The expectation is James will prioritize competing for a championship as he looks to earn a fifth NBA title. That's why it's hardly a surprise the Philadelphia 76ers are among the teams that have frequently been connected to the 41-year-old superstar.
The 76ers are expected to be one of the Eastern Conference favorites for the upcoming NBA season. They added Jaylen Brown to a core that already includes Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, so signing James would further bolster their chances of winning their first NBA title since 1983.
The Philadelphia 76ers will be among those pitching James on joining their squad, but their argument got an assist from another prominent Philadelphia athlete.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley made his own pitch to James at a his youth football camp at Haddonfield High School in New Jersey.
"I think it is one of the greatest sports towns in the world," Barkley said when asked how he would pitch James on coming to Philadelphia, per NBC Sports Philadelphia. "I know [New York Knicks forward] Josh Hart said the opposite. I saw that today on Twitter. But I have to disagree with him. If you want to go out with a bang, I feel like a great spot would be in Philly, and bringing a championship to Philadelphia, you'd be remembered forever."
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) July 9, 2026
Barkley knows first-hand what it means to bring a championship to Philadelphia. He helped achieve that goal in his first season with the Eagles, becoming just the ninth running back in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 yards and helping power Philadelphia to a 40-22 Super Bowl 59 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
As sweet as Barkley's championship with the Eagles was, Philadelphia only had a seven-year gap between their Super Bowl wins. By comparison, the 76ers faithful have waited more than four decades for another NBA title and the team hasn't appeared in the NBA finals since 2001.
Boynton, who has previous head coaching experience after leading Oklahoma State from 2017-24, served as May's assistant and defensive coordinator for two seasons at Michigan. He also has done a good job of retaining Michigan's talent following Mays' exit for the NBA, with several top players, incoming transfers and recruits maintaining their commitment to the Wolverines.
"Mike is a veteran assistant with strong head coaching experience and a clear understanding of the standard we expect at Michigan," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement announcing the move. "Over the past two seasons, he has been an invaluable member of our staff, bringing stability, leadership and perspective during an important period of success. Our players and staff believe in his vision, are committed to his leadership and are excited for the opportunity to pursue great success together this season."
Boynton has been a part of a successful two-year stretch with the Wolverines, helping the program compile a 64-13 record — including a school-record 37 wins in 2025-26 — and a 2025 Big Ten Tournament championship, 2026 Big Ten regular-season championship and 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament championship. He helped the Wolverines rank 12th nationally in KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency in 2024-25 before leading the nation in 2025-26.
Said May of Boynton in a statement:
"You couldn't ask for a better person to lead Michigan basketball. Mike has poured everything he has into this program from the day he got here. He's an outstanding coach, an even better person, and our players believe in him because they see the work he puts in every single day.
"I'm incredibly proud of him ... There's nobody more deserving of this opportunity, and I know he'll do an outstanding job leading this program."
Boynton went 119-109 in seven seasons coaching Oklahoma State, leading the Cowboys to the NCAA tournament once in seven seasons, when they made the second round in 2021. He will now be tasked with maintaining the momentum of a Michigan program coming off its first national championship season since 1989.
While appearing on The Dan Patrick Show on Friday, Austin Reaves shared when he found out LeBron James was departing the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons.
The shooting guard was at a golf event hosted by former teammate D’Angelo Russell when his girlfriend texted him the news.
Reaves, a 2023 NBA Cup champion, said he then texted LeBron: “I was having a great day on the golf course 'til you ruined it.”
The 28-year old then told Patrick, all kidding aside, LeBron has made “the biggest impact on my career” during his time in Los Angeles, where he just re-signed on a four-year, $185 million max contract.
He has played each season of his NBA career so far with LeBron. Basketball fans still are waiting to find out where LeBron will end up in free agency.
It turns out Reaves’ devotion to the Lakers goes beyond his playing time. He said he was a “huge Kobe (Bryant) fan,” with posters “and everything.” His grandmother also was a fan of Bryant, he shared. "We’d sit on the couch and watch Lakers games all the time.”
He also touched on the Knicks' recent victory, calling USA teammates Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and Jalen Brunson, “great dudes.” Reaves attested to how their character informs their game. "They care for one another, they play for one another.”
Patrick asked Reaves about guarding Steph Curry, who’s also participating at the American Century Championship. “I tried to,” replied Reaves, laughing.
He recounted a specific game guarding Curry: “At the end of the game I was like ‘I did a really good job,’” then he found out Curry had scored 30 points. "Well, never mind.”
Patrick also asked about Reaves’ famous headband and how long he’ll wear it. "I think its here to stay.”
LeBron James is not the same player he was years ago.
This is somewhat of an obvious statement. James will turn 42 in December and has the all-time record mileage of 23 seasons spanning 1,924 regular and postseason games. Yet James is still an impact player, one who still has a unique, play-making skill set and averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game last season in 60 appearances.
This may be the best fit on a personal level, as this would be his third different stint with the franchise. James is from Akron and was drafted by the Cavaliers. Northeast Ohio is his home.
At a hoops level, however, James is more of an awkward fit. Cleveland already has Donovan Mitchell and James Harden on the roster, both of whom are ball-dominant guards who thrive most when they’re initiating the attack. James is at his best with the ball in his hands. In fact, the more awkward moments with the Lakers this past season were when James was forced to defer substantially to Luka Dončić. The Cavaliers already have a lot of what James brings.
This is a case where James certainly helps the team, but it may take a considerable stretch of time for coaches and players to figure it out. The Timberwolves have failed to break through in the Western Conference playoffs, and with the addition of LaMelo Ball, it's clear that the front office wanted to pair another shot creator and ball-handler alongside Anthony Edwards.
James would be another option to bring the ball up and initiate offense, and he would give Minnesota some flexibility with how they can expand their shot portfolio. But Ball would certainly need to learn to play more efficiently off the ball and James would need to cede some of those responsibilities. James helps the Timberwolves, but not as much as elite perimeter shooting would.
The Warriors desperately need to infuse more play-making to maximize the final years of Stephen Curry’s career. One of the hardest-working players in the NBA, Curry is constantly on the move when off the ball in an attempt to create space. Yet, Golden State’s offense the past couple of seasons has lacked a true ball-handling point guard, so those duties have also often fallen to Curry.
James would instantly become a facilitating play-maker who would get even more out of Curry. And if they could make the money work, a lineup that includes Curry, James and Jimmy Butler, assuming he can return to full health from his torn anterior cruciate ligament, would be a massive upgrade over the one Golden State trotted out last season. While this would be a new franchise and a new system, James played under coach Steve Kerr with Team USA, and he and Curry are longtime friends.
