Category: NBA

With just a few hours left until the 2026 NBA Draft, fans will soon know exactly where each prospect will begin their professional careers.

Following the NBA draft combine and weeks of pre-draft workouts, front offices will finalize their decisions this evening. After extensive conversations with folks around the league, we have more intel on when each prospect might hear their name called during draft nights at Barclays Center for the first round on June 23 and and the second on June 24.

Our mock draft includes data from CBB Analytics. We also spoke with P3, a sports science and athletic training company that uses biomechanical data and movement profiling to evaluate players and project NBA outcomes, to better understand how certain prospects translate physically to the next level.

While news of two big trades broke late night on Monday, June 22 – one involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and the other involving Julius Randle – neither can be executed until July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET, which is the start of the new league year. So, those 2026 picks remain with their current teams in our mock draft, although those teams will be selecting players on behalf of their trade partners.

Following our own conversations as well as other trusted reporting, here are our latest predictions.

Note: All heights and wingspans (as well as the distance between the two) are listed to the nearest inch and players were measured without shoes.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa

• TEAM: BYU
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Massachusetts
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-1 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Wizards have narrowed their choices down to two players: AJ Dybansta and Darryn Peterson, both of whom have already reportedly conducted workouts for Washington.

"I'm super confident in myself being the No. 1 pick. But you never know. There's been crazy stuff that happens on draft night," Dybantsa told USA TODAY Sports.

While he is prepared for various scenarios, especially after Washington re-signed Trae Young to a long-term contract extension, the Wizards remain far and away the most likely outcome. He would be a fascinating fit next to Young and Anthony Davis, who could help him play alongside veteran talent early in his career.

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson

• TEAM: Kansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• WINGSPAN: 6-10 (+5)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

While we had Duke forward Cameron Boozer mocked to the Utah Jazz in every mock draft we published for more than a month, all of the intel suggests the Jazz plan to select Darryn Peterson to join Keyonte George in their young backcourt.

According to The Athletic's Tony Jones, the Jazz were "genuinely torn" about who to select once on the clock, and Boozer remained "firmly in the mix" at No. 2 overall. However, though he was no longer perceived as the near-certain No. 1 overall pick he once was due to relative inconsistency and injury issues, many scouts and evaluators still feel that Peterson is the most talented player in this class.

It is incredibly rare to find a prospect who is able to score as efficiently as Peterson did while holding a usage rate as high as his was this season. Even though he did not have an official workout with the Jazz, he confirmed that he did meet with the organization over the weekend before the draft.

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer

• TEAM: Duke
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Florida
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+5)
• DRAFT AGE: 18

Any front office that values versatility and advanced metrics could very likely have Duke freshman Cameron Boozer at No. 1 overall on their big board considering he had one of the most statistically impressive freshman campaigns we have ever seen.

Those are two defining traits the Grizzlies have valued while drafting, and their franchise will enter a new chapter of their organization with this pick.

As the national collegiate player of the year, he wasn’t a human highlight reel. But he performed better than expected during athletic testing at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. He offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set, and he can bring a culture of winning back to the Grizzlies after multiple championships in high school and playing on an elite Duke team that made it to the Sweet 16.

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson

• TEAM: North Carolina
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Georgia
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Bryson Graham, who was recently hired as the new executive vice president of basketball operations for the Bulls, has a simple task: Select whichever of the four top players is still available.

North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson is not just a consolation prize. He is a perfect fit for what Graham wants to build in Chicago, as he values size, length, athleticism, and physicality. Wilson did more than enough to earn this placement before his thumb injury.

According to Bart Torvik, before the injury, the All-ACC big man led the nation with 67 dunks recorded and was one of the best vertical athletes who tested at the combine in Chicago. He was also the only player under 20 years old to reach specific thresholds for both block, steal and defensive rebound percentage.

“I feel like I’m a game changer," Wilson told USA TODAY Sports. "Whatever needs to be done to win, that’s what you’re going to get from me.”

He added that he doesn't just see himself as a traditional post player, showing pride in his ability to make reads in the open court and create for others as well.

5. Los Angeles Clippers (via Pacers): Keaton Wagler

• TEAM: Illinois
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Kansas
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+1)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Clippers received this pick from the Indiana Pacers as part of a package involving Ivica Zubac, and while there is wide speculation they could trade this pick, they are closely linked with several guards in this range. As such, whether it's their front office or another on the clock at No. 5 overall, look for any team on the clock to potentially call on Illinois standout Keaton Wagler.

“I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder,” Wagler told USA TODAY Sports. “Just trying to go out each game and prove myself and do whatever it takes to win.”

Wagler reportedly "emerged as the more impressive prospect" during a recent head-to-head workout for the Clippers against another lottery-caliber guard, per Jake Fischer. He explained why he canceled his workout with the Brooklyn Nets, on the clock next at No. 6 overall, following the visit.

The 19-year-old guard played a crucial role in helping the Fighting Illini reach the Final Four. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, and he is a cerebral basketball player who is a good rebounder and playmaker as well.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr.

• DRAFT AGE: 20
• TEAM: Louisville
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Florida
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• WINGSPAN: 6-8 (+4)

During this rebuilding chapter, the Nets would love to add a player like talented Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr., even though they drafted three point guards last season.

He said he met with the Nets three times during the pre-draft process and completed a second workout for Brooklyn, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because they were unauthorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Brown's draft stock has improved during the pre-draft process as he has shown teams a clean bill of health. “I got cleared by the medical staff from the league at the Combine, so we’re all green,” Brown Jr. told USA TODAY Sports. “I feel like myself again.”

The All-ACC guard has deep shooting range and was averaging 29.2 points per game over his last five appearances, including a 45-point outing against NC State, before his injury on Feb. 28 forced him to miss March Madness.

7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr.

• TEAM: Arkansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Michigan
• HEIGHT: 6-2
• WINGSPAN: 6-7 (+5)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Kings need a potential star, and it is widely speculated that their front office is targeting Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. in this class.

En route to the Sweet 16, despite significant defensive deficiencies, the SEC Player of the Year proved he is one of the most enticing offensive prospects in recent memory. Acuff Jr. led the nation for points created either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. The speedy guard led freshmen for field goals made in transition and field goals made from both the left and right side of the court. He was among the freshmen leaders in alley-oop assists as well.

P3’s evaluators highlighted his “really impressive start-stop tools” and ability to generate separation in multiple directions, key traits for a high-usage guard translating to the NBA.

It is also worth noting Kings executive Scott Perry coached Acuff's father in college, and one would expect there are few scenarios where he falls below this pick. If his name is called earlier, though, Kingston Flemings could also make sense here.

8. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans): Kingston Flemings

• TEAM: Houston
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Texas
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-4 (+1)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

With the pick the Hawks received from New Orleans, Atlanta is expected to pick a big or a guard, and one potential target is Houston freshman Kingston Flemings.

