The 2026 NBA Draft is on the horizon, bringing one of the most significant dates on the league’s calendar. 

Childhood dreams of making it to the NBA will be achieved. 

Teams will turn draft assets into tangible players who they hope will contribute to winning in the short- and long-term future.

And in the background, teams will continue to explore the options that’ll help them achieve their goals for 2026-27. 

For the Lakers, who have a first-round pick in the draft (No. 25), the opportunity the draft presents as it pertains to roster building can’t be whiffed on.  

In their pursuit of assembling a roster that’ll be competitive against the 2026 Western Conference champion Spurs and 2025 NBA champion Thunder, the Lakers have two main options for their first-round pick: trade it for a player who’s ready to compete for a title now alongside Luka Doncic or select a prospect whom they plan to develop and hope will help now and in the future.  

If the Lakers choose the latter, there isn’t a shortage of options. 

Toward the top of that list should be Santa Clara forward Allen Graves, who would be the steal of the draft if he fell to the Lakers.

Allen Graves, Santa Clara forward

2025-26 stats: 11.8 points (51.2% shooting — 56% on 2s, 41.3% on 3s), 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.8 assists, 0.9 blocks, 22.6 minutes

Measurements: 6-foot-7 ¾ (without shoes), 225 pounds, 7-foot wingspan, 8-foot-10 ½ standing reach  

Why draft Allen Graves?

Lakers coach JJ Redick said next season’s team has to be better with “being able to dribble, pass and shoot.”

Graves excels in these areas, making him a Swiss Army Knife-esque player who can fit into a variety of roles because of his versatile skill set and basketball IQ.

He has high-level passing/playmaking skills for a player his size after being a point guard before his growth spurts. His height helps him see the floor well before making advanced reads. 

Graves can run an offense in doses because of his playmaking ability and will keep the ball moving, helping maintain or create advantages without turning the ball over. 

He’s at his best when playing out of the short roll, elbows, blocks or popping out of pick and rolls. 

His basketball IQ is evident with his playmaking on both sides of the floor — he was the lone player in men’s college basketball to have a steal percentage and block percentage of at least 4.9 in 2025-26. Graves’ quick hands, awareness, length and mobility helped make him one of college basketball’s best defensive playmakers last season. 

And he was a credible 3-point shooting threat for the Broncos. 

Graves is the type of player who’d fit on nearly every NBA roster because of his versatile skill set.

Regardless of other Lakers’ roster decisions, Graves would be additive to their roster. 

Areas of improvement?

His lack of athleticism and explosiveness contributed to his struggles with scoring efficiency near the rim, and that’ll likely only be worse in the NBA. 

His lack of lateral quickness and mobility will make it difficult for him to stay in front of quicker guards on the perimeter and defend in space. 

Graves also will need to get stronger to defend bigger forwards without having to foul. He averaged 5.5 fouls per 40 minutes in college.

He also isn’t a versatile scorer — he’s more of a play finisher than creator, and his finishing abilities were limited to 3-point shooting or scoring after an advantage was created.

There are also questions — ones that can’t be answered — on how much his efficient statistical production and great analytics are a result of coming off the bench for a mid-major program instead of playing against more elite collegiate competition.

With just a few more days until the 2026 NBA Draft, fans will soon know exactly where each prospect their begin his professional careers.

Following the NBA draft combine and weeks of pre-draft workouts, front offices will soon finalize their decisions. After our conversations with folks around the league, we have more intel on when each prospect might hear their name called during draft nights at Barclays Center on June 23 and June 24.

Our mock draft includes data from CBB Analytics. We also spoke with P3, a sports science and athletic training company that uses biomechanical data and movement profiling to evaluate players and project NBA outcomes, to better understand how certain prospects translate physically to the next level.

Following our own conversations as well as other trusted reporting, here are our latest predictions.

ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE: Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin makes his first-round picks

AI MOCK DRAFT: Artificial intelligence predicts every pick from the first round

Note: All heights and wingspans (as well as the distance between the two) are listed to the nearest inch and players were measured without shoes.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa

• TEAM: BYU
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Massachusetts
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-1 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Expect the Wizards to decide between two players: AJ Dybansta and Darryn Peterson, both of whom have already reportedly conducted workouts for Washington.

"I'm super confident in myself being the No. 1 pick. But you never know. There's been crazy stuff that happens on draft night," Dybantsa told USA TODAY Sports.

While he is prepared for various scenarios, the Wizards are still the most likely outcome. The franchise could instantly inject life into their offense by selecting AJ Dybantsa, the NCAA scoring champion and Julius Erving Award winner. The Big 12 Rookie of the Year also led the nation in unassisted points scored by a wide margin.

He would be a fascinating fit next to Trae Young and Anthony Davis, who could help him play alongside veteran talent early in his career.

2. Utah Jazz: Cameron Boozer

• TEAM: Duke
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Florida
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+5)
• DRAFT AGE: 18

While nearly every mainstream mock draft has the Jazz selecting Darryn Peterson to join Keyonte George in the backcourt, this is still far from a foregone conclusion. In fact, ESPN reports the guard hasn't worked out for Utah and he "informed the Jazz that he plans to take no further team visits" after only conducting meetings with Washington.

According to The Athletic's Tony Jones, the Jazz are "genuinely torn" about who to select when they are on the clock, and Duke freshman Cameron Boozer is "firmly in the mix" at No. 2 overall.

The ACC Player of the Year isn’t a human highlight reel, though he performed better than expected during athletic testing at the combine in Chicago. He offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set, and he can bring a culture of winning after multiple championships in high school and playing on an elite Duke team that made it to the Sweet 16.

Even though his father (former Jazz player Carlos Boozer) currently works in the front office for Utah, the organization will select the best player available, and they may decide it is the national collegiate player of the player.

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Darryn Peterson

• TEAM: Kansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• WINGSPAN: 6-10 (+5)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

While he is certainly no longer perceived as the near-certain No. 1 overall pick that he once was due to relative inconsistency and injury issues, many scouts and evaluators still feel that Darryn Peterson is the most talented player in this class. It is incredibly rare to find a prospect who is able to score as efficiently as Peterson did while holding a usage rate as high as his was this season. 

Peterson will reportedly only conduct meetings with the Washington Wizards at No. 1 overall, per ESPN. But that won't prevent a team like the Utah Jazz or Memphis Grizzlies from calling his name when either are on the clock if Peterson is still available to them should the Wizards not select him.

If the Grizzlies do draft Peterson, it would give them a fresh start with a new floor general to run the offense and give them even more incentive to potentially trade longtime franchise star point guard Ja Morant.

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson

• TEAM: North Carolina
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Georgia
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Bryson Graham, who was recently hired as the new executive vice president of basketball operations for the Bulls, has a simple task: Select whichever of the four players is still available.

North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson is not just a consolation prize. He is a perfect fit for what Graham wants to build in Chicago, as he values size, length, athleticism, and physicality. Wilson did more than enough to earn this placement before his injury.

According to Bart Torvik, before the injury, the All-ACC big man led the nation with 67 dunks recorded and was one of the best vertical athletes who tested at the combine in Chicago. He was also the only player under 20 years old to reach specific thresholds for both block, steal and defensive rebound percentage.

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Keaton Wagler

• TEAM: Illinois
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Kansas
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+1)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Clippers received this pick from the Indiana Pacers as part of a package involving Ivica Zubac, and while there is wide speculation they could trade this pick, they are closely linked with several guards in this range. As such, whether it's their front office or another on the clock at No. 5 overall, look for any team on the clock to potentially call on Illinois standout Keaton Wagler.

“I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder,” Wagler told USA TODAY Sports. “Just trying to go out each game and prove myself and do whatever it takes to win.”

Wagler reportedly "emerged as the more impressive prospect" during a recent head-to-head workout for the Clippers against another lottery-caliber guard, per Jake Fischer.

The 19-year-old guard played a crucial role in helping the Fighting Illini reach the Final Four. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class and he is a cerebral basketball player who is a good rebounder and playmaker as well.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr.

• DRAFT AGE: 20
• TEAM: Louisville
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Florida
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• WINGSPAN: 6-8 (+4)

During this rebuilding chapter, the Nets would love to add a player like the talented Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr., even though they drafted three point guards last season.

