May 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Former San Antonio Spurs player Manu Ginobili looks on during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Since the NBA Finals, the sports world has been buzzing around the World Cup. The matches are taking place around the United States and all the world is watching. Recently, Manu Ginobili was recognized and projected on the big screen during the Argentina vs. Austria game in Dallas.
Manu Ginóbili fue ver el Argentina-Austria en Dallas y fue OVACIONADO de pie por el estadio.
Additionally, Victor Wembanyama was recognized (and impossible to miss) as he arrived at a music festival in France.
La Fete de La Musique is the annual French celebration of the summer solstice. The festival features free outdoor concerts with a national spotlight on jazz at the Palais-Royal in Paris.
Wemby received a hero’s welcome including chants of MVP.
As the 2026 NBA Draft looms, the players are enjoying some well deserved rest and relaxation. For Manu, some time with his family enjoying his country’s participation in a competition that is bringing together many cultures. For Wemby, a music festival.
Check back for updates as other Spurs summer sightings are discovered.
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BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 26: Detailed view of the NBA New Era draft hats during the 2025 NBA Draft - Round Two on June 26, 2025 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With the NBA Draft tipping off on Tuesday and rumors percolating regarding what Trajan Langdon’s next move will be for the Detroit Pistons, I’m here to offer 21 thoughts — draft- and overall offseason-focused — leading us up to the 21st pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
21. Are the Pistons even picking in this spot?
It looks like, sounds like, feels like the Pistons have their eyes on some guys in this range (Maleek Thomas, Ebuka Okorie, Allen Graves) and some guys rated higher (Cameron Carr, Yaxel Lendeborg), which has kept me from fully buying that they’ll pick at No. 21
20. I like Yax and Graves most, I think.
The idea of acquiring a cheap stretch four in the draft rather than paying the premium for a good in the league now seems like a possible angle for Detroit. If they’re bringing back Tobias Harris (I think they eventually do), having an heir-apparent for the soon-to-be 34-year-old makes a lot of sense. Yax is my favorite. Please, Trajan, get Yax. Please.
19. Cameron Carr is veryyyyy interesting.
I really love watching Carr play. He’s got a very smooth offensive game, and his jumper looks like it’ll translate nicely to the NBA. I don’t love that he’s a late bloomer, but, oddly, my two favorite prospects for the Pistons (Carr + Yax) both fit the bill in that regard.
18. Okorie is cool, but he’s also an odd fit.
It’s always tough to gauge a high-usage player on a bad college team. Okorie did a lot this season for Stanford and really went from off the NBA radar to firmly a first-rounder in his lone season with the Cardinal. I dunno how well he fits with Cade and Daniss Jenkins, but he checks all the boxes as a bucket-getter who can create offense.
17. Graves is my mystery box.
For the football folks, Graves feels like maligned Texas Tech QB Brennan Sorsby. Both had a chance to go from middling situations to big-time programs via the transfer portal and (likely) would have thrived in those bigger roles that would have boosted their draft stock.
Graves is probably picked between 15 and 25 on Tuesday. If he went to LSU or Kentucky and kicked ass, I wonder if this could be like getting a 2027 lottery talent a year early?
16. I don’t hate the Tyler Herro rumors.
By the time this goes live, the Giannis soap opera may be done. Tyler Herro may be in Detroit with the Pistons. Or not. Either way, I think if the price is right, Herro goes a long way toward curing the secondary shooting/scoring concerns. It does, in my mind, increase the importance of a stretch four who can defend… and those guys do not grow on trees.
15. Can they just get more shooting on the margins in free agency?
Two of the greatest 3-point seasons in team history have been trades/signings Langdon has made on the margins — Malik Beasley two years ago and Duncan Robinson last year. I have no idea if he can make the big-time moves yet, but he has shown us he can identify the under-the-radar shooters from a pro personnel standpoint.
14. One sleeper-ish guy I like Wednesday: Richie Saunders.
OR they could do this. Saunders is the other guy for BYU with Dybantsa and would be a nice bench add. I know they just drafted Chaz Lanier, but I’d take another stab at finding your AJ Green/Sam Merrill with Saunders, who is older at 24 and coming off a knee injury, but shoots an effortless 3-ball and battles on the boards.
13. I don’t think Isaiah Stewart is here next season.
Love the guy. I’ve stan’d Stew since COVID. He’s the most superfluous piece they have from a roster/salary perspective, and you need to trade good players to get good players. It would hurt to deal him away, but it might be a necessary evil to push this team forward.
12. How high would Ron Holland rank in this draft?
Holland was a raw piece of clay with big upside, coming off a very meh season with G League Ignite when he was drafted in 2024. If you did a re-draft today, I think he’s probably the 11th or 12th best player from that draft. He’s probably around the 20th best prospect in this draft. Both he and the 21st pick have been floated in these trade rumors, and that feels like his value with the flaws he’s shown + two years left on his rookie deal.
11. I’m expecting Isaac Bonga to be the new high-energy wing off the bench.
The 2018 second-rounder has been quietly mentioned in connection with the Pistons in recent years. His buyout with Partizan in the Adriatic League probably prevented him from coming, but he’s free to sign in the NBA now. I’d imagine he’ll be better now than he was 8 years ago after winning Best Defensive Player of EuroBasket 2025 and EuroBasket Finals MVP, averaging 10 points and 5 rebounds last season. He has consistently shot ~40% from three in Europe. Woo replacement, maybe? ̄\_(ツ)_/ ̄
10. Cam Boozer is my favorite prospect.
I think AJ Dybantsa might be the next Paul George, but all Boozer needs to be a do-everything star is to improve his shot off the dribble. I’ve learned not to put too much weight into size or athleticism when the skills are elite.
He’s got the best tools in this draft.
9. I’m still dreaming on Trey Murphy.
It sounds like the ex-Pistons Execs in New Orleans are driving a hard bargain for the big shooter, but I still love that fit here so much. I get the concern with paying an exorbitant, Mikal Bridges-esque price for a guy who has never made an All-Star team, but I think Murphy could take a big leap with Cade Cunningham setting the table and Jalen Duren occupying the paint. It would be perfect, which is why it will clearly never happen.
8. The Pistons wouldn’t have beaten the Knicks if they made the ECF.
This is old news, but I still see people talk about it. Stop. Get some help. They weren’t stopping the Team of Destiny from finishing off a dominant championship run.
7. Manifesting Jalen Duren getting $30 million per year.
He’s getting paid, just not what he could have made. I hope it falls closer to $30 million than $40 million. I would be lying if I hadn’t thought deeply about the idea that Duren may not be the right guy at center — not because he isn’t good; he is very good — but because we haven’t seen a team win a title without a center-adjacent guy who hits 3s consistently in over a decade.
6. He’s no All-Star, but if Memphis drafts Cam Boozer, I’d call about Santi Aldama.
Speaking of bigs who can shoot. If they don’t go this route tonight, this could be the optimal stretch five option. Aldama is more of a power forward, but at 7-feet he offers legit shooting and is a nice table setter, topping seven assists three times this season. I think you can play him with Duren or in lineups without him, it’d be a great add.
5. I think Giannis ends up in Boston.
I know the Miami option is the best for the Pistons, but I can’t see the Bucks taking the mystery platter from Miami over Jaylen Brown. I also think teams are going to try to be middling to good over horrible because of the lottery reform. If Brown works, the Bucks will be good. If not, they won’t be terrible and, in turn, will have decent lottery odds.
4. I don’t know if Jaylen Brown, The Guy, is going to work so well outside Boston.
I think Brown was awesome this year, and he carried the Celtics to a surprising season. I also am not sure, outside the confines of the Celtics eco-system, if he would have the same success as your No. 1 guy. That team was built so perfectly for the system, and Brown worked so well within it. I’ll be curious to see how that plays out if he does get dealt.
3. I probably wouldn’t trade any picks past 2029, either.
Langdon said in his press conference last week that he didn’t think teams, including his, would deal picks after 2029. That’s because it marks the first year of maybe another new lottery reform, as the current 3-2-1 model is only being tested for the next three years.
It begs the question: how much will teams get for players in deals, and will we see more players traded since teams can’t mortgage five years of picks + swaps when the future is a complete unknown?
