Karl-Anthony Towns shared his first NBA title with Knicks legend Patrick Ewing.
The two met on the Frost Bank Center court in San Antonio after New York won Game 5 because Towns said he knew how much the Knicks’ first championship in 53 years meant to Ewing, a legend of the team.
“It was so amazing to see how this win healed so many people in New York, fan-wise and even to the alumni, and Patrick,” Towns said on “The Howard Stern Show” on Tuesday.
“When I hugged Patrick, it was like he finally was able to exhale and see a trophy in a Knicks jersey.”
Patrick Ewing and Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks celebrate after Game 5 of the NBA Finals. NBAE via Getty Images
Ewing spent 15 seasons with the Knicks and made the playoffs 13 times and the Finals twice.
He was one win away from beating the Rockets in 1994, but the Knicks lost Games 6 and 7. In 1999, he was similarly close but tore his Achilles tendon in the Eastern Conference finals and missed the championship series, which the Spurs eventually won.
.@KarlTowns describes the powerful post-game embrace he shared with @nyknicks legend Patrick Ewing after bringing a title back to New York: “When I hugged Patrick it was like he was finally able to exhale.” pic.twitter.com/4TkX2MGHk0
“To finally be able to see that Larry O’Brien in [Ewing’s] hands and not in Michael Jordan’s and all these other people’s hands, I mean, there was just so much healing that I was stunned,” Towns added.
“I didn’t realize how impactful it really is, and I still honestly don’t think I understand the true magnitude of what we’ve done.”
Patrick Ewing and Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks celebrate after winning the NBA Finals. NBAE via Getty ImagesPatrick Ewing celebrates after the Knicks became the 2026 NBA Finals champions. Jason Szenes for NY Post
Towns was born in Edison, New Jersey, about 30 miles from New York City, and grew up a Knicks fan due to Jeremy Lin.
He said it meant a lot to him to see the impact the win had on the fans and to be a part of a memory the kids in New York will carry with them.
“You never realize a little kid watched the Knicks play, win a championship with his father, and now he’s the one with his son celebrating the same moment that him and his father,” Towns said.
Every game of the 2026 NBA Finals was a nail-biter.
And the television ratings reflected as such.
The Knicks-Spurs series was the most-watched NBA Finals since 1998 — the last gasp of the Michael Jordan Bulls dynasty — by averaging 20.6 million viewers across the five games, ESPN said in a statement on Tuesday.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) goes up for a shot pass San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals. Jason Szenes for NY Post
The Finals, the highest-rated ABC has had, saw a 100 percent increase in viewership over the 2025 seven-game series between the Thunder and Pacers. This year’s Finals was also the top program on TV each day.
On top of all the macro-level data, Game 5 averaged 24.5 million viewers and peaked at 33 million, becoming the most-watched Game 5 since the 1998 Finals.
The Knicks celebrate after defeating the Spurs to win the NBA championship.
Charles Wenzelberg / NY Post
The peak viewership of Game 5 reached nearly 10 million more people than the Knicks’ epic 29-point comeback in Game 4, which had a viewership high of 23.2 million.
The celebration hasn’t ended, however, as Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to make an appearance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” on Tuesday before New York City hosts a parade up the Canyon of Heroes on Thursday morning. The parade is expected to use an eye-popping 1.25 tons of confetti.
The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James appear to be working on a reunion.
According to ESPN insider Brian Windhorst, the Lakers and James are actively negotiating a new contract that would bring the NBA’s all-time leading scorer back to Los Angeles for a record-setting 24th season.
Speaking Tuesday on ESPN Cleveland, Windhorst said the expectation around the league remains that both sides will ultimately reach an agreement, though the next two weeks could prove critical as free agency approaches.
“I think LeBron’s intention is to play,” Windhorst said. “And I think the focus right now is making a deal with the Lakers. Right now he’s allowed to negotiate with the Lakers and I believe they are negotiating. I believe they are going back and forth.”
LeBron has been vacationing in Europe for the last few weeks.
"I think the focus right now is making a deal with the Lakers. Right now he's allowed to negotiate with the Lakers and I believe they are negotiating, I believe they're going back and forth," – @WindhorstESPN on LeBron's future. pic.twitter.com/7YT5DIlXc3
LeBron has been vacationing in Europe for the last few weeks. Getty Images
Windhorst added that the structure and value of a potential deal could be influenced by what Los Angeles hopes to accomplish in free agency. If negotiations stall, teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers could become serious contenders for James’ services. Still, the prevailing belief around the NBA is that a reunion in purple and gold remains the most likely outcome.
