Category: NBA

CHICAGO — Two arduously long years of tanking. Two awful results.

Brooklyn suffered lousy lottery luck for the second straight season on Sunday, going in with the joint-best odds to win but tumbling all the way down to sixth in the draft.

The Nets had tanked their way to the third-worst record in the league at 20-62, tying them with Washington, which won the No. 1 pick, and Indiana for the best odds to win the lottery (14.0 percent) or land a top 3 pick (40.1%). But after falling from sixth to eighth a year ago, they slid from third to sixth on Sunday.

The sixth spot had actually been their likeliest landing spot at 26.02 percent.

But the lottery has rarely been kind to the Nets. They have had top 8 odds 10 times and only moved up twice and couldn’t make it a third, despite having Vince Carter on the dais, owner Joe Tsai in the drawing room and even superfan Mr. Whammy in the studio, having made the trip from New York.

Brooklyn will miss out on the franchise-changers at the top of the draft, and now could be picking from a host of guards in like Houston’s Kingston Flemings, Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr., Illinois’ Keaton Wagler and Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr.

The Washington Wizards won the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. This the fifth time in franchise history where Washington has won the top pick.

After finishing the 2025-26 season with an NBA-worst 17-65 record, Washington finally got rewarded with the top pick in a very deep draft class.

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa is the projected No. 1 pick.

His stats:

25.5 PPG | 3.7 APG | 6.8 RPG | 51% FG | 33.1% 3PT

Here’s Dybantsa reacting to the Wizards winning the No. 1 pick:

Kansas guard Darryn Peterson is also a candidate to be selected No. 1 by Washington. The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 20.2 PPG, 1.6 APG and 4.2 RPG on 43.8% FG and 38.2% 3PT during his lone season as a Jayhawk.

In a press release by the team, Monumental Basketball President Michael Winger said the following:

Today is another encouraging day for Wizards fans and our entire organization. To choose first among this inspiring group of athletes is a welcomed opportunity, and challenge, for our group.  We look forward to adding another high performing young player to our ascending team.

This is a great Mother’s Day present indeed for Wizards fans in the DMV and worldwide!

CHICAGO (AP) — Washington Wizards win NBA draft lottery, chance to pick No. 1 overall on June 23.

The order for the 2026 NBA Draft has finally been determined after the long-awaited lottery drawing. The Washington Wizards will have the first overall pick, while the Utah Jazz choose second, the Memphis Grizzlies pick third, and the Chicago Bulls will have the fourth selection. The first round of the draft will be held on Tuesday, June 23, while the second round will be the following day.

The Wizards entered the lottery with a 14 percent chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick. The stakes of this drawing were even higher with lottery reform coming to the NBA Draft next year to address the league’s purported tanking crisis. Every team that moved into the top-four should consider themselves a big winner thanks to the four elite prospects sitting at the top of this class.

Let’s do an instant mock draft with order settled. This is how we see the first-round playing out after the Wizards come on the clock at No. 1 overall.

1. Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU

NBA scouts dream about finding big wing shot-creators like Dybantsa. The 6’9 forward is an incredibly fluid athlete who puts consistent pressure on the rim with his long, coordinated strides attacking the basket. Dybantsa can create a good look for himself in a pinch with the bend to turn the corner on drives, the power to finish through contact, and the length to hit shots over contests. His shot profile is a bit mid-range heavy, but his ability to get to his spots and make tough turnarounds or touch finishes should have plenty of utility in the playoffs when the game slows down. He’s a capable three-point shooter, though teams will want to see him improve his volume once he enters the league. His defensive impact also feels muted for a player with such great physical tools. Dybantsa is built to stockpile points and come up with clutch buckets in the NBA for more than a decade.

2. Utah Jazz – Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas

Peterson failed to meet sky-high expectations entering Kansas this season due to lingering cramping and soft tissue strains in his lower body that often kept him out of close games late. As long as those aren’t long-term injuries, the 6’5 guard is still a fantastic prospect who brings scoring punch, volume three-point shooting, defensive playmaking, and some shot creation to any backcourt. Peterson can play on or off the ball and still put immense pressure on opposing defenses as a scorer. He offered real movement shooting as a freshman, zooming around screens and hitting three-pointers with volume and deep range. He showed he could still cook bigger and slower defenders off the bounce, but it often felt like he bailed out of drives to take mid-range shots. Peterson’s playmaking vision is a real question if he’s going to be used as a de facto point guard. Will the rim attacking he flashed in high school show up again when he gets fully healthy? Even with some questions, Peterson projects to be a plus on the defensive end with great three-point shooting, and that’s a valuable prospect in any context.

3. Memphis Grizzlies – Cameron Boozer, F, Duke

Boozer is the best prospect in the draft for my money due to his combination of lighting-quick processing, brute strength, shooting touch, and all-around offensive versatility. The 6’9, 250-pound forward can drive like a guard, space the floor beyond the arc like a wing, and clean the glass like a big. Giving Boozer the ball is a one-way ticket to creating a good look, whether he’s doing it himself or finding an open teammate. He’s a bit slow footed and doesn’t project to be a plus defensively, but his ability to create efficient offense every time the ball touches his hands overrides those questions. How many times is the smartest player on the floor also the strongest while being a 40 percent three-point shooter? He should be an All-NBA caliber player with brains, brawn, and skill.

4. Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina

Wilson combines elite athleticism and a non-stop motor to make jaw-dropping plays all over the floor. The 6’10 forward dunked absolutely everything around the rim this year with 67 slams in 24 games, but there’s more to his offensive game than that. He will be a threat in the post with the ability to hit tough mid-range turnarounds, and his passing is a major plus for someone so big and so athletic, too. Wilson’s defense will be his calling card early in his career, and he could be special on that end. His ground coverage is excellent, he has the length and bounce to offer secondary rim protection and be a plus on the defensive glass, and he consistently makes extra efforts. The big hole in Wilson’s game is his three-point shot, which is non-existent right now. Even with the outside shooting concerns, Wilson plays like a runaway freight train on both ends in the best way possible. He feels like a stronger prospect than the typical No. 4 overall pick, and it wouldn’t be too surprising if he goes even higher than that after recent reports that some front offices prefer him over certain members of the big-three.

5. Los Angeles Clippers – Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois

Wagler entered Illinois as the No. 150 recruit in the rankings, and left as a lock to be a top-10 draft pick after just one season. The freshman started to ascend once he was moved into an on-ball role mid-way through the season, which allowed him to flash his fantastic pull-up shooting chops, his capable playmaking, and his turnover avoidance. Wagler loves to get into his step-back three, especially when a big switches onto him, but he’s equally adept at spacing the floor and shooting it with range off the catch. He’s not exactly Tyrese Haliburton as a passer, but the Illini guard was able to hit his talented teammates in stride all year while avoiding costly live-ball turnovers. There are still moments where you can see why Wagler was so under-the-radar as a recruit. He’s not a great athlete, and ended the year with zeros — a shocking stat for a 6’6 one-and-done lottery pick. He didn’t do much on defense, though that could be partially explained with Illinois’ conservative scheme that finished dead-last in defensive turnover rate. Do teams trust him to drive and finish at the rim against NBA athletes? Wagler’s skill set still feels pretty malleable as a tall guard who can shoot and won’t make a bunch of mistakes. This is the best story in this draft class, and it keeps getting better.

6. Brooklyn Nets – Kingston Flemings, G, Houston

Flemings stood out in a loaded freshman guard class for his quick-twitch athleticism and two-way aptitude. The 6’3 guard plays bigger than his size with a strong chest, impressive lateral quickness, and disruptive hands on the defensive end. The Cougars star is so hard to contain as a driver with the standstill burst to get by the first defender, and awesome change of direction ability when he’s attacking off the bounce. Flemings is at his best as a scorer elevating for mid-range shots, but his driving is most dangerous because of his live-dribble passing ability. NBA teams will want to see Flemings up his three-point volume, prove he can finish over NBA rim protectors, and get to the line more often. He still has enough bankable NBA skills that he should be a good lead guard for a long time.

7. Sacramento Kings – Darius Acuff, G, Arkansas

John Calipari has had a lot of great freshman guards over the years, but I’m not sure any of them were more productive than Acuff. The Detroit native forced his way into national conversations with his takeover scoring ability and proficient playmaking against top competition all season. Acuff isn’t the biggest guard at 6’3, but he consistently found ways to beat the opposing defense, whether he was ripping three-pointers from deep, making tough shots off the bounce from the middle of the floor, or getting off the ball and spacing the floor for his teammates. Acuff carried such a huge offensive burden for his team this year that it makes sense that his defensive tape wasn’t too impressive. He also just doesn’t have good tools defensively, so he’ll remain a question on that end of the floor. His finishing over NBA length is also a concern after making only 59 percent of his rim attempts this season. If Acuff really is a 44 percent three-point shooter he showed this year, he should be able to overcome any other physical limitations. That just feels like a big bet this high in the lottery.

8. Atlanta Hawks – Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville

Brown was slowed down by a pesky back injury throughout the year, but he had some of the best flashes in the class when he was healthy. The 6’5 point guard combines high-volume three-point shooting, creative passing, and the ability to produce paint touches that gives him the chance to be an offensive engine at the next level if everything goes right. Brown doesn’t settle for mid-range shots like Flemings or Acuff, and while it can lead to more game-t0-game variance in performance, it could help him come out ahead over a longer sample. He can generate three-point looks out of thin air that sometimes go in, or can at least lead to offensive rebound chances. He surpassed expectations as a driver, and his playmaking is astounding in its best moments, finding passing angles few other players would see. Brown’s defensive tape wasn’t all that good, but he does have a little more height to fall back on than some of the other guards in this class. The back injury is scary and the shot-selection probably needs to be reigned in a tad, but the upside for an All-Star level offensive guard is there.

9. Dallas Mavericks – Brayden Burries, G, Arizona

Burries is a well-rounded shooting guard without an elite skill to fall back on. He fits the definition of a ‘two-way player’ as a strong 6’5 guard who can play through contact on both ends while also offering floor spacing with a 39 percent three-point shot. He’s a good transition player with a deep bag of scoring moves in the open floor, including pull-up threes. He can lock up at the point of attack on the defensive end, and his rebounding is better than most two guards with his offensive gifts. Two things appear to limit his upside right now: he lacks elite burst as a ball handler, and he’s not yet a good enough playmaker to demand super high usage. Burries is a one-and-one, but he’ll also be a 21-year-old rookie with a September 2005 birthday, making him a couple months older than junior wing Dailyn Swain out of Texas. Burries should be rock solid, but it’s fair to question his upside.

