Just about three weeks after being named the unanimous MVP of the 2026 NBA Finals, New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson had to undergo surgery to repair an injury to his left forearm/wrist area.
SNY sources: Jalen Brunson will be recovering/rehabbing for at least two months following his surgery to repair injury in his left forearm/wrist area. @KnicksFanTv reports that the procedure will happen on Tuesday. Brunson played through discomfort in the area during Finals run,…
While it's unclear exactly when the injury happened, we do know that Brunson was playing through the injury to his shooting arm during the Knicks' 4-1 series win over the Spurs, which earned them their first title in 53 years. In that series, Brunson averaged 32.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists and put up 45 points on 14-of-27 shooting in the series-clinching Game 5 comeback, which tied an NBA record for a road player in a series-clinching win.
Brunson did post a 42.1% field goal percentage in the NBA Finals, down from his 46.7% mark during the regular season and one of the five worst shooting percentages for an NBA MVP. While that drew some criticism at the time, we now know that the injury could have played a part in that; although, credit still needs to be given to the Spurs defense. Brunson also shot nearly 39% from beyond the arc and had a 53.6% true shooting percentage, so his overall shooting wasn't as poor as the field goal percentage makes it seem.
After the win, Brunson admitted, "I'm hurting," but it was unclear the extent to which that was true. The Knicks' captain and All-Star will reportedly need about two months to recover and then will be able to resume basketball activities. Brunson is notoriously workout-obsessed, so two months off from doing anything with his shooting hand/arm will be a challenge, but he should be cleared by September, which will likely be more than enough time for him to be ready for the 2026-27 season, which begins on October 20th
Nov 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Washington Wizards guard Tre Johnson (12) handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during the game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images | Erik Williams-Imagn Images
The Washington Wizards released their Summer League roster, which features three first-round picks from the last two NBA Drafts.
AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, headlines a talented Wizards roster that opens Summer League on July 9 against the Utah Jazz.
Tre Johnson and Will Riley, Washington’s 2025 first-round picks, will join Dybantsa in Las Vegas. Jamir Watkins and Felix Okpata, the team’s previous two second-round selections, will also participate in Summer League.
Here’s a reminder of the Wizards’ Summer League schedule:
July 9: vs. Jazz (Darryn Peterson)
July 12: vs. Kings (Darius Acuff)
July 14: vs. Bulls (Caleb Wilson)
July 15: vs. Clippers (Keaton Wagler)
Game 5: TBA
Here’s a quick breakdown of the roster:
Tre Johnson
Johnson was the Wizards’ No. 6 selection in the 2025 draft. The sharpshooting 20-year-old averaged 12.2 points on 35.8% 3PT during his rookie season.
He averaged 19.5 points on 46% 3PT in two Summer League games last year.
Will Riley
Riley emerged toward the end of his rookie campaign, averaging 16.1 points and 3.7 rebounds over the final two months of the season.
The Illinois product averaged 10.5 points and 58.3% FG across two games at last year’s Summer League.
Jamir Watkins
Watkins, Washington’s 2025 second-round pick, averaged 7.4 points and 3.9 rebounds across 50 games last season.
The 25-year-old wing dominated defensively during last year’s Summer League. He averaged 11 points, five rebounds and 4.2 steals across five appearances.
AJ Dybantsa
Perhaps the biggest name on Washington’s roster, Dybantsa enters Las Vegas with all eyes on his performance. His first test comes against his rival, Peterson, who scored 28 points in his Summer League debut.
The Wizards’ previous top-three pick, Alex Sarr, missed all 15 of his shot attempts in his 2024 Summer League debut. So the bar is quite low for Dybantsa to surpass that performance.
Dybantsa’s debut is easily the most anticipated Wizards Summer League contest since John Wall tallied 24 points and eight assists in his 2010 debut.
Felix Okpara
The Wizards traded two second-round picks — No. 51 and No. 60 — to acquire Okpara with the No. 46 pick in the 2026 draft. The 6-foot-11 forward averaged eight points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game at Tennessee.
Okpara uses his athleticism and impressive vertical to deny shots and deter others around the rim. He will likely start the season on a two-way deal.
Julian Reese
Maryland fans rejoice. Reese will have another opportunity to dominate the glass in Las Vegas this summer.
Washington signed the 6-foot-9 forward to a two-way contract and even started him 10 times over the final stretch of last season. Reese averaged 11.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, including a 26-point, 17-rebound showing against the Jazz.
