CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 29: The sneakers worn by Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 29, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Apr 17, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Phoenix Suns have numerous decisions ahead of them this upcoming offseason, including multiple restricted free agents, unrestricted free agents, and players with trade value. The following series will examine those decisions as our writing team presents both a point and a counterpoint for each.
We’ve arrived at the final player to discuss in our “How to Fix the Suns” saga. You know him well, as he’s played 11 seasons for the Phoenix Suns. And I’m here to tell you why the Suns should let him play his 12th in Phoenix.
Devin Booker is easily the team’s most valuable asset, both financially and organizationally. And there is a reason for that. Last season, he once again showcased why he is an All-Star, and had he played the qualifying number of games, he may have added another All-NBA team selection to his resume.
The likelihood of him being moved? I’d place it in the “slim to none” category, especially considering what Suns’ owner Mat Ishbia stated in his end-of-season presser.
“I’ll ride into a fire with Devin Booker and I’ll do it proudly,” Isbia emphatically stated. “Devin Booker is not getting traded. Devin Booker is our franchise player.”
Suns owner Mat Ishbia: “I’ll ride into a fire with Devin Booker, and I’ll do it proudly… Devin Booker is not getting traded. Devin Booker is our franchise player. We’re going to win a championship here with Devin Booker. I’m excited to do it and be next to him when we do that.” pic.twitter.com/CtyNXnLehp
Perhaps that should be it. That’s the entire article. Ishbia said we ain’t doing it, the end. But where’s the fun in that?
I’ll start by acknowledging that, while I truly appreciate who and what Devin Booker is as a player and a person, no one in inexpendable. Such is life. You might think you’re hot shit, but guess what? The building will still be standing whenever you leave. There’s your life lesson for you.
So it’s valuable to have this thought exercise. It allows us to ponder big picture scenarios, understand the broader picture, and respond to those who believe that parting ways with Devin Booker is something to be explored.
Yes, Book has his shortcomings. In 11 seasons with Phoenix, the team has truly been a viable championship contender in two of them. Preseason expectations may lead you to tack on another two seasons, although we all know how the Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal era played out. Still, for those who believe moving off of Devin Booker is the right call, I’m here to make the case that you’re wrong.
Trading Booker now creates more problems than it solves
Last year was a pleasantly surprising season. We exited the year feeling a sense of confidence in the overall direction of the franchise, and although the Suns have their dead-cap issues and limited draft capital, it finally felt like we had fewer problems than your average NBA team.
Devin Booker may have his limitations as a player, and the Phoenix Suns may ultimately be limited by whatever ceiling exists with him leading the way. But for an organization searching for continuity and stability, keeping Booker is paramount for moving the ball forward. Blowing things up now only leads to more losing, less competitive basketball, and a franchise climbing onto the hamster wheel every rebuilding team hopes to escape, chasing lottery picks and waiting for one to change everything.
Phoenix spent last offseason retooling. There’s a foundation here. In my opinion, you stay on the path you’re on. That doesn’t mean you can’t pivot in a year or two. But right now, with this mix of youth and veterans, continuity and stability are the two most valuable things the Suns have. The moment you move off Booker this offseason, you’re sacrificing both.
For those who think now is the time to blow it up, stockpile draft picks, and bring in younger pieces alongside veterans whose contracts match Booker’s money, I simply don’t agree with that path. There are plenty of teams around the NBA trying to find stars, praying that their latest lottery pick is the answer. Praying isn’t a strategy. Having an organization that knows how to properly function is. That is what Phoenix is attempting to build.
Sure, Booker isn’t a superstar, but he is undeniably a star. And he raises your floor every time he’s on the court. All you have to do is look back at this past season to remember what the offense looked like when he wasn’t available. Point Book may not be the long-term answer, but his presence still brings a level of steadiness to an offense that understandably struggled whenever he was out. The team carried a 115.9 offensive rating and were +201 when Booker was on the court this season, and were -81 with a 110.0 rating when he was off.
That’s why, to me, this isn’t really about blind loyalty or refusing to acknowledge Booker’s limitations. It’s about timing and understanding where the Phoenix Suns actually are as an organization. They finally have some traction. They finally have a direction that feels intentional. Devin Booker is still a major part of that. Right now, moving off Booker feels less like progress and more like hitting reset before you truly know what you’ve built.
The Suns still need Booker to bridge what comes next
Phoenix finds itself in a weird spot in franchise history. They’re good. And maybe next season, with continued youth development and more stability around Devin Booker, they can become better than good. Great, perhaps? At the same time, this era feels like a bridge. A strange middle ground between the team that made the Finals and the team that fumbled its way out of that era.
Now it’s about the next steps.
Part of correcting the course is getting to 2030, when Booker’s salary comes off the books and some of the dead cap money clears as well. To get there, the Suns need to navigate the next few seasons the right way. And having Booker here gives them a real chance to do that, because having Booker here means Phoenix is going to win basketball games.
And winning matters.
When you have an influx of young players and you’re trying to teach them how to win, having Devin Booker in the building is important. His presence has value. Because if you blow it up, chances are you start losing. And when losing becomes part of the culture, players can grow comfortable with it, and climbing out of that hole becomes incredibly difficult.
Ask the Brooklyn Nets this year. Ask the Suns from a decade ago. Losing culture isn’t something to embrace. It isn’t something to chase. And I believe moving off Booker this offseason would put Phoenix right back on that path.
Phoenix finally has a roster with some direction, some continuity, and a young core learning what winning basketball is supposed to look like. Booker helps reinforce all of that every time he steps on the floor. Maybe a year from now, the conversation changes and the organization decides a different path makes more sense. Currently, the Suns need stability more than they need a reset, and Devin Booker still gives them the clearest path toward building something worth sustaining.
Devin Booker means more to Phoenix than basketball
Then there’s the loyalty factor. Sure, the NBA is a business. Fans don’t always care about loyalty, and players don’t always care about loyalty. That conversation goes both ways. In Booker’s case, it feels different.
A player entering his 12th season in Phoenix is rare. If Booker suits up with Phoenix next season, he’ll become one of only three players in franchise history to play that many seasons for the Suns. The others are Kevin Johnson, who played 12 years in Phoenix, and Alvan Adams, who spent all 13 seasons of his career here.
There’s something meaningful in that. There’s beauty in that loyalty. There’s a sense of pride in it. And for a fan base that’s dealt with plenty of mercenaries in recent years, it’s nice having somebody who never felt like one. Booker stayed. He embraced the state. He embraced the community. He’s grown with the franchise and helped carry it through some ugly years and some unforgettable ones.