He has already completed a second workout for Brooklyn, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because they were unauthorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Brown's draft stock has improved during the pre-draft process as he has shown teams a clean bill of health. “I got cleared by the medical staff from the league at the Combine, so we’re all green,” Brown Jr. told USA TODAY Sports. “I feel like myself again.”

The All-ACC guard has deep shooting range and was averaging 29.2 points per game over his last five appearances, including a 45-point outing against NC State, before his injury on Feb. 28 forced him to miss March Madness.

7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr.

• TEAM: Arkansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Michigan
• HEIGHT: 6-2
• WINGSPAN: 6-7 (+5)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Kings need a potential star and it is widely speculated that their front office is targeting Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. in this class.

En route to the Sweet 16, despite significant defensive deficiencies, the SEC Player of the Year proved he is one of the most enticing offensive prospects in recent memory. Acuff Jr. led the nation for points created either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. The speedy guard led freshmen for field goals made in transition and field goals made from both the left and right side of the court. He was among the freshmen leaders in alley-oop assists as well.

P3’s evaluators highlighted his “really impressive start-stop tools” and ability to generate separation in multiple directions, key traits for a high-usage guard translating to the NBA.

It is also worth noting Kings executive Scott Perry coached Acuff's father in college and one would expect there are few scenarios where he falls below this pick. If his name is called earlier, though, Kingston Flemings could also make sense here.

8. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans): Kingston Flemings

• TEAM: Houston
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Texas
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-4 (+1)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

With the pick the Hawks received from New Orleans, Atlanta is expected to pick a big or a guard, and one potential target is Houston freshman Kingston Flemings.

"He can pretty much do it all. He can defend, he can shoot, and his playmaking is really underrated. And he’s a high-IQ, high-character guy," Chris Cenac Jr., his teammate at Houston, told USA TODAY Sports. "Any organization that gets him is going to get a great player and a great person."

Flemings' smaller wingspan did him no favors at the combine but he measured with a 40.5-inch max vertical and elite speed across all his agility testing, projecting as one of the fastest guard prospects since De'Aaron Fox. He helped lead Houston to the Sweet 16, and with highs as high as his were this season, it is difficult to imagine he will was available past the Hawks on draft night. 

9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries

• TEAM: Arizona
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: California
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+2)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

After hiring Masai Ujiri as president of basketball operations and Mike Schmitz as general manager, the Dallas Mavericks can add a lottery talent to grow alongside Cooper Flagg. One name to consider is Arizona freshman Brayden Burries, who is consistently linked to the organization.

Burries had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. He was then an exciting prospect to watch during the Big Dance, making it all the way to the Final Four and dropping 23 points against Arkansas.

Overall, the All-Big 12 guard displayed his tantalizing talent and he has proven productivity. Burries is able to defend, relocate, move the ball, and make 3-pointers off the dribble.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament

• TEAM: Tennessee
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Virginia
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+2)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

While it is unclear which (and how many) picks the Milwaukee Bucks will actually have in the 2026 NBA Draft due to ongoing trade rumors involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, this is a fair range for Tennessee freshman Nate Ament.

But it is worth noting that Bucks executive Jon Horst and head coach Taylor Jenkins reportedly recently traveled to meet with Ament during the pre-draft process, per Jake Fischer.

The All-SEC forward averaged 21.6 points per game, while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers, during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. It will only take one team to fall in love with Ament, and that team is likely picking this forward with a standing reach exceeding 9-foot-1 in the lottery.

11. Golden State Warriors: Karim López

• TEAM: New Zealand (International)
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Mexico
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Karim López had a low usage rate and played fewer minutes than other players in this range while playing against pros, but was still very productive for the NBL Next Stars program in Australia. According to The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, his "range" starts at this pick to Golden State.

The Mexican-born forward is physically gifted, athletic, and universally seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30 earlier this year. According to someone with knowledge of the situation who did not have authority to speak publicly on the matter, Warriors executive Mike Dunleavy attended that game.

Despite his age, he played a huge role for his team defensively for a team that won the NBL Ignite Cup. López measured well, weighing just shy of 222 pounds and with a 38-inch max vertical. He is also a consideration for the Bulls at No. 15 overall and is unlikely to fall past the San Antonio Spurs at No. 20 overall.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Aday Mara

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Spain
• HEIGHT: 7-3
• WINGSPAN: 7-6 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 21

Oklahoma City tends to like low-usage big men, like Aday Mara, with high assist percentages as well as high block and steal percentages.

While leading his team to win the NCAA championship, Mara became one of the prospects who helped himself the most during March Madness. The 7-foot-3 big man, who transferred from UCLA, is a fantastic rim protector. Opponents rarely attempted field goals at the rim when the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was on the court, per CBB Analytics.

He could potentially hear his name called even higher than this, too, as teams look for large players like Mara (who measured with a 9-foot-9 standing reach) as front offices value bigger bodies to throw at Victor Wembanyama. The Thunder are expected to consider Mara's teammate, Morez Johnson Jr., as well.

13. Miami Heat: Hannes Steinbach

• DRAFT AGE: 20
• TEAM: Washington
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Germany
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+4)

German big man Hannes Steinbach, who will get looks starting as early as around No. 10 overall, should make some sense for the Miami Heat. The center reportedly turned down NIL opportunities “worth up to $10 million” rather than return to college. While his Washington team missed the tournament, the All-Big Ten center is an instinctive rebounder with great hands, including an absurd 24 rebounds against USC on March 4. Additionally, Steinbach was one of the more prolific pick-and-roll finishers in college basketball. He impressed during the FIBA U19 World Cup, too, and scouts love that he is a smart basketball player who can make great reads.  

14. Charlotte Hornets: Morez Johnson Jr.

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Illinois
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-4 (+7)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best two-way players in the NCAA. He was a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois and can bring that same mentality to the Hornets, who are searching for a new big man.

Johnson's shooting form at the free-throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a very trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should carve out minutes at the next level. Johnson was a big winner during measurements at the combine, recording a 39-inch max vertical and testing with elite agility for his position.

15. Chicago Bulls (via Trail Blazers): Cameron Carr

• DRAFT AGE: 21
• TEAM: Baylor
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Minnesota
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• WINGSPAN: 7-1 (+8)

The Chicago Bulls received this additional pick because the Portland Trail Blazers advanced past the play-in tournament and the player who improved his draft stock the most during the combine was Baylor junior Cameron Carr.

He scored 30 points in a five-on-five scrimmage, recorded a 42.5-inch max vertical and had great physical measurements. This should grab the attention of teams that tend to like athletic prospects, which new Bulls executive Bryson Graham indicated.

According to P3’s internal models, Carr grades as a 95th-percentile athlete with a rare “hyper flexor” force-production profile, a combination evaluators described as “double unique” for pairing elite explosiveness with unusually fluid movement mechanics.

The All-Big 12 wing brings shooting touch in addition to his shooting and, per Bart Torvik, he was the only player to make at least 40 field goals that were dunks and more than 60 field goals that were 3-pointers this season.

16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Suns): Yaxel Lendeborg

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: New Jersey
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-3 (+7)
• DRAFT AGE: 23

Yaxel Lendeborg showed on his way to winning the national championship that he is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, however, reported that "there is potential for him to slip out of the lottery" on draft night, and his "pre-draft workouts have not gone particularly well" due to an ankle injury.

Despite his age and the ankle injury, he will intrigue teams like the Grizzlies, who have another first-round pick thanks to the Desmond Bane trade. The Grizzlies have shown a willingness to pick older, more experienced players in the past.

A few years ago, research indicated that the Memphis front office tends to value a few statistical similarities in their draftees: Efficient shot selection, added value beyond scoring and defensive playmaking. For the second year in a row, the Big Ten Player of the Year was an impactful dribble-pass-shoot forward who met many of the qualifications that led Memphis to find players who spent many years on their roster.

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers): Chris Cenac Jr. 

• DRAFT AGE: 19
• TEAM: Houston
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Louisiana
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-5 (+7)

Regardless or whether or not the Thunder trade this pick, one name to consider is Chris Cenac Jr., whose range begins around No. 14 overall.

Cenac played into his role and caught fire at the perfect time. In his first NCAA tournament game, the big man recorded a season-high 18 rebounds while also knocking down a 3-pointer and grabbing a steal.

“I got to earn my minutes. I got to do the little things… defending, rebounding, spacing the floor,” Cenac told USA TODAY Sports. "Whatever team takes me… they’re getting a winning player that loves winning and is going to buy into whatever to help that team win."