The partnership has already become one of the most successful eras in franchise history.
Since signing with the Lakers during the summer of 2018, James has transformed the organization from a rebuilding team into a perennial contender. He delivered the franchise’s 17th NBA championship in 2020, earned Finals MVP honors and helped restore relevance to one of the league’s most iconic brands.
If negotiations stall, teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers could become serious contenders for James’ services. NBAE via Getty ImagesSince signing with the Lakers during the summer of 2018, James has transformed the organization from a rebuilding team into a perennial contender. Getty Images
In eight seasons with Los Angeles, James has appeared in more than 500 games (including playoffs) and is averaging 25.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game. He became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in a Lakers uniform and helped lead them to a first-round upset over the Houston Rockets in the 2026 NBA Playoffs without L.A.’s top two leading scorers in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Now, with Doncic positioned as the franchise’s future, the Lakers are trying to ensure James remains part of its present. The clock is ticking toward free agency, but all signs point toward both sides finding common ground and extending one of the most significant partnerships in modern NBA history.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
In earning their first NBA title in 53 years, the New York Knicks gifted the league and ABC the biggest TV turnout since Michael Jordan celebrated his final championship in 1998.
According to Nielsen Big Data + Panel estimates, the Knicks’ five-game defeat of the favored San Antonio Spurs averaged 20.6 million viewers per night, making this year’s installment of the Finals the most-watched since the Chicago Bulls beat the Utah Jazz in six games. Over the course of what would prove to be Jordan’s sixth and final NBA Finals triumph, NBC 28 years ago averaged a record-high 29 million viewers.
The Knicks’ historic victory doubled the TV turnout from a year ago, when ABC averaged 10.2 million viewers per broadcast.
Game 5, in which the Knicks once again demonstrated that no Spurs lead was ever safe, served up 24.54 million viewers on ABC Saturday night, peaking at 33 million as the clock ran out at Frost Bank Center. That edged ABC and ESPN’s combined deliveries for Game 3, which boasted 23.79 million viewers.
While the NBA Finals enjoyed a bit of a boost by way of Nielsen’s upgrade to its ratings measurement scheme, the Knicks-Spurs series likely would have been the most-watched since at least 2017 without the currency lift. That five-game Warriors-Cavs outing averaged 20.4 million viewers per game and now stands as ABC’s second most-watched title tilt since it resumed airing the best-of-seven series in 2003.
Per Nielsen, Knicks-Spurs now stands as the NBA’s ninth most-watched Finals since the People Meter era began in 1988.
Comparisons to past years are also skewed by Nielsen’s addition of out-of-home estimates to its national TV sample in fall 2020. Since the OOH numbers were officially incorporated into the vanilla TV numbers, live sports have been the primary beneficiary of viewing in bars, restaurants and other public (and not-so-public) venues. Nielsen also tallies impressions served up within the comfort of other people’s homes; since the initial rollout six years ago, the company has since expanded its OOH coverage to 100% of its markets in the lower 48 states.
The impact of OOH deliveries may be obliquely apprehended by way of comparing the household ratings from the final days of NBC’s previous stewardship of the NBA Finals to this month’s numbers. The aforementioned Bulls-Jazz set averaged an 18.7 household rating, with 33% of all TVs in use at the time of the live broadcasts tuned into NBC. The Knicks-Spurs series averaged a 10.0 HH rating.
In other words, while ABC’s average deliveries were off 29% compared to NBC’s 1998 average, its household rating was off by nearly half (-47%). That OOH has had such a demonstrable impact on live-sports impressions is particularly noteworthy, as it was former ESPN ad sales chief Ed Erhardt who brokered the very first OOH deal with a media-buying agency—and in so doing, kicked open the door to a long overlooked subset of fans.
In 2018, Rita Ferro succeeded the retiring Erhardt as the ESPN sales boss under a new title (president, Disney ad sales). Last year, Ferro’s team generated $4.44 billion in ad sales at the sports unit alone, as the ESPN unit raked in $10.8 billion in total revenue.
While Disney’s NBA sales numbers are still being tallied, media buyers expect data to show that this year’s series blew past the $288 million in advertising ABC captured with the seven-game Pacers-Thunder Finals in 2025. Scatter rates for Game 5 were said to have reached up to $1.4 million per 30-second unit, while spots secured in the 2025-26 upfront bazaar came in at around $850,000 a pop over the length of the series.
As a bonus, Disney gets to keep all the ad money it took in during the Finals, as not a single compensatory makegood unit had to be put into service to placate advertisers.
