Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) celebrates after a play against the VCU Rams in the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Welcome to the NBA Henri Veesaar. With the 52nd pick in the second round, the Atlanta Hawks selected the former Tar Heel center and starting his NBA career. So what does Veesaar bring to the NBA?
Strengths
In today’s NBA there is nothing more valuable than a stretch four and despite playing the five at North Carolina, Veesaar should fit in great in that role. Not only does he bring the obvious size, but he also brings the three point shooting to help stretch the floor and create space for driving guards and big men with less range. Additionally, Veesaar knows how to use his size on defense getting rebounds and blocks. Finally, Veesaar is also a good passer after averaging over two assists per game last season for the Tar Heels.
Areas of Improvement
There are two main areas that Veesaar is going to need to improve on. The first is adding weight. Despite being seven feet tall, Veesaar is not very big at a slim 225 lbs. The smaller frame will make him susceptible to injury when going up against much bigger post players in the NBA. Luckily for him, that is something that can be quickly remedied by just being drafted and getting into a full professional strength and conditioning program.
Secondly, he needs to work on his free throw shooting. Veesaar’s free throw shooting percentage of 61.5% was the tenth worst on the Tar Heels this past season and something that other NBA teams will take advantage of which in turn will limit his minutes. This is probably one of the more disturbing aspects of his game as his percentage has dropped every season in college as his attempts per game went up as well.
If he can get these areas fixed he should be able to provide some minutes for his new team this season.
New York continued their trend of trading down, moving from No. 31 to No. 39 in a deal with the Houston Rockets, per ESPN's Shams Charania. The Knicks also sent pick No. 55 in exchange for No. 53 and a 2029 Kings second-rounder.
Houston used the No. 31 pick on Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton.
SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley noted that "by trading out of first pick in second round of draft, the Knicks have positioned themselves to find players more likely to accept rookie minimum deal via second round pick exception."
Second round, pick No. 39: guard Jack Kayil
With the pick acquired from Houston, the Knicks selected German guard Jack Kayil.
The 20-year-old from Berlin is listed at 6-foot-3 and 172 pounds. He joined the Alba Berlin youth academy in 2022 and rejoined the organization in 2025. In 2026, Kayil wan named the Bundesliga Best Young Player and FIBA Champions League Best Young Player, in addition to making the All-FIBA Champions League Second Team.
Kayil has represented Germany in international tournaments, helping them win gold at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket in 2022, the bronze at FIBA U18 EuroBasket in 2023, and the gold in 2024. He also led them to the silver medal at the FIBA U19 World Cup in 2025, where they lost to the United States, averaging 11.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 6.6 assists in the tournament.
Kayil said in his post-draft news conference that he expects to be with the Knicks for the 2026-27 season as opposed to being a draft-and-stash prospect.
Second round, pick No. 47: forward Tyler Nickel
The Knicks selected Vanderbilt forward Tyler Nickel with the No. 47 overall pick. This pick was one of the three second-round picks acquired from the Phoenix Suns for Koa Peat.
At 6-foot-6 and 217 pounds, Nickel is a sharpshooting wing who averaged 13.5 points per game and shot 44.5 percent from three in 7.6 three-point attempts per game during the 2025-26 season. The 22-year-old from Harrisonburg, Virginia, played four seasons of college basketball, transferring from North Carolina to Virginia Tech after one season, then doing the same to spend his final two seasons at Vanderbilt.
Second round, pick No. 53: center Ugonna Onyeso (traded)
To round out their 2026 NBA Draft, New York selected center Ugonna Onyeso from Virginia.
Although he was quickly traded to the Detroit Pistons for cash considerations, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
Onyeso, listed at 6-foot-11 and 237 pounds, used his size to record 2.92 blocks per game (leading the ACC and second nationally) last year with the Cavaliers. Born in Nigeria, he played three years at the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal before moving to the United States for high school at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut. There, Onyeso developed into a five-star recruit and committed to Kentucky, where he played for two years with a transfer stop at Kansas State before going to UVA.
DAY 1
First round, pick No. 25: guard Sergio De Larrea (later traded)
New York started Tuesday night's first round with the No. 24 overall pick, but moved back a slot in a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers and took De Larrea out of Spain.
However, his Knicks tenure was over in the blink of an eye.
