The second that it was clear LaMelo Ball was being traded, this was always going to be the next domino to fall.
White agreed to a deal to return to Charlotte on a three-year, $74 million deal, something first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. This is a fully guaranteed deal with no player or team options.
This is a good deal for both sides. White essentially doubles his salary and moves into starter range money. At the same time, the Hornets get their new point guard — a dynamic shot creator in his own right — at a lower price than Ball, giving them flexibility to add to the roster.
White will be the starting point guard with Kon Knueppel next to him in the backcourt, with Brandon Miller at the three, the just-acquired Nas Reid at the four, and either Moussa Diabate or Ryan Kalkbrenner at the five — that is a good, more rounded lineup than the Hornets had last season, when they won 44 games and made the postseason.
Last season, after being traded at the deadline to Charlotte, White averaged 15.6 points a game off the bench, shooting 39.1% from 3-point range, and dishing out 3 assists a game. His most memorable moment was hitting the 3-pointer in the play-in game against Miami that forced overtime.
White had other potential suitors, including Detroit and maybe Brooklyn (although the Nets get thrown around by agents all the time as a threat because they have cap space, whether they seriously wanted White is another question).
Re-signing Reaves was one of the Lakers’ biggest priorities during free agency this offseason, and they had to break the bank to get him back.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves decided to stick with the franchise. NBAE via Getty Images
Reaves’ longtime girlfriend, Jenna Barber, posted a photo of Reaves laying down in what appeared to be disbelief on a golf course in the wake of receiving the deal from Los Angeles.
Austin Reaves’ reaction to the four-year, $185 million contract he received from the Lakers.
As if this photo wasn’t proof enough, a June 24 article from ESPN’s Shams Charania conveyed the emotions that Reaves felt upon signing this deal.
“Great relief,” a source close to Reaves told Charania regarding how the star guard felt upon getting this deal.
With Reaves’ deal done, the Lakers’ focus now turns to LeBron James. NBAE via Getty Images
Perhaps the reason for Reaves’ relief is that he nearly would have had no choice but to join another team, given the offers he was set to receive.
Charania conveyed this with a June 24 X post that noted the Detroit Pistons were planning to offer Reaves a maximum-level salary, which is ultimately what led the Lakers to step up their offer and keep Reaves around, as they were nervous they’d lose him.
Reaves was expected to receive free-agent interest from multiple teams — such as Detroit — on maximum-level salary, so the Lakers stepped up on Wednesday to lock in their homegrown talent. Reaves went from undrafted to a two-way player — to making the Lakers roster and now… https://t.co/gft1J4pThc
Reaves has spent his entire NBA career with the Lakers and clearly considers LA home. That’s why it’s no surprise to see and hear about his relief that the Lakers matched the contract he would have received from other teams including Detroit, thus making his decision to stick around an easy one.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 13: Graham Ike #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts during the first half against the UCLA Bruins at Climate Pledge Arena on December 13, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors have signed Gonzaga undrafted free agent forward Graham Ike to an Exhibit 10 contract, per the Gonzaga’s men’s basketball team. Ike was actually ranked higher in Sam Vecenie’s draft rankings for The Athletic than Warriors second-round pick Lajae Jones (70 vs. 99). Exhibit 10 deals are non-guaranteed but include small bonuses (less than $100,000) designed to incentive players to join a team’s G-League affiliate when they likely do not make the team. Exhibit 10 contracts primarily function to help NBA teams fill out their rosters, which expand to 21 in the offseason for summer league and the preseason. Each team is allowed up to six Exhibit 10 contracts. They may be converted to a two-way deal prior to the start of the regular season as well.
Ike was one of the most productive players in college basketball last season, averaging 19.9 points (leading the West Coast Conference), 8.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game on 56.3%/33.8%/79.7% shooting in 31.2 minutes per game (31 games). Ike was the best player on a Gonzaga team that finished the season ranked 18th in the country with a 31-4 record and a West Coast Conference championship. Ike was named an AP and NABC third-team All-American.
Ike began his collegiate career back in the 2020-21 season at Wyoming. A knee injury had hampered his recruitment and kept him sidelined early in the year, but he was immediately a quality rotation player across 11 games once he was able to play. As a sophomore, he led Wyoming in scoring (19.5 points per game) and rebounding (9.6 rebounds per game).
A leg injury led Ike to take an injury redshirt for the entire 2022-23 season and enter the transfer portal, were he landed at Gonzaga. He immediately slotted into the Bulldogs starting lineup, where he remained for the next three seasons. Over his college career, Ike averaged 17.6 points and 7.8 rebounds in 26.8 minutes per game on 56.8%/34.8%/76.5% shooting.
The biggest question facing Ike is how his game will translate to the NBA, where scouts worry he may be a tweener wing/big caught in no man’s land (think Eric Paschall), lacking the creation ability to score against stronger & more athletic NBA defenders without the refined post game to handle responsibilities as a five. As Vecenie wrote in his draft guide about Ike, “Massive, long post player who needs to change play style for NBA.”
With that said, there’s a lot to like about Ike’s potential fit with the Warriors, who currently have an open two-way spot next to Malevy Leons and LJ Cryer. Ike will be 24 in August and has an impressive frame. At the combine he measured 6’9.75” barefoot with a wingspan north of 7’5” at around 250 lbs. In fact, his combine measurements closest comp, according to DraftExpress is Steven Adams.
Ike’s path to an NBA career will be much easier if he is a viable three-point shooter at the next level. His free-throw efficiency (79.6% on 451 attempts at Gonzaga) demonstrates he has some touch on his shot, but he never attempted a three per game before this past season (when he shot 33.8% on 71 attempts).
