Category: NBA

The Lakers made sure they got their player in the first round on Tuesday.

Los Angeles made a last-minute trade, moving up one spot to the No. 24 pick to select Cameron Carr, a guard out of Baylor.

It didn’t take much for the Lakers to complete the deal as all they had to do was send some cash to the Knicks for the pick. However, because of the wonderful new CBA, the Lakers will be hard-capped at the second apron by sending out cash in a deal.

Realistically, this was never going to be an issue.

Last season, Carr had a breakout campaign after transferring to Baylor, averaging 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He shot 49.4% from the field and 37.4% 3-point line.

Carr had a number of big games early in the season with a 28-point game and two 27-point games in the first five games of the season. He had a couple of 26-point games late in the season and scored 25 points against Arizona State in the Big 12 tournament. In his last game at Baylor, he struggled from the field, shooting 4-18 from the field, but pulled down 12 rebounds, his third game of the season with double-digit rebounds.

Offense certainly is a strength for Carr. He can score at multiple levels and is a high-level athlete. Any highlight video Lakers fans watch of Carr in the coming hours and days will be full of highlight-reel plays.

An interesting nugget is that Carr and Dalton Knecht were teammates for one season at Tennessee. Carr only played 14 games that season, so he wasn’t much of a factor.

Here’s what Sam Vecenie of The Athletic had to say about Carr:

Offensively, Carr’s game looks like one that should blend perfectly into the NBA. He’s a legitimate 3-point shooter who can attack closeouts, plays well off the ball as a cutter and takes advantage of opportunities as a finisher because of his length. He has the physical height and length NBA teams canvass the globe to find.

The swing skill toward Carr being a positive NBA player is obvious. He needs to get stronger. He needs to play with more bend. He needs to be willing to get more physical. And once that happens, he needs to be much more active and engaged on defense. Some of these things are fixable, as Carr has already done good work on his frame as he has gotten older. He looks a lot like a late bloomer to be excited about, even though he’s already 21.

The Ringer was similarly high on Carr’s offensive ability. Here’s a snippet of their breakdown:

Carr has a few undeniable traits: the largest wingspan-to-height ratio among perimeter players in the draft, NBA-caliber leaping ability, and some of the deepest range in the class. That length and vertical pop could make him an elite weakside rim protector for his size, although his spindly frame and high center of gravity might limit his defensive upside as an on-ball defensive hound.

For a Lakers team that was at such an athleticism deficit last season, Carr is a huge upgrade in that respect. He will also provide the team scoring off the bench, something they lacked much of last season.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

With the 15^th overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls picked Texas basketball TK Dailyn Swain. He’s now the Longhorns’ 21^st player to hear his name called in the first round.

Prior to his selection, Swain entered this year’s draft as a chin-scratching, but tantalizing, wing prospects in the 2026 class. He has his single season at Texas to thank as he rose nearer and nearer the top of the draft boards.

Swain began his college career at Xavier. However, Swain would eventually part ways with the university to join Texas men’s basketball head coach Sean Miller in his first year leading the program. A change of scenery would do wonders for Swain; nearly on day one, he became one of the team’s focal points, as Swain, at 6-foot-7, average 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 54.2% from the field. By season’s end, Swain led the Longhorns in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, and minutes played. And as a result, Swain become the only player in a Division 1 conference to lead his team in all the previously mentioned categories. He was also cited as just the third player in the past three decades to average at least 17 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game in a season, according to Texas Athletics.

In his final NCAA season, Swain and his teammates managed to end the season in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, as the SEC named him “Newcomer of the Year” and to its second-team all-conference team. Swain was also a finalist for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award.

It seems NBA scouts have not underestimated Swain’s size and strength. And while his shooting along the perimeter could improve—and with NBA-quality conditioning and coaching staff, it almost undoubtedly will improve in the coming years—it’s Swain’s raw athleticism, aggressive defensive approach, and his roles in playmaking that likely sold him to staffers associated with the sport’s highest level of play.

Alabama has had plenty of success in March over the past couple of seasons, but hadn’t had a player taken in the NBA Draft since 2023.

That changed tonight.

Labaron Philon, coming off of an All-American and first-team SEC campaign, heard his name called in the first round as the Philadelphia 76ers selected him with the 22nd overall pick.