2. Maybe moving up and acquiring a cheap, rookie piece is the fallback?
If the Giannis trade goes down with just Milwaukee and one of Miami or Boston, I think the Pistons’ focus shifts to moving up into the top 10 of the draft. It makes sense as they prep to extend Ausar Thompson and re-sign Duren. If you can package pieces to move up in the draft for, surprise, someone like Yax, you could solve some issues without adding a big salary, thus, leaving room for other moves via trades or free agency.
1. Free agency will be secondary for Detroit this summer.
The Pistons will make some tangible moves this summer, but I don’t see any of them coming in free agency outside of re-signing Jalen Duren. I’ve seen them mentioned with Austin Reaves… I don’t see that happening. Fans have clamored for CJ McCollum; he’s headed back to Atlanta. Rui Hachimura? Sure, I guess?
There will be marginal moves to accentuate the remaining holes — maybe a cheap stretch four if they go guard in draft, or vice versa if they go big — but I’m pretty confident trades and the draft are where they’ll be focused.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 25: Cooper Flagg (R) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted first overall by the Dallas Mavericks during the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today’s going to be a fun, weird day. We’ll have plenty of content, but I wanted to give you all a place to have all the draft day conversations. So here we are.
There’s bound to be a ton of rumors and chatter, so please, comment and share away. Use The Feed for anything huge please.
My guess, as of this writing on Monday night, is that the Mavericks will keep their pick at nine and select whoever falls to them. The 30th pick is a different deal entirely, and I hope the front office finds a means to get creative to trade up. Someone good will be there at 30, but there are a lot of guys I expect to go 20-25 and I’ll be a smidge grumpy if they get picked.
While we’re here, I wanted to tell you about a new game from Splash Sports you can play prior to the draft. It’s a NBA Draft Predictor and has cash prizes. If you sign up and use the code MAVS you’ll get $20 in QuickPicks vouchers plus a 100% boost on Splash’s DFS game. This site has a ton going on, including an NFL survival pool that’s going to be big, $21 million! Back to our scheduled programming…
For now, I’m hoping one of the guards falls to us. I need it. We need it. If Mikel Brown falls, I promise I won’t ask anything of the basketball gods for at least a year. Man I love the Draft. If you want to revisit any of our old takes or posts, here’s the link. I am partial to all the Draft profiles of individual players. That’s some of the work where I learn the most as an editor.
Everyone, have fun and find me on Twitter or email if you need anything.
With just a few hours left until the 2026 NBA Draft, fans will soon know exactly where each prospect will begin their professional careers.
Following the NBA draft combine and weeks of pre-draft workouts, front offices will finalize their decisions this evening. After extensive conversations with folks around the league, we have more intel on when each prospect might hear their name called during draft nights at Barclays Center for the first round on June 23 and and the second on June 24.
Our mock draft includes data from CBB Analytics. We also spoke with P3, a sports science and athletic training company that uses biomechanical data and movement profiling to evaluate players and project NBA outcomes, to better understand how certain prospects translate physically to the next level.
While news of two big trades broke late night on Monday, June 22 – one involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and the other involving Julius Randle – neither can be executed until July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET, which is the start of the new league year. So, those 2026 picks remain with their current teams in our mock draft, although those teams will be selecting players on behalf of their trade partners.
Following our own conversations as well as other trusted reporting, here are our latest predictions.
Note: All heights and wingspans (as well as the distance between the two) are listed to the nearest inch and players were measured without shoes.
The Wizards have narrowed their choices down to two players: AJ Dybansta and Darryn Peterson, both of whom have already reportedly conducted workouts for Washington.
"I'm super confident in myself being the No. 1 pick. But you never know. There's been crazy stuff that happens on draft night," Dybantsa told USA TODAY Sports.
While he is prepared for various scenarios, especially after Washington re-signed Trae Young to a long-term contract extension, the Wizards remain far and away the most likely outcome. He would be a fascinating fit next to Young and Anthony Davis, who could help him play alongside veteran talent early in his career.
While we had Duke forward Cameron Boozer mocked to the Utah Jazz in every mock draft we published for more than a month, all of the intel suggests the Jazz plan to select Darryn Peterson to join Keyonte George in their young backcourt.
According to The Athletic's Tony Jones, the Jazz were "genuinely torn" about who to select once on the clock, and Boozer remained "firmly in the mix" at No. 2 overall. However, though he was no longer perceived as the near-certain No. 1 overall pick he once was due to relative inconsistency and injury issues, many scouts and evaluators still feel that Peterson is the most talented player in this class.
It is incredibly rare to find a prospect who is able to score as efficiently as Peterson did while holding a usage rate as high as his was this season. Even though he did not have an official workout with the Jazz, he confirmed that he did meet with the organization over the weekend before the draft.
Any front office that values versatility and advanced metrics could very likely have Duke freshman Cameron Boozer at No. 1 overall on their big board considering he had one of the most statistically impressive freshman campaigns we have ever seen.
Those are two defining traits the Grizzlies have valued while drafting, and their franchise will enter a new chapter of their organization with this pick.
As the national collegiate player of the year, he wasn’t a human highlight reel. But he performed better than expected during athletic testing at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. He offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set, and he can bring a culture of winning back to the Grizzlies after multiple championships in high school and playing on an elite Duke team that made it to the Sweet 16.
Bryson Graham, who was recently hired as the new executive vice president of basketball operations for the Bulls, has a simple task: Select whichever of the four top players is still available.
North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson is not just a consolation prize. He is a perfect fit for what Graham wants to build in Chicago, as he values size, length, athleticism, and physicality. Wilson did more than enough to earn this placement before his thumb injury.
According to Bart Torvik, before the injury, the All-ACC big man led the nation with 67 dunks recorded and was one of the best vertical athletes who tested at the combine in Chicago. He was also the only player under 20 years old to reach specific thresholds for both block, steal and defensive rebound percentage.
“I feel like I’m a game changer," Wilson told USA TODAY Sports. "Whatever needs to be done to win, that’s what you’re going to get from me.”
He added that he doesn't just see himself as a traditional post player, showing pride in his ability to make reads in the open court and create for others as well.
The Clippers received this pick from the Indiana Pacers as part of a package involving Ivica Zubac, and while there is wide speculation they could trade this pick, they are closely linked with several guards in this range. As such, whether it's their front office or another on the clock at No. 5 overall, look for any team on the clock to potentially call on Illinois standout Keaton Wagler.
“I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder,” Wagler told USA TODAY Sports. “Just trying to go out each game and prove myself and do whatever it takes to win.”
Wagler reportedly "emerged as the more impressive prospect" during a recent head-to-head workout for the Clippers against another lottery-caliber guard, per Jake Fischer. He explained why he canceled his workout with the Brooklyn Nets, on the clock next at No. 6 overall, following the visit.
The 19-year-old guard played a crucial role in helping the Fighting Illini reach the Final Four. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, and he is a cerebral basketball player who is a good rebounder and playmaker as well.
6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr.
DRAFT AGE: 20
TEAM: Louisville
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Florida
HEIGHT: 6-4
WINGSPAN: 6-8 (+4)
During this rebuilding chapter, the Nets would love to add a player like talented Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr., even though they drafted three point guards last season.
He said he met with the Nets three times during the pre-draft process and completed a second workout for Brooklyn, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because they were unauthorized to speak publicly on the matter.
Brown's draft stock has improved during the pre-draft process as he has shown teams a clean bill of health. “I got cleared by the medical staff from the league at the Combine, so we’re all green,” Brown Jr. told USA TODAY Sports. “I feel like myself again.”
The All-ACC guard has deep shooting range and was averaging 29.2 points per game over his last five appearances, including a 45-point outing against NC State, before his injury on Feb. 28 forced him to miss March Madness.
The Kings need a potential star, and it is widely speculated that their front office is targeting Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. in this class.
En route to the Sweet 16, despite significant defensive deficiencies, the SEC Player of the Year proved he is one of the most enticing offensive prospects in recent memory. Acuff Jr. led the nation for points created either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. The speedy guard led freshmen for field goals made in transition and field goals made from both the left and right side of the court. He was among the freshmen leaders in alley-oop assists as well.
P3’s evaluators highlighted his “really impressive start-stop tools” and ability to generate separation in multiple directions, key traits for a high-usage guard translating to the NBA.