After the first round was completed, New York sent De Larrea to the Dallas Mavericks for No. 30 pick Koa Peat and two second-round picks. Peat would then be quickly traded to the Phoenix Suns for three second-round picks and cash considerations.
Mar 12, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie (0) celebrates after getting fouled and making the basket against the Auburn Tigers during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
The Tennessee Volunteers finally had another player come off the board in the 2026 NBA Draft, and it’s quite the team who picked him.
Vols guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie was tabbed by the current Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs with pick No. 42 overall in the second round of the draft on Wednesday night.
It’s obviously a tremendous opportunity for Gillespie in San Antonio, if he can carve out a role for himself on a team that’s right on the edge of the pinnacle of the sport. The Spurs have themselves to blame for losing the NBA Finals in five games to the New York Knicks. They blew massive leads in multiple games, including a 29-point gag job in Game 4 in Madison Square Garden. So, clearly, they’re good enough to win it all, and having a superstar like Victor Wembanyama makes another run a distinct possibility in 2026-27 and beyond.
So, it’s a great situation for Gillespie to land in as far as potential to win. How he fits and what kind of role he earns for himself remains to be seen.
Kam Jones is going to play for my favorite NBA team, win-win! | Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
It seemed like it was going to be a quiet day on the Marquette To NBA front as there was no chance of Ben Gold or Chase Ross getting selected in Wednesday night’s second round of the NBA Draft. However, Indiana Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan and Chicago Bulls general manager Stephen Mervis had different ideas. After Chicago selected Purdue guard Braden Smith with the 8th pick of the second round and the 38th pick overall, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania broke some news on a trade:
Former Marquette guard Kam Jones is headed to the Windy City.
Indiana is trading Jones to the Bulls along with some yet to be revealed future pick swaps and cash in exchange for the draft rights to Smith.
Sources: Chicago is trading Braden Smith to the Indiana Pacers for Kam Jones, future swaps and cash.
Jones was the #38 pick one year ago, technically being selected by San Antonio before a trade that was finalized after the fact sent him to the Pacers, much like this trade will eventually be finalized because the NBA rules about the league schedule are weird and bad. Marquette’s #2 all time leading scorer appeared in 37 games for Indiana this past season as the Pacers went 19-63 with Tyrese Haliburton out for the year after suffering an Achilles tear in the 2025 NBA Finals. Jones started seven times along the way and ended up averaging 4.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 16.6 minutes per game. One thing that did not help Jones’ playing time was his 29.3% three-point shooting, and that was dragged down by shooting just 25% in Indiana’s final seven games of the season.
After being taken in the second round last year, Jones signed a three year contract with the Pacers that has a fourth season on a team option. In theory, that means that the Bulls are up for the idea of continuing Jones’ development for at least another two seasons. I would wager it means we will see him in Chicago black & red when Summer League pops up in July. Where things go from there as Tiago Splitter takes over as head coach and the Bulls move on from the front office pairing of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley, we will have to wait and see…..
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 13: Meleek Thomas #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks on during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners in the quarterfinal game of the 2026 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 13, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a type: undersized guards. They added another one to the fold as they selected 19-year-old 6’3″ guard Meleek Thomas 34th overall out of the University of Arkansas.
Thomas is a lights-out shooter. He connected on 41.6% of his 5.3 outside shots per game. This led to him averaging 15.6 points in 37 games for the Razorbacks.
That shooting is one of the things that intrigued the Cavaliers most.
“When you meet this kid, his confidence jumps off the page,” Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman said in a press conference afterward. “It’s not a cocky sort of ego, he just believes, and it’s a quick flick. He doesn’t need to jump high, so he can get it off against anybody. He can get the space, he can get the step-backs. I think he’s 47% off the bounce three-point wise. When I talk about these translatable skills…these are things he has.”
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Shooting is, in fact, a translatable skill that works in every kind of lineup. There’s always more room on the floor for more shooting. But it’s fair to wonder if there’s more room on the roster for another undersized guard. Especially on a team that is dying for more size and athleticism.
Thomas joins a long list of guards that are 6’4″ or under currently on the team: Dennis Schroder, Craig Porter Jr., Donovan Mitchell, Keon Ellis (unrestricted free agent), Tyrese Proctor, and Sam Merrill. Ideally, you don’t want more than one undersized guard on the court at a time. At most, two is the limit. That makes this selection curious from a roster construction standpoint. Although it’s fair to point out that this group could look drastically different by the time training camp opens up or when Thomas is ready for rotation minutes.