Here’s what NBA.com has to say about what the Sixers are getting:

Analysis
With elite shooting splits and dynamic playmaking, Philon’s skill set is perfect for the NBA. He’s shifty for his size and nearly always got past the first defender in college. From there, he was willing to find open teammates or take matters into his own hands, reading defensive coverages like a veteran. He’ll need to bulk up to maintain his offensive efficiency against NBA opponents, and how effective he can be defensively is still a major question mark. However, the offensive skills are impossible to ignore, and after a breakout sophomore campaign, it’s possible he’s just tapping into his potential.

Projection
Philon will likely be a lottery pick, but he may not have as high of a floor as the top players in the 2026 draft class. The do-it-all offensive toolkit with question marks defensively is not a unique prospect prototype, but the pace at which Philon plays makes him stand out. His herky-jerky dribble moves to get into the paint have drawn comparisons to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but Philon is a couple of inches shorter than the reigning two-time MVP. Philon’s ability to play both guard spots is more akin to Mike Conley, Darius Garland and Dennis Schroder, who’ve all had varying degrees of success in the NBA. 

Philon grew substantially as a shooter in his second season at Alabama, and will need to continue to improve in that area. A bit slight at 6’2.5″ and 176 lbs. per combine measurements, he will have a chance to fill out and has shown ability as a defender if not consistency. What we know for certain is that he can get to the rim. It will be exciting to see how he grows.

Roll Tide.

In Mike Gansey’s first move as president of basketball operations, the Sixers took Alabama guard Labaron Philon with the 22nd pick in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft Tuesday.

The franchise selecting a small guard with the biggest asset acquired in the Jared McCain trade is likely to receive groans, but Philon represents excellent value. The 6-foot-2 guard was comfortably projected to be a top-20 pick by most draft experts. As a sophomore, The Mobile, Alabama native averaged 22.0 points, 5.0 assists and 1.2 steals in 30.9 minutes per game, earning First Team All-SEC honors and a Third Team All-American nod.

Sam Vecenie of The Athletic had this to say about Philon in his annual draft guide:

“His improvement as an on-ball player this season while transitioning into that role could not have gone better, as he led the Alabama offense to a top-three mark in the country while putting up video-game-like numbers. The stats are certainly inflated by the spacing and pace of Alabama’s offense, but Philon had a terrific season. His improvement as a finisher at the rim potentially changes his trajectory, making him a possible starting point guard if things break right.”

Philon was super efficient in 2025-26, shooting 50.1% from the field and just a tick under 40% on 6.2 attempts from deep per game. His usage rate also went from 20.9% to 30.0, making his efficiency all the more impressive. He’s not the most explosive athlete, but he makes up for it with tremendous handles and his basketball IQ on both ends of the floor.

While Philon probably doesn’t have a path to being a starter here, he could carve out a role as a third guard behind Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. A lack of competent primary ball-handler play off the bench was a sore spot for the Sixers in the postseason. Having a reliable third guard could also reduce the wear and tear on Maxey, who led the NBA in minutes.

Philon said he had conversations with the Sixers’ brass at this year’s NBA combine.

“I would say, just watching a lot of basketball, personally, I feel like being selected by Philly is just like destiny,” Philon said to reporters over a Zoom call, “because they got two great guards and I feel like I fit in with those guards, playing at that fast pace and that level of basketball.”

Gansey cited the value Philon represented at pick 22, while also acknowledging the guard fits a need.

“He’s got some toughness,” Gansey said. “I think he’s going to fit Philly. He plays with an edge. He plays with a swag. He’s not afraid. … He was a really good player the last two years and we’re really excited to have him in Philly.”

Follow along for every pick of the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.

It's finally time for the 2026 NBA Draft, which means players such as AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson will finally hear their names called as they begin their professional careers.

After months of anticipation, we will soon have answers about the future of the top prospects in basketball. Like with any draft, it is impossible to predict exactly which pick will make a front office look smart down the road and which could potentially cost someone their job.

But we still are going to make a valiant effort to try, so that's exactly what we are here to do. We've given our predictions about where each player will land, we've read all of the experts. We've even interviewed some of the biggest names like Caleb Wilson, Keaton Wagler, and Mikel Brown Jr. as part of the pre-draft process.

Now, it's time to offer up our best attempt at analyzing how each player is going to fit with their new teams:

The Washington Wizards are officially first on the clock to announce their decision at No. 1 overall.

