Category: NBA

Hornets trade LaMelo Ball to Timberwolves: Here are the reported details originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Another NBA All-Star is on the move.

Days after the Miami Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo, there’s been another blockbuster trade. The Charlotte Hornets reportedly will send LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid and a haul of draft picks and swaps.

ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the deal Thursday morning.

The draft picks going back to Charlotte include Minnesota’s 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033), Charania said.

Ball, who turns 25 in August, spent his first six seasons with the Hornets after being drafted third overall in 2020. He averaged 20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists over 303 regular-season games, winning Rookie of the Year in 2021 and being named an All-Star in 2022.

Now, Ball will join the No. 1 overall pick from the 2020 draft — Anthony Edwards — to form an explosive backcourt. The Timberwolves are coming off their fifth straight postseason appearance, which ended with a second-round loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Ball has never played in a playoff game in his career.

Since coming up short yet again in the playoffs, Minnesota already made several roster moves. Days ago, they agreed to send starting forward Julius Randle (another former All-Star) to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that was largely just about clearing cap space. They also reportedly agreed to re-sign guard Ayo Dosunmu to a massive contract after adding him in a mid-season trade.

For the Hornets, this deal comes after their best season in a decade. They went 44-38 but lost in the Play-In as they still seek their first playoff appearance since 2016.

Reid, who turns 27 in August, will add some much-needed size and experience to Charlotte’s young roster. The seven-year veteran was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2024, with 48 games of playoff experience.

The real haul for the Hornets, though, could be the treasure chest of draft picks they just acquired. While the Timberwolves are projected to be a strong team next season, the picks are spaced out over the next seven years. Charlotte could eventually add some high-end talent, or use these assets in other future trades.

Hornets trade LaMelo Ball to Timberwolves: Here are the reported details originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Another NBA All-Star is on the move.

Days after the Miami Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo, there’s been another blockbuster trade. The Charlotte Hornets reportedly will send LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid and a haul of draft picks and swaps.

ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the deal Thursday morning.

The draft picks going back to Charlotte include Minnesota’s 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033), Charania said.

Ball, who turns 25 in August, spent his first six seasons with the Hornets after being drafted third overall in 2020. He averaged 20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists over 303 regular-season games, winning Rookie of the Year in 2021 and being named an All-Star in 2022.

Now, Ball will join the No. 1 overall pick from the 2020 draft — Anthony Edwards — to form an explosive backcourt. The Timberwolves are coming off their fifth straight postseason appearance, which ended with a second-round loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Ball has never played in a playoff game in his career.

Since coming up short yet again in the playoffs, Minnesota already made several roster moves. Days ago, they agreed to send starting forward Julius Randle (another former All-Star) to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that was largely just about clearing cap space. They also reportedly agreed to re-sign guard Ayo Dosunmu to a massive contract after adding him in a mid-season trade.

For the Hornets, this deal comes after their best season in a decade. They went 44-38 but lost in the Play-In as they still seek their first playoff appearance since 2016.

Reid, who turns 27 in August, will add some much-needed size and experience to Charlotte’s young roster. The seven-year veteran was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2024, with 48 games of playoff experience.

The real haul for the Hornets, though, could be the treasure chest of draft picks they just acquired. While the Timberwolves are projected to be a strong team next season, the picks are spaced out over the next seven years. Charlotte could eventually add some high-end talent, or use these assets in other future trades.

Boston Celtics guard Derrick White has a new job with his old team. But he wasn’t traded away by Boston in any deal related to the NBA Draft this week, contrary to recent rumors.

He instead returned to Colorado, where his old college in Boulder introduced him as its first president of basketball strategy. This is a volunteer job that White, 31, will work on the side as he tries to help the Buffaloes get back to the NCAA men’s basketball tournament for the first time since 2024, when they also had three NBA draft picks.

Colorado athletic director Fernando Lovo called the hiring “transformational” at a news conference June 24.

“It changes our trajectory,” Lovo said. “I really believe that.”