James last played for Miami in 2014. Still, the overall system, culture and expectations are the same because head coach Eric Spoelstra and president Pat Riley are still there. Simply put, James knows this system and there would be no learning curve to figure out his fit.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, when healthy, is the best teammate James would presumably have of all his suitors. Both are built to play in transition, and the Heat ranked first in the NBA this season in pace (104.22). Miami is already pretty competitive in the East after its trade for Antetokounmpo. With James, the Heat would rise to one of the top competitors and would instantly become the East’s top defensive team.
With the additions of Jaylen Brown, Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons, the 76ers have launched themselves into contention for the Eastern Conference title. Adding James might very well make Philly the favorites.
While health concerns will seemingly always follow Joel Embiid, a starting lineup of James, Embiid, Brown, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe instantly becomes among the league’s best. James would ease pressure off Maxey to be the primary ball-handler and would give the Sixers immense flexibility with how they’re able to operate on offense and where points and shot creation can come from. The biggest issue here is that it would be unconventional, if not altogether odd, for James to join a new organization at this stage of his career.
The Brooklyn Nets headline the Summer League slate today, as their deep roster and NBA experience give them a clear edge against the New York Knicks.
I’m also backing Cameron Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies against Caleb Wilson and the Chicago Bulls, along with the Oklahoma City Thunder and lottery selection Aday Mara.
Check out my NBA Summer League picks for Friday, July 10.
NBA Summer League predictions for July 10
Pick
Nets moneyline
-244
Grizzlies moneyline
-177
Thunder moneyline
+108
Today's Summer League Picks
Nets moneyline (-244 at Kalshi)
The Brooklyn Nets are heavy favorites for a reason, as they bring plenty of recent experience and talent to the court in Las Vegas. Brooklyn went 2-1 in Salt Lake City, as Egor Demin led the way with 23 points and 7.5 assists across two games. No. 6 pick Mikel Brown Jr. finished with 10 points and four dimes in his lone appearance, and he’s expected to see more run moving forward.
Brooklyn welcomes back all four of last year’s first-round selections in Demin, Ben Saraf, Drake Powell, and Danny Wolf, who each averaged at least 20 minutes while playing 44+ games. Two-way man Chainey Johnson saw NBA run last year, and he’ll be with the team for action in LV.
Conversely, the New York Knicks' Summer League roster features Pacome Dadiet, Mo Diawara, and Dillon Jones. Diawara saw the most playing time of the trio last season with 9.2 minutes per game, and the majority of New York’s roster is comprised of 2026 undrafted players.
Grizzlies moneyline (-177 at Kalshi)
The Memphis Grizzlies started a soft reboot last season, partly due to necessity and partly due to recurring injuries. With Ja Morant off to Portland, a new era has officially arrived in Memphis.
Several new faces saw meaningful run in 2025-26, including Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Taylor Hendricks, Cedric Coward, Walter Clayton Jr., Javon Small, and Jahmai Mashack. All six players recorded multiple starts for Memphis a season ago, and they added Duke standout Cameron Boozer with the third pick in the draft.
Although the Chicago Bulls’ roster isn’t bereft of talent, Memphis’ Summer League roster may be the best in the Association. The Grizzlies aren’t rivaled in depth, experience, or talent.
Thunder moneyline (+108 at Kalshi)
Despite being winless in Summer League action thus far, the Oklahoma City Thunder should be favored against the Los Angeles Lakers, who have been afforded two wins against weak Miami and San Antonio rosters.
OKC's roster includes a pair of Top 16 picks from this year’s draft in Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz, as well as Buddy Boeheim, Brooks Barnhizer, and Payton Sandfort, who all appeared in multiple NBA games last season.
The edge goes to the experienced team, which is still hungry to earn its first Summer League victory.
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Friday’s NBA Summer League parlay
Nets moneyline
Grizzlies moneyline
Thunder moneyline
+359 at Kalshi
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LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Ryan Nembhard #9 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors on July 9, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The 2026 Las Vegas Summer League Dallas Mavericks looked an awful lot like the 2025-2026 Mavericks’ NBA rotation in their opener. There were athletic forwards, multi-tool bench wings, precisely two three-point shooting guards who could not touch the paint without a screen, and one young forward tasked with carrying it all. Morez Johnson Jr. may not have the sheer offensive versatility of a Cooper Flagg, but he did his damnedest nonetheless to fill the role. Here are a few thoughts I had about Morez and some other key contributors to the Summer League squad in their first game against Yaxel Lendeborg and the Golden State Warriors Gold team.
Tobi-Wan a.k.a. The New Project 6’9” Apprentice: Tobi Lawal
Tobi Lawal is a capital “A” Athlete. Offensive rebounds, a crazy put-back slam, a weak-side block, and even a made three. Tobi’s loudest plays exploded off the screen as the springy Brit bounded around the court as if it were a bounce house.
Now, Tobi Lawal is also a capital “Z” Zero-level scorer. He needs to find a way to use his physical gifts to steal morsels of defensive attention until he becomes some semblance of a shooter or scoring threat beyond cuts for lobs. He also needs to continue adding muscle to his frame and reps/experience on defense. His best bet to stick in a winning team’s rotation long-term is to become the kind of defender Derrick Jones Jr. or P.J. Washington became, which allowed them to have staying power despite their offensive limitations.
Despite the flaws on display, it was easy to see why Tobi’s tools, infectious energy, and possible development curve, given that he picked up basketball at 16 (only seven years ago!!!), drew Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz to him in the second round of the draft.
Sole Occupant of the “Livin’ Like Larry” Zone: Sergio “Larry” De Larrea
Larry’s handle is unfortunately about as far away as I feared, but as he gets stronger, it should improve. His driving and finishing should also improve as he progresses along this path. His handle was often further from his body than you would like and easily disrupted by bumps and even a carelessly placed dribble or two. However, aside from a loud whiff on an early lob, his passes were on time, on target, and delivered with great touch. Sergio’s lobs were especially sublime, leading to a flashy basket or two for his front-court teammates as he put up five assists to only one turnover.
Larry’s shot, also very unfortunately, did not fall much on this night. While he did continue to shoot when open looks were available, to his credit, a shot diet of mostly spot-up attempts with a few pull-ups, pick-and-roll drives, and cuts mixed in led to a one-for-nine performance from beyond the arc and 3-for-14 from the field overall. The one three-pointer he did hit was a corner catch-and-shoot look sometime in the third quarter. De Larrea’s shot looks fine overall and likely won’t require too much work, but his release will have to get faster. There were too many shot attempts rushed or otherwise altered by an NBA-speed defensive closeout because Sergio took too long to dip, load, and release the ball. The necessary tweaks should come with time and training, but this will be an issue for him to overcome in the short term.