"He can pretty much do it all. He can defend, he can shoot, and his playmaking is really underrated. And he’s a high-IQ, high-character guy," Chris Cenac Jr., his teammate at Houston, told USA TODAY Sports. "Any organization that gets him is going to get a great player and a great person."

Flemings' smaller wingspan did him no favors at the combine but he measured with a 40.5-inch max vertical and elite speed across all his agility testing, projecting as one of the fastest guard prospects since De'Aaron Fox. He helped lead Houston to the Sweet 16, and with highs as high as his were this season, it is difficult to imagine he will be available past the Hawks on draft night. 

9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries

• TEAM: Arizona
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: California
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+2)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

After hiring Masai Ujiri as president of basketball operations and Mike Schmitz as general manager, the Dallas Mavericks can add a lottery talent to grow alongside Cooper Flagg. One name to consider is Arizona freshman Brayden Burries, who is consistently linked to the organization.

Burries had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. He was then an exciting prospect to watch during the Big Dance, making it all the way to the Final Four, where he played against new Mavericks head coach Dusty May.

Overall, the All-Big 12 guard displayed his tantalizing talent, and he has proven productivity. Burries is able to defend, relocate, move the ball, and make 3-pointers off the dribble. Our intel suggests he is in consideration as high as No. 5 overall as he impressed several decision makers, including Clippers head coach Ty Lue, during the pre-draft process.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament

• TEAM: Tennessee
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Virginia
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+2)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

While it is unclear which (and how many) picks the Milwaukee Bucks will actually have in the 2026 NBA Draft due to ongoing trade rumors involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, this is a fair range for Tennessee freshman Nate Ament.

The All-SEC forward averaged 21.6 points per game, while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers, during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. It will only take one team to fall in love with Ament, and that team is likely picking this forward, with a standing reach exceeding 9-foot-1, in the lottery.

It is worth noting that Bucks executive Jon Horst and head coach Taylor Jenkins reportedly recently traveled to meet with Ament during the pre-draft process, per Jake Fischer. Jimmy Haslam, a co-governor for the Bucks, recently took a larger role with Milwaukee's ownership group and also made the largest donation to the University of Tennessee in school history.

11. Golden State Warriors: Karim López

• TEAM: New Zealand (International)
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Mexico
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Karim López had a low usage rate and played fewer minutes than other players in this range while playing against pros, but was still very productive for the NBL Next Stars program in Australia. According to The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, his "range" starts at this pick to Golden State.

The Mexican-born forward is physically gifted, athletic, and universally seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30 earlier this year. According to someone with knowledge of the situation who did not have authority to speak publicly on the matter, Warriors executive Mike Dunleavy attended that game.

Despite his age, he played a huge role for his team defensively for a team that won the NBL Ignite Cup. López measured well, weighing just shy of 222 pounds and with a 38-inch max vertical. Our intel suggests he is also a serious consideration for the Bulls at No. 15 overall and is unlikely to fall past the San Antonio Spurs at No. 20 overall.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Aday Mara

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Spain
• HEIGHT: 7-3
• WINGSPAN: 7-6 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 21

Oklahoma City tends to like low-usage big men, like Aday Mara, with high assist percentages as well as high block and steal percentages.

While leading his team to the NCAA championship, Mara became one of the prospects who helped himself the most during March Madness. The 7-foot-3 big man, who transferred from UCLA, is a fantastic rim protector. Opponents rarely attempted field goals at the rim when the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was on the court, per CBB Analytics.

He could potentially hear his name called even higher than this, too, as teams look for large players like Mara (who measured with a 9-foot-9 standing reach) as front offices value bigger bodies to throw at Victor Wembanyama. The Thunder are expected to consider Mara's teammate, Morez Johnson Jr., as well.

13. Miami Heat: Hannes Steinbach

• DRAFT AGE: 20
• TEAM: Washington
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Germany
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+4)

While the Heat will be making this selection, it will be on behalf of the Milwaukee Bucks, who just snagged this pick in the blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade that went down late Monday, which sent the two-time NBA MVP to Miami.

German big man Hannes Steinbach, who will get looks starting as early as around No. 10 overall, should get some serious interest from teams around this range, including the Bucks.

The center reportedly turned down NIL opportunities “worth up to $10 million” rather than return to college. While his Washington team missed the tournament, the All-Big Ten center is an instinctive rebounder with great hands, including an absurd 24 rebounds against USC on March 4. Additionally, Steinbach was one of the more prolific pick-and-roll finishers in college basketball. He impressed during the FIBA U19 World Cup, too, and scouts love that he is a smart basketball player who can make great reads.  

14. Charlotte Hornets: Morez Johnson Jr.

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Illinois
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-4 (+7)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best two-way players in the NCAA. He was a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois; he can bring that same mentality to the Hornets, who are searching for a new big man.

He should have interest as high as No. 9 overall, where he could reunite with his former coach Duty May on the Mavericks.

Johnson's shooting form at the free-throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a very trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should carve out minutes at the next level. Johnson was a big winner during measurements at the combine, recording a 39-inch max vertical and testing with elite agility for his position.

15. Chicago Bulls (via Trail Blazers): Cameron Carr

• DRAFT AGE: 21
• TEAM: Baylor
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Minnesota
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• WINGSPAN: 7-1 (+8)

The Chicago Bulls received this additional pick because the Portland Trail Blazers advanced past the play-in tournament, and the player who improved his draft stock the most during the combine was Baylor junior Cameron Carr.

He scored 30 points in a five-on-five scrimmage, recorded a 42.5-inch max vertical and had great physical measurements. This should grab the attention of teams that tend to like athletic prospects, which new Bulls executive Bryson Graham indicated.

According to P3’s internal models, Carr grades as a 95th-percentile athlete with a rare “hyper flexor” force-production profile, a combination evaluators described as “double unique” for pairing elite explosiveness with unusually fluid movement mechanics.

The All-Big 12 wing brings shooting touch in addition to his athleticism and, per Bart Torvik, he was the only player to make at least 40 field goals that were dunks and more than 60 field goals that were 3-pointers this season.

16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Suns): Yaxel Lendeborg

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: New Jersey
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-3 (+7)
• DRAFT AGE: 23

Yaxel Lendeborg showed on his way to winning the national championship that he is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, however, reported that "there is potential for him to slip out of the lottery" on draft night, and his "pre-draft workouts have not gone particularly well" due to an ankle injury.

Despite his age and the ankle injury, he will intrigue teams like the Grizzlies, who have another first-round pick thanks to the Desmond Bane trade. The Grizzlies have shown a willingness to pick older, more experienced players in the past.

A few years ago, research indicated that the Memphis front office tends to value a few statistical similarities in their draftees: Efficient shot selection, added value beyond scoring and defensive playmaking. For the second year in a row, the Big Ten Player of the Year was an impactful dribble-pass-shoot forward who met many of the qualifications that led Memphis to find players who spent many years on their roster.

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers): Chris Cenac Jr. 

• DRAFT AGE: 19
• TEAM: Houston
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Louisiana
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-5 (+7)

Regardless of whether or not the Thunder trade this pick, one name to consider is Chris Cenac Jr., whose range begins around No. 14 overall.

