Category: Basketball

NEW YORK – The NBA has warned fans that United States President Donald Trump's expected appearance at NBA Finals Game 3 would lead to extra security measures, and they were already visible around Madison Square Garden nearly 12 hours before the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs tip off on Monday, June 8.

A security wall around the perimeter of the "World's Most Famous Arena" in midtown Manhattan is in place, according to multiple videos and photos on social media that surfaced Monday morning. NYPD officials said during a news conference about 12 hours before the scheduled start time for Game 3 that the police's security perimeter will run from West 35th Street to West 30th Street between Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avenue around Madison Square Garden.

All fans will encounter TSA-style magnetometer screening before entering the arena, according to Matt McCool of the U.S. Secret Service, who encouraged those attending Game 3 of the NBA Finals to arrive at MSG at least two hours before Monday's 8:30 p.m. ET tip.

Security perimeter has been installed ahead of Game 3 of NBA Finals at MSG pic.twitter.com/ARC6vnYUq1

— TickPick (@TickPick) June 8, 2026

TRUMP, DOLAN RELATIONSHIP: Knicks owner is major donor, Mar-A-Lago member

"The Secret Service's focus is straightforward," McCool said, "to ensure everyone attending the game can enjoy the game and have a safe experience while we carry out our responsibility to protect the President of the United States. To enforce that mission, there will be enhanced law enforcement and security presence in and around Madison Square Garden."

Starting at 4 p.m. ET, according to the NYPD, only those with a ticket to the game or a train ticket, those going to a store, or those with proper credentials for another authorized reason to be there will be allowed into the secure area. There are five designated screening areas in which to enter the security perimeter. Backpacks, bags and alcohol will not be permitted inside the perimeter, aside from travelers going to Penn Station.

Federal law enforcement will be visible throughout Madison Square Garden, with drones and anti-drone technology in use to protect and reassure fans at the game. The locker rooms will also be closed to reporters before the game "due to the presence of the President and related security concerns," the NBA announced.

“I think the president being here just makes it inconvenient for everybody else," Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox told reporters, according to the San Antonio Express-News. "...We’re getting screened like it’s TSA. It’s a little inconvenient for the people that’s got to play, but it is what it is.”

McCool reiterated that "we do not want you to miss tip off" on Monday while emphasizing an early arrival to the game.

"The message is simple," New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. "Celebrate the Knicks, but avoid the MSG area tonight if you do not have tickets to the game or some other valid reason to be there."

As fans watch the 2026 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, front offices are using the final weeks to scout the 2026 NBA Draft.

The postseason has taught us which type of players are able to get on the floor and earn rotational minutes in key moments, which can hep inform where players might get selected during draft nights at Barclays Center on June 23 and June 24.

Expect second-round picks to consist of seniors (including Zuby Ejiofor, Alex Karaban, Baba Miller, Ryan Conwell, Braden Smith, Richie Saunders, Jaden Bradley, and Trevon Brazile) automatically eligible for the draft.

Following conversations with decision-makers around the league and other reporting, here are our latest predictions.

Note: All heights and wingspans (as well as the distance between the two) are listed to the nearest inch and players were measured without shoes.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa

• TEAM: BYU
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Massachusetts
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-1 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Wizards finished with the worst record in the NBA and benefited tremendously from a lottery win. They had the second-worst offense in the league and could instantly inject life into their offense by selecting AJ Dybantsa, the NCAA scoring champion and Julius Erving Award winner.

While the battle for No. 1 is far from over, the former five-star recruit emphasized his case during his one game for BYU in March Madness, putting up 35 points and 10 rebounds. The Big 12 Rookie of the Year led the nation in unassisted points scored (680) by a wide margin this season, per CBB Analytics. The emerging star also had 40 points against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament on March 10 and averaged a stellar 28.8 points per game over his final 17 appearances. 

He would be a fascinating fit next to Trae Young and Anthony Davis, who could help him play alongside veteran talent early in his career.

2. Utah Jazz: Cameron Boozer

• TEAM: Duke
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Florida
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+5)
• DRAFT AGE: 18

While nearly every mainstream mock draft has the Jazz selecting Darryn Peterson to join Keyonte George in the backcourt, this is far from a foregone conclusion. Duke freshman Cameron Boozer was dominant during his sole NCAA season, earning national collegiate player of the year honors.

The ACC Player of the Year isn’t a human highlight reel, though he performed better than expected during athletic testing at the combine in Chicago. He offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set, and he can bring a culture of winning after multiple championships in high school and playing on an elite Duke team that made it to the Sweet 16.

It is important to note that his father, former Jazz player Carlos Boozer, currently works as a scout for Utah. Even if this is an awkward positional fit with a crowded frontcourt, the Jazz are building a stronger core. As of right now, fans should operate under the assumption this pick is not yet decided and any one of these top prospects is in play.

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Darryn Peterson

• TEAM: Kansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• WINGSPAN: 6-10 (+5)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

While he is certainly no longer perceived as the near-certain No. 1 overall pick that he once was due to relative inconsistency and injury issues, many scouts and evaluators still feel that Darryn Peterson is the most talented player in this class.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, he has received “largely positive” feedback and was "quiet but serious" during the pre-draft interview process of the combine. Overall, it is incredibly rare to find a prospect who is able to score as efficiently as Peterson did while holding a usage rate as high as his was this season. 

If the Grizzlies draft Peterson, it would give them a fresh start with a new floor general to run the offense and give them even more incentive to potentially trade longtime franchise star point guard Ja Morant.

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson

• TEAM: North Carolina
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Georgia
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Bryson Graham, who was recently hired as the new executive vice president of basketball operations for the Bulls, has a simple task: Select whichever of the four players is still available.

North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson is not just a consolation prize. He is a perfect fit for what Graham wants to build in Chicago as he values size, length, athleticism and physicality. Wilson did more than enough to earn this placement before his injury.

According to Bart Torvik, before the injury, the All-ACC big man led the nation with 67 dunks recorded and was one of the best vertical athletes who tested at the combine in Chicago. He was also the only player under 20 years old to reach specific thresholds for both block, steal and defensive rebound percentage.

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Keaton Wagler

• TEAM: Illinois
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Kansas
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+1)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Clippers received this pick from the Indiana Pacers as part of a package involving Ivica Zubac, but Jake Fischer reported that he is "hearing considerable curiosity" about whether or not the Clippers will actually use this pick or potentially trade it for a win-now player. Whether it's their front office or another on the clock at No. 5 overall, look for them to potentially call on Illinois standout Keaton Wagler, an ideal fit next to Darius Garland.