Altman acknowledged this issue, but pointed out that you don’t always have the luxury of drafting for fit when you’re selecting 34th overall. “When you get to this part in the draft, you’re drafting for talent. … You’re drafting for who’s best available.”
The Cavs believe Thomas was the best available. Altman mentioned that they thought he was a “first-round talent” and they were impressed with what Thomas showed them when he came in for a workout. Altman compared it to what Jaylon Tyson displayed when he came in during the predraft process two years ago.
Even though moving back in the draft helped the cap sheet and the roster fit isn’t ideal, the Cavs like the skills that Thomas brings.
“We were excited that he was available in the second round,” Altman said. “Usually, a guy of that caliber of scorer, that level of shot maker, his profile, you get a lot earlier. The fact that we were able to move back and still select a player of his caliber and his shot making — one of the best shot makers in all of college basketball — is pretty exciting.”
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 13: Braden Smith drives to the basket during the game during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 13, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As I type this we’ve got Braden Smith drafted by the Chicago Bulls oh wait he’s been traded to the Indiana Pacers with #38 in the 2nd round of the NBA Draft. That’s a great landing spot for him and should put him on a pretty good team assuming that everyone on the Pacers comes back healthy. Not only that, but it places him in Indiana a state that he is obviously very familiar with as he played both high school and college ball here. Now, we wait to see if any other Boilermaker player gets their name called on the second night of this draft. As part of this week’s survey I asked you how many players you thought would be drafted and we closed this one early since the draft end tonight. So, here are the results.
Already 11% of respondents are wrong because they thought zero Purdue players would get drafted. Every other number is still on the board, though I gotta admit it that 2% who said four are sure optimistic. Oscar Cluff and TKR are still on the board and have a shot but it will be a long night for them as they would likely be toward the very end of the draft. So stay tuned to see how Boilermakers make it to the Association.
Continue to check out our friends at FanDuel for how this impacts NBA odds.
Baba Miller with NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum after being selected by the Clippers on Wednesday. (Yuki Iwamura / Associated Press)
The Clippers chose Spanish forward Baba Miller with the 36th overall selection in the NBA draft Wednesday at Barclays Center.
Miller came through Real Madrid’s famous youth academy before playing at Florida State, Florida Atlantic and Cincinnati. As a senior at Cincinnati, the 6-11, 208-pound Miller averaged 13 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 blocks per game.
The Clippers already bolstered their backcourt during the draft by taking guard Keaton Wagler fifth overall in the first round Tuesday. Wagler is expected to pair immediately with All-Star guard Darius Garland with the Clippers trying to win their first playoff series since 2021.
The Clippers added frontcourt depth during last season’s draft with Yanic Konan Niederhauser, but the 6-11 center suffered a Lisfranc injury in March and missed the end of the season. After trading starting center Ivica Zubac to the Pacers midseason, helping the Clippers secure the draft pick that turned into this year’s top-five selection, the team only had 38-year-old Brook Lopez at center.
Miller was just one of three players nationally to average at least 13 points, 10 rebounds and three assists this season. He was the first Bearcat to lead the team in points, rebounds and assists since Oscar Robertson in 1959-60.
Braden Smith is headed down I-65 from Purdue to Indianapolis as the Indiana Pacers acquired the local point guard via an immediate trade with the Chicago Bulls. This is the most ideal situation for a player who has been at the forefront of basketball in Indiana for over five years as Tyrese Haliburton recovers from a major injury that forced him to miss all of the 2025-2026 season. Smith will likely eventually replace veteran TJ McConnell as the guard for the second unit.
— Purdue Men's Basketball (@BoilerBall) June 25, 2026
Indiana’s style of play lends itself wonderfully for Smith as he will not be asked to do anything other than what he is very good at already. The Pacers have shooters surrounding lead guard Tyrese Haliburton already and Smith will benefit from that established culture and style of play.
More from Hammer and Rails on the other three Boilers who are waiting for where their NBA destination will lead.
INGLEWOOD, CA — The L.A. Clippers continue to take a business-as-usual approach to the offseason.