White himself said he doesn’t “know too much about college athletics” and its turbulent current landscape but hopes to serve as a resource for the program in several ways, including by giving $2 million to the men’s basketball program.

“The first thing I want to do is learn,” White said. “I know that I’ve learned a lot in the NBA, but this is a whole new position, whole new title, whole new everything that I don’t really know that much about.”

Why Derrick White is latest to join this trend

This is the latest in a recent string of college basketball programs hiring former players who currently are in the NBA. The general goal is to leverage the star power of the player to help attract recruits in the age of unlimited annual player transfers and the constant need to come up with more money to pay players. At Colorado, the football team similarly leveraged the fame of coach Deion Sanders to help generate buzz and rebuild a dormant brand after hiring him in December 2022.

Colorado head men's basketball coach Tad Boyle had a more colorful way to sum up the larger college sports environment Wednesday:

“College athletics is a little messed up right now.”

So he wants White to help navigate it with his background as an NBA champion and Colorado native. Boyle, Colorado’s all-time winningest coach, even was moved to tears at the news conference as he enters his 17^th season in Boulder.

Here is a list of NBA players hired at their old colleges

These NBA players are generally volunteering their time and sometimes giving their old colleges money, too.

∎ Steph Curry, Davidson: The Golden State Warriors legend appears to have started this trend when he was named assistant general manager for the men’s and women’s basketball teams at his alma mater in March 2025. He was helping set up an eight-figure fund to help support them.

∎ Trae Young, Oklahoma: The current Washington Wizards star was announced in late March 2025 as the assistant general manager for men’s basketball at his alma mater, Oklahoma. He also made a $1 million donation to the program.

∎ Desmond Bane, TCU: On June 22, TCU announced the Orlando Magic guard and former TCU player would serve as the program’s “chief basketball officer” to help advise the team and serve as a “liaison to the NBA.”

∎ Damian Lillard, Weber State: Last August, Weber State named the Portland Trail Blazers star as the general manager of its men’s basketball program to help serve as an advisor and mentor of his former college team.

∎ Terance Mann, Florida State: The current Brooklyn Nets guard was named as Florida State’s assistant general manager in April 2025. His job is to help support “strategic roster management, optimization of talent acquisition and developing future professional basketball players,” according to the school.

What are the upsides and downsides to these roles?

Any money and publicity can help these programs break through in a crowded college basketball landscape. That’s what these NBA players bring to these colleges at a minimum. It’s just not clear how involved they can be in college recruiting and roster management when their day jobs as NBA players take priority for much of the year.

Being a good pro basketball player also might not always translate into being a good college general manager, but it could. Some cases might seem like marketing gimmicks as a result. For the schools, there’s still almost no downside to it if these players are giving their time, money and names to the effort with no compensation in return.

“Obviously, I’m busy,” White said of his job with the Celtics. “But like if someone got a question and they want to reach out to me, I want to be a resource to the players. I want to be a resource to the coaching staff.”

What is Derrick White getting into here at Colorado?

White is a native of Parker, Colorado, who played at Colorado for one season in 2016-2017. He went on to get drafted by the San Antonio Spurs with the 29^th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. In 2024, he won an NBA championship with the Celtics and a gold medal with the U.S. men’s basketball team in the Olympics.

This is the kind of profile Colorado hopes to leverage after struggling to navigate the wide-open transfer era that started in 2024, just as Colorado was peaking with three NBA draft picks whom Boyle had developed as high school recruits: Cody Williams, Tristan da Silva and KJ Simpson.

This past season, the Buffs finished 17-16 and lost three of their top four scorers to the transfer portal, including freshman leading scorer Isaiah Johnson, who left for Texas.

Boyle said White’s role would be “fluid” but he would help with recruiting and as a team resource to tap into for learning.

“We have a job title, but I’m not sure we have a job description,” Boyle said.

A parting joke from Tad Boyle

Boyle, 63, said White also could help with a transition plan for a new coach whenever Boyle departs the program.

But what is the first thing he wants White to do in his new role?

Boyle’s answer referenced the recent legal chaos in the NCAA with players trying to extend their eligibility through the court system.