Seth Trimble
If you witnessed North Carolina’s iconic buzzer beater to knock off No. 4 Duke in February, Trimble’s name rings a bell because the 6-foot-3 guard drilled the corner triple that sent Chapel Hill into a madhouse.
Trimble guard averaged 14.0 points and 3.8 rebounds on 47.8% FG during his senior season. He’s a solid perimeter defender and another ball handler on a squad littered with them.
John Camden
Camden is the definition of a stretch forward. The 6-foot-8 sharpshooter knocked down 40% of his triples across five collegiate seasons with Memphis, Virginia Tech, Delaware and California.
Camden, 24, is unafraid to shoot from distance, launching nearly seven threes per game at a 39.5% clip last season.
Kadary Richmond
At 6-foot-6, Richmond uses his frame to out-muscle opposing guards when driving to the hoop. Richmond averaged two points and three rebounds in two Summer League contests with Washington last summer.
The St. John’s product spent last season with the Capital City Go-Go and later played three games for the Wizards while on a 10-day contract. Richmond recorded seven points, six steals and four assists in Washington’s 131-118 win over the Indiana Pacers.
Here’s what Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino said about his former player: “Someone will get a great one with Kadary Richmond. You will be shocked how good he is on and off the court!”
Reece Beekman
The Virginia product is a stout on-ball defender at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds. He spent last season with the Orlando Magic’s G League affiliate after playing 34 games with the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriars during the 2024-25 season.
Beekman owns an unpolished offensive game and struggles with his jump shot, which he made at just a 20.5% clip from 3-point range last year.
Norris Agbakoko
At 7-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Agbakoko is a bruising presence. He spent the 2025-26 season with Alba Berlin of the German Bundesliga, averaging 8.5 points and 4.6 rebounds.
Agbakoko, 26, adds size to Washington’s roster behind Reese and Okpara.
Tre Carroll
Carroll played three seasons at Florida Atlantic before transferring to Xavier for his senior campaign. He’s a 6-foot-8 forward who averaged 17.8 points and 5.8 rebounds as senior.
Carroll shot 50% from the field and 33% from 3-point range while starting 32 games last season.
Chris Livingston
Livingston spent one season at Kentucky before the Milwaukee Bucks drafted him No. 58 in the 2023 draft. He spent two seasons in Milwaukee before spending last year with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 20.4 points on 58.4% FG across 16 games with the Capital City Go-Go before his stint with the Cavaliers’ G League affiliate.
Damari Monsanto
Monsanto, 25, is a 6-foot-6 guard who played five collegiate seasons at Eastern Tennessee State, Wake Forest and Texas at San Antonio. He spent last season with three teams in the G League, notably playing four games for the Go-Go in which he averaged 6.3 points on 43.8% 3PT in 15 minutes per contest.
Monsanto was a career 39.5% 3-point shooter in college, so expect him to launch several triples in Las Vegas.
RJ Nembhard Jr.
Nembhard, 27, is an older guard who spent time with the Go-Go during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons as one of his four G League stints. He averaged 16.3 points and 4.6 assists last season with Valley Suns.
Nembhard gets his buckets around the rim and intermediate areas and is a capable defender.
ATHENS, GREECE - MAY 22: Tarik Biberovic, #13 of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul react during Semifinal A Olympiacos Piraeus vs Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul as part of 2026 EuroLeague Final Four Athens at Telekom Center Athens on May 22, 2026 in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images)
The Dallas Mavericks aquired the 2023 draft rights to Tarik Biberović in their trade with the Memphis Grizzlies for forward Santi Aldama. According to a report from Marc Stein, the Mavericks will sign Biberović to a deal at some point today.
UPDATE: The trade to make him a Maverick is still pending, but league sources say Tarik Biberović has informed Fenerbahçe he’s leaving for the NBA.
After acquiring him from Memphis, Dallas is expected to sign Biberović to a two-year, $6 million deal with a team option in Year 2. https://t.co/Dx3BNoqq1i
Today was the deadline for Biberović to inform Fenerbahçe that he would be leaving the club, which results in a $2 million buyout that the Mavericks can only contribute $900,000 towards.
Reports have circulated for days, largely from European sources, that Biberović was leaving Fenerbahçe and would sign a two-year deal with $14 million over two years with a team option for year two. This reported 2 year, $6 million deal looks to be a fantastic gamble for the Dallas Mavericks.
