Most of the focus surrounding the Celtics right now is on the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors. But the upcoming draft is an important one for the Celtics, who own the No. 27 pick after finishing second in the Eastern Conference during the regular season.
The C’s could go in several different directions with this pick. The most glaring weakness on the roster is a lack of frontcourt depth. They need a center who can create offense at the rim, block shots and rebound at a high level.
The Celtics offense became a bit too predictable in the 2026 playoffs with the abundance of 3-point shots. They need a different dimension in the paint — a way to create more dunks.
The upcoming draft class offers some intriguing talent at center. Henri Veesaar of North Carolina is probably the best fit for the Celtics with his size (7-foot-1) and offensive skill set. But there’s a chance he won’t be available by the time Boston is on the clock in Round 1.
The Celtics also could just take the best player available, which is often the best strategy late in the first round. Drafting for need is rarely a good idea, and the C’s could use more talent at just about every position. Another wing who can score and bring some athleticism would be a nice addition to this roster, too.
Meleek Thomas of Arkansas is a two-way guard with an exciting skill set. He might be available at No. 27.
What other players should the C’s consider in the first round? Here’s a roundup of expert predictions from recent mock drafts.
“After the Nikola Vučević experiment fell short for the Celtics, Veesaar would present a new opportunity. He is an agile big with real shooting touch, connective playmaking, and baseline skills with the ability to set screens and catch lobs. He also offers rim protection and is a locked-in help defender. In all three of his collegiate seasons, he made a massive leap in production each year. But he’s 227 pounds and his lanky frame can get pushed around, plus he still hasn’t fully defined his cornerstone skill.”
“Let’s go back to the well in Spain for the Celtics after their success last season with Hugo Gonzalez. De Larrea had a strong season for Valencia this season and measured exceedingly well, coming in at 6 feet 6 without shoes. He also plays the kind of style that should blend well with Boston’s scheme as a quick decision-maker, a sharp passer and a terrific shooter from distance. He can play both with and without the ball, and would give Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown space to operate.
“The Celtics also fall into a similar bucket as the Hawks, Nuggets, Timberwolves and Mavericks, where I’ve heard from other teams that they’ve discussed moving up from their current slot in the 20s. There is thought to be a talent dropoff somewhere in this ballpark, and teams are trying to get ahead of it.”
After opting to stay in the draft rather than return to Arkansas, Thomas has had a positive predraft process and conducted a wide range of workouts, giving himself a variety of landing spots in the back half of the first round. His size, scoring ability and improving defense have stood out in workout settings and helped him solidify his status in the first.
Boston is a team that annually casts one of the widest nets in predraft workouts and has plenty of depth on the roster, making this pick more of a luxury for them, whether that’s picking a more experienced college player or developing a younger talent like Thomas without the pressure of needing to play right away.
Koa Peat staying in the draft indicates either confidence in draft stock or his chance to develop more effectively in the pros. While questions about shooting and fit have reduced interest around the freshman, they may have also helped turn Peat into a buy-low value pick for teams interested in adding a physical, interior scorer and frontcourt passing asset.
The last two months have been mixed for Peat. He had a very productive NCAA tournament (17.2 points, 7.6 rebounds) all the way to the Final Four. He did not help himself at the NBA combine, where he measured 6’7″, bombed shooting drills and finished near the bottom in multiple athletic tests. Scouts aren’t writing off the strong, explosive finisher who can make mid-range shots and move the ball.
“Evans went from almost strictly a pure catch-and-shoot 3-point specialist at Duke during his freshman year to a legit No. 2 scoring option on the No. 1 overall seed in college basketball. Evans almost doubled the amount of 3-pointers he took from this year to last and still knocked them down at a 36.1% clip. He will be a Day 1 pick somewhere in the 20s.”
The famous Knicks loyalists certainly weren’t going to miss the championship parade through the Canyon of Heroes to celebrate the Knicks’ first NBA championship since 1973.
A Jalen Brunson favorite, Mariska Hargitay made an appearance on the Finals MVP’s float with her son, August, who was wearing a blue shirt that read “Marknickska Hargitay.”
The “Law & Order: SVU” star was seen dancing and waving to fans while on the parade route.
Hargitay arrived at the parade with Brunson’s family as the two have grown close over the past few seasons.
Mariska Hargitay and her son August attend the Knicks’ ticker-tape parade along the Canyon of Heroes on June 18. Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
Stiller wore a Karl-Anthony Towns shirt and Knicks hat and he could be seen filming, as usual, with his iPhone, for his documentary with A24 and HBO on the Knicks’ title run.
Ben Stiller shakes hands with fans during the New York Knicks’ NBA championship parade Thursday, June 18, 2026. AP Photo/Ryan Murphy
Knicks NBA champions 2026 Parade with Mariska Hargitay and Spike Lee with Jalen Brunson pic.twitter.com/71kqzuza0y
Timothée Chalamet, who was an integral part of the Knicks’ postgame celebrations in San Antonio, was on a float with his dad during the parade as well.
Timothée Chalamet looks on during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. Getty ImagesTimothée Chalamet looks on during the June 18 Knicks parade. Getty Images
Walt “Clyde” Frazier was seen leading the way among the Knicks alums in attendance.
