After making $116 million during his NBA career, former Knicks small forward Trevor Ariza made just $2,316 last month as a trainer for the disabled, according to an income and expense declaration filed in court.
Ariza, 40, was forced to detail his financial position due to a custody battle with his ex-wife.
An NBA champion with the Lakers in 2009, Ariza also declared $50,000 in cash and bank accounts, and $2.5 million in real estate, which he bought while he was playing.
Trevor Ariza waits to sub in for the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. New York Post
His expenses for the month included $2,000 on healthcare, groceries, utilities, education and auto expenses and insurance, and another $1,000 on clothes and cleaning.
The $11,500 declared expenses are glaringly higher than the ex-NBA players’ average monthly salary of $6,000.
Ariza spoke out about his financial situation earlier this year, stating that he has a negative $230,000 in his bank account.
Trevor and Bree Ariza in 2014. WireImage
He also claimed his ex-wife, Bree Anderson Ariza, “refuses to work or contribute financially, despite being able to do so.”
The former small forward has been attempting to lower his child support payments in court over the past year.
“I’ve been exploring deals, trying everything to create income. Nothing stable has come through. Things changed since we finalized this [divorce],” he said.
Trevor Ariza playing for the Lakers in 2022. NBAE via Getty Images
Ariza was drafted by the Knicks with the No. 43 overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft and went on to play for 10 different teams throughout his 18-year NBA career.
At his peak, Ariza signed deals worth $34 million, $32 million, $25 million, and $15 million, bringing his career earnings to $116 million.
The San Antonio Spurs learned a few hard lessons during their 2026 NBA Finals loss to the New York Knicks, and to hear Draymond Green tell it, they have another still to go.
The Warriors forward took to his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show,” to admonish the young Spurs for what he called a “disheartening” lack of leadership as the team left the floor following Saturday’s series-ending defeat without offering any formal congratulations to the victorious Knicks.
“Oh, by the way, y’all ain’t going to come shake [Jalen Brunson’s] hand?” Green said. “No problem. What’s the first thing Jalen Brunson did? Beeline to [Spurs coach] Mitch Johnson. Respect. Much respect. I would have loved for the Spurs players to be there for them to shake [the Knicks’] hands. They walked off. That was disappointing, a bit disappointing.”
New York secured its first NBA championship since 1973 by beating San Antonio in five games, with the title-decider coming on the Spurs’ home floor. When the final buzzer sounded on a 94-90 Knicks win, nearly every Spurs player—including star center Victor Wembanyama—left the floor immediately.
Per reports, only the San Antonio coaching staff and backup center Luke Kornet remained to offer their respects to New York players.
“The reason it was disappointing is because when you go ‘mano y mano,’ toe to toe, blow for blow with a team and they get the better of you, those that become champions look them in their eyes and say ‘respect.’” Green said of the Spurs’ postgame exit. “And then you go to the locker room. That’s what those that become champions do…Look your killer in the face.”
Green did give San Antonio some grace, conceding that the team is generally very young and lacks the veteran presence that might have helped avoid what he saw as a lapse in sportsmanship.
“To see [the Spurs] walk off the court, it was disheartening. I’ll blame it on youth,” Green said. “I’ll blame it on lacking the leader to show them that ‘hey, this is what you do. Not walk off.’ I blame it on that.
“There’s a way to win and there’s a way to lose. And walking off the court, not looking your killer in his eyes, ain’t the way to lose…I hate it. I hate when people do it. And I hated to see those young Spurs do it because I actually think they’re capable of doing something special…and I would urge those young Spurs [to] reach out to Jalen Brunson however you can. Reach out to Karl-Anthony Towns however you can. Reach out to Josh Hart, however you can. You tell [those] dudes ‘congratulations.’”
The Knicks, for their part, didn’t appear all that concerned.
The celebration was ON in the @nyknicks locker room last night after winning their first NBA Championship in 53 years 🏆🍾 pic.twitter.com/3aprwZbaiT
Comedian Kevin Hart and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith are among those who think celebrity Knicks superfan Spike Lee should get a championship ring after the franchise won its first title in 53 years.
Hart shouted out Lee in an Instagram video posted on Sunday.
“Give Spike a ring,” Hart said of Lee, who has likely paid many millions for tickets over the last 40 years. “Spike deserves a f–kin championship ring, and I’m saying it here. Give Spike a New York Knicks championship ring.”
Spike Lee celebrates after the Knicks win their first NBA championship in 53 years on June 13, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Responding to a tweet advocating for the 69-year-old director to get a ring, Smith wrote Sunday, “I completely support this for Spike Lee. No Knicks’ fan deserves this more than him.”
Fans were divided in their responses to Smith.
“I’m sorry but this man ain’t shoot one shot or grabbed a rebound,” one X user wrote. “Let him enjoy the parade just like the rest of us. He’s good.”
“No. Players, coaches, executives and other members of the organization get rings, not fans, even if they’re superfans,” another wrote.