Veteran Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers remain in close communication regarding the future direction of the team, including NBA draft-related topics. Regardless of what the future holds for the team, the franchise remains tied to the superstar player while an NBA investigation remains ongoing.
The league is investigating team owner Steve Ballmer, Leonard and his uncle/advisor Dennis Robertson. All three men were allegedly involved in a “no-show” agreement with a company, Aspiration, to funnel extra compensation to the player as part of a salary cap circumvention. Leonard, Ballmer and other team executives were reportedly interviewed as part of the investigation.
“I can’t comment on the specifics of the investigation, but what I can say is we did not do what we are accused of doing,” said Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' president of basketball operations. “The investigation has had no impact on how we go about our business. We just continue to go about our business as normal.”
The law firm tasked with running the investigation is expected to deliver its findings to NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who will decide on any potential discipline. Silver indicated during a press conference in early June that the investigation needs to be wrapped up and have some finality.
“The team has to understand what situation they are going to be operating under and so do the other 29 teams,” Silver said.
A few teams, including the Golden State Warriors, may be closely monitoring Leonard’s status and could be interested in trading for him.
The Warriors reportedly checked in with the Clippers about Leonard leading up to the trade deadline in February, but Ballmer did not want to move his star player, in contrast to what the team did with Ivica Zubac and James Harden.
Leonard has one more year left on his contract with the Clippers, worth $50.3 million. The star will become a free agent if he is not signed to an extension. He played in 65 games last season, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 24: Bruce Thornton shakes hands with Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum after he is drafted 31st overall by the New York Knicks in Round Two of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 24, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“With the 31st pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets select Bruce Thornton, a guard from The Ohio State University.”
Ohio State’s all-time leading scorer and the only four-time captain in program history, Thornton heard his name called on Wednesday night during the second round of the draft, and will now have to work to earn a spot on the Rockets roster in the fall. Thornton is the first Ohio State men’s basketball player drafted since Brice Sensabaugh — who was in Thornton’s recruiting class — went 28th overall to the Utah Jazz in 2023.
Thornton was a three-time All-Big Ten honoree while at Ohio State, was one of just two Big Ten players ever to finish their career with 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists, and finished second all-time in program history in starts (136). He only missed one game in his college career — a game against Nebraska his sophomore season — due to a migraine that hit him shortly before game time.
Thornton averaged 19.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game last season, shooting a hyper efficient 55.4% overall, 40% from three-point range, and 82.9% from the free throw line.
At 6-feet tall and 223 pounds, Thornton is stockier and shorter than a prototypical NBA point guard, but the ability to shoot the ball is transferrable anywhere, and Thornton proved in his college career that he can make any shot on the floor. According to Jam Hines of No Ceilings NBA, Thornton’s size and his age (22) were always going to count against him in this draft, but, “Because of what be does shooting the ball, he’s going to be a good fit anywhere.”
While talking to Land-Grant Holy Land on May 21 on the Bucketheads Podcast, Hines specifically pointed out Houston as a potential landing spot for Thornton, saying, “I think the Rockets would make a lot of sense, too. You have the defensive infrastructure there for the most part with (Amen) Thompson (being) there, a good defender. Tari Eason, Steven Adams too when he comes back. And we kind of saw what happened with them just running out of guards last year.”
As the first pick of the second round, Thornton will have a real shot at making Houston’s opening night roster. If not, Thornton will likely bounce between the Rockets and their G-League team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, based in Edinburg, Texas. Last year’s 31st overall pick, Rasheer Fleming, was drafted by the Phoenix Suns. He appeared in 31 games for the Suns this past season, averaging 12.2 minutes per game. After the draft, he signed a 4-year, $8.7-million dollar contract. Look for Thornton to agree to something similar.
Congratulations to Bruce, we look forward to watching your sensational career continue at the highest level!
WACO, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 10: Richie Saunders #15 of the BYU Cougars is introduced as a starter before a game against the Baylor Bears at Foster Pavilion on February 10, 2026 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Scott Wachter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After AJ Dybantsa went #1 overall the Washington Wizards Tuesday night in the NBA Draft, Richie Saunders was selected in the second round at pick #32 by the Memphis Grizzlies .