Cenac also impressed at the NBA Combine, posting a 37-inch max vertical and strong agility numbers for his size.

P3 places Cenac within its “bigs plus” model, a rare archetype combining traditional size with wing-like mobility. Evaluators pointed to his “unique tools” and described him as a potential “matchup nightmare” due to his movement profile and physical traits, which suggest his significant untapped upside.

18. Charlotte Hornets (via Magic): Christian Anderson

• DRAFT AGE: 20
• TEAM: Texas Tech
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Georgia
• HEIGHT: 6-1
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+5)

The Hornets could find a fairly compelling player in Texas Tech sophomore Christian Anderson, who is a potentially perfect fit and received a green room invitation to attend the 2026 NBA Draft.

After moving from the two-guard to point guard, the All-Big 12 Most Improved Player recorded more than twice as many assists per 100 possessions as a sophomore compared to when he was a freshman. Anderson managed to do that while also scoring well on spot-up possessions and handoffs. Even though he is a bit undersized, there are few better offensive creators in this class than Anderson.

19. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz

• TEAM: Iowa
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Missouri
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 22

The Raptors need another guard and should have Bennett Stirtz, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization, on their priority list.

After transferring from Division II to a mid-major and then to a high-major program, he is at the top of the class in creating his own shot off the dribble in isolation or the pick-and-roll. The All-Big Ten guard can also finish plays from dribble handoffs. His play during March Madness, which included 24 points against Illinois and 20 points against Nebraska, earned him a spot in the Elite Eight. The Raptors play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who did the same at Iowa. 

20. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Allen Graves

• TEAM: Santa Clara
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Louisiana
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

One of the most under-the-radar prospects in college basketball this season was Santa Clara freshman Allen Graves, who came close to becoming a March Madness hero. The WCC Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year turned heads after posting 30 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals on Feb. 7 against Washington State.

That's an area where Graves stands out among the best in this class and is likely one of the reasons he chose to turn pro rather than return to college.

The only players under 21 with a higher box plus-minus, per Bart Torvik, were Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. All teams that prioritize analytical modeling in the pre-draft process like the Spurs, who reportedly hosted Graves for a pre-draft workout, will have this prospect ranked highly.

21. Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves): Dailyn Swain

• TEAM: Texas
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-7
• WINGSPAN: 6-10 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

After transferring from Xavier to Texas during the offseason and helping lead the Longhorns to the Sweet 16, Dailyn Swain emerged as one of the more intriguing breakout players in college basketball.

The All-SEC forward is versatile and contributed across the board on both ends, scoring efficiently in the paint and in transition. Another appealing element is his effectiveness in isolation, where he can create for himself against defenders. Swain is quick, bouncy and a solid rebounder, and his 81.5% free-throw percentage suggests promising shooting touch. While he has three years of college experience, he’s still just 20 years old, the same age as several NCAA freshmen.

P3 categorizes Swain as a “kinematic mover,” a fluid, efficiency-driven archetype that allows players to “get wherever they want on the court” and has produced the highest density of NBA All-Stars in its data.

Expect the Pistons to have serious interest in Swain, based on multiple people who spoke to USA TODAY Sports, though Detroit will also strongly consider shooters like Christian Anderson and Isaiah Evans.

22. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets): Labaron Philon Jr.

• TEAM: Alabama
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Alabama
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

The Philadelphia 76ers have a new front office led by president of basketball operations Mike Gansey and vice president of basketball operations Jameer Nelson. One name they may have their eyes on with the first-round pick they acquired after trading Jared McCain is Labaron Philon Jr. from Alabama.

Even though the All-SEC guard was not playing at 100 percent during March Madness due to injury issues, he played well in the tournament, recording 35 points during a loss against Michigan. He also notched 29 points in his first-round game and 12 assists in his second. The guard averaged 22.0 points per game this season, and he improved his 3-point shooting from 31.5 percent as a freshman to 39.9 percent as a sophomore, while also managing 5.0 assists per game in the process.

23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Jayden Quaintance

• TEAM: Kentucky
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-5 (+8)
• DRAFT AGE: 18

Jayden Quaintance recorded just one start during his sophomore campaign as he recovered from a torn ACL, meniscus and fractured knee. Evaluators are "consistently expressing concern around his medicals" about the big man, per ESPN's Jeremy Woo.

The big man is still one of the youngest players in this class, though, and he showed elite flashes during his time at Arizona State and Kentucky. When healthy, he is arguably the most talented defender in this draft class and could help a team that may need frontcourt help, like the Hawks. During his freshman year when he was just 17 years old, per CBB Analytics, he led all D-I players in blocks per 40 minutes (0.7) on 3-pointers, regularly swatting shots on the perimeter.

While his draft stock is not what it once was due to health concerns, his youth and frame give him an opportunity to become a special player in the NBA.

24. New York Knicks: Ebuka Okorie

• TEAM: Stanford
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: New Hampshire
• HEIGHT: 6-1
• WINGSPAN: 6-8 (+7)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Knicks have prioritized scrappy, high-motor players capable of winning the possession battle through rebounds and turnovers like Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie.

The first-team All-ACC guard was a day-one starter in the NCAA who is potentially capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the 76ers. He averaged 23.2 points per game, recording 40 points against conference rival Virginia Tech and seven other games with at least 30 points. Okorie has earned serious first-round buzz and should intrigue teams in this range, who may like the high assist-to-turnover ratio he recorded (2.3) last season.

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Koa Peat 

• TEAM: Arizona
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Arizona
• HEIGHT: 6-7
• WINGSPAN: 6-11 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Arizona forward Koa Peat is potentially an appealing option for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is naturally bouncy and athletic with good positional size, a strong frame and a near 7-foot wingspan. Peat is also a solid rebounder and passer for his position.

The All-Big 12 forward will need to improve his jumper to carve out consistent, high-impact minutes at the next level, but he’s still worth first-round consideration based on his body of work so far. Peat arguably had the most interesting decisions to make when it was finally his turn to announce if he would stay in college or turn pro.

26. Denver Nuggets: Meleek Thomas

• TEAM: Arkansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Pennsylvania
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-7 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Denver Nuggets tend to look for players with a strong assist-to-usage ratio because they rely on high-efficiency passing and off-ball movement. Arkansas freshman Meleek Thomas averaged 16.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 43.2 percent on 3-pointers during his 21 games as a starter last season.

He was efficient using off-ball screens and handoffs and occasionally showed some on-ball flashes as a pick-and-roll ball handler as well. He led the SEC in corner 3-pointers made (32) last season, per CBB Analytics, and his plus-four wingspan gives him solid length as a young guard who is still improving on both sides of the court. Thomas answered one of the biggest questions in college basketball when he decided to turn pro rather than return to the NCAA.

27. Boston Celtics: Isaiah Evans

• TEAM: Duke
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: North Carolina
• HEIGHT: 6-6
• WINGSPAN: 6-9 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Boston tends to favor players with a high effective field goal percentage, low turnover percentage and low usage rate. They also like players who make quick decisions on catch-and-shoot opportunities and on corner 3-pointers.

Duke sophomore Isaiah Evans scored 218 points when shooting off the catch, per Synergy, which ranked third-best among ACC players last season. He also matched 30 corner 3-pointers, according to CBB Analytics, which trailed the top-ranked high-major player (34) by just four field goals made. Expect the Celtics to potentially have Evans higher on their big board than other teams might. UConn's Alex Karaban, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization, also fits the bill.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons): Sergio De Larrea

• TEAM: Valencia (International)
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Spain
• HEIGHT: 6-6
• WINGSPAN: 6-9 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Another one of the top international prospects in this class is Sergio De Larrea. He shot 38.6 percent on 3-pointers and 80.8 percent on free-throw attempts, suggesting good scoring touch.

He has shown a diverse skill set, including 5 rebounds with 4 assists and 2 steals during a recent win over Barça. According to ESPN's Jeremy Woo, the Spanish prospect "has a landing spot most likely in the 25-to-35 range" in the 2026 NBA Draft. Meanwhile, Jake Fischer reported that De Larrea is a "prospect prominent" on the radar of Timberwolves executive Tim Connelly.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Henri Veesaar

• TEAM: North Carolina
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Estonia
• HEIGHT: 6-11
• WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 22

We have seen a remarkable improvement from Henri Veesaar after transferring from Arizona to North Carolina. The 7-foot big man from Estonia has an excellent shot diet on offense. The All-ACC big man is scoring efficiently at the rim (especially when cutting or rolling) and on 3-pointers, while also holding his own as a rebounder and passer. Any team looking for a big man who can provide NBA minutes will have him high on their priority list. He presumably feels comfortable with his draft range, considering he was reportedly offered "at least $6 million" in the transfer portal, per CBS Sports.

30. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder): Tarris Reed Jr. 

• DRAFT AGE: 22
• TEAM: Connecticut
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Missouri
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-4 (+7)

UConn senior Tarris Reed Jr. helped himself quite a bit during the NCAA tournament en route to an appearance in the national championship game. He recorded four double-doubles during March Madness, notching 31 points and 27 rebounds against Furman. Reed also had 26 points with 9 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals during a win over Duke.

There is plenty of interest in Reed from teams picking between No. 16 and No. 30 overall, based on our intel.

During the combine, he did the dirty work, recording 5 rebounds with 1 steal and 1 block in his first game and then scored 17 points (7-of-9 FG) with 5 rebounds and 2 blocks in the second. Reed also tested with elite agility for his position. Expect him to come into the league and find a role sooner, especially considering his paint dominance, rather than later.

SECOND ROUND

31. New York Knicks (via WAS): Zuby Ejiofor (St. John's)

32. Memphis Grizzlies (via IND): Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State)

33. Brooklyn Nets: Richie Saunders (BYU)

34. Sacramento Kings: Trevon Brazile (Arkansas)

35. San Antonio Spurs (via UTA): Alex Karaban (UConn)

36. L.A. Clippers (via MEM): Ugonna Onyenso (Virginia)

37. Oklahoma City Thunder (via DAL): Ryan Conwell (Louisville)

38. Chicago Bulls (via NOP): Felix Okpara (Tennessee)

39. Houston Rockets (via CHI): Baba Miller (Cincinnati)

40. Boston Celtics (via MIL): Emanuel Sharp (Houston)

41. Miami Heat (via GSW): Nick Martinelli (Northwestern)

42. San Antonio Spurs (via POR): Izaiyah Nelson (South Florida)

43. Brooklyn Nets (via LAC): Jack Kayil (ALBA Berlin - International)

44. San Antonio Spurs (via MIA): Braden Smith (Purdue)

45. Sacramento Kings (via CHA): Maliq Brown (Duke)

46. Orlando Magic: Tyler Bilodeau (UCLA)

47. Phoenix Suns (via PHI): Jaden Bradley (Arizona)

48. Dallas Mavericks (via PHX): Otega Oweh (Kentucky)

49. Denver Nuggets (via ATL): Dillon Mitchell (St. John's)

50. Toronto Raptors: Bruce Thornton (Ohio State)

51. Washington Wizards (via MIN): Rafael Castro (George Washington)

52. L.A. Clippers (via CLE): Nick Boyd (Wisconsin)

53. Houston Rockets: Keyshawn Hall (Auburn)

54. Golden State Warriors (via LAL): Tyler Nickel (Vanderbilt)

55. New York Knicks: Ja'Kobi Gillespie (Tennessee)

56. Chicago Bulls (via DEN): Tobe Awaka (Arizona)

57. Atlanta Hawks (via BOS): Milos Uzan (Houston)

58. New Orleans Pelicans (via DET): Jaron Pierre Jr. (SMU)

59. Minnesota Timberwolves (via SAS): Aaron Nkrumah (Tennessee State)

60. Washington Wizards (via OKC): Tobi Lawal (Virginia Tech)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NBA mock draft: Projecting every pick in first and second rounds

Spurs television play-by-play announcer Jacob Tobey signed an extension to remain in San Antonio for the foreseeable future. The multitalented television personality made the announcement via social media.

A season to remember 🤩

From calling 62 wins to watching this young team get all the way to the NBA Finals!

Thank you to the @spurs players, coaches & fans!

I’m excited to announce that I signed a multi-year extension to stay with the Spurs (on the ⛳️😆). I love this city! pic.twitter.com/HGBN3oVF6H

— Jacob Tobey (@JacobRTobey) June 18, 2026

“A season to remember 🤩 From calling 62 wins to watching this young team get all the way to the NBA Finals! Thank you to the @spurs players, coaches & fans! I’m excited to announce that I signed a multi-year extension to stay with the Spurs (on the ⛳️😆). I love this city!“

Tobey, who just completed his second season with the Silver & Black, replaced long-time play-by-play announcer Bill Land. Land announced his retirement ahead of the 2024-2025 season after announcing his battle with cancer. Both paired well with Spurs legend and color analyst Sean Elliott.

Elliott praised Tobey via social media.

Well deserved Strong Oak. You have grown into your role so well, and I hope you have that seat for many years to come. It is a joy working with you. Those national anthems got you the new deal BTW. https://t.co/pWwGN26CEC

— Sean Elliott (@seanelliott_32) June 19, 2026

“Well deserved Strong Oak. You have grown into your role so well, and I hope you have that seat for many years to come. It is a joy working with you. Those national anthems got you the new deal BTW.”

Elliott also referenced Tobey’s multiple presentations of the national anthem, which showcased his singing talent. The Massachusetts native has been performing at multiple local venues throughout his tenure in the Alamo City and has gained quite a following for his interpretations of modern hits as well as his beautifully crafted original compositions.

This season, the NBA brought in national commentating teams for each round of the postseason, ending a longstanding tradition of having the local markers cover the first round of the playoffs. Tobey, undeterred, created a postgame show with the Spurs. He created a postgame show with guests to discuss the outcome of each game.

In addition to his Spurs duties and musical endeavors, Tobey emcees Spurs events, most recently, the NBA Cares presentation during the NBA Finals. Throughout his time in San Antonio, he has been tapped by multiple shows and podcasts to speak about the Spurs.

Tobey’s laid an impressive foundation in broadcasting With his youth, vigor, charm, and good looks, the sky is the limit and his future remains bright. The Spurs were fortunate to have caught him on the rise, just like the core of their team. A great pairing for years to come.

Congratulations, Jacob.

---

Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.

Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.

Good morning, sweethearts.

We’re going to try and launch (fingers crossed) a new column here at P&T where we aim at covering a bit of everything-Knicks and whatever else happens around the League.

Fear nothing, as we will try to keep it busy but also entertaining, mixing a bit of linking with a bunch of commentary to make things a bit more entertaining.

If you know me, you probably know me as the Bulletin Man. That is going nowhere, although with the offseason coming our way furiously, it’s reasonable to have it out every few days, as there won’t be much quotable content out there. Regarding the Posted & Toatsed Notes, consider them an extension of the Bulletin. Expect a dose of links to a bunch of media outlets, podcasts, interviews, shows, and such, so you can read or watch or listen to the full thing, with a sprinkle of analysis and Knicks-tinted-glasses annotations if only to make it make sense and fit our beloved place.

Without further ado…

• As we already discussed yesterday, Knicks guard Jose Alvarado wants to secure his future this offseason. Alvarado holds a player option in his deal, while the Knicks have their backs against the wall when it comes to avoiding the second apron, and James Dolan doesn’t want to get there. Alvarado must make a decision by June 29 at 5 p.m. ET.
• According to Newsday’s Steve Popper, Dolan said that he “met with (Leon) Rose on Tuesday and began plotting out next season,” in a meeting that took place before the Knicks’ owner made his second-apron remarks. One has to assume that if that really happened, and as little as Dolan might or might not know about how the NBA cap works, he was talking with at least some knowledge based on whatever Rose told him, so the genius might have another ace up his sleeve. As we say here, in Rose we trust.
• The New York Post discussed the Knicks’ upcoming free-agency decisions and ranked the franchise’s UFA—Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, Ariel Hukporti, Jeremy Sochan, and Mo Diawara—by priority to bring them back. Can you guess who’s No. 1?
• Former Knickerbocker J.R. Smith went on an IG Live on Friday and was asked by a fan about whether the ‘26 Knicks could beat his ‘16 Cavs for the title, to which he answered by suggesting he’d be the one guarding Jalen Brunson, adding that OG would have no chance against LBJ.
• Staying J.R., he also admitted to having wasted a whole buncha money during his playing days. “I had 7 cars at one point, in Cleveland. I’m like, ‘Why did I have 7 cars?’” No financial trouble in the Smith household, though.
• I missed it when it originally dropped, but I guess at this point in time and with the access we have to everything, you like me have watched the full And1 mixtape run over and over at some point in life. Well, following the Knicks’ triumph over the Spurs, And1 confirmed the signing of Jose Alvarado to a contract and dropped a bunch of entirely delightful promos. Imagine being tall for no reason…
• Not happy enough with trying to destroy their team and remove the little depth it has heading into the 2026-27 season by trading Jaylen Brown and pieces away for Giannis Antetokounmpo… the Celtics are seemingly exploring (per Jake Fischer) a potential (per Sam Amick) Derrick White for Rudy Gobert deal. Sheesh…
• Jimmy Butler’s longtime NBA agent Bernie Lee discussed Jalen Brunson’s paycut deal with the Knicks, claiming no other player should nor would do that in the future.

