How much Tyler Kolek do you think we’ll see in the NBA Finals? | Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images
Hey, remember when the New York Knicks lost two playoff games to the Atlanta Hawks??
It’s true! They were down 2-1 in that series after a 109-108 loss in Game 3, which was back on April 23rd.
THEY HAVEN’T LOST SINCE!
Three straight against the Hawks to win that series 4-2, then a sweep of Philadelphia and a sweep of Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals! 11 straight wins, and now the Knicks are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999!
Unfortunately for our purposes here at Anonymous Eagle, OUR GUY Tyler Kolek only played nine total minutes against Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. That seems a little weird because as we discussed in the preview/schedule post for that series, the Knicks are undefeated at 8-0 in the playoffs when head coach Mike Brown puts Kolek on the floor but now just 4-2 when Kolek does not play. GET IT TOGETHER, MIKE BROWN!
In fairness to Mike Brown, he’s the guy steering the ship on the best 10 game point differential in NBA history, regular season or playoffs…. and that margin is NOT CLOSE.
We should note that Kolek had eight points, a rebound, and an assist in eight minutes in New York’s 130-93 demolition of the Cavaliers in Game 4. That game was so lopsided that when it went to the half with the Knicks up 68-49, the Inside The NBA crew spent intermission openly discussing how much the Cavaliers had quit, up to and including an on screen stat package titled “QUITTING TIME.” That’s a yikes!
Anyway, the Knicks are in the NBA Finals, and after Saturday night’s Game 7, we know that they’ll be facing the San Antonio Spurs, making it a rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals. The Spurs went 62-20 in the regular season, which earned them the #2 seed in the Western Conference, and for the purposes of this series, that means San Antonio will have home court advantage in the Finals since New York was 53-29.
The Spurs got to the Finals by beating Portland, Minnesota and Oklahoma City in the Western Conference playoffs, which does mean that they beat the #1 seeded Thunder 4-3 in the conference finals and thus dethroned the reigning NBA Champions. San Antonio had to win Game 6 at home to force Game 7, and then they beat the Thunder 111-103 on the road to get to the Finals for the first time since 2014.
San Antonio was led in the Western Conference Finals by Victor Wembanyama, the 7’4”, 22-year-old phenom. He averaged 27.3 points and 10.9 rebounds per game against OKC, which includes a 16-for-40 effort behind the three-point line, and honestly: Big Vic shooting 40% on threes on top of everything should be declared illegal. He also chipped in 3.1 assists and a shockingly low 2.7 blocks per game against the Thunder, so he’s doing a little bit of everything for the Spurs.
The Spurs are more than just Le Slim, and it’s former UConn Husky Stephon Castle showing up as their #2 scorer from the conference finals at 18.0 points per game. He also led the squad in assists with 7.6 in the series, but don’t ignore De’Aaron Fox and his 6.2 per game either. There’s a little bit of noise in that signal since Fox did miss two games in the series, but he did play over 35 minutes in Game 7, so we’ll presume he’s good to go when the NBA Finals start on Wednesday.
One last thing, which I saw on Saturday night: Game 6 of the Finals, if necessary, will be at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, June 16th. France — Wembanyama’s home country! — plays their first match of the 2026 World Cup…. five hours earlier at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Could be quite the day for Francophones in the New York/New Jersey area, that’s all.
2026 NBA Finals
All games are on ABC, and all games start at 7:30pm Central
Game 1: Wednesday, June 3 Game 2: Friday, June 5 Game 3: Monday, June 8 Game 4: Wednesday, June 10 Game 5*: Saturday, June 13 Game 6*: Tuesday, June 16 Game 7*: Friday, June 19
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 30: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates with Stephon Castle #5 and De'aaron Fox #4 after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder with a score of 111 to 103 to win Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 30, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I began writing for Pounding the Rock in October 2014 in the soft autumn afterglow of the Redemption Finals in June of that year. No one predicted that would be the Spurs’ last trip to the NBA Finals for over a decade.
Because I am both a Spurs fan in particular and a basketball fan in general, I would still watch the NBA finals each season, even without the Spurs involved. Long-time readers know that I cannot watch a sporting event without rooting for one team or the other. Those parts of my personality led me to write an annual column about which team Spurs fans should root for in each of the Finals which did not once include the Spurs after 2014.
Last year, the Finals were between OKC and Indiana. In my June 5, 2025 piece, I gave six reasons to choose the Indiana Pacers over OKC, and concluded with:
Like that Warriors team, this Thunder will be a massive problem for the league, and the Spurs, for many seasons to come. As a result, even if they aren’t already doing so, Spurs fan might as well start rooting against the Thunder. We certainly will be doing exactly that for the foreseeable future. Go Pacers!
When I wrote that nearly a year ago, no one (including mylsef) knew that our Spurs, not the Thunder, would become “the massive problem for the league” this season. As a result, for this season at least, I can retire my annual analysis of which team Spurs fans should root for in the NBA Finals. I have some more thoughts to share, but if you are reading this to determine who I think Spurs fans should root for in the 2026 NBA Finals, I don’t need to provide a lengthy analysis or a list of reasons to root for one team or another. Go Spurs Go!
Other thoughts
In my piece from last year, I explored the English derivation of the word “juggernaut”. I assumed it was Germanic. (Try saying “juggernaut” with a German accent. Very Germanic, right?) It turns out that the word comes from India, not Germany:
“An idea, custom, fashion, etc., that demands either blind devotion or merciless sacrifice,” 1854, a figurative use of Juggernaut, 1630s (Iaggernat), “huge wagon bearing an image of the god Krishna,” especially at the town of Puri, drawn annually in procession during which (apocryphally) devotees allowed themselves to be crushed under its wheels in sacrifice. Altered from Jaggernaut, a title of Krishna (an incarnation of Vishnu), from Hindi Jagannath, literally “lord of the world.”
I raise this word again this year because after the Spurs established themselves as true contenders this season, many pundits began describing the Spurs and Thunder as the two true juggernauts in the league. Many assumed that the winner of the Western Conference Finals — assumed by all to be either OKC or San Antonio — would crush the Eastern Conference winner like the Krishna devotees under the massive wheels of his huge wagon. It turns out that we may have a third juggernaut — the New York Knicks. Although their competition was not up to Western Conference standards, the Knicks smote their playoff competition in a truly historic manner. From The Athletic:
“The Knicks enter as the hottest team in the history of the NBA playoffs. They have won 11 games in a row, against the Hawks, 76ers and Cavaliers. In running up a 12-2 playoff record, the average score of their games has been Knicks 120, Opponents 101. New York’s 19.4-point margin per game is, for the moment, six points ahead of any other postseason team since the NBA-ABA merger.”
