If Boston is considering trading Jaylen Brown — and multiple reports have said they are at least open to the idea — it almost certainly would be part of a deal to land Giannis Antetokounmpo. The idea being that Boston president Brad Stevens wants to force coach Joe Mazzulla to focus more on attacking the rim than shooting 3-pointers by giving him a star player who doesn't really shoot the 3.
"They don't want a mid-career player if they're trading Giannis. So from what I've heard, they are looking at Jaylen Brown in terms of flipping him to another team. I've been told possibly Atlanta. ... I've been told possibly New Orleans, who have young players."
Marc Stein at The Stein Line confirmed that the Hawks are interested in Brown, if he's available, as are the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets. Then he gets into the real challenge: Brown is set to make $57.1 million next season and has two fully guaranteed years beyond that for $126 million. Brown is worth the money, he is coming off an All-NBA season where he averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. The problem is just making it work under the salary cap rules in a world where teams are scared of the tax aprons.
If the trade is Antetokounmpo to the Celtics for Brown, there will be at least three, and maybe four or more, teams involved in a very complex deal. And complex deals with a lot of moving parts are much harder to pull together.
Agent says “10-12" teams interested in LeBron
The most likely outcome of the LeBron James saga this summer is that he remains with the Lakers for a ninth season. However, maybe that idea is premature if you ask LeBron's agent, Rich Paul, who said on ESPN he has not spoken to LeBron about this, and that "10-12" teams expressed interest in the 41-year-old.
Despite rumors circulating, Rich Paul tells @PatMcAfeeshow that he hasn't had a conversation with LeBron James about next season, but has received calls from "about 10-12 teams" interested
"Believe nothing that's out there because I haven't had one conversation with him." pic.twitter.com/drtwegSNhC
I don't doubt that many teams may have expressed some level of interest in Paul. However, there are other factors that narrow down that list: How many of those teams does LeBron want to play for? How many of them can pay more than the minimum? Can that team compete for a title (or at least be a playoff threat)? Does it keep him close to home and his family in Los Angeles?
Put those parameters on the list, and you get the Lakers, maybe the Warriors (who might be able to use the $15 million mid-level exception), and... not much else.
Pelicans listen to Murphy offers
While teams have called for more than a year, every time another GM asked about Trey Murphy III's availability, the Pelicans essentially hung up the phone.
No more, reports NBA insider Marc Stein at The Stein Line. He adds that the Pistons and Pacers have expressed interest, but you can bet the line is longer than that — these playoffs have shown how much versatile two-way wings/forwards are critical to teams that want to advance in the playoffs.
Murphy is a solid wing defender who averaged 21.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, shooting 37.9% from 3-point range last season.
It's likely the asking price for Murphy will be steep, but for a Detroit team looking for a secondary shot creator to put next to Cade Cunningham, it might be worth it.
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Austin Reaves #15 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers high five during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during a 2025-26 Emirates NBA Cup on November 28, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Offensively, there are few arguments against it. The pair showed they are a more-than-capable on that end of the floor and, in fact, are one of the most potent offensive duos in the league.
The questions largely rest on the other end of the floor. Neither player is a strong individual defender, which raises plenty of questions about whether the Lakers can contend for a title with them as the starting backcourt.
For whatever it’s worth, the Lakers are confident it’s not nearly as much of a concern. In a recent piece on The Athletic, Dan Woike reported that the Lakers feel the defensive issues are “overstated.”
Provided the Lakers address other needs on the wing and at the rim, defensive concerns about a Dončić-and-Reaves pairing are overstated, one team source said. Reaves was also one of the most important voices inside the Lakers’ locker room a season ago, his leadership developing year over year.
The easy reaction to this is that obviously the Lakers would feel this way. In their defense, there are some numbers that back it up. From Feb. 1 through the end of March, a span of 29 games, the Lakers ranked 12th in the league in defensive rating.
That came without the rest of the team necessarily optimized around them. There were few plus defenders on the roster last year, something the team can hopefully address this summer.
If anything, that stat is not just a credit to Reaves and Luka for contributing to a solid defense, but also a testament to the work of head coach JJ Redick this season.
There are going to be caveats with having Luka and Austin on a team together. The team will need to be great offensively, but that should be the easy part. In that same aforementioned span, LA was sixth in offensive rating.
Through an admittedly limited sample size, the Lakers showed they can hang on both ends of the floor with a Luka-Austin backcourt. Clearly, that is enough evidence for them to believe in this long term.