One supportive fan wrote, “Give the man his flowers! And the ring.”
“Agree. Fans are part of the team and he’s been there for the good, the bad and the ugly when a lot of us (like me) wouldn’t even watch on TV,” another wrote. “I saw the 70 and 73 teams as a teen and waited in hope for this day but Spike was the ultimate fan!!”
Jalen Brunson lifts the NBA Finals MVP trophy after the Knicks’ championship win on June 13, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Unlike those who frequent Celebrity Row, Lee pays for his seats. As of March 2020, Lee was spending $300,000 a year for his pair of courtside season tickets.
Lee has had tickets since 1985 after the Knicks drafted Patrick Ewing. It’s unclear how much he’s paid in sum over about 40 years, and his seats weren’t always courtside, but it’s safe to say he’s spent several million.
He also travels for the playoffs and was in attendance in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Cleveland and San Antonio throughout the Knicks’ championship run, including Saturday’s clincher.
Austin Reaves is about to become one of the most sought-after free agents in basketball, but all signs continue to point toward him staying exactly where he wants to be: Los Angeles.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Brooklyn Nets and Detroit Pistons have both emerged as potential suitors for the Lakers guard as free agency approaches. Yet despite the outside interest, league executives remain skeptical that anyone will actually pry Reaves away from the Lakers.
NBA Insider says Austin Reaves could draw interest from the Nets and Pistons as Lakers free agency approaches. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“The Lakers are widely expected to re-sign Reaves,” Stein reported, citing both Reaves’ affection for Los Angeles and his growing chemistry with Luka Dončić as major factors working in the team’s favor.
That mutual interest has become one of the NBA’s worst-kept secrets.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) and guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrate after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
After averaging a career-best 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds last season, the 28-year-old has positioned himself for the biggest contract of his career.
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick hopes to retain Austin Reaves to build off a year coming off of a postseason appearance. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
The Nets have long been viewed as the biggest external threat. Previous reports suggested Brooklyn could have interest in offering Reaves a four-year deal worth as much as $178.5 million.
However, Stein noted there have been recent indications the Nets may prefer shorter-term contracts rather than aggressively pursuing marquee free agents this summer.
LA Clippers Vs. Brooklyn Nets at The Barclays Center: Terance Mann #14 of the Brooklyn Nets along with Michael Porter Jr. #17 of the Brooklyn Nets, Nic Claxton #33 of the Brooklyn Nets Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Detroit’s interest appears less concrete as well.
While Reaves would fit seamlessly alongside All-Star guard Cade Cunningham, Stein reported the Pistons are expected to focus more heavily on trade acquisitions than major free-agent spending.
Detroit also faces looming extension decisions involving young cornerstones Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson, making a massive offer sheet for Reaves more complicated.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns fights with Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham for position to get the rebound JASON SZENES/ NY POST
That leaves the Lakers in a familiar position.
Reaves has evolved from an undrafted role player into one of the franchise’s most important building blocks. His ability to score, create offense and thrive alongside stars has made him a natural fit next to Dončić, who has publicly expressed his desire to continue playing with his close friend.
The Lakers know replacing that production would be nearly impossible.
As one NBA executive recently told The Athletic, “You can’t let a talent like that walk.”
Outside teams may continue doing their homework on Reaves over the coming weeks. But unless something changes dramatically, the expectation around the league remains the same: Austin Reaves will get paid, and he’ll probably be getting paid by the Lakers.
Even though it became clear over the last several seasons that the Knicks winning it all for the first time since 1973 was at least a possibility, it actually happening has altered the brain chemistry of the city.
Despite the belief that it could happen, there were still looks of disbelief on many people's faces when it actually did.
Now let's rewind for a bit to remember how the Knicks got here...
There was triumph (twice) in the 1970s, some modest playoff success in the early 1980s, the arrival of Patrick Ewing that eventually made the Knicks a title contender again in the 1990s, and then two decades of near-irrelevance, with the only positive blip during that time being the Carmelo Anthony years that maxed out in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2013.
As someone who grew up on the 90s Knicks, my early fandom was pockmarked by the near misses of a tough, resilient team, and the fact that Michael Jordan and the Bulls were almost always standing in the way.
There was 1993-94, when the Knicks took a 3-2 NBA Finals lead to Houston but couldn't stop Hakeem Olajuwon (who got his hand on John Starks' potential title-winning shot at the end of Game 6).
There were Reggie Miller's eight points at the end of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Pacers, and New York's loss in Game 7 of that series when Ewing's finger roll just wouldn't go down.
I thought the 1996-97 Knicks would've had a real chance to take down Jordan's Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals, but they didn't get there because their roster was decimated by suspensions after a fight P.J. Brown of the Heat started at the end of Game 5 in the semifinals.
The 1998-99 run to the Finals was incredible, but the Knicks never really stood a chance going up against the Spurs' Tim Duncan and David Robinson without the injured Ewing.
