The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 27 pick will play out with Boston Celtics making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Boston Celtics 2026 projected draft picks
No. 27 and No. 40 (via MIL)
Boston Celtics 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 27 overall, Cameron Carr, G, Baylor
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
One of the players who improved his draft stock the most this season was Baylor junior Cameron Carr. The All-Big 12 wing brings athleticism and shooting and, per Bart Torvik, he was the only player to make at least 40 field goals that were dunks and more than 60 field goals that were 3-pointers this season. Baylor outscored opponents by an additional 28.5 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor relative to when he was not, via CBB Analytics, which ranked as the fourth-most of any high-major player in the NCAA.
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 23 pick will play out with Philadelphia 76ers making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Philadelphia 76ers 2026 projected draft picks
No. 23 (via HOU)
Philadelphia 76ers 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 23 overall, Allen Graves, F, Santa Clara
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
One of the most under-the-radar prospects in all of college basketball this season was Santa Clara freshman Allen Graves, who was nearly a March Madness hero. It was hard not to notice the WCC Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year after he scored 30 points with 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals Feb. 7 against Washington State. The only players under 21 years old who held a higher box plus-minus, via Bart Torvik, were Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. He declared early entry for the 2026 NBA Draft but also entered his name in the transfer portal.
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 28 pick will play out with Minnesota Timberwolves making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie is an interesting early entry candidate in the 2026 NBA Draft. The first-team All-ACC guard was a day-one starter in the NCAA who is potentially capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the Timberwolves. He averaged 23.2 points per game, recording 40 points against conference rival Virginia Tech and seven other games with at least. 30points. Okorie could also return to school but should earn serious first-round buzz if he turns pro.
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 22 pick will play out with Atlanta Hawks making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Atlanta Hawks 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 7 overall, Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
The Hawks need a guard like Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. after trading away Trae Young, using a first-round pick they received from the Pelicans. En route to the Sweet 16, the SEC Player of the Year proved he is one of the most enticing offensive prospects in recent memory. Acuff Jr. led the nation for points created (1,394) either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. He led freshmen for field goals made in transition (72) and field goals made from both the left and right side of the court. He was among the freshmen leaders in alley-oop assists (17) as well. He has significant defensive deficiencies but playing alongside Dyson Daniels would help cover that problem.
Atlanta Hawks 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 22 overall, Patrick Ngongba II, C, Duke
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
Many teams might benefit from a big like Patrick Ngongba II, who is an above-average passer for his position. His assist rate is the highest among underclassmen listed at 6-foot-11 or taller, per Bart Torvik, and he is at the top of his game when passing to a driving perimeter player. The big man, who helped Duke earn a spot in the Elite Eight, is a big-bodied prospect who can carve out space as one of the more prolific cutters in college basketball. He is on an encouraging development track, displaying legitimate year-over-year improvement from his freshman to sophomore campaign.
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 13 pick will play out with Miami Heat making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
The Miami Heat have drafted several prospects known for their athleticism, which means a player like Arizona forward Koa Peat will probably have some appeal to the organization. Peat is an ideal match for this franchise given his versatility as a playmaking forward. Arizona played at a significantly faster pace (3.9 extra possessions) when Peat was on the floor relative to when he was not, per CBB Analytics, which would fit very well with Miami's fastest-paced offense in the NBA. The All-Big 12 forward just needs a jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro.
PLAY-IN GAME: The Clippers and Warriors meet with the winner advancing to play for the eighth seed.
BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Clippers host the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Playoffs Play-In Tournament. The winner moves on in the tournament to play for the eighth seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.
The Clippers have gone 10-6 against division opponents. Los Angeles ranks last in the Western Conference recording 40.6 rebounds per game led by Kawhi Leonard averaging 6.4.
The Warriors are 24-28 in Western Conference play. Golden State has a 5-6 record in one-possession games.
The Clippers' 12.4 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.5 fewer made shots on average than the 12.9 per game the Warriors give up. The Warriors average 15.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.4 more made shots on average than the 13.3 per game the Clippers give up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Leonard is averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals for the Clippers. Darius Garland is averaging 17.0 points over the last 10 games.
Stephen Curry is scoring 26.6 points per game and averaging 3.6 rebounds for the Warriors. Brandin Podziemski is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Clippers: 6-4, averaging 113.9 points, 41.0 rebounds, 23.4 assists, 8.8 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.8 points per game.
Warriors: 3-7, averaging 111.4 points, 40.3 rebounds, 27.5 assists, 8.2 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.3 points.
INJURIES: Clippers: Isaiah Jackson: out (ankle), Yanic Konan Niederhauser: out for season (foot), Bradley Beal: out for season (hip), Kawhi Leonard: day to day (ankle).