The hope now is that it can be extrapolated to an entire season or more.
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 23: Morez Johnson Jr. #21 and Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines walk on the court during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Arena on January 23, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA Draft is right around the corner (finally!) and conventional wisdom would have you believe the Bucks should draft a guard. After all, most big boards are stacked with them, especially between the five and 10 spots. In fact, our very own Brew Hoop Community Draft Board saw eight guards taken within the first 14 picks: Darryn Peterson (2), Keaton Wagler (5), Darius Acuff Jr. (6), Kingston Flemings (7), Mikel Brown Jr. (8), Brayden Burries (9), Cameron Carr (13), and Labaron Philon Jr. (14).
Exclude the top four picks, who are widely considered head and shoulders above the rest, and the sum becomes 7 out of ten. And while it’s true that these are all very talented players, following conventional wisdom and taking one—or more, should the Bucks end up with multiple selections—would be a mistake. That’s right, it’s time for the Bucks to go against the grain and think—and move—forward with forwards.
A dime a dozen guards
While guards are imperative to NBA success, especially through ball handling and shot creation, they’re seldom the catalyst (more on that later). More significantly, there are just so many of them. And in a game that only features five on the floor for a team at any given time, this leads to positional dilution. We rightly rave about Ryan Rollins’ ascension this year and ponder his All-Star potential, but just last season, he was on a two-way contract. And while Rollins was great for the Bucks, putting up 17.3 PPG and 5.6 APG this season, those numbers ranked him 40th and 30th in the league among guards, a testament to the sheer volume of productive backcourt players.
Rollins’ teammate, the maligned Kevin Porter Jr., offers another prime example. He actually bested Rollins’ production, putting up 17.4 PPG and 7.4 APG, ranking him 38th and ninth in the league among guards. Yet the Bucks acquired him in a straight swap for MarJon Beauchamp, who was waived by the Los Angeles Clippers less than a month later.
None of this is meant to diminish Rollins’ or Porter’s contributions. Far from it; they were arguably the Bucks’ best players this season. But they didn’t require the Bucks to use a single draft pick—let alone a premium one. The question thus becomes: would any guard the Bucks select in the coming NBA Draft offer more than them? And if they did so statistically, would it really impact winning?
Winning time—size and defence matters
If you’ve read it once, you’ve read it 1000 times: the draft is where you swing for the stars, especially with a top 10 pick. And there’s no bigger star than the one who steps up on the game’s biggest stage, the NBA Finals. But of the 57 Finals MVP awards handed out since the award’s inception, only 10 have ever gone to guards in the true point-or-combo guard sense (i.e., not wings)—and only six of those recipients were shorter than 6’4”. Narrow it further to those who weren’t plus defenders, and you’re left with just two: the revolutionary Stephen Curry and the lightning-quick, live-in-the-paint Tony Parker. And both played on elite defensive teams.
Of course, despite what the pundits say, you don’t have to swing for the stars. In this case, size and defence matter even more; the role-playing forward will typically have more of a two-way impact than the role-playing guard. Besides, you’re far more likely to have a role-playing forward come up big to win FMVP (see Curry’s teammate Andre Iguodala, Parker’s teammate Kawhi Leonard, and the Boston Celtics’ Cedric Maxwell, whose own Hall of Fame point guard was described by his coach as someone who “could give up 32 points on offense but give away 36 on defense, so you were [behind] even before the game began.”).
Heck, OG Anunoby has arguably been the best player in this year’s Finals, outplaying his own—you guessed it—smaller lead guard. Even then, Jalen Brunson has at least one standout defensive quality, leading the league in charges drawn this year (and routinely finishing in the top five). In a league that values possessions more than ever, this makes a tangible difference. Still, like Curry and Parker and Tiny Archibald before him, Brunson is reliant on the coverage of his elite defensive running mates, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and the aforementioned Anunoby, who can check a variety of offensive types.
Positional versatility and the modern game
Contemporary NBA basketball is less and less about defined positions. Instead, a premium is placed on versatility. Guards, for all their ball handling and shot creation, are often constrained in this respect—what can they offer when the ball isn’t in their hands and isn’t going through the hoop? They better have a whole lot of off-ball gravity, because they aren’t snatching a contested rebound (let alone making a game-winning tip-in) or switching onto an opposing big and getting a stop. They’re not creating the equivalent space as a big when screening. And they’re certainly not rotating or recovering to stifle a shot at the rim. No, versatile forwards do these things. And they also unlock lineup flexibility.