“I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder,” Wagler told USA TODAY Sports. “Just trying to go out each game and prove myself and do whatever it takes to win.”

The 19-year-old guard played a crucial role in helping the Fighting Illini reach the Final Four, finishing with 20 points and eight rebounds against UConn in the national semifinals after scoring 25 points in the Elite Eight. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, hitting 39.7% from beyond the arc as a freshman and connecting on as many as nine 3-pointers in a game. Wagler is a cerebral basketball player who averaged 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr.

• DRAFT AGE: 20
• TEAM: Louisville
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Florida
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• WINGSPAN: 6-8 (+4)

During this rebuilding chapter, the Nets would love to add a player like the talented Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr., even though they drafted three point guards last season.

Brown Jr. was averaging 29.2 points per game over his last five appearances, including a 45-point outing against NC State on Feb. 9 in which he hit 10 3-pointers, before an injury on Feb. 28 forced him to miss March Madness. “I got cleared by the medical staff from the league at the Combine, so we’re all green,” Brown Jr. told USA TODAY Sports. “I feel like myself again.”

The All-ACC guard has deep shooting range and ranked among the freshman leaders in 3-pointers made from beyond 25 feet (27) this year, per CBB Analytics. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, some scouts feel Brown has the highest “upside” of the guards in this range. 

7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr.

• TEAM: Arkansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Michigan
• HEIGHT: 6-2
• WINGSPAN: 6-7 (+5)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Kings need a potential star and according to Yahoo's Kevin O'Connor, folks around the league "widely believe" they are targeting Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. in this class.

En route to the Sweet 16, the SEC Player of the Year proved he is one of the most enticing offensive prospects in recent memory. Acuff Jr. led the nation for points created (1,394) either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. The speedy guard led freshmen for field goals made in transition (72) and field goals made from both the left and right side of the court. He was among the freshmen leaders in alley-oop assists (17) as well.

He has significant defensive deficiencies but is one of the most exciting offensive prospects in recent memory. It's also worth noting Kings executive Scott Perry coached Acuff's father in college.

8. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans Pelicans): Brayden Burries

• TEAM: Arizona
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: California
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+2)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

With the pick the Hawks received from New Orleans, Atlanta is expected to pick a guard, and one potential target is Arizona freshman Brayden Burries. He was an exciting prospect to watch during the Big Dance, making it all the way to the Final Four and dropping 23 points against Arkansas. He had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. But the All-Big 12 guard continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. He has proven productivity, and he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble.

9. Dallas Mavericks: Kingston Flemings

• TEAM: Houston
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Texas
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-4 (+1)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

After hiring Masai Ujiri as president of basketball operations and Mike Schmitz as general manager, the Dallas Mavericks can add a lottery talent to grow alongside Cooper Flagg. One name to consider is Houston freshman Kingston Flemings.

The All-Big 12 guard has several games when he has recorded at least three steals, notching eight against Arizona State earlier this season. He scored 42 points against No. 11 Texas Tech on Jan. 24. Flemings helped lead Houston to the Sweet 16, and with highs as high as his were this season, it will not take long for him to hear his name called on draft night. 

Flemings' smaller wingspan did him no favors at the combine but he measured with a 40.5-inch max vertical and elite speed across all his agility testing, projecting as one of the fastest guards since De'Aaron Fox.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Aday Mara

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Spain
• HEIGHT: 7-3
• WINGSPAN: 7-6 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 21

While leading his team to win the NCAA championship, Aday Mara became one of the prospects who helped himself the most during March Madness. The 7-foot-3 big man, who transferred from UCLA, is a fantastic rim protector. Opponents only attempted 20.4 percent of their field goals at the rim when the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was on the court, per CBB Analytics, which ranks near the lowest among all NCAA players. He could potentially hear his name called even higher than this, too, as teams look for large defenders like Mara (who measured with a 9-foot-9 standing reach) as front offices value bigger bodies to throw at Victor Wembanyama.

11. Golden State Warriors: Karim López

• TEAM: International
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Mexico
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Karim López had a low usage rate and played fewer minutes than other players in this range while playing against pros, but was still very productive for the NBL Next Stars program in Australia. The Mexican-born forward is physically gifted, athletic, and universally seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30. Despite his age, he played a huge role for his team defensively for a team that won the NBL Ignite Cup. López measured well, weighing just shy of 222 pounds and 38-inch max vertical. According to The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, his "range" starts at this pick to Golden State.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Nate Ament

• TEAM: Tennessee
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Virginia
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+2)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

While the Thunder may not actually use this pick because they have such an abundance of talent on its roster already, this is a fair range for Tennessee freshman Nate Ament, who has reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization.

The forward reportedly considered returning to college to aim for the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NBA Draft. His decision to declare for this class, instead, suggests he is likely comfortable with the pre-draft feedback he received.

The freshman averaged 21.6 points per game, while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers, during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. The All-SEC forward then had 27 points (4-of-6 on 3-pointers) with eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal against Auburn on March 12. He was not as efficient during March Madness, but it will only take one team to fall in love with Ament, and that team is likely picking this forward with a standing reach exceeding 9-foot-1 near the lottery.

13. Miami Heat: Hannes Steinbach

• DRAFT AGE: 20
• TEAM: Washington
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Germany
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+4)

German big man Hannes Steinbach, who will get looks starting as early as around No. 10 overall, should make some sense for the Miami Heat. The center reportedly turned down NIL opportunities “worth up to $10 million” rather than return to college. While his Washington team missed the tournament, the All-Big Ten center is an instinctive rebounder with great hands, including an absurd 24 rebounds against USC on March 4. Additionally, Steinbach was one of the more prolific pick-and-roll finishers in college basketball. He impressed during the FIBA U19 World Cup, too, and scouts love that he is a smart basketball player who can make great reads.  

14. Charlotte Hornets: Morez Johnson Jr.

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Illinois
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-4 (+7)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best two-way players in the NCAA. He was a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson's shooting form at the free-throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should carve out minutes at the next level. Johnson was a big winner during measurements at the combine, recording a 39-inch max vertical and testing with elite agility for his position.

15. Chicago Bulls (via Trail Blazers): Cameron Carr

• DRAFT AGE: 21
• TEAM: Baylor
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Minnesota
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• WINGSPAN: 7-1 (+8)

The Chicago Bulls received this additional pick because the Portland Trail Blazers advanced past the play-in tournament and the player who improved his draft stock the most during the combine was Baylor junior Cameron Carr.