It is also worth noting Kings executive Scott Perry coached Acuff's father in college, and one would expect there are few scenarios where he falls below this pick. If his name is called earlier, though, Kingston Flemings could also make sense here.
8. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans): Kingston Flemings
TEAM: Houston
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Texas
HEIGHT: 6-3
WINGSPAN: 6-4 (+1)
DRAFT AGE: 19
With the pick the Hawks received from New Orleans, Atlanta is expected to pick a big or a guard, and one potential target is Houston freshman Kingston Flemings.
"He can pretty much do it all. He can defend, he can shoot, and his playmaking is really underrated. And he’s a high-IQ, high-character guy," Chris Cenac Jr., his teammate at Houston, told USA TODAY Sports. "Any organization that gets him is going to get a great player and a great person."
Flemings' smaller wingspan did him no favors at the combine but he measured with a 40.5-inch max vertical and elite speed across all his agility testing, projecting as one of the fastest guard prospects since De'Aaron Fox. He helped lead Houston to the Sweet 16, and with highs as high as his were this season, it is difficult to imagine he will be available past the Hawks on draft night.
9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries
TEAM: Arizona
POSITION: Guard
BORN: California
HEIGHT: 6-4
WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+2)
DRAFT AGE: 20
After hiring Masai Ujiri as president of basketball operations and Mike Schmitz as general manager, the Dallas Mavericks can add a lottery talent to grow alongside Cooper Flagg. One name to consider is Arizona freshman Brayden Burries, who is consistently linked to the organization.
Burries had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. He was then an exciting prospect to watch during the Big Dance, making it all the way to the Final Four, where he played against new Mavericks head coach Dusty May.
Overall, the All-Big 12 guard displayed his tantalizing talent, and he has proven productivity. Burries is able to defend, relocate, move the ball, and make 3-pointers off the dribble. Our intel suggests he is in consideration as high as No. 5 overall as he impressed several decision makers, including Clippers head coach Ty Lue, during the pre-draft process.
While it is unclear which (and how many) picks the Milwaukee Bucks will actually have in the 2026 NBA Draft due to ongoing trade rumors involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, this is a fair range for Tennessee freshman Nate Ament.
The All-SEC forward averaged 21.6 points per game, while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers, during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. It will only take one team to fall in love with Ament, and that team is likely picking this forward, with a standing reach exceeding 9-foot-1, in the lottery.
It is worth noting that Bucks executive Jon Horst and head coach Taylor Jenkins reportedly recently traveled to meet with Ament during the pre-draft process, per Jake Fischer. Jimmy Haslam, a co-governor for the Bucks, recently took a larger role with Milwaukee's ownership group and also made the largest donation to the University of Tennessee in school history.
11. Golden State Warriors: Karim López
TEAM: New Zealand (International)
POSITION: Forward
BORN: Mexico
HEIGHT: 6-8
WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+3)
DRAFT AGE: 19
Karim López had a low usage rate and played fewer minutes than other players in this range while playing against pros, but was still very productive for the NBL Next Stars program in Australia. According to The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, his "range" starts at this pick to Golden State.
The Mexican-born forward is physically gifted, athletic, and universally seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30 earlier this year. According to someone with knowledge of the situation who did not have authority to speak publicly on the matter, Warriors executive Mike Dunleavy attended that game.
Despite his age, he played a huge role for his team defensively for a team that won the NBL Ignite Cup. López measured well, weighing just shy of 222 pounds and with a 38-inch max vertical. Our intel suggests he is also a serious consideration for the Bulls at No. 15 overall and is unlikely to fall past the San Antonio Spurs at No. 20 overall.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Aday Mara
TEAM: Michigan
POSITION: Big
BORN: Spain
HEIGHT: 7-3
WINGSPAN: 7-6 (+3)
DRAFT AGE: 21
Oklahoma City tends to like low-usage big men, like Aday Mara, with high assist percentages as well as high block and steal percentages.
While leading his team to the NCAA championship, Mara became one of the prospects who helped himself the most during March Madness. The 7-foot-3 big man, who transferred from UCLA, is a fantastic rim protector. Opponents rarely attempted field goals at the rim when the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was on the court, per CBB Analytics.
He could potentially hear his name called even higher than this, too, as teams look for large players like Mara (who measured with a 9-foot-9 standing reach) as front offices value bigger bodies to throw at Victor Wembanyama. The Thunder are expected to consider Mara's teammate, Morez Johnson Jr., as well.
German big man Hannes Steinbach, who will get looks starting as early as around No. 10 overall, should get some serious interest from teams around this range, including the Bucks.
The center reportedly turned down NIL opportunities “worth up to $10 million” rather than return to college. While his Washington team missed the tournament, the All-Big Ten center is an instinctive rebounder with great hands, including an absurd 24 rebounds against USC on March 4. Additionally, Steinbach was one of the more prolific pick-and-roll finishers in college basketball. He impressed during the FIBA U19 World Cup, too, and scouts love that he is a smart basketball player who can make great reads.
14. Charlotte Hornets: Morez Johnson Jr.
TEAM: Michigan
POSITION: Big
BORN: Illinois
HEIGHT: 6-9
WINGSPAN: 7-4 (+7)
DRAFT AGE: 20
Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best two-way players in the NCAA. He was a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois; he can bring that same mentality to the Hornets, who are searching for a new big man.
He should have interest as high as No. 9 overall, where he could reunite with his former coach Duty May on the Mavericks.
Johnson's shooting form at the free-throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a very trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should carve out minutes at the next level. Johnson was a big winner during measurements at the combine, recording a 39-inch max vertical and testing with elite agility for his position.
15. Chicago Bulls (via Trail Blazers): Cameron Carr
DRAFT AGE: 21
TEAM: Baylor
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Minnesota
HEIGHT: 6-5
WINGSPAN: 7-1 (+8)
The Chicago Bulls received this additional pick because the Portland Trail Blazers advanced past the play-in tournament, and the player who improved his draft stock the most during the combine was Baylor junior Cameron Carr.
He scored 30 points in a five-on-five scrimmage, recorded a 42.5-inch max vertical and had great physical measurements. This should grab the attention of teams that tend to like athletic prospects, which new Bulls executive Bryson Graham indicated.
According to P3’s internal models, Carr grades as a 95th-percentile athlete with a rare “hyper flexor” force-production profile, a combination evaluators described as “double unique” for pairing elite explosiveness with unusually fluid movement mechanics.
The All-Big 12 wing brings shooting touch in addition to his athleticism and, per Bart Torvik, he was the only player to make at least 40 field goals that were dunks and more than 60 field goals that were 3-pointers this season.
Despite his age and the ankle injury, he will intrigue teams like the Grizzlies, who have another first-round pick thanks to the Desmond Bane trade. The Grizzlies have shown a willingness to pick older, more experienced players in the past.
A few years ago, research indicated that the Memphis front office tends to value a few statistical similarities in their draftees: Efficient shot selection, added value beyond scoring and defensive playmaking. For the second year in a row, the Big Ten Player of the Year was an impactful dribble-pass-shoot forward who met many of the qualifications that led Memphis to find players who spent many years on their roster.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers): Chris Cenac Jr.
DRAFT AGE: 19
TEAM: Houston
POSITION: Big
BORN: Louisiana
HEIGHT: 6-10
WINGSPAN: 7-5 (+7)
Regardless of whether or not the Thunder trade this pick, one name to consider is Chris Cenac Jr., whose range begins around No. 14 overall.
Cenac played into his role and caught fire at the perfect time. In his first NCAA tournament game, the big man recorded a season-high 18 rebounds while also knocking down a 3-pointer and grabbing a steal.
“I got to earn my minutes. I got to do the little things … defending, rebounding, spacing the floor,” Cenac told USA TODAY Sports. "Whatever team takes me… they’re getting a winning player that loves winning and is going to buy into whatever to help that team win."
Cenac also impressed at the NBA Combine, posting a 37-inch max vertical and strong agility numbers for his size.
P3 places Cenac within its “bigs plus” model, a rare archetype combining traditional size with wing-like mobility. Evaluators pointed to his “unique tools” and described him as a potential “matchup nightmare” due to his movement profile and physical traits, which suggest his significant untapped upside.
