Category: NBA

It’s parade day in New York City.

The New York Knicks are celebrating something that will live forever in that city and around the fanbase — an NBA Championship.

As a fan of both the Knicks and Villanova, this was a special year for me personally. June 13th, 2026 is a day that will be remembered forever and it began in the morning on the college side.

As I sat there waiting for Game 5 of the NBA Finals in hopes of closing it out, Villanova received the news that Italian big man Luigi Suigo decided to withdraw from the NBA Draft and commit to the Wildcats. The inevitable became reality after Suigo made this decision on deadline day.

Suigo brings incredible size at 7-foot-3 and versatility as he can handle the ball on the perimeter and score from all three levels. With the combination of Kwame Evans in the frontcourt and Devin Royal at the three, Villanova now has one of the best rosters in the nation.

So, the day began with this commitment that will have Villanova in the Top 25 rankings to begin the season. We got to enjoy the news and picture the Wildcats back in the NCAA Tournament competing for a Final Four appearance.

Of course, this is something we saw three times in six years with two National Championships. Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges were freshmen in 2016 as Josh Hart led Villanova to a title. That year, the Knicks were a 32-win team looking for answers. It would only get worse in New York as win totals dropped to 31 the next year and 29 in 2018 as Villanova was celebrating another championship.

The Villanova trio would go on to enter the NBA as the Knicks remained in the cellar with 38 wins over the next two years.

In 2022, Brunson signed a four-year deal with the Knicks and this began the rise, but not right away. The signing of Brunson was criticized. New York struggled to find a point guard for years and at first, Brunson was not viewed as the savior. Over the next two years, the Knicks would make moves to acquire Hart (2023) and Bridges (2024), both who signed deals to remain in New York.

Let’s not forget about Donte DiVincenzo, who joined Brunson in New York as a free agent. He was sent to Minnesota in the deal that brought Karl-Anthony Towns to the Big Apple. DiVincenzo still has one of the most memorable shots in recent memory against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Two at Madison Square Garden.

Once the Villanova trio was brought to town with OG Anunoby and eventually Towns to complete the starting lineup, the Knicks were ready to compete for a title. Injuries took over in 2024 as the Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the conference semis before they were knocked out in the conference finals last year by the same Pacers.

As a fan of Villanova, it has been incredible to watch the trio in New York bringing the Knicks back to the top of the league. While I saw them win titles at Villanova, it was impossible to visualize the Knicks holding up the Larry O’Brien at the end of the playoffs.

It was done in an epic way. The Knicks logged the largest comeback in NBA Finals history in Game 4 after being down 29 points. Brunson would then scored 45 points in the closeout game on the road. When the clock hit zeros, the Villanova trio had won an NBA title and proved to be the ultimate winners.

It has been a surreal week celebrating the New York Knicks being NBA Champions, but I have also thought about Villanova each day. Jay Wright has also been featured in many interviews discussing how this group has been able to get it done at every level. It brought back visions of Villanova on the stage at the end of the NCAA Tournament celebrating championships. It did not take long for Kevin Willard to bring the Wildcats back to the tournament and now, he has built one of the top rosters in the nation in the transfer portal.

Saturday brought it all full circle. The day began with Suigo and it ended with three Wildcat legends becoming NBA Champions.

In evaluating Joel Embiid’s 2025-26 season, let’s refer back to his comments following the Sixers’ second-round sweep at the hands of the soon-to-be-champion New York Knicks:

“For me, this was a success. I came into this year not knowing where I was gonna be, how long I was gonna play, if I was even gonna play based on how the knee was the last few years. I came in just hoping for the best.

“And I feel like we’re in a position where we figured out the knee. It hasn’t been an issue. If it wasn’t for the oblique or some of the other stuff I had, it would have been different as would have how many games I would have played.”

Under that lens, Embiid’s season was an unqualified success. Following yet another surgery last year, Joel was clearly uncertain whether the knee would allow him to keep playing going forward, particularly at the level he expected for himself. However, after a slow start to the season, he appeared in 14 January games, averaging 29.7 points and 8.4 rebounds, and shooting 53.7 percent from the field. Embiid twice played 40 or more minutes in a game during the month. He wasn’t back to his previous MVP form, particularly with less mobility and spring on the defensive end, but this version of Embiid was still an All-Star-caliber player.

Of course, Joel would then go on to miss significant time with an oblique injury, have ankle and hip issues, and have the start of his postseason impacted by emergency appendicitis surgery. Add it all up and he only appeared in 38 regular season games and seven of Philadelphia’s 11 postseason contests. Those figures speak to the predicament the Sixers find themselves in with regard to Joel. Embiid is set to make close to $58 million next season, with escalating values across the subsequent two years. You need someone soaking up that percentage of your cap to be the unquestioned cornerstone of the team. But this version of Embiid is more of a seasonal decoration you bring out for a month or two and then place back into storage.

Embiid is automatically missing a dozen or so games per season by sitting out back-to-backs. Even under a best-case scenario, he’s going to also miss a handful of games here and there and you’re looking at a ceiling of 60 games played. Sixers fans would be doing backflips if that were the case and you’re talking about a starter missing a quarter of the season. You can’t allocate major resources to the backup center position when Joel is making that much money, and the team overall is going to have trouble adopting a continuity of play style with Embiid in and out of the lineup. It’s a problem.

Still, I don’t know exactly what route Mike Gansey and the new front office can take. You’re not getting positive value for Joel in a trade, and any smaller salary dump contracts the team would receive in return would almost certainly lower the team’s ceiling vs. having him around. Hopefully, that stretch from late December to early February can provide the blueprint moving forward. You play it smart with him during the regular season, hoping to have him available for something like 60-70 percent of the year, then have him round into form as the playoffs approach and hope one of his internal organs doesn’t unexpectedly rupture.

As the Sixers prepare for the future and build around the backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, I believe Embiid can still be a positive part of the team’s present. Hopefully, last season represents more of a positive step towards a new normal for the big man, and not as much a last glimpse of a tremendous career.

The 2025-26 Knicks championship run, aside from being euphoric, historically impressive and unifying, was validating. It validated Leon Rose, who built a team like a family and made good moves to reach this pinnacle.

It validated Mike Brown and Karl-Anthony Towns, two talents who could never get over the hump. But maybe more than anybody, it validated Jalen Brunson, an all-time great playoff performer who was a championship shy of pantheon status.

Now he’s got it, and despite the best efforts of the naysayers and rewriters of history, he’s ascended from gutsy underdog to legend. It’s time we talk about him that way.

First, a refresher on his resume to this point. After his first regular season as full-time starting point guard in 2022-23, he led the Knicks to the second round by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games, ultimately losing to the Finals-bound Miami Heat in six.

He averaged 27.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on 47.4 percent shooting from the field. In a desperate stand against the Heat, he put up 32 points and 11 assists, 38 points and 41 points in consecutive closeout games, playing at least 45 minutes in each.

Turns out that was only a preview of how dominant Brunson could be in carrying a team despite the defensive gameplan being focused on him. He’d average 28.7 points and 6.7 assists the following season, losing his co-star, Julius Randle, halfway through, and finishing top five in MVP voting. 

With little but high-skilled role players and the power of friendship, he clawed the Knicks past the Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey-led Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 41.8 points and 10.3 assists on 54.7 percent shooting from two and 35.3 percent from three over the last four games of the series. He opened Round Two with another 43-point outburst, becoming the first player since Michael Jordan to record four straight 40-point games in the postseason, joining only Bernard King,Jerry West and him.

Injuries and wear-down would nix that run, but Brunson came back prepared last season, averaging 26 points and 7.3 assists (a career high) and winning Clutch Player of the Year thanks to his countless fourth quarter takeovers. He’d carry that over into the playoffs, averaging 29.4 points and seven assists on 51.4 percent shooting from two and 35.8 percent from three.