With the Warriors re-signing Al Horford, likely re-signing Kristaps Porzingis, they will need young depth at center next season. With a guard and wing already filling two-way contracts, Ike could be the early favorite to take the third and final spot if second-round pick Lajae Jones is going to be an immediate member of the Warriors roster.
The move resets the Timberwolves' supporting cast around Edwards after the team fell short of the Western Conference finals for the first time in three years this past season. But it's also perhaps the biggest risk yet for this Minnesota front office considering the franchise is in the midst of its best run of seasons ever.
Here's a closer look at what the Timberwolves roster will look like after the LaMelo Ball trade and the 2026 NBA Draft, as well as how Ball fits with Edwards and the players still on Minnesota's roster:
How LaMelo Ball fits with Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have been in search of an upgrade at point guard and a better sidekick for Edwards since he elevated into one of the NBA's best players. Ball, in theory, could fill those gaps and work interchangeably with Edwards.
Ball can be the playmaker Edwards hasn't had to relieve defensive pressure in high-leverage halfcourt situations. Edwards' strengths as a passer and on-ball defender (and the presence of Gobert) will, in turn, give Ball more open 3-point shots and allow Minnesota to hide Ball on defense.
There are, of course, injury and maturity concerns involving Ball. He played in more than 70 games for the first time since 2021-22 season last year with the Hornets. Perhaps not coincidentally, 2021-22 and 2025-26 are the only seasons in which Charlotte finished with an above .500 record with Ball.
But Ball also had 30 points and 10 assists in Charlotte's 127-126 play-in victory, including the game-winning layup in overtime. If Minnesota can rein in Ball's shot selection and decision-making, he and Edwards are capable of becoming the best backcourt in the league. Maybe Ball is inclined to be more disciplined more often on an established contender.
This could also completely backfire, though, for a couple reasons. For one, the Timberwolves are sacrificing some depth to make these offseason moves work under the NBA salary cap. There's also the pressure and ego that must be sorted through when two young players who've likely never shared the same backcourt with someone this good before come together for the first time.
What the Timberwolves roster looks like now
The trade to acquire Ball, in addition to the trade that sent Julius Randle from Minnesota to the Brooklyn Nets that preceded this move, has restructured the pecking order of the Timberwolves' roster below Edwards.
Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu will join Edwards, Ball and Gobert as the featured players on the team. The Timberwolves agreed to a five-year, $112-million contract with Dosunmu following the Randle trade. The team acquired Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls at last February's trade deadline.
Here's a breakdown of the Timberwolves roster after the LaMelo Ball trade
G LaMelo Ball
G Anthony Edwards
G Donte DiVincenzo
G Isaiah Evans**
G Bones Hyland*
G Mike Conley*
G Jaylen Clark*
G/F Ayo Dosunmu
G/F Terrance Shannon Jr.
F Jaden McDaniels
F Trey Kaufman-Renn**
F Joe Ingles*
F Kyle Anderson*
F Julian Phillips^
F/C Joan Beringer
C Rudy Gobert
G Zyon Pullin*^
F Enrique Freeman*^
C Rocco Zikarsky*^
*pending free agent; ^team option for 2026-27 season; *^two-way contract; **2026 NBA Draft pick
LaMelo Ball contract details
Ball has three years and more than $130 million remaining on the five-year, $203.9 max rookie extension he signed with the Hornets in 2023. He is also eligible to sign a two-year extension with the Timberwolves worth an additional $119 million beginning next month.
LaMelo Ball stats
Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 36.8% from 3-point range and 40.7% from the floor during the 2025-26 season.
Sam, an American bald eagle from the Cincinnati Zoo, takes flight before the first inning during a baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 19, 2023, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
I wasn’t planning on starting the column discussing a Minnesota Timberwolves trade, let alone one involving LaMelo Ball, but here we are. YIK broke the news (at least to me) in the comments section, so kudos to him for staying on top of it. Better salute one of us than Shams, you know what I’m saying? Spoiler: the Wolves package is ludicrous.
Anyway, Kento Kato covered the news while I was working on this, and he has a delicious summary of the trade impact in the NBA as well as the Knicks going forward. If you ask me, I’m cool with removing a threat from the East (the Hornets were looking good at the start of last season and LaMelo was a big part of that) and sending him to the West so it’s now a four-team war for the rights to Western Conference finals, not to mention the actual Finals.
This just in: ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says it’s 51/49 for Mitchell Robinson to return to New York. We have you covered. Check out the latest here.
Now starting for good, with the man who helped build the title Knicks, Brock Aller… welcome to another Knicks draft! Four trades, a bunch of second-round picks, extra cap flexibility, cash, and somehow the rights to Melvin Ajinca again. The man treats draft night like it’s 2KGM with God Mode turned on.
Before we move forward, keep Melvin Ajinca’s name in mind. You’ll need it for an extraordinary feature I have dropping later today.
International Knicks superstar Jack Kayil doesn’t sound interested in becoming another overseas stash. Quotables in the Bulletin.
“My plan is to stay here and get into the organization and keep growing with them.”
Freshest Knicks superstar Tyler Nickel, meanwhile, claimed to be “delusional” last January. And I love it.
If you somehow haven’t listened to Leon Rose’s appearance on the Roommates Show yet, make some time for it today. This felt like Christmas in June, and Rose touched a whole lot of topics from Jalen and Mikal trades, the firing of Thibs and why he chose Brown, how the Knicks FO operates, and plenty of other saucy stuff. Check it out asap.
Newsday’s Steve Popper wrote an interesting piece on the Knicks’ second-apron situation, and one question is at the front of Popper’s mind: Why did James Dolan publicly reveal the team’s financial intentions before free agency even began? Here’s a bit of what he wrote, but check out the full post.