10. Milwaukee Bucks – Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan

Lendeborg’s winding road in college basketball started at the JUCO level, made a stop at UAB, and concluded with a national championship run at Michigan where he looked like the best player in the NCAA tournament. He could have been a first-round pick in last year’s draft, but there’s no doubt the super-senior forward helped himself with one more year of school. Yes, Lendeborg will be a 24-year-old rookie, but he also offers a rare two-way skill set and tremendous physical profile worthy of top-10 consideration regardless of age. At 6’9, 240 pounds, with a 7’4 wingspan, Lendeborg has the length of an NBA center with the skill to play out on the perimeter. He made 37.2 percent of his threes (on 180 attempts) and 82.4 percent of his free throws this season to prove his shooting touch. He’s always been a good passer who won’t be a ball stopper. He’s awesome on the defensive end, showing wing stopper abilities at the point of attack while also rushing in for chasedown blocks and pick-sixes when he sees an opening. Lendeborg also seems to have the right mentality as he readies for the pros. His age caps his upside a bit, but this is should still be a really good player right away.

11. Golden State Warriors – Aday Mara, C, Michigan

We had Mara as a preseason one-and-done lottery pick when he first came over from Spain to enroll at UCLA, but instead he sat on Mick Cronin’s bench for two years. The whole world saw what Mara could do when he helped lead Michigan to a national championship, and it’s possible no player helped their NBA stock more during March Madness. Mara will be one tallest and longest players in the NBA from day one standing at 7’3 with a reported 7’7 wingspan. He has an easy translation as a rim protector who specializes in drop coverage, but he doesn’t have much ball screen versatility because of his slow feet. On the offensive end, Mara can juice transition opportunities with his excellent outlet passing, and also serve as a hub in the halfcourt who can zing the ball to open cutters. He’ll have scoring utility as a lob threat, and he has flashes of post moves and scoring touch inside. Mara doesn’t shoot the ball well from the perimeter, and was also a very bad free throw shooter before making strides in the second half of the season. This might seem a little high, but the success of multi-year college bigs in the lottery like Donovan Clingan and Zach Edey should give teams confidence that Mara can translate.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Jayden Quaintance, F/C, Kentucky

It requires a leap of faith to draft Quaintance. The big man tore his ACL in Feb. 2025, and it resulted in a lost season this year at Kentucky where he only played four uninspiring games. The last time we saw him healthy, though, Quaintance looked like an elite defender as a 17-year-old freshman at Arizona State. While he’s a tad short for a center, Quaintance has long arms, huge hands, a solid base, and a strong chest to play bigger than his size. His ground coverage is phenomenal and should give him maximum coverage versatility against the pick-and-roll. He can also wall up at the rim as a shot-blocker, and he’s a great rebounder on both ends. Aside from putbacks, there are real questions about how his game translates offensively. He’s not a shooter, and while there are some ball handling flashes on the tape, it shouldn’t be considered a strength. Quaintance might have been a top-5 pick if he was healthy this year. Instead, he feels like one of the riskier prospects available, but one that could turn into a major steal.

13. Miami Heat – Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers

Lopez has been on NBA radars for years as a big forward who offers ball handling, scoring upside, and some defensive versatility. A native of Mexico who spent this season playing in the Australian NBL, Lopez showed flashes of downhill attacks, active rebounding on both ends, and defensive playmaking. He’s not a great outside shooter (32.2 percent on three attempts per game) or decision-maker yet (57 assists to 46 turnovers), which are clear areas for improvement as he enters the NBA.

14. Charlotte Hornets – Nate Ament, F, Tennessee

Ament was top-5 in just about every preseason mock, but his freshman year at Tennessee left a little to be desired. The 6’10 forward struggled badly to finish at the rim (51.8 percent), never found consistency with his three-ball (33 percent), and didn’t always respond well to physicality. Ament feels like he’ll need a couple more years to develop, but there’s still an outline of a two-way forward who spaces the floor here if everything goes right. Ament was in a tough team context at Tennessee where he needed to take on significant usage on a cramped floor. He took too many off the dribble shots, which he was terrible at. It’s easy to see Ament one day having success as more of a fourth-option who can hit spot-ups, attack closeouts, and use his length to contest shots defensively. He should be one of the more polarizing prospects on draft night, but being this highly regarded out of high school usually makes you a lottery pick.

15. Chicago Bulls – Dailyn Swain, F, Texas

Swain intrigued in his first two college seasons at Xavier as a long and bouncy wing who brought it on the defensive end. Upon transferring to Texas this season, he exploded offensively as a slasher to become one of the more complete prospects in this class. Swain still took on the toughest defensive assignment most nights for the Longhorns, and showed he could still get into the passing lanes and disrupt the offense’s flow even when carrying a higher usage rate. With more offensive freedom, Swain unleashed an improved handle that helped him create space one-on-one and get to the parts of the floor where he could score efficiently. Swain finished well at the rim (64.3 percent) with 83 percent of those looks being self-created. His mid-range touch was also awesome at 47.6 percent on non-rim twos with 95 percent of them coming without an assist. His three-point shot remains a work in progress, but he’s made huge strides to go from 11 makes combined as a freshman and sophomore, to 32 made three-pointers this year at a 34.8 percent clip. If you want positional size and athleticism with two-way adaptability on the wing, Swain is your guy.

