Category: NBA

Dusty May was the hottest name on the NBA radar for months, yet every time his name came up, he had a policy.

May wasn't going to talk about other jobs — at least, not specifically.

I sat down with the now-former Michigan basketball coach on June 17 for an overarching conversation about U-M's program. We discussed his frontcourt trio that's expected to be lottery selections, his returning guards that could be as good as any backcourt in the country, a pair of McDonald's All American incoming freshmen, the five-in-five rule and other players who could step up this season.

Dusty May contract: How much is coach's buyout to leave Michigan for Mavs?

What's next? Can Michigan players enter portal with Dusty May leaving?

The sit-down concluded with probes about his current job and any potential for a new one. While he acknowledged he had yet to sign his extension with Michigan, he implied it was moving forward without a hitch. Also, given when he signed an extension last year it came in July, this didn't seem exceedingly out of the ordinary.

"Two days ago, I had a discussion about a couple details, and a week before that had a couple discussions about details," said May, to which I asked if the plan is still to go forward. "Yeah. I mean ... I don't even understand the issues with contracts because it's like the contracts are only as good as the buyout.

"But there's active negotiations, minor details. ... I don't spend much time thinking about it and talking about it."

That was old news by the morning of Monday, June 22, when reports surfaced May, 49, had agreed to become the next coach of the Dallas Mavericks. Two years and two months after coming to Ann Arbor, where he went 64-13, won a Big Ten Tournament title, a Big Ten regular season title and the national championship just two months ago, May was off to the NBA.

May's name was floated for just about every position that came open this past cycle — the Magic, Pelicans, Bulls, Bucks, Trail Blazers and most recently Mavericks. I asked him about what it's like hearing his name for all these openings.

"What's the saying, peacock today, feather duster tomorrow?" he responded. "Yeah, you feel appreciated, but I think every job that's been open this year, I've heard my name. ... I think that's more media-driven than anything else."

When asked if some teams had actually reached out to him, he said "very few." I probed back and specifically mentioned the Mavericks.

"I'm not talking about other jobs, right?," he said. "I've said it before. If I spend time talking about every job, that becomes the Brad Stevens joke where, a Division II, JUCO comes open and they say they 'gotta make Brad Stevens say no.'

"There's no reason to talk about jobs because there's going to be 10 jobs next year — 10 in the NBA and 10 in college. I'm just not talking about it. I think I've been pretty clear. I'm not talking about jobs."

In hindsight, this reads differently than it felt in the moment. At the time, it felt similar to some of the conversations he and I had in Indianapolis last spring, where the rumors were swirling North Carolina was going to pounce as a true blueblood of the sport and steal him away from Ann Arbor.

He doubled down and told me he was happy in Ann Arbor and didn't plan on leaving.

That same weekend, athletic director Warde Manuel shot down the reports and told the Free Press the two had agreed in principle to a new deal. Just more than a week later, after U-M won the national title, Manuel said it in Crisler Center in front of thousands of people — with May's approval — that "[May] will be the leader of this basketball team for many years to come," eliciting a roar and standing ovation from the crowd.

May's previous deal featured a $4.6 million base salary for this year. He earned another $500,000 in bonuses for winning the Big Ten ($50,000), being named Big Ten Coach of the Year ($50,000), winning a Final Four game ($200,000) and the national championship ($200,000) for a total of $5.1 million.

One could only figure it will be much larger than that in Dallas, with a future star player already on the roster, a top-10 pick in this week's NBA Draft, plus a major media market with an organization that's not afraid to spend money.

It fits a lot of the criteria May needed in order to be pulled away from the Wolverines.

There's no sugarcoating this: It's a detrimental blow for Michigan. In two years, May took a last-place Big Ten team and turned it into the best team in the country and appeared to have the program poised to become a powerhouse for years to come.

He was a master in the transfer portal. After the NBA Draft on June 23, it's likely his five transfer portal big men he landed in two years in Danny Wolf, Vlad Goldin, Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. will all be on NBA rosters, and four of them will have gone as first-round selections.

U-M appeared to have real staff continuity going into the 2026-27 season, with only Justin Joyner (who took over as Oregon State head coach) seemingly on the way out. Now, the leader of the entire operation is off to lead the Mavericks along with Cooper Flagg.

Oh, don't forget, the Mavericks have the No. 9 pick in the draft. Flagg is a big, versatile forward who can handle the ball and create for others. May likes that. What else does he like? Pairing another big man with him.

Keep an eye out for a Mara-May reunion on Tuesday night.

Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What Dusty May told me days before leaving Michigan for Mavs

Not even three months removed from winning the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament, Michigan men's basketball is looking for a new coach.

Dusty May, who won the title in just his second year coaching in Ann Arbor, will take the head coaching position of the Dallas Mavericks, a team that went 26-56 amid a 12th-place finish in the Western Conference in 2025-26. That said, the Mavericks have building blocks for success, including a top-10 pick in a loaded 2026 NBA Draft class and 2025-26 Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.

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

Why is Dusty May leaving Michigan? What we know of new Dallas Mavs coach

The question now is what is to happen with the players remaining on Michigan's roster. While some players, such as Aday Mara, Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr., have already declared for the draft as first-round selections, others will have the opportunity to leave Ann Arbor via the transfer portal — but not immediately.

Here's what to know of the NCAA's transfer rules, and when Wolverines players can transfer from Michigan:

Can Michigan basketball players transfer with Dusty May leaving?

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

When can Michigan players enter the portal?

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

Per the NCAA:

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

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

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

Dusty May salary, buyout: Michigan coach contract details, and what he said of extension

Michigan basketball roster: Who did Michigan sign in transfer portal this offseason?