Those things matter to me. And quite honestly, I’m not ready to let go of that yet.
That’s the part that can’t be fully measured when we talk about contracts, timelines, and long-term roster building. Devin Booker became bigger than a stat line in Phoenix a long time ago. He became part of the identity of the franchise itself. Through the losing seasons, through the Finals run, through every reset and every expectation that followed, Booker remained the constant.
The player, the franchise, and the city still feel connected.
This man could have left years ago for various reasons, and no one would have blamed him. He decided to stick it out with the franchise and state that embraced him as an 18 year old kid out of college! Loyalty, love, and respect matters! Some things are bigger than basketball! 💯 https://t.co/cRZhreK9YY
And the primary reason I don’t want to move off Devin Booker at this point is simple. Now is not the time.
I keep coming back to that word, continuity. The Suns need another season with their primary pieces in place to see what they are, who they are, and whether what they’ve built actually works. Not strictly the players either. The coaching schemes. The culture. The foundation they started laying this past season.
Because if it’s repeatable, now you have options.
And with this new regime focused on development across the board, it’s also an opportunity for Booker to continue showing exactly who and what he is within that structure. If Phoenix falls short of expectations, then this time next summer the conversation becomes very different. And when that time comes, we can have it. At this point, I don’t think it’s time.
I know there are some of you out there who believe Booker’s value will never be higher than it is right now. I disagree. I actually think there’s a case for his value increasing next season, when he has three years left on his deal, with two of those on the supermax. There’s less long-term money attached. There’s a cleaner runway. And if there’s an organization out there struggling to find direction, a team like the Detroit Pistons, for example, Booker suddenly becomes the type of player you convince yourself can change everything.
And to get that player, you pay a premium.
Granted, the NBA’s anti-tanking rules have changed the math a bit. Teams are probably not going to throw five first-round picks into deals the way they once did. Those picks carry more value now because flat lottery odds have made every one of them feel more like a lottery ticket. That reality exists whether you trade Booker now or next summer.
Across the league, draft picks are more valuable, and teams are going to be more selective with how they move them. That’s why I believe Phoenix can accomplish both things next season. You can evaluate whether the system works. You can evaluate whether Booker works within it. You can gather another year of development, another year of chemistry, another year of data.
And if things don’t break the way you hoped they would, you can still move off Booker next summer at fair market value. That option is still there. It doesn’t have to happen now.
The Suns spent all of last season trying to establish structure, identity, and a healthier long-term direction. Walking away from Booker before you’ve truly given that process another year to breathe feels premature. Let the group play. Let the system evolve. Let the organization gather one more season of information. If the answers aren’t there a year from now, the option to make a major move still exists. Right now, patience feels like the smarter play.
Yeah, Ishbia says we aren’t moving Booker. And I agree with that statement, for now. This team has earned the right to see what next year brings. They’ve earned the right to prove whether or not health, development, and continuity can progress their standing in the league. ‘
This is Devin Booker’s team. This is Devin Booker’s town. Until it’s not.
Former Warriors and Kings coach, and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Adelman died on Monday from unspecified causes. He was 79.
Adelman served as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers from 1989 to 1994 before Golden State hired him in 1995, a union that lasted two seasons. After a year away from the sidelines, Adelman was named the Kings’ head coach in September 1998 and guided the team to five consecutive 50-plus-win seasons from 2000 to 2005 and a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2002.
Immortalized on a 2001 Sports Illustrated cover as “The Greatest Show on Court,” Adelman’s Kings arguably were the most successful in franchise history.
“The Sacramento Kings organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Rick Adelman, a beloved coach whose leadership, character, and vision helped define an era of Kings basketball that inspired our city and captivated fans around the world,” the Kings said in a statement Monday. “During his eight seasons in Sacramento, he led the team to unprecedented success and helped create some of the most memorable moments in franchise history.
“For an entire generation of Kings fans, Coach Adelman represented the very best of Sacramento basketball, and he will be remembered for the way he inspired those around him – with humility, integrity, kindness, and an unwavering belief in the power of teamwork. His leadership helped establish a culture that continues to resonate throughout our organization today.
“Our thoughts are with Mary Kay, his family, friends, former players, and all who loved him.”
The Sacramento Kings organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Rick Adelman, a beloved coach whose leadership, character, and vision helped define an era of Kings basketball that inspired our city and captivated fans around the world.
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) June 1, 2026
The Warriors also released a statement Monday, saying “Rick Adelman left an indelible mark on the NBA during his nearly four decades in the league, both as a player for seven seasons and as a coach for 29 seasons, including two seasons with the Warriors (1995-97). His creativity and ingenuity led his teams to 1,042 wins during his illustrious coaching career, the 10th-most in NBA history, and earned him entry into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
“We extend our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and the hundreds of lives he impacted, both on and off the court, throughout a legendary career.”
Adelman broke into the NBA as a player, enjoying an eight-year career with five teams including the then-Kansas City-Omaha Kings. After his coaching stint with the Kings ended in 2006, Adelman went on to coach the Houston Rockets from 2007 to 2011 and the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2011 to 2014.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver noted Adelman’s passing on Monday, saying in part: “He was a brilliant strategist and teacher of the game, and an even better person. I send my deepest condolences to Rick’s family and many friends throughout the league.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of former NBA player, head coach and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Adelman:
"Rick Adelman was one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in the history of the NBA. Following… pic.twitter.com/O8ciXfIg7R
The Knicks are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, facing the same San Antonio Spurs franchise that defeated them in five games 27 years ago.
The Spurs, winners of 62 games during the regular season, own homecourt advantage in the series.
Head coach Mike Brown knows the Knicks will need to come out strong in Wednesday night's Game 1 in order to not let the home crowd become a factor.
“[We need to be] aware that we’re going into an environment where the opposing team is going to generate a lot of energy,” Brown said. “Our crowd is one of the best, if not the best in the league, and the energy that we get from playing here at Madison Square Garden is unbelievable. There are probably other buildings where, in their players’ minds, they give them that same energy.
"So, knowing that it’s going to be hostile, we don’t have the energy of the crowd to help us get over the hump. So we have to come out, not coming out jumping on them, but we have to come out with a purpose, not just physically but mentally as well, so that we don’t fall behind big, because the crowd will really feed into that.”
The Knicks’ most recent meeting with the Spurs came in mid-December, as the Knicks won the NBA Cup with a 124-113 victory over San Antonio.
