’s not someone who generates many of his own shots. Becoming a more reliable shooter will be the key for Toohey to carve out a consistent role for the Warriors.
Richard was a key player in Florida’s run to the national championship behind his energetic defense and versatile shooting ability off the dribble. In the same way he shared creation responsibilities with Alijah Martin and Walter Clayton Jr., he projects as a strong fit for the Warriors, provided he can find consistency shooting off the catch.
Sacramento Kings
Grade: A+
Draft picks
Rd. 1, Pk. 24: Nique Clifford, Forward, Colorado State
Rd. 2, Pk. 12: Maxime Raynaud, Big, Stanford
Clifford was a late bloomer in high school and in college. Once his jumper clicked, his game took off. He’s not a point guard for the Kings, but he’ll be a playmaker. He’s a tough-as-nails wing who does it all and could fill a number of different roles as a plug-and-play option. He defends multiple positions, crashes the boards, and scores from everywhere. But as a super senior with only Mountain West pedigree, he lacks experience against high-level competition despite his age.
Raynaud leveled up every year at Stanford, turning into a player who pops 3s, slashes to the rim with a smooth handle and makes eye-popping passes. He was ranked 15th on my board, making him a steal in my eyes here for the Kings. He fell to this point in the draft because of his age and concerns about his defense. Still, if he can figure out that end of the floor there’s little reason to think the Frenchman won’t carve out an NBA role.
Phoenix Suns
Grade: A+
Draft picks
Rd. 1, Pk. 10: Khaman Maluach, Big, Duke
Rd. 2, Pk. 1: Rasheer Fleming, Forward, Saint Joseph’s
Rd. 2, Pk. 11: W Koby Brea, Wing, Kentucky
Maluach was the highest upside player available on the board. He’s a towering rim protector with switchable mobility, erasing shots at the rim and shadowing quick guards on the perimeter. He logged only 1.3 blocks per game but deterred opponents from even sniffing the basket. Beyond dunking lobs at a frequent rate, he’s a work in progress on offense with a lack of seasoning as a screener, shooter and creator. Such a raw skill set should come as no surprise since the South Sudan native didn’t start playing basketball until he was 13. Maluach’s upside has him ranked in the top two or three on some team draft boards, and perhaps that was the case for the Suns.
Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings energy on defense, swatting shots and snagging boards. But he has some real warts as a ball-handler with a lack of experience against high-level competition, so the Suns must feel confident in his ability to translate to the NBA.
Brea drilled 43.4% of his 3s over five college seasons on 4.9 attempts per game; he projects as a shooting specialist who has a clear path to becoming a rotation player because of his highly sought skill. In order to avoid being a weak link on defense, he’ll need to make improvements to his athleticism, but his shooting is enough to keep him on the floor.
Southwest Division
Houston Rockets
Grade: N/A
Draft picks: None
Memphis Grizzlies
Grade: A
Draft picks
Rd. 1, Pk. 11: Cedric Coward, Wing, Washington State
Rd. 2, Pk. 18: Javon Small, Guard, West Virginia
Rd. 2, Pk. 29: Jahmai Mashack, Guard, Tennessee
What a way to replace Desmond Bane after he was traded away earlier this month. Coward has gone from a Division III player to a lottery pick in just a few years behind his rapid development into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. He made 41% of his catch-and-shoot 3s in three DI seasons, while also developing a versatile scoring skill set with post fadeaways and midrange pull-ups. But he brings even higher upside thanks to his passing vision, versatile defense, and mature approach to the game that makes him the potential steal of the draft for the Grizzlies.
Small is an undersized guard who plays bigger than his body, thanks to his excellent athleticism and gritty nature. He’s a knockdown shooter off the catch and a solid lead guard, though his lack of size puts a natural cap on his upside. Consider Small a point guard who can play alongside Ja Morant, or help fill the gaps alongside Scotty Pippen Jr. if Morant misses time again.
Mashack is an excellent perimeter defender who does everything in his power to win games, plus he has the length to defend some wings. He’s not a primary creator and he needs to improve his jumper. But his hard-nosed defense is enough for him to receive countless chances for the new age Grit and Grind Grizzlies.