He was seen driving a car with his name emblazoned on the side of it.
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) June 18, 2026
Martha Stewart and Jalen Brunson attend the New York Knicks ticker-tape parade along the Canyon of Heroes on June 18, 2026. Erik Pendzich/ShutterstockActor John Turturro with his son Diego. Stephen Yang for NY Post
Other faces that popped up were Jon Stewart, Fat Joe, Edie Falco, Steve Schirripa and Matthew Modine.
The parade started in Battery Park and finished at City Hall, where there will be a ceremony emceed by Mike Breen as mayor Zohran Mamdani will give the keys to the city to the team.
Knicks fans cheer as a float carrying Karl Anthony Towns with the championship trophy passes by during a parade in New York on Thursday.Photograph: Julius Constantine Motal/The Guardian
Thousands of Knicks fans – decked out in blue and orange jerseys, shorts, hats, necklaces and more – gathered in downtown New York City on Thursday to celebrate the team’s NBA championship in a lively ticker-tape parade.
All along Church Street, the street running parallel to the parade route, fans lit joints, threw back shots of Fireball whiskey and drank Coronas, within view of bemused and outnumbered New York City police officers. Some fans climbed atop police cruisers and posed for photos.
“We can do that?” one passerby asked, laughing. “Is this not illegal today?”
“I’m just glad to be a part of this fucking victory,” one of the men atop the police cruiser told the Guardian. “I’m glad to be a part of history!”
Wesley Chow, 27, from Astoria, Queens, first became a Knicks fan in 2012 during “Linsanity”, when the Asian American player Jeremy Lin became a Knicks fan favorite.
“Seeing someone that looked like me play in the league was hella inspiring,” said Chow, who was among the thousands gathered outside the gates hoping to steal even a distant glance of the Knicks players as they moved down a route that was one block away.
Chow added: “The people out here right now, you got people from all backgrounds, all neighborhoods, all to celebrate one thing. It’s crazy.”
The viewing areas for the parade were at capacity as early as 7.25am, per the NYPD, who blocked off access to Broadway. The parade, which kicked off several hours later at 10am, saw people marching from Battery Park to City Hall.
Zohran Mamdani – the mayor, who rightly predicted this would be one of the biggest parades the city had ever seen – was seen dancing on a float in the parade alongside the Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns’s teammate OG Anunoby was in the crowds talking to fans, holding both the NBA Cup in-season championship trophy and a bottle of tequila. The Knicks alumnus Carmelo Anthony danced on a float nearby. Longtime celebrity Knicks fans Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock and Timothée Chalamet were also in attendance.
Children climbed atop cars to chant “fuck you, Wemby!” – a reference to San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama. Vendors sold T-shirts out of carts and suitcases, emblazoned with phrases like “CHAMPIONS” and “King Brunson” and “suck my Knick!”
A fan named Alan told the Guardian he came back to New York for the first time in nearly three years to be a part of the crowd. He carried a Polaroid camera and offered people photos for a few dollars each, mostly photographing moms with their sons and dads with their daughters.
“I just wanted to give them a memory of the day,” he said.
Another fan named Erica walked along Church Street with her young son, Milan. Originally from Italy, she’s been a casual Knicks fan for 20 years, but fell in love with the team after watching how happy they made her son. She said the Knicks had brought out the best in New York.
“Everybody is happy for one cause and we need that,” she said.
John Rivera was born and raised in New York, and was 13 when the Knicks last won the championship in 1973. They clinched the finals series this time on his 69th birthday.
“I was there for the Ewing era, when they kept losing against the Bulls, I was there in 99 when I thought they were gonna win it, I was there through it all. I always kept the faith though,” he said.
Rivera worked for NYC transit authority doing subway maintenance for 30 years before retiring to Florida. He flew back to New York this week for a funeral – for a friend he played stickball with growing up – and for the Puerto Rican Day parade in the Bronx. Being among Knicks fans on Thursday morning reminded him of how much he loved this city.
“It makes me feel wanted, it makes me feel like a part of the city again,” he said.
Barbara Etheredge, 33, from Newark, New Jersey, stood on a power box, with friends hanging from the traffic signs above. She’s a new Knicks fan, falling in love with the team through her boyfriend – who was among a crowd of fans who commandeered a nearby sanitation truck, chanting “LET’S GO KNICKS.”
“Everyone out here strangers,” she said of the sprawling crowd below her, “But we family now.”
Her newfound love for the Knicks is just as permanent as her newfound love for her boyfriend, she said. “He’s not going nowhere. I’m done. If he’s a Knicks fan I’m staying with them for ever. I’m loyal!”
The sweetness of Thursday’s celebration hardly ended there as the now-viral “Baklava Guy” – who was previously seen giving out his eponymous dessert to Knicks fans outside Madison Square Garden. – doled out baklava to fans at the parade.
Roy Donk, the owner of Good Baklava, told CBS: “There’s just special moments in New York history which we’re living right now, and I usually sell it, but there’s no chance of selling it right now.”
Benny Tuchman, a lifelong fan from Westchester, was observing the Shabbos with family and friends on the evening the Knicks won game 5.