Brunson led his Knicks to two wins shy of an NBA Finals berth, icing the Pistons on a game-winning step-back three and pulling off a major upset of the defending champion Boston Celtics. 

Of course, this year he followed up a relatively muted regular season with the playoff run of his life. He averaged 28.4 points and 6.1 assists on 51 percent shooting from two and 36.3 percent from three, numbers burdened by multiple blowouts wins that saw him sit for entire fourth quarters.

After a Towns-centric first round, Brunson led the Knicks past Philadelphia and Cleveland in dominant fashion, and took control of the NBA Finals against the frisky Spurs. He put up 32.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in the championship round, clutching Games 1 and 2, leading a 29-point comeback in Game 4, and dropping a masterclass 45 points in the Game 5 clincher, all while being the center of attention against the league’s top defense.

In this four-year span, Brunson’s scored 300 more playoff points than any other NBA player and became the second-fastest point guard in history to 2,000 postseason points after Stephen Curry. He became one of six players to notch 26 points per game and 50 playoff wins before the age of 30, joining Curry, Jordan, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Shaquille O’Neal.

He’s tied for the most postseason wins over the last four seasons. His 45 points to win the Finals tied Jordan for an NBA road clincher record, and his 10.3 points in fourth quarters was the highest since Jordan in 1997.

Much of this was invalidated by the critique the Knicks couldn’t win a championship this way, or with a player of Brunson’s stature at the lead. Those critics were wrong, and while many will double down or move goalposts, the evidence speaks for itself at this point.

Brunson isn’t just a heartwarming second-round come-up story, he isn’t just the Knicks’ savior or an All-Star tier player. He is one of the greatest guards this game has ever seen, and the time for such discussion is over.

Hopefully a lot of people and teams around the league are asking themselves what they can learn and take from the success of the New York Knicks after their dominant playoff run and Championship title win this year. 

Because what the Knicks did on the court – and off – through the last few years has been so consistent, so insisting on trusting the process and players, and so team-oriented that it is bound to warm the hearts of basketball fans all over the world. 

It turns out that team basketball is back. As a European, I feel a personal sense of joy and pride, and perhaps something you could call excitement for what’s to come. Whether you come from the continent of team-oriented basketball like me or not, the direction which basketball seems to be headed with the Knicks blazing the trail, should excite each and every one of us. 

Team basketball has never really been the strongpoint of the NBA, but once in a while a team comes along, whose players and leadership all understand the upside, strength and value of this kind of approach. To the benefit and collective gain of us all. 

Sure, Jalen Brunson often plays a heliocentric type of basketball, and sure there’s some iso’ing especially in big moments, but I’d argue that that is a needed aspect of basketball at the highest level. All in all, in how they built the team, in their star playing not being a superstar – when he arrived, anyway – and their insistence on the value of cohesion, it’s more team basketball oriented consistently than most teams in the recent past. 

Here’s why. 

When the Villanova brothers Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart were reunited in New York, a culture of trust was reestablished. A culture that seems to push away the ego, instead highlighting the importance of every single player and what they do for the team emerged. 

A culture of winning taught at Villanova no doubt. And as the three amigos had gone through winning a Championship together in college they knew what it took. They knew how to set the tone, and they knew how everyone matters in getting there. 

Not everyone who enters the NBA or plays basketball at the highest level understands this. It’s a common misunderstanding that just because you’re a great basketball player, you also know what it takes to win. Most players, even the best in the world, have not been in a situation where they had to lead a team to win. 

The Villanova brothers are not the best basketball players in the league. The Knicks are not the best team, talent-wise and on paper. But what this Knicks team proved to everyone watching is that it takes more than that to win. 

From Jalen Brunson taking a huge pay cut, to the team and leadership understanding and appreciating what Josh Hart does to secure a win outside the stat sheet, and how much connection and cohesion matters when creating a winning team. 

What team basketball teaches and reminds us is that no one can win alone. We all have a role in the success of this thing that is bigger than us, and playing together is better and more efficient than taking on a challenge alone. Playing for something bigger than yourself is more powerful than playing just for yourself. 

No, when you play for others, meaning arrives – and that’s where things start to become interesting. If we ever needed a reminder of that, it’s right now in today’s world. 

The New York Knicks remind us of what is good and meaningful about basketball, about being a fan, about belonging somewhere and being part of something bigger. 

Often, teams try to make a star player fit into a roster. They assume they can move people around and they will just play the same anywhere they go and with whomever they play. 

But once again we see evidence that human beings don’t work like that. A multitude of things affect if they are able to play up to their best. The personnel around them. The coaching approach and chemistry. The trust and energy of the whole franchise. 

The Knicks got Brunson what he needed to succeed. They took their time and trusted the players and the process. And that all paid off. 

Brunson was never a superstar like others in his generation. Still, he managed to lead his team to an incredibly dominant NBA Championship, because he had the right people around him. Imagine if other stars had that same kind of advantage. 

It’s about people. Hopefully, Dallas will take notes on how to develop and build the Mavs around their young superstar in a similar way. 

Find more Beyond Basketball pieces here.

The 2026 NBA Draft is on the horizon, bringing one of the most significant dates on the league’s calendar. 

Childhood dreams of making it to the NBA will be achieved. 

Teams will turn draft assets into tangible players who they hope will contribute to winning in the short- and long-term future.

And in the background, teams will continue to explore the options that’ll help them achieve their goals for 2026-27. 

For the Lakers, who have a first-round pick in the draft (No. 25), the opportunity the draft presents as it pertains to roster building can’t be whiffed on. 

In their pursuit of assembling a roster that’ll be competitive against the 2026 Western Conference champion Spurs and 2025 NBA champion Thunder, the Lakers have two main options for their first-round pick: trade it for a player who’s ready to compete for a title now alongside Luka Doncic or select a prospect whom they plan to develop and hope will help now and in the future. 

If the Lakers choose the latter, there isn’t a shortage of options.

Toward the top of that list should be UConn big man Tarris Reed Jr., who could contribute to winning from Day 1. 

Tarris Reed Jr., UConn big

2025-26 stats (UConn): 14.7 points (60.7% shooting), 9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2 blocks, 27.3 minutes in 35 games

2024-25 stats (UConn): 9.6 points (67% shooting), 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 19.9 minutes in 35 games

2023-24 stats (Michigan): 9 points (51.9% shooting), 7.2 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 26.6 minutes in 32 games

2022-23 stats (Michigan): 3.4 points (51.7% shooting), 3.9 rebounds, 12.6 minutes in 34 games

Measurements: 6-foot-9 ¾ (without shoes), 263 pounds, 7-foot-4 ¼ wingspan, 9-foot-2 standing reach  

Why draft Tarris Reed Jr.?

Reed is one of the most physically imposing prospects in this year’s draft. 

He weighed in as the second-heaviest player at the combine last month, and he used the combination of his strength, length and coordination to be one of the more dominant players in the paint in men’s college basketball. 

Reed was an uber-efficient scorer inside of the 3-point arc in college. He shot 63.5% on 2s in his two seasons with the Huskies and led the Big East in field-goal percentage (60.7%) in 2025-26 after shooting 67% from the field in 2024-25. 

He has great touch around the rim with both hands and is a skilled post player with a variety of finishes near the basket. As a more experienced prospect (136 college games played), Reed knows how to use his body to create good shots for himself by overpowering and moving through defenders. 

Reed used those physical advantages to dominate the glass, averaging 5.8 defensive rebounds and 3.2 offensive rebounds per game in 2025-26. And he took advantage of those extra scoring opportunities by powering through defenses with putbacks. 