“The first thing I would say is I want to get a good lawyer, a local judge and get a temporary restraining order to get an extra year of eligibility for Derrick,” Boyle said. “That’s what I would like to do first.”

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA players like Derrick White join college basketball staffs. What are their roles?

In May, the Boston Celtics reunited with legendary guard Isaiah Thomas by hiring the former two-time All-Star as a professional/collegiate scout.

The plan, as previously reported by The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, was for Thomas to work from his hometown of Seattle and relay intel to Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens. But as the organization prepared to make its two selections (No. 27 and No. 40) in this year’s NBA Draft, Thomas went to great lengths to assist Boston in any way possible before, during, and after the Celtics made their selections.

When the draft combine began in Chicago over six weeks ago, Thomas joined Celtics executives in attendance to help the team interview prospects. The 37-year-old, formerly selected with the final pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, underwent his first combine, watching from the perspective of an organizational representative rather than a player. There, Thomas also helped Boston evaluate talent before it became time on Tuesday night to make their first of two selections.

Boston selected 6-foot-11 forward Chris Cenac Jr., 27th overall, out of the University of Houston. The following day, after the 19-year-old shook commissioner Adam Silver’s hand at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and officially became a professional, Thomas met face-to-face with Cenac at Boston’s practice facility in Brighton, Massachusetts.

“Excited for the young killa!!! Let’s getit,” Thomas posted on X over a photo taken with Cenac at the Auerbach Center.

Excited for the young killa!!! Let’s getit 🏁 https://t.co/7jjMoNemBo

— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) June 25, 2026

Thomas stuck around the practice facility for the second night. He joined Stevens in Boston’s draft room, awaiting the organization’s turn to make its pick at No. 40. When the time arrived, and the Celtics went with 22-year-old forward Dillon Mitchell from St. John’s, Thomas made the call to submit Boston’s selection on behalf of the team  — a moment the Celtics shared across their social media pages.

The dozens of Celtics scouts, executives, and other team representatives surrounding Thomas opened up a round of applause for their newly-hired scout.

IT stamp of approval ☘️ pic.twitter.com/RgPttlwt8Y

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 25, 2026

For years before his unofficial retirement following the 2023-24 season, Thomas frequently publicized his desire to rejoin the Celtics — at any capacity. He’s now back with Stevens, his former head coach, and Jaylen Brown (for now), his former teammate, contributing behind the scenes to the organization’s pursuit of its next championship.

Thomas never reached the mountaintop during his illustrious three-year run as Boston’s “King of the Fourth,” but still managed to — against all odds — leave a mark in the team’s storied history as one of the best to sport a Celtics uniform.

Now off the court, Thomas will strive to help the Celtics achieve NBA glory in a different, but still impactful role, as part of his return to Boston.

The Portland Trail Blazers entered the offseason searching for stability at head coach, and while they found a new man to put in charge, they have triggered league-wide backlash with how they finalized their hire.

The Blazers signed former Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori on what was initially described as a multiyear agreement, only for details to reveal a true one-year guaranteed deal with team options and incentive-based pay.

Pistons HC J.B. Bickerstaff called out the unconventional structure of Micah Nori's contract with the Trail Blazers 😳

Nori’s deal with Portland includes only one guaranteed year, with team options on the second and third years of the deal. The contract also includes a… pic.twitter.com/trffOkEFBg

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 24, 2026

That structure, however, should surprise nobody. Enter world-renowned frugal penny-pincher Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon.

Since taking over, Dundon has faced repeated criticism for cost-cutting decisions across the organization. The Athletic reported measures such as limiting travel accommodations—no two-way players allowed in postseason trips—cutting staff expenses—salaries down and team broadcasters fired—and previously offering below-market deals to coaching candidates, including interim coach Tiago Splitter before he left for another job—Dundon reportedly refused to offer Splitter more than $1-$1.5 million.

Against that backdrop, the Nori contract just reinforced the growing perception that Portland Tommy D is only and blatantly prioritizing financial flexibility and keeping his pockets safe over long-term investment and building a professional, competitive, let alone winning, basketball team.