Despite this historic dominance, and the Knicks’ massive rest advantage, the Knicks are 2-1 underdogs to a team who was picked as a possible Play-In Tournament participant at the start of the season. Of course, the Knicks have had a spotty history in the 50+ years since their last title, while the Spurs won a crown or two (or five) while the Knicks were flaming out each year. And the Spurs have several perimeter defenders a little bit better that the Harden/Mitchell backcourt that the Knicks’ guards torched in the Eastern Conference Finals. That being said, 2 t0 1 still seems a bit high.
The player of the game for the Spurs in Game 7 was Julian Champagnie. He went 6 for 10 from three, scored 20 points on 11 shots, and was a game-leading +16 during his 38 minutes on the floor. For much of the time down the stretch of an absolute must-win Game Seven on the road, Mitch Johnson went with his four top-5 lottery picks, and Julian Champagnie.
In a related note, the absolute play of the game was Luke Kornet’s block of Isaiah Hartenstein’s breakaway dunk attempt.
That play happened with just under seven minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Spurs up 97-91. Absent that block, OKC would have cut the lead to four, probably forcing a Spurs time-out with the OKC fans making it impossible for anyone to hear. Instead, the Spurs got the ball back and scored, turning the game into a much more comfortable (and quiet) 99-91 eight-point lead. During the six minutes he played, Kornet had the same number of blocks as Victor Wembanyama (1), and two more offensive rebounds (3 to 1) — and hustled into the key play of the game that sent the Spurs into the NBA Finals.
Why do I mention Champagnie and Kornet together? Each of them were undrafted out of college. Very Spursian. They join other key Spurs from the past who were either undrafted or second round picks: Avery Johnson, Manu Ginobili, Patty Mills, DannyGreen! and many others. The Spurs’ proud franchise was built not only on top picks like the Admiral, the Great Duncan and Victor, but also on players other NBA teams decided were not good enough to play in the league.
I haven’t done a Fun with Box Scores edition in quite a while, largely because Pounding the Rock has a guy who does it much better than I can. But Game Seven’s box score has some notable items. For instance, both teams shot 45% from the field, but the Spurs went 17/40 from three, while OKC was 12/35. Put another way, the Spurs shot five more threes — and made all of them.
Also, Stephon Castle had the devil of a game: 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 turnovers. The Spurs’ nuns still forgave him because he had 16 points and 4 offensive rebounds. Ryan Harper had 3 offensive rebounds, meaning the two young Spurs guards combined for 7 offensive rebounds.
Another cool stat — after OKC got 9 offensive rebounds in the first half, they had only 1 in the entire second half. You think the Spurs coaching staff may have emphasized that at halftime? Yeah, me too. The Spurs got 5 more offensive rebounds for the game (15-10), and had 1 fewer turnover (13-12), which means 6 extra opportunities to score in a game decided by 8 points. By the way, the 111-103 final was the second closest game of the series. A very odd series, with two excellent games bookending five contests which were not in doubt in the fourth quarter.
One final question: why does ESPN always have Dylan Harper listed last on the Spurs box score? It is certainly not alphabetical, or based on his uniform number. Maybe because he went to Rutgers?? If anyone has a logical answer, please drop it in the comments.
One last stat: this one from halftime of Game Seven. The Spurs were up 3 points, 46-43. In the first half, the Spurs were 7 for 8 from the free throw line, while the Thunder were 4 for 8. Which means that with all the shooting and rebounding and steals and defense in the first half, the Spurs were ahead because they made three more free throws than OKC on their eight attempts.
That also made it odd that OKC’s coach chose to replace two of his starters to start the second half. I thought that sent an unusual message to a team that had the best record in the league the past two seasons. It might have been better to tell his guys “we got this”, “we are at home and we weathered the storm”, and yes, “we are the defending champs, let’s go out and show the world.” Instead, OKC benched two starters.
In contrast, when Stephon Castle got his 4th foul in the third quarter, and Victor got his 5th foul with over seven minutes left in the game, Mitch Johnson subbed them out for less than two minutes each, and then sent them back into the game. He trusted his guys to play without fouling, and switched Castle off SGA for much of the remaining game. (During Victor’s minute-long rest, Kornet has his chase down block — and then immediately subbed out to much adulation from the Spurs’ bench.) Johnson knew that the team needed Castle and Victor on the court for the Spurs to win Game Seven on the road, and he was right. Nice job by the Spurs’ head coach — also a rookie in his first playoffs.
Several good quotes to mention. First, Anthony Edwards said this about the Spurs, and in particular their offense when Victor was not in the game: “It made it hard on us because now everybody (on the Spurs) was playing free,” Edwards said. “They play egoless basketball anyway, but they made it a little tougher.”
As a coach, I want opposing players to describe my team’s offense as “egoless”. Love it. The second quote was from Reggie Miller after Keldon Johnson, who lives on a farm, drained two key threes in the fourth quarter: “His goats are very happy.”
Finally, my buddy Ferg dropped this dime describing Chet Holmgren’s four point, four rebound performance in Game Seven. “He Chet the bed”.
Because this is my “rooting for” post, I end by pointing out that the Spurs were clearly the fan favorites in the Western Conference Finals. Other than people from Oklahoma, or the OKC players’ close relatives, it seems that everyone was either rooting for the Spurs or against the Thunder. I don’t know if that will carry over to the Finals. There are an awful lot of New York Knicks fans out there, and I mean awful when describing Knicks’ fans. (To my Knicks fan buddies, sorry for the cheap shot.)
Anyway, because I traditionally root against teams from New York, my choice is doubly easy. I just don’t believe the series will be.
Stephen Curry's season-long sneaker free agency is over with the international star announcing on social media a deal to take his Curry Brand to Chinese show powerhouse Li-Ning.
"The future of Curry Brand will be powered by a company truly rooted in sports and innovation," Curry said in his post and open letter announcing the deal. "A partner dedicated to creating quality products with sneakers that I believe in that will continue to deliver at the highest level...
"Together, we will continue the Curry Brand mission with stories, platforms and products that will inspire the next generation around the globe."
Curry becomes the biggest basketball star signed to Li-Ning, which also has contracts with Jimmy Butler (Curry's teammate on the Warriors) and De'Angelo Russell, as well as former NBA player and Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade.
A 10-year deal means Curry and Li-Ning are thinking about how to continue and grow the brand beyond his NBA playing days. Curry, 38, has played 17 seasons in the NBA and has talked about being much closer to the end of his career than the start.
Curry had been with Under Armour for a dozen years, but last November the two sides announced they had parted ways. That led to a long season of sneaker free agency, during which Curry paid tribute to the legends of the game by wearing their shoes on the court. At the end of the season, Curry auctioned off those shoes to raise money for his Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, and they raised $1.7 million.
Curry's split with Under Armour allowed him to take the Curry Brand with him, and his brand can sign players to endorsement contracts (the way a player can sign with the Jordan brand rather than directly with Nike). This deal also shows Curry is thinking globally about growing his brand.
Li-Ning plans to build Curry Brand stores in the coming years in both the United States and China.