16. Memphis Grizzlies – Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa

Stirtz is a skilled shot-creator as an efficient ball handler and shooter who scores well from all over the floor. The 6’4 guard can play on- or off-the-ball with a fantastic feel for reading ball screens as a handler, and he also has a quick trigger from three when he’s spacing the floor for his teammates. Stirtz does a good job of mapping the floor as a passer, and he’s also shined at suppressing turnovers. He’s a really good scorer both inside and outside the arc, showing mid-range pull-up shooting, crafty finishing, and accurate three-point shooting. He’s not super long or explosive, but he knows how to dictate pace and should be effective in the open floor after playing a very slow style at Iowa. He also played a ton of minutes for the Hawkeyes and showed he could still hit big shots at the end of games despite rarely ever hitting the bench. There are some defensive questions with Stirtz, but his high-IQ shows up at times on that end, too. Don’t write him off just because he’s a senior. He’s going to be a good pro for a long-time.

17. Oklahoma City Thunder – Hannes Steinbach, F, Washington

Steinbach is a monster rebounder with soft hands and tons of potential as a play-finisher. The Washington freshman is bit stuck in between positions at 6’11, 230 pounds without plus length, but he should have no problem playing in the two-big lineups that are suddenly more en vogue around the league. Steinbach’s rebounding is an elite skill after he posted a 14.3 percent offensive rebound rate and a 25 percent defensive rebound rate. Finishing so many putbacks aided his 63.6 percent true shooting on the season, but he does more than attack the glass. Steinbach can fly in transition for acrobatic finishes, and his ability to catch everything thrown at him often leads to easier chances around the basket. His outside shot is a bit of a question, but he did hit 34 percent of his threes on 53 attempts in 30 games this year. He’s not a natural rim protector defensively, so he’ll probably spend time at both frontcourt spots going forward. So long as Steinbach can keep making progress with his three and hold his own defensively, he should be a highly efficient finisher who also generates a lot of extra possessions for his team.

18. Charlotte Hornets – Labaron Philon, G, Alabama

Philon could have been a first-round pick in last year’s draft before being lured back to school for a big NIL bag, but there’s no question he improved his stock as a sophomore. Philon made major strides as a three-point shooter, going from 31.5 percent to 40 percent from deep while nearly doubling his volume. He feels like the shiftiest ball handler in the class, and his drive-and-kick game should be a natural fit in the NBA. He also has one of the best floaters in this class. Philon is pretty small for a guard, but he has the same standing reach as Tyrese Maxey, and he turned out okay. Playing in Alabama’s NBA system should only aid him as he makes the jump to the league.

19. Toronto Raptors – Chris Cenac Jr., C, Houston

Cenac is a long and athletic big man with a nice shooting stroke who needs to continue to work on his feel for the game and toughness. The fact that he committed to Houston and steadily improved throughout the year is a green flag in his favor. Kelvin Sampson holds his players to a high standard of grit, and Cenac earned his trust more and more as the season went on. Cenac’s 7’4 wingspan helps him challenge shots defensively and shoot over contests. He made 30-of-90 shots from three-point range this season. He was also excellent on the defensive glass with a 26 percent d-board rate. Cenac is raw, but the tools are undeniable. Give him a few years and you might have a valuable player.

20. San Antonio Spurs – Morez Johnson Jr., F/C, Michigan

Johnson may be a tad short for a big man at 6’9, but he makes up for it with length, strength, toughness, and efficiency as a scorer. He blossomed upon transferring to Michigan this season, where he showed he could play with other bigs and still impact the game as a rebounder, screen-setter, and play-finisher. Johnson was dominant at the rim by hitting 73 percent of his looks, and he makes his free throws when he gets fouled with a 78 percent stroke from the line. After not taking a three during his freshman season at Illinois, he made 34 percent of his triples on 35 attempts at Michigan, showing that he could have some shooting potential long-term. The biggest part of Johnson’s appeal comes on the defensive end, where he’s strong enough to guard bigs, quick enough to defend most guards and wings, and plays with a physicality that bumps opponents off their spots. There’s nothing flashy about his game, but he knows his role and executes it well. The NBA’s recent trend back to double-big lineups should only help Johnson’s stock.

21. Detroit Pistons – Cameron Carr, G, Baylor

Carr’s intersection of length and shooting gives him obvious appeal. The 6’5 wing reportedly has a 7’2 wingspan, and he made 37.6 percent of his threes on 10.6 attempts from deep per 100 possessions. Carr spent two years on the bench at Tennessee (partially because of a thumb injury) before blossoming at Baylor this season. He doesn’t offer much creation ability, and had almost as many turnovers (81) as assists (90) this season. Still, if you need an off-ball guard with a quick trigger and deep range from three, there are worse options than Carr.