J.B. Bickerstaff, head coach of the Detroit Pistons and president of the National Basketball Coaches Association, publicly blasted the Blazers’ approach and deal signed with Nori on Wednesday.

“I understand his story and his journey to get to the spot where he was able to get this opportunity, and I don’t want to take away from what should be a special moment for him, for his family, and a job that’s well deserved and earned,” Bickerstaff told ESPN. “That’s first and foremost.”

Bickerstaff then emphasized that his criticism was not aimed at Nori, a longtime assistant finally receiving a head-coaching opportunity, but at the conditions attached to it and the precedent set by accepting the deal.

“But I feel like he was put in a situation that he shouldn’t be put in with having to make a choice of this nature because of the structure of what the contract is,” Bickerstaff said. “It’s unfortunate that you have a dream, and from our perspective, it’s like someone’s taking advantage of your dream and devaluing what we feel like coaches have earned over the years.

“You think about the sacrifice, the time, the growth that coaches have helped and done with the NBA, and then for someone to come in and attempt to devalue the work that coaches have in this league is extremely disappointing.”

The concern extends beyond Nori’s salary and term with the Blazers, but more worryingly into how such a short, incentive-laden deal could affect team dynamics.

“It changes the math on where a coach stands, and it creates an environment where how do you hold players accountable when it looks like you are easily replaced and removed if things don’t go the way that players may see it going,” Bickerstaff said. “It’s almost, which is disappointing, a mindset of the substitute teacher being there with no guarantee or support [regarding] what it looks like long term or in the future.

“I’ve talked to a lot of coaches — head coaches, assistant coaches — who are extremely concerned. It’s a very serious matter to us as coaches to make sure that we protect the value of coaching staffs. It’s years and years of work that coaches have put in to put ourselves in this position and to put future coaches in the position where our value remains and isn’t disregarded because of a power flux of ownership.”

On top of that pile of excrement, Nori’s deal also comes after a delightfully turbulent coaching stretch in Portland that might not have an end in sight and could make it hellaciously hard for the Trail Blazers to escape from and rebuild the appeal of the position to future candidates.

Former head coach Chauncey Billups was extended before being removed from the organization following legal issues, leaving Portland paying for his contract while restarting its head coach search. Splitter took over and was willing to say, but Dundon decided against it, and Tiago is now about to lead the Chicago Bulls.

At the end of the day, the reaction from Bickerstaff and others highlights a fear about contracts such as the bizarre one offered by the Blazers and signed by Nori, as they could reshape expectations for coaching security across the league.

Whether the Blazers’ approach becomes a one-off experiment or a model others attempt to replicate is still unknown. For now, if you want to know more, check out fellow SBN blog Blazers’ Edge and Dave Deckard’s extraordinary post about the situation.

Al Horford reportedly declining player option, intends to sign Warriors contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors once again will have veteran depth at the center position.

Al Horford will decline his $6 million player option for the 2026-27 NBA season and intends to sign a new two-year, $14 million deal with Golden State, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported Thursday morning, citing sources.

Golden State's Al Horford is declining his player option and intends to sign a new two-year, $14 million deal to stay with the Warriors, sources tell me and @anthonyVslater. Horford, 40, becomes only the 13th player in NBA history to reach 20 seasons. pic.twitter.com/Tuu4oYb9hV

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2026

The Warriors originally signed Horford to a two-year, $11.6 million contract last offseason, with the fully guaranteed contract utilizing the team’s taxpayer mid-level exception.

“I want to see it through,” Horford told ESPN. “[Jimmy Butler’s ACL injury] kind of put a damper on things. Jimmy is a very special player, and he was doing so much for us. I feel like things were starting to turn.”

“Me being here a year, being acclimated with [coach Steve] Kerr, with Steph, with everybody else, I feel like we can continue to take steps forward and have a better season.”

In 45 games (13 starts) with Golden State last season, Horford averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game on 42.6-percent shooting from the field and 36.1 percent from 3-point range in 21.5 minutes per game.