After serving a two-year LDS Church mission, Richie began his career for BYU in 2022-2023 where he spent four years and will go down as one of the best players in BYU program history. Richie went from role player in his first two seasons under Mark Pope to Big 12 Most Improved Player and First Team All-Big 12 as a junior in Kevin Young’s first season. Richie’s points, rebounds, and assists all increased as a senior alongside AJ Dybantsa before Richie tore his ACL versus Colorado on Valentine’s Day.
As a junior in 2024-25, Richie averaged 16.5 points and 4.5 rebounds with 52/43/84 shooting splits. He was BYU’s best player despite playing alongside star freshman Egor Demin, who was drafted #8 by the Brooklyn Nets. Richie average 18 points and 6 boards as a senior on 49/38/82 splits and tore his ACL 25 games into the season.
Richie’s shooting prowess is easy to spot on film, but his hustle and tenacity are what will get him to stick around in the NBA. Richie averaged 2 offensive rebounds per game as a senior, and has what Kevin Young calls an “uncommon” motor. Richie was BYU’s glue guy his first two season, and kept that mentality his final two seasons despite being one of BYU’s star players.
He is one of BYU’s most beloved players ever, and I have no doubt Grizzlies fans will embrace him as well.
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 19: Bruce Thornton #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after a three-point basket against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Rockets are starting the second round of the NBA Draft with a bang.
Going into the night, the Rockets held the No. 39 and 53 picks, but they made a trade with the New York Knicks for the first pick in the second round. In the deal, the Rockets acquired Nos. 31 and 55 for Nos. 39 and 53. Houston also sent a 2029 second-round pick to New York in the deal. ESPN insider Shams Charania was the first to report the news.
Sources: The New York Knicks are trading Nos. 31 and 55 to the Houston Rockets for Nos. 39 and 53 and a 2029 Kings second-rounder. The moves begin for night two of the NBA Draft.
With the No. 31 overall pick, the Rockets selected Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton, who is the all-time leading scorer in Buckeyes history.
“What we’ve been able to do as we constructed this roster is put multiple playmakers out on the floor so we can move him into different areas and different spots, and he doesn’t always have to playmake with the ball in his hands and the guys can create some stuff for him,” Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler said in March.
“He got a couple of catch and shoot threes today that those other guys created for him and that versatility for us, I think makes us really hard to guard.”
Standing six feet tall, Thornton is undersized, but his ability to create should help the Rockets depth at the point guard position, which was sorely needed this season.
TDS community, what do you make of the Rockets’ decision to select Thornton in a trade with the Knicks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 3: Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) reacts to a call during the college basketball game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Arizona State Sun Devils on March 3, 2026 at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The hype for this group has been slowly building for years, and it reached a crescendo when a loaded freshman class immediately left a huge imprint on college basketball. NBA teams were so eager to land a top pick this year that it triggered a full-on tanking crisis, which caused the league to change the lottery rules going forward.
Finally, draft day is here. A good draft class can take teams from worst-to-first, and the recent success of the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Detroit Pistons proves it.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with Darryn Peterson after he is drafted second overall by the Utah Jazz during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
All in all, it’s just another brick in the wall All in all, you’re just another brick in the wall — Pink Floyd, Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2
Darryn Peterson is the defining piece of Utah’s rebuild
It would be inappropriate to open this article with anything besides a warm welcome to the newest member of the Utah Jazz, Darryn Peterson. A standout at Kansas, Peterson distinguished himself as the best guard prospect the NBA Draft has seen since Kyrie Irving, behind a symphonic combination of scoring, ball-handling, vicious perimeter defending, and a sugar-sweet jumper that has worked at every level.
Even as BYU’s AJ Dybantsa distanced himself in the race for the number-one pick, supporters of Peterson’s candidacy remain resolute that he is a number-one quality prospect. Utah feels the same way.
But he means much more than that for the Utah Jazz. In the context of his new home, Darryn Peterson is the final brick in Utah’s prolonged reconstruction efforts. In selecting Peterson second overall, the Jazz have sent out a telegram to the basketball universe, and it contains just two poignant words: we’re ready.
While Pink Floyd may have illustrated a lack of individuality and a mandate for conformity, I refer to the line “another brick in the wall” from a different perspective. Darryn Peterson is a member of the team now, and the defining addition of a team that has been years in the making.
Piece by piece and brick by brick, the Utah Jazz have spent the past three seasons constructing a contender. Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, and Walker Kessler were the first crucial additions in the fallout of the Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell expulsions.