Cenac played into his role and caught fire at the perfect time. In his first NCAA tournament game, the big man recorded a season-high 18 rebounds while also knocking down a 3-pointer and grabbing a steal.

“I got to earn my minutes. I got to do the little things … defending, rebounding, spacing the floor,” Cenac told USA TODAY Sports. "Whatever team takes me… they’re getting a winning player that loves winning and is going to buy into whatever to help that team win."

Cenac also impressed at the NBA Combine, posting a 37-inch max vertical and strong agility numbers for his size.

P3 places Cenac within its “bigs plus” model, a rare archetype combining traditional size with wing-like mobility. Evaluators pointed to his “unique tools” and described him as a potential “matchup nightmare” due to his movement profile and physical traits, which suggest his significant untapped upside.

Q&A: Chris Cenac Jr. explains why he'll outperform his NBA draft spot

18. Charlotte Hornets (via Magic): Christian Anderson

• DRAFT AGE: 20
• TEAM: Texas Tech
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Georgia
• HEIGHT: 6-1
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+5)

The Hornets could find a fairly compelling player in Texas Tech sophomore Christian Anderson, who is a potentially perfect fit and received a green room invitation to attend the 2026 NBA Draft.

After moving from the two-guard to point guard, the All-Big 12 Most Improved Player recorded more than twice as many assists per 100 possessions as a sophomore compared to when he was a freshman. Anderson managed to do that while also scoring well on spot-up possessions and handoffs. Even though he is a bit undersized, there are few better offensive creators in this class than Anderson.

19. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz

• TEAM: Iowa
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Missouri
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 22

The Raptors need another guard and should have Bennett Stirtz, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization, on their priority list.

After transferring from Division II to a mid-major and then to a high-major program, he is at the top of the class in creating his own shot off the dribble in isolation or the pick-and-roll. The All-Big Ten guard can also finish plays from dribble handoffs. His play during March Madness, which included 24 points against Illinois and 20 points against Nebraska, earned him a spot in the Elite Eight. The Raptors play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who did the same at Iowa. 

20. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Tarris Reed Jr. 

• DRAFT AGE: 22
• TEAM: Connecticut
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Missouri
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-4 (+7)

UConn senior Tarris Reed Jr. helped himself quite a bit during the NCAA tournament en route to an appearance in the national championship game. He recorded four double-doubles during March Madness, notching 31 points and 27 rebounds against Furman. Reed also had 26 points with 9 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals during a win over Duke.

There is plenty of interest in Reed from teams starting at No. 16 overall, based on our intel, and he is unlikely still available by No. 29 overall. After receiving consistently positive feedback during the pre-draft process, the Spurs could make a lot of sense for the big man.

During the combine, he did the dirty work, recording 5 rebounds with 1 steal and 1 block in his first game and then scored 17 points (7-of-9 FG) with 5 rebounds and 2 blocks in the second. Reed also tested with elite agility for his position. Expect him to come into the league and find a role sooner, especially considering his paint dominance, rather than later.

21. Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves): Dailyn Swain

• TEAM: Texas
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-7
• WINGSPAN: 6-10 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

After transferring from Xavier to Texas during the offseason and helping lead the Longhorns to the Sweet 16, Dailyn Swain emerged as one of the more intriguing breakout players in college basketball.

The All-SEC forward is versatile and contributed across the board on both ends, scoring efficiently in the paint and in transition. Another appealing element is his effectiveness in isolation, where he can create for himself against defenders. Swain is quick, bouncy and a solid rebounder, and his 81.5% free-throw percentage suggests promising shooting touch. While he has three years of college experience, he’s still just 20 years old, the same age as several NCAA freshmen.

P3 categorizes Swain as a “kinematic mover,” a fluid, efficiency-driven archetype that allows players to “get wherever they want on the court” and has produced the highest density of NBA All-Stars in its data.

Expect the Pistons to have serious interest in Swain, based on multiple people who spoke to USA TODAY Sports, though Detroit will also strongly consider shooters like Christian Anderson and Isaiah Evans if they are available.

22. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets): Labaron Philon Jr.

• TEAM: Alabama
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Alabama
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

The Philadelphia 76ers have a new front office led by president of basketball operations Mike Gansey and vice president of basketball operations Jameer Nelson. One name they may have their eyes on with the first-round pick they acquired after trading Jared McCain is Labaron Philon Jr. from Alabama.

Even though the All-SEC guard was not playing at 100 percent during March Madness due to injury issues, he played well in the tournament, recording 35 points during a loss against Michigan. He also notched 29 points in his first-round game and 12 assists in his second. The guard averaged 22.0 points per game this season, and he improved his 3-point shooting from 31.5 percent as a freshman to 39.9 percent as a sophomore, while also managing 5.0 assists per game in the process.

23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Ebuka Okorie

• TEAM: Stanford
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: New Hampshire
• HEIGHT: 6-1
• WINGSPAN: 6-8 (+7)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

When the Hawks are on the clock, expect them to consider a player like Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization.

The first-team All-ACC guard was a day-one starter in the NCAA who is potentially capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the 76ers. He averaged 23.2 points per game, recording 40 points against conference rival Virginia Tech and seven other games with at least 30 points. Okorie has earned serious first-round buzz and should intrigue teams in this range, who may like the high assist-to-turnover ratio he recorded (2.3) last season.

24. New York Knicks: Allen Graves

• TEAM: Santa Clara
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Louisiana
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

The Knicks have prioritized scrappy, high-motor players capable of winning the possession battle through rebounds and turnovers like Santa Clara freshman Allen Graves. That's an area where Graves stands out among the best in this class and is likely one of the reasons he chose to turn pro rather than return to college.

The WCC Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year turned heads after posting 30 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals on Feb. 7 against Washington State.

The only players under 21 with a higher box plus-minus, per Bart Torvik, were Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. All teams that prioritize analytical modeling in the pre-draft process will have this prospect ranked highly, which is why he is often linked even higher than this to teams like the Spurs.

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Koa Peat 

• TEAM: Arizona
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Arizona
• HEIGHT: 6-7
• WINGSPAN: 6-11 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Arizona forward Koa Peat is potentially an appealing option for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is naturally bouncy and athletic with a strong frame and a near 7-foot wingspan. Peat is also a solid rebounder and passer for his position and the Lakers likely have serious interest in him due to his size and physicality.

The All-Big 12 forward will need to improve his jumper to carve out consistent, high-impact minutes at the next level. But he’s still worth first-round consideration based on his body of work so far. Peat arguably had the most interesting decisions to make when it was finally his turn to announce if he would stay in college or turn pro.

26. Denver Nuggets: Meleek Thomas

• TEAM: Arkansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Pennsylvania
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-7 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Denver Nuggets tend to look for players with a strong assist-to-usage ratio because they rely on high-efficiency passing and off-ball movement. Arkansas freshman Meleek Thomas averaged 16.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 43.2 percent on 3-pointers during his 21 games as a starter last season.

