The viral Warriors 2026 NBA Draft “war room” clip just showed Warriors owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy going over their decision to draft Yaxel Lendeborg, but coach Steve Kerr made his opinion known ahead of time as well, if only subtly.
“Our group asked him a couple days before the draft, ‘What’s the biggest need when you look at our roster?’” Dunleavy told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Bonta Hill and Monte Poole. “And he said, ‘There’s a huge gap in the middle of it with our forward position. We need a guy that can fit in there and connect the game.’
“And I was thinking to myself, ‘Is he trying to push us in a way to take Yaxel, or is he just speaking freely?’ And, sure enough, we ended up with a guy that potentially could do that. So, I think everyone is aligned on the same page and feels good about where we’re going.”
Lendeborg averaged 15.1 points — on a 64.6 true shooting percentage — as well as 6.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists his junior year at Michigan. Additionally, he was second in the nation in win shares (7.9) and plus/minus rating (plus-16.7), only behind No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer.
As for Kerr, Dunleavy says that following the coach’s decision to return to the team, he has seen an unmatched level of dedication.
“His commitment to this whole thing has been tremendous, not only just with the draft, but preparing for next season with our coaching staff and how we want to play,” Dunleavy told Hill and Poole. “He spent a lot of time with these guys. …
“He was at the workouts, he went out and got meals, we watched film with these guys. It’s definitely a thing where I wanted Steve, our head coach, to be comfortable with the player we were getting and the person. I feel, no doubt, with Yaxel we vetted that out really well.”
Lendeborg’s first season will be Kerr’s 13th as coach of the Warriors, and with Jonathan Kuminga being dealt last season, the Warriors adding a wing seems to be just what the doctor ordered.
DUBROVNIK, CROATIA - JUNE 13: Basketball Player and Team AlUla Co-Owner, Lebron James looks on in the E1 Owners Suite during the E1 Series Dubrovnik GP on June 13, 2026 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. (Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images) | Getty Images
To the surprise of few, LeBron James’ free agency is already off to an odd start this offseason.
A topic already of much debate before free agency has even officially started, how the Lakers and LeBron handled the coming weeks was always going to draw much attention. It turns out, however, the two sides have opted not to handle things at all yet.
Once the NBA Finals concluded, teams could begin negotiating with their own free agents. The Lakers clearly took advantage of that and reached a deal with Austin Reaves on Wednesday.
However, there has not been the same level of communication with LeBron. After checking in with him once that window opened, the two parties have not spoken since, as Shams Charania of ESPN revealed on NBA Today on Thursday.
“There was a check-in call made, to my understanding, early in free agency once teams were able to start negotiating with their own free agents. Since then, there hasn’t been much communication, from my understanding, between the Lakers and LeBron James’ side and certainly not an offer yet.”
On Friday, Charania reiterated that the Lakers had not yet offered LeBron a contract and that the discussions between the sides has been limited.
"The Lakers have not made an offer to LeBron as of yesterday."
Is this odd? Certainly. But does this rule out him returning to the Lakers? Certainly not.
To be fair to LeBron, he did just spend quite a few days reuniting with the 2016 Cavs team on the 10-year anniversary of their NBA title. Multiple of the former players in attendance, namely Richard Jefferson, chronicled online the days of golfing, cigar-smoking and, surely, wine-drinking that took place. LeBron likely had no interest in talking to the Lakers at that point.
At the same time, LeBron is no longer the Lakers’ top priority. Clearly, retaining Reaves ranked higher on the priority list this summer. Finding a center for the future is a priority. Filling out the rest of the roster is a priority.
There’s also the possibility that the Lakers know LeBron’s options are limited and will call his bluff. Perhaps they’re focused on filling out their roster and are leaving LeBron as the last part of their roster build and will present him a contract option based on what’s left for them.
It’d be a bold move and not one the Lakers typically make, but clearly this isn’t going to be a normal free agency situation for LeBron. Whatever course either the team or LeBron takes, it will be one of the team’s central focuses in the coming week.
SAN FRANCISCO – After three consecutive drafts in which the Warriors quickly introduced their second-round picks to the ways of the NBA, general manager Mike Dunleavy is ready to alter the script.
“We’ll get him through summer league and see how things go and see what happens next year,” Dunleavy told NBC Sports Bay Area on Friday. “But we like him as a long-term project in terms of the things we look for and what we value.”
Don’t expect to see Jones starting at forward two weeks into his rookie season, as second-round pick Will Richard did last season. There is very little likelihood that Jones will make his NBA debut in the starting lineup, as second-rounder Quinten Post did the year before, or appear in 68 games, as second-rounder Trayce Jackson-Davis did in the 2023-24 NBA season.
Jones’ road to the NBA has been bumpier than those of Richard, Post and Jackson-Davis. Jones began his collegiate career at Tarleton State (Texas) University, spent a year at Barton Community College, then a year at St. Bonaventure before transferring to Florida State for his senior season.
