Category: NBA

The Dallas Mavericks have officially hired Dusty May out of the college ranks to guide the team and young star Cooper Flagg into the future. Merely two-and-half months after leading Michigan to the National Championship, May departs Ann Arbor to continue his meteoric rise through the basketball world.

Tyler Edsel has a must-read piece that will tell you all you need to know (and then some) about the Mavs’ new head coach. The tangibles and pedigree are objectively digestible. May is a winner who catapulted Florida Atlantic to heights previously unseen, then helped Michigan cut down the nets for the first time in over 30 years. There are, of course, some fears that go along with a college coach jumping to the NBA, as David Trink articulates by way of the historical track record of such occurrences.

Simply put, May is an unknown quantity in the NBA, despite his impressive track record. Despite that, I would strongly contend that it doesn’t matter. Putting aside the successes of his past and any speculation as to how his future in the NBA will play out, there is an entirely different perspective I can’t help but think about – this is a massive win for the Dallas Mavericks no matter what.

The Mavericks continue to announce their new world order

Weeks ago it was reported that Dallas touched base with both May and Duke’s Jon Scheyer, with both being deemed longshots. From there, news broke about a variety of NBA assistants that were in the running and it appeared likely that would be the direction the Mavs took. Dallas would not be getting a big name ready to make the jump. Then, out of nowhere, May was hired.

This is a massive get for the Mavericks and it comes at a perfect time. Virtually no one expected May to make a move to the NBA. He had it made for at least a few more seasons in Michigan after coming off the National Championship. Dallas’ pursuit of him (and Scheyer) were reported and then almost simultaneously dismissed as a pipe dream. Actually landing May is a statement by the organization.

Masai Ujiri was a breath of fresh air – a first step toward the Mavericks having a professional basketball front office for the first time in years. The immediate follow up was expected to be the always-controversial results of the Draft. No matter the selection, there would be both supporters and detractors. However, Dallas swerved everyone with what I personally view as an indisputable win as the follow-up to the hirings of Ujiri and GM Mike Schmitz. Dallas got their guy despite him being such a longshot, and as intangible as “the get” is, it comes with juice that indicates the new regime in Dallas can make waves. Yes, the production needs to be there on the court, but May has plenty of time to find success as the Mavs rebuild around Flagg. For now, Dallas’ newly minted front office getting “their guy,” who just so happens to be the biggest coaching name in basketball outside the NBA (until a few hours ago), is a huge win for the Mavs. If nothing else, it puts the Mavs in a favorable spotlight and continues to scrub the stain of the past regime as the Mavs further build good will with the fan base. If May’s talents translate to the NBA level (which personally, I feel they will), this hiring could be paying dividends for years to come.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

The Los Angeles Lakers are scrambling for ways to improve a roster that was overwhelmed by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs, and one of the players who helped eliminate them may now be on their radar.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Lakers have reached out to Oklahoma City about the availability of veteran wing Lu Dort as they explore potential offseason upgrades.

“I’m also told that the Lakers have called the Thunder about swingman Lu Dort’s availability,” Stein reported on his Substack.

The inquiry comes at a fascinating time for the reigning Western Conference powerhouse. Oklahoma City is facing a roster crunch with 15 players already under contract and two first-round picks in the upcoming draft. That situation has fueled speculation that the Thunder could consider moving Dort after exercising his $17.2 million team option.

The 27-year-old has long been viewed as one of the NBA’s premier perimeter defenders. He earned First Team All-Defense honors during Oklahoma City’s championship run in 2025 and has built a reputation as one of the league’s toughest assignments for opposing stars.

For a Lakers team that finished near the bottom half of the league defensively and struggled to contain Oklahoma City’s athletic wings during the postseason, Dort’s skill set is an obvious fit.

The challenge, however, is convincing the Thunder to move him.

While Dort’s offensive production dipped last season to 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, his defensive value remains significant. Oklahoma City still views him as a key contributor, and any trade would likely require meaningful assets from a Lakers team that is already limited in draft capital.

There are also questions about whether Dort’s offense would complement a roster built around Luka Dončić. After shooting better than 41 percent from three during Oklahoma City’s title season, Dort’s efficiency slipped considerably in 2025-26, raising concerns about spacing alongside the Lakers’ stars.

Still, the reported interest reveals Los Angeles’ priorities this offseason. The Lakers are expected to pursue defensive-minded wings and frontcourt help, with veteran centers Walker Kessler, Mitchell Robinson and Robert Williams III also reportedly on their radar.

Whether a deal ultimately materializes remains uncertain, but the Lakers have clearly identified the type of player that is on their radar.

Michigan chose continuity. It also faced reality. Hiring a college basketball coach in late June is not ideal timing.

The Wolverines, according to multiple reports, will promote Mike Boynton Jr. to interim coach to succeed Dusty May, who’s leaving for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.

The key word in that sentence? “Interim.”

That suggests this is a trial run — as it should be.

What's next? Michigan has interim fix to Dusty May exit. But who could be long-term answer?

If Boynton can keep Michigan’s roster together, the Wolverines possess enough talent after signing an elite recruiting class to pursue another deep NCAA Tournament run. Achieve that, and Boynton can shed the interim label.

But, this job is too good for Michigan to commit to Boynton being anything more than a one-year experiment.

Never mind Michigan isn’t a blue blood, it boasts top-tier resources, and money matters more than ever in the buy-a-player landscape. If Boynton wobbles as interim, Michigan should open the job next spring to a full search that ought to attract top candidates.

Keep Saint Louis coach Josh Schertz on speed dial. Schertz would have been a natural heir to May if the job had opened two months ago.