18. Charlotte Hornets (via Magic): Christian Anderson
DRAFT AGE: 20
TEAM: Texas Tech
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Georgia
HEIGHT: 6-1
WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+5)
The Hornets could find a fairly compelling player in Texas Tech sophomore Christian Anderson, who is a potentially perfect fit and received a green room invitation to attend the 2026 NBA Draft.
After moving from the two-guard to point guard, the All-Big 12 Most Improved Player recorded more than twice as many assists per 100 possessions as a sophomore compared to when he was a freshman. Anderson managed to do that while also scoring well on spot-up possessions and handoffs. Even though he is a bit undersized, there are few better offensive creators in this class than Anderson.
After transferring from Division II to a mid-major and then to a high-major program, he is at the top of the class in creating his own shot off the dribble in isolation or the pick-and-roll. The All-Big Ten guard can also finish plays from dribble handoffs. His play during March Madness, which included 24 points against Illinois and 20 points against Nebraska, earned him a spot in the Elite Eight. The Raptors play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who did the same at Iowa.
20. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Tarris Reed Jr.
DRAFT AGE: 22
TEAM: Connecticut
POSITION: Big
BORN: Missouri
HEIGHT: 6-10
WINGSPAN: 7-4 (+7)
UConn senior Tarris Reed Jr. helped himself quite a bit during the NCAA tournament en route to an appearance in the national championship game. He recorded four double-doubles during March Madness, notching 31 points and 27 rebounds against Furman. Reed also had 26 points with 9 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals during a win over Duke.
There is plenty of interest in Reed from teams starting at No. 16 overall, based on our intel, and he is unlikely still available by No. 29 overall. After receiving consistently positive feedback during the pre-draft process, the Spurs could make a lot of sense for the big man.
During the combine, he did the dirty work, recording 5 rebounds with 1 steal and 1 block in his first game and then scored 17 points (7-of-9 FG) with 5 rebounds and 2 blocks in the second. Reed also tested with elite agility for his position. Expect him to come into the league and find a role sooner, especially considering his paint dominance, rather than later.
21. Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves): Dailyn Swain
TEAM: Texas
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Ohio
HEIGHT: 6-7
WINGSPAN: 6-10 (+4)
DRAFT AGE: 20
After transferring from Xavier to Texas during the offseason and helping lead the Longhorns to the Sweet 16, Dailyn Swain emerged as one of the more intriguing breakout players in college basketball.
The All-SEC forward is versatile and contributed across the board on both ends, scoring efficiently in the paint and in transition. Another appealing element is his effectiveness in isolation, where he can create for himself against defenders. Swain is quick, bouncy and a solid rebounder, and his 81.5% free-throw percentage suggests promising shooting touch. While he has three years of college experience, he’s still just 20 years old, the same age as several NCAA freshmen.
P3 categorizes Swain as a “kinematic mover,” a fluid, efficiency-driven archetype that allows players to “get wherever they want on the court” and has produced the highest density of NBA All-Stars in its data.
Expect the Pistons to have serious interest in Swain, based on multiple people who spoke to USA TODAY Sports, though Detroit will also strongly consider shooters like Christian Anderson and Isaiah Evans if they are available.
22. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets): Labaron Philon Jr.
TEAM: Alabama
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Alabama
HEIGHT: 6-3
WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+4)
DRAFT AGE: 20
The Philadelphia 76ers have a new front office led by president of basketball operations Mike Gansey and vice president of basketball operations Jameer Nelson. One name they may have their eyes on with the first-round pick they acquired after trading Jared McCain is Labaron Philon Jr. from Alabama.
Even though the All-SEC guard was not playing at 100 percent during March Madness due to injury issues, he played well in the tournament, recording 35 points during a loss against Michigan. He also notched 29 points in his first-round game and 12 assists in his second. The guard averaged 22.0 points per game this season, and he improved his 3-point shooting from 31.5 percent as a freshman to 39.9 percent as a sophomore, while also managing 5.0 assists per game in the process.
23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Ebuka Okorie
TEAM: Stanford
POSITION: Guard
BORN: New Hampshire
HEIGHT: 6-1
WINGSPAN: 6-8 (+7)
DRAFT AGE: 19
When the Hawks are on the clock, expect them to consider a player like Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization.
The first-team All-ACC guard was a day-one starter in the NCAA who is potentially capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the 76ers. He averaged 23.2 points per game, recording 40 points against conference rival Virginia Tech and seven other games with at least 30 points. Okorie has earned serious first-round buzz and should intrigue teams in this range, who may like the high assist-to-turnover ratio he recorded (2.3) last season.
24. New York Knicks: Allen Graves
TEAM: Santa Clara
POSITION: Forward
BORN: Louisiana
HEIGHT: 6-8
WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+4)
DRAFT AGE: 20
The Knicks have prioritized scrappy, high-motor players capable of winning the possession battle through rebounds and turnovers like Santa Clara freshman Allen Graves. That's an area where Graves stands out among the best in this class and is likely one of the reasons he chose to turn pro rather than return to college.
The WCC Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year turned heads after posting 30 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals on Feb. 7 against Washington State.
The only players under 21 with a higher box plus-minus, per Bart Torvik, were Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. All teams that prioritize analytical modeling in the pre-draft process will have this prospect ranked highly, which is why he is often linked even higher than this to teams like the Spurs.
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Koa Peat
TEAM: Arizona
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Arizona
HEIGHT: 6-7
WINGSPAN: 6-11 (+4)
DRAFT AGE: 19
Arizona forward Koa Peat is potentially an appealing option for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is naturally bouncy and athletic with a strong frame and a near 7-foot wingspan. Peat is also a solid rebounder and passer for his position and the Lakers likely have serious interest in him due to his size and physicality.
The All-Big 12 forward will need to improve his jumper to carve out consistent, high-impact minutes at the next level. But he’s still worth first-round consideration based on his body of work so far. Peat arguably had the most interesting decisions to make when it was finally his turn to announce if he would stay in college or turn pro.
26. Denver Nuggets: Meleek Thomas
TEAM: Arkansas
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Pennsylvania
HEIGHT: 6-3
WINGSPAN: 6-7 (+4)
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Denver Nuggets tend to look for players with a strong assist-to-usage ratio because they rely on high-efficiency passing and off-ball movement. Arkansas freshman Meleek Thomas averaged 16.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 43.2 percent on 3-pointers during his 21 games as a starter last season.
He was efficient using off-ball screens and handoffs and occasionally showed some on-ball flashes as a pick-and-roll ball handler as well. He led the SEC in corner 3-pointers made (32) last season, per CBB Analytics, and his plus-four wingspan gives him solid length as a young guard who is still improving on both sides of the court. Thomas answered one of the biggest questions in college basketball when he decided to turn pro rather than return to the NCAA.
27. Boston Celtics: Isaiah Evans
TEAM: Duke
POSITION: Wing
BORN: North Carolina
HEIGHT: 6-6
WINGSPAN: 6-9 (+3)
DRAFT AGE: 20
Boston tends to favor players with a high effective field goal percentage, low turnover percentage and low usage rate. They also like players who make quick decisions on catch-and-shoot opportunities and on corner 3-pointers.
Duke sophomore Isaiah Evans scored 218 points when shooting off the catch, per Synergy, which ranked third-best among ACC players last season. He also matched 30 corner 3-pointers, according to CBB Analytics, which trailed the top-ranked high-major player (34) by just four field goals made. Expect the Celtics to potentially have Evans higher on their big board than other teams might. UConn's Alex Karaban, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization, also fits the bill.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons): Jack Kayil
TEAM: International (Alba)
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Germany
HEIGHT: 6-4
WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+2)
DRAFT AGE: 20
Much like with the Heat at No. 13, the Timberwolves will be making this selection on behalf of the the Brooklyn Nets, who acquired the pick and Julius Randle from the Minnesota. The Nets, in turn, are sending the No. 33 pick (third pick of the second round) to the Timberwolves.
One player the Nets may have their eyes on is Jack Kayil, who surprisingly decided to stay in the draft as an international candidate after initially committing to play for Gonzaga next season. He was likely confident in the feedback that he received during the pre-draft process if he chose to not play collegiate basketball.
