Category: NBA

For the next month before the 2026 NBA Draft, we’ll take an in-depth look at different prospects here at Liberty Ballers and try to figure out which players would be the best fit for the Sixers at No. 22. Next up in this series is Duke’s Isaiah Evans.

Isaiah Evans was a five-star recruit and one of the top high school players in the country when he committed to Duke. He joined a loaded freshmen class featuring Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach. Evans likely didn’t have the year he was hoping for as senior Tyrese Proctor and Tulane transfer Sion James were the other Blue Devils starters. Still, he turned a solid first year, nailing over 41% of his threes.

He decided to come back to Durham for a second season with an expanded role. He became an important cog for Duke as a sophomore, earning Third Team All-ACC honors while helping his team advance to the Elite Eight. Known for elite movement shooting, Evans showed marked improvement in his second collegiate season, but will it be enough to get him taken in the first round?

Profile

2025-26 Stats: 38 games, 28.2 minutes, 15.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.7 blocks, 43.3% FG, 36.1% 3P, 86.0% FT

Team: Duke

Year: Sophomore

Position: SG

Height & Weight: 6’5.5” | 186.0 lbs

Born: December 6, 2005 (20)

Hometown: Fayetteville, North Carolina

Strengths

As soon as Evans steps on the floor he’s a threat to shoot. As a freshman, he shot 41.6% from deep on 4.1 attempts while only playing 13.8 minutes a game. That’s 12 threes per 40 minutes. The sheer volume is impressive. As a sophomore, the efficiency dipped (36.1%), but he was taking 7.4 triples a night while taking on a much larger role.

If Evans goes in the first round, shooting will be why. He’s an excellent shooter off movement and is in constant motion on the floor. He understands spacing and played extremely well off the dominant Cam Boozer in 2025-26. His form is fluid and repeatable and his release is lightning quick. He’s arguably the best pure shooter in the class.

What you like to see is his improvement from inside the arc. He jumped from 50% on twos as a freshman to 56.7% as a sophomore on way more attempts. He punished sleeping defenses with well-timed back-door cuts and made defenders pay for overaggressive closeouts. He’s not a playmaker by any means, but showed some ability to comfortably put the ball on the floor.

Other things Evans has going for him are height and length. He measured nearly 6-foot-6 without shoes at the combine with a 6-foot-9 wingspan. A sharpshooter with the versatility to play guard or wing would be invaluable. While he was listed at 175 pounds at Duke, he weighed in at 186 at the combine, perhaps a sign he’ll be able to gain muscle going forward.

Weaknesses

The reality is all of Evans’ game could use work outside of his shot.

As mentioned, he’s not a creator off the dribble. His ability to move without the ball is crucial. While movement shooting is an NBA skill every team covets, he’s a limited offensive player overall.

And while he has height and length, he is quite skinny. He was often pushed around by bigger players, casting doubt on his ability to viably guard NBA wings — or really guard anybody. He’s going to need to gain muscle to hang with NBA players for 82-plus games a season. He’s also just an OK athlete.

Positional Fit

Evans profiles best as a two. He doesn’t handle well enough or playmake enough to be a point guard and he’s likely too skinny to play the wing. For the Sixers, there could certainly be a fit as a sharpshooter off the bench. The New York Knicks just won the NBA Finals in part because of how they outshot their opponents — including the Sixers — from three. Having a guard like Evans who can come in firing would be a plus. His shooting can legitimately be game-changing (watch his game against St. John’s in the Sweet 16).

The issue is going to be how he can fit next to Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. It’s funny because Evans has shades of a taller and longer Isaiah Joe. Again, if Evans can add strength — the pounds he seemingly added ahead of the combine are encouraging — and improve defensively, perhaps he can play the wing. That would make him much more valuable, especially to a team like the Sixers. The other concern is usage. Nick Nurse never seemed to find a way to use Jared McCain, who thrived in OKC. Would Nurse be able get the most out of Evans?

Draft Projection

SB Nation Mock Draft: No. 30, Dallas Mavericks

Most mocks have Evans going somewhere in the 20s. Here he’s taken with the last pick in the first round. Going to Dallas and reuniting with his former Duke teammate in Flagg would make a good bit of sense. They need all the spacing they can get for their budding superstar and Evans already has experience playing off of him.

The New York Knicks might have waited 53 years to win another title, but they sure aren’t losing even 53 seconds in plotting their next moves.

After ending a title drought that had the organization praying for a single championship since their players last hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy in 1973, the Knicks are already working on next season’s roster, seemingly siding with continuity as we head into the offseason.

Coming up next, the NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on June 23, with the Knicks having the No. 24, No. 31, and No. 55 picks in their hands. Just one week after the draft is over, we’ll be entering free agency. And how the Knicks deal with the latter will be key to what New York achieves next season.

For starters, as Michael Zeno explained, Jose Alvarado will decide on whether or not he picks his player option. After that, however, the real business will go down. Outside of RFA Ariel Hukporti and Mo Diawara, the whole lot of Landry Shamet, Jeremy Sochan, Jordan Clarkson, and…. Mitchell Robinson will enter unrestricted free agency. And we all know the value of the man listed last in there.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, however, the Knicks are making it clear that Mitch is at the top of their offseason plans.

“Mitchell Robinson, he is an unrestricted free agent in two weeks here, and the Knicks are going to definitely try to keep him.

“[The Knicks] are about $8 million under the luxury tax line. They know they’re going over the luxury tax. They intend to make Mitchell an offer that will keep him.