• Moustapha Thiam (Cincinnati): 4-star | No. 13 player in portal | No.3 C
• J.P. Estrella (Tennessee): 4-star | No. 23 player in portal | No. 7 PF
• Jalen Reed (LSU): 4-star | No. 163 player in portal | No. 33 PF

Michigan basketball high school recruit rankings

Michigan's 2026 high school recruiting class ranks No. 4 nationally and No. 1 in the Big Ten, according to 247Sports' Composite rankings. Here's who the Wolverines signed, including their national rank:

• Brandon McCoy Jr.: 5-star | No. 10 player nationally | No. 2 PG
• Quinn Costello: 4-star | No. 45 player nationally | No. 8 PF
• Lincoln Cosby: 4-star | No. 47 player nationally | No. 17 SF
• Joseph Hartman: 4-star | No. 97 player nationally | No. 12 SG
• Malachi Brown: 4-star | No. 148 player nationally | No. 46 SF
• Marcus Moller: International

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dusty May to Mavs: What's next for Michigan players? Can they enter portal?

NEW YORK (AP) — Jason Collins will posthumously be honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his impact on LGBTQ+ visibility in pro sports at The ESPYS in July.

Collins was the NBA's first openly gay player who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league. The 13-year center died May 12 of a brain tumor at age 47.

Before his death, Collins publicly shared his cancer journey and spoke openly about his prognosis in hopes of advancing understanding and helping others facing similar diagnoses.

The Ashe award is given to a person who has made a difference beyond the field of play by fighting for what they believe in. It will be accepted by Collins' twin brother, Jarron.

"It is profoundly bittersweet but deeply meaningful to accept the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage on my brother’s behalf, celebrating a legacy of visibility, strength, and love that will endure forever,” Jarron Collins said in a statement.

Among the past recipients of the Ashe Award are the USA Gymnastics sexual abuse survivors, NBA player Kevin Love, the U.S. Women’s national soccer team, former NFL player Steve Gleason, and NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson.

Hosted by “Saturday Night Live” comic Marcello Hernández, The ESPYS will air July 15 on ABC from New York. The show will also stream on ESPN+.

___

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

During the last decade the Jazz have had their fair share of hits and misses in the draft. Today we take a look back at the best, and worst of these picks, tomorrow the Jazz will make their most important selection in franchise history. 

Best:

Donovan Mitchell

In 2017 the Jazz made one of the best decisions in franchise history and traded Trey Lyles and 24th overall pick to move up to 13th and select Mitchell. In his 5 seasons in Utah he was a three time All-Star, runner up for rookie of the year, (thanks Ben Simmons)  winner of the 2018 Dunk Contest, and made the play-offs every year. Although the furthest the team ever made it during this span was a Western Conference Semifinals appearance it was still a very entertaining time to be a Jazz fan, and Mitchell was the main reason why.  

Walker Kessler

Though technically drafted by the Grizzlies I’m going to include Kessler here anyway because he was immediately traded to the Jazz, and because he deserves all the love from the fan base, especially in the midst of contract negotiations. At the time there was very little excitement about Kessler, and the main focus of the trade was on the draft picks involved, but Kessler quickly proved himself as an extremely talented starting level center. His first three seasons in Utah he averaged 2+ blocks per game, and probably would have done so again if his season hadn’t ended prematurely due to a shoulder injury. Going into this offseason Kessler is a restricted free agent and the Jazz will look to negotiate a deal to keep him here longterm. He also seemed to add a new skill to his game as he shot 6-8 (75%) from deep this season. While it’s obviously a very small sample size, his shooting form looked solid, and it could make him an even bigger threat on offense if he can be a 30ish% shooter from three. 

Keyonte George 

If not for the 65 games played rule Keyonte would’ve firmly been in the running for the Most Improved Player Award. Picked 16th overall in 2023, the Jazz got an absolute steal. Before injuries and tanking slowed him down, he was averaging 24 points, and six assists per game, while also averaging a steal per game for the first time in his career. It will be so exciting to see how Keyonte will look on a team that is trying to compete next year. 

Ace Bailey

After so much pre-draft drama surrounding the Jazz’s selection of Bailey 5th overall, he showed that the Jazz absolutely made the right call when drafting him. He looked every bit like the explosive highflying player that he was projected to be. Additionally he still hasn’t celebrated his 20th birthday yet, so he’s really only scratched the surface of his potential. It will be interesting to see if he will remain in the starting lineup after the Jazz add a blue chip player in this year’s draft. My guess would be that he will remain a starter and have an even better second year in the league.  

Isaiah Collier

Collier was another certified draft steal when he was selected 29th in the 2024 draft. Since coming to the Jazz he has been a true floor general, even breaking John Stockton’s rookie assist record. Another thing that stands out about Collier is his speed, when he attacks the rim at full speed, not many other players can keep up with him. This most recent season his jumpshot also looks to have improved. 

Worst: 

Cody Williams

I almost couldn’t bring myself to include Williams on this list, but I did my best to set my biases aside. To put it bluntly Williams appeared to be unplayable at times as a rookie. He lacked an NBA body and shot a putrid 32.3% from the field. There were so many times during his rookie year that he would become a ghost on the floor, but what a difference a year can make. Williams put in a ton of effort during the offseason, and gained 13 pounds. His confidence also grew considerably, and he took on a much more aggressive playstyle, and looked like a different player. If he can take a year three leap, he will find himself off of this list. 

Taylor Hendricks

Hendricks finds himself on this list for reasons completely outside of his control. A gruesome leg injury just 3 games into his sophomore season greatly derailed his development. In his third year as a Jazzman he could never really find his footing on the team. Since then he was included in the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade, and has looked like a different player. The change of scenery seemed to be exactly what Hendricks needed, as in his 26 games in Memphis he averaged 10.6 points and 4.7 rebounds. Hopefully he can continue to develop with more consistent playing time, and a more stable role. 

John Tonje

Is it really fair to include a player taken 53rd overall who was traded before he ever even appeared in an NBA game? Probably not, but I’m going to do it anyway because I have a horrible feeling that the Celtics will turn him into a decent player, and I wanted to put this prediction out there just in case I end up being correct. Other players that I could have included in this spot are: Nigel Williams-Goss, Justin Wright-Foreman, or Joel Bolomboy. Those three combined played just 26 games for the Jazz.

Grayson Allen

Allen was the Jazz’s lone selection in the 2018 draft, and after just his rookie year he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in the Mike Conely deal. Since then Allen has really come into his own as a player. He’s shown that he can be a real contributor on a playoff team. This past season was his most impressive, as he posted career highs in points, assists, and steals. 

