OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 18: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver looks on after the most valuable player trophy presentation before Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center on May 18, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA officially passed its contentious lottery reform on Thursday afternoon in an attempt to address a purported tanking crisis. My initial concerns about the plan still stand, and the NBA added in a couple more bizarre elements for the final product.
It was originally reported that teams can’t pick in the top-5 three years in a row, or No. 1 overall in consecutive years, as part of the new lottery changes. This is seemingly meant to address the San Antonio Spurs moving up into the top-4 in three straight lotteries to draft Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper. That rule created a dilemma over picks that had already been traded. The league decided that it will not grandfather in traded picks, meaning teams who initially made those deals are now punished for them.
The one team this affects in the 2027 NBA Draft is the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies own the Utah Jazz’s unprotected first-round pick in 2027, but now it’s suddenly top-5 protected because the Jazz picked in the top-5 in 2025 and 2026, and thus can’t land a third consecutive top-5 pick in 2027 even if they’re not the ones making it. Somehow, that isn’t even the most bizarre amendment to the reform.
The NBA announced it is flipping the top-16 picks from the first-round in the second-round as part of the lottery reform. This means the team that picks No. 16 in the first-round automatically gets the first pick in the second-round. The team that holds the No. 1 overall pick in the draft won’t pick until No. 16 in the second. The team that drafts No. 2 overall in the first-round now has the 15th pick in the second-round, and so on.
This is an unprecedented move in American professional sports. Previously, the second-round of the NBA draft has been determined by overall record, meaning the Brooklyn Nets pick third in the second-round this year even though their first-round pick fell to No. 6 in the lottery, because they had the league’s third-worst record. Why would the NBA do this? John Hollinger of The Athletic talked to NBA executive vice president Evan Wasch to get an explanation:
Two pieces of logic drove this, according to Wasch. First was to “counterbalance to the luck of the draw in the first round” by at least giving the poor sap whose ping-pong ball was drawn last a better second-round pick.
Secondarily, however, the league wanted to guard against the scenario — one officials acknowledged was unlikely — whereby teams deep in the relegation zone started to tank to land the 31st pick.
My first question is: who asked for this? My second thought is that this is so strange and so creative that I can’t even really be mad about it. I’m mostly just amused.
I always thought a top-10 pick in the second round was pretty valuable. Some recent hits from that range include Jalen Brunson, Ajay Mitchell, Ayo Dosunmu, Herb Jones, Andrew Nembhard, and Neemias Queta. These days, the depth of the NBA Draft has been significantly thinned out by the NIL money flowing through college basketball, so the second round looks a lot weaker. The No. 31 overall pick (or the No. 33 overall pick once the Las Vegas and Seattle expansion teams join) is still a decently valuable asset, but it’s not really worth being upset over at this point.
The best news for NBA lottery reform haters like me is that it’s only a three-year commitment. Come the 2030 NBA Draft, we will possibly have another new lottery system. Three years is a really short trial run, but that’s what the NBA thought it needed to do to address the public relations black eye that came from tanking. It’s going to be fascinating to see how this all goes, including the suddenly flipped second-round.
NBA point guard Terry Rozier arriving at Brooklyn federal court in New York, where he faces charges connected with a sprawling illegal gambling indictment. (Yuki Iwamura / Associated Press)
Part of the rationale to legalize sports gambling was that professional athletes make so much money that they wouldn’t be tempted by bribes. It would be bonkers, the thinking went, to risk untold millions in career earnings by taking dirty dollars to throw games or manipulate statistical outputs.
Bonkers, meet Terry Rozier.
Federal prosecutors filed two new charges against the NBA point guard Thursday, alleging that he agreed to a $100,000 bribe as part of a gambling scheme that involved him intentionally removing himself early in a 2023 game so gamblers could win bets on him failing to reach his usual totals of points, assists and rebounds.
What might motivate Rozier to take part in such as scheme is perplexing. Consider this comparison:
Rozier, a 10-year veteran out of Louisville, has been paid $162 million playing for four NBA teams. He was under contract for $26 million for the 2025-2026 season. The $100,000 bribe prosecutors say he agreed to is the equivalent of $384 for someone making $100,000 a year.
The new indictment adds charges of bribery in sporting contests and honest services wire fraud conspiracy to the existing two wire fraud charges he has faced since October. Those charges followed a sprawling indictment of 34 defendants that also ensnared Hall of Fame player and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and former Lakers assistant coach Damon Jones.
Rozier is not speaking to the media because of the ongoing criminal case, but his lawyer said that other defendants are lying about Rozier’s involvement to gain favor with prosecutors.
“There are some desperate men in this case with terrible criminal records and tons of exposure, and they know what to say to please these prosecutors,” said Jim Trusty, Rozier’s attorney.
In December, Trusty asked the federal judge overseeing the case, LaShann DeArcy Hall, to dismiss the initial charges against him, citing government overreach and a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that narrowed the federal wire fraud statute. Hall heard oral arguments for the dismissal in April and has yet to issue a ruling.
“The new indictment confirms that our motion to dismiss was a good one — it’s just new charges and new theories trotted out in the hope that something sticks,” Trusty said.
The indictment alleges that Rozier — then a member of the Charlotte Hornets — informed co-defendant Deniro Laster that he would remove himself from a March 23, 2023, game against the New Orleans Pelicans because of a leg injury. Laster allegedly shared the information with several bettors, who bet $258,700 that Rozier would not reach his statistical averages.
Rozier was removed nine minutes into the game, finishing with five points, four rebounds and two assists. His rebounds total exceeded his average of 3.3 per game, causing some of the bets to lose. According to the indictment, Rozier agreed to reduce the alleged bribe to $70,000 to cover those losses.
