Less than one week away from the 2026 NBA draft, we still don’t know much about the Sixers’ plans.

We’re starting to get word of some prospects whom the Sixers have brought in or will bring in for a predraft workout. We can make guesses based on big boards and their biggest needs, but the draft is unpredictable. Especially down at No. 22, expect the unexpected.

Adding to the intrigue of this year’s draft is the front office turnover, with Mike Gansey replacing Daryl Morey as the Sixers’ president of basketball operations. Jameer Nelson replaced Elton Brand as the No. 2 in charge, too, while Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment president of sports Bob Myers plans to be involved in high-leverage decisions including the draft, trades and free agency. Got all that?

Gansey said during his introductory press conference that he helped run the Cleveland Cavaliers’ draft in recent years. His previous picks could hint at where he’d be leaning at No. 22, and how (if at all) that might differ from Morey and Co.’s past approach.

Morey’s history

Morey’s front office made 10 picks between 2020 and 2025. Their draft history might be the best part of his Sixers resume.

The Sixers hit two home runs with Tyrese Maxey at No. 21 in 2020 and VJ Edgecombe at No. 3 in 2025. Jared McCain (No. 16 in 2024) looks like a solid double at least—albeit for the Oklahoma City Thunder now—while Isaiah Joe (No. 49 in 2020), Paul Reed (No. 58 in 2020) and Adem Bona (No. 41 in 2024) are all clear steals based on their draft slot. The jury remains out on Johni Broome (No. 35 in 2025), and I still believe in Charles Bassey (No. 53 in 2021), damn it.

Year	Prospect	Pick	Class	Age
2025	VJ Edgecombe	3	Freshman	19
2025	Johni Broome	35	Senior	22
2024	Jared McCain	16	Freshman	20
2024	Adem Bona	41	Sophomore	21
2021	Jaden Springer	28	Freshman	18
2021	Filip Petrušev	50	Sophomore	21
2021	Charles Bassey	53	Junior	20
2020	Tyrese Maxey	21	Freshman	19
2020	Isaiah Joe	49	Sophomore	20
2020	Paul Reed	58	Junior	21

One thing jumps out about the Sixers’ draft history under Morey: They drafted freshmen with all four of their first-round picks (Maxey, Edgecombe, McCain and Jaden Springer). They always preferred upside over more established options in that range.

When the Sixers were on the clock at No. 16 in 2024, both McCain and Dalton Knecht were still on the board. Knecht, a fifth-year senior, was a first-team All-American at Tennessee after averaging 21.7 points per game while shooting 45.8 percent overall and 39.7 percent from deep. McCain averaged only 14.3 points per game at Duke, but he shot 41.4 percent from deep.

When the Sixers took McCain, some fans were frustrated that they didn’t take Knecht since he was seemingly more of a sure thing. This past season, Knecht averaged 4.2 points in 10.2 minutes per game with the Los Angeles Lakers. McCain was the right pick at the time, and he continues to be so.

If the Sixers continued their freshman-only ways in the first round, they could take Chris Cenac Jr., Allen Graves, Koa Peat or Hannes Steinbach. Jayden Quaintance is also younger than all four of them despite being a sophomore. At least one of those players figures to be available at No. 22, if not more.

Will Gansey follow in those same footsteps, though?

The Cavs’ history with Gansey

It’s unclear exactly when Gansey took over the Cavaliers’ draft room. But since he ascended to assistant general manager in 2017, the Cavs had draft picks all over the first round, giving Gansey plenty of experience with a bunch of different scenarios.

On the high end, the Cavs took Evan Mobley (No. 3 in 2021) and Darius Garland (No. 5 in 2019), both of whom developed into All-Stars. Granted, they also whiffed on the No. 5 overall pick in 2020 (Isaac Okoro) while Onyeka Okongwu, Deni Avdija, Devin Vassell and Tyrese Haliburton were all still on the board.

The Cavs did snag Jaylon Tyson with the No. 20 overall pick in 2024, and he turned into a quietly key contributor for them in his sophomore season. In 66 games (42 starts), Tyson averaged 13.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists in only 26.9 minutes per game while shooting 49.3 percent overall and 44.6 percent from three-point range.

Tyson is more akin to the type of prospect whom the Sixers should realistically hope to land at No. 22 rather than a miracle like Maxey. Finding a future star at that spot would be incredible, but if nothing else, the Sixers need a solid single or double there. They can’t afford a total whiff.

During his introductory press conference, Gansey hinted at the types of prospects that he’d be looking to bring in.

“With the draft coming up, for example, you’re talking to plenty of coaches and people who have been around these [prospects],” he said. “You want to bring in good people. If they don’t want to be here or you don’t feel they fit our culture, then we don’t want them.

“We want people who want to be in Philadelphia. I want competitiveness. I want toughness. I want guys who hate to lose. Those are the kinds of people I’m going to target and want to bring onto this roster.”

With that said, there’s no easy way to gauge intangibles like competitiveness and toughness. That’s where the Sixers need to do their due diligence by talking to coaches and staffers who worked with those prospects.

Luckily, the Sixers already seem to have begun placing a premium on those characteristics even under Morey. Edgecombe’s ferocity on the court might have helped separate him from Kon Knueppel and Ace Bailey as the Sixers deliberated who to take at No. 3 last year.

So, as you’re poring over draft profiles and big boards for the next few days, pay close attention to the prospects’ character reports. As much as the Sixers will prioritize upside and fit, they’ll also be hunting for prospects with that dawg in them.

The impact of NIL

Even if Morey had stayed in charge, the Name, Image and Likeness era would have forced them to change their draft approach regardless.

Five years ago, an NBA-record 353 players initially filed as early-entry candidates for the 2021 draft, and 217 early-entry players remained in the draft. This year, only 71 players filed as early-entry candidates—the lowest mark since 2003, according to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress—and only 31 stayed in the draft.

Now that players can (legally) rake in millions in college via their NIL rights, deciding whether to stay in the draft is much tougher for those who aren’t projected to be high lottery picks. The number of early-entry candidates has plummeted accordingly in recent years.

Florida forward Thomas Haugh, UConn guard Braylon Mullins and Arizona big man Motiejus Krivas were all showing up as possible mid-first-round picks in mock drafts during March Madness. All three chose to return to school for another year, which thinned out the back half of the first round.

In March, former Memphis Grizzlies vice president of basketball operations John Hollinger noted at The Athletic that “most draft model will say that you shouldn’t really draft” seniors, “especially the 23-year-old ‘super seniors’ coming off their fifth year.” He added that “those draft models are now almost certainly wrong” because of NIL.

It used to be a red flag if players returned to school for that many years. Now, the allure of NIL money might be too tempting to turn down for those who aren’t projected to go in the top 10 or 15, particularly if the following class isn’t expected to be as strong.

So, while Morey and Co. prioritized freshmen in the first round, don’t be surprised if the Gansey-led Sixers take a wider view of prospects. NIL is effectively forcing their hand.

With the New York Knicks crowned champions and parading down Broadway, the other 29 teams can now focus on what’s next. With the 2026 offseason set to begin with the NBA Draft on Tuesday and Wednesday, let’s take a look at which teams project to have the best and the worst futures.

The general idea is that if you were to pick an entirely new team to root for, which team would you pick so that you would have the most enjoyment for the next five or so years?

The factors I considered when ranking these teams include: how likely is the team to win the championship?, how many regular season and playoff wins will they give their fans to enjoy?, how many draft assets, current and future, do they have to build or rebuild their team?, and do they have a superstar or young player with the potential to be a superstar on their roster?

I’m sure there will be plenty of disagreement with my rankings, whether I have a certain team too high or too low, so let me know how stupid I am down in the comments.

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1. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs were so incredibly ahead of schedule this last season. They were projected to win 43.5 wins before the season and ended up blowing that number out of the water with 62 wins and a trip to the NBA Finals. While they did lose in five games to the Knicks, they still project to be one of the best teams in the NBA for years to come.

San Antonio has the best young superstar in the NBA, Victor Wembanyama, who at age 22 is already one of the best players in the league. They have an incredible amount of young talent around Wemby, including fellow lottery picks Stephon Castle and another potential star, Dylan Harper.

The only issue they currently have is De’Aaron Fox’s four-year, $221 million contract after playing so poorly in the Finals. This will not be an issue now, with most of San Antonio’s best players on rookie deals, but they will likely need to trade Fox away before guys like Wembanyama, Castle, and Harper get expensive.

The combination of the Spurs’ incredibly young and talented roster, Wembanyama especially, while being currently tied for the best odds to win the 2027 title, puts them at the top of these rankings.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

Sitting narrowly behind the Spurs are the Thunder. The two teams that won the most games in the 2025-26 season are currently tied for the best odds to win the 2027 championship.

If the Thunder don’t make any cost-cutting moves, they will owe a luxury tax bill upwards of $210 million on top of the almost $260 million in player salaries they have on the books. If they want to get under the second apron, they will have to move on from players like Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort. If they stay at their current salary level, making in-season trades will become very difficult, if not impossible.

OKC has the draft assets and cost-controlled players like Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain to keep its team intact while also being affordable under the second apron, but its stockpile of first-round picks is not as unwieldy as it once was.

A case could be made to put the Thunder at the top of these rankings, but the Thunder just have a few more questions to answer than the Spurs do, which lands them at number two.

3. New York Knicks

Each of these teams in the top three could be interchangeable with their ranking. While the upside for the Spurs and Thunder is rooted in players and picks, the case for the Knicks being this high is more of a subjective one.

They don’t have the draft assets or young players like some other teams, but they are coming off of one of the most joyous playoff runs in the history of sports. That feeling will likely carry over into next season as they attempt to defend their title.

The second apron will likely cost them players like Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet, but with Jalen Brunson on his below-market deal, the Knicks will be able to retain their top-five players while still having flexibility to add smaller pieces to replace the bench pieces they might lose.

Ultimately, the Knicks are the reigning champions who will be running back their team for at least another season, if not longer. Given that, the third spot on this list is the lowest they can be.

4. Boston Celtics

The next five teams on this list could all arguably be put in this spot. The reason I have the Celtics is that they have proven to be able to put together a high-quality team almost regardless of circumstance.

Boston has won 50 or more games in five straight seasons, including last season, in which they were missing Jayson Tatum for most of the year. They are also just two years removed from winning the championship in dominant fashion.

The Celtics have also been one of the teams on the list to potentially trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and are seemingly the only team that would be able to trade for him while still being able to compete at a championship level, with Jaylen Brown likely being the main trade chip.

The only downside with the Celtics is that they may look to stay below the luxury tax next season to reset the repeater tax, which would greatly hamper their ability to improve the team for next season while saving ownership a boatload of money.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves

Despite a disappointing regular season, an unceremonious end to their playoff run in the second round, and little to no draft capital, the Timberwolves are still in as good a spot as any team moving forward, including a superstar player entering his prime, talented young pieces like Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid ready for larger roles, and few players on above-market rate contracts.

The Wolves have been one of the most successful teams in the NBA for the past five seasons. While they do not have an NBA Finals appearance to show for it, they are the only team to make the playoffs each of the last five seasons and win at least one round in each of the last three.