Kayil was named the Basketball Champions League Best Young Player in Europe after averaging 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per 36 minutes across 65 appearances this season.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Henri Veesaar
TEAM: North Carolina
POSITION: Forward
BORN: Estonia
HEIGHT: 6-11
WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+3)
DRAFT AGE: 22
We have seen a remarkable improvement from Henri Veesaar after transferring from Arizona to North Carolina. The 7-foot big man from Estonia has an excellent shot diet on offense. The All-ACC big man is scoring efficiently at the rim (especially when cutting or rolling) and on 3-pointers, while also holding his own as a rebounder and passer. Any team looking for a big man who can provide NBA minutes will have him high on their priority list. He presumably felt comfortable with his draft range, considering he was reportedly offered "at least $6 million" in the transfer portal, per CBS Sports.
Jayden Quaintance recorded just one start during his sophomore campaign as he recovered from a torn ACL, meniscus and fractured knee. Evaluators are "consistently expressing concern around his medicals" about the big man, per ESPN's Jeremy Woo.
The big man is still one of the youngest players in this class, though, and he showed elite flashes during his time at Arizona State and Kentucky. When healthy, he is arguably the most talented defender in this draft class is still a worthy gamble. During his freshman year when he was just 17 years old, per CBB Analytics, he led all D-I players in blocks per 40 minutes (0.7) on 3-pointers, regularly swatting shots on the perimeter.
While his draft stock is not what it once was due to health concerns, his youth and frame give him an opportunity to become a special player in the NBA.
SECOND ROUND
31. New York Knicks (via WAS): Zuby Ejiofor (St. John's)
32. Memphis Grizzlies (via IND): Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State)
33. Brooklyn Nets: Sergio De Larrea (Valencia — International))
34. Sacramento Kings: Trevon Brazile (Arkansas)
35. San Antonio Spurs (via UTA): Alex Karaban (UConn)
Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the move, but not to the Boston Celtics. After what was essentially a full month of rumors and endless speculation about Antetokounmpo’s future, culminating with Boston being framed as a frontrunner, it’s the Miami Heat that emerge in the final tug of war for the two-time MVP’s services.
ESPN reported that the Bucks settled on Miami’s package headlined by Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jacquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and three first-round picks, while sending out Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. The network also reported that Boston’s final offer was Jaylen Brown and two first-round picks.
The big question in the aftermath of what became a very public pursuit of Antetokounmpo is what it all means for Brown’s future in Boston. While trade rumors involving Brown have swirled repeatedly in past seasons, especially when superstars like Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard became available, it never felt like they advanced to a place where the relationship might have been in jeopardy.
Can the Celtics mend fences again this time around? Did their pursuit of Antetokounmpo suggest an unwillingness to pay Brown the big-money extension he could soon be seeking? And what does Brown desire for his own future?
Boston’s presence in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes certainly forced Miami to mortgage its own future, with the Heat sending out just about every future asset it had in order to pair the former MVP with Bam Adebayo. But now the Celtics must determine if it’s still possible to move forward with its own superstar tandem of Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Will this be another storyline in the wild journey of the Jays?
Brad Stevens, who had pledged to be aggressive in pursuit of roster upgrades this offseason in the aftermath of Boston’s disappointing first-round exit against the Philadelphia 76ers, did stress in that moment how good the Celtics have been when they’ve had a healthy Tatum and Brown.
“I don’t take for granted how good we’ve been when we’ve been full,” Stevens said at his end-of-the-season press conference. “When we’ve been full, and all on the court and playing together, we’ve been a good basketball team.”
Brown put up an MVP-caliber season while Tatum rehabbed from Achilles surgery. Is Brown willing to slide back into a 1A/1B type relationship with a healthier Tatum. The duo has been to two NBA finals and captured the elusive Banner 18 in 2024.
Even if the Celtics can smooth things over with Brown and move forward with the Jays, it’s hard to see an obvious pathway to overhauling the core around that duo. The Celtics have access to some roster-building assets this offseason in the midlevel exception and a bulky traded player exception from the Anfernee Simons trade, but must also navigate a potential desire to stay below the luxury tax again this season.
Doing such would reset pesky repeater penalties and allow the Celtics to spend more freely next summer.
Could the Celtics explore other moves involving Brown? It’s unclear if two max-salary players are sustainable under the new collective bargaining agreement. Brown could lobby for a big-money extension starting this summer and Boston would be in line to pay him upwards of $70 million per season by the end of that deal.
Boston could also explore what’s feasible this summer if they were willing to move Derrick White, Sam Hauser, or Payton Pritchard — the only other three players making north of minimum money.
The Celtics have picks Nos. 27 and 40 entering Tuesday night’s draft.
One other intriguing subplot from the Antetokounmpo pursuit: Reports suggested that Milwaukee was interested in Hugo Gonzalez, but the reported final offer did not include the 20-year-old, who just finished his rookie season.
It might be a sign that the front office is bullish on his future and his ability to be an impact player for the team moving forward.
Sean Marks is pictured during an April press conference. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
With Keaton Wagler likely off the board one spot earlier, that could be Brown.
A back injury and tough shot diet led to inconsistency as a freshman.
But only three players since 2008 have had an assist percentage over 30, shot 84 percent from the foul line, had a free-throw rate over 35 and taken at least 14 3s per 100 possessions — Stephen Curry, Trae Young and Brown.
August company, that.
No. 28: Meleek Thomas, Arkansas
The Nets end up drafting an Arkansas teen guard, but it’s not Darius Acuff Jr. It’s Thomas, who averaged 15 points and shot 41.6 percent from deep.
They have two picks in the second round, so they could either use those for cheaper players or combine them with the first-rounder to move up higher if they identify a favorite prospect.
And, finally, the Knicks are championship ready, so trading for future assets — which can be flipped down the line for a vet — is more valuable than a rookie.
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 12: Kasparas Jakucionis #25 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on April 12, 2026 at Kaseya Center in Miami, 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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
KJ, you need a bedroom?
As a Milwaukee-area resident, I’m very excited about the prospect of Kasparas Jakucionis joining the Bucks.
Also as a Milwaukee-area resident, I’m pretty bummed the Giannis era is officially coming to an end. But the writing had been on the wall, so here we are.
ESPN reported late Monday. night that KJ is part of the package the Heat are sending to the Bucks in return for Giannis and former Bull Bobby Portis.
It’s also being reported that the second-year guard out of Illinois was a possible hang-up in a deal happening all day. The Bucks seem pretty high on KJ, and the Heat were, too.
Kasparas Jakucionis was Miami's version of Boston's Hugo Gonzalez hang-up. Had been hearing all day the Heat did not want to part with the Illinois product on top of their Herro-Ware-Jacquez-No. 13 structure. That's an All-Star guard, three recent first-round picks still on…
Good sign about his value moving forward. I think this is a really good opportunity for him to get a lot of time to grow. He’s still so young, so the future is bright.
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was traded to the Miami Heat late Monday night for a massive package of players and draft picks.
The Boston Celtics were reportedly the favorite to land the two-time NBA MVP, but the Bucks ultimately went with the Heat’s offer instead.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday night that Boston’s offer consisted of All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown and two unprotected first-round picks.
It wasn’t enough to move the needle for the Bucks. They wanted a lot more than that.
“The Bucks wanted more assets,” Sharania said on SportsCenter. “They wanted a couple of young players —Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, potentially others —and they wanted more first-round picks, more swaps. Was there a middle ground to be had? My understanding is the Celtics were not willing to part with enough young players and assets to get a deal done.”
Reporting live on @SportsCenter — on Giannis Antetokounmpo landing in Miami, the Bucks deciding between the Heat and Celtics, and the Boston-Jaylen Brown dynamics after he was offered in talks: pic.twitter.com/LXQwKb38oI
Celtics fans waking up to the news of Antetokounmpo going to Miami instead of Boston might cause some frustration, but the Celtics were wise to draw the line where they did. Brown is a much, much better player than anyone the Heat gave up in their package. Hugo Gonzalez is a better talent than any of the young players Miami offered.
Giving up Brown, Gonzalez, Scheierman and a bunch of unprotected first-round picks and swaps would have been way too much for Boston to surrender. That kind of deal also would have depleted the Celtics’ assets and made it pretty tough to build enough depth around Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum.
Now the question is what will the Celtics do with Brown. Do they look for a different deal involving Brown, or do they bring him back and try to win another championship with him and Tatum leading the way?
It should be a busy and exciting Tuesday with the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET.