Biberović is a 6’6” guard with a strong outside shot. According to various videos I’ve seen (one linked below), he’s improved his movement shooting a great deal. He brings strong positional size to a Dallas backcourt that could use the depth. He’s played with Fenerbahçe for 8 seasons, so one can assume he’s a seasoned professional at this point.
This is the kind of low-risk, high-reward gamble that Dallas Mavericks fans should be thrilled about. The Mavericks have somewhat limited options between draft capital and free agency options, so securing the rights to a fantastic European shooter is a fun dart throw.
Is he any good? I have no idea. His previous club is a consistent powerhouse, so playing at that level from an early age speaks to why he was drafted in the first place. Maybe he won’t get much time, or maybe he’ll be a key factor if Dallas makes a run for a play-in spot before the playoffs.
Why now? Why for Paul George, an aging but very expensive player? How is this bringing Boston closer to maximizing the prime years of Jayson Tatum and winning another ring?
"When I looked at our team and where the league was heading, looked at the way that we've finished the last couple years and at the unbelievable way we've played in the regular season in the last couple years, the path looked a little bit more challenging to me. I might be wrong. I'm not going to stand up here and be defensive about that, but the path looked a little bit more challenging, with 70% of our cap and such a high percent of our usage tied into two players (Brown and Tatum).
"The reality in this day and age at the NBA, and you could see it obviously with the last couple of champions ... you have to do a great job of building out depth that can hopefully replace the irreplaceable individual. And that's not an easy thing to do. And that's absolutely nothing against Jaylen. If you have Jaylen Brown on your team, you should feature him, you should use all those possessions and you should approach things that way. But I think the importance of depth and then obviously, we have to continue to work on ways to diversify our attack overall."
Stevens is not wrong on key underlying facts. Tatum and Brown are both on supermax contracts, and next season they would have taken up 70.4% of the team's salary cap, making it challenging to build out around them. Brown is up for a max contract extension on top of it, while it's possible Boston can trade George next season in the final year of his deal (once he picks up his $56.6 million player option, which he will). Both Tatum and Brown are high-usage players who are best with the ball in their hands. Recent champions have been built more around one elite star and depth (although the Spurs and Thunder challenge that). The draft picks coming back to Boston in this trade have real value.
All that doesn't explain the dismal return on this trade. More importantly, it doesn't open a path to competing for a title while Tatum, 28, is at his peak.
For the next two years, George makes essentially the same amount of money as Brown but, at age 36 and at this point in his career, is not nearly as good a player. Brown is coming off a career-best season when he was sixth in MVP voting and lifted the Celtics to the No. 2 seed in the East. George played in 37 games last season due to injury, and at this point in his career, when he plays, he looks like a good role player.
After two offseasons of cost-cutting, Chisholm said this trade was "not about the money at all," and he would spend to win. Stevens and Chisholm sold this as the right basketball move.
But it's hard to get there when this trade just made Philadelphia a legit contender to win the East, Detroit is only going to get better, Indiana will bounce back with a healthy Tyrese Haliburton, and Boston got worse.
Stevens is going to try to build out a contender around Tatum, and maybe he can. But he already had a contender, a team that won a title, and he chose to move on from it for "optionality."
Jun 18, 2026; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson speaks during a ceremony at New York City Hall after the championship parade. Brunson was the finals MVP. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
July 7, 1p.m. EST Update: According to the New York Post’s Jared Schwartz, Brunson has already undergone surgery, and it was on his left hand/wrist, not his right, as reported elsewhere. The recovery table, per Schwartz, is expected to be six to eight weeks.
New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson is still less than a month removed from winning the NBA Finals, but he’s now getting ready for an offseason spent almost exclusively on the sidelines, according to SNY insider Ian Begley.
“SNY sources: Jalen Brunson will be recovering/rehabbing for at least two months following his surgery to repair injury in his right forearm/wrist area.
@KnicksFanTv reports that the procedure will happen on Tuesday. Brunson played through discomfort in the area during Finals run, per sources,“ Begley tweeted.
Knowing that Brunson dealt with an injury throughout the playoffs makes his run to the Finals even more impressive. This isn’t the first time Brunson has dealt with a wrist injury in his NBA career, but it appears the Knicks star will have to rehab once again.
The surgery will keep Brunson off of the court for the next two months, but the goal will be to have him ready for the start of the regular season. With the timeline for his recovery beginning today, this means he should be back to normal by the middle of September, which should mean he is ready for training camp towards the end of the month.