From the point the Knicks lost the title in 1999 until their recent run of serious contention in 2022-23, New York bringing a title back to the Garden felt like a pipe dream.
Jun 10, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts in the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during game four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. / Brad Penner - Imagn Images
And when it started to feel possible that the Knicks had something special brewing, Brunson sacrificed $113 million dollars in order to help Leon Rose keep building around him.
As the Brunson Knicks started to ascend, in came Josh Hart and OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. By the end of this regular season, with their core surrounded by a tremendous supporting cast and led by head coach Mike Brown, it felt like it could finally be the Knicks' time.
But at the start of the playoffs, even after the Knicks proved over the last several seasons that they had what it took to be a serious contender, they were still doubted.
The Celtics and Cavaliers had better NBA title odds than New York when the playoffs began, with it feeling especially absurd that Cleveland's odds were better.
After the Knicks dispatched the Hawks in the first round, it was "the 76ers aren't Atlanta, how will the Knicks stop Tyrese Maxey?"
After the Knicks swept the Sixers, it was "the Cavaliers are a different animal."
After the Knicks steamrolled the Cavs, it was "the Eastern Conference was weak -- the Western Conference Finals are the real NBA Finals."
But this Knicks team was deep, united, and super talented. Most of all, they were selfless and impossible to keep down. They had proven by the point they reached the Finals against the Spurs (and months before, really, as I wrote after covering their close loss to the Thunder on March 5) that they could beat anyone.
And they did.
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates with his teammates after the Knicks defeat the San Antonio Spurs during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
During the Finals against the Spurs, anywhere you went in the city became a watch party.
The partying, jubilation, and incredible scenes we've witnessed in every neighborhood in the city have been a sight to behold. But it's the togetherness and unity of the people celebrating that has been the most special aspect of all of this.
It's the strangers hugging one another. Ecstatic fans helping the sanitation workers do their job after the clincher. People from all walks of life dancing with each other in an incredible spectacle of spontaneous community in the streets.
In a way, it's like the city is holding up a mirror to this Knicks team and vice versa. There is a certain attitude and swagger about New York City, it's true. But there's also togetherness. And it's been on display these last few weeks as millions have rallied around a team like never before.
That's because the Knicks are the only team that can truly unite the whole city.
The Mets and Yankees can't, because the fan allegiances are split. The same goes for the Jets and Giants. As far as the Rangers, their fans greatly outnumber Islanders supporters, but hockey is the clear fourth sport in the city.
Last week, the Arkansas guard reportedly worked out with Sacramento, KCRA’s Sean Cunningham reported Monday, citing sources.
According to sources, former Arkansas star Darius Acuff Jr. worked out for the Kings in Sacramento last week. It was not publicized and there was no media availability following his workout.
The Kings publicly have hosted pre-draft workouts for several players, such as Tennessee guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Connecticut forward Alex Karaban, Kansas guard Tre White, Illinois guard Kylan Boswell and Louisville guard Ryan Conwell.
Acuff’s reported workout in Sacramento, however, was not made public.
It is no secret that the Kings have had their eye on the 6-foot-3, 190-pound prospect, especially with the team’s desperate need for a starting point guard. Acuff easily could fill that void in Sacramento’s roster, considering his scoring abilities on all three levels and playmaking skills.
In only one season at Arkansas, Acuff averaged 23.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game and shot 48.4 percent from the field and 44 percent from 3-point range in 36 starts.
Acuff’s impressive freshman season earned the Detroit native several awards, including first-team All-America, All-SEC honors and SEC Player of the Year.
With such a strong résumé under his belt, Acuff highly is regarded as one of the top prospects in this year’s draft, making it difficult to imagine that he will remain on the board for Sacramento with the No. 7 overall pick.
Other players who have been associated with the Kings’ No. 7 pick include Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. and Houston guard Kingston Flemings.
However, if Acuff remains available at No. 7, it would be harder to imagine the Kings passing on a player with his caliber and star potential.
The Portland Trail Blazers — specifically new owner Tom Dundon, according to league sources — were unsure about bringing back acting coach Tiago Splitter and giving him the job full-time. They took their time deciding between him and several other finalists, while Dundon was focused on his NHL team, the Carolina Hurricanes, winning the Stanley Cup.
So the Chicago Bulls have swooped in and will hire Splitter as their new head coach, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN and confirmed by multiple other reports.
Splitter came to Portland last season, hired away after leading Paris Basketball to the French Cup. He became a top assistant coach on Chauncey Billups' Portland staff, then, when Billups was arrested as part of a federal gambling investigation, Splitter was tapped to become the acting head coach. In that role, he led them to a better-than-projected 42-40 season and a playoff berth in the West, and helped develop Deni Avdija into an All-Star.
The Portland players respected Splitter. He was a seven-season NBA veteran as a player who won a ring with the 2014 San Antonio Spurs. As a coach, he has shown a strength in player development — something seen in Portland last season with Avdija, Scoot Henderson and others — and something that has to be a priority in Chicago with a roster in flux.