AJ Dybantsa averaged more than 25 points a game with BYU last season. Photograph: Chris Gardner/Getty Images
The No 1 overall pick will be ...
AJ Dybantsa looked like a pro among college kids in his lone season at BYU, becoming just the fifth Division I player in the last 40 years to average more than 25 points per game while shooting better than 51%. Even beyond the numbers, Dybantsa’s natural length and ability to create his own shot make him look more like a future All-Star than Kansas’s Darryn Peterson, whose load-management habits stand in stark contrast to Dybantsa’s workhorse approach. Andrew Lawrence
AJ Dybantsa. Let’s not overthink this: yes, Peterson has shown flashes of the highest ceiling, and Cameron Boozer likely has the highest floor. But it’s been clear for months now that Dybantsa, who has real superstar upside, will be going first overall. We’ve just had too long to examine the choices, and are making it more complicated than it really is. Claire de Lune
AJ Dybantsa. Washington anoint the BYU freshman the best franchise cornerstone 1A since Earl “The Pearl” Monroe. He led Division I in scoring at 25.5 points per game on 51% shooting. We are living in the greatest era of basketball talent. Consider yourself blessed. Lee Escobedo
This will be a good draft for …
The one-and-done college star. This year’s draft could see those players dominate the top 10, a major validation of the pay-for-play era in college sports. Gone are the days when elite prospects felt compelled to bypass campus altogether in order to maximize their earning potential. Thanks to NIL, they can earn millions, develop against high-level competition and arrive in the NBA better prepared than ever. AL
Faces of the franchise. In stark contrast to a draft like 2024, which contained very few blue-chip prospects, this year’s is littered with them. Beyond just the obvious of the clear top four in Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and Caleb Wilson in some order, there’s also players such as Darius Acuff Jr and Brayden Burries with tremendous upside. CDL
So-called Victor Wembanyama stoppers. This class is loaded with physical, switchable bigs. Of course, Wemby is sui generis. Don’t be duped by a dollar-store double. To stop him, smart franchises will stockpile mass and mobility to beat the Alien and win the war of the worlds. LE
Which international player is worth keeping an eye on?
Sergio De Larrea has to intrigue more than a few NBA GMs. The Valencia guard was eligible for last year’s draft but withdrew to continue polishing his game in Spain. Scouts have long been enamored with his basketball IQ and feel in the pick-and-roll, traits that could earn him rotation minutes early in his career while he works to improve his strength and perimeter shooting. AL
Karim López, a promising Mexican prospect who played for the New Zealand Breakers this past year, isn’t one of the biggest names in this draft. While he’s a little bit of an unpolished gem, he held his own among much older and more experienced players in the National Basketball League. CDL
Jack Kayil. This 20-year-old German combo guard has done everything right and has still gone unrecognized. He led Alba Berlin to the German title as their starting point guard. Word is spreading on his talent, although it took long enough. First-round talent. LE
Which team drafted best last year?
With apologies to the Dallas Mavericks – who, some may loudly argue, never should have been in the No 1 position – I’ll go with the Hornets. Charlotte not only landed a bona fide star in Kon Knueppel to complement franchise man LaMelo Ball, but also a pair of solid two-way players in Liam McNeeley and Ryan Kalkbrenner. AL
While Cooper Flagg was a no-brainer No 1 overall pick, and Knueppel had a historically impressive rookie season, the Spurs yet again showed their drafting prowess when they took guard Dylan Harper second overall. He didn’t have the same opportunities to showcase his gifts in the regular season as others at the top of the draft, but he looked solidly like San Antonio’s most confident and composed player in the NBA finals, which, as a rookie, is absolutely unfathomable. CDL
The Knicks. The Spurs made the obvious pick with Harper. But nobody’s talking about Mohamed Diawara. He’ll be in New York’s rotation next season – OG Anunoby-lite, a strange blend of size, skill and joy. Voilà, he finally broke the Knicks’ tradition of whiffing on French bums. LE
Unheralded prospect to watch
Allen Graves isn’t a household name, largely because he played at Santa Clara. Yet there’s no question he has the size (6ft 8in, 226lbs) and lunch-pail traits – diving for loose balls, crashing the boards and scoring with his back to the basket – that will make GMs of a certain generation fall in love. In an era obsessed with versatility and upside, Graves feels like a back-to-the-future prospect. AL
I loved watching Arizona at this year’s NCAA Tournament, and Koa Peat, who isn’t projected to go until late first-round or early in the second, was a standout. He still needs to develop a jumpshot, but he has good size and solid ball-handling skills, and is a willing passer. He looked right at home in the big moments in the big dance. CDL
Karim López. The Mexican forward is built like an enforcer but dances like a wing. He averaged nearly 12 points against grown-ass men in the NBL. He scores in the paint, passes out the pocket, does it again. He doesn’t play like someone still figuring it out. Draft him! LE
The top 10 will be* ...
1) Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa, forward, BYU
2) Utah Jazz – Darryn Peterson, guard, Kansas
3) Memphis Grizzlies – Cameron Boozer, forward, Duke
4) Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson, forward, North Carolina
5) Los Angeles Clippers – Brayden Burries, guard, Arizona
6) Brooklyn Nets – Mikel Brown Jr, guard, Louisville
Holding their first lottery pick since 2021, No. 11 overall, the Warriors roll into the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday night after spending six weeks exploring every conceivable option, from staying at 11 to moving back in the first round to trading out.
More than 30 players, spanning all five positions, have gone through interviews and workouts because they might be available at 11 or later in the first or second round.
We contacted several league and team sources to get an idea of how Golden State’s process has played out since May 10, when its lottery position was determined.
Though the Warriors have closely examined numerous perimeter players, most sources believe that – barring an elite guard dropping on draft night – they’ll seek frontcourt help.
Here are some pros and cons of five frontcourt players the Warriors have evaluated that could be available should they stay at 11, with two comments on each from league/team sources:
Chris Cenac Jr. (F, Houston)
Pros:Cenac is an elite athlete whose impressive performance at the NBA draft combine opened a few more eyes around the league, including those of the Warriors. At 6-foot-11, with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, the rangy 19-year-old has the tools to be effective in the paint and outside it, including shooting beyond the arc. Having heard the whispers of doubters, he’ll enter the league with a chip on his shoulder.
Cons: His defense is uneven, his offense spotty and more inefficient that a team would like from someone of his stature. The general belief is that he has some talent but is going to need a couple years to find his place in the league. Some scouts like him, some don’t. He’s an upside pick, and the Warriors haven’t had great success when going that route in the lottery.
Comment: “He might develop into a fantastic NBA player. Might. But I’ve heard that the Warriors don’t love him, and I get it. Unless something changes before the draft, my guess is they’ll pass on him. They might regret it someday, but I think they’ll take that chance.”
Comment 2: “Pretty sure he’ll be there if the Warriors stay at 11. He’s got a lot of talent, but he’s not as refined as guys like Yaxel (Lendeborg). Going to Houston probably helped him because he got coaches. He still could benefit from more reps.”
Morez Johnson Jr. (PF, Michigan)
Pros: Effort and toughness are skills at which Johnson is elite, and that was necessary during Michigan’s run to the national championship. He’s a terrific athlete that has reliable hands and won’t be outworked or outfought. At 6-foot-9, 250 pounds, with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, he can play center or power forward, offering excellent defense while also providing vertical spacing on offense. At 20 years old, with 70 games of collegiate experience, Johnson already can help an NBA team but still has room for growth.
Cons: Johnson’s offense is relatively raw. He doesn’t have a dependable shot, and doesn’t create much for himself or others. Some of that may be due to overall talent on Michigan’s roster, but his lack of scoring impact is why most mock drafts project him in the middle of the first round, rather than in the lottery.
Comment: “He had an impressive workout (with Golden State). His offense is limited, but I believe it will improve. He can make threes, but his college teams didn’t need that. If you want a big who brings energy every night, especially on defense, (the Warriors) could do a lot worse.”
Comment 2: “Talented dude. He listens and learns. He has the size to play some 5 but really is a power forward. He can develop corner threes, but he doesn’t need to. He’ll just go get the ball. He’s an old-school 4 but also is a lob threat.”