He scored 30 points in a five-on-five scrimmage, recorded a 42.5-inch max vertical and had great physical measurements. This should grab the attention of teams that tend to like athletic prospects, which new Bulls executive Bryson Graham indicated.

The All-Big 12 wing brings sincere athleticism and shooting and, per Bart Torvik, he was the only player to make at least 40 field goals that were dunks and more than 60 field goals that were 3-pointers this season. Baylor outscored opponents by an additional 28.5 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor relative to when he was not, via CBB Analytics, which ranked as the fourth-most of any high-major player in the NCAA. 

16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Suns): Yaxel Lendeborg

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: New Jersey
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-3 (+7)
• DRAFT AGE: 23

Yaxel Lendeborg showed on his way to winning the national championship that he is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, however, reported that "there is potential for him to slip out of the lottery" on draft night.

Despite his age, he will intrigue teams like the Grizzlies, who have another first-round pick thanks to the Desmond Bane trade. The Grizzlies have shown a willingness to pick older, more experienced players in the past.

A few years ago, research indicated that the Memphis front office tends to value a few statistical similarities in their draftees: Efficient shot selection, added value beyond scoring and defensive playmaking. For the second year in a row, the Big Ten Player of the Year was an impactful dribble-pass-shoot forward who met many of the qualifications that led Memphis to find players who spent many years on their roster.

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers): Chris Cenac Jr. 

• DRAFT AGE: 19
• TEAM: Houston
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Louisiana
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-5 (+7)

If the Thunder do not trade this pick, one name to consider is Chris Cenac Jr., whose range begins around No. 14 overall.

It was an up-and-down season for former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American big man at Houston. But he played into his role and caught fire at the perfect time. In his first NCAA tournament game, the big man recorded a season-high 18 rebounds while also knocking down a 3-pointer and grabbing a steal. He followed that up in the Round of 32 by showcasing more scoring touch, finishing cuts to the basket for 17 points against Texas A&M. Cenac was quieter in the Sweet 16 but still pulled down 10 rebounds.

Cenac also impressed at the NBA Combine, posting a 37-inch max vertical and strong agility numbers for his size.

18. Charlotte Hornets (via Magic): Labaron Philon

• TEAM: Alabama
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Alabama
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

The Hornets could find a fairly compelling player in Alabama sophomore Labaron Philon. Even though the All-SEC guard was not playing at 100 percent during March Madness due to injury issues, he played well in the tournament, recording 35 points during a loss against Michigan. He also notched 29 points in his first-round game and 12 assists in his second. The guard averaged 22.0 points per game this season, and he improved his 3-point shooting from 31.5 percent as a freshman to 39.9 percent as a sophomore, while also managing 5.0 assists per game in the process.

19. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz

• TEAM: Iowa
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Missouri
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 22

The Raptors need another guard and should have Bennett Stirtz, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization, on their priority list. After transferring from Division II to a mid-major and then to a high-major program, he is at the top of the class in creating his own shot off the dribble in isolation or the pick-and-roll. The All-Big Ten guard can also finish plays from dribble handoffs. His play during March Madness, which included 24 points against Illinois and 20 points against Nebraska, earned a spot in the Elite Eight. The Raptors play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who did the same at Iowa. 

20. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Ebuka Okorie

• TEAM: Stanford
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: New Hampshire
• HEIGHT: 6-1
• WINGSPAN: 6-8 (+7)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie is an interesting early entry candidate in the 2026 NBA Draft. The first-team All-ACC guard was a day-one starter in the NCAA who is potentially capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the 76ers. He averaged 23.2 points per game, recording 40 points against conference rival Virginia Tech and seven other games with at least 30 points. Okorie has earned serious first-round buzz and should intrigue the Spurs, who often fall in love with players who boast a high assist-to-turnover ratio like he did (2.3) last season. Expect the Spurs to also consider Allen Graves, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization.

21. Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves): Dailyn Swain

• TEAM: Texas
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-7
• WINGSPAN: 6-10 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

After transferring from Xavier to Texas during the offseason and helping lead the Longhorns to the Sweet 16, Dailyn Swain emerged as one of the more intriguing breakout players in college basketball.

The All-SEC forward is versatile and contributed across the board on both ends, scoring efficiently in the paint and in transition. Another appealing element is his effectiveness in isolation, where he can create for himself against defenders. Swain is quick, bouncy and a solid rebounder, and his 81.5% free-throw percentage suggests promising shooting touch. While he has three years of college experience, he’s still just 20 years old, the same age as several NCAA freshmen.

Expect the Pistons to have serious interest in Swain. Detroit will also strongly consider shooters like Christian Anderson and Isaiah Evans.

22. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets): Joshua Jefferson

• TEAM: Iowa State
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Nevada
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 6-11 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 22

The Philadelphia 76ers have a new front office led by president of basketball operations Mike Gansey and vice president of basketball operations Jameer Nelson. One name they may have their eyes on with the first-round pick they acquired after trading Jared McCain is Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson. The All-Big 12 standout was an impactful dribble-pass-shoot forward who got hurt during March Madness and otherwise could have come into the pre-draft process with even more hype and momentum due to his unique skill set.

23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Jayden Quaintance

• TEAM: Kentucky
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-5 (+8)
• DRAFT AGE: 18

Jayden Quaintance recorded just one start during his sophomore campaign as he recovered from a torn ACL, meniscus and fractured knee. Health may cause some concern for evaluators. The big man is still one of the youngest players in this class, but he has shown flashes during his time at Arizona State and Kentucky. When healthy, he is arguably the most talented defender in this draft class and could help a team that desperately needs frontcourt help, like the Hawks. During his freshman year when he was just 17 years old, per CBB Analytics, he led all D-I players in blocks per 40 minutes (0.7) on 3-pointers, regularly swatting shots on the perimeter. While his draft stock is not what it once was due to health concerns, his youth and frame give him an opportunity to become a special player in the NBA.

24. New York Knicks: Allen Graves

• TEAM: Santa Clara
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Louisiana
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

One of the most under-the-radar prospects in college basketball this season was Santa Clara freshman Allen Graves, who came close to becoming a March Madness hero. The WCC Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year turned heads after posting 30 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals on Feb. 7 against Washington State. The only players under 21 with a higher box plus-minus, per Bart Torvik, were Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. The Knicks have prioritized scrappy, high-motor players like Josh Hart, capable of winning the possession battle through rebounds and turnovers. That's an area where Graves stands out among the best in this class and is likely one of the reasons he chose to turn pro rather than return to college.