Their previous playoff success and the ever-growing superstardom of Edwards are the main reasons for optimism moving forward. The Wolves still have a lot of questions moving forward, including what to do with Julius Randle after an excruciatingly bad playoffs, but they have proven to be an extremely competitive team, even with an ill-fitting roster.

6. Los Angeles Lakers

Like many teams around them in this area of the rankings, the Lakers have a superstar in Luka Dončić, but do not have many draft assets. What they do have, unlike many other teams, is financial flexibility and potentially cap space this summer.

LeBron James and Austin Reaves are both set to be free agents. While losing James, and especially Reaves, would be a big hit for the team and the fan base, it might be the reset the Lakers need as they build around Dončić.

What the Lakers do with that flexibility, and if they can retain one or both of James and Reaves, this offseason will determine whether they rise or fall in these rankings come the start of next season.

7. Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokić is the sole reason the Nuggets are this high, and the good reason. The three-time MVP and one-time Finals MVP continues to stack up historic seasons as he has finished in the top two in MVP voting each of the last six seasons and in the top ten each of the last eight.

The downside is that Denver had a spectacular flameout against the Wolves in the Playoffs while having the fewest draft assets in the NBA to improve the team. They also have an owner seemingly unwilling to spend big money on the team, which may cost them Peyton Watson in free agency this offseason.

The Nuggets still have the fifth-best odds to win the 2027 title, so they can’t be put lower than seventh on this list, but they seem to be on thinner ice than any other time in the Jokić era.

8. Detroit Pistons

It’s really tough for me to square the 60-win regular season with their performance in the Playoffs. The 60 wins signal that Detroit was a championship-caliber team, but at no point during the postseason did they look like one.

In the end, the Pistons did win a ton of games last season, including a Playoff series. They also have a more-than-solid young superstar in Cade Cunningham, plenty of financial room to add talent and salary, and they also have all of their draft picks to upgrade their roster.

9. Houston Rockets

These next three teams have talented rosters, but all have large looming questions to answer. For the Rockets, it is what happened to their locker room in the second half of the season. Watching them both in person and on TV, it seemed like everyone involved hated playing with each other.

Losing both Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams was a huge blow to the team’s chances in the Playoffs. An offseason to refigure the roster should help to fix the positional deficiencies they had by the end of the season, but the flameout in the Playoffs against a Laker team missing both Dončić and Reaves leaves a really poor taste in everyone’s mouth.

Unlike many teams in this area of the rankings, the Rockets do have plenty of draft capital they could trade to help improve the roster. Also, unlike other teams, their best player will be 38 years old next season and just missed five of his team’s six Playoff games.

10. Cleveland Cavaliers

Similar to the Timberwolves of the past couple of seasons, the Cavaliers were disappointing during the regular season, but did enough during the Playoffs to make the Eastern Conference Finals before being absolutely decimated by the Knicks. The Darius Garland for James Harden might end up being the correct move for the Cavs, but it did move up the team’s timeline somewhat significantly.

Kenny Atkinson might disagree, but Cleveland, as currently constructed, will need to improve on their current roster to jump into true championship-contender status. What makes it tough is that if Harden opts in to his $42 player option, the Cavs will enter the offseason over the second apron with multiple roster spots still left to fill.

The Cavaliers could look significantly different heading into next season. How they navigate this offseason will determine whether they are a whole lot higher or lower on this list 12 months from now.

11. Indiana Pacers

The main reason the Pacers are not higher is a small bit of skepticism that they can replicate the type of team they were two seasons ago, when they came a win away from winning the title. Most of my worry would be with Tyrese Haliburton’s health and how quickly he can return to his 2024 and 2025 form.

Giving up a pair of first-round picks, including what ended up being the number five overall pick, for Ivica Zubac is a tough trade, although Zubac should be a good fit for the Pacers, who lost Myles Turner last offseason. The Pacers, injury report willing, should once again be one of the better teams in the East and have most of their picks remaining to re-tool their roster if needed.

12. Utah Jazz

The Jazz are the first team on this list whose ranking has as much or more to do with their assets and the future of their roster.

I don’t know how good they will be this upcoming season, but they have a very talented roster that includes Jaren Jackson Jr, Lauri Markkanen, Ace Bailey, and the number two overall pick that is most likely to be either Darryn Peterson or Cameron Boozer. Utah also has extra draft picks that could come in handy as the team gets more expensive.

Utah does have contract negotiations with Walker Kessler and Keyonte George that have already seemed to hit a bit of a snag, which will likely be a large focus of their summer after next week’s draft.

13. Dallas Mavericks

If I had done these rankings before the NBA Draft Lottery in 2025, I think the Mavericks would have been dead last. With the trade of Luka just months prior, the Mavs fan base was in one of the worst spots imaginable.

While the pain from losing Luka is probably still felt in Dallas, winning the Cooper Flagg lottery has helped heal those wounds at least a little bit. Replacing Nico Harrison with Masai Ujiri and moving on from Jason Kidd have also likely improved the vibes in Mavs land.

The Mavs are still in rebuilding mode and will need to continue to stack talent on their roster, but Flagg is as good a rebuild head start as a team could ask for. It will be interesting, especially from the Timberwolves lens, to see if Dallas trades Kyrie Irving or decides to hold on to him

14. Charlotte Hornets

For the first time in a long time, things seem to be looking up for the Hornets. Kon Knueppel had an outstanding rookie season, setting 3-point records all over the place as Charlotte finished the season going 28-10 in the second half of the season.

Along with a solid roster that should compete for a top-six next season, they are also among the teams with the most draft capital in the NBA, including the 14th and 18th picks in this year’s draft. They are still a move or two away from contender status, but things are looking up in Charlotte.

15. Washington Wizards

Last month’s Lottery results played a big role in the ranking for many teams, none more so than the Wizards, who won the number one pick. They will likely select AJ Dybantsa and add him to their young core that includes Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, and others.

The weirdest part about the Wizards’ roster is the trades for Anthony Davis and Trae Young. It’s hard to fault them for buying low on two former All-NBA players, but their fit with a team that seems to be rebuilding is an awkward one. Young has also indicated that he is going to decline his nearly $49 million player option, but that might not be the right thing for the Wizards.

Washington is likely still years away from competing, but Dybantsa (or whoever they take) alone puts them in the top half of this list.

16. Philadelphia 76ers

I think the 76ers best represent the middle-of-the-road team in the NBA. Like they did this last season, they should again have a pretty solid team that can compete and in the Playoffs, but it’s tough to see the path to greatly improving their team that got swept by the eventual champion in the second round.

Joel Embiid and Paul George make a combined $110 million, which makes building around the team’s two young stars, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, a bit precarious. Embiid and George are still good to great players, but due to injuries and age, neither will likely live up to their lofty salaries.

17. Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers had a nice bounce-back season as they made the Playoffs for the first time since trading Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. They also have access to future Milwaukee Bucks picks, which have a chance to be super valuable if/when the Bucks move on from Antetokounmpo.

The worrying part is the new owner, Tom Dundon, who has been cutting costs left and right to a worrying degree. Maybe that worry will become unfounded as Dundon’s Carolina Hurricanes did just win the Stanley Cup, but the concern is that when the Blazers’ roster requires spending extra money, ownership might not be willing to do so.

18. Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks had two chances at a top-four pick in the lottery with both the Pelicans and Bucks picks, but neither came through. Still, they had had a solid 2025-26 season and took two games off the Knicks in the Playoffs, something no one else was able to do. With no standout asset or superstar, though, the Hawks are in the bottom half of the fan rankings.

19. Memphis Grizzlies

Speaking of the Lottery, after fullying bottoming out and embracing the rebuild following the trades of Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr, the Grizzlies won the number three pick and will likely end up with either Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, or Caleb Wilson.

They also have a ton of extra draft capital after liquidating their roster, and still have one more trade to make with Ja Morant still on their roster. They have done a good job getting value with their trades, but they can’t be any higher on this list as they project to be one of the worst teams in the NBA next season.

20. Golden State Warriors

The Warriors are a very difficult team to rank. Recently re-signed head coach Steve Kerr said it best when he called his team a “fading dynasty.” Steph Curry and, to a lesser extent, Draymond Green are still great players, and the Warriors will get Jimmy Butler back healthy next season, but lack the roster depth beyond their top players.

Maybe the Warriors can swing some crazy transactions this offseason. There have been rumors of LeBron heading to Golden State if he leaves the Lakers. Even so, this current version of the Warriors seems far away from competing at the highest levels in the Western Conference, and the future seems rockier than it’s been in over a decade.

Curry still being on the roster keeps the Warriors out of the bottom ten, as fans can still watch their franchise legend play great basketball on a good but not great team.

21. Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers are also a very difficult team to rank. They made a home run trade, swapping Ivica Zubac for Benedict Mathurin, who ended up being the number five overall pick in a great draft, and a future Indiana first-round pick. The James Harden for Darius Garland trade also made a ton of sense for them.

The Kawhi Leonard Aspiration scandal and the penalty they will possibly receive from that still looms over the franchise. The Clippers feel like a team stuck between competing and a rebuild. Maybe a potential trade or not of Leonard will signal which way they plan to go.

22. Orlando Magic

I could be ranking the Magic too low, given that most teams do not have a trio of players at the same caliber as Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Desmond Bane. Unfortunately, Orlando’s talent only translated to 45 wins and the eighth seed.

While the Magic likely would have upset the Pistons if not for an injury to Wagner, their offense performance in Games 6 and 7 was so putrid it signals that something needs to change in Orlando. The problem is that already sent out multiple draft picks to acquire Bane and are already bumping up the second apron, which makes improving a roster during the season nearly impossible.

23. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors feel like a team stuck in the middle. A solid enough roster that won 46 games and took Cleveland to a Game 7, but they lack a true superstar who could carry a team through the playoffs, and will be paying Brandon Ingram, Immanuel Quickley, and R.J. Barrett a combined $102 million next season. They don’t have any extra future draft picks, but have all of their own as well.

With the new lottery rules, maybe being stuck in the middle isn’t so bad anymore.

24. Brooklyn Nets

Likely the biggest loser on draft night (along with the Pacers) was the Nets. They finished with the second-worst record in the NBA and ended up with the sixth pick to show for it. On top of that, their roster is devoid of any standout talent and is a long way away from putting together a quality team.

On the bright side, the Nets have the best treasure trove of draft assets available to them, with multiple first-round picks coming to them each of the next few years. That saves them from the bottom of the fan rankings, but it still projects to be a long time before the Nets can turn that draft capital into an actual winning team.

25. Chicago Bulls

The Bulls finally bottomed out and cleaned house. It is a welcome sign for a franchise that has been stuck in the Play-In tournament for far too many seasons. Next season, Chicago will have a new front office, a new coaching staff, and what at the moment seems to be one of the least talented rosters in the league.

The saving grace is that the Bulls got lucky on lottery night and have the number four pick, a great spot to be in a draft that appears to have four top-tier prospects. They also have the number 15 pick in this year’s draft, but that is the only extra first-round pick they currently have from another team.

