SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 13: Ariel Hukporti #55 of the New York Knicks blocks the shot of Luke Kornet #7 of 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Knicks are allowing one of their young developmental projects to test unrestricted free agency, while potentially leaving themselves thinner at center.
According to ESPN’s Vince Goodwill, New York will not extend a qualifying offer to center Ariel Hukporti, making the 7-footer an unrestricted free agent when free agency opens. The 24-year-old German appeared in 79 games across two seasons with the Knicks after arriving as the 58th pick in the 2024 Draft.
The New York Knicks are not extending a qualifying offer to center Ariel Hukporti, making him an unrestricted free agent, sources tell ESPN. Hukporti has played 79 across two seasons with the Knicks.
The decision might make you scratch your head, given the rumors swirling around Mitchell Robinson and how the Knicks handled Hukporti a year ago. After converting him from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal during his rookie season, the club exercised its team option and appeared committed to his long-term development. As a third-stringer, his salary for the 2025-26 campaign was $1,955,377.
Instead, New York has elected not to retain matching rights. By declining the qualifying offer, the Knicks surrendered the ability to match outside offers, allowing Hukporti to sign with any team without restriction. For a front office that has typically valued inexpensive depth, it seems to be another indication that roster flexibility is taking priority entering free agency.
Hukporti flashed intriguing potential in limited opportunities. The athletic rim protector earned starts when injuries ravaged New York’s frontcourt and showed enough mobility, length, and shot-blocking ability to make us wonder if he could eventually develop into a reliable backup center. His progress, however, was interrupted by injuries, including the torn meniscus he suffered in February of 2025 (in his first NBA start, no less).
With Robinson’s future still unresolved and the team expected to continue exploring veteran frontcourt options, center depth remains one of the biggest questions on the roster heading into free agency.
Ariel Hukporti’s most memorable contribution came during the 2026 NBA Finals, when foul trouble forced him into brief but meaningful minutes against the Spurs. He first made an impact in Game Four, helping stabilize the defense after Karl-Anthony Towns picked up early fouls and blocking a Dylan Harper layup during New York’s historic 29-point comeback. He followed that with a highlight in the championship-clinching Game Five, sprinting to emphatically reject a Luke Kornet alley-oop attempt at the rim.
Whether this marks the end of Hukporti’s Knicks tenure remains to be seen. Because he is now unrestricted, New York could still bring him back on a new contract if mutual interest remains. But by declining the qualifying offer, the front office has made it clear it is unwilling to tie up cap flexibility or matching rights to do so.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 2: T.J. Ford #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball against the Washington Wizards on December 2, 2005 at the MCI Center in Washington, DC. 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 G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Per Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko, the Bucks are adding T.J. Ford to Taylor Jenkins’ coaching staff. Of course, Ford was drafted eighth overall by the Bucks and played for the franchise from 2003 to 2007. In the three seasons that he was on the court in Milwaukee (he missed his second year due to injury), Ford averaged 11.5 PPG, 7.0 APG, 3.6 RPG, and 1.3 steals. Following stops in Toronto, Indiana, and San Antonio, he retired from the NBA in 2012 due to a back injury.
As far as NBA coaching experience goes, Ford has none; as far as I can gather, this will be his first NBA gig. He has, however, spent a long time coaching youth, AAU, and high school hoops. I’ll hazard a guess that Ford will specialise in player development with the Bucks—which the org at large will be placing a massive emphasis on, given their new outlook—because this seems to have been his MO at prior stops.
The Memphis Grizzlies had been looking to move on from Ja Morant for the better part of a year. They had already traded away Desmond Bane (to Orlando) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (to Utah), but the market for Morant — the guy who would have brought in a massive haul just a handful of years before — was virtually nonexistent.