The good news for Michigan? Schertz isn’t going anywhere between now and March. Schertz passed on Syracuse and NC State to stay at SLU — perhaps, because he figured something better would open if he showed patience.

Well, Michigan would fit the bill as something better.

Schertz and May are good pals, too. Before SLU faced May’s Wolverines in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Schertz spoke of his yearslong friendship with May, calling him “an incredible resource.”

“We’re always picking each other’s brain,” Schertz said then.

Josh Schertz would fit Michigan's past playbook of hiring Dusty May

May climbed the ladder from video coordinator to becoming best coach in college basketball. Schertz also knows how to grind. He spent more than a decade coaching in Division II before Indiana State smartly hired him.

Schertz would’ve been an appropriate and qualified successor to his friend. He’s more accomplished than Boynton, who proved a valuable assistant to May, but who made just one NCAA Tournament appearance in seven seasons coaching Oklahoma State, a tenure that quickly got sideways as the FBI investigated assistant coach Lamont Evans for taking bribes.

Schertz’s resume, by comparison, includes multiple D-II Final Fours, an NIT runner-up finish at Indiana State after the NCAA selection committee snubbed the Sycamores, and winning an NCAA Tournament game in his second season at SLU, while setting a school record for wins.

If Schertz outperforms Boynton this season, make the switch.

No need for Michigan to reinvent the hiring wheel. Hiring Schertz next spring would amount to dusting off the “Hire Dusty” playbook by targeting a coach who's proven himself in the NCAA Tournament, but who hasn't peaked yet. May took Florida Atlantic to the NCAA Tournament in consecutive seasons and reached a Final Four before Michigan plundered him. He needed just two seasons to take Michigan to the pinnacle.

Don't get distracted by Billy Donovan

Let Kentucky pine over Billy Donovan. Donovan’s past performance at Florida indicates potential for a high ceiling, but he last coached in college more than a decade ago. His inexperience within the landscape of NIL and transfer free agency would make him a riskier hire than you’d expect for someone with his resume.

Instead of Donovan, Michigan could target a savvy coach on the rise who’s won big without Michigan’s resources — someone like Schertz.

Schertz's brand of up-tempo, unselfish offense that tilts toward the 3-pointer suits the modern game.

“When you look at a lot of our metrics and analytics, we mirror each other (in style),” May said last season, while comparing his Wolverines to Schertz’s Billikens.

Put Michigan’s checkbook in Schertz’s hand, and see if he could replicate his friend’s success.

Mike Boynton is a low-risk trial move

Making Boynton the interim for this season amounts to a low-risk option. If he crushes it, keep him. If not, you’ve burned just one season, and Michigan would be positioned to pursue top candidates at a better stage in the calendar.

While I’d put Schertz near the top of the watch list, the list also should include names like Mark Byington (Vanderbilt), Ben McCollum (Iowa), T.J. Otzelberger (Iowa State) and Grant McCasland (Texas Tech). Like Schertz, they're in-their-prime coaches in their mid to late 40s or early 50s.

If this job had opened in April, I’d have hired any of those guys ahead of Boynton, but the job opened in late June.

That’s a recipe for an in-house interim coach — with a head coach watch list stashed away in Michigan’s top drawer.

Blake Toppmeyer is a columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Josh Schertz makes sense at Michigan if Mike Boynton fizzles

A Knicks primer on the 2026 NBA Draft:

WHERE DO THEY PICK?

The world champs have the No. 24, No. 31, and No. 55 picks in this week’s draft.

Of note, the Knicks have been talking to teams about deals that include the No. 24 pick as recently as Tuesday morning.

WHO HAVE THEY WORKED OUT IN THE NO. 24 TO NO. 31 RANGE?

Michigan PF Morez Johnson Jr.

Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas

Duke wing Isaiah Evans

St. John’s big man Zuby Ejiofor

UConn forward Alex Karaban

Arkansas forward Trevon Brazile

Houston guard Emanuel Sharp

South Florida big Izaiyah Nelson

Virginia big Ugonna Onyenso

WHAT ARE POSITIONS OF NEED?

That depends on what the Knicks plan to do in free agency. 

Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, Jeremy Sochan, Mohamed Diawara (restricted), Ariel Hukporti (restricted), Kevin McCullar Jr. (restricted) and Trey Jemison (restricted) are free agents. Jose Alvarado has a player option. Miles McBride is eligible for an extension.

If Robinson and Shamet are back, the Knicks probably look at size on the wing or a player who can handle the ball. Ejiofor has some fans in the organization. If they think they are losing Robinson or Hukporti, maybe the Knicks draft a center? Tarris Reed Jr. from UConn would be a strong pick in New York’s range.

**Owner James Dolan said recently on WFAN that he doesn’t want to spend into the second apron. I have to think that Dolan was mistaken, referencing the penalties a team incurs when it is in the second apron for three out of five seasons. The Knicks would need to get into the second apron to re-sign Robinson and Shamet. So it wouldn’t make sense for the club to limit spending at below the second apron. Especially a team coming off of a championship whose best player (Jalen Brunson) took a pay cut to help build out the roster. If Dolan is serious about the second apron, it will significantly impact the Knicks’ offseason.

WHO HAVE THEY WORKED OUT IN THE NO. 55/UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT RANGE?

St. John’s forward Dillon Mitchell 

Miami guard Tre Donaldson 

George Washington center Rafael Castro 

Texas Tech guard Donovan Atwell 

Marshall forward Wyatt Fricks 

Missouri forward Mark Mitchell 

Alabama forward Amari Allen 

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. 

Hofstra’s Cruz Davis

Here is a full list of players who worked out for the Knicks.