And while the two teams split the two regular season matchups outside of the NBA Cup, Karl-Anthony Towns isn’t putting much stock into any of those past meetings.
“The Finals are won by a team, and I think both of our teams are different than what you saw at the [NBA] Cup,” Towns said. “Even though we were blessed to be able to win it, we’re not the same team that we were at the Cup, nor are they the same team that they were at the Cup.”
Towns, of course, grew up in New Jersey as a Knicks fan. Now he’s part of a Knicks team that is on the cusp of winning the franchise’s first title since 1973.
“It’s been an honor to be part of this team, part of this organization that’s bringing the word hope back to the city,” Towns said. “To have the Knicks be where we’re at right now and to be so respected in the city…. The greatest currency you can earn in New York City isn’t money, it’s respect. And to have the respect of the fans in the city, we’re rich beyond belief here in the city.”
The Knicks have steamrolled through their first three playoff series, making things look easy in series wins over Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Cleveland.
In sweeping the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks haven’t played since last Monday. But as Landry Shamet explained, the Knicks are no strangers to having longer gaps in their playoff schedule.
“Our focus is on going on the road and winning Game 1, and that’s been the same. This isn’t our first long break that we’ve had,” said the veteran guard. “So, it’s more of the same and focusing on the details and gameplan and not getting too crazy or outside the box. The reality is we’re here for a reason and we don’t need to reinvent the wheel entirely. Staying with our principles and focusing on the little things and building up to go try to win Game 1.”
Mar 1, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) defends New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
When I first started writing for Pounding the Rock ahead of the 2016-17 season, the Spurs were plenty relevant. The had arguably a top 2 player in the league in Kawhi Leonard, their first ever big free agent signing (LaMarcus Aldridge) was entering his second season with the club, and they were seen as top title contenders alongside the soon-to-be dynasty of the Golden State Warriors. As a result, there was plenty being written about the Spurs from across the media landscape, which meant there was plenty to cover. So we regularly published posts with links so our readers could find content that they had missed.
In the years since, as the Spurs fell down the standings and out of the average sports fan’s mind, there wasn’t as much being written beyond the occasional monument0us event (like, you know, drafting Victor Wembanyama). But now, with the Spurs back in the NBA Finals, they’re in the brightest of spotlights, so it’s time to dust off ye ol’ Links post to provide you with even more reading than what we produce ourselves as you wait for Wednesday evening to arrive.
A look back at the Western Conference Finals
Obviously, we have covered the Spurs’ amazing victory over the Thunder pretty extensively, but if you want some other perspectives, check out the following links:
Jeff Zillgitt of NBA.com provides four takeaways from Game 7, from how the Spurs took down the defending champions to where the Thunder go from here.
ESPN’s Anthony Slater discusses how Victor Wembanyama led the “ahead of schedule” Spurs back to the Finals.
San Antonio Express News’ Tom Orsborn looks at Julian Champagnie’s improbable journey to the Finals, from being cut by the Philadelphia 76ers to make room for Mac McClung — entirely so he could be in the dunk contest — to starter who hit big shot after big shot to help take down the defending champions. (Subscription required.)
Finals Previews
Check out what national pundits are saying in series previews and how they think it will go.
ESPN staffers look back at the Spurs and Knicks three regular season games and what to watch for in the Finals.
The Athletic’s Spurs and Knicks contributors — Jared Weiss and James Edwards III, respectively — team up to provide the lowdown on the Finals. (Subscription required.)
CBS’s Jack Maloney looks at the three biggest questions that will decide the Finals.
We love you, Jeremy, but hush up! Former Spur Jeremy Sochan, who has the unique of experience of having played for both the Spurs and Knicks this season and with Wemby for almost three seasons, provides some insight on how to beat his former teammate.
Finals Courts are back!
Hey look! After receiving much criticism during last year’s finals — where there were initially no trophy or Finals logos or any indication what you watching before the NBA tried tiny, glitchy, digital logos — the Larry O’Brien Trophy is back front and center for the Spurs and Knicks courts. (I kind of feel bad for the Thunder and Pacers, to be honest. You could watch their highlights from last year and think it was a regular season game.)
Are your eyes tired of reading and you just want to watch or listen to something? Check out Thinking Basketball’s latest video on Dylan Harper and his unique abilities that can’t be taught.
And here’s an excerpt from Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe on how the Spurs took over the Western Conference and their eagerness for next year to get here so we can run it back with the Thunder.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 30: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks speaks during a press conference after game six of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on April 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The wait between the Conference Finals and the NBA Finals can feel like forever. As Knicks fans count down the hours until Game One against the Spurs, here are a few practical tips for maintaining your sanity until the ball finally goes up in San Antonio.
1. Mood Swings Are Normal
While waiting for the start of the Finals, you may experience:
Euphoria
Anxiety
Irrational confidence
Existential dread
These feelings are normal. Do not make major life decisions during this time, and for God’s sake, try not to impregnate anyone or buy a pet. Or impregnate a pet. Pro tip: avoid pictures of Victor Wembanyama standing next to average-sized NBA players. That could cause some unpleasant flutters.
2. Approach Podcasts with Caution
On today’s podcast from The Athletic, all three panelists picked the Spurs to win. I am continually impressed by how underappreciated the Knicks remain, no matter what they do. A historic run through the playoffs? Fuhgeddaboutit! Irrelevant!
If New York wins the Larry O’Brien Trophy, we already know what will happen. The public will find a way to qualify it. Something like: “The Knicks got lucky, catching Wemby before he fully metamorphosed into a World Destroyer.”
New York can blame itself, I suppose. It’s something like the crazy ex-girlfriend who reappears looking healthy and claiming to be on her meds. You want to believe her stability will last, but you can’t forget how many times she trashed your stuff. A narrative that has proven true so often is hard to shake, and the Knicks were terrible for so many years that we can’t blame people for not trusting that they’re for real. Being one of the biggest markets in the league didn’t help, either. It kept the spotlight on them when they deserved to be hidden in the shadows. Well not anymore, pal! Recommendation: Stick to Knicks Film School or Locked On Knicks and skip those other dolts.
3. Strange Symptoms May Occur
Maybe you find yourself checking for updates on Mitch’s pinky every 15 minutes. Or you lurk a little too menacingly behind a guy in a Spurs jersey on the sidewalk. Or you start considering a subscription to Cleaning the Glass because you want to sound extra informed at the Game One viewing party.