Memphis eventually found the best offer it could and made a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers, sending Morant to the Pacific Northwest. Who were the winners and losers in this deal? Let's break it down, but first, a reminder of who is in the trade:
Portland receives: Ja Morant Memphis receives: Jerami Grant, Kris Murray
Winner: Ja Morant
Morant needs a fresh start, a second chance. The opportunity to rehab his image, to go somewhere with a blank slate and write his own story. Again.
He gets that with this trade — and is outside the brightest of NBA media spotlights. Morant will get some space to breathe. He gets to be in a locker room with two of the best leaders in the sport, Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday. He will get the ball in his hands and an opportunity.
2x All-Star All-NBA Second Team Rookie of the Year All-Rookie First Team Most Improved Player Franchise record for points in a single game (52)
12, thank you for every highlight, every memory, every unforgettable moment and for all you've given this team, this… pic.twitter.com/1RscVZdelL
Morant could not have asked for more. Now it's up to him. What does he do with it?
Winner: Trail Blazers fans
New owner Tom Durdon has come down with a serious case of New Owner Syndrome — he is sure he knows best and wants to put his mark on everything — but despite all his PR mistakes, he has given Trail Blazers fans a team they can really rally behind.
It's unclear — and maybe unlikely — that Ja Morant can ever return to his peak All-Star form. Scouts speaking to NBC Sports have said he looks like he lost a little of his burst. Even if that is true, he walks in the door as the best passer on the roster, and he knows how to get downhill and make plays.
It's a huge, home run swing by the Trail Blazers — but those are fun to watch. Trail Blazers fans will go to games, tune into broadcasts and know they will be entertained. Maybe key guys stay healthy, new coach Micah Nori pushes all the right buttons — there is a good chance of that, he's a great hire, even if he had to take an owner-friendly contract — and Portland is better than the 42-win team from a season ago. A starting/closing five of Morant, Lillard, Holiday, Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan is a group I will tune in to watch.
This trade is a win for Portland fans. Whether it's a win for the Trail Blazers' organization is TBD, but the fans get the W.
Loser: Scoot Henderson
Notice when I listed all the guards the Trail Blazers had above, Scoot Henderson was not on the list. The fact that Portland made a trade for Morant essentially tells you what you need to know about how they view Henderson long term.
Portland will deny that and say all the right things about loving Henderson, and this was just too good an opportunity to pass up, but actions matter, not words. Henderson did take a step forward last season when healthy and averaged 14.2 points a game (that's across the 30 games he played, he missed the start of the season with a left hamstring injury).
You can be sure other teams are calling Portland right now to check on Henderson's availability, thinking they can give him a chance and minutes he won't get in Portland this season. We'll see if anything comes of it, but this was not a trade that signaled confidence in Henderson.
Beige flag: Memphis
This was not a good trade for Memphis. The Grizzlies traded a popular player and two-time All-Star for a player in Grant they don't need — the Memphis front court is already stacked — and it's just pennies on the dollar of return. A few years ago, Morant would have brought in a massive haul of picks and players, now it's basically just matching salary.
This isn't a bad trade, either. For Memphis, this trade is about moving on. The Grizzlies have now fully pivoted away from the Morant, Jackson Jr. and Bane as the big three plan. They have Cameron Boozer and the chance to start fresh. It was a trade Memphis had to make even if the return wasn't what they hoped.
Not good, not bad, but a clean slate for the Grizzlies as they head into next season. That's about as good as they were going to do.
Earlier this week, Net Income defined Brooklyn’s decision to select Mikel Brown Jr. at No. 6 overall as the franchise’s “biggest decision since John Calipari muffed 1996 Draft and wimped out by deciding against taking Kobe Bryant.”
Debate the particulars if you want, but the point is clear: Mikel Brown Jr. has the weight of a franchise on his shoulders. Egor Dëmin had a promising rookie season, particularly shooting the ball, and profiles (potentially) as a nice contributor to winning teams for seasons to come. If that turns out to be the case, that’s a successful pick at #8 overall.