On today’s episode, Jack Borman of Locked on Timberwolves joins the show to break down what the Minnesota Timberwolves’ offseason could look like:
— The Timberwolves will have re-signing Ayo Dosunmu at the top of their offseason priority list. The question is how long it will take to re-sign Dosunmu and how that will affect the rest of the roster.
— The Wolves will be able to offer Dosunmu more money and years than other teams, which puts them in the driver’s seat to retain the 26-year-old guard.
— Could the Timberwolves look to trade Donte DiVincenzo this offseason? It would be a difficult decision to trade an injured player set to miss most or all of the season, but the Wolves might value using his $12.5 million contract to help match salary in a potential trade.
— There is value in having DiVincenzo on the roster even if he does not play many games on the court. If his contract expires on the Wolves’ book, it would make it much easier for the team to re-sign him next offseason.
— The NBA announced a new draft lottery system that makes it so that the bottom three records in the league receive fewer ping-pong balls than the teams above them in the standings. Could this increase the value for Julius Randle or Rudy Gobert in a trade?
— If the Wolves decide to move on from Randle, a team at the bottom of the standings might have interest in Randle as he could help them avoid finishing with one of the three worst records, which would maximize their chance of winning the draft lottery.
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 1: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during the game against the New York Knicks on March 1, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs enter this year’s NBA Finals on a collision course of experience vs. exuberance. The Knicks return to the Finals for the first time since 1999 with a group of veterans in their prime with shared playoff experience. The Spurs’ latest iteration to make the Finals comes during their first playoff run behind French phenom Victor Wembanyama. They’re entering the series just three days after wrapping up a grueling seven games against the Thunder, while the Knicks have had an extra week to rest up and tinker in the lab.
To the extent that regular season matchups may resemble the Finals product, the Knicks hold the upper hand – winning two of three, including the NBA Cup championship game and a 25-point blowout in March. But both teams responded to playoff adversity by evolving into new forms. FanDuel’s odds on the NBA Finals champion are a window into the complex matchups and adjustments that will go into determining the champion, and the Knicks now find themselves as the betting underdogs.
KNICKS (+168)
The Knicks have been playing incredible basketball. They’ve won 11 consecutive playoff games, all by double digits. Their 19.4 point differential during the 14-game playoff run is nearly five points better than the next best differential in playoff history. They’ve been grabbing nearly 60% of rebound chances, and outscored the Cavs in both second-chance and transition points in their closeout game.
Jalen Brunson has been the tip of the spear, averaging 26.9 points and 6.6 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns unlocked a new skill pack on offense, averaging a career-high 5.9 assists and more than 10 boards per game. His ability to pull Wemby out of the lane was key in their regular season success.
Beyond the stars, the Knicks’ entire playoff rotation has been excellent. OG Anunoby has stuffed the stat sheets, averaging 19.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and knocking down 48% from deep. Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart have scored in double digits and contribute to a swarming defense that averaged over 10 steals per game in the ECF. Landry Shamet probably won’t keep shooting 91% from three, but Miles McBride, Mitchell Robinson, and Jordan Clarkson are solid options at key matchups.
SPURS (-200)
The Spurs leap-frogged to the front of the Western Conference ahead of schedule. Conventional wisdom (and historical precedent) says that championship teams need multiple rounds of live playoff experience to fortify their layers of adjustments. But that experience also exposes the risks of injuries and salary cap management, whereas youth can supply a reservoir of energy to burst through growing pains. As each series went longer, the Spurs got better.
Wemby’s 41 points and 24 rebounds in game 1 against OKC was emblematic of his ability to control entire games with nearly unlimited offensive and defensive arsenals. He can completely close off the paint or lock down on the perimeter, and he posted 48.1/40.0/89.5 shooting splits against OKC’s elite defense. He’s averaging a 23-point double-double with 3.5 blocks in the playoffs.
The league now revolves around Wembenyama, but the emergence of the Spurs’ young role players and reserves has been the story of their resilience. Stephon Castle took on the top defensive matchups while averaging 19.2 points and 6.7 assists over the playoffs. Dylan Harper looks like a potential future MVP with advanced feel on both ends. Julian Champagnie and Devin Vassell both played tough defense and shot well on more than six 3PAs per game in the WCF. With De’Aaron Fox back from an ankle injury, the Spurs’ offense is deep with dynamic playmakers.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - DECEMBER 10: Kyrie Irving #11 and Daniel Gafford #21 of the Dallas Mavericks high five during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the Emirates NBA Cup Quarterfinals on December 10, 2024 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The winds of change are blowing for the Dallas Mavericks. The magnitude of those winds is yet to be determined, but the likelihood of them being gale-force appears higher than not at this point. Already, the Mavs have hired a new President in Masai Ujiri, a new GM in Mike Schmitz and they will soon find a new coach to replace Jason Kidd.
ESPN’s Zach Kram recently suggested six different trade ideas for the upcoming NBA offseason, two of which featured the Mavericks. Specifically, one trade centered on Kyrie Irving with another revolving around Daniel Gafford, as previously covered here at Mavs Moneyball. Each of the trade proposals held a logical basis for both sides and made for some intriguing discussions, but can the Mavs actually “win” either trade, much less the aggregate of both, as proposed?
The Gafford proposal
In this proposal, the Mavs ship Gafford out to the Los Angeles Lakers for a return of Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht and pick 25 in this year’s Draft.
The Irving proposal
In this proposal, the Mavs move Irving to the Detroit Pistons and get Isaiah Stewart, Caris LeVert, Ron Holland and pick 21 in this year’s Draft.
If both deals were made, that means Dallas goes into draft night with first round picks 9, 21, 25 and 30. Not bad for a team that is currently all but devoid of draft capital until 2030, but also not the whole story. These deals would also add four wing players (Vanderbilt, Knecht, LeVert and Holland) to a roster that currently includes Cooper Flagg, Max Christie, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, Khris Middleton and Caleb Martin.
Of course, roster size and general logic dictate that further moves would have to be made before the final roster was settled upon, but there are concerning ramifications of these deals regardless.
Taking on contracts for too-few picks
The incoming players in these proposals cause more harm than good. Not necessarily because the players are bad or have bad contracts per se, but because none of those players necessarily move the dial more than what Dallas already has. The Mavs would be giving themselves unnecessary work trying to figure out who and how to move players like Washington, Marshall, Christie, Middleton, Vanderbilt, Knecht and/or LeVert. They simply can’t all fit. Dallas instead should use their resources to acquire players that fit a more pressing need, rather than stack more wings on a wing-heavy team.
Too many 2026 draft picks; too few picks overall
Consider this – it’s quite difficult to draft four players in the same draft, then actually implement all four toward a positive impact going forward. Yes, Dallas needs to restock the cupboard in a major way, but they aren’t necessarily achieving that efficiently with these moves. Getting two late-first round picks in the 2026 draft looks good on paper, but it does not solve the problem of having little control over future drafts through 2030. If Dallas is going to trade their starting point guard and former NBA Champion along with their (sometimes) starting center, they simply need to get many more picks, across many more years, than they would be getting in these moves as proposed.