He’s a strong screener who can play out of the short roll, finishing around defenders or spraying the ball out with simple passes after reading the defense.

Defensively, Reed’s strengths start with protecting the rim. He averaged at least 1.4 blocks in his last three college seasons. 

He may not be the most traditionally athletic player, but Reed is a polished big man who should be able to contribute to an NBA team from Day 1 as a backup or third big man in the rotation for a good team. 

Reed doesn’t need touches offensively to make an impact and should be at least solid in a lot of areas. 

Areas of improvement?

Reed didn’t show to be much of a scoring threat outside of the paint, and his low free-throw percentage throughout college (58.2%) suggests that won’t change. 

While he’s a switchable defender, he didn’t show to be an elite athlete by NBA standards in college, which could limit his effectiveness when guarding guards or even quicker forwards. 

Reed can also improve with finishing at the rim when he can’t power through his defender. 

The Warriors possess the No. 11 pick in this month’s NBA draft.

Who they pick with their highest selection since 2021 could hold the cards to not only the final years of Steph Curry’s career but also the future direction of the franchise.

This week, we are profiling five possible prospects GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. could target.

Continuing with Part 2:

Brayden Burries

Age: 20

Position: Guard

Height/weight: 6-foot-4 / 215 pounds

School: Arizona

Why he’s a fit

Without Jimmy Butler or Moses Moody to begin the season, the Warriors need playmakers and point-of-attack defenders who can step in and contribute right away.

Enter Burries, who starred on both sides of the ball as a freshman — the oldest in the class, for what it’s worth — while leading Arizona to the Final Four. The sturdily built combo guard was the Wildcats’ leading scorer at 16.1 points per game and took on their top on-ball matchups.

Steve Kerr and a contingent of Warriors brass traveled to San Jose to watch Arizona in the Sweet 16. Golden State has dipped into Kerr’s alma mater in the draft just once before — second-round guard Nico Mannion in 2019 — so maybe the second time’s the charm.

After one of their NCAA Tournament wins, Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd gave a description of Burries that would be fitting for another unassuming guard around these parts.

“He’s a laid-back, kind-of-unassuming guy, but he has a killer in him,” Lloyd said. “And that’s a beautiful attribute. There’s nothing wrong with being a great human being off the court and being a killer on the court. And he definitely has that combination.”

Why he’ll last until No. 11

Burries won’t look out of place on an NBA court, already weighing more than plenty of his future peers. That said, at 6-4 with only a plus-two wingspan, he will be at a slight disadvantage against most other shooting guards and lacks the speed of a smaller guard.

However, he makes up for it with instincts and athleticism.

His 38.5-inch max vertical leap ranked 18th among all prospects at the combine, and he jumped higher in the standing leap than all but three other guards.

Burries’ underwhelming 2.4 assists per game and inconsistent ball handling have also led evaluators to question whether he can be a primary creator in the NBA.

NBA comp: Derrick White

Burries’ relentless motor and ability to defend the perimeter should make him instantly playable for any NBA coach, even Kerr. Offensively, Burries showed that he can score at all three levels, with efficient 49/39/81 shooting splits as a freshman.

ICYMI

Yaxel Lendeborg could be steal of NBA draft

Five days until the NBA Draft, which means it’s time to continue our countdown of the best players selected at every draft position in NBA history. Why? Because I wanted to know, I wanted to do the thought exercise…and it sure was an exercise. But along the way, I learned some things I did not know, and am here to report back what I have found.

Recapping yesterday, here is where we currently sit for the players drafted 60 through 51:

Today, we move to the middle of the second round, examining picks 41 through 50. In today’s NBA, this area of the draft is often viewed as a place to find developmental prospects, stash players on two-way contracts, or take low-risk swings on upside. Yet there’s still value to be found here. As I worked through the history of these draft slots, one thing became clear. That wasn’t always the case.

For much of NBA history, players selected in this range often never made an NBA roster. Once upon a time, the draft stretched far beyond two rounds, and there simply weren’t enough roster spots available for everyone selected. The league was different then. There was no G League to absorb developmental talent. There wasn’t a structured pipeline for player growth. Teams drafted prospects and hoped things worked out, but many players either never received an opportunity or chose to continue their careers overseas.

That’s no longer the reality. The modern NBA has created far more avenues for player development, and as you’ll see throughout this list, there are still plenty of hidden gems to be found in the middle of the second round. In fact, one of the players we’ll discuss is, in my opinion, the most impactful second-round pick in NBA history.

So let’s get into it. Picks 50 through 41, and the best player selected at each spot in NBA Draft history.

50. Steve Kerr (1988)

Honorable Mentions:

• Larry Kenon (1973)
• Georges Niang (2016)

Suns Taken at 50:

• Steve Kerr (1988)
• Milos Babic (1990)*
• Joey Wright (1991)
• Charles Claxton (1994)
• Alton Ford (2001)
• Alec Brown (2014)

*traded to Cleveland for Stefano Rusconi

There aren’t a ton of names drafted 50th overall who truly move the needle, which made this one unbelievably easy. The greatest player ever selected at No. 50 is former Sun player and GM Steve Kerr.

Coming out of the University of Arizona, Kerr was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 1988. His rookie season in Phoenix was modest, as he averaged 2.1 points per game while trying to find his footing in the NBA. The Suns ultimately traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1989 for a second-round pick.

From there, Kerr bounced around the league for a few years as a role player, steadily carving out a niche for himself. Then came 1993 and a move that changed everything. Kerr joined the Chicago Bulls. What followed was one of the most successful runs any role player has ever experienced.

Over the next four seasons, Kerr played all 82 games each year for Chicago. He didn’t start a single game during that stretch, but his impact was undeniable. While he wasn’t a high-volume three-point shooter by modern standards, he was one of the most efficient shooters the league had ever seen. In 1994-95, Kerr led the NBA in three-point percentage, knocking down an absurd 52.4% of his attempts from beyond the arc.

He won three championships with the Bulls before the franchise dismantled its dynasty in 1999. Kerr then landed with the San Antonio Spurs, where the winning continued. He captured two more championships in San Antonio, bringing his total to five as a player.

When it was all said and done, Kerr played 15 seasons in the NBA, won five championships, and retired as the most accurate three-point shooter in league history. His career mark of 45.4% from beyond the arc remains one of the greatest shooting accomplishments the game has ever seen.

49. Eddie Johnson (1977)

Honorable Mentions:

• James Jones (2003)
• Haywoode Workman (1989)

Suns Taken at 49:

• Rich Jones (1968)*
• Earl Williams (1974)
• Ron Ellis (1992)
• Mark Buford (1993)

*opted to go to the ABA

Former Suns player and executive James Jones was drafted 49th overall, but he isn’t the best player ever selected at that spot. That honor belongs to Eddie Johnson. And no, not the Eddie Johnson Suns fans know and love as the longtime Phoenix Suns broadcaster, who was drafted four years later. We’re talking about Edward Lee Johnson Jr., better known as ‘Fast Eddie’.

The 6’2″ shooting guard out of Auburn was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in 1977 and quickly established himself as a productive two-way player. Johnson spent the majority of his career with Atlanta, becoming one of the better guards in the Eastern Conference during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

His accomplishments speak for themselves. Johnson earned All-Star selections in both 1980 and 1981 while also receiving All-Defensive Team honors in 1979 and 1980. Over the course of a 10-year NBA career, he averaged 15.1 points per game and developed a reputation as a player who could impact the game on both ends of the floor.

There’s also a Suns connection. Johnson was the older brother of Frank Johnson, who spent parts of seven seasons with Phoenix and later served as the team’s head coach from 2002 through 2004.