“Why wouldn’t everyone do this? Here’s why, in my opinion, Brunson’s situation should be respected as exceptional and not turned into a standard that other players are pressured to follow. Brunson will be remembered for the rest of his natural life and beyond for taking an incredible risk and leading one of the marquee teams in the NBA to a championship. Over the years, I have had numerous clients with the opportunity to play with the Knicks. I have always said that a person can win anywhere, but winning in New York is entirely different. That has clearly proven to be true. It is an incredible story with a great ending, and every person involved deserves to enjoy it. But the idea that this should start a trend does not add up to me, because the circumstances that allowed it to work were finite and almost impossible to recreate. The family history between the Brunson family and Knicks management has been well documented for good reason, and it clearly played a major role in the trust that defined the relationship from the outset. Still, unless you own the team, everyone works for someone.”

• The folks over NBADraft.net analyzed the team needs for franchises in the Atlantic Division heading into the 2026 NBA Draft. Regarding the Knicks—who have the No. 24, No. 31, and No. 55 picks—they highlighted what we all expected: a backup center.

“Because most key roles are already filled, New York has the luxury of simply taking the best player available on draft night, a valuable position to be in given the team’s salary cap constraints.”

• Make sure to check our own 2026 Knicks draft guide daily, as we keep churning out scouting reports of potential New York targets!
• ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes the contending window of the Knicks will remain open for as long as Karl-Anthony Towns wants to. That’s because in Brian’s eyes, Towns must take a pay cut to give New York a bit more wiggle room.

“If Karl Towns is willing to take a little bit of a haircut, you know, $7-10 million over the course of multiple seasons and Josh Hart is also extension eligible this summer, if both of them are willing to take a little bit of a haircut, you could see this core staying together for three, four, five years.”

• Do you know what’s funny? Actually, do you know who is funny? Vince Goodwill, that’s who. The ESPN pundit had the courage to call the Larry O’Brien trophy a “participation” thing, and not happy enough with that, as the Knicks were parading, he went on to say that KAT is still frustrated with the Knicks because they didn’t extend his deal—which still has two years left on it—the minute he was eligible to sign an extension. “I don’t think he’s gotten over that,” Goodwill said.
• Old news already covered in the Bulletin a week ago, but it sounds realer each passing day (s/o to our friends from Pounding The Rock!) that Spurs guard Dylan Harper was hella frustrated with the lack of minutes and his diminished role he played throughout San Antonio’s regular-season and deep postseason run. Uh, oh, situation!
• Josh Hart must have had some fun on Thursday.
• Legendary, infamous, and retired New York Post writer Marc Berman is back speaking to CBS and opening up about his last days in the Knicks beat and his post-spotlight career. Worth a read, if only for the memories!

Don’t forget to keep enjoying the sweet feeling of winning!

With Kentucky’s roster essentially set for the upcoming season, many fans have turned their focus to the 2026 NBA Draft. Two former Wildcats, Jayden Quaintance and Otega Oweh, are hoping to hear their names called next week.

Where Experts Predict Jayden Quaintance Will Be Drafted

Despite playing only four games at Kentucky because of a knee injury, Quaintance is still expected to be a first-round pick. His combination of size, athleticism, and defensive potential has kept him firmly on NBA radars.

Here is where some analysts have Quaintance being selected:

• No. 20 overall — San Antonio Spurs (CBS Sports, Isaac Trotter)
• No. 23 overall — Atlanta Hawks (Yahoo Sports, Kevin O’Connor)
• No. 25 overall — Los Angeles Lakers (ESPN, Jeremy Woo)
• No. 25 overall — Bleacher Report, Zach Buckley
• No. 26 overall — The Athletic, Sam Vecenie

ESPN’s Jeremy Woo called Quaintance an “obvious first-round talent” if healthy.

The biggest question surrounding Quaintance is his health. Scouts love his defensive upside, shot-blocking ability, length, and athleticism, but teams will want confidence that his knee has fully recovered before investing a first-round pick.

Where Experts Predict Otega Oweh Will Be Drafted

Oweh’s draft outlook is less certain, with most projections placing him late in the second round. Some analysts believe he could also go undrafted and earn an opportunity through the NBA Summer League.

Here is where major draft analysts have Oweh landing:

• No. 55 overall — New York Knicks (Yahoo Sports, Kevin O’Connor)
• No. 56 overall — The Athletic, Sam Vecenie
• No. 56 overall — ClutchPoints, Brett Siegel
• Undrafted — (ESPN, Jeremy Woo)

Analysts praise Oweh’s athleticism, ability to attack the basket, transition scoring, and defensive versatility. However, concerns about his outside shooting and shot creation have kept him from climbing higher on draft boards.

Regardless of where they are selected, Kentucky appears likely to add at least one more player to its growing list of NBA talent. Now, all that’s left is to see where Quaintance and Oweh begin their professional careers.

First Round: Tuesday, June 23 at 8:00 p.m. ET (Broadcast: ABC, ESPN)

Second Round: Wednesday, June 24 at 8:00 p.m. ET (Broadcast: ESPN)

The Celtics have popped up in several major rumors since their abrupt playoff exit. Talk of a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Trey Murphy has been the most notable of the bunch, but two new names have entered the mix.

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported Friday night that Boston could have interest in Rudy Gobert and Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart.

On Stewart:

“Boston is known to be looking for frontcourt upgrades and has liked Stewart for some time, sources say.”

On Gobert:

“In reference to Minnesota’s interest in White, which The Athletic’s Sam Amick first reported Friday morning, trading him for Rudy Gobert would represent a clear salary match. Sources say that Boston, furthermore, has inquired about Gobert before … most recently at February’s trade deadline. Now I don’t think that the Wolves are actively shopping Gobert, either way, but Minnesota is said to be as exploratory and open-minded as Boston when it comes to shaking up the roster around the team’s clear alpha (Edwards).”

While both players address Boston’s desire for frontcourt size and defense, the logistics behind acquiring them are very different. 

Gobert is a huge swing. He’s signed for a $36.5 million cap hit next season. Stewart is on the books for $15 million in 2026-27, the final year of his deal before a team option in 2027-28. That gap would dictate who has to be on the move in any deal.

For Gobert, Boston almost certainly has to put Derrick White in the trade to match salary. Amick reported Friday morning that Minnesota has “strong interest” in White. Fischer’s reporting adds some fuel to the fire given how the two sides line up financially. White is signed for two more seasons at $30.3 million and $32.6 million, plus a $34.8 million player option for 2028-29. Trading him for a soon-to-be 34-year-old center, even one as accomplished as Gobert, creates a conversation about what this roster wants to become.

Stewart is a much smaller, supplementary move. Sam Hauser’s $10 million salary alone gets close enough to legally match, meaning Boston wouldn’t have to touch its core to get a deal like this done. Brad Stevens would also have the $27 million TPE at his disposal, too. Amick reported that Isaiah Stewart is available, with Detroit prioritizing additional shooting and playmaking, which could make a player like Hauser a logical fit.

Gobert averaged 10.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game this past year and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He’d walk into a starting role on Day 1 and immediately become the best rim protector Boston has had in a very long time. Acquiring him would give the Celtics a 7-foot defensive anchor, but the likely inclusion of Derrick White creates a difficult trade-off.

Stewart offers the younger, cheaper alternative. Heading into his age-25 season, he averaged 10 points, 5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 22.7 minutes per game. He’s not the same game-changing presence as Gobert, but he brings physicality, switchability and a defensive motor that fits Boston’s identity. He’d likely slot in as the backup to Neemias Queta, giving the Celtics a solid second option that can eat up minutes.