If the Mavs selected four players in June, the presumption is that all four would be part of the youth movement rebuild around Flagg. It’s not a stretch to think at the very least two of those players would be starters (especially with the departure of two vets), maybe more. Sounds like a fun young team, but it also sounds like a college squad playing in the NBA. Further, all of said players would then be coming up for rookie extensions at the same time, so you had better hit and hit big on the selections, then be ready to pay everyone at the same time. It’s just hard to believe this is practical in any real sense. I understand the message from Ujiri is that all moves will be made for the future, but that doesn’t mean all moves need to be made right now.
If Dallas elects to move Gafford or Irving (especially the latter), they need to be targeting a better cross-section of picks over a wider range of future years. If they can manage to pick up a few current NBA players that fit a need, all the better.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 30: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder attempts a shot against Luke Kornet #7 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter in Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 30, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s been interesting to watch Jared McCain through the playoffs, as he radically exceeded most people’s expectations. It’s also been fun to watch the reactions of Philadelphia fans and Sixers writers as they realized that Philly really blew the McCain trade.
In Oklahoma City, McCain emerged as a major force. Like we saw at Duke, he played with immense confidence and enthusiasm, and he was a real thorn in the side of the San Antonio Spurs.
“I never had expectations for myself coming in,” he said. “Once I knew that I can provide some help for this team, it was almost like, let me. I want to do anything I can to help this team win.
“If you told me four months ago that I would start in some Western Conference Finals games and play the role that I was able to play, not that I thought you were crazy, but I would look at you a little weird.”
What’s also striking is what his teammates have said about him. Take Isaiah Hartenstein:
“I think he’s a special human being. I mean, I think just in general, no one will change the way he is. I think I’ve never seen someone so happy every single day and I think it just gives something to a locker room that… I can’t be mad looking at him, if that makes sense.”
And Jaylin Williams said this:
“He’s just a good dude… he’s confident in himself, he’s confident in his ability, he’s confident in his own skin… he’s happy, he makes a good time, regardless of what it is… he always brightens whatever room that he’s in.”
Philly made a mistake in letting McCain go. After what we’ve seen, it’s hard to imagine the Thunder repeating it.
The Knicks are in the NBA finals for the first time since 1999. Photograph: David Maxwell/EPA
Zohran Mamdani’s relentless quest to corner the youth vote has continued with the news that New York’s mayor has repealed bedtime for the city’s children during the hometown Knicks’ NBA finals run.
The Knicks are in the finals for the first time since 1999, and the series against the San Antonio Spurs starts on Wednesday.
Mamdani signed an executive order on Monday titled “repealing kids’ bedtimes for Knicks Finals run.”
In words that will strike terror into the hearts of parents hoping to get their kids up for school for the next few weeks, section one of Mamdani’s order reads: “I hereby direct that bedtimes in the City of New York are repealed during the NBA Finals so that kids of all ages can root for their New York Knicks.”
The Knicks are looking to win their first title since 1973. “As Mayor, you’re forced to make many difficult decisions,” Mamdani wrote on social media. “This was not one of them.”
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 30: Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates a basket against against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 30, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Spurs did it. After starting the season with relatively low expectations, they made the NBA Finals, taking down the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the process. The odds were against them, but with talent, preparation, and some luck, they will now battle the New York Knicks, hoping to win their sixth title.
San Antonio is favored almost two-to-one in FanDuel to take home the Larry O’Brien trophy, but before we get into the Finals matchup, it’s time to take a look at the huge win in the Conference Finals. To do that, J.R. Wilco and Jeje Gomez discuss what the series against the Thunder meant and highlight some of the biggest and most memorable plays that got the Spurs back to the biggest stage.
J.R. Wilco: The Finals, my friend. The Finals! I’m on vacation in Colorado at the moment, sitting out on a porch and looking out at one of my favorite views in the world: some of the foothills at the edge of the San Juan Mountains, not too far from Castle Rock (one of the most significant archaeoastronomical sites in North America, but that’s a topic for another time).
About six hours after the Spurs punched their ticket to the Finals, we woke up to get in the car to come up here from Austin. Being here in one of my favorite places on the planet resonates with San Antonio’s achievement of getting past OKC by climbing past the lack of experience with a first year coach and a 22 year old team leader, taking on the reigning champs (complete with MVP) in a seventh game on the road and getting ready to play the Knicks just like a 22 year old Tim Duncan did 27 years ago.
What a trip it was to get there, since about eight months ago Victor Wembanyama created a headline by stating his expectation that San Antonio would skip the play-in and snag the 6th seed in the west. High expectations for a team that hadn’t seen the postseason since 2019, but you could honestly get vertigo from peeking down at the 6 seed from the lookout point the Spurs have reached on their climb prior to their last ascent to the peak of the Larry O!
You and I have had so many conversations this year around the topic of our discontent with San Antonio’s offense, but I could argue that it was the adjustments that the coaching staff implemented, not only on defense but on offense, that weren’t just impressive in keeping the Thunder off balance but allowed them to find the cracks through which they could score.
Just consider the Game 6 approach of having Wemby drag iHart out to the three-point line and putting him in actions that neutralized his physicality. Then compare that to the Game 7 design, which went back to so many plays from mid-season (that OKC had forced the Spurs offense away from since early in the series) with Victor using his gravity in hard rolling to rim to set up deep shooting and secondary offense to take advantage of a Thunder defense in rotation.
It’s the kind of sophisticated approach that I wasn’t sure the team could develop, and when I consider the youth of the squad that executed it, I feel myself going beyond mere acknowledgement into full-on celebration. How about you: what stood out from the last seven games — particularly the last two they won while facing elimination?
Jesus Gomez: I remember back in the day when your vacations used to routinely overlap with some deep playoff runs. That wasn’t an issue in the last few years, but it’s great to see the return of a tradition that will likely continue for a decade, at least.
I did think back to our discussions about the offense during Game 6 and Game 7, and I think this series, in general, showcased that sometimes, you don’t need overly complex sets when you have incredible talent. You mentioned the adjustments and the shifting strategies, and Mitch Johnson does deserve credit for that. But the best thing he might have done was put the game in the hands of the players.
The fetishisation of Xs and Os, of which I’m definitely guilty, often overshadows how fun it is to see a player just get a bucket and how sometimes the best coaching consists of simply putting that player in a good position to do so. While we were bemoaning the lack of set plays that offered multiple options, the staff was probably thinking that their guys would be fine with just a simple cross-screen or pindown, and they were proven right. I disagree with you on it being a sophisticated approach, but sometimes you don’t need sophistication, and insisting upon it is foolish. Make sure to remind me of that when I inevitably start complaining again during the Finals.