The 40-year-old big man will provide the Warriors center depth, potentially behind veteran free agent Kristaps Porziņģis, who Golden State reportedly is working toward an agreement with this offseason after acquiring the big man from the Atlanta Hawks before the NBA’s Feb. 5 trade deadline.

Horford will play in his 20th NBA season with the Warriors, and potentially 21st if he plays out the second season of his new deal.

“It’s hard to believe,” Horford told ESPN when asked about becoming just the 13th player in league history to reach a 20th season. “It’s something that, for me, I’m very grateful. It’s just so hard to be in this league for that amount of years. There’s a lot of commitment, a lot of sacrifice and time. I still feel like I’m able to contribute and have an impact on a team.”

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Hornets trade LaMelo Ball to Timberwolves: Here are the reported details originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Another NBA All-Star is on the move.

Days after the Miami Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo, there’s been another blockbuster trade. The Charlotte Hornets reportedly will send LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid and a haul of draft picks and swaps.

ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the deal Thursday morning.

The draft picks going back to Charlotte include Minnesota’s 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033), Charania said.

Ball, who turns 25 in August, spent his first six seasons with the Hornets after being drafted third overall in 2020. He averaged 20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists over 303 regular-season games, winning Rookie of the Year in 2021 and being named an All-Star in 2022.

Now, Ball will join the No. 1 overall pick from the 2020 draft — Anthony Edwards — to form an explosive backcourt. The Timberwolves are coming off their fifth straight postseason appearance, which ended with a second-round loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Ball has never played in a playoff game in his career.

Since coming up short yet again in the playoffs, Minnesota already made several roster moves. Days ago, they agreed to send starting forward Julius Randle (another former All-Star) to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that was largely just about clearing cap space. They also reportedly agreed to re-sign guard Ayo Dosunmu to a massive contract after adding him in a mid-season trade.

For the Hornets, this deal comes after their best season in a decade. They went 44-38 but lost in the Play-In as they still seek their first playoff appearance since 2016.

Reid, who turns 27 in August, will add some much-needed size and experience to Charlotte’s young roster. The seven-year veteran was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2024, with 48 games of playoff experience.

The real haul for the Hornets, though, could be the treasure chest of draft picks they just acquired. While the Timberwolves are projected to be a strong team next season, the picks are spaced out over the next seven years. Charlotte could eventually add some high-end talent, or use these assets in other future trades.

The second round has come and gone, meaning the 2026 NBA Draft is officially concluded.

For the third time in four years, the Mountain West did not have anyone drafted within the top-60. Last year, the conference had two names — Nique Clifford and Kobe Sanders — hear their names called with the 24th and 50th picks, respectively. Alas, there still should be multiple former players from Mountain West programs who will be on a roster by the start of Summer League, which begins next month.

Without further ado, let’s dive into it!

Corey Camper Jr., G, Nevada:

Team: Phoenix Suns

The Suns have signed Nevada G Corey Camper Jr. as an undrafted free agent, per @ontimeagencygrp.

Camper Jr. averaged 16.6 PPG/4.8 RPG/2.7 APG/39.9 3P% and was All-Mountain West First Team this past season. pic.twitter.com/9AO58b97Jp

— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) June 25, 2026

Skinny: I am probably higher on Camper than most individuals. Truthfully, I thought he was a better prospect than former Nevada guard Kobe Sanders coming out of school. To me, he completely flew under the radar since he wasn’t invited to either the G-League Elite Camp or the NBA Draft combine last month.

Camper averaged 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals in his lone season with the Wolf Pack, shooting 45.3 percent from the floor with a 57.4 percent true shooting percentage. Camper was one of the Wolf Pack’s most impactful defender most nights, defending multiple positions. His shot also became far more consistent in the second half of the season, shooting 43.3 percent from deep in MW. There will be questions as to whether that’s a fluke (since it was his only good shooting season) or for real. Color me biased, but I think it’s the latter. There is legitimate 3-and-D upside here — one worth betting on, at least.

This is a developing news story. Stay tuned for more updates!