Udoka Azubuike 

Azubuike was selected 27th overall in 2020, unfortunately his NBA career got off to a horrible start as he suffered a serious ankle injury in a G-League game. After that he could never really stay healthy and only played in 68 games during his 3 year Jazz tenure. When he was on the court however he was awful. He couldn’t defend, he was slow, and he was the least talented offensive player I have ever seen in a Jazz jersey. Jeff Withey had more of an offensive bag than Azubuike did. After a 16 game stint in Phoenix, he was out of the NBA. Currently he plays for the Israeli Basketball Premier League.

The college basketball coaching carousel is back open.

Michigan coach Dusty May is leaving Ann Arbor and the Big Ten to become the next Dallas Mavericks coach in the NBA, USA TODAY Sports has confirmed.

May leaves for the NBA and the Mavericks — where he'll coach former Duke standout and 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg — after leading the Wolverines to one of the more dominant national championship runs in recent memory last season.

REQUIRED READING: Dusty May leaves Michigan to be Dallas Mavericks coach

In two seasons at Michigan, May led the Wolverines to a 64-13 overall record, a pair of Big Ten championships, including a conference tournament title in 2025, and the program's first national championship in nearly four decades.

May, who broke onto the scene as one of the top college coaches in the nation when he led Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023, has been in talks with Michigan for a contract extension since the start of the NCAA tournament. He had even spoken openly about his intentions to stay in Ann Arbor and further build the Wolverines into a powerhouse.

Here's what to know on May's contract details at Michigan, and a look back at some of his past comments regarding his contract extension talks with the Wolverines:

Dusty May contract details

May's previous deal was set through 2030, and offered him an annual increase of $250,000 for the next four seasons, according to his contract obtained by USA TODAY Sports. His base salary in 2025-26 was $4.6 million and was set to increase to $4.85 million this season, under his previous contract.

Dusty May buyout

May's buyout on his previous contract was reduced to $5 million after April 30, 2026.

What Dusty May said of contract extension with Wolverines

In May at the Big Ten spring meetings, May told USA TODAY Sports' Jordan Mendoza there were "minor details" being adjusted between Michigan and his party in terms of his contract extension. He said he was committed to staying with the Wolverines, though a contract had not been signed yet.

A request for clarification on whether May had signed his contract was not immediately returned to USA TODAY Sports at the time this story published.

"We’d like to build one of the most consistent, greatest basketball programs in the country," May said.

May had been a name tossed around in several college basketball openings during Michigan's NCAA Tournament run, including the North Carolina opening that eventually went to former NBA and Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone.

At the Wolverines' national championship celebration in April, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel announced that May and he had agreed to a deal that will keep May in Ann Arbor.

"He will be the leader of this basketball team for many years to come," Manuel said, according to the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dusty May Michigan buyout: What ex-Wolverines coach owes to leave for Mavs

Former Michigan men's basketball coach Dusty May is leaving for the NBA after leading the Wolverines to a national championship.

May, who just concluded his second season with the program, is finalizing a deal with the Dallas Mavericks. The news comes a day before the first round of the NBA Draft on June 23.

Dusty May salary, buyout: Michigan coach contract details, and what he said of extension

May will lead the Mavericks into a new era, led by former No. 1 overall pick and rookie of the year Cooper Flagg. May replaces Jason Kidd as coach, and Dallas also recently hired former Raptors executive Masai Ujiri as the team's president.

It's a tough blow for Michigan, which was starting to cement its place as one of the top programs in college basketball. Now, the Wolverines could be headed for another transitional period, where they'll hope to keep their roster together ahead of the 2026-27 season with players allowed to enter the transfer portal following the coaching change.

Why did May decide to leave Michigan, though? Here's what we know:

Why is Dusty May leaving Michigan for Dallas Mavericks?

It's unclear what changed between Michigan's national championship parade celebration in April and now, given athletic director Warde Manuel announced he and May had agreed on a new contract to keep May with the Wolverines for "many years to come."

While Michigan was positioned to compete for another national championship in 2026-27, the opportunity with the Mavericks was likely too much to pass up for May, who was always rumored to have NBA interest.

May told USA TODAY Sports on May 18 his contract hadn't yet been signed, as the two sides were still discussing "minor details." He did, however, note he was committed to staying with the program.

The Mavericks already have Flagg, one of the best young players in the NBA, and are led by Ujiri, who has already shown capable of building an NBA championship contender with the Raptors. May is the first college head coach since 2019 to leave for an NBA head coaching job, joining former Michigan coach John Beilein, who went to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

May's tactical prowess also fits the NBA style. His calm nature as a coach does, too, along with his rapid rise as one of the top coaches in college basketball.

The 49-year-old coach grinded his way to the top, starting as a student manager at Indiana without any college playing experience. He landed his first head coaching job in 2018 at Florida Atlantic, eventually leading the Owls to the Final Four in 2023 before taking the Michigan job.

At Michigan, he had a wildly impressive 64-13 record.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why is Dusty May leaving Michigan? Mavericks hire national title winning coach

Gary Harris picked up his $3.8 million player option to remain with the Bucks next year, Spotrac’s Keith Smith reported on Monday; the 31-year-old combo guard had until June 29 to pick up the option. This was widely expected, given it’s extremely unlikely that Harris would have had better offers on the table if he declined the option and entered unrestricted free agency.

Harris inked a two-year, $7.4m contract—with the second year a player option—before the 2025/26 season after leaving the Orlando Magic. Originally meant to bring in guard depth, veteran leadership, and steady three-point shooting, Harris averaged a career-low 2.7 PPG, along wth 1.3 RPG and 1.1 APG on .442/.412/.889 shooting splits. In 48 appearances, he averaged just 13.8 minutes per contest.

When he returns to Milwaukee for his 13th NBA season—assuming the Bucks don’t just waive his contract and pay him out, which could well happen—his biggest challenge will be remaining on the court. Harris struggled to break into the Bucks’ guard rotation at the start of the season and was sidelined by nagging groin and hamstring injuries towards the end.