HOW DID THE KNICKS GET THEIR PICKS?

The No. 24 pick is their own first-rounder – which is a rarity for the franchise. As things currently stand, the next time the Knicks have their own first round pick is in 2030. They will send their 2027, 2029 and 2031 first-rounders to Brooklyn as part of the Mikal Bridges trade. They also have a first-round pick swap with the Nets in 2028.

The No. 31 pick is from Washington as part of the 2022 NBA Draft night trade of the No. 11 pick to Oklahoma City. The Knicks will get Washington’s second-round pick in 2026 and 2027 as part of that trade. The deal was executed as part of an effort to clear enough cap space to sign Brunson in free agency.

The No. 55 pick is New York’s own selection. Including the 2026 draft, the Knicks have at least six second-round picks in the next three drafts.

While the Lakers are set to potentially have a lot of cap space this summer, it comes with a lot of moving parts attached.

That cap space is only created if the team renounces the cap holds on certain players — namely LeBron James — and only matters if they have players they want to sign or acquire via trade. It’s going to be a juggling act for the Lakers that could, and likely will, leave someone as the odd man out.

Could that be Rui Hachimura? The wing is set for a big payday after a strong regular season and playoffs as a shooter. In a recent piece for ESPN, Dave McMenamin revealed that some around the league wonder if Rui might have to look elsewhere for that payday.

The biggest unknown is swingman Rui Hachimura. The 28-year-old forward followed up a strong regular season (11.5 points per game on 51.4% from the field and 44.3% from 3) with a brilliant playoffs (17.5 points on 54.9% overall and 56.9% from 3) while playing on an $18.3 million expiring deal.

Several league sources told ESPN they believe Hachimura could be the odd man out and that he might need to explore the market to find a desired deal.

The market for Rui is almost certainly going to be at the mid-level exception, given how few teams have cap space. That will allow the Lakers an idea of what to expect in his next contract and plan accordingly.

But Rui and the rest of the free agents aren’t obligated to wait on the Lakers. If he wants a deal quickly while the team wants to wait to see how things across the league play out, that deal might have to come from some other team.

Having said all that, Rui sounded like someone who has enjoyed his time with the Lakers and the team appears to have interest in retaining him, so they could make him a priority in free agency and ensure a deal is done early.

However, things can change quickly in free agency, which could hurt the Lakers as much as it could benefit them.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

Mike Boynton Jr. is reportedly Michigan's choice to serve as interim head basketball coach after Dusty May left for the Dallas Mavericks on June 22.

Boynton joined May's staff in 2024 after serving seven years as Oklahoma State's head coach. Boynton was on Brad Underwood's staff for a year at OSU before Underwood left for Illinois. Boynton was elevated to head coach and posted a 119-109 (.522) record, which included two NIT quarterfinals appearances and a trip to the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

What's next? Michigan may have interim fix to Dusty May exit. But who could be long-term replacement?

Prior to his time in Stillwater, Boynton worked for Underwood for three seasons at Stephen F. Austin. Boynton then followed Underwood to Oklahoma State for one season, before Underwood left for Illinois and Boynton was promoted to head coach.

Here's what to know of Boynton, who's taking over a talented roster capable of repeating as national champions in 2026-27, assuming players don't head for the portal:

Mike Boynton coaching record

Boynton has had assistant coaching stints at Furman, Coastal Carolina, Wofford, South Carolina, Stephen F. Austin and Oklahoma State, before being promoted to head coach at OSU after Brad Underwood took the Illinois job in 2017. In seven seasons at Stillwater, Boynton posted a 119-109 (.522) record, which included two NIT quarterfinals appearances and a trip to the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

What was Mike Boynton's role at Michigan?

Boynton was hired as an assistant coach on May's inaugural staff at Michigan in 2024, and also served as the program's defensive coordinator.

Mike Boynton NCAA Tournament record

Boynton has a 1-1 record at the NCAA Tournament as a head coach, with his lone win coming against No. 13 seed Liberty 69-60 in the first round in 2021. Oklahoma State subsequently fell to No. 12 seed Oregon State in the second round, sending the Cowboys packing.

It was a disappointing finish for the Cowboys, especially as they were led by future No. 1 overall pick and first-team All-NBA guard Cade Cunningham, now of the Detroit Pistons. It was the only season of his seven as a head coach that his team reached March Madness.

Mike Boynton coaching career timeline

Here's a look at Boynton's full coaching history, including each stop of his career:

• 2004-05: Furman (graduate assistant)
• 2005-07: Coastal Carolina (assistant)
• 2007-08: Wofford (associate head coach)
• 2008-13: South Carolina (assistant)
• 2013-16: Stephen F. Austin (assistant)
• 2016-17: Oklahoma State (assistant)
• 2017-2024: Oklahoma State (head coach)
• 2024-2026: Michigan (assistant)
• 2026-present: Michigan (interim head coach)

Where did Mike Boynton go to college?

Mike Boynton played four seasons at South Carolina, where he later served as an assistant coach from 2008-13.

He started 47 career games for the Gamecocks, averaging 4.3 points with 2.0 assists per game from 2000-04.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Mike Boynton? What to know about Michigan basketball interim coach

We’re now a day away from the 2026 NBA Draft, set to be one of the best of the decade with a strong class of intriguing young prospects. The Sixers, as many of you know, hold the 22nd selection. With the draft closing in fast, talent evaluators from all corners are publishing their final mock drafts ahead of the big night. Let’s check in around the league and see who’s being projected to Philadelphia at 22.

SB Nation: Kentucky’s Jayden Quaintance

Let’s keep things on our homecourt, starting with SB Nation. Ricky O’Donnell has the Sixers selecting Jayden Quaintance out of Kentucky, over names such as Ebuka Okorie, Allen Graves and Joshua Jefferson.