But Brown Jr. is really who Brooklyn’s rebuild rests upon. There are other avenues to improvement; Brian Lewis of New York Post reported on Monday evening that the Nets have shown interest in Trey Murphy II and Cason Wallace in the trade market. Mitchell Robinson, Keon Ellis, and Rui Hachimura are free agents that have been linked to Brooklyn (perhaps simply because the Nets have cap space), but general consensus around the league is that the Nets are more active on the trade block.
Regardless, Brooklyn is not locked into this roster, but they are locked into Mikel Brown Jr.. He is either the 20-year-old star guard of the future or the representative of an outright tank failure (or, more likely, somewhere in the middle). And he is one heck of a fascinating prospect to tote such responsibility.
Obviously, there’s the pure talent gleaming off him, the logo-threes, the handles, the dunks … we’re all familiar by now. And he is now officially a Brooklyn Net; the team introduced him at the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center on Monday afternoon, along with fellow draft picks Joshua Jefferson and Tyler Bilodeau…
Brown Jr. touts many qualities other recent Nets’ picks have. He is incredibly polite, a bit soft-spoken, eager to talk about the good of the team rather than his own career. The 6’4″ guard is also undeniably, overwhelmingly confident in his abilities.
Given that he met with the Nets three times before the draft, I asked Brown Jr. how deep certain X’s and O’s conversations went; he did not hesitate to call himself a “savant” in his answer: “They were pretty deep, but it’s nothing that I haven’t already learned and understood. That kind of made it, also, easier on them. You know, their player development could be more advanced, because I’m already a student of the game, I’m a savant when it comes to this stuff. So every type of action or terminology that they throw on me, I kind of already know. Just how they say it — you might call one action something else, but I’ve been known to call it something else, but we’re talking about the same thing. So it’s very easy. That was very easy.”
The Louisville product also shared his confidence level with the 85 children that attended his introduction. Before leading them through drills, he let the crowd know he had spoken with Julius Randle (though not officially a Net just yet), and that the conversation was simple: “We’re gonna shock the world.”
Mikel Brown Jr. on his vision for the Nets:
“I was talking to Julius Randle about it the other day and he told me, ‘We’re gonna shock the world.’ That’s what we plan on doing.” pic.twitter.com/4fvaUXssBt
Sean Marks also spoke on Monday afternoon: “I don’t think anybody’s ever questioned the confidence that [Brown] has had, right? And these guys, they’ve got to this level by — as you heard them before — not believing in the doubters. And I think they’ve got something to prove, they’ve all got a chip on their shoulder, which I think you hear us talk about a lot with wanting guys that are self-motivated.”
That piece of it is not new for the Brooklyn Nets. Over the past few seasons, we’ve heard players yearn for “second-chances” or simply an opportunity to prove themselves, whether that be Keon Johnson or Josh Minott or Ziaire Williams or Dennis Schröder. This is not Mikel Brown Jr. who (understandably, justifiably) thinks, or rather knows he is that guy. He is the man.
“When we interviewed him at the combine in Chicago, you know, he spent a lot of time interviewing us, which I love,” said Marks. “I love the interaction. Going back and forth, how would he fit in Brooklyn, how we see him and so forth, it was — it was great banter, going back and forth with him.”
Brown Jr., as he will tell you, is a coach’s son. You can tell. He speaks with great reverence of a point guard’s duty, and said he’s been studying game tape of Joshua Jefferson and Tyler Bilodeau to see how they can fit together once Summer League rolls around.
Both he and Joshua Jefferson smiled when talking about recent practice days at HSS Training Facility, admitting that they are both real happy to get back in the gym after a tiring draft process.
Jefferson, the #28 pick, says that working on his outside shooting is his main focus right now but that he is indeed as versatile as they come, adding: “I think my defensive ability at the high level can be undersold a little bit. I think I can move my feet pretty well, guard one-through-five, so that’s what I’m going to try to prove on day one.”