He was efficient using off-ball screens and handoffs and occasionally showed some on-ball flashes as a pick-and-roll ball handler as well. He led the SEC in corner 3-pointers made (32) last season, per CBB Analytics, and his plus-four wingspan gives him solid length as a young guard who is still improving on both sides of the court. Thomas answered one of the biggest questions in college basketball when he decided to turn pro rather than return to the NCAA.

27. Boston Celtics: Isaiah Evans

• TEAM: Duke
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: North Carolina
• HEIGHT: 6-6
• WINGSPAN: 6-9 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Boston tends to favor players with a high effective field goal percentage, low turnover percentage and low usage rate. They also like players who make quick decisions on catch-and-shoot opportunities and on corner 3-pointers.

Duke sophomore Isaiah Evans scored 218 points when shooting off the catch, per Synergy, which ranked third-best among ACC players last season. He also matched 30 corner 3-pointers, according to CBB Analytics, which trailed the top-ranked high-major player (34) by just four field goals made. Expect the Celtics to potentially have Evans higher on their big board than other teams might. UConn's Alex Karaban, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization, also fits the bill.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons): Jack Kayil

• TEAM: International (Alba)
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Germany
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+2)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Much like with the Heat at No. 13, the Timberwolves will be making this selection on behalf of the the Brooklyn Nets, who acquired the pick and Julius Randle from the Minnesota. The Nets, in turn, are sending the No. 33 pick (third pick of the second round) to the Timberwolves.

One player the Nets may have their eyes on is Jack Kayil, who surprisingly decided to stay in the draft as an international candidate after initially committing to play for Gonzaga next season. He was likely confident in the feedback that he received during the pre-draft process if he chose to not play collegiate basketball.

Kayil was named the Basketball Champions League Best Young Player in Europe after averaging 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per 36 minutes across 65 appearances this season.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Henri Veesaar

• TEAM: North Carolina
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Estonia
• HEIGHT: 6-11
• WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 22

We have seen a remarkable improvement from Henri Veesaar after transferring from Arizona to North Carolina. The 7-foot big man from Estonia has an excellent shot diet on offense. The All-ACC big man is scoring efficiently at the rim (especially when cutting or rolling) and on 3-pointers, while also holding his own as a rebounder and passer. Any team looking for a big man who can provide NBA minutes will have him high on their priority list. He presumably felt comfortable with his draft range, considering he was reportedly offered "at least $6 million" in the transfer portal, per CBS Sports.

30. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder): Jayden Quaintance

• TEAM: Kentucky
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-5 (+8)
• DRAFT AGE: 18

Jayden Quaintance recorded just one start during his sophomore campaign as he recovered from a torn ACL, meniscus and fractured knee. Evaluators are "consistently expressing concern around his medicals" about the big man, per ESPN's Jeremy Woo.

The big man is still one of the youngest players in this class, though, and he showed elite flashes during his time at Arizona State and Kentucky. When healthy, he is arguably the most talented defender in this draft class is still a worthy gamble. During his freshman year when he was just 17 years old, per CBB Analytics, he led all D-I players in blocks per 40 minutes (0.7) on 3-pointers, regularly swatting shots on the perimeter.

While his draft stock is not what it once was due to health concerns, his youth and frame give him an opportunity to become a special player in the NBA.

SECOND ROUND

31. New York Knicks (via WAS): Zuby Ejiofor (St. John's)

32. Memphis Grizzlies (via IND): Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State)

33. Brooklyn Nets: Sergio De Larrea (Valencia — International))

34. Sacramento Kings: Trevon Brazile (Arkansas)

35. San Antonio Spurs (via UTA): Alex Karaban (UConn)

36. L.A. Clippers (via MEM): Ugonna Onyenso (Virginia)

37. Oklahoma City Thunder (via DAL): Ryan Conwell (Louisville)

38. Chicago Bulls (via NOP): Felix Okpara (Tennessee)

39. Houston Rockets (via CHI): Baba Miller (Cincinnati)

40. Boston Celtics (via MIL): Emanuel Sharp (Houston)

41. Miami Heat (via GSW): Nick Martinelli (Northwestern)

42. San Antonio Spurs (via POR): Izaiyah Nelson (South Florida)

43. Brooklyn Nets (via LAC): Richie Saunders (BYU)

44. San Antonio Spurs (via MIA): Braden Smith (Purdue)

45. Sacramento Kings (via CHA): Otega Oweh (Kentucky)

46. Orlando Magic: Tyler Bilodeau (UCLA)

47. Phoenix Suns (via PHI): Jaden Bradley (Arizona)

48. Dallas Mavericks (via PHX): Noam Yaacov (Oostende — International)

49. Denver Nuggets (via ATL): Dillon Mitchell (St. John's)

50. Toronto Raptors: Bruce Thornton (Ohio State)

51. Washington Wizards (via MIN): Vsevolod Ishchenko (Lokomotiv Kuban — International)

52. L.A. Clippers (via CLE): Nick Boyd (Wisconsin)

53. Houston Rockets: Rafael Castro (George Washington)

54. Golden State Warriors (via LAL): Tyler Nickel (Vanderbilt)

55. New York Knicks: Ja'Kobi Gillespie (Tennessee)

56. Chicago Bulls (via DEN): Tobe Awaka (Arizona)

57. Atlanta Hawks (via BOS): Milos Uzan (Houston)

58. New Orleans Pelicans (via DET): Maliq Brown (Duke)

59. Minnesota Timberwolves (via SAS): Aaron Nkrumah (Tennessee State)

60. Washington Wizards (via OKC): Tobi Lawal (Virginia Tech)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NBA mock draft: Final projections, predictions for every pick

KJ, you need a bedroom?

As a Milwaukee-area resident, I’m very excited about the prospect of Kasparas Jakucionis joining the Bucks.

Also as a Milwaukee-area resident, I’m pretty bummed the Giannis era is officially coming to an end. But the writing had been on the wall, so here we are.

ESPN reported late Monday. night that KJ is part of the package the Heat are sending to the Bucks in return for Giannis and former Bull Bobby Portis.

It’s also being reported that the second-year guard out of Illinois was a possible hang-up in a deal happening all day. The Bucks seem pretty high on KJ, and the Heat were, too.

Good sign about his value moving forward. I think this is a really good opportunity for him to get a lot of time to grow. He’s still so young, so the future is bright.

ILL in MKE.

The No 1 overall pick will be ...