While the teardown is a welcome sign, it also came a year or two too late. Now with the new flattened lottery odds, it may be tough for the Bulls to add talent after this year’s draft.

26. Phoenix Suns

The Suns had a very successful 2025-26 season, given the expectations. They won 45 games and made the playoffs before being swept out by the Thunder. It was likely a welcome sign for Suns fans that the team rebounded after the disaster of the season prior.

Still, the Suns are still recovering from the Kevin Durant trade in many ways. They have multiple of their first round draft picks that are out the door and did not receive nearly as much value from the Rockets as they sent out for Durant a few years prior.

The half-decent team they put together keeps them out of the cellar of the fan rankings, but still might be a rough few years ahead for the Suns.

27. Miami Heat

While the Heat might be in a pole position to trade for Giannis, everything else about where their franchise is going does not inspire confidence. Their roster is okay, as they won 43 games last season, but it is fairly uninspiring past Bam Adebayo. Even if they do swing a Giannis trade, I don’t see how they are able to put a quality team around him and Adebayo with what is left.

If the Heat do acquire Antetokounmpo, I will revisit this ranking. Until then, not really sure what the plan is down on South Beach.

28. Milwaukee Bucks

It made sense for a while for the Bucks to wait until the last possible moment to part with Giannis, but now feels like the right time. The Bucks are still many years away from controlling their own first-round pick, and their roster is in really rough shape talent-wise.

If Milwaukee does move on from Giannis, their ranking could move up if they get a good package back, but could also hit rock bottom if the Heat’s reported offer is all they get. If they do hold on to Antetokounmpo heading into the season, things might get ugly.

29. Sacramento Kings

I’m sorry, Kings fans. They do have some extra draft picks, including the Timberwolves 2031 first-rounder, and Domantas Sabonis could get a half-decent return in a trade, but with this being the fan rankings, I kinda have to put the Kings about as low as possible.

It feels that until the Kings get new ownership, nothing is going to change.

30. New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans have some talent on their roster, but as we saw this last season, it just does not work well together. Zion Williamson, mostly due to injuries, has not lived up to the hype for him coming into the NBA, and probably needs a change of scenery at this point.

We will see if Williamson, Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, or Herg Jones are on the move this summer. Maybe with the new lottery rules, the Pelicans will elect to keep much of that talent on the roster to avoid finishing at the bottom of the standings.

With a better-run organization, there would be some hope that they could either turn things around with this roster or flip certain pieces into better-fitting ones, but that’s the problem. Ownership does not seem invested in turning the team around, and the front office has made many poor decisions, including trading away the team’s first-round pick before a 26-win season.

The Knicks' first title in 53 years brought the whole city together. A first-person report from the Canyon of Heroes.

OG Anunoby is at the free-throw line. He misses the first. My entire body tenses. The second shot falls. The Knicks are up by 4. The Spurs inbound the ball. The clock reads 7.7. San Antonio has no timeouts and less than eight seconds to bring the ball up the floor and somehow score 4 points. Any rational basketball fan would say that the game is all but over. Although, if you're a Knicks fan, it's that "but" that keeps your lungs from filling completely. In a game that was essentially over, I felt exactly like Quint from Jaws describing his rescue from the wreckage of the Indianapolis, "You know that was the time I was most frightened? Waitin' for my turn." Letting yourself believe would be tempting the fate of God. No matter how intellectually certain victory seemed, there was always that nagging doubt, a voice screaming this doesn't happen for Knicks fans. But, like Quint, our turn finally came. The Knicks are NBA champions once again, 53 years after the years of Clyde Frazier and Willis Reed. Those 53 years were the 1,100 men that went in the water, and we all know only "three hundred and sixteen men come out, the sharks took the rest." Sharks with names like Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, Reggie Miller, and Tyrese Haliburton.

The jubilation of New York City over the past month reached its pinnacle today when, at long last, New York City had a parade to celebrate their very own New York Knickerbockers entering the Canyon of Heroes and the books of history. The New York Post is reporting today's parade as the largest ticker-tape parade in Big Apple history. Knicks fans flooded lower Manhattan, hoping to catch a glimpse of the team that brought the Larry O'Brien Trophy back to Madison Square Garden. Knicks fans were so desperate to figure out ways into the celebrations that I heard from two different attendees (who asked not to be named) about the ways they skirted around the law. One man claimed he walked the parade route at 3 a.m., trying to find hidden access routes past the barricades. He said he had found the perfect spot and even buried a set of bolt cutters there, but his access was blown when some less-than-careful teenagers stumbled upon his entry and their babbling alerted the cops. Another attendee showed me his homemade "all-access" badge, which, along with his confidence, succeeded in granting him access to the closed-off ceremony plaza. Knicks fans are devoted.

Fittingly, Mike Breen, the voice of the Knicks, was the emcee of the ceremony at City Hall, in which Mayor Zohran Mamdani presented everyone in the Knicks organization with a key to the city. The oppressive heat and humidity muted the crowd response slightly, so the Knicks City Kids didn't get the response they were probably expecting, but once the champions came out, a crowd of fans, celebrities, and former players (John Starks was in the crowd chomping on a rather large cigar) "paid homage to their heroes" in the parlance of Walt "Clyde" Frazier.

The entirety of City Hall Park was closed off with several moats of barricades, so even with a press pass (real or homemade) it took some doing to get through. I made it through security at 6:30 a.m. and found a spot directly across from the dais, nestled between a cable news video village and one of five confetti cannons that, when fired, covered City Hall Park so completely in orange and blue confetti that I almost lost some of my own video equipment. From the moment I landed in my spot to the final speech, there was a consistent roar from the crowd behind me on Broadway. Every 20 minutes or so we would hear a large swell of noise before it diminuendoed back to its steady ambient. Inside the park, the audience ran deep with Knicks devotees, such as superfans John Turturro and Ben Stiller, and members of the extended Knicks media universe like 7PM in Brooklyn podcast co-host The Kid Mero and Roommates Podcast co-host Matt Hillman. Josh Safdie had what looked like an Arri camera on a shoulder rig filming the speeches, no doubt for the upcoming A24 documentary he and Stiller are making on the Knicks.

Sports still seem like the most socially acceptable reason for grown men to cry. Parade attendee Peter Abbadessa admits to getting a little emotional when the final second ticked off the clock. Abbadessa said, "It means everything to me as a fan and as a New Yorker. My family, we've been in New York here since 1896. It's everything to bring this city together. It's a dream come true." And it's true: the Knicks are unique among New York sports teams in that they don't split the city — they unite it. Yankees or Mets. Giants or Jets. Rangers or Islanders. All the other New York fan bases are split, but in New York there's only one NBA team that matters, and for too long was a source of nothing but heartache and disappointment. Photographer Chris Bacarella said this championship "felt like watching the ’07 Giants on steroids."

The joy this Knicks run has sparked has been nothing short of magical, and it extended beyond the confines of New York, as the Knicks fans travel, so does the jubilee. Los Angeles writer and comedian Colby Smith needed to do nothing more than leave his apartment in a Staten Island Ferry T-shirt: "And a guy pointed at me and goes 'we did it bro.'" After each game of this Knicks' final run, New Yorkers spilled into the streets across the five boroughs, hugging and high-fiving strangers, chanting together, crying together, feeling together. I've never felt a coming together like this before in this city. There's a reason why comedian Desus Nice called this the "reverse 9/11." Parade attendee Nick B. said, "I think my biggest concern about winning was that it'd be this momentary burst, like after all these years actually winning would ultimately be a letdown. It's almost been the opposite — it's been sustained joy over days."

The post-championship Knicks have already given us a plethora of perfect moments, most of them coming from OG Anunoby, starting when directly after winning a title OG went live from the Knicks locker room for 18 seconds, during almost all of which he spent asking his celebrating teammates how to turn it off. Jeremy Sochan hasn't seemed to have worn a shirt since Game 5. Mikal Bridges similarly went on Instagram Live completely faded and demanded a "big-headed" statue for Jalen Brunson. The starting five has appeared hungover on daytime talk shows and hungover on late-night talk shows, and there's something very beautiful about their celebrations paralleling the good-hearted debauchery occurring throughout the city. This title has become a great coming together. All walks of life are joining their celebrations. Even non-Knicks fans are feeling the energy. Even the amount of ire toward the hated "bandwagon fans" was kept surprisingly at a minimum. Comedian Alise Morales watched Game 5 from the Del Close Marathon, a 24-hour improv comedy festival hosted by UCB. She said, "It was definitely a mix of huge lifelong Knicks fans, new fans, and out-of-towners who were just excited to be experiencing New York at such a high point ... It was honestly one of my favorite moments in my 15 years in NYC. People were just so hyped to be together and be celebrating." The relief of winning was so great that the die-hard Knicks fans opened their arms and embraced the love, no matter where it came from.

The city is alive. New York Forever.

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The New York Knicks Ended the Drought, and Started the Clock

The Dallas Mavericks could use all the draft help they can get next week, and should be looking for picks in any trades they entertain. We previously looked at trade scenarios with the Sacramento Kings for Malik Monk, the Philadelphia 76ers for former MVP Joel Embiid and the Oklahoma City Thunder for Isaiah Joe. Today we look at a potential opportunity with the in-state rival San Antonio Spurs.

Once again joining me for this potential transaction are MMB’s Jack Nowicki and Bryan Porter.

The trade proposal

The Mavericks use their Traded Player Exception (TPE) to take on Keldon Johnson, and boost their draft capital by way of the Spurs’ 2027 first round pick and 2030 first round pick (which originally belonged to Dallas) for P.J. Washington.

The discussion

Mike: Ok, so this one admittedly took me a minute to really digest. I personally value Washington highly, but just have no real sense for what he’d go for on the market. I was afraid he wouldn’t fetch two first rounders, but it could make sense here. The Spurs don’t really “need” the picks, and a young vet like Washington could add a ton of value to them either starting in place of Julian Champagnie, or coming off the bench in Johnson’s role. My big question is would they want to give up an expiring and picks, in exchange for Washington and his three remaining (albeit relatively bargain) years? Bryan, you proposed this version of the trade – how do you see it as a win for both teams?

Bryan: For San Antonio, one of their recurring issues in the playoffs was the inability to protect the rim when Victor Wembanyama was pulled out of the paint. They also showed an inability to get defensive rebounds if Dylan Harper wasn’t crashing the glass with the bigs, and they lacked big forwards to throw at larger shot creators and post scorers in the clutch. Washington answers all that at a more than reasonable price for a Spurs team looking to carry their surprising form into next year. They could have this for the cost of a player who is beloved by the organization but who was ineffective for most of the playoffs, the 20th pick (even in a good draft) and a relinquished pick swap that likely wouldn’t amount to much if Masai Ujiri does his job properly anyway. Most importantly, they keep Washington away from Oklahoma City and the Denver Nuggets who faced similar issues this post season. For the Mavericks, we send out a valuable role player who has endeared himself to the fanbase, but replenish some draft capital for a move toward young talent this offseason. 