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Koa Peat 

• TEAM: Arizona
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Arizona
• HEIGHT: 6-7
• WINGSPAN: 6-11 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Arizona forward Koa Peat is potentially an appealing option for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is naturally bouncy and athletic with good positional size, a strong frame and a near 7-foot wingspan. Peat is also a solid rebounder and passer for his position. The All-Big 12 forward will need to improve his jumper to carve out consistent, high-impact minutes at the next level, but he’s still worth first-round consideration based on his body of work so far. Peat arguably had the most interesting decisions to make when it was finally his turn to announce if he would stay in college or turn pro.

26. Denver Nuggets: Christian Anderson 

• DRAFT AGE: 20
• TEAM: Texas Tech
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Georgia
• HEIGHT: 6-1
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+5)

The Denver Nuggets tend to look for players with a strong assist-to-usage ratio because they rely on high-efficiency passing and off-ball movement. Texas Tech sophomore Christian Anderson is a potentially perfect fit. After moving from the two-guard to point guard, the All-Big 12 Most Improved Player recorded more than twice as many assists per 100 possessions as a sophomore compared to when he was a freshman. Anderson managed to do that while also scoring well on spot-up possessions and handoffs. Even though he is a bit undersized, there are few better offensive creators in this class than Anderson.

27. Boston Celtics: Isaiah Evans

• TEAM: Duke
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: North Carolina
• HEIGHT: 6-6
• WINGSPAN: 6-9 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Boston tends to favor players with a high effective field goal percentage, low turnover percentage and low usage rate. They also like players who make quick decisions on catch-and-shoot opportunities and on corner 3-pointers. Evans scored 218 points when shooting off the catch, per Synergy, which ranked third-best among ACC players last season. He also matched 30 corner 3-pointers, according to CBB Analytics, which trailed the top-ranked high-major player (34) by just four field goals made. Expect the Celtics to potentially have Evans higher on their big board than other teams might. UConn's Alex Karaban, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization, also fits the bill.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons): Meleek Thomas 

• TEAM: Arkansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Pennsylvania
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-7 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Arkansas freshman Meleek Thomas averaged 16.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 43.2 percent on 3-pointers during his 21 games as a starter last season. He was efficient using off-ball screens and handoffs and occasionally showed some on-ball flashes as a pick-and-roll ball handler as well. He led the SEC in corner 3-pointers made (32) last season, per CBB Analytics, and his plus-four wingspan gives him solid length as a young guard who is still improving on both sides of the court. Thomas answered one of the biggest questions in college basketball when he decided to turn pro rather than return to the NCAA.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Henri Veesaar

• TEAM: North Carolina
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Estonia
• HEIGHT: 6-11
• WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 22

We have seen a remarkable improvement from Henri Veesaar after transferring from Arizona to North Carolina. The 7-foot big man from Estonia has an excellent shot diet on offense. The All-ACC big man is scoring efficiently at the rim (especially when cutting or rolling) and on 3-pointers, while also holding his own as a rebounder and passer. Any team looking for a big man who can provide NBA minutes will have him high on their priority list. He presumably feels comfortable with his draft range, considering he was reportedly offered "at least $6 million" in the transfer portal, per CBS Sports.

30. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder): Tarris Reed Jr. 

• DRAFT AGE: 22
• TEAM: Connecticut
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Missouri
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-4 (+7)

UConn senior Tarris Reed Jr. helped himself quite a bit during the NCAA tournament en route to an appearance in the national championship game. He recorded four double-doubles during March Madness, notching 31 points and 27 rebounds against Furman. Reed also had 26 points with 9 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals during a win over Duke. During the combine, he did the dirty work, recording 5 rebounds with 1 steal and 1 block in his first game and then scored 17 points (7-of-9 FG) with 5 rebounds and 2 blocks in the second. Reed also tested with elite agility for his position. Expect him to come into the league and find a role sooner, especially considering his paint dominance, rather than later.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NBA mock draft: Projecting all 30 first round picks

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Raptors have signed general manager Bobby Webster to a multiyear extension and promoted him to executive vice president, the team announced Monday.

The Raptors also extended contracts for key front office members Dan Tolzman, Keith Boyarsky and Tyla Flexman.

Webster, 41, is entering his 10th season as the Raptors’ general manager. Terms of the extension were not disclosed.

He assumed full leadership of the Raptors’ basketball operations in August 2025, weeks after former president Masai Ujiri was fired.

Toronto has made nine playoff appearances since Webster joined the team in 2013 and won the NBA championship in 2019.

The team has a 591-455 regular-season record, with five 50-win seasons under Webster. The Raptors finished 46-36 in 2025-26 and took the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in a first-round playoff series.

“Bobby has an elite understanding of the game and the NBA, and he’s used that to build a team that competes at a high level,” Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment chief executive officer Keith Pelley said in a statement. “It’s been an exciting year for the Raptors. They were a joy to watch compete together, and with Bobby and the Raptors, we’ve seen the results, and we believe in where his leadership will take us.”

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Who let him in?

7-foot-4 Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was spotted in Manhattan’s private Gramercy Park, according to video posted on Instagram on Sunday.

While it’s unclear if the video was shot on Sunday, the implication was that the 22-year-old Frenchman was spending time before Monday’s Game 3 of the NBA Finals “drawing a statue,” according to the clip posted by Visitour Media.

View this post on Instagram

The statue in Gramercy Park is of Edwin Booth, the Shakespearean actor whose brother was John Wilkes Booth, the man who assassinated Abraham Lincoln.

Keys to Gramercy Park — which sits south of Lexington Ave. between 20th and 21st Streets — are reserved for residents who live right along the park, members of the National Arts Club and Players club, or members of the Brotherhood Synagogue or Calvary-St. George’s Church. Guests at the Gramercy Park hotel, which is set to reopen this fall after renovations, can also get keys.

So it’s not clear how Wembanyama got access. The Spurs appear to be staying at the Ritz-Carlton NoMad on 28th Street, according to videos posted on social media.

More Coverage on the Knicks during the 2026 NBA Finals

• Spurs’ surprising Victor Wembanyama strategy is backfiring
• Meet the Knicks superfans who spend thousands on season tickets, host massive fan meetups and have ‘Knicks Nooks’ full of old-school memorabilia
• The underlying fuel that’s propelling the Knicks through historic postseason run
• MSG’s electric Knicks atmosphere will be on full display as NBA Finals makes ‘really special’ return

This isn’t the first time Wembanyama has enjoyed New York’s green spaces. In 2024, he played chess with strangers at Washington Square Park.