“He might have some outside interest, but they’re going to make him a priority.” — ESPN’s Brian Windhorst

Robinson’s status as a true UFA has reasonably drawn attention across the NBA, particularly from teams seeking help at center, and the Knicks might have to fight some strong competition to keep him in tow, namely, that from the ever-exceptional Los Angeles Lakers, who have been linked as a potential Robinson suitor.

A little over a week ago, with the Knicks still fighting for the chip,  NBA reporter Jake Fischer was the first reputed name out there connecting the dots, even if it wasn’t that much of a report, per se.

“Teams regularly relayed to me when I’ve asked around about Robinson’s status have pointed to the Bulls, Hornets, Lakers and Raptors. Those are all clubs known to be looking for center upgrades.” — Jake Fischer

Robinson finished the regular season appearing in 60 games, the most since he logged 72 in 2022, and posting averages of 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. In a smaller role through the playoffs, Mitch averaged 4.8, 5.5, and 0.6 in those respective categories.

Going New York’s way, however, is the fact that there seems to be some concerns outside of the Knicks organization regarding Robinson’s inconsistency and his obvious availability concerns in recent seasons. That should limit his market and demands, which might work out for the Knicks given the franchise’s tight cap/tax situation.

Love him or hate him, Mitch is an OG Knick and can put on solid performances without even the smallest question being asked, so if it doesn’t take the house to keep him around, New York should be fighting for his autograph.

Can Celtics land good player with No. 27 pick? Here's what history says originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Only five teams outside of the lottery still own their first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and the Boston Celtics are one of them.

They hold the No. 27 overall pick after finishing with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference during the regular season.

This is an important draft for the Celtics. They need to continue to add talented young players around their veteran core.

The draft is the best place to find these players because they’re on cost-controlled rookie contracts.

Landing an impact player, or even a capable role player, this far down in Round 1 is a challenge, but it’s certainly possible. And the Celtics have actually fared pretty well in this stage of the draft in recent years.

Since 2018, they have drafted five players in the last third of the first round who have been starters or meaningful role players:

• 2025: Hugo Gonzalez, No. 28
• 2024: Baylor Scheierman, No. 30
• 2020: Payton Pritchard, No. 26
• 2019: Grant Williams, No. 22
• 2018: Robert Williams III, No. 27

What are the chances the Celtics get a good player at No. 27? Let’s look at the last 15 players drafted in this spot:

• 2025: Danny Wolf, Nets
• 2024: Terrence Shannon Jr., T-Wolves
• 2023: Nick Smith Jr., Hornets
• 2022: Nikola Jovic, Heat
• 2021: Cam Thomas, Nets
• 2020: Udoka Azubuike, Jazz
• 2019: Mfiondu Kabengele, Nets
• 2018: Robert Williams III, Celtics
• 2017: Kyle Kuzma, Nets
• 2016: Pascal Siakam, Raptors
• 2015: Larry Nance Jr., Lakers
• 2014: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Suns
• 2013: Rudy Gobert, Nuggets
• 2012: Arnett Moultrie, Heat
• 2011: JaJuan Johnson, Nets

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The best player from this group is Pascal Siakam, who has become an All-Star level player and was a key contributor on the Raptors’ 2019 championship team. He almost won another title with the Pacers in 2025. Rudy Gobert is one of the best defensive players of his era. He is one of only three players to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award four times.

Kyle Kuzma has had a productive career and played a meaningful role on the Lakers’ 2020 bubble title. Robert Williams III, when healthy, was a good starting center for the Celtics and an elite defensive force. Cam Thomas has averaged 14.9 points per game in his career.

Which players near the end of Round 1 in this year’s draft could become useful role players (or better) for the Celtics?

North Carolina center Henri Veesaar, Kentucky center Jayden Quaintance, Arizona forward Koa Peat, Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas, Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie, UConn center Tarris Reed Jr., and Valencia (Spain) guard Sergio de Larrea all are intriguing fits.

The first round of the draft begins Tuesday, June 23 at 8 p.m. ET.

The Golden State Warriors enter the 2026 NBA Draft facing one of the most important decisions of the Steph Curry era.

With Curry turning 39 next season and the franchise still trying to maximize its championship window alongside Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, finding immediate help at No. 11 overall could prove just as important as any move made in free agency.

According to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Warriors have zeroed in on a group of prospects from one program in particular.

“Funny enough, sources say all three Michigan guys are in play for the Golden State Warriors with the 11th pick.” Siegel wrote, referring to national champion Michigan standouts Aday Mara, Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr.

The interest is hardly surprising.

Golden State recently hosted Johnson and Lendeborg for pre-draft workouts.

The Warriors have spent significant time evaluating Michigan’s championship core, suggesting the front office sees potential fits who could contribute both now and in the future.

Lendeborg may be the cleanest fit.

The 6-foot-9 forward is viewed as one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft. At 24 years old, he lacks the ascending potential of some younger prospects, but his versatility, rebounding, passing and defensive instincts align closely with the type of players Steve Kerr has traditionally valued.

Mara offers a very different appeal. The 7-foot-3 Spanish center emerged as one of the biggest risers during the draft process after leading college basketball in blocks and helping Michigan win a national championship.

Scouts have been particularly intrigued by his combination of rim protection, mobility and passing ability, traits that could allow him to thrive in Golden State’s motion offense.

Johnson may be the wild card of the group. The athletic forward-center averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds while earning All-Big Ten and All-Defensive honors. His energy, rebounding and defensive versatility could fill several needs for a Warriors team that has long searched for frontcourt athleticism.

Which leads to Siegel’s next point. The Warriors may not ultimately stay at No. 11.

Siegel reported Golden State could “bounce around, gather more assets, and still get one of the players they want,” suggesting a trade-back scenario remains very much in play.