Dusty May just led the Michigan Wolverines to one of the most dominant national championship runs in the recent history of men’s college basketball. Now he’s ready for his next step after making a stunning decision to jump to the NBA on Monday afternoon.

The Dallas Mavericks have hired May as the franchise’s next head coach in a move that sends shockwaves around both college and pro hoops. The Mavs lured May away from Ann Arbor with the chance to coach Cooper Flagg at the start of his career. Dallas also has the No. 9 and No. 30 overall picks in the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday, and three Wolverines players are expected to be lottery picks in Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, and Morez Johnson.

May is 49 years old, and felt destined to be one of college basketball’s top coaches for the next 15 years. This is a major first move from the Mavs’ new braintrust of Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz. Ujiri built the Toronto Raptors 2019 championship team, and was hired as Dallas’ new president earlier this offseason. Schmitz came over from the Portland Trail Blazers to be the team’s new GM after building his reputation as a razor-sharp draft analyst for ESPN.

May built an incredible Michigan team through the transfer portal by bringing together three de facto bigs and teaching them to play together. His teams are typically slightly better on the defensive end of the floor. Michigan finished with the No. 1 defense in America this year, as well as the No. 4 offense. It will be fascinating to see if he continues to lean into supersized lineups in the NBA.

The real intrigue for May is the opportunity to coach Flagg, who just won NBA Rookie of the Year. Flagg is perhaps the best young building block in the NBA after Victor Wembanyama, and he doesn’t even turn 20 years old until December. The Mavs are building around Flagg, and May will be the person leading his development.

May has a cool and calm demeanor that resonates well with players, and should continue to work in the NBA. He deserves to be seen as a great developmental coach after turning Lendeborg, Johnson, and Mara into lottery picks this past season when none of them were projected in that range at the start of the year. It feels like he has the ideal mentality to be an NBA coach, but life is always tough in the Western Conference, even with Cooper Flagg on your side.

The history of college coaches jumping to the NBA is a mixed bag. Larry Brown won a national championship at Kansas in 1988, and then won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. Brad Stevens took Butler to the title game in college basketball before becoming a fantastic head coach (and later lead executive) for the Boston Celtics. Billy Donovan won two national championships at Florida, and then jumped to the NBA where he had a solid pro career but never won a championship. There are also some busts, like John Calipari and Rick Pitino, who made the leap to the NBA and then went back to college after failing.

I followed Michigan during its national championship at the Big Ten tournament, Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, and Final Four and national championship. I came away so impressed with May in terms of his leadership, demeanor, and schematic ability. May knew he was likely never going to have another team as good as his 2026 group again. Building through the transfer portal and fundraising NIL dollars every year is incredibly stressful. I can absolutely see the appeal of this move to the NBA for both sides.

In the end, this is about the opportunity to coach Cooper Flagg, who is already excellent at 19 years old. The Mavs also reportedly considered Duke coach Jon Scheyer and some former NBA coaches like Terry Stotts, but May offers the most upside to me because of his youth and pedigree. The Mavs swung for the fences with their first big decision of the Ujiri era, and I think they hit it out of the park.

NBA success is far from guaranteed for May. It’s going to be a big adjustment to leap to the pros. The Mavs don’t need to win right away, though. They’re on Flagg’s timeline. May can grow alongside Flagg, and I think he has the smarts and the temperament for the job long-term. What a move by the Mavs.

Mavs grade for Dusty May hire: A

Dusty May is headed to the NBA.

May, who led Michigan basketball to the 2026 national championship this past spring, will be the next Dallas Mavericks coach, USA TODAY Sports has confirmed.

The last coach to jump from college to NBA was John Beilien in 2019 — another Michigan man. Larry Brown was the last men's basketball coach to leave for the NBA after winning a national title the season before (with Kansas in 1988).

Per multiple reports, Michigan is working on elevating Michigan assistant Mike Boynton Jr. to interim head coach. Boynton spent seven seasons as head coach at Oklahoma State from (2017-2024) before joining May's staff. Boynton was 119-109 as Cowboys coach, including a trip to NCAA tournament in 2021.

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

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

May and Michigan had been in talks about a new contract, but as of May 18, the deal hadn’t been signed, May confirmed to USA TODAY's Jordan Mendoza. May said there are “minor details” being adjusted between both parties, but he said he was committed to staying with the Wolverines.

“We’d like to build one of the most consistent, greatest basketball programs in the country,” May said.

A request for clarification on whether May had signed his contract was not immediately returned to USA TODAY Sports at the time this story published.

May, 49, went 64-13 in two years in Ann Arbor after guiding Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023. He compiled a 190-82 record (.699) in eight college seasons.

The Mavericks finished 26-56 last season, hired Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri as team president, and parted with head coach Jason Kidd on May 19.

Dallas has the No. 9 pick in this year's NBA Draft and are in the midst of a rebuild led by last year's top pick Cooper Flagg.

Dusty May contract: How much is coach's buyout to leave Michigan for Mavs?

Why is Dusty May leaving Michigan? What we know of new Dallas Mavericks coach

May was busy this offseason reshaping Michigan's roster after key players Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. declared for the NBA Draft, and Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg exhausted his eligibility.

Michigan brought in a a trio of proven transfers in Moustapha Thiam (Cincinnati), JP Estrella (Tennessee) and Jalen Reed (LSU) to pair with a top-five freshman class in the nation, led by McDonald's All Americans Brandon McCoy and Quinn Costello.

Dusty May contract information, buyout details

May's previous deal was set through 2030, and offered him an annual increase of $250,000 for the next four seasons, according to his contract obtained by USA TODAY Sports. His base salary in 2025-26 was $4.6 million and was set to increase to $4.85 million this season, under his previous contract.

May's buyout on his previous contract was reduced to $5 million after April 30, 2026.

Report: Mike Boynton Jr to be named Michigan basketball interim coach

The former Oklahoma State coach worked with May as one of Michigan's top assistants, overseeing the defensive game plans for the Wolverines. Given his head coaching experience and familiarity with the program, Boynton would be a seamless fit to take over for May.