“We had to wait until the second quarter to watch,” he remembered, laughing. When they finally turned the TV on the Knicks were down 15. “But we knew 15 was nothing for this team,” he said, referring to a series of miraculous comebacks during the playoffs.
He knew coming to the parade that he probably wouldn’t get close enough to see the team. Looking out at the thousands of his fellow fans he said: “This is why we came. I just wanted to see the people. I just wanted to see everyone happy.” His friend chimed in: “This is what makes sports great.” Another friend added: “It’s the equalizer.”
Diehard fans climbed scaffolding, fire escapes, street signs — and even precarious treetops nearly two stories high — in desperate attempts to catch glimpses of their NBA champions parading down the Canyon of Heroes for the first time Thursday.
NYPD officers seemed to be letting rowdy Knicks fans slide as long as they don’t get too disruptive Brian Zak/NY Post
Wild video from Lower Manhattan showed revelers resorting to acrobatics almost fit for the basketball court to get a view of their hometown team’s first-ever ticker-tape parade, which an estimated 2 million people attended.
One maniac in a Knicks jersey dared to scale to the very top of a tree, where the branches seemed dangerously thin.
Elsewhere, a mass of fans decked out in orange and blue could be seen running around on top of scaffolding, hyping up the ecstatic mob below, video from the street shows.
Others dared to hop up onto fire escapes for a better view, with video showing fans helping each other climb up.
In one chaotic scene, dozens of fanatics even packed on top of a pair of NYPD vans and a Department of Sanitation truck.
New York Knicks fans celebrate at the Fulton Center. REUTERSFans celebrate during the New York Knicks’ NBA championship parade. AP Photo/Ryan Murphy
At least 20 revelers climbed on top of the South Ferry Station during the Knicks’ championship celebration — and ignored an MTA worker who pleaded with them to get down as they chanted “Knicks in five.”
Hundreds more could be seen climbing balconies, light posts and trees.
One fan wearing a Knicks jersey and a Batman mask was spotted watching the chaos from the solitude of a rooftop.
Luka Bouras, 15, of Westchester, climbed a tree where he stayed for hours — but instead of Jaylen Brunson and Karl Anthony-Towns, all he was able to make out from so far away was “some tall ass dudes.”
“It’s the first championship in 53 years. I’m not gonna lie, I cried a little bit when they won, and what better way to celebrate than climb a tree?” the teen said.
But NYPD officers seemed to be letting rowdy Knicks fans slide as long as they didn’t get too disruptive
REUTERS
Cops told some fans to get off the scaffolding with a man standing on top of a garbage bin, downing a beer, but they were not about to blow up the celebration.
“What am I going to do?” an officer said. “He is not killing anybody.”
While most of the climbing chaos was in good fun, at least one led to an X-rated brawl between two women.
A wild video captured the moment the claws came atop the Trinity Place and Thames Street corner signs when one woman seemingly scolded another for twerking on the pedestrian signal — and tried to block her climb back down.
The dancing fan grabbed the jersey-wearing woman by the neck and ripped her off the street sign, but the tossed woman popped back up and ripped the lady’s pants down, revealing her Knicks-orange thong, and pounded her buttocks.
But the unbothered woman stayed on top of the street sign and began twerking as the crowd went wild.
Every step of this — including the ones likely to come — has been expected.
Washington Wizards point guard Trae Young will decline his $48.9 million player option for next season, something first reported by Marc Spears of ESPN.
In something that may seem counterintuitive, this just means Young is more likely to stay in Washington.
As reported before here at NBC Sports, the expectation in league circles for some time was that Young would opt out, then re-sign with the Wizards on a multi-year deal at a lower per-year number. For example, something like three years, $120 million (with a team or player option on the final year). Here is how ESPN’s Brian Windhorst put it on “Get Up.”
"When Trae Young was traded to Washington in January, it came with the understanding that he would opt out of his contract... The expectation is he may take a meeting or two, for appearance's sake. (But) he's going to re-sign with the Wizards, likely on a three-year, very large contract."
Washington is not going to be a lottery team next season, they will be a team on the rise in the East. It will have a young core led by AJ Dybantsa (assuming they take him, not Darryn Peterson, with the No. 1 pick), Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson and others. Young and Anthony Davis bring two All-Star-level veterans to the roster.
Expect to hear a lot of Davis trade talk in the coming weeks, and he is available at the right price, league sources told NBC Sports, but they added that they expect he will start the season with the Wizards. Young may have opted out of his contract, but he's not going anywhere.
Knicks star Mikal Bridges brought his dog to the ticker-tape parade Thursday, following through on a plan he first revealed for Sonny — his 8-year-old Labrador — on “Good Morning America” earlier this week.
“I just want to bring my dog on the float. That’s it,” Bridges said.
Mikal Bridges only has one guest with him for the parade.
In the lead-up to the parade, though, concerns rose about whether Sonny would be able to attend.
It wasn’t until Wednesday that Bridges confirmed the Labrador would be in the parade through an Instagram story.
“It’s official. Sonny’s got a spot on the float,” he said.
Sonny has been seen throughout the Knicks’ celebrations, most notably dancing with Bridges during his Instagram livestream on Monday.