For those unfamiliar with Quaintance, my colleague Will Rucker wrote an excellent profile outlining his strengths and weaknesses. The basic rundown: Quaintance is a true bruiser with a legit frame at 6’10, 253 lbs, and a 7’5.25 wingspan. He’s still raw and just 18 years old, which suggests a longer development runway compared to most prospects in this range. The big red flag is health related, as he tore his ACL in February 2025. He played only a few games for Kentucky before being shut down entirely due to knee swelling during the ramp-up process.

Quaintance at 22 would be a big swing, but a healthy version could make this a pick people look back on fondly. He’d blend well alongside Joel Embiid, embracing the dirty work with rebounding and finishes around the basket. By most accounts, though, the knee is a real concern that could cause him to tumble well below 22. ESPN’s Jeremy Woo reported that ‘multiple team sources fear could cause [Quaintance] to miss time next season’. Will the Sixers be willing to take that chance? We’ll know soon enough.

ESPN: Stanford’s Eubka Okorie

Shifting over to ESPN, Jeremy Woo’s yearly mock draft has the Sixers selecting Ebuka Okorie over names such as Chris Cenac Jr., Henri Veesaar, Jayden Quaintance and Zuby Ejiofor.

For those unfamiliar with Okorie, Will Rucker also wrote his draft profile, which can be found here. The basic rundown: Okorie is a small guard (I already hear the comments) at 6’2.5 with a solid 6’7.75 wingspan, legit burst and shiftiness, and stellar ball handling. The red flags are defensive concerns, mainly tied to size rather than effort, and finishing around the basket. That said, he’s one of the better shooters and scorers in this draft, capable of creating his own shot. His numbers test well, and the eye test backs them up. He has one of the deeper bags in this class.

Okorie, in a vacuum, is a solid guard prospect. If the Sixers want a proven scorer, it’s hard to do much better than him. Most of the hesitation here would stem from his size, but after last season’s postseason run, I’d set fit concerns aside. This team just needs guys who can play. Not only can Okorie play, he might be the best prospect on the board at No. 22.

Bleacher Report: Chris Cenac Jr.

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman is one of the more renowned names in the draft world, and he just published his final intel-based mock draft. At 22, he has the Sixers selecting Chris Cenac Jr. over names such as Hannes Steinbach, Zuby Ejiofor and Meleek Thomas.

For those unfamiliar with Cenac, you can check out Greg Frank’s draft profile on him found here. The gist: he’s a legit big man with a 6’11 frame at 240 lbs. He’s a strong rebounder with a good motor, which bodes well for what the Sixers need. He’s also a strong athlete, capable of running the floor and finishing lobs. On top of that, he’s a willing jump shooter with good mechanics, which would hypothetically open up his game at the power forward position. His weaknesses mainly pertain to overall refinement. He’s a raw player who needs to be coached up to reach his ceiling, gets in foul trouble often, and doesn’t shoot great for his size.

Cenac has long been linked to the Sixers for obvious reasons. They simply need a better answer at backup center, with or without Embiid. Cenac has skills that should translate from day one, and if you believe in his upside, he should be able to play alongside Embiid or without him. It’s hard for me to see Cenac as the best player available at 22, but the theoretical fit is undeniable.

Yahoo Sports: Henri Veesaar

Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor published his mock draft 10.0, with the Sixers taking Veesaar at No. 22 over names such as Tarris Reed, Dailyn Swain, Ebuka Okorie, Zuby Ejiofor and Joshua Jefferson.

Veesaar is a skilled big man boasting a near 7-foot frame. He’s a smart basketball player, capable of being a connective piece and making quick reads as a playmaker. Offensively, he has soft touch and finishes well around the basket, with floor spacing capability to boot. Defense is where most of the red flags pop up. He isn’t the most athletic big in this draft, being heavy footed and lacking vertical pop on that end. The closest NBA comparison I can think of is Kelly Olynyk, who offers offensive skill but not much on defense outside of rebounding and the occasional block.

While Veesaar is a safe option, he might just be that. The Sixers need an innings eater at the backup five spot, but I’m not sure how much upside Veesaar truly offers beyond what he gives you from day one. I’d comfortably go Swain in this mock draft, but it’s clear many talent evaluators around the league are prioritizing the Sixers adding a young big.

The Athletic: Koa Peat

Finally, we’ll check out The Athletic, spearheaded by Sam Vecenie. In this mock draft, the Sixers go with Koa Peat, over names like Chris Cenac, Tarris Reed, Zuby Ejiofor and Ebuka Okorie.

Peat, like Cenac among many others, is one of the few players we know worked out for the Sixers. The fit makes sense. The Sixers value forwards who can play next to Embiid and embrace the dirty work, and Peat does exactly that. He excels as a rebounder and hustle player, is switchable, and can hang with most wings and even some centers. He has serious bounce and would inject athleticism into the roster. On the other hand, his shot needs serious rework, as he’s essentially a non-factor from range. As a player who relies heavily on physicality, adjusting to bigger, faster, and stronger NBA competition could be a challenge. You’re likely looking at a project player when it comes to Peat.

Peat fits the profile of a player the Sixers should be targeting. At 22, though, better options are likely available. If the Sixers were to trade back into the draft in the second round, he’d be a very intriguing name that makes a lot of sense.

Two months after claiming the second national championship in program history, Michigan has found itself in the market for a new men’s basketball coach.

The last coach to leave right after winning the tournament was former Kansas coach Larry Brown, who made a habit of leaping from one spot to the next in his well-traveled career.