22. Philadelphia 76ers – Allen Graves, F, Santa Clara

Graves came out of nowhere this season to become one of college basketball’s most productive and disruptive players on a per-minute basis. The 6’9 forward is an ultra-aggressive defender who tries to rip the ball away from his opponents at every opportunity, resulting in an unfathomable five percent steal rate and five percent block rate, and also a lot of fouls. Graves isn’t just a hacker: he also hit 40 percent of his threes, made connective passes without turning the ball over, and used his great hands to suction in rebounds at both ends. If he can tone down the fouling while maintaining his defensive playmaking, he could be a steal.

23. Atlanta Hawks – Christian Anderson, G, Texas Tech

Anderson is a high-volume three-point shooter and excellent playmaker who will have to overcome concerns about his size and defensive ability. The 6’2 guard made 41.5 percent of his threes on 12.1 attempts per 100 possessions from deep, with 56.5 percent of his makes coming on pull-ups without an assist. Anderson’s off-the-dribble shooting is even more valuable when mixed with his playmaking, where he posted an awesome 35.2 percent assist rate while struggling a bit with turnovers at times. He’ll need to prove his offensive skill level is high enough to keep him on the floor late in games where he could be targeted defensively.

24. New York Knicks – Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina

Veesaar is one of the few stretch five options in this class. The North Carolina big man took 27.5 percent of his field goal attempts from three-point range this season, and knocked down those shots at a 42.6 percent clip. His poor free throw shooting (61.5 percent) is a signal that his long ball could be fake, but he does enough well on the court to still provide some value if the shot falls off. Veesaar is a good passer who avoids turnovers and an efficient overall scorer despite the struggles from the line. He’s not a defensive enforcer in the middle, and will have to be more of an offensively-slanted big.

25. Los Angeles Lakers – Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State

Jefferson is a big, strong forward who brings two-way ability and rare passing vision for someone his size. He made a nice leap as a shooter this year to get up to 34.5 percent frmo three (a career-best), but he’ll need to continue to grow in that area. He will add some toughness and rebounding to any frontcourt, and his ball handling and playmaking would let JJ Redick’s coaching staff get creative with his usage.

26. Denver Nuggets – Ebuka Okorie, G, Stanford

Okorie wasn’t even a top-100 recruit entering his freshman year at Stanford, but the guard immediately put the rest of the country on notice with his terrifying speed fueling his shot-creation ability. Okorie has a wicked first step and even better acceleration to create driving lanes to the rim. He’s not the best finisher, but he can hit touch finishes from mid-range, and his live dribble passing (while avoiding turnovers) is impressive. He hit 35.4 percent from three this year on nearly 180 attempts, which should give teams confidence in his shot going forward. If you want a downhill guard, Okorie is worth a pick even higher than this.

27. Boston Celtics – Zuby Ejiofor, C, St. John’s

Ejiofor is a great mover for someone with a 245-pound frame. The St. John’s senior big man isn’t super tall or long, but he adds a level of physicality to any frontcourt while also intriguing with his connective passing ability. Ejiofor is really good on the glass at both ends, and he can offer some rim protection while also having pick-and-roll coverage versatility. His rim finishing and playmaking are solid, but he might need to develop a three-point shot to stay in the NBA.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves – Tyler Tanner, G, Vanderbilt

Tanner deserves to be a first-round pick if he stays in the draft, but his lack of size could push him down the order. The 6-foot guard became one of college basketball’s best players as a sophomore by unleashing his athleticism at both ends and improving as a shooter. He plays with a rare physicality for someone under 175 pounds, which gives him some defensive utility despite his lack of size. Tanner is super fast, a smart playmaker, and a daring finisher off his drives. He’d be a steal in this range.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers – Isaiah Evans, G, Duke

There isn’t a better shooter running off screens in this class than Evans. The Duke sophomore hit 36 percent of his 280 threes, with many of them coming on difficult attempts that leveraged his movement shooting ability. Evans’ 86 percent stroke from the free throw is a better indicator of how good his touch really is. He’s a bit thin for a shooting guard and isn’t a natural creator, so there will be questions about his defensive translation.

30. Dallas Mavericks – Meleek Thomas, G, Arkansas

Thomas is a walking bucket who also makes good decisions with the ball. The 6’5 guard is at his best as a microwave scorer, but unlike many in that archetype, his shot selection and turnovers aren’t a cause for concern.

The Nets will have the No. 6 pick in this year's NBA Draft.

Brooklyn entered Sunday's NBA Draft Lottery with a 14 percent chance to land the top overall pick, tied with the Washington Wizards -- who landed the pick -- and Indiana Pacers. 

The Nets finished the season with the third-worst record in the league at 20-62 and now have a chance to improve the team on June 23, when the first round is scheduled at Barclays Center.

The Top 5 picks in the NBA Draft will be as follows:

1. Washington Wizards

2. Utah Jazz

3. Memphis Grizzlies

4. Chicago Bulls

5. Los Angeles Clippers

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The Cleveland Cavaliers will put their undefeated home playoff record on the line against the Detroit Pistons in Game 4 tonight.

My Pistons vs. Cavaliers predictions expect Jarrett Allen to go at Jalen Duren tonight, en route to cashing the Over on his point total.