“There’s an underlying dryness, that sense of humor that he has that we appreciate,” Dunleavy said. “But he’s a kid that’s all about basketball. He’s pretty focused on the game, on getting better. He’s had a unique path, too, at multiple different schools. But we’re comfortable with him.”
It’s not that the GM is closing the door on Jones contributing as a rookie. With Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody both projected to miss at least the first half of the 2026-27 season, the Warriors currently have an acute shortage of wings.
Jones, who turned 22 last month, is 6-foot-7, 220 pounds with elite athleticism, decent shooting range, a willingness to attack the rim and a defensive mentality. His first opportunity to make his case for NBA-readiness will come next week during the California Classic Summer League at Chase Center.
Part of that comfort comes from Golden State’s familiarity with Jones’ coach at Florida State, Luke Loucks, who spent five years on the Warriors’ staff under coach Steve Kerr, beginning as an intern and eventually being elevated to assistant coach before leaving in 2021.
Between Loucks and former NBA journalist Adrian Wojnarowski – the general manager of men’s basketball at St. Bonaventure – there was plenty of intelligence available to Dunleavy and his lieutenants in the front office.
“Anytime we can do a background with people that we know and trust, it’s important,” Dunleavy said. “He was even at St. Bonaventure’s with Woj, who we have a comfort level with covering the NBA; he knows the NBA. Luke especially, too, being on our coaching staff, knowing what Coach Kerr and our group look for, we felt very comfortable with not only the player that he could be and fit in with us but the personality, too.”
The general belief among the Warriors is that Jones’ defensive development is ahead of his offense – but that his superior athleticism would stand out on their relatively unathletic roster.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 20: A close up of the diamond 2K Summer League ball and championship rings after the game during the 2025 NBA Summer League Championship game on July 20, 2025 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Sixers fans will now know the first time they’ll be able to watch No. 22 overall pick Labaron Philon Jr. play his first NBA minutes. The league announced the dates, matchups and times for this year’s Summer League. The post sent out by the league is a big jumbled mess of all the games, but thankfully Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com has posted just the Sixers matchups.
2026 Summer League schedule for the Sixers in Las Vegas (they are skipping Salt Lake City this year):
It will start later this year with three less games because, as Aaronson points out, the Sixers will not be participating in the Salt Lake City Summer League. The Sixers had played in Utah over the summer for the last decade, but this year they’ll wait for Las Vegas like the rest of the league.
That game against the Pistons on the 9th will take place at 5:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted on Amazon Prime Video. On the 11th they’ll take on the Pacers, also at 5:30 and on Prime. The 14th against Houston will also be on Prime at 4 p.m. ET. The 15th against the Magic will be also be at 4 but will be broadcasted on ESPNU, because all the games on one network would just be too easy.
Now it’s just time to see who else will be joining Philon on the Summer League roster. Recent second-round picks like Johni Broome and potentially even Adem Bona could see another year of reps. The Sixers have yet to announce any signings of undrafted free agents, but according to his alma mater, Bowling Green, Javonte Campbell has received an invite. Campbell was a four-year college player and reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year.
𝙅𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙡: 𝙉𝘽𝘼 𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝘽𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙
Congratulations to MAC Defensive Player of the Year Javontae Campbell on signing with the @sixers for the NBA Summer League!
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 24: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers during game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 108-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons are either one of the most aggressive teams in the NBA right now or they simply have so many options in how to reshape their team that rival agents and execs are dropping their name everywhere.
The latest bit of news/speculation/rumor-mongering involves the team’s chase for a second star to put alongside Cade Cunningham. The latest name to enter the fray — Jaylen Brown.
That news comes as reporting has trickled out of Boston that the Celtics might be aggressive in trying to relocate a potentially disgruntled star, and news out of Detroit that Detroit and big man Jalen Duren are at an impasse on sealing a new long-term deal.
In the past few days, Detroit has been linked to Kawhi Leonard. The team’s interest in Leonard dates back many months, but it has never been clear whether Leonard or his incumbent team was interested in relocating.
The idea picked up steam after some NBA insiders mentioned it during the NBA Draft broadcast on ESPN, but as early as the rumor lived, it shall die. Marc Stein and Jake Fischer write on Substack that Leonard has made it clear that he would have no interest in signing an extension if traded to Detroit, and the clarity of that message has made it clear to Detroit’s brass that they should move on.
The Pistons were also interested in Austin Reeves (agreed to new deal with the Lakers) and Coby White (agreed to new deal with the Hornets). The two report that Detroit remains interested in Tyler Herro, who Milwaukee is willing to move after obtaining him in the Giannis trade. They are also reportedly eyeing impending Heat free agent Norm Powell.
