There’s really nothing on the baseball calendar for June 26 that makes it especially memorable. (OK, maybe Derek Jeter’s birthday …) Perhaps appropriately, just a regular Thursday is a special day at one of MLB Network’s flagship programs.

For “MLB Central” hosts Robert Flores, Lauren Shehadi and Mark DeRosa, it will mark the 1,000th show since they first got together in 2018. But don’t expect them to spend too much time celebrating.

“Sure, we’re obsessed with the big events and the big milestones,” Shehadi says, “but on a random Tuesday in August, we want to be at our best.

“It consumes us how much we love this show and this job and how much we want to honor the game and the players.”

And therein lies the key to the show’s staying power.

Day in, day out

After this many shows, the three hosts have their routine down pat. Get to the studio at 6:45 a.m. every weekday from spring training through the playoffs. Plot out the segments and guest appearances before going on the air from 10 a.m. to noon ET. Then continue what Flores calls ‘the free flow of ideas’ over texts and calls throughout the rest of the day.

But “MLB Central” isn’t a typical baseball program.

“We try to show you a baseball side that maybe you didn’t see or maybe didn’t pick up on during the game,” says DeRosa, who played 16 seasons in the majors from 1998-2013.

“But we try and honor the stories of the players and we try and make you laugh.”

The chemistry they have together is a big part of that. DeRosa and Shehadi quickly agree Flores has the quickest wit among them. But there’s still something else that makes everything click.

“Authenticity,” Shehadi says, pointing out she and Flores have journalism backgrounds. “I think we consume baseball so differently, as do the fans, so we ask questions that the fans want to know.” Meanwhile, DeRosa provides the on-field experience.

“It’s a beautiful harmony,” she explains.

Silly + serious = ‘awesome’

From their collaborative process, many ideas surface. But not all of them make it on the air.

Generally, it’s DeRosa who gets the ball rolling – working with editorial producer Eric Nehs on something technical such as a player’s defensive footwork or Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s swing plane. But there’s always room for something fun, too.

“DeRo is the most unique analyst I’ve ever worked with because he has a great feel for TV,” Flores says. “There are a lot of analysts who can tell you what happened, but DeRo thinks about it like a TV producer.”

One recent example stemmed from a rash of injuries the Minnesota Twins had experienced. The three were discussing how to deal with the “injury bug” when DeRosa had a vision of Twins manager Rocco Baldelli as an exterminator.

“It was so silly … and so awesome,” Shehadi recalls.

Soon after, the production team whipped up the perfect graphics to help DeRosa pull it off.

The result is an informative and entertaining two-hour block that keeps casual fans and baseball experts equally engaged. Ratings are pacing 6% ahead of last year in the latest Nielsen figures, according to Sports Business Journal.

“We know that there are players watching, there are coaches, there are managers, front office executives, owners. Anyone connected with major league baseball, they are watching,’ DeRosa says. ‘So we take that very seriously.”

Glimpse into the future

After passing the big milestone, the “MLB Central” crew is always looking forward to what’s next.

In the near-term, they’ll be keeping their eyes on the July 31 trade deadline. The Rafael Devers to San Francisco deal was a stunner, but who else might be moved?

Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara and Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez, says DeRosa. Flores offers up Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley, but with a caveat: “The Cardinals are just one game back (in the wild card race).”

Ah yes, the playoffs.

“I think the Cubs have a chance to win the whole thing,” DeRosa says.

“Don’t sleep on the Giants,” Flores counters. “That’s a team that could make a deep run with what they’ve got.”

Even further down the road, everyone’s mind keeps looking for ways to improve, to shake things up, to book interesting guests.

The guest they’d all love to have someday: Shohei Ohtani.

“In a world where we know everything about everyone, I still feel like he’s the most mysterious, magical player maybe in all of pro sports,” Flores says. “Maybe in all of the world.”

DeRosa goes in a different direction. “I’d like to get some A-list celebrities like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt,” he offers.

MLB Central has made its mark by being different from other sports talk shows that may rely more on high volume, bluster and hot takes.

“While all these other shows are doing whatever,” Flores says, ‘we’re trying to give them smart analysis and insight and celebrating the game and trying to make you laugh, all in the same two hours.”

Cooper Flagg is a virtual lock to be the No. 1 pick of Wednesday night’s NBA draft. However despite filling his trophy case, including national player of the year honors, during his sublime freshman (and only) season at Duke University – not to mention a reputation burnished by holding his own against Team USA’s superstars prior to last year’s Paris Olympics – Flagg is not a virtual lock to become a professional legend commensurate with his presumed draft position. Yes, his hype train quickly built in high school, where he led the Montverde Academy Eagles to 34-0 record and a national championship as a senior, before driving the Blue Devils to this year’s Final Four.