Jefferson was not listed on Brooklyn’s initial Summer League squad…
…but only because the Minnesota-Brooklyn trade cannot be finalized until July 6th at the earliest. Therefore, Jefferson will not be able to play in the California Classic, which ends on the 6th. He is expected to play in Las Vegas Summer League though. However, Nolan Traore and Grant Nelson are not. Both players are rehabbing injury.
Marks did clarify that Nolan is “expected to be full return for training camp in early September, so he won’t miss much time,” after a scope on his right knee. He also clarified that the issue cropped up during the season. Nelson had a leg procedure after the season.
Other than Traore, the Nets other four first rounders last year will be on the court, with each of them having put on ten to 15 pounds and at least one, Drake Powell, adding an inch to his height, jumping from 6’5″ to 6’6″ in barefeet. While some have speculated that Demin too has added height, the Nets said he’s been measured recently is just where he was last season: 6’8.5″ in barefeet.
More news
Following Brooklyn’s presser, Mike Scotto of HoopsHype reported that Ochai Agbaji and Jalen Wilson were not tendered qualifying offers, making them unrestricted free agents…
The Brooklyn Nets declined to tender qualifying offers to Ochai Agbaji and Jalen Wilson, making both unrestricted free agents, league sources told @hoopshype. Agbaji averaged 6.7 points in 20 games after being traded to Brooklyn. Wilson averaged 7.4 points over 3 seasons as a Net pic.twitter.com/IFgDsgdibc
However, the Nets did exercise their team option on Malachi Smith, though it is a non-guaranteed contract…
The Brooklyn Nets will exercise the $2.15 million team option on Malachi Smith, which is fully non-guaranteed for the 2026-27 season, league sources told @hoopshype. Smith averaged 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game for Brooklyn last season.
It is unlikely Smith makes the team out of training camp, but you never know. Though not official yet, it seems likely that Brooklyn’s two-way contracts will belong to Tyler Bilodeau, Chaney Johnson, and Grant Nelson, with the latter once again joining the Nets for Summer League ball.
Brooklyn tips off Summer League play at 5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 4th, playing against the Sacramento Kings in SacTown. That’s right. Darius Acuff Jr. vs. Mikel Brown Jr.
DALLAS, TEXAS - JUNE 25: New Dallas Mavericks player Morez Johnson Jr. responds to a question during a press conference at American Airlines Center on June 25, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. Johnson was selected ninth overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. 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 Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 10: Nick Smith Jr. #20 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a foul shot during the second half of a game against the Phoenix Suns...
The Lakers declined Nick Smith Jr.’s $2.5 million team option for the 2026-27 season, making the guard an unrestricted free agent.
The decision, which was first reported by ESPN, will help give the Lakers over $50 million in cap space entering free agency on Tuesday.
The Lakers declined Nick Smith Jr.’s $2.5 million team option for the 2026-27 season. Getty Images
Free agency officially starts at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
Smith signed a two-way contract with the Lakers on Sept. 29 after being waived by the Hornets earlier in September 2025 after two seasons with the Hornets.
Nov 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
NBA Free Agency opens up on Tuesday as teams across the league are looking to find their missing pieces to make a run in the league next season.
With plenty of former Kentucky Wildcats scattered across the NBA, it is one former No. 1 overall pick that could make some noise in free agency this season. That would be none other than Anthony Davis.
Shams Charania brought the scoop on Monday as the first piece of a very intricate puzzle fell into place. That was none other than Draymond Green declining his player option for this coming season.
What did it open up? A potential trade for Anthony Davis and a potential free agent signing of LeBron James.
The opt-out comes days after the Warriors said they expect Green to pick up the $27.7M option. Instead Green delivers Golden State time and space to pursue Davis with the Wizards and convince James to join Stephen Curry, Green and his old Lakers championship teammate in the Bay. https://t.co/uNMngqPSw2
This would already add to a wild offseason that has seen star players like LaMelo Ball and Ja Morant get traded, but it is definitely one that I would wait until it actually gets some more legs.
