It’s been 40 days since the Minnesota Timberwolves season ended. The rest of the league wrapped things up just over a week ago, so it’s time we officially turn the page on the 2025-2026 NBA season.

Nothing signals the start of a new season like the NBA draft.

That was my initial thought before Monday night happened. The Wolves weren’t expected to make much of a splash as far as the draft is concerned, holding just picks 28 and 59. The focus was more about a lot of looming player movement dominoes. Well, most of those dominoes fell yesterday.

With Julius Randle jettisoned, Ayo Dosunmu terms agreed to, and the 28th pick turned into the 33rd pick, Wolves fans should expect to a rather drama-free evening. Let’s congregate in the ol’ Canis comments section to see what happens to the other 29 teams!

Draft Info

What: 2026 NBA Draft Round 1
When: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 @6:00 pm CT
Where: Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY)
TV: ABC/ESPN

What to Expect on Draft Night

The Timberwolves books look a lot different than they did 24 hours ago. Prior to shedding Randle’s $33.3 million contract, adding a fringe-first round rookie (pick 28) at roughly $3 million a year would have been tough. However, dumping his contract came at the cost of sliding down from pick 28, to pick 33. Some pundits have had the discussion of whether a guaranteed contract of a first round pick is more valuable than the open flexibility of a second round pick, so it’s worth asking if this was really was a downgrade.

That said, Wolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly came from out of the shadows to acquire the eighth overall pick during the 2024 draft. Even prior to Connelly giving up this year’s first round pick yesterday, there was speculation that he could be up to something similar again.

Was this just some last minute due diligence? Or was a precursor of something else Connelly has cooking in the oven like they did when they secretly brought in Joan Beringer for a workout? In theory, it does make sense for Minnesota to get back into the mix as they have more financial flexibility to acquire and sign a first round pick post-Randle trade.

As mentioned earlier, many fans around the league will be eagerly awaiting announcements of ensuing blockbuster trades to come. Randle was first, and then came Giannis Antetokounmpo. Who’s next? Jaylen Brown? Kyrie Irving? Derrick White?

What else will happen tonight?

Draft updates

LIVE updated board:

Round 1:

1. WAS
2. UTA
3. MEM
4. CHI
5. LAC
6. BKN
7. SAC
8. ATL
9. DAL
10. MIL
11. GSW
12. OKC
13. MIL
14. CHO
15. CHI
16. MEM
17. OKC
18. CHO
19. TOR
20. SAS
21. DET
22. PHI
23. ATL
24. NYK
25. LAL
26. DEN
27. BOS
28. BKN
29. CLE
30. DAL

CMB, all-rookie, all-awesome defender extraordinaire has won himself many fans in Toronto with his dominant interior presence and playoff rising. The former Gamecock was taken 9th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Raptors, and quickly proved himself to be playing well above the standard for most rookies.

While additions like Trayce Jackson-Davis and a potential big man in today’s draft, it is clear that the Raptors have been making moves to try and make up for their unstable roster of centres. Much has been said about Jakob Poeltl’s injury woes and gargantuan contract, but less noise has been made about the pros of committing to a small ball roster with Boyles at centre.

In a recent survey by SB Nation, 69% of respondents believed that the sophomore should enter Toronto’s starting lineup, with an additional 16% agreeing, only in the case of Jakob Poeltl being moved.

A measly 15% believe that the rookie should continue coming off of the bench, and I could not agree with these individuals less. Boyles has proven himself to be not only an asset, but someone who the Raptors should try taking a gamble on by giving a starting job. And, speaking of gambling, this post is sponsored by FanDuel.

Last season proved that Toronto is not yet in a position to contend with the best teams in the east, so taking more time to try and develop young players while attempting to sort out a functional centre rotation could be well worth it. CMB’s combination of raw power and defensive tenacity is extremely valuable, whose worth in the starting lineup might only be outweighed by a real stretch big, capable of protecting the rim and scoring without clogging the paint. Until the Raptors have a guy like that at hand, betting on Boyles might be where the smart money goes.

Here’s to draft night swings and freakish things: chase-down blocks and coast-to-coast dunks. Here’s to the no-look dimes. 

Here’s to Bradley Center, to hitching rides with strangers. To smoothie tweets, jaw-dropping feats. Here’s to the Nic Batum comps. 

Here’s to nicknames, to the fire, to Mike Dunleavy Jr. Here’s to the walk-off at the Garden, to MIP turned MVP—and DPOY. Here’s to All Star, to All-NBA.

Here’s to the posters. To Chris Bosh, Serge Ibaka. Kosta Koufos and Aron Baynes. Here’s to Nikola Vucevic, to Flagg and Gafford. Here’s to breaking orbit, to Tim Hardaway Jr. 