The massive crowds whipped up by the Knicks and Spurs effectively guarantees that three NBA games will land on the list of the 100 most-watched broadcasts of 2026. The last time an NBA broadcast earned a place in that lineup was in 2019, when Games 5 and 6 of the Raptors-Warriors series broke the 18.3 million-viewer mark.
Running back Breece Hall is in New Jersey for the Jets' minicamp this week, but he took some time out of preparing for the 2026 season by taking a trip to San Antonio for Game 5 of the NBA Finals last weekend.
Hall was in the building to watch the Knicks end a 53-year title drought with a 94-90 win that sealed a 4-1 series win over the Spurs. The Jets have an even longer title drought to go along with their current 15-season streak of missing the playoffs, which led Hall to express some envy about what the Knicks were able to experience this season.
“I congratulated them and I was just like, I can’t wait to have that feeling,” Hall said, via Dennis Waszak of the Associated Press. “So, definitely positive jealousy because it’s like, damn, I want my team to be able to do that as well. It was definitely very cool to see.”
The Knicks will be celebrated at a parade in Lower Manhattan on Thursday and Hall will have plenty of company among Jets players and fans fantasizing about finding themselves in the same place at some point in the future.
The scoreboard ahead of an NBA game between the Indiana Pacers and the Los Angeles Lakers, at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California, 16th December 1990. Aside from the teams and adverts, the screen reads 'You Game Announcer Lawrence Tanter'; the Lakers won the game 112-115. (Photo by Bongarts/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of the staples of the Lakers over the last four decades has been legendary PA announcer Lawrence Tanter. However, a new voice will echo through Crypto.com Arena moving forward.
On Tuesday, the Lakers announced that Tanter would be moving to the role of Special Advisor for Game Presentation, stepping down from his PA announcer position.
The team’s statement included a quote from Jeanie Buss:
“Lawrence Tanter has been an integral part of the Lakers gameday experience for more than four decades, setting the tone for countless memorable moments with his professionalism, energy and signature booming voice. Since the 1980s, LT has narrated every chapter of Lakers basketball, connecting generations of fans, players, coaches and staff while becoming a trusted and unforgettable part of the Lakers experience. I am incredibly grateful for everything he has given to this franchise.”
Tanter did not serve as the team’s PA announcer during the playoffs. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, that came after he suffered a stroke in March.
Tanter suffered a stroke in March, sources told ESPN, causing him to miss the Lakers’ last six home games of the regular season, plus the playoffs. Tanter continues to rehab from the health setback, sources said. Jason Barquero, the P.A. announcer for the Lakers’ G League affiliate, finished the season in Tanter’s absence.
Tanter began his time as the PA announcer in 1982 and has been the constant, booming voice in The Forum and Staples Center throughout the years. Even in 2020, Tanter recorded introductions to play in the playoffs to provide a needed sense of normalcy for fans.
The team has not announced a successor.
Speaking on behalf of all Lakers fans, here’s to the best for Tanter in life after the Lakers. Home games won’t be the same without him around.
NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks' 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night to capture their first NBA title in 53 years averaged 24.5 million viewers on ABC and ESPN, making it the most watched Game 5 since 1998.
The audience peaked at 33 million, as Brunson was putting the wraps on a 45-point performance as the Knicks rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
The finals averaged 20.6 million according to Nielsen, the highest since ABC and ESPN started carrying it in 2003. It is only the third time since 1999, the finals have averaged at least 20 million.
Golden State's victory over Cleveland in five games in 2017 averaged 20.47 million while the 2016 finals, where the Cavaliers defeated the Warriors in seven games, averaged 20.2 million.
Last year's finals between Oklahoma City and Indiana averaged 10.31 million across seven games.
The 1998 series between Chicago and Utah, where Michael Jordan won his sixth and final NBA title, averaged 29.04 million in six games.
All the on-court action is in the rearview, meaning the drama, trades, draft and free agent mayhem is coming into focus. For a league that thrives on those conversations, this is everything that fans and some teams have been waiting for.
In the meantime, the party is still raging on in New York after the Knicks ended a 53-year championship drought and that puts the NBA in an interesting spot. For the first time in a long time, the Knicks are a team that everyone wants to replicate.
There's also a chance the champions, led by Jalen Brunson, proved something else with this playoff run. Perhaps it isn't about checking off boxes in one particular order. The Knicks showed that a champion can come in all shapes and sizes as long as the collection of talent works together.
That inspiring, movie-like run could have a dramatic impact this offseason in a league that often chases stars.
So when does it begin? Here's what to know about NBA free agency in 2026.
When does NBA free agency start?
NBA free agency starts on Tuesday, June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.