Knicks guard Mikal Bridges enters the parade with his dog Sonny. @barstoolsports/X
Knicks coach Mike Brown will likely enjoy Sonny’s presence at the parade after he went viral post Game 5 for singing “Who Let the Dogs Out” in the locker room with the team, during the trophy ceremony, and in the postgame press conference.
“We got some dogs on this team, baby,” Brown said after the 94-90 win against the Spurs.
Knicks gaurd Mikal Bridges walks through parade with dog Sonny. @NBA_NewYork/X
The head coach also joined in on the fans’ rendition of the song before the parade began.
Bridges was one of those critical pieces for the Knicks, averaging 13.5 points per game in the playoffs, 3.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and one steal.
The guards’ play was particularly important in a one-point Game 2 victory, in which he had 20 points on 61.5 percent shooting, adding six rebounds and six assists.
It was a good response after fans were getting on Bridges for the first five-round picks they gave up to get him.
“The times I’ve been struggling, the fans were on me — the thing is about me, I want to always be better,” Bridges said. “So whatever, how they feel, I always want to be better. They keep pushing me and if they strongly believe that we have a chance every year and if they strongly believe I have a chance to be better, I’m already thinking about that.”
The millions of fans who packed the Canyon of Heroes for the Knicks parade were prohibited from bringing any type of bag — but Jordyn Woods was allowed to bring her iconic orange clutch.
Karl-Anthony Towns’ fiancée shared the orange ostrich version of her Woods by Jordyn Tux Clutch Mini with Mayor Mamdani, who was pictured posing with it on their float.
Karl-Anthony Towns holding his fiance Jordyn Woods’ lucky purse at the New York Knicks ticker-tape parade Thursday. Instagram/jordynwoods
Hizzoner was seen beaming ear-to-ear as he held up the famous purse.
Towns, with a cigar dangling from his mouth, raised the lucky handbag to the crowd as his other hand clutches the NBA trophy.
The bag was seemingly the only one allowed through the parade’s access points — bags in any form were included on the restricted list, which also included “weapons,” pets, umbrellas, coolers and more.
Woods’ orange clutch became famous during the Knicks’ postseason run after Woods sported it at the team’s first game of the playoffs.
The model, 28, told Vogue she made the bag just for the NBA playoffs — though it retails for $125.
It was dubbed a good luck charm as the team soared to their first NBA championship in 53 years.
“Once playoffs start, everything becomes part of the ritual if we keep winning,” she said at the time.
“At this point, I’m not risking changing anything.”
At one point, Brunson hopped down from the team’s bus and walked with the Larry O’Brien Championship trophy along the parade route.
Jalen Brunson attends the New York Knicks ticker-tape parade with his wife Ali Brunson and daughter Jordyn on July 18, 2026 in New York City.
Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
Woods brought her “lucky bag” that she wore to throughout the 2026 NBA Playoffs — and Towns and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani were posing with it.
Jalen Brunson attends the New York Knicks ticker-tape holding the Larry O’Brien championship trophy on July 18, 2026 in New York City. Erik Pendzich/ShutterstockJalen Brunson attends the New York Knicks ticker-tape parade with his wife Ali Brunson and daughter Jordyn on July 18, 2026 in New York City. Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
Brunson also posed for photos with his good friend, “Law & Order: SVU” actress Mariska Hargitay, television personality Martha Stewart, New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
Other celebrities at the parade included Knicks superfans, director Spike Lee, actors Timothée Chalamet and Ben Stiller, and rapper Fat Joe.
Jalen Brunson and Mariska Hargitay attend the New York Knicks ticker-tape parade along the Canyon of Heroes on July 18, 2026 in New York City. Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
The ticker-tape parade was set to end at City Hall in Lower Manhattan, where a special civic ceremony would take place.
The Knicks beat the Spurs in five games the 2026 NBA Finals to clinch their first championship in 53 years.
Kyrie Irving hit the shot that helped deliver Cleveland its long-awaited championship.
A decade later, he was missing from the reunion.
Several members of the Cavaliers’ 2016 title team, including LeBron James, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, and J.R. Smith, have reunited in the United Kingdom for an ex-teammate getaway built around golf and sightseeing.
LeBron James celebrates the 2016 NBA Championship with his Cavalier teammates. EPA
Irving, though, has not been part of the visible festivities.
Smith appeared to address the speculation in an Instagram comment under a post about the reunion, though he did not mention Irving by name.
“Missing none,” Smith wrote. “He was invited and ghosted us all. So stop with that bs.”
The comment quickly drew attention because of Irving’s central role in one of the most famous Finals runs in NBA history.
The Cavaliers became the first team ever to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals, stunning the 73-win Warriors in 2016 and delivering Cleveland its first major professional sports title since 1964.
With less than a minute left in Game 7, he buried the go-ahead 3-pointer over Stephen Curry — a shot that remains one of the defining plays in Cavaliers history.
Irving and James were part of three straight Finals teams together in Cleveland, winning the title in 2016 before Irving requested a trade the following year.
He was eventually sent to the Celtics in 2017 after a controversial trade request, ending his six-season run with the Cavaliers.