Here’s to the playoffs. To the climb. To conference finals heartbreak and Bubble embarrassment. Here’s to the opportunity for redemption. And seizing it.

Here’s to the Heat, to the Nets, to the Hawks, and to the Suns. Here’s to the glory of ‘21. Here’s to recovery, to being superhuman. 

Here’s to the Finals. To back-to-back 40s, to iconic moments: “shot blocked by Antetokounmpo!”, “stolen by Holiday… Antetokounmpo throws it down!” Here’s to Mike Breen. To fifty-pieces at the drive thru. 

Here’s to the other voices. To Marques and to Lisa. To Ted and to Dave. Here’s to the pop-up zone, to Jon McGlocklin. Here’s to Mr Jim.

Here’s to the mentors. To Velliniatis and Saratsis, Tough Juice and Pachulia. Here’s to J-Kidd and Prunty and Sweeney and Ham. Here’s to Coach Bud.

Here’s to the brotherhood. To Khash and Splash, to Jrue and Planet Pat. Here’s to the dawgs. To the vets. To names and faces we forget.

Here’s to franchise records, rewriting the books. To 64, to game balls, to no failure in sports. Here’s to the NBA Cup. 

Here’s to the features. Articles and trading cards, documentaries and biopics. Here’s to the lore, the mythology, the mythos. Here’s to transcendence.

Here’s to family. To fathers and to mothers. To brothers by your side, always by your side. Here’s to dad jokes and kids. To moments shared, to memories made.

Here’s to calves and ankles, soleus strains and hyperextensions. Trainers tables to trade rumours. Here’s to the blood, the tears; the hurt and the grind. Here’s to all of it. 

Here’s to you, Giannis. 

For everything. 

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 27: Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece qals towards the stage after he was drafted #15 overall in the first round by the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2013 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 27, 2013 in in the Brooklyn Bourough of 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images) | Getty Images

CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 20: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes up for the dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers at The Quicken Loans Arena on December 20, 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 2013 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WI – DECEMBER 11: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots against the San Antonio Spurs on December 11, 2013 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2013 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 26: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks fights Nicolas Batum #5 of the Charlotte Hornets for a loose ball during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center on October 26, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Apr 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy (34) looks on after being knocked down by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) (not pictured) during the second quarter in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 29: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks slam dunks the basketball on Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat during the game at BMO Harris Bradley Center on January 29, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) | Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 20: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks over Aron Baynes #46 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of game three of round one of the Eastern Conference playoffs at the Bradley Center on April 20, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Nov 4, 2018; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks against Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) in the third quarter at the Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

TORONTO, ONTARIO – MAY 25: Norman Powell #24, Fred VanVleet #23, and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks react to a shot during the second half in game six of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Scotiabank Arena on May 25, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Claus Andersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 06: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks exits the game after an injury during the second quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 06, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) | Getty Images

BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 19: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks high-five after Round 2, Game 7 on June 19, 2021 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 14: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks blocks a shot by Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half in Game Four of the NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum on July 14, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Basketball: NBA Finals: Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in action, catching ball for dunk from alley-oop pass vs Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena. Sequence. Game 5. Phoenix, AZ 7/17/2021 CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X163695 TX1)

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 20: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a free throw to score his 50th point in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum on July 20, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks defeated the Suns 105-98. 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) | Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 22: Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrates with the Larry O'Brien trophy and Finals MVP trophy during the Milwaukee Bucks 2021 NBA Championship Victory Parade and Rally in the Deer District of Fiserv Forum on July 22, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WI – JULY 20: Milwaukee Bucks Analyst Marques Johnson hugs Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks after Game Six to win the 2021 NBA Finals on July 20, 2021 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WI – FEBRUARY 18: (L-R) Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Caron Butler #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks share a laugh on-court during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 18, 2014 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2014 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WI – NOVEMBER 23: Head Coach Jason Kidd of the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 stand on the sidelines during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at BMO Harris Bradley Center on November 23, 2015 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) | Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 8: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks, Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks help Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Two of the 2021 NBA Finals on July 8, 2021 at Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 17: (L-R) MarJon Beauchamp #3, Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate with the championship trophy after the Bucks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 to win the championship game of the Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena on December 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 22: (L-R) Giannis Antetokounmpo, Mariah Riddlesprigger, and family attend the world premiere of Rise at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California on June 22, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) | Getty Images for Disney

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: (L-R) Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kostas Antetokounmpo and Alex Antetokounmpo attend the Rise press junket at The Hollywood Roosevelt in Los Angeles, California on June 21, 2022. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) | Getty Images for Disney

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 23: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks sustained an apparent injury on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Fiserv Forum on January 23, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The New York Knicks are entering the NBA Draft as reigning champions for the first time in 53 years, back when the event saw 178 players getting drafted as New York City hosted it.