AJ Dybantsa looked like a pro among college kids in his lone season at BYU, becoming just the fifth Division I player in the last 40 years to average more than 25 points per game while shooting better than 51%. Even beyond the numbers, Dybantsa’s natural length and ability to create his own shot make him look more like a future All-Star than Kansas’s Darryn Peterson, whose load-management habits stand in stark contrast to Dybantsa’s workhorse approach. Andrew Lawrence

AJ Dybantsa. Let’s not overthink this: yes, Peterson has shown flashes of the highest ceiling, and Cameron Boozer likely has the highest floor. But it’s been clear for months now that Dybantsa, who has real superstar upside, will be going first overall. We’ve just had too long to examine the choices, and are making it more complicated than it really is. Claire de Lune

AJ Dybantsa. Washington anoint the BYU freshman the best franchise cornerstone 1A since Earl “The Pearl” Monroe. He led Division I in scoring at 25.5 points per game on 51% shooting. We are living in the greatest era of basketball talent. Consider yourself blessed. Lee Escobedo

This will be a good draft for …

The one-and-done college star. This year’s draft could see those players dominate the top 10, a major validation of the pay-for-play era in college sports. Gone are the days when elite prospects felt compelled to bypass campus altogether in order to maximize their earning potential. Thanks to NIL, they can earn millions, develop against high-level competition and arrive in the NBA better prepared than ever. AL

Faces of the franchise. In stark contrast to a draft like 2024, which contained very few blue-chip prospects, this year’s is littered with them. Beyond just the obvious of the clear top four in Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and Caleb Wilson in some order, there’s also players such as Darius Acuff Jr and Brayden Burries with tremendous upside. CDL

So-called Victor Wembanyama stoppers. This class is loaded with physical, switchable bigs. Of course, Wemby is sui generis. Don’t be duped by a dollar-store double. To stop him, smart franchises will stockpile mass and mobility to beat the Alien and win the war of the worlds. LE

Related: The end of the NBA’s American empire: how the 1986 draft changed basketball for ever

Which international player is worth keeping an eye on?

Sergio De Larrea has to intrigue more than a few NBA GMs. The Valencia guard was eligible for last year’s draft but withdrew to continue polishing his game in Spain. Scouts have long been enamored with his basketball IQ and feel in the pick-and-roll, traits that could earn him rotation minutes early in his career while he works to improve his strength and perimeter shooting. AL

Karim López, a promising Mexican prospect who played for the New Zealand Breakers this past year, isn’t one of the biggest names in this draft. While he’s a little bit of an unpolished gem, he held his own among much older and more experienced players in the National Basketball League. CDL

Jack Kayil. This 20-year-old German combo guard has done everything right and has still gone unrecognized. He led Alba Berlin to the German title as their starting point guard. Word is spreading on his talent, although it took long enough. First-round talent. LE

Which team drafted best last year?

With apologies to the Dallas Mavericks – who, some may loudly argue, never should have been in the No 1 position – I’ll go with the Hornets. Charlotte not only landed a bona fide star in Kon Knueppel to complement franchise man LaMelo Ball, but also a pair of solid two-way players in Liam McNeeley and Ryan Kalkbrenner. AL

While Cooper Flagg was a no-brainer No 1 overall pick, and Knueppel had a historically impressive rookie season, the Spurs yet again showed their drafting prowess when they took guard Dylan Harper second overall. He didn’t have the same opportunities to showcase his gifts in the regular season as others at the top of the draft, but he looked solidly like San Antonio’s most confident and composed player in the NBA finals, which, as a rookie, is absolutely unfathomable. CDL

The Knicks. The Spurs made the obvious pick with Harper. But nobody’s talking about Mohamed Diawara. He’ll be in New York’s rotation next season – OG Anunoby-lite, a strange blend of size, skill and joy. Voilà, he finally broke the Knicks’ tradition of whiffing on French bums. LE

Unheralded prospect to watch

Allen Graves isn’t a household name, largely because he played at Santa Clara. Yet there’s no question he has the size (6ft 8in, 226lbs) and lunch-pail traits – diving for loose balls, crashing the boards and scoring with his back to the basket – that will make GMs of a certain generation fall in love. In an era obsessed with versatility and upside, Graves feels like a back-to-the-future prospect. AL

I loved watching Arizona at this year’s NCAA Tournament, and Koa Peat, who isn’t projected to go until late first-round or early in the second, was a standout. He still needs to develop a jumpshot, but he has good size and solid ball-handling skills, and is a willing passer. He looked right at home in the big moments in the big dance. CDL

Karim López. The Mexican forward is built like an enforcer but dances like a wing. He averaged nearly 12 points against grown-ass men in the NBL. He scores in the paint, passes out the pocket, does it again. He doesn’t play like someone still figuring it out. Draft him! LE

The top 10 will be* ...

1) Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa, forward, BYU

2) Utah Jazz – Darryn Peterson, guard, Kansas

3) Memphis Grizzlies – Cameron Boozer, forward, Duke

4) Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson, forward, North Carolina

5) Los Angeles Clippers – Brayden Burries, guard, Arizona

6) Brooklyn Nets – Mikel Brown Jr, guard, Louisville

7) Sacramento Kings – Kingston Flemings, guard, Houston

8) Atlanta Hawks – Keaton Wagler, guard, Illinois

9) Dallas Mavericks – Darius Acuff Jr, guard, Arkansas

10) Milwaukee Bucks – Nate Ament, forward, Tennessee. AL

---

1) Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa, forward, BYU

2) Utah Jazz – Cam Boozer, forward, Duke

3) Memphis Grizzlies – Darryn Peterson, guard, Kansas

4) Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson, forward, North Carolina

5) Los Angeles Clippers – Keaton Wagler, guard, Illinois

6) Brooklyn Nets – Mikel Brown Jr, guard, Louisville

7) Sacramento Kings – Darius Acuff Jr, guard, Arkansas

8) Atlanta Hawks – Brayden Burries, guard, Arizona

9) Dallas Mavericks – Kingston Flemings, guard, Houston

10) Milwaukee Bucks – Nate Ament, forward, Tennessee. CDL

---

1) Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa, wing, BYU

2) Utah Jazz – Darryn Peterson, guard, Kansas

3) Memphis Grizzlies – Cameron Boozer, forward, Duke

4) Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson, forward, North Carolina

5) Los Angeles Clippers – Keaton Wagler, guard, Illinois

6) Brooklyn Nets – Kingston Flemings, guard, Houston

7) Sacramento Kings – Darius Acuff Jr, guard, Arkansas

8) Atlanta Hawks – Mikel Brown Jr, guard, Louisville

9) Dallas Mavericks – Aday Mara, center, Michigan

10) Milwaukee Bucks – Nate Ament, forward, Tennessee. LE

* This is what our writers think the order will be, not what they think it should be.

Whether the championship hangover has anything to do with Jose Alvarado’s taking his time to decide on his future, we don’t know for sure. What we know, according to reports emerging late Monday, is that Jose won’t make a final call on whether or not to execute his player option until Friday, June 26, instead of the initial date set for yesterday, June 22.

Alvarado can return to the Knicks without having to negotiate at all if he picks his $4.5 million player option, which will delay his unrestricted free agency until July 2027. He can opt out of it, however, and become a UFA next week, forcing the Knicks to renegotiate a deal in the open market to bring GTA back to Manhattan, while fighting against other potential external bidders.

Jake Fischer reported the development on X, adding a very interesting spin to it.