Relax. Let the crazy wash over you and pass. If you start a fight with a Spurs fan, you might miss a game or two due to incarceration. And you can totally live without paying to know Stephon Castle’s shot quality from 12-15 feet. Feel free to jump ahead to Number 6 below.
4. Your Relationships May Change
This is the schedule:
Game 1: Wednesday, June 3 — Knicks at Spurs, 8:30 p.m. ET Game 2: Friday, June 5 — Knicks at Spurs, 8:30 p.m. ET Game 3: Monday, June 8 — Spurs at Knicks, 8:30 p.m. ET Game 4: Wednesday, June 10 — Spurs at Knicks, 8:30 p.m. ET Game 5 (if necessary): Saturday, June 13 — Knicks at Spurs Game 6 (if necessary): Tuesday, June 16 — Spurs at Knicks Game 7 (if necessary): Friday, June 19 — Knicks at Spurs
Explain to your family that you love them, but these are sacred time slots. If they are unable to accept that you will be unavailable during those hours, well . . . we are your family, too. We understand you more than they ever can. Cut us, and do we not bleed orange and blue? Besides, I’m sure we have an extra cot for you here at P&T headquarters. Just let me clear it with the wife.
5. Prepare for the Unpredictable
The Finals are much like a scheduled C-section. You know when they’ll arrive. You know they’ll change your life. You know roughly how long they’ll last. Yet somehow, despite months of preparation, you have absolutely no idea what will happen once the cutting starts.
Sleep may prove challenging during this time. You may discover previously unknown superstitions. Remember that these behaviors are normal and no amount of nervous doomscrolling can prepare you for the emotional roller coaster of a Knicks Finals game. Pro tip: Pack an emotional-support beverage. (But don’t drink if you’re actually pregnant, you degenerate. Sheesh.)
6. Savor this Moment
You are breathing rare air. Oh, we caught a teasing whiff of it last season, but now we’re sucking it all into our lungs, and it’s even more amazing than advertised. This is what those Golden State kids were talking about. This is Finals air—not that hot, exhaust-scented B.S. air I was spewing back in 2016, when I was Ubering and trying to convince passengers that Langston Galloway was one to watch.
Breathe in, hold it as long as you can, and enjoy it, family. It took a long time to get here and the future is not promised. Smile to yourself and be cool, knowing that on Wednesday, your New York Knicks will play in the NBA Finals. At last.
While the San Antonio Spurs are heavy favorites in the NBA championship odds, some particular New York Knicks players are the favorites in the NBA Finals prop categories.
If pondering a bet on the Knicks to spring the upset in the series, such a prop bet may be the safer route to profit, as my Knicks vs. Spurs series props and NBA picks explain ahead of tonight's Game 1 clash.
The latter is the better scorer, but he is also facing the better defense. Sure, the New York Knicks may have the better defensive rating in the postseason, but let’s be honest about who they have played. The San Antonio Spurs’ defensive rating was No. 3 in the regular season and No. 4 following the All-Star Break, about two points better per 100 possessions than the Knicks in both subsets.
In the postseason, Brunson has averaged 26.9 points per game, a number actually deflated by New York’s success. In the last 10 games, Brunson has needed to play more than 35 minutes only five times.
Wembanyama has averaged 25.7 points (when ignoring Game 2 of the first round, when a concussion sidelined Wemby after only 12 minutes, and Game 4 of the second round, when he was ejected after only 12 minutes), playing at least 35 minutes in seven of 15 games.
Perhaps that workload concern should be a moot one.
When the Knicks are desperate, Brunson shows up. Looking at genuinely competitive games this postseason, the diminutive point guard has averaged 29.4 points in five games.
He should rise to this moment, and the plus-money payout lends some value to that desperation.
Most assists in series
Pick: Karl-Anthony Towns (+2000 at bet365)
Sportsbooks also view this market as a two-horse race. Brunson and Stephon Castle are near equals, priced at +120 and +130, respectively, with De’Aaron Fox then trailing at +550.
This makes sense. Brunson has led New York with 6.6 assists per game in the postseason, while Castle has led San Antonio with 6.7, ahead of Fox at 5.9 assists per game.
There is another name that should garner more attention, though. In fact, this should be the bet.
The Knicks fell behind the Hawks 2-1 to start the postseason. New York then made an offensive shift, turning to Karl-Anthony Towns as more of an offensive fulcrum. Since then, Towns has averaged 6.5 assists per game, while Brunson has averaged 6.7.
Keeping the ball in Towns’ hands on the perimeter will drag Wembanyama away from the rim, creating cutting chances for the other Knicks. There is both a track record in this postseason and a schematic logic to jumping on this long shot.
Most rebounds in series
Pick: Victor Wembanyama (-160 at bet365)
The leaders in this prop are obvious, Wembanyama at -160 or Towns at +130, then followed by Josh Hart at +2000.
Hart leading the NBA Finals in rebounds would be a chaotic delight, but San Antonio’s perimeter players are physical enough to slow down his usual penchant.
Let’s not overthink this prop.
The only way Wembanyama should fall short of this prop is outright fatigue. And even then, he should have a cushion to work with. Removing those two games in which he departed quite early, Wembanyama has averaged 11.7 rebounds this postseason, compared to Towns’s 10.6.
If there is a Western opponent most comparable to the Knicks, it is Towns’ former team. Wembanyama averaged 13.6 rebounds per game against the Timberwolves, Game 4’s ejection aside. Expect something similar from the Frenchman in the NBA Finals.
Most steals in series
Pick: De’Aaron Fox (+500 at bet365)
Finally, a series prop with a number of viable options. Six players come in between +275 and +600, led by three Knicks, and then followed by three Spurs.
If curious, Hart (+350) has led New York with 1.8 steals per game, closely trailed by OG Anunoby (+275) at 1.5. Devin Vassell (+600) has led San Antonio with 1.4 steals per game, closely trailed by De’Aaron Fox (+500) and Julian Champagnie (+4500) at 1.3.
That might quickly suggest a bet on Champagnie would bring value, but the Knicks’ offense should not put the ball in front of him as often as the Timberwolves did. Fault Julius Randle. Champagnie notched 10 of his 24 postseason steals in that second-round win, otherwise averaging 1.2 steals per game.
This is too high a price for someone who should be the on-ball defender against Brunson with great frequency. Fox made his bones early in his career on fast hands and transition buckets. Reviving that reputation against Brunson could be an underrated piece of San Antonio’s championship chase.
Most threes made in series
Pick: Karl-Anthony Towns (+2800 at bet365)
Let’s start by tearing down the shortest odds.