It's a change the league made during the 2019 offseason that moved the start time up from 12:01 a.m. ET on July 1. Instead of a flurry of deals being revealed overnight, the change in time turned free agency into another marquee primetime event for fans.
Even though the negotiating period starts on June 30, deals cannot be signed and made official until 12:01 p.m. ET on Monday, July 6.
Best available NBA free agents
The best available free agents before free agency likely won't be the same after free agency. That is because player options will be accepted or declined prior to the opening bell on June 30.
Here's a look at the five best free agents ahead of those deadlines:
It's telling that the 41-year-old James headlines the free-agent class in 2026, but it's also a reality. NBA contracts, rule changes and more have devalued free agency in a way that has kept the biggest stars off the market. Star players are now typically traded rather than signed.
In other words, free agency is more about building depth and the roster as a whole. The transformative moves will be made in the trade market or the draft.
Philadelphia 76ers: Playmakers; bench depth; center
Phoenix Suns: Wing depth; Shooting
Portland Trail Blazers: Shooting
Sacramento Kings: A star, regardless of position
San Antonio Spurs: Backup big, outside shooting, frontcourt bench depth
Toronto Raptors: Shooting
Utah Jazz: Veterans to complement AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson
Washington Wizards: Veterans to complement AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson
What is a restricted free agent?
A restricted free agent cannot sign with another team in free agency without giving their current team the opportunity to match.
It all begins when a team extends a qualifying offer to an eligible player, therefore making them a restricted free agent. The player can choose to accept the qualifying offer, negotiate a new deal with their existing team or sign an offer sheet with a different franchise. If they elect to sign an offer sheet, the current team is given a two-day window to match the contract.
Should the team decide to match the contract, the player will remain with their team from the 2025-26 season under the same terms outlined in the offer sheet.
If the team declines to match, they will join the offer-sheeting team, just like in traditional free agency.
There is no additional compensation if a team declines to match the offer.
What is an unrestricted free agent?
An unrestricted free agent can sign a contract with any team in free agency without going through the offer sheet process.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers announced Tuesday that Lawrence Tanter is retiring as public address announcer, ending a 43-season run behind the microphone for the franchise's home games.
The Lakers said he will continue to work with the team as a special advisor for game presentation.
Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss lauded Tanner for “setting the tone for countless memorable moments with his professionalism, energy and signature booming voice.”
“Since the 1980s, LT has narrated every chapter of Lakers basketball, connecting generations of fans, players, coaches and staff while becoming a trusted and unforgettable part of the Lakers experience," Buss said. "I am incredibly grateful for everything he has given to this franchise.”
Tanner, who is from Chicago, began his role with the Lakers in 1982 and they won 10 NBA titles during his time with the team.
When LeBron James became the first player in league history to score 50,000 combined points in the regular season and postseason in 2025, the team recognized the milestone during a next timeout.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we all have just witnessed history," Tanner said.
Tanner was the voice heard at home games for many joyful moments, and a painful one in 2020.
Days after Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash, Tanter introduced each of the Lakers’ five starters as Bryant — drawing tears and cheers from the sellout crowd — before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks sits on the bench before a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum on April 10, 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
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bucks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Giannis Antetokounmpo-sized elephant in the room looms not only over the Bucks’ offseason but every team’s throughout the league. One week before Milwaukee’s apparent self-imposed deadline of the draft to reach a resolution on Giannis’ future with the franchise, rumors are swirling as quickly as they’ve ever been. As has been the case for much of the last year, we’re not covering every single one of them because 1. the usual sources haven’t been very accurate and 2. a sizeable chunk of the fanbase is tired of this all. So we won’t discuss them here either.
Nevertheless, as we await a verdict one way or the other in the coming week, we’re taking one last survey to gauge how you feel about the situation. It’s possible that by the time we compile the results, a decision will have been made that wraps it up. I know I’ll feel relief either way. So let’s be very matter-of-fact: yes or no to trading the best player in Bucks history? And if it does happen, will you feel scorned by the organization?
The Knicks kept the party going an appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" to celebrate winning the 2026 NBA Championship on Monday night in New York.
The Knicks kept the party going after an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” to celebrate winning the 2026 NBA Championship on Monday night in New York.
Point guard Jalen Brunson, who was named NBA Finals MVP, and wife Ali Brunson, along with center Karl-Anthony Towns and fiancée Jordyn Woods, partied after the show at LDV Hospitality’s The Seville in the Flatiron District to celebrate the Knicks’ 94-90 Game 5 victory over the Spurs on Saturday night in San Antonio, as seen in photos from the star-studded event.