1. Washington Wizards

(This section will be filled out after the Wizards make their pick.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NBA Draft grades: Instant analysis for every first-round pick

Round 1 of the 2026 NBA Draft is set to tip off tonight, and while one former Kentucky Wildcat is expected to hear his name called, it’s not a done deal.

When Jayden Quaintance first declared for the draft, many mock draft projections had him safely in Round 1, and some even had him going in the lottery.

However, as draft day has drawn closer, many projections have barely had Quaintance cracking the first round, and that’s holding true leading into Day 1.

At ESPN, Jeremy Woo’s final 2-round mock draft has Quaintance going 28th to the Brooklyn Nets, while fellow Wildcat Otega Oweh did not hear his name called.

In addition, Woo reports that NBA teams actually think Quaintance’s previous knee issues could cause him to miss time in what would be his rookie season.

“Teams have remained unclear about Quaintance’s floor, with some speculation he could slip out of the first round due to health,” Woo writes. “He did not earn a green room invitation as teams continue to express concern about the state of his injured knee, which multiple team sources fear could cause him to miss time next season. He had knee surgery in March 2025 after tearing an ACL at Arizona State, and he was able to play in just four games at Kentucky last season due to precautions around that injury.

“Still, teams love his talent and physical tools as a vertical spacing 5-man and see major upside if he can get back to full strength. Where Quaintance lands will depend on individual teams’ comfort level selecting him. There remains enough enthusiasm around his ability that it’s hard to see him falling all the way out of Round 1. Brooklyn could have the patience and developmental runway to roster him.”

That would be a brutal development for Quaintance, as many assumed the knee issue that plagued him at Kentucky was minor and would not affect his rookie season.

Perhaps that belief was incorrect and Quaintance does have some sort of lingering issue that could affect his availability for the 2026-27 NBA season. Here’s to hoping that is not the case and he goes on to have a healthy career in the pros.

The 2026 NBA draft is here, and the Washington Wizards are on the clock first.

Follow along for live updates, analysis and everything you need to know about all 30 first-round selections.

Here's the latest:

New views at the NBA draft

Fans attending the NBA draft are getting to see a little more than usual from their seats at Barclays Center.

With the arena undergoing some renovations, the red carpet that was previously held in the arena’s atrium was moved to the draft floor. A number of players were wearing sunglasses, even though it’s raining outside in New York and dark in the arena.

Also, some of the player interview stops after they are picked were also moved from their previous behind-the-scenes locations. The “Good Morning America” set is on the floor, along with ones belonging to NBA TV and Chinese entertainment company Tencent.

Miami Heat land Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of draft

Ending a marathon watch for the next great Miami get, the Heat landed Giannis Antetokounmpo — a two-time NBA MVP and 10-time All-Star — from the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night in exchange for a massive haul of players and draft picks.

The terms, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the move had yet to receive the required league approval: Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis are heading to Miami for Wisconsin native Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis.

Milwaukee also gets the No. 13 selection that will be made in Tuesday night’s NBA draft, along with a first-round pick swap in 2030, first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and a second-rounder in 2033, the person said.

Lendeborg lobbies for a reunion with May in Dallas

Yaxel Lendeborg wrapped up his college career by winning a national title at Michigan under Dusty May. He made his pitch to keep playing for him before Tuesday night’s draft.

The Dallas Mavericks announced they had hired May away from the Wolverines on Monday, and they have the No. 9 overall pick in the first round. That aligns with the rough range where Lendeborg — an Associated Press first-team all-American — could hear his name called as a potential lottery prospect.

So Lendeborg was ready with his pitch on ESPN’s predraft special.

“I’m very happy for him,” Lendeborg said while sharing a laugh with fellow Michigan lottery prospect Aday Mara. “I’ll be way happier for him if he suddenly takes me at nine. So he should draft me. Draft me, please.”

A little history for the Duke-UNC rivalry

Tobacco Road rivals Cameron Boozer of Duke and Caleb Wilson of North Carolina are part of the top overall tier of prospects in Tuesday’s first round of the NBA draft. If they both go in the top four as widely expected, that would be the first time in nearly four decades that the Blue Devils and Tar Heels each had a top-five pick in the same draft.