Devin Vassell (+250) and Julian Champagnie (+260) have led the Spurs from deep this postseason, hitting 2.3 per game and 2.6, respectively, while each shooting better than 35% from beyond the arc. But now they face the best 3-point defense in the postseason, with the Knicks holding foes to 30.5% from beyond the arc.
Brunson (+350) struggled from deep in the Eastern Conference Finals, hitting just 4 of 22 threes, eventually taking only four and then five in the final two games.
If there is no clear frontrunner, is there a worthwhile longshot? Absolutely.
This fits with the assists thought above. Playing Towns on the perimeter does not lessen New York’s offense. It may, in fact, better it. And that is without even acknowledging it will drag Wembanyama away from the rim.
Towns has shot 48.9% from deep this postseason, but he has taken only 3.2 threes per game. Double that in the NBA Finals to force Wembanyama to worry about the perimeter on every possession.
Even the misses will have a better chance of ending up in Knicks’ possession given Wemby will not be crashing the glass while Hart and Anunboy will be.
This is New York’s best offensive approach, and it is one Towns is entirely capable of.
When the New York Knicks swept the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the playoffs in dominating fashion, fans debated whether the Knicks’ nine days off before the Conference Finals would cause rust to build or if the rest would give them an advantage. Sportico’s analysis determined that rust was not a significant factor, and the Knicks backed that up by sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the next round.
The rest vs. rust debate has revved back up prior to the Finals, but the benefits of rest may be less pronounced in the Finals because there is more time off before the games start and between each game. The bigger discussion this time around: Are the Knicks actually as good as their 11-game win streak would suggest, or is the Eastern Conference just weak?
The Western Conference has been stronger for most of the 21st century, with a winning record over the East in interconference games in 24 of the past 27 seasons. This year, though, the East was, on paper, the fourth strongest it has been since the 1999-00 season. East teams won 49% of their games against West teams.
The East’s competitiveness wasn’t just about depth of talent masking a lack of strength at the top. The top four teams in the East went 18-15 versus the top four teams in the West.
In fairness, two of the best Eastern Conference teams bowed out in the postseason before the Knicks got the chance to face them. The Boston Celtics blew a 3-1 lead to the 76ers in the first round and the Detroit Pistons lost to the Cavaliers in seven games in the second round.
But the Knicks have shown they can compete with the best of the best. They went 2-1 versus their Finals foe the San Antonio Spurs this year, including a 124-113 win in the final of the NBA Cup in December. New York went 0-2 against the best team in the regular season, the Oklahoma City Thunder, but those losses were by an average of only seven points.
It should be noted that in their 11-game win streak through the middle two rounds of the playoffs, the Knicks outscored opponents by 262 points, more than any team in any 11-game stretch in NBA history, regular season or postseason. The Knicks played teams that were 12th, 19th and ninth in regular-season net rating, respectively, but they dominated those opponents to a historic extent.
Even if the East was weak, that wouldn’t necessarily indicate anything about the Knicks’ ability to beat the particular team standing in their path right now. The weakest season for the East in the past 50 years was 2004, when the conference won just 37% of its games against the West. The Detroit Pistons didn’t exactly demolish their competition that year, needing seven games to beat the 47-win New Jersey Nets en route to the Finals against the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
The 2026 NBA Finals are a rematch of the showdown from 27 years ago, won by the Spurs in five games behind Finals MVP Tim Duncan. This year, it's another fascinating matchup of a Spurs big man — Victor Wembanyama — and a fast-rising young core in San Antonio going against a team on a historic hot streak in the New York Knicks, paced by point guard Jalen Brunson.
This is also a rematch of the NBA Cup Finals game from December, which you know is making Adam Silver smile. In that game, the Knicks outscored the Spurs 35-19 in the fourth quarter to come from behind and get the win, showing the kind of grit they will need in this series if they want to repeat that outcome. It's worth noting that a year ago, Oklahoma City lost in the NBA Cup Finals (to the Bucks) only to bounce back and win the NBA Title.
Who is the player to watch in this year's Finals? What are the keys to keep an eye on if the Knicks are going to win their first title since 1973, or if Wembanyama and the Spurs are going to put the league on notice earlier than expected? Here is everything you need to know in a preview of the NBA Finals.
New York vs San Antonio NBA Finals Schedule 2026
All times are Eastern (* = if necessary). Game 1: New York at San Antonio, Wednesday, June 3 (8:30 ET, ABC) Game 2: New York at San Antonio, Friday, June 5 (8:30 ET, ABC) Game 3: San Antonio at New York, Monday, June 8 (8:30 ET, ABC) Game 4: San Antonio at New York, June 10 (8:30 ET, ABC) *Game 5: New York at San Antonio, June 13 (8:30 ET, ABC) *Game 6: San Antonio at New York, June 16 (8:30 ET, ABC) *Game 7: New York at San Antonio, June 19 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Player to watch: Victor Wembanyama
Raphielle Johnson, NBC Sports Fantasy Basketball Lead writer Is this postseason, the first of his young NBA career, the beginning of the league's "Wembanyama Era?" It very well could be, given the Spurs' center's physical gifts, approach to the game and the teammates around him.
Wembanyama has been excellent throughout the postseason and is more than capable of leading the Spurs to their first title since 2014. However, this matchup stands to be a bit more challenging, as the Knicks have been on fire since deciding to play more through Karl-Anthony Towns offensively. Do the Spurs have Wembanyama guard KAT throughout the series? Or do they put Wemby on Josh Hart, which, in theory, would allow him to play more of a "free safety" role defensively? How Wembanyama is utilized and how the Knicks attack him will say a lot about how the NBA Finals go.
Keys to watch for in Knicks vs. Spurs
From Kurt Helin, NBC lead NBA writer
Can Spurs defense stall out Knicks?
New York enters the NBA Finals on a historic hot streak offensively — their ball movement and shot making have been brilliant and peaked at the right time, leading to 11-straight wins.
The Knicks' offense started to thrive under Mike Brown when they began using Karl-Anthony Towns more as a high-post hub and offensive initiator (as he was often used in Minnesota) and had players cutting off him. When the Cavaliers were able to limit that approach — because Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are both quality defenders — Jalen Brunson went to work and hunted James Harden (and Donovan Mitchell) and others relentlessly.