After adding AJ Dybantsa and re-signing Trae Young, it feels like the Wizards are ready to make a playoff push now. Could the Warriors sweeten the pot for a deal that would send AD to the Bay Area? It sounds like they could trade Jimmy Butler, who may miss the entire 2026-27 season due to ACL surgery, to Washington for AD, as the two players have nearly identical cap hits.
A lot has to happen for this potential dream team to come to fruition, but if it does, a Steph Curry, LeBron, and AD team sounds like a lot of fun.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: De'anthony Melton #8 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball up court against the Sacramento Kings in the first half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on April 10, 2026 in Sacramento, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As expected, De’Anthony Melton will decline his $3.3 million player option in order to test the market as an unrestricted free agent, per Spotrac.
De'Anthony Melton declined his player option with the Golden State Warriors, a league source told @spotrac.
Melton will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
After returning from a one-year ACL rehab process, Melton returned to the Warriors in order to increase his value. He had an up-and-down season, showing flashes of being a valuable secondary ball handler and, at times, a serviceable primary ball handler, as evidenced by a career-high 12.3 points per game, to go along with 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 steals in 23 minutes per game. However, he was limited to 49 games last season due to injury. It was clear that, at times, his injury played a part in his struggle to capture a consistent rhythm.
Melton will have plenty of playoff-contending suitors who will seek his services as a reliable back-up guard — a role he is more accustomed to playing, rather than the primary role he was forced to play last season due to a roster ravaged by injuries to its top stars.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 5: Nick Smith Jr. #20 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball in front of Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 5, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a mixed bag first season, the Lakers are declining Nick Smith Jr.’s team option for next season.
The Los Angeles Lakers declined their team option for Nick Smith Jr., a league source told @spotrac.
Smith will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
While Smith Jr.’s impact wasn’t felt throughout the whole season, he still had some particularly bright moments. Never was that more the case than early in the season when he helped lead the Lakers to an improbable road win in Portland.
Smith Jr. largely played bit-part roles as the season went on, though he was someone Redick turned to at different points when the team was undermanned. Ultimately, that belief led to the Lakers signing him at the end of the season on a two-year contract.
On the season, Smith Jr. averaged 6.2 points per game on 39.5% shooting from 3-point range across 30 games. He also made 18 appearances in the G League, averaging 19.7 points aon 37% shooting from three and 49.8% shooting from the field.
Despite Smith being just 22 years old, there wasn’t enough consistency shown for the Lakers to bring him back. The open roster spot and cap space is more valuable to the Lakers, for now.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings might be getting into a bidding war for a big man.
Senior NBA Writer Sam Amick of The Athletic has reported that Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren is scheduled to meet with the Lakers and the Kings for a potential sign-and-trade deal.
Jalen Duren drawing sign and traded interest with the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings. Getty Images
On Monday, Senior NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that there has been a “sizeable distance” between Durren and the Pistons as they are struggling to work out a contract extension for the unrestricted free agent.
Duren, 22, is closing out the tail end of his four-year rookie deal, where he made $19.5 million. In 2022, the Pistons selected him with the 13th overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft.
Originally, he began his career serving as a role player, but has started to emerge as one of the top centers in the league, after finishing last just outside the NBA’s top 10 for rebounds [8.5] and blocks [1.2].
Last year, he played in 70 games, while averaging 19.5 points per game and played a vital part in the Pistons snapping an 18-year playoff drought as they finished the regular season with a 60-22 record, for first place in the Eastern Conference.
Amick reported that the Kings are set to meet with Duren in the morning, which would mean the Lakers would likely meet with him later in the day.
More intel on Jalen Duren coming in: League sources tell @TheAthletic he now has a call with the Lakers scheduled for tomorrow.
Lakers star Luka Dončić has been vocal about his desire for the Lakers to acquire a big man to help with running the pick and roll.