As part of the proceedings Thursday, defendant Marves Fairley — described in the original indictment as representing himself on Instagram as a “gambling guru” — pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Fairley told the judge that he and associates obtained information from NBA players and coaches that could influence the outcomes of games and used it to place bets. He also said he placed fraudulent bets himself and on behalf of at least one professional player, who he did not identify.
“I agreed to pay a player to change their game performance to give me an advantage,” Fairley told the judge.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Berman, however, named Rozier as the player. Fairley also admitted that he purchased information from Lakers assistant coach Damon Jones about the medical status of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Jones became the first of the 34 defendants to plead guilty, admitting in April that he urged a co-conspirator to “get a big bet on Milwaukee before the information is out!” ahead of a February 2023 game between the Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks in which James was a late scratch because of a foot injury.
Two unidentified sportsbooks were named as victims of the alleged conspiracy in the original indictment, and the superseding indictment names the NBA and the Hornets as additional victims.
The clobbering that Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain took in the final minutes of Tuesday's Game 5 of the Western Conference finals trickled down from a demand by Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, according to a video online.
The clobbering that Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain took in the final minutes of Tuesday’s Game 5 of the Western Conference finals trickled down from a demand by Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, according to a new video.
The 7-foot-4 Wembanyama whispered “hard foul” to teammates Bismack Biyombo and Mason Plumlee as he exited the game with his team trailing by 14 with 2:20 remaining, Mike Tirico, NBC’s play-by-play announcer, said on the Game 6 broadcast Thursday night.
The new clip of Wembanyama from Game 5 surfaced during Game 6, with Wembanyama seeming to mouth “hard foul” to Plumlee.
“Hard foul was the message to sent to Mason Plumee, Bismack Biyomobo, and you saw just that…” Tirico said during the Spurs’ eventual 118-91 win.
After Wembanyama’s exit, Plumblee and Byombo committed hard fouls on McCain within a minute span.
The first foul happened when McCain received an elbow to the back from Plumlee that knocked him to the floor, and the foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 1 after a league review, the NBA announced Wednesday.
Biyombo committed the second foul as McCain drove to the basket.
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama whispered “hard fouls” to teammates Bismack Byombo and Mason Plumblee as he exited Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder with 2:20 remaining. XSpurs’ Mason Plumblee fouled OKC’s Jared McCain in the final minutes of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. X
NBC Analyst Reggie Miller mentioned that McCain shouldn’t have been in the game in garbage minutes after the two fouls.
“See, these are two shots to McCain in here in the starting lineup in the closing moments of this game,” Miller said. “He doesn’t need to be on the floor here.”
Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama in the first half of Game 5 in the Western Conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Oklahoma City. AP Photo/Julio Cortez
McCain discussed Plumlee’s foul after the Thunder’s 127-114 victory in Game 5.
“That was crazy. I didn’t expect it, obviously,” McCain told “The Association” on Tuesday. “We were at the free-throw line, too, and I was like, ‘Why’d you do that man?’
“I’m just asking him questions, and he was like, ‘I’ve got another one for you, too.’ … It’s all in competition, so gotta respect it.”
Jared McCain of the Thunder shoots a free throw during Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs on May 26, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NBAE via Getty Images
In his first start of the series in Game 5, McCain scored 20 points while shooting 7-of-19 from the field. He also grabbed three rebounds.
The Spurs forced a Game 7 on Saturday in Oklahoma City with their resounding win Thursday, and the winner will face the Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals, beginning June 3.
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 29: James Harden #1 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Toronto Raptors during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2026 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers seem to have every intention of bringing back James Harden and Donovan Mitchell this summer.
Harden, who has a player option that he’s expected to exercise this offseason, has already said he ‘100%’ plans on returning to Cleveland.
Meanwhile, Mitchell’s player option isn’t until next season. The Cavs can extend Mitchell long-term this summer and run no risk of losing him unless he demands a trade. President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman suggested that no such trade request is on the horizon.
“All I can tell you is Donovan has been steadfast in how much he loves it here,” said Altman. “There hasn’t been any question of will he be here or does he want to be here; I think the bigger question, is the one that’s been answered, is does he want to be here and does he want to be here long term, and I think he’s answered that.”
Mitchel has led the Cavs to the playoffs in four consecutive seasons and has been on multiple All-NBA teams since arriving in Cleveland. There are valid concerns about his viability as a No. 1 option on a title team — but Altman isn’t openly sharing any of them.
“Yes,” Altman replied when asked if Mitchell can be the best player on a championship team. “And we’re going to keep pouring into that.”
Altman also reinforced his belief in Harden, stating that the Cavs didn’t trade for ‘MVP Harden’ but rather a complementary player who can stabilize them moving forward.
“He helped regalvanize the group; we were kinda shaky there… when he came on board, he gave us a real belief and swagger,” said Koby Altman. “We traded for him and shot out of the gate 5-0, with some real inspiring confidence; we’re not in the Conference Finals without James.”
The plan, for now, appears to be having both guards back with a full offseason and training camp together to figure things out. That might frustrate some fans, but it falls in line with the patient approach that Altman has taken in previous years.
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 06: Grand Canyon Antelope guard Jaden Henley (10) looks on before the Jerry Colangelo Classic college basketball game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Grand Canyon Antelopes on December 6, 2025 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
While there is still five months until the 2026-27 college basketball season tips off, we are less than one month away from the 2026 NBA Draft!