The Gramercy Park video comes as the Spurs trail the Knicks 2-0 in the series after Wembanyama missed a game-winning shot attempt at the end of Friday’s 105-104 Knicks victory.

Wembanyama was asked Sunday about how he handles pressure.

“I think the key is acceptance a lot of times and taking a step back, realizing the journey that’s behind us and what’s ahead of us, and just being OK with who I am, where I am, what I’m doing,” he said. “At the end of the day, this is everything I wished for, so there’s no reason to really overthink it. This is what I’m built for.”

Pinched myself. Still awake. Here we go.

The Knicks return to Madison Square Garden tonight for Game Three of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. on ABC. The Knicks have won 13 straight games and are two wins from their first championship since 1973, while the Spurs face a 3-0 series deficit from which no team has ever recovered.

Our heroes won Game Two, 105-104, on Friday at Frost Bank Center. The score looks close because it was close. Skin-of-their-teeth close. Karl-Anthony Towns led New York with a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double, while Mikal Bridges added 20 points, but it was Jalen Brunson’s late bucket and steal, plus costly mistakes by Victor Wembanyama, that held off a 14-0 fourth-quarter run by the Spurs.

Wembanyama finished with 29 points, but the game flipped when Towns attacked him steadily. Also, Wemby attempting just four field goals in the first half was remarkable (hence, I’m remarking on it). To his credit, Wembanyama showed leadership after intermission and rallied his troops to near victory. If not for his backbreaking pass (into the back of Stephon Castle) and his final brick . . . the Knicks would be in a very different position coming home tonight.

You heard that the Knicks gave up too many picks to get Bridges? Pshaw. He has proven himself worthy of the trade in these playoffs. In Game Two, Bridges was on such a heater that every time he rose to shoot, we were sure it was money. With the city gone Knicks-crazy, expect the Brooklyn Bridge to be renamed the Mikal Bridge if they win the championship. Appropriate, given that he crossed it to join us.

New York’s supporting cast keeps showing up. Landry Shamet keeps hitting huge, steeply discounted shots. Josh Hart did Hart things (fewer than in Game One, but totally fine). OG Anunoby made momentum-changing defensive plays, and his dunk on Wemby should be on a poster in your bedroom. Miles “Deuce” McBride made a couple of timely shots. Everyone’s showing up for the party! Jordan Clarkson is due for a few minutes in the limelight tonight.

Fun fact: the Knicks have not lost a third quarter in 16 straight playoff games. Either Coach Brown and his staff are making excellent halftime adjustments, or the players are hitting the go-go powder before returning to the court. Whatever works!

The Spurs’ expected starting five tonight: Julian Champagnie (40% from three in the Finals), Devin Vassell (five assists, nine rebounds in Game Two), Victor Wembanyama (29 points, nine rebounds, four blocks in Game Two), De’Aaron Fox (20 points, five assists, 63% FG in Game Two), and Stephon Castle (14 points, four assists in Game Two). Castle rolled an ankle late in the last game but is expected to be available. Fox continues to play through a high-ankle sprain. Both teams are otherwise healthy.

Three factors will likely decide the game. First, Towns must continue to dominate Wembanyama and avoid foul trouble. Second, the Knicks need to limit turnovers after committing 15 in Game Two. Third, they must keep up the pace to tire out the lanky Frenchman, while also not tiring themselves out. ESPN gives the Knicks a 58% chance. Fair enough. We’re picking the Knicks by eight.

Because my wife got so excited watching the first game, she joined me to watch the final quarter on Friday. She squealed through most of it. I might’ve squealed a little, too. After the final buzzer, as Wemby was leaving the court, Jen said to my horror, “I feel bad for him. And the fans! They all look so sad!” 

She doesn’t understand. No one has ever cared for Knicks fans. I picked New York to win the Finals in six games, but now it feels like they have to sweep to finally get the respect they deserve. Anything less will be tagged with disclaimers—that Games One and Two were given away by the Spurs, and Fox was injured, and blah blah blah. As for sympathy: the Knickerbockers will never get any sympathy if they screw the pooch and lose the series. No one would cry for our heartbreak. They’d just laugh with the usual derision and say, LOLKnicks. So, I say let’s sweep to avoid any misery and squash any potential qualifying narratives.

Go Knicks!!!

Game Details

Who: New York Knicks (2-0) at San Antonio Spurs (0-2)
Date: Monday, June 8, 2026
Time: 8:30 PM ET
Place: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, NY
TV: ABC
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

If the definition of insanity is repeating the same process over and over while expecting a different result, then maybe the issue is me and not Jalen Brunson’s long-range stroke. 

The San Antonio Spurs are doing a solid job slowing down the New York Knicks' star in the NBA Finals, including limiting him to a 4-for-16 mark from beyond the 3-point arc.

But after watching him miss multiple open looks from the perimeter — like a slot machine coming up “7, 7, Cherry” — I can’t help but bite a third time in my Jalen Brunson prop picks for Game 3.

Here are my best NBA picks for June 8.

Jalen Brunson prop pick for Game 3

Jalen Brunson best bet: Jalen Brunson Over 2.5 threes (+120 at bet365)

Three times in the fourth quarter of Game 2, I held my breath in anticipation as Jalen Brunson fired from beyond the arc. And three times I cringed in frustration as the New York Knicks' guard failed to hit his third triple.

What made those misses sting even more was that there was not a San Antonio Spurs player in the zip code. That’s been the case in many of Brunson’s 3-point attempts. 

Entering tonight, 14 of Brunson’s 18 threes are graded as “open” or “wide open” with no defender within at least four feet. He’s actually been worse on 3-point shots with nobody within six feet, shooting 1-for-7 on wide-open attempts.

It’s enough for any prop bettors to blacklist Brunson’s 3-point market, but with the vig climbing on the Over 2.5 treys and the finals coming to New York, the value is there.

Through two NBA Finals games, his 3-point volume is much higher than in the previous series. Those twin eight 3PA efforts are tied as his third most active outings from distance in the playoffs, and with the Spurs not throwing as many double teams at Brunson, the space will continue to be there.

The trip to Madison Square Garden will help those triples drop tonight. On the season, Brunson does shoot better from deep at home, and in the postseason, his 3-point success spikes to 37% compared to just 30.6% on the road.