Warriors: Quinten Post: out (foot), Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), LJ Cryer: out (ankle), Moses Moody: out for season (knee), Draymond Green: day to day (back).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
PLAY-IN GAME: The Suns and Trail Blazers meet to decide the seventh seed in the Western Conference.
BOTTOM LINE: The Phoenix Suns host the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Playoffs Play-In Tournament. The winner secures the seventh seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.
The Suns are 29-23 in Western Conference games. Phoenix averages 112.6 points and has outscored opponents by 1.5 points per game.
The Trail Blazers are 29-23 in conference games. Portland is 23-18 in games decided by 10 or more points.
The Suns average 14.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.3 more made shots on average than the 12.5 per game the Trail Blazers allow. The Trail Blazers average 14.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.3 more made shots on average than the 12.2 per game the Suns give up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Royce O'Neale is scoring 9.8 points per game and averaging 4.8 rebounds for the Suns. Devin Booker is averaging 23.8 points and 2.8 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Donovan Clingan is averaging 12.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks for the Trail Blazers. Deni Avdija is averaging 24.5 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 5-5, averaging 115.1 points, 44.2 rebounds, 24.0 assists, 7.8 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.1 points per game.
Trail Blazers: 7-3, averaging 118.3 points, 46.3 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 9.4 steals and 6.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.2 points.
INJURIES: Suns: Collin Gillespie: day to day (shoulder), Grayson Allen: day to day (hamstring), Devin Booker: day to day (ankle), Mark Williams: day to day (foot), Royce O'Neale: day to day (knee), Jalen Green: day to day (knee), Jordan Goodwin: day to day (ankle), Dillon Brooks: day to day (hand).
Trail Blazers: Jerami Grant: day to day (calf), Damian Lillard: out for season (achilles).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
After two arduous years of tanking, Nets fans want to know whether their team is going to flip the switch and accelerate their rebuild — and if so, when.
GM Sean Marks’ answer was as evasive as expected.
“It depends a little on what becomes available. You just never know,” said Marks. “We’ve put this Nets team and franchise in a place to be able to be opportunistic. Does that fit our timeline? Does this particular trade work for us right now?
“You can always add talent, but does that talent fit our approach and for the development of these young guys, fit in with the group we have? So, those are discussions I look forward to having with Jordi [Fernández] and the rest of the coaching staff, front office, mostly Joe [Tsai] — when we want to add and how we want to add.”
Brooklyn Nets GM Sean Marks speaks with the media during post season interviews at HSS Training Center. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
That was in line with The Post’s reporting that Brooklyn’s timeline would partly hinge on whether a star shook loose after the playoffs.
Michael Porter Jr. had a career year, but tailed off to shoot just 40.9 percent — and 25.6 from deep — in his final 14 games.
“Once All-Star break happened and I realized I wasn’t an All-Star, I had a little slippage in my focus, a little slippage in my preparation,” said Porter. “And that can’t happen regardless of what’s going on with the team and the team record.”
Fernández spoke on the emotional strain of a losing season.
“You don’t know how you’re going to deal with your emotions until you have to go through it,” said Fernández. “I remember getting the job and some people were like ‘Oh, it’s going to be hard. It’s not going to be easy’. I always have a positive mindset; I’m like ‘Oh, no, we’ll be OK’. [But] it’s really hard because you want to go out there and win.”
Noah Clowney averaged career highs of 12.3 points and 4.1 rebounds, and showed a knack for getting to the line. But he didn’t make the strides he’d hoped for defensively.
Noah Clowney speaks with the media during post season interviews at HSS Training Center, Monday, April 13, 2026, in Brooklyn, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“I progressed this year, maybe not as much as I wanted to, which I thought I would have,” said Clowney. “But I got better at some different things, and I got more experience. So I’m gonna take that for what it is.
“I got a lot better at getting to the rim. [My handle] can get a lot better, and that would prevent my turnovers…Defensively, it’s just always been consistency. I can do it at times, and other times I just don’t..”
As impressive as Josh Minott was after arriving at the trade deadline, he was playing hurt from his earlier season ankle sprain.
“I look forward to seeing him healthy,” said Marks. “He was playing on one leg with us for most of the time here, so it is nice to get that ankle taken care of and then again have another big summer for a young man like that..”
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks to media after the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
What happens when you solve a problem with another problem?
Adam Silver and the NBA’s campaign to abolish the practice of tanking has creased another wrinkle, as the newest proposal to cure professional basketball of its blood-sucking parasite has been revealed to the public. Their solution? Eliminate the incentive to tank by completely erasing the advantage of finishing in last place and rewarding those who won just a few more games.
The three worst records in the NBA will all be given decreased lottery odds and a worse chance at receiving the number-one overall pick compared to teams 4-10 in the lottery order. This eliminates any incentive to dive to the bottom of the standings and gives the league’s worst teams no reason to tank, especially in the late season (unless you’re just one or two spots above that 4-10 range, I suppose).