This time, the Knicks are holding picks No. 24, No. 31, and No. 55, but they might not have all of them by the time the draft starts on Tuesday night, with the second round taking place on Wednesday.

The front office keeps exploring options to maximize their financial room, and if they ultimately have to draft someone, those options would then include adding depth in the frontcourt or some sort of microwave-shooting combo-guard-wing who can come off the pine and bag a bunch of points quickly.

One of the prospects in the Knicks’ radar, also profiled here at P&T as part of our draft coverage, is St. John’s standout, Zuby Ejiofor. The senior was one of the more productive big men in college basketball this past season.

On Monday, SNY’s Ian Begley reported that Ejiofor “has some fans in the organization,” signaling at least internal consideration as New York shapes its draft board.

“If Robinson and Shamet are back, the Knicks probably look at size on the wing or a player who can handle the ball. Ejiofor has some fans in the organization. If they think they are losing Robinson or Hukporti, maybe the Knicks draft a center? Tarris Reed Jr. from UConn would be a strong pick in New York’s range.”

Ejiofor himself addressed the possibility of landing in New York during an appearance on the “Eye on the Storm” podcast, referencing his experience playing at Madison Square Garden while at St. John’s.

“I think it would definitely be crazy (to land in NYK). Obviously, the Johnnies’ fanbase and New York has showed me a lot of love. So if that does happen, I don’t even know how you guys would react, I mean, you guys would go absolutely nuts.

“Obviously, having been there at St. John’s and played at MSG, and then you tie in with the fact that New York just won the championship, so I think it would be a win on both sides if it does happen.

“It’s going to be definitely chaos, not just for me but my family as well—they’re going to go absolutely insane.”

Ejiofor, who averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game this past season, has built his resume as a physical, high-energy forward with defensive versatility, earning multiple Big East honors.

His size remains a point of evaluation at the next level, as he’s a bit of a tweener caught in between the three and five without a very defined frame, but his production and motor have kept him in the late first-round to early second-round range.

According to the NBA Draft Network’s consensus big board, Ejiofor would be drafted at No. 28, with the highest projection putting him at No. 21 and the lowest at No. 37, but most of them falling within the 27-29 range.

With draft night just a few hours away, Ejiofor’s connection to New York and the organization’s reported interest place him firmly among the names to watch. Not to mention a certain whiff the Knicks might have the perfect opportunity to fix on what could be a historic June 23 in the franchise’s history.

What: Coverage of the NBA Draft

Who: Malika Andrews, Jay Bilas, Bobby Marks, Brian Windhorst, Shams Charania

When: Tuesday and Wednesday, June 23rd and 24th, at 5 p.m. Arizona Time. Tuesday is the first round, and Wednesday is the second.

Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

TV: First Round: ESPN, ABC. Second Round: ESPN

As of right now, the Phoenix Suns have just the 47th pick in the draft, yet Bright Side is staying prepared with East Coast Correspondent at the Barclays Center, ready for the action.

The Washington Wizards will be picking first, where they’re widely expected to take either Kansas’ Darryn Peterson or BYU’s AJ Dybantsa. Picking second is Utah, which is likely to take whoever the Jazz don’t want of the two, or Duke’s Cameron Boozer.

After trading their first-rounder to the Charlotte Hornets during the 2025 trade deadline to get rid of Jusuf Nurkić, Phoenix looks to be without a first-rounder for the first time since 2023. In the first round last year, Phoenix selected Center Khaman Maluach 10th after reacquiring their first-rounder when they dealt Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. In 2024, they selected Ryan Dunn 28th after trading their 22nd overall pick to the Denver Nuggets for the rights to draft Dunn.

The tape has been watched, the numbers have been crunched, and the 2026 NBA Draft cycle is finally coming to a close. The draft begins on Tuesday night with the Washington Wizards on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick. By now, everyone has an opinion on this class.

Read why we believe Cameron Boozer is the top overall player in this class. Check out our final big board that ranks the 60 best prospects available. Read our in-depth profile of Caleb Wilson to hear about the past, present, and future of the draft’s most explosive athlete.

Now it’s time for our final mock draft. There’s some movement since our last mock over the weekend with the Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster delivering the No. 13 overall pick to the Milwaukee Bucks via the Miami Heat, and Brooklyn Nets reportedly leaning a new way with the No. 6 overall pick. We’ll have more analysis on what’s changed going into draft night after the table.