However, what has really fueled the Knicks is red-hot 3-point shooting and strong wing play from OG Anunoby (48.3% from beyond the arc in the playoffs) and Mikal Bridges (34.1% from deep). Then add Landry Shamet (60%) and Miles McBride (42.9%), who hit everything when they come in off the bench. As a team, the Knicks are shooting 40% from 3 this postseason.
Doing that against the Hawks and Cavaliers is one thing, doing it against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs is another entirely.
In the final minutes of Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, with the Thunder trailing and their season on the line, both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Alex Caruso drove hard to the rim, then realized they had to bail out and threw a desperation pass back out of the paint — such is the presence of Wemby. But it's not just him. Stephon Castle is a high-level on-ball defender, and the guard/wing rotation with De'Aaron Fox, Julian Champagnie, Dylan Harper, Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson are all plus defenders.
Put more bluntly: There is no James Harden to hunt in the NBA Finals. The Spurs are long, athletic and disciplined across the board. There are no obvious weak links. They come out of a series where they had to play elite defense to advance.
New York comes in playing like a juggernaut and with the confidence they can score in this matchup — in the regular season, no team scored more points per possession in their matchups with the Spurs than the Knicks. However, doing that in December and March is one thing, doing it in June with the Spurs playing their best ball is another. Can the Knicks stay this hot (especially from 3) against this defense? It will decide the series.
Can the Spurs score on the Knicks?
Maybe the most underrated part of the Knicks — both all season and during this postseason run — has been their defense. New York had the seventh-best defense in the NBA during the regular season, then has the best defensive rating in the NBA for the playoffs (103.5, although their opponents had something to do with that).
What's more, the Knicks were able to slow the Spurs during the season. In the NBA Cup win, the Knicks held the Spurs to 19 points in the fourth quarter sparking New York's comeback win. In the March meeting, the Knicks' defense was dominant, the New York wings cut off the Spurs' dribble penetration, and San Antonio shot just 41% from the floor with 21 turnovers.
San Antonio is playing better, with more confidence now than they have in the past, but they are going to have to show they can score at a high level on the Knicks to win this series. If New York's defense is dominant again, it will have a new banner to hang in Madison Square Garden.
Knicks wings need to dominate
When these two teams played on March 1, Mikal Bridges scored 25 in one of his better games of the season. In the NBA Cup Finals, OG Anunoby scored 28 and had nine rebounds. New York swept Cleveland out of the playoffs in part because they dominated play on the wings (a long-time Cavs weak spot). Against the Cavs, the duo combined to average 34.8 points and 10.2 rebounds a game, while playing stifling defense.
San Antonio presents a whole different level of size, physicality and skill with its guard-wing rotation. Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell start at the 2/3, with Dylan Harper, Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes off the bench. New York is not going to own play on the wings like they did last series, but if the Knicks are going to win this series, Bridges and Anunoby must outplay their counterparts for the majority of games.
New Yorkers argue about everything. The best pizza, the best bagel, the best borough. Yankees fans won’t sit next to Mets fans at the Subway Series. Giants fans can tolerate Jets fans only because they have the same home — in New Jersey. Rangers and Islander fans split households.
But the Knicks? They make a run in the playoffs and suddenly this big city feels like they are all one big, loud New York family.
The city hasn’t had a moment like this in 27 years. And it shows.
“The Knicks are the one team that makes New York feel like a small town,” Mike Greenberg, host of ESPN’s Get Up, told USA Today Sports. He's a Greenwich Village kid and lifelong Knicks fan. “You always feel like you’re in the biggest city in the work, like you are in the center of the universe. And the Knicks are the one team that makes New York feel like a small town, because everyone is wearing their Knicks shirts and everyone is yelling ‘Go Knicks’ in the street. There is just a vibe.”
Greenberg has spent decades thinking about this. In 2014, when Super Bowl XLVII was New York, Greenberg said it was different than any of the other Super Bowls.
“I’d come to Midtown every morning and do my show, and it felt very Super Bowl,” Greenberg said of his Mike and Mike ESPN radio show. “But the moment I went down to the Village to visit my parents, you would not have been aware the Super Bowl was in New York. I’ve covered 30 Super Bowls. In every city, the moment you get off the plane, you never escape it. In New York, you would have never known it was in town.”
But right now, Greenberg said, you cannot walk a block in any borough without knowing what’s going on.
“The Knicks being in the Finals is bigger in New York than the Super Bowl,” Greenberg said.
Suzyn Waldman, the voice of the Yankees who covered the Knicks at WFAN for a decade before moving to baseball, has a theory why the Knicks resonate in New York.
“Every other sport has more than one team,” Waldman told USA Today Sports. “For a long time, it was just the Knicks. It’s the city’s sport. All you need is a basketball court and a ball. You rarely see an empty basketball court anywhere in the five boroughs. And for generations, the people running, coaching and playing pro ball were from New York. Everyone in the stands when I covered the Knicks for a decade knew a coach, a scout, a guy they played with or again, someone on one of the teams playing.”
Waldman’s point is made by scanning the Spurs roster. Julian Champagnie grew up in Brooklyn and played at Bishop Loughlin in Fort Greene before starring at St. John’s. Even Dylan Harper, the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, is something of a local, having grown up over the George Washington bridge in New Jersey.
Harvey Araton, the longtime New York Times columnist who wrote When the Garden Was Eden, has been thinking about the same question for 40 years. He agrees with Waldman that the Knicks place in the city’s heart is from being the only NBA game in town for so long before the Nets moved to Brooklyn.
But he also thinks it is partly location.
“Football is divided. Baseball is divided. Hockey is more of niche sport,” Araton said. “But basketball is the city game. The Yankees play in the South Bronx. The Mets are out in Flushing. The Knicks play literally in the heart of New York. Penn Station runs right underneath the Garden. It connects everyone to this arena.”
After the Knicks swept the Cavaliers to clinch their spot in the NBA Finals, fans flooded Seventh Avenue. Mayor Zohran Mamdani is planning sanctioned watch parties around the city for every Finals game.
For fans like Greenberg, what’s at stake isn’t just a championship. It’s a generational story. He sat next to his father at hundreds of Knicks games growing up. He took his daughter to a game earlier in this playoff run. He’ll take his son to a game in the Finals this week.
“I’ve waited essentially my entire life to see one of my teams win a title,” he said. “I have no idea how I’ll react, because it’s never happened to me before. I think a lot of Knicks fans probably feel that way."
Araton thinks New York City will get a chance to find out. He has the Knicks in six.
“The feeling over the next two weeks in New York is going to be pretty overwhelming,” he said. “People are just so hungry.”