The last time came in 1989, when Duke forward Danny Ferry went No. 2 overall followed by UNC forward J.R. Reid at No. 5. The closest the schools had come since that time was in 2019, with Duke having forwards Zion Williamson going No. 1 and RJ Barrett going No. 3, while UNC had guard Coby White go No. 7.

Boozer became the fifth freshman named Associated Press men’s national player of the year, while Wilson was a second-team AP All-American in an injury-shortened season.

Wilson promising big things

North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson isn’t shy about selling his potential.

The 6-foot-9, 211-pound forward appeared on ESPN’s predraft Red Carpet Special, hours before the start of a draft where Wilson is widely projected to be a top-four selection. When asked what the NBA team that drafts him Tuesday night would be getting, Wilson said: “A game changer.”

Wilson is part of a top overall tier of prospects that includes BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and Duke’s Cameron Boozer.

Picks 21-30

21. Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves)

22. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets)

23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers)

24. New York Knicks

25. Los Angeles Lakers

26. Denver Nuggets

27. Boston Celtics

28. Brooklyn Nets (via Pistons)

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs)

30. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder)

Mavs have 2 first-round picks to round out May’s roster

The Dallas Mavericks’ overhaul following the Luka Doncic trade took another important step with Monday’s hiring of Michigan’s Dusty May as coach. Now they’ll have two first-round selections to add more pieces around NBA rookie of the year Cooper Flagg.

Dallas has the No. 9 and No. 30 overall picks in the first round, as well as a second-round selection for Wednesday.

In addition to Flagg, the Mavericks are set to get star guard Kyrie Irving back in his recovery from a serious knee injury, as well as having returning pieces like forwards P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford and center Dereck Lively II.

The No. 9 pick falls in range where numerous one-and-done guards are likely to land. That tier includes Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr., Houston’s Kingston Flemings, Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr., Illinois’ Keaton Wagler and Arizona’s Brayden Burries. Freshman forward Nate Ament from Tennessee could also be an option.

Mavericks announce hiring of Dusty May hours before the start of the draft

The Dallas Mavericks officially announced Dusty May as their new coach just a few hours before entering the NBA draft with the ninth pick on Tuesday night.

May is making the jump to the NBA less than three months after leading Michigan to its first NCAA championship since 1989. He had a 64-13 record in two years with the Wolverines, including a 34-3 season that ended with a 69-63 victory over UConn in the national title game.

The Mavericks made their choice to replace Jason Kidd official on the same day they could select the next young player who would be part of building around 2025 No. 1 pick and reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, who turns 20 in December.

Dallas also has the final pick of the first round at No. 30 and the 48th choice in the second round, which will be held Wednesday.

Picks 11-20

11. Golden State Warriors

12. Oklahoma City Thunder

13. Milwaukee Bucks

14. Charlotte Hornets

15. Chicago Bulls (via Trail Blazers)

16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Suns)

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers)

18. Charlotte Hornets (via Magic)

19. Toronto Raptors

20. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks)

Several NCAA champs could go early

Michigan’s frontcourt powered the Wolverines to their first NCAA title since 1989. That trio could follow up by all landing in the lottery of Tuesday’s NBA draft.

Forwards Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. join big man Aday Mara in being set to go by roughly midway through the first round.

The 7-foot-3 Mara is massive and projects as a potential rim-protecting defensive force. Lendeborg was a first-team Associated Press All-American who improved his outside shot, while Johnson is a versatile player who could work as a forward or as a small-ball 5-man.

The Wolverines could produce three first-round picks on Tuesday night for the first time since the 1990 draft.

Picks 1-10

1. Washington Wizards

2. Utah Jazz

3. Memphis Grizzlies

4. Chicago Bulls

5. LA Clippers (via Pacers)

6. Brooklyn Nets

7. Sacramento Kings

8. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans)

9. Dallas Mavericks

10. Milwaukee Bucks

Dybansta has long looked like a No. 1 pick

AJ Dybantsa has been a longtime favorite to be the No. 1 overall NBA draft pick. He’ll find out Tuesday whether he’s reached that status.

The 6-foot-9, 217-pound freshman lived up to all the hype at BYU, leading the country in scoring (25.5 points) while becoming a first-team Associated Press All-American. He pressured defenses with his ability to get off his own shot and by attacking to get to the foul line more than any other player in Division I.