In a deep draft class, moving down a few spots while acquiring additional assets could allow the Warriors to improve both their present and future.

Michigan’s trio isn’t the only group under consideration. Siegel also reported that wings Nate Ament and Brayden Burries are receiving strong consideration.

The team has also hosted work outs for projected second rounders Illinois guard Kylan Boswell and Tennessee center Felix Okpara

Still, the repeated connections to Michigan prospects stand out.

For Mike Dunleavy Jr., this draft is about threading the needle of two realities. It’s not just about finding someone capable of helping Curry compete for an incredible fifth championship, it needs to give the franchise a building block for life after beyond its dynastic core.

The Warriors cannot afford to miss.

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After a season of his larger-than-life personality and plays, it’s hard to imagine the Philadelphia 76ers without VJ Edgecombe now.

The No. 3 overall pick from the 2025 NBA Draft’s freshman season is behind him, and what a year it was. At just 20 years old, Edgecombe made his presence known in the league, starting with his very first game back on Oct. 22, 2025, when the Sixers opened their season with a visit to TD Garden and the Boston Celtics. Feels like a lifetime ago now, doesn’t it? Let me refresh your memory.

As the 2025-26 regular season was getting underway, the Sixers were trying to get Joel Embiid back to game speed (he played in the opener, but only for 20 lackluster minutes) and had Paul George sidelined for recovery from his summer knee surgery. Nick Nurse slotted Edgecombe in the starting lineup right off the bat, giving him the opportunity over returning players such as Quentin Grimes. Expectations and excitement for the rookie’s debut were high, with his drafting to the Sixers being the most positive thing the team had really experienced in over a year.

He not only met those expectations, but surpassed them. Edgecombe put up 34 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal in his first NBA contest, ultimately sinking two free throws near the end of regulation to secure the Sixers’ 117-116 victory. He shot 13-for-26 from the floor and 5-for-13 from long range while displaying fundamental skills and game awareness well beyond his years.

Right from the jump, we were given a glimpse into the things that would make Edgecombe shine throughout his first season — fearlessness, agility, intelligence, aggression, clutch gene, fundamental skill and more. He has proven himself to not only be an incredible athlete to say the very least, but one that is not only an offensive power but is a solid defender, active rebounder and all-around baller.

Fast forward to now, and Edgecombe has been named First Team All-Rookie after 75 games (all starting) averaging 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals for the Sixers. He shot 43.8% from the floor and 35.4% from long range (on a 5.6 attempts-per-game clip).

His numbers did dip during the playoffs — some more than others — but a major plus is that Edgecombe was able to rack up 406 minutes of postseason experience in his debut year. Speaking of minutes, the rookie ended up playing 2,623 minutes this regular season, the second-most minutes by a Sixer (behind backcourt-mate Tyrese Maxey with 2,661) and the 11th-most minutes of any player in the association for 2025-26. Not bad for a 20-year-old that came into the year in college condition, which is a world of difference from NBA-level.

OK, so he had a great rookie season, that much is clear. But now it’s time to look ahead and talk about what leaps Edgecombe can take for his sophomore year to build upon the good he has already started.

The main aspect of his game that I think provides the biggest room for improvement is Edgecombe’s on-ball scoring, namely his off-the-dribble pull-up game. We all know he is able to absolutely fly through defenses for an emphatic slam or even just to lay-it in with a nice touch. However, at times throughout his rookie season and especially in the playoffs, the Bahamian’s pull-up shooting could be a bit inconsistent and suffered noticeably the longer he had the ball or the more he dribbled before pulling up.

The effect was at its most significant during the postseason from long range, from whence Edgecombe shot just 29.2%. Looking deeper into that number, you’ll see he actually had shot 34.6% (18-for-52) from behind the arc on catch-and-shoots, but hit just 15.8% (3-for-19) on pull-ups. He sank 34.0% from three when he had the ball for under two seconds, but that dropped to just 18.2% when he had the ball for 2-6 seconds — and down further to 12.5% when he had the ball longer than 6 seconds.

The discrepancies were a bit less evident statistically during the regular season, but existed nonetheless. The reason to focus so specifically on his ability to dribble into pulling-up is that it is the type of skill that could provide a massive ceiling of improvement for a player with the existing skillset of Edgecombe.

Think of the amount of times that he and/or Maxey were able to poke the ball away on defense and get out ahead in transition. Of course, if you can just beat everyone down the court for a dunk or lay-in, that’s great… but if Edgecombe can improve his ability to dribble down the court and hit the brakes before the arc to pull up from there for three points instead of two, those extra points could add up quick.

Plus, him developing that pull-up comfortability will benefit him from absolutely everywhere on the floor, not just from long range. We have already seen Edgecombe’s ability to quickly dance his way through or around defenders in the mid-range to create shots out of thin air, but imagine him getting comfortable slowing that down just a tad to be able to sink even more of those shots. Scary.

Now, of course we’re talking about a 20-year-old going in to just his sophomore season, so obviously this isn’t the only thing Edgecombe has to work on, but it’s what seems to be one of the biggest rooms for improvement with the biggest potential impact for the boy from Bimini.

The best part about Edgecombe, I’d argue, are the things that inspire incredible optimism for his continued development as a pro, beyond just having a successful debut season: the work ethic, attitude and confidence that he carries himself with. I personally have zero doubt that the guard — who has already returned to the team’s facility for offseason workouts — not only wants to improve in any way he can, but will be absolutely grinding to make it happen for his sophomore season with the Sixers.

The Dallas Wings want to win, and the New York Knicks’ championship run teaches the Wings that a cohesive bunch of college teammates can indeed translate to success in the professional ranks.