Teammates OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Jordan Clarkson, Jose Alvarado, Mitchell Robinson, Mohamed Diawara, Kevin McCullar Jr., and Jeremy Sochan were all in attendance as the celebrations in the downstairs lounge lasted until 4 a.m. ET.
Jalen Brunson at LDV Hospitality’s The Seville in Flatiron, celebrating the Knicks’ championship on Monday, June 15, 2026. Madison Voelkel/BFA.com
Former Giants quarterback Russell Wilson, who recently struck a deal with CBS Sports to become an NFL analyst, and his wife Ciara, actors Kit Harrington, Skylar Astin and Michael Rainey Jr., rappers Jack Harlow, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Fabolous, and Jim Jones, and reality star Vinny Guadagnino were all in attendance.
Ali Brunson, wife of Knicks star Jalen Brunson, and a friend at LDV Hospitality’s The Seville in Flatiron celebrating the Knicks’ championship on Monday, June 15, 2026. Madison Voelkel/BFA.comJordyn Woods and Karl-Anthony Towns at LDV Hospitality’s The Seville in Flatiron celebrating the Knicks’ championship on Monday, June 15, 2026. Madison Voelkel/BFA.com
The evening featured performances by rappers A$AP Ferg and Fetty Wap and included custom Don Julio 1942 bottles inscribed to commemorate the title.
Guests enjoyed food by Scarpetta, with the menu including beef sirloin, shredded short rib, branzino and more.
Mitchell Robinson and Jordan Clarkson at LDV Hospitality’s The Seville in Flatiron celebrating the Knicks’ championship on Monday, June 15, 2026. Madison Voelkel/BFA.comJose Alvarado and his longterm partner at LDV Hospitality’s The Seville in Flatiron are celebrating the Knicks’ championship on Monday, June 15, 2026. Madison Voelkel/BFA.com
The Seville, located in the lower level of Hotel Seville, is a plush lounge that embraces a polished, fashion-forward and effortlessly sophisticated dress code.
The celebrations came after the team visited “The Tonight Show” just a few miles away.
Russell Wilson and Ciara at LDV Hospitality’s The Seville in Flatiron celebrating the Knicks’ championship on Monday, June 15, 2026. Madison Voelkel/BFA.comCustom Don Julio 1942 bottles inscribed to commemorate the Knicks’ 2026 title while at a celebration at LDV Hospitality’s The Seville in Flatiron on Monday, June 15, 2026. Madison Voelkel/BFA.com
Brunson, Anunoby, Towns and head coach Mike Brown were guests on the show, along with the rest of the team in the studio.
The Knicks have been on a media tour after winning four of five against the Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals to clinch their first championship in 53 years.
The Knicks’ championship parade will be held in New York on Thursday, starting at 10 a.m.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 14: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Given how great a player Austin Reaves has been after being an undrafted free agent, it’s no question that he’s been performing well above his contract throughout his career.
However, that might not be true for much longer. Reaves is expected to decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Given that he averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game this past season and has improved each year, a player of his caliber becoming available in free agency makes him a hot commodity.
So, for our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we ask, how much should the Lakers pay Austin Reaves?
There are already reports indicating that a team like the Nets could be interested and possibly offer Reaves a four-year, $178.5 million contract. That would make Reaves a player making $44.6 millon per year, so perhaps LA will have no choice but to pay that kind of number to retain Reaves.
However, all rumors should be taken with a grain of salt, especially as we enter free agency. Until negotiations begin, we don’t know whether interest will turn into action.
Regardless of the Nets’ or any other team’s interest, the Lakers have to figure out what type of deal they want to offer Reaves.
Obviously, the lowest salary possible would be ideal. But if another franchise offers more, LA might have to pay up and get closer to max money.
That would typically limit a team’s ability to make other moves, but given that Reaves’ cap hold this year will be approximately $20.9 million, LA can still pay him and bolster its roster.
Also, while reports with such big numbers attached to Reaves are out there, he has consistently said he isn’t just looking to make as much money as possible. So yes, Reaves will get a raise, but maybe it won’t be for simply the largest amount of money from the highest bidder.
The general expectation is still that Reaves will re-sign with the Lakers. But what number makes the most sense? What rewards him without being insulting, while still allowing the Lakers to continue building the team so they can be contenders?
Trade or keep the pick?
Our other question this week involves the Lakers’ draft pick and whether they should trade or keep it. As things currently stand, LA will select No. 25 in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Lakers have shown a willingness to deal their first-rounders, but the bar is high.
Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka has consistently stated he’d trade first-round picks if it could create sustainable Lakers excellence. If a deal can be made to bring in an impactful player, perhaps that’s better for the Lakers than anyone available at No. 25.
The counterpoint, though, is that the draft is the place to get young, cost-controlled players, and the Lakers need to take advantage of that.
The Lakers hired former Virginia coach Tony Bennett as an NBA Draft advisor, and it’d be a shame if he didn’t get a chance at helping LA select a player in the first.
But late in the draft, it’s also hard to find good players. Jalen Hood-Schifino was taken by LA at No. 17 in the 2023 draft and is now out of the league. Dalton Knecht was also selected No. 17 back in 2024, and he can’t crack the rotation.
So, with the Lakers trying to win with Luka, the argument can be made that it’s better to get rid of those picks for impactful players now than to hope a prospect can grow into a role.
But what do you think? Let us know in the comments below and in the poll above.
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Aday Mara shoots the ball 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
In today’s Dub Hub:
ESPN’s Jeremy Woo has the Warriors selecting Aday Mara in his latest NBA mock draft.
With the 2025-26 NBA season officially in the books following the New York Knicks’ championship victory over the San Antonio Spurs, the league’s attention now shifts to the 2026 NBA Draft. The Golden State Warriors hold the No. 11 overall pick and have several directions they could go as they look to maximize what remains of Stephen Curry’s final years.
With the first round set for next Tuesday, June 23, at 5:00 p.m. PT, here’s who the experts believe could be headed to Golden State:
Of the prospects listed above, Michigan’s 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara emerged as the most popular selection along with his fellow teammates Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. While the Warriors have already hosted both Lendeborg and Johnson for pre-draft workouts, Mara has not been publicly reported to have worked out for Golden State as of yet. Even so, the Michigan center’s combination of elite size and passing ability could make him an intriguing fit alongside the Warriors’ veteran core.
Here’s what ESPN’s Jeremy Woo had to say about Mara in his latest mock draft.
Mara is expected to be the first center off the board and appears slated for the 8-to-12 range. There is strong interest in him, with Atlanta, Dallas, Golden State and Oklahoma City among the teams noted, and he could ultimately be a player teams trade up to acquire.
Mara has been a steady riser with an outlier-level mix of size, coordination and skill as a true 7-footer that is extremely difficult to find. With NBA teams tilting back toward fielding size up front — and as the league prepares to counter Victor Wembanyama for the next decade — Mara’s sheer size and ability to manipulate defenses with the pass make him fascinating to many teams.
As Michigan prospects continue to dominate these mock draft roundups for the Warriors, all eyes will be on Golden State next week to see whether the front office ultimately turns to Ann Arbor when they make their selection at No. 11 overall.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, June 16th:
Rival teams believe the Warriors are after a player who can contribute to the rotation next season — as they work to maximize their chances in the final stretch of Stephen Curry‘s career — but will take a best-available positional approach.
Johnson leapt onto the radar of NBA teams after averaging 13.1 points and a team-high 7.3 rebounds for the Wolverines. Among the NBA players draft services consider reasonable comparables are Detroit Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart, Dallas Mavericks big man Daniel Gafford and Houston Rockets veteran Clint Capela.
“I think that I bring some physicality, versatility on the defensive end and a connector offensively,” Johnson said. “Just trying to help everybody get to their spots, not try to force anything, being a great teammate.
“I think the second effort, second, third, fourth effort, that’s a winner’s trait. Just showing you I’ll do anything to win, multiple efforts, not just trying it one time and giving in. Just keep showing effort and being resilient.”
Although Peterson does not plan to visit Utah before the draft, that is not considered by rival teams to be a major factor in whether the Jazz will select him. There is precedent for that thinking, as general manager Austin Ainge selected Ace Bailey fifth overall last year despite Bailey’s camp electing not to work out there.
It’s easy to understand why the idea appeals to Lendeborg. Curry’s constant movement and ability to draw multiple defenders have created countless easy opportunities for teammates throughout his career. For a versatile forward like Lendeborg, who thrives as a connective piece on both ends of the floor, those extra pockets of space could help elevate his game even further at the next level.
Follow@unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 06: Morez Johnson Jr. #21 of the Michigan Wolverines cuts down the net after defeating the UConn Huskies 69-63 in the National Championship of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 06, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Depending on how the board falls, Michigan big man Morez Johnson, Jr. could be available when New York is on the clock at draft night next week. Should the Knicks consider him with their 24th or 31st selection?