It’s innovative and relatively straightforward (I’d certainly prefer to commit this rule to memory than other suggestions like taking an average of the last two seasons’ records, tracking draft credits, or other dizzying proposals). Tanking is a race for last place, and by removing all incentive to be in the bottom three, you remove all incentive to tank at all. Problem solved!
…Not quite.
If this fix actually accomplishes its goal of eliminating tanking, the NBA will be plagued with a new problem of its own creation.
Assuming a future where tanking no longer exists, the altered lottery odds could keep the NBA’s worst teams at the bottom for years. Franchises with little free agency appeal and a smaller bank account will be in the bottom four, not by choice, but by nature. They didn’t fall to the bottom on purpose — tanking is over.
These are the teams that need a Cooper Flagg, an AJ Dybantsa, a Darryn Peterson, or a Cameron Boozer. These are the teams that must build a competitive team through the draft. These are the teams that, under this proposed rule change, are systematically disadvantaged from ever drafting a player capable of changing their luck.
If the bottom four teams are, in fact, the worst four teams, why are they being penalized?
Tanking isn’t the disease; it’s a symptom. We’re treating a papercut via amputation — sure, my finger doesn’t hurt anymore, but now I don’t have a hand. What have we fixed?
The NBA Draft was originally implemented with one purpose in mind: to prevent bad teams from staying bad and good teams from perpetual dominance. The inverted order makes perfect sense for this reason: give the worst teams good players, and give the best teams the leftovers. For the sake of competition and parity, this system works perfectly.
When one player’s impact is minimal, like in the MLB and NFL, tanking isn’t a very common practice. In the NBA this season, nearly one-third of the league was actively sabotaging their season for the opportunity of drafting a top player.
The NBA Draft Lottery accelerates the tanking problem, giving teams 1-14 in the order a chance at lucking into the number-one overall pick, and we’ve seen teams jump up 10 and 9 spots to the number-one pick in consecutive years.
That’s why teams want to tank, even if they’re not at the bottom of the standings; so long as you’re in the lottery, you have a chance at a franchise-changing superstar.
I propose that the draft isn’t the problem at all — the lottery is.
Eliminate the lottery, and instead return to the straightforward inverse order according to the teams’ records. You’ll still see teams 1 through 3 make a desperate attempt to tank their way to the number one pick, or to simply retain their draft position, but what about teams 6-14?
Do you really think that this year’s Golden State Warriors or Miami Heat would be desperately dropping games for the sake of getting the 11th pick instead of the 12th?
Would Washington or Indiana spend year after year dive-bombing the standings ladder if they already got their franchise star after one year of misery? There would be no need to after just one or two seasons, right? But instead, you have teams like Washington, Utah, Charlotte, and Brooklyn who have spent four-plus years tanking away, only for the odds to fall flat and encourage another season of deliberate losing.
By giving half the league a chance of leapfrogging the draft order if the ping pong balls fall their way, you give half the league a reason to tank for every percentage point. You’re not digging deep enough, Adam Silver, and you won’t bring in more fans by further complicating the sport.
Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the NBA and College Sports since 2024.
1. It’s interesting to consider who will start at center and how Sixers head coach Nick Nurse will divvy out minutes there without Joel Embiid (appendectomy recovery).
Adem Bona made several brilliant, high-flying defensive plays early in the Sixers’ Oct. 27 win over Orlando. He picked up two quick fouls, though. Bona started the Sixers’ last three games but played less than Andre Drummond every time. It would not qualify as a major surprise if Nurse prefers to start Drummond for this matchup. Drummond’s physicality and rebounding may very well appeal to Nurse against a big Orlando team that’s good on the glass.
Starting Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. is somewhat of a stretch five, although that doesn’t appear like it should be a significant factor in how the Sixers handle their center minutes. Carter could always heat up, but he’s shot just 31.9 percent from three-point range this season on 2.9 attempts per game. Goga Bitadze will play behind Carter. He knows his role well as a rim protector and rebounder who can chip in double-figure scoring nights on occasion.
2. Orlando’s size and strength can be overwhelming. One place that could hurt the Sixers is when the Magic attack before the defense is set. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner will be happy to go right to the rim against Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe or any smaller defender they see in transition.
The Sixers’ transition defense was again a weakness this year. According to Cleaning the Glass, the Sixers’ opponents added 3.4 points per 100 possessions through transition play, which ranked 25th in the NBA.
3. Wagner, Banchero and the Magic aren’t shy about using their size to help earn trips to the foul line. Orlando led the league in free throw rate, per Cleaning the Glass.
Beyond all the free throws, the Magic’s physical style can contribute to some chippy moments. There were several during the regular-season series, including a tense scene back on Nov. 25 when Drummond took a boxer’s stance as he exchanged words with Carter, a slew of technical fouls got dished out, and Jalen Suggs was ejected for his part in the dust-up.