Earlier Friday, it was reported that the Pistons traded for Oklahoma City Thunder sharpshooter Isaiah Joe in exchange for two second-round picks. That move effectively makes the long arc of Detroit’s transactions look like this:
Pistons send:
Jaden Ivey and Isaiah Stewart, Pick 28 (Joshua Jefferson)
Anyway, with the addition of Joe, it is unclear if Detroit still feels a pressing need to add a player of the caliber of Norm Powell or even Tyler Herro. Stein and Fischer say interest remains.
Back to Brown.
Brown would be a huge addition to the Pistons, comparable to Leonard. He would also be quite expensive. The conversation surely starts with Jalen Duren in a sign-and-trade deal and continues on to include players like Duncan Robinson, probably Ron Holland as a defensive addition and young prospect, and one or two future first-round picks.
Is that palatable when it would also mean paying the $180 million over the ages 30-32 seasons for Brown? Your mileage may vary. And that doesn’t even take into full account the fact that Brown’s displeasure in Boston may begin and end with it not being his team. Would he be any more of “the guy” when trading Jayson Tatum for Cade Cunningham?
I would speculate that Cunningham would be much more apt to distribute to Brown than to make sure he’s leading the team in shots, but there is no confusion — this is and will be Cade Cunningham’s team.
It might all be moot as it should be noted that other reports with other sources are telling an entirely different story. Chris Haynes reports that the Pistons “are conveying that Jalen Duren will not be moved and are solely focused on coming to terms on an agreement to keep their All-Star center, league sources tell me.”
It looks like the battle lines are being drawn by both sides as the negotiations reach the 11th hour.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 15: Tyler Nickel #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores warms up prior to the 2026 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we patiently wait to know more about Jose Alvarado’s decision, it looks like Mitchell Robinson we’ll be gone within a week.
Sad day in this crib.
On the bright side of things, here are a bunch of quotes from and about the two newest Knickerbockers.
Vanderbilt’s Tyler Nickel on the hardest question he’s gotten during team interviews:
“Three people I would want to have dinner with, dead or alive.”
On the toughest pre-draft question an NBA team asked him:
“Somebody asked me, three people I would want to have dinner with, dead or alive, and that was tough; I didn’t expect that one. I think I ended up saying Jesus, Martin Luther King Jr., and LeBron.”
On being drafted by the Knicks:
“I feel crazy right now, just working my whole life to be in this position and obviously ultimately being drafted, it’s a dream. I feel like I’m in a dream right now.”
On going from Rockingham County to New York:
“It doesn’t even sound real. It doesn’t even sound like it would happen. It’s been a minute since it happened to anybody even in the area.”
On his mentality:
“[I’m] just fearless. Like, extremely fearless. It doesn’t matter who’s on the court, what’s going on, I’m never going to fear another man that walks this earth ever in any regard.”
On his confidence:
“Where I kind of like grew up, dude, if you didn’t believe in yourself to get to a certain level, it wasn’t gonna happen. You kind of have to have almost, to other people, a delusional sense of confidence. I trust myself so much just because of my work.”
On being himself:
“I’m never going to apologize for being myself or stop being myself just because people assume certain things or feel a type of way about it. People are going to feel some type of way about you regardless of what you do. So you might as well just be yourself in the process.”
“We are talking about a 19-year-old guy, but his mind and body aren’t those of a 19-year-old. This is the first thing that got my attention.”
Alan Ibrahimagic (Germany U19 Coach)
On Jack Kayil’s unselfishness:
“Sometimes he’s a little bit too unselfish: he always tries to find another teammate before looking at himself. He could be a much better scorer than he is right now. But with that said, he’s one of the best two-way guards in Germany.”
WHSV @jarvisharen: "If I'd have told you someone from Rockingham County's gonna be playing in New York City"
“He’s not taking his talent for granted, and he’s not just thinking that everything will fall in his place. He’s really working for everything he has, and that will take him a long way.”
On Kayil’s development as a point guard:
“He needs to get into the point guard mindset of running the team, controlling the next play, thinking always one step ahead: getting the ball to the ones who need it and getting others to the right spots, reading the game earlier and better.”
“‘You guys think this was all you and we’re not good enough’ … We’ve been hearing that all year and for our whole lives” — Landry Shamet on how the entire Knicks group has been written off at one point or another 🚨 NEW YM3 WITH SHAMET + JOHN TURTURRO DROPS TOMORROW 🚨 pic.twitter.com/625SpOKWC1
— TheOldManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) June 25, 2026
Fran Fraschilla
On trusting the Knicks’ scouting department:
“I trust the Knicks — they have a great scouting department. They hit on guys like this. … Let’s put it this way, I’ll say this — Walt Perrin and Brock Aller, they know what they’re doing. It’s not a given that either of these guys is gonna be a home run, but I would trust their judgment given their recent track record.”
On Jack Kayil:
“He’s a big, strong but young point guard who gained a lot of experience in a relatively high-level European league. It’s to his credit that he just led his Alba Berlin to an unexpected championship. That’s in his favor. Skillwise, he’s still a work in progress, but his athleticism and toughness give him a chance someday soon to be an NBA player. I’m guessing that the Knicks think he needs a little bit more seasoning. I would be surprised if he was on the roster, but he wouldn’t embarrass himself. But he’s not ready to be a contributor on an NBA championship team.”
On Kayil’s long-term outlook:
“He’s improving. He’s headed toward being an NBA player. I don’t know that he’s there yet, but he certainly made a big step this year, winning a championship. He was a focal point as a 20-year-old on a team with men, grown-ups.”
On Kayil’s strengths and weaknesses:
“He’s a point guard. He’s a creative playmaker who has the ability to create his own shot, but his shooting needs to improve. Having said that, he takes a lot of tough shots, because his team gets low in the shot clock. His shooting definitely needs to improve for him to be viable at some point in the future. I’m sure he’ll work on it.”
On Tyler Nickel:
“I like his size, his toughness and his shooting. He’s got the toughness to be an NBA player, and he certainly shoots it well. And I think that’s why they drafted him. He’s not a skinny, 170-pound kid. He’s well put together, very experienced, been to three schools, and was really a good player this year in the SEC. He’s got a quick release, deep range, and he’s fearless. The toughness and the fearlessness, off the bat, give him a chance to make an NBA roster.”
On Nickel’s NBA translation:
“He’s got a quick release and he is fearless. Fearlessly tough with it. He has amnesia after every shot — make or miss. …. Right off the bat, his outside shooting is very translatable. I would say lateral quickness, defensively, in the best league in the world will be his primary adjustment. But if you watch YouTube, you’ll see some sneaky athletic dunks.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: AJ Dybantsa poses on the red carpet prior to Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Washington Wizards now know when fans will get their first look at No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa.
The NBA released the 2026 Summer League schedule on Friday, with Washington set to play four games in Las Vegas beginning July 9. The Wizards will face the Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers as Dybantsa makes his pre-season NBA debut.
Washington opens Summer League against the Utah Jazz on July 9 in one of the event’s marquee matchups.
The game will feature the top two selections in the 2026 NBA Draft, as Dybantsa squares off against No. 2 overall pick Darryn Petersen for the first time since both entered the league. The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 20.2 points per game as a freshman at Kansas this past season while shooting 38.2% from beyond the arc.
The Wizards will then face the Brooklyn Nets on July 12, where Dybantsa could match up against former Louisville standout and No. 6 overall draft pick Mikel Brown Jr., another highly touted member of the 2026 rookie class. Brown Jr. missed 14 total games with the Cardinals as a freshman due to lingering lower back pain, but averaged 18.2 points per game when healthy.
Washington returns to the court two days later against the Chicago Bulls on July 14. The Bulls are expected to feature former North Carolina forward, and No. 3 overall draft pick, Caleb Wilson, giving Dybantsa another opportunity to test himself against one of the draft’s top prospects. Wilson is another draft pick returning from injury, after two hand/finger fractures ended his rookie campaign with Carolina before post-season play.
The Wizards wrap up their scheduled Summer League slate on July 15 against the Los Angeles Clippers, who added former Illinois guard and No. 5 overall draft pick Keaton Wagler in this year’s draft. Wagler led the Fighting Illini to the 2026 Final Four in Indianapolis this past March.
While Summer League results are secondary, the event provides an important first glimpse at Washington’s future.
After selecting Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick, the Wizards have made the 19-year-old the centerpiece of their rebuild alongside Trae Young, who signed a four-year extension earlier this week.
Summer League will offer the first chance to see how Dybantsa’s size, athleticism and shot creation translate against NBA competition, while also giving the Wizards an opportunity to evaluate the rest of their young roster.
Are the Warriors one move away from giving Steph Curry one last NBA championship run?
Kendrick Perkins thinks the answer is yes — and he has a very specific move in mind.
The former NBA champion and ESPN analyst made his case on Friday’s episode of First Take, urging Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. to pursue Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown before Curry’s window closes.
Perkins pointed out that five of the NBA’s 25 oldest players currently reside on Golden State’s roster — a “senior citizen group,” in his words — and argued that the Warriors need to respond the same way they did after blowing a 3-1 lead to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, when then-GM Bob Myers aggressively pursued and landed Kevin Durant.
“You go out, you make a move, it may not be the perfect piece, but you add Jaylen Brown to this roster,” Perkins said. “We don’t know when Jimmy Butler is going to come back, and when he does, we don’t know what he’s going to look like. That’s why you go get a young 29-year-old Jaylen Brown, who is playing at his highest level right now.”
Perkins was equally blunt about the Warriors’ current supporting cast. He acknowledged Draymond Green can still be an elite defender, but questioned whether Butler — returning from a significant knee injury — still is capable of being the second star this team needs alongside Curry.
“Jimmy Butler — I don’t know if he’s still that dude at this stage of his career,” Perkins said. “If I’m Mike Dunleavy, if I’m [owner] Joe Lacob, I’m definitely picking up the phone and calling Brad Stevens and saying, ‘What the hell do I need to do to get Jaylen Brown over here?’ Because also you get Jaylen Brown for now and the near future, after Steph Curry.”
The idea is provocative for a reason. Boston is not rebuilding; the Celtics were the 2023-24 NBA champions, with Brown locked into a supermax deal through the 2028-29 season. Any package that would move him almost certainly would require a significant haul of first-round picks, and Golden State’s draft capital is not exactly overflowing after years of contention-mode roster building.
But Perkins’ underlying point is hard to dismiss. The Warriors are running out of time, Curry is running out of prime years and the current supporting cast has done little to inspire confidence that Golden State can compete for a title as currently constructed.
Whether Dunleavy Jr. agrees is another question entirely. The call, according to Perkins, is long overdue.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 19: Dink Pate #28 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 19, 2025 at the Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The New York Knicks’ 2026 NBA Summer League schedule in Las Vegas features four preliminary matchups starting July 10. All 30 NBA teams participate in the 11-day showcase.
The Knicks’ preliminary Las Vegas schedule is as follows (all times Eastern):
July 10: vs. Brooklyn Nets (6:00 PM)
July 11: vs. San Antonio Spurs (6:00 PM)
July 13: vs. Detroit Pistons (4:00 PM)
July 16: vs. Golden State Warriors (7:00 PM)
Following these games, teams will advance to the Summer League playoffs. Semifinals will take place on July 18, and the Championship game is scheduled for July 19.
The Knicks’ roster is likely to feature newly drafted rookies Jack Kayil and Tyler Nickel alongside several familiar young players. Pacôme Dadiet, Ariel Hukporti, Tyler Kolek, Mohamed Diawara, and Kevin McCullar Jr. are all expected to see significant minutes as New York evaluates its young talent ahead of free agency. Take a break from the pool to watch the Summer Knicks, why dontcha?!
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 23: Caleb Wilson poses for a photo during the 2026 NBA Draft - Round One on June 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Melanie Fidler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
UNC’s connection with the Chicago Bulls has been a fascinating one over the last 40+ years. In 1984, the Bulls selected Michael Jordan as the third overall pick in the NBA Draft. Things went extremely well to say the least, and ultimately Jordan went on to become arguably the greatest NBA player of all time. In 2019, the Bulls drafted Coby White as the 7th overall pick in the draft, and while White himself eventually became the NBA player most UNC fans thought he could be, things were a trash heap as far as the Bulls organization goes. While Jordan won six NBA titles, White only made it to the NBA Playoffs once with the Bulls, only to get smoked by the Milwaukee Bucks.
That brings us to today: Caleb Wilson was selected with the fourth-overall pick to the Bulls, becoming just the third Tar Heel to be drafted by the franchise. The question, though, is will Wilson be set up for success better than White was? Or will he be resigned to play in the Play-In Tournament against the Miami Heat for the next six years? Let’s take a look at three reasons why things could play out a lot better for Wilson from an organizational perspective. Let’s start at the top and work our way down.
Arturas Karnisovas has left the building
When Coby White was drafted, the Bulls front office comprised of Gar Forman and John Paxson, who were in the middle of their villain era with the city of Chicago. After letting Jimmy Butler walk because they didn’t want to pay him a super max contract, things went downhill with the team at record speeds, and there was no immediate sign that things would get better. After drafting White, the duo known as GarPax would try to build a team around Zach LaVine, but ultimately after missing out on the playoffs four years in a row, Jerry and Michael Reinsdorf decided to make some changes.
In comes Arturas Karnisovas, and to speed things up, let’s just say things didn’t get a whole lot better. While things weren’t completely bad with AK, he still was not able to help Billy Donovan build a playoff team. The final straw was earlier this year when AK traded Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu for second round picks, and the Reinsdorfs had enough. Now the Bulls have Bryson Graham, who is widely respected for his ability to identify talent. He has said and done all the right things so far, and he has done the one thing that none of the names mentioned previously were willing to do: committed to a real rebuild. Caleb Wilson is the first building block in what will be a multi-step plan to finally return the Bulls to the NBA Playoffs.
Wilson won’t have to deal with Jim Boylen
When Coby White entered the league, Jim Boylen was the Chicago Bulls head coach. To put it nicely, Boylen was one of the worst NBA coaches that the league has ever seen. He stunted White’s growth by playing inferior talent over him, utilizing bizarre offensive and defensive schemes, and in general proving that he had no idea what he was doing. Again, that is putting it nicely. Boylen finished his head coaching career with a 39-84 record before getting fired and replaced by Billy Donovan, who while was a much better coach that helped develop White into a much better player, didn’t have the front office support to get the Bulls very far.
After deciding that he no longer wanted to coach for the Bulls after his contract was up, Donovan was replaced by former interim Portland Trailblazers head coach Tiago Splitter. While he only coached the Blazers for a short amount of time, he gained a ton of respect from the locker room, and just about every player hoped that he would stay. Carolina Hurricanes and now Portland Trailblazers owner Tom Dundon had other plans, though, and decided not to retain Splitter, so he decided to take his talents to the Windy City.
Splitter has a reputation for developing/getting the most out of his players, and many credit his efforts in getting the Blazers to the NBA Playoffs. If the same holds true in Chicago, there’s no doubt that we will see Wilson shine under the Bulls’ new leadership. It’s unfortunate that White got the short end of the stick, but Wilson will be led by a promising head coach.
Wilson’s role will be clear
The thing that bothered me the most about the Coby White situation in Chicago is that his role changed just about every year. After being buried on the bench under Boylen, he eventually found more playing time at point guard, and under Donovan he would bounce back and forth between point guard and shooting guard. While that sounds normal, it was who he was playing next to and what he was being asked to do that just never felt right.
With Caleb Wilson, though, it is hard to imagine that he will not have a defined role under Splitter. The Bulls drafted Wilson as the guy they want to build around in their rebuild, and there’s no ambiguity when it comes to what he can and can’t do. Splitter knows he’s getting a guy with a high motor who lives above the rim and can defend his tail off, and he hopes to develop him into a guy that can also stretch the floor and potentially create for others. And because the team is in a rebuild, the only pieces that are almost guaranteed to stick around for the next 2-3 years are Wilson, Matas Buzelis, Noa Essengue, and Dailyn Swain. Barring any big surprises, Wilson will likely become the franchise player, and he could develop into an All-Star when it’s all said and done.
From the outside looking in, it’s easy to see why anybody would be uneasy about Wilson getting drafted by Chicago. But it’s a new day in the Windy City in just about every way, and Wilson has a chance to do something special in one of the best markets in the NBA. For that to happen, the Bulls will have to do their part and not go back to their old ways.
CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 14: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots a free throw during the game against the Miami Heat during the 2026 SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 14, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
LaMelo Ball feels like the most polarizing player in the NBA. His highlight reel is a thing of beauty, full of dazzling passes, daring crossovers, and pull-up shooting with range that only Steph Curry can rival. Of course, Ball can also be a maddening player. His shot selection is exasperating when the ball isn’t going through the net, his on-ball defense can be atrocious, and there are many examples of his audacious passes turning into unforgivable turnovers.
It sure seems like the perception of Ball off the court is impossible to untangle from his production on it for most analysts. Ball has earned a reputation as the NBA’s clown prince for his reckless driving, his ridiculous tattoos, and his penchant to speak in slang that confuses older people. Ball isn’t actually that young anymore, he turns 25 years old just before the season, but he still feels like a caricature of everything older people don’t like about Gen Z.
The character assassinations on Ball are a little bit perplexing considering his Charlotte teammate Miles Bridges seems to face less pushback despite some horrifying domestic violence charges. It also overlooks that LaMelo is something of an analytical darling who left a massively positive influence on winning for the Hornets last season.
The Hornets started last season 11-22. After that, they finished 33-16 with the best net-rating in the NBA. With a better supporting cast around him, Ball trimmed some of the fat in his game, stayed healthy, and turned in an incredible season. When Ball was on the court, the Hornets out-scored teams by about eight points per 100 possessions — when he was off, Charlotte essentially played teams even. When Ball shared the floor with Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller, Charlotte was +15.1 per 100 possessions. When Ball sat and the other two played, Charlotte was negative 7.4 per 100 possessions.
In fairness, Charlotte put up some electric numbers with Coby White in place of Ball last season, but that was in a much, much smaller sample of minutes. White now takes over for Ball as Charlotte’s starting point guard after inking a new three-year extension. White is good, and he plays a more reliable game than Ball, but it feels like Charlotte also significantly lowered its ceiling in the process.
My favorite all-in-one NBA stat is EPM. LaMelo Ball was the 12th best player in the NBA by that metric last year. The other all-in-ones love LaMelo, too.
What makes Ball so good in these stats? It mostly comes down to his ability to improve his team’s scoring efficiency when he’s on the floor. Ball’s scoring efficiency is below-average on an individual level with 54.6 percent true shooting last year, but Charlotte finally figured out he could still drive an efficient offense if they loaded up on offensive rebounders. Moussa Diabaté became a revelation for Charlotte last season because he can grab Ball’s misses. Besides creating second-chance points, Ball’s passing also leads to efficient scoring chances. He had 4.8 rim assists per 100 possessions last year, which ranked in the 92nd percentile of the league. He ranked in the 93rd percentile in “teammate effective field goal percentage on potential assists.”
While he’s not really a good defender, Ball is a great defensive rebounder (99th percentile among guards), and he’s surprisingly quick to loose balls.
The Hornets were so good in the second half of the season that it’s shocking they decided against giving the team another chance. It’s even more surprising because Charlotte really didn’t get all that much back in return for him. The Hornets essentially only got one real pick swap (in 2028) and one first-round pick along with Reid because of complications with the other swaps.
Here are the pick swaps the Hornets received in the Timberwolves deal for LaMelo Ball:
2028: Hornets get more favorable of CLT/MIN 2029: Hornets already owned the least favorable of the UTA/CLE/MIN picks straight up. I think the Hornets will now be entitled to swap their own…
The Wolves are still going to be underdogs against the Thunder and Spurs next season, but at least they have more variance in a potential matchup with either after trading for Ball. LaMelo and Anthony Edwards are two of the most high-volume pull-up three-point shooters in the NBA. Minnesota will try to beat OKC and San Antonio by bombing away from three. Maybe they can actually pull off an upset if those shots drop in a short series.
When he plays carries a ton of weight — and it’s the most sensible reason for why Charlotte traded him. Ball averages 48 games played per year. He was mostly healthy this past season with 72 games played, but it’s possible he has chronic ankle injuries that will prevent him from being a full-time player moving forward. LaMelo’s brother Lonzo tragically saw his body break down at an early age. Hopefully those damn Big Baller Shoes don’t cut short LaMelo’s career, too.
The Hornets will look like geniuses if LaMelo keeps getting hurt. They know his body better than anyone, so maybe I shouldn’t doubt them. It’s just that if LaMelo stays healthy, he can make magic happen. He is a borderline superstar player by the advanced stats, not just the highlights, and he clearly had a big impact on winning for Charlotte last year.
The Hornets were primed to be the most fun to watch this season with LaMelo in the lineup. Maybe Charlotte will still be real good with Coby White and rookie Christian Anderson running the show, but it feels like they just lowered their ceiling in a big way.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 04: Isaiah Joe #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against Og Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on March 04, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Oklahoma City Thunder have traded wing Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for two future second-round picks.
Just in: The Oklahoma City Thunder are trading sharpshooter Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons for two future second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/rHf0VHp7k0
With the move, Detroit adds a much-needed movement shooter to complement Cade Cunningham. Joe averaged 11.1 points in just 21.2 minutes per game last season while knocking down 42.3 percent of his six three-point attempts per game. Fresh off helping Oklahoma City win a championship, the 26-year-old gives the Pistons another proven floor spacer and playoff-tested rotation player.
Joe has spent six NBA seasons with the Thunder and 76ers, averaging 8.2 points and 2.1 rebounds across 392 regular-season games. Of his 71 appearances last season, only nine came as a starter. With Duncan Robinson projected to open the season in Detroit’s starting lineup, and Daniss Jenkins also in the backcourt mix, Joe is expected to carve out a significant role off the bench for J.B. Bickerstaff.
The Pistons engineered a remarkable worst-to-first turnaround under J.B., finishing with an Eastern Conference-best 60-22 record. Cunningham emerged as an MVP candidate while leading Detroit to its first playoff appearance in nearly two decades. The Pistons rallied from a 3-1 deficit to eliminate Orlando in the opening round before falling to Cleveland in a grueling seven-game Eastern Conference semifinal.
For OKC, the move continues a reshaping of its championship roster. After also dealing Aaron Wiggins, the Bolts have turned the two veterans into four future second-round picks, adding even more draft capital to an already hefty collection of assets.
Acquiring Joe isn’t a move that transforms Detroit into a championship-caliber team, but it’s a smart piece of business. He is an efficient role player with championship experience whose movement creates open looks, and he will burn defenses that overload Cade. For the price of two future second-round picks? Nice pick-up.
From a Knicks perspective, we’re reminded that the Eastern Conference is still in flux. Teams are looking for every possible edge to challenge the WORLD CHAMPION NEW YORK KNICKERBOCKERS. This move brings Detroit closer to the finish line, but it doesn’t push them over. Consider it a solid marginal upgrade for a team intent on giving Cunningham some relief and keeping him happy in the Motor City.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 24: Isaiah Joe #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 24, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons addressed a glaring need for a reliable perimeter threat by agreeing to trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder sharpshooter, Isaiah Joe, ESPN reports. In exchange, the Pistons will send OKC two second-round picks. The Thunder will also save $76 million in luxury tax penalties by getting Joe’s salary off their books, per Yossi Gozlan.
Joe has shot better than 40% from three each of the past four seasons, all with the Thunder. He has attempted at least six threes per game the past two seasons. He becomes a critical three-point threat for a Pistons team that wants to provide as much space as possible around Cade Cunningham, and knew they needed a player like Joe, especially if they plan to also build around Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren as part of a young core.
There is still a lot of optionality on how Detroit is going to be able to execute this move as either an above-the-cap team or below-the-cap team. The earlier trade of Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies for three second-round picks gave them much needed flexibility as they navigate the desire to add a player like Joe (with one or two more additions likely to come), navigate whether they will retain fellow sharpshooter Duncan Robinson or waive him (only $2 million of his salary is guaranteed) in order to free up cap space, and the ongoing negotiations with restricted free agent Jalen Duren.
Much like Duncan, Joe is ideally a bench player who creates ample spacing and can knock down deep shots in a variety of ways. He ranked second in the NBA in catch-and-shoot threes per game of those with at least five attempts, knocking down 43.1%. He shot 39% above the break and 53.5% from the corners this season. With his high, quick-release and good body control, he also has the ability to hit threes off of movement and on quick relocations.
As detailed by Harrison Hamm at Only Down One, Joe was able to form a remarkable two-man game with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and I think many of those lessons can be applied to a new pairing with Cade Cunningham.
Ideally, this addition would mean Detroit has two great two-point shooters in both Joe and Robinson. Neither is an ideal defender, but both are lethal offensively. Of course, that depends largely on how the rest of Detroit’s offseason goes. Robinson could be shipped in a deal or waived as Detroit continues to search for a dangerous sidekick, likely at the shooting guard or power forward spots, to pair alongside Cunningham.
Detroit needs more shooting and solid guard play around Cade Cunningham and they got it with this move.
Oklahoma City reportedly is trading sharpshooter Isaiah Joe to Detroit for two second-round picks, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN and since confirmed by other reports.
This is a big win for the Pistons, picking up a 6'4" two guard who averaged 11.1 points per game and shot 42.3% from 3-point range last season for the Thunder. He is exactly the kind of addition Detroit needs in the back court. He can defend a little, has some handles, and is one of the better shooters in the league. He's also playoff tested and has a ring to show for it, the kind of veteran in the locker room that Detroit also could use.
Oklahoma City clears a roster spot and some cap space for future moves. Joe is set to make $11.3 million next season and has a team option at the same price for 2027-28. Sam Presti and the Thunder front office also pick up even more draft picks.
One other Pistons note: Detroit is letting other teams know Jalen Duren is not available in a trade, NBA insider Chris Haynes reports.
Duren had an All-NBA season, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds a game while playing high-level defense in the paint — he was key to Detroit getting the No. 1 seed. However, after a rough playoff run, he is having difficult negotiations with the Pistons over his next contract. Because he made All-NBA, he is eligible for a 30% of the cap max (starting at $49.6 million) but after the playoffs, the Pistons are likely offering a little less than that (maybe the 25% max he would have been eligible for if he had not made All-NBA, which starts at $41.4 million). There are plenty of teams that would love to jump in and make a trade for the 22-year-old center, but Detroit is telling them he's not available. Being a restricted free agent, Duren has little leverage here, which is why players and especially agents hate the RFA system.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 6: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks plays defense during the game against Trey Jamison III #55 of the Los Angeles Lakers on March 6, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s the worst-kept secret in the NBA that the Lakers are in search of a big man.
Not only is LA’s need for a center obvious to anyone who watched them this past season, but with Luka Dončić reportedly asking for an upgrade at that spot, the focus on that position has only increased.
So far, the Lakers haven’t done anything to bolster their frontcourt, but the offseason has just begun. And with the Lakers set to have a ton of cap space, the hope is that they could take advantage of a situation somewhere and snag a free agent from a team that didn’t want to pay the cost to retain said player.
That exact scenario might be playing out in New York.
“The Lakers, amid a growing pessimism that the Knicks will be able to hang onto Robinson, are also regarded as a likely suitor for the New York big man once free agency officially begins.”
Keeping a championship team together is tough. If Knicks owner James Dolan remains determined not to go over the second apron, then they could lose Robinson this summer.
Robinson is an unrestricted free agent and made just under $13 million last season, so there’s an opportunity here for LA to be aggressive and snag one of the best centers available this offseason.
The Lakers could certainly use a player like Robinson in their frontcourt, and it’s why they’ve been connected to him before this summer.
He doesn’t put up gaudy numbers, averaging just 5.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game for the Knicks. But he’s a solid role player, a respectable defender and an efficient scorer. Robinson shot 72.3% from the field this season.
He was an integral part of the Knicks’ title run and would certainly bolster the frontcourt even if he isn’t the star center Lakers fans are dreaming about.
If the Lakers can figure out a number that makes Robinson happy, but doesn’t break the bank, then he could be a good fit in LA.
We’ll see if he is actually interested in joining the Lakers or if the Knicks cave and do what it takes to keep their title team intact. For now, this is an intriguing situation to monitor and a potential solution to LA’s frontcourt woes as they try to build a title contending roster.