On the court, Eddie Johnson’s résumé makes him a clear choice as the best player ever selected 49th overall. Unfortunately, that’s not the entire story. His life after basketball became defined by legal troubles and controversy. Over the years, Johnson was arrested and convicted on numerous charges, including burglary, battery, robbery, drug possession, assault on a police officer, and resisting arrest. It’s an unfortunate chapter that forever impacts how his career is remembered.

When evaluating the 49th pick, the basketball accomplishments are undeniable. The career that followed, however, complicates the legacy of the most accomplished player ever selected in that draft slot.

48. Marc Gasol (2007)

Honorable Mentions:

• Cedric Ceballos (1990)
• Craig Ehlo (1983)

Suns Taken at 48:

• Vann Williford (1970)*
• Dennis “Mo” Layton (1971)
• Cedric Ceballos (1990)
• Brian Davis (1992)
• Malik Hairston (2008)**
• Taylor Griffin (2009)

*opted to go to the ABA
**traded to San Antonio for Goran Dragic

Oooo, I wanted to go with Ceddy in this spot. But as I looked down the list and started comparing career accolades, it’s clear that one guy stood above the rest. Easily. Your older brother is a dominant big man, yet despite standing 6’11”, you still find yourself selected in the second round, 48th overall. That was the story of Marc Gasol.

The Lakers drafted him in 2007, but the then 23-year-old opted to remain in Spain for another season with CB Girona. It turned out to be a wise decision. Gasol won MVP honors in the Spanish League, further cementing himself as one of the best players outside of the NBA.

Then everything changed. The Lakers traded his rights to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the deal that brought his older brother, Pau Gasol, to Los Angeles. It’s one of those rare trades that worked out beautifully for both organizations. The move helped open the door for multiple championships in Los Angeles. It also opened the door for a long and prosperous career in Memphis.

Gasol finished eighth in Rookie of the Year voting and quickly established himself as one of the league’s most skilled centers. By his fourth season, he had earned the first of what would become three All-Star appearances with the Grizzlies. His breakthrough came in 2012-13. That season, Gasol was named Defensive Player of the Year while also earning All-NBA Second Team and All-Defensive Team honors. Two years later, he elevated his game even further, landing on the All-NBA First Team in 2014-15.

As the years passed, Gasol became one of the defining players of the Grizzlies’ Grit and Grind era, serving as the anchor of one of the toughest teams in basketball. Eventually, Memphis traded him to the Toronto Raptors in 2019 in a deal that included Jonas Valanciunas, C.J. Miles, and Delon Wright. The move paid immediate dividends. Gasol helped Toronto capture its first NBA championship, adding a title to an already impressive résumé.

For the 48th overall pick, it’s hard to ask for much more. Gasol was a three-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA selection, a Defensive Player of the Year, an All-Defensive Team member, and an NBA champion. The pedigree was always there. He simply needed the opportunity to prove it.

47. Paul Millsap (2006)

Honorable Mentions:

• Mo Williams (2003)
• Gerald Wilkins (1985)
• Alvin Williams (1997)

Suns Taken at 47:

• 2026 will be the Suns first ever pick at No. 47

Paul Millsap is one of those players who always seemed to be around, providing a physical presence and steady production no matter where he played. He’s also one of those players who, in my opinion, benefited from the explosion in NBA salaries that came with the new television rights deals. When he landed his massive contract in 2017, he was getting paid as much for what he had already accomplished as for what he was expected to do moving forward.

And what he accomplished prior to that payday was impressive.

Millsap was a four-time All-Star, a member of the 2007 All-Rookie Team, and an All-Defensive Team selection in 2016. Over the course of a 16-year career, he played for five different organizations and established himself as one of the most dependable power forwards of his era.

His best years came after signing with the Atlanta Hawks as a free agent in 2013. Over the next four seasons, Millsap earned four consecutive All-Star appearances while serving as one of the foundational pieces of a Hawks team that consistently won games and challenged the top teams in the Eastern Conference. During that stretch, he averaged 17.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. He impacted every area of the floor. He could score. He could defend. He could rebound. He could create turnovers.

Simply put, he was a problem. Opposing teams had to account for him every night because he affected the game in so many different ways.

When his career finally came to an end, Millsap had played 16 NBA seasons, scored more than 14,000 points, and grabbed over 7,600 rebounds. Those are remarkable numbers for a player selected 47th overall. For someone drafted this late, Millsap wasn’t merely a success story. He became a star.

46. Jeff Hornacek (1986)

Honorable Mentions:

• Jerome Kersey (1984)
• Danny Green (2009)
• Norman Powell (2015)
• James Edwards (1977)

Suns Taken at 46:

• Jeff Hornacek (1986)
• Bruce Dalrymple (1987)
• Ricky Blanton (1989)
• Richard Dumas (1991)
• Gani Lawal (2010)

The 46th overall pick has produced some pretty impressive players over the years. For the Phoenix Suns, it was the draft slot that yielded both Jeff Hornacek and Richard Dumas. You could certainly make the argument that Jerome Kersey is the correct answer here. He won a championship in 1999 and enjoyed an outstanding NBA career. But not for me. I’m going with Jeff Hornacek.

Part of that is admittedly personal. Hornacek is one of the first players I remember watching as a kid when I became a Suns fan. He wasn’t flashy. He wasn’t overwhelmingly athletic. He was simply efficient. Everything he did looked under control.

Hornacek was built in the mold of the old school shooting guard, before the three-point revolution changed the sport. He could shoot it, facilitate, and make smart decisions. During his six seasons with Phoenix, he became one of the most reliable players on the roster, earning an All-Star appearance in 1992 after averaging 20.1 points per game.

That’s a pretty strong résumé for the 46th pick. He’s also one of those players who reminds me a little bit of Mikal Bridges. Not because they played the same way, but because they represent the type of player fans become attached to. The type of player you hate to lose, even when the return is a superstar. The Suns ultimately traded Hornacek to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the deal that brought Charles Barkley to Phoenix. It was absolutely the right basketball move, but that didn’t make it any easier to say goodbye.

Hornacek would later continue his success with the Utah Jazz, helping the franchise reach the NBA Finals in both 1997 and 1998 alongside Karl Malone and John Stockton. When it was all said and done, Hornacek played 14 seasons in the NBA, averaging 14.5 points and 4.9 assists per game. He shot 40.3% from beyond the arc for his career, an impressive mark considering he averaged fewer than two three-point attempts per game during an era when teams simply didn’t prioritize that shot.

For the Suns, he was a fantastic selection out of Iowa State in the 1986 NBA Draft. And for me, he’s the best player ever selected 46th overall.

45. Bob Dandridge (1969)

Honorable Mentions:

• Antonio Davis (1990)
• Lou Williams (2005)
• Goran Dragic (2008)
• Hot Rod Williams (1985)

Suns Taken at 45:

• Ira Terrell (1976)
• Paul Williams (1983)

A couple of players who made an impact in Phoenix were drafted 45th overall, including Goran Dragic and Hot Rod Williams. But this one isn’t particularly difficult. The answer is Bob Dandridge.

The Milwaukee Bucks had themselves quite a draft in 1969. With the first overall pick, they selected Lew Alcindor out of UCLA. Then, when the fourth round arrived, they used the second pick of that round, 45th overall, to select Bob Dandridge out of Norfolk State. Not bad. Dandridge had also been selected by the Kentucky Colonels in the ABA Draft, but he chose the NBA and the Bucks. It proved to be a pretty smart decision for everyone involved.

What Milwaukee received was a player who became one of the foundational pieces of the franchise for more than a decade.

When people think about the Bucks’ 1971 championship team, they naturally remember Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Those are the names that dominate the conversation. But Dandridge was a massive contributor to that title run as well. In the NBA Finals against the Baltimore Bullets, he averaged 20.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, helping Milwaukee capture the championship.

