PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 17: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 111-96. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA officially wrapped up this year’s regular season awards on Tuesday after naming Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla the Coach of the Year. For the Golden State Warriors, however, the announcement marked the end of a rare and unfamiliar awards season as the franchise came up completely empty across all major honors.
It’s the first time in well over a decade that Golden State failed to produce a major award winner, All-NBA selection, All-Defensive selection, or even an All-Rookie honoree, according to RealGM. A full list of this season’s winners and final voting results can be found here on NBA.com.
Voter selections for the 2025-26 NBA regular-season awards are now available.
A global panel of 100 media members voted on each annual award.
The only Warrior to receive any recognition was Draymond Green, who earned votes for both the NBA All-Defensive Team and the Defensive Player of the Year award, though not nearly enough to emerge as a serious contender in either race.
Outside of Green, no other Warrior even received a vote across the league’s major regular season awards. While injuries certainly played a role in that, the bigger picture is how far the roster has drifted from their championship-caliber standard that once made Golden State a fixture throughout awards season.
Now entering a pivotal summer with the No. 11 pick in the NBA Draft and potential for some cap flexibility, the Warriors look to retool their roster in hopes of returning to relevance among the Western Conference contenders.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, May 27th:
The next contract: Curry signs the fourth extension in his career. The unknown, however, is whether the extension would be for the full amount or if Curry would take less. The 2027 offseason is the next opportunity for the Warriors to reshape their roster. With three players under contract (Moses Moody, Gui Santos, Will Richard), Golden State has financial flexibility to improve its roster in free agency.
A large crowd of reporters was still in the Spurs’ visiting locker room, all of them waiting around to hear what the 22-year-old big man had to say about why he struggled so mightily Tuesday night as the Thunder took a 3-2 series lead. But as Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox was addressing the reporters, Wembanyama surprised the media masses and walked right past them on the way to the team bus. He took a left at the PayCom Center hallway, walked a few hundred feet more, then veered off into the night while team officials and reporters alike were stunned by his choice not to fulfill the media duties that are mandated by the NBA.
The Golden State Warriors’ injured star looked spry as he joined Teddy Swims on the Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage at Bottlerock in Napa. He threw peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the crowd, seemingly because it was the Culinary Stage, professed his love for the Bay Area, and even danced to Shaboozey while telling the crowd, “Don’t tell Steve [Kerr]! I got a torn ACL!”
Follow@unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
It is official. The NBA has passed draft lottery reform, with 29 of the 30 teams voting in favor (Memphis being the only team to vote against the anti-tanking measures).
Breaking: The NBA's Board of Governors has passed new anti-tanking rules that include expanding the draft lottery from 14 to 16 teams, a relegation zone where the bottom 3 teams get penalized with lessened chances for the No. 1 pick, and flattened odds, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/e1oq10p2yV
In search of a way to discourage tanking, the NBA decided that drastic changes to the draft lottery were the best approach. They may be right, and the new lottery system will be a big change from the previous one. With the Suns not having control over their own draft picks until 2032, it won’t change much for them in the near future, but it could still affect the picks they’ve already traded or swapped (whoever finally uses them). More on that later.
NBA Draft Lottery System Reforms
#1: The NBA will expand the lottery from 14 to 16 teams.
This isn’t because of the proposed expansion to 32 teams. When expansion comes, they will likely further expand the draft to 18 teams…although this point hasn’t been reported on yet. What it does mean is that, along with the 14 teams that miss the playoffs, the 8th seed playoff teams from both the East and West will also get a shot in the lottery.
#2: The Lottery odds will change drastically, as will the drawing process.
Previously, they drew lots to select the teams to get the top 4 picks in the draft, with the rest picking in order of their regular season records, worst to best. Now, every pick 1-16 will be determined through actual lottery picks with the odds greatly leveled, which will hopefully make tanking a less attractive strategy. No team in the lottery will have much of an advantage over the others, and the 3 teams with the worst regular season records will actually have a worse chance to get one of the top 3 picks than the 4th through 10th worst teams. The odds are as follows:
Teams 1-3: Each has an equal 5.4% chance of landing the number 1 pick.
Teams 4-10: Each has an equal 8.1% chance of landing the number 1 pick.
Teams 11-14: Each has an equal 5.4% chance of landing the number 1 pick.
Teams 15-16: Each has an equal 2.7% chance of landing the number 1 pick.
The new system allocates 37 lottery balls across 16 teams. The three lowest-ranked teams receive two balls each, teams four through ten receive three, play-in seeds nine and 10 receive two, and the seven-vs-eight play-in loser receives one (2.7%). All 16 lottery picks will be drawn, with the three worst-record teams unable to fall below 12th.
This version is more like the original lottery system used from 1985 through 1989, where every team had equal odds and every position was drawn for, than more recent systems. The new system sounds a bit wacky but it might work in regard to discouraging tanking…at least some of it. Why try for the worst record in the NBA when that will get you worse odds in the lottery? It might even prove fun to watch the teams with the worst records actually fighting to win games at the end of the season to improve their lottery odds!
#3: There will now be pick “limits”.
To prevent franchises from accumulating top-tier talent year after year, teams are restricted from selecting No. 1 overall in back-to-back seasons or securing a top-five pick in three consecutive drafts. These rules apply to the original team, not the pick’s current holder. Even if it’s traded to another team, these rules still apply to the pick, no matter who uses it, and they apply retroactively.
For example, the Wizards, who won the 2026 lottery, cannot land the first pick again in 2027…even if it’s traded to someone else. Also, the Utah Jazz, which selected fifth in 2025 and second in 2026, cannot finish in the top five in 2027. Although Utah traded its 2027 1st round pick to Memphis for Jaren Jackson Jr., this rule would bar the Grizzlies from receiving a top-five pick in the lottery through it.
In the event a team’s pick is drawn in the lottery in a position where it is not permitted to be, then that pick would be moved down to the first permissible draft position.
#4: Draft penalties for tanking can be imposed.
Teams face severe fines (up to $10 million) and potential loss of draft picks for “tanking behavior,” such as sitting perfectly healthy starters in the final weeks of the season to drop in the standings. The league will also have expanded disciplinary authority to reduce lottery odds and/or modify draft positions for teams.
#5: There will be new draft pick protection limits.
Teams will no longer be able to protect picks that fall into the 12 to 15 slots. Why 12-15? Your guess is as good as mine, as I’ve not found an explanation for this rule so far.
#6: The lottery reforms affect the second round, too.
The first 16 picks of the second round will now be in the reverse order of the first round.
While none of the bottom three teams can fall further than 12th in the first round, the team with the fourth-worst record could possibly fall all the way to No. 16. But if that’s the case, that team would get the first pick of the second round (No. 31). Conversely, the team that wins the lottery would pick 46th overall in the second round.
The “Sunset Provision”
There is also a “sunset provision” which will allow the new system to expire after the 2029 draft. After that, the board of governors will vote to either continue with the system or transition to a new one. Whatever they decide to do then, the NBA’s current collective bargaining agreement runs through the 2029-2030 season, at which time they could possibly change it all once again.
There has also been some talk of the NBA moving away from the lottery system entirely if the new system doesn’t work as well as they hope and institutes a “draft credit” system similar to a Fantasy Football-style auction. In that type of system, every franchise would be awarded an equal allotment of “draft credits,” which teams would use to bid on rookies in an auction, starting at the No. 1 overall pick and proceeding down the board. Front offices would trade portions of their credit allotment to other teams in exchange for veteran players rather than trading actual draft picks. This option is still only in the discussion stage and not a part of the latest reforms, though.
Implications for the Suns
Some might think, “So what? The Suns have no control over their 1st round picks until 2032. This won’t affect us at all until then.” There you’d be wrong to a certain degree.
Pretty much everyone agrees that the Suns need to acquire more draft picks; they can. If you thought they were worth their weight in gold before, now they’re more likely worth their weight in platinum, which is going to make it even harder to pry them away from other teams. And you can pretty much forget about ever getting control of the Suns’ own picks back. If these rules had been in effect for this year’s lottery, as the 8th seed in the West, the 2026 pick that’s going to Memphis at 16 would have instead been in the lottery with a very good chance of moving up to a top 10 pick and a 2.7% chance of landing 1st. Unless the Suns return as a much stronger team in 2026-27, other teams will view those picks as potential lottery tickets, even without the Suns trying to tank.
In short, these changes are very likely going to make the Suns’ retooling/rebuilding efforts even more difficult in the short term simply because they are going to make first round draft picks, especially future firsts, even more valuable than they are now, making them even more difficult for the Suns to acquire…at least as long as this system remains in place.
On the plus side, it does at least make the future first round picks that the Suns still own even more valuable if they decide to use them in a trade. I know many, if not most, Suns fans cringe at the idea of trading away any more of their 1st round picks, but if a deal came along that was just too good to pass up, it’s nice to know that the added value might be just enough to make it happen.
The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into one of their most important roster decisions in years, and Austin Reaves has become a central figure in that debate.
As the 27-year-old guard approaches unrestricted free agency, a potential five-year, $240 million extension hangs in the balance. Now former Laker Lonzo Ball is making headlines by questioning whether Reaves is worth anywhere near that figure.
“Nah, I’m not doing that,” Ball said on the “Ball in the Family” podcast. “I got $150 million for him… plays no defense. I keep him, but not for $240. I would trade him for Peyton Watson.”
It’s not exactly common practice for an active NBA player to be so outspoken on a peer’s contract situation, especially one still fighting to solidify a consistent rotation spot.
Ball was traded in February by Cleveland before making their playoff run and he was unceremoniously cut by Utah the same day he was traded to the team.
Lonzo Ball says Austin Reaves isn’t worth a max deal, say Lakers should trade him for Peyton Watson Getty Images
Ball’s comments were blunt: He labeled Reaves a “fourth option” type player and suggested the Lakers would be better off flipping him for Watson, a rising 3-and-D specialist for the Nuggets.
That perspective, while controversial, aligns closely with recent league reporting.
Lonzo Ball #2 of the Chicago Bulls watches his shot during the first quarter Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps noted that the “majority opinion” around the NBA is that Reaves will stay in Los Angeles, but likely for less than a full max.
Several scouts and executives project a deal closer to five years, $200 million, with one league source suggesting the Lakers would be “surprised if the first year starts with a 3 instead of a 4,” meaning they expect an annual salary in the $40 million range.
Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) defends Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) in the second half at Barclays Center Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
The tension lies in fit versus production. Reaves has evolved into one of the Lakers’ most reliable offensive creators, averaging over 23 points per game in the regular season while shouldering significant playmaking duties alongside LeBron James and Luka Dončić.
But concerns about his defense, paired with Doncic’s own limitations on that end, have fueled skepticism about committing a massive portion of the salary cap to him.
Reaves’ brother Spencer fired back on social media, dismissing Ball’s criticism with a sarcastic jab: “They need to stop selling mics at Best Buy.”
The comparison between Reaves and Watson highlights a division at the core of the Lakers plan to build around Doncic this offseason, particularly the Slovenian’s liabilities on defense. Reaves is a high-usage offensive engine, capable of running pick-and-rolls and generating scoring bursts. Watson, meanwhile, is valued for versatility, length, and defensive impact, even if his offensive role is more limited.
For the Lakers, the decision is less about talent and more about roster construction. Pay Reaves the max and double down on offense, or pivot toward balance and defense at the cost of losing one of their most productive scorers.
Injury status - While no call has been made officially, Jalen Williams remains questionable as he looks to get back from a hamstring injury
Best bet to make: Jalen Williams Over 0.5 threes (-140)- With Williams likely trying to avoid challenging Wemby in the paint on a bum hamstring, he will likely opt to shoot more from deep
More available props - Books have priced the majority of props in advance in case J-Dub is good to go, posting points (13.5, +102), assists (3.5, -110), and rebounds (3.5, -110).
McCain brings the pain - If Williams sits out, Jared McCain will surely continue to get increased floor time for OKC. The Year 2 pro started in Game 5 and will likely get the nod again after putting up 20 points. His points line currently sits at 12.5 (-135)
Shorthanded Thunder - Williams isn't the only player who would sit for OKC, with Ajay Mitchell already ruled out for Game 6
Will Jalen Williams play tonight?
Jalen Williams suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain in OKC's opening-round series against the Suns, and he hasn't been able to shake the damn thing since.
J-Dub went on to miss the entire series against the Lakers in Round 2, and he's missed every outing since leaving Game 2.
Hamstring injuries aren't anything OKC wants to eff around with, so it is likely he sits another night with the Thunder holding a 3-2 series lead. As of now, no call has been made.
Latest Thunder vs Spurs odds
Jalen Williams player props tonight
Sportsbooks have posted player props for Jalen Williams for Game 6, just in case he's ready to go for tonight.
Market
Over 13.5 points
+102
Over 3.5 assists
-110
Over 3.5 rebounds
-110
Over 0.5 threes
-145
Over 0.5 steals
-180
Even if Jalen Williams does play, it's hard to predict how many minutes the Thunder want to run on that tender hamstring. The play that caught my eye was his 3-point prop.
We only need one to cash it, and J-Dub will likely rather heave from deep than try to test his luck in the paint against Victor Wembanyama.
Pick: Jalen Williams Over 0.5 threes (-145 at bet365)
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Game six of the Western Conference takes place tonight on NBC and Peacock as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder head to San Antonio to take on Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. Live coverage begins at 7:30 PM ET with NBA Showtime. See below for additional information on how to watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs on NBC and Peacock.
The Thunder lead the series 3-2 after defeating the Spurs 127-114 on Tuesday night in Oklahoma City. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with a game-high 32 points, Alex Caruso scored 22 off the bench, and Jared McCain added 20, bringing the defending champions just one win away from the NBA Finals.
"We had a tough game the other night," Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said. "This team does a great job of just coming back in the next day in a very neutral way, taking whatever the lessons are, applying them forward, and getting into the next opportunity.”
Stephon Castle led the way for San Antonio with 24 points, Julian Champagnie finished with 22, and Wembanyama, who was held to 4-of-15 shooting, added 20.
The Spurs are looking to become just the second team in the last 50 seasons to overcome a 3-2 series deficit against a reigning champion in either the Conference or NBA Finals. The last team to accomplish this was the Cavaliers in 2016 when they beat the Warriors in the Finals.
NBC Sports will present up to 23 games in the First Round and 11 games in the Conference Semifinals across either NBC and Peacock, or Peacock and NBCSN. Playoff programming concludes with exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock
Which playoff rounds will be available on Peacock?
Peacock’s NBA Playoffs coverage spans multiple rounds, including Round 1, the Conference Semifinals, and the Western Conference Finals, with coverage evolving as the postseason progresses.
Will Peacock show both Eastern and Western Conference playoff games?
Yes. During earlier rounds such as Round 1 and the Conference Semifinals, Peacock will carry a mix of Eastern and Western Conference playoff games.
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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 07: Duke Brennan #24 of the Villanova Wildcats keeps the ball in bounds in the first half of a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Capital One Arena on February 07, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ever since the Lakers traded away Anthony Davis to acquire Luka Dončić, they’ve been searching for a big man they can rely on.
They went with Jaxson Hayes as a starter for the rest of the 2024-25 season after their trade for Mark Williams didn’t pan out. Then, last offseason, they brought in Deandre Ayton to be the starting center. While Ayton was a positive for the team, it’s clear that frontcourt depth is still a need the Lakers must address this summer.
Perhaps they can find the center they desire in the NBA Draft.
The Lakers have the No. 25 pick and can use it to take a young big man. Details on who the Lakers have done pre-draft workouts with are scarce, but one player that has reportedly worked out for the purple and gold is Duke Brennan of Villanova.
Add the Los Angeles Lakers to the list of NBA pre-draft workouts for Villanova big man Duke Brennan.
At Villanova, he started in all 32 games he played in and averaged 12.4 points on 65% shooting. Brennan was also a monster on the boards, averaging 10.3 rebounds per game. He is the first Villanova player to average at least 10 rebounds per game since Harold Pressley did it in the 1985-86 season.
Brennan is currently projected to be a second round draft pick, so one might wonder why the Lakers are looking at him. Well, for starters, it’s all about the franchise doing its due diligence and looking at as many options as possible.
It’s why the Lakers brought on former Virginia coach Tony Bennett as an NBA Draft advisor. They need to explore every option available to bolster their roster. And finding hidden gems in the draft is a great way of accomplishing that.
Also, things can change between now and the draft. It’s possible the Lakers can either trade for a second round draft pick and select a player like Brennan or bring in players like him that go undrafted.
That’s how Austin Reaves became a Laker, joining the franchise after not being selected in the 2021 NBA Draft.
As we get closer to the draft, expect a myriad of bigs, guards and wings to work out for the Lakers. The franchise could use a little of everything as they attempt to become one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 27: Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) drives to the basket during the Brooklyn Nets vs Los Angeles Lakers game on March 27, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The consensus among pundits is that this year’s free agent class is not the best, putting aside the mystery of where LeBron James suits up. That said, the Nets have more than enough cap space to make significant offers for whoever is out there plus draft assets that could be put to use in sign-and-trades.
That said, Tim Bontemps of ESPN is out Thursday with his assessment of where the top eight free agents could win up when the bidding begins in a little more than a month. Among the eight are a couple of players the Nets have had reported interest, including Denver’s Peyton Watson and Minnesota’s Ayo Dosunmu, Bontemps doesn’t mention Brooklyn as potential suitors for those two, but he thinks they could be a player in the player most who will likely wind up with the biggest payday outside of James: his Laker teammate Austin Reaves, the 6’5” 27-year-old shooting guard who would add needed punch to Jordi Fernandez’s offense.
One potential bidder to watch this summer, sources said, is the Brooklyn Nets, who will enter the offseason with more than enough salary cap space to accommodate a max-type player.
While other writers have listed the Nets on the list of potential suitors, Bontemps singles them — and only them — as an LAL competitor for Reaves’ services. Bontemps does note that getting Reaves on the roster would not be cheap.
The majority opinion is that Reaves will remain in Los Angeles — and on a massive raise. But after playing on one of the best value contracts in the league the past few seasons, what number gets that done?
Several scouts and executives predict something in the range of five years, $200 million, but below his five-year max of $239 million, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
“I’d be pretty surprised if the first year starts with a 3 instead of a 4,” an East scout said, “but the Lakers need to keep him, and by all accounts he wants to be there, so I think they make it work.”
Indeed, Reaves is coming off a four-year, $53.8 million contract with Los Angeles Lakers. He also reportedly was offered and declined a four-year $89 million extension from the Lakers, expecting a big payday this summer. Despite missing 31 games, mostly to an oblique strain, Reaves managed to put up big numbers again: 23.3 points on 49/36/87 shooting splits. He also averaged around five assists and five rebounds as well. In his two previous seasons, he missed a total of nine games.
Although he’s not been named to an All-Star team in his time with L.A., he’s seen as one of the franchise’s future keystone pieces along with Luka Doncic. Since he’s an unrestricted agent, the Lakers would not be able to match any bid from the Nets or other teams.
Although Bontemps did not mention the Nets as a team that could pursue Watson but notes that the Nuggets will have to make several moves in order to find the financial resources to keep him.
retaining Watson and keeping the current roster intact would push Denver far into the luxury tax.
The Nuggets have never been big spenders, which is why the belief around the league is that Cameron Johnson (on an expiring $23 million deal) or Christian Braun (on a five-year, $125 million extension signed in the fall) is likely to be moved to create enough room to give Watson something in the per-year range of those players.
Bontemps, a former Nets beat writer for the Post, also cites a Western Conference scout suggesting Watson’s recurring hamstring issues could hurt him.
“They could easily just pay him and pay the tax, but we know how the Kroenkes operate,” a West scout said. “That means sending out either Johnson or Braun, and I don’t know where that lands. The injury stuff is a concern, but so is how they struggled without him.”
Watson is also close to Michael Porter Jr.
In his assessments the off-season possibilities of the Nets’ 27 teams no longer in contention for the O’Brien Trophy, Bontemps’ colleague Bobby Marks noted that the Nets will likely have about $34 million in cap space assuming they deal with the team options for Day-Ron Sharpe and Ziaire Williams (both $6.3 million) and Josh Minott ($2.6 million). He also noted that Malachi Smith who the Nets signed to a multi-year deal at the end of the season has a $2.1 million team option, indicating the contract isn’t guaranteed.
Bobby Marks laid out some territory familiar to Nets fans as he assessed the franchise that employed him for more than two decades. He found both optimism and pessimism, but mostly a lot of questions.
From an evaluation standpoint, the Nets currently have the look of an expansion tea… The offseason presents an opportunity for Brooklyn to improve significantly, with the No. 6 pick in the draft and cap flexibility this summer..
Marks (again no relation to the Nets GM) wrote that the big question other than their draft pick at No. 6 will be what to do with MPJ, whether they should keep him or trade him for even more assets as well and if they don’t what they should pay him … and how.
[T]he Nets must decide whether to build around Porter or to explore trades. Acquired last offseason from Denver along with an 2032 unprotected first-rounder, Porter averaged a career-high 24.2 points per game and shot 36.3% on 3s. It was his fourth consecutive season shooting greater than 36% from deep. He is on an expiring $40.8 million contract and is eligible for four additional years and up to $234 million.
Porter’s impact on the court, durability and age — he will turn 28 in June — should warrant discussions on a new contract. (Prior to suffering a strained left hamstring last month, Porter Jr. had missed just 14 games since the 2023-24 season.)
Because Brooklyn will have cap space, it could also increase his current salary and then decrease the first year of the extension by up to 40%. For example, Porter would earn $49 million this season and then $30 million next year.
Would a team with Porter, Reaves (admittedly pure speculation) along with the Flatbush 5 and the No. 6 pick help the Nets move into respectability if not playoff contention? The Nets, of course, have no interest in tanking again this year. They will have to swap their first rounder with the Rockets if they finish below Houston in the standings come next April.
Marks also looks into the Nets other free agency this summer, that of Noah Clowney who is looking for an extension beyond 2026-27, the final year of his rookie contract. Marks notes that Clowney had an up-and-down season that could hurt his bargaing position.
Clowney remains an inefficient shooter. For a second straight season, Clowney is shooting below 40% on field goals and 34% on 3s. Defensively, opponents shot 49.9% against Clowney. That ranks fourth worst of any player to contest 750 shots this season.
One final footnote from Marks: “The Nets will have the $9.4 million room midlevel exception available after cap space is used.” That could work out to $29.9 million over three years. Not an insignificant sum.
Mar 27, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr (20) on the bench after fouling out against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images | Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
The Washington Wizards experienced nearly triple their revenue in new full season ticket revenue and have triple the sales of new season tickets compared to last year, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic. Robbins’ report came after an interview with Monumental Sports & Entertainment Chief Revenue Officer Jim Van Stone.
In Greg’s article, some fans were upset about the increase in ticket prices despite poor performance. But from Robbins’ piece today, the Wizards have a rationale to raise the prices anyway. With the team anticipated to be better in 2026-27, there will be more demand for tickets. And with … maybe … AJ Dybantsa or Cameron Boozer headlining the roster this fall, perhaps the demand and the number of fans in the stands will stay high for years to come.
From left: Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) have a laugh in the fourth quarter during an NBA preseason game against the LA Clippers at Chase Center in San Francisco, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. The Clippers won 106-103. (Photo by Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
Hello again, Golden State Warriors fans. It’s been a while since I’ve written anything substantive, as I took some PTO to reset before the offseason begins, and see what all the hype around the food in Italy was about.
But now I’m back, and it couldn’t be at a more exciting time for Bay Area basketball. Steve Kerr is back, and committed for multiple years. A Steph Curry extension is being discussed. A pivotal and fascinating offseason is right around the corner. Superstar names are swirling in rumors and reports. The 2026 NBA Draft is a month away. The Golden State Valkyries are underway and playing well. Two teams that remind us of the Dubs of yesteryear are battling for Western Conference supremacy in the NBA Playoffs.
What a time to be alive!
And what better way to get caught up on all things Golden State than with a mailbag? It’s been both a quiet few weeks, and an exciting few weeks, and I’m curious what’s on your mind, Dub Nation. So drop your comments here — or in The Feed — and I’ll get to them on Friday.
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 6: Landry Shamet #44 and Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks high five during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on April 6, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Most years, as June approaches, you have plenty of time to prepare for the offseason and everything that it may potential entail, in the draft, on the trade market, and in free agency.
Yet, with the Knicks in the NBA Finals, it’ll be a quick turnaround, so in the lead-up to the Finals, we’re getting to hear some rumors surrounding Knicks free agency, specifically with two of the players about to hit the market and be in line for nice paydays.
According to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, the belief around the league is that both Landry Shamet and Mitchell Robinson will re-sign with the Knicks on multi-year contracts this summer.
ESPN’s @TimBontemps is reporting that “the belief is… both will be back” when it comes to Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet.
After a few years of ducking the harsh penalties of the second apron, it is believed that the Knicks will blow past it to preserve the best roster in generations. The penalties are only considerably harsh if you exceed them for more than two seasons, so Bontemps believes that Shamet and Robinson will sign two-year deals to allow the team to hit a hard reset after the 2027-28 season, which by that point, much of the core will be exiting their prime in their early-to-mid 30s.
Robinson, as the longest-tenured Knick, has full Bird rights, which allow the team to extend him for as much as possible. With his injury history and limited offensive game, his market value is difficult to pin down. ESPN projected him for a three-year, $39 million contract earlier this month, but Bontemps believes a bidding war could push it over the mid-level exception, which would give him a raise over his prior deal with a max value of $64 million over four years.
Shamet, who’s risen to the level of role player folk hero that we rarely see, is in Early Bird territory in a similar fashion to Isaiah Hartenstein in 2024. Unlike Hartenstein, no team is coming with a $29 million AAV offer. Based on Early Bird rules, Shamet can extend for up to $11 million as a Year 1 salary in 2026-27, something that doesn’t feel as risky due to most teams’ financial pictures.
What's the best way to improve NBA officiating? Introducing some AI into it, of course. What could possibly go wrong?
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver went on ESPN's Pat McAfee show to prop up his anti-tanking, dramatic lottery reform "3-2-1" proposal expected to be approved by NBA owners on Thursday. However, as part of that, he got drawn into the annual conversation around officiating in the NBA playoffs, which this year has focused on "flopping" and players who draw contact and a lot of fouls. Specifically on the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“Flopping has been a conversation..
There’s a difference between selling a call, exaggeration, and a true flop..
"It's been a conversation. I would only say that there's a difference between selling a call, exaggeration, and a true flop which is where you're actually fooling the referees. I think sometimes, even as I sit in the stands at games, players may be falling down, players may be reacting to a call. But then to me, if they're not fooling the referees, it's like, 'Okay. That's like, the players are taught to sell calls these days.' I mean, can officiating get better? Of course, we're always working on that. Can officials get fooled occasionally? We're always looking that as well. But the officiating is incredible."
That becomes the line that's increasingly hard to draw for officials and the league. Gilgeous-Alexander drives the lane as well as anyone, absorbs the contact and gets his shot off as he sells a call, often by falling. Where the line between selling a legit call by exaggerating contact is versus flopping is an eye-of-the-beholder thing — SGA walks that line as well as anyone. But there are plenty of players across the other 29 teams who do it to varying degrees, and fans of those teams don't see it the same way when their guy does it.
Silver then talked about trying to speed up the replay process and game flow by, at some point, using Hawkeye technology (not unlike tennis) with AI to handle in-bounds and out-of-bounds calls.
"Those calls will be done by an AI automated system with cameras lined around the court and it'll take all those so-called objective calls out of the hands of the referees. It'll be instantaneous, it'll be automatic. Just, 'Play on. Let's go, Spurs inbound.' And you'll move on, you won't have to deal with challenges on those calls."
It's a little more complex in the NBA. For example, the ball can go out of bounds off a thicket of players' hands under the basket, all going for a rebound. Having AI quickly determine whose hand from which team is not as straightforward a process as "in or out." That said, we're seeing things headed in that direction.
Feb 21, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer (24) drives past Miami Heat forward Myron Gardner (15) during the first half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Cam Spencer (53rd overall) and Tristen Newton (49th overall) were second round picks in the 2024 NBA Draft. Both have performed well with the opportunities presented to them as less-heralded pro prospects.
Drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies, Spencer saw the floor 25 times in his rookie campaign with eight G League appearances. After signing a four-year, $10.5 million contract, he made a major jump in the sophomore season, playing in 72 games and starting in 25.
The 6 ‘3 guard averaged 11.1 points on 44.9% from three-point range, which ranked him 3rd in the NBA behind Bobby Portis and Luke Kennard. The former UConn sparkplug has become a key role player for the Grizzlies.
Spencer is on a rebuilding Memphis team which dealt Desmond Bane to Orlando last offseason and 2-time All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah at the deadline. He faced off against former teammate Stephon Castle and the San Antonio Spurs in early January, finishing with 21 points, 13 in the 4th quarter, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Spencer hit the go ahead shot with 36 seconds left, knocking off the powerhouse Spurs team.
“It felt good, I love winning,” Spencer said postgame.
Cam Spencer (21/8/8) hit the go-ahead shot as the Grizzlies took down the Spurs tonight. Killa Cam 📸 pic.twitter.com/VrE0dFAdGj
Winning is what the former Husky is used to. Off the court, Spencer caught some UConn games, most notably the Elite 8 classic as the Huskies knocked off Duke to head to the Final Four.
“I wouldn’t be here today without them and, super grateful to have had those guys in my life. Got to play with a few of the guys who are still left on the team, obviously, and, just super proud of them for fighting back yesterday,” said Spencer after seeing Braylon Mullin’s buzzer beater to cap off the comeback win over the Blue Devils.
Newton’s path has been more winding. He was selected 49th in the 2024 draft by the Indiana Pacers. The guard played for their G League affiliate before being waived and picked up by Minnesota. This season, he appeared in 35 G League games, 5 for the Iowa Wolves and 30 for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, where he is currently on a two-way Contract with the Houston Rockets.
Newton was selected to play in this year’s Rising Stars Game at NBA All Star Weekend in Los Angeles. Four out of the five starters on the 2024 championship team, himself, Donovan Clingan, Spencer and Castle were all playing in the Rising Stars Game.
“That shows a lot about UConn as a whole. The level of work we put in day in and day out translates to the next level.” Newton said. The fifth starter, Alex Karaban, is on his way as a prospect in this upcoming draft.
The two-time national champion has proved he is capable of making an NBA roster, averaging 25.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game on 48% from the field. His scoring ranks 3rd among the G League behind Jahmir Young and 2-time G-League MVP Mac McClung, as he earned All-NBA G League first team honors.
Newton was called up for the final game of the season for the Rockets, where he put up 12 points in 12 minutes, knocking down a pair of three-pointers.
May 18, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; NBA Commissioner Adam Silver presents Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) with the MVP award before game one of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
There are few things that make my blood boil more than being gaslit. It’s a term people use a lot more these days now that it’s been more clearly defined, and at its core, it’s pretty simple. You witness something with your own two eyes, you experience it in real time, and then somebody turns around and tells you that what you saw was wrong or that you somehow misinterpreted it. In essence, they’re attempting to devalue what you saw or experienced, and in the same breath, dismissing it entirely.
We see it everywhere these days, especially in politics. But I won’t go down that road.
The latest blatant example came courtesy of Adam Silver, who stopped by Pat McAfee’s show yesterday and proceeded to say that NBA “officiating is incredible”.
There will always be conversations about officiating in the NBA. The game moves too fast. There’s too much physicality and too much happening in real time for officials to catch everything perfectly. Everybody understands that going in, and there’s an accepted level of missed calls or imperfect moments that come with the territory. That’s part of basketball.
When your sport is in the national spotlight during its biggest and most important stretch — the postseason — and one of the dominant talking points becomes whether flopping has become too prevalent, that’s usually a sign things have drifted a little too far. And that’s where the conversation is right now, as made apparent by McAfee posing the question.
The best team in the NBA and the defending champions are a team that leans heavily into embellishment. People who watch the sport night after night see it. They recognize it immediately. And the frustration comes from watching that behavior continue to be rewarded. It doesn’t feel natural. It feels like a team identifying the flaws in an imperfect system and pushing against them every chance they get. And at this point, it feels like they’re pushing it a little too far.
Adam Silver’s response?
“Even as I sit in the stands at games, players may be falling down, players may be reacting to a call. But to me, if they’re not fooling the referees, it’s OK. Players are taught to sell calls these days.”
Then what in the name of Vlade Divac’s shoelaces is this shit?
It’s a tone deaf statement. If players aren’t fooling referees, then what exactly are we watching? Are modern NBA players simply so uncoordinated and frail that the slightest bump sends them flailing to the hardwood? Perhaps the NBA should partner with milk and focus on calcium intake.
And why are players “taught to sell calls”, Mr. Commissioner? Seems counterintuitive to the integrity of the game to me. Seems that if players are being taught to take advantage of poor officiating, the root cause is poor officiating. But you just said officiating was “incredible”. I can read it back to you. Did you order the code red?!
Players are taught to sell calls because officials allow themselves to be duped. And rather than acknowledging that referees are being manipulated over and over by blatant embellishment, Adam Silver doubled down. That’s the frustrating part. It undermines the sport. It undermines fan bases across the league. And yeah, it feels like gaslighting.
We watch multiple members of the Oklahoma City Thunder hit the ground over and over in clear and obvious fashion, trying to sell contact and draw whistles, and then we’re told that’s not what’s happening. Come on. At some point it starts feeling like the league is insulting the intelligence of the people watching.
It has come to the point that analysts are tracking the number of times Shai Gilgeuos-Alexander (whom I affectionately now call FTA) falls down on his shots. Per Tom Haberstroh, who is out there doing God’s work, the two-time reigning MVP falls on 17.4% of his shots (through Game 3 of the Western Conference playoffs, counting only the postseason).
— House of Lowlights (@HouseLowlights) May 21, 2026
“Incredible.”
And no, Oklahoma City isn’t the only team that does it. Every team has a guy or two who leans into embellishment. Look at the NBA Finals-bound New York Knicks. Jalen Brunson has built a reputation for drawing contact and snapping his head back on drives to the rim. I often wonder if he’s playing basketball or galvanizing around the mosh pit while Metallica performs “Creeping Death”.
The difference with OKC is volume. They have so many players doing it that it becomes impossible to ignore. Watching them can feel like watching five Brunsons on the floor at once. One guy flopping around is annoying. An entire team kicking legs out on jumpers, throwing themselves backward on contact, and crumbling to the floor the second they feel any physicality, that’s something else entirely.
From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to backup big Jaylen Williams, and everyone in between, the embellishment shows up constantly. And it’s embarrassing.
Jared McCain elbowed Dylan Harper in the throat, backed it up on him and fell down 😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/P8JsvftRHl
For those of us on the front lines who love this sport and spend so much time covering it, it’s hard to defend. This is the time of year when casual fans show up. The people who haven’t been watching all season. The people who naturally tune into the NBA once the postseason begins.
And when they come to me and ask, “What is this?”, I don’t have a great answer for them. Apparently, neither does Adam Silver.
Silver did go on to say the league plans to use artificial intelligence to assist with officiating. “We’re going to move to a system like [Hawk-Eye],” the gaslighting commissioner stated on The Pat McAfee show. “[Objective] calls will be done by an AI automated system with cameras lined around the court…You won’t have to deal with challenges on those calls.”
And hey, I’m open to that. If it helps speed up challenges and makes the review process cleaner, great. I didn’t think I’d be a fan of the ABS system in Major League Baseball either, and that’s worked out pretty well. It’s quick. It’s efficient. It gets you an answer.
That still doesn’t touch the core issue.
If AI is helping correct calls after the fact, at what point do we address the people responsible for getting the call right in real time? At what point is there accountability? At what point does the league truly live up to the standards it keeps talking about, where players aren’t rewarded for embellishment, for unnatural shooting motions designed to bait a whistle, for flopping all over the floor?
That’s the real issue. That’s what fans are frustrated by. And instead of acknowledging any of that, the commissioner looked at all of us and tried to tell us everything is fine. That’s why this lands the way it does. Because it doesn’t feel like the problem is being addressed. It feels like we’re being told not to believe what we’re watching.
And that’s where the disconnect keeps growing between the league office and the people actually consuming the product. Fans can handle missed calls. Players can handle occasional inconsistency. Basketball is chaotic, and nobody expects perfection.
What wears people down is when an obvious issue becomes impossible to ignore, and the response from the top feels dismissive. The postseason should be about brilliance, shot-making, adjustments, and stars delivering on the biggest stage. Instead, too often the conversation drifts toward whistle hunting and whether contact was exaggerated enough to earn two free throws.
That doesn’t mean the NBA is broken. The game itself is still incredible. It does mean the league owes people a more honest conversation than pretending the product on the floor and the frustration surrounding it somehow aren’t connected.
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 22: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks drives against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half at American Airlines Center on January 22, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves are looking for ways to upgrade their roster this offseason after a premature elimination from the playoffs at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs.
The Wolves have a pressing need at the point guard position, so they need to scour the rest of the league to see if there are any upgrades available. One player that could be on the move is Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving. CBS Sports contributor Sam Quinn listed the Wolves as a potential destination for Irving this offseason.
“Minnesota could match money with Randle and DiVincenzo. It doesn’t have much draft capital remaining, but the front office can offer No. 28 this year, first-round swap rights in 2028 (valuable since Dallas currently owes a swap to Oklahoma City, so almost any secondary swap would be helpful), and an unprotected pick in 2033, when Irving will likely be retired. If Dallas likes the long-term prospects of Joan Beringer or Terrence Shannon, that greases the wheels here,“ Quinn wrote.
The Wolves should be willing to move on from DiVincenzo, who has an expiring contract and an injury that will keep him out for part of the upcoming season. As for Randle, he would be hard to move on from, but if the Wolves wanted to land a player of Irving’s caliber, they have to make a big splash.
Another reason why a move like this makes sense is because it allows the Wolves to re-sign Ayo Dosunmu in free agency. Dosunmu could act as the team’s sixth man, while Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Rudy Gobert join Irving in the starting lineup.
Canis Hoopus community, what do you think the Wolves should do this offseason? Do you want Kyrie to come to Minnesota? Chime off in the comments section below.
ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 25: Jalen Duren #0 and Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons talk during the game against the Orlando Magic during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 25 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s been a tough two-week stretch watching a team the Detroit Pistons probably should have passed get stomped on by the New York Knc
That’s not to say Detroit would have beaten New York in the Eastern Conference Finals, but the fight would have been there. Ultimately, the same glaring shortcomings that lingered throughout the season kept them from truly entering the conversation.
Now the Pistons enter one of the most fascinating offseasons the franchise has had in years, and the decisions ahead could define their future as a contender.
What makes it especially interesting is how interconnected everything feels. On paper, the core of this team already exists, and it seems likely Trajan Langdon’s focus will be on filling holes around the young stars already in place. Still, there’s a lingering feeling that a bigger swing could be brewing.
We’ll explore Detroit’s biggest offseason needs and why each move makes sense. The real intrigue will come from how those deals get done and which players the organization is willing to part with.
1. Re-signing Duren
An underwhelming postseason should impact the overall price tag of Jalen Duren’s next contract, but it still feels clear he is firmly part of Detroit’s future. If the team decides to let Duren go into restricted free agency, only a few teams will have enough cap space to be able to offer Duren a hefty contract. During the 2022 NBA offseason, the Indiana Pacers signed Deandre Ayton to a four-year, $133 million maximum offer sheet—the largest in league history at the time. However, the Suns matched the offer within hours, retaining the center and keeping him on their roster for the next season. Duren would command more money but this could be a similar representation of what we end up seeing.
For the record, I do think there’s some danger in automatically penciling in Duren and Ausar Thompson as long-term fits next to Cade Cunningham. Building around those three means the Pistons have to be extremely intentional with the type of players they place around them, which can make the roster more one-dimensional offensively.
Still, the upside Duren displayed this season was undeniable and earned him Third Team All-NBA honors. The fourth-year big man has improved steadily every season, and this year represented by far the biggest leap of his career, even if some of his best traits disappeared in the postseason.
ORLANDO, FL – APRIL 25: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket while being defended by Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic during the first half of game three of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs at the Kia Center on April 25, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Pistons 113 to 105. 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 Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With a little time removed from Detroit’s collapse against Cleveland, it’s easier to identify why Duren struggled. Most productive playoff big men benefit from better spacing and more offensive balance around them. We even saw during last year’s Knicks series that Duren looked far more comfortable with additional shooting on the floor.
There’s also another leap Duren can realistically make at just 22 years old: shooting.
It’s rare for centers to suddenly develop a consistent jumper midway through their career, but Duren has shown flashes and is only 22 years old. His free throw percentage jumped from 67 percent to 75 percent while taking three more attempts per game. That doesn’t mean he’s about to become a stretch five overnight, but over the course of his next contract it would not be surprising if he develops into at least a respectable mid-range or perimeter threat.
2. Finding a secondary creator
Detroit’s lack of shooting was exposed in the postseason, although there were still stretches where the offense looked functional. The larger issue came whenever Cade Cunningham left the floor. The offense often looked lost, to the point where Detroit had no choice but to overextend him.
It’s difficult to blame Cunningham entirely for the volume of mistakes late in games, even if many of them were careless. It became easy to forget that he entered the playoffs still recovering from a collapsed lung. The workload eventually piled up to a point where the mistakes felt inevitable.
Finding additional shooting is manageable in today’s NBA. Finding someone who can actually organize an offense for stretches and be trusted in a playoff setting is more difficult.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Detroit needs to swing for a superstar like Devin Booker or Kyrie Irving. They simply need someone who can fill a similar stylistic role. Atlanta’s trade for CJ McCollum at the deadline completely changed the trajectory of their season. A low-risk, high-reward veteran addition can raise both the floor and ceiling of a contender.
It’s still frustrating for Pistons fans to think about what this playoff run may have looked like with another secondary creator on the roster. At least now the need is impossible to ignore, and fortunately it should not be overly difficult to find help in that area.
3. Adding frontcourt shooting
Tobias Harris proved he can be a secondary scorer on a playoff team, but probably not on a true championship-level roster. His postseason success may have also played himself into a contract Detroit either cannot or will not entertain.
That means Langdon will need to get creative replacing what Harris brought to the lineup, if it comes down to that.
May 9, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the second half of game three in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Depending on how aggressive Detroit gets this offseason, the role Harris played could be completely reimagined. The Pistons already proved they can defend at a high level throughout the roster, and Harris was part of that identity. But everyone understands they need more offensive firepower.
If sacrificing a little defensive versatility makes Cade Cunningham’s life easier offensively, it is probably worth it. That should be the mindset entering the summer.
So what does that frontcourt change actually look like?
If Detroit plans to re-sign Duren, they need a high-level shooter on the floor with him at all times. Too often during the playoffs the spacing collapsed because there simply were not enough complementary offensive players around him.
Cleveland provided a perfect example in the second round. Evan Mobley’s perimeter development completely changed the geometry of the floor and opened opportunities for everyone else.
Maybe Detroit solves multiple issues at once by targeting a dynamic scoring forward who can also space the floor. Someone like Lauri Markkanen immediately comes to mind.
No matter what direction they choose, frontcourt shooting has to become a priority.
Bonus
Detroit needs more perimeter scoring, and this draft gives them an opportunity to find an immediate contributor.
Last year the Pistons played it safe by drafting a more one-dimensional prospect in Chaz Lanier, but the 21st pick in this class appears to hold more value. Some names connected to Detroit include Baylor’s Cameron Carr, Duke’s Isaiah Evans, and Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz.
Kurt Helin