These rumors are both interesting, if there’s truth to them. It does make sense that the Celtics would look to improve on their frontcourt based on the role it played in their loss to the Sixers. 

With the Giannis domino yet to fall, it’s difficult to get a read on how the rest of the offseason could play out. Gobert could be a fallback option if a pursuit of Antetokounmpo falls short, or he could become part of a larger roster overhaul. Stewart could be a compelling option in either scenario as well.

There is very little certainty right now, but with the NBA Draft just a few days away, clarification should be coming soon. Whether or not any of these deals materialize, it feels clear that Brad Stevens isn’t satisfied with the state of the roster, and change should be on the way. The frontcourt is a reasonable place to start.

This offseason will be a fascinating one for the Celtics as they retool following last year’s early exit.

That reshaping officially begins with the NBA Draft, which is set for Tuesday and Wednesday in Brooklyn, and will continue in the coming weeks.

While it’s very possible the Celtics will trade one or both of their picks as part of a deal, they currently have the No. 27 and No. 40 selections, so let’s operate under the assumption that they’ll make those picks.

With that in mind, here are seven players who could go late in the first round or early in the second and could fit in well with the Celtics:

Isaiah Evans, Duke guard

Yes, it’s unlikely Evans will fall to No. 27, but he’s worth including on this list because the Celtics should absolutely take him if he does. They could also make a deal to move up and draft him.

Evans is a lights-out shooter who moves well without the ball, improved his driving ability last year at Duke and has great instincts defensively. He’s 6 feet, 6 inches, plays with a ton of confidence and would fit in well with Boston’s 3-point heavy offense. His floor and ceiling are both high, and he’s shown he’s capable of making improvements to his game.

Isaiah Evans in a road win against No. 20 Louisville:

23 PTS | 6 REB | 4 STL pic.twitter.com/5UDYQWBVvc

— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) January 7, 2026

Alex Karaban, UConn forward

The Southborough native masterfully pieced together one of the most magnificent careers in UConn history. He’s a strong shooter, versatile defender and extremely smart player.

The question marks with Karaban are his ability to create his own shot and to stay in front of quick guards on the other end. If the Celtics keep both Baylor Scheierman and Sam Hauser, Karaban probably wouldn’t make sense; if they trade one, he could be an ideal replacement.

Tarris Reed Jr., UConn center

Karaban’s teammate, Reed, was outstanding in the NCAA Tournament and played his best when the lights were brightest. While he’s improved his footwork in the paint, he still has room to grow in that area.

He has an impressive motor, is a fiery and fearless player and brings out the best in his teammates. Reed could learn from Neemias Queta and push Amari Williams for one of the final roster spots.

Players in men's NCAA Tournament history to have 200 career points scored and a team winning percentage of .940 or higher:

Bill Russell, San Francisco
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, UCLA
Alex Karaban, @UConnMBBpic.twitter.com/qeSh6jqtpt

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) April 4, 2026

Meleek Thomas, Arkansas guard/forward

Darius Acuff Jr. got a lot of buzz last year at Arkansas, and for good reason, but Thomas was also extremely impressive. The 6-foot-5-inch, 185-pound shooting guard/small forward shot 41.6 percent from 3 on 5.3 attempts per game.

He scored 21, 19 and 17 points in the NCAA Tournament and shot 45 percent or better each game. Thomas has tremendous upside and could end up being a steal in this year’s Draft. He would mesh well with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown from a stylistic standpoint and, like Tatum, is still only 19 years old.

Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas has declared for the NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility.

Thomas is projected as a late first-round pick. pic.twitter.com/ly5TI41WYp

— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) April 13, 2026

Emanuel Sharp, Houston guard

Sharp is a menace defensively and was a driving force in Houston’s success the past few years. He has a nose for the ball, impressive range and plays extremely hard.

While his size (6 feet, 3 inches) is a bit of a concern, since he’s not a point guard, he compensates for what he lacks in that area with physicality and brute force. Sharp is the kind of player whose winning habits are contagious, and he always seems to hit the big shot when his team really needs it.

Houston’s Emanuel Sharp said that he was on the phone with Kelvin Sampson after his first scrimmage at the combine, and Sharp said that Sampson said “if I don’t rebound he’s gonna rebound better he’s gonna run me.”

On Sampson:

“He influenced me so much…He’s made me a great… pic.twitter.com/gx9nxdpM85

— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) May 14, 2026

Aaron Nkrumah, Tennessee State guard/forward

Nkrumah is one of the better stories in this year’s NBA Draft. The Worcester native and South High product started his career at Quinsigamond College before transferring to Nichols College and transferring again to Worcester State.

He then kept it rolling at Tennessee State under former Duke guard Nolan Smith, averaging 17.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3 assists last season. The 24-year-old sharpshooter has seen a lot in the past few years and appears ready to keep elevating his game.

Tennessee State's Aaron Nkrumah made the most of being the last player invited to the G League Combine, dropping 22 points on 12 shots in yesterday's scrimmage.

The Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year measured 6'5 barefoot, 189 pounds, with a 6'10.25 wingspan. pic.twitter.com/nw2HX5HnOP

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 10, 2026

Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State forward

Jefferson is an intriguing player because at 6 feet, 9 inches, he can guard post players and body people down low. He can also step out and burn you from the outside, moves well for a guy his size and is a crafty passer.

He feels like one of those players where people will wonder which position he truly plays (probably power forward) that ends up shining wherever he goes on the court because of his skill set, motor and heart. The Celtics need more low-post scoring, and Jefferson has a chance to help an NBA team in that area.

The player that we think will be a very good NBA player and getting no love – Joshua Jefferson

Not elite at anything but does so many things well

Fits a great 3/4 mold in the league and, by ALL accounts, is a big time winner pic.twitter.com/B07pOBr06E

— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) May 11, 2026

Christmas can come early for NBA fans. After a champion is crowned in June, the draft follows soon after with a fresh class of young players. And maybe more importantly, the offseason kicks off in July with so much palace intrigue over trades and free agency.

However, what comes with the excitement of getting new players in a summer deal is the hard truth of sending players out. Whether it’s a fan favorite (Marcus!) or a promising phenom (like Aaron Nesmith), there’s always a give-and-take in these trades.

We polled our readers on who should be untouchable in a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo or Trey Murphy III. The Celtics used their unproven depth at the wing to win 56 games last year and now, that success has made them attractive targets in trade season.

Need a savvy everyman and jack-of-all-trades? Baylor Scheierman could be your guy. Ron Harper Jr. could develop into a microwave scorer off the bench. Jordan Walsh is already an accomplished defender.

In the end, it was rookie sensation Hugo Gonzalez that our readers didn’t want to include in a potential package next month. Gonzalez fell out of the rotation by the end of the year and into the playoffs, but his upside in undeniable.

Back in 2006, then President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge refused to include Rajon Rondo in the deal that would bring Kevin Garnett to Boston. That duo would later raise Banner 17 to the rafters.

Could Gonzalez be that instrumental in a championship run or should Stevens even hesitate including him a deal that could net a known commodity? Well, the fans have spoken and named Hugo the “Most Likely To Be Back In Boston Next Season.”

Our friends at FanDuel don’t have a Mr. Untouchable category you can wager on, but if you want to bet on Boston, they’ve already got the Celtics at a +550 to raise the Larry O’Brien in 2027.

If you’re still on cloud nine, that’s alright.

The Knicks won the NBA championship for the first time in 53 years.

It’s fair to say we’re due at least 53 days of floating around the Earth without giving nothing else any care.

"The further we get away from it, the more real it becomes."

NBA Champions @jalenbrunson1 and @joshhart join @notthefakeSVP on SportsCener 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Pk9iQ1Yncx

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 20, 2026

Jalen Brunson

On the Knicks championship:

“The further we get away from it, the more real it becomes.”

“This man is stupid 😆 Yo get yo azz down! 😆”

— Mitchell Robinson to Jose Alvarado

(📸 Justin Fio) pic.twitter.com/iBLhh5yWIj

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 19, 2026

Jose Alvarado

On his upcoming free agency:

“First of all, I got to go get paid, man. That’s God willing. I want to be in this for a long time. I love this life. I love the NBA life. It feeds my family, and you know, it puts me in rooms where I could never be at.”