Dallas Mavericks
Grade: A+
Draft picks
Rd. 1, Pk. 1: Cooper Flagg, Forward, Duke
Flagg is officially a Mav, and he has a chance to be great enough to win back the fans. He can help Dallas in both the short-term and long-term as a do-it-all forward who hustles like a madman, makes his teammates better as a passer and has dialed in a knockdown jumper. He’s both the best offensive and defensive prospect in this draft class, making him the safest No. 1 pick in ages. As long as his jumper continues to fall like it did during his freshman year at Duke, he could play as a small forward next to Anthony Davis and another big. And with his size and versatility, he could play power forward in other lineups, too. There’s no doubt he’s going to produce. It’s his growth as a shot creator that will decide if he reaches his All-Star floor or soars to his Hall of Fame ceiling.
San Antonio Spurs
Grade: B+
Draft picks
Rd. 1, Pk. 2: Dylan Harper, Guard, Rutgers
Rd. 1, Pk. 14: Carter Bryant, Forward, Arizona
If Cooper Flagg had never reclassified, Harper would be the consensus top pick with star upside because he’s a big-bodied lefty combo guard who has a high floor with the skill, poise and playmaking instincts to dictate the game at his pace. Now that he’ll be sharing shot-creation responsibilities in San Antonio, he’ll be able to use his 6-foot-11 wingspan to greater effect on the defensive end and also utilize his bruising interior finishing as a cutter on offense. But he made only 36.8% of his catch-and-shoot 3s and just 28.7% of his dribble jumpers, so his fit with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle is a question.
San Antonio is just about the perfect fit for Carter Bryant. He hits spot-up 3s, attacks closeouts, makes the right play, and busts his ass on defense. He’ll have a simple role with room to grow over the years and will be a nasty frontcourt fit with Victor Wembanyama.
New Orleans Pelicans
Grade: C+
Draft picks
Rd. 1, Pk. 7: Jeremiah Fears, Guard, Oklahoma
Rd. 1, Pk. 13: Derik Queen, Big, Maryland
Rd. 2, Pk. 10: Micah Peavy, Wing, Georgetown
Fears is a dynamic guard with a twitchy attacking style and a knack for coming through as a clutch shooter. He’s the best ball handler in this draft class, giving him a runway to become New Orleans’ long-term primary shot-creator. But he was one of college basketball’s youngest freshmen, and it showed with his shaky decision-making as a shooter and passer. So he needs time to grow. All that said, he’s a lottery pick because he has a feel for shot creation and a handle that lets him get anywhere on the floor, so he may only need time to emerge as a star.
Conditioning is a concern for Queen. New Orleans is not the place I’d want to end up. He’s got to figure out the jump shot as well. Unless he improves defensively, he could also be a matchup problem on that end of the floor. Queen is a burly big with guard-like handles who dazzles with spin moves, and crafty finishes.
Peavy is a switchable wing stopper with NBA-ready defense, instincts and passing feel. Pair him with Herb Jones and Trey Murphy, and the Pelicans could have quite the trio of gritty wing defenders. If his improved jumper proves as real as it seemed during his senior season, he’s a rotation-level player for a decade.
I think Sorber was the best overall big in this draft class who moved up to that spot late in the talent evaluation process. Sorber has a brick-house frame and the throwback skill set to match with strong screens, soft-touch finishes, and gritty drop-coverage instincts. But to be more than a role player, he needs to tap into the flashes he shows as a shooter while also improving his perimeter defense. As is, he’s the best overall big in the draft.
Barnhizer is a smart, physical wing with disruptive defensive instincts. Offensively, he needs to improve his jump shot but passes the ball and finishes at the rim at a high level. If Thunder assistant coach Chip Engelland can have as much success turning Barnhizer into a reliable shooter as he has with his past projects as a shot doctor, then the Thunder may have a second-round steal here.
Denver Nuggets
Grade: N/A
Draft picks: None
Minnesota Timberwolves
Grade: C+
Draft picks
Rd. 1, Pk. 17: Joan Beringer, Big, Cedevita Olímpija
Joan Beringer in the first round, Rocco Zikarsky in the second round. What are the Timberwolves cooking up in the frontcourt behind Rudy Gobert? Or maybe … in place of Rudy Gobert? After Gobert was involved in trade discussions with the Suns for Kevin Durant, perhaps this is a signal that Minnesota is prepared to move on from the four-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Beringer is one of the rawest projects in the entire draft. He dunks everything around the basket. He’s a rim protector and has shown improvement in other aspects of his defense. An area he’ll need to improve on is he was a hackable player you didn’t fear sending to the free-throw line. He’s a worker, though, and wants to get better.
Zikarsky is a big Australian center who plays a traditional role as an interior finisher and rim protector. He doesn’t offer much else at this stage of his career.