Mike: All compelling arguments! I was especially intrigued by the notion of an added bonus for San Antonio by way of preventing another West contender from having Washington’s services. You rarely ever hear of a team’s rationale being that, but you have to believe it factors into some of these trades. The Mavs would be wise to leverage that angle when and where they can.

What say you, Jack? Are you on board with this one, or do you have a counter argument as to why this either won’t work or the Mavs should pursue another avenue?

Jack: I agree with all of Bryan’s arguments listed above, as this trade makes a ton of sense for both sides. The Spurs are incredibly young and talented, but as we’ve seen in recent years, future success isn’t guaranteed. Adding an instant-impact veteran who fills a massive void in the frontcourt should be the top priority for the Spurs this offseason. While Washington had an up-and-down year last season, most of that could be attributed to a bad roster around him with a void of reliable playmaking. Washington would feast off Wembanyama’s gravity offensively, while further boosting the big-man’s shot-blocking impact. The Mavericks would obviously massively benefit from this trade seeing as they not only gain another pick in a great draft, but start the process of regaining their future picks. The main holdup in this deal could be Keldon Johnson, as his off-court value was massive for a young Spurs team last season.

Mike: I came into this discussion leery of the Spurs’ desire to give up their end of this deal, but have to admit I’ve been swayed a fair bit. Washington could be a huge pickup for San Antonio. As effective a front office as the Spurs have, the Mavs having Ujiri gives me confidence they won’t be pushed around (especially if they can leverage those other contenders). I could see the Spurs trying to finagle the deal so Harrison Barnes can be incorporated in lieu of Johnson (would have to be some sort of sign-and-trade, as Barnes if an unrestricted free agent). Barnes played 77 games and appeared in every playoff game… until he was outright benched for the final three games of the Finals. Throughout this season, he had some oddly limited minutes. If Dallas engages with the Spurs, I’d say they need to be careful not to get saddled with Barnes unless the haul of picks is too compelling to say no to. Getting Johnson gives the Mavs a vet leader to replace the one they’d be losing, and gives them a lot of contract flexibility. I’m more sold than I was that both teams could be big winners with the trade as proposed.

Bryan: The key question regarding Johnson is this: is he at the starting line for a longer arc of growth as a playoff player, or is this just about what we can expect from him going forward? As an off-ball slasher who isn’t a great connector or shooter, his game is certainly more suited to regular season play with a regular season whistle. Will the Spurs bank on further internal growth or decide to seek an upgrade?

Join the conversation in the comments section below! 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 Warriors possess the No. 11 pick in this month’s NBA draft.

Who they pick with their highest selection since 2021 could hold the cards to not only the final years of Steph Curry’s career but also the future direction of the franchise.

This week, we are profiling five possible prospects GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. could target.

Continuing with Part 3:

Hannes Steinbach

Age: 20

Position: Forward / Center

Height/weight: 6-foot-10 / 250 pounds

School: Washington

Why he’s a fit

The Warriors got a taste of what it was like to have a dynamic big man last season. But with Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford’s futures up in the air, how about developing one of their own?

Steinbach will have been 20 for just over a month when his name is called on draft night, but the German big man already has experience as a professional overseas, as well as on the international stage. His domestic debut produced an eye-popping statistical freshman season.

Following in the footsteps of previous countrymen Detlef Schrempf and Christian Welp, Steinbach starred for the Huskies and lived up to his predecessors.

Steinbach dominated around the rim to the tune of 18.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, recording double-doubles in 22 of his 30 games — most in the nation.

His 353 total rebounds also led the country, and he has been described as the best rebounder in the draft class — an area of need for a Warriors team that didn’t have a player average more than six boards per game.

Why he’ll last until No. 11

The last time the Warriors spent a lottery pick on a big man it didn’t go so well.

Steinbach, however, is more Kevon Looney (30th overall, 2015) than James Wiseman (No. 2 overall, 2020). He is not a rim runner or a rim protector and has nothing more than a nascent perimeter shot but comes as a ready-made rebounder with a relentless motor.

The Warriors have struggled to incorporate traditional big men into their offense, but Steinbach’s cutting ability could help him succeed in Steve Kerr’s motion system.

Playing professionally in Germany and competing for his country on the international stage —  leading the Germans to the gold-medal game against Team USA in the FIBA U19 championships — makes Steinbach’s offensive game more mature than other amateur bigs.

However, he faced questions about how his size would hold up against NBA centers.

Steinbach helped assuage those concerns with a strong showing at the NBA combine, measuring in taller than 6-10 with a wingspan that adds another 4 inches. Most notably, he tipped the scales at 248 pounds after entering college at 220.

NBA comp: Domantas Sabonis

With a crafty offensive game, a physical frame and a magnet for rebounds, the NBA’s other successful European big men — Alperen Sengun being another — provide a frame of reference for the type of player Steinbach can become.

ICYMI

Yaxel Lendeborg could be steal of NBA draft

Brayden Burries could be instant playmaker for Warriors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Toward the top of that list should be Houston big man Chris Cenac Jr., whose potential and upside may be too enticing for the Lakers to pass on.

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Chris Cenac Jr., Houston big

2025-26 stats: 9.5 points (48.5% shooting — 55.1% on 2s, 33.3% on 3s), 7.9 rebounds, 24.8 minutes

Measurements: 6-foot-10 ¼ (without shoes), 239 pounds, 7-foot-5 wingspan, 9-foot-0 ½ standing reach  

Why draft Chris Cenac Jr.?

Cenac’s mix of size, fluidity and athleticism make him one of the more intriguing long-term prospects who could be available when the Lakers are on the clock with their first-round pick. 

He runs the floor and changes ends like a much smaller player. He’s a constant threat in transition and at the rim — as a lob finisher and straight-line driver — because of his physical tools and motor.

His hustle and willingness to play through contact was evident in his rebounding. Cenac averaged 2.2 offensive rebounds and did well converting second-chance opportunities. 

He showed flashes of reliable shooting from beyond the arc and midrange, with his perimeter shooting being one of the swing skills that’ll determine whether he reaches his potential. 

His ball-handling skills are more advanced than most players his size.

Cenac should be able to switch onto perimeter players in the NBA because of his size, quickness and effort.

He isn’t a traditional rim protector for a big man, but he showcased the ability to be a weakside shot blocker. 

The Lakers know they need to get younger and more athletic to keep up in the Western Conference, and Cenac would address both of those areas.

It’s important to point out that Cenac is repped by WME, the same agency that represents Doncic as well as Lakers big men Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes.

Areas of improvement?

Cenac needs to get stronger to be a reliable big-man option.

He hustles and has a high motor, but needs to strengthen his frame to keep up with the NBA’s physicality and be able to play with force at the next level. 

His offensive game needs significant development: His lack of polish led to inconsistencies with his scoring.

The tools and potential — from his passing to shooting — are evident, but he isn’t a reliable offensive creator because of the inconsistencies. 

His 62.1% free-throw shooting with Houston is discouraging when it comes to hopes of him becoming a reliable perimeter shooter.

He also struggled with his non-dunk finishes, showing a lack of touch.

Cenac needs a team that’ll be patient with his development.

Tyrese Maxey’s 2025-26 campaign started very similar to his year from a season prior. He was tasked with an incredible minutes load in order to lead whatever starting lineup was able to make it onto the court for the Sixers that night. Unlike the previous season, he was ready for the burden.

Coming out firing, Maxey was one of the league’s top scorers averaging 30.8 points per game through the first two months of the season shooting 46% from the field and 39% from three-point range. Even as his averages dipped as the season went on to 28.3 points and 6.6 assists per game on 46%/36%/89% shooting splits, it was still good enough for him to earn his second All-Star appearance and first selection to Third Team All-NBA.

On top of being the league leader in minutes per game, a reason Maxey’s production waned was a finger injury he suffered in March that sidelined him for roughly three weeks. He was able to return to form before the end of the regular season and played as big a part as any in the team’s comeback from down 3-1 in the series to defeat the Boston Celtics in the first round.

He tweaked that finger again early in their second-round matchup against the New York Knicks. Looking hampered, Maxey and the Sixers were dead on arrival against the eventual 2026 champions.

Despite having a familiar end, Maxey’s regular season was a delight from start to finish. He became the efficient scorer he needed to in order to be the No. 1 option of an offense, he handed the keys off to VJ Edgecombe enough to allow him to grow as a long-term running mate in the backcourt, and his chemistry with Joel Embiid made it possible to integrate the big fella quickly after extended absences.

Turning production into wins was the next step in Maxey’s journey. There’s still a lot of room for him to grow, but for the first time in Embiid’s career, it was a genuine debate as to weather he or Maxey was the most important Sixer on the floor to do so.

Obviously, the majority of the 3-1 deficit the Sixers fell into came before Embiid had returned from his appendectomy. At the same time, the only game the Sixers had a chance of taking off New York, Game 2, came without Embiid in the lineup and the difference in that game ended up being the minute and a half Maxey spent on the bench.

That’s one of many reasons why his performance in that series is weird to evaluate. The finger injury definitely hampered him. After averaging 26.9 points on 21.6 shots a game in the Boston series, he averaged just 18.3 points on 15 shots against the Knicks.

The second round series defeat highlighted a truth that had been emerging all season: it was hard for the Sixers to win if Tyrese Maxey wasn’t absolutely cooking.

That somehow hasn’t been as straightforward for the starting point guard on a max contract. The Sixers’ offense dramatically shifts to work around Embiid when he returns to the court, and it normally takes a game or two for them to figure that out and adjust. The most famous example of this may now be Game 4 against Boston.

Maxey even said during the season that he was struggling with the amount of roles he had to take on any given night.

His ability to do so is what’s made him the bridge for the franchise to transition from era to era. He sits right in between the aging former MVP trying to extend his career and the 20-year old who just had a potentially franchise-altering rookie season. For as long as the Sixers have their supposed “Big 4” on the roster, it is Maxey’s job to make it all make sense.

Once upon a time, there was no limit to the number of draft rounds. It lasted as long as there were teams interested in drafting players. As the league expanded and evolved, the draft actually became smaller, eventually adopting the two-round format we know today in 1989. Even then, the second round began at pick No. 28 because there were only 27 teams in the league. The modern draft structure didn’t fully take shape until 2004, when the NBA expanded to 30 teams, and the draft became the 60-pick event we grew accustomed to for the next two decades.

That historical context is important as we continue our journey through picks 40 through 31. If you go back far enough, many of these selections weren’t even second-round picks. The 31st overall pick, for example, was a third-round selection in 1969. In 1960, the 40th overall pick was the final selection of the fifth round.

Times have certainly changed. But regardless of whether a player was selected in the second round, third round, or fifth round, the draft slot remains the draft slot. The objective of this exercise is to determine the best player ever selected at each position, regardless of the era in which they were chosen.

Today, we close out the modern front end of the second round. Before we begin, let’s take one final look back at the players who earned the title of best player selected at each draft position from No. 60 through No. 41.