Right now, the Lakers have two centers under contract in DeAndre Ayton and Jaxon Hayes. Ayton performed underwhelmingly for the Lakers last season, averaging 12.5 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game.
Acquiring Duren would be the first part of Dončić’s requests for this offseason, as he’s also been vocal about the team acquiring more shooters for him this year.
According to Amick, the Kings are set to offer Domantas Sabonis in their offer for Duren, but noted that, “It’s unclear how the Pistons might see that scenario, but the Kings are clearly serious about the prospect of landing the 22-year-old.”
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 12: Jamir Watkins #5 of the Washington Wizards runs down court during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on April 12, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: The Cavaliers defeated the Wizards 130-117. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Washington Wizards declined Jamir Watkins’ $2.15 million team option for the 2026-27 season, Spotrac’s Keith Smith reported Monday.
The Washington Wizards decline their team option for Jamir Watkins, a league source told @spotrac.
The Wizards did tender a qualifying offer to Watkins. He'll now be a restricted free agent this offseason.
The Wizards reportedly extended a qualifying offer to Watkins, which makes him a restricted free agent this offseason.
Watkins, 24, was selected No. 43 by Washington in the 2025 NBA Draft. He averaged 7.4 points and 3.9 rebounds across 50 games during his rookie season.
The stout defender, who averaged 1.1 steals per game last season, closed his rookie campaign with a 24-point outburst on 5-for-9 3-point shooting against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
While Washington declining Watkins’ option is surprising, the team did something similar in 2024 when it declined Tristan Vukcevic’s team option before later signing him back on a two-way deal.
That could be the case for Watkins, who started last season on a two-way before his deal was converted to a standard contract to close the year.
Here’s how Washington’s roster looks without Watkins:
Guard: Trae Young | Tre Johnson | Bub Carrington | Jaden Hardy | D’Angelo Russell
Wing: AJ Dybantsa | Kyshawn George | Bilal Coulibaly | Will Riley
Center: Alex Sarr | Tristan Vukcevic | Felix Okpara (possible two-way contract candidate)
The Wizards are at 14 standard contracts, pending a possible 15th if Okpara signs a standard deal. They could open a roster spot by waiving or buying out Russell, who opted in to his $5.9 million player option but never reported to Washington following last February’s trade from the Dallas Mavericks.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 03: Sacramento Kings mascot Slampson does pushups to entertain the fans during the game between the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans at Golden 1 Center on April 03, 2026 in Sacramento, 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
You probably don’t give a damn with the Sacramento Kings did during the draft. They haven’t been a contender since Andrej Stojakovic’s daddy was shooting threes in the California capitol.
But here in Dub Nation, we believe in knowing your enemies. Not in a conspiracy board and red string kind of way, but like in a “Sacramento is 90 miles from Chase Center and just picked seventh in the draft” state of mind.
So let your Gold Blooded King give you the official Kings draft debrief. Lucky you!
The Kings came into draft night with a very specific hole in their roster where a point guard used to be. De’Aaron Fox was sent to San Antonio to detonate their title dreams in the NBA Finals traded away. Dennis Schröder came and went in the blink of an eye. And Russell Westbrook, a future Hall-of-Famer, was holding down the position the way you hold down a job you know isn’t yours for long.
Sacramento needed a star. And by golly they may have found exactly that.
With the seventh overall pick they selected Darius Acuff Jr. out of Arkansas, and Sacramento may have discovered its point guard of the future.
The Kings passed on Steph Curry for Tyreke Evans
They passed on Damian Lillard for Thomas Robinson
They passed on CJ McCollum for Ben McLemore
They passed on Luka Doncic for Marvin Bagley
Picking Darius Acuff today is a complete philosophical reversal of those choices
Acuff averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists last season, shot 44% from three, and won SEC Player of the Year under John Calipari. Calipiari is a coach whose guard pipeline reads like a Hall of Fame waiting room: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Devin Booker, De’Aaron Fox, Jamal Murray, Tyrese Maxey, Derrick Rose, John Wall. When Calipari vouches for a guard, you don’t dismiss it.