There are two former Mountain West guards — Grand Canyon’s Jaden Henley and Utah State’s MJ Collins — hoping to hear their name called on draft night, which begins June 23. Both guards competed in the NBA’s G-League combine earlier this month, but neither were invited to the Draft Combine.
This year’s class is one of the most anticipated in recent memory, although there were fewer early entrants — players departing college early — than in year’s past. Neither Collins nor Henley — who both exhausted all of their college eligibility — fit into that bucket. But the number of players who withdrew their name ahead of Thursday’s deadline could help these two as late June nears.
Why recent withdrawals could help Collins, Henley:
Heading into the 2026 cycle, there were 71 Early Entrants, 106 fewer than the amount heading into the 2025 class. However, over half — including former San Jose State guard Colby Garland, who’s transferring to Georgia Tech with one season of eligibility remaining — returned to college.
A few of them who did include Rueben Chinyelu (Florida), Milan Momcilovic (Iowa State; in transfer portal), Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt) and Tounde Yessoufou (St. John’s; Baylor transfer). Those aren’t MW players, but ones with legitimate talent that will have an automatic ripple effect on both Collins and Henley.
There’s a higher likelihood that at least one — if not both names — could be called on draft night. I still think Henley, who’s currently No. 75 on Rookie Scale’s consensus big board, would still be the first name. But weirder stuff has happened on draft night.
Nevertheless, the chances that both players are able to find pathways to crack an NBA roster increase, albeit marginally. Each organization is allotted three two-way spots, which is expected to be north of $600K in 2026-27. Those two-way players can be active for 50 games per season. It will be an uphill climb, but both are intriguing in their own way.
Collins is an athletic multi-level scorer who averaged 17.5 points on 48.7/36.1/81.0 shooting splits last season. Henley is a hyper athletic defensive-minded big guard who’s a straight line-drive slasher. He averaged 17.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists on 46.6 percent shooting and 56.2 percent true shooting last season.
So far, Henley has either planned to, or completed a work out for the 13 teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic and Sacramento Kings, according to HoopsHype’s workout tracker. Collins has worked out for three: The Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers and Memphis Grizzlies.
Do you think either have a chance of hearing their name called in the top-60? Let us know in the comments!
Coach Mike Brown said Friday that Robinson did not suffer the injury in a game or in Thursday’s practice.
Thursday was the Knicks’ first practice since Game 4 of the conference finals.
When asked when or how it happened, the Knicks said they were not getting into specifics. They also did not say when Robinson had surgery on the pinky.
Mitchell Robinson hopes to be ready for Game 1. Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Brown was noncommittal about Robinson’s availability for Game 1 of the Finals on Wednesday.
“For me, I’m always going with whoever is available today,” Brown said Friday. “And he didn’t practice today. So we’re getting whoever we need ready to go. … I don’t want to know, just let me know if he can play and when he can play. Just like we normally would, we’re getting everyone else ready to go.”
Regardless, the hope is that Robinson, after a “minor procedure,” will be able to play, according to league sources.
“Mitch is very important to us,” OG Anunoby said Friday. “Amazing player. It’s unfortunate what happened, but I’m sure — just take it day by day now.”
It’s been a roller-coaster postseason for Robinson. His brutal free-throw shooting — he is 13-for-43 (30.2 percent) from the line in the playoffs — has allowed opponents to utilize Hack-a-Mitch and force the Knicks to take him off the court.
Mitchell Robinson after Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. NBAE via Getty Images
He is only averaging 14.2 minutes per game in the postseason, down from 19.6 minutes per game in the regular season. He had not made as big an impact this as most expected entering the playoffs.
Before Game 3 of the conference finals against the Cavaliers, Robinson posted on Snapchat that his “mental health is not the best right now” and that he had a “very upsetting experience,” though he did not detail what happened. That post came a few days after Robinson said he had changed his phone number and planned to delete all of his social media accounts ahead of a “new chapter in my life.”
“I’m deleting all apps for a little while,” Robinson wrote, “until I can get back to myself.”
Robinson missed Game 2 of the second round against the 76ers for what was listed on the injury report as an illness.
He is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
The last time the Knicks were in the NBA Finals, New Yorkers were hailing cabs without apps, blasting Lauryn Hill on CD players, and nervously checking their Netscape dial-up connection.
The Twin Towers still dominated the skyline, Rudy Giuliani ran City Hall, and “The Sopranos” had just introduced America to Tony Soprano’s panic attacks.
These days, TikTok is where young people socialize, communicate and shape pop culture, oat milk lattes can run more than $9, and Madison Square Garden itself has undergone a billion-dollar glow-up.
From politics to pop culture to the Manhattan skyline itself, here’s how wildly different life in 1999 NYC looks and feels 27 years later.
Gone but not forgotten: Manhattan’s skyline
The Lower Manhattan skyline has been forever transformed since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks tragically brought down the Twin Towers.
A skyline reborn after tragedy: Here’s a look at the Twin Towers in 1999 (left) and the current Freedom Tower at One World Trade Center in 2026 (right). David Lefranc
In their place now stands One World Trade Center — better known as the Freedom Tower — which rose between 2006 and 2014 as the centerpiece of the rebuilt skyline.
Two eras of City Hall: Giuliani’s Gotham in 1999 vs. Mamdani’s 2026 Big Apple
Back in 1999, tough-on-crime Republican Rudy Giuliani led New York City from City Hall during the height of his mayoral tenure, which began in 1994.
From former mayor Rudy Giuliani in 1999 (L) to progressive leader Zohran Mamdani in 2026 (R), New York City’s political landscape has shifted dramatically over the past 27 years. David Lefranc
Fast-forward to 2026, and the Big Apple is now run by Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, who took office in January of this year. Talk about New York City’s political landscape shifting dramatically over the past 27 years.