Player projections range from 2.2 to 2.7 triples, with the majority of models at 2.5 or higher. My number comes out to 2.6 threes from Brunson, which should have the Over 2.5 listed around +112.

Sportsbooks are offering that as high as +140, so shop your available operators.

Jalen Brunson same-game parlay

The Knicks step up in the crunch while the Spurs have sputtered in those closing minutes. Madison Square Garden will be electric, and if a young San Antonio team found the moment too much at home, just wait until they get a bite of the Big Apple.

That crowd is going to erupt when Brunson bangs home three triples, along with his signature celebration. 

Mikal Bridges has been a mid-range monster against San Antonio, picking up the slack with the Spurs focusing defensive fire on Brunson. His projections flirt with 15 points in Game 3. 

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change.

The Knicks are back in the New York groove.

Eighteen days after their last game at Madison Square Garden — when they played the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals on May 21 — Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby return to Manhattan tonight for their first NBA Finals game at MSG this century.

The Knicks are up 2-0 against Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs and ticket prices for Game 3 are through the roof.

However, what you might not have heard is that last-minute prices are dropping.

When our team last reported how much Knicks MSG Finals Game 3 tickets cost on June 5, the cheapest seats available were $8,417 including fees on SeatGeek.

Now, just one long weekend later, prices start at $4,585 including fees at the time of publication.

That’s a whopping $3,832 in savings.

Should you purchase, make sure to use promo code NYPOST10 at checkout to save an additional $10 if you’d like to sweeten the deal just a little more (Editor’s Note: this discount is only valid for users’ first purchase on SeatGeek).

Knicks stars can’t wait to put on a show for their faithful either.

“We got to be desperate for these fans,” Karl-Anthony Towns said after practice Sunday, according to The Post. “Fans have earned the right and deserve the right to see Finals basketball be played here at Madison Square Garden. For this to be the first game in a long time that they have seen Finals basketball, it’s up to us to bring it, give ’em something to cheer for, give ’em something to get loud for and also give ’em something to believe in.”

More Coverage on the Knicks during the 2026 NBA Finals

• Spurs’ surprising Victor Wembanyama strategy is backfiring
• Meet the Knicks superfans who spend thousands on season tickets, host massive fan meetups and have ‘Knicks Nooks’ full of old-school memorabilia
• The underlying fuel that’s propelling the Knicks through historic postseason run
• MSG’s electric Knicks atmosphere will be on full display as NBA Finals makes ‘really special’ return

If you’re on the fence, now is the time to act especially since the lowest price on seats for Game 4 on Wednesday is $9,280 including fees.

Prepare for roadblocks tonight as well with President Trump planning to attend.

“NYPD and Secret Service officials outlined planned closures ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden Monday as President Trump is expected to attend the Knicks’ matchup with the San Antonio Spurs,” The Post reported.

For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about attending Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden below.

What do tickets cost for Knicks NBA Finals games at MSG?

A complete calendar, including all announced Knicks NBA Finals home game dates and the best prices on tickets are listed here:

What do tickets cost for Spurs NBA Finals games in San Antonio?

All Spurs playoff home game dates at the Frost Bank Center and the cheapest tickets available can be found below.

What are the Knicks Finals home game giveaways at MSG?

New York Post social media guru Olivia Silio let us know that there are likely some additional perks to attending Finals games at MSG.

“The first home game of the series, you’ll go home with a souvenir t-shirt, commemorating the game,” she said, based on her experience attending the Eastern Conference Finals.

“Other games have ‘Always Knicks’ towels for fans to keep as well as interactive arena bracelets, used for light shows and hyping up the crowd. Another bonus is you may see your favorite actor, singer or athlete, rooting alongside you.”

How can I watch the Knicks and Spurs in the NBA Finals on TV?

Fans hoping to catch Mike Brown’s ballers on the tube can watch all NBA Finals games on ABC and ESPN.

Just make sure to review your local listings before tuning in.

If you don’t have cable, your best bet may be DIRECTV.

What are the planned closures for Game 3 of the NBA Finals?

The Post reported this is what you need to know:

• Vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be prevented from entering from West 30th Street to West 35th Street between 6th Avenue and Eighth Avenue starting at 4 p.m., the NYPD said.
• The only people allowed inside that perimeter will be fans with tickets, commuters going to Penn Station and those who are working inside that part of Midtown Manhattan.
• Fans won’t be allowed to bring backpacks, bags, purses or other containers inside the venue and are strongly advised to show up at least two hours before tip-off. There will be no storage area for spectators who bring a bag, officials warned.
• “All attendees will pass through TSA-style magnetometer screening before entering the arena,” said Matt McCool, who is the Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service’s New York field office.

Huge concerts at MSG in 2026

Not sure what to do once the final buzzer sounds on the 2025-26 NBA season?

MSG has you covered.

The legendary venue has booked a number of exciting acts to entertain audiences all summer long.

Here are just five of our favorites you won’t want to miss live.

• Bon Jovi (July 7-9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26)

• Earth, Wind, and Fire with Lionel Richie (July 11)

• Phish (July 22, 24, 25, 27, 29)

• RUSH (July 28, 30, Aug. 1, 3)

• J. Cole (Aug. 2, 4)

Want to see who else is Big Apple-bound? Check out this list of all the upcoming events at Madison Square Garden to find the show for you.

Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post

This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

Are you interested in a big man that plays a lot of minutes on a lot of nights and eats rebounds for breakfast, lunch and dinner? If so, and most Sixers fans should be, then Hannes Steinbach is your guy. The 20-year-old German had a very strong freshman campaign statistically at the University of Washington and looks ready for the NBA. But will the Sixers be able to maneuver their way up in this month’s first round to land the Husky?

Profile

2025-26 Stats: 30 games, 34.6 minutes, 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.2 blocks, 57.7% FG, 34% 3P, 75.9% FT

Team: Washington Huskies

Year: Freshman

Position: PF/C

Height & Weight: 6’11” | 248 lbs

Born: May 1, 2006 (20 years old)

Hometown: Wurzburg, Germany

Strengths

Measuring at just under seven feet tall and 250 pounds, Steinbach will enter the NBA with a frame that should allow him to play a lot of minutes as a rookie. After all, he just finished a college season in which he was playing roughly 35 out of the 40 regulation minutes and did so in the Big 10. He’s not going to get pushed around in the paint like some bigs who come out of college with a lot of athletic traits but haven’t filled out physically.

