Alex Karaban was selected No. 29 overall in the first round of Tuesday’s NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. The 6-foot 8-inch forward brings not just a wide variety of skills to the table, but a leading attitude on and off the floor.

An elite catch-and-shoot player from the perimeter isn’t the only thing that Sac-Town needs; As the all-time winningest player to put on the UConn Huskies jersey and having racked up the third most wins (15) all-time in NCAA tournament, he’s a winner in every sense of the word. The Kings finished this past season with just 22 wins, tied for last in the Western Conference. Karaban can show what it takes to build a sustainable winning culture and get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2023.

STORRS ➡️ SACRAMENTO

Kings get a WINNER 🏆 pic.twitter.com/loVUON8rIK

— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) June 24, 2026

​Dan Hurley spoke to KCRA3 on Wednesday morning to dive into the selection. “I talked to BJ Armstrong (Kings assistant GM) this morning, and he asked me how I felt, and I said, ‘How I feel is we got worse last night with Alex leaving and you guys got better with Alex joining your team,’”

​The two-time national champion will likely come off the bench behind DeMar DeRozan. With DeRozan entering his 18th NBA season, only time will tell when Karaban can snatch that starting spot. Karaban will play alongside No. 7 pick Darius Acuff, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis. Karaban’s elite catch-and-shoot ability provides immediate gravity on the perimeter. In an offense built around Sabonis’ high-post facilitating andDeRozan’s mid-range pressure, Karaban offers the exact floor-spacing safety valve the Kings desperately need to keep the lane open.

​Sabonis is practically a walking double-double, but with Karaban spacing the floor on the wing, his passing lanes will open up significantly. Karaban’s ability to knock down kick-out jumpers could easily push Sabonis past his mark of 10 triple-doubles from last season.

Sabonis isn’t the only assist man the Kings have; Russell Westbrook is a prime example of an unselfish player. Westbrook’s ability to get downhill can allow for even more space to open up for Karaban out on the wing or find him cutting to the rim.

Alex Karaban went OFF for a career-high 27 points in UConn's 73-57 win over UCLA.

The Huskies are BACK in the Sweet 16. pic.twitter.com/NnkdDYI8B0

— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) March 23, 2026

​Defensively, Karaban offers the exact type of high-IQ that’s needed at the NBA level. While he may not be a lockdown isolation defender, his awareness as a weak-side helper is elite. Playing alongside Sabonis—who anchors the interior but isn’t a traditional rim protector—Karaban’s ability to read plays, box out, and execute crisp defensive rotations will give the Kings’ bench much-needed structural stability. He’ll be the first to dive for loose balls, put his body on the line to take a charge and be the first to help up a teammate when they go down.

Karaban doesn’t need for him to go out and light it up for 25 points a night to make his rookie season a success. He needs to stick to what made him a UConn legend and be the ultimate glue guy.

The NBA draft is now in the books, and while free agency doesn’t start until next week, we’ve already begun peeking at is pages. That means NBA Summer League, and our next chance to get a tangible look at the Nets, is right around the corner.

Friday morning, Brooklyn announced the first four of the five game’s they’ll play in Las Vegas, starting in the second week of July. The schedule includes the following:

• July 10th vs New York @ 6 PM ET
• July 11th vs Atlanta @ 8 PM ET
• July 14th vs Sacramento @ 6 PM ET
• July 16 vs Houston @ 4:30 PM ET

The Nets will also have three games before the traditional Summer League tournament in Sacramento. They were announced in late April and include:

• July 4th vs Sacramento @ 5 PM ET
• July 5th vs Milwaukee Bucks @ 3 PM ET
• July 6th vs Golden State Warriors @ 8 PM ET

With games against the Kings in each slate, we’ll get two head-to-head looks at Mikel Brown Jr. vs Darius Acuff. The two guards going back-to-back has stirred a noteworthy amount of debate across the past few days regarding who’ll have the better career. These games could be the first chapters in a budding cross conference rivalry. The pair did square off at the collegiate level and in high school once as well.

January 25th, 2025, Mikel Brown Jr. faced Darius Acuff in high school.

It's the nature of the sports media but these two will be compared to each other for years to come based on the draft. pic.twitter.com/lfDAgGvdhL

— The Brooklyn Way (@Jersey2Brooklyn) June 26, 2026

All of Brooklyn’s games in Sacramento will be television on the YES Network, while the Vegas games will be split between ESPN, ESPN U, and Amazon Prime. We’re told summer league roster is expected to practice this Tuesday or Wednesday at HSS Training Center before departing for Sacramento.

Questions. We all had them entering this offseason for the Phoenix Suns. What would the Suns do? How many gambles would the organization take? Could they retain their free agents? Should they? They didn’t have a long list of free agents to address, but the ones they did have mattered as the franchise prepared for the 2026-27 season. They weren’t flashy names, but in an offseason that demanded restraint rather than splashy moves, they were important.