Other than the shot failing him, Sergio played a fine floor game and used his height and length to rack up a steal and a block each on his way to an overall solid first outing for the Mavs.
Rez the Conqueror a.k.a. The Prodigal 6’9” Version 2: Morez Johnson Jr.
Morez is a real glass eater on both ends with a very promising close/short mid-range touch. He cranked out a couple of and-one plays on a drive from the right wing in the 4th and a sick lob from Sergio De Larrea towards the end of the comeback that almost was. Rez’s poise in short roll situations, raw strength, agility and activity on defense, relentless effort on the glass, connective passing and flashes of shooting touch combined for a truly inspired debut outing. The sky is the limit for that young man, and Cooper Flagg and Dusty May will very likely be the developmental catalysts who send his game into orbit. Get excited, Mavericks fans!
As amazing an outing as this was for the former Michigan Man, there are a few nits to pick even for him. Rez’s jumper (he made one from three tonight, by the way!) looked smooth enough, but the release needs to speed up to beat pro-level contests. We also need to see him be as willing to shoot it from the wings and corners as he was from the top of the arc out of pick-and-pop situations. The drives to beat slow-footed closeouts were intriguing, but also revealed just how weak his handle is. He will not be able to drive in a straight line even the distance from the wing to the basket until his handle improves a bit. I have faith that he and the coaches will recognize that and work to open that up for him later on.
No matter the nits picked or the game’s result, there is no way to come away from this Morez Johnson Jr. performance (against former Michigan teammate and current Summer League stud, Yaxel Lendeborg no less!) feeling anything less than absolutely jazzed. Rez has so much to give the game, so much more to learn about it, and he leaves whatever he has on the floor every night. You can’t not root to see a guy like that back-to-back with Cooper Flagg as they fight off the horde together this regular season.
Seva is not yet physically ready for NBA games, but that kid attacks the basket with zero fear, has some craftiness and pace to his drives, and is unafraid to whip risky kick-outs to shooters. He even notched a sick, overhead corner skip pass through traffic to Tyler Smith during the Mavs’ fourth-quarter comeback.
Rail-thin as he is, the Russian wing isn’t yet strong enough to consistently absorb contact at/on the way to the rim nor put his defender in jail when called for, but he clearly wants to be. He drives with the confidence of a player twice as strong and even swerved his way to an and-one, a layup under the rim with a bump to the back, and a couple of trips to the free-throw line for his troubles.
Seva’s game and physique both clearly need some fine-tuning, but the bones (and I do mean bones) of a truly intriguing Swiss Army knife role player are there for those with the eyes to see.
New Max Christie: John Poulakidas
Poulakidas has a burner from three as advertised. Doesn’t have much else at the moment, but that’s okay for now. John has two jobs: Shoot threes. Make threes. Everything else is secondary for him, and despite a cold start, he did just that once he got rolling. With Poulakidas’ performance to close last regular season (even in silly season) and Tarik Biberovic on his way across the sea on a reported two-year, $6 million deal, Cormac Christie may not have much room to slump for another 30 games. At least, he won’t have much room to do so and demand much for a contract extension, which he is eligible for now.
JJ Barea’s Spiritual Successor: Ryan Nembhard
Ryan ran the offense, as was required for this inexperienced group. He seemed less aggressive as a scorer (despite shooting 15 times) than last summer league. Wonder how much of that is his role in the actual NBA games he played overriding the confidence he should have against the newer summer league players. He was likely following the marching orders given to him, but no one on this team could touch the paint off the dribble consistently except Seva, so I would’ve liked to have seen a bit more of that grabbing the defense’s attention from Nemby.
That said, aside from the team-wide shooting woes and smoking an open layup or two, Ryan played an excellent floor game. 11 assists to only two turnovers is good business from the older guard. He also has clearly added some needed muscle since we last saw him in the regular season. Those muscles unfortunately didn’t lead to him being able to force the issue towards the rim much or stop L.J. Cryer from lighting him on fire in the third quarter.
Ryan’s playmaking and turnover suppression were impressive, and we will have to hope that the shooting (for the whole team) levels out to emphasize just how far ahead of most summer league guards he is in those areas.
The Summer League Mavericks have already given us so much to be intrigued by and so much to wring our hands over. We’re likely to witness five games of elite Summer League overreactions on both ends of the spectrum. There will be games, like this one, where Morez looks like a world beater. There will be games where the team can’t throw it into the ocean from three. There will also be moments and games when Morez looks a bit lost (à la Dereck Lively II in his rookie year), and other team members step up. I can’t guarantee how many of which and when we’ll get them, but I can guarantee that I’ll be watching. You should too.
LAS VEGAS — It was a highly anticipated evening for both Illini and L.A. Clippers fans alike, as Keaton Wagler, the fifth-overall pick in the NBA Draft, was getting ready to make his Summer League debut.
Unfortunately for all parties involved, it was tough sledding for the former All-American guard out of Illinois, as he got his first taste of the pros.
Wagler was held to seven points, one assist and two rebounds Thursday evening against the Sacramento Kings’ Summer League squad.
He made one shot from behind the three-point arc, going 1-7 from the field and scoring his remaining four points from the free-throw line.
There were a few familiar faces on the other side of the court for Wagler, with perhaps the most prominent being Darius Acuff Jr.
The two 19-year-old guards were the subject of many debates amongst NBA Draft analysts and fans alike, as arguments sprouted on who would be the better pro and deserved to be drafted higher.
Acuff came away with the upper hand in the duo’s first head-to-head match-up, as he logged 19 points and seven assists.
On top of that, former Houston Cougar Emmanuel Sharp, whom Wagler took down in the Illini’s Sweet 16 win, scored a game-high 21 points for the Kings.
Keaton Wagler’s Top 5 Games: No. 4 vs. Houston
Wagler out Houstoned Houston. He showcased INCREDIBLE toughness and tenacity securing 12 rebounds and doing just enough offensively to send a hard nosed Cougar ball club packing. pic.twitter.com/7vGU6lvzdt
— The Champaign Room (@Champaign_Room) June 20, 2026
Despite the rough debut, optimism and opportunities remain for Wagler this summer.
History has shown that some ball-dominant point guards often struggle in the Summer League and still go on to have illustrious NBA careers, with Derrick Rose, Jalen Brunson, Trae Young and Stephen Curry coming to mind.
The Clippers have three games remaining in the 2026 Summer League, with Wagler getting his next shot on Sunday, June 12, against the Utah Jazz.