4. The Sixers’ home and road records were nearly identical — 23-18 at Xfinity Mobile Arena, 22-19 away from Philadelphia.
There’s still no doubt the players prefer to have home-court advantage. Sixers fans can get awfully loud and they’ll be fired up for a high-stakes game.
“Super excited about it,” Paul George said Sunday after the Sixers beat the Bucks in their season finale. “Obviously, I’ve never experienced a playoff environment here, but I’m looking forward to it with the intensity, the passion. With the fans here, I’m sure it’s going to be a special environment and I’m looking forward to playing in it.”
5. For the Sixers’ defense, we imagine a successful game would be a combination of contested Magic jumpers and good gambles.
The Sixers’ zone defense was very effective in the second half of their Jan. 9 road victory over the Magic. Orlando isn’t a team full of non-shooters, but any defensive scheme that can lead the Magic to fire up three-pointers and do less damage inside is likely worth using. After adding Desmond Bane last summer, the Magic improved their team three-point percentage from 30th in the NBA last season (31.8 percent) … to 27th (34.3 percent).
Even when they play zone, the Sixers need to be active and keep trying to force turnovers. That doesn’t mean selling out for steals and abandoning shooters in the corners, but the Sixers’ defense is best when players poke at the ball, spring the odd trap and disrupt the opponent’s rhythm.
6. One of the Sixers’ best defensive tools should be the handful of switchable wing/forward defenders they can employ against Banchero and Wagner.
Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Dominick Barlow all meet that description. Jabari Walker’s another name who might be in the mix. Of all the players Walker defended this season, he spent the second-most time on Banchero. Again, Banchero is a big forward — listed at 6-foot-10, 250 pounds — so it’s perfectly reasonable to have size in mind when looking at how to guard him.
7. We presume the Sixers will remain star-powered and that Maxey and Edgecombe will both rarely rest.
The team has obvious deficiencies with its depth. For instance, Quentin Grimes is the one true bench guard if you don’t count little-used 40-year-old Kyle Lowry.
On a sunnier note, the Sixers have several non-stars who have shown they can deliver game-winning performances. Grimes can catch fire. Justin Edwards won’t hesitate to take important threes and he’s capable of knocking them down. Barlow can grab a vital offensive rebound, stop a star in isolation or slip free with a savvy cut.
Those sorts of players have all had extended opportunities to fine-tune their roles and build confidence through the season.
“I think the overall assessment is, as choppy as it was injury-wise again, I’m glad we were able to handle that a lot better,” Nurse said. “A lot of guys improved and a lot of guys filled in. There were big moments for almost everybody. … I’m pretty proud of them for hanging in there, battling through the adversity and all that kind of stuff.
“I think we’ve got a lot of ceiling to go yet. I think there’s a lot, so hopefully we’ll be able to play a bunch of games and keep improving.”
9. The Magic and Sixers have met twice before in the postseason.
The Sixers notched a 3-1 first-round series win in 1999. After losing Game 2 by a 79-68 score, the Sixers returned home. Allen Iverson snagged 10 steals in Game 2 (along with 33 points, five assists and two blocks). He still holds the NBA’s single-game playoff steals record.
Orlando earned a six-game series victory over the Sixers in Round 1 of the 2009 playoffs. Games 1, 3 and 4 all came down to the final seconds and featured game-winners from Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young and Hedo Turkoglu.
10. At this point, there’s almost nothing about VJ Edgecombe that alerts you to the fact he’s a 20-year-old rookie.
“I would say probably just the pace of the game slowing down for me,” Edgecombe said Sunday. “It’s more mental than physical. Mentally, I would say I was able to soak it all up. The game wasn’t going too fast.
“It slowed down for me, so I would say it’s just been more mental and that’s where I’ve grown the most.”
BATON ROUGE, La. — All-Big 12 point guard Jada Williams, who was among nine Iowa State players to enter the transfer portal, will play next season at LSU.
Coach Kim Mulkey on Monday announced the addition of Williams, who averaged 15.3 points and led the Big 12 with 7.7 assists per game in her only season at Iowa State after two years at Arizona.
“Jada is a veteran point guard who is more than ready to run the show here in Baton Rouge,” Mulkey said. “She has the ability to create opportunities for teammates but also score at all three levels. Jada plays with an infectious energy that Tiger fans will love.”
Williams ranks among the top earners for name, image and likeness in women’s college basketball and is one the most popular on social media platforms. She has nearly 600,000 followers on Instagram, more than 500,000 on TikTok and almost 18,000 on X (Twitter).
Michael Porter Jr. is the best player on the rebuilding Nets, but also their biggest question.