Dusty May was not supposed to follow that same path. After a steady building process resulted in one of the best teams in recent NCAA history, the belief coming out of this year’s Final Four in Indianapolis said that May was poised to become one of the faces of college basketball.

Opinion: Days before leaving, Dusty May sounded all-in at Michigan. Then, poof!

Dusty May leaves for Mavs: Jon Scheyer stays. Duke trolls

Instead, he’ll be off to the NBA as the next head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. But May’s offensive system and the Wolverines’ impressive roster means his impact could linger under reported interim coach Mike Boynton Jr., if he’s able to keep the team together and out of the transfer portal.

Boynton will have this coming season to convince Michigan to give him the full-time job. Looking toward next winter, here’s USA TODAY Sports’ glance at where Michigan could eventually go to permanently fill May’s shoes:

Mike Boynton Jr., Michigan (interim)

Boynton ran the defense under May — his work helped the Wolverines outscore opponents by nearly 20 points per game — and was the head coach at Oklahoma State from 2017-24. The results were very mixed: OSU won 20 games three times and reached the second round of the tournament in 2021 but went just 119-109 overall and 51-75 in Big 12 play. Still, Boynton has the qualifications and experience to step into the job at a late date and potentially keep the roster intact, or at least strong enough to stay a factor in the Big Ten and Final Four hunt.

Josh Schertz, Saint Louis

The list of outside candidates begins with Schertz, a close friend of May’s and a coach with a similarly prolific up-tempo offensive scheme. His system could be installed fairly seamlessly and mesh well with the Wolverines’ current roster. Schertz has also proven himself by winning 32 games at Indiana State in 2024 and then leading Saint Louis to 29 wins and the second round of this year’s tournament, where the Billikens were bulldozed by Michigan. Schertz could come eventually with May’s recommendation, which might carry weight in the school’s search.

Nate Oats, Alabama

Oats signed a massive extension that links him to Alabama through 2032 and has experienced his share of controversy, most recently this past season with Charles Bediako’s eligibility debate and guard Aden Holloway’s suspension in the wake of felony drug charges. But he’s also won 70% of his games, reached the Final Four, made two Elite Eight trips and advanced out of the tournament’s opening weekend in each of the past four years. He also spent a decade coaching high school basketball in Michigan before being hired as an assistant at Buffalo in 2013. Oats is in a good spot with the Crimson Tide but could be enticed by the opportunity to coach a program with more support and resources.

Billy Donovan

Donovan is currently out of coaching after stepping down from his spot with the Chicago Bulls after the end of the regular season. While he had his share of NBA success, Donovan is best known for the powerhouse he built Florida, where he claimed back-to-back national championships. Despite his time away from the college game, Donovan has essentially been linked to every major NCAA job opening since he left the Gators over a decade ago. Is Michigan the position that would bring him back? May showed how quickly the right coach can make things happen in Ann Arbor. But it’s unknown whether Donovan is interested in navigating the current landscape of college sports.

T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State

Otzelberger seems very content in Ames, having already declined overtures from more historically relevant programs since kickstarting the Cyclones’ current run in 2022. Since taking over five seasons ago, he’s led Iowa State to three Sweet 16 berths, four 20-win seasons and at least 25 wins in each of the past three years. While Otzelberger’s teams have been more recognized for defensive intensity, he’s proven himself to be malleable enough as a coach to potentially blend in his style with the tempo that defined May’s tenure.

Brian Dutcher, San Diego State

Formerly a longtime Michigan assistant who was on the staff for the 1989 national champions and then spent another 18 years under former Michigan coach Steve Fisher with the Aztecs, Dutcher has won at least 21 games in every season since replacing Fisher in 2017 and led SDSU to the national title game in 2023. A few factors not in Dutcher’s favor are his age — he’ll turn 67 in October — and that SDSU has taken a bit of a recent dip, dropping out in the First Four of the 2025 tournament and missing this year’s bracket altogether.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan basketball coach candidates to replace Dusty May after this season

The Mavericks are hiring Dusty May from Michigan University to be their next head coach. He is the first coach since John Beilein in 2019 to make the leap, who resigned in February of 2020 after winning just 14 of his 54 games. Beilein, much like May, coached at Michigan and had a winning percentage north of 60 percent in his college career, making both established winners before their NBA tenure. While Beilein quickly flamed out in the big leagues, the Mavericks hope May follows a different path. 

To find a different outcome, the Mavericks are going to have to fight history. Of the last 12 college coaches to get hired by an NBA team, only two had winning records. Billy Donovan is the lone survivor still coaching from this group, and has a very respectable career record of 469-413 (53.2 percent). Brad Stevens is the other great hire over the last 30-plus years, who went 354-282 over his eight seasons in Boston before famously making the transition to General Manager, where he has excelled since. Stevens is surely the guy that Dallas had in mind when making this decision, but the rest of the group gives enough pause to be cautious when setting expectations for the defending National Champion’s success at the next level. 

Of the ten “duds”, three won over 100 games in the NBA and five won under 70. Two were fired early in their third season, and four lasted two or fewer. The flame-outs were quick and obvious, and given that all six guys hired between 1994 and 2000 had losing records, there was good reason just six more coaches were hired in the same fashion over the next 26 years. 

What none of those guys did, however, was win a national title the year they left college. May is coming off a fantastic year that ended with nets being cut and the culmination of his meteoric rise to prominence. The closest any of the guys over the last 32 years (the full list is here) came to doing that was Rick Pitino in 1997, when he lost the National Championship game and then accepted a job to coach the Celtics. He did not win more than 36 games in any of the next four seasons as Boston’s head coach. 