Doesn’t mean Flagg will revitalize the Dallas Mavericks, who, one year removed from losing in the NBA Finals, are apparently hoping he can, on some level, fill the Luka Dončić-sized hole in their lineup. Pro sports rarely work that tidily. For every LeBron James, there’s a Kwame Brown and maybe even an Andrea Bargnani or Ben Simmons. For every Peyton Manning, there’s a Jeff George. And the spotlight is even harsher when it comes to top picks. Highly regarded Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had a decent rookie season in 2024 despite the regrettable circumstances around him. Yet his career is already being (unfairly?) measured against the man chosen right after him, Washington Commanders counterpart Jayden Daniels, who may have had the greatest NFL season ever by a rookie QB.

Welcome to the Association, Coop. To illustrate the daunting climb ahead of you, I’m going to rank this century’s No. 1 picks in the NFL – I’m old enough to have covered LeBron and Brown when they were NBA newbies, but football is my area of (alleged) expertise – from best to worst. This year’s top selection, Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans, gets a one-year exemption, for obvious reasons …

1. QB Eli Manning, San Diego Chargers (2004)

Tabbed by the Bolts against his family’s will, he was traded to the New York Giants within an hour of being picked in a megadeal involving Philip Rivers. Both passers will likely find their way to the Hall of Fame eventually, though Manning was not elected in 2025, his first year of eligibility. But he does own a pair of Super Bowl MVP trophies after vanquishing Tom Brady’s New England Patriots in style two times over. Maybe Eli wasn’t as good individually as older brother Peyton, the No. 1 pick in 1998 and a five-time league MVP, but that doesn’t detract from the exceptional performer and ambassador he was for the Giants over 16 seasons.

2. QB Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (2009)

A late-career surge with the Los Angeles Rams, which included a Super Bowl win to cap the 2021 season, will probably certify Stafford’s Canton credentials. But he deserves more credit than he probably gets for his often-scintillating play on some Lions teams that were overly reliant on him and WR Calvin Johnson for seven years. And Stafford’s relative excellence in Motown hardly subsided in the five seasons following Megatron’s retirement after the 2015 campaign.

3. DE Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns (2017)

From a personal perspective – four-time All-Pro, 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, 102½ sacks in 117 NFL games – he’s probably already done enough to gain entry into the Hall. In terms of team success, the Browns only have one playoff win since Garrett got there – not that he’s remotely to blame.

4. QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (2020)

Admittedly, this is something of a projection for a guy who’s played the equivalent of four full seasons when you take injuries into account. But Burrow has already carried Cincy to a Super Bowl – a huge feather in his cap – and a pair of appearances in the AFC championship game. He seems to be an MVP-in-waiting, and perhaps that comes this season if he’s able to – forced to? – overcome a deficient Cincinnati D. After leading the league with 4,913 yards and 43 touchdowns through the air in 2024, many league observers thought Burrow deserved quite a bit of MVP consideration despite the Bengals’ failure as a team.

5. QB Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams (2016)

Despite starting Super Bowl 53, he was part of the package the Rams gave up for Stafford in 2021 – and his relocation to Detroit was widely viewed as something of a salary dump at the time. But give Goff, a two-time Pro Bowler in LA, copious credit – he’s become an even better quarterback with the Lions, throwing for at least 4,400 yards each of the past three seasons and leading the franchise to a level success (including successive division titles) it had not previously experienced during the Super Bowl era (since 1966).

6. QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (2011)

During his first five seasons, the super-sized dual threat lived up to his Superman persona – faster than a speeding linebacker, more powerful than a … linebacker – peaking in 2015 with league MVP honors while the Panthers won the NFC. But Newton was notably terrible in Super Bowl 50 and experienced a steady descent afterward, dogged by injuries and inconsistency.

7. QB Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts (2012)

Targeted as the virtually irreplaceable Peyton Manning’s successor, Luck seemed up to the unenviable task … when he was healthy enough to play. He led the Colts to a 33-15 record and a trio of playoff appearances during his first three seasons, which culminated with a loss in the 2014 AFC championship game. But, like Newton, Luck was a big man who was also a big target as he often resorted to a devil-may-care playing style. He only posted 38 times over his final four seasons – he was named Comeback Player of the Year in 2018, when he passed for 39 TDs and nearly 4,600 yards – and shockingly retired during the 2019 preseason, no longer able to shoulder the pain and expectations of his job. The Colts have yet to recover.