A look at the winners and losers of the first round of the NBA draft:

Winners

76ers

A home run of a pick, landing Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. at No. 22. He should’ve gone in the late teens at worst.

He was one of college basketball’s top guards last season, averaging 22 points, five assists and shooting 39.9 percent from distance on 6.1 attempts. He’s terrific going to the basket, has a sweet jumper and made a major leap from his freshman to sophomore season.

Teams were concerned that he would struggle to hold up defensively at only 176 pounds.

But with Philadelphia, he’s a third guard, behind Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. That’s a heckuva young trio, all 25 or younger.

Spurs

San Antonio addressed a major weakness that hampered it in the playoffs: big man depth behind Victor Wembanyama.

They used the 20th pick on Kentucky center Jayden Quaintance, then traded for a second first-round pick, and used No. 26 on Connecticut’s Tarris Reed Jr. Quaintance is a lottery-level talent with injury questions after playing in just four games this past season after ACL surgery.

It was a worthwhile gamble. Odds are, he won’t play much next year, but could be a major factor in time. Reed is not a prototypical NBA big man, because he doesn’t shoot 3s or guard well in space. But he’s physical, tough and can be an enforcer type.

Thunder

Did Oklahoma City find an answer for its Wembanyama problem? Aday Mara, the Thunder’s pick at No. 12, is at least an option.

The 7-foot-3 center is a defensive dynamo who helped lead Michigan to its first national championship in 37 years in April. The more size you can throw at Wemby, the better.

At No. 16, the Thunder added Iowa sharpshooting guard Bennett Stirtz. At worst, he’s a court-spacer. Don’t count him out from being more than that, though.

Losers

Clippers

Keaton Wagler over Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings and Mikel Brown Jr.? The three players the Clippers passed on for him at No. 5 will all be better pros. Wagler isn’t a bad prospect — he just isn’t as good as the aforementioned players.

He doesn’t guard like Flemings and doesn’t have the offensive ceiling of either Acuff or Brown.

Suns

Phoenix traded into the last pick of the first round for Koa Peat, a one-and-done wing out of Arizona who isn’t much of a shooter and doesn’t project as a lockdown defender.

Bizarre. Peat should’ve stayed in school, and the Suns could’ve done much better, whether it was taking Duke wing Isaiah Evans, North Carolina big man Henri Veesaar or Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas.

Knicks fans

Coming off the franchise’s first championship in 53 years, they wanted a fun toy to add to the revelry.

When it came close to their time to pick, Knicks fans started dreaming of keeping the local star home, and picking Zuby Ejiofor of St. John’s.

The Hawks beat them to the punch, snagging the Big East Player of the Year with the 23rd pick.

Odds are, the Knicks weren’t making a pick anyway. They made a number of maneuvers to save money and move out of the first round.

Knicks fans did get excited for a moment when they picked Spanish point guard Sergio De Larrea, with the idea of stashing him overseas for a year. But they traded him, too, sending the Spaniard to the Mavericks.

It was a buzzkill night, but if it helps the Knicks bring back two of Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson, it will be a win in the end.

The Golden State Warriors are no longer in championship contention mode so the NBA draft is all the more important.

Golden State may not have drafted a franchise-changing player but it picked up a sleeper that can come in and immediately make an impact.

With the No. 11 pick in the first round the Warriors selected Yaxel Lendeborg. He's an NBA-ready prospect who is coming off a national title at Michigan. Lendeborg was a splash selection who was the highest rated prospect on Golden State's board.

Simply put, the Warriors got their guy.

2026 NBA Draft team grades Which front offices did the best in both rounds?

He's not someone who commands the ball. He wasn't that guy in college. He's a stud. A ball player. He does whatever is needed for the team. He led Michigan in scoring with 15.1 points per game. He ranked second on the team with 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 blocks a game.

He is the prototypical player the Warriors needed. Lendeborg brings size, length and defensive range that allows him to guard multiple positions during on-ball defensive switch situations. He is a capable shooter who can't be left alone off the ball. He shot 37% during the 2025-26 season at Michigan. He attacks the rim, where he is an efficient finisher through a combination of strength and touch.