With modern offences as potent as they are—this year’s league-wide average of 115.6 PPG is the sixth-highest average ever and the most since the 1960s—teams need defensive optionality, the ability to present different looks. Versatile forwards are imperative to this. Need to prevent penetration? They let you switch. Want to shrink the court? Length lets you do that. Doubling, blitzing, zone? Yes, yes, and yes. But it doesn’t stop there. Forwards also unlock small-ball lineups.
Just imagine what the Bucks could do with Morez Johnson Jr., who our very own Finn Kuehl projects as being one of the “few players in the NBA [who] can genuinely cover every position effectively on defense,” while being “about as good as it gets” when it comes to switching. Now imagine what that could look like if he were paired with Giannis—or his Michigan teammate Yaxel Lendeborg. For a Bucks team that finished bottom five in both defensive rating (26th, 118.3) and rebound percentage (26th, 48.2%), this is far more important than an offensive guard—Milwaukee already finished third in effective field goal percentage (56.5%). It would certainly help address their worst-in-the-league offensive rebounding percentage (26.3%) too, an area new head coach Taylor Jenkins has historically prioritised.
Milwaukee’s roster construction
All of this brings us to the most pressing point, the Bucks’ roster construction. And while the team could look any number of ways by the time the 2026–27 season rolls around, there seem to be two prominent paths for now. In the first, Giannis remains a Buck, and the team looks to reload once again in the hopes that medical malpractice (Doc, not the medical staff) held it back. In this scenario, Milwaukee remains very much in “win now” mode and thus must address its glaring need at small forward. Lendeborg is likely the best fit in that case. After all, he’s just won a national championship, is well-rounded offensively, and is a defensive ace. Adding a young guard doesn’t solve this, and young guards are seldom win-now options; the Spurs’ Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are exceptions, not the rule.
In the second scenario, Giannis is traded, and the Bucks begin their rebuild. While the Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and a bevy of other teams are all allegedly interested, the writing on the wall points to the Miami Heat as the Bucks’ most likely trade partner. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Eric Nehm, a deal is “likely to include Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., either Pelle Larsson or Kasparas Jakučionis, and draft capital (they can offer up to three first-round picks).” Should this happen, the Bucks could have both their frontcourt and backcourt of the future.
Ware, Johnson, and Lendeborg would make a sizeable and versatile frontcourt trio, capable of controlling the boards, defending with versatility, and spacing the court (Lendeborg hit 37% on 4.5 3PA for Michigan, while Ware hit 40% on 3.0 3PA for Miami). Jaquez, runner-up in this year’s Sixth Man of the Year voting, adds depth and playmaking, as does last year’s trade deadline darling, Ousmane Dieng (assuming the Bucks bring him back). Jericho Sims, assuming he’s retained, adds another lob threat on a similar timeline, while Pete Nance would look even better as a third stringer. Of course, the Bucks also have Myles Turner, Bobby Portis, and Kyle Kuzma, who could start, come off the bench, or be moved for future assets.
In the backcourt, Rollins would likely pair with Tyler Herro, who—for all his criticism—is still a 26-year-old All-Star guard who will give you 20, five, and five a night (on career .450/.382/.878 shooting). He can also play both on and off the ball. For all their hype, this is a level many of the guard prospects would be lucky to reach.
In the longer term, the Bucks would hope Jakučionis will take over as Rollins’ running mate, with Herro moving to a sixth man role he’s already mastered—he was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2021–22—or being traded for capital. Jakučionis, the 20th pick in last year’s draft, has just turned 20, has size at 6’5”, plays both backcourt positions, and shot 42% from three in his rookie season. On the other hand, Larson could just as easily develop into Rollins’ sidekick. He already started 54 of 70 games for the Heat this season, averaging 11.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 3.4 APG. These are more than bit players, and if you’re trading away the franchise’s best ever player, you don’t want to immediately stunt the development of the prospects you do get by drafting at their position, not when taking into consideration everything else.
Lost in all of this are some of the Bucks’ current guards. Milwaukee could easily bring back KPJ. Having just turned 26, he’s still young with upside to tap into. In turn, AJ Green would be much better served in a reserve role, where he’s not forced to defend out of position—and give up size—at small forward. A sharp-shooter on a controlled contract, he’d surely draw trade interest too. If that eventuates, there’s still Cormac Ryan, the Bucks’ two-way guard who came on strong to end last season, scoring 20 or more points in four of his 11 games (on .520/.458/.923 splits). Suffice to say, Milwaukee won’t be short on guard stocks.
