Tobi Lawal has followed Jeremy Sochan and Amari Williams in going from the UK Under-19 development league to the NBA [Getty Images]
Britain's Tobi Lawal says he is going to "live" in the gym as he bids to establish himself as an NBA player after being selected in the NBA Draft.
The 23-year-old was picked 48th overall by the Dallas Mavericks after two years as a starter in the college game at Virginia Tech.
The 6ft 8in forward only began playing competitive basketball when he was 16 and developed his game with the City of London Academy.
He then left south London to play at high school in Maine before spending his first two years in college at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Like many prospects selected in the second round, he is viewed as a project player so will now focus on "getting a better feel for the game".
"I hope this provides inspiration to young kids that anything is possible," he said.
"I'm touching close to what I could be and how good I could become. I definitely believe that it can help me become as great as I want to be.
"In London it is hard to get in the gym. Now the gym is right next to my house. I love being in the gym. I love growth - as a person, in my faith and as a player. Now I can do that, I'm going to live there."
Lawal was one of 30 players picked during the second round of the NBA Draft in New York, which concluded on Wednesday.
The first 30 players were picked on Tuesday, with the Washington Wizards selecting former Brigham Young University small forward AJ Dybantsa first overall.
AJ Dybantsa was the leading scorer in the United States college system last season with an average of 25.5 points per game [Getty Images]
The draft can help NBA franchises turn around their fortunes, while relatively unheralded prospects can become NBA legends.
Victor Wembanyama, for example, was the first overall pick in 2023 and he not only helped the San Antonio Spurs end their play-off drought this year but they went all the way to the NBA Finals.
They were beaten by the New York Knicks, with this year's Finals Most Valuable Player being Jalen Brunson, a second-round pick in 2018. Others include Nikola Jokic, Draymond Green and Dennis Rodman.
The Washington Wizards had this year's first pick and were expected to go for 19-year-old AJ Dybantsa instead of point guard Darryn Peterson after giving Trae Young a contract extension.
After a 17-65 record last season, the Wizards are expected to improve with the 6ft 9in Dybantsa joining a core which includes Young and Anthony Davis, and they hope to reach the play-offs for the first time since 2020-21.
With the second pick the Utah Jazz had to choose between Peterson and power forward Cam Boozer, son of Jazz legend Carlos, who now works in their front office.
Yet they plumped for Peterson so the Memphis Grizzlies took Boozer, who won multiple awards as a freshman with Duke last season, with the third pick.
They also collected five future second-round picks to move back from 16 to 21 in the first round, where they made 19-year-old Karim Lopez the first Mexican-born player to be drafted in the first round.
The 6ft 8in forward was the highest-rated prospect in this year's class from an international league having played for the New Zealand Breakers the past two seasons.
The Grizzliesalso acquired former first-round pickIsaiah Stewart and with the 32nd pick selected versatile guard Richie Saunders, who is 25 and was a late bloomer after serving a two-year church mission prior to starting college.
Despite finishing with the NBA's top record for the second straight year, the Oklahoma City Thunder had two top-16 picks.
They were expected to challenge for back-to-back championships but were upset by San Antonio in this year's play-offs.
The Spurs, led by the 7ft 4in Wembanyama, could be OKC's biggest rival in the Western Conference for years to come so they remedied that by using the 12th pick on 7ft 3in Spanish centre Aday Mara. They then added point guard Bennett Stirtz with the 16th pick.
Trades agreed for Antetokounmpo and Ball
Several teams traded picks and players this week as they aim to rebuild their roster for the 2026-27 season, with two big-name veterans set for blockbuster moves.
Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to join the Miami Heat, with the Milwaukee Bucks choosing Miami's package over that of the Boston Celtics, which would have included their five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown.
The Bucks used one of the picks they acquired from Miami to select Tennessee forward Nate Ament 13th overall, shortly after taking Arizona guard Brayden Burries with the 10th pick.
The 2021 champions then completed the draft by selecting Malique Lewis of Trinidad and Tobago with the 60th and final pick. The 21-year-old forward has spent the past two seasons playing for South East Melbourne Phoenix.
Miami's anticipated trade for Antetokounmpo, though, has transformed them from afterthoughts to legitimate contenders, with their championship odds having been slashed in half this week.
Only Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Boston and the New York Knicks are seen as having a better chance of becoming the 2027 NBA champions.
This week's other big trade has seen the Charlotte Hornets agree to send guards LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves, in exchange for Naz Reid and a host of draft picks, according to reports.
Minnesota, who lost to San Antonio in the play-offs, made the moves after star player Anthony Edwards said he would ask for a trade if they did not build a championship-level roster around him.
As the night closed on the second round of the NBA Draft, the New York Knicks, fresh off their NBA Championship, finally made (and retained) two draft picks. However, that's a story for another time. The real story is that, during the NBA Draft, the Knicks acquired the draft rights to three international players, which means that the Knicks now hold the draft rights to 19 different international players.
Yes, you read that right. The Knicks hold the draft rights to 19 different international players. If you wanted to follow Basketball Reference’s leadand only count active players, the Knicks hold the rights to 13 international players. No other NBA team currently holds the rights to more than four.
So what are the Knicks doing? Is there a benefit to them holding the draft rights to this many players?
In short, no. Having the draft rights to international players does have a benefit, especially for a team like the Knicks, who are relatively cap-strapped, since they don't want to go over the second apron. If you have the draft rights to an international player, you can technically have that player as part of your organization without having to pay them. So if you, like the Knicks, drafted a 20-year-old guard from Germany and didn't want him to count against your salary cap, you could keep him in Germany for another year or two and allow him to grow and develop his game without having to count him towards your salary cap. Those players could then come stateside to be a part of your team or be used in a trade as a little sweetener. For the player who is retired, like some of the players the Knicks have the rights to, there's no real reason beyond the team simply not wanting to renounce the rights.
For the Knicks, it's grown into something else. One of the players they acquired the draft rights to this season is 39 years old and was drafted back in 2009. The Knicks also retain the rights to three players who are over 40 years old, including one who is 43 years old now and was drafted back in 2005.
So, who are these players the Knicks have the draft rights to, and will any of them ever play in the NBA?
New York Knicks International Draft Rights
James Nnaji
Nnaji is one of the few players fans may know on this list because he made headlines when he enrolled in college and played at Baylor despite having already been an NBA draft pick. He averaged just 1.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in 18 games for the Bears. Nnaji was taken by the Pistons with the first pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. He was almost immediately traded to Boston and then Charlotte within two days. The Knicks acquired him in October 2024 as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns deal. He's just 21 years old and still an active player who played for the Knicks in summer league last year.
Rokas Jokubaitis
There was a lot of hype around Jokubaitis from long-suffering Knicks fans. The Knicks originally drafted the Lithuanian point guard with the fourth pick in the second round back in the 2021 NBA Draft. He has played in the summer league for the Knicks twice, averaging 9.8 points and 3.8 assists in 2024-25. He's just 25 years old, but he no longer seems like a realistic option to ever play for the Knicks.