Last year’s acquisition of Ace Bailey was a massive step in the right direction. Despite slipping to the fifth pick in the draft order, Utah secured a player who could bloom into a high-level star in the NBA — even if he has a few imperfections to shave from his skill tree.
Now with Peterson, the Jazz have a player who is expected to develop into a superstar; he’s no project.
Are Darryn Peterson-Kobe Bryant comparisons blasphemous?
This fellow here has been compared to countless established NBA players, as is the customary rite from evaluators and engagement farmers.
Devin Booker, Jamal Murray, Bradley Beal, Brandon Roy, and even Kobe Bryant are the electron cloud orbiting Darryn Peterson’s nucleus. That’s a high-grade spread of all-time great shooting guards, and a tall bar to clear for a player who has yet to play a second of NBA basketball. But every player has their own distinct platter of tendencies. So what can be gleaned from what Darryn Peterson has displayed to this point?
Well, if Peterson’s perspective is significant, he models his game after Booker, one of basketball’s best jump-shooting guards in recent memory.
“Who’s one player you’ve modeled your game after?”
For all of Keyonte George’s strides from last season, Peterson will need to fill in for his backcourt mate on the defensive end this year. He’s the ideal complement for a player like George, who’s become adept at drawing fouls and creating his own shot — so much that his improvements as a playmaker have gone largely overlooked by the general public. Keyonte and Collier, Inc. is a proficient distribution center in Salt Lake City, and Peterson will gladly play the recipient for catch-and-shoot looks.
He’ll need to continue to grow off-ball and as a passer, because he did not share the rock especially well as a Freshman in Lawrence. Pushing just 1.6 assists per night in 20 minutes does not inspire hope that he could become a one-stop shop for all of Utah’s offensive needs — even if the team believes he, like George, holds untapped playmaking upside.
Fortunately, DP creates his own shot with all the grace of a first-chair cellist. He is beauty, grace, and Miss United States with the basketball in his hands, and he has no shortage of moves, athleticism, or shooting touch when elevating for a jumper. He’s got a killer’s mentality, and basketball flows from his fingertips like sweet, sweet music.
He soars to the basket upon eagles’ wings and is truly a revelation when he gets a glimpse of the rim.
This is his biggest selling point: his ability to put that darn ball through the darn basket. Utilizing a cling-wrap handle in conjunction with his liquid jump shot makes Darryn’s offensive game unstoppable — much like liquid held in a pocket of cling-wrap. Metaphorical abnormalities aside, Peterson’s jump shot is one smooth motion — practically as close to one motion as a player could realistically get — while maintaining control and precision. He hit 38% of his three-pointers as a freshman under Bill Self, and this despite appearances that he was a bit restricted by design while running with the Jayhawks.
He rounds out the backcourt in Utah and may be half of one of the NBA’s best scoring guard lines within the next few seasons.
Peterson’s addition gives the Jazz a remarkably complete starting lineup, with Markkanen, Jackson Jr, and Kessler (presumably) adding experience and complementary skills and one of the most air-tight frontcourts in the league, on paper at least.
If you don’t eat your meat, you can’t have any pudding!
Remember, Darryn, if you don’t eat your meat, you can’t have any pudding (that’s right, I’m not done with the Pink Floyd reference). The Jazz are fully constructed and ready to pursue their ultimate goal: a chance at bringing the Larry O’Brien Trophy to Utah. But that goal will never be actualized without a commitment — a whole-hearted buy-in — from the player who was selected to become the organization’s foundational star.
Source on the Jazz picking Darryn Peterson: He's super excited to be a part of the program and the Jazz are thrilled to have him. Darryn can lift the group in the short and long term
Early reports about Darryn’s aversion to Utah appear to have been completely off-base — just like Ace Bailey last year, what are the odds? — and I have no reservations about his commitment to his teammates, to his team, and to the fanbase celebrating his selection back in the Beehive State.
I have no doubts that Peterson is sincere about his plans with the Jazz. He’ll put in the work, he’ll be a good teammate, and he’ll be the type of player that makes local fans clamor to snatch his jersey off the racks.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Jaylen Brown’s name has been coming up a lot in trade rumors beyond just Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name.