Pick	Player	Year
60	Michael Cooper	1978
59	Pat Cummings	1978
58	Kurt Rambis	1980
57	Manu Ginobili	1999
56	Amir Johnson	2005
55	Luis Scola	2002
54	Sam Mitchell	1985
53	Anthony Mason	1988
52	Rasual Butler	2002
51	Kyle Korver	2003
50	Steve Kerr	1988
49	Eddie Johnson	1997
48	Marc Gasol	2007
47	Paul Millsap	2006
46	Jeff Hornacek	1986
45	Bob Dandridge	1969
44	Malik Rose	1996
43	Michael Redd	2000
42	Stephen Jackson	1997
41	Nikola Jokic	2014

And now, on with the show…

40. George Gervin (1974)

Honorable Mentions:

• Gar Heard (1970)
• Monta Ellis (2005)

Suns Taken at 40:

• George Gervin (1974)*
• Oso Ighodaro (2024)**

*opted to stay in the ABA
**rights obtained on draft day

Ah, what might have been…

The Iceman, George Gervin, spent the first two seasons of his professional career in the ABA. Then, with the fourth selection of the third round in the 1974 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns took a chance on him. It was a gamble. The Suns hoped the NBA’s appeal would lure Gervin away from the San Antonio Spurs of the ABA and bring him to Phoenix. But it never happened. He remained with the Spurs until 1976, when the NBA absorbed four ABA franchises, including San Antonio.

By that point, Gervin was already a three-time ABA All-Star. When he officially entered the NBA in 1976 at age 24, he immediately established himself as one of the league’s premier scorers. What followed was an incredible run. Gervin played 10 seasons in the NBA and was selected to the All-Star Game in nine of them. The only season he missed was his final year, when he played all 82 games for the Chicago Bulls.

His first nine NBA seasons, all with the Spurs, were nothing short of spectacular. Gervin led the league in field goals made three times. He led the league in field goal attempts three times. Most importantly, he captured scoring titles in 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1982. Night after night, he was an offensive machine.

By the time his career ended, Gervin had accumulated a résumé that included nine NBA All-Star appearances, three ABA All-Star selections, four scoring championships, seven All-NBA selections, and eventual induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Not bad for the 40th overall pick. And if you’re a Suns fan, it’s impossible not to wonder. What if he had said yes?

What if the Suns had successfully convinced him to leave the ABA and come to Phoenix in 1974? History unfolded differently, and Gervin became synonymous with the Spurs. Still, it’s one of those fascinating “what if” moments in franchise history.

Because for a brief moment, the rights to one of the greatest scorers the game has ever seen belonged to the Phoenix Suns.

39. Khris Middleton (2012)

Honorable Mentions:

• Alvin Attles (1960)
• Jerami Grant (2014)
• Earl Watson (2001)

Suns Taken at 39:

• Lloyd Kerr (1969)
• Kevin Magee (1982)
• Rafael Addison (1986)
• Russ Millard (1996)

From one of the best players ever drafted outside the top 30 in George Gervin, we move to a player whose résumé is impressive in its own right, even if it doesn’t carry quite the same historical weight. Khris Middleton is the clear choice at No. 39.

The reality is, there isn’t a ton of high-end talent that has come from this draft slot, which makes Middleton’s career stand out even more. A three-time All-Star and an NBA champion, he has spent 14 seasons in the league proving that second-round picks can become foundational pieces of championship teams.

And he’s been remarkably consistent while doing it.

Over the course of his career, Middleton has averaged 16.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 38.5% from beyond the arc. Honestly, I didn’t realize his career three-point percentage was that high until I dug into the numbers. That’s elite efficiency sustained over more than a decade.

What makes Middleton’s career even more impressive is the role he played in Milwaukee. He wasn’t merely a complementary player. He was the co-star next to Giannis Antetokounmpo during one of the most successful eras in modern Bucks history. When Milwaukee won the championship in 2021, Middleton was often the player tasked with creating offense late in games and delivering in big moments. That’s a lot to ask of a player drafted 39th overall.

As we work our way through the 30s, Middleton might end up feeling a little underwhelming compared to some of the names that are still to come. That’s not a criticism of him. It’s more a reflection of how surprisingly strong this section of the draft has been throughout NBA history.

Because if you told any franchise they could guarantee themselves Khris Middleton with the 39th pick, they’d sprint that card to the podium. I’d happily take that every time.

38. Lou Dampier (1967)

Honorable Mentions:

• Steve Blake (2003)
• Chandler Parsons (2011)
• Spencer Dinwiddie (2014)

Suns Taken at 38:

• Dean Garrett (1988)*

*opted to play internationally

As we arrive at the 38th overall pick, we find a collection of solid role players and long-term contributors. What we don’t find is an obvious NBA star. In fact, the best player ever drafted at this slot barely had an NBA career at all. That’s what makes Louie Dampier such an interesting case.

Normally, this exercise focuses almost entirely on NBA accomplishments. Dampier is one of the rare exceptions because what he accomplished in the ABA simply outweighs anything anyone else drafted at this position achieved professionally.

The Cincinnati Royals selected Dampier with the 38th overall pick in the 1967 NBA Draft. The Royals franchise would eventually become the Kansas City Omaha Kings, then the Kansas City Kings, and ultimately the Sacramento Kings. But Dampier never played for them. Instead, he chose the ABA, joining the Kentucky Colonels and becoming one of the defining players of that league.

Over nine seasons with Kentucky, Dampier averaged 18.9 points and 5.6 assists per game while establishing himself as one of the premier guards in the ABA. He was selected to seven All-Star Games, earned four All-ABA honors, and helped lead the Colonels to the 1975 ABA championship. For nearly a decade, he was one of the faces of the league.

Then everything changed in 1976. When the NBA absorbed four ABA franchises, the Kentucky Colonels were not among them. The franchise ceased operations, forcing Dampier to find a new home. That home became San Antonio.

At age 32, Dampier joined the Spurs and spent three seasons in the NBA. His contributions were modest compared to what he had accomplished in the ABA. He averaged 6.7 points per game during his NBA career and served more as a veteran presence than a star player.

But that’s okay. This selection isn’t about what he did in the NBA. It’s about the totality of his professional basketball career. When you look at everything Dampier accomplished in the ABA, seven All-Star appearances, a championship, multiple All-ABA selections, and nearly 19 points per game over nine seasons, his résumé easily rises above everyone else drafted 38th overall.

It’s one of those unique moments where the ABA history matters every bit as much as the NBA history. He’s in the Hall of Fame. And because of that, Louie Dampier earns the nod at No. 38. That and I just couldn’t give it to Steve Blake.

37. Nick Van Exel (1993)

Honorable Mentions:

• Mehmet Okur (2001)
• Archie Clark (1966)
• Eddie House (2000)

Suns Taken at 37:

• Phoenix has never drafted from this position

The 37th overall pick has produced some solid NBA players over the years, but there isn’t a name that immediately jumps off the page as a franchise-changing talent. That said, I’m giving this one to Nick Van Exel. Suns fans of a certain age probably remember him well. In fact, many of us remember him because he always seemed to be a thorn in Phoenix’s side.

Van Exel was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1993 and quickly established himself as one of the more entertaining point guards of his era. He played with flair, confidence, and a level of swagger that made him easy to root for if he was on your team and incredibly frustrating if he wasn’t.

His best years began in Los Angeles, where he earned the lone All-Star selection of his career in 1998. By that point, he had become one of the league’s better offensive guards, capable of scoring in bunches while also creating opportunities for teammates.

Over a 13-year career, Van Exel played for six different organizations. While many remember him as a Laker, some of his most productive seasons actually came with the Denver Nuggets. From 1998 through 2001, he averaged 17.7 points and 8.4 assists per game, proving he could be much more than a complementary player. He was a legitimate offensive engine who could run a team while still providing plenty of scoring punch.

And yes, he played well against Phoenix. That probably factors into my memory of him more than I’d like to admit. In 46 career games against the Suns, Van Exel averaged 14.0 points and 6.4 assists while shooting 40% from the field, 37% from three, and 70% from the free throw line. Those aren’t overwhelming numbers, but they felt impactful whenever Phoenix faced him.

Sometimes, certain players simply stick with you. Van Exel is one of those players for me.

36. Maurice Cheeks (1978)

Honorable Mentions:

• Clifford Robinson (1989)
• Malcolm Brogdon (2016)
• Mitchell Robinson (2018)

Suns Taken at 36:

• Art Beatty (1968)
• Jimmy Connor (1975)*
• Charles Jones (1984)

*opted to play in the ABA

Uncle Cliffy, Cliff Robinson, was drafted 36th overall and certainly deserves a mention here. He had a fantastic career and was one of the most versatile forwards of his era. But if we’re talking about the greatest player ever selected at No. 36, it’s got to be Maurice Cheeks.

Drafted in the second round of the 1978 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, Cheeks became one of the defining point guards of the 1980s. He wasn’t the flashiest player on the floor, and he certainly wasn’t the highest scorer. What he was, however, was a winner. Cheeks played a pivotal role on the 1983 Philadelphia 76ers championship team, one of the most dominant teams of that era.

His résumé is impressive. He was a four-time All-Star, a five-time All-Defensive Team selection, and one of the best perimeter defenders of his generation. Over the course of a 15-year career, Cheeks averaged 11.1 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game while consistently doing the little things that winning teams need.

What makes that 1983 76ers team so fascinating is the balance it possessed. You had the finesse and brilliance of Julius Erving. You had the overwhelming force of Moses Malone. Then you had Maurice Cheeks setting the tone in the backcourt, defending everybody, running the offense, and making life miserable for opposing guards. That team was loaded. And Cheeks was a huge reason why it all worked.

His career eventually took him to New York, Atlanta, San Antonio, and New Jersey, but he’ll always be remembered as a Sixer first and foremost.

And speaking of championships, congratulations are in order. More than four decades after winning a title as a player, Cheeks added another championship to his résumé this season as an assistant coach with the New York Knicks.

35. Draymond Green (2012)

Honorable Mentions:

• DeAndre Jordan (2008)
• PJ Tucker (2006)
• Rick Mahorn (1980)

Suns Taken at 35:

• Allen Murphy (1975)*

*opted to play in the ABA

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more impactful player drafted 35th overall than Draymond Green.

At first glance, his statistical profile might not overwhelm you. For his career, Green has averaged 8.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Those numbers are solid, but they don’t immediately scream Hall of Fame. That’s because Draymond’s value has never been fully captured by the box score. His impact comes from everything else.

It comes from his defensive versatility. It comes from his leadership. It comes from his basketball IQ. It comes from his willingness to do all of the dirty work that winning teams require. And yes, it comes from the attitude and edge he brings to the court every single night.

Love him or hate him, Draymond Green helped define an era of basketball. The Golden State Warriors won four NBA championships with Green serving as the emotional heartbeat of the team. While Stephen Curry was the engine and Klay Thompson was the flamethrower, Green was the connective tissue that made everything work.

Green is a four-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA selection, a nine-time All-Defensive Team honoree, and the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year. He has spent more than a decade serving as one of the league’s most versatile and disruptive defenders. For a second-round pick, that’s extraordinary value.