Years later, he would find himself on the other side of the equation. After joining the Washington Bullets, Dandridge played a key role on the 1978 championship team that defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in seven games. He finished second on the team in scoring during that playoff run, averaging 20.4 points and 7.0 rebounds. To this day, it remains the only championship in franchise history for Washington.

Dandridge spent 13 seasons in the NBA and put together a résumé that is remarkably strong for a player selected 45th overall. He averaged 18.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game during his career. The 6’6″ forward earned four All-Star selections, an All-NBA nod in 1979, and First Team All-Defensive honors that same season.

The final piece of recognition came in 2021, when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. For a fourth-round pick, that’s an incredible legacy. And when you’re discussing the greatest player ever selected 45th overall, Bob Dandridge stands in a class of his own.

44. Malik Rose (1996)

Honorable Mentions:

• Mike Muscala (2013)
• Brian Cardinal (2000)

Suns Taken at 44:

• Dennis Stewart (1969)
• Greg McDivitt (1970)
• Andrew Harrison (2015)*

*traded to Memphis for Jon Leuer

We go from a draft slot that produced a Hall of Famer to one that doesn’t offer a particularly impressive list of candidates. The best player ever selected 44th overall is Malik Rose. And while that might not jump off the page, Rose carved out a long and productive NBA career for himself.

Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 before being dealt to the San Antonio Spurs, Rose became one of those players every good team needs. He wasn’t a star. He wasn’t someone you built a franchise around. But he understood his role and played it well. That’s why he lasted 13 years in the NBA.

The majority of his career was spent in San Antonio, where he played eight seasons and became part of one of the most successful organizations of the era. Along the way, he helped the Spurs capture championships in both 1999 and 2003. Those title teams were built around Tim Duncan, David Robinson, and eventually Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. But Rose was one of the role players who helped make everything work.

His best individual seasons came in the early 2000s when he established himself as one of the better reserve big men in basketball. He finished fourth in Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2002 and sixth in 2003, recognition that reflected the impact he was providing off the bench.

When his career came to a close, Rose had appeared in more than 800 NBA games while averaging 6.2 points and 4.1 rebounds. Those numbers won’t overwhelm anybody. But when you’re evaluating the 44th overall pick, longevity matters. Championships matter. Finding a player who can contribute to winning basketball for more than a decade matters. Malik Rose did all of those things.

43. Michael Redd (2000)

Honorable Mentions:

• Trevor Ariza (2004)
• Eric Snow (1995)
• Isaiah Hartenstein (2017)

Suns Taken at 43:

• Steve Mitchell (1973)
• Ben Davis (1996)

Hey, another guy who spent some time in Phoenix.

Michael Redd was selected 43rd overall in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, and they got themselves a hell of a player. Redd was a sniper. Over the course of his career, he shot 38.0% from beyond the arc on 4.4 attempts per game, a number that would be even more impressive if he played in today’s NBA. At his peak, he was one of the league’s most dangerous scorers, earning an All-Star selection and an All-NBA Third Team nod in 2004.

What I remember most about Redd is how quickly he could fill up the stat sheet. He was one of those players you feared when your team was playing Milwaukee because he could explode at any moment. In November 2006, he dropped 57 points on the Utah Jazz. Later that same season, he hung 52 on the Chicago Bulls. When he got hot, there wasn’t much you could do about it.

For most of his career, Redd was the face of the Bucks franchise. He spent 11 seasons in Milwaukee and developed into one of the most prolific scorers of the 2000s. Unfortunately, injuries changed everything. In 2009, Redd tore both his ACL and MCL. He worked his way back and returned the following season, only to suffer another ACL and MCL tear in 2010. At that point, the injuries had taken a significant toll on both his athleticism and availability. That’s what ultimately derailed a career that looked destined for even greater heights.

By the time he arrived in Phoenix for the final season of his career in 2011-12, he was 32 years old and no longer the player he had once been. He still averaged 8.2 points per game for the Suns, but shot only 31.8% from three, a far cry from the elite shooter who had terrorized defenses throughout his prime.

42. Stephen Jackson (1997)

Honorable Mentions:

• Zaza Pachulia (2003)
• Patrick Beverley (2009)
• Davis Bertans (2011)

Suns Taken at 42:

• Claude Terry (1972)*
• Joe Reaves (1973)
• Kimberly Belton (1980)
• Stephen Jackson (1997)**

*opted to go to the ABA
**waived before the start of the 1997 season

The 42nd overall pick is a draft slot seemingly defined by agitators. You have Zaza Pachulia, whose closeout on Kawhi Leonard became so infamous that it helped accelerate the league’s emphasis on protecting a shooter’s landing space. You have Patrick Beverley, who built an entire career around getting under opponents’ skin. And then there’s Stephen Jackson, who quite literally went into the stands during the Malice at the Palace and started fighting fans. So yes, this draft slot has a type.

Jackson’s story is an interesting one because even his draft position comes with a little controversy. Basketball Reference lists him as the 43rd overall pick, while NBA.com and Wikipedia list him as the 42nd overall selection. So for the purposes of this exercise, I’m putting him at No. 42.

Jackson was originally drafted by the Phoenix Suns, who promptly waived him. He then played internationally before returning to the NBA with the New Jersey Nets in 2000.

From there, he steadily developed into a productive player. At his peak, Jackson could do a little bit of everything. His best statistical season came in 2008-09 when he averaged 20.7 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game. He was a versatile wing who could score, facilitate, defend, and provide a level of toughness every team covets.

Of course, no discussion of Jackson’s career is complete without mentioning the Malice at the Palace.

The 2004-05 Indiana Pacers looked like one of the best teams in basketball and appeared capable of making a serious championship run. Instead, the infamous brawl in Detroit changed everything. Jackson was suspended for 30 games for his role in the incident and placed on probation for a year. The event became one of the defining moments of his career. But it didn’t define his entire career.

Jackson continued playing at a high level for years afterward, ultimately spending 14 seasons in the NBA with eight different franchises. Along the way, he won a championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003 and established himself as one of the league’s toughest players. That’s probably why the Spurs loved him. He was physical. He was fearless. He was confrontational. He embraced the dirty work and never backed down from anybody.

Honestly, when you think about it, Stephen Jackson was the perfect Spur, wasn’t he?

41. Nikola Jokic (2014)

Honorable Mentions:

• Cuttino Mobley (1998)
• TR Dunn (1977)
• Jarred Vanderbilt (2018)

Suns Taken at 41:

• Phoenix has technically never drafted from this position, although Koby Brea was selected in 2025 via Golden State

We close out today with not only the best player ever drafted 41st overall, but quite possibly the greatest second-round pick in NBA history. And his career isn’t even over yet.

Nikola Jokic has already redefined what a second-round selection can become. In many ways, he’s shattered every expectation that comes with hearing a player’s name called after the first round has ended. Only two second-round picks have ever won the NBA MVP award. One is Willis Reed. The other is Nikola Jokic. The difference is that Jokic has done it three times.

Only four second-round picks have ever won Finals MVP. Willis Reed did it twice. Dennis Johnson did it once. Jalen Brunson added his name to the list this season with the New York Knicks. And then there’s Jokic, who earned Finals MVP honors in 2023 while leading the Denver Nuggets to their first championship in franchise history.

That’s merely scratching the surface of what he’s accomplished. This past season, Jokic led the NBA in total rebounds and total assists, a statistical feat that feels almost impossible for a center. He’s an eight-time All-Star, an eight-time All-NBA selection, a three-time MVP, an NBA champion, and a Finals MVP. And he’s only 31 years old.