Enough about strategy. What impressed me the most about the last two games, in particular, was the aggressiveness the team showed. It’s not that I was expecting them to shy away from the moment, but it was a long series against a physical opponent. The bench had been bad. I kept fearing we’d run into a moment in which they just couldn’t keep up with the energy level, but it never happened. I guess that’s the good thing about young teams.
And speaking of youth, how impressed were you with the young guards? Castle bounced back from two high-turnover games like a veteran, and maybe I’m still riding the high from Game 7, but Dylan Harper looked Manuesque in the way he made the play the team needed. I’m not saying we have a Shabazz Muhammad situation in our hands, but they don’t act like we normally expect guys their age to act to me.
J.R.: You can count on me to remind you of this conversation the moment you start griping again, and we can agree to disagree (won’t be the first time) about the strategy piece.
The team showed elite aggression, and I agree that it was extremely impressive. When I see an aggressive team, I think about the confidence that’s required to maintain that kind of approach. That this team is as sure of themselves as they are is a credit to the whole organization; that they’re this confident while being so young is the product of … genetics? The foolhardiness of youth? That their aggressive confidence hasn’t written checks their talent and preparation couldn’t cash is either a function of the team’s cohesiveness or of dumb luck the degree to which this league has never seen. Or it could just mean that they have the NBA’s only alien playing for them.
And I’m beyond impressed with the young guards. Castle is an untamed bronco that’s never seen a creek bed he couldn’t jump across. While his toughness and his will are unquestionable, it’s his decision-making that’s easy to sometimes second-guess. But as his ability to read defenses catches up to his grit, he’s displayed a level of calm under pressure that’s sustaining him in the midst of his education. I’m stunned that he’s able to play at such a high level while undergoing on-the-job training in an environment as intense as the WCF. I can’t say enough good things about him.
But when it comes to Harper, I’m concerned about my ability to capture it all in words. It’s like, how can any rookie be so good?! He plays at his own pace, which is great, but he also sometimes enforces his pace on the action. As a rookie. He drives with the assurance of a 10-year veteran, and he took Lu Dort all the way to the basket, shrugging him off like he was Trae Young before simply laying the ball in the hoop. As a rookie! He’s got the best post moves of any Spur since Boris Diaw’s Cream Shake, you know the one where Boris would start with his back to the basket 18 feet from the rim and make four or five post moves and somehow end up 3 feet from the rim? Dylan does that too, as (say it with me) a rookie! And I haven’t even discussed his remarkable defense that has one of the best analysts on YouTube in awe.
But the biggest thing for me is the way he has been able to do something that no one but Manu Ginóbili did as regularly for the Spurs: repeatedly be in the right place at the right time to make the right play to turn a game from defeat to victory. During the game, I was texting with Gary Quan, who almost has as big a crush on Manu as you and I do. During the third quarter, we were remarking about how well Dylan was playing and how far beyond his years his game looked. I told him I was reminded of an early postseason series in 2003 and a rebound that Ginóbili made on the baseline that saved the game for the Spurs. Not 15 minutes later, Harper made not one but two separate baseline rebounds and put one of them back in for two points. He’s a gem beyond value right now and he’s only going to get better.
4. Dylan Harper’s huge offensive rebound
What’s your main takeaway from a WCF that seems prepped to be a recurring matchup for years to come?
Jeje: Now I’m officially concerned because too many of us see some Manu in Harper. Are we setting him up to fail, because few players have ever been as good as Manu? Wait, this is a time for celebration. There will be years to worry about that, so I’ll leave it alone for now.
I don’t know if I have a main takeaway involving OKC, because it’s hard to say much about a team missing their second-best player for six games, but I have a few about the league. The first one is that title windows are not as long as people think in today’s NBA, and “who can stop this team?” takes should be used more sparingly. A Thunder repeat seemed inevitable at one point and the ascension of the Spurs and some bad injury luck stopped that in its tracks. So, as I watch a San Antonio core that should keep the franchise as the best in the West or, at worst, the second-best team in the conference for the foreseeable future, I still remain cautious and in the moment. As far as I’m concerned, this is their title chance. You will not hear any “playing with house money” comments from me.
Second, I’ll go back to the season preview and reiterate how much fun it is to have great expectations. Back then, a playoff berth was all most of us thought the Spurs should get, but as the season progressed and it was clear they were much better than I estimated, the more invested I became in their success. I don’t begrudge the “ahead of schedule” crowd for trying to lower the stakes for a young team with an inexperienced coach and a front office that didn’t go all in, but I personally would rather get my heart broken by a team I overrate than be pleasantly surprised by overachievement. And while I picked the Thunder to win, I have believed for a while that this team was a true contender.
Finally, we have to address the giraffe in the room. It’s surprising we’ve gotten this far without gushing about Wembanyama, and particularly his defense. He faced Rudy Gobert and Chet Holmgren, widely considered the two best defenders behind Wemby, and their impact didn’t come close to matching The Alien’s. What we’ve seen so far feels special. Overloading the side SGA operated in was smart, as was trapping him, at least for a while, but Wembanyama is the reason the Thunder couldn’t score like they normally do.
The fact that he appears to be a fantastic leader and a burgeoning elite offensive player on top of it seems almost unfair. How can a 7’5 center start Game 7 as the point guard and make it work? I didn’t think he could do anything that would surprise me anymore, but the moment Wemby faced help defense on a drive and found the open man did the trick.
But how about you? Did you have any major takeaways about the matchup in particular? And is there anything we haven’t discussed that you think deserves at least a mention?
J.R.:I guess my first takeaway is to echo what I heard Zach Lowe say: the way this series will be remembered years from now is going to be due to the phenomenal Game 1 and the excellent Game 7. People will be looking at the box scores for games two through six and shrugging their shoulders. I mean, the ground is largely prepped for a takedown of the series in 15 years by some 20-year-old YouTuber who’s right how jist happy to have graduated from kindergarten. He’ll be ranting about how you can’t call the 2026 Western Conference finals one of the great series in NBA history because five of the seven games were practically blowouts. And that’s fine. I have zero problems with anyone who thinks this series shouldn’t mean as much as people say it did because if they haven’t lived through it. They won’t realize how deadly the Thunder were for the last three years and how everyone assumed that they would be “the team that everyone’s aiming for“ and how big a deal it was that anyone was able to upset them.
My second takeaway is an odd one, but I have to go on record to say I really feel for Chet Holmgren. We are basketball fans, sure, but we are people first and it’s good to realize that Chet is a person. Falling short in the public eye to the extent he did is not something I would wish on anyone. It’s so human, though, and you’ve got to feel for him. First, he didn’t ask to be in Wemby’s sights. It’s not his fault he was given the trophy all those years ago when Wemby wasn’t.