Finding a player who can become a franchise cornerstone is difficult enough in the lottery. Finding one at No. 35 overall is the type of outcome that changes the trajectory of an organization. That’s exactly what happened in Golden State. Draymond Green may never be remembered as the greatest scorer or the most talented player from his era, but his impact on winning is undeniable.

34. Carlos Boozer (2002)

Honorable Mentions:

• Don Buse (1972)
• Jae Crowder (2012)
• Mario Chalmers (2008)
• CJ Miles (2005)

Suns Taken at 34:

• Don Buse (1972)*
• Tyler Ulis (2016)

*opted to play in the ABA

I honestly forgot Carlos Boozer wasn’t a lottery pick. Coming out of Duke in the early 2000s, it felt like every notable Blue Devil ended up hearing his name called in the first half of the first round. But Boozer slipped all the way to No. 34, where the Cleveland Cavaliers selected him in the 2002 NBA Draft.

Looking back at the history of the 34th pick, it’s kind of interesting. You see names like Don Buse, Jae Crowder, and Mario Chalmers. None of them were superstars, but all of them carved out meaningful careers. It feels like this is the lunch pail draft slot, the place where teams find players who show up, put their heads down, and go to work. Boozer certainly fits that description.

After beginning his career in Cleveland, he eventually landed with the Utah Jazz, where he played the best basketball of his career. It was there that he became a two-time All-Star and earned an All-NBA Third Team selection. For several seasons, Boozer was one of the more productive power forwards in the league. He wasn’t flashy. He wasn’t revolutionary. He simply produced. Night after night, he gave you points, rebounds, toughness, and consistency. That’s why coaches loved him and why he remained a valuable player for so long.

By the time his career came to an end, Boozer had spent 13 seasons in the NBA while averaging 16.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Those are impressive numbers for any player, let alone one drafted 34th overall. Was he a franchise-changing star? No. But he was dependable. He was productive. And he was always there. Sometimes that’s exactly what makes a player successful.

33. Jalen Brunson (2018)

Honorable Mentions:

• Bob Love (1965)
• Kevin Duckworth (1986)
• Happy Hairston (1964) What a name…

Suns Taken at 33:

• Lamar Green (1969)
• Scott English (1972)
• Gary Melchionni (1973)
• Butch Feher (1976)

Jalen Brunson, the newly minted NBA Finals MVP, was selected 33rd overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. And yes, it’s one of those drafts that can drive Suns fans insane if you stare at it for too long.

The Suns didn’t draft Luka Doncic. Shai Gilgeous Alexander went after Mikal Bridges. And Phoenix selected Elie Okobo while Brunson remained on the board. That’s why it’s usually best not to spend too much time looking backward. If you do it long enough, you’ll lose your mind.

When you look at the history of the 33rd overall pick, there are some solid players. Plenty of guys carved out respectable NBA careers. Brunson is different. He’s already a three-time All-Star. He’s already a three-time All-NBA selection. Now he’s an NBA champion and an NBA Finals MVP. And he’s only 29 years old.

If there’s one word to describe Jalen Brunson, it’s winner.

There is one word you can use to describe Jalen Brunson: Winner

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) June 14, 2026

He won at the AAU level. He won at Villanova. He won in Dallas. And now he’s won at the highest level the sport has to offer. Everywhere he goes, success seems to follow.

What’s most impressive is the way he’s done it. Brunson isn’t an overwhelming athlete. He isn’t physically imposing. He doesn’t possess the size that teams traditionally look for when building around a franchise player. He simply knows how to play basketball. He’s tough. He’s smart. He’s disciplined. And when the game gets tight, he consistently delivers.

The Knicks didn’t win this championship because Brunson was along for the ride. They won it because he was the engine. He was the primary reason they reached the mountaintop. He was the player opposing defenses were trying to stop. He was the player making winning plays when the pressure was at its highest. For the 33rd overall pick, that’s about as good as it gets. And unless someone comes along with an even more decorated résumé, Jalen Brunson may hold this spot for a very long time.

32. Rashard Lewis (1998)

Honorable Mentions:

• Bill Bridges (1961)
• Caldwell Jones (1973)
• Ivica Zubac (2016)

Suns Taken at 32:

• Nick Vanos (1985)
• Chad Gallagher (1991)*
• Davon Reed (2017)
• KZ Okpala (2019)

*opted to play internationally

As we prepare to close out the second round, the 32nd overall pick presents an interesting case. There isn’t a long list of All-Stars at this draft slot. The most accomplished player selected here is Rashard Lewis, whom the Seattle SuperSonics drafted directly out of high school in 1998.

Like many high school prospects of that era, Lewis needed time to develop. The talent was obvious, but it took a few seasons before everything came together. By his fifth year in the NBA, he had blossomed into one of the league’s better forwards, averaging 18.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while showcasing the kind of size and shooting ability that would become highly coveted in the years that followed.

Lewis earned two All-Star selections during his career, the first with Seattle in 2005 and the second with the Orlando Magic in 2009.

His move to Orlando elevated both his profile and his impact. With the Magic, Lewis became a key piece of a team that consistently competed near the top of the Eastern Conference. Alongside Dwight Howard, he helped usher in a modern style of basketball that relied heavily on floor spacing and three-point shooting from the power forward position.

The Magic never quite got over the hump, but they came close. In the 2009 NBA Finals, Lewis averaged 17.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Orlando ultimately fell short, but Lewis played well on the biggest stage.

After his time with the Magic ended, he was traded to Washington in a deal involving Gilbert Arenas. From there, his career slowly began to wind down. Still, there was one final accomplishment waiting for him. Lewis joined the Miami Heat and won an NBA championship in 2013. His role was limited by that point, and he played only 12 minutes during the Finals, but a championship is a championship.

When it was all said and done, Lewis put together a career that most second-round picks could only dream of. He became a two-time All-Star, a key contributor on a Finals team, and eventually an NBA champion.

31. Danny Ainge (1981)

Honorable Mentions:

• Doc Rivers (1983)
• Bojan Bogdanovic (2011)
• Manute Bol (1985)

Suns Taken at 31:

• Fred Saunders (1974)
• Joe Ward (1986)
• Negele Knight (1990)
• Elie Okobo (2018)
• Rasheer Fleming (2025)*

*rights obtained on draft day

We have some good names at the 31st overall pick, including Doc Rivers and Manute Bol. Both have strong cases, and both left their mark on NBA history. But this one is Danny Ainge’s.

The pesky, annoying son of a bitch out of BYU was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1981 and quickly became the type of player opponents hated, and teammates loved. Long before Dillon Brooks was irritating fan bases around the league, Ainge was doing it in Boston. He was a pest. An agitator. An annoyance. And he played a key role on two Celtics championship teams during the 1980s.

By 1988, Ainge had fully come into his own. After becoming a regular starter during the 1984-85 season, he earned the lone All-Star selection of his career in 1988. That same season, he led the NBA with 1.8 made three pointers per game, a number that feels quaint today but was impressive for the era.

Boston eventually traded him to the Sacramento Kings in February 1989. The Kings then dealt him to the Portland Trail Blazers that offseason, a move that would eventually intersect with Phoenix Suns history.

Ainge helped Portland eliminate the Suns in the 1992 Western Conference Semifinals, a series that proved to be a turning point for the franchise. That 53-win Phoenix team had grown tired of postseason disappointment, and the loss helped push the organization toward the blockbuster trade that brought Charles Barkley to the Valley. Ironically, the Suns also brought in Ainge that same offseason via free agency.

His arrival paid immediate dividends. Ainge played 80 games for Phoenix during the 1992-93 season and helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals. It was the sixth Finals appearance of his career and his second consecutive trip after reaching the championship round with Portland the year before. Unfortunately for Ainge and the Suns, Michael Jordan was waiting on the other side. Just as Jordan had denied Portland in 1992, he denied Phoenix in 1993.

Ainge would spend the final three seasons of his career with the Suns, serving as a veteran leader and valuable contributor during one of the best stretches in franchise history. He would then join the coaching staff, and towels were thrown. You know the story.

When it was all said and done, he played 14 NBA seasons, averaged 11.5 points per game, and shot 37.8% from beyond the arc. More importantly, he won two championships, made an All-Star team, appeared in six NBA Finals, and built a reputation as one of the fiercest competitors of his generation.

---

And with that, we close the book on the second round and step into territory where the talent pool starts getting a little richer.

What stands out most from picks 40 through 31 is how many different paths to success exist in professional basketball. Hall of Famers, champions, All-Stars, role players, and a few fascinating “what ifs” all emerged from this stretch of the draft. It’s a reminder that value can be found anywhere if an organization knows what it’s looking for.

The lottery may grab the headlines, but NBA history has always been built on finding gems long after the spotlight has moved on.

Ticker.

Tape.

Parade.

My guy Jordan Clarkson grabbed my phone to get his POV
💙🧡💙🧡💙🧡💙🧡💙💙🧡💙#CHAMPIONS#KNICKSpic.twitter.com/FyVTCGf0KG

— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) June 18, 2026

James Dolan

On the future of the Knicks:

“We’re gonna keep working to bring you even better basketball. Although it’s hard to imagine that we get much better than this. But we will, right fellas?”

On delivering a championship to New York City:

“When I look out over the Knick fans here, you all don’t look older than 53 years. Some of you weren’t waiting 53; you weren’t born yet, but we’re very, very happy to have brought you a championship. I’m very proud of our team.”

53 years & it was still worth the wait 🗽🏆

[📸: via/ IG mitch.ritter ] pic.twitter.com/ImxzTjVFY5

— Complex (@Complex) June 19, 2026

Mike Brown

On Knicks fans and playing at Madison Square Garden:

“Playing in front of you guys when we had our ups was fantastic, but you’re the most knowledgeable foundation in the whole NBA. Your guys’ energy when we had our downs was off the charts, and I want to thank you for it. There’s nothing better than walking into the iconic building of MSG and getting down night after night after night in front of you guys. You guys made us feel the energy that brought us over the hump when we didn’t feel like playing, when our game wasn’t at the top again.”

"There's a lot of people

Who have a lot of opinions

But when you prove em wrong

You don't have to say shit to them

Nah

They don't deserve it.

Thank you"

–– Jalen Brunson pic.twitter.com/03Y1Hck4eb

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 18, 2026

Jalen Brunson

On believing the Knicks would finish the job:

“Somehow, some way. I knew we were going to find a way to get this done. Most importantly, thank you to the fans. Not gonna lie, though, y’all. Y’all are some pretty hard critics, but we appreciate it.”

On winning the championship:

“Damn, we really did it, dawg.”

On his critics and doubters:

“There’s a lot of people who have a lot of opinions. But when you prove them wrong, you really ought to, you don’t have to say s–t to them. Nah, they don’t deserve it.”

Update: https://t.co/4t6MW3WiPupic.twitter.com/iQAIu5iOcP

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 18, 2026

Miles McBride

On the championship parade:

“Couldn’t have imagined a better turnout. Thank you, Knicks nation.”