Fundamentally, Steinbach is rock solid. His footwork enables him to find lots of ways to finish inside, something he does rather smooth and effortlessly around the rim. These sound fundamentals extend beyond interior scoring as Steinbach can be used effectively on the perimeter in pick-and-rolls and is comfortable passing out of said pick-and-rolls.

Both offensively and defensively he’s an aggressive rebounder and seems to always be in the right positions to possess the basketball. College stats can sometimes be misleading, but at the same time when you’re averaging almost 12 rebounds per game in your age 19 season as Steinbach did last year, you’re doing something right, wherever you’re playing.

Weaknesses

The majority of Steinbach’s concerns at the next level can be traced back to his lack of athleticism. While he has the smarts to be a good pick-and-roll player on the perimeter offensively, he is certainly not laterally quick enough to defend big men who are more capable of stretching the floor. The absence of elite athletic traits in Steinbach’s game also raises question about how good of a rebounder he will be in the NBA. Is he going to be able to average double-digit rebounds just on good positioning and instincts? There are some NBA bigs who might not be as fundamentally sound as Steinbach is but more than make up for that with their athletic ability.

Additionally, in his lone year of college basketball, Steinbach was not much of an outside shooter. His 34% from the three-point line might not look bad, but it came on less than two attempts per game and he didn’t have much of a midrange game either. Can he score 10-15 points per game as a rookie in the NBA solely on good fundamentals? Either way, if he’s going to be a regular starter, there needs to be some perimeter development as a scorer.

Positional Fit

With his current skillset, Steinbach is a traditional NBA center. If his jump shot develops well, he could be used as a bigger power forward that would develop into more of a three-level scorer. Having said that, you wouldn’t want Steinbach too far away from the basket on either end of the floor due to how well he rebounds. But his rebounding would make him a great fit with the Sixers, who finished second-to-last in postseason rebounding in 2026 and were only middle-of-the-pack in regular season rebounding. Steinbach would immediately be the second-most skilled offensive big on Philadelphia’s roster behind Joel Embiid and would play a lot of minutes with the Sixers as a rookie given Embiid’s constant lack of availability.

Draft Projection

SB Nation Mock Draft: In the most recent SB Nation mock, Steinbach goes at the tail end of the lottery to Golden State. The fit seems to track well given the Warriors might be looking for one last kick at the can with Steve Kerr on the sidelines and Steph Curry in the backcourt. An NBA-ready big to come into their lineup and rebound instantly would make sense. The problem for Philly is that Golden State has the 11^th overall pick, well ahead of the Sixers at 22. Perhaps this is where a Paul George trade could make sense for the Sixers and maybe Golden State is a partner that makes sense. If new President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey covets Steinbach, a team that’s ahead of the Sixers that would be looking to contend next season and would value George’s veteran presence and postseason production might be a logical trade partner. Either way, it seems unlikely that Steinbach is available for Philadelphia if the team stays put at 22.

If the NBA’s Western Conference represented a different class of competition than the East, nobody told the New York Knicks. Mike Brown’s team extended their playoff win streak to 13 games after stealing two tight games in San Antonio, and are now playing their first NBA Finals games in Madison Square Garden in 27 years with a 2-0 series advantage. The Spurs have looked more terrestrial than their reputation, but they’ve held leads late in both games, and perhaps the real difference between conferences is showing up in the fatigue factor in the final minutes.

The market for NBA Finals MVP on FanDuel is a valuable measure of the impact that each player has had on the series so far. It’s also a look beyond the box score to consider the narratives that are likely to close out the season.

Jalen Brunson (+115)

Brunson shook off a slow start to game 1 (including multiple injury scares) to take over in the fourth quarter and nailed tough looks down the stretch. Conventional wisdom and historical precedent have suggested that a team can’t win a championship if their best player is short. But this is nothing new to Jalen Brunson, who’s carried his teams to titles at every level of his career. 

He hasn’t been an efficient shooter to start the series (33.9% FG), but he’s found ways to force his impact; scoring 30 points in the opener and grabbing five steals to go with his 20 points and six assists in game two. The Knicks’ offense evolved when Towns became more of a facilitator, but Brunson’s penetration and pull-ups are still the team’s primary options in crunch time.

Karl-Anthony Towns (+165)

Maybe the best argument in Becky Hammon’s favor is that the Knicks are on the precipice of a championship because of the play of their big man, Karl-Anthony Towns. He’s challenged conventional wisdom about his own play during this win streak, using his size to play physical defense and wear on Wemby, while grabbing 12.5 tough rebounds.

Towns has unlocked the Knicks’ offense by serving more as an offensive hub and highlighting his passing, but he’s still the best shooting big man of all time. He sank 3 three-pointers while shooting an efficient 66.7% from the floor in game two, and could easily catch fire and come out of his matchup with Wemby as the most impactful big man in a short series.

Victor Wembanyama (+380)

Even with his team down two games, Wemby has looked like the best player on the floor for significant stretches. He shot over 50% from the field for 29 points in game two while logging nine rebounds, four blocks, and two steals. Those are star numbers, but the Spurs will need him to resemble something more superhuman if they’re to overcome their size and youth disadvantages and climb back from down 0-2.

Nobody has won the Finals MVP in a losing effort since Jerry West in 1969, and it would take an effort at least as impressive as West’s 40-point triple-double in game seven to repeat the honor. If anyone in the league could pull off those kinds of numbers though, it’s Victor Wembanyama.

Longshots

There’s still plenty of basketball left, and a handful of players have made steady impacts that could explode with the right combination of adjustments and luck. 

Mikal Bridges (+17500) has regained his form as a dynamic two-way threat. He scored 20 points in game two, and has been a connective tissue and clutch shooter throughout the Knicks’ win streak.

OG Anunoby (+17500) has shown no fear, nailing jumpers and dunking on Wemby for 17 points in each contest. He’s also been an imposing force on defense, totaling six blocks and assists through two games.

Stephon Castle (+25000) has played beyond his years, cutting down his turnovers while scoring in double digits and holding up well on defense.

Dylan Harper (+25000) didn’t even make a postseason tournament with Rutgers last year, but he’s looked more than comfortable on the game’s biggest stage. The rookie has only shot 1-7 from deep in the first two games, but he’ll keep seeing more minutes.

United States President Donald Trump isn't expected to show up uninvited to Game 3 of the NBA Finals. He'll be inside Madison Square Garden as the guest of New York Knicks owner James Dolan, and Trump made clear the two go way back.