MSG makeover: The Knicks’ home base went ultra-modern after 2010s rebuild
Madison Square Garden, home of the Knicks, looks dramatically different today than it did during the team’s 1999 Finals run.
Madison Square Garden has had a massive makeover within the last 27 years. David Lefranc
Between 2011 and 2013, the arena underwent a nearly $1 billion renovation, transforming it into a sleek, high-tech sports and entertainment hub.
Today, fans scan mobile tickets on their phones, a far cry from the paper stubs and printed tickets of the late 90s.
Political power shift: The White House then and now during Knicks championship runs
During the Knicks’ last trip to the NBA Finals in 1999, Democratic President Bill Clinton occupied the White House.
The Knicks last reached the Finals in 1999 under President Bill Clinton (left), and today, as they return in 2026, the nation is led by President Donald Trump (right). David Lefranc
Now, as the team heads back to the Finals in 2026, Republican President Donald Trump is leading the country for the second time.
Grammy glory in 1999 vs. 2026: Lauryn Hill and Bad Bunny define two eras of music
At the Grammy Awards in February 1999, Lauryn Hill won the coveted Album of the Year award for “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”
Lauryn Hill (left) won Album of the Year at the 1999 Grammy Awards with her neo-soul record, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” In 2026, Bad Bunny (right) won the same award for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” David Lefranc
In 2026, Bad Bunny sparked a global reggaeton movement after winning the very same award for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.”
A Shakespearean comedy vs. action thriller: The Oscars’ Best Picture across two different Hollywood eras
At the 1999 Oscars, “Shakespeare in Love” took home the coveted Best Picture award, with a cast including Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes and Judi Dench, and direction by John Madden.
“Shakespeare in Love” won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1999 (left), while 2026 saw “One Battle After Another” take the crown (right). David Lefranc
In 2026, the same top honor went to “One Battle After Another,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn and Teyana Taylor, and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
Billboard Chart Toppers: J.Lo in ’99, Drake in ’26
On June 25, 1999, during the Knicks’ last time in the NBA Finals, Jennifer Lopez topped the Billboard Hot 100 with her groovy pop bop, “If You Had My Love.”
Jennifer Lopez had the hit song of the summer of 1999, while Drake is dominating the charts with his hip-hop single, “Janice STFU.” David Lefranc
It’s now May 2026, and the No. 1 song in the country is Drake’s catchy rap track, “Janice STFU.”
From 1999’s ‘Rock Style’ to 2026’s ‘Costume Art’: Two different Met Gala themes
Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney (left) at the 1999 “Rock Style” Met Gala, with Kim Kardashian (right) at this year’s “Costume Art”-themed Met Gala. David Lefranc
The 1999 Met Gala theme was “Rock Style,” tied to the Costume Institute’s exhibition celebrating the influence of rock-and-roll. Guests like Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney leaned into the moment with DIY “Rock Royalty” tees.
This year, the Met Gala embraced the theme “Costume Art,” with the dress code “Fashion Is Art.”
Kim Kardashian turned heads in a bespoke metallic tangerine and bronze fiberglass breastplate and bodysuit, created by Allen Jones and design duo Whitaker Malem.
Furby fever vs. prehistoric dinos: Toy trends across two eras
At the turn of the millennium, Tiger Electronics’ Furbies, interactive, owl-like robotic toys, were the must-have craze of 1999, dominating kids’ wish lists during the Knicks’ late-90s NBA surge.
Sneak a peek in the trending toy box through time — Furbies were all the rage in ’99, and now, kids are all about T. rex mania in ’26. David Lefranc
Now, as the NBA team continues its 2026 postseason run, the hottest toy at the moment is Spin Master’s Primal Hatch T. Rex — a “Jurassic World”–style interactive dinosaur that hatches from an egg and is captivating kids in a very different toy era.
Prestige TV: From 1999 mobsters to 2026 modern medicine
In 1999, HBO’s “The Sopranos” was the defining television event of its time — a critically acclaimed crime drama starring James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco and Edie Falco, created by David Chase.
James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano (left) ruled HBO — and north Jersey — in 1999, while “The Pitt” (right, with Noah Wyle) is a big hit on the longtime streamer. David Lefranc
Now in 2026, another HBO Max series is dominating the cultural conversation: “The Pitt,” a buzzy medical drama starring Noah Wyle, Katherine LaNasa and Taylor Dearden, created by showrunner R. Scott Gemmill.
Twenty-seven years later: So much of NYC has changed — except love for the Knicks
While the “Urban Jungle” has certainly transformed in many ways since 1999, one thing has remained the same here in New York City — the residents’ undying love for the NBA’s New York Knicks. Aristide Economopoulos for NY Post
From flip phones to FaceTime, CD wallets to streaming playlists, dial-up modems to instant everything — the Knicks’ return to the NBA Finals is also a reminder of just how much life in NYC has been rewired.
The city that once waited for Web pages to load now refreshes culture in real time, faster than ever. And yet, some things feel familiar. The Garden is still rocking. Die-hard celeb fans are still courtside.
Spike Lee proves to be a die-hard Knicks fan, often showing his support courtside in MSG. NBAE via Getty ImagesBen Stiller (center) is one of the Knicks’ most recognizable celeb devotees, often spotted at MSG, reacting to playoff highs on social media and even coordinating his Met Gala looks with the team’s colors. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
And when the Knicks win, the city still moves as one — louder, prouder, and now infinitely more online.
Twenty-seven years later, the Big Apple’s skyline has changed, the soundtrack has changed, and the technology has changed — but New York’s obsession with the Knicks?