This was never going to be an offseason about making headlines. It was about sitting on the sidelines, enhancing what was built last season, and continuing down the path the organization had already chosen.

As we walk away from the 2026 NBA Draft and the opening wave of free agency, it’s hard not to feel like the mission was accomplished. No, there wasn’t a move that sent your blood pressure through the roof. LaMelo Ball didn’t suddenly show up on your doorstep wearing purple and orange. Instead, while other franchises felt compelled to take risks in pursuit of a higher ceiling, the Phoenix Suns leaned into stability. They leaned into the cousin of 2025’s buzzword “align”, 2026’s “continuity”.

For where this franchise currently finds itself, that might have been the smartest move of all. Days after the season ended, I was as reluctant as anyone to invest in offseason content because my mindset never changed. Stay the course. That was my mantra from the beginning. Look internally. Lean into development and growth. Seek improvement from within rather than chasing something outside the Phoenix market that creates the illusion of progress while simultaneously capping your long-term potential.

Living between a rock and a hard place isn’t comfortable. When you see notifications rolling in about players changing teams and organizations making splashy moves, it’s natural to feel a little envious. Part of you wants that move. Part of you wants the excitement. Part of you wants something that makes you feel more secure about where your team stands.

But we’ve already lived that path over the past five years. We’ve felt those emotions. If hindsight has taught us anything, it’s that winning the moment doesn’t necessarily translate to winning in the long run. Instead, it makes you appreciate the value of continuity. It makes you appreciate development. It makes you appreciate the promise of what internal growth could become.

Make no mistake about it, there’s no guarantee that path leads to the ultimate outcome. But it is the responsible way to navigate your salary cap, your organizational viability, and your long-term ceiling. Especially considering where this franchise currently sits.

Risk is no longer something the Suns can recklessly lean into while hoping the margin for error works in their favor. Every decision has to be calculated. Every risk has to be measured. Every move has to fit both the short-term and the long-term vision. That’s exactly what the Phoenix Suns have done this offseason. They’ve accomplished everything they set out to do.

And it’s not even July 1.

They’ve brought back Collin Gillespie on a four-year deal. They’ve brought back Jordan Goodwin on a three-year deal. And now they’ve brought back Mark Williams on a three-year deal. All are competitive assets in the short term and, if need be, tradable contracts in the future.

These are names we know. These aren’t theories or ideas that we’ll spend the next summer projecting onto, hoping they become something they’re not. Yes, the hope is that all three continue to develop. But we already know these players. We know they understand the system. We know they understand the expectations. We know what they bring to the floor.

You then add a first-round pick with size, upside, and time to develop, and it’s easy to feel good about the short-term competitiveness of the franchise while recognizing that the organization is also accounting for its long-term future.

This is what a professionally run organization looks like. And it’s not sexy. That’s okay. That’s exactly what the Suns need right now. They don’t need to be chasing another blockbuster trade. They don’t need to attach picks in another desperate attempt to accelerate the timeline. They need to settle in and let the dust around the Western Conference settle while they focus on continuity, stability, and internal growth.

Maybe I’m looking at this through the eyes of someone who chooses to see the bright side rather than the darkness that could lie ahead. Or maybe, after everything this franchise has been through, that’s exactly the perspective the Suns need. But when you’re operating professionally, you put yourself in a position to be successful rather than throwing the dice across the craps table and hoping for a seven.

Right now, the Suns aren’t chasing miracle rolls. They’re hoping six and eight are the point, and that they can continue to cash in as time progresses. That’s where this franchise is. It’s not that they can never push their chips to the middle of the table again. It’s that now isn’t the time. Right now, they’re the team watching the table, waiting for the right opportunity, and benefiting from playing the long game rather than chasing instant gratification. 

Smart. Strategic. Responsible. Those are the words I’d use to describe the Phoenix Suns this offseason.

Do I still have my doubts about certain areas of the roster? Of course. Every fan should have questions about their team. But you can question the roster while also respecting the process. And that’s exactly what the Suns have earned this offseason.

Will it ultimately pay off? Who knows. The Western Conference is a fucking gauntlet. But I’d much rather attack it from this position than from one of desperation and irresponsibility, especially when Oklahoma City and San Antonio exist. Be responsible now. Set yourself up for success later. Operate accordingly. That’s exactly what the Phoenix Suns have done this offseason cycle.

Maybe this path doesn’t end with a championship. Maybe it does. Nobody knows. What I do know is this: I’d much rather see the Suns operate with discipline than desperation.