“The first question is why would (Dolan) go public about this when the Knicks have masked their intentions so well for years? If the Knicks intend to stick to this plan then it basically sets the price for the Knicks free agents, meaning if a team intends on making an offer for Robinson, they would know just how far the Knicks could go to remain under the second apron. But the deeper question is why are the Knicks so determined to remain under the second apron?
Stefan Bondy wrote a similar column for the NY Post and echoed the same thoughts Popper floated after speaking with league sources. According to Bondy, plenty of people around the NBA believe ownership will ultimately be convinced to spend because the championship window is simply too valuable to just break the core over a few million dollars. We all agree, don’t we?
The Lakers and the Kings keep being mentioned as the main suitors for Mitchell Robinson if he hits free agency, and the Knicks indeed refuse to get into the second apron. Current Kings and former Knicks GM Scott Perry might have something to do with Sacto’s links. We have plenty of great thoughts and discussions going on in the comments section here. Go chime in!
I am no capologist, so I won’t be judging Spike Lee’s Joint idea to bring back all three of Mitch, Shamet, and Jose. Thoughts?
“I think there is one way to re-sign all three of Robinson, Shamet and Jose with some but not a lot of discount. Jose opts in at $4.5 million. He will then be extended at a reasonable price. Shamet re-signs starting at just under $6 million. This is probably around his market value, maybe a small discount.
“Here’s the doozey: Mitch re-signs to a five-year, $50 million deal. With 8% raises, this allows you start his contract at $8.5 million. If you assume his market is somewhere around two years, $30 million, then it essentially matches that and then gives 3 years and $20 million starting in his age 30/31 season. I’m not sure it’s a wise decision—he’d be getting paid $11.5 million in year 5 as a 32/33 year old Mitch… but it might be the best combination of staying under the apron and keeping this team together.
This scenario, plus trading Pacome and signing the second-round picks (Nickel and Kayil) to two-year rookie minimum deals would get you in a hair under the second apron with 14 players. Plus, the Pacome TPE would mean you would be able to trade for a Vet minimum at the deadline
New York Magazine dropped an outstanding Jalen Brunson feature on Wednesday. It’s packed with little stories about JB and a bunch of fresh post-championship quotes, which honestly makes it all a thousand times better. Funny nugget: Brunson talks about sleeping through Lionel Messi’s World Cup hat trick and being mad about it. Check it out to know all about that and a whole lot more.
Speaking of Rick Brunson, the old man keeps messing around with his son. Across multiple interviews this week, RB again said that 1) Patrick Ewing remains the greatest Knick ever, 2) Jalen still has years to go before entering that conversation, and 3) Prime Derrick Rose would vaporize his own son in a one-on-one game. If you’re too young to know, please don’t skip D-Rose’s MVP mixtape.
Barack Obama appeared on All The Smoke (how far we’ve gone folks…) and spent plenty of time praising the champs, from OG to Brunson.
“I’m trying to think of a better series from somebody who’s never been an All-Star, and it’s hard to think of one, right? Through the whole playoffs, he was just a rock.”
Windhorst nearly lost it discussing a hypothetical scenario about a Lakers-Cavaliers trade that would flip LeBron James for Jarrett Allen in a sign-and-trade. The Lakers would “kill” for Allen and that deal, he believes. I do, too.
Boston continues having an incredibly normal week. Jaylen Brown called ESPN “unethical,” singled out Stephen A. Smith by name, and defended his previous comments about last season.
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, meanwhile, doubled down on his information regarding Brown’s future in Boston, which isn’t nearly as settled as Brad Stevens publicly suggested after the Giannis trade left the C’s and Brown in the cold. Sister site CelticsBlog is already publishing mock trades. Here’s one of them:
“A potential pick: Boston gets Kawhi Leonard and the Pacers 2029 first round pick, unprotected. Los Angeles gets Jaylen Brown.”
Jeremy Schneider of NJ.com was joined by Jerry Carino to discuss KAT’s path from middle school to hosting the Larry O’Brien trophy, his evolution as a player, his most personal side, and what makes him an all-time all-New Jersey basketball hooper.
That’s probably enough internet for one day. The draft is in the rearview mirror, and free agency is almost here, with the first item on the to-do list being Jose Alvarado’s player-option decision.
Never a dull offseason around these parts, whether we’re champs or chumps.
Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes guard Tru Washington (10) with the ball as Louisville Cardinals guard Isaac McKneely (10) and Louisville Cardinals guard J'vonne Hadley (1) defend in the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Two members of the 2025-26 Louisville men’s basketball team have inked NBA contracts after going undrafted.
J’Vonne Hadley has signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the Miami Heat, which selected Hadley’s former teammate Ryan Conwell 37th overall Wednesday night. Exhibit-10 contracts are one-year, non-guaranteed deals typically given to undrafted free agents who will compete for roster spots at the NBA’s Summer League.
Isaac McKneely, another starter from the 2025-26 squad, has signed the same type of deal with the Atlanta Hawks.
Louisville fans are going to have more reasons to tune into Summer League play next month than they have in several years.
Best of luck to both Isaac and J’Vonne on the next steps in their basketball journeys.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with Caleb Wilson after he is drafted fourth overall by the Chicago Bulls during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. 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 Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I already gave out instant grades for the first round, and handed out my winners and losers of the draft. Now, it’s time to grade every team’s full haul. The grades here take both the first and second rounds into consideration, and are largely based off my final big board.
Most of the teams this year did pretty well. There were no super head-scratching decisions like the Yang Hansen pick last season. This was a good draft, and I think a lot of teams are leaving it happy. Let’s get into our full team grades.
Atlanta Hawks
Grade: A
The decision to take Kingston Flemings at No. 8 earned an A grade from me. He’s really smart and tough and athletic, and I think he plays bigger than size on both ends of the floor. Zuby Ejiofor wasn’t my favorite pick at No. 23, but he should add value as a nonsense big man who plays with force and brings some impressive connective passing traits. I can’t believe Henri Veesaar fell to the late second round. He was considered a late first rounder on my board. That’s great value, and I also think he’s the type of spacing big that can work well with both Flemings and Ejiofor. The Hawks did great.