After being swept out of the playoffs by the Knicks, the Sixers parted ways with Morey on May 12. Bob Myers, president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, led the search for the next front office leader. He wanted a versatile executive.
“I’m a big believer in character and leadership and I’m looking for a person that embodies those things,” Myers said at a May 14 press conference. “But there’s many characteristics under that which I believe qualify in making a modern GM a success.
“There’s front-facing responsibilities. There’s responsibilities in managing star players. There’s responsibilities in managing up to ownership. There’s contract negotiations, there’s the draft process, there’s evaluating analytics, there’s (working with) the medical staff.
“You go down the line and these jobs have an enormity to them. So I’m looking to find someone that can check as many of these boxes as possible, but also (someone) that can raise their hands and say, ‘Actually, I’m not good in this space. I’m going to need some support.’”
Sixers assistant general manager Jameer Nelson, Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U’Ren and and Timberwolves GM Matt Lloyd were other reported candidatesfor the position.ESPN reported that Gansey and U’Ren “were the finalists for the 76ers’ president job and both had separate final-stage meetings with team ownership this week on the east coast before the decision to hire Gansey was made on Friday.”
With the reported news that Mike Gansey is becoming 76ers' president of basketball operations, I asked @LaSalle_MBB coach Darris Nichols about Gansey:
"Gansey is one of my favorite teammates," Nichols, who played two seasons with Gansey at WVU, said via text. "Everyone in the… pic.twitter.com/cgpKa6RM4H
Cleveland’s front office has been willing to pull the trigger on major trades in recent years, including deals to add Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. The Cavs ultimately were eliminated a round later than the Sixers this season, falling to the Knicks in an Eastern Conference Finals sweep.
Regardless of how exactly Gansey proceeds, there’s no question the Sixers will aim to continue to draft well, find bargain role players and develop their in-house youngsters. With Gansey’s background in scouting and as both a D-League and NBA general manager, Myers decided he was the right fit.
One of the biggest question marks headed into the NBA’s offseason looks to have been answered before the Finals are even set.
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, who is set to be a restricted free agent this summer, is expected to re-sign and stay in Utah.
REPORT: Walker Kessler is expected to re-sign with the Jazz on a $25-$30M per year deal, per @TimBontemps.
“Given that neither Jackson nor fellow big man Lauri Markkanen is a full-time center, Kessler remains an important player in Utah's path back to contention in the Western… pic.twitter.com/TnFrSmmVGG
“The consensus is that Kessler is signing a new deal with the Jazz in the range of $25 million to $30 million a year,” Bontemps wrote.
Bontemps didn’t write any other details about the contract, just the estimated range and that he is expected to re-sign.
Assuming that Kessler does re-sign, the Jazz’s starting front court now seems to be locked in place, with Kessler at the five, Jaren Jackson Jr. at the four and seven-footer Lauri Markkanen at the three. Locking in Kessler helps to offset Jackson’s rebounding abilities — or lack thereof — and they are now one of the best shot blocking duos in the league.
In only five games in the 2025-26 season, Kessler averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. He also shot 70.3 % from the field and shot 6 of 8 from deep — albeit in only a five games, but the 3-point shooting is really enticing if legitimate.
Now that the Kessler contract saga seems to be solved, the next task for the Jazz will be to select a game-changer at the No. 2 draft pick, where most pundits believe that Utah will take Darryn Peterson from Kansas.
The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are headed to a final Game 7 matchup to determine which team will face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.
Oddsmakers believe that team will be the Thunder. NBA bettors are split.
The Thunder are -3.5 home favorites for Game 7 and are still favored to win the NBA Finals, despite being one game away from elimination.
Key Takeaways
The Thunder were favored by 4.5 or more points in three prior games as favorites.
BetMGM users are showing more support for the Thunder on the spread and more for the Spurs on the moneyline.
The Knicks, the only team to qualify for the Finals, still trail the Thunder in Finals odds.
Everyone knows the two best words in sports: Game Seven.
The Thunder and Spurs’ instant-classic series will see them head to Oklahoma City for one final time. BetMGM lists the Thunder as 3.5-point favorites and -165 (62.3% implied chance) on the moneyline, while the Spurs are +135 (42.6% chance).
Home teams were favored in every game in this series, although the Thunder’s 3.5-point advantage is the smallest of their four home games in the series.
Game 1: Thunder -6.5
Game 2: Thunder -6.5
Game 5: Thunder -4.5
Game 7: Thunder -3.5
BetMGM users can’t seem to agree on which team they’re backing in Saturday’s series finale. Currently, 59% of bets and 70% of the handle in the spread market are on Thunder -3.5, but 70% of tickets and 65% of the money in the moneyline market are on the Spurs, according to insights shared with Covers.
Neither the spread nor moneyline values have shifted since odds were first published after Game 6. The projected points total has increased one point from 211.5 to 212.5, with 69% of wagers and 72% of the pot favoring the over.
Who are bettors supporting in Spurs-Thunder?
While the Thunder are favored to win the Western Conference championship-decider, the Spurs can claim they have been the superior team in the series. They are +18 in aggregate score (678-660) and recorded wins of 27 and 21 points, while the Thunder’s largest win came by 15 points.
Betting trends have been nearly identical thus far. Both teams are 2-1 against the spread and on the moneyline at home and as favorites, and 1-2 on the road and as underdogs.
Series odds fluctuated dramatically based on the outcome of each game. The Spurs’ statement double-overtime victory on the road in Game 1 caused their price to shorten from +225 at opening to -105 heading into Game 2, although they have only lengthened since then. Their current +135 series value is as close as they’ve been.