The Western Conference isn’t getting any easier. Oklahoma City isn’t going anywhere. San Antonio is only getting better. That means Phoenix can’t afford to chase shortcuts anymore. Every decision has to serve a purpose. Every move has to fit a larger vision. That’s what this offseason has been about. The Suns identified who they wanted to keep, rewarded the players who earned it, added another young piece to their developmental pipeline, and resisted the temptation to make a headline-grabbing move simply for the sake of making one.

Professional organizations don’t win every offseason. They consistently make good decisions and trust that enough good decisions eventually lead to winning. For the first time in a long time, it feels like that’s exactly what the Phoenix Suns are doing.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The top four picks in the NBA draft are receiving marquee billing in the NBA Summer League schedule released Friday.

The Washington Wizards are expected to showcase No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa when they play the Utah Jazz and No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson on the opening day of the Summer League on July 9 in Las Vegas.

All 76 games of the Summer League from July 9-19 will be played at the Thomas & Mack Center and Pavilion. The games will be televised by Prime Video or ESPN platforms.

The regular schedule, with each team playing at least five games, ends on July 16. The semifinals are scheduled for July 18 and the championship is set for July 19.

Peterson is expected to play in the Salt Lake City Summer League that begins on July 4, so the game against Dybantsa and Washington in Las Vegas is not expected to be his first opportunity to play for the Jazz. Even so, the matchup of the top two draft picks was highlighted by the NBA.

Also notable is the matchup between the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks on July 10. That will be four days after Miami's acquisition of Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes official.

Memphis and No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer will play their Summer League opener against Chicago and No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson on July 10. That game also was promoted by the NBA as a “marquee” matchup.

Each of the two pairings involving the top four picks was scheduled for primetime tipoffs.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

Every summer, Las Vegas becomes the place to be in the NBA world due to the Summer League. With every team in attendance, it’s a chance to get an early look at the incoming rookie class and see how they perform in a competitive professional environment.

Assuming LA’s latest draft pick, Cameron Carr, two-way signings AK Okereke and Peter Suder and sophomore Adou Thiero play, there will be plenty of reasons for Lakers fans to tune in.

On Friday morning, the NBA released the Las Vegas Summer League schedule, providing the initial games the purple and gold will play.

Schedule and TV Info

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers

• When: Friday, July 10 at 7 p.m. PT
• Where: Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV
• How to watch: Prime

Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers

• When: Saturday, July 11 at 7 p.m. PT
• Where: Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV
• How to watch: ESPN

LA Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers

• When: Tuesday, July 14 at 7 p.m. PT
• Where: Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV
• How to watch: Prime

Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers

• When: Thursday, July 16 at 3 p.m. PT
• Where: Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV
• How to watch: Prime

The Lakers starting Summer League on a back-to-back seems pretty tough.

Having games stacked together during this brief competition is common, but they could have at least spaced out the first couple of games before giving them consecutive matchups.

Overall, the games are intriguing. The Lakers want to be better than the Thunder, who have been the best regular-season team in the West for years now, and having the young players battle each other will be fun.

Clippers-Lakers is always a nice local rivalry, and clearly, Lakers-Mavericks will be a thing the NBA highlights for a while due to the Luka Dončić trade, even when he isn’t playing.

This schedule is subject to change, and the Lakers could play additional games if they advance or are added onto the final weekend for another contest.

This will be a good place for the Lakers to evaluate their young players. It’s also an opportunity to watch other teams to see if anyone stands out as a player to add to Los Angeles.

Last year, the Lakers signed Chris Mañon to a two-way deal after he had a solid showing in Summer League with the Golden State Warriors.

While winning is always the goal, this will be a successful Summer League for the Lakers if everyone comes out healthy and you see promising shifts from the top players.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are gearing up for another trip to Las Vegas for the 2026 Summer League. Prospects such as Tyrese Proctor and the newest rookie, Meleek Thomas, are expected to suit up for Cleveland.

You can find the full schedule, including streaming options, below.

Friday, July 10

• 4:30 p.m. ET – Cleveland vs. Indiana (ESPN2)

• Cox Pavilion

Sunday, July 12

• 4:00 p.m. ET – Cleveland vs. Detroit (Prime)

• Thomas & Mack Center

Monday, July 13

• 8:00 p.m. ET – Cleveland vs. Miami (Prime)

• Cox Pavilion

Wednesday, July 15

• 5:30 p.m. ET – Cleveland vs. New Orleans (Prime)

• Cox Pavilion

A fifth game will be added to the schedule later in July.

The Cavs full roster has yet to be announced, but you can expect Thomas (this year’s 34th pick) and their two-way players to be there. Tristan Enaruna and Riley Minnix were on two-way deals last season, while Ernest Udeh Jr. is their latest pickup. Udeh is a 6’11” center who went undrafted this week.