He’s the only Net with a ring or to have played at an All-Star level. But at 27 and on an expiring deal, do they extend him this summer or deal him?
What Nets GM Sean Marks wants is a mystery. For Porter himself, not so much.
“If it was up to me, I’d love to sign an extension with this franchise,” said Porter. “I feel like we mesh. We have great vibes, great energy in the locker room, and to be a part of something that’s building in a positive way, a positive momentum, that’d be awesome. I’d love to spend many years in Brooklyn, make this my home and build and watch this franchise take off, because we saw glimpses of it this year.
“There was a lot of positives. Front office-wise, they have the ability to make some moves and make us even better. If the goal is to win, which we all know it is, then I’d love to make this my home, and that’d definitely be a cool thing for sure.”
Nets center Nic Claxton (l.), Michael Porter Jr. (c.) and Day’ron Sharpe look on during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Brooklyn, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Porter joined Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic and Jaylen Brown as the only players to average 24 points and seven rebounds this season, even after a slow finish and a hamstring injury.
“Once All-Star break happened and I realized I wasn’t an All-Star, I had a little slippage in my focus, in my preparation,” said Porter. “That can’t happen regardless of what’s going on with the team and the record.”
Still, Porter has made known his desire to stick around. Marks has been more coy.
After trades selling high on Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, Marks could deal Porter to a contender in need of shooting.
“We spoke a little bit in the exit interview, me and Andy [Birdsong, assistant GM]. And me and Sean had a phone call,” said Porter. “But my job is to just make it clear I want to be here and let those guys know. And from there, it’s on them, whatever’s best for the franchise. Either way, they can let me know what’s going on or not. I have no hard feelings.
“I always feel grateful and blessed to be given an opportunity to play for a lot of money. And I think that Sean and them will be transparent with me. But I don’t think they owe me that. Obviously as a player I would appreciate it, and I’d like to know what they’re thinking. But things happen quick in the NBA; deals come up and things move pretty fast. So just got to take it in stride and see what happens.”
Michael Porter Jr. #17 of the Brooklyn Nets goes up for a shot as Anthony Gill #16 of the Washington Wizards defends during the first half. Jason Szenes / New York Post
Porter is on an expiring $40.8 million deal, and on July 6 becomes eligible for an extension of up to four years and $234 million. The price will certainly be lower, but will he get signed at all?
“[In] the summer, there’s going to be a lot of those discussions,” said Marks. “Whether it’s with Michael, there’s a variety of decisions we have to make with a variety of our players.”
Cap expert Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron mentioned a four-year, $194 million extension, but suggested the Nets could get Porter for less. He’d earlier opined four years, $160 million.
Both Gozlan and ESPN Insider Bobby Marks said the Nets could use some of their $30 million in cap space to renegotiate and extend Porter, giving him a raise next season and then up to a 40% pay cut in the first year of the extension.
Gozlan suggested raising him to the 30 percent max of $49.5 million, then give him a smaller $30 million cap hit in the subsequent season. That would both help the Nets’ team-building and boost his trade value.
“I don’t think anybody questioned whether he could shoot, but could he be a No. 1 option? And for us, he’s the No. 1 option,” said Marks. “I just enjoyed the person, I enjoyed being around him. He’s a fun-loving guy, he’s curious.”
Marks gave only a sly nod to Porter’s podcast, “Curious Mike.” He gave even less on his summer plans.
Apr 10, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs hype squad celebrate after a victory over the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
After the 2024 Paris Olympics concluded, I wrote a piece entitled “Age does not defeat joy, even in sports“. I talked about how some of the “senior members” of the USA Olympic basketball teams, and in particular, Steph Curry and LeBron James, had conquered the world joyfully.
For me, that same word “joy” describes the 2025-26 regular season for the Spurs. Regardless of how the playoffs end, Spurs fans should remember the joy we all experienced watching our team this season, game after game after joyful game.
At the start of the season, we dreamed of the Spurs getting back into the playoff hunt, if everything went well. We hoped to be one of “those teams” — the lower seeded team that no one wants to play. Indeed, last September, a Pounding the Rock writer wrote this:
“While the 2025-26 Spurs cannot realistically expect to challenge the top five from last year, they can set their sights on the next three, along with Play-In losers Mavs and Kings.
“Let’s aim for that 6-spot. And maybe face the Clippers in Round One. Does that sound about right?”
That guy’s hopeful outlook seems ridiculous now. The Spurs both challenged and exceeded the top five from last year, even going 4-1 against the mighty Thunder. 62 wins!! I am sure glad I was not the guy who wrote that the Spurs would be happy with a sixth place finish and a first-round match-up with the third place Clippers.
Oh, wait. That guy was me. I have only one excuse. The article was entitled: “The Spurs got better this summer, but so did most of the Western Conference. Wait, did all the good Western Conference teams get better?”