The Basics
School: Michigan (transferred from Illinois after his freshman year)
Position: Forward / Center
Height: 6’9″ (Measured barefoot at the Combine, 7’3.5″ wingspan)
Projected Draft Range: Late first to early second round (Picks 20–35)
The Numbers
Johnson Jr. was a crucial to the 2026 National Champion Wolverines, starting all 40 games. While his basic box score numbers are solid, it’s the underlying efficiency and physical dimensions that tell a larger story. He converted a 73% of his attempts at the rim, thriving on vertical gravity and physical finishes. Defensively, he hauled in 7.3 rebounds per game while averaging 1.1 blocks and 0.7 steals. His free throw shooting jumped from 62% as a freshman at Illinois to 79% at Michigan on 156 attempts. Combine that foul line touch with a subtle 12-of-35 (34%) showing from three-point range, and you see the structural outline of a modern, multi-dimensional frontcourt piece rather than just a rigid rim-runner. Squint and do you see Julius Randle? Maybe just a little bit?
What Does He Do Well?
Pro-Ready Physicality: At 251 pounds with a 7’3.5″ wingspan and a 39-inch max vertical, Johnson Jr. has an immediate NBA body. He plays with an aggressive, highly physical edge, meeting contact head-on and functioning as an interior enforcer.
Elite Rim Finishing: He is an active off-ball mover who understands spacing, hard screens, and diving lanes. Once he catches the ball with momentum downhill, his combination of power and mid-air body control makes him incredibly difficult to slow down.
Relentless Rebounding Motor: Dating back to his freshman year at Illinois, where he posted a near-nation-leading 17.2% offensive rebounding rate, Johnson Jr. tracks the ball beautifully. He establishes deep paint position, flips possessions, and secures defensive windows cleanly.
Defensive Versatility: He earned Big Ten All-Defensive honors by proving he can anchor the paint without being totally anchored to it. His Combine lane agility drill (10.59 seconds) flashed the lateral mobility required to survive on the perimeter when guards hunting switches try to drag him out.
What Are the Concerns?
Tweener Height: Measuring a true 6’9″ barefoot leaves him slightly undersized against true, elite NBA centers, while his offensive game is still a bit too interior-heavy to slide comfortably to a full-time power forward role right away.
Lack of Self-Creation: Johnson is an explosive play finisher, but not a shot creator. He relies heavily on guards to set him up, rarely creating his own look out of isolated post-ups or face-up drives.
Passing Limitations: With just 48 assists to 53 turnovers across 40 games last season, he can sometimes get tunnel vision when operating inside. He needs to improve his processing speed when hard doubles arrive or when kicking out to open shooters on the perimeter.
The Knicks Fit
Johnson Jr. fits the classic mold of an aggressive, physical, defense-first big man. Wouldn’t you drool to have a bruiser like this jogging onto the court with the second unit? He can crash the glass, execute drop coverage, and spend his rookie season sharpening his processing speed with the Westchester Knicks if need be. He offers the exact blend of toughness and physical tools that fits the organizational identity.
NBA Comparison
Best-Case Comparison: Juilius Randle or Al Horford
Median Outcome: Isaiah Stewart (A rugged, physical undersized center who locks down the glass and hits just enough outside shots to keep defenses honest).
Low-End Outcome: Precious Achiuwa (An energetic, highly athletic rim-runner who brings defensive utility but occasionally struggles with offensive processing and consistency).
The Verdict
Draft him at 24. If Morez Johnson Jr. is on the board, pull the trigger, Leon. Mo brings championship pedigree, an elite physical profile, a rock-solid defensive motor, and flashes of real shooting touch that suggest his ceiling is much higher than a standard backup center. He checks every box of a modern, versatile frontcourt piece.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Allen Graves #22 of the Santa Clara Broncos celebrates a basket against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2025-26 season ended disappointingly for the San Antonio Spurs. Despite outperforming expectations and making it all the way to the NBA Finals, San Antonio has to feel it came up short after losing to the New York Knicks 4-1. The time for licking wounds should be brief, though, especially for the front office. The NBA Draft is a mere week away, and the Spurs have a real chance to add young players who can help them win a championship in the future.
San Antonio’s front office has been busy during the postseason, hosting draft prospects for workouts. The Spurs own four picks in the draft: #20, #35, #42, and #44. The front office has brought in players who are considered to go in the late-first to early-second round range. If there is any smoke of them moving up in the draft (and so far there hasn’t been), we could see some higher-profile players work out for the team this week, leading up to the draft.
For now, let’s take a look at the guys who have reportedly worked out for the Spurs so far. The list of players stems from HoopsHype’s draft workout tracker.