"We both made it"

–– Ariel Hukporti & @alanhahn interview each other from the float

Live coverage @KnicksMSGNpic.twitter.com/jXcnL9sXCK

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 18, 2026

Tyler Kolek

On being mistaken for a fan and nearly tackled by the cops:

“I swear I’m on the team, bro.”

Now that I have service I present to you… Josh the champion pic.twitter.com/RxYprfngyI

— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) June 18, 2026

Leon Rose

On Mike Brown and the coaching staff:

“Mike Brown and our entire coaching staff, you came in this season with enormous expectations and completely exceeded them, and you did it with so much class that resonated with New Yorkers.”

Clyde's got the keys 🔑

Walt Frazier is leading the Canyon of Heroes parade in a 1952 Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton 🗽 pic.twitter.com/ufc2r35XfU

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 18, 2026

Walt Frazier

On the championship parade crowd:

“This has exceeded any expectations I ever saw that we had. I mean, when we played, everybody was from the USA, so mainly our audience was black and white, but now they’re Hispanics, they’re Chinese, all different races that follow the NBA. It’s just been a magnificent thing to witness.”

On the 1973 celebration:

“That day was a lot of hoopla for us. Maybe we had 200 people here and some dignitaries, so we were very happy with that.”

On seeing the city embrace the Knicks:

“They would be amazed at what has happened to the Knicks and how they’ve really captivated the city this year. This has exceeded any expectations I ever thought that we’d have.”

pic.twitter.com/San0dVxjv9

— Memes (@PardonMyMeme) June 18, 2026

Carmelo Anthony

On the championship’s impact:

“The whole city won. New Yorkers are, as they say, ‘lit’ right now.”

After getting a key to the city, Brooklyn born Knicks star Jose Alvarado is eating rice and beans at Toñita’s playing dominos with congressional candidate Antonio Reynoso, his campaign tells me. pic.twitter.com/DMseqx5Am6

— Jeff Coltin (@JCColtin) June 18, 2026

Spike Lee

On attending his first championship parade:

“I’ve never been to a parade ever. But I’m glad it’s this one!”

here is Mamdani's entire speech at the Knicks parade, which is easily the best speech I've ever heard at an event of this sort pic.twitter.com/FiTxy81Yq3

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 18, 2026

Zohran Mamdani

On New York during the Knicks’ championship run:

“New York City has just had some of the two most magical months in as long as any of us can remember. Over these past few weeks, as the Knicks kept winning, our city has come together as one.”

On the 53-year wait:

“For 53 long years we have watched, and we have waited. We have watched from nosebleeds and through gritted teeth, on televisions in the windows of electronic stores, and from projectors balanced on fire escapes. We have watched alone in our apartments with our heads in our hands, shoulder to shoulder at bars where the signal flickers, alongside friends and family who we wish, more than anything, could be here today, sharing this moment.”

On finally seeing a championship in New York’s streets:

“We waited without ever knowing if this day would come. We waited because we knew deep down in our sick, suffering hearts that it would. New York City, this team has done it. The New York Knicks are NBA champions.”

On the parade bringing the city together:

“So often, when this city comes together, it is because we are forced to by a moment of tragedy or adversity. What a gift it is to be brought together by pure, unfiltered joy.”

On why the championship reflected New York City:

“Let’s not pretend that this was inevitable. If you will allow me, I want to travel back in time. Eight days, Game 4, nine minutes and 33 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Knicks are down 20. The analytics guys, the sports betting companies, the pundits who watch from far away, they do what they do. They run the numbers, they calculate the odds, they write the Knicks off, they give the Spurs a 99.6% chance of winning the game, a 99.6% chance of tying up the series 2-2, of reclaiming the momentum with the next game in San Antonio, a 99.6% chance of silencing the Garden of another year of watching and waiting, but there is one thing that the pundits just don’t get about this team, they just don’t get about this city. It is in that .4% that we go to work.”

On New York’s identity:

“Most of all, it’s in that .4% that the Knicks do what New Yorkers have always done. When we are told something is impossible, we find a way, we win. Standing here before what feels like the entire city, there is a Jalen Brunson quote I can’t stop thinking about. ‘You are allowed to think about the worst possible scenario, but you got to go out there and do something about it.’ The Knicks did not just win for New York City, they won like New York City. What is New York if not your back up against the wall, a dream that feels just out of reach, a rent payment you don’t know how you’ll ever make? What is New York if not 99.6% of the world stacked against you, and who are New Yorkers if not people who hear those odds and smile, who look at a .4% chance of success and ask, why are you giving me a head start? This is our city. This is our team.”

The Onion doesn’t miss: https://t.co/QyPqn1x9l8pic.twitter.com/MlcSrEPnOJ

— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) June 18, 2026

Mark Levine

On New York’s resilience:

“We do not back down, no matter how far behind we are. We were down on 9/11, and we came back. We were down in (Hurricane) Sandy, and we came back. We were down during COVID, and we came back. We were down against the Cavs, against the Spurs and we came back. We are New York. We don’t stop fighting. You should be afraid of us. We are the champs because of the New York Knicks.”

best city in the world pic.twitter.com/Wiibns4Ko0

— NYC DOT (@NYC_DOT) June 18, 2026

Aaron Judge

On New York sports success:

“A Knicks championship in June and a Yankees World Series in October would bring world peace. There’s a lot of winning going on in New York, so we got to keep that going. I like the team we have. I like the opportunity we’ve got in front of us. It’s going to be an exciting rest of the year.”

On attending Game 4:

“I went to Game 4 with my wife. We were kind of worried in the third quarter, but we knew the Knicks. Like [Jalen] Brunson said: They show up about thirty minutes late, take care of business. That was a special game. Never forget it.”

Ja Rule speaks on the artists that performed at the Knicks parade pic.twitter.com/7y0LlTVwCO

— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2Blog) June 18, 2026

RZA

On Wu-Tang’s role in the Knicks’ run:

“At the end of the day, the first thing goes to the hard work of the coach and the players. But energy is everything. Energy can multiply. And so when the Wu-Tang came with that energy, we put a spark. So I like to tell people, we lit that wick that led to that explosion.”

On the Madison Square Garden vibes after the Game 4 performance:

“The building felt different after our performance. I think eventually that energy resonated and just permeated into our great New York team. Bong bong.”

On which other game could Wu-Tang have saved:

“Game three. I’m only saying game three because, look, if Wu-Tang would’ve performed, I don’t think the President would’ve took a nap. Our President, he’s a New Yorker. When that Wu joint would’ve been on, he would’ve been like, ‘Yo, you know what? Let’s keep the party rocking.’”

My favorite video I’ve ever taken.

Absolutely surreal. pic.twitter.com/XP5UVrvtq8

— Dylan Burd (@Dylan_Burd) June 18, 2026

Kendrick Perkins

On Vincent Goodwill calling the title a participation trophy:

“That was a bunch of bulls–t. It was all the way disrespectful, and when I heard him say it, the first thing came to mind is that your ass never was an athlete then. You couldn’t have never participated or been a basketball player or played on anybody’s team talking that type of nonsense. That was the most asinine thing that I’ve ever heard.”

On Goodwill’s disrespect of current and past champions:

“You disrespect the guys who are champions by saying it’s a participation trophy. Like what the f–k are we talking about? Do you know that one in those eight teams that won over the last eight years, one of them was Steph Curry. And I guarantee you if you go ask Steph Curry which one of them was his greatest championship, nine times out of ten he’s going to say the fourth one, not just because he won Finals MVP but because he had to overcome the obstacle of being a defensive liability. And he did that.”

On the need for more media responsibility:

“As the media, we have a f–king responsibility, man, to make sure that we say and do the right things. We don’t go on the stage, on the platform, right after somebody just been crowned champions and call that s–t a participation trophy. Even if you’re thinking that, you don’t say that.”

"Need that for the parade"

–– Josh Hart IG comment 3 days ago on this Alex Moss pendant which he he's been wearing since pic.twitter.com/cBQcFOHr6E

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 18, 2026

Alex Moss

On creating the Knicks Larry O’B pendant:

“I knew they were going to win. I f—king knew they were going to win this thing. So I made it.”

On supporting New York creators:

“I think that it’s important to embrace people from this city who are doing great things for the city. We live and breathe New York, everyone in the company. Imagine if someone like Jason of Beverly Hills was making the Knicks pieces. It just doesn’t make sense.”

NUEVAAAYOOOOOOOLLLL MI GENTE LATINO AND SOCHAN pic.twitter.com/lNHjqiTsM6

— sports live tweeter yadira (@jonmoxIeys) June 18, 2026

Stephen A. Smith

On Jalen Brunson saving the NBA from French-mad copycatters:

“He [Brunson] literally saved the NBA because if Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs had captured an NBA championship, everybody would be evolving their game planning, their drafting, their analysis and everything that come with it. Everything would have been evolving around ‘How we do knock off the [7-foot-4] alien from France?’”

On Brunson’s influence on basketball:

“To see him [Brunson] play and to use his marvelous footwork, basketball IQ, poise, seasoning and fearlessness… to see him do that, just think about what that would mean to everybody. Think about what that does for the game of basketball. Without him winning this title, our default position would’ve been ‘How are we going to deal with the [7-foot-4] alien’?”

On drafting taller players to counter Wembanyama:

“You would’ve seen cats who might’ve been inferior talent, but they would’ve still turned around and drafted them anyway just because they were 6-foot-10 or 6-foot-11 or 7-feet tall because you need height when you’re going up against Wemby.”

On the Knicks being the best team in the East for 2027:

“We’re gonna keep it a buck. [The] New York Knicks shouldn’t be the favorites next season, even if they are the champions. If you know basketball and you’re covering basketball, you know what happened this year. You could look at this team and legitimately say the New York Knicks deserve to be the favorites coming out of the East. Without question, the Knicks should be the favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in next year’s NBA Finals — not the Celtics. I don’t give a damn if Jayson Tatum is healthy, okay?

On the Thunder being the No. 1 team in the West:

“We can’t put anything past the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Oklahoma City Thunder were in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder were without Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, your second and third [best] scorers.

“When [Williams] is healthy, you can’t key on [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] the way [the Spurs] did, double and triple teaming him. As a result, the reigning two-time MVP is free to get loose…so gotta look at it from that standpoint. Ajay Mitchell, some were debating whether he was better than Jalen Williams or not, that’s how much of a stud they both are, and they were both out.”

On his 2027 NBA Finals prediction:

“If they’re healthy, they beat the Spurs in the conference finals. Spurs ain’t in the Finals, they beat the Spurs and they would’ve been favored over the Knicks. So I think because that’s the reality, Oklahoma City is number one, Knicks number two and then everybody else is behind them. I believe right now, if you’re making a prediction, it should be the New York Knicks and the Oklahoma City Thunder will meet one another in the NBA Finals next year.”

After three straight years, it’s finally become the norm for a UConn player to get drafted in the first round of the NBA draft. The only other schools with that distinction, the last three years? Purported  NBA daycares Duke and Baylor.

I still remember the delight of hearing James Bouknight’s name called. 