Second, we’ve all been there. Failure is more common than success. In fact, Chet is way more relatable than Victor because most of us aren’t the best in the world at something that happens publicly. And it’s way more frequent that you want to accomplish something and get sat down in the middle of it. Third, I’ve suspected for a while that Wemby was in his head, but I wasn’t sure until the end of the third quarter of Game 6. That’s the play where Vic blocked Holmgren’s buzzer-beating attempt on Thursday.
2. Wemby demoralizes Chet
Chet just sat on the floor afterwards like “yup, that’s what happens to me” instead of popping up as most athletes do. I feel for the guy, and as long as it doesn’t cost the Spurs a title in the future, I’d like for him to regain his mojo.
Third Takeaway: Isn’t it ridiculous that it’s practically impossible to quantify just how quickly the Spurs have learned? As much as it’s been a talking point in San Antonio that experience isn’t necessary, that’s just a reaction to the fact that people were using the lack of experience to disqualify the Spurs from being able to go all the way. Well, here they are as the champs of the West. There’s no disputing that. So we don’t need to pretend that experience doesn’t matter, because it absolutely does. It’s just that this team, as it’s constructed with its coaching staff and players, can learn on the fly (i.e. accumulate experience) faster than any other team I’ve ever rooted for. This is the kind of thing I’ve never seen before, which I guess makes sense because the last time a younger team made it to the finals was 1977!
Takeaway number four is the play that I will always call the Kornet Contest. That moniker is no longer in my mind as something that he does to throw off three-point shooters. It’s the chase-down block that turned away Hartenstein, preserved the lead, and probably the game.
It’s such an impressive play that he got there in time, but also because he didn’t try to block the dunk. He just contested and let Isaiah push the ball right into his hand. Such an amazing play! I’ve loved Kornet ever since he came to San Antonio, and I can’t be more excited that the play of the game that practically clinched the series was made by the guy so many were ragging on for essentially not being Victor Wembanyama. By my account, that’s the second game this season he’s saved with a block, and I might as well add that he blocked the Atlanta Hawks from making a bad decision with that promotion they were going to do until he wrote a blog post. Keep up the good work, Luke. You’re all right in my book.
Final takeaway: Would anyone object to giving a Co-MVP award to the Corgi?
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: Dalen Terry #14 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on April 28, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Sixers sure did corner the market on mid-first-rounders from the 2022 draft. While the team’s biggest addition of the 2026 trade deadline may have been converting Dominick Barlow from a two-way to a standard NBA contract, it at least gave them more flyers to take for the rest of the season.
After Barlow was converted, the team signed Dalen Terry, who had been traded and waived after spending the first three and a half seasons of his NBA career with the Bulls. Terry was sent from Chicago to the New York as a part of deal that helped the Knicks salary dump Guerschon Yabusele. New York rerouted Terry along with some second-round picks to New Orleans in exchanger for Jose Alvarado. Terry was able to sign with the Sixers after being waived by the Pelicans.
Terry arrived in Philadelphia as a player with intriguing tools, but still trying to put them together to become a regular rotation member. The 13.5 minutes per game he averaged were the most in a season with Chicago. He’s a great athlete who has shown ability to defend at an NBA level, but has yet to develop any consistency on the other end to be dependable.
After signing a two-way with Philly, Terry played in 14 games. Like MarJon Beauchamp, most of those appearances came in a stretch during March where Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Paul George, and even Kelly Oubre Jr. were all on the bench.
He averaged 4.1 points as well 1.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists playing 12 minutes a game as a Sixer. As someone who’s always been a low-volume shooter, he made 25% of his threes in Philadelphia after shooting 41% in his time last season with the Bulls.
His high-point was helping a shorthanded group escape with a win over a tanking Memphis Grizzlies team in March. Terry provided crucial point-of-attack defense on Ty Jerome. He was also able to show off how his athleticism helps him in transition as he was a +23 in a 10-point win.
Two-way wing Dalen Terry gave the Sixers an important lift in his first high-leverage minutes with the team in Tuesday's win over Memphis. He was picking up Grizzlies ball-handlers full court and was a +23 in 22 minutes: pic.twitter.com/Z4DUothewF
— Adam Aaronson's clips (@SixersAdamClips) March 12, 2026
That blend made Terry the most intriguing of the three two-ways the Sixers rostered for the latter half of the season. His defense was the most ready-made skill of the bunch, and was also the most physically equipped to keep developing. Every now and then he would have a flash like this to affirm that belief.
It is hard to imagine a player with three made shots in a game having a highlight reel this good, but these are some shockingly impressive Dalen Terry moves and baskets: pic.twitter.com/hrs82woHJ3
— Adam Aaronson's clips (@SixersAdamClips) March 13, 2026
As his three-point percentage in Philly would indicate, those flashes were few and far between. He saw even less playing time than Beauchamp as the top of the roster shuffled back in the lineup. He would only appear again for four minutes in the regular season finale.
Potentially entering his fifth year in the league, Terry will run into the same two-way eligibility problems Beauchamp will as well. He’s an even more intriguing flyer to have on a two-way spot, but he’s yet to show he’s worth one of the full 15 roster spots for a team that is at least trying to be serious enough to make the playoffs.
Should the Sixers be able to fill out the rest of their bench with better shooting than last season, he could be an interesting gadget player to bring on for the league minimum. That’s still a big “if” though, and the Sixers certainly have bigger battles to tackle this offseason.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates during the second half against the St. John's Red Storm in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 NBA Draft has something for everyone. There’s star power at the top, a deep point guard class, talented forwards young (Nate Ament, Hannes Steinbach) and old (Yaxel Lendeborg) throughout the lottery, a classic 7’3 drop coverage big man in Aday Mara, and a long-term stretch five bet in Chris Cenac Jr. Like last year, the biggest winners will be the teams that moved into the top-4 on lottery night, but there should still be valuable contributors available into the 20s, plus a few more players who exceed expectations in the second round.
Now, let’s dive into some draft fits we love from both the team and player perspective. These six fits stand out entering the draft.
Darryn Peterson – Utah Jazz
Peterson looked like he might be developing into the best prospect in the class when he dropped 58 points in a head-to-head matchup against A.J.Dybantsa as a high school seniors in Feb. 2025. Fast forward a year and change, and Peterson enters the draft as a somewhat polarizing prospect after a bizarre freshman year at Kansas plagued by cramping and soft tissue injuries. Peterson didn’t show the same explosiveness he possessed in high school, but he claims he’s fully recovered now after realizing his issues were caused by taking too much creatine without proper hydration.
The Jazz have close ties to A.J. Dybantsa after he spent the last two years playing in the state of Utah, but Peterson feels like a better fit for what the team needs going forward. The Jazz already have a strong core in place with Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen, and (probably) Walker Kessler in the frontcourt, Ace Bailey on the wing, and Keyonte George in the backcourt. The ideal final piece would be a guard who can make an impact on defense while adding offensive firepower by blending on-ball and off-ball utility next to George. Peterson fits that description to a tee.