I must have decided my conclusion should match the title.
However, I did much better on another preseason prediction. I wrote:
“The basketball universe unanimously approved the Spurs’ selection on Dylan Harper as the clear second best player in the 2025 NBA draft. The only concern I have heard is that Harper’s skills overlap with those of the anticipated starting backcourt of De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle.
“Having coached a bit, I know that having three good guards for the two backcourt spots is a good thing, not a bad one. The reason is simple: players don’t play all 48 minutes. Indeed, the Spurs’ best player last year (you know his name) averaged just 33 minutes per game. In 17 games with the Spurs, Fox averaged 34 minutes while Castle averaged 27. If Fox and Castle play the same amount this season, they will play a total of 61 minutes out of the 96 minutes available. That leaves 35 minutes for Harper or others — for instance if Devin Vassell splits his time between the 2 and the 3. Harper will be not be 20 years old until March 2026 — and 20 is probably about the right number of minutes for such a young player in his rookie season. There probably won’t be enough playing time for Harper to win the Spurs’ third consecutive Rookie of the Year award, but with that other rookie in Dallas starting for the Mavs, Harper probably won’t win the award anyway.”
I absolutely nailed that one. The Spurs’ three top guards were great, and sharing those 96 minutes was not an issue at all. Fox and Castle combined to average 61 minutes per game, exactly the number I predicted, while young Harper averaged 22 minutes – and those 22 minutes were fabulous. While I correctly stated that he would not win Rookie of the Year, Harper will almost certainly be on the First Team All-Rookie Team. And he brought Spurs fans much joy throughout the season.
As did Castle and Fox, Keldon Johnson, who thrived as Sixth Man (of the Year?), our shooting wings (Devin Vassell and undrafted and therefore very Spursian Julian Champagnie), the back-up center (and sometimes starter) Luke Kornet (also undrafted), unheralded rookie Carter Bryant (who plays with a joyful abandon, enthusiasm and skill), Harrison Barnes (who adjusted well to coming off the bench for the first time ever), and the coaching staff — also essentially rookies.
After a Spurs win in Miami, one of the more joyous recent games to watch, our Frenchman said this, which we could all see as we watched the team compete:
“It’s unselfishness,” said Wemby postgame. “We get along super well on and off the court, and we see the results.”
KJ, who recently had a group of reporters visit his ranch, just had a piece published in The Player’s Tribune about his time with the Spurs and how much of a home San Antonio has become, had this to say:
The best way I can describe our group is like a rodeo. Everybody on the team has their own unique vibe and personality, and when it all comes together it’s just wild. And we thrive off that. We thrive off that chaotic energy of yelling and screaming, and laughing and joking 24/7. And on the floor, that turns into something special.
They say it is the journey, not the destination. For this regular season, I can’t imagine a more joyful journey, without even knowing the ultimate destination. Perhaps I should I have entitled this piece “Youth and inexperience do not defeat joy, they enhance it.”
Speaking of journeys and destinations, I intended this post to be a look back at my preseason over/under predictions for the Western Conference. Unlike prior seasons, I am very joyous about how my preseason predictions this time. Most importantly, I got the Spurs right. My preseason prediction for the Spurs:
“Vegas has projected the Spurs to improve more in 2025-26 than every other team except one . . . Who am I to disagree? I am also contractually obligated to say OVER, and I know better than to breach my contract before ‘the powers that be’ decide on my Christmas bonus. OVER, OVER, OVER”
Of course, even though Vegas projected the Spurs to increase from 34 wins to 43.5, Vegas was wildly pessimistic. My “OVER, OVER, OVER” did so much better than Vegas.
I also went “UNDER, UNDER, UNDER” on the Clippers, who Vegas pegged for 48.5 wins. Wrong! Clips won only 42 games, so I beat Vegas again.
The Spurs’ loss to the Nuggets Sunday put Denver’s win total at 54, just over the 53.5 Vegas prediction — and I had the Nuggets as an Over. That brought my overall record this season to a remarkable 11-4. I would much rather the Spurs won, which would have put me at 10-5, but I would accept that in a heartbeat rather than having to beat both Denver and OKC to get to the NBA Finals.
Unfortunately, losing that last game means that the Spurs will likely need to go through both Denver and OKC to get to the NBA Finals. But let’s not focus on that right now. If I would have predicted before the season that as of the start of the Play-In Round, the Spurs would have finished 62-20 (62 wins!!), second place in the tough Western Conference, with home court for the first two rounds of the playoffs (and the NBA Finals if they get there), and dominate the defending champs in their regular season match-ups, everyone would have understandably called me crazy.
Shams Charania fired back at now-former Bucks coach Doc Rivers while appearing on “The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, dropping the gauntlet down that he just documents “the news and the truth can hurt sometimes.”