Mike Boynton coaching record

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

Possible long-term Dusty May replacement Michigan coach candidates

From USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg:

Mike Boynton Jr., Michigan (interim)

Boynton ran the defense under May — his work helped the Wolverines outscore opponents by nearly 20 points per game. Boynton has the qualifications and experience to step into the job at a late date and potentially keep the roster intact, or at least strong enough to stay a factor in the Big Ten and Final Four hunt.

Josh Schertz, Saint Louis

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

Nate Oats, Alabama

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

Billy Donovan

Donovan is currently out of coaching after stepping down from his spot with the Chicago Bulls after the end of the regular season. While he had his share of NBA success, Donovan is best known for the powerhouse he built Florida, where he claimed back-to-back national championships. Despite his time away from the college game, Donovan has essentially been linked to every major NCAA job opening since he left the Gators over a decade ago. Is Michigan the position that would bring him back?

T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State

Otzelberger seems very content in Ames, having already declined overtures from more historically relevant programs since kickstarting the Cyclones’ current run in 2022. Since taking over five seasons ago, he’s led Iowa State to three Sweet 16 berths, four 20-win seasons and at least 25 wins in each of the past three years.

Brian Dutcher, San Diego State

Formerly a longtime Michigan assistant who was on the staff for the 1989 national champions and then spent another 18 years under former Michigan coach Steve Fisher with the Aztecs, Dutcher has won at least 21 games in every season since replacing Fisher in 2017 and led SDSU to the national title game in 2023. A few factors not in Dutcher’s favor are his age — he’ll turn 67 in October.

Can Michigan basketball players enter transfer portal with Dusty May leaving for Mavericks?

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

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

Per the NCAA:

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

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

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

This story will be updated.

USA TODAY Sports reporter Zac Al-Khateeb and Detroit Free Press reporter Tony Garcia contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dusty May news: Mavs hire coach, Michigan picks replacement, long-term candidates

We have some new Huskies to discuss and a new name in the mix for the final roster spot that could be very intriguing. Also, shoutout to Colben Landrew for getting a Team USA nod in the U18 AmeriCup.

In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the state of the roster, Steph Castle in the NBA Finals, Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed’s NBA Draft prospects, and the addition of new assistant coach Mike Pegues.

Enjoy!

Two years ago, the Sixers waltzed into the offseason with roughly $60 million of salary-cap space. Those days are long gone.

With Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey all on max contracts, the Sixers already project to be over the 2026-27 salary cap even with only six players under guaranteed contracts. Once they fill out the rest of their roster, the luxury-tax line and the aprons will be their bigger concern.

The good news is that the Sixers do still have a fair bit of flexibility (for now) under the tax line and aprons. The bad news is that it won’t take much to wipe that out, particularly with Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes both set to become unrestricted free agents.

With that in mind, here’s our primer on where the Sixers stand financially heading into the draft and free agency.

The Sixers’ current cap sheet

The three-year max extension that Embiid signed in September 2024 is set to begin this season. Until we know the exact salary-cap figure, we won’t know exactly how much he’ll earn on that contract.

Typically, a max extension for Embiid would begin at 35 percent of the 2026-27 salary cap, which is currently projected to be $165 million. That would put Embiid’s starting salary at $57.75 million, with 8 percent annual raises from there.

However, the maximum salary in the first season of a new contract is never less than 105 percent of the player’s previous salary. Since Embiid earned $55,224,526 this past season, his max salary would be no lower than $57,985,752, which is the figure we’ll use for now.

Beyond that, there isn’t much uncertainty about the Sixers’ financial picture heading into the offseason. They have team options on Dominick Barlow ($3.4 million), Trendon Watford ($2.8 million) and Dalen Terry ($2.6 million). Only $250,000 of Jabari Walker’s $2.6 million contract is guaranteed, and Adem Bona’s $2.3 million contract is fully non-guaranteed, although it’d be surprising if they waive him. A veteran-minimum contract for anyone with two or more years of NBA experience is projected to be $2.45 million, so the Sixers would save roughly $150,000 by keeping Bona around.

With that said, here’s their full cap sheet heading into the offseason, including the nearly $3.6 million cap hold for the No. 22 pick. We used their total guaranteed salary rather than their total salary while calculating their proximity to the tax line and aprons so you can see the maximum amount of flexibility that they could have this summer.

Player	2026-27 (all)
Joel Embiid	$57,985,752
Paul George	$54,126,380
Tyrese Maxey	$40,770,520
VJ Edgecombe	$11,663,880
No. 22 pick	$3,597,840
Dominick Barlow	$3,415,000 (team option)
Trendon Watford	$2,801,346 (team option)
Jabari Walker	$2,584,539 ($250,000 guaranteed)
Dalen Terry	$2,584,539 (team option)
Justin Edwards	$2,411,090
Adem Bona	$2,296,271 (fully non-guaranteed)
Johni Broome	$2,150,917
GUARANTEED	$172,706,379
TOTAL	$186,388,074
SALARY CAP	$165,000,000
CAP ROOM	-$21,388,074
LUXURY TAX	$201,000,000
TAX ROOM	$14,611,926
1ST APRON	$209,000,000
1ST APRON ROOM	$22,611,926
2ND APRON	$222,000,000
2ND APRON ROOM	$35,611,926

Having more than $28 million of wiggle room below the tax line might sound nice on the surface, but that’s with only seven players under contract (including the No. 22 overall pick). Even if the Sixers filled out the rest of the roster with players on minimum deals, that would add $19.6 million of salary to their books, putting them less than $10 million below the tax.

How do Oubre and Grimes fit in?

The Sixers have full Bird rights on both Oubre and Grimes, which means they can re-sign either one to anything up to a max deal even though they’re already over the cap. Their proximity to the tax line and aprons might determine which one (if either) they’re willing to bring back.

If the Sixers sign either Grimes or Oubre to a contract starting higher than $11.1 million, they’d be guaranteed to go over the tax line once they filled out all 15 roster spots. If they re-sign both of them, they could have a tough time staying under the first apron.

There are no team-building restrictions for crossing over the tax line. You shouldn’t care about the Sixers paying the tax unless you’re a member of the Harris or Blitzer family.