Kyrie Irving during the 2016 NBA Finals. Getty Images
His relationship with Cleveland has at times appeared complicated since then, though the importance of the 2016 championship has never faded.
That is why fans quickly noticed his absence from the U.K. trip.
Smith’s comment suggested Irving had the chance to join his former teammates but did not attend.
Irving has not publicly addressed his absence.
For now, the reunion rolls on without the player who hit the shot that helped finish Cleveland’s historic comeback.
Apr 6, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Keon Ellis (14) and guard Dennis Schroder (8) react during the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
When the Cleveland Cavaliers sent De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings, the “prize” of the trade was getting Keon Ellis in return. Ellis looked poised to be a disruptive defender on the perimeter and someone who could reliably knock down threes enough to keep opposing defenses honest. The return of Ellis was far from what I think the Cavaliers front office and fans were hoping for.
Regular Season Stats
8.3 points
2.8 rebounds
2.4 assists
49.1% FG
35.5% 3PT FG
81.6% FT
Ellis was already falling out of the rotation in Sacramento when the Cavs traded for him. Cleveland was looking to add more backcourt depth in both Ellis and Dennis Schroder. Ellis gave Cleveland another disruptive defender, as Ellis came to Cleveland as being the only player other than Detroit’s Ausar Thompson to average 2.0 steals and 1 block per 36 minutes.
The idea of Ellis was more impactful than actuality. Ellis never felt like he really found his footing in Cleveland. The rotations were constantly in flux so the synergy with lineups was never going to develop. Cleveland’s offense is built with the motion and ball movement that should have allowed Ellis to flourish as a good three-point shooter (40.7% career average).
He registered the lowest three-point percentage of his career this year. In the regular season, the Cavaliers were willing to play through the struggles at times. Disruptive defenders like Ellis have more staying power as their effort stands out. However, the main issue with Ellis came once the postseason came around.
Ellis was in the initial rotation for the Cavaliers against the Toronto Raptors, but made little impact. He was then used sparingly in the second and third rounds before playing 15 minutes in Game 4 against the New York Knicks, when that series was already over. In short, he wasn’t a playoff contributor in any meaningful way.
The defense wasn’t as impactful as it needed to be to justify more minutes, particularly on a defense that was comfortable switching most actions. This forced Ellis to make defensive plays off-ball, and he didn’t provide enough offensively to distinguish himself from being just another guy on the floor.
It was disappointing to see Ellis cosplay as Isaac Okoro in the postseason. Defenses let Ellis fire away from three and a -31 in his limited minutes during the playoffs. A -141 in the regular season is also not great from someone whose calling card is to wreak havoc on offenses.
Ellis, who is now slated to be a free agent this summer, has forced the Cavaliers to make some decisions about whether to buy the dip and see if this was a blip in Ellis’s short career. It might not take much for the Cavs to wave the white flag on the experiment.
The Cavaliers appear to be focused on retaining Dean Wade over Ellis. If this bears true, the swing for Ellis and Schroder will be more remembered for the Schroder of it all. Which, if we are being honest, is a massive flop of a return.
NEW YORK — The New York Knicks’ victory tour following their first NBA championship since 1973 made another stop when Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart threw out ceremonial first pitches at Yankee Stadium.
Before the Yankees played the Chicago White Sox, Brunson and Hart were met with a standing ovation and loud cheers from fans as they took the field to a montage of highlights from the title run.
Standing in front of the mound and wearing Yankees pinstripes, Brunson made his toss to backup catcher J.C. Escarra while Hart threw to utilityman Max Schuemann.
“That was cool,” outfielder Cody Bellinger said after New York’s 10-5 victory. “Obviously, we’re all super tuned-in to the series and to the postseason. I saw them pregame and what they were able to accomplish is pretty amazing.”
Brunson and Hart were honored after the Knicks made appearances on NBC’s “The Today Show” and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” Brunson and Hart along with starters Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby also appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
The ceremony occurred a day before the Knicks were honored with a massive ticker-tape parade in lower Manhattan. Mayor Zohran Mamdani predicted the celebration could be “the largest parade in New York City history.”
“Oh, I think’s it been awesome,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “What a fun team to get behind and just the story of that team and how it’s kind of come together over the last couple of years and just a lot of grit, a lot of mental fortitude and to see the fanbase and then some galvanized around that club has been a lot of fun to witness.”
The parade will be the first for the Knicks, who won their first two NBA championships in 1970 and 1973. After those titles, then-Mayor John Lindsay celebrated the team at the mayoral mansion and City Hall.
Brunson threw out a first pitch for the second time since joining the Knicks. He also did it before a Mets-Yankees game in July 2024 shortly after signing a four-year, $156.5 million contract to stay with the Knicks.
Brunson averaged 32.6 points in New York’s five-game victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals and won MVP honors. He led the Knicks to a 94-90 victory in the clinching Game 5 by scoring 45 points.
Hart is a great-nephew of former Yankees catcher Elston Howard, whose No. 32 jersey is retired by the team. Howard is also honored with a plaque in Monument Park.