The NBA insider was discussing where the Bucks will go after a disastrous season concluded on Sunday with a loss to the 76ers, when Charania pushed back at those who have questioned his reporting.
“The reality of everything in Milwaukee is this, if they spent as much time dealing with their own internal dynamics and problems as they do responding to accurate reports, they wouldn’t be in the mess that they’re in right now,” he said.
Former Bucks coach Doc Rivers. AP
“I got one more for you. I’ve been watching documentaries from time to time, I saw one on Fyre Festival, and so the part we’re at right now is everyone wants to run and you’re doing the cover-up,” Charania added. “Again, it’s totally fine, I’m just here to document and cover it the right way. I feel like we’ve done an unbelievable job tracking everything. At the end of the day, the last month and a half we’ve seen it.”
Charania reported earlier this month on the internal issues going on during the season in Milwaukee, which included the persistent speculation around star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
It also detailed a March 1 team meeting where Rivers challenged his players and told them to look up his résumé.
Rivers had taken shots at Charania during an appearance on “Run It Back” on FanDuel Sports Network – a show Charania had been a part of in the past – on Friday.
“Shams wrote an article that was so inaccurate that I don’t have enough time to go into it,” River said. “He talked about a locker room thing and I was laughing like, ‘yeah, we had a tough locker room day.’ We lost to the Chicago Bulls with a 20-point lead. I showed clips the next day of guys who were screwing up. That’s what happens in a locker room. The first thing I thought was, ‘Where’s Woj? I miss [Adrian Wojnarowski] so much.'”
Shams Charnia appears on “The Pat McAfee Show.” @PatMcAfeeShow/X
Rivers also questioned Charania’s sourcing in the story and appeared to allege that the insider had written the story as payback for a joke the coach made about him during NBA All-Star Weekend. Rivers said Antetokounmpo should have traded him from his celebrity team, a quip the team’s social media department ran with, much to Charania’s reported dismay.
“I just report the news,” Charania said on Monday. “I just document the news and the truth can hurt sometimes 100 percent. I stand by my reporting to the 10th degree, like 100 percent.”
New York Knicks' Walt Frazier (10) playing against the Atlanta Hawks.
If you go looking through the Knicks’ biggest playoff rivals, the Hawks aren’t the first matchup that comes to mind. They’re not Miami, they’re not Indiana, and they haven’t been a consistent playoff opponent at all. In fact, it’s a pretty rare matchup. But when these two teams do meet in the postseason, it usually ends up reflecting exactly where the Knicks are as a franchise in that moment. There have only been three playoff matchups between the Knicks and the Hawks, and each one sits in a completely different era, with a completely different identity behind it.
The first matchup between the two teams came in 1971, when the Knicks were at the height of their powers. This was a championship-caliber team, built on structure, depth, and discipline, and they approached the series against Atlanta the way great teams typically do when facing an opponent they are simply better than. The Knicks won the series 4-1 to move on to the Eastern Conference Finals. This was a team loaded with five players whose jerseys now hang in the Garden rafters, led by Walt Frazier and Dick Barnett, and they controlled the series from start to finish. Even when games got competitive, it never really felt like the outcome was in doubt. New York controlled pace, executed consistently, and imposed its style over the course of the series.
UNITED STATES – MARCH 26: Atlanta Hawks' Pistol Pete Maravich is trying to faze New York Knicks Walt Frazier this time at Madison Square Garden. Walt got around the young Hawk to make a two-pointer, but shot was nullified because of violation of three point rule. (Photo by Frank Hurley/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) | NY Daily News via Getty Images
The numbers tell part of it, but the feel of that series says even more. The Knicks averaged 110 points per game, with Walt Frazier leading the way at 25.6 a night while doing a little bit of everything. Dick Barnett gave them another 22 per game. Inside, Willis Reed and Dave DeBusschere controlled the paint, combining for over 30 rebounds per game and setting the physical tone that Atlanta couldn’t match. It was not about individual brilliance as much as it was about collective reliability. That Knicks team knew exactly who it was, and Atlanta did not have the personnel or cohesion to disrupt that.
Nearly three decades later, the two teams met again in 1999, and this series carries far more weight when viewed in context. The Knicks entered that postseason as an 8 seed in a lockout-shortened season, having gone just 27-23 in the regular season. Expectations were minimal, and their first-round matchup against the top-seeded Miami Heat was widely viewed as a formality. Instead, the Knicks pulled off one of the most memorable upsets in franchise history, winning that series in five games and completely shifting the trajectory of their season. Waiting for them in the second round was Atlanta, a team that had finished 31-19 and was considered far more stable and complete at that point in time.