What’s remarkable is that we’re still adding chapters to his story. He has played only 11 seasons in the NBA, yet he’s already forced his way into conversations about the greatest centers ever, the greatest international players ever, and eventually, perhaps, the greatest players ever. Who knows where he’ll ultimately land on those all-time lists?

What we do know is this. There has never been a better player selected 41st overall. And there may never be a better player drafted in the second round.

Some pretty impressive names in there, aren’t there? It’s a reminder that no draft pick should ever be viewed as a throwaway pick. Sure, second round selections don’t typically carry the same expectations as lottery picks or first rounders. The odds of finding a star are significantly lower. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t value to be found.

This exercise has shown that organizations can still uncover meaningful contributors in the second round. Rotational players, starters, and in rare cases, even stars. The key is having the infrastructure to support them once they arrive. You need player development. You need patience. You need a system that gives those players an opportunity to grow and succeed. When those pieces are in place, the draft slot matters a little less. 

Talent can emerge from anywhere. And as we’ve seen throughout this portion of the countdown, there are plenty of examples of players who far exceeded the expectations attached to their draft position.

Tomorrow, we continue the journey and wrap up the second round as we explore the best players ever selected from picks 40 through 31.

The 2026 NBA season has officially ended and the New York Knicks were crowned the 2026 NBA Champions. After Game 5, Victor Wembanyama stated, “Our domination stints are absolute. We absolutely dominated for most of the series. But our errors, our mistakes, are punished so hard that we can’t have ups and downs like this.”

Wemby took some flack on social media for the comment. But mathematically speaking, he was correct.

“According to ESPN Analytics, in the 4 games the Spurs lost in the NBA Finals, they had a 91% chance of winning Game 1 up 13 midway through the 3rd, 72,8 chance of winning Game 2 up 2 points with 1 minute left in the 4th, a 99.6% chance of winning Game 4 up 20 points, and a 95.4% chance of winning Game 5 up 10 points with 7:54 left in the 4th.”

Obviously, there were problems closing out games which will be a major focus next season. But in three of the four games, the Spurs had over 90% chance of winning during the second half. The Knicks did the impossible while the Spurs did the unthinkable.

FYI: I ordered Midrange Theory By Seth Partnow. It should come next week. For anyone who wants to read and discuss along. Thanks for the suggestion Montreal. I assume zsals is in?

Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.

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Joshua Jefferson provides an instant injection of high-IQ basketball, physical rebounding, and unique frontcourt playmaking. Should the World Champion New York Knicks bite?

The Basics

• School: Iowa State
• Position: Power Forward
• Height: 6’7.75” (barefoot) | 6’9″ (listed)
• Weight: 246 lbs
• Age: 23 (Born November 21, 2003)
• 2025-26 Stats: 16.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 4.8 APG, 47.1% FG, 34.5% 3PT, 70.0% FT
• Projected Draft Range: Late first to early second round (20–35)

The Numbers

Jefferson is one of the most bizarre and productive frontcourt anomalies in recent college basketball history. He became the first player in Big 12 history to rack up 450+ points, 250+ rebounds, 100+ assists, 70+ steals, and 25+ blocks in a single season. One number to take special note of is the 4.8 assists per game. For a guy built like a linebacker, carrying a 246-pound frame with a 6’10.75″ wingspan, operating as a primary hub of an offense is rare. He posted a 28% assist rate, ranking third among all forwards in college basketball.

Even better, he maintained nearly a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio (4.8 to 2.5), so he isn’t just hurling wild passes out of double teams. Combine that with a robust 1.6 steals per game (an 8.1% steal rate as a junior), and my, my, my, what an analytics darling!

Skills That Pay the Bills

• High-Level Processing & Playmaking: Jefferson plays like a point guard trapped in a power forward’s body. He is an exceptional short-roll passer, an elbow handoff hub, and a guy who can grab a defensive rebound and lead the break himself. He drops bounce passes on a dime to cutters and processes defensive rotations a step ahead of everyone else.
• Physicality and Functional Strength: At 246 pounds with a rock-solid lower base, Jefferson embraced contact against the collegiate opposition. He carves out position inside effortlessly, converts below-the-rim hooks, and boxes out with discipline, anchoring himself for 7.4 rebounds per game.
• Defensive Event Generation: He might not be a vertical rim protector, but has very active hands. He anticipates passing lanes, strips bigs on the block, and triggers fast breaks.

Concerns

• Functional Athleticism: The combine confirmed a 27-inch standing vertical and a 33-inch max vertical. He lacks pop and has heavier feet laterally. In space, quicker NBA wings are going to test his lateral agility, and he won’t rescue anyone as a weak-side shot-blocker.
• Shooting Hesitancy: While his 3-point stroke ticked up to a respectable 34.5% on 3.1 attempts per game, the film shows a guy who frequently passes up wide-open looks to back down into a contested post-up. Scouts at the combine noted that while his mechanics look sound and tight, his confidence is streaky. A 70% free-throw clip also leaves some questions about his ultimate ceiling as a knockdown spacer.
• Age & Ceiling: Turning 24 during his rookie season, Jefferson is an older prospect.

The Knicks Fit

Think of Jefferson as a hybrid connective piece who could be an ideal bench multi-tool. If Mike Brown could deploy Jefferson with the second unit, making as a secondary facilitator from the high post or elbow. He plays with the high-IQ, physical, dive-on-the-floor toughness that we love to see. Jefferson can give you backup power forward minutes, play small-ball center in ultra-specific configurations, and hit the glass hard. At worst? He hangs out in the G-League with Westchester while adjusting his defensive footwork to the pro pace.

NBA Comparison

• Best-Case Comparison: James Johnson / Boris Diaw
• Median Outcome: Kyle Anderson (Slower-paced, highly intelligent decision-maker who fills the stat sheet without elite verticality)
• Low-End Outcome: Grant Williams without the lock-down lateral quickness

The Verdict

Drafting him at 24th seems like a stretch. But at 31st? Go for it.

Read all our draft profiles here.

Go Knicks!

We’re just a few days away from the NBA Draft, and there are multiple storylines headed into Monday.

Will AJ Dybantsa go #1? What will the Oklahoma City Thunder do with two picks in the top 20? Will one of the teams in the top 5 trade out?

But another notable storyline headed into the draft is Jayden Quaintance, who is seeing his stock continue to fall. Some mock drafts have the former Wildcat falling as low as 25th overall after once being viewed as a near-certain lottery pick.

24 players received a green-room invite for the draft, and Quaintance was notably left off the list.

Jeremy Woo from ESPN has Quaintance going 25th to the Los Angeles Lakers, and noted the questions about Quaintance’s medicals could cause teams to pass on him.

“He is unanimously viewed as a first-round talent and is drawing consideration as high as the teens, but where he ends up might be predicated on how team doctors individually view his case,” Woo wrote.

The potential is certainly there for Quaintance to come in and be a strong rim protector off the bat, with the ability to be a lob threat on the offensive end. His defensive ability and potential could be enough for a team to take a chance earlier in the first round, but it looks like Quaintance might have to wait a little bit to hear his name called if things continue at this pace.

Tweet of the Day

UK is making a sizable investment in its new AD.

Headlines

What international scouts are saying about Nikola Kusturica – KSR

A lot to like about Kusturica.

Details on J Batt’s UK Contract – Herald Leader

A lot of incentives on the table.

Zoom Diallo bringing energy, leadership – Vaughts Views

Good to see from Kentucky’s new point guard.

CFP leaders facing questions over 24-team field – ESPN

Will the SEC and Big Ten agree on a 24-team playoff?

Ronaldo and Portugal stunned in matchup with Congo – Bleacher Report

An impressive showing by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Latest on the Protect College Sports Act – Yahoo Sports

Interesting read for those paying attention to this piece of legislation.