Let's dive in with my complete NBA picks for Monday, May 11.

Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 4 prediction today

Who will win Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 4?

Cavaliers: A playoff series hasn’t really started until the home team loses, and I don’t believe this series will start until at least Game 5. With Saturday’s 116-109 win over the Pistons, the Cavaliers are 5-0 at home in the playoffs, with a point differential of +47.

Pistons vs Cavaliers best bet: Jarrett Allen Over 12.5 points (-105)

Jarrett Allen has averaged 20 points over his last two games. He’s recorded 13+ in four of his last five, with the only exception being a two-point dud in Game 1 of the semifinals.

Allen has averaged 13.8 points across five home playoff games this season, and he’s gone for 13+ in two straight at Rocket Center.

The Cleveland Cavaliers' big man has found success against Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren over the last three seasons.

In 11 career matchups with Duren, Allen has averaged 14.6 points. He scored 13+ in seven of those head-to-heads, including four of five at home.

COVERS INTEL: Allen averaged 17.8 points in 13 games post All-Star break, scoring 13+ points 11 times in that span.

Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 4 same-game parlay

Donovan Mitchell has scored 30+ points in back-to-back games. In five matchups with the Pistons, he’s averaged 30.8 points and scored 29+ four times. Mitchell has been a more potent scorer at home, and I expect him to come through in a big way as the Cavs look to even up the series.

The Cavaliers built momentum after a win in Game 3, and they can tie the series at two games apiece with a win in front of the home crowd. The home team has won five straight in this head-to-head, and Cleveland is 31-12 straight up as the home favorite this season.

Pistons vs Cavaliers SGP

• Jarrett Allen Over 12.5 points
• Donovan Mitchell Over 27.5 points
• Cavaliers moneyline

Our "from downtown" SGP: Big man blitz

Allen averaged 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds during the regular season, bumping those numbers to 17.8 points and 9.2 rebounds after the All-Star Break.

In 11 head-to-head matchups with Duren, he’s gone for 8+ rebounds eight times, to go along with his impressive scoring output in those clashes. He’s recorded 13 points and eight rebounds together in four of five at home opposite Duren.

Tobias Harris has enjoyed a renaissance this postseason, and I expect another big showing in Game 4. Over his last eight, Harris has averaged 22.5 points and 7.5 boards, scoring 19+ in eight straight and corralling 7+ rebounds six times.

Pistons vs Cavaliers SGP

• Jarrett Allen Over 12.5 points
• Jarrett Allen Over 7.5 rebounds
• Tobias Harris Over 18.5 points
• Tobias Harris Over 6.5 rebounds

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Pistons vs Cavaliers odds for today's Game 4

• Spread: Pistons +3.5 (-110) | Cavaliers -3.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Pistons +140 | Cavaliers -165
• Over/Under: Over 213 (-110) | Under 213 (-110)

Pistons vs Cavaliers betting trend to know

The Cleveland Cavaliers have won five straight games at Rocket Arena. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Cavaliers.

How to watch Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 4

Pistons vs Cavaliers latest injuries

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The Knicks return to Xfinity Mobile Arena tonight for Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers, carrying a 3-0 series lead and a chance to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals. New York has controlled the matchup from the opening tip of Game One, overpowering Philadelphia with physicality, rebounding, and defensive pressure. OG Anunoby is listed as questionable with a hamstring issue for the Knicks, while Joel Embiid is probable despite ongoing hip soreness as the 76ers try to stave off elimination on their home floor.

Game time is at 3:30 p.m. EST on ABC. This is your game thread. This is Liberty Ballers. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Show those Philly fans what good sportsmanship looks like. And go Knicks!

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After winning Game 3 on the road, the NewYork Knicks have a chance to sweep the Philadelphia 76ers this afternoon.

Our NBA player prop projections help you make your NBA picks for this matchup.

If you want deeper analysis, read our Knicks vs. 76ers predictions for Sunday, May 10.

Knicks vs 76ers computer picks for Game 4

Knicks	76ers
Towns u5.5 assists -130	Edgecombe o12.5 points -105
Hart u13.5 points -120	Grimes o6.5 points -105
Bridges u14.5 points -110	George o3.5 assists +110

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Knicks Game 4 computer picks

Karl-Anthony Towns Under 5.5 assists (-130)

Projection: 3.01 assists

Karl-Anthony Towns has been racking up the dimes of late, but our model shows a 31.69% EV edge, good enough for a five-star play.

The Philadelphia 76ers' season is on the line, and they'll throw everything they can on defense to stay alive. With Joel Embiid hobbling on defense, KAT could also just go at him all game. 

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Josh Hart Under 13.5 points (-120)

Projection: 11.84 points

Josh Hart does a lot for the Knicks, but scoring hasn't really been one of them against the 76ers. He's gone Under this number in all three games, and our model expects him to do it again tonight.

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Mikal Bridges Under 15.5 points (-110)

Projection: 13.43 points

Mikal Bridges has found his shooting stroke, but our model predicts some regression. This projects to be a slow game, which means lower point totals across the board.