Graves is this draft’s riser after a productive freshman season at Santa Clara. He’s a big forward with excellent defensive instincts who shot the ball well from three in college. Graves isn’t the most athletic or physically imposing player, but he makes up for it with smart positional defense and aggression on the defensive end. Offensively, he profiles as a connective playmaker and pick-and-pop threat.
San Antonio needs a player like Graves – a big four who can defend, pass, and shoot the ball. He’s not a perfect fit, as he lacks the physicality, interior finishing, and rebounding ability that Victor Wembanyama’s ideal front-court partner would bring to the table. It’s hard to see him coming out of school and filling a substantial role for the Spurs immediately, but he’d give them another look in their front court as a stretch big.
You’ll start to see a trend in the players the Spurs have worked out. They are big forwards or small-ball centers with high defensive potential. Cenac Jr. was a highly regarded high-school prospect (something Brian Wright and the Spurs’ front office have valued recently) who didn’t have the best freshman season at Houston. He’s a project big man who, on the high end, could be a lockdown defender who shoots the ball from three and plays well as a cutter on offense. On the low end, he could be a weak stretch forward who doesn’t figure out an offensive role and struggles to find a spot in the NBA.
Selecting Cenac Jr. means that the Spurs believe in that upside. In theory, he could be an ideal fit alongside Wembanyama, with his athleticism, rebounding, and potential floor spacing. Again, this is another player who likely won’t be a high-level contributor in year one.
Reed Jr. is the opposite of Graves and Cenac Jr. He’s a bruising big man who thrives on contact, but isn’t a very versatile player. Reed Jr. is going to make his bread and butter by dominating physically and athletically in the paint. He’s strong, has good footwork, and a great touch around the basket. Reed Jr. should be ready to physically play and compete on the glass in his first season, but don’t expect him to be a player who dominates offensively.
San Antonio could take a flyer on Reed Jr. in the second round to add some front-court depth and some needed physicality in the paint. Like Luke Kornet, don’t expect the big man to provide much in terms of floor spacing. He’d give the Spurs a more athletic, physical option behind Wembanyama and Kornet.
If you’re looking for your enforcer next to Wembanyama, Ejiofor could be that guy. He’s a versatile defender with an extremely high motor who is as strong as an ox. His offensive role in the NBA is questionable, as he was used mostly as a post scorer and playmaker at St. John’s, while his jump shot is still developing. As a second-round pick, Ejiofor would be a fun bet for a Spurs team that needs to add more physical defenders in its front court.
It feels like Karaban has been linked to the Spurs for the last three draft cycles. His upside is clear: he’s a proven wing who shot over 37% from three in his four seasons at UConn. He won two championships and played in three National Championship games in his college career, so he’d obviously impacted winning. He’s a dream of an off-ball player, who thrives on hitting threes off movement and is typically in the right position defensively. Just don’t ask him to create his own shot or be a lockdown wing defender.
Guys like Karaban are valuable in the NBA. San Antonio could always use more wing shooters. It’s hard to find an immediate spot for him in the rotation right now, but he’d add great depth and could be a contributor in the near future.
We are now solidly in two-way contract territory. Okpara has an NBA body at center, is extremely athletic, and defends with a motor. That combination typically finds you a spot in the league at some point. His offensive output is limited as he projects as mainly a rim runner at the next level. San Antonio has been lacking a solid two-way big man since Dominick Barlow. Okpara could give them some solid tools to develop in one of their three two-way slots.
It was hard to find much on Fricks. He looks like a stretch four who hit a good number of threes at the Portsmouth Invitational and had success blocking shots in college. He could be someone the Spurs look at for a Summer League invite.
Ajayi is a good wing athlete who defended well in college. He’s got a high motor on both ends, but doesn’t shoot the ball well enough as an undersized player. San Antonio could take a flyer on him in the Summer League.
Collins can fill it up as a scoring guard, but 1.6 assists for a smaller guard who isn’t a great defender puts him in a niche that typically doesn’t make it in the NBA. This could be another Summer League target for the Spurs.
Donaldson had the reputation of a defensive guard until his senior season at Miami, where he had the best offensive season of his career on a Hurricanes squad that won a game in the NCAA Tournament this year. He’s likely to go undrafted because of his size and scoring questions, but San Antonio could give him a look as an undrafted free agent.
Dunning Jr. is a former Alabama high-school star turned college basketball journeyman. He’s got good size and athleticism on the wing, and has intriguing pedigree for a potentially undrafted player.
Kyle III put up impressive numbers in his Senior season at Syracuse. He’s a pogo stick on the basketball court. Some of his jumps are out of this world.