Melvin Ajinca
Ajinca was originally drafted by the Knicks in the 2024 NBA Draft and immediately traded to Dallas. Two nights ago, the Mavericks traded the 21-year-old French forward back to the Knicks. He played 63 games for ASVEL Basket this past season, averaging 6.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists while shooting 36.6% from the field. Even though he's young, he's a long shot to ever play for the Knicks.
Hugo Besson
Besson is one of the youngest players on this list and is currently active. The 25-year-old French point guard was drafted by the Pacers in the 2022 NBA Draft and immediately traded to Milwaukee. The Bucks then traded his rights to the Knicks in February of last season, along with Delon Wright. Besson played in the summer league in 2024-25 and played 23 minutes a game in Turkey this season, averaging 11.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 46 games.
Tadija Dragicevic
Dragicevic is the first of the 40-year-olds that we'll discuss (I'm 41, so this is an OK topic of conversation). The 6'9" Serbian power forward was originally drafted by the Jazz in 2008 and has since had his rights traded four times. The last of which was a 2020 trade from Houston to New York. Dragicevic was 34 years old at the time the Knicks acquired his rights.
Bojan Dubljevic
Dubljevic is a Montenegrin power forward who was originally drafted by the Timberwolves in 2013. They traded him to Portland six years later, and then the Knicks acquired him from Portland in 2023 when he was 31 years old. Even then, he was not going to come play in the NBA, and that's even less likely now at 34 years old, even though he is still playing in Spain and averaging 20 minutes a game with 7.4 points and 6.4 rebounds a game.
Axel Hervelle
Hervelle is 43 years old and was drafted by the Nuggets in the second round in 2005. He was traded to the Rockets in 2009 and then later acquired by the Knicks in 2020 when he was 37 years old.
Ognjen Jaramaz
Jaramaz is one of the few players originally drafted by the Knicks. The Knicks took the Serbian shooting guard with the 28th pick of the second round in the 2017 NBA Draft, and he played in NBA summer league for them that season. He played in the Adriatic League this season, averaging 6.5 points and 2.2 assists per game at 30 years old.
Petteri Koponen
Koponen is one of the only first-round picks on this list. He was drafted by the 76ers with the 30th overall pick in 2007 but was immediately traded to Portland. Portland traded him to Dallas in 2011 before the Knicks acquired him in June 2024, when he was 36 years old.
Sergio Llull
Llull is one of a few international players the Knicks acquired the rights to from the Rockets in 2020, along with Austin Rivers. The Spanish point guard was originally drafted by the Nuggets in 2009 and was immediately traded to Houston. Lull is still playing in Spain at 37 years old and is also an Olympic Silver Medalist.
Luka Mitrovic
A Serbian power forward, Mitrovic was drafted by the 76ers in the 2015 draft and was traded just a month later to the Kings. The Knicks acquired the 33-year-old last June in a trade with the Clippers that also sent Mohamed Diawara to the Knicks in exchange for Kobe Sanders. Mitrovic played summer league for Sacramento in 2016-17 and is currently playing in Moscow, where he averaged 5.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists this season.
Mojave King
King is a 24-year-old guard from New Zealand who was drafted by the Lakers in the second round in 2023 and has already been traded four times. The most recent of which was when the Rockets dealt him to the Knicks just two days ago. He played in the G League back in the 2023-24 season and averaged 11.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while playing in Australia this season. He did shoot 41.1% from beyond the arc, but he still seems like a long shot to ever make it to the NBA.
Brad Newley
Newley is one of the 40-year-olds to whom the Knicks own the draft rights. The 41-year-old was originally drafted by Houston in 2007 and traded 10 years later to the Lakers. The Knicks then acquired his draft rights in 2022 when he was 36 years old.
Emir Preldzic
The Turkish forward owns the honor of being the most traded player on this list. He was originally drafted by the Suns in the 2009 NBA Draft and has been traded seven different times. The Knicks acquired him in 2021 from the Suns when he was 33 years old. At 38 years old now, it's safe to say that Preldzic is not coming over to the NBA.
Nikola Radicevic
Radicevic was another Denver draft pick, originally selected in the 2015 draft and traded five years later to the Pistons. The Knicks acquired the 32-year-old back in 2022 in a deal that sent Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to the Pistons. Radicevic is playing in Lithuania and averaged 8.3 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 rebounds in 21 minutes per game.
Juan Pablo Vaulet
Vaulet is relatively young for this list at 30 years old. The Argentine forward was drafted by the Hornets in 2015 and immediately traded to the Nets. He was traded back and forth between the Nets and Pacers a couple of times, and then traded from the Nets to the Knicks in July of 2024. He is still playing in Europe and averaged 10.3 points and 4.4 rebounds in 20 minutes per game this season
Latavious Williams
Williams is the lone American on the list. The 37-year-old was drafted in the middle of the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Heat and immediately traded to the Thunder. The Thunder traded him to the Pelicans in 2015, but he was traded to the Knicks in the Jose Alvarado deal this year. Williams has played 11 international games in the last two seasons, including eight games this season in Venezuela.
Wang Zhelin
Zhelin is a Chinese center who was originally drafted by the Grizzlies in 2016. The Knicks acquired the 32-year-old from the Lakers in 2022 in exchange for the rights to Louis Labeyrie (more on that below). Zhelin is still playing in China and averaging 11.2 points and 6.6 rebounds a game.
Chinemelu Elonu
Elonu is 39 years old. The 6'10" 235-pound (maybe when he played) Nigerian center played at Texas A&M from 2006 to 2009 and was a 2nd round pick of the Lakers in the 2009 NBA Draft. The Knicks just acquired his draft rights last night.
Louis Labeyrie
Labeyrie is a fun one because the Pacers drafted him in 2014 and then immediately traded him to the Knicks. The French forward actually played in the Summer League for the Knicks, but never came over to join the team. They traded him to the Lakers in 2012, but clearly coveted his draft rights again, so the Knicks traded for the 34-year-old during this year's draft. He played in France this season and averaged 5.9 points and 4.1 rebounds in 20 minutes per game.
Now that the 2026 NBA Draft is behind us, scouts and executives fully shift their evaluation focus to the 2027 NBA Draft and a new crop of players.
12 months away from when these prospects will actually hear their names called, it is nearly impossible to predict which players will emerge at the top of the next class. Experts feel the upcoming class is not nearly as loaded at the top as 2026 was with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer.
However, there are still plenty of talented prospects who will soon make a name for themselves at the next level in college basketball and overseas.
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 23: Mikel Brown Jr. poses for a photo during the 2026 NBA Draft - Round One on June 23, 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 Laura June Kirsch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s basically pretty simple. All the rebuilding, all the losses, all the trades, all the disappointments over the past two years came down to the moment that Adam Silver stepped to the stage Tuesday night and intoned those words, “with the sixth pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, the Brooklyn Nets select… MIKEL BROWNJR!”
Sure, the selection of Egor Demin at No. 8 a year ago and his (mostly) positive season matter, but the sixth pick in what could be a generational Draft was also the franchise’s highest pick since 2010 when they took Derrick Favors with construction barely underway at Barclays Center and HSS Training Center just an idea. More than that, the 2010 Draft was mediocre at best.