Yaxel Lendeborg (F, Michigan)
Pros: The Warriors need wings. As the fulcrum of a stacked national champion, Lendeborg is as ready for the NBA as anyone in the draft. At 6-foot-9, 235 pounds with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, he has the mental makeup and physical attributes to defend four positions. He rebounds, passes, shoots well from three levels and has the kind of “feel” the Warriors prioritize. He’s smart, versatile and plays with force, determined to make a positive impact. Superior “glue guy.”
Cons: His workout was very good but not mind-blowing, I’m told. He is a good, but not elite, athlete without the handle and scoring repertoire of, say, a Kevin Durant. He turns 24 in September, making him “lottery-pick old,” but I’m told the Warriors’ need for immediate contributors offsets that factor. He won’t be a franchise player for an NBA contender, but could be a high-quality starter.
Comment: “I know (the Warriors) liked what they saw in his workout. He’s not going to take you to the promised land, but he’ll give you a lot of things that will help you get there.”
Comment 2: “He’s a plug-and-play guy. He does everything. He can initiate offense, shoot threes and post up. He’ll adapt to the NBA pretty quickly. (The Warriors) need help on the wings. If Yaxel is there and (the Warriors) don’t take him, I’d wonder why.”
Aday Mara (C, Michigan)
Pros: With so many legitimate big men in the Western Conference, size really does matter. At 7-foot-4, 260 pounds, with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, Mara brings plenty. He’s comfortable in the paint, has dependable hands and is a good finisher at the rim. All of which appeals to the Warriors, who have deficiencies across the board up front. The 21-year-old would be their most imposing rim protector since Andrew Bogut.
Cons: He’s not particularly nimble and would struggle to be switchable defending on the perimeter. Opponents would attack him in pick-and-roll, forcing him to into compromising positions. He’d need to be spoon-fed on offense. His instincts, which are a positive, might not be good enough to offset his lack of athleticism in the NBA.
Comment: “He might go before 11, but if (the Warriors) stay at 11 and he’s there, I think that’s got to be the pick. Even over Yaxel. It’s the pick I would make if I were in that front office”
Comment 2: “(The Warriors) need size and have needed for years. They keep sending Draymond (Green) out at the 5, and it’s time to get beyond that. Mara isn’t perfect, but if (Memphis big man) Zach Edey can make an impact, I have no doubt Mara can.”
Hannes Steinbach (C/F, Washington)
Pros: Based on film study, it’s easy to understand the comparisons with Kings big man Domantas Sabonis. Steinbach, however, seems more willing to engage in physicality, which explains the comps to OKC’s Isaiah Hartenstein. At 6-foot-11, 250 pounds, with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, he is a voracious rebounder (as a freshman last season, he led college basketball in that category), which should translate to the NBA. He turned 20 last month but will be helped by his experience in German pro hoops.
Cons: The Warriors have an urgent need for athleticism, and Steinbach won’t address that. He’s active enough but will have trouble defending even moderate levels of quickness from more mobile big men. Though his 3-point shooting looked promising in his workout, it’s long been proven that is not an accurate barometer what takes place in games.
Comment: “He does a little bit of everything. You can see the Euro part of his game. His physicality, though, he runs into people. He’s not scared. I like that about him. He can pass and rebound. He can improve his shot, but it’s not broken.”
Comment 2: “I actually believe he can be a pretty good defender. His instincts are good, he has good awareness and his fundamentals are better than most. I’d understand why any team that needs size in the paint, including Golden State, would have interest.”
For those wondering about Tennessee’s Nate Ament, the water between him and the Warriors was lukewarm. The general belief is that he’s a risky project.
As for guards, Ament’s teammate Cameron Carr was mentioned more than any other.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JUNE 13: Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks reacts during a timeout in the fourth quarter of Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Whether the championship hangover has anything to do with Jose Alvarado’s taking his time to decide on his future, we don’t know for sure. What we know, according to reports emerging late Monday, is that Jose won’t make a final call on whether or not to execute his player option until Friday, June 26, instead of the initial date set for yesterday, June 22.
Alvarado can return to the Knicks without having to negotiate at all if he picks his $4.5 million player option, which will delay his unrestricted free agency until July 2027. He can opt out of it, however, and become a UFA next week, forcing the Knicks to renegotiate a deal in the open market to bring GTA back to Manhattan, while fighting against other potential external bidders.
While the reigning champion New York Knicks assess their trade options for picks No. 24 and 31 in this week’s NBA Draft, sources say reserve guard Jose Alvarado has agreed to move the decision date on his $4.5 million player option for 2026-27 from tomorrow, June 22, back to June…
Jake Fischer reported the development on X, adding a very interesting spin to it.
“While the reigning champion New York Knicks assess their trade options for picks No. 24 and 31 in this week’s NBA Draft, sources say reserve guard Jose Alvarado has agreed to move the decision date on his $4.5 million player option for 2026-27 from tomorrow, June 22, back to June 26.”
According to Fischer, the Knicks are discussing draft-day trades and talking with other teams about potential packages involving their No. 24 and No. 31 selections, with New York also in possession of the No. 55 pick.
Truth be told, nobody should be surprised about this report nor the possibility of the Knicks moving one—if not more—of their draft picks, following James Dolan’s second-apron comments a few days ago.
The back page: SECOND THOUGHTS
— Knicks could still go over apron to keep team mostly intact
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) June 23, 2026
The New York Post quoted ESPN’s Bobby Marks on Tuesday as he explained New York’s cap situation, potential moves, and implications. Most importantly, the first-round pick at No. 24 comes with a pre-assigned guaranteed salary of $3.6 million. No second-round pick has a guaranteed deal set from the get-go, with teams and prospects negotiating their contracts afterward.
“I think there’s still a priority to re-sign your own free agents, even if it means exceeding the second apron.
“I think there’s two ways to look at (the No. 24 pick). There’s that way where you’re moving out of the first round and maybe you’re picking up more seconds or a future first down the road because it does give you an extra $3.6 million in flexibility.
“We’re projecting them at $13 million under the second apron including their first-round pick. So they’d get roughly another $3.6 million more in flexibility if they trade it. So that is one way to look at it. The other way to look at it is they make the pick because they say, ‘We got all these high salaries in the starting lineup. We need young players on our bench on low-salary controllable contracts to be a rotational player down the road when these players eventually get older.’ So I think there’s two ways to look at it. It wouldn’t surprise me if they did either.”
According to the NYP’s Stefan Bondy, in the same article, the Knicks are, in fact, looking to trade the pick and having talks on multiple fronts.
“Trading the pick helps financial flexibility and, according to league sources, the Knicks are exploring multiple deals. Not coincidentally, Alvarado agreed to push back the deadline for his player option from Monday until after the draft (Friday). There are a lot of unsettled money matters.”
Last year, the Phoenix Suns signed their No. 31 pick to a four-year, $8.7 million deal with an average yearly salary of $2.2 million. The No. 55 pick ended up signing a multi-year two-way deal worth $636k.
The Knicks entered the offseason with around $202 million in guaranteed salaries, including the money baked into Alvarado’s player option and Pacome Dadiet’s team option, worth nearly $3 million. The second apron starts at $221 million, which means that, right now and without assuming both Alvarado and Dadiet will return, the Knicks are at around $195 real guaranteed million and have $25 million of room to maneuver.
New York Knicks updated salary cap situation.
They can give Mohamed Diawara up to four years, $11.3 million with his Non Bird rights. His minimum over four years is $10.6 million.
They are still free to go above the second apron by re-signing their own free agents. pic.twitter.com/ZDrniXN5Iy
Following Monday’s report of Mohammed Diawara’s expected re-signing for a total of around $10.5 million, that figure shrank to, according to Yossi Gozlan, $10.8 million in space before hitting the second apron.
However, the Knicks still only have 11 players in their active roster and under contract for next season, and are bound to lose Landry Shamet ($2.3 million last season), Mitchell Robinson ($12.9), and Jordan Clarkson ($2.3) to unrestricted free agency, while Ariel Hukporti ($1.9), Trey Jemison, Dillon Jones, and Kevin McCullar are restricted free agents. Pacome Dadiet’s future in New York hinges on the Knicks picking the $3 million team option in his deal.
Apr 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and head coach Joe Mazzulla against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Well, that was interesting. Now what? Certainly the team is going to move forward with contingency plans, but before we move on, I thought I’d look at some of the immediate aftermath of the trade that never was.