“While the reigning champion New York Knicks assess their trade options for picks No. 24 and 31 in this week’s NBA Draft, sources say reserve guard Jose Alvarado has agreed to move the decision date on his $4.5 million player option for 2026-27 from tomorrow, June 22, back to June 26.”

According to Fischer, the Knicks are discussing draft-day trades and talking with other teams about potential packages involving their No. 24 and No. 31 selections, with New York also in possession of the No. 55 pick.

Truth be told, nobody should be surprised about this report nor the possibility of the Knicks moving one—if not more—of their draft picks, following James Dolan’s second-apron comments a few days ago.

The New York Post quoted ESPN’s Bobby Marks on Tuesday as he explained New York’s cap situation, potential moves, and implications. Most importantly, the first-round pick at No. 24 comes with a pre-assigned guaranteed salary of $3.6 million. No second-round pick has a guaranteed deal set from the get-go, with teams and prospects negotiating their contracts afterward.

“I think there’s still a priority to re-sign your own free agents, even if it means exceeding the second apron.

“I think there’s two ways to look at (the No. 24 pick). There’s that way where you’re moving out of the first round and maybe you’re picking up more seconds or a future first down the road because it does give you an extra $3.6 million in flexibility.

“We’re projecting them at $13 million under the second apron including their first-round pick. So they’d get roughly another $3.6 million more in flexibility if they trade it. So that is one way to look at it. The other way to look at it is they make the pick because they say, ‘We got all these high salaries in the starting lineup. We need young players on our bench on low-salary controllable contracts to be a rotational player down the road when these players eventually get older.’ So I think there’s two ways to look at it. It wouldn’t surprise me if they did either.”

According to the NYP’s Stefan Bondy, in the same article, the Knicks are, in fact, looking to trade the pick and having talks on multiple fronts.

“Trading the pick helps financial flexibility and, according to league sources, the Knicks are exploring multiple deals. Not coincidentally, Alvarado agreed to push back the deadline for his player option from Monday until after the draft (Friday). There are a lot of unsettled money matters.”

Last year, the Phoenix Suns signed their No. 31 pick to a four-year, $8.7 million deal with an average yearly salary of $2.2 million. The No. 55 pick ended up signing a multi-year two-way deal worth $636k.

The Knicks entered the offseason with around $202 million in guaranteed salaries, including the money baked into Alvarado’s player option and Pacome Dadiet’s team option, worth nearly $3 million. The second apron starts at $221 million, which means that, right now and without assuming both Alvarado and Dadiet will return, the Knicks are at around $195 real guaranteed million and have $25 million of room to maneuver.

Following Monday’s report of Mohammed Diawara’s expected re-signing for a total of around $10.5 million, that figure shrank to, according to Yossi Gozlan, $10.8 million in space before hitting the second apron.

However, the Knicks still only have 11 players in their active roster and under contract for next season, and are bound to lose Landry Shamet ($2.3 million last season), Mitchell Robinson ($12.9), and Jordan Clarkson ($2.3) to unrestricted free agency, while Ariel Hukporti ($1.9), Trey Jemison, Dillon Jones, and Kevin McCullar are restricted free agents. Pacome Dadiet’s future in New York hinges on the Knicks picking the $3 million team option in his deal.

Well, that was interesting. Now what? Certainly the team is going to move forward with contingency plans, but before we move on, I thought I’d look at some of the immediate aftermath of the trade that never was.

I believe this is what the kids these days call “cope.” Basically it means rationalizing to make yourself feel better about something that didn’t go your way. Some situations absolutely call for that approach, so let’s get into it.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo is a big risk – specifically with injures, but also with his personality, style of play, and the upcoming contract extension that he was sure to get. If this deal had gone through, everything would revolve around him for the next several years (including his eventual decline).
• Jaylen Brown is still a Boston Celtic (at least for now) – He’s a franchise icon, Finals MVP, and just coming off his best season ever. If anything, this latest set of events should have him even more motivated to prove his worth to the world. (I’m not sure how thrilled he’s going to be after all this though. We have no way of knowing just how much communication has been going on behind the scenes with him and the Celtics. He’s a pro though, and understands that this is part of the job.)
• Hugo Gonzalez is still a Boston Celtic. I worry a little bit that he will be perceived as the “deal breaker” that the Celtics wouldn’t give up. Sometimes that hangs on a player for years to come. But the team values Hugo for good reason. He has special tools and upside that we will get to see develop for years to come.
• The cost on top of Jaylen was prohibitive. From the start I thought that Brown alone would be enough to trump the Miami offer. Clearly I was wrong. Over the last week or so I talked myself into including a pick or maybe two. The Bucks insisting on including Hugo and even more picks or players was just too high of a price.
• Those draft picks could be critical to building out a roster around some very expensive veterans. This new era of 2nd aprons requires teams to invest in developing cheap talent, and productive guys on rookie scale contracts is just the thing.
• The Heat will be formidable now, but they also have some of the same issues that the Bucks had. Just how far can Giannis, Bam, and their supporting cast get them? We’ll see if they have any more moves in them, but they are completely out of picks and that’s their core now.
• At least we’ll never have to hear about “the Miami Heat trade package” ever again.
• Back to the Celtics, as I alluded to in a prior column, we still have Brad Stevens, and I’m pretty sure he has a Plan B ready. Or rather, a spreadsheet of alternative options he’s going to systematically assess and act upon. Draft night could and should be very interesting now that the bottleneck of Giannis has been cleared up.
• And of course we have to go back to the ultimate consolation. This core group already has an NBA Championship. They achieved the goal that every team out there is striving for. That can’t be forgotten or diminished.

Call it cope if you want because that’s exactly what the situation calls for. Unless you were one of the many that was dreading this deal from the start. In which case this is a huge sigh of relief and perhaps even validation.

Regardless, the Celtics aren’t going to be a rudderless franchise with no clear path forward (as the Miami Heat might have been if they missed out – which is probably why they were desperate enough to pay the price that they did). We still have a championship core and several different paths to add to the team going forward.

We will, of course, be tracking the next logical question. What’s next? Stay tuned.

Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens took his biggest swing yet since stepping into the organization’s front office five years ago — and whiffed.

In the late hours of Monday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo officially joined the Miami Heat and ended an ongoing bidding war this offseason with Boston’s Eastern Conference foe. The Milwaukee Bucks, in return, landed a haul from South Beach that included Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, a pick swap, and a second-round selection.

Stevens and the Celtics, although described as aggressive in their pursuit of bringing the Greek Freak to Boston, fell short.

The Celtics and Heat were the two premier landing spots said to have Antetokounmpo’s commitment to sign an extension. But in the final days, as the Bucks considered bids from both franchises, Stevens and company weren’t willing to go the extra mile to provide Milwaukee a bundle that aligned with their direction in moving on from the two-time league MVP.