The aprons are the bigger concern.

Which MLE will they have?

As long as the Sixers are under the first apron, they’ll have access to the $15.0 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception and the $5.5 million bi-annual exception. Using either one of them would hard-cap the Sixers at the first apron, which is currently projected to be roughly $209 million.

If the Sixers cross the first apron, they’ll lose access to the non-taxpayer MLE and will instead have only the $6.1 million taxpayer MLE. If they cross the second apron, they won’t have a mid-level exception at all. They’d only be able to hand out minimum contracts to non-incumbent free agents.

The Sixers could enter the offseason with $36-plus million of breathing room below the first apron, but that’s before factoring in them potentially keeping Barlow (likely), Watford (maybe?), Terry (ehh…), Walker (duh) and Bona (double duh). That also doesn’t account for new contracts for Oubre and/or Grimes.

If the Sixers use the non-taxpayer MLE, it’ll likely signal that they’re moving on from both Oubre and Grimes. If they bring back both, there’s almost no way that they can use the non-taxpayer MLE and stay under their first-apron hard cap without moving one of Embiid, Maxey or George.

So, the short answer is that we don’t know which mid-level exception the Sixers will have this offseason or which one they’d even plan to use. They wound up using most of the taxpayer MLE last season, although they didn’t spend any of it during the offseason. They saved it to use in-season, which they mostly did on Barlow.

Under former team president Daryl Morey, the Sixers seemingly tried to avoid hard-capping themselves at the first apron over the past few years. It’s unclear whether they’ll immediately alter that approach under new team president Mike Gansey, although he’s coming from a Cleveland Cavaliers team that boasted the league’s most expensive payroll this past season. He has plenty of experience running pricey teams.

If both Oubre and Grimes sign elsewhere, the Sixers might not have a choice but to spend the non-taxpayer MLE in an effort to replace them. They’ll have to ask themselves which path gets them closer to a championship in both the short and long term and go with that.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Spotrac and salary-cap information via RealGM.

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The 2026 NBA Draft is just one day away, and teams are about to be on the clock to select the next franchise-altering player.

An exciting NBA Finals that saw the New York Knicks win the league championships over the San Antonio Spurs closed the book on the 2025-26 season, and now all 30 franchises know what is needed to take that next step. This is a fun draft to be part of, with so much talent that can eventually become the faces of the league.

The top of the draft order seems fairly set, and there is a growing sense of how the top 10 will shake out. But there is plenty of intrigue with the rest of the first round, as cases could be made for nearly everyone to go up or fall down the order.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, BYU

All signs points to Dybantsa as the top overall pick, and he proved all he can do in a sensational season at BYU. The stats of 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists pop off, but what really made him so good was he was able to elevate his game against premier talent, showing there shouldn't be a worry in jumping the next level. He's a prolific scorer with the ability to do just about anything on both sides of the ball, and he should bring a much-needed spark in the nation's capital.

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, Kansas

The Jazz can go one of two ways with the pick, but Peterson would be the right move for the franchise. Of course there's all the concerns with the injuries, but when Peterson was available he showed why he was the top overall recruit in the 2025 class. His ability to command the offense will fit well with the bigs Utah has.

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, Duke

If Memphis is looking for a player to fit the franchise's long identity of grit, Boozer is the right man. The national player of the year dominated by out-muscling opponents, while showcasing some shooting skills you wouldn't think to see from this type of player. His ability to play like a guard or strong forward will be something Memphis will lean on.

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, North Carolina

The Bulls should be very happy to see Wilson fall into their lap, finally grabbing a player that can be the face of the franchise. Wilson was explosive, commanding the interior for the Tar Heels before injuries cut his season early, and it became obvious how much of an impact he made at North Carolina. The hustle will be something fans will love to see, making this a very easy decision for the new brass in the Windy City.

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Keaton Wagler, Illinois

There are a lot of avenues the Clippers can go with the pick, but if they retain it, Wagler would fit right into the franchise. He put on a bunch of high-scoring games, like dropping 46 at Purdue, but he truly boosted his stock during Illinois' Final Four run. He can score from about anywhere on the floor after he was one of the best 3-point shooters in the country, offering to be the perfect compliment to Darius Garland and Kawhi Leonard.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas

Even with a crowded back court, it will be hard for Brooklyn to deny the playmaking ability Acuff possess. He was an offensive nightmare for opponents at Arkansas, but what made him so lethal was his ability to perform in the clutch, a trait you can't really teach and could show up on day one. He could be the next Jalen Brunson in terms of guys that don't have size, but find ways to become stars.

7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, Houston

If you're starting every game for Kelvin Sampson as a freshman, there is clearly something special about you. Flemings fits the mold of being a great defender, leading Houston in steals, but his offensive game was something new, and he flourished. He's a great 3-point shooter and can play downhill to get near bucket, and that fearless approach to playing ball should excite Sacramento.

8. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans Pelicans): Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville

The time at Louisville didn't go exactly as planned for Brown, but he did put on some amazing performances that show there is plenty of potential at the pro level. Atlanta can trust him to handle the ball and take matters into his own hands when the moment calls for it, like knocking down a deep shot.

9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, Arizona

Dallas will have to decide if it wants a guard next to the returning Kyrie Irving or a wing player alongside Cooper Flagg. With Burries still on the board, Dallas should get someone that can easily fit into a shooting guard role. He showed he can do it when he had some big-time scoring performances playing in the loaded Big 12. His defensive skills are also underrated, and he could be a major player if it translates to the NBA.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Karim López, Mexico

This pick will say a lot about where Milwaukee stands with Giannis Antetokounmpo. With the threat of him leaving, Milwaukee gets some backup in another international player. López might not be as known the rest of the prospects, but he has game takeover talent, able to drop buckets and command the boards. While this might come off as a surprise, it's the right move for the Bucks.