Portland Trail Blazers
Grade: C+
Draft picks
Rd. 1, Pk. 16: B Hansen Yang, Qingdao Eagles
This is the biggest shock of the draft. WOW. It’s a fascinating pick from a fit standpoint: What does a Donovan Clingan/Hansen Yang frontcourt look like in Portland? Yang is a massive Chinese 7-footer who scores with old-school craft, passes well and cleans the glass. But how much his slow feet and lack of shooting range can be improved will determine whether he can stick in the pros.
Well, Bailey didn’t get what he wanted by landing with the Jazz. There’s a reason why he fell to No. 5. This is a huge upside swing, but Bailey is a ridiculous shot-making machine, capable of splashing contested jumpers from every spot on the floor and with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. He had 39 points against Indiana, 37 against Northwestern, and 30 against Penn State, showing an ability to have masterful performances in which he can’t be stopped. But his raw edges as a shot creator and defender need sanding down to turn him into a full-on star.
Along with Bailey, the addition of Clayton makes the Jazz look like the funnest League Pass team next season. Clayton is clutch and looked like Steph Curry at times. He’s also a culture creator. I’m very intrigued with what the Ainges are doing in Utah’s front office. Clayton is a fearless shooter with the versatility to take any shot at any moment, as we saw with him fueling the Gators to a national championship.
Tonje will enter the NBA at age 24 with some readymade skills as an off-ball movement scorer and shooter. His athletic ceiling and defense will determine if he’s more than just a backup.
Griffin Canning’s 2025 season has come to a painful end.
The New York Mets starting pitcher suffered a ruptured left Achilles injury during the team’s 4-0 win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, the team confirmed.
The 29-year-old Canning exited in the third inning after he started running from the mound to field a ground ball. He immediately pulled up limping and then fell to the ground, clearly in pain. After a visit from trainers, he was slowly helped to the clubhouse.
“Horrible,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said afterward. “It sucks. You hate to see it, especially the way [Canning] went down right away. When you get there, you are asking, ‘What’s going on?’ … I feel sorry for the guy, especially how big he has been for us and the way he has been throwing the ball all year. He has been pretty consistent. It’s unfortunate. You hate to see it. You feel for the guy.”
Canning’s season is over after a strong start to his Mets career. New York signed Canning to a one-year, $4.25 million deal last winter as a buy-low move after an up-and-down career with the Los Angeles Angels. Canning led the AL in earned runs allowed last season but had looked like a different pitcher with the Mets.
Canning finishes his 2025 season with a 3.77 ERA in 16 starts, with significant bumps in both strikeout rate and ground ball rate compared to last year. He’s part of a Mets rotation that has surprised and leads MLB in ERA at 3.11.
Injuries haven’t been kind to that rotation, however. Before Canning’s injury, Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill both hit the 15-day IL earlier this month, Senga due to a hamstring strain and Megill due to an elbow sprain.
Expected reinforcement Sean Manaea has also been delayed after he felt elbow discomfort during a rehab assignment. The one piece of recent good news has been the return of Frankie Montas, who threw five scoreless innings in his season debut Tuesday after missing the start of the season due to a lat strain.
Jacob deGrom has been outstanding this season in his return from Tommy John surgery. On Wednesday, he showed the Baltimore Orioles the stuff that made him a two-time Cy Young winner.
DeGrom pitched seven no-hit innings against Baltimore to lead the Texas Rangers to a 7-0 win. Manager Bruce Bochy left him on the mound for the eighth inning with a chance to keep the no-hitter going, but the bid ended with a leadoff single from Colton Cowser.
DeGrom’s night was over at 89 pitches, and the Rangers bullpen took the shutout home.
While he didn’t secure the no-hitter, there was plenty to like about the 37-year-old’s effort. DeGrom entered the seventh inning with a perfect game before he allowed a pair of walks. Those and Cowser’s single were the only baserunners deGrom allowed, and Cowser’s single was Baltimore’s only hit of the game.
DeGrom had his best stuff going Wednesday, including a sweeping changeup that bewildered Baltimore’s rising star second baseman, Jackson Holliday.
DeGrom’s fastball sat in the high 90s, and his slider produced repeated swinging strikes. When his night was finished, he’d allowed one hit, two walks and zero runs. He struck out seven and lowered his season ERA from 2.24 to 2.08.
It’s the type of stuff the Rangers envisioned when they signed deGrom to a five-year, $185 million contract ahead of the 2023 season. Disaster struck when deGrom required Tommy John surgery for the second time just six games into his Rangers career.
Now that he’s back, deGrom is looking very much like the pitcher who earned that $185 million deal.