Boston Celtics
Grade: A
Chris Cenac Jr. feels like a classic boom-or-bust prospect. He feels raw in several aspects of the game, but especially in terms of his awareness on both ends. That’s okay as long as Boston is committed to developing him. Cenac has a great frame and a sweet jump shot, and it’s hard to find both of those in a young big man. Dillon Mitchell fits the mold of a Celtics’ value play: he’s long and explosive, and they can unleash him as a defender, rebounder, and play finisher. Boston didn’t have much to work with, but they got good value with both their picks.
Brooklyn Nets
Grade: A-
The Nets redeemed themselves after an underwhelming draft last year. Mikel Brown Jr. is a boom-or-bust point guard prospect, but I’m buying him for his pull-up shooting, creative playmaking, and rim attacking despite his other concerns. Joshua Jefferson was a nice pick at No. 28 too as a forward with real dribble-pass-shoot utility. Both of these players are in a good position to develop under Jordi Fernandez, who is one of the best young head coaches in the game. Tyler Bilodeau is a spacing forward who doesn’t do much for me, but the Nets still had a nice draft.
Charlotte Hornets
Grade: B
The Hornets are going to jack a lot of threes as a team led by LaMelo Ball, and now they have Hannes Steinbach hunting the offensive rebounds. Steinbach is an absolute maniac on the offensive glass, and I think he’s a really good offensive big in general. I’m not sure if he’s a four or a five, and I think he may be best in a twin towers look, but I like the idea of unleashing him within an already powerful Charlotte offense. Christian Anderson was a fine pick at No. 18 too even if he wasn’t my favorite. He has a case as the best shooter in the draft, and that’s always worth adding. I really do not like the LaMelo Ball trade for Charlotte, but we’ll see how it works out for them.
Chicago Bulls
Grade: A-
Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain were fantastic picks to start off the Bulls’ new era with Bryson Graham and Tiago Splitter. Wilson was a no-brainer pick at No. 4 as a ridiculously explosive athlete who can make game-changing plays at both ends of the floor. Swain is a nasty slasher for a 6’7 wing who can create paint touches out of thin air with a tight handle and some daring crossovers on the way to the rim. I hate that the Bulls traded their No. 38 pick during a rebuild. I’ll change my tune if Kam Jones — who I liked last year — turns into anything, but his rookie season was so discouraging that it felt like he was probably getting cut in Indiana. Same old Bulls even with a new front office when it comes to the second round, and it turned an A into an A- for me.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Grade: A
Meleek Thomas is awesome value at No. 34. The Cavs traded down from No. 29 and still landed him. Thomas comes from the Lou Williams school of walking buckets, and I actually think he’s a little feistier defensively than most players in that mold. His three-level scoring will be nice for Cleveland to have off the bench.
Dallas Mavericks
Grade: B+
Morez Johnson might have been the biggest surprise of the first round, but it’s a pick that also makes a lot of sense. Dallas just hired his college coach Dusty May, and Johnson was the youngest and most versatile defender of Michigan’s three lottery picks. The Mavs also added Sergio De Larrea, a tall playmaking guard who can shoot but needs to get stronger and fix his turnover issues. Second rounder Tobi Lawal is a super athlete, but probably not an NBA player in my view.
Denver Nuggets
Grade: B
The Nuggets traded out of the first round, but still came away with a couple interesting prospects in Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins. Brazile is theoretically a great fit next to Nikola Jokic as a bouncy big with shooting ability who can finish plays above the rim. Hopkins is a big forward who remade himself from a bucket-getter to a defender after he tore his ACL in college. I’m optimistic on the Brazile fit, and I think Hopkins has a chance to make the team.
Detroit Pistons
Grade: A
Ebuka Okorie was one of my favorite picks of the first round. He’s lightning quick with the ball in his hands and can give Detroit some advantage creation they just didn’t have on the roster outside of Cade Cunningham bully ball. The Pistons’ second round pick Ugonna Onyenso was also one of my favorites in that range. He’s a phenomenal rim protector. I’m not sure if Onyenso can do anything on offense, but he has an elite skill, and that should help him have a pro career.
Golden State Warriors
Grade: A
Yaxel Lendeborg was one of my favorite picks in the draft. He was fifth on my board, and the Warriors got him at No. 11. Beyond that, he’s a perfect fit for what they need, giving them a do-it-all, two-way forward for Steph Curry’s twilight years who should be ready to rock from day one. I have no takes on second rounder Lajae Jones, sorry.
Houston Rockets
Grade: A
Trading up for Bruce Thornton was brilliant. He was a first round talent on my board, and he gives the Rockets another ball handler, which they desperately needed. Thornton put up 66 percent true shooting as a senior at Ohio State, which is an elite number for a rim-running center, let alone a 6’2 point guard who can’t dunk. He’s awesome. Houston also signed Quadir Copeland and Oscar Cluff as two of the best undrafted free agents. Good work, Rockets.
Indiana Pacers
Grade: C
I didn’t like the Pacers’ Ivicia Zubac trade when it happened, and it came back to bite them. It’s wild they still owe another unprotected first rounder for him after giving up a top-5 pick this year. The Pacers nabbed Braden Smith in the second round. He was a college legend, but my gut says he’s too small to play in the NBA. We’ll see.
Los Angeles Clippers
Grade: B
The analytical models love Keaton Wagler, but I worry he falls below the threshold of NBA athleticism needed for a lead guard. I like him more on the ball than off the ball, so we’ll see how he fits with Darius Garland. Baba Miller was a cool second round pick. He moves really well for such a big forward and took a nice leap in production this past season.