Summer League should always be taken with a grain of salt. This environment is very different from the NBA and features players who are all desperate to prove themselves. This can lead to wonky results that rarely translate directly to the pros.

Nonetheless, you can gain some insight into who these players are in Vegas. Sam Merrill, Craig Porter Jr., and Jaylon Tyson are recent success stories from inside the Cavs organization. Each of them dominated the Summer League in their own way.

I’d watch Proctor (assuming he’s there) and Thomas most closely. These are the two prospects whom Cleveland has invested the most into. Thomas, the 6’5″ combo guard, has a chance to light it up from downtown and deliver a good first impression.

Meanwhile, Proctor should look to graduate from the Summer League. It would be great to see him stand out from everyone else. A strong performance could send him home early. That’s the goal.

NBA Summer League is right around the corner, and the Celtics will soon be back in action.

The Celtics Summer League roster is expected to include last year’s draft class — Hugo Gonzalez, Amari Williams, and Max Shulga — as well as this year’s draft class, Houston big Chris Cenac Jr., and St. John’s forward Dillon Mitchell.

In addition, the Celtics signed Houston guard Milos Uzan and Indiana forward Tucker DeVries to Exhibit 10 contracts, and those two players are expected to lace up on the Summer League team as well.

The team will be coached by Celtics assistant coach Amile Jefferson, who previously played at Duke University with Jayson Tatum. Last year’s squad was coached by longtime assistant coach Matt Reynolds.

The Celtics’ official Summer League schedule

Friday, July 10: Celtics vs. Raptors, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN

Sunday, July 12: Celtics vs. Hornets, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Monday, July 13: Celtics vs. Hawks, 6 p.m. ET, Prime

Wednesday, July 15: Celtics vs. Kings, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Summer hoops coming 🔜 pic.twitter.com/xgwRCqMU3J

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 26, 2026

The Celtics will play a 5th game after July 15th, but that game has yet to be scheduled. Then, game action will continue if they make the playoffs.

The full Summer League roster has yet to be announced.

The Detroit Pistons have set the schedule for their first four games of Las Vegas Summer League, which kicks off on July 9. The team will be led by first-round pick Eubuka Okorie, and his offensive skillset seems made in a lab to dominate Summer League competition, so hopefully, we’ll have some enjoyable games to watch. Second-round pick Ugonna Onyenso is also expected to suit up for the Pistons.

The slate is as follows (all times Eastern):

• July 9 at 5:30 p.m.: Pistons vs. 76ers (Prime Video)
• July 12 at 4 p.m.: Pistons vs. Cavaliers (Prime)
• July 13 at 4 p.m.: Pistons vs. Knicks (Prime)
• July 15 at 6 p.m.: Pistons vs. Suns (ESPN U)

If you’re thinking about marquee matchups, this is a fairly limited slate for Detroit. Okorie will face off against fellow first-round pick Labaron Philon Jr. in the opener against the Sixers. They will face second-round pick Meleek Thomas and the Cavs in game 2. The Knicks’ newest addition is Jack Kayil (feel the excitement!). Finally, the Suns will be welcoming Koa Peat to the fold.

Each team is slated to play at least five games, with the final games determined by teams that are eligible to meet in the semi-finals, featuring four teams. All other fifth games will be consolation prizes. Then, the two semi-final winners will face off for the the championship game on July 19. That last one is for the true basketball sickos.

As far as who will make up the rest of the roster, I imagine we will see Chaz Lanier, last year’s second-rounder suit up. He will be joined by Jaden Henley, who recently inked an Exhibit 10 deal with the Pistons as part of a Las Vegas invite. He is a 6-foot-7 wing most recently of Grand Canyon. The Pistons also signed Corey Stephenson to an Exhibit 10 deal. He is a forward most recently from Florida International University.

Why Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy believes Yaxel Lendeborg fits Steve Kerr's desires originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The viral Warriors 2026 NBA Draft “war room” clip just showed Warriors owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy going over their decision to draft Yaxel Lendeborg, but coach Steve Kerr made his opinion known ahead of time as well, if only subtly.

“Our group asked him a couple days before the draft, ‘What’s the biggest need when you look at our roster?’” Dunleavy told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Bonta Hill and Monte Poole. “And he said, ‘There’s a huge gap in the middle of it with our forward position. We need a guy that can fit in there and connect the game.’

“And I was thinking to myself, ‘Is he trying to push us in a way to take Yaxel, or is he just speaking freely?’ And, sure enough, we ended up with a guy that potentially could do that. So, I think everyone is aligned on the same page and feels good about where we’re going.”

Lendeborg averaged 15.1 points — on a 64.6 true shooting percentage — as well as 6.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists his junior year at Michigan. Additionally, he was second in the nation in win shares (7.9) and plus/minus rating (plus-16.7), only behind No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer.