If there is a time to undergo a surgery like this, it’s now. Brunson will work every day during the offseason to get his body right, as the Knicks need him ready for action when training camp begins so that New York can prepare to win their second title in as many seasons.
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 21, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers and superstar guard Donovan Mitchell have reportedly agreed to a new four-year $273 million contract extension according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
BREAKING: Cleveland Cavaliers All-NBA star Donovan Mitchell has agreed on a four-year, $273 million maximum contract extension that includes a player option for the 2030-31 season and a full trade kicker, CAA's Co-Head of Basketball, Austin Brown, tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/7gfOG4n5l1
Mitchell could have waited until next offseason for an extra year on the deal, along with an additional $80 million tacked on. Instead, Mitchell signed on the first possible day he was able to. The deal keeps Mitchell in town through the 2029-30 season, which is a year after the last pick is owed to the Utah Jazz for the initial trade that made him a Cavalier.
This is the second contract extension Mitchell has received from the Cavs, and a vote of confidence in Cleveland’s front office to remedy the roster issues for another run at a title this upcoming season. Mitchell was entering the final year of his deal, which will now be replaced by this extension. In all four seasons in Cleveland, Mitchell has been named an All-Star each season, achieved All-NBA status three times, and produced some of the best statistical seasons of his career.
The Cavs have yet to agree to terms with free agent James Harden, though the two sides are reportedly working through a revised deal that would lower his annual salary. Mitchell was an advocate of acquiring Harden at the trade deadline, to which the front office made happen at the expense of Darius Garland. There is no doubt that Mitchell has had at least some level of significant influence in front office decisions. There is another future Hall of Fame player he would also be interested in teaming up with.
According to Charania, Mitchell could also be open to playing alongside LeBron James should he return to Cleveland this summer. The Cavs are one of several teams interested in signing James, though Cleveland appears to be the front runner.
Jalen Brunsonwas playing through significant wrist pain during the Knicks’ 2026 championship run and will have surgery to repair a left wrist/forearm injury.
The Knicks have not released a timeline for recovery, but league sources say Brunson will be rehabbing/recovering for at least two months.
Brunson was dealing with the ailment during the postseason. He averaged 28 points and six assists in the postseason, which he capped off with a 45-point Game 5 to clinch the championship.
Brunson was named NBA Finals MVP for his role in helping the Knicks snap a 53-year title drought.
To know that he was doing all of this while battling a wrist injury makes it even more remarkable.
SACRAMENTO, CA - JULY 6: William Kyle III #45 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during the California Classic Game on July 6, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The first stop on the NBA Summer Leagie schedule was the California Classic which wrapped up last night. Two former Orange were on rosters: William Kyle with the Lakers and Nate Kingz with the Heat.
Kyle saw action in two of the three games playing. After just two points in the opener, he didn’t see action in the Lakers 2nd game. However, in last night’s final game in California, Kyle ended up making an impact with 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals in almost 24 minutes of action. He even went 1-1 from the foul line in the Lakers 88-84 win over the Spurs.
William Kyle III with the steal and the two-handed fastbreak dunk, and Ja'Kobi Gillespie hits the deep 3 over him (with replays) pic.twitter.com/LzYY1O2PMd
Kyle’s Lakers got the better of Maliq Brown and the Spurs last night. Brown started the game and scored 2 points and grabbed 3 rebounds. Maliq has started all 3 of the Spurs’ games so far and is 2-6 from 3. He’ll make the roster due to his defense, but if he wants to earn more minutes he’ll have to be more of a threat to hit open shots.
Kingz saw his first action last night as he played 12 minutes and went 1-4 from the field, all from 3 as the Heat beat a Warriors squad. We’ll see if he gets a bit more run when things shift to Vegas, but he could be looking at starting his career in the G League and trying to impress another team from there.
Action has also started in Salt Lake City where Buddy Boeheim is playing with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He hasn’t appeared in the first two games for OKC as the Thunder are looking at their draft picks and some returning players early. Buddy’s on a two-way deal through this season with the Thunder.
Summer League games will move to Las Vegas with games beginning on Thursday and we’ll keep an eye on these former Orange.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 8: Landry Shamet #44 and Mohamed Diawara #51 of the New York Knicks look on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 8, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The New York Knicks entered the offseason trying to keep as much of their championship roster together as possible in an impossible task due to owner James Dolan’s second-apron mandate. Alas.
New York, very obviously and inevitably, lost longtime center and Knickerbocker Mitchell Robinson to the Boston Celtics of all teams, and fellow big man Ariel Hukporti to the all-five-no-bench Philadelphia 76ers.