While history may not be on May’s side, he certainly has the resume to believe that he is closer to Brad Stevens than John Beilein. He has won everywhere he has coached; he hovered above .500 for four seasons at Florida Atlantic (FAU) and then exploded for 124 wins in 150 games over his next four at FAU and Michigan. That run included two Final Fours, two conference championships, and one National Title. He is a proven winner and is an exciting hire for Dallas. But he will have to overcome the hurdles that present themselves when transitioning from a college locker room to one with grown men. It’s okay to be happy that the Mavericks think they have their guy, but be aware that there are real and repeated failures with previous poachings of college coaches.

LeBron James has not made a decision about his future, but the uncertainty surrounding the NBA’s all-time leading scorer is already becoming one of the league’s biggest offseason storylines.

With free agency set to begin on June 30, James appears to be keeping every option on the table, from returning to the Los Angeles Lakers to exploring other opportunities — or even retirement.

According to ESPN insider Ramona Shelburne, initial conversations between James’ camp and the Lakers have remained informal and exploratory.

“LA is the first team he can talk to because they’re their own free agent,” Shelburne said on SportsCenter. “My understanding is they had initial conversations with LeBron James’ representative, but he has not even fully committed to returning next year in these conversations.”

Shelburne described the discussions as little more than both sides “keeping in touch,” noting that no contract figures have been discussed and no commitment has been made.

“I think that’s been interpreted as something like, ‘LeBron is still assessing his options,’” Shelburne said. “Whether that is retirement or whether that is other teams.”

That uncertainty was echoed by James’ longtime agent Rich Paul, who recently dismissed widespread speculation surrounding the four-time NBA champion.

“There’s nobody that knows anything about anything that pertains to LeBron,” Paul said. “LeBron James is gonna take as much time as he needs and wants.”

Paul added that roughly 10 to 12 teams have already expressed interest in James should he decide to leave Los Angeles.

Despite turning 42 during the upcoming season, James remains one of the league’s most productive players. He averaged 21.3 points, 7.2 assists and 6.2 rebounds across 70 games during the 2025–26 campaign, proving he can still impact winning at a high level.

The financial component could complicate matters. James earned $52.6 million last season, while the Lakers may prefer greater salary flexibility as they continue building around Luka Dončić.

According to Shelburne, James may be reluctant to take a substantial pay cut, particularly after feeling his sacrifices in recent years have gone underappreciated.

If James ultimately decides to continue playing elsewhere, Shelburne identified three realistic destinations: the Lakers, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors.

For now, however, no decision has been made.

The Lakers remain in contact. Rival teams continue to monitor the situation. And LeBron James, perhaps for the first time in years, appears to be carefully evaluating every possible path before making what could become one of the most consequential decisions of the NBA offseason.

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Hang uno up in the rafters. Booker is in his #15 era.

New number, new Book. Scoring 70 points in a loss Book is out, and gold medal Book is in. The Olympic 3 and D Book. The “I’ll do it” Book. The being-anything-the-team-needs-him-to-be Book. 

What could the player that Steve Kerr named the “Unsung MVP” of the 2024 Olympic gold medal team bring to the run-it-back Suns? I say, he’ll bring what he’s always brought, exactly what his team needs to win.

Steve Kerr went on to say this about Devin Booker.

“He’s probably the guy who has been the most adaptable to go from a different role in the NBA to a new one here. He’s adapted to being an on-ball guy, ball mover. The offense clicks when he’s out there, the defense is really good.”

In my opinion, the Suns need Booker to fill a new role in the 2026-27 season. More CP3, less Kobe. More Gary Payton, less Allen Iverson. This Suns team doesn’t win a playoff series or nab a 4-5 seed because Booker takes more shots. Not if that means Jalen Green has to take fewer shots. Or Dillon Brooks gets trigger-shy. Or Collin Gillespie defers. This isn’t the 2017 Suns, or the CP3 Suns that needed Booker to flame on every night. Booker doesn’t have to provide the bulk of the shots on this Suns team. SG1 isn’t a winning strategy. Let Ant and Spida spin their tires in the conference finals, chasing that title. The answer isn’t always more gas.

You know what the run-it-back Suns need more than 25 shots a night from Booker? Some of that Paris Olympics defense.

For being a team that wants to build off the defensive side of the ball, the Suns couldn’t keep anyone out of the lane, and by the time they got to the playoffs, the secret was out. Expect teams to attack the Suns with the drive until the tape gives them reason to pause. The Suns can’t be the type of swarming defense Jordan Ott envisions if they can’t stay in front of the ball. The coaching staff and front office are surely working to address that weakness, but could the Suns’ best player be a part of the solution?

Booker played good defense last season. Can he make that a more consistent part of his game? Can he step up and take on a difficult assignment in a playoff series? Could he hold up when he gets switched onto Ant, Luka, or Shai. What would that allow the rest of the team to do? If Booker is mixing it up on defense, game in and game out, what kind of effort are you going to get from Jalen Green? How does that intensity transfer to the young core? How aggressively do Collin, Oso, Fleming, and Dunn play? A great individual offensive performance can increase everyone’s confidence shooting the ball. Could great individual effort from Book on the defensive end have a similar effect? The rising tide raises all boats. The Suns need Devin Booker to be the rising tide, on the defensive end, and as a playmaker on offense.

Booker’s numbers weren’t as off from previous seasons as the fan reaction would have you think, but the efficiency numbers were down. Yet the biggest critique from Book’s post-season performance was that he wasn’t aggressively seeking his shot. Then people see Jalen Brunson in the finals relentlessly attacking, and everyone stands up and says, “See! That’s what Booker needs to do.” But when Booker was at his best, making finals runs, getting MVP votes, and making all NBA teams, he was efficient. His 45.6 FG% last season was the lowest it’s been since the 2017-18 season, and his 33.0 3PT% was the lowest it’s been since the 2018-19 season. How does forcing contested shots help that?