Los Angeles Lakers
Grade: B-
Cam Carr is a knockdown shooter with ++ length for a wing, but I worry he’s pretty one dimensional. I don’t like his defensive projection, and in my view he doesn’t add much as a ball handler or playmaker.
Memphis Grizzlies
Grade: A+
If you read this website, you know Boozer was my No. 1 player in the class. I think he’s a future superstar. Getting him at No. 3 is the single best pick of the draft. Karim Lopez didn’t do too much for me as Memphis’ second first round selection. Richie Saunders is a really great shooter with athleticism, but he’s a 25-year-old rookie who will probably miss this season recovering from a torn ACL. I still like Saunders’ chances of contributing eventually, but this draft is all about Boozer.
Miami Heat
Grade: B
The Heat traded their No. 13 overall pick for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and walked away from this draft with only Ryan Conwell. Conwell is known for his three-point shooting, and Miami is going to need it with a thin roster around Giannis and Bam Adebayo right now. The Heat are always uncovering diamonds in the rough. They need Conwell to be another one.
Milwaukee Bucks
Grade: C
I thought the Bucks did as well as possible in the Giannis trade, but I don’t love their decisions with their two lottery picks to begin a new era. Brayden Burries is solid everywhere but special nowhere. I do think he complements Ryan Rollins pretty well in the backcourt, but I don’t think he has the upside needed for a top-10 pick. That’s just me. Nate Ament projects as someone with upside, but I don’t see it. He’s not very athletic, his defense was super disappointing at Tennessee, and his outside shooting was pretty poor, too. I want good things for the Bucks after the Giannis trade, so I hope I’m wrong.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Grade: B-
The Wolves traded out of the first round for the right to salary dump a good player in Julius Randle. I did not like that move for Minnesota. I’ve always been a big LaMelo Ball fan, so I’m more bullish on that trade. Minnesota leaves the draft with a good outside shooter in Isaiah Evans and a crafty interior scorer in Trey Kaufman-Renn as second round picks. Both are fine.
New Orleans Pelicans
Grade: B-
I liked watching Jaron Pierre at SMU. Not bad for a late second round flier.
New York Knicks
Grade: B-
The Knicks added some future second round picks in multiple deals before walking away with Jack Kayil and Tyler Nickel. Kayil is a German guard who was previously committed to Gonzaga, and he seems like a fine long-term bet who likely won’t touch an NBA court any time soon. Nickel is a stretch forward who was pretty good at Vanderbilt. I’d be shocked if either of these guys become rotation pieces in the next couple years.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Grade: A
Sam Presti killed it again. I was high on both Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz, and they perfectly fit what the Thunder needed. Mara is a 7’3 giant whose drop coverage will be made more effective with the dogs OKC has at the point of attack. His passing is also special, and I can’t wait to watch him throw full-court touchdowns to the Thunder’s athletes on the wing. Stirtz adds the shooting and playmaking the Thunder desperately needed last year when SGA went to the bench. Otega Oweh is a decent 3-and-D bet in the second round, too. The Thunder are so good at this.
Orlando Magic
Grade: B
Izaiyah Nelson really caught my eye towards the end of the college season. He’s a bit undersized for a big, but he has an appealing combination of length, explosiveness, and motor. He’s a really good rebounder, but right now he can’t shoot at all, and I feel like he’s going to need to develop that area of his game to really stick.
Philadelphia 76ers
Grade: A-
Labaron Philon is great value at No. 22 even if the 76ers had bigger needs in the front court. That Jared McCain trade everyone ripped Philly for ended up working out pretty okay.
Phoenix Suns
Grade: B+
Koa Peat won four high school state championships in Arizona, then helped the Arizona Wildcats reach the Final Four during his one-and-done season. It’s pretty cool that he’s still in the state. Peat can’t shoot at all, but his vertical athleticism and passing at his size could make him a solid role player down the line.
Portland Trail Blazers
Grade: Inc.
The Blazers did not make a draft pick this year.
Sacramento Kings
Grade: C
I would have preferred Kingston Flemings over Darius Acuff for the Kings at No. 7, but the team clearly loved the Arkansas guard and had been circling him for months. Let’s see if they’re right. Alex Karaban wasn’t a first round talent in my book, but the Kings traded up to get him at No. 29. The one pick I did like from the Kings was Emanuel Sharp, who was an excellent 3-and-D style guard at Houston the last three years. This haul will be defined by the Acuff pick. He’ll probably put up big numbers while Sacramento loses a lot of games for most of his career.
San Antonio Spurs
Grade: A-
The Spurs obviously wanted to add beef in the draft, and they got a lot of it. Jayden Quaintance is worth the risk to me. I thought he’d be a top-5 pick coming into the season, but he barely played after trying to return from a torn ACL. JQ could be a monster defensively. I have no idea how he contributes on offense outside of lobs and offensive rebounds, but that’s perfectly fine if he’s an elite defensive big. I didn’t really see the vision with Tarris Reed as a first round pick, but he’s another big body who can eat inside. Maliq Brown is yet another big man who adds defensive toughness and versatility. Ja’Kobi Gillespie is a nice pick-up too as a tiny guard who chucks threes and defends bigger than his size. Quaintance, Gillespie, and Brown is a great haul even if I’m not huge on Reed.
Toronto Raptors
Grade: B+
Allen Graves! What a story, and what a player. I laughed out loud when the Raptors made this pick if only because he’s exactly like most of the other guys on this team. Graves’ defensive playmaking is his calling card, and if he can figure out how to maintain his aggression while cutting back on his fouls, he could go down as a steal. The difference between Graves and the other 6’8 Raptors is that the Santa Clara product can actually shoot. Jaden Bradley is fine for a No. 50 overall pick, but I’d be surprised if he carves out an NBA career (that goes for any No. 50 overall pick I suppose).