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8. QB Michael Vick, Atlanta Falcons (2001)

While it probably wouldn’t be accurate to say he’s the paradigm of the dual-threat quarterbacks who are becoming the rule rather than the exception in the modern NFL – I’m giving that credit to Randall Cunningham – Vick certainly inspired a legion of uber-athletic passers who followed him. Had he worked harder as a younger player rather than relying on his gifts – just ask Vick – remained clear of dogfighting and the jail time it earned him and avoided injuries later in his career, he might have wound up a Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer. Regardless – legend.

9. QB Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals (2003)

For a brief moment, it appeared he might be the guy to do what Burrow seems to be managing and lead the Bengals out of the wilderness. But Palmer tore up his knee on the first pass of his playoff debut – a 66-yard completion – and Cincinnati retreated into irrelevance. Fed up with the organization in later years, Palmer was traded to another backwater in 2011, joining the Raiders for 25 forgettable games. He eventually enjoyed a renaissance with the Cardinals and nearly took them to the Super Bowl.

10. QB Baker Mayfield, Browns (2018)

He emerged as Cleveland’s choice at the 11th hour – a decision he largely vindicated. However the Browns’ decisions to dump Mayfield for Deshaun Watson in 2022 will forever be viewed as an unequivocal disaster. But it may have also catalyzed Mayfield into becoming the player he is now – a two-time Pro Bowler who’s thrown for 69 TDs and nearly 9,000 yards in two years with the Buccaneers. He has plenty of runway ahead to move much further up this list.

11. DE Mario Williams, Houston Texans (2006)

He was the surprising choice over electric USC RB Reggie Bush. But Williams justified his very unpopular selection with the locals, compiling nearly 100 sacks in 11 NFL seasons. A four-time Pro Bowler, most of his career was spent in virtual anonymity with bad teams in Houston and Buffalo. Williams never started a playoff game.

12. QB Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers (2005)

He spent his career as NFL hurdler – overcoming the transition from Urban Meyer’s college offense at Utah to a pro scheme; getting chosen (instead of Aaron Rodgers) by a bad Niners squad; losing his job to Colin Kaepernick after suffering a concussion in 2012; losing his job to Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City in 2018; and suffering a gruesome leg injury late in his career at Washington but one he miraculously came back from. Still, Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler, was a good player, outstanding teammate and great interview who made the most of his 16-year career (though two seasons were wiped out by injuries).

13. LT Jake Long, Miami Dolphins (2008)

He was a Pro Bowler and dominant player in each of his first four seasons before injuries largely short-circuited the balance of his nine-year career. The Fins thought enough of Long to choose him instead of future league MVP Matt Ryan.

14. LT Eric Fisher, Kansas City Chiefs (2013)

His draft wasn’t exactly star-studded, and Fisher emerged as something of a surprise choice at the top of it. Nevertheless, he was a solid player over the course of a decade, earned a pair of Pro Bowl nods and is one of just three players – along with Eli Manning and Stafford – to play in and win a Super Bowl after being selected No. 1 overall in the 21st century.

15. QB Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (2019)

His potential hasn’t sufficiently matched the production to this point, though he was the Offensive Rookie of the Year and followed that up with Pro Bowl recognition in 2020 and ’21. But Murray ended the 2021 season with a poor performance in a wild-card loss to the Rams and has had to answer a lot of questions about his health and work habits in recent years. Still, plenty of time yet for his career to truly take off, and the Cards seem to be perched for a breakout.

16. DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney, Texans (2014)

A three-time Pro Bowler, the peripatetic pass rusher has been a very good player who maybe hasn’t been given due credit for his all-around game given edge players are so often judged by sacks − and Clowney has never even had 10 in a single season. Yet it is probably fair to say that he’s never lived up to his highlight-reel promise while at the University of South Carolina.

17. QB Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (2021)

Projected as a generational prospect years before the Jags secured the opportunity to take him, Lawrence has fallen well short of fulfilling that hype … so far. However, the Meyer debacle of his rookie year and last year’s injury weren’t Lawrence’s fault. And he did flash during the 2022 playoffs while leading Jacksonville to the divisional round. His story is far from written, and a new chapter awaits with the arrival of super-hyped rookie Travis Hunter to help the cause in Duval County.

18. OLB/DE Travon Walker, Jaguars (2022)

A dark horse who galloped to the top of the draft board, Walker has reached double-digit sacks each of the past two seasons. Yet, to date, he hasn’t been nearly the player Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson, who was drafted directly after him, is. But it’s obviously early in the process.

