Knicks second-round draft pick Jack Kayil has earned nothing but praise from his peers overseas.
The Germany native has spent the past season with Alba Berlin, his hometown team, and was second on his team in points per game (12.3) and assists (3.5) at 19 years old.
His coach, Pedro Calles, though, was more impressed with his maturity and the way his leadership style commands respect from his teammates than his stats.
Jack Kayil, right, poses for a photo with NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum after being selected by the Houston Rockets in the second round of the NBA draft. AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura
“We are talking about a 19-year-old guy, but his mind and body aren’t those of a 19-year-old. This is the first thing that got my attention,” Calles told Basketball Champions League.
Fellow Alba Berlin guard Martin Hermannsson was also impressed with Kayil’s body at such a young age, saying his strength, athleticism and ability to get to the basket are special.
Kayil uses his 6-foot-5 frame to create separation from his defenders and sees the court as a playmaker.
“A big guard with real on-ball creation ability,” NBA Draft analyst Matt Babcock said. “If he develops more consistency as an outside shooter, it should help unlock the next level of his game.”
Jack Kayil of Alba Berlin dribbles against Neno Dimitrijevic of FC Bayern München during the Easycredit BBL Playoff Final Game 4 match between Alba Berlin and FC Bayern München at Max-Schmeling-Halle on June 19, 2026. Getty Images
This season, Kayil became the youngest to win the Basketball Bundesliga Best Young Player award, beating out established NBAers Franz Wagner and Dennis Schroder.
Despite the recognition, Hermannsson said Kayil just keeps working, always listening to anyone who offers advice and comes in early to practice to get individual work in.
“He’s not taking his talent for granted, and he’s not just thinking that everything will fall in his place,” Hermannsson said. “He’s really working for everything he has, and that will take him a long way.”
Kayil’s off-the-court qualities are what those around him seem to note first.
Alan Ibrahimagic, Germany’s coach at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, raved about Kayil’s personality and his ability to put basketball aside to connect with his teammates.
As team captain, Kayil helped lead Germany on a magical run to the tournament championship before falling to the United States.
That selflessness can, however, be a weakness for Kayil on the court, Ibrahimiagic said.
“Sometimes he’s a little bit too unselfish: he always tries to find another teammate before looking at himself. He could be a much better scorer than he is right now. But with that said, he’s one of the best two-way guards in Germany,” the German coach said.
NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum and Jack Kayil pose for a photo after being selected during the 2026 NBA Draft. NBAE via Getty Images
Along with knowing when to take the shot himself, both Hermannsson and Ibrahimiagic think Kayil would benefit from calming himself down in games. Something that should come with experience, the Alba Berlin guard said.
For as good at playmaking as Kayil was this year, he also led his team with 2.3 turnovers a game.
Ibrihimiagic also noted that if the game slows down for the Knicks’ second-round pick, it could improve his shot-making.
“He needs to get into the point guard mindset of running the team, controlling the next play, thinking always one step ahead: getting the ball to the ones who need it and getting others to the right spots, reading the game earlier and better,” Hermannsson says.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver announces the ninth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. after he was selected by the Dallas Mavericks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
With the 2026 NBA Draft officially in the books, it’s time to round up the grades and see how the collective media thinks your Dallas Mavericks did. The Mavericks draft can best be described as perhaps, polarizing? Morez Johnson Jr., for how good he is, was not ninth on most boards (13th on the consensus board), leading to the fair assumption that Dallas reached on the pick. But, grabbing Sergio de Larrea where they did was a very shrewd move.
All in all, on our live show Tuesday night, I gave the Mavericks a C+ for the work they did. I almost feel as if an incomplete grade is more suitable for the work they did, however. The rest of the roster is awfully redundant with Johnson Jr., and to a degree, Cooper Flagg. There are still transactions that need to be done over the coming days and weeks, and until that’s done, it is a bit unfair to judge the front office. However, if the roster looks and is balanced this way in October, it’ll be a different conversation.
Now that my amateur grading is out of the way, let’s see how the assembled media graded the Mavs.
Our first shocker of the draft! The Mavericks just stole Dusty May away from Michigan, and now he’s bringing one of the top players from his national championship team to his new pro home. Johnson is super long and super strong, he’s an awesome play finisher, a good rebounder, and I believe he might be the best defender in the class. You can make the argument that his upside is capped because he’s a little short for a center, and he doesn’t yet shoot threes, but I think he’s a dog who is additive at either the four or the five. The Mavs just got a lot tougher around Cooper Flagg.
Sergio de Larrea: B
Tall pick-and-roll ball handler who can throw some really nice passes when he’s not sloppy with his turnovers. He shot it well this year, and gives the Knicks another guy who can run offense to take some pressure off Jalen Brunson. Update: De Larrea is going to Dallas.
Odds to win Rookie of the Year
The Fanduel Sportsbook currently has Morez Johnson at +10000 to win Rookie of the Year. Your favorites are Cam Boozer (+240), AJ Dybantsa (+400) and Darryn Peterson (+400). Are these odds telling you how good each of these guys will be as a pro? Perhaps not. But it is a good representation of what oddsmakers feel like they will produce in year one. If you had to pick someone to win, who would it be? And of Morez in particular, do you feel these odds are fair?
Hollinger’s analysis: Surprise! I’m a fan of Johnson but not quite at this level. I think his offensive limitations are a bit much to select him in the top 10 in such a strong draft. He also has some positional questions on this roster since the frontcourt is so loaded already. Shockingly, he goes ahead of his two Michigan teammates (Aday Mara and Lendeborg), both of whom most had rated higher throughout the draft cycle. Obviously, you wonder how much influence newly hired coach (and former Michigan head coach) Dusty May had on all this.
Sergio de Larrea: A
Hollinger’s analysis: I love this pick for Dallas. I had De Larrea in my top 15 and think teams slept on him while he was hugely productive in Spain the past two years. The Mavs gave up two seconds to move up from No. 30 and make sure they got him, which I see as a justifiable investment given the talent cliff that hit basically right after this pick. He’s a Bogdan Bogdanović-type guard with good size who can shoot and pass and should help Cooper Flagg whether he’s on or off the ball.