Could we actually see LeBron as a Warrior? – CBS Sports

I think he ultimately ends up back in LA, but it’s on the table.

U.S. Open Predictions – SI

Who do you have winning?

Burrow says Bengals remind him of 2019 LSU – ESPN

Burrow is feeling confident heading into the season.

Updated NBA Mock Draft – Yahoo

Will Dybantsa or Peterson be the #1 pick?

There might still be a debate about the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The early consensus centered around BYU's AJ Dybantsa. The analytics reportedly favored Duke's Cameron Boozer. The speculation has now shifted to Dybantsa or Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, or perhaps all three still being considered, with less than a week until the Washington Wizards are officially on the clock with the first selection of the draft.

But AI hasn't wavered in terms of the top of the 2026 draft class. Since the draft lottery was conducted last month, and the Wizards, Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies wound up with the top three picks, Microsoft Copilot's AI chatbot has consistently churned out the same prospects for those first three choices when prompted by USA TODAY Sports.

The same is not true for most picks outside of the top four prospects (Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and North Carolina's Caleb Wilson). There was again a shift in selections made in the first AI mock draft since the conclusion of the NBA Finals, particularly in the latter half of the first half, based on the latest intel.

Here's a breakdown of Microsoft Copilot AI's latest 2026 NBA mock draft, including the chatbot's reasoning for making each first-round pick:

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The NBA championship celebrations are nowhere near over, as New York Knicks will take part in a time-honored NYC tradition for the first time in franchise history.

A ticker-tape parade will be thrown in honor of the champs up downtown NYC’s iconic Canyon of Heroes, where many other championship teams have been celebrated throughout the year. It could end up being the largest in the city’s history.

Follow The Post’s live updates from the Knicks Championship parade for the latest city chaos, celeb sightings and sports reaction.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the parade‘s date shortly after Game 5’s final buzzer on Saturday. In a later press release, the mayor said, “We have dreamed of this moment for generations. This Thursday, our city will rise to the occasion.”

It’ll be sunny and slightly humid as the team makes its way up Broadway on floats (and a custom truck, in Mitchell Robinson’s case). In addition to every member of the championship team and coaching staff, the floats will also feature past Knicks icons Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Patrick Ewing.

Some celebrity row mainstays, like Spike Lee and Ben Stiller (who confirmed to Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart that he and HBO are working together on a documentary about this season), will be in attendance as well.

Following the parade, the team will receive the keys to the city from Mayor Mamdani in a ceremony at City Hall. The TV voice of the Knicks, Mike Breen, will emcee the ceremony; Alicia Keys is set to close it out with a performance of “Empire State of Mind.”

When is the NY Knicks championship parade? What time does the Knicks parade start at?

Today’s (June 18) Knicks ticker-tape championship parade is expected to begin around 10 a.m. ET.

Knicks championship parade TV channels

If you live in the New York area, you can watch coverage of the Knicks ticker-tape parade on all local news networks — CBS New York, NBC New York, FOX 5 and ABC7 New York — in addition to the Knicks’ TV home, MSG Network.

How to watch the NY Knicks championship parade for free

DIRECTV is our favorite service for watching TV live for free. Right now, you can take advantage of a five-day free trial before saving $30 on your first month. We recommend the Choice plan, which includes all of the local news and sports networks like MSG as part of its 125+ channels.

If you live outside of the New York area, you can tune in to the Knicks championship parade using the NBC New York News channel with a Peacock Premium Plus ($16.99/month) subscription.

Knicks championship parade route

The Knicks championship parade will start around Battery Park and travel about one mile north up Broadway. The parade will end at City Hall, where a ceremony will take place afterward.

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.

While the Knicks are on parade, Sebastian Crosa will be working to get the grade. 

Rather than lining the streets of lower Manhattan Thursday — whooping for the 2026 NBA Champions, led by Jalen Brunson, Karl Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and his favorite player, Josh Hart — the middle schooler, 12, will be one of the thousands of devastated kids and teachers stuck inside classrooms due to the statewide Regents exams. 

The ticker-tape spectacle begins at 10 a.m., with tip-off near Battery Park before moving up Broadway through the Canyon of Heroes to City Hall, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani will present the Knicks with keys to the city. 

Follow The Post’s live updates from the Knicks Championship parade for the latest city chaos, celeb sightings and sports reaction.

It’s a sight that Crosa likely won’t be able to see in person. 

“It’s upsetting because, obviously, we’ve been waiting for this moment a long time,” Crosa, a Brooklyn public school student, exclusively told The Post. “The parade is really important, and everyone should be able to experience it.”

The seventh grader, with a bleeding heart of blue and orange, launched a Change.org petition this week, imploring Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mamdani and the state Department of Education to “cancel NYC schools on June 18 to allow students, educators, and all proud New Yorkers to participate in the parade and revel in this rare and momentous occasion.”

Crosa, who told The Post he only expected to receive 100 signatures in support of his plight, has garnered over 3,100 endorsements from equally outraged basketball buffs, hoping the powers-that-be have a last-minute change of heart.  

But the tween’s formal plea — drafted mere moments after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs Sunday, reclaiming the title of world champs for the first time since 1973 — comes as a long shot following Mamdani’s announcement that class, as well as the Regents, will undoubtedly be in session during the ticker-tape festivities. 

“I know that many New Yorkers have built their entire lives around this team,” Mamdani said Monday. “And for our students … I will still encourage them to be studying hard for their Regents exam.”

The standardized end-of-course tests are given to high schoolers in grades 9 through 12 as a requirement for graduation. 

And while Crosa won’t be taking the exam this year, the Knicks fanatic is expected to be in his assigned seat for a full day of learning Thursday — unless, of course, his petition causes a buzzer-beater miracle the likes of Anunoby’s breathtaking Game 4 winning score. 

“I know it might be difficult for them to cancel school [or reschedule] the tests at this point, but I figured the petition was worth a shot,” said the tenacious tyke, a self-crowned “leader” among his peers. “The whole city needs this and wants this. So somebody had to do it.”

Colleen, 47, mom to Crosa and younger brother Lucas, 10, says she’s proud her eldest boy is “fighting for what he believes in,” but “disappointed” that he and other students have to fight for their right to party in the first place. 

“This generation of kids has gone through a lot of historical events and moments that have been difficult,“ said Colleen, a clinical psychologist. “This is a historical moment of joy, unity and perseverance that they can finally celebrate.

“While I don’t think that these [parade and school scheduling] decisions were made lightly or without thoughtfulness, I am disappointed.”

She and her Knicks-loving family are not alone. 

Peeved parents and educators alike are echoing Crosa’s day-off appeal across the internet. 

“This message is for Zohran Mamdani,” began one Knicks extremist, an NYC teacher known exclusively online as @Subwayratmom, in her cyber supplication. “Zo…I feel that you, as the mayor, have the power to either cancel school, cancel Regents or move the parade. 

“We have to teach until June 26, and that’s a really long time in teacher years,” she continued. “And we’re ready to be outside.” 

Sharon, a mother whose daughter will be neck-deep in Regents testing while more than 1.25 tons of confetti fill the Big Apple skies, separately begged, “Due to this win, all the kids and adults would like to be at the parade. Reschedule the Regents, please.”

Molly Vozick-Levinson, 39, a director at a private preschool in Manhattan, isn’t bound by the do’s and don’ts of the DOE, nor are her students — some of whom are still in diapers — being forced to take state exams. 

Still, the lifelong Knicks lover tells The Post that it’s “irresponsible” for city and state officials to “tempt” students to skip the Regents by scheduling the parade on a school day. 