Here’s what changed since our last mock:

• The Nets now take Mikel Brown Jr. over Darius Acuff: The tea leaves are suggesting that Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. will be Brooklyn’s pick at No. 7. This would be wonderful news for the Sacramento Kings, because they reportedly covet Arkansas’ Darius Acuff at No. 7.
• It feels like the Hawks will choose between Kingston Flemings and Aday Mara: Atlanta has already re-signed C.J. McCollum, but it was only a one-year deal. Flemings is almost unanimously viewed as a better prospect than Mara. I don’t think this will be that difficult of a call for the Hawks. Flemings is the pick for this mock.
• I was tempted to put a Michigan man at No. 9, but stuck with Brayden Burries: Basically everyone’s mock draft has Dallas taking Burries. I thought about putting Yaxel Lendeborg or Morez Johnson here as the Dusty May hire, but ultimately decided to finish the drill.

• The Warriors go with Aday Mara, and the Thunder go for Yaxel Lendeborg: Mara just feels like such a great fit for Steve Kerr’s system given his fantastic passing ability, and the Warriors also need a big man. Yaxel to OKC is perfect. He was telling me about dreaming of playing with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back in March.
• The Bucks have options at No. 15: Milwaukee brought in Labaron Philon for a workout during the pre-draft process, so I’m assuming they like him. The other guys they brought in for workouts are already gone in this projection (Acuff, Brown, and Lendeborg), and I doubt Cenac is a realistic option here. The Bucks already have two pretty good guards in Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr., and they also added another developmental guard in Kasparas Jakucionis in the Giannis trade. Morez Johnson and Karim Lopez could also make sense here.
• I have no idea what the Bulls do at No. 15: I think Chicago would run to select Morez Johnson or Aday Mara, but both are off the board in this projection. I have Hannes Steinbach tabbed here. He’s one of my favorite players in the class (No. 10 on my final board), but he’s not exactly the defensive anchor the Bulls need next to Caleb Wilson long-term. It’s worth noting the Bulls added another center on Monday by taking on Nic Claxton from the Nets in the three-team Julius Randle deal. I have no idea which way new top executive Bryson Graham would be leaning if the board breaks like this.
• Chris Cenac falls: I put Cenac top-20 a couple days ago, but that feels a bit too rich. He feels like a little bit of a project as a toolsy big man who needs to develop both physically and mentally right now. Cenac drops to the Knicks at No. 24 in this mock while San Antonio goes with a more ready-made contributor in Baylor wing Cam Carr.

How to watch the 2026 NBA Draft

Here’s how to watch the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft:

Date: Tuesday, June 23

TV and streaming: ESPN

Time: 8 p.m. ET

The second round will begin at the same time and on the same network on Wednesday, June 24.

Arizona has been having men’s basketball players drafted since before the NBA was a thing.

The first Wildcat selected to play pro ball was Linc Richmond, who in 1948 was taken in the 4^th round of the Basketball Association of America Draft, though he returned to the UA for one more season and never played professionally. The BAA and National Basketball League would merge a year later to form the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The first UA player to get drafted into the NBA and play was Leon Blevins, a 7th-round pick in 1950 who appeared in two games for the Indianapolis Olympians.

All told, Arizona has had 79 NBA/ABA draft picks, a number that will go up by at least two this week. And with Brayden Burries a lock to go in the 1^st round Tuesday, while Koa Peat could join him later on, the Wildcats also are set to climb the list of schools with the most first-rounders.

The UA currently ranks 8^th all-time, with 27. That’s one behind Indiana, which isn’t likely to add to its total, giving Arizona the chance to move up to 7^th if Burries and Peat both go in the first round.

Kentucky is No. 1, at 60, with Duke right behind it with 59 and then North Carolina (55).

Arizona last had consecutive drafts with a 1^st-round pick in 2017 (Lauri Markannen) and 2018 (Deandre Ayton). It’s had multiple first rounders on five occasions, most recently in 22^nd when Bennedict Mathurin went 6^th overall and Dalen Terry 18^th.

Assuming he doesn’t fall out of the top 14, Burries would be Arizona’s 18^th lottery pick.

Though they aren’t likely to hear their names called during the first round, Wednesday’s second round could see as many as three UA players (Tobe Awaka, Jaden Bradley and Anthony Dell’Orso) get picked. The only time Arizona has produced four draft picks in one year was in 2001 when Richard Jefferson went 13^th overall to the Houston Rockets while Gilbert Arenas, Michael Wright and Loren Woods were all 2^nd-round selections.

The NBA Draft will be held tonight and tomorrow at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the new home of Julius Randle. For once, the Knicks are not scouting for a young buck who can elevate their roster–because they won the championship! You may still have a scrap of confetti lodged in the back of your throat. It’s the cost of fandom.