Here’s what Boston offered Milwaukee at the negotiating table, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania:

• Jaylen Brown
• Two unprotected first-round draft picks

The Bucks, building for the future without Giannis, wanted to dig deeper into Boston’s bench with youngsters such as Hugo González and Baylor Scheierman catching Milwaukee’s interest, Charania reported. Brown, with three years left on his current contract and extension eligible in July, wasn’t enough to sway Milwaukee’s front office or ownership after pushing Miami to the limit.

González, selected in the first round of last year’s draft, blossomed into a steal after being taken by Boston at No. 28. Scheierman, drafted 30th overall two years ago, also became a crucial depth piece after the pair inherited a minutes increase while the Celtics turned their first 62 games without Jayson Tatum into an unforeseen run at securing the No. 2 seed in the East.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla made quick work of González’s development, watching the 20-year-old from Spain flash his intense defensive potential across 74 appearances throughout his rookie year. His 14.6 minutes off Boston’s bench were enough to convince Stevens (and the Bucks) that González is poised to continue growing into an underrated asset capable of being a game-changer in the coming years.

Not being able to pry González — and possibly more — away from Boston made the difference to Milwaukee.

Bucks owner Jimmy Haslam became a “driving force” in choosing Miami’s offer instead, according to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports. Haslam, also co-owner of the Cleveland Browns, wasn’t willing to risk losing the 2024 NBA Finals MVP with no clear signs that Brown was sold on Milwaukee — especially after Myles Garrett forced his trade to the Los Angeles Rams before Giannis officially departed the Bucks.

Stevens’ run at landing Antetokounmpo indicates a real desire to upgrade Boston’s roster after a second straight playoff exit against a lower-seeded opponent. Both times, the Celtics failed to make it past the semifinals, going 9-9 at TD Garden.

Moving forward, Stevens will look elsewhere to take the next step toward revamping Boston’s roster before Opening Night in October.

It’s Draft Day Eve! With less than 24 hours left before the NBA Draft, there are more news and rumors that continue to leak out about both the potential pick for Utah, as well as with the Walker Kessler situation.

Is the Walker Kessler situation still in flux?

A few days ago, the Walker Kessler situation appeared to be in better shape after Kessler put out a post saying that he loves Utah.

It was the right move for Kessler if staying in Utah was the goal. It certainly appeared to mollify Jazz fans who were frustrated with Kessler’s refusal of Utah’s 5-year $140M offer. But it’s now been 5 days, and there’s still no deal.

On Ryen Russillo’s podcast, Sam Amick gave some insight into why that might be.

Amick mentions that one of the issues is the five years. Apparently, they want more flexibility with the contract. That could mean two things. It could mean that Kessler thinks he’ll outplay that contract. If he consistently hits an outside shot and improves in other areas, he could be right. In that case, he could likely earn even more on his next contract, and so a shorter contract makes sense. The other reason is that he would want a shorter contract to get out of his current situation sooner.

It’s not the greatest optics for Kessler right now. The Jazz’s 5-year, $140M offer has been widely considered very fair for Kessler. Maybe he is going to get a better offer on the market, but the longer this goes on, the tougher it’s going to be to hide his real intentions, whatever those are.

Another interesting point from Amick is that he mentioned all the recent Cam Boozer rumors could have been a message from the Jazz that they can get a cheaper option if they need. Whether that’s the case or not, it sends a message that Utah is willing to move on if they have to.

Finally, Amick also talked about how some players who have to go through a tanking situation tend to think they’ll be rewarded on the other side for going through with everything their team requested. It certainly seems like Utah is doing that with this offer. Kessler was asked to sit at times when he could have played, but he also has missed legitimate time with multiple injuries.

All in all, it’s easy to get frustrated if you’re hoping for a Kessler signing. The longer this goes on, the more fan frustration may start heating up again.

Darryn Peterson had a secret workout with the Jazz

This was a rumor that Bill Simmons revealed on his latest podcast right at the end.

Peterson was asked about the rumor and he confirmed he met with the Jazz. He didn’t say whether it was in Salt Lake or not, though.

Peterson also went on to say that he’d be happy to play with whoever drafts him.

These things don’t mean that he’ll be the for-sure pick for the Jazz if he is available at #2, but they are definitely things you like to hear if you’re rooting for the Jazz to draft Peterson.

The day that many Dallas Mavericks fans have waited for has finally arrived. The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft will take place Tuesday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and the Mavs will presumably get the chance to continue building around Cooper Flagg. This is the last draft pick the Mavericks will have their control over until 2031, so in all likelihood, this will be their last, best chance to add a premier young player to the roster. No pressure, right?

With all that in mind, here are a few things you should be aware of as we head into the night.

Trade winds are blowing

Well, after the news of Monday that has Dallas hiring National Champion Dusty May as their next head coach, the rumors have begun to swirl about the Mavs potentially trying to bring in one of his former players. Whether it’s center Aday Mara, or forwards Yaxel Lendeborg or Morez Johnson Jr., the conversation has gotten loud. For what it’s worth, the fine folks over at the Fanduel Sportsbook still make Arizona guard Brayden Burries (+250) a pretty sizable favorite to go ninth over the aforementioned Mara (+500), Houston’s Kingston Flemings (+700) and Illinois’ Keaton Wagler (+850).

Will a guard fall to Dallas?

If the Mavericks are at least going to get to the clock at pick nine, it is fair to wonder if one of the guards in that range simply falls to them. Whether it be Flemings, Wagler, Burries, Mikel Brown Jr. or Darius Acuff, someone or multiple someones will likely be there at nine. The question is, will Dallas like the one that falls? If so, expect them to stick and pick. If not, well, see above.

The Pick 30 of it all

But wait, there’s more! Because of the Anthony Davis trade (the second, much more liked one), Dallas also owns pick 30 of this draft. However, like seemingly every other team in that range, the Mavs are looking to make a deal to move up from there. This is likely where you’ll see any vets moved, such as Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall or PJ Washington. There are a ton of scenarios for round one in Dallas, and very few of them seem to have Dallas sticking at both nine and thirty. We’ll have our eyes peeled for movement early and often.

How to watch

You can find your draft coverage on ABC and/or ESPN, depending on which flavor of coverage you’re after. One of them will have a more NBA focused crew, while the other will have a college crew who is more familiar with the prospects. Don’t ask me why or which one I’ll be watching (it’ll be whichever one has Fran Fraschilla on it).

Also, catch our recap show on youtube tomorrow after draft! Kirk and several familiar faces from the site will be live to recap what the Mavs and the league at large has done. A fun time will be had!

The Giannis Antetokounmpo deal, after months of speculation, is done.

The Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to ship the two-time NBA MVP and 10-time All-Star and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat, in return for a group of young players and a haul of draft capital, two people with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

And while this trade has been months – if not years – in the making, now comes the breakdown over what it means for the NBA and the Eastern Conference overall.

Here are the grades for each party involved in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to the Miami Heat.

Miami Heat

The Heat and team president Pat Riley finally landed another one of their elusive whales. This was a team that had languished in the play-in picture for consecutive seasons, and it became instantly apparent that Miami would have a difficult time competing in the Eastern Conference under the previous construction of its roster.