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76ers Game 4 computer picks

VJ Edgecombe Over 12.5 points (-105)

Projection: 15.35 points

Our model has found another five-star play for this game, with a 25.68% EV edge. VJ Edgecombe has been stellar for the Sixers for most of the season, and he's eclipsed this number in 50% of his playoff games.

VJ already showed in Game 2 what he can do for Philly, and it'll look for him to contribute with the season on the line.

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Quentin Grimes Over 6.5 points (-105)

Projection: 8.08 points

Quentin Grimes comes off the bench for the 76ers, providing a capable scoring punch. While he's cashed this line in just one of three games against the New York Knicks, our model sees him scoring today with his team's season on the line.

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Paul George Over 3.5 assists (+110)

Projection: 3.84 assists

Paul George's shot isn't falling at the rate he — or Philly — wants, so he has to find other ways to help his team win. PG dished out four dimes in Game 2 and finished at exactly three in the other two meetings.

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How to watch Knicks vs 76ers Game 4

Location	Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Date	Sunday, May 10, 2026
Tip-off	4:30 p.m. ET
TV	abc

Not intended for use in MA.
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Follow along for live updates and results from the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery.

The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is one of the most anticipated prospect-related events in recent memory. Results will significantly change many franchises.

This draft class is heavily loaded with potential NBA superstars such as AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and Caleb Wilson. Basketball fans will learn more about these players during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine, which is this week in Chicago.

A total of 73 players received invitations to participate, although Juke Harris already decided to withdraw as an early entry candidate from the pre-draft process. A select few additional players are expected to receive invitations based on performance at the G League NBA Draft Combine.

These prospects will look to separate themselves from the pack and earn a chance to hear their name in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, held in Brooklyn at Barclays Center on June 23.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — OG Anunoby was ruled out again for Game 4 on Sunday with a strained right hamstring, and the New York Knicks forward remained day to day in the second-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Anunoby was injured late in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, in which he scored 24 points.

The Knicks hold a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Anunoby was having another strong game Wednesday before appearing to suffer a leg injury and motioning to come out of the game. He went to the locker room area and did not return to the bench before the end of the Knicks’ 108-102 victory.

Anunoby is averaging 21.4 points per game in the postseason while shooting 61.9% from the field and 53.8% from 3-point range.

The 6-foot-7 Anunoby, who is considered the Knicks’ top defender, injured his hamstring two years ago in the second round as the Knicks were taking a 2-0 lead over Indiana. He missed the next four games and played just a few minutes in Game 7 as the Pacers rallied to win the series.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

The odds of landing the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft are known ahead of time, but there are any number of ways teams will look to get an extra push from Lady Luck.

The NBA Draft Lottery is set to take place Sunday, May 10, with each of the 14 eligible NBA teams sending its own delegation in hopes of bringing home the top prize. The teams with the three worst records this past season – the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets – each have 14% odds to receive the No. 1 selection.

Team executives, former players and current stars will be in attendance with the hope that they'll bring their teams the coveted top pick.

So who will be repping each NBA team during today's draft lottery? Here they are:

The Lakers made it clear from the beginning of their second-round playoff series against the Thunder what they would be willing to live with.

What they weren’t willing to live with: Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander going 1-on-1.

Which led to automatic double teams in the first two games of the series in Oklahoma City, getting the ball out of Gilgeous-Alexander’s hands and forcing the other Thunder players to beat them. 

The problem for the Lakers: The Thunder’s “others” did beat them. 

And even in Game 3, with the Lakers being less aggressive with their defensive coverages against Gilgeous-Alexander on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena, it was still the non-Gilgeous-Alexander Thunder players who stepped up in the Thunder’s 23-point win.

Chet Holmgren, the Thunder’s leading scorer for the series, was a difference-maker. Second-year guard Ajay Mitchell continued his breakout season, recording playoff career highs of 24 points and 10 assists in the Game 3 victory. Instead of Jared McCain, as in the first two games, Isaiah Joe provided the scoring punch off the bench for the Thunder, and Cason Wallace continued his stellar two-way play.  

The Lakers have dared everyone on the Thunder except Gilgeous-Alexander to beat them.

Which is why it’s time for the Lakers to challenge Gilgeous-Alexander to beat them. 

And Gilgeous-Alexander is perfectly capable of doing so. 

The reigning MVP, who’ll likely win the award again this season, is arguably the NBA’s best player.

But it’s time for the Lakers to live with more of Gilgeous-Alexander being the driving force behind the Thunder’s success. Through three games, it’s become clear the rest of the team is more than good enough to beat the Lakers, even with 2025 All-NBA honoree Jalen Williams sidelined. 

“You’ve seen them over the years: They have a lot of bodies, and they got a lot of guys that can do multiple things on the floor,” LeBron James said. “It helps to have that depth.”

What would it look like for the Lakers to challenge Gilgeous-Alexander to beat them?

It starts with allowing Marcus Smart, who’s been the Lakers’ best defender this season and best defensive matchup against Gilgeous-Alexander, to guard Gilgeous-Alexander without help.

Smart is up to the task. 

Toward the end of the third quarter of Game 3, with the Lakers trailing 87-79, Smart pressed up on Gilgeous-Alexander’s isolation near half court before backing up and putting his left hand up to signal to his teammates that he had Gilgeous-Alexander. 