“Some kids might be tempted to skip their exams, because they think that they might fail anyway,” said Vozick-Levinson. “It’s a huge temptation: ‘If you skip your exams, making the wrong choice for your education, you will get to do something fun.’

“That just seems irresponsible to me,” said the administrator, admitting, however, that she plans to skip out of work early to revel in the fanfare. “I just want to breathe the same air as the New York Knicks. If I get a glimpse of at least one Knick, I’ll be so happy.”

Laverne Mickens, 53, a fourth-grade teacher and Brooklyn native, not only agrees that locals should skip out on their responsibilities, but she’s encouraging it. 

“Take state exam or see the Knicks parade — like, are you serious?” said Mickens, whose husband, Cory, will be in attendance while she cares for their disabled sons. “Skip school and call out of work — this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“The last time they won, I’d just been born 53 years ago,” Mickens, a college scholarship specialist, raved. “You don’t know if they’re going to win next year, or if this will ever happen again. 

“You better go to that parade.”

The NBA Draft is barreling closer to us. The Cleveland Cavaliers have the 29th pick in this year’s draft. Let’s take a look at who the experts have them taking in our latest mock draft roundup.

Yahoo Sports – Sergio De Larrera

Kevin O’Connor’s latest mock draft has the Cavs opting for the 6’5” 20-year-old out of Spain. O’Connor writes:

Keon Ellis and Dean Wade will be free agents this summer, and Max Strus will be in one year. It may be time for the Cavaliers to get a wing — one with more skill — in the developmental pipeline alongside Jaylon Tyson. De Larrea is a tall playmaking guard with major feel and a knockdown jumper who thrives within team concepts. He suffered a dislocated shoulder that ended his 2024-25 season and removed him from draft boards, but it ended up a blessing in disguise since he returned with a bigger role and stronger production for a great team in the EuroLeague. With size, smarts, and defensive versatility, he could carve out a role in the NBA if his international skill can translate.

De Larrea played 28 league games for Valencia this past season. He averaged 9.7 points, 3.7 assists, and three rebounds per game in 18.3 minutes per outing. He did this on .443/.407/.833 shooting splits.

The question here is fit. The Cavs need more options on the wing — no one will argue with that — but they preferably need ones that are 6’7” or over. The Cavs have plenty of undersized wings that are naturally shooting guards, but can shift up to the three. They don’t have anyone whose best position is the three. Even Wade, their starting small forward in the playoffs, is best suited to play a different position.

De Larrea could be the best prospect available at this spot, but it’s fair to wonder whether this team needs another undersized wing.

ESPN – Tarris Reed Jr.

Jeremy Woo has the Cavs taking a 22, 6’11 center from UConn. Woo writes:

After making a strong case for himself by putting up three 20-plus-point games in the NCAA tournament, Reed has built momentum on the workout circuit and is trending toward the late first round. His mix of length, physical heft, rebounding instincts and offensive skill make him an appealing plug-and-play role player, and he should appeal to contending teams.

Frontcourt depth is an obvious area of need for the Cavs as they try to maximize their current window, making this an intriguing fit.

Reed averaged 14.7 points and nine rebounds per game while shooting 60.7% from the field for the Huskies.

Having another big would be incredibly useful. The Cavs haven’t really had a competent third center in the Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley era. Reed could be the answer, although it’s fair to point out that he wouldn’t be the cleanest fit.

Ideally, you’d want a third big who could play alongside both Allen and Mobley. For a big to be able to do that, they would need to be able to space the floor offensively. Reed doesn’t do that. He’s taken just seven triples in 136 college games. And as a 58.2% free-throw shooter, it doesn’t seem like this is an untapped skill.

Reed is a good and talented player. He just might not be the most ideal archetype for a backup big, which is becoming a theme in this latest round of mock drafts.

Bleacher Report – Sergio de Larrea

Jonathan Wasserman also has the Cavs taking De Larrea. Wasserman writes:

Sergio de Larrea is currently producing for Valencia in the EuroLeague playoffs, which is why he couldn’t attend the combine.

He’s now put together consecutive years of accurate three-point shooting and strong playmaking rates, and is sure to draw first-round consideration.

Shooting and playmaking are things the Cavs could use. This may be the best bet from a talent perspective. However, it would be nice if the Cavs had more people on the roster between 6’7” and 6’9”.

As of now, it seems like momentum is picking up for De Larrea to be the Cavs’ selection late in the first round.

Three best big men Warriors could take at No. 11 overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The NBA is going big again, and the Warriors have taken notice. 

Signing stretch big man Al Horford was a top priority last offseason. The Warriors then brought in all 7 feet and 2 inches of his former Boston Celtics teammate Kristaps Porzingis at the NBA trade deadline. That kind of size is something Golden State has never seen before, and it certainly enjoyed the idea of it. 

But Porzingis now is an unrestricted free agent. Horford turned 40 years old on June 3 and has a $6 million player option. Draymond Green has a much more expensive player option at $27.6 million. The Warriors also hold a $2 million team option on Quinten Post after two seasons as a former second-round pick. 

Looking to the frontcourt could be a priority for the Warriors this offseason, starting with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

These are the three best options for the Warriors to consider.

Aday Mara, C, Michigan

Might as well start as big as we can go. Literally. Mara measured in at 7-foot-3 barefoot at the combine and 260 pounds with a 7-foot-6 wingspan and a 9-foot-9 standing reach. 

He then moved well for someone that big, helping answer questions about whether Mara can guard in open space at the next level. For the champions in his one season at Michigan, Mara was a shot-blocking machine, swatting 2.6 shots per game. Mara played his best during March Madness when he had five multi-block games, including two three-block games and one four-block game. 

The intriguing part of Mara’s game beyond taking up so much space defensively is his vision offensively. While his offensive game might be seen as limited right now, he’s an elite passing big man, which always is going to be music to Steve Kerr’s ears. 

Mara is one of the draft’s bigger wild cards, and he would change plenty about the Warriors. 

Morez Johnson Jr., PF/C, Michigan 

Next up is someone who was a huge help to Mara in Michigan’s frontcourt. Mara is passing to Johnson in the first three clips above, either cutting, making a move in the post or soaring to slam an alley-oop. Defensively, Johnson’s relentless motor and versatility made life much easier for Mara, too. 

That’s where Johnson would immediately enhance the Warriors. He brings a winning play style and an injection of badly needed athleticism. His tape does the talking, and Johnson only helped himself at the combine. Here’s a star who has awfully similar measurements to him: Bam Adebayo. 

Can Johnson develop his offensive game like Adebayo has? Shooting 78.2 percent from the free-throw line, and going 10 of 25 (40 percent) from the 3-point line in Big Ten play, is encouraging. 

Johnson can guard all three levels right now. He had 10 rebounds in the national championship game, five on offense and five on defense, as the rest of Michigan’s starting five combined for 13 total. The growth of his offense will just be a bonus on top. 

Hannes Steinbach, C/PF, Washington

After a proven track record internationally in Germany, Steinbach helped his case as a freshman at Washington. He was extremely efficient, averaging 18.5 points per game and hauling a nation-leading 11.8 rebounds per game. He might have the strongest hands in this year’s draft. That sentence alone should make Warriors fans happy. 

Steinbach has the size to play the 4 or the 5, and has the potential to stretch the floor. He shot 34 percent from three last season but also shot 75.9 percent on free throws and projects to be able to extend his range. And he also can run the floor well for his size. 

As a passer, Steinbach isn’t Mara. As a defender, he isn’t close to Johnson. But his offense might easily outweigh both those categories, and his rebounding, especially on the offensive glass, is another reason to believe. 

Statistically, Steinbach had one of the more productive freshman seasons in recent history. He’s just 20 years old and already has pro experience, giving him youth and maturity on his side.

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