It sounds like he is available and the Celtics are listening “with intention” according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
When asked if Jaylen Brown would be on the team next year, Brad Stevens said last night, “Jaylen Brown is a big part of us. I’m never gonna predict the future, but everything I think about has been building around (Brown and Jayson Tatum). Obviously, you never know, but the one thing I want to make clear is how valued he’s always been.”
Not exactly a resounding “yes, Brown will be in Boston next season,” so let the rumors continue.
Thus, here are five teams that could trade for Brown and what they could give up.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 12: Zion Williamson #1 and Trey Murphy III #25 of the New Orleans Pelicans defend Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at the TD Garden on January 12, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
New Orleans Pelicans
If any trade is going to happen with New Orleans, Trey Murphy is going to be involved in any deal.
A 6-foot-6 swing man, Murphy has averaged 21.2 and 21.5 points per game that last two seasons while playing solid defense. He is a really good player who has three years at $87 million on his current contract.
Zion Williamson is, of course, going to be mentioned, too. Health has always been a concern for Zion, but he played in 62 games last season, including missing only one game from December 12th to April 5th, when he was shut down for the final three games of the season.
The former #1 pick of the 2019 NBA Draft is a good player, scoring 21.0 points per game on 60% from the field last year and 60% from inside the arc. Stevens has said Boston wants more dunks and Zion would certainly provide that. However, his fitness and health probably keep him out of a deal.
Herb Jones is another valuable piece that the Pelicans could include in a deal. An elite defensive player, Jones would become Boston’s best wing defender, but his shot leaves something to be desired. A new 3-year, $68 million extension does kick in next season for Jones, but he is a good player who Boston should want in a deal.
A potential deal: Boston gets Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Jordan Poole and the better of Bucks or Pelicans 2027 first round pick, unprotected. New Orleans gets Jaylen Brown and Sam Hauser.
That Bucks or Pelicans pick is likely going to be top-10 and a pick I am rather interested in, even if next year’s draft is considered bad by many. Murphy, as I stated, is a must and Jones is a guy Boston would likely want to grab, too.
I debated between Dejounte Murray and Jordan Poole as the big salary matcher of this trade. Murray is a better player, but he has a $30.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season that I have limited interest in acquiring.
Adding Hauser to the deal hurts, but he helps the salaries and allows the Celtics to get more from the deal because New Orleans really values Murphy and Jones.
BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 1: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics and Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game on November 1, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Houston Rockets
This is about Kevin Durant vs. Alpren Sengun. I’d rather get Durant — he is a better player and I just don’t think Sengun can survive well enough on defense to win a title. Yes, there is baggage involved with Durant. He could make a burner and say everyone on the team stinks, and his age is an issue, but I would rather him over Sengun.
I don’t like Sengun’s game, but I can understand why someone would want him over Durant. His passing and rebounding are both good traits; his defense is just too bad for me to want to grab him.
Meanwhile, Durant remains an excellent player. He played in 78 games last season, averaging 26.0 points, 5,5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. He slides into the Celtics starting lineup very well and can give Boston 2 or 3 more years of high level play.
I also have no interest in Jabari Smith Jr. He is a fine player, but paying him $122 million over the next 5 years is not something I would love to do.
Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson are players the Celtics have to ask for and the Rockets will say no. They should also ask for the 2027 Brooklyn pick, another thing that Houston likely says no to, although they’re more likely to say yes to that than the players.
A potential deal: Boston gets Kevin Durant, Clint Capela, the Suns 2027 first round pick, unprotected and the best of Suns, Rockets, Mavericks 2029 first round pick, unprotected. Houston gets Jaylen Brown.
I do think there is a debate on if Brown or Durant is a better player right now. I’d lean Brown, but it’s really close. Age is what gets Boston more assets in this deal. Capela is a salary matcher, but he is a solid backup center, who doesn’t fill the Celtics need at center.
The picks are where the value is. The Suns proved to be better than expected this year, but that is still a mid-tier pick and with less tanking, could lead Phoenix into the lottery. The hope is that one of the three teams is in the lottery with the 2029 pick and you get two lottery picks from this deal.
BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 26: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball as Jerami Grant #9 of the Portland Trail Blazers plays defense during the game on January 26, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Portland Trail Blazers
This is the move that would net the Celtics the least amount of player value and the most amount of draft value. Portland owns the Bucks swap rights in 2028 and 2030 while also owning the Celtics 2029 pick. Those are the prizes of this deal.
However, there are some good young players on the Blazers roster. Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson are the guys Boston would want to acquire in a deal. Brad Stevens said in his press conference on Tuesday night that the Celtics want to add speed on the perimeter this offseason. Those guys help that goal.
Sharpe averaged 20.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season while Henderson averaged 14.2 points and 3.7 assists. Henderson only played in 30 games due to a torn left hamstring.
You’d need to eat the last two years and $70.6 million left on Jerami Grant’s contract but that gets you more value in any deal. Grant isn’t a bad player, but he is overpaid and hurt a lot.
A potential deal: Boston gets Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, Jerami Grant, the best of Bucks, Blazers or Magic 2028 first round pick, unprotected, the best of the Bucks, Blazers or Celtics 2029 first round pick, unprotected and the better of the Bucks or Blazers 2030 first round pick, unprotected. Portland gets Jaylen Brown.
Milwaukee doesn’t project to be very good over the next few seasons, so betting against them would be the big chips in the deal for the Celtics. You could make those picks or you could trade those picks for an upgrade in your talent pool as they build around Jayson Tatum.
Sharper and Henderson are both at the end of their rookie contracts. Sharpe has a 4-year $90 million extension kicking in this season and Scoot is extension eligible as he gets set to be a restricted free agent next season. While those guys have value, I am unsure of how much.
Add that to Grant being a negative asset and that is how I landed on Boston getting three picks.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 27: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics attempts a shot past Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers during the first quarter at the TD Garden on January 27, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have been long rumored as a Jaylen Brown team. However, a deal isn’t possible to make without Los Angeles including one of Darius Garland or Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard is the better player right now. He was All-NBA last season averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game and a duo of him and Tatum would rank among the top of the NBA.
However, his health and contract is a concern. He missed a large chunk of the 2024-25 season, but has been healthy ever since that point. He is also set to be a free agent and the last time he was a free agent, he did everything in his power to get to Los Angeles. Are we sure he’d extend in Boston?
Garland, meanwhile, is a worse player by a pretty significant margin, who also has health concerns. However, unlike Leonard, you know he’d be a Celtic long term, he is younger than Leonard and the Celtics could get more assets with Garland.
A potential deal: Boston gets Kawhi Leonard and the Pacers 2029 first round pick, unprotected. Los Angeles gets Jaylen Brown.
The gap between Leonard and Garland is too big for Boston to not ask for Leonard. Would the Clippers do it? I’m not sure but it would be funny after all these years for the Celtics to trade Jaylen Brown for Kawhi Leonard.
I also don’t think that the Clippers have the assets to bridge the gap to get a Brown for Garland deal done without putting newly drafted Keaton Wagler in the trade.
Leonard and Brown are so close as players, I think Leonard is probably better and that this deal would keep the Celtics in the hunt and get them another asset. However, no deal would be possible without an extension commitment from Leonard.
Cleveland Cavaliers
There was a Jaylen Brown for Evan Mobley trade framework floating around social media on Wednesday and I do think it has some merit. The Celtics need a big and while Mobley is a flawed player who hasn’t broken out in the ways many thought he would, he is a really good player.
Last season he averaged 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game and was really great in the playoffs, though his numbers were down averaging 17.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, he was very impactful on both ends of the floor, lifting Cleveland’s defense in a number of ways.
While he isn’t the best player I have proposed today, I think his long term impact is the most valuable to the Celtics and think getting him would be a good idea while Cleveland shakes up their team in a major way.
It would be interesting to see what a Jayson Tatum-Evan Mobley pick-and-roll connection would look like because it hasn’t felt like Mobley has clicked with James Harden in that regard.
A potential deal: Boston gets Evan Mobley, Dennis Schroder, 2031 Cavaliers unprotected first round pick. Cleveland gets Jaylen Brown.
I think the gap between Mobley and Brown, combined the Celtics taking on Schroder in this trade, is enough for there to be an unprotected pick involved.
While Mobley is a great player, he is by no means a perfect player as there are still concerns on if he can play center in the NBA for an entire season.
Bringing Schroder back to Boston is something that I would not be the biggest fan of but if it means the Celtics get a pick out of this deal, I’d be willing to do it.