The Knicks finished 16-3 in the postseason, an .842 winning percentage that matched the 2024 Boston Celtics for second-best since the format changed to best-of-seven series in all NBA playoff rounds beginning in 2003. The 2017 Golden State Warriors went 16-1.
New York won 13 consecutive postseason games, second to Golden State’s 15 in a row in 2017, and set records by winning nine straight road games and outscoring their postseason opponents by 283 points.
Brunson and the Knicks also pulled off several big comebacks on the way to their title.
“It’s just been a captivating run that they’ve been on and with a group that’s now been together for a couple of years and then on top of the 53 years since a championship, it’s been a great story and a fan base that has come to know several of these guys as they’ve kind of climbed that ladder to ultimately winning a championship,” Boone said. “So I think it’ll be one of the historic teams that we talk about when it comes to the NBA.”
Washington Wizards star Trae Young has declined his $48.97 million player option for the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season, electing to test free agency for the first time in his career.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Young’s decision to opt out did not come as a surprise to league insiders. Many expect him to ultimately re-sign with the Wizards on a lucrative three-year deal.
"He's going to re-sign with the Wizards, likely on a three-year, very large contract."@Windhorstespn gives an update on what could be next for Trae Young 🏀 pic.twitter.com/rQBcWPgczD
Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks looks on during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City.
There might be no one enjoying this Knicks championship more than Jose Alvarado.
During Thursday’s ticker-tape parade in Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn native Jose Alvarado grabbed a boombox and a microphone and began appealing to the thousands of Knicks fans who turned out for the franchise’s first ever parade up the Canyon of Heroes.
“We brought the trophy home. Let’s party, baby, let’s party. Knicks in five,” Alvarado professed into a microphone while standing atop a float.
"We brought the trophy home. Let's party, baby, let's party."
Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks looks on during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images
The victory goes even deeper for Alvarado, who grew up a Knicks fan and starred at Christ the King high school.
Alvarado’s roots and New York pride have endeared him to Knicks fans since his arrival to the team. He was born in 1998, one year before the Knicks’ last appearance in the Finals in 1999.
Alvarado is making his second appearance at a New York parade in just one week. On Sunday, the day after the Knicks clinched their first championship in 53 years, Alvarado attended the Puerto Rican Day Parade, appearing on a float alongside New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani in Brooklyn. Teammate Jordan Clarkson joined in the celebration, as well.
JUNE 13: Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. Getty Images
Alvarado won the championship in his first season with his hometown team. He spent five years with the New Orleans Pelicans before being traded to the Knicks in February. Though he had a limited role throughout the Finals, Alvarado came off the bench in Game 4 with an impressive performance, hitting multiple threes to help erase a 29-point deficit and give the Knicks the largest comeback in NBA Finals history. He also appeared in the closeout Game 5.
While the 2026 championship is the third in Knicks history, this is their first parade. There were no parades following the 1970 and 1973 Finals. The turnout for Thursday’s parade reportedly reached over 1 million revelers.
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 28: Trajan Langdon of the Detroit Pistons smiles during a press conference on June 28, 2024 at the Pistons Performance Center in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A week that once brought excitement and hope to Detroit Pistons fans now carries a different feeling: low-stakes curiosity.
For the first time in years, the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed can finally say it has escaped the NBA cellar.
Thanks to Trajan Langdon’s savvy deadline deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit enters draft night with the No. 21 pick, a selection that could hold value in a class loaded with first-round talent.
This year’s draft is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory, featuring elite prospects at the top and growing speculation that stars could be on the move.
So, for the fans who learned to love the draft during the lean years, don’t worry – we’ve still got you covered.
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa (BYU)
Washington will and should turn over every stone when it comes to making the right decision here – but all roads should lead back to Dybantsa. It’s hard not to get excited for everything he brings to the table as a prospect.
The freshman from BYU has the ready made talent to contribute immediately next season but also a ceiling that is as high as any. His 25.5 points per game led the nation and he does it in a variety of ways. He moves fluidly at 6’9 and uses his feet insanely well to get clean looks at the rim. The shot is OK right now but should improve quickly.
His frame will need to fill so he can be more physical at this level but the whole package is there. If the Wizards take Dybantsa, they’ll add him to an interesting roster filled with young talent and aging former all-stars (Trae Young, Anthony Davis). I’d be very interested to see how he fits alongside that group.
-Flores
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson (Kansas)
There has not been a prospect more polarizing in quite some time. With a high school highlight tape that few can rival, Peterson came into his freshman season in the driver’s seat to go first overall. His alarmingly bizarre load management saga makes Dybantsa the safer pick at one, but there is no denying the overall talent here.
Peterson comes in with a case for the best shot making prospect since Kevin Durant and brings elite athleticism, coupled with flashes of great passing and defensive instincts. If questions about his character, competitiveness, and durability can be answered, then Utah gets the alpha scorer it needs to complete its rising young core.
-Sturm
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cam Boozer (Duke)
In one of the more loaded tops of the drafts we’ve seen in years, Boozer may have the highest floor. The question is whether the best version of him matches what you’d think of others at the top, and to me – it’s a no. But that doesn’t mean he won’t be a big part of winning teams.