If Illinois fans want to keep up with former Illini performing in the Summer League, keep coming back to The Champaign Room website and socials.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Mohamed Diawara #51 of the New York Knicks plays defense during the game against the Brooklyn Nets during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 15, 2025 at the Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s only been 27 days since the Knicks lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy on a warm Saturday night in San Antonio, but in those four weeks, a lot of things have happened.
From the NBA Draft to free agency to the second apron math in trying to retain the championship core, it feels like the offseason is flying by. But while we’re still over three months away from Ring Night at Madison Square Garden, the orange and blue will be back on your screens tonight.
The Knicks begin a five-game Summer League journey tonight in Las Vegas against the crosstown rival Brooklyn Nets in a game that will simultaneously see pretty much three-quarters of one roster and zero rotation players on the other. That’s the state of these two franchises.
If you need a refresher on who’s on the team, refer here. Note that Jack Kayil, the team’s No. 39 overall pick, was added to the roster this week after some contract issues overseas.
Despite some noticeable absences on the roster and the team’s win-now prerogative leading to little young depth even eligible, there are still some storylines to watch starting tonight and throughout the next two weeks.
The Mo Diawara Show
The player on this team with the best chance of being a main contributor in the defending champion’s rotation is Mohamed Diawara. After all, they wouldn’t have the urgency to give him a four-year deal as a restricted free agent if not so.
This won’t be a Tyler Kolek-esque summer offense, where he’ll both run the offense and lead the way in shot attempts and scoring, but expect Diawara to get a lot more on-ball opportunities and work on his shot creation, playmaking, and three-point shooting, all of which he flashed in an impressive rookie year.
What I want to see from Diawara is a better slashing ability. He got played off the floor midway through his rookie year when he was really starting to gain steam because he wasn’t an automatic shooter and wasn’t able to consistently attack the gaps in the defense’s ghost coverage, which is what keeps Josh Hart playable. We didn’t see him dunk much, and his touch around the rim was suspect in limited action last year.
Diawara has the potential to be better than Hart because of his incredible size and length, but in a season where he’s going to be more of a connector and situational wing for this team, it wouldn’t hurt for him to do Hart-like things to carve out a role next year.
Can Pacôme Dadiet Take Advantage of the Opportunity?
Ah, Dadiet. The Knicks’ human victory cigar during their absolute bull rush through the Eastern Conference.
They’ll never tell you directly, but the reason why Dadiet is who the Knicks selected with their only first-round pick in the last five years was to save money. He took a very low amount with his rookie-scale contract to avoid being Eurostashed, and his sacrifice allowed the team to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns and stay under the second apron in 2024-25.
The team picked up his third-year option this offseason at a fairly manageable $2.98 million, but there is possibly no player with more to prove in this time than Dadiet, who will get a featured role alongside his longtime friend and countryman Diawara.
By the end of October, the Knicks will have to decide on Dadiet’s $5.37 million team option for 2027-28. For a player who has not received any consequential playing time through two seasons and on a team that seems to do everything possible to stay beneath the second apron, this seems like a decision that will go against Dadiet. After all, he’d become a restricted free agent in 2027 anyway if the decision backfired.
The only thing Dadiet can do from now until Decision Day is take advantage of opportunities in Summer League, training camp, and the preseason. There’s likely nothing he can do to become a true rotation player right away in 2026-27, but a strong summer could inspire confidence in him going forward and make him more than just a roster placeholder.
Consistently knocking down threes would constitute a realistic success story for him in this year’s Summer League. He’s never done that consistently in either the G League or his garbage-time cameos, and, as we all know, the clearest path to playing time for lanky wings is to be a 3-and-D role player.
The Rookies and their Contracts
Now that we have confirmation that Kayil will be in town, the Knicks will have both of their second-round rookies at Summer League with their futures very much in question.
For both players, a two-way spot is attainable, but an impressive offseason could also earn them a standard deal like Diawara did last year. The Knicks currently have 13 players rostered and will likely not have enough money beneath the second apron to get to 15 by the time the season starts. As of now, you assume that a veteran center will fill the 14th roster spot and that they’ll wait for No. 15 in the buyout market, but could Tyler Nickel change that by looking like an NBA-ready three-point sniper out of the gate?
Kayil wants to stay in America; he’s made that clear, but there’s no guarantee he will. I assume he’ll get a chance to run the offense as a combo guard that the team is more invested in than some of the other guard options. Early inclinations suggest that he’ll be headed back to Germany for this upcoming season, but if he looks readier than anticipated, there’s plenty of two-way space for him.
You heard it here first – 6'5 PG Jack Kayil is going to be a LOTTERY pick in the 2027 NBA Draft!! The Gonzaga commit has been extremely impressive for Alba Berlin this season against very strong German Bundesliga competition, averaging:
Take your pick for this year’s Jaylen Martin, Dmytro Skapintsev, or MarJon Beauchamp.
There’s two-time NBA champion Dillon Jones, who’s still two-way eligible but hasn’t inked a deal yet as of Friday morning.
There’s a seven-footer with NBA experience in Liam Robbins, who played 13 games for the Bucks in 2024-25. On a team with an opening in the center depth chart, could he turn heads?
What about the local kid, St. John’s Oziyah Sellers?
Or Westchester Knick and brief Grizzlies call-up Toby Okani?
Hell, maybe they want to add another Nova Knick in Lance Ware, who was pretty unremarkable in his one year at Villanova but counts all the same.
Odds are, a bunch of these dudes will be in Westchester this year. The question is whether anyone can get an Exhibit 10 contract to join the big boys at training camp.
Can the Knicks Complete the Treble?
The Knicks won the 2025 NBA Cup and the 2026 NBA Finals. Can they cap it off by taking all the hardware in Vegas?
Probably not. Unless Diawara is actually Pascal Siakam.
Even then, I’d be surprised if they played as well as they did a few years ago, when they made the Summer League Championship Game with guys like Deuce McBride, Quentin Grimes, and Jericho Sims.
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) walks off the court with the trophy after the Knicks defeat the San Antonio Spurs during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks had to make some difficult decisions this offseason in regards to their salary cap. They wanted to retain as many members of the championship team as possible, but it came at a price they weren’t necessarily willing to pay.
It ultimately resulted in losing center Mitchell Robinson, who signed a three-year contract with the Boston Celtics in free agency. Other than that, the Knicks were able to retain pretty much their entire championship squad, replacing Robinson with Andre Drummond on a one-year deal worth less than $4 million. While they aren’t in the second apron this offseason, the threat of reaching that threshold lingers in the future.
“The Knicks avoided entering the second apron while managing to return the same starting five that won an NBA championship and reserves Jordan Clarkson, Miles McBride, Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet and Mohamed Diawara. Mitchell Robinson signed with Boston and was replaced by Andre Drummond on a less expensive contract,” ESPN insider Bobby Marks wrote.