But rookie forward Adou Thiero showed gap help one pass away. Gilgeous-Alexander passed to Wallace (whom Thiero was guarding), and Wallace drove into the paint to put the Lakers in rotation during a possession that ended with a Joe catch-and-shoot 3-pointer that put the Thunder up by 11.

The Lakers trailed by double digits the rest of the game.

Let Smart see if he can stay in front of Gilgeous-Alexander and test his jumper. Gilgeous-Alexander is shooting 11-of-28 (39%) outside of the paint in the series.  

Gilgeous-Alexander will get the best of Smart. That’s what league MVPs do. There isn’t one player who can stop Gilgeous-Alexander. Smart wouldn’t be expected to shut down Gilgeous-Alexander.

But Smart has the best chance of disrupting Gilgeous-Alexander 1-on-1. He’ll get the best of Gilgeous-Alexander, too.

And having less aggressive defensive coverages will lessen the likelihood of the Thunder getting 100-plus points from the non-Gilgeous-Alexander players on the roster.

This doesn’t mean the Lakers should completely go away from what worked.

Their flooding — man-to-man defense with zone principles in which a team loads up the strong side on wing isos — was effective in the first half of Game 3. It kept Gilgeous-Alexander out of the paint, the No. 1 priority. 

But Gilgeous-Alexander was more comfortable in the second half against a worn-down Lakers defense that showed fatigue from being put in rotation while also trying to score on OKC’s league-best defense. 

Letting Smart take Gilgeous-Alexander 1-on-1 more often should reduce the burden for everyone else. This could help the Lakers’ offense, which has averaged 45 points in the second half (the Thunder have averaged 63 second-half points) after averaging 56.7 points in the first half (the Thunder have averaged 58.3 first-half points). 

If Gilgeous-Alexander has Austin Reaves or Luke Kennard guarding him after a switch or crossmatch? Flood and show gap help. 

Switch less, allowing Smart to stay on Gilgeous-Alexander more and keep the defense’s backline bigger for rim protection and defensive rebounding. Be more aggressive with the defensive coverages on Mitchell. 

And dare Gilgeous-Alexander to beat you.

It’s the last option that hasn’t been tested.

Happy Mother’s Day! Here are four events to keep you busy today.

• 2026 NBA Draft Lottery — 3 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC (WJLA-TV)
• Washington Mystics vs. New York Liberty — 3 p.m. ET on Monumental Sports Network
• New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers Game 4 — 3:30 PM ET on ABC (WJLA-TV)); Knicks lead series 3–0
• San Antonio Spurs at Minnesota Timberwolves Game 4 — 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN and Peacock; Spurs lead series 2–1

Let’s hope the Washington Wizards come out ahead in the lottery. And enjoy the basketball!

We’ve arrived at the final stop on our journey to understanding how the community at large ranks each player of the Phoenix Suns roster relative to the term “best.”

Typically, I don’t like to use words like greatest, best, or worst. They sound decisive. In sports, they usually create more confusion than clarity. They rely on subjective criteria. What counts as “best”? Stats, leadership, longevity, impact, or performance in clutch moments? Everyone weighs those differently. One fan leans on availability, another leans on impact or advanced metrics. Without clear criteria, it becomes opinion dressed up as analysis.

I throw all that out of the door when I look at the SunsRank conversation. Because I want the subjectivity. I like reading how people ended up where they did. Speaking of which, here’s where we are through the first 15 players that you’ve been asked to SunsRank:

I knew there would be a difference of opinion in the Pillars tier, and we sure received it. Outside of Oso for 8th, the percentages were all over the board. That’s what made that tier so intriguing, because it truly personified the SunsRank conundrum. You likely ranked on attributes you deemed most important, and thus the variance occurred.

Consensus brought us to where we are, but not everyone saw it the same way. While the majority believed Mark Williams was the 7th best player on the Suns, we still had 20% vote him 4th. Jordan Goodwin recevied 18% of his votes for 4th. It’s a reminder that, while we all watch this team and this sport, we see it differently.

And now, on to the final tier, the Cornerstones. These are the players the franchise rests on, the names etched into the season’s story before the first tip. They set the tone, and if the Suns succeed, it’s because these players delivered.

Devin Booker

On the surface, when you look at the total points and percentages, it feels like a down year for Devin Booker. Then you look around him and see how many players had career years, and you can point directly to the gravity he creates as part of the reason why.

Was he great late in games toward the end of the season? No. Absolutely not. That’s what makes evaluating him this year feel different. Not difficult, different. It feels like some of the edge wasn’t there.

Dillon Brooks

If you want to talk about edge, Dillon Brooks brought it in abundance. He delivered one of the more surprising seasons I can remember in recent years. We all had expectations for what he could be as a member of the Phoenix Suns, still, I don’t think many of us expected the scoring production he provided.

That’s why he lands in the Cornerstone tier.

Jalen Green

The young player with all the upside, the kind of upside that could genuinely alter the trajectory of the Phoenix Suns if everything clicks. Jalen Green gave us an incomplete season, and that’s disappointing considering he entered with a reputation for being available and durable.

The status still exists. The talent still exists. The question becomes whether the lack of availability changes how you rank him overall.

And now, your final SunsRank votes of the spring.