19. QB Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (2024)

Greatness is expected of him. But as a rookie, he was the victim of an insufficient organizational infrastructure, one that likely contributed to Williams reverting to some of his troubling college habits – and that meant too many sacks and fumbles. However the arrival of offensively brilliant coach Ben Johnson could spark exponential improvement in Williams’ performance.

20. QB Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2015)

Talented. Enigmatic. Beloved. Vexing. If you need a season to sum up Winston, it would be 2019, when he passed for more than 5,000 yards, 33 TDs and 30 INTs. If you need a game to sum up Winston, it occurred last season – when he threw for 497 yards and six TDs (four to his Cleveland teammates, two to Denver Broncos defenders) in a memorable Monday night loss. Usually a favorite in any locker room he graces, Winston has mostly been a backup since the Bucs replaced him with Tom Brady after that 2019 campaign that nearly drove then-coach Bruce Arians crazy.

21. QB Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams (2010)

His injury history at Oklahoma was predictive of similar setbacks in the NFL. In a sense, his pro career peaked when he won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Bradford played for four teams, finishing with a career passer rating of 84.5 and a 34-48-1 record in 83 starts. He never appeared in the postseason.

22. QB Bryce Young, Panthers (2023)

He struggled massively as a rookie and was benched in the early stages of his sophomore season. But after getting back into the lineup, Young started to serve reminders of why Carolina loved him in the first place. Now enjoying continuity under second-year coach Dave Canales, Young has a chance to blossom in 2025.

23. QB David Carr, Texans (2002)

The first selection in club history, he’s probably best known for being sacked a single-season record 76 times during his rookie season. Carr was constantly running for his life in Houston, subsequently developed poor on-field habits and never settled in as the franchise’s foundation. He was a solid backup later in his career, winning a ring with the 2011 Giants.

24. DE Courtney Brown, Browns (2000)

Need a snapshot of why the Browns have almost always stunk? Brown was the No. 1 pick a year after Cleveland kicked off the 1999 draft by choosing QB Tim Couch. Both were waylaid by injuries and their enlistment by an expansion team. Brown wound up with 19 sacks in six NFL seasons – basically what T.J. Watt does for the archrival Pittsburgh Steelers in a year.

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25. QB JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders (2007)

Woof. Russell, who began his career with a lengthy holdout, never approached the hype generated by his howitzer arm and legendary pro day. He lasted just three seasons, losing 18 of 25 starts and compiling an abysmal 65.2 passer rating, before laziness and weight gain washed him out of the league. Who could the Raiders have taken instead? Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas, Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, Marshawn Lynch and Darrelle Revis all came off the board in the first half of Round 1 in ’07.

There’s really nothing on the baseball calendar for June 26 that makes it especially memorable. (OK, maybe Derek Jeter’s birthday …) Perhaps appropriately, just a regular Thursday is a special day at one of MLB Network’s flagship programs.

For “MLB Central” hosts Robert Flores, Lauren Shehadi and Mark DeRosa, it will mark the 1,000th show since they first got together in 2018. But don’t expect them to spend too much time celebrating.

“Sure, we’re obsessed with the big events and the big milestones,” Shehadi says, “but on a random Tuesday in August, we want to be at our best.

“It consumes us how much we love this show and this job and how much we want to honor the game and the players.”

And therein lies the key to the show’s staying power.

Day in, day out

After this many shows, the three hosts have their routine down pat. Get to the studio at 6:45 a.m. every weekday from spring training through the playoffs. Plot out the segments and guest appearances before going on the air from 10 a.m. to noon ET. Then continue what Flores calls ‘the free flow of ideas’ over texts and calls throughout the rest of the day.

But “MLB Central” isn’t a typical baseball program.

“We try to show you a baseball side that maybe you didn’t see or maybe didn’t pick up on during the game,” says DeRosa, who played 16 seasons in the majors from 1998-2013.

“But we try and honor the stories of the players and we try and make you laugh.”

The chemistry they have together is a big part of that. DeRosa and Shehadi quickly agree Flores has the quickest wit among them. But there’s still something else that makes everything click.

“Authenticity,” Shehadi says, pointing out she and Flores have journalism backgrounds. “I think we consume baseball so differently, as do the fans, so we ask questions that the fans want to know.” Meanwhile, DeRosa provides the on-field experience.

“It’s a beautiful harmony,” she explains.

Silly + serious = ‘awesome’

From their collaborative process, many ideas surface. But not all of them make it on the air.