A high level competitor at every level he’s played so far, he should come in and immediately make his team better in multiple ways. He’s not a physical specimen nor a freak athlete, but he just gets the job done on both ends.
Boozer brings in an old school style, often orchestrating the Duke offense with his back to the basket this season. A great passer, he’ll be able to quickly come in and make every shooter on the team a bit more comfortable.
The question will be how effective can Boozer be in the modern NBA with his style of play? He did not show much as an athlete or as someone who can find his own shot, but does Memphis just end up valuing the rest more? We’ll see.
-Flores
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson (North Carolina)
Wilson is largely viewed as the last player in this draft with a realistic to good chance of being on multiple all-star teams. There is a lot to like starting with his measurables, as he has a legitimate argument as this draft’s best pure athlete at 6 ’10.
Wilson and North Carolina flamed out at the end of the year with injuries and a lack of team success, but there was a brief period in which there was real chatter about Wilson supplanting Boozer as the first big taken. He has shown enough glimpses of shot making ability and fluidity with the ball in his hands at his size to make GM’s salivate over what his ceiling could be. He also projects as a high-level rim protector with his length and leaping ability. There is a world where the freshman hits his ceiling and could be the best player in this class.
The problem is that Wilson possesses a distinctly lower floor than the other prospects in the top 4. He lacks a true skill that he can hang his hat on coming into the league, whereas Boozer (passing and post scoring), Dybantsa (dribble drive ability), and Peterson (shot making) all bring a real attribute that will translate from day one. Wilson got almost all of his points from rim running, transition, or posting up on the block in college. Post ups are a rarity in the NBA unless a player can prove it is an extraordinarily efficient play a la Jokic or Tobias Harris, so Wilson will need to show other ways to score early on. Additionally, he will likely need to add weight to his frame to play center full time, yet he does not currently shoot it well to be a consistent four man.
There will be questions of what the best lineup around him looks like. Simply put, Wilson is more of a blank canvas than many other prospects in this class. The Bulls will need to bet on their player development program to get the most out of him.
-Sturm
5. Los Angeles Clippers: Keaton Wagler (Illinois)
Wagler bursted onto the scene this season for Illinois to the surprise of everyone, maybe other than the man who recruited him, Brad Underwood. It’s rare these days to see a kid go from a 3-star high school recruit to consensus top-10 draft pick, but Wagler proved he was built for it every step of the way this season.
The freshman averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season and was the catalyst to their Final Four run. Another guy who doesn’t pop off the screen with his athleticism or frame, Wagler plays a methodical style that works so well because of his high level shot making ability. At 6’5, he can shoot over defenders but is also crafty enough to get to the rim without having blistering quickness.
His archetype will remind the Clippers of another tall, slender guard that they drafted and traded too soon in a package for Paul George in 2019. Not to say the expectations would match that of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander coming in, but you’d think LA would want another shot if Wagler proves to be cut from a similar cloth. He’ll need to add some meat to the bones if he wants to score with the same efficiency as in college, but at this point, it’s hard not to believe in the kid.
-Flores
6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr (Arkansas)
The Nets have drawn unfortunate lottery luck yet again, as they sit on the outside looking in at the chance to draft one of the consensus tier one players in this year’s class. After taking several players who were more projects in 2025, look for them to take a swing on a player who likely possesses the most star potential in the draft outside of the top four. Not to mention, his college coach has a track record of churning out all-star guards.
Acuff is as dazzling of a scoring lead guard as we’ve seen in years, as he took college basketball by storm with a series of video game-like offensive statlines. If it all breaks right for Acuff, he could legitimately be the primary creator on a winning team.
The 2 main knocks on the Detroit native are his size and defense. Can he get his spots consistently against NBA size and length? Will his defense improve to be at least serviceable on that end? If those answers are yes, then you are looking at a legit offensive engine for an NBA franchise. A comparison I like for his ceiling is Allen Iverson with three point range. If the answer is no to one or both, then he may end up at a range between a Trae Young chucker type, to heatcheck bench guy. For the Nets – who have been floundering for years in a post Kevin Durant era – Acuff represents the best shot at them bringing in a star in quite some time. At this point in the draft, it may be worth the risk.
-Sturm
7. Sacramento Kings: Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville)
Sacramento would be happy to pick up a dynamic scorer like Brown after falling in the lottery this year. The back issues that plagued the start and end of his freshman season – and dropped him on draft boards early on – seem to be behind him.
The 20-year old averaged 18.2 points and 4.7 assists for Louisville this season. He’s advanced on offense, using his size and savvy to dominate ball screen situations. He can get hot at any time too; dropping 45-points vs. NC State by 10 threes in the process in his last game of the year before shutting it down. He can be chaotic at times with the ball offensively, so he’ll need to clean up some of the decision making at the next level.
The Kings are in desperate need of a youthful spark in the backcourt (or anywhere really). Brown has serious upside and may end up being a steal after it’s all said and done.