Indeed, the pick that became a thin 20-year-old lead guard from Orlando was arguably the franchise’s biggest decision since John Calipari muffed 1996 Draft and wimped out by deciding against taking Kobe Bryant. No, no, we’re not saying Brown is the next Kobe, nor are we dissing the pick of Brook Lopez at No. 10 in 2008. We’re just measuring the call’s potential impact.
The Nets have had a busy month of decisions, from the Julius Randle trade to Michael Porter Jr. extension to how to use the rest of their cap room. But down the road, whether Marks is still Brooklyn’s GM or not, his legacy may well be remembered by the call he made Tuesday night.
That’s probably reductive. Technically, Marks picked Brown over not just Acuff but a litany of prospects — including Kingston Flemings and Brayden Burries, Nate Ament and Aday Mara. But realistically? Brown and Acuff are going to be linked because Marks drafted the Louisville freshman sixth overall, and Acuff came off the board one spot later to Sacramento.
Frankly, a big win on Brown would also help fans forget what happened with the Clean Sweep. Without saying so, Marks gets that. In his post-Draft presser, he noted:
“We’ve all talked about, and the media talked about, how good this draft was and how deep this draft is. You never quite know until four or five years down the road,” he told reporters.
“I’ve said the things that stood out about Mikel, the high character, the competitive fire that he has, the physical skills he has, the ability to shoot from deep, the range that he has, play with his teammates, make quick decisions, his athletic ability. A lot of those things will definitely translate to our league. Those are definitely things that stood out, being able to play on and off the ball and his versatility.”
Those or five years will also likely be filled with comparisons to the other lead guards who were available at the time No. 6 spot, particularly Acuff. So be it. Marks gets that, adding “Look, I don’t know that I need to get into who we didn’t draft and so forth.”
Others surely will, as Lewis writes.
Right now we’re just in the prologue. But by then, the Big 3 era will be a decade in the rearview, a distant memory. Porter and Randle — both of whom can be free agents next summer — may each be gone. Meanwhile, these rookies will be entering their prime. And Marks’ call will be either vindicated or vilified.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the nineteenth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Santa Clara forward Allen Graves after he was selected by the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Allen Graves and Jaden Bradley have been wrapped up in the whirlwind of the draft, seeing the two players make their way north to Canada to speak to media ahead of the Summer League’s beginning.
Graves entered flanked by family, his brother a prominent presence on the sidelines as the rookie took a seat at the OVO Athletic Centre. The former Louisiana Mr. Basketball was collected and relaxed as he spoke about the outpouring of support from his Ponchatoula community – 8000 strong – where “literally the whole town” was picking up the phone to wish him well.
He called Toronto “amazing,” and spoke positively about the city’s greenery as similar to that of his native US south. The connection to home is strong, noting that his father worked four jobs – as a bus driver, in a mechanic shop, and as a minister – and brings that ethos of working hard to his play on the court. “I got to take my job as serious as he does,” said the forward. And indeed, Graves seems to have a good understanding of his place on the team, and in the league.
He said that his year one focus would be on defence, “being able to switch, being able to guard,” with that side of the ball being how he would “keep getting contracts.” Graves was confident about his abilities, saying that the latter half of the season, especially his matchup with Gonzaga, marked when the NBA dream felt real. “I feel ready, I wouldn’t have took it if I didn’t think that I was ready, and I was able to play at this level.”
Bradley, drafted just last night, was a bit more subdued after flying in to Toronto from North Carolina. Bradley was born in Rochester, New York, and lived in Charlotte for much of his life. Similarly to Graves, he spoke about his defensive responsibilities as paramount to his play. “I knew I had to hang my hat on the defensive end,” he said. “My freshman year at Alabama, I had some great, great players and I knew I had to… kind of earn minutes.”
That unselfish perspective from the former Big 12 Player of the Year suggests he’ll fit in well on a Raptors squad alongside the roster of other points guards. Having faced off against Jamal Shead in college, Bradley called it “a crazy game,” and complimented Shead, calling him “a great player defensively,” and that “offensively, he had it going as well.” Having the two hard-nosed guards on the same team now could be a dangerous weapon in the hands of this Raptors organization.
There were moments of levity from Bradley as well. When asked about strange questions that he was asked by teams during the draft, he was asked “what is it like growing up with a fed in the house?” This, in reference to his father’s work in the federal government, which he joked was a matter of his father “know[ing] every movement”.
Bradley was the only second round draft pick not traded last night, and spoke about what that meant to him.
El Segundo, CA - September 25: Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka during a preseason press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The NBA offseason is in full swing, and we’ve already seen teams like the Miami Heat and the Minnesota Timberwolves making moves to get better. The Lakers have also made some additions, but not as splashy as trading for Giannis or LaMelo Ball.
For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked fans how much confidence they have in the Lakers’ front office, and the results weren’t glowing.
Most fans selecting “a little” feels fair, but it’s not exactly a huge vote of confidence. It signals that even with money to spend and roster spots potentially open, fans don’t know whether Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka can make the right moves to turn the team into true title contenders.
That’s also reflected in second place being the no-confidence option, and last place getting 13% of the vote being the a lot of confidence pick.
At this point, after many years in the position, Pelinka is in the show me stage with fans. They want to see the front office build out a championship roster around Luka Dončić, who is an MVP-caliber player. And this is the summer to do it.
Lakers fans love Cameron Carr
On the plus side, the Lakers moving up to select Carr in the draft has been a popular choice. Draft experts gave the selection rave reviews, and fans agree that it was a good pick.
Carr is exactly the kind of young athletic player the Lakers have been lacking. Obviously, it’s way too early to know how good he will be, but his selection points towards the Lakers working to address their lack of athleticism.
Hopefully, Carr and Adou Thiero can both have positive seasons and suddenly, the Lakers will have some second-unit guys who can really push the tempo and be an injection of energy for the team.
And if Pelinka does his job, there will be other great options on the bench and in the starting unit, making the Lakers a fun team that will win a ton in the West, both in the regular season and during the playoffs.
The second that it was clear LaMelo Ball was being traded, this was always going to be the next domino to fall.
White agreed to a deal to return to Charlotte on a three-year, $74 million deal, something first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. This is a fully guaranteed deal with no player or team options.
This is a good deal for both sides. White essentially doubles his salary and moves into starter range money. At the same time, the Hornets get their new point guard — a dynamic shot creator in his own right — at a lower price than Ball, giving them flexibility to add to the roster.
White will be the starting point guard with Kon Knueppel next to him in the backcourt, with Brandon Miller at the three, the just-acquired Nas Reid at the four, and either Moussa Diabate or Ryan Kalkbrenner at the five — that is a good, more rounded lineup than the Hornets had last season, when they won 44 games and made the postseason.
Last season, after being traded at the deadline to Charlotte, White averaged 15.6 points a game off the bench, shooting 39.1% from 3-point range, and dishing out 3 assists a game. His most memorable moment was hitting the 3-pointer in the play-in game against Miami that forced overtime.