While it seemed logical to keep Splitter in the big chair in Portland, Dundon reportedly wasn't a fan. While Splitter was a finalist for the Trail Blazers' job, he was part of a wide-ranging search by Dundon and the Portland front office to find their cost-effective coach. While that search dragged on, Splitter started talking to the Bulls, and that team's new head of basketball operations, Bryson Graham, liked what he saw. Splitter reportedly beat out Minnesota assistant Micah Nori, Atlanta assistant Ryan Schmidt and Bulls assistant Wes Unseld Jr. for the job.
Splitter takes over a Bulls team with a roster in transition, but led by quality players in Josh Giddey and promising young forward Matas Buzelis. There's a lot of roster changeover coming, but that will give Splitter the chance to build his own culture and playing style.
A representative for the Houston Police Department told The California Post on Monday that the NBA superstar was pulled over for some kind of traffic violation at 3 a.m. on a downtown Houston roadway.
“The driver of the vehicle identified himself as James Harden” during the stop, the HPD rep said, “and he was taken into custody for unlawful carrying of a weapon.”
Cleveland Cavaliers’ James Harden during the first half of Game 2 in the Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series against the New York Knicks, May 21, 2026, in New York. AP Photo/Frank Franklin IIJames Harden was arrested at 3:41 a.m. on Saturday in Houston.
According to court documents, Harden had a handgun in his vehicle that “was not carried in a holster” while “in plain view.” He was formally taken into custody at 3:41 a.m. and booked on one misdemeanor charge of unlawful carrying weapons.
In Harden’s mugshot, which was provided to The Post by the HPD on Monday, he could be seen wearing a black T-shirt and a stern look on his face.
Harris County records show Harden was released from jail on bond later Saturday morning and given an arraignment date of June 22.
However, the records also show that hearing date was rescheduled on Monday to Aug. 3.
Harden, according to the records, has hired high-powered Texas attorney Rusty Hardin to represent him in the case. Hardin has previously repped several famous professional athletes, including Deshaun Watson when the NFL quarterback was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple massage therapists.
Messages to Hardin and his office for comment on Harden’s case were not immediately returned.
Harden, a former Los Angeles Clipper who currently plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, has deep ties to Houston — he played nine seasons with the Rockets earlier in his NBA career.
Sources told The Post he had been out at a local hookah lounge with a large group of his friends before his arrest occurred.
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Is there any chance the Sixers will find a core piece with the 22nd pick in Round 1 of the NBA draft on June 23?
The team sure seems to have snagged one of the top 21st selections ever in All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey. As for No. 22, below is a chronological (and unscientific) rundown of the best players drafted at that slot:
George McGinnis (1973)
After a series of contract disputes, McGinnis debuted with the Sixers in 1975. Fresh off an ABA MVP season, the do-it-all Hall of Fame forward earned All-Star nods in his first two years as a Sixer and won the Eastern Conference title in 1977. Other notable Sixers picks from the 1973 draft class include Doug Collins (No. 1) and Caldwell Jones (No. 32). McGinnis died in 2023 at 73 years old.
Davis helped the Trail Blazers win it all his rookie season. The speedy guard out of Dayton had his most productive NBA years with the Pacers, averaging 16.4 points and 5.4 assists from the 1978-79 through ’81-82 seasons. Davis went on to coach in the NBA and served as the Sixers’ head coach for Allen Iverson’s rookie year in 1996-97.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 30: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 30, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to our annual Lakers season in review series, where we’ll look back at each player on the team’s roster this season and evaluate if they should be part of the future of the franchise. Today, we continue our series with a look at Austin Reaves.
Certain players are always connected to Los Angeles. There are the obvious ones, like Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson. But you don’t have to be a legend for your entire Lakers tenure to be remembered for your time inpurple and gold.
Anytime one of the young Lakers from the post-Bryant era finds success, they get love from fans. Josh Hart remains loved by Lakers fans. And even people like Nick Young are remembered, even if they spent more time elsewhere and won a title elsewhere.
So much of Austin Reaves’ story is still left to be written, but one thing is clear: he will always be a Laker. The question is whether his journey will continue in LA.
Reaves is expected to turn down his player option and become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Throughout his career, he has far exceeded even the rosiest of projections people have had of him. He has improved every year, and with him reportedly wanting upwards of $40 million, it seems either the Lakers or another team will oblige.
In an ideal world, the Lakers can pay Reaves whatever number he wants, and that’d be that.
However, nothing is ever ideal, and the NBA operates under a restrictive new salary cap. Paying Reaves will not dramatically impact what they do this year, but in the years ahead, it could prevent LA from adding impactful new pieces.
Although letting such an uber talent like Reaves walk away could also be dire and set the franchise back for years to come.
LA has a lot of decisions to make this summer to turn this team from a fun 50-win roster to a title contender. And the first, and perhaps biggest, decision they have is what to do with Reaves.
How did he play?
It was a tale of two seasons for Reaves.
