Not many people know Draymond Green better than Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
So during the 2025-26 NBA season, when Golden State’s fiery forward was struggling on the court, Kerr took it upon himself to privately reach out to Green.
The old-fashioned way.
ESPN’s Wright Thompson, who spent a lot of time with Kerr throughout the season, detailed, in his recent profile story, Kerr’s gesture for Green after a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 14.
“Steve sat down at his computer and typed out a letter to Draymond Green,” Thompson wrote. “Green had been in a spiral. Draymond’s plus-minus stats in one stretch were -17, -10, -12, -10, -6, -5, -9. The team performed better when he wasn’t on the court, after a decade of being the Warriors’ emotional center. To prove to himself, and the team, that he mattered, he forced things on offense.”
What exactly did Kerr write to Green?
“He told Dray how much he meant to him,” Thompson continued. “He talked about the turnovers, how the Warriors were 9-2 when they turned the ball over less than their opponents, and 3-11 when they turned it over more. He talked about aging, about how all great players adapted at the end of their career.
“Magic Johnson learned how to shoot threes, he wrote, and Steph Curry got stronger, and Michael Jordan learned to dominate the low post. Your superpower, he told Green, is your brain and your defensive instincts. He told him he loved him. Most of all, he told him he understood him.”
Both Green and Kerr have been vocal about how they view themselves as similar people, with similar levels of fire and passion that sometimes get them both in trouble.
Their personalities have clashed numerous times over the years, including this season, when both were seen yelling at each other on the Warriors bench during a timeout huddle in a Dec. 22 win over the Orlando Magic.
That altercation led to a private meeting between the two, where they apologized to each other and likely reiterated some of the things Kerr addressed in the letter he wrote just one week prior.
With Kerr returning to coach the Warriors for two more seasons, it likely won’t be the last time the two have a heart-to-heart discussion.
There are marriages that survive because of love. There are marriages that survive because of shared history. And then there are marriages that survive because both sides are too stubborn or afraid to walk away from each other.
And right now, the relationship between the Lakers and LeBron James is the latter.
That’s why the report that came out Wednesday from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin about LeBron feeling “unappreciated” after the Lakers’ March 31 win over the Cavaliers landed with so much force around the league.
The Lakers’ LeBron James said he felt “unappreciated” by the team after a March 31 win, according to an ESPN report. Getty Images
Not because it was shocking, but because it wasn’t.
The greatest player in Lakers history since Kobe Bryant doesn’t just storm out of the locker room with ice bags wrapped around his knees and slides on his feet randomly — especially not because he didn’t get a game ball.
That kind of resentment and animosity builds slowly, layer by later, over years of passive-aggressive messaging and emotional distance.
And if we’re being honest, both sides are to blame for this mess.
Let’s start with the obvious: The Lakers absolutely should have honored LeBron that night.
Surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most combined (regular season and playoffs) wins in NBA history is not some throwaway stat. It is one of the defining accomplishments in league history. On par with LeBron passing Abdul-Jabbar for the NBA’s all-time scoring record. It deserved its own moment, acknowledgment and celebration.
LeBron James has passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1,228) for the most TOTAL WINS (regular season + playoffs) in NBA history
Lakers coach JJ Redick even said as much in his postgame speech to his team that night. After listing all the accomplishments, he finished by saying:
“More importantly, LeBron James, the winningest player of all time in the regular season and playoffs.”
What happened next is what caused the ruckus, and what makes it even more ridiculous in hindsight is that the whole thing could have been avoided.
Rob Pelinka interrupted the celebration to honor Redick’s 100th win as a head coach and even had a video of his two sons congratulating him. He then presented Redick with a game ball.
But why on earth did Pelinka not have more than one game ball ready?
NBA teams prepare three game balls before every game. Just like an NFL head coach hands out multiple game balls after the game, Pelinka easily could have secured all three to hand out to Redick, LeBron and Luka Doncic, respectively.
Instead, the Lakers somehow turned a night that should have celebrated organizational greatness into another chapter of awkward family tension. And LeBron had every right to feel slighted.
If we’re ranking the accomplishments that occurred that night in order of historical significance, it would look like this:
LeBron surpassing Kareem for most wins in NBA history.
Luka breaking Kobe Bryant’s franchise record with 600 points in March.
Redick earning his 100th win while becoming the first Lakers coach since Phil Jackson to post back-to-back 50-win seasons.
Luka reaching 15,000 career points.
Rui Hachimura reaching 5,000 career points.
The Lakers finishing March 15-2.
LeBron’s accomplishment was the greatest based on the history of the NBA. Period. And Pelinka should have done more to recognize it.
But LeBron needs to own something about himself, too. Because his reaction also exposed something contradictory to his words.
The Lakers’ Rob Pelinka could have handled the situation better by presenting multiple game balls March 31. Getty Images
LeBron consistently says he “doesn’t care” about what people think about him. He claims to ignore articles, podcasts and criticism. He says he’s “too busy watching golf videos on YouTube” to worry about his public perception. He says winning and his teammates are the only things that matter to him.
Except his actions have not always backed up his words.
You don’t storm out of a locker room over feeling underappreciated if appreciation doesn’t matter deeply to you. And there’s nothing wrong with owning that. In fact, it makes you more human.
Of course, LeBron wants to be appreciated. Of course, he wants reverence. He’s spent 23 seasons carrying the weight of the sport on his shoulders. Players like LeBron don’t just want championships. They want legacy. They want validation. They want history to stop for a second and recognize the enormity of what they’ve done. Especially when it comes with three decades’ worth of sacrifice, dedication and hard work.
That’s why all this talk about him retiring and disappearing feels unrealistic.
LeBron might not want a yearlong farewell tour filled with rocking chairs and framed jerseys. But he absolutely wants to feel appreciated and honored by the game of basketball before he leaves it forever. This only confirms that.
And at the same time, the Lakers have every right to feel frustrated. They gave LeBron everything he wanted. They won a championship together in 2020. They traded for Russell Westbrook when he asked. They drafted his son, Bronny. They empowered his voice for nearly a decade.
And yet, since Doncic arrived, the relationship has clearly shifted.
Luka is the future now. Everybody knows it. That’s what makes this relationship so emotionally volatile. Aging superstars rarely handle succession gracefully — hell, there was an entire television series about it.
The Lakers have spent the last year slowly transitioning their team from LeBron to Doncic. And it’s that tension that bleeds into everything. Which is why this offseason cannot be handled through leaks to the media, anonymous quotes and more passive-aggressive behavior.
James and the Lakers need to have a brutally honest conversation soon. Getty Images
These two sides need to sit down and have a brutally honest conversation.
If LeBron feels unappreciated, he needs to say it directly. If the Lakers believe LeBron doesn’t show enough gratitude for what they’ve done for him, they need to stay that, too. Air all of it out.
Because LeBron is about to discover in free agency that there may not be a better basketball situation for him, both on the court and off, than staying in LA, playing alongside Luka and sharing a locker room with his son.
And the Lakers need to recognize that players like LeBron do not grow on trees. You don’t nickel-and-dime emotional acknowledgment with someone who delivered you a championship, restored relevance and helped bridge the franchise from the Kobe era into the Luka era.
If both parties actually want this marriage to continue, both sides need to evolve and grow.
The Lakers need to appreciate LeBron more and show it.
LeBron needs to show more gratitude toward the Lakers.
Otherwise, this relationship isn’t heading toward reconciliation.
It’s heading toward a loud, ugly and very public divorce.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
"I’ve got to take it on the chin, handle it how I’m supposed to and be ready for the next one. You know, it’s going to suck. I’ve just got to be better to help my team out there."
The quote is from Knicks wing Mikal Bridges after Game 3 of the Hawks series, while he was answering questions from reporters about his play that night. Bridges had four turnovers, one rebound, and two assists in 21 minutes. He didn’t score in Game 3, missing all four of his shot attempts.
"I’ve just got to clean it up," Bridges had said. "It’s on me."
Sometimes, those answers turn out to be empty cliches.
The Knicks won all seven games by an average of more than 26 points. They were plus-123 in Bridges’ 203 minutes.
"It's a testament to who he is and how he prepares himself and how he gets ready for the game, regardless of what's going on," Jalen Brunson said last week of Bridges. "Having a next-play mentality, having short-term memory, just focusing on the next play, next play.
"So, regardless of what happens, positive or negative, he's locked into the next one. That's just who he is."
Bridges obviously didn’t let his Game 3 performance against Atlanta linger for too long.
He played strong team defense and slowed Atlanta’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker over the course of the series.
Bridges then served as the primary defender on Tyrese Maxey in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
In the first three games of the series, Maxey averaged 18.6 points, 10 fewer than his regular season average. He went 2-for-12 from beyond the arc, and had four turnovers per game – nearly double his regular season average.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives against New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) in the third quarter during game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. / Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Mike Brown and Bridges’ teammates were quick to credit him for the effort he displayed in chasing Maxey all over the floor.
But when you asked Bridges about it, he deflected praise.
"Shout out to the bigs being up to touch and having to deal with him sprint off while also (defending Joel) Embiid in the pocket and the low man having to be in and Kelly (Oubre Jr.) cutting and shooting threes," Bridges said after the Knicks swept the Sixers.
Bridges regularly credits his teammates when he’s asked about his own strong performance. He also routinely holds himself accountable after subpar games.
In his first two seasons as a Knick, Bridges has had some big playoff moments but has been uneven in the regular season. That’s led to constant criticism of Leon Rose and the Knicks’ decision to send five first-round picks to Brooklyn in exchange for Bridges.
But that criticism has been muted lately. For the second straight postseason, Bridges has delivered in timely situations. He helped hold the fort down while OG Anunoby missed two games with a hamstring strain. Regardless of who the Knicks play in the next round, they’ll need solid play from Bridges to get through.
"I’m just trying to do whatever it takes to win," Bridges said last week. "You know, just beginning of (the) playoffs, knowing that, all 82 – the regular season means a lot, but it's just (a fresh season in the playoffs). Just giving it all. That's pretty much all I gotta say."
Bridges didn’t really need to say much that night. He’d already made a loud statement with his play on the court.
REST VS. RUST
The Knicks were playing at an elite level on both sides of the ball against the Sixers. Will they be out of rhythm early in the Conference Finals because of a long layoff (either seven or nine days)?
Brown can’t predict the future. But the head coach did see the long break as a challenge for his veteran group.
"If we expect to be who we think we're capable of being, we'll find a way to stay consistent with what we're doing," Brown said, "Whether it's the energy level, the effort level, or embracing/focusing on the details that we have to be able to understand in order to go out and get a win."
The mood around the team after the Philly series was much different from the second round last year. The Knicks pulled off an upset of Boston last season. This year, a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals was expected.
"I think the way we beat Boston last year, the comebacks and all that, it was very – I don't want to say celebratory, but it was – it hit a little bit different than here," Josh Hart said last week. "It's just we're approaching the business as normal and we gotta make sure we're locked in and focused on the next team."
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MAY 12: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves warms up before Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on May 12, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs Date: May 15th, 2026 Time: 8:30 PM CDT Location: Target Center Television Coverage: Prime Video
The Minnesota Timberwolves are out of runway.
After dropping Game 5 in San Antonio in embarrassing fashion, the Wolves now find themselves down 3-2, wounded, staring at elimination, and trying to convince themselves that the season still has one more pivot left in it.
And honestly? It might.
That’s the part that makes this so agonizing. This series has not felt like some inevitable Spurs coronation. The Wolves have had chances. Real chances. They stole Game 1. Game 3 was a one-possession game heading into the final five minutes. They capitalized on a golden opportunity in Game 4 after Wembanyama’s ejection. They tied Game 5 in the third quarter after falling behind by 18 early. That’s the generous interpretation of the series.
The realistic version, the one that has them trailing 3-2 and on the brink of elimination, reveals that every time that Minnesota has put itself in position to seize this series, it has found a new and creative way to let go of the rope. Game 2 was a total no-show. Game 3 started with nearly seven minutes of offensive malpractice before the Wolves finally remembered that the ball is supposed to go through the orange circle. Game 4 required a late Anthony Edwards miracle against a Spurs team missing its centerpiece. Game 5 was the most painful version of all. The Wolves clawed back, tied the game at 61-61, had a chance to take their first lead since the opening minutes, watched Anthony Edwards’ shot rim out, and then immediately gave the whole thing back in a blur of turnovers, transition buckets, missed rebounds, defensive breakdowns, and second-chance points.
That’s not a bad break. That’s a pattern.
And now the pattern has led them here.
On Friday night at Target Center, the Wolves are facing elimination. The situation is not hopeless, but the margin for error has disappeared. There is no “clean it up next time.” There is no “we’ll respond.” There is no “we still control our destiny” in the normal, comfortable sense. Their destiny now has a 7-foot-6 Frenchman standing in front of it, swatting away shots, inhaling rebounds, and waiting to end their season.
The injuries are real. Donte DiVincenzo’s shooting, toughness, and hustle would matter in this series. Anthony Edwards is clearly not at full force. Naz Reid’s shoulder, Ayo Dosunmu’s calf, and the cumulative toll of 94 games all matter. This Wolves team that looked so deep on paper is suddenly a battered playoff survivor trying to patch together enough healthy bodies and enough clean possessions to force a Game 7.
But the Wolves can’t hide behind injuries, because the mistakes have been too self-inflicted. They have turned the ball over. They have started slowly. They have allowed San Antonio to run wild in transition. They have wasted good defensive possessions by failing to secure the rebound. They have made Wembanyama’s life too comfortable for too many stretches.
Now they get one choice.
They can drift into the offseason, fade into the cold dark night, and spend the summer replaying all the missed chances from this series in their heads. Or they can take on the identity of their leader. Take the hit, feel the pain, stagger backward, and then heal like Wolverine and come back swinging.
They’ve done this before. Two years ago, in this same round, against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, the Wolves defended their home floor in Game 6 and sent the series back to Denver for a Game 7.
When you reach Game 7, in the immortal words of Kevin Garnett, “anything is possible.”
But before they can dream about San Antonio on Sunday, they have to survive Friday. And with that, here are the keys to Game 6…
Keys to the Game
1. Stop Digging Yourself a Hole
The Wolves cannot spend the opening minutes of Game 6 treating offense like a rumor. Slow starts have been an issue for this group for years, and while they have often shown a strange ability to find life after falling behind, this is not the time to test that trick again. Not against a Spurs team this young, this energized, and this close to breaking through. Minnesota cannot spot San Antonio an early lead and spend the rest of the night trying to claw its way out of a pit it built with its own hands.
Game 5 was the warning. Wembanyama dropped 18 points in the first quarter, San Antonio built a 13-point lead, and although the Wolves eventually cut it to four, the whole game was played on Spurs terms. Minnesota was reacting, chasing, and patching leaks, hoping each run would finally become the run. That is not a sustainable way to survive an elimination game.
From the opening tip, the Wolves need to draw first blood. They need to be the aggressor. They need to light the building on fire early and make San Antonio feel the pressure of a Target Center crowd that knows the season is on the line. The Spurs cannot be allowed to settle in. Wembanyama cannot be allowed to walk into another monster first quarter. Fox, Castle, Harper, and Vassell can’t be gifted rhythm because Minnesota is still stretching its legs.
The Wolves need urgency immediately.
2. Run the Floor
Desperate times call for desperate legs. If Minnesota has to run wind sprints for 48 minutes to survive, then that’s what this moment demands. The Wolves need to push pace offensively before Wembanyama and the Spurs defense can get fully set, and they need to sprint back defensively so San Antonio does not feast in transition the way it did in Game 5.
That was one of the defining failures in San Antonio. The Spurs got too many easy buckets before Minnesota could organize. Turnovers led to runouts. Misses became fast breaks. The Wolves’ defense, which can be excellent in the half court, was too often forced to defend from a compromised position.
Minnesota has to flip that script. Secure the rebound and run. Force the Spurs to retreat. Make Wembanyama cover ground. Make San Antonio’s young legs work both ways. And when the Spurs get the ball, the Wolves need to get back with the kind of urgency that says every possession might be their last.
They cannot get outhustled in an elimination game. Not at home. Not with this much on the line.
3. Dominate the Glass
Second-chance points are the lifeblood of this Spurs team right now, and the Wolves have donated far too many of them.
Wembanyama is going to get some putbacks. That’s just math and anatomy. But what cannot happen is San Antonio guards like Dylan Harper outworking Minnesota for offensive rebounds and creating extra possessions that extend leads, kill momentum, and make the Wolves feel like they have to win the same defensive possession two or three times. That was backbreaking in Game 5.
Minnesota has the size to control this part of the game. Between Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid, the Wolves should be able to punish a Spurs team that usually plays one true big at a time, whether it’s Wembanyama or Luke Kornet. But size only matters if it comes with force. The bigs have to vacuum the glass. The guards have to crack down and help, because the Spurs have proven they will attack the offensive glass from everywhere.
Possessions are everything now. The Wolves need to maximize theirs and minimize San Antonio’s. That starts with rebounding.
4. No Self-Inflicted Wounds
The Spurs are going to pressure the ball. They are going to crowd Minnesota’s handlers. They are going to put the Wolves in awkward situations and try to turn every lazy pass or loose dribble into an instant track meet going the other direction.
Minnesota has to be smarter than it was in Game 5. Turnovers don’t just waste offensive possessions. Against San Antonio, they become kindling. They let the Spurs run. They let Fox and Harper and Castle attack in space. They prevent Minnesota’s defense from getting set, which is the one place the Wolves have a real chance to control the game.
Cooler heads have to prevail. Mike Conley needs to steady things. Edwards needs to be aggressive without being reckless. Randle cannot try to bully through traffic while losing sight of the ball. Everyone has to understand that the simple play is often the right play.
Make San Antonio earn its points in the half court. Do not serve them layups on a silver platter because you couldn’t take care of the ball.
5. Someone Has to Rise
This playoff run has been a tremendous team effort. Jaden McDaniels has taken over games defensively. Gobert has battled Jokic and Wembanyama in consecutive rounds. Ayo authored a 43-point masterpiece. Mike Conley has defied Father Time for important stretches. Terrence Shannon Jr. has given this team real downhill juice. Naz has fought through pain.
But with Edwards hobbled, Game 6 cannot rest solely on his shoulders.
He needs help.
Even if Ant throws on the cape and gives Minnesota 40, the Wolves still need a 1B. And the most obvious candidate is Julius Randle.
This is exactly the kind of game Randle was brought here for. He is supposed to be the No. 2 option. He was the centerpiece of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade. He has shown that he can be a primary scorer, a physical tone-setter, and a facilitator who bends a defense with his strength. Against this smaller Spurs team, there is no excuse for him not to impose himself.
If Randle scores in the high 20s, gets downhill, controls his turnovers, punishes mismatches, and creates for others when help comes, the Wolves have a real recipe. Pair that with Edwards doing Edwards things, and suddenly Game 7 becomes much more than a fantasy.
And if it’s not Randle, then it has to be someone. Does Ayo find another heater? Does Jaden stay out of foul trouble and attack offensively while locking things down defensively? Does Naz catch fire? Does Shannon become a force again? Someone has to rise to the size of the moment.
Someone has to grab Game 6 and drag this team to San Antonio.
The Edge of the Cliff
It has been a long road. Ninety-four games. A brutal and costly Denver series. A chaotic San Antonio battle. Injuries, comebacks, collapses, heroic performances, missed opportunities, and now one final stand at Target Center.
The Wolves have no choice but to win if they want a 95th game.
Game 7 in San Antonio would be daunting. Frost Bank Center has largely been a house of horrors for Minnesota in this series. Wembanyama would be waiting to defend his home floor. The Wolves would still be battered, bruised, and definitely not favored.
But if they win Friday night, they give themselves a chance.
That’s all this is about now. A chance.
A chance to take this series to the limit. A chance to summon one more road miracle. A chance to keep alive the pursuit of a third straight Western Conference Finals. A chance to prove that this team, wounded as it is, still has another bite left.
But they only earn that chance by playing their best basketball now. Not eventually. Not after falling behind. Not when desperation finally kicks in midway through the second quarter. Now.
The Wolves need collective focus. They need defense. They need rebounding. They need discipline. They need someone to rise. They need to treat every possession like the season is hanging from it, because it is.
This is what the hunt is all about.
The Wolves are wounded. They are backed into a corner, but they are not dead.
Friday night is their chance to strike back on their home floor, to land one more bite, to drag this fight into a final showdown.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 10: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Round Two Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 10, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Chatting with a Timberwolves expert through this series has been a blast, and this might be the last Fraternizing with the Enemy post I get with Thilo this season. But nothing has been decided yet, so we talk though the rising and falling players, and the potential for lineup changes in Game 6.
J.R. Wilco
Before the series began, I was terrified of Anthony Edwards destroying my playoff hopes and dreams. And the more tape I watch of this series, the more I’m coming to feel like San Antonio is pretty lucky that he’s not 100%. The Spurs are throwing the kitchen sink at him, and he still regularly wins the play. I can’t imagine how frustrated with him I’d be if he was fully healthy.
Is it just me, or are some of the Timberwolves getting frustrated with Julius Randle? I’m not talking about how his scoring has fallen off, everybody goes through slumps. I’m talking about his effort level. Jaden McDaniels’ body language seems to be screaming something like, “Dude, we’re all trying out here. Want to join us?” Anyway, I haven’t been watching the team all year, maybe that’s just a dynamic you’re used to.
Leading up to Game 5, I was pretty concerned that Minnesota was going to try some bid for retaliation against Victor Wembanyama’s extracurricular elbow. And outside of the one play where Reid went up for a hook shot and chopped at Wemby’s neck, I didn’t see anything other than your basic psychological warfare. So, a couple of questions: were you expecting them to retaliate, and do you think anyone in the Minnesota camp actually thought that mind games would work with Victor?
Thilo
Despite his reputation as a bad boy conflict initiator, Jaden McDaniels has not really gone after anyone in a meaningful way outside of his own hand. If that’s the head of the “I want to fight” snake, I didn’t really expect anyone else on the roster to make that call.
I also think the Spurs haven’t built up enough hatred from the Wolves for them to try to start anything. The Nuggets deserve that animosity. The Lakers do as well. NBA on TNT (and its modern equivalent) did.
The Randle angle is the larger story. He is, with no exaggeration, playing to the standard of being one of the least valuable playoff players in the past 30 years of the NBA in this run. Especially after last year’s run had the inverse situation (Randle had a career best series against the Lakers as part of their gentleman’s sweep), I think the team is just hugely disappointed. They dragged him forward during the Nuggets series, but you can’t sport a negative star against a team this good.
Randle’s defense on Wemby remains the only silver lining of his play in this series. I feel I can’t accurately describe the level to which the eye test matches the numbers. Randle’s made field goals are keeping pace with his total fouls. His turnovers are doing the same to his assists.
Part of this is that Randle’s favorite passing partner, Donte Divincenzo, is out for the year with a torn achilles. But even that modicum of credit can’t undo all the bad.
In just a few words, Randle has been the Spurs second best player. And, with respect to Dylan Harper, it hasn’t been close. I fully expect Julius to be on another team next year. The question is if Rudy Gobert will join him.
However, let’s go back to that second best player question. It seems clear to me, as it does to most of Wolves twitter, that Harper is the second scariest player for the Wolves outside of that horrifying alien you guys call a center.
While DeAaron Fox and Stephon Castle continue to struggle with the defense looks they’re seeing, Dylan Harper was absolutely fantastic in Games 4 and 5. He was efficient, he got to the line, and in the fourth quarter, it was his constant driving that kept the Spurs in it when their shots went cold.
I’m curious if you think a move to the starting lineup is coming, as one is almost certainly in store for the Wolves. What would stop you from making that move? What scares you most about a potential Wolves rotational change?
J.R.
My kids are finally old enough and so I’m finally watching The Office with them. And right now I feel like Angela trying to choose between Andy and Dwight, because I really like Castle, but Harper is blowing up. I want to complement Dylan and talk about how awesome he has been and what his efficiency is doing for the Spurs in limited minutes, but I don’t want Stephon to know that I’m thinking all these things.
Fox is such a steady hand and his ability to manipulate the defense has been huge, but the rookie had that one-on-four fast break where Ayo tried to stop him, but he gave the double behind the back move (which I may not have even known was a thing) and took off to spam it on everyone’s head. Only none of the four guys in white jerseys even got off the floor, so it turned into a showboat dunk instead.
Stop asking me difficult questions because I don’t want De’Aaron to drive a Prius over to my house and drive me into the hedges. I could talk about this for much longer, but you’ve asked me other questions so I’ll just adjust my clothes as I come back from the warehouse and hope that nobody notices.
There’s no way Coach Mitch adjusts the starting lineup at this point of the season. The last time a difficult decision had to be made about the rotation, Johnson handled it perfectly, though it took some time. Now Keldon Johnson has a 6MOTY trophy to show for it and the team is excited for him following in Manu’s footsteps. But the playoffs are not the time to mess with touchy situations like that unless the end is nigh.
As far as what scares me about Minnesota changing things up, that’s easy. I feel like everything I’ve seen so far the series has led me to expect the Spurs to win Game 6. Everybody has shown their cards, tactically speaking, and so if all else remains the same, there isn’t much to keep the status quo from continuing. The Spurs are up 3-2, and so I like the status quo. If it’s all the same to you I’d prefer to keep things the way they are. Can we do that please?
Thilo
Can we? Maybe. Would I like us to? Absolutely not.
That being said, I’m sure this wasn’t the intention, but after back to back years of getting smacked by teams that are clearly in a different tier from these Wolves, I am more excited for this off-season than I should be considering it (likely) isn’t ending with a title and parade.
I am personally always in favor of tweaking things until the very end. Identity is found in continuity. Ceiling is found in change.
With that in mind, it seems unavoidable now to see that the Wolves are certainly a good playoff team, but not nearly good enough to win a title in the current Western Conference.
That leads us back to the question of where Randle and Gobert will be. And I am incredibly excited to see what Tim Connely and Co. will do with an off-season full of question marks and two teams that have clearly outpaced them.
Feb 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (23) celebrates against the Orlando Magic in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Welcome to our Phoenix Suns Season in Review series, where we revisit every player who suited up during the 2025–26 campaign through the lens of expectation, reality, and what it ultimately meant.
Player Snapshot
Position: PG/SG
Age: 27
2026-27 Contract Status: UFA (Early Bird Rights)
SunsRank (Preseason): 13
SunsRank (Postseason): 7
*SunsRank is based on Bright Side writers’ ranking.
Season in One Sentence
Jordan Goodwin deserves a lot of credit for the culture shift that occurred in Phoenix this season.
By the Numbers
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
STL
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/- (TOTAL)
70
22.5
8.7
4.9
2.2
1.5
41.3%
37.1%
69.6%
113.4
110.1
+93
The Expectation
Some people wanted to roster Jared Butler over Jordan Goodwin during the preseason. Boy oh boy, are we glad that the Suns’ front office didn’t listen to them, all due respect to Butler, who did look great in the preseason. The Phoenix Suns knew what they had in “Goodie.” He was a major piece of the identity they wanted to create.
Jordan Goodwin was the unsung hero of the Phoenix Suns this season. While many were excited to see him return, I find it unlikely anyone knew just how good and important he would be for this team. The tenacity he brought on a nightly basis was infectious.
But we already knew that. What we didn’t expect was for him to shoot 37.1% from deep on a healthy amount of attempts per game. His 4.3 attempts from deep per game were a career-high. He shot 39.2 with the Lakers in 29 games the previous year, but that was only on 2.3 attempts per game. It was a precursor for what was to come. Thanks again, LA!
The Reality
Watching Jordan Goodwin this season felt like watching a guy who refused to let the Suns’ “fragile” identity take hold. Goodwin’s evolution from a bench “insurance policy” into the 2026 Dan Majerle Hustle Award winner was fun to watch.
We all saw it all year long. Goodwin didn’t just play basketball; he attacked opponents relentlessly. He finished the year averaging a career-high 1.5 steals per game, often acting as the lone point-of-attack defender capable of making life miserable for opposing guards.
His shooting, once a major red flag, stabilized at a respectable 37.1% from deep. This proved he could stay on the floor next to Devin Booker without killing the spacing, providing a much-needed physical presence in a backcourt that can sometimes lean too heavily on finesse. Despite being a guard, he was the Suns’ second-best offensive rebounder behind only Mark Williams, averaging 2.0 offensive boards per game. His 4.9 rebounds per game were third on the team behind only Williams and Ighodaro.
What It Means
This was an investment in grit. Goodwin leaped from 13th to 7th in our SunsRank for a simple reason: he brought it every single night. He looked mature. He knew his role. He didn’t ever force anything offensively and usually made the smart play. He’d take the open shot, he’d find a lane to cut in, he’d make the extra pass. All of the little things you need your role players to do, he embraced.
As an unrestricted free agent this summer, the Suns have no choice. They need to prioritize retaining Goodwin this summer. You can find guards who can score anywhere, but finding a “junkyard dog” who actually impacts the win column is a much harder task. I’ll say it again, he and Dillon Brooks are the identity of this team. It’s still Devin Booker’s team, but those two are the heart and the soul that we need to keep around to keep this thing moving in the right direction.
“That’s our culture – that’s the minimum,” Goodwin said. “We’re going to go in and play hard every single day.”
“When you walk into the building, you can’t escape it,” Ott said. “That’s what you want to build. You want to build a group so competitive that if you don’t play hard, you’re the outlier.”
And my goodness did the Suns miss him in the OKC series. He is the exact player they needed to play 40+ minutes against a team like the Thunder. His absence wasn’t talked about enough. Yes, they missed Mark’s size, but Goodwin being out was the true backbreaker.
Defining Moment
January 4, 2026 vs. Oklahoma City: In a mid-season preview of the eventual playoff matchup, Goodwin was unconscious from deep.
He exploded for a team-high 26 points and drained 8 three-pointers to carry Phoenix to a 108-105 win. He made some clutch defensive plays, but when the offense is rolling like that for him, too, it’s fun to watch. And yes, this was the night of the Devin Booker game winner. One of our favorite wins of the season, and make no mistake… that shot doesn’t happen without Goodwin’s game.
Grade: A+
Yes, that’s a plus. Goodwin exceeded every reasonable expectation. He provided elite perimeter defense, solved his shooting woes, and became the physical heartbeat of a team that desperately needed one. He was an elite rebounder for a team that desperately needed it, too.
If he doesn’t return next season, we riot.
I would expect the Suns top priorities this offseason to be 1. Retaining Collin Gillespie 2. Retaining Jordan Goodwin
The year is 2015 and Dwight Powell is a bench player on the Dallas Mavericks. They are a middling team that will lose in the first round of the playoffs. The year is 2021 and Powell is a bench player on the Mavericks. They are a young, exciting team that will lose in the first round of the playoffs. The year is 2024 and Powell is a bench player on the Mavericks. They are an electric collection of shooters and defenders that will reach the NBA Finals. The year is 2026 and Powell is a bench player on the Mavericks. They are a weird, bad team that will finish in the bottom ten of the league.
The last decade of basketball in Dallas has featured just about every type of team, except a championship team, and Powell has been around for all of them. He’s seen lots of different roles—young prospect, possible trade piece, important rotation player, starter in a pinch when the team is plagued by injuries, and now, veteran presence off the bench who contributes from time to time.
This Mavericks season was one of the weirdest in recent memory, and they’re lucky Powell was on the roster to guide a constantly changing lineup through a rough year. He didn’t have a resurgent year where he put up big numbers, but he was there to provide big man minutes when every other big man went down with injuries and kept the Mavericks’ culture from turning toxic. Powell is unofficial mayor of Dallas, after all.
Season in review
Powell put up some respectable numbers for a bench player on a bad team. Over 63 games and 12 starts, he averaged 6.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and one assist per game. Again, not eyepopping numbers, but the Mavericks didn’t need big numbers from Powell. He’s on the team to be a veteran presence for all the young players and step in when the younger big men are unable to play.
The NBA season is long, almost certainly too long. The players show up for training camp in early October and aren’t done until mid-April. They play three or four games per week, flying across the country, sometimes waking up in hotel rooms not sure what city they’re in. It’s a grind when the team is good and the season is going great. When you’re experiencing a season like the Mavericks just had, it can be a chore.
Having a player like Powell around can help. A player who’s seen everything, has a personality that’s uplifting, and is generally a good hang can keep a bad season from turning into a disaster. Things in Dallas could have turned toxic quickly this year, and for the most part, the team was drama-free. Powell was a part of that, and it’s something NBA teams value.
Best game
Powell’s best performance of the year came against the Utah Jazz on January 17. In the 138-120 win over the Jazz, Powell scored 10 points, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out three assists, and had three steals. He had some games where he scored a little more, but in this game, he filled up the entire stat sheet and came away with a win.
Contract status
Powell just completed the last year of a 3-year deal that paid him $12 million in total. He is an unrestricted free agent.
Looking ahead
As the Mavericks try to build the foundation of a contender around Cooper Flagg, Powell won’t be a priority for the new Dallas front office. But they’ll have his Bird rights, and he’ll likely be amenable to a team friendly deal. If the Mavericks need a veteran to hold down the end of the bench and provide more leadership than minutes, Powell will likely have a spot in Dallas.
BRING HIM BACK. Dwight Powell, Mavs Functionary For Life.
Grade: B-
Powell does everything you want off the court. His play on the court is sometimes frustrating to watch. He’s an emergency big, so it’s mostly fine, but over the course of a long season, even an emergency big gets thrown into a situation where you need good play. And sometimes Powell has it in him, and sometimes he doesn’t. Overall, though, the Mavericks get what they need from him—a veteran who can eat minutes in garbage time and fill in when needed. It’s where he’s at in his career now, and he performs well in the role.
Nov 4, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) sits on the floor after a play against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The NBA released two schedules for the Western Conference Finals- one of the Spurs/Timberwolves series ends on Friday at the conclusion of Game 6, another if the series heads back to San Antonio for Game 7.
Now official from NBA. The Western Conference Finals on NBC/Peacock will be played on: May 18, 20, 22, 24, 26*, 28*, 30* if SAS-MIN ends in 6 games, or May 20, 22, 24, 26, 28*, 30*, June 1* if SAS-MIN ends in 7 games.
If the Spurs close out the series tonight in Minnesota, they’ll head to Oklahoma City to play Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday, May 18. From there, the series will take place every other day (the even dates) fro the remainder of May.
May 18 and May 20 in Oklahoma City, May 22 and 24 in San Antonio. If Games 5, 6 and 7 are necessary, they will take place on May 26 on OKC, May 28 in San Antonio, and May 30 to close out in Oklahoma’s state capital.
If the Spurs and Timberwolves require a Game 7, that will take place on Sunday, May 17th. The winner will then face the Thunder on May 20 and 22 in Oklahoma City before hosting games 3 and 4 on May 24 and 26 respectively. Games 5, 6, and 7 could take place as needed on May 28, 30, and June 1.
The Eastern Conference is facing the same conditions based on whether the Cavaliers or Pistons win Game 6 tomorrow.
The NBA Finals have already been determined and will start with Game 1 on June 3rd, Game 2 on June 5, Game 3 on June 8 and Game 4 on June 10. If Games 5, 6, an 7 are needed, they will take place on June 13, 16, and 19.
Quite a month of basketball still to go, with the stakes getting higher every moment.
Two elimination games tonight, but only one that will have Pounders chanting “Go, Spurs, Go!”
Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.
Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.
The Warriors for years have attempted to build for the future while simultaneously going all-in on the present with superstar Steph Curry.
They could have another opportunity to do so again this summer, and find themselves at an interesting crossroads.
Golden State has the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23, and could use it to either select a prospect who could be a foundational piece for years to come, or include the pick in a potential blockbuster trade for a proven star player to pair alongside Curry next season.
While some believe the Warriors should leverage their 2026 first-round pick in a potential trade for a star, like Milwuakee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who the team aggressively pursued during the season and likely will be available again this summer, that does not appear to be Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy’s goal right now, as ESPN’s Marc Spears reported Thursday on “NBA Today.”
The Warriors are expected to keep the 11th pick of the draft, per @MarcJSpears
"The Warriors have that 11th pick and people wondering can they get in the Giannis mix. From what I'm being told today from several people the Warriors like to keep that pick" pic.twitter.com/xAYydFiRL8
“The Warriors have that 11th pick and people are wondering ‘Hey, can they get in the Giannis mix?’ From what I’m being told today from several people, the Warriors would like to keep that pick,” Spears said.
The Warriors have attempted to fortify a young core for the future alongside Curry for years, in the form of former first-round picks Jordan Poole (2019), James Wiseman (2020), Jonathan Kuminga (2021), Moses Moody (2021), Patrick Baldwin (2022) and Brandin Podziemski (2023).
Podziemski and Moody are the only players still on the roster, and neither appear to be on a path toward stardom.
Which begs the question: Should the Warriors take another crack at developing a lottery pick, or use the No. 11 selection in a trade?
But he does remember the first thing he did when Golden State selected him with the No. 7 overall pick in 2009.
“Getting that call from Larry Riley, the GM at the time, Don Nelson, who was the coach at the time, getting that call and being like, ‘Hey, we’re looking forward to having you, we’re excited.’ And then me quickly looking at my phone trying to figure out exactly where Golden State was,” Curry recalled on WNBA star Azzi Fudd’s “Fudd Around And Find Out” podcast.
Hey, he was just a kid who grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina — nearly 3,000 miles east of the Bay Area.
“All I was thinking about was New York,” Curry said. “But careful what you wish for. I’m glad it went my way for sure.”
Curry added that his favorite part of the night was being booed by New York fans inside The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He remembers initially questioning why they were booing him, but then he realized it was because they wanted him on the Knicks.
That was supposed to be his story.
But his real one is pretty sweet, too. Curry, a 12-time NBA All-Star and two-time league MVP, has won four NBA titles with the Warriors over his 17-year career — and most importantly, not only now knows where Golden State is, but he also has found his home here.
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: (EDITORS NOTE: This image was captured using a slow shutter speed) Darryn Peterson participates in the pro lane drill during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 12, 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
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is the latest example of big stuff happening with the Washington Wizards when I’m traveling or heavily scheduled and unable to write or talk about the news.
If I’m on an airplane, you can count on the Wizards making a trade or getting a piece of major news. It feels inevitable.
So, in the last year (at least for a while) where the NBA rewards tanking, the Wizards tanked hardest and best and won the number one overall pick in this year’s loaded draft. “Loaded” in this case is used in a reputational kind of way. I haven’t run Ye Olde Draft Analyzer (YODA for short) yet and don’t have firm opinions on any of the prospects. In other words, I’ve heard people talk about how great this draft is at the top, but I haven’t assessed those claims for myself. Yet.
Judging by the headlines, The Official Rumor Silly Season is underway. The Wizards front office wisely communicated an openness to trading the top pick. If the prospects are as good as they’re reputed to be, a trade could deliver a proverbial King’s Ransom.
My favorite so far is the one about the Utah Jazz wanting to trade up a spot to pick Brigham Young forward AJ Dybantsa. If Dybantsa isn’t Washington’s guy at #1, then taking other stuff to move down a spot and get the guy they wanted anyway is just good business.
Here’s my quick first take on the numbers of the prospects widely considered to be in play for Washington at the top spot in the draft: Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer.
AJ Dybantsa | F | BYU
AJ Dybantsa could be the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft whether the Wizards keep the pick or not. | NBAE via Getty Images
What to like: It’d be hard to argue too much with Dybanta’s on-court production — per 100 team possessions, he averaged 41.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. He converted 56.8% of his twos, which suggests he’ll be able to compete inside, and he basically never fouled. He got to the free throw line regularly, which means he was stressing opponent defenses.
Yellow Flags: He shot 33.1% on threes, and his 77.4% free throw percentage is fine but not exceptional. Slightly bigger concern: not many steals or blocks for a 6-9 kid with superior athleticism. His overall offensive efficiency was strong despite the ho-hum three-point shooting and 5.0 turnovers per 100 possessions.
How he measured: Just fine — over 6-8 in socks with a 7-foot wingspan. His agility times were strong, and he practically jumped out of the gym (fourth best maximum vertical at the combine).
Darryn Peterson | G | Kansas
Is Darryn Peterson the most talented player in this year’s NBA Draft? | NBAE via Getty Images
What to like: Veteran draftnik Jonathan Givony says Peterson is the best talent in this year’s draft. He views Peterson as on a different level than Dybantsa. That’s strong praise. A few numbers jump off the screen — per 100 possessions, 40.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.9 steals, and 1.3 blocks. He shot 38.2% on threes and 82.6% from free throw line on (a high) 11.1 attempts per 100. Those stocks (steals + blocks) are an impressive signal of his athleticism and defensive activity.
Yellow Flags: Sub-50% on twos, a dozen missed games, and just 697 total NCAA minutes. The cramping issue is a legitimate concern, though reportedly the cause (creatine supplements) has been identified and corrected. His offensive rating (points produced per 100 individual possessions) was decent but unexceptional. Reportedly, Peterson would have preferred to play more of an on-ball role.
How he measured: Another ”just fine” — 6-4.5 in socks with a 6-9.75 wingspan. His agility times and vertical measurements look more than good enough to suggest he won’t be overwhelmed physically in the NBA.
Cameron Boozer | F | Duke
Could insane production and average NBA athleticism land Cameron Boozer in the top spot in this year’s NBA Draft? | NBAE via Getty Images
What to like: Insane production — per 100 possessions, 40.3 points, 18.3 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.1 blocks. He shot 39.1% on a pretty good volume of threes, 60.7% on twos, and 78.9% from the free throw line on 13.2 attempts per 100. His offensive rating was 136, which is…well…insane considering his 29.9% usage.
Yellow Flags: Turnovers were a bit elevated (4.5 per 100), and the blocks are on the low side for someone who played a decent amount in the paint. Other than that, see “How he measured.”
How he measured: Potential concerns here, depending on how much his NBA team needs him to play inside. He’s 6-8.25 in socks with a 7-1.5 wingspan and a standing reach of 9-feet. Those are basically wing dimensions. But, he also weighs 253 pounds, which means he’s a big dude.
The agility times look pretty ordinary for a forward. The vertical measurements landed below the middle of the pack. Perhaps part of the explanation behind the relatively low blocks.
The forgoing should not be confused with a full evaluation, which is still to come. My initial impressions suggest it would difficult to go too wrong with any one of these three. They were all wildly productive at the highest levels of college basketball. Each has many strengths and a few fairly small worry points to nitpick. On first look, all three appear to be very strong prospects with a high likelihood of becoming outstanding NBA players.
As the NBA Draft Combine is officially underway in Chicago, Illinois, the Kentucky Wildcats have a few guys in the draft testing their luck as they look to get drafted June 23-24 in Brooklyn, New York.
Two-year Wildcat Otega Oweh is making a name for himself as he’s had two great scrimmages under his belt. In his first scrimmage, Oweh gave some peers a ho-hum 20-point game (7/12 FG, 1/3 on 3s), with four rebounds in just 18 minutes. The New Jersey native showed great athleticism, a high motor, and the ability to finish at the rim.
In the final scrimmage at the combine, Oweh did his thing, once again. He finished the day with another 21-point outing (6-14), 9-10 from the charity stripe, five rebounds, and one assist. Oweh’s lack of consistency from three-point range showed, as he was 0-5 from deep.
Oweh sits at 105 on the NBA Draft’s best player in 2026, according to ESPN. However, Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor recently projected Oweh to be drafted 59th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With a couple of strong outings, good numbers, and his ability to defend, Oweh should get some looks in the second round of the draft next month.
Following a disappointing first-round playoff exit, the Boston Celtics now shift their attention toward a pivotal offseason and the upcoming NBA Draft, where they currently hold the 27th and 40th overall selections. Selecting near the back end of the first round, and in the early portion of the second, is familiar territory for the Celtics front office.
Since 2023, the Boston Celtics have selected Baylor Scheierman at No. 30 and Hugo Gonzalez at No. 28 in the first round, while also using second-round capital on Jordan Walsh at No. 35, Anton Watson at No. 54, and last year’s 32nd overall pick, which they ultimately traded in a deal that brought in Amari Williams and Max Shulga.
According to Hoopshype’s annual draft workout tracker, Boston has already begun the initial phase of its pre-draft evaluations for this draft cycle. Here are the prospects the Celtics have brought in so far:
Whether Brad Stevens, Celtics’ President of Basketball Operations, decides to package one or both selections in a trade for established talent or maneuver around the draft board, the group of prospects Boston has begun evaluating makes for an intriguing starting point in the team’s pre-draft process. So, let’s dive in.
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 27: Zuby Ejiofor #24 of the St. John's Red Storm looks on during the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Duke Blue Devils at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Zuby Ejiofor is one of the more fascinating late first-round to early second-round prospects in this year’s draft class because of how translatable his role appears to be at the NBA level. The former Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball transfer blossomed into the centerpiece of St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball under Rick Pitino, developing from a high-energy rotational big into one of the most impactful two-way forwards in college basketball.
Ejiofor did measure in shorter than his previously listed 6’9” height at this year’s NBA Combine, but his leadership, motor, and non-negotiable attitude to the defensive side of the ball will still seemingly get him drafted pretty comfortably.
Defensively, is where his money is made. Ejiofor will be a versatile switch-capable big who can defend multiple frontcourt positions, protect the rim in weak-side rotations, and survive on the perimeter better than most players his size and weight. His combination of elite strength and good length (7’2” wingspan) allows him to hold ground against bigger centers despite lacking towering height. Without elite athletic ability, he relies on verticality and positioning. Scouts consistently point to his defensive instincts, motor, and physicality as NBA-level traits.
Ejiofor can create events on the defensive side as shown by his 7.2 block percentage (80th percentile) and 2.2 steal percentage which ranked in the 83rd percentile positionally, but his intangibles along with all the traits I listed above make him so much more impactful looking outside the box score. This made him an advanced analytics darling last year as he ranked third in the nation in BPM (Box Plus Minus) and 11th in DBPM (Defensive Box Plus Minus). These stats should not be taken as end all be all projections as they are not perfect.
Offensively, his game is still evolving, but there are intriguing signs of modern utility. He plays with a relentless motor and thrives doing the kind of connective, winning plays NBA teams value from role-playing frontcourt pieces like being a good screener, a strong finisher around the rim, offensive rebounding and an increasingly effective passer in dribble-handoff actions and short-roll situations. One of the more notable developments in his game this past season was his improvement as a facilitator, showcasing better court vision and decision-making from the high post. His 3.7 assists per game and 23 assist percentage both ranked in the 97th percentile.
His bruiser/bully mentality on offense did lead to him getting to the line a ton in college. His 69.4% free throw rate (seven attempts per game) ranked in the 95th percentile. He converted 71% of his attempts at the stripe which is solid for a guy his size but if he can get better from there, that would be great. This ties into the swing skill for him which is his perimeter shooting.
I believe Zuby Ejiofor has the potential to develop into a Swiss Army knife, high-IQ frontcourt player who does not necessarily need to be a great shooter to impact winning, though added perimeter range would certainly elevate his value. He shot just 30% from three-point range last season on 59 attempts and has yet to demonstrate consistent enough touch from beyond the arc to command defensive attention at the collegiate level. That said, he has shown enough makes to suggest there is at least some developmental upside, and his shooting mechanics are not broken, leaving room for gradual improvement over time.
If everything goes as planned for Zuby Ejiofor, I see a considerable amount of Isaiah Stewart likeness in his game (probably minus the fights).
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – APRIL 04: Andrej Stojakovic #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on while playing against the UConn Huskies in the first half of the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Just because players share a last name does not necessarily mean they are related, but when you see “Stojakovic” on the back of a basketball jersey, it naturally invites speculation about a possible family connection. In this case, however, the assumption is correct: Andrej Stojakovic is the son of former NBA All-Star and champion Peja Stojakovic.
Andrej transferred to Illinois last season after spending his first two years with Stanford and California. On offense, he is probably the opposite of what you would expect from someone with his last name. The 6’5” wing is an absolute slashing two-point scoring oriented player, and he does something Brad Stevens noted as a point of improvement for the Celtics.
At his end-of-season press conference, Stevens emphasized the need for the Celtics to generate more consistent rim pressure moving forward. “One of the things that we’ve gotta figure out is how to have more of an impact at the rim,” Stevens said, later expanding on the point by asking, “I think the biggest thing is can we generate looks at the rim?”
One of the more notable remarks from the session came when he underscored the organization’s offensive priorities, stating, “Every one of us would prefer a dunk over that, over a three. Every single one of us. And we struggled to generate them.”
Stojakovic ranked in the 98th percentile in unassisted rim makes per 100 possessions last season at 5.4 shooting 66% from there. Furthermore, he averaged 11 rim attempts per 100 possessions, and over half of his overall attempts on the season come from there. Even though he averaged seven less minutes and four less shots than his previous season at California, when he got his opportunities to slash, Illinois did a good job of having the floor spaced whether it was from the wing or a planned iso at the elbow.
38% of his possessions on offense saw him driving to the rim, and he achieved 1.00 PPP (points per possession) on that play type. He’s not the most athletic guy, but he shows real craft and determination when driving that works more often than not. He loves to use the spin move when defenders manage to cut him off, or he feels majority of their momentum going one way. This driving ability also translates to transition offense as he posted 1.38 PPP on the break. He also seems somewhat comfortable in the mid-range area as he shot 45% from there.
As a shooter though, Andrej has struggled all three years of his collegiate career. He’s at 30.5% on average in his campaigns and just had his worst one from three shooting 24.4% on 2.5 attempts. His release isn’t the smoothest and is slower than you would like. Unless he can rework his mechanics (totally possible), this almost entirely limits his ability as someone who can create threes for himself and make them off the bounce. Also, I don’t believe his handle is the best, but it is effective for what he does.
On defense I do see him being a solid team and individual defender. He routinely stays in front of the ball and has good instincts when peeling off to either another offensive player or to passing lanes. He didn’t post great defensive playmaking statistics last season (0.9 stl % + 1.9 blk %) but with his pursuit and contests after screens I do see some shot blocking ability. In his 2024-2025 season with Cal, he posted a 3.6 blk percentage (1.2 a game) which ranked in the 96th percentile for his position.
It remains to be seen whether Andrej Stojakovic will ultimately hear his name called on draft night, but he has shown enough to warrant a closer look during the evaluation process from Boston.
Kashie Natt | 6’3” | Guard-Wing | Sam Houston St. | 23
Kashie Natt is one of the most unique players in this NBA Draft cycle. He started his collegiate career at the JUCO level playing at Southern Shreveport before transferring and playing his next three seasons at LSU Alexandria. He turned some heads with his play there winning NABC Player of the Year and NAIA National Player of the Year ultimately leading to his step up in division play.
The 6’3” Natt is a literal annoying gnat (in the most complimentary way possible) to every offense he plays. He is a defensive menace and plays with an edge that only a few can match. Natt’s 4.2 stl % ranked in the top 20 in the nation, tallying him as one of the most disruptive players in college basketball. Well, I guess him winning Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year would do the trick also.
His athleticism helps him be that disruptive defender as he is one of the best vertical athletes in the Draft. He’s able to rise up like a center for some incredible blocks either on ball or help side.
On the ball, his quick feet and anticipation make him one of the best in the class. His hands and instincts are absurd, and he flies around making plays from distances most cannot. His traits have me thinking he could be really valuable as a gap defender at the next level with those hands, instincts, and range.
Another reason why he’s so unique is that he averaged 8.2(!) rebounds a game at 6’3” with 2.3 of those coming on the offensive glass which we know the Celtics love. This past season he posted a 23.6 defensive rebound percentage which I’m not sure a player his height or shorter has done in a long time. He led all of Conference USA in defensive rebounds and double doubles. His play even translated versus higher levels of competition as he put up 16 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals on Texas Tech who was #10 at the time.
Natt isn’t a ready-made offensive player which I’ll discuss later, but he did shoot 39% from three 2.5 attempts last season. His last four years have seen him hit 34.9% from behind the arc so there is some level of consistency with him as a shooter. This of course will be pivotal to his value at the next level as I believe he can contribute on defense right away.
Although I love the traits he has, Natt is not a perfect player. Defensively, the only concern I see is foul trouble. His fiery temperament and blazing play style can occasionally lead to early fouls. That said, the issue may not be as pronounced at the NBA level, where he would play fewer minutes and have an additional foul to work with. On offense he is not a polished player. He can get crazy with the handle sometimes which can lead to turnovers. He only averaged 1.2 turnovers last season, so I don’t see this being a big issue.
As a playmaker, I don’t see him doing anything extraordinary. When creating for himself he does have flashes of some on the ball pop especially as a straight-line driver using his athleticism to get to the lane. When he gets there though, he has to work on finishing through contact and making rim reads for teammates. Other than that, I can’t see him as of right now being someone you can say consistently, “here take the ball and create offense” and honestly that’s ok.
While Kashie Natt is going through the draft process right now, he did sign to transfer to Oklahoma State next season, meaning it’s not set in stone if he comes out this year. Whether it’s this year or next, I love the outlier traits Natt presents and will keep an eye on him.
The lyrics are a nod to Curry’s college, Davidson College, a private liberal arts college in Davidson, North Carolina, where he played college hoops for three seasons that completely changed his life.
Before Curry thrived with the Wildcats, it’s safe to say the average college basketball fan didn’t know much about the program.
Years later, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t know Curry or Davidson, and as Drake noted perfectly, you walk around the Bay Area or into any basketball arena and you see a swarm of Curry’s No. 30 jerseys.
Drake and Steph’s wife, Ayesha Curry, share a close friendship and family-like bond, rooted in a mutual Canadian connection that’s grown throughout his relationship with the Warriors star. The Currys even congratulated the famous rapper for his multi-album release.
This isn’t the first time Drake has name-dropped the Currys in a song, with one of his most notable bars being, “I been Steph Curry with the shot … Chef Curry with the pot, boy.”
Dusty May asserted himself as the portal king as he built a championship-winning roster last season, and he found the right pieces going into next season that sets Michigan up to defend its crown.
Louisville proved its all-in and is ready to get back in the national title conversation.
Louisville secured the top transfer in Flory Bidunga (Kansas), an absolute defensive monster that changes games. Plus, Louisville added Alvaro Folgueiras (Iowa) after he became a March hero for the Hawkeyes.
Other additions include big names the Cardinals are hoping can bounce back after injury-riddled campaigns. Jackson Shelstad (Oregon) spent two seasons dropping all sorts of points for the Ducks before he was limited to just 12 games last season, and Karter Knox (Arkansas) can rebound from a meniscus injury. There’s also De’Shayne Montgomery (Dayton) and Gabe Dynes (USC).
On paper, this should be a Final Four contender. Pat Kelsey has all the pieces to have one of the most lethal offenses in the country. If Louisville lives up to expectations, the Cardinals will be heading to Detroit.
Duke
Duke is always going to be a title contender because, well, it’s Duke. But Jon Scheyer has learned it takes a lot more than elite freshmen to succeed in March, and this could finally be the right recipe.
The Blue Devils got a premier scorer in John Blackwell (Wisconsin), one of the best shooters available in the country after he scored at least 20 points in nearly half of his games this past season. He can command the offense and kickstart runs that put teams away. Duke also got Drew Scharnowski (Belmont), a mid-major star that will be a force in the interior with all-ACC capabilities, which could make the Duke frontcourt one of the most feared in the sport. There's also the intrigue of Jacob Theodosiou (Loyola-Md.), a guard that could lead the second unit off the bench.
It’s been 11 years since Duke last won a national title, the longest drought since it captured its first championship in 1991. It also hasn’t won one since Mike Krzyzewski retired. The pressure is on to stop falling short in March, and the amount of experience coming in with the freshmen sensations could finally get Scheyer over the hump and restore order in Durham.
Texas
Sean Miller somewhat surprised in his first season, going from First Four to the only double-digit seed to reach the Sweet 16. It was still a talented roster and has followed it up by assembling a squad for his second season that will be expected to reach the second weekend of the tournament.
The Longhorns got two of the best players from its old conference in the Big 12, bringing in Isaiah Johnson (Colorado) and David Punch (TCU). Johnson made a name for himself right away when he put up 24 points in his college debut, and he ended up leading the Buffaloes in about every statistical category. He quietly was one of the best freshmen in the country, while Punch took a big leap in his second season, comfortably become an effective post player. There's also guys ready to take that next step in Elyjah Freeman (Auburn), Mikey Lewis (Saint Mary's) and Amari Evans (Tennessee).
In total, all five of Texas' transfers ranked in the top 100 available players, according to 247Sports, meaning they're all capable of making big contributions alongside a formidable freshmen class. The Longhorns are shaping up to show last season was just the start of a successful tenure for Miller.
Tennessee
Rocky Top is still searching for that first Final Four appearance after falling just short in the past three seasons. Rick Barnes has gotten Tennessee to the doorstep by building up transfers, but this time, he's got some already solidified ballers that can bring the Volunteers to the promise land.
Tennessee addressed the roster depletion by making additions to every single position. It starts with Juke Harris (Wake Forest), who was one of the top 15 scorers in the country (21.4 ppg) last season and turned it up against quality opponents. The backcourt is loaded, from Dai Dai Ames (Cal) and his clutch gene to Missouri Valley Conference player of the year Tyler Lundblade (Belmont) and his remarkable shooting figures (93.4% free throw percentage, 1st in Division I). Then there's Terrence Hill Jr. (VCU) who became a star in the NCAA Tournament, an all-around wing player in Jalen Haralson (Notre Dame) and exceptional defenders in Braedan Lue (Kennesaw State) and Miles Rubin (Loyola Chicago).
This is shaping up to be an elite offense, as Tennessee is bringing in players that combined for an average of 107.3 points per game. Of course, not everyone will produce the numbers at their previous stops, but it makes for a team that has several guys that can be plugged in and cause headaches for opponents, with the potential to take reign in the SEC.
UConn
UConn just played in its third championship game in four seasons — winning two of them — and Dan Hurley smartly maneuvered to keep the Huskies one of the top dogs.
His two biggest needs were replacing Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr., and while you can't get exact 2.0 versions of them, Hurley found Nikolas Khamenia (Duke) and Najai Hines (Seton Hall) to fill those roles. Khamenia was a five-star recruit out of high school that didn't play much due to Duke's loaded roster, but in those few minutes proved to be a quality shooter while gritty in crashing the boards. Hines was another highly touted freshman that showed off strength near the basket, swatting shot attempts and generating second-chance opportunities. He has the physicality Hurley will love.
The approach to find the right pieces instead of going after best talent will benefit Hurley, especially knowing he's got key contributors back and intriguing freshmen also coming in. Don't get tired of seeing UConn playing for championships just yet.