White had other potential suitors, including Detroit and maybe Brooklyn (although the Nets get thrown around by agents all the time as a threat because they have cap space, whether they seriously wanted White is another question).
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 13: Graham Ike #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts during the first half against the UCLA Bruins at Climate Pledge Arena on December 13, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors have signed Gonzaga undrafted free agent forward Graham Ike to an Exhibit 10 contract, per the Gonzaga’s men’s basketball team. Ike was actually ranked higher in Sam Vecenie’s draft rankings for The Athletic than Warriors second-round pick Lajae Jones (70 vs. 99). Exhibit 10 deals are non-guaranteed but include small bonuses (less than $100,000) designed to incentive players to join a team’s G-League affiliate when they likely do not make the team. Exhibit 10 contracts primarily function to help NBA teams fill out their rosters, which expand to 21 in the offseason for summer league and the preseason. Each team is allowed up to six Exhibit 10 contracts. They may be converted to a two-way deal prior to the start of the regular season as well.
Ike was one of the most productive players in college basketball last season, averaging 19.9 points (leading the West Coast Conference), 8.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game on 56.3%/33.8%/79.7% shooting in 31.2 minutes per game (31 games). Ike was the best player on a Gonzaga team that finished the season ranked 18th in the country with a 31-4 record and a West Coast Conference championship. Ike was named an AP and NABC third-team All-American.
Ike began his collegiate career back in the 2020-21 season at Wyoming. A knee injury had hampered his recruitment and kept him sidelined early in the year, but he was immediately a quality rotation player across 11 games once he was able to play. As a sophomore, he led Wyoming in scoring (19.5 points per game) and rebounding (9.6 rebounds per game).
A leg injury led Ike to take an injury redshirt for the entire 2022-23 season and enter the transfer portal, were he landed at Gonzaga. He immediately slotted into the Bulldogs starting lineup, where he remained for the next three seasons. Over his college career, Ike averaged 17.6 points and 7.8 rebounds in 26.8 minutes per game on 56.8%/34.8%/76.5% shooting.
The biggest question facing Ike is how his game will translate to the NBA, where scouts worry he may be a tweener wing/big caught in no man’s land (think Eric Paschall), lacking the creation ability to score against stronger & more athletic NBA defenders without the refined post game to handle responsibilities as a five. As Vecenie wrote in his draft guide about Ike, “Massive, long post player who needs to change play style for NBA.”
With that said, there’s a lot to like about Ike’s potential fit with the Warriors, who currently have an open two-way spot next to Malevy Leons and LJ Cryer. Ike will be 24 in August and has an impressive frame. At the combine he measured 6’9.75” barefoot with a wingspan north of 7’5” at around 250 lbs. In fact, his combine measurements closest comp, according to DraftExpress is Steven Adams.
Ike’s path to an NBA career will be much easier if he is a viable three-point shooter at the next level. His free-throw efficiency (79.6% on 451 attempts at Gonzaga) demonstrates he has some touch on his shot, but he never attempted a three per game before this past season (when he shot 33.8% on 71 attempts).
With the Warriors re-signing Al Horford, likely re-signing Kristaps Porzingis, they will need young depth at center next season. With a guard and wing already filling two-way contracts, Ike could be the early favorite to take the third and final spot if second-round pick Lajae Jones is going to be an immediate member of the Warriors roster.
The move resets the Timberwolves' supporting cast around Edwards after the team fell short of the Western Conference finals for the first time in three years this past season. But it's also perhaps the biggest risk yet for this Minnesota front office considering the franchise is in the midst of its best run of seasons ever.
Here's a closer look at what the Timberwolves roster will look like after the LaMelo Ball trade and the 2026 NBA Draft, as well as how Ball fits with Edwards and the players still on Minnesota's roster:
How LaMelo Ball fits with Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have been in search of an upgrade at point guard and a better sidekick for Edwards since he elevated into one of the NBA's best players. Ball, in theory, could fill those gaps and work interchangeably with Edwards.
Ball can be the playmaker Edwards hasn't had to relieve defensive pressure in high-leverage halfcourt situations. Edwards' strengths as a passer and on-ball defender (and the presence of Gobert) will, in turn, give Ball more open 3-point shots and allow Minnesota to hide Ball on defense.
There are, of course, injury and maturity concerns involving Ball. He played in more than 70 games for the first time since 2021-22 season last year with the Hornets. Perhaps not coincidentally, 2021-22 and 2025-26 are the only seasons in which Charlotte finished with an above .500 record with Ball.
But Ball also had 30 points and 10 assists in Charlotte's 127-126 play-in victory, including the game-winning layup in overtime. If Minnesota can rein in Ball's shot selection and decision-making, he and Edwards are capable of becoming the best backcourt in the league. Maybe Ball is inclined to be more disciplined more often on an established contender.
This could also completely backfire, though, for a couple reasons. For one, the Timberwolves are sacrificing some depth to make these offseason moves work under the NBA salary cap. There's also the pressure and ego that must be sorted through when two young players who've likely never shared the same backcourt with someone this good before come together for the first time.
What the Timberwolves roster looks like now
The trade to acquire Ball, in addition to the trade that sent Julius Randle from Minnesota to the Brooklyn Nets that preceded this move, has restructured the pecking order of the Timberwolves' roster below Edwards.
Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu will join Edwards, Ball and Gobert as the featured players on the team. The Timberwolves agreed to a five-year, $112-million contract with Dosunmu following the Randle trade. The team acquired Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls at last February's trade deadline.
Here's a breakdown of the Timberwolves roster after the LaMelo Ball trade
G LaMelo Ball
G Anthony Edwards
G Donte DiVincenzo
G Isaiah Evans**
G Bones Hyland*
G Mike Conley*
G Jaylen Clark*
G/F Ayo Dosunmu
G/F Terrance Shannon Jr.
F Jaden McDaniels
F Trey Kaufman-Renn**
F Joe Ingles*
F Kyle Anderson*
F Julian Phillips^
F/C Joan Beringer
C Rudy Gobert
G Zyon Pullin*^
F Enrique Freeman*^
C Rocco Zikarsky*^
*pending free agent; ^team option for 2026-27 season; *^two-way contract; **2026 NBA Draft pick
LaMelo Ball contract details
Ball has three years and more than $130 million remaining on the five-year, $203.9 max rookie extension he signed with the Hornets in 2023. He is also eligible to sign a two-year extension with the Timberwolves worth an additional $119 million beginning next month.
LaMelo Ball stats
Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 36.8% from 3-point range and 40.7% from the floor during the 2025-26 season.
Sam, an American bald eagle from the Cincinnati Zoo, takes flight before the first inning during a baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 19, 2023, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
I wasn’t planning on starting the column discussing a Minnesota Timberwolves trade, let alone one involving LaMelo Ball, but here we are. YIK broke the news (at least to me) in the comments section, so kudos to him for staying on top of it. Better salute one of us than Shams, you know what I’m saying? Spoiler: the Wolves package is ludicrous.
Anyway, Kento Kato covered the news while I was working on this, and he has a delicious summary of the trade impact in the NBA as well as the Knicks going forward. If you ask me, I’m cool with removing a threat from the East (the Hornets were looking good at the start of last season and LaMelo was a big part of that) and sending him to the West so it’s now a four-team war for the rights to Western Conference finals, not to mention the actual Finals.
This just in: ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says it’s 51/49 for Mitchell Robinson to return to New York. We have you covered. Check out the latest here.
Now starting for good, with the man who helped build the title Knicks, Brock Aller… welcome to another Knicks draft! Four trades, a bunch of second-round picks, extra cap flexibility, cash, and somehow the rights to Melvin Ajinca again. The man treats draft night like it’s 2KGM with God Mode turned on.
Before we move forward, keep Melvin Ajinca’s name in mind. You’ll need it for an extraordinary feature I have dropping later today.
International Knicks superstar Jack Kayil doesn’t sound interested in becoming another overseas stash. Quotables in the Bulletin.
“My plan is to stay here and get into the organization and keep growing with them.”
Freshest Knicks superstar Tyler Nickel, meanwhile, claimed to be “delusional” last January. And I love it.
If you somehow haven’t listened to Leon Rose’s appearance on the Roommates Show yet, make some time for it today. This felt like Christmas in June, and Rose touched a whole lot of topics from Jalen and Mikal trades, the firing of Thibs and why he chose Brown, how the Knicks FO operates, and plenty of other saucy stuff. Check it out asap.
Newsday’s Steve Popper wrote an interesting piece on the Knicks’ second-apron situation, and one question is at the front of Popper’s mind: Why did James Dolan publicly reveal the team’s financial intentions before free agency even began? Here’s a bit of what he wrote, but check out the full post.
“The first question is why would (Dolan) go public about this when the Knicks have masked their intentions so well for years? If the Knicks intend to stick to this plan then it basically sets the price for the Knicks free agents, meaning if a team intends on making an offer for Robinson, they would know just how far the Knicks could go to remain under the second apron. But the deeper question is why are the Knicks so determined to remain under the second apron?
Stefan Bondy wrote a similar column for the NY Post and echoed the same thoughts Popper floated after speaking with league sources. According to Bondy, plenty of people around the NBA believe ownership will ultimately be convinced to spend because the championship window is simply too valuable to just break the core over a few million dollars. We all agree, don’t we?
The Lakers and the Kings keep being mentioned as the main suitors for Mitchell Robinson if he hits free agency, and the Knicks indeed refuse to get into the second apron. Current Kings and former Knicks GM Scott Perry might have something to do with Sacto’s links. We have plenty of great thoughts and discussions going on in the comments section here. Go chime in!
I am no capologist, so I won’t be judging Spike Lee’s Joint idea to bring back all three of Mitch, Shamet, and Jose. Thoughts?
“I think there is one way to re-sign all three of Robinson, Shamet and Jose with some but not a lot of discount. Jose opts in at $4.5 million. He will then be extended at a reasonable price. Shamet re-signs starting at just under $6 million. This is probably around his market value, maybe a small discount.
“Here’s the doozey: Mitch re-signs to a five-year, $50 million deal. With 8% raises, this allows you start his contract at $8.5 million. If you assume his market is somewhere around two years, $30 million, then it essentially matches that and then gives 3 years and $20 million starting in his age 30/31 season. I’m not sure it’s a wise decision—he’d be getting paid $11.5 million in year 5 as a 32/33 year old Mitch… but it might be the best combination of staying under the apron and keeping this team together.
This scenario, plus trading Pacome and signing the second-round picks (Nickel and Kayil) to two-year rookie minimum deals would get you in a hair under the second apron with 14 players. Plus, the Pacome TPE would mean you would be able to trade for a Vet minimum at the deadline
New York Magazine dropped an outstanding Jalen Brunson feature on Wednesday. It’s packed with little stories about JB and a bunch of fresh post-championship quotes, which honestly makes it all a thousand times better. Funny nugget: Brunson talks about sleeping through Lionel Messi’s World Cup hat trick and being mad about it. Check it out to know all about that and a whole lot more.
Speaking of Rick Brunson, the old man keeps messing around with his son. Across multiple interviews this week, RB again said that 1) Patrick Ewing remains the greatest Knick ever, 2) Jalen still has years to go before entering that conversation, and 3) Prime Derrick Rose would vaporize his own son in a one-on-one game. If you’re too young to know, please don’t skip D-Rose’s MVP mixtape.
Barack Obama appeared on All The Smoke (how far we’ve gone folks…) and spent plenty of time praising the champs, from OG to Brunson.
“I’m trying to think of a better series from somebody who’s never been an All-Star, and it’s hard to think of one, right? Through the whole playoffs, he was just a rock.”
Windhorst nearly lost it discussing a hypothetical scenario about a Lakers-Cavaliers trade that would flip LeBron James for Jarrett Allen in a sign-and-trade. The Lakers would “kill” for Allen and that deal, he believes. I do, too.
Boston continues having an incredibly normal week. Jaylen Brown called ESPN “unethical,” singled out Stephen A. Smith by name, and defended his previous comments about last season.
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, meanwhile, doubled down on his information regarding Brown’s future in Boston, which isn’t nearly as settled as Brad Stevens publicly suggested after the Giannis trade left the C’s and Brown in the cold. Sister site CelticsBlog is already publishing mock trades. Here’s one of them:
“A potential pick: Boston gets Kawhi Leonard and the Pacers 2029 first round pick, unprotected. Los Angeles gets Jaylen Brown.”
Jeremy Schneider of NJ.com was joined by Jerry Carino to discuss KAT’s path from middle school to hosting the Larry O’Brien trophy, his evolution as a player, his most personal side, and what makes him an all-time all-New Jersey basketball hooper.
That’s probably enough internet for one day. The draft is in the rearview mirror, and free agency is almost here, with the first item on the to-do list being Jose Alvarado’s player-option decision.
Never a dull offseason around these parts, whether we’re champs or chumps.
Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes guard Tru Washington (10) with the ball as Louisville Cardinals guard Isaac McKneely (10) and Louisville Cardinals guard J'vonne Hadley (1) defend in the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Two members of the 2025-26 Louisville men’s basketball team have inked NBA contracts after going undrafted.
J’Vonne Hadley has signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the Miami Heat, which selected Hadley’s former teammate Ryan Conwell 37th overall Wednesday night. Exhibit-10 contracts are one-year, non-guaranteed deals typically given to undrafted free agents who will compete for roster spots at the NBA’s Summer League.
Isaac McKneely, another starter from the 2025-26 squad, has signed the same type of deal with the Atlanta Hawks.
Louisville fans are going to have more reasons to tune into Summer League play next month than they have in several years.
Best of luck to both Isaac and J’Vonne on the next steps in their basketball journeys.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with Caleb Wilson after he is drafted fourth overall by the Chicago Bulls during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. 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 Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I already gave out instant grades for the first round, and handed out my winners and losers of the draft. Now, it’s time to grade every team’s full haul. The grades here take both the first and second rounds into consideration, and are largely based off my final big board.
Most of the teams this year did pretty well. There were no super head-scratching decisions like the Yang Hansen pick last season. This was a good draft, and I think a lot of teams are leaving it happy. Let’s get into our full team grades.
Atlanta Hawks
Grade: A
The decision to take Kingston Flemings at No. 8 earned an A grade from me. He’s really smart and tough and athletic, and I think he plays bigger than size on both ends of the floor. Zuby Ejiofor wasn’t my favorite pick at No. 23, but he should add value as a nonsense big man who plays with force and brings some impressive connective passing traits. I can’t believe Henri Veesaar fell to the late second round. He was considered a late first rounder on my board. That’s great value, and I also think he’s the type of spacing big that can work well with both Flemings and Ejiofor. The Hawks did great.
Boston Celtics
Grade: A
Chris Cenac Jr. feels like a classic boom-or-bust prospect. He feels raw in several aspects of the game, but especially in terms of his awareness on both ends. That’s okay as long as Boston is committed to developing him. Cenac has a great frame and a sweet jump shot, and it’s hard to find both of those in a young big man. Dillon Mitchell fits the mold of a Celtics’ value play: he’s long and explosive, and they can unleash him as a defender, rebounder, and play finisher. Boston didn’t have much to work with, but they got good value with both their picks.
Brooklyn Nets
Grade: A-
The Nets redeemed themselves after an underwhelming draft last year. Mikel Brown Jr. is a boom-or-bust point guard prospect, but I’m buying him for his pull-up shooting, creative playmaking, and rim attacking despite his other concerns. Joshua Jefferson was a nice pick at No. 28 too as a forward with real dribble-pass-shoot utility. Both of these players are in a good position to develop under Jordi Fernandez, who is one of the best young head coaches in the game. Tyler Bilodeau is a spacing forward who doesn’t do much for me, but the Nets still had a nice draft.
Charlotte Hornets
Grade: B
The Hornets are going to jack a lot of threes as a team led by LaMelo Ball, and now they have Hannes Steinbach hunting the offensive rebounds. Steinbach is an absolute maniac on the offensive glass, and I think he’s a really good offensive big in general. I’m not sure if he’s a four or a five, and I think he may be best in a twin towers look, but I like the idea of unleashing him within an already powerful Charlotte offense. Christian Anderson was a fine pick at No. 18 too even if he wasn’t my favorite. He has a case as the best shooter in the draft, and that’s always worth adding. I really do not like the LaMelo Ball trade for Charlotte, but we’ll see how it works out for them.
Chicago Bulls
Grade: A-
Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain were fantastic picks to start off the Bulls’ new era with Bryson Graham and Tiago Splitter. Wilson was a no-brainer pick at No. 4 as a ridiculously explosive athlete who can make game-changing plays at both ends of the floor. Swain is a nasty slasher for a 6’7 wing who can create paint touches out of thin air with a tight handle and some daring crossovers on the way to the rim. I hate that the Bulls traded their No. 38 pick during a rebuild. I’ll change my tune if Kam Jones — who I liked last year — turns into anything, but his rookie season was so discouraging that it felt like he was probably getting cut in Indiana. Same old Bulls even with a new front office when it comes to the second round, and it turned an A into an A- for me.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Grade: A
Meleek Thomas is awesome value at No. 34. The Cavs traded down from No. 29 and still landed him. Thomas comes from the Lou Williams school of walking buckets, and I actually think he’s a little feistier defensively than most players in that mold. His three-level scoring will be nice for Cleveland to have off the bench.
Dallas Mavericks
Grade: B+
Morez Johnson might have been the biggest surprise of the first round, but it’s a pick that also makes a lot of sense. Dallas just hired his college coach Dusty May, and Johnson was the youngest and most versatile defender of Michigan’s three lottery picks. The Mavs also added Sergio De Larrea, a tall playmaking guard who can shoot but needs to get stronger and fix his turnover issues. Second rounder Tobi Lawal is a super athlete, but probably not an NBA player in my view.
Denver Nuggets
Grade: B
The Nuggets traded out of the first round, but still came away with a couple interesting prospects in Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins. Brazile is theoretically a great fit next to Nikola Jokic as a bouncy big with shooting ability who can finish plays above the rim. Hopkins is a big forward who remade himself from a bucket-getter to a defender after he tore his ACL in college. I’m optimistic on the Brazile fit, and I think Hopkins has a chance to make the team.
Detroit Pistons
Grade: A
Ebuka Okorie was one of my favorite picks of the first round. He’s lightning quick with the ball in his hands and can give Detroit some advantage creation they just didn’t have on the roster outside of Cade Cunningham bully ball. The Pistons’ second round pick Ugonna Onyenso was also one of my favorites in that range. He’s a phenomenal rim protector. I’m not sure if Onyenso can do anything on offense, but he has an elite skill, and that should help him have a pro career.
Golden State Warriors
Grade: A
Yaxel Lendeborg was one of my favorite picks in the draft. He was fifth on my board, and the Warriors got him at No. 11. Beyond that, he’s a perfect fit for what they need, giving them a do-it-all, two-way forward for Steph Curry’s twilight years who should be ready to rock from day one. I have no takes on second rounder Lajae Jones, sorry.
Houston Rockets
Grade: A
Trading up for Bruce Thornton was brilliant. He was a first round talent on my board, and he gives the Rockets another ball handler, which they desperately needed. Thornton put up 66 percent true shooting as a senior at Ohio State, which is an elite number for a rim-running center, let alone a 6’2 point guard who can’t dunk. He’s awesome. Houston also signed Quadir Copeland and Oscar Cluff as two of the best undrafted free agents. Good work, Rockets.
Indiana Pacers
Grade: C
I didn’t like the Pacers’ Ivicia Zubac trade when it happened, and it came back to bite them. It’s wild they still owe another unprotected first rounder for him after giving up a top-5 pick this year. The Pacers nabbed Braden Smith in the second round. He was a college legend, but my gut says he’s too small to play in the NBA. We’ll see.
Los Angeles Clippers
Grade: B
The analytical models love Keaton Wagler, but I worry he falls below the threshold of NBA athleticism needed for a lead guard. I like him more on the ball than off the ball, so we’ll see how he fits with Darius Garland. Baba Miller was a cool second round pick. He moves really well for such a big forward and took a nice leap in production this past season.
Los Angeles Lakers
Grade: B-
Cam Carr is a knockdown shooter with ++ length for a wing, but I worry he’s pretty one dimensional. I don’t like his defensive projection, and in my view he doesn’t add much as a ball handler or playmaker.
Memphis Grizzlies
Grade: A+
If you read this website, you know Boozer was my No. 1 player in the class. I think he’s a future superstar. Getting him at No. 3 is the single best pick of the draft. Karim Lopez didn’t do too much for me as Memphis’ second first round selection. Richie Saunders is a really great shooter with athleticism, but he’s a 25-year-old rookie who will probably miss this season recovering from a torn ACL. I still like Saunders’ chances of contributing eventually, but this draft is all about Boozer.
Miami Heat
Grade: B
The Heat traded their No. 13 overall pick for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and walked away from this draft with only Ryan Conwell. Conwell is known for his three-point shooting, and Miami is going to need it with a thin roster around Giannis and Bam Adebayo right now. The Heat are always uncovering diamonds in the rough. They need Conwell to be another one.
Milwaukee Bucks
Grade: C
I thought the Bucks did as well as possible in the Giannis trade, but I don’t love their decisions with their two lottery picks to begin a new era. Brayden Burries is solid everywhere but special nowhere. I do think he complements Ryan Rollins pretty well in the backcourt, but I don’t think he has the upside needed for a top-10 pick. That’s just me. Nate Ament projects as someone with upside, but I don’t see it. He’s not very athletic, his defense was super disappointing at Tennessee, and his outside shooting was pretty poor, too. I want good things for the Bucks after the Giannis trade, so I hope I’m wrong.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Grade: B-
The Wolves traded out of the first round for the right to salary dump a good player in Julius Randle. I did not like that move for Minnesota. I’ve always been a big LaMelo Ball fan, so I’m more bullish on that trade. Minnesota leaves the draft with a good outside shooter in Isaiah Evans and a crafty interior scorer in Trey Kaufman-Renn as second round picks. Both are fine.
New Orleans Pelicans
Grade: B-
I liked watching Jaron Pierre at SMU. Not bad for a late second round flier.
New York Knicks
Grade: B-
The Knicks added some future second round picks in multiple deals before walking away with Jack Kayil and Tyler Nickel. Kayil is a German guard who was previously committed to Gonzaga, and he seems like a fine long-term bet who likely won’t touch an NBA court any time soon. Nickel is a stretch forward who was pretty good at Vanderbilt. I’d be shocked if either of these guys become rotation pieces in the next couple years.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Grade: A
Sam Presti killed it again. I was high on both Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz, and they perfectly fit what the Thunder needed. Mara is a 7’3 giant whose drop coverage will be made more effective with the dogs OKC has at the point of attack. His passing is also special, and I can’t wait to watch him throw full-court touchdowns to the Thunder’s athletes on the wing. Stirtz adds the shooting and playmaking the Thunder desperately needed last year when SGA went to the bench. Otega Oweh is a decent 3-and-D bet in the second round, too. The Thunder are so good at this.
Orlando Magic
Grade: B
Izaiyah Nelson really caught my eye towards the end of the college season. He’s a bit undersized for a big, but he has an appealing combination of length, explosiveness, and motor. He’s a really good rebounder, but right now he can’t shoot at all, and I feel like he’s going to need to develop that area of his game to really stick.
Philadelphia 76ers
Grade: A-
Labaron Philon is great value at No. 22 even if the 76ers had bigger needs in the front court. That Jared McCain trade everyone ripped Philly for ended up working out pretty okay.
Phoenix Suns
Grade: B+
Koa Peat won four high school state championships in Arizona, then helped the Arizona Wildcats reach the Final Four during his one-and-done season. It’s pretty cool that he’s still in the state. Peat can’t shoot at all, but his vertical athleticism and passing at his size could make him a solid role player down the line.
Portland Trail Blazers
Grade: Inc.
The Blazers did not make a draft pick this year.
Sacramento Kings
Grade: C
I would have preferred Kingston Flemings over Darius Acuff for the Kings at No. 7, but the team clearly loved the Arkansas guard and had been circling him for months. Let’s see if they’re right. Alex Karaban wasn’t a first round talent in my book, but the Kings traded up to get him at No. 29. The one pick I did like from the Kings was Emanuel Sharp, who was an excellent 3-and-D style guard at Houston the last three years. This haul will be defined by the Acuff pick. He’ll probably put up big numbers while Sacramento loses a lot of games for most of his career.
San Antonio Spurs
Grade: A-
The Spurs obviously wanted to add beef in the draft, and they got a lot of it. Jayden Quaintance is worth the risk to me. I thought he’d be a top-5 pick coming into the season, but he barely played after trying to return from a torn ACL. JQ could be a monster defensively. I have no idea how he contributes on offense outside of lobs and offensive rebounds, but that’s perfectly fine if he’s an elite defensive big. I didn’t really see the vision with Tarris Reed as a first round pick, but he’s another big body who can eat inside. Maliq Brown is yet another big man who adds defensive toughness and versatility. Ja’Kobi Gillespie is a nice pick-up too as a tiny guard who chucks threes and defends bigger than his size. Quaintance, Gillespie, and Brown is a great haul even if I’m not huge on Reed.
Toronto Raptors
Grade: B+
Allen Graves! What a story, and what a player. I laughed out loud when the Raptors made this pick if only because he’s exactly like most of the other guys on this team. Graves’ defensive playmaking is his calling card, and if he can figure out how to maintain his aggression while cutting back on his fouls, he could go down as a steal. The difference between Graves and the other 6’8 Raptors is that the Santa Clara product can actually shoot. Jaden Bradley is fine for a No. 50 overall pick, but I’d be surprised if he carves out an NBA career (that goes for any No. 50 overall pick I suppose).
Utah Jazz
Grade: B+
I always thought Darryn Peterson was a great fit in Utah. I still think the Jazz passed on the best player in the draft in Cam Boozer, but Peterson was second on my board, and should be a high-level shooter and defender in the backcourt. If he regains his high school explosiveness, the Jazz could be nasty pretty soon.
Washington Wizards
Grade: B+
A.J. Dybantsa has fantastic shot-creation ability for a wing his size. I had him third on my board, but he has the ability to make me look stupid if he eventually leads the league in scoring and starts to take some pride in his defense. I do not love his fit next to Trae Young, but that’s more a Trae Young problem.
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 10: Syracuse Orange forward William Kyle (42) during the ACC Men's basketball tournament between the Syracuse Orange and the SMU Mustangs on March 10, 2026 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
While the second round turned out to be a dud for the Lakers on Wednesday, the conclusion of the NBA Draft is when the team really starts to get to work.
First, they agreed to an Exhibit-10 deal with William Kyle III, a big man out of Syracuse.
Former Syracuse center William Kyle III is signing with the Lakers on an Exhibit 10 deal, sources told ESPN. The 6-9, 230-pound big man averaged 8.4 points on 66.1% with 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game in his senior season with the Orange
Kyle played for three schools in his four years of college, including a season at UCLA in 2024-25. He finished his career on the other side of the country where he played 28.1 minutes per game for the Orange, averaging 8.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots.
But a short watch of any highlight video will show why the Lakers targeted Kyle. He’s an incredibly athlete on both ends of the floor. He’s a lob threat who can also protect the rim. He’s undersized, which is part of the reason he went undrafted, but he certainly has a lot of bounce.
The purple and gold also agreed to an Exhibit-10 deal with Robbie Avila out of Saint Louis, too. He was the A10 Player of the Year with some of the best nicknames you’re ever going to find.
NEWS: Saint Louis’ Robbie Avila has agreed to an Exhibit-10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell DraftExpress.
The A10 Player of the Year is one of the nation’s most skilled bigs.