But, hey! Not all is bad news, as the Knicks still retained several rotation players and depth pieces after winning the NBA title, while they still wait to know more or act on others, such as veteran Filipino Jordan Clarkson and his future.
Once the moratorium lifted on July 6, and as stupid as the waiting is in this, the year 2026 of our Lord in which everything is reported a month before it actually happens, the Knicks made official the new deals for the Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado and Mohamed Diawara bench trinity.
Better than the Knicks just dropping three posts on X and elsewhere was the reveal of a bunch of tiny-but-saucy details about those contracts and how Leon Rose and Brock Aller worked their ways to structure them.
The Athletic’s Fred Katz reported that Shamet’s money is only partially guaranteed in the last two years of the contract, while he also included a player option in the final season of his new four-year, $24 million deal, per SNY’s Ian Begley.
“Landry Shamet has a player option in the final year of his deal, per SNY league sources. Structure gives Shamet long term stability with team & coach that highly value him while maintaining flexibility.”
Shamet became a key bench piece last season under Mike Brown, eventually earning a regular role through the Knicks’ postseason run. And now, by leaving the last year of his contract as an option, we might be in front of another Alvarado-like situation four years from now.
According to HoopsHype, only one player (Mikal Bridges, $41.5 million) was under contract for the 2029-30 season before Shamet inked his deal. Now both have player options to execute the summer before, albeit we still don’t know (although I think we all agree what’s coming) what the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson will be operating under at that time once they re-sign with the Knicks.
The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III touched on Alvarado’s three-year, $14 million deal, reporting that it’s guaranteed for $12 million, with a $2.7 million partial guarantee in the final season.
Alvarado declined a $4.5 million player option at the end of June before returning to New York on a cheaper per-year deal, with the potential of reaching a slight bump up in total earnings if he gets that partially-guaranteed chunk of dough.
Finally, in the biggest news of the day and those impacting the current offseason plans in the biggest way (considering the tiny margins for maneuvering), Katz reported Diawara’s new contract is worth $11.2 million over four years, with only the first two seasons guaranteed.
Katz added that Diawara’s starting salary is at $2.6 million in 2026-27, above the minimum but lower than the deal’s AAV of $2.8 million.
No new details emerged over Drummond’s contract with the Knicks after the franchise made it official at midnight, along with the other three. The veteran center signed a one-year, $3.9 million deal (although only $2.4 million count against the cap) with New York, and all of the money is guaranteed, so it’s a fairly simple piece of business to understand.
After all of those moves, the Knicks have a hair above $6 million in cap space left before hitting the second apron, and New York still needs to fill two roster spots. Veteran minimum deals start at $2.18 million (one year of experience) and go all the way up to $3.87 million for players with 10-plus years of experience. That said, as in Drummond’s case, they only count $2.4 million for cap purposes in all cases.
All Knicks’ reported or discussed FA targets (your Clarksons, Looneys, Valanciunases, DeRozans, etc…) come with that 10+ tag attached to them, but given the $2.4 million quirk, New York could try and sign two veterans (for a combined $4.8 million against the cap maximum) and not get over the second apron. Otherwise, if there aren’t many convincing veteran options, the Knicks could sign just one and leave the other roster spot open for rookie Tyler Nickel… unless they can dump someone (looking at you Paco) and open space elsewhere, or find a proper trade partner. Anyway, trust nothing you just read, cause I’m no capologist.
Fans coming off the high of the championship won’t have to wait much longer for Knicks basketball.
The 2026 NBA Summer League begins in Las Vegas in a matter of days, and New York’s latest draft picks and best prospects will suit up to compete for training camp invites and rotation minutes.
Let’s break down their schedule and what to look for from key players as we head into this summer exhibition...
The Knicks face their crosstown rivals and their two interesting young guards, Egor Demin and Mikel Brown Jr., whom the Nets drafted with the sixth overall pick a couple weeks ago.
July 11 vs. San Antonio Spurs (6:00 PM ET)
In a rematch with their Finals foe, New York faces off with Carter Bryant and San Antonio’s 2026 draft picks, led by Kentucky product Jayden Quaintance.
July 13 vs. Detroit Pistons (4:00 PM ET)
The Pistons will try to impose their physicality in Vegas as they work through Jalen Duren’s pending free agency.