Ultimately, whether Giannis stays or goes, Milwaukee’s roster construction points in the same direction. If the Bucks are attempting to contend, they need size, defense, and versatility around their superstar. If they’re rebuilding, they’re likely to acquire young guards and future backcourt pieces through any Giannis trade. In either scenario, the organisation’s biggest need remains the same. The best path forward is forwards.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 10: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs guards Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks during Game Four of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 10, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After the New York Knicks completed the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, Karl-Anthony Towns now stands one win away from basketball immortality.
Let that sentence breathe for a second.
The largest comeback in NBA Finals history. Madison Square Garden shaking like it was trying to detach itself from Manhattan. The Knicks down 29 points in Game 4, staring at what felt like a guaranteed 2-2 series tie, and somehow turning the entire second half into one of the most surreal, delirious, how-in-the-hell-did-that-just-happen basketball experiences any of us will ever see.
For San Antonio Spurs fans, it must have felt like watching a car crash unfold in slow motion. The chance to even the series and drag the Knicks back into the pressure cooker was sitting right there on the table. Then, possession by possession, miss by miss, turnover by turnover, it all slipped away.
For Knicks fans, it was euphoria.
For Wolves fans watching Karl-Anthony Towns chase the one thing that eluded him throughout his Minnesota tenure, it was something else entirely. It was joyful in that slightly complicated way, where the player you loved for years is doing the thing you always hoped he would do, just not in your uniform.
In the final seconds, fittingly, Towns still found a way to put his fingerprints on the moment.
With the Knicks clinging to the lead and San Antonio desperately searching for one final miracle, Towns managed to get his hand on the inbound pass, denying what may have been a clean layup or dunk for Stephon Castle at the buzzer. It was the sort of play that might get swallowed up in a highlight package dominated by the comeback itself, but one that ultimately helped secure a 3-1 series lead for New York.
And now Towns is one win away. One win from joining Kevin Garnett and Kevin Love as former Timberwolves franchise cornerstones who went on to capture an NBA championship after leaving Minnesota. There is something undeniably strange about that lineage, and maybe a little painful if you stare at it too long. The Wolves have never gotten to hold the Larry O’Brien Trophy themselves, but their former stars keep finding their way to it elsewhere.
Garnett got his in Boston in 2008. Love got his in Cleveland in 2016. Now Towns may get his in New York in 2026. Interestingly, each one of those championship runs featured its own absurd comeback story. Garnett’s Celtics erased a 24-point deficit against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2008 Finals, a comeback that helped deliver Boston its first championship in more than two decades. Kevin Love’s Cavaliers did something even more ridiculous, climbing out of a 3-1 hole against the 73-win Golden State Warriors.
Now Towns has his own entry. The Knicks coming back from 29 down in Game 4 of the NBA Finals will live forever if New York finishes the job. That is the key. Great comebacks become immortal when they become part of a championship story. Otherwise, they risk becoming a wild footnote, something fans remember fondly but not something carved into league mythology. If the Knicks win one of the next three games and bring New York its first title in 53 years, Game 4 instantly becomes sacred text.
It becomes the game people talk about in bars 30 years from now. It becomes the game dads tell their kids about. It becomes the game Knicks fans will claim they never doubted for a second, even though every single one of them was mentally preparing for the series to be tied 2-2 midway through the third quarter.
For Towns, it becomes the game that helped rewrite the story. KAT’s career has been followed by questions, some fair, some unfair, some exaggerated by the gravitational pull of being the best player on a franchise that too often gave him chaos and asked him to turn it into stability. Could he lead a winner? Could he defend at the highest level? Could he keep his composure? Could he rise in the biggest moments? Could he be more than an elite offensive talent with a beautiful shooting stroke and a frustrating tendency to pick up fouls 35 feet from the basket? Those questions followed him in Minnesota. They followed him out of Minnesota. They were part of the conversation the moment he arrived in New York.
But championships have a funny way of changing conversations. Win a title, and the frustrations become growth. The long road becomes the reason the ending feels earned. If Towns hoists the Larry O’Brien Trophy, a lot of the noise that has followed him for years gets quieter.
He would be a champion. No qualifier needed. That is what makes Saturday night in San Antonio so fascinating.
The Knicks are one win away from finishing the job, but the Spurs are not going to simply roll over and hand them the trophy. Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio have 72 hours to sit with one of the all-time gut punches in NBA Finals history. They had Game 4. They had a chance to make this a brand-new series. Instead, they walked off the floor at Madison Square Garden looking like a team that had just been hit by a truck it never saw coming.