The Knicks had already adjusted to life without Patrick Ewing before the playoffs. This wasn’t a team scrambling to replace him, it was a team that had already evolved. Marcus Camby brought a completely different dynamic with his length, mobility, and defensive activity, anchoring a more aggressive and disruptive approach. He didn’t just fill a role, he changed the energy. His weakside shot blocking, quick rotations, and ability to cover ground gave the Knicks a defensive presence that felt everywhere at once, and when he got going, the Garden felt it. The rejections at the rim, the putback slams, the transition finishes, it all brought a level of electricity that fed into the team’s identity. On both ends, Camby made the game feel faster, more chaotic, and more alive, and Atlanta never adjusted to it.
NEW YORK – MAY 23: Marcus Camby #23 of the New York Knicks shoots a layup against Dikembe Mutombo #55 of the Atlanta Hawks in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 1999 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 23, 1999 in New York, New York. The Knicks won 90-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1999 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Offensively, the Knicks were led by Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell, with Sprewell averaging 22.5 points per game and Houston adding 18. The offense controlled the pace, but it was the defense that dictated the series, leading to a second-round sweep of the Hawks.
That sweep wasn’t just another series win, it was a continuation of one of the most improbable runs in franchise history. As an 8 seed, the Knicks weren’t supposed to be there, and they definitely weren’t supposed to dominate a higher-seeded Hawks team the way they did. Instead, they stayed in control, carried their momentum from Miami, and moved straight through to the Eastern Conference Finals. From there, the run kept building, all the way to the NBA Finals, marking the franchise’s first appearance on that stage since 1994.
After 1999, the matchup disappeared again for more than two decades, as the two franchises moved through different cycles without ever aligning in the postseason. It was not until 2021 that they met for the third time, and this series carried a very different kind of significance. The Knicks entered the playoffs as the 4 seed in the Eastern Conference after a 41-31 season, marking their first postseason appearance since 2013. More importantly, they entered with a renewed identity under Tom Thibodeau, built around defense, physicality, and the emergence of Julius Randle as an All-NBA level player. Madison Square Garden, limited in capacity but fully engaged, provided an atmosphere that felt like a reintroduction of playoff basketball to New York.
Game 1 immediately shifted the tone of the series and added Trae Young to the list of Garden villains. Tie game, under 10 seconds left, ball in his hands. He waves off the screen, drives straight down the middle, freezes the defense just enough, and floats it in with 0.9 seconds left. No panic, no rush, just complete control in the biggest moment of the night. Atlanta stole a 107-105 win, but it felt bigger than just one game. That moment set the tone for the entire series. It gave Atlanta confidence, put the Knicks on their heels, and from there, the series steadily tilted in Atlanta’s favor.
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 2: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks smiles after the game against the New York Knicks during Round 1, Game 5 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on June 2, 2021 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Julius Randle, who had been the focal point of the Knicks’ offense throughout the regular season, struggled to find efficiency against Atlanta’s defensive schemes. The Hawks consistently sent help, crowded his space, and forced him into difficult shot attempts, disrupting both his rhythm and the overall flow of the Knicks’ offense. As a result, New York found itself relying on contested looks and late-clock possessions, unable to generate consistent scoring opportunities. Atlanta, on the other hand, maintained balance and execution. They spaced the floor effectively, created quality looks through pick-and-roll action, and received timely contributions from multiple players. Each time the Knicks appeared close to building momentum, Atlanta responded quickly, preventing any sustained shift in control.
The series returned to Madison Square Garden for Game 5 with the Knicks facing elimination, and while the energy remained present, the outcome increasingly felt inevitable. Atlanta closed out the series with a 103-89 win, taking it 4-1 and ending what had been a promising season for New York. The loss was not just about the result, but about how it unfolded. It exposed limitations, highlighted the difficulty of adjusting within a series, and underscored how quickly a playoff matchup can turn once control is lost early.
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 2: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks plays defense on John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks during Round 1, Game 5 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on June 2, 2021 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Looking at the full history, the Knicks have won two of the three playoff series between the teams, taking the matchups in 1971 and 1999, while the Hawks claimed the most recent meeting in 2021. Each series reflects a different version of the Knicks. In 1971, they were a championship team executing at a high level. In 1999, they were a resilient, adaptive group that found a new identity under pressure and made an unexpected run to the Finals. In 2021, they were a team on the rise that encountered a moment it was not fully prepared to handle.
Now, with another opening round matchup set for this Saturday evening at the Garden for Game 1, the focus isn’t so much on the history between these two teams, but on what this round represents for the Knicks.
Over the past two seasons, they’ve taken clear steps forward, from a hard-fought second-round exit to last year’s Eastern Conference Finals appearance. With that kind of progression, expectations have shifted. This is no longer just about competing, it’s about breaking through.
That’s what makes this first round feel different. It’s the starting point of a run that needs to go further than it has the last two years. Knicks fans aren’t just hoping for another deep playoff push, they’re expecting one.