Booker is great when he’s pushing the 50/40/90 mark. If he has to shoot it 15-17 times a game instead of 20 to get there, so be it. Booker needs to leverage his basketball IQ and gravity to be a playmaker first, like you see from superstars like Jokic or Lebron. Not just to create open looks for his teammates but also to open up better looks for himself. Lebron and Jokic don’t attack the wall teams build to contain them. They work the ball around the wall until the defense has to come out to cover the corners of the court they thought they could sacrifice. That’s when Jokic or Lebron start scoring. That’s how they get the looks they want, not the looks the defense wants.

Booker would benefit from being a more opportunistic scorer this upcoming season. When he’s playing with the bench unit at the end of the first quarter. Go nuts. When the Suns brick consecutive shots, and the other team sparks a run. Get aggressive, get a bucket. When he catches Austin Reeves in rotation. Take him to the hoop. But you don’t need to kill yourself in the first half getting to your spot if Green or Brooks are getting good looks. Be smart about when you spend your energy. The Suns don’t need Booker to take over in the second quarter; they need him to get buckets in the 4th. That’s how, on any given night, Booker can take fewer shots than Jalen Green or Dillon Brooks and still be the franchise player the Suns pay him to be. CP3 had it down to a science.

Booker can’t stay 2023 forever. I’m sure he looks at guys like Lebron and CP3, who stretched their careers out long past their expected expiration date, and thinks how he could do the same for his career. Their games evolved with age, with the way defenses played them, with the teams they had around them. Booker’s game will evolve too.

From coming off the bench for Calipari at Kentucky to hitting corner threes for Steve Kerr in the Paris Olympics, Devin Booker has always been willing and able to assume whatever role he needs to play to win. For over a decade, he’s been the Sun’s offensive engine wearing the number 1. Maybe that’s not what the Suns need right now. Maybe the Suns need the Olympic Booker. Maybe it’s time for Suns fans to open their minds to what #15 has to offer.

Or maybe I’m wrong. Maybe the only thing that will change about Devin Booker is his number. Let me know in the comments what you expect from Book next season. Will we see a new Book? Or will SG1 strike back?

The Dallas Mavericks hired Dusty May! It’s a busy week around these parts but I asked the staff to react!

Matt: Yes. The move feels ahead of the curve, not painfully behind it. It will be great to have an X’s and O’s man on the Mavericks’ sideline. May is certainly not “watching, just like you guys.” He develops young talent, and the Mavs are likely to get younger in the immediate future. I’m all the way in and stand ready to be laughed out of the room if it goes wrong.

Bryan: If Dusty could handle Yaxel’s annoying ass and still make a team of transfers look like one of the best title teams in the last decade, I’ll gladly take him here. Spreadsheets Fan Club won the war, and the Dallas Mavericks should reap the benefits with May at the helm for Cooper’s early career.

Michael: I love this. It had become apparent we were targeting an NBA assistant or the top two college coaches. The latter (Jon Scheyer and Dusty May) were ironically, the “bigger” names of the bunch despite not being in the NBA. May demonstrated a keen ability to pull a team together to win a National Championship, and while time will tell how successful he will be at the NBA level, there are positive signs he’s going to be just fine. Worst case, we should have every confidence he can capably manage young guys, which the Mavs will hopefully be overflowing with before long. Even if he only sticks around a few years for something of a rebuild, there could still be huge benefits. Simply put, there isn’t much I’m questioning or doubting. This feels like a great hire for what we need, with the potential for big upside and a real chance May could be at the helm for years to come.

Chris: I’m normally a little skeptical about college to NBA hires, but I love this for the Mavs. May is fresh off a National Championship with Michigan so he’s proven he can win and do it a lot. He completely turned around the FAU program and then delivered Michigan its second championship. He’s a genius basketball mind with a knack for X’s and O’s. He’ll be great for helping recognize young talent, developing talent, and (hopefully) leading the Mavs back to eventual contention.

Jeremy: The Mavs needed to hit a home run with this hire, so why not go out and get one of the brightest minds in the sport? May’s evolution from Florida Atlantic to winning the National Championship at Michigan proves that his system travels and he knows how to win in multiple places. Granted, the NBA is a completely different animal, but the Mavs are going younger, so adding a college coach to grow alongside them isn’t a bad decision. If they select any of his players in the draft (Aday Mara, Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson), I’ll like this hire for the Mavs even more.

Gracie: I couldn’t be more thrilled. I’m even happier that the search is over heading into the draft and free agency. Hearing his name in the mix, I was skeptical on hiring a college guy, but his record speaks for itself. The fact that he has three of his guys in the mix for the draft combined with their championship run shows that he can coach and get his guys to where they need to be. I am excited to see what he can do with Flagg and whoever they draft on Tuesday.

Ben: I’m more skeptical than most about hiring a coach with no experience in the NBA. May might be worth the risk considering his résumé, but the college and NBA basketball ecosystems are just so different.

That being said, the college basketball world is changing, and maybe the two experiences overlap more than they have in the past. If the Mavs front office is thinking this, May is a great choice to take a chance on.

Kirk: Since I had essentially ruled this hire out due to various reports around the hiring process, I am thrilled that they were wrong. I don’t know enough about May. Michigan fans are upset, so that must mean something. Here’s hoping he’s awesome.