The Thunder, -275 opening favorites, were only -115 after Game 1. They ballooned to -450 before Games 4 and 6 and sit at -160 entering the final matchup.
Although a dominant 74% of series bets are for the Spurs to win, an even larger 76% of the money is on the Thunder to advance.
The five most bet player props at BetMGM throughout the series, based on tickets, are:
Luguentz Dort under 5.5 points
Julian Champagnie under 5.5 rebounds
De’Aaron Fox under 4.5 rebounds
Jared McCain under 2.5 three-pointers
Chet Holmgren under 14.5 points
NBA Finals odds update
Team
BetMGM
DraftKings
FanDuel
Oklahoma City Thunder
+125
+125
+125
New York Knicks
+200
+200
+210
San Antonio Spurs
+240
+245
+230
BetMGM’s NBA Finals odds have the Thunder ahead at +125 (44.4% chance). The Knicks — the only team that has reached the championship round — are second at +200 (33.3% chance). The Spurs round out the bottom at +240 (29.4% chance).
BetMGM has not published look-ahead lines for potential series matchups between the Knicks and Thunder and the Knicks and Spurs. DraftKings, however, had the Thunder (-265) and Spurs (-225) both favored in hypothetical Finals matchups.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 24: Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Boston Celtics during game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 108-100. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Kelly Oubre Jr. had yet another season of showing up consistently when the Sixers’ competitiveness was often all over the place.
In 31.5 minutes per game through the regular season, he averaged 14.1 points on a career-high 58 true shooting percentage, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals. Oubre’s well and truly proven his strengths over his tenure with the Sixers now. The athleticism — paired with his consistent energy — has been such a welcome addition. He can effectively defend forwards and a range of guards with his size, lateral quickness and physicality, being able to take on pretty tough assignments at either position.
And despite not always taking the best shots himself, he did improve his shot diet with a higher frequency of threes this season (up from 32.7 percent of his total field goal attempts in 2024-25 to 43.9 percent this year). He provides quality cutting, finishing, transition play, and enough downhill scoring as a driver to complement the team’s stars in a variety of ways. He just had his best three-point shooting year yet, making a career-high 36 percent of his 4.8 attempts per game. That increased three-point volume did mean his attempts at the rim dropped somewhat, yet he still made a highly accurate 68.9 percent of his attempts within three feet. With his confidence, explosiveness, size and finishing, Oubre is still a threat attacking downhill.
Shooting slumps in a small sample can obviously happen any time, and unfortunately for Oubre it struck in this year’s playoffs. Oubre had space to fire from three but only hit 25.6 percent (10-of-39) of his attempts in the postseason. That’ll always be the swing factor that turns Oubre from being a starter-level piece of this team to someone who’d you’d maybe rather play 25-30 minutes off the bench.
Now, as Oubre gets into another summer of training, he wants to continue building on the shooting work he did last offseason. The plan is to take what he believes led him to some improvement and go a step further. He wants to introduce even more game-like situations in training to polish his shooting as much as possible, and continue working on his IQ, making reads, and seeing how plays can develop before they happen.
“Every year that I’ve come into this league, I’ve learned something, and I’ve grown in some areas,” Oubre summarised when speaking to reporters after the season ended. “So I want to continue that trend.”
Beyond his training focuses, the future is uncertain right now for Oubre. He’s set to hit free agency now that his great value two-year, $16.3 million contract is up. Keeping him for something close to that would be ideal for the Sixers’ wing depth.
When speaking at the end of the season, there was plenty for Oubre to reflect on. He certainly sounded interested in staying, but he’s unsure what to expect from free agency.
“I haven’t really been able to decompress, but I would say we took a step forward from the efforts that we put out last year,” Oubre said when looking back at how the season ended. “I think that we were able to build some form of camaraderie, some form of brotherhood throughout our trials and tribulations this year. And that’s all you can kind of ask for.
“And I would say I can’t really give it a grade, but I had fun. I enjoyed all my teammates. Everybody’s an amazing human being and a brother to me. And it just stings to go out like this, but at the end of the day, man, we made sure that we kept tight huddles throughout it all, because we’re all in this together.”
“I love my guys,” Oubre said to cap off his reflection of the team.
He also expressed how much he feels he learned this season.
“The game of basketball has reinvented itself to me through different lenses and different eyes throughout my tenure here. And I’m forever appreciative for the opportunity to play for the city. And obviously I don’t like how I ended. So I always say, I like to finish what I start. And this is a bit sour for me, but at the end of the day, man, it’s already written. God already has it written up upstairs, and it’s just gonna follow through. So I hope I did myself a good service by being more efficient, slowing down, and just playing better overall basketball. And just continue to grow as a human being and as a player.”
Given Oubre’s been in the league 11 years, played on five different teams, and has already earned over $80 million in that time, it’s only fair that Oubre is thinking a lot about his family in all this as well. When asked about what he’s hoping for in a free agency situation and what his priority is, he made it clear how much his family and stability will factor into his decision.
“Somewhere where I’m loved, just somewhere where my family can be comfortable,” he said when describing what he’s after. “I have a family now. So it’s not like I’m thinking for myself and being able to do spontaneous stuff, right? So I just want my kids to have some somewhere that they can call home. I’m gonna go out there, I’m gonna grind with my hard hat on and go to work. But what I do is for my family, and I just want them to be stable somewhere and to not have to worry about anything when it comes to their lives, being uprooted and figuring out things on the fly.”
Staying in Philadelphia would certainly tick the stability box for Oubre and his family. It would give him stability from a career standpoint as well. To continue in a role where he’s finding increased success as an important factor on the team.