The doors to NBA free agency swing open this month, and dozens of players will be on the market. Some have the status to choose their next team. Others accept the only offer available. Some go overseas. A few retire.
For fans glued to the NBA’s summer news cycle, it’s a fascinating time. For players and team executives, there can be enough uncertainty to redline stress levels.
Former Warriors center Zaza Pachulia, a guest on the latest episode of the “Dubs Talk” podcast, has been there. He endured multiple summers in free agency during his 16-year NBA career.
One foray stands so far above all others that he enjoys reliving it. That would be joining the Warriors in 2016.
“That was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life,” Pachulia told NBC Sports Bay Area.
Pachulia, then 32, was coming off a solid season with the Dallas Mavericks, starting 69 games at center, playing alongside the likes of Dirk Nowitzki, Deron Williams, Chandler Parsons and Wesley Matthews. His two-year contract, signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2014, had expired and he was home in Eastern Europe, preparing to play with Georgia’s national team.
“My agent calls me, and he goes, like, ‘I got a couple options for you,’ ” Pachulia recalled. “But this is probably the most important decision you’re going to face, the most important decision you’ll ever face. Option 1 is Dallas wants you back. And then there was another team. And there’s another team. And the last option is the Golden State Warriors.”
The Warriors, featuring All-Stars Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, 11 weeks earlier finished the regular season with an NBA-record 73 wins. They were 16 days removed from losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a searing seven-game NBA Finals.
Golden State also was two days removed from signing Oklahoma City superstar Kevin Durant, one of the most coveted free agents to ever grace the market.
And now his agent, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, was on the phone sending a grand opportunity through Pachulia’s ears.
“He said they’re looking at you as a starting center,” Pachulia said. “I was obviously . . . I was already thinking about it. This was Steph, Klay, KD and Draymond. And they needed a center. And I said, ‘Wow, these kinds of calls don’t happen.’ This is a lifetime opportunity. We’re like these are generational players.”
Zaza’s mind was racing. Visions he had not imagined were becoming clear in his mind. Pachulia and his wife, Tika, had two sons and a daughter, all between 3 and 7 years old. His NBA career had taken him from Orlando, where he was drafted in 2003, to Milwaukee, to Atlanta, back to Milwaukee and then to Dallas.
There had been a few trips to the playoffs, but none of those steps had offered anything close to an NBA championship. Nothing like this.
“This is generational, a once-in-a-lifetime call, this opportunity,” Pachulia recalled. “It was not about the numbers. It was unique. And that was special summer. It was not about which team is offering how much money and how many years, and what other bonuses. There was none of that.
“It was the Warriors’ offer, and it was everything else. And once I was thinking about the Warriors offer, once I was thinking about that I was going to be part of something special, something unique, I couldn’t focus on other offers.”
Pachulia had one request before accepting Golden State’s offer. He wanted to speak with head coach Steve Kerr.
Kerr talked about his coaching influences, Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich. He explained his general coaching philosophy and how he wanted to deploy Pachulia. About 20 minutes later, the big man was sold.
Less than a year later, Pachulia and his teammates were celebrating with a championship parade through the streets of Oakland.
“Everything he said, that’s how the season went,” Pachulia recalled. “But honestly, that was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. At the end of the day, life is beautiful, because it’s just kind of either you make the right decision or you learn from it, right?
“That was one of those moments where I think I made the right decision, and the reason why I’m still here, because of that right decision, it’s kind of building on it, and still part of this amazing community is amazing organization, and this became home.”
Steph Curry is widely considered the best shooter in NBA history and is often credited with altering the trajectory of basketball with his unlimited 3-point range.
While this is a common stance around the NBA, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins shredded the accolades of the four-time NBA champion and future Hall of Famer on Monday’s episode of “Get Up.” When discussing comments made by WNBA coach Becky Hammon and Warriors star Draymond Green, who both believed that the New York Knicks needed a “1A” player because Jalen Brunson is too small to fit that role, Perkins ended up firing a stray at Curry.
As he addressed Green’s comments that denounced the Knicks’ success because they are in a weakly perceived Eastern Conference, Perkins fired off the take that Curry wasn’t a “1A” kind of player until after the team’s 2022 title.
“Let me end on this, Steph Curry didn’t prove he was a 1A until he actually won his fourth NBA championship,” Perkins said. “That’s when he got his Finals MVP as being the 1A. If you want to keep it real, that’s why they had to go get Kevin Durant. That’s why they had to go get Kevin Durant for the other two after that.”
"Draymond Green and Becky Hammon lying to me… Jalen Brunson is a 1A and the Knicks can win a championship with Jalen Brunson." 👀@KendrickPerkins thinks Brunson can win a title in New York 🏆 pic.twitter.com/HvHjPsBac9
Perkins also wanted to make sure Green didn’t discredit the Knicks’ path to the NBA Finals, citing the fact that the Warriors benefited from Chris Paul and Kyrie Irving injuries during their first title run in 2015.
“To win a championship, it takes luck,” Perkins said. “Last time I checked, Draymond Green, when he was facing the Houston Rockets, didn’t Chris Paul when they had control over that series pull his hamstring? Didn’t they get to the NBA Finals and Kyrie Irving got injured, I believe it was in Game 1, for their first championship?”
While Perkins might have a point in the sense that plenty of teams have won titles as a result of injuries plaguing another, it does seem odd that he went after Curry for this particular discourse.
A DraftKings bettor won more than $1.7 million from a $2,500 parlay that was capped off by the San Antonio Spurs winning the Western Conference finals.
The four-leg parlay, valued at +68,528 odds, contained legs from the Winter Olympics, national title game, and NBA postseason.
Key Takeaways
The parlay had a cash-out value of under $300,000 after the Spurs fell behind 3-2 against the Thunder.
The ticket began in February when the Winter Olympics were still in progress.
DraftKings believes that the Spurs are NBA champions in waiting.
DraftKings’ $1.7 million parlay was one of the top stories to follow during the conference finals. The +68,528 odds translated to a 0.15% implied chance and would pay $686.28 for every $1 wagered.
Two of the four legs - Team USA to win Gold in hockey at Milan-Cortina and Michigan to win the college championship - had already cashed before the NBA playoffs began. The Spurs still needed to beat the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Knicks needed to take out the Eastern Conference preseason favorite Cleveland Cavaliers.
The bettor, known as “Parlay Prince,” didn’t face any trouble with the Knicks, who swept the Cavaliers out of the playoffs in short order. That was far from the case in the Western Conference finals, which went down to the wire in Game 7.