On potentially taking less money to stay with the Knicks:

“I got to see what makes sense for everybody. I truly do feel like if it’s a great opportunity to stay home, I stay home.”

One of Leon Rose’s Good Luck Charms on this Knicks Championship Run?

A piece of slate from the City of David in Ancient Jerusalem.

Gifted to him by the Philadelphia Eagles GM, Howie Roseman. Also a Jewish exec who won a Championship. pic.twitter.com/iL6maczhTl

— Chase Jordan (@goatcollect) June 19, 2026

Leon Rose

On the gift from Howie Roseman before one of the Finals wins:

“I want to share this with everbody. Howie Roseman, general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles came tonight with his boys and he gave me this gift which is a piece of slate from the city of David in ancient Jerusalem that he got when he was there and he either got it, or it was given to him in 2024. He took it to the Super Bowl and won the super bowl and he gave it to me for good luck tonight before the game. Un-friggen-believable.”

Josh Hart "Can you sit here & admit you were wrong?

Stephen A Smith "Say what?

Josh "Can you sit here & admit you were wrong?

SAS "I can't hear you

Josh "You. Were. Wrong

Jalen Brunson "APOLOGIZE"

SAS "…I was beyond wrong. I apologize…"@Roommates__Show on ESPN & YouTube pic.twitter.com/4EGbwAf7a4

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 20, 2026

Josh Hart

On the overconfident and cocky Spurs:

“You see that reaction (after they won the WCF and beat OKC) because they think they gon’ win it. They think it’s over.

“And then you look at the reaction after we beat Cleveland, and it was tough to celebrate, because, like, we got four more, right? Obviously, winning the Eastern Conference is an amazing accomplishment, but we all look at that like, this is just a step, this isn’t the destination. And the reaction after Game 4 in Cleveland shows that.”

On Becky Hammon’s comments about Jalen Brunson:

“I’m not naming names: I’m still waiting for somebody… to say they was wrong about someone who led our team to a championship…I know they have media availability so we’ll be waiting for that apology.”

Karl-Anthony Towns spotted walking around New York City trying to keep a low profile 🗽#alwaysknickspic.twitter.com/vC3EvzIydJ

— CulturedUpdates (@CulturedUpdatez) June 19, 2026

Karl-Anthony Towns

On his role evolving during the playoffs:

“I think for me it’s imperative to make the defense have to shift and make them have to continuously think. It’s not only, as you know, the game is already physically tiring, but if you add the mental component as well and have them thinking the whole game, it makes them even more tired and allows for more opportunities for us to get better looks.”

On ball movement and passing:

“I think what you can do when you do move the ball and allow the IQ to flow and the ball to flow is you allow great shots to happen, especially when you’re touching the paint or having movement on the offense and allowing the defense to make a mistake, instead of us having to make a tough shot or a great shot. I’ve always loved passing, and it’s always one of my greatest joys is getting my teammates an assist and allowing them to see them succeed. It’s truly, for me, better than hitting a great shot, because when you make a shot, only one person is happy, but when you get an assist, two people are happy. I think that’s a recipe for success, when everyone is really feeling good about themselves.”

James Dolan is booed loudly by the watch party at Radio City.

Then he apologizes for mismanaging the Knicks for two decades, and the crowd cheers.

Apology accepted. pic.twitter.com/jyNaa4SOcs

— THE GARDEN IS ROCKING (@MSG_Rocking) June 14, 2026

James Dolan

On admitting being wrong during the dark Knicks times:

“Did I make mistakes? Of course I did. Did I trust people that maybe I shouldn’t have trusted? You go into it as a new owner and if you’re dumb enough, you think you actually know what you’re doing. Believe me, you don’t. And all along, you have everybody whispering in your ear: Do this, do that. You have you guys, the press, telling us where we’re going wrong at every step. And, you can start to feel like a pinball.”

On learning over 25 years at the helm of the Knicks organization:

“The thing is, is to learn. Right? That might be the thing I feel best about is, I felt, I feel, that now after 25 freaking years of doing this, I might actually have learned something.”

On Tom Thibodeau’s run in New York and his firing:

“We loved Thibs, we really did, I held him in high regard. It would not surprise me at all, by the way, if Thibs comes back and coaches a championship team because I think you could still win that way. Thibs was kind of old style. Right? Like Red Holzman, right, everything comes through me, and I’ll guide us through. He’s very good at that, but that sort of obviated the need for all these other people. Mike Brown had a different view. He had a different approach. And you look at our team, in the Finals. Everyone was healthy.”

stephen a smith loudly booed at ‘the roommates show’ with jalen brunson & josh hart pic.twitter.com/MXMlBZdnid

— Marlow Stern (@MarlowNYC) June 19, 2026

Stephen A. Smith

On being wrong about the Knicks and Jalen Brunson:

“I’m a grown a** man. I was beyond grown. I apologized to this brother on national television. I’m apologizing to you. I’m apologizing to the entire Knicks organization. Let me be very, very clear — I have never been more happy to be wrong in my life. Let me be very, very clear — I came out of the womb a Knicks fan. I’m 58-years-old. The last time the New York Knicks won a title before last Saturday, I was four.

“In his own way, (Brunson) reminds me of this every time. It’s automatic… national television, I owe this man an apology. I am grateful for what you have done for this city, what y’all have done for this city, and you won’t be hearing any more doubts from me, my brother.”

The Knicks could keep their core together for the next 3-5 years IF Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart are willing to take a pay cut, per @WindhorstESPN

KAT is eligible for a 4-year, $272M extension.

"If Karl Towns is willing to take a little bit of a haircut, you know, $7-10… pic.twitter.com/ugpU6Bx1L6

— NBA Base (@TheNBABase) June 19, 2026

Brian Windhorst

On Karl-Anthony Towns’ taking a paycut being the key to the Knicks’ contending window:

“In all honesty, that’s the biggest question of the Knicks offseason. So Karl [Anthony] Towns is under contract for next season. He’ll be back. He’ll be the starting center. He’ll be there on ring night. The way he was used in this postseason, it’s hard to not see him as with this team for the majority of the rest of his career.

“But he is in position to get a contract extension that’s going to approach $70 million a year on average. And he has earned it. He has shown that he is an elite center in this league, a championship player. But the Knicks are not going to be able to afford that type of player. They’d re-sign him. But I don’t know if they’d be able to keep the team together.”

On how Jalen Brunson’s sacrifice could impact KAT’s and the Knicks’ future:

“I don’t expect anybody in the history of the NBA to do what Jalen Brunson did. If Karl Towns is willing to take a little bit of a haircut, you know, $7-10 million over the course of multiple seasons and Josh Hart is also extension eligible this summer, if both of them are willing to take a little bit of a haircut, you could see this core staying together for three, four, five years.”

J. R. Smith responds to a fan saying these New York Knicks could beat the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers . He says We’d beat them, put me and Shump on Jalen Brunson and who on the Knicks is guarding LeBron James and the little guy people say he doesn’t like, number 2 (Kyrie Irving) pic.twitter.com/420iwZwyAr

— joebuddenclips/fanpage (@Thechat101) June 19, 2026

J.R. Smith

On his wild spending throughout his NBA career:

“The first thing that comes to mind? How much money I wasted. Half the shit I bought in the last 10 years, I barely use. Even the watches, buying all these fancy-ass watches and shit, I don’t wear them. I don’t go anywhere to wear them! Why did I spend all of this money on this stuff that I don’t really use? I had seven cars at one point when we were in Cleveland. I’m like, ‘Why did I have seven cars?’”

Agent Bernie Lee doesn't think players taking pay cuts a la Brunson is such a great idea.

If your reaction is "well, he's an agent, of course he's going to say that," I still recommend you read the article.

Some very good points made.https://t.co/BhS92v7dUd

— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) June 19, 2026

Jay Williams

On players being compared to Brunson’s contract sacrifice:

“I’ve talked to a couple of different players that could be Supermax this year or next year — they’re starting to feel a little pressure from team owners by saying, ‘Yo, Jalen Brunson left 113 million dollars on the table. What are you going to do?’”

Marc Berman covered the Knicks for 23 years. He watched them win the championship at a sports bar in Florida https://t.co/XLvPuKei5g

— James Herbert (@outsidethenba) June 19, 2026

Marc Berman

On being glad he retired before the Knicks won it all:

“Part of me was saying, ‘Oh, I’m glad I retired, I would be panicking.’ I was shaking in the final couple of minutes, just thinking about the enormity of having to write it. And I didn’t have to write it.”