July 16 vs. Golden State Warriors (7:00 PM ET)
Yaxel Lendeborg looks like an early Rookie of the Year favorite that'll test the Summer Knicks’ defense.
Roster
Returning players
The 2024 first-round pick Pacome Dadiet returns to action after a quiet sophomore season. He only appeared in 29 games with the Knicks, most of which were in garbage time, despite averaging 23 points down with Westchester.
This is a make-or-break Vegas and training camp for Dadiet, who’s yet to consistently show his promise and may get squeezed due to the second apron and stiffer competition.
One direction that’s coming from is fellow French wing Mohamed Diawara.
The 55th pick in the 2025 draft, Diawara impressed in real minutes during the regular season, and will get a chance to flex his development this summer -- look for more advanced creation and improved polish defensively.
Also returning is Dillon Jones, who signed with the Knicks on a two-way contract last January. He didn’t play many minutes with New York, but was credited by Mike Brown for his other contributions to the championship run.
Jones is still only 24 years old and could show some upside on this stage. Although all three of these guys are returnees, the stakes are just as high for them as they are the newcomers.
There’s two other returnees from Westchester's squad in Toby Okani and Nick Jourdain.
Although the Knicks' 39th overall pick in the 2026 draft, Jack Kayil, isn’t on the official roster yet he should eventually join the club once a contract formality with his current team is complete, his agent told Basketball World.
Kayil has solid size at the guard spot and a high ceiling, so seeing him get some reps at this level would be insightful to the front office and fans.
Tyler Nickel, the 47th overall pick, brings elite sharpshooting out of the gates. The big question to watch with him is what more can he provide, especially defensively and off the bounce.
Others
The roster is rounded out by undrafted rookies and some veterans from overseas and the G-League.
One standout is Jaden Akins, coming off a G-League All-Star appearance last season for the Motor City Cruise.
New York will also field a number of undrafted rookies from the 2026 class, including West Virginia's Treysen Eaglestaff, Richmond's Will Johnston, Missouri St's Keith Palek III,and St. John's product Oziyah Sellers.
Palek III is a Jersey native and Sellers is no stranger to MSG after playing for the Red Storm.
The contract would kick in for the 2027-28 season, replacing Mitchell's player option that year and starting at $60.9 million (based on the most recent salary cap estimates). It would be worth $272.8 million over the course of the deal.
Mitchell signing to stay in Cleveland is not a surprise. He said after the Cavaliers were swept out of the playoffs by the Knicks that he loved playing in the city and believed this team could reach the NBA Finals. The only mild surprise is that the 29-year-old could have waited a year to sign the extension and gotten a fifth year added onto the deal at a higher price. Instead, he chose to lock things down now.
Mitchell averaged 27.9 points and 5.7 assists per game last season as the best player on a Cavaliers roster that saw dramatic changes around him. At the deadline, Cleveland sent Darius Garland to the LA Clippers for James Harden, who is expected to sign his own extension with the team this offseason.
For a team looking to take another step forward next season, the Cavaliers have been quiet this offseason. However, they are considered the current frontrunner to land LeBron James this offseason, league sources told NBC Sports, although LeBron has not had any direct, official contact with the team, according to reports.
Mitchell has been with the Cavaliers since being traded there from Utah in 2022, and he has now taken the team as far as it has gone since LeBron left again in 2018.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 30: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after a 124-103 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals at Target Center on May 30, 2024 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. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Whether Luka Doncic eventually or eventually does not return to the Dallas Mavericks, this has been a fun exercise to play out if it is even a possibility. Now that we have laid out both the motivation and the path for all parties involved, it’s time to ask the $250 million question. Is this possible? Tyler and David, the architects of the project, give their thoughts.
Tyler’s take
<p>After LeBron went home to Cleveland (and possibly for a third time soon), it feels like anything is possible (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Estabrook Group)</p><br>
So, what are the chances that this can actually happen? For Dallas’ part, everyone who was instrumental in the demise of Doncic has been fired, and the team has pretty clearly shown it’s trying to distance itself from what happened. Yes, ownership is still in place, but I don’t view that as problematic. LeBron went home to Cleveland after Dan Gilbert torched him on the team website right after “The Decision”, left again in 2018, and might even go back for a third tour of duty as a Cav. There’s precedent, and ownership in reality plays a very small role in the day to day operations for a player.