He was an offensive juggernaut this year, averaging 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists. His scoring and rebounding numbers were career highs and his point total has increased every single season.
Not only were his numbers fantastic, but his play in key moments during the regular season also stood out. He posted his career high 51 points in a win over the Kings and he helped atone for his playoff struggles against the Wolves by hitting a game-winner against Minnesota.
As the season progressed, it became clear the Lakers were a better team with Luka Dončić’s running mate being Reaves rather than LeBron. So, as the season progressed, Reaves’ usage continued to increase. By March, Reaves became a higher-usage player for the Lakers than James.
This meant the ball was in Reaves’ hands more often, and there were a ton of pick-and-roll actions with him and Luka. The result? The Lakers went 15-2 in March, their best month as a franchise since the 1999-00 season.
At that point, the Lakers were the hottest team in the NBA, and Reaves’ stock was at an all-time high. However, that’s not where the story ended.
Thanks to Reaves, working his tail off in his recovery, he was able to return in the first round against the Rockets. While his return was commendable, his play once he touched the floor left a lot to be desired.
He couldn’t handle the physicality of OKC’s defenders. His field goal percentage dropped from 49% during the regular season to 42% against the Thunder. From deep, he was even worse, going from knocking down 36% of his 3-pointers to just 30%.
As an on-ball creator, he was awful. Reaves had 27 turnovers compared to just 35 assists. He also had the second-worst plus-minus on the team at -59.
As a defender, Reaves didn’t silence his critics with his second-round play. He was relentlessly attacked and demonstrated the resistance of a turnstile.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Ajay Mitchell scored in bunches on Reaves, which is why he was often the defender they were looking for.
In Reaves’ defense, he was fresh coming off his injury, and the playoffs are a tough place to try to get back to 100% health.
Also, he improved as the series against the Thunder progressed. In Game 2, he scored a game-high 31 points on 10-16 shooting, and in Game 4, he had 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
What is his contract situation moving forward?
If Reaves declines his player option like everyone expects him to, he will be an unrestricted free agent. Given how good he’s been, to retain Reaves, the Lakers are likely looking at paying him $40 million or more. Although Reaves has stated he isn’t just looking to make as much money as possible. Winning matters to him as well.
The good news is that his cap hold this year will be approximately $20.9 million, which helps the Lakers this offseason. It means they’ll be able to pay him without feeling the impact of every dollar he makes right away in their books.
Should he be back?
He has his flaws like any other player, but ideally, Reaves will be back next year. He has room to grow, but has proven he’ll do the work to get there time and time again.
However, the Lakers have to be smart with what those numbers look like. Los Angeles, as currently constructed, is not good enough to win a title. Reaves is fantastic, but he’s not Luka. He doesn’t get a blank check, no questions asked. The deal has to make sense because the Lakers need flexibility to acquire players who can elevate the team to the next level even past this offseason.
The Lakers might think their backcourt’s defensive woes are exaggerated, but they aren’t lockdown defenders either. LA needs better defenders around their duo and likely a dominant frontcourt player to add to this roster.
In the end, it’s in LA’s best interest to continue this partnership with Reaves. They just need to do so while making Austin happy and still allowing them to add to their roster so they can be contenders once again.
CAMDEN, NJ - JUNE 8: Mike Gansey speaks as the Philadelphia 76ers introduce him as their new President of Basketball Operations on June 8, 2026 at The Penn Medicine Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mary Kate Ridgway/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With the New York Knicks taking down the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the NBA Finals, the 2025-26 season has officially come to an end.
Teams are now allowed to speak to their own free agents and start mapping out their offseason. For the Sixers, that means Kelly Oubre, Jr., Quentin Grimes and Andre Drummond. The likelihood of all three coming back feels very low. Drummond has likely played his last game in Philadelphia. Oubre and Grimes are talented but flawed rotation players who could conceivably be back.
Also, the 2026 NBA Draft is a little over a week away now. Mock drafts have the Sixers taking players like Chris Cenac, Dailyn Swain, Allen Graves and Jayden Quaintance. The options at 22 are very uncertain, but this is a good and deep draft class.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 14: New York Knicks fans climb on buses as they celebrate after they win the NBA Finals in Times Square on June 14, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks lead the San Antonio Spurs 3-1 and could win the franchise's first NBA championship since 1973 if they win tonight.(Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The New York Knicks aren’t just NBA champions, they’re a lesson in perseverance. Proof positive why you should never quit on your team, no matter how dark it gets, no matter how bleak the future seems, no matter how much an owner tries to push you away. James Dolan’s name might be on the papers, but Saturday night proved that the Knicks don’t belong to him — they belong to New York.