“Possible extensions for Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart this summer, as well as Jalen Brunson next offseason, will test New York as it relates to the second apron in future seasons.
“Towns is eligible this offseason to sign a four-year, $272 million extension. Brunson, meanwhile, can extend for four years and $254 million the following year. If he waits and becomes a free agent in 2028, he would then be eligible to sign a five-year, $371 million contract.”
The Knicks have every reason to try and extend Towns and Heart this offseason. Those should be the goals for the next front office for the rest of the summer.
Meanwhile, Brunson has shown a willingness in the past to sacrifice for the greater good and is willing to take less money if it helps the Knicks contend. It remains to be seen if Brunson will continue this same approach now that the Knicks have won a title, but the captain’s selflessness doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon.
Maybe Brunson will have a change of heart, but that’s a problem for next offseason. For now, the Knicks should focus on negotiating new contracts with Hart and Towns, keeping their core together for many years to come.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 28: Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks in action during Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 28, 2026 in New York City. The Knicks won 126-97. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“It’s believed that the Lakers hope to package their lone tradeable first-round pick swap left over in 2032 along with Jarred Vanderbilt in a sign-and-trade proposal for Kuminga. Sources say Atlanta, however, has not considered taking back Vanderbilt in a deal that sends out Kuminga.
“There are said to be multi-team scenarios that the Lakers could pursue that offload Vanderbilt to a different team than Atlanta. That would help the Lakers provide Kuminga with an offer richer than the two-year, $20 million deal that sources say they originally presented him.”
We recently explored how trading Vanderbilt or waiving him and stretching his dead cap hit over the next five years could give the Lakers enough cap space to sign Kuminga to a deal of that size. Fischer added that Kuminga “would naturally be hoping for a richer deal than that,” but he is “open to various contract structures below his 2025-26 season salary of $22.5 million depending on what sort of sign-and-trade scenarios materialize.”
He concluded by saying, “The most clarity that can be offered on Kuminga’s future: If he indeed leaves Atlanta, it is almost certainly going to be via sign-and-trade rather than a move facilitated by cap space.”
So, let’s explore what that might look like for the Lakers.
How a Kuminga sign-and-trade could work
If the Lakers did acquire Kuminga via sign-and-trade, his contract would need to be at least three years (excluding any team/player options), although only the first season would need to be fully guaranteed. They would have to complete the sign-and-trade prior to the start of the regular season, too.
If the Lakers manage to salary-dump Vanderbilt separate from a Kuminga sign-and-trade, they’d have roughly $13.4 million of cap space left for Kuminga. That would top out at a three-year, $42.3 million contract or a four-year, $57.7 million deal.
But if the Lakers can convince Atlanta or a third team to take Vanderbilt as part of a Kuminga sign-and-trade, they could use an expanded trade exception to offer Kuminga even more.
Teams above the first and second apron can’t take back more salary than they send out in a trade, but teams below the first apron can. For instance, if the Lakers salary-dumped either Jaden Hardy or Jake LaRavia’s $6 million contracts, they could take back 200 percent of that salary, plus $250,000, or $12.25 million in total.
If they salary-dumped Vanderbilt, they’d be allowed to receive roughly $9.1 million more in salary than they were sending out, which would equate to around $21.5 million. If the Lakers were willing to go that far for Kuminga, his three-year deal could be as high as $67.8 million, and a four-year deal could be $92.5 million.
However, the Lakers need to remain mindful of the first apron as well. They’re already hard-capped there after acquiring Walker Kessler via sign-and-trade, which means they cannot have more than $209.015 million in salary on their books at any point between now and June 30, 2027.
If the Lakers salary-dumped Vanderbilt and gave Kuminga the most they could via the expanded trade exception ($21.5 million), their payroll would be up to roughly $205.2 million once they officially signed Austin Reaves, Collin Sexton and Kevon Looney. They’d have 14 players under contract, so they’d still have enough wiggle room under the first apron for one veteran-minimum deal ($2.45 million), but they wouldn’t have much in-season trade flexibility. They’d be roughly $1.35 million below the first apron if they filled that 15th roster spot with a minimum contract before the season started.
The Lakers are otherwise out of salary-cap exceptions after spending the room mid-level exception on Sexton, so they might not mind getting that close to the first apron. But they do need to keep their hard cap in mind as they negotiate with Kuminga and the Hawks on sign-and-trade permutations.
If the Lakers can find a taker for Vanderbilt, the expanded traded player exception grants them plenty of flexibility to give Kuminga more than the two-year, $20 million deal that they’ve already reportedly offered. The main questions are where they could dump Vando, how much it would cost to offload him, how close they’re willing to get to the hard cap, and how many years they’re willing to guarantee on Kuminga’s contract if they do acquire him via sign-and-trade.
Feb 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Team LeBron forward LeBron James drives against Team Durant guard LaMelo Ball (2) in the second quarter during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
LeBron James remains a free agent, and the Minnesota Timberwolves still appear like one of the finalists in his sweepstakes.
The Wolves’ ability to contend over the last couple of seasons, with Anthony Edwards leading the charge, could be enough to woo LeBron in free agency. Minnesota has been busy this offseason, acquiring point guard LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets. ESPN insider Brian Windhorst wonders if that deal will hurt Minnesota’s chances at signing LeBron in free agency.
“With Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, the Wolves have elite perimeter play and rim protection. Edwards and James played together on the Olympic team, so there’s familiarity between the two, and Jaden McDaniels would provide James cover by guarding opponents’ top wing scorers,” Windhorst wrote.
“LaMelo Ball is a wild card; his style of play would test James’ patience, but having James on the court with shooters such as Ball, Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu provides what has always been a successful formula.”
Adding LeBron would change Minnesota’s offense completely, but it could be for the better. Even at 42 (he turns 42 in December), he still has a strong impact that could alter a team’s ceiling and the Wolves should be excited at the possibility of signing him at the veterans minimum.
Ball’s role in the offense would change drastically if LeBron were to come to Minnesota, but the Wolves have to make those changes if they can sell LeBron on a winning situation.
The Wolves originally brought Ball in as someone who can take some of the pressure off of Edwards to create in the backcourt, but utilizing him as the sharpshooter he is could yield stronger results, which could be what Minnesota needs to get over the hump in the Western Conference.
Canis Hoopus community, how do you feel about LeBron’s fit with the Wolves? Chime off in the comments section below.
NBA Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Milwaukee Bucks are looking for a new direction after trading out Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster deal.
While Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez, among others, represent a building block, the Bucks are going to need more than just that to get back on their feet. Bleacher Report writer Dan Favale listed the Bucks as an option for Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga in free agency.
“The Milwaukee Bucks should be in full-on experimental mode after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat. Jonathan Kuminga fits neatly into that second-draft (third-draft?) mold,” Favale wrote.
“… Aside from needing to stagger Kuminga from Nate Ament and maybe Kyle Kuzma, the logistical pretzel-twisting is minimal. That’s more than you can say for many of the other fits. And with ample wiggle room beneath the tax, the Bucks can afford to use part (or all) of their $15 million mid-level exception on a stab-in-the-dark signing.”
The lack of risk makes this potential deal for the Bucks very rewarding. Kuminga came into the league as a lottery pick, thrown into a situation where he had to fall in line as a role player with the contending Golden State Warriors. While he won a championship in his rookie year, he never got to completely spread his wings in his four years in Golden State.
Anger about his role led him to request a trade, which was granted in the middle of last season, sending him to the Atlanta Hawks for Chris Tapp’s Porzingis. Kuminga averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game for the Hawks, but it wasn’t enough for Atlanta to consider re-signing him.
Now that he is a free agent, Kuminga is looking for a home where he can establish some roots. A team like Milwaukee fits that like a glove.
Brew Hoop community, how do you feel about the possibility of signing Kuminga in for agency? Let us know in the comment section below.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 08: Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 08, 2026 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. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
July 1, 2024, was a triumphant day for the Philadelphia 76ers. Their year-long plan of preparing cap space had paid off by landing Paul George, the top free agent in his class, to play with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in a renewed effort to dominate the Eastern Conference. Two years to the day, George was shipped out of Philadelphia in the most unexpected way possible.
The disastrous start to George’s tenure in Philly was more predictable than many Sixers fans had realized at the time. An injury in his first preseason game kicked off a year one that never got off the ground. George was never able to get his body right, he was constantly rushing to get back on the floor to aid an Embiid who was also struggling with just being available to play.
After just the first year, George’s contract was widely regarded as one of the worst in the league and a massive anchor around the Sixers’ future. That fact wasn’t helped when George suffered another injury in the offseason, and would once again miss the first few weeks of the regular season.
When he was on the floor in 2025-26, he looked more like the Paul George the Sixers thought they were signing. Just as he and the team were gaining momentum it was again halted, as George got hit with a 25-game suspension for drug use.
The time off was certainly a detriment to the team’s seeding — they would end up having to fight through the Play-In tournament to secure a playoff appearance. The 25 games away was just the refresher the 36-year-old needed, though. In the last 10 games of the regular season he averaged 21 points and 5.7 rebounds a game shooting 47% from the field and 41% from three-point range.
That strong play extended into the postseason. In their round one series win over the Boston Celtics, George averaged 17.4 points per game shooting 55% from three-point range while playing stout defense on the likes of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
He was so productive for the Sixers there was hope they wouldn’t have to attach too many assets to dump George’s contract. The Sixers weren’t just able to do that, they were able to get an All-NBA player in return for George in the form of Brown himself.
The acquisition for Brown is so exciting and such a win on paper that it’s easy to write off George’s time as a Sixer entirely. He’ll go down as one of the biggest reasons the Sixers had to transition out of this Joel Embiid-centric era. He’ll be remembered as the guy whose attempts to quit podcasting were ultimately useless in saving the 24-win season of 2024-25.
He can also be remembered as a key cog in the Sixers’ most exciting playoff win in over four decades. He can be remembered as a guy who helped end an era of Celtics basketball and kickstart a new one for Philly in the process.
It’s tough to remember a guy as instrumental in the Sixers’ worst season of the decade fondly, but it’s also tough to look on anyone who helped a 3-1 series comeback harshly. George’s legacy in Philadelphia should be as complicated as parsing through his production with the Sixers. The swing taken on him in 2024 sure as hell didn’t work out, but at the end of the day, it got them Jaylen Brown.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 30: Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics speaks to the media after Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 30, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 106-93. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LAS VEGAS — Joe Mazzulla sits back in his chair at the corner of practice as music blasts. It’s Celtics Summer League, and a new crop of players are beginning their journey to the pros.
Some, like first-round draft picks Hugo Gonzalez and Chris Cenac Jr, come in with plenty of expectations and fanfare. Others are hoping to break through, to make some sort of name for themselves, to get their dream opportunity.
As the 16-player Summer League squad wraps up practice, Neemias Queta is partaking in a rigorous workout with the Celtics assistant coaches. The Portuguese center is just a few days removed from signing a life-changing contract, a 4-year, $56 million extension that is the result of years of tireless work.
Fittingly, as he walks into the gymnasium, he shakes nearly every reporter’s hand. We each shower him with congratulations. After all, it’s not every day that a player who jumped around from two-way contract to two-way contract gets that kind of long-term payout. Just two years ago, Queta was a Summer League player himself, hoping to one day become an impactful rotation player.
Outside of Queta’s entrance, it feels like a normal day of practice: Mazzulla is in the background, chatting with some staff members. Queta is working on his post moves with assistant coach Tony Dobbins. A smattering of assistants work with players on their skill development.
But the reality is that it’s been anything but a normal couple of weeks for the NBA’s most storied franchise.
Just over a week ago, the front office made the difficult and highly-scrutinized decision to trade Jaylen Brown, the team’s longest-tenured player, the Finals MVP who over the years became a staple in the Boston community. It’s a decision that Brad Stevens fielded dozens of questions about in a 40-minute press conference earlier in the week.
“This is the decision we came to,” Stevens said, “and obviously, in many circles that’s not popular, and we understood that coming into it.”
But lost in the shuffle of the Brown trade was everything else that took place over the last few weeks — the Celtics signed veteran free agents Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley, acquired Paul George, and extended Neemias Queta and Ron Harper Jr long-term, two tenacious players who began their tenures with the organization in the G-League.
They also drafted two rookies — Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell — whose additions to the franchise got buried amid all the trade hysteria.
I sat down with Mazzulla to talk through it all: through the defining move that sent Jaylen Brown to the rival Philadelphia 76ers, through the offseason additions he hopes help the team ultimately achieve its loftiest goals, and through his own journey as, believe it or not, one of the NBA’s longer-tenured coaches.
This is the first in a two-part series diving into the Celtics coach’s mindset on the heels of a disappointing playoff exit, his thoughts on the team’s newest additions, and much more.
Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics coaching staff looked inwards
The reality is that the Jaylen Brown trade came on the heels of a season that ended in undeniable disappointment. The Celtics held a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers, but lost three straight games, becoming the first group in franchise history to blow a 3-1 lead.