Peterson proved he could be a deadly off-ball scorer without his best burst while playing at Kansas. His three-point volume and accuracy both vastly exceeded preseason expectations, and the movement shooting he showed off for the Jayhawks would be an ideal fit in Will Hardy’s Utah schemes. It’s also totally possible that Peterson could again become the takeover scoring guard he looked like in high school, thus demanding more touches on the ball. If he regains his burst, only thing really holding him back will be his playmaking vision, which looked pretty mediocre at Kansas. Whatever Peterson gives you offensively will be made even more valuable because he’s an impactful defender who can rack up steals and blocks as a helper. George will look a lot better defensively with Peterson deterring ball handlers with hard digs in the paint or even by taking the tougher assignment.
Add Peterson, and I really think Utah can be a playoff team in the Western Conference next year.
Aday Mara and Ebuka Okorie – Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks pick at No. 8 and No. 23, and they have long-term needs at point guard and center. It will be tempting to take whichever top-rated guard is still available with their first pick — Mikel Brown Jr., Darius Acuff, Kingston Flemings, and Keaton Wagler among them. I like waiting until their second pick to land a point guard since it’s the deepest position in this draft class, thereby allowing them to select the draft’s clear top center prospect in Michigan’s Aday Mara at No. 8.
The Hawks made a mistake by passing on Zach Edey and Donovan Clingan with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft in favor of Zaccharie Risacher (okay, they could have had Stephon Castle, too), and this would be an opportunity to right that wrong. There are only so many 7’3 players available in the world, and Mara brings special passing vision and enough post scoring touch to give him real two-way viability. Mara is not the most scheme-versatile defender, but he should be effective in drop, and it helps that the Hawks would have some dogs at the point of attack in front of him with Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker hounding opposing ball handlers.
If Ebuka Okorie is still on the board at No. 23, it would be a home run pick for Atlanta. The 6’2 Stanford point guard has the best first step in the class with a tight handle to help generate paint touches whenever he pleases. He’s more of a scorer than a passer at this stage, but it’s worth noting he didn’t have much talent around him in college, and could take a big leap as a playmaker with better teammates in the NBA. Okorie has been rising up draft boards lately and could even challenge for a lottery pick, but he’s been viewed in the 20s for most of the cycle, and it’s possible teams aren’t quite as high on him as the online hipsters like me. Mara and Okorie would set the Hawks up to compete in the East for a long, long time.
Yaxel Lendeborg – Oklahoma City Thunder
Yaxel Lendeborg is a month older than Josh Giddey, who just completed his fifth NBA season. He’s also clearly one of the best prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft with a unique skill set that few modern day forwards can replicate. Lendeborg was the second-best player in college basketball this season behind Cameron Boozer, but it wasn’t just because he was an overwhelming scorer against younger competition. After going through the pre-draft process last season, Lendeborg told me he entered Michigan with the intention of showing off his role player skills by upping his three-point volume and proving he could take on more challenging defensive assignments. He excelled in both areas in the Wolverines’ run to the national championship, and he looks like a plug-and-play starter who adds value on both sides of the ball as he enters the NBA.
Lendeborg is almost as big as an NBA center standing nearly 6’9 barefoot with a 241-pound frame and a 7’3.25 wingspan. He proved he could play on the perimeter offensively full-time at that size by taking 8.4 threes per 100 possessions and making 37.2 percent of them this season. He’s always been a good passer who can make quick, connective reads all over the floor, he’s a solid offensive rebounder, and he’s a load to deal with when he starts attacking downhill on cuts or off the dribble. The Thunder need cost-controlled contributors, and they always value prospects who can dribble, pass, and shoot with an NBA frame. OKC should be doing backflips if Yaxel still on the board at No. 12. I’d take him in the top-6 of this draft.
Bennett Stirtz – Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham had to take on almost all of the creation responsibility for the Pistons this season on a roster devoid of extra ball handling. It feels like an obvious area of need for Detroit to address with the No. 21 overall pick, and there’s no better fit than Iowa point guard Bennett Stirtz if he’s still on the board.
Stirtz almost never came off the floor for the Hawkeyes this season while providing efficient scoring and playmaking in a high-usage role. He’s a skilled pick-and-roll operator who knows every passing read on the floor but can also pressure the opposing defense with his off-the-dribble scoring. Stirtz is also one of the draft’s better shooters and would be a valuable floor spacer when Cunningham is at the controls. I’m also fascinating to see what Stirtz would look like in a more uptempo system after Iowa played about as slow as anyone in college basketball this past season.
Stirtz is just an additive player in every way offensively. He might struggle a bit defensively, but the Pistons just finished with the league’s top defense and have plenty of big bodies to insulate him. This feels like a mutually beneficial pairing between player and team in every way.
Morez Johnson – Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets finished with the best net-rating in the NBA after Jan. 1, but their play-in tournament exit showed the team still needs some more toughness and beef on the interior. There won’t be an obvious center prospect on the board at No. 13 overall assuming Mara is gone, but his Michigan teammate Morez Johnson is the next best thing. Johnson is a tweener, but that’s not a knock on him. He showed he can thrive in two big lineups with the Wolverines, but he also measured big enough at the combine to hold down center minutes on his own. Johnson came in at 6’9 barefoot with a 250-pound frame and 7’3.5 wingspan, giving him the length and strength needed for an NBA five. He’s an excellent athlete for his size who will win by finishing feeds from the dunker’s spot, beating opposing bigs down the court in the open floor, and catching lobs as a roll man. He’s also one of the best defenders in this class with a low center of gravity to win the battle for positioning on the ground, and quick enough feet to switch screens on the perimeter.
Playing with an elite facilitator like LaMelo Ball and an elite spacer like Kon Knueppel would open up so much room inside for Johnson’s finishes. He could play next to Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate, or act as the lone big man for stretches. Johnson would also be a great pick for the Chicago Bulls at No. 15 or the Thunder at No. 17 (or No. 12). There might be higher upside players with more shooting value on the board, but sometimes to win a playoff series, you have to build a team that can win a street fight. Johnson’s the perfect player for trying to build that type of mentality.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 22: Oso Ighodaro #11 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round One Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Plenty of decisions lie ahead for the Phoenix Suns this offseason, and one of the biggest revolves around the center position. Mark Williams is set to become a restricted free agent, carrying a qualifying offer of $9.6 million. That leaves Phoenix with plenty to sort through when it comes to the future of the position.
One thing they don’t have to worry about, however, is Oso Ighodaro.
Ighodaro is slated to make $2.3 million next season, his third year in the NBA. Originally, his contract was partially guaranteed. He was set to earn $500,000 guaranteed, with the remaining $1.8 million becoming guaranteed if he remained on the roster through January 10, 2027.
According to Bobby Marks, that guarantee has already kicked in.
A nice gesture by the Hornets.
Phoenix recently did the same with Oso Ighodaro for next season.