It’s impossible not to love the scenes from New York following the Knicks’ breaking their 53-year championship drought. Did the celebration go too far? Sure. Did it turn the streets into anarchy? Absolutely. Did it closely resemble the Joker’s clown parade in Batman Returns? It sure did. It was also magical, inspiring, and reminded us how powerful sports can be, even as we become jaded in the face of ticket scalpers, political movements, and greedy owners who put their own motivations ahead of a city. When the dust settles, it’s about simply this: A small group of individuals who came together as a team, to bring joy to millions who have invested their heart and souls into loving a team their entire lives. People who said “this could be our year” more times than they could count, and when it comes to the NBA there is not a single more passionate, longer-suffering fanbase than the New York Knicks.
No doubt there would have been joy in San Antonio too, but it would have hit different. All due respect to Spurs fans, but even y’all have to admit that your franchise has had a horseshoe lodged up your derriere for the better part of 30 years. From drafting Tim Duncan during David Robinson’s ONE injury year to winning the Wemby sweepstakes, it just wouldn’t have been satisfying to see another Spurs win. Moreover, San Antonio is a competent, sensible organization run like a successful business — it’s not the Knicks, where fans have had to endure James Dolan’s whims at every turn, doing his level best to destroy the organization from within while playing a piano solo in his nepo band.
Dolan and the Knicks have given fans HUNDREDS of reasons to pack it in over the years. I don’t know how Spike Lee managed to endure the pain for as long as he did — but not just the pain, the promise. The possibility that Patrick Ewing, and John Starks would win a title, then if Stephon Marbury and Allan Houston could get the job done, then Carmelo, Amare, and J.R. Smith. Fans continually experience the yo-yo whiplash of made that make them believe, before seeing opportunity get yanked away, like a cat toy from a desperate tabby. They’ve seen brilliant teams under the guidance of Jeff Van Gundy, Mike D’Antoni, and Tom Thibodeau all establish specific eras of Knicks disappointment, which makes it all the more magical right now.
This Knicks team was so decidedly un-Knicks. Jalen Brunson is obviously a superstar, but this team was defined by doubt, not promise. Nobody believed Karl-Anthony Towns was good enough to be a focal point, Mickal Bridges was an overpaid addition; heck, Mike Brown was almost universally reviled when he was hired to lead this iteration of the Knicks, because his career before New York was defined by everything the organization was trying to avoid. Brown routinely led promising teams, only to fall short — and the assumption was that he would do the same with the Knicks. He didn’t. Instead, he prevailed.
The conclusion of the NBA season isn’t just for fans of the Knicks, but for every long-suffering fan in sports. A reminder that success can happen when you least expect it. If you pack it up and ignore a team, finally beaten down by the frustration — sure, nobody will know you took a break, but deep down you will. The pain is what makes moments like this legendary. The inescapably sour that finally gives way to the sweet. A chance to take to the streets, party like it’s the end of the world, and know that all the emotional effort wasn’t in vain.
James Dolan doesn’t own the Knicks, he’s merely a caretaker. This isn’t his championship, it’s New York’s. The 2025-26 season will have a legacy that exists when Dolan is gone and forgotten, which means he never really won. One billionaire can try to kill a team, but the city never let it happen. Let them be a reminder for all of us.
Splitter, 41, led the Trail Blazers to a 42-40 finish in 2025-26, taking Portland to the first round of the NBA Playoffs, where they fell in five games to the eventual Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs.
With the Blazers, Splitter embraced speed and pace on offense, asking the team's young core to grab rebounds and sprint out into the open floor. Portland ranked ninth in the NBA in pace (101.63 possessions per 48 minutes) one season after ranking 16th (99.51). Splitter also created a fluid offensive structure that empowered players to read the defense and react with concepts and actions, as opposed to a reliance on set plays.
Under Splitter, forward Deni Avdija became a first-time All-Star after averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. The Trail Blazers also saw young players like Shaedon Sharpe (20.8 points per game), Scoot Henderson (14.2) and Toumani Camara (13.4) improve their games. Portland had eight different players average double-figures in scoring this season.
In Chicago, Splitter will try to revitalize a team that has struggled to make deep runs in the postseason in recent years. The Bulls overhauled their roster during the trading deadline, adding several guards to an already deep position on the roster.
Splitter's fit with point guard Josh Giddey — a versatile, play-making guard who can create his own shot and distribute for others — should be seamless, and his success with the Bulls will depend on elevating Giddey to an All-Star-caliber player.
The Bulls also have a developing star in forward Matas Buzelis, who averaged 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game this season. The most promising piece for Splitter, however, may not even be on the roster yet.
Chicago won the No. 4 overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, a class that is both loaded with elite talent at the top of the class and deep. The consensus best players, Darryn Peterson of Kansas and AJ Dybantsa of BYU, are expected to be off the board at that point, but that could leave North Carolina's Caleb Wilson or Duke's Cameron Boozer available for selection.
Wilson is full of promise and has the size (6-foot-10) and athletic ability to be a premier threat in the NBA.
OG Anunoby, born in London, is now a two-time NBA champion [Getty Images]
With 1.2 seconds left of game four of the 2026 NBA Finals, a sold-out Madison Square Garden erupted.