Generally, it’s DeRosa who gets the ball rolling – working with editorial producer Eric Nehs on something technical such as a player’s defensive footwork or Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s swing plane. But there’s always room for something fun, too.

“DeRo is the most unique analyst I’ve ever worked with because he has a great feel for TV,” Flores says. “There are a lot of analysts who can tell you what happened, but DeRo thinks about it like a TV producer.”

One recent example stemmed from a rash of injuries the Minnesota Twins had experienced. The three were discussing how to deal with the “injury bug” when DeRosa had a vision of Twins manager Rocco Baldelli as an exterminator.

“It was so silly … and so awesome,” Shehadi recalls.

Soon after, the production team whipped up the perfect graphics to help DeRosa pull it off.

The result is an informative and entertaining two-hour block that keeps casual fans and baseball experts equally engaged. Ratings are pacing 6% ahead of last year in the latest Nielsen figures, according to Sports Business Journal.

“We know that there are players watching, there are coaches, there are managers, front office executives, owners. Anyone connected with major league baseball, they are watching,’ DeRosa says. ‘So we take that very seriously.”

Glimpse into the future

After passing the big milestone, the “MLB Central” crew is always looking forward to what’s next.

In the near-term, they’ll be keeping their eyes on the July 31 trade deadline. The Rafael Devers to San Francisco deal was a stunner, but who else might be moved?

Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara and Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez, says DeRosa. Flores offers up Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley, but with a caveat: “The Cardinals are just one game back (in the wild card race).”

Ah yes, the playoffs.

“I think the Cubs have a chance to win the whole thing,” DeRosa says.

“Don’t sleep on the Giants,” Flores counters. “That’s a team that could make a deep run with what they’ve got.”

Even further down the road, everyone’s mind keeps looking for ways to improve, to shake things up, to book interesting guests.

The guest they’d all love to have someday: Shohei Ohtani.

“In a world where we know everything about everyone, I still feel like he’s the most mysterious, magical player maybe in all of pro sports,” Flores says. “Maybe in all of the world.”

DeRosa goes in a different direction. “I’d like to get some A-list celebrities like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt,” he offers.

MLB Central has made its mark by being different from other sports talk shows that may rely more on high volume, bluster and hot takes.

“While all these other shows are doing whatever,” Flores says, ‘we’re trying to give them smart analysis and insight and celebrating the game and trying to make you laugh, all in the same two hours.”

The following mock draft comes from Red Line Report, an independent scouting service.

Note that the mock draft has a number of significant differences from Red Line’s own value board. Red Line Report is a pure scouting service and ultimately ranks prospects in the order we would select available players if we lived in a vacuum where needs and other outside forces never entered the equation.

This mock draft represents an exercise in scenarios that we think might happen on draft day.

Erie (Pennsylvania) Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer, projected to go No. 1 overall, is one of the top defense prospects in the last five years. But depth is lacking in this draft beyond the first half of the first round.

1. New York Islanders

Defenseman Matthew Schaefer, Erie

Projects to be a complete top pairing performer. He’s an exceptional skater who can be a difference-maker off therush and an effective 1-on-1 defender. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder has many tools and uses them in a mature, smart playing style.

2. San Jose Sharks

Center Michael Misa, Saginaw

The Sharks also could be considering Porter Martone at this spot, but it would be difficult to pass on Misa. With Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith already on the roster, the addition of another elite skilled forwardmakes perfect sense. You can sort out their positions later.

3. Chicago Blackhawks

Right wing Porter Martone, Brampton

This is a good fit for Connor Bedard because Martone has a physical presence to go with his scoring ability. He can create some space for Bedard and take advantage of his creativity while playing a Tkachuk-style game. He has the size and desire of a prototypical power forward.

4. Utah Mammoth

Center James Hagens, Boston College

This guy was top ranked at the start of the year and rest assured the Mammoth will remind fans about that. He’s an imaginative playmaking center with elite skating ability. Dynamic.

5. Nashville Predators

Center Anton Frondell, Djurgardens (Sweden)

Big center already has NHL strength. The best pure shooter in the draft is fierce on the forecheck and a load for defenses to handle.

6. Philadelphia Flyers

Center Caleb Desnoyers, Moncton

Desnoyers perfectly fills the Flyers’ need for a top two-way center. Terrific details in his game and makes all his linemates better.

7. Boston Bruins

Center Jake O’Brien, Brantford

Two-way center, smart player, creative playmaker, understands how to play the right way, the kind of player who makes an NHL roster early because of his hockey IQ.

8. Seattle Kraken

Defenseman Radim Mrtka, Seattle

He’s a 6-foot-6 defenseman who can skate and jump into the rush. How many players like that are currently playing in the NHL? Teams trying to move up probably are doing it to draft the massive Czech blue-liner.

9. Buffalo Sabres

Right wing Roger McQueen, Brandon

There’s a chance the Sabres may trade this pick in a deal for immediate help. Kevyn Adams needs to get this team in the playoffs this season or else. If they don’t trade the pick and McQueen is available, he could be the Sabres’ guy. At 6-foot-5 with dynamic offensive skill, he’s the closest thing to Tage Thompson.

10. Anaheim Ducks

Defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, Barrie

He scored 26 goals this season and plays a heavy game. Has been compared to Jacob Trouba in terms of playing style, and the Ducks could use plenty of that attitude.

11. Pittsburgh Penguins

Defenseman Jackson Smith, Tri-City

Smith’s skating is his best asset. The 6-footer has a blend of size and mobility that every NHL GM wants on his blue line, plus an emerging offensive game.

12. Pittsburgh Penguins (from New York Rangers via Vancouver Canucks)

Right wing Victor Eklund, Djurgardens (Sweden)

The younger brother of Sharks winger William Eklund, Victor will match his accomplishment of being a first-round NHL draft pick. Scouts love his compete level. He’s a smallish, skilled player who can handle physical play.

13. Detroit Red Wings

Left wing Carter Bear, Everett

Bear is a hard-working 40-goal scorer in the Western Hockey League who offers skill and a tenacious attitude. He’s average-sized, but plays bigger on the forecheck and competes hard every shift.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets

Goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George

Goaltending is an issue for the Blue Jackets. It’s time for the organization to start getting some talent in the pipeline by drafting 2025’s best goalie.

15. Vancouver Canucks

Center Brady Martin, Sault Ste. Marie

He is a relentless beast who plays with overflowing energy. You win with players like Martin. He can help a team in a variety of roles and is a very safe pick.

16. Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary Flames)

Left wing Lynden Lakovic, Moose Jaw

He’s the nephew of the late former NHL tough guy Sasha Lakovic, but Lynden doesn’t play like his uncle. Theyoung Lakovic is an offensive force with size, speed, slick hands and a scoring touch.

17. Montreal Canadiens

Right wing Justin Carbonneau, Blainsville-Boisbriand

Considered one of the most skilled players in the draft. If he played a more varied game with a consistent performance level, he’d be a top 10 pick. But he makes enough ‘wow’ plays to score 77 goals in the last two Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League seasons.

18. Calgary Flames (from New Jersey Devils)

Left wing Malcolm Spence, Erie

He’s a pro-style winger who scored 32 goals in the Ontario Hockey League this season. He can skate and competes big time.

19. St. Louis Blues

Center Braeden Cootes, Seattle

Hard-working, smart, energetic, penalty-killing scorer. Put up 26 goals and can do whatever you need in order to help the team.

20. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota)

Left wing Jack Murtagh, U.S. National Team Development Program

He’s a physical north-south winger who was the best goal scorer for the U.S. program. He’s a bulldog who competeslike every game is a Game 7.

21. Ottawa Senators

Center Jack Nesbitt, Windsor

Big bodied, 6-foot-4 center sees himself as a Jamie Benn-type player. Enhanced his draft status this season by scoring 25 goals. Raw but a good skater with strong net front presence.

22. Philadelphia Flyers (from Colorado Avalanche)

Defenseman Cameron Reid, Kitchener

An elite skater who is smart defensively and instinctive offensively. Puck-moving power play quarterback put up 54 points in the OHL.

23. Nashville Predators (from Tampa Bay Lightning)

Right wing Ben Kindel, Calgary

Not big, but quite comfortable taking the puck to the net. Gritty and has outstanding speed and offensive skills.

24. Los Angeles Kings

Defenseman Logan Hensler, University of Wisconsin

Words like “steady,” and “effective” describe Hensler. He has potential for growth in his offensive game. The 6-foot-2-inch Badgers blue-liner scored 12 points in 32 games as a freshman.

25. Chicago Blackhawks (from Toronto Maple Leafs)

Center Cullen Potter, Arizona State

Watching Potter jet up the ice like he’s an F15 thundering across the sky is enough to catch your attention. He’s adangerous performer who will become even more productive when he grows stronger.

26. Nashville Predators (from Vegas Golden Knights via San Jose Sharks)

Defenseman Blake Fiddler, Edmonton

The son of former NHLer Vernon Fiddler seems to have the NHL in his DNA. He understands how to defend and his puck movement is efficient. He’s a shutdown defender and his offensive game is improving.

27. Washington Capitals

Center Ivan Ryabkin, Muskegon

The mercurial Russian rocket scored 19 goals in just 27 games after arriving in the United States Hockey League in midseason. Blends a heavy physical presence with exceptional hands.

28. Winnipeg Jets

Right wing Cameron Schmidt, Vancouver

He’s an elite game-breaker with tremendous speed and goal scoring ability. The issue is he’s 5-foot-7. If he were taller, he’d go in the top 15.

29. Carolina Hurricanes

Left wing Bill Zonnon, Rouyn-Noranda

All-out effort guy whose feet are always in motion and constantly applies pressure on the puck.

30. San Jose Sharks (from Dallas Stars)

Center Cole Reschny, Victoria

Smallish and highly versatile. He’s one of the most intelligent players in this draft and a proven winner.

31. Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton Oilers)

Center Milton Gästrin, MoDo (Sweden)

Physical center controls the middle of the ice. Strong skater who wins puck battles and already plays an NHL style.

32. Calgary Flames (from Florida Panthers)

LW Will Moore, U.S. National Team Development Program

The U.S. NTDP’s purest offensive skills guy scored 27 goals but his effort away from the puck is questionable.

Kyle Woodlief is the publisher and chief scout of Red Line Report.

NEW YORK — The Dallas Mavericks selected Duke freshman forward Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night, capping off a chaotic year filled with injuries, underachievement, and a mind-boggling trade that shook the league.

Dallas got in the position to select Flagg after the draft lottery on May 12, when the Mavericks, with a 1.8% chance of winning the lottery, jumped up 10 spots and had the opportunity to change their fortunes in a matter of months.

In Flagg, the Mavericks are getting an 18-year-old, 6-foot-7, 220-pound player who can score at all three levels and led the nation in box plus-minus, which is used as an estimate of a player’s contribution to the team. He can start for Dallas from the minute he arrives and will complement Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, whenever he gets back from his knee injury.

Will this selection make the Mavericks fan base forget and forgive general manager Nico Harrison for trading a franchise player in Luka Doncic? It depends on what day you ask and how Flagg performs the first half of next season. Maybe, just maybe, some of those disgruntled fans and thousands who canceled their season tickets will come back into the fold.

‘My mindset has always been to be a winner, so I’m going to try to win as hard as I can everywhere I go. I’m looking forward to being successful and winning a lot of games, for sure,’ Flagg said after being drafted.

Flagg, who is from Newport, Maine, says he is getting support from the entire state. Newport has a population of almost 3,200 people.

‘I know how many people showed up today and supported me at some of the draft parties back home,’ Flagg said. ‘It feels amazing knowing I can inspire younger kids. I was in their shoes really not that long ago, so just to know I can give those kids those feelings and have the whole state behind me, it means a lot.’

What Cooper Flagg brings to the table

Flagg has been on the NBA radar since his freshman year in high school, and once he got to Duke, he did not disappoint, leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four while winning every individual national player of the year award out there. Flagg’s offensive game translates well to the NBA; he can finish at the rim with ease and his outside shot is better than most as he hit 38.5% of his attempts from 3-point range while averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists, leading Duke in those three categories as well as being the team leader in steals and blocks.

Flagg will be called upon to handle a significant scoring load until Irving is healthy, as well as be a force on the defensive end, since Harrison cited that as one of the reasons for shipping Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

How he handles other threes and fours on both ends of the floor will be key, and as someone who has a refined offensive game, Flagg has the potential to be an All-Star early in his career and should thrive immediately. Whether that’s enough to carry the win-now, championship-minded Mavericks to where they want to be is a different story.

“I think positionless is a great way to put it,” Flagg said, describing his skill set. “I’ll do whatever coach wants me to do, I’ll play any role. For me, it’s just doing a ton of different things on the court – just being an impact player – impacting both sides of the ball at a high level and impact winning at a high level.”

Flagg, who doesn’t turn 19 until Dec. 21, is the second-youngest No. 1 overall pick in an NBA draft behind only LeBron James.

Flagg is the sixth Duke player to go No. 1 overall, joining Art Heyman (1963), Elton Brand (1999), Kyrie Irving (2011), Zion Williamson (2019) and Paolo Banchero (2022). The Blue Devils have had more No. 1 picks than any other school in the common draft era (1966-present).

He also breaks a two-year streak of international-based players going No. 1 overall – France’s Zaccharie Risacher in 2024 and France’s Victor Wembanyama in 2023. Before that, players who attended U.S. colleges were selected No. 1 overall in 16 consecutive drafts.

The newest class of rookies arrived at the 2025 NBA Draft in style.

Before teams are officially on the clock to draft their newest stars, prospects descended upon the red carpet at the Barclays Center in New York. Twenty-four prospects were invited to the NBA draft and will sit in the green room with their families, including projected first-rounders Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, V.J. Edgecombe and more.

There was extravagant jewelry, heartfelt tributes and a number of custom suits. Here are some of the best dressed prospects that graced the 2025 NBA Draft red carpet:

Cooper Flagg sticks to navy blue

Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, didn’t stray too far from Duke navy blue on draft night. He donned a navy blue suit paired with velvet Christian Louboutin loafers and a black tie.

Ace Bailey pays tribute to ‘my circle’

Ace Bailey opted for a black suit embellished with black jewels that matched his sneakers. That’s not the only bling Bailey donned. He layered a chain over a red undershirt, his favorite color. The inside of Bailey’s tuxedo jacket features photos of his family, which he affectionately referred to as his ‘circle.’

V.J. Edgecombe’s look designed by big brother

Edgecombe said his entire draft day outfit was styled by his older brother. ‘He did all this for me. I trusted him. I didn’t know what I was wearing until he showed me,’ Edgecombe said on the red carpet.

Edgecombe donned an all-black suit, paired with YSL shoes and Prada glasses. He also paid homage to his Bahamian roots by displaying colors of his country’s flag along his wrists.

Jeremiah Fears brings the bling with Oklahoma chain

Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears wasn’t afraid to pull out all the stops for his draft day fit. Fears picked out a crimson Gucci suit that marked a subtle nod to his soon-to-be alma mater, Oklahoma. ‘I just wanted to show my love and support for the University of Oklahoma … on a stage like this,’ he said.

The real star of the show, however, was a pair of massive chains that he layered over his tie. One chain showcased his last name, while the other featured the No. 0 he wore at Oklahoma. Fears finished off the look with a pair of all-black Gucci loafers and black sunglasses.

The inside of Fears’ suit jacket featured family photos, which has emerged as a trend on the red carpet.

Carter Bryant skips undershirt

Carter Bryant paid tribute to his loved ones. He wore a maroon double-breasted tuxedo jacket, sans an undershirt. Bryant stitched his family members’ names on the inside of his suit jacket, including his dual-athlete sister Cydnee Bryant.

Dylan Harper shines … literally

Harper donned an all-black suit that featured a damask pattern on both the suit jacket and pants. His suit was iridescent and illuminated under the bright lights on stage, which added a touch of pizazz to the otherwise classic fit.

Tre Johnson calm, cool, collected in shorts

Tre Johnson is comfortable in basketball shorts, so much so that the Texas star opted for a pair of knee-length shorts to wear alongside his double-breasted navy suit jacket. He paired the look with a pair of Dr. Martens Loafers.

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Charlotte Hornets starting center Mark Williams is on the move, seemingly for real this time.

The Hornets are trading Williams to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for the No. 29 pick of the 2025 NBA Draft and a first-round pick in the 2029 NBA Draft, ESPN reported on Wednesday. The Suns (on behalf of the Hornets) went on to select Liam McNeeley out of UConn with the No. 29 pick.

Williams was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish ahead of the trade deadline in February, but the Lakers announced two days later that the trade had been ‘rescinded due to failure to satisfy a condition of the trade.’ A person with knowledge of the decision told USA TODAY Sports that the trade fell through because Williams failed a physical. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the information.

2025 NBA DRAFT LIVE UPDATES: Full list of NBA draft picks, analysis of first round

That meant Williams returned to Charlotte, but not for long. He’s now being sent to the Suns to help address the team’s need for a big. The Suns, who acquired the No. 10 pick of the 2025 NBA Draft after trading Kevin Durant to the Rockets, drafted Duke center Khaman Maluach 10th overall Wednesday.

Williams was drafted out of Duke with the 15th overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft by Charlotte, where he’s spent the first three years of his career. He averaged career-highs in points (15.3), rebounds (10.2) and assists (2.5) in 44 games (41 starts) last season, but a number of injuries have sidelined Williams for significant time to start his career.

He played in 43 games (17 starts) his rookie season and was limited to 19 games (all starts) his sophomore season with the Hornets after suffering a back injury. Through three seasons, he’s played a total of 106 out of 246 total games.

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