Utah Jazz
Grade: B+
I always thought Darryn Peterson was a great fit in Utah. I still think the Jazz passed on the best player in the draft in Cam Boozer, but Peterson was second on my board, and should be a high-level shooter and defender in the backcourt. If he regains his high school explosiveness, the Jazz could be nasty pretty soon.
Washington Wizards
Grade: B+
A.J. Dybantsa has fantastic shot-creation ability for a wing his size. I had him third on my board, but he has the ability to make me look stupid if he eventually leads the league in scoring and starts to take some pride in his defense. I do not love his fit next to Trae Young, but that’s more a Trae Young problem.
The Lakers have agreed to terms on a two-way contract with former Miami (OH) guard Peter Suder.
The agreement, which was first reported by HoopsHype of the USA Today Network and shared by his agency Edge Sports International, came immediately after Suder wasn’t selected in the 2026 NBA draft.
The Lakers have agreed to terms on a two-way contract with former Miami (OH) guard Peter Suder. Rick Osentoski-Imagn ImagesThe 6-foot-5 combo guard shot 54.6% from the field, including 59.7% on 2-pointrs and 42.1% on 3-pointers, in 2025-26. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Suder averaged 14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4 assists in his final season with the RedHawks, helping Miami clinch its first regular-season conference championship in 21 years after the RedHawks’ perfect 31-0 regular season, which included 18-0 in conference games.
The 6-foot-5 combo guard shot 54.6% from the field, including 59.7% on 2-pointrs and 42.1% on 3-pointers, in 2025-26.
He won the 2026 MAC Player of the Year, Miami’s first Conference Player of the Year since Michael Bramos in 2008-09, and led the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007.
Suder was a two-time All-MAC first team honoree after transferring from Bellarmine, where he spent his first two college seasons.
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 10: Syracuse Orange forward William Kyle (42) during the ACC Men's basketball tournament between the Syracuse Orange and the SMU Mustangs on March 10, 2026 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
While the second round turned out to be a dud for the Lakers on Wednesday, the conclusion of the NBA Draft is when the team really starts to get to work.
First, they agreed to an Exhibit-10 deal with William Kyle III, a big man out of Syracuse.
Former Syracuse center William Kyle III is signing with the Lakers on an Exhibit 10 deal, sources told ESPN. The 6-9, 230-pound big man averaged 8.4 points on 66.1% with 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game in his senior season with the Orange
Kyle played for three schools in his four years of college, including a season at UCLA in 2024-25. He finished his career on the other side of the country where he played 28.1 minutes per game for the Orange, averaging 8.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots.
But a short watch of any highlight video will show why the Lakers targeted Kyle. He’s an incredibly athlete on both ends of the floor. He’s a lob threat who can also protect the rim. He’s undersized, which is part of the reason he went undrafted, but he certainly has a lot of bounce.
The purple and gold also agreed to an Exhibit-10 deal with Robbie Avila out of Saint Louis, too. He was the A10 Player of the Year with some of the best nicknames you’re ever going to find.
NEWS: Saint Louis’ Robbie Avila has agreed to an Exhibit-10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell DraftExpress.
The A10 Player of the Year is one of the nation’s most skilled bigs.
Shot 40% from three and averaged 4+ assists per game as a frontcourt playmaking hub. pic.twitter.com/q6yYnRtAXW
Personally, I’m a fan of Milk Chamberlain, but Cream Abdul-Jabbar is a great one as well.
As far as his on-court production, Avila is the polar opposite as a big man of Kyle. He averaged 12.8 points per game last season, but is a stretch big who hit 41% of his 4.6 threes per game. He also handed out 4.1 assists and grabbed 4.5 rebounds per contest.
He will likely be a fan favorite at Summer League, but it’s unlikely he gets much further than that. His lack of athleticism and quickness as a big man will make it hard for him to earn meaningful minutes in NBA games.
Marquette’s Chase Ross also signed an Exhibit-10 deal with the Lakers.
NEWS: Marquette’s Chase Ross has agreed to an Exhibit-10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell DraftExpress.
14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.3 steals per game this season.
In his senior season, Ross averaged 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and a conference-leading 2.3 steals per game. He struggled offensively, shooting 42.1% from the field and 29.5% from the 3-point line, but it’s the other end of the court where he made his impact as he was named to the Big East All-Defense team last season.
Robert McCray V, a guard from Florida State, also signed an Exhibit-10 deal with the Lakers.
NEWS: Florida State’s Robert McCray V has agreed to an Exhibit-10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell DraftExpress.
The 6’4” guard led the Seminoles in scoring and assists en route to All-ACC honors.
In his sole season with the Seminoles, he averaged 16.3 points and shot 35.5% from 3-point range. In conference tournament play, he had one of his best games, scoring 30 points and shooting 10-17 in a win over California.
He was the top scorer for Florida State and earned All-ACC honors.
The Lakers will also reportedly be bringing Jacari White from Virginia to Summer League.
White’s production at Virginia was modest, averaging just 9.4 points per game, but he was a great shooter, converting on 43.4% of his shots from deep.
He had his best game of the year in the NCAA Tournament, scoring 26 points while hitting six 3-pointers in a win over Wright State.
Under the assumption that both Cameron Carr and Adou Theiro play this year, the Lakers are quickly rounding out their Summer League roster.
As a reminder, Exhibit-10 deals are training camp contracts, but are incentivized so that when a team cuts the player, they get an added bonus if they sign with that franchise’s G League team.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 4: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets and Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talk during the game on November 4, 2024 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When the offseason started, all eyes were on where Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown would end up. After the former got traded earlier this week, it was supposed to be the latter’s turn. And even Anthony Edwards’ name came up, not as a trade candidate this season, but as a disgruntled star who could be the next big name to start making some noise.