The chief challenge to Dybantsa hearing his name called by the Washington Wizards is Kansas one-and-done guard Darryn Peterson.

The Washington Wizards are on the clock with the No. 1 pick

The Washington Wizards have the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft on Tuesday night, with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer among the options after strong freshman seasons in college.

Washington’s NBA title drought is almost as long as the New York Knicks’ was, having last won in 1978 when the team was still known as the Bullets.

The Wizards could go for Dybantsa, a forward who led the nation in scoring at BYU; or Peterson, a guard with tons of talent but some question marks after missing 11 games at Kansas with injuries and illness; or Boozer, a forward who was college basketball’s player of the year at Duke.

On the day before the start of the 2026 NBA Draft,Dusty May reopened the college basketball coaching cycle with the Dallas Mavericks hiring the now ex-Michigan basketball coach.

The Mavericks made May's hiring official on Tuesday afternoon.

In a statement posted on social media on Tuesday evening, May wrote that it "wasn’t an easy decision" to leave the Wolverines, a team he had just guided to a national championship with one of the most dominant NCAA Tournament runs in recent memory, averaging a 19‑point margin of victory across six games.

REQUIRED READING: Dusty May's move to NBA isn't a college basketball crisis. It's a sign of the era

"When my family and I came to Ann Arbor two years ago, we hoped we could help bring Michigan basketball back to where it belongs. I never could have imagined how special these last two seasons would be," May wrote. "... This wasn't an easy decision."

May, who led the Wolverines to a 64-13 record in two seasons, continued by mentioning that he felt the opportunity to coach in the NBA — where he'll coach 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg in Dallas — was something he felt he "needed to pursue."

"But that doesn't change how much these last two years have meant to us. Ann Arbor became home, and we'll always be grateful for the relationships and memories that came from our time here," May said. "Thank you for trusting us, believing in us and making these last two years so much fun. It was an honor to coach at Michigan and wear the block M."

In a statement on Tuesday, where he named Mike Boynton Jr. as the Wolverines' interim coach, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel thanked May for his two seasons in Ann Arbor and for returning the program to the national stage.

"While we are disappointed to see Dusty leave Michigan, we are deeply grateful to the May family for the lasting impact they have made on our program and our university," Manuel said. "In just two seasons, Dusty restored Michigan basketball to national prominence and led our Wolverines through one of the greatest chapters in program history, culminating in our first national championship in 37 years."

May posted a 190-82 overall record in eight seasons as a college basketball coach, with a 126-69 record at FAU, which he also led to the Final Four in 2023 as a 9-seed.

REQUIRED READING: Days before leaving, Dusty May sounded all-in at Michigan. Then, poof!

Dusty May statement

Here's May's full statement

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Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cavs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

The Cleveland Cavaliers drastically changed their core and their timeline when they traded James Harden for Darius Garland last February.

The move produced instant positive results. The Cavs went from being a lifeless offense that couldn’t generate much offensively with Garland either sidelined or not 100% due to his toe injury to one that was dynamic from beyond the arc and playing through their bigs inside.

That new and improved offense struggled in the postseason.

It took seven games to get past a young Toronto Raptors team that couldn’t generate much in the half-court. They also needed seven games to get past a good Detroit Pistons team before being run off the court by the eventual champion New York Knicks.

The Cavs had their most postseason success this past postseason thanks in part to Harden. He kept their offense mostly on schedule, stabilized the minutes without Donovan Mitchell, and kept the bigs involved. That said, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. The offense became too iso heavy, he struggled with turnovers, and was picked on defensively.

The Eastern Conference is shaping up to be better next season with the Miami Heat trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Indiana Pacers getting Tyrese Haliburton back, and teams like the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards expected to leap into the playoff conversation. This past postseason run might be the best it gets for this Cavs’ core.

Back in February, we asked the community to grade the trade, and you all gave it an A. With what we know now, does that grade change?

Let us know in the survey and comments below.

The New York Knicks won the NBA championship. But that doesn't mean Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon is apologizing for comments she made about New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson.

In 2023, during an "NBA Today" discussion on ESPN about the Knicks, Hammon shared a hot take about Brunson's ceiling. Hammon said New York didn't have "a dude" or true No. 1 superstar to win a championship. Analyst Kendrick Perkins pushed back, saying the Knicks had Brunson, but Hammon didn't agree.