While the Wings were playing the Portland Fire on Saturday night, the Knicks were playing the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. After a 94-90 win over of the Spurs, the Knicks won their first NBA Championship since 1973.

Jalen Brunson finished with 45 points on 14-of-27 shooting from the field and was awarded the Finals MVP trophy after the Knicks secured the Game 5 win.

Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges combined for 27 points in support of their Villanova teammate. It was not the first time that Bridges and Hart helped Brunson in a critical game.

Hart scored 12 points while Brunson scored four points in the 2016 National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and the North Carolina Tar Heels. Kris Jenkins hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for a dramatic 77-74 win in that one.

Bridges scored 19 points, and Brunson chipped in nine in the 2018 National Championship between Villanova and the Michigan Wolverines, as Donte DiVincenzo led the team with 31 points in the 79-62 victory.

Bridges, Hart and Brunson won in college. The Knicks decided to see if the trio could do it in the NBA, and it worked.

The Knicks signed Brunson as a free agent on June 30, 2022 — Mavericks fans will no doubt remember that one. The signing came after Brunson was part of the supporting cast surrounding Luka Doncic in Dallas during the 2021-22 playoffs. Brunson averaged 21.6 points per game and helped Dallas defeat the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs. He scored 41 points in Game 2 and 31 points in Game 3 as Doncic sat those games out with injuries.

Because of Brunson’s playoff success with Dallas and his two National Championship rings, the Knicks decided to give the keys to Brunson. At the time, New York had not won a playoff series since the 2012-13 postseason, and the Knicks believed Brunson could change that. He lifted his game to a new level as soon as he got to New York.

After averaging 16.3 points and 4.8 assists per game in the 2021-22 season, Brunson finished his first season in New York averaging 24 points and 6.2 assists per game.

The Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals with the help of Hart, who New York traded for on Feb. 9, 2023. During the playoff run, Hart averaged 10.4 points while Brunson averaged 27.8 points.

In the 2023 offseason, the Knicks signed DiVincenzo, bringing another Villanova teammate. All of a sudden the New York Knickerbockers were known as the “Nova Knicks.”

The Knicks finished with 50 wins and returned to the playoffs. During a playoff run that ended with a loss in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, DiVincenzo averaged 17.3 points per game, Hart averaged 14.5 points per game and Brunson averaged 32.4 points per game

In the 2024 offseason, Bridges was brought in through a trade with the Brooklyn Nets. Then, DiVincenzo was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves to bring Karl Anthony-Towns to New York.

After a 51-win season, the Knicks made it to the playoffs and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Nova Knicks continued being a bright spot for New York as Brunson averaged 29.4 points per game, Bridges averaged 15.6 points per game and Hart averaged 11.6 points per game in the playoffs.

This season, New York won 53 games and returned to the playoffs. Once again, the Nova Knicks dazzled in the postseason. Brunson averaged 28.4 points per game, Bridges averaged 13.5 points per game and Hart averaged 10.4 points per game.

Betting on team chemistry and success in college led to the Knicks becoming a consistent playoff team, leading to an NBA Finals run.

The plan started with Brunson, who evolved into a top-guard in the NBA. Then, New York added players to help with the scoring as well as defense with Bridges and Hart. The trio already knew each other and how to win.

New York took a gamble with adding players from a specific college team, and it was new to the NBA. The Wings did the same thing with pairing Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers. Both were drafted number one overall in the WNBA Draft after the duo starred at UConn.

In the 2024-25 season, Fudd and Bueckers won the National Championship under Geno Auriemma in the third season Fudd and Bueckers played together.

UConn lost 15 games during that three-year run. In comparison, the Wings have lost 65 games combined over the last two seasons as well as not being in the playoffs since 2023.

You might call Bueckers the Jalen Brunson of this iteration of the Wings. She is becoming one of the best players in the WNBA, just like Brunson in his ascendancy.

It is not as easy to compare Fudd to one of the other Villanova players because she is still navigating through her rookie season. Fudd has shown glimpses, but she is not a finished product like Bridges and Hart were when they joined Brunson in New York. But the flashes Fudd shows portend big things — she could end up being much more than a role player.

While the Nova Knicks were important to the championship run, OG Anunoby and Karl Anthony Towns were added to the roster and were important pieces to help New York break its 53-year drought. New York also changed coaches.

The Wings understood the roster needed work and brought Jessica Shepard and Alanna Smith to Dallas. They also hired a new coach. Jose Fernandez has installed an exciting offense in his first year with the team that seems to be addressing the team’s lack of 3-point shooting in the prior two seasons.

Shepard is off to a record start, while Smith has started slowly. The roster will most likely need more changes for Dallas to compete in the playoffs and eventually win a championship. It took a while for the Nova Knicks, but the UConn guards are already impacting Dallas with a strong start to the season. Time will tell if the Wings can replicate the Knicks’ success.

Shocker: The New York Knicks are your NBA champions.

Proper: The New York Knicks are being disrespected as they always have been.

Not even five seconds after the final buzzer sounded inside that random arena in San Antonio, with the Knicks—organization and fans alike—still in disbelief of what had just happened, haters and doubters were already at it.

In the economy we live in, however, that was to be expected. Ask Terry. Anyway, early projections for the 2026-27 NBA season are already available, and nobody outside of NYC and its surroundings seems to remember a damn thing about the historic moment they just witnessed.

And obviously, the Knicks are not viewed as the favorites to repeat next season, even if their oldest players will be 31 next season, their core of the team has been together for four years, and well, they won the freaking championship going on an imposing 16-3 run.

Sportsbooks such as FanDuel have placed the Knicks fourth in early odds for the 2027 championship, trailing three teams: the losing San Antonio Spurs, the double-loser Oklahoma City Thunder—both atop the board as co-favorites at +250—and the don’t-know-how-they-will-look-in-a-week Boston Celtics, at +600.

New York checks in behind them at +750, a hellaciouslly good distance ahead of joint-fifth-favorites Denver and Detroit, both at +2500.

Has any franchise repeated as champion since the 2017-18 Dubs? Nope. Has any team even won two titles in the last eight seasons? No.

Does that matter at all? Not to me! Let the (under)dogs out!

We are a little under a week away from the 2026 NBA Draft and that means we are getting a little closer to seeing the Washington Wizards make one of the most important picks in their franchise history, with the #1 overall pick in the draft. This draft is littered with some amazing talent, but there are certain players who fit this roster better than others. Let’s break down the top draft prospects’ fit on this roster as well as what FanDuel has as their odds being picked by the Wizards at #1.

1. AJ Dybansta

Why does AJ Dybansta fit in so well with the Wizards core? Let’s start with his positional length. The Wizards have built a team that has the ability to play multiple positions on both sides of the floor. Having a 6’9” athletic wing fits into the archetype that this front office has sought after in each of the past few drafts. Dybansta also has the offensive potential to be a #1 option. The Wizards just don’t have anyone with the combination of size and scoring prowess on the roster currently, which makes Dybansta a great fit for this team.

His ceiling as an offensive player is much higher than anyone on the current roster. Adding AJ could also create a positional mismatch on most nights that the team lacks at times. At his best, Dybansta could make the Wizards an elite offensive team, with the potential of being a strong contributor on defense as well.

FanDuel Odds for Being the #1 Pick: -450

2. Darryn Peterson

There is a lot of controversy about Peterson’s time at Kansas, but make no mistake about it, the talent is there. Even with the athleticism already on the roster, Peterson would be arguably the most athletic of the bunch. Combine that with his ability to attack off the dribble, you would be adding a player that can go get his own shot at a moment’s notice.

Peterson does not possess the positional size that Dybantsa has, but because of wing span (6’9”), he still has the ability to guard multiple positions and allows the Wizards to mix and match him in match ups that would allow the team to throw multiple defenders at the other team’s best ball handlers. Peterson has the best all-around game of the top prospects and is a tough choice to turn down.

FanDuel Odds for Being the #1 Pick: +320

3. Caleb Wilson

Are you surprised to see Caleb here? Although Cameron Boozer is the more polished player coming out of college, Wilson fits the current Wizards roster better, in my opinion. Can you imagine a front court rotation of Alex Sarr, Anthony Davis and Caleb Wilson? You would have three bigs who are athletic enough to guard on defensive switches on perimeter players. This would help them hide some of their weaker defenders, like Trae Young, by having two rim protectors on the court at a time.

Additionally on offense, Wilson’s rim-running style compliments Alex Sarr quite well. This combination allows Wilson to play to his strength offensively, while allowing Sarr to keep the spacing on the floor, playing more as an offensive “stretch 4”. If this team does not see Anthony Davis on the team beyond the next year or so, Wilson provides a strong replacement and maintains strong depth in the front court.

FanDuel Odds for Being the #1 Pick: +8000

4. Keaton Wagler

Like many teams, the Wizards current roster is not built around the idea of having a traditional point guard. Having the ability to have multiple ball handlers, who can also play off the ball, helps the team find continuity on the offensive end. That’s where Illinois guard Keaton Wagler could fit in. Wagler had a strong showing in the NCAA tournament, while helping the Illini get to the Final Four. While he does not possess the athleticism the previous three options has, his ability to fit next to players like Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Trae Young, etc. would greatly enhance the depth at the guard position.

Perhaps not likely an option if the Wizards stay at the #1 pick, but if the Wizards ever did decide to trade down, Wagler would be a good option that has a mature enough game to be an instant contributor.

FanDuel Odds for Being the #1 Pick: N/A

5. Cameron Boozer

I have Boozer lower on this list just strictly off of his ceiling. Boozer was an excellent college player with high basketball IQ, capable of doing a little bit of everything, but the reality is the NBA is largely about how well you can guard your position and possible other positions when you are forced to switch on defense. He does not possess the athleticism to project to be a good defensive player at the NBA-level. Offensively, Boozer has a strong lower base that will allow him to be an effective post player. He also possess high basketball IQ and is a great shooter.

On the Wizards, Boozer has the ability to compliment Alex Sarr. His overall skill set offensively makes him a great fit in the front court on this team. Boozer has a mature post game that gives him a unique skill set that this team simply does not have a lot of.

With all of this in mind, Boozer is a safe pick. He is not likely to be a superstar, but he has the ability to be a contributor right away. He is not likely to be the #1 pick, but if the Wizards decide to choose him, they would have a player who is a sure thing.

FanDuel Odds for Being the #1 Pick: +2200

This isn’t just another puff piece by a Minnesota Timberwolves fan celebrating Karl-Anthony Towns.

As much as I would love to flood the internet with more positivity and reveling in Towns’ most recent accomplishment, I’ve actually been thinking about why I’ve been rooting for Towns to win the championship this postseason.

When watching an NBA game, my flowchart of “Who am I rooting for?” has usually gone something like this:

1. Are they the Timberwolves?
2. If they aren’t, which team’s victory/loss would benefit the Timberwolves more?
3. Which team’s victory/loss would lead to the Timberwolves catching fewer straws?

_{*Just as important, everything would be inverse if you replace Timberwolves with Lakers}

During the 2026 NBA Finals, all indications should’ve pointed towards me rooting for the San Antonio Spurs. If the Spurs won it all, it would likely mean they would keep the team together. A team that the injury-riddled Wolves took to six games (astronomical point differential aside). A San Antonio loss would likely prompt them to add more firepower in the offseason, rebalancing their roster along the way. Additionally, Minnesota losing to the eventual champs sounds a lot better than losing to the eventual runner-up.

Additionally, a New York Knicks victory should be to the Wolves’ demise. Fans and talking heads would be champing at the bit to ridicule Minnesota for giftwrapping banner number two to New York in the form of Towns. In fact, Towns would be just the latest top-10 draft pick that the Wolves failed to build around, then traded, and then won the Larry O’Brien Trophy in just two seasons with their new team. Meanwhile, the bulk of the Timberwolves’ offseason content is about how they can try to trade one of the players they received in that very same trade.

By this logic, rooting against the Knicks should have been a no-brainer.

However, I still found myself pulling for New York. I was willing to ignore my aforementioned flowchart even if it came at the expense of my favorite team. Why was watching Towns claw his way towards a title with the Knicks so much different than, say, Andrew Wiggins with the Golden State Warriors four years ago? I’ve met both players face-to-face multiple times, and they were always nothing but pleasant to me. They both tried, to the best of their own respective abilities, to win in Minnesota without ever the peep of a trade request.

It was because of how I personally viewed these individuals as humans.

My admiration for Towns has already been detailed here on Canis Hoopus. He’s someone who, by multiple accounts, is a grade A person off the court. Whether it’s been within the local Minnesota community or as someone who regularly uses his platform to uplift the disenfranchised, Towns is someone that I’ve always been proud to root for. It’s always been about more than basketball with him.

Conversely, I wrote a whole piece about players I love rooting against four years ago. So much angst, Leo! So, have I just become soft now? Has the birth of my first child turned me into a “snowflake” who just wants everyone to get along? I doubt that very much.

What I’ve grown to realize over the years is that everything shouldn’t have to be in binaries. Just because I was rooting for Towns didn’t mean I was rooting against the Wolves. That didn’t even mean I was rooting against Victor Wembanyama, who was openly critical of ICE activity in Minnesota, nor the Spurs franchise, who are one of the NBA organizations most openly critical of our current government.

On the flip side, rooting for Towns didn’t mean I was rooting for former Wolves assistant coach Eric Daniel “Rick” Brunson, given the previous sexual assault allegation raised against him. It didn’t mean I was rooting for James Dolan and his laundry list of transgressions (including an eerily similar SA allegation). There are often both good and bad people on both sides. And there are usually more than just two sides.

Can I root for an athlete even if they play on a team with a rotten owner, or have rotten teammates?

Can I root for a musical artist even if they’re signed to a rotten label?

That’s perhaps a different discussion for another day, but in this particular case, I find it easier to cheer for and follow athletes who are simply good people and not overanalyze the rest.

People like Ricky Rubio, who has had huge success the last couple of years playing with his first professional team, Joventut Badalona (sadly, they just got eliminated in the semi-finals of the Spanish Liga ACB playoffs), while continuing to do great work in the cancer research arena with his foundation.

People like Gorgui Dieng, who has continued to pour into his home country of Senegal, uplifting the youth and sports communities along the way. This is why Canis Hoopus writes stories about these former players, all three of whom were recipients of NBA Cares Community Assist awards.

There will always be people who root for players for different reasons. Some may root for players that have an aesthetically pleasing style of hooping (Curry, Kyrie). Some may root for players of the high school jock ilk (Kobe, or the ringless Jimmy Butler). Some may not even care about the players themselves, as long as they help bring a championship to your favorite team.

People will try to change you or ridicule you for your choice.

But this is a reminder that it is always okay to root for good people.

When it comes to making offseason NBA roster improvements, the paths are clear even when the eventual outcomes aren’t.

There are unrestricted free agents. 

There are restricted free agents. 

There are trades.

And then there’s the draft — the most volatile path when factoring in that NBA franchises are taking shots on players who are typically teenagers or in their early 20s.

But the Western Conference finals between the Spurs and Thunder showed how consequential the draft can be for setting up short-term and potential long-term success. Especially in the modern NBA in which teams’ spending and roster machinations can be limited depending on whether they’re over the first or second apron. 

And after their last two first-round picks haven’t produced in the ways they’ve hoped (2023 pick Jalen Hood-Schifino, no longer in the NBA; 2024 pick Dalton Knecht, fell out of the rotation last season), the Lakers can’t afford to whiff with the No. 25 pick in the NBA draft in less than two weeks. 

Who should the Lakers target with their first-round pick?

Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky big

2025-26 stats: 5 points, 5 rebounds, 16.8 minutes

Measurements: 6-foot-9 (without shoes), 253 pounds, 7-foot-5 ¼ wingspan, 9-foot-1 standing reach  

The skinny: Quaintance started his collegiate career at Arizona State, where he quickly became one of men’s college basketball’s most versatile defenders. But he suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in February 2025 during his freshman year with the Sun Devils, cutting his first collegiate season short. Quaintance only played 67 minutes across four games with Kentucky after making his season debut in the Dec. 20 win over St. John’s because of swelling in his right knee. His medicals and health will be a significant factor in where he winds up being drafted, but Quaintance’s shot blocking, defensive switchability, athleticism and finishing could make him an impactful player as a rookie. 

Tarris Reed Jr., UConn big

2025-26 stats: 14.7 points, 9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2 blocks, 27.3 minutes

Measurements: 6-foot-9 ¾ (without shoes), 263 pounds, 7-foot-4 ¼ wingspan, 9-foot-2 standing reach  

The skinny: Reed played collegiately at Michigan for two seasons, including a full-time starter as a sophomore, before transferring to UConn for his last two seasons. He led the Big East in field-goal percentage in 2025-26 at 60.7, showcasing good touch around the basket after powering his way toward the rim. He weighed in as the second-heaviest player at the NBA draft combine, and he uses his strength very well on the interior as a scorer or rebounder. 

Chris Cenac Jr., Houston big

2025-26 stats: 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 24.8 minutes

Measurements: 6-foot-10 ¼ (without shoes), 239 pounds, 7-foot-5 wingspan, 9-foot-0 ½ standing reach  

The skinny: Cenac was a consensus five-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, immediately starting for a Houston team coming off a runner-up finish in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. His mix of size, fluidity and athleticism make him an intriguing long-term prospect. But he needs to get stronger. Although he likely won’t be ready to contribute to an NBA team as a rookie, taking a patient approach with his development may be worth it.  

Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s big

2025-26 stats: 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.1 blocks, 30 minutes 

Measurements: 6-foot-7 ½ (without shoes), 245 pounds, 7-foot-2 wingspan, 8-foot-11 standing reach  

The skinny: Ejiofor played for the Red Storm under Rick Pitino the last three seasons after starting his college career at Kansas. Though undersized, Ejiofor projects to be a versatile defensive big man who can switch 1-5 and protect the rim because of his motor, strength, length, quickness, awareness and IQ. He’s a more limited offensive player because of his lack of shooting but can make up for it with quick decision-making as a passer and sound screening, which further unlocks his playmaking. 

Allen Graves, Santa Clara forward

2025-26 stats: 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.8 assists, 0.9 blocks, 22.6 minutes

Measurements: 6-foot-7 ¾ (without shoes), 225 pounds, 7-foot wingspan, 8-foot-10 ½ standing reach  

The skinny: Graves was the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year and an All-WCC first-team honoree after putting up tremendous counting and advanced stats coming off the bench for the Broncos. His combination of size, defensive playmaking, shooting, passing and general all-around skill set made up for his lack of traditional athleticism.

Do Heat have edge over Celtics in potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Now that the NBA Finals are over, the biggest story in basketball is the future of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo has played the first 13 years of his career with the Bucks and led the franchise to a championship in 2021 — its first since 1971.

But it appears his time in Milwaukee could be comingto an end, and with the 2026 NBA Draft set to begin next Tuesday, a deal could potentially happen in the short term.

The two teams most often mentioned in Antetokounmpo trade rumors over the last few weeks have been the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics.

The Heat are seemingly always in the mix when a huge star is rumored to be available. The Celtics need an upgrade at center and have the ability to put together a compelling trade package. And unlike several other contenders, the C’s still control a bunch of their future first-round picks.

So, which team has the edge in the race for Antetokounmpo? What’s the latest on this situation? The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn provided an update on Monday’s edition of NBC Sports Boston’s Boston Sports Tonight.

“I don’t think (Giannis) is going to be a Celtic, and that’s just from what I’m hearing,’ Washburn said. “I think the Celtics are gauging what it would take to get Giannis to Boston and trying to figure out whether they want to move Jaylen Brown.”

Washburn later added: “I do think Miami has the edge on this, but I do think Boston is kinda sniffing around and finding out could you even acquire Giannis without sacrificing Jaylen? That would be a big question. What is exactly Milwaukee looking for? Who is the third team involved? Because it’s gonna have to be a third team involved.”

Tim Reynolds, a Miami-based NBA writer for the Associated Press, gave the following update on X late Monday night.

There’s no question that Antetokounmpo is still an elite player entering his age 32 season. His record speaks for itself: Two league MVPs, 10 All-Star appearances, nine All-NBA appearances (seven first team), a Finals MVP and one championship, among other accolades.

Antetokounmpo is also two years older than Brown and more injury prone. The Bucks star played in only 36 games last season and has appeared in 70-plus games in a single season only once since 2019. Antetokounmpo also has advanced past the first round of the playoffs just once since 2022, and outside of the 2021 title, the Bucks have been perennial playoff underachievers.

We also have plenty of evidence that the duo of Brown and Jayson Tatum is championship-caliber. They have played in five Eastern Conference Finals and two NBA Finals (one title in 2024) together.

Either way, it’ll be fascinating to watch the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes play out. A top-five player being traded always shifts the balance of power in the league.

Stats disprove Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas' Steph Curry-Jalen Brunson comparison originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors superstar Steph Curry is such an elite shooter that, sometimes, even Hall of Fame players can forget how good of an all-around offensive player he is.

That’s the case with Naismith Memorial Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, who, before the 2026 NBA Finals wrapped up on Saturday night, delivered an odd breakdown comparing Curry’s path to success with his and that of New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson.

“Here’s where it separates. Curry did it at 6-foot-3, more or less, shooting, scoring. Brunson and I, if Brunson becomes a champion, right? We did it scoring and assisting,” Thomas said last Friday on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back.” “That is something totally different and that’s why it’s so unique in terms of what you’re watching because he can assist and then he scores. Curry was more just a scorer, so there are two different ways of doing it.

“Now, with Brunson and I being smaller, we cannot measure ourselves by this analytics category criteria that has been established in the basketball world that only fits and suits the 6-foot-6 and above player. So, if you’re 6-foot-6 and above, these analytics numbers and criteria fits you but if you’re trying to win as a small player, we cannot play to that criteria of statistical analyzation. So we need to figure out how we can win without being measured by the 6-foot-6-and-above guy. And Brunson has settled into that. So, I’ve done it. He’s trying to do it. Curry did it at 6-foot-3.”

During the Knicks’ incredible 19-game run to the 2026 NBA title, Brunson averaged 28.4 points and 6.1 assists.

So, in Thomas’ mind, Curry had to have averaged more points and fewer assists per game during his four championship runs, right?

Unfortunately for Thomas, the stats don’t back up his claim.

During the Warriors’ 2014-15 title run, Curry averaged 28.3 points and 6.4 assists in 21 postseason games. Two years later, with Kevin Durant on board, Curry averaged 28.1 points and 6.7 assists in 17 playoff games.

During the Warriors’ 2017-18 title run, in which Curry missed the first round, he averaged 25.5 points and 5.4 assists in 15 games.

In 2022-23, with Durant long gone and Curry the focal point of the offense, he averaged 27.4 points and 5.9 assists en route to NBA Finals MVP.

Over those four title runs, Curry averaged a cumulative 6.11 assists in 75 games.

As a kicker, Brunson averaged 10.1 made field goals on 21.7 field-goal attempts during the now-completed playoff run. Curry’s highest title-run numbers came in 2015 when he averaged 9.5 made field goals on 20.9 field-goal attempts.

Thomas, if anything, is the outlier. During his two title runs with the Detroit Pistons in 1989 and 1990, he averaged 19.4 points and 8.2 assists. Curry and Brunson are more alike than Thomas is to either of them.

Yes, Curry is known for his scoring and less for the other aspects of his game. But to say he didn’t score and assist on his way to success isn’t accurate.

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The offseason is officially upon us and the Dallas Mavericks have both a coaching hire and two draft picks to think about in the near term. Regarding the former, it is now being reported that no fewer than five candidates are known to be on the Mavericks’ radar. Those names include Micah Nori, Royal Ivey, Jama Mahlalela, Tony Dobbins and Terry Stotts.

The following is a high-level overview of each candidate and their coaching resume.

Micah Nori – Minnesota Timberwolves

The 52-year old Nori has been an assistant coaching fixture in the NBA for 17 straight seasons. He spent his first four with the Toronto Raptors, followed by two with the Sacramento Kings, three with the Denver Nuggets, three with the Detroit Pistons and the prior five years with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

His time spent in Toronto is of particular note, as it was there he assisted under head coaches Jay Triano and Dwane Casey. Ironically, the former is a current assistant coach for the Mavs (though that may be short lived after the departure of Jason Kidd) and the latter was an assistant for Dallas when the Mavs won the championship in 2011. More relevant however, is Nori’s brief bit of time crossing over with Masai Ujiri when the current Mavs’ President was the assistant GM in Toronto. Mavs’ fans are familiar with Nori from their 2024 Playoffs matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves. During that series, Nori worked the sideline as a de facto head coach for the Timberwolves while Chris Finch sat second row as he recovered from a knee injury.

Simply put, Nori has been around the block and worked with some of the best coaches and best players in the game today, making his candidacy highly plausible.

Royal Ivey – Houston Rockets

Ivey, at age 44, has accumulated a solid 10-year assistant coaching career of his own, following a 10-year playing career in the NBA. He spent two years with the Oklahoma City Thunder, then two with the New York Knicks, followed by three with the Brooklyn Nets and three with the Houston Rockets.

Ivey was born in New York, but has ties to Texas by way of his collegiate playing days at the University of Texas at Austin. Something of a journeyman in his NBA playing days, Ivey quickly transitioned to a coaching career where he has been ever since. Beyond assistant coaching in the NBA, Ivey served as head coach of the South Sudan national team, eventually coaching the team in its first-ever Olympic berth in 2024.

Ivey may not be getting quite as much attention as someone like Nori, but he brings his own unique experiences from his time both at home and abroad.

Jama Mahlalela – Toronto Raptors

Aside from a two-year stint as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors from 2021-2023, the 46-year old has spent significant time with the Toronto Raptors. His tenure began back in 2006 as part of the community development team and then served as Director of Basketball Operations for NBA Asia. Beginning in 2013 and for five-straight years, Mahlalela was back serving as an assistant coach in the North, then took on the head coaching reigns for the Raptors’ G-League affiliate. From there, it was another year as an assistant with the Raptors, then the aforementioned Warriors stint, then a return to the Raptors for the past three years.

Although he was technically uninvolved with the Raptors during their 2019 championship run, as he was concerned with his head coaching duties with the G-League team, he did net himself a more direct championship in his short run with the Warriors as an assistant in 2022. He brings a unique resume with his time spent in Hong Kong running NBA Asia overseeing clinics and other developmental programs.

Mahlalela has a diverse background and is certainly very familiar with Ujiri from their overlapping time in Toronto, making him another candidate with direct ties to the current Mavs’ regime.

Tony Dobbins – Boston Celtics

The 44-year old Dobbins has the least extensive coaching resume of the group, having been an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics for the past six years.

Dobbins went undrafted in the 2004 NBA Draft, but nonetheless had himself a playing career in both the G-League and overseas until 2017. Beginning in 2020, he kicked off his coaching career as an assistant with the Celtics, where he has been ever since. His championship ring came at the expense of the Mavericks in 2024 giving him some hardware like others on this list.

Dobbins arguably has less than the others in terms of experience, yet has been part of a highly regarded franchise and got himself a ring in relatively short order.

Terry Stotts – Golden State Warriors

We previously covered Stotts in a standalone article earlier this month, so we’ll avoid a redundancy here. Suffice it to say, Stotts is a basketball lifer with strong connections to the Mavericks’ 2011 championship team. He was an assistant coach under Rick Carlisle at the time, before moving on to become head coach for the Portland Trailblazers for nine seasons.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.