DraftKings provided updates of cash-out values that were offered over the last week as the Spurs and Thunder exchanged blows. The offer dropped as low as $293,273.26 and sat at $612,212.95 heading into the final game.
WE HAVE AN UPDATED CASH OUT OFFER HEADING INTO GAME 7 🚨
The offer stands at $612,212.95 and Parlay Prince is NOT taking it as of now
Despite the Thunder being favored, the bettor opted not to cash out or place a hedge bet, making Game 7 a truly all-or-nothing event.
While many online users slammed “Parlay Prince” for their stubbornness, he ended up walking away with the full prize after the Spurs won Game 7, 111-103.
“All you gotta do is believe, and if you believe it, you can achieve it,” Parlay Prince said in a video recorded at the Thunder’s arena after his ticket cashed.
“ALL YOU GOTTA DO IS BELIEVE”
Almost everyone told Parlay Prince to cash out and he said I believe 👏
With the Spurs or Knicks soon to be crowned NBA champions, the league is about to experience for the first time an eighth different champion in as many seasons. DraftKings believes the team in waiting is the Spurs, who are -205 (67.2% implied chance) to win the Finals. The Knicks are +170 (37% chance).
Despite the Spurs being in pole position, the Knicks have and are continuing to make up ground. San Antonio was -225 in hypothetical lookahead lines before Game 7, meaning they lost 2% probability since they were crowned Western Conference champions.
DraftKings’ users are going against the grain. Although series betting splits aren’t publicly available, 59% of tickets and 70% of the handle in the Game 1 moneyline market are on the Knicks. An additional 55% of bets and 53% of the money are on the Knicks at +4.5, according to DraftKings Nation.
Ready for Game 1
This is the second time that the Spurs have met the Knicks in the NBA Finals. The first time occurred in 1999, when Tim Duncan led the franchise to its first title over the only 8-seed ever to reach the championship.
Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns wore a shirt promoting the ‘99 Finals ahead of his first game with the Knicks after he had been traded by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2024. He will now star in the rematch 27 years later.
DraftKings has the Spurs at -198 moneyline odds (66.4% chance) and the Knicks at +164 (37.9%) in Game 1, which will take place in San Antonio. Both teams are undefeated in Game 1s in the playoffs.
What are the odds that President Donald Trump will sit courtside at an NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden? Wonder no more.
DraftKings' director of sports operations Johnny Avello has listed hypothetical odds on which celebrities will be spotted on celebrity row when the New York Knicks host the San Antonio Spurs during the NBA Finals.
Key Takeaways
Mainstays Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, and Timothee Chalamet own the shortest odds.
Zohran Mamdani (+5,000) and Taylor Swift (+6,000) are among the long shots.
Odds are not available for betting and only for entertainment purposes.
The list of celebrity names goes 60 deep and includes noted Knicks fans Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, and Timothee Chalamet (-25,000), media personalities Mike Francesa (+400) and Howard Stern (+1,000), and the aforementioned President.
Trump has said he plans to attend a Finals game at MSG.
"I think I'll be going to one of the games," the President said in May. "I was invited by numerous people, and (owner James Dolan), and I think I'll be going."
President Trump says he thinks he'll go see the New York Knicks play at Madison Square Garden for one of their NBA Finals games after getting an invitation from team owner Jim Dolan.
But will he sit courtside? DraftKings lists the odds of that happening at -125, a near coin flip.
All eyes on New York City
The Knicks are returning to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 and haven't won a championship since 1973.
With the Knicks' championship drought and New York's place as the largest media market in America, all eyes will be on their series against sophomore star Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.
Celebrity row looked a little different the last time the Knicks were in the Finals.
Celebrity row at Game 4 of the 1999 NBA Finals at the Garden. Not much has changed 💙🧡
The sure bets include director and diehard Knicks fan Spike Lee, comedian and New York native Tracy Morgan, Stiller, and Chalamet at -25,000 odds. Chalamet's girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, comes in a shade below at -20,000.
Knicks legends Walt Frazier (-20,000), Patrick Ewing (-20,000), Larry Johnson (-15,000), and John Starks (-12,500) follow them.
The long shots include musician and New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen (+40,000), fashion staples Emily Ratajkowski (+50,000) and Calvin Klein (+50,000), and former Knicks great Charles Oakley (+100,000). Oakley infamously was arrested and banned from MSG by Dolan. He did attend Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals in Cleveland to watch the Knicks sweep the Cavaliers.
Springsteen may not be favored on the oddsboard, but he has an ally in Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose.
Because Cleveland made the ECF Knicks president Leon Rose—who’s reportedly been to over 100 Bruce Springsteen concerts—got to catch another one in Cleveland tonight
The Los Angeles Lakers have made no secret of their long-term vision since acquiring Luka Dončić. The franchise’s focus is building its next championship contender around the 27-year-old superstar, and that strategy could have major implications for both LeBron James and Austin Reaves this offseason.
According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, Reaves has emerged as a higher organizational priority than James as free agency approaches.
The Lakers reportedly view Austin Reaves as a bigger priority than LeBron James this offseason. AP
“If it comes down to whether you’d rather pay Austin $40 million per year for the next five years or LeBron $40 million for one year, they’re going to prioritize the long-term contract,” Buha said. “Austin is more of a priority for the Lakers than LeBron.”
The reasoning is straightforward. Reaves is entering his prime at 28 years old and fits alongside Dončić’s timeline.
After averaging a career-best 23.3 points and 5.5 assists during the 2025-26 season, Reaves has evolved from an undrafted role player into one of the franchise’s foundational pieces.
President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the media during a press conference at UCLA Health Training Center Getty Images
The Lakers have also publicly expressed their desire to keep him. President of basketball operations Rob Pelinka recently stated that the franchise wants Reaves’ “odyssey” in Los Angeles to continue, while Reaves himself told TMZ he wants to “run it back” with the Lakers.
That doesn’t mean James is no longer wanted. The Lakers still hope the NBA’s all-time leading scorer returns for a 24th season.
Reaves has repeatedly spoken about his close relationship with James and said it would “mean the world” to continue playing alongside him.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, grabs a rebound away from Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein during the first half of Game 4 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series AP
Still, the franchise’s priorities appear clear. Dončić is the centerpiece, Reaves is viewed as a long-term co-star, and James, despite his legendary status, is operating on a year-to-year timeline.
For the first time in decades, the Lakers’ future may matter more than their past.
Jalen Brunson
Victor Wembanyama
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