I believe this is what the kids these days call “cope.” Basically it means rationalizing to make yourself feel better about something that didn’t go your way. Some situations absolutely call for that approach, so let’s get into it.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a big risk – specifically with injures, but also with his personality, style of play, and the upcoming contract extension that he was sure to get. If this deal had gone through, everything would revolve around him for the next several years (including his eventual decline).
Jaylen Brown is still a Boston Celtic (at least for now) – He’s a franchise icon, Finals MVP, and just coming off his best season ever. If anything, this latest set of events should have him even more motivated to prove his worth to the world. (I’m not sure how thrilled he’s going to be after all this though. We have no way of knowing just how much communication has been going on behind the scenes with him and the Celtics. He’s a pro though, and understands that this is part of the job.)
Hugo Gonzalez is still a Boston Celtic. I worry a little bit that he will be perceived as the “deal breaker” that the Celtics wouldn’t give up. Sometimes that hangs on a player for years to come. But the team values Hugo for good reason. He has special tools and upside that we will get to see develop for years to come.
The cost on top of Jaylen was prohibitive. From the start I thought that Brown alone would be enough to trump the Miami offer. Clearly I was wrong. Over the last week or so I talked myself into including a pick or maybe two. The Bucks insisting on including Hugo and even more picks or players was just too high of a price.
Those draft picks could be critical to building out a roster around some very expensive veterans. This new era of 2nd aprons requires teams to invest in developing cheap talent, and productive guys on rookie scale contracts is just the thing.
The Heat will be formidable now, but they also have some of the same issues that the Bucks had. Just how far can Giannis, Bam, and their supporting cast get them? We’ll see if they have any more moves in them, but they are completely out of picks and that’s their core now.
At least we’ll never have to hear about “the Miami Heat trade package” ever again.
Back to the Celtics, as I alluded to in a prior column, we still have Brad Stevens, and I’m pretty sure he has a Plan B ready. Or rather, a spreadsheet of alternative options he’s going to systematically assess and act upon. Draft night could and should be very interesting now that the bottleneck of Giannis has been cleared up.
And of course we have to go back to the ultimate consolation. This core group already has an NBA Championship. They achieved the goal that every team out there is striving for. That can’t be forgotten or diminished.
Call it cope if you want because that’s exactly what the situation calls for. Unless you were one of the many that was dreading this deal from the start. In which case this is a huge sigh of relief and perhaps even validation.
Regardless, the Celtics aren’t going to be a rudderless franchise with no clear path forward (as the Miami Heat might have been if they missed out – which is probably why they were desperate enough to pay the price that they did). We still have a championship core and several different paths to add to the team going forward.
We will, of course, be tracking the next logical question. What’s next? Stay tuned.
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 6: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on December 6, 2024 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens took his biggest swing yet since stepping into the organization’s front office five years ago — and whiffed.
In the late hours of Monday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo officially joined the Miami Heat and ended an ongoing bidding war this offseason with Boston’s Eastern Conference foe. The Milwaukee Bucks, in return, landed a haul from South Beach that included Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, a pick swap, and a second-round selection.
Stevens and the Celtics, although described as aggressive in their pursuit of bringing the Greek Freak to Boston, fell short.
The Celtics and Heat were the two premier landing spots said to have Antetokounmpo’s commitment to sign an extension. But in the final days, as the Bucks considered bids from both franchises, Stevens and company weren’t willing to go the extra mile to provide Milwaukee a bundle that aligned with their direction in moving on from the two-time league MVP.
BROOKLYN, NY – JANUARY 23: Jaylen Brown #7 and Hugo Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler /NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Bucks, building for the future without Giannis, wanted to dig deeper into Boston’s bench with youngsters such as Hugo González and Baylor Scheierman catching Milwaukee’s interest, Charania reported. Brown, with three years left on his current contract and extension eligible in July, wasn’t enough to sway Milwaukee’s front office or ownership after pushing Miami to the limit.
González, selected in the first round of last year’s draft, blossomed into a steal after being taken by Boston at No. 28. Scheierman, drafted 30th overall two years ago, also became a crucial depth piece after the pair inherited a minutes increase while the Celtics turned their first 62 games without Jayson Tatum into an unforeseen run at securing the No. 2 seed in the East.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla made quick work of González’s development, watching the 20-year-old from Spain flash his intense defensive potential across 74 appearances throughout his rookie year. His 14.6 minutes off Boston’s bench were enough to convince Stevens (and the Bucks) that González is poised to continue growing into an underrated asset capable of being a game-changer in the coming years.
Not being able to pry González — and possibly more — away from Boston made the difference to Milwaukee.
Bucks owner Jimmy Haslam became a “driving force” in choosing Miami’s offer instead, according to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports. Haslam, also co-owner of the Cleveland Browns, wasn’t willing to risk losing the 2024 NBA Finals MVP with no clear signs that Brown was sold on Milwaukee — especially after Myles Garrett forced his trade to the Los Angeles Rams before Giannis officially departed the Bucks.
Stevens’ run at landing Antetokounmpo indicates a real desire to upgrade Boston’s roster after a second straight playoff exit against a lower-seeded opponent. Both times, the Celtics failed to make it past the semifinals, going 9-9 at TD Garden.
Moving forward, Stevens will look elsewhere to take the next step toward revamping Boston’s roster before Opening Night in October.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: NBA Draft prospect Darryn Peterson talks to the media during the 2026 NBA Draft Player Availability on June 22, 2026 at Lotte New York Palace in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Evan Yu/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s Draft Day Eve! With less than 24 hours left before the NBA Draft, there are more news and rumors that continue to leak out about both the potential pick for Utah, as well as with the Walker Kessler situation.
Is the Walker Kessler situation still in flux?
A few days ago, the Walker Kessler situation appeared to be in better shape after Kessler put out a post saying that he loves Utah.
It was the right move for Kessler if staying in Utah was the goal. It certainly appeared to mollify Jazz fans who were frustrated with Kessler’s refusal of Utah’s 5-year $140M offer. But it’s now been 5 days, and there’s still no deal.
On Ryen Russillo’s podcast, Sam Amick gave some insight into why that might be.
Amick mentions that one of the issues is the five years. Apparently, they want more flexibility with the contract. That could mean two things. It could mean that Kessler thinks he’ll outplay that contract. If he consistently hits an outside shot and improves in other areas, he could be right. In that case, he could likely earn even more on his next contract, and so a shorter contract makes sense. The other reason is that he would want a shorter contract to get out of his current situation sooner.
It’s not the greatest optics for Kessler right now. The Jazz’s 5-year, $140M offer has been widely considered very fair for Kessler. Maybe he is going to get a better offer on the market, but the longer this goes on, the tougher it’s going to be to hide his real intentions, whatever those are.
Another interesting point from Amick is that he mentioned all the recent Cam Boozer rumors could have been a message from the Jazz that they can get a cheaper option if they need. Whether that’s the case or not, it sends a message that Utah is willing to move on if they have to.
Finally, Amick also talked about how some players who have to go through a tanking situation tend to think they’ll be rewarded on the other side for going through with everything their team requested. It certainly seems like Utah is doing that with this offer. Kessler was asked to sit at times when he could have played, but he also has missed legitimate time with multiple injuries.
All in all, it’s easy to get frustrated if you’re hoping for a Kessler signing. The longer this goes on, the more fan frustration may start heating up again.
Darryn Peterson had a secret workout with the Jazz
This was a rumor that Bill Simmons revealed on his latest podcast right at the end.
On the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, @BillSimmons just casually throws out, “I heard Utah maybe had a secret workout with Peterson this weekend.” 👀 Bill & @HousefromDC say the #UtahJazz should draft Cam Boozer
Peterson also went on to say that he’d be happy to play with whoever drafts him.
Darryn Peterson on only working out for the Washington Wizards with the No. 1 pick: “Just a decision that was made. I’m definitely not dodging any team. Whoever takes me, I’m going to come in and be delighted to be there. Wherever that happens to be, they’ll get the best me.” pic.twitter.com/MObTY3XmxD
These things don’t mean that he’ll be the for-sure pick for the Jazz if he is available at #2, but they are definitely things you like to hear if you’re rooting for the Jazz to draft Peterson.