How does a young team respond to that? Do the Spurs pick themselves off the mat, return to Frost Bank Center, and remind everyone why they knocked off Minnesota and Oklahoma City on the way here? Does Wembanyama deliver the kind of monster response that reasserts his place as the terrifying future of the league? Does San Antonio turn Game 5 into a pride game, extend the series, and force the Knicks to feel the pressure of trying to close again? Or did Game 4 break something? That is the cruel beauty of the Finals. Nobody knows until the ball goes up.
For the Knicks, the mission is simple but not easy: do not give San Antonio hope. Do not let the Spurs believe this series has another turn left in it. Do not allow one of the most dramatic comebacks in basketball history to become merely the setup for another momentum swing. The Knicks have three chances to win one game, but the cleanest path is always the first one. End it now.
For Towns, the opportunity is almost too perfect. One game. One win. One chance to silence the doubts and validate every painful step along the way. One chance to stand next to Garnett and Love as another former Timberwolves great who found his championship moment.
If Karl-Anthony Towns is hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy tonight, you can rest assured that Wolves Nation will be watching. The Canis Hoopus faithful will be tuned in, cheering him on, ready to see one of the most important players in franchise history finally get the vindication he has been chasing his entire career.
By all logic, the San Antonio Spurs should be coming home with momentum in the NBA Finals.
Apparently, logic doesn't apply to the New York Knicks, who climbed out of win probability hell (0.6% with 9:45 left in 4Q) to take a 3-1 series lead Wednesday.
Basketball bettors are left to wonder about the mental state of San Antonio after it blew a 29-point lead in Game 4, backing itself in a corner for Saturday’s Game 5.
My Knicks vs. Spurs same-game parlay believes San Antonio will live to fight another day, while also singling out two scorers who had their recent efforts dampened by foul trouble.
Here are my best NBA picks and SGP predictions for Game 5 of the NBA Finals on June 13.
Our best Knicks vs Spurs SGP for Game 5
SGP leg #1: Spurs moneyline
The San Antonio Spurs get a two-day break to wash the scent of Game 4 off them before Saturday. That extra rest also helps star center Victor Wembanyama recharge after he looked sluggish in the second half of Wednesday’s loss.
The New York Knicks continue to win the 50/50 balls while also receiving plenty of lucky bounces and fortuitous breaks. Regression could be ripe with New York coming down from a crazy scene at MSG and hitting the road this weekend. San Antonio may not cover but it can stay alive in Game 5.
SGP leg #2: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 17.5 points
Karl-Anthony Towns was limited to just 26 minutes in Game 4, due to two fouls in the opening minute of action. Towns came back with solid work in the second half but was unable to get in the offensive rhythm we saw from KAT in the opening two games of the finals.
The Knicks tried to run the offensive through him early in Game 3, but foul trouble botched that scheme. Look for Mike Brown to stick with that plan in Game 5. Towns’ projections sit as high as 21+ points while my number is just shy of 19 points on Saturday.
SGP leg #3: Stephon Castle Over 16.5 points
San Antonio guard Stephon Castle was also limited with foul issues in Game 4. He too struggled to find his flow, shooting just 2 for 7 from the field. However, Castle has been aggressively attacking the rim and knocked down all eight of his FTAs on Wednesday. He scored 13 points in just 26 minutes in Game 4 and his Game 5 forecasts call for closer to 19 points, given his usual floor time.
Get Jason Logan's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Knicks vs. Spurs predictions for Game 5.
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BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 26: The Milwaukee Bucks round 1 pick 23 during the 2024 NBA Draft - Round One on June 26, 2024 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Kostas Lymperopoulos/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In this week’s Reacts survey, we discussed the possibility of the Bucks moving down from the 10th pick in this month’s 2026 NBA Draft in exchange for multiple selections this year. At last month’s combine, Milwaukee was said to be operating as if they’d be making more than one draft pick, and while that doesn’t necessarily mean an additional first (the rumor didn’t specify), that’s the route we’re looking at today. What was the verdict among voters?
As discussed on Tuesday, the Thunder and Hornets both have two picks in the teens: OKC at 12 and 17, Charlotte at 14 and 18. I wrote yesterday about who I might pick if I were the Bucks in those situations. But a small majority of our readership thinks it would be a good idea to move back from 10 in order to add a second rookie. And it’s possible, if not likely, that whoever the Bucks have eyes for at 10 will still be on the board at 12 anyway, perhaps even 14.