Given what Oso meant to the team last season, that doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Honestly, the bigger surprise is that the guarantee already occurred, and it largely flew under the radar.
Oso was integral to executing Jordan Ott’s system. Yes, the jumper still needs work. That part is obvious. The way he facilitates, processes the game, and makes quick decisions with his high basketball IQ is incredibly valuable, especially in a system that asks a lot from its centers. When you consider he was selected 40th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, he feels like a steal at this point. And getting that kind of production and versatility for $2.3 million is an easy decision.
There are plenty of other decisions that still need to be made. It’s nice knowing this one has already been made for you.
There are still two players on the roster carrying non-guaranteed contracts for next season. Haywood Highsmith has $1 million guaranteed, though his full $3.8 million salary does not become guaranteed until January 10, 2027. The same is true for Jamaree Bouyea. That provides another layer of flexibility for Phoenix moving forward. It gives the organization time. Time to evaluate Highsmith. Time to evaluate Bouyea. Time to see how the roster comes together before making permanent financial commitments.
And considering the Suns are likely to spend the season navigating luxury tax and first apron hurdles, every ounce of flexibility matters.
In a summer that will be defined by difficult decisions and financial constraints, having a few easy ones matters. Oso Ighodaro has already proven he belongs, and the Suns now have cost certainty at a position where very little else is certain. As Phoenix continues trying to balance flexibility, development, and competitiveness, knowing you have a valuable rotation player locked in at a team-friendly number is one less thing keeping the front office up at night.
TOPSHOT - A fan wears a likeness of Victor Wembanyama spray painted on their hair as they cheer awaiting the selection during an NBA Draft Watch Party at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas on June 22, 2023. The San Antonio Spurs in Thursday's NBA Draft in New York, are expected to choose French player Victor Wembanyama, widely viewed as a once-in-a-generation talent capable of transforming a franchise, as the No. 1 pick. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
The Spurs are returning to the NBA Finals. For most, getting a ticket is nearly impossible. In San Antonio, the Spurs are monitoring ticket sales and reaching out to season ticket holders involved with reselling tickets through unapproved sites.
According to TickPick, the current price for Game 3 in NYC is now $4,115 – 336% more expensive than the current price of $944 for Game 1 in San Antonio. For those who can’t afford the “get in” price of the NBA Finals, the Spurs Organization is continuing to create opportunities for fans to gather communally as the Race for Seis continues.
Per a Spurs press release:
The San Antonio Spurs announced fan activations that will continue across the city as the team advances to the NBA Finals, taking on the New York Knicks. The organization will continue fostering fan engagement and team spirit with free, public activations such as watch parties, giveaways and more. All the latest Playoff information can be found at Spurs.com/Playoffs.
Official Watch Parties The Rock at La Cantera, 1 Spurs Way Official watch parties, presented by Michelob ULTRA, will continue at The Rock at La Cantera for all Finals games. Attendance is limited and will be granted on a first come, first served basis. RSVP at Spurs.com/Playoffs is encouraged but does not guarantee entry. Frost Bank Center, 1 Frost Bank Center Drive Frost Bank Center will continue to host free watch parties for all away games, presented by USAA. Tickets are required but do not guarantee entry. Join the Spurs Fan Club to be notified when tickets are available to claim at Spurs.com/FanClub. Attendance will be limited and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis with required ticket. Participating Pluckers Wing Bar Locations Participating Pluckers Wing Bar locations in San Antonio and Austin will stream all Spurs Finals games, and customers who wear Spurs gear to these viewings can receive five free wings with the purchase of an adult entrée. Offer available while supplies last and subject to Pluckers’ offer terms.
As you can see, there are many ways to watch and to share in the experience with your fellow Pounders.
Be safe and Go Spurs Go!
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The Dallas Mavericks have not seen much of Dereck Lively throughout his nascent career. In fact, the promising young center has played in only 98 of 240 (41%) possible regular season games since being selected with the number 10 pick in 2023. The bulk of his missed games stacked up this past season, when he only logged time in seven contests before undergoing season-ending foot surgery.
Lost in the mix of the NBA Draft Lottery, the hiring of Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz and the firing of now-former head coach Jason Kidd, was an update provided by Lively himself. Lively joined Myles Turner and Breanna Stewart on the Game Recognize Game podcast to discuss a range of topics, beginning with his recovery process.
Seen throughout the season with some combination of walking boot and scooter, and even sporting a cane for a while, Lively offers the good news of having jettisoned all of that. “No boots, no crutches, just normal walking shoes,” he said when asked about his current status, following that up with “it’s solely just getting back to building my lower leg strength.”
That last part sounds concerning, but underscores what Lively has been through in a long recovery process. He has not seen game action since December, so a measured process to his return is to be expected. Fortunately, he has over four months before next season tips off and it sounds as though he is well on his way to putting all of this behind him.
Lively is certainly on the Cooper Flagg timeline, but whether or not he is part of Ujiri’s long-term vision is yet to be determined. Lively is up for a contract extension prior to next season, so it will be interesting to see what happens. Does Dallas package him up as part of a rebuild, or do they have confidence in a return to form and attempt to lock down his services on a favorable deal as he comes off a lengthy injury hiatus?
When healthy, he is an exciting, dynamic player that can bring a defensive presence and offensive lob threat (with a burgeoning three-point shot?) that can help the Mavs. Hopefully he will find a more permanent return to action right here with the Mavericks.
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SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 28: Jamal Crawford talks to the media before the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs during Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 28, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Good morning, BBN!
We have all been on Milan Momcilovic watch over the last few days as we wait for the top uncommitted transfer to announce where he will play his college basketball next season.
It finally came late Monday night when Momcilovic announced his commitment to the Kentucky Wildcats. It marks one of the biggest commitments in recent memory for the basketball program, as well as the biggest recruiting win Mark Pope has had as a coach.
It also saved Kentucky’s 2026-27 season. While the pre-Momcilovic roster had some nice potential, it’s hard to see that group doing anything more than maybe sneaking into the Sweet 16 with a good draw.
Now we can start thinking about a fun season that ends with a special March Madness run.
While Kentucky now has its roster pretty much set, should we also be on commitment watch for a new assistant coach?
Only one name has really been connected to the final assistant coach opening on Mark Pope’s staff as they have honed in on former NBA superstar and current announcer Jamal Crawford.
It has been over a month since Crawford was initially linked to the job, and according to the most recent reports by Jack Pilgrim and Jacob Polacheck of KSR, he is still considering it.
With his NBC duties now over as the NBA Finals move to ESPN and ABC, will we finally get an answer from Crawford? If we do, it should be coming soon, especially with the summer recruiting circuit heating up.
This once again has some similarities to the Tyran Stokes recruitment all-over it. How so? Well, if Crawford really does finally turn it down, they will enter summer basketball with an open seat. Now, although we haven’t heard any other names connected, you have to believe they have been doing their due diligence.
At least, that is what we can hope.
Now, we wait on the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
