Days before leaving, Dusty May sounded all-in at Michigan. Then, poof!

Dusty May was the hottest name on the NBA radar for months, yet every time his name came up, he had a policy.

May wasn't going to talk about other jobs — at least, not specifically.

I sat down with the now-former Michigan basketball coach on June 17 for an overarching conversation about U-M's program. We discussed his frontcourt trio that's expected to be lottery selections, his returning guards that could be as good as any backcourt in the country, a pair of McDonald's All American incoming freshmen, the five-in-five rule and other players who could step up this season.

The sit-down concluded with probes about his current job and any potential for a new one. While he acknowledged he had yet to sign his extension with Michigan, he implied it was moving forward without a hitch. Also, given when he signed an extension last year it came in July, this didn't seem exceedingly out of the ordinary.

"Two days ago, I had a discussion about a couple details, and a week before that had a couple discussions about details," said May, to which I asked if the plan is still to go forward. "Yeah. I mean ... I don't even understand the issues with contracts because it's like the contracts are only as good as the buyout.

"But there's active negotiations, minor details. ... I don't spend much time thinking about it and talking about it."

That was old news by the morning of Monday, June 22, when reports surfaced May, 49, had agreed to become the next coach of the Dallas Mavericks. Two years and two months after coming to Ann Arbor, where he went 64-13, won a Big Ten Tournament title, a Big Ten regular season title and the national championship just two months ago, May was off to the NBA.

May's name was floated for just about every position that came open this past cycle — the Magic, Pelicans, Bulls, Bucks, Trail Blazers and most recently Mavericks. I asked him about what it's like hearing his name for all these openings.

"What's the saying, peacock today, feather duster tomorrow?" he responded. "Yeah, you feel appreciated, but I think every job that's been open this year, I've heard my name. ... I think that's more media-driven than anything else."

When asked if some teams had actually reached out to him, he said "very few." I probed back and specifically mentioned the Mavericks.

"I'm not talking about other jobs, right?," he said. "I've said it before. If I spend time talking about every job, that becomes the Brad Stevens joke where, a Division II, JUCO comes open and they say they 'gotta make Brad Stevens say no.'

"There's no reason to talk about jobs because there's going to be 10 jobs next year — 10 in the NBA and 10 in college. I'm just not talking about it. I think I've been pretty clear. I'm not talking about jobs."

In hindsight, this reads differently than it felt in the moment. At the time, it felt similar to some of the conversations he and I had in Indianapolis last spring, where the rumors were swirling North Carolina was going to pounce as a true blueblood of the sport and steal him away from Ann Arbor.

He doubled down and told me he was happy in Ann Arbor and didn't plan on leaving.

That same weekend, athletic director Warde Manuel shot down the reports and told the Free Press the two had agreed in principle to a new deal. Just more than a week later, after U-M won the national title, Manuel said it in Crisler Center in front of thousands of people — with May's approval — that "[May] will be the leader of this basketball team for many years to come," eliciting a roar and standing ovation from the crowd.

May's previous deal featured a $4.6 million base salary for this year. He earned another $500,000 in bonuses for winning the Big Ten ($50,000), being named Big Ten Coach of the Year ($50,000), winning a Final Four game ($200,000) and the national championship ($200,000) for a total of $5.1 million.

One could only figure it will be much larger than that in Dallas, with a future star player already on the roster, a top-10 pick in this week's NBA Draft, plus a major media market with an organization that's not afraid to spend money.

It fits a lot of the criteria May needed in order to be pulled away from the Wolverines.

There's no sugarcoating this: It's a detrimental blow for Michigan. In two years, May took a last-place Big Ten team and turned it into the best team in the country and appeared to have the program poised to become a powerhouse for years to come.

He was a master in the transfer portal. After the NBA Draft on June 23, it's likely his five transfer portal big men he landed in two years in Danny Wolf, Vlad Goldin, Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. will all be on NBA rosters, and four of them will have gone as first-round selections.

U-M appeared to have real staff continuity going into the 2026-27 season, with only Justin Joyner (who took over as Oregon State head coach) seemingly on the way out. Now, the leader of the entire operation is off to lead the Mavericks along with Cooper Flagg.

Oh, don't forget, the Mavericks have the No. 9 pick in the draft. Flagg is a big, versatile forward who can handle the ball and create for others. May likes that. What else does he like? Pairing another big man with him.

Keep an eye out for a Mara-May reunion on Tuesday night.

Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What Dusty May told me days before leaving Michigan for Mavs

Mammoth Extend Andre Tourigny And Blaine Forsythe, Bring In Adam Foote To Coaching Staff

Andre Tourigny isn’t going anywhere—and this time, Utah made sure of it in a much more meaningful way than initially understood.

What was first reported by The Fourth Period and Daily Faceoff insider Dave Pagnotta as a one-year extension has since been clarified: the Utah Mammoth have instead signed Tourigny to a multi-year contract extension, securing their head coach well into the next phase of the franchise’s growth.

The move removes any ambiguity around his future and signals clear organizational belief in the coach who has guided the Mammoth from early-stage rebuild to a legitimate playoff team.

Tourigny was entering the final year of his previous contract in 2026-27, a situation that often creates noise around a coaching staff heading into an important stretch. Utah instead opted to eliminate that uncertainty entirely, locking in continuity behind the bench as the roster continues to mature.

Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

The extension comes on the heels of the most successful season in the franchise’s brief Utah era. The Mammoth finished 43-33-6, earning fourth place in the Central Division and a Western Conference Wild Card berth—marking the organization’s first playoff appearance since relocating.

Their postseason run was short but revealing. Utah grabbed a 2-1 series lead over the eventual Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights before ultimately falling in six games. While the exit stung, it also underscored a growing internal reality: this team is no longer solely projecting future competitiveness—it is already beginning to test it.

Across five seasons behind the bench dating back to the Arizona Coyotes era, Tourigny has compiled a 170-195-45 record. The raw numbers don’t tell a simple success story, but they do reflect something the organization values more—steady progression through a prolonged rebuild and the development of a young core that has finally started to deliver results.

Few coaches have lasted longer in today’s NHL landscape. Only Jon Cooper, Jared Bednar, and Rod Brind’Amour have had longer continuous tenures. And while the NHL officially treats Utah as a separate expansion-era franchise, meaning Tourigny’s “Utah tenure” is technically just two seasons, his influence spans the entire organizational transition.

What matters most inside the building is trajectory.

“André and Blaine have both been instrumental in building the foundation for our organization and will be critical in our continued success and leadership moving forward,” general manager Bill Armstrong said. “André is an excellent leader, communicator, and person, who is extremely well respected by our players and our staff.”

Utah also confirmed multi-year extensions for assistant coach Blaine Forsythe while adding Adam Foote to the coaching staff.

Blaine Forsythe is back for another go at it. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas
Blaine Forsythe is back for another go at it. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas

Forsythe remains a key part of the structure despite a down year for the power play. Over his tenure, Utah’s man advantage has generally ranked in the top half of the league, including a top-10 finish during the 2024-25 season, and continues to be viewed internally as a stabilizing strength.

“Blaine’s an experienced, knowledgeable, and Stanley Cup-winning coach who has a strong body of work running the power play,” Armstrong said.

Adam Foote played parts of 17 of his 19 NHL seasons with the franchise that began as the Quebec Nordiques before relocating and becoming the Colorado Avalanche. Credit: Ron Chenoy.
Adam Foote played parts of 17 of his 19 NHL seasons with the franchise that began as the Quebec Nordiques before relocating and becoming the Colorado Avalanche. Credit: Ron Chenoy.

Foote, a two-time Stanley Cup champion and 2002 Olympic gold medalist, joins the staff following a brief head coaching stint with the Vancouver Canucks. His arrival is expected to bring a different voice and added experience to the room.

“We are also thrilled to have Adam, a two-time Stanley Cup champion and 2002 Olympic gold medalist right here in Salt Lake, join the organization and bring a fresh perspective to our room backed by years of experience as both a player and coach,” Armstrong added. “This is another exciting day for the organization.”

The foundation isn’t being reconsidered—it’s being reinforced. And at the center of it remains the same coach who helped build it from the ground up.

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Columbus Blue Jackets: The History Of The 14th Overall Pick

The Columbus Blue Jackets own the 14th pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Let's take a look at the history of that draft position for the CBJ.  

Some notable picks around the league at #14 are Charlie McAvoy, Brent Seabrook, Jake DeBrusk, and Devan Dubnyk. 

Alexander Wennberg - 14th in the 2013 Draft - Wennberg was drafted in the 1st round of the 2013 NHL Draft as the 14th overall draft pick.

Wennberg came to North America and made his NHL Debut in 2014. After having three decent seasons, including a 59-point year in 2016-17, Wennberg was signed to a six-year deal on September 1st, 2017. 

Tom Wilson would seemingly derail Wennberg's career in the 2018 playoffs when he laid a devastating check on him. The next two seasons, Wennberg would only total 47 points. In October of 2020, the CBJ would buy Wennberg out, making him a free agent. 

In addition to playing with the Florida Panthers since leaving Columbus, He's played for the Seattle Kraken, New York Rangers, and San Jose Sharks. After the 59-point season he had in 2016-17, Wennberg failed to score more than 38 points in a single season. That streak was stopped last season, when he scored 18 goals and had 55 points for San Jose. 

Jackson Smith - 14th in the 2025 NHL Draft - Smith was announced as the 14th pick by Johnny Gaudreau's widow, Meredith, at the 2025 NHL Draft and instantly became a fan favorite.

Jackson Smith is an elite freshman defenseman for the Penn State men’s ice hockey team. A native of Calgary, Alberta, he made program history as the first-ever first-round selection for the Nittany Lions, having been drafted 14th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2025 NHL Draft.

The youngster paced all Big Ten blueliners in points and broke the Penn State program record for the most single-season goals by a defenseman. He totaled 54 points and had 43 assists. 

The Blue Jackets seem to be open to trading the 14th pick this year, much like they were last year as well. But that's easier said than done in today's NHL. 

Can Waddell get a deal done involving the 14th pick? We won't know for a few days, but if they don't, they're sure to get a pretty good draft pick as well. 


Next Up For Columbus: The NHL Draft is on June 26 and 27 in Buffalo, where the CBJ will own pick #14.   

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Can Michigan players enter transfer portal with Dusty May leaving for Mavericks?

Not even three months removed from winning the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament, Michigan men's basketball is looking for a new coach.

Dusty May, who won the title in just his second year coaching in Ann Arbor, will take the head coaching position of the Dallas Mavericks, a team that went 26-56 amid a 12th-place finish in the Western Conference in 2025-26. That said, the Mavericks have building blocks for success, including a top-10 pick in a loaded 2026 NBA Draft class and 2025-26 Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.

The question now is what is to happen with the players remaining on Michigan's roster. While some players, such as Aday Mara, Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr., have already declared for the draft as first-round selections, others will have the opportunity to leave Ann Arbor via the transfer portal — but not immediately.

Here's what to know of the NCAA's transfer rules, and when Wolverines players can transfer from Michigan:

Can Michigan basketball players transfer with Dusty May leaving?

Yes, NCAA rules allow for the creation of a special transfer portal window following a head coaching change. At that time, players can enter the portal and potentially sign with another team.

When can Michigan players enter the portal?

According to the NCAA on Jan. 14, 2026, the Division I Cabinet enacted immediate rules changes for the transfer portal, including those for a team going through a coaching change.

Per the NCAA:

When a head coaching change occurs, a 15-day period will open five days after the new head coach is hired or publicly announced. If a new head coach is not announced within 30 days of the previous head coach's departure — and the 31st day after the head coach's departure is after the championship game — a 15-day window will open. The additional head coach departure window is available only after the basketball transfer window opens through Jan. 2.

Five days after Michigan hires or publicly announces its hire, the 15-day transfer portal will open, allowing players to enter and potentially sign with a team. The 15-day window will open if the Wolverines are unable to make a hire within 30 days of May's departure for the NBA.

That is separate from a 15-day transfer window that opens the day following the championship game, which in 2026 was on April 4.

Michigan basketball roster: Who did Michigan sign in transfer portal this offseason?

  • Moustapha Thiam (Cincinnati): 4-star | No. 13 player in portal | No.3 C
  • J.P. Estrella (Tennessee): 4-star | No. 23 player in portal | No. 7 PF
  • Jalen Reed (LSU): 4-star | No. 163 player in portal | No. 33 PF

Michigan basketball high school recruit rankings

Michigan's 2026 high school recruiting class ranks No. 4 nationally and No. 1 in the Big Ten, according to 247Sports' Composite rankings. Here's who the Wolverines signed, including their national rank:

  • Brandon McCoy Jr.: 5-star | No. 10 player nationally | No. 2 PG
  • Quinn Costello: 4-star | No. 45 player nationally | No. 8 PF
  • Lincoln Cosby: 4-star | No. 47 player nationally | No. 17 SF
  • Joseph Hartman: 4-star | No. 97 player nationally | No. 12 SG
  • Malachi Brown: 4-star | No. 148 player nationally | No. 46 SF
  • Marcus Moller: International

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dusty May to Mavs: What's next for Michigan players? Can they enter portal?

Flyers Announce First Preseason Schedule Under New NHL Format

Officially, Philadelphia Flyers hockey returns in less than three months with the team announcing its 2026 preseason schedule on Monday morning.

Now, the special new novelty with this year's preseason slate, for all NHL teams, is that it is two games shorter, with the NHL instead opting for two more regular season games.

The 2026-27 regular season will now be 84 games long.

As a result, the Flyers only play two teams in the preseason this year: the Washington Capitals and the Boston Bruins.

Here's the full schedule, as announced by the Flyers:

Monday, Sept. 21 at Washington Capitals at 7 p.m.

Note: This Sept. 21 game at Washington will be played at the GIANT Center in Hershey, PA.

Tuesday, Sept. 22 at Boston Bruins at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 24 vs. Boston Bruins at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 26 vs. Washington Capitals at 5 p.m.

Exclusive Q&A: Flyers GM Danny Briere on Matthew Schaefer's Calder, Top Prospects, and Free AgencyExclusive Q&A: Flyers GM Danny Briere on Matthew Schaefer's Calder, Top Prospects, and Free AgencyIn an interview with The Hockey News, Philadelphia Flyers general manager Danny Briere discusses his top prospects, former players, free agency, and more.

The 2026 preseason will represent the first opportunity for Flyers fans to see new trade additions Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit in action for Philadelphia, as well as any other exciting players the team adds in free agency, the 2026 NHL Draft, or another trade.

Officially, the offseason will get underway on Friday, when the Flyers pick 21st overall in the draft.

On July 1, free agency opens, and then the Flyers are off to the races towards their preseason dates.

Today In Canadiens’ History: A Caufield Milestone

On June 22, 2021, Montreal Canadiens rookie Cole Caufield had the first of many milestone nights. In a third-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, the winger became the first rookie since P.K. Subban in 2010 to score at least eight points with the Habs in a single playoff tournament.

The Canadiens would go on to eliminate the Golden Knights three days later, on St-Jean-Baptiste, to book their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Caufield would finish the tourney with 12 points in 20 games, a very successful first taste of playoff action, but like the rest of the Habs, he would then go four years before seeing any postseason action.

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Still, it’s been all about progress for the sniper since then, and this last season, the NHL had to acknowledge just how important a role he is playing with the Habs as he gave Nathan MacKinnon a run for his money for the Rocket Richard Trophy, awarded annually to the league’s best goal scorer. The diminutive winger pocketed 51 lamplighters this year, and it feels like we’ve yet to see his ceiling.

While his size has so far prevented him from finding his way on Team USA, it’s hard to imagine that he will never get his opportunity, especially since he forced the other markets to take notice this season, as evidenced by his Lady Bing Trophy win.

Caufield is under contract with the Canadiens for the next five seasons, and if the Habs are to finally be successful in the quest for their 25th Stanley Cup, they will need him to be at the top of his game. It will be interesting to see what he comes up with next season after establishing career-best numbers in both goals and points and tying his career-best numbers in assists.


Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.  

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What Could The Maple Leafs Realistically Receive In A Morgan Rielly Trade?

Real conversations are happening regarding defenseman Morgan Rielly and his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs. After 13 seasons in Toronto, and the longest active tenured player for the team, it could be the end of the line for Rielly and the Maple Leafs this off-season.

However, a breakup between both parties isn't as simple as it may seem, and that's because of Rielly's contract. The 32-year-old  is entering the fifth year of an eight-year contract and earns $7.5 million against the salary cap. In addition, he has a no-move clause in his deal, which allows the player to dictate where he goes next if he were to get traded.

With all that in mind, the complications of Rielly's situation and contract would factor into a potential trade and could hinder what the Maple Leafs receive, depending on the trade partner and what that other team may be interested in.

To anticipate what Toronto should expect in return if they dealt Rielly this summer, let's go through some previous examples of notable defensemen on unpopular contracts that were traded, or players who had trade protection and got moved anyway in recent memory.

Could Morgan Rielly And Matthew Knies Be Next Out The Door For Maple Leafs?Could Morgan Rielly And Matthew Knies Be Next Out The Door For Maple Leafs?Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka has made his imprint on the roster with a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers. If he plans on making another big move this off-season, Morgan Rielly and Matthew Knies are likely next in line.

It doesn't take a deep search to find a recent example of when a player with a no-move clause was traded. In fact, it happened before last year's Olympic break when the New York Rangers traded Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings.

Because Panarin had a say in where he wanted to end up, the Rangers were practically forced into a deal in which they probably could've garnered more assets elsewhere if Panarin had no trade protection.

In the end, New York received a solid prospect in Liam Greentree, as well as a 2026 third-round pick and a 2028 fourth-round pick.

Jim Hiller Must Believe In Maple Leafs Youngsters More Than He Did With KingsJim Hiller Must Believe In Maple Leafs Youngsters More Than He Did With KingsJim Hiller's track record in developing young players isn't the best. That's going to have to change with players such as Easton Cowan, Matthew Knies, Emil Andrae and the 2026 first overall pick potentially in the lineup next year. Here's how Hiller fared with the Los Angeles Kings in that aspect.

It's worth noting that Panarin's situation is very different, considering he was on an expiring deal and is a top-five scorer in the NHL over the course of the past decade. Nonetheless, that's how a no-move clause can affect the return in a trade.

There are multiple other ways to go about trading a player with a no-move clause or with an unpopular contract. Salary retention can certainly help with that.

The Florida Panthers acquired defenseman Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks in 2024-25. Jones' game was really dropping in the latter stages of his tenure in Chicago, and at his $9.5-million cap hit.

However, the Panthers found a way to get Jones with the Blackhawks retaining $2.5 million of his contract. In the process, Florida sent goaltender Spencer Knight and a 2026 first-round pick. That's quite the return for Jones, who was coming off some of the worst campaigns of his NHL career in Chicago.

And though many teams would be hesitant to retain any salary on a long-term contract like Jones' (expires after 2029-30), it doesn't mean something can't be worked out. Like Jones, Rielly's contract also expires through the 2029-30 season with a no-movement clause attached.

Report: Maple Leafs' John Chayka, Mats Sundin Talking With Morgan Rielly's Representative About Off-Season PlansReport: Maple Leafs' John Chayka, Mats Sundin Talking With Morgan Rielly's Representative About Off-Season PlansFor what seems like a possible end for Morgan Rielly's career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, conversations between the defenseman and GM John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin are reportedly "ongoing."

Another defenseman who was once in a similar situation to Rielly is Jacob Trouba of the Anaheim Ducks. Although this deal comes without salary retention.

Ahead of the 2019-20 season, Trouba inked a seven-year contract with the Rangers at $8 million per season. Not long after, it would be seen that Trouba did not play up to his dollar value, and when a highly-paid player can't perform to expectations, questions come to the surface.

Eventually, Trouba was traded to the Ducks through his 15-team no-trade list at the time, and New York didn't receive much in return. The Rangers received defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft.

There is a wide range of what can go down when a player needs a change of scenery. Sometimes, both parties in a trade walk away happy, or the team parting with the big-name player is handicapped by a bad contract or a trade-protection clause.


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Jason Collins to be honored posthumously with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at The ESPYS

NEW YORK (AP) — Jason Collins will posthumously be honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his impact on LGBTQ+ visibility in pro sports at The ESPYS in July.

Collins was the NBA's first openly gay player who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league. The 13-year center died May 12 of a brain tumor at age 47.

Before his death, Collins publicly shared his cancer journey and spoke openly about his prognosis in hopes of advancing understanding and helping others facing similar diagnoses.

The Ashe award is given to a person who has made a difference beyond the field of play by fighting for what they believe in. It will be accepted by Collins' twin brother, Jarron.

"It is profoundly bittersweet but deeply meaningful to accept the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage on my brother’s behalf, celebrating a legacy of visibility, strength, and love that will endure forever,” Jarron Collins said in a statement.

Among the past recipients of the Ashe Award are the USA Gymnastics sexual abuse survivors, NBA player Kevin Love, the U.S. Women’s national soccer team, former NFL player Steve Gleason, and NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson.

Hosted by “Saturday Night Live” comic Marcello Hernández, The ESPYS will air July 15 on ABC from New York. The show will also stream on ESPN+.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

The Best and Worst Jazz Draft Picks of the Last Decade

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 06: Udoka Azubuike #20 of the Utah Jazz shoots over Jaylin Williams #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of a game at Vivint Arena on April 06, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

During the last decade the Jazz have had their fair share of hits and misses in the draft. Today we take a look back at the best, and worst of these picks, tomorrow the Jazz will make their most important selection in franchise history. 

Best:

Donovan Mitchell

In 2017 the Jazz made one of the best decisions in franchise history and traded Trey Lyles and 24th overall pick to move up to 13th and select Mitchell. In his 5 seasons in Utah he was a three time All-Star, runner up for rookie of the year, (thanks Ben Simmons)  winner of the 2018 Dunk Contest, and made the play-offs every year. Although the furthest the team ever made it during this span was a Western Conference Semifinals appearance it was still a very entertaining time to be a Jazz fan, and Mitchell was the main reason why.  

Walker Kessler

Though technically drafted by the Grizzlies I’m going to include Kessler here anyway because he was immediately traded to the Jazz, and because he deserves all the love from the fan base, especially in the midst of contract negotiations. At the time there was very little excitement about Kessler, and the main focus of the trade was on the draft picks involved, but Kessler quickly proved himself as an extremely talented starting level center. His first three seasons in Utah he averaged 2+ blocks per game, and probably would have done so again if his season hadn’t ended prematurely due to a shoulder injury. Going into this offseason Kessler is a restricted free agent and the Jazz will look to negotiate a deal to keep him here longterm. He also seemed to add a new skill to his game as he shot 6-8 (75%) from deep this season. While it’s obviously a very small sample size, his shooting form looked solid, and it could make him an even bigger threat on offense if he can be a 30ish% shooter from three. 

Keyonte George 

If not for the 65 games played rule Keyonte would’ve firmly been in the running for the Most Improved Player Award. Picked 16th overall in 2023, the Jazz got an absolute steal. Before injuries and tanking slowed him down, he was averaging 24 points, and six assists per game, while also averaging a steal per game for the first time in his career. It will be so exciting to see how Keyonte will look on a team that is trying to compete next year. 

Ace Bailey

After so much pre-draft drama surrounding the Jazz’s selection of Bailey 5th overall, he showed that the Jazz absolutely made the right call when drafting him. He looked every bit like the explosive highflying player that he was projected to be. Additionally he still hasn’t celebrated his 20th birthday yet, so he’s really only scratched the surface of his potential. It will be interesting to see if he will remain in the starting lineup after the Jazz add a blue chip player in this year’s draft. My guess would be that he will remain a starter and have an even better second year in the league.  

Isaiah Collier

Collier was another certified draft steal when he was selected 29th in the 2024 draft. Since coming to the Jazz he has been a true floor general, even breaking John Stockton’s rookie assist record. Another thing that stands out about Collier is his speed, when he attacks the rim at full speed, not many other players can keep up with him. This most recent season his jumpshot also looks to have improved. 

Worst: 

Cody Williams

I almost couldn’t bring myself to include Williams on this list, but I did my best to set my biases aside. To put it bluntly Williams appeared to be unplayable at times as a rookie. He lacked an NBA body and shot a putrid 32.3% from the field. There were so many times during his rookie year that he would become a ghost on the floor, but what a difference a year can make. Williams put in a ton of effort during the offseason, and gained 13 pounds. His confidence also grew considerably, and he took on a much more aggressive playstyle, and looked like a different player. If he can take a year three leap, he will find himself off of this list. 

Taylor Hendricks

Hendricks finds himself on this list for reasons completely outside of his control. A gruesome leg injury just 3 games into his sophomore season greatly derailed his development. In his third year as a Jazzman he could never really find his footing on the team. Since then he was included in the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade, and has looked like a different player. The change of scenery seemed to be exactly what Hendricks needed, as in his 26 games in Memphis he averaged 10.6 points and 4.7 rebounds. Hopefully he can continue to develop with more consistent playing time, and a more stable role. 

John Tonje

Is it really fair to include a player taken 53rd overall who was traded before he ever even appeared in an NBA game? Probably not, but I’m going to do it anyway because I have a horrible feeling that the Celtics will turn him into a decent player, and I wanted to put this prediction out there just in case I end up being correct. Other players that I could have included in this spot are: Nigel Williams-Goss, Justin Wright-Foreman, or Joel Bolomboy. Those three combined played just 26 games for the Jazz.

Grayson Allen

Allen was the Jazz’s lone selection in the 2018 draft, and after just his rookie year he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in the Mike Conely deal. Since then Allen has really come into his own as a player. He’s shown that he can be a real contributor on a playoff team. This past season was his most impressive, as he posted career highs in points, assists, and steals. 

Udoka Azubuike 

Azubuike was selected 27th overall in 2020, unfortunately his NBA career got off to a horrible start as he suffered a serious ankle injury in a G-League game. After that he could never really stay healthy and only played in 68 games during his 3 year Jazz tenure. When he was on the court however he was awful. He couldn’t defend, he was slow, and he was the least talented offensive player I have ever seen in a Jazz jersey. Jeff Withey had more of an offensive bag than Azubuike did. After a 16 game stint in Phoenix, he was out of the NBA. Currently he plays for the Israeli Basketball Premier League.

Dusty May contract: How much is coach's buyout to leave Michigan for Mavericks?

The college basketball coaching carousel is back open.

Michigan coach Dusty May is leaving Ann Arbor and the Big Ten to become the next Dallas Mavericks coach in the NBA, USA TODAY Sports has confirmed.

May leaves for the NBA and the Mavericks — where he'll coach former Duke standout and 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg — after leading the Wolverines to one of the more dominant national championship runs in recent memory last season.

In two seasons at Michigan, May led the Wolverines to a 64-13 overall record, a pair of Big Ten championships, including a conference tournament title in 2025, and the program's first national championship in nearly four decades.

May, who broke onto the scene as one of the top college coaches in the nation when he led Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023, has been in talks with Michigan for a contract extension since the start of the NCAA tournament. He had even spoken openly about his intentions to stay in Ann Arbor and further build the Wolverines into a powerhouse.

Here's what to know on May's contract details at Michigan, and a look back at some of his past comments regarding his contract extension talks with the Wolverines:

Dusty May contract details

May's previous deal was set through 2030, and offered him an annual increase of $250,000 for the next four seasons, according to his contract obtained by USA TODAY Sports. His base salary in 2025-26 was $4.6 million and was set to increase to $4.85 million this season, under his previous contract.

Dusty May buyout

May's buyout on his previous contract was reduced to $5 million after April 30, 2026.

What Dusty May said of contract extension with Wolverines

In May at the Big Ten spring meetings, May told USA TODAY Sports' Jordan Mendoza there were "minor details" being adjusted between Michigan and his party in terms of his contract extension. He said he was committed to staying with the Wolverines, though a contract had not been signed yet.

A request for clarification on whether May had signed his contract was not immediately returned to USA TODAY Sports at the time this story published.

"We’d like to build one of the most consistent, greatest basketball programs in the country," May said.

May had been a name tossed around in several college basketball openings during Michigan's NCAA Tournament run, including the North Carolina opening that eventually went to former NBA and Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone.

At the Wolverines' national championship celebration in April, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel announced that May and he had agreed to a deal that will keep May in Ann Arbor.

"He will be the leader of this basketball team for many years to come," Manuel said, according to the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dusty May Michigan buyout: What ex-Wolverines coach owes to leave for Mavs

Why is Dusty May leaving Michigan? What we know of new Dallas Mavericks coach

Former Michigan men's basketball coach Dusty May is leaving for the NBA after leading the Wolverines to a national championship.

May, who just concluded his second season with the program, is finalizing a deal with the Dallas Mavericks. The news comes a day before the first round of the NBA Draft on June 23.

May will lead the Mavericks into a new era, led by former No. 1 overall pick and rookie of the year Cooper Flagg. May replaces Jason Kidd as coach, and Dallas also recently hired former Raptors executive Masai Ujiri as the team's president.

It's a tough blow for Michigan, which was starting to cement its place as one of the top programs in college basketball. Now, the Wolverines could be headed for another transitional period, where they'll hope to keep their roster together ahead of the 2026-27 season with players allowed to enter the transfer portal following the coaching change.

Why did May decide to leave Michigan, though? Here's what we know:

Why is Dusty May leaving Michigan for Dallas Mavericks?

It's unclear what changed between Michigan's national championship parade celebration in April and now, given athletic director Warde Manuel announced he and May had agreed on a new contract to keep May with the Wolverines for "many years to come."

While Michigan was positioned to compete for another national championship in 2026-27, the opportunity with the Mavericks was likely too much to pass up for May, who was always rumored to have NBA interest.

May told USA TODAY Sports on May 18 his contract hadn't yet been signed, as the two sides were still discussing "minor details." He did, however, note he was committed to staying with the program.

The Mavericks already have Flagg, one of the best young players in the NBA, and are led by Ujiri, who has already shown capable of building an NBA championship contender with the Raptors. May is the first college head coach since 2019 to leave for an NBA head coaching job, joining former Michigan coach John Beilein, who went to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

May's tactical prowess also fits the NBA style. His calm nature as a coach does, too, along with his rapid rise as one of the top coaches in college basketball.

The 49-year-old coach grinded his way to the top, starting as a student manager at Indiana without any college playing experience. He landed his first head coaching job in 2018 at Florida Atlantic, eventually leading the Owls to the Final Four in 2023 before taking the Michigan job.

At Michigan, he had a wildly impressive 64-13 record.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why is Dusty May leaving Michigan? Mavericks hire national title winning coach

Dallas Mavericks hire Dusty May away from Michigan to become new head coach

All season long, as Michigan kept racking up wins with a roster on which multiple players developed into likely lottery picks, a number of NBA front offices had their eyes on Wolverines head coach Dusty May as a potential target.

Dallas got him.

May is leaving Michigan after leading the team to a national title to become the new head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, a story broken by Shams Charania, Adam Schefter and Pete Thamel of ESPN and confirmed by multiple other reports. This is a huge win for the new Dallas head of basketball operations, Masai Ujiri.

May replaces Jason Kidd, whom Ujiri let go despite $40 million remaining on his contract.

May jumps to one of the most coveted open jobs in the NBA coaching realm because the Mavericks have Cooper Flagg to build around. They also have Kyrie Irving (returning from a torn ACL) and Klay Thompson as the veteran All-Stars on the roster, plus a quality front line with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II.

May, 49, took over a Wolverines team that had lost a program-record 24 games the season before he took over and led an impressive turnaround. He led the team to a 64-13 record in those two seasons, with two Big Ten titles and, last season, a national championship. He developed three Michigan players — Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara — who are expected to go in the lottery (or at least the top 20) in this year's NBA Draft. Prior to that, May led Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023.

Ujiri reportedly looked at several college coaches, including Duke's Jon Scheyer and Florida's Todd Golden, and wanted to bring back former Dallas assistant coach (then San Antonio assistant) Sean Sweeney, but Sweeney chose to take the Orlando coaching job.

Gary Harris to pick up player option

BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 7: Gary Harris #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on April 7, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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

Gary Harris picked up his $3.8 million player option to remain with the Bucks next year, Spotrac’s Keith Smith reported on Monday; the 31-year-old combo guard had until June 29 to pick up the option. This was widely expected, given it’s extremely unlikely that Harris would have had better offers on the table if he declined the option and entered unrestricted free agency.

Harris inked a two-year, $7.4m contract—with the second year a player option—before the 2025/26 season after leaving the Orlando Magic. Originally meant to bring in guard depth, veteran leadership, and steady three-point shooting, Harris averaged a career-low 2.7 PPG, along wth 1.3 RPG and 1.1 APG on .442/.412/.889 shooting splits. In 48 appearances, he averaged just 13.8 minutes per contest.

When he returns to Milwaukee for his 13th NBA season—assuming the Bucks don’t just waive his contract and pay him out, which could well happen—his biggest challenge will be remaining on the court. Harris struggled to break into the Bucks’ guard rotation at the start of the season and was sidelined by nagging groin and hamstring injuries towards the end.

Dallas Mavericks instant grade for Dusty May’s stunning hire as team’s next head coach

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 06: Head coach Dusty May of the Michigan Wolverines cuts down the net after defeating the UConn Huskies 69-63 in the National Championship of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 06, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Dusty May just led the Michigan Wolverines to one of the most dominant national championship runs in the recent history of men’s college basketball. Now he’s ready for his next step after making a stunning decision to jump to the NBA on Monday afternoon.

The Dallas Mavericks have hired May as the franchise’s next head coach in a move that sends shockwaves around both college and pro hoops. The Mavs lured May away from Ann Arbor with the chance to coach Cooper Flagg at the start of his career. Dallas also has the No. 9 and No. 30 overall picks in the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday, and three Wolverines players are expected to be lottery picks in Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, and Morez Johnson.

May is 49 years old, and felt destined to be one of college basketball’s top coaches for the next 15 years. This is a major first move from the Mavs’ new braintrust of Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz. Ujiri built the Toronto Raptors 2019 championship team, and was hired as Dallas’ new president earlier this offseason. Schmitz came over from the Portland Trail Blazers to be the team’s new GM after building his reputation as a razor-sharp draft analyst for ESPN.

May built an incredible Michigan team through the transfer portal by bringing together three de facto bigs and teaching them to play together. His teams are typically slightly better on the defensive end of the floor. Michigan finished with the No. 1 defense in America this year, as well as the No. 4 offense. It will be fascinating to see if he continues to lean into supersized lineups in the NBA.

The real intrigue for May is the opportunity to coach Flagg, who just won NBA Rookie of the Year. Flagg is perhaps the best young building block in the NBA after Victor Wembanyama, and he doesn’t even turn 20 years old until December. The Mavs are building around Flagg, and May will be the person leading his development.

May has a cool and calm demeanor that resonates well with players, and should continue to work in the NBA. He deserves to be seen as a great developmental coach after turning Lendeborg, Johnson, and Mara into lottery picks this past season when none of them were projected in that range at the start of the year. It feels like he has the ideal mentality to be an NBA coach, but life is always tough in the Western Conference, even with Cooper Flagg on your side.

The history of college coaches jumping to the NBA is a mixed bag. Larry Brown won a national championship at Kansas in 1988, and then won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. Brad Stevens took Butler to the title game in college basketball before becoming a fantastic head coach (and later lead executive) for the Boston Celtics. Billy Donovan won two national championships at Florida, and then jumped to the NBA where he had a solid pro career but never won a championship. There are also some busts, like John Calipari and Rick Pitino, who made the leap to the NBA and then went back to college after failing.

I followed Michigan during its national championship at the Big Ten tournament, Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, and Final Four and national championship. I came away so impressed with May in terms of his leadership, demeanor, and schematic ability. May knew he was likely never going to have another team as good as his 2026 group again. Building through the transfer portal and fundraising NIL dollars every year is incredibly stressful. I can absolutely see the appeal of this move to the NBA for both sides.

In the end, this is about the opportunity to coach Cooper Flagg, who is already excellent at 19 years old. The Mavs also reportedly considered Duke coach Jon Scheyer and some former NBA coaches like Terry Stotts, but May offers the most upside to me because of his youth and pedigree. The Mavs swung for the fences with their first big decision of the Ujiri era, and I think they hit it out of the park.

NBA success is far from guaranteed for May. It’s going to be a big adjustment to leap to the pros. The Mavs don’t need to win right away, though. They’re on Flagg’s timeline. May can grow alongside Flagg, and I think he has the smarts and the temperament for the job long-term. What a move by the Mavs.

Mavs grade for Dusty May hire: A

St. Louis Blues Reportedly 'Sniffing Around' Canucks' Elias Pettersson

The St. Louis Blues’ involvement in trade rumors continues to grow, with the most recent link connecting them to Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson. 

According to CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal, he’s hearing that the Blues are “sniffing around” in trade discussions involving Pettersson. 

“Somebody told me this morning that St. Louis is sniffing around Pettersson,” said Dhaliwal. “I’m looking into it to see if it’s true. The way it’s been told to me is if the Canucks think they have a deal for Pettersson that makes sense for them, I am sure they will then take that deal to Pettersson’s agents, J.P. Barry and Pat Brisson, to see if Pettersson will waive.”

The reports are interesting to say the least. While trading for Pettersson would have its benefits, as it truly gives the Blues a strong one-two punch down the middle of the ice, Pettersson is now 27 years old and carries a contract worth $11.6 million for six more seasons. 

The Blues would need to drastically alter their lineup to become contenders, and unless they do so, trading for Pettersson would only upgrade their roster marginally, and not enough to compete with the best teams in the Central Division, like the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and even the Utah Mammoth

27 is not old in the slightest, but by the time the Blues are ready to compete again, Pettersson could be trending towards the downswing of his career, which brings plenty of risk. 

Top Four NHL Center Trade Candidates Of 2026 Off-SeasonTop Four NHL Center Trade Candidates Of 2026 Off-SeasonWho are the top four centers who could be traded this summer during the 2026 NHL off-season?

Add to the fact that the two worst seasons of his NHL career have come in his last two campaigns, and it brings another element of uncertainty and risk. 

The Canucks are open to retaining some of Pettersson’s salary, which does soften the blow of making such a monumental move.

In addition to the Blues, the Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings are reportedly interested in Pettersson, while other teams around the NHL could explore trade options once a price tag becomes clearer. 


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