On James Dolan:

“Listen, I wasn’t a big fan of James. He was a pretty good guitar player, but he made a lot of silly mistakes and his media policies were always baffling to me. And I wonder now that they finally have a championship if he’ll open up a little more with the media.”

On New York’s reaction to the Knicks championship:

“You see it in the streets. I mean, everyone is just in almost disbelief. I think it’s surreal to them. I think the next day it finally hit them, but it’s something that they thought may not have ever happened in their lifetime. It’s 53 years, and the team seems to always have gotten a bad break. And every single break went their way since mid-April. I think they’re just joyous, and I think there’s a sense of relief.”

“It takes a championship to bring this caliber of happiness and love together.”

What a moment for the Knicks. What a moment for the city ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HYF64otF9A

— Joe and Jada (@JoeAndJada) June 20, 2026

Frank Isola

On Marc Berman’s good ol’ days:

“I think if you said ‘tabloid reporter,’ his picture might be in the dictionary. He kind of embodied all of that. He knew what they wanted at the New York Post. I mean, the Daily News is the same way.

“He’d be lying in wait. Then he’d look at the guy for a second, pause, kind of close his eyes. It very much was like Peter Falk playing Columbo: ‘Doctor, just one more thing.’”

STEVE-O SCORES A RUN WHILE ON FIRE 🔥 @BananaBall_

LEGEND. pic.twitter.com/whKuU4G05A

— TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) June 20, 2026

Send in your questions now for this week’s episode of The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast to discuss everything Pistons. Submit your question to the comments section here or on X/Twitter to @TheRealWesD3 and/or @blakesilverman.

Join us live on Saturday morning for the show where Stephen Gillaspie from No Ceilings NBA will join the show to discuss all things NBA draft. Who will the Pistons look to take with the 21st pick? What prospects best fit to contribute to the roster now? Would a trade out be more beneficial?

Plus, The Pindown has a phone line where you can leave a message and hear your voice on the show. Call (313) 355-2717 and leave us a voicemail with your question. Please try to keep the message around 45 seconds or less so we can fit everyone into the show.

The podcast will be uploaded to all audio platforms the following morning.

The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast Vitals:

When: Saturday June 20 at 8 p.m. ET

Where: Detroit Bad Boys YouTube Channel

How to submit questions:

• Detroit Bad Boys Website: Comment section of the weekly Pindown episode articles.
• Call (313) 355-2717 and leave us a voicemail with your question. Please try to keep the message to 45 seconds or less.
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As always, leave any questions or topics you want to be discussed in the comment section below.

The Lakers have several questions to answer this summer.

One of those looming matters is whether to retain guard Austin Reaves, who is coming off a campaign in which he averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists. He shot 49% from the field.

Reaves is expected to decline his player option for next season but can agree to a deal with the Lakers prior to the start of free agency July 1. If the two can’t reach an agreement, Reaves will test the free agent market.

He’s already been linked to a four-year, $179 million offer from the Nets, according to reports on Reaves last week. Now, Sam Amick of The Athletic revealed another Eastern Conference team is reportedly in pursuit of the 28-year-old.

The Pistons, a team that fell short in the Eastern Conference semifinals, is hoping to find a playmaker and shooter this offseason.

Reaves fits the bill.

“Detroit, which is believed to be among the suitors for Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves if he makes it to unrestricted free agency, is also said to be interested in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Isaiah Joe,” Amick writes.

The likelihood of Reaves landing in Detroit depends on how negotiations unfold with the Lakers in the coming weeks. It remains unclear how much the Lakers are willing to offer the guard, especially given the team’s clear need for a premier center this summer.

Additionally, the Lakers will have to resolve the LeBron James situation. The next few months will be telling for general manager Rob Pelinka, who faces immense pressure to transform the squad into title contenders.

In terms of Reaves, his status on the free agent market will be made clear by the start of next month.

The Spurs had a fantastic 2025/26 season that almost resulted in a title, but that doesn’t mean everything was perfect. The downside of having such a talented and stacked roster is that inevitably someone will want more touches or minutes, and it turns out rookie Dylan Harper was that guy, according to ESPN’s Michael C. Wright.

Harper voiced displeasure earlier in the season about a lack of playing time and his role, but those increased as the season progressed and the rookie gained more experience.

It’s not shocking to hear that the clear-cut No.2 overall pick of a great draft class wasn’t happy with coming off the bench and playing a support role for around 20 minutes a game when he was clearly capable of more. You don’t get to be as good as Harper is at basketball without supreme confidence in your abilities and extreme competitiveness, so no one should blame the rookie for wanting more responsibility, especially on a team that early on wasn’t expected to be a contender.

It’s good to hear that, as his role increased and the Spurs proved to be an elite squad, his displeasure seemingly disappeared, but it’s also hard not to wonder if his great postseason performance will have him once again wanting more. Harper was terrific in the playoffs and especially in the Finals, showing that he’s not just a likely future star but also someone who can contribute on the biggest stage right now. And he clearly knows it, which could put the Spurs in a predicament.

If Harper wants to start, Mitch Johnson will face a tough decision. San Antonio has De’Aaron Fox as one of its starting guards. The veteran is on a maximum contract, and, while arguably not as gifted, he’s more well-rounded than Harper. Stephon Castle is the team’s best point-of-attack defender, and he wouldn’t be able to consistently play off the ball to accommodate Harper as the main ball handler because of his lack of range. Devin Vassell had arguably his best season as a do-it-all swingman who was by far the best shooter on the backcourt. Who gets relegated to the bench? It’s not an easy question to answer.

Now, Harper may be fine with a sixth-man role for now as long as he gets more touches and finishes games. His performance in the postseason was impressive enough to suggest he might be ready for more responsibility than the typical second-year guard, but as the youngest and the one with the shortest track record of production, he could be fine with paying his dues as long as he gets more opportunities to grow his game and to act as the closer at times. It might actually be for the best to bring him along slowly, taking advantage of the depth at guard to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on him.

Hopefully, Harper will see it that way and will be happy starting next season as a super sub and the prohibitive candidate for Sixth Man of the Year. If he is, the Spurs won’t be forced to make any tough decisions. If he isn’t, the possibility of trading Fox to make room for the young guard becomes more realistic. While it doesn’t seem like the best idea to move on from the veteran guard this summer, Harper has looked like a future star, and keeping him happy should be one of the franchise’s biggest priorities.

The Spurs have aced the hardest part of any rebuild: getting enough talent to contend. Now, general manager Brian Wright and coach Mitch Johnson will have to figure out how all the pieces fit and who will need to sacrifice or be sacrificed to optimize how things work on the floor and in the locker room.

Darryn Peterson turned some heads when he declared that he’d only meet with the No. 1-picking Washington Wizards ahead of the NBA Draft.

Reports are now beginning to trickle out that the interest in Peterson is not one-sided, as one “well-placed insider” told Marc Stein that the Wizards are giving the Kansas guard “increased consideration.”

Peterson is a highly polarizing prospect in the NBA Draft, as he consistently pulled himself out of games while playing for Kansas, initially described as having cramping issues.

He later said that the cramping was due to excessive creatine usage and was so bad that he was begging team staff to call 9-1-1 while dealing with extremely painful cramping.

Peterson said he believes that creatine usage is the underlying issue that created the problems.

Stein added that multiple draft experts believe that the Wizards are legitimately considering Peterson as the No. 1 draft pick on Tuesday’s NBA Draft.

Peterson was originally the No. 1 high school prospect according to 247 Sports before his standing began to shift due to cramping issues and pulling himself out of key moments in games.

If Peterson does go No. 1, the Utah Jazz would surely be thrilled to snag AJ Dybantsa at No. 2 overall, considering Dybantsa played just 45 miles south of Salt Lake City for BYU.

Dybantsa’s family has been in Utah since his senior year in high school at Utah Prep, where he was the No. 2 overall player in the class of 2025.

There had been some more buzz surrounding Cameron Boozer as the top pick after a strong first year at Duke.

Boozer was one of the best players in college and the No. 3-ranked prospect.

Greetings, Panthers fans. Welcome to the weekend.

Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.

You know the drill.

This is now an open thread