Free of desperation, Leon Rose & Co. can use tonight’s picks (24, 31, 55) in any number of ways, whether by selecting three talents to be developed at the Westchester farm; swapping for better positioning or an active player, or even punting on the draft altogether. 

Leon has never been afraid to hop around the board, and championship contenders often consolidate draft assets rather than adding multiple guaranteed contracts. With the 24th and 31st picks sitting just seven spots apart, New York has ammunition to explore a move up if a desired dude begins to slide. This class of prospects is loaded with big young men, so we expect at least one to leave wearing an orange and blue cap. The Knicks might also pick up a guard while they’re at it. Read our draft guide here.

Details

Round 1: Tuesday, June 23
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: ABC and ESPN
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Streaming: ESPN App

Round 2: Wednesday, June 24
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Streaming: ESPN App

Go Knicks!

As just an owner of sports franchises, Jimmy Haslam’s impact has been huge. Since buying the Cleveland Browns, Haslam has been a part of forcing the selection of QB Johnny Manziel, allowing then-OC Kyle Shanahan out of his contract, trading for QB Deshaun Watson, trading away QB Baker Mayfield, a myriad of head coaching and front office decisions, building a dome, and trading DE Myles Garrett this offseason.

As noted in the comments below, Haslam also traded Juan Camilo “Cucho” Hernandez, a Columbus Crew legend, recently:

Earlier this offseason, Haslam promised to spend more time with another one of his teams, the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. Late Monday night, the Bucks, like Haslam’s Browns with Garrett, traded their biggest superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

According to all reports, Milwaukee was negotiating with both the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, who brought totally different offers to the table. The Bucks ended up accepting the Heat’s offer of young players and draft picks over getting a star player, Jaylen Brown, and a couple of picks from the Celtics. The latter deal was more similar to Cleveland’s return for Garrett.

Haslam was reportedly influenced by his recent experiences with Garrett and Antetokounmpo in pushing for the offer from the Heat:

So, Haslam didn’t want a star player who might ask for a trade. Instead, he wanted players who maybe could become stars but wouldn’t be demanding a deal out of Milwaukee. The Browns/Bucks owner also wanted more draft assets for players who potentially could become stars down the road.

In a star-driven league with just five players on the court at all times, Haslam’s decision-making is questionable. At some point, Milwaukee will need a couple of stars if they want to get back to a championship level, and, in the NBA, those stars are likely to request/demand a trade if they are not satisfied with how the team is being built. A far bigger part of the NBA than the NFL that Haslam is used to.

It took six years.

To get here, it took whiffing on Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant (twice), Kyrie Irving (twice), James Harden, Bradley Beal (twice), Chris Paul, DeMar DeRozan and, yes, even Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Yet, with a midnight blockbuster Monday, June 22 that ships Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat, team president Pat Riley proved, once again, that he can deliver a hoops wonder to Bayside. And with that, he appeased a fan base that had started to grumble and wonder if it was time for him to step down. Now, the hard work begins.

Make no mistake: this move triggers immense pressure. With Antetokounmpo in the fold, the expectation becomes that Miami is to compete for championships.

There’s precedent for that, too.

Since Riley took over the franchise, each acquisition of a legitimate superstar in their prime – from Shaquille O’Neal in 2004, to LeBron James and Chris Bosh in 2010, to Jimmy Butler in 2019 – has produced trips to the NBA Finals, at a minimum.

Those moves delivered the franchise’s three championships, and Butler was the lone addition unable to win a title.

So, does this make the Heat the favorites to win the Eastern Conference next season?

No, at least not yet.

Final mock draft roundup for Sixers with 22nd pick  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

We’ve reached Day 1 of the 2026 NBA draft.

Before the first round begins at 8 p.m. ET, here’s a final mock draft roundup for the Sixers, who hold the 22nd pick: 

The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie

Chris Cenac Jr., Houston 

Vecenie: “Cenac has been an exceptionally difficult prospect to find a home for. The consensus seems to be that he’s going to go somewhere in the top 20, and he was among the second batch of players invited to the green room. However, the feedback I get from teams is that he’s more like a late first-rounder. He’s seen as a high-upside swing for teams that can afford to be patient and wait for him to improve his feel for the game.

“The 76ers need another big, and Cenac could potentially slide to the four at times if his feel for the game improves. But he is more of a project than some of the other players the 76ers could take. This is a very difficult team to mock right now, as sources around the league are still trying to figure out what new head of basketball operations Mike Gansey’s type will be.” 

Vecenie describes Cenac as a “total feast-or-famine profile” in his draft guide. If the Sixers drafted the 19-year-old, it would indicate that they believe his physical tools, character and willingness to fire jumpers will coalesce into a productive NBA player down the line. 