-Flores
8. Atlanta Hawks: Kingston Flemings (Houston)
Flemings is a guy who flies under the radar a little bit compared to Peterson, Acuff, and some of the other freshman guards in this class. When you watch him play, his game is not the flashiest and he is a tad undersized for today’s point guard. But the guy is just flat out efficient. He can get to his spots with relative ease, and fills it up at all three levels. He boasts an incredible assist to turnover ratio for a freshman playing in one of the most competitive conferences in the country. He was asked to have the ball in his hands a lot and often delivered for a national title contender. Flemings has the feel of one of those players who we may look back on in a few years and go “how did he fall all the way to 8?”
The Hawks would be elated to get someone like Flemings here due to the optionality he gives them both now and later. The team took off after it acquired CJ McCollum, as he fit perfectly with their roster as a primary scoring option and secondary facilitator. With Jalen Johnson and an army of defenders in tow, the Hawks need a guard who can make things happen with the ball in his hands, especially with McCollum about to hit free agency. Flemings could feasibly step into the McCollum role if they wanted to use his salary elsewhere. Or, if they kept both players on the roster, he could become a part of a formidable three guard rotation along with Nickiel Alexander-Walker. He possesses the ability to play alongside either due to his defensive abilities.
-Sturm
9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries (Arizona)
When the Mavericks landed the No. 1 pick and Cooper Flagg last year, it accelerated their rebuild and shifted the timeline of the franchise. With a suddenly youthful roster, Dallas should prioritize adding players who can contribute immediately.
Enter Burries.
Burries appears to have one of the narrower draft ranges in this class. His polished skill set and NBA-ready traits should allow him to make an impact right away, making it unlikely he slips out of the lottery. Wherever he lands, he will likely have an opportunity to earn minutes early.
This season, Burries averaged 16.1 points while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three-point range, helping lead Arizona to the Final Four. At the combine, he measured 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan and projects as a starting-caliber two-way guard at the next level.
Burries was easily the best shooter on an Arizona team that struggled from the perimeter. He also brings a tenacious defensive mindset that should translate quickly to the NBA.
His limitations as a creator are worth noting, but he may never be asked to run an offense. Instead, his value lies in his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. A high-level two-way role player, with the potential for more, should be the expectation.
-Flores
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Yaxel Lendenborg (Michigan)
Though Lendenborg’s teammate Aday Mara has been mocked here often, it would be difficult to see the logic there for the Bucks regardless of whether or not they have Giannis Antetokounmpo on the team. Mara is the best rim protecting prospect in this draft, but does little else to boost Milwaukee beyond that.
The case for pairing Lendenborg with Giannis is fairly easy. He can guard all five positions, and showed some ability to be a secondary playmaker during his last collegiate season. His median projection profiles as a guy who can be a jack-of-all-trades wing who impacts winning at a high level in multiple ways. His three point percentage has gone up every year, and he boasts good mechanics on his shot. He rarely turns the ball over and passes the ball well for his size and position. There are few holes in his game, and he would be able to step in from day one as a high level role player on a good team. Simply put, he has the ability to make the Greek Freak’s life easier.
Without Giannis, Lendenborg still represents one of the best upsides at this point in the lottery for a team that would be looking to pivot into rebuilding mode. Despite being an old man by NBA draft standards at 24, Lendenborg is unique in the fact that he has not been playing basketball for very long, and only played one year of high level competition. Each year, he has expanded his game which one could reasonably predict should continue to happen in the pros. Two years ago, Lendenborg was viewed primarily as a center, last year he was a point-forward on a national championship team. If the Bucks decided to hit the reset button, Yaxel could be an interesting player to see what you have with the opportunity for higher usage. At worst, he could become a valuable trade chip down the line if he becomes less of a star and more of a role player.
The only concern with Lendenborg are recurring questions regarding his maturity. His best fit would be in an established organization like the Heat or Warriors for that reason, so this would be a big bet on Milwaukee’s culture. It may be worth the risk at ten.
-Sturm
Bonus
21. Detroit Pistons: Cameron Carr (Baylor)
Trajan Langdon has his work cut out for him in what will be the most important offseason for Detroit in decades. You’d have to think if the roster construction is a puzzle, this year’s pick would be just a smaller piece of it. But if Detroit stays at No. 21 and can land an immediate contributor, it could change their short term fortunes as well.
There may be a slim chance Carr ends up falling this far after a strong combine performance and skillset that will be hard to pass on. Last season at Baylor, Carr averaged 18.9 points per game on 49.4/37.4/80.1 shooting splits. His combination of length, athleticism and shot making are traits all teams covet in today’s game – especially a Detroit team that lacked offensive firepower in the postseason.
-Flores
Double Bonus – Pistons Mock Trade
Detroit moves up 6 spots to grab Morez Johnson (Michigan)
Detroit Receives: Pick 16
Memphis receives: Pick 21, two future second round picks, Marcus Sasser
Morez Johnson continues to move up mock drafts, and looks less realistic for the Pistons to draft at 21. As for why Johnson would be a good fit in Detroit, read more here. By making this trade, it allows the team the chance to move up and nab the former Wolverine. This in turn, gives Detroit flexibility to use one of Jalen Duren or Isaiah Stewart in a trade later this summer. As rumors linking the team to Trey Murphy III, Kawhi Leonard and others heat up, the opportunity to use one of its bigs in a potential deal in order to preserve other assets would be a welcome sign for Detroit’s front office.