As for Kerr, Dunleavy says that following the coach’s decision to return to the team, he has seen an unmatched level of dedication.

“His commitment to this whole thing has been tremendous, not only just with the draft, but preparing for next season with our coaching staff and how we want to play,” Dunleavy told Hill and Poole. “He spent a lot of time with these guys. …

“He was at the workouts, he went out and got meals, we watched film with these guys. It’s definitely a thing where I wanted Steve, our head coach, to be comfortable with the player we were getting and the person. I feel, no doubt, with Yaxel we vetted that out really well.”

Lendeborg’s first season will be Kerr’s 13th as coach of the Warriors, and with Jonathan Kuminga being dealt last season, the Warriors adding a wing seems to be just what the doctor ordered.

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To the surprise of few, LeBron James’ free agency is already off to an odd start this offseason.

A topic already of much debate before free agency has even officially started, how the Lakers and LeBron handled the coming weeks was always going to draw much attention. It turns out, however, the two sides have opted not to handle things at all yet.

Once the NBA Finals concluded, teams could begin negotiating with their own free agents. The Lakers clearly took advantage of that and reached a deal with Austin Reaves on Wednesday.

However, there has not been the same level of communication with LeBron. After checking in with him once that window opened, the two parties have not spoken since, as Shams Charania of ESPN revealed on NBA Today on Thursday.

“There was a check-in call made, to my understanding, early in free agency once teams were able to start negotiating with their own free agents. Since then, there hasn’t been much communication, from my understanding, between the Lakers and LeBron James’ side and certainly not an offer yet.”

On Friday, Charania reiterated that the Lakers had not yet offered LeBron a contract and that the discussions between the sides has been limited.

"The Lakers have not made an offer to LeBron as of yesterday."

—@ShamsCharania on LeBron James' future with the Lakers 😳 pic.twitter.com/Qa4cOgtVNB

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 26, 2026

Is this odd? Certainly. But does this rule out him returning to the Lakers? Certainly not.

To be fair to LeBron, he did just spend quite a few days reuniting with the 2016 Cavs team on the 10-year anniversary of their NBA title. Multiple of the former players in attendance, namely Richard Jefferson, chronicled online the days of golfing, cigar-smoking and, surely, wine-drinking that took place. LeBron likely had no interest in talking to the Lakers at that point.

LeBron also made it pretty clear that he was not in much of a rush to make a decision this summer. And if reports are to be believed, he wanted the Lakers to bring to him a plan for the future.

At the same time, LeBron is no longer the Lakers’ top priority. Clearly, retaining Reaves ranked higher on the priority list this summer. Finding a center for the future is a priority. Filling out the rest of the roster is a priority.

There’s also the possibility that the Lakers know LeBron’s options are limited and will call his bluff. Perhaps they’re focused on filling out their roster and are leaving LeBron as the last part of their roster build and will present him a contract option based on what’s left for them.

It’d be a bold move and not one the Lakers typically make, but clearly this isn’t going to be a normal free agency situation for LeBron. Whatever course either the team or LeBron takes, it will be one of the team’s central focuses in the coming week.

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

Mike Dunleavy ready to alter Warriors' script with Lajae Jones NBA draft pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – After three consecutive drafts in which the Warriors quickly introduced their second-round picks to the ways of the NBA, general manager Mike Dunleavy is ready to alter the script.

Dunleavy projects a slower acclimation process for Lajae Jones, who was selected Wednesday in the second round (54th overall) of the 2026 NBA Draft. A two-way contract is not out of the question.

“We’ll get him through summer league and see how things go and see what happens next year,” Dunleavy told NBC Sports Bay Area on Friday. “But we like him as a long-term project in terms of the things we look for and what we value.”

Don’t expect to see Jones starting at forward two weeks into his rookie season, as second-round pick Will Richard did last season. There is very little likelihood that Jones will make his NBA debut in the starting lineup, as second-rounder Quinten Post did the year before, or appear in 68 games, as second-rounder Trayce Jackson-Davis did in the 2023-24 NBA season.

Jones’ road to the NBA has been bumpier than those of Richard, Post and Jackson-Davis. Jones began his collegiate career at Tarleton State (Texas) University, spent a year at Barton Community College, then a year at St. Bonaventure before transferring to Florida State for his senior season.

“There’s an underlying dryness, that sense of humor that he has that we appreciate,” Dunleavy said. “But he’s a kid that’s all about basketball. He’s pretty focused on the game, on getting better. He’s had a unique path, too, at multiple different schools. But we’re comfortable with him.”

It’s not that the GM is closing the door on Jones contributing as a rookie. With Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody both projected to miss at least the first half of the 2026-27 season, the Warriors currently have an acute shortage of wings.