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman

Chris Cenac Jr., Houston 

ESPN’s Jeremy Woo

Daily Swain, Texas 

Woo: “The 76ers brought in a range of candidates for this pick last week and can go best available at this spot in new president Mike Gansey’s first draft at the helm.”

Swain had a breakout year as a junior at Texas, averaging 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He may very well be off the board by No. 22. 

Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor

Henri Veesaar, North Carolina 

O’Connor: “Veesaar is an agile big with real shooting touch, connective playmaking, and baseline big skills with the ability to set screens and catch lobs. He also offers rim protection and is a locked-in help defender. He could even play next to (Joel) Embiid. In all three of his collegiate seasons, he made a massive leap in production each year. The Sixers would need that ascent to continue.” 

Veesaar has major offensive talent for a center prospect. The 22-year-old Estonian posted 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game last year at UNC. 

The Ringer’s J. Kyle Mann 

Koa Peat, Arizona 

Mann: “The Sixers are in the unique situation of having a dominant center who likes to score near the rim sometimes and doesn’t have an appetite for the grittier work in the paint. So I get the sense that they are looking for a convergence of exceptional physicality, the ability to create offense in the paint and near the rim, and skill and versatility at the 4. Luckily, there are a number of candidates who can help them with that at this stage of the draft. Peat has an unusual cross section of lateral quickness and brute strength on the defensive end, and he’s also a pretty terrific passer once he’s caught the ball on the move inside the arc.”

Along with the basketball traits Mann outlines, Gansey’s front office certainly seems like it could be on board with the intangible impression that Peat is a winning, hard-nosed player. 

CBS Sports’ Cameron Salerno

Isaiah Evans, Duke 

Salerno: “Peat is someone who has been connected to the 76ers throughout the draft cycle. If he’s off the board, I see the 76ers going BPA. Evans went from almost strictly a pure catch-and-shoot 3-point specialist at Duke during his freshman year to a legit No. 2 scoring option on the No. 1 overall seed in college basketball. Evans almost doubled the amount of 3-pointers he took from this year to last and still knocked them down at a 36.1% clip.”

USA Today Sports’ Bryan Kalbrosky

Labaron Philon Jr., Alabama 

Kalbrosky: “Even though the All-SEC guard was not playing at 100 percent during March Madness due to injury issues, he played well in the tournament, recording 35 points during a loss against Michigan. He also notched 29 points in his first-round game and 12 assists in his second. The guard averaged 22.0 points per game this season, and he improved his 3-point shooting from 31.5 percent as a freshman to 39.9 percent as a sophomore, while also managing 5.0 assists per game in the process.”

Philon would be an interesting fit for the Sixers as a smaller guard; he was the lightest projected first-round pick at the NBA draft combine, weighing in at 176 pounds. The hope would be that his bucket-getting abilities translate to the NBA. 

NBC Sports’ John Fanta

Cameron Carr, Baylor 

Carr’s stock rose when he scored 30 points and knocked down six three-pointers in a combine scrimmage. He averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists as a junior. Carr would be the second straight Baylor first-round pick by the Sixers, who took VJ Edgecombe at No. 3 last draft.

SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell

Allen Graves, Santa Clara 

Graves emerged as an NBA prospect in his redshirt freshman season. The 19-year-old forward was a major help in the possession game on both sides of the floor.

Sixers draft profiles 

Dailyn Swain has a knack for driving

Will Chris Cenac Jr. put it all together in the NBA?

Isaiah Evans fires away from long range

Allen Graves is a unique one-and-done prospect

Christian Anderson has big-time offensive talent

Bennett Stirtz is a polished, battle-tested guard

Morez Johnson Jr. brings tons of defensive tools to the table

Today’s going to be a fun, weird day. We’ll have plenty of content, but I wanted to give you all a place to have all the draft day conversations. So here we are.

There’s bound to be a ton of rumors and chatter, so please, comment and share away. Use The Feed for anything huge please.

My guess, as of this writing on Monday night, is that the Mavericks will keep their pick at nine and select whoever falls to them. The 30th pick is a different deal entirely, and I hope the front office finds a means to get creative to trade up. Someone good will be there at 30, but there are a lot of guys I expect to go 20-25 and I’ll be a smidge grumpy if they get picked.

While we’re here, I wanted to tell you about a new game from Splash Sports you can play prior to the draft. It’s a NBA Draft Predictor and has cash prizes. If you sign up and use the code MAVS you’ll get $20 in QuickPicks vouchers plus a 100% boost on Splash’s DFS game. This site has a ton going on, including an NFL survival pool that’s going to be big, $21 million! Back to our scheduled programming…

For now, I’m hoping one of the guards falls to us. I need it. We need it. If Mikel Brown falls, I promise I won’t ask anything of the basketball gods for at least a year. Man I love the Draft. If you want to revisit any of our old takes or posts, here’s the link. I am partial to all the Draft profiles of individual players. That’s some of the work where I learn the most as an editor.