Not only did the Timberwolves not move Edwards, but they got him a running mate who could appeal to his desire to have more help around him. Late Wednesday night, rumors surrounding the availability of LaMelo Ball surfaced. It came as a surprise to many as the young point guard had just spearheaded an incredibly strong second half of the season for the Hornets. He played in 72 games, which was the second-most of his career, and the most since his second year in the league. He was analytically among the most impactful offensive players in the league. And it looked like he was well on his way to leading a dynamic trio of himself, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel to a new age of Hornets basketball.
Less than 24 hours after the initial reports came out, Ball was swiftly traded away, and it wasn’t like the Hornets received an offer they couldn’t refuse.
Charlotte landed a return package comprised of Naz Reid, an unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps, and three second-round picks. That isn’t nothing, but it still feels rather underwhelming for a player of Ball’s caliber, and the Hornets are likely worse after agreeing to the trade.
BREAKING: The Charlotte Hornets are trading star guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033), sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/lkhXBWHCrA
The aftermath speculation is that the Hornets wanted to get ahead of Ball’s second major NBA contract while selling high on a player who just had his healthiest and best season in years. Obviously, the Timberwolves got better. They lack real front court depth after trading away both Julius Randle and Reid, and will surely have to eventually address that. But Ball, Minnesota, finally provides Edwards with another creator who can consistently create advantages on offense. For years, the Wolves had gone with the band-aid fixes of Donte DiVincenzo and the shell of Mike Conley.
Ant now has a bit of the pressure taken off of him, and it should create a very entertaining backcourt with the star power and offensive capabilities to match pretty much any unit across the NBA. If the Wolves can shore up their front court with a bit more size and firepower, they now have the offensive ceiling to at least give the Thunder and Spurs a run for their money. And with those three teams, the Lakers, and Nuggets all believing they can win now, the West should once again be exciting and closely contested at the top.
The Hornets, on the other hand, get some picks back and now have a treasure trove of picks for the upcoming years. On paper, however, they are very clearly a worse team. They did re-sign Coby White, who had played incredibly well as a Hornet in the second half of the season and will provide Miller and Knueppel with ample scoring support and playmaking. But he’s still no Ball. White isn’t the playmaker or shooter that Ball is, and the Hornets could see some offensive regression because of that. He offers some more stability in a way; he’s less injury prone, having played 104 more games than Ball since Ball’s first year in the league, and his cheaper contract also gives the Hornets more flexibility moving forward.
Not only can they save some money for Miller and Knueppel’s extensions when necessary, but they also have more money to round out the rest of the roster this summer. On top of that, the draft picks will allow them to maybe go star hunting down the road. It just needs to be reiterated, though, that the Hornets, as of right now, are worse than they were yesterday.
Free agent guard Coby White intends to sign a three-year, $74 million deal to return to the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell ESPN. White was a major priority for the Hornets and now steps into a new starting role in the backcourt. pic.twitter.com/vomi9igMu5
The Eastern Conference likely took a short sigh of relief after hearing about this deal. The Hornets were probably still a piece or two short of being real contenders at the level of the Knicks, Celtics, Pistons, and Cavaliers. They lack postseason experience, as was evident in their final play-in game, and they still need a bit more depth. But the way they played down the stretch had a lot of teams sweating. They truly looked like an up-and-coming team, and it wouldn’t have surprised people if they took a jump similar to the one the Pistons took over the last couple of years.
White is a solid point guard who can replicate some of the things that Ball did, but the Hornets won’t be nearly as scary with White as their starting point guard. Because of that, this trade won’t impact the aforementioned contenders much. They got their own problems and many other and better teams to worry about. But now, teams like the Hawks, Raptors, and Magic, who are in that second or third tier of teams in the conference, will have a slightly easier time making the playoffs once again.
Now that the 2026 NBA Draft is done, the league's attention turns to the start of free agency, with the official "tampering" period beginning on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.
But teams and free agents can't sign their contracts until July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET when the NBA's moratorium on signings ends.
No one should be doing what James is doing at his age, but one more run with the Lakers before retirement, and the Reaves re-signing would still make them a playoff threat in the West.
LaVine's $49 million option makes him prime trade bait unless there is a team out there willing to hand the 31-year-old injury-prone playmaker another massive deal. Going back to the Sacramento Kings in the long term would be a questionable move as well.
Jalen Duren (restricted)
Age: 22
25-26 stats: 19.5 ppg, 10.5 reb, 2 apg (65% FG)
The Detroit Pistons can offer Duren a five-year deal, worth up to $287.1 million, after he made the All-NBA third team this season. The question is whether Detroit wants to or will be foolish enough to pay that, especially after his disappearing act in the playoffs.
Like every contender in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers have to decide on an aging yet still effective and championship-less Harden, whose $42.3 million option would be hard to pass up for any other player.
With Al Horford back in the mix with a new two-year, $14 million deal, the Golden State Warriors now turn their attention to Porzingis, whose injury history makes him a risk no matter where he ends up next season.
Wiggins' player option is worth $30.2 million, so staying put would be the wise move. But moving on would complicate the Miami Heat's plans for building a competitive roster.
The NBA is all about stretching the floor and shooting, and any team could use a sharpshooter like Hachimura, who has hit 40% or better from downtown in each of the last three years.
The Heat need Powell on the roster, especially because of his shooting. Will Powell look to score one final big payday elsewhere, or does he stay around, hoping the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade puts them back in the mix for a title?
The SEC, one of the strongest conferences in men's college basketball, top to bottom, unveiled its home and away opponents for 2026-27 league play on June 25.
The conference had four teams in USA TODAY Sports' way-too-early top 25 in early April — including four in the top 10. The league will look to get back on track after failing to produce a Final Four team in the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament, a year after Todd Golden led Florida to the league's first national title since Kentucky in 2012.