Jones, who turned 22 last month, is 6-foot-7, 220 pounds with elite athleticism, decent shooting range, a willingness to attack the rim and a defensive mentality. His first opportunity to make his case for NBA-readiness will come next week during the California Classic Summer League at Chase Center.

Part of that comfort comes from Golden State’s familiarity with Jones’ coach at Florida State, Luke Loucks, who spent five years on the Warriors’ staff under coach Steve Kerr, beginning as an intern and eventually being elevated to assistant coach before leaving in 2021. 

Between Loucks and former NBA journalist Adrian Wojnarowski – the general manager of men’s basketball at St. Bonaventure – there was plenty of intelligence available to Dunleavy and his lieutenants in the front office.

“Anytime we can do a background with people that we know and trust, it’s important,” Dunleavy said. “He was even at St. Bonaventure’s with Woj, who we have a comfort level with covering the NBA; he knows the NBA. Luke especially, too, being on our coaching staff, knowing what Coach Kerr and our group look for, we felt very comfortable with not only the player that he could be and fit in with us but the personality, too.”

The general belief among the Warriors is that Jones’ defensive development is ahead of his offense – but that his superior athleticism would stand out on their relatively unathletic roster.

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Sixers fans will now know the first time they’ll be able to watch No. 22 overall pick Labaron Philon Jr. play his first NBA minutes. The league announced the dates, matchups and times for this year’s Summer League. The post sent out by the league is a big jumbled mess of all the games, but thankfully Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com has posted just the Sixers matchups.

2026 Summer League schedule for the Sixers in Las Vegas (they are skipping Salt Lake City this year):

• July 9 vs. Detroit Pistons

• July 11 vs. Indiana Pacers

• July 14 @ Houston Rockets

• July 15 vs. Orlando Magic

— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) June 26, 2026

It will start later this year with three less games because, as Aaronson points out, the Sixers will not be participating in the Salt Lake City Summer League. The Sixers had played in Utah over the summer for the last decade, but this year they’ll wait for Las Vegas like the rest of the league.

That game against the Pistons on the 9th will take place at 5:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted on Amazon Prime Video. On the 11th they’ll take on the Pacers, also at 5:30 and on Prime. The 14th against Houston will also be on Prime at 4 p.m. ET. The 15th against the Magic will be also be at 4 but will be broadcasted on ESPNU, because all the games on one network would just be too easy.

Now it’s just time to see who else will be joining Philon on the Summer League roster. Recent second-round picks like Johni Broome and potentially even Adem Bona could see another year of reps. The Sixers have yet to announce any signings of undrafted free agents, but according to his alma mater, Bowling Green, Javonte Campbell has received an invite. Campbell was a four-year college player and reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year.

𝙅𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙡: 𝙉𝘽𝘼 𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝘽𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙

Congratulations to MAC Defensive Player of the Year Javontae Campbell on signing with the @sixers for the NBA Summer League!

📰: https://t.co/Uq4KE4BGBj#AyZiggy | #FlyAroundandFindOutpic.twitter.com/hM5KV9kOut

— BGSU Men's Basketball (@BGSUMBB) June 25, 2026

The Detroit Pistons are either one of the most aggressive teams in the NBA right now or they simply have so many options in how to reshape their team that rival agents and execs are dropping their name everywhere.

The latest bit of news/speculation/rumor-mongering involves the team’s chase for a second star to put alongside Cade Cunningham. The latest name to enter the fray — Jaylen Brown.

That news comes as reporting has trickled out of Boston that the Celtics might be aggressive in trying to relocate a potentially disgruntled star, and news out of Detroit that Detroit and big man Jalen Duren are at an impasse on sealing a new long-term deal.

In the past few days, Detroit has been linked to Kawhi Leonard. The team’s interest in Leonard dates back many months, but it has never been clear whether Leonard or his incumbent team was interested in relocating.

The idea picked up steam after some NBA insiders mentioned it during the NBA Draft broadcast on ESPN, but as early as the rumor lived, it shall die. Marc Stein and Jake Fischer write on Substack that Leonard has made it clear that he would have no interest in signing an extension if traded to Detroit, and the clarity of that message has made it clear to Detroit’s brass that they should move on.

The Pistons were also interested in Austin Reeves (agreed to new deal with the Lakers) and Coby White (agreed to new deal with the Hornets). The two report that Detroit remains interested in Tyler Herro, who Milwaukee is willing to move after obtaining him in the Giannis trade. They are also reportedly eyeing impending Heat free agent Norm Powell.

Earlier Friday, it was reported that the Pistons traded for Oklahoma City Thunder sharpshooter Isaiah Joe in exchange for two second-round picks. That move effectively makes the long arc of Detroit’s transactions look like this:

Pistons send:

Jaden Ivey and Isaiah Stewart, Pick 28 (Joshua Jefferson)

Pistons receive:

Kevin Huerter, Pick 17 (Ebuka Okorie), Isaiah Joe, future second-round pick

Not bad business.