As such, he and his coaching staff have been handily criticized all summer.
When I ask about that flood of criticism — a sharp departure from the flowers they received during an unexpected 56-win campaign — Mazzulla interrupts me.
“As we should be,” Mazzulla said. “That’s deserved criticism. One, you don’t end your season on a loss. Two, you’re up three games to one. You have to be able to win a game, and we don’t. So that starts with me.”
The Celtics notably have the exact same coaching staff back for a third consecutive year. That staff, headlined by coaches like Sam Cassell, Dobbins, DJ MacLeay, Matt Reynolds, and others, has been working tirelessly this summer to figure out where things went wrong in the playoffs, and how they can grow from there. It’s a process that began almost immediately after the playoff exit.
“It starts with me,” Mazzulla said. “Where can I get better? Where did I fail in the last two postseasons? Where do I have to be better? And then it trickles down to asking them the same questions.”
“You have to be honest with yourself. You have to have people who are honest around you, and I don’t think I’ve ever been around a group of guys who are more honest with each other. And we argue constantly. The most important thing is getting to the right answer.“
Aside from the self-reflection, the Celtics coaching staff had a busy summer of their own, with several emerging as finalists for NBA head-coaching jobs. Dobbins was a finalist for the Dallas Mavericks head coach job, and fellow assistant coach Tyler Lashbrook was a finalist for the Portland Trail Blazers job, among others.
Mazzulla welcomed it all.
“We had four coaches have head coaching interviews this summer, and two other guys have interviews at other jobs,” Mazzulla said. “And so I think those are little affirmations that the process of what we’re doing is good.”
Joe Mazzulla emphasizes Jaylen Brown’s competitiveness
Mazzulla smiled when I asked him about Brown, whom he worked with for four seasons as head coach. Together, they won almost 300 games and ultimately hoisted the coveted Larry O’Brien trophy.
More than anything, Mazzulla credits the five-time All-Star for making him better. Speaking to a group of reporters just a few minutes earlier for the first time since the trade, Mazzulla shared how difficult the trade was and stressed that Brown made him a better coach: “I know that for a fact.”
“Something like that is going to be difficult,“ Mazzulla said. “But I think if you could just get through it and act as if nothing happened, then that’s when I think that you’re not in it for the right reasons.”
As we later sat on the gymnasium sidelines, I asked Mazzulla to elaborate on the notion that Brown made him better.
“The biggest thing was just his competitiveness,” Mazzulla said. “He wasn’t afraid to push you. That was for teammates. That was for me. That was for people. He wasn’t afraid to hold you accountable to a higher standard. And when you have the opportunity to coach guys like that, it just makes you better.”
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 16: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics talks with head coach Joe Mazzulla during the second half against the LA Clippers at TD Garden on November 16, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Clippers 121-118. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
What does Mazzulla hope Celtics fans don’t miss when they reflect on Brown’s tenure in Boston?
There’s the well-chronicled off-court work that will forever define his tenure. There’s the 2024 championship, in which Brown raised nearly every aspect of his game to its best version.
There’s the 2025-2026 season, in which he built a legitimate MVP case for the first time in his career.
“I really hope people saw the competitiveness,” Mazzulla said. “I hope people saw the leadership. The leadership jump that he took this year… I hope people [were able to] see that.”
“What you see is what you get from Jaylen: it’s competitiveness, it’s respect. And he wants to win.”
Making the most of the Celtics’ offseason additions
With Jaylen Brown in Philadelphia, the Celtics coaching staff has been tasked with figuring out how to get the most out of players like Mitchell Robinson and Paul George.
Brown isn’t going to be replaced — that’s not the goal — but Mazzulla’s job is to figure out how to get the most of the players they did add.
“You’re getting rid of strengths [in Jaylen], but you’re bringing in new strengths,” he said. “And that’s the part that we have to leverage as a staff and as a team.”
“Bringing in the strength of Paul George, bringing in the strength of Mike Conley, guys that have beaten us in games, and guys that have played high-level basketball for a long time. Bringing in the strength of Mitchell Robinson, who has been one of the most impactful players when he’s on the floor. And so we just have to have an understanding of what those guys’ strengths are, and how do we give them an opportunity to make us better?”
Robinson is the Celtics’ marquee free agency signing; the longtime New York Knicks center is a historic rebounder who has long been a thorn on the Celtics’ side.
When the Knicks and Celtics faced off in the 2025 playoffs, Joe Mazzulla ordered his players to routinely send Robinson — a notoriously poor free-throw shooter — to the foul line to try and get him off the court. Regardless of that strategy, the Knicks outscored the Celtics by 46 points in Robinson’s minutes that series.
So, when it came time to offer Robinson a contract last week, it was a full-circle moment. In that free agency call, the two discussed Mazzulla’s Hack-a-Mitch approach.
“I told him [the fouling] was a compliment,” Mazzulla said. “He was so effective when he’s on the floor. We had to do what we could to take him off the floor. So, now we have to be able to use his effectiveness to make us better. And I think it gives us a ton of depth at the center spot where two guys have done so many great things for us, Neemi and Luka [Garza]. And now we have another guy that can help us.”
Neemias Queta, Ron Harper Jr. see their work get rewarded
For Celtics fans, some of the best news of the offseason came when Queta signed his extension, and Ron Harper Jr. signed his own 4-year, $14 million contract.
It’s something that was gratifying to Mazzulla, too.
“They put their head down, and they work,” he said. “And I think it’s a testament to the front office for finding guys that can impact winning, and then it’s a testament to the player development staff, and then it’s a testament to the players with how hard they work.”
There were distinct moments in which it became clear to the Celtics head coach that Queta and Harper Jr. had what it took to make it in this league. For Harper Jr., it was the way he was able to crash the glass and defend in a February road game against the Houston Rockets in which he was tasked with guarding Kevin Durant.
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 28: Ron Harper Jr. #13 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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
For Queta, it was the way he embraced the illustrious responsibility of being the Celtics’ starting center from the get-go.
“They both just showed moments,” Mazzulla said.
Now, both players will be Celtics long-term.
On top of those additions, the Celtics added two rookies via the draft: Chris Cenac Jr and Dillon Mitchell. They weren’t projecting Cenac would be available at pick No. 27, but he had slipped through the first round.
“Obviously, didn’t expect to get him at this point, and I think that’s the conversation that you have with Chris of like, ‘Hey, you’re here for a reason,’” he said. “One, you need to find out why you got to us, and you need to use that as leverage, and you need to use that as information to become the best player that you possibly can.”