New Mavs coach Dusty May brings in a Michigan player to Dallas. Morez Johnson was one of the biggest winners of the combine, measuring bigger than expected with massive length, well-rounded athleticism, and simultaneously reaffirming the shooting gains we saw this year. Johnson is long and powerful with an NBA-ready body and rugged physicality to match. He is a two-way rebounder and a versatile defender who can not only guard ball-screens in multiple ways but also be switchable inside-and-out.
Johnson is not a creator and doesn’t project as being more than a complementary piece offensively. Shooting is also still largely unproven with a total of 12 3-pointers in two college basketball seasons. He can provide some secondary rim protection, but doesn’t project as a primary shot-blocker at the NBA level.
Sergio de Larrea: B
A big guard and advanced passer with excellent perimeter size, de Larrea has the potential to play multiple positions. He has a good feel for the game and ability to navigate and make reads off ball-screens. Dictates his own pace and rarely gets sped up. Made notable strides as a shooter and became a reliable floor-spacer, albeit with a fairly elongated release that is powered primarily through his upper body.
De Larrea has some athletic limitations that are exacerbated by playing upright with limited bend or flexibility in his body mechanics. He struggles to get all the way to the rim, especially in the half-court. Also a limited finisher in traffic. Relies on his size and IQ defensively, but has had similar struggles to hold his own on that end of the floor in EuroLeague play.
The single most important goal for Dallas this offseason was to give Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg a long-term running mate. By selecting Johnson, the Mavs added toughness, familiarity and size in a forward who played for new Mavs coach Dusty May last season at Michigan. There was debate about who would be the first Michigan player off the board, and it ended up being Johnson — who was one of the biggest risers of the draft cycle. But does he have the upside to justify the No. 9 pick? De Larrea, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Spain who played important minutes for a Valencia team that was one of the EuroLeague’s best, should fit well as a complementary piece around Flagg and Kyrie Irving. Lawal is a freakish athlete who can run the floor and finish at the rim. He will have to embrace a defensive identity to stick in the NBA.
The “Michigan Mavericks” added Johnson one day after hiring former Wolverines coach Dusty May.
Johnson’s relentless energy as a defender and rebounder was crucial to Michigan’s NCAA championship run, and he has tried to expand his scoring profile by experimenting with a 3-point shot.
If that progress sticks, this pick could look amazing in hindsight. Dallas desperately needed more young talent to reorient its roster around last year’s No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg, and Johnson fits the bill as a player who can capitalize when defenses load up on Flagg.
De Larrea, a big guard who played professionally in Spain last season, and Lawal, a forward from Virginia Tech, fall into the flier category. May will have multiple years to turn around the Mavericks, but Tuesday was a good start.
Despite this likely being the Dallas Mavericks’ best chance to pair Cooper Flagg with a star given the ownership and swaps of their future first-round picks, the Mavs ignored their biggest need.
Flagg and Dereck Lively II should be viewed as the franchise’s frontcourt moving forward, especially if the latter can stay healthy. Dallas suffered from horrible guard play all year and needed a playmaker to help set the table for Flagg, not force him out of position.
Johnson, although a good defender, is limited offensively and is going to need to take a frontcourt spot. With Brayden Burries going one spot later and a run of four potential All-Star guards in front of them, the Mavs should have done all they could to move up a spot or taken the Arizona product instead.
De Larrea potentially fills this need, although he was talked about as a draft and stash option when the New York Knicks originally made the selection at No. 25. This was the Mavericks best chance to add a high-upside guard to grow alongside Flagg and they messed it up so new head coach Dusty May could take one of his Michigan players, a move that’s not going to age well.
Just a few days after the Bucks chose the Heat’s trade package for Giannis Antetokounmpo over the Celtics’ offer headlined by Brown, the Timberwolves traded for another player instead of Brown.
Celtics Jaylen Brown guarded by Mitchell Robinson. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
The Timberwolves acquired Ball and Josh Green for Naz Reid, one first-round pick and three first-round pick swaps and three second-round picks.
The Bucks’ previously opted for Miami’s offer built around young players and first-round draft picks over the Celtics’ package centered on Brown.
That Brown would be mentioned in another trade in such quick fashion only raises questions about whether he will be with the team come Opening Night this fall.
Boston President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens did not give a concrete answer on whether the guard would remain with the team earlier in the week.
The Timberwolves acquired LaMelo Ball over Jaylen Brown. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“Jaylen Brown is a big part of us,” Stevens told reporters Tuesday night. “I don’t want to predict the future. I look at it as this is our team.”
Brown shined this past season while serving as the team’s No. 1 option for most of the year with Jayson Tatum sidelined, calling it his favorite season of his career.
He finished fourth most in the NBA with 28.7 points per game.
Celtics Small Forward Jalen Brown Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
There is at least one possible trade partner that could still make sense for the Celtics, though.
The Celtics have long been interested in the Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, according to SI’s Chris Mannix, and could use a good frontcourt presence to help deepen the roster.
Brown would provide Cleveland with another capable scorer alongside Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.
Now that the 2026 NBA Draft is behind us, scouts and executives fully shift their evaluation focus to the 2027 NBA Draft and a new crop of players.
12 months away from when these prospects will actually hear their names called, it is nearly impossible to predict which players will emerge at the top of the next class. Experts feel the upcoming class is not nearly as loaded at the top as 2026 was with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer.
However, there are still plenty of talented prospects who will soon make a name for themselves at the next level in college basketball and overseas.
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 23: Mikel Brown Jr. poses for a photo during the 2026 NBA Draft - Round One on June 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 Laura June Kirsch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s basically pretty simple. All the rebuilding, all the losses, all the trades, all the disappointments over the past two years came down to the moment that Adam Silver stepped to the stage Tuesday night and intoned those words, “with the sixth pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, the Brooklyn Nets select… MIKEL BROWNJR!”
Sure, the selection of Egor Demin at No. 8 a year ago and his (mostly) positive season matter, but the sixth pick in what could be a generational Draft was also the franchise’s highest pick since 2010 when they took Derrick Favors with construction barely underway at Barclays Center and HSS Training Center just an idea. More than that, the 2010 Draft was mediocre at best.