Acquiring a second pick this year could be flipped for the future too. If Milwaukee received 17 or 18, they could trade that pick for a future first, particularly to a team that doesn’t have a pick this year; New Orleans, for example. Last year, the Pelicans famously traded their 2026 first-round pick to Atlanta in order to move up in the 2025 draft and choose Derik Queen. That move was highly criticized at the time, and the Hawks ended up at eighth this year in exchange for moving back 10 spots from 13 to 23.
Maybe New Orleans doesn’t want to make that mistake again, but maybe Houston wants to get in on this highly-regarded class. They have no firsts this year, though they own Phoenix’s next year and have the right to swap theirs with Brooklyn’s. The latter might be too high a price to pay for the 18th pick this year, but if I were the Bucks, I’d gladly give them 18 for the Suns’ pick next year, which could certainly end up in the lottery. And with the new odds, it could end up being quite high.
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The New York Knicks are one win away from becoming NBA champions for the first time in 53 years and tonight’s Game 5 is their first chance to clinch the title.
A historic Game 4 win is what led them here.
The San Antonio Spurs controlled the first half of Wednesday’s matchup, building up a 76–49 lead that seemed insurmountable. The second half was all Knicks, though, as they held the Spurs to just 30 points across both frames and slowly but surely erased the deficit.
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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
When Ben and Jerry talk ice cream, you listen to an authority.
When Meryl Streep talks acting, you listen to an authority.
When Draymond Green talks NBA suspensions, you listen to an authority.
And Green says that Victor Wembanyama’s actions during the NBA playoffs — including the Finals against the Knicks — warrant a suspension.
Victor Wembanyama was not given a flagrant foul for his Game 3 shove of Knicks star Jalen Brunson. ABC
“Listen, I’m not one that wants to see series decided by suspensions,” Green, the Warriors star, said on “The Draymond Green Show.” “That’s not good for anyone. It leaves a lot of questions, a lot of what-ifs. I don’t enjoy that.
“I will say, he’s been shown a lot of grace. He probably should be suspended at some point – or (should) have been already – but he’s been shown a lot of grace.”
Green has been suspended six times during his Hall of Fame-caliber career, including an indefinite suspension (it became 12 games) in December 2023 for striking an opponent in the face. Earlier that same season, he was suspended five games for putting an opponent in a chokehold.
Green has been suspended for accumulating 16 technical fouls in a regular season and in the playoffs for stomping an opponent’s chest. He also sat out Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals for accumulating too many flagrant foul points in the postseason, which is the line that Wembanyama is toeing.
Victor Wembanyama during NBA Finals Game 4. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
Draymond Green believes Wemby should’ve been suspended already this finals but the NBA is showing him ‘grace’:
“I will say he’s been shown a lot of grace. He probably should be suspended at some point or have been already. But I agree with the Grace”
“I agree with the grace,” Green said. “We want to see Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs vs. the Knicks. Not the Spurs sans Victor Wembanyama versus the Knicks.”
Of course, the controversial Green, who is serving as a studio analyst for ESPN’s coverage of the Finals, wants the NBA to admit that it is bending the rules for stars, which will never happen.
Even if most recognize that NBA stars have been getting favored treatment from officials for decades.
“I wish the NBA would just come out and say, ‘In most cases, this probably should be a suspension, but it’s not because we want our best in the NBA Finals and that’s the way it should be,’” Green said. “And I agree with that.”
Draymond Green calls out Victor Wembanyama and other European basketball players as dirty players.
The Warriors’ Draymond Green didn’t hold back when voicing his opinion on Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama.
During Green’s podcast, “The Draymond Green Show,” he didn’t hesitate to call out Wembanyama and European players’ play style as “dirty.”
“Victor Wembanyama is a great player. Victor Wembanyama is a European player. And I’ve been on record for saying European players are dirty,” Green said. “… They are a bit dirty. It’s why beating France in France was such a big deal. Europeans want to own our game, and they are a bit dirty.”
Draymond Green says Wemby and European players are ‘a bit’ Dirty
“Victor Wembanyama is a great player. Victor Wembanyama is a European player…. Draymond will f*ck you up. But I’m not dirty. It’s a completely different thing. Victor Wembanyama is a European player, they are a… https://t.co/Uxj0azssQbpic.twitter.com/MxoKskh3Zo
Recently, Wembanyama has caught NBA fans‘ attention after some questionable moves he’s made throughout the NBA Finals against the Knicks.