Best of all, he's not a ball stopper. The offense doesn't get stagnant when the rock is swung his way. Lendeborg is seen as a connective player. He passes, he screens away and keeps the flow of the offense moving.

Golden State Warriors draft grade: B+

Who is Warriors' second rounder, Lajae Jones?

The Warriors received a B+ grade for their overall draft, not just their first rounder. In the second round, they continued to target two-way wing players who can make an impact.

With the No. 56 pick, Golden State selected Lajae Jones, a 6-foot-7 forward out of Florida State. The Warriors got a dogged player with a chip on his shoulder. Jones' collegiate journey had many stops.

The 22-year-old went to Tarleton State after graduating from Fletcher High School in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Jones didn't see much playing time at Tarleton State so he bet on himself and enrolled at Barton Community College in Great Bend, Kansas.

Jones led the junior college in scoring, averaging 15.4 points and 9.2 rebounds, shooting 54% from the field. He led the team to a 34-3 record – a record that included a 27-game winning streak – and eventually won the national junior college championship title.

He transferred to St. Bonaventure as a junior, where he shot the 3-ball at a 38% clip. Jones finished his collegiate career at Florida State.

Jones now joins a Golden State team that is in need of two-way wing players.

Prior to the draft, the Warriors were looking at Gui Santos as the only healthy player in that mold. As they expect to have back Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler, the Dubs bring in additional wing players to adapt to their system.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Golden State Warriors draft grade

The NBA draft just ended, but there already may be some massive hoops news on the horizon.

According to ESPN, the Charlotte Hornets are engaged with multiple teams in discussions about trading point guard LaMelo Ball, who helped revive the Hornets to a 44-38 record this season and a berth in the Play-In Tournament.

Ball has played six seasons in the NBA and averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 72 games this past season. The 24-year-old is a supremely gifted offensive player, though he’s a high-volume shooter prone to stretches of highly inefficient play. Despite that, under the right program and system, Ball could find a new home that would better suit him.

Here are the best fits for LaMelo Ball, if he’s traded from the Hornets:

NBA DRAFT WINNERS, LOSERS: Surprising team tops list; champs take calculated risk

Minnesota Timberwolves

They just traded Julius Randle, previously the team’s No. 2 scoring threat, and the Timberwolves need to both capitalize on this window to win with star Anthony Edwards, while keeping him happy. It just so happens that the biggest area of need on the roster is at point guard.

And added benefit from Ball is that he’s a player who can create his own shot, which is something Minnesota’s other players struggled with when teams threw double teams at Edwards. By trading Randle, the Timberwolves cleared cap space and created a $33.3 million trade exception, which creates the structure to pull in a player like Ball.

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors improved this season and became quite competitive down the stretch, though Toronto’s offense disappointed late in the season. Much like all teams on this list, there’s a glaring lack of offensive production that needs to be addressed; the Raptors ranked 26th in the NBA in converted 3-pointers per game (11.4). Ball, on his own, averaged 3.8 made 3s per game. The Raptors would almost certainly need to ship Immanuel Quickley, but Ball’s injury history does raise some concerns.

Milwaukee Bucks

It would be a little rough for Ball to leave the Hornets just as they were inching toward competitiveness, only to land with a team that’s embarking on a total rebuild. The Bucks, however, are going to be searching for a new identity and will want someone who can easily create offense — especially if the Bucks choose to reroute Tyler Herro, whom the team acquired in the trade with the Miami Heat for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Orlando Magic

This is a team at an interesting crossroads. The Magic have a new coach in Sean Sweeney and need to determine whether the Paolo Banchero-Franz Wagner partnership is sustainable. Orlando also struggled to generate consistent offense, especially when they faced stout defensive teams. This is a problem come playoff time, when competition intensifies. The Magic also tied for 27th in 3-point percentage (34.3%).