Indeed, the pick that became a thin 20-year-old lead guard from Orlando was arguably the franchise’s biggest decision since John Calipari muffed 1996 Draft and wimped out by deciding against taking Kobe Bryant. No, no, we’re not saying Brown is the next Kobe, nor are we dissing the pick of Brook Lopez at No. 10 in 2008. We’re just measuring the call’s potential impact.
The Nets have had a busy month of decisions, from the Julius Randle trade to Michael Porter Jr. extension to how to use the rest of their cap room. But down the road, whether Marks is still Brooklyn’s GM or not, his legacy may well be remembered by the call he made Tuesday night.
That’s probably reductive. Technically, Marks picked Brown over not just Acuff but a litany of prospects — including Kingston Flemings and Brayden Burries, Nate Ament and Aday Mara. But realistically? Brown and Acuff are going to be linked because Marks drafted the Louisville freshman sixth overall, and Acuff came off the board one spot later to Sacramento.
Frankly, a big win on Brown would also help fans forget what happened with the Clean Sweep. Without saying so, Marks gets that. In his post-Draft presser, he noted:
“We’ve all talked about, and the media talked about, how good this draft was and how deep this draft is. You never quite know until four or five years down the road,” he told reporters.
“I’ve said the things that stood out about Mikel, the high character, the competitive fire that he has, the physical skills he has, the ability to shoot from deep, the range that he has, play with his teammates, make quick decisions, his athletic ability. A lot of those things will definitely translate to our league. Those are definitely things that stood out, being able to play on and off the ball and his versatility.”
Those or five years will also likely be filled with comparisons to the other lead guards who were available at the time No. 6 spot, particularly Acuff. So be it. Marks gets that, adding “Look, I don’t know that I need to get into who we didn’t draft and so forth.”
Others surely will, as Lewis writes.
Right now we’re just in the prologue. But by then, the Big 3 era will be a decade in the rearview, a distant memory. Porter and Randle — both of whom can be free agents next summer — may each be gone. Meanwhile, these rookies will be entering their prime. And Marks’ call will be either vindicated or vilified.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the nineteenth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Santa Clara forward Allen Graves after he was selected by the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Allen Graves and Jaden Bradley have been wrapped up in the whirlwind of the draft, seeing the two players make their way north to Canada to speak to media ahead of the Summer League’s beginning.
Graves entered flanked by family, his brother a prominent presence on the sidelines as the rookie took a seat at the OVO Athletic Centre. The former Louisiana Mr. Basketball was collected and relaxed as he spoke about the outpouring of support from his Ponchatoula community – 8000 strong – where “literally the whole town” was picking up the phone to wish him well.
He called Toronto “amazing,” and spoke positively about the city’s greenery as similar to that of his native US south. The connection to home is strong, noting that his father worked four jobs – as a bus driver, in a mechanic shop, and as a minister – and brings that ethos of working hard to his play on the court. “I got to take my job as serious as he does,” said the forward. And indeed, Graves seems to have a good understanding of his place on the team, and in the league.
He said that his year one focus would be on defence, “being able to switch, being able to guard,” with that side of the ball being how he would “keep getting contracts.” Graves was confident about his abilities, saying that the latter half of the season, especially his matchup with Gonzaga, marked when the NBA dream felt real. “I feel ready, I wouldn’t have took it if I didn’t think that I was ready, and I was able to play at this level.”
Bradley, drafted just last night, was a bit more subdued after flying in to Toronto from North Carolina. Bradley was born in Rochester, New York, and lived in Charlotte for much of his life. Similarly to Graves, he spoke about his defensive responsibilities as paramount to his play. “I knew I had to hang my hat on the defensive end,” he said. “My freshman year at Alabama, I had some great, great players and I knew I had to… kind of earn minutes.”
That unselfish perspective from the former Big 12 Player of the Year suggests he’ll fit in well on a Raptors squad alongside the roster of other points guards. Having faced off against Jamal Shead in college, Bradley called it “a crazy game,” and complimented Shead, calling him “a great player defensively,” and that “offensively, he had it going as well.” Having the two hard-nosed guards on the same team now could be a dangerous weapon in the hands of this Raptors organization.
There were moments of levity from Bradley as well. When asked about strange questions that he was asked by teams during the draft, he was asked “what is it like growing up with a fed in the house?” This, in reference to his father’s work in the federal government, which he joked was a matter of his father “know[ing] every movement”.
Bradley was the only second round draft pick not traded last night, and spoke about what that meant to him.
El Segundo, CA - September 25: Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka during a preseason press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The NBA offseason is in full swing, and we’ve already seen teams like the Miami Heat and the Minnesota Timberwolves making moves to get better. The Lakers have also made some additions, but not as splashy as trading for Giannis or LaMelo Ball.
For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked fans how much confidence they have in the Lakers’ front office, and the results weren’t glowing.
Most fans selecting “a little” feels fair, but it’s not exactly a huge vote of confidence. It signals that even with money to spend and roster spots potentially open, fans don’t know whether Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka can make the right moves to turn the team into true title contenders.
That’s also reflected in second place being the no-confidence option, and last place getting 13% of the vote being the a lot of confidence pick.
At this point, after many years in the position, Pelinka is in the show me stage with fans. They want to see the front office build out a championship roster around Luka Dončić, who is an MVP-caliber player. And this is the summer to do it.
Lakers fans love Cameron Carr
On the plus side, the Lakers moving up to select Carr in the draft has been a popular choice. Draft experts gave the selection rave reviews, and fans agree that it was a good pick.
Carr is exactly the kind of young athletic player the Lakers have been lacking. Obviously, it’s way too early to know how good he will be, but his selection points towards the Lakers working to address their lack of athleticism.
Hopefully, Carr and Adou Thiero can both have positive seasons and suddenly, the Lakers will have some second-unit guys who can really push the tempo and be an injection of energy for the team.
And if Pelinka does his job, there will be other great options on the bench and in the starting unit, making the Lakers a fun team that will win a ton in the West, both in the regular season and during the playoffs.