The score was 106-105 in favour of the San Antonio Spurs as they looked to level the best-of-seven series at 2-2, when New York Knicks talisman Jalen Brunson's three-point attempt was denied by the rim.
But before any Spurs defender could make the crucial rebound, a flying OG Anunoby did enough to rise through a crowd of players and palm the ball back into the basket for a one-point lead and put the Knicks on the brink of immortality.
Magic Johnson in 1986. Michael Jordan in 1996. Steve Nash in 1997. This means the company Anunoby can now put himself in with a game-winner that has gone viral and etched itself in history.
"Game four is probably the top of British basketball history," said London-born Anunoby, now a two-time NBA winner.
"Amazing for Britain and the UK and everyone who loves basketball in the UK."
Three nights after Anunoby's game-winner that sent MSG and its celebrity front row into shock, the Knicks wrapped up the series 4-1 in San Antonio for a first finals win since 1973.
Unlike his first NBA title with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, Anunoby played a significant role. Seven years ago, he was only a spectator as injury ruled him out of the entire play-offs, with the Raptors beating the Golden State Warriors in the finals.
In another tip of the hat to British basketball and its future, Anunoby's team-mates included Jeremy Sochan. While Sochan plays for Poland, because of his upbringing and allegiance to the UK he is listed as one of four UK-based players in the NBA.
Alongside Anunoby and Sochan, Amari Williams and Tosan Evbuomwan played in an NBA season that featured a record number of players from the United Kingdom this term.
OG Anunoby was mobbed by the media following his winner in game four against the San Antonio Spurs [Getty Images]
If you think of the Knicks and their current squad, point guard Brunson is likely the name that springs to mind.
Not only an NBA champion, but now an NBA Finals MVP winner and an NBA all-star in each of the past three seasons.
While Brunson is the immediate franchise player, Anunoby is very much one of those right behind him.
Anunoby featured in 84 of the Knicks' 101 matches this term, all of which he played from the start. During the play-offs, he ranked second in the Knicks squad for average minutes played as well as points, assists, blocks and steals per game.
Brunson may get the plaudits, but Anunoby is among those in the supporting cast who deserve their flowers, too.
More than three billion social media views were generated from game four, one where the Knicks had earlier trailed by 29 points before the result was ultimately decided by Anunoby's dramatic winning basket.
The series itself was the most-watched on ESPN since Jordan and the Chicago Bulls won their sixth and final title 28 years ago.
The Knicks have won this title, their first in 53 years, at a canter. They won 15 of their final 16 matches of the season, 10 of the first 11 of which were by more than 10 points.
Their only loss in that run was a four-point defeat by the Spurs in game three of the finals.
What next for British basketball?
OG Anunoby rose highest among crowds of New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs players to win game four, and ultimately set the Knicks up for a first title in 53 years [Getty Images]
Anunoby's championship-winning season and his clutch moments throughout the year come at a timely crossroads as far as the future of British basketball is concerned.
The NBA is planning to launch an independent European league within the next 18 months. London and Manchester are in place to be hosts to a franchise each when that league is launched, currently planned for October 2027.
By the time it has launched, both cities will have hosted an NBA regular-season match in the two years leading up to what could be the biggest changes to club basketball across the United Kingdom and Europe.
"I think London, especially, is an untapped market. There's so much talent and so many people playing basketball, so I think it would be amazing to bring a team to Manchester and London and continue growing in England," said Anunoby on the prospect of a European NBA league.
"As time goes on [basketball in the UK] is going to grow more and more. I think over time more and more [young boys and girls] are going to pull up at the NBA or WNBA.
"I want them to see that someone from where they are from is doing this. There is a lot of untapped potential and hope it's going to grow. It will mean exposure, growth, more leagues, more excitement for the game."
The London Lions recently signed a multi-year deal to remain competing in EuroCup for at least the next three seasons, which could be extended to five.
Anunoby was previously a minority owner of the franchise, who are coming off the back of a domestic quadruple-winning season.
It is an exciting time for a sport that has struggled to consistently produce top-level British stars but is showing growth and enormous potential at grassroots level.
Anunoby's championship-winning run is both timely and an inspiration for the next generation of UK-based basketball hopefuls.
Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) talks with forward Victor Wembanyama (1) against the New York Knicks during game three of the 2026 NBA Finals in the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The 2025-26 season may have ended in disappointment as the Spurs stumbled their way through 4 fourth-quarter collapses in the NBA Finals, turning what could have been four victories and a championship into four excruciating losses in five games. However, when you look at the broader view, it helps to remember this is nowhere near what was expected of this team this season, how far ahead of schedule they are, and how much more room they have to grow.
Another thing this year’s trip to the Finals has given us is, after years of watching and waiting for two months once the season ended in April, we immediately get to turn our attention to important summer activities, such as the NBA Draft, Free Agency and Summer League with almost no time gap. Below is a list of important dates to keep in mind as the Spurs build on a highly successful season and prepare for the future.