The Aces coach argued the 6-foot-2 guard was "too small," citing John Stockton, Steve Nash and Allen Iverson. Hammon mentioned Stephen Curry as the lone exception to the rule.

“Jalen, all he did was prove history wrong, he proves he’s an outlier,” Hammon said, when asked about the comments by reporters from New York in for the Liberty game on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET, USA Network). “So you can put his name next to Steph Curry and Isiah Thomas, and I thought he played brilliantly, especially down the stretch.

“I mean, he was that 1A dude. But apologize, I’m never gonna apologize for having an opinion. That’s what ESPN pays me for.” 

With the Knicks championship celebration in the rearview, the team enters the 2026 offseason with lots of work to do.

Mainly, they need to figure out their free agency plan ahead of the NBA's negotiating window that opens on June 30 at 6:00 p.m. (teams can officially sign players on July 6 at 12:01 p.m.). Many of the role players on New York's 2025-26 title team will become free agents, including center Mitchell Robinson, and it will be a challenge for them to bring everyone back, as much as they'd like to.

SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley added some insight into their anticipated spending on Tuesday's episode of The Putback, saying the team is operating as if they'll be under the second apron (a cap that penalizes teams that overspend) for the 2026-27 season. That aligns with owner James Dolan's comments on WFAN on June 17, where he made it clear New York "cannot go into the second apron" next season.

"The Knicks are operating, planning right now as if they're going to stay below that second apron number in team salary. And that has a lot of implications," Begley said. 

"It's going to be really tough to bring Mitchell Robinson back, assuming he gets strong offers on the open market, which he will. I think he'd have to take a pay cut here to come back to New York. It's a lot of pieces moving around here for the Knicks and the front office."

Begley added that "the team is going to look drastically different" if they don't go into the second apron. To avoid crossing the salary line, they would be able to offer one veteran like Landry Shamet or Robinson about $5-6 million per season, but that would likely be it. 

In addition to Robinson and Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, Jeremy Sochan, Ariel Hukporti (restricted), Kevin McCullar Jr. (restricted) and Trey Jemison (restricted) are free agents. Bench favorite Jose Alvarado has a player option, while Miles McBride is eligible for an extension. Begley also reported Monday that New York and Mohamed Diawara are expected to agree to a multiyear deal to bring him back.

"The Knicks are operating, planning as if they're going to stay below the second apron...

It's going to be really tough to bring Mitchell Robinson back, assuming he gets strong offers on the open market - which he will.

I think he'd have to take a pay cut to come back to New… pic.twitter.com/S4rJUfzjBr

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) June 23, 2026

The Knicks are operating at the moment as if they will NOT go into the second apron, @IanBegley says

Ian provides more details on The Putback with @IanBegleypic.twitter.com/wuHD3RqNYM

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) June 23, 2026

On top of having cap space to make moves in free agency, the more likely outcome is that the Lakers will use that flexibility to get involved in a trade as a third team.

The big trade of the week, and likely of the offseason as a whole, saw Giannis Antetokounmpo moved from the Bucks to the Heat. As it stands, the deal is a two-team trade, but multiple teams are knocking on the door in Milwaukee trying to get involved.

That includes the Lakers, who appear to have interest in Kel’el Ware. The big man was part of the trade package Miami traded away to land Giannis. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Lakers have been linked to Ware in recent days.

Elsewhere, within league circles, there was palpable chatter about the Pistons hoping to get involved in the Antetokounmpo trade to land Herro, while dangling assets such as Isaiah Stewart, Ron Holland, Duncan Robinson, and draft compensation, league sources told HoopsHype. In addition, the Los Angeles Lakers were linked with trade interest in Kel’el Ware over the past couple of days, sources said.

Piggybacking off that, NBA reporter Jake Fischer said the Lakers have interest in Ware but the expectation is that Milwaukee will not be trading him.

Last season, Ware averaged 11.1 points and 9 rebounds in 22.1 minutes per contest. He shot 53% from the field and was able to stretch the floor, hitting 39.5% of his threes. He also had 137 dunks in 77 games, which is more than Jaxson Hayes or Deandre Ayton had last season for the Lakers, for context.

It’s clear to see, then, why the Lakers would target him. It’s also clear to see why the Bucks would want to keep him as well.