The Mavericks just need to position themselves to be a legitimate contender between now and then. As the Lakers try and manage their way through the West with a deeply flawed roster, the potential that Doncic becomes disgruntled with a situation he didn’t ask for grows. Dallas just needs to be ready to pounce when it happens. It feels like it’s a somewhere between a pipe dream and a somewhat realistic I’ve just seen the future dream for Doncic to come home at the moment. But dreams sometimes turn to reality. And for that matter, sometimes it’s not just a dream. It’s fate.
David’s take
DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 09: A fan holds a sign in honor of Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on April 09, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Of course, the plan we laid out is all fan fiction currently. But the facts are the facts. Seeds are being planted that could push Doncic back to the Lone Star State in two years. Realistically, I would give it a 30 or so percent chance. The Lakers will be the only team eligible to offer him a life-changing amount of money, and that may simply be too hard to pass up. We could be overestimating the emotional piece in all this, and maybe Doncic just goes somewhere better positioned to win. A situation like LeBron James returning to Cleveland in 2014 rarely happens, and for good reason. There are a thousand moving pieces in a deal like that. That being said, if the player wants it, the team will make it work. Jim Paschke, former television voice of the Bucks, expressed this exact sentiment recently in an interview with new member of the Miami Heat, Giannis Antetokounmpo. He tells him that he can “always come home”, and the former MVP acknowledges that option will be in his mind. Antetokounmpo is much older than Doncic, and referenced a tail-end Kevin Garnett as the likely precedent to a future move, but the fact remains: an active player is willing to concede that coming home one day is something on their mind.
Sometimes, fans romanticize sports in a way that players never consider. But sometimes, the player is on the same page too. And we have a puncher’s chance that Doncic feels the same way we do.
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 12: Garrett Temple #17 of the Toronto Raptors looks on ahead of playing against the Brooklyn Nets in their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Following reports that Willie Green and Joe Boylan will be joining the Dallas Mavericks coaching staff under head coach Dusty May, we are now learning that Garrett Temple will be on board as well.
UPDATE: Garrett Temple is joining Dusty May's coaching staff in Dallas, Dan Eveloff of @PrioritySports confirms to @TheSteinLine.
After a 16-year playing career, Temple has accepted May's pitch to move into coaching on a staff also to feature ex-Pelicans coach Willie Green. https://t.co/OnWkXBP45G
Temple has no coaching experience at the NBA level, but that is because he was playing for the Toronto Raptors as recently as this past season. Temple got his start in the league in 2009 and stuck around for 16 years over two stints that were separated by a single season playing in Italy for Casale Monferrato (2011-2012). During his NBA tenure, he was part of 12 different teams.
The bulk of his career was spent with the Washington Wizards (four years), but his best campaign came with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2019-2020 season when he averaged 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
On the surface, Temple is a puzzling hire. What attracted May to a career journeyman with no coaching experience? The answer primarily lies in that journeyman characteristic. Temple stuck around the league as long as he did in no small part due to him being a positive locker room veteran and mentor to younger players. Apparently, May convinced Temple to retire specifically to join his staff.
May clearly sees something he likes, and although Temple is a somewhat unexpected hire, he absolutely fits the pedigree May seems to be after in coaches such as Green and Boylan. After coaching at the collegiate level and with a relatively young team that is likely to get younger, bringing in a guy like Temple who was himself playing just a few short months ago, is more of a slick move than it appears on the surface. This also speaks to who May is – a coach who can clearly get folks to buy in to what he is looking to do going forward at the helm of the Mavericks.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 14: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors protests a possession call against the Washington Wizards in the first quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 14, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) | Getty Images
July 7th, 7/7, is a date that will live in infamy for the world of Toronto sports, because one of our prodigal sons has finally come home, for good. As the clock wound down to 9:30, a hush fell over the room all of a sudden, a blanket of silence broken only by the murmurs of cameramen and the muffled chatter of people in the bleachers, as the crowd waited for Kyle Lowry to take the stand at the podium.
The table was emblazoned with Lowry’s own logo, a brushstroked “K”, with the clawed ball of the Raptors sitting to its right. Notably, the table had two microphones, and two bottles of water. For a minute, I hoped against hope that there would be another player who would come and take the microphone alongside Lowry – Number 10 to go along with Number 7 – but it would not come to pass.
The presser began with a video on a 70 foot screen showing off Lowry’s years of Raptors highlights. GM Bobby Webster took the mic and spoke. He talked about the franchise before and after Kyle Lowry, and began to reminisce on the 2019 playoffs. He talked about game 6 of the NBA Finals, about how Lowry “rose above” everything and everyone on the court. And then, the crowd rose to their feet, giving the point guard a standing ovation as he took the mic.