Anyway, with the addition of Joe, it is unclear if Detroit still feels a pressing need to add a player of the caliber of Norm Powell or even Tyler Herro. Stein and Fischer say interest remains.

Back to Brown.

Brown would be a huge addition to the Pistons, comparable to Leonard. He would also be quite expensive. The conversation surely starts with Jalen Duren in a sign-and-trade deal and continues on to include players like Duncan Robinson, probably Ron Holland as a defensive addition and young prospect, and one or two future first-round picks.

Is that palatable when it would also mean paying the $180 million over the ages 30-32 seasons for Brown? Your mileage may vary. And that doesn’t even take into full account the fact that Brown’s displeasure in Boston may begin and end with it not being his team. Would he be any more of “the guy” when trading Jayson Tatum for Cade Cunningham?

I would speculate that Cunningham would be much more apt to distribute to Brown than to make sure he’s leading the team in shots, but there is no confusion — this is and will be Cade Cunningham’s team.

It might all be moot as it should be noted that other reports with other sources are telling an entirely different story. Chris Haynes reports that the Pistons “are conveying that Jalen Duren will not be moved and are solely focused on coming to terms on an agreement to keep their All-Star center, league sources tell me.”

It looks like the battle lines are being drawn by both sides as the negotiations reach the 11th hour.

As we patiently wait to know more about Jose Alvarado’s decision, it looks like Mitchell Robinson we’ll be gone within a week.

Sad day in this crib.

On the bright side of things, here are a bunch of quotes from and about the two newest Knickerbockers.

Vanderbilt’s Tyler Nickel on the hardest question he’s gotten during team interviews:

“Three people I would want to have dinner with, dead or alive.”

His answer: Jesus, Martin Luther King Jr., and LeBron James. pic.twitter.com/EHnWjqcw0r

— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) May 14, 2026

Tyler Nickel

On the toughest pre-draft question an NBA team asked him:

“Somebody asked me, three people I would want to have dinner with, dead or alive, and that was tough; I didn’t expect that one. I think I ended up saying Jesus, Martin Luther King Jr., and LeBron.”

On being drafted by the Knicks:

“I feel crazy right now, just working my whole life to be in this position and obviously ultimately being drafted, it’s a dream. I feel like I’m in a dream right now.”

On going from Rockingham County to New York:

“It doesn’t even sound real. It doesn’t even sound like it would happen. It’s been a minute since it happened to anybody even in the area.”

On his mentality:

“[I’m] just fearless. Like, extremely fearless. It doesn’t matter who’s on the court, what’s going on, I’m never going to fear another man that walks this earth ever in any regard.”

On his confidence:

“Where I kind of like grew up, dude, if you didn’t believe in yourself to get to a certain level, it wasn’t gonna happen. You kind of have to have almost, to other people, a delusional sense of confidence. I trust myself so much just because of my work.”

On being himself:

“I’m never going to apologize for being myself or stop being myself just because people assume certain things or feel a type of way about it. People are going to feel some type of way about you regardless of what you do. So you might as well just be yourself in the process.”

Why Knicks' German draft pick Jack Kayil isn't your ordinary 19-year-old guard https://t.co/Tm2Ph1yltupic.twitter.com/ZohDSZNIju

— New York Post (@nypost) June 25, 2026

Pedro Calles (Alba Berlin Coach)

On Jack Kayil’s mature game:

“We are talking about a 19-year-old guy, but his mind and body aren’t those of a 19-year-old. This is the first thing that got my attention.”

Alan Ibrahimagic (Germany U19 Coach)

On Jack Kayil’s unselfishness:

“Sometimes he’s a little bit too unselfish: he always tries to find another teammate before looking at himself. He could be a much better scorer than he is right now. But with that said, he’s one of the best two-way guards in Germany.”

WHSV @jarvisharen: "If I'd have told you someone from Rockingham County's gonna be playing in New York City"

Knicks draft pick Tyler Nickel: "Doesn't even sound real" pic.twitter.com/cHUx71qwlB

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 25, 2026

Martin Hermannsson (Alba Berlin Player)

On Jack Kayil’s work ethic:

“He’s not taking his talent for granted, and he’s not just thinking that everything will fall in his place. He’s really working for everything he has, and that will take him a long way.”

On Kayil’s development as a point guard:

“He needs to get into the point guard mindset of running the team, controlling the next play, thinking always one step ahead: getting the ball to the ones who need it and getting others to the right spots, reading the game earlier and better.”

“‘You guys think this was all you and we’re not good enough’ … We’ve been hearing that all year and for our whole lives” — Landry Shamet on how the entire Knicks group has been written off at one point or another 🚨 NEW YM3 WITH SHAMET + JOHN TURTURRO DROPS TOMORROW 🚨 pic.twitter.com/625SpOKWC1

— TheOldManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) June 25, 2026

Fran Fraschilla

On trusting the Knicks’ scouting department:

“I trust the Knicks — they have a great scouting department. They hit on guys like this. … Let’s put it this way, I’ll say this — Walt Perrin and Brock Aller, they know what they’re doing. It’s not a given that either of these guys is gonna be a home run, but I would trust their judgment given their recent track record.”

On Jack Kayil:

“He’s a big, strong but young point guard who gained a lot of experience in a relatively high-level European league. It’s to his credit that he just led his Alba Berlin to an unexpected championship. That’s in his favor. Skillwise, he’s still a work in progress, but his athleticism and toughness give him a chance someday soon to be an NBA player. I’m guessing that the Knicks think he needs a little bit more seasoning. I would be surprised if he was on the roster, but he wouldn’t embarrass himself. But he’s not ready to be a contributor on an NBA championship team.”

On Kayil’s long-term outlook:

“He’s improving. He’s headed toward being an NBA player. I don’t know that he’s there yet, but he certainly made a big step this year, winning a championship. He was a focal point as a 20-year-old on a team with men, grown-ups.”

On Kayil’s strengths and weaknesses:

“He’s a point guard. He’s a creative playmaker who has the ability to create his own shot, but his shooting needs to improve. Having said that, he takes a lot of tough shots, because his team gets low in the shot clock. His shooting definitely needs to improve for him to be viable at some point in the future. I’m sure he’ll work on it.”

On Tyler Nickel:

“I like his size, his toughness and his shooting. He’s got the toughness to be an NBA player, and he certainly shoots it well. And I think that’s why they drafted him. He’s not a skinny, 170-pound kid. He’s well put together, very experienced, been to three schools, and was really a good player this year in the SEC. He’s got a quick release, deep range, and he’s fearless. The toughness and the fearlessness, off the bat, give him a chance to make an NBA roster.”

On Nickel’s NBA translation:

“He’s got a quick release and he is fearless. Fearlessly tough with it. He has amnesia after every shot — make or miss. …. Right off the bat, his outside shooting is very translatable. I would say lateral quickness, defensively, in the best league in the world will be his primary adjustment. But if you watch YouTube, you’ll see some sneaky athletic dunks.”

Anthony Edwards and Lamelo Ball pic.twitter.com/0fjGFqg5QJ

— Poppa Left (@_the6thman) June 25, 2026

The Washington Wizards now know when fans will get their first look at No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa.

The NBA released the 2026 Summer League schedule on Friday, with Washington set to play four games in Las Vegas beginning July 9. The Wizards will face the Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers as Dybantsa makes his pre-season NBA debut.

Our @nbasummerleague schedule just dropped 👀

🤝 Pres. by @MichelobULTRApic.twitter.com/Evy35Tkmfx

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) June 26, 2026

Washington opens Summer League against the Utah Jazz on July 9 in one of the event’s marquee matchups.

The game will feature the top two selections in the 2026 NBA Draft, as Dybantsa squares off against No. 2 overall pick Darryn Petersen for the first time since both entered the league. The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 20.2 points per game as a freshman at Kansas this past season while shooting 38.2% from beyond the arc.

The Wizards will then face the Brooklyn Nets on July 12, where Dybantsa could match up against former Louisville standout and No. 6 overall draft pick Mikel Brown Jr., another highly touted member of the 2026 rookie class. Brown Jr. missed 14 total games with the Cardinals as a freshman due to lingering lower back pain, but averaged 18.2 points per game when healthy.

Washington returns to the court two days later against the Chicago Bulls on July 14. The Bulls are expected to feature former North Carolina forward, and No. 3 overall draft pick, Caleb Wilson, giving Dybantsa another opportunity to test himself against one of the draft’s top prospects. Wilson is another draft pick returning from injury, after two hand/finger fractures ended his rookie campaign with Carolina before post-season play.

The Wizards wrap up their scheduled Summer League slate on July 15 against the Los Angeles Clippers, who added former Illinois guard and No. 5 overall draft pick Keaton Wagler in this year’s draft. Wagler led the Fighting Illini to the 2026 Final Four in Indianapolis this past March.

While Summer League results are secondary, the event provides an important first glimpse at Washington’s future.

After selecting Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick, the Wizards have made the 19-year-old the centerpiece of their rebuild alongside Trae Young, who signed a four-year extension earlier this week.

Summer League will offer the first chance to see how Dybantsa’s size, athleticism and shot creation translate against NBA competition, while also giving the Wizards an opportunity to evaluate the rest of their young roster.