"Well, I’ve been a Knick fan for a long time, and I’m also a Jim Dolan fan," Trump told reporters last week when asked about his plans to be in attendance when the Knicks host their first NBA Finals game since 1999 on Monday, June 8. "He’s a nice guy, OK? He spent a long time wanting to win, and he’s a competitive guy. He’s got a team that’s amazing.

"They're really great, a great team. I'm happy for Jim (Dolan) because Jim has really been fighting hard to produce such a team," Trump added.

We recently went over all of LeBron James’ contract options in free agency and how that would impact which teams he’d be able to sign with.

But what if he wants to stay with the Lakers?

The franchise will have full Bird rights on LeBron, so they can sign him to anything up to a max contract. However, he might not have long to make his decision. He’ll have a $57.75 million cap hold on the Lakers’ books until they either re-sign him, sign-and-trade him elsewhere or renounce their free-agent rights on him entirely.

In other words: The Lakers’ offseason starts with reaching a decision on LeBron either way. They will not have a single dollar of cap space until they do that.

So, let’s explore what all of his different contract options would mean for the Lakers’ free-agency outlook.

Max contract

If LeBron wants a max deal, the Lakers can give him one, even though that would take them back over the cap. That’s the power of having LeBron’s full Bird rights.

However, that would also take them out of the running for other marquee free agents.

LeBron’s max salary next year is the same as his cap hit, $57.75 million. He and Luka Dončić alone would be earning $107.25 million. Add in Jarred Vanderbilt ($12.4 million), Jake LaRavia ($6.0 million), Dalton Knecht ($4.2 million), the No. 25 pick ($3.2 million), Adou Thiero ($2.1 million) and the guaranteed $1.26 million portion of Bronny James’ salary in 2026-27, and the Lakers would already be up to nearly $136.5 million.

That’s before factoring in the possibility of Deandre Ayton ($8.1 million) and Marcus Smart ($5.4 million) picking up their respective player options or Austin Reaves’ $20.9 million cap hit. Add those into the picture, and they’d already be over the cap after re-signing LeBron.

If the Lakers decided to operate as an over-the-cap team this offseason, they could have access to the $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception as long as they stayed below the first apron. But using it would trigger a first-apron hard cap, which could complicate their ability to re-sign Reaves, Rui Hachimura and/or any of their other free agents.

Otherwise, if they re-sign James and opt to use cap space, they’ll have only the $9.4 million room mid-level exception at their disposal. (More on that later.)

Below max, above NTMLE

If LeBron wants more than the non-taxpayer MLE but is willing to take less than a max, the Lakers could meet him anywhere in the middle.

With just Luka, Vando, LaRavia, Knecht, the No. 25 pick, Thiero, the guaranteed portion of Bronny’s salary and Reaves’ cap hold on their books, the Lakers would be at $99.6 million in guaranteed salary. If they somehow convinced Ayton and Smart to decline their respective player options, they could have upward of $60 million in spending power. Granted, that would require them to renounce the rights to everyone, including LeBron, Rui and Luke Kennard. That isn’t likely to happen.

If the Lakers signed LeBron to a deal in the $25-30 million range, they still wouldn’t have any cap space once factoring in cap holds for Hachimura ($27.4 million), Kennard ($13.2 million) and Jaxson Hayes ($6.6 million). They’d have to renounce all of them to have significant cap space.

So, the TL;DR version: If the Lakers re-sign LeBron to something more than the non-taxpayer MLE, they aren’t likely to have cap space this summer.

NTMLE

If LeBron is willing to settle for the non-taxpayer MLE, that could open up more options for the Lakers.

The Lakers could go about that one of two ways. They could operate as an over-the-cap team and use their actual non-taxpayer MLE on LeBron, or they could just give him an equivalent amount with his Bird rights.

If they went the Bird rights route, they’d then have either the room MLE or non-taxpayer MLE to spend on another free agent, depending on whether they dipped below the cap or stayed above it.

This is the contractual range where it starts to make sense for the Lakers to bring LeBron back. If they lost Rui and Kennard in free agency, they still could have significant spending power to bring in other free agents before they turned their attention to re-signing Reaves.

Room exception

Unless LeBron is willing to take a minimum deal, this would be the Lakers’ dream scenario.

They would renounce their rights to LeBron at the start of free agency, spend all of their cap space and then re-sign him using the $9.4 million room MLE. This would not impact their free-agent plans whatsoever since his $57.75 million cap hold would be off their books.

If the Lakers also renounced their rights to Hachimura, Kennard and the rest of their free agents, they could have upward of $50 million in spending power to round out their roster around Luka and Reaves before re-signing LeBron with the room MLE.

The only question is whether LeBron is willing to settle for that amount when other contenders (including the Spurs) would be able to offer more via the non-tax MLE.

Min deal

If LeBron doesn’t care about money at this stage of his career and only wants to maximize his chances of winning a championship, he should take a minimum contract this offseason, whether with the Lakers or another team.

Teams get a special salary-cap exception to sign players to minimum deals, so even teams over the second apron are able to hand out such contracts. Much like the room MLE scenario, the Lakers would renounce their rights to LeBron at the start of free agency, spend the rest of their money elsewhere and then re-sign him once they’re capped out.

The only difference here is that they’d preserve their access to the room MLE to spend on someone who might be more of a long-term fixture in L.A. moving forward. That would help put the Lakers in a better position for whenever LeBron retires.

The bottom line is that the Lakers technically can give LeBron whatever he wants contractually. But the less that they can convince him to take, the better off they’ll be with regard to the rest of free agency.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Spotrac and salary-cap information via RealGM.

Follow Bryan on Bluesky.

NEW YORK (AP) — In the NBA Finals, celebrity row property is worth $1 million.

The New York Knicks announced that was the winning bid in an auction for two seats for Game 3 on Monday night, the first NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden since 1999.

The winning bid was split by the law firm Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher LLP and private equity firm Veritas Capital. The fundraiser benefited the Garden of Dreams Foundation, and the Knicks said it was the largest single donation in the history of the foundation, which works with MSG’s companies to assist children at need in the tristate area.

The seats are located in section VIP 10, row AA, seats 25 and 26, right off center court. It’s impossible to know what they would usually cost, because the team doesn’t sell them. Instead, they are given to the celebrity fans such as Tracy Morgan and Timothée Chalamet who are courtside fixtures.

Seats everywhere in the building are expensive. The cheapest upper-deck seats available Sunday night were going for more than $6,000 on secondary markets like StubHub, SeatGeek and VividSeats. The experience of being courtside went for more than $75,000.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba