Oklahoma City is trying to reduce its massive upcoming tax bill, and Atlanta has become the beneficiary.
The Thunder are trading Aaron Wiggins to the Hawks for two second-round picks, a trade first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. Officially, the trade is Wiggins for the Hawks' 2030 second-round pick and the least favorable of the 2032 Hawks or Lakers pick.
For Oklahoma City, this is essentially a salary dump. Wiggins is set to make $9.2 million next season, and that now comes off OKC's books (and creating a roster spot if the Thunder decide to use both first-round picks they control). Most importantly, the trade lowers the team's expected $213 million luxury tax bill down to $152 million. Expect more moves by the Thunder to try to lower that bill even further in the coming weeks.
Atlanta picks up a quality wing player, one who averaged 9.4 points a game last season for the Thunder, but his minutes were getting squeezed by the rise of Ajay Mitchell and the arrival of Jared McCain.
Wiggins is a testament to the Thunder's player development. They drafted him No. 55 but helped him grow into a quality rotation player, and during the Thunder's championship season, he averaged 12 points per game.
This trade will not become official until July 6 (the day the NBA's free agent moratorium is lifted) because of the money involved. The Hawks will absorb Wiggins' salary into an $11 million trade exemption they have, but this will hard-cap them at the first tax apron. Which is not that big a deal because they aren't expected to go near that anyway.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 25: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns drives the ball against Aaron Wiggins #21 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 25, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Now, the reached into their bag of second round picks to grab a flier in the form of Aaron Wiggins:
The Oklahoma City Thunder are finalizing a trade to send guard Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks for two second-round picks (Atlanta's in 2030 and the least favorable of Hawks/Lakers in 2032), sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/ypffJ3jMOk
Wiggins (no relation to Andrew of the Miami Heat) is a product of Oklahoma City’s great drafting and development program. A good wing athlete with some handles and shooting on offense, Wiggins is a career 38% shooter from deep as a role playing ‘3-and-D’ type for the Thunder.
Before the 2024-25 NBA season, Wiggins signed a five-year, $45 million extension that declines over the contract and has a team option in 2028-29. Effectively, the Hawks will owe him slightly over $17 million over the next two guaranteed seasons.
Wiggins thus far has topped out at 24.2 minutes per game way back in his rookie season but hasn’t been able to consistently crack a larger role with how deep and talented OKC’s rosters have been the past few years. It’s possible Atlanta gives him a chance to prove he can handle a bigger role.
Tennessee forward Nate Ament (10) attempts a shot past Iowa State forward Blake Buchanan (23) during a NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game between Tennessee and Iowa State at the United Center in Chicago on March 27, 2026. | Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The 2026 NBA Draft is just around the corner, and where Tennessee standout Nate Ament lands is a curious question and a storyline to follow.
The 6-10 forward is a rare specimen, combining length with a variety of scoring tools, along with a capable outside shot. But so far, he hasn’t gotten the top-of-the-draft love that others have. At least that’s how the draft pundits have seen things.
Now, after months of waiting and projecting, the experts almost all seem to have him pegged for one particularly destination. Here’s where Ament lands in recent mock drafts.
Kevin O’Connor; Yahoo! Sports – No. 15, Chicago Bulls
Cameron Salerno; CBS Sports – No. 10, Milwaukee Bucks
Jeremy Woo; ESPN – No. 10, Milwaukee Bucks
J. Kyle Mann; The Ringer – No. 10, Milwaukee Bucks
Bryan Kalbrosky; USA Today – No. 10, Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee is a curious team, in that no one knows what’s going to happen with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks’ superstar is on the trading block, and just what their roster will look like with him is yet to be determined. A trade could go down at any point in time, and how the Bucks look is anyone’s guess.
The Bucks also happen to be a team that hasn’t worked out Ament yet, according to him. He went on Sportscenter last week, and he said the Bulls, Clippers, Nets, and Thunder are the four teams who’ve taken a closer look at him. Chicago picks at 4 and 15, the Clippers at 5, the Nets at 6, and the Thunder at 12 and 17.
The 2026 NBA Draft gets underway on Tuesday night at 8 pm ET at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) drives to the basket against Northwestern Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli (2) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
A few final notes before the draft:
With only 2 days to the NBA draft, the Suns have been playing things incredibly close to the vest, with rumors they might want to move up into the first round, and Gambo saying they’re more likely just to move up into the 30s.
Pavle Backo, whom I covered in my last article as a dark-horse candidate at 47, withdrew from the draft and will return to Europe.
Kellan Olsen of the Arizona Republic mentioned two more names I hadn’t covered as possibilities: Braden Smith and Nick Martinelli, who both make some sort of sense. They’re covered here.
I’ve continually been updating my mock draft tracker, and we’re up to 17 mock drafts included in the data set.
There are X players in the Suns range that I like for the team, and have some reasonable possibility of being at 47 right now: Jaden Bradley (6.5%), Trevon Brazile (10%), Ugonna Unyenso (26%), Braden Smith (21%), Izaiyah Nelson (44%), Nick Martinelli (49%), Bruce Thornton (56.4%). I expect the Suns will take one of them if they keep the 47th pick, unless someone else falls precipitously and unexpectedly (Baba Miller, Karaban Jefferson are possibilities)
I’ll be putting out a final article before the draft that you can use while watching it to see the results of the draft tracker, and see what players are likely to be available at higher draft positions if the Suns trade up.
My final draft articles will be after the draft to scout the players selected, and mathematically determine which mock drafts were the most accurate.
Nick Martinelli (Northwestern, Senior, SF/PF)
Nick Martinelli is a highly productive, polished, and physical 6’6.5″, 225-pound forward who emerged as a standout scorer and Big Ten standout at Northwestern. Projected as an early-to-mid second-round pick, he is highly regarded for his high basketball IQ, interior craftiness, and ability to score through contact without relying on elite athleticism.
Elite Scoring Touch: Martinelli is a craft left-handed scorer who thrives in the mid-post and short corners. He uses fluid footwork, fakes, and a reliable floater to score efficiently inside the arc, making him a major mismatch for slower defenders.
Physicality & Contact: Built with a strong, broad frame, he actively seeks contact and excels at drawing fouls, getting to the free-throw line nearly seven times a game.
Rebounding Gravity: He boasts a strong offensive rebounding percentage for a perimeter player, utilizing his motor and instincts to punish opponents on the interior.
Improved Shooting: He significantly improved his three-point shot throughout his college career, culminating in a highly efficient 41.7% from deep on respectable volume as a senior.
Weaknesses
Athletic Ceiling: He lacks an elite first step or explosive vertical pop, relying instead on a deliberate, “herky-jerky” pace. Translating this style to the NBA will require him to speed up his shot release and decision-making against longer, quicker defenders.
Defensive Versatility: There are questions about his ability to defend true wings or quicker guards on the perimeter, as well as how his frame will hold up against true NBA power forwards.
Offensive Creation: Lacks a highly creative handle and struggles to generate his own offense in isolation, relying mostly on set plays or put-backs.
Draft Range
Between 40 and undrafted, with a mean of 46.8 and a median of 45. He only went undrafted in one mock (CBS). There is currently a 49% chance he will be available at 47.
Why the Suns Should Take a Look
Martinelli knows how to score in multiple ways and has a high motor. His three-point shooting is likely to translate to the pros, and I think there’s a high probability he can latch on somewhere. Unfortunately, he doesn’t give the Suns the things the team desperately needs: size, rebounding, and defense at the 4. He’s a tweener forward who doesn’t rebound particularly well overall and is a slow-footed defender. Too slow to guard small forwards, too small to guard power forwards.
He’s basically Royce O’Neale. However, he’d be Royce O’Neale at one-tenth the cost. If the Suns want to dump O’Neale and want a much cheaper replacement, Martinelli fits that description. Overall, Martinelli seems like a high-floor, low-ceiling sort of player that will carve out a niche somewhere.
NBA Comparison
Georges Niang. Jaime Vasquez Jr. Royce O’Neale.
Braden Smith (Purdue, Senior, PG)
Braden Smith enters the 2026 NBA Draft as a highly polished, historic collegiate floor general after finishing his four-year career at Purdue as the NCAA men’s basketball all-time career assist leader with 1,103 assists. Standing at 5’10.25″ barefoot and weighing 166.6 pounds with a 6’3.25″ wingspan, he is a consensus second-round projection valued heavily for his elite playmaking, pick-and-roll IQ, and winning intangibles.
Elite Playmaking & Floor Generalship: Smith is an exceptional manipulator out of the pick-and-roll. He possesses masterful vision, consistently orchestrating modern half-court offenses and maximizing his teammates’ efficiency with an excellent 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Dangerous Pull-Up Scorer: Defenses cannot simply drop against him; Smith is a lethal mid-range operator who converted 51.7% of his 147 pull-up two-point attempts in college. He features a quick, high-pacing release that helps offset his size.
Defensive Anticipation: Despite major physical limitations, he functions like a “cornerback” off the ball. He reads passing lanes cleanly, boasting a high 3.5% steal rate to generate vital extra possessions.
Intangibles & Polish: A two-time First Team All-American and Big Ten Tournament MVP, he brings a mature, mistake-free approach, superb leadership, and a competitive edge to second units.
Weaknesses
Severe Size Outlier: Barely scratching 5’10”, Smith faces a significant physical uphill battle in today’s NBA. He lacks the ideal size, vertical explosion, and length typical for modern guards, making him an automatic defensive target for isolation and switching schemes.
Lack of Rim Pressure: Smith struggles heavily to penetrate the teeth of elite defenses. He lacks the burst to consistently get downhill, recording zero career dunks and only 90 field-goal attempts at the rim across more than 1,300 minutes in his final collegiate season.
Below-Average Finishing: When he does attack inside, his lack of height and length creates high variance; his floater and touch around the basket took a noticeable efficiency step backward as senior-year length contested him.
Draft Range
Between 37 and 52, with an average of 42.8 and a median of 40. There is a 21% he will still be on the board at 47.
Why the Suns Should Take a Look
Smith has a lot of the intangibles the Suns are looking for: winning pedigree, toughness, motor, team-minded, and high IQ. He’s also got one elite-level skill that translates to the NBA: in this case, passing, ball handling, and decision-making. Smith’s a decent three-point shooter, which will keep defenses somewhat honest if he plays off the ball. He’s a pick-and-roll general and has the stop-and-pop mid-range game to make defenses pay if they use drop coverage. Despite his lack of size, at the collegiate level, he was at least an average, if not willing, defender.
It’s an open question if someone of his size still has a place in the game. However, Jose Alvarado played a key role in the Knicks’ championship run, standing only 5’11” in socks. If anyone has the savvy, basketball IQ, and work ethic to make it as a 5’10 PG in the NBA, it’s Smith. If he’s still at 47, he’s worth the risk. At the very least, he seems like a viable second or third-string PG who can give you 12 minutes of hustle and smart plays per night, which is a very Jordan Ott kind of player.
NBA Comparisons
Tyler Kolek. TJ McConnell. Tyus Jones. Chris Paul’s feel for the game
And that’s where we stand with only a few days remaining until draft night. Whether it’s a polished floor general like Braden Smith, a productive scorer like Nick Martinelli, or one of the other names still hovering around Phoenix’s range, there are viable options on the board. The bigger question may not be who the Suns like at No. 47, but whether they’re still picking there when the clock starts. Recent history tells us Brian Gregory is rarely content sitting still, and that uncertainty is what makes this draft so fascinating heading into next week.
June 21 marks Father’s Day, which is always a heartwarming day in the sports world.
Since so many of the world’s best athletes are also dads, it’s always cool to see families taking the time to show these athletes love on social media. And when it comes to families in the sports world, there’s none who have made more headlines in recent years than the James family.
Lakers star LeBron James received Father’s Day messages from his sons. Corey Sipkin for NY Post
This is because LeBron James has been playing alongside his son, Bronny, on the Lakers for the past few seasons. Even though this has gotten a ton of coverage, it still feels like this feat isn’t spoken about enough, given that it’s the first time a father has ever played in an NBA game with his son.
LeBron and Bronny James have a special bond on the court. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
And Bronny isn’t LeBron’s only son who has impressed on the basketball court. LeBron and his wife Savannah’s middle child, Bryce, is on the University of Arizona’s roster and is hoping to receive playing time as a sophomore next season after redshirting this past year.
LeBron has done a great job raising all three of his children (including his youngest, daughter Zhuri).
Both of LeBron’s sons showed him love on Father’s Day. Bronny made an Instagram Story post showing him and LeBron before a Lakers game. The story was captioned, “Happy Father’s Day!! ”.
LeBron and Bronny James have a strong connection on and off the court. Getty Images
Bryce took a different route. He posted an Instagram Story photo of the entire James family in front of the Eiffel Tower during the Paris 2024 Olympics. The post was captioned, “”.
Bryce James’ June 21 Instagram Story of the entire James family in front of the Eiffel Tower.
While Bronny and Bryce showed their love in different ways, it’s still cool to see them shouting their dad out on what’s always a special day.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 06: Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies looks on during the second half of a game against the Michigan Wolverines 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers have been searching for an elite big man for quite some time. Back in 2025, when Anthony Davis was still on the roster, he made it clear he wanted the Lakers to trade for a center.
He ended up being traded for Luka Dončić, but the team still needed someone to play the five alongside their new superstar. They ended up trading for Mark Williams, but the deal was rescinded.
Since then, the Lakers have tried to play Jaxson Hayes as their starter, and then brought in Deandre Ayton. While each player has found some success, neither has been good enough, which is why recent reports that Dončić wants the Lakers to acquire an A-list center come as no surprise.
The options for the Lakers at this point are to try to trade for a big, sign one via free agency, or select one in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft.
In Jake Fisher’s piece for The Stein Line released on Saturday, he discussed a pair of centers the Lakers could be interested in drafting with the No. 25 pick.
The Lakers at No. 25 are another team rivals are projecting will land on a big man. Depending on what happens with teams above them, they might be presented with the opportunity to draft Kentucky big man Jayden Quaintance, who once figured to go much higher but has inspired trepidation among some NBA teams with a slow recovery from a torn ACL in February 2025.
Another big man who’s been connected to the Lakers is UConn center Tarris Reed Jr., who I’ve also heard has interest from teams as high as the late teens.
Jayden Quaintance doesn’t have much college tape to evaluate. Due to his ACL injury, he only played in four games for Kentucky during his sophomore season. As a freshman at Arizona State, he played in 24 games, averaging 9.4 points and 7.9 rebounds. In six of those contests, he had a double-double, with his most impressive performance coming against Massachusetts, where he scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in his team’s 78-62 win.
Quaintance is considered an elite rim protector and averaged 2.6 blocks per game at Arizona State.
Given the seriousness of his injury, he could be available for the Lakers at 25. While there is risk in selecting him, the upside is getting a player who’s far better than what is typically available late in the draft.
Jayden Quaintance is sliding, and a smart team is going to cash in. Elite rim protection, freak length, and still only 18 years old. The knee is a concern, but this is exactly the swing a contender in the 20s will be happy to take. Riffing with @ZachLowe_NBApic.twitter.com/phi0zZsKR2
Reed Jr. had the full college experience, playing two years at Michigan and another two at UConn. His last season with the Huskies was his best as he averaged 14.7 points per game on 60% shooting. Reed Jr. also grabbed nine rebounds per game.
As a 2025-26 All-Big East First Team player, Reed Jr. has demonstrated that he can play at a high level as a college big man. Can he do the same at the NBA level?
Los Angeles needs to take advantage of every opportunity to bolster its roster. So, whether it’s Reed Jr., Quaintance, or someone else, if they can find a frontcourt player they like with the No. 25 pick, they need to make that selection.
Hitting on these late picks could be the wins in the margins that go a long way toward setting up the Lakers for long-term success. If they make the right choices this summer, the center spot could become a strength rather than an area that needs addressing.
Teams thought so highly of the 2026 NBA Draft class that we saw historic levels of tanking last season — in the final months of the campaign, nine teams were actively not looking to win games, hoping to improve their lottery odds (even slightly). It bothered Commissioner Adam Silver and the teams' owners so much that they changed the Draft Lottery rules. Again.
All that begs the question: Is the 2006 NBA Draft Class worth it? Where does this class rank historically?
It's impossible to answer that properly without a time machine, but it has the high-end talent to rank among the best. Let's break it down — and consider where the top picks like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cam Boozer would rank against other recent high draft picks.
2026 vs. All-Time great drafts
It's unfair to ask if the 2026 Draft Class to live up to what are considered the two greatest draft classes in NBA history:
1984: Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, plus a lot of players who had good careers (Sam Perkins, Kevin Willis, Otis Thorpe, Michael Cage, Jerome Kersey).
2023: LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and another group of players who had impressive careers (Kyle Korver, David West, Boris Diaw, and Kendrick Perkins among them).
Get past those two, however, and the high-end potential plus depth of this 2026 class means it might be able to hang with any other year.
For example, if the high end for the 2026 class pans out — say two of Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and Caleb Wilson end up with Hall of Fame worthy careers, plus some of the deep group of point guards (Darius Acuff Jr., Mikel Brown, Kingston Flemmings, Keaton Wagler) pan out as All-Stars or high-level players — could we compare this to the first Draft Lottery class in 1985: Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Terry Porter, Detlef Schrempf, A.C. Green and Joe Dumars (among others).
Perhaps someday we can compare the 2026 class to the 1996 class: Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen and Peja Stojakovic.
Maybe a better high-end comparison is the 2009 class: Stephen Curry, James Harden, Jrue Holiday, DeMar DeRozan and Taj Gibson.
Those 1996 and 2009 classes have MVPs (plural), more than one multi-time All-Star, and plenty of Hall of Famers, but that is where the bar is set for this 2006 class. The expectations are through the roof.
If you're looking for a comparison that is more measured and cautious but realistic, let's go with 1987: David Robinson, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, and two great point guards, Kevin Johnson and Mark Jackson. The 2026 class can absolutely be that, if their players pan out, which leads to the next question.
Where do 2026 players rank compared to recent drafts?
As with ranking draft classes, this is impossible without a Time Machine. However, we can compare the pre-draft grades and rankings of players from recent drafts with the rankings and ratings of this 2026 class.
When NBC Sports asked a couple of front-office people whether they had Dybantsa or Peterson rated higher than Cooper Flagg — last year's No. 1 pick — both quickly said no. In a hypothetical mixed draft, Flagg would still go No. 1, they said.
Which is incredible, given that we just witnessed how well Harper performed in the NBA Finals, outplaying teammate and All-Star De'Aaron Fox. (Again, these rankings were based on pre-draft grades for everyone.) Also, Woo has North Carolina's Wilson graded out higher than VJ Edgecombe, who had a fantastic rookie season.
1) Victor Wembanyama; 2) Flagg; 3) Zion Williamson; 4) Cade Cunningham; 5) Karl-Anthony Towns; 6) Dybantsa; 7) Boozer; 8) Peterson; 9) Ben Simmons; 10) Markelle Fultz.
First of all, this list is a reminder that drafting and developing players is an inexact science. Zion was essentially can't miss, but he has never lived up to expectations. Simmons' career started impressively, but the lack of shooting — and a sudden drop in confidence — rapidly changed its course.
It also shows how highly rated this class is. The Dybantsa/Peterson/Boozer trio is ranked higher than Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, Chet Holmgren and Evan Mobley, for example.
That's high praise, but it's fitting — this class is that good. It was worth tanking for. Now it just has to live up to the hype.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: The sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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
CJ McCollum was one of the Hawks best players after being traded to the roster last season.
CJ McCollum is staying in Atlanta.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania,
The veteran guard agreed to a one-year, $21 million contract extension with the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. It ends any uncertainty about his future as he remains a cornerstone after being one of the team’s most important late-season contributors.
The deal reportedly includes a trade kicker, per Charania.
The deal comes after McCollum played a vital role in Atlanta’s surprising surge following his midseason arrival in the deal for Trae Young.
After being acquired by the Hawks from the Washington Wizards, the 34-year-old quickly became a stabilizing force on a mostly young roster.
Atlanta caught fire down the stretch, finishing the regular season on a remarkable 19-4 run that vaulted the team into the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference, evolving from a fringe postseason possibility into one of the hottest teams in the league.
McCollum’s presence had a lot to do with that.
The soon-to-be 14-year veteran often guided the offense with his on-ball creativity, perimeter shooting and late-game shot creation, all trademarks of his entire NBA tenure.
CJ McCollum was one of the Hawks’ best players after being traded to the roster last season. Getty Images
In 41 regular-season games with Atlanta, including 25 starts, McCollum averaged 18.7 points per game while shooting 45.6 percent from the floor and 35.7 percent from behind the arc.
His impact became even more apparent during the playoffs.
Although Atlanta ultimately fell to the eventual champion Knicks 4-2 in the first round, McCollum repeatedly gave New York problems throughout the series, primarily in the first three games as the Hawks built a 2-1 lead.
He engineered multiple clutch performances, including a 32-point outing in Game 2 when he scored six points in the final minutes and hit the go-ahead basket with 33.5 seconds remaining to steal a victory at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks led by 12 in the fourth quarter before the Hawks chipped away at the lead.
CJ McCollum drives against Knicks swingman Josh Hart during the 2026 NBA Playoffs. NBAE via Getty Images
McCollum added another 23 points in a Game 3 victory, in which Atlanta staved off a late Knicks rally to win 109-108.
McCollum, who turns 35 in September, has averaged 19.5 points per game for his career and has built a reputation as one of the best guards in recent memory to never make an All-Star team.
Since entering the NBA as the 10th overall pick in the 2013 draft, McCollum has established himself as one of the league’s most consistent scoring guards.
He won the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award in 2016 and has averaged nearly 20 points per game across a career that has included stops with the Trail Blazers, Pelicans, Wizards and Hawks.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Jordan Ott of the Phoenix Suns talks with Collin Gillespie #12 and Jordan Goodwin #23 during the second half of the NBA game against the Atlanta Hawks at Mortgage Matchup Center on November 16, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Kelsey Grant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The first transactional dominoes of the 2026-27 season fell this weekend as the Phoenix Suns reached an agreement with Collin Gillespie, bringing him back on a four-year, $48 million contract. They followed that move by signing Jordan Goodwin to a three-year, $19 million contract.
The exact structure of both deals remains to be seen, but the assumption is that Gillespie will earn $10.7 million this upcoming season while Goodwin will make $5.9 million. Both contracts are expected to include 8% raises in each subsequent season. That would culminate in a $13.6 million salary for Gillespie in the final year of his deal, when he is 30 years old. Goodwin’s contract would finish at roughly $6.8 million in the final season, which is expected to be a player option, when he is also 30 years old.
With Jordan Goodwin officially back in the fold, here's where the Suns' five-year cap sheet currently stands, assuming both the Collin Gillespie and Goodwin contracts utilize the standard 8% annual raises available through Early Bird rights: pic.twitter.com/Fef01XwuSD
— Bright Side of the Sun (@BrightSideSun) June 21, 2026
As it stands right now, Gillespie’s contract will account for roughly 6% of the Suns’ salary cap for the 2026-27 season. Goodwin will account for 3.6% of the cap.
This is where I slowly get up from my chair, clap my hands, and applaud the Phoenix Suns for getting these deals done, and doing so at the number they did. It was the right thing to do. It needed to be done. And it rewards the success of internal development for players who arrived in Phoenix, earned a guaranteed deal, and have now earned a respectable NBA contract. For a team whose mantra revolves around alignment, identity, and development, this is a win.
Yes, the Suns will continue paying for the transgressions of the past, for the narrow-minded roster construction strategy initially deployed by Mat Ishbia upon arrival. That’s going to hurt for the next four years. But in the same breath, the course correction that began last offseason has been positive. The Suns are operating like a competent franchise. And after 20 years of often failing to operate astutely, it’s nice from a fan’s perspective to see them doing so.
Not every transaction will be a winner. Not every player selected for development will produce positive results. That’s part of the process. But as long as you’re operating like a competent franchise, you can absorb some of those misses. You can survive mistakes because they’re part of a larger plan rather than desperate attempts to fix yesterday’s problems.
For the Suns, that’s what makes this signing so encouraging. It’s not simply about Gillespie and Goodwin. It’s about the process that got them here. The Suns most certainly got a hometown discount on both. That says something about the behind-the-scenes culture that is in place.
As things currently stand, the Suns are staring at a future that includes the luxury tax and perhaps even a trip over the first apron. That can sound daunting, especially considering everything we’ve endured with second apron hell over the past few seasons. But as long as a franchise is operating confidently, with the ability to see both the short-term and the long-term strategy, it’s okay to go over the first apron.
The Suns want to be competitive. Bringing back Gillespie and Goodwin reinforces that desire. The next question becomes what this looks like strategically for Phoenix. Do they embrace three-guard lineups again next season? Or does Gillespie become the Suns’ version of T.J. McConnell, a competent and capable backup point guard who keeps the intensity high on both ends of the floor while leading the second unit?
That remains to be seen. But now that CG12 and Goody are officially back, the Suns can begin having those conversations.
While Sotheby’s has not publicly assigned an estimate, longtime sports business analyst Darren Rovell projected the ball could fetch as much as $3 million when bidding opens.
OG Anunoby tips in the game-winning shot during the Knicks’ Game 4 victory over the Spurs in the NBA Finals on June 10, 2026. X/NBA
The basketball is expected to generate enormous interest because of its connection to a play that helped propel the Knicks to their first championship in 53 years.
It may be the single most important play in the history of New York basketball.
With the Knicks trailing the San Antonio Spurs 106-105 in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden and facing the possibility of the series being tied at two games apiece, Jalen Brunson launched a contested 3-pointer in the final seconds while guarded by Victor Wembanyama.
The shot bounced off the rim, but Anunoby freely raced into the lane, without being boxed out, and tipped the rebound through the basket with 1.2 seconds remaining.
Knicks wing OG Anunoby (8) tips in the game-winning shot against the Spurs during Game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 10, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
This also came shortly after Anunoby blocked a dubious layup attempt by De’Aaron Fox on the other end of the floor, which could’ve given San Antonio a three-point lead.
Anunoby’s heroics wound up giving New York a dramatic 107-106 victory.
The play completed the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.
The Knicks had trailed by 29 points earlier in the third quarter before storming back.
Instead of heading to San Antonio with the series tied, the Knicks seized a commanding 3-1 lead, and days later, the franchise finished off the Spurs to capture its first NBA title since 1973.
The auction is part of a larger collection of Finals memorabilia that includes game-worn jerseys, nets and other items from the Knicks’ championship run.
Given the price, it’s possible that Anunoby’s tip-in may serve as the centerpiece of what is expected to be a lucrative auction.
PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix Suns' five-time All-Star guard Devin Booker has changed his jersey number to No. 15 from No. 1 in honor of his dad Melvin Booker, who played professionally in the NBA and overseas.
“I’ve been chasing 15 my whole career," Booker said. “It’s always been a family number. Obviously (my dad) wore it and I looked at (him) as the blueprint for success.”
Booker has worn the No. 1 for his entire NBA career, but previously wore No. 15 while playing for the United States and winning two gold medals at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. He's the Suns' all-time leading scorer with 19,520 points in the regular season and playoffs over 11 NBA seasons.
Melvin Booker was a star guard in college at Missouri, where he was an All-America selection and Big Eight Player of the Year in 1994.
Victor Wembanyama’s reaction to Game 5 was a “little too crazy” for Jose Alvarado.
The French phenom, as has been discussed widely, did not shake hands with Knicks players after his Spurs lost a decisive Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
And Alvarado was not a fan of Wembanyama’s behavior after the Knicks clinched their Finals win.
“I got mixed emotions. I’m a competitor too, but I also stare my enemies down. I look forward to them, and I shake their hand,” Alvarado said on 105.1 FM’s “The Breakfast Club.”
“It’s a game. You don’t like the moment. You lost probably the biggest game of your career, but you’re going to have more moments. I feel like the way he did it was a little too crazy for me.”
Jose Alvarado said that Victor Wemanyama’s reaction after Game 5 was “a little too crazy for me.” Getty Images
Jose Alvarado on Wemby not shaking hands with the Knicks:
“I got mixed emotions… the way he did it was a little too crazy for me because I loved how he competed during the game.” pic.twitter.com/wK4nxNN4ey
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) June 20, 2026
Alvarado continued: “I loved how he competed during the game. Obviously, people didn’t like how he was being aggressive, but we’re fighting for something. Between the lines, I feel like anything is cool. Outside the lines, shake hands and call it what it is.”
The newly crowned Defensive Player of the Year became something of a New York villain during the series, in which he pushed the envelope with his physical play and was lucky to avoid getting a flagrant foul for a shove on Jalen Brunson.
Knicks guard Jose Alvarado on “The Breakfast Club” The Breakfast Club/YouTube
Notably, Josh Hart said after the series that another of Wembanyama’s post-game reactions – after beating the Thunder in the Western Conference finals – made him confident the Knicks would win the title.
Following that Game 7 win, Wembanyama tearfully embraced his Spurs teammates after clinching a spot in the Finals.
Hart took it as a sign they were looking past the Knicks.
“Everyone’s talking to them about, ‘Yo, they’ve got to beat OKC. OKC’s going to repeat,’” Hart said Friday during a live “The Roommates Show” episode with Brunson at MSG. “They beat OKC. For a young team, I feel like that was the mountaintop for them.
“That’s when I looked at (Brunson) and I was like, ‘You see that reaction? Because like they think they’re going to win it. They think it’s over.’”
Of course, that wasn’t the case as the Knicks went on to beat the Spurs in five games, including an historic comeback from 29 points down in Game 4.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Austin Reeves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring during the first half of their game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Luiza Moraes/Getty Images) | 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 time has come to reward Austin Reaves for going from being an undrafted player to a starting guard for the Lakers.
However, some people might still be shocked by the cost. While Reaves has mentioned before that his goal is not to earn as much as possible, that doesn’t mean he won’t be paid.
For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked fans how much the Lakers should pay Reaves and they definitely don’t want to give a max deal.
Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game last year and considering he has improved every season, he would likely still be underpaid if he earns less than $40 million a year.
If Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka can get Reaves to sign for less than $40 million and all parties involved are happy with it, that would be a colossal win. Considering Reaves’ growth and an unimpressive free agency market, this seems like wishful thinking from Lakers fans.
Reaves earning between $40-45 million, which finished second in voting, seems more logical. This would give him his big payday without the Lakers overpaying, making it a win-win scenario.
Keep or trade draft pick
In our other poll question, we asked fans if the Lakers should keep their draft pick or trade it. It was a close one, but most fans want LA to make a selection.
Both sides on this one can make a compelling case.
It’s hard to hit on your draft prospects, and even rarer for those players to be immediate contributors on winning teams. With the Lakers picking at No. 25, who will even be available that can help a playoff team in a brutal Western Conference?
However, other teams have found success in the draft. Carter Bryant was taken at No. 14 by the Spurs in the 2025 NBA Draft, played 71 games for San Antonio and was a postseason player.
The Lakers should explore all options, but if they can find talent in the draft, they should focus on developing it. This is how the franchise can acquire top talent without breaking the bank.
Jalen Brunson vs. Luka Dončić
Last, but certainly not least, we asked NBA fans about the Mavericks’ failures. Jalen Brunson winning it all was a reminder that short kings can rule, but it was also another reminder for Dallas fans that they let another elite guard leave who was once a huge part of their organization.
Which Mavs decision looks worse, then: letting Brunson walk or trading Luka Dončić? In what has to be recency bias, the majority thought letting Brunson walk was worse.
Both look bad now, but the Luka decision was considered one of the most lopsided trades in history and led to the general manager, Nico Harrison, being fired within a year. The Luka trade took the Mavericks from a team that had just reached the NBA Finals into a full rebuild.
Props to Brunson for winning it all, but his leaving wasn’t disastrous for the Mavericks. Luka’s departure was far more damaging to Dallas, and while they will move on, they might never fully recover from the pain that came from that trade.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 13: Jordan Clarkson #00 of the New York Knicks celebrates after winning the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 13, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
12 years is a long time in the NBA.
You have to be doing something right to stay in the league this long, especially with career earnings of over $150 million.
But when you’re 11 years in with only four seasons in the playoffs, four total series victories, and just one run past the second round without a championship, all of the regular success you’ve had as a player starts to feel repetitive. You sink into a playstyle that works well for teams that aren’t competing, but kills your value for good teams.
As Jordan Clarkson entered Year 12 and joined the Knicks, the playstyle that he sank into for the last half-decade followed him. It played him off the court midway through the season. He looked like a square peg in a round hole as he neared his 34th birthday.
Then, he bought in, and his revelation resulted in him finally completing the championship run he had waited his whole career to be a part of.
SAN ANTONIO, TX – JUNE 13: Jordan Clarkson #00 of the New York Knicks poses for a portrait after winning Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on June 13, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Clarkson was born in Tampa, Florida, on June 7, 1992, but moved to San Antonio at age 6 after his parents divorced. He attended Karen J. Wagner High School and parlayed his high school success into a scholarship at the University of Tulsa. After making the All-CUSA Freshman Team in 2011, he took his game to another gear as a sophomore, averaging 16.5 points per game and making the All-CUSA First Team.
He transferred to Missouri to get on NBA radars, but had to sit out the 2012-13 season due to old NCAA transfer rules. As a senior, he finished third in the SEC in scoring and was named to Second-Team All-SEC, but despite he and Jabari Brown being two of the most prolific scorers in the conference, the Tigers were reduced to an NIT bid.
Clarkson declared for the 2014 NBA Draft, where he was selected by the Washington Wizards with the 46th pick before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for cash considerations. He started his career with their D-League affiliate, where he averaged 22.6/7.8/5.0 in five games. With the late Kobe-era Lakers in tank mode, he earned an everyday role towards the back end of the season, starting 38 games and making All-Rookie First Team, just the fifth second-round pick to ever do so.
He was a mainstay in the starting lineup over Kobe’s final season in 2015-16 before moving into a sixth man role as the Lakers added pieces like Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and D’Angelo Russell to their rebuild. He became one of the league’s top bench scorers and was rewarded handsomely with a four-year, $50 million extension, but he’d soon leave the bright lights of Hollywood for Cleveland, as the desperate Cavaliers acquired him and Larry Nance Jr. at the 2018 trade deadline to try and make one more run with LeBron James.
Down the stretch with the Cavs, he averaged 13 points a night on the best three-point shooting of his career, but he fell flat in the first playoff run of his career, and was soon doomed to more bad basketball after LeBron departed for the same Lakers team that just traded him.
Over the next 110 games over 1.5 seasons, Clarkson averaged 16 points a night as the Cavs’ sixth man, including a career-high 42 in January 2019. He was finally able to get another opportunity on a playoff team in December 2019, when the contending Utah Jazz acquired him for Dante Exum and two seconds. His scoring ticked up further, and he was able to produce two tremendous performances in Games 2 and 4 against Denver in the bubble before the Jazz lost in seven games.
2020-21 was his best season. He averaged 18.4 points and 4.0 rebounds on the most shots of his career, running away with Sixth Man of the Year over Joe Ingles and Derrick Rose (fun fact: Jalen Brunson came fourth!). He would be Donovan Mitchell’s top-producing teammate around him as they got to the second round, but the No. 1 seed fell on their faces.
After one more season of disappointment, Danny Ainge blew it up. Rudy Gobert and Spida were sold off, but Clarkson remained with the rubble of what was left. He averaged a career-high 20.8 points a night in 2022-23 as a full-time starter for the first time in seven years, but he was now a high-usage, low-value veteran on a team trying to lose games.
Sure, he was still making $15 million a year as he entered his 30s, but things were steadily declining to the point where he was withering away on a 65-loss team in 2024-25. He was mercifully waived before the final year of his contract, allowing him to search for a new home.
It just so happened that the years and years he spent on losing teams didn’t scare good teams away, as the Knicks jumped on him as soon as he cleared waivers in early July, signing him to a minimum contract to fill the role of a microwave scorer off the bench that the team had lacked since trading Immanuel Quickley in December 2023.
The fit was odd, though. You figured he probably wasn’t a fit next to Jalen Brunson, and he’s not the type to run a backup point guard role. His defensive limitations and permanent green light also didn’t fit a roster centered around its starters, and the weakness the team seemingly had with two of its stars on the defensive end. Still, they gave it a shot.
The early returns were mixed. He was playing as you’d expect offensively, averaging nine shots a game through 19 games on decent enough efficiency, mediocre three-point shooting, and rough defense. He at least showed a willingness to be more physical on that end, but often would get into foul trouble rather than get stops.
The first half of his season was defined by two performances a week apart. In the NBA Cup Final against San Antonio, he put up 15 points off the bench as he and Tyler Kolek stole the game from Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. On Christmas, he revived a team that played like zombies in the first quarter with an electric 2Q, en route to a season-high 25 points.
20 more points in the New Year’s Eve loss to the Spurs would be the final game before the descent, for both he and the team. Over the next 10 games, he shot just 36.5% from the field, averaged more turnovers than assists, and was a minus-72 as the Knicks dealt with their three weeks from hell. I pondered after the disgusting MLK Day blowout against Dallas if Mike Brown would do what Tom Thibodeau did 4 years prior in a similar circumstance to spark the team.
He did. Clarkson was benched for the team’s blowout win over the Nets, reduced to garbage time. Over the next seven games, he didn’t play a spec of leveraged basketball. He had been turned into Evan Fournier, an offensively focused veteran who had played his way out of the rotation with ineffective basketball and a bad motor. Things felt bleak.
Then injuries allowed him to get his foot back in the door. Injuries to Josh Hart and Deuce McBride got Clarkson an impromptu start against the Nuggets on February 4, where he was mostly effective in 24 minutes. When Hart returned, Clarkson returned to the doghouse most games, only sparingly playing meaningful bench minutes for the next month.
Then the Knicks went on their biannual West Coast trip. In the third quarter of a lopsided loss to the Lakers, Brown inserted Clarkson, looking for an offensive spark that never came. Three days later, he was given the rope he needed to have a vintage Clarkson performance against his old team in Salt Lake City.
Jordan Clarkson
3/11/2026
27 PTS | 5 OREB | 3 AST | 80.5 TS%
Season high in his return to Utah and essentially earned him back his rotation spot with a new found rebounding presence and defensive effort pic.twitter.com/oS0wOfbaAo
From there, he was back in the rotation. Suddenly, he had found the hunger of a young player on a rookie contract. His shot selection improved. His defensive intensity amped up. He started becoming a menace on the offensive glass. The player that we have known for the last half-decade was suddenly something completely different.
He was a team player now. He understood that the way he was playing before would not only result in his benching but could lead to him being out of the league. He was being given a second chance, and he wouldn’t let it pass.
His role in the postseason depended on the game. To start the postseason, he was firmly in the rotation, but he, Jose Alvarado, and Landry Shamet all traded places around the bench totem pole as the Knicks proceeded on their run to the NBA Finals. His best minutes came in Game 1 against Atlanta, Game 3 against Philly, and Game 3 against his hometown Spurs.
The rebound on a Mitch Rob FT vs ATL I was referencing is in the QT.
It probably wasn’t how Clarkson envisioned himself being a bench piece to a championship roster a few years ago, but he was finally able to lift a Larry O’Brien Trophy after 12 long years.
The oldest player on the 2025-26 Knicks. The most experienced player on the roster. Someone who sacrificed and changed his entire playstyle to fit into the mold that a contender needed.
And now, Jordan Clarkson will forever be known as an NBA champion.
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(P&T will be doing player-by-player article tributes over the next few weeks to commemorate the special team that ended our long, half-century nightmare)
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