Wembanyama received a flagrant foul 1 for elbowing Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns in the face during the third quarter of Game 4 on Wednesday. Assuming the foul isn’t overturned, he will be one flagrant foul away from being suspended for a game.
Wembanyama received two flagrant foul points when he elbowed Timberwolves forward Naz Reid in the jaw during game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals.
NBA rules dictate that if a player accumulates four flagrant foul points, they are to be suspended for a game.
The Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama is close to being suspended if he commits another flagrant foul. NBAE via Getty ImagesDraymond Green was suspended for a game during the 2016 NBA Finals. AP
The Spurs trail the Knicks, 3-1, and if they manage to pull off a comeback Saturday against the Knicks, they will need their star player for the rest of the NBA Finals.
Ironically, Green has been called out in the past as being labeled a dirty player. On his podcast, he acknowledged those accusations but belittled them and said he is someone who will “F— you up.”
“I’m not dirty,” Green said. “It’s a completely different thing. And I don’t think anyone I play against will tell you, ‘Man, he’s dirty.’ I ain’t dirty. That’s a different thing. I will mess you up, though.”
As Wembanyama is looking to avoid another flagrant foul, Green has been in similar situations before, as he was forced to miss Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals after he received a flagrant 1 call for taking a swipe at LeBron James.
As someone who has missed an NBA Finals game due to maxing out on flagrant fouls during the NBA playoffs, Green said he hopes the NBA lets Wembanyama stay in the series if he receives another foul.
“Listen, I’m not one that wants to see series decided by suspensions,” Green said. “That’s not good for anyone. Brings a lot of questions, brings a lot of what-ifs. I don’t enjoy that. I will say he’s been shown a lot of grace.”
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 02: A detail view of the Nike basketball shoes of Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks before a game against the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum on March 02, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
James Harden joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in a trade which saw the Los Angeles Clippers obtain guard Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round draft pick [Getty Images]
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden has been released from jail in Houston after being arrested on Saturday morning for unlawfully carrying a weapon.
Harden was detained by a police officer at 03:41 local time after an unconcealed handgun was spotted in the cup holder of his Mercedes, according to court records.
The 36-year-old had been travelling through downtown Houston when he was stopped by the police, and the weapon was spotted when Harden drove up behind another vehicle.
Harden was arrested and booked at Harris County Jail after confirming the gun was his, and was later released on a $100 (£75) bond, with a court date scheduled for 22 June.
The Cavaliers said they were "aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information".
The statement added: "We are in contact with James and his representation and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment."
A six-time first-team All-NBA selection and the 2017-18 league MVP (Most Valuable Player), Harden joined the Cavaliers in February as part of a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.
He averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 26 starts this season with his new side.
Since entering the NBA as the third pick in the 2009 draft, Harden has played for Oklahoma City Thunder, the Houston Rockets, the Brooklyn Nets, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Clippers and the Cavaliers.
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 06: Jrue Holiday #12 and Devin Booker #15 of Team United States react during the Basketball - Men's Quarterfinals between Team United States and Team Brazil on day eleven of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena on August 6, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images) | VCG via Getty Images
One thing is clear: The Phoenix Suns are searching for more help around Devin Booker. Whether that comes from internal development or acquiring talent, team owner Mat Ishbia has made it abundantly clear that the mission is to build another contender around the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.
Since the departure of Chris Paul back in 2023, Booker has taken on both point guard and shooting responsibilities, which is why it’s no surprise to see the amount of discourse there’s been about adding a full-time point guard next to him in the starting lineup to get him back to playing the position he did when he was All-NBA First Team during the 2021-2022 campaign.
One player who could perfectly complement Booker in the backcourt is Jrue Holiday.
The two have played alongside each other for Team USA in 2021 and 2024 in the Olympics, and matched up against each other often when the Milwaukee Bucks and Suns played in the Finals back in 2021. Holiday is a two-time champion, multi-time All-Star, six-time defense and has just averaged his most points and assists per game since 2022 for the Portland Trail Blazers.
An elite defender and ball handler, Holiday has experience setting up some of the NBA’s top scorers. He was Giannis Antetokounmpo’s point guard during some of the Greek Freak’s best seasons and recently helped first-time All-Star Deni Avdija average a career high in points per game. Playing alongside other playmakers, he is comfortable taking a backseat on offense if it’s for the betterment of the team. Multiple times throughout his career, he’s moved over to play shooting guard if it’s for the betterment of the team. When he was with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017, he took a backseat and played the two guard spot so Rajon Rondo could run the offense, and he did the same from 2023-2025 when he played for the Boston Celtics so Derrick White could play point.