Even if the Sixers want to try saving a little on Oubre’s annual salary, perhaps offering him a longer term contract — let’s say three years — is the way to give him the stability he seeks and keep the team’s salary cap and possible apron issues in check.
Oubre may not be able to repeat the increased three-point success he had in 2025-26, but he has improved his composure on offense. That plus his drive game, versatile defense, work on the glass, and athletic energy all around makes him a player worth keeping. If the Sixers can sell Oubre on the value of stability, staying with a team he loves, and (potentially) a contract with more years in free agency over a shorter more expensive deal elsewhere, perhaps this partnership can continue working for both sides.
Head to NBC and Peacock this Saturday night to watch Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs go head-to-head with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. Live coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on Peacock before transitioning to NBC and Peacock at 7:30 p.m. See below for additional information on how to watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs on NBC and Peacock.
San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder Game Preview:
With their backs against the wall on home court, Wembanyama and the Spurs were able to force Game 7. San Antonio never trailed in Thursday night's 118-91 win. Wembanyama had 28 points and 10 rebounds. Dylan Harper scored 18 points and 6 rebounds off the bench, and Stephon Castle finished with 17 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds.
“All of our focus and attention was on the defensive end,” Castle said. “I don't think scoring against them has been a problem for us. … So when we're focused on defense and we're getting stops and being able to get out of the run and get easy looks, it makes the game pretty simple for us.”
Gilgeous-Alexander was held to 15 points in the loss.
“Anything can happen in a Game 7,” said the two-time reigning MVP. “You have to go out there and be the better basketball team or your season is done.”
NBC Sports will present up to 23 games in the First Round and 11 games in the Conference Semifinals across either NBC and Peacock, or Peacock and NBCSN. Playoff programming concludes with exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock
Which playoff rounds will be available on Peacock?
Peacock’s NBA Playoffs coverage spans multiple rounds, including Round 1, the Conference Semifinals, and the Western Conference Finals, with coverage evolving as the postseason progresses.
Will Peacock show both Eastern and Western Conference playoff games?
Yes. During earlier rounds such as Round 1 and the Conference Semifinals, Peacock will carry a mix of Eastern and Western Conference playoff games.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
May 28, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) in the first half during game six of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images | Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images
Coming off a tough Game 5 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Spurs returned home down 3-2 with their backs against the wall. Game 6 got off to a blazing start for the Spurs, as they outscored OKC 35-22 in the first quarter. With a more aggressive approach, the Spurs drained eight threes in the first, which is the most they’ve scored in a playoff quarter since 1998. However, OKC responded with a 31-25 second quarter and cut the Spurs’ lead to seven. In the third, the Spurs finally were locked in on both sides of the ball, going on a 20-0 run. The Thunder went almost eight minutes without a point. The Spurs outscored OKC 32-13 in the quarter and kept their pace up in the fourth. The Spurs ultimately won 118-91.
Victor Wembanyama led the way with 28 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and two steals. After shooting 4 of 15 in Game 5, Wemby started Game 6 with an aggressive mindset by draining three threes in the first quarter. 22 of his 28 points came in the first half, and he shut down OKC in the paint. The 22-year-old faced a lot of scrutiny after Game 5, but he responded with a reminder that there was a reason he was voted All-NBA First Team. If Spurs fans and NBA fans thought Game 6 Wemby was great, wait till his first-ever Game 7.
1st Quarter highlight tape! Wemby drains a pair of threes alongside swatting Jared McCain’s layup attempt off the glass!
Dylan Harper dropped 18 points (6-9 FG), six rebounds, and four assists in 22 minutes off the bench. After struggling the last couple of games, Dylan dropped his best game in the series since Game 1. Granted, he has been playing with an adductor injury. In Game 6, Dylan looked like he was at least 99% healthy. He showed off that quick first step and burst to the cup like Spurs fans have seen all year, and finished at the rim with finesse. If Dylan is healthy enough to have another game like this, it bodes well for the silver and black. Just a reminder: he’s only 20 years old.
DEFENSE TO OFFENSE! First, look at the hustle and disciplined defense Devin Vassell plays on this fastbreak. Dev stays vertical on the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander layup attempt, and blocks Alex Caruso’s putback attempt! The ball lands in De’Aaron Fox’s hands, and he throws it up for an open Dylan three in transition!
Stephon Castle dropped 17 points (5-10 FG, 7-8 FT), nine assists, five rebounds, and a steal. Steph played with control and shut down his opponents on defense. Ever since Fox returned in Game 3, Steph has only turned the ball over six times and has dished out 28 assists. He continues to play without fear, and his determination to get the paint by any means necessary provides scoring with either a tough bucket or a dime. The 21-year-old’s defense and his control will help determine the outcome of Game 7.
First points on the board! Steph drives into the paint and finds a wide-open Julian Champagnie for three! Julian has been solid these last two games, including 10 points (4-8 3PT), six rebounds, two blocks, two assists, and a steal.
Devin Vassell dropped 12 points (4-7 3PT), two assists, one rebound, two blocks, and a steal. It has been said multiple times this postseason, but Dev has taken his game to another level throughout every playoff series. In this one especially, he has shown OKC that he does not fear them, and he continues to make every crucial momentum-building play for the Spurs. Besides his timely threes, he continues to be solid on defense. Whether it has been on the perimeter or in the paint, Dev has made a play. In terms of impact and efficiency, Dev is more than likely to make an impact in Game 7.
D3VIN! Dev knocks down the early three off the Steph dish!