The most important player on the Detroit Pistons is undeniably Cade Cunningham. He is now a multitime All-Star, All-NBA player, and a true superstar. It is also clear that Trajan Langdon considers the core players alongside Cade to be Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren. Ausar for his all-world defense and Duren for his rim pressure, inside-scoring, and growing offensive repertoire.

But if you asked me which two players most defined the Detroit Pistons these last two seasons, I’m not sure I’d say any of the above. When I think about how this team went from the league’s cellar to a 6o-win team, I think about the energy, passion, grit, and voracious defense it took to get there. That is what the Detroit Pistons are to me.

And that is most exemplified by two bench players — Isaiah Stewart and Ron Holland. Those are also two players almost certainly being sent out in a deal for Tyler Herro, based on people I have spoken with within league circles and close to the franchise.

It’s clear to Trajan Langdon and everyone else what this team was missing in the playoffs — secondary playmaking, ball handling, and shot making. Those are not things you will find on the resume of either Stewart or Holland. You’d also find that in abundance with Herro, who has his flaws but is undeniably an extremely dangerous scorer at multiple levels and in multiple ways.

The Pistons, however, risk losing the very identity that got them to this point. Holland hasn’t broken out, and he still has a long way to go as a reliable offensive threat, especially from the perimeter. But he’s also the player I most associate with Making Things Happen™ when the Pistons needed a spark.

I wish Stewart would bomb away more from deep, but he’s one of the most impactful interior defenders in the NBA. He was one of only three players who held opponents to sub-50% shooting within 3 feet of the rim on three or more attempts per game.

It might seem like you’re sacrificing your fifth- and ninth-leading scorers to obtain a true No. 2 option on team desperate for it. Swapping out 18 points and low-usage minutes for a 20-25 point-per-game scorer. That’s all true. But you’re losing so much more than that.

You’re losing the heart and soul of the Pistons, and other players will need to step up to provide that juice, or the Pistons could find themselves stumbling backward instead of hurtling forward toward title contention.

Jalen Duren will need to learn how to not just defend the paint but also make people a little scared of bringing the ball inside. Ausar Thompson will need to be at least as willing a shooter as Holland was, while also taking every opportunity to dive on the ball, create chaos, and score in transition.

It’s unclear whether this deal is even possible if the Pistons send out the No. 21 pick instead of Holland. It depends on what Miami and/or Milwaukee values. But trend lines are pointing to Detroit keeping the pick and losing Holland.

For Trajan Langdon to send out the first draft pick he ever made for this franchise is significant. He needs to ensure that the player they select at No. 21 hits.

This is one of the few all-in adjacent moves Detroit is going to be able to make with this core. He can’t afford to make mistakes.

After Dusty May's stunning exit from the Michigan men's basketball program, the Wolverines will be looking within for the immediate replacement.

Michigan is expected to promote assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. as the interim head coach, according to multiple reports. The decision comes less than a few hours after May's departure to take the job with the NBA's Dallas Mavericks on Monday, June 22.

Boynton joined May's staff when he arrived in Ann Arbor in 2024, after spending seven seasons in charge of Oklahoma State. His time with the Cowboys was up-and-down, with one NCAA Tournament appearance in 2021 with a team that featured eventually NBA draft No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham. In addition to the one March Madness trip, Oklahoma State had two NIT bids under Boynton.

He finished with a 119-109 record in Stillwater.

Possible Dusty May replacements: Michigan may have interim fix. But who could be long-term option?

Opinion: Days before leaving, Dusty May sounded all-in at Michigan. Then, poof!

At Michigan, Boynton has been in charge of the team's defense, which was among the best in the country in the past season, giving up just 69.5 points per game with a nation's best 38.2% defensive field goal percentage.

It's a move that makes sense given Boynton was the only staff member with head coaching experience. The Wolverines previously had an assistant in Justin Joyner, who left to take the Oregon State job.

May's departure this late in the summer also makes it rough for Michigan to find a permanent replacement option when nearly all coaching positions are filled. Boynton will likely be in charge of Michigan for the entirety of the 2026-27 season as the Wolverines searched for a permanent replacement, which Boynton could end up filling.

Michigan is coming off a national championship season, and when Boynton's hiring is official, he will have to work to ensure the team's roster stays intact given the transfer portal rules for when a new coach is hired.

Can Michigan basketball players transfer with Dusty May leaving?

Yes, NCAA rules allow for the creation of a special transfer portal window following a head coaching change. At that time, players can enter the portal and potentially sign with another team.

When can Michigan players enter the portal?

According to the NCAA on Jan. 14, 2026, the Division I Cabinet enacted immediate rules changes for the transfer portal, including those for a team going through a coaching change.

Per the NCAA:

When a head coaching change occurs, a 15-day period will open five days after the new head coach is hired or publicly announced. If a new head coach is not announced within 30 days of the previous head coach's departure — and the 31st day after the head coach's departure is after the championship game — a 15-day window will open. The additional head coach departure window is available only after the basketball transfer window opens through Jan. 2.

Five days after Michigan hires or publicly announces its hire, the 15-day transfer portal will open, allowing players to enter and potentially sign with a team. The 15-day window will open if the Wolverines are unable to make a hire within 30 days of May's departure for the NBA.

That is separate from a 15-day transfer window that opens the day following the championship game, which in 2026 was on April 4.

Mike Boynton coaching record

Boynton joined May's staff in 2024 after serving seven years as Oklahoma State's head coach. Boynton was on Brad Underwood's staff for a year at OSU before Underwood left for Illinois. Boynton was elevated to head coach and posted a 119-109 (.522) record, which included two NIT quarterfinals appearances and a trip to the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Boynton Jr. to be named Dusty May's replacement, Michigan interim coach