Lowry shouted out his friends and family, thanking them, before beginning to address the media. He cracked at Doug Smith of the Toronto Star, who got the first question, with the two Raptors icons ribbing each other for their age. Lowry called Toronto a “hockey town, hockey place,” where his hard work tied him to the culture of Toronto. He referenced the 2014 series against the Brooklyn Nets as the moment when he felt like Toronto began to feel like home to him.
“I think I had a hell of a career,” said Lowry. When asked about what he would be doing in retirement, he spoke earnestly, saying “golf,” before continuing, saying how he would value time with family, and the ability to “see my kids grow up.” When asked about his favourite charge that he ever took, Lowry immediately answered that it was the one he took in the All-Star game against Kawhi Leonard. “He still owe me some money from that,” cracked Lowry in his trademark deadpan gruffness. He spoke about his relationship with DeMar DeRozan, reminiscing on their continued friendship, saying that “he’ll be here when the thing [retired number] goes up top.”
Speaking about potentially being memorialized as a statue, stating that if it were to happen, he would to the fans the design of the statue. Mid-press conference, a phone was brought up to Lowry, who revealed that Vince Carter was calling him in, praising the younger guard, and making promises of golfing soon. Like Carter, whose relationship with the franchise was complex, before a capstone retirement, Lowry joked about his at-times choppy connection to the Raptors.
Looking to the future, Lowry spoke about the current state of the franchise, saying that “they’re trying to win another championship,” and when talking about Kawhi Leonard, he said “that’s why he’s here.” He praised current players on the team, namely Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, and another defensive guard, Jamal Shead.
Reflecting on his last game in Toronto last season, Lowry called the moment of applause a “storybook ending.” And then, as if the true end to a movie, Lowry signed a placard printed with his career achievements, posed with his family, as “Let Me Clear My Throat” by DJ Kool rang out over the stadium speakers and photos were taken of the man who many call the Greatest Raptor of All Time. As people off the court, the man who achieved the heights of NBA stardom in the 2010s went out in the most 2010s way possible. With DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win” blasting. A final joke from Lowry. That’s the way he’d want to go out, I think.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 25: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is defended by Miles McBride #2 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter in Game Four of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena on May 25, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today, Shams Charania reported that Donovan Mitchell has agreed to a four-year, $273 million maximum contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The deal includes a player option for the 2030-31 season and a full trade kicker.
BREAKING: Cleveland Cavaliers All-NBA star Donovan Mitchell has agreed on a four-year, $273 million maximum contract extension that includes a player option for the 2030-31 season and a full trade kicker, CAA's Co-Head of Basketball, Austin Brown, tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/7gfOG4n5l1
So, the Cavaliers aren’t losing their franchise player anytime soon. Any lingering speculation about Mitchell eventually reaching the open market or forcing his way elsewhere can be put to rest. Cleveland has put its faith in the championship potential of its core: Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. And there’s potential for bringing back their favorite son.
This summer, Harden declined his $42.3 million player option for 2026-27 to become an unrestricted free agent. He and the Cavs are actively working on a new multi-year contract that would bring him back, with expectations of a deal worth roughly $30-38 million annually, likely spanning two to three years. That would provide the team with improved salary cap flexibility while securing an extended stay in Cleveland for the soon-to-be 37-year-old. Don’t worry about Jim, he’ll still make enough to cover his monthly supply of Just For Men beard dye.
Mitchell could have waited another year to become eligible for an even richer contract, reportedly worth roughly $80 million more over five years, but instead chose to commit now, after leading Cleveland to the Eastern Conference Finals (where the Knicks swept them handily).
We remember well 2022’s Summer of Donovan, when the Knicks aggressively pursued a trade for the Utah Jazz star, a New York native, reportedly offering packages centered around RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Mitchell Robinson, and multiple first-round picks. Talks stalled over Utah’s high demands, including Quentin Grimes, whom New York refused to include. Mitchell landed in Cleveland instead, a move that proved to be a blessing in retrospect. You may have heard that the Knicks won the championship?
Unsurprisingly, Spida has been the franchise’s cornerstone. Over his first four seasons with the team, he has averaged 26.7 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.6 rebounds in 264 games while earning multiple All-Star selections, All-NBA honors (including First Team in 2025), and setting a Cavaliers franchise record with a 71-point, 11-assist performance. He has led Cleveland to strong regular-season finishes and multiple playoff appearances.