When it comes to his ability to make big plays when it matters most? Well, the NBA’s YouTube Channel has a great highlight reel of some of his most clutch defensive plays, but I think one play speaks out about his ability to perform when he’s needed most, more than others, especially to Suns fans…
Holiday’s ability to play his best in the big moments, combined with his malleability, makes him an ideal fit next to Booker. While he just turned 36, we’ve continued to see guards play at high levels late into their 30s. Just look at what Chris Paul did in Phoenix.
For any deal to happen, Phoenix would likely have to trade Jalen Green, which seems unlikely. Additionally, Damian Lillard is set to return next season after missing the year with a torn Achilles, and Scoot Henderson showed some promise during Portland’s playoff run. The Suns likely don’t have the draft capital to give the Blazers to make adding Green worth it. If the Blazers were to trade Holiday, it appears they’d do it for a player that wasn’t a guard to free up more space in the backcourt, or to a team that could give them more lucrative draft capital.
No one should expect Holiday to be a Sun next season, but the idea of pairing Booker alongside an elite defender who plays his best during the biggest moments is tantalizing.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 10: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks celebrates after his team's 107-106 victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The New York Knicks are one step away from basketball immortality and winning the NBA Finals for the first time since 1973.
It’s been a long time coming for the Knicks and their fandom, especially considering the fact that most of them have never seen a team this close to the championship.
There was the seven-game series back in 1994 where they fell just short against the Houston Rockets, and in 1999 when they took the eighth seed and ran with it all the way to the Finals, losing to the San Antonio Spurs. However, this year just feels different.
The team’s comeback in Game 4 against the Spurs gave “team of destiny” vibes, and it will almost certainly be the shining moment should the Knicks finish the job and win the series.
However, history remembers the champions far more than the runner-ups. As of now, the Knicks do not have the championship secured; they need one more win to clinch. Champions are remembered forever, especially in New York City for a franchise that hasn’t seen it in over half of a century.
A win will lift the legacies of players like Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, both of whom have carried the Knicks to victory three times in the first four games. Brunson may even secure a Hall of Fame berth should he lead the Knicks to a title this season.
The Knicks have tasted glory at times throughout the last 50+ years, especially the past three with deep playoff runs. But now, they are on the doorstep of greatness. They just need to take one more step to feel that glory.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 23: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts to a no foul call against the New York Knicks during the second quarter in Game Three of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena on May 23, 2026 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was arrested in Harris County, Texas, early Saturday morning. He was charged with a misdemeanor for unlawfully carrying weapons. This was first reported by TMZ.
According to Harris County’s records, Harden was arrested for “intentionally and knowingly” carrying a handgun in a motor vehicle owned by Harden and in “plain view.” The arrest occurred at 3:41 A.M. on Saturday, June 26. He was booked at 4:57 A.M. that same day.
Harden has been charged with a misdemeanor for unlawful carrying weapons. He has been released on bail, but needs to submit to the following requirements at this time:
Harden cannot possess firearms, ammunition, or other weapons.
He must submit to random urinalysis.
He is “prohibited from using, possessing, or consuming any alcohol, controlled substances, dangerous drug, or marijuana unless prescribed” by a doctor.
Harden is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, June 22nd.
This issue is likely to be resolved relatively quickly. Harden was only charged with a misdemeanor, which is not a serious charge.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information. We are in contact with James and his representation and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment.”
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 13: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
He was “intentionally and knowingly” carrying a handgun in a motor vehicle that he owned. The handgun was in plain view and not carried in a holster. He was arrested at 3:41 AM on Saturday and was booked at 4:57 AM. He was released on bail and is scheduled for court later this month.
The Cavs released the following statement about Harden’s arrest on Saturday afternoon:
The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information. We are in contact with James and his representation and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment.
The Cavs acquired Harden at the trade deadline last February. He played in 26 regular-season games and 18 playoff games. He averaged 23.6 points and eight assists on .434/.375/.884 shooting splits in 70 games combined with the Los Angeles Clippers and Cavs last regular season.
Harden has a player option for the 2026-27 season that is worth $42.3 million. At this time, he’s expected to decline that option and sign for a longer deal with Cleveland. After the season, Harden said he “100%” wants to be back with the Cavs.