The second that it was clear LaMelo Ball was being traded, this was always going to be the next domino to fall.
White agreed to a deal to return to Charlotte on a three-year, $74 million deal, something first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. This is a fully guaranteed deal with no player or team options.
This is a good deal for both sides. White essentially doubles his salary and moves into starter range money. At the same time, the Hornets get their new point guard — a dynamic shot creator in his own right — at a lower price than Ball, giving them flexibility to add to the roster.
White will be the starting point guard with Kon Knueppel next to him in the backcourt, with Brandon Miller at the three, the just-acquired Nas Reid at the four, and either Moussa Diabate or Ryan Kalkbrenner at the five — that is a good, more rounded lineup than the Hornets had last season, when they won 44 games and made the postseason.
Last season, after being traded at the deadline to Charlotte, White averaged 15.6 points a game off the bench, shooting 39.1% from 3-point range, and dishing out 3 assists a game. His most memorable moment was hitting the 3-pointer in the play-in game against Miami that forced overtime.
White had other potential suitors, including Detroit and maybe Brooklyn (although the Nets get thrown around by agents all the time as a threat because they have cap space, whether they seriously wanted White is another question).
Re-signing Reaves was one of the Lakers’ biggest priorities during free agency this offseason, and they had to break the bank to get him back.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves decided to stick with the franchise. NBAE via Getty Images
Reaves’ longtime girlfriend, Jenna Barber, posted a photo of Reaves laying down in what appeared to be disbelief on a golf course in the wake of receiving the deal from Los Angeles.
Austin Reaves’ reaction to the four-year, $185 million contract he received from the Lakers.
As if this photo wasn’t proof enough, a June 24 article from ESPN’s Shams Charania conveyed the emotions that Reaves felt upon signing this deal.
“Great relief,” a source close to Reaves told Charania regarding how the star guard felt upon getting this deal.
With Reaves’ deal done, the Lakers’ focus now turns to LeBron James. NBAE via Getty Images
Perhaps the reason for Reaves’ relief is that he nearly would have had no choice but to join another team, given the offers he was set to receive.
Charania conveyed this with a June 24 X post that noted the Detroit Pistons were planning to offer Reaves a maximum-level salary, which is ultimately what led the Lakers to step up their offer and keep Reaves around, as they were nervous they’d lose him.
Reaves was expected to receive free-agent interest from multiple teams — such as Detroit — on maximum-level salary, so the Lakers stepped up on Wednesday to lock in their homegrown talent. Reaves went from undrafted to a two-way player — to making the Lakers roster and now… https://t.co/gft1J4pThc
Reaves has spent his entire NBA career with the Lakers and clearly considers LA home. That’s why it’s no surprise to see and hear about his relief that the Lakers matched the contract he would have received from other teams including Detroit, thus making his decision to stick around an easy one.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 13: Graham Ike #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts during the first half against the UCLA Bruins at Climate Pledge Arena on December 13, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors have signed Gonzaga undrafted free agent forward Graham Ike to an Exhibit 10 contract, per the Gonzaga’s men’s basketball team. Ike was actually ranked higher in Sam Vecenie’s draft rankings for The Athletic than Warriors second-round pick Lajae Jones (70 vs. 99). Exhibit 10 deals are non-guaranteed but include small bonuses (less than $100,000) designed to incentive players to join a team’s G-League affiliate when they likely do not make the team. Exhibit 10 contracts primarily function to help NBA teams fill out their rosters, which expand to 21 in the offseason for summer league and the preseason. Each team is allowed up to six Exhibit 10 contracts. They may be converted to a two-way deal prior to the start of the regular season as well.
Ike was one of the most productive players in college basketball last season, averaging 19.9 points (leading the West Coast Conference), 8.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game on 56.3%/33.8%/79.7% shooting in 31.2 minutes per game (31 games). Ike was the best player on a Gonzaga team that finished the season ranked 18th in the country with a 31-4 record and a West Coast Conference championship. Ike was named an AP and NABC third-team All-American.
Ike began his collegiate career back in the 2020-21 season at Wyoming. A knee injury had hampered his recruitment and kept him sidelined early in the year, but he was immediately a quality rotation player across 11 games once he was able to play. As a sophomore, he led Wyoming in scoring (19.5 points per game) and rebounding (9.6 rebounds per game).
A leg injury led Ike to take an injury redshirt for the entire 2022-23 season and enter the transfer portal, were he landed at Gonzaga. He immediately slotted into the Bulldogs starting lineup, where he remained for the next three seasons. Over his college career, Ike averaged 17.6 points and 7.8 rebounds in 26.8 minutes per game on 56.8%/34.8%/76.5% shooting.
The biggest question facing Ike is how his game will translate to the NBA, where scouts worry he may be a tweener wing/big caught in no man’s land (think Eric Paschall), lacking the creation ability to score against stronger & more athletic NBA defenders without the refined post game to handle responsibilities as a five. As Vecenie wrote in his draft guide about Ike, “Massive, long post player who needs to change play style for NBA.”
With that said, there’s a lot to like about Ike’s potential fit with the Warriors, who currently have an open two-way spot next to Malevy Leons and LJ Cryer. Ike will be 24 in August and has an impressive frame. At the combine he measured 6’9.75” barefoot with a wingspan north of 7’5” at around 250 lbs. In fact, his combine measurements closest comp, according to DraftExpress is Steven Adams.
Ike’s path to an NBA career will be much easier if he is a viable three-point shooter at the next level. His free-throw efficiency (79.6% on 451 attempts at Gonzaga) demonstrates he has some touch on his shot, but he never attempted a three per game before this past season (when he shot 33.8% on 71 attempts).
With the Warriors re-signing Al Horford, likely re-signing Kristaps Porzingis, they will need young depth at center next season. With a guard and wing already filling two-way contracts, Ike could be the early favorite to take the third and final spot if second-round pick Lajae Jones is going to be an immediate member of the Warriors roster.
The move resets the Timberwolves' supporting cast around Edwards after the team fell short of the Western Conference finals for the first time in three years this past season. But it's also perhaps the biggest risk yet for this Minnesota front office considering the franchise is in the midst of its best run of seasons ever.
Here's a closer look at what the Timberwolves roster will look like after the LaMelo Ball trade and the 2026 NBA Draft, as well as how Ball fits with Edwards and the players still on Minnesota's roster:
How LaMelo Ball fits with Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have been in search of an upgrade at point guard and a better sidekick for Edwards since he elevated into one of the NBA's best players. Ball, in theory, could fill those gaps and work interchangeably with Edwards.
Ball can be the playmaker Edwards hasn't had to relieve defensive pressure in high-leverage halfcourt situations. Edwards' strengths as a passer and on-ball defender (and the presence of Gobert) will, in turn, give Ball more open 3-point shots and allow Minnesota to hide Ball on defense.
There are, of course, injury and maturity concerns involving Ball. He played in more than 70 games for the first time since 2021-22 season last year with the Hornets. Perhaps not coincidentally, 2021-22 and 2025-26 are the only seasons in which Charlotte finished with an above .500 record with Ball.
But Ball also had 30 points and 10 assists in Charlotte's 127-126 play-in victory, including the game-winning layup in overtime. If Minnesota can rein in Ball's shot selection and decision-making, he and Edwards are capable of becoming the best backcourt in the league. Maybe Ball is inclined to be more disciplined more often on an established contender.
This could also completely backfire, though, for a couple reasons. For one, the Timberwolves are sacrificing some depth to make these offseason moves work under the NBA salary cap. There's also the pressure and ego that must be sorted through when two young players who've likely never shared the same backcourt with someone this good before come together for the first time.
What the Timberwolves roster looks like now
The trade to acquire Ball, in addition to the trade that sent Julius Randle from Minnesota to the Brooklyn Nets that preceded this move, has restructured the pecking order of the Timberwolves' roster below Edwards.
Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu will join Edwards, Ball and Gobert as the featured players on the team. The Timberwolves agreed to a five-year, $112-million contract with Dosunmu following the Randle trade. The team acquired Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls at last February's trade deadline.
Here's a breakdown of the Timberwolves roster after the LaMelo Ball trade
G LaMelo Ball
G Anthony Edwards
G Donte DiVincenzo
G Isaiah Evans**
G Bones Hyland*
G Mike Conley*
G Jaylen Clark*
G/F Ayo Dosunmu
G/F Terrance Shannon Jr.
F Jaden McDaniels
F Trey Kaufman-Renn**
F Joe Ingles*
F Kyle Anderson*
F Julian Phillips^
F/C Joan Beringer
C Rudy Gobert
G Zyon Pullin*^
F Enrique Freeman*^
C Rocco Zikarsky*^
*pending free agent; ^team option for 2026-27 season; *^two-way contract; **2026 NBA Draft pick
LaMelo Ball contract details
Ball has three years and more than $130 million remaining on the five-year, $203.9 max rookie extension he signed with the Hornets in 2023. He is also eligible to sign a two-year extension with the Timberwolves worth an additional $119 million beginning next month.
LaMelo Ball stats
Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 36.8% from 3-point range and 40.7% from the floor during the 2025-26 season.
Sam, an American bald eagle from the Cincinnati Zoo, takes flight before the first inning during a baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 19, 2023, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
I wasn’t planning on starting the column discussing a Minnesota Timberwolves trade, let alone one involving LaMelo Ball, but here we are. YIK broke the news (at least to me) in the comments section, so kudos to him for staying on top of it. Better salute one of us than Shams, you know what I’m saying? Spoiler: the Wolves package is ludicrous.
Anyway, Kento Kato covered the news while I was working on this, and he has a delicious summary of the trade impact in the NBA as well as the Knicks going forward. If you ask me, I’m cool with removing a threat from the East (the Hornets were looking good at the start of last season and LaMelo was a big part of that) and sending him to the West so it’s now a four-team war for the rights to Western Conference finals, not to mention the actual Finals.
This just in: ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says it’s 51/49 for Mitchell Robinson to return to New York. We have you covered. Check out the latest here.
Now starting for good, with the man who helped build the title Knicks, Brock Aller… welcome to another Knicks draft! Four trades, a bunch of second-round picks, extra cap flexibility, cash, and somehow the rights to Melvin Ajinca again. The man treats draft night like it’s 2KGM with God Mode turned on.
Before we move forward, keep Melvin Ajinca’s name in mind. You’ll need it for an extraordinary feature I have dropping later today.
International Knicks superstar Jack Kayil doesn’t sound interested in becoming another overseas stash. Quotables in the Bulletin.
“My plan is to stay here and get into the organization and keep growing with them.”
Freshest Knicks superstar Tyler Nickel, meanwhile, claimed to be “delusional” last January. And I love it.
If you somehow haven’t listened to Leon Rose’s appearance on the Roommates Show yet, make some time for it today. This felt like Christmas in June, and Rose touched a whole lot of topics from Jalen and Mikal trades, the firing of Thibs and why he chose Brown, how the Knicks FO operates, and plenty of other saucy stuff. Check it out asap.
Newsday’s Steve Popper wrote an interesting piece on the Knicks’ second-apron situation, and one question is at the front of Popper’s mind: Why did James Dolan publicly reveal the team’s financial intentions before free agency even began? Here’s a bit of what he wrote, but check out the full post.
“The first question is why would (Dolan) go public about this when the Knicks have masked their intentions so well for years? If the Knicks intend to stick to this plan then it basically sets the price for the Knicks free agents, meaning if a team intends on making an offer for Robinson, they would know just how far the Knicks could go to remain under the second apron. But the deeper question is why are the Knicks so determined to remain under the second apron?
Stefan Bondy wrote a similar column for the NY Post and echoed the same thoughts Popper floated after speaking with league sources. According to Bondy, plenty of people around the NBA believe ownership will ultimately be convinced to spend because the championship window is simply too valuable to just break the core over a few million dollars. We all agree, don’t we?
The Lakers and the Kings keep being mentioned as the main suitors for Mitchell Robinson if he hits free agency, and the Knicks indeed refuse to get into the second apron. Current Kings and former Knicks GM Scott Perry might have something to do with Sacto’s links. We have plenty of great thoughts and discussions going on in the comments section here. Go chime in!
I am no capologist, so I won’t be judging Spike Lee’s Joint idea to bring back all three of Mitch, Shamet, and Jose. Thoughts?
“I think there is one way to re-sign all three of Robinson, Shamet and Jose with some but not a lot of discount. Jose opts in at $4.5 million. He will then be extended at a reasonable price. Shamet re-signs starting at just under $6 million. This is probably around his market value, maybe a small discount.
“Here’s the doozey: Mitch re-signs to a five-year, $50 million deal. With 8% raises, this allows you start his contract at $8.5 million. If you assume his market is somewhere around two years, $30 million, then it essentially matches that and then gives 3 years and $20 million starting in his age 30/31 season. I’m not sure it’s a wise decision—he’d be getting paid $11.5 million in year 5 as a 32/33 year old Mitch… but it might be the best combination of staying under the apron and keeping this team together.
This scenario, plus trading Pacome and signing the second-round picks (Nickel and Kayil) to two-year rookie minimum deals would get you in a hair under the second apron with 14 players. Plus, the Pacome TPE would mean you would be able to trade for a Vet minimum at the deadline
New York Magazine dropped an outstanding Jalen Brunson feature on Wednesday. It’s packed with little stories about JB and a bunch of fresh post-championship quotes, which honestly makes it all a thousand times better. Funny nugget: Brunson talks about sleeping through Lionel Messi’s World Cup hat trick and being mad about it. Check it out to know all about that and a whole lot more.
Speaking of Rick Brunson, the old man keeps messing around with his son. Across multiple interviews this week, RB again said that 1) Patrick Ewing remains the greatest Knick ever, 2) Jalen still has years to go before entering that conversation, and 3) Prime Derrick Rose would vaporize his own son in a one-on-one game. If you’re too young to know, please don’t skip D-Rose’s MVP mixtape.
Barack Obama appeared on All The Smoke (how far we’ve gone folks…) and spent plenty of time praising the champs, from OG to Brunson.
“I’m trying to think of a better series from somebody who’s never been an All-Star, and it’s hard to think of one, right? Through the whole playoffs, he was just a rock.”
Windhorst nearly lost it discussing a hypothetical scenario about a Lakers-Cavaliers trade that would flip LeBron James for Jarrett Allen in a sign-and-trade. The Lakers would “kill” for Allen and that deal, he believes. I do, too.
Boston continues having an incredibly normal week. Jaylen Brown called ESPN “unethical,” singled out Stephen A. Smith by name, and defended his previous comments about last season.
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, meanwhile, doubled down on his information regarding Brown’s future in Boston, which isn’t nearly as settled as Brad Stevens publicly suggested after the Giannis trade left the C’s and Brown in the cold. Sister site CelticsBlog is already publishing mock trades. Here’s one of them:
“A potential pick: Boston gets Kawhi Leonard and the Pacers 2029 first round pick, unprotected. Los Angeles gets Jaylen Brown.”
Jeremy Schneider of NJ.com was joined by Jerry Carino to discuss KAT’s path from middle school to hosting the Larry O’Brien trophy, his evolution as a player, his most personal side, and what makes him an all-time all-New Jersey basketball hooper.
That’s probably enough internet for one day. The draft is in the rearview mirror, and free agency is almost here, with the first item on the to-do list being Jose Alvarado’s player-option decision.
Never a dull offseason around these parts, whether we’re champs or chumps.
Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes guard Tru Washington (10) with the ball as Louisville Cardinals guard Isaac McKneely (10) and Louisville Cardinals guard J'vonne Hadley (1) defend in the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Two members of the 2025-26 Louisville men’s basketball team have inked NBA contracts after going undrafted.
J’Vonne Hadley has signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the Miami Heat, which selected Hadley’s former teammate Ryan Conwell 37th overall Wednesday night. Exhibit-10 contracts are one-year, non-guaranteed deals typically given to undrafted free agents who will compete for roster spots at the NBA’s Summer League.
Isaac McKneely, another starter from the 2025-26 squad, has signed the same type of deal with the Atlanta Hawks.
Louisville fans are going to have more reasons to tune into Summer League play next month than they have in several years.
Best of luck to both Isaac and J’Vonne on the next steps in their basketball journeys.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with Caleb Wilson after he is drafted fourth overall by the Chicago Bulls during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in 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 Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I already gave out instant grades for the first round, and handed out my winners and losers of the draft. Now, it’s time to grade every team’s full haul. The grades here take both the first and second rounds into consideration, and are largely based off my final big board.
Most of the teams this year did pretty well. There were no super head-scratching decisions like the Yang Hansen pick last season. This was a good draft, and I think a lot of teams are leaving it happy. Let’s get into our full team grades.
Atlanta Hawks
Grade: A
The decision to take Kingston Flemings at No. 8 earned an A grade from me. He’s really smart and tough and athletic, and I think he plays bigger than size on both ends of the floor. Zuby Ejiofor wasn’t my favorite pick at No. 23, but he should add value as a nonsense big man who plays with force and brings some impressive connective passing traits. I can’t believe Henri Veesaar fell to the late second round. He was considered a late first rounder on my board. That’s great value, and I also think he’s the type of spacing big that can work well with both Flemings and Ejiofor. The Hawks did great.
Boston Celtics
Grade: A
Chris Cenac Jr. feels like a classic boom-or-bust prospect. He feels raw in several aspects of the game, but especially in terms of his awareness on both ends. That’s okay as long as Boston is committed to developing him. Cenac has a great frame and a sweet jump shot, and it’s hard to find both of those in a young big man. Dillon Mitchell fits the mold of a Celtics’ value play: he’s long and explosive, and they can unleash him as a defender, rebounder, and play finisher. Boston didn’t have much to work with, but they got good value with both their picks.
Brooklyn Nets
Grade: A-
The Nets redeemed themselves after an underwhelming draft last year. Mikel Brown Jr. is a boom-or-bust point guard prospect, but I’m buying him for his pull-up shooting, creative playmaking, and rim attacking despite his other concerns. Joshua Jefferson was a nice pick at No. 28 too as a forward with real dribble-pass-shoot utility. Both of these players are in a good position to develop under Jordi Fernandez, who is one of the best young head coaches in the game. Tyler Bilodeau is a spacing forward who doesn’t do much for me, but the Nets still had a nice draft.
Charlotte Hornets
Grade: B
The Hornets are going to jack a lot of threes as a team led by LaMelo Ball, and now they have Hannes Steinbach hunting the offensive rebounds. Steinbach is an absolute maniac on the offensive glass, and I think he’s a really good offensive big in general. I’m not sure if he’s a four or a five, and I think he may be best in a twin towers look, but I like the idea of unleashing him within an already powerful Charlotte offense. Christian Anderson was a fine pick at No. 18 too even if he wasn’t my favorite. He has a case as the best shooter in the draft, and that’s always worth adding. I really do not like the LaMelo Ball trade for Charlotte, but we’ll see how it works out for them.
Chicago Bulls
Grade: A-
Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain were fantastic picks to start off the Bulls’ new era with Bryson Graham and Tiago Splitter. Wilson was a no-brainer pick at No. 4 as a ridiculously explosive athlete who can make game-changing plays at both ends of the floor. Swain is a nasty slasher for a 6’7 wing who can create paint touches out of thin air with a tight handle and some daring crossovers on the way to the rim. I hate that the Bulls traded their No. 38 pick during a rebuild. I’ll change my tune if Kam Jones — who I liked last year — turns into anything, but his rookie season was so discouraging that it felt like he was probably getting cut in Indiana. Same old Bulls even with a new front office when it comes to the second round, and it turned an A into an A- for me.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Grade: A
Meleek Thomas is awesome value at No. 34. The Cavs traded down from No. 29 and still landed him. Thomas comes from the Lou Williams school of walking buckets, and I actually think he’s a little feistier defensively than most players in that mold. His three-level scoring will be nice for Cleveland to have off the bench.
Dallas Mavericks
Grade: B+
Morez Johnson might have been the biggest surprise of the first round, but it’s a pick that also makes a lot of sense. Dallas just hired his college coach Dusty May, and Johnson was the youngest and most versatile defender of Michigan’s three lottery picks. The Mavs also added Sergio De Larrea, a tall playmaking guard who can shoot but needs to get stronger and fix his turnover issues. Second rounder Tobi Lawal is a super athlete, but probably not an NBA player in my view.
Denver Nuggets
Grade: B
The Nuggets traded out of the first round, but still came away with a couple interesting prospects in Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins. Brazile is theoretically a great fit next to Nikola Jokic as a bouncy big with shooting ability who can finish plays above the rim. Hopkins is a big forward who remade himself from a bucket-getter to a defender after he tore his ACL in college. I’m optimistic on the Brazile fit, and I think Hopkins has a chance to make the team.
Detroit Pistons
Grade: A
Ebuka Okorie was one of my favorite picks of the first round. He’s lightning quick with the ball in his hands and can give Detroit some advantage creation they just didn’t have on the roster outside of Cade Cunningham bully ball. The Pistons’ second round pick Ugonna Onyenso was also one of my favorites in that range. He’s a phenomenal rim protector. I’m not sure if Onyenso can do anything on offense, but he has an elite skill, and that should help him have a pro career.
Golden State Warriors
Grade: A
Yaxel Lendeborg was one of my favorite picks in the draft. He was fifth on my board, and the Warriors got him at No. 11. Beyond that, he’s a perfect fit for what they need, giving them a do-it-all, two-way forward for Steph Curry’s twilight years who should be ready to rock from day one. I have no takes on second rounder Lajae Jones, sorry.
Houston Rockets
Grade: A
Trading up for Bruce Thornton was brilliant. He was a first round talent on my board, and he gives the Rockets another ball handler, which they desperately needed. Thornton put up 66 percent true shooting as a senior at Ohio State, which is an elite number for a rim-running center, let alone a 6’2 point guard who can’t dunk. He’s awesome. Houston also signed Quadir Copeland and Oscar Cluff as two of the best undrafted free agents. Good work, Rockets.
Indiana Pacers
Grade: C
I didn’t like the Pacers’ Ivicia Zubac trade when it happened, and it came back to bite them. It’s wild they still owe another unprotected first rounder for him after giving up a top-5 pick this year. The Pacers nabbed Braden Smith in the second round. He was a college legend, but my gut says he’s too small to play in the NBA. We’ll see.
Los Angeles Clippers
Grade: B
The analytical models love Keaton Wagler, but I worry he falls below the threshold of NBA athleticism needed for a lead guard. I like him more on the ball than off the ball, so we’ll see how he fits with Darius Garland. Baba Miller was a cool second round pick. He moves really well for such a big forward and took a nice leap in production this past season.
Los Angeles Lakers
Grade: B-
Cam Carr is a knockdown shooter with ++ length for a wing, but I worry he’s pretty one dimensional. I don’t like his defensive projection, and in my view he doesn’t add much as a ball handler or playmaker.
Memphis Grizzlies
Grade: A+
If you read this website, you know Boozer was my No. 1 player in the class. I think he’s a future superstar. Getting him at No. 3 is the single best pick of the draft. Karim Lopez didn’t do too much for me as Memphis’ second first round selection. Richie Saunders is a really great shooter with athleticism, but he’s a 25-year-old rookie who will probably miss this season recovering from a torn ACL. I still like Saunders’ chances of contributing eventually, but this draft is all about Boozer.
Miami Heat
Grade: B
The Heat traded their No. 13 overall pick for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and walked away from this draft with only Ryan Conwell. Conwell is known for his three-point shooting, and Miami is going to need it with a thin roster around Giannis and Bam Adebayo right now. The Heat are always uncovering diamonds in the rough. They need Conwell to be another one.
Milwaukee Bucks
Grade: C
I thought the Bucks did as well as possible in the Giannis trade, but I don’t love their decisions with their two lottery picks to begin a new era. Brayden Burries is solid everywhere but special nowhere. I do think he complements Ryan Rollins pretty well in the backcourt, but I don’t think he has the upside needed for a top-10 pick. That’s just me. Nate Ament projects as someone with upside, but I don’t see it. He’s not very athletic, his defense was super disappointing at Tennessee, and his outside shooting was pretty poor, too. I want good things for the Bucks after the Giannis trade, so I hope I’m wrong.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Grade: B-
The Wolves traded out of the first round for the right to salary dump a good player in Julius Randle. I did not like that move for Minnesota. I’ve always been a big LaMelo Ball fan, so I’m more bullish on that trade. Minnesota leaves the draft with a good outside shooter in Isaiah Evans and a crafty interior scorer in Trey Kaufman-Renn as second round picks. Both are fine.
New Orleans Pelicans
Grade: B-
I liked watching Jaron Pierre at SMU. Not bad for a late second round flier.
New York Knicks
Grade: B-
The Knicks added some future second round picks in multiple deals before walking away with Jack Kayil and Tyler Nickel. Kayil is a German guard who was previously committed to Gonzaga, and he seems like a fine long-term bet who likely won’t touch an NBA court any time soon. Nickel is a stretch forward who was pretty good at Vanderbilt. I’d be shocked if either of these guys become rotation pieces in the next couple years.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Grade: A
Sam Presti killed it again. I was high on both Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz, and they perfectly fit what the Thunder needed. Mara is a 7’3 giant whose drop coverage will be made more effective with the dogs OKC has at the point of attack. His passing is also special, and I can’t wait to watch him throw full-court touchdowns to the Thunder’s athletes on the wing. Stirtz adds the shooting and playmaking the Thunder desperately needed last year when SGA went to the bench. Otega Oweh is a decent 3-and-D bet in the second round, too. The Thunder are so good at this.
Orlando Magic
Grade: B
Izaiyah Nelson really caught my eye towards the end of the college season. He’s a bit undersized for a big, but he has an appealing combination of length, explosiveness, and motor. He’s a really good rebounder, but right now he can’t shoot at all, and I feel like he’s going to need to develop that area of his game to really stick.
Philadelphia 76ers
Grade: A-
Labaron Philon is great value at No. 22 even if the 76ers had bigger needs in the front court. That Jared McCain trade everyone ripped Philly for ended up working out pretty okay.
Phoenix Suns
Grade: B+
Koa Peat won four high school state championships in Arizona, then helped the Arizona Wildcats reach the Final Four during his one-and-done season. It’s pretty cool that he’s still in the state. Peat can’t shoot at all, but his vertical athleticism and passing at his size could make him a solid role player down the line.
Portland Trail Blazers
Grade: Inc.
The Blazers did not make a draft pick this year.
Sacramento Kings
Grade: C
I would have preferred Kingston Flemings over Darius Acuff for the Kings at No. 7, but the team clearly loved the Arkansas guard and had been circling him for months. Let’s see if they’re right. Alex Karaban wasn’t a first round talent in my book, but the Kings traded up to get him at No. 29. The one pick I did like from the Kings was Emanuel Sharp, who was an excellent 3-and-D style guard at Houston the last three years. This haul will be defined by the Acuff pick. He’ll probably put up big numbers while Sacramento loses a lot of games for most of his career.
San Antonio Spurs
Grade: A-
The Spurs obviously wanted to add beef in the draft, and they got a lot of it. Jayden Quaintance is worth the risk to me. I thought he’d be a top-5 pick coming into the season, but he barely played after trying to return from a torn ACL. JQ could be a monster defensively. I have no idea how he contributes on offense outside of lobs and offensive rebounds, but that’s perfectly fine if he’s an elite defensive big. I didn’t really see the vision with Tarris Reed as a first round pick, but he’s another big body who can eat inside. Maliq Brown is yet another big man who adds defensive toughness and versatility. Ja’Kobi Gillespie is a nice pick-up too as a tiny guard who chucks threes and defends bigger than his size. Quaintance, Gillespie, and Brown is a great haul even if I’m not huge on Reed.
Toronto Raptors
Grade: B+
Allen Graves! What a story, and what a player. I laughed out loud when the Raptors made this pick if only because he’s exactly like most of the other guys on this team. Graves’ defensive playmaking is his calling card, and if he can figure out how to maintain his aggression while cutting back on his fouls, he could go down as a steal. The difference between Graves and the other 6’8 Raptors is that the Santa Clara product can actually shoot. Jaden Bradley is fine for a No. 50 overall pick, but I’d be surprised if he carves out an NBA career (that goes for any No. 50 overall pick I suppose).
Utah Jazz
Grade: B+
I always thought Darryn Peterson was a great fit in Utah. I still think the Jazz passed on the best player in the draft in Cam Boozer, but Peterson was second on my board, and should be a high-level shooter and defender in the backcourt. If he regains his high school explosiveness, the Jazz could be nasty pretty soon.
Washington Wizards
Grade: B+
A.J. Dybantsa has fantastic shot-creation ability for a wing his size. I had him third on my board, but he has the ability to make me look stupid if he eventually leads the league in scoring and starts to take some pride in his defense. I do not love his fit next to Trae Young, but that’s more a Trae Young problem.
The Lakers have agreed to terms on a two-way contract with former Miami (OH) guard Peter Suder.
The agreement, which was first reported by HoopsHype of the USA Today Network and shared by his agency Edge Sports International, came immediately after Suder wasn’t selected in the 2026 NBA draft.
The Lakers have agreed to terms on a two-way contract with former Miami (OH) guard Peter Suder. Rick Osentoski-Imagn ImagesThe 6-foot-5 combo guard shot 54.6% from the field, including 59.7% on 2-pointrs and 42.1% on 3-pointers, in 2025-26. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Suder averaged 14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4 assists in his final season with the RedHawks, helping Miami clinch its first regular-season conference championship in 21 years after the RedHawks’ perfect 31-0 regular season, which included 18-0 in conference games.
The 6-foot-5 combo guard shot 54.6% from the field, including 59.7% on 2-pointrs and 42.1% on 3-pointers, in 2025-26.
He won the 2026 MAC Player of the Year, Miami’s first Conference Player of the Year since Michael Bramos in 2008-09, and led the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007.
Suder was a two-time All-MAC first team honoree after transferring from Bellarmine, where he spent his first two college seasons.