When the Spurs were on the ropes, they simply returned a heavy blow. They were ready to respond after Game 5. They are showing the Thunder that they will not give up or waver. This was a total team effort on both sides of the ball, somehow more dominant than Game 4. This team’s confidence is through the roof heading to Game 7. Even though the odds are not in their favor with them going on the road and playing in their first Game 7 this season, lack of experience has not stopped this train. On Saturday, Spurs fans will witness if this young and resilient team can punch their ticket to the NBA Finals.
Finally, here are the full game highlights.
The best two words in sports: Game 7. This Saturday at 7:00 P.M. (CST) on NBC/Peacock, the Spurs face their toughest game of the entire postseason.
Anti-tanking passed nearly unanimously, but the Memphis Grizzlies were the lone holdouts.
The new rules are proposed to get the NBA’s teams to be more competitive – to stop sitting their top players in an attempt to have a worse record and better chances at landing a top draft pick.
The Grizzlies voted against the new “3-2-1” anti-tanking proposal due to the provision prohibiting teams from securing top-five draft picks in three straight seasons, per ESPN.
Adam Silver declared war on tanking in the NBA. Getty Images
They will receive the highest pick first-round among the Jazz, Cavaliers and Timberwolves next season, with Utah being the weakest link of the trio this past season.
Utah will No. 2 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft and also selected Ace Bailey No. 5 overall last season.
After acquiring Jackson, it’s possible the Jazz are a solid team for the first time in nearly a decade, but the Grizzlies acquired that 2027 pick with the hopes that it lands in the top five.
If Utah does have a bottom-five record, due to the new rules their pick would be executed as the sixth overall pick in the draft, despite the Grizzlies owning it.
The Grizzlies have had a tough go of it over the past few years, as Morant has dealt with off-court issues, including a suspension, and they’ve fallen apart in two of the last three seasons.
The Grizzlies voted against the NBA anti-tanking provision. NBAE via Getty Images
Memphis ended the season with a 25-57 record, though they played well the year before, finishing 48-34.
Their 2023-24 record was a disappointing 27-55.
There is also a chance that the Grizzlies opt to uproot their franchise by trading Morant and attempting to tank for a better draft pick next season, though the new lottery odds make this significantly less likely.
The worst three records in the NBA previously had a 14 percent chance of the top draft pick, which has been reduced to 5.4 percent with the new rules taking effect immediately.
The fourth- to 10th-best records will have an 8.1 percent chance to land the top pick.
The Grizzlies had even caught some strays from LeBron James, who said that his least favorite place to play was Memphis, an opinion that has been talked about around league circles for years.
Memphis had the worst attendance in the NBA last season.
The Knicks are only four wins away from their first NBA championship since 1973, a long, aching wait that’s tortured generations of fans. Falling short of that goal, even to a Western Conference juggernaut in seven games, would be a disappointment offering no consolation prize to the mecca of basketball.
Still, it’s important to note that what the Knicks have accomplished on this run is nothing short of historic, no matter how it ends. They’ve already etched their names in the record books, whether a ring comes with it or not.
Since losing Game 3 of the first round in Atlanta, New York has rattled off 11 consecutive playoff wins, taking three straight against the Hawks before sweeping the 76ers and Cavaliers. That’s tied for the third-longest postseason winning streak in NBA history. One more win would tie the 1999 Spurs at 12, and three would pass the Warriors at 15.
The wins alone are impressive -- over a Hawks team that had the third-best record in the NBA post-All-Star break, a Sixers team that had just toppled the Celtics with their three stars, and a Cavs team that has been a perennial top seed and acquired James Harden ahead of the deadline.
But the way the Knicks have won has been in a category of its own.
New York avalanched these teams, with 10 wins coming by 11 or more points -- they beat Atlanta by 16, 29, and 51, before two additional 30-point victories over Philadelphia and another against Cleveland.
The degree to which the Knicks are skating by in the postseason is unmatched -- their 262-point differential in their 11 consecutive wins is the largest in any 11-game span in NBA history, regular season or postseason.
We’re at the stage where the competition is at its fiercest, every flaw is magnified, and the Knicks managed to look more dominant than any team ever. They also broke a few more records on the way.
No team has ever led by 47 points going into halftime of a playoff game until these Knicks did it against the Hawks in a closeout Game 6. A couple of games prior they tied the record for the most threes in a postseason game with 25.
Then there was Game 1 against Cleveland, when New York fell behind by as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter before improbably coming back and winning in overtime. That was the second-largest fourth quarter comeback in the history of the NBA playoffs, amid a streak of the greatest string of blowouts in the postseason.
The individual accolades haven’t met these standards after multiple record-breaking feats by Jalen Brunson in previous playoffs, but that’s kind of the point. The Knicks are truly playing team-first basketball, with each individual sacrificing to be the most optimal versions of themselves in pursuit of winning.
They haven’t even done it in one particular way. It took mid-series adjustments against the Hawks and Cavs to continue this run unabridged. Now the Knicks are in the Finals for the first time in 27 years, as the first NBA Cup Champions to do so, and the first team in franchise history to pull off multiple sweeps.
These things may not mean much at the moment to Knicks fans salivating over the Larry O’Brien trophy, and even less so if the Knicks were to lose. But after decades of toiling, failed promises, and broken rebuilds, it should.
Should New York fall short in the Finals, as tragic as that outcome would be to some, it shouldn’t take away from the magnitude of the run that got them there. Few teams have exhibited this type of command over a conference in such style, and that should be commended.
More than the streak and insane blowouts, the real history is the Knicks managing to break a quarter-century curse and rebuild themselves back into a contender with good management while finding the superstar hidden in plain sight.
Kurt Helin