Detroit Pistons

This isn’t quite as seamless a fit as the others on this list because Ball thrives best when the ball is in his hands. The Pistons, however, operate their offense through star point guard Cade Cunningham. Granted, Detroit relied too heavily on Cunningham to create just about the entirety of the team’s offensive production, so a supplemental ball handler could help. This would work better if Ball would commit to playing more as a natural two-guard.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Charlotte Hornets looking to trade LaMelo Ball. Best team fits ranked

The Knicks have operated the first offseason since winning the NBA Championship as if they won't exceed the second apron.

But how will guard Jack Kayil, whom the Knicks selected 39th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday night after trading down, fit into those plans? Kayil comes from Germany, so New York can make him a "draft-and-stash" prospect like they and other teams have done in the past with other European players. So with that in mind, Kayil was asked whether he plans to return to Germany.

“Not really," Kayil told the media after being drafted. "My plan is to stay here and get into the organization and keep growing with them.”

Of course, that may not be entirely up to Kayil as Leon Rose tries to navigate this offseason with owner James Dolan's wishes of staying below the second apron in mind. As SNY's Ian Begley notes, by trading out of the first pick in the second round, they positioned themselves to get a rookie more likely to accept a rookie minimum deal. 

But if Kayil is indeed sticking around, what kind of player are the Knicks getting? 

"I think also one of my strengths is that I love winning and I give everything for that," Kayil said. "To come to this organization shows that they also want winners. I think it’s a good fit."

Playing against professionals in the Alba Berlin league this season at the age of 19, Kayil posted 12.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 21.1 minutes per game. He also helped Germany win the silver medal at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup after averaging 11.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. In the process, he won FIBA Champions League Best Young Player honors and earned All-FIBA Champions League Second Team recognition.

Kayil is used to winning and expects it. Perhaps that's the kind of prospect a team looking to repeat as champion can use.

Jack Kayil says he does not plan to return to Germany for another year after being drafted by the Knicks pic.twitter.com/micv9vL2Ee

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) June 25, 2026

For the second year in a row, the Sacramento Kingsexcelled in the NBA draft.

Kings general manager Scott Perry took over the position in Sacramento and vowed to make changes that would turn the team into a winning organization. He admitted it wouldn't be pretty, but strides would be made. He's proving every syllable he uttered to be true.

The Kings thrived in the 2026 NBA Draft picking up necessary pieces to consider for their future. Sacramento needed a face of the franchise, and with the No. 7 pick, they placed their bets on Darius Acuff Jr. He was the alpha dog leader at Arkansas who proved he could fill up a box score with the best of them, averaging 23.5 points per game. But Sacramento wasn't done there.

The Kings later traded up, sending a couple of second round picks to the Cleveland Cavaliers, for the No. 29 pick. Sacramento ensured the Cavs took Alex Karaban, a sharpshooter out of UConn, with the pick. Karaban spreads the floor and provides spacing, complimentary to Acuff's game.

NBA DRAFT WINNERS AND LOSERS: Surprising team tops the list; champs take big risk

And in the second round, they added a two-way player in Emanuel Sharp. The Houston guard can shoot, defend and play a vital role for the Kings. He's expected to come in and see the floor immediately as an impact player.

Coming off of a year where the team went 22-60, but the high point was the development of their 2025 draft class, the Kings did it again. They committed to finding talent. There's really no negative thing that anyone should have to say about Sacramento's selections.

They addressed their needs. The next phase will be all about unified development.

Sacramento Kings draft grade: A+

More: Best players available in 2026 NBA Draft: Who is worth taking in Round 2?

Sacramento Kings moving in right direction

Last year, Perry dominated the draft, trading for a late first rounder that became Nique Clifford. In the second round the Kings took Maxime Raynaud, who was named to the All-Rookie second team. Then they found the heart and soul of the squad in undrafted signee Dylan Cardwell.

Perry followed that up with making the seemingly right picks in the 2026 draft.

Things appear to be moving in the right direction for Sacramento, who will get a chance to see their young prospects in action in the coming weeks when summer league basketball kicks off with the 8th annual California Classic, hosted by the Kings and Golden State Warriors at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento and Chase Center in San Francisco beginning July 3 to 6.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Grading Sacramento Kings overall draft selections in 2026 NBA Draft