What this does show is that, perhaps, the Lakers are looking at young centers to acquire, which can help both solve a need the team has as well as preserve some of their cap space for other moves as well. It’s a smart strategy and approach…if they can pull it off.

The Bucks could be bluffing to try to hold out for more in a trade. Or they could genuinely be interested in keeping him. Either way, the Lakers should certainly test their reserve and continue looking for these types of opportunities across the league.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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Never underestimate the suddenness of an NBA offseason panic spiral. Just two years removed from lifting a Finals MVP trophy, Jaylen Brown is suddenly the most talked-about asset on the league's trading block.

Following bombshell reports from Shams Charania on The Pat McAfee Show and subsequent verification from Brian Windhorst indicating the Boston Celtics are actively listening to trade offers, Kalshi’s Jaylen Brown Next Team odds have gone into complete overdrive.

The sudden willingness to move Brown reportedly stems from the internal fallout after Boston failed to land Giannis Antetokounmpo. For savvy prediction market traders, this isn't just sports gossip—it’s a high-volume, hyper-volatile ecosystem where overnight narrative shifts translate directly into real-dollar percentage moves.

Traders are moving aggressively to separate genuine front-office interest from empty pre-draft smoke. Let's look at where the sharpest capital is flowing on the board right now.

Key takeaways

• The Fragile Favorite: "Stays with Boston or Retires" still leads the board at a declining 44% probability, leaving it highly vulnerable to any concrete pre-draft trade leaks.
• The Late-Stage Challenger: New Orleans has surged to a 9% implied probability on Kalshi following specific rumors involving an advanced package centered around Trey Murphy III.
• The Consensus Sleepers: Rebuilding and transitioning rosters like Portland (11%) and Houston (7%) represent the most consistent public narratives propping up the top of the board.

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Jaylen Brown Next Team Odds: Top Contenders

Liquidity has for this prediction market has crossed an impressive $1.22 million ($1,224,345 vol). This massive volume proves that traders are backing up their offseason theories with serious capital.

The long-term trend lines show a steady erosion of confidence in Boston keeping their star, with the 44% baseline for him staying put sitting at a summer low.

The Pacific Northwest is technically leading the pursuit on the board, with Portland sitting at 11¢. The Trail Blazers are routinely cited by league insiders like Marc Stein as a logical landing spot for teams navigating a rebuilding-to-contending transition.

But the real kinetic movement over the last 48 hours belongs to New Orleans. The Pelicans jumped up to a 9% implied probability, riding a wave of highly specific leaks regarding player-for-player swaps.

Meanwhile, traditional asset-heavy suitors like Houston (7%) and Atlanta (6%) remain firmly in the mix, waiting to see if Boston's asking price drops as the draft approaches.

Jaylen Brown Next Team Odds: Value Picks

Prediction markets aren't just about picking the eventual winner. The sharpest traders look for localized inefficiencies where the public crowd has either overreacted to a headline or completely underpriced a highly logical outcome.

New Orleans Pelicans | ‘Yes’ 9¢ | 9% Chance

When a market is moving this fast, you want to buy into specific structural smoke before it becomes an official fire. The latest insider chatter points to a very specific negotiation framework: Brown heading to the Pelicans in exchange for Trey Murphy III and a package of draft assets.

At just 9¢ on Kalshi, the broader market is still pricing this as a generic rumor rather than an advanced discussion. If a definitive trade structure leaks, this 9¢ contract will experience an immediate, violent upward spike.

Stays with Boston Celtics or Retires | ‘No’ 55¢ | 44% Chance

Fading a favorite is a classic strategy when an elite front office experiences major institutional disappointment. Missing out on the Giannis sweepstakes has clearly broken the status quo in Boston.

The fact that Brad Stevens is actively picking up the phone to field competitive offers means the organizational calculation has fundamentally changed. Because retirement chatter is nonexistent for a 29-year-old superstar in their absolute physical prime, paying 55¢ to bet that a motivated front office finds a deal offers an exceptional reward-to-risk ratio.

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Denver Nuggets | ‘Yes’ 2¢ | <1% Chance

Denver is a proven contender with explicit, reported interest in acquiring Brown’s perimeter defense. Speculation around a blockbuster swap involving Jamal Murray has quietly circulated among league analysts. While highly complex, an elite front office like Denver's wouldn't look into this without a strategic roadmap.