Darius walked in, we just lost to Alabama. I had four guys fouled out of the game. I’m playing with two guys the last overtime that hadn’t played all year. He’s trying to will us to win. His foot is so bad, he scores 49 … I said listen, ‘You should take the next game off.’ He was in a boot. We were playing Missouri at home. He looks at me and he said, ‘Do you know we lost?’ And he got up and left. Like, I’m not sitting out we just lost a game. You don’t want that? You don’t want a guy that he is going to give you everything he has?”.
This is new for Sacramento, right? In previous years, a franchise this desperate would have traded half the future to move up two spots and overpaid for a prospect the whole league knew they wanted. Instead, apparently GM Scott Perry held firm at seven because the whole league already knew Acuff preferred Sacramento anyway. They sat there, let the pick fall into their lap, and didn’t flinch. Then they traded into the first round to select Connecticut’s Alex Karaban at No. 29, a 6’7″ wing who shot 37% from three, passes with purpose, makes quick decisions, and keeps possessions moving. Then Emanuel Sharp at 45 out of Houston, another 3-and-D guard ready to contribute real minutes immediately. Three picks. One vision.
Sacramento is one of the draft’s big winners with Darius Acuff at #7 and Alex Karaban at #29.
Gotta respect the Kings front office for staying at 7 despite the 5/6 Acuff rumors then aggressively moving up for 29. Acuff, Karaban, Raynaud, Clifford. I love this young core. pic.twitter.com/SPU01QbCwj
Now before we give them a champiponship, let’s keep it real. Acuff’s defense is a genuine question mark, not media noise, and the Kings still have expensive roster decisions ahead involving players who may or may not fit what they’re building. What do they do with Zach Lavine and Demar Derozan? But as they answer those questions, it’s more than fair to give them so love so far in the process.They’ve had nineteen lottery appearances in twenty seasons so looking competent on draft night is progress.
Golden State should keep an eye out. Sacramento is building something in our backyard, quietly, without the drama, and placing their bets on standout talent.
Keep your friends close, Dub Nation. Keep your Pacific Division rivals in your group chat, your timeline, and your scouting report. Because the Dubs are gonna see these guys several times this year, and the Kings may finally have stopped behaving like the KANGZ.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 26: Taurean Prince #12, Brook Lopez #11, AJ Green #20, Damian Lillard #0 and Andre Jackson Jr. #44 of the Milwaukee Bucks huddle on the court against the Miami Heat during the third quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup at Kaseya Center on November 26, 2024 in Miami, Florida. 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Bucks’ roster experienced a shakeup on Monday afternoon after the front office declined Andre Jackson Jr.’s $2.41m team option and Taurean Prince picked up his $3.82 million player option, per Eric Nehm. The two transactions mean that Prince will remain in Milwaukee for the 2026-27 season, while Jackson will become an unrestricted free agent.
It felt like Jackson’s exit from the Bucks was imminent throughout the season—it wasn’t until the Bucks’ 17th game that he registered a point and he appeared in just 48 games in total, the lowest of his three-year career. Across the season, he averaged only 8.5 MPG—also a career low—posting just 2.4 PPG and 1.5 RPG on .328/.250/.625 shooting. Jackson struggled heavily on offense as he failed to shore up the faulty shooting mechanics that followed him throughout last season and eventually fell behind more versatile, serviceable wings on the Milwaukee depth chart.
During his tenure in Milwaukee, Jackson gave the Bucks elite athleticism, high energy and hustle, and unselfish play. His lack of shooting was always a major issue—he was a 29% career three-point shooter at UConn—but he provided potential as a defensive disruptor and playmaking wing. Despite his time in Milwaukee appearing over, and his value as a 6’6 non-shooter low, it’s not out of the question for another NBA team to take chance on him.