Everyone, have fun and find me on Twitter or email if you need anything.

Since the NBA Finals, the sports world has been buzzing around the World Cup. The matches are taking place around the United States and all the world is watching. Recently, Manu Ginobili was recognized and projected on the big screen during the Argentina vs. Austria game in Dallas.

Additionally, Victor Wembanyama was recognized (and impossible to miss) as he arrived at a music festival in France.

La Fete de La Musique is the annual French celebration of the summer solstice. The festival features free outdoor concerts with a national spotlight on jazz at the Palais-Royal in Paris.

Wemby received a hero’s welcome including chants of MVP.

As the 2026 NBA Draft looms, the players are enjoying some well deserved rest and relaxation. For Manu, some time with his family enjoying his country’s participation in a competition that is bringing together many cultures. For Wemby, a music festival.

Check back for updates as other Spurs summer sightings are discovered.

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.

With the NBA Draft tipping off on Tuesday and rumors percolating regarding what Trajan Langdon’s next move will be for the Detroit Pistons, I’m here to offer 21 thoughts — draft- and overall offseason-focused — leading us up to the 21^st pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

21. Are the Pistons even picking in this spot?

It looks like, sounds like, feels like the Pistons have their eyes on some guys in this range (Maleek Thomas, Ebuka Okorie, Allen Graves) and some guys rated higher (Cameron Carr, Yaxel Lendeborg), which has kept me from fully buying that they’ll pick at No. 21

20. I like Yax and Graves most, I think.

The idea of acquiring a cheap stretch four in the draft rather than paying the premium for a good in the league now seems like a possible angle for Detroit. If they’re bringing back Tobias Harris (I think they eventually do), having an heir-apparent for the soon-to-be 34-year-old makes a lot of sense. Yax is my favorite. Please, Trajan, get Yax. Please.

19. Cameron Carr is veryyyyy interesting.

I really love watching Carr play. He’s got a very smooth offensive game, and his jumper looks like it’ll translate nicely to the NBA. I don’t love that he’s a late bloomer, but, oddly, my two favorite prospects for the Pistons (Carr + Yax) both fit the bill in that regard.

18. Okorie is cool, but he’s also an odd fit.

It’s always tough to gauge a high-usage player on a bad college team. Okorie did a lot this season for Stanford and really went from off the NBA radar to firmly a first-rounder in his lone season with the Cardinal. I dunno how well he fits with Cade and Daniss Jenkins, but he checks all the boxes as a bucket-getter who can create offense.

17. Graves is my mystery box.

For the football folks, Graves feels like maligned Texas Tech QB Brennan Sorsby. Both had a chance to go from middling situations to big-time programs via the transfer portal and (likely) would have thrived in those bigger roles that would have boosted their draft stock.

Graves is probably picked between 15 and 25 on Tuesday. If he went to LSU or Kentucky and kicked ass, I wonder if this could be like getting a 2027 lottery talent a year early?

16. I don’t hate the Tyler Herro rumors.

By the time this goes live, the Giannis soap opera may be done. Tyler Herro may be in Detroit with the Pistons. Or not. Either way, I think if the price is right, Herro goes a long way toward curing the secondary shooting/scoring concerns. It does, in my mind, increase the importance of a stretch four who can defend… and those guys do not grow on trees.

15. Can they just get more shooting on the margins in free agency?

Two of the greatest 3-point seasons in team history have been trades/signings Langdon has made on the margins — Malik Beasley two years ago and Duncan Robinson last year. I have no idea if he can make the big-time moves yet, but he has shown us he can identify the under-the-radar shooters from a pro personnel standpoint.

14. One sleeper-ish guy I like Wednesday: Richie Saunders.

OR they could do this. Saunders is the other guy for BYU with Dybantsa and would be a nice bench add. I know they just drafted Chaz Lanier, but I’d take another stab at finding your AJ Green/Sam Merrill with Saunders, who is older at 24 and coming off a knee injury, but shoots an effortless 3-ball and battles on the boards.

13. I don’t think Isaiah Stewart is here next season.

Love the guy. I’ve stan’d Stew since COVID. He’s the most superfluous piece they have from a roster/salary perspective, and you need to trade good players to get good players. It would hurt to deal him away, but it might be a necessary evil to push this team forward.