Shot 40% from three and averaged 4+ assists per game as a frontcourt playmaking hub. pic.twitter.com/q6yYnRtAXW
Personally, I’m a fan of Milk Chamberlain, but Cream Abdul-Jabbar is a great one as well.
As far as his on-court production, Avila is the polar opposite as a big man of Kyle. He averaged 12.8 points per game last season, but is a stretch big who hit 41% of his 4.6 threes per game. He also handed out 4.1 assists and grabbed 4.5 rebounds per contest.
He will likely be a fan favorite at Summer League, but it’s unlikely he gets much further than that. His lack of athleticism and quickness as a big man will make it hard for him to earn meaningful minutes in NBA games.
Marquette’s Chase Ross also signed an Exhibit-10 deal with the Lakers.
NEWS: Marquette’s Chase Ross has agreed to an Exhibit-10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell DraftExpress.
14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.3 steals per game this season.
In his senior season, Ross averaged 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and a conference-leading 2.3 steals per game. He struggled offensively, shooting 42.1% from the field and 29.5% from the 3-point line, but it’s the other end of the court where he made his impact as he was named to the Big East All-Defense team last season.
Under the assumption that both Cameron Carr and Adou Theiro play this year, the Lakers are quickly rounding out their Summer League roster.
As a reminder, Exhibit-10 deals are training camp contracts, but are incentivized so that when a team cuts the player, they get an added bonus if they sign with that franchise’s G League team.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 4: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets and Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talk during the game on November 4, 2024 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When the offseason started, all eyes were on where Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown would end up. After the former got traded earlier this week, it was supposed to be the latter’s turn. And even Anthony Edwards’ name came up, not as a trade candidate this season, but as a disgruntled star who could be the next big name to start making some noise.
Not only did the Timberwolves not move Edwards, but they got him a running mate who could appeal to his desire to have more help around him. Late Wednesday night, rumors surrounding the availability of LaMelo Ball surfaced. It came as a surprise to many as the young point guard had just spearheaded an incredibly strong second half of the season for the Hornets. He played in 72 games, which was the second-most of his career, and the most since his second year in the league. He was analytically among the most impactful offensive players in the league. And it looked like he was well on his way to leading a dynamic trio of himself, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel to a new age of Hornets basketball.
Less than 24 hours after the initial reports came out, Ball was swiftly traded away, and it wasn’t like the Hornets received an offer they couldn’t refuse.
Charlotte landed a return package comprised of Naz Reid, an unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps, and three second-round picks. That isn’t nothing, but it still feels rather underwhelming for a player of Ball’s caliber, and the Hornets are likely worse after agreeing to the trade.
BREAKING: The Charlotte Hornets are trading star guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033), sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/lkhXBWHCrA
The aftermath speculation is that the Hornets wanted to get ahead of Ball’s second major NBA contract while selling high on a player who just had his healthiest and best season in years. Obviously, the Timberwolves got better. They lack real front court depth after trading away both Julius Randle and Reid, and will surely have to eventually address that. But Ball, Minnesota, finally provides Edwards with another creator who can consistently create advantages on offense. For years, the Wolves had gone with the band-aid fixes of Donte DiVincenzo and the shell of Mike Conley.
Ant now has a bit of the pressure taken off of him, and it should create a very entertaining backcourt with the star power and offensive capabilities to match pretty much any unit across the NBA. If the Wolves can shore up their front court with a bit more size and firepower, they now have the offensive ceiling to at least give the Thunder and Spurs a run for their money. And with those three teams, the Lakers, and Nuggets all believing they can win now, the West should once again be exciting and closely contested at the top.
The Hornets, on the other hand, get some picks back and now have a treasure trove of picks for the upcoming years. On paper, however, they are very clearly a worse team. They did re-sign Coby White, who had played incredibly well as a Hornet in the second half of the season and will provide Miller and Knueppel with ample scoring support and playmaking. But he’s still no Ball. White isn’t the playmaker or shooter that Ball is, and the Hornets could see some offensive regression because of that. He offers some more stability in a way; he’s less injury prone, having played 104 more games than Ball since Ball’s first year in the league, and his cheaper contract also gives the Hornets more flexibility moving forward.
Not only can they save some money for Miller and Knueppel’s extensions when necessary, but they also have more money to round out the rest of the roster this summer. On top of that, the draft picks will allow them to maybe go star hunting down the road. It just needs to be reiterated, though, that the Hornets, as of right now, are worse than they were yesterday.
Free agent guard Coby White intends to sign a three-year, $74 million deal to return to the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell ESPN. White was a major priority for the Hornets and now steps into a new starting role in the backcourt. pic.twitter.com/vomi9igMu5
The Eastern Conference likely took a short sigh of relief after hearing about this deal. The Hornets were probably still a piece or two short of being real contenders at the level of the Knicks, Celtics, Pistons, and Cavaliers. They lack postseason experience, as was evident in their final play-in game, and they still need a bit more depth. But the way they played down the stretch had a lot of teams sweating. They truly looked like an up-and-coming team, and it wouldn’t have surprised people if they took a jump similar to the one the Pistons took over the last couple of years.
White is a solid point guard who can replicate some of the things that Ball did, but the Hornets won’t be nearly as scary with White as their starting point guard. Because of that, this trade won’t impact the aforementioned contenders much. They got their own problems and many other and better teams to worry about. But now, teams like the Hawks, Raptors, and Magic, who are in that second or third tier of teams in the conference, will have a slightly easier time making the playoffs once again.
Now that the 2026 NBA Draft is done, the league's attention turns to the start of free agency, with the official "tampering" period beginning on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.
But teams and free agents can't sign their contracts until July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET when the NBA's moratorium on signings ends.
No one should be doing what James is doing at his age, but one more run with the Lakers before retirement, and the Reaves re-signing would still make them a playoff threat in the West.
LaVine's $49 million option makes him prime trade bait unless there is a team out there willing to hand the 31-year-old injury-prone playmaker another massive deal. Going back to the Sacramento Kings in the long term would be a questionable move as well.
Jalen Duren (restricted)
Age: 22
25-26 stats: 19.5 ppg, 10.5 reb, 2 apg (65% FG)
The Detroit Pistons can offer Duren a five-year deal, worth up to $287.1 million, after he made the All-NBA third team this season. The question is whether Detroit wants to or will be foolish enough to pay that, especially after his disappearing act in the playoffs.
Like every contender in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers have to decide on an aging yet still effective and championship-less Harden, whose $42.3 million option would be hard to pass up for any other player.
With Al Horford back in the mix with a new two-year, $14 million deal, the Golden State Warriors now turn their attention to Porzingis, whose injury history makes him a risk no matter where he ends up next season.
Wiggins' player option is worth $30.2 million, so staying put would be the wise move. But moving on would complicate the Miami Heat's plans for building a competitive roster.
The NBA is all about stretching the floor and shooting, and any team could use a sharpshooter like Hachimura, who has hit 40% or better from downtown in each of the last three years.
The Heat need Powell on the roster, especially because of his shooting. Will Powell look to score one final big payday elsewhere, or does he stay around, hoping the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade puts them back in the mix for a title?