The SEC produced a nation-leading 10 bids for the 2026 NCAA Tournament, down from a record-shattering 14 teams the year prior. They had four teams make the Sweet 16, but only one team advance to the Elite Eight.
Here's each team's full home-and-away opponents for the 2026-26 men's college basketball season:
SEC men's basketball conference opponents 2026-27
Teams listed in alphabetical order.
Alabama
Home/Away: Arkansas, Auburn, Mississippi State
Home: Florida, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt
Away: Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M
Arkansas
Home/Away: Alabama, LSU, Missouri
Home: Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Oklahoma
Away: Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt
Nov 3, 2018; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens and guard Jaylen Brown (7) talk on the sideline in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Life comes at you fast, doesn’t it? A few months ago, the Celtics headed into the playoffs as one of the favorites to come out of the East with a real chance at winning the NBA title. A first round exit later, and the team appears ready to move on from Jaylen Brown.
The Wolves did have discussions with the Celtics on Jaylen Brown as well, sources told The Athletic. But they saw LaMelo Ball as fitting more of what they needed, for likely less compensation going out.
Zach Lowe on his podcast: "It feels like the the toothpaste is too far out of the tube with Jaylen Brown." "If you ask me right now… I don't think Jaylen Brown starts the season with the Boston Celtics next year. That could end up being wrong,…
Like it or not (and I don’t think I like it) it appears that the Celtics are actively trying to trade Jaylen Brown. Which begs the question: Why?
We may not get an answer till all is said and done (and even then we might not know the full truth for years, if ever). If the above reports are true (and who knows, maybe they are all just smoke, but there sure is a lot of it), then something changed at some point.
Some quick thoughts and speculations:
Does Jaylen Brown want a new team?
We’ve heard the speculation about this for months (if not years). Brown got a taste for being the number one option and he absolutely loved every minute of it (and thrived in that role). Yet Jayson Tatum exists and should be fully healthy and returned to his place as the number one man in Boston this fall. Maybe Jaylen just doesn’t want to play the role of 2nd best (or 1A or whatever) anymore.
He got his title in Boston. He got multiple huge contracts in Boston. Maybe he feels like he’s done all he can do here and wants his next challenge elsewhere.
Perhaps when he met with Brad Stevens last month, he let them know that he would welcome a new home but wouldn’t make a public demand. Or perhaps everything was copacetic until the Giannis trade fell through, and now Jaylen has decided he wants out.
Does the team want to trade Jaylen? (and why?)
The first part of that question seems to be pretty evident. The second part is harder.
Perhaps the team looked at our competition and decided that we can’t win with our current makeup. Brad has already said publicly that he wants to change our play style and needed to get Joe players that fit that play style. Either they don’t think Jaylen fits the style they want, or they think he’s the best asset they have to make those changes.
Perhaps it has more to do with finances. It actually makes a lot of sense that the team took a look at the 2nd apron rules and decided that there’s no good way to build out a team around 2 supermax contracts. So one of them has to go. The caveat here is that they were apparently willing to take on Giannis and extend him at his max. But perhaps he was the one all-in exception to the rule (and only if the price wasn’t too high).
Maybe it is just some combination of all of the above.
What’s next?
So what now? I guess we are going to get a steady diet of trade rumors, speculation, and breathless opinions from talking heads (and silly bloggers like myself).
This is unchartered territory for Brad Stevens. He has generally been pretty tight lipped and stealthy with his moves, but he couldn’t contain the noise around the Giannis situation. If they are trying to maximize their return for Jaylen, maybe it makes sense to get the word out that they are shopping him, to start a bidding war.
We’ve tried to figure out reasonable trade packages for Jaylen that make sense to us. Frankly, nothing I’ve seen or come up with myself leaves me really excited for the near future. It is hard finding another star that matches Jaylen’s level that would be available and a good fit for the Celtics. So that leads you to trading a dollar for 3 quarters and a few other cents that may or may not add up to a dollar. How does that make us more of a contender both now and in the future than just keeping Jaylen Brown? I don’t know.
I still have a lot of faith in Brad Stevens to figure this all out. I never saw the Derrick White trade happening. I couldn’t have predicted the Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis deals. Hopefully he has something even more surprising and productive in mind for the next step. I’m officially on the very edge of my seat.
As usual, stay tuned to CelticsBlog for updates and of course feel free to join in the discussion in the comments below.
Dybantsa, 19, was selected by Washington with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged a Division-I best 25.5 points and 6.8 rebounds as a freshman at BYU.
Veteran big man Al Horford is staying in the Bay Area.
Horford, 40, told Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of ESPN that he was going to sign a new contract to stay with Stephen Curry and the Warriors. According to the report, Horford will decline his $5.97 million player option to sign a fully guaranteed two-year, $14 million contract.
Horford played in just 45 games last season due to injuries — primarily sciatica and a calf strain — and when he did, he averaged 8.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, shooting 36.1% from 3-point range. Horford told ESPN why he wanted to return to a team that looked like it might make some noise in the West until Jimmy Butler went down with a torn ACL.
"I want to see it through," Horford said. "That [injury] kind of put a damper on things. Jimmy is a very special player, and he was doing so much for us. I feel like things were starting to turn...
"Me being here a year, being acclimated with [coach Steve] Kerr, with Steph, with everybody else, I feel like we can continue to take steps forward and have a better season," Horford said.
Butler is going to miss the start of the NBA season still recovering. Curry missed time last year due to a lingering runner's knee issue. Moses Moody missed time with a torn left patellar tendon. This is an older core, but if the Warriors can get this group through the playoffs largely healthy, they will be a tough out in a deep conference.
Keeping Horford and his steady hand is part of that.