While Jackson is leaving, Prince is somewhat of a surprise returnee for the Bucks, with many projecting him to seek a new home on a contender following the Giannis trade and apparent youth movement. After playing the first eight games of the season, a herniated disc and subsequent neck surgery kept Prince out of action for most of the season, but he bravely returned for the campaign’s final 18 games.
Across his 26 total games, including seven starts, Prince was as steady as ever, averaging 9.2 PPG and 3.1 RPG, connecting on 44% of his shots from long range. In addition to this heady play and shooting prowess, he provides invaluable veteran leadership on a team comprised mainly of young players.
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 23: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons ddribbles the ball as Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers plays defense during the game on March 23, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons and restricted free agent center remain far apart on a new deal, and it has motivated Duren to seek out meetings with teams as free agency opens on Tuesday evening. The Sacramento Kings will be the first team to get a meeting, as we reported earlier, but now another team has entered the chat — the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sam Amick reports that there is a call between Duren and the Lakers scheduled for tomorrow. Any deal would require a sign-and-trade.
There aren’t many details beyond that, to be honest with you. I could have updated the original story with this morsel of information. Instead, I decided to get some of that sweet, sweet Lakers-fan SEO traffic by giving this its own story.
So let’s talk Lakers.
The easiest pathway for the Lakers is to simply let LeBron James walk to Golden State, renouncing his rights along with their other free agents gives them $51 million in cap space, per Keith Smith. As a restricted free agent, the Pistons would still have the right to match any offer. I do imagine Detroit would match any offer instead of risking losing him for nothing.
On the other hand, the two teams could work out a sign-and-trade that was palatable to the Pistons.
What do they have to offer? Honestly, not much. There are two avenues the Lakers could explore, both seem unlikely to me. The first would be a deal that includes Jarred Vanderbilt, Deandre Ayton, Dalton Knecht and a couple first-round picks for Duren.
The other, hilarious, option would be to organize some sort of dual sign-and-trade featuring Austin Reaves and Duren. It was widely reported the reason the Lakers agreed to a max deal with the Lakers is because Los Angeles knew Detroit was prepared to create the space space needed to offer him a max outright. The shoe would be on the other foot.
I can’t fathom a team widely touting the return of a star player on a max deal to then trade him days later, but it feels like a weird offseason.
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 23: Jalen Duren #0 and Daniss Jenkins #24 of the Detroit Pistons high five before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 23, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers have inserted themselves into one of the biggest developing stories in the hours leading up to free agency.
Detroit Pistons restricted free agent center Jalen Duren has a planned call with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, a league source confirmed to ESPN (@sam_amick first). However DET thus far is uninterested in pursuing a sign and trade with their All-Star big man, sources said.
Earlier in the day on Monday, Sam Amick of The Athleticalso reported that Duren and the Pistons were not close on a contract and that the big man would explore sign-and-trade scenarios, including meeting with the Kings.
All-NBA forward Jalen Duren was underwhelmed by the Detroit Pistons’ initial offer in restricted free agency and is planning to explore sign-and-trade scenarios when they are permitted on Tuesday, league sources told The Athletic.
It’s not hard to see why the two sides would be far apart in negotiations. During the regular season, Duren was one of the best big men in the league, earning Third Team All-NBA honors while averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while shooting 65% from the field.
But once the playoffs rolled around, Duren became a shell of himself, averaging 10.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and shooting 51.4% from the field. He was a huge reason for an underwhelming postseason performance from the Pistons, as they needed seven games to beat the Magic before losing in seven games to Cleveland.
Detroit is likely negotiationg from a standpoint of his postseason performance while Duren and his agent are negotiating from the standpoint of his regular season performance. For now, that gap is big enough for Duren to look elsewhere.
Still, this is restricted free agency and Detroit still holds the power. Even in a sign-and-trade scenario, the Pistons are going to have to get value back as they can simply just match Duren’s offer sheet and bring him back.
But that things have gotten to this point is notable.