Granted, the Heat did give up a haul of solid young players, many of them on cost-controlled rookie contracts, as well as a premium of draft capital, so this does come with some significant cost. And Miami will now need to replenish a roster that suddenly becomes rather thin on depth.

But, with this move, Miami pairs Antetokounmpo, a dominant fastbreak player and rim protecting force with Bam Adebayo, a balanced leader and versatile defender.

The Heat were never going to compete with the roster they had. Miami needs to add shooting, but it now has the defensive ability to compete with the conference’s best teams.

Grade: B+

The Milwaukee Bucks had two roads to chose from in deciding where to send future Hall of Famer Giannis Antetokounmpo, and they took the harder path.

The Boston Celtics dangled Jaylen Brown, a known star who could have kept them in the playoff race next season. The Miami Heat offered youth and picks.

The Bucks bet on the future.

That tells you a lot about where this franchise thinks it is right now. Milwaukee sent Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to Miami for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, including the No. 13 in Tuesday night's draft, a pick swap and a second-rounder. That is a total reset.

NBA BLOCKBUSTER: Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to Heat in massive deal

MIAMI IMPACT: What Giannis trade means for Heat in Eastern Conference

Now that Giannis Antetokounmpo is headed to South Beach to play for the Miami Heat in a blockbuster deal less than 24 hours before the NBA draft, the question is whether it makes them instant title contenders.

The quick answer is no. But there are many caveats to that, the biggest being Antetokounmpo's health, as he played only 36 games last season due to a variety of injuries. But when he was in the lineup, he averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists in just under 29 minutes per game.

The fact that Antetokounmpo wasn't going to sign a contract extension with Milwaukee made this trade inevitable. The 31-year-old two-time MVP will make $58 million this season, and his player option for the 2027-28 season is worth $62 million.

Because Adam Silver’s NBA is a crazy place that makes little sense, the draft is now a two-day event with the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft set for Tuesday.

Most assume this will be an all-time draft with a slew of top prospects at the top of the big board. All four of Cam Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Caleb Wilson are considered worthy of the No. 1 pick. Even after that, the draft has plenty of prospects who can come in and immediately be impactful players.

It’s a good year, then, for the Lakers to have a first round pick. After finishing with a matching record with the Knicks, LA lost a coin flip and hold the No. 25 pick.

A lot of players have been mocked to the Lakers with that pick, ranging from Jayden Quaintance more recently to a player like Henri Veesaar.

The Lakers are known to be a bit unpredictable at the draft, though, so it’s hard to project what happens. What we do know is the draft order, which is listed below.

2026 NBA Draft

First Round

1. Washington
2. Utah
3. Memphis
4. Chicago
5. LA Clippers (from Indiana)
6. Brooklyn
7. Sacramento
8. Atlanta (from New Orleans)
9. Dallas
10. Milwaukee
11. Golden State
12. Oklahoma City (from LA Clippers)
13. Milwaukee (from Miami)
14. Charlotte
15. Chicago (from Portland)
16. Memphis (from Phoenix via Orlando)
17. Oklahoma City (from Philadelphia)
18. Charlotte (from Orlando via Phoenix)
19. Toronto
20. San Antonio (from Atlanta)
21. Detroit (from Minnesota)
22. Philadelphia (from Houston via Oklahoma City)
23. Atlanta (from Cleveland)
24. New York
25. Los Angeles Lakers
26. Denver
27. Boston
28. Minnesota (from Detroit)
29. Cleveland (from San Antonio via Atlanta)
30. Dallas (from Oklahoma City via Washington and Philadelphia)

Second Round

31. New York (from Washington via Oklahoma City and Houston)
32. Memphis (from Indiana via Milwaukee)
33. Brooklyn
34. Sacramento
35. San Antonio (from Utah via Minnesota)
36. LA Clippers (from Memphis via Atlanta and Utah)
37. Oklahoma City (from Dallas)
38. Chicago (from New Orleans via Boston, Detroit, and Portland)
39. Houston (from Chicago via Washington)
40. Boston (from Milwaukee via Orlando)
41. Miami (from Golden State via Charlotte, New York, Oklahoma City, and Atlanta)
42. San Antonio (from Portland via New Orleans)
43. Brooklyn (from LA Clippers via Houston)
44. San Antonio (from Miami via Indiana)
45. Sacramento (from Charlotte via San Antonio, Atlanta, and New York)
46. Orlando
47. Phoenix (from Philadelphia via Houston and Oklahoma City)
48. Dallas (from Phoenix via Washington)
49. Denver (from Atlanta via Brooklyn and Golden State)
50. Toronto
51. Washington (from Minnesota via Detroit and New York)
52. LA Clippers (from Cleveland)
53. Houston
54. Golden State (from Los Angeles Lakers via Toronto, Miami, and Cleveland)
55. New York
56. Chicago (from Denver via Minnesota, Phoenix, Charlotte, and Phoenix)
57. Atlanta (from Boston)
58. New Orleans (from Detroit via New York, Brooklyn, Phoenix, Orlando, and LA Clippers)
59. Minnesota (from San Antonio via Indiana)
60. Washington (from Oklahoma City via San Antonio and Miami)

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

The Celtics weren’t able to land Giannis Antetokounmpo to pair with Jayson Tatum, as the Bucks’ superstar was dealt to the Heat late Monday night in exchange for a package headlined by Tyler Herro and a plethora of draft picks.

But it wasn’t for a lack of a compelling package.

Boston offered star Jaylen Brown and two first-rounders to the Bucks in an effort to land the two-time MVP and 10-time All-Star, according to ESPN.

The presence of Brown would’ve allowed Milwaukee — who won the title with Antetokounmpo in 2021 but has been sucked into years of sagas and trade scenarios since — to be more competitive in the present, but the Bucks instead opted for the return that brought “more flexibility and big-picture approach with controlled contracts and long-term competitiveness,” according to ESPN.

Brown, a five-time All-Star who helped the Celtics win the 2024 title and averaged 28.7 points last season, addressed the trade rumors earlier Monday on Twitch, saying, “To all the people that’s doubted me, that want me to do this, or want me [traded], you’re turning me into a monster,” Brown said on the stream.

For most of last season, as Tatum recovered from a torn Achilles, Brown got an opportunity to be the face of the Celtics, to be the focal point of the offense, to be the one — alone — in the spotlight instead of sharing it with another superstar.

Instead, the Celtics were the finalist that lost out on the generational talent, who now instantly turns Miami back into an Eastern Conference contender even with Tyler Herro going back to Milwaukee and the Heat coming off a 2025-26 season where they missed the playoffs altogether.

Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, the No. 13 pick in this year’s draft, a 2033 second-round pick and a pick swap in 2030 all went back to the Bucks, too, according to ESPN.

Bobby Portis was shipped to Miami alongside Antetokounmpo.

And now, with Antetokounmpo no longer an option and a major shake-up to their core no longer a realistic scenario, the Celtics will need to rely on Brown and Tatum again after a disappointing first-round exit in the postseason.