11. Golden State Warriors: Aday Mara, Michigan

The Warriors haven't had much luck with big men recently, but Mara has the tools to break that and get Golden State back to contending. He's obviously tall at 7-feet-3-inches, but he knows how to play rather than just be present on the court. He can protect the rim, play in the midrange and make teams have to figure out how to play him, offensively and defensively. He's not Victor Wembanyama, but he could be a force in a few years that could give the rest of the league headaches.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

Do the Thunder really need anything? Not really, but if they are going to make a roster addition, Lendeborg is the right fit. Teams may be wary of his age (23), but the other way to look at it is he is ready to make contributions out of the jump. He might not be superstar level, but he definitely can be a difference-maker. He powered Michigan to a national title thanks to some heroic basketball, and he could step up when his name gets called.

13. Miami Heat: Hannes Steinbach, Washington

With solid big men awaiting at the end of the lottery, Miami gets Bam Adebayo some assistance with Steinbach. Washington didn't do much this past season, but Steinbach was a rebound machine for the Huskies, leading the country in boards (11.8 per game). Combine it with the fact he can score at a solid rate and he can help the Heat form a solid front court.

14. Charlotte Hornets: Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan

With Charlotte clearly looking for some bigs, and Johnson the best player available, it makes for a the perfect fit. He was a two-way force for the Wolverines, able to be physical defensively and powering his way to the rim on offense. An experienced player, he could find himself in the starting lineup early in his career.

15. Chicago Bulls (via Trail Blazers): Nate Ament, Tennessee

How the season ended likely cooled off Ament's stock, but you have to remember before that he was putting up some big numbers for Tennessee. He has great size and his length will be major assets for him at the next level. With Chicago selecting Wilson earlier in the draft, Ament gives the Bulls a solid front court to build around.

16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Suns): Christian Anderson, Texas Tech

With reports of Ja Morant potentially on the move, Memphis will be looking for a new lead guard. Luckily, it will be almost like Anderson falls right into its lap. He already proved he can score, but was it a sight to see him run point and dish it out left and right for the Red Raiders. He may not be an immediate starter but his eye for the game will have him making big contributions.

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers): Labaron Philon Jr., Alabama

With two first round picks, Oklahoma City can do all sorts of things with this pick. If it wants to add speed on the floor, Philon is the way to go. His ability to get down the floor in the blink of an eye screams X-factor in the NBA. He thrived in Alabama's relentless offense and he is out to score the ball, so it will be crucial for him to find buckets out of the jump. If he can be consistent, the Thunder can have another key role player.

18. Charlotte Hornets (via Magic): Cameron Carr, Baylor

The Hornets can round out the future of the franchise by getting Carr to be at the wing. He possess great offensive skill, able to move around the floor quickly while ability to find his shot make him a potential weapon. He is an experienced player that can adapt to the NBA quickly compared to other players around this range.

19. Toronto Raptors: Ebuka Okorie, Stanford

Okorie lit it up at Stanford to assure himself he would be a first round pick, and Toronto could find the right way to make him an effective player. It will be a transition to go from the do-it-all-guy to playing with a well-rounded unit, and he will have to figure out to not get exposed with his small size, but he is pretty elusive and creative in finding ways to score.

20. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Allen Graves, Santa Clara

The Spurs have a knack for just finding guys that fit in their brand of basketball, and Graves fits the mold. He's willing to get down and dirty, simply outhustling others to make contributions. He thrived off the bench for Santa Clara so he will be comfortable in that role in the pros. There's the obvious concerns of playing for a mid-major and not having elite opposition, but Graves showed he can play against anyone.

21. Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves): Bennett Stirtz, Iowa

At every level he played at during his college career, Stirtz was a certified bucket. His knack for knocking down shots, but what really stands out is his ability to be an iron man after rarely sitting on the bench. He knows how to be productive for every second he's on the court. His shooting prowess will be a key for a Detroit team looking for another piece to take that next step toward a championship contender.

22. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets): Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State

The 76ers could have a hidden gem awaiting them in Jefferson. He literally did everything at Iowa State, from scoring to rebounding to dishing it out to playing solid defense. The track of all trades archetype will benefit him in finding a multitude of ways to impact games. Jefferson has the potential to be the steal of the draft and can be a serious contributor out of the gate.

23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Chris Cenac Jr., Houston

Cenac didn't make a major impact in his time at Houston, but he has all of the traits able to succeed in the NBA. The bright spots of his college career came when he was owning the glass, and he showed off that he can score when he is hot. His size is ridiculous and he can play out in the wing if necessary. It will probably take some time to find his path but Cenac can be a playmaker in due time.

24. New York Knicks: Tarris Reed Jr., Connecticut

The defending champions have a solid core, so they will need some depth, specifically in the center position. Reed had a strong finish to the season, powering Connecticut to the national championship game. His physicality and ability to go up against anyone standing opposite of him gives a chance to win in the interior and it will help New York defensively.

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Koa Peat, Arizona

It's obvious Peat comes from a football family because his athleticism is among the best in the country. He can be physical and bully his way to any spot on the court, something Los Angeles needs with Luka Doncic back and an aging LeBron James. He definitely needs to work on his outside shot, but the physical traits give him a good starting point to succeed in the association.

26. Denver Nuggets: Isaiah Evans, Duke

The Nuggets are in need of filling in the wings, and Evans will be able to thrive with the talent around him. He's a spot-up shooter, making it easy for Jamal Murray or Nikola Jokić to dish it out to him to knock it down. He will have to be able to step it up defensively, but Denver can get another player that make a difference offensively.

27. Boston Celtics: Meleek Thomas, Arkansas

Given how much Boston values guys that shoot at high clips, Thomas feels like an obvious way to go. He can score at-will and the Celtics will be salivating at how well he shoot from 3-point land. Excelling in the fast pace Arkansas played will help him with the flow in the NBA, and he could be another weapon for the offense.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons): Alex Karaban, Connecticut

Minnesota is trying to finally get to the playing for championships, and it could help adding someone that knew all about it in college. Karaban was Mr. Reliable for Bobby Hurley, a key piece in two national championship for the Huskies. He can easily fit into the role of 3-point shooter while being a disciplined defender. It's not a superstar, but a piece the Timberwolves could really needed.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Henri Veesaar, North Carolina

Cleveland already is set at the guard position, and it desperately needs help at the bigs. Veesaar is in an intriguing option for the Cavaliers because he's effectively around the rim, but he can also play out in the perimeter, adding an extra layer that could come up big come playoff time.

30. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder): Dailyn Swain, Texas

After getting a guard earlier in the draft, Dallas sticks with the position to give Kyrie Irving some backup in Swain. It's the perfect role for him to start since he can play both sides of the ball, able to handle the ball and get to the rim while playing some solid defense.

NBA mock draft second round

31. New York Knicks (via WAS): Ryan Conwell, Louisville

32. Memphis Grizzlies (via IND): Zuby Ejiofor, St. John's

33. Brooklyn Nets: Sergio de Larrea, Spain

34. Sacramento Kings: Baba Miller, Cincinnati

35. San Antonio Spurs (via UTA): Richie Saunders, BYU

36. L.A. Clippers (via MEM): Trevon Brazile, Arkansas

37. Oklahoma City Thunder (via DAL): Nick Martinelli, Northwestern

38. Chicago Bulls (via NOP): Braden Smith, Purdue

39. Houston Rockets (via CHI): Emanuel Sharp, Houston

40. Boston Celtics (via MIL): Milos Uzan, Houston

41. Miami Heat (via GSW): Maliq Brown, Duke

42. San Antonio Spurs (via POR): Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA

43. Brooklyn Nets (via LAC): Ugonna Onyenso, Virginia

44. San Antonio Spurs (via MIA): Jack Kayil, Germany

45. Sacramento Kings (via CHA): Izaiyah Nelson, South Florida

46. Orlando Magic: Felix Okpara, Tennessee

47. Phoenix Suns (via PHI): Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Tennessee

48. Dallas Mavericks (via PHX): Jaden Bradley, Arizona

49. Denver Nuggets (via ATL): Nick Boyd, Wisconsin

50. Toronto Raptors: Tobe Awaka, Arizona

51. Washington Wizards (via MIN): Otega Oweh, Kentucky

52. L.A. Clippers (via CLE): Bryce Hopkins, St. John's

53. Houston Rockets: Keyshawn Hall, Auburn

54. Golden State Warriors (via LAL): Tyler Nickel, Vanderbilt

55. New York Knicks: Dillon Mitchell, St. John's

56. Chicago Bulls (via DEN): Tobi Lawal, Virginia Tech

57. Atlanta Hawks (via BOS): Rafael Castro, George Washington

58. New Orleans Pelicans (via DET): Kylan Boswell, Illinois

59. Minnesota Timberwolves (via SAS): Aaron Nkrumah, Tennessee State

60. Washington Wizards (via OKC): Bruce Thornton, Ohio State

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NBA mock draft: Latest projections for all 60 picks

On the heels of a national championship and the best season in program history, Michigan is expected to make history once again on Tuesday night, with the chance to have three players selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.

The players we’re talking about are Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr., and Aday Mara. With just over 24 hours to go until the draft commences, let’s see where some of the web’s latest mock drafts have the former Wolverine stars heading.

ESPN – Jeremy Woo

Aday Mara – 11th overall (Golden State Warriors)

Morez Johnson Jr. – 12th overall (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Yaxel Lendeborg – 15th overall (Chicago Bulls)

Jeremy Woo of ESPN starts things off on Monday morning with Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. going back-to-back near the end of the lottery. Mara can slot in right away as the Warriors’ starting center, while Johnson joins the big-man rotation and likely will have championship aspirations in year one with the Thunder. Yaxel Lendeborg, meanwhile, can also compete for a starting spot with the Bulls and would likely be something of a culture-setter for one of the younger teams in the association.

Yahoo Sports – Kevin O’Connor

Aday Mara – 11th overall (Golden State Warriors)

Yaxel Lenebrog – 12th overall (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Morez Johnson Jr. – 14th overall (Charlotte Hornets)

One of the most prominent voices in the NBA Draft space, Kevin O’Connor, sends Aday Mara to the Warriors as well. He also sends a Wolverine to Oklahoma City with Yaxel Lendeborg, whose age and development likely fit the Thunder’s timeline pretty well. Morez Johnson Jr. heads to Charlotte, where he can compete for minutes in an inexperienced rotation of big men.

USA Today – Brian Kalbrosky

Aday Mara – 12th overall (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Morez Johnson Jr. – 14th overall (Charlotte Hornets)

Yaxel Lendeborg – 16th overall (Memphis Grizzlies)

Michigan just misses out on having three lottery picks in Kalbrosky’s draft from Saturday afternoon. The Thunder could use another big man after Chet Holmgren’s playoff struggles and a salary crunch that leaves Isaiah Hartenstein’s future in doubt. Similarly, Johnson would fit like a glove in a light and inexperienced big man rotation with the Hornets. With Lendeborg going to Memphis, he’d likely be one of the Grizzlies’ best players immediately, with Ja Morant a trade candidate this offseason.

CBS Sports – Cameron Salerno

Aday Mara – 9th overall (Oklahoma City Thunder via projected trade with Dallas)

Yaxel Lendeborg – 11th overall (Golden State Warriors)

Morez Johnson Jr. – 14th overall (Charlotte Hornets)

Cameron Salerno of CBS projects the Wolverines will get three players selected in the lottery. Mara and Johnson end up in Oklahoma City and Charlotte once again, respectively. Lendeborg, however, ends up with the veteran-laden Golden State Warriors. With a need for the Warriors to get younger, it’s unclear how Lendeborg fits their timeline, but he’d still play a role in the rotation early on behind the likes of Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.

SB Nation – Ricky O’Donnell

Yaxel Lendeborg – 11th overall (Golden State Warriors)

Morez Johnson Jr. – 12th overall (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Aday Mara – 15th overall (Chicago Bulls)

In Sunday’s mock draft from SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell, the Warriors select the first Wolverine of the night with Yaxel Lendeborg. The Thunder once again go after a Michigan big man, but this time it’s Morez Johnson Jr. as more of a power forward than a traditional center like Mara. As for Mara, this is the lowest we see him in the latest round of mock drafts, falling just outside the lottery at 15 to a Bulls team that has plenty of guard depth, but almost nothing in the front court.