Mazzulla pointed out that Cenac and Mitchell come to him after being coached by “high-level” coaches: Cenac was led by Kelvin Sampson at Houston and Mitchell by Rick Pitino at St. John’s. He expects that will make their adjustment to the NBA’s intensity a little smoother.
“I think that really helps guys at the next level, when you’ve been coached by great coaches,” Mazzulla said. “I think it makes it easier for them.”
Looking ahead at Year 5 in Boston
As Mazzulla prepares for his fifth season as head coach of the Celtics, he feels more gratitude for the job than ever before.
“The gratitude [grows] the longer you get to stay, because you know there’s so much turnover,” he said.
He’s not wrong: remarkably, only seven NBA coaches have been with their franchise for longer than Mazzulla has.
As such, he’s been studying veteran coaches like Erik Spoelstra, Gregg Popovich, Steve Kerr — decorated coaches who spent their entire coaching careers with one organization — as well as New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown, who has moved around a few times, but found success wherever he’s gone.
What’s allowed them to be effective for so long?
“It’s not supposed to go one way,” Mazzulla said. “You just have to get better, and you have to be around great people. And I’m fortunate enough to do that here.”
The second part of my exclusive conversation with Joe Mazzulla will be out on Monday — a deeper dive into the unique way the Celtics head coach has spent his offseason.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 13: Andre Drummond #0 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles against Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks during the first half at Barclays Center on March 13, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As our focus shifts to next season, the Knicks enter unfamiliar territory as they prepare to defend a championship. While visions of championship celebrations will forever live on in our minds, New York’s front office continues navigating the realities of a salary cap and that second apron nonsense. The most notable casualty of that reality is Mitchell Robinson. The longest-tenured Knick now plays for the Boston Celtics, leaving New York with a massive void at backup center. To fill that spot, Leon Rose traveled the veteran, low-cost route, bringing aboard Andre Drummond.
It is tempting to view this particular roster movement as a simple one-to-one replacement of a traditional backup center. In a conversation with media personality Mika Ortiz on X, Drummond openly stated he brings a “similar talent” and “similar energy” to the floor. However, if you take a statistical deep dive into both centers, the picture becomes a bit more complex. Swapping Robinson for Drummond fundamentally changes the Knicks’ offensive spacing, rebounding approach, and defensive geometry.
Rebounding is a key component of New York’s identity. However, how they secure rebounds is about to change. Robinson’s primary value is his ability to generate offensive possessions. He did not just secure rebounds; he dismantled defensive schemes. A matchup from last season that demonstrates this best is a game against the Indiana Pacers in March. In 31 minutes of action, Robinson recorded 22 total rebounds and registered a remarkable Offensive Rebounding Percentage of 29%. For those of you wondering, this means that while Robinson was on the floor, he recorded nearly a third of his team’s offensive rebounds. His ability to create second-chance opportunities bailed out inefficient possessions and was one of the reasons the Knicks won Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Fitting that the last thing Mitchell Robinson did for the Knicks was secure the greatest offensive rebound in franchise history to secure the championship 🫡 🏆 @23savage____pic.twitter.com/DYLOTJ3Nzl
Drummond is equally dominant on the glass. His impact is largely on defensive rebounds. While Robinson’s focus is on possession extension, Drummond’s is on possession elimination. During a high-usage contest against the Clippers in November, he secured 18 rebounds and registered a phenomenal 30% Defensive Rebounding Percentage. While his greatest value lies in ending opposing possessions, he is still a highly talented offensive rebounder, even posting a 22.2% Offensive Rebounding Percentage against the Knicks this May.
Replacing Mitchell with Drummond makes the strategic trade-off clear. New York is sacrificing elite second-chance creation for an equivalent in second-chance prevention. Although they may suffer a similar fate, opponents will take on many one-and-done possessions.
The structural changes become even clearer on the offensive end. Robinson is a low-usage backup. His Usage Rate rarely went over 15% and often dropped into the single digits. Also, he provides no floor spacing whatsoever and never takes any three-point shots. Serving simply as a lob threat and putback specialist, Robinson does not require any plays designed for him. Though this kept the ball in the primary creators’ hands, it shrunk the floor, allowing defenders to collapse into the paint.
Drummond, on the other hand, can be deployed as a high-usage backup. This past season, his usage rate showed much higher peaks than Robinson, even logging a 23.7% in a postseason tilt against the Knicks. While Robinson is not a threat from the perimeter, Drummond does take the occasional three. He commands the ball more frequently and operates from various areas. Defenses must respect Drummond a bit more, altering the spacing geometry for guards.
Of course, increased usage means more responsibility. Drummond, dissimilar to Robinson, serves as a far more active passing option. With a practically non-existent Assist Percentage, Robinson is essentially a playmaking vacuum. When he catches the ball, his action either results in a dunk attempt or a reset to a guard. Drummond brings a completely different dynamic. Typically recording an Assist Percentage around 7%, he can operate out of the high post or the short roll. Consequently, this opens the playbook up a bit more while he is on the court. Still, just because Drummond is more of an asset in passing, his playmaking comes with a liability. When Drummond’s usage increases, his ball security almost always plummets. In games when asked to facilitate more regularly, his Turnover Percentage climbed, going as high as 35.3% in a contest against the Pistons.
In Drummond, the Knicks gain a center who provides opportunities for more diverse offensive sets. On the flip side, they are incurring a turnover risk that did not exist with Robinson.
As Knicks fans, we cannot complete any comparison involving Robinson without discussing free throws. Everyone knows the “Hack-a-Mitch” tactic, but Drummond has historically been targeted with intentional fouls as well. Yet, when it comes to foul shots, Drummond has a slight edge. Of course, anyone familiar with Robinson’s work should not be overly shocked by this. Mitch is a severely awful free throw shooter. Drummond is no Reggie Miller, but he can connect at a higher efficiency, especially when his opportunities are less frequent. Drummond is still a liability from the line and will likely face a few “Hack-an-Andre” moments. He is not on Robinson’s level of horrendous.
Defensively, action around the paint will look very different. Providing consistent disruption with blocks and steals, Robinson is a traditional vertical rim protector. Though Drummond matches Robinson’s effectiveness in passing lanes, he is far less of a blocking threat. Drummond relies on clogging the lane, grabbing errant passes, and grabbing rebounds.
Replacing Mitchell Robinson with Andre Drummond is not a lateral move. The Knicks are transitioning from a specialized vertical anchor to a playmaking center who eats up space and creates more offensive variety. The floor spacing is set to shift, the turnover margins will change, and the rebounding will have a much more eliminating-than-creating philosophy. As Mike Brown and company prepare for a title defense, adjusting the half-court offense and defensive rotations to maximize Drummond’s skill set will be a fascinating tactical storyline to follow.
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