At 2¢, you are risking pennies for an absolute moonshot option if the Pacific or Southwest teams stall out.

Houston Rockets | ‘Yes’ 8¢ | 7% Chance

The Rockets have the young players, the salary matching, and the explicit desire to fast-track their rebuilding transition into a perennial Western Conference threat.

Houston has consistently remained in the top tier of rumored suitors over the past two weeks. The Kalshi market has only priced them at a modest 7% probability, which completely ignores their sheer volume of available draft capital. This represents an excellent entry point for traders who believe Boston will ultimately prioritize a haul of future draft picks over established veterans.

Expert context: Why The Jaylen Brown Next Team Odds Markets Are Shifting

The tectonic plates of the NBA landscape shifted the moment Boston's pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo evaporated. In professional basketball, an elite franchise experiencing a high-profile acquisition failure rarely sits on its hands.

The current volatility in the market reflects a classic correction where a previously untouchable asset is transformed into a premium liquid chip.

As analyst Richard Jefferson aptly noted amid the chaos, Brown should fundamentally view the caliber of franchises being floated in these trade circles as an immense compliment. This isn't a salary dump; it’s an elite superstar auction.

Because the NBA Draft is rapidly approaching, front offices are being forced to lay their absolute best assets on the table right now. This structural pressure creates a naturally hyper-reactive trading environment where a single broadcast quote from a major insider can cause a 10¢ price swing in minutes.

Strategic Considerations For Traders

• Treat insider streams like earnings calls: When Shams Charania breaks news live on digital platforms, Kalshi prices react within seconds. Traders who monitor live video feeds gain a massive execution advantage over those waiting for text notifications.
• The draft-day arbitrage strategy: Trade assets peak in value right before the draft order locks. If you hold low-priced 'Yes' contracts on teams like Portland or Houston, look to liquidate your positions during the peak pre-draft media hype to capture guaranteed returns.
• Fade the retail noise: Do not fall into the trap of buying into unverified fan trade packages involving teams like Dallas or Golden State, which sit at under 1% for a reason. Stick closely to names backed by elite insiders to insulate your trading capital from empty online hype.

How To Trade Jaylen Brown Odds On Kalshi

Navigating binary prediction markets offers a nimble, data-driven alternative to static sportsbooks, letting you trade directly on roster mechanics and media narratives.

• Account setup: Create and fund your Kalshi profile seamlessly via standard wire or bank transfer to ensure your trading capital is fully liquid ahead of breaking NBA news cycles.
• Navigate: Head over to the main basketball section, select the "Next NBA Team" category, and open the active Jaylen Brown market.
• Execute: Evaluate the board to determine if you want to buy cheap 'Yes' shares on an aggressive suitor or purchase 'No' contracts to fade a stale public consensus.
• Monitor: Track your portfolio's value in real-time as the news cycle updates, allowing you to sell your shares early to lock in profits or mitigate your downside risk.

Jaylen Brown Next Team Odds FAQs

How does Kalshi determine the winning outcome for this market?

The market officially resolves based on the specific NBA franchise Jaylen Brown is under contract with for their next active game appearance. Definitive official announcements from the NBA league office or verified team communications serve as the primary resolution sources.

Any speculative internet rumors or unexecuted verbal agreements are completely discounted until formal paperwork is submitted.

Can I trade my shares before an official trade happens?

Yes, Kalshi provides a fully fluid trading environment where you can freely buy and sell your positions at any point before the market resolves.

If an insider report causes a sudden price spike for a team you hold shares in, you can instantly liquidate for a profit. You are never permanently locked into a position until the final official contract resolution occurs.

What happens to the market if Jaylen Brown stays in Boston?

If the trade deadline passes or the front office formally retains them, the "Stays with Boston or Retires" contract resolves as the winner. All other team-specific contracts on the board will instantly drop to zero value, rendering those "Yes" shares completely worthless.

Traders holding 'No' shares on the field would subsequently collect their full payouts under this structural outcome.

Why did the market price for Boston drop so drastically?

The sharp drop was directly triggered by mainstream breaking reports confirming that Boston's front office is actively listening to aggressive trade inquiries.

Once elite insiders validated that the Celtics were open to moving their Finals MVP, traders rapidly devalued the probability of them staying. This created immediate upward mobility for high-profile suitors who possess the necessary assets to facilitate a blockbuster deal.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.