NBA Draft
June 23, 2026 — First round
Spurs pick 20th (via Atlanta Hawks)
June 24, 2026 — Second round
Spurs pick 35th (via the Utah Jazz)
Spurs pick 42th (via the Portland Trail Blazers)
Spurs pick 44th (via the Miami Heat)
As of today, the Spurs have four total picks, including 20th overall in the first round thanks to owning the right to swap picks with the Atlanta Hawks, who will in turn pick in the Spurs’ slot of 29th (the Dejounte Murray trade keeps on giving). They also have three second round picks via other teams, while their own is going to Minnesota. (After getting a little spoiled by the lottery in recent years, waiting for 20th is going to seem like a long time.)
Free Agency
June 14, 2026 — Teams can begin negotiating with their own free agents.
This was actually yesterday since it aligns with the first day after the end of the Finals, but with that being said, the Spurs have very few free agents of note. The most notable is Harrison Barnes, who began the season as a starter but fell out of the rotation as the season wore on and played sparingly in the playoffs. The Spurs’ other free agents include Kelly Olynyk, Jordan McLaughlin, Lindy Waters III, Bismack Biyombo and Mason Plumlee, as well as their three two-way players: Harrison Ingram, David Jones Garcia and Emmanuel Miller.
June 29, 2026 — Last day for early terminations and qualifying offers for restricted free agents.
The latter part of this day hardly matters to the Spurs since their 2022 draft class is gone, but the former could matter if they choose to decline Julian Champagnie’s team option and sign him to an extension. If that is the case, they would need to do so by this time.
June 30, 2026 — Last day for veteran extensions, negotiation period begins (5:00 PM CT).
Should the Spurs take the previously mentioned route with Champagnie, this would be the last chance for him to sign an extension, otherwise he would become a free agent. Also beginning at 5:00 PM CT, teams can begin negotiating with other team’s free agents.
July 1, 2026 — True beginning of Free Agency (list is courtesy of Hoops Rumors).
Teams can begin exercising the third- or fourth-year team options for 2027-28 on rookie scale contracts.
A few notes here. One is as a reminder, the Moratorium Period is five days in which contracts can be negotiated but not signed. The other notable occurrence for the Spurs will be the bottom one, in which they can — and for all intents and purposes will — exercised the fourth-year option on Stephon Castle’s rookie contract and third-year options for Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant. (They technically have until October 31 to get this done, but it’s hard to imagine it would take that long, especially for Castle and Harper.)
July 6, 2026 — Moratorium period ends; trades, contracts and extensions can be officially signed.
Now pen can officially be put to paper for trades, contracts and extensions. The Spurs will be able to sign any new free agents, but most notably, Victor Wembanyama will become eligible to sign his rookie-scale extension. Assuming he takes the max, it will be largest rookie contract extension in NBA history and make him one of the league’s highest paid players beginning in the 2027-28 season. The base salary for his maximum extension is $251 million (or 25% of the salary cap) across five years, but it can turn into the super-max worth up to $301 million (30% of the salary cap) if he earns All-NBA honors or wins MVP or Defensive Player of the Year in the 2026-27 season. Barring him missing the 65-game limit, expect the super-max to be the case by the time it kicks in.
These are the main key dates that will be notable for the Spurs, but others within FA include:
July 13 —Last day to withdraw qualifying offers to restricted free agents.
July 31 — Players signed using the second-round pick exception begin to count against a team’s cap.
August 5 — Last day for teams to issue required tenders to unsigned second-round picks..
August 29 — Last day for teams to waive players and apply the stretch provision to their 2026-27 salaries.
Summer League
July 3-6 — California Classic
Amidst all the chaos of free agency will be Summer League, so you don’t even have to wait a month to watch basketball again! First, the Spurs will participate in the California Classic in San Francisco, along the Warriors, Lakers and Heat. This is usually a good place to at least see the Spurs second round picks for the first time.
July 9-19 — Las Vegas Summer League
This of course is the more notable of the Summer Leagues and where you stand a better chance of seeing the Spurs’ first round pick, as well as possibly some returning faces. While I wouldn’t expect Harper to be in SL this year (he doesn’t need it), it’s quite possible Bryant gets a run as team captain so he can develop more and show the Spurs how far he has come. This could also be a chance for players like Ingram to vie for another two-way spot with the Spurs or possibly even a guaranteed contract. Unfortunately, one face we may not see is Jones Garcia, who underwent ankle surgery in February and is not expected to be ready for SL.
It’s crazy how much quicker the offseason is when you play two extra months of ball (because math), but the lack of a long gap between April and now is certainly nice. It’s hard to believe that training camp is just a bit over three months away, and while the Spurs have some work to do this summer, expect them to return pretty much the same core team.
We will have plenty of content on potential draft and free agency prospects for the Spurs in the coming days and weeks, as well as Summer League coverage, so be sure to stick around at Pounding the Rock all summer. While this season may not have ended ideally, it was certain the best one I have covered since starting here in 2016-17, and the future couldn’t be brighter. Thank you all for your continued support!