12. How high would Ron Holland rank in this draft?

Holland was a raw piece of clay with big upside, coming off a very meh season with G League Ignite when he was drafted in 2024. If you did a re-draft today, I think he’s probably the 11^th or 12^th best player from that draft. He’s probably around the 20^th best prospect in this draft. Both he and the 21^st pick have been floated in these trade rumors, and that feels like his value with the flaws he’s shown + two years left on his rookie deal.

11. I’m expecting Isaac Bonga to be the new high-energy wing off the bench.

The 2018 second-rounder has been quietly mentioned in connection with the Pistons in recent years. His buyout with Partizan in the Adriatic League probably prevented him from coming, but he’s free to sign in the NBA now. I’d imagine he’ll be better now than he was 8 years ago after winning Best Defensive Player of EuroBasket 2025 and EuroBasket Finals MVP, averaging 10 points and 5 rebounds last season. He has consistently shot ~40% from three in Europe. Woo replacement, maybe?  ̄\_(ツ)_/ ̄ 

10. Cam Boozer is my favorite prospect.

I think AJ Dybantsa might be the next Paul George, but all Boozer needs to be a do-everything star is to improve his shot off the dribble. I’ve learned not to put too much weight into size or athleticism when the skills are elite.

He’s got the best tools in this draft.

9. I’m still dreaming on Trey Murphy.

It sounds like the ex-Pistons Execs in New Orleans are driving a hard bargain for the big shooter, but I still love that fit here so much. I get the concern with paying an exorbitant, Mikal Bridges-esque price for a guy who has never made an All-Star team, but I think Murphy could take a big leap with Cade Cunningham setting the table and Jalen Duren occupying the paint. It would be perfect, which is why it will clearly never happen.

8. The Pistons wouldn’t have beaten the Knicks if they made the ECF.

This is old news, but I still see people talk about it. Stop. Get some help. They weren’t stopping the Team of Destiny from finishing off a dominant championship run.

7. Manifesting Jalen Duren getting $30 million per year.

He’s getting paid, just not what he could have made. I hope it falls closer to $30 million than $40 million. I would be lying if I hadn’t thought deeply about the idea that Duren may not be the right guy at center — not because he isn’t good; he is very good — but because we haven’t seen a team win a title without a center-adjacent guy who hits 3s consistently in over a decade.

6. He’s no All-Star, but if Memphis drafts Cam Boozer, I’d call about Santi Aldama.

Speaking of bigs who can shoot. If they don’t go this route tonight, this could be the optimal stretch five option. Aldama is more of a power forward, but at 7-feet he offers legit shooting and is a nice table setter, topping seven assists three times this season. I think you can play him with Duren or in lineups without him, it’d be a great add.

5. I think Giannis ends up in Boston.

I know the Miami option is the best for the Pistons, but I can’t see the Bucks taking the mystery platter from Miami over Jaylen Brown. I also think teams are going to try to be middling to good over horrible because of the lottery reform. If Brown works, the Bucks will be good. If not, they won’t be terrible and, in turn, will have decent lottery odds.

4. I don’t know if Jaylen Brown, The Guy, is going to work so well outside Boston.

I think Brown was awesome this year, and he carried the Celtics to a surprising season. I also am not sure, outside the confines of the Celtics eco-system, if he would have the same success as your No. 1 guy. That team was built so perfectly for the system, and Brown worked so well within it. I’ll be curious to see how that plays out if he does get dealt.

3. I probably wouldn’t trade any picks past 2029, either.

Langdon said in his press conference last week that he didn’t think teams, including his, would deal picks after 2029. That’s because it marks the first year of maybe another new lottery reform, as the current 3-2-1 model is only being tested for the next three years.

It begs the question: how much will teams get for players in deals, and will we see more players traded since teams can’t mortgage five years of picks + swaps when the future is a complete unknown?

2. Maybe moving up and acquiring a cheap, rookie piece is the fallback?

If the Giannis trade goes down with just Milwaukee and one of Miami or Boston, I think the Pistons’ focus shifts to moving up into the top 10 of the draft. It makes sense as they prep to extend Ausar Thompson and re-sign Duren. If you can package pieces to move up in the draft for, surprise, someone like Yax, you could solve some issues without adding a big salary, thus, leaving room for other moves via trades or free agency.

1. Free agency will be secondary for Detroit this summer.

The Pistons will make some tangible moves this summer, but I don’t see any of them coming in free agency outside of re-signing Jalen Duren. I’ve seen them mentioned with Austin Reaves… I don’t see that happening. Fans have clamored for CJ McCollum; he’s headed back to Atlanta. Rui Hachimura? Sure, I guess?

There will be marginal moves to accentuate the remaining holes — maybe a cheap stretch four if they go guard in draft, or vice versa if they go big — but I’m pretty confident trades and the draft are where they’ll be focused.