But for the Huskies to take that streak another year, they’ll need teams to fall in love with Tarris Reed Jr and/or Alex Karaban. Both are projected fringe first rounders, and as we saw with Liam McNeeley last year, draft night brings a whole lot of variance and uncertainty. 

I’m going to pretend NBA front offices read TheUConnBlog and put on my best sales pitch for Tarris and Alex. First up is Captain America. 

Initially this was a tough task, because UConn listed him at 6-foot-8, and the comparisons were lacking. There were tons of 6-foot-8 floor spacers in the NBA, but not many in Karaban’s mold. Then the combine measurements came out, and he checked in at basically 6 -7, and the answer was clear.

Be Sam Hauser 2.0.

I mean, look at this:

Sam Hauser

Height (Barefoot): 6’6.75″

Weight: 217.4 lbs

Wingspan: 6’9.25″

Standing Reach: 8’6.0″

Alex Karaban

Height (w/o shoes): 6′ 6.75″

Weight: 225.2 lbs

Wingspan: 6’11”

Standing Reach: 8′ 8.50″

Alex is actually a little longer and heavier. Hauser went undrafted in 2021 after four years in college, but he broke through with the Celtics in 2022-23, and was a key figure in their 2024 title run, averaging nine points per game and shooting 42% from three.He averaged 25 minutes per game last year, a career high.

Hauser might be the better pure shooter, but Alex has more intangibles, physicality, and playmaking chops. Finding an organization that can imbue those traits — not make him just a ‘stand in the corner and stretch the floor’ guy — will be the key.

Hauser’s shooting shows that doing one thing at an elite level can make you stick in the NBA. But Alex has a chance to be a wholly unique player, one with Hauser’s shooting but with a little more to offer. 

But heading into draft day, it’s nice to know there’s a blueprint out there for Alex, a path forward where he can break out with the right team.

Spurs forward Emanuel Miller turns 26 today.

Miller signed a two-way contract with the Spurs on February 23rd. He took the revolving door third spot replacing Stanley Umude (who replaced Kyle Mangus in December, who had replaced Riley Minix just days before). Miller joined David Jones Garcia and Harrison Ingram on the two-way roster. Though he never received playing time in San Antonio, Miller was exposed to all the bells and whistles of the 2026 playoffs.

Born in Canada, Miller eventually found his way to Texas, playing college ball in both Texas A&M and TCU. In 2024, he went undrafted before signing with Dallas Mavericks for Summer League. He eventually played for their G-League affiliate, the Texas Legends. Two months later, he signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls. He was with the Bulls organization until last February when he was part of a three-team trade that landed him in Cleveland. The Cavaliers waived him and he signed on with the Spurs.

No telling where Miller will land next season, whether he stays with the Spurs or heads toward greener pastures. But for today, in the strange window between the Finals and the NBA Draft, Miller is still considered a member of the Silver & Black, and as such, is entitled to best wishes.

Happy birthday!

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Oklahoma City is exactly where Dallas wants to be. The Thunder have a clear star, in reigning two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They have the perfect types of talent around him to accentuate his strengths and have created a juggernaut. But all that talent comes at a cost, and the Thunder will have to make some decisions by the draft. Should they consolidate picks and cut some of the talent further down their bench to help financially? One of the most popular scenarios, and one that makes a lot of sense, is trading with the Mavericks. The Thunder own the 12th and 17th picks in the 2026 draft. The Mavericks own the 9th and 30th. Is it time to make a deal with the devil?

How did the Thunder get here?

The Thunder, as widely disliked as they are (at least around here), have built its team from the ground up through the draft. Gilgeous-Alexander came over in the Paul George trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. That trade included a slew of picks that are paying off for the Thunder, particularly the 2022 first-round pick that became Gilgeous-Alexander’s all-star running mate in Jalen Williams. Chet Holmgren was also selected in the 2022 draft, as he’s turned into an anchor defensively, being the runner-up for the 2025-2026 Defensive Player of the Year Award. But all that talent comes a heavy price. The Thunder are paying all three of their stars each over $40 million a year over the next five years. That’s about 75% of their cap space. Oklahoma City, if they keep this roster going into next season, would be $41 million over the first apron and $28 million over the second. They need to shed salary. And Dallas may be the perfect suiter.

What deal makes sense and how would it work?

The Mavericks are in dire need of guard help. This draft is loaded with star-quality talent, particularly towards the top. Dallas holds the 9th pick and will likely have options among guys like Kingston Flemings, Brayden Burries, Darius Acuff Jr. Mikel Brown Jr., and Labaron Philon Jr. If there’s one thing we know about Masai Ujiri, he’s had a keen eye for draft prospects. The former Toronto Raptors president selected names like Pascal Siakam (27th pick in 2016), O.G. Anunoby (23rd pick in 2017), and Scottie Barnes (4th pick in 2021). He’ll need to do his homework on who he wants this time around, because Dallas might want two bites at the apple in the top 20.

There are a couple different routes the Mavs could take with the 9th pick. Of course, they could keep it if they felt it were too risky to slip any further than 9th to make their selection. Names like Kingston Flemings, Darius Acuff Jr., and Mikel Brown Jr. probably won’t be available at 12, so if the Mavs are set on one of those guards, they should stay at nine. If Dallas wants to look at making a deal, here’s how the framework could look.

Scenario 1: Thunder consolidate and Mavs aggregate.

The simplest scenario is for the Thunder to send their 12th and 17th picks to the Mavs for the 9th pick. No frills and straightforward. Oklahoma City will still need to do some significant consolidation with their roster before the season starts, but one simple move is sending two picks for one. The Thunder get a top 10 talent, and the Mavs get two swings in the top 20. In this scenario, Dallas most likely wouldn’t have to include the 30th pick, meaning they would have three picks in the first round: 12, 17, and 30.

Scenario 2: Thunder help the Mavs with depth

If Dallas is enamored with someone who could fall to 12 (most likely Burries or Philon Jr.), they could package that 9th and 30th picks to the Thunder in exchange for the 12th and 17th picks, as well as another rotation guy to help Oklahoma City shed salary (like Isaiah Joe or Aaron Wiggins), who both largely fell out of the rotation for the Thunder in this year’s playoff run. The Thunder don’t necessarily have to include extra salary to make the deal work, but it would make sense for them and the Mavs could add more wing shooting and depth.

Another player worth watching is Cason Wallace, who the Mavericks drafted in 2023, and traded to the Thunder for Dereck Lively II. Wallace has developed a reputation as one of the best defenders in the NBA and he’s only 22. If the Mavericks part with the 9th pick, they could drive a hard bargain for Wallace. It would be much more difficult for them to pry away Wallace, but he would be an ideal fit in Dallas, and the Mavs could use his perimeter defense.

The 17th pick presents a whole new opportunity for the Mavs. Some options that could be available then could be names like Allen Graves (6’9 forward who can shoot the lights out), Karim Lopez (6’8 forward with a 7’ wingspan and two-way monster), and Dailyn Swain (6’8 athletic forward who can get downhill and great slasher). If the Mavericks traded that 9th pick, the 17th pick could be the big payoff, adding more athleticism and youth around Flagg.

There have been rumors centered around P.J. Washington in a Thunder deal, but Oklahoma City isn’t in a position to take on any more significant salary. For now, this type of deal would be centered around the Thunder optimizing talent, while the Mavs collect as much of it as they can.

Looking ahead

The draft is less than a week away and there will likely be a flurry of moves that happen both leading up to June 23/24 and on the draft nights themselves. What will dictate a deal is who the Mavs center their attention around at the guard position. Is it more worth it to optimize a singular pick in this draft or get multiple opportunities at top 20 talent in a loaded draft? We’ll find out in a few days.

The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors are swirling and there are people talking about how the Celtics could make a deal without including Jaylen Brown.

That is not something that the Boston Celtics should be doing.

Yes, a Big 3 of Antetokounmpo, Brown and Jayson Tatum would be awesome but in this 2nd apron era, it would be too difficult to build a true contender around those three players for a lot of reasons.

Let’s start with what Boston would need to give up. Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser would all need to go out in the deal to make it legal and even still, the Celtics would be taking in more money than they’d be sending out. That means Boston would be hard-capped at the first apron of $209 million.

It would also send out all of their remaining future draft capital and probably one or two of their young wings of Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh or Baylor Scheierman, which limits all flexibility they have to get better around those three players.

It would really limit their ability to get better around the three stars. Having three guys making $174 million with a $209 million hard cap would put them at a disadvantage that would be close to insurmountable. This isn’t football where they can push money into future years. Boston would be trapped with those three players at those salaries.

Sending out three of your most important role players without the ability to replace them is not a business that the Celtics should be getting into.

We have seen a team try and build around three players making 35% of the cap in the apron era, the 2023-24 and 2024-25 Phoenix Suns. It was an epic failure, the Suns didn’t win a single playoff game over those two years and missed the Play-In Tourmanent in 2025 before breaking up the team last summer.

Now, Antetokounmpo, Tatum and Brown is a better trio than Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but unlike Boston would be able to, the Suns spent into the 2nd apron to try and build around those three players. Boston, meanwhile, would only be allowed to spend $35 million to fill out the last 12 players on the team.

If you look at the past two NBA champions, the Knicks and Thunder, those two teams were built around their stars and a bunch of high level players around them. Even the 2024 Celtics had Tatum and Brown making 35% maxes but Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis were all great support players. Swapping Brown for Antetokounmpo allows for Boston to continue building that way; trading three of their top 6 players does not.

In conclusion, if you are hoping that the Celtics could trade for Giannis while keeping Jaylen Brown, don’t hold your breath. It is complicated to pull off and it would limit the Celtics team-building so extremely that it could close any championship window they would be hoping to have.

The Washington Wizards are less than a week away from the NBA Draft. Hell, it’s next Tuesday, June 23! And the Wizards are rattling sabers behind closed doors. NBA Insider Marc Stein reported on his newsletter last night that they are taking a closer look at Kansas guard Darryn Peterson.

With only a few days to go before Tuesday night’s first round of the NBA Draft, multiple draft experts have passed along that they legitimately believe Washington could select Kansas’ Darryn Peterson over BYU’s AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick.

“Increased consideration” is the way one well-placed insider put it.

Just so everyone is aware, if we haven’t said it a million times already, consideration doesn’t mean that the Wizards WILL do something. But it is food for thought.

The draft odds on FanDuel still favor Dybantsa as well, though Peterson is clearly No. 2.

Meanwhile, the NBA world still seems to be focused more on the New York Knicks winning the 2026 NBA Finals. Good for them. The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are the early favorites to win the 2027 Finals per FanDuel. In our national SB Nation Reacts survey, fans are more keen on the Thunder.

SB Nation reacts' national results are focused on the Knicks NBA championship. We're still more focused on the draft. Still, here are the national survey results. pic.twitter.com/Mmj8nfkbpC

— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) June 19, 2026

So if you ask me right now if I think Dybantsa is going to the Wizards? My answer is yes. And yeah, I’m happy that the Knicks won an NBA title once in my lifetime. I’ll be even happier to see the